Thursday Thirteen #36

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I am not really a huge fan of the show "60 Minutes." But sometimes I catch the end of it. I get a kick out of Andy Rooney. I love his little observations.

Here are 13 quotes by Andy Rooney. (I can hear him saying these in his funny voice)

1. Anyone who watches golf on television would enjoy watching the grass grow on the greens.
2.  Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, but most of the things they make it easier to do don't need to be done.
3. Computers may save time but they sure waste a lot of paper. About 98 percent of everything printed out by a computer is garbage that no one ever reads.
4. I didn't get old on purpose, it just happened. If you're lucky, it could happen to you.
5. Making duplicate copies and computer printouts of things no one wanted even one of in the first place is giving America a new sense of purpose.
6. The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.
7. Vegetarian - that's an old Indian word meaning lousy hunter.  
8. I'd like to be rich enough so I could throw soap away after the letters are worn off
9. If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it.
10. Happiness depends more on how life strikes you than on what happens.
11. Elephants and grandchildren never forget.
12. People will generally accept facts as truth only if the facts agree with what they already believe.
13. The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.

Source: Brainy Quote 

Thursday Thirteen #35

Here are Thirteen Things that are making me question my sanity (and or the sanity of others):

1. I just gave my daughter $4.00 in change to buy a book at her book fair. Mostly nickles. Is that so wrong?

2. My daughter and I spent over an hour and a half the other day driving around to at least 5 different stores  -  looking for a "baby" Zhu Zhu pet. Everywhere is out of stock right now.

3. Against my better judgment we are getting closer to getting a puppy. My husband knows someone, who knows someone, whose dog is pregnant right now. So we may be able to get one of the puppies.

4. I spend way to much time on line. Between blogs and Entrecard. And Facebook. I don't know if that is helping keep my sanity or make me insane?

5. I am doing Harriet's Comment Challenge again. I haven't done one in almost 9 months. I'm trying to make 1000 comments on other people's blogs in a month. I'm up to 177 (as you can see up top on my ticker).

6. I've been looking for a part time job. So far no luck. One emailed back and wanted me to come in for an interview. Only problem it was in Alabama & I live in New Hampshire!

7. Even if I get a job, I will either have to work nights or take the bus. Which doesn't sound to fun.  That is because we only have one car available right now (long story).

8. I just found out yesterday, that what they call at my daughter's school "The Ed Fair" is tonight. Whatever happened to advance notice?

9. Thursdays is the day my daughter has dance class though, so I basically have about a 15 min. time period where I have to run around her school to go to this fair.

10. Speaking of the dance class, I found out that the recital was moved to a different location and a week earlier then it was before.

11. My sister usually comes with her boyfriend. But we looked on the calender and it will now be on Father's Day! It doesn't really matter to me. But her boyfriend won't come on Father's day. Seems weird to schedule the recital for that day.

12. If you read these two posts Here & Here you would know about a bird I found in my neighbors yard about a week ago. Turns out it was a $600 bird someone lost. I wish I had caught it!

Pic. of bird again:

13. I just spent 3 hours writting this post! Enough said. Now I'm off to visit others - so I can reach my 1000 comment goal.

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Thursday Thirteen #34

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This week is my kids February vacation. Here is thirteen things that we have either already done, my daughter did, or that we are still going to do - on their vacation.

1. My daughter's Birthday Party at Michael's Craft Store (did Sat.)
2. daughter's party at her Grandmother's house (did Sun.)
3. Went to the American Girl Doll Store in Natick, MA (did Mon.)
4. daughter went "Glow Bowling" with her Girl Scout troop (did Tues)
5. After "Glow Bowling" Girl Scout Leader took the troop out to Bugaboo Creek Rest. for her daughter's birthday party. (did Tuesday)
6. Kids have Dentist appt. Not exactly exciting on vacation - but has to be done (later Today)
7. We are planning on going to the movies - maybe to see "Percy Jackson & the Olympians the Lightning Thief" (Friday)
8. Have yet another party - other Grandmother & Aunt might come up to visit. We may order pizza and have another cake. (Sunday)
9. My daughter has to work on a book report that is due the Friday they go back to school (ongoing)
10. Take son to the hairdressers (maybe today)
11. Maybe go to the Library
12. Sledding (not going to happen though - no snow)
13. Watch Olympics (have been doing that all along)

Some of these might not be to exciting. But not much to do on Feb. Vacation. And that's the best we can do on our funds.

