It's never nice to gloat

But sometimes you just have to...

Today I am gloating! Remember this?

Well I got me one! Thanks to Grams! She said it was an Un-Birthday Present for always helping her with her computer stuff...I don't care what kind of a present it was...I just know I GOT ONE I GOT ONE!! And - she even bought the matching MOUSE! How cute is that? Thanks Grams!

BUT THAT IS NOT ALL FOLKS!

I also entered the Dreyers Ice Cream Essay Contest recently...and guess what?

I WON! Well, me and about 1500 other Americans! But still....we get to host a block party courtesy of Dreyers and I am SO EXCITED to have had my Essay picked as a winner!

HANG ON...Not done yet

Remember this mess? If you have to click for a reminder scroll all the way to the bottom to find the mess! I am THRILLED to report that that mess is GONE, G O N E gone! We had a garage sale, I hated every minute of it, I won't do it again and neither will "he" but we had it and when we were done we loaded both cars and took everything leftover off to goodwill! YAHOO!

And Finally (I promise)

Lauren has been very busy venturing into what you might call Kid-trepreneur Business! More on this soon but we are VERY proud of her and she made $12.00 selling her handmade items in the garage sale! Soon she will even have a website with shopping cart so...Keep you posted!

OK. That's it!

I can't feel my fingers

What I learned this is week is brought to you by JoLynn at Musings of a Housewife (gotta love her!)

This weeks edition is appropriately called "I can't feel my fingers" and to be honest my feet are on their way out too!

What I learned this week:

1. I could NEVER be one of those beach-side braiders in the Caribbean

2. My little feets can't handle 4 days of standing, walking and climbing several flights of theater steps repeatedly

3. Oh and family game night is not all fun and games...

If you missed it see the Peter Pan pictures below! It was a great show - just a bit hard on my body!

Things I do for me

Anita at A wife, a woman, a mom has is starting a new series - Things I do for ME! I like the idea behind this series and plan to join in when I can!

Feel free to Join in, or at least go and Anita and see what she does for her!

To kick it off I decided to write about writing. I write for me. I have always loved to write. Way back when I was 5 I started with poems (one is framed in triplicate and resides at multiple family homes). As a teen writing became an outlet - and has been ever since.

I write poems, short stories, blog posts and more. Writing keeps me sane, writing gets things out of my brain and into my computer and this makes my brain much happier. Sometimes I even send myself emails just to get stuff out of my brain.

I also make lists, I write a lot of lists. The above list is a list of blog posts and this post is on this list and I can't wait to cross it off!

When Lauren was born, back in 2000, I started a website, on that website I kept a journal and lots and lots of photos - in 2004 when I was pregnant with Hailey life got in my way and I couldn't spend the time updating the site that I used to. It was hard, it was sad and it went on for almost 4 years. In February 2008 I plunged into blogging - I kept my blog private at first only going public in October of 2008 - I am so glad I did! I love having my blog as a writing outlet. It has been fantastic for me and all my lovely readers make it even better!

So there you have it - I write, I write for me - I write a lot and who knows maybe someday I will get the courage to pull the trigger and try to publish some of my stories. Maybe. Someday.

Where am I and what am I doing?

Have you ever asked yourself that question? I do. But more importantly I have been asked that question a lot lately. Parent's at school, friends online, long lost friends and more. The real answer is I am here. I have a lot on my mind. Last week when Becky asked I said "I have been hiding", a couple days later another person asked and I told her "I have been hiding" and tonight on twitter Anita asked and I replied "I have been hiding". Then I laugh it off and say no no I have just been really busy. But the truth is, perhaps I am hiding. Hiding because I have put myself out there a lot lately and what if all doesn't go so well? Hiding because my house is a mess and I am too tired to care. Hiding because School is almost out for the summer and I hate that Lauren has to go back next year. Hiding because - well frankly I just prefer to hide sometimes.

So I will tell you now - this is what I have been doing. First and old great friend has finally lept into blogging ( I am so glad) and while I still have a few things on my list to do for her (like burning the feed so you can all subscribe) here she is Nikki - we were both pregnant with our first child at the same time - then she up and ditched me and moved to Iowa or was it Wisconsin either way...she had boys and I had girls... High Heels and Mud Puddles go on, visit her and leave her some comment love would ya?

