Can you help me find a #lostdog in #Polvadera #NM

This was originally posted in June 2017. After all this time, we presume Chester to be permanently lost. My daughter and her husband remain heartbroken over their #lostdog. The best guess is that someone decided that the guy was friendly enough to pick up after he got loose. I want to thank everyone who shared the information, prayed and helped us try to find him. Each of you are precious. Thank you again.

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Pet owners and dog lovers... Can you help me find my daughter's dog?  He and his canine sibling got out from his #Polvadera home yesterday. His canine sibling returned without him. The dog is six and has never failed to return. Usually he stays very close to my daughter. She and her husband are disconsolate. Please email me at youvebeenreviewed@gmail.com if you see him. Any help you can give is appreciated. 

Surgery recovery and physical therapy

By now you know that we are working to overcome medical bills and our general debt load. I found another money saving site that you may be interested in. Writing articles like this on this particular blog isn't my norm but I hope that you will stick with me awhile longer.

Writing from home has been a godsend. Being able to cover people who have overcome issues like homeless, poverty, sexual assault and other society ills is the purpose of the blog. From time to time, I also get to write about upcoming speaking engagements, my sermons and so forth.

The problem is working writing in with my physical therapy schedule. The doc has me going three times and week and walking every other day. Switching my dressier clothing out for exercise wear is interesting. Finding a onehanesplace coupon should help. I haven't delved deeply into the site yet but it looks like it might be helpful.

Hanes products haven't let me down yet and this site has lots of promo codes for them. It's perfect since I need exercise clothes for working out. It's time to trade church clothes for work clothes. Working out more often for PT requires more clothing and I am looking forward to getting back to the gym.

My gym time was my time and I enjoyed it. Having to put it on hold because of the back surgery is a disappointment.  A 24 hour fitness coupon for my favorite gym would be nice. It always helps to save money on things that you do regularly. That seems to be one of the secrets to getting out (and staying out) of the financial hole.

Physical therapy and walking are challenging to fit into the schedule. Guess what. It's helping. Today I was able to fix a light dinner and load the dishwasher. They weren't done well but they did get done. It's not much but it's an improvement. I plan on being back at the gym as soon as I can. Want to race me to the stepper machine?

Coupons for Moosejaw and Bass Pro Shops

One of my husband's favorite places to visit is the Bass Pro Shops in Kodak, Tennessee. He likes everything about the store. The waterfall, camping supplies, boats, clothing... you name it. The whole place is part museum and part store. Riding the glass elevator provides a great view of the store and reminds me of being a kid at the same time.

He usually shops at the Bass Pro Shops long enough to wear me out. Fortunately, I can go over to the coffee counter, order and iced tea or coffee and recharge. Sometimes we'll head on over to Uncle Buck's Grill and have lunch.

The one problem that I have with Bass Pro Shops is that it's in Kodak and I'm not. It takes me nearly two hours to get there so going shopping takes all day. The long drive is worth it for a day but impractical when only a few items are needed.

Many of you know that I'm always looking for a better, cheaper way of buying camping gear and outdoor supplies. After digging around online guess what I found? Yes, Bass Pro Shops has an online store but outdoor life gets better than that. I found an online store that has BassPro coupons and promo codes. Not only do I get to buy tents, jackets or hiking boots but I can do it at a discount. How's that for cool?

I did some more digging through the link above and found a Moosejawcoupon and some promo codes. They carry the North Face and Patagonia clothing that you need for cold weather. Moosejaw also has everything that you would ever need for camping or hiking.

The difference between the stores is that Moosejaw is geared toward those who take the outdoors seriously. Tents run from about $200 on up to around $1,300. They carry many of the top of the line brands for skiing, hiking and just about all outdoor sports.

Bass Pro Shops seems to be geared more toward families or the more casual outdoors person. They have some heavy-duty brands but they also have recognized household names. Camping gear includes products from Coleman, Lodge and of course, the Bass Pro Shops brand products.

Two great stores with promo codes and coupons for each. Sounds like a shoppers paradise to me.

Pastor's daughter who wrestled gun from dad is a hero

As the wife of a pastor and advocate, I am closely following media accounts of one very brave young woman. News is everywhere about the pastor who killed his wife. Although injured, the girl was able to wrestle the gun from her father and go for help. Adults don't always have the presence of mind to take such quick action. This girl is only 18 years old and should be applauded. She did everything that she could. To me, that makes Suzanna Greer a hero.

