I Confess The Blogsphere is HUGE and There is a Place for EVERYONE!!

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I Confess...

I LOVE meeting new bloggers. I recently received a email from Bonnie @ Life With Bon. She expressed how hard it was to "get in" with fellow bloggers and how everyone seems to have already established cliques.

I Confess...

This is something that has always kind of bothered me about some of our fellow bloggers. Some bloggers do tend to run in cliques.

I Confess...

I have been on the inside of one  of those cliques and found myself on the "outside" just as quickly as I was "brought" in.

I Confess...

The funny thing is that until I was on the outside, I never even realized I was on the inside.

Isn't that weird how that happens?

I Confess...

I try really hard to use my blog as a place to bring people together.

This is the whole reason for my weekly link parties...did you know I host THREE of them?

Tuesday is My Happy List...a time to share what is making you HAPPY, because what you pay attention to grows.

Wednesday is We Want to Know...my co hosts and I encourage you to ignore the laundry and answer a little Q&A.

and, of course...

Friday Confessional...your chance to air the good, the bad and even the ugly! It's OK, confession is good for the soul, and no one is going to judge you!!

I Confess...

I love that people who link up actually visit and comment on each other's blogs. I love that friendships are formed and bloggers feel like they are a part of something.

I Confess...

I also love hosting my SWAPS...in fact I am thinking it is time for another.

So I am looking for a vote. Check out the poll on my sidebar for the theme and shipping date!

I Confess...

I LOVE making new blog friends. If you visit my blog regularly and never comment, I would love to hear from you. I would LOVE to visit your blog and get to know you.

I always do my very best to not only visit everyone who links up for the Link Parties here at Dandelion Wishes, but also follow people who comment back to their blogs to leave a little love.

I Confess...

Some days it takes me a little longer than others, but I promise I really do my very best.

Right now I am still trying to get my new internet in the new house to work properly. It is hit and miss during the day but seems to be working fine late at night...soooo I am slow these days. Sorry.

So, do you feel like making a fairly new blogger feel welcome? Go and say hello to Bonnie @ Life With Bon, she is adorable! I especially loved her recent post; an open letter to Pinterest, I just know you will love her...and tell her Mamarazzi sent ya!

I'm Feeling a Wee Bit Peckish! WWTK wk41

Welcome to We Want to Know Wednesdays Q&A!

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This week your's truly, Mamarazzi, is asking the questions and this is what I want to know....

{1} What is your favorite room in your house and why? Bonus points for a picture.
{2} What is your favorite time of day and why?
{3} What is your favorite genre of music (or band/singer) and why?
{4} What is your favorite "go to" snack? Is it something you keep on hand?
{5} What is your favorite form of exercise or way to keep moving?


{1} What is your favorite room in your house and why? Bonus points for a picture.
OK no pictures yet, I am still digging my way out of boxes, as you know. I have only been in this new house for a few days but I think my favorite room in this house will be my Great Room. It's a HUGE room that I have kind of divided into two rooms. One side has a love seat facing the fireplace and piano...so it is more of a come sit and read a book by the fire kind of quiet space. The other side has my HUGE sectional sofa and the TV, so it is a more casual watch TV with the family kind of space. The whole room gets lots of light and i really kind of love it.

{2} What is your favorite time of day and why?
Right now I am enjoying my afternoons. I am the costume designer/coordinator for the local High Schools Spring Musical. My sister Amy is the musical director and I am enjoying going to rehearsals and being a part of something fun in my community. I think this is really what I have been missing living away from family and friends...a sense of belonging and feeling needed.

{3} What is your favorite genre of music (or band/singer) and why?
I am so into acoustical kind of music right now. Anything with a mellow, yet cheery bright and clean sound to it. LOVE pretty much anything by Joshua Radin and super love this song right now..



I also really like Schuyler Fisk...she has a kind of breathy voice nice bright tone, and her lyrics are always pretty great. I am a lyrics kind of girl what people are saying with their music means a lot to me.
About a year ago I created a playlist and burned it on CDs and would send them to people who read my blog, just random people. I wonder if I should start doing that again...anyone interested? Were you a recipient of one of my playlists?

{4} What is your favorite "go to" snack? Is it something you keep on hand?
I love Fuji apples. I TRY to keep them on hand because if they are there i will reach for them before anything else. I also found a few naughty kind of treats that I can eat that won't adversely affect my blood sugar...Red Vines (NOT Twizzlers) and rice krispie treats.

