As many of you might know, my beloved shitzu Blake Shelton passed away a couple of weeks ago.  We had him for twelve years.   It was very traumatic and he suffered more than he should on his last night on earth.

I cried for three days.  I couldn't go to work without losing it.  I was irritable and just grief struck.  I couldn't have imagined the loss to be so difficult.  My daughter and a friend of ours suggested that I get a new little puppy.  The new puppy wasn't to replace Blake in any way.  However, it would help me and Greg emotionally 

I began my search for a new puppy.   We wanted to have a baby shitzu.  We loved that breed so much and the love of their owners.   They love to snuggle with you and are very loyal to their human parents.

I first found a puppy and inquired about one.  I wanted a female this go around.  We heard females were a little more laid back and a little less aggressive.   This person told me that they were moving and had an 8-week old female and they couldn't keep her.   They just wanted a small fee to take care of transferring the paperwork.  

The instructions were that they would contact me the next morning after they made arrangements with the puppy transport company.  The puppy they said was in Palestine, TX and they would have her transported right to our door.   I said I was a little confused about the total cost.  They assured me that they would cover that part to go to a new home.   They just wanted a small fee of $350 to pay for the re-homing and transferring of paperwork.  The e-mailer said that they just wanted to make sure that the puppy was going to a good home.

They asked for more information on Greg and myself.  Instead, I said you can look on my blog and see photos of the family and how much that we loved our other animals.   Monday (the next day) arrived and I received a text asking if I saw their email.   The instructions were for me to send the $350.00 fee via Money-gram.   They instructed not to do it online since it wasn't safe.  The emailer actually emailed me the Kroger location in the Heights where I could send the money.  I was to email them a photo of proving so they would go get the money.

Luckily, I am highly trained in computers and knew something was up.   The emailing was getting a little strange and the typing was changing from one day to the next.   The even told me hugs & kisses and was really strange.   "I need some proof you aren't scamming me," I told the phone number texting me.   I even warned them that my brother was a Judge and he wanted proof.

Of course, they were defensive stating that they were Christians and were offended.  They texted me a photo of a reservation with a puppy transport company.  I immediately googled and couldn't find any such name.   I also googled the home address of the texter.  Indeed, it was in Palestine, TX.  However, it was of a Corporation still under construction.    

I have contacted Arkansas authorities to begin trying to find the scammers.   I even told them that my emotions were high as I had lost my precious Blake.  I can't imagine how many people were really taken from the scam. Thank Goodness that my senses were sharp enough to know that I was being scammed.  It appears that there are tons of puppy scammers on the Internet running ads in papers, etc.  They are actually taking photos of real breeders puppies they have online.  

1.  Never fall for the wire money routine.   Surely, don't fall for go to the bank and draw it out using Moneygram.   The money would have been gone without a way to get it refunded.

2.  When asking for proof of any type of shipment or transaction, be sure and take the time to research if the address or company is real.  Also, I knew that there would be no way the shipment for the puppy would be $550.00 and they only wanted $350 total.   They could have easily just given the puppy away locally.

3.  I  suggested that I would send someone right over to get the puppy from them.  All contact was dropped immediately dropped at that point.    I asked to see more photos than the ones they had on the ad.   They informed me that the couldn't because they were at work and the puppy was with a relative.

4.   Real breeders will let you do a deposit with a secure transaction such as Paypal that is protected.  They will also offer up their real address so you can go to pick up the puppy in person.  They will provide you with whatever photos you ask for throughout the process of you obtaining your new puppy.

Greg and I did get a new puppy.  A little precious female that I named Farrah Fawcett.  She is adorable and we traveled from Little Rock to Montgomery, Louisiana to pick her up in person.   

Farrah is adjusting to her new surroundings.  She handled the five-hour drive to Little Rock like a champion.   She did not whimper or fuss at all.   She is eating her food, drinking her water and adjusting to her new bed surroundings.   Major,  our five pound Morkie, is a little frightened of this little one pound puppy.  He doesn't know what to think of her just yet.   I am sure within a couple of weeks they will be playmates.

She hasn't barked at the cats one bit.   They haven't figured Farrah out just yet either.   Stay tuned in the coming months for cuteness overload.  I couldn't resist sharing some photos and a little video.  Our friend, Ashley Philbrick of AP Monograms made this adorable blanket for her with her initials FFD.   Welcome, Farrah Fawcett Downs!
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xoxo - Pat

​It is amazing how many wonderful bloggers I have met in my journey.  Nicole Hampton has a wonderful blog called Dough-Eyed.  Nicole is known for her high altitude baking.  Nicole is based out of Colorado near Denver.

