Pop Ups

Suddenly have Pop-Ups? No, I'm not really talking about pop-up thermometers, or pretty cards!   

I'm talking about Pop-Up Ads...Are they showing up everywhere?   Even on your Blog?   Do you have Ads on your blog that you haven't wanted or OK'd?   Links in weird colors that are double underscored on your blog too?  

I did...and it was EZ-Peasy to get rid of them...
 

I use Google Chrome and there is a button in the top right corner of your screen with 3 horizontal bars...click on it and go to Settings, then click Extensions on the top left.  Then all you need to do is DELETE the items you don't want.

I had 3 that weren't there yesterday...and they were all ads!  

I had visited a Blog this morning where I noticed all the oddly colored and underscored Links...and shortly after, I was getting pop-ups like mad!!

Now they're gone and I'm so happy!  I thought I'd share this with you, it's the easiest thing to get rid of something that can be so maddening.

New Appliance Love

Which Do You Prefer?  Regular Coffee, Espresso, Mocha, Latte or Cappuccino?

I refuse to buy any specialty coffee Beverage from the Over-Priced Coffee Shops!  I hate spending a huge amount of money on a Coffee.  I researched and read tons of  Reviews on several different machines.  I didn't want anything too big - too complicated or for too much money {an on-going theme here}.   The machine I decided on was the TASSIMO!  Tassimo knows a cappuccino...
is no latte -Discover why Tassimo’s intelligent barcode technology is the smarter way to brew.

{Click on Either Photo for More Information from Tassimo about this Great Brewer}

Hubby enjoys his individual cup of coffee - and we bought an inexpensive coffee maker that makes 12 cups for when we need a potful of coffee.

And I enjoy my Specialty Drink - A Mocha - A Latte or a Cappuccino.   All you have to do is set it up, plug it in, push a few buttons and Voila - you're all set to enjoy a tasty treat.

Honestly, the beverages come out Hotter with this machine, than any others I tested and read about {170°-175°} and better tasting than from the BIG CoffeeShops and even better than our neighborhood coffee shop and they're alot less expensive too.

At first, I was going to order on-line, direct from Tassimo, with their Special.  But, I found I could purchase the Tassimo Machine, the T-Discs I wanted and the Carousel for them right here in town at Bed Bath & Beyond for the same price.  Then I could go to Tassimo.com and Register my Machine and get 2 Packages of T-discs of my choice for Free - no shipping charges either.  So, that's what I did.  Worked out that it was a tad cheaper getting it in town than on the Tassimo site.    

If you can't tell that I love this new Appliance in my Kitchen, let me tell you this:

I Love My New 

Tassimo Brewer T-55

and

T-Discs:

*Hazelnut Coffee

*Caramel Macchiato Latte

*Mocha 

*I have not been paid nor received anything from Tassimo or Bed Bath and Beyond for this post*  

Power Outage - Vacation

With the Severe Storms and Tornados in the Midwest this past weekend, I hope everyone is OK.    We didn't have any damage to our home, even though winds exceeded 65mph at times, during the torrential rain and hail.  If you know me, I really detest storms!!  Unless it's SNOW and I'm at home, comfy and warm.  Late Sunday afternoon, we lost power.  We called in to our Power Company and were told we could call the Power Company's Repair line...
and get an automated report as to when we could expect power restored.  So, we spent Sunday evening in the dark, except for a candle or 2 and a flashlight.  We went to bed about 11pm...and when we got out of bed at 7am, there still was no power.  The temperature in the house had dropped overnight to 60°.   So, I called the Power Company.

Imagine my surprise when the report said FRIDAY, 11pm was when they'd get around to us!  I couldn't believe it!  And it was to get down to a low of 29° overnight Monday!

Hubby didn't see a problem with that and us "roughing it" again overnight on Monday, without power.  Well, I just couldn't stand the thought of one more night in a pitch black house, in a pitch black neighborhood - No Food, No Way to Cook Any Food, the Cold and my growing claustrophic anxiety being in total darkness.  And then there are our 3 Precious Little Dogs {biggest one is an 18# male Havanese - smallest is a male Maltese who is 8# and the other "in the middle" is a female Toy Poodle}, who were already looking a bit chilled...and wanting to hide under blankets or be in the PJ's!

So, I mentioned finding a Hotel/Motel that would accept us and our Pups.  He said, absolutely not...No way!  So, I started making calls and found a nice Hotel/Motel about 20 minutes away from us, who wasn't going to charge us an arm and a leg!!  We went to the Quality Inn in Holland, Ohio...just off the freeway.  It was nice, quiet and most of all......WARM!!  And the people running the place were extremely friendly.  We told them that we'd pay daily before 11am, which was check-out time.  We settled in, picked up some food and enjoyed the light, TV and warmth.  We all slept soundly and comfortably.  Hubby made a morning trip up to our house, to check on pipes and conditions.  It was 50° inside the house and dropped another degree before he headed back down to the Hotel.  I'm so glad we left!!

