Life As We Know It

Moving...

I'm moving.  My blog, that is.  Last summer I decided to switch to Blogger at the beginning of 2008.  I wanted my entire 2007 on Typepad so I could upload it to Blurb and make a book.  So, 2007 is complete and now its time.  I'm a little hesitant, hence the late start on moving over.  The last 2.5 years of my life are on Typepad and once I cancel my account (and my $8/month payment) it will be deleted. 

Just as "backup", and for future reference to link to, I've moved my entire blog over to Wordpress just as an archive.  I don't like Wordpress' format and features so I won't be using them for my actual current blog.  Why didn't I just export my Typepad blog over to Blogger instead of Wordpress like I did?  Well, currently there is no import feature on Blogger (that I know of).  You have to do the good 'ol "copy/paste"... which is what I did with the first 9 days of posts in January.  Not horrible for 9 days, but it still would take awhile for 875 posts I have on Typepad.  Not to mention you can't move your comments over to Blogger (they automatically imported in at Wordpress for me).  Its taking me forever to make my Blurb books (I'm doing one per year, and each year has close to 400+ pages that I need to condense posts onto pages etc...). I hate to delete my Typepad stuff before having the books printed, but I'm thinking as long as they're on Wordpress I'm ok, right? 

So...all this mumble jumble.  For now, I'll be posting at Blogger.com to make sure I'm ready for the commitment.  I think saving the $100ish a year on Typepad will be smart (even though it seems a tiny amount for a whole year, I think... hmm... thats close to $10/month... and we really should cut corners wherever we can and this is one easy way to do it), and I have lots of other blogs on Blogger.  I like that I can create and create and create numerous accounts rather than just 3 that Typepad allows you.  So... it makes sense, right? 

Can you tell I'm nervous about this change?  A whole 4 paragraphs about it!  HAHA!  Anyhow, visit my blog HERE from now on.. until further notice. 

New Blogger Alert!

This one is sure to be a funny read.  If you like Zoe's stories, I think you'll love Carrie's blog.  After our girls night out last week, I convinced her to get a blog. She was CRACKING us up with her stories about her kids.  I chose her blog address: iwishyouwerebald.blogspot.com after one of her stories.  Her 4 year old was mad at her about putting on pants and after Carrie told her she needed to be more respectful to her parents Emma yelled at her "I wish you were bald!"  like it was the worst thing in the world LOL!  (of course, Carrie's in-person version of the story was MUCH funnier, but you get the drift...).

Anyhow, Carrie's already up and at em with blogging and has a few posts already.  Check her out here:  Life is like a box of chocolates

TFT Posts

So I'm slacking. Again.  I just thought I'd highlight the TFT bloggers this week.

Jessica: Kids being introduced to violence

Kristi: Grieving for pets

I'm still alive. Really, I am

I've been slacking on two major things this month: Blogging and Taking Pictures.

As I'd said before... I have a folder for each month.  Inside the month folder are dated folders for the days.  Normally, I have 10-15 (and sometimes more!) folders of pictures.  This month... I have three.  I took pictures on 12/2, 12/13 and today, 12/16.  That is it.  And nothing is with my 30D, meaning... all those pictures are pure snapshots.  I'm really slacking.

I guess to update, I'll do a little outline, because I just have little random things to write about.  Nothing huge and meaningful.  (like a TFT... that I've been slacking on for... ohh... weeks). 

My Blogger Secret Santa
Yesterday I got a box- a HEAVY box- on my front porch.  From Denise Harkey!  It was jam packed full of goodies and it was like Christmas morning opening it up.  I had to take multiple pictures to get everything in!

L-R:  Mini Snowman in a Box, Christmas Jars book, Everything Christmas mini book, plate and mug for Santa (I was JUST thinking I needed to find some and I love these!) and a bag of nuts (which Ryan devoured!).

L-R: (in back) Black photo album, container with Reindeer food (I was thinking about making this as well... well, I don't need to now!), a dog frame, "B" ornament, photo box (everything was packed in) and a homemade card.

How stinking awesome?!  Thank you so much Denise.

Snowy, Sick Day
I was all geared up to go to church this morning. However, Porter woke up with a fever of 101* last night and although he woke up just fine this am, both he and I are stuffed up and miserable feeling.  And... we woke up to this outside:

So, we're going to hang out, watch Cars for the 5,832nd time this weekend, and just relax.  The wind is blowing, so at this time I don't plan on going out and playing in the snow with P.  Maybe later if it stops blowing. 

I need to go grocery shopping later, but I think that'll be it for today.

Christmas Cookies
I'm gearing up for a baking day with LeeAnn and Lukas.  We're going to make Christmas Cookies!   We're ironing out the details for what kind we're going to make, and I can not wait until next weekend!  YUM. 

Well, that's about it for now.  I thought I had more to share, but guess not.  I'll try to write more at naptime!

Welcoming some new bloggers to BlogLand

First off is Mandi Haney... I went to college with her at Spring Arbor and she now lives in NC.  Read about her Just Married life at Le Haneys

Next is Maria Hosmer, who is Leslie's cousin.  I also know her from the Cheeky Monkey's Mom's Group and her family has been wonderful clients of mine as well.  Her blog is only two posts new, but she already is showing potential to be a hilarious read!  Read about her adventures with her "A-Team" at Hosmerville. 

