Christmas Fun - Getting to Know You

I found this over at The Penny-Pinching Mama, who in turn found it over at Top Ten Christmas Blog. Anyone can participate, so if you'd like, post this on your blog and link up on the Top Ten Christmas Blog.

Here we go....

Have you started your Christmas shopping?
Yes. Little by little.

Tell me about one of your special traditions.
I like to back and decorate Christmas cookies and give them out to friends and neighbors.

Are you a Black Friday Shopper?
No!

When do you put up your Tree?
We usually wait until after our birthdays at the beginning of December, so usually the end of the first week or beginning of the second week of December.

Do you Travel at Christmas or Stay home?
Definitely stay at home. Unless we're vacationing at the same time.

What is your funniest Christmas memory?
I really don't remember.

What is your favorite Christmas Movie of All time?
I haven't seen many Christmas movies. Of the ones I've seen, Scrooged.

Do you do your own Christmas Baking, what’s your favorite treat?
Yes. Cookies. Lots of sugar cookies.

Fake or Real Tree?
Real

What day (as a mom) does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
December 26th. Okay, not that soon, but usually at the beginning of October I start getting stressed.

Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
I certainly hope not.

What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas?
Being with friends - all laughing, joking, and being in good spirits.

What Christmas craft do you like the best?
What don't I like? Crochet and felt ornaments the best, probably.

Christmas music. Yes or No, and if yes What is your favorite song?
I'm not too fond of the normal Christmas type songs. I like classical. I will listen to Manheim Steamroller though.

When do you plan to finish all your shopping?
Are you trying to rush me???

Joshua Bell CD Giveaway - Ends 12/5

Seeryus Mama is having a Thanksgiving Duo giveaway where one very lucky reader will win a copy of Joshua Bell’s new album, At Home With Friends. My husband and I love classical music and we adore Joshua Bell. If you don't remember the Pearls Before Breakfast article that ran two years ago about Joshua Bell playing in the middle of the L'Enfant Plaza Station (in jeans and a baseball cap, stationed by a trash basket!) in Washington during a morning commute, you really need to go read it. In fact, if you DO remember, just go read it again and make sure to watch the video and listen to the sound. That's just how awesome Joshua Bell is.


I would absolutely love to win this cd for my husband. It would be a terrific Christmas gift for him!

Eden Fantasys $50 GC Giveaway - 12/5

In the mood for love? Keep your love life popping this holiday season and win a $50 gift card to Eden Fantasys by going on over to Fairy Blog Mother and entering Annette's Eden Fantasys giveaway!

Sea Babe Infinity Ring Giveaway - Ends ?

Beyond My Tutor List.com is holding a wonderful giveaway where one very lucky reader will win an Infinity Ring by seababe.etsy.com. This ring is gorgeous and I want it for myself! :) I just love Sea Babe's jewelry!

Trudie Davies Designs Giveaway - Ends 12/17

The Give-Away Diva is having an awesome giveaway where one very lucky reader will win a beautiful ring set from Trudie Davies Designs! Trudie is offering the winner a choice between her two most popular best sellers - either a set of stack rings or a personalized silver band with two skinny stackers!

Monday Mingle - November 30, 2009

If you'd like to participate in Monday Mingles (stared by Jennifer over at Eighty MPH Mom), just make a short vlog, put it on your blog answering the week's questions (however many you choose), post the above button on your site, and link up at Eighty MPH Mom. Link up any time during the week. Visit the other participants, learn about them, and have fun!

Also, if you'd like to submit a question for future Monday Mingles, just to fill out the form on Jennifer's Monday Mingle post.

I apologize to everyone today. I'm unable to do a vlog because I have severe bronchitis and I've not only lost my voice, but my head feels as if it's about to explode. Plus you guys don't really want to see me hacking and coughing away every two seconds. So I'm going to save you all the misery and participate via written post today.