I cannot imagine the pain that she must be going through. Today, the media is reporting that the young woman buried her mother but she essentially lost both parents. Her father is in the hospital due to self-inflicted injuries and is expected to be arrested upon discharge.

News articles are not kind about toward at least one pastor who conducted the funeral. There is something about the media reports that haunts me. Nowhere, in any of the reports does it indicate that anyone walked with this young woman as she followed the casket out of the church. If this is true, then it breaks my heart a little bit more.

Isolation is common in families that are undergoing domestic violence. The journey through the court system is long. I pray that she will be surrounded with positive, uplifting friends and family members now and for the rest of her life. This young woman deserves that at the very least.

Reference
http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2013/01/slain_pastors_wife_lauded_for.html
http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Slain-pastor-s-wife-lauded-for-faith-friendship-4199154.php
http://www.decaturdaily.com/stories/Funeral-arrangements-announced-for-former-Decatur-pastors-wife,111001

What I like about Hanes brand products

One Hanes Places offers some of the best brands in bras, hosiery and casual wear that you can find. We're talking about brands like Hanes, Bali, Playtex, Champion, Legg's and more. The difference is that One Hanes Places offers these brands at discount prices. Even better news is that you can save even more with a one hanes place promo code.


This is good news for me and for you. I use Hanes products and have been consistently happy with them. I can't imagine finding a more comfortable t-shirt than Hanes sells. My kids and I frequently decorated our t-shirts when they were younger. We would paint or tie-dye them according to the occasion. The shirts themselves always held up to repeating washing even when our artwork wasn't up to the challenge.

Free music camp at Piney Grove UMC in Athens, TN

Piney Grove United Methodist Church in Athens, Tennessee is hosting its first ever free music camp. I'm very excited about it. This is the first time that something like this has been offered. Participants will be introduced to some basic music skills in vocals and handbells. Basic percussion rhythms on the tambourine will also be introduced. The camp is from August 17-19, 2012.

Best of all, the music camp at Piney Grove UMC is completely free. The only love offering that will be collected is the regular Sunday offering on the day of the performance. A hot dog lunch on Saturday is on the church. After the performance on Sunday morning, the church will be hosting a reception for all participants.

Alexandria Crabtree is our director for the free music camp. She holds a B.A. in music from Berea College and is currently working toward a Master of Divinity Degree with a fine arts emphasis. Among other performances, her impressive background includes the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and private services at Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.

It should be a great time to have fun and learn something new. Registration for the free music camp is limited. Participants should email pineygroveumc@hopeforhealing.org to register. For lunch purposes, Piney Grove UMC is asking that registrations be turned in by Wednesday, August 15.

Finding a marriage counselor

People are often amazed at what my marriage has endured. The truth is that our faith and counseling has gotten us through. If you are thinking about a Bellevue counselor or someone near you, then I would encourage you in your search.

Since becoming a couple, we have successfully weathered a critically baby, bankruptcy, job loss and the death of parents. Plus of course, we have endured several moves of over 150 miles, the rape and beating as well as chronic illness in each of our children. Did I mention job changes, college and an upcoming wedding?

Finding a marriage counselor isn't something to be taken lightly. For counseling to be effective it is important to have someone that matches your personality. You can't just open a phone book, run your finger down the list and find a perfect fit.

We needed someone who could both coach and mediate. The person needed to be nurturing but also have the ability to help help us communicate effectively with each other. Most of all, our counselor needed to remain positive but realistic and call our hands if we weren't working hard enough on our marriage. Confidentiality is non-negotiable.

You are hiring someone to do a job and to do it well. Hubby and I drew up a list of questions that we asked each potential candidate. Frankly, I didn't care so much where they placed in their graduating class. I wanted to know why they chose this type of work and why he or she would be the right counselor for us.

Finding the right person took three tries. Right off the bat, one person asked about my need to 'conduct an interview'. Guess who didn't get the job?

The next didn't take our insurance. Finally, the third person seemed to enjoy answering the questions, took our insurance, was open one evening a week and did not bill for the first consult. The counselor was also available by phone and email which was important to us.

