The List (Just in Time!)

For/By Myself:

1. Take a Zumba class - and continue with some sort of regular fitness schedule.
2. Visit the Longaberger Homestead again.
3. Eat at the Melting Pot.
4. Earn my Punta Cana trip from Dove.
5. Get my acrylic/gel nails back (in a few months, once the baby is a bit bigger...).

With my family:

1. Go to Cedar Point.
2. Go to the Renaissance Festival.
3. Go camping (in the RV ;) ).
4. Go for more walks.
5. Eat at Rainforest Cafe.

Around the house:

1. Do something to hang up all my jewelry/necklaces.
2. Get a bench by the front door (to take off/put on shoes).
3. Have hanging baskets of flowers on the front porch.
4. Get the horse tire swing and a baby swing hung up from the play structure.
5. Get window coverings on all the first floor windows.
   

Want List

As I mentioned early, hubby and I are doing a sort of variation on new year's resolutions. To better plan our year and know how to help the other get what they want this year, we're each making three lists: five things we want to do for/by ourselves, five things we want to do as a family, and five things we want to do around the house.

I've been kicking a few things around in my head, but I'm nervous to commit to just those five in any category, you know? What if I put down that I want to get more stuff for my camera, but then start a new hobby and need welding equipment?

I suppose I just need to jump in with both feet and make the lists already. Just sitting around fretting about it will result in nothing getting done!

Healthy?

Your Healthiest Habit is Practicing Moderation

You don't think that anything can kill you in small amounts. You believe it's all about balance. You are willing to engage in unhealthy habits occasionally. After all, they are a lot of fun! Some may criticize your moderate approach, but it's very sustainable. You're into being healthy for the long haul, and you know that extremes only lead to trouble.

What's Your Healthiest Habit?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

Right Line of Work

As I watch gas prices skyrocket again, I'm very glad of hubby's company and job! He works on developing and implementing electric batteries for cars (I'm probably saying it wrong, but you get the idea). While there's plenty of discussion surrounding the idea of low cost electricity, it's got to be less expensive than gasoline lately, right?

I'm a little surprised that hubby's company is mostly German. It seems like the U.S. should be much more motivated to improve auto efficiency. Whenever we've visited Germany, there are a lot more people walking or using public transportation. I think my frame of reference is even more skewed since we live in the 'motor city' here. I can't imagine being without a car, and as gas prices increase, most people just grumble about it, but still need to keep driving. Go figure!

10 Random Things for Friday

1. I can hardly keep track of what day it is! With hubby off of work all week, and Maggie off of school for the second week in a row, I'm completely discombobulated!
2. I also can't keep track of the fact that tomorrow is New Year's Eve! We don't have any plans, but I still feel like I should at least know it's the big day, right?
3. Maggie has finally been letting us sleep in a little (yesterday and today). Too bad it took her most of everyone's week off to do it. ;)
4. I have got to call Nancy O! I've been meaning to for more than a week, I think. Hopefully I'll get it done before next year (hehehehe....yeah, that's the big joke around here).
5. I'm so grateful to hubby - he's spending hours with Maggie today trying to organize her room. She and I already argue like she's a teenager sometimes - that room was driving me insane and there's no way I could help (or more likely do most of the work) cleaning it and watching the baby...
6. Hubby and I decided to each make a list of five things we want to do as a family, five things we want to do for/by ourselves, and five things we want done around the house for 2012. I think it'll be interesting, and maybe we'll get more stuff planned and accomplished!
7. I've also been meaning to paint my nails. The idea was to have them pretty for holiday parties. Oops. Blew by that window of opportunity...
8. I was so excited yesterday!! I was poking around some old emails, and found a way to get to my business shopping cart and it worked!! They haven't given us official word of when it will launch yet, but it's got to be soon if it already works, right??
9. Hopefully my hair will grow to acceptable pony tail length soon. I'm catching myself trying to chew it again! I've got to get it out of my reach - a ponytail or bun will do that.
10. I won't write another 10 Random Things for Friday until next year (hehehehe...yeah, it just doesn't get old for me!).
    

Just Do It!!

Well, I've successfully put off making a dentist appointment for a long time. Not that I've really neglected things, as Maggie and I both had our teeth cleaned back in March. But now I've got an ouchy spot that I should have checked out (and it's time for both of our cleanings again). I keep saying I'll take care of it, and I really meant to do it this week while hubby was home from work.

I think it's the dread of trying to find a new dentist, and the feeling that my current discomfort was actually the work of a previous dentist. I hope I can pick a good one. I never put off my cardiologist appointments. He's a cool guy, and I've never had an ekg hurt, right? ;) If only I could find a dentist that I liked and trusted as much...

