A thing of beauty...

I wanted to share a product that Hunky Hubby and I just installed in our home. On the recommendation of our friend - Jake Mason - we made the plunge to purchase a Levolur Cordless Cellular Shade in the color of Sand. Both of them went to Lowe's last night and picked it up...and as easy as I throw in a load of laundry, Jake and Hunky Hubby had the old one out and new shade installed!

Today, the house is much cooler and we are now able to watch television during the day. The house we are renting was built in the 1940's so not the most perfect design placement of the big picture window. The window is fully exposed in the early afternoon sun all the way till the sun sets. The sun just pours in the window which in the summer is not something you want when it is 105 out. My house at one time would run as high as 90 degrees inside. Now it is a beautifully cool 71...RIGHT NOW and it is almost 90 degrees outside! And we watched some television this morning with no sitting in a weird angles to see the screen due to a glare on the screen!

I am pleased as punch that I...no WE have a wonderful, wise friend as Jake Mason! What a blessing that man is to our little family! Jake we love you and are blessed to call you our friend, thanks for helping us!
Much Love,

Here's our wishlist for camping gear...

Here are a few things I have put on a wish list for the Haas's. Since everyone has an opinion about what works best for them...I, too have some opinions now too. The last camping trip has opened our eyes to what we would like our camping trip to be like...and comfort and convenience is what we are looking for. And the first place we started is with the grill. Jim and I both agreed if your going to do it...then do it right. We are not big fans of Coleman (smaller stoves)...don't get me wrong it's all right and most people use this brand. But again, as our opinion goes we want something with a lot more power and space. Those small Coleman stoves won't cut it for us. We plan on camping with a usual group of 4-6 people and we need some cooking power and space. The last camping trip...it took forever to cook things and then once you did one thing you had to set it off to the side (or by the fire to keep warm). We want to be able to do dual items without our food getting cold. Here is what we are saving our pennies for (because if you know us...we don't do credit...only cash). We think this unit ROCKS!

Now we know some peeps will be poop-pooing us on our selection, due to their love for the Coleman stove. They can keep it(just poking the bear for those who use the Coleman...still have love for those peeps)...this is the Camp Chef 3 burner Big Gas Grill III. And this baby has some power and will really be an asset for the Haas's crew!

Next item up is this kick-butt grill/griddle combo. It has room on it for some serious Q'ing and griddling (Jim's kick-ass pancakes). Again...big and roomy so we can get more done so we are not serving ONE person at a time...geesh! that was a chore! This is called Camp Chef Reversible Grill/Griddle combo. Heck YA!

And I think buying a higher quality cooler is a must. I know most people (and us included) think a cooler is a cooler. Alas, I have now changed my mind...it's allowed folks!! I want to invest in a great cooler. And according to Consumer Reports this cooler keeps ice solid for 2 days straight...heck ya baby! If kept our ice solid for 2 days straight...which to me is great, then no more worries about soggy food or worrying if food gets water logged. And through my research I discovered this cooler...The YETI TUNDRA 45 Quart Cooler. Now they do have smaller sizes, which is excellent if you are camping with a smaller crowd or want things in two or three coolers. Our thinking is everything in ONE cooler saves on space. I have done alot of research on all our camping gear on our wish list. Through Consumer Reports and Camping Digest and through personal experience. We are putting money way as I type, so we can start purchasing our gear. But the rule stands...don't have the cash for it...then we just have to wait to get it!

(a view looking over the Russian Gulch...we love this area!)

It will be a slow process as Jim and I are not one's who do everything on credit cards as others do. We are strictly a cash couple. Better budget and better credit. Now of course that is us, but for the 2 years we have been doing that...we let's just say are kicking butt on staying on our budget and our credit scores are gaining momentum. We have all been hit with financial woes, some more than others. For Jim, who works for the state we took a hit in the paycheck. When that happened we decided right then and there...we would tightened up our belts BIG TIME! We paid off our credit cards and started to chip away at college dept. It has been a slow process and at times we both get frustrated that we can't just go out and buy...buy as some others. But our choices have given us some financial breathing room.

And now that I have been reintroduced to camping again, I feel that this would be a cheaper route to enjoy this great state and get some time away with friends. And a cheaper vacation. Without forking over big money for tickets to events or hotels, etc. Jim and I have some friends who have showed us how easy and fun camping can be...(well...some of the time, it can't be perfect every minute...can it??) and that with a little bit of an investment the gear pays for it's self in the end.

