Purse for a good Paws!

I love my "fur" babies more then I think most people can understand. I have three shitzu's. Sophie is the oldest and the one that has been with me for every good time and bad time I have had. She lays with me when I am sick. Even when I'm mad at the world or the entire world is mad at me she is right there. She has a few health problems and watching her hurt is heartbreaking. 

Then I have Howie who is more like the real life version of Scooby doo! He never makes does anything like a dog more like a cat and he makes me laugh every day with his surfer boy attitude he makes life seem so easy! He sings to the song "Great escape" and follows me around the house at all times. 

Then there is Minnie, She came into our life last summer and she is so sweet, we got her when she was only a few weeks old. She was so tiny. We could fit her into our hand and just hold her there, making her be a cuddle-love lickie kissie mama's little girl. I just love love her and so does everyone we meet! Minnie is a big people "person." I love how sweet she is.  Because of my love for animals this is a cause that is a big part of my heart! I hope you will join me in helping raise funds for PAWS TOO! Look at all that they do!

 So with that being said, when I was told about this amazing event to help other fun babies and their families out there I decided that I had to get involved for this event! 

This is to help raise funds for a great local program Called PAWS. 

The Event is going to be held downtown Poulsbo at the wonderful 

Purse for the Paws

Sogno di Vino Restaurant. 

May 15th 2:00PM to 4:00PM!  

This is going to be a fun afternoon event! 

Aimed at women who love their girl time, drinks, and appetizers. 

Match that up with the love for animals & the love of Purses 

and you have an unbeatable combo to raise funds for PAWS!


http://animoto.com/play/dECu0DPhcjw7XeOX09LezA
Click on this Link to see a preview of the Purses. 

Proceeds from the silent auction of purses ad accessories are going to go towards the Hartstone spay/neuter fund, this fund provides assistance through PAWS to North Kitsap low income pet owners for pet sterilization and vaccines.  The program works through local veterinary clinics to offer minimal cost to  spay/neuter procedures that otherwise could be unable to be payable making it out of reach. 

A surgery that could run up costs would already be undoable with a family that can't afford to put food on the table half the time, would be unthinkable. 

With this program low income families fill out a PAWS financial assistance form at any vet or clinic or any of the food banks in Bainbridge, Poulsbo Kingston. Some questions need to be answered including proof of income and ownership of the animal.  This has been successful for over 35 years. A big bonus is the fact that it has already had a hand in helping reduce the local population of unwanted pets, but it also helps to control contagious and deadly diseases.

A big thank you to PAWS for their "Paw" in helping more then 250 local families with their pet sterilization's in 2010. This year in 2011 they have high hopes that, that number will be even higher.  Before all of this I was unaware that if this is unchecked local dogs and cats populations will skyrocket, with an average of six puppies per litter, babies then grow quickly then have puppies of their own. Then soon they are in the thousands! 

Now spicing up the venue for the fundraiser is the famous local best selling Author Susan Wiggs, the events lead sponsor and long time supporter of keep the pet population down through spay/neuter. For this fundraiser she cleaned out her very own collection of designer purses, that she has acquired.

Not only can you come and bid on one of her bags but on one of her best selling books that she has Autographed ad added to the gift bags!
This is so exciting for me to come and meet her! 

What a great Mothers day gift!!! You can give yourself or tell your child or husband that this is just what you want!  This way you can have that relaxing afternoon with your girlfriends, all the while bidding on that purse that you just can not live without! 

Now just for you Kingstongirl fans if you buy at ticket you get a FREE PAWS Canvas tote that you can have at the event! Just mention that you are coming with Kingstongirl when you buy your tickets online at www.northkitsappaws.org See you there!!!!

            #Leave me a comment on your fur babies story! #

A star filled night at the Maxwell

Staying at the Maxwell was an experience, not just a stay at another stuffy hotel. The first thing you notice is the pineapple welcoming you from the street & looking up at you on the lobby floor. The pineapple is the universal symbol of hospitality and welcome all over the world for centuries. It is said that Christopher Columbus and his men, gave this to the people of Guadeloupe as a sign of thanks. Now it is still the symbol of welcome, warmth, kindness and generosity. This is just what the Maxwell hotel symbolizes and at the same time embraces. 

