The wonderful world of Holly Stock

I am happy to say that I am now an affiliate with Pick your Plum.

2012-02-06T11:31:00.000-08:00

Check out this wonderful, inexpensive site where you can get wonderful products for your self or your business at 63% off of regular priced items elsewhere.

http://www.pickyourplum.com/?a=1216

Check them out today. You will be so glad you did.

I have ordered many of their items and have always been 100% satistifed. The shipping is speedy as well. Enjoy

November is National Diabetes awareness Month

2011-11-04T22:30:00.000-07:00

My lovely husband wrote this article about our little 6 year old insulin diabetic child. I wanted to share it with all of you. I also wanted to keep it for down the road to have Bradley read it.

One cold January morning I was woken up by the bed shaking. No, it was not an earthquake, it was my five year old son seizing in the bed. I was sleeping with him that night and his blood sugar had gone too low. I put him on his side and ran down the hall to grab the cake frosting and a phone to call 911. The seizure seemed to go on forever. It seemed like an eternity as I listen to first the siren on the fire truck get louder and then the ambulance as it approached our house that morning. My wife held our five year old in a chair in our living room as the medical and fire personnel entered our house and surrounded him. I scrambled to get dressed and put on my slip on shoes as a fire fighter grabbed my son and carried him out of the house with a blanket wrapped around him. His shirt was taken off and draped over the fence on the way out to the ambulance. I looked into the back of the ambulance and I saw the dazed and confused look of my son as they hooked him up to all kinds of wires and put in an IV. My heart was beating a thousand beats per minute as I jumped into the back of the ambulance. I was still in shock at that point as the doors of the ambulance closed and I told my wife that I would call her when I got to the hospital, not knowing the outcome. The seriousness of the situation and reality of it hit about a mile down the road as the paramedic called in over the radio, "We have a five year old child who has experienced a diabetic seizure and we are five minutes out." I maintained my composure until after they immediately rolled him into the bay in the ER and started to talk with the nurse and then the river of tears flooded my eyes. I was so exhausted from the trip the day before to see his doctor and medical team in Sacramento. I had fallen to sleep before I checked him in the late evening and early morning hours before the seizure. That experience was just this past January of this year. In June my wife found him passed out in the backyard and had to administer his emergency shot to revive him. She called 911 and they told my wife that she was the "expert" and we knew if we needed medical personnel and assistance.

We try hard to be positive and upbeat regarding the diabetes and never give up hope of a cure. We focus on the management of it, but don't let it consume us. We focus on our family and not the drastic change and impact this has made on our family. We are thankful for the days where the blood sugar is in range and ask the Lord for his strength and wisdom on the harder days. It is a tough disease and a diabetic emergency can sneek up on you in a heartbeat!

In honor of National Diabetes Month in the month of November and to the millions of families impacted by this disease. Know the signs of diabetes:

Taken from:

http://diabetes.about.com/od/symptomsdiagnosis/p/Symptoms.htm

Frequent trips to the bathroom:

Are you visiting the bathroom much more lately? Does it seem like you urinate all day long? Urination becomes more frequent when there is too much glucose in the blood. If insulin is nonexistent or ineffective, the kidneys can't filter glucose back to the blood. They become overwhelmed and try to draw extra water out of the blood to dilute the glucose. This keeps your bladder full and it keeps you running to the bathroom.

Unquenchable Thirst:

If it feels like you can't get enough water and you're drinking much more than usual, it could be a sign of diabetes, especially if it seems to go hand in hand with frequent urination. If your body is pulling extra water out of your blood and you're running to the bathroom more, you will become dehydrated and feel the need to drink more to replace the water that you are losing.