When I called while hubby was out - to get the latest report on our electrical outage - it still said Friday, but 9am.  Goodness...and it was to get down to 26° Tuesday night.

Shortly after hubby returned to the Hotel, we made our payment for another night at the Quality Inn...and started making plans for our day.  Then our cell phone rang - it was our neighbor, whose son had driven past his house to check on it.  He said his son was astonished {as was our neighbor}, when the son saw the kitchen light on in his dad's house!!  Yeah, power.  Darn, just paid for another night at the Hotel.  Cha-Ching $100.

However, when we told the office people that we had power at home and would be leaving - and we asked them if they could do anything for us, since we just paid them 15 minutes ago...they said no problem...they'd charge us just the late fee - which was $10 an hour.  We knew we'd be out in about 2-3 hours, while we waited for the temp to come up from 49°.

Here's where the story gets even better!!  We were checking out at 2:00pm...which would have meant a $30 charge - but they charged us NOTHING EXTRA at all!  That was such a Blessing.  The $100 we spent for an afternoon, night and morning {along with a HUGE and delicious continental breakfast} 

was well worth it.  If we ever need to stay someplace because of a power outage - or for any other reason - it will certainly be at the Quality Inn in Holland Ohio!!  And the best part was that our Pups were all with us!!

And the day away never phased them - they jumped right on their blanket and fell asleep as soon as we were in the door!

Nostalgic - Melancholy

All truth be told, I am being a bit nostalgic...longing for things, persons & situations of the past & being homesick.  When I saw this lovely painting by Josephine Wall...it had me in tears.  I've been thinking about days gone by family and friends left behind, happier moments...alot lately.  Perhaps because it's getting colder and daylight is more scarce OR because the Holidays are fast approaching, I'm reminiscing about the past.  Normally...
I wouldn't be sharing what I'm about to share, but I just need to get it out.  I need to be real.  I haven't been posting as often as I used to - nor  sharing projects around here - or anything about my re-decorating projects, because - there simply hasn't been that much done around here.

 I haven't been up to doing those things - or sharing about them.  So, I thought with the mood I've been in the last week, I would open up and let you see me...in a different way.  Understand, I don't want pity or judgement - just friends who I know visit here - who care and who will pray for us.

It's been 8 1/2 years since I moved to Michigan.  Hubby and I met on a Christian dating site and he was certain he didn't want to move - especially out of state.  And he had 5 grown children and a slew of grandchildren and a job he'd been at for numerous years.  I had a job in Sales and 2 grown boys in Wisconsin, along with my friends.  I decided that since I could always get a job in sales - anywhere - that it made more sense for me to be the Move-ee.  And, besides, I'd moved so many times in my life already and to other states, I figured this one would be like all the others.

 In the beginning, I held onto that hope that this move would be just as delightful as all the others...but that quickly faded when the behavior of Tom's grown children deteriorated.  They made it known they didn't like their father's decision to remarry.  They made that clear before and after the wedding.  They would invite him to birthday parties and Christmas, but not me...and he would tell them that if I wasn't invited, he wasn't going.  No matter what I said, he stuck to his guns and didn't go. 

 They didn't like the fact that he'd brought me to live in their mother's house either.  Things went downhill and one by one, his children quit talking to him...and of course, me. 

 It got to the point that within a couple of months of our wedding, hubby decided we'd sell his house and buy something of our own.  He thought that would help his children accept "us".  Of course it didn't.  As we cleared out the house before putting it on the market, they all were invited over to select from the items we were not taking to our new house.  They went home with their cars packed with mementos and other things from their mom and dad's house.  And never spoke to us again.  It's now been at least 6 1/2 years!

Tom had lots of friends at his church.  After I moved here, the more I was around them, the more they missed hubby's first wife and spoke about her.  I never said anything to him, because I didn't want to complain.  One day he saw it for himself - after his best friend and pastor sent me from the church in tears while he was at work.  He decided that perhaps it was time we find a new church home, where no one knew about his first wife.  Before we just up and left, we made an appointment to talk with the pastor.  He talked to him about his first wife and how he should think about her and what they had - and ignored me, not talking or looking at me.  That was the final straw for him and we left.

At the time all this was going on, I knew that one day all of this would get turned around and I would be accused of driving everyone away and being happy that no one is talking to him.  It's been quite a while I've lived with those accusations.  And I can't stand it anymore.

After one of his daughters had some major happenings in her life, she finally called him.  She even talked about me with him.  She opened up about what was going on and how she felt about the things happening in her life.  She then asked him if we'd come over to her house.  I heard him tell her that he'd talk to me and then get back to her with a date.  He has never done that - and never intended to call her back either.  How do I know?  I asked him when we were going to pick a date to go and when he would be calling her back - and he said, "Never!  I'll bet you're happy with that."  He's said other things like that - mean things - to me about how I'd be happy if he never ever saw his kids again.  It's not true.  I wish hubby wouldn't tell his kids he'll call - or we'll get together and not do it.  He's also told them, in the past, that I'm the reason he doesn't call them.  But it's not - not really.  It's totally his decision.  

