How to get ready for Blissdom (part one)

I must have been out of my mind. Last year, without knowing a single soul who was going or really why I had a blog in the first place, I registered for Blissdom.

Blissdom is “the premiere conference for women who find and express their bliss by publishing online.” It’s put on by online magazine Blissfully Domestic and One2One Network, a women’s word-of-mouth marketing network. And it’s held each February in Nashville.

And that little paragraph up there? That’s about all I knew as I got on a plane and headed south almost one year ago.

Since that weekend in February – and because of it, really – I have made several amazing friends and had a couple incredible opportunities. All thanks to blogging and the insane, what-was-I-thinking decision to attend Blissdom.

This year, I’m excited to return to the conference that helped me see blogging as more than a random way to pass the time after putting my daughter to bed. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better with a larger attendance and a fancy-schmancy hotel. And ohmygoodness, have you heard? Harry Connick, Jr., will be there!

[Insert pounding heart and, let’s be honest, crazy eyes here.]

But more importantly than even Harry and the chance to stay at the Grand Ole Opry hotel? (Well, slightly more important than Harry…) The one-two knockout punch of information-packed seminars and the chance to hang out with my blogging friends and meet more amazing women who don’t look at me strangely when I say things like, “Wait! Can you do that again? I want to take a picture for my blog.”

As someone who went to last year’s conference completely unprepared and proceeded to get completely overwhelmed, I’m here to offer you some advice. Here are the first five ways to get ready for Blissdom:

1. Register. Now, this might seem obvious, but I’d be willing to be my sturdy yet cute Lands End tote bag from last year’s conference that somebody reading this post has been thinking about going for a while but has not had the nerve to register yet. Stop thinking about it and do it! Only 500 tickets will be sold, and I suspect most of those are already spoken for. So, first order of business: Go straight to the registration page and get yourself a ticket!
   
   
2. Order business cards. Perhaps this, too, is obvious to some of you. Last year, it was not so clear to me. So learn from my mistake. Though most of Blissdom will feel like a girls’ weekend retreat, it’s really a business meeting. And you’d never go to a business meeting without some way of helping people remember you! This doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A basic design or even a template will do, and plenty of printers offer economical options. I printed mine at FedEx Kinko’s, but I’ve also heard lots of people talk about Vistaprint and MOO.
   
   
3. Get connected. Join the Blissdom Facebook group and follow @Blissdom and the Blissdom hashtag (#blissdom) on Twitter. This will give you access to all the fun chatter about the upcoming conference, including tips and insights from people who have attended before. (For example, if I’d done this last year, I would have known to bring business cards.) Following the conversation on Facebook and Twitter will also tell you who’s going this year. And that leads me to #4 . . .
   
   
4. Find out who’s going to Blissdom. I’m not saying you should stalk your fellow conference attendees. But I am saying you should find out who’s going, read their blogs and follow them on Twitter. You could even, if you’re as crazy organized as me some people, make a list of people you want to meet throughout the weekend. The place to start for a list of attendees would be the Facebook group, but another place would be The Nester’s link-up and Lisa Boyd's link-up at Simply His.
   
   
5. Make a friend. If you’ve been blogging for any time at all – or even just lurking around the blogosphere – I would bet you’ve got a bloggy friend or two. However, if they’re not attending, you still have time to make new friends who are. When you find someone you like, whether through the Twitter stream, the Facebook group or a link-up of people attending, start commenting on their posts. Or send a quick e-mail. Who doesn’t like hearing, “I love your blog and look forward to meeting you.”?? Follow that up with a quick, “I see you’re going to Blissdom. So am I! Maybe we can see each other there!” and you might just have yourself a new friend.

I’m serious on that last point, you all. When I was frantically trying to figure out WHAT ON EARTH I WAS DOING shortly before last year’s conference, I stumbled onto Jenny Rapson’s blog, Mommin’ It Up. I left her a comment, she replied with an e-mail, and instantly I felt like I wasn’t quite so alone on this conference adventure. She, of course, was super nice when I met her in person last year, and while we didn’t hang out, it was just nice to see a familiar face and to be greeted with a smile.

