bad blogger

I have been trying to download pictures since  yesterday and Blogger is being difficult - why oh why must Blogger act up like this?

Lucky for you each day Blogger doesn't let me download is another day that you can refrain from being bored by our family trip photos - you must be living right.

blogger protocol

So tell me this...what do you do when you see a friends blog on the blog roll of someone's blog and when you click on the link you find out it is private?  Do you email the friend/acquaintance to ask if you can visit their blog or do you assume that if they wanted you to read their blog they would have already invited you?  I'm perplexed.  

It feels a bit forward to ask to be included especially since the insecure voices in my head are screaming, "Denise, they probably don't like you and don't want you nosing in on their business." On the other hand maybe they haven't invited me because their insecure voices (assuming they have them) are saying "Denise probably doesn't care to read about what is going on with your family and life."  For the record...I love reading peoples blogs - I think it helps folks feel closer and more in touch (in a impersonal world wide web sort of way - confusing, I know)  

So if you like me at all (even just a little bit) I'd love to be invited to read your blogs.

blog book update

I am still working on our blog book from Blurb.  It is time consuming but I have a feeling it will be well worth the effort.  If you'd like to see a finished book check out this post from Amy - she just recently finished up her own blog book.

i thought i had issues

It seems that Derek has more pressing needs than I do (see previous post for my needs)  After seeing what Derek needs I have decided that I may need to find him some help as well as find out who Mer is and why if Derek is married to me he would need a woman.

1.  Derek needs a woman (see what I'm talking about?)

2.  Derek needs to draw (maybe we can find a tap dancing drawing class to fulfill both our needs)

3.  Derek needs suggestions (I really can't imagine why he would need suggestions - I'm sure I give him plenty)

4.  This one concerns me - Derek needs heartworm treatment (perhaps because of his missionary service in Chile?)

5.  Derek needs God now more then ever

6.  Derek needs emergency dental work (first we need to handle the heartworm)

7.  Derek needs a slap upside the head (this sounds a bit extreme but if he needs it I guess I'll take care of it)

8.  Derek needs to realize that Mer is going through something he can't quite understand (Mer, huh?  Between her and me how could he possibly need a woman - see#1)

9.  Derek needs to talk with someone (you can bet he'll be doing some talking as he explains to me who Mer is.  He better start talking before my mouth is wired shut (see previous post) because I have some words for him)

10. Derek needs to work out his own issues (from the above list it is evident that he has a ton of issues to start working on)

thanks for the giggle allison

I found this idea on my niece-in-laws blog.  Is niece-in-law a legitimate term?  Is she just my regular ol' niece?  Such puzzling questions.

Back to the topic at hand...go to google and type in "(your name) needs" and check out the first few things that come up.  It can be quite an eye opener.  Apparently, I need to reevaluate my life (especially after I saw the first "need")

1.  Denise needs her mouth wired shut (guess I talk far to much)

2.  Denise needs your support

3.  Denise needs more room for her crazy (who knew I had so much crazy and not near enough room to store it)

4.  I did learn that there are some things that I don't need because I already have plenty of it - Denise has a lot of crap

5.  Denise needs your help (this is surprisingly similar to #2 above - perhaps I am unaware of how bad my life really is since I seem to need so much help and support)

6.  Denise needs to take a page from one of the housewives of the OC (??? What? Am I not schooled enough in Orange County traditions?  I am a bit late on making any plastic surgery appointments, I'm not 50 something trying to look 18, I don't wear low tank tops, painted on jeans and heels to parent/teacher conferences - now that I think about it I am failing miserable with this whole OC thing - where is that book so that I can rip out a page?!?!  Hey wait...I did color my  hair last week - that should give me some OC votes)

7.  Denise needs to shut up!  (Again, strikingly similar to another one - see #1 above.  I must really have a problem.)

8.  Denise needs to be loved  (please see #2 and #5 above - maybe the problem isn't me.  I think it is referring to all of you my friends, family and loved ones...YOU are not reaching out to me offering support, help and love - what is with you people?!?!?)

9.  Denise needs to learn to tap dance (Of course, don't we all need this vital life skill.)

10. Denise needs to exploit her kids to make a few bucks (Oh, maybe that was what was meant by take a page out of a OC housewives book.  Since google told me I need to exploit my kids I guess I better get on it - anyone have ideas?  What will bring in the most cash?,  let's think...)

Thanks Allison for posting this on your blog - it was a pleasant way to waste my first 10 minutes on the computer this morning :)  Also, a big thanks to Denise Richards.  I think it was because of her that I was able to find all the "needs" I was missing in my life.

big in canada

One of my parties has been featured on At Home with Kim Vallee  Kim is an entertaining expert in Canada.  She shares tips, ideas and resources on her blog.  Not to long ago she shared the cookie jar idea we did for our Halloween party.  

The party that she spotlighted was a 40th birthday party I did for a friend.  Instead of going the traditional "over the hill" route we went with prehistoric man.  I loved decorating this table.  In fact I am recreating this table tomorrow night for an etiquette dinner with some of the youth from church.

Kim speaks french I believe, so it was fun to read the post and "hear" some of the words she used compared to how I would say things.  I love that parties are parties no matter where you live - we all can appreciate having a good time.

banners

I am trying to learn how to make my own banners for the top of our blog and I am not the biggest computer whiz so if you see weird looking things - ignore it! I don't have a picture yet that I want to use so I am just using random pictures of my kids or other things. That's my disclaimer lest someone gets the impression that I favor some of my kids over others when they see a picture of just one or two kids.

you're gonna want this...

Someone at the blog class I taught mentioned that she heard you could turn your blog into a book. That got me interested so I did some searching and found beautiful books done by Blurb. I have not looked over their entire website but what I did see was amazing. The books are amazing and just imagine having your blog entries and pictures preserved in a hardback book. I am sure the prices can get a little pricey but I personally think it is a worthy investment for your family history.

Take a look at the site and tell me what you think. Would you spend the money on a book like this to preserve your blog to paper? Or are you happy having it all at your finger tips on the internet?