Losing Weight without Trying:

This symptom is more noticeable with Type 1 diabetes. In Type 1, the pancreas stops making insulin, possibly due to a viral attack on pancreas cells or because an autoimmune response makes the body attack the insulin producing cells. The body desperately looks for an energy source because the cells aren't getting glucose. It starts to break down muscle tissue and fat for energy. Type 2 happens gradually with increasing insulin resistance so weight loss is not as noticeable.

check out this fun giveaway that http://megduerksen.typepad.com/whatever/

2011-09-14T09:20:00.000-07:00

what a fun giveaway that Meg over at http://megduerksen.typepad.com/whatever/
is doing. Check out her blog and enter her fun Glidden paint giveaway.

Recipe for Homeade Laundry Detergent

2011-07-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

I keep hearing all these negative things about laundry soap and all the gross additives that are included. I became curious on how it would be to make my own laundry soap. So far, so good.

I want to share this easy peasy recipe with all of you. It smells good, lasts a long time and you would have to worry about all the additives! Problem solved!! ;)

You will need 4 simple ingredients that you can find all at Wal-mart.

Here it goes

One bar of Fels-Naptha soap. (Buy a couple bars cause the other products below will last forever and if you buy 3-5 bars you won't have to run out for more in a few months)

One box of Borax

One box of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda

One box of Oxi Clean

One 5 Gallon Bucket

Fill the bucket with 3 Gallons of water. Cut up your soap, nice and small and melt it on the stove in a quart or two of boiling water (taken from the bucket). Add 1/2 cup of Borax and 1 Cup of the Washing Soda to the bucket and add the water full of the melted soap, stir, cover with a lid and the next day you will have a HUGE amount of gel like goo. If it's runny you can stir it a bit.

Simply use a detergent scoop and enjoy your clean clothes. I use a big scoop for just about any size load. This stuff lasts forever.

Enjoy

Christmas Wreaths

2010-11-08T11:57:00.001-08:00

Ohhh it has been too long since I last blogged. I have been keeping busy with making my ornament wreaths for Christmas. here are the latest and the greatest:

We got a new pup!!!!

2010-06-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

For several weeks my boy Bradley has been asking us for a weenie dog. He had told me he wanted to name her "squishy". I thought that was such a sweet request, we couldn't deny him that.

I had been searching online for one and had scoured the local shelters for one. When we went to Haven Humane yesterday to look, we saw our soon to be new pup! She was in the first cage and it was like she was meant to be. We loved her from the second we saw her!!

She is 1 year old. Part Daschund and part Chihuahua. Weighing 9 pounds.

She is a keeper!! She slept through the night, she is house broken, goes everywhere in the car and reminds me of an aardvark!!

The boys love her and she loves them!! Michael also loves her. She slept all night nestled next to him.

I am so thankful at how much joy an animal can bring to a home!! We have 3 other dogs. So far they all like each other. IT was a match made in heaven. ;)

being featured

2010-06-08T13:55:00.001-07:00

So today while checking in on my Etsy shop, I got a fun convo from http://www.etsy.com/shop/lovestitched and I was pleasantly suprised.

She is going to be featuring my trio mustache mug set on her blog this coming friday June 11th. It is called "find it on Friday Etsy" and the theme is mustaches!

Im very excited. This will be the first time one of my items has been featured on a blog. Be sure and come back on Friday and check it out!

Hope the rest of your week is dandy! ;)

xoxo Holly

Noah's Ark : Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark .

2010-05-15T21:23:00.000-07:00

ONE: Don't miss the boat.
TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat!
THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
FOUR: Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
FIVE: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
SIX: Build your future on high ground.
SEVEN: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
EIGHT: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
NINE: When you're stressed, float awhile.
TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
ELEVEN: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

This was posted on the SacKidDiabetes group that I am a member of by one of the ladies of the group. I love it!

MOMMY LIKE DEALS

2010-05-06T09:10:00.000-07:00

oh yeah., my kind of garage sale LOL

I miss that day!!!

2010-05-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

This was written by my husband Michael. I thought it was so well written. I am putting it in my blog, so that one day we can share our thought about his diabetes with him.

