This Week's Twitter Blatherings

• made a big cup with english breakfast and irish breakfast teas - tastes like cold coffee - blech! #
  


• with the latest download, i now have 10.5 hours of Christmas music, including 9 versions of Silent Night... #fb #
  


• Oh my the ppl at walmart today!!! #
  


• hello, my name is crystal and i'm a big, fat, freakin' pushover idiot... will i ever learn? #fb #
  


• downloaded a few more Christmas songs from Amazon; realized i had a few cd's not on pc; uploading now... #fb #christmasmusic #
  


• Toy Packaging by Sara Groves #nowplaying #
  


• Carol of the Bells by The Proclivities #nowplaying #
  


• dang, going through my Christmas cd case and finding a bunch not on my pc... #fb #
  


• last cd in - then we'll see how many hours i've ended up with... #christmasmusic #fb #
  


• final tally - 21 hours of #christmasmusic! #fb #
  


• to bed late again; awake too soon with a headache; oh joy... #fb #
  


• Ladies and gentlemen, Hellmas has now officially begun - Bethy puked in the car #hellmas #fb #
  


• kids finally asleep after 10pm and i actually managed to finish a post to go up later this week; now i crash #hellmas #fb #
  


• It's not a lux hotel, but @bestwestern in hillsboro tx has massaging showerheads & copious hot h2o #bliss #fb #
  


• still tired; when's the vacation where i get to sleep and sleep and sleep? #fb #
  


• took 4yo bethy up and down the stairs at the hotel - she got all excited because she saw the "pond!!!" (pool) #fb #
  


• listening to and enjoying Susan Boyles' "I Dreamed a Dream" - early Christmas gift from @marcand - thanks, honey! #fb #
  


• shower and bed; it's good to be home... #fb #
  


• cleaning off my desk, then i may consider tackling the living room - maybe... #fb #
  


• tried to make tea - stupid 2.5 gallon container leaked all over my counter; ugh #redotoday #fb #
  


• nap down, gotta write this week's soapbox for @kidglue... #fb #
  


• swing time with @marcand! #fb #
  


• having my annual quiet, sad, contemplative night during the holidays, remembering Christmases past... #fb #
  


• 4yo Bethy just brought Tigger to meet me, then Little Pooh... #fb #
  


• AWESOME piece >> An abundance of blessings even in toughest of times -- chicagotribune.com - #
  


• missing my hair... #fb #
  


• is one pissed-off mama #fb #
  


• beware thinking you're actually on top of something, lest you discover that you're really an idiot that's a day late #fb #
  


• have you checked out all the posts i've written for @KidGlue today? two already and another coming at #fb #
  


• snowing in mineola, texas; will wonders never cease?? #fb #
  


• heading to my grandmother's house to have Christmas with my mom, sister, niece, nephew, and uncle #fb #
  


• turkey, fruit salad & chocolate meringue pie eaten; annual scrabble played; sister heading home to snowy McKinney - pray for safety #fb #
  


• is looking at the undecorated house and grieving that the magic is not here this year... #fb #
  


• going to attempt a hot bath and bed... #fb #
  


• just opened my review copy of @kathilipp's The Marriage Project that i got today - merry christmas to me! *squeeee* #fb #
  


• Patton space heater - $18 from WalMart - made of win! #fb #
  


• presents opened at the homestead; going back to grandmother's for meatloaf later today #fb #
  


• just had some cold leftover tasty, tasty, turkey-murder #nom #fb #
  


• but i don't wanna go to the store! #fb #
  

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Winter's Magic

Winter Fairy by *Cocodrillo at Deviant Art

Every year during the holidays, a night creeps up on me when I become pensive and sad, remembering winters past. For some reason, all my young misadventures occurred during the cold times. I was a very imaginative and moody child, being easily swept up in dreams of magic and fantasies of love, romance, and things eternal. As an adult now, I see them for the follies they were, but one night a year, I remember back to the days when my biggest dilemma was how to show that year's beau "how I loved him so." To embrace those times as the important things they were to me then, savor them, then let them go for another year...
 


