Simply Frosted - Meet Jess

Kia Ora & G'day Mate!

(That's Hello in Maori & Australian)

By way of introductions my name is Jess. My husband is Tom. We're the Frosts!

We're one of those cheesy 'just-so-in-love' couples that send each other texts and messages on facebook when we're apart during the day for work. We've been married for just over a year. The Hubs is 'the king of corny', but you know what? I love it! And as I say to my sisters & girlfriends... men get less romantic the longer you are married, so even when we are 70 years old that Hubs of mine will still be doing cute romantic things for me. And i'll be happily grossing out our grandkids along with him.

We live in Australia... that's right! The great land of OZ!

But we are a bit international in our heritage!

Jess: My dad was born in the Netherlands, and my mum is Australian so I grew up loving all the glorious dutch and european food (I have an unhealthy love of cheese and anything wrapped in pastry). Unfortunatly I don't speak any Dutch... but I know when someone is swearing at me ;)

Tom: Tom grew up in New Zealand so he says things like '6' & 'fish & chips' funny sometimes. His mum is half Maori and half Samoan. His dad is half Dutch, half Kiwi (that's an English New Zealander for those in the Northern Hemisphere).

So we love us our Dutch heritage because we both never thought we'd marry someone that was a bit dutch too! I mean have you had Dutch food?.... Yum-to-the-awesome!

So that's a little bit about us. I'll be bringing a little 'Australian Flavour (pronouced Flayva in case you didn't know) to Simply June on a regular basis...so stay tuned! And if there is anything you need translated into Australian or anything you'd like to know about THE 'Great Land Down Under' ... ask away!

Feel free to leave a comment or question below!!

Read about Jess each month

here on Simply June!

Jess's personal blog at http://www.aheartfulloffrost.blogspot.com/

twitter http://twitter.com/#!/jessrfrost

Photo credits: Jessica Frost & http://www.sydneyrocks.org/

Kia Ora & G'day Mate!

(That's Hello in Maori & Australian)

By way of introductions my name is Jess. My husband is Tom. We're the Frosts!

We're one of those cheesy 'just-so-in-love' couples that send each other texts and messages on facebook when we're apart during the day for work. We've been married for just over a year. The Hubs is 'the king of corny', but you know what? I love it! And as I say to my sisters & girlfriends... men get less romantic the longer you are married, so even when we are 70 years old that Hubs of mine will still be doing cute romantic things for me. And i'll be happily grossing out our grandkids along with him.

We live in Australia... that's right! The great land of OZ!

But we are a bit international in our heritage!

Jess: My dad was born in the Netherlands, and my mum is Australian so I grew up loving all the glorious dutch and european food (I have an unhealthy love of cheese and anything wrapped in pastry). Unfortunatly I don't speak any Dutch... but I know when someone is swearing at me ;)

Tom: Tom grew up in New Zealand so he says things like '6' & 'fish & chips' funny sometimes. His mum is half Maori and half Samoan. His dad is half Dutch, half Kiwi (that's an English New Zealander for those in the Northern Hemisphere).

So we love us our Dutch heritage because we both never thought we'd marry someone that was a bit dutch too! I mean have you had Dutch food?.... Yum-to-the-awesome!

So that's a little bit about us. I'll be bringing a little 'Australian Flavour (pronouced Flayva in case you didn't know) to Simply June on a regular basis...so stay tuned! And if there is anything you need translated into Australian or anything you'd like to know about THE 'Great Land Down Under' ... ask away!

Feel free to leave a comment or question below!!

Read about Jess each month

here on Simply June!

Jess's personal blog at http://www.aheartfulloffrost.blogspot.com/

twitter http://twitter.com/#!/jessrfrost

Photo credits: Jessica Frost & http://www.sydneyrocks.org/

All the Single Ladies......all the single ladies.....

Listen, I love Beyonce as must as the next gal but the girl is wearing some crazy assssss shoes!!
 Mark my words, that single lady will be "puttin' a CAST on it" instead of a ring if she wears those babies around!

Search Amazon.com for Beyonce

Listen, I love Beyonce as must as the next gal but the girl is wearing some crazy assssss shoes!!
 Mark my words, that single lady will be "puttin' a CAST on it" instead of a ring if she wears those babies around!

Search Amazon.com for Beyonce

31 Posts in 31 Days... Can I do it?

 What is National Blog Posting Month?
Essentially, it's a group of people who have committed to updating their blogs once a day for an entire month.

 But why is it called National Blog Posting Month if it happens every month?

The whole thing started off as a goof based on National Novel Writing Month, the challenge of which is to try to write an entire novel during the month November. Not everyone can commit to an endeavor of such magnitude, though, and so National Blog Posting Month was born. However, after doing a November NaBlo for a couple of years in a row it seemed that a lot of people had found their momentum and wanted to keep going into December and beyond. So now NaBloPoMo is something you can drop into any month of the year, though November is still the biggest month, and is the only month when members donate prizes that are then given out randomly to other members who posted every day in November.  November is the big free-for-all giveaway month, with prizes donated by NaBlo members and awarded to randomly-chosen bloggers who have managed to post every single day that month.

So I have officially signed up and begin tomorrow.

July may produce some very interesting reading....

wish me luck,

 What is National Blog Posting Month?
Essentially, it's a group of people who have committed to updating their blogs once a day for an entire month.

 But why is it called National Blog Posting Month if it happens every month?

The whole thing started off as a goof based on National Novel Writing Month, the challenge of which is to try to write an entire novel during the month November. Not everyone can commit to an endeavor of such magnitude, though, and so National Blog Posting Month was born. However, after doing a November NaBlo for a couple of years in a row it seemed that a lot of people had found their momentum and wanted to keep going into December and beyond. So now NaBloPoMo is something you can drop into any month of the year, though November is still the biggest month, and is the only month when members donate prizes that are then given out randomly to other members who posted every day in November.  November is the big free-for-all giveaway month, with prizes donated by NaBlo members and awarded to randomly-chosen bloggers who have managed to post every single day that month.

