Friday, May 25, 2007

Friday quotes to ponder

First off, a serious note--a dear friend of mine and member of my small group lost her dad early this week rather suddenly. Remember her in prayer please.

Also, I must have scared you all off with my Bzz post. Nothing but crickets chirping around here. You'd think I was selling Amway or something. Seriously, folks, I'm NOT selling anything. The only thing I get from being a Bzz agent is reward points for turning in reports on what people say about the products I try, and I get to try samples of products. So, don't be alarmed. You can even tell me to "Bzz off" if you want, as long as I hear some buzz about something :) Luckily there are like 60 days in the Off! campaign, so there's plenty of time to Bzz away.

Finally, the good stuff. We're heading for sunny Florida early Sunday morning. Tomorrow, traveling to the in-laws to spend the night and leave the girls, then off to Nashville for our flight. Five nights in the Ft. Myers area. I'm giddy with excitement, so I looked up quotes about fun for you to ponder. Hope you all miss me terribly for the next week. We will be taking lots of pics, so I'll be sure to share them. Will be making scrapbook pages too--hopefully I'll finish it before next spring this time! ;)

The saying "Getting there is half the fun" became obsolete with the advent of commercial airlines.
Henry J. Tillman This one rings true for me. If gas weren't so darn high and Florida so darn far, I'd rather drive, but we'll brave the long lines and thorough security anyway.

There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it.
Mary Wilson Little Hee, hee! No laundry, no poopy diapers, no cooking, no cleaning--so right on!

If you watch a game, it's fun. If you play at it, it's recreation. If you work at it, it's golf.
Bob HopeUS (English-born) actor & comedian (1903 - 2003) My golf outing last weekend--so much harder than it looks. My arms were sore for days.

There is no such thing as "fun for the whole family."
Jerry SeinfeldUS comedian & television actor (1954 - ) We will be doing things that the girls would never sit though...dinner theater, dinner cruise, napping on the beach, just sitting still...ahhh!

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

I'm Bzzing...

I'm a BzzAgent! "A what now?" you ask. I've signed up on this website called www.bzzagent.com and I'm now a BzzAgent. That means I sign up for "campaigns" about different products, they will send me free samples of them, and I just need to "buzz" about them, or spread work-of-mouth opinions and get feedback from others. Then, I turn in BzzReports for BzzRewards. I think the rewards are mostly gift cards and that sort of thing.


I received my first campaign materials just the other day. It's for Off! brand Smooth and Dry spray repellant and an Off! Power Pad lamp. I got a free can of repellant and a free lamp to try out and Bzz about. I have yet to try either one, but I plan on doing so soon. I'll post my opionions of them here. I've liked the Off! brand before, but repellants usually smell strongly and feel sticky. This one is supposed to dry on contact and smell good, so I'm anxious to try it out. I'm not promoting the product or trying to sell anything. I'm supposed to report my (and others') honest opinions about the products. So, question for you all is...will you Bzz back to me? If you have any opinion whatsoever on these products, I want to hear about it. If you've tried it, tell me what you thought. If you're interested in trying it, let me know that too. If you hate Off! repellant, tell me that.

I do have five $1.00 off coupons for any of the Off! personal repellants and five $3.00 off coupons for the Off! lamps. If you want one of those, e-mail me your address and I'll be happy to mail you one. I have no use for 10 coupons, and I'm supposed to share them, so I will :)

So, there ya go--I want to hear your opinions on whatever I'm "Bzzing" about--no cost to you, just blab on here as usual or e-mail or call or tell me in person. It's good for you too because I can share coupons or even share samples with you if I'm around you. Not too bad a deal, I guess.
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On a similar note, Northeastern University and BzzAgent are conducting a study called "The Chit-Chat Study" and will help them understand the impact of word-of-mouth. This little pamphlet they've sent me says to have a word-of-mouth conversation about Off! Just did that above--check! Then, tell you about the word-of-mouth study--check! Now, I'm supposed to give you a web address to fill out a survey. Here it is:

www.chitchat.neu.edu and the conversation ID is 310742--you might need that for the survey.

When you do that, you have a chance to win up to $300 in Amazon.com gift certificates. Then, if you talk to anybody else about Off!, tell them about the study and pass on that address for the survey. Done. Seems pretty interesting so far. I'm like research, being a biologist and all. Remember to Bzz me!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Busy, busy!