{5} What is your favorite form of exercise or way to keep moving?
Sex, lots and lots of sex. Excellent way to get the blood pumping AND it keeps my husband VERY happy. WINNING!!

I also like to shop. And packing and unpacking my home has my body aching soooo I must be burning calories, right?


Are you on the weekly mailing list for the WWTK Questions? If you want to receive them to your inbox each Monday let us know and we will add you to the list!


All posts for We Want to Know should include:
1. The darling WWTK button
2. A link to your co hosts Mamarazzi, Queso and Crazymama
Links must lead to WWTK posts that contain the WWTK button. Posts should lead to Family Friendly blogs. Blogs containing explicit language and/or sexually explicit content should contain an "adult content warning", or risk being removed from the link list. Kthanks!

That's One HAPPY Hobo

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Any Hobo would love to come and pick through the million empty boxes in my house right now.

There is a serious selection, big, small thick, white brown.

They could build a serious Hobo condo out of them.

According to my nephew Steven...that kid kills me.

I kind of love that he uses the word Hobo too.

Being close to family again makes me VERY happy!!

So does having a million EMPTY boxes.

Because that means they are now unpacked and my stuff is getting set up in our new home.

I won't have internet until some time later today so I will be by to bask in your happiness later tonight!

Back to my boxes!!

I Confess, My Teenager is Awesome!

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I Confess...

When J suggested that we go on a "double date" with her and her friend Isaiah I was caught off guard.

We really wanted to get to know him, especially because they are going to the Winter Formal together.

So, I guess in actuality is was a good idea, the whole double date thing.

I Confess...

I was also really impressed.

Seriously, how many teenagers actually want to spend time with their parents?

I Confess...

We feel pretty lucky that Jordan wants to include us in special milestones, like her FIRST date.

Even if at first thought it sounded a little weird. Cool. But weird. But mostly cool.

I Confess...

I thought she would be a little more nervous, and she was as she was getting ready asking what she should wear etc.

But they really had no problem talking. Their conversation as we drove to and from the restaurant really flowed.

I was impressed.

I Confess...

We are also really proud of the choices she is making in friends.

Isaiah seems like a really nice kid.



I Confess...


I am really impressed with how easy going and comfortable Isaiah was around us.

After all, we are J's parents and he really took the whole evening in stride, holding eye contact, answering and asking questions, really listening and he seems really excited about going to the Winter Formal with J.

It was a really nice evening!

I Confess...

I am not sure if I will have time to visit blogs today. Tomorrow is the BIG MOVE and I am doing my best to tie up loose ends and be ready when the movers arrive tomorrow morning!

Craptastic, I'm Still HERE...WWTK wk40

Welcome to We Want to Know Wednesdays Q&A!

Hosted by Mamarazzi, Queso and Crazymama<center><a href="http://www.ourdandelionwishes.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g328/OurDandelionWishes/WWTKbutton.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></center>
This week's questions are from our awesome co-hostess Queso and she wants to know...

{1} Which of the following phrases characterizes how you live your life?
a. You only live once
b. test the water before jumping in
c. stability is the key to life
{2} What were you doing the last time you had a really good laugh?
{3} Who is the last person you hugged?
{4} What song always makes you happy when you hear it?
{5} What's the first thing you thought about this morning?

{1} Which of the following phrases characterizes how you live your life?
a. You only live once
b. test the water before jumping in
c. stability is the key to life
100% C. stability is the key to life. I like things to be predictable. I love my happy marriage. I love my job and the fact that Big Daddy's job is secure. I will be soooo happy when we are moved to Hollister so we can settle back into our daily routine. It may sound a little boring but we have plenty of spontaneous moments and adventures to keep life exciting.

{2} What were you doing the last time you had a really good laugh?
I laugh all the time. Big Daddy is off of work for the rest of the month and we are packing our house. ANY time with Big Daddy guarantees from-the-gut laughing. Just now as I started typing this we were busting up about Coco going crazy over a cat toy that was unearthed in the frenzy of packing. It was the only toy that she played with when she was a teeny tiny puppy. She is acting like it is her long lost friend, carrying it around and giving it a tongue bath.

{3} Who is the last person you hugged?
Big Daddy...I know, sounds lame but I cannot seem to pass him without some sort of contact, a hug, a pat on the butt, a kiss...yep, sap sap sappy.

{4} What song always makes you happy when you hear it?
LOVE this song. I wish more women with curves could just embrace them and love themselves. YES, be healthy, make good food choices, exercise but if you are curvy girl love yourself. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!



