Mama Pajama

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Patio Fun

Lately we've really been enjoying our patio furniture.  Cameron's favorite thing to do is watch the cars, trucks, and motorcycles pass by.  The weather has been great for the past couple of weeks.  I wish it would stay this way all summer.  Later on we're only going to be able to go outside in the mornings, once the heat really kicks in.  I like watching the birds near the pond, and Buster is really impressed with the dogs next door.  Thank goodness that we have a bark collar for him!

They're Finally Up!

Well, Chris finally tackled getting our new curtains up.  It was a surprisingly painless process this time! Instead of measuring a thousand times to get them precisely centered and at the perfect height, we eyeballed the way they looked at the bottom.  It really worked out well!  I am really satisfied with how the room turned out.  Now we need to put the curtains up in the guest bedroom.

Thursday Thirteen: Golden Girls Trivia Challenge

Another Wednesday has rolled and around, and I realize that I have not posted the answers to my Thursday Thirteen from two weeks ago!  Thea from I'm a Drama Mama was the only person to get them all correct. Way to go, Thea!  But I must add that Malcolm from Pop Culture Dish got most of them right as well.  (His recent pledge to not use the internet on quizzes is quite commendable.)  Thanks for playing everyone! 

Here are the answers from two weeks ago. Click here to see the post.

1. Sarah Jessica Parker and Rachel McAdams were in The Family Stone.

2. Rachel McAdams and Tina Fey were in Mean Girls.

3. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are in Baby Mama.

4. Amy Poehler and Susan Sarandon were in Mr. Woodcock.

5. Susan Sarandon and Nia Long were in Alfie.

6. Nia Long and Sandra Bullock were in Premonition.

7. Sandra Bullock and Ellen Burstyn were in Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

8. Ellen Burstyn and Meg Ryan were in When a Man Loves a Woman.

9. Meg Ryan and Jennifer Jason Leigh were in In the Cut.

10. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Kathy Bates were in Dolores Claiborne.

11. Kathy Bates and Hilary Swank were in P.S. I Love You.

12. Hilary Swank and Katie Holmes were in The Gift.

13. Katie Holmes and Queen Latifah were in Mad Money.

This week's edition is just thirteen random questions about one of my all-time favorite television shows, "The Golden Girls."  Thanks to Lifetime, I think I've seen every single episode at least three times!  Please email me your answers at holly_f_smith@yahoo.com.  Do not leave them in the comments section, just because you might get them before others have a chance to play.  Thanks so much!

1.  By what name does Blanche call her father?

2.  In one episode, Dorothy and Rose write a song for a contest.  Can you finish this line from the tune?

"Miami, Miami, you've got style, Blue skies, sunshine, _____ ____ __ ___ ____."

3.  What was the name of Sophia's former retirement home?

4.  What was the name of Rose's hometown?

5.  What dessert did the ladies often enjoy while sitting around the kitchen table?

6.  What was Dorothy's profession?

7.  Dorothy's ex-husband, Stan, finally left her for a flight attendant.  What was her name?

8.  What was the name of Dorothy's father?

9.  What was Sophia's nickname for Dorothy?

10.  What was Blanche's late husband's name?

11. What actress played Sophia when she was younger (1950s)?

12. As a young child, who did Rose believe was her biological father?

13. Just curious, which Golden Girl is your favorite?

Yikes!

Recently I made a startling discovery.  Our mop is over seven years old.  Now before you gasp at how disgusting that might be...please know that I do change the sponge head on it after every few uses.  But still, the thing is old.  I'd like to try a new microfiber mop.  It would be great to be able to throw it in the washing machine after every use.  Exciting stuff, right?

Need a Laugh?

Fun Stuff

Cameron loves cardboard boxes! Recently, I was changing out some of his toys and putting some away in boxes.  He loved playing with the boxes more than his "new" toys.  But, I know this is how most kids are. My husband's grandmother told me that Chris used to love frozen orange juice cans more than his own toys.  Like father like son. 

Ocean Spray Cranergy

I was so lucky to receive two samples of the new Cranergy Energy Juice Drink from Ocean Spray.  Since I love almost all types of juice, I was looking forward to tasting Ocean Spray's newest concoction.  I was expecting it to be tart, but I was surprised to find it light, smooth, and refreshing.  It was the perfect combination of cranberries with green tea extract.  It even contains B vitamins and Vitamin C to help boost immunity.  It also contains Splenda, so it only has 35 calories per eight ounces.  This helps if you're watching calories!  Thirsty yet? 

American Idol

Thank goodness. Jason Castro has been eliminated.  I think he has a nice, smooth, voice and everything.  But he was not nearly as talented as the other three remaining contestants.  Syesha is good, but I think a David will win this year. What do you think?

Did You Get a Ticket?