There. That's me. Just pretend I'm moving my lips and being lewd. Yep. That's pretty much all there is. Okay, on to the questions.

This week's questions were:
The next three are excellent questions - they were submitted by LAUREN from Mis-Adventures in Theatre:

1. Someone tells you that you have the whole day off and gives you $1,000 to do as you please. What do you do?

Hmmmm.... $1,000..... Do I actually have to spend it for something frivolous? If not, I'd probably throw it towards our credit card, or debt, or house, or money market, or something utterly boring. If it was "free money"? Hmmmmm....... I think I'd take my husband, kids, and best friend on vacation. My bf's girlfriend would NOT be invited. lol Not sure where. Someplace extremely juvenile so that we can all forget our problems and have a great kiddie time and just be our silly selves and enjoy each other. Maybe to Disney World?

Now, if they were adamant about not going on vacation, then I'd go out and shop for things for all of them. Tough cookies. I don't usually purchase things for myself. I prefer to make really special purchases for people I love. So they're all getting something! Dammit!!!


2. Who would play you in a Lifetime movie about yourself?

Without a doubt. Janeane Garofalo. I can relate to her acting style and wit in SO many ways. And she's petite, so she wouldn't have to crouch down to play me. And did I mention her wit? Her sarcasm? Her wit? I just LOVE her to death. Have you seen her in The Truth about Cats and Dogs? That is SO me.


3. We're in the technology age. What is your favorite technological innovation? What one do you think is just useless?

Favorite Tech Innovation: Computers! I love computers! I would spend all day on the computer if I could. In fact, that's where I spend a lot of my day! My husband is a game programmer on computers. Where would be without computer games? Where??? NOWHERE!!!! That's where!

Useless Tech Innovation: I'm having a tough time coming up with something completely useless because most things are at least useful to SOME people. There will always be someone to buy something that most people think is absolutely useless.


4. What is your favorite funny childhood memory?

Hmmmm...... I'm not really sure. My childhood, I'm convinced was one big joke so there were a lot of funny moments sandwiched in between the strange and bizarre moments. Perhaps one of my favorite moments was when my father brought home a dog that he wanted to take in. My mother and he were arguing about it and they didn't see me enter the house after I came home from school. I heard them talking about a dog, but my mother was insistent that he get rid of it because he said that he was told that the dog was pretty vicious to children. Well that's all it took for me to go find it. I very stealthily crept to the garage because I assumed the dog would be in there. I opened the door and was met by a large, silver-coated dog. Who DID NOT EAT ME!!!! Actually we got along quite well. When my parents heard the dog getting all fiesty in the garage, and they heard my voice, they called for me and ran to the garage, slammed open the door - Expecting, I'm sure, that the dog would be mauling me. But nope. The dog and I were sitting on the floor and I was scratching her belly and she was wagging her tail. We adopted the dog. :)


5. What is/was your favorite Kool-Aid/Jello flavor? One you hated?

Okay, I love and still love black cherry flavored jello. I don't think there's one that I dislike. Do they make pineapple? Okay if they do, then maybe pineapple. Not that I don't actually like pineapple, but I just can't picture eating it as a jello. Or coconut. Ugh. Okay, that's one I'd definitely dislike. Yuck!

PersonalizedFree.com Giveaway - Ends 11/29

Sandy over at Shopaholic Mommy is having a wonderful giveaway where one lucky reader will win a personalized holiday ornament from PersonalizedFree.com!

I love this one!

Vanilla Dream Extract Giveaway - Ends 11/29

She Scribes is having a very tasty giveaway where THREE lucky readers will win a bottle of Vanilla Dream Extract!

Sunday Stealing: The Tell Me About Yourself Meme

Sunday Stealing: The Tell Me About Yourself Meme

1. When is your birthday?

December 3

2. Where were you born?

Miami, FL

3. Where do you live now?

Austin, TX

4. What is your heritage?

American

5. Tell us about a weakness.

Sweets

6. What's a goal that you'd like to achieve?

Be lean and fit.

