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5 Minutes for Mom always has the most amazing giveaways!  In preparation of the upcoming Christmas season, they've got a TON of great things to give away this month!  Be sure to head over and check them out - just click the button below:

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Here is part 3 of the 33 questions meme (check out part 1 and part 2 and play along, if you like!):

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say?
I don't text much (really, not at all) but I do have a few in there from a friend in NY and some generic ones from my phone company :)

23. How do you feel about your life right now?
Well, much better than I felt yesterday, that's for sure.  I think things are looking up.

24. Do you hate anyone?
No (though there are some people I don't like  very much)

25. If we were to look in your Facebook inbox, what would we find?
10 minutes ago - a LOT. But, I just went through and deleted them all.

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
Yes

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
Not "perfect" but a "perfectionist"

28. What song is stuck in your head?
Who Says You Can't Go Home (Jon Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles duet) - I'm actually working on a blog post about that one

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2 a.m., whom do you want it to be?
I don't want it to be anyone. 

30. Do you (or did you) want to have grandkids before you’re 50?
Never really thought about it, but it a possibility I guess.

31. Tell us your Saturday night.
This past Saturday night, I was out with Brian, doing some Christmas shopping!  We don't have a regular Saturday night routine. 

32. Do you think too much or too little?
My family would definitely say that I think too much.  I'm sure they are right. 

33. Do you smile a lot?
I smile much more than I used to, that's for sure.

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Last week, I posted the first part of this 33 questions meme, found on Cindy's blog.  Here is part 2:

11. When was the last time you cried really hard?
pretty much the first 3 days of this week

12. Who took your profile picture?
Ashley did (it's actually Brian AND me; but for the sake of my blog, I cropped him out - poor guy!)

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of?
Ashley (she wanted a pic of herself in her new glasses)

14. Was yesterday better than today? Why?
No - today was DEFINITELY better (even though it's raining and not over yet)

15. Can you live a day without TV?
Definitely

16. Are you upset about anything now?
Not at the moment, no

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
Certainly

18. Are you a bad influence?
Well, I like to think not

19. Night out or night in?
Which would I prefer? Definitely OUT

20. What items could you not go without during the day?
I couldn't work without my computer, so that would be a plus; I also really appreciate running water and electricity LOL

21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
my best friend Sue

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I always find the neatest memes over at Cindy's Fenced in Family blog.  Just when I'm asking myself what I can blog about, she always seems to bail me out with a fun meme.  Here's the one I found today (and stay tuned, because I'm hoping to find parts 2 & 3 on her blog sometime soon) . . .

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
Coffee with peppermint mocha creamer (yummy!)

2. Where was your profile picture taken?
At Historic Jamestown a few weeks ago (when we took a long weekend trip to Williamsburg, VA)

3. Can you play Guitar Hero?
Nope

4. Name someone who made you laugh today.
Ashley - we were looking at her baby scrapbook (thinking about her upcoming 16th birthday) - what a cute little one she was!

5. How late did you stay up last night and why?
Midnight.  We were visiting with friends and didn't get home until around 11.  Then, I read for awhile (review of White Picket Fences coming soon).

6. If you could move somewhere else where would you and why?
I'd love to live closer to Disney World, but I'm not sure I'd enjoy summers in the Florida heat (I hope to be one of those retired people that spends my winters in Florida!)  This past summer, we discovered the town of Lititz (near Lancaster) and fell in love.  I could easily move there!

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks?
Hmmm . . . maybe at Disney World.

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you?
Our neighbors have become good friends (it's so nice to have them nearby).  Of my "old friends", I guess Sue lives the closest - she's about 10 minutes away.

9. Do you believe ex’s can be friends? With benefits?
This is just a silly question.  I believe that ex's can be friends, or at least civil to each other.  I've seen it played out over and over again.  However, I wish we lived in a world where divorce was not so prevalent - it seems to be the easy way out these days. 

10. Do you like Dr. Pepper?
Definitely!  It's one of my favorite sodas.

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I would have posted this earlier, but the servers were  going crazy with all the people taking advantage of this great deal over the weekend.  So, just in case you missed it, click below and get your FREE E-Book.  It's gorgeous!

