Everybody Needs Gadgets

Have you ever heard of or tried a cookie pan?

How about odd-size measuring spoons and cups? I totally want these. Or some like them. Totally.

Gingerbread baking accessories.

Food! Glorious Food!

I know when I was in college, eating was the last thing on my mind when I was studying for a test, but food is fuel for the brain, so here are 10 tips for healthy eating during exams.

Everyone should be able to eat cupcakes, even if you can’t eat nuts, eggs or dairy. (And they ship!)

Paris may not be the world’s top city for food anymore, but they sure are my top city for dessert! The best dessert I ever ate, I had in a little cafe in Paris. And, believe it or not, it wasn’t chocolate. I only wish I knew how to make it!

This is totally how I eat cupcakes. How do you eat cupcakes?

You’ve heard of mood rings, right? Well, how about mood foods?

Some great frosting recipes.

Easy fixes for common kitchen mishaps.

Creative Stuff

Frame your images.

Tips for taking self-portraits.

Happy Holidays

Creative wrapping ideas.

Make your own pop-up Christmas card.

Holiday ordering deadlines.

Lifehacker’s 2007 Gift Guide.

A gift guide for the techno geek on your list.

Check out this cute paper Christmas tree kit.

If you like Christmas music, you have to watch this.

How to wrap a present.

An elegant idea for a table placeholder.

Recipes for gifts in a jar.

Techno Geekery

Browse the internet anonymously. Wait. Should I be telling you that?

Or use an anonymous search engine.

Create an emergency cell phone antenna.

Need something alphabetized quickly? Let The Alphabetizer do it for you.

Life Is a Highway

We don’t really have this problem here in the desert, but where you live, you might need these tips to prep your car for winter.

Wine might be the next great household cleaner. Look out 409!

A beautiful story about the angels in our midst.

There is truly nothing more powerful than a mother’s love.

A list comparing Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker.

Home treatment for calluses.

Why pregnant women don’t tip over. via Miss Zoot

Top 10 astronomy pictures of 2007.

How much does “vampire energy” cost you?

Good Ideas

10 things you should have in your trunk.

Make a dry erase board from aluminum foil.

10 ways to give your brain a break.

Laughter Is the Best Medicine

One of my favorite SNL skits ever. (Not necessarily safe for work or kids.)

A funny little story that highlights just how much we depend on this here internet thing.

Too Much Time on My Hands

Time’s Top 10 Lists of 2007.

Weekly Features

Pretty recipe of the week

Pretty recipe of the week 2

Pretty recipe of the week 3

Tip of the week

On my handy dandy Verizon plan with my totally cool phone which I love and wouldn’t trade even for an iPhone (and I’m a Mac addict), I have GPS. We (I) decided to test out the trip navigator today on our way out to Mike’s sister’s house in BFE. Ok, it’s in Tempe, but it feels like BFE to us. The trip navigator gives you directions as you go, on where to turn and which freeway you’re supposed to be on and so forth. And if you’re not lucky enough to have someone with you to hold the phone, it even talks to you.

It worked like a charm on the way over there, told us where to turn and said “you have reached your destination” right as we arrived at their house. It also tells you how many miles you have to go and how long it thinks it will take you to get there. Pretty darn cool.

On the way home, I decided to try it again, since we knew we were going to have to take a bit of a different route home because the freeway was pretty backed up the other direction when we headed out. When we got onto the other freeway, it took it a second or two, but then it said “recalculating directions” and updated the navigator. Not bad.

Then we threw it for a bit of a loop. We had to get off the freeway and make a quick stop at the post office which sent us in the opposite direction from which we needed to go to get home. When it realized we were going the wrong direction (which was pretty quickly) it said “make the next legal u-turn”. We did finally end up back on the freeway and made it happy again.

But the funniest part was when we got to our neighborhood. For whatever reason, our street does not show up on the Verizon GPS map. So, after we passed the street before ours, which was where it thought we were going, and then turned on our street, it told us we were “no longer on a road”. So, it gets a D for not having our street in its memory banks, but it gets an A- for everything else. And I can definitely see how it would be useful for going somewhere you’re unfamiliar with. Unless, of course, the street is not on the map. Then you might have a problem!

• American Idol Jordin Sparks is going to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. I totally called that!

• A police officer friend of ours was involved in a shooting early yesterday morning. The suspect (who was the one who was shot) has minor injuries and our friend has a sore knee from where the idiot rammed him with his car. But other than that, he is fine. And we are thankful for that.