So...Happy Trails friends...and I am even going to suggest that EVERYONE give tent camping a try! Or if you have an RV, get out there and enjoy this great state!
Much Love,

Camping at Salt Point State Park

On the road, off to my first camping trip in years! This is little Kyra and Aiden listening to a movie! Kids did great for a 3 hour trip. Laura and I not so good...road was super curvy and both got a bit car sick! But we soon perked up!
First camping trip for me since...well I am not even sure! Let's just say it has been years, after several horrible trips in the past, I stopped going. My hunky hubby loves camping so I thought I would give the ol'college try once more. I did and survived. We stayed here; Salt Point State Park. Not bad...we camped in the forest, surrounded by beautiful tall pines, during the day you could here the wind in the top of the pines. This was not a campsite with all the frills but it had some good things! This campsite had flushing toilets (and if anyone knows me...that my friends is a plus!) and we were close. No showers but I just did my hair in the sink...freezing water but it was refreshing!! We stayed 2 nights and 3 days. Friday really was just getting settled in and dealing with some hiccups. Saturday was far better. Ray and Gail made a kick butt omelet from breakfast! Which really hit the spot! Then as a group took off to go to Shell Beach. But the littlest camper pooped out before we got there, so I stayed and watched Kyra so the others could enjoy the beach! Hunky hubby did a great job snapping photos so I could feel as if I was there,too. The weather the whole weekend never reached over 75 and it was glorious! I loved being with my hunky hubby and watching him in his element. Who surprised me the most was our friend Gail...she is the happiest camper I have met! She just gets in there and knows what needs to be done! I didn't know this is so up her alley! Gail is truly happiest when camping...she is so in her element!








It was wonderful to sit around the fire pit at night and catch up with our friends. Hearing their dreams and views on things was probably the best part. Saturday night was Hunky hubby and I's turn to cook din-din and it was truly yummy! Boneless Country Pork spareribs with BBQ sauce and Corn/Asparagus/grape tomato salad. And brownies for dessert (store bought unfortunately). And I don't have pics of the visitors we had in camp at night. But they were bold and masked and very, very quiet! We had left on a lantern and they still came to our table and climbed up to check out if we left a snack! One was a pretty blond raccoon and several decided to raid the trash bin behind us and get the party started! It was awesome to see these critters up close...but not that close!


And we even had fun with Aiden (the sweetest little camper!), she had gotten her pants a bit wet at Shell Beach so Daddy figured a way to get them dry...on the Marshmallow roasting fork! Great idea and Aiden agrees!


Overall, a fun trip for Hunky Hubby and I. Great Friends, great food, and fantastic memories! I can say I am ready for another coastal camping trip soon. Thanks to our darling friends The Mason's for planning it and booking it!
Much Love,

If you want to wow the Wedding crowd...do this!

There is two ladies at work that are getting married in Aug/Sept and Oct. And it just hit me...they should do something totally ORGINAL! Something like this! Especially Amy and Rick! Love ya ladies! Have fun coming up with your first dances! But thought I would try to help you out...(lol) HINT! make sure you watch it ALL the way through...it is so worth it!
Much Love,

Life's a bowl of cherries...

Did I tell you all, how much I LOVE cherries!!! Well, I do! I love how perfect they are and how deep red they can get. I love how great they look in a crisp white bowl. And love they way they taste. I use them in decorating and in crafting! I love cherries as much as I do cupcakes! And a cupcake with a cherry on top...well let's just say...I think that is the bee's knees!

My BFF sent me a message through facebook that really made me think. My very first post of 2010 is all about the doom and gloom in my life. How sad and maybe not very good reading. I suppose I use blogging as therapy for me, so I jot down how I am feeling that day. And yesterday was 'I need everyone to know that life as been rough but we are adapting and coping!' After reading my BFF's message, I find myself thinking about the small things that make me happy...and a bowl of cherries makes me pretty darn happy.

My BFF, which by the way her name is Adrien...and yes, that is how she spells her name. I know....even that her name spelling makes me happy. It's different and suits her like a cute outfit! Maybe that's why we are besties, because we both have fabulous spelled names...me, RobYn (with a Y instead of the normal i) and her, Adrien (with an E instead of the normal A). Or that she reminds me that it is the simple things in my life that are good...truly good. Yes, there have been some really great things that have happened to Jim and I...and it was those simpler times she reminds me of. Adrien and I still do our MYSTERY trips. It all started in 2006 and now we are in 2010 and still going strong! I think it brings the creative sides out of both of us. And we have yet, to double up yet! And most of them are BRAND new to us. Go figure, lived here (Sacramento) most of my life and still discovering new places and things to see and do.



My scrap booking makes me extremely happy as does my altering things. And I must say...I am one of a few friends who has their own CRAFT room...and it's done in ALL PINK! It is a completely happy room. It makes me smile every time I am in there...wish I could be in there more!