Smile!

You Have Your Attitude to Smile About

Things may or may not be going well in your life, but you always take time to smile a little. You know it's important to keep looking up and looking toward the future. Optimism always wins out. You're the one person always eager to see a silver lining in dark clouds. It's important that you feel hopeful. No matter whether you're having a good day or bad day, you keep smiling. A smile makes everything better!

What Do You Have To Smile About?

Blogthings: We Have a Quiz for Almost Everything

Are My Antlers' Days Numbered?

Okay, so I know I'll have to take the reindeer accessories off my car, and probably soon :( But why can't there be a comparable summer animal I can sport when the snow is gone?

Or maybe I should just leave the antlers and the nose? You don't see anyone taking off their suv bike rack because it's snowy and impractical for biking in Michigan in the winter, so where do the rules say there can't be [red-nosed] reindeer in the summer?

I'm pretty sure if I ran this argument past my four-year-old, we'd have a reindeer car until it fell apart - or (more likely) til hubby took it off when she wasn't looking. I suppose I should probably just take it off soon so we'll have it to put back on next year sometime after Thanksgiving...

Let It Snow!

Maggie and her daddy had a great time playing out in the snow today. She spent some time sledding while he built a mommy and daddy snowman. She says the one with the eyebrows is mommy and the one with the hair is daddy. I love that girl!

She's been really eager to try ice skating on the small pond behind our house, but her enthusiasm has finally been tempered by watching daddy fall through the ice (just up past his ankles, but that water isn't warm for sure!). Now she believes the ice isn't thick enough - and we have some more time to get ice skates for her and whoever will accompany her.

I love watching two of my favorite people have so much fun together!

Older Every Day

Ugh. One thing I didn't get as a holiday gift is a new yoga ball to sit on at my desk. And I really need it! My hips are killing me lately. I don't know if it's just because I need more exercise, or my body isn't bouncing back quite as fast as last time since having the baby, or if I'm just finally reaching the age where I'll need life insurance with no medical exam. Whatever it is, I'm pretty sure the metal chair I'm sitting on doesn't help!

Somehow my back doesn't hurt as much lately (except when I first wake up), but maybe it's just because my hips are taking my mind off it?

Whine, whine, whine...Thank goodness I'm not pregnant anymore and I can now take ibuprofen! Yay!!

Thursday Thirteen

2012

Thirteen things I'd like to work on in 2012.

1. Organized call list for the three days I'll work my business each week (to be prepared on Sunday night each week).
2. Organized hostess coaching for all shows (which I already have in place, but just fell out of the habit around the time the baby was born).
3. Organized customer follow-up (this would be new, as I've only feebly attempted it in the past).
4. Setting up a place and working on both kids' scrapbooks regularly.
5. Menu-planning.
6. A schedule for house cleaning.
7. A schedule for blog posts.
8. Keep up with my 365.
9. Visit the Longaberger Homestead again.
10. Start exercising regularly.
11. Send more thank-you cards.
12. Help Maggie to organize her room (and keep it up!).
13. Find the iron (hopefully this won't take all year, but I've been looking for a couple weeks already with no luck...
    

Auld Lang Syne

With just a few days left, I'm finally looking to the new year. Not quite busting out the Davidoff cigars or anything, but trying to organize for 2012.

I don't really have much desire to go do anything New Years Eve - I'd rather spend it with my kids (which is really saying something, as the youngest has been doing a lot of screaming today). They're generally fun to be around, and even if I don't feel guilty all the time that I'm away from them, hearing my daughter tell me how very much she misses me when I'm gone definitely reinforces that in spades. It's easier to just stay with them, and pretty entertaining anyway.

I have been trying to get my ducks in a row for work next month (which translates to launching next year). I've got five parties scheduled so far for January, but I should get at least three more on the calendar. Not because I really want to work eight parties next month, but because I have the leads from previous shows, and I can actually share some of the bookings with my expanding team. So it's a win/win.

I'm also trying to organize my blogging tasks and chocolate work into the three afternoons when Maggie will be at preschool each week. It just seems like way too good of an idea to pass up. But I know it will never happen if I don't have a schedule before she's dropped off each day.

Wish me luck!

2011...

How bad is it that I started titling this post, "19..." Yeah. I missed a sort of big change in the years more than a decade ago!

Your Year Was a "C" Year

When it comes right down to it, your year was pretty average. It was okay. It wasn't the best of years, but it wasn't the worst of years either. You are sort of relieved it's over though. Here's hoping that next year is significantly better, or at least better than ever. Remember that the new year can be a fresh start. Try to embrace the idea of starting over a little.