I miss the day that my boy Bradley did not have diabetes. Yes, we are coping and overall doing well with managing his blood sugars. There are still those times that we don't give him enough insulin and his blood sugar is high. There are also those times where he has an insulin reaction and goes really low. It is a routine now...test his sugar...count his carbs, give him insulin. It is a constant juggling act for Holly and I. So he is out in the yard in the middle of playing or helping me wash cars last night...and he says the magical words....i'm hungry...i'm thirsty....i'm tired. Usually the "I'm hungry" or "i'm tired" are signs of low blood sugar....and "I'm thirsty" is a high blood sugar. At that point I grab the boys and march into the house to get the test meter and grab for snacks. Most parents would not be alarmed with these words, but to us these are the warning signs along the road that express danger. Bradley is very good at communicationg how he is feeling....I love being corrected, "Daddy...I told you I was low".

It is the never ending cycle of giving him insulin to bring the high blood sugars down and counteracting the insulin with snacks, because the insulin sometimes drives the blood sugar too low. Some days are perfect where you find the right balance...other days you either fight highs or lows all day. Some nights are smooth...and he is in just the right range. Other nights, he is low, so you have to wake him up and give him some source of sugar to raise the blood sugar. I hate those nights because you have to wake him from his sleep...he becomes combative because the blood sugar is too low. The other night the dog was barking at 3 am, so I woke up and checked Bradley and he was low. I was able to wake him and get the blood sugar up. Some how you get this feeling that everything is not alright. Even when he is awake, you can read the signs to know he has a low blood sugar. It is amazing how quickly his blood sugar will shoot up like a rocket without insulin once he eats something.

I just miss the day when his childhood was innocent and we did not have the routine and anxiety associated with this disease. It is manageable, but it is still hard because it is your child, that you see going through it. He is healthy and with routine insulin shots and blood testing, he can lead a normal childhood and life.

Brad's first lost tooth!!!!!

2010-05-03T21:01:00.001-07:00

Our oldest son, Bradley Michael turned 5 in April. The same month as his birthday one of his front, bottom teeth became loose. He was kind of nervous and excited at the same time. I noticed that the tooth behind the one that was lose, was already starting to pop through the gums. I left it alone for several days, and just thought it would become more loose as time went on.

Last night, we were sitting outside having a family bbq and he showed me how it was getting looser. I had the hubs grab a washcloth and I pulled on it a little. Nothing happened. This morning I asked him if we could try and get it out, since it was merely holding on by a thread. I gave it 2 little pulls and out popped the tooth!! hooray.

Wow, it really hit me today that he is growing up quickly!!! He was excited and is looking forward to the "tooth fairy" visit tonight. I had better go and get prepared for the event. ;)

our veggie garden

2010-04-25T22:05:00.000-07:00

This is the second year that my husband has worked on a veggie garden for us. It started last year when I had asked him if he would ever be interested in starting one? We have a lot of property to have a nice size garden, why not try one?

Michael has a good friend that is very good at the vegetable garden. Michael started to ask chuck about it, researched what would grow best in the spring and started one last spring. We bought a green house last year, started all the veggies from seeds. We have an amazing garden for our first one!! Hats off to my husband for all his endeavors.

Each night after Michael gets off work, he gets home around 530pm, changes him clothes and takes the boys out in the garden and works outside, while I make dinner. They are out there til dusk.

It is really neat to watch the boys all work together on our lovely creation! This past weekend my dad had given michael some stakes to put in the for corners of the fencing, so hopefully that will stabilize it a bit better.

Here are a few pics the boys took today. Enjoy!