• We are going went to the salon today. Yay!

• We went to LG’s bank to deposit some money in her savings account. When we came out, she was told to hold Daddy’s hand before we walked into the parking lot. She refused. We gave her a chance to make a good choice. Then we did the countdown (5, 4, 3, 2, 1) and she still refused, so Mike picked her up and carried her over his shoulder with her screaming “I want to walk” all the way to the car. Oh. my. gawd. I just hope the people who witnessed that realized we weren’t kidnapping or beating her.

• We went to Target so I could get a couple of things for Christmas (one a gift I need for tomorrow and one a “toy flute” which LG wants from Santa). As I was looking at the toy instruments, I heard my name, looked up and who do I see but Rochelle and Navy Boy! So we finished up our shopping together (Mike and LG were waiting in the car). I had to find a graduation card for our drummer (who just graduated from college), but I didn’t think they would have any graduation cards at Target this time of year. Rochelle and Navy Boy suggested a Sympathy card – I’m so sorry you have to get a job now…lol! If you knew him, you’d know that it was a pretty funny idea, and so I went with it. I’d have never thought of that one on my own though.

• We’re going to eat take-out Mexican food and address Christmas cards and decorate the tree tonight, then get up early and head out to the in-laws for family Christmas togetherness. Oh, and Mike has to wrap the presents somewhere in there, too.

I’ll probably manage to post this weekend, but in case I don’t, have a lovely weekend out there in BlogLand!

I woke up at 4 am and my mind started racing…”oh my gosh, I don’t have a single Christmas decoration up yet besides an empty tree; we haven’t taken pictures for the Christmas cards and I still have to get those all mailed out; the dishes aren’t done; the laundry isn’t done; I have no idea when or even if I’m going to get any holiday baking in; I still have gifts to buy; I have gifts that I bought that have to be wrapped; and good grief, the entire weekend is already spoken for”. And at that point I was ready to cry. (Read on …)

LG is in that delightful stage when she makes up gibberish words trying to sound like she’s speaking another language. I absolutely remember doing that when I was little as well. And Mike and I do it right back to her, having our own complex conversations in a totally nonsensical language that none of us understand, save for the tone of the voice and facial expression.

I think it’s really a great exercise in communication skills, because you can do a lot with the tone of your voice and the expressions on your face. You really can communicate with people even when you don’t speak the same language if you just take the time to look and listen.

Mike thinks we should turn on the Spanish language channel and let her listen to it, but I told him we could only do that if it was a soccer game. I’m not exactly sure why, but I love watching soccer in Spanish. Watching anything else in Spanish gives me a headache because they talk too quickly for me to translate and it frustrates me. But soccer? I love it. I don’t care if I can’t understand anything they say. I just love when someone scores and the announcer yells “goalgoalgoalgoalgoalgoalGOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLL!” On the other hand, watching soccer in English tends to be pretty boring to me.

How about you? Do you talk gibberish with your kids? And do you like watching soccer in Spanish? Or is it just me?

I have a post up about Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe over here.

This morning we had mass at the local high school and afterwards (since LG was having fun at Grandma’s) we did a bit of Christmas shopping.

We had to go to a sporting goods type store to look for a tent. We pulled up to the store which had an elk statue and a deer statue outside. It also had signs that mentioned hunting, fishing, ammo and reloading. I took one look and declared it a “redneck” store (no offense to those of you who are 1) rednecks or 2) hunting/fishing/camping enthusiasts) which totally cracked Mike up. It didn’t hurt that as I said that we drove past a man standing in the front of the store pulling out his camouflage handkerchief to blow his nose.

I do not do camping or hunting or fishing or any of that outdoorsy type stuff, so I felt like a fish out of water with my beaded flip flops tromping through the store looking for tents. It was pretty darn funny. It was also a good thing Mike came with me to find a tent, because I’d have had no clue what to get.

After that, we went to Costco to get some ravioli for Mike’s mom. I felt a little more comfortable there…lol! And after we finished shopping, we grabbed some pizza and had a nice little lunch all by ourselves – something that doesn’t happen very often!

I’ve only got two more things to get before the weekend. Next week, I get to finish the rest of my shopping that doesn’t have to be done until Christmas Eve. Oh and get the picture taken for the Christmas card. That would be helpful. *sigh*

So hi! Hey! Hello! I haven’t posted yet today!

