Snowman Angel

I have a bunch of Christmas stuff that needs to be painted, so the other day while Brandi was painting her zoo, I painted this little snowman angel.

The picture isn't the best, but trust me, it came out really cute.

I used a glitter paint on top of the white to make the "snow" shine, and gave him gold a gold halo and wings.

I am thinking of giving it as a gift, and I know the perfect person to give it to.

Or maybe I'll just keep it for myself. It really is cute...

The Car Guy

Junior does a lot of car repairs. He has become known as the car guy at his work, because his co-workers are always getting him to fix their cars. We don't have a garage, so he has to do the work in our yard. This causes a problem when he has to jack up the car to get underneath it, because the jack sinks into the grass. I need to get him some outrigger pads that he can put under the jack, which would stop the sinking. Either that, or we need to move somewhere that has a garage where he can work.

I know he would love that.

Brandi's Zoo

Zebra. Hippo. Lion. Parrot. Tiger.
This is what little girls do when they are home sick from school.
I am going to take her to the doctor when Junior gets home.
She still has a fever, so another day home tomorrow.
I have a silly "24 hour fever free" rule before the kids can go back to school.

I'm hoping it's not strep.

Technology

There are so many new electronics on the market today, and it can be confusing to those of us who are technology challenged to make sense of it all. I, for example, can not tell you what the difference is between a mac book pro and a blackberry. I hear people talking all the time about how awesome their iPhones are, but to me, it is a scary looking contraption just waiting for me to mess it up. It took me months to figure out my simple cell phone, and that was with a lot of help from my son, who is 13. Why is it so easy for kids to figure these things out?

My Kind Of Art

This is something I would hang in my home. Surprised to see the purplish colors? You shouldn't be.

I love the simplicity, yet abstractness of this painting.

Yeah, I have no idea what that means, lol, but I just know that this painting speaks to me, and isn't that what it's all about?

Art Is Subjective

I wish I knew more about art. I want to be one of those people who can walk through an art gallery or a museum and know all about the painting, and the artists who painted them. I think it is fascinating the things that people paint. I don't know that I prefer portraits, like this Catherine The Great, painted by Sergey Smirov. Now, don't get me wrong. This painting is beautiful in it's own way. I love the checkerboard trees, and the fullness of her dress.

I just don't think I can see this hanging in my home. I prefer paintings that are a little more modern, with bold colors and clean lines. Wow, that kind of sounded like I knew what I was talking about right there, didn't it? Don't be fooled. I know nothing.

I think it's time for a trip to the library. I am sure I can find lots of books about art, maybe even an Art For Dummies type book. It can't be that hard to learn, can it?

Maybe I will do a little research online. I think I'll try and find a painting I would hang in my house, and show you what my taste is really like.

Fishing Rod Holders

I have a line of these fishing rod holders across my yard right now. Junior and Ryan have been making them, and I think they came out really great. Ryan painted them black last night, and he had a ball doing it. He is itching to go to the lake so he can use them. I would rather hold my fishing rod, but that's just me.

Brandi, My Little Entertainer

Brandi is a born entertainer. I wish I could put into words how funny this kid is. I am thinking about following her around with a video camera, and sending the footage to a professional who does video production DC so that I can show the world this kids talent. I think a company like 522productions.com will be able to put together a video showcasing the best parts of her personality. I especially want to capture the relationship she has with Junior. They go at each other all the time, and it is hysterical to watch her hold her own against him.

Maybe Santa will bring me a video camera so I can follow them around for a couple of days. Trust me; she will crack you up.

Brandi's Bag

Here's a look at the finished product. Considering I made it up as i went along, I think it came out pretty good. If I had it to do over, I would put the "BOO" a little higher up from the black bottom, but otherwise, I think it came out great.

The handles are still pinned...I need to finish sewing them.

Kasi is already asking what hers will look like, and I still need to finish a blanket for my sister before Sunday, so I need to get crocheting!

Games People Play

Online games are addicting. I used to avoid them at all costs, but lately have found myself being sucked in. I should have seen it coming, too, considering how much I love playing video games. I remember playing the original Mario Brothers game, and Donkey Kong. Video games have advanced so much since then, and to be honest, I find the majority of them confusing these days.

It's a good thing there are gaming forums where I can find the help I need to understand these games. I can also read what other people think of games before I go out and buy them, because lets face it, games these days are expensive.

Commissioned

I was asked by someone to make a sign for someone else, and even though I am 500% sure the person this is for doesn't even know this blog exists, Junior insisted I black out the name just in case. So I did. Just imagine a nice name under there. I am not sure if I like the stain...it is a lot darker than I expected, and the poly isn't exactly as shiny as I like...except in the letters. I hope the person I made it for likes it.