I have been looking over the website for:

Authentic-You Katie Swartz
2025 112th Ave NE, Suite 300
Bellevue, WA 98004-2943
(206) 794-2717
http://counselorbellevue.com/ 

She seems to offer a lot of what I felt we needed at the time. You may find it to be useful even if you don't need a Bellevue marriage counselor. The site has resources,books and other information that may help you improve your marriage and your life.

Let me say a couple of things before closing this post. Remember that you can follow your dreams to have the life that you want. Just as importantly, you deserve to do so.

Now hubby wants television and satellite

It was a sad day for Hubby when we moved into our new home. The rural area that we are in offers scenic views of the mountains, phenomenal neighbors and almost everything that you would ever want. However, there is no such thing as cable television. This means that we either do without or look into getting direct tv.

Let me paraphrase the rest of my post by saying that I am not a huge television watcher. I have nothing against television but I also have no time to watch it. (This is actually why our last set was put out by the street.)

Recently, Hubby has let it be known that he would like to have a television. This means that we will probably be checking into directtv next. The guy who lived here before us had the service and must have been pleased.

The hardest thing for me will be picking out the television. My brain shuts down in the electronics section. I guess Amazon.com will be able to help. Reading all of the product reviews and comparisons have been very valuable in the past. Plus, they usually have a huge selection and I can shop from home

I still won't have any time to watch television but at least www.dx3.net can provide information on the satellite service. Maybe that will help Hubby hold out a little longer.  

Zunni Optical eyeglass promotion buy 2, get the 3rd free

Sometimes I get wind of crazy promotions that just have to be passed along. The Zenni Optical online eyeglass store is having a 'buy two, get the third pair free' promotion. They say that they can provide glasswear for everyone in the family from kids to adults. Scratch resistant coating, bifocals, anti-glare coating and other coatings are available.

The cost of the eyeglasses will make your day. The prices range from $6.00 to $46.00 for single vision lenses. These are among the most affordable eyeglasses that I have seen. It's really hard to believe that you can go online to order eyeglasses and find them so inexpensively. Zenni Optical even offers low priced $6.95 prescription eyeglasses!

Zenni Optical has a feature to help you virtually try on the eyeglasses before you purchase them. It will help you choose the right frames for your face in both style and color. All you have to do is take a photo of yourself as you stare straight into the camera. Then, upload it to the website. Look through the frames until you find one that you like. Click on them and they will appear over your photo. You can virtually try on as many pairs of glasses as you want until you find the right ones.

I'm including a banner from their site in this article. It tells you more about what to expect in this promotion.  

Thank you to the SCCUMW for tackling domestic violence

I want to take time out to say a big thank you to the ladies of the South Carolina Conference United Methodist Women. It was a deep honor to be able to deliver the keynote message during the annual Legislative Action Day yesterday. Hard issues are examined and legislative updates were given on a number of items. 

An impressive array of workshops included one by the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Other workshops were on green living and on the 'Dream Act'. I was excited to learn how, under certain circumstances, the Dream Act will empower undocumented people to eventually attend college and lead productive lives.

The day was filled with hope, information and empowerment. Most of all, the day was filled with exciting possibilities for improving the future. My message was on 'Don't be afraid, just believe'. After spending the day with the South Carolina Conference United Methodist Women, I am convinced that with their faith, these women will tackle the future and meet it head on to improve lives. In fact, they are already doing just that. 

UK flats available on Lettingweb

Are you about to be an exchange student to the U.K.? Is your business causing you to travel frequently to Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen? Do you just want a change of pace? If so, you may want to know about Lettingweb.com. The site can help you find long term or short term accommodations. It is also a potential resource for anyone who wants to experience an extended holiday.

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and there almost isn't anything that it doesn't offer. Museums, business, shopping and a research-led, international university are just a few of the attractions that are waiting for you. As you can imagine, there are plenty of flats to rent Glasgow that can put you close to the City Centre or any other area.

If Glasgow isn't your style, then you may want to check for flats to rent Edinburgh. Whatever your taste or need you can probably find it in Edinburgh. It is the capitol and second largest city in Scotland and it is the second most visited destination in the United Kingdom. There are lots of reasons to live here and play here.

