A Secret Admirer And My 5QF

The weekend is almost here, and I've been a good girl, and stuck to my diet all week!  Go me!  And please, someone, CHEER ME ON!!!  I need it!

Well guess what special little something happened to ME today! 

Dakota had a dental appointment today, and because of the insurance, we have to drive over an hour to his dentist. 

After the appointment, I came out to my car to find a piece of paper stuffed into the door.  Uh-oh.  Did I park in a no-parking spot? 

I opened up the paper to find this:



An ADMIRER???  Of little ol' me??? 

As my memory began to work, I recognized the writing.  It went along with a phone call I got just shortly ago, telling me that "he" needed to go to the same little city I was in, over an hour away from home.  The writing looked familiar because it's the same writing that's been on many cards over the past 18 years.

My baby made my afternoon! ♥

NOW!  On to the Five Question Friday!


1. Can you drive a stick shift?  I sure can!  My first car was a stick shift!  I have some great memories of that little car, and I do mean LITTLE!  It was about as big a refrigerator box-it was a 1979 Ford Fiesta. 

Have you read about the first time I drove it to church after learning to drive a stick shift?

2. What are two foods you just can't eat?  Squid and octopus.  Yes, I'm serious-they serve them sometimes at the Chinese restaurants.  Once, Elissa, Dan and I were at the Chinese restaurant, and Dan got one of each, along with some shrimp (I eat shrimp-LOVE the stuff!).  I don't remember the whole scenario, but while eating, Dan decided to play with his food, and the next thing we knew, the squid and octopus were having a fight.  And one of them says to shrimp on the plate, "You stay out of this, you little shrimp!".

Yeah, if my walls could talk.....


3. Do you buy Girl Scout Cookies? What is your favorite kind?  I love Girl Scout cookies.  I'd like it to go on record that this is a very unfair question for a woman who is working hard at sticking to her diet!  I nearly began salivating just THINKING about them!  But anyway, I think I like them all!  But the butter ones are probably my favorite. (Sorry, it's been a while.)


4. How do you pamper yourself?  Hmm....to be truthful, probably by taking naps regularly!  My kiddos are old enough that I can just go on upstairs and climb into my wonderful bed with my soft, micro-fiber heating blanket, along with my memory foam pillow.  I feel spoiled just talking about it!


5. What is your nickname and how did you get it?  My dad gave me a nickname, and I don't know when it wore off-maybe when I got to be nearly as tall as him.  It was Midget.  He is the only one who called me that.  My other nickname that was used by everyone else was Josie.  My name isn't Josephine, it's Josanne (I've been asked).  Growing up, I was called Josie regularly.  I decided I no longer wanted to be called Josie, but Josanne, and today, very few people still call me by my nickname.  I don't mind those who do-I know it's not done out of spite or anything.

I hope you all have a great weekend, and thanks for stopping by! 

The Big Girl Club Hates Me

Well, it's day three since I announced and began my departure from the Big Girl's club, and guess what?  They HATE me for it!  All along, treating me like their friend until I wanted to leave! 

How do I know this?

Because of the daily 15 minutes in the TORTURE CHAMBER that I've been going thru!

Oh, cutting out the junk food hasn't been so hard as of yet, but that piece of machinery in the basement called an eliptical is the real clencher!  I HATE it!

I hate it as much as I did when I joined the Y-which, to my shame, I only went like, twice....I think....

Fifteen llloooooonnnnnnnnnnggggggggggg minutes of torture, and if that wasn't bad enough, my legs feel like jello when I'm done.

I am TOTALLY telling on myself!  I don't believe in humiliating your kids in your blogs, but if you want to humiliate yourself, I guess that's ok, and actually, send me a link if you do so that my misery can enjoy the company, and I won't feel so bad!  =D

Well, off I go to finish cleaning out my cupboards for my 7 X 3 Jump Start Challenge, and another grueling torture chamber session before heading to church this evening.

Ugh....

I'm Leaving the Big Girl's Club

When I was little, I wanted to be big-didn't we all?

Well, now I'm a big girl, and with a WHOLE different meaning, I want to be little again!

I had Elissa take some pics earlier, and some of the ones I like real well need cut OFF from the shoulder UP!