There are so many other things I could tell you about what has been said and done over this situation, but I just can't bring myself to do that.  I'm usually a very private person and I've already said way more than I thought I would.  I've even re-read what I've typed here and deleted a whole bunch of it!

So, when I'm away - or when I'm here posting - but don't seem like my old self - or that I'm getting much of anything done - you know why now.

Nearly 9 years living this way, takes a toll.

And I have 2 sons and friends in Wisconsin...and many good Christmas memories that have me nostalgic and being melancholy at this time.  I wish I could be in Wisconsin for the Holidays - something I haven't done since I moved here.

I have mentioned selling our house and moving to Wisconsin - but he has said absolutely not!  He has no intention of moving...and won't talk about it at all.

Being nostalgic about the past - takes me to Wisconsin, because so much of the time here in Michigan has been stressful - and there's not so much to be nostalgic about here.

I just want to enjoy life...to be happy...to have my sons and friends around and to enjoy doing my projects again.  It would be so exciting to see beyond the Gates we've put up around us.  I'm praying we'll figure this all out - that God will show us the way!  Soon.  

Thanks for listening...or reading.  I appreciate it.

LaStone Massage

Reasons Why I Love LaStone Massage  
*a new experience
*the heat of the stones is so relaxing
*deep massage is easier with the stones
*I could just fall asleep while I get this massage
*Relaxing - Centering - Balancing
*the Healing I've experienced
*improvement in my overall health...

In May of 2012...I was diagnosed with a SEVERE case of Bell's Palsy...but, with continued treatments, including LaStone {none of the Steroids or Anti-Virals}, I contine to improve.  The most recent treatment I decided to experience is LaStone Therapy.  I am delighted with it.  After 2 - 90 minute treatments, I've experienced a number of new sensations and movements in facial muscles and
no longer have pain in my neck and jaw...and around my ear.  Just sleeping on a pillow on my right (BP) side, hurt around my ear...and now there is no pain.  Even the numbness I had throughout the past 18 months is totally gone.  

Now...will LaStone Therapy do the same for everyone with the symptoms I've had?  Will each therapist perform the treatment with such care and intuitiveness as mine does?  Heidi continues to treat my symptoms that have persisted with care and is delighted when I make improvements. 

Here is some information about LaStone Therapy from Heidi's website:

"The Original Hot Stone Massage"  This session offers a blend of energy balancing, therapeutic massage & total relaxation.  Heated basalt stones cradle your body in warmth & are tools for a full body massage.  Cool marble stones are placed on the energy centers for balance & harmony.  Together the stones offer a multidimensional experience connecting the mind, body, and spirit.

My advice to anyone in pain, having residuals from Bell's Palsy, a stroke or any other debilitating condition is to try everything you can to make you feel as good as you can feel - and to make yourself as whole as you can - preferably without the use of medications.  I know alot of people who continually complain about their current condition or health concern, but when asked what they're doing for themselves, they say..."well, nothing - at least nothing more than the doctor says...like medications and stuff like that".  That's sad.  We have to take care of ourselves too.  Try it...see what helps you.  I have and have made wonderful strides in restoring movement to the muscles in my face, head and neck...and look almost totally recovered.  Even to myself!!! 

LaStone Massage is explained so well in this email, that arrived during the night - direct from Heidi, my massage therapist.  If you are in the area - give Heidi a call and schedule your LaStone Massage.

{I share this in hope that you seek out proper treatment for your health concerns and over-all wellness.  Heidi has not paid me in any way to share this information with you.  She has simply helped me in more ways than I can count.}

Courtyard - November 2013

Imagine how surprised I was when I opened my Office Shade yesterday and saw this SNOW!  Oh, yes, I knew it was coming - that wasn't the surprise.  The surprise was how much I enjoyed seeing it and feeling the crispness in the air.  It was so pretty - with the sun rising and the fall colors of the trees in the background.  This is the view I see every day from my office.  I love it when the Garden wall is full of Hydrangeas and Roses, but I also love it this way.  When...
I let the Pups out, they had a great time. They ran around and around and up and down the stairs - barking and having alot of fun!!

This is our Enclosed Courtyard - and it runs the entire length of our house - 64 feet.  It gives us and our Pups about 800 square feet of enclosed outdoor living and running space.  It's also a great way to keep our pups in our yard.  They really love it now that we removed the soggy, yucky patch of grass we had in the middle of it.  It took them about 2 minutes to sniff around and notice the grass was gone and if they needed to go potty, that was the place to do it.  {the photos were taken looking through the window and the reflections you see are just that - reflections!}