Candy

Debbie at Passion for Crafts has some amazing blog candy that she is giving away on April 30th. Check it out at http://passionforcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/04/blogoversary-candy.html
Jeanette also has some yummy candy. go to http://jeanette-happythoughtsinkspots.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment after reading her rules and checking out her beautiful work.

Blog Candy

If you haven't checked out http://inkedinspirations.blogspot.com/2009/04/thanks-to-you.html yet you should. If you are a stamper you have to see this to believe it. There is so much to be won that I almost thought I dreamt it but I checked back and sure enough, it is for real. What a generous giveaway.

Eating Healthy

Antioxidants are the key to healthy eating. Which foods pack the most nutrients?
This is from the Editors of FITNESS magazine
Researchers at the University of Oslo wanted to know which foods have the highest concentration of antioxidants, the natural chemicals in food that make it healthy and prevent disease, so they tested 1,113 common foods and drinks, from apples to waffles. Their findings: Ounce for ounce, spices, herbs, nuts, and seeds pack the most nutrients. But if we're talking typical serving size, berries (five different kinds) also dominate the top ranks. The most surprising find? Chocolate ice cream rated higher than fruits like honeydew and green grapes! Here, the best 10 foods to eat to "anti" up:

1. Blackberries (1 cup)
2. Walnuts (1 ounce, 15-20 halves)
3. Strawberries (1 cup sliced)
4. Artichoke hearts (1 cup)
5. Cranberries (1 cup, whole)
6. Brewed coffee (8 ounces)
7. Raspberries (1 cup)
8. Pecans (1 ounce, 20 jumbo kernels)
9. Blueberries (1 cup)
10. Ground cloves (1 teaspoon)

Yummy Candy

There is some great and tasty candy at http://bevscrafts.blogspot.com/ Just link to Bev's candy and leave a comment. A random winner will be picked April 23rd so be sure to check back.
For another business giveaway check Skip to my Lou blog and leave a comment at http://cherishyourstories.blogspot.com/2009/04/another-business-giveaway.html
Simple-finds.com is doing it again. Check out the new finds and pick your favorite for a chance to win some new clothes. This site is amazing.

We want candy!

Check out Nikki's blog candy at http://clairebsd.blogspot.com/2008/07/nikkis-blog-candy.html and follow her link to Natalie's if you haven't already entered.
Tonight I am tying on my new ergonomic keyboard. I can tell it is going to take some getting used to. Some of the keys just don't seem to be where they are supposed to be and I have to stop and look at my fingers from time to time. I am used to typing without looking so this is a step back for me. I suppose I will get used to it though. I do like the wrist support this keyboard has. That alone should help with the arthritis pain.
I am also adjusting to new glasses. I usually wear bifocals but my insurance wouldn't pay for the no-line bifocals so I had to get trifocals and I have to get use to seeing the lines and I have double vision where the lens correction changes. I wore them for half of the day but once I got on the computer I really started having problems and put my old ones back on.

More Yummy Candy You Can Share!

Judy is giving away lots of yummy candy to two people. The person whose post gets picked gets to nominate someone in blogland To get the second candy. It should be someone who has helped or encouraged you in some way. It can be someone who consistently posts encouraging comments, or has given you a special RAK of some kind, or someone who has given you a blogging opportunity. You decide.....whoever has been kind and caring towards you in some way or who really deserves a treat! http://judyscraftymoments.blogspot.com/2009/04/blog-candy.html
This nomination has to go to Jacque for me, she has helped and encouraged me since the beginning. Thanks Jacque. :-)

Candy, Yummy

Leah Fung and her friends are giving away a cute slide card kit. Just leave a comment at http://leahfung.typepad.com/leahs_desktop_dictionary/2009/04/vblog-no-61.html#comments
You can post about it for an extra chance.

More Blog Candy

http://starvingartistamps.blogspot.com/ is giving away blog candy. The deadline is soon so get your comments in by the 12th at midnight.

