Some Thoughts.....

I have some random thoughts to share with you today.  They are in no particular order; they will be just as I remember them:

1.  I discovered I like my boys playing the sport of basketball.  It provides 2 nights a week of physical 

     activity, which they need, and an hour of peace for me.  I also like that it is indoors.  I am not the 

     kind of girl who likes to freeze outside to watch sports....nope, not at all.  I am enjoying watching

     my boys learn and grow.  I am also amazed at how many kids trip playing this sport...it happens a lot!

 2.  I got a Gypsy last night.  It goes with the Cricut Expression I got at Christmastime.  That thing is so much fun!  The Cricut (pronounced~cricket) will cut out letters, shapes,  and a multitude of other things.  I tried being a scrapbooker (who it is made for) but that didn't work out.  I do like making cards, making gift tags, having nice looking letters to put on things, etc. ,so it works for me too!  The Gypsy just helps to design things to cut out on my Cricut.  I have so much to learn!

3.  I am getting ready to have my reconstruction surgery on January 24.  It's going to be a bigger surgery than I had anticipated and I'm not looking forward to it...just to getting it done!  It includes a tummy-tuck so at least my stomach will be flatter!  My fabulous parents will be coming to help.  Thank heaven for them!

4.  Verizon is putting out an iPhone at the beginning of February.  I've been saying I wish they would for a long time!  I'm really trying to figure out how to afford one...and the monthly fee that would incur...I'm trying not to get excited!

Well, that's my random thoughts for now...Take Care!

Janice

Why I Like Facebook.....

I'm not quite sure why there are so many critics of Facebook out there.  I find it very satisfying to click on my homepage and have messages, see what my friends are doing, and even have people request to be my friend.   It is very good for the self-esteem.  I guess it relates to my love of getting mail.  I guess I even like junk mail because if my mailbox is empty, I'm disappointed.  But my favorite type of mail is a hand-written note...and a check (of course!).  It's a sad observation that there are fewer and fewer hand written notes these days...and I think that's where Facebook fills that need.  I get mini notes all the time!  I love being able to carry on a discussion with my friends, near and far, and know what is going on in their lives.  I have heard people say that people who like Facebook are self-absorbed because they post updates about themselves, but I think that's a very limited view of Facebook.  Sure, I post updates like the others, but I LOVE reading my friend's updates.  I have also heard that it's a time-waster.  That is most definitely true, for some; but I know a lot more people who waste much more time doing other things (e.g. TV, video games).  Lastly, I'm a very social person.  If I have too many days in a row, by myself, I start to get depressed.  Others energize and refresh me!  So thank you Facebook...you can be my friend anytime!

Why Is It So Dang Hard To Pick A Baby Name?

Nicknames stick to people, and the most ridiculous are the most adhesive.  ~Thomas C. Haliburton

I was looking up baby names for my niece today.  Out of 1,000 names, there were 6 they liked.  It seems that many names conjure up a person who is annoying, who is a demon-kid, or doesn't go with the last name.  And, of course, my whole family also had their opinions of the names that were read off the list.  I was thinking to myself, How in the world did I come up with my own kid's names? There is even a professional service that, for $49.99, will send you name suggestions with some information you input.  I also saw a name generator that will give you 30 names when you input three you like.  Other important ideas to consider are:  If a mean childhood nickname can be made from that name; If that initials spell something embarrassing (e.g. P.U.S.); or how many kids at one time have that name.  I sub for a class with 2 Haileys, 1 Kaylie, 1 Jadee, and 1 Shaylee....It gets confusing!  My niece's last name is Lesseg, which eliminates lots of names.  Anything that ends with an L sound or is too rhymy doesn't go with it.  I am of the opinion to find a name and sit with it until the baby is born ,but, and this is important, don't tell anyone!  EVERYONE has an opinion of every kind of name!  If you Mom or Aunt Margaret don't like it, you are back to the drawing board. Pick the one you like and let the name be a surprise!  At that point, everyone will know there is no turning back!  This is my advice for Amber!  Although I do know of an angel named Janice!  Ha! Ha!.....

P.S. How about we find out the gender of your baby and leave the name a surprise?   I would really like to know!

Yum!

I made these today:

These are called pancake puppies....my friend called them hushpuppies....Whatever you call them, they are good!  Here is the link!  I didn't make the blueberry kind.  I used plain Krusteaz pancake mix and added chocolate chips...yum!  That is syrup in the middle.  And...they are deep fried....bad for you, but good.

Today was a good day.  I was in my pajamas until after lunch, which is not like me!  It usually bothers me to stay in my pj's that long.  I was tired though, and welcomed the idea of not having to do anything!  I was able to go through some of my stacks of papers that seem to procreate overnight on the flat surfaces of my house!  While tidying the house, I found my Christmas wrapping paper that I bought from the school fundraiser, many little tiny toys, a purple highlighter, and 1 missing glove!  It was a good and productive day!  Now I am going to begin wrapping!  I need to mail my Christmas gifts to Washington because we are headed there for Christmas come rain, snow, blizzard, etc.  Like this:

 This is video from our last Christmas trip to Washington in 2008.
  Well, I'd better get wrapping!  Enjoy the season!



Janice

I Have Seen It All!

Yesterday, in my mailbox, I got the weirdest catalog. It is a really expensive Barbie catalog called Barbie Blonde. My daughter was sitting on my lap looking at it and exclaimed, "That is really weird!" This is an actual item for sale and it's priced at a whopping $9,000!  It is made of Barbie hair!  I think it's creepy!



And there's more! There is an actual house decorated like Barbie's dream house that is life size....Note the beautiful chandelier!

It seems like someone has too much money and is looking for anywhere to spend it! As my friend Teri would say,"Sheesh!" I am curious as to how I, of all people, became their target audience. I won't pay more than $10 for a Barbie!

And The Winner Is.....

This is the Christmas card we chose for the Shutterfly promotion. That was so much fun, and 50 free cards turns out to be a fabulous deal! If you are a blogger, I say you take them up on it. Here is the link, one more time! This was my favorite card hands down, and I can't tell you why I didn't include it in my favorites! Thanks, Deanna, for taking the picture! We liked how the green ribbon ties in the trees in the background.
Janice

Christmas Card Season!

EVERYONE knows that Christmas card season starts before Thanksgiving if you are going to do it right! It takes time to get the right picture, weather, and all of your family gathered together. The good news is that's the hard part! Picking your Christmas cards through Shutterfly is so easy! I'm going to tell you my favorites! I tend to be a fan of the Folded Greeting Card. I think they feel more substantial and I like to put them on display!
I thought this one was pretty! I like traditional elegance!



It is also important to choose a card that is appropriate for your particular picture. My picture this year is casual so I liked this one! I liked the bright colors!


If I had multiple pictures I would have used this one!


I prefer the sentiment "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings", but you can find many choices in every style on how you choose to say it! There are Holiday Cards, Christmas Photo Cards , and even Birthday Cards to choose from!

I also like the idea of being able to order a Personalized Mug of my child's mug, or even a Calendar to look at all year long!

If you are a blogger and would like to share your favorites and get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly, click here!

Happy Christmas Card Shopping!
Janice

Disclosure-Shutterfly is not paying me for my opinion about their cards. They are giving me 50 free cards for posting my favorites! All opinions are completely my own!