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Friday Favorites, volume 24

October 24, 2014 by Jana 15 Comments

Admittedly, it’s hard to top last week’s favorites because my husband is something else and definitely brings a certain something to the table and he’s very grateful for all the birthday wishes and the great responses to his quasi-guest post (although you might change your mind when you read my upcoming “shit my family says” post). Perhaps that’s why I’ve decided to give the categories a makeover. I tried to keep with the same themes but slightly altered them a bit. I hope you enjoy the new versions!

Favorite 90s song

Although I’ve been using 90s songs for the past few weeks, making it an official category feels like a lot of unnecessary pressure. I really want to get it right and there are so many good choices. Too many good choices. But, after careful consideration of all the candidates, I’m picking Beck’s “Loser”. This is the best song about nonsense (with a hidden meaning buried in the lyrics, I’m sure) that ever was.

Favorite frugal find

I was going to say it’s all the amazing sales that Bath and Body Works has on their soaps (did you know there are pumpkin scented foaming hand soaps? Thanks to Megan, I do now. Also, I’m secure enough in my basicness to admit that I want pumpkin soap) but then Target went ahead and announced free shipping on all purchases made through December 20. All. Purchases.

Favorite blogging tip

Writer’s block is inevitable (actually, did you guys know I was a contributing author in a book on how to combat writer’s block? I was and you can buy it here if you want. I get no money from your purchase but it’d make me feel good if you bought it. And it’s $.99 so if you hate it, you’re out less money than the cost of a soda) but one of my go-to sources for all things blogging, Melissa from Blog Clarity, came up with the idea of a swipe file.

A swipe file is essentially a collection of posts and ideas that you can use for inspiration and brainstorming when you get stuck. It’s not posts you can copy; rather, they’re posts to use to help you overcome your block. She explains it better than I do so check out what she has to say about creating one.

Favorite book/TV/movie news

It’s hard to find something to come up with in each of these categories each week so going forward, I’m going to share what I found to be the most interesting. This week, it’s the fact that Paul Reubens, aka Pee Wee Herman, has been on The Blacklist this season. He’s fucking creepy on it, too. I always struggle when I see someone who I pigeonhole in a role playing something totally different. And it really doesn’t get much different than this.

Favorite Internet reads

So many links to choose from since I missed sharing last week. I did narrow it down to my favorite four because four seems like a reasonable number and it’s a multiplier of my favorite number (16) and also it’s about the number of minutes per day I’ve been productive lately. Speaking of that, Lifehacker had a very helpful post on turning laziness into efficiency, which, coupled with Michael Hyatt’s post on why you should nap every day, means I’ll be a model of creativity and productivity, starting next week (I still haven’t worked out the procrastination part yet).

I’m not sure how to segway to this next link smoothly so I’ll do it awkwardly instead. Earlier I said that I’m secure in my basicness. And I am. And this Buzzfeed post explains why the word “basic” is really another word for class anxiety. And it is a great read which you should follow up with reading how this guy went a year with a distraction free iPhone (if anyone is interested in trying this challenge, let me know because I think it’ll be something I do very soon, although I’ll probably start with a week or a month).

Favorite funnies

Really, I could do worse.

Books are liars.

$funny-judge-book-cover-math-enjoy$

Shame on you, Little Bunny Foo Foo.

This is true fear. And not that I know from experience, but should you clog the toilet of someone who doesn’t own a plunger, a pot of boiling water poured into the toilet will do the trick.

Thanks to everyone who agreed to participate in my meet the reader series. There’s still plenty of room for more so let me know if you’re interested! This is open to bloggers and nonbloggers; we’re equal opportunity here at Jana Says. And I might be turning this series into a podcast down the road. I’ll keep you updated on that. (Question: if I had a podcast interviewing my blogger friends, and maybe some nonblogger friends, would you listen to it?)

That’s all she wrote for this week. Coming up on Monday (most likely, unless something else strikes me when I sit down to write on Sunday): my celebrity dinner party guest list.

Have a great weekend!

Linking up with Amanda

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Thinking out loud Thursday

October 23, 2014 by Jana 20 Comments

It’s Thursday! Time for another brain dump! Let’s get right to it.