7. What is the most overused internet phrase?

BRB

8. What was your first thought this morning?

Crap, that cough medicine was strong stuff.

9. When do you usually go to bed?

After 11pm

10. Do you smoke? If not, did you ever?

No. Not ever. Smoking sucks.

11. Do you like your current relationship status?

Yes

12. Do you (or did you) get along with your parents?

No

13. How often do you drink alcohol?

Whenever the mood strikes me. Which isn't that often.

14. Have you ever tried drugs (that weren't prescribed)?

No

15. Have you ever gone skinny dipping? If yes, do tell.

Of course. A couple of times. What's there to tell. Wet with no clothes. The end.

16. If given the choice, how would you like to die?

I wouldn't. I prefer to live forever to I have the time to do everything I want.

17. What did you want to be when you grew up?

I think my only goal was being an artist.

18. Have you ever been dumped?

No. I was always the dumper.

19. What's on your pizza?

Mushrooms. A lot of them. And cheese. And tomato sauce.

20. Have you ever shoplifted?

No, I'm a good girl. At least some of the time.

Clarisonic Plus Giveaway - Ends 11/30

L-M-X is having an awesome first giveaway where one very lucky reader will win a Clarisonic Plus Sonic Skin Cleansing System!

This set includes:

• One rechargeable Clarisonic PLUS skin care brush
• One delicate brush head
• One sensitive brush head
• One normal brush head
• One spot therapy brush head
• 1-oz Nourishing Care Cleanser
• 1-oz Refreshing Gel Cleanser
• 1-oz Gentle Hydro Cleanser
• 6-oz Gentle Hydro Cleanser
• 2-oz Refining Skin Polish
• 6-oz Refining Skin Polish
• Universal charging cradle
• UL listed charging cradle; 2-year Limited Manufacturer's Warranty

Burts Bees Giveaway - Ends 12/10

Simply Stacie is have a wonderful giveaway where one very lucky reader will win $75 worth of assorted products from Burts Bees!

Clarisonic Limited Edition Giveaway - Ends 12/8

Victoria over at Life Starring the Kids & Me is having an amazing giveaway where one extremely lucky reader will win a Limited Edition Clarisonic Skin Care System. The Clarisonic Skin Care System is the first sonic oscillation face brush that deeply cleanses, stimulates and clarifies the skin. Created by the inventor of the Sonicare toothbrush, the Clarisonic works with the skin’s natural elasticity to unclog pores for deeper cleansing without stripping the skin. It also prepares the skin for better absorption of skin care products.

I need one of these so very badly. I swear, I'm the only 40 something in existence with teenage acne problems and terrible skin tone. :( I would love to give this product a try to see if it really does improve the way my skin looks!

Sleep Number Plush Blanket Giveaway - Ends 12/8

Prissy Green is having an awesome giveaway where one very lucky reader will win a Sleep Number (by Select Comfort) Classic Plush Blanket in your choice of color - KING SIZE!!! When I saw this I gave a yelp of joy. We have a king size bed and it is SO hard to find anything we like for it that doesn't cost an outright fortune. The colors available are: ivory, cranberry, sand, indigo blue, cocoa, and sage.

Can't wait? This blanket usually retails for $89.99. Currently they are on sale at the site for $53.99 (for the king size). But you better hurry - the sale ends 11/27.

Dark Fairy Treasures Giveaway - Ends 11/27

There's a great giveaway going on over at Altered Beauty. One lucky reader will win an item of their choice from Dark Fairy Treasures on Etsy (up to a value of $15).

How gorgeous is this bracelet????

Monday Mingle - November 23, 2009

If you'd like to participate in Monday Mingles (stared by Jennifer over at Eighty MPH Mom), just make a short vlog, put it on your blog answering the week's questions (however many you choose), post the above button on your site, and link up at Eighty MPH Mom. Link up any time during the week. Visit the other participants, learn about them, and have fun!