It's what we all dread. Those flashing lights and that sinking feeling in your stomach when you know you're going to get a traffic ticket.  Well, if you live in the Orlando, Florida area, there is a Traffic Law Firm that wants to fight for you and has Reduced Traffic Tickets in Florida!  If you need any assistance, you should contact Skubiak & Rivas, P.A. today at 877-6-4COURT for a free consultation to discuss your specific case. 

Cameron's Newest Gadget

Cameron's new physical therapist brought out these parallel bars for him to start using.  This is the next step towards independent standing and then ultimately walking.  We are very excited about his progress.  Hopefully I'll be able to snap a shot of him on it soon. We're also working with him on crawling up the stairs!

Celebrity Addiction

I must say, that over the past year (since I started blogging), my addiction to celebrity gossip has decreased considerably.  Maybe it was the out of control downward spiral of Britney...or the realization that I should probably be outgrowing this stuff.  At any rate, I've had enough drug rehab stories for one lifetime.  I'm also tired of the lack of consequences for celebrities who engage in ridiculous behaviors. 

New Comforter

I just love our new bedding. It was one of those bed-in-a-bag super sets.  It came with several sham pillows, two full sets of sheets, a matching throw, and a set of Euro shams.  It took me a while to figure out which one I wanted, but I'm glad I took my time to pick it out.  We still have to hang the matching curtains...but I think I'll let Chris do that!

Fun Contest

  If you're like me, and you love musicals, you're going to love this!  A big screen remake of Mamma Mia! will be coming to theaters this summer.  Pond's has paired up with this film to hold an 'American Idol' type contest for women over forty.  If you fall into this category, head on over to the Pond's website. Just by sending in a video of yourself with two friends singing a karaoke style version of music from Mamma Mia!, you could win a fabulous trip to see the premiere of the film in London!  Sounds fun to me!

Norton 360

Recently, I was lucky enough to receive new software from Symantec. It's the new Norton 360 version 2.0.  My husband and I always try to keep our computer protected from viruses.  But, we were so pleased to learn that Norton 360 offers more than just the average security and anti-virus protection.  What's really cool about it, is that it also helps us back up and de-clutter the computer.   It even screens against online identity theft, and backs up data and files automatically!  This software was also a breeze to install. 

Now that I am able to use the computer to earn extra cash, I don't ever want to be without it.  With so many spyware and phishing sites out there, it's very reassuring to know that our computer is protected at all times.

 

Thursday Thirteen: Who's That Girl....and what was she in?

This week I want to change things up a bit. But first, I need to share the movie gurus that answered all of last week's edition of Connect the Actors.  Malcolm and pjazzypar answered all thirteen correctly. Way to go you two!!!! And, thank you so much for participating.

This week I want you to connect the actresses by looking at their faces only (no names given).  The answers will still be the movie title that connects the actress with the following one. Please note that there are 14 pictures, but only 13 correct answers. The thirteenth answer will be the title of the movie that connects #13 and #14. Ready to play "Who's That Girl...and what was she in?"

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.  

14.  

Personalized Gift Idea

These days, it seems that our kids have everything under the sun.  But as we all know, personalized gifts are always more special.  This is why I was so thrilled to receive a personalized Veggie Tales CD with my son's name included in each song.  Just to be able to see the look in his eyes when he heard, "If Cameron likes to talk to tomatoes, if a squash can make you smile..." was just amazing.  Cameron is three years old, but even younger children would love to hear their names included in the songs.  If your child has a particular favorite character, such as Elmo or a Disney Princess, other personalized CDs are also available from which you can choose.

Another fun option is to get personalized books for your child.  Your son or daughter will love to see and hear their name incorporated into each story.  We have a book like this for our son, and he just lights up every time he hears his name.  Like many other children his age, Cameron's favorite thing in the entire world is to be read to. This makes personalized books the ideal gift choice for him.  You should definitely look into finding a personalized book or CD for that special child in your life!

We're Back!

I haven't had internet access for the past week, but now it's back up and running!  Here's a shot of my boys looking out at the lake.  Cameron loves to watch the cars and school buses go by.  He is really enjoying the beautiful weather.  I hope it lasts!

Cool Office Furniture

I don't know about you, but I love great OFFICE FURNITURE!  Doesn't this chair look super comfy?  We're kind of limited with space right now, but if we had a big office I would definitely find a spot for a chair like this.  Spacify.com has so many cool choices to help you make your office fit your own unique personality. Check out their site to find great deals and fantastic furniture today!

American Idol

Well we're getting down to the wire!  I really loved Michael Johns, but I also like David Cook to win this year.  I've had his version of Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby" in my head all week.  Seriously, who would have thought that this would be the perfect song for him? But I really thought he did an outstanding job.  Here's the Youtube video in case you missed it last week.

