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March 2008

March 31, 2008

Lean Software

If you manage your own business, you probably know all about lean manufacturing. If you are interested in streamlining your inventory management, you can do so with electronic kanban software. You can really take your lean processes to the next level with a free thirty day trial of this Ultriva software.  Reduce your excess inventory and change the way you view the products you are carrying.

Heads or Tails

Headsortailslogo This week the theme for Heads or Tails is Heads: Fool.  With April Fool's Day tomorrow, I'm busy trying to think of a way to trick Chris.  I'm the more gullible one, so odds are I'll be the one getting fooled this year. 

My grandmother  used to get me every year, calling me before school.  Now why would she be calling me at 7:30 in the morning??? But, I'd fall for her antics every time.  One time she told me her old dog was going to have puppies.  Another time it was that the tooth fairy had visited after the same dog lost a tooth.  I told you I was gullible. 

If you want to participate in HoT, visit the all new home here. But, you should also visit Barb over at Skittles' Place.

Marketing Gimmicks

Have you ever been tricked into buying something you really didn't even need?  I think we've all fallen victim to at least one marketing gimmick in our lifetimes. I recently read an article about Event Marketing that really opened my eyes.  Once, I ended up ordering several items that I had read about online.  I really liked them, but I ordered a lot more than I would originally because I thought I was getting such a great deal. 

Big Improvement

Several years ago, I decided to paint our master bedroom a very unusual shade of gold.  No, this was not the smartest decision I ever made.  I really did like it, because it matched our comforter set and curtains.  But, after four years, I finally had to admit that it was a bonehead move. We went ahead and hired a guy to paint our bedroom as well as the bathroom a very pretty light tan color.  It looks so much better! 

March 28, 2008

Fun Card Site

Eastereggcard_3I just love sending out cards with photos of Cameron. Luckily, our friends and family like receiving them just as much!   Digital cameras have really changed the way people print and store their photos. It has never been easier to create the perfect online cards for every occasion. This year, I sent out an Easter Egg Card like the one you see in the picture. I had a hard time deciding which one I liked best, but this one was pretty darn cute! 

I have been sending out Photo Cards since Cameron was born.  Last year, I sent one out for his second birthday, and I still have it on my refrigerator.  He has come such a long way! It is really fun to go back and look through all the cards to see how much he has changed over the years.

Some of my friends that have children have also started sending out photo cards.  They are perfect for birthdays, holidays, special events, or even birth announcements.  With everyone sending so many messages via e-mail these days, it is nice to receive something special in the regular mail.  You should send out a photo card to someone special in your life today!

April Fools Day

April Fool's Day is just around the corner.  I have so many memories of my grandmother "getting me" every year.  She would call the house before school and tell me some ridiculous lie. I would fall for it every time.  What is your best April Fool's Day prank that you either pulled off or that someone else played on you?

Mother's Day Idea

For Christmas this year, Chris gave me a gift certificate for a massage.  The lady we found did a fabulous job!  I have a few odd back issues, but she knew how to deal with all of them.  I can't wait to get another one some day...hint hint!!!  It takes training and practice to learn how to give a therapeutic massage.  I know that there are a few massage therapy schools in our area. 

Another Project

Like most men, Chris really loves new tools, gadgets, and gizmos.  His latest project is to change out our gas water heater.  It's located in the attic, and he's afraid that since it is getting older it might leak into the house.  He wants to buy a tankless water heater, but I'm not sure if that's what we'll get. First, we need to do a little more research. 

Big Brother

Is anyone out there still watching Big Brother?  I've already admitted to being a Big Brother addict.  This year started out horrible, but once again, I'm hooked.  I don't really have any favorite to win, but Ryan and Sharon seem to be the most "normal" of the bunch.  Adam and Sheila are quite a pair, and Natalie is pretty hilarious.  If you watch the show, let me know who you think just might win!

In a Bind?

Are you in a money crunch? Most of us have all been in at least one situation where we have had to borrow money. Sometimes emergencies just happen, and decisions about where to get cash fast must be made.  Luckily, now there are Payday Loans.  You can get a loan to tie you over until your next payday. 

March 26, 2008

Power Nap

P1012533_4 Cameron fell asleep with his hand still on his train today.  He actually does this almost every single day.  I guess he wants to keep it close by so that when he wakes up he'll know right where it is.  I wish I could calculate how many miles that thing has covered in our house.

