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Our 7 Qtpies

January 31, 2008

This is Unbelievable!

There will be no living with Donnie now. Oh, my word, it is unbelievable!

OK, so I won a box of fruit roll ups from Donnie's screw up Valentine gift. He is now redeemed. Ok, nice.

But now, I won ANOTHER box, at Gotcha Baby. Do you think I won with my story of how I emptied a heart shaped box of candy and filled each little paper spot with a heart shaped piece of paper rolled up tight and tied with a ribbon, and each heart was one of 3 colors: one color for things I respect about him, one for things I love about him, and one was things he gets for free, like a few hours on his stupid computer game without me shooting daggers and him or telling him he is playing City of Divorced guys instead of City of Heros. (that had to be one of the longest run-on sentences in my blog EVAH.)
No, that sweet, sweet story did not win (yet).
What won the second box was how when Donnie moved to Minnesota ahead of us he sent me a message in a bottle with a poem he had written. Well, his poem matched so closely with the card I sent him that we were just in awe of how in sync we were! Awww! Yep, another one for Donnie.
He is walking around saying "Tell me I'm the bomb, say it, Say IT, come on, say it! I'm the bomb."
Yep, you are a bomb, Donnie.
(don't forget, my stupid spell check doesn't work for some reason)

Vote for me???

Would you go vote for my nursery design? Please??? Blue Jean Teddy Nursery. That is a direct link to the page you give a star rating and leave a comment on it. There isn't a special "voting" box, just a star rating. Thanks!
Check out my giveaway!

Hopefully I will need this post.

I am going to start a post on my winnings this week. I plan to need it. (just kidding!) (or am I?)

I did win something today, though. Not part of the bloggy carnival. I won a box of personalized Fruit Roll ups from Did You See That? Now winning this has two sides. I get to order some great treats, that is awesome. But I also have to let my worst Valentine story die. Because now, after 15 years of telling Donnie how awful it was, it has paid off. After Devon was born I wanted to join aerobics, but it was expensive, and I couldn't do it at home because the kids would grab my legs and stand on my feet screaming for me to pick them up. It terrified them to see me doing something besides sitting on the couch eating bonbons. We were young and had three kids. Could I afford clothes to wear to work out in? Heck, no!
So, Donnie splurged and bought me an entire workout outfit. For Valentine's Day. Something to help me get skinny. For Valentine's Day. After I had a baby 1 1/2 months before. Post partum. One and one half months post partum. He buys me a workout outfit.
Yes, he called me an enormous fat cow for Valentine's Day.
Ok, so really he was just being sweet and seriously thinking of my desires and trying to make me feel special. But it missed the mark. It didn't even hit the target, much less the bull's eye.
However, it made CPA Mom laugh, and I won something. Fifteen years later. He is now officially off the hook.

And I thought I would win one of these with the sweet valentine I gave Donnie one year. I'm still hoping! I could win a second one, you know!

(and if I am misspelling things, tough, my spell check doesn't do anything on here today, and I really don't care enough to double or tripple check, lol, see how I spelled triple??)

I won another box at Gotcha Baby! You'll have to see this post to hear the whole story.

I won the book Out of the Depths from the Kregal homeschooling blog.
I won a family devotional book, but I can't find the link to her blog. She left a comment here, but it doesn't link to the actual blog that I won it from.
I won a Mary Kay lip and nail set from Angela at The Rock Pile. That is super fun because Kaytlin leaves her make-up out for the kids to ruin, then steals mine and leaves mine out for the kids to ruin........ I need more make-up, and she has learned to put it away now.

I have a little forced break so...

Let me fill you all in! Some nasty spammers have started using the Bloggy Giveaways to peddle their site. So it had to be closed down. But in the closing something happened and I can't access the last of the giveaways that I have not entered.
It is like a relief, actually. I was stuck to the giveaways like a supernatural force had a hold on me, and while I want to keep entering, I am actually relieved to have the forced break!


I have found some of the most amazing stores through this giveaway and even ordered some to die for goats milk soap.

I also want to tell you guys about something fantastic. I am a Babylegs fanatic, well, I am too cheap to pay $12 a pair, so I buy them on sale or "off brands." I've still been paying around $8. Which is huge for me, I'm a tightwad. Well, I found the perfect solution! And if she came out with a store I would be exstatic! However, she sells her goods on diaperswappers. You have to be a member to access it. But it is free membership, so why wouldn't you? Anyway, I bought two pairs for Sam and he LOVES them. I love them. The cuff is great, which was my concern. The price? OH, you will not believe me.

Numbered legwarmers are $6ppd per pair

Lettered legwarmers are $5ppd per pair

Order 2 pair and take $1 off your order

Order 3 pair and take $2 off your order

Order 4 pair and take $3 off your order

Order 5 pair and take $4 off your order

Order 6 pair or more and each pair is only $4!!


I told you! My calculator says that 6 pairs would be $24, and that INCLUDES postage. Seriously! That is two pairs of Babyleg brand withOUT postage.

And the are nice.

Sam stuck his leg out to put the pair on, and he has never done that before. And he only does it for that one pair.

Go Here to check it out yourself.


I also found something adorable that I really, really hope to win. Knit baby leg warmers from American Wife! Now, don't you dare go enter and win them from under me, because I will be ticked.

I also found this free graphics page.
And I mean it, No Bloitering, leave a comment!
How about this? Ask me a question, anything that a Christian could answer and a kid could read, because this is a family friendly blog most of the time, and I will answer it. It will have to be about me, because I can't reveal secrets about my spouse, my kids, or my friends, they still like me at this point, and I don't want to ruin that.

January 30, 2008

I had to take a break for this!

I interupt this blogging giveaway carnival for a very special break!





Being the good mom that I am, I stopped entering a bazillion giveaways to feed Sam a TV dinner. He is using is awesome ModWare fork from Boon.



After eating he cuddled in my arms as I entered into the 500 area of giveaways. This is him looking over my shoulder at the TV. What was so interesting?





That would be the Barbie Nutcracker tape that Trinity is watching. So after I snap this pic of him I turned around to watch with him and this is what I saw:





And it was just too darling not to try to get on tape! So, for your viewing pleasure I present Trinity Reneé in The Nutcracker!


I got all teared up, and, yes, honey, I know. You think I should enroll her in ballet because she is just the most talented little 4 year old you have seen. (wink)

Is it really Wordless Wednesday time??

Oh my goodness, I can't believe it! I have been so busy with the crazy giveaways that I lost track of the days! However, do I have a funny to show!