How Would You Grade Your Year?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

Like a Bad Penny...

I must 'lose' my sunglasses every other day lately! It's partially the fault of my new purse (where there is no room for the, so I can't consistently put them in there), and partially the fault of my husband (who has started putting his change in the basket by the door specifically for my sunglasses, and then moving my sunglasses to a shelf higher up so he can reach his change..), and maybe a tiny bit my fault (for obvious reasons).

It's not like I'd be losing anything of value if my sunglasses don't show up some time, except for the miserable trip to the store to get new ones in a hurry. I could never be trusted with nice Costa Del Mar Sunglasses or something, but I do need to have sunglasses all the time. Even when other people think it's getting dark, I need my shades or the light will bother my eyes to no end!

Somehow I think the shabbiness of my drug store sunglasses is exactly why they never actually disappear. They keep turning up so they'll last forever, all $10 of them!

Bombaloo!

Maggie and I have been going to the library somewhat regularly for years. Sometimes we read books that really stick with her. One of the first a couple years ago was Hoot Howl Hiss
by Michelle Koch. She loved it and repeated it with us as we read it. Although it's out of print, I searched for a bit and was able to get a copy of it for her for Christmas that year.

One of the recent books that has sort of morphed into part of our lives is Sometimes I'm Bombaloo by Rachel Vail. 'Bombaloo' is the word for when the kid in the book gets really, really angry and just can't contain it anymore. Around our house, it's now a very suitable word for when Jack's screaming and nothing is working to calm him down again, or when Maggie starts losing her temper (usually because she isn't getting her way...). It's a moderately nice sounding word for a not-so-nice feeling. ;)

Branding?

I've been thinking about another form of 'advertising' whenever I leave the house lately, but haven't gone through with it so far. See, I have a few decorative buttons that say things like, "Do you LOVE Chocolate?" and "I'd love to be your CHOCOLATIER." Some people swear by wearing something to promote your business whenever you're out and about. It's even easier in the winter, as you can leave your name tag,name plates, or a button with a cute slogan right on your coat and it's there all the time with no further consideration.

Back when I sold for another company years ago, someone had also suggested making up cute little signs (like a quarter of a sheet of paper) that you left in places like waiting rooms, phone booths (guess that was a while ago!), or even taped in restroom stalls. The last one seems a little weird for me with a food product, but you see what I'm saying... At least one woman from the other business swears to have been contacted from signs in the restroom!

What unique ways have you tried to market your business?

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Even though I didn't post a happy holidays message, please know I wish you happy holidays anyway! :P

I should take pictures of some of my fabulous presents - using my new camera lens, of course ;) I plan to start a 365 again for 2012. Wish me luck!!

I'm working on making actual 2012 resolutions, but I feel like I need a couple days first to just sort it all out :( Which obviously won't be happening until the kids are older. So I'll just continue flying by the seat of my pants. Which seems to be sort of working for me so far....

Spread the Word!

Have I mentioned lately that my 'baby brain' seems to be even more lasting this time than when I had Maggie? I've been cruising the internet looking at articles I used to be required to read, from sites like the American Marketing Association and such. I figure it isn't just material that still talks my language, it's also applicable to my current life, as much as I want to let it be. I love learning more about subjects like personal branding and knowing that it's especially pertinent in my business, since it is my personal rapport with hosts and guests that really helps my opportunities expand exponentially.

See, too many people think unless a business is indicated by custom brass plaques at the entrance, it's really just a cute little hobby. Direct sales may be a nice little sideline (or even time waster) for some, but it's also the way most females making more than six figures bring home the bacon! While I don't put nearly the effort into my business to expect such an optimistic return, I do consistently pay for Maggie's preschool tuition, and have a bit of walking around money, which is my goal.

I've considered investments like business signs and advertising, but it hasn't really seemed in my best interests previously. It could have been more pertinent before we moved, but now our house is a bit more off the beaten path, so no one would see anything unless I actually rented somewhere with more traffic to display it.I even went as far as buying a magnetic car sign once, but I really, really consider my car sort of sacred. I love it to an irrational degree, and the only modification I'll allow are my reindeer antlers and nose for a couple of weeks each year. ;) I almost wish I'd used a magnetic sign on my previous car, just so I'd know whether or not it really influenced people to contact me and do business.

Menu Plan Monday

Whew. Maybe if I did this more often, we'd actually eat at home! I continually forget to get something out of the freezer to thaw, and then hubby doesn't like my quick options (chicken nuggets, anyone?) so we end up eating out all the time. This week is a bit unique as we're in the last minute holiday rush the same as everyone else...