Thursday Thirteen #33

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I've been watching some different things lately on TV. Some comedies I'm really liking. Also I have seen some movies. Mostly kid movies. (Update: My husband and I have actually rented a few movies lately too)

But here is 13 things I have watched lately that I mostly liked:

Kids Movies:

1. Alvin And The Chipmunks - The Squeakquel
2. Ice Age 3
3. G Force
4. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs

Movies my husband & I liked:

5. District 9
6. Pelham 123
7. The Proposal
8. Julie & Julia

TV Comedies:

9. The Middle (my new fav. show)
10. Modern Family
11. The Big Bang Theory

TV Dramas:

12. Criminal Minds (I just started watching this & really like it)
13. The Deep End (new show on ABC - that is pretty good)

Thursday Thirteen #32

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Lately I've been hearing what National Day it is. Mostly to hearing it on The Hoda & Kathie Lee show. Like for example did you know Tuesday was National Popcorn Day? And yesterday was National Penguin Awareness Day.

Here's 13 National Days starting with today:

1. Squirrel Appreciation Day & National Hugging Day - Jan. 21
2. National Blonde Brownie Day - Jan. 22
3. National Handwriting Day - Jan. 23
4. Eskimo Pie Day & National Compliment Day - Jan. 24
5. Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day - Jan. 25
6. National Speak Up & Succeed Day - Jan. 26
7. Chocolate Cake Day - Jan. 27
8. National Kazoo Day - Jan. 28
9. National Puzzle Day - Jan. 29
10. National Croissant Day - Jan. 30
11. National Seed Swap Day - Jan. 31
12. National Freedom Day - Feb. 1st.
13. Groundhog Day - (an actual holiday) Feb. 2nd

So there you go. That should keep you covered for the next 13 days. I guess there is a holiday for everything. Some days I listed actually had more then one for each day. So this is only a sampling.

So Happy Hugging Day today! And Squirrel Appreciation day! Maybe go hug a squirrel!

Thursday Thirteen #31

I feel like Thanksgiving nowadays is an over looked holiday. I like Thanksgiving, it was my Father's favorite holiday too.


Here's thirteen things I like about Thanksgiving: (traditional things my family always has)

1. Turkey
2. Stuffing
3. Mashed Potatoes
4. Squash
5. My mom's pecan rolls
6. clam dip
7. gravy
8. green beans
9. mixed nuts (the kind you need a nut cracker to open)
10. brownies
11. apple pies
12. ice cream
13. And of course spending time with family

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Thursday Thirteen - TV Shows

header by samulli

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One of the good things about Fall is all the TV shows are starting up again. I loves my TV shows! Here's thirteen TV shows, I'm excited are starting again.

1. Survivor
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. Private Practice
4. Ghost Whisperer
5. Medium
6. The Amazing Race
7. Desperate Housewives
8. Brothers & Sisters
9. Cold Case (which is going to be on the same time as Brothers & Sisters)

Some comedies I catch sometimes when there is nothing else on & are kind of funny:

10. New Adventures of Old Christine
11. Gary Unmarried
12. Two and a half Men
13. Big Bang Theory

Thursday Thrirteen #29

header by samulli

It seems as if that more and more children are developing peanut allergies. I don't know many facts on the problem or why this is occurring. But all I know is that it seems as if this is becoming more and more of a phenomenon.

When my son started school 8 years ago, there was no talk at his school about peanut allergies. Now that my daughter is at the same school there seems as if a lot of kids have it. They require a special table at lunch time and anyone sitting with them has to have peanut free meals. Snack time is also a concern and they want children to bring in peanut free snacks, so that their friends with allergies are not at risk.

Here is some suggestions my daughter's school passed out for Peanut Free Snacks:

1. Teddy Grahams, all varieties
2. Pepperidge Farms goldfish, all varieties
3. Honey Maid Graham Crackers
4. Kellogg's Rice Krispie Treats
5. Nabisco Wheat Thins
6. Cheese sticks
7. Smartfood popcorn
8. Cheez-its
9. Ritz crackers
10. Bugles
11. Doritos
12. Fruit Roll-ups
13. Pop-tarts

Thursday Thirteen "Facts About My Son"

Today is my son's 13th Birthday! So it only seems appropriate to list 13 facts about him.

