Mama Pajama

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

Who was the last person you hugged?

Cameron

Soup

Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us.

Yikes!  I'm glad that you can't see me right now...But I would have to say that a little concealer and mascara can make a big difference.

Salad

What does the color yellow make you think of?

Yellow is my favorite color! I chose it for my wedding, Cameron's room, and I must be the yellow game piece if I'm playing a board game. It makes me think of sunshine and summer.

Main Course

If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around?

I would love to go around to different locations taking pictures of babies and families in natural settings.

Dessert

What was the longest book you ever read?

I don't know if it was the longest, for sure, but I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb was a very long book.  It is one of my all-time favorite novels.

WebbyPlanet

Have you heard about WebbyPlanet.com?  It is an e-commerce search site that features rebates, coupons, sales, and even free shipping!  When you visit the site, you'll receive coupon codes that you can use for instant online purchases!  Sometimes you'll even be able to print coupons that you can use for in-store purchases.  I love this site already!

Michael Clayton

Last night, we rented Michael Clayton.   Tilda Swinton won an Oscar for her role as Karen Crowder, the corporate executive. Tom Wilkinson and George Clooney were also nominated, and of course the film was nominated for 'Best Picture'.   It really looked like our kind of movie. But, I have to say that I was a little disappointed.  It was a fairly good movie, but I don't think it deserved a nomination for 'Best Picture'.  It didn't have very many suspenseful moments, and I thought it was very predictable.  We saw Gone Baby Gone a couple of weeks ago, and I thought it was a much better film overall. I think it deserved a 'Best Picture' nomination more than Michael Clayton. If you've seen this film, what are your thoughts?

Trucking Jobs

I have an uncle that was a truck driver.  It's kind of a neat profession if you like having the freedom of the the open road. One of my cousins was looking for local trucking jobs after he graduated high school.  They actually pay really well.  The only problem is that you have to be gone from home quite a bit.  Overall, it's a tough but well paying profession.

Thursday Thirteen #26: Connect the Actors

This week's game is 'Connect the Actors'. Can you connect Tom Cruise to Richard Dreyfuss through films?  The answer for for each question will be the movie title that connects the actor for that number with the following actor.  Just in case my directions sound as bad as I think they do, here's an example series:

1. George Clooney   

2. Brad Pitt    

3. Susan Sarandon 

4. Sean Penn....

The answers :

1. (Think - George Clooney stars with Brad Pitt in...)  Ocean's 11   

2. (Think - Brad Pitt stars with Susan Sarandon in...) Thelma and Louise 

3.  Dead Man Walking

I realize that some of these might have more than one answer, so any true connection that I can prove with IMDB will be counted as a correct answer. Also, please note that there are 14 actors listed, but only thirteen answers.  The thirteenth answer will be the movie that stars both Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss.

Please do not leave your answers in the comments section.  This time, if you would like to play, just leave me a comment letting me know, and then e-mail me your answers at: holly_f_smith@yahoo.com.   I'll post the answers on Monday morning.  Good luck and have fun!

1. Tom Cruise

2. Meg Ryan

3. Nicholas Cage

4. Sean Connery

5. Alec Baldwin

6. Michael Keaton

7. Nicole Kidman

8. Matthew Broderick

9. Jennifer Grey

10. Lea Thompson

11. Michael J. Fox

12. Woody Harrelson

13. Bill Murray

14. Richard Dreyfuss

Last Night on Big Brother

 

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that the simultaneous health crises of Amanda and Allison last night on Big Brother might have been staged?  This season's players have been really dramatic, silly, annoying, and ridiculous.  But then again, if they weren't, I probably wouldn't be watching them.  I thought that Allison's allergic reaction seemed pretty realistic, but  Amanda could have been faking her hypoglycemic spell.  I'm probably a terrible person for thinking so, but she seems like she would do something like that just for the attention.   

Debt Consolidation

Most of us have been in some degree of debt at one time or another in our lives.  Sometimes it is practically unavoidable.  For example, you might have needed to get student loans to pay for college.  But, if you handle your finances in a smart fashion, it is possible to get out of debt, and to move on with your life!  There are companies out there that can help to make this process fast and easy.

Are you interested in consolidating your debt and improving your credit score?  This is the first step in the right direction.  Depending on how much debt you currently have, there are lots of programs out there offering to help you get out of debt.  But, you have to be careful when you're dealing with something as important as the financial future of your family.

We are living in a world where it is very easy "get now and pay later".  But when you stop to think about how much more you will end up paying for items after the high interest rates of credit cards kick in, it's really mind boggling.  Paying down debt isn't easy, but making the decision to stop getting further into it is essential!

