I Am Writing With A Heart FULL Of Hope...

that each and every one of my friends (YES...that means YOU!!!) has a wonderful, joyous, safe, and BLESSED holiday season. You know...this is the time of year when I really give a lot of thought to what exactly it means to be...a wife...a daughter...a sister...a sister-in-law...a neighbor...a friend...and well...a human being.

We wear many hats in this life and serve many purposes. Sometimes our situations are ones of our own choosing and we are honored to take part...and sometimes circumstances are thrust upon us regardless of our wishes and we are forced to learn lessons that we did not even know we needed to learn. We are, however, lucky that we have the ability to understand that sometimes what we need is not necessarily what we want and vice versa.

This year, I consider myself lucky to have learned many lessons. Some came very easy and by choice...and some were more difficult to see and to understand. I learned some things about myself...both good things and not so good things...and I learned some things about others. I learned that I am resilient and strong...but also sensitive and emotional. I learned that while I am spiritual and god-fearing, I know that this earth needs us to care for its well-being and to take care of it so that it may continue to take care of us. I learned that having faith and believing in a higher being (whatever it may be) does not mean that you cannot also trust in science and the facts of this world that science brings forth. These two things are not mutually exclusive. I learned that faith is a gift that we give to ourselves...whether it's faith in others or faith in yourself, you must always believe that you are capable of anything your heart and mind desires and that this world IS capable of love.

I learned that you must be careful of who you put your faith in but do not be stingy with your trust. Trust is the most wonderful gift that you can give to yourself and to others and not putting it out there closes and weakens your heart. Do not be afraid to be hurt...be afraid of regret and let the fear of regrets push you into making the leap into relationships and adventures that you have been too scared to try. Trust me...adventure is worth it. LOVE is worth it.

I have learned that being a good wife...sister...mother...daughter...friend...ect...is not 100% about one person. A relationship is a two way street...but to be able to give fully to another means first giving fully to yourself. Questions are good for the soul. Never be afraid to ask for what you want...whether it is from another person or from yourself. Often times, the only thing that is really keeping us from reaching our full potential is that we have never asked ourselves for permission to succeed...

and most importantly, I have learned to NEVER...EVER EVER EVER...be afraid to fail. In failure is when we should see the brightest hope and the chance to try again. Failure is not an end...it is most certainly a beginning!! Never be afraid to try...the only real failure is to give up.

This holiday season, it is my wish for all of you, that you ask yourself the question, "What do I want from this life?"...and that you give yourself a truly honest answer. You may be surprised at what flows forth from one simple question.

Take care, all of you, and be SAFE in your travels this season!!! I hope that Santa brings you all the wondeful fishing gear and lures and poles and jigs and reels that your little hearts desire and that, above all, you count your blessings and see that there is always a bright side to this life!! Have fun and God Bless!!!

Happy Fishing and Happy HO! HO! HO! ~

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

HOLY COW...Have You Guys Seen This...

Okay...so the picture is really small...but do you see that???? It is a video controller ROD AND REEL...SOOOOO COOOOOL!!! Some of you may have already seen these because you have a WII...but I am a PS3 fan....and....therefore...have just been turned onto the PS3 move!!!! This thing is awesome...

Here are a few screenshots from the Bass Fishing game from Rapala...

I don't know about you...but I think Video Games have come along way from the Christmases I spent playing Atari with my older brother J. I remember those days fondly...but these games from Rapala are different...than say...PONG...LOL :)

I miss the old Atari system but I am in LOVE with this rod and reel controller and bass fishing tourney game. PLUS...I hear really great things about the Cabelas Hunting Games, as well. Dangerous Hunts has been a popular seller this Christmas.

I am excited about these games...who knows...maybe Santa reads my blog and I will get a PS3 MOVE for Christmas.......... ;) But regardless...these are great games just perfect for making lovely family memories of Christmas days spent playing video games, napping, and eating turkey with brother and dad...and of course...MOM!!! :)

Happy Christmas Time!!!!

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

OK GUYS...

the only person I have heard from on my contest is ROCKFISH...soooo here is your notice...if I don't hear from the two other winners by TUESDAY DECEMBER 14th at 5pm...you forfeit your prize!! Sorry to be so harsh boys...buuuuutttt gotta be done!!! Email me at fisherbabestaff@fisherbabe.com to claim your prize!!! :)

Happy Monday ~

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

AnD ThE WiNnErS ArE...

The winners of the AwEsOmE LuRe GivEaWaY are...DRUMROLL PLEASE... First Lure (Large Size) goes to COMMENT #19 (aka Rockfish) Second Lure (Medium Size) goes to COMMENT #13 (aka Pete) Third Lure (Small Size) goes to COMMENT #18 (aka Thoughttech) Please send me your mailing information to my email address at fisherbabestaff@fisherbabe.com within the next 24 HOURS to claim your prize!! CONGRATS GUYS!!! Boy the random number generator sure loved the teens this time!!! ENJOY!!!! Happy Wednesday LOVELIES!!! LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

FRidAY GIvEAwAY = PuRe HaPpY

Now...you all KNOW how much I love spoons AND giveaways...so YaY for folks who LOVE THE FiSheRbAbE and HER READErS!!!!! Anthony from http://www.antmofishinglures.com/ has been so kind and sent me not one...not two...BUT THREE of his AmAzInG Reactionary Jigging Spoons to give away here on "From The Fisherbabe". Now I have been giving this give-a-way a lot of thought and have decided to award the spoons separately to THREE different readers!! By doing it this way, more folks can get the chance to try out these really cool new lures and see how much they ROCK OUT!!

