Are you done with your shopping?

I don't know about you, but I have not gotten to do much Christmas shopping.   I seem to be so busy with school, homework, my mom, being on our pulpit committee, housework, etc...I can just not get to go anywhere. That is why I LOVE LOVE LOVE Amazon.com!   They have just about everything you could ever need...and at a cheaper price than anywhere!   As I type this, I am looking at a stack of 8 little Amazon.com packages waiting fr me to open and wrap!   If you have never shopped on Amazon, you should check it out!   You will love it!  My cousin and I are going to go this Friday for a much needed evening together of trying to get some actual hands on shopping accomplished.  If I don't have any luck...I guess I will come back home and head back over to Amazon.com!

Happy Shopping!!!!

My Jolley Family

My Jolley Family

If you look up the word (jolly) in the dictionary, it will read: (happy; cheerful; to encourage someone in a positive way.)  I have heard that some last names were derived by what a certain group of people did or how they acted.   It seems very fitting to me to think that my family name might have come from my ancestors being cheerful and encouraging to others in a positive way.

Recently, I lost the last 2 members of my daddy’s generation. It all happened much too quickly.   They were such a precious group of siblings.   I loved to hear the stories of all of their wonderful childhood memories.   What a wonderful family bond they shared!   A while back, my uncle Robbin visited me and shared some stories about my daddy and how when he suffered a sun stroke as a small child, the rest of the brothers and sisters watched out for him extra close and made him rest and stay out of the sun as much as possible.   My uncle explained that during this time is when my daddy developed his ability to play the guitar. 

My uncle also talked about them working from sunrise to sunset and earning only 50 cents!   I told him I was not sure my boys would even walk out in the front yard to pick up 50 cents!   He then went on to share the most touching part of the story…He talked about how he saved up his money from working and how proud he was to get to buy new toys for his brothers and sisters.   He said they loved surprising each other with things they knew the others wanted.   My heart melted when I heard this story of great sibling love.  What a wonderful memory for him to share.

Memories are another reason that losing the last of this generation is so hard on me….I long to hear more stories, to learn more about my sweet daddy that I don’t already know.   I still miss my daddy so much that it hurts.   He was the greatest man I have ever known….I am so thankful to be a part of this wonderful Jolley family.   I came along a little late into it….I never even got to meet my grandparents, but I know that they had to be extraordinary people to have raised such a loving bunch of children.   I will always be proud to say that I am a Jolley…and I can only hope that I can raise my boys in a way that would make my daddy and all of his brothers and sisters proud.   I may have not had as much time with them as many others have, but I have listened intently to every story and cherished each moment I had.

I encourage everyone to take the time to count your blessings, listen to the family stories, ask questions, take notes, stare at the sweet faces of your family, take lots of pictures, give hugs and kisses, and visit a little longer…you never know when you will be saying “see you later” for the last time.   

 

Snowman Tree

Here is my Christmas tree from my classroom.   I got the idea off of Pinterest.   However, the one on there had a paper mache head and I really like mine better.   Mine is a door hanging I found at Hobby Lobby.   The students loved it!   I do too...I just can't quit looking at it!   What kind of  unusual tree have you seen this year?

Photo Card

Wreath Monogram Christmas

Shutterfly has elegant Christmas party invitations for your holiday party.

View the entire collection of cards.

Pinterest Obsession

Have you discovered Pinterest ?   OH MY!   If you have not and would like an invite to it, I would be glad to share and send one your way!  It is absolutely brilliant!   It is, in fact, my dream come true!   I have always found ideas(mostly from the fabulous blogs I read) and wanted to keep them all in one place so I wouldn't forget them.   Sadly, I would always forget the exact blog or location I found the cool idea and would become furious when I actually needed it!   This is like having your own little online bulletin boards to PIN ideas you find for safe-keeping!   Awesome!   You categorize your boards however you want them and you can go to them anytime you need the idea! I.Am.In.Love!    I have found the most awesome ideas for photos, crafts, cooking, fashion, organization, my classroom...you name it and it is on there!   So, go check out the site, browse around....if you need an invite from me....let me know with a comment!  

Here are just a few examples of the actual things I have COMPLETED from the site!

(not my actual pictures, though!)

 Writing on bananas with toothpicks...my boys loved it when they made the discovery!

 Apple dumplings made with Mountain Dew...hubby loved this!

