Obsessions over the years.

1. Cows. Don’t ask me why, I have no idea. Thankfully this one is over.
2. Key chains. I used to collect them as a kid. I had no keys but I certainly had key chains.
3. Monet. Waterlilies everywhere.
4. Chat. When I first discovered the Internet, I found chat. Loved it so much that I would go to school even when I didn’t have class to get online.
5. Madonna, New Kids on the Block. I kept scrapbooks. I think I still have the Madonna one.
6. Phil Collins. A very unhealthy obsession
7. Shopping. My lifelong obsession
8. Chococat/Hello Kitty
9. Chocolate. ‘Nuff said.
10. Twilight/Sookie Stackhouse … Edward Cullen
11. Daisies, owls, the word believe
12. Blogging
13. Coupons

What about you? What are your obsessions?

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Random things that just popped in my head.

1. I’ve been pondering this for a while. When Starbucks adds whipped cream to my drink, what am I supposed to do with it? Am I supposed to do the adult thing and let it sink into the drink, or the kid thing (what I really want to do) and open the top and lick it all off?
2. Weight. Screw it.
3. Thinking about maybe, someday I might think about the prospect of procreating.
4. I have a lovely husband.
5. I’ve been thinking about taking on less projects. Maybe I can actually get something done that way.
6. I leave work early for an appointment today. No, not that kind.
7. I haven’t been keeping up on my blog reading. See #5.
8. My posable Kermit the Frog has been showing up in all kinds of funny places in funny positions. Maybe I’ll show you someday. See #5.
9. I haven’t made an actual dinner in quite a while. What should I make?
10. I’ve been into Geneology lately (See #5) and have discovered so far that I’m mostly English and Irish. So far. I can’t find much about Dad’s side.
11. I’m wearing $5 shoes.
12. I’m already thinking about Christmas shopping. Must make a list. See #5.
13. I still like my job. I’m really lucky. Thank you.

What about you? Do you love your Firefox? What are your favorite add-ons.
Still an Internet Explorer lover? Make the switch now!

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We’ve been upgrading people at work from Internet Explorer to Firefox and darnit if people don’t like change. I’m all about change – I find it fun and exciting. I’ve been using Firefox for years – it offers safer web-browsing, easy navigation from page-to-page with tabs and the ability to add-on and extend it’s capabilities.

Today I’m going to talk about my thirteen favorite add-ons for Firefox

1. ForecastFox - Get international weather forecasts from AccuWeather.com and display them in any toolbar or statusbar with this highly customizable and unobtrusive extension.
2. Google Toolbar – Access to all of your Google goodness.
3. Yoono
4. IE Tab – View a page in Internet Explorer within Firefox,
5. Multi-row bookmarks – Not enough room for bookmarks on your toolbar? That’s OK, have another!
6. Quick Restart – Need to restart Firefox? Save time and do it in one-click.
7. FireFTP - Good for web-geeks like me. Who needs a separate ftp application when you can transfer files in your browser. Sweeeet!
8. Autopager – Hate to click next and wait for the next page of search results to load? AutoPager automatically loads next pages when you reach the end of a page – and extends your current page with the new page. No clicking required!
9. Autocopy - Select text and it’s automatically copied to the clipboard.
10. Xmarks – Xmarks is the #1 bookmarking add-on. Install it on all your computers to keep your bookmarks and (optionally) passwords backed up and synchronized.
11. Fireshot – Creates screenshots of web pages.
12. ColorZilla – Customizing html somewhere and need a color code. This cool eyedropper (a la photoshop) picks up any color on your screen and spits out the code. Excellente!
13. Better Gmail 2 – Add useful extra features to Gmail, like hierarchical labels, an unread message icon on your browser tab, file attachment icons, and more.

What about you? Do you love your Firefox? What are your favorite add-ons.
Still an Internet Explorer lover? Make the switch now!

*****

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

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I had to get my Thursday Thirteen up this week, so I’m burning the midnight oil. I’m uber tired, though so a picture of all my goodies will have to wait until tomorrow. Here are the 13 best deals I got this week.