All right, that’s the first five tips I have for you. As my ninth grade history teacher would say each day as we fled his classroom, “Read, study and comprehend.” And then come back tomorrow for the last five ways to prepare for Blissdom.

Are you going to Blissdom? If not, have you gone to other conferences in the past year?

This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.

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Can we get a translator over here?

The other day my manager was talking about how her 4-year-old daughter only has a couple words that she mispronounces, and she's sad to see those cute, funny words disappear.

As she said it, I thought to myself, "Well, I won't ever know what that's like, because Annalyn's vocabulary skills are so advanced that she really doesn't mispronounce most things. That girl can enunciate!"

I even believed what I was thinking.

Then I started listening for mispronunciations. I'm sure you're not as surprised as I am that I noticed a few. Okay, a lot.

And they are Super Cute. Here are a few, used in sentences for your ease of understanding:

• Lie-vray - "Where do we get Elmo videos, Annalyn?" "The lie-vray! Pincess moovie! Pink pincess movie!" (We're temporarily over Elmo these days.)
  
• PQ - "Where did Annalyn go?" "PQ!!" "Oh, peekaboo! There you are!"
  
• broccoli - "Bockolee and panties! Mommy's tummy! Hahaha!"
  
• gunnel bar - "Do you want cheerios for breakfast?" "No! Want gunnel bahr!" (In other words, she wants Mommy's Fiber One granola bar. The kind with chocolate chips. The ones Mommy rations and considers the perfect snack. Those.)
  
• hamma - "Mommy want a hamma?" "A what?" "Hamma!" "Um, okay?" (It turns out she was saying "hamburger" and referring to the fake plastic steaks that came with her fake food set.)
  
• fah-pah- "Daddy watch fah-pah." Lots and lots of fah-pah. Good thing the Superbowl is almost here. You know, so we can move on to baseball. Or, um, base-bah?
  
• eemo - "Send eemo. Send eemo to Kyle." Annalyn calls my manager Kyle (which is not her name, but it's close). And one morning I had to send her an e-mail from home. Ever since, Annalyn likes to pretend that she's sending "Kyle" e-mails from her computer.
• pooter - I almost forgot. "Computer" is actually "pooter."
  
• CDO - "Watch CDO, Mommy! See baby! Watch CDO!" No, no, she's not referring to a strange and confusing Phil Collins song. She's confusing the many forms of media we have in our house - CD plus DVD plus video plus uploaded video of herself on Youtube (what she was actually referring to) equals "CDO."
• Slinky bankie - "No! Don't want slinky bankie in here!" Annalyn has a really soft pink blanket. And she has an unexplained love/hate relationship with it. Some nights, she can't go to sleep without it. Other nights, she can't go to sleep if it's anywhere in sight. Most nights it's folded up in the closet.
  

I have to admit, I'm glad she has all these cute little words. I've told her several times - although, clearly, not enough - to stop growing up and to Stay Little!

This post of ten words I realized (learned) Annalyn mispronounces in her super cute way will be linked to OhAmanda's Top Ten Tuesday and Musings of a Housewife's What I Learned This Week.

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Jumping in

Image by ashleigh290

Most the time you can tell it's January at the gym because the place is packed. But at 6 a.m. in the deep end of the pool, I'm pretty sure I'm seeing life as usual.

And by usual, I mean the high school girls swim team practicing on one end, several old ladies in suits with skirts on the other end, and various coaches, lifeguards and random chubby men in Speedos in between.

Yes, that's right. I'm taking water aerobics.

Taking a class - especially with a friend - is actually the best way for me to get exercise in consistently. The commitment of paying for something in advance combined with the accountability of knowing someone else will be tortured showing up with me is exercise gold for me.

While I'd love to take some sort of boot camp or kickboxing class, I know better. All the commitment and accountability in the world isn't going to keep me coming back to something that makes me want to die causes major pain. (See: The 30-Day Shred.) And so, low-impact, old-lady water aerobics it is.