Blog Candy

Stop by http://stardustgemsandribbon.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/blogoversary-candy/#comment-7185 and check out the blogoversary candy that Stardust gems and ribbon blog is giving out. While you are there read the great blog and find links to other great yummies. I'm on my way there now.

http://clairebsd.blogspot.com/2009/04/its-candy-time.html also has some awesome candy and will ship internationally. This one you simply must see!

http://www.yummyscrummycreate.blogspot.com/ Is giving away a battery operated sewing machine. You will have to check the post for a picture and details.

http://inkedinspirations.blogspot.com/2009/04/thanks-to-you.html is giving away a huge amount of blog candy in honor of 20,000 hits on her blog.

Undergoing construction adjusting for damaged operator

My arthritis is making it increasingly hard to type but I am not giving up yet. Fortunately I had access to an ergonomic keyboard and a wrist and shoulder friendly mouse. I will give them both a try but keep a close leash on my cordless optical mouse. My husband is ready to swipe it from me before I even know if I'm going to adjust to the new monster. I am trying to organize a much needed mess as I try my new components. I am also switching my all-in-one Printer-Copier-Scanner and dear hubby is getting my old one. He should be happy with that and not standing over my mouse like a vulture, don't you think? LOL
I'm hoping once I am working with the new keyboard I will be posting more often. I also hope that I will get a chance to get some more crafting done soon. It has been a bad winter. Ever since January I have been dealing with changes in my medications for fibromyalgia and it's many symptoms. Some symptoms have worsened while others have appeared out of nowhere. My arthritis is worsening on a weekly basis as is my eyesight. I will be sporting tri-focals soon at the tender young age of 53. But in my heart I feel 25, too bad my back feels 90. groan

Childhood Poems

I would like to share some of the poems I grew up with that had a part in my love for writing poetry. The biggest credit I give to my mother who instilled in me the love of reading.
These poems are from the book 'Favorite Poems Old And New' A selection of children's poetry by Helen Ferris

Algy met a bear,
The bear was bulgy,
The bulge was Algy.

There was a young lady of Niger
Who smiled as she rode on a tiger;
They returned from the ride
With the lady inside,
And the smile on the face of the tiger.

I guess these wouldn't make it into today's kinder, gentler fairy tales!

I saved my favorite for last!

Eletelephony
by Laura E. Richards

Once there was an elephant,
Who tried to use the telephant-
No, no I mean an elephone
Who tried to use the telephone-
(Dear me I am not certain quite
That even now I've got it right.)

How e'er it was, he got his trunk
Entangled in the telephunk;
The more he tried to get it free,
The louder buzzed the telephee-
(I fear I'd better drop the song
Of elephop and telephong!)

I apologize for my lack of one on one talk with you lately. I have been fighting off bronchitis and the never ending battles of the fibromyalgia and chronic migraines. I should be back in physical therepy by the end of the month and I am hopefull that it will bring some much needed releif.

There are great deals on Simple-Finds.com and lots of ways to win chances at free giveaways. I haven't been up to par with my searching for the best of the best while I was feeling the worst of the worst, but I wanted to let you know I am on my way back. I just have to get a little cleaning caught up on the homefront and then I will be blogging away again and loving it. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Karenraye

Little Willie - Anonymous

Little Willie from his mirror
licked the mercury right off,
Thinking, in his childish error,
It would cure the whooping cough.
At the funeral his mother
Smartly said to Mrs. Brown:
"Twas a chilly day for Willie
When the mercury went down."

Tree poem....Well known and one not so well known

Trees by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earths sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
written by Joyce Kilmer

Tree by unknown

I think that I shall never see
a billboard lovely as a tree
but unless all the billboards fall
I shall never see a tree at all

Does anyone know anymore verses to this little verse?? write in if you do

Hippos

Habits of the Hippopotamus
by Arthur Guiterman

The hippopotamus is strong
And huge of head and broad of bustle;
And limbs on which he rolls along
Are big with hippopotomuscle.

He does not greatly care for sweets
Like ice cream, apple pie, or custard,
But takes to flavor what he eats
A little hippopotomustard.

The hippopotamus is true
To all his principles, and just;
He always tries his best to do
The things one hippopotomust.

He never rides in trucks or trams,
In taxicabs or omnibuses,
And so keeps out of traffic jams
And other hippopotamuses.