I am learning new things from a bunch of talented women in my 'inner' circle! From my Cosmic Twin - Robin! Who is my alternate method guru, she is a herbalist and a damn good one. She has helped us all with trying a more natural approach to our health. Jim SWEARS by her as I do! (a little secret...if you live in town and want to talk to her...she works at Nugget up in El Dorado Hills...look her up, promise you will not be disappointed!). The one in our group who is just a sweety...Laura, will give you the world! She is always putting others needs before her own, and for doing that she has a heart of gold!! She helps some of us put on fundraisers for some of our non-profit organizations. Laura has taken into 2 little girls (who are sisters) who needed a wonderful home...without hesitation! We all rely on her for expert advice in the area of scrap booking. She is the one who wears her heart on her sleeve and for all to see...she is our heart! And Anca, who is one of the wisest woman I have known. She has taught me much in the few years I have known her. She said something today that I found very profound..." we can't pick our families, but we can pick our friends. The friend's that are in my life are there because I have chosen them. They are my CHOSEN family." She lived in a Communist country for years and finally escaped and to see life through her eyes is invigorating!



So, friends my bestie is right...I should talk more about the simple good things in my life...I have much to be thankful for...much!
Much Love,

Once upon a time....

...in a far away place. Hello, my darling blogger friends and family! It has been ages, as much as I wish I was truly writing this in a far away place, I am not. I sit in a new rental house in an old neighborhood I grew up in as a girl. I wish I could fill your heads with all types of loveliness, like fairies and unicorns, but alas, I can not. Life for the Haas's has been a bit rough. Our rental in Elk Grove was foreclosed on...and we had no idea that our landlord was not paying his mortgage. Ultimately, we had to move, and move very quickly. We had a hell of a time finding a place due to having Glacier. We forged ahead, found a considerably smaller duplex that took our beloved Glacier.



And on that note, our darling boy has had some issues since we moved in. Not as much room as our 1700 sq.ft. home in Elk Grove. We are in a 1200sq.ft. duplex so, for our big boy he has had to adapt. And since we are a family of adaptors, he did just that. Happy??? Hmmmm....probably not as much, but you know canines, happy till the end. We also found a mass on his left flank, and we are saving our pennies to get him to the vet. And that is another story, no worries, I shall bring that up as well. He also has been having some digestive issues since moving in...so really have to get him in sooner than later. And as always, we shall.



Now, on to Jim and I. Yes, we are still together...yes it is still a struggle to maintain the sexiness, romance in our relationship, since Jim only comes home a few days a week. And sometimes a few times a month. Not going to sugar coat it...it's hard, very hard. But, there are women who have husbands serving this great nation of ours and see them two times a year!!! And then to add to our stresses, the State wants to not only take and keep the 15% off their checks but now Arnold has suggested that Peace Officers go to federal minimum wage!!! Are you kidding me??? We are barely keeping our heads above the water line as I type...now this! When I tell Jim to throw in the towel...he takes me in his arms and kisses me tenderly and says "hon...we have come through worse storms than this!" Referring to my bouts of cancer. He is right, those were some dark, dark times for us...for me.

During the next few months hopefully there will be some crafting and funny stories and just us enjoying life again. I can say though, it feels wonderful to be blogging again! Love it! I have missed you all something awful and can't wait to jump in and read up on what's been going on with you all! I can't believe I have been away a little over a year! Love to you all!
Much love,

Things are really rough right now...

It has been ages since I have been on here to blog...oh how I miss it. Unfortunately, Jim and I have been hit with major finance issues. Since, Jim works for the State, Arnie has cut the Correctional Officers pay to the point where it put us in a hole! Slowly, with me working ALOT of 12 hour shifts and tightening up our belts alot more holes we are making it out of our pinch.

But, most importantly, I wanted to put this message her for the two people who have won gift cards from me. That will happen, trust me, my word is my bond. I have one already just need the 2ND and last one. To Junie and Kimm, I am truly sorry that it has taken me this long to send out, but this finance thing hit us fast and with such force, we didn't realize how much we were going to hurt. Excuses aside, we are very much on the way UP. And soon so will those cards be out the door. Thank for being so very patient with me and hope you can except 'my sorry' for the delay in your winnings. I feel horrible about the delay.

For, family and friends, Jim and I are pushing through. With the love of God and lots of prayer and hope, we are making it. There was a few months there that Jim and I had to step back and reevaluate US. Take a break, if you will. It is astonishing to me how money can really send people reeling with emotions. But, again, we are pushing through. We are working on talking more and making the most of our time together, when we are together. We send out love and hugs to all of our wonderful blogging community and family and friends! I will be back very soon! I promise!
Love,