Hey, Y'all!

Reader Help: What should I vlog about?

So, I volunteered to start a blog for work. I figured that would fill my desire to blog somewhere else, especially since Food Lush closed its virtual doors. This site will always be my first love, but I like to have other irons in the fire, too.  Anywho, one of the first things my marketing manager wants me to do is a video blog, starring me, describing our tour shows.  I'm excited about it and I wrote the script in less than 30 minutes.  I made them promise not to make me record it until I've had an eyebrow wax, so I have a bit of time. In preparation for this project, I thought I'd do a couple of vlogs here to get myself used to hearing my own voice and to try to find an angle at which I dont' have a double-chin. 

This is where you come in.

What types of things would you like me to make video blogs about?  Should I do a cooking demo? Give you a guided tour of my makeup bag? Talk you through my menu for the week? Show you my workspace? Let you watch me fold tiny Angry Birds underpants?

Chime in! (and thanks!)

Life,Well-Lived

Last week, several of us shared our life lists.  This week, we're sharing our proudest achievements in our lives.  Link up and share your own!

So far, in my 35 years, I have:

*Lived alone

*Vacationed alone

*Taken an adults-only trip to Disneyworld with a friend

*Bought a house

*Married the love of  my life

*Had the little boy of my dreams

*Earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree

*Taught at an Ivy League University

*Moved halfway across the country

*Lived in NYC

*Toured a show to a theatre festival in Poland

*Spent 7 weeks doing a show in Alaska

*Gone whale-watching on a boat called The Ultima Thule (Oh, yes, I did. I also threw up on that boat, but I'm less proud of that one)

*Stage managed two Broadway shows

*Held a Tony award

*Made friends with Chris Sarandon (Prince Humperdink from The Princess Bride)

*Learned to bake really, really well

*Owned 2 cats

*Operated countelss power tools

*Toured Washington DC

*Served as matron of honor in my best friend's wedding

*Held my friends' children and watched them hold my son

*Cracked several "secret" recipes from our favorite restaurants

*Been on a dance team

*Joined the Actors' Equity Association

*Won $1,000 on a slot machine

*Started a blog

*Attended 2 blog conferences

*Purchased jeggings

*Drove a box truck (But not a zamboni. Need to add that one to the life list.)

*Hosted the holidays at our house (Thanksgiving and Christmas)

*Had a magazine article published

Link up with your own or put them in the comments!

Project Life List

Way back yonder when I was still on Blogger, I kept my life list in the sidebar of my blog. I liked having it out in the open for me and everyone else to see. I figured if I looked at it long enough, I'd eventually start doing some of the short-term, easy things.  I revisited that list, then took a good, hard look at my life to make the new list below.  I'm very excited to share it as a part of The Life List Project (#LifeList) with some other phenomenal bloggers. Join in with Kelli from Momma Needs A Beer,  Heather from CafeSmom, Andrea from Good Girl Gone Redneck, Starr from Chicago Foodie Girl, Judi from What Would Judi Do?, Sue from Motherhood and Me, Alexia from Babies and Bacon, Vanessa from La Vida Loftus , Alissa from Clever Compass and me.

JEN'S LIFE LIST

Play mini-golf every chance I get.

Conquer my fear of fondant.

Visit Italy and eat myself silly.

Spend my 40th Birthday in NYC.

Be a production stage manager again.

Teach.

 Learn to apply eye makeup really well.

Feed people--their stomachs, their minds, their souls.

Dance at my son's wedding.

Teach my husband how to type correctly.

To meet as many of my blog friends as possible. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of my favorites, like Alissa and Kelli, but several of you remain on my list of people to hug in person. (Bree, Christy, Molly and Eva--I'm lookin' at you!)

Be happy with a calmer life.

Be there when I'm needed.

Take Dean to Disney World. Watch his head explode from happiness.

Take a family road trip with a blog friend and their family. (Or multiple friends!)

Plant flowers that live more than one season.

 

 

 Link up below and be sure to read read all the other fantastic #LifeList posts!

Friday 5: Top 5 Favorite Shows From Childhood

This week's Friday 5 is a total copycat of Alissa's post, but I really, really liked her list.

Here are my top 5 favorite TV shows from childhood:

Punky Brewster.  I wanted to be her. I looked  a lot like her and even dressed like her from time to time to amuse my elementary school friends.