As you know I also helped Justin Matott with his blog and in return he has the most amazing contest running right now and he also visited our school - it was fantastic. I am really hoping more of you get into the game and spread the word with us. The poems are fun and Justin is looking forward to spending a whole day reading the thousands of entries...OK a couple hours reading hundreds would be great!

I also have been working on a new header for Ms. Bookish - but it is not live yet so I will link to it later.

All the while, I got to teach my daughter how to do a research paper, how to edit her own rough draft and make it final since the teacher couldn't find the time. I have been playing taxi to and from Peter Pan rehearsals, making time for golf and stressing about Hailey's surgery. I keep trying to put off that stress till it gets a little closer but it creeps back in every time. Attending end of year events, figuring out summer schedules and well..doing dishes, laundry etc.

Oh I read a little too! New review on Tales tomorrow- stop by if you have time.

So I am going to stick my head back underground now, get through my list for the night and see what tomorrow brings!

What I learned this week is hosted by Jo-Lynn over at Musings of a Housewife. Jo-lynn also posted a ton of reviews on her review site this week - check them out!


It is amazing what can change in just a few minutes. I had every intention of posting this as a "weekend wrap up" post. I was busy uploading the photos to link to and everything.

Then I stepped out front with Lauren and while standing on the edge of the porch I decided I wanted to walk around a bit. To get down from where I was standing you have to cross a 2 foot rock bed. Big woop right. Right.

But when I went to JUMP I took a little pansy leap instead.

I have never looked before I lept before in my life (just ask Grams)

I took the SAFE WAY off the porch. The EASY WAY over the rocks.

I looked before I lept.

I realized it the minute I landed. I was shocked. I think I even spoke outloud what I was thinking in my head.

"Wow I must be getting old"

Damn.

Ending a Mother's Day

And the day is almost over...the girls showered me with hand made love! It was beautiful!

The owl on the above card was a "pop out" how cool is that!!!

Lauren made a toilet paper penguin and let Hailey give it to me and she made the little vase at school.

After Hailey saw the sign Lauren made (top) she had to make one too! Love it!

And even a card in French!

It was a wonderful day, we met Grandma for ice cream at Baskin Robins (and they brought back the old Daiquiri Ice YEAH!!!)

Hope everyone had a great day!

Mom Strawberry Jam, Quilts by hand

As a mom I have the ability to:

Use the restroom, tweet and organize a drawer at the same time.

I can also read blogs, talk on the phone and feed my children

all while functioning on 1/4th the recommended amount of sleep for an average adult -

and I wouldn't give it up for the world.

I so wanted to post an amazing tribute to my mom today. I thought, I paced, I looked at old photos, I sneezed, I coughed, I took medicine...I gave up.

My mom knows how much I love her, she knows I don't know what I would do without her and that I appreciate every little thing she does. She knows that the relationship she has built with my daughters is priceless and that they love her so much!

So instead of my amazing tribute- I have to go out on a limb and just share a few random thoughts about my mom:

Strawberry Jam

Annual exams

Quilts by hand

Vacations by the sand

Lead the troop

Soothed the Croupe

PTA Queen

Suffered a mean teen

Costume Maker
Birthday Cake Baker

The Hyatt sounds good
not camping in the woods

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! I love you mom.

Good Karma - Good Karmal

About an hour ago I got a pin from my mom saying "go look on your porch" my sick brain got worried "what's on my porch?"

I opened the door to two boxes. after a quick looksy I noticed one was from one of favorite places...

The Good Karmal company!

YEAH ME!

These are amazing! Each is wrapped with an ispiration Good Karma quote and the caramels are so incredible - the melt in your mouth. AMAZING!

Once again my mother made my day!

**Thanks Mom!

Parenting Todays Teens and a GIVEAWAY!

***WINNER - Qualifying Post number 10 - Candi!!*** thanks to all that participated, tweeted and otherwise helped to spread the word! And if you didn't win, never fear - I will be giving away more of Mark's books this summer over on Tales!!!

I am taking a break from Wordless Wednesday this week to ask a favor of everyone who takes the time to stop by my little blog and maybe some of their friends too.

A dear friend of mine runs a fantastic program for troubled teens. Their program is located in East Texas, takes children from all over the country and really helps give these kids a new start, a new look on life and some wonderful stepping stones for their future. They recently celebrated their 20th Anniversary of helping children, families and communities through the power of love and the lord.