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Click on the button above to download your FREE copy of TOS' new e-book ~
The New School Year - Planning Your Course and Letting The Lord Determine Your Steps

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I saw this over at Fenced in Family.  She's not sure why it's called the "alpha meme" - neither am I. But, it looked like fun. And, since I'm always looking for some good blog content, I thought I'd play along ...

My roommate and I once: skipped school and discovered an alternative route to a famous amusement park, using all back roads.

Never in my life have I: whistled (I've tried, but I just can't!)

High school was: an interesting time in my life - I'd go back for the educational aspect, but not so much the social/emotional aspect.

When I’m nervous: I have to go to the bathroom.

My hair: keeps getting darker the older I get.

When I was 5: we lived in Italy for 5 months.

When I turn my head left: I see a blue recliner that is comfortable to sit in but next to impossible to get out of!

I should be: getting ready for my day.

By this time next year: I'll have a junior in high school!  Wasn't I just a junior in high school?!  Where has the time gone?

I have a hard time understanding: why some people do the things they do and act the way they act.

You know I like you if: I'm your friend.  I'm one of those "friend for lifers".  I don't do good with fairweather friend situations.

My ideal breakfast is: a breakfast bagel with veggie cream cheese or an english muffin with peanut butter.  (I'm not a huge breakfast person)

If you visit my home town: you'd say "no wonder this place didn't make the map!"

If you spend the night at my house: you'll be annoyed by Brian's snoring and you'll be fighting for a bathroom in the morning!

The animal I would like to see flying besides birds: Hmmm... this is strange.  Maybe pigs?  You know the whole "when pigs fly" thing.

Last night I: helped Brian and my dad get the old laptop fired up and ready for their trip out west, did laundry, and worried about Ian (who had a fever).

A better name for me would be: I don't know - I've never really liked my name, but have just gotten used to it over the years and can't think of anything else that would suit me anymore!

I’ve been told I look like: Alison Krause (but then she got skinny!) - now I'm told I look like Ashley!

If I could have any car, it would be: Toyota Camry

If you decide to play along, leave a comment and let me know.

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...to my Usborne Book Party!

I know you can't literally come to my house, so I decided to host an ONLINE show!  This past weekend, at the LEAH convention, we were "neighbors" with an awesome Usborne representative.  I bought 5 books for Ian and there were so many more I'd love to have!  We already have TONS of these books from when Ashley and Gracie were little.

If you're familiar with Usborne, you already know their books are great quality.  If you've never heard of or seen Usborne, please click through my party link and check them out.  You'll love them!

So, come to my party!
It'll be open 'til June 25th.
I'll do a drawing of all my guests and send out a special prize to the winner!

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Five Minutes for Mom is having a great contest (aren't they all?) - this time, they are giving away a Balance Bike.  This is a timely giveaway for me as Gracie got a new bike for her 9th birthday and has been trying to learn to ride (I wish I had known about these balance bikes when she was little).  Anyway, Ian, as usual, has to do everything that Gracie does, and I know he'd just love one of these balance bikes!

I was 4 years old when I received my first bike.  It was a small red biking with training wheels.  I don't exactly recall, but I would imagine that I got it for Christmas in 1974. I'm guessing it must have been a 16" bike.  I rode it with the training wheels, but could have never ridden without them.

A few months later, my dad was called to Italy for an extended business trip.  We lived in an apartment complex with an inner courtyard area.  There was a little boy, I believe his name was Luca, who had a TON of toys!  Despite the language barrier, I enjoyed playing with him.  He had the tiniest little bike I had ever seen (must have been like Ian's bike now - a 12" one).  Luca's dad taught me how to ride that thing, sans training wheels.  Don't ask me how I knew what he was saying - maybe he was able to speak some English, maybe someone translated, or maybe he spoke with his hands or something - anyway, I know he told me to get on that thing and pedal as fast as I possibly could.  Next thing I knew, I was riding that bike clear across the courtyard.  And, to my 5-year-old mind, that was quite large!

Upon our return back in the states, my parents promptly purchased a smaller bike for me, so that I could continue with my new riding ability.

All that to say this --- if you're in the market for a new bike for your children, DO NOT purchase up (thinking a larger bike will last longer).  Sure, it WILL last longer, but your child won't be able to enjoy it as much NOW. 

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