So I have officially signed up and begin tomorrow.

July may produce some very interesting reading....

wish me luck,

How was my day?

Here's an idea of how my day was today.

1. Didn’t sleep all night
2. Got dressed feeling a bit sick and extremely sleepy
3. Drove a cell phone back to my cute niece
4. Got a call from my sister.
5. Found out some family members were wanting to stay at my sister’s house from tomorrow night until next week , but they don’t want to have to share a bathroom with anyone while they are there.
6. Had to admit we share bathrooms at our house.
7. Ended phone call
8. Was sad I don’t have a guest house
9. Was just kidding about being sad
10. Drove to Eagle Mountain and started feeling sick again.
11. Cell phone rings again.
12. Had a conference call with siblings about the off chance we were all adopted.
13. Was swerving a bit trying to decide on where to pull over and throw up.
14. Was pulled over by the police
15. Got a ticket
16. Thought about throwing up on the mean police man
17. Picked up my sister
18. Got a coke to try and calm my nausea
19. Laughed with my cute sis
20. Drove sister to Salt Lake City without throwing up
21. Arrived at the Airport
22. Left sister in car, ran into airport ladies room and threw up
23. Dropped of my sisterDrove about half way home and threw up on a orange cone on the side of the road
24. Decided to try and eat something
25. Drove to Arby's
26. Never made it into Arby's
27. Threw up in parking lot
28. Almost made it home in tact but about 10 minutes from home I threw up all over myself and the car
29. Felt to crappy to care
30. Called sister to moan about my day for the last few miles
31. Pulled in my garage and felt relieved to be home
32. My son met me at the door and helped me up stairs
33. My other son asked me to please spray the air freshener in the car before I lay down since he needs to use the car later.
34. I threatened to hug him in my vomit covered outfit
35. Got a shower

36. Got in bed
37. woke up long enough to eat a eat half piece of toast
38. I'm still starving but nothing sounds good
39. craving ice water
40. Still feel like death on a stick

And how was your day?

Here's an idea of how my day was today.

1. Didn’t sleep all night
2. Got dressed feeling a bit sick and extremely sleepy
3. Drove a cell phone back to my cute niece
4. Got a call from my sister.
5. Found out some family members were wanting to stay at my sister’s house from tomorrow night until next week , but they don’t want to have to share a bathroom with anyone while they are there.
6. Had to admit we share bathrooms at our house.
7. Ended phone call
8. Was sad I don’t have a guest house
9. Was just kidding about being sad
10. Drove to Eagle Mountain and started feeling sick again.
11. Cell phone rings again.
12. Had a conference call with siblings about the off chance we were all adopted.
13. Was swerving a bit trying to decide on where to pull over and throw up.
14. Was pulled over by the police
15. Got a ticket
16. Thought about throwing up on the mean police man
17. Picked up my sister
18. Got a coke to try and calm my nausea
19. Laughed with my cute sis
20. Drove sister to Salt Lake City without throwing up
21. Arrived at the Airport
22. Left sister in car, ran into airport ladies room and threw up
23. Dropped of my sisterDrove about half way home and threw up on a orange cone on the side of the road
24. Decided to try and eat something
25. Drove to Arby's
26. Never made it into Arby's
27. Threw up in parking lot
28. Almost made it home in tact but about 10 minutes from home I threw up all over myself and the car
29. Felt to crappy to care
30. Called sister to moan about my day for the last few miles
31. Pulled in my garage and felt relieved to be home
32. My son met me at the door and helped me up stairs
33. My other son asked me to please spray the air freshener in the car before I lay down since he needs to use the car later.
34. I threatened to hug him in my vomit covered outfit
35. Got a shower

36. Got in bed
37. woke up long enough to eat a eat half piece of toast
38. I'm still starving but nothing sounds good
39. craving ice water
40. Still feel like death on a stick

And how was your day?

Meet Rachel - the Kiwi Newlywed

I'd like you to meet Rachel. 

She spent the summer with our family last year and we loved every minute of it!  She took to the American lifestyle like a duck to water.  Our families have a long history together and in the last 12 months our kiwi daughter from New Zealand began building her own history with her new husband.  They are about three months into married life and have already had their share of drama. 

I've ask her if she could write a bit of a "Newlywed Journal" every month for me to post on Simply June.  It's fun to hear how marriage is different in another country while still being very much the same as every other young bride all around the world.  This month I asked her to write about her first impressions of marriage. 

For all you old married ladies like myself, you will recognized the glow of still being in the honeymoon stage as you read her first post.  Remember what it was like?  And for the rest of you, what ever stage of life you are in right now I know you will enjoy getting to be a part of her journey.  But first, I want you to meet the Rachel before she was married. 

Here is the birthday video we made for her last year after she left Utah and went back home to New Zealand.  CLICK  the link BELOW and watch!  It's really short.

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1133504kP171466949o4/rachels-birthday

Yep, she is pretty cool.  

That was a year ago, and now look at her!  

It's pretty wonderful when a girls inner beauty matches the outside beauty as well.

Now if actually watched the video and if you were paying attention, you noticed that Rachel is from Christchurch, New Zealand.   Christchurch is where the devastating earthquakes hit in New Zealand's south island earlier this year.  And can you believe they are STILL having quakes on a regular basis?!

So, I've ask her to tell us all about what happen and how she and her husband handled such a traumatic situation.  You're going to want to hear her story!

Any questions or comments are welcome!  So here is her first post. 
I think I'll call it.........