Last up is my dear husband.  I think he became a little jealous of all these mom blogs I read and he decided to start up his own "Daddy Blog."  His first name was "The Dad's Group"  but I had to intervene and help him come up with something a little more.. oh I dunno.  Anyhow, I'll warn you, there's only one post.  Give him some encouragement!  It already seems to be living up to its name... it really is NOT Just Another Dad Blog. (Oh, Heather... I asked him about his comments.  He said he hadn't read them yet.  Looooossserrr.  Where are his priorities?  He may not be a blogger at the core afterall.. I mean, a real blogger knows that comments are the most important thing to read! HAHA!)

Alright.  There you go.  Some new reads for the weekend.  Go visit at least once and leave them some New-Blogger encouragement!

NaBloPoMo

**November is National Blog Posting Month!**

What does that mean?  Well, if you're up for the challenge it means you attempt to post every day for the month of November.  A. Post. A. Day.  Not really that hard, if you think about it.  It just takes a little effort.  And, if you really want to get into it, you can visit the NaBloPoMo website and sign up.  I think I might. 

I'll be participating.  Maybe I'll make a link list in my sidebar for those bloggers I know who are going to attempt NaBloPoMo also.  If you're in, let me know in a comment. 

In the meantime... I'm going to start jotting down a list of blogging ideas in case I get stuck.  Which I'm sure will happen. 

Joining B.A.A.

aka... Blog Addicts Anonymous.

Lately I've been whipping up new blogs left and right.  A few for my business, a few personal, a few this and that. 

I thought I'd share one today... Moon Moon and More.  I am addicted to buying (collecting??) children's books.   Scholastic Book Orders must *love* me.  As I said in my TFT Post about buying WAY too many clothes for Porter, I also have that same problem with books.  This spring I counted that he had over 300 books.  Yeah, some I don't care for and some are a little above his attention level right now, but there are quite a few that are our favorites and I thought I'd start a blog to highlight all the good children's books that I come across. 

Check it out, and if you have any suggestions on books we should read let me know!

**BTW** Just thought I'd let you know I purchased a nice, new PURPLE toothbrush.  Hopefully Ryan won't mistake that as a "manly" color HAHA!  No more sharing tooth scum! Yay!!

Dear S@ahoo.com

Thank you for your comment, it is appreciated, and thank you for pointing me in the direction of the "ease of use" ratings for car seats.  (I personally would prefer crash test ratings rather than how easy it is to read the labels on my carseat...)

As my post stated, I was asking if anyone had heard anything good/bad about that seat as I knew nothing about it.  Yes, I assumed it was a decent seat as this store carried it (not because I "like" the store, only because they seem to act like "car seat snobs" about what brands they carry... they literally told me they won't carry other brands because "Britax is THE best"...  I don't 100% agree that you have to spend $300 to have a good carseat, but, whatever).

Anyhow, I appreciate your comment, but you'll have to excuse me because your annoying anonymous comment caught me on an extremely bitchy day.  Its not the comment that irritates me, its the lack of identification.  If you have something to say, at least have the balls to write your real name and real email address.

(I know I'll totally have "blog hangover" tomorrow for posting this, but right now it just seems fitting.)

Blogs and infected water.

I love Bloglines.  I really do.  (Well, I've *tried* to use Google Reader, but I just can't make the full transition). 

Anyhow, I have close to 140 feeds in my Bloglines.  Anytime I find an interesting blog, I just click the feed button and it adds it to Bloglines.  And voila, I have instant reading material anytime I need it. 

There are many many blogs I read that I find hilarious, and I would love to share all 140 of them with my readers, however, I think a link list with 140 people would be a bit excessive.  So, I thought, it might be neat to do a little "spotlight on cool bloggers" post every once in awhile.  Maybe give you all some new reading materials (but don't quit reading me! HAHA!).

I've come to the conclusion that there is definitely something in the water lately.  Personally, I know of at least 3 people who are newly pregnant, I know a handful more who will hopefully be expecting soon, and in blog-world I have come across SOO many blogs of people who have just found out they were pregnant.  Crazy stuff.  I think a baby-boom will be appearing next spring/summer.

Anyhow, a couple of these bloggers are blogs I just found today.  Minutes ago, actually.  And a couple of them are newly preggers and seem like pretty funny writers.  So, check them out.

All-D

Moments of Sanity

Texas Belle (Bun in the Oven)

And a couple scrapbook blogs:
How Much is Too Much?

Life, Love, Paper

And a few photography blogs:

Rebecca Mudrick

Roxy and Kai

Michelle Croson

Ashley McNamara

There you go... enjoy!!

Not to be outdone....

What exactly do the guys do when they are together?

THIS!

Yeah, they rip on us girls for being glued to the laptops, but what do they do when they're together?  Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football. 

Dorks.

Ryan Morrison is in from St. Louis (Porter and I picked him up from the airport this morning) and he and Ryan and some other guys are going to the Oregon vs. Michigan game tomorrow afternoon.  Sounds like fun stuff, huh?   Its 8pm, they've run off to Hunt Club to play pool and have a few beers, so I'm left to myself for the evening to blog, catch up on client pictures and maybe, just maybe, take a break and scrapbook.  Hmm...

Sorry I've been a flake with the Thoughts for Thursday stuff... I might try to come up with something this evening.  I just have no good thoughts lately.