Knots Landing.  Yes. I watched Knots Landing as a child. I loved that show. LOVED.  My parents let me stay up late on Thursdays to watch it.  They are good parents.

The Cosby Show.  Good, clean fun, hilarity, good lessons. I loved growing up with their kids. One of my favorite episodes is the one where Theo and his friends are listening to the record of MACBETH. Too, too funny.

The Wonder Years.  Kevin was in the same grade as me throughout the series. This was a show I always watched with my family and it's still one of my dad's favorites. We quote it a lot in our family.

The Price Is Right.  My mom and I used to joke that if I'd been home-schooled, the only thing we'd have gotten done would have been watching the Price Is Right. I really liked being home in the summertime and on holidays to watch.  I lived for days when they played Plinko.

Head over to Clever Compass and play along!

 

Our Top Five Childrens' Books

Alissa over at Clever Compass has stared doing the Friday 5, a list of five things in a different category each Friday.  This week is top five books for children.  This was harder than I thought--we read a lot over here.  I'm sure I'll leave a few favorites out, but here are our family's top five, some current, some from the baby days.

1.  Morris The Moose Goes To School.  This was my all-time favorite in grade school.   When we had quiet reading time, I made a beeline for the book rack and read this every single day of first grade.  I got a copy for Dean when I was pregnant. He likes it, especially now that he goes to school himself.

2.  Green Eggs and Ham.  This is my husband's all-time favorite.  He is the only one who's allowed to read it aloud in our house.

3.  Horton Hatches The Egg.  "He did what he said and he said what he meant .  An elephant's faithful, 100%."  We could all learn a lot from Horton.  I had the great pleasure of reading this to a class of fourth graders on Dr. Seuss Day this year. I got all weepy when they said that line with me.

4.  The Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems.  I can't pick a favorite.  None of us can.  I am a bit partial to There's a Bird On Your Head, but I have not found an Elephant/Piggie book yet that we all don't love.  I mean come on--the elephant's name is Gerald! How can you go wrong with that?

5.  Goodnight Moon.  Can't be beat.  Dean now "reads" it to us. (He's heard it so many times, he's memorized it.)

What are your top five childrens' books?  Head over to Clever Compass and link up!

 

 

Non-Resolutions

There are a lot of things I want to do in this life and a lot I just could not care less about.  Over the past few days, I've written about things I want to do, particularly in the coming year, but here are a few things I could go my entire life never doing and still be perfectly happy.

• Sky-diving.  No desire.  Don't like heights, certainly don't need to jump out of a plane and plummet to the earth. I'm sure it's lovely if you're into it, but I can skip it.
• Learn to like brie.  I've tried it multiple ways. I've eaten it hot, cold, warm, baked, with ham on a sandwich, with fruit, and slathered on sourdough. I just don't like it.
• Run a marathon.  Or a 5K.  Or jog around my neighborhood. I don't like to run and I look like a goofball when I do it.  I don't experience a "runner's high" and honestly, it kind of bores me.  I'd much rather walk fast or get a nice bike to ride to stay in shape.
• Experience New Year's Eve in Times Square.  Bet that one surprised those of you who know me.  This seems like something I SHOULD want to do, like something I would love. I guess I was a NYC resident for too long, which means my survival instinct would kick in on December 31 and I'd stay as far away from Times Square as I could get.  I remember trying to hail a cab at 72nd St. one year and it taking almost an hour. Once I got back to my apartment, Marcus , our friends and I ate mini tacos and watched the ball drop on TV.

Anything you could live forever without doing?

2011 in Review

I've done a post like the before, inspired by one of my favorite bloggers (and the editor/owner of Food Lush and Style Lush!) Jennie of She Likes Purple.  I love the format and I think it's a really nice way to sum up your year. I hope 2011 has been kind, educational and full of love for each of you.  Here's to an even better 2012.

 

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

Visited Baltimore (to see Alissa!), went to a parent/teacher conference as a parent.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Well, let's look at last year's list.  I'd say I did ok.  A few things fell through the cracks, but for the most part, I'm happy with what I got done. (And no, I did not quit Coke Zero.)  My resolutions for next year will be up tomorrow.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

A few people we know, as well as a dear friend's daughter (who is becoming a dear friend herself!). I go to hold her snuggly baby boy when he was just over 2 weeks old.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Marcus's Uncle Billy passed away this summer.  He was one-of-a-kind and I'm very sad he's no longer with us. Fortunately, we got to spend some time with him during our trip to Florida in May, so we were able to say goodbye.  I missed getting his Christmas card so much this year and I will dearly miss discussing Dairy Queen desserts with him.