Thursday Thirteen: Connect the Actors Part IV

Reel_3

This week's game is 'Connect the Actors Part IV'. This time it's all about male actors. Can you connect Harrison Ford to Robin Williams through films?  The answer for each question will be the movie title that connects the actor for that number with the following one.  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. Oceans11 (Think - George Clooney stars with Brad Pitt in...)  Ocean's 11   

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

3.  Deadmanwalking07 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 Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams. Please do not leave your answers in the comments section. 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. Harrison Ford

2. Joe Pantoliano

3. Lou Diamond Phillips

4. Denzel Washington

5. Matthew Broderick

6. Jack Black

7. Jude Law

8. Ethan Hawke

9. Steve Zahn

10. Eddie Murphy

11. Nick Nolte

12. Albert Brooks

13. Jeff Bridges

14.  Robin Williams

Great Site for Outdoor Fun!

Have you heard about the H&R Business Mall Website?  They deal in high quality outdoor sports products.  I found a Game Feeder that I know my uncle would love.  If you enjoy the outdoors, you'll surely find something you can't live without.  Plus, you'll get factory direct shipping, competitive prices, and outstanding personal service. Check it out today!

Birthday Party Fun

P1012610 Oh MeMe, I guess I'll wear this hat if it makes you happy...We had Cam's birthday party over at my parents' house this weekend.  He had fun opening all his presents and playing with balloons outside.  The weather was beautiful and he had a great day!

Fun Contests!

Have you heard about BreakTheVault.com?  It is a great place to find free online contests.  If you become a member of the site, you will get unlimited chances to try and solve each game.  The first person to do this wins prizes or even cash!  In case you're wondering how this works, I'll share how they do it.  Basically, ever Monday at noon EST, a new contest begins.  Then, every day at noon, a new clue will be released.  If it gets solved before the following Monday, a new contest begins on that day.  So, you'll always find a current contest running!  If you are like me, and you love games and contests, you have to check it out right now!

March 24, 2008

Who's in Charge Here?

I_dont_want_to_hear_it

Cameron is three years old, and has simultaneously reached his "Terrible Twos".  Yesterday he wouldn't even let me feed him. He batted at his spoon and practically dumped out his bowls all over the floor.  But when his Granny tried to feed him, he opened up like a little bird.   I think there is a word for this....manipulation!  I can only imagine what will be in store for me today.....

Answers to Connect the Actors Part III

Reel_3Thanks for playing this week's edition of Connect the Actors.  This week, Malcolm of Pop Culture Dish was the only person to get them all correct. Way to go Malcolm!

Here are the answers:

  1. Sense and Sensibility
  2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
  3. Elizabethtown or Little Women
  4. Anywhere But Here
  5. Closer
  6. Runaway Bride
  7. Arlington Road
  8. Proof
  9. Sliding Doors
  10. Basic Instinct
  11. Catwoman
  12. Losing Isaiah
  13. Cape Fear

Be sure to check back this Wed. for Part IV of Connect the Actors!

March 19, 2008

I Love This Stuff!

P1012608 I love to try new types of hair products, so when I received a sample of naked naturals shampoo and conditioner, I was just thrilled!  I had to try it out immediately.

The first thing I noticed about it was the wonderful scent.  The Awapuhi and Lavender gives off a fresh floral aroma that will leave you sniffing your own hair.  It also contains a natural plant protein called Keravis that can make your hair up to seven times stronger! (I need all the strength I can get with a three year old yanking on it all the time.)   

It is so nice to find a natural shampoo that really leaves your hair feeling silky and soft.  It is nice to know that these products do not contain harsh chemicals such as DEA, TEA, or laureth sulfates.  They are not tested on animals, and do not contain any animal by-products or even any artificial colors.  You know that you are only going to be helping your hair by using these products.

I used both the shampoo and conditioner two times each.  I cannot wait to get more.  It really made a difference for me, and I definitely think it is worth trying!

Cameron is Turning Three

P1012583 I can't believe Cameron is already three years old.  He's getting so strong, and exceeding all his doctors' expectations.  He goes all over the house in his walker, and is feeling much more independent because of it. He truly is our miracle boy.

Here he is with my mom.  I just love this picture, even though it's a little dark.  He certainly loves his MeMe! 

