Category — just for fun

This is a great craft that is easy enough for 2-3 year olds to do!
Supplies:
Chinet® paper plates – these really do work best
Green paint
construction paper in the following colors
red
yellow
orange
glue
marker or pen
yarn or ribbon

Cut the center out of the paper plates, leaving about 3 inches of the edge. Punch a hole in the top about 1/2 inch from the edge. Paint the bottom of the plate with the green paint and allow it to dry.

Cut some assorted leaf shapes from the construction paper.

Choosing some of the larger leaves, write things you and your kids are thankful for (i.e. mom & dad, brother or sister, sports, music, etc).

When the plate is dry, glue the leaves onto the green side in little clusters, putting the leaves with your thanks on top.

String the ribbon or raffia through the little hole as a bow.

If you want to hang it up with ribbon, punch another hole towards the top.

Ari’s wreath is a couple of years or so old, it started out with LOTS more leaves! This craft is fun because you get to hear things that your kids are thankful for that just might surprise you!

Do you believe people are basically good?
This is a tough one… if you watch a toddler for an hour, you will decide that people will inherently push the boundaries and test the limits set upon them.  Constantly. Then look at the typical teenage boy… ’nuff said.  Vandalism is something that I just don’t get.  Anger, depression, filthy language, sarcasm, violence and more seem to be becoming more and more prevalent in our society – unfortunately.

But, I want to believe that the majority of the population will try to be “good” even though it is impossible for us to truly be good.  We are born evil… we are born with a sin nature, and cannot ever (in our own strength) come to a place where we in and of ourselves are good.

So, I guess my answer is yes and no.  Many of us want to be, but we are inherently “not good”

If you could change the custom of shaking hands, what would you replace it with?
I’m not sure… waving?  I wouldn’t want to replace it with hugging, because I’m not comfortable with total strangers that close to me.  I like having my bubble of space around me.  Kissing on the cheek would fall under that “uncomfortable” category.  Yes, it’s sad, but it’s true!  I’m not the most “open” person if I don’t know you.  If I know you well, however, expect to recieve a hug instead!

What is something that you enjoy that is a chore for most other people?
Baking bread?  Cooking?  Do most people consider these a chore?  There are days that I do, but in general I really do enjoy preparing things to bless my family.

That’s just a bit more about me!  How about you?

I’m taking part in some of the meme madness that is flitting about the blog-o-sphere… yep, this is officially my first meme!  Enjoy..

What was the first thing you thought when you looked at yourself in the mirror today?

Ugh – so THAT’S why my eye is so itchy!
Do you have a recurring nightmare? If so, explain.
Not that I know of…  fortunately I don’t generally have nightmares.
List three foods you can’t stand:

Beets.  They seem to be a staple of CSA farm produce, but I just can’t do it.  I will occasionally dice one or two and add them to a roasted root veggie dish, but outside of that, I just don’t get the attraction.

Tomatoes:  Yes, I like salsa and the occasional spaghetti sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes are a good thing to have around, but to just eat a raw tomato?  Blech.  No thank you.  Oh, and by salsa I do NOT mean pico de gallo.  That would simply be raw tomatoes, peppers and onions.

Avocados:  I really think it’s a texture thing, but I just can’t get into the whole avocado/guacamole thing.  Squishy, slimy and gross is what comes to mind.  I know, “but they are so good for you!” but I just can’t do it.

BONUS FOOD

Celery:  Try as I might, I just can’t get past a natural gag reflex when I bite into a celery stick.  Do I use them in cooking?  Absolutely.  They add a certain something to so many dishes, I just can’t eat it raw… or in a size larger than finely minced.

Now that you know a bit more about my neurosis you can get on with your day!

There is a new walk about that has hit the internet… and this one is for a great cause!

The Gal to Gal Foundation is holding their second annual Gal to Gal Walk to raise funds to help women with stage IV breast cancer. It runs the month of October, and it is $5 to join in.

I would love to have you join on my team! Just head over to GalToGalWalk.org and design your gal (or guy!) and join in! They are walking in a different city each day – today happens to be New York.

It seems that everyone knows someone who has had a battle with cancer. My grandma has had breast cancer twice – and has survived Praise God! We also have loved ones that have lost thir battles, as well as those who are currently on that battlefield. Cancer has become so prevalent in our society… it is affecting just about everyone on some level. It has almost become a way of life.

This is an opportunity to help those who are currently on that battlefield – and you don’t have to exert the effort of walking yourself (I love that part!). Spread the word, join in, and walk with us!

If you join in, leave a message here – I’d love to know who is joining in!

*** UPDATE ***

If you join team Mimsi, leave a comment over at Design-My-Handbag.com – I will be doing a drawing over there at the end of the month for a free Rachel Purse from everyone who joins in!

First, I want to thank everyone who has voted for me! You are all so very sweet.

Second… for those who are on the fence, might I offer up a bribe? If you look me up on facebook, I will gladly send you sweet and savory treats! Chocolate Dipped Strawberries anyone? Animal Fries from In-N-Out perhaps? How about some yakisoba?

I can also send beautiful flowers…

And in the spirit of the competition, I actually made a little picture for you all! Yes, I have chopped off my hair since then, but it is still fairly recent

It’s not too presumptuous is it? I just really liked the crown… The sash proved to be a bit more difficult, but I made due.

For those that haven’t voted yet – or have no idea where to go – just head over to MomDot.com to place your vote today! Hurry – the voting ends on Sept 22nd (that is Monday).

Thank you so much, and I hope you all have a fabulous weekend..

And I don’t mean the presidential elections!

I stopped over at MomDot.com this morning to see what’s going on, and lo and behold, I have been nominated for Miss Congeniality in The Dottie Awards!

I am amazed… dumbfounded… flabbergasted… you choose the adjective. I am also touched and honored. I think this is the first time I have been nominated for ANYTHING online, and I have to say, it’s pretty cool.

Miss Congeniality is the award that is generally given to the contestant that is most liked and respected by her peers. “The current definition of the award is that it ‘reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate’s peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant.” – according to wikipedia.

Wow… this is a big honor to even be nominated!

Again, I am rendered *almost* speechless!

So, why am I sharing this with you (besides the fact that I am still slightly in shock)? So that YOU can go vote!

I’m seeking votes to win this thing, I will freely admit it! Yes, the honor is in being nominated (and it really is!) but to win would be so totally cool!

I Want YOU To Vote For ME in The Dottie Awards!

Just head over to MomDot.com and place your vote for me, Jennifer Hudson, keeper of the Design-my-handbag.com blog as Miss Congeniality! Hurry! Go Now! The voting ends Sept 22nd!

Oh, and tell all of your friends…

And, of course, THANK YOU!!!

Isn’t it pretty! I decided that I am now posting regularly enough that I need to have a button. I made this one over a Picnik.com – a WAY cool site if you’ve never been there – for free. Lots of fun fonts and shapes that you can use to make your pictures look great

I also have a banner:

Copy this code to your website to display this banner!
<a href=”http://blog.alexandari.com/” mce_href=”http://blog.alexandari.com/” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7863/mybanner48cabaa862ec2yt9.jpg” mce_src=”http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7863/mybanner48cabaa862ec2yt9.jpg” border=0 /></a><br><a href=”http://www.mybannermaker.com/” mce_href=”http://www.mybannermaker.com/”></a>

And last but definitely not least… I now have a rss dolly!

Isn’t she cool!  She was made by Emila over at emilayusof.com and I couldn’t be more pleased with how it turned out.

What do you think? Do you like them?

Shorter than it’s been since 7th grade…