Hold on while I find and download my camera. Be right back!
OK, back, and it was worth the wait, I assure you.
It is SOOO cold here in MN that we get used to it. And by that I mean, when it is -40degree we are freezing, but then -5 feels warm. So, let me show you how used to it we get:

I told Devon to take out the trash and recycling and he started grumping at me and didn't hear the recycling part, so I drug his lazy butt out of bed to take it out. So, to "show me" he went out in his undies. And, yes, we DO live in town.

Want to win some prizes? Here are the giveaways I am holding today:
A bloggy makeover from RS Designs.
A Groovy interlocking plate from Boon.
A set of Non-toxic teethers from The Soft Landing.
A pair of silver earrings.

Crazy day!

The kids came home from school before school even started! Drew was walking and got a ride home from a friend of ours who told him school was delayed. Kaytlin drove and brought Devon with her. They found out when the school was empty. LOL

Why is school delayed? Why wouldn't we have known? Well, the weather looks fine, no snow, ice, sleet, strong winds. Why would I be looking for delays? Well, it is just that COLD here. Just cold. It is -9 F. But it "feels like" 30 below F.
Looking out the window you would never suspect a thing. But our car won't start. Even with a jump. We should push it into the garage, but not going out there that long and touching METAL. Nope.
Kaytlin nearly lost her fingers opening the door to school this morning. Nope, she wasn't wearing gloves.

January 29, 2008

Tired of pay per click?

It is so hard to make a little money with a blog. Mostly blogs are for fun, but I want to be able to maintain what I am doing, giveaways, my time, compensation for my writing. Those little ads that are supposed to pay you when people look at them do not work for most people. I have never, never had a payout from them.
Net Audio Ads has a different form of advertising that works with pay per visit to your website. Now that is much more likely to actually pay out!
How does it work? Well, you will have an audio ad play when a person loads your page. I worried that this would really make people angry, however, it is only a five second ad. That isn't really all that long, and I would hope that most loyal readers would be alright with that.
It is a 100% free opportunity. You earn off visits to your own website, and you earn by referrals. But this is a limited time opportunity. February first marks the end of the referral program. If you are enrolled before that point you will continue to get the referral income. You can still enroll after the 1st, but the tiered payments will not apply.
Does anyone want to give this a try with me?


January 28, 2008

Must. Take. Break.........

Oh my gosh! The giveaways! They are fantastical! I am only through the first 50!
I must break away, I must!
I have to get dressed, get Kaytlin picked up so she can go to her orthodontist, and I should do some picking up today, feed my little ones who just woke up, and pretend I did something today besides enter giveaways, lol.
Plus, I have another book review for today. And it is a BIG book.
Must. Step. Away!

I am not my breast cancer~ a book review

I interupt this bloggy giveaway heaven for this important book review:

It wasn't an easy decision to review this book. I watched a close friend go through breast cancer several years ago, and both of my mom's sisters have gone through it, one has survived it twice and one is going through it now. I am very thankful to have only been acquainted with survivors of the disease. Because my aunt is going through it now, I decided to review the book.

I Am Not My Breast Cancer by Ruth Peltason is published by HarperCollins. It is a compilation of over 800 women talking openly about love and sex, hair loss and weight gain, mothers and daughters, and being a woman with breast cancer.

When my friend Julie went through it I don't think I realized how isolating it could be. I did what I could to be there for her, but I know it wasn't enough. I brought her home made bread after chemo because it was one of the few things that she could get down and it made her feel good, like it had healing properties. But I didn't know. I wasn't a part of the club that is breast cancer.

I was struck by how isolated breast cancer can make you feel. The fears that come with it and the life-long dreams that die even when you survive can't even be imagined. Should you have more children? What if my husband is repulsed by me now? But breast cancer does not define who you are, and it shouldn't!

These women are brave, and I admire them. I highly recommend this book if you are going through breast cancer so you won't feel isolated, or if you have someone close going through it so that you can understand some of what they are feeling.

You can read the original comments made by the women at First Person Plural.

About the Author:
Ruth Peltason runs Bespoke Books, a small book producing company that specializes in books on the cultural arts, including Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry, Kate Spade's Occasions, Style, and Manners. I Am Not My Breast Cancer grew out of the author's passion to wed her skills as a book editor and her own experiences with breast cancer. She was previously senior editor, director of design and style books with Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, and lives in New York City.

Bloggy Giveaway Carnival~ Giveaway #2

This giveaway is now closed, winner to be announced soon! The winner, from the random number generator, is britt from Because Britt say's so... Congratulations, britt!
I am so happy to be able to be involved in this carnival!
I bought these earrings to give away to my readers as a thank you when my stats reached 16,000 visitors. Now that I have time and motivations to get this up, I have reached the 17,000 visitors milestone, and I am so grateful for every visitor.

These earrings are so gorgeous, just like the picture shows! The retail value is about $59.99. I purchased them from The Silver Jewelry Club. They are exclusive pieces in pure sterling silver, and they feature real gemstones. Each and every piece is artistically designed, skillfully crafted and carefully handmade.
I have been purchasing jewelry from them for about 3 years and I have never had a bad product.

My favorite part about this company? The jewelry is free! I had my doubts, too, but I gave them a try, after searching for angry customers.

When you are on their main page they show 4 pieces of jewelry and the rotate them out about every 15 minutes. You can purchase what you see in only the size that is there for just the cost of shipping and handling, $5.99! To purchase a chain for pendants is extra, but they are very reasonable, and you don't have to purchase the chain. I highly recommend them.

Why are they doing this? Good question! They are building a loyal customer base! You can check out their catalog for more pieces.

I am holding this giveaway until February 2, and I will announce a winner on February 3.

I will ship to the US, all states, to Canada and to my friends in the US military, love you guys! (sorry international readers, but you see my header, I am rich in kids, not in money!)

Just leave a comment and you are entered! Leave your email, please, I really don't have super powers! Several people have signed up and I have NO way to reach them.

Check out my other giveaways:
A bloggy makeover from RS Designs.
A Groovy interlocking plate from Boon.
A set of Non-toxic teethers from The Soft Landing.

Bloggy Giveaways Carnival~ Giveaway #1

This giveaway now closed, winner to be announced soon!
The winner, picked from the random number generator and counted twice is Majellamom from Waiting for Charlie... Congratulations!
I am so excited to be a part of the giveaway carnival again! I enjoyed the Dog Days of Summer and Fall Y'all giveaways so much! I am going to try to clear up my week as much as possible to enter lots of giveaways, and read lots of new blogs. But I am also going to be giving away some great prizes, myself!

Recently I became aquainted with a new blog and store about safe plastics for our children. As a parent of a child who is injured because of lack of care in what is put in our child's bodies from companies, I really want to be sure what goes into my children is safe. You cannot just trust companies, just look at all the toy recalls lately.

