- Love even better.
- Drink more water.
- Be more organized.
- Take the stairs.
- Eat more regularly.
- Foster my friendships.
- Have more patience.
- Cut some expenses.
- Help a cause.
- Redeem this blog!
Happy New Year, Y'all!
Showing posts with label Blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blogging. Show all posts
Monday, January 4, 2010
Mrs. Brownstone's New Year's Resolutions
Monday, January 12, 2009
SIXTEEN LEFT, THIRTY-FOUR RIGHT...
What was that combination again?So, I just tried to log into Blogger.
It has been so long since logging in, I had forgotten my password. Nice, huh? After trying several times, I finally found the correct combination to achieve success in this venture.
It's a bit embarrassing actually. Forgetting my password... Seriously? Has it really been that long, or am I just getting forgetful? I hope it's the first one. Not that I don't love to come here and partake in this little luxury of life called blogging...I just am not ready for my mind to start going just yet.
It has been a long while. I know it has been.
And I'm sorry.
One of the best things about blogging is developing your own sort of community and readership, which in turn can be forged into a form of friendship, albeit one where we are never likely to meet face to face.
It's still a friendship.
And I wasn't a good friend.
I took a necessary hiatus and neglected to tell you.
And I'm sorry.
Hopefully you will forgive me.
Hopefully we can be friends again.
I'm not sure how quickly my return from hiatus will be a full return.
It's just one of those seasons.
I hope you'll come visit, though, as often as you can.
I'll be out exploring the neighborhood, too.
Happy New Year to you all!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
DIA-LOGGING IN, DIA-LOGGING OUT...A DIALOGUE BETWEEN FRIENDS
Hello! I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit. Please come in, and make yourself at home!
Yes, my hair HAS gotten longer. Thank you for noticing!
Intentional? Not really, it just grows so fast, and there hasn't been time for haircut!
Ha! Ha! No, I'm not going for a multi-colored look ~ those are just my roots showing.
Oops! Sorry! Let me just move those for you, and then you can have a seat.
Yes...I know. I'm taking those to the donation station soon. It's been hard to get over there before it closes.
Oh, did I forget to tell you? I've been working some ~ there were some unexpected expenses, and then of course...bum-bum-bum...Christmas shopping.
Yes, Mr. Brownstone's car had to have a new radiator...and new tires...and valve replacement.
Is that all? Oh, no, far from it. BowWow Brownstone had to have surgery.
Oh, yes. He's doing quite well for a "geriatric" dog. They say he has several more years to enjoy life with the Brownstones.
Thank you; we were so happy and relieved. He's like one of the family!
Ha! Ha! Yes, the kind that you put in the doghouse at night ~ unless is below 40 degrees or above 95 degrees.
Oh, girlfriend! Don't even go there! The telephones STILL don't work well, the Internet is temperamental, and the mobile phone...let's just say I could shed tears over it.
Yes, the new computer is great...when I get to use it.
PTA? The duties of my office are almost finished. They should have been finished long ago according to the people that said it would be an "easy job".
I KNOW! They lie like cheap rugs! But no...don't feel sorry for me. It's nobody else's fault that I have a hard time saying "no"! If I were them, I'd ask me, too. I'm usually a sure bet.
Church? Church is great. We love where we worship! It's crazy, though! Teaching on Sunday and Wednesday is definitely keeping us hopping!
Mr. Brownstone? Oh, yes. He helps ~ actually, you could say he does it,and I help.
Right now? He's outside grilling some burgers for us.
Mmm~hmmm. He makes great burgers, and just wait until you try his homemade steak fries.
Scout meetings for two kids? I'm not sure exactly. Thankfully, they aren't on the same day, but even still it's hard to keep the days straight. Luckily my scouting job is the same for both age groups.
You're too kind. No, really, I'm not that organized. In fact, Twister is missing an activity this week because I double-booked.
No, you're right. It couldn't be avoided...but that doesn't take away the sting.
Definitely. The other activities keep us even busier!
Sports here, creative arts there...