 Nutella Cookies...ME and my co-workers loved these!

P.S.   So sorry for my long absence.   As you know, my mom is still battling her brain tumor and it is getting much worse.   I also lost my dear uncle who was like a father to me after losing my daddy.   Life just seems to have been so overwhelming, that I have not had my creative energy to blog.   I miss you all though and hope to start to work on getting my groove back!    Hopefully I still have some readers!   :)

$50 Gift Card Winner

 The winner of the $50 gift card is....

AubreyLaine

Please contact me with your mailing info so I can get the card on the say to you!   I look forward to seeing what GREAT things you do with the money!  

*   Sorry it has taken me a few days to post the winner.   We have had many things to do with my mom's illness to tball games to my first inservice(eeks!) today!   Thanks to all who entered!

Pampers...Challenge {$50 gift card giveaway}

Pampers is celebrating their 50th anniversary and they are giving me a $50 Visa Gift Card along with a challenge to “Pay It Forward”. How cool is that?! I had many ideas of how to handle it but I really wanted it to spread as far as I could so I bought some diapers and I have placed them in various places where I thought mothers might be caught without a diaper.   I put some in some restrooms with a note attached explaining that they were there for those emergency situations.   I also distributed a few here and there in a "secret pal" kind of way to various individuals who I thought might benefit from it.   I know I always like the feeling of finding MORE of something than I thought I had.   I didn't want anyone to know that they were being given anything.   It is more fun to me that way. 
Pampers is also giving me a $50 Visa Gift Card to giveaway to one lucky reader to take the same challenge!! AWESOME!!!
To enter this giveaway you must be a follower of my blog. (if you are not already, it is easy...and FREE to do!) Then, leave a comment letting me know that you follow AND letting me know how you will handle this challenge. Will you donate the gift card to a church, a family in need, ...etc
This giveaway will end on June 5th and the winner will be announced on June 6th

**Pampers is providing me a $50 Visa Gift Card at no cost to participate in this challenge and they are providing the prize winner with their Gift Card at no cost as well. **

*Winner of Purex:   Bonnie!   Email me so I can get your coupon on the way!

Purex

I am a Purex Insider and that means that I get to sample products for them and share my opinions and info with others.   I love that!   Sharing my opinions and telling others about great stuff....one of the things I love best!!  So...I want to share with you about Purex with Zout  washing detergent and Purex Complete Crystals fabric softener! They are awesome!   I am really digging the Crystals fabric softener!   It is so cool to pour little crystals into your washing machine!   YOU will love it too!   I have ONE coupon good for a FREE BOTTLE to give to one lucky reader of The Queen of My House!   Just leave a comment telling me your favorite thing about laundry!   HA!   Surely you have one...mine is the SMELL!

Update on Phoebe...

Awhile back when I had my DAY OF FAME...I included a picture of my new love, my sweet little dog...Phoebe!  Several people were curious what she would look like as she grew.   Now that she is about 6 months old...I thought I would share a picture of her.   This was taken a week ago when the boys decided to take her on a ride around the house on the Gator.   Looks like she was loving it!  

 Here is a close up of those little boys that have me wrapped around their little fingers! 

Sorry no giveaways announced yesterday....T-Ball is keeping us busy as bees!  

Come on!

Ok...I have been a little busy!   My hubby had a BIG birthday yesterday...I am now married to a 40 year old!   HA!   We had planned him a HUGE surprise party and now that is over, so I have several posts coming.   I have many reviews, and some sweet giveaways!   Be on the look out for SEVERAL posts on the same day...hopefully some this evening when I get home!   But...I want to give ONE MORE WEEK for you all to have a chance to win the cool birthday prizes for MY BIRTHDAY MONTH!   Since you din't quite make it, I will extend it through this SUNDAY in honor of my HUBBY!   So...tell your friends!   Blog about it, tweet about it, post it on facebook...I only need 15 more followers and everyone who comments HERE will be entered for the GREAT prizes!   What are you waiting for?  

START SPREADING THE NEWS!  

15 to go....

 15 followers to go...

to giveaway the fabulous prizes! 

 Come on...

SPREAD THE WORD!  

If you are confused as to what I am talking about, CLICK HERE to get in on the giveaway! 

