Gift Card Winner and The Story Behind The Doll........

Sue over at Making a House a Home is my gift card winner.....Congrats Sue!!!

Before I have everyone thinking that I am some kind of perverted creature that goes around every Christmas giving inflatable dolls to family members, I thought I would post the story behind this vinyl beauty again......Here is the post from last years Christmas Memories....I'm not sure if this will clear my good name....Or make me look more disturbed...

You be the judge..

Christmas Memories Part 3

This Christmas memory is so twisted and soooo wrong, and was so much fun, and it was all about my daddy......
For years my Dad had teased me about wanting a blowup doll for his Birthday, Fathers Day or Christmas...The reason being...Well, you'll just have to use your imagination for that.....And after years and years of hearing him tease about one of these, and being the kind of person that I am (and obviously not having any morels). Santa thought my Dad had been good enough for this little vinyl beauty.....Anatomically correct I might add.....WHICH BLEW MY DAD'S MIND....Silence filled the room when my Dad came face to face with his new love slave....The smell of pine was replaced by the horrible stench of vinyl....My Mother looked as if she was going to faint, and my Dad just stood there numb,broke out in a cold sweat....After the laughter died down and shock wore off, my Parents looked for the guilty party.....my family quickly ratted me out......As far as my Daddy , he hasn't asked me for anything like that since.

Tricked and treated......

Yesterday on Walton's Mountain...Ma Walton (AKA Poor pitiful me) spent the entire day making jars and jars and jars of this yummy beautiful stuff.......Apple Marmalade......


We spent the weekend with my In-laws in North Georgia and my husband decided we would take a scenic route to their house......It's all scenic, it's in the mountains....I'm not that stupid....He was going to buy MORE APPLES..........I had been tricked (I will be filing for divorce as soon as the weather changes and he starts wearing pants). These, he wanted me to peel just for apple pies....Apparently, I have no other existence in life nor work except to serve him.......I'm sure I'm to young for this (positive comments are welcome and needed).....Enough of the pity party......My wonderful 81 year old Mother in law gave me a recipe for her families apple marmalade....It's was her Great Great Grand Mothers and has been used ever since....I was deeply honored to get...It is something I will cherish forever.....If you could have been in my house with all the apples cooking and cinnamon......All I can say is, OH MY GOODNESS!!!..........


This morning the Princes of Pain called and wanted to know what it would taste like on some buttermilk biscuits, with a little gravy of course....We found out.....And had a wonderful breakfast together...It had been a very long time since I made biscuits and gravy for just the two of us..... And I believe my Mother in law would be proud of the way the apple marmalade turned out.....I sure am

August Anniversay Extravaganza! Part Deux

Let's start the week off with another little contest....This time, for a chance to win a little cold hard plastic cash.....$25.00 to be exact.

A few years ago I surprised/stunned my Daddy and put my Mother in shock, when I gave him this for Christmas..........

Yes, I know it was wrong, I have repented daily and my Mother has laid a guilt trip on me that only Mothers can every time we speak of it.....But my Daddy, being the enormous pest that he is, asked for this in more than one way...And if you don't believe me, you can read it here...Christmas Memories Part 3
My Mother swears that this little plastic beauty has been buried out in the back yard... But I believe I can detect a hint of vinyl when going near my parents bedroom.......She will kill me when she reads this........

Here is the question...

What is the most outrageous gift you have given to someone or have received yourself....

If you can come close to topping Jeanna The Vinyl Love Slave....You my friend...are a Winner!!!!

Weakened State of Mind.....

OK, you see, what happen was, he came home with about two thousand apples wearing a pair of shorts...And all I could see was those smoking hot calf's....I had a weak moment, I caved, what happened to my sarcastic sense of humor...I feel so ashamed...Darn that hormone spray.....He is sixty years old and I still watch him walk.......Unfortunately, I watched him walk in the house with three bushels of apples....And directed him on where they should go.....I probably even went so far as to call him honey...

Not only is there a freezer full of apples, but I kept out a few to make him his favorite dessert (What is wrong with me)....

My husband by the way, is LOVING EVAMIST.....I, am having second thoughts....And after I stop knitting, crocheting and spinning silk to make our winter clothes... I will try to remember what my second thoughts are........

If anyone is out there...Please send help to Walton's Mountain Soon...Real Soon...