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1. Born on July 16 1996, at 8:29 AM
2. Birth weight: 10 lbs. 1 & 1/2 oz.
3. First word (after mama, dada) was Done. That is because when he would let me know when he was "Done" with his food.
4. First steps: 14 months old
5. Loves the computer - was good on the computer even when he was only about 1 1/2 yrs old.
6. Was a "Tow head" for about the first 3 yrs.
7. Loves skateboarding, bike riding, and basketball
8. Is starting 8th grade in the fall. (yikes! one more yr. until high school!)
9. Is the sweetest kid! He's kind and considerate and gets along with everybody.
10. Does pretty good in school. He's very smart, but doesn't always apply himself. But gets mostly B's and a couple of C's.
11. He's a great big brother to his sister. He's pretty tolerant of her and all her "diva ways."
12. He is loved by his whole family, Mom, Dad, sister, Grandparents, and lots of Aunts & Uncles
13. I can not believe my first born is 13 today! Happy 13th Birthday Son!

Thursday Thirteen #27

The kids have been out of school for about 17 days now. But I meant to share then this idea my daughter's teacher had. The last week of school my daughter's 3rd grade class came up with a list of things they learned during the year.

The students came up with 105 things they learned. The teacher said now you can see the kids actually learned something. Because you ask them "what did you learn in school" and they say "nothing."

Here is 13 things from the list:

1. Cursive Writing
2. Charles Lindbergh
3. Haiku
4. Desert Animals
5. Rocks and Minerals
6. Good Sportsmanship
7. Rain Forests
8. Fractions
9. Country Flags
10. Measurement
11. 50 State Song
12. The Great Depression
13. Chicken Dance

Thursday Thirteen #26 "Clothes Line"

I decided almost a month ago, that I wanted to start drying the clothes outside. I used to do it when I lived in the country, which was almost 10 years ago. But haven't done it since living where I do now.

Here are 13 things I have discovered since drying the clothes on a clothes line. Some pros and some cons.

1. Drying clothes on a line will help the environment. No greenhouse gas emissions from the dryer.

2. Save money. I read online that: the average clothes dryer will cost approximately $1,530 to operate over its lifespan, which lasts, on average, about 18 years.

3. The clothes smell great! I noticed the clothes smell fresh and clean off the line, more then when you use the dryer.

4. The clothes come out like they were starched & with less wrinkles.

5. Eliminates static cling that the dryer can cause.

6. The clothes dry a lot faster then I thought they would.

7. It gets you outside and you can enjoy being outdoors.

8. I also read online that line drying is easier on your clothes. It will help reduce wear and tear on the seams.

9. I also found out that the sun can help kill bacteria on the clothing.

A few cons are:

10. It is a little more time consuming then just throwing stuff in the dryer.

11. You are dependent on the weather ~ You have to obviously know if it's going to rain or not.

12. Can only do one maybe two loads a day (hey that could maybe be a pro)

13. Have to remember to take them off the line. Sometimes I forget about it and have to go out there late to get them, when I may be too lazy or tired - lol!

Check HERE and HERE for more info on Line Drying.

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Thursday Thirteen #25 "Pageant Moms"

header by samulli

This post is in no way to put down "Pageant Moms," it is just after a brief taste of what it might be like, I realized I could never be one.

That being said let me explain a little. My daughter takes dance lessons. Last Saturday was "picture day." So it was quite the ordeal getting ready. We will have to do it all again next month for the actual "recital."

So here is 13 reasons I found out why I could not or do not want to be a "Pageant Mom."

1. I found out I'm no good at putting makeup on other people.

2. I don't even own that much makeup! I had to go out and buy at least $25.00 worth of makeup for her to use.

3. I don't really want my 9 yr. old wearing all that makeup.

4. I'm no good at fixing hair into hairdos. Other years she had to wear more elaborate hairdos - this yr. it's just two pigtails - and I can barely manage that.

5. Too time consuming. Just to get ready and actually get the picture taken took almost 4 hours.

6. Too stressful. It is nerve racking trying to get ready on time & get everything just right.

7. Dealing with delays. They told us to be there 10-15 min. before our scheduled time, and that they wouldn't wait for anyone, and everything would run on time. - Not true - Everything was delayed by at least a half an hour or more!

8. Dealing with the other parents. From mother's yelling at their kids not to do this and do that, to Dad's getting very huffy because we had to wait around so long.