Monday: Spaghetti
Tuesday: Out running around...pick something up at the Food Court?
Wednesday: Pork Chops (Schnitzel?)
Thursday: Out meeting up with hubby's previous co-workers
Friday: Chicken Tacos
Saturday: Christmas Eve dinner at Mimi & Papa's (this one is for sure!!)

Never Too Many Shoes!

Maggie did it again - gravitated to the shoes! She's always playing dress-up with my shoes while I shower. The other day she impressed me by setting aside an adorable pair of boots she can no longer fit her feet into and asking me to give them to a little girl who needed boots :)

But tonight when she received a doll with clothes and shoes, the shoes were the first items to be examined and tried on by the doll repeatedly (with assistance from all grown-ups in the area...).

I can't wait til she finds out how many shoes there really are in the world! Right now she thinks of school shoes, tennis shoes, flip flops, galoshes, and boots. Most specifically for her lately are her cowboy boots. She's probably already moved on and forgotten about her old squeeker shoes!

Just imagine once she sees and recognizes pumps, stilettos, Doc Martens, narrow shoes for women, loafers, kitten heels, biker boots, and peep-toes.

Yummo!!

Omigosh! Hubby found the easiest Blueberry Cobbler recipe ever for us to take to a holiday party earlier tonight. I'm putting it here so we can find it again (as well as the link in the name above...) and so you can try it too! Everyone at the party commented how good it was, and it was easy enough for even me to make :)

Ingredients:

For filling

* 1 stick butter
* 1 teaspoon lemon juice
* 4 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed and drained
* 1 cup sugar


For topping

* 1 cup self-rising flour
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1/2 cup milk

Preparation:

Prepare filling:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Place the butter in an 8 x 8-inch square glass baking dish (no substitutes), and melt the butter in the microwave. In a mixing bowl, combine lemon juice and blueberries. Add the sugar and mix well. Add the blueberry mixture to the baking dish with the melted butter. Do not stir.

Make topping:
Combine all of the topping ingredients in a small bowl. Pour this mixture over the blueberries and bake 45 minutes, or until brown.

* Accompaniment: Fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream


This recipe is also good for apples, blackberries, and peaches.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Blueberry-Cobbler-15052#ixzz1gxKaZZ1Y

Ours was made up as a double recipe, in a 9 X 13 glass pan (which boiled over in the oven, grrr...).

We ended up switching the oven to broil for a while at the end to brown the top, but I think that's just because our oven isn't very cooperative. And we served it with Cool Whip - which is good with anything in my book!

Workin for the Man

My husband and I have always had different ideas about an 'ideal' job. See, from time to time he thinks he'd like to be self-employed.

While I'm okay with our family supporting itself by these means eventually, I want something more consistent and reliable while we've got little people to worry about.

I don't want to worry about medispa insurance or slow months. I've always liked a relatively corporate job. I'm fine with being 'just a number,' as long as they spell my name right on an accurate check with a timely delivery.

They say you only have to work half the day if you're self-employed - you just have to decide if you prefer to work the first 12 hours or the second 12 hours....for now, I'd rather have the ability for both of us to spend at least 16 hours away from work each day. When we're not juggling two kids along with our own marriage and lives, we can consider whether self-employment will work for us...

Dear Kohl's:

Dear Kohl's:

I wanted to cite exactly what I am writing to you about, but the heck if I can find it again.

A few weeks ago, while driving around on errands, I heard a radio commercial warning against co-sleeping. I appreciate that uneducated co-sleeping is very dangerous to infants. That being said, I sleep with my baby in my bed every night. We don't have covers or pillows near the baby, and we are never impaired by drugs or alcohol while the baby is in the bed with us.
Having him in the bed with us makes our breastfeeding relationship so much easier! Jack can eat whenever he wants - the smallest sound or movement from him indicates to me that he's ready to go another round, and we roll over to switch sides so he is sated and back to sleep in no time.

Why am I telling this to Kohl's? Apparently they think they have a place in our bed. See, the radio commercial was sponsored by Kohl's Cares - their children's charity. Kohl's: You have no business in my bed! You're a retailer, not any sort of medical professional or anyone with any right to think you can say what should be going on in my bed!

So that's all I really had to say. I essentially ignored your unsolicited advice, but I also had such a nasty feeling about your attempted intervention that this is the first year my older daughter won't be getting a Kohl's Cares stuffed animal and book from me. Because there are plenty of other books and animals from people who aren't trying to get in my bed without an authority or business doing so.

Just sayin...

