A Halloween Treat---Creme de la Gems Giveaway

I'm excited to share my latest giveaway, from Tracy at Creme de la Gems, and since I can only imagine that today is a busy day for all, I promise to keep this giveaway post short and sweet!

Tracey has a passion for art and design, and creates beautiful stamped jewelry, as well as, polymer clay goodies. Tracey is generously offering a $40 gift certificate to one lucky Webbisodes reader!

Here's how to enter:

{Mandatory}

Leave a comment telling me about your Halloween plans or your favorite candy.

{Extra Entries}

-Visit Tracey's shop, Creme de la Gems, and leave a comment telling me what you'd purchase with the gift certificate. (5 entries)

-Grab one of Tracey's buttons. Post about this giveaway anywhere on your blog. (10 entries)




-Become a follower of Webbisodes (or let me know that you already are).

-Tweet about this giveaway or post on Facebook.

-"Like" Tracey on Facebook.
{Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry, including all extra entry options. Giveaway ends November 7th!}













{And don't forget to enter my Fall goody giveaway through midnight tonight, by leaving a comment on Friday's post! Click here!}



{Pumpkins and witch hat are part of design elements purchased from JW Illustrations.}

Happy Halloween!

And since I'm wishing y'all more treats than tricks this Halloween, one lucky reader will be randomly selected from today's comments to win a Halloween goody bag, courtesy of moi, to get a jump on next year's holiday!







  {Pumpkins and witch hat are part of design elements purchased from JW Illustrations.}

Something to think about...

Even with so much randomness cluttering my mind, I've decided to swerve off the road of predictability and my usual Miscellany Monday posts, to share an email that I received a few weeks ago. The email was from my mom, and since she knows to pass along only the truly worthy reads, when I receive one, I know that it's something she thinks is worthwhile and important enough to share.

With most of mom's forwards being lighthearted in nature, with funny pictures, jokes, or political jabs (at what administration I'll keep you guessing), it's not everyday that an email arrives giving me pause and a little something to think about...

"Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest:
Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400.00 in your private account for your use.

However,this prize has rules, just as any game has certain rules.

The first set of rules would be:
Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from you. You may not simply transfer money into some other account. You may only spend it. Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400.00 for that day.

The second set of rules:
The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say, Its over,the game is over! It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.

What would you personally do?
You would buy anything and everything you wanted right?
Not only for yourself, but for all people you love, right?
Even for people you don't know, because you couldn't possibly spend it all on yourself, right?
You would try to spend every cent, and use it all, right?

ACTUALLY This GAME is REALITY!
Each of us is in possession of such a magical bank. We just can't seem to see it.

The MAGICAL BANK is TIME!
Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life, and when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT credited to us. What we haven't lived up that day is forever lost. Yesterday is forever gone. Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time....WITHOUT WARNING.

SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds? Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars.

Think about that, and always think of this:
Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think.
So take care of yourself, be Happy, Love Deeply and Enjoy Life!"


Life is short and in this scenario, there are no filing Chapter 11 do-overs. You get one chance, one chance to do it right and leave your mark as either a success or a failure. You can revel in the absurdity of life and drown in its unfairness, or you can see each day, as the blessing that it is, and double your profit by making the most of the time you've been given.

With each turn of the calendar page, I'm constantly reminded that time seems to pass much more quickly now than it ever has. Everyday I will work hard to spend each of my 86,400 seconds, living in the moment---not looking in the past to yesterday, or ahead at what's to come. I will be at peace knowing that God will take care of all of that. I will spend my time holding those I love just a little closer and for a little longer; and I will spend it being content, and unquestionably happy.

And just to make sure that you leave with a smile after spending some of your 86,400 seconds reading this post, here's a sneak peek of our trip to the pumpkin patch.




Attention Pumpkin Patch Organizers: Is this the kind of family picture you were hoping to inspire with your larger than life upside down bottom-half only cutout of Mr. Scarecrow?
Not sure the church ladies would approve!

Start spending, y'all and have a blessed week!

Friday Fun

It's Friday, and y'all know what that means---Yes, all you tired moms (me included), it does mean that the weekend is almost here, but it also means 5QF and Fun Phone Photo Friday!

If you're new here, a gigantic Southern welcome! I'd offer you a sweet tea, but well, this is a blog and I'm not Paula Deen. If you're so inclined, please leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you!

Five Question Friday

1. Who is the better cook, you or your spouse?

Oooh, this is a tricky one! For down-home, comfort-food cooking I'd have to say that I'm the better cook. But when it comes to grilling and seafood, Hubs definitely has the edge over me.

2. How often do you talk to your mom?

Don't laugh, but I talk to my mom, on average, five to seven times a day! And yes, I realize that's borderline excessive, but I can't help it, my mom is my best friend. With Bret busy at work, I know Mom will always be there to answer my call; listen to my complaints; try her best to ease my frustrations and worries; and share a laugh over Gillian Grace's latest stunt.



3. Are you adventurous in the kitchen or stick to the recipe?

As much as I wish I could go into the kitchen and cook like my grandmother from memory and without a recipe in sight, sadly, I'm just not that good! Without a recipe, I'd be lost or calling for take-out!

4. Is your second toe longer than your big toe?

Yes, isn't everyone's?!

5. Do you dress up for Halloween? (Bonus question: What will you be this year?)

Quick answer---No, I don't dress up for Halloween!

When I was teaching we always had to dress up and I can remember spending many agonizing days contemplating my costume.



Nowadays, I enjoy shopping for outfits and costumes for Gillian Grace months in advance, because as every momma knows, the good costumes go fast!


My lil' ladybug, Halloween '09


She loves her Mummy! Halloween '09


Cutie patootie pumpkin, Halloween '09

But, if I were to dress up, I'd definitely try to keep my costume simple and do my best to make it myself. And after watching this week's episode of Parenthood, I know exactly what I'd want to be, a Q-Tip! And speaking of Parenthood, does Kristina Braverman remind any of y'all of yourself? Her character's over-protective, loving, and don't forget, semi-neurotic ways do so remind me of myself! Just saying...


Photo courtesy of NBC

Fun Phone Photo Friday

It seems like forever since I've been blogging on a Friday, but it's time for my new weekly theme and beginning in November, I hope many of y'all will participate too!

Several times a week, Sweet Bean and I take Bret lunch at work, and on occasion, we get to join him outside for a quick visit while he eats. This week's fun photo was taken during an afternoon lunch by the fountains!



But what makes this picture even better is that the outfit Gillian Grace is wearing in this photo was also worn by the precious baby that plays Lily on Modern Family! Seems even Hollywood thinks Target's clothes rock! And yes, if you haven't figured it out based on my two sitcom references in this post alone, I love TV! Please don't judge!


Image courtesy of ABC and Hulu

Having seen Gillian Grace's costumes from last year, any guesses as to what she'll be this year?

With my Gators having a bye-week, we'll fortunately be spared from embarrassing plays and upsets, at least until next Saturday! I love my Gators, but sheesh?!

What are your weekend plans? Stay tuned for a fun Fall giveaway from yours truly coming soon!

Happy Friday, y'all!



{Link up for some 5QF fun over at Mama M.'s. And be sure to swing by Xenia's where Webbisodes is a featured blog today!}