DESCRIBE YOUR BLOG IN JUST 7 WORDS & SOME OTHER STUFF

Lissa is the person who designed my header, which I love, and annually she celebrates her blogiversary with a contest that she thinks no one pays attention to. (lol)

So she has no idea that I decided to share her contest, which actually provides a ton of options for prizes if you win.

The question of the day is, can you describe your blog in just 7 words?  I had a hard time.(lol)

Unpopular Giveaway – April 2018

To celebrate my 12 years of blogging (Read about it here) and to thank my readers for their continue support, here is a giveaway. 

How to enter:
Simply answer this: Describe your blog in 7 words. 

Prizes – you may choose from one (1) of these:
#1 — A book of your choice – up to $40 (U.S.) from The Book Depository or Amazon.com
#2 — A new template for your blog – up to $40 (U.S.) from an etsy shop
#3 — An artwork for your home – up to $40 (U.S.) from an etsy shop
#4 — A new something for your blog (created by me) – a header, a badge, a graphic, etc.
#5 — A critique of your blog – just an honest opinion about your blog as a reader from me, blogs only
#6 — Guest post for your blog – I would write one post for your blog on any subject
#7 — Signed paperback of As you wish by Cary Elwes & Joe Layden OR Replica by Lauren Oliver

Enter HERE: https://rainswept7.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html?showComment=1524567506440

SHANIA TWAIN
Born in Canada, popular country music star Shania Twain released her 1st album in 1993, and is one of the best selling artists of all times. Not many people know that she actually paid for personal singing lessons by cleaning her vocal coach's home.

JANE AUSTEN
There's lots of talk about royalty these days, but did you know that Kate Middleton is actually related to the great writer Jane Austen? 

They are 11th cousins.

Mark Boughton Photography/Styling by Teresa Blackburn

LA TROPICANA
Try this sexy take on the old mimosa by using sparkling wine instead, along with mango juice and fresh raspberries. Then add a raspberry garnish to show off. 

You can also use grapefruit or pineapples for something unique. Parade Magazine

RELATIONSHIPS
While I talk about domestic violence quite a bit on this blog, I don't always mention the importance of counseling, which is more about helping the survivor get back to being the person they were.

However for those not in an abusive environment, sometimes the relationship needs help from an unbiased individual.  Online therapy can help with communication or trying to get things back on track, and it's less expensive than you may think.  It can be done individually or as a couple.  If this is something you'd be interested in,  https://www.regain.us/  is a great place to start.  They've also received a 4 out of 5 review for their work.

Now is the time

STUFF, STUFF AND MORE STUFF

I absolutely adore jelly beans, but my favorite has to be the Jelly Belly Jelly Beans because they have the the most unusual flavors like cantaloupe and root beer.  

If you're looking for a sweet treat, today is the day to celebrate all things jellybeans - yay! Happy National Jellybean Day.

SO COOL
The year that read the same upside down was in 1961, which was also the same year I was born.  I'm not sure who will be around, but the next time this will happen is in the year 6009!

GAMES
Have you ever played Candy Crush? Released on Facebook back in 2012, it didn't take long for everyone to become addicted to this fun game, myself included.  It became so popular that it raked in $850,000 per day until the app Tinder overtook it last year.

Do you eat Twinkies? James Dewar created twinkies in 1930 with that yummy banana cream, then they changed it up by switching to vanilla cream filling because of the banana shortage during WWII. In 2007 the banana cream was added again.  Every now and then they do these promotions where they treat you to new flavors like strawberry, chocolate peanut butter, peppermint and more.  Unfortunately, if you're into eating a little more healthy, one of the ingredients in this popular snack cake is high fructose corn syrup.

DESSERT LOVE
Speaking of baking and yummy goodness, have you ever heard of Crack Pie?  It got its name from those who ate Christina Tosi's pie for the first time, because they couldn't stop eating it!  If you don't know who this famous baker is, you've seen her as a judge on Masterchef, and she owns the very well known  Milk Bar located in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Toronto and Washington DC.  I just wanna know how in the world she stays so slim because she is literally eating sweet treats all the time! 

The ingredients to make this delicious treat are online, and it sure doesn't look like much, but if you want to get the actual pie, send $48.50 to https://www.goldbely.com/momofuku-milk-bar/pie-crack-crack-pie.   But act quickly because this pie sells out fast!

SAVE MONEY
Did you know that you can get cash back from Home Depot by visiting the Rebate Center at their site?  Save big on many appliances.


UNUSUAL HANGOUT SPOT
If you remember, one of the places on my Bucket List to visit is Switzerland. 

So when I found this really cool bar called the Museum HR Giger Bar that actually looks like you're inside an alien in the city of Gruyeres, I had to share,and add to the list.  