Planning for Fun

Sometimes when I'm planning a gathering, I feel like I'm really on my game. Days like that, I know everyone will love it, and everything will turn out blissfully just like I picture it. After imagining the whole perfect event, I figure I'll head out and get some restaurant loans so I can duplicate the experience on a large scale and everyone will love all of my brilliantly entertaining ideas. I wish!!

This weekend is my third (?) annual ornament exchange. I always say it's like a cookie exchange, but for lazy people. It's very much like a white elephant exchange, but instead of random gifts, everyone brings a holiday ornament. The exchange is secondary to the socialization, and I invite people who understand this.

Since I'm honestly not much of an entertainer overall, I suggest that anyone who wants to (but it's certainly not required!) may bring an appetizer or dessert to share. That way, the food mostly takes care of itself, and everyone - including me - can put most of their focus on relaxing and enjoying the evening.

What fun holiday traditions do you enjoy?

10 Random Things for Friday

1. Why is it getting cold again??
2. Why are there suddenly so many horrendous remakes of 'Last Christmas' this year??
3. Grrr....and now that song is stuck in my head!
4. I'm just about ready to paint my nails again. I just hope Jack is just about done wanting to suck on my pinky finger! I don't want to feed the poor boy all my polish :(
5. Have you ever watched Drop Dead Diva? I just finished season two through Netflix and I love it!
6. I don't think I'm awake enough to have ten random things. That's sort of sad.
7. Could anyone ever actually fill up from eating marshmallows? I've been munching on chocolate-covered marshmallows (Dove Chocolate Discoveries Artisan Marshmallow Collection, to be exact), but I'm still hungry. Huh.
8. I realize soda does not effectively quench your thirst, but why do I crave the bubbles so much?
9. I can't wait to get a yoga ball to sit on again. This metal folding chair kills my poor butt.
10. I have totally lucked out on one other thing in our new house - when I bump the heat up a degree or two, my office warms up the fastest. Yay!!
    

Sooner Rather than Later!

I'm still waiting!

I'm actually on 'vacation' from most of my business activities for the rest of the month/year. See, most people don't want to order anything right now that they know they won't receive before Christmas, so there isn't much point in my going out to try and sell it to them. I admittedly could still be getting orders if we had some sort of Retail System in place, but it hasn't trickled down to my level yet. I have processed more 'drop-ship' orders (costing a little more for shipping, to ship straight to the customer instead of a hostess) this year than ever before, but I really think it could be even more if they'd take me out of it and just let customers order online. Oh well.

In the meantime, I totally should be focusing on scheduling more home shows for January and February. Hopefully I'll get to it a bit more next week. My last show was just Monday the 12th, so I'm still breathing my sigh of relief at being done for a while after the big December rush. I just have to promise myself to get to it next week!

Wordless Wednesday

Pay Attention!

I realized the other day that I finally feel as if I know my way around the neighborhoods here nearly as well as I did in our old city. The first few times I drove out here with any friends, I'd get talking and quit paying attention...I needed some built in gps goggles or something to find my way across town!

Now? I think it's because it is a more rural area, but I recognize the landmarks people mention to me, and I can actually picture what they're talking about, instead of just nodding and smiling (as I did frequently when we were living in a marginally larger city).

Honestly, I think part of it is also that the community we're in now is more similar to the community where I grew up. It's not even city blocks and major streets, but it fits with the way I learned directions, if that makes any sense...

Random Tuesday Thoughts

The weather is crazy here lately! It's warm again right now, but I think it's supposed to be cold again by the end of the week. I've lucked out so far with headaches (which I usually get with the weather changes), but hubby hasn't been so lucky :( I hate the cold, but at least if it stayed cold hubby would be comfortable...

Today was Maggie's preschool holiday concert. Oh Em Gee!!! Too freaking adorable. I think hubby made videos of each song. I'll have to see if I can get one up here. They sang a welcome song with sign language, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, This Little Light of Mine, and then We Wish You a Happy Holiday. Maggie was so excited to sing her songs, but also to introduce her family to her preschool friends. I'm so proud of my little girl!!

I don't know what we're going to do with ourselves when we have two weeks with no preschool, but I'm looking forward to finding out.

Imagine Next Year...

So I missed Halloween decorating, but we put up all our Christmas stuff and then some (although just saying that reminds me that I never got all my Partylite holiday stuff out of storage!).

Anyway, I'm pretty sure none of it will make it below waist level next year. With Jack on the move by then, we'll be looking for flat tv mounts to make sure there's nothing on the floor for him to get to!