Possibilities

Three months from now, Christmas will be over.

We will once again be facing a new year; a year full of promise and possibilities.

I have been thinking about a lot of things lately, and how I wish we were already living in a new place. I hate packing, and I hate change, but I am really looking forward to this.

I have been asking the kids what they want for Christmas, and I haven't gotten many good ideas. I was browsing online for ideas, and came across beach cruisers for sale. These bikes look kind of old fashioned, and I think my girls would love them. Come to think of it, Kasi did mention that she wanted a new bike a couple of months ago.

I just don't want to get them too much stuff, because it would just be more stuff we have to move in February.

Not Done Yet

I started crocheting Brandi's Halloween Trick or Treat beg. I put "BOO" on it, which can mean two things...Boo, like her nickname, or BOO, like what a ghost says. I am making it black and white, with a ribbon handle, so even after Halloween, she can use it. Here's the "BOO":

I will post more pictures when it is completely done. I am also trying to finish a baby blanket for my sister's shower next weekend...we'll see how close I get! lol!

Racing

I have a lot of online friends who are really into motocross racing. I love checking out their pictures, because these riders are awesome. I love the height they get on some of their jumps.

I know they spend a bunch of money on their sport bike accessories and on their uniforms, if that is what their jumpsuits are called. It's money well spent, though, because it helps to keep them protected.

I would love to go watch one of these races in person, just to see what it's all about. My husband would probably pass out if he heard me say that, because he has been trying to drag me to all kinds of races for years. Maybe I am finally ready to go see one.

I Have An Idea...Now To Figure Out How To Do It

I was walking around Walmart with the girls yesterday, and Brandi noticed the trick or treat bags. They have the well known pumpkins, and then some plastic bags that looked like they wouldn't even hold a 1/4 pound of candy without ripping. Every year we end up dumping the kids bags a couple of times during trick or treating, because they never hold all the candy.

I think I can solve these problems by crocheting a bag for each kid. I have the idea of exactly what I want in my head, I just need to get it down on paper.

Wish me luck, and keep an eye out for pictures!

Another Bunk Bed Idea

I am still trying to find the perfect Bunk Beds for the girls. When we move, they will probably end up sharing a pretty small bedroom. To give them more space, I plan on getting bunk beds. The only problem I am having, besides money, is that every time I find a set I think I like, a day later I find something better.

Check out the set I found today. They don't go directly on top of each other, they are kind of, well, you can see in the picture. They aren't exactly what I need for a small room, but they are really cool. Hopefully I will find something more like what I need tomorrow.

Then I really need to stop looking.

Em Grace's Etsy Shop

I have almost 300 elephants in my collection. (yes, I just walked around my house and counted, and came up with 287, not including my jewelry) The thing is, though, that most of my elephants are just that, elephants. I am wanting to add a little variety, and think this little girl holding an elephant fits that bill nicely.

I found it in em grace's etsy shop, along with a bunch of other cute little figuring ornaments. She has one that is a penguin in a giraffe suit, and it kinda makes me wish I collected either penguins or giraffes.

Do any of you guys scour etsy like I do? If so, let me know if you find any elephants!

Movie Reviews, And More

If you are anything like me, when you have a big purchase to make, you do your research first. I will spend weeks pouring over my options before I make a decision. I will look up personal reviews, written by people who have actually used the product. These are great, because you get honest opinions from people who know how the product works, and have tested it for themselves.

I found this site called ProductReview.com.au, where you can find reviews written about everything from movies to vacuums. I am a big movie buff myself, so I found myself drawn into reading those reviews. I was especially interested in The Sixth Sense. When I watched this movie, I had no idea what the big shock at the end was that everyone was talking about. Reading what other people wrote, I discovered that I am not the only person who really loved this movie, and who never saw the shocker coming. Watching for a second time, I was able to see all the little things I missed the first time, because I didn't know what to look for then.

Of course, I had to check out what the reviewers thought about my favorite movie of all time, The Princess Bride. There were only three reviews, but all of them were glowing. I guess I'm not the only one who sees the greatness of this movie. If you haven't seen this movie, you have GOT to rent it. No. You have to buy it. Trust me when I say you will watch it over and over again. I love that my copy is now loved by my daughters.

So, the next time you are in the market for a movie, or even a car, check out ProductReview.com.au. They have all the reviews you need to make a smart decision.

Inspiration Struck

This may come as a shock to you all, but I am totally addicted to etsy. I keep finding the cutest things, and wish I could buy everything. I have also decided that I am going to try and do the majority of my Christmas shopping on etsy. Tonight I was browsing the polymer clay creations, which, by the way, I really want to learn how to use, and I found buttons.

