Mama Pajama

Back to Reality...

Here we are at the brink of another new year.  I love the holidays, but I also enjoy getting all the holiday stuff put away and super cleaning the house.  With so many toys all over the house as it is, the Christmas decorations can get to be a bit much.  This year we took down the tree and put all the decorations back in the attic on the day after Christmas, since we would be going to our hockey game the following weekend.  My next project is giving the house a good room by room scrub down.  I always keep the bathrooms clean, and the bathroom vanities looking nice, but I need to do things like dust lamp shades, baseboards, and ceiling fans. Maybe by typing it out I'll actually do it!  Then I need to pull out the carpet cleaner.  I actually love using that thing! 

St. Louis Blues vs. Dallas Stars Game

Well, we just got back from our weekend trip to Dallas.  Chris' big Christmas gift this year was NHL tickets.  He's been a St. Louis Blues fan since he was a little kid. He used to listen to the games on his little radio every night before going to sleep.  But, he had never actually been to an NHL game before. We found someone who was selling his season tickets to this game in Dallas, and jumped at the opportunity.  I can't get over how fun it was!  Watching hockey on TV isn't very entertaining to me....it kind of ranks up there with bowling or pool.  But, it's awesome in person!  These guys are so talented on their feet, and of course it's fun to watch them slam into the plexiglass and push and shove and stuff. We had on Blues Jerseys at the game, so a few people gave us a hard time. But it was all in good fun. I bought Chris the movie Slapshot, with Paul Newman for Christmas also.  It's a very crude hockey movie from the 70s, but it's hilarious.  It really puts you in the mood to see a game in person.  We're hoping that Houston will eventually get an NHL team, but until then we're hoping to attend at least one Houston Aeros Hockey Game this season.  

Lawyers

Have you ever needed a lawyer?  Sometimes they get a bad rap, but most of us are still very grateful to have them around.  You never know when you might be involved in an auto accident, or when you might fall victim to medical malpractice. This is the time when you need trusted trial lawyers with the expertise, knowledge, and experience to help you get what you deserve. MWSD Legal serves those in Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey.  It's good to know that you only have to pay them if they actually recover money for you.  Plus, they have represented over 5,000 clients over the years!

Poll #9: The Results Are In!

Well, I suppose I'm really outnumbered on this one. Egg nog was the clear winner of the survey, receiving eight votes. I can't stand the stuff!  Chris likes to drink it in front of me just to get a reaction.  And then my mom even made egg nog pie this year....eck!  Hot cocoa came in second with six votes.  My personal favorite is hot apple cider, and I see that two of you agree with me.  Finally, two of you chose soft drinks as your favorite.  But come one, you can drink those anytime! (I guess you could actually choose to drink any of these at any time though.) : )  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I'm wishing everyone a safe, healthy and fantastic New Year in 2008!

42.1% Egg Nog

15.8% Hot Apple Cider

31.6% Hot Cocoa

10.5% Soft Drinks

Wimbledon in 2008

  I absolutely love tennis.  It's one of those sports that we'll hopefully be able to play for many years to come.  Chris and I started playing again a few years ago, but we hardly have the time anymore.  We were getting pretty good at it, but we have not played in several months now.  With all of the sunny and cool weather we've been getting, we should get out there. It will certainly get hot again before we know it.

It has always been a dream of ours to go to the Wimbledon Championships in London.  This year Wimbledon will be held between June 23rd and July 6th of 2008.  I really enjoy watching the games on television, but it would be really exciting to be there in person. These Tennis Tickets go quickly, but can be found at www.viagogo.com.  It is a very safe and simple way to buy or even sell your tickets to big events. You can find  Formula 1 Tickets for that racing fan in your life.  Or search for Golf Tickets and go to the Masters Tournament this year. 

Buying tickets online has never been so easy and secure.  Check out www.viagogo.com to find the perfect tickets to the event of your choice. 

Gift Cards

My uncle is coming in this year for Christmas, and we have no idea what to get him.  Honestly, we weren't even planning on buying him a gift, since we rarely ever see him.  Chris is going to just get him a gift card to Lowe's or Home Depot. Men always like those, right?  Maybe he can buy a new drill or some Ingersoll Rand air tools.  I know that I love getting gift cards to just about anywhere!