So!  Farewell, Big Girl club!  It's time to get serious about this!  Unfortunately, you can't just leave this club-you have to do the opposite of  what you do to join other clubs.  You have to work your way out of it, instead of working your way up the ladder like you would somewhere else.

Fortunately tho, if I take a picture from up above, I don't look too "big girl" ish!  Picture in point:

Unfortunately, I can't walk around with my chin up everywhere I go, lest people think I'm snooty!  So the only alternative is.....sigh.....to get rid of the excess.

Speaking of the major task in front of me, did you all know I have a blog for doing fun (so to speak) challenges?  If you stop by, you can join in if you like!  The new challenges start today, and they are for 21 days-7 challenges for 3 days each, in 5 different categories.  I'd be thrilled if you would stop by! 

http://www.jointhechallenge.blogspot.com/

As for my newest task, stay tuned for updates.....

A Valentine's Bouquet I Made-My Very Best!

I didn't feel that a 5QF post would be appropriate for today, after posting the loss of my dear friend yesterday. 

I did, however, want to just share my most recent creation.  This was a chocolate bouquet that my brother in law ordered for his beautiful wife.  Because I was making this "at the last minute", I did not take pictures as I went, nor did I write out the directions.

I must say that I was pleased, and even more pleased that my brother in law was happy with it, as was his wife.  =)

Do you all like it?

Goodbye, My Dear Friend

Today my friend passed away.

She knew I loved her, and she will always hold a special place in my heart.

Goodbye, dear friend. I love you!

 

♥♥♥

What Are YOU Doing?

Okay, Friends~

Valentine's Day is coming up, and I've added some love stuff to my website, http://www.achocolatebouquet.com/. 

Do you like polls?  Here's one for you!

What are you doing for Valentine's Day?
	Going out to dinner with my honey
	Staying home and making a special dinner for my sweetie
	Going on a weekend get-away with my baby
	Giving a special gift to my sweetheart
	Cuddling up with a good book and some hot chocolate
	Sending myself flowers
	Taking myself out to dinner
	Nothing
	Other
pollcode.com free polls

Help me get to know my readers-please vote in the poll! 

My poll page on my website is lonely!  Only one voter so far.  Please stop by for 9 other questions about your true love!  If your answer is "other" in any of the polls, most of the pages have a comment section, and I'd love to hear your answers!  Here is the link:

http://www.achocolatebouquet.com/id126.html

Have a lovely day!

Make A Lovely Chocolate Hearts and Roses Bouquet Bowl!

This is my newest creation that is up on my website, and I wanted to share it here as well!  If you like it, it is easy to make and affordable as well!  Let me know what you think!

Same bouquet, different backgrounds and lighting.

To make this, please go to my website-this is the link for this bouquet:

http://www.achocolatebouquet.com/id175.html

A Beautiful New Day

Good Morning Everyone!

Today is a beautiful new day to be thankful for, is it not?  Another day to be alive, enjoy our blessings and another chance to thank the Lord for His goodness in each and every one of our lives.

I am in the middle of adding some new things to my website for the month of February, and just wanted to invite you all over to do my page of fun little polls!  If you are married or in love, this page is for you!

I hope you'll stop by-I'd love to see how everyone met their companions, their favorite Valentine's Day gift, and more.

(One of my birthday roses-a picture taken by Elissa, with her new camera!)

Did I Have A Nice Birthday, You May Wonder???

I'll give you a hint!

It started out with a friend posting this on my facebook page:

Then I had a gazillion messages sent to me on facebook, wishing me a happy birthday.

And when Elissa came home from work, it was ICE CREAM AND CAKE TIME!!!

And did you see my roses too?  =)

I get the corner piece with lots of icing!!!

Cards from the children-the outside....

The inside.....

Next card, from the oldest---the outside.......

The inside.....

Cake and milk.....

Mmmm.....mmmm.....!!!

To end my day, my sister-in-law Niki made me another chocolate cake, homemade!

And one more thing!  Chocolate cake does WONDERS for my voice, although I'm very humble, and didn't know I was being recorded!    =)

Was my birthday good?  I'll let you decide.  =)

I'm 41, And I'm Losin' It!

