January 29, 2009

25 Random Things

I was given this tag on facebook, and thought that I would share it with my blog friends as well. And if you are reading this, consider yourself tagged! xoxo


1. I have had VERY vivid dreams all of my life. Frequent nightmares, but I am so used to it that it doesn't bother me too much.

2. I am addicted to Dr. Pepper. It's like smoking. It takes me a long time to quit, but then I kick the wagon and can't stop.

3. I am thankful to God every single day for blessing me with the deep love of my daughters. It's so amazing!

4. My first job was at a movie theatre. One day, while on break, my curiosity took over and I opened a small door to see what was there. I took one step in, and fell through the ceiling to the theatre entrance below.

5. I ran through a field in Wales with sheep. When I bent down to pet one that was sleeping, it jumped up, ran away, and left my hand covered in poo. Gotta laugh!

6. I am terrified of large, rectangular pool drains. I think it is because I almost drowned in our swimming pool as a child, and saw the drain sucking things in.

7. I love rappelling. hang gliding, and scuba diving but only scuba dive now that I have children.

8. I have to hang my clothes up to dry (pants, shirts). I'm pretty tall, so if I don't, they won't fit. I have the same problem with my oldest daughter who has my long legs. It makes doing laundry an extra pain.

9. I went to a hot spring while in Kofu, Japan. It was amazing, even though I stuck out like a sore thumb. Tall white girl, long brown hair, and an elephant tattoo on her rear end.

10. I have two tattoos. The above mentioned elephant, and an infinity with my children's initials intertwined (my daughters and my two step children). My husband has the same exact tattoo on his upper back, mine is on my lower back.

11. I used to be a model. Before leaving for Japan and signing with an agent in NY, I became very sick (I was anorexic) and almost died.

12. Because I was sick, I had to have heart surgery. Wouldn't change the experience. I've been able to help others who suffer from anorexia.

13. I am married to my soul mate. We dated in college, broke up, lived separate lives for many years, and then God brought us back together. We always "felt" one another though. It's like our souls are attached by a cord.

14. I can tell if a place is "haunted". It used to scare the crap out of me, but now I love it and even go Ghost Hunting.

15. Beer gives me a horrible hangover, Vodka does not.

16. I love salted black licorice!

17. When my cat died (I had him for 16 years) I had him cremated. My friends think it's weird, but it gave me great comfort.

18. I can't stand the mother's at schools that gossip. Maybe it's because I used to watch it as a teacher. I go into school, I get my children, I leave. Have NO desire to be a part of those chatty Moms.

19. I have never water skied, but love to snow ski, although I'm not that good.

20. When I was little, I wanted to be an archaeologists. I wanted to practice on the bodies in the cemetery on my grandparent's property, but my grandmother wouldn't let me.

21. Mary, who was the first one that tagged me to do this, was my flatmate when we lived and taught in Wales. We went to Loch Ness, had lots of adventures, and to this day still call one another, "Silly Billy".

22. I am thinking about going back to school to become a speech pathologists when my girls are older. They both have Apraxia of speech, and I figure that is why God did this. So I can help others.

23. My relatives created Ground Hogs Day, and part of Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus. Guess that explains my personality.

24. I put chap stick and lotion on about a million times a day. Can't wash my hands, bathe, swim, without putting lotion on afterwards.

25. I love playing my drums! Not that good, yet, but practice makes better!


January 26, 2009

Another Great Network To Check Out


Another great network to check out. I am SO excited!

January 22, 2009

Love For Vintage Network


If you love all things vintage, then you just have to check out this new network that I found. It is just beautiful and I have already met some amazing gals. Enjoy!

Love For Vintage Network


January 19, 2009

One World One Heart

Photo

Today is the beginning of the One World One Heart Giveaway and I am pleased to announce that I will be participating again this year. I met so many wonderful people last year, not to mention all of the wonderful gifts that I too have a chance to win. Hopefully I will be luckier this year.

This year I will be giving away a $20.00 shopping spree to my Etsy shop RhondaMum. You can see some of the items from my shop below, and to see more just click on any picture and it will take you there or you can click on the above link. If you are the lucky winner, you will be able to tell me which items you would like to receive.