Jane Austen projects

2010-04-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

So my Etsy shop has been quite slow lately. I really like Jane Austen and Mr.Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. I bought a Jane Austen novel at a friends garage sale and have been cutting it up (of course in a loving manner)and the latest project is with mod podge! That stuff is so cool! Check out the pic frame project that I completed yesterday:
I also bought a bunch of creamy white, ceramic mugs and have been handwritting Mr. Darcy's quotes on them. This past week I sold a set of my coasters and a mug to a daughter whose mom is turning 61! I hope she loves them. ;)

moustache mugs

2010-03-08T23:21:00.000-08:00

I have had these set of stacking mugs and saucers that I had got from World Market. They have been sitting on my counter, collecting dust. I finally decided to do something fun and creative with them. I'm hoping someone will want to give them a new home ♥

take a look at them at the shop: sunnydayz5.etsy.com

Bradley Michael

2010-02-27T21:45:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow will be six months since Bradley was diagnosed and hospitalized with type 1 diabetes. I will never for the rest of my days forget the phone call I received from the Pediatric dr that hot, summer day on August 28. 2009!!

This coming Friday we will go down to Sacramento for his quarterly doctors appointment with his endocrinologist and Pediatric Endocrinology & Nutrition Services (PENS) team appointment at Sutter Memorial Hospital. The team, under the medical direction of a pediatric diabetes/endocrine specialist, is made up of a pediatric diabetic/encocrine nurse specialist, a pediatric nurse practitioner, pediatric diabetes educators, pediatric nutritionists, clinical social workers, an exercise physiologist and pediatric rehabilitation specialists, as needed. These professionals provide comprehensive evaluations and individualized treatment regimens. Working with the child and family, the team oversees ongoing treatment aimed at correcting imbalances.

Michael and I have long ago accepted that Bradley has a chronic condition for the remainder of his life. The main focus has been his day-to-day care. You really can't look much farther than that or you just get overwhelmed and sad. At this point you just have to accept Bradley's condition and look at the positive side of the diagnosis. The positive side is that it was diagnosed in a timely fashion and did not slip into a comma or have a longer stay in the hospital. We have immediate access to a team of the top professionals to help us manage his care. We have access to the supplies and medication needed to care for him and keep him alive, while trying to give him a "normal" childhood and life. Yes, it is a challenging condition and a lot of work to manage it, but it can be managed.

Bradley is doing so well with the multiple insulin injections and blood tests. The insulin pen is working out really well at this point. Maybe at some point he will decide to get an insulin pump, but for now the injections allow quick delivery of insulin, without being tied to a device that is attached to the body at all times. The insulin pen needles are small and do not hurt (Michael and I gave eachother injections last weekend with the pen needles to see how it felt). I think the blood tests...the finger pokes sting and are more painful than the actual injections. It is a balancing act. The insulin injections are given at meal times, then you give snacks in between to compensate for the insulin and activity, so the blood sugars do not come down too much. The insulin is good in that it treats the high blood sugars, but it can also drive the blood sugars down too low, even if you give the right dose. Snacks between meals help balance out the lows caused by the insulin and physical activity. Being active is healthy for both the diabetic and the regular person who does not have diabetes. For the diabetic, physical activity acts like insulin by lowering elevated blood sugars, improving circulation and overall health! It is amazing how when I take Bradley out in the yard to play it lowers his blood sugars.

I'm glad that Bradley is doing well and that we are able to monitor and manage his blood sugars. For the time being Michael and I have been able to keep his blood sugars in a good range.

Bradley Michael- Your mom and dad are so very proud of you. We love you so much and pray for you with this condition each and every day!! Love your buddy! xoxo

oh it has been too long.....

2010-02-26T11:57:00.000-08:00

oh goodness Im embarrassed at how long it has been since I have blogged! My poor blog must feel so neglected!

We have had tons of rain. Last week we had a few days of beautiful sunshine. The boys and I started planting things in the greenhouse. Daddy has been plowing the garden (by hand) and getting things ready to plant. I love all the yummies veggies that come out of our garden. Last year was the first year we decided to have one. It was such a sucess that we decided to have one each year!!

I love the 3 men in my life so much!!!

2009-11-29T23:21:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T13:37:00.000-08:00

I want to wish all of my blog friends a very happy turkey day!! I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful day with your families.
We are having a low key Thanksgiving this year. My mom is going to come over and my sweet husband is going to bbq steak for us. We usually do traditional meal and I cook the fixings and all for my parents. This year is the first we are going to do something a bit different.