Adorable little buttons.

And I got to thinking...I don't sew. I have no use for buttons, but they are so flippin' cute. And then it hit me.

Magnets. I can buy those little round magnets at a craft store, attach them to the back of the buttons, and voila, Christmas gifts!

The buttons that really caught my eye were these colorful little critters. I found them in Tessa Ann's Etsy Shop.

Aren't they sweet? She has a wonderful selection of buttons, in all designs and colors. I plan on buying a whole bunch, because of course I will keep some for myself. (I have a small magnet obsession, too) She has Halloween ones and Christmas ones, and fruit ones and patriotic ones...oh, just go look for yourself!

First Impressions?

This is the oddest thing I have heard in a while. There is this website called Attractive Appearance, and basically, it tells you what is wrong with your face. You upload a picture of yourself, and visitors click on the parts they find attractive, and also point out any peculiarities in your appearance. Seriously, how can this be a good thing? I don't think I need strangers telling me my nose is too small or my eyes are too far apart. I know my own faults. Why would I want other people pointing them out for me? This is supposed to let you know what kind of first impression you make on people. I don't base my first impressions solely on how people look, but on how that act and treat me. I just think this is a little weird.

Handmade Christmas

I am going to try and make this Christmas a handmade one. I am determined to buy most, if not all, of my gifts off of etsy.

I found this adorable Baby's First Christmas ornament in Carolyn's Clay Qt's etsy shop, and fell in love. The hardest part was picking which ornament I liked the best.

There are the cutest twin ornaments, and I am excited to get one for my newest nieces or nephews next year. They aren't due to arrive until March, so I will just have to wait.

This one is going to be perfect for baby Jake, and for whatever my sister Colleen has in October. I hope she has a girl, because I love the ornament of the little girl in purple, too.

Being Monitored

Some of you may already know that I have been thinking about going back to work. In the past, all I have ever done is fast food and being a grocery store cashier. I would love to find a desk job somewhere that didn't require me to wear a uniform, and didn't mind if I was online during the slow parts of the day. The problem is I am not really qualified for that kind of work, and it would be my luck that if I did find a job like that, the boss would have some kind of monitoring software on the computers, and I would be fired in a week for spending too much time blog hopping. I watched an Employee monitoring tutorial and its crazy how easy it is for someone to monitor your computer usage without you even knowing it. The software can be downloaded to your computer from another computer, and you would never know.

I am not sure I would want to work for a company that didn't trust it's employees.

Somewhat Wordless Wednesday

This is a picture of my girls looking at some kind of gross little critter at the zoo. I love how I picked up their reflections in the glass. I took so many pictures, and when I got home and downloaded them, I couldn't remember what half the animals are called. I think next time I will take a little notebook and write down the names as I go. Or does that make me too much of a geek?

New Watch

I have a watch that I wear almost all the time. It is brown. I wear mostly black. Brown and black don't usually go together, so I want to find a nice black watch.

I found this Patek Philippe and almost had a heart attack when I saw the list price: $218,900. That's insane! I could buy two houses with that kind of money. I will admit that it is a beautiful watch, as are all the ones I looked at. I just can not justify paying that much.

Maybe if I win the lottery one day I will buy it. For now, I will have to settle for just admiring how beautiful it is. Unless, of course, one of you would like to buy it for me? It would make a wonderful Christmas gift!

Etsy Question

I ordered a little ring for Brandi from a seller on etsy. I placed my order, and paid, on September 3, almost two weeks ago.

On Saturday, I sent a messgae to the seller, asking what the hold up was, and got no reply.

On Monday, I sent another message asking the seller to either reply to my message, or refund my money. I told the seller I was prepared to report them for not sending the item I ordered.

I got this reply early this morning:

I am very sorry for the delay, I will be happy to send your money back :)
Please request me for the amount of payment & I will accepted :]

I find it odd that there are happy faces, when I was clearly upset in my message. Second, the seller knows exactly how much what I ordered was. Third, I really want the ring...why won't the seller just send me the darn thing?

What are your policies for shipping an order? If it is going to take a week or more, do you let the buyer know? I don't want to over react, but I think others need to be warned about this person. I should have noticed before I paid that I was their first buyer.

Oh man. I should have read the shop policies first, because apparently this is a teen aged girl who is more interested in having anyone who reads her policy to be her friend on myspace. I think I need to accept that my money is gone. This is from her shop policies:

I was made in the Philippines on October 18 & shipped here to Washington United States I am still young, but take my own responsibility. I'm a true Asian, I speak my own language. If you really want to get to know me & be a friend of mine please feel free to add my personal myspace account >> http://www.myspace.com (I deleted the link...I'm not pimping her myspace)
I add most E V E R Y O N E. Unless you are too old for me, no picture, or just someone I should stay away from. I'm friendly & listen to people, some I just hear their words. I take my time on most of everything. I am a high school student. & Have my personal life to deal with. Although in my spare time I will assists you in any of your needs or just to keep in touch. Anything you would like to know? Just let me know[:

Crap.

