Sheep Bedding Set

This is a beautiful bedding set: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4103246.

Diaper Bags

I enjoy looking around for stylish, practical, affordable diaper bags. Kalencom makes some really cute ones for under $100. I used to think $50 was a lot for a diaper bag, but as I keep searching I realize many cost over $200! I don't think I need to pay that much for a bag, but I still want something nice. Here are some nice diaper bags. Diaperbags.com also has many really great bags, but I don't like looking at their site. It's not very "pretty" if you know what I mean. You can buy the Kalencom bags on that site as well and may find them cheaper. Anyway, here are some pictures of the styles I like. I really like the Partridge one and the green w/ flowers one at the bottom. But all of these styles are cute!

Jackie’s boy’s blanket

I made this blanket for my sis-in-law's baby boy. Her nursery is in greens and browns, and anyway, I don't really like baby boy blue for boys, so the greens and brown were the perfect choice. I even invented a little alligator/lizard and sewed him on. I really hope little baby Payne (they haven't told us his name yet) really enjoys his blanket from his *favorite* aunt. 

Baby Stroller Goodness

Now, I’m not a mom, and I’m not pregnant yet, but my friend is and I’m helping her research baby products. Also, I intend to eventually have children, so I may as well start researching now.
I want to be sure that I have a stroller that is lightweight and folds up enough to fit in my car trunk since I can’t be sure to have an SUV by the time I have a baby. My favorite thus far that I’ve found is the Baby Jogger City Mini. It weighs under 17lbs and folds up with one hand (just grab the handle in the middle and lift; simple as that!). It also comes in great colors. Here is the link: http://www.babyjogger.com/city_mini_sngl_dtl.aspx.
A slightly more affordable option that still weighs in at around 17 lbs is the Graco Metrolight Stroller, shown here: http://www.gracobaby.com/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=1750856. This one comes in many different styles, and its lower price includes accessories that would cost extra on the City Mini, such as the cupholders and the baby tray with cup holder. Those are nice accessories that would definitely come in handy.
I got to see the City Mini in person today at the Bellies and Babies boutique in downtown Chattanooga (Northshore), and it was a real beauty! It seemed to “drive” nicely, with larger wheels than the Graco stroller and a sleeker style, as well. But for the cost savings I may have to go with the Graco. I have lots of time to decide.

My new computer

I am so excited to announce that I have a new computer. It is a 15 in. Dell Studio laptop, and its color is purple! How fantastic is that? Ryan would want me to tell you that it has a Core i3 processor (which means, I guess, that my computer is fast), 500GB hard drive space (I think), and lots of RAM. Hehe. You can tell I care most about the color. :) Actually, it will be nice to have a computer that works. My previous laptop is on the verge of dying, and we sold my desktop since I need a laptop more now. Teaching classes at two different schools will be much easier if  I’m mobile. Hence the new laptop!

I hope this will improve my blogging time. Also, the fact that I’m going to ask my students to blog should help, as well. I can’t ask them to do something I’m not willing to do, can I? Also, my computer also came with Windows Live Writer (which I’m sure anyone can access or download, but which was on my desktop and I had never seen before), which allows me to blog offline and save drafts on my computer. I can also see the actual look of my blog as I’m typing this (as opposed to the post interface in blogger which is just a blank white box to type in).

I’m also thinking about starting up a wish list on here of all the things I want (birthdays, Christmases, etc.). This way I have something to refer back to when I actually get around to buying some of it. If other people want gift ideas, too, that would be fantastic, but I’m not really asking for gifts here. We’ll see how this develops.

Book Review: Terry Pratchett's The Wee Free Men

 The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I love Tiffany Aching and her compatriots, the Nac Mac Feegle. This story and the two that follow it are thoroughly entertaining and imaginative. Tiffany is a young girl who learns she has witchcraft in her blood. In her three-book series, she learns to use (or, rather, not use) magic to benefit the people of her village. The Nac Mac Feegle are 8-inch tall, vicious, comical men who aid Tiffany in her quests. Aside from the plot, The Wee Free Men is about a strong, courageous girl who must rely on herself to save the day. Magical.

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Book Review: Terry Pratchett's Going Postal

  Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


My introduction to Pratchett's imaginative world, Going Postal was extremely entertaining and captivating. I definitely want to read more Pratchett. I really enjoyed that the main character is a "good" person (has character, concern for others) even though his actions are "bad" (he's a con artist and isn't afraid to lie, cheat, or steal to get his way). There are evil characters and good characters, and Moist falls into the good category while stretching the readers' normal ideas of good vs. evil.

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