Photo Challenge

I was tagged by Helena for this, I thought it sounded fun. This is what you do and this is who I'm tagging.

1. Open the fourth photo folder of your computer.
2. Choose the fourth photo in that folder and publish it in your blog.
3. Explain the photo.
4. Challenge four bloggers to do the same.

I will challenge Ashlee, Kspin, Saint Seester and Jen-have fun!


This is Kiki around 2 1/2 (wow, the same age Boogs is now)-unfortunately its a fairly boring shot, but he is sitting in our entryway wearing a sweater with a polar bear and his boots. I'm guessing he was putting them on thinking he'd go outside, not sure. You can see our carpet is actually clean and white in this shot. This was taken the first winter after we moved back to Northern Michigan from Chicago. We are now in our third, and coldest winter since being back. Looking forward to seeing what everyone else puts up!

Its too bad the picture to pick wasn't the third, because Boogs breaking into the box of Smirnoff is a much funnier shot!



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Pledge Not To Consume Month

This month my wonderful Church is challenging us to pledge not to consume for the entire month of February.  Here is what they have to say about the whole thing...

 

THE AVERAGE AMERICAN SPENDS LESS THAN ONE HOUR A WEEK IN RELIGIOUS OR SPIRITUAL TIME AND MORE THAN FIVE HOURS A WEEK SHOPPING.
As we reflect on faith and economy this year, we want to explore how we can move beyond the economy of money and live out of an economy of faith. February is our designated 'Pledge Not To Consume Month' (it is the shortest month).

 

The two simple guidelines are as follows:

 

1.) Don't buy anything new except food/toiletries for the month - just the absolute essentials (gas, mortgage, bills, etc.).

 

2.) If you really 'need' something, is there a way you can you borrow, barter, or even buy it used?

 

Feel free to 'customize' your month experience: Can you refrain from eating out for a month? Can you skip the dopio mocha-foo-foo drink? What about iTunes? Books? Shoes? 

 

Is there something you will 'need' to buy in February (Valentine's Day reminder) that you might be able to buy now, ahead of time?

 

Make sure to visit our Facebook page to groan, offer support or flame the church for this insanely stupid idea. Share your stories, ideas, experiences, feelings with each other.

 

 

How many times have you went to Target to get some deodorant and come out with a $5 movie, a new pair of shoes and some pop tarts?  I know I have!  Its so easy to buy and less easy to save.

 

So the Sassys are attempting to do this, however we already consumed a meal out which technically is breaking one of the suggestions.  I think Jim and I will have to come up with a plan of just sharing our weekday lunch date in my office, he'll have to deal with that (he hates eating at my office).  So does anyone else want to jump on this band wagon with me?  I'd like to figure out how much money we save at the end of this month with not going out and not buying random junk and share it here.  God knows I already have too much random junk, I don't need more.

 

I think it would also be a good time for the Sassys to downsize a bit and simplify.  It would seem these two go hand in hand.

 

I'll probably pop in here periodically to update on how we're doing with this and see if anyone else has decided to join in the spending free month.  But until then, happy February!!

So...Yeah...

I guess someone likes us so we were just informed we were in the running for the best mommy blogger award at this site So go vote. A coffee cup and link love depend upon it.

Aside from that, I got very angry today at a driver. And because Sister Big told me we need to blog more, I'm going to rant for a second.

First, yes, I admit I was on my phone. But I was driving slowly through a parking lot. I had just driven up a row and had begun turning left. While I was turning left a guy in the next row over turned very quickly right and drives quickly toward me.

I think for a moment and figure-hey, if I stop and wait for him I'm going to be blocking him and traffic and force him to pass me on his left, in the lane that goes in front of the store. So I continue my turn. However, car continues to drive quickly at me, going very fast and with no intention of stopping. He does stop as I complete my turn, and yes I was driving slowing. When its snowy in Northern MI I drive very slow-even in a parking lot. But I wasn't crawling. Just not speeding around.

So I look him like "Uhh! What the heck are you doing??" and he mocks me, he pretends to be a ditzy girl on a phone. I was sooo mad! I wanted to scream "Buddy, my talking on the cell has nothing to do with you tearing around a parking lot! Clearly I shouldn't be on the phone, but dude, its no reason to sherk responsibilty for being an A-HOLE. I would have gone after him but his passenger was an old lady and I had this thing about old poeople. So just stewed about it.

And had I not been on the phone, I would have done the same thing. I had the right of way since he was not there when I turned.

Jerk.

And there is your blog for 2009. Enjoy lol :)

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New Music I LOVE!

I mostly do these posts because Sister Big says she likes them and it points her to new music. These songs are all music discoveries from listening to the Pandora Music Network online.

Most of these songs listed here were found while listening to a station I created from the Twilight soundtrack.

First, my new favorite. Iron & Wine. They did the song played during the slow dance between Bella and Edward. The movie has a slightly more pop version than the one that appears on their album. Both are good and I haven't heard a song by this group that I haven't loved!

Flightless Bird:


This is my other favorite by them: Freedom Hangs like Heaven



Now I take you to Great Lake Swimmers. I really love this band, their soothing vocals and music just make me feel peaceful. This is called I Saw You in the Wild, its my second favorite song by them because I couldn't find my favorite song on youtube (I Could be Nothing)


And now The Frames. I found the song by Glen and Marketta on my Twilight Station and realized he is the same guy from the movie and soundtrack Once. I'm going to post two songs here, one from each.

First, by the Frames. I really dig this song. They are a band from Dublin and they play a great live show according to my BFF who went to see them this fall. I also have their album Setlist (borrowed and imported thanks to my local library) and I can tell they are a great live band.


Then the best song from Once, Falling Slowly. So beautiful and haunting and I believe it won an Oscar.


and finally Sufjan Stevens, whom I introduced on my last music post. He sings very mellow soothing songs and if you listen to the lyrics, many of them are about God and Jesus. This one is In the Devil's Territory and I swear I recognize it from a movie. Can anyone tell me which one? I thought perhaps it was on the Juno Soundtrack but I guess not...









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Shut Up Kennen!

I’m not what you would call a true football fan. I like to sit on the couch and read a good book while I listen to my husband explain the game to our son as they watch it on tv. Logan likes to ask his daddy never-ending questions and Tom has the patience of a saint. So, it works out pretty well.

When Brett Favre retired, my six year old son was very disappointed and had to call his Aunt Dianna to commiserate. Apparently she does follow the game and was able to grasp the importance of that phone call. I just dialed her number and went about my business of baking brownies or painting my nails. Or watching Project Runway reruns on Bravo.

Anyway, when Logan learned that Brett signed to play with the Jets, he declared war on him and the entire team. He now despises them with a passion that I didn’t realize was possible in his sweet little soul.

The last couple of days at work, I have been surrounded by football talk. It began when we were discussing the sadness of our home team: the Detroit Lions. They are a sad lot.

It then progressed to a knock-down, drag-out debate about who is the better player: Brett Favre or Tom Brady. I voted for Brett because he is cute. And because Tom Brady cheated on his baby mama. Those are really all the reasons that I need.

But the annoying guy I work with (that would be Kennen) (who only has one good eye and probably isn’t the best judge) disagrees with me and my friend and basically believes most people will as well. So I am asking you to set the record straight.

Who do you like better? Brett Favre or Tom Brady. Thank you
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