One-Stop Shopping

I'll admit, as much as I love all this, the technical part of it has come slower for me. I am too busy to figure out how to do this and that (all things I want to do) to enhance my site and my ability around blogland. I have improved along the way by asking a few questions here and there, but mostly by trial and error.

Because I bestow Friday Fuzzies each week, I have mentioned several times my HUGE list on my computer where I keep track of who I need to visit. Once given a FF, I try to slide them over to my sidebar in the following weeks. That way, I can simply go to my site and then visit all of them. Thus allowing me to decrease the size of my other list.

See where I am going here?

Are y'all out there rolling your eyes along with "tsk tsk tsk"?

FINALLY, some sweet soul (who I have momentarily forgotten who, but will acknowledge as soon as I remember!) had mercy on me and let me in on the BIG SECRET!

WELL.GOOD.MORNING.GOOGLE.READER!WHERE.HAVE.YOU.BEEN.ALL.MY.LIFE!

SERIOUSLY! No more guessing. No more clicking unnecessarily. No more wasted time.

All my peeps are there with one click and I can know INSTANTLY who has a new post (or two!). I only click on those with a new post and then mark them "read" once I am done. Their site is not highlighted again until they post again. This is brilliance in action!

I have had a few that Google Reader won't add. Again that is technical stuff and I will have to worry about it later.

And although I need to tweek a few more things so I can streamline my time even more when it comes to reading, commenting, and posting, I am so thrilled with my new found discovery.

One word of caution though. It can be very easy to just read the new posts quickly and move on (especially if I can read the whole post without going to a person's site to finish the story) and I have found myself doing that more than I like. I am a firm believer in commenting as much as I can when I visit people. I know how it makes me feel to know, really know, people are reading what I write and I want to make others feel that way. (hint, hint all you lurkers or those who I visit a lot!) So lately, I have made a conscious effort to take the time to comment even if it takes a few extra steps to their "house".

Google Reader works for me!

How to:
1. Go to Google
2. Click on "more" in the tool bar at the top of the page
3. Click on "reader" near the bottom of the list
4. Sign in with your Google account. So worth getting an account just for this!
5. Then simply start adding sites to the "subscription". I usually keep two screens up so I can grab an url and then add them to my list quickly.

For more great tips, go to Rocks In My Dryer!

Warning! If you are destined to raise perfect children, then look away now! But just remember, DeNial is a fun place to live; it just ain't cheap!

I am not officially tackling today because most of my tackles are in limbo right now.

Unless you want to count tackling my son!

I love that boy something fierce, but truly, he and I are like two wrestlers right now. Just going round and round, eyeing our opponent, and waiting to see what move the other makes first.

Exhausting!

I have tried to stay true to the thought that it is important for them to make many mistakes and learn how to make good choices when young. It is just the training part of all that which is killing me!

Listening and obeying mix with him like oil and vinegar right now.

And although big sister is not quite as bad right now, she is dealing with her own sassy/whiny issues right now too!

But that boy!

Sneaky, demanding, whiny, sassy, not listening, wash, rinse, repeat!

I have tried old-fashioned correction, new-age correction, creative correction, you name it.

I know 3's can be such a mixed stage. It was my hardest (thus far) with my daughter as well. He just seems to have the ability to push my EXACERBATION button way easier than she. Let's see....there has been the fish torture, the hiding under sister's bed with a container of chocolate powder and a spoon, the relieving of oneself out in nature, the store touching fiasco, and the not listening. Did I mention the not listening. OH, and now, we are having to work on not fibbing to get out of getting in trouble!

I do believe his heart is big enough and full of enough love to withstand the moments that I just simply lose it. And I would be lying if I led you to believe some of those moments were not occurring before 9 am! I am still getting plenty of hugs and kisses, lots of please and thank you's, and just those moments of pure 3-year old joy over the simple things that I forget to notice anymore.

I will leave this light. Some of my favorite quotes of his from the past several weeks are:

"OH! I.AM.SO.SORRY! Mom, I am so so sorry!"