1. Bic Pencil 5 pk – Price = 2/$3
   - $1 coupon
   - $2 Single Check Rebate (SCR)
   = FREE
   
2. Renuzit Crystals Elements Starter Kit – Price =  $4.99
   - $2 coupon
   - $3 SCR
   = +$0.01
   
3. Glade 2oz. Fragrance Collection Candle – Price = $3.29
   - Get one free coupon
   = FREE
   
4. Softsoap Body Wash – Price = $3.99
   - $2.00 coupon
   - $3.99 Register Rewards
   = +$2.00 (that’s right – I made $2 buying this item!)
   
5. Starbucks Ice Cream – $4
   - Get one free coupon
   = FREE
   
6. (2) Paper Mate Pens – Price = $1.98
   - $1.98 Extra Care Bucks
   = FREE
   
7. (2) Bic Triumph two-pack – Price= $5.98
   - $4.00 coupons (2) $2 coupons
   = $1.98 ($0.99 each)

8. (2) Ponds cleansing cloths 30ct. – Price = $7.98 ($3.99 each)
   - $3.00 coupon
   = $4.98 ($ 2.49 each)
9. (2) Venus Embrace – Price = $15.98 ($7.99 each)
   - $4.00 coupon (2 – $2 coupons)
   - $5.00 Target Gift Card
   = $6.98 ($3.50 ea)
10. (6) Nature Valley Granola bars – Sale Price = $15 ($2.50 each)
    - $4.80 coupons
    - $5 coupon for my next order (Box Tops for Edu Deal)
    - $3.50 (General Mills Deal)
    - $1.70 ($0.28 each)
11. (8) Boxes General Mill Cereal – Sale Price = $16 ($2 each)
    - $4 coupons
    - $5 coupon for my next order (General Mills Deal)
    = $7 ($0.88 each)
12. (2) Hefty onezip bags – Sale Price = $3.00 ($1.50 each)
    - $2 coupons
    = $1 ($0.50 each)
13. Arm & Hammer Total 2-in-1 Dryer Cloths – Sale Price = $1.99
    - $1 coupon
    - $1.99 Mail-in-Rebate
    = +$1 (I earned $1! for purchasing this item!)

When was the last time you clipped coupons?

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

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A month or two ago, I met the lovely Susan of Transient Travels at a BlogHer get-together and we instantly hit it off. We’ve been keeping in touch via email and I recently received an invitation to attend a Girlfriends Guide to Gaming party in Boston to check out the new Nintendo DSi, the newest high-powered version of  Nintendo’s handheld video game system.

We had a fabulous time! Not only did we enjoy free-flowing champagne, snacks, amazing chocolate chip cookies and excellent company, but we each left with our very own DSi handheld game.

Here is a list of 13 of my favorite things about DSi.

1. It was FREE!
2. It came with Rhythm Heaven and 1,000 game credits that I used to download Suduko and Brain Waves.
3. It has two cameras – one on the outside and one on the inside to take pictures of you or those around you.
4. It has 11 different types of camera lenses to take fun and silly pictures.
5. It has WIFI! That’s right kids. You can hook right into any available wifi signal.
6. You can download a browser for free and surf the internet!
7. You can connect to other DSi users close by to chat, exchange drawings and play games together.
8. You can listen to your own music on an SD card inserted into the DSi port.
9. It’s slim and small and has a matte case which resists fingerprints and smudges.
10. It fits in my coach wristlet.
11. The battery last a long, long time and comes with a plug for recharging.
12. Not one, but two stylus pens because your bound to lose at least one.
13. Did I mention it was FREE?

Do you have a Nintendo DSi or another handheld game?
What’s your favorite game?

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My new friend, The Coupon Goddess has been a very good influence. We met up a week or so ago. I taught her a few things about blogging and computers in general and she hooked me up with all sorts of coupon resources. Ever since then, you could probably categorize me as the crazy coupon lady. When I’m not hanging with my peeps or sucked into a Charlaine Harris book, you can find me cutting, printing and sleuthing my way to coupon paradise.

That’s why this week I’m going to list 13 of the best coupon deals I’ve received so far.