When you are a guest at the Maxwell you are family. That must be because the Michelle Foreman Barnet, the president & COO of the Columbia West Properties named it after her son showing what a true labor of love, a reflection on how much she put into this place. That when you are a guest in her hotel you just as loved as the boy the hotel is named after. With this being so Family friendly even your "fur" babies can join in on the family with it being dog-friendly, also feel free to rest easy with the hotel is safe with 100 percent smoke-free! 

The best part of an independently operated hotel is that this is their baby, they can do things like they have at the Maxwell that most chain hotels can not. They have a great tie to the Arts community. 

The Location is ideal located at the base of Queen Anne hill adjacent to the Seattle Center and the world-famous Space Needle, The Maxwell Hotel has strong ties to Seattle’s arts community. So close to Seattle’s top destinations like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the Seattle Opera, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet also directly across the street is the famous Teatro ZinZanni ! These are just a few of the things that make it a great place to stay! Maxwell hotel is the place to stay when you truly want to be in the middle of it all! 

Walking into the lobby of the Maxwell, is a lovely space, with nooks and crannies to hide in and an inviting fireplace to keep you warm on a grey and gloomy Seattle day, making you feel perfectly happy to steal a day away in the comfortable wingback chairs. A wonderful surprise for me and my sweet tooth, a Yummy complimentary cup cake! They  are offered everyday in the late afternoon, what a nice touch.. I had a lemon and ginger with butter cream frosting... I would go back just for these. 

With the Whimsical feeling you get just Stepping into this lobby, It shines like a hollywood star, with all the extra details that the staff goes above & beyond. With stunning design and decor, fun, artful elements of whimsy, all the while the traditional elegance you want to see in a highend hotel. It is all under one roof.  

Having 139 guestrooms, 1,600 square feet of meeting feet!! With SMART board technology, As all of my readers know I'm always looking for great places for retreats & blogger conferences. They have a POOL!!! This isn't something you see every day in Seattle! 

The swimming pool had tiles hand made through out the pool and the pools entry way area, hand painted by local children. Guest like me will find this along with the other personal touches thoughtful and full of meaning. 

Having also onsite exercise facility, complimentary internet, a lobby espresso bar, eco friendly in room recycling & what is even cooler is that they have bicycle check out! 

With rooms for everyone they have a few to choose from! :) 

Here is a list with pictures taken from the hotel.

An aria is music in any expressive melody, usually, but not always, performed by a singer. Practice your Aria in the walk in shower or relax and enjoy views of Queen Anne Hill or the Space Needle from this Single King Room!

 A duet is a musical composition or piece for two performers. They say this is Great for groups and families! This is the room we had and it  feature Two Queen Beds, and the best part of the entire room to me was the cute chair and foot stool.  Our view was of the   Seattle’s famous icons, the Space Needle.! 

The view wasn't where you could sit in your bed and look out but standing in the big window in the entry of the room. 

An ensemble is a cast in which the principal performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance in a dramatic production.

You’ll feel very important in the spacious Junior Suites. Enjoy yourself and your large posse crash after a long night at the EMP! With Two Queen Beds, a sitting area with a sofa sleeper, walk-in shower and a  bonus – 

a view of the Space Needle.

“Prima donna” is Italian for “first lady.” The term was used to designate the person to whom the prime roles would be given.

Warning! In these Junior Suites you will be spoiled just like a “Prima Donna”. These spacious rooms feature Two King Beds, a comfy seating area complete with sofa sleeper, spa tub, separate walk-in shower and a view of the Space Needle. You go girl! Find Seattle lodging downtown at The Maxwell Hotel.

With their sumptuous, pillow top beds allowing you to relax in a personal space that will feel like a home away from home. Each of their downtown Seattle accommodations feature amenities that will make you glad that you were staying with them. Special things that they added to their room,  like a microwave oven complete with a welcoming packet of popcorn and a mini refrigerator to store your favorite beverages and snacks.!!! 