"Are you still upset to me?"

"Moooom! Why are you always mad at me?" (this is with head and hand gestures)

"Mom, I am being a good boy!"

"Mom, I want to watch the naughty, naughty boy!"

Ok, this one cracks me up because at first I had no idea what he was talking about and he was saying it in such a funny way. Turns out, he was referring to the little boy in a recent Madeline video he had watched! Yes, I was getting it in his best British accent!

Ironic viewing choice, don't you think!

Stacey

p.s. Some friends and I are starting Lisa Whelchel's book "The Busy Mom's Guide to Prayer". I am really looking forward to getting specific with God in regards to my children!

You Knew Me When

Oh, I so needed some inspiration for today's thoughts!

Unfortunately, for some, it may be repeat thoughts! Hopefully, for most, it will be like a fresh breeze on a muggy day!

Right!

See, I just found Maura over here and she has inspired me with something fun! She is having a bloggy birthday and celebrating by giving away some $ if you share your first post and tell a little bit about how you have grown. You can find all the details here

I pretty much explain why I started doing all this in my first post, so I won't repeat myself. But, what I know for sure, is that it has become so much more than I ever expected. Now someone in this home likes to refer to all this as a possible outcry to Bloggers Anonymous, but I would disagree.

True, it has meant late nights and early mornings to either read or post. True, I should really analyze my time with all this and see how to manage it better (thoughts on that coming Wednesday!). True, maybe I should actually try to earn some $$ since it seems to be my new hobby.

But do you want to know what is most true?

* Making some really nice friends, both in-person and online.
* Liking people online before I ever had a chance to make in-person judgements that might have never allowed me to know some INCREDIBLE women.
* Learning so much! And really, good stuff!
* Laughing for so many reasons, but mostly for realizing I am so not alone!
* Crying because someone was hurting and I didn't even know them.
* Having the opportunity to pray for so many and making a conscious effort to let that be visible here.
* Occasionally writing about things that make a difference.
* Realizing this is so much bigger than a few contests-which was the real catalyst for finally starting my own blog (so I could enter and host them; silly, huh!)

Oh well, all that being said, read here to see me in action on my first day!

Stacey

FRIDAY FUZZIES!

Ok gals, let's get right to it!

From Under the Clutter
She has a sweet and easy-to-read site with lots of good stuff waiting for you! There is variety, so you never know what you will be enjoying that day. I have gotten behind and really need to spend more time there myself so I can soak up all the goodness. One of my favorite things is her other site, Being Frugal. I recommend you visit her there too!

Broom Huggers
I found Kathy by chance during my webquest for better living. I love that she has created this business which only cleans your home with what is pure and good for your family. Her site is full of such good information, resources, and even stories! Go see her. And if you live in the Atlanta area, use her company to clean your home!

Antique Mommy
I used to visit here from time to time early on in my blog life, but somehow she got lost on my favorites list. Gotta clean that thing out now that I have a lot of them on my sidebar! She tells lovely stories of her life as an "older" mom to a precious little boy! Very funny and very sweet stories! She is definitely worth the stop!

The Big Yellow House
Martie is a very special lady. She will tell you that what she does is no big deal, but I would disagree! She runs a happy-and busy!-household with 9 kids while her husband serves in Iraq. I have really enjoyed getting to know her through the stories she shares about her family and her life. Please go visit her and maybe send her some extra encouragement!

Anita Renfroe's Site
Ok, maybe this is cheating a bit, but this gal is funny. And true, this is her website and not her blog, but a great resource worth some fuzzies! You can read about her, watch her videos, and find out how to see her in person. I love the Mom Song, of course! And I have so been wanting to read The Purse Driven Life!

Happy Friday Fuzzies to all!

Stacey

At least it's not Thanksgiving yet!

Although I wouldn't have been surprised if it had taken me that long to post about Halloween!

But alas, it did not!

