Seriously? What a way to wake up

I love reading about houses on the internet.. it's one of those guilty pleasures.. Most of them I look at and think NO WAY.. but I still love to read about them. Tiny houses, fancy pre fab houses, freaky houses, expensive houses.. the whole lot of them.. Today there was a post on houses w/unique features.. this one was way too cool.. See that slide? It comes straight from the Master Bedroom..

The average person spends more than a third of their time on earth sleeping, so bedrooms tend to factor into real estate purchases more than, say, game rooms and media centers. Still, some homeowners find ways to personalize their private chambers in some out-of-this-world ways, for better or for worse.

These extreme bedrooms pop up when the houses head to market, but might be a hinderance if the buyers aren't into velvet or chintz or Roman replicas.

Then again, if they offer a cool slide to a water wake up, they might help sell the place. Slip a closet door open in this British bedroom, commit to a trip down a dark tube, and, surprise!, find oneself in a stunning indoor swimming pool.

Sign me up!!

Blogadiction

OK I admit it, I am adicted to blogging! There I said it..

I started off three and a half years ago with just a thought.. I was already blogging for a group I was active with but that was different that was for well a group. This was going to be about me.. my thoughts, feelings, family, whatever.. It was fun but I soon realized that all I talked about was my kids.. so I decided to create a second blog and Juggling Teens was created.. I mean sure I still had the other group blog.. and well a second one as well but I figured what was one more. And if I had one just about the kids then I would be able to post different things to this one..

Next I had some bad times happen and I dropped my other two blogs so I was down to two.. np.. of course me being me.. that wasn't enough and I started Shauni's Dreams That Come.. what was supposed to be a poem a day..yeah that one was harder than I thought..

Something happened in my personal life and I sort of walked away from blogging for a while.. but then last October I got together with some friends and created Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy.. oh what a rush.. but again things were happening in the back ground so I created Tea and Book as a supplementary blog to BR.. where I could post additional reviews without flooding BR.. then I thought.. I have been playing around for ages with the thought of having a blog that speaks of my faith.. so I figured why not? and Shauni's Faith was born.. and slowly I have been working on bringing Shauni's Dreams back to what I wanted. Haven't quite mastered a poem a day yet but I am getting better.

So, six blogs.. two require just sit down and type my thoughts for the day.. two require in depth soul searching and time spent in study and devotions and two..require me to read constantly.. in order to keep them up and running and interesting!!

Then when I am not blogging, working on my blogs or *grins* sleeping.. I have this need to go to other blogs.. visit them, comment on their stuff, offer my support.. So yeah blogging is an addicting thing!!

Come on admit it.. you are in a similar place..

Shauni

This is NOT a Hoax!

This Massive 40 foot Whale Shark was found floating in the Arabian Sea.. It's basically the size of a school bus!! Can you imagine if you had seen this leviathon? Would you totally freak or what?

Shauni

Be Mine Blog Hop

Lydia over at Still on the Verge came up with a wonderful idea for a blog hop.. She is calling it the Be Mine Blog Hop.

With Valentine's day approaching what better way to celebrate than to meet new friends and learn something new about old ones..

If you are interested in signing up grab the button and scoot on over to On the Verge and link up.. for some reason I can't get the code..

Make sure when you post it all you answer the questions.. that's part of the fun!!

<cent<a href="http://www.stillontheverge.com/2012/02/be-mine-blog-hop.html?showComment=1328647608540#c1938852746922976355" target="_blank"><img src="http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/Shauni_45/Blog%20Hops/beminehop.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">"</center>Once you grab the button remember to stay around and grab the questions.. leave a comment and let me know what you think!

1. How long have you been blogging?

I have been blogging for just short of four years.. I took a year off due to some personal stuff.. family, friends and internet all went crash and boom!!

2.  What is  your blog about?

 Me!! ok that's not fait it's about Me, Myself and I.. and whatever I feel like posting.. I have rules but their all mine.. 

3.  How long have you and your significant other been together?

I am currently significant otherless.. I spent a lot of years just wanting to raise the kids and get it right.. and honestly wasn't looking.

4.  How did you meet?

*grins* see #3 

5.  What does Valentine's Day mean to you?

Right now, very little.. but it can be a wonderful day when shared with someone you love. Although I have great childhood memories of family Valentine's Day

6.  Do  you have any plans for Valentine's Day?

Nope gonna sit back and chill.. maybe go to a church activity for singles.. old singles like me.. *grins*

7.  What are your favorite things to blog about?

Life.. I really do write whatever strikes my fancy as I sit to blog..  Sometimes it's a new book, A new movie, sports, family, my moods, the weather.. whatever.. literally

8.  What do you do when you get writer's block?

I rant I scream I pull out my hair.. nah.. I either don't post or post a picture or a saved review.. 