My Name Is Not Oliva Walton!.....

I am convinced that my husband thinks that we are living on Walton's Mountain with twelve children to feed and it's 1930.....This year more so that last he's obsessed with canning and freezing....Or shall I say with ME canning and freezing anything and everything.......Today, he called with the exciting news that a friend had brought him down three bushels of Detroit Red apples from North Georgia.....Three Bushels......Do you know how many apples that is..........He ever so sweetly asked if "I" had everything I needed to "put them up".......This, After I have spent the entire day standing with my hands in hot water peeling tomatoes then stuffing them in jars waiting to be put in the pressure cooker........When I get finished typing this, I'm gonna pack up all his belongings, along with any empty mason jars I can find and stack them in a neat pile at the end of the drive way.......Do you think he'll get the message?.......Gosh, I'm sure gonna miss those nice legs of his....

To One Cool Chick........

Just for my friend Linda over at Truthful Tidbits.....

Have a Great Birthday and while your at it, celebrate the rest of the week too....

Love Your Friend

Angie (aka The Queen)

Who are you calling Ma'am.........

I had my hair done today, it's always nice to do that...My hair is blond and being at the beach and the pool has taken a toll on it...So I went for some naughty low lights...And lots of them...I was feeling pretty good when I came out of the salon, hair was looking sassy and my makeup just right. I had a stylish pair of blue jean walking shorts on (the ones that hide most of my cellulite) adorable flip flops and a graphic tee shirt that screams, "I'm Hip, I'm Cool, I'm down with young people...I can hang with ya".............Boy was I WRONG.....OH, So Wrong......In a two hour period I was called ma'am six different times, by six different people....All under the age of twenty two... Now, a normal person could look at this and say they were all well mannered, well raised young adults....Which is rare these days....
But Not Me, OH No, Not Psycho Sybil......Since coming home I have ordered twelve different kinds of wrinkle cream and sprayed an entire bottle of Evamist on myself.......So far I look the same.....But I haven't had a hot flash in over an hour.

Death to the Patches.............

A "group" decision was made that my hormone patches just wasn't making the cut (I was not included in this group), I should have known something was up when my beloved started asking on a regular basis, "Are you sure your wearing your patch today".....especially after he came home to find me on the back porch, with a BB gun shooting at the squirrels declaring "I'll put you in a pot"...So, I was encouraged that for the good of the family, neighbors and all living things that I should call my GYN... Besides everyone loves peace and harmony......For the record, I was shooting around the squirrels...They are eating all of my bird seed, and I have never killed a animal....Well, I ran over a turtle once...But I cried when I did that......My GYN decided to put me on something called EvaMist (it's new).........EvaMist.....Odd name...Why not call it MoodMister....Or.....FlashBeGone........Just looking at this product would make some blush, it's looks like a cross between an inhaler and a breast pump...There is actually a video that comes with it, if your really challenged....But still, I can see where some would look at it and be confused....Kinda like that warning on the tube of Preparation H....You know someone had to have put it on their mouth first, or that warning wouldn't be there.....Instead this little jewel is applied or shall I say sprayed on your wrist...Normally done once a day, but because my GYN thinks I'm extra special, she's having me day it three times a day.........As long as my feet and ears aren't on fire every night and I don't wish total devastation to everyone I know......I will mist away.......Heck, I'll even drink the stuff if need be..........Cheers!

Everyone is a winner Monday.........

Thanks to all who entered my first ever giveaway, Your comments were very special and I love you all....Only a few people entered but the good news is....All of you special people win something (Since it's my first giveaway) Ms Mona wins the Grand Prize, the beautiful photo frame(she was my first to reply)....Everyone else gets one of these (actually, the one you'll get is prettier, this is the only picture I could find)

This adorable reed diffuser with ceramic tips (so adorable, and smells so good), and when the bottle empties out you can fill it up with your own favorite scented oils......Just email and let me know where you would like your goodies sent... angiejo@bellsouth.net
Here's my winners...

Ms. Mona @ Montantagirl

Tammy @ Tammy's Sweet Life

Kelly @ My Voice, My View

Linda @ A day in the Life

And yes, even you Treasa Jo.....

(I will be glad to delete your address after I get them)

Thanks so much and be sure to look for my next giveaway..

Nothing Like A Reality Check.....