Volunteer work? Ha! Ha! Isn't most of it volunteer?
Ha! Ha! Ha! It's going well. It's only every other week for right now because that is what works for their schedule.
I guess so ~ it probably is best for my schedule right now, too; BUT...I'd go every week if it worked out better for them. It's definitely a blessing to be able to help!
Blogging? Right now, it would be a guilty pleasure. I don't know if it's good or bad (in this situation) that I'm not good at being guilty.
I know, I know. Visitors have stopped visiting, followers have stopped following... That's why it means so much to me that you dropped in for a visit.
Yes, it really does mean... Oh, please excuse me for a moment.
Mr. Brownstone has the burgers and fries ready for us!
Mmmm...I know. Don't they smell delicious? I can't wait ~ some days there seems to be barely time to eat!
...Amen!
How to summarize the past few months? I can't do it...just please pass the catch-up.
Friday, October 10, 2008
DEAR "XBOX WIFE" FRIENDS:
Previous Entry: Ten Things Tuesday 10/07/08
It saddens me to say that it's highly possible my computer is very sick. I'm having great difficulty using it, whether it is connected to the internet or not. A nasty little message keeps popping up informing me:Your computer is infected!
Now friends, a couple of things I would like to point out to you:
Windows has detected spyware infection!
It is recomended to use special antispyware tools to pervent data loss. Windows will now download and install the most up-to-date antispyware for you.
Click here to protect your computer from spyware!
- I added the bold and italicized purple to emphasize the spelling choices of the person responsible for informing people ~ myself included ~ of their misfortune. I did NOT, however, add the misspelling of "recommended" and "prevent". You'll notice the correct spelling here. It's nice to know that the "Windows" people have hired such competency to aid in time of computer crisis.
- I added the giant bold orange to the existing exclamation points because nothing says "DANGER!" quite like orange can say it. I did NOT, however, add all of the exclamation points! If you read this blog often, you know that I do love the exclamation point. I can get as excited about things as the next person, but seriously??? Read the statement out loud exactly as the "Windows" people wrote it. They have apparently hired enthusiasm as well, again a necessary skill to aid in time of computer crisis.
Arrrrgh!!! (Red indicates anger, don't ya know!)
So, my apologies for unanswered comments, unvisited "Ten Things" lists, and un-participation in your blogs. Manuevering around the pop-up warnings is taking time that I haven't had available this week. It is adding a great amount of time to accomplish any task on the computer, however great, however small. They are also causing the computer to just freeze-up completely, requiring a hard shut-down. In light of this, it might be a few days before I can respond to you. Please do not take it personally, and please know that I love visiting your blogs and leaving you comments! I just need to take care of this problem first.
In addition, I am going ahead and scheduling a "Ten Things Tuesday" post for Tuesday morning. I haven't used the "scheduled post" feature before, so I'm not sure if Mr. Linky will be working on Tuesday or not. Please come share your lists here anyway!!! I truly love reading them, and they are always such a blessing. It may take a few days, but I will visit them and you! If Mr. Linky does not work for some reason, the please just place your link in the comments, and I will add them to Mr. Linky when things are back up and running on my end.
Have a very wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Saturday, September 27, 2008
BRAINSTORMING "B"
Previous Entry: Pass The Popcorn, Please!
Recently I came across a fun little meme. By commenting, I received a letter of the alphabet for which to list ten things I love in my life that begin with that letter.
Thanks to Amy at Adventures in Being for challenging me with "B"!
- Brownstones...Mr. Brownstone, Tornado, and Twister ~ these are the people I love best!
- Big Cheese and JayBird...My parents are amazing!
- Brat Pack...It's great to have siblings that are also your friends!
- Best Friends...I have been blessed beyond measure!
- Brethren...Our church home is awesome!
- Barbecue...If this wasn't on the list, then I wouldn't be a true Southerner!
- Bargains...I am NOT a full-price shopper ~ not even for groceries!
- Books...Reading is one of the greatest adventures!
