Attention this blog has moved please redirect all links, favorites, and bookmarks to my new site : the sarcastic cynical optimist.

Thank You!

First of all this blog is moving - yes again. I have decided to blog under a new name since I am no longer directly affiliated with roller derby. At this time I would like to introduce the sarcastic cynical optimist. I am still in the process of making everything just 'right'. So please change your links and favorites and take the time to become a follower plz! This blog will stand but will cease to be updated starting this weekend.

The entrants to my first give away:

1. The Coastal Chicster (by way of comment!)
2. aka_Mariha (by way of comment!)
3. The Coastal Chicster (she is a follower!)
4. The Coastal Chicster (for blogging about the give away!)

I then entered 1 - 4 into random.org and it popped up that 4 is the winner.

So, Coastal Chicster send me a email to thesarcasticcynicaloptimistATgmailDOTcom and we will figure out what fragrances you are interested in.

Secondly aka_Mariha since this is my blog and I will do what I want to - shoot me a email to the same address and just for entering you will also get a bar of soap!

I am really excited to see what the both of you think of this soap and thanks for participating!

Ah, fall - winter is here.

Chilli weather, hot drinks and sweaters are here.

So is dry skin.

When we lived on the east coast dry skin was not such a concern. Here in Oklahoma that is not the case. During our 'non-humid' months my skin itches. I discovered that the problem was eased by a change in soap. I love my bath poof and body gel as much as the next gal but that just doesn't work in the winter. I need something a little more gentle for my skin.

For years my Mother (in-law) of Stone Bluff Soap Shoppe fame has been making soap and selling it a local shops and vineyards. Her soaps are just right for my skin this time of year. I am especially fond of her gardenia, lavender, and calendula. I guess I just could not keep this luxurious soap to myself any longer.

Well, I made my promise and here is the delivery.



This giveaway is for two bars of hand crafted Stone Bluff Soap and a few other little goodies.

Here’s the deal. Leave a comment on this post between now and November 4th to enter. In your comment tell me how you found my blog / or why you read this blog. I’ll draw a name and give away the prize on November 5th. In addition if you are a follower tell me and that will give you one extra entry if you are following me by way of NetworkedBlogs tell me that too that will give you 3 entries all in one!

So, go tell all of your friends about my first giveaway, and start showering me with comments!

And speaking of giveaways! Over at the design girl blog she is giving away OPI nail colors. Wouldn't that be perfect bundled with this soap?

By now I bet most of my readers are under the impression that I totally ignore the fall holidays. This is not true but all my spare time that is not devoted to celebrating the season are spent preparing for the Christmas season. In all truth fall happens to be my absolute favorite season.

I have been wondering what are Christmas traditions you have that don't involve sweets, decorating, parties, or gift exchanging?

For me that is charity. Each holiday I donate to toys for tots, grab a angel off the angel tree, or take food to the food bank. This may not be Opera at the Met, but I see this as a classy holiday tradition.

Throughout the year I regularly take supplies to Blue Star Mothers. But the holidays I focus on those less fortunate.

If you have never done this I highly suggest this become a yearly tradition. No matter how small the gift you will make a difference in someones life.

I still remember as a child how we would go select a gift or two to take to the Toys for Tots. And then my Aunt and I would take them and deliver them to a Marine. As we were selecting the toy and dropping it off we would talk about the importance of helping the less fortunate. I see this as an indispensable life lesson that has suck with me and shaped who I am even today.

In lean years I have often purchased my gifts at Big Lots or the Dollar Tree. Other years I have tried to get the latest and greatest toy. But every year I do something. After all something is better than nothing.

I find that I get the most joy from picking out a Angel to buy for.

I try to pick the tweens or teens (most people go for the little ones.) I like getting the teens so that I will know that somewhere someone is opening a outfit that will make them feel good about who they are - and how they look, even just for one day. I cant help thinking how great it was to get all the cool new clothes for Christmas when I was in middle school. How I would labor over what to wear on the first day back.

If you are a parent I would suggest you and your child(ren) select someone together at about their age so that they can help in this gift selection.

Today while sorting thru my blogs I follow on google reader I came across a post for Bloggers care: Operation Christmas Child. Which in truth is what spawned this post. I don't know if the is the avenue I will choose to support this holiday season but I wanted to share this link for a good cause.

If you have never participated in an anonymous gift giving program before I hope you will consider it. If you do please take a moment to share a story or thought. Or as I asked in the beginning, how do you celebrate the holiday season? What makes Christmas, Christmas for you?

As most of you know I was raised in the Disciples of Christ Church.

I went thru a time where I questioned church as a whole. I could not understand how someone could profess to be a 'christian' and yet have a affair, marginalize members of the church, or berate those who do not believe. Correct me if I am wrong but I was taught god is love. To be a christian is to behave in a Christ like manner.

Each time I cross paths with one of 'those' people. I feel the need to slap them.

Recently my husband categorized himself as atheist. This is something he feels the need to do. I understand. I was there. I followed a strain of Atheism and Agnostic repeatedly in the late 1980's and all of the 1990's. Oddly enough sparked by a church camp experience.

Growing up I saw parents spending ungodly amounts of money sending their children to private school to shelter them from the world so that they could be better Christians. I am sorry I don't think that there is a platinum Christian. We are all pretty equal. It is how we act that counts. How do you treat your fellow man? Do you honor the vows you made before god and all creation both on the day you were baptized and on the day you were wed? This is what makes you Christian.

Likewise I believe people will find faith, and faith will find people. Going out and metaphorically hitting a person repeatedly with the bible will only cause them to run the opposite way, quickly.

I see this largely in my peers, the ones who had religion thrust upon them are now still wrestling with their faith. Conversely the peers I have who were encouraged like I was to question the beliefs, explore others, and arrive at their own conclusion are the ones who are still active members of a faith based group.

I guess my plea is this. No matter the label you choose to wear in reference to faith practice being a good humanitarian. A good steward of the earth. Honor your family, stay true to your vows, and above all else respect yourself. There are few thing in this world I prize as highly as my integrity.

My good friend Lisa has started a new blog; the Coastal Chictster. So pop on over to the Coastal Chicster to get the latest thrifty stylish tips as well as some killer recommendations. To kick things off she just hosted a giveaway. And I won! I am so excited to recive the goodies I can hardly sit still! Now she has inspired me.

So to my loyal readers keep your eyes on the lookout! Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but soon expect to see some giveaways happening RIGHT HERE.

Also keep an eye out for gift ideas on a dime, sadly those will start rolling our after the holidays due to the fact that many of my gifts are hand made too and I cant spoil a Christmas Surprise!

Just wanted to toss up a bit of info on the band goings on as of late.

Driveby Sonata has confirmed gigs for October and November. So please take a second right quick and mark your calenders for October 31st Freakers Ball at the historic Cains Ballroom and November 28th for Cancer Sucks also at the historic Cains Ballroom.

Both of these Grassroots local music festivals are staples of the Green Country Rock and Roll scene.

If you are planning to attend Cancer Sucks the band will be selling advance tickets. Please contact the band or shoot me a message and I will be happy to oblige.

Also if you plan to crash at our house please let me know asap so you will have a bed!

Cant wait to see you all!