After you are stuffed with Turkey and gravy and all the fixings, you should go on over to Tara's blog at:
dandygiveaway.blogspot.com

Have a happy day

ornament exchange

2009-11-11T12:29:00.000-08:00

Ornament Exchange
What a fun idea this is! I know it's last minute but I just found out about this and wanted to pass it along. I have already signed up and hope that you do too. Just click on the picture to sign up.

Christmas wreath goodness

2009-10-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

I have been having a lot of fun making my Christmas wreaths. So far I have sold 2 of them. Both of them went to out of town friends. I hope they are enjoying their wreaths as much as I enjoy making them.

I have a craft show in Cottonwood, Ca this Friday and I am hoping that I sell some of them. I know it is a bit early for Christmas, but I am hopeful a few sell! Wish me the best!!

I am currently working on 2 orders for a lady in Fremont, Ca.

Here are a few pics of the recent ones I have made.

more to come......

My newest creation....

2009-09-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

Our oldest son Bradley

2009-09-21T22:43:00.000-07:00

On August 28, 2009, Bradley was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at four years old. We rushed down to Sacramento that Friday evening and spent the entire weekend in the hospital. He was in the pediatric intensive care unit for a day and a half and a regular room through that Monday. Talk about a shock and a crash course in diabetes education!

One day you have what you believe is a perfectly healthy little boy and then the next he is very sick with elevated blood sugars and being diagnosed with Type I (insulin dependent) diabetes. For some reason his body attacked his pancreas and his body does not produce insulin on its own. The past three weeks have been challenging, with the ups and downs...a balancing act of giving him enough snacks, insulin and testing him multiple times per day and at bed time to make sure he is at the correct level and then compensating if he is not. I do the majority of his testing as Michael at work during the week.

The part that is hard to take is that he will be insulin dependent the remainder of his life...it will not go away...and he will have to manage it the rest of his life. I like the analogy that diabetes is like a hemorrhoid, it is always there and sometime it flares up! We carry the supply kit with us everywhere....we bring snacks...we come inside for meals. It is an adjustment.

Bradley is a sweet and strong boy! He has been such a good sport with it. He will continue to do well with it. It makes me proud to be his mother. We will continue to do our best to care for him.

Please pray for us. This has been so hard!

It is so HOT in Redding.....

2009-07-30T15:47:00.000-07:00

You know you are in Redding this summer when:

•the birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.
•the potatoes cook underground! All you have to do to have lunch is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.
•farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying hard boiled eggs.
•the cows are giving evaporated milk.
•the trees are whistling for the dogs.
•you no longer associate bridges or rivers with water.
•you can say 113 degrees without fainting.
•you eat hot chilies to cool your mouth off.
•you can make instant sun tea.
•you learn that a seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron.
•when the temperature drops below 95 you feel a bit chilly.
•you’ve experienced condensation on your butt from the hot water in the toilet bowl. {Yes, the water is hot enough that you can feel the heat when you open the lid.}
•you would give anything to be able to splash cold water on your face. {I’ve blogged before about how our “cold” water is really warm.}
•you can attend any function wearing shorts and a tank top.
•the four seasons are: Tolerable, Hot, Really Hot and Are You Kidding Me?
•you discover that in July it only takes two fingers to drive a car.
•you discover that you can get a sunburn through your car window.
•you notice the best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
•hot water now comes out of both taps.
•it’s noon in July, the kids are on summer vacation and not one person is out on the streets.
•you actually burn your hand opening the car door.
•you break a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 AM before work.
•no one would dream of putting vinyl upholstery in a car or not having air conditioning.
•your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, “What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?”
•you realize that asphalt has a liquid state.

