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My podcast: 5 things you need to know

November 14, 2014 by Jana 11 Comments

Ordinarily I share my Friday favorites and link up with Amanda and I had planned on it but a bunch of you guys wanted to know about my upcoming podcast so I figured I’ll switch gears and do a Friday Five and share 5 things about my podcast you need to know:

  1. I’m cohosting it with my friend Bobby, who blogs at 2 Minute Finance. The idea came about while we, and a group of our other blogger friends, were wandering the streets of New Orleans and as we talked, we realized we had similar ideas for a podcast. We decided it would be a good and fun idea to work on it together.
  2. The first episodes will be released in January. Right now, we’re still working out the kinks in the interview format and developing our guest wish list along with practicing how to interview, designing a logo, and writing our rapid fire Inside The Actors Studio-type questions for the end of each episode.
  3. Even though it was founded at a financial blogger conference and Bobby is personal finance blogger, we don’t plan to have a personal finance focus at all. In fact, the nature of the podcast is everything but the blogs. As in, we’re talking to bloggers about all the stuff they love. Except their blogs. There’s enough blog talk. We want to know about the person behind the blog.
  4. It’s official name is Offline. A woman in my mastermind group came up with it so I have to give her props. It’s a kick ass name and I’m super excited about it. I just hope we have no conflicts and we don’t have to change it. So far, I think we’re good. (Off topic: remember yesterday when I didn’t know if I should italicize or use quotes for podcast titles? I looked it up. Titles are italics, episode titles are quotes. Just in case you need to know).
  5. I have no idea what I’m doing. And my interview skills are terrible and I have consciously remind myself not to curse. Thankfully Bobby is way more savvy with this stuff than I am and all I really need to do is write questions, send emails, and show up. And not curse.

Thanks you guys for your enthusiasm and questions and I can’t wait until I have episodes to share!

Since I can’t let a Friday go without sharing at least a couple of my favorite things, here’s my favorite funnies:

This kid is brilliant

computer guy
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you understand this, we are BFFs.

cinderella

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cow vengeance. The threat is real.

cows

 

 

 

 

 

 

And my favorite internet reads for the week were this post on how lateness is actually extremely rude and selfish (and one of my biggest pet peeves); this post discussing that moms are people, too; this list of 18 ways people make their lives harder than they need to be; and this list of 20 unconventional date ideas (my husband and I plan to do a few of them).

Let’s end this with my favorite 90s song of the week, “Plowed” by Sponge.
Plowed by Sponge on Grooveshark

On deck for Monday: the second post in my cheer mom series, focusing on the financial aspects of being a cheer parent.

Have a great weekend!

 

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Filed Under: Life Tagged With: Entertainment, favorites, podcast, projects

Friday Favorites, volume 26

November 7, 2014 by Jana 12 Comments

Many things I didn’t enjoy happened this week. I’m trying to turn the negatives into positives because silver linings and everything so I won’t share all the crap with you and instead I’ll move right into my weekly favorites.

(Quick question for you guys before we get started: does anyone know of someone who can help with some design elements? I have a new header that’s been updated to be more reflective of what I write about but it’s a floating header and for the life of me, I can’t figure out where it’s currently coded and how to code the new one and it’s making me crazy that I can’t add it to the site. I’m on WordPress, if you need that information)

Favorite 90s song

I know I ordinarily pick rock songs but every now and then a non-rock song will creep its way in. Today’s one of those days. I had a college friend who LOVED the Indigo Girls and we’d all listen to them and they’re really not so bad (even if my husband calls them “Lilith Fair music”) and I heard this song a few weeks ago so let’s work it in this week and get it out of the way. “Closer To Fine”. The Indigo Girls.

Closer to Fine by Indigo Girls on Grooveshark

Favorite frugal find

I haven’t been shopping so looking for deals and coupons hasn’t been on my list of things to do, and none have come my way. Oh, wait! Bath and Body does have their winter scents on sale (4 for $18) so that’s a good deal but I’m pretty sure that stuff is always discounted but it’s worth mentioning.

Favorite blogging tip

I didn’t do much reading involving blogging tips this week, and some of the pins that I have are a bit dated to share (this is why I need to cull my pins) since Pinterest has apparently changed their algorithms for the way searches come up. But you know what stayed the same? Needing a quality image. Fortunately, Helene had a good post on how she uses PicMonkey for her blog’s images.

Favorite book news

The only book news I have is the reminder that my and Steph’s Show Us Your Books linkup is happening on Tuesday so make sure you join us for that. Also, if you’re looking for a literary agent or anything related to publishing, the 2015 Writer’s Market is on sale at Amazon.

