Everything Up Close Giveaway

Here is another great giveaway! Please visit Everything Up Close for your chance to win a tote valued at up to $10 from Rainbow Swirlz. This is really a cool blog offering a giveaway from a great Etsy shop. Check it out!

Shell in Your Pocket Giveaway

Check this out! Visit Shell in Your Pocket for your chance to win all sorts of goodies in celebration of her 100th post. Hurry, this one ends soon!

Great weekend but busy week!

Wow, where does the time go? It had been over 1 1/2 months since we had been "home" so we decided to head over there this past weekend. It was so nice to see everyone - you really appreciate them when you see them less often.

My grandparents aren't old...not young either but at 74 it is hard to see them struggle like they do. My grandfather (Papa) has had 3 major illnesses in his life - Polio, a perforated ulcer (in which he lost over half of his stomach when it exploded) and one of the worst aneurysms the doctors in Milwaukee have ever seen on his heart - he has a stint that runs almost the entire length of his aorta. He seems to have aged quite a bit over the last 5 years or so, but the heart problems really took a toll on him. He also has lost most of his hearing, and they can't currently afford a hearing aid so you have to holler to talk to him. He has always been a quiet man, but seems to have faded into the background even more.

My grandma (Nana) is the one that I am worrying about even more. She has COPD and has heart problems as well. Her breathing has been bad for quite some time, but lately she fights for air in a way that she shouldn't. They have checked for CHF and she doesn't have that, but now they think she may have a blockage. She is wearing a monitor and only time will tell, but to see such an independent woman have to rely on people so much is really hard.

I also got to see my mom - she's about the same as always but it's always good to see her. We stopped by my sister and brother-in-law to see the house and Nash (our Newfie puppy). He actually backed away and growled at us, I think he may be upset that we left him but we didn't have a choice. After awhile he came around:)

All in all it was a great time! The girls enjoyed spending time with Nana and Papa, Bad Uncle, Ahma, and the gang. They can't wait to go back for Halloween.

But, back to the grind. Tim is still putting in 10 hour days and will work Saturday as well. Work is keeping me busy, too - but I'm loving every minute of it. Will try to update this blog more, and thanks for stopping by...it's appreciated!

Kids with Heart Hayride

We had the Kids With Heart hayride on Sunday. I wish that I would have a picture of Ella on here but by the time she got comfortable around the horses I already had the camera put away.

It was at Rock-K-Ranch in Wrightstown - a very nice ranch on a lot of land. They had multiple trails and we went on a wonderful hayride through the woods with all the leaves changing colors.

We all brought a dish to pass and it was nice to be able to sit down and eat something in a smaller group of people. These events are usually quite big but I am sure the Packer game had something to do with it. Afterwards the girls went to play with the rest of the kids. They had full access to the barn and got to feed the horses clover and got to pet them. Some of the horses were huge - that is why Ella was a little leary of them. But in true Ella style, by the end she was telling them how sorry she was we couldn't bring them home:)















I have been super busy at work and so has Tim - that's why I haven't been on here as much. There hasn't been a whole lot going on, but I have to get much better at this as this is my record of what is new in the family. We are planning on going back to Manitowoc on Saturday night and actually spending the night so we have some extra time to see everyone. But, that means the whole weekend is shot for things getting done around here. Oh well, what can you do...right?

Ribbies Clippies Giveaway

Does anyone else have little girls who like to dress up and have their hair done? If so, check out this great giveaway over at Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls!

Honeybee Gardens Giveaway

I just love finding a good giveaway! And here is yet another one:)

Honeybee Gardens is made from all natural ingredients.

They have donated some fun products:
Truly Natural Mascara
Luscious Lip Gloss
Truly Natural Lipstick
Tropical Lip Balm
PowderColors - Moondust
Jet Set Black Eye Liner

For your chance to win visit Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls! Her blog is awesome!

Keystone Candle Giveaway

This is one heck of a great giveaway. I admit it - I am addicted to candles and anything else that makes my house smell good. Here's what you can win:

This weeks giveaway includes a 26oz, spiced pumpkin scented jar candle, a fall themed jar base and topper, 1 dozen spiced pumpkin scented votive candles, and a straight sided glass votive cup. This giveaway is worth over $30.00 retail.

For your chance to win visit Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls!