Friday, December 28, 2007

Christmas is over already?


Yes Christmas has come & gone! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! We had a great one....spending time with family on Christmas Eve and having Christmas morning with the kids! The kids had a great time...they were excited to get up Christmas morning and see all the packages Santa had left for them! Of course we had fun just watching them! They all got some really neat toys and loads of nice clothes. I'm not sure they cared too much for the clothes but they needed them so "Oh Well"! Haley unwrapped a bicycle and the boys lost all interest in anything else. But their birthday is January 5th so I feel they may be getting some tricycles.....courtesy of Nana & Poppie! Plus Venita & Jane are bringing more Christmas from the coast....I think next weekend is going to be a super busy one! Anyway we had a good Christmas and can't wait for James & Cameron's birthday! I can't believe they are almost 2 already! I love all of you...hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have a Happy New Year! Ok I'm done!

Saturday, December 22, 2007

I'm in love....with a hat!!!!


Ok so I had to share.....I fell in love with this hat a few months ago when we had our Avon Open~House! I liked it so much I wore it around all day....you know to show it off to customers! :) It's not very often that I come across a HAT that looks good on me. Well, Shellie must have noticed how much I liked it because she gave it to me for Christmas! I am so excited I had to share.....ok I'm done!

Happy Birthday to Haley!


Yeah I know it's almost Christmas but better late than never....right? So Haley turned 4 on December 3rd.....OMG....she is growing so fast! She had so much fun on her birthday.....she was so busy that I didn't even get a decent picture of her! She was so excited that Gabby, Annabelle, Micheal, & Chase were here.....not to mention her Nannie and Uncle Donnie from the coast. She got alot of really nice presents but I really think she was more excited about everyone being here.
And now it's almost time for the Boys birthday! They will be 2 on January 5th! This time of year tends to be really busy around here but we have so much fun! P.S. James & Cameron's cake will NOT be chocolate! I've learned my lesson twice!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

I am NOT a computer wiz!!!!!

I know it might be weird but I like to change the look of my page! I like to change the layout because there are so many really cute ones available! My only problem is I can't seem to figure out how to change it without deleting all my widgets. I DO have some idea what a widget is but when it's in HTML form it all looks like a bunch of letters thrown together. So until I make Kojak figure it out for me I guess I'll keep re-adding all my page elements (widgets). Good thing I only have a few! So just in case anybody knows what I'm talking about and think you might be able to help me....I'm all ears!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Talking Tornados!!!!

Well, I almost forgot how wonderful it is to have a little one running around trying to talk. It's been a while since Haley started babbling her first words and now that I think about it...it seems like once she got started it was no time before she could carry on a conversation. With every new word I felt so proud of my little girl and there are so many occasions now when she comes up with things that really get us tickled! She has a very vivid imagination!
Okay I said I almost forgot but I really don't think the boys are going to let me. Not only do I have one running all over but two little talking tornados! They are learning more words everyday and I keep getting those same old feelings: joy, pride & thankfulness! It seems like only yesterday I could wrap both of them in one receiving blanket and now they are full speed ahead!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Time for a break!

Update~~~~I took my last final exam tonight! I have an A in Psychology and B in Biology! Yeah me!!!!! So now it's time to sit back and relax for a few weeks......yeah right! Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Fall Fun



Welcome to North Carolina! Don't like the weather? Wait a week!



North Carolina is a beautiful state! We have so much beauty here: the Atlantic Ocean, the Appalachian Mtns & we experience ALL the seasons! Of course, here lately the seasons have been a little confused. It got cold then it warmed up and now it's freezing again....I'm expecting it to snow any minute. Just kidding...no really it does look a bit snowy outside. I am hoping we will have a white Christmas...for the kids, of course! HeHeHe! What's better than snow cream on Christmas afternoon?




