Funny Hub

Hub: E's birthday is coming up! What do you want to do?

Me: just celebrate quietly I guess.

H: What about.. Umm.. Kangaroo Jack's???

M: (blank stare and pause) Monkey Joe's?

H: (sheepish) whatever.

Happy Things Post

Remember when I used to write these? If you don't, no worries. It's been years. In any case, I want to start doing them again. They made me feel good. And that is 95% of the reason for this blog eh?

So now... on to my Happy Things post of the moment.

1. Dove Nutritive Therapy conditioner. - I find Dove a little "crunchier" than other mainstream brands and less likely to have some of the vile ingredients in many of them. On top of that, this conditioner when smoothed on my painful eczema areas is one of the only things that has helped in a long time. I don't have much choice many days on whether I wash my hair or not, but sometimes I can just rinse it and use this conditioner and voila! All good to go. It's got real oils in it (coconut being one) and I love.

2. Boy and Bear - Got hooked on their song Mexican Mavis a while back when I got it free from the South by Southwest iTunes sampler. When I looked up more of their work, I found that I love them! After Christmas I hope to buy more of their stuff. (psst... you can still get Mexican Mavis for free on their site!) Great Aussie band.

3. Ginger dressing - God it's delicious. And I just found a local company that makes some just as tasty as that you'd find at a Japanese restaurant. HEAVEN!

4. My new Kindle! I just got a Kindle Fire as a combo present, and I LOVE IT! It is fabulous. I wonder sometimes if the e-ink kindles would be easier on the eyes for reading, but so far it's doing pretty well for me.

5. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon - My first borrowed Library book on the Kindle. It is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I'm absolutely adoring it so far. Beautiful adolescent fantasy. Note that some reviews say that some oft he stories in it are already existing Chinese folktales.

6. Seeing holidays through a toddler's eyes.

7. Playing with Hub and E in the gorgeous, gorgeous Florida fall.

8. My Salvation Army Angel - Boy of 5 whose wish is simply, "Batman." Melt. (melted Hub too)

I am thankful for this life I was given. Amen

Oh the Drama

A lot has been going on at chez Challenged. Some of it traumatic, but much of it ended well I'm so glad to report. My mom was just very ill. She's ok now but could have lasting serious complications. But we will take it over the alternative!

Another bright spot is that my mammogram came out A-OK. Work has some saddening craziness, but I am so much better at checking work at the door - another plus.

All this has inspired me to write a happy things post (a long dormant installment on this blog) so it's a-bubbling in my head. Til later. With any luck I'll also be able to do some commenting!

Tiny Prints Talent Search Contest

Tiny Prints is having a Talent Search Contest! I've already entered E, but I thought I'd let you all know about it in case you wanted to enter. Here are the categories:

·         Cutest Baby (From ages of 0-24 months)

·         Cutest Kid (From ages of 25 months - 10 years old)

·         Cutest Family

·         Cutest Couple

·         Cutest Pet & Owner

  

Fun right? I like that there are multiple categories. If you win the grand prize, you get $1000 cash and a $500 Tiny Prints gift certificate. You can enter via the Tiny Prints Facebook site or their official site and can also read about the rules there. MY rules are that if you enter, I want to know so I can go vote for you. It's a contest where fans vote for the winner. I'm entering E, and if you'd like, you can go try to guess which kid he is. I won't tell you if you're right of course, but it could still be fun to try to figure it out! You have until November 21st to enter. I'm especially looking forward to the pet/owner category.

*I do receive compensation in the form of some free product for letting you know about this contest, but I figured it's a win-win since you can possibly get free stuff if you win! I had already let people know via email and facebook, but for some reason, I just didn't think to post it here.

Christmas Cards and such

I just ordered my free cards from Tiny Prints that I received after reviewing them here on the blog, and I'm so excited! I didn't end up using the one I posted, but I love the one we did choose. I'll reveal it after they've all gone out. I don't want to ruin the surprise for the people who read this and will get one. I just love that site and their products. I doubt I'll be able to afford to do this on the same level every year, but it will be my hope to do so. And I don't even get anything for this blathering! I just like it that much.

All this has gotten me so excited (again) for the holidays. I only have to buy the turkey, cranberries, garlic and chocolate pudding (Hub has requested chocolate pie) for Thanksgiving. I work that day, so it requires a lot of pre-planning and Hub participation. He does a great job! We will have the usual stuffing, turkey breast, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, homestyle pole green beans, fresh cranberries sauce (once you've had fresh, you won't go back), pumpkin pie and chocolate pie. I'd make more except that it's not reasonable for 2-3 people on a workday. Alas, my Grandmother's sweet potato casserole, and my Mom's noodles sing a siren song that I resist.

E has been starting to notice "Cwismas Twees" and "Big Giant Cwismas Twees" along with snowflake lights that he calls "pwetty fwoers." Oh how excited he will be.

Want to join us?

My Generation

I stumbled on this article on one of those social media sites we're always moaning about. And I liked it. It's a bit dark and negative for my viewpoint... and I also feel like he is characterizing all of us under a behavior style we didn't all have, but I like this take on generation X and this upcoming generation all the same. Read it, and tell me what you think of it.

5 Ways We Ruined the Occupy Wall Street Generation