I think if doing it all in a cautionary manner, but with Maggie, we honestly didn't need to do much. We had all those little cabinet locks in our kitchen, but she never tried to get into things. And we put on the fridge lock, but that only slowed down visiting adults!

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

How could my holiday wish list be complete without a hoodie? And one I find on Cafe Press is even better! I'll always remember the great experience I had shopping (well, receiving gifts) through their site years ago, and I keep looking back for more great stuff!

While I love obnoxiously large hoodies, today I encountered the biggest problem with them - I literally can't fit any of my coats on over them! So I can tone the sizing down to a medium, I suppose... I liked this one because it totally suits my beliefs, without being remotely offensive to anyone else's. I could totally rock it.

Make the Last One Count!

What's that? I've made it to the last day of Christmas with no mention of diamond earrings for women? Let's just operate under the assumption that I will never complain if you give me diamonds as a gift ;)

I've had this picture in my head for years of how I want my earrings 'done.' See, I've got four holes in my left ear, and three in my right. I want diamond solitaire earrings of graduating sizes in all but the bottom hole. I'm almost done, too! I bought a chip for that little fourth hole on the left years ago. Then hubby got me a pair of diamonds a little larger than I pictured (don't take that as a complaint!) for our anniversary one year. So now I could actually call it done with a pair a little smaller than last time. I'd just move the bigger ones down, and put the new ones in the hole above the existing one.

See? And people call women high-maintenance....

The Eleventh Day of Christmas

Since we moved into this house more than seven months ago, my necklaces have been laid out across my dresser, haphazardly wrapped in a beach towel. It's the same way they traveled to this house, but they have no place to go since arriving! We had big plans to put little cup hooks on a few decorative shelves and put them on the wall by my dresser mirror. But it didn't happen. I'm scared of screwing it up, and then having not even a viable plan. Yeah, pitiful excuse.

Something like this over-the-door beauty from Amazon would make all my jewelry more visible and likely to be worn. And isn't that what I've collected it all for, over the years?

Medical Progress

I remember being impressed with how small my scar was after my back surgery in 2006. I had a discectomy on my L5/S1 disc (translation: they trimmed a disc at the bottom of my spine to keep it from irritating my nerves anymore). Hubby and I joke that I just have an exceptionally tall butt-crack.

Now I hear about laser spinal surgery and wonder if even my little scar will someday be considered a side effect from surgery in the dark ages. Like how you can recognize someone's age by the small-pox vaccine scar? Hahahaha...hardly the dark ages, but it would mean you're older than I am. (And I find I can say that less and less often lately!)

The Tenth Day of Christmas

The last few years I've used a spiral bound desk calendar for my personal calendar, but I've been thinking the last month or so that I'd like to go back to using my Franklin Covey organizer.

Luckily I already have the nice binder that I like, so I'm really just after refill pages. I probably would already have gotten them if either of the malls near us had a Franklin Covey store, but they don't. I'm not sure from looking at the website exactly what I want, so I need to make it to the store while the stuff starting in January is still on the shelves. Hopefully we can get it done during the week that hubby's off work around the holidays.

Flashbacks

Most of the time lately, I just feel like a primarily not-intelligent milk cow. Don't get me wrong, I love being home with my kids! But from time to time, I love when a news story catches my eye that makes me feel sort of, well, smart.

I just noticed the words 'search engine optimization' applied to local search marketing, and it really got my attention, in a former internet marketing professional geek sort of way. There were just a few companies I worked with back in the day, but now it looks like someone called triangle direct is bringing the focus to more local results.

This is something that could definitely be more applicable once my chocolate business has an online ordering option. While I'm happy to ship orders anywhere, I'd definitely get more bang for my buck by working with customers closer to me, since we could potentially develop a more personal relationship.

I'll have to keep it in mind!

The Ninth Day of Christmas

Here's a super simple one - I want a gift certificate that I can use in the spring to get hanging flower baskets for the front porch. I wanted them all summer last year, and somehow never managed to move them high enough up my priority list to get them there! So I'm starting already for next year. I enjoy seeing the flowers on my front porch, and I somehow even enjoy the challenge of watering them regularly and keeping them alive. If I had a gift certificate ready to use in the spring, I could enjoy them for months next year!

Good Fun!

Remember when people looked at you oddly if you said you had friends from the internet? Nowadays, those are some of the best friend I have! One forum in particular that I belong to puts the 'L' back in LOL. Although I've met only about half of them in person, just reading a thread can have me practically needing incontinence products at disposablemedicalexpress.com (frequently the thread even devolves to a discussion of leaking when we laugh, since we're all moms too!).