My how time flies when you have your toes buried in the sand...What happened to the week, I think I blinked and missed it....I got way too much sun, always say I won't, but I always exceed the legal limit....Back to the real world now...No more sunsets on the beach with the warm gulf breezes, and the only sand I'm seeing today is what I'm emptying out of my lint basket from the pile of dirty clothes....And there's nothing like a garden that's waiting for you when you get home to give you a nice big slap back to reality.....A bunch of veggies that's begging to be picked and a hubby that thinks your overjoyed at the thought of another day/night of canning them......Welcome Back to the Palace, Mrs Queen! Now go start on those tomatoes.....

Beach Bargain Bonanza..........

My dear friend Liz and I did a little beach shopping to see what end of summer bargains we could find, and she wins the prize....While looking at one of the Alvin's Islands she found this incredible deal... A cute little orange tee shirt with tropical flowers....

It sounds like the beach, Right???? Wrong.....Nothing says's tropical breezes like a Smokey Mountain tee shirt...We decided to wait until we go to Tennessee to look for our beach tee shirt...


Because this one was only $1.00......No, we didn't buy the tee shirt, I just thought it was blog worthy......

Just another day in paradise........

Another beautiful sun and surf filled day has come to an end....The men folk are catching fish and they are happy as clams...Liz is catching up on sleep and I am catching some rays......What a great trip!!!!

Thought I would share a few pictures with you.....

Our home for the week (Thanks, Amy) soooo nice



The beautiful view from our balcony....So wonderful to wake up to

My drug of choice while sunbathing...I try to pick the hole in the O-zone layer to lay under while on the beach...For maximum results of course...Note to self: Call dermatologist
The best seat in the "house"...And the most relaxing

Our day ended watching this beautiful sunset while eating supper....What a perfect day.

WISH YOU WERE HERE!!!

We got to take an unexpected vacation this week...We know someone who owns an incredible condo and it just happened to be open this week...We got it at a bargain and then split it with some friends....Now, why did I bring my lap top you ask??? Because I'm an obsessive compulsive person and I need it......And I would miss you.........There is nothing as beautiful as the Gulf of Mexico...Beautiful clear blue green water and spectacular sunsets.....I 'm going to rest and relax.....with minimal cleaning....

Just wanted you to share in my relaxing experience....So in the words of the lovely Mikki ....Here's the view from my beach chair...literally..

..

August Anniversary Extravaganza!!!!!!

It's been one year since I first sat down to blog, and what started out as a way for me to share updated photos with family, has turned into my own personal dysfunctional diary....And I'm obsessed....I said if I stuck with it for a year I would do something nice for the people that read it...I actually started in July but never posted anything until August, my first comment was, "Glad to see you finally got the nerve to put something on here, Good Luck". And I haven't shut up since....Along the way I've met many beautiful people, found some kindred spirits, and picked up some killer recipes...I've also made a few enemies, but I'm sure they were there before I started blogging...Most important, I have grown to care about my "friends" and can't wait until their next post. Several have taught me the beauty of photography and I want to be better because of them, and also to slow down and look at the beauty this wonderful world offers...Others have taught me to be a better Christan, when you read others stories you realize that you are not the only one who has struggled or is struggling in life...The stories are so similar to your own that you feel a closeness to that person...Others bring you daily laughter and a healthy dose of spastic sarcasms....I always need that.....To each and every reader that I have, I am deeply honored that you take the time to stop by my place...Thanks so much for hanging out with me......

On to my first ever GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!

During August I will be giving away three different items...The first is this lovely photo frame I picked up at Kirklands (another favorite obsession) with you in mind....

The rules are simple:

Just tell me why you read my blog or blogs in general

I will pick a winner (I can because I'm the Queen) announce it, and send it to the winner

So enter away if you like....Come on, Don't be shy........

In need of new hobby......ASAP

It is said that Cleanliness is next to Godliness, I would love to say that this is why I do what I do, but I would be lying because I fall short of Gods grace on a daily basis...And yet he continues to love me.