The Soft Landing was started by an RN who is taking time off to care for her children. She realized that there is a need to find safe baby products and she is working hard to find them for us. Alicia generously offered to give away a fantastic toy package made up of Bisphenol-a and Phthalate free teethers.


I fell in love with this cow the moment I set eyes on it! It is called the Jiggle Giggle Vibrating Teether - Cow and it retails for $7.95. The Nuby Jiggle Giggle Teether by Nuby vibrates when baby chews on it, providing massage and stimulation to gums. The other wing is filled with non-toxic purICE Gel that can be places in the freezer, but remains soft to provide a comforting teething surface.




She is also including a Jelly Fish Teethers 2 Pk that retail for $4.95. These are made by Sassy, and are meant for the fridge, not the freezer. Sassy is making great strides toward non-toxic products.


The Chan Pie Gnon Natural Rubber Teether Toy is getting a huge wave of fans in moms all over the place and retail for $13.95. They are so cute, and safe. Chan Pie Gnon by Vulli is handmade in France from all natural rubber and non-toxic paints. The yellow Chan Pie Gnon is included in this giveaway.


You can find the lowdown on plastics and non-toxic products for your children at The Soft Landing Baby Blog. Alicia has a great line of sippy cups and bottles that are made of safe plastics and glass. I fell in love with the Adiri Natural Nurser over there, and I can't wait to have another child so I can buy some cool new bottles!

The giveaway is open from January 28th through February 2. I will announce the winner on February 3. I want to give people who work a chance to enter through the weekend.
Leave a comment to be entered. Please leave an email to reach you if you win. It would be great if you stopped by the The Soft Landing to check out their products, but it isn't required. Several people have not left a way to be reached, if you don't have a blog, I need an email.

This giveaway is open to people in the United States, Canada and the US military at APOs and FPOs.
Check out my other giveaways:

January 27, 2008

The Relucatant Smuggler Review


The Reluctant Smuggler by Jill Elizabeth Nelson is a book in the To Catch a Thief series, a romantic suspense novel. Complete with a reader’s guide, this third book in the To Catch a Thief series explores the power of hope in the darkest of circumstances.
I have not read any of the other books in the series, but after this book, I have decided that I am a fan and will be hunting down the other titles!
This is probably the first time I have read a book in a series that doesn't rehash the former books so much that it bores a reader who has already read them, yet allows a new reader to know what happened with just the right amount of information.
The Reluctant Smuggler is about a couple who consist of an FBI agent and an owner of a security company. They fight many odds to be together, but they make it! Desiree Jacobs gets drug into an art and antiquities black market scheme done by a gang so large that it reaches all the way from Mexico to the United States, and unwittingly nearly gets her fiance, Tony Lucano, killed. They don't realize it is the same gang they are both dealing with at first. But through God's help, they persevere and even see friends come to the Lord.
I love the romance and the suspense that is woven throughout this story. I can easily see this story continuing on to another book or two, it is so good. I think that I may have a new author on my favorites list.

You can purchase the book at Amazon.

Author Bio:
Jill Elizabeth Nelson graduated with a degree in literature and creative writing from Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota. She served for three years as the senior inspirational reviewer for Romantic Times BOOKclub magazine and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Writers Group, and Christian Authors Network. In 2004, she served as a Christy Award judge in the romance category. Nelson and her husband have four children and live in Madison, Minnesota.

Imperfect Parenting the Right Way

When I started parenting 18 years and 7 children ago I was just an 18 year old child myself. I had high expectations about how I was going to raise my perfect children with perfect parenting. Because I knew all the mistakes my parents made and I wasn't going to make them.

Read the rest over at my new Hub: Imperfect Parenting the Right Way.

January 26, 2008

Not kidding!

So, I was relaxing after my busy day putting on a Spiritual Gift retreat for the women in my church.
I was just checking out some blogs and headed over to Miss Sniz's blog. She had done a repost on a stupid commercial for a pooping Barbie dog. Well, I had to go snag a video of it from youtube because now only does the dog poop, he poops the treats that he is fed, which means he eats his poop over and over. Nasty!

Well, while I was retrieving said video, what did I find? Well, this is just too ridiculous to even SAY.

January 25, 2008

Before and After

Or, "what happens when a kid is tired of being grounded."Cody asked me what he could do to be ungrounded. He is halfway through his 2 month grounding, and he is desperate to be able to get on the computer again! I told him he could clean the mess the boys made in Trinity's room. He jumped on it. Then he saw it. But he persevered. And he paid Hope-Anne $10 to help him.

Pretty good! The clothes are not folded and put away, but they are off the floor and ready for me to deal with on a smaller, more manageable scale. However, the dirty clothes pile is HUGE in the basement now.
Go Cody and Hope-Anne!!!

What is it with kids?

I am not sure why, but suddenly the 3yo boys I babysit have decided they need to wear Trinity's clothes. Every time I leave the room they are putting on her clothes. (this is actually a little less disturbing than the purses they insist on carrying or wearing toenail polish... lol)
However, yesterday they hit a new level of mess. I was livid. They were not only wearing Trinity's clothes, but they had taken all of her clean, folded clothes and thrown them all over the room, mixed with all her dirty clothes. And then they took all the clothes out of a couple of bags near Sam's dresser that I was given recently but hadn't sorted yet. They are all over the room, too. Then since they couldn't go back in the room, they started tearing up all the folded clothes and diapers I had on the couch. I chewed them out for it, picked it up, and they went right back over and did it again.
I flipped. It is probably a good two hour clean up job. So I forbid them from going in Trinity's room for now. I couldn't clean it last night because as soon as they left I had a long meeting to get to at church, then to bed so I could leave my house at 6am to come get them again.

Today? After my freak out yesterday? One of them decided that since I was in the basement switching laundry that it would be a great time to sneak into the room and into the closet and tear out all of those clothes and bring out some dresses to put on. He didn't get them on, since I wasn't gone that long, but oh, livid doesn't begin to describe it.

I think this would qualify as the worst mess I've had to clean up. This is awful and I don't even know where to start! I can't do it with the kids here, or they will do this to my living room, kitchen, bathroom and dining room while I work. And they can't "help" because that would be a disaster. I am entering this at Crazy Hip Blog Mamas to win a Oreck XL Ultra Vacuum Cleaner! Maybe something good will come of this.
God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose...........

