My pursuit of... wordle

This is beautiful. It's what I blog about. It's my wordle.

It looks kinda like a fish.

Let me know if you make your own wordle.

TAGGED!

photo by Irish Philladelphia Photo (Flickr)

My frugal friend Rebecca has sent the following instructions:

Answer the four questions, let the tagger know you've answered them, then tag four fellow bloggers. Let them know by leaving a comment on their blogs.

So, here goes....

10 years ago: I can't remember 1998. Nothing really stands out in my mind. I'd been married to Surferman for 2 years. I imagine we were starting to try to have kids. I was working with my parents. We had an Assisted Living Facility for Seniors. I was getting involved more at church. Our church got it's first "permanent location". I was driving a white Mercury Pillager Villager.

5 things on my list today: It's Fabulous Fun Friday with Mommy and Duke!

1. Coffee with a Mommy Friend
   
2. Gymnastics (Grom of course! I've never been able to do a cartwheel, even as a kid)
   
3. Quick stop at Costco for blueberries and ?
   
4. Laundry (but I'm not complaining)
   
5. Finish postcards for a swap
   

Snacks I enjoy:

Is coffee a snack? Chocolate, Cheese Puffs (Barbara's White Cheddar are the best. I have Grom addicted. He calls himself my cheese puff boy.) I'd like to enjoy other things more - like fruit (I seem to save it for my family).

Things I would do if I were a millionaire:

Pay off the house. Travel. Find a business for Surferman that would be less hard on his (getting older) body. Be as generous with others as I want to be.

If I was a multi-millionaire, (A million just doesn't go as far as it used to, sigh) I'd do the above AND buy my church a beautiful building.

Places I have lived:

San Gabriel Valley in Southern California - Greeneville, TN - Central Coast of California.

I'm tagging... nobody. But if you blog and want to do this, do it and let me know about it.

Win a Pear

Not to be confused with an Apple.  Pear Budget is an online budgeting tool that looks really cool and you could win.  (If I don't win, I really hope you do.  But honestly, I'm telling you about this giveaway so I'll get another chance to win).

Surferman and I have been a lot better with budgeting, but I know we could be tighter.  We don't track every cent.  I think Pear Budget could help.

Go see simple mom - leave a comment and if I don't win, maybe you could.

Photo by cwbuecheler (Flickr) 

What Robin Means

I don't usually do these things... well ok I do them, but I don't post them.  I'm posting this one because a lot of it was eerily accurate and the rest... well if you know me in real life... see what you think.  I colored the parts I think are me with blue.  

I guess in the end, the whole thing is like a fortune cookie - general enough to apply to anyone.  What part of yourself do you see in who I'm supposed to be?

What Robin Means

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous. You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things. Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

I have a WINNER!

Shelly is the lucky winner of my blogiversary giveaway! I hope the chocolate bar can be a great treat after one of her runs.

YAY Shelly!

In case you missed it...

I'm celebrating my blogiversary with a GIVEAWAY. Go now, leave a comment... who wouldn't want these cool things and a Starbucks card?


The delicious candy bar was actually too much for me to resist tonight. I broke into it and will have to go buy another for the winner. Can't resist a dark chocolate truffle bar.

The drawing is 11/11. Go... enter now!

Celebrate With Me! - My 2 year Blogiversary

November 6, 2005.

I started blogging 2 years ago today. I had some periods where I was really quiet. I've probably posted some really boring posts. But I've had fun and I've stuck with it.

I'm celebrating in 2 ways...

First, here are a few of my favorites
Surferman the Dad
Baoon, baoon
Surferman vs. The Possum
A Great Sunday Afternoon
Laundry Prayer - My favorite Works for Me Wednesday tip

If you go read any of them and enjoy them, please leave a comment on that post.

Next, what's a celebration without a PRIZE - a few of my favorite things.
First, an orange washcloth handknit by me.
Second, a $20 Starbucks card
Third, my favorite Dark Chocolate Truffle Bar from Trader Joe's

Leave a comment below. If you know how you found my blog, I'd love to know. I'll put all of your names (I think I have 3 readers so your odds are pretty good.) in a hat and let Grom choose the winner on 11/11 (that's a fun date).

Celebrate good times, come on!

We Can Both Be Winners!

Crystal at Biblical Woman has been given 10 copies of Passionate Housewives: Desperate for God.

I've heard good things about this book. And given the choice of being describes as passionate or desperate. Who wouldn't choose passionate? Go now.

I WON! (ok tied)

I entered my Momo cupcakes for the Summer Cupcake Caper and I won! Well I really tied in the category - "Most Likely to be Enjoyed by Children"

I am STOKED!

Win $250 GC at Gymboree

I don't plan for this to turn into a contest blog, but how can I pass up the chance to win a $250 GC from Gymboree. The bloggers at Love Shak, Baby are giving one away. Go enter. Again... I hope you win, if I don't.

Want a free LCD HDTV?

Those gals at 5 Minutes for Mom are giving away a 37" TV courtesy of Best Buy.