5. What countries did you visit?

None but this one.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you didn't have in 2011?

A cleaner house, a sturdy savings account, an herb garden that doesn't die of heat exhaustion.

7. What dates from 2011 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

Dean's first day of preschool and Christmas.  Christmas was really, really good this year.

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

I was promoted to Production Stage Manager at work. That means I'm the stage management department head.  It's both awesome and sort of terrifying, but is exactly where I should be at this point in my career.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not always speaking my mind.  I need to trust myself in my personal life as much as I do at work.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I broke a tooth, which sucked a great deal. I also got an infection in my finger from a stupid hangnail.  Other than that, just a couple of colds.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My iPhone.  I love it more than I thought I would and it has made life easier and more enjoyable.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Dean's.  He has done great in preschool, meeting the challenges, working through them as they come.  He's been so patient with us, the parents who still feel like newbies sometimes.   He rocked potty training, once he was finally ready to get serious about it, and he's doing such a good job of telling us what he needs.  I'm super proud to be his mom.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I plead the fifth.

14. Where did most your money go?

Bills. Food. Gas.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

I had the time of my life working on DRACULA back in October.  It was so much fun to work on a show where everyone was having a blast producing a great piece of theatre.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

"Someone Like You" by Adele.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

Happier: yes

Thinner: meh

Richer: yes 

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Visited with friends.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Worry

20. How did you spend Christmas?

We hosted my grandma and my parents at our house.  It was great! 

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?

Yes. With a kitten.  I was determined not to love her as much as my Audrey kitty, who was with us for 11 years, but Chutney has won me over.  She is sitting here with her paw on my lap, purring.  She has truly made our home a happier place.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I really, really enjoyed The Sing-Off this season. We've watched it every year, but this was the best group yet. 

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Truvia.  I know that is a product, not a person, but I hate it. I tried it and it's just gross. Sorry.

24. What was the best book you read?

Our family reads at bedtime each night and I have to tell you--Horton Hatches The Egg is a pretty awesome book.  I read some adult books, too, my favorite being Harlan Coben's Live Wire.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Not really sure. I didn't branch out much, but rather renewed my love of some songs from my past.

26. What did you want and get?

A KITCHENAID STAND MIXER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

27. What did you want and not get?

My engagement ring fixed.  I did try, but it won't happen until the new year.

28. What was your favorite film of 2011?

Was Super 8 this year?  Then yes, that.  (We don't go to the movies much.) 

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 34 in February. I was in tech rehearsals for a new play ALL DAY LONG. However, I received 3 birthday cakes!  Dean and Marcus also treated me like a queen on Valentine's Day, which is the day after my birthday (and was my day off).

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A trip to NYC.  

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2011?

I have discovered scarves, people!  I have also fallen completely in love with one-of-a-kind or very unique jewelry.  A friend made me a gorgeous pair of earrings that I love more than I can tell you. 

32. What kept you sane?

Marcus, Dean, days off, my commute (believe it or not!) , baking, blogging

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

I try never to talk politics on the blog.  Think I'll stick to that. Know that I have issues that make me hot, though.

34. Who did you miss?

I really missed going to BlogHer this year and I still miss my NYC friends.   I also really REALLY miss my friend Tanya, who used to have my job, but left in search of something better. (Which she found--yay, Tanya!)  (But I still miss her.)

35. Who was the best new person you met?

My new buddy Jen B.  She was in DRACULA and will be back for another show at our theatre in the spring.  She's one of the most down-to-earth, hilarious, talented people I've ever met and I felt an instant connection with her.  The more time we spend together, the more I love her. (She made the earrings I mentioned up there.)  She's also a puppeteer, which is maybe the coolest thing in the whole world.  Jen is an absolute ray of sunshine and I'm so happy she's in my life.

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

Planning things out is really, really cute. Admirable, even.  Then life laughs at you and turns you on your ear and you go "OH" and take it from there.  (I've learned this lesson before...)

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"God only knows what I'd be without you."

I don't know what in the world I'd do without my husband. He's my rock and I'm his.  How lucky that we have each other.

 

What's your year been like?

Let's Play A Game

I was talking with my friend Kat yesterday (she doesn't blog, but she should and probably would if she had more free time) and we were brainstorming ideas for NaNaBloPop posts. ( One of the reasons I like Kat is that she regularly speaks my language. )  She recommended we do a sort of storytelling game, like one of those fun icebreakers you sometimes do at parties or other functions.