Well, it's here, folks!  My 41st birthday! 

And guess what?

I'm losin' it!

Okay, not really.  What that should say is, I need to lose it!  I was looking at the picture of my brother Chuck and me, and I can see that my chin has grown a chin! 

Folks, this is not cool!  

I did my own 2 year personal observation, and I keep trying to tell you all that house fires make you gain weight!

Okay, the fire is over, sooo......how long does this personal study have to continue???

I think I know.....

Just until I'm finished with my big chocolate cake, and gallon of milk!

And until someone will actually be brave enough to face the weather and go get me a big chocolate cake, and a gallon of milk!

And until I can actually see pavement to do some walking.

And until it's above -40 out there!

Sigh.....

WHAT???  What did you just say???

I can eat healthier, and exercise on my gym equipment downstairs?

Oh now you're just talking nonsense!

And I thought I was the one losin' it!

Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is my birthday!  Do you all think I'm goofy for still getting excited?  I mean, at 41, it isn't a number that we've waited for all of our lives, the way 13, 16 and 18 are!

Anyway!  Wanna give me something great for my birthday??? 

Yes?

I knew you did-that's why I asked!

I'd love to have you leave me a comment!  Yep!  I'm still begging and grovelling for comments, and this seems like the perfect opportunity to do so!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I want to work on making my blog better by adding more pictures when I post!  I don't have a brilliant post to share this time around (other than delighting all of you with the opportunity to celebrate my birthday with me by leaving a comment!), but want to share some pictures!  =)

Do you recognize these two young ladies?  Laura is a dear friend, and Amber of course, is my growing girl!  Both of these girls have blogs if you would like to check them out!

Laura's blog is at http://www.lauramasiker.blogspot.com/.  Laura is an extremely bright young woman with wit and charm-it's been four years since her 18 year old brother went home to be with Jesus after a car accident.  Here is a letter she wrote to him http://lauramasiker.blogspot.com/2011/01/letter-to-nick.html (In case you wonder, Mary Kay is their little sister).  Laura is a lovely young woman-you'll enjoy getting to know her!

Amber's blog is http://www.teenapproach.blogspot.com/.   Often times, Amber's blog covers serious subjects, and I've got to say, I'm proud of my daughter.  She has a heart for people, and for what is right, and when she enters this great big world as an adult, I'm confident that she will be one who fights for the protection of others, and who will help those in need of being lifted up.
This post was written a little while back, but I'm very proud of it. http://teenapproach.blogspot.com/2010/10/domestic-violence-part-2.html   She did an excellent job.  At 16, she has a heart of compassion, and I am very thankful and proud to be able to say that about my child. 

This girl is thrilled to pieces that she has a very GOOD camera coming to her at the end of the week!  Elissa is very talented with the camera-it will be nice to share some of her photos with you all!  I'm going to have her do a family photo shoot, and I'll be posting shots after she does!

This is my brother Bryan.  Have you seen the two pages of his gorgeous photography that I have on my website?  If not, go here:

http://www.achocolatebouquet.com/id152.html
http://www.achocolatebouquet.com/id153.html

And last one-this is my brother Chuck and me.  He came for a visit two weeks ago, and it was wonderful!  Wanna know something interesting?  We only met about 9 years ago!  He's my half brother from my dad's first marriage.  I cannot tell you how THRILLED I am to have him in my life.  It was truly a dream come true! 

Stay warm and safe, everyone!  It's cold, icy and nasty out there right now!  Be careful!  And see you all next time!

Five Question Friday

Welcome to my 5QF this week!  Let's get straight to the questions!

1. Where did you meet your spouse and did you instantly know it was love?  My hubby's sister came to a wedding at my church in Ohio.  She liked me, and invited me to visit her in Pennsylvania. 

I came to visit, I thought hubby was too young, he thought I was too rich (HA!), but his dad talked him into coming down to his sister's after church to get to know me.

We had a lot of fun, and went from there.  It wasn't "I'm in love" from day one, but both of us were looking for our lifetime companion, so both of us were looking at our relationship as, "You may be the one", and approached it very seriously from the start.