Go and enter. If I don't win, maybe you will.

It's still an "idiot box" and will probably induce "brain drain" - but it sure is pretty.

We have winners!

Wow! Who would've thought Shannon's giveaway idea would be the monster that ate Mr Linky again and again.

I didn't get to enter many giveaways myself. I'm still hoping I'll hear from someone that I won. Not holding my breath, but waiting.

So here are the winners....

The first commenter drawn was... Kristy who blogs at Raising Peas . She'll get her choice.

The second commenter drawn was... Annie who blogs at My Life as Annie . I'm glad her name is Annie, because it would be really confusing if her name was something else. :D Annie happens to be a regular commenter of mine - for Menu Plan Monday. It's nice to have a friend win.

Ladies watch your emails or blogs - send me your addresses and I'll have the prizes in the mail on Monday. CONGRATULATIONS!

Summer Cupcake Caper - Momo cupcakes

The timing is perfect.

Grom's birthday is the 23rd and this contest deadline is the 25th.

I'm in!

GiBee at Kisses of Sunshine is hosting a Cupcake Contest. I'm the queen of the birthday cupcake. So here's my entry.

Momo (Monkey) Cupcakes

Chocolate Banana Cupcakes
Ingredients
1 package Devil's Food Cake Mix
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup water
3 eggs

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 350F
Place paper liners in 24 cupcake holes
Mix cake mix, mashed bananas, oil, water and eggs with electic mixer on low until ingredients are incorporated.
Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 more minutes.
Add chocolate chips.
Mix on low until chips are incorporated.
Scoop cake mix into cupcake wrappers dividing batter between the 24 cups.
Bake at 350F for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cupcakes cool before frosting and decorating.

Versatile White Icing
Ingredients
1 16oz bag powdered sugar
1 cup shortening
3 T corn syrup
2 T water
1 t real vanilla extract

Directions
Mix all ingredients in a large mixing box with an electric mixer on low until incorporated.
Increase speed to high and beat 5 minutes until fluffy.

Momo Cupcakes
Ingredients
24 Chocolate Banana Cupcakes
1 batch Versatile White Icing
24 Nilla Wafers
48 Mini-Nilla Wafers
24 Blue Froot Loops (or similar) cereal - cut in half
1 tube Black Icing
1 can purple Color Mist
1 can yellow Color Mist

Directions
Cut straight edges off large Nilla wafers from 12 o'clock to 1 o'clock and from 12 o'clock to 11 o'clock.
Cut edge off Mini-Nilla wafer to make a 3/4" straight side.
Place cookies on paper towel lined cookie sheet.
Spray cookies with yellow Color Mist.
Frost cupcakes with icing.
Spray cupcakes with purple Color Mist.
Arrange cookies to form the mouth and eyes of monkey.
Push cereal rings into side of cupcakes for ears.
Add eyes and mouth with black icing.


Here's the final cupcakes with their namesake - the famous Momo!


Grom loved them. They were a huge hit.

Two - count 'em TWO giveaways!

If I can get this post written quick enough - I can be the 350th person to link to a giveaway for the Dog Days of Summer Bloggy Giveaway thought up and hosted by Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer.

My mother is an amazing knitter. She always has projects going and has even been known to knit in the dark. You should see the cute sweaters and hats that she has made for Grom.

I've been trying to get her to market her stuff - I think she could sell a lot more of her stuff than she does. She teaches classes and sells scarves, purses and more here and there. I admire her because she uses the money she makes to support various missionaries. I like that she uses one passion (knitting) to support another passion (Jesus!).

She graciously gave me TWO items to giveaway. The first winner drawn will get first choice. The second winner will get second choice.

I have a felted purse and a felted hat for the contest.

The purse is an apricot color. It has a fun trim. It's felted wool and fully lined.

The hat is tangerine. It's floppy and can be styled to suit you. It's felted wool and is embellished with a handmade felted wool flower.

To be entered in the drawing, leave a single comment (duplicates will be deleted) below. You must provide a valid e-mail address, but you do not have to have a blog. International participants are welcome. I'll close comments at 9:00 p.m. pdt this coming Friday night, July 27, and I'll draw a random winner from the list. I'll announce the winner sometime on Saturday.

Win a one of a kind - hand made bag!

One of my favorite bloggers - Shelly - is giving away one of her beautiful bags.

Go now and enter.



Check out her other projects. She makes some cool stuff. I was stoked to get a seamstress apron and a craft pad for Grom in the mail recently. It was a great surprise.

And if you want to feel like you need to get off your butt and go exercice - be sure to check out her fitness blog. She's my fitness hero.

Just because I want to win something...

5 Minutes for Moms has a Nexcare bandage giveaway and since I have a (very boy) boy, I can sure use some bandaids. Go check out their contest.

These are some high tech band-aids.