heady days and nights

shivering in the cold but not noticing for the overwhelming infatuation

kisses and more kept us warm

i remember the most magical times were in winter

being found, being held, the candle's glow

music filling my ears, your smell in my nostrils, your whispers in my ears

your arms around me

nights spent in a world of magic

days spent in reverie

cares and reality floated by

oh, for days when winter's magic

washed o'er me

This Week's Twitter Blatherings

• hate shopping for clothes... #fb #
  


• ugh #fb #
  


• have a couple of girlfriends that hurting immeasurably right now; please pray for them; thanks #fb #
  


• 4yo Bethy just woke up from her nap with a fever of 102.2; please pray for her; thanks #fb #
  


• getting nerdy with google calendar with all the labs, extra calendars, and things; sad, i know #fb #
  


• been working on a gift; excited to pour the Word of God into & pray the Word of God over someone throughout the year #fb #
  


• btw, tweeple, if you're following me and i'm not following you back, please @ me so i can follow you - getting a big gap here... #
  


• to bed, to bed!
  on the morrow
  your eyes'll be red! #
  


• pray for @tw3nty3ight; had tonsillectomy today - in massive pain and having trouble sleeping #fb #
  


• let's see if i can get some writing done... #fb #
  


• Michael, Harry, and Tony serenading me - niiiice... #fb #
  


• so much for that... oh, to have a computer that could handle playing music for me while i work... *sigh* #fb #
  


• 8:30 am central time - 7yo Sarah gets 3 fillings - really this time - please pray for her #fb #
  


• Sarah getting 3 fillings 8.30 am central; pls pray #fb #
  


• Why oh why do i keep going to the store with my children??? #fb #
  


• Sarah did great today; Dr Boozer said he wished all his patients were as good as her; so very proud of her; thanks for your prayers #fb #
  


• tired and in pain; deeply depressed #
  


• brandon puked ALL OVER his bedroom floor; waiting for @marcand to get home with carpet cleaner while the baking soda dries #hellonearth #fb #
  


• head killing me; brandon finally in back in bed; all wound up and exhausted all at the same time... #fb #
  


• got a few hours of sleep; took kids to school; ate some oatmeal; went back to bed for a couple of hours; still stinkin' exhausted #fb #
  


• please pray for my friend C; she's having a very, very hard day today #fb #
  


• saw an acer netbook for $298 that's better than my desktop; *sigh* do you have any idea how depressing that is? #
  


• sister just got call - grandfather back in hospital. 2nd time in 3 weeks; psbl pneumonia but won't know til 2mrw; pls pray for Tommy #fb #
  


• just got up; no word on my grandfather this morning; last day of school before the break; not sure i'm ready for this... #fb #
  


• off to pick up the kids and begin The 16 Days of Hellmas... #fb #
  


• just cut Bethy's hair - it now matches her big sister's #fb #
  


• nice quiet Sabbath at home today, including a nice nap #fb #
  


• didn't realize the 'boys were playing; found out from @sheilawalsh & found it for @marcand; go me! #fb #
  


• y'know what would be an awesome Christmas present? for the 'boys to slam the saints! #fb #
  


• please pray for my grandfather Tommy; still in the hospital with fluid on his lungs #fb #
  


• Win the $200 Gift Card..shop shop and shop! #
  


• BOO-YA BABY!!! #fb #
  


• there's only ONE thing better than a saint - a COWBOY!!! #fb #
  

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Send me a postcard! {Giveaway}

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As I've mentioned before, I am a postcard junkie. I ask my mom to send me one every time she travels out of state, and I've sent them for Christmas for almost a decade now. Oh, and you did realize they're cheaper to mail, right?

There's a plethora of ways to use postcards, but I really like the idea of using them as encouragement cards. Lunch box notes are another cool idea. Then of course there's invitations, stand-out business cards or calling cards, and advertising.

So you want some now, right? How about 100? How about 100 for free? UPrinting.com is offering one 3Stairs reader 100 free postcards.

I know, it's awesomely awesome.

Prize Details:

Item: 100 Postcards for one (1) lucky winner

Size: 4"x6"

Paper: 14pt Cardstock Gloss

Printing: Full color both sides

Shipping: Winner must pay for shipping

Mandatory Entry:
Leave a comment telling me what you'll use your postcards for if you win.

Extra Entries:

• Second Entry: Tweet this giveaway and leave a comment with a link to the tweet. This can be done once each day.
  
  visit @3stairs to win 100 FREE postcards from @uprinting!
  
  


• Third Entry: Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment letting me know your Twitter user name.


• Fourth Entry: Subscribe to 3Stairs and leave a comment letting me know if you subscribed with RSS or via e-mail.
  
