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Update on Prayer Request

As you all know, on Valentine's Day, David's sister had open heart surgery. The surgery went well. However, on Friday she was dealing with some serious complications, including a collapsed lung. She was put into a medically-induced coma.

The message that we received earlier today from David's mother said that Sandra's blood pressure had come down some and that they were awaiting the lung x-ray results. She was doing some better and they had her sitting up.

Thank you for continued prayers for her and for their family. We all appreciate the prayers very much.

Have a blessed weekend.




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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!

Prayers, Please

I would like to ask all of you to pray for David's sister, Sandra. She had open heart surgery yesterday. The surgery itself went well, as we understand it. However, this morning there are some severe complications, severe enough that she is in an induced coma.

Please pray for her healing, also for comfort and strength for her family, especially their mama, for whatever lies ahead.

Thank you.




Notice: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

PS Annie! is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!

Today...

Image Source: Pixabay


Notice: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

PS Annie! is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!

All About Gift Baskets

All About Gift Baskets

When you’re giving a holiday present, you can never go wrong with a gift basket. After all, everyone eats and drinks! Meal gift baskets containing mixes, ingredients and cooking utensils are a particularly thoughtful remembrance for friends and family members who enjoy spending time in the kitchen. They also have the advantage that their contents won’t spoil if they’re not used after a few weeks.

Where Did the Idea of Gift Baskets Come From?

In Greek and Roman myths, the cornucopia was envisioned as a goat’s horn that was filled with the bounties of the harvest season. The cornucopia had magical properties for as soon as it was emptied, it was instantly filled again. In many ways, the cornucopia can be thought of as the first gift basket.

The Teutonic goddess Eostre—from whose name the word “Easter” is derived—was always pictured with a basket in hand. Eostre was the goddess of fertility, and she carried fruits and flowers in her basket, which she would give away to all who crossed her path. To this day, the holiday that’s named for her is celebrated with baskets filled with fruit- and flower-colored candies.

What Are Common Gift Basket Items?

These days, you can put anything into a gift basket from Bloody Mary mixes to gluten-free snacks. Your gift basket does not have to contain food items either, although most of them do. Here are some items that are commonly found in gift baskets:

• Fruits: Hardy fruits like apples, pears and oranges with a relatively long shelf life are the big favorites here, although increasingly, merchants are working with exotic fruits such as papayas, kiwis and passion fruit.

• Canned foods: Jams and marmalades are big favorites as are nuts, and tins of coffee and tea.

• Candy: Hard candies such as toffee, nut brittles and fruit drops are very popular in gift baskets. Chocolate can be a bit problematic because it melts so easily in transit.

• Alcohol: Practically every type of alcoholic beverage you can imagine from tequila to champagne can be found in a gift basket.





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Image Source: Pixabay

Notice: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

PS Annie! is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!

Merry Christmas!

Suzanne, David, and Whitney McClendon - Christmas 2018

We hope that this is the best, most blessed Christmas ever for you and your families!

Guest Post: Gift Baskets For Pet Lovers

 

Gift Baskets For Pet Lovers

Whether you are shopping for a pet owner or professional, you can never go wrong with a pet gift basket. The gift baskets allow you to show your recipient how much you care about them or appreciate their hard work. If you are shopping for pet gift baskets, here are several ideas that fit any occasion.

Pet Lover Care Package

The Pet Lover Care Package is a great idea for every pet owner and their beloved pet. It comes with a pack of chocolate chip cookies for your recipient. The gift also includes two gourmet biscuits for their dog, and their cat is sure to enjoy a fun mouse toy. Everything comes arranged inside an adorable pet themed box.

Great Pawsome Friends Gift

The Great Pawsome Friends Gift comes in three sizes to ensure it is big enough for everyone on the veterinarian, pet shelter or pet rescue staff. It includes cookies, butter toffee pretzels, tea and coffee. The gift basket also includes items for dogs and cats, from the cheddar cheese dog biscuits to the crinkle ball cat toy. Your recipients can find the items inside three paw print containers.