God's Promise For Boys

 I am way behind in reviewing God's Promises for Boys by Jack Countryman and Amy Parker. I have used this book many times but have not taken the time to review it due to many things going on in my life!
This is a cute little book that is perfect for my little boys! They loved every page in it and learned many valuable lessons from reading it! It is such an uplifting and inspiring little book.   It is a great go-to book when you need to reinforce a lesson to your children. I recommend getting this book for anyone who has little boys!

I am so glad I was able to review this for Book Sneeze...

Home Ec 101

I got to review a chapter of the book Home Ec 101.   It seems that it would be a neat little book to own.

 Home-Ec 101: Skills for Everyday Living by Heather Solos.

Inside the fun to read book, there are four main sections. Section 1 – Clean it. Section 2 – Wash it, Section 3 – Fix it and Section 4 – Cook it. Within each section is a wealth of information invaluable for todays living. Life skills for everyday living. How to be frugal by cleaning, fixing or learning to cook better, is all explained in the joyful easy to understand writing of Home-Ec 101.

I think I will probably purchase the book just to see what else is in it!   It has many helpful tips that everyone can use!   Check it out for yourself!



I was able to review this by being a member of the One2One Network! I did not receive any payment for my comments and opinions.

Great Giveaways Going On...

I wanted to share with you about some great giveaways going on out in blogland!   Well...actually I was a little selfish and thought about NOT sharing so I could have a better chance...but my love for my royal readers won out over my selfishness!   Thank goodness for you! Here are a few that I am loving right now!
1.   My dear blogging buddy, Natalie, is having a big week of giveaways!   She always totally rocks with her giveaway extravaganzas!   Check her out and send her some love!   Tell her the Queen sent you!

2.  Shasta Anne is having a HUGE giveaway:   up for grabs is a $100 gift card to Forever 21 and a $100 gas card!   Who doesn't need that right now?

3.   The lovely, Southern Belle is giving away a darling jewelry board!   I sure could use one (or several) of these!   Check it out!  

Good luck!   Let me know if any of you are the lucky winners!   Have a GREAT Thursday! 

And....don't forget about the two great prizes up for grabs in MY giveaway!   

Help me spread the word about it

MY birthday...YOU get a present!!!

Hey y'all!   Today is my birthday!   I hope you all have had a great day!   Our high school suffered some roof damage yesterday evening due to high winds so both schools were closed for the students today!   Teachers had to go in and clean our rooms and have meetings...but hey...the kids got a break!   I told everyone it was nice to have school cancelled because of my birthday!!! :)

My boys have treated me pretty good today for my big day!   They both gave me my birthday spankings...plus one to grow on!   OUCH!   They said they wished I would have gotten to have a party like theirs...they suggested Hello Kitty!   Gotta love them!

Well...on to the PRESENT...not mine...yours!    I mentioned before that I am now a consultant for Just Jewelry™   I am so loving this company!   The jewelry is awesome!   I am proud to be a part of it!   I would love to tell any of you more about it or for any of you to make up a catalog order or if you are local...you could host an open house!   Check out  my website:  I am just so excited about it!   So excited...in fact...that I want to give you all a special piece in honor of my birthday!  

Here is how it will work...I am getting closer and closer to 500 followers!   (GASP)   It makes me very happy and excited!   I need YOUR help to get there!   SO...all need you to do is to tell everyone about this giveaway, my blog, my craziness, etc....whatever will get them here or remind everyone I am here! 

*  For an entry to this giveaway...leave a comment telling me you are a public follower of my blog!   

*  For everyone that comments as a new follower & mentions you sent them...you get another entry!   

*  Leave a comment telling me you "like" me on facebook...another entry! 

You could get so many entries if you spread the word right!   I am leaving the giveaway open until the end of the month...hey...an girl needs to celebrate all she can!   So...blog about it,...tweet it...share it on facebook.  

Now that you know HOW to win...here is WHAT you win...

These are hostess exclusive pieces...I wear them both so much and get so many compliments!   Oh...you noticed there are TWO items!   Yes...there will be TWO winners!   The first named drawn will get their choice and the second will receive the other item!   You will both be winners either way!   So....START SPREADING THE NEWS!!!  I expect lots of comments...and especially all of my LOCAL friends who READ this...ENTER...do not be too embarrassed or shy to enter...good grief...you cannot win if you do not enter!   I love to hear from everyone!!!   Happy Birthday to me...and YOU!!!