    Also in the art deco room is a 42” Flat Panel TV and DVD player, with movies you can check out for free in the lobby, ( we didn't find any we hadn't seen already so we were a little sad about the selection) If we had known that they had DVD's there we would have brought some from redbox!  also they have cable that is Family Friendly! & HBO! 

    Grab your I-pod from the car and start playing your tunes through their iPod docking station. We went to the bakery up on Queen and and got two Apple pie cheese cakes that we ate along with the hotel rooms Keurig® pod coffee maker, we enjoyed a Tully's coffee without leaving the room! Another nice touch!

    The personal in-room safe will hold anything you might worry about while you are playing the day or dancing the night away.....

    

Along with a nice little desk you are able to 

    Very chic and Stylish room with a bathrooms with a walk in shower, black marble counter tops, hairdryer and aromatic amenities from one of my favorites, Gilchrist and Soames.  

The only thing I missed was a big soaking tub! 

I loved the Maxwell making it my new go to hotel for when I am spending a night at the theater or a fun concert at the Key or even the EMP! 

I really loved doing my review at the Maxwell and hope that they will invite me to review their other local hotels!  It was a wonderful stay and The Maxwell made me feel like a Star! Oh wait a minute, that treatment wasn't just for me? Nope they treat all their guest like stars! 

   

It's been a while let's blog hop!!

I'm doing this blog hop to make some new friends and if you are a blogger you should to. Here is the rules that they have for you to follow them as well. :)

Here is my answer for the Question for the week:


Question of the Week: What is your favorite thing about May? My favorite thing about May is that it is mine and "Hub's" anniversary. I don't know anyone that loves their husband as much as I do. I married my dearest and best friend. We were married in Vegas and next year this time I can only hope we will be down in Vegas with our baby.  I also love that the weather starts to be warmer and that the days start to be even longer.  

To participate:


Answer the Follow Us Monday Morning question (in the comment area or in a post) and post the button in your post. This is not mandatory, but it sure is appreciated, as it will help spread the word.

1. Follow Being Frugal and Making It Work
2. Follow Frugality Is Free
3. Follow the Hot Blog of the Week - Bassgiraffe's Thoughts 
4. Follow the Blog listed before you
5. Answer the Follow Us Monday Morning Question
6. Follow as many other blogs as you wish, and please follow those who visit you back
7. Link your blog post in the Follow Us Monday Morning linky
8. Please follow back!!!

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Question of the Week

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Question of the Week: What is your favorite thing about May? 



My answer:    My favorite thing about May is the change in the weather.  Days get longer and the weather gets warmer.  It's the perfect opportunity for working in the yard, going for family walks and bike rides.  We plant our garden Memorial Day weekend and look forward to fresh veggies all summer long!

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1.	Being Frugal and Making It Work: Hostess: Please Follow!	11.	CREATE WITH JOY	21.	DIAPERS in the DESERT
2.	Frugality Is Free: Hostess: Please Follow!	12.	The Review Stew	22.	Special Delivery!
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7.	Love is Everywhere!	17.	Wordless Weekly w/linky	27.	Moms Bookshelf & More
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Something about me Sunday....

1. what's something you've eaten and liked, but didn't think you would?

Tofu! I was vegan for a week a few years ago & I love Tofu even now! :) 

2. plastic surgery..yay or nay?

Yay! We will be doing that down the road, a tummy tuck, an eye lift, a boob lift!

3. 2 things you love about spring are.....?

The fact that this year Mother nature is bipolar is crazy! But I love playing in the dirt and getting my garden ready for flowers, fruits and veggies. I love it all!

4. when's the last time you went on a picnic?

It has been a long time, hum something to think about doing with "Hubs"

5. what's your favorite app?

  hummmm my facebook or twitter app :)

6. who does the grocery shopping in your house?

Both of us

7. would you rather take a spin class or zumba?

neither but I guess I should try them both :) 

8. how often do you go out to dinner?

every pay day. 