{5} What's the first thing you thought about this morning?
CRAP! I still live here!! Which means I still have packing to do...and really I just want to be moved and start UNpacking...OK back to work.

I am really looking forward to taking a break from packing to visit your blogs and read your answers to Queso's FUN questions!!

All posts for We Want to Know should include:
1. The darling WWTK button
2. A link to your co hosts Mamarazzi, Queso and Crazymama
Links must lead to WWTK posts that contain the WWTK button. Posts should lead to Family Friendly blogs. Blogs containing explicit language and/or sexually explicit content should contain an "adult content warning", or risk being removed from the link list. Kthanks!

A Double Date with Our Teenager. Yes, really!

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We got the keys to our new home today! It was so fun walking through the totally empty house and imagine where we are going to put our things. The carpet throughout is all brand new and it smells like fresh paint and everything is spotless. I love a fresh start y'all. LOVE it!

Mima has been talking a lot about how excited she is that we will be living around the corner from my folk's. I think she is mostly excited because she will get to see Coco whenever she fancies. Coco loves Mima and would spend all day curls in her lap getting her back rubbed. Mima is looking forward to "tending Coco" on Saturday while we make the big move, so "Coco doesn't get underfoot". Adorable.

This Wednesday we are going to take a break from packing and go on a double date with Jordan and the boy who is taking her to the Winter Formal. Our teenager invited US on her very first official date. It makes me HAPPY that Isaiah (the boy) is willing to meet us and share a meal before the BIG date.

We move in FOUR days. Holy smokes that all went FAST!!

PLEASE link up your HAPPY list I need a really good excuse to have little breaks throughout the day and reading your Happy Lists and visiting your blogs is perfect!!

HELP!! I Am Buried in Boxes!

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I Confess...

I am moving in EIGHT days and I am not ready.

I Confess...

All I want to do is avoid packing and play on Facebook and read and comment on blogs.

I Confess...

I am really looking forward to coming around and reading all of your confessions, it will give me a good reason to stop packing for little breaks through out the day.

I Confess...

I am looking forward to certain stresses being over once we are moved and settled into our new home.

I Confess...

I am sooooo excited about this move...

Big Daddy and I are really looking forward to a fresh start in a town filled with people who love us.

I Confess...

Our first priority is to get qualified to be Foster/Adopt parents in our new county. We are so looking forward to adding to our family.

I Confess...

I got a few people asking about J and the move and I want y'all to know that our relationship with her is great. She is doing well in school and has some great friends and we are not the least bit worried about leaving her with her mom. She knows she can come live with us anytime. I think she thinks about it a lot, but she has 2 more years of High School and we don't see the need to make her leave her school in the middle of the year, or ever if she doesn't want to.

I Confess...

I cannot wait to "feather our nest" and decorate.

Soooo what are you confessing this week? Big welcome if you are here to link up for the first time. Please be sure to grab my button and add it to you post :) I cannot wait to come and read your confessions!

OH Sugar!! WWTK wk 39

Welcome to We Want to Know Wednesdays Q&A!
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This week Crazymama is the one asking the questions and here is what she wants to know:


{1} What is your most commonly used word or phrase when you are frustrated?
{2} What random question do you usually get from strangers or casual acquaintances?
{3} Did you ever correspond by mail with anyone, who? Do you still have the letters?
{4} Do you dance in public? why or why not?
{5} What is your favorite kind of chapstick/lip balm?

Here are MY answers. I will be by later to visit everyone when I take a break from packing! 

Did I mention I am moving in 10 days!!

{1} What is your most commonly used word or phrase when you are frustrated?
"OH Sugar!" If my mama is around *wink*. I am going to be honest with you, because we are friends right? And I know you won't judge me. I have a bit of a potty mouth. I don't swear a LOT, but I drop the occasional expletive. MOST of the time is it for shock value or humor, but I have dropped a bomb in my life. Funnily, Big Daddy thinks it is sexy...he always says that I come across as a "super classy lady and then BAM! outta nowhere, something naughty"...he is weird like that.

{2} What random question do you usually get from strangers or casual acquaintances?
"How do you always look so FABULOUS?!" umm yeah right, I WISH that was a random question I get asked!! People are always curious about Coco, she is a major conversation starter. People want to know what her breed is (Chiweenie) and they also always ask if she is always so well behaved (Yes, she is a really good dog).