We got our tree up just after Thanksgiving but it's missing most of the ornaments on the bottom third! Apparently, James and Cameron think I lost them so they keep bringing them back to me! They are so enthralled with Christmas stuff. Everytime we see something of a Christmas nature Cameron lets out an ear-popping squeal (in the middle of WalMart). It's very cute yet painful all at the same time. We are very excited about Christmas this year......Haley is waiting on Santa and I'm looking forward to those twinkling eyes!



This semester is almost over and I am looking forward to little break. Tomorrow is my final in Biology and I'll be done until January 7th. I got an A in my Psychology class (YAY ME) and I should know tomorrow what my final grade is in Biology. The main thing is I'm making progress and if all goes well I'll be delivering babies before I turn 30! I'm so excited!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Family Photos!


Well we finally got brave enough to do family photos again! D.J. & Jolene came down for the weekend and we had all our pictures done together. Shellie met us down at ICC and took them for us! She did a great job! I have posted them on our Picasa web album so go check them out!

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Check it out before you forward it!

You know how you get those emails that warn about using everything from flip-flops to plastic microwave containers? Well, now you can check it out before you forward it on to others who might take rumors in emails a little too seriously. Snopes is a website that investigates rumors as far as possible then they put them on the website for all to see! They confirm the truth , give you sources and put the rumors to rest! I have found so many interesting facts and fictions on this site! There are loads of categories to explore and of course a search bar if you are looking for something specific. Go check it out! http://www.snopes.com/

Thursday, November 1, 2007

100+ uses for Avon Skin-So-Soft

PERSONAL USES:
1. It's a bath oil and after shower moisturizer.
2. It can be used to remove makeup.
3. Great tanning oil (no sunscreen).
4. Hot oil treatment to soften cuticles.
5. Great massage oil for tired muscles.
6. Cleans off tape marks left from bandages on skin.
7. Cleans ink off the skin.
8. Insect repellent.
9. Helps relieve itching caused by dry skin.
10. Cleans oil and grease off of skin.
11. Painting something? Use Skin-So-Soft to remove paint from the hands. (Instead of turpentine).
12. It soothes light sunburn.
13. Rub hands with it before washing, it helps get them cleaner.
14. Rub on dry, cracked skin....helps heal skin in 2-3 days.
15. Put 1-2 caps full in liquid soap and use it for shaving legs and under arms. Helps razor glide and leaves skin feeling smooth.
16. Pour a little into your Foot Saver to help moisturize your feet while you relax them.
17. It removes chewing gum from hair, skin, and most non-pour us surfaces.
18. Cleans permanent ink off stamps.
19. SSS Original Bath Oil works GREAT on Head Lice!!!!! Saturate head and let it set for 15 minutes. Then rinse under an outdoor faucet, but the lice were gone!!!!!!! Of course shampoo hair a couple of times to get the oil out, but the lice were gone and stayed gone!
20. It kills ants instantly.
21. Spray on skin to relieve dry itching skin. Helps skin retain it's elasticity.
22. Wash hair with shampoo and conditioner like always and after it dries....Use about the size of a dime of SSS and rub it in your hair. It goes straight in and leaves hair as shiny as the ads on TV, not greasy at all, just soft and shiny.
23. Use bath oil towelettes -- cover window sill with towelettes to keep ants out.
24. (LICE) Sometimes, using a bath oil, like Avon's Skin So Soft, will work to loosen the glue which holds the nits to the hair. There is a product called Neon Nits, which when sprayed on the hair, will highlight the nits so you can see them to then snip them out with a small scissors.
25. This is to let you readers known about something that helped me for a mild case of psoriasis on my elbows. My internist recommended that I try Avon's Skin-So-Soft bath oil spray. I did and it eliminated the psoriasis on my elbows.
26. Bath use, fill bath with water and a little skin so soft, very relaxing and gets rid of dry skin.
HOUSEHOLD USES:
27. Sponge it around doors, windows, and on screens to keep crawling bugs out.
28. It's a good wood cleaner and conditioner for natural wood.
29. It removes glue and gum left from price tags and labels from glass, metals, and most plastics.
30. It removes soap scum from shower doors and curtains, and bathroom and kitchen figures.
31. It removes lime and hard water deposits from fixtures, tile, shower doors and windows.
32. It's an oil lubricant for fitting pipe joints that won't slip together.
33. It cleans ink off most vinyl and painted surfaces.
34. It cleans heavy oil and grease from non-porous surfaces.
35. It takes fur off of clothing.
36. Rub on brass ornaments or figurines to help keep them from turning dark.
37. Removes crayon from appliances and most painted surfaces.
38. Wash cupboards with it mixed in your cleaning water to keep ants off and out of the cupboards.
39. Use it to discourage hornets from building their nests. After using a hornet killing spray, remove the nest and keep the area sprayed with SSS. They will not rebuild there.
40. Use it to clean leather, it will also keep it soft and supple.
41. Use it on your air conditioning screen (filter)--your incoming air will smell fresher and the filter is easier to clean.
42. Rub all over window sills to keep ants out
43. It cleans paint brushes easily and leaves them soft as new.
44. It removes gum from carpets.
45. It removes scuff marks from patent leather shoes.
46. Use it on running rails for sliding glass doors and windows.
47. It removes "ring around the collar".
48. It removes liquid nail (paneling glue).
49. Two glass bowls or glasses stuck together? Drizzle a little S.S.S down the sides and they'll come apart easily.
50. It removes candle wax from furniture, carpets and clothing.
51. Hummingbird Feeders: To deter bees try rubbing SSS on the feeder surface by the feeder ports.
52. Maggots too!! You squirted SSS in can and lid, then later flushed with soapy water, you shouldn't have any bugs in cans rest of summer!!!
53. It is a great furniture polish!
54. Ok, we have a new use for SSS bath oil. Put it in one of the bottle that you attach to your backyard hose and then spray down the back yard! Will cut down on ants, mosquitoes and other creepy crawlies.
55. People around the outskirts of Eureka and surrounding areas (and sometimes in town) spray it on their rose bushes to keep the deer from eating them, and at the cemeteries on the flowers they put out there for the same reason.
56. Kills spiders.
57. It cuts grease and cleans dirt from range hoods.
58. Add a capful to wash water of clothes...acts as a fabric softener and keeps the bugs off clothes.
59. Spray on orchids and other flowers for moisture and to keep bugs away.
60. Cleans baseball caps. Just spray on and rub with toothbrush.
61. SSS I used this recipe mix one part SSS and 2 parts water on my tomato plants and kept those ugly old tomato worms off. I think that adding the vinegar would be fine too and would be nice not to have to shake the spray bottle all the time. I sprayed my plants about every 2 or 3 days. Worked grand!! Too late for most this year, but file this for next.
62. SSS bath oil also does a great job cleaning cherry wood cabinets.
63. Put a little in your mopping water to help keep crawling bugs out. (Not too much or the floor gets slippery.)
64. Use to clean windows.
65. Removes crayon from most surfaces.
66. It's a great insect repellent (or you can use Bug Guard, the actual SSS repellent)
67. Screens can be lightly sprayed with Avon "Skin-So-Soft" to repel no-see-'ums and tiny gnats that otherwise might slip though the screens.
68. Another use for SSS is it will **** those pesky earwigs. Spray it on & they don't return to life.