Dog Daze Dog Gift Basket

If you are looking for a gift basket designed just for pets, start with the Dog Daze Dog Gift Basket. The basket includes a gourmet dog biscuit and puppy cake mix. It also comes with peanut butter, beef liver, salmon and pineapple and pork dog treats. All the items are neatly arranged inside a yellow and white polka dot container.

Cat Fish Cat Gift Basket

Surprise your recipient with the Cat Fish Cat Gift Basket for their kitty. It comes with cheese cat treats, tuna cat treats and Fancy Feast Appetizers to keep them happy. The Zoom Stuffers Fat Cat Catnip Toy is sure to keep their kitty busy for hours. Everything comes arranged inside a green and white container with a matching green bow.

You can find amazing pet gift baskets for pet owners, professionals and their four-legged friends on Bisket Baskets.









Image Source: Pixabay


Notice: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

PS Annie! is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!

Guest Post: Placing a Monetary Value on the Life of Your Animals

Placing a Monetary Value on the Life of Your Animals

If you are like most farmers and ranchers, you would say that the lives of your farm and ranch animals are priceless and that no value could be placed on them. In reality, a price can be placed on them, which is why you can buy farm and ranch insurance that will compensate you if one or several of them are lost to circumstances you could not control.

With that in mind, you need to think of a roundabout dollar figure before you shop for cattle, sheep, and horse insurance. The insurer can then create a policy that will be as close to that dollar amount for which you think your animals are worth if they are taken from you.


Creating a Realistic Policy

You may think your trusty ranch horses are worth a million dollars apiece because of how much sentimental value you place on them. However, it is unlikely you could get a policy written for this much unless the horses are show horses or used for stud services in the horse racing industry.

Instead, it is more likely you can have them insured for several thousands of dollars apiece, which in reality will be enough to compensate you for the loss of an animal you use for ranching or farming purposes. While you appreciate the animal as a companion, you also know the price for which you insure it can reasonably be enough to buy you another horse to replace it.

With that, you can shop for policies that will be reasonably created and priced on the website. The agent with the company can determine a legitimate value of the animals you want to insure. You can then pay the first month’s premium and get the policy issued the same day if you prefer.

The policy can be useful in all types of circumstances including fires, tornadoes, floods, and theft. You never know when disaster will strike your property or your farm or ranch animals, which is why you may want this protection in place as soon as possible.







Image Source: Pixabay

Notice: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

PS Annie! is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!

Instagram Today

Bloom Anyway. Photo Taken 23 November 2018. Text Added 7 December 2018.

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Instagram Today

I See You, Mommy. Photo Taken 29 November 2018. This is our sweet little Tiglet. He has to investigate any camera that is pointed at him. He has the cutest sleeping positions that I keep trying to photograph, but he wants no part of that. I can't sneak up on this one.
#kittiesofinstagram #the_zoo_at_mcclendon_villa #eyes #cateyes

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Instagram Today

Rest in peace, sweet Martha. He went to live forever on the Bridge very early this morning, 22 November 2018. This photo was taken 29 October 2018. We’re going to miss you, little buddy. 😔. #cats_of_instagram #kittiesofmcclendonvilla #the_zoo_at_mcclendon_villa #restinpeace

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Instagram Today

I think Texas is having an identity crisis, y’all. 13 November 2018. #Texasisconfused #freakyTexasweather #itsnotsupposedtobecoldhere #Texas #TexasGulfCoast #ilovecoldweather #coldisbetterthanhot

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Instagram Today

Natural Hearts. Photo Taken 5 November 2018. Don’t you just #love finding #hearts in #nature? #naturephotography #naturalhearts @heartofnatureofficial

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Instagram Today

Morning Nap. Photo Taken 9 November 2018. “Mommy’s tummy is the best spot for a nap,” says Boba Fats. #kitties #kittiesofinstagram #ilovekitties #kittiesofmcclendonvilla #the_zoo_at_mcclendon_villa

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Instagram Today

Little Flowers. Photo Taken 5 November 2018. One of the joys of living here is pretty flowers almost year round. These are in our yard right now. While everything else seems to be falling to pieces, we are still blessed with a great yard. Have a blessed day.😊

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Instagram Today

Ummm...Photo Taken 4 November 2018. Where’s the turkey? I have no recollection of having turkey and dressing yet, and I sure wouldn’t forget that! Yet this blowup tree is standing guard at our Walmart. Oy! Let the craziness begin. 🙀
Have a blessed day, y’all!