Thursday Thirteen: Connect the Actors Part III

Reel_3This week's game is 'Connect the Actors Part III'. This time it's all about actresses. Can you connect Emma Thompson to Juliette Lewis through films?  The answer for for each question will be the movie title that connects the actress for that number with the following one.  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. Oceans11 (Think - George Clooney stars with Brad Pitt in...)  Ocean's 11   

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

3.  Deadmanwalking07 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 Jessica Lange and Juliette Lewis. Please do not leave your answers in the comments section. 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. Emma Thompson

2. Kate Winslet

3. Kirsten Dunst

4. Susan Sarandon

5. Natalie Portman

6. Julia Roberts

7. Joan Cusack

8. Hope Davis

9. Gwyneth Paltrow

10. Jeanne Tripplehorn

11. Sharon Stone

12. Halle Berry

13. Jessica Lange

14. Juliette Lewis

March 18, 2008

Cameron's Room

We have been debating whether or not to get Cameron a "big boy" bed.  It's nice knowing that in his baby bed, he's trapped!  But, he is getting older.  Sometimes he sleeps with us, so he mainly uses his bedfor his naps (that is if I can get him in it before he crashes out on the carpet). My brother bought a beautiful Emily crib that converts into a daybed. I wish that we had bought a bed like that!

Chris' Car

Chris has a 2002 Honda Accord.  I think it's time that he looks for something new.  But with gas prices so high, he wants to stick with something as fuel efficient, or with even better fuel economy.  I like the Prius, but it does seem really small.  But since it's mainly a commuter vehicle for him, he doesn't really need the extra space.  Maybe he could even spruce it up with some chrome accessories.  The Accord is running fine, so we should probably just hang on to it a few more years.

Garage Sale

My mom had a garage sale this past weekend, so we were able to unload a lot of our stuff that was crowding up our home.  We sold things such as tennis rackets, a pair of wrought iron glass top planters (not good with a three year old), baby clothes and toys, and a couple of duffle bags Chris had from Enron (before the company collapsed).  It's funny because apparently, people are collected Enron items now. We had lots of imprinted promotional products that had the Enron logo on them.  In fact, we had clothes, jackets, a golf club cover pad, bags and plaques.  We never thought that anyone would show any interest in them!

Great Gift Idea

I found the perfect gift for my dad or Chris this year.  They make safety cutters now that can be used for everything from box cutting to ergonomic knives.  I know it would make me feel better if they used something designed for safety.  Although, I'm the clutz in the family, so maybe they should be buying me a safety cutter!

Backyard Memories

When I was in seventh grade, my brother and I received a trampoline for our birthdays.  I have lots of good memories playing dodgeball with all of our neighborhood friends.  But one day, when my parents were at work, my brother and I were out on it and we started fighting.  I fell off with one of my ankles stuck in the springs.  I didn't break my ankle, but I came very close. Luckily, now the trampolines come with the safety netting around them that make them much safer.  I could have used that back then!

Pen Thief

I am, and always will be, a pen thief. In other words, if you loan me a pen, do not expect to see it again.  I love pens!  But I am also prone to misplacing them.  I love different kinds of pens for different reasons, but my favorite are the uni-ball Vision Elites.  I go through lots of cheap pens now, but when I was teaching I would go through many more!

Making Changes

I must say that we have had a lot of luck with our insurance company.  But, you never know when you might want to make a change.  You can find great online car insurance now to save yourself time as well as money.  Now that getting insurance quotes is as easy as typing in a little information on your computer, what are you waiting for?

No Country For Old Men

No_country_for_old_men

We finally saw No Country For Old Men this weekend.   I was really looking forward to watching it after it won the Oscar for Best Picture this year.   Javier Bardem clearly deserved (and won) the Oscar for Best Actor. What a creepy guy!  The scene where he terrorizes the store clerk with a coin toss was extremely well acted and written. But I thought that Josh Brolin was also deserving of an Oscar nomination.  The only thing I didn't like about the film was the ending.  I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but if you've seen it, you can probably relate.  Maybe if I watched it again it would make more sense to me.  What did you think about this movie?

March 17, 2008

Getting the Insurance You Need

Finding the exact insurance you need can sometimes be overwhelming.  You want to get honest insurance quotes that are also specific to your individual needs. At myonlineinsurancequotes.com you can get the specifics you are looking for.  I was able to find Texas insurance quotes that are tailored for my area.  It's a great place to get a deal on insurance!