Fun in the Sun

I cannot wait until it warms up.  This year I want to let Cameron play in his little backyard pool.  I think he'll really love it now.  The weather has been pretty lately, but it's still pretty cold.  I'm ready for my Texas heat!

Blog Monetization Strategies

Are you always looking for new ways to monetize your blog?  Most of us are at least considering the possibilities.  You can Download the free Blog Monetization Stratgies e-book here .  It covers things such as deciding which types of advertising are right for your specific blog, AdSense Plugins, and diversifications.  It's a great way to make the most from your blog. Check it out today!

Hangin' Out with Mom

One of Cameron's favorite things to do is to mangle and pull my hair.  He'll come up behind me when I'm sitting on the floor, and really sweetly climb up to standing using my back.  Then he'll give me a nice hug...

But then he grabs my hair with the strongest grip you can imagine.  It has even brought me to tears.  He will also do this when I'm sitting with him in the recliner. He reaches for a hug, and then he'll grab my hair and play with it like he's cooking up an evil scheme.  Trust me, it's instinctive or something. 

Probook

Have you heard of Probook: Canada's Powerful Professional Network? Probook.ca is a professional networking website just for Canadians. It's a great place to share information with other people with similar interests.  You can promote your business and market yourself all in one place! You should know that the website is going to be relaunched soon.  Check out their new commercial. It's pretty funny!

Proud Moment

   Chris' grandfather bravely served in the US Navy during WWII at just eighteen years old.  He was on the USS Yorktown during the Battle of Midway. But although he survived so much, he has never been one to talk much about his experiences.  He's just a very humble person. 

Chris found out that his grandfather had always wanted a flag that was flown over the US Capitol. So, after doing some research, Chris found a way to get him one.  Kay Bailey Hutchison, a US Senator from Texas, was able to arrange for the flag to be flown on February 5, 2008 (a very appropriate date for a Louisiana Cajun - as this was Mardi Gras). Here is a picture of Chris' grandparents with the flag he received and the accompanying certificate.  I'm so happy for PawPaw!

Network Programming Gear

Are you interested in easily and automatically building a tcp-based or udp-based network protocol source code for client and server sides? Free Get Network Programming Gear Now!  This is a platform independent c source code to make sure that the highest performance platforms, such as windows, linux, and unix, are all supported. Check it out today! 

C loves B

This morning we went outside to enjoy the sunshine.  Buster was having a field day at the expense of the mockingbirds, and Cameron was enjoying every minute of it.  He loves Buster so much now.  His favorite thing is when Buster runs fast through the grass and then changes directions on a dime.  Buster really is a great dog.  I'm glad that Cameron has a buddy like B.

Great Movie Site!

If you are like me, and you love Movies, you probably like to read reviews before you go out and see the film in a theater or even rent the movie.    Movies IMDB is an awesome new blog that reviews all different types of movies.  You will able to read reviews on the latest and greatest films so that you can find out whether or not you will enjoy them.  You can search for films according to their genre, or you can just read through the archives to find something that you might be interested in.  The reviews are very in depth and interesting. If you're a movie buff, you should check out this site today!

Buster Update

Buster was diagnosed with having bladder stones a couple of weeks ago. Since then, he's been a on a special food that might be able to dissolve them, along with an antibiotic.  But you'd never know there's anything wrong by looking at him!  He's still chasing the mockingbirds out of our backyard and enjoying the cool but sunny weather.  The only thing bothering him right now is that when I open the door to let him back in the house, the smoke alarms keep going off because of all the wind outside.  I guess it changes the pressure in the house or something.  He goes back for another x-ray in about a week and we'll know if they are dissolving or not.  If not, he'll probably require surgery.  Let's hope they go away on there own.  Has anyone ever had a dog with bladder stones???

Knee Replacement

All of us hope we'll never need Knee Replacement surgery.  But it's nice to know that Conformis.com has knee replacement products that are designed specifically for the patient.  They offer the only total knee resurfacing system.  Their process results in full range of motion while protecting soft tissue structures.  It is also the least invasive total knee system. 

Sprucing up the Bathroom

We've been looking for a few small items to improve the appearance of our master bathroom.  We have a window seat next to the garden tub that has glass blocks behind it.  We had a bunch of candles and artificial greenery back there, but it was getting old ugly.  So Chris found some nice little fancy pillows, a leather box clock, and a few new candle holders to put there instead.  He also bought a couple of new pictures, new fancy towels, and matching mats.  What a difference it has made!

Oh Yeah...

