Soy Wax Candles Blog

I want to give a great big shout out to the following blogs for being the top Entrecard droppers for the month of June!!

I handle all my business for my mutual funds and stock trading online, do you?

It is so much easier than having to deal with a brokerage firm, and calling every time you want to make a change such as selling and/or buying. And you can very easily miss out on an important opportunity if your broker is unavailable by phone.

That is why I do all my transactions with an online broker, because they specialize in online trading. They give you up to date stock information so that you can make an informed decision with the most current information available, and they have one of the fastest order systems available online with most transactions being completed in 3 seconds! How nice is that?

You can also roll over your 401K with online trading and keep your funds growing with stocks, bonds, mutual funds or CD's. You can also transfer from another online brokerage firm to First Trade and receive a rebate of up to $100.00. There are so many options here, you really have to go and check them out yourself!

If you are looking for an online brokerage firm, or just looking for a better way to handle your current situation, please go and read about First Trade. An easy and comfortable way to do your online trading.

First it was the news that Farrah Fawcett had passed away, and now we get hit with the news that Michael Jackson is dead too!

He died of a cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles and could not be revived.

He will always be known as the "King of Pop" and I will remember him best when he was in the prime of his career and still looked like Michael, with only a little work done.

It was indeed a sad day............

Kat

Cryo-Cell is a company that is near and dear to my heart and I only wish this type of service was around a long time ago. It may have saved the lives of some of the people I loved and lost.

Forget about what you think you know about stem cell research...
It is so much more than you know. When you hear the words "Stem Cell Research" you probably think of Christopher Reeve in his wheelchair after his riding accident, and Michael J. Fox advocating the use of stem cell research to help people with Parkinson's Disease. But there is so much more that is being done with the cord blood that it is amazing!

There are tests and trials being done now, to help with heart disease and strokes! Stem cells and bone marrow are being injected into the hearts of some patients that all had chronic heart conditions, and after three months, these patients had increased blood flow to and from the heart and improvement in the heart function itself. This is wonderful news! The scientists are also very hopeful that stem cell treatment to the heart will mend the heart cells and repair some of the damages that were caused due to a cardiac arrest or heart attack. In the trials, these patients definitely got a renewed lease on life!

Stem cells are also being tested to be used to treat diabetes, both juvenile and adult, along with many forms of leukemia, anemia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease as well as spinal cord injuries.

You can follow Cryo-Cell on Twitter , by clicking on this link and having up to date news and information on Stem cell research.

You can also follow Cryo-Cell on Facebook, this link will take you to the facebook site, where you can join the many others who have become a fan of Cryo-cell. You can read the updates here, and even leave a comment for them. I have become a fan. :)

Just so you know:
Cryo-Cell is one of the world's largest cord blood stem cell banks, and they serve more than 175,000 clients all over the world. They are located in Florida, in the United States. A baby's umbilical cord blood is found to be rich in stem cells, and they are the special cells that are normally found in our bone marrow. Stem cells are like the bosses of all the cells, because they produce all of the mature cells that are in our blood and immune system. Stem Cells form the white blood cells that fight infection, the red blood cells that carry oxygen, the platelets in our blood that promote blood clotting and the cells that make up our immune systems. Now, newborn cord blood is loaded with these stem cells, and if collected, they can be cryo-preserved in the event that they are needed later in life. Stem cells will match the child it was obtained from 100%, and has a one in four chance of matching a sibling that may need treatment.

Like I said, I wish this had been around a long time ago, and I am glad that President Barack Obama lifted the Stem Cell ban back in March. Since then, see how many other diseases and conditions it is being tested for? If it can help people, why not? Why would you not want to preserve the umbilical cord blood for future use?

Till Next Time,
Take Care,
Kat

When I was in Florida, I was visiting with friends and I suggested we all have a "day at the spa"! So, my friend Kate told me about this place that she goes to that is fabulous! So, we booked appointments to have a massage and facial and manicures and pedicures, really the whole nine yards!

What I didn't know until I got there is that you can tan there too! But we weren't there for that, but it is nice to know for future reference. But, they also had waxing, and I was thrilled! I needed my eyebrows done, and I had been neglecting my legs and bikini line just a bit, so let me tell you, we had a full day of pampering and primping and it was wonderful!! I recommend that every single one of you treat yourself to a spa day and you will see what I mean!


The staff was so friendly and courteous, and they definitely took great care of us, even though we giggled like schoolgirls most of the time. It really made it special to be with my friends, and it also made it fun.

This place that Kate recommended has got to be one of THE BEST West Palm Beach Salons that there is!! I can surely tell you that we have nothing, and I mean NOTHING like this up in Massachusetts. Sure we have places that do all the same things, but not like this... this is an experience. This was unique. This was amazing!

I can't stop smiling, even now, as I am remembering it. The whole day was wonderful from start to finish, and I am so very glad that we went!!

This is Taylor Swift singing Love Story, I really like this song, it kind of makes you happy!
The Quality isn't great, but all the other videos are disabled, so this is the best I could get. Hope you enjoy.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

All the other energy drinks better move their cans over....
There's a new drink in town that is better for you, and that new drink is BluFrog!