  By RSS:

  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  


• Fifth Entry: Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your post.


• Sixth Entry: Add a 3Stairs button to your blog and leave a comment with a link to your blog so we can visit!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

I'll let Random.org choose a winner on the morning of January 4, so get your entries in by 11:59 pm on January 3. The winner will be sent a coupon code directly from UPrinting.com on January 8.

Disclosure: As a thank you from UPrinting.com for hosting this giveaway, I'll be receiving 100 postcards of my own. Go me!

This Week's Twitter Blatherings

• i love the way @marcand makes malt-o-meal; he's the bomb #fb #
  


• look, it's sunday morning - it must be time to go to the store #fb #
  


• just finished stamping a gift for a dear friend - can't wait to give it to her #fb #
  


• i either need a liquid eyeliner tutorial or a makeup artist... #fb #
  


• took caffeine pill then proceeded to sleep through the alarm i had set so i could go shop the school Christmas store with Sarah #momfail #fb #
  


• yes, i should be working on my typing assignment, and yes, i'm on twitter and facebook instead; i'm taking a break! #fb #
  


• somebody come finish typing this for me; it's killing me... #fb #
  


• my eyes - they really hurt #thatisall #fb #
  


• 7yo Sarah getting 3 fillings @ 8.30am cst; pls pray; thx #fb #
  


• I'm an idiot; it's next week #fb #
  


• tired and head hurts; just want to go to bed, but i have to finish this typing assignment #fb #
  


• miniature marshmallows are addictive #thatisall #fb #
  


• Meme having cataract surgery this am; pls pray for her #fb #
  


• Hanging out at The Scroll while i wait for Meme to get out of cataract surgery #fb #
  


• home from taking Meme to cataract surgery; have to be back in Tyler at 8am for follow-up; pot roast now cooking in the slow cooker #fb #
  


• printing out typing assignment - 35 pages of poetry; let's hope everything's right and it's ready for publishing #fb #
  


• time for wheel of fortune and crochet #fb #
  


• finished hat / scarf sets for 1yo boy & 6yo girl for Bethy's playschool class ministry opp; really hope they like them; now to bed #fb #
  


• typing assignment done, printed, and delivered; client very happy = me very happy #gladtobedone #fb #
  


• What is your favorite Holiday Gift? @coveryourhair #
  


• shoes are off - i am officially in for the night #fb #
  


• where did this monstrous headache come from??? lori and jessica, are you guys ganging up on me and sending me yours?? :P #fb #
  


• had intended to go help at the school at 10am; just realized they got done at 10; ugh #schedulingfail #feellikeaheel #fb #
  


• A very blessed first night of Hanukkah for all my observing friends. May G-d shine His face upon you and your loved ones. #fb #
  


• listening to christmas music and feeling sad tonight #fb #
  

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This Week's Twitter Blatherings

• today: grocery shopping; typing assignment; web assignment; blogging; laundry... aw crap, i just got a buttload of stuff to do today... #fb #
  


• head = hurts; status = what else is new? #fb #
  


• Found this on BettyCrocker.com - enter to win $250 for Feeding America: #
  


• feeling like an idiot that needs to just back out of and/or quit everything and just concentrate on keeping house #fb #
  


• Enter to win your choice of any Handbag Heaven #giveaway Bag @ThetaMom Please RT #
  


• #Win a Free Agent Go Sleek Portable HD @Seagate_Con A breeze to transfer & backup files #giveaway @pennypinchingma #
  


• Ze Lists - zey went buh-byie... :( #
  


• AAAAAGGGGHHH - AUUUGHH-GGGGHHH- GGGGHHH- GGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  ok, i think i feel a little better now... #fb #
  


• maamie can haz tiem awt nao??? #fb #
  


• i just snorted >> RT @marcand Twitter Lists, Twitter Lists, wherefore art thou, Twitter Lists? We barely knew thee ... #
  


• T-30 minutes until "TV for You and Me" @KidGlue #fb #
  


• did you see it??? #fb #
  


• why would i rather sit and crochet than do any of the work i'm supposed to be doing??? #fb #
  


• If your last name is Love, you might want to exemplify it -- especially if you're the front desk greeter/old lady #justsayin #
  


• If your last name is Love, you might want to exemplify it -- especially if you're the front desk greeter/old lady AT THE CHURCH #justsayin #
  