9. Too much commotion. Kids, parents and people who work there running around trying to get ready, etc.

10. To much confusion. Not knowing if you have their hair, make-up and costume on the right way.

11. Too much money. I won't tell you how much I spent on this class. But between the money for the class, the costume (which is an outrageous amount for these costumes - that they only wear like 2 times!), makeup, hair stuff, and these pictures - it's expensive. I can't imagine how much money real pageants must cost.

12. No information. Although the dance place she's going to is nice, and she likes it, they are lacking on info. Any info you get from them regarding the class, pictures or even the recital coming up, is like pulling teeth!

13. And the number one reason I wouldn't ever want to be a Pageant Mom, is I had a splitting headache by the time it was all done!

With all that being said, my daughter looked so cute in this outfit and I think these pictures are going to come out great! I'll be posting them as soon as I can!

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**Update** After reading the comments, just wanted to say. Please take this somewhat in jest. Regularly we just go to the class and she dances there is no problem. This is just an occurrence that happens at picture time and the recital.

Thursday Thirteen #24 "Things Mothers Really Want for Mother's Day"

Header by samulli

Here are thirteen things mothers really want for Mother's Day, but probably won't get. I think mothers would like these, at least for one day - on Mother's Day!

1. Sleep. Any kind of sleep. Sleep in, naps, go to bed early.

2. Somebody else to do the cooking.
3. Somebody else to to the dishes
4. Somebody else to to the laundry
5. Somebody else to to the vacuuming



6. Somedody else to to the grocery shopping
7. To be able to watch whatever shows they want to watch.












8. Not to have to entertain the kids.
9. Not to have to make the beds.
10. Not to have to discipline the kids.
11. To have someone else drive the kids to dance class, troop meetings, etc.
12. To have someone else take care of the pets. Feeding, walking, cleaning litterbox, etc.


13. To basically do nothing for at least one day!

Hope everyone has a happy Mother's Day, no matter what you do or receive!

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Thursday Thirteen #23 "Facts about My Daughter"

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Since it was my daughter's birthday last Saturday, I thought of 13 things about her.

1. She was born February 28th, 2000, at 3:16 am. One more day and she would have been a "leap year baby."

2. She weighed in at 11 lbs. 1/2 oz! and 22 inches long.

3. She started walking 2 weeks before she turned one.

4. She went to preschool for two years. Starting at 3 yrs. old. She wanted to, because her brother was in school, and she wanted "friends too!" (her words)

5. People say we look alike, but we have totally opposite personalities. She is a lot more outgoing then I was when I was her age.

6. She has a stubborn streak.

7. She has a major sweet tooth.

8. She's pretty tall for her age. One of the tallest in her class. Even taller then most of the boys.

9. She loves to dance. She's been taking dance classes since she was 4 years old.

10. She hums to herself. She makes a little noise like humming, when she's eating or even doing something she likes.

11. She's kind of "picky." She's somewhat picky on what foods she eats, clothes she wears, etc.

12. Once she likes something she goes whole hog. Weather it's American Girls, Hannah Montanna, or the latest Littlest Pet Shop. She's got to have it and have it all.

13. Writing this makes me think, "Oh boy, I'm in trouble when she gets to be a teenager!" But I couldn't love her anymore then I already do!


Here's one of my favorite pictures of her, when she was 3 years old:

Thursday Thirteen #22 "Quotes from My Planner"

header by samulli

I noticed this little pocket planner my husband gave me has quotes on it. Here's some I think are cool.

1. It's not enough we do our best; sometimes we have to do what is required. - Sir Winston Churchill

2. Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people. - Barbara Bush

3. The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything. - Theodore Roosevelt

4. Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city. - George Burns

5. The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age. - Lucille Ball

6. Middle age is when your age starts to show around the middle. - Bob Hope

7. The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20, has wasted 30 years of his life. - Muhammad Ali

8. You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take. - Wayne Gretzky

9. Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but paddling like the dickens underneath. - Michael Caine

10. I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying. - Michael Jordan

11. We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

12. I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business. - Michael J. Fox

13. The healthiest competition occurs when average people win by putting above average effort. - Colin Powell

Thursday Thirteen #21 "Things You Shouldn't Say on Valentine's Day"

header by samulli

**Sticky post for today. Newer posts may be added below**

Saturday is Valentine's Day. You might want to plan a romantic evening with your special someone. Here's 13 things you shouldn't say to that special someone on Valentine's Day (or probably any other day either.)