The name of the program is Heartlight Ministries and the person I am speaking about is Mark Gregston. This week I received an email from Mark asking for help with something I am not yet qualified to help with, though I know some of you and those who aren't might know someone who is!

IN HIS WORDS:

Another favor to ask...
Someone once said, "Heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless." Many parents are heroes in their own right. They do what needs to be done, even if their children may not like them for it. But in the end, they are heroes to their children as well.

The favor I'd like to ask is for you to share one or more of your heroic feats with me. We are taking a survey of the tactics that parents use that have proven successful in bringing about a change in thinking or behavior in their teenager. For instance, "My son was being mouthy and rude, so I did this and his attitude quickly changed."

I've set up an anonymous online form so we can all learn from your tactics. It is at the following link:

http://www.heartlightministries.org/survey

I'd really appreciate it if you would click through to the survey form and tell me how you successfully handled one or more difficult teenager issues in your home, so I can share your ideas and tactics with other parents, either in my blogs or on the radio or in an upcoming book.
Mark Gregston

IN MY WORDS:
Please take a minute to consider this survey and possibly forward it on. If you have any questions about Mark, Heartlight Ministries or this favor please feel free to comment and/or email me!

Because I REALLY want to spread the word as much as humanly possible I am going to offer another JUICY JUICE Goody bag to one lucky person who takes the time to answer the survey, Tweets the survey and/or passes it on to a friend or neighbor. You can get another entry if you post a link back to this post on your blog this week!

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL (do I sound like that Billy guy on the infomercials?)- that winner will also receive a copy of "Parenting Teens in a Confusing Culture" by Mark Gregston!

We are going with the honor system because I love you all and know you will be honest...There are SEVERAL ways to enter the contest (do as many as you like!)

Leave a comment if you take the survey

Leave a comment if you forward the post to a friend to take the survey

Leave a comment if you post a link back to this post this week

Leave a comment if you TWEET this post

Leave a comment including your tips, tricks or aggravations with teens

Leave a comment about your Teen Years Fears if you don't have a teen yet!

Contest will end Sunday at 10pm MST

So hop to it, lets really prove the power of the mom blogger and help me help my friend Mark!

THANKS TO ALL!

Positive, Grumbly and Annoying -

What I learned this week is hosted by JoLynn at Musings of housewife. And much like last week she has some sweet reviews and giveaways going on over on her review site. be sure to stop by if you haven't already!

What I learned this week the positive, the grumbling and the flat out annoying

THE POSITIVES:

1. Wii bowling tournaments are FUN

2. Blackberry themes are a hot item – if you missed them go to zimplifier or check out this post

3. Juicy Juice for brain development and Immunity rocks – the kids all loved it and didn’t know they were getting the extra boost of vitamins till we told them - Lots of people asked about this party and how I got involved - I answered their emails directly but the scoop is: Sign up at http://www.houseparty.com/ and they will send you emails about opportunities - when you get the email you fill out an application that is reviewed by the sponsor and either chosen or not! So - sign up, wait, fill out app, wait and if accepted - host a great party!!!

4. I love getting together with friends and don’t do it enough

5. Someone is going to get very lucky with this week’s giveaway on Tales from the Nightstand because the odds are fantastic (hardly anyone entered)

6. Life unscripted is best – though sometimes we may forget

7. Late Breaking News: Dan Brown's new book - The Lost Symbol when I read the press release I about peed - seriously! Check it out -

THE GRUMBLINGS:

1. Twitpic and I are not friends –

2. Wordpress seems to be a lot less user friendly than blogger – I have not moved yet – at this point I am finding it very time consuming – I don’t like time consuming – I like quick and easy – need to play around more.

3. Blogher ads and I probably do NOT have a long lasting relationship – the revenue is so low on my little blog and it takes up a lot of annoying space?