My post ideas are out of control. I’ve been trying to use a blog planner to keep them all organized and plan them all out but trying to stick to that plan is virtually impossible. I think I need to have a writing day, get them all out in draft form, and then go back and hit publish on various days. Especially when the inevitable writer’s block sets in.
- I needed a subset for this one. I keep going back and forth between completely self-centered posts and posts that others might find helpful and/or useful. I don’t know which ones to publish. So, quick reader poll: What do you guys prefer to read? One or the other? A mix of both? Let me know!
The stack of books on my nightstand and on my Kindle app is ridiculous. And more books are coming in every day. I need, in addition to a writing day, a reading retreat where I sit and just read books for a week. Preferably at a quiet beach house, with only my dogs keeping me company.
My daughter’s Halloween costume still isn’t done. She wants to go as Laura Ingalls and while it seemed like a good idea, putting this costume together is way more difficult than I thought it would be. This costume is why I wish I could sew more than a button or a seam.
If anyone has motivation to exercise, can you please hurl some extra my way? It’s been a week since my last workout and the “I don’t give a shits” have set it. My fat ass will not keep losing weight if I can’t find my will to sweat anymore.

I have finally started liking podcasts! I have two that I listen to with regularity and they’re actually interesting. Well done, on topics I enjoy, and not too long. The last time I listened to a regular podcast was when LOST was on TV. I’m glad I finally found something!
Buzzfeed might be known for it’s annoying list posts, stupid life quizzes (did you know that anyone can make one now? I’m debating whether or not to do it), and random collections of pictures but lately, I’ve found a few longform essays that are killing it. I’ll share a couple of them in tomorrow’s Friday Favorites.
I don’t know what to binge watch next. I’ve finished The Wire, I’m caught up on The Following and The Blacklist, I’m watching Deadwood but I can’t handle more than a couple of episodes at a time. I’m looking for a show I can sit and watch for hours when I’m avoiding doing anything worthwhile. Candidates are Drop Dead Diva, Shameless, and Parenthood. Thoughts?
Confession: I have been sucking ass at the choose your own adventure challenge this month. I’ve definitely had less diet soda than I usually do but I have had some. More than I should, which is zero. Remember how I said I chose that one because it wouldn’t be setting myself up to fail? So much for that.
I’m starting a new feature, and I’d like to start it next month: Meet The Reader. If you read, and want to do a short, fun interview with me that will be published on the blog, please email me. This is for bloggers and nonbloggers so don’t feel like you can’t participate if you don’t blog.
I’ve been in a mood lately and sometimes, the only thing that makes me feel better are pictures of cute animals. Like this one:

Coming up tomorrow: Friday Favorites with revised categories. Hope you’re as excited as I am!

Linking up for Stuff and Things

Pet peeves. I’ve got a lot of them.

October 22, 2014 by Jana 40 Comments

Admittedly, I have a lot of pet peeves. Probably more than the average person. Which is fine because I’ve decided it doesn’t make me high maintenance or bitchy; it makes me quirky.

I’m not ashamed of my pet peeves, either, because people really need to get it together and I’m all for helping them do so because seriously, tell me that none of these bother you:

Receiving an email that’s riddled with spelling errors, punctuation abuse, and incorrect forms of words (ex., using “your” instead of “you’re”). It’s even worse when it’s from a professional organization.
Using letters and numbers in place of words anywhere except text messages. And I can’t really stand it in texts either (true story: I have a friend who proofreads her texts before she sends them to me).
People who move unnecessarily slowly, especially in the supermarket or when walking on the sidewalk.
People singing incorrect lyrics to songs, especially songs that I like. Misquoting movies and TV show is included in this.
Open shower curtains. When I’m rich, I’m replacing all the curtains with shower doors.
Not texting me back but posting all over social media.
In what probably makes me seem all Sleeping With the Enemy-ish, I can’t handle it when the labels on cans in my pantry face different directions.
Wire hangers. No.
The sides of the comforter on my bed being uneven.
Celebrity nicknames, specifically the combining of two names into something ridiculous.
The term “shipping” as it refers to wanting two characters on a TV show to get together. WHY DOES THIS EVEN EXIST?
When people use big words and they clearly don’t know what the word means.
When people mispronounce common words (it’s “moot”, not “mute”) or incorrectly use a word (hey, irony, I’m looking at you).
Employees of an establishment smoking directly in front of the entrance so that you have to walk through their cloud of smoke.
Rude smokers in general.
People who are not 80s children claiming they miss the 80s.
Putting a pitcher with 4 drops left back in the fridge.
When drivers have 8786 miles and 128943 signs warning that the lanes will merge but still wait until they have 5 feet left until the lane ends to get over.