They even make this really neat cocktail called Alien Blood that might totally creep you out.(lol)

MOVIES
A while ago, a friend took me to the movies to, and he brought along a friend.  I knew how expensive it can be, so I declined all offers of popcorn and soda, preferring to go with a FREE ice cup, so I could get water from the fountain.  (Yes, I can be that frugal, and I just wanted to see the movie, right?-lol)

I advised him not to do it (lol), but he and our other friend purchased popcorn, candy and drinks, then they purchased a bottle of water for me (which I did not ask for-lol)  That outing cost close to $60, and I cringed, because if you know me, I'm all about deals.

If you want to get out of the house and see just released movies, save tons of money by purchasing the Movie Pass which is just $10 per month, (3 month sign-up) allowing you to see 4 movies a month.  This is perfect for date night or family adventures.  www.moviepass.com

MONDAY IS NOT FUN
We're certainly not fond of it, but despite that, Monday is actually the most productive day of the work week, according to a new survey from Redbooth.  Most of us love Friday in anticipation of the weekend, which is probably the reason we only complete 16% of work tasks, and sneak out early.  YIKES!

LET'S CELEBRATE
If you didn't already know, today is Earth Day, which was first celebrated in 1970 to protect the earth and its resources.  It's also my good buddy Elizabeth's bEarthday from alteredbooklover.blogspot.com.
Stop by to say hello if you have a moment.

RIP
We say goodbye to Barbara Bush, who was laid to rest this weekend.  
Being married for 73 years, she's a wonderful reminder that HEA does truly exist, just like all those romance novels we've read.  

I'm also encouraged by how she consistently focused on literacy, which is so important.  So many people today are unable to read a novel,  a street sign, or a recipe.  

STREAKING AND SOME OTHER STUFF

Some may be too young to remember this trend, but I didn't get it. Seeing body parts flopping around while people ran down the street or across the football field just seemed strange, but being a "used to be pranker" I can get that there was some fun and shock value to it all.   

Streaking was super popular back in the 70's, and really took off in colleges around the country.  In 1974, there was even a record for an entire group of 1543 streakers at the University of Georgia.

As a kid, the closest I ever got to a real life streaker was when an acquaintance decided to show his private parts to me near my house while I was headed to visit a friend as a way to impress me.  Unfortunately for him, I just laughed, said 'uh...no', and promptly walked away.(lol)  He pretty much ignored me after that.   Fast forward 30+ years and this very happily married general practice physician, is still very embarrassed.(lol)

GMAIL
Google launched the now very popular email service Gmail to beta testers, and I was one of them, on April 1, 2004, but I didn't really use it that much at the time.  Code named Caribou, Gmail officially launched in 2007. It's hard to imagine, but there are now over 1.2 billion users around the world. (me included)

CAMPING
Have you ever gone camping when you were younger?  It was so much fun roughing it out in the elements, and we loved sleeping in tents. 

Often, we showered in freezing cold water because there were so many people at the parks.   But things sure have changed because I can't even find the tents we used back then. (lol)

These days, if you're going to be outside, it may as well be comfortable and convenient.

A TOAST TO YOUR HEALTH
If you're thinking of heading to CVS for sunscreen with a SPF below 15, don't waste your time.  They've also begun selling an EpiPen that's significantly less expensive, and their store- brand personal products will remove chemicals like parabens and more, all in an attempt to pay more attention to the healthy needs of their customers.

FOOD LOVE
Do you love Italian Food and want to get the best there is?  Why not schedule a food tour and experience plenty of gastronomical delights.

Food & Sightseeing Tour - Downtown Naples Italy is around $44, and lasts for nearly 3 hours. Get comfy and make sure your tummy is ready to eat.   https://www.viator.com/tours/Naples/Downtown-Naples-Food-and-Wine-Tour/d508-20455P6

Milwaukee Pizza Bus - Downtown Milwaukee has a tour that costs about around $60, and also lasts for nearly 3 hours.  While travel is mostly on the bus, you'll still need comfortable walking shoes. https://www.milwaukeefoodtours.com/pizza-bus/

GO FLY A KITE
Flying kites is really good exercise for kids and adults, but I sure don't see people doing it the way I did years ago.

Nevertheless, the entire month of April is dedicated to flying kites, and there are types available

SAY WHAT?
I don't take cold medicine for health reasons, but lots of people do, so you can imagine my surprise when I watched the news in NC back in September, where Matthew Phelps allegedly stabbed his wife to death and blamed it on taking too much Coricidin the night before.  

But the plot thickens it seems because the 29 year wanna be pastor stabbed his wife of less than a year, 123 times, then called 911 to admit that he was pretty sure he did it, even though his memory was fuzzy.  He says they were happy, but there were rumors that she was ready to leave.

Even though there have been stories of kids using this medication to get high, Bayer says there are no ingredients in Coricidin to make someone turn homicidal.

Obsessed with the movie American Psycho, investigators are combing through his and her social media and cell phones to get more information on his intent.

My question to you is this.  Do you believe cold medicine can cause you to commit an act of violence, or is that a cop out?