Security Training

I worked as McDonald's as a teen. I eventually became a store manager, and I still remember how serious the store was about security. At night, we all had to leave together, and though we didn't have Security Consultants come in and explain things to us, there was a certain procedure that needed to be followed. All except one manager went to the door. The remaining manager would set the alarm, and the other manager would open the door, and everyone would go out. The manager that set the alarm would have to run to get out, because I think we had about 30 seconds to lock the door before the alarm sounded.

Nowadays, there are security guards that patrol fast food parking lots. This is a pretty decent way to make a living if you can get your foot in the door. You can take California Guard Card Training and firearms training in Los Angeles if you want to break into the business. It sounds like I am talking about show business, but as with most things, it's easier to get a job if you have a little schooling, or training, for the position. I couldn't be a security guard myself, because I don't think I have it in me to shoot someone.

Junior might be able to, though. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing!

Whew!

From left to right: my nephew Carson, Brandi, Ryan and Kasandra.

This was taken right before we left the zoo. Can you tell they are all exhausted? It was a long, hot day, but they had fun. I had fun too, mostly because I got to see the elephants. :)

Working Third Shift

When I met my husband, he worked delivering appliances. He hated that job, and was actively looking for something better. He ended up going to school and became a Certified Nursing Assistant. He didn't really like this job much better, but it was pretty good money. This was when he started working third shift. For the next 12 or so years, he changed jobs a few times, but he always worked third shift. I didn't mind, but I couldn't understand how he could function on so little sleep. He would come home, sleep for a couple of hours, get up for the day, and then try and sleep a couple of more hours before going into work. I was working at the time, so he had to watch the kids during the day. The women I worked with always worried about him driving home from work, because they were concerned he would fall asleep. Turns out this is an actual problem, called Shift Work Disorder. It's basically about driving sleepy, and not paying attention to your driving. I have heard that driving while sleepy can be compared to driving drunk. That is a scary thought. Luckily, in the 12 years or so he worked odd hours, he never had an accident. Now he works mornings, which allows him to sleep at night like a normal person.

I also no longer worry about him as much.

I Will Never Forget

Take a moment today to remember those who lost their lives on 9/11. Say a prayer for all those left behind, and those who risked their lives that day. Thank our servicemen who fight for our country, and those who protect us every day. I will never forget where I was when those planes hit. Will you?

God Bless America!

Psst...It's Me

Hello. I know you are expecting a post from you know who, but instead you are getting a post from me.

Who am I, you ask?

I'm Jenn's computer. I would tell you my name, but she never gave me one. She just uses me every day. I have done my best to be reliable, although sometimes I can not help the virus' that infect me, just like her other three kids who sometimes get sick. She treats me well, and takes me to the doctor, too. My doctor is her brother, and he is the one who made me. You would think one of them would have given me a name, but they didn't. I think I deserve a name.

Can you give me a name? I am sure Jenn would appreciate the help. Maybe if I have a name, she will stop all this talk about replacing me. See, she doesn't know that I keep track of all the websites she visits, and that I am aware of her shopping around for a laptop. I hear her "talking" to her friends on IM, where she claims that she needs an HP, like that one over there, to use when the kids need to use me. Sure, I can help with homework, projects, and reports. I can also let the kids play games. Jenn plays games, too. In fact, she spends a lot of time playing games, but don't tell Junior. He thinks she works all day.

Maybe it won't be so bad. At least the kids will appreciate me. They do fight over me all the time now. It makes me feel needed.

I just hope she doesn't realize the great deal she can get right now. HP is offering a $30 stackable site-wide coupon, where she can get $30 off orders $150 or greater at HP Home Store. She just has to use the coupon code SV2132. This coupon is valid through October 31, 2009, or while supplies last. Restrictions and exclusions apply. Do you think I can keep this a secret?

I sure do hope so.

Doing Craft Shows

Do you do craft shows? My mom and I have talked about it in the past, but have never actually done one. I have a huge fear of failure, and would be afraid no one would like what I have to offer. I was thinking that maybe my mom and I could get some custom tote bags to promote our "crafty business", and use them to get the word out about our offerings. My mom makes the most beautiful jewelry, and I do a bunch of things, but mostly crochet and wood work. My specialty, if you will, is making signs with kids names on them, and then I paint them to match whatever room they will go in. I think people would buy them.