I ♥ Jesus

2009-05-19T22:35:00.000-07:00

I love Jesus with my whole heart! There are times when we get a little off track and not so close to Him and yet He still loves us! I love the peace that He gives when we are going through hard times. Seems like the world around us is falling apart and yet He isnt. He is solid as a rock! I love that! Nothing wavers with Him. I love stability and He indeed in my stability. I came across this little verse today while I was online and I love it. I wanted to share it.

When there is too much month left and not enough money and we dont know what we are gonna do. He always seems to pull us through it. I am so thankful and greatful He is such a huge part of my life. I thank my parents for raising me in a godly home where God was a huge part of our lives. I pray that each of you knows Jesus and experiences His many blessings each day! ♥

XO Holly

I got featured in StarvingArtStudent treasury

2009-05-13T10:39:00.000-07:00

Im so excited that I was one of the featured sellers to be in StarvingArtStudent treasury. Check it out if you'd like.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=57763

Check out my etsy shop is your spare time:
sunnydayz5.etsy.com

Have fun and remember every day is a new day to create something beautiful ♥

xoxo Holly

Handmade Train album

2009-05-09T00:44:00.000-07:00

I have not ever made an album from scratch,. Here is my first project in doing so. Both of my boys love trains, so I decided to make a train album. I am very pleased with how it turned out! It took me several hours. Each piece had to be hand cut and placed perfectly on the engine or the freight car.

If you were to choose to put pics in it, you can put approx 7 small ones. There is a small opening on each page for your favorite photo.

I also think this album wood look cute displayed with no pics in it.

I am going to post a few pics of it. ;)

Enjoy

xoxo Holly

wooo hoooo Trader Joes is FINALLY here in town!

2009-05-04T01:54:00.000-07:00

The Grand Opening to our local Trader Joe's was Friday May 1st.

It was a zooooooo there. Here are some fun pics!

Oh, I am so excited we have one now! I have been waiting for yearsssssss for one to come to come to Redding! It just makes me smile and feel so happy when I am in there shopping!!
Oh man I am rammbeling, I need to go to bed!
G'night
xoxo Holly

Yay I was posted in another treasury on Etsy

2009-03-13T22:35:00.000-07:00

Check it out if youd so desire:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=46007

10 worst foods for 2009!!

2009-03-13T22:26:00.000-07:00

From an astonishing amount of calories to several days' worth of fat in one meal to over the top levels of sodium, this is one place you don’t want to see any of your favorite foods. Every year, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) comes up with its list of the Top Ten Worst Foods and I always look forward to it. Once in awhile I find out I’ve enjoyed one of the “worsts” (and stop immediately!). But this year, I’m happy to report I have not indulged in anything on CSPI’s list for 2009.

1. Pepperidge Farm Roasted White Meat Chicken Premium Pot Pie - There are 510 calories and 9 grams of saturated fat in this baby. Oh wait - that’s just for half a pie. The whole thing has 1020 calories and 18 grams of saturated fat.

2. Romano’s Macaroni Grill Spaghetti and Meatballs with Meat Sauce - This dish will set you back a staggering 2,430 calories and nearly three days’ worth of saturated fat (57 grams) plus 5,290 milligrams of sodium - more calories and saturated fat than two Macaroni Grill Tuscan Rib-Eye steak dinners.

3. Progresso Traditional, Vegetable Classics, and Rich & Hearty soups - Half a can averages more than half of a person’s daily quota of salt. Instead, CSPI says try Progresso’s Health Favorites reduced-sodium soups with up to 50 percent less salt. Also, see: Hidden sodium in foods you wouldn't think to check.

4. Dove Ice Cream - A half cup has about 300 calories and an average of 11 grams of saturated fat - that’s half-a-day’s worth of the bad stuff. You may be better off with these 5 frozen treats under 100 calories.

5. The Cheesecake Factory Chris’ Outrageous Chocolate Cake - It’s layers of chocolate cake, brownie, toasted coconut pecan filling, and chocolate chip coconut cheesecake. CSPI found each five-inch-high slice weighs three-fourths of a pound and has 1,380 calories, 32 teaspoons of sugar, 33 grams of saturated fat and 5 grams of trans fat. Yikes!