This is an amazing new energy drink unlike some of the others on the market today in that it doesn't have that high and low sugar rush like the others, plus, it is so much more healthy for you because it has real fruit, lower calories, lower carbs, and no artificial colors or flavors!! And it has tons of vitamins in every can, and we could all use more vitamins! It is about time someone came out with a nutritious energy drink and BluFrog did it!!

If you head over to their site, you can win one of five great prizes, just by tweeting about it, and we all tweet, right?? Or you can post a comment on BluFrog's site telling them which prize you would love to win, or you can even blog about it!! BluFrog energy drink is offering you different ways to win prizes, while also offering you a healthy energy drink alernitive.

I would love to win the gaming system myself. I am a games fanatic and I am still in the old zone of PS2, what a joke!! But right now winning a new gaming system with a Xbox 360 Elite System, and Rock Band 2 Bundle that comes with a wireless networking adapter, my family and I would be in heaven!! We could jam all night long!! Yeah!

Why drink those others that pick you up only to drop you down so fast you feel as if you just sky-dived without a parachute? Drink the real fruit and vitamin drink that will only make you feel better! Why not have a can or two now while you are tweeting about that contest??

Go over to BluFrog and see how easy it is to sign up to win!

Take care,
Kat

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I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

I am going to the movies today to see the new Sandra Bullock movie, "The Proposal" with my friend. It looked funny in the trailers, and I like her, and think she is a riot! I also like Ryan Reynolds and it looked like they had that classic romantic comedy connection going on.

I will let you know how the movie was, and if was worth the price of the ticket or not.

Have fun!
Take care,
Kat

My grandson's school has sent home a paper asking the parents and grandparents of the students to try to think over the summer of different fund raising opportunities that the school could try next year.

I have found a great place and think that the idea of Fundraising Jewelry would be perfect for a new idea!! I don't know of any other schools that are selling jewelry to raise money for sports equipment or musical instruments, do you?

Most schools that I know are selling the usual wrapping paper or candles (not that candles are a bad thing...smile), but I think it is time for a refreshing new idea!

This company has a beautiful Beaded Lanyard that I would love to have myself, along with many other beaded designs aimed to please. They are all made specially with care, and represent different things and different styles.

The Lanyard that I love is the breast cancer awareness one, and if you don't know what a lanyard is, it is a long cord like necklace that hangs around your neck to hold either an ID badge, or your glasses, or your keys, or just about anything you can imagine!! I want to use mine for my ID badge at work, right now it is hanging on a teal cord, and looks ugly!! This is beautiful and beaded, and also means something to me.

They also have sports lanyards, and designer ones, and regular beaded ones (if you don't want to go all fancy), but any one you pick has got to be better than what you have!!

They also have loads of different products from pins and earrings to necklaces and ankle bracelets!! There is such a huge selection and it is all good!!

Don't you think this would be a fun fundraiser, as opposed to the boring ones we have had every year?? I certainly do!!!

Till Next Time,
Take Care,
Kat

Summer is getting here, and the weather is getting warmer, so we can finally sit out on our patio again!

The only thing is that our patio furniture from the last few years is old and worn out. So now we have the tough decision to decide what type of furniture to replace it with?

We have narrowed it down to two choices..... the rustic look on the right, which those chairs look very comfortable, plus they would be durable and hold up against the elements.

Or the Wicker ones below, and I kind of like them for the look of them, but now, in thinking of practicality, I don't think they would be the right choice?? We would have to take the cushions in all the time to keep them out of the rain, so they don't get mildew on them. And although they do look comfortable.....I don't know if they would hold up to the elements?


So, I think it is decided then, we will be looking for some good rustic furniture to compliment the patio, and to withstand the weather and the kids!

Till Next time,
Take Care,
Kat

Ooops! The shutter fell off my house again! That darn thing won't stay up there. And the other ones aren't much better?

I might have to invest in some vinyl shutters that at least would stay on my house, and that I wouldn't have to keep painting every year!

The ones I have on there now are wooden and old, and the paint chips and peels. So maybe vinyl is the way to go??

I will have to do some research on them and price them first though.

Take care,
Kat

Here's hoping that everyone has a nice and relaxing weekend!!

I am going to try to get a lot done this weekend, but if the weather stays nice, I just might have to be outside instead??

Oh, and I already got an ice cream from the ice cream truck!! Yay, they are coming around again....

A sure sign of summer!!!

Take care,
Kat

I was thinking of remodeling my house a little bit, by adding some things to it. I would love a closed in porch and possibly a second floor, but I don't know the first thing about how to go about it?? What I do know is, that it is cheaper to remodel my own home, as opposed to buying a new one.

So, my aunt who lives in Michigan asked me if we have a company similar to Rochester remodeling in our area? She said they were the ones that helped her with her major house overhaul. She said that her remodeling contractor worked with them every step of the way, from planning, to obtaining permits and then performing the work to their satisfaction! She said she couldn't be happier! This was definitely the way to go.

They had the entire kitchen updated and remodeled and all new wondows put in, because the old ones were just a mess. And she said the contractor worked with them to get them the cheapest price on all materials too!