When people say marriage is like a roller coaster they weren’t kidding. Let me put this in perspective for you. The day I got married was literally the happiest day of my life, and so it should be. What more can a girl want other than a beautiful dress, manicured nails, a perfectly set head of curls and a cute husband on her right arm. For me my wedding day was like fairytale, all the anticipation leading up to that moment and finally getting to stand there across from the man you are going to marry for time and all eternity and wondering, wow, I’m finally doing this. A few people told me “Oh, it’s so cute that you are so in love, but just you wait, it’ll wear off sooner or later.

It’s been two and half months so far and I can honestly say that I am still as madly in love as I was the day I got married. I can honestly say that I fall more for my husband everyday. I can honestly say I made the best decision in my life.

It’s true, marriage isn’t all roses and happiness, there are times that will really test you, really try your patience and even make you upset. Working at your marriage is going to be hard, especially when it requires you to swallow your pride, admit you were wrong and say sorry. One of the things I love most about being married is when you do have a disagreement, (and that you will) the make up is that much sweeter. In your first few years of marriage you and your spouse are still finding your way. You can’t expect to be an expert in a few months, expect disagreements, expect to be let down. But also realize that it is healthy and normal too.

I love coming home to a beautifully cooked meal and a note on the table letting me know how much I am loved. If I can give you one piece of advice, at such an early stage in my own marriage, it would be to always take the time out to spoil your other half. Little notes or acts of kindness never go unnoticed and are always appreciated. Surprise him, organize a date night, buy him his favorite flavored muffin, anything to let him know that you love him dearly and have been thinking about him. My favorite thing to do for Dallin is to cook him meals. This is a skill I am developing myself. I will take some time out to study up entrée meals, a main and a dessert. I’ll set the table for two, light some candles and place a menu on his chair. Together we enjoy a beautiful meal and chat about how our day has been. We spend quality time together.

Another thing I love about being married is getting to know your husband even more. It’s true what they say, you don’t know somebody properly until you live with them. I would have to say I agree. I didn’t know Dallin snored until after we got married and started living together, I didn’t know he is a sheet hogger and I would be left fighting for covers, I didn’t know when he shaved there would be little hairs around the basin.

But I also didn’t know that he would be as passionate as he is about me, as thoughtful as he is, as clean as he is (for a male he is REALLY clean!) and how seriously he would take his role as head of the house as well as the provider. I can quite honestly say that I have found a diamond in the rough and I wouldn’t trade him for anything, I’ll take the little hairs and snoring any day. The little things that annoy you about your husband are also the things that make him who he is, and changing them would be changing who he is, and who I fell in love with.

When I was single, I did whatever I wanted when I wanted. I bought what I wanted, went out for dinner with my girlfriends, checked out cute guys in the mall and had only myself to think about. This all changes once you are married. There is another person in the equation to think about, someone else’s feelings to consider. It’s not so much that I miss those things about being single, it’s more, I now have a bigger responsibility not only for myself but my husband also. There is more than just myself in the equation. There are times when I miss my single life, but then when I really think about it, I wouldn’t give up what I have now. I have progressed onto the next stage in my life, I can see a bright future with the man I love, I can see my career falling into place. There are children planned for the future, there is happiness everywhere I look.

If I could share five things with you about marriage they would be:

1.    Set aside a date night every week. Lots of couples fail to plan personal time together. We all need quality time alone with our spouses to nurture our relationships.

2.    Learn to be selfless. Putting your spouse before your own wants. This in turn will be reciprocated. If both of you put each other first nothing can go wrong.

3.    Treat your spouse like an angel from heaven. Your spouse is the biggest blessing you can receive so why not treat them like it.

4.    Tell them you love them everyday no matter what. There would be nothing worse than leaving the house and something happens to them, and the last words you said to them weren’t very pleasant.

5.    Set goals together. Have common goals. Marriage is hard enough without adding too many other differences into the equation.

Marriage is more than worth it. Waking up next to the person you love most in the morning is one of the best feelings you can experience. Share a cuddle, and tell them you love them.

So whether or not your roller coaster is up or down, remember to always see your other half as a blessing. Keep your wedding day in mind, and think about all the things you love most about them. Remember to always say you love them and that you appreciate them for the person they are, how they make you feel and for the happiness that they bring to your soul.   -Rachel

Feel free to leave a comment or question below!!

Read about Jess each month

here on Simply June!

I'd like you to meet Rachel. 

She spent the summer with our family last year and we loved every minute of it!  She took to the American lifestyle like a duck to water.  Our families have a long history together and in the last 12 months our kiwi daughter from New Zealand began building her own history with her new husband.  They are about three months into married life and have already had their share of drama. 

I've ask her if she could write a bit of a "Newlywed Journal" every month for me to post on Simply June.  It's fun to hear how marriage is different in another country while still being very much the same as every other young bride all around the world.  This month I asked her to write about her first impressions of marriage. 

For all you old married ladies like myself, you will recognized the glow of still being in the honeymoon stage as you read her first post.  Remember what it was like?  And for the rest of you, what ever stage of life you are in right now I know you will enjoy getting to be a part of her journey.  But first, I want you to meet the Rachel before she was married. 

Here is the birthday video we made for her last year after she left Utah and went back home to New Zealand.  CLICK  the link BELOW and watch!  It's really short.

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1133504kP171466949o4/rachels-birthday

Yep, she is pretty cool.  

That was a year ago, and now look at her!  

It's pretty wonderful when a girls inner beauty matches the outside beauty as well.

Now if actually watched the video and if you were paying attention, you noticed that Rachel is from Christchurch, New Zealand.   Christchurch is where the devastating earthquakes hit in New Zealand's south island earlier this year.  And can you believe they are STILL having quakes on a regular basis?!

So, I've ask her to tell us all about what happen and how she and her husband handled such a traumatic situation.  You're going to want to hear her story!

Any questions or comments are welcome!  So here is her first post. 
I think I'll call it.........