69. Also if you ever make candles, use clear wax and melt put skin so soft in it and harden works great for out side in the summer.
70. As a deodorizer, spray into air and let settle, kills those nasty pet orders.
71. Kids rooms if a child wets the bed, spray the bedding and sheets before washing and will give it a fresh clean smell.
ANIMAL USES:
72. It's a great insect repellent for your pet. (as recommended in "Outdoor Life" and "Field and Stream")
73. Mix 5 parts water, 1 part SSS and mist on animals. Brushing it in makes their coats gleam and keeps insects off so the animals don't fidget in the show ring.
74. Mix in your pet's bath water. It takes the fleas off of them.....and in between spray them with the same mixture as in 2 to help keep them off.
75. Rub on your hands before and after working with your pets and farm animals. It will remove the strong smells.
76. Black Fly Spray For Dogs: Use as a spray or a dip. 1 cup SSS, 1/2 cup liquid detergent and 3 gallons of water.
77. For dog's dry skin mix 1 tablespoon of SSS per gallon of water and use as an after bath rinse. Or spritz your pet's coat once per week.
78. If your dog should get tar or asphalt on the pads of their feet rub on SSS and then wipe off.
79. Flea Bath: Use a flea and tick shampoo. Rinse, rinse, rinse so no soap residue is left. Follow with final rinse of 2 gallons of water mixed with flea dip and 1 capful of SSS. The SSS helps replace the oils lost in bathing and has the added benefit of repelling insects.
80. Flea Repellent: Avon's Skin So Soft Bath Oil. 1-1/2 ounces per gallon of water; used as a sponge-on dip (or as a spritz) has been tested and proven to have significant, but not complete, flea-repellent activity for a 6-day period. It should help those dry coats, too.
81. Does anyone use the Avon Skin So Soft bath oil on their chows? I have begun using it on Chancey and it has done wonders for her skin. Like, many chows, she has very dry and flaky skin, especially for being black. Since I started using that product, her dandruff and itchiness has improved tremendously and her hair has become shiny and smooth. It also serves as a great flea and tick protector. I use it about twice a month and I just spray it on her. I really like it.
82. I use the following on my horses and on my dogs when necessary - 1 cup Avon Skin So Soft bath oil 1 cup white vinegar 1 cup (or more) water 5 cc of essential oil of citronella (from the health food store NOT the type you burn to keep insects away that is available in a drug store) Mix in a spray bottle. Straight SSS works well for mosquitoes too but really makes your dog greasy.
83. (Barns) Use of an inexpensive fly control spray or a diluted mix of Avon Skin- So-Soft in water can be sprayed on barn walls and floor to discourage insects from hanging around or to eliminate them before putting in the new bedding. As time permits, and if you can keep your goats out of the barn for a few hours - let the barn stand and air out before re-filling with bedding.
84. Rub on your hands before and after working with pets and farm animals, takes away pet odor.
85. AVON'S SKIN-SO-SOFT bath oil massaged directly into the skin of your Rottweiler acts not only as a successful repellant and makes their dogs smell good but helps prevent drying and itchy skin.
86. A natural way to help cats with flea problems and flea allergies is to rub Skin So Soft into the skin. Once a bug, always a bug. Fleas don't like it either! Spread the word!
87. Cats: SSS IS SAFE FOR FUR LICKING -------The SSS plus is safe as long as it is the one without sunscreen. Don't overuse the SSS. I just use the lotion, and rub it into the skin, not more than every few days. My cat's sensitive and we're being careful. Common sense is the rule. Sprinkling Yeast on the cat food helps, too. My cat's fur is medium-length; he's part Persian, and he's doing fine, no ill effects from the SSS. You can check with your vet to be sure if it's okay...
SKIN-SO-SOFT USES FOR HORSES :
88. SSS can be used as a hoof polish. This will put a nice shine to the hoof without drying it. The farrier's wife will appreciate this one!
89. SSS can be used as a muzzle, eye, and ear enhancer. Generally we used baby oil but it was so messy. I tried SSS and it works great and still helps keep bugs away.
90. I have a show mare that has allergies and also gets dry skin very easily so I started giving her baths in SSS. What I do is bathe her like normal and then I put a capful of SSS in a 5 gallon bucket of warm water and sponge this all over her. Her hair coat dries silky soft and she quits itching. Works for her.
91. The bug guard towelletes we had last summer work great on the horse's ears and around their eyes.
92. When I have to band (braid) their manes I use the Techniques Oil Sheen. It seems to help hold the braids a lot better and they don't try to rub them out.
93. The dry end serum works great in their tails as a detangler. Everything I have mentioned here I use faithfully on our show horses. The products are a heck of a lot cheaper than actual horse products. People see me using these products at the horse shows and start inquiring about them. I usually let them take my bottles and try them on their horses at the show which usually ends up in a sale for me.
AUTOMOBILE USES:
94. It removes tar spots from the car without damage to the paint.
95. Use it to clean vinyl dashboards, seats, and tops. It not only cleans, but keeps it soft and helps to prevent any cracking.
96. After washing your car, use it as a tire dressing to keep them looking like new.
97. Put some on a small washcloth and leave in the car to help keep the air fresh and clean.
98. Wipe down vinyl surfaces inside your car. Cleans nicely and removes smoke odors left by cigarette smokers.
99. It gently cleans heavy grease and oil from skin and non-porous surfaces (great for Mechanic's Hands).
100. It removes tree sap.
101. Prior to traveling...rub SSS on headlights and grill. It makes insects and bugs easier to remove.
102. Shines vehicle tires
103. Open a towelette and use as an automotive air freshener.