6. Smoothie King’s Grape Expectations II - It’s one of Smoothie King’s “Snack Rights” with 550 calories in the 20-ounce size and 1,100 calories in the 40-ouncer. Proof that not all smoothies are good for you (but these are).

7. Pop Secret Movie Theater Butter Popcorn Snack Size Bags - Just one snack-size bag has 11 grams of bad fat, 7 of which are trans fats. Instead, CSPI says choose Orville Redenbacher’s Smart Pop or Smart Balance Smart ’N Healthy - both are made with no partially hydrogenated oils. Also, see this review of microwave popcorns from Consumer Reports.

8. The Starbucks Venti (20 oz.) Caffè Mocha with whole milk and whipped cream has 450 calories and 13 grams of bad fat - more like a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in a cup. But you can lose all the bad fat and all but 170 calories if you order a tall (12 oz.) with nonfat milk and no whipped cream.

9. Chipotle Chicken Burrito - With rice, pinto beans, cheese, chicken, sour cream, and salsa, you get 1,040 calories and 16-1/2 grams of saturated fat - the same as three Subway Steak and Cheese 6-inch Subs. Plus the burrito comes with 2,500 milligrams of sodium! Ordering it without cheese or sour cream cuts the saturated fat to 3-1/2 grams, but you still end up with 810 calories and 2,300 milligrams of sodium. Ay Caramba! Here's another burrito that will shock you.

10. Cold Stone Creamery’s Gotta Have It Founder’s Favorite - 12-ounces of ice cream, pecans, brownie pieces, fudge, and caramel adds up to a whopping 1,600 calories and 42 grams of saturated fat. That’s about the same as five single-scoop ice cream cones. And watch out before you have this frozen concoction.

Any surprises? And tell me… have you had any of these

Yay...One of my items got featured in LoveErica's treasury!!!

2009-03-08T01:26:00.000-08:00

Im so excited! My first time someone on Etsy featured one of the items from my shop! woo hooo Erica you rock! thanks xoxo
Click her to see it please:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=45687

My oldest, Bradley Michael...remember he is 3

2009-03-02T16:04:00.000-08:00

My oldest boy Bradley never ceases to amaze me!

The child is smart as a whip! We have taken him to sunday school since he was a week old. Michael and I are both Christians and we pray and talk about the Lord a lot with our kids.

A few weeks ago Brad had asked me "mommy, how does Jesus live in my heart"? So, I explained to him. I know he is only 3, but I know the Lord must give these precious little children a sense of knowledge of Him? I dont know, maybe what we teach Brad is paying off. So anyways he asked Jesus to come into his heart a few weeks ago. He talks about Jesus allll the time! I love it! It makes my heart melt!

I dont know many 3 year olds that are so interested in the Bible and on learning more about Jesus.

We had gone to Michaels this afternoon to get some easter items. On the way home, Brad says "mommy, Jesus saved me, he lives in my heart"! I love it! The little guy talks about him all the time! Brad and I talk about the Lord each day. I love being a christian and am so thankful I was raised in a christian home. Brad is such a kind little boy and he is very well behaved. Brad is not your typical 3 year old. He is way beyond his years. Our pediatrician has even told me that he has a lot of intelligence and is above his age group. Brad is a lot like his father, very patient and kind and has a very gentle spirit.

I pray each and every day for my kids. I am happy to know that Brad has accepted Christ. I know that it is possible that such a young little child can be saved. It just makes my heart sing! Feels like the things we have been teaching our boys is paying off. I love being a mommy, it is so rewarding! I love you Brad. I love Brent too ;)
Love Holly xoxo

♥ ♥ ♥

2009-02-26T22:19:00.000-08:00

I love God - He is an awesome God! He takes good care of me, heals me when i'm sick, comforts me when i'm down, provides for me when I have nothing, loves me for who I am, stays awake with me in the middle of the night when I cant sleep, he closes one door always to open another one, He goes through the valleys & the mountains with me and He forgives me.