When people say marriage is like a roller coaster they weren’t kidding. Let me put this in perspective for you. The day I got married was literally the happiest day of my life, and so it should be. What more can a girl want other than a beautiful dress, manicured nails, a perfectly set head of curls and a cute husband on her right arm. For me my wedding day was like fairytale, all the anticipation leading up to that moment and finally getting to stand there across from the man you are going to marry for time and all eternity and wondering, wow, I’m finally doing this. A few people told me “Oh, it’s so cute that you are so in love, but just you wait, it’ll wear off sooner or later.

It’s been two and half months so far and I can honestly say that I am still as madly in love as I was the day I got married. I can honestly say that I fall more for my husband everyday. I can honestly say I made the best decision in my life.

It’s true, marriage isn’t all roses and happiness, there are times that will really test you, really try your patience and even make you upset. Working at your marriage is going to be hard, especially when it requires you to swallow your pride, admit you were wrong and say sorry. One of the things I love most about being married is when you do have a disagreement, (and that you will) the make up is that much sweeter. In your first few years of marriage you and your spouse are still finding your way. You can’t expect to be an expert in a few months, expect disagreements, expect to be let down. But also realize that it is healthy and normal too.

I love coming home to a beautifully cooked meal and a note on the table letting me know how much I am loved. If I can give you one piece of advice, at such an early stage in my own marriage, it would be to always take the time out to spoil your other half. Little notes or acts of kindness never go unnoticed and are always appreciated. Surprise him, organize a date night, buy him his favorite flavored muffin, anything to let him know that you love him dearly and have been thinking about him. My favorite thing to do for Dallin is to cook him meals. This is a skill I am developing myself. I will take some time out to study up entrée meals, a main and a dessert. I’ll set the table for two, light some candles and place a menu on his chair. Together we enjoy a beautiful meal and chat about how our day has been. We spend quality time together.

Another thing I love about being married is getting to know your husband even more. It’s true what they say, you don’t know somebody properly until you live with them. I would have to say I agree. I didn’t know Dallin snored until after we got married and started living together, I didn’t know he is a sheet hogger and I would be left fighting for covers, I didn’t know when he shaved there would be little hairs around the basin.

But I also didn’t know that he would be as passionate as he is about me, as thoughtful as he is, as clean as he is (for a male he is REALLY clean!) and how seriously he would take his role as head of the house as well as the provider. I can quite honestly say that I have found a diamond in the rough and I wouldn’t trade him for anything, I’ll take the little hairs and snoring any day. The little things that annoy you about your husband are also the things that make him who he is, and changing them would be changing who he is, and who I fell in love with.

When I was single, I did whatever I wanted when I wanted. I bought what I wanted, went out for dinner with my girlfriends, checked out cute guys in the mall and had only myself to think about. This all changes once you are married. There is another person in the equation to think about, someone else’s feelings to consider. It’s not so much that I miss those things about being single, it’s more, I now have a bigger responsibility not only for myself but my husband also. There is more than just myself in the equation. There are times when I miss my single life, but then when I really think about it, I wouldn’t give up what I have now. I have progressed onto the next stage in my life, I can see a bright future with the man I love, I can see my career falling into place. There are children planned for the future, there is happiness everywhere I look.

If I could share five things with you about marriage they would be:

1.    Set aside a date night every week. Lots of couples fail to plan personal time together. We all need quality time alone with our spouses to nurture our relationships.

2.    Learn to be selfless. Putting your spouse before your own wants. This in turn will be reciprocated. If both of you put each other first nothing can go wrong.

3.    Treat your spouse like an angel from heaven. Your spouse is the biggest blessing you can receive so why not treat them like it.

4.    Tell them you love them everyday no matter what. There would be nothing worse than leaving the house and something happens to them, and the last words you said to them weren’t very pleasant.

5.    Set goals together. Have common goals. Marriage is hard enough without adding too many other differences into the equation.

Marriage is more than worth it. Waking up next to the person you love most in the morning is one of the best feelings you can experience. Share a cuddle, and tell them you love them.

So whether or not your roller coaster is up or down, remember to always see your other half as a blessing. Keep your wedding day in mind, and think about all the things you love most about them. Remember to always say you love them and that you appreciate them for the person they are, how they make you feel and for the happiness that they bring to your soul.   -Rachel

Feel free to leave a comment or question below!!

Read about Jess each month

here on Simply June!

I am....: more than my day job...."detective"

I am....: more than my day job...."detective": "Name: June Location: Utah, USA ' My main job is being a mom but just like my sisters, I am also a detective! I look for clues all day to..."

I am....: more than my day job...."detective": "Name: June Location: Utah, USA ' My main job is being a mom but just like my sisters, I am also a detective! I look for clues all day to..."

A Heart Full of Frost: America, the lucky!

I wanted to share a blog post from the darling Mrs. Tom Frost. Our family got to know Tom when he stayed with us while we lived in Australia. Tom is genuinely one of the nicest guys you could meet. He is silly, fun, smart, a hard worker, generous, kind and has a real strength of spirit. But I have to say one of the best things Tom has ever done, in my humble opinion, is marry his gorgeous wife Jess.

I am going to share a few posts from them about once a month so everyone can get a glimpse of this cute young couple beginning a life together in Australia. Enjoy this short first post and stay tuned!

A Heart Full of Frost: America, the lucky!: "So America is a pretty lucky country. I think Australia is amazingly lucky too... and i'm not going to offend any lovely Americano friends ..."

I wanted to share a blog post from the darling Mrs. Tom Frost. Our family got to know Tom when he stayed with us while we lived in Australia. Tom is genuinely one of the nicest guys you could meet. He is silly, fun, smart, a hard worker, generous, kind and has a real strength of spirit. But I have to say one of the best things Tom has ever done, in my humble opinion, is marry his gorgeous wife Jess.

