Today is The Nephew's Birthday!

The Nephew turns 6 today.  

Happy Birthday to my Favorite Nephew!

900 + 1 to grow on

Saturday morning my do bell rang.  I opened the door to a box.  A birthday box!  The PaVa's sent me a box full of all kinds of goodies.  At first glance I thought it was party supplies.  There were leis, and party horns.  I dug a little deeper.  Buttons?  Paper clips?

Turns out it was a box of 30 bags full of 30 items plus one to grow on.  I am still laughing, and I hope that it brings a smile for a long time to come.

Here are all of the items laid out together.

30 birthday pencils, 30 bouncing balls, 30 popsicle sticks, 30 rubber bands, 30 paper clips, 30 buttons, 30 rings, 30 rings (there were two different types), 30 leis, 30 party horns, 30 shot glasses, 30 candy bars, 30 kisses, 30 poker chips, 30 pennies, 30 nickles, 30 dimes, 30 quarters, 30 tootsie pops, 30 tootsie rolls, 30 jelly bracelets, 30 drink umbrellas, 30 birthday candles, 30 lips (they're a noise maker too!), 30 stencils, 30 jelly snakes, 30 prisms, 30 whistles, 30 bugs, 30 balloons.

That's 900 items!  The one to grow on?  A pink flamingo.

Thanks Dad & Joan!  The two of you are Pretty & Smart!

Its a New Year

There are many ways to welcome in the new year. There is the traditional and standard way on January 1st--also called the Gregorian Calendar.  It works, and gets everyone on the same page. 

Did you know the Chinese New Year just happened the same day as St. Valentine's Day?  We are now in the year of the Tiger.  There are 12 animals assigned to each year.  The animals cycle, so someone that is 12 years older than you has the same animal sign.  Last year was the year of the Ox.  James is an Ox. Next year will the the year of the Rabbit.  I am a Monkey. 

I had lunch in a Chinese food restaurant last week, and the place mats had the personality traits of people born in those years.  If you have an opportunity you should look up the year that you were born and your assigned animal.  Do the traits fit?  For James & me they fit us almost exactly.  There was just one trait per sign that was the exact opposite of how we behave.

Today is my 30th birthday.  I am starting my New Year today.  Today's date is 30/1 (just for me & my birthday twins- of course)  The last day of my year will be dated 30/365. 
As with any New Year the question of what I am going to be resolute to do or be is forefront in my mind.  Can I make New Year's Resolutions today?  (Yes, of course you can-- you are, after all, pretty AND smart!)

Resolution 1:  Don't yell.  I was once told that if I had a super power it would be my voice.  I could yell or scream you into submission. Certain members of my household have let me know that this is not my best attribute.
Resolution 2:  Be patient with my husband.  He is an Ox, and if you read the description you know that can be a mixed bag.
Resolution 3:  Call my dad at least once a week. I am a grown up now, and its really not important to keep the number of initial phone calls equal. 
Resolution 4:   Be mindful of others. I love to gossip!  Enough said.
Resolution 5:   Be mindful of and for myself.  There is a lot to do this year.  This list is long, and I have to keep up my strength, physically & mentally.

When does your New Year begin?  Are you going to resolve to anything new?

James is Good at Picking Out Chick Stuff!

So, It turns out that James is good, dare I say GREAT, at picking out chick stuff--As long as its for a computer/electronic device.  Here are the two new gadgets that James has gotten for my new computer.

Wireless Mouse: Logitech V220 Optical Mouse

It may be hard to tell, but it has butterflies & flowers on it (I love butterflies & flowers & James picked it out!).  It is also wireless, which is the whole point of getting a separate mouse.  I love a real mouse, as I am not as proficient with the touch pad.  I like that it is small enough to take with me & the wireless stick slides together with the mouse, so they don't lose each other. James did such a great job on this one!

Laptop Sleeve: BUILT Laptop Sleeve 16"

James picked out the sleeve although I picked out the fabric design.  I just got it in the mail as an early birthday present. Its made of neoprene, & unlike traditional sleeves this one zips on the small end.  I like this feature because I can slide the computer in and out of my backpack with out necessarily taking the sleeve out of the backpack.  There isn't a lot of bulk, and fits right around the computer.  I got the 16" size for my lap top that has a 15.4" screen.  Also the hour glass shape hugs the computer in place. Perfect fit! The sleeve is machine washable, and hangs to dry, so in case it gets dirty or something spilled on it the sleeve is not ruined.  The last great point about this sleeve is that you can put your computer into a large purse making ANY BAG A COMPUTER BAG!  How fabulous is that?!

James, Has anyone ever told you that you are Pretty & Smart?  You are!

Work Hard & Be Good

My mom drove me to school everyday until I went to college. When my mom dropped me off in the mornings, she would tell me “Work hard, and be good.” When I went to college she would tell me “Work hard, be good, and have fun, but not too much fun.” This was the bouquet that mom sent on my 20th birthday (the reason for the cookies is because she had her cell phone turned off all day on my BIRTHDAY!, but more on that in future posts). Please note that the cookie florist got the message mixed up, but you get the picture. I think that when I drop my future kids off at school in the mornings I am going to tell them “Work hard, be good, and you’re pretty and smart.”