10 Things I learned from my kids

So here is this really neat blog idea that I thought I would join in on. It really made me think of my babies and how much I am missing them now that they are staying at Dad's for most of the rest of the summer. (A blessing considering my elbow- but it still makes me sad)

1. Things that are sticky not only taste good but are ultimately best used for spreading on yourself and others.
2. Mud tastes good (see lesson 1), as do many other non food materials that are found in the great outdoors.
3. Asking "When we gonna be there?" is an art form. The answer should be given in number of TV shows that could pass before we get there- not hours, as they mean nothing to a 4 year old.
4. Walking to the mailbox is a race- not a walk, in fact EVERYTHING can be made into a competition.
5. Making faces with bubble gum in your mouth is a great way to use up some time and distract the little man, its also a great way to lose your bubble gum.
6. The best part of the day almost never involves television. Most of the time these brilliant and memorable moments involve bath time or a really funny bed time story.
7. Blunt, truthful statements are often the funniest things that you could ever hear.
8. When I little boy asks if he can eat something, it most likely means that he already has eaten it and is just looking for confirmation.
   
9. Nothing, and I repeat NOTHING is more interesting than Dinosaurs, bugs, animals and knights in shining armor (otherwise know as fighting guys)
10. Despite popular beliefs to the contrary the kitchen counters and dining room table are not for preparing or eating food. They are for setting up movies and battles that are not to be disturbed under penalty of death- or at least 5 minute temper tantrum.
    

Blogger course thingy

Hi all! I am still here typing with one hand, but looking into that blogger course thing. So far I feel a little scammed. Don't link it up to you!!

As I look at the website now it seems to be all positive thoughts and things of that nature. The fact that you have to link it before you get to look at it screamed fishy from the start but I figured there was no real harm in looking. Now that I have an account its all about thinking positive thoughts and improving your mental health to make more money....they haven't asked for anything yet but do I really need this check list where I rate my energy level? How does this improve my blog....other than being able to write that I was tricked....

So, sorry I linked it and I hope that you didn't follow me into it.

The moral here....Don't make blogging choices on pain killers.

Learning to do this better

In an effort to do this blog thing better I am going to take this course...for FREE as long as I link it...so here is the link so that I can get started and all that kind of stuff.

Oh and camping was great, I have wonderful pics to share.....and I fractured my elbow...AFTER I got back, actually walking into the office this morning...so i have pain killers & I am typing with one hand....not fun!!!

Enjoy this link...I will be back when I figure out how to type with my nose or something... :)

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

A thought about the Kindle

I got a comment asking about the Kindle, and I started writing a long response back...so long it turned into a post. The boys and I had a marvelous time at the Dino event. It was a bit short for the amount of money spent but just the right time for my boys and those Dinos were amazing! Pictures and more to come but for now I am back to packing, leaving in 5 hours....here is my Kindle response.

I love my Kindle, It really is like reading a book. E Paper is an amazing thing. I work on the computer all day so I was hesitant about looking at a another screen, but after a few pages and an adjustment of the typeface (which is super easy) I have never looked back. I think I actually read faster on the Kindle becuase I can adjust the type and not have to contort myself or my wrist every time I change position. I also avoid that awkward thing where one part of the book is much thicker than the other and your wrist starts to hurt. (but maybe I am a wimp)

It did take me a minute or two to get the turning the page at the right time concept. I never realized that with a paper book I turned the page while reading the last few words. So with the Kindle I would click over and realize that I had skipped something. I guess I mastered it now, I just had to think for the first few chapters.

Its an amazing thing, I have spent more on books in the last few weeks, just becuase getting them and reading them was so instant- no waiting. The book I was in the mood for, just when I wanted it. Like tonight, on the train, I downloaded a kids book...and suddenly I have two very well behaved boys on my hands. The book is called How to Get a Gorilla Out of Your Bathtub and it written by John Hall. This was the first picture or children's book that I have downloaded and all in all its not bad. The pictures looked great and the story was good. My only caveat is that the pictures and the words that go with them don't always line up or go on the same page. I guess becuase of the font setting they really just can't match it up. But I would hope that they could put some sort of linker or tab function, maybe I am just picky.

Oh and the battery. If you keep your "whispernet" off unless you want to look in the store your battery will last a whole novel. once you turn the "whispernet" on you start to lose power a bit quicker, but still I have never seen my battery go to less than half power and I charge the thing maybe, once a week.

All in all, I am really glad I have one. It will save me a TON of wall space.

Ok, packing, yeah...Have a good weekend.

Being Busy and reading books

When I am really busy, I mean, overwhelmingly busy- I procrastinate. Eventually I get it all done but when I am feeling overwhelmed I will do anything to avoid the task....So I wrote this at work, and I am publishing it now. Ever notice how when you say you have no time to blog, you suddenly find the time?