Thankfully, my friend Brittany is game for the early morning class that works with my schedule. If she wasn't, I'd probably still be sleeping until the sun was at least thinking about coming up on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

Last week was our first class, and it wasn't the best timing. Like most areas of the country, we have had crazy cold temperatures and large amounts of snow over the past couple of weeks. But we soldiered on.

And the class was fun! Those old ladies were barely fazed by the same workout that completely kicked my butt. But that's okay. I think a workout that I feel but can manage is just what I needed. Even if I am schooled by grandmas.

Have you ever done water aerobics? What exercise are you doing these days?

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TV to the Rescue: How NBC & USA Saved January

A foot of snow.
Sub-zero temps.
Maxed-out credit cards.
Tight pants, courtesy of multiple holiday feasts.
Resolutions to tackle and goals to reach toward.

January gives us plenty of reasons to hate it, doesn’t it?

Then it has to go and do something nice, kind of like sending flowers or taking us out to dinner. But better.

Starting tomorrow, it’s bringing back some of my favorite TV shows, and what better way to deal with this crazy weather than slip into some comfy lounge pants, grab some (sugar-free) hot chocolate and flip on the tube?

You might be referring to tomorrow as “Sunday,” but around my house – at least for this week – we’re calling it “Chuck Day.”

Chuck is the coolest show about nerds you’ll ever watch. Or the nerdiest show about spies you’ll ever watch. Either way, if you watch it, you won’t regret it.

With spy intrigue, unrequited romance, intelligent banter and hilarious characters around every corner, Chuck offers a little bit of something for everyone. And for those of us who enjoy the suspenseful, the funny, the clever and the lovey-dovey, well, this is the ultimate combo.

Here’s the basic premise, as described by IMDB: When a twenty-something computer geek inadvertently downloads critical government secrets into his brain, his former college friend turned CIA recruits him as a secret agent, all while keeping him out of evil hands.

Don’t worry if you are new to Chuck. After last season’s game-changing finale, Season Three is the perfect time to start. But you can also check out Chuck 101: The Basics on Give Me My Remote. It includes video clips that will catch you right up – and get you totally psyched for Season Three!

Chuck’s third season starts with a two-hour premiere at 8 p.m. CST on Sunday, January 10, with a third episode at the show’s regular time at 7 p.m. CST on Monday, January 11.

The fun doesn’t stop there, though. The USA Network has made it their business to showcase quirky characters, and my three favorites are coming back this month.

Next Tuesday (January 19) at 9 p.m. CST marks the return of White Collar, the new kid on the USA block. It’s a crime of the week show about an infamous white collar criminal who’s been released from prison in exchange for helping the FBI solve white collar crimes. The two main guys are the typical bickering odd couple, but with a few more layers than normal as they tentatively develop trust despite their differences. (You know, one being a criminal and the other being a law man and all. Those differences.)

The show is clever and funny, and it stars the not-bad-on-the-eyes-at-all Matthew Bomer. Bomer is formerly of Chuck, but he’s not the star with the most interesting resume. Playing the wife of the stuffy FBI agent is Kelly Kapowski herself.

And speaking of bickering odd couples, Psych is back on Wednesday, January 27 at 9 p.m. CST. As I’ve discussed before, watching Shawn and Gus pretend to be psychic while still solving real crimes is one of my favorite ways to pass an hour on Sunday night (I tape – yes, tape – the show so I can watch it with Mark over the weekend.).

If you’re not familiar with Psych but enjoy buddy shows, cop shows or ridiculous pop culture references, you need to put this one on your calendar. Or your DVR. Or wherever you put shows to watch. To promote this upcoming season, the cast sings a little ditty called Private Eyes. And it’s even funnier than Ebony & Ivory from a couple years ago.

For more Psych singalongs, I recommend Oh Sheila and Wishing Well. Also, Superfreak and Jessie’s Girl. You’re welcome.

To cap off what I’m calling the USA Trifecta, Mark’s favorite show, Burn Notice is back on Thursday, January 21 at 9 p.m. CST. Everything I need to know about being a spy, I learned from Michael Weston and Burn Notice. See, TV can be educational, too.

So, that’s what I’m looking forward to – at least in TV terms – this month. How about you? Do you watch these shows? Are any of your favorites coming back to help you make it through the winter months?