It's worth a shot, right?

LindaErzinger's Etsy Shop

This is called elephant on chicken egg, and it is painted, or dyed, using the Ukrainian wax resist method of Pysanky. It is laquered when finished, giving it a little hardness.

Talk about beautiful.

I found this in LindaErzinger's Etsy Shop, and was a little dissappointed to see two of them. They look exactly alike. I was looking for something "one of a kind".

She is a talented artist though...her watercolor paintings are amazing. You should check out her shop.

Tianarutledge's Etsy Shop

Now, most of you are aware that every Halloween, I throw a huge party for my son's birthday, and we make it a costume party. I have done this the past two years, and it has been so. much. fun. I always have a hard time coming up with a costume for myself, and was tickled when I found this necklace on etsy.

How freakin' cool is that! I LOVE it! The earrings are separate, and can be found in tianarutledge's etsy shop. I love those too. The only problem is that I don't have a long neck, so I am not sure how it would look on me.

I really want to learn how to create with polymer clay. Maybe next year when we get our tax refund I will try my hand at it.

I will probably end up with a hundred elephants!

Brandi's Business Idea

I mentioned on my other blog how Brandi wants to own a fashion store when she gets older. This is something she has been talking about for a while, and for a seven year old, she has thought pretty seriously about what she needs to do to accomplish this goal. First she wants to open a store here, in South Carolina, and once it is doing well, she wants to open a second store in New York. She is going to be selling her sister Kasi's designer fashions, and make lots and lots of money. She said she is going to hire old models who will wear the clothes in the store, so people can see what the clothes look like. She said she will pay them more than any other store so that they will be happy working for her.

I told her she is going to have to take a lot of business classes in college to learn about running a business. She will need file transfer software so she can connect her two stores to one inventory list. She also needs to talk her sister into designing the clothes. Although Kasi does want to be a fashion designer, I am not sure how happy she will be working with her sister.

All I know is that they have many years to figure it all out.

Brittany Bellows Watercolor

I know, I know, you're all like, "not another elephant!". But I can't help it. I keep finding the cutest ones.

This is a little refrigerator magnet. I love how the elephant is different colors...I have so many "regular" gray ones. I found this magnet for $4 in Brittany Bellows Watercolor etsy shop. She has all kinds of beautiful paintings in her shop. I think she is really talented.

And she paints elephants, so that makes her just abut perfect!

Computer Issues

I do not know enough about computers. When I have a problem I can not figure out, I call my computer guy, aka my brother. He built my computer for me, and knows how everything works. I have never had appletalk problems, but I hear it can be quite frustrating. Issues between Mac desktops and Windows servers can drive you crazy, but now you can use ExtremeZ-IP, which is the only Windows-based server software today that actively supports all Mac OS versions.

I know I am lucky to have my brother, who can fix my problems with one phone call. If I didn't, I don't know what I'd do.

The BEST Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe I Have Ever Found

I have never been able to find a great peanut butter cookie recipe. In fact, I have been using a bagged mix for years. Every "from scratch" recipe I try comes out dry and un-peanut butterish.

In a recent Woman's Day magazine, I found a recipe that looked pretty good, and it was so simple. In fact, there were only 5 ingredients in the cookie itself...peanut butter, brown sugar, eggs, baking soda, and peanuts. That's it.

I tried making them today, and...I don't even have the words to describe how good they are. The recipe said to make a chocolate ganache, but I didn't have heavy cream or chocolate. I did, however, have some meltable white chocolate and cocoa powder, so I made my own chocolate sauce.

Oh, it was like a mouthful of heaven, I'm not kidding.

Here's the recipes:

2 cups peanut butter
2 cups brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
2tsp baking soda
1 cup chopped peanuts

Throw it all in a bowl and mix until combined. Mine never really combined until I got my hands in the and started making balls, but it didn't matter. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Cool 5 minutes on the pan before moving them to a cooling rack. You can add chocolate on top, or leave them plain. They are delicious either way!

I Started Christmas Shopping

Kasi is at that age where she wants to own nice jewelry. I think I was about her age when I got my first "real" piece of jewelry, so I have been on the lookout for something nice, but not too expensive, just in case she looses it.

So, I was so excited when I found this ring in rogersearthworksetsy shop . It is totally girly and also elegant. I thought it would be perfect for Kasi. I was ready to cringe as I looked for the price, and couldn't believe my eyes! Are you ready?

$1.50 + $2.50 s&h = $4 total!

Holy crap! I was so excited! It's silver plated, which is perfect for her. I ordered it, and can't wait to get it. I think she is going to love it. I wish my nieces were older, because they had all different types for the same price. I could have knocked out a bunch of shopping.