I am going to share a few posts from them about once a month so everyone can get a glimpse of this cute young couple beginning a life together in Australia. Enjoy this short first post and stay tuned!

A Heart Full of Frost: America, the lucky!: "So America is a pretty lucky country. I think Australia is amazingly lucky too... and i'm not going to offend any lovely Americano friends ..."

Earlier this year I was talking with a few others about being hurt by the  people we love and trusted.   I would like to think that after 40+ years on this earth, there is a reason I am able to smile most of the time.  In  the most difficult trials, if  we are able to laugh about something, anything at all,  there is a 89% chance this trial wont break you.  Especially, those things that I can not control  or change.

I have spent my whole life gaining the experience needed to face one great big scary trial after another.  Maybe when it comes time for my biggest or final trial, I will be so used to staring fear in the face that I will pass with flying colors! 

I received the following joke a few weeks later in my email from one of the people I had talked with that night.  Here's part of what that email said;

"....It reminds me of something a wise old woman said: "I don't think the devil looks ugly and frightening. If he did, people wouldn't find him so attractive. The devil must be a handsome man." And the devil's sister is a pretty woman, as often as not.

One bright, beautiful Sunday morning, everyone in town got up early and went to the local church. Before the service started, the townspeople were sitting in their pews and talking about their lives, their families, and so on.   Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church.

Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from evil incarnate. Soon everyone had left the church except for an elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew, not moving, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy was in his presence.

Now, this confused Satan a bit, so he walked up to the man and said, "Hey! Don't you know who I am?"

The man replied, "Yep, sure do."

Satan asked, "Aren't you afraid of me?"

"Nope, sure ain't," said the man.

Satan was a little perturbed at this and queried, "Why aren't you afraid of me?"

The man calmly replied, "I've been married to your sister for 25 years."

I know the feeling, my elderly friend. I know the feeling.


This email made me smile. Not only because it's a bit funny but because  sometimes I feel just like the man in the story.  I have got to the point where I am rarely shocked or blindsided by the trials life keeps tossing my way.

What ever it is we are dealing with at this moment, look at it from the perspective of that elderly man.  The years of heartache, sadness and pain at the hands of my mother, strengthened me so much that last year  when my sister turned my life upside-down  and her extreme hurt came along and caused heartache, I knew what I was in for and how to rise above it.  What about you?  

Maybe being bullied at school has helped you teach your kids to be more kind.  Maybe losing someone you love makes you love those around you more deeply.  Maybe you have gone out with so many idiots because you will need to recognize the right guy when he comes along. 

Perhaps we learn over and over again how to forgive so we will not be too proud when it is us that need to ask forgiveness.    Maybe you were in a situation where you needed to be saved so that someday you can help save another.  

Think about the stuff you are struggling with right now.    Who are you in our story?  Satan, The Elderly Man or the Sister?   Recognize which character you are and then proceed with caution & resolve.  It's one of two things.  

1. Either you have already been given the tools to get through this particular trial or what you are doing  now is preparing you for a strength you will need later on in life.   
2. As soon as you know exactly what role you play in your own life,  you need to go out and show life what you're made of.   Go laugh about it.  And then Blog about it.  :)

What is one moment in the past that has given you the experience to face today's trials with confidence?

Earlier this year I was talking with a few others about being hurt by the  people we love and trusted.   I would like to think that after 40+ years on this earth, there is a reason I am able to smile most of the time.  In  the most difficult trials, if  we are able to laugh about something, anything at all,  there is a 89% chance this trial wont break you.  Especially, those things that I can not control  or change.

I have spent my whole life gaining the experience needed to face one great big scary trial after another.  Maybe when it comes time for my biggest or final trial, I will be so used to staring fear in the face that I will pass with flying colors! 

I received the following joke a few weeks later in my email from one of the people I had talked with that night.  Here's part of what that email said;

"....It reminds me of something a wise old woman said: "I don't think the devil looks ugly and frightening. If he did, people wouldn't find him so attractive. The devil must be a handsome man." And the devil's sister is a pretty woman, as often as not.

One bright, beautiful Sunday morning, everyone in town got up early and went to the local church. Before the service started, the townspeople were sitting in their pews and talking about their lives, their families, and so on.   Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church.

Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from evil incarnate. Soon everyone had left the church except for an elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew, not moving, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy was in his presence.

Now, this confused Satan a bit, so he walked up to the man and said, "Hey! Don't you know who I am?"

The man replied, "Yep, sure do."

Satan asked, "Aren't you afraid of me?"

"Nope, sure ain't," said the man.

Satan was a little perturbed at this and queried, "Why aren't you afraid of me?"

The man calmly replied, "I've been married to your sister for 25 years."

I know the feeling, my elderly friend. I know the feeling.


This email made me smile. Not only because it's a bit funny but because  sometimes I feel just like the man in the story.  I have got to the point where I am rarely shocked or blindsided by the trials life keeps tossing my way.

What ever it is we are dealing with at this moment, look at it from the perspective of that elderly man.  The years of heartache, sadness and pain at the hands of my mother, strengthened me so much that last year  when my sister turned my life upside-down  and her extreme hurt came along and caused heartache, I knew what I was in for and how to rise above it.  What about you?  

Maybe being bullied at school has helped you teach your kids to be more kind.  Maybe losing someone you love makes you love those around you more deeply.  Maybe you have gone out with so many idiots because you will need to recognize the right guy when he comes along. 

Perhaps we learn over and over again how to forgive so we will not be too proud when it is us that need to ask forgiveness.    Maybe you were in a situation where you needed to be saved so that someday you can help save another.  

Think about the stuff you are struggling with right now.    Who are you in our story?  Satan, The Elderly Man or the Sister?   Recognize which character you are and then proceed with caution & resolve.  It's one of two things.  