Sandee, at Comedy Plus, had this fun quiz posted on her site today.  Click on the link below to take it for yourself.  This Lotus Elise is really me.  But don't tell it to the blue minivan parked in my garage.  It might hurt her feelings. (Also, yellow just happens to be my favorite color!)

I'm a Lotus Elise!

You believe in maximum performance and minimum baggage. You like to travel light and fast, hit the corners hard, and dance like there's no tomorrow.

"Take the

Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Get the Money You Need

When times are tough, and money is tight, life can get very stressful. At some point or another, we have all found ourselves in situations where we need money right away.  A personal cash advance is the perfect solution for this predicament. Instead of letting a check bounce, or a getting a late fee, there is another option.  Now it is very easy to obtain no fax payday loans! 

All you need to do is fill out an online application.  You provide them with information about yourself, and many times you do not even have to fax in any documents!  If the lender approves you for a cash advance, then they will deposit your money electronically into your bank account.  How easy is that?  You'll receive an unsecured, short-term cash advance until you receive your pay check and can pay back the loan.

There are different requirements to receive such loans. For example, you must be at least eighteen years old.  You also need to have your own bank account which will allow you to receive direct deposits.  You must also receive a certain monthly income to qualify.  But, there is no application fee.   You hope you never need something like this, but it is very nice to know that we have an option like this available to us should we need it!

Adventurous?

Every time I've ever been in a situation where I could do something really fun, like go parasailing or skydiving, I always chicken out.  I've even been known to wait in line at amusement parks only to decide that I didn't want to go on the ride after all.  I'm just a wimp when it comes to things like this.  When we went to Cancun a couple of years ago, I loved watching other people do the parasailing while I just sat on the beach and watched.  I remember wondering if they shared about having these adventures while getting their life insurance quotes. 

If I Could...

I was just thinking about what I would do if I suddenly struck it rich. I have no plan for making this happen, so aside from winning the lottery, or making millions off of our penny stocks, this is all pretty much a pipe dream.  The best thing about having money would be that Chris could quit his job and we could spend time doing things that we love to do.  Life is too short for work.  Too bad we need things like food and shelter.

The Simple Things

Today was absolutely gorgeous, so I took Cameron out in the front yard this morning. After he did a little exercise in his walker, we sat down on some beach towels under the trees to watch the cars go by. This is one of his favorite things to do.  He also saw a helicopter fly overhead and a motorcycle speed past our house.  He just watches everything with amazement.

Money Crunch

We have probably all had at least one experience where money was really tight.  Sometimes, even with all the planning in the world, we find ourselves in a money crisis.  You never really know when the next money emergency might happen. Thank goodness that now we can get a cash advance if we need one.  You have to be responsible in paying back these types of loans, but they can really save the day!  Just knowing that fast payday loans are available helps give me peace of mind. 

The process is all very simple.  All you have to do is just fill out an online form! A loan representative will then contact you by phone.  After this, and if you are approved, then the money will be deposited directly into your bank account on the next business day!  It's so fast and easy!

Keep in mind that there are different ways of paying back the loans as well as the accompanying fees. You must be at least eighteen years old, and have your own bank account that will allow you to receive direct deposits.  Also, you must be employed or receiving regular income and meet the minimum income requirements.  It's nice to know that help is out there if you really need it!

Movie Quiz Answers

Thanks for playing this week everyone!  Many of you got lots of them correct, but Malcolm from Pop Culture Dish was able to  get them all.  Check back on Wednesday at 4pm CT for another Thursday Thirteen Quiz. 

1.   Raiders of the Lost Ark

2. Annie Hall

3. Annie

4. Office Space

5. The Pursuit of Happyness

6.  Tommy Boy

7. Seven

8. A Perfect Murder

9. What's Love Got to Do With It?

10. The Firm

11. Parenthood

12. Mission Impossible 2

13. The Pelican Brief

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone?  If so, what did you do and who was your victim?

Once Chris and I convinced my roommate that she  been caught shoplifting.  Chris called her and pretended to be the manager of a store.  She didn't even take anything, but we had opened up a box to check how something worked. Chris was really convincing. 

Soup

What do your salt and pepper shakers look like?

I have a bunch of Christmas ones, but the ones we use are as plain as they come. They are clear glass on the bottom and silver at the top.

Salad

Where is the next place you plan to visit (on vacation or business)?

I'd love to go to Cancun for our next vacation.

Main Course

What kind of lotion or cream do you use to keep your hands from getting too dry?

I love Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Lotion - that stuff is awesome. I slather Cameron's legs up with it in the winter and it really helps his dry skin.