- Blog Comments...I'd be lying if I said I didn't love 'em!
- Bible...Last typed on the list but not last in my life by any means ~ this is the most important part of my day!
Let me know in the comments if you would like to play.
Hey! Comment even if you don't want to play!
Because we ALL love comments, and if you comment, I'll come and comment for you!
And if you ask me to give you a letter, a LOT of people will probably come comment because they
will want comments, too!
Like I said...we ALL love comments!
Monday, September 15, 2008
IT'S A VERY SPECIAL DAY!
Previous Entry: Private Brownstone
Happy Blogiversary...
To Me!
Pull up a chair, have a slice of cake, and help me celebrate!
One year ago today,
at exactly 2:15 pm,
I actually published a post for the first time!
It's been a crazy year ~
ups and downs,
posting frenzies and blogging hiatuses,
new friends and old friends.
Thanks to everyone that has dropped in
and a special thanks to those of you that have come twice!
Keep coming ~ help make the two-year celebration even better!
Next year, I promise to bring ice cream! :)
Thursday, March 6, 2008
GOT BOWHEADS?
Yes???
Then I've got just the place for you!
My friend Jill is going out-of-business, and she makes the cutest hair bows! All of the items in her shop have a 25% discount on top of the already low prices and will remain discounted until everything is gone!!!
Swing by her site Kaylynn & Co. Bows, and take a look! You will be so glad you did!
And if your answer was "no"???
Swing by anyway, and you'll be just trying to think of someone for whom to buy these cute bows! But never fear...Jill has some really cute picture frames and also some great bow holders, which could be used for hair clips as well!
The wonderfully creative person that she is...
Jill also has a new blog design business!! She makes really awesome blog headers and coordinating sides! Soon "XBOX Wife" will have "new clothes for Spring" from Jilly Blog Designs, and I can hardly wait for y'all to see the new outfit! The prices are super, and you get a LOT of bang for your buck!!! Go see for yourself! If I said it once, I can say it twice...you will be so glad you did!!!
Monday, March 3, 2008
SURFER GIRL
One week ago today, I was doing what I like to call "blog-surfing", where I click on blogs from other people's sidebars! (I like to use the term "surfing" in my everyday life because for those of you that know me...you know that this is the closest I will ever get to actually surfing, as I am deathly afraid of the Shark!) In the process of skimming across the swells and currents of the blogosphere, dipping my fingers in the deep ocean of words without care, I eventually carved my way through to a blog that had an interesting little meme.
The author began by informing her readers that she could not remember from which blog she had ripped off the meme, as she, too, had been visiting blogs one day. She then tagged those reading the meme, which obviously included yours truly, to copy it from her and put it on our respective blogs. After all the "fades", and "stalls", and "pumping" on my key-"board, I cannot remember exactly how I found her but do remember from whom I ripped off this little meme...by invitation, of course! Thanks to Susan at Not That Girl...This Girl for sharing her "currents" and for providing me with a quick and easy topic about which to blog!
Current Book(s): Now, don't laugh! It's called Nory Ryan's Song by Patricia Reilly Giff. Yes...it is a "Young Readers" book. Yes...I realize I will finish it in about an hour and a half ~ at the most ~ if I sit down and focus on it. And yes...it was a Christmas gift from one of my children. It was purchased with Tornado's very own money from the clearance rack at the Scholastic Book Fair at school. You know that you would read it, too!
Current Play List: In my car, there is currently a whole set of children's song CD's because I am trying to learn some new songs to teach my preschool music classes. Don't you dare ever tell me I'm boring!
Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: OK, this one is definitely shame-inducing! I currently watch "Make Me A Supermodel" on Bravo. I think I'll just keep my mouth shut about this one, so as not to draw further attention to the fact!
Current Color: Is "jeans" a color? If so, that is the color that I currently wear...Every. Day. However, my current favorite color(s) to wear with the jeans are "jewel tones" ~ purple, green, pink, and blue. I don't have a lot of any one particular color, so I can't choose only one color to be a favorite!