We ended up celebrating our 10th anniversary by hurriedly dropping the girls off at my in-laws Friday afternoon when we finally decided Megan was well enough to travel and headed for Louisville where Bryan graduated from a training course that he had taken with his company.


The dinner was swanky. Tuxedo-clad waiters holding trays of hors d'ouvres and champagne when we arrived. An ice sculpture in the center of the room with the company logo, surrounded by huge cocktail shrimp. A live blues band provided great entertainment. The dinner included three courses--four if you count the sorbet served after the salad to "clean the palate". Very artistically designed courses too. But delicious! We were happy to have a nice elegant (and free!) meal together.

We got home around 11:30 pm and had to get up the next morning at 5:45 to make it to a company golf outing. It was my first time playing on an actual course. I wasn't good. Not at all. Not even a little. But we had a great time. Bryan had wanted to play golf with me for a long time. I even won a new putter as a door prize.
We traveled back to the in-laws later, rested up and spent the night, visited my dad the next day and headed back home. We were really lucky to stop in Fazoli's on the way and met some good friends of ours who happened to be heading back home to Nashville from visiting their family. We got to visit with them and their boys and headed home.

Megan is doing much better. Her appetite is not great but she's eating and drinking more. She has lost a little weight so she's bonier than ever, but she'll be ok. So far, no one else has caught it. I thought she had gotten thrush on her tongue this morning and took her back to the doc and she said it was just "geographic tongue"--a result of mild dehydration from the sickness and that it's nothing to worry about. At least no more suppositories! I think we'll be ready for "Buddy" to come back tomorrow and resume a normal week again....until the weekend when we'll be headed to Florida--woohoo!

The rest of today...washing up sick bedding and clothes, shampooing couch and carpet around it, and disinfecting the bathroom. While I'm doing that, enjoy some pics we took of recent events.



Grip it and rip it! The best thing about this shot was hubby's great rendering of it.










Our little Meg reciting her "teacher" poem. She did such a great job, even as sick as she was.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

A special day

Ten years ago today, I married my high school sweetheart, Bryan. We were both 20 years old, almost 21. We had a hard time finding a hotel in Clearwater, Florida that would let us reserve a room :)

I love my husband...my favoritest person on this earth. He loves me like no one else could and he still makes me laugh until I snort or spit out my coke :)

Today, I wish we could celebrate our 10th anniversary a little better. Our Meg is still sick, getting over the vomiting I think, but still hanging on to a fever. She's drinking more though and slept better last night. Our plans were to head to my in-laws to leave the girls there tonight and head to Louisville tomorrow to spend the day together before a company dinner tomorrow night. Then a golf outing on Saturday. It would be my first time playing actual golf (I've only played mini golf). But now, not sure how those plans will go. We're just going moment by moment today. If Meg makes a big improvement--and no one else gets sick--we'll give it a try. Otherwise, just wish us a happy anniversary. Next weekend is our Florida trip--pray we'll all be fine before then!

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

And then the puke started...

*Update* Poor Meg vomited all through the night. First about every half hour, then about every 45 minutes until finally around 3 am or so (my brain is still foggy about times) she was able to sleep until about 5:30 (which means I slept too...ahh) and vomited once more. So far, now at 8:15 she hasn't vomited yet since. She's sipping Pedialyte and finally keeping some down. I gave her the borrowed Phenegren twice last night and once more just a while ago. Thanks Maddie's mom!! I'll probably be making a trip to fill a new prescription in a little while, when I see if Meg is feeling stronger.

I'll try to avoid leaving up a puke post again. As soon as I get some preschool graduation pics/video up I'll get rid of this one. Poor Meg, the diarrhea stopped mid-naptime so we got a bath and got all decked out in her little dress with the school teddy bears on it. Each child was to dress as what they wanted to be when they grow up. So, Meg was a teacher--school teddy bear dress, hair pulled back, holding a book and ruler. 10 minutes before we had to leave she walked into the bathroom and projectile vomited. At least it was on the vinyl. So after we hurried and changed into another cute, but not quite as fitting dress, we rushed off to preschool graduation with only 2 minutes to spare. Meg was able to make it through her little poem (she did very well, actually) and the songs and Spanish language demonstration. Then as everyone was headed into the gym for refreshments, Bryan attempted to get a pic of her on the stage and she got sick again. Luckily I was prepared with a towel to catch it.