Order your Avon Skin-So-Soft today....take advantage of it's many uses....and remember Christmas is just around the corner....Avon has loads of stuff that would make great gifts!

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Fun~Fun~Fun

Sorry I haven't gotten the pictures posted yet from our weekend away but it's been a little hectic around here. James is getting over pneumonia and I now have bronchitis! And of course now Kojak has been in the bed most of the day with chills and a really bad headache.....I don't know what's going on in this family! We normally don't get sick this much! So anyway if all of you don't mind, remember our family in your prayers.....I have learned that prayer works wonders! Thanks!

Monday, October 15, 2007

We are home!

Well, we are home again! We went to pick up Haley this weekend from Venita's where she has been for 5 weeks and let me tell you I was going crazy without my baby girl! She was extremely happy to see us when we got there. I know she enjoys her time with her Nannie but she misses home. We haven't been to the coast since Christmas and it has changed.....but our love for it has not! Kojak loves it because it is his hometown and I love it because it feels like home! We got eat twice at my Favorite place....Andy's Cheesesteaks & Cheeseburgers......yum,yum,yum......if you're ever near one.....go for it...you won't regret it! The ocean is beautiful and the weather was wonderful! We spent time with family that we have not seen in a while and pretty much had a nice weekend vacation! Our only rough spot was taking James to the ER and finding out that he has a little pneumonia in his right lung.....they gave us some meds to take care of that but I will keep everyone updated. My poor baby scared us to death! So I'm posting some pics....have a look! Wish I could have taken more but we were very busy the whole weekend.....and no I'm not complaining! Oh and I aced my Psychology mid term! Yay Me!!! Loves!

Monday, October 8, 2007

~~OctoberFest~~


Well, Saturday was OctoberFest on Main Steet in Rutherfordton! There were so many things to do and see! Face & Hair painting, pumpkin painting @ Kid Senses Museum, and sooo much food! They held the Fun Run that morning and that was fun to watch....b/c you know I don't run unless I'm being chased! They also kicked off the Tour de Pumpkin bike race which is 60 miles long.....good luck to those folks....I know it's pretty scenery around here but it would take me until Christmas to get back home! Of course, Mom and I were there doing pottery demonstrations and we definately drew a crowd! So many people wanted to see our "spinning pots" that we were pretty busy all day! The kids were really our best audience......they loved it and made sure we knew just how "cool" it was! It got a little hot between clouds and it rained a bit in the afternoon but all and all we had a really good day! And to make our weekend even better we had family in town....DJ, Jolene & Cutie Pie Jackson were here visiting and as always we enjoyed their company! See pictures in our Picasa Web Album!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Update!!!!!

For those of you who were wondering....I got an A on my cell model project! My instructor took off 10 points for it being late but what can I say....I was and am still sick! I had a doctor visit this morning and what I thought started out as a sinus cold has turned into a severe sinus infection and a double ear infection! Blah....NOT fun! So now I'm on 3 meds and hopefully it will be gone by Monday! Love all....Ambre!

Monday, September 24, 2007

Can you say "hidden" talent?