WoW

I have a problem with computer games. Like many people, once I start playing a game, I can't stop. It has happened many times, especially with Facebook games. They are the worst!

There is one game that I have been wanting to play, but I am afraid to start, because I have heard of people losing entire days playing. Okay, maybe I am exaggerating, but I do know several people who play this game day and night. It's called World of Warcraft. Have you heard of it?

Just kidding. I know everyone has heard of this game. Did you know you could skip all the boring parts and just Buy WoW Gold? I had no idea, but then I have no idea how the game itself works. I am going to try it out, though. I just need to wait until I have a weekend with nothing else to do.

Casey Lea Creations Etsy Shop

I thought I would take a break from all the elephants and share with you a beautiful pair of earrings.

As most of you know, purple is my favorite color, along with black. These earrings are copper and purple, and dangle 3 3/4 inches. I love the accents on the purple beads, all swirly and pretty.

Casey Lea Creations also has necklaces and earrings that show off intricate bead work. This jewelry maker is quite talented, and I would be honored to own these earrings, which are very reasonably priced.

On a side note, I have been finding some really cute jewelry, but I refuse to post about them because their shipping costs are so high. Can someone please tell me how mailing a simple pair of earrings cost $6 or $7? I don't get it.

NeoHD

We have two televisions in our house. We used to have three, but Ryan's decided to become possessed or something, so he needs a new one. We also have two VCR's, a DVD player, two stereos, two cable boxes, and a portable DVD player. Each of these electronics come with their own remote. It can get pretty confusing if you don't know which remote works which thing. There have been plenty of times when the kids have messed up the television accidentally while trying to play a movie. I think it would be so much easier if we had one remote that worked everything. Luckily, there is such a thing.

It's the Yamaha neoHD. This is a super cool all in one remote control. You can program it easily to control all of your electronics, and then use the onscreen interface. The remote is super simple looking too, with just a few buttons. I know that some of our remotes have so many buttons, and I have no idea what half of them do. If I accidentally hit one, it takes me a while to figure out how to "undo" what I did. I really need to simplify things, and I think this remote system is just what I need to do so.

Kimari Jewelry Etsy Shop

Can you say elephants????

I have never seen anything like this, and I love it. I love the different elephant pictures, and the dangley elephant charm. This bracelet really want to be worn on my wrist. :)

You can find this bracelet, and other funky, unusual jewelry at KIMARI JEWELRY etsy shop. The prices are very reasonable, but still a little too rich for my blood.

But for those keeping track for Christmas, consider this another hint!

Ironman In Branson

My husband loves to watch the Ironman competition on television. It's one of the few things he will sit and watch, so I know he enjoys it. I just found out that on September 19, 2010, the inaugural race will take place in Branson, Missouri. I would love to be able to be there so Junior can watch the competition.

We could stay at the Hilton Branson Convention Center, and be right across the street from the Fountains of Branson Landing, which is the finish line for the competition, as well as where the awards ceremony will take place. The competition will begin with a 1.2 mile swim in Table Rock Lake, which is one of the beautiful lakes in the area. Then the competitors will bike 56 miles through the Ozark Mountains, and finish with a spectator friendly 13.1 mile run. Just thinking about this makes me tired.

I know Ryan would be right there with Junior, soaking in the competition, but it is not something the girls and I would enjoy. We would probably check out the shops and restaurants, and maybe take a trip to an amusement park. That's the best part of vacationing in Branson; there is something for everyone.

Monica E, Jewelry Etsy Shop

Simple.

Silver.

Stylish.

Three words that describe these earrings perfectly. I love how it's the hoop and the elephant. Nothing fancy or colorful. They are reasonably priced, too, at just $10. Shipping is a little high, I think, for a pair of earrings, but I am tempted to buy them anyway. I think they would look perfect on me. I just love hoops!

You can find these earrings and other beautiful jewelry in monicaejewelry's etsy shop.

Protecting My Blog, And My Identity

More and more of the blogs I read on a daily basis are switching to their own domain names. I know in the last year, I did this with two of my blogs; this one and my kids one. I thought long and hard about choosing the right web host when I changed over, but in the end decided to stay with blogger. I knew that I needed to do more research before deciding, so I started asking all my friends who they use, and I also found a great site that compares all the webhosting sites out there, and puts the results side by side. This made is easier to make the right decision.

I was also reading an article about protecting your site, and it was really interesting. The part of the article that struck home with me was about creating strong passwords. My brother is a computer guy, and he tells me all the time that I have weak passwords. I don't use the same one for everything, which is good, but the ones I use are kind of predictable if you know we well.