1. Dove Shampoo.
   $8
   - $8 rebate
   =FREE
2. Neutrogena lipstick.
   $4 – 40%off
   - $3 coupon
   = $1.00
   
3. Colgate toothpaste
   $1.74
   - $1 coupon
   = $0.74
4. Wet Ones Wipes
   $1.99
   - $1 coupon
   - $1 Rite Aid Single Cash Rebate (SCR)
   = +$0.01
5. Dove Clinical Deodorant
   $6.99
   - $2 coupon
   - $5 SCR
   = +$0.01
6. Oral-B Pulsar Electric Toothbrush
   $5.99
   - $4 SCR
   = $1.99
7. Nivea Lip Care
   $1.99
   - $1 coupon
   - $1 SCR
   = +$0.01
8. Band-Aid Bandages
   $4.99
   - $3 coupon
   = $1.99
9. Colgate Toothpaste
   5 for $10
   = $1 each
10. Listerine
    3 for $9
    - $4 coupon
    - $3 Register Rewards (RR)
    = 3 for $2
11. Crest Toothpaste
    2 for $5
    - $1 coupon
    - $3 RR
    = 2 for $1
12. Dove Body Wash
    2 for $12
    - $4 coupons
    - $5 Extra Care Bucks (ECB)
    = 5 for $3
13. Transferred two prescriptions to Rite Aid
    = (2)  $25 Rite Aid gift cards

What were some of your latest deals?

*****

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Header by Samuli

It’s been a busy week in my household. Wallpaper removal (you’re right Janet, wallpaper steamers are worth their weight in gold!), sanding, taping, prime the edges, prime the walls, prime the edges again, prime the walls again, more taping, paint the edges of three walls and paint three walls. That’s how far I’ve come so far.

After I write this post I’m going to throw another coat of yellow on the edges and walls. Then start with the red. Oh, did I not mention red? The wall to the left (that you can’t see) in this picture will be daredevil red. Many thanks to Janet for convincing me to take the plunge.

So here are 13 things I’ve learned from this project thus far.

1. Removing (some types of) wallpaper is much, much easier with a steamer. They only sell one brand of steamer at Home Depot, which has me surprised since it’s much “greener” that the six gazillion brands of chemical wallpaper remover spray.
2. I really don’t enjoy sanding.
3. I really do enjoy painting. I like applying blue tape to the edges, I like painting the edges and minute details and I like working with a roller (especially the mini ones!).
4. While step-stools really do help get those hard-to-reach ceiling edges, they also help you develop shin bruises from leaning against the hard metal edge. Note to step-stool manufacturers: move the edge more toward the back of the stool edge and/or pad it.
5. Cover everything with plastic sheeting. You WILL get paint everywhere, even if you’re convinced you’ll be careful.
6. Get used to getting paint on yourself. It’s actually really useful when explaining the new color of your walls. Just show them the paint swatch on your bruised shin.
7. This probably goes without saying, but one should always wear clothes that can get paint on them. Because no matter how careful you are, your clothes will be painted.
8. It’s not really enjoyable to watch paint dry.
9. It’s inadvisable to allow any type of pet into the room that you are painting. While you may be tempted to dip fluffy or fido into your can of paint and rub them against the walls, they really are not the best painting implements. I find a brush or roller works much better.
10. Listen to the radio while you paint. Two hours of painting with Tom Ashbrook go by really fast.
11. Take lots of breaks but beware of short attention spans, it may be three hours before you remember that the paint dried two hours ago.
12. Do read up on painting. The pros really know what’s best.
13. I’m so ready for the painting to be done. Half of the house is in chaos and I can’t find anything!

What have you learned about painting?

*****

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Header by Samuli

They weren’t kidding when they said that the job search is tough right now. In between applying for the few jobs that are out there, I’ve been up to my chin with projects. I LOVE projects.

