TSMSS...................In the arms of an Angel.

Words aren't needed, just watch the video.



God bless us all !!!

For more music join Amy over at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders.

I have a new addiction.

Megan told me about a website, and once I learned to use it, I have been hooked, addicted is probably a better word.
Pinterest if you aren't addicted to it yet, give it time you may be.  It was a little atimidating at first, but once I learned, love it.
So you ask what is pinterest, it's an online bulletin board is the easiest way I know to describe it.   Say for example you want halloween costume ideas.  Search for them and it will bring up all these other peoples ideas and tell you how to make them yourself.

I have found so many new recipes I want to try, and organizing ideas.
You create your own boards and pin the things you like on them.  Then when you need them there they are without cluttering up your favorites list on your computer.
I have already begun looking for new ideas for Christmas.  And I have a board of things that I love and wish I had.  hint hint.....Christmas is right around the corner family.

Congratulations.........................

The winner of the chocolate fruit basket is Jan over at Life According to Jan and Jer. 
Congratulations Jan, hope you and Jer enjoy it before the grandkids get ahold of it.  :)  I have forwarded your email to Angela and you should be hearing from her soon.
Thank you to all who entered.

Hodge Podge Wednesday

It's time for another Hodge Podge Wednesday.  Join Joyce and learn more about fellow bloggers.


1. Do you think the world became a more dangerous place on September 11, 2001 or did we just become more aware of the danger? How has your own life changed as a result of that day?
I don't think it became more dangerous, I just think we became more aware of the danger.  I'm not sure my life has changed because of 9/11.  Over  the years seeing love ones pass away, or maybe just me getting older I don't seem to be as picky.  
2. Did you think your parents were too strict when you were growing up? How about in hindsight?   Growing up of course I did.  In which we did grow up in a very strict home.  We were one of those that knew what we couldn't do, but not what we could do.  Now I am so thankful for the way I was raised.   I made some bad choices as an adult but I knew that there was a better way.  Otherwise I would probably still be a sinner, and not knowing any difference.

3. Share one random but candid fact about yourself.
I have to sleep with a fan blowing on me, year around.  Not sure if it's the noise or just the cool breeze.
4. Would your nearest and dearest describe you as simple or far too complicated?
Hopefully simple.

5. What is your favorite stadium or carnival food?
I don't get to many ball games, but carnival food.  Hands-down funnel cake.
6. Tornado, hurricane, earthquake...how many of these natural disasters have you experienced? Which event do you think would be the scariest?
Only a hurricane, and then it was only a minor one.  Back in the late 70's we were far enough from the coast not to get the brunt of the storm.  But we had plenty of rain and no electricity for a few days.

7. Labor Day weekend is approaching so a work related question seems appropriate. Growing up, did your parents assign you regular chores? Were you paid for doing those chores? If you're a parent do you assign chores to your own children? Why or why not?
The only thing I really remember having to do was keep my bedroom clean.  Occasionally I remember dusting the furniture and cleaning the mirrors.  Other than I guess in the Spring for some reason we would scrap the built up wax around the baseboards.
That last question was inspired by a post Mindee wrote on Monday. Everyone go say hi to Mindee-she blogs at Our Front Door and she's funny.



8. Insert your own random thought here.
If you haven't entered my giveaway, you can do so by going here.

Operation Smile Review and a Giveaway

Were ya'll aware that you can rent college textbooks?  I don't have anyone in college but when I was offered the chance to share two great websites, and a giveaway I couldn't pass it up.
Campus Book Rentals makes it very simple.  You search the book you need, rent it, and receive your books with free shipping.   They have a 30-day guarantee.  Any book can be returned within 30 days for 100% refund.  You rent your books for as long as you need them, whether it's quarter, or semester with a 15 day grace period for that last minute cramming for exams.
There's tons of perks. Monthly giveaways, textbook scholarships, shirts, and other prizes. Registration is free and you do not have to be a paying customer to win.



But best of all they support the children of Operation Smile.


 They have officially teamed up with Operation Smile, an out of this world, awesome organization, that performs life changing cleft lip surgeries on children whose families could not otherwise afford it. The long term Improvement in quality of life for the children that receive these surgeries is almost incomprehensible. They have committed to donating enough to cover a minimum of 1,000 life changing surgeries. They hope To beat that number, but it's a significant commitment.



So for EVERY book rented starting now, they will donate a portion of those proceeds to Operation Smile with their sights set on meeting and exceeding their goal of 1,000 lives changed.  So add that extra book to your cart, and consider this goal as you go back to school this year. Thank you for your support.

So what does all this have to do with a giveaway.  Operation Smile has generously offered a wonderful chocolate covered fruit basket.

To enter please leave a comment , telling one thing you read about on the Operation Smile website. 
Deadline will be next Monday, September 5, 2011.

Congratulations.....................

Kathy is the winner of the $25.00 gift card.  Please email me your mailing address so I can get it to blogsparks.
I've been offered another giveaway and it will start Monday so keep watching. 
Congratulations Kathy and thank you to all who entered.

That First House

Guest post of the week by Nestor Nielsen

Buying my first house was a lesson in patience but I'm really glad I held myself together and waited it out. The place I wanted was a short sale so I had to wait forever the bank to come back and tell me whether or not they'd accepted my offer and when they finally did 4 months later I was ecstatic. I moved in about a month ago and I've been really enjoying being a homeowner! There's nothing better than coming home knowing it's my own place and no one else's and I've been making a lot of improvements so far as well. I put in crown molding all over the place and recently went to HD DIRECT TV to get satellite for the whole house and I'm even considering putting surround sound speakers in every room so I can listen to my music no matter where I am. The possibilities seem endless right now and the only thing holding me back from doing everything is the size of my wallet!