Not that WE were very serious, as in, never joking.  On our first date, Dan made me laugh til I cried.  =)

We were married less than 9 months later, and we've now been married for 17 years.  ♥

2. What is your favorite room in your house?  Ooohhhh...well, I think it's a toss up between my livingroom and diningroom!

This is in my dining room-my walls are called Dried Fava (a light sage), and I decorated with white and dark purple accents (the second picture was hard to catch the color during the daytime).

This is my couch.  Okay, this is Chloe ON the couch.  =)  I couldn't find a picture of my livingroom on my laptop-must be on Dan's.

This is my flower arrangement on my coffee table.  I add the red and gold to it in winter, but it is cream colors regularly.  My walls are called Cozy Beige.

And this is my accent wall-Roasted Tomato.  And this is my vintage Haeger Panther, that stands about 2 feet tall.  I saw that it sold on Ebay for $200.  I got mine at a yard sale for $5!!!  Go me!!!  =)


3. Can you wiggle your ears?  Only when I'm touching them-and rubbing them very quickly because they itch!


4. What is your evening ritual?  Oh, we walk from room to room, chanting "Money, we need money.  Please rain money..."  Then we sit in a circle and hold hands, humming with our eyes closed.

Oh!  You mean my routine???  Oh!  Silly me!!!

Well in that case, I tend to veg out (after our chanting session), and not really do much. 

Umm......you're not going to tell anyone about the chanting, are ya?  I misunderstood the question....let's just keep the chanting/humming bit between you and me, shall we?


5. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?  Now that I sleep, since I finally started getting comments...I need about 9 hours to really feel rested.  But things are looking up!  I haven't been quite so tired during the day, even if I don't get enough sleep.  And the family doesn't mind the whininess and tantrum throwing too much until it's my bedtime either!  =P

Thanks for stopping by, everyone!  Hope you enjoyed this weeks answers, and thanks, Mama M for this fun weekly blog hop!

Don't Think I'll Need A Garbage Disposal Anymore

Life just gets easier and easier, with all the new gadgets they keep coming out with!

Okay, this one isn't all that new, but let's talk about it: the dishwasher.

Have you heard that you don't need to rinse your dishes when you put them in the dishwasher, and that actually, that little bit of food left on the plates helps the dishes become cleaner?

WOW!  My life just became SO simple!

I figure, if a little is a good thing, then a lot must be great!

Who is with me on this???

The next time we clean out the fridge on trash night, we can just throw in the leftover green beans AND that piece of steak that got shoved to the back and spoiled, right in with the containers we had them stored in!  We're going to need to open the lids if we want those leftovers to do their job tho, so don't forget!

This great, new idea has a bonus!  If your garbage disposal breaks, no problem!  You didn't need it anymore anyway!

Cutting the ends off of celery, or the skins off of an onion?  Don't let those wonder-workers go to waste! 

Oh my goodness-my brain just keeps brainstorming!  Now I'm wondering if I'm even going to need dishwashing detergent anymore!  This just keeps getting better and better!

So!

Who wants to come to dinner at my house next week?

If Mom Is Crying, DON'T Laugh!

Hopefully you all haven't thought I've given up on my blog!  Just re-grouping, I guess, and this morning, I'm on a roll! 

My new challenges are up at http://www.jointhechallenge.blogspot.com/

I have a new post at http://www.justjosanne.com/

I sent out an email to a friend, inquiring if she would like to do an interview and tutorial on scrapbooking at my website, http://www.achocolatebouquet.com/

And now I'm updating my longest-standing blog!

Okay, I've tried and tried to find a good picture to show my mother's emotion on this particular day, but I'm having a hard time finding one.  So!  You will just have to get a vision in your mind.  =)

One day, my mom had two pans sitting on the stove, and asked me to put chicken in one of them to cook.  I honestly don't remember all the details, but I put the chicken in the wrong pan-it was a pan that had dirty water in it from the day before, or something like that.

Now, when she discovered this, she burst into tears, and started sobbing!  My mother didn't usually act like this, and now that I'm a mother, I understand that she must have had much on her plate at the time, and was feeling overwhelmed. 

Yes, I felt bad.