Our Poor Carpet

Between our six year old dog, and our three year old son, our carpet has taken quite a beating.  We have thought about replacing the carpet with hard wood flooring, but we are not ready to do that just yet.  I'm afraid that we are going to need to get our carpet cleaned by a professional steam cleaner within the next few months. 

Shoes

I have to admit that like most women, I love shoes.  I really don't have that many, but I love to shop for them.  There's something about wearing a great new pair of shoes that can just lift your spirits.  Since I have been sorting through our closets recently, I have found several pairs of shoes that I am going to donate.  I mean, who really needs thigh high boots anyway?  (Those were a hand-me-down gift from a friend of mine who knew I had big feet.)  I'm all about getting rid of clutter these days, and so now I have room for more sandals!

Cleaning Frenzy

Lately, I've been cleaning like a maniac.  With the weather getting warmer, it just puts me in the mood to get the dust out and to spruce up the house.  I've been doing lots of touch up painting as well, since the walls have taken quite a beating from Cameron's Crocodile Walker.  I want to buy one of those air cleaners that are supposed to reduce the allergens and dust in the air.  But, first I need to figure out which one is the most efficient for the price. 

Insuranced Out...

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel insuranced out?  Living near the coast, we have to get flood insurance on top of all the other normal kinds of insurance.  Of course, it's really a good thing.  It would be quite disastrous if something happened and we lost our home or car.  And, of course, medical insurance is a must.  I need to look into getting a life insurance quote as well.

The Heat is On

Wow. It is so hot today!  I'm afraid that our beautiful spring days will soon be coming to an end.  Before we know it, the temperature will be at least 90 degrees until October.  But, I would much prefer the heat to extreme winters!

Bedroom Sets

Are you interested in finding new furniture to spruce up your home?  I just found some really unique and affordable BEDROOM SETS that I really love.  We are going to eventually get a new set for our guest bedroom, so I have been checking them out lately online.  Spacify.com has a huge selection of bedroom sets that includes leather, storage, and wood platform beds. Check out their site today!

Heads or Tails

This week's theme for HoT is Heads: Direction.

In which direction should I take this?  I definitely have no sense of direction (just ask my husband).  I guess I'm going to have to rely on my good pal, Youtube, to come up with something worth watching...

The following didn't exactly qualify, although it's a country video that is so bad that it's funny (and I do like country music).  Check out Billy Currington's video for "Good Directions".

Fantastic Answering Service

Don't you hate it when you call to make an important appointment and you end up getting someone at an answering service that is unfriendly and/or unhelpful?  For example, last week I needed to speak with our pediatrician about getting a prescription for Physical Therapy for my son.  While I love our doctor, I was not very thrilled with the answering service.  Some of the people that work there are not helpful and can sometimes be quite rude.  On the other hand, the answering service that another one of his physicians uses is quite friendly and supportive.

Well, now there is simply no excuse for poor service from an answering service.  Map Communications has been providing a fantastic Answering Service for the past seventeen years.  If you are in charge of finding the perfect answering service solution for your business, you should definitely check them out.  I don't think that some people in the business world realize how important it is to have well qualified, courteous, and knowledgable receptionists to take calls when they themselves are not available.  Regardless of the business you are involved in, customers and clients expect to get accurate and reliable information every single time they call.  With Map Communications, your company will receive this kind of service at all times.  It could really improve your company's bottom line, as well as its reputation. 

Teeth...Ugh

I am so annoyed with my teeth right now. I can't chew on the right side of my mouth (after my dentist replaced an old filling).  Plus, after breaking another tooth, I have to be really careful not to eat anything sticky or too crunchy. Although, it is probably good that I can't eat candy.  But now I have adopted another bad habit of eating oatmeal cream pies as my dessert.  I can't wait until my mouth feels back to normal.

Mother's Day

With Mother's Day just around the corner, most of us are trying to think of the perfect way to make this a special day for our mothers and grandmothers.  It is hard to come up with something like this every year!  But, this year I already know what I will be giving my mother.

I found beautiful birthstone jewelry that I know she will just adore.  The Bow Birthstone Baby Shoe Pendant/Charm is something that I know my mom will love. She already has a charm bracelet that holds special charms she has received over the years.  What's really neat about it is that I was able to have my son's name and birthdate engraved on the sole of the shoe.  Also, I was able to choose white gold, which is her favorite.  It even has a small diamond set in between the birthstones in the center of the shoe. 

My grandmother has a very special birthstone ring that she received many years ago. It contains the birthstones of all five of her children.  I have always liked this idea, and I am glad that I have found a way to give a similar gift to my mom.

My Son and the Sun

Cameron really loves being outside and playing with his new climber. The only problem is that his eyes are very sensitive to the sun.  Even with his sunglasses on, he does not like to be out in the bright light.  He prefers to play outside around 7pm, when the sun has almost set.  It is amazing how different lighting makes such a difference for him.