I'll start with the first line of a story.  Everybody leave a comment with the next line and on Sunday, I'll combine them and post our story in its complete form.  It's kind of like a bloggy Mad Lib.

Here goes:

Once upon a time, there was a young man named Mitch who lived in Tuscon and dreamed of adventure.

 

Your turn.

WINNER of Lysol Giveaway

And the winner is...

 

Kat!

Congratulations!  I'll put the good folks at Lysol in touch with you so you can collect your No-Touch handsoap system and Dual-Action wipes!

Thanks to all who entered and many thanks to Mom Select and Lysol for making this giveaway possible.

Lysol Product Review and GIVEAWAY

I had the great privilege of being chosen to review two new products from Lysol®.  Here's my first impression:  THEY ARE AWESOME.

The first product was a container of Lysol® Dual Action Disinfecting Wipes, which I loved upon sight because HELLO! the package is purple. 

 

Seriously, though?  When I found out I was reviewing wipes, I was not immediately excited. Sure, I use wipes in my kitchen and bathroom all the time, but what was so different about these? Let me tell you--they are fantastic!  One side is like your traditional wipe, smooth and even, very multi-purpose. The other side, however, is a bit rougher for tougher jobs, like caked-on sauce on your counter, sticky ketchup on your kid's plastic picnic table or dried liquid from where your rice boiled over onto your cooktop. One swipe of the "scrubby side" and messes are a thing of the past.   In the bathroom, I used the scrubby side to wipe up dried, goopy toothpaste and a couple of shampoo drips. None of the surfaces I wiped were scratched or damaged in any way and I didn't have to scrub hard to get the messes cleaned up.  The smell is fresh and pleasant and your surfaces dry quickly and without streaks.  The folks at Lysol® even passed along some great kitchen cleaning tips to keep your house as healthy and shiny as possible.

The second product I was sent was the Lysol® Healthy Touch® No-Touch Hand Soap System, which has easily become my new favorite household product. 

 

 The package serendipitously arrived on a day when I was making meatloaf for dinner. Now if you are a maker of meatloaf, I don't have to tell you how many times you have to wash your hands while you're preparing it.  I, however, am a complete and utter germophobe when it comes to raw meats, so I probably wash my hands twice as many times as I actually need to when handling them.  This product made things so much easier! No more trying to pump the soap out with my wrist! No more having to double-pump because I didn't get enough soap the first time!  You just place your hand underneath the spout and VOILA! The Healthy Touch® No-Touch Hand Soap System dispenses just the right amount of wonderful-smelling, moisturizing soap into your hands.  I received the Aloe Vera & Vitamin E with Moisturizers variety and I absolutely love the smell and feel of the soap. My hands feel soft after I use it and the fragrance is just strong enough to notice. I can't wait to try all the differnt scents they offer, especially Refreshing Grapefruit Essence!

So what's the bottome line, you ask?  Both these products made cleaning easier and more enjoyable for me. Once these packages run out, I will definitely be purchasing refills and will continue to use both of  these products.

WANT TO WIN SOME FOR YOURSELF??

Yeah, you do!  Lysol ® was kind enough to offer me a set of Healthy Touch® No-Touch Hand Soap System and Dual Action Disinfecting Wipes to give away to one of you!  To enter, follow the instructions below.  A winner will be selected on FRIDAY, AUGUST 26. Please be sure to include your email address so that I can notify you if you win!

GIVEAWAY ENTRIES:

Mandatory:  Leave a comment on this post telling me which of the two products you're most excited to try and why.

EXTRA ENTRIES--please leave a separate comment for each:

*LIKE Lysol on Facebook +1 entry

*Follow me on Twitter (or let me know that you already do.)  +1 entry

*Tweet this giveaway (once per day--be sure to mention @jennelsonlane!) +1 entry

*LIKE Hey, Y'all on Facebook +1 entry

*Comment on another post here on Hey, Y'all (include the hashtag #lysol in your comment) +1 entry

*Become a subscriber! +2 entries

Thanks and good luck!

Disclosure: This review was made possible by Mom Select and Lysol®. I was provided with a Lysol® Healthy Touch No-Touch® Hand Soap System and Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes: Dual Action  for myself and one random winner in exchange for my opinion. My opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way by the sponsors.