It's an Earring Giveaway!!!

 

Tee-Iabo Designs Hand painted Wearable Art  & 

Greatminz Jewelry/Accessories 

EARRING GIVEAWAY!

Get Summer Accessorized!

 

My cousin Iris Payne who is the owner of Greatminz Jewelry/Accessories, and I  have a great pair of earrings to giveaway to one lucky Mail4Rosey winner!  The earrings are beautifully handcrafted with ♥ the same as each, and every item in our store is.  These earrings would make a complimentary accessory to any summer wardrobe.  They can easily be used to dress up or dress down an outfit.  Also, the versatility of neutral colors, and style makes them a wonderful addition to any collection of jewelry.

Go browse our website where you'll also find original beautifully hand-painted clothing, well crafted handmade jewelry, accessories, and more.  There's truly something for everyone!

One person is going to get the fabulous earrings pictured above, simply by entering in the Rafflecopter form found on Rosey's blog site.  Thank you so very much Rosey for allowing us to host this great giveaway on your blog!  US entrants only.

 ...14 DAYS LEFT TO ENTER! For more info go to:  

http://www.mail4rosey.com/2013/05/earring-giveaway.html

Blue Jay Bird Mafia!

Around our parts, Blue Jays rule the roost.  Blue Jays although pretty, can be nasty blue-headed bullies.  However, the truth of the matter is these birds are pretty smart for having a bird brain.  From a mother's point of view, I can't help but think that somewhere along the evolutionary chain, mama Blue Jays were made into an image of a great mom.  

Every spring, Blue Jays, which I have respectfully renamed the Blue Jay Mafia, take over our neighborhood mailboxes & trees.  From late April until about mid June us home owners have to walk with guarded caution in fear of getting dive bombed by these aggressive little critters.  Except for me that is...for I have learned how to deal with these pint size bullies.  It all started when...

Two springs ago, mama Blue Jay aka Elle Driver decided to make a nest in the mailbox across the street from ours.  This is also where my children use to wait for the school bus in the morning & get dropped off in the afternoon.  Everyday for two weeks my two children would come running into the house saying that the birds were attacking them.  I blew them off...believing they were exaggerating.  This was due to the fact that when I went outside to walk the dog or exercise no birds ever bothered me.  Finally, the out spoken one said (my daughter),  "MOM, I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!  THAT BIRD ALMOST BIT MY FACE OFF!"   So, I decided to investigate the matter.  For two mornings I watched as...

Scoop the lookout perched his self on top of the stop sign which faces the side of our house.  As soon as my children would come outside he would start chirping away. 

Then the Tattletale aka Mrs. Kravis (from the show Bewitched) would let out a shriek that sounded like "Jaaaaaaaaay!  JaaaaaaaY! 
 


Then Elle Driver aka Mama Blue Jay would come out of no where swooping down like a 747 jet aiming for my children's heads.  Well, you know this meant war!  No bully birds were going to keep terrorizing my babies.

Now, I know Elle Driver was instinctively protecting her babies, so I asked the bus driver if she would pick up and drop the kids off further down the block.  You would have thought this would have solved the issue.  NOT!   By week 4 it was getting to the point that my children wouldn't even be out of the garage door good, and here came Elle in full attack mode.  Like a mama hawk!  So, I decided it was time to teach Elle, and her cronies a lesson.  I waited until after 3:00 in the afternoon when I knew Elle and her gang would be searching for dinner before settling in for the evening.  I got in my car, drove up to the mailbox, and parked right in front of it.  Sure enough Elle came flying over squawking like a bird gone mad!  Poor Elle...she was about to lose her freaking mind because I was sitting there, blocking the entrance to her babies.  I had flipped the script...terrorizing her the way she and her cronies had been doing to my children for weeks.   I sat there for about 2 min, then circled around the cul-de-sac, and parked my car back into the garage.  When I came outside Elle was perched on top of the mailbox post.  Boy, she was GLARING at me.  Now, I don't want to get all Alfred Hitchcock Bird movie here but, if looks could kill...  Well, I glared right back at her for a good 10 seconds or so.  Then I stuck my neck out, pointed my finger at her, waved it around, and said "Now look!  This ends now!  If you leave my babies alone, I'll leave your babies alone.  Is that understood?"  Then I turned on my heels, and went into the house.  She must have fully understood because....

the next morning I didn't have a problem out of Elle Driver.  Scoop still chirped, and Mrs. Kravis still screeched Jaaaaaaay...JaaaaaaaaY, but Elle did not come swooping down like a 747 jet.  Instead, she flew straight into her mailbox nest, and went inside.  Once inside she came to the entrance of the mailbox, peeked out as if to say truce.  We had come to a parental understanding.  I didn't have anymore problems out of Elle or any other Blue Jay mamas after that.  Elle's eggs hatched, and guess what?   She even let me get close enough to look at her peeps, and take a pic!  Priceless!  Until next time...peace and blessings♥  

Take at look @Elle's babies below ↓

25 random things about moi'...Believe it or Not!

