As the result of a car wreck in late 2012 (thanks to a texting man who rear-ended me at a yield sign), I was forced to have nasal reconstruction surgery: Septoplasty with osteotomy and grafts. Let's just say it: medically necessary nose job. Without this procedure, I would have remained with one nostril collapsed with the other to fall later (as it did while I was on the operation table). They went in, broke my nose again, added a couple of skin grafts, packed in some splints and covered the whole mess up with a hard plastic cast. Three weeks later, my new nose emerged from its cocoon a Keep Reading >>>
About Brandy
Online Pearl Parties…Is That A Thing?
I'd never even heard of an online pearl party until a couple of months ago. Now, I've been to 4 this month and I've bought two pieces. That's a rarity for me. It's a fun experience. I enjoy seeing what other people pick and which setting they've chosen. I like the suspense of the openings and the fellowship of other viewers as we congratulate the customer on their pick and then feel a small twinge of what I call "pearl envy." I love jewelry and, for me, this adds the mystery of an online subscription box into the mix. Plus, I get to witness the pearl coming out of its shell for the first time, Keep Reading >>>
Financially Dependent: The Hand You Hold Is The Hand That Holds You Down
I've watched as my own generation has struggled to make ends meet, and now my generation is incapable of instilling financial values in their offspring, as they've never learned to manage money themselves. Thirty percent of the people in my own inner circle, in fact, still live with their parents or their spouse's parents. Ninety percent of these people have children to support financially or physically living with them. Now, this is my own little microcosm, but the statistics across the board show that more and more "children" in their late 20s and well into their 30s are stilling living with Keep Reading >>>
Spouse Gift-Giving Is NOT A Contest (You REALLY Shouldn’t Have)
I've been married to my wonderful husband for 14 years. He knows me better than I know myself, in most ways. However, for holiday gift-giving, it's always hit or miss... and, that's okay. I love him no matter what. I get just-because gifts throughout the year and I don't hang on hopes of something extravagant for a holiday or anniversary (which falls mid-December) gift. I'm at the age that I have everything I could possibly need in life and my wants are out-of-reach: A cure for my husband's epilepsy; winning the lottery and owning an animal rescue ranch; retiring early and never seeing another Keep Reading >>>
Six Common Office Courtesies That Should Be More Common
In a small, tightly enclosed cubicle environment, there should be set rules: “Givens,” if you will. These courtesies should be common. However, common courtesy, like common sense, is not quite as “common” as the name would have you believe. Here are just a few of the civilities office workers should practice in order to keep coworkers from plotting their demise, or at least their dismissal from the company. Six Common Office Courtesies That Should Be More Common 1) Do NOT microwave FISH in the common kitchen. If you choose to eat smelly things, i.e., fish, heavy curry, chicken cooked Keep Reading >>>
