Lea's Favorites

It seems as though "Lea's Favorites" has become one of my most popular posts and that makes me very happy.  I seem to always have someone saying or messaging me that one of my favorites has become one of theirs as well.  That's awesome!  I always enjoy hearing a testimonial about an item, food or whatever before I purchase it too.  And, I more than love hearing about a product that I've never even heard of.  So, here's to another "Lea's Favorites"...........

Ladies, if you need a fabulous red lipstick then look no further.  Now, mind you, I am the "lipstick Queen."  No joke, I absolutely love lipstick and I always, always wear it.  I call it my "finishing touch."  Mary Kay Cosmetics has a cream lipstick simply named RED and I'm in love with it.It is a beautiful red and I put some clear gloss over it and love it even more.  If you are not a "glossy gal" them you can sure wear it without.  In the South the women say, "put your red lipstick on, and suck in your stomach" and you are ready to face the day.  I wholeheartily agree!
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This isn't a new product but I thought there may be some of you that do not know about this half-caff K-cup.  A few years ago I needed to reduce my caffeine intake and at that time I was still using a brew coffee pot and I just simply put half caff and half decaff in the basket and made my own half and half coffee.  Well, when I converted over to the K-cup style pot I couldn't find any half and half cups so I went back to full caffeinated coffee.  That was not good, it made my bladder most upset so I went on a search.  It was then that I found these little jewels and talk about a happy camper, I was delighted!  And, I seriously do not know the difference except that it does agree with my bladder a whole lot more. ~I know, TMI, but it is what it is~
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I will admit, I am a fashion jewelry lover!  And, when I can find quality fashion jewelry for a great price then I'm beyond happy.  If you have not heard of Plunder Designs then you need to check them out.  Their tag line is: vintage jewelry, savvy prices and that's the truth.  I have the above pieces and they are just gorgeous and yes, that necklace was only $26.  It is such a statement piece.  And, they are a Christian based company.  A precious young lady in our church sells it and you can find her at Samantha's Glitz and Grace Jewelry on Facebook or you can go to the Plunder website here  It is a new company but I'm pretty sure they are going to be a huge success. 

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If you are reading this and have lower back issues then you need this!  It is called the Back Vitalizer Multifunctional  Back Support.  I have used one of these for about 6 years in my vehicle and I also fly with it as it folds in half and fits in my carry on bag very easily.  It is merely an air cushion that can be inflated to whatever degree you need it.  I probably only have about two puffs of air in mind and it gives your back a soft floating support that is just unbelievable.  It makes such a difference on trips. It can also be used in chairs with a firm back but I do not use mine other than in the car or an airplane. It is $59.95 and can be found on Amazon.  My Chiropractor recommended it to me when I was facing some awful lower back issues about 8 years ago.  Thankfully, I rarely have any issues anymore.  Between twice monthly visits to my Chiropractor and this dandy cushion I'm "good to go."

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And, I leave you with a smile...........

Ever since our Andi Kate started walking (which was at 9 months) she wants, and pretty much will pitch a fit if you do not let her, carry her backpack.  It is the funniest thing.  When she is picked up from daycare she put her arms out for her Mom to put the backpack on her.  As you can see, it is almost as big as she is.  She's our little "miss independent." ~look at that red hair~

The Wednesday Hodgepodge

And, here you have it, the regular Wednesday Hodgepodge and we're all hoping that our dear "question maker,", Joyce, is feeling much better from her episode with the crud.

1. Have you ever been fishing? Did you catch a fish? If so did you keep it or throw it back? If you haven't been fishing is that something you'd like to try?
Well, yes, indeed I have been fishing and I have caught fish.  We've both kept our fish and thrown them back, it just all depends.  We have a pond just a few feet from our backyard.  Hubby has all the fishing equipment that any one could want but we really haven't fished all that much since living here.  We LOVE the pond because it's water and we love looking out all our back windows and enjoying it.  But, as far as fishing goes, I can take it or leave it.

Fish out of water, big fish in a small pond, living in a fishbowl, packed in like sardines, this is a fine kettle of fish, plenty of fish in the sea, or cut bait...which fishy phrase most recently applies to some area of your life?
I walked into a place of business a couple of weeks ago that I rarely go into because every time I do, I feel like a fish out of water.  The folks that work there seem to have their nose bent out of shape a bit and have an "air" about them that really bugs me.  And, living in a small town I often feel like I do live in a fishbowl, but I wouldn't trade small town living for anything. ~smile~

2. What's something you're always fishing for in your purse, wallet, desk, or kitchen junk drawer?
Well, I have wracked my brain and I cannot think of a thing.  Remember, I'm an organization enthusiast!  My motto is: everything in it's place and a place for everything. Now, I'm sure that I will be fishing for something today and regret ever making this statement.

3. Your favorite fish tale or movie?
One of my all time favorite movies was Jaws, in 1975.  I'm not sure a great white shark is considered a fish or not, but it's close enough. 

4. Are you sunrise, daylight, twilight or night? Explain why you chose your answer.
Oh, the sunrise, I love the early morning and am my most productive in the early morning and daylight hours.  I have always gotten up early even when I didn't need to, it's just something I've always done and probably always will.

5. What's the oldest piece of clothing you own and still wear?
I have a denim 3/4 length jacket that I'm sure I've had for at least 10 years.  I LOVE this jacket and I'm not sure I've seen another like it since.  It's very classic and a great piece.  I think I got it at Chicos.