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My 2010 New Year's Resolutions

Image by katehra

It’s that time of year again, isn’t it? In the past week, I’ve read post after post about New Year’s resolutions. So of course I’m going to join the party.

Would you be surprised to know that I have a two-page typed document with my goals listed out with various strategies and tactics for achieving each one? Right. No. I know.

Don’t worry. I know your eyes are still bleeding from yesterday’s crazy long post. So I’ll keep this short and sweet. Here are my goals for 2010:

1. Read the Bible all the way through. I’ve never done this, so I finally did what I’ve said I should for the past couple of years: I bought a One Year Bible. Granted, it’s now the 8th and I’ve just gotten started. But I have gotten started.
2. Obtain and maintain a healthy weight. I started a water aerobics class on Monday, and I’m still a member of Weight Watchers. This is the year I will get healthy.
3. Improve our finances: live within a budget, save more and pay off some debt. I’ve already increased the amount automatically deposited to savings each month, and I’ve allocated extra paychecks to pay for car maintenance, gifts and vacation. Now it’s a matter of sticking to my revised monthly budget and figuring out how to pay for birthdays and Christmas.
4. Go on monthly dates with Mark. I’ve got most months mapped out. I’ve already bought concert tickets for April, and we’re hoping to take a trip to Chicago in May. Most months will be smaller affairs, though, like a movie or a trip to Target. You know how I love both of those outings!
5. Roll with the punches in our life with a toddler. In other words, potty training, moving to a big girl bed, working on our bedtime routine and possibly starting piano lessons. Yikes, that’s a lot of big stuff!

I’d also like to take a photography class, increase my blog traffic by providing better content and community, start a cooking club with my girlfriends, read some good books, stay fairly caught up on my scrapbooking and get a new job. But I’m not putting those on the main list. Short and sweet, remember?

Now, what about you? Have you blogged about your New Year’s resolutions and/or 2010 goals? I’d love to read it, so link up below!

If you aren’t going to blog about it, I hope you’ll still share your goals in the comments!



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Looking back on the memory of . . . 2009

Last week, Shelly at Life on the Wild Side posted a great recap on her blog. I knew right away that I wanted to do the same thing, but it’s taken me several days to get around to it. Now that I’ve finally answered the questions about my life in 2009, I know why.

The darned thing is way too long!

Even after skipping a few questions, this post has gone on and on and . . . well, you know. It’s possible that when it comes to bloggers, I am of the WORDY variety. Oh, who am I kidding? Of COURSE I’m wordy. It’s just who I am.

All through 2009 and now into 2010, I am a woman of MANY WORDS. So here it is, my post FULL OF WORDS about my life in 2009. Did you do a recap of 2009?

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
I swam with a dolphin in Orlando while on vacation with Mark. Yes, it was as magical as I imagined. Yes, I almost gagged when I got saltwater in my mouth.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I kept some of last year’s resolutions, including scrapbook more regularly, start a Bible study and start recycling. I did not lose weight. So, yes, I’ll have to have resolutions this year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Of course. My friend Mandy had a baby girl right after moving back to Kansas City. And my sweet friend Elizabeth had a darling baby girl who I’ve yet to meet and it’s killing me! In addition, cousins and co-workers and everyone in between have had babies this year, and I’m not about to try naming them all, because I’ll undoubtedly forget someone.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Of course. I can’t remember a year in my life when someone didn’t. (I guess that’s just the nature of life. Or the circle of life. Or hakuna matata.)

Anyway . . . in November, my family lost a dear friend, Mr. Crowley. He was my parents’ boss at one point and my brother and my principal at others, but he became so much more. He was my mom’s mentor in some ways, encouraging her to grow from a school secretary to teacher to principal. He was our friend, letting us swim in his pool during the summers, because we couldn’t afford a membership to the local pool, singing with my mom and me in the church choir, and generally being a great guy. Though I had not seen him in many years, I know he will be missed by many, and I’m thankful for his influence on my life.

