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Project 365: 246 - Shady Site, originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

This particular campsite is extremely shady. We like shade, its our ac...

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Ramblers Way. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was just introduced to site and their amazing wool products. Rambler's Way creates worsted wool apparel that is said to be so soft that it can be worn directly next to your skin. Rambler's Way grows their own Rambouillet wool on sheep farms in Maine and partner with other ranchers across the country to harvest a sustainable product. They then create and manufacture quality garments in the Carolinas and New England.

The founders of Rambler's Way Farm are the same folks who brought us Tom's of Maine, a well-known brand of personal care products. Based on that knowledge, I'd have no problem trying products from this company. However, I also happen to be a huge worsted wool fan. I currently own a worsted wool jacket I've had for fifteen years, and I don't see myself getting rid of it any time soon!

If I had $200 to spend at Rambler's Way, I'd be one happy mama. Here's what I'd get for my money.

Women's Next-To-Skin Short Sleeve Scoop Neck Top $75

This top is a wardrobe staple. I wear scoop neck white or cream tops under everything - just see this vlog as proof. I'd love to have a soft top like this to wear with my favorite cardigans. People often think wool is scratchy and itchy, but I know that worsted wool can be soft. I'd definitely give this top a try.

Next-To-Skin Cross Neck Long Sleeve Top $85

I'd have to get this top as well, for those cold winter months when I like to dress in layers. I could definitely see myself sitting at my desk, typing at my Mac, with a sweater tied around my waist and the sleeves of this shirt shirt pulled down past my wrists. Love it!

Women's Next-To-Skin Low-Rise Hipster Briefs $40

Yes, I would wear wool underwear. Wool this soft would quite possibly be more comfortable than cotton, and the website promises minimal panty line. How can you go wrong with that?

I'd definitely be interested in learning more about the clothing produced by Rambler's Way. Classic designs from a soft, natural fabric, made in the USA.

Project 365: 245 - Boat Dock, originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

The Livery @ Pymatuning. The lake and campground are completely dead. Yesterday we were one of four occupants of campsites. Today three more arrived. Can you say quiet? Loving the calm before the storm. The camp host told us tomorrow 49 campers come in for the Holiday weekend.

Project 365: 244 - Camping, originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

Along side the lake again, and loving it.

Project 365: 243 - Road, originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

On it again...

Wanna know a tad bit more about what I've been working on lately?Check out this sweet interview with Don't Wake Aislin!

Project 365: 242 - Popped., originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

We love popped corn.

Project 365: 241 - She Brings Hot Ones, originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

Extra hot peppers my mother-in-law brought from her garden to our freezer. Awesome!

Project 365: 240 - Summer Favorite, originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

We love watermelon.

A shot of us as we were leaving to see the girls classroom assignments.
They are both pretty excited to go back to school, and frankly I am too.

The kids went back to school yesterday. Whew! I can't believe how fast this summer went by. In fact, it few by so fast that I neglected to write about one of my favorite summer staples - this dress from IGIGI.

I've written about IGIG before and vowed that I would own one of their dresses one day. I did, indeed, eventually own an IGIGI dress. In fact, I got two to wear to Blissdom last year. (If you click on the link, you'll see that the dress I'm wearing in the photos is from IGIGI.) I love those dresses. They're gorgeous, unique, well-fitting and comfortable.

So when I was given the opportunity to review an IGIGI dress, you know I jumped at the chance. I've worn this beautiful turquoise dress all summer. Here are a couple pictures. The first is from that fabulous day of beauty I wrote about in the spring; the second is on a date with my husband to see the comedian, Carlos Mencia.

But I didn't just wear this dress for special occasions. I wore it for everything. It's made of knit material, so it's casual. It's comfortable and fits like a glove, making it something I could reach for to wear for everything from running to the store to visiting with friends. Not only do I feel physically comfortable in the dress, but it makes me feel emotionally comfortable as well. I'm confident that I look nice in this dress and will wear it anywhere. Just ask my family - they're probably tired of seeing me in it!

So, thank you, IGIGI, for providing me with this gorgeous dress. The packages I've received from IGIGI have always arrived in a timely manner, and I've never been disappointed. If you're a plus sized woman looking for beautiful clothes, don't hesitate to check out IGIGI. There's something to fit  every body shape and most budgets. Be sure to check out their sales for affordable items you'll love.

If you'd like to see another blogger wearing a stupendous dress from IGIGI and hear how it makes her feel, head over to Secret Agent Mama's post for her point of view!