Holiday Travels

I'm so glad that we're not flying anywhere this year for Christmas.  I really hate the hustle and bustle of trying to load and find your luggage.  The airports are so busy this time of year, and everyone is in such a hurry!  Plus, a lot of people are sick around this time of year, and I'm always worried that I'll get stuck sitting by someone that's coughing all over me. I know, that's rude to say, but I've become a big germ freak since Cameron has been born!

More Bowl Games

  Today we get three bowl games in one day!  We both lost our game last night, since we both picked Memphis over FAU.  But today we both won our pick of Cincinnati over Southern Mississippi.  I'm pulling for New Mexico and UCLA in the next two, while Chris picked Nevada and BYU.  I hate to lose!  But I love watching these closely matched games.  Cameron always looks at the TV when he hears the cheering. We should probably record a few games for him to watch after the January withdrawal sets in.

Uplogix

Uplogix  offers remote management solutions for computer networks that are spread across more than one physical locations.  Uplogix Envoy allows administrators to monitor the connectivity, correct problems, and to do everything from just one location.  Even if the network goes down, Envoy will still be connected.  Envoy can even prevent or at least improve the  mean time to recovery  from most common network service disruptions.  Check out www.Uplogix.com today to help put at end to network outages!

Beautiful Day

Today it is just gorgeous outside! It's a sunny and breezy 80 degrees.  If I can get Cam to actually fall asleep for at least an hour, I'd like to take him for an afternoon walk in his wagon.  I'm sure he could really use the fresh air.  For the past several weeks the weather has been really humid and constantly changing.  I better take this chance to let him go outside before the weather changes again!

Best Gifts

With Christmas coming on Tuesday, most of us have pretty much wrapped up our shopping. I still need to wrap a couple of books for Cam, and a gold anklet for my teenage cousin, but other than that I'm finished.  I'm also still waiting on one more gift to come in the mail for Chris.  He thinks he knows what it is, but he's wrong!!! What gift are you most excited about giving this year?  I can't reveal mine yet, as people in my family might be reading this... Please share in the comments section!

There's Nothing On!

Besides the bowl games, which I must admit that I'm excited about, there's nothing on television these  days! Between the writers' strike and the holidays, it's really hard to find a new episode of anything right now.  Plus, my Dexter ended last Sunday.  It was everything I wanted it to be, but it still saddens me that  the season is over.  Now we're waiting for Tudors and The Shield to start...

New Blogging Technology

We all know that blogging is becoming more and more popular every day.  Advertisers are well aware of this, which is why many of us are able to earn money just from blogging. Many of us are trying to find the best way to keep our blogs fun and entertaining, while also earning a little extra cash through advertisement.  AdoTube.com offers In-Stream Media Player Technology, which allows you to show online videos with a "roll-over mouse" message.  By moving the mouse over the area, an interactive ad, which is designed specifically for the viewer, will appear.  It's a really fun way to get an advertiser's message across.

The following is a press release:

Blogs, online Web logs or journals, have become wildly popular -- so much so that Business Week printed an article, earlier this year, to shed some light on just how many blogs there are and how often people participate in this form of communication. They reported that there are over 70 million blogs worldwide, with over 15 million of them being considered active, that is, updated regularly.
Research shows that about 1.5 million new blog posts are created every day. Most bloggers set out to make money from their blogs, yet the majority of them don’t know the most lucrative routes to take in order to make that actually happen.
“There are people out there making a living off of blogging, and there are some making just a little bit each month,” explains Leo Grzhonko, president of Adotube.com. “The difference between making nothing and getting paid each month to share your thoughts on a blog comes down to taking advantage of proper revenue channels.”
There are many routes people can take in an effort to raise money from their blog. But if people aren’t keeping up on the latest methods, they may not be getting what they could in return. Many bloggers have taken advantage of the viewer’s love of watching online videos, coupled with their experience of not wanting to be interrupted by advertisements. This route is one that many find in the AdoTube Interactive In-Stream Media Player Technology. They have made it as easy as showing online videos with an intriguing “roll-over mouse” message. When the mouse rolls over the area, an interactive ad -- demographically targeted for the viewer -- appears.
“Our opt-in advertising technology was created for those seeking a simple and effective way to make money online,” adds Grzhonko. “We refer to it as the in-stream interactive online video monetizing solution. With this, anyone can take their blog or Web site and turn it into a profitable venture.”

The Bowls Have Begun!!!