5. What countries did you visit?
None. Although I did have every intention of going to Jamaica, which I believe requires a passport. It turns out my second choice, Florida, does not require any such thing, despite the fact that I heard more foreign languages spoken during my three days in Orlando than I had in the three years before.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A job and/or a ministry that I can be passionate about and use my gifts in. And, apparently, an end to the rule about not ending a sentence with a preposition.

Also, a CHI hair straightener would be nice.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don’t actually remember the specific dates, but I remember the days well: The night that Smitty got Annalyn to walk while pushing her doll stroller and the day she took her first step while playing with Triple and Mad Dog’s daughter. It was July-ish and August-ish.

What can I say? I’m not a numbers person.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
This is a hard question. I don’t want to sound too pitiful, but I’m not sure I achieved anything great in 2009. I guess I’d have to say attending Blissdom. I didn’t know a single soul who would be there, and yet I got on a plane anyway. And even though I was completely self-conscious and nervous and freaked out, I ended up making some great friends and connections. All by myself!

9. What was your biggest failure?
My biggest failure of 2009 was letting another year go by without adopting healthy eating and exercise habits. While I dream of the day I lose weight, it’s not all about the numbers on a scale. It’s about being healthy enough to be a good role model for my daughter, to enjoy regular activities like I’m designed to without huffing and puffing and sweating like a horse, and to be able to safely consider having another baby.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope, nothing major, thank God! Mark twisted his ankle badly at work, but considering he drives a semi, I’m thankful for small injuries, too!

11. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mark for being the best dad our little girl could ask for. Annalyn for being sweet, smart and sassy – and darned cute, if I do say so myself. My brother and sister-in-law for giving me tickets to see Wicked. My parents for spending every Thursday night at my house so I can go to choir practice. Smitty for going back to school, earning her master’s degree and getting a job teaching at an alternative school.

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My friend who left his wife and two kids to continue an affair with his wife’s best friend. I can’t talk any more about this, but it both shocked me and depressed me.

13. Where did most of your money go?
Debt. And food. And no, I don’t want to talk about this, either.

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I was super excited to be asked to write for (in)courage. I still haven’t figured out why on earth I would be included in the amazing group of women creating a home for the hearts of women. But whatever the reason, whatever God’s plan in this, I am grateful. And still really, really, really excited.

15. What song will always remind you of 2009?
*Sigh* Anything by Lady Gaga or Black-eyed Peas, probably.

And Mighty to Save, because we sang it to death at Easter. I know, I know. Easter is supposed to be about life and rebirth and, yes, resurrection. But, I’m so sorry to everyone who loves that song, but for me, there will be no resurrection of that one.

16. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
Let me start by saying I am not a fan of this question. Let me finish by not answering it.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Praying. Loving. Learning.

18. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Complaining. Gossiping. Eating.

19. How did you spend Christmas?
I’ll actually give you the short version this time: with family. (But if you missed the long version, see yesterday’s post!) 

20. Did you fall in love in 2009?
I really liked Shelly’s answer, but I won’t copy her. At least, not completely. I had moments where I fell in love with my husband again. I had many moments where I fell in love with my daughter. I fell in love with Glee and Wicked, with my church’s choir, and with God’s creativity, compassion and wisdom.

21. What was your favorite TV program?
How long do you have? Kidding. I’ll actually be discussing this topic in full in a later post. The short version (yes, I am capable, it turns out) is Chuck. I love Chuck.

22. What was the best book you read?
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson

23. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Just one? Really? I can’t. But I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed the music of both Glee and Wicked, I loved getting to know Brandi Carlisle, Adele, (more of ) Lady Antebellum, Straight No Chaser and Kris Allen. (And just in case my brother is reading, yes, I know Adam Lambert was more talented, but I can only take him in small doses. And I like Kris Allen. Okay? There it is.)

24. What did you want and get?
An mp3 player. Now to upload all my music . . .

25. What did you want and not get?
A new job. Anyone else with me in that boat?


26. What was your favorite film of this year?
I loved Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, State of Play, Duplicity, The Proposal and The Blind Side.

27. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went to work, ate lunch with Mark and Annalyn, then went to dinner with Smitty. I was 31.

28. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Appreciating what I have more.