• I will eviscerate you on Twitter!! #Chaucer2.0 #fb #
  


• What is your favorite color? @coveryourhair #
  


• what is it with my kids the last two days? or is it me? whatever it is, i'm not handling it well... #fb #
  


• I hate hiccups #justsoyouknow #thatisall #
  


• I just generated a #TweetCloud out of a year of my tweets. Top three words: 3stairs, post, love - #
  


• I just generated a #TweetCloud out of a year of my tweets. Top three words: 3stairs, post, love - #
  


• want to crochet or cyber window-shop; preparing for MOPS and going to bed instead - look at me being responsible (sorta)!! #
  


• you are Totally Frakking Kidding Me.... ugh - i hate being an idiot... #
  


• eating homemade chunky vegetable stew while i read e-mail, play wordscraper, etc before i get to work. #fb #
  


• ok, i watched conspiracy theory with @marcand; *now* i go to work... #fb #
  


• why does my 7yo want to wear short sleeve shirts & fleece hoodies in freezing weather? she's mad that i'm making her wear her big coat #fb #
  


• please pray for my grandmother Pat - today is my late grandfather's birthday #fb #
  


• listening to @895kvne online while i work on a typing assignment #fb #
  


• i've reached my ever-lovin limit! #fb #
  


• and now we nap! #bliss #fb #
  


• cold and tired this morning #fb #
  


• gave up and took a nap, with many thankful thanks to @marcand; now, to work. #fb #
  


• pray for my loved ones D and T, please #fb #
  

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MySpace and WalMart WishList Application Review

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I love wishlists. It's a great way to let people know more about you and what you like without being presumptuous or rude or obnoxious about it. On the giving end, it makes buying the perfect gift for someone easy. What size? Done. What color? Done. Which book or music genre? Done and done. It's a two-way awesome.

Want some more awesome? and have teamed up to create a wishlist app that is so easy a kid can do it - literally. If you can click a mouse and move it, you can use this application. At first, I went crazy and added whatever the heck I wanted. It was more of a "In Your Dreams" list. It's got this cool feature that keeps a running total of all the stuff in your wishlist. My original total? $1550.88. See? I told you it was a crazy in-your-dreams list!

That's okay, though. Know why? Editing my wishlist is as easy as click or drag-and-drop. So iPod Nano, good-bye. Laptop, buh-bye. Let's clear this thing out and be more realistic, shall we? How about $100? I think that might be a little more in my husband's price range, lol! So, $100 it is. Where shall I start....?

WalMart - ever organized, as always - makes "shopping" simple and easy with 10 categories to choose from:

1. Most Popular - a dozen of the hottest offerings


2. $10 and Under - budget buys that are sure to please


3. Toys - the Happy Kid aisle


4. Electronics - wired stuff to make a geek giddy


5. Clothing - new threads


6. Gadgets - handheld geekery


7. Girls Clothing - the in stuff to cover her skin


8. Guys Clothing - clothes to make the (young) man


9. Gifts for Family - stuff that will bring you together


10. For the Home - the stuff of domestic bliss

Being the geek I am, I head to the Gadgets category first. Some nice items, but that gotta-have-it isn't there. Electronics, here I come. Ooh! Camera! That looks nice. All I have to do is click the picture and I get a little window that pops up to tell me it's a for $99. Nice. Definite possibility, there. Clicking "Add to My List" button... now.

Heading to page two. Oooh. Phone. With keyboard. for $99.88. Hey, what's that? "View details at Walmart.com," it says. Well, don't mind if I do... The info (that opened in a new window) gives me a drool-worthy list for my basic phone-having self:

Bluetooth wireless technology
1.3 -megapixel camera
Mobile Web services
Caller/Picture/Ringtone ID
Hands-free speaker

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a contender! This is going to be a tough one. I've wanted a good digital camera for just about forever, but I've also been really wanting a fully-keyboarded phone with all the texting I do.

Decisions, decisions.

Since I already have a Flipcam, I'm going to opt for the camera as my wishlist winner. Click the X on the camera, click the "Save My List" button, and viola! - .

Easy peasy, pumpkin pie.

Oh, hey! - MySpace - add that to the wishlist options, will ya?

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely mine, and other users may have different experiences. I received a $100 WalMart gift card from MySpace as a thank you for reviewing this application.