THE ANNOYING:

1. My Hair
2. My Hair
3. oh and My Hair.

If life came with a script

If life came with a script:

I would have known that I would not have had the time alone I was expecting today and done more ahead of time

I would have known that Lauren’s school was going to close at noon thus rendering leaving the house in the morning totally worthless

I would have known that the snow would come, and come it would



I would have known that said snow would be so heavy and wet my arms and back may never recover

and I would know if I would be able to walk tomorrow or not

I would have known that the UPS man delivering my last box of Juicy Juice would get stuck in front our house even though he had chains on his tires

I would have known that I was going to have to schlep out in the snow 4 (make that 5) times to brush off the satellite dish

And I would have known just how beautiful more than a foot of Rocky Mountain Spring snow was going to be

And I would have known how peaceful it would be to go outside alone at 9pm and shovel a couple more inches of snow aching and cringing and grunting set aside

But what fun would that have been? If I had known. I am glad I don't have a script.

A single tomato

A single tomato - that is about all we had to show for 4 years of gardening efforts.

It is not for lack of skill or effort

but instead because of these pesky little critters:

and the fact that I actually witnessed them pulling a three foot tall Tomato plant straight underground -just like in the cartoons.

I gave up that year. We had tried EVERYTHING to make the garden work, we battled bunnies, birds, squirrels and now the Voles. I threw in the towel and replaced the garden with a sandbox.

Now, I am in a unique position to start all over - in a location further from the open space, guarded on 2 sides by house and patio and the other two by rock beds. Thus giving us a much better chance for success.

What could possibly be holding me back?

This location is -

The Dog Run.

For 8 years one sometimes 2 dogs used this for a bathroom/playroom. Now the ground was covered with many inches of gravel, the excrement picked up regularly etc...but

I CAN'T GET PAST IT!

So I ask you...is it gross to grow and eat veggies from a garden planted where dogs once relieved themselves?

We would of course churn in some new soil but the old stuff would still be there.

Anyone have any true scientific backing in support of or against?

Knock Knock and the Shit List

I haven't had this much fun surfing a website in a long time. I don't remember where I saw it, I don't own any of their products (yet) - but holy moly I had fun shopping!

http://www.knockknock.biz/

You can start with this amazing little paper mouse pad (if your not familiar with paper mouse pads - you can tear off the sheets just like a notepad but they work fabulous with your mouse.) This one is for surfing the web...you can write down my blog address, why you like it or other note to self.

If that is not your cup of tea you can try the Dawdle pad - for the doodlers and time killers:

If your feeling a bit spunky, maybe angry with your hubby, or Dr. or the checker at your grocery store you could easily add them to your

You guessed it - Shit List (I spent a lot of times on my moms)

And last but certainly not least - in case your worried that you are lacking a bit in the traumatizing your children department of parenting - they have a book to help you out:

How to Traumatize your Children

Go ahead - Surf - I challenge you NOT to buy something...I think it might be impossible!

Happy Shopping!

***Update*** just when I thought it couldn't be any more fun to shop on this site...my order confirmation email started out like this:

Dear Terra,
Rumor has it you just placed an order with Knock Knock.
Here’s what you got:

HA HA HA! I love it!

Today I am helping out a bloggy friend while she is on Vacation! Filling her blog with thoughts of guests was a fantastic idea and I am honored to be one of those guests. PLEASE stop by Weebles Wobblog and share the love with her other guest! in the meantime...this is what I had to say:

***************************************************************

I used to take for granted...My love for music - until I had to listen to my kids Cd's all day and into the night.

Now
one of my favorite times of the week is the car trip from Laurens school to my house M,W,F when I am ALONE in my car with MY music as loud as it will go.

I used to take for granted...The time after dinner in my home…often spent with friends in the neighborhood, watching CSI with my husband or some other fancy of sorts…

Now I relish the moments after the girls are both in bed, quiet and I head to my own bed to curl up with my kindle and read…Friends what friends? Maybe next year.

I used to take for granted...waking up whenever my internal clock woke me, jumping in the shower and starting my day at my own pace...

Now I wake at the first sign of internal wakefulness be it 4 am or 6 am - rush to get my diet soda, potty without flushing (so as to not wake anyone) and jump on my computer to grab a few minutes of peace and quiet before the girls wake...if I am not in the shower by 6am - no shower for me but I won't get in before 6 because I risk waking said girls...So - I relish my time in Beaver Creek with family - where the days are slower and the nights are longer and more often than not I get quiet time with ME in the mornings and I long for the days when the Indians consistently sleep past 6am each and every day and I dread the days when I have to literally DRAG them out of bed by 9 because sleeping to late is never a good habit.

I used to take for granted…
the fact that I could eat anything I wanted anytime I wanted and my clothes would always fit.

