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Carrie & Theresa
 
 
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Carrie Castleman has an undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University and a Masters in Social Work from The University of Texas in Arlington. Currently she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker employed part time by LifeSynch as a Care Manager. The remainder of her time is spent in Plano, Texas raising her two daughters and driving her husband John insane. She enjoys Tae Kwon Do, Indoor Cycling, volunteering for various charities, Duran Duran and being a Fabulous Friend (really it is true). Carrie's articles have been published by Reuters and DivineCaroline.com.

Theresa received her B.F.A. in Art History from the Savannah College of Art and Design along with a Museum Studies minor. She has a background in museum and gallery work and has run animation galleries for both Warner Brother Studio Stores and The Disney Store. She just wrapped up another year as a middle school art teacher in Bluffton, South Carolina. In the middle of a Master's program in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina, Theresa is about to start another turn in life. She will focus on her business as a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and pursue her love of all things fabulous and glamorous as she embarks on her first manuscript chronicling her whirlwind crazy life of her travels in France and England and other incredible journeys life has taken her on so far!


 

Shelter Dogs Need A Second Chance
 
March 2, 2010
 

Several months ago, I found myself making daily trips to the Savannah Chatham County Animal Control in search of my little man, Mr. Bentley.  What I witnessed as I searched for my lost schnauzer was nothing new to anyone who has ever seen an ASPCA commercial, watched Animal Cops on Animal Planet or any number of shows out there now about the homeless pet population that not only this country but many others face.  What I didn’t realize at the time was the amount of diligent hard work, dedication and countless tears that these workers (the “dog catcher” to the … Read More »


 

Has Disney Tainted a Girl’s Real World Perspective of a Happy Ending?
 
February 12, 2010
 

When I read Carrie’s article on Disney/Pixar movies and the great messages that they often carried with them I couldn’t have agreed more.  I have always been a BIG fan of Disney!  I was born not far from Disneyland and from our backyard in Anaheim I remember early childhood memories of watching the fireworks every night.  I have such fond memories of princesses and Prince Charming, fairy godmothers and far away castles and happy endings that I am deathly afraid I may have transformed them into my real life.

Though I know that these movies often carry a great moral story … Read More »


 

Chronicling Weight Loss Stumbles and Goals
 
February 4, 2010
 

Not many know that I at one time was almost 400 pounds.  WOW…even now that number seems far too high and I lived it!  I can’t really say everything that got me to that point, nor do I even know really what it was that sparked the fire in me to lose nearly 200 of those pounds.  I remember going to a doctor visit and the first thing the doc said to me was “you know you have a weight problem, right?”  “REALLY? I NEVER knew!  Tell me doc, exactly how many years of medical school did it take you … Read More »


 

Disney Movies From a New Perspective
 
February 1, 2010
 

Like many of you I grew up loving Disney movies.  I never dreamed that one day I would hate them so, but as I had children and they started watching them, I began to secretly curse them as we watched the same ones, over and over and over. Movies that I loved as a child became torture.

One movie that was not torture was Mary Poppins.  Mainly because it is like 2 1/2 hours long and you can push play, and take a nice nap while the kiddos watch “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” and “Step in Time”.

Sometimes I would stop … Read More »


 

Is My J-O-B To Take Care of Others?
 
January 4, 2010
 

I have debated on what it was I wanted to change and accomplish as we start this new year.  Looking back on it, 2009 really hasn’t been that different from any of the previous years.  Except one small detail.  I have made up my mind that this is the year that I start taking care of myself more and worry less about having someone in my life that I need to be taking care of…in whatever capacity that may be.

This actually popped into my head while reading one of my favorite authors.  James Patterson typically writes the intense, fast moving … Read More »


 

Mr. Bentley: A True Story of Unconditional Love
 
December 11, 2009
 

I was first introduced to Chic Galleria by a friend of mine.  I had just ended a torrid three year relationship only to come home to find my eldest schnauzer Madison paralyzed in the back yard.  I knew at that time I was facing what was one of the hardest things I had done in my life to that point.  Carrie Castleman sent a link via Facebook alerting me to a call for stories about our dear beloved pets.  I had to make the decision to put Madison to sleep on April 27, 2009.  I came home and within about … Read More »


 

Holiday Perspective
 
November 26, 2009
 

Given that the holiday season is upon us, everyone is in a mode of giving and steeped in thoughtful reflection of the first ten months of 2009.