One great surprise of the evening....Meg's Nana, Papa, Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Bradley drove 2 hours just to see her graduate! We were so happy to see them but sad Meg was sick for their visit. So, now Meg and I are camped out in the living room on the couch. I've borrowed some Phenegren gel from one of the other Pre-K moms and we're hoping it will kick in. She's been vomiting all evening. She's trying to sip Pedialyte, but not keeping it down well so far. I'm going to sleep in here with her tonight and keep an eye on her. I'm just thankful that she's never been this sick before. The timing was lousy, but she's been a very healthy child. I can't imagine how moms get through chronic illness with children. I'll update you tomorrow about her condition.

A rough day

I'm emotional today. First, I have an ongoing headache. The kind that just hurts a lot behind your eyes and neck and makes you feel nauseated. Second, it was Meg's last day of preschool. My little girl is no longer a preschooler. It's off to kindergarten in the fall. Third, tonight is preschool graduation and Megan has diarrhea. Bad. As soon as she got home today. She's went about 9 times so far. I don't know if she'll make it to graduation. Last year at graduation, she had fallen the day before and had a terribly swollen lip. This year...diarrhea. Graduation is just not a good day for Meg. I've given some Immodium and sipping water. She's trying to nap and I've kept her door open so she can go to the bathroom when needed. Maybe it will pass. Anyways, I've made a new scrapbook page to commemorate her first and last days of preschool. Enjoy!

Thursday, May 10, 2007

The good news again

At the end of the 8 week training pants product test, I will also receive 1000 points from MySurvey, which I can redeem for $10! So, 5 free packages of training pants and $10 for trying them out and keeping records of the changes. Not too bad.

Yesterday, they also sent me an invitation to join a printing study where I will need to keep track of what I print each time for 8 weeks. Not sure what the incentive is there, but I'll let you know. If any of you want to join MySurvey, e-mail me and I'll send you a referral--they're my favorite site so far. I qualify for most of them, and I've done about 3-4 product tests which are always fun and it's nice to receive free product.

The health guru rides again!

I'm bouncing back from my spring cold spell hibernation finally and I'm into my "health guru" attitude just the slightest bit again. We're leaving for Florida the last week of this month and I'm determined to be able to fit into all the clothes I bought for the trip last year, including *gasp* my bikini!

So, this morning, went for an official walk around the neighborhood, pushing Zoe happily along. She was anticipating it more than I was--"Mommy, walk now, pweash!!" before we left. I filled her a little sippy of ice water and put my own in Megan's Care Bear straw cup. I really need some adult water cups around here. Great walk, up and down hills, seeing cats and neighbors, hearing dogs and lawn mowers. Got back for 8 minute abs and some arm toners with my little weights. If I can get a few more days like that in, I'll surely be able to squeeze into those capris I bought last year.

What are your fitness plans for the summer? Anything that involves moving enough to break a sweat counts. I also want to remind everyone--especially those full-time mamas like me with kids out of school for the summer--eat breakfast!! Yes, very tempting to sleep in til 10 or so, then go straight for lunch, and a few days of that is fine. But you'll mess up your metabolism and circadian rhythm if you do that all summer. My breakfast of choice: 1 cup Kashi Go-Lean cereal with 1 cup skim milk and a glass of OJ.

There, my "health guru" rant of the month is now concluding. Just a few more gentle reminders before I depart: drink your water and use sunscreen! Your skin and body will be glad you did!

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Another scrapbook page

I've finished the latest expansion of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion entitled "The Shivering Isles". Therefore, I'm still craving computer time and my other games are not as appealing right now, so I'm back into the scrapbooking thing. Enjoying it too! Here's another one I finished up today of the girls playing in the mud this past Saturday. I'm enjoying my Creating Keepsakes program. This was designed with that, with a downloaded background from a scrapbook site. Let me know if you like it.

The Good, Bad, and Ugly

The good news: Received a box with 5 packages of training pants for Zoe after agreeing to participate in a product trial for MySurvey.com.

The bad news: I have to fill out an 8-week diary listing each training pant/diaper change. Still not sure how I'm going to handle that on vacation week?
At least I've gotten 5 free packages of training pants. Those things aren't that cheap. The jury is still out on whether they'll help Zoe potty train faster. So far, no change.


On another unrelated note, why in the world do they make hot dogs in packages of 10 and buns in packages of 8? Do the wiener and bun companies have some conspiracy to make sure we have to go to the store to keep buying one or the other so we won't run out? That's my latest conclusion...I've always wondered about that one.