I was going to post, but the site decided to take a server dump at that time, so no posting until now. Of course, I have no idea what I was going to post about, but oh well!

It’s been an interesting week so far. Yesterday was a good day for various and assorted reasons. It was a not so good day because Mike was sick, though. He was feeling better today (or at least not feverish) and went and did some work, then came home so we could go to rehearsal at the local high school. When we finished rehearsal (on the other side of town), it was raining buckets and it was coooollllld. And, of course, we hadn’t brought any umbrellas in with us, so we had to make the trek back to the car (with no shelter) in the cold rain – Mike carrying LG. I gave them the blanket out of the diaper bag to cover up with, and braved the elements on my own, but by the time Mike got to the car, he was shivering. I was not, and I didn’t have a warm child in my arms, so I figured that was a bad sign, and it was. He’s back on the sofa bundled up with a returned fever. And we have mass tomorrow morning at the local high school. So that should be interesting.

On a good note, though, Marlene got good news today, so that makes us all happy, sick or not!

LG got two princess dress-up outfits for her birthday. We hadn’t opened them yet because of company and being sick, but today, finally, we opened one up and she got to put her little dress-up outfit on. Over and over again, she said, “I’m a princess! I’m a princess!” She hasn’t really been exposed too much to the princesses, but obviously there is no keeping a little girl from the love of princesses and the wish to be one. I have to say, though, that I’m so glad she’s a girly-girl. ;)

So I spent the weekend being sick. Well, I was really sick Thursday, kind of sick Friday, still didn’t feel myself Saturday, and tired yesterday. Thursday it was just me and LG, but luckily(?) she was sick, too, so she wasn’t all that active. When her fever would break, she’d be up playing, but she stayed in my room or her room most of the time. Then when her fever came back, she’d lay in bed with me until it broke again. Thursday night I woke up over and over in a sweat, so I figured that meant that my non-existent fever was breaking or I was sweating out the virus or something.

I don’t get fevers, you see. If I get a fever, it usually means I can’t even physically get myself out of bed because I’m really really sick. But apparently I must have had a low-grade fever during the night. Whatever the case, next day I was feeling slightly better and Mike stayed home to do some work around the house so he was here to take care of LG and I could get some rest.

Today, he’s sick and staying home. And how nice am I? I’m going to go Christmas shopping by myself. Yep, I’m a horrible wife…lol! But really, he’s not that sick, he’s just sick enough that he needs to not work. He can still manage to take care of LG and sit on the sofa and rest all day. So he’ll be fine.

I have to have all the family Christmas shopping done by Friday. So, I’ve got a lot to do this week. *sigh* I love Christmas, I really do. But I really do not like the Christmas shopping so much. Next year, I seriously am doing it all online (if I can get my act together early enough!).

Everybody Needs Gadgets

This table just cracks me up.

These gingerbread cookie cutters are pretty funny, too.

This is a great gadget if you like to make candy.

Food! Glorious Food!

How to chop vegetables like a pro.

Make a Texas snowflake.

Creative Stuff

Use light to create texture in your photos.

How to make placemats.

Happy Holidays

Holiday pancake pan

How to make a gingerbread house.

Peppermint whipped cream

50 holiday things you can make yourself.

How to fix your Christmas lights.

Mistletoe and holly cocktail

Holiday food gift guide

Toy safety shopping tips

Techno Geekery

Howjsay isn’t just any dictionary. It tells you how to pronounce the words! But be aware that it’s the British pronunciation and not the American pronunciation.

This may be the best flickr news ever.

A funny musical commentary on the internet as we know it.

Life Is a Highway

8 things you should have memorized. I think I know 3 of these things. Oops.

What can and cannot go in the microwave.

Good old honey seems to be the best remedy for children’s coughs. But remember, never give honey to a child under one year old due to the risk of botulism.

This one’s for you Rochelle. (And for Marlene when she goes back to school!)

Look for the Geminid meteor shower coming soon to a sky near you.

I don’t know if I would be able to do what this father did, but good for him.

Did you know that CompUSA is closing all their stores? Might be a good place to look for some holiday bargains!

25 great ideas for quick workouts. Every little bit helps!

Good Ideas

Yes, one person can make a difference.

How to fold a drinking cup from a sheet of paper.

Some neat ways to connect with your kids.

Too Much Time on My Hands

Fun facts about your birthday

Weekly Features

Pretty recipe of the week

Tip of the Week

I’m feeling grumpy about some family stuff today, but I can’t really rant about it, so I’ll just leave you with this meme which I got from Jen at Never a Dull Moment

Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags?