Oh, bother...as Winnie the Pooh would say.  I can't seem to keep up with my blogging.  There's just too much stuff going on.  Life is coming at me at 180 mph, and is stopping for a brief moment to allow me to gas up.  I really want to apologize for not getting around to read my favorite bloggers posts for the last two weeks or so.  My goal is to resume my regular schedule next week.  So, hopefully I will be blog hopping again soon.   

This post in particular is supposed to be about my Blue Jay fiasco I know, but I haven't finished writing it yet.  So, I thought it would be fun to tell you a few things about little ole' me instead.  Well, nix the little part...medium perhaps. 


 25 Random Things That ONLY My Mother Knew About Me (And Now You Do):

1. I cry during movies, and sometimes commercials.
2. Born & raised New Yorker, but I ♥ the Dallas Cowboys...not the NY Giants!
3.  I ♥ Charlotte, North Carolina.  Best city ever!
4. I can be a real bitch (trust me, no one knew this more than my mother.)
5. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday next to Christmas...oh, and my bday (Nov. 25th which is an official holiday by the way.)
6. I’m a Sagittarius #teamsag!! And very proud!
7. I refuse to get a tattoo.  Giving birth was enough pain for me thank you very much.
8. I’m addicted to chocolate more specifically GHIRARDELLI.
9. I have a degree in business management, but art & music are my 1st loves.  Hair styling is my 2nd.
10. I am scared to death fish heads!  I like to eat fish not meet it.
11. I learned to drive at 23.  Only because my mother made me.  Seriously, who needs a car in New York? 
12. I was born in New York, but the only New York sports team I like are the Yankees (baseball.)  My husband still wonders how he married a traitor.
13. I can draw & paint my butt off, but can't frost a cake worth a damn.  
14. My best friend lives in Baltimore, Maryland.  WARNING: when we are together it’s insane.  Ask anyone, you’ll need to be prepared for crazy! 
15. I want to be skinny, but I love to eat too much, and I ♥ wine.
16. I try to cut out eating sweets for a month at least twice a year.  Helps my fluff not to expand.
17. I love to sing, and dance in front of the mirror.  Partying by myself is a big high. 
18. My first kiss was not magical.  Felt more like being slobbered by a Great Dane.  Eww...fast forward on that memory!
19. I only drink coffee, tea, water, wine, and beer … mostly water and wine
20. I am in love with my hair and want it to look like Carol's the owner of Carol's Daughter hair/skin beauty line.
21. I want a boob reduction!  A high "C" cup would suit me fine.
22. I talk to myself a lot...I don't answer back though.  That would make me certifiable I know. 
23. I got my first gray hair right before I turned 30-I cried
24. I have the BEST stories! They all require wine, but if you only knew… 
25. I use to have a mad crush on British singer Boy George!  Okay, I'm weird...don't judge me.    

  
Until next time...peace and blessings♥ 

Show and Tell #5 ~ Playing catch-up!

I'm a little behind in my blog postings.  I wanted to share at least two before today's show & tell, but like the bees in spring time I've been super duper busy.  So, I'm going to combine two posts right now because my other post needs to stand alone.   Title: Here we go again...Blue Jay Mafia!  You would be correct to assume it's about Blue Jays...not the baseball team, but those crazy a$$ birds.

Okay, so spring break was two weeks ago for us & for the most part we had fun.  Spending time together as a family going to the movies, mall, day trip to New York, and visiting farmers market's.  The 1st day of spring break my daughter Sierra made a Vlog.  A Vlog is a video blog post.  She's really into making these lately & shares them with her friends.  This one I'm sharing I thought was particularity funny.

Take a LOOK below:

That was fun...next thing to share...my VERY 1st  Vendor Event Review!  You all will be glad to know I did not let my nerves take over last Saturday.  After recovering from the jaw dropping shock of NOT being notified that the venue & time of the event had been changed, nerves took a back seat.  Coupled with the fact that both my cousin & I were functioning off of 3hrs sleep, the emotion of frustration quickly took over.  The event ended up being held at the Radisson hotel in Camp Hill, PA, and the time was changed from what was originally suppose to be 11am-6pm to...get this... 6pm - 11pm.  Yep, lost the prime time shopping hrs. & potential customers.  Would an email, phone call, or even a sign posted at the old venue have been to much to ask for?  Mind you very few people were notified of these changes.  To say they were upset would be an understatement.  Folks came from far away.  One lady we met had traveled from North Carolina by plane & her friend drove from Upstate, New York.   We also had to get a hotel room for the day because although I reside in the state of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg/Camp Hill is is quite a ways from my home.   However, the hotel's Sales Manager Diane Gomes was very helpful.  She felt our pain, and went of her way to book a room for us to camp out in for the day.  She gave it to us at a discount of the regular price.  What's more we were allowed access to all the amenities.  2 thumbs up for Diane!   

Despite the few glitches in the program, our 1st experience being vendors went well.  People actually thought we were experienced!  Go figure!  Didn't quite earn the money back we dished out.  Took a few pics though.  Unfortunately, the opportunity was missed to get clothing pics.  We were like deer in headlights on our 1st sale, and for a few more afterward.  Somewhere down the road my cousin said "Maybe we should take pics of our customers to post on the website."  Of course, by the time that light-bulb moment happened...the fashion show was about to begin, and folks were interested in that then.   
Anyways.....