I’m going to stop here. The list could be way, way longer but:

How about you guys? What are some of your pet peeves? And if you’re interested, you can read some of my other ones, ones that are a little more substantial, in this post.

Linking up for #Blogtober14

Friday favorites, husband edition

October 17, 2014 by Jana 20 Comments

A few nights ago, my husband and I had this conversation. I should state upfront that I was laying in bed, half asleep, because it was almost midnight and we had just finished watching Sons of Anarchy and if you watch that show, you know how it exhausts you from all the emotions.

Husband: Are you asleep?

Me: No. I’m getting ready to run a marathon.

Husband: Okay, then. I’ll be in bed when I’m done powdering my wig for my meeting with the dignitaries tomorrow.

And, that, my friends, is a small glimpse into the mind of the man I married. The man I’ve been with for the last 18 years. The man whose 37th birthday is today (since I’m 4 months older than he, he loves to tell me that I a) robbed the cradle and b) will die first. I know. I’m a lucky lady).

Since I’m broke because, you know, I make no money, the only gift I could give my husband (who will not allow me to use his name because he’s crazy and paranoid and afraid that people will try to find him and then stalk him. And I’m the one with issues) was allowing him to take over my blog for the day. That’s a big deal, you guys, especially since writing is not his forte (he’s an idea man. I make the ideas make sense) and also, everything on the internet is forever. Which is more than I can say for the cake I might or might not bake.

Anyway, I let the husband pick today’s favorites. What he didn’t mention in his favorites, mainly because he stuck to the structure I use, is that he also loves golf, Orioles baseball, Broncos football (even before Peyton Manning came on board), science, Kit Kats, coming up with the world’s worst jokes, bothering me with riddles that are impossible to answer, podcasts, and Jeeps. He also loves me and our daughter but that goes without saying. So does the fact that we love him back.

And now, the rest of his favorites.

Favorite song

The husband does not like music as much as I do. In fact, he’s one of those people that probably could go for months at a time without listening to it which is just bizarre to me. However, when he does listen to songs, he does pick mostly good ones. I say mostly because when we first met, he owned Shaquille O’Neal’s CD. It’s one of his shameful secrets that you now all know. Feel free to mock. However, for his selection, he picked one of our favorite Mr. Greengenes Stone Balloon (RIP) staples, AC/DC’s “Big Balls”.

Favorite frugal find

We live in Delaware, home of Dogfish Head Brewery and at the main facility in Milton, they give brewery tours. We did that as part of our anniversary weekend this year. Also attached to the brewery is a bar/holding area and they give away 4 free samples of any beer on tap to every person who wants them. You don’t even have to be on the tour. You can just stop by after work and get your free beer. I’m glad we live over an hour away because he’d be home late. Every night.

Favorite book

The husband is not a big fan of fiction. He reads mostly biographies and magazines along with some books related to his industry (I call them textbooks. He disagrees). Occasionally he’ll read fiction. Specifically, Michael Crichton. And only Michael Crichton. He’s read through all of his books and picked this one as his favorite.

Favorite TV shows

As far as TV goes, when it comes to picking a show we can agree on, Congress has an easier time coming to a consensus. However, we do sometimes find stuff we both like and then we watch all the shows on all the days and then we go back to fighting and that works for us. That said, some of his favorites aren’t terrible. They’re actually pretty damn good: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Big Bang Theory, Sons Of Anarchy, Family Guy.