29. Who did you miss?
Katie who lives across the country. Michelle and Sally who live in Iowa. The girls I did Bible study with a few years ago. The couples we used to spend all our free time with. Zac and Mandy who I still don’t see often enough, even though they moved back to town. My Granny. My two friends from college who don’t speak to me anymore. My former co-workers who shared so much of my life and always made me laugh. My brother-in-law's ex-fiance. Jason and Christelle who moved across town but might as well as moved across the country.

30. Who was the best new person you met?
How can I begin to list all the new people I’ve met this year? I attended two big blogging conferences and met sooo many amazing women. Plus there’s the folks I’ve met online but not in person. So here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to cheat in so many ways on this question. I’m going to say that the best people I met in 2008 were Josh and Brittany. I love them and love that we’re friends. The end.

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Works for Me: Recycling

Last year, one of my New Year's resolutions was to begin recycling. For several months, I just kept thinking about it. Thinking about how I was going to do it. I really was. But then our church started recycling and put two big bins in the parking lot.

So then I carried around the list of recyclable items for a few months. Thinking about how I was really going to do it. Really.

I even bought two big grey bins to hold my recycled stuff.

But it was only this fall that I actually moved those bins to the back of my garage and started putting my empty cans and bottles in there.

I was amazed! Man, do I generate a lot of trash!

Seriously, it did not take long until the bins were overflowing. And so I said to Mark, "Will you take the recycled stuff to church this week?"

And he said, "Umm, sure. But I thought you said you would be responsible for it."

Hmph. So I did.

I'm sure you can guess what happened next. Yep, that's right. The overflowing bins remained in the back of the garage. And now I think about how I'm going to take them to the church. I really am.

Really.

Today's Works for Me Wednesday is a backwards version, so that means it's my turn to ask YOU for some advice. So tell me, readers, how have YOU gone green? Please share your best, greenest tips and hints. 

After all, I can't just write "Take bins to church" on my resolutions list. That would just be sad.

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Top 10 Highlights of Our Merry Christmas Marathon

Whew! Three weeks of hectic holidays is a bit much! But we are blessed with lots of family nearby and a month full of celebration. And so the season tends to go on . . . and on . . . and on for us.

I have tried to write this holiday recap so many times. But for some reason, I just can’t quite get my brain organized. I think it’s a victim of too much holiday cheer.

And so I must rely on the old standby: A LIST. I’ll try to make this an abridged version, but let’s be honest: I don’t do short. So sit back, get comfy and take a tour of our crazy Christmas! (And then, please, tell me all about yours, too!)

1. Visiting Iowa for my brother’s Christmas program. We also got to spend the night with Chelley (and meet her kitty, Dinah) and hang out with Triple and Cory. The trip was too short, but the good news is we headed north after the state was hit with a blizzard.
   
   
2. My 31st birthday fell on a Friday this year, which if you know me at all, you know that means perfect timing for a wild and crazy night on the town. Unfortunately, I’m a little old for that. Mark helped Annalyn learn to say, “Happy birthday, Mommy.” Then Smitty and I went to dinner, walked around Barnes & Noble and realized that we are too old for anything wild or crazy.
   
   The following night, Mark and I enjoyed way more cheese, garlic and bread than we really needed, thanks to an Olive Garden gift card from my parents.
   
   
3. You may recall that I auditioned for a solo at church a while back. It turns out I was part of our Christmas program, and it went great. Well, I don’t know for sure. Because I forgot to have Mark bring the video camera. But lots of people said it was good, so I’m going to just go with that. Plus I got the chance to wear my super cute, found it in less than 30 minutes, got in for less than $30 on sale new dress.
   
   
4. Christmas Eve was spent with my parents, and the most exciting part of the night was when they gave Annalyn fuzzy pink slippers. You’d have thought they were Cinderella’s glass slippers! That girl LOVES her slippers!
   
   
   
   
   
5. Santa didn’t bring too much for Annalyn this year (trying to stick to the budget and all that), but our sweet girl loved each and every present. From her Minnie Mouse bowl and plate to her new sweater and jeans to a new Veggie Tales video to the Laugh ‘N Learn Playhouse she decided is actually Mickey Mouse’s clubhouse, she was thrilled with them all.
   