Now it's your turn!!

Meeting Kristin Hannah....was a dream come true.

Meeting my favorite writer was a highlight of my life!

 It allowed me to cross of my bucket list. 

Last month I was able to attend a book reading and signing 

with the Talented local author Kristin Hannah. 

The local and wonderful

 Liberty Bay Book store 

put it on at the Loft. 

We Celebrated her newest book Night Road. 

Here is what you can expect in the latest book Night road. 

I read it in three days. I simply couldn't put it down. 

For eighteen years, Jude Farraday has put her children’s needs above her own, and it shows—her twins, Mia and Zach—are bright and happy teenagers. When Lexi Baill moves into their small, close knit community, no one is more welcoming than Jude. Lexi, a former foster child with a dark past, quickly becomes Mia’s best friend. Then Zach falls in love with Lexi and the three become inseparable.

Jude does everything to keep her kids on track for college and out of harm’s way. It has always been easy-- until senior year of high school. Suddenly she is at a loss. Nothing feels safe anymore; every time her kids leave the house, she worries about them.

On a hot summer’s night her worst fears come true. One decision will change the course of their lives. In the blink of an eye, the Farraday family will be torn apart and Lexi will lose everything. In the years that follow, each must face the consequences of that single night and find a way to forget…or the courage to forgive.

Vivid, universal, and emotionally complex, Night Road raises profound questions about motherhood, identity, love, and forgiveness. It is a luminous, heartbreaking novel that captures both the exquisite pain of loss and the stunning power of hope. This is Kristin Hannah at her very best, telling an unforgettable story about the longing for family, the resilience of the human heart, and the courage it takes to forgive the people we love.

Enjoy watching Kristin as she reads a blurb of her new book. 

Another one of her books I just adored was Firefly lane 

In the turbulent summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the "coolest girl in the world" moves in across the street and wants to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all---beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever; by summer’s end they’ve become TullyandKate. Inseparable.

So begins Kristin Hannah’s magnificent new novel. Spanning more than three decades and playing out across the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, Firefly Lane is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the bulkhead of their lives.

From the beginning, Tully is desperate to prove her worth to the world. Abandoned by her mother at an early age, she longs to be loved unconditionally. In the glittering, big-hair era of the eighties, she looks to men to fill the void in her soul. But in the buttoned-down nineties, it is television news that captivates her. She will follow her own blind ambition to New York and around the globe, finding fame and success… and loneliness.

Kate knows early on that her life will be nothing special. Throughout college, she pretends to be driven by a need for success, but all she really wants is to fall in love and have children and live an ordinary life. In her own quiet way, Kate is as driven as Tully. What she doesn’t know is how being a wife and mother will change her . . . how she’ll lose sight of who she once was, and what she once wanted. And how much she’ll envy her famous best friend…

For thirty years, Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship---jealousy, anger, hurt, resentment. They think they’ve survived it all until a single act of betrayal tears them apart…and puts their courage and friendship to the ultimate test.

Firefly Lane is for anyone who ever drank Boone’s Farm apple wine while listening to Abba or Fleetwood Mac. More than a coming-of-age novel, it’s the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It’s about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you---and knows what has the power to hurt you…and heal you. Firefly Lane is a story you’ll never forget…one you’ll want to pass on to your best friend.

This book made me love those around me so much more! 

I love the way Kristin tells her stories, being that most of her books are centered around the beautiful area that I grew up at and still to this day live. 

In reading about our spots, although she uses fake names if you live here or you have visited this area you will enjoy knowing what she is talking about. 

Leave me a comment on your favorite book! 

One thing I love about book signings and events is all the new friends I make!

Being Kingstongirl is so fun & allows me to meet new friends and do things with my best friends & my sisters. This book signing I was able to bring my sister Erin & meet up with one of my facebook friends in person. 

Who shall remain nameless in this post because I didn't ask her first. 

But her pretty little face is next to mine in one of these pictures :) 

I'm in Puppy Love with KCMT

What a treat we were in for last Saturday when we went to the North Kitsap Auditorium. There  we caught up with latest KCMT production. This time they did their take on Disney's 101 Dalmatians! 