Now, after kid number 2, I still eat whatever I want – whenever I want and my clothes still fit – just not the same. Can you say EXCERSIZE anyone? Maybe Next year.

I used to take for granted…My own parents and the hard work and devotion they put into raising my brother and me.

Now I know that when you’re a kid you really have NO IDEA. And I am not sure it even sets in until your kids are school age and your commitment level changes to from being the doting loving at home mom to the mom that has to shower, present her children to the public each and every day, face challenges with schools, sports, friends and so much more right alongside your own children. It is the sleepless nights, the wondering if you are “doing it right” those are all things you just can’t get until you do it yourself. And the worst part about that is watching your own children “not get it” and knowing it will be 20 years before they do.

I have a feeling I could take this list and run it into the ground…the bottom line is I love being a wife, a mother and whatever else I may be, I would not trade it for the world – I try hard to appreciate all that I have now and have to look forward to all that lies ahead (I think).

Now if only I could muster up the energy to invite friends over more often, get my girls to love the Music that I love, sleep until I want them to wake up, exercise in my sleep and find the magic key that would make all kids truly appreciate everything that is done for them.

Maybe next year.

Where were Ficklets in 1981? **Giveaway**

It was the summer of 1981 when my family moved to Colorado from Michigan. I had spent the last 6 years doing everything with my friends and neighbors in Barnswood Lane and now I was living on East Long Avenue and getting ready to attend a new school, new kids, new teachers new everything.

This might shock the pants off some of you (ok most of you) but I was considered pretty smart back then, tested into the GT program with no problems. To go right along with that I had me a rockin’ pair of these

Oh yeah, in my mind I was Geek with a capital G on the outside! I so did not want to be Geek. My friends back home knew me when I got my glasses (age 5) they were just part of who I was on Barnswood Lane. I couldn’t see much of anything without them and they were a permanent fixture on my face.

Here, in Colorado I did not want to be that Girl – the Geek. I mean seriously, third grade – I was ready to be COOL – Because I so knew what that meant and being able to see definitely was not part of the definition.

I went to great lengths to not wear my coke bottles glasses at school. I left them in backpack, hid them in my cubby, put them in coat pockets even stuffed them in my pencil box once. It was so bad my parents had many discussions with the teachers about how I could not see without them and I simply must wear them in class.

As you can imagine that was FANTASTICALLY COOL – because now my teachers would ask me constantly “Terra, where are your glasses”, “Terra go get your glasses” thus drawing even more attention to the capital G on my face!

It got so bad that I was finally summoned to visit the school counselor (how “cool” was that?) can you say HUMILIATING? Well, it didn’t help much, I think I wore my glasses more after that but I was still so not cool! It was me, sporting my coke bottles glasses, walking down the hall to the GT classroom being the super geek that was I until I got contacts in middle school and got to ditch those glasses for a few hours of face saving grace during school!

Fast Forward to the new millennium…

A few months ago I saw an ad for these things called Ficklets.

I was so enamored by the concept of Ficklets that I mentioned them to a total stranger at Baskin Robbins that day. Yes I did. Then I put them out of my mind for several months.

Last week, however, my neighbor let me know that her youngest daughter just got glasses, her oldest already has them. We were emailing each other and this is how it went…

Paige: “Heather just got her new glasses”
Terra: “Ficklets, get some Ficklets”
A couple hours later
Paige: “I just ordered Ficklets”

Again, I was totally impressed by this product and decided to send the company an email and tell them so. I didn’t really expect to ever hear from them I just wanted them to know how much I liked their product concept.

I told them they were not just a fashion accessory but quite possibly a “self esteem saver” as well and that I was planning on telling "my story" on my blog...Knowing quite well that even Ficklets may not have been able to save my glasses!

The next day I had a wonderful email in my inbox and a new follower on Twitter. It was Ros – the founder of Ficklets! We have tossed a few emails back and forth and I am even more impressed with this company than I was before!

Ros offered me TWO sets of Ficklets to give away on my blog and sent me some samples! I am quite honestly bubbling over with excitement! To get to share these with another family makes me really happy! And of course I am secretly hoping they brighten the outlook of some sweet little kids with coke bottles glasses!

I will run the contest till Friday at Midnight and I hope you enter! All you need to do is leave a comment. Extra entry if you Tweet it and come back to leave a second comment telling me so!