Well after many months of trying, Kojak finally agreed to let me teach him how to throw pottery! I thought it might take while to get him used to the idea of being gentle with clay considering the size of his hands. But of course I was wrong and he took to slinging clay like a duck in water. And now I've created a monster....he threw one and then wanted to do more! The first piece he threw came up so nicely into a great cereal bowl. His second piece was a wonderful low~wide bowl~~~~it took me a few months to make my first one! I included pictures of these pieces....they are still green so I will post more pictures after they are glazed and fired. Anyway I was very impressed with my big macho man and his hidden talent! I am also excited because he really seems to like it and now he understands why I love it so Much!!!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Cracked Cells!




Well, I had to make two cell models for my Biology class....an animal cell and a plant cell.....the idea was to help us learn the parts and that there are not many differences between the two cells even while the differences between animals and plants themselves are so vast......well being a potter at heart...... it was my bright idea to make them out of clay.....although I think they turned out really nice you can see that drying clay too fast causes it to crack....good thing real cells are not this easy to destroy, huh? So I hope that my instructor won't count off points for cracked cells!!!!! I have to turn them in tomorrow night at class so keep your fingers crossed! So, can you tell which one is the plant cell and which is the animal cell???? I can now....that's why this was a great project!

Pictures!!!!!

Just wanted to let you all know that I started my Picasa Web Albums! Available to the right! I posted pictures from the show this past weekend and pictures of our pottery! Also, I went ahead and created some albums with older pictures of the kids for those of you who have not seen them......and b/c I enjoy them myself......when you see them you will understand! Looking at all these pictures make me appreciate so many things alot more! The boys baby pictures especially b/c it makes me realize what a miracle they all are....... we truly have been blessed with our children! Still to this day I cry everytime I go to Asheville b/c I think of how things could have gone a different way with my baby boys....and I thank the Lord that they are here with me!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Foothills Antiques & Artisan Show




Well, the show went great! There were so many things to see and do for the whole family! Antiques, cars, jewelry, arts, and crafts galore! Live music, petting zoo & food, food, food! Antiques, arts & crafts were located in the gymnasium of the Spindale House. We had alot of fun and met loads of people! Everyone was fascinated by our demonstrations and awed by our work! Mom & I both sold several pieces and we even got some orders for specific pieces! I was extremely impressed with myself when I sold a piece to Senator Walter Dalton's wife....and she wants more pieces of the same glaze combination! Our birdhouses, which we had so much fun making, were a big seller! We are very excited to have gotten our name out into public knowledge! We are now looking forward to October Fest in Rutherfordton & our own Arts & Crafts Show in November!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Hooray, for me!




Well, I'm excited.....I am now an eRepresentative for Avon..... this means that I can do much of my business on-line.....of course I'm still new to Avon but it should be fun! I know this will be very beneficial for my out~of~town friends and family because they can go on-line, browse products, place their orders and have it shipped directly to their homes! How easy is that?!? I'll provide the address to my website below.....
www.youravon.com/fhodge



Well, this weekend is the Arts & Crafts Show in Spindale.....I'm excited about that too.....it has been advertised in several well-known magazines so hopefully we will have good turn out....Mom, Diane and I will be doing pottery demonstrations all day too....so we will be busy, busy, busy! I should have some pictures for the next blog!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Our First Blog!!!


Well, here it is.....our first blog! I'm not really sure how to work all this mess but I'm sure I'll figure it out. Anyway the purpose of starting this blog I guess is to let family members keep up with what's happening in our little family....the kids grow so fast and Kojak and I stay pretty busy. We do have a MySpace page but some of our family doesn't....so this is better, right?


So for those of you who don't know the latest.....Haley will be 4 in December, James & Cameron will be 2 in January, Kojak works 3rd shift & I stay at home with the babies and go to school. My classes are only 3 nights a week right now so it's not too bad! We live next door to my parents and that is a blessing.....Mom & Dad are such a big part of our lives! Well, I guess I'll have to post some pictures so I'm going to go figure that out!