to my Verizon friends...

I found out something today that I thought I would pass on to all of you so that if (hopefully not when) you need this you will know what to do.

This morning I received a picture message that was COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE. After being completely shocked and upset, I didn't know what to do but I knew that I didn't want to receive anymore pictures like that. I didn't want to have picture messaging taken away because I get the most adorable photo's of my nieces and nephews sent to me that way. Last week one of the ladies I work with mentioned during lunch that she was getting crazy text messages and was texting back that they had the wrong number (she is not a Verizon customer) and she called her company to find out if they could block the number and they could only block texting all together. So I called Verizon to see what my options were. Turns out that if you have Verizon you can log on to manage your account and block specific numbers. Go to My Verizon, then Messaging, then Text Messages on the left in red click on Preferences and then you get text blocking and you can enter up to 15 numbers, emails, or domains. It will stay blocked for 3 months... I also asked and if you have the number blocked the sender does receive a message back that tells them the message was denied.

Anyway I hope that none of you have to receive inappropriate picture messages, but if you do and you have Verizon...I hope I helped you out.

Tickets anyone!!

OK, so I will admit I have a bit of a problem. I have such a desire to see the world that I have so many travel emails that I get each week. I open each email and review all of the great deals each Wednesday when the emails arrive. Well...since I passed on such a great find a little while ago I thought I would pass on another one that I have discovered.

It is http://www.ticketsnow.com/ it came on the end of one of my emails a couple of weeks ago. You can get relatively cheap tickets for concerts, sporting events, plays, etc... Since finding this I can now see that paying the $45 for a ticket for an occasional sporting event is for the birds. Check it and see what you can find. I can go to an NBA game where I live for $6!!

Missionaries & Cops...who can enter?

OK...so if you refer to my post from September 4, 2008 you will note that I have an old lady who thinks that her son still lives in the house that I bought over 3 1/2 years ago. Her visits have been getting more and more often. One week she came 5 days in a row and sat outside in her car until 2 am just watching the house.

Since we have an Alzheimer's division at work I asked some of the nurses what they thought. For sure they think that she has some form of dementia and let me know about Adult Protective Services. You can call them and give them all the information and they will check the senior citizen out and make sure that they are receiving the care that they need. So I called in January to give them the information. Unfortunately they can't do anything without a police record. This last Friday when I got home her car was outside but she wasn't in it. I made sure that the house was all locked up and went to the gym. When I returned home she was in her car outside. I called the non-emergency line and they sent an officer over to do a welfare check (basically they will take her home). Of course my luck would have it that she left as soon as I hung up the phone.

Here is where the story gets funny...I ran to take a quick shower and my roommate answered the door when the cops got there. She talked to them at the door for a time, but in the back of her mind she was nervous to invite him in since she was alone in the house. At the same time this was happening I was getting dressed and was hurrying since I knew she was the only one out there and would need to have a "companion" in order for the male cop to enter our home. (YEAH Right!). Anyway she asked him if he could come in...he laughed and said "Oh, I can come in...even if you don't want me to".

Isn't it funny how we had both thought that because she was "alone" that a male couldn't enter the house. After he left we both just laughed when we found out what each of us were thinking. I guess that just goes to show you that my house is filled with good girls.

**as a side note - hopefully the little old lady will get some help soon.

Funny story

So...I have not been one who forgets to do my Visiting Teaching, but lately I am always down to the wire at the end of the month. This last week I realized that it February was almost over. Two excuses...February is a short month, and February is a busy month in my world.

Anyway I have now watched the "10 Virgin's" (by Emily Freeman) play 3 times now, either in play form or a readers Theater. Every time I have seen it I comment on how much I love the music, and how much I would love to have the CD. Well, this time I found them on sale and actually bought 9 of them. I gave them all away so far except 2, which I will preview before I give away...let me tell you why.

Because the month was almost over and we had not yet set up our appointments for Visiting Teaching, I thought I would just drop in my on 3 ladies and give them this CD since I love the music so much. So far 2 of the 3 have called me back letting me know that when they put the CD in their players to listen to it that it was some sort of sales pitch. The packaging: case, cover, photo on the CD and everything would lead one to believe that what they were about to listen to was the "10 Virgins".

I just thought that was a really funny story and I hope that the others who received the gift from me actually got the music, and not a sales pitch :-)

Passing on a great find

So I have always been under the impression that if you find a good deal that you tell people, so that they can enjoy what you have discovered. Today I wanted to tell you about this amazing face powder that I have found. Rare Essentials Blemish Therapy (I bought it at Ulta).

It is not necessarily the cheapest powder that you can get but let me tell you about the wonders that it does. I bought it about 3 1/2 months ago, I had plans for the weekend and wanted to look my best. I woke up on Thursday and had a 3rd eye in the middle of my cheek (aka a large blemish!). I was extremely distraught and needed to find out how to get rid of it fast. When I got to work I was telling one of my co-workers about it and she suggested that on my way home I stop at Ulta and pick this powder up. I did and started applying it to the blemish as soon as I got home. Surprisingly it took a very small amount of powder and I could see that this one container was going to last me some time. Anyway I took the powder with me everywhere on Friday (basically that means work). I applied the powder every couple of hours and to my great surprise the blemish went away in less than 24 hours! It was like a miracle and I have since used this on occasion and the results hold true. I can't figure out what the special ingredient is that makes the blemish "change its mind" and go away, but I am thinking that it is sulfur.

Anyway I just wanted to share that tid bit of information with you so if you happen to have something come up you too might be able to run to Ulta and pick some up. Also...I really think that this container will last me at least a year if not two.

Valentines & doing what St. Valentine would have done

This year for Valentines Day I had a wonderful experience. Rather than think inwardly as it is so easy to do. I wondered what could be done to help someone else (please see my post on January 7, 2009 entitled "In True Form" in the 5th paragraph...). It may be the first time ever that I have actually followed a New Years "Resolution" for very long.

So for Valentine's Day we made 4 bundles of fresh flowers, purple tulips and white daisies. After they were all wrapped up in plastic bags to keep them fresh - homemade Valentine cards were attached to them with bright colored ribbons. Then we started out on our visits. Our first 2 stops were to couples. Our last 2 stops were to some wonderful widows. They were so happy to receive the beautiful flowers and to have visitors. We spent nearly 30 minutes with each of them and talked about whatever they wanted. We talked about a myriad of things, from fishing in Montana, to how they met, to being in the service in California, why or how they ended up living in Arizona, and the places they had been during their lives. It was so nice to be able to be there and listen to their stories.

I had such a wonderful time visiting them and spreading a little Valentine's day cheer!!