1. Either you have already been given the tools to get through this particular trial or what you are doing  now is preparing you for a strength you will need later on in life.   
2. As soon as you know exactly what role you play in your own life,  you need to go out and show life what you're made of.   Go laugh about it.  And then Blog about it.  :)

What is one moment in the past that has given you the experience to face today's trials with confidence?

Today Is Your Day ("Why Not? With Shania Twain")

Martina McBride - Teenage Daughters

Summer bordem caused the mayhem of family bonding at its finest

Since school has been out for summer vacation I have heard "I'm Bored" way to many times. I usually respond by listing a few jobs around the house that I believe would cure them of their boredom and then they disappear.  Sometimes I suggest we all play a game as a family and we end up having a great time together.  But, every now and then instead of hearing my children cheer loudly for having such an awesome mother that wants to play games with them, I hear someone say "hey mom, we want to play Risk".   When this happens I give them the "are you kidding me" look.  They know I love to play games but they also know how I feel about certain family favorites.

No, I do not want to play RISK.  Why?  Pull out a game called "Getting your teenagers to happily do chores around the house" and I'm in. We have so many other options when it comes to games we could play as a family, that I think are so much more fun!  I try and talk them into just playing with their dad but it doesnt work very often. 

I can only handle playing the game of RISK with my family once or twice a year.  So naturally, this game is the one my boys always pick to play.  We all start out happy and claiming we don’t care who wins or loses because we are just all so “…happy to be spending time together!”  We all talk big!  Saying things to encourage each other.  And, someone never fails to announce that we all “only wish to use this time to build memories, with no purpose other than fun and love.”   But that’s a load of crap.  A huge load of crap.

No matter what we say or do the game always gets serious after about 10 minutes.  Each of us have placed our colored army guys on the map.  Kids are already making deals and recruiting secret allies.  I spend the next hour watching as each roll of the dice determines the fate of a family member and their little brightly colored armies.  Then we begin the mind games. 

When Jared doesn’t want to take advantage of Josh’s tiny army in Brazil, Jordan is there to remind him that it was just yesterday that Josh ate the last Oreo when he knew Jared  had already called dibs on it.  "Hmmm, good point" is Jared's response.   Then Josh tells Jared that if he doesn’t attack him right now he will give him 3 dollars and do one of his chores.  This goes back and forth for the rest of the game.  And all the while their sister sits back and smiles while she mentally plots her plan towards world domination.

With each defeat and with every win, my loving family morph into a room full of maniacs who believe they are no longer playing a game.  They all begin playing as if this is real world stuff! Somehow, in less time than it takes to put in a load of laundry, the males in the family have convinced themselves they have been made 4 star generals or knighted by the queen herself and will take part in a battle that will determine the fate of all mankind.  It isn't pretty.

Voices raise higher. Partnerships are dissolved.  New deals are made between the generals of these colored armies.  I believe there have even been a few secret combinations going down over the years.  At the hour mark, there are not quite as many happy faces sitting around the table as there were when we started this family game of RISK. 

Instead of hearing my family saying “good play Josh!” “Wow, you sure got me there!” or “Gee Whiz Mom and Dad, I sure love family time” I hear things like this: “Seriously!?” “Oh that’s how it is huh?” “You want to attack me? We had a deal!” “That’s not fair” or “That’s it.  Now I am gonna bring the Rain” and “You wanna Play?!  Bring it on Missy!”   It is after a good half hour of this that it finally happens.  The moment arrives when things get ugly.  Some poor brightly colored soul, who used to be my child instead of General crazy-pants, finds his once strong army down to only 2 lone dudes sitting on Brazil.  And those 2 guys are not at all happy.  In fact, the only happy person is the guy with the blue army.  And his happiness is now annoying us all.  As he pushes his large pile of bright blue army guys onto North Africa, he announces he is attacking Brazil and then does the evil genius laugh. Maybe it's just my kids but I can’t recall too many risk games that didn’t end with at least one frustrated family member and at least one evil laughing General happy-pants. It's the mayhem of family bonding at its finest. 

It was Mayhem of this exact kind that led me to the store to find a new game.    Instead of a game, I found a WASGIJ.  I was so excited because I didn’t think they were available here. Anyone know what WASGIJ  means?

It is the word JIGSAW spelled backwards and it is the brand name of my favorite kind of puzzles.  Have you have ever enjoyed putting together a puzzle but when you finished the picture was anti climactic?

It's annoying for me to spend all the time it takes to put a thousand puzzle pieces together only to push that last piece in and say "Yep, it's a dolphin alright."

It is for this reason I recommend WASGIJ. The picture on the box is not the picture on the puzzle. Instead it is only a clue to give you a hint of what the final picture will be.  One of my favorite WASGIJ’s  is a puzzle with a young couple getting engaged on the front. There is lots going on all over the romantic scene but the picture you get at the end is the same location and the same people but it is now many years later and our couple are now grandparents. The very first one we ever did was a school lunch room. (Picture below) Our family LOVE them and they just became available at a few of the stores here in the states.  

I’m warning you, they are addictive but super fun for the whole family and a good cure for Boredom.  And we have never had any problems with Generals and evil laughter putting a puzzle together so the WASGIJ puzzles get the Haskell Family stamp of approval. 


Check out more WASGIJ's at http://www.wasgij.com/
 or Search Amazon.com for WASGIJ

Since school has been out for summer vacation I have heard "I'm Bored" way to many times. I usually respond by listing a few jobs around the house that I believe would cure them of their boredom and then they disappear.  Sometimes I suggest we all play a game as a family and we end up having a great time together.  But, every now and then instead of hearing my children cheer loudly for having such an awesome mother that wants to play games with them, I hear someone say "hey mom, we want to play Risk".   When this happens I give them the "are you kidding me" look.  They know I love to play games but they also know how I feel about certain family favorites.