Dessert

Make up a dessert, tell us its ingredients, and give it a name.

StrawBananarama: Bananas, Strawberries, Ice Cream, and Caramel Sauce.

New Overstock Store

Have you heard about OopsDeals.com? They offer really awesome discounts on home and garden decor items.  You can find most of these at just a small fraction of their retail cost!  How are they able to do this? A lot of manufacturers buy too much or else they do not market their products sufficiently.  They get great deals because of the mistakes of other companies.  What does all this mean?  It means that they are able to provide their customers with fantastic deals and savings! Oopsdeals.com has things like outdoor garden supplies, candles, gifts, and other home decor items such as lamps and picture frames. Check them out today!

Mimi's Message in a Bottle Meme

Mimi's Message In a Bottle Meme

Sandee of Comedy Plus and Mary of Work of the Poet have tagged me for the Mimi's Message In a Bottle Meme. It looked like fun, so I thought I'd play along!

Here are the rules:
You are about to send a virtual Message In a Bottle across the Blog Ocean. Leave a message in the sand or on the bottle. Write anything you wish. Be a pirate or a poet. Serious or silly. Anonymous or not. What message would you like to send out to the universe?

Thursday Thirteen #25: Name that Movie Quiz

                                                  

Welcome to this week's Thursday Thirteen.  It is a "Name That Movie" quiz. I'll show you a still shot from thirteen different movies, and you simply tell me the titles in the comments section.  Let's see how many you recognize! Also, if you click on the image, you can see a larger version of it. (I will try to delete answers quickly so that you're not tempted to peek ; ). Good luck!

1.  

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

Our Home Movies

I just started putting our home videos onto DVDs.  We bought a DVD Recorder and it's actually pretty easy to do (of course, Chris figured out how to get everything wired for me).  We have a lot of footage from when Cameron was in the hospital.  It's sort of hard to watch some of it, but it's also incredible to just see how far he has come in three short years.  So much of his first few months is just a blur to me, so I'm glad we have so much recorded.  He heard himself crying on the tape this morning and he stopped playing long enough to do a double-take.  All of this just reminds me that he truly is a little miracle boy. 

IzeaRanks

Have you heard about IzeaRanks?  I really like this new blog ranking system.  It is really cool because you can get blog ranks that are based on your actual blog traffic and influence.  A lot of ranking systems are just making estimates.  This is pretty annoying when you're trying to figure out what all of the numbers really mean.  What I love most, is that you get a true ranking among other bloggers in the system.  All of this makes it a much better indicator of where you stand among your fellow bloggers. 

It's really fun to compare your own blog with other people that you know.   I've been using it for several weeks, and it is very simple to use.  All you have to do is insert a piece of javascript into your blog so that you can get ranked.  Then, you will be able to see your page views and visitors along with your RealRank. But, if you would like to keep this information for your eyes only, you can do that as well by making those private.

A really neat feature of IzeaRanks is the way you can view a little line graph to see your true blog traffic.  You can adjust it to show the past week, month, or even year. You can also sign up to get the top one hundred blogs emailed to you once a week. I have found that I'm just about in the middle of all bloggers that are registered with IzeaRanks.  I get more traffic on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and so my RealRank is naturally better on those days.  When I participate in memes, more people visit my site, and so my RealRank always improves. 

I have actually found a few new blogs through this site.  It's always nice to find new blogging buddies out there with similar interests.  Overall, I am very pleased with IzeaRanks.

Ring Around the Rosie...

Cameron did really well with his physical therapy today. He was taking steps while holding on to the wall with only one hand. He's creeping along everywhere now with two hands, but he can do it with only one. He just doesn't know it yet.  He also walked around our gas light in a circle while only holding on with one hand so were singing "Ring Around the Rosie," which he liked.  He's really making progress!

Used Video Games

Do you have a nintendo nes fan in your home?  When I was a kid I was really into video games.  The gaming systems are so much more advanced now compared to the kind I had.  The only person we buy games for now is my husband's cousin. He's twelve now, so he's quite the video game aficianado.  I am so glad that we are able to find used games now.  The Used Nes games and consoles are cleaned and tested to make sure they are in great condition. I found all kinds of Nintendo systems and games in my search.  If you are interested in saving money on your next game, check out usednintendos.com today.

Poor "B"

Well, we took Buster to the vet today to get his teeth cleaned for the first time. But unfortunately (or fortunately) the vet noticed that there was a small amount of blood in his urine.  After doing x-rays, he discovered that he has kidney stones.  He put him on a new type of food and hopefully they will go away.  I'm glad he caught it early, but he still may need surgery in the future. 