6. We've got one more month of (officially) winter here in the Northern hemisphere. Are you feeling the need for a getaway? What's been the best and worst part of your winter so far?
I hardly feel like we have even had winter here.  It has been the warmest winter I can remember.  I am always up for a getaway and we'll be heading towards Oklahoma to see our daughter and family in the next couple of weeks.  The worst part of our winter has been sooooo much sickness.  Knock on wood, I have escaped all of the bugs but Hubby has dealt with 3 terrible colds with congestion and with 2 ended up at the Dr.  And, probably 75% of everyone I know has dealt with some sickness.  It's been a very warm, unhealthy winter for sure!

7.  The Wednesday Hodgepodge lands on National Margarita Day...will you be celebrating? Frozen or on the rocks? Are you a Jimmy Buffet fan? If so, what's your favorite JB tune?No, I will not be celebrating.  About 42 years ago Hubby won a trip to Acapulco through his company and I tasted my first and last Margarita while we were there.  They were just sitting on the table at some dinner event we were attending and picked it up and took a big swallow and almost spit it straight out.  I thought the salt on the rim was shaved ice.  Just imagine the surprise when my lips hit that salt.  Ugh!  I am really not a fan of Jimmy Buffet but any time I hear his name I think of Cheeseburger in Paradise.  I mean, what a name for a song!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Shark Tank premiered in August of 2009 but I had never seen an episode until about 6-8 months ago.  I am now hooked on the show and there are 2-3 episodes on every night on CNBC, so I watch a couple of episodes just about every evening.  I love the show and either shake my head in amazement at folks ideas or shake my head in embarrassment at their ideas.  And, can I say that Kevin is my least favorite shark, he can just be soooo rude at times.  My favorite is probably Laurie, she's always so sweet and encouraging to the contestants.

A Bit of This and That

It's a bit about the Grans and my recent trip to Iowa..........

This little guy has become quite the MESS!  He loves to climb and the other day his Momma found him in the middle of the dining table.  He sure looks mighty proud of himself doesn't he?

And, we'll be celebrating this little red head's 2nd birthday on Sunday afternoon.  Her shirt says, "I'm Two dles!  Now, if you don't watch the Mickey Mouse show then you have no clue what this means.  But, if you do, then you know how stinkin' cute this is!

Clancy has become quite the Oklahoma State fan!  He has recently attended some basketball games and he loves cheering the Pokes on to victory. 

Hanna Beth had to do a 100 days of school project last week and made this Dum-Dum bouquet with 100 Dum-Dums.  What a cute idea and I don't know for sure, but I'm thinking it may have well been another Pinterest idea.

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I took a very fast trip to DesMoines a week ago today.  My youngest brother and his wife live there.

Tater, their Goldendoodle was so glad to see me.  I'm not  much of a dog person but Tater won my heart the first time I ever met him.  He is so precious and so close to being a human it isn't even funny.  He minds his own business and is just a joy to be around.

On Saturday, my brother, SIL and I drove up to Orange City, Iowa, home of Northwestern College.  Their son and his girlfriend were staring in the two person play, Last Train to Nibroc.  We enjoyed a nice dinner before they had to go and get ready.

 You may be like me and never have heard of the play.  But, folks, let me tell you, if you ever get the chance to see it, DO.NOT.MISS.IT!!!

It is about a rather fiesty Southern couple that meet on a train ride to their home town.  It will have you rolling in the aisle and might I add, these two are "natural born performers."  They both have a desire to pursue acting in some fashion and I can hardly wait to see what doors open for them. 

It was a very quick trip for me but I wouldn't trade being there for anything!  It was such fun!

NOTE:  I played around with some of the new "artsy" editing tools in BeFunky on some of these pictures. ~in case you were wondering~ Between BeFunky and PicMonkey, there's not much you can't do when editing pics. 

Monday's Musings

It was a most enjoyable weekend around here.  Lots of fun being with folks that we so rarely see and  cleaning both front and back porches.  The landscape work has created so much dust and dirt  and that had to be remedied.  Hopefully the nasty dusty work is finished. ~we hope~  Now, to share the latest with you.

Saturday afternoon this precious lady was celebrated on her 100th birthday.  She is affectionately known as "Ms. Virginia."  Her career started as a Registered Nurse and later she left that profession and she and her husband opened a jewelry store here in our town.  It was where everyone went for their fine jewels, crystal, sterling silver and china.  And, there was no one that knew more about those "fine things" than Ms. Virginia.  She has assisted more brides than can be recounted and she expected that these young brides would put all their sterling, crystal and china to everyday use.  Yes, Ms. Virginia never waited for special occasions to pull it out, she used it every day.  She is a Southern lady in every respect.

(pardon the blurry picture)

She was one of the few ladies that could make an "event" out of having a cup of coffee.  I have been by for an afternoon visit and served up a cup of coffee out of a fine china cup with a sterling spoon sitting on the side of the saucer.  Talking about feeling special!  And, for her birthday celebration the only disposable product used was napkins.  It was done in true "Virginia style."  An affair to remember for sure!

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 We had dinner for some of Hubby's class mates and long time friends on Saturday evening.  I took that as an opportunity to pull out  "all things patriotic."  I had recently bought some patriotic melamine dishes and it was the perfect occasion to use them.  I thought they made a very nice looking table.

 I carried the patriotic theme out on to the back porch and patio.

Tommy and these folks all graduated from high school together and have been friends for 50+ years. ~that's a long time ~  They had so much fun talking about and reminiscing their school years.  I had a good time listening and watching them enjoy their time together.  It was a delightful evening!

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It was all hands on deck this past week with the landscape.  They made a big dent in the flagstone and rock work and got almost all of the flower beds made.  This next week, work on the sprinkler system will begin and the beds, flagstone and rock work will be finished.  And, ultimately the plants will go in.  Stay tuned......

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