And let me just say, that apparently I did not get the memo that every other child was taking on a Wizard of Oz character this year! I thought I was being so good and original this year. Honestly, I did not even stroll through the costume section of the stores this year. A had told me early on that she wanted to be Belle this year but I quickly countered with Dorothy. We had already done Tinker Bell and Mulan in the past and I think I might have pulled some strings by mentioning "sparkly red shoes". We had everything we needed for this outfit. All I did was repaint some shoes with glitter spray paint. L was easy! Once I mentioned the word lion, he quickly ran with the whole Lion King thing. I did not have the heart to tell him that he was really the Courageous Lion. Either way...he got to roar to his heart's content! My friend Jenna was so sweet to let me borrow the lion costume!

How could you resist a lion with such dimples?!






Tap, tap, tap! I think she made a great Dorothy!






My favorite pair!


They made a few rounds through the neighborhoods then quickly came home to help Mommy pass out goodies.

Here they are "practicing" how to hand out the goodies.


Eagerly awaiting the next visitors!


"Can I have just one? Pleeeesssse!"


A showing off her loot and her favorite-Reeses Peanut Butter Cup!


Over the weekend, we visited my in-laws. A and L were so excited that each of them received their class friend to take home for the weekend. A brought home Benjamin Bunny, along with his overnight backpack. L brought home Buddy the Bear with all that he needed. Each had to take good care of their friend, take him along on all their adventures, and then do a scrapbook page telling of all they had done. What I found so funny is that my kids' teachers are sisters and they did this without the other knowing. Sure! ;)

A and Benjamin Bunny driving Papa's tractor




L and Buddy helping Papa drive the tractor.




A and Benjamin showing off their prized BIG one! Seriously, A just throws her line in and catches a fish every time.


L and Buddy with their BIG one!


A and Benjamin attended a 9-year old's Superbowl game.


L and Buddy hot rodding in the Barbie car!


A and Benjamin stop for photographers!


And this is just a small example of what my children like to do when they sneak away with my camera!




Stacey

And the Canadians have taken the lead!

Oh hush!

I know I said I would not be back until Thursday, but technically, it is still Monday.

You know.

Today, the day I wrote my first post this morning.

Where I said I would not be posting again until Thursday.

I just had to come back for a quick second to tell you what my secret potential prize announcement was.

On Friday, I thought in my head, "what the heck! give away two prize sets!".

So, I did!

Only I just today heard back from my second winner....

Jeanette!

She is not a blogger but I bet just as sweet ;) And thank goodness she checks her junk mail! (Can I not be "junk" anymore Jeanette?!)

And I just think it is a hoot that she lives in Canada where my other new buddies live! In fact, Julie-Anne was my very first blog prize winner and Kimmy won from me also!

Ok, so really, I have given away more stuff to the USA gals, but who's counting anyway!

Congratulations Jeanette!

And now back to my hibernation!!

Stacey

This and That

It has been a long weekend and will continue to be a long week, but I did want to let you in on a few fun giveaways before I forgot.

$30 GC to Arte Bebe'
This site has the coolest stuff! We have one of the puzzles at work and I really love it. I might have drooled over some of the other stuff they have!

Busy Body Book Organizer
I could soooo use one of these! And knowing most of you are busy moms as well, I bet you could too!

Pedal Car Giveaway
We may be almost out of the age range for these cute Pedal Cars, but I just had to share!

Cool Zebras giveaways
She is giving away books every week!

MetroWrap
This may the coolest baby wrap I have seen yet! I know I don't have a babe right now, but if I decide to, I would be one hip Mama!

Josh Turner Package
There is a lot of neat stuff in this package to be given away!

I am taking the next few days off from posting. I love T-it-T and WFMW, but I am temporarily out of tackles and ideas.

And honestly, I am feeling quite prickly these days and need not take the chance of slipping up and saying something I will regret.

So, for the next few days, I am going to zip my own lip and just enjoy (and comment) y'all. I am also planning on getting to know some new people better. I will be back Thursday with fun pics of the kids and then have new places to share with Friday Fuzzies.

Stacey