Current Drink: If you know me at all, then you could skip reading this answer...a Route 44 Diet Coke with easy ice from Sonic. Is there any other? The lady in this video doesn't seem to think so!!!
Current Food: Hmmm! For breakfast, I really like vanilla yogurt mixed with Post Healthy Classics Trail Mix Crunch cereal. It's a great way to start the day! For lunch, I am always game for Chipotle. The Steak Burrito Bol with everything is divine! For snacking, I really like Archer Farms Pomegranate Fruit Bars and also Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop Kettle Korn! For dinner, I love home-cooking, but we haven't been doing a lot of it in the Brownstone residence the past couple of months.
Current Wish List: This is a BIG one...new flooring!
Current Needs: THIS is a BIG one...new flooring!!
Current Triumph(s): I just $AVED a whole lot of money!!! And it was not by switching my car insurance to Geico!
Current Bane(s) of my Existence: The Super Bowl game that IS STILL on our DVR, taking up 4.5 valuable hours of recording space! I love Mr. Brownstone, but come on...seriously!???!!? The New York Giants win. Who doesn't know that yet?
Current Indulgence: I'd say Sonic, but I think (especially if you really know me) that we all know that has gone way past indulgence. My last spur-of-the-moment indulgence was a whole bag of Munchos. If you have not ever tried Munchos for yourself, then you are missing out, my friends! You know that if there is a Munchos entry on Wikipedia then they must be good!
Current #1 Blessing: I think all blessings are #1!!! However...I am very thankful and consider it a huge blessing that so far my kids have stayed well this season! Saying a little prayer now that we will continue to be blessed in this way!
Current Slang or Saying: "Oh, My Word!" According to Tornado and Twister, this also seems to be the current slang or saying of all my closest friends.
Current Outfit: Today I am wearing jeans and my "Peace, Love, Mom" cozy thermal shirt. I love it so much, I might wear it tomorrow, too!
Current Excitement: Thing 4 and Thing 12 are about to have a baby!
Current Mood: Happy!!!
Current Picture(s):
Meet Bow Wow Brownstone!
Meet Bow Wow Brownstone!
Now, I tag Jenni, Jenni, Jen, Jenn (and no...those aren't typos!), Jill, Cindy, Steph, Shelley, Vicki, Rosheeda, Julie, and anyone else that might want to rip this off from me! If you do rip it off, though, I'd love for you to link back here if you would and also leave a comment telling me so I can come read your blog! If I actually tagged you, leave a comment if you decide to play along, so I'll know to go check your blog ASAP!
OK...this little meme was just supposed to be for fun, but I just saw that Ann Kroeker is hosting "Monday FunDay" ~ "a carnival dedicated to swapping simple, amusing – maybe even silly – everyday ways you enjoy good, clean fun" ~ over at her blog. Since today is Monday, and I thought this was a really FUN meme, I am making it my Monday FunDay post!
You can find other fun ideas over at Ann's blog,
and y'all know...we can all use a little fun now and then ~ especially on Mondays!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
WELCOME BACK, BROWNSTONE!
Please sing out loud and proud to the tune of "Welcome Back", the memorable "Welcome Back, Kotter" theme song written and performed by John Sebastian.
- Welcome back...
- Obstructed lungs were what kept me gone.
- Welcome back...
- To that same old place I once blogged for fun.
- Well, the numbers have all changed since I wasn't around;
- But my thoughts have remained, and I'm writing them down.
- Who'd have thought they'd lead ya...
- Who'd have thought they'd lead ya...
- Back here where I need ya?
- Back here where I need ya?
- Yeah, you emailed me a lot 'cause you'd bookmarked the spot
- Welcome back!
- Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.
- Welcome back...
- I always knew I could spot a friend.
- Welcome back...
- And I fret when I think how you must have been
- 'Cause I know what a mystery that I left in.
- Was there something that made you come back again?
- What could ever lead ya...
- What could ever lead ya...
- Back here where I need ya?
- Back here where I need ya?