Nicole by trade is a Digital Marketer specializing in SEO and Website Marketing.  The two gifts she has combined make for an excellent cookbook called "Sugar High."  It is about sweet & savor baking in high-altitude kitchens.  Her blog as been featured in several publications, including Buzzfeed as well as DiningOut.com.  

I had the wonderful opportunity to receive an uncorrected advance reader copy of the book from Graphic Arts Books.  This book is edited and designed by former Williams-Sonoma cookbook developers and is beautifully done.   It was a pleasure to review this wonderful cookbook and my opinion I share is from my own heart.
In the book you will find wonderful recipes from; classic biscuits, various brioche recipes, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, cookies, cakes and my favorite is the pepperoni tomato pizza and the tomato-garlic focaccia.  With more than 100 recipes that are beautifully photographed you will enjoy this book for many years.   

I can't wait to see the final copy.  You can preorder the copy on Walmart.com. This would make a wonderful Christmas gift for your loved ones or a gift-exchange present. Be sure and read about Nicole on her Blog - Dough-Eyed.   She is a doll.  Be sure and follow her on Instagram @dough_eyed or on her Facebook Page.

Thank you Nicole and Angela from Graphic Arts Books for the wonderful opportunity.   If you are wanting to publish a cookbook of your favorite recipes drop Angela a note:  Angela.Zbornik@GraphicArtBooks.com



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This weekend I challenged myself to fill up a large brown bag at Whole Foods for $50.00.  I wanted to make sure that the contents would have enough for two meals, snacks, and any extra special items.   I wanted to make sure and stay within the $50.00 since I had received a gift card to Whole Foods from a Blog Supporter. 

What's the best part of shopping at Whole Foods on a Saturday around lunch? You get to sample whatever they are grilling outside.   This last Saturday included Turkey Burgers.  There were samples of a beautiful drink made with fresh fruits and vegetables.  This drink included: cucumbers, peaches, lemons, limes, and pineapple mixed with some agave juice and water.  It was delicious and beautiful!   The samples of the turkey meat were delicious and the burgers were excellent.

I ventured inside for my shopping quest.  I was so pleased that I didn't go over the $50.00, and that included tax.  What was inside my brown bag?

• Two beautiful New York Strip Steaks seasoned with a Bourbon Sauce, and perfect for dinner. 
• One large jar of Bubbie's Bread and Butter Pickles (these are the best pickles I have tasted)  Bread and butter pickles make the best snack.  The serving size was 6 pickles and only 20 calories.  #yumilicous
• One large container of seedless watermelon chunks.  
• One 16 oz Container of the White Bean & Ham Soup from the Deli.   Greg and I had this for lunch.  The soup was excellent and it contained potato chunks, white beans and lots of ham chunks.  The cost was $9.99 for the large container and it is worth every penny.  I served it with crackers and our lunch came to about $5.10 each.  
• Three bars of organic soap. My favorite spa treats for myself.  I purchased two lemon and one cucumber bar.  I am allergic to perfumes, chemicals and dyes so I try to find organic soaps.   They are inexpensive as you can purchase 3 bars for $6.00.  Most places charge over $6.00 for just one bar.  These soaps are wonderful and make your skin soft & smooth.

Overall I was very pleased with my "Brown Bag" picks.   Greg and I had wonderful steaks served with baked sweet potatoes, salad and watermelon for dinner. We enjoyed delicious soup for lunch, I will be snacking on those bread and butter pickles for sometime.  

I would be curious to know what would be in your $50.00 Brown Bag?  Take the Challenge and let us know.  Email:  pat@sweetyellowcornbread.com to be included in our next Brown Bag Challenge.

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Greg and I decided to try out the new Silos Cafe in Benton this weekend.    This building use to be known as Abe's Ole Feed House (the all you can eat catfish buffet.)  From our house it is about a 35 minute drive on a Friday night.

The restaurant now is a "sit-down" cafe style.   You order from the menu from a variety of "southern" dishes including: chicken fried chicken, grilled chicken, catfish, mash potatoes, peas, beans and so on.   They do have burgers, sandwiches and a large variety to choose from.

On a Friday night it was packed.   We had to circle around a few times to get a parking spot.  The wait to get a table didn't take very long.  However, once we sat down and ordered it did take a little longer to get the food out.    The food is cooked to order and so it was hot and fresh.  Greg ordered the chicken fried chicken, peas and mashed potatoes.  I took a little taste and it was very good.   I ordered the grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and pinto beans.   The sides were delicious.  The grilled chicken was a little tough.   The waitress asked if you would rather have cornbread or a roll.  I chose the cornbread ....of course!   I wouldn't have called it cornbread, it was more like those deep fried corn patties.   

