Visit my personal blog to read about some of our recent adventures with our new pet - a Savannah Monitor Lizard.

Here is an excerpt:

For our little man AJ's sixth birthday this past November we got him a pet. Now, it's not your ordinary pet — since we our renting our house, the landlord said we couldn't have a dog (which would have been our first choice) or a cat— so we ended up with a Monitor Lizard, For those of you who don't know what a Monitor is, it's not your typical little garden lizard, this thing will grow up to practically be a miniature alligator.

Through his love of the ocean, artist Shawn Droke brings to life
this collection of unique Christmas cards.

I mentioned in my little bio, just briefly, and I've been debating how to tactfully and blatently self-promote on here. But, I do think some of you out there might be interested, so here it goes. California Seashell Company, based out of Huntington Beach, California - is my boyfriend's, uncle's company. Did you all follow that? It's really a family business and I've begun using my capabilities in design and marketing to help revise their logo and identity, start advertising and get them online.

The current site has been up for awhile and has just started taking off. And as the web world goes - we are currently revamping the site, which I hope will be up very soon. As we have SO MANY more items that aren't on the current site.

California Seashell Company has been around for over 20 years. They are one of the leading distributors for both wholesale and retail seashells and sealife on the West Coast (of the US). With the current trends of starfish and seashell decor, we've been doing great. Check out the site for all of your beach-themed decorating needs.

Seashells, sealife, and… everything beachy!

I'd also love to hear your thoughts... I've been toying with the idea and just haven't started it yet.... but look for the possibility of a "Decorating with Seashells and Sealife  Blog" coming soon.

(I'm sorry to say, for many of you Minti users out there, that we currently don't have international shipping available online. But, if there's something you're really interested in, shoot us an email and say how you heard about the site and we may be able to calculate the shipping and getting something off to you overseas)

Hope you don't mind my self-promotion here... thought it couldn't hurt!

I've finally started really recruiting and asking for sponsors for the Walk to D'Feet ALS 2006. Check it out!

Behind the Scenes Walk to D'Feet 2006

So, I've already started another blog... many of you may know I volunteer for the ALS Association of Orange County.

Our annual Walk to D'Feet, to help find a cure for Lou Gehrig's Disease and to raise money for patient and family services, is quickly approaching.

I thought I would hlep in spreading the word and share my experiences as to what is going on behind the scenes of planning the days events – share recruiting tips as I build my own team and raise funds – and post our needs for donations, volunteers, etc.. for the day's events.

Please check it out and spread the word! Click here >>

So I have just started this blogging thing and just haven't had a chance to write anything here on Minti yet. I'm very excited to be a part of it.... as a mother. I'm a step-mother of sorts (we're not married just yet) - my boyfriend has full-custody of his son and we moved into a house all together just over 2 months ago.

I already felt like a mom to him before, but now.... I really do. It's amazing - difficult at times - but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

So, I don't know that I have much advice to give - but I haven't found much on co-parenting or step-parents yet, so maybe I'll get going on something that direction!

For now - my personal blog has some more to check out: A Day in the Life.