Help me spread the word for this founder and what I consider to be a wonderful product for kids.

Even if you don’t have a child in glasses – you might someday or I am sure you know someone that does! Put a smile on their face – get them some Ficklets! They have hundreds to chose from these are a couple of my favorites:

PS - if your still with me - I think these would be great in an Easter Basket!!!

**And the winners are: - Random.org gave me numbers 21 and 7 after eliminating the 3 comments that didn't count or didn't want to be counted the winners are The Fritz Facts and Billie! Way to go ladies! Now send me an email with your address so I can pass it on to Ficklets and you get your goodies!**

I don't know why I swallowed that ... um ... NUT

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly Nut.
I dunno why she swallowed that fly Nut,
Perhaps she'll die.

HELLO - I ate this whole bag in the last 72 hours

and now I hear this?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/30/health/main4905228.shtml

Those who know me well know that I have major food phobias...this just stinks. My mom got a belly laugh out of it when she saw the news though, paused it for me so she could laugh as I watched it. Thanks mom.

ARTICLE QUOTE: Right now, the FDA is advising Americans not to eat pistachios but not to throw away their pistachios either. Basically, people should hold on to their pistachios until the FDA knows more about which products are affected.

Ok, Yeah - sure no problem - I hang on to them all the way to the GARBAGE CAN.

Blogger Fever

Have your kids ever looked at you, with your camera, and said "are you gonna put this on the blog?"

Have you ever pulled over just to write yourself a note so you don't forget to blog about what just happened or your latest brilliant random, boring thought?

Do you keep a running list of things your kids or husband or other unknown persons have done wrong by you so you can write about those instances as well?

Or maybe your draft folder is overflowing with unfinished posts?

Do you sort your photos according to weather or not they will make the blog?

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night thinking "Shoot I forgot to blog about that" or Today is Wednesday and I don't have my post up yet?

Do you have a special system devised for reading your favorite blogs?

Do you love to see a new follower, a new commenter or just more comments than you usually get?
Well, on this my blogger-versary (yes my friends, today is my one year anniversary in bloggy land) - I confess: I have blogger fever and I DO, I HAVE and I will probably continue to DO all of the above! But I can say with huge confidence that the following has NEVER happened to me (at least not yet)

http://www.milehighmamas.com/2009/02/24/its-confirmed-i-am-a-disaster/

You have to read it - the whole thing -it is SO worth it - I promise

I thought about surfing my own blog to pick my top ten favorite posts to share, I thought about making a list of the top 10 gifts I would LOVE to receive for my blogger-versary, I thought about posting the top ten things I have learned as a blogger and I even considered listing my top ten favorite blogs in honor of my big day.

Guess which one won? You got it, I am a humble selfish, needy little blogger gal and here is my 10 ten in honor of One Year

1. I learned that it is impossible for me not to care for and send my heart out to total and complete strangers whose strength during a very difficult time is beyond belief.

2. I have learned how to create and execute HTML code, Design blogs, modify templates to meet my needs (and those of my friends), and in general have become even more of a self proclaimed GEEK than I used to be.

3. I have learned that I can shamelessly beg for items like this

Because on the off chance the blogger fairy or elf happen to be reading, I just might get it - remember my double vision?

4. I have learned that I write more about all the fun, positive things that happen around here than I do the icky, stinky ones (though I write about those too - remember Busted?)

5. I have learned that even in bloggy land I gravitate to people who think, act and write similar to the way I do...I don't have to meet you -I already know you.

6. I have learned that people like Laura and Jenni have a way of just flat out "making my day" simply by reading their daily posts.

7. I learned that launching a second blog for book reviews and having HUGE aspirations for it is fun, exciting, humbling, scary and downright COOL!!

8. I learned that I can only resist temptation for so long and eventually I will cave. Just as I did with my I-POD I got for my birthday 4 years ago and just started using last year. I have vehemently blasted Twitter for months and yes...I caved - on the advice of my brother I have signed up (little brother I might add)

please don't leave me hanging out on a limb (ha ha)

9. I have learned that their really is no better way to chronicle all your memories in one place and hopefully pass them on to your children someday than a blog printed to a book and maybe they will even read them (after they have kids of their own and are pulling their own hair out one gray strand at a time) - I haven't done it yet, but I have started the process and can't wait!!!