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Instagram Today

Bats, Cats, and Cookies! Check out our newest video - Sugar Cookies. Check out the video here - From the Kitchen of McClendon Villa.
Thanks and have a blessed weekend, y’all!

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Instagram Today

Fact. Image Created 23 October 2018. 

 

**What you think you see doesn’t change the reality of what is.** 

 

Assuming that I did it correctly, I have disabled direct messages (on Instagram) due to rude and persistent people. 

 
To my friends out there, if you want to speak to me privately, please feel free to email me or contact me via my blog or YouTube channel. 

 
I have put up with a great deal in DM over the last week. The last straw was someone trying to sell me something and, pretty much, calling me a liar in the process. That is *not* the way to win me over and it sure won’t help you into my pocketbook! 

 

Have a blessed day, y’all!

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Ways to Keep Your Dog Healthy

 

Ways to Keep Your Dog Healthy

Do you have a canine friend that you care about a great deal? If this is the case, you need to take the precautions to make sure that your dog is always in the best of health. There are a variety of ways that you can do this. Always remember that neglecting even a single element of your dog's health regimen could have negative consequences on your pet. You would be wise to educate yourself as much as possible regarding what a dog needs to stay healthy. This is especially important if you just became a dog owner for the first time. Here are several methods to ensure that your dog has a long and happy life.

1. Make sure that your dog gets an adequate amount of exercise.

A dog needs exercise just as much as a person does. Therefore, you need to take the time out of your schedule to take your dog for a walk on a daily basis. This might be hard for you to do if you have a full-time job and other commitments that take up your time. However, you made a commitment when you became a pet owner. It is your responsibility to ensure that your dog is happy and healthy. A dog that is not getting enough exercise on a daily basis will eventually start to develop more serious health problems. You might want to think about hiring a professional dog walker to take your dog for a walk if you do not have the time to do so. Giving your dog enough exercise is especially important if you live in an apartment with no yard for your dog to run around in.

2. Take your dog to a veterinarian on a regular basis.

You probably go to a doctor for a physical examination at least once every year. This is a smart decision on your part. Being proactive where your health is concerned allows you to discover any health problems before they become very serious. You should apply the same logic to the health of your dog. Find a very reputable veterinarian in your area who has many years of experience. Schedule regular appointments to have your dog evaluated by the veterinarian. This person can give you advice about certain things you need to be doing to help your dog stay healthy. The veterinarian might also prescribe medication for your dog to take. You can also shop with Vet Products Direct for dog worming products.

3. Only feed your dog the healthiest foods.

Giving your dog a lot of exercise is great. However, that will not mean very much if you are allowing your pet to eat foods that do not have any health benefits. This is why you need to take as much interest in the health of your dog as you do with your own. Ask your veterinarian to recommend some foods to you that will help to keep your dog healthy. There are certain foods that will make your dog's immune system stronger. Carefully read the labels of all the foods you are feeding to you dog. This will give you a clear understanding of what is going into your dog's body. You can then buy foods that will give your canine friend a balanced diet.

4. Brush your dog's teeth twice every day.

The same problems that can develop in your own mouth when you do not brush your teeth regularly can happen in your dog's mouth. This is why you need to pay very close attention to the oral hygiene of your dog. Take the time to brush your dog's teeth twice every day. Doctors have linked many organ problems to poor oral hygiene. This means that your dog could face serious health problems if you neglect its oral hygiene. Get instructions from your veterinarian about the products you should buy and the proper brushing technique you should use.






Special Notice: This is a sponsored post.

Notice: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

PS Annie! is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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Please be sure to visit David over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

I respond to all comments on this blog, ideally within 24 hours.  Please check back here for a response to your comment.  Thank you!