I can't even imagine being a mom without the internet. It's so hard some days to get both kids ready to go somewhere, and still have the gumption to make myself presentable. Computer friends make it so even on the not-so-energetic days (which there seem to be too many of), I can have some good fun with friends, even if it's just the few minutes of reading a thread or a few posts.

Thanks to my friends who live in my computer!

The Eighth Day of Christmas

Although I just had a Thirty-One Gifts party a couple weeks ago, this hadn't occurred to me then...
Now that I'm sure Maggie is our last girl child and Jack is our last boy child, I'd love an attractive container like this to collect outgrown clothes in. If I put it in the laundry room on top of the dryer, I could just toss in the things I know they've grown out of as I take them out of the dryer, instead of folding them and putting them away, where Maggie will ask to wear them once again, or someone will try and cram poor Jack into something too small.

Something like this Large Utility Tote from Thirty-One Gifts would be pretty and practical, and save me a lot of seasonal sorting to get rid of old clothes. As the tote filled up, I could bag them and pass them along to hubby's co-worker whose wife is always collecting things for the charity where she works.

Too Much Time?

If I ever find that I have, you know, too much time on my hands, I'd love to try jewelry making. There was a woman at an event I was working tonight who made gorgeous jewelry with polished stones held to pendants with wire. They were simple yet striking.
While you don't usually hear someone say they need more jewelry, I still think it often makes a great gift. It's also very thoughtful, as I remember who gifted me many of the jewelry pieces I have. Just imagine being able to say you created something because you were thinking of someone. How sweet!

The Seventh Day of Christmas

I need some warm, dry boots. I thought I'd seen some darker purple-ish ones the other day while browsing, but I can't find them now. These look like they may work as well. I found them at Zappo's. I've never had a 'real' pair of Crocs, but I hear they're very comfortable. And I'm thinking the duck boot style will keep my tootsies dry.
Yay for dry tootsies!

Getting Better?

I was more than a little bit proud of myself last night. As I drove home in the snow with both kids in the car (one crying more often than not), I realized I sort of knew my way around!

My built-in GPS was trying to lead me through a nearby ghetto since I'd requested not to use the freeway. As I headed in that direction, I realized another road was closer, and still avoided the freeway, while giving me a straight shot toward home. And I was right! It even shaved time off her estimate, almost immediately after making the turn. Maybe she heard about the tom tom xl and decided to play nice for a while...

Honestly, I don't know how I'd be surviving in the new neighborhood without the nearly constant assistance with directions. It's a nice feeling to finally be recognizing a little more of my surroundings and learning my way around.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

I don't remember this much snow this early in the season before. Ugh. I've already had to drive in the yuckiness! I hope it isn't just because we're living further north...and I'm stuck with it. :(

Guiltily, I was relieved when the hostess for my chocolate show scheduled tonight called to cancel. I'm certainly not happy that she's sick, but I'm thrilled that I've got a night to catch up on stuff, and she rescheduled for next week, so it's sort of a win-win in my book. ;)

Maggie finally said to me today that she's sort of sad because the grown-ups just play with her for a little while now, and then they play with Jack for a long time. It made me sad for her to say it, but I told her it's just because he's new. I also reminded her that she was the only baby around when she was little, so the grown-ups played with only her all the time for quite a while!

And our little princess will be very excited to go to pre-school for THREE days each week starting after the holidays. She has such a good time at school, and I wanted to increase the time a bit to help prepare her for her five-full-day kindergarten in the fall.

The Sixth Day of Christmas

If you could see my office, you'd laugh at this next statement, but I'd really like all my stuff nicely organized. Of course that would start with my business stuff, but I already have ways to organize this, if I could just muster the discipline.

But with two kids now, I am feeling more and more guilt that I don't keep up on their scrapbooks (and by 'keep up,' I'm leaving off the fact that his isn't started, and hers is done through three-months old...but she's four YEARS old now). This craft storage center is AWESOME. Can't you just picture it with scrapbook paper in those big slots, photos sorted in the drawers, and a simple folding table nearby so I can work with it all in reach? Hey, a girl can dream, right?

Making a Change

Content by Sol Rosales

I have always lived in the city and really enjoy the amenities of urban life. I love seeing all the people walking on the sidewalks, some in a hurry to get somewhere important, some taking their time on a leisurely stroll. I walk to dinner, the movies, even the grocery store. I can usually find everything I need within walking distance and I love being able to get out and get fresh airwhile doing my errands. Recently, though, I’ve been thinking about making a change. As much fun as the hustle and bustle of city life is, I believe I’d like to slow down my pace and live out in the country. I think I could do without the amenities of city life except for being able to get online. Fortunately while looking around online I found http://www.wildbluedeals.com/satellite-internet/tennessee/d/dover/. I don’t have a serious plan yet about when and how I am going to make my move but at least now I know that the amenities of city life are only a click away!