The next time we venture out that way, we will give the breakfast a try.  I love a good "southern" breakfast.   I am not sure that we will venture out on a crowded Friday night again.  It is priced great for the food choices that are offered.

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I have tried many lip balms over the years without much success.  I was at Walmart looking for a new one to try, when this bright yellow and green package caught my attention.  There was this cute little bee on it.  I decided to give this Lypsyl a chance.   I fell in love!   The wonderful mint aroma was wonderful and it applied silky smooth.   The organic shea butter & coconut oil will hydrate your dry lips and make them feel young and smooth.     #sponsored  While this ad is a sponsored ad by Lipsyl and Powered by Brandbacker, the opinions are my own.

I applied the Lypsyl on my dry lips right before bed.  I woke up the next morning and my lips were so soft and smooth.   My lipstick applied so much easier and stayed on longer after using this wonderful lip balm.  The light weight stick with the slide applicator makes it easy to carry in your purse and apply throughout the day.   In fact, I keep it close by when I am working at the office.  Thank you Lypsyl for making my lips feel young again.  #lypsyllipcare

You can purchase this wonderful lip balm at your local Walmart or on line at: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lypsyl-Intense-Protection-Lip-Balm-Original-Mint-10-oz/10824509.   Be sure and visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lypsyllipcare/


#PoweredbyBrandBacker

I have known Leslie Smith Doan since 10th grade.   We both went to Mills High School and graduated together in 1980.  We may all go our different directions after high school.  However, it seems will all come back around and connect back with old high school classmates the most.

Leslie and I have shared some fun times together.  From going to GNO nights, to baby showers and movies.   Leslie and I, (along with our friend Colleen) went to see Fifty Shades of Grey.   I think we laughed more that night than we ever have before.  Personally, I thought the movie was a little silly and the production wasn't that great.   

A few years ago, Leslie and I made a trip to Conway for a baby shower of our friend Colleen's daughter.  I picked her up in Ziva,  Ziva was my 370z named after Ziva on NCIS.  If you have followed my previous posts, you should be aware that I am a little obsessed with NCIS.  It was raining so hard that day, you couldn't hardly see in front of you.   In front of us a car started sliding and debris was coming at us.  I grabbed a hold of Leslie's hand and hollered "hold-on"  I really thought that was it for the both of us.  I think we both saw our lives flash in front of us.  I had to swerve the car and slam on the brakes.   Ziva did not disappoint!  She handled the road with grace and saved both of our lives.  

Sadly, I had to sell Ziva because I couldn't get in and out of her very well.   Sometimes this RA of mine wins the battle.   I now have Ziva's big brother Ronnie Rogue.

Leslie loves the movies and TV.   In fact, after her husband passed she made a second career and became a background actor.  She completed the 2016 Summer Program in the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. She has appeared in such shows as Scandal, American Housewife and others.   She is perfect to cast for these shows.  I mean who wouldn't cast a tall, thin and attractive middle age woman?  

In the South where it is hot and muggy,  those pesty mosquitoes can be a major problem.  Not only do they bite, itch and are annoying, they can be carry harmful diseases.  David Thompson along with his son, will eliminate the annoyances and harm for you. 

Meet David Thompson

I can't say enough about this guy.   He comes into our office delivering our many packages for us during the day as our reliable UPS driver.  I know his voice when I hear it come through the door.  He is kind and has a great personality and I love having conversations with him.  When David told me about his new venture I was intrigued.

​David saw the opportunity to start a business out of the necessity to protect people and families against Mosquito borne illnesses.  People need to be able to enjoy their outside barbecues, yard games, pool games, etc. without being at risk of mosquito bites. 

David studied and passed the required Class IV Pesticide License from the Arkansas State Plant Board.  He and his son Tyler will make sure that your yard is protected by spraying the foliage.  They spray all the bushes, trees and ornamental areas where the mosquitoes "live" during the day while the sun is out..    The spray stays on the foliage for up to three weeks during normal weather conditions, killing any that are present and keeps on killing only new mosquitoes that come into the yard for up to three weeks.   Customers prove that this technique really works!

When David isn't delivering packages and spraying for mosquitoes, he enjoys spending time with this family.  They like to go out for family dinners and watch movies.  David also has a love for Contemporary Christian Music.  That is something we share in common.