The College Football Bowl Season has begun! Last night's Poinsettia Bowl featured Utah vs. Navy.   Chris and I have each picked out all of our winners and have turned it into a competition. We do this every year for college bowls and for March Madness College Basketball. We even entered  our picks in order of how sure we are about each team winning through the ESPN website.  It will automatically give us points and keep track of everything.   I already lost my first pick, as Utah ended up beating Navy in a 35-32 nailbiter. But, there are many more games to come! I love this stuff! 

Trip to Canada

I would love to take a trip to Canada this year.  My aunt and uncle have relatives there, and have visited many times.  They love the Bloedel Floral Conservatory. It's a great place to see rare tropical birds.  I would love to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge/Trading Post.  Capilano Suspension Bridge takes you to towering evergreens, serene trails and the award-winning attraction, Treetops Adventure. Seven different suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 100 feet, take you high above the forest floor. There are some really great deals on  flights to Vancouver right now.  I hope that we can get there one day!

Crazy Weather

It's 85 degrees outside!  I can't get over this.  I'm always changing Cameron's outfits because I don't want him to get too hot or too cold.  Seriously, tomorrow the temperature might be in the fifties again.  At least we haven't had to run the A/C or the heater much this winter.  It stays around 70 in the house without anything running.   I would really like to start the fireplace at some point...maybe it will be cold on Christmas Day.

Movies and Popcorn!

5 Minutes for mom is holding a contest in which you can win a year of free movies and popcorn! The winner will receive a 2 movies at-a-time Netflix subscription for 2008!  Head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom to enter!

Exercise

Are you feeling as sluggish as me? I haven't been jogging with the colder weather.  I should get back to using the elliptical every day, because it makes me feel so much better.  New Year's Day is just around the corner, so I guess I'll give myself a break until then.  I found one last gift on-line for Chris, and then he still needs to order golf shoes for himself.  He's going to start playing with some people from work.  Golf just seems like an expensive sport!

Thursday Thirteen #18

This week I didn't know what to list for my Thursday Thirteen. But then I remembered about Cameron's newest books.  Cameron loves all his books, and if he had to pick between books and toys, there would be no contest.  Books are his favorite thing in the world!  He he has a new bunch of favorites at the moment, so here they are:

1. Do You Want a Hug Honey Bunny? by Rachael O'Neill

2. Ten Little Dinosaurs by Pattie Schnetzler

3. I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt

4. Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

5. That's Not My Dragon... by Fiona Watt

6. Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer

7. Five Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth

8. Your Personal Penguin by Sandra Boynton

9. Christmas Candy Canes by Nancy Parent

10. Mirror Me! A Mirror Book by Julie Aigner-Clark

11. Happy Halloween, Biscuit! by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

12. Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones by Claire Freedman

13. Colors by Keith Kimberlin

Check This Out!

Do you need a good laugh? Check out Mohamad Zein's Channel at Metacafe. It's full of hilarious clips and fun videos to watch.  For example, I saw a hilarious clip of the Japanese game where people have to fit through cutouts moving toward them.  He also includes neat and funny commercials that will make you smile. 

Christmas Chaos

Are you feeling the heat?  Only six more nights are left to prepare for the big day.  Chris and I went ahead and exchanged gifts yesterday.  That's really good for us, because at least we made it until only a week before Christmas. Usually, we end up giving each other our gifts as soon as we buy them...I can't wait to give Cam to get his loot from Santa!!!

Check it Out!

Have you seen The Stunt Monkey?  Max is the new face of the Maxell brand.  Check out their site to watch some hilarious monkey clips.  You can watch him doing a touchdown dance, riding a tricycle, or even trying to catch a rubber chicken.  Come on, you know you want to. Go check it out right now!

Poll #8: The Results Are In!

It's no secret that I love "Pushing Daisies".  I think it is one of the most creative, fun, and original shows ever on television.  I'm glad to see that many of you agree with me!

"Private Practice" (the spinoff of "Grey's Anatomy") and "Chuck" tied for second place, while "Cane" and "Dirty Sexy Money" didn't receive a single vote.

I have never seen "Cane", but I have seen one episode of "Dirty Sexy Money".  Being a big "Six Feet Under" fan, I had to check out Peter Krause on his new show.  I thought it was like an entertaining soap opera.  I'd definitely watch it again.  My mom and dad love "Chuck" but we still haven't seen it.   She keeps telling me that it's a great show...I'll have to check it out in the New Year.

Thanks for voting! 