Well, it's back to work finally! I didn't exactly take summer off, but I didn't exactly have a lot of time to work either. My son is back to school and summer is winding down. I've started a new schedule, which I'm hoping will enable to me to work on several paintings at once, plus work on craft show/etsy material. We'll see!
Painting in progress, originally uploaded by marcia.furman.
Did I mention that I got to see the Backstreet Boys the other day?
Oh yes. I am not ashamed. I love my boy bands.
:]

Project 365: 238 - Dinner, originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

Last nights dinner, Flank steak covered and smothered in homemade gravy. Okay, I know, it wasn't the healthiest. But it was good.

Living Room and Dining Room Renovations "Introduction"


I know this is a short video, but I wanted to get things started before the girls went back to school, and lay the ground work for this next project and this video dairy of I create about it. Here is a list I will be working from. Brenda has convinced me that lists are far more effective then working from the top of my head.  That is actually how I did the attic (family room). But it got done with out two many major mistakes. I know lists are more efficient, I just don’t like taking the time to create them. So you will be seeing this list a lot, it will change for sure as the project proceeds. Enjoy!





For those of you reading this in a feed reader, here is the link for the video:
http://vimeo.com/14477632

I love babies. I think most of us do. Preparing for a baby is so exciting and such fun. My best friend just had a baby, and she's absolutely adorable. I was happy to be there for my friend, as she prepared to welcome her third child into the world. The only thing I didn't get to do was throw her a baby shower. And I really wanted to. My friend, however, insisted that she didn't NEED anything. Honestly, I don't know how we're such good friends - we're complete opposites. Bless her heart, she had this baby with no drugs. None. At all. In case you can't tell, that's NOT the way I chose to take on labor and delivery!

But she is my best friend, and I love her. If I HAD been able to throw her a baby shower, I would've done these 10 things:

1. Choose the date. Make it most convenient for as many as possible
2. Talk to the mommy about what she'd like in terms of theme, food, location.
3. Book location, if necessary, so there are no surprises down the line.
4. Gather list of family and friends, being sure to check with mom-to-be as to which ones she'd like to attend. Sometimes people get a little too gung-ho about these things when others would like something more intimate.
5. Consider the budget. This should be fun, not stressful.
6. Send gorgeous baby shower invitations, like the ones from Tiny Prints. Here's my favorite. Even though we're opposites, I think Mandy would like it, too, because it's simple and cute.  
7. Think of some fun games. Choose games that break the ice, but don't put anyone on the spot. No one likes those. It might be fun to ask attendees to bring a bit of advice or a small trinket for the guest of honor.
8. Choose food, if not being held at a restaurant.
9. Choose fun, useful favors. Something guests will want to take home.
10. Just have fun!

 

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Tiny Prints blogging program, making me eligible to get a Tiny Prints gift code worth $50, plus 25 FREE Tiny Prints greeting cards-a total gift value of $149.75! For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

I do LOVE Tiny Prints, though. I've written about them before, and I just ordered my business cards from Tiny Prints. Here they are. Aren't they nice?

I've always had good service from Tiny Prints. Can't wait to get these cards!

 

 

 

 

 

Project 365: 236 - Taped, originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

She did this all on her own. I swear.

*I know this showed up as 234 first. A typo on the phone. Sorry...*

Project 365: 235 - Dam Quick 220., originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

Fishing reel I found.

Do you have an inner mean girl? She's that inner voice who tells you you're not good enough, you're not doing enough, you're not thin enough... For her, it's never enough. She's critical. She holds standards that no one could ever expect to attain. She's bossy. She's just MEAN! Unfortunately, many women possess an inner mean girl. I know I do.

My meanie tells me that I'm not as successful as I should be - in my personal life, my parenting, or my writing. She sneaks in and sabotages my efforts, making me doubt that I can accomplish my goals. She's a real bitch, and I intend to shut her up.

That's why I've signed up as an ambassador for the Inner Mean Girl Cleanse. It's a 40 day program that tackles six self-sabotaging habits and teaches participants to replace them with self love. We'll learn to tackle:

• Comparison
• Judgment
• Gossip
• Expectations
• Obligations
• Fear-Based Media

 

Each week the cleanse will focus on one topic, and I'll be blogging about my progress along the way. The Inner Mean Girl Cleanse kicks off TODAY at 1pm EST with a call-in session with transformational queen, SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy), author of Succulent Wild Woman, and a fun Twitter party with AMAZING prizes.

Be sure to RSVP for the Twitter party  to be eligible to win the prizes, which include:

• A BlogHer 2011 Full Conference Pass ($198 value)
• A Fall Inner Mean Girl Reform School Ticket ($397 value)
• The Goal Setting for Success eCourse ($179 value)
• and MORE!

 

So will you join me in the cleanse? What would you tell your inner mean girl? Let's do this together!

 

And check out this fun video from Amy and Christine, the founders of the clenase.

 

Project 365: 234 - TreeHugger, originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.