Favorite Internet reads

The husband likes to spend his time reading and reading the same websites, and also he likes to be a pain in my ass so instead of sending links to specific posts, he sent me general websites like people have time to check them out. But, if you do have some spare time, the husband recommends Mental Floss, Cracked, and The Oatmeal. Since I’m respectful of your time, I have a ton of links saved to share with you guys next week.

Favorite quote

Challenge accepted.

Favorite funnies

I have not vetted all of these. So…consider yourself warned. I don’t know what’s in them.

Thanks to the husband for sharing his favorites! He’ll be making more appearances, though I haven’t quite worked out the details yet.

This is homecoming weekend at our alma mater and since we met in college, you think this would be something we’d attend with gusto. But, alas, it is not. In fact, this year we get to spend homecoming weekend dealing with cheerleading stuff. Again. So I’m glad we’re shaking it up a bit. However, we are going out to dinner at a restaurant with actual cloth napkins! I guess that’ll have to make up for everything else.

Have a great weekend! See you on Monday. I’ll be returning with another parenting post so stay tuned.

Linking up with Amanda

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Stuff and things, things and stuff

October 16, 2014 by Jana 26 Comments

It’s been awhile since I’ve had a brain dump like this and I figured with all the serious posts this week, it might be a good idea to lighten the mood around here. Let’s do that with examining what’s been going on inside my head lately.

Why do crime/thriller shows always portray the murderers and criminal masterminds as (usually) good looking, intelligent, cultured, wealthy people? I mean, I get that they can be psychopaths, too, but these shows are seriously increasing my paranoia quotient regarding the upper class.
Speaking of my paranoia, a new cat has decided our backyard is its kingdom, terrifying our existing cat. They sort of got into it on Sunday and now I’m petrified my cat will get into a violent bloody fight with squatter cat and my cat will bleed to death (never mind the fact that my cat is inside 80% of the time).
Having a cold is pretty much the worst thing ever. It makes you feel like shit but there’s absolutely nothing you can take to make yourself feel better, unless it’s NyQuil and I really don’t have time to spend in a NyQuil coma. Also, the sneezing part just sucks.
I was a mystery reader in my daughter’s class this week. I read Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day because I think even kids should read the book before they see the movie.
Is anyone else doing NaNoWriMo next month? I am because clearly I have issues and like to pressure myself for no apparent reason other than maybe I think it’s fun.
Tomorrow is my husband’s birthday. I have not bought him a gift, a card, or even thought about getting or baking a cake or any sort of dessert because he is the worst person to shop for and he drops no subtle hints or clues and if he does, I’m clearly too dumb to pick up on them. We are going out to dinner and he is guest posting tomorrow so at this point, that’ll have to do.
Did you guys see the news that Rainbow Brite is getting the reboot treatment a la My Little Pony and The Care Bears? Did you see that Molly Ringwald is going to be one of the voices? The child that grew up in the 80s is rejoicing but my adult self knows it’ll probably be shit and ruin yet another sacred childhood memory.
My 20th high school reunion is in May. I’m pretty sure I’m not going to go. High school was a fucking nightmare and I can’t justify paying to spend money to see people who won’t remember me anyway. But I am curious.
I’ve been trying to participate in a 21 day intentional blogging challenge, hosted by Jeff Goins. It’s not going well. I think I’m 4 days behind and I can’t find the most current task, let alone the ones I’m missing. I think maybe this was a terrible mistake.
I finally jumped on the blog button bandwagon and designed one. I need to put it on my sidebar so anyone who likes me can grab it and put on their site (hint, hint). I’m pretty sure that’ll take me about 4 more months to do. #lazyass But here it is in case you want it now:

<div align="center"><a href="https://janasays.com" title="Jana Says"><img src="https://janasays.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/jana-says-button.jpg" alt="Jana Says" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

So now that you’ve had a peek inside my head, tell me. What’s going on in your life lately? Are you as scatterbrained as I am? Would you go to your high school reunion?

Linking up with Kristin

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Friday Favorites, volume 24

Thinking out loud Thursday

Pet peeves. I’ve got a lot of them.

Friday favorites, husband edition

Stuff and things, things and stuff

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