Aberdeen is another city in Scotland with lots to offer. There is a low unemployment rate and a mild oceanic climate. A long coastline, two universities, oil industry, fishing, textiles and tourism are only a few reasons that make people want to live here. Public transportation and trains are readily available. Lettingweb.com has the scoop on flats to rent Aberdeen.

When you are new to a town, renting instead of buying is a good idea. This allows you to take the time to choose the right area for you.  

Summer swimming pool memories

When I was a kid I used to love to go to my cousin's home to swim in the pool. The cool water was perfect on a hot sunny day. I never was able to just get my feet wet and slowly work my way up to acclimate to the water.

Why do that when a big splash can get you adjusted to the water a lot faster? One dive was all it took to get used to the water and I loved the way it felt when my body would tingled all over with sudden chill bumps. After awhile it would be time to get out of the pool. I would wait until I dried off and started to get warm, and then I'd do it again.

My aunt used to fuss a little and worry. She would feign concern about the size of the splashes and whether or not we would leave any water in the pool. My cousins and I would play swimming pool games like Marco Polo all afternoon.

As a kid, I didn't have to worry about shopping for pool supplies or which chemicals to use. Instead, life was all about lazy summer afternoons spent with family and friends.

My cousin had all these neat pool accessories like toys, other types of water games and even floats. We had lots of fun with the floats. One of us would get settled. Then, just about the time that we would get relaxed the other would turn the float over. These were among the childhood memories that I enjoy the most.  

I miss our former tax preparer

Tax season is almost here... again. Unlike work or school the one thing that no one gets out of is taxes. The problem is that filling out forms and preparing paperwork is confusing. There is always a long line at the post office on the last day that the paperwork can be postmarked. Every year people put it off until the last minute. The good news is that it doesn't have to be that way.

If you have ever thought about taking matters into your own hands now may be the time. I spoke with someone once who gave me an idea that may be worth sharing. She said that she had gotten tired of going to tax preparers that she didn't know so she started looking around. That's when she got the idea of taking a tax class and learn how to prepare the returns herself.

The Internal Revenue Service has some pretty strict requirements for anyone who wants to get a tax preparer certification. In addition to taking classes, everyone who prepares taxes must register with the IRS, pay a fee and meet continuing education requirements.

Working on forms is not my forte'. I can sometimes do it but not very well. However, it must have worked out well for the lady that I spoke with. She was sitting on one side of the desk and I was sitting on the other side with a wad of papers in my hand.

We stopped seeing her for our taxes when we moved away a few years ago. She sold her office and retired soon after we relocated. I think about her every year when the tax forms start rolling in from the employers.

Where to find coupons on baby products

As a mom, I remember well the days of looking for the best deals on diapers and formula. At first, my mother and grandmother liked to give me a hard about going through the newspapers for coupons on baby products.

That all changed when they saw how the savings racked all. One trip to the store was enough to convince them. After that they were both on the coupon treasure hunt with me.

The coupons were a little difficult to find at first. Couponing is much more popular now than it ever has been before but you still have to learn where to look. Once you learn find them you may discover an almost never ending supply.

Here are a few of the tips and strategies that I used to find coupons on baby products. You can use these same tips to find coupons on virtually anything. Here are a few places to look first.

Online

These days, finding free printable coupons on baby products is as easy as turning on the computer. All you do is type the name of the item into the search bar. Next, add the the word 'coupons' and hit enter. I just a few seconds a long list of sites will appear. Sift through the links until you find the savings that you want and click print.

Manufacturers websites

Be sure to check these sites for coupons. You may have to join and email club or 'like' a page on a social networking site to snag the deals. This will generally put you on a list and allow you to receive coupons on baby products on a regular basis. The savings come to you, instead of the other way around.

Newspapers

Online is the first place to check these days. Newspapers are still an excellent source for all kinds of money saving coupons on baby products. Call the newspapers in your town to ask when circulars with coupons are distributed. While you are calling, don't overlook the smaller papers. They may be able to help. Staff in classified advertisements or circulation may be able to help.

Doctors offices

Keep your eye open for coupons at the registration desk, check-out and on the waiting room tables. Supplies may be limited but targeted. This was a great source of savings on diapers, wipes, formula and lots of other baby supplies.