Sensitive Teeth

I have mentioned before about the fact that I have really sensitive teeth.  In fact, for a long time, I was not even chewing on the right side of my mouth.  I get dental check-ups on a regular basis, so I know that the problem is not caused from having new cavities or anything.  I just have severe sensitivity on one big molar.  That sharp, jolting pain is hard to forget! I have been using sensitive toothpaste for years, and it does help a little.  I can tell a difference when I switch to using regular toothpaste.  But, my tooth still hurts if I drink something really hot or cold. 

Recently, I started using a new kind of toothpaste, called Biotene.  Biotene actually gets to the root of my sensitive teeth problem.  It has really made a huge difference in my daily life.  Unlike the usual sensitive toothpaste, it doesn't just cover up the reason for my pain. I can actually put ice in my drinks again!  Sometimes I find myself being extra careful when I'm drinking my coffee, so that it doesn't touch my normally sensitive tooth. But with Biotene, I can finally stop worrying! If you have sensitive teeth issues, you should give this product a try!

Time for Christmas!

I can't believe that Christmas is only one week away! I actually have a lot to do!  Since I'm home all the time, I never feel that sense of urgency to complete household projects.  But with family headed our way, I better get moving! All of my free time these days seems to just evaporate away while I'm on the computer.  But I need to get with the program.....and I will in just a minute. I just need to check a few more blogs...

Fun Gift Idea

We just received the dog tags I ordered for Cameron.  I wanted to get him something special to commemorate the National Championship Game of LSU this year. So, when I found out about these, they seemed like the perfect choice.  They were really easy to personalize and order on-line, and I was even able to choose a purple metallic finish to match the team colors.  He is not too sure about wearing it yet, but he will appreciate it more when he is a little bit older, I'm sure.  I think they would make great personalized birthday party favors as well as cool stocking stuffers!

Wordless Wednesday: Santa (aka MeMe) and Cam

Electronics

What is it about men and electronics?  I know that both Chris and my dad just love hooking up the television and the stereo with the speakers and all of that.  All I care about is that the wires aren't visible from the front.  I hate the way loose wires look!  Our cable box got fried a few weeks ago, and Chris spent an hour rewiring everything.  He needs to buy a new surge protector, and he also wants some kind of Cat 5 cable for the computer room.  As long as everything works, I'm happy.

Dad's Gift

My dad is pretty hard to buy for.  He's really particular about things, and he has almost everything I can think of! One thing I think he'd appreciate is a truck bed liner.  I'd like to get him the kind that has a non-skid surface.  He doesn't use the truck bed as much as he used to, but he certainly uses it sometimes.  I'm sure he'll keep this truck for many years, so this might just be the perfect gift for him this year!

Head or Tails

This week's theme for Heads or Tails is Tails: Tell About a Memorable Gift.

I have been very lucky in life, to have a great family, and fabulous husband, and a wonderful son.  I consider these things to be the greatest gifts I've ever been given.  But, I'll play along, and try to think of a really memorable Christmas gift...

Here's one: A few years ago, Chris bought me an ipod. We had been through a very difficult year with my son's medical circumstances, and it was the kind of fun gift that totally helped me feel better on a daily basis.  Chris knew how much I enjoyed music, and he knew it would make me happy.  I still use that thing every day!   

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Well, winter is officially here...again.  We had a couple of really cold days a while back, and then it was back to eighty degrees.  But for the last week, it has been really cold again.  Our house is pretty well insulated, except for one bedroom.  No matter what we do, it always feels cold in our back bedroom. We have thought about getting a couple of gas space heaters for this part of the house.   I like them because they are very energy efficient.  They are very safe, and they even have an electronic ignition.  These are also great for bathrooms!   

Weekend Snapshot

This is Cameron's second Christmas with Santa (aka MeMe).  My mom bought a Santa suit because she knows we don't feel comfortable bringing him to the mall (remember we're germ freaks when it comes to Cam).  It's really neat for all of us, and I think Cameron gets a kick out of it too.

STICKY POST:

My new domain is www.mamapj.com. Please update your links if you get a chance. Thanks!!!

Another Great Gift Idea!

Are you still trying to think of the perfect unique Christmas gift for someone you love?  Does this person enjoy traveling? If so, how about the Globetrotter's LogBook®? It is the perfect companion for an avid traveler.  It contains detailed information about lots of different countries. They will get a vaccination and flight register, maps, and lots of websites for specific countries.  It has room for souvenirs, and contains lots of interesting quotes and useful facts.  What a neat gift idea! You can even order it specifically as a gift, as they will  personalize it with a hand written note from you! Order one today!

