My deepest apology...

I know I have been absent for far to long now. I apologize. I ensure you, I will return full fledged with lots of new updates! 

I am finally a stay-at-home wifey! It's wonderful! This is my first full week as a freelancer... and so far, so good. I'm really glad this is my first week home too, because it has already snowed and you know I don't like to drive in the snow! 

Although, honey-do made me go to the grocery store all by myself and it was scary. Just kidding. it went fine. And I do have to admit I kinda liked being able to take my time as I went through the grocery story... I wasn't rushed like I normally am, and I think I remembered everything! 

I don't know that Sadie (our Jack Russell Terrier) likes me being home. It really has changed her daily routine. Not to mention, when I get bored and start singing at the top of my lungs to the holiday commercials on TV, she kinda gets angry. And she looks at me like I am crazy sometimes. But, I guess it would be just like having a teenager! haha

Well, its getting late... I should probably get some shut-eye... you know, busy day tomorrow! :)

Become a soldier's pen pal

Here's an awesome opportunity to help the soldiers in Iraq!

One of my friends received this e-mail from a corporal whose squad will be leaving for Iraq at the end of November. He's asking for pen pals for people in his squad. The soldiers would love to receive letters, care packages, etc. This would be a great chance to keep their spirits up — especially with the holidays just around the corner. 

Contact Cpl. Roger "Roddy" Keene at roddawg10@yahoo.com and he'll send you the mailing address of somebody in his squad. There's no additional cost for postage — all APO addresses are priced the same as domestic mail, so you can just slap on a stamp and send it out. 

NEWS FLASH

I have officially announced my "retirement," if you will, from the current workplace. 

I love my job here as an assistant editor. But my drive back and forth, as well as the unstable work hours, well, basically drove me crazy. So, Honey-do and I decided it was time to consider leaving the workplace and start working from home. 

I will be freelance writing for the same magazine I am at now, as well as branching out to a few new magazines around this area. I am looking forward to some downtime though!! 

My hopes, prayers and goal is to get my stress levels in check and begin a great daily diet and exercise routine! We will see how that goes! :)

I sure hope you have voted!!

Voting is a privilege and your natural born right. I sure hope and pray you have voted... I did! :) 

But, I can't tell you who I voted for. Let's just say it was a hard decision, not an easy one. But I did it for the first time on my own accord. 

I took the time to review my sample ballot and research each candidate (not only the presidential nominees, but also Senate and House Reps)  and their plans for office. I made a decision to vote for the man I think will do the best job to his ability. 

And I am now praying for our nation at this time of new leadership. 

Have you ever Googled yourself?

A dear friend from college wrote on her blog about the magnificent usage of technology. She praises the use of social networking by means of the Internet. However, she warns that employers are looking to Facebook and MySpace to see the "true colors" of their future employees. 

While reading her post, I began asking myself, what do people see when they Google me? So, I tried it! Wow, the things I found. I was proud to find some of my articles that have been published in the Angus Journal. I also found some news releases about winning scholarships at Oklahoma State University. But, then I found that I am not the only Tosha Powell in the world! And that is always interesting. 

Just for fun I looked up names of all my family members. I saw that my mother-in-law shares the name of a professional interior designer. Honey-do shares  a name of a company with the same name. My father-in-law has a common name with MANY people! My father shares a name with a politician, and my mother shares her name with a children's book author.

Finding these names on the Internet made me think of two very important things.

1. It is VERY important to consider the names you give your children. It might not be a bad idea to Google a name you might potentially give your next baby. Just to make sure they don't share the name with something or someone that will cause them grief later in life.

2 However, the most reassuring thing I found, my friends, is that my Facebook and MySpace profiles were not available for public viewing. 

Just as my fellow blogger states in her blog, please, if you want to be sure you are creating a positive image for future employers, set your privacy on your networking sites. Or, if you have nothing to hide, leave them searchable. 

But always remember, Big Brother is watching you! 

Movies I am lovin' on ...

I must have been born in the wrong century. Really. Why, you ask? Because I love pre-20th century flicks, such as these below. They are my new favorite attractions. I watch them every time they appear on my cable box. I love the way they wrote, talked, wore clothes, oh how I wish I could wear fancy dresses they way they do, and speak with such poise. 

So, if you are looking for a good old-timey flick, enjoy these: 

Becoming Jane

Atonement

Pride and Prejudice

The Other Boleyn Girl

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

These movies are great. Maybe it is because each of them has a wonderful cast of characters. But, either way. I love 'em!

Diets stink... literally

So, I've been trying to be very good lately and eat the right things for my diet. But, I've got to tell you... diets stink. Well, at least Tuna does. lol 

And, then here's some less stinky news!  My good friend, Larry (Best-Friend-For-Life, BFFL, in college)  and his wife are expecting their first baby in April. I'm super excited for them. And, he is super nervous, already! He's keeps asking me questions about pregnancy and about the first couple of months after the baby is born... I quickly reminded him that I have not had the priviledge of birthing a child yet, so to ask his very pregnant sister, who has a two-year-old and his other sister has a four-year-old. 

But, that made me sad and thinking I would like to start a family. But, I've got things to do first apparently. Like, make more money. Is that possible? Who knows! But, maybe, if TPphotography takes off! 

Pray for rain! So, Honey-do doesn't waste more money watering the lawn! :) j/k