I really do need to go around and change some of them, to protect myself, and my identity.

DesignsByLluna Etsy Shop

I was browsing through etsy shops, which, by the way, has become an enjoyable past time for me, and found this cute little elephant pendant. The elephant, and dragonflies, are secured onto a blue background. I am really loving silver these days, so this necklace is right up my alley. I wanted to see what other kinds of jewelry was available in the DesignsByLluna shop, so I clicked her "shop" button. I found all kinds of cute little necklaces, with birds, flowers, and even one with a violin.

I was not expecting to find anything cuter than that elephant pendant, but I did. I found this cute pinkish purple elephant pendant! You all know I am more of a purple girl, and I love, love, love the way green looks on purple, or in this case, pinkish purple. This one also has dragonflies.

At $35 each, plus $5 s&h, I can only dream of owning one. I might, however, send out some hints for Christmas. I mean, there's only four months left to shop.

So, hint, hint!

Sony Discounts

I want a new computer. Did you notice how I said want, and not need? That is because there is nothing wrong with the computer I have. In fact, I love my computer. It has been very good to me. I guess it would be better to say that I want a new monitor for this computer. I have been drooling over those nice flat screen monitors, and hopefully I can get my hands on one soon. I also want a laptop. We were going to get one last February, but other things needed attention first. This coming February, I am getting one for myself. I will consider it my birthday present to myself.

I found some coupons for Sony discounts, so now I can save some money on the things I am wanting. I was surprised to discover all the coupon codes that can found online. We don't buy big purchases often, but when we do, I want to get the best deal possible. Using coupons is an easy way to get the things I want for less.

The next time you need to buy something, big or small, check online for coupons. You may be able to save a bunch of money.

Brandi's Ponies

Brandi painted these a couple of weeks ago, and I forgot to post a picture. She likes to see her things on my blog, so who am I to say no? I think they came out beautiful. She is one talented seven year old. I think she gets it from me. :)

Bling Bling

What do you think of this bracelet? It comes in a bunch of different colors, like blue, red, yellow, and the black I have shown. I prefer the black. I think it looks more elegant.

You can find all kinds of Bling Bling at Hip Hop Bling. They have been around for years, and are responsible for starting some of the trends you see in the hip hop industry.

I may not be into the hip hop scene, but that doesn't mean I don't know a pretty piece of jewelry when I see it.

Maggie’s Sweet Nothings Etsy Shop

This little guy is absolutely adorable. He is a bead, about as big as a dime. I love all the detail on him. I love how expressive his eyes are. I love his big, floppy ears.

I just love him!

This bead can be found in Maggie's Sweet Nothings Etsy shop, along with other adorable little characters. I love all the holiday offerings they have too, from ghosts to snowmen. I also love the little handmade buttons.

I can see myself spending some money here, and I can get a lot for a little. This elephant bead is only $3.25, and the other guys are also reasonably priced.

You have to go see for yourself how talented this Esty shop owner is!

Make Money Online

I have people ask me all the time how I make money online. I don't really know what to tell them, because in all honestly, I don't know very much about all the possibilities out there. I know what works for me, but I also know that there are many ways of generating income that I am unaware of. I would love to be able to make enough money to pay off some bills, and maybe even put some money into a savings account.

I found this blog that explains how to make money online. It goes into detail about all the different ways you can make money, and the things you should look for in the companies you decide to work with. There is so much information, and I can not wait to read it all.

I just had to come share the site with you first.

Um, Okay

Lately, I have been doing posts about the great things I have found in etsy shops that I really, really want.

This is not one of those posts.

I look at this necklace, and immediately think of Harper from Wizards of Waverly Place. She's the character who wears the oddest clothes, like the fruit roll up dress.

I just can't see a grown person wearing something like this. I admire the designers creativity, but...well...I don't know.

That said, I would probably buy it because of the elephant :).

Justina McCaffrey Wedding Gowns

What do you think of this wedding dress?

It's a Justina Inc. dress. I have never heard of this company before, but president and creative director Justina McCaffrey has some beautiful gowns. I love the flow of this dress, and how it screams of femininity. If there is one day in a girls life where she wants to be all girly, it's her wedding day. If I ever have a real wedding, I hope I am thin enough to wear something like this.

GreenFamilyTreeDSG's Etsy Shop

I am trying to be more girly. I have gotten into the habit of wearing earrings when we leave the house, but I only have one pair that I really love. I have been trying to find different styles, but am always drawn to the purples. It's a good thing I wear a lot of black.

These Alexandrite Star - Alexandrite Swarovski Crystal earrings are $8, with free shipping. They dangle about an inch and a half, and I am thinking danglers are in style right now. I seem to see that everywhere I look. I am not sure, however, how they would look on me, because I have such a round, fat face.