Mother's Day Blog Design Giveaway

Jules, the wonderful EverydayMommy and blog designer extraordinaire (She did my new design), is giving away a blog design for Mother's Day. Click the graphic to go to her blog and enter the contest. I'm not ready for a redesign - I'm still basking in all this orange beauty, so I entered a friend.

DONE #42 - Change my blog template

Have you all noticed my new blog design??

The only credit I can take for it is the good sense I had to contact Jules aka Everydaymommy for a redesign. Her rates are reasonable and she does a great job of translating your words into something beautiful.

And this completes #42 on my list of things to do.

My 100th Post - 100 Things about ME!

Here's 100 things about me in honor of my 100th post.

1. I'm a first child
2. Robin is a nick name
3. I really don't like my real name - only credit card companies and the IRS use it
   
4. I grew up in a "Christian home"
5. We went to the beach every Sunday during the summer
6. I've had sun burn more than I should
7. I worry about skin cancer
8. I loved Sunday School
9. especially singing
   
10. I accepted the Lord into my life at snow camp in 10th grade.
11. My High School Youth group "ran a muck" (worse than you could imagine)
    
12. I have a heart
13. and concern for high schoolers
14. and High School youth groups
    
15. I drifted away from the Lord
16. He kept me safe while I was off experiencing worldly things
    
17. He called me back to Him constantly
18. I searched
    
19. I spent 30 minutes in the dark eating a chocolate chip cookie to be more mindful and "in touch" with myself and my surroundings
    
20. I searched more
21. I fell asleep (both my body and my legs) while meditating
22. I finally heard him calling and came back to my Father in 1997
23. I rededicated my life at the church we now attend
    
24. I'm a bad sheep - I wander off
25. My wanderings are shorter and I stay closer to my Shepherd
26. I have a BS in Food Science
27. I lived all by myself in Tennessee for a year and a half
28. I worked in a plant that made canned milk, taco shells and refried beans
29. It was a great adventure
30. I met Surferman through Chinese matchmakers
31. It was love at first sight
32. I'm a RN
    
33. I'm more likely to kill someone than help them (see #42)
34. I'm really uncomfortable when people ask me for medical advice (see #42)
    
35. We had a Hawaiian themed wedding
36. I wore blue socks with Birkenstocks on my wedding day
37. I used to bite my nails
38. I still gnaw on my cuticles
39. I treat myself to pedicures
    
40. I'm a fast test taker
41. I usually score well
42. I don't remember what I've learned
43. I'm good with old people
44. and small children
45. I love the color orange and
    
46. probably wear it too often and
47. have too many orange things in my life
48. I discovered the color orange when I lived in Tennessee (GO VOLS!)
    
49. I love to cook and
    
50. can easily put together things that taste good.
51. Soups and
    
52. Salads are my specialties
53. I hate doing laundry
54. I have someone come clean my house
55. I don't tell my friends about my housekeeper
    
56. I spend too much time on my computer
57. I have belonged and participated at the same message board since 1998
    
58. I like to be creative-
59. knitting,
60. quilting,
61. sewing,
62. scrapbooking,
63. and my newest obsession - digiscrapping
64. I'm frugal because it's in my blood. (You should see my grandmother's pantry)
65. You should see my pantry
66. In my mind, I surf
67. I used to body board
68. My wet suit doesn't fit right now (see #69)
    
69. I love ice cream especially
70. Ben and Jerry's - Everything but the...
71. Besides the Word of God
72. I don't read very much
73. I stay up too late
74. I don't like to go to bed
75. I don't like to shower
    
76. I LOVE coffee
    
77. not caffeine, but the
78. taste of coffee
79. with milk or half and half
80. I like strong decaf
    
81. I have to make myself drink water
82. Pepsi is my soda of choice, although I'm trying to cut all soda out of my life
83. I'm pretty tall - 5'9"
84. but fat,
85. really fat
86. I blame my mother
87. I need to do something about my weight
    
88. I love being a mommy
89. I waited 8 years to be a mommy
90. It's a miracle
91. and answered prayer that I'm a mommy
92. Grom teaches me things and makes me laugh every day
93. Grom has the light blonde hair
94. that I used to have as a child
    
95. Now I pay to have it
96. I love flip flops
97. and capri pants
98. I love my life
99. I blog because I want to
100. I don't think anyone reads my blog
101. and that's ok with me

"Unbroken" Book Giveway

Overwhelmed with Joy is giving away a couple of copies of Unbroken by Tracey Elliot.

Unbroken shares details of Tracey Elliot's troubled childhood. Orphaned at the age of 6, she was sent to live with her grandmother and her grown, unemployed alcoholic uncles.

The story tells of the abuse she suffered at the hands of her uncles, and her spiral into alcohol, drugs, and eventually stripping.

Without sharing all the details, the book tells of how her life was put back together by the power and redemption of God and the love of her husband and children. It also shares interesting details of her month spent in rehab before she went on to win the title of Mrs. Texas in 2006.

Go and sign up to win the other copy.

#41 on my list of 101 Things to Do is to read 3 auto/biographies. Winning this contest would give me a start.