Usually wrapping paper at Christmas, but I use gift bags for pretty much everything else unless it’s a little one who likes to tear the paper.

Real tree or artificial?

I cannot stand fake trees (no offense to those of you who have them – differences are what makes the world go round), and I love Noble Firs. If we could get a live Noble Fir here, I’d be all over it, but we can’t so we get a cut tree every year.

When do you put up the tree?

After LG’s birthday, but before New Year’s Day.

When do you take the tree down?

Depends when we put it up.

Do you like eggnog?

Not particularly. I prefer hot cider.

Favorite gift received?

I honestly cannot come up with an answer to this. Perhaps my brain is too foggy from illness.

Do you have a nativity scene?

No. Does that make me a bad Catholic? Oh well.

Hardest person to buy for?

My husband because he always tells me not to get him anything or his answer to the question “what do you want” is “I don’t know” because when he needs something he buys it.

Easiest person to buy for?

Little Girl of course!

Worst gift you ever received?

A gift is a gift, so it’s the thought that counts, right?

Mail or email Christmas cards?

Mail. It’s the only time I communicate with certain people, so it would be rude to send email, besides the fact that a lot of the people on my list do not have email that I’m aware of. It doesn’t hurt to spend a little time and effort at Christmastime. The rest of the year is fine for email. Christmas is not.

Favorite Christmas movie?

Oooh, toughie. I’ll say…It’s a Wonderful Life

When do you start shopping for Christmas?

Usually after LG’s birthday is over. I’ve got to start earlier, though. I drive myself nuts.

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Not that I can remember.

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Fudge. But I can’t eat that anymore. *sniffle*

Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Colored. Clear on the house though.

Favorite Christmas Song?

I can only pick one? Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Stay home where it’s warm and the sun is shining.

Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

Without even looking them up: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen, and Rudolph of course!

Angel on top of the tree or star?

Must be an angel. We always had an angel when I was a kid, and on our after-Christmas shopping trip a few weeks before Mike and I got married, I found a beautiful porcelain angel. I wasn’t going to get it, but I kept going back to it and my (future) mother-in-law told me I should get it. So I did, and I love it.

Open the presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Usually Christmas morning.

Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Too much to do, too little time.

What I love most about Christmas?

The chance to give back to those we love. And the music.

Today is my father’s 80th birthday. As many of you know, I’ve had an ambivalent relationship with my father since my mother’s death, but to his credit, he tries to come and see LG when he can. He’s been to all of her birthday parties. Last year, he spent Christmas with us while She Who Shall Not Be Named was out of town. So, he’s trying.

My dad was here Saturday for LG’s party, of course. I thought, as I watched him walk to the door, that he looked very old. Mike’s dad is only 2 years younger, and I doubt anyone who sees him would believe he’s only 2 years away from 80. My dad is doing all right, though. He’s hanging in there and he still gets out and about.

Today is also Pearl Harbor Day. My dad turned 14 the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

Warning: This is a rant.

Last night, we went to the last night of the Advent Mission followed by the regular Wednesday night Mass. Mike drove over with our property guests, who had joined us for dinner, and I had to finish the necessary cleanup and get LG and myself ready to go before we could get over there which made us a few minutes late, although he had just started when we got there.

Since we were late, we sat way in the back, which, considering it was about a two hour service, was good for LG since we weren’t quite as worried about her disturbing other people since there not very many people around us (and during mass, none). I rarely ever sit in the back of the church. I’m either up in the music area singing, or sitting in one of the first few rows with Little Girl, so it was really interesting to observe the goings on during the evening. (Read on …)

I woke up with a cold this morning. Well, actually I started feeling congested during mass last night. LG was running a very low grade temperature yesterday (99 for most of the day, which I don’t really count as a fever and 101 when we got home from mass), but she seems to be okay today, so hopefully it’s just a 24 hour thing and I’ll be done with this by tomorrow.

Our property guests have left us and moved on to their next stop. LG is really going to miss their little girl! With all that was going on this week, I’m way way behind on my email and my RSS reader, so I’m going to spend the day lounging around doing nothing but trying to catch up on my internet and watching television. And attempting to take care of my kid while not be able to talk much louder than a whisper. That’ll be fun. But at least we have leftovers so I don’t have to worry about cooking tonight.

Update: LG’s fever has returned, so we’ll be hanging out in Mommy’s bed today getting some much needed rest!