More Pictures!

Here are a few new pictures of my boy(s).  Buster was actually letting Cameron pet him for a while, and then he put his head in his lap! Of course, I couldn't find the camera in time.  But, it's nice to see them "playing nice" together.  Now that Cameron can really get around, Buster is typically annoyed with him.  He finds places to hide (under the coffee table, on top of the poofy chair) that Cameron is unable to go.  They are quite a pair!

Music and Memory

I've been sitting here listening to my old CDs. Isn't it funny how certain songs can trigger memories of where you were when you first heard it?  For example, Madonna's "Take a Bow" reminds me of driving around in my dad's old truck in high school.  When I hear Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" I think about a trip we took and being in a lasvegas hotel.  What songs bring back memories for you?

Friday's Feast #17

Appetizer
Make up a word and give us its definition.

Turkadiddledee - The dance a turkey does right before...the end.

Soup
What is currently your favorite song?

My favorite song of the moment is Sarah McLachlan's "River". 

Salad
What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?

I want everyone to be healthy and to have a good day. Seriously.

Main Course
Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life.

My MawMaw used to wear White Shoulders perfume and it always makes me think of her.

Dessert
Who is someone on television that you feel probably shouldn’t be, and why?

Elisabeth Hasselbeck....I'm loving her maternity leave on The View.  I just don't like her.  I don't have  a good reason why, I just think she's extremely spoiled and annoying. 

Christmas Quizzes

I found another fun little quiz over at Skittles' Place. Go on, take it for yourself. You know you want to...

You Are a Snowman

Friendly and fun, you enjoy bringing holiday cheer to everyone you know!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Here's a quiz that was pretty fun. 

You Know a Lot About Christmas

You got 6/10 correct You know tons about the history and traditions surrounding Christmas. When you celebrate the holidays, you never forget their true meaning - or all the little fun details. Random Christmas fact: Some people believe that all animals can speak on Christmas Eve. But it's bad luck to test this superstition.

How Much Do You Know About Christmas?

OK, one more....and that's it!

What The Holidays Mean to You

For you, the holidays are about emotional connections and bonds. You are happiest being around those you love. You celebrate the holidays in a minimalist style. You are likely to only give one great present and decorate your house with a few special items. During the holidays, you feel happily busy. There's so much do to and not a lot of time to do it. But you enjoy every minute of your holiday chores. You think the holidays should be comforting and relaxing. You don't like the holiday rush... you just like the simple pleasure of the holidays. Your favorite holiday memories strongly evoke your senses. You are vividly aware of all the tastes, smells, and sounds of the holidays.

What Do the Holidays Mean to You?

Thursday Thirteen #17

Merry Christmas Everyone! Here are 13 Funny Christmas Pictures or Cartoons:

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Poll #7: The Results are In!

With nine votes, including mine, A Christmas Story was the winner. This movie brings back so many memories for me growing up.  I think we could all relate to Peter Billingsley's character, Ralphie - doing his best to get the message across, but yet so misunderstood. 

Surprisingly, Elf (in which Peter Billingley would play an Elf twenty years later) came in a close second, getting eight votes.  This was Will Farrell at his best, doing the kind of deadpan shtick that you can't help but laught at.

This was followed by National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and Home Alone in a tie for third, with seven votes each.  I could watch both of these movies all day long.  We just rented National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation the other day, and my favorite parts include Randy Quaid.  Remember when Chevy Chase brings "Eddy the Mooch" to Walmart?  He just happens to have a Christmas list in his pocket, and when Clark offers to buy his children a few gifts, he says, "That's a real nice surprise....A real nice surprise." 

I've probably seen Home Alone about 100 times over the years.  Who could resist the mature Kevin, exacting his revenge on the numbscull burglars.  It's fun to laugh at the pain of Joe Pesci and Howard Stern!

The Santa Clause finished last with only six votes. I've only seen this one once, but I remember it as being a funny and cute film.  Tim Allen did a great job in this one.

Thank you for voting in this week's survey!

Holiday Traveling

Are you going somewhere special this year for Christmas? As much as I love the traditional big family Christmas, I have always secretly wanted to go somewhere tropical for the holidays.  But, it probably wouldn't feel quite right.  I am glad that most of our family lives within a twenty mile radius. We definitely won't be needing travel insurance this year! 

STICKY POST:

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Please take a moment to vote for your favorite new drama this year (left sidebar).