Product samples

You tried a sample once and may want to start using the product regularly. What better incentive than to include coupons on baby products inside a sample? It's a little extra incentive to buy the item on your next trip to the store.

Friends

Recruit friends to help. They are generally glad to share coupons that they won't use. Swapping back and forth isn't just a good way to save money but it's a great way to build a relationship with another parent.

Purple memories from my youth

One of the good things about growing older is how your taste in style changes. I can remember a set of http://home-and-garden.become.com/purple-table-lamp that a friend of mine had when I was younger. The large butterflies were made in the ceramics studio that her grandmother owned.

The bottom line is that a ceramics show was coming up. We were close in age and always competed against each other. Her lamps were pretty and made me nervous. It was a relief when we both brought home blue ribbons.

I can laugh about this because when my daughter was about the same age she found a purple lamp that she liked. Fortunately, she grew out of that notion before Hubby could get involved.

Hubby enjoys working with his hands. If we had access to reconditioned table saws he might have made the lamps for her. Wiring them is easy. Creating the bases and the lamps themselves are what's difficult. However, a new saw is out of our budget and without the right tools any job is impossible.

It goes without saying that Hubby rarely fails to mention that a reconditioned table saw would be just as useful as a new one. I saw this great cabinet at the craft store a couple of days ago. It's just the thing for my kitchen. Hubby pointed out that a saw would mean that he could build a cabinet at the fraction of the cost of buying one. This is an ongoing exchange that we have.

One day, I'll probably come home to the cheerful buzzing of his new toy. That buzzing could indicate that my cabinet won't be too far behind. If so, I just hope that it won't be painted purple.

Halloween Mart has costumes for every occasion

Halloween can be a grand time of fun and games. Children of all ages enjoy going from one house to another for the greatest candy grab known to man. My kids used to participate in the festivities when they were younger. They used to love being able to dress up in their Halloween costumes for trick or treating.

Both of my kids are in college now. Even this year, my daughters dressed up in their costumes for parties. I'm not sure if they had more fun as youngsters or as kids. Finding safe outfits and gear for Halloween has always been a challenge.

Masks may be a popular choice for Adult Halloween Costumes but they are not great for kids. Face make-up is frequently suggested. It comes in every color imaginable and doesn't get in the way when it comes to vision.

Visibility is a prime concern for parents. Kids Halloween Costumes are often in bright colors. We always tried to pick these whenever possible. Reflective tape can be used to help brighten up dark costumes. Flashlights and reflective trick-or-treat bags can also help when it comes to visibility. Of course, when it comes to safety nothing will beat trick-or-treating outdoors with mom, dad or another responsible adult.

Halloween isn't the only special event that costumes are used for. Mardi Gras is a wildly popular season. Jesters, Kings and other characters are needed by the crewes who put together the colorful floats. Easter Bunny means spring to many kids across the country. Children everywhere look forward to the arrival of Santa Claus at Christmas.

Humans aren't the only ones to get into the action. Pet costumes are becoming more popular every year. Dogs and cats now have their own outfits for everything from Mardi Gras to Valentine's Day.

I never fail to smile when I see pets in a costume. They're almost always adorable. Halloween Mart is a good source of costumes for every occasion. Click any of the links in this article to find out about them.

Mounting Healthcare and College Costs Without Reprieve: Minding Our Elders gives hope to the sandwich generation

The cost of caring for the elderly and for children is going up like a skyline in Dubai. The price of college has been on the rise, since 1980 the cost of institutions across the board has almost tripled. One year in a 4 year institution is now averaging $20,000 every year and with budgets around the country being slashed, that price won't be coming down. Healthcare is much the same way - Americans spend approximately 9%, or $4,400, of their annual income on healthcare costs.

As the baby boom generation enters their golden years, demand will continue to push up the price of care. It is believed that every day after January 1, 2011 will have 10,000 of more people turning 65 and retiring. This is cause for investment and efficiency but it will be expensive.

The news media calls it the sandwich generation. It simply means that you are caring for parents and children  simultaneously. Balancing the care of parents, and children with your own needs is challenging at best. Most caregivers put their own self-care at the bottom of the heap. This can leave you feeling depressed, defeated or alone. 