David and his wife Joni, have been married since 1991 and have three boys.  Tyler 24, Noah 18, and Matthew 13.  They are native Arkansans and live in Saline County where the business is based out of.   

The Season for Mosquitoes is still among us.  Be sure and give David a call and schedule an appointment to keep your family safe and enjoy the outdoors around you.   Mosquito Movers  website is: http://www.mosquitomovers.com and David can be reached via email:  david@mosquitomovers.com.  If you have questions, give him a call at 501-993-2235 or by cell 501-529-3729.    You won't find a more reliable and kind guy!

 


​When you think of the word "electrifying" You probably think of John Travolta in Grease singing the famous song "Your The One That I Want" with his chills that are multiplying - it's electrifying.  That comes to mind as well.  However, when I eat the famous cookies that one of our subs makes I get those chills that are multiplying along with the others in our office.  He so happens to be an electrician and can make the best cookies I have eaten.

​Another great place for some good sweet tea is Subway.(Riverdale location)    The morning tea is usually ready around 9:30 a.m. so I do a quick trip over to get a large tea.   The cups are really large so you get a good deal.   No matter what time you go morning, noon or night you get asked....Want Cookie? (pronounced like COOO--KI---EEEE)   Love these people!

Meet Pragnesh and Urmila Amin

This husband and wife team moved from India 18 years ago.   In 2005, they opened the Subway located at 2516 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock, AR 72202 in the Riverdale Shopping Center.  When I asked Pragnesh why Subway?  He replied.. his family members had been in the Subway business.

The couple have been married for 20 years and have two children ages 18 and 13.  Pragnesh enjoys watching Cricket on his time away from the store.  Urmila enjoys spending as much time as she can with their children.     

You will also find Ricky Patel (brother) behind the counter waiting to make you a fresh sandwich and serving up those delicious cookies.   Ricky has been in America for five years and helping out at the store for about a year.

This Subway location is a favorite of Cheryl's (one of my co-worker's) she enjoys taking her lunch late in the day and often will go to Subway.  Cheryl is a big fan of the tea as well.   Cheryl and I grew up together and went to the same little Baptist Church when we were kids.  Sweet tea is one of our favorite things we have in common.  

Be sure and visit this Subway location.   You will find fresh tea, quality meats, vegetables, breads and those amazing cookies!   What makes this location different from the others?  It most definitely is Pragnesh and Urmila.   This couple is very friendly and always smiling!  Plus, they are so darn cute!
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We all have friends that have made an impact on our lives.   Sometimes it is friends that come into your life for a short time that make the biggest impact.  

A few years ago the Mills High School planning committee got together to plan another High School Reunion for the Class of 1980.  A few of us decided to meet regularly for GNO (Girls Night Out.)  Starr (One of our classmates)  brought along her mom to have dinner and laughs with us.   That was the beginning of my love and friendship with Joetha.  All of us girls loved Joetha and she loved all of us.

Christmas was coming around and the GNO group decided to have a little Christmas party at Cantina Laredo.   Cantina Laredo was one of our favorite spots.   Great atmosphere, great food, plenty of laughter and great Margaritas.

The restaurant was especially crowded around Christmas.  Large groups took up most of the tables and chairs.  I always like to sit at the end of the table so that I could make a dash for the bathroom.   I am a frequent flyer to the bathroom, especially if I have a few sips of a Margarita or a couple of glasses of that good sweet tea.   There was an empty chair next to me that was perfect for putting our purses on.   

The waitress came and asked could she take the chair.  I quickly said "No my friend is sitting there.  You don't see them"?  I asked.   The young girl looked at me with this long stare as if she had met the looniest person on earth.  She probably had.   The other girls quickly caught on and we began to set a plate for my empty chair.   It was this day that my imaginary table friend was born.  

Joetha loved this imaginary friend of mine most of all.   Joetha decided my friend needed a name of Ralph.    We would laugh and smile and talk about Ralph often.  I joked that Ralph was a guy that looked like Mark Harmon.   I was obsessed with Jethro Leroy Gibbs on NCIS.  Although, Joetha said that she thought of Ralph as the woman painter from Green Acres.  

Ralph continued to come along with us to all the GNO's that we had.  We always left a spot, gave Ralph a shared plate of food and shared our drinks.   The others would always play along and ask about Ralph regularly as well.

Joetha was a wife, a mom, a coach and a dear friend of all of us who knew her. We lost Joetha in January of 2013 due to cancer.  However, Joetha is always close by checking in on me and making sure Ralph still gets a seat at my table. 

Remember those who left us are our guardian angels watching out from above.

xoxo - Joetha --Pat
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