   Aside from the playhouse, though, I think she enjoyed watching Mark shovel the driveway most of all. (Based on the two days of heating pad and Aleve that followed, I don’t think that was the highlight of Mark’s morning.)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. On the Saturday after Christmas, we had the chance to visit with our friends, John and Katie. Since they moved across the country three years ago, we only see each other about once a year. And that is not nearly often enough! Thanks to the snow, our short visit was even shorter, but we were so thankful for the time we got to spend with our dear friends. I’m not sure what the boys talked about, but Katie and I covered potty training, discipline, whining, jobs, church and in-laws in short order. I’m really hoping we can see them for more than an hour or so later this year.
   
   
7. For months now, Smitty, Mark and I have been looking forward to The Big Day. While you might think I’m referring to Christmas – and while that would be nice of us – I’m actually talking about the release of Sherlock Holmes. We were bummed out that it didn’t come out until after my birthday, but it worked out after all, because I got movie passes for that birthday! So, the day after Christmas, Mark’s brother was kind enough to watch Annalyn so the three of us could head to the theater. The movie was great, and the company was the best. It was one great night.
   
   
8. As I mentioned yesterday, New Year’s Eve was a quiet affair. During a heated game of Taboo, I got “sweltering” after just a word or two from Smitty. We were on fire! (Ha. Get it? Heated . . . sweltering . . . on fire?! I know. This may be why my New Year’s Eve party was a small one.)
   
   
9. On New Year’s Day, we hung out at my parents’ house. My brother and sister-in-law couldn’t make it down on actual Christmas Day, so we moved our celebration back a week. There was a delicious glazed pork loin, some au gratin potatoes from a box that were much tastier than they should have been, presents (Yyay for new rugs! And a George Foreman grill! And a play kitchen for Annalyn!), board games, snacks and sandwiches. And then, even though I wasn’t sure the day could get better, my parents generously let me talk them into keeping Annalyn for the night.
   
   Which allowed Mark and me to do one of the things young parents crave most: take a quiet, leisurely trip to Target.
   
   
10. Mark’s birthday landed on a Tuesday this year, so it wasn’t quite as exciting as mine. But one Outback Steakhouse lunch, one bacon shirt and one Jim Gaffigan DVD later, I’m pretty sure he was as happy as anyone going to work on his birthday can be.

Okay, I’m stopping at 10. But honorable mentions definitely go to Christmas at Grandma’s (with green punch and a cousin for Annalyn to play with/fight with), Christmas with Mark’s family (with delicious Pioneer Woman lasagna and Blissfully Domestic bread – yum!), and Christmas with my extended family (with a jam session, three kinds of corn and my cousin’s husband Chad sitting on Mark’s lap and calling him Santa).

And did I mention our most exciting gifts: big girl panties and a Mizzou Snuggie?!

This list that lasted longer than the actual Christmas season will be linked to OhAmanda's Top Ten Tuesday.

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You know, that show with the girl with the dark hair?

We had a small gathering for New Year's Eve: Smitty, my brother and sister-in-law, and Mark and me. It was an exciting night.

We spent more time than makes sense trying to figure out exactly what TV show Smitty was talking about when she said, "You know, it's that show with the girl with the dark hair and the light blue eyes. I think it was on NBC. She was pregnant. Or something? You know which show I'm talking about, right?"

It was Studio 60. I cannot begin to tell you how relieved we were to put that to rest.

After eating enchiladas and way too much junk food than we should, we finished the night with a couple board games. Smitty and I beat James and Lauren pretty badly at Taboo, but in their defense, they've only been married for a year and a half.

And Smitty and I have pretty much been married for a decade and a half.

All in all, it was a great night spent with some of my very favorite people. Mark wandered across the street to hang out with the neighbors for a little while, but when he came back, we closed the night by laughing our heads off (I'm talking the silent, shaking laughter with tears running down our faces.) at Jim Gaffigan.