10. AND finally I have learned that I can do all the things in Pondered in just one top ten list! So there you have it, a couple of my favorite posts, a couple of my favorite blogs, a gift I would not turn down, a shameless plug for my "other" blog and top ten list for my blogger-versary!

Oh, and by the way - I got to change the TP roll again last night, possibly on purpose - I am guessing that "he who would rather not be named" read the blog yesterday!

I want me one of these...

So, I have often thought about all the reviews and give aways many bloggers get to do and wondered weather or not I wished I could do that too. For a while I thought it would ROCK to review really useful things like Kleenex, Socks, Toilet Paper, Wet Wipes etc. You know hey PR guy send me some stuff I buy a ton of so I can save some money, I will review it and even give it away to another mom who drops a bundle on your product every week....wouldn't that be the best?

Since that is NOT going to happen, I decided to go for what I know second best - BOOKS. I love to read and read a lot - so I signed up to do book reviews with a publisher and I got my first book this week. I am about half way through it and can't wait to write my review.

I really thought that this would the best of the both worlds for me - reviewing books - that I would probably read anyway and sharing them with my bloggy friends. The only downside is I don't get to read them on my Kindle - I have to go old school - but I found a silver lining in that cloud too - I can donate the books once I am done with them (of course they will probably hang out under my bed for a while first).

So, Why don't I sound more excited?

Because I found something I want, and I mean really want. HP Mini 1140NR 10.2-Inch Netbook - Vivienne Tam Edition (1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, XP Home, 3 Cell Battery)
- Roughly $600 depending on where you go - I think Sams had them for $548 this week. But I just can't justify buying it right now. SO I am stuck sitting, wishing, hoping.

The only way I figure I can make it work is if someone knows someone at HP and could somehow convince them that I am worth a $1000 marketing investment and they would send me one of these for free to review and maybe even one to give away to a bloggy winner.

And for all of you that know me well, I am sure you wondering what on earth do you need another computer for. Well this slick little baby is no bigger than a normal book and is PERFECT for taking places -surfing blogs, posting to my blog, reading and surfing the net while I idol away the time at dance, waiting for school to let out etc. I could use my laptop for that right - NOT I - because I won't connect to a public network on MY laptop, I also could use my blackberry for that right, nope- too small to really read on and too much of a pain to type on it.

But that HP mini would rock my world!

So - here's to dreaming.

HP- Ya listening? I think I just reviewed your product without even having one.

You're Welcome.

When the kids are away -

Wait - the parents aren't playing! We are getting old. We went and grabbed a slab of greese at our favorite NY Pizza joint (Big Bills -did you know that on 9/11 each year he donates all proceeds to the NY Fire Dept and raises like 30k in one day!!) then we came home, I worked on some of cleaning projects - check out my pantry and the mess I made while doing it

Then I crashed into my computer, leaving several things undone that have to be finished tomorrow....

But- Lauren and Hailey are at Grams and Gramps house for the night! They are having fun and I got this great photo from my mom

FEET - this reminds me of the christmas card at Catholic Teacher Musings! and yes I took the time to find her actual post and if you would click over and see it I think you will giggle!

Then Grams sent this picture too, Grandpa is not quite asleep - but if you know him at all, he will be soon! Thanks Grams and Gramps for the night out...even though I am apparently too boring, too old or just too tired to really enjoy it - I love a little time in a quiet house!!!

In the mountains

We are going home in the morning. I love coming to Beaver Creek. My parents have a wonderful home and they let us run amuck so to speak.

We make messes

play in the hot tub and take walks

put together puzzles

finish school work

We get sick, we get better, we even give our germs to Grams and Daddy(sorry guys)

We watch TV and go sledding

We sometimes get to see plays like Annie or concerts like Clint Black.

We get dressed up to go out to Mirabels for a fancy dinner

(the girls love this, especially Lauren)

Wait, WE didn't go to Mirabels...only THEY did! Grams and Gramps took the girls to Mirabels and I stayed HOME ALONE.

I took a shower, packed up the car, ate cereal for dinner and enjoyed about 90 minutes to myself! I LOVE IT.

And so do THEY!

If you haven't had time or haven't read it yet, please weigh in on the two questions below...I am anxious to put it all together and make a statement in a compilation post!