Here's the thing...we made some money, contacts, networked, and complete strangers brought our items!  Although, we won't be patronizing this event planning company anymore, life is good.  Giving thanks to God...he is Awesome!  Until next time...peace & blessings♥

These are just a few pics.  To see more go to my facebook fan page.  Feel free to "Like" my page during your visit.  :)
  

Show & Tell Friday #4!

It's been a while since I've done one of these post hasn't it?  Well, it's only because I'm preparing for...........wait for it...........MY VERY 1ST EVENT!  YEAH ME!!!   I'm seriously psyched, but also nervous at the same time.  ???? Questions, questions, and more crazy questions are roaming around in my head????   What if my work is actually terrible? What if no one buys anything? What if the other business' laugh at me, push me down in the mud, and take my lunch money?
 
Okay, well that last one seems a little unlikely.

However, it still doesn't negate the fact that I am nervous.  I guess this is what leaving your comfort zone is all about.  It’s certainly not comfortable, but I wouldn’t call it boring either.  But, somewhere deep down inside...probably near my spleen, there’s a tiny voice  cheering me on, congratulating me on this very scary milestone.  So, even if I sell just one item at my very 1st event, I will consider it to be a rock-a-licious success!

Now that I’ve put that much needed nerve-fest out there, it's time for show & tell.  Guess what?   I've learned how to sew!  Not on sewing machine though, but by hand.  I'll tackle that big bad sewing machine somewhere down the road.  For now sewing by hand will have to do.  I have mastered about 3 different stitching styles, and I'm learning how to do 3 more.  

My 1st project of choice was a pillow.  (Soooo...cliche.)  ...But, it turned out nice!  So nice, that I decided to do another one.  Now I'm on a pillow frenzy!  I've completed 3 thus far.  The pillows are made from recycled t-shirts, batting for sturdiness & cotton fabric.  The t-shirts come from what I actually call my "Jacked up pile" (designs I messed up.)  Nevertheless, I'm slightly giddy about the way I've learned to take an old tee & turn it into something Fa-bee-lous!  What-cha think?  Until, next time...peace and blessings♥
News about my upcoming event can be found under the "News Buzz & Events" tab.

Honey Bee Inspired! Decorative Pillows @Tee-iabo Designs

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Ring Pop wins a date to prom!

Okay, so I really, really, really had to beg my son to allow me to post this!  This post cost me 2  






Chick-fil-A milkshakes! {LARGE}  ...but, it's so worth it!





A couple of weeks ago Isaiah asked me to buy him a ring pop.  For those of you who do not know what a Ring Pop is here's a pic.  

 

He said it was for a science project.  Yea, right...not!  Of course, since I didn't believe him the request was denied! 

 2 days past by...

Obviously, time was of the essence so, this time around Isaiah decided to tell the truth about why he really wanted the ring pop.  He wanted to ask a girl to the upcoming prom.  Most of Isaiah' crew were coming up with creative ways of asking the girl of their choice to prom.  So, he couldn't like be...the odd ball out...now could he?  This time his request was approved!  I'm such a sucker for romance ♥♥♥.

So...I brought the ring pop, and then he requested for a ring box.   So, I found a ring box, then he requested for a note pad.  So, I gave him one that I found in my stash, and then he asked "Mom, can you draw a pic of the word "Prom" really nice & color it, since you have great artistic skills and all?"  Sigh...really???  Whose project is this again?  Okay, so I'm a sucker for flattery too!  I wanted to make it seemed like he did it, so I made it not too fancy.  Here's a pic of what we I came up with.

...And here's the link to the video one of his friends recorded of Isaiah asking Her to be his prom date.  He made up a Rap song w/the notepad from my stash.  Isaiah fumbled a couple of times, but the end result was a...YES!  Until next time...peace & blessings♥ 
<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10151380527409958" width="480" height="640" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Now, whoever said History was boring!

Don't know how true these facts are but...very interesting!

 

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500s:

They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken & Sold to the tannery...if you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor."   Poor folk who couldn't even afford to buy a pot...they "didn't have a pot to piss in" & were the lowest of the low.

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June.  However, since they were starting to smell...brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor.  Hence, the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women, and finally the children.  Last of all the babies.  By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it.  Hence, the saying "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath Water!"

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath.  It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof.  When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof.  Hence, the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."

The floor was dirt.  Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence, the saying "Dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing.  As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside.  A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way.  Hence, a thresh hold.

In those days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire.  Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day.  Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while.  Hence, the rhyme: "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old."  Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off.  It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "Bring home the bacon."  They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "Chew the Fat."

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the Upper Crust.

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whiskey.  The combination would Sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days.  Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial.  They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up.  Hence, the custom of holding a Wake.

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people.  So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave.  When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive.  So, they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell.  Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell.  Thus, someone could be saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer.

Now, whoever said History was boring?  Until next time...peace & blessings♥