Though I'd had big dreams of a fancy party with fancy appetizers hors d'oeuvres, keeping it simple ended up being better than I would have guessed. And I did get to try a new recipe.

After reading about Southwest Corn Dip on the Pioneer Woman's blog, I decided that sounded exactly like something we would enjoy.

And we did, but oh my goodness, did it make a lot?! I guess I should have known when the recipe called for four cans of corn, but good grief! It made two HUGE bowls of dip, and we barely made a dent in one! (Luckily, I had two family gatherings the following two days to go to, so the dip went to both events. But I'm not even exaggerating when I tell you I STILL brought home one almost-full bowl!)

Moral of the story? Half the recipe. Unless you are actually feeding an army. Specifically, an army that loves corn. In that case, make the whole thing.

Here's the recipe, but you can also see it at Tasty Kitchen.

Southwest Corn Dip

• 4 cans corn (15 oz.), drained
• 1 can chopped chilies (4 oz.), drained
• 1 can chopped jalapenos (4 oz.), drained
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 whole red bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 bunch(es) scallions, chopped
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 bag finely grated Mexican cheese (8 oz.)
• ½ bunch(es) fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped (or to taste)

Mix it all together, adding the sour cream and cheese last. Refrigerate for an hour. Serve with tortilla chips.

This post will also be linked to Mouthwatering Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

How did you spend your New Year's Eve?

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The one with lists...lots of lists...

Cute Casey Kasem image found at New York Times

When I was in elementary school, listening to the Top 40 Countdown was extremely important to me. Unfortunately, it aired on Sunday mornings, and in my house, Sunday mornings were for church. So every week, as soon as the car pulled into the garage, I'd race into my room, turn on my radio and press my ear to the speaker.

If I was really lucky, I'd get home just in time to hear a recap of the top songs and the moment we'd all been waiting for: an announcement of the No. 1 song of the week.

Then on Monday mornings, I'd compare notes with my sometimes friend, sometimes spelling bee nemesis, Jeremie. "Did you hear the countdown?" we'd ask. And then we'd rehash the list of hit songs all over again.

I'm not sure why I like countdowns and lists so much, but that's definitely something that hasn't changed since those nerdy early days. The hours I've dedicated to VH1's I Love the 70s, 80s and 90s (and Top Rock Songs, Top Love Songs, Top - well, you get the picture) can attest to that.

However, based on extensive blog reading research this past month, I've deduced that an appreciation of lists is not exactly cool. It seems every blog in the world is recounting the top or best of something, all the while acknowledging that such an activity is lazy, annoying, boring or passe.

Good thing I've never been cool. Because I love year-end lists, and this year we got a bonus: decade lists! I've been collecting a list of lists (does it get any nerdier better?), and I've got my favorites to share. If you're not too cool for school, check them out:

• Matt Roush’s Top 10 TV Shows
• The 2000s: 20 to Remember
• Moviefone’s Best & Worst of 2009, including worst sequels, top directorial debuts, most overrated movies and top family films
• Moviefone’s 40 Biggest Stinkers of the Decade
• AOL’s Top TV Moments of 2009
• Television Without Pity’s Best of 2009, including TV’s Most Memorable, TV’s Biggest Disappointments, Big Screen’s Best and Most Hated Movies 
• Television Without Pity’s Decade in Review, including Movies That Mattered, TV’s Toughest Women, Top Reality TV and The Ones That Got Away
• 50 Worst Songs of the 00s
• 21 Things That Became Obsolete This Decade
• 2009’s Most-Recalled Product Launches
• Newsweek’s Oddest & Most Amusing Headlines of the Year
• Top Quotes of the Year from Salon
• Top 10 PR Blunders of 2009, clearly written pre-Tiger Woods incident
• The Decade’s Most Important Websites 
• The Most Useful Social Media Posts of 2009
• Best Dressed Celebrities of 2009 
• A collection of lists, including best books, best date movies, top Wii games and best TV lines
  
• TIME Magazine’s Top 10 of Everything 

How do you feel about top or best of lists? Hate 'em with a passion? Love 'em and that ageless Casey Kasem? Secretly adore them but mock them to fit in with the cool kids? Spill it.

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