Update on Buster

P1012556 Chris brought in Buster for his three week checkup, and it looks like all his bladder stones have dissolved!  We are very happy and relieved.  He hasn't ever shown any signs of discomfort, but the vet could see the stones on an x-ray about a month ago.  The special food he's been on must have lowered the pH of his urine enough to dissolve them.  Now we just have to keep him on Hills S/D for another week and then he'll be on Hills E/D for a while.  Thank goodness he's not going to need surgery!

Answers to Connect the Actors Part II

Reel_3Thanks for playing this week's edition of Connect the Actors.  This week, three of you got them all correct: Malcolm of Pop Culture Dish, Anna of Beth and Cory's Mom, and Thea of I'm a Drama Mama. Fantastic job you guys!

Here are the answers:

  1. When Harry Met Sally
  2. You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, or Joe vs. The Volcano
  3. Road to Perdition
  4. The Color of Money
  5. Days of Thunder
  6. Something to Talk About
  7. Erin Brockovich or Ocean's Twelve
  8. Bourne Ultimatum
  9. The Talented Mr. Ripley
  10. Great Expectations
  11. Training Day
  12. Man on Fire
  13. Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story

Be sure to check back this Wed. for Part III of Connect the Actors!

March 12, 2008

Great Costume Site

Have you heard about incostume.com?  It's the best place to find the perfect Halloween Costume. But, they also offer costumes for all sorts of occasions.  For example, you can find a perfect outfit for your child's 'Book Character Dress Up Day'.  I just found about three costumes that would look so cute on Cameron.  They offer a huge selection of everything for your entire family. Check out their site today!

Spring Cleaning

Spring is here, and I am forcing myself to some spring cleaning.  How do miniblinds get so filthy?  Our house is looking better, but I still have a long way to go.  I guess if I could resist this computer it might speed up the process.

Thursday Thirteen - Connect the Actors Part II

Reel_3This week's game is 'Connect the Actors Part II'. Can you connect Billy Crystal to Kurt Russell 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. Oceans11 (Think - George Clooney stars with Brad Pitt in...)  Ocean's 11   

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

3.  Deadmanwalking07 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 Dakota Fanning and Kurt Russell.

Please do not leave your answers in the comments section. 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. Billy Crystal

2. Meg Ryan

3. Tom Hanks

4. Paul Newman

5. Tom Cruise

6. Robert Duvall

7. Julia Roberts

8. Albert Finney

9. Matt Damon

10. Gwyneth Paltrow

11. Ethan Hawke

12. Denzel Washington

13. Dakota Fanning

14. Kurt Russell

March 11, 2008

Office Furniture

Are you looking to buy new OFFICE FURNITURE?  Our home office is also one of our bedrooms, so we do not have a lot of room in here.  But, if I were going to furnish a study, I know exactly which items I would pick.  I would get an ergonomically correct swivel chair with a large desk that also has room for our computer.  Right now I'm stuck in a corner, but I'd love to have room to spread out!

Wow!

When we bought our house, we chose white grout.....not smart.  After seven years, it had turned to a dark shade of ugly grey.  Even though I clean it weekly, it just looks bad.  But Chris found a guy that has a cool machine that blasts out the dirt without doing any damage. I am totally shocked at how much better it looks!  Why regrout when you can get it looking brand new!  What a difference this has made!

March 10, 2008

The Big Bang!

Mel of Attitute, The Ultimate Power is asking all the participants of the Big Bang meme to repost. I have seen this everywhere, but I had not participated until now. When I saw it again today over at Comedy Plus, I was convinced that I should participate!

Here's the rules:Bigbang *Start Copy Here*

You do not have to be tagged to play along. This game is simple and so are the rules.

1. Copy from *Start Copy Here* through *End Copy Here*

2. Add your site(s) to the list. Just be sure to post at each site you add.

3. Tag or don’t tag, your choice, however, the more tags you create the bigger the list will grow.

4. Let me know your blog’s name and url by leaving me a comment HERE. I will add you to the master list. (If you would like a scroll box code, leave me your email address and I will email it to you.) Scroll Box Example. (I decided not to use the box for the Big Bang for ease of copying.)

5. Come back and copy the master list back to your site, often. This process will allow late-comers to get as much link benefit as the first ones in. Once you are on the master list people who have participated earlier will update their bookmarks and help everyone lower than them out on the list.

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