I might just have to get them and see.

Stouffer's Giveaway

The kids go back to school in less than a week. There are so many reasons why this makes me happy, the main one being that I will save money on groceries. For the past few years, my kids have qualified for free lunch. This means that they can eat breakfast and lunch at school, and it won't cost me anything. Brandi likes to bring a salad for lunch every day, but that is simple and cheap.

Since I no longer have to feed three kids two meals every day, I can start buying my favorite lunches again, which are Lean Cuisines. My favorite is the spinach and mushroom pizza, but I am always willing to try their newest varieties. Stouffers has recently put out four new varieties of their panini's, and I can honestly say that they look and sound delicious. I have eaten their panini's in the past, but not how I should. Instead of putting the two pieces of bread together, making a sandwich, I eat each piece by itself. Talk about yummy!

To celebrate the new Stouffers-panini varieties, they are having an awesome giveaway. You could win one of the three Grand Prizes, which is the choice of an India, Greece, Italy or France destinations ($10, 000 Gift Card), one of twelve second place prizes, which is a Sony Digital Camcorder ($500 value), or you could win a daily prize of free Stouffer's products coupons. You can register here for a free entry, and then use a unique UPC code every day to enter again. The only downside is that the contest is only open to Canadian residents. I happen to have a few Canadian friends, so I wish them all the best of luck.

Salisa's Accessories Etsy Shop

I love dangly earrings, and these are gorgeous! They are called purple dice earrings, and they can be found at Salisa's Accessories.

This shop has earrings, bracelets, and key chains. The only thing better than the creations are the prices. I can get these earrings for $6, and that includes shipping. I am seriously considering buying them once I get some extra money.

I love the silver and purple together. I used to be a gold girl, but lately my eye has been drawn to things that are silver. I think it's the extra sparkle that silver has.

Make sure you check out this etsy shop, and feel free to let me know which shop is your favorite.

Why I Love Playing Jak

I love playing video games. I know it's a little odd that a 37 year old woman can spend hours in front of the television, trying to find precursor orbs and fighting crimson guards. Yup, I'm talking about Jak. It all started years ago when my mother gave Ryan Jak and Daxter for Christmas. Two minutes in, and I was hooked. When the second installment came out, Jak II, I wanted it immediately, but it's price tag prevented me from buying it right away. As soon as the price dropped, I was playing, and I have to say, it is my favorite of the three. When the third one came out, I said screw the price, and bought it immediately. They rounded out the series with JakX, a racing game that is fun, but not very challenging.

Like I said, Jak II is my favorite. It took me a while to figure out how to pass some of the levels, but I never lost interest. There is this one board where you are strapped into a car on rails, and you have to shoot and kill all these flying bad guys. It took me days to pass this level the first time, but now I can do it quite easily. My son even asks me to pass it for him when he plays. In fact, there are quite a few levels I have to do for him. I don't mind, though. It's fun.

The thing I like most about the Jak trilogy is that it tells a story. The characters start out young, and by the third game, the are more mature, and the story comes to an end, answering questions you didn't know you wanted answered. The challenges get harder, and much more frustrating, with each installment. I have completed each game, but have yet to find all the orbs on Jak 3. There are just too many! I would love to find a cheat that tells me where each orb is located.

My review of the games does not do them justice. You can check out better reviews of these games, and tons of others, at X-Play.
I am now ready to get a Playstation 3, because while looking for these pictures of the games, I found that there is a Jak IV for PS3. I have got to get my hands on that game!

My Sea Creatures

These are the two little sea creatures I painted with Brandi.

I love the little turtle.
I love buying these little creatures. Walmart sells sets of six for about $2.50.
I like having some on hand for days when the kids are bored and need something to do.
I am going to start saving the ones the kids paint for them to give to the grandparents for Christmas. It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas...

Spas In Atlanta

It feels so good to be home from our vacation. Four days playing in the lake have left me in need of some pampering. I would enjoy visiting spas in atlanta, and having someone make me feel beautiful. I have bugs bites all over my legs and feet, sunburn in places the sun has never seen before, and my lips feel like sandpaper. I am not exactly feeling attractive right now, except for the awesome tan I am sporting. But, with my tan comes wrinkles and damaged skin, and that is not a good thing. M Medical Spa uses non-surgical procedures that can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and help your skin look fuller and revitalized. They also remover unwanted body hair, which is something I could have used before our vacation. Having to shave in a camp shower was difficult and painful on the backs of my sun burned thighs. In the end, though, it was a wonderful way to spend some time with my little family, and I look forward to going again next year.