Also, if you'd like to submit a question for future Monday Mingles, just to fill out the form on Jennifer's Monday Mingle post.

I've added a password to my video so not every person that cruises for videos can access it. Only folks that come here. :) The password for this video is: hubby.


Had to use a different camera. I need me a WEBCAM! Hear that PR people? WEBCAM!!! I will love you FOREVER!

I also realized that I didn't crack a smile even once during this filming. I think after repeated attempts at getting it under 500k to upload wore me out. And apparently I'm having a crappy hair day today. Go me!

And WTF? You can hear my kids in the background practically throughout the entire taping.

AND after those multiple attempts, I said screw it and upgraded my Vimeo account so that I didn't have to worry about upload size. Siiiiigh. And even THEN, it took me two days to upload because it was canceling out on me for some stupid reason. Double siiiiiiiiiigh.

Monday Mingle - November 23, 2009 from Jenine Herrell on Vimeo.

This week's questions:

We're mixing it up a bit this week - ALL ABOUT MARRIAGE/RELATIONSHIPS:

Speedy Cop would love to see the husband/partner's answers too - either via vlog or through you!

1. Men: When your spouse asks you "how does this outfit make me look" - how do you respond?

Ladies: Do you really want him to answer honestly?

2. Both: What is one thing you should always do to keep your spouse/partner happy? What do you do/say to avoid friction in your relationship?

3. Both: What were the first thoughts about your spouse/partner that came to mind when you first met him/her?

4. Both: What is your favorite physical feature of your spouse/partner?

5. Both: What are the key ingredients to a successful marriage/relationship?

6. Are you ready for more Speedy Cop movie quotes?

Sunday Stealing: The Party Mummy

Sunday Stealing: The Party Mummy Meme

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you.

Holly Marie Combs, Brendan Fraser, Katarina Witt, Daryl Hannah, Mickey Thomas, Ozzy Osbourne

2. Where was your first kiss?

Ummmm....... I don't actually remember. 10th grade in back of school? Maybe?

3. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex? If yes, why?

No. I've had plenty of reason to though.

4. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? When?

No. We play Rock Band so the biggest group I've sung in front of has been perhaps 10 people at the very most.

5. What's the first thing you notice about your preferred sex?

Wow. Not sure how to answer this one. I think the first thing I notice is if they actually look at me.

6. What really turns you off?

Dumb people. Heavy southern accents. Bad breath. Body odor.

7. What is your biggest mistake?

Well *I* know what it was and that's all that counts.

8. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?

Not unless you count exercise. The PAIN!!!!

9. Say something totally random about yourself.

I hate dripping. Anything dripping. Rain, the water from a shower down my face, blood, etc.

10. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?

I was told I looked like Tiffany in my younger years. I was also told I looked like Rita Hayworth. In both instances, I'm sure it's because of my hair.

11. Do you still watch kiddie movies or TV shows?

Of course.

12. Are you comfortable with your height?

Absolutely. I love being tiny.

13. What is the most romantic thing someone of the preferred sex has done for you?

Umm... heh. Wow. Is it bad that I can't actually recall? The only thing I can think of is the way my hubby proposed.

14. When do you know it's love?

Not sure. You just feel it. Really, really feel it.

15. What's something that really annoys you?

The sound of sniffling.

Hasbro Giveaway - Ends 12/7

Mama Snow over at Catch the Drift is having a great giveaway where one lucky reader will win
The Game of Things by Hasbro! This game seems so cool. I'd love to play this sitting around the table with our friends.

Crazy Dog T-Shirt Giveaway - Ends 12/3

Win a fun T-shirt from Crazy Dog T-Shirts by entering the giveaway over at Prissy Green! Fashionable and super soft graphic tees are their specialty!

My favorite is this one. But there are several really great ones at Crazy Dog T-Shirts there I would have a tons of fun wearing.