So I am blogging! and reading! and writing! and looking at all the camping supplies on my living room floor and hoping that I magically have enough stuff and it all packs itself inside my car. Cinderella's mice friends perhaps? Anyone got a magic wand for me?



















So the books. My boyfriend, wonderful guy he is, bought me a Kindle as my early anniversary gift. This little device will be the death of me. I Love love love love it, too much. To the point that I am reading more than anything else lately. (this also means that I have to get him something really really nice and thoughtful for our anniversary)

So anyway what am I reading? I just finished the first 3 books of the Twilight series By Stephanie Meyer. They are extremely easy reads but I wanted to know what everyone was talking about. I hate not knowing what is going on. The books are interesting and engaging. They are the kind of page turners that make a liar out of you when you say "I will go to bed after I read this chapter" and the clock already says 1:30 am. The next time you look up its 3 am and you only have 50 pages left until your done with the whole book so you finish it and download (thank you Kindle) the next in the series.

The love story is teenage but nice, at least for me, becuase I still wish I was closer to 18 then 30. I love mythology type stuff and the author's take on vampire legends is different yet in congruence with the current popular mythology. I like how the Book is told through the eyes of Belle, the main character....but I have no idea how they are going to translate it into a movie. I know all books are better than there movie kin, but in this case I am not even sure I want to see it. I just don't think a translation can be done.



So, after those books I started Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire. He is the same author that wrote Wicked and Son of a Which. I loved both of those books and thought that I should give some of his lesser known stuff a try. So far, I am not liking this one as much but I am only about 4 chapters in. I am hoping that it will get better.

And yes, that is my Kindle sitting on a Coleman portable toilet...I really hope that I don't ever have to use it...wish me luck.

A wish for time

I have so much to blog!

I want to write about a wonderful weekend that I had with all of my boys, it included a train robbery, a bike ride in the park, ice cream and a beautiful day at the beach. So much family love and togetherness that my heart nearly exploded.

See the brotherly love? It was during the tension filled (lol) part of the train robbery where they track the robbers down to there lair!


And riding our bikes to and from the park. It was a long ride...I am so proud that they made it.


I want to write all about our upcoming trip to see Walking with Dinosaurs LIVE!
on Wednesday and then leaving to go camping in West Virgina on Thursday morning! What was I thinking? My living room is covered with camping supplies and ready to eat meals. A tent, chairs, a stove, bubbles, shovels and about a million flash lights and lanterns. Boyfriend actually asked me if I was suddenly afraid of the dark or something. It all needs to be put in my car TONIGHT AHHH!

And then, oh dear do I want to talk politics... although I know that I shouldn't...I just HOPE HOPE HOPE that people are out there watching and paying attention. Really reading and just thinking a lot.

AND net neutrality. This video shocked me and I want to get involved..but how? I hope just being aware will help keep the big companies out of my internet for as long as I can help it. Please give it a few minutes of your time and watch. My eyes were certainly opened.

Save the Internet | Rock the Vote

Oh and Dino Boy got pulled from camp. It was just better that way, he was adjusting but he needs less stress in his life. So he and little man will be hanging at there Dad/Grandparents house for most of the rest of the summer...am I sad? Yeah, but this summer was a learning experience and next summer will be better.

Ok, blog world. Hopefully I will have wonderful trip pics to post when I get back. If I get back, do they have bears in West Virgina? LOL

A Post to Post

The boys and I had a fantastic weekend. It was busy, fun, loving and deserves a really great post with pictures and smiles and loving fan fare. But this is not going to be that post. Mommy is sleepy and kid lunches have yet to be started. And I am not going to even mention how dirty the kitchen floor is.... you just don't want to know.

So what to post? Becky stole a cute little questiony thingy from a blog and I am going to steal it as well....Its questions that you can answer with only one word....here it goes.

One, word...a challenge.

1. Where is your cell phone? Hand
2. Your significant other? Tomorrow
   
3. Your hair? Wavy
4. Your mother? Vacation
5. Your father? Busy
6. Your favorite thing? Reading
7. Your dream last night? Didn't
8. Your favorite drink? Dunkin
9. Your dream/goal? Progress
10. The room your in? Messy
11. Your friends? Diverse
12. Your fear? Vulnerability
    
13. Where do you want to be in six years? Smiling
14. Where were you last night? home
15. What your not? Productive
16. Muffins? corn
17. One of your wish list items? painted
18. Where you grew up? Shore
19. The last thing you did? Phone
20. What are you wishing? maid
21. Your TV? TIVO
22. Your pets? Cats
23. Your computer? Addiction
24. Your life? Hetic
25. Your mood? Sleepy
26. Missing someone? BF
27. Your car? Amazing :)
28. Something your not wearing? Earrings
29. Favorite store? overspend
30. Your summer? Insane
31. Loves? Comforting
    
32. Your favorite word? Relax
33. Last time you laughed? Aaron
34. Last time you cried? Wrenching

Maybe I will get to last weekend by next weekend LOL