One of our favorite vacations

Several years ago, when we only had 5 kids, we all went to Atlanta, Georgia for two weeks. Donnie was there on a business trip and had a suite, so the kids and I drove there and stayed with him. We had a blast hanging out at the hotel, swimming in the pool, eating the fantastic breakfasts that were cooked for us each day. Yes, cooked, not just donuts in bins! We had omelets prepared to our specifications each day. It was amazing! Our favorite highlights for sight seeing were going to the Underground and also the the Coca-Cola Museum and trying out 60 different sodas. Not a good thing to do on your way out of town with little kids. That causes way too many potty stops. But it was a great memory for everyone.
Next time we would like to do some sightseeing tours.
One of the tours that I think would be fun is the Atlanta Trolley Tour that lets you on and off all day for sight seeing and shopping, plus gives a historical tour.
I am sure the kids would rather do the Wild Adventures Theme Park, that is more their cup of tea. Well, we all love that.
Check out Trusted Tours & Attractions for some great tours in cities all over the United States. Also, if you sign up for their newsletter you will be entered to win a Canon PowerShot Digital Camera! The newsletter has great stories and tips for traveling. Sign up by January 31st to be entered to win the GPS.


Friday chores

I have so much to do today! I am babysitting, of course, like all Fridays, but it just happened to work out that I don't have to pick up Jack from school today, so that saves me 45 minutes of driving!
I need to clean my house, put away laundry, wash the diapers, etc.
I need to make Symphony Brownies for tomorrow.
I need to finish the table decorations and make place cards for the tables. I am making them from card stock and fancy paper and stamps. Super fun, but time consuming.
Tomorrow is our Spiritual Gifts retreat for the women in our church. We are just about ready!
I also have to learn two skits for TOMORROW! Yep, leave it to me to put it off.......... well, it wasn't that, it just worked out that way. My sweet friend who is acting with me has the skits, the kids lost my copies before they got to me, and my friend has been busy and sick. So, it just didn't happen. Now it HAS to happen.

Sleep? What's that?

January 23, 2008

Thursday Thirteen #51



Thirteen Darwin Awards
Yes, it's that magical time of year again when the Darwin Awards are bestowed, honoring the least evolved among us.
  1. When his 38-caliber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a hold-up in Long Beach , California , would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked.
  2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat-cutting machine and, after a little shopping around, submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company expecting negligence sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and he also lost a finger. The chef's claim was approved.
  3. A man who shoveled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space. Understandably, he shot her.
  4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.
  5. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.
  6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer... $15. [If someone points a gun at you and gives you money, is a crime committed?]
  7. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he'd just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his head at the window. The cinder block bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of Plexiglas. The whole event was caught on videotape.
  8. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was then taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, "Yes, officer, that's her. That's the lady I stole the purse from."
  9. The Ann Arbor News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti , Michigan , at 5 A.M., flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away. [*A 5-STAR STUPIDITY AWARD WINNER]
  10. When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. A police spokesman said that the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline and plugged his siphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges saying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had.
  11. DALLAS - Police said two burglars struck a Texas store that sells high-end security equipment, and the whole thing was caught on tape by 17 cameras rolling in the store. "I've got them on no less than 17 cameras," Webb said. "We are a security business."And if the name of the business wasn't telling enough, multiple warning signs on the store should have given the burglars a clue that they would be on camera.
  12. An ex-con allegedly tried to rob two people in New York, police said, but didn't notice his intended victims were police officers -- in uniform.Police said 33-year-old Jermaine Washington allegedly was so intent on robbing someone Saturday that he pulled a fake handgun on the two armed police officers as they walked through Riverside Park, The New York Daily News said."It was stupid criminal tricks," a police source said. "The guy didn't even look to see who was coming."After Washington allegedly pulled his fake gun, the two officers drew their real weapons and Washington surrendered after a short but tense standoff.
  13. A man is facing drug charges after he allegedly walked into the Danbury police station puffing on a marijuana-filled cigar.Capt. Robert Myles says Scott Snow walked into the station early Saturday and blew smoke from his cigar into a small opening in the bullet-resistant glass separating desk officers from the public.Myles says the 24-year-old man was told there's no smoking inside the building and he allegedly stubbed out the cigar on the counter.Officers came out and smelled the distinctive odor of marijuana and arrested Snow.Police say they found more alleged marijuana in Snow's pants. He has been released after posting bond.

In the interest of bettering mankind, please share these with your friends and family... unless of course one of these individuals by chance is a distant relative or long-lost friend. In that case, be glad they are distant and hope they remain lost.

*** Remember... They walk among us!!! ***

Check out my giveaway!
Would you go vote for my nursery design? Please??? Blue Jean Teddy Nursery.

Devon's swim meet last night

Look at this guy! Am I going to be fighting the girls away from him, or what?

Seriously, have you seen us? Where did he get his 6 pack?


This is the celebration for winning the meet last night! Go team!
Devon is doing great this year. He is a 9th grader in Varsity, which means he is swimming against mostly 10-12th graders. For him to be coming in 3rd and 4th is amazing! He has come in 1st and 2nd, too, but mostly 3rd and 4th. We are loving it! I can hardly wait to get to his senior year and watch him bloom. But I don't want to be close to him leaving home, either.

Devon is really good at sports, and I am so glad, because he needs something he is praised for. Usually he goes around driving everyone nuts, skips out of his cleaning as much as he can, and has a hard time with school, despite how smart he is. So this is one area where we are all proud and bragging on him.

Wordless Wednesday #52

Look what I found in the tub when I went to check out Trinity's screaming from the bathroom. The cat always watches bathtimes and showers, and yes, she does fall in and get pulled in often.
I am so not wordless, ever.

January 22, 2008

Sign anyone?

My cousin Jessica has a bunch of praise songs in sign on youtube, here is her latest.

Good news and bad news all in one day

And a blood draw to top it all off!



Yesterday Donnie had his little delay with the ditch and blown seal on his tire. And I actually had to bring in my tire to remove a couple of screws and get it fixed. Those weren't too bad, though.



Today I had a great friend get back in touch with me. We met in Germany, and she led me to the Lord. She also has 7 kids, like I do! I will wait on her name until she decides on an online name. She will be joining us in the bloggy world soon.



Then, the shop we use sent someone by to start our van. I asked them to start looking for a rebuilt or used engine for us, and they wanted to see it before they did that. Well, it is pretty much what we thought. But the estimate is almost $5000. Not happening any time soon, unless our refund is pretty fantastic. Still, it is cheaper than buying a new vehicle.



And, for kicks and grins, I had a life insurance agent out to draw blood and weigh me. Always fun.



Now I have to get kids down for a nap and get some things ready for the Spiritual Gifts retreat I have planned for this weekend. And Devon has a home swim meet tonight that I can actually watch from the beginning since I don't babysit today! Woohoo!

January 21, 2008

Boon review and giveaway!

This Giveaway is now closed, thank you so much for entering! The Winner is Kelly! I will be in touch with her soon, if she doesn't get back to me in 3 days I will choose another winner.
Check out the bloggy giveaways! Lots of prizes to be won!