Almost every day I am reminded in some way of the very many things that I do have in my life to be thankful for.  Oddly enough, it is usually around the time that I find myself wondering miserably why on earth I have been denied something that someone else has, such as a large family to share the holidays with, children running around the house or a daughter of my own to share … Read More »


 

Confessions of a Cafe World Addict
 
November 24, 2009
 

Cafe World Baby. Yes, Cafe World. Wait!  What do you mean you have no idea what Cafe World is?  Everyone knows what Cafe World is right?
Right?  No.  Are you sure?  You are!?
UGH.  Another addiction of mine raises its ugly head.

Well for those of you not in the know, Cafe World is a game on Facebook (FB).  Oh wait, my Super Chunk Fruit Salad is done.  Let me get it off my stove and I will be right back.

Ok I am back.   Now where was I?  Oh yeah I was trying to convince you guys I do not have an addiction … Read More »


 

Twilight Fans Anxiously Awaiting New Moon Release
 
November 13, 2009
 

To the tune of “Blue Moon”

“New Moon
I’ve been waiting all year
With dreams of Rob in my head
And a shirtless Taylor Lautner” …Oh wait he is only 17—bad brain, bad brain… it is just so wrong to be that cute and under age, eh hum, focus Carrie.

It’s coming, it’s coming, it’s coming, and yes I am a tad bit excited.  The second book in a four book series by Stephanie Meyer is coming to life November 19th at midnight.  “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” hits theaters and I already have my viewing party in place.  Many will see it at midnight on … Read More »


 

Slugging Up Some Family Car Fun
 
November 4, 2009
 

SLUG BUGS!  Oh yeah…the slug bug game is alive and well and working its way through family cars all over the United States.

A year ago, while on my way with friends to a charity event, I was re-acquainted with this game by their two boys ages 11 and 9.  Man I forgot how much fun that game is.  A free punch to young children and unruly spouses and all that is needed is to spot that Volkswagen Bug (VW).  Well I informed my two girls of this game and it has been “on” ever since.

Do you remember the rules?  When … Read More »


 

A Round Toit
 
October 24, 2009
 

I was once in a Doctor’s office and saw a magnet to ask them about getting a Round Toit.  Of course my curiosity got the better of me and I asked the Dr. (a good hour after my appointment was supposed to have occurred!) “What exactly is a Round Toit?” Well, of course, the Dr. smiled and said “I am so glad you asked about that.” Little did I know that already at the age of about twenty- something I already had more Round Toits than I knew what to do with.  Now, at the “delicate” age of forty (shhh, … Read More »


 

Simple Pleasures
 
October 9, 2009
 

On my most recent vacation I became re-acquainted with a long lost simple pleasure, feeding the ducks.

Seriously—I have forgotten as an adult how much fun it can be to feed ducks.  We were in a house on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire and twice a day a family of ducks would swim by the dock and come up on the grass.  Even before we would see them coming, the kids had heard them quacking and would run down to the water with corn in their cups to feed the ducks.

The duck family (happily … Read More »


 

Is Honesty The Best Policy With Children?
 
September 18, 2009
 

I don’t think I am alone in this line of thinking, but is it just me or does it seem that we are more honest and open with our children now than our parents were with us when we were kids?


 

Unbelievable
 
August 27, 2009
 

Lake Winnipesauke—I mean how huge is this lake in New Hampshire? HUGE–approximately 178 miles of shore line and 26 miles in length I am told.


 

Summertime—Here They Come
 
July 13, 2009
 

OK–now get this straight up front–I LOVE MY CHILDREN. They are the two best things in my life. I would never want to be without them. That being said–I wonder. Am I the only one that dreads summer?