I always enjoy finding new ways to socialize online and earn a little cash to boot.  I had noticed DNeero conversations on several of the blogs I visit.  Tonight I decided to check it out for myself.  The way it works is that you sign-up (for free) and then join in a variety of conversations (surveys).  After you have completed a conversation, you post a widget on your blog that allows your readers/friends to not only see your answers but join in as well (if they'd like to do so).  A great feature of this site is that you can choose to donate your earnings to charity.  They have a list of different charities that are available.

With that being said, I give you my first conversation...

        

The current price of gas honestly makes me want to vomit.

I honestly don't know how people are surviving. I'm thankful that once I complete my medical transcription course that I'll be able to work from home. If I had to work outside of the home, I have a feeling that most of my paychecks would go to cover gas expenses and nothing more.

Every day I see more and more headlines about retailers having to downsize and close stores due to lack of sales. Restaurants are getting hit pretty hard as well. An article I read last week made mention of not having to wait for a table at a Cheesecake Factory during prime dinner hours. We've dined at various Cheesecake Factory locations and have always had at least a thirty minute to an hour wait if not longer. Sadly, people can't afford to dine out as much these days. We're pouring our money into our gas tanks.

I also saw an article that discussed being able to get great deals on Las Vegas hotels due to a decline in visitors.  It's also become easier to get into the hotter more popular clubs.  That doesn't surprise me given how much you have to pay for airfare these days.  The Hubby and I had hoped to get back to Vegas this fall, but we can't justify the expense.  Heck, I'm already cringing at the thought of how much our airfare will cost when we fly to Indy during the holidays. 

Oh how I long for the days when I could fill my tank for ten bucks...

        

I finally received the bottle of Honeysuckle fragrance which allowed me to make my Sister's candle this afternoon.  I also made one for my Mom.   The scent was strong so it should give off a good throw when the candle is burning.

I'm loving these little jars that I bought this weekend.  I think they will work out well for future candles.  Earlier today, I picked up a cinnamon scent.  I would have made some of those as well, but I ran out of wicks.

Before I packed up the candles to be mailed off, I took a photo.  What do you think?

I'm hopeful that they will really enjoy them.  I still haven't thought of a name for my candles.  Once I do, I want to create some labels to put on future jars.  If anyone has creative suggestions for a name or would like to purchase a candle in the future, feel free to comment. 

        

We are getting down to the nitty-gritty with American Idol.  Four shall become Three tonight! 

While I was at the gym this morning, everyone was talking about how horrible Jason Castro performed.  I've always liked Jason and I felt really bad for him.  Simon went out of his way to be harsh after his first performance.  I don't think I could take that.  I would have wanted to fight back. 

The final spot in the Top 3 should clearly come down between Jason and Syesha.  Both of the Davids should be safe by a mile.  That doesn't mean they will be though.  American Idol can really throw a curve-ball some seasons.  I voted for both of them.

And I have to say that I am quite thankful for my DVR.  The Hubby had plans to have my car looked at by a friend last night.  He could have gone on his own, but I could tell he wanted me to go with him.  We didn't get home until after American Idol had started, but my DVR was faithfully recording it.  I didn't have to miss a minute of it.

On a side note, while we were waiting for my car the Hubby was flipping through a gaming magazine.  He became a bit grumpy because he needs to upgrade his computer and his system memory before he'd be able to play a lot of the games he found appealing.  Maybe I'll let him use our stimulus check for that if something doesn't fall apart before then.  *knocks on wood*

So, who do you think is going home tonight on AI?  Is it clearly Jason or will his fan-base save him again? 

        

It's time for my 1st GiveAway on this site!

What's the prize?  I'm offering up a free Jabra BT125 Bluetooth Headset. It's brand new - never been opened or used.

What are the rules?  It's very simple.  All I ask is that you make a post on your blog about this giveaway or my site in general.  I'm not picky.   Then, come back here and comment on this post with a link to your blog post.  That's it.

A random winner will be picked on May 15th!  I'll toss all the names in a candle jar and let Hubby draw the lucky winner.

Good Luck!!

        

Before I recap my weekend, I have to say "CRUD!!!!!" because apparently my car is dead AGAIN.  Just like last Monday, I got in my car to head off to the gym and the car wouldn't start.  It didn't even try.  <insert loud sigh>  The Hubby installed a brand new battery last week and it was running fine.  I didn't drive it this weekend since we were out of town.  Now, it's dead again.  You can imagine that I'm a big bundle of crankiness today!

As for our weekend in Newport, it was a rather quiet/boring trip for me.  Hubby was in meetings all day Saturday.  When they took their lunch break, we went across the street to Newport Grand for a casual lunch.  After he went back to his meeting, I went back over to Newport Grand and gambled a little.  I was rather disappointed with it.  They offered very few non-smoking areas and the machine I wanted to play was of course not in one of those areas.  I did manage to win 30 bucks before the smoke started to kill my head.  I wasn't there long and didn't have the desire to go back.