I have been seeing this new name in baby products all over the internet and I just had to see what all the fuss was about. Boon products are so cool and modern looking, but are they really that good?

One of our biggest parenting hassles is washing hair. Boy or girl, they just freak out in the tub over it. We had tried everything with no consistently good results. So when I saw Boon 's Flo I had to try it. It hooks right on the tub's faucet but doesn't interfere with the shower knob, so it can stay put. The spout spreads out the flow of water and makes for a soft and safe place for hair washing because kids will not be hurt by the metal spout. What my kids love is that it is their "water fall" to play in. Washing hair is not the hard part, getting them to allow the water to be turned off is the hard part! One unique feature to Flo is that it has a bubble bath dispenser right in it. Just load it up and when you fill the tub you just push a button to release a little. It thrills the kids to no end.
Boon doesn't stop at just great bath products. They are ahead of the game in making food safe products to feed our kids. Not only are they modern looking, they are made of safe plastic that will not leech dangerous chemicals into your child's foods. Boon should really advertise this, because I think it is important. Sam loves the ModWare utensils set. When I handed them to him he just held them one in each hand and stared at them in complete awe! Sure, they are orange and white and they are soft and comfy to grip, but what is the deal with the awe? I tried to feed him with them, but he freaked out that I wanted to dirty the works of art with FOOD. He did eventually get over that and loves them. They are in the dishwasher every day.

The Squirt is an unusual product. You mix up your baby's food and attach the protective cover and you are ready to go. The cover removes for convenient feeding wherever you may be. It holds 3 ounces of food, and you dispense with a squirt, one bite at a time. Sassyfrazz fell in love with the Squirt.

Boon has more than impressed me!



Boon has generously supplied a prize for my readers! The non-toxic, dishwasher safe Groovy plate for toddlers, a $12.99 value.



The Groovy sports two separate sections for food with two sliding, detachable little sections for dips. It
also sports a slip resistant base to help prevent those messy moments.



1. To win your own Groovy plate check out the Boon website and come back here to leave a comment on the product you would love to try. I will not accept comments without a Boon product in them.


2. As always, I offer an extra entry for a blog post about the giveaway linking to this contest and Boon. Feel free to leave a second comment about the link, or just mention it in your first comment.


3. This giveaway will end January 31, and the winner will be announced on February 1. Leave an email if you do not have a blog so I can get in touch with you.

4. I'm sorry, but I can only ship to US, Canada and Military addresses. (Unless you would pick up the extra postage)


Thanks for entering! Good luck!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Donnie called me from his cell just a bit ago. Seems that the roads here in Minnesota are coated in ice. A slick ice that doesn't bode well for cars.
Donnie was driving his car down 10 where it meets up with 35W and found himself slipping and then driving backwards. As he slid backwards down the ramp he passed another guy in the ditch who jumped from his car to avoid being hit.
Thankfully he slid right on by, but ended up joining the other man in the ditch 75 feet later.
And there they sit waiting for AAA to send a tow truck. Or two.
The two men sitting in a ditch 75 feet apart will probably never meet. Because they are guys. If they were women, you know they'd be visiting each other, especially since the tow could be two hours away!

20 minutes after going in the ditch, the snow plow came along and salted the roads for them.

Update!!!

After some time passed by the other guys tow truck came, along with, I think, a paramedic and a trooper. The trooper said it was too dangerous to stay in the ditch, so they made the other tow truck pull Donnie out, and AAA is going to reimburse us for paying them. Well, after they got him out and on the road, they discovered a tire blew out. So he was going to tow Donnie to Walmart. But while working on that the guy got a call for an emergency and ditched him on the side of the road. LOL He is coming back, but maybe he should have just had the AAA guy not cancelled. So, he is safe and out of the ditch, but still can't move. Not sure why he doesn't have a spare to change it??? Or it isn't safe to change it on the road???

Another Update!
Donnie has finally made it to work! The tow truck finally came back for him and brought him to a tire place, and it was a 2 1/4 hour wait, so he walked across the street to Walmart, which was a 3 hour wait. So he just went to Wendy's for some lunch.
But he is finally fixed and back to work. The tow was $$$ but fixing the tire was only $25. And praise God we will be reimbursed by AAA for the tow truck!

January 19, 2008

Wowser, I guess my humor doesn't read well!

I had a huge complaint, chastisement about talking about Kaytlin.
If anyone else thinks that I was actually serious, I'm sorry, because it is a fun, long-running joke in our family.
Kaytlin reads my blog, her friends read my blog, and it is funny to them. Kaytlin pretty much goaded me into writing about it because it is funny to us.
So, for the record:
I am not competing for my husband's affections with her, and I do not have preconceived notions about a daughter that she doesn't live up to, she has exceeded my expectations of how amazing a child of mine could ever turn out. I am beyond thrilled with her, not disappointed in her, and she knows it, I have repeatedly told her how much more mature and Godly she is than I was even in my mid-20's.
I was not gossiping and backbiting my child. It was in fun, and she started the fun, so I know she is good with it.
I did not air family issues, because this is not a family issue, it is a family game!
Kaytlin is extremely obedient and I was not bringing her to wrath.
Kaytlin will not only get a kick out of the posts, but will really laugh at me being chastised for it. She will have had her day made, and will joke about this for months. It will be endless fodder for her to say how I was making rude comments about her on my blog and how I hurt her, and then she will cackle with delight.
I would definitely post about a problem I have with someone who doesn't read my blog if I needed to vent or get opinions or help. sometimes just the right person will come along and help you face a situation and change your attitude.
I don't have conflict to resolve in this instance, so Matthew 18:15 doesn't apply, there is nothing private to discuss.
I definitely do not have negative feelings about my daughter. Anyone who knows her at all knows how amazing she is, my only real complaint about her would be the occasional eye rolling or disrespectful comment during certain times of the month. And as a matter of fact, I put that in the posts.
"Kaytlin is a great kid, and she doesn't ask for things, Donnie just wants to give her what she loves and desires. She does not take advantage of it at all. I would have, well, I DO take advantage of it, lol. She is also a very good girl, rarely in trouble for anything, and the most trouble she ever gets into is a bit of arguing with us or rolling her eyes, and that is 90% of the time during PMS. I think she got in trouble for disrespect one time."
Oh, my goodness, I can just hear the laughing she is going to do when she gets home and reads this! Oh, and I hope you enjoy this, too, Samantha! LOL (friend of Kaytlin's)
I hope I addressed all the points made. I know the comment was made in love, but was off base with what was actually going on. I don't want it to sound like we really have issues, so I hope this clears it up.

Kaytlin, Queen bee?

Go check out my poll about pants at The Good Stuff.

Kaytlin has been getting more and more vocal about how I favor Devon. I don't get it, but I can see how she could come up with SOME of her points. However, she has NO room to talk.