Personally, I don't think there's nothing wrong with taking pride in ones home, women have been doing it for centuries. I was a cleaner when I lived at home, my bed was always made before school, my things were where they needed to be and being the only girl I had no one else to share household choirs with, so you could say I was forced into it...Yes, that's right, I will blame my parents. (I feel better already) As I've gotten older I have turned into a full blown compulsive cleaning freak with a touch of ADHD, my husband swears I can hear a crumb drop 100 yards away...He thinks I walk around with a Dustbuster in my hands at all times....For the record..I do not....
But my issues run deep and I don't think prayer, pill or therapy can cure me...Between you and me, I think Mr. Clean is HOT!!! And I get all warm and fuzzy when I get a new can of pledge .


This morning I found myself under my bed with a shop-vac...Yes, I said shop-vac...Why?..Because I didn't think my trusty Electrolux had sufficient suction for the dust bunnies..As I lay in the floor on my side I thought, What's wrong with you moron...Then I realized that this isn't the first time I had been under the bed with the shop-vac.

Where does the ADHD come in you ask...The other day I went into the kitchen to empty out the dishwasher, I put up ONE bowl, and before I knew it I had cleaned out all the cabinets, the pantry,waxed the floor and started cleaning windows....The dishwasher didn't get emptied until today...

I will get up when I can't sleep and start cleaning....Normal people watch television or read...I scrub base boards.

I have been to known rearrange all the shrubs in our yard...I stopped doing this when our next door neighbor offered me his flood lights so I could work in the dark.......

HELP PLEASE!!!!

My dear princess called me the other day and asked what I was doing, "Cleaning my oven" I told her, after a long pause she replied "Wow, I don't think I have the right equipment to do that"...I had to sit down, I FELT FAINT......It's called Easy Off princess and you can buy it at Walmart.

My dear Mother tells me not to worry that I will grow out of it....UH Mama, I hear fifty calling me...How much longer will it be......

The Battle Continues........

Did you see the movie Caddyshack? Do you remember how obsessed Bill Murray's character was??? I am now Carl Spackler..........Why does he torment me so??? This squirrel is as big as our neighbors cat.....

Living in a State Of Confusion....And I like it......

Almost everyone has a nickname or "pet"name that their family or friends call them, but mine take it to the extreme..My precious Daddy will call me Sis or Sissy in front of our family but out in public he calls me Angela (I hate that name, it always meant trouble). My dearest Mother named me Angela Joann (I go by Angie)but wanted to name me Samantha Joann, so Samantha Joann is what she calls me (always has)...My oldest brother has always called me Ann and my baby brother calls me Sis...I dated a boy who insisted on calling me AJ...I was young and he was beautiful...I didn't care...My daughter calls me Mama, Mom, or Mother when she thinks I have made a mistake (which happens on a regular bases, I'm prone to mistakes)...And then there's my beloved husband who for the past seven years has lovingly called me Alice or Little Alice...He says it's from the honeymooners....I'm not sure about that part, he never calls me by my name (isn't that in a country song) What's so strange is that I will answer to them all...Please tell me that I'm not the only one with twenty different aliases.....Come on, you know you get called Sugar Britches or something like that every now and then..........

Cucumbers,Squash and Tomatoes, OH MY!!!!!!

Every trip into the garden produces baskets full of "EVERYTHING". I have been canning so much I dream about it...My husband came in the other evening with a bushel of beans and said " Got you some more canning", I said "Seriously, is there gonna be a bean shortage and no one told me"...Do I have to can or freeze everything that comes out of our garden...It's just the two of us...Don't get me wrong, I love all that beautiful garden goodness (we have tomatoes that are as big as his hand, and it's a big hand)

But after you deal with the Georgia heat and humidity, the mosquitoes the hoeing and the tilling (I might be prissy, but I can operate a tiller and I have my own hoe...I just do it with lipstick on) I am ready for this to be over.....

Amy the Diva!!!

A few people have asked whether the twins were delivered vaginally or by c-section....Thought I would let everyone know that she pushed these big boys "OUT"...That's why I will now be referring to her as "your highness".........

AJ and Quinn......

I would like for you to meet AJ and Quinn, the newest members to our family. They're our nephew and wife's brand new twin boys... and they are gorgeous...I can almost smell all that angelic goodness just looking at their picture....These little fellas wasn't so little...In fact the total weight was almost....DRUM ROLL PLEASE....14 POUNDS OF BABIES..The doctor told them they were the biggest set of twins he had ever delivered.....Remind me to bow down and kiss Amy's feet when I see her...You are a diva girl!!!