The Fifth Day of Christmas

Sometimes free samples serve their purpose.

I got a free sample of this Fekkai Glossing Cream and LOVED it, but even the smallest size is more than $20! I just can't spend that kind of money on hair stuff, even though I really, really liked how much better my hair felt when I used it.

I made the sample last as long as possible, but now I'd really like a 'real' tube of Fekkai Glossing Cream for my hair.

Monster Truck Jam!!

I haven't even told Maggie yet because the constant, "Is it time yet?" would drive me crazy, but next month is the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam!

I need to make a confession: Last year, this was an event I really wasn't sure if she'd enjoy. As we headed downtown to attend, I told my husband that if Maggie wasn't enjoying it (especially because she says she doesn't like loud noises) we'd leave whenever she wanted to. Imagine my surprise when she loved it! We were seated pretty close to the action, and EVERYTHING was coated in dust by the time we left, but that wasn't til after the last event, as Maggie (wearing ear plugs) was having a great time!

It was only a few weeks ago that her Gravedigger hat from last year got broken, and she's all revved up to get another one ASAP!

If you'd like to join us at the January 14 performance, visit Ticketmaster to get four tickets, four hot dogs and four drinks for $100 - what a fun family night out! Hope to see you there :)


I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events.

So Far, So Happy :)

Of course I'm running behind today (I usually am...) but today it's worth it. Our little man kept giggling when I tickled his chin, so I kept doing it. Not the most productive way to spend a morning, but definitely the best.

And here's a nice one of his smile from yesterday. Hubby caught it while we were all playing on the floor together.

I love that he's starting to interact more, and he especially likes to smile at his sister. Picking her up from school is one of my favorite things to do, as she is so happy to see us, and he is so happy to see her :)

I still have a couple of other pictures so far that will make it up here. I desperately need to get caught up with blogging. I have every intention of posting my 12 days of Christmas again this year, but I'm obviously running behind.
Hopefully one night this week I'll make a dent in it, and then be all caught up next week once my chocolate shows are done for the year.

The Fourth Day of Christmas

Somehow I'm sure I'll regret not picking out exactly what I want for this one, but I honestly don't really have it completely in my mind, if you know what I mean...

I need new sneakers. The tennis shoes I wear almost every day now are about 14 years old, as near as I can figure. They leak and the soles are coming off. Luckily I haven't worn them consistently the whole time I've owned them, so they don't stink horribly bad (or at least I don't notice!).

I think I'd like something other than the cheap, flat-bottomed ones with no arch support. What was comfortable most recently was a pair of Nikes. And really, if I get the boots I asked for, the sneakers will probably be fine to wait until spring...

The Third Day of Christmas

Since we've moved into this house (more than six months ago now!), I've wanted a bench to put by the front door so people can sit comfortably while putting on or taking off their shoes. While I originally pictured a wooden bench, this one from Target caught my eye today.

I'd never realized there was a such thing as a 'hall tree,' either, but there were several of those online too. It's sort of a combined spot to hang things up, sit down. and store things underneath. Basically they extended the back of the seat to be exceptionally tall, and put hooks there. Nifty.

So a hall tree could work pretty well where I'm picturing it too, but I think that was a bit more pricey.

The Second Day of Christmas

You may remember that a while back, my yoga ball broke. I tried to work around it and sat on the poor deflating ball for a few days, until I couldn't reach my keyboard anymore. See, I sit on the yoga ball as a desk chair. Now I've been sitting on a hard metal folding chair, and my back and butt are killing me! I even tried adding a pillow to the seat, but it really isn't helping much. I need my ball back. I was going to aim high and looked at some of the ball chairs online, but it seems to me that the base would keep me from rolling around when I was getting a little stiff. I'll stick with the regular ball. And I'll straighten the office before it gets here, so it won't develop the slow leak that the last one did.

The First Day of Christmas

I know I'm officially getting old, when one of my first requests for a 'gift' is a saute pan. Yes, of course we already have one, but all the non-stick-ness is peeling off the inside in a rather disgusting-looking way.

We got a full set of pots & pans when we were first married - I think they were relatively nice ones from Calphalon. But time is taking its toll. A few pieces have already been replaced, I think, or else I've just expanded our collection. We have a large fry pan and something else I got from Pampered Chef a while back. Maybe I just got them as freebies when I had a party? I really don't remember. But I'm sure they'd make a great saute pan to replace our rather reptilian one.