One day, long, long ago, I found out I was pregnant, and we were over-joyed to be having another child. Oh, how we hoped it would be a girl. Later in the pregnancy we went in for an ultrasound, well, many, many u/s's because of complication, but anyway, at that visit we were told we were having a girl! Oh the joy!
Then we got in the car to head home and it hit me. I was having a GIRL. Oh, my word, I was losing some of the tightness to the string I had Donnie wrapped around my little finger with!
It started that day. And it went down hill from there. Let me explain.

One day, as I was puking up a lung bring forth yet a third son for my husband to take over the world with, I wanted some fried chicken from Popeye's. That is the only thing that was going to go down that day. What did my loving husband say? "No, I'm not driving all the way to Ramstien for chicken." I was ticked, but what could I do? I couldn't drive because of the need for a puke bucket and all.
About fifteen minutes later Donnie said we were going to Popeye's. Oh my heart! He does love me! Or at least feel guilty. But guess what?
Kaytlin, his little princess had asked him for Popeye's chicken and he said "Sure, let's go!"

Now, to be fair, Donnie most certainly spoils me, and I get pretty much whatever I want from him. However, this is about Kaytlin. So, on with it!

Kaytlin was complaining Thursday night when I was raving to Devon about how awesome he did at the swim meet. She says that we give him whatever he wants and always believe him over her, etc. I told her she had no place to talk: 1 it wasn't true, and 2 she is the princess who gets everything her heart desires around here, just ask Daddy!
Oh, no, she doesn't believe that! Nope, she hasn't been able to be in sports for a couple of years because we wouldn't pay for sports AND $300 driver's ed one year and she didn't ask after that because she said it was too expensive and didn't think we could afford it.
So, she didn't ask, and didn't get, so it is us loving Devon more?
Ok, I say, ask your dad if you can be in sports. She does. Guess what he said? "What sport do you want to be in? Volleyball sounds great! Sure you can be in it!" Backfire! So she says she does NOT get everything she wants from him, what about the electric guitar she wants? Donnie says, chagrined "I was planning to buy it for you with our tax return." Yep.
Kaytlin, give it up!

Kaytlin is a great kid, and she doesn't ask for things, Donnie just wants to give her what she loves and desires. She does not take advantage of it at all. I would have, well, I DO take advantage of it, lol. She is also a very good girl, rarely in trouble for anything, and the most trouble she ever gets into is a bit of arguing with us or rolling her eyes, and that is 90% of the time during PMS. I think she got in trouble for disrespect one time.
Devon is always in trouble for disrespect, back talk, disobeying, hitting his siblings, not doing his chores, etc. Devon is the only kid in this house who brings me to swearing. Not even Donnie can bring me to that level of mad.
So, I do not see what she is saying as being true. We do handle things differently with him, yes, because he has an immunization injury and doesn't work exactly the same, therefore can't be treated the same. I can't expect him to make the honor roll and punish him if he doesn't make it when it is a struggle to pass the class. I can't not punish Kaytlin and Drew for not getting honor roll when they can get it just by finishing their homework, not even studying hard. They don't make it, they are fooling around.

What do you think? Do I favor Devon? Is Kaytlin the Queen Bee?

Inexpensive eyeglasses!

Great Discovery: $8 Prescription Glasses From Zenni Optical! I didn't believe it was possible, so I had to check it out. I have a great vision plan, so I pay nothing for my glasses, but I have been talking to so many people lately that have to pay for it themselves! It is outrageous how much it can cost for glasses.
I checked the $8 glasses out and actually found a pair my husband wears, a pair my father wears and a pair that I used to wear. They are not the "ugly" glasses.
So how are they doing it? No advertising, and only selling their own design. They are able to keep the prices down. The one thing I wanted to add to my glasses but didn't because of price is the Anti-Reflective plus Anti-Radiation coating which is good for night driving and computer users. But they carry it for just under $5! Shipping is $4.95. What a great deal!
So, all you friends who have little or no vision plan, check them out.


My All Star Child

Otherwise known as my favorite child. According to Kaytlin. Who can't talk, Little Miss Daddy's Princess, I get whatever I mention to Daddy that I like.
Ok, not bitter, I'm not bitter. (that's another blog post)
This pic is Devon dressed up for an invitational swim. He looked so handsome. But then he wouldn't smile for me, and the light was bad at 7am, so he actually looks a little homely in the picture.
So, Devon is a swimmer. He is 9th grade on Varsity. He isn't the only one, but he is an exciting addition to the team, if you talk to the coaches. Well, I didn't think too much of it, although I had to admit he was good last year, especially after never having had swim lessons.
But this year, this year I have to admit he is more than just good. He blew me away on Thursday. He took 2nd on the 50 and 3rd on the 100 individuals. But the amazing race was his 100 relay. They came in 4th out of 4, but Devon kicked butt. There were also 2 lanes of JV racing, but it wasn't the against the Varsity. So, when it was Devon's turn, he was the anchor, everyone else was way gone before he dove in. He swam the most gorgeous swim I have ever seen. His strokes were perfect and methodical. But they were FAST. The fastest he has ever swam a race. He caught up and was JUST behind the last person. His team was WAY behind.
I am seeing Olympic Medals around his neck!
Know what he sees? Playing professional football. Waste his life on football when he could be swimming.
Now, if Donnie had a life a blog, he would be saying how great it is Devon wants to play professional football. Total opposites.
Devon is swimming in Virginia, MN today, and I can't wait to hear how he does! I can't go watch, it is really, really far away. So far away that they left at 4:30am, slept on the bus, watched Wayne's World, and still had time to call me while still on the bus, bored.

Next time: Proof that Kaytlin is the Golden Child, not Devon.

January 18, 2008

Die Hard Hunters in Minnesota

That is one important feature to being a guy in Minnesota. You gotta be a hunter. Ok, you don't have to, but the majority of them are die-hard hunters.
Bow hunting or gun hunting, my dad even does muzzle loader hunting.
There is a neat new site for buying equipment at great prices. Things like a Deer Feeder or hunting blinds. The Hunting and Recreation Business Mall is a great resource for you guys, and gals, to find your supplies. They ship factory direct, so everything is fresh and new.

I did warn you all, right?

I have to sit here while these boys go to sleep, so I really am going to take advantage of it by blogging a ton! But I have to leave soon to pick up Jack from school, which is nowhere close to our town.
Which means some serious bundling up because it is FREEZING here in Minnesota! Even the dog doesn't want to come out of the dog house, especially now that he has his own heater in there. Lucky dog. I need a space heater under my desk! Yikes!
I feel sorry for all the die hard hunters and ice fisherman. Crazy fools! Poor guys are going to need extra gear. I think I'll write a post about that.