I love Michael William - he has been in my life since July 2003. We got married March 27, 2004! Michael isn't just any ordinary hubby. He is caring, loving, sweet, and thoughtful and sometimes he is the only one in this world that understands me! He made 2 beautiful boys with me. He has got such a great personality and can make me laugh when I am having the toughest day! What I love the most about him is his patience. This man has got the patience of job and I love it! I always love how he is always consistant! He provides a wonderful living for me and my boys so I am able to stay home with them and I appreciate all his hard work!

Love ya Babe with all my heart!

I cannot begin to tell you how very excited I am about TRADER JOES coming to Town!!!!!!!!

2009-02-22T10:11:00.000-08:00

Buzz: Trader Joe's to open May 1st
I am so very excited about Traders opening! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that store!!!!
A banner announcing the store's arrival hangs above the front entrance of the Browning Street store. The brick building in the Kohl's shopping center has sat empty for months.
But work inside the store started last week.
Mike Svoboda of West Coast Builders said he plans to hand the store over to Trader Joe's in mid-April. Svoboda built the Trader Joe's in Chico, which opened in December 2005, and has built TJ's in San Jose and San Francisco.
Trader Joe's will start taking job applications the first week of March, Svoboda said. Individuals will be able to pick up applications at the Browning Street store.
Svoboda said TJ's will employ 60 to 70 people. Mochizuki wouldn't comment on the number of employees and declined to talk about the hiring process.
Meanwhile, no topic in this space has gotten more feedback - for better or worse - than Trader Joe's.
The specialty grocer, which has a cultlike following, first appeared in the early days of this column. Former "Buzz" partner Marc Beauchamp and I got phone calls and e-mails all the time about Trader Joe's rumors. They included calls from tipsters telling us the city was bullying TJ's, thus delaying its arrival.
Beauchamp reminded me last week of the amazing reaction former Redding City Manager Mike Warren had to a January 2005 "Buzz" that mentioned TJ's.
Days after the column ran, Warren bolted over to the Record Searchlight to shoot down any notion the city didn't want TJ's.
"It's not true - we're wooing them," Warren said in a follow-up "Buzz" headlined "City manager says Trader Joe's is being wooed, not shooed." Warren even presented a letter he sent to TJ's headquarters in Monrovia.
Here's hoping Warren is there May 1 to celebrate his successful recruitment. Maybe TJ's can give him a free bottle of "Two-Buck Chuck."

I ♥ the sunshine!!!

2009-02-20T16:16:00.000-08:00

After several days of rain. It was so wonderful to see the sunshine today. I definitely pick the sun over the rain anyday! I know we have really needed some rain, so it has been kinda nice. Since today was so beautiful the boys and I decided to go to the sundial bridge! One of our most favorite spot to go and sightsee and walk and we also enjoy collecting treasures along the way! When we got to the bottom of the bridge I decided to just sit down and take as many pictures as I could of the boys! They are growing up so fast!! You put them to bed and the next morning they have changed! I thank God each and every day for such healthy, strong boys! They are my life and my rock! Of course, my hubbs ranks up there pretty high too! :D

First timer

2009-02-15T21:18:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I have never blogged or been one to keep a blog. I thought I could give it a try.
I started selling my homeade cards on etsy for a month now. 2-14-09 was my one month anniversary! yay for me! I love it! I have sold over 30 of my items and each day try and add new things to my page. I use to scrapbook and craft years ago, but once I started having my kids I stopped. I have been back in the sadle of card making and doing my crafts for several weeks and find that it is easiest when my kids are sleeping or down for naps. I have found that it has really helped me get my mind off of things, and just really let my creative juices flow! All of the sweet comments that I have received from others has also really inspired me! Thank you to everyone that has motivated me!