- Yeah, you emailed me a lot when I vanished from this spot ~
- Welcome back!
- Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.
- Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.
Seriously...
If you are a repeat visitor, an avid reader, or an old friend, then "WELCOME BACK" to my blog! Thank you for your patience and for managing to find your way back here after my long absence. Was it "Just My Imagination", or did some of you actually miss me? I sincerely appreciate the comments and emails from those of you wondering where I was and if anything had happened. You truly were like a burst of "Sunshine On My Shoulders".
My absence began due to an asthma-related illness. (Just ask Lurch-Lady...first she said, "'Lean On Me'", and then she made me go to the doctor. "That's What Friends Are For", right?) It was a "Nasty" couple of months for the old lungs, but I finally had to "Pick Up The Pieces", pull myself together, and say, "I Will Survive".
Never one for missed "Opportunities", I wished on a "Lucky Star", and then asked "Mr. Brownstone", "'Wouldn't It Be Good' if we could just get away from "Our House" and "Relax"?' And Dear Readers..."Against All Odds" or not, "Don't Stop Believin'" because "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over"! To my great delight, "Mr. Brownstone" said, "'Say, Say, Say', that's not a bad idea. I've been thinking that maybe we could go "Walking On Sunshine" and say "'Hey, Mickey'" while visiting Disney World." So...off we flew to Orlando. It was definitely a "Thriller" vacation, and I surely had the "Time Of My Life"!
If you are a new visitor, then quite simply "WELCOME"!!! I hope that you will "Never Say Goodbye". Please choose instead to return "Time After Time", and "Take On Me" in your blog reading! It just wouldn't be the same around here "Without You".
"Time For Me To Fly"...I've got two forces of nature to wrangle in for bedtime, which is a process that at times causes my head to spin "Round And Round"! Come 9:00 pm, I am usually ready to "Enjoy The Silence".
Now that we are "Reunited", look for another post soon because I am "Into The Groove" again, and it's time to get back to "The Way We Were". So..."Get Ready"! It's gonna be a "Madhouse" around here! Let's "Jump", "Shout", and "Rock The Casbah"! "Let's Go Crazy" and party like it's "1999"! After all, "Girls Just Want To Have Fun"!
And since the theme here today is obviously "Songs from the 70's and 80's"...please, by all means, "Express Yourself"! I love comments!
"Best of My Love" ~
~ Mrs. Brownstone
Thursday, October 11, 2007
FILL IN THE BLANK
Thank you so much to all of you that have still been dropping by here daily only to find that I haven't really blogged about anything in a week. I wish that I could adequately express how much the support I've received in this foray into the world of blogging means to me.
It's encouraging to see that new people seem to find this little blog each day...that some actually stick around long enough to read my thoughts and view multiple pages...that sometimes people comment...that people offer up prayers on my behalf...and sometimes...people even come back for a second, third, or fourth visit! Wow!!! It truly does mean a lot to me. It gives me a sense of camaraderie...of loyalty...of pride... And it is also humbling.
Currently, I feel a small amount of guilt that I have not been able to write...to muse...to ramble.
I really wish that I could give you a GREAT read right now.
I wish that I could simply give you a good read right now.
I'd even settle for "just a read".
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday...I was on a roll. Then...my mind just went blank. Granted, it has been a busy time.
- We went to a lake over the weekend for a mini-retreat with friends from church.
- I got to visit my grandma.
- The kids had a school holiday.
- I worked.
- There was Ladies' Bible Class.
- I cleaned house, did laundry, and grocery shopped.
- We had dinner with friends.
- There were numerous activities for the kids, not to mention homework.
- And on and on and on...such is the life of a mom. (Busy...yet glorious!)
So, please...accept my apologies if you've been disappointed from the blankness of the past week. And please...keep visiting! The words will come. The words about the friendships my family has made ~ friendships that words could not even begin to adequately describe...the words about my grandma, her joyful spirit, and her latest test results...the words about Ladies' Bible Class...the words about my children...the words about my husband...
The words will come.
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