No, I do not want to play RISK.  Why?  Pull out a game called "Getting your teenagers to happily do chores around the house" and I'm in. We have so many other options when it comes to games we could play as a family, that I think are so much more fun!  I try and talk them into just playing with their dad but it doesnt work very often. 

I can only handle playing the game of RISK with my family once or twice a year.  So naturally, this game is the one my boys always pick to play.  We all start out happy and claiming we don’t care who wins or loses because we are just all so “…happy to be spending time together!”  We all talk big!  Saying things to encourage each other.  And, someone never fails to announce that we all “only wish to use this time to build memories, with no purpose other than fun and love.”   But that’s a load of crap.  A huge load of crap.

No matter what we say or do the game always gets serious after about 10 minutes.  Each of us have placed our colored army guys on the map.  Kids are already making deals and recruiting secret allies.  I spend the next hour watching as each roll of the dice determines the fate of a family member and their little brightly colored armies.  Then we begin the mind games. 

When Jared doesn’t want to take advantage of Josh’s tiny army in Brazil, Jordan is there to remind him that it was just yesterday that Josh ate the last Oreo when he knew Jared  had already called dibs on it.  "Hmmm, good point" is Jared's response.   Then Josh tells Jared that if he doesn’t attack him right now he will give him 3 dollars and do one of his chores.  This goes back and forth for the rest of the game.  And all the while their sister sits back and smiles while she mentally plots her plan towards world domination.

With each defeat and with every win, my loving family morph into a room full of maniacs who believe they are no longer playing a game.  They all begin playing as if this is real world stuff! Somehow, in less time than it takes to put in a load of laundry, the males in the family have convinced themselves they have been made 4 star generals or knighted by the queen herself and will take part in a battle that will determine the fate of all mankind.  It isn't pretty.

Voices raise higher. Partnerships are dissolved.  New deals are made between the generals of these colored armies.  I believe there have even been a few secret combinations going down over the years.  At the hour mark, there are not quite as many happy faces sitting around the table as there were when we started this family game of RISK. 

Instead of hearing my family saying “good play Josh!” “Wow, you sure got me there!” or “Gee Whiz Mom and Dad, I sure love family time” I hear things like this: “Seriously!?” “Oh that’s how it is huh?” “You want to attack me? We had a deal!” “That’s not fair” or “That’s it.  Now I am gonna bring the Rain” and “You wanna Play?!  Bring it on Missy!”   It is after a good half hour of this that it finally happens.  The moment arrives when things get ugly.  Some poor brightly colored soul, who used to be my child instead of General crazy-pants, finds his once strong army down to only 2 lone dudes sitting on Brazil.  And those 2 guys are not at all happy.  In fact, the only happy person is the guy with the blue army.  And his happiness is now annoying us all.  As he pushes his large pile of bright blue army guys onto North Africa, he announces he is attacking Brazil and then does the evil genius laugh. Maybe it's just my kids but I can’t recall too many risk games that didn’t end with at least one frustrated family member and at least one evil laughing General happy-pants. It's the mayhem of family bonding at its finest. 

It was Mayhem of this exact kind that led me to the store to find a new game.    Instead of a game, I found a WASGIJ.  I was so excited because I didn’t think they were available here. Anyone know what WASGIJ  means?

It is the word JIGSAW spelled backwards and it is the brand name of my favorite kind of puzzles.  Have you have ever enjoyed putting together a puzzle but when you finished the picture was anti climactic?

It's annoying for me to spend all the time it takes to put a thousand puzzle pieces together only to push that last piece in and say "Yep, it's a dolphin alright."

It is for this reason I recommend WASGIJ. The picture on the box is not the picture on the puzzle. Instead it is only a clue to give you a hint of what the final picture will be.  One of my favorite WASGIJ’s  is a puzzle with a young couple getting engaged on the front. There is lots going on all over the romantic scene but the picture you get at the end is the same location and the same people but it is now many years later and our couple are now grandparents. The very first one we ever did was a school lunch room. (Picture below) Our family LOVE them and they just became available at a few of the stores here in the states.  

I’m warning you, they are addictive but super fun for the whole family and a good cure for Boredom.  And we have never had any problems with Generals and evil laughter putting a puzzle together so the WASGIJ puzzles get the Haskell Family stamp of approval. 


Check out more WASGIJ's at http://www.wasgij.com/
 or Search Amazon.com for WASGIJ

Laugh yourself SEXY!

Does this sound familiar?   You put on an outfit that you feel really good in.  You feel you could walk in to any room and talk to any guy you find attractive.  Then a month later, you’re wearing the same exact outfit, but your experience is very different. You feel blah, or perhaps even ugly. Good bye confidence. Or maybe you’ve had the opposite experience where you’re wearing a boring outfit and your hair was quickly tied back with a scrunchie, but you’re still feeling good about yourself and life in general. And despite your less than stylish attire, somehow you’ve got people coming up to you and you are having more fun than ever. 

What happened? You probably look the same as you did last time you wore that outfit, but what’s shifted is your attitude. Happiness, confidence and true sex appeal is not something that you can get from someone or something outside of you.  Showing tummy overhang and butt cracks does NOT  increase your sex appeal!  Yes, it’s good to take showers,  use deodorant and wear nice, clean clothes, but what is more important, is to make sure you’re attitude is appealing, because that’s what people pick up the most. Your personality doesn’t need clothes to be awesome.

There is one in every crowd and every group of girlfriends. That girl who guys gravitate to even though she isn’t the most beautiful girl in the room. All the guys want to date her and all the women want to be her friend. So what is it that she has, that others don’t? It could be lots of little things but one common trait is being confident and happy. Happy and confident is sexy no matter what your age or size.