Then, somehow my dad ended up in the picture.  Let's see if I can show you how we were standing:

Mom was in the kitchen, facing me.

I was in the living room, facing Mom.

Somehow Dad ended up in the living room, between me and Mom, facing me.  Got that?

Mom in the kitchen, Dad in the living room, both facing me, in the livingroom.

Back to the story.

Mom is standing in the kitchen, SOBBING.  And of course, I am feeling terrible.

So what does my wonderful father do, while facing me, his back to my mother?

The man begins to imitate her!!!

The cartoon I chose is PERFECT for describing how he looked-only without the animation.

Now what would YOU have done?

My memory isn't so great, but I do believe I stood there and tried to keep a straight face, until she was done.

My dad was such a funny man.  He's been gone for 6 years now, but his memory will definitely live with me forever.  ♥

What A Letdown! But With A Bright Side!

I hope all of my wonderful readers had a lovely Christmas! 

I'm thankful for my readers, I truly am.  But I admit-you all let me down for Christmas.

I did not receive my EZ Cracker.  Guess I'll have to smash my eggs all over the countertops by hand for eternity.

I did not receive a Point n Paint.  Rollers and brushes will have to do.

I did not receive a Perfect Brownie Pan.  The kids will not be standing around me cheering when I bake.

And my greatest disappointment~Anthony Sullivan did not knock on my door holding several rolls of his fabulous tape to fix all of my stuff.  So much for my kitchen drain being permanently sealed.  So much for a cheap fix if I ever have a leaky roof.

Sigh.

I hope you can all feel my disappointment.  Next year I won't depend on my readers to fill my empty spaces in the back of my cupboards.  I'll have to ask family instead.

But on the bright side!.....

Jesus is the greatest Gift that I celebrate year round.

I also received a wonderful earthly gift, given to me by the Lord.

My family went to brother-in-law's for Christmas.  His wife prepared a lovely meal, and Dan's parents came also.

What I am so thankful for is the gift of a family that loves each other and has a great time together.  My brother-in-law Tim is a newlywed, married two years, and his wife Niki is the perfect addition to the family.  She is a perfectly beautiful human being.

My husband's parents have been wonderful for the entire 17 years of our marriage.  (Sorry I don't have a picture of them to share!)

I have no complaints!  I am truly, truly blessed!

I still cannot share my secret on my blog just yet, but let me give a couple of hints!

First of all, NO!  I'm not expecting!

And the hint is...in a sense, my family may be expanding very soon.  Not in my own home, but close enough!  Blood doesn't always matter, and I believe when it comes to family, the more, the merrier!  And sometimes friends are more than just friends.  They are people you love with your entire heart, and you love them and their children as your own family.

Well, if that isn't a hint and a half, I don't know what it!  Maybe you'll figure it out, or at least more of a guess, if you read my past posts!  =)

Everyone have a lovely day!

Wanna See My Business Card?

If you all are professionals like me, *ahem*, you might like to add business cards to your career.  I just wanted to share my business card, along with advertising for VistaPrint, and the fine job they do!

This is for my website~what do you think?  I was very pleased, and VistaPrint has decent prices too.  If you are in the market for business cards, you may like to check out VistaPrint.

All I Want For Christmas.....Part 4 (The Final Post Of The Series)

Well folks, Christmas is 2 days away, and I better get this up if I am going to have any hopes of getting my final gift on my Christmas list!

This product is AMAZING!  I can't believe they even offer it to the general public!



I love my husband.  He's good at changing the trash if Dakota doesn't get to it, he rinses his dishes, and he even sweeps the floor for me occasionally-PLUS he took over paying the bills!

If the house has a problem, he'll get around to fixing it before too much damage is done.  Only a few weeks of nagging, begging, pleading, and finally tears, and TA-DA!  My problem is fixed!

But this guy, Anthony Sullivan, is incredible!  He has his own little tool kit-that colorful tape that's prettier than duct tape, and he comes right to your door to take care of your problems!  This man actually walks around LOOKING for things to fix, inside AND outside of your home!

Leaking pipes?  No problem!  Anthony will fix it!

Is your microwave ready to explode and burn down your house?  Relax!  Anthony will fix it!