People use to ask me when I was going to have a baby. But now that I am 40 they stopped. Weird.

{3} Did you ever correspond by mail with anyone, who? Do you still have the letters?
Nope.

{4} Do you dance in public? why or why not?
All. The. Time. Why? Cuz this mama has moves and the music in me never stops! I love to shake my booty!

{5} What is your favorite kind of chapstick/lip balm?
I just talked about this in last week's My Happy List post. I recently fell in love with Mary Kay's Lip Balm, more specifically their Satin Lips Set. Oh. My. Goodness. It is seriously amazing. My lips are soft and supple and are even a little plumper and younger looking. I never imagined that the Lip Mask in combination with the Lip Balm could actually make such a difference. I LOVE it!!

Want a set of Satin Lips of your own? Let me know in the comment and I will select a winner and announce and ship next week!

MORE free stuff....Mamarazzi ROCKS!!

All posts for We Want to Know should include:
1. The darling WWTK button
2. A link to your co hosts Mamarazzi, Queso and Crazymama
Links must lead to WWTK posts that contain the WWTK button. Posts should lead to Family Friendly blogs. Blogs containing explicit language and/or sexually explicit content should contain an "adult content warning", or risk being removed from the link list. Kthanks!

Walgreens=Awesome, for real!

This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.
Did you know that for the past year Walgreens and Express Script have been negotiating a new contract that would keep them as part of their pharmacy provider network? 
Yep, it's true.
However...
The negotiations were unsuccessful and as a result their former contract expired on December 31st, 2011.
The problem with this, for the customer, is that they then have to change pharmacies to find one that's in NETWORK so that the cost of their prescriptions doesn't go up.
I can only imagine what a pain it is to change pharmacies. I mean really, who has time for that?
Especially people who are ill or elderly or disabled!
But patients with certain prescription coverage provided through Express Scripts are FORCED to change. 
They have no choice, they NEED to get their medications...you know, to LIVE and stuff..
Here is the crazy thing, Walgreens was not trying to raise their prescription rates.
In fact they told Express Scripts that they would keep their rates flat with no increase!
NO INCREASE!!
STILL negotiations failed!
Customers are feeling frustrated. They need their medications.
Where will they get it? Will the prices go up?
These faithful customers are not only losing the the drive thru, convenient for the disabled or busy people.
They are losing THEIR pharmacist the person who KNOWS them!
Guess what?
Walgreens once again impresses me. You see they want to ease the burden on their customers.
Sooo...they are offering a discount on their Walgreens Prescription Savings Club right now.
Yep, for a low membership price, patients can continue to use Walgreens as their pharmacy.
Prices of their prescriptions will not go up and they won't have to find a new pharmacy and can coninute their relationship with a pharmacist that KNOWS them.
This is pretty amazing! I for one am seriously impressed with Walgreens for helping their customers to avoid the burden that failed negotiations could put on them.
You can follow Walgreens and hear about specials here Walgreens on Twitter or like Walgreens on Facebook. 

Home HAPPY Home

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Well I am HAPPY to report we have officially made our choice of houses.

We get the keys on Jan 16. We plan on making the BIG move on Jan 21.

I am HAPPY that we have found our home and that we are finally going to be close to family.

VERY close actually.

We are around the corner from my folk's home.

In fact you can walk out our front door and never leave the sidewalk to their front door.

Yep, we are that close. We are thrilled!! Especially Coco.

I don't have any pictures of the inside right now, I will post those as I get unpacked and decorated, but I do have a few pictures that I grabbed from Google earth.




The house is on a corner lot with the front door on one street and the garage on another.

The thing I love most is a room off of the garage that is big enough for me to do a Preschool Enrichment program a few days a week. I can hardly wait to get it set up and enrolled, I already have people interested and waiting for me. HAPPY!!

I am going to be packing like a madwoman for a while but I am looking forward to the move.

My nephews are all beyond excited to have us close and cannot wait until the playroom/preschool is set up and that makes this Auntie very HAPPY!!

I am also BEYOND HAPPY to have the annual MiMyMa Retreat on the calendar. We have put a deposit for a darling beach house on the Oregon coast. That's right y'all MiMyMa lives on!! I cannot wait to spend a week with MiMi and Myya. Last Summer was so. much. fun. I know this Summer is going to be EPIC!

You can follow it ALL on club page on Facebook!!

So what is making YOU happy this week? Grab a button and link your Happy List up! I will take a break packing to come around and bask in your happiness!!