NOW...here is a picture of the lures...AND I have one in EVERY SIZE to giveaway!!!

Here is the write up from the website...and I believe every word. These lures look awesome!!!

This jigging spoon (1/4 oz) swims like a fleeing baitfish. The spoon and blade combination gives the spoon vibration and flash which will make the most finicky fish bite. Great for bass ,trout, redfish, specklde trout, and walleye. 1/2 and 3/4 oz sizes are great for getting down deep., When vertically jigging, the patent pending blade and spoon combination will GUARANTEE a higher percentage of getting those fish to bite.

Now...for the RULES...all you have to do is leave me a comment telling me what you would fish for if YOU won one of these amazing lures...ANNNND you have until WEDNESDAY at 5:00 P.M. (CST) to get it done!! Now GO GO GO...leave me an awesome comment so you can win one of these AWESOME lures that is sure to become your new "secret weapon" against the fishies :)

~ Happy Commenting AND Prize Winning ~

Lizzy aka The Fisherbabe

**Contest will close at 5:00 P.M. (CST) on Wednesday December 8, 2010. The winners will be chosen at random from the comments posted on this website by the random number generator at www.random.org. Thanks for playing and GOOD LUCK!!!

Moron Moments...

(see this BRIGHT PINK jacket??? It's WIND PROOF and that makes me SMART...LOL)

;)

These types of "brain farts" are sometimes the funnest part of life...you know that moment where you go...OOOOOHHHHHHHH...well...OK...that is an easy fix or why didn't I think of that...duh!!!!! As I sit here drinking a Boddingtons Pub Ale (in honor of my British friends) and pondering my fishing gear (as I am already planning for my spring PIKE trip up North), I find myself thinking about my customers at work.

One top concern is that a jacket/fleece/sweatshirt/hoodie doesn't keep you warm. I am always honest and tell the sad truth and that truth is that if the wind is blowing it is rare that you will find a lightweight jacket/fleece/sweatshirt/hoodie that WILL keep you warm regardless of what anyone says!! It is just a fact and a cold, hard one if you aren't aware of this tidbit before you take your happy, unprepared ass out intp the cold, windy field.

I NEVER say that they will be warm in any kind of cold weather without the proper protection from the wind. I won't lie to them and say a garment will keep them warm because it just isn't going to happen if the garment isn't made to protect a person from the wind. When I am fishing without my raincoat, I definitely feel the wind hitting my skin regardless of the amount of layers I have on underneath...even coveralls don't help!! To keep warm when it's windy YOU MUST HAVE A GARMENT WITH WIND PROTECTION. Don't have a moron moment and think that because something is labeled a "coat" or a "jacket" that it will protect you. Do your research and MAKE SURE or you will be disgusted when you get out in the cold wind and realize you had a "moron moment" and that fleece just isn't cutting it ;)

So in honor of the upcoming holiday season/fishing season/hunting season that I know is coming up in your neck of the woods here are some of my favorite windproof garments that are sure to make your mini-santa/fisherman (or woman)/hunter (or huntress) seriously happy come Christmas morning!!!

WINDSHEAR ROCKS...The pluses of these garments are many including windshear lining to protect you from the raging wind and keep that nasty jack frost from blowing on your sweet little...nose :)

Cabelas Windshear Lined Fleece Pants...

DOES it GET BETTER than awesome fleece pants THAT ALSO keep the wind from nipping at your bum???? I don't think so...

Cabelas Windshear Pullover- This pullover is AWESOME and is light enough to wear under your coat as a layering item. I know I am wierd but I personally love camo patterns and find myself "boning" up on them at work when we aren't busy...well when we weren't busy...LOL :) There are so many different pretty patterns but that's another post altogether.

This item is pretty awesome because...well...it is just a shirt. But as many of us know there are days upon days that are not full of cold air but ARE full of cold wind. Therefore, a jacket is unnecessary but a nice shirt that might block the cold wind when it arises would be PERFECT. If YOU have ever been standing on the shore thinking...man I wish this shirt blocked the wind then...this is the shirt for you!!! :)

Now...all of these garments are from CABELAS and there is a reason for that. I heart Cabelas and I, personally, know that WINDSHEAR technology works. Therefore, I feel confident about recommending it to my readers. I would love to hear all about your favorite windproofing technology though!!! Leave me a comment and tell me alllllllllll about it!!!!

Also, be sure to stay tuned TOMORROW for SUPER AWESOME SUPER LOVELY GIVEAWAY FRIDAY...I have something awesomely special to give away that would be just perfect for that spring pike trip...or that southern winter fishing trip ;)

Happy JOYOUS Thursday PEOPLE!!! :)

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

** DISCLAIMER: I know there are about 1,000,000 typographical errors in this post...including probably mispelling and/or misusing the word typographical...but I am enjoying my beer, watching "The Santa Clause", and don't feel like fixing them...lol...deal with it ;)