To win my giveaway, you MUST leave a comment on THIS post ONLY. If you do not have a blog, then please leave your email address as well so that if you are the lucky winner, I will be able to contact you.

You can sign up for my giveaway until the last day of the event which is
February 11th at midnight, eastern standard time. On February 12th, I will choose a winner using a random number generator and will announce the winner right here on my blog.

A big thanks to Lisa for hosting this great event once again. Be sure to click on the above link to see other participant's giveaways. Thanks for visiting and best of luck!







January 16, 2009

Mon Amour de Toutes les Choses Francaises or My Love of All Things French




As many of you know, I love all things French. My plan was to do a few posts on some of my favorite items that I have collected such as my Eiffel towers, French books, charms, and more. Then it occurred to me that many of you share that same love. What a wonderful idea for a blog event!


I hope that you will join me on February 16th and 17th. All you need to do is post pictures on your blog, on either or both days, of your items that show your love of all things French. Let me know if you plan to attend by leaving me a comment on this post. On the day of the event, I will have a "Mr. Linky" set up so that you can add your link and others can visit you as well.


For those of you that attend, there will be two giveaways. One on each day of the event. I will be gifting two of you some french goodies. I will post more details soon.

Please spread the word by attaching the above picture and a link on your blog. The more, the merrier! Hope to see you there!

January 13, 2009

Itty Bitty Winter Wonderland Book

Here is a slide show that Mary Ann from the inspiring blog Follow Your Bliss created of the latest completed Itty Bitty Book. Mary Ann is the founder of this amazing group that you can learn about here Follow Your Bliss.

I joined this group many "publications" ago and my Mom eventually joined in as well. It has been very therapeutic for us, has brought us even closer together then we already are, gets our creative juices flowing and is something my girls enjoy as well.

Basically, if 25 people sign up to do an Itty Bitty, then each participant makes that many pages of a certain theme, sends their pages to the host (which is often Mary Ann) and then the books are bound together. Each participant receives their own copy, and it is a very rewarding project for all. I have met some amazing women and artists through this group and am totally addicted.

Enjoy the show and a huge thank you to Mary Ann and all who contribute to these amazing projects!





January 8, 2009

I just found a really neat blog. You should pay Joy from Joy To The Blog a visit. Her blog is very nice, inspirational, and has a calming manner to it. Maybe it is just me, but I kind of feel at home there. She is also having a huge giveaway, but anyone that visits will find themselves to be a winner!

Rhonda...

January 7, 2009

Too Funny

I am such a dork and love to play on fun web sites, like this one faceinhole.com. There, you can find all sorts of pictures from movies, music, celebs, etc. and place your picture in the photo. Too funny. I have only done this one pic, but I know I will be doing many more. So, if you need a good laugh, go and check it out!



Create your own FACEinHOLE

January 6, 2009

The 2nd Annual Red Carpet Event For Carolyn



I am absolutely thrilled to have my first post of 2009 be in honor of Carolyn, my BBFF from Magpie-Pixie. Today is her birthday! Happy Birthday Carolyn! I am so excited to be joining you for your second annual red carpet event! Let the festivities begin!!!!!!


First, are these lovely flowers that came from a special someone. Okay, maybe not special... Caz will understand this little story, it's kind of an inside joke. These flowers I was able to force, I mean, pick up, from a very mean old man. He made this lovely bouquet himself. In fact, I had to punch and kick him a few times, but he finally said that "Carolyn deserves the best!" He made these just for you, and until I punched that they were perfect, he had to keep going to get them just right. They also came with a huge bag of money. That was his idea, actually, as he begged and pleaded for me to stop kicking him with my high heels. He adds that he was blessed to know you and he wishes you an amazing birthday!


Next, I just had to bring you this amazing cake from Paris. Each gift, or layer, is a different type of cake. I just know you will love them all, wrapped as a present for special you!




And of course, seeing how I went to one of the world's top bakers, and I found out that he could make this Eiffel tower cake, well, I had to get one for myself as well. But naturally I will share it with you Carolyn, my BBFF!




