Kittens In Da House!

 
We have kittens in da house! Ya, boy! Nine weeks ago a beautiful, black kitty adopted us. The girls named her Alexis after one of the new Liv Dolls. Alexis is the sweetest cat, far sweeter than the two we already have. (Shhhh… don’t tell Wiggles and Getta.)
 
We took Alexis in for her shots, and scheduled to have her spayed. As her surgery loomed, we noticed her getting quite plump. Sure enough, she was pregnant.
 
March 4th ~ Alexis arrived. May 3rd ~ Her five kittens arrived. Yes, just that fast.
 

 
• Does one of these kitties have your name on it?
• Do strays follow you home?
• How has May greeted you?

Advertisement

Podcast U

I did it! I started an iTunes podcast. It was easier than I anticipated, and some helpful links are posted below.
 
I’ve only subscribed to one other podcast in my life and that was CNN Robin Meade‘s. She airs behind the scenes antics & interviews. Being a podcast newbie, I don’t know what is normal or expected, so will just put my spin on it.
 
REALITY with Jean Has Been Shopping, so far, revolves around my family. If anyone else would like me to stalk them with my Flip video camera, I’d be more than happy.
 
I really want my husband to take his Flip to his favorite hangout bar because some of the stories he tells are so juicy! In the meantime, here is Episode 1 / Pool • Time.
 

 
I cannot recommend iMovie enough! This week I learned how to create a freeze frame (control + enter). Reminds me of those 80’s shows that always ended on a cheesy still.
 
Helpful Links
• Podcasts can be hosted for free at BlipTV. Warning: Some of the videos are explicit.
• BlipTV can submit your podcast to iTunes. Prior to submitting, create a 600×600 image for your iTunes cover art. iTunes Podcast Technical Specs can be found here.
• To view and/or subscribe to my iTunes podcast, click here.
 
1) Have you tried podcasting?
2) Do you subscribe to any podcasts?
3) What do you feel a podcast should feature?
4) Would you allow cameras into your home?
 
Thanks for reading!

Easter Cartoon

Belated Happy Easter to you! Did you have a nice holiday? We did. My parents came to visit. The last time they were here was five years ago when our youngest daughter was born. We had a fabulous three days, and it was great to see our children bond with their grandparents and vice versa.
 
My parents are very private people. Tom, not realizing this, did snap a few photos while Dad grimaced and Mom growled. Wanting to keep the peace yet share our adventures, I created this cartoon. I hope you enjoy it!
 

 
• Do you like to draw?
• Are your parents private people?
• How was your Easter?
 
Thanks for reading & watching!

Homemade Lip Balm

As the holidays approach, I thought it would be fun to create homemade gifts. The kids and I decided on lip balm.

Google led us to The Ponte Vedra Soap Shoppe, Inc. for the whole shebang: recipes, ingredients and containers. We chose Vegan Lip Balm flavored with Lemongrass essential oil.

Round labels were purchased at OnlineLabels.com.

Total cost was $4.74 per gift (16 gifts total). You may be able to cut costs by shopping locally.

This craft project was total teamwork! I melted the wax while the kids mostly sniffed the products. I helped them measure, and they carefully added ingredients to the pot. I poured the balm into the tins, and they sealed and labeled them.

These tins come with shrink-wrap bands that seal around the product when blow-dryer heat is applied. What a nice touch!

Warning: If you’re like me, you might ruin your measuring cup, wooden spoon, and cooking pot. I set mine aside for future waxy projects.

• Will you create homemade holiday gifts?
• Where do you find the best price for craft supplies?
• How do you clean up after creating a waxy gift?

Stumping Supernanny

Supernanny airs in 47 countries, earning reality show star Jo Frost a reported $7million from TV and book deals. The 36-year old nanny lives at home with her widowed father.

When parents are having trouble with unruly children, SuperNanny, aka Jo Frost, pulls up in her London Taxi and lays down the law. These children are lacking attention and discipline. Jo guides the parents to interact with their kids and establish a Naughty Chair.

Having now seen about a dozen episodes, I felt ready to introduce the Naughty Chair to my girls. They really aren’t naughty, but it’s good to have a plan. Last evening Pearl hit Natalie with a Barbie, so I sat Pearl down in a chair, dubbed it Naughty, and set the timer. Pearl has watched Supernanny with me. She knows she has to say sorry, so she set to that right away. I told her Natalie would accept her apology in 3 minutes.

Times up. Sorry. Hugs & kisses. All’s well.

Natalie then wanted a turn in the Naughty Chair! She sat in it, and wouldn’t get out. She wanted the timer set, and motioned with her fingers how many minutes she would like. Six, to be exact.

How do you punish a child who won’t get out of the Naughty Chair?

We have now scrapped the chair.

---

• How funny are your kids/grandkids/nieces/nephews?
• Are you in favor of the time-out or the Wal-mart slap?
• Do you (without being too graphic) own a naughty chair?

1st Play Date

 
Natalie and Pearl (far right) host their first Play Date.

Natalie (tallest in the photo) hosted her very first play date on Friday. Everything started well. The girls played in the pool while the Mom and I chatted under the trees. Pizza Man showed up, and we all took a break for lunch.

Soon the princess costumes were flying out of the closet, tiaras were donned, and make-up applied. It was all fun and games, but a dark cloud loomed on the horizon.

The second round of pool time didn’t go as smoothly. Tubes weren’t shared, noodles were stolen, and feelings were hurt. I noticed Natalie spending most of her time under water, and when she finally surfaced, she was sobbing. Her friends weren’t listening to her. I bundled her up in a towel and brought her to her room. She was distraught and wanted to be alone. That wasn’t happening though as 3 soaked girlies and a Mom marched into the room. Soon the tears had dried, and the rice krispy treats were being devoured. The Mom and I wandered to the dining room to continue our visit while the girls played in their bedroom.

Enter the storm that would end it all. The screams, the wails… we knew something was going terribly wrong. Do you know what we saw? Can you imagine it? A cute little imp wearing a Viking hat and armed with a bright orange fly swatter. She had envisioned Natalie, Pearl and her own little sister as flies, swatting their now red faces and arms!

What kind of game is that? I’ve heard of cowboys and indians, but flies and swatter?

Yes, the Play Date came to a swift end.

Do you have any experience in the Play Date Arena?
Do they usually end well?

Thanks for reading!