They did such a great job! These talented kids were beyond amazing.  I know that down the road many of these children will have a star on the walk of fame in Hollywood & realize their dreams of seeing their names in lights. I was able to go and see this play with the "hubs" My friend and her three kids. 

This was my first time to see The KCMT (Their website here! ) group in action. I have always heard great things about them, learning that this group has been around working with the talented local children.  The theater group has been together for over ten years now! 

This program is 100%  non-profit, an all-volunteer organization the goal for this program is to make sure it is available to all young people who want to participate, regardless of background or financial standing. The theater group produces three shows a year in addition to also running a fun and exciting summer camp. The cast on stage and off is mostly ran by children and they are able to walk away with knowledge that most spend years learning. The amount of love from the parents and adults give so much to the cast & to all of the children that are part of this is simply amazing. 

We were able to see the Cast B perform, they did an amazing job the cast mates I could hardly believe that they were so young & doing such an amazing job.  I can't wait to go next weekend to the Cast A, and see the other group as well. It is wonderful to see these kids work like a well oiled machine. 

The stage were bought to life from the very talented actors the story of Pongo who was played by Ben Taylor and Perdita played by Savannah Crosby they are a pair of Dalmatians who live with the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Dearly who were played by Ian Wisbey & Maya Adams. Along with their Nanny played by Chelsea Alberts, The dogs consider the humans their pets, but allow the humans to think that they are the owners! The opening act was so cute with the dogs and their masters doing the match up of looking alike, was so very sweet. 

Perdita gives birth to a litter of 15 puppies. One of the show stopper's was Cruella de Vil, played by Abigail COle, she did the grand slam with the intimidating and truly captured the feeling of being a very wealthy woman fixated with fur clothing,  her belief that all animals are worthless and should be drowned. Shortly after the visit, the puppies disappear. The humans fail to trace them but through the "Twilight Barking", a forum of communication in which dogs can relay messages to each other across the country, the dogs manage to track them down to "Hell Hall", the ancestral home of the de Vil family in Suffolk. Pongo and Perdita try to find the puppies' location with the help of Tibs the cat played by Jaclyn Davis, she get's them to run away under Jasper &Horace Curella DeVill's right hand men in her quest to getting the fur!  All the while Pongo and Perdita decide to run away and find them themselves, After a journey across the countryside, they meet the Colonel, an Old English Sheepdog played by Caleb Steinlicht who shows them Hell Hall and tells them its history. They learn that there are 97 puppies in Hell Hall, including their own 15.

Cruella de Vil appears and tells the crooks in charge of Hell Hall to slaughter and skin the dogs as soon as possible because of the publicity surrounding the theft of the Dearlys' puppies. Pongo and Missis devise a plan to rescue all of the puppies and escape. They are able to disguise themselves, they hide in the darkness and in the shadow of a plant.... getting them all into the van safe and sound. At the end of the play the entire theater knew what it was to be in Puppy Love. I know I am in love with all these cute Puppies. 

Next weekend they will be running this play April 15th thru the 17th. Check their website for times & brown paper tickets where you can get tickets before hand, They also have them at the door. You will not want to miss this or any other production that KCMT puts on. 

These children all demand your attention and you are not able to take your eyes off of all of the dogs, At one point I think that there was 101 of the puppies on stage at once. The acting along with the songs that they sang got caught in my head for days to now, I'm still sing the song     " Cuella DeVil."  Counting the 101 puppies that were in the cast was something that people all around me were also doing, it was fun to hear all the children around me getting swept away from this wonderful two hour 8 scenes production along with the perfect 15 minute intermission.  

This play that they put on is one that you don't want to miss and because of that you can enter to win two tickets to next weekends production. All you have to do is the following!

1) leave a comment on here.

2) Follow and come back here to leave a comment that you are following KCMT on Facebook

3) Same as above only on Twitter. 

4) tell me what play you would like to see them do next.

5) Extra points will be given if you Sponsor KCMT