Having a support network is vital. People from church, friends, family and support groups can lighten the burden and make a difference. Home health care or community services may also be able to help.

In the book Minding Our Elders by Carol Bradley Bursack the issue of taking care of aging parents is tackled head on. Personal stories are shared that will only serve to inspire other caregivers.

Taking care of aging parents, a chronically ill spouse or child sometimes requires making hard choices. It may become necessary to refinance a home to take care of medical expenses. Caregivers may find themselves having to look at creative options to fund the care that their loved one needs.

Caregivers deserve to have the support they need. The problem is that nearly every minute of the day can be consumed by caring for the person you love. The odd moments where a caregiver can catch a breath are taken up by the usual tasks that keep a household going.

Past abuse doesn't have to claim on your future

The other day I saw a photo of a lady who meant a lot to me. She passed away a few years ago. To this day I remember how she looked right before she died.

The photo that I'm referencing was taken when the lady was young and just beginning her family. From the day the photo was taken to the day she passed away she looked like she hadn't aged a day. Most of the time that statement is a complement. Not this time.

That's because she already looked much older than her years dictated. Missing is the radiance that most new mothers have. Gone is the expression from her face. Instead, she stands limply beside her husband. She resembles a rag doll or robot much more than she does a young woman.

Looking at the photo breaks my heart. I have heard the stories of abuse that she suffered while growing up. She used to say that she found healing in her marriage. Looking at the photo makes me wonder if she ever found what she was looking for.

There was help available but she wouldn't take it. Our relationship spanned more than a decade. She talked about counseling and knew it was there. Stubbornness kept her from trying counseling and I think that's what I mourn for her the most.

But, the decision to try counseling rested solely with her. Even though I feel that it might have helped it was her decision and hers alone. I encouraged her and I don't judge her. She was a wonderful person. I'm sad for her because, even though she was liked, her relationships with her family and friends suffered.

Abuse might have claimed your past but it has no right to your future. If you are free from abuse don't be her. If you think that counseling might help don't be afraid to try it. Crisis centers and shelters often have counseling and mental health centers offer it on a sliding scale. It might just help.

Taking care of carpets and friends

We never know what type of furniture or floor coverings that that we’ll find in a parsonage. One of the things about moving around often is that you gain experience in cleaning a wide variety of household furniture.  

My family has been blessed with some well maintained homes. When a church goes to lengths to provide something nice you want to take the best possible care of it. For this reason, I often turn to professionals for help with special cleaning needs.

Friends of mine who are in Texas feel the same way. We talk often about daily chit-chat. But we also talk about wicker furniture cleaning in Austin. While I don’t have wool carpets she does so she had to find a wool carpet cleaner in Austin.

One of the things that she and I both agree on is that carpets need to be professionally cleaned once a year. Finding reliable at home carpet cleaning Austin or anywhere can be a real challenge! Getting references from friends and relatives can be a big help.

One year, my family was moving to a new home and needed to have the carpets cleaned in the old one. My favorite company wasn’t available to help us and we had to use someone else. The results were disastrous. I was really glad that we had regular household carpet.

My friend doesn’t. She had to find a Berber carpet cleaner Austin when she moved. She had a hard time before she found a reliable cleaning company.

It’s nice to have someone that you can talk to about everything from the kids to church and even carpet cleaning. I’m really glad that we’re friends.

~~ Many thanks to the above company for sponsoring this blog.~~

Getting Into the Spirit

Guest post written by Ann Ledger

I always love when the holidays roll around. I've always associated them with really happy times, ever since I was a little girl, so it's a nice reminder to keep grounded every year, since it's so easy to get carried away in the madness of life. I think this year will be one of the better celebrations, though. John and I have decided to make the week really about us, and fulfilling some of our favorite holiday past-times. We're going to the local holiday market later today, and I think he wants to go ice skating, too. I can't wait!

Hopefully by this time next year, we'll have our first baby (fingers crossed!) so we're really trying to live this Christmas up while we can, since next year it will be a lot different! And of course we're going to go see family--what good would this holiday be if we just kept to ourselves I'm ready for the fun, the decorations, the happiness, the food...everything about this holiday strikes a perfect chord on the happiness meter, if you ask me. I may even make my own site with DomainNames.com to catalog all the memories. Can't wait!