So now I guess I have to find out if there is a comparative contracting service in my area to help me with my renovations, it is either that or move to Rochester, Michigan and use the same guys she used!!

I couldn't get into Lady Java's MrLinky, but I will try later.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Hope you enjoyed this...
Take care,
Kat

And the winner is..... Laane!! She was #82 picked by random.org from my list of followers.
I added all my followers from Candles Crafts and Whatnot and this blog, Soy Wax Candles, and random.org selected #82 as the winner.


Congratulations Laane!! Laane follows both of my blogs, but it was on this one that her number was chosen. She was smart to follow on both, it gave her 2 chances of winning!! Laane's blog, Laane on the World is one of the most informative and inspiring blogs that I read. She has four sons and two daughters, one son with classic autism and the other 3 have some form of autism, and she is a fierce fighter for the cause. But that is not all that Laane is, she is also a psychologist, and though she doesn't like to brag, she is a great writer!! Please go visit her blog and see what I mean!!

Congrats to you Laane!! I will contact you. This cutie will be on it's way to you in no time!

Thank you to all my followers!!!
Till Next Time,
Take Care,
Kat

p.s. should I hold another give-a-way?? Let me know?

Have you entered the contest for this Polymer Clay bracelet yet?
I will be drawing a winner tonight and announcing it here and on my other blog, Candles Crafts and Whatnot.

I wrote about the contest on Candles and Crafts and also on this Soy Wax Candle Blog.

The followers of both blogs will be combined and a winner will be chosen to receive this bracelet.

Follow to win!! Good Luck!!

Kat

One of the girls I work with had a baby not too long ago and she sent out the most adorable birth announcements! I have never seen a birth announcement quite like this, as this was specialized and custom made.

I just had to call her up and ask her how she came up with them, and she told me that she worked very closely with a designer to custom make her announcements with Ashley's picture on and the relevent information, like date, time, weight, etc. The designer let her change the wording, and the colors quite a few times before she settled on the one she chose, and she said that in helping to design it herself made it all the more special for her.

She is keeping one of the birth announcements in Ashley's baby book, and will tell her when she grows up all about how she helped to design and create her special announcements. For privacy reasons, she asked me not to use her actual announcement when I told her her I was going to write about it on here, so I have selected a somewhat similar birth announcement to give you an idea of how cute they are!

This award was given to me a while ago by my Great Friend Janet over at Dolly's Daily Diary, but I have been so very lax in posting it, and for that I am so sorry....But I love Janet's blog!! She is one of the most inspiring woman that I know!

She writes the most fabulous articles on Loving Kindness Meditation, which is something I think we all should try to follow. She also has been my strength sometimes when I have needed it the most, and for that, she is irreplaceable to me!!




So, here are the rules for this lovely award...
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. (check, done!)
2) Pass the award to other blogs that you’ve newly discovered and any of your favorites if you would like. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

And here goes my list of blogs that I would love to give this little beauty to, some new and some old friends:

A Big Thank You for my top droppers for the month of May!!
Enjoy the linky love, and know that I appreciate your drops!

When my daughter was born, I had to make the decision to feed her with formula or with breast milk. At the time, I was a young parent, without a lot of money, and I chose to breast feed, because it was the healthiest thing to do for my baby, and also the cheapest route to go.

Now, when my daughter had my grandson, she couldn't breast feed, because she didn't produce enough milk, so she had to use baby formula. And let me tell you, that was very expensive then, and I can only imagine what it would cost today?

Back then, there were no "store brands" of baby formula like there is today. Store-brand formulas, also known as "generic" brands, are now available at most of the leading retailers around the country such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, and some pharmacies such as CVS, and Walgreens. Now you may be saying to yourselves that you are not going to give your baby a generic formula, but you can rest assured that all of the infant formulas that are sold in the United States MUST adhere to very strict FDA guidelines, before they can be sold, and although they have the same ingredients and nutrients in them as the "Name brands", they are usually priced much lower than those, sometimes costing up to 50% less than the national brands.

If you are a smart shopper, you can save up to $600 a year by choosing a store brand infant formula instead of the well known brand name label formula. We all have a Walmart in our area usually, and their store brand of baby formula is the "Parent's Choice Infant Formula" and by using this link and going to the website and using the online savings calculator, you can see just how much you can save by purchasing the store brand formula, as opposed to the brand name.

I just went and did the calculations of what my daughter would have saved if they had used the Parent's Choice Infant Formula when my grandson was born, and she would have saved almost $12.00 per can, and over $50.00 per month!! With a total savings of how long she fed him the formula of over $1,200.00!! Can you believe how much that is? I was certainly surprised. And I know that money would have come in handy for many other things.

If you are a new parent, I recommend that you go to the baby formula savings calculator and see just how much you will be able to save by switching to one of the store brands! As always, you should talk to your child's Pediatrician to make sure this is the correct choice for both you and your baby before you make any decisions. There are some infants who can't have certain types of formula, and this should be discussed with the pediatrician.

I hope you can save some money with this handy tool! Best of luck to you and your newborn!

Take care,

Here is my selection for Music Monday ~

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.






Hope you enjoyed,
Take Care,
Kat