So here are 13 items on my project list

1. A photo collage for Janet.
   I’ve got all the required tools and supplies. It’s just a matter of getting it done.
2. Thank you cards.
   I was so good about getting my thank you cards out for the shower, but I’ve been a little delayed on the wedding ones. For good reason, I’m printing photos to go into every thank you card and then I had to find big enough cards. Now that I’ve got all I need, it’s just a matter prioritizing.
3. New web site design and implementation.
   A friend of a past client of mine suggested me for this great new web design project. Waiting for a signed contract.
4. Design web site for my cookin’ cousin.
5. Start new blog similar to my shopping blog A Girl Must Shop, but even BETTER!
6. Create a resume site for myself.
7. Declutter and reorganize my “office/closet”.
   My husband is buying me an elliptical and I need to make room for it in my room. This means lots and lots of cleaning.
8. Crafts.
   I had so much fun crafting for the wedding, that I’m going to try some new ones like tile and marble pendants and magnets, jewelry, bulletin boards, etc. Along with my trusty sidekicks – mom and BFF. The sky’s the limit.
9. The gahden.
   I”m totally not a green thumb. Or I haven’t been, but apparently it’s genetic. My gram is a huge gardener, as is my mum and sis and MIL and BFF. So, along with motivation from new husband, i’ve planted bulbs, annuals, herbs, veggies and plenty of flowers. My rose bush(es) are kicking bootie, too!
10. The basement.
    This should be more than one item on the list since it includes organizing and purging our storage areas and setting up a little craft nook in the basement bedroom.
11. De-wallpaper
    We bought our house about 3 years ago, I think and we still have 90% of the really terrible wallpaper on the walls. I bought a wallpaper steamer with a wedding gift card from Home Depot today and I am going to kick that wallpaper’s butt!
12. Paint.
    I have to tell you kids, I LOVE to paint. There’s just something about the finite details and how a new coat of paint can transform an area. Picking out colors for my room (closet/office/soon-to-be-gym).
13. Read, relax, improve thyself.

If you had unlimited time, what projects would you take on?

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Wow! It’s been almost a month since the wedding! It’s been a whirlwind. A wonderful day, a few days off, 8 lovely days in Punta Cana, a week or two and then I was off to Philly last weekend with Janet to watch and celebrate our good friend become Dr. Heather.

So to start off, I’m going to list 13 of my favorite wedding day moments.

1. Spending the entire morning chilling and getting ready with my girls. It was such a fun yet mellow time!
2. Hearing my girls spout profanity in unison to cheer me up about the one snafu of the day.
3. My amazing makeup artist (and new friend!) Nancy not only making me beautiful, but helping to keep me calm and making me FEEL beautiful, too.
4. Seeing Jimbo for the first time! He’s so handsome!
5. The best man dropping the rings during the ceremony.
6. The first dance (to Lionel Richie’s “Stuck on You”). Loves, hugs and kisses with my new husband. The best place in the world.
7. The best man’s speech. Amazing!
8. My mom. She had such fun and was so proud and surprised when I presented her with my bouquet.
9. Father/Daughter dance. Dad and I had So. Much. Fun!
10. Mother/Son Dance. I had a hard time keeping my tears at bay. This man is my huband!
11. The cake. OMG it was the best cake EVER!
12. My photographer, Erik. He made every since picture fun!
13. Freedom from worries provided by Leslie, Danielle and Erin – my amazing wedding planners.

See more wedding pictures here.

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Nine days, kids! Just nine days until I’m officially a “Mrs”. Nine days from this moment I will be sipping on a peppermint mocha, hanging with the bridesmaids the best MOB evar, getting all beautified and giggly!

And so here are 13 things that I’m looking forward to on my wedding day – in just nine short days!

1. Beautification time with my gals!
2. Finally seeing everything come together
3. The dress, the tiara, the veil, the hair, the makeup and the little red surprises
4. Four words: Princess For The Day
5. Seeing my handsome Jimbo at the end of the aisle, looking debonair in his tux (omg, I’m getting all teary-eyed already!)
6. Becoming Mrs. Jimbo in front our closest friends and family
7. Hugs. Lots of them.
8. The transportation: A big yellow school bus! Retroriffic!
9. The weather: “partly cloudy in the 60’s” yay!
10. Free-flowing Champagne (only one glass an hour followed by water or club soda to ensure my enjoyment of the whole day
11. Seeing the room decorated and ready for the party
12. Watching everyone enjoy themselves
13. First dance with my new husband!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

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