They had an awards ceremony in the afternoon.  I have to say that some of these men were like little boys who had just won some baseball trophies. They were so excited.  These men sure can be competitive especially the much older men. 

Hubby and I did manage to find a nearby theater Saturday night.  We saw Iron Man which we both really enjoyed.  I do love Robert Downey Jr.  The theater wasn't overly crowded which was nice.  It was nice to escape the hotel for some time.  I was rather bored.

We arrived home yesterday afternoon and boy was my cat happy to see us.  He became very excited and was running all over the house.  When we left to go grocery shopping later in the day, he gave us this look of "where the hell are you going?"   He's probably happy that I'm stuck at home today (thanks to my car) because he can get plenty of attention.

And back to today.  I am rather grumpy about my car, but I'm trying to make the best of the day that I've been dealt.  I've been studying and I took time to create a jar candle.  I'm going to send it to my Mom along with a few other candles for Mother's Day.  Now, if I could just have my Dunkin' Donuts Iced Tea, the day would be tolerable.

        

 One of the most overlooked home decor features (in my opinion) are blinds and shutters.  They really can make a huge difference in how a room looks.  I've been bugging my Hubby for months to go shopping with me for new Horizontal Blinds.

Thankfully, I can also do shopping online.  I've discovered it's much easier to show him an item while he's at his computer.  I really love the look of Interior Shutters.  You can completely change the look and feel of a room with one simple choice. 

If I ever get the chance to redecorate our office, I will probably go with some colorful Fabric Window Shades.  Our office is rather boring and could use a splash of color.  I have a feeling the Hubby won't want me painting the room.  So, I have to find other ways to add color and shades would work well.

Plus, all of these window coverings help keep nosey neighbors from spying

        

The Hubby and I will be heading down to Newport once he arrives home from work.  Thankfully, it's only an hour drive or so.  Nothing is too far away in this tiny little state.

The weather is positively dreary right now.  I want some nice spring weather!

I really should go pack up my stuff for the weekend.  It's better to be ready before he gets home.  That way we won't both be rushing around.  And I don't know how, but I swear my cat can tell that we're going to be gone.  He's been my shadow all day and attempting to demand attention constantly.  He just walked out of the office and started meowing.  Apparently, he believes I should follow him.

Ok, time to go be productive.   Have a great weekend!

        

My kitchen currently smells like Southern Butter Pecan.  Mmmm.  I have 4 candles cooling at the moment.  The scent is making me crave ice cream.  I came upstairs to escape the delicious scent for awhile.   And I don't know what it is, but I can't seem to get the tealights to turn out as smoothly as the tin candles.  I'll keep trying though.

Ice cream would be a real treat right about now, but I'm resisting temptation.  We started our Biggest Loser contest at the gym this week.  The contest is going to last 8 weeks.  I haven't set any weight loss goal for myself, but would be delighted if I could manage 1-2 pounds a week throughout the competition.  It will end shortly before my birthday and I'd love to be a few pounds lighter.

It dawned on me this morning that I have yet to buy a Mother's Day gift for my Mom.  I have a card ready for her, but can't decide on a gift.  A friend suggested gift baskets.  I may consider those if I can't come up with an idea.  I'm sure whatever I do will be done online.  The Hubby suggested flowers, but she really prefers to have ones she can plant.  She hates to watch beautiful floral arrangements wither away.  Maybe I'll stumble across something while the Hubby and I are in Newport this weekend.

The Hubby is attending a Knights of Columbus state convention this weekend.  It will be my first time going to a convention with him.  We are heading down tomorrow night and will return home sometime Sunday afternoon.  He's going to be busy with meetings all day Saturday which means I'll have to entertain myself.  Luckily, there is the Newport Grand across the street from the hotel.  It's a slots parlor.  Casinos aren't allowed in Rhode Island but for some reason they don't have a problem with operating slot machines.  It really is a weird little state.  Anyway, I'm sure I can do plenty of people watching there and maybe win a few bucks if I'm lucky.

For those wanting to know my thoughts on American Idol last night, I wasn't extremely shocked.  I don't think Brooke was surprised that she got the boot.  I've never seen a contestant quite so emotional though.  Poor girl could barely speak let alone sing.  Next week should be interesting.  The theme is Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame.

Ok, time to go check on this new batch of candles and enjoy the yummy scent a little bit more.

        

While waiting for the American Idol results show this evening, I decided to make a few more candles.  I find that I'm really enjoying the process.

A few readers had commented that I should post some pics.   I snagged the digital camera and tried to get a couple of good images tonight. 

The tealights and the tin on the left are all Pomegranate scented.  The tin on the right is Cucumber-Melon scented.  I actually made that one the other night.  The tins seem to turn out better then the tealights.  I'll have to keep practicing on those (not that they turned out horribly but not as perfect as I'd like).

I still have the Southern Butter Pecan scent to work with next.  And I ordered a honeysuckle scent online today.  My Sister requested a candle and naturally had to want a scent that I don't own.  I'll be crafting that some time next week once the honeysuckle arrives.

Tomorrow - Southern Butter Pecan.  It smells devine!