Guys shouldn't say to girls:

1. What did you do to your hair?
2. Is it that time of the month?
3. Do you really think you should be eating that?
4. Your acting just like your (fill in with) mother, ex-girlfriend, etc.
5. You're overreacting.
6. You look tired.
7. Your friend is hot.

Girls don't say to the guys:

8. We need to talk.
9. It's just a game.
10. Which outfit do you like better?
11. Do I look fat in this?
12. Nothing's wrong.
13. Do you think she's pretty?



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Thursday Thirteen #20 "Girl Scout Cookies"

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Last month my daughter was selling Girl Scout Cookies for her Brownie Troop. I just found out she was the top seller in her troop. She sold 125 boxes of cookies! So in honor of that here's some facts I found on Girl Scout Cookies.

1. They make their own caramel for Samoas. It's cooked the old fashion way in copper kettles to 234 degrees

2. Do-si-dos and Tagalongs take 230,000 lbs. of peanut butter per week.

3. Peanut creme is deposited onto Do-si-do cookies at the rate of 2800 per minute.

4. After exiting the oven, Thin Mints travel 300 feet on a conveyer belt to cool before being coated in the chocolate.

5. A rotary die shapes Trefoils. There are 300 identical Trefoil shapes engraved in one rotary die.

6. The die rotates 17 times a minute equaling 5100 cookies a minute.

7. Samoas go through a cooling tunnel at 40-50 degrees before chocolate is applied.

8. Do-si-dos creme goes onto the cookies at 2800 per minute and are wrapped at 64 packages per minute

9. Some weekly ingredients: flour: 21 truckloads, 1,050,000 lbs

10. Chocolate coating: 500,000 lbs.

11. Sugar: 14.5 truckloads, 650,000 lbs

12. Each batch is 1200-1500 lbs... It takes 10 minutes to mix the dough, which lasts 20-30 minutes and takes 5-7 minutes to bake.

13. And don't worry Girl Scout cookies are not affected by the recent Salmonella recall.

Thursday Thirteen #19 "50,000 Visitors"

header by Goofy Girl

I noticed the other day my blog has reached 50,000 visitors! That's a lot right? I think so anyway. When I first started blogging I didn't know much about it. Here's 13 words I have learned from visitor number one until now visitor 50,000.

Thanks everyone for visiting STAY AT HOME MOM!

1. RSS

2. XML

3. HTML

4. Feeds

5. Feedburner

6. Adsense

7. Entrecard

8. MyBlogLog

9. Wordless Wednesday

10. Memes

11. Technorati

12. Comment Moderation

13. Unique Visitors

Thursday Thirteen #18 "Positives of No Computer"

header by Goofy Girl

As many of you may know, my computer died awhile ago. I was without a computer at home for almost a month. And had to rely on my library for my computer memory. But there were actually some positives that came out of it. Here's 13 positive things that happened when I didn't have a computer.

1. I finished 3 books
2. I finished an embroidery project I literally started 5 years ago.
3. I started another embroidery project
4. I am even teaching my daughter how to embroider
5. Lots of laundry got done
6. Lots of dishes got done
7. More vacuuming was done
8. Got more sleep (because wasn't staying up late on computer)
9. Got errands done earlier (without computer would leave house earlier to get errands done)
10. No fighting (didn't have to listen to anyone fighting saying "My turn on the computer!"
11. Painted my sons room
12. Watched some movies (and actually paid attention to them)
13. Spent more time with family & friends (not sure if it has to do with not having computer, but didn't feel tied down to computer so was able to do it)

Thursday Thirteen #17 "Things I Still Have to Do Before Christmas"

With only 2 weeks left till Christmas, I still have tons of stuff to get done. Here is 13 things I need to do before the Big Day:

1. Buy my Mom's presents
2. Buy my in-law's presents
3. Buy stocking stuffers
4. Buy "Teacher's gifts"
5. Wrap everything
6. Take my daughter to see Santa
7. Make gingerbread cookies
8. Make sugar cookies
9. Find out what kind of food I'm supposed to bring to my mother's on Christmas
10. Buy the food I'm supposed to bring to my mother's on Christmas
11. Feel guilty because this year I just don't feel like sending out Christmas cards
12. Oh yea, buy the wrapping paper to wrap all the gifts
13. And I just realized I might need to get my daughter a new outfit to see Santa in!

Hope you're doing better then me with your Christmas lists! Happy Thursday Thirteen.