Two other notes of concern: pray for my brother, who is the ultimate repeat Prodigal Son. He's now finalized his third divorce and is running around with women he shouldn't be seeing. He's moved out of my dad's home again after mooching for months and now is living with his other half-sister. That's enough details...he's just messed up and self-indulgent and really needs a slap from the Almighty.

And...summer's coming. I'm ready for my vacation at the end of the month, but after that...not sure I'm ready for full days with all the kids. Pray for my sanity :) Megan will graduate from her last year of preschool next week. Then off to Kindergarten in the fall. She has two loose teeth in the front--not really loose, but just starting to wiggle. My little girl is growing up. *sniff*

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Saturday Scrapbooking

Created with Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Designer Version 3, with background and word embellishments from Scrapbook Flair.


Created with Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Designer Version 3, with a pre-designed template.


Created with Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Designer Version 3, with artwork/background from Scrapbook Flair.




Friday, May 04, 2007

The Trike-a-Thon rides again!

Yesterday, we finally had the Preschool Trike-a-Thon for the St. Jude Children's Hospital. Exact totals are not in yet, but we have raised at least $1000 for St. Jude! And the kids had a good time riding their bikes/trikes on the local walking trail. Actually, Megan was the only one with a trike. I think it's time to graduate her to a bike. She didn't even want to take her more sophisticated scooter. But, it was a TRIKE-a-Thon after all, so maybe she was the only one with the right idea? :) Here are some pics. Hope you enjoy! For some reason, I can't get the pics and captions to line up right. Forgive me if it's confusing!



Zoe found some rocks right away--her favorite outside toys!








The "lineup".

Megan--the only trike rider in the Trike a Thon!

Megan and "Buddy" were leading the pack most of the way. I couldn't keep up with them.




A pretty view of the trail. I think it would be creepy at night.
"Buddy" enjoying his snack at the end of the trail.
Megan found a comfy spot to eat and Zoe fed our good friend "T".

Friday's Quote to Ponder

"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3

Five months now have gone by. Five cycles and no third baby. We have a couple more weeks before we try again, and what would be great is if we find out we're having our third on our vacation at the end of the month. We found out about both our daughters on vacations in Florida and Tennessee. So, we wait in expecation. The Lord knows our requests before we even speak them and He has the best timing in mind, vacation baby or not :)

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Wednesday's Headlines

I've seen and heard some interesting news-bytes this week. Here's a recap. Discussion is welcome.

From Good Morning America:
Don't forget--no overtime, no paid vacations, no benefits...except for sticky hugs and kisses--I'd call those some great benefits!! The piece I saw on the actual show this morning was a little more detailed of a SAHM's work. In this article, I like the ideas they give for moms considering going back to work, but I think they are downplaying the SAHM role a bit here. Also, the decision to be a SAHM in the first place is hard for a lot of women and tips for transitioning from the workplace to full-time mom would be helpful. What do you think?

From American Family Association(AFA):
Do any of you get e-mails from the AFA? They send out awareness e-mails about laws and public events that may affect Christian families. Though some of their notices I agree with and have even e-mailed lawmakers about, this one and many others, sound so "doom-sayer", that I can't help but roll my eyes. They're calling this a "thought crimes" law, which "aims to silence biblical Judeo-Christian speech and beliefs about homosexuality and “transgenderism.” Other e-mails about this have that "homosexuals are taking over the world" feel. If you read the description about this law here, it seems to lean toward better legal assistance with local hate CRIMES. I didn't see anything in there about speech. Furthermore, we should be embracing loving speech anyway. I'm not saying we should condone homosexuality, etc, etc. But how about just preaching about how Christ died for them as any other sinner? We shouldn't be wanting to speak derogatively about anyone anyway. Is anyone picturing the dodo bird from the original "Ice Age"? "Doom on you...doom on you!"

And finally from Yahoo News:
As I sip my decaf and blog about this--I'm feeling healthier with each drink. Not much else to say about this one really. Just good to hear something good about one of my addictions :)

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

A word to ponder

Integrity : 1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : INCORRUPTIBILITY 2 : an unimpaired condition : SOUNDNESS 3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : COMPLETENESS. synonym see HONESTY

Why is integrity so lacking in the workplace, especially among males? One face shown at home, church, and in public, and a completely other side shown at work? Talk amongst yourselves. I'll listen in :)