Have a problem dropping your cell phone in the toilet?  Contact Anthony-he'll help you to never have THAT problem again!

Cracked engine cradle under your car, making it unsafe to drive?  I'd be willing to bet he'll even get under the car for you and wrap that baby up! 

Leaky roof?  Anthony's probably not even afraid of heights!  A single layer of his special tape, and you'll save $4,000 since you won't need a new roof!

I want him!  PLEASE, people!  Get him for me for Christmas! 

Didn't you hear him?  He's Anthony Sullivan, with Mighty Fixit tape! 

What I can't believe is that he's not completely booked from now until 2250!  And you cannot beat the price-plumbers charge $80 an hour!!!

Am I the only one who has seen this commercial?

I do get a little confused at the end tho-does he only come with three rolls of tape?  Do I have to pay extra when his tape runs out?  And it doesn't clarify how long I get to keep him-maybe you can ask when you call to order him for me.

(In case the commercial caught your attention, as far as the actual product, I have read that the tape really works!  Just thought I'd let you know!)  

All I Want For Christmas.....Part 3 (A Series)

Thanks to everyone who voted on my Chocolate Fall Garden!  I didn't win, but it's ok-I came in second for this week, and I'm fine with that!

Now!  Onto my Christmas list!

So far, you all know I want the EZ Cracker and the Point n Paint.  Next on my list is this Perfect Brownie Pan!



I can't tell you how many times I have just fallen over in exhaustion, trying to cut those crazy brownies out of the pan-not to mention the damage it leaves from the knife! 

All I really want in life is to be able to have perfect brownies that, as soon as they come out of oven, my children gather around and cheer! 

While we're at it, what would be greater than that is to have a SPOTLESS KITCHEN after making an entire table full of desserts, and not having a single drop of food on my clothes!  No flour, batter, or EGGS!!!

If this pan will guarantee that the second my tasty treats are added to any potluck or dessert table, the pan will be surrounded by grabbing hands, while everyone else's desserts are overlooked, then I want one!  Not that I need all the extra attention, really.  I mean, I'll smirk quietly to myself when this happens.

Thank you, thank you all for making my Christmas wish list come true!

Can You Help?

Hello, my beloved Chocolate Bouquet readers!

In case you haven't run out to buy my EZ Cracker for my eggs yet, or my Point n Paint, I have a real request to ask of you, and it won't cost you anything but a moment of your time.  =)  (hopefully you all know my Christmas wants are just a joke-the commercials they use to get you to buy the product are sometimes just too funny to let slip into oblivion!!!)

Do you remember this?

Well, I've entered this chocolate garden in a contest, and your vote would be a great help!  The prize for winning is $1,000. 
To coax you a little more, I want to let you know that the money, if I win, will be going to a very good cause.  It will be going to help a dear family in need.  So many of us want for nothing, really.  But there are families that are struggling, and this would be my way of showing thankfulness for my own blessings.
So will you please vote for me?  I will be sure to let you know if I win!  =)
This is the link:
http://photos.bhg.com/fall-centerpieces/49/2010
Please feel free, if you feel it is for a worthy cause, to share this link with your friends, or on your own blog and fb page.  Thanks so much!

All I Want For Christmas.....Part 2 (A Series)

Well, I'm sure one of you has already ran out and purchased the EZ Cracker for me-THANK YOU, whoever you are!  You're just a DOLL!!!

In case someone else beat you to the EZ Cracker, there are more things on my list, so just keep reading!

Today's item on my wish list is.....

The Point n Paint!



I'm still painting my bathroom, so I NEED one of these!  And I'll wait to finish the bathroom until you get me one-NOT because I'm procrastinating! 

Anyway!  I just HATE when I'm blinded by all that paint I drip off my roller when I hold it over my head!  And the tape is so incredibly unruly!  I was stuck to the wall in the bathroom for 3 hours when I was painting the walls SCREAMING YELLOW~because of the tape!  And trying to work around the ladder-ugh-don't ask! 

So this is next on my wish list!  It makes me feel so special that you all are reading my Christmas wants!  I can tell this is going to be a GREAT year for gifts!  (wink! wink!)