Favorite Internet reads

As a mom, I loved this post from Babble on the 7 Stereotypes About Motherhood That Annoy Me (number 3 is a huge pet peeve of mine. Really, a shower can take 5 minutes. It’s not a badge of honor to smell). I struggle with some of these but this list of 15 phrases you’ll never hear successful people say is something to think about and strive for. Dolly Parton is one of my heroes and this interview with her proves why. And, lastly, I need to update my house and make some improvements but we don’t have a ton of money right now so this post (and video) containing 23 ways to update your home for under $50 is quite useful.

Favorite funnies

Sometimes it’s the highlight of my day

It’s the only hat I’ll wear. And it looks so good on me.

food hat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nostrils, I will never again take you for granted.

Yep.

funny-book-autobiography-did-not-work

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming up on Monday: Should be post #1 in my cheer mom series. But I can’t make any promises.

Have a great weekend!

 

Linking up with Amanda

Friday Favorites

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Filed Under: Life Tagged With: Entertainment, favorites, linkups

Friday Favorites, Halloween edition

October 31, 2014 by Jana 15 Comments

I feel like today’s post should be about Halloween even though I can’t stand Halloween and, unlike most people, I have zero memories of being a child on Halloween. I have no recollection of my costumes (although I remember the 80s children’s plastic costumes vividly), going trick or treating, handing out anything with my parents, or anything even remotely related to Halloween.

Okay. That’s a lie. I have one memory, and it’s family tradition related. I grew up on Long Island, and not too far from my parents’ house was a place called Hicks Nursery. It’s a family owned plant nursery/pumpkin patch/Christmas store that each year had a very elaborate walk-though storyboard display, sort of like a living diorama but with placards containing a narrative. I’m doing a terrible job describing this. Here are pictures:

otto collage

We did this every year up until 2 or 3 years ago but my very limited decorations do include an Otto the Ghost stake (the ghost in the pictures is named Otto) in my front yard so I still try to keep the tradition alive.

But that’s basically all I do. Because I don’t watch scary movies, I have no interest in dressing up myself, my husband takes the child trick or treating and I’m more than happy to put out a bowl of candy with a sign that says “help yourself” because the doorbell bothers my dogs and I don’t enjoy small talk with other people’s kids and I’d rather hide in my room with a book. I half-heartedly throw together decorations and at the pumpkin patch, I purposefully pick the small pumpkins because I like them better. Large pumpkins bug me for reasons I cannot explain.

I’m basically the Halloween grinch. I’m fine with it.

For this week’s edition, though, I’ll put my grinchiness aside and bring you my very limited Halloween favorites (besides Otto and small pumpkins).

Favorite Halloween song

It’s not necessarily a Halloween song in the traditional sense but Rob Zombie is basically the year round, living, breathing embodiment of the day so I’m using his song, “Dragula”.
Dragula by Rob Zombie on Grooveshark
Favorite Halloween frugal find

My daughter was supposed to go as Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie but the costume was turning out to be a nightmare so we went on to Amazon and found a Southern Belle costume on sale for less than $20 plus free shipping thanks to Amazon Prime. Less than $20 and no crowded costume store? Score for me! (pics will be on Instagram so if you want to see my daughter in her costume, make sure you’re following me)

Favorite Halloween candy

Reese’s peanut butter cups. And I really like the mini Snickers. Too bad I’m working the low carb diet right now. I’m pretty sure my child is thrilled by this.

Favorite Halloween movie

The Worst Witch. My middle sister and I would watch it before school every single day in our respective rooms. I still love this movie and found it on YouTube and hopefully I can get my daughter to watch it.

the worst witch

Favorite Halloween Internet reads

I liked this read from PopSugar, 15 Halloween Movies for Wimps. Buzzfeed had a wonderfully helpful post about candy and cocktail pairings. And Book Riot linked to a story on FlavorWire with 10 scary stories you can listen to right now.

Favorite Halloween funnies

I will be drunk in about 15 minutes

I find this funnier than I should

the office

This will be my candy bucket sign

treat yoself

True story

Hope you all have a great Halloween and rest of the weekend!

Coming up on Monday: I’m not quite sure yet. It’s either the beginning of my cheer mom series or something else. We’ll see what strikes me when I sit down to write.

 

Linking up with Amanda

Friday Favorites

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Filed Under: Life Tagged With: favorites, holidays, linkups

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.
Loser by Beck on Grooveshark

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.

funny-cute-bunny-covering-face

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Friday Favorites

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Filed Under: Life Tagged With: blogging, Entertainment, favorites

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”.

Big Balls by AC/DC on Grooveshark

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.

state of fear

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.

party hard

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Friday Favorites

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Filed Under: Family, Life Tagged With: favorites, linkups

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Jana

I'm Jana ...

A book reading, nail polish wearing, binge watching, music loving, dog owning, reluctant cheer mom.
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