Laughter and smiling have a lot to do with sex appeal. Everyone wants to feel better about themselves and about the world around them. Smiles and laughter create a contagious  happiness and when you are upbeat and happy you're fun to be with.   When you laugh through life you're going to do your best to see the positive side of things even during challenging times. I don’t mean we shouldn’t take life seriously, but being a "Debbie Downer" is never attractive.  We all know that girl too.  She is the girl that is so pretty and she always gets so much attention from guys!  But she actually doesn't date much or have many friends because as soon as they get to know her all that "pretty" fades away only to reveal an ugly spirit. 

I highly recommend HUMOR and Laughing to boost sex appeal.  If I were a doctor this would be my prescription:

1. Laugh regularly because it's good for you and because it's attractive to people around you. When your life is getting your spirits down, SMILE on the inside. Force a smile even if you're not in the mood to smile! Carry around an inner smile and it will express itself in the way you hold your body, walk, and react with daily life.

2. Smile with your eyes. Model Tyra Banks calls it "SMIZE" Smile in the face of adversity. Even if they don't return your smile, it's warming the thaw just a little bit and it's for your benefit to remain upbeat when others are down around you.
Find something to laugh about when you have difficult situations with others.

3. It's okay to be funny. Try looking at the less serious side of life. Being the tension reliever when social relations take on too serious an edge is bound to draw people to you.

4. Don't over think humor. Once you start questioning "is this really worth laughing at", you're taking things too seriously. And that's just not sexy. Join in and laugh because it's good for you, good for everyone else, and makes you look fantastic.

5. Share your mistakes and laugh about them. Experience makes most of us wiser and stronger. There is something very alluring about people who are comfortable with themselves because they've already been through the challenges of life and come out the other side with your sense of humor still in tact. Let other women know it's okay to fail because we all do.

Now go watch an episode of Friend's or maybe Seinfeld and start laughing your way to a sexier you!!

Don't just take my word for it!!  Check out this website for more information: http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm

The Benefits of Laughter
Physical Health Benefits:   Boosts immunity Lowers stress hormones Decreases pain Relaxes your muscles Prevents heart disease	Mental Health Benefits: Adds joy and zest to life Eases anxiety and fear Relieves stress Improves mood Enhances resilience	Social Benefits: Strengthens relationships Attracts others to us Enhances teamwork Helps defuse conflict Promotes group bonding

Does this sound familiar?   You put on an outfit that you feel really good in.  You feel you could walk in to any room and talk to any guy you find attractive.  Then a month later, you’re wearing the same exact outfit, but your experience is very different. You feel blah, or perhaps even ugly. Good bye confidence. Or maybe you’ve had the opposite experience where you’re wearing a boring outfit and your hair was quickly tied back with a scrunchie, but you’re still feeling good about yourself and life in general. And despite your less than stylish attire, somehow you’ve got people coming up to you and you are having more fun than ever. 

What happened? You probably look the same as you did last time you wore that outfit, but what’s shifted is your attitude. Happiness, confidence and true sex appeal is not something that you can get from someone or something outside of you.  Showing tummy overhang and butt cracks does NOT  increase your sex appeal!  Yes, it’s good to take showers,  use deodorant and wear nice, clean clothes, but what is more important, is to make sure you’re attitude is appealing, because that’s what people pick up the most. Your personality doesn’t need clothes to be awesome.

There is one in every crowd and every group of girlfriends. That girl who guys gravitate to even though she isn’t the most beautiful girl in the room. All the guys want to date her and all the women want to be her friend. So what is it that she has, that others don’t? It could be lots of little things but one common trait is being confident and happy. Happy and confident is sexy no matter what your age or size.

Laughter and smiling have a lot to do with sex appeal. Everyone wants to feel better about themselves and about the world around them. Smiles and laughter create a contagious  happiness and when you are upbeat and happy you're fun to be with.   When you laugh through life you're going to do your best to see the positive side of things even during challenging times. I don’t mean we shouldn’t take life seriously, but being a "Debbie Downer" is never attractive.  We all know that girl too.  She is the girl that is so pretty and she always gets so much attention from guys!  But she actually doesn't date much or have many friends because as soon as they get to know her all that "pretty" fades away only to reveal an ugly spirit. 

I highly recommend HUMOR and Laughing to boost sex appeal.  If I were a doctor this would be my prescription:

1. Laugh regularly because it's good for you and because it's attractive to people around you. When your life is getting your spirits down, SMILE on the inside. Force a smile even if you're not in the mood to smile! Carry around an inner smile and it will express itself in the way you hold your body, walk, and react with daily life.

2. Smile with your eyes. Model Tyra Banks calls it "SMIZE" Smile in the face of adversity. Even if they don't return your smile, it's warming the thaw just a little bit and it's for your benefit to remain upbeat when others are down around you.
Find something to laugh about when you have difficult situations with others.

3. It's okay to be funny. Try looking at the less serious side of life. Being the tension reliever when social relations take on too serious an edge is bound to draw people to you.

4. Don't over think humor. Once you start questioning "is this really worth laughing at", you're taking things too seriously. And that's just not sexy. Join in and laugh because it's good for you, good for everyone else, and makes you look fantastic.

5. Share your mistakes and laugh about them. Experience makes most of us wiser and stronger. There is something very alluring about people who are comfortable with themselves because they've already been through the challenges of life and come out the other side with your sense of humor still in tact. Let other women know it's okay to fail because we all do.

Now go watch an episode of Friend's or maybe Seinfeld and start laughing your way to a sexier you!!

Don't just take my word for it!!  Check out this website for more information: http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm

The Benefits of Laughter
Physical Health Benefits:   Boosts immunity Lowers stress hormones Decreases pain Relaxes your muscles Prevents heart disease	Mental Health Benefits: Adds joy and zest to life Eases anxiety and fear Relieves stress Improves mood Enhances resilience	Social Benefits: Strengthens relationships Attracts others to us Enhances teamwork Helps defuse conflict Promotes group bonding