It is COLD in Minnesota!

Look at our forecast:
Friday 0° F -19° F
Saturday -3° F -19° F
Sunday -3° F -13° F
And we have a wind chill warning/advisory going on!

So, guess what we had to do today? Put a heater in our dog house. That is how cold it is with the wind. The poor dog, build like a husky, can barely stand to be out of the dog house.
We've been looking at some heaters for the garage and the house. (yes, even our cars want heaters) We are not sure if we want gas propane heaters or infrared heaters. We found some infrared that were electric that sounded great, no gas bill and are cool to the touch, but I still don't believe that it doesn't take much electricity.
It would be nice to get a vent-free natural gas fireplace for our house, though. Donnie has always wanted a fireplace. We are wimps, we are cold at 68 degrees in our house! We are looking into a fireplace for our living room. You can even buy mantles for some of the vent free ones, with prices you can't beat at DESA Online. I would have expected $1000s to get a fireplace.

It is nap time here!

Nap time means I have to sit at the computer until the boys go to sleep or they will talk and play and not nap. Sam is sleeping and the twins are working on it. (my computer is right by the couches they nap on)

As long as I am here, I may as well take advantage of the time and blog, blog, blog!

I am the women's ministry coordinator, or leader, whatever we call it, for our church. We are putting on a retreat for the ladies to learn their spiritual gifts. I am really excited about it. We will be learning about them and then taking a test to learn our gifts.
Have you done this? What did you learn about yourself?
Coincidentally, we are doing love languages in our M.o.m.s group. That is a lot of learning about myself! I already knew my love language is quality time, touch is waaaaaay down the list. Donnie's languages are words of affirmation and touch. Both of which I have no use for. Not good.

V-day is coming!

It is time to start thinking about a valentine's gift for my husband. Thankfully he doesn't read my blog too often, so I am probably safe.
He likes art, so this great company is something I am looking into. I can take the recent picture of us at our couples retreat and turn it into a work of art; on canvas or print.
The tough part would be deciding which style I'd want. You can choose between oil, watercolor, pop art, collages, sketches and charcoal drawings, and more.

Thank you, photofiddle!
Policy for reimbursed posts

Because it is my blog

and I can bore you if I want to, I will proceed to tell you all about Sam and his new word!

Yesterday he said a complicated 3 syllable word! I was impressed when he said "Rachette" last week, but when he yelled "Tinity" last night, I was just over the moon! The twins were calling Trinity to say good bye to her, and he started yelling for her, too! So, cute!
He has said only a few words, but it is getting exciting.
Mama, Dad, Devon, Drew, Kaytlin, Trinity, Rachette (dog's name), diaper, baba, and a few other words. Plus he signs milk. That is too cute!
Ok, off the proud mommy kick!

Two new designs in one week!

I am really excited about my blogs this week! I got this lovely new design from Butterfly Kisses Blog Design. I won it back in that Fall Y'all giveaway. Iris's are my favorite flower, and I love this green.

I recently won a new header for my The Good Stuff blog from RS Designs. It was so, so cute that I just "needed" a new blog template. And you know what? They made one to match it, so I had to buy it! Now I even have cute little buttons, too, that I just need to figure out how to make link up to my blog. (so not good at html!) (is it html that I need?? haha)

January 17, 2008

Darwin, step back!

I cannot believe I am just now hearing about this, but Ben Stien is releasing a movie about evolution/creationism! It is called Expelled: No intelligence allowed.
It comes out in February, and I hope it will be in my area so I can go see it.


"If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down." ...Charles Darwin.

The reason evolutionists want Intelligent Design shut down.

Wow, customer service these days!

We bought a computer from a pretty well-known electronics store for Christmas. It was a great deal, no doubt about it. We have only had one issue with it and we fixed that ourselves. It even came with a free printer and extra ink and paper and photo paper. Great deal!

It also came with another little "perk," if you will. A Verizon mobile internet card. We could have a free months trial of it, and if we didn't cancel we'd have a $60 a month 2 year contract. We were pretty sure we wouldn't need it in the future, but gave it a try. It was pretty good service at home, but where we would need it, out in the boonies, it was slower. We don't travel enough to pay that much. So we returned it on the last day. Just in time, exactly as instructed.

Guess what? The free trial? Not free at all. As a matter of fact, that free trial cost $35 for activation and $59.99 for the month's use. Where is the free, I ask you? Verizon would do nothing because we signed a 5-page contract. Umm, no we didn't. We got ONE page, and it did NOT say we'd have to pay for the free trial. That company says they only have one page to print out. Convenient huh?
So, after Donnie spent an hour on the phone total with Verizon, and an hour in the store, he gave up with only getting out of the $35. Well, Verizon doesn't have any reason to give back the $60, they didn't tell us it was free.
But it didn't sit well with me. So I called a manager. I did, I enjoy that, I am all about service, that is why I am a secret shopper, my friends.
Jessica was very nice. Oh, she so understood my frustration. So she was going to work with a supervisor and call me back. Great! I didn't even have to get mean!

Jessica calls me back. Sorry, we can't do anything about it.



Excuse me?



Your employee either lies to us, doesn't know what he is doing, or is doing a bait and switch tactic and you expect US to pay the price? I don't think so. We spend a lot of money in your store. My husband buys the equipment for our church there as much as possible. We love your store. I do not want to find a new store over $60! You gave us ONE page of a FIVE page contract, TOLD us it was free, and then stick US with the bill?!? Hello!!! Not going to happen!

Jessica decided to refund us $59.99 plus tax, since she can't erase Verizon's bill and can't pay the bill for us.
Good choice, Jessica!

Can you guess which company this was??

(oh, and Donnie is so happy to be married to me! Not to mention glad I was after them this PMS week instead of him.)

January 16, 2008

Body Drama- A Book Review

Body Drama by Nancy Redd is a book for girls who need answers about their bodies.
This book is full of answers for everything. That thing you couldn't ask your mom? It's in there! That thing you couldn't even ask your girl friends? It's in there.
As a Christian with strict ideals about what comes in my house, I had trouble with this book. The pictures are graphic. There is NOTHING it doesn't show, and show many, many times. However, I went through the book with my daughters. Once we got past the giggles, the throwing themselves on the floor screaming in horror, and the serious blushing, we actually were able to come away with a lot of good information.
I don't know what I am going to do with the book, I do not want it around where my boys could stumble across it, but I am very glad I was able to go through the book with my girls. I am an advocate for women knowing their bodies very well. You need to know about yourself and be comfortable with your body.
(Kaytlin's words "I haven't even seen that on myself!!!")
I recommend this book for those women who are just unable to speak with their daughters about everything. Maybe your daughter just won't talk to you, like mine, or you don't really know the answers, then this is a great book for you.