Free Software

Software.com is giving away free software for registrations. If you are interested in this Free software in a hidden 'Vault' (use code 1234567). It is actually intended for special promotions and so normally it is not free.  This site has everything from screen savers and home design software to e-mail and language translation software. It's definitely worth checking out!

Big Brother

Well it only took one show for me to get hooked (as always). I don't know why I fall so hard for every single season of Big Brother, but I do.  I love that it comes on three times per week, and I love all the ridiculous drama.  I might just have the Writers Guild to thank for this season altogether!

Supplements

There are so many supplements out there that claim to have health benefits.  Many people are even taking legal steroids now. The only thing I take each day is a generic multivitamin. I'm always hearing about the health benefits of different vitamins and minerals on the news.  My hope is that by taking a little bit of everything, I might somehow be able to stave at least some type of future ailment. It's hard to know for sure which supplements might actually have health benefits!

More Electronics

Chris is really into electronics, computers, and stereos. My dad is the same way. I like all of that stuff too, but I hate all the ugly wires that go along with it all.  He just bought some kind of CAT5e Patch Cables. I have no idea what they are for. But I'm sure he has a purpose for them.  As long as my internet connection is working, I am happy!

Glasses Are Fun to Fling...

Cameron has always been fascinated by our glasses.  Chris and I both wear glasses at all times, so both pairs have been through quite a bit of abuse.  I'm always amazed by how well mine have held up.  He always manages to sneak a finger under them and fling them off before I can stop him.  But now he'll go and pick them up and bring them back to me. He even does it to his grandmothers.  They both wear reading magnifiers sometimes and so he loves to fling those off as well!

Branson, Missouri

Have you been to Branson Missouri ?  Our neighbors just went there last summer and had a wonderful time!  I would love to go there this summer.  We were looking at all the different lodging options, and found quite a selection. I really like the Cabins at Grand Mountain. They are only a couple of blocks away from Country Music Boulevard. Plus, they have fully equipped kitchens and jacuzzi tubs. 

I'd like to go to the Grand Country Music Hall to see the Amazing Pets show.  I know we'd also enjoy Legends in Concert. It features artists from Elvis and Buddy Holly to Garth Brooks and Patsy Cline.  Silver Dollar City theme park looks like it would be a really fun place to visit, although I haven't been on a roller coaster in years. The park is located in the terrain of the Ozarks. They have something called The GIANT Swing that takes you up and down through barn doors at extremely high speeds. Judging by the pictures, it looks pretty scary!  I hope that we can get there soon!

Find People!

Have you been looking for a great on-line People Finder? You must try PeopleFinders.com.  Their  master database searches dozens of databases with billions of records to get you the current contact information on the person for whom you are searching.  I love this site!  The next time you need to Find People you have nothing to lose.  We all tend to lose contact with friends as we get older. Have you always wanted to find an old high school or college buddy?  This is a great place to do a People Search. Go ahead and try it!

You can start with just a name, but you can, of course, narrow your search with things such as the state or city that they live in. If you know the person's age, or better yet, their date of birth, then that will also help you get quicker results.  If you are interested in getting a full report, you can order the People Search Report, which will give you basic record information. You can also choose to purchase the Unlimited People Search Pass or the Comprehensive Background Report.  There are so many options from which to choose.  You will probably be surprised by how many people you'll be able to find!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer

Name one thing that is unique about you.

I hate things with patterned holes (garlic press, cheese grater, etc.)

Soup

Fill in the blank: My favorite Dolly Parton song is 9 to 5 but I like Islands in the Stream too.

Salad

What type of wood do you have for your home’s furnishings?

We have a light oak entertainment center and bookshelf.  Also, our bedroom furniture is a medium oak.  We have maple furniture in another bedroom.

Main Course

Who do you talk to most often on the phone?

Mostly my husband. I don't usually spend that much time talking on the phone anymore.

Dessert

What level of responsibility do you have in your job?

I was a teacher, so I had a LOT of responsibilities back then.   I had to make sure that the kiddos not only progressed academically, but that they survived the school day and each other. Yikes! I'm not sure I want that kind of responsibility anymore! One kiddo seems like enough right now...

We Can All Do Our Part

Do you ever think about how many plastic grocery bags there must be in our landfills?  We use them as liners for our small trash cans, but we must throw away at least three a day.  Luckily, there's a new line of reusable cotton shopping bags.  These reusable grocery bags are made of cotton mesh woven from very strong string.  They are an eco-friendly alternative to the standard plastic grocery bags that most of us are currently using.  They also have solid-sided canvas shopping bags that are made of recy