I know, I know, I am breath taking. Even after all of those Christmas sweets, I was able to loose those, few, oh, I don't know, 40 pounds or so, to look fabulous for your big day! And my shoes...
Prada, of course!


And this Leiber 45th Anniversary Jeweled Minaudiere is a perfect match with my shoes, don't cha think?

As many of you know, last year I brought Brandon Flowers along with me. He is the lead singer for my favorite band, The Killers. He's on tour right now, but sent his love to you Caz and a wonderful present as well. We are still very, very close. I mean, look at me. How could he not adore me, as I do him of course. I will see him again in a couple of weeks when I get to see my honey in concert. Woo Hoo!!!

This year, I had to find yet another "boy toy". He is my newest obsession and he just makes me swoon! It is none other then Edward Cullen from the movie Twilight, as well as the series of books. He is phenomenal, in more ways then one, if you get my drift!


And I can't wait until he turns me into a vampire, along with Brandon of course. And then, we can all live happily for the next several hundred years.



Which brings me to my first gift for Caz. The two of us, being the BBFFs that we are, have always shared our older "boy toy", John Taylor, from Duran Duran. But with each year, he ages a bit more. So, Edward has agreed to change John into a vampire as well as you, if you would like Caz. So, here is John before .....



And here is John after, full of new energy and stamina.....

john
Make custom Glitter Graphics



The next gift is for Caz's art studio. I am going to re-decorate it in the newest yummies from her favorite, Laura Ashley. I just love this wall paper, and the shade of blue. It just made me think of her for some reason.



I also love this light fixture and some of the accents....



Some more lovelies to use, if you like...




And of course, just like our beautiful selves, we have to accessories everything, right down to the last drawer pull.








And of course, if you would rather do a different color or pattern, well that is just fine too. The sky is the limit and money is no option, especially with Edward by my side. And he loves you too, but of course no one could love you more then I do!

So, because you have been an extra special friend this year, always there for me, and oh so thoughtful, I got you an extra special gift. And I just know you will share it with me too. Check out the amazing home that I just purchased for you in Tuscany. Isn't it divine?













Here are a few details about it, "Gorgeous historic and frescoed villa dated back to the 1600, completely restored, situated in the top of a hill, in a small and ancient hamlet, at just 30 km far from the coast, and reachable by a suggestive alley of cypresses. The villa, on three levels, comprising about 1,000 sq.mt., features frescoed halls, stairs and rooms, recently restored with care. At the ground floor a wide entrance foyer of 65 sq.mt., six rooms, one large master bedroom, and so much more."








Imagine the parties that we will be having here Carolyn!










And even thought this kitchen is amazing, and I am sure we will have fun cooking in it, there is also a full staff to take care of us and tend to our every need. Isn't that fabulous. No more stress for us, we are taking the easy road in 2009!


And last but not least......




A big, wet, birthday kiss from my dog, Ohm. He just loves you so much and wanted me to say, "Ruff, ruff. Ruff ruff ruff, ruff ruff, ruff". And ditto that from me!


I hope that you have a fantastic birthday Carolyn and that this new year brings you all of the joy and happiness that you deserve. I look forward to us sharing many, many more together.


I am sorry to say that I don't have your gift in the mail yet. I am still getting it together, and I am running behind because I have been sick, along with everyone else in my home. I don't know what is going around, but doctor's appointments have been very hard to come by. Lucky for me I had some antibiotics that I had not used yet that did the trick. Any who, I will let you know as soon as I have shipped it over the pond.


Have a wonderful day, and thanks for hosting yet another fabulous red carpet event!

Love you!


Happy Birthday!

BBFF!
Rhonda...

January 1, 2009

Happy New Year!



Just a little note to wish you all the best for the new year. I haven't been on for a bit, due to busy holidays, but they were wonderful and I have a lot to share with you. I'll be posting again soon, and I can't wait to chat with you, my blogging friends and catch up. I look forward to our adventures with this new year. God bless and lots of love!

Rhonda...