Read an excerpt from the book here.
Some of the topics addressed in Body Drama:

1. Skin
a. Zits
b. sweat
c. tanning


2. B00bs
a. Too small/big
b. Lop-sided
c. Nipple issues
d. Lumps or discharge


3. Down There
a. Not liking the look
b. Odors
c. Cramps
d. Bowl function/bladder infections


4. Hair, mouth, nails
a. Dry skin
b. Having a mustache
c. Bad Breathe


5. Shape
a. Feel fat
b. Overweight
c. How to eat right on a budget
d. depression


And much, much more, leaving you feeling like you are normal so you can like yourself just they way you are.

Dance Praise Review













My family was given the wonderful opportunity to review Dance Praise 2 The Remix last month. It came a little after Christmas, but we were still so excited that we tore into the box and fought over decided who would go first.

It was me, of course. Oh, did I find out how much I need exercise! I was huffing and puffing and gave up quickly. You know, so I wouldn't embarrass myself in front of the kids. So I said it was someone else's turn.

The kids absolutely loved it! The music was great, they knew the songs, so it was extra fun for them.

Besides the great Christian music, what I like the best is the exercise features. You can track calorie burning. This program would work great for an aerobic workout. Which is the reason I was thrilled to have it in my home! You track calories burned and your weight. (this is not my personal screen shot, you don't think I'd share THAT do you? Hahaha! Not a chance!)









Another great feature is that it is for computers and not for certain game systems. It works on PC's and Mac's, no problem. Plus, all dance pads come with a lifetime replacement warranty. Now that is good customer service.
So, what does it cost to turn your computer into a dance machine? For $49.95 you can be dancing your way to thin, that includes one dance pad.
I am looking into the Veggie Tales dance software now.

Wordless Wednesday #51

Here is what happens after a long day of playing at Moms of Munchkins group!

January 15, 2008

Almost there!

Samuel slept through the night on Sunday night! It was about 12:30am to 7:30am, but it was great!
Last night he woke up a few times (3) but he stayed in his bed. I went in and soothed him a little, and out he went.
I had to wake him up for our M.O.Ms group this morning, so he was so tired when we got home! He just passed out on the couch before lunch. That will be tomorrow's Wordless Wednesday.

Twisted Silver Winner

The winner was chosen after all the entrants and their extra entries for blogging were printed up, cut out, folded in fourths, and a lucky winner's name stuck to the ketchup on my finger was drawn.
And the winner is angelaandconnor at gmail.com! Angela blogged about the contest for a second entry, and it paid off! Congratulations!

January 14, 2008

I'm back from the couples retreat!


Wow, that was a week of crazy, busy fun.

We went to Trout Lake Camp up north somewhere. It is a Baptist run campground. The staff was amazing, the food was amazing, the activities were a blast, and the company was great!

I not only went tubing, I went down the steep jump and had air time. I did! I know, it was outside, it was in the snow, and it was active, but I did it!



I did not play broom ball or floor hockey, I'm just not good around flying objects, trust me, but after seeing everyone who played walk around like Frankenstiens I decided I made the right choice to sit around the fire place knitting.

I watched broomball. Oh, these Christian brothers and sisters of mine, they are not so nice on the ice. There was knocking down, smacking with sticks, shoving into snowbanks, groping was going on (not on purpose, though, lol), heads smashing into the ice, someone even did the splits! It was rough. And you know, the old foggies were the mean ones.

And you know we played Quelf, of course. Well, we found a couple of new cards this time. And I am really amazed that Mary, the sweet piano teacher who could be my mother, actually was so competitive that she gave herself a wedgie and left it for the rest of the game so she could avoid the penalty. Oh, yes, she did. I had to put at least 5 ice cubes down my pants and leave them there until I rolled a 6. Which I did on the first roll, thankfully! But the best part was this really funny guy that I really didn't know well before this weekend, he had to ask his foot permission to speak before he said anything longer than 3 words. Well, that wasn't the hardest part for him, he didn't like having his foot say "Permission Granted" in a high pitched voice. Oh, but we did! So he perfected the fine art of 3 word sentences. He couldn't stop laughing at Betty slapping her knee and saying Wacca, wacca, wacca whenever anyone laughed. Thankfully those two cards distracted everyone from my rule, because I'd have stayed at the start with Tony if people were paying attention to me.




We drew a crowd with our laughing and crazy antics. But the best part was this guy, Gary. He was watching us like watching a train wreck. He was horrified and couldn't look away. After Mary gave herself the wedgie, Gary grabbed her card and started reading it. "Did you see what the card said? Did you see what else is on here? She can't take the wedgie out the whole game! And you guys can check to make sure she has it! That is so wrong! Oh my gosh, that is so wrong! You should throw this card away!" We, of course, were not going to check the wedgie status, but hey, she gave herself one, and we had a great laugh about it! She did end up winning the game, too. Little miss competitive's last card of the game, the winning card was having all of us compliment her sincerely. Well, she is such an amazing person that it would not have ended, so we decided she had won the game. I'm sure her husband enjoyed the prize, too, since he didn't win. His hardest cards were singing.

Oh, and Mary knits, too, and she helped me a ton and let me use her favorite needles. I am so excited to have actually made a scarf! I learned to knit about 2 weeks ago.

January 11, 2008

Minnesota State Bird

All right, let the record reflect that Kaytlin asked for this today when she said I didn't love her enough to blog about her.
Years ago we lived in Virginia. We would tell the kids tales about MN, since they had only been there in the winter. When they would complain about the mosquitoes, we would tell them about how bad they are in Minnesota. They are so big that they could carry off a small child, they are the state bird, etc. Well, Kaytlin was apparently gullible.
One day Kaytlin came storming into the house, her little feet a stomping up a storm! I could tell she was furious!
She says "Mom, aren't mosquitoes the Minnesota state bird?"
"Well, only jokingly, the real state bird is the Loon."

Oh, the tears of humiliation and anger! She was so mad. (and it took months for her to forgive us and trust us? That took longer.) She had argued vehemently with her arch Nemesis, Uncle Paul, about it, and he was right!

We don't fool her anymore. She doesn't take it well.

However, we got Uncle Paul back when he insisted that lizards have holes all the way through their heads that you can look through. We took him to the pet shop, and they laughed at him. They didn't even answer the question. (I think he may have even insisted it was Iguanas, specifically.)
One day we found a Budweiser glass with an Iguana on it and it was damaged, the paint was scratched off giving the appearance of a hole being in it's head. Yes, we most certainly bought it for him.
We don't let people live these things down.
And if I am wrong about the lizards, you can't prove it. And I will delete your comments if you do prove it. I won't be proven wrong. I won't.