9.  What do you want others to take away from reading your blog?

That no matter what is going on in someone's life.. others are going through it as well.. Life is about the living but even sad emotions are ok.. we all have them and it's ok to have them.. that in the end we are who we are

10.  What networks do you belong to (i.e. Blogher, The Motherhood etc.)

I used to be a part of several organizations but I sort of floundered and haven't gotten back into them.. I would like to, though.. blogging is after all another form of community 

11. If you had one question you wanted to ask me, what would it be? 

Remember to hop on over to Still on the Verge and join in on the fun

 Shauni

Queen Elizabeth II marks Accession Day

Today marks Queen Elizabeth II's 60th year in her reign.. WOW!!

Elizabeth is an inspiring woman, one who should be held up to us as girls and told.. look what she has done w/her life. Oh sure she inherited the throne but what she did w/it is pretty darn impressive.

As an American we are supposed to deny all things royal.. yeah who really does that? but it's hard not to respect a woman who has 400 plus engagements a year.. There aren't that many days in a year!! She has devoted herself to serving her country as best she can. With dignity and grace.. who doesn't think integrity when they hear her name?

Oh sure, in the Diana years we saw her flaws.. but seriously.. she was attempting to remain true to her duties, her country and yes her generation. She didn't have the luxury of running around demanding everyone feel sorry for her.. Sorry, all yes Diana had a rough life but lots of us do... we just don't get to whine about it in the international media AND we didn't get to be a Princess.. Back to the Queen.. yes she had some bad years.. but she weathered that. In the end how could her people NOT respect her?

Elizabeth has also been one of the lucky ones as she fell in love early.. and stayed in love.. She has a husband who, shoot gave up his name for her, while remaining a strong arm of support. I have read that they have shared a bed every day of their marriage.. I know tmi.. but it speaks to my romantic self..

Is she perfect? Heck no, she's human.. But there is absolutely no denying that she is a CLASS Act.. Congrats Your Royal Highness.. LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!!

Shauni

Deja Vous All Over Again

Ever feel like Bill Murray? Not like in Ghostbusters or Caddy Shack but like in groundhog's day.. where everything just keeps repeating itself over and over and over again.. yeah, me too..

A couple of years ago I was really active in a site.. I mean totally active.. I had met a bunch of people on another site and we sorta left and created a new one. We stayed involved on the old site but the new one took all of our focus.

I was especially involved in getting people involved and working with them.. teaching them how things worked.. I worked on creating an entire world.. all the while I was also writing, wait for it, SIX blogs.. I was in heaven.. busy, active and respected..

THEN... it all fell apart.. well at least for me.. suddenly I was odd man out and the very people I had taught were pushing me out and replacing me.. it was heartbreaking.. it totally devastated me..

I even got a phone call from one of my friends that totally ripped me a new one.. to this day I am not sure that I had actually done anything wrong.. but it was easier to blame me than to look into themselves.. you know the best defense and all that.. and me being the person I am, accepted it.. took it lying down, rolled over and gave up..

If you will note my blog history you will see a total drop in posts for well over a year.. yeah, that was the worst part.. whatever was said and I won't repeat it here, but what was said destroyed my confidence and ruined my joy in simply blogging.. I kept meaning to go back but never did.. until recently about three months ago when a lot of great things were happening for me..

Then, like all things in my life.. it crashed.. and yes it hurt.. deeply, devestatingly.. I wanted to curl up and cry for days.. I didn't, I found a way to release my anger and resentment and see it for the good it was or could be.. but still that insidious doubt lingers.. I find myself wanting to get away from everything.. to escape..

And that is the gist of this post.. I got hurt..boo hoo.. so I am going to let others dictate how I run my life? How I post my blogs? How I go on? I am going to let something out of my control stop me? I am hoping that this time.. I get it right.. That I act with grace and dignity.. words rarely applied to me.. and see this for all the good things that could come of it..

I have decided to not live in this circular manner anymore and am breaking the cycle.. How? Well, I absolutely refuse to run off and quit blogging.. nope I am going to focus on my blogs and give them the attention they deserve all SIX of them.. *grins* I guess some things really do never change..

Shauni

A Gracious Friend

I spent the day yesterday with a friend. We have been friends for about 12 years now.. well we started out as mom's to friends but she has played a huge part in Blond Girl's life but as often happens over the years she has become a very special person in the lives of my entire family. To the extent that on Christmas we had a blended family Christmas.. It was wonderful..

In day to day life, I often forget what a truly good person she is. Most of the time she is my friend and you know how it is, you take them for granted.. But yesterday I was struck by just how much I admire her.

She takes her 94yr old step father to the Doctor about once every 3 months or so. A while back she asked me to go along and help.. it worked out really well and I now go with her every time. It really helps her as she can drop us off at the building and I can help him to the office while she goes and parks. Since we are talking about Down Town Chicago this was a real challenge for her before.

While we were in the office, grandpa dropped his hat and gloves and Karen, just patiently picked them up, helped him adjust his bag, helped him put on his hat and gloves and get all comfortable. Now this might seem just mundane stuff but while I was watching it brought tears to my eyes.. it was just that poignant.. a simple moment in the life and yet a snapshot that showcased how very special Karen is.

I am so grateful blond girl and 5th child met.. their family has enriched mine beyond measure..

Shauni