2008 Best/Worst Lists

As 2008 is coming to a close, I thought it only right to reflect on some of the best/worst lists. However, they are not what you think. I am NOT focused on best/worst dressed, but on new terms, companies, brands, products amd lasting memories.

Let me know what you think and what makes up your best/worst lists of 2008.

"Brands that hit the heights", according to PR Week:
1-Twitter (think this is so right. can't wait to see what's next for 09!)
2-Disney
3-Google
4-Toyota
5-McDonald's

"Terms we NEVER want to hear again," courtesy of PR Week:
1-Maverick
2-Bailout
3-Joe the Pulmber
4-Brangelina
(What phrases irk you?!)

Companies on their social media A-Game: (my personal list)
1-Graco
2-Dell
3-Comcast

"Companies behind the social media curve," according to PR Week:
1-ExxonMobil
2-Target (I'd add Wal-Mart too based on feedback I've received from my twitter followers)
3-FDA
4-Sears
5-J&J (this was included due to the Motrin Mom ad. I have mixed feelings, NOT because I liked the ad, but because I think they are doing some really good things with Babycenter. This would cause me to take them off of this list, but I don't work for PR Week).

"Successfully marketed movies", according to PR Week:
1-Dark Knight
2-Cloverfield
3-Sex & The City
4-High School Musical 3
5-Twilight (I have such a crush on Edward, so this gets my vote. I would have moved it right up the list if it were up to me)

Best Books of the year - according to me:
1-Twilight series (Yes, I got hooked. Plus, the Twilight mania was pretty impressive)
2-One -to-Three Magic (Yes, not one that may be on your list - by I needed some discipline guidance)
3- The Sneaky Chef (Yes, another one of my favs - as it has helped my picky little man to eat a little better)
4-I love you Through and Through (It is still my favorite children's book - any my son's too. A great read or gift for anyone having a baby)

Most memorable new product launches:
1-Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers (OK, I do work for them, but I LOVE them. My entire family, including my little picky eater, loves the Ziti and Marinara. A Must try! But, let me know what you think.)
2-Wii (it's taken over!)
3-Grand Theft Auto IV (not because I like this type of thing, but just couldn't miss it)

Favorite Toddler Toys (my personal list):
1-Thomas the Train (son has the table and many trains. He plays with it for HOURS. So worth the investment)
2-Anything dealing with art - Playdooh, markers, chalk, etc. My fav was the "Parents" easel - which was reversable. One side is a chalkboard, the other is for dry erase markers and even has a handy clip to clip paper on there (if you are lazy like me and don't want to have to deal with dry erasing everything, you can just replace and reuse paper!)
3-Thomas the Train carrying case (I know, another Thomas item - but this is great. It holds the trains - perfect for trips to Grandma's house, and has a built in track - so it is handy and play-ready!)

Worst Toddler Toys (my personal list):
1-Crazy, bizarre McD's Happy Meal toys (they just got wierd this year! strange animals with big heads - the Star Wars ones were the worst!! I thought my son might have nightmares)
THEY TAKE THE CAKE!!

Favorite Toddler Shows (my personal list):
1-Thomas the Train
2-Bob the Builder
3-Fireman Sam
4-ANYTHING on PBS Sprout (Sprout please!!)

Ready for Spring - Already!

So, this post is not about my son, doxie dog or hubby. It is about my sum pump and mother nature - and most importantly, my desire for Spring to return. This winter has been a mess for so many already this year. I thought we might skate by untouched, but mother nature had other plans.

We've had so much snow lately and with the sudden warm up (while 63 degrees really isn't warm, it is much better than the negatives), we flooded!! A winter flood? I never knew it was an option, but guess now I know better. When we're pinching pennies with everyone else, the inevitable always seems to happen. Now we're faced with ripping up and putting in new carpet - and throwing out wet items and keepsakes. (I am a sentimental pack-rat - so this is hitting me where it hurts).

It could have been much worse, and we are VERY lucky. But it is still a pain and will take time and money away from other (much more fun and exciting things) in order to clean up this mess.

So, to make myself feel better (venting is good), I have composed the following Ode to Spring - in the hopes that we can soon fast-forward to more mild weather.

Ode to Spring
By Mom who fell victim to a winter flood (oooh, the irony and contradition is ridiculous)

Spring, Spring - where have you gone
What's left behind is winter, snow, ice and a pond (in my basement)
Can you please return and bring your flowers
I hate to replace the carpet, as that takes dollars and hours and hours
Why has Mother Nature decided to play such a trick
With winter we're getting much more this year than the "delightful" winter germs and being sick
Oh how I miss thee and wish for your swift return
For if we need to survive even more "fun" this winter, I think that I will churn and burn (and maybe move to Lucerne - it's a beautiful town in Switzerland)

What's up with the hair "Edward?"

So, I am one of the thousands of moms hooked on the Twilight series. The books were like my own personal brand of drugs - and I just couldn't kick the habit until they were all done. Now I am going through serious withdrawl.

I saw the movie, cheesy and a little off (in my opinion) in how I envisioned some of the characters (namely Rosalie, Eric, etc.), but I just had to spend a little time with my "friends".

I was listening to one of the tabloid shows and heard the unthinkable (well, unthinkable for a fan of the books and now movies). "Edward" (well the star playing Edward), cut off those glorious locks!!

I think we need to start a campaign to get him to grow them back! Sad (probably), but I just can't have my vampire crush not looking his best in New Moon.

Anyone else disappointed with the new do?! Also, what do you think of their decision to potentially not cast the same "Jacob"?

Resolved to have resolutions

OK, if you're anything like me, you might attempt to informally make a resolution (or maybe you just mock them). But, do you really take them serious or stick to them for more than a day, a week? (You're ahead of me if you do stick to them for more than 30 min!)

Well, this year, I am making a go at it again - but I am going to take a slightly different approach, which hopefully will add to my success.

This year, I am making some family resolutions. Some simple ways to enjoy the moment and make each day a little more fun and brighter. (And maybe, just maybe, these will be doable for more than just a day).

Family Resolution 1: Put the crack berry down and turn off the TV. (I know, how will we survive, but we'll find a way!) And spend 5-10 minutes playing all together - reading books, playing with choo-choos, etc.

Family Resolution 2: Read at least one book at bedtime. I don't know about you, but sometimes after a long work day, we tend to rush the bedtime routine or get a little too lax. Instead, read just one book (or one more book - even after dinner if you don't want to disturb the routine).

Family Resolution 3: Get active at least once a week - with the family. Have a dance marathon, play "on your marks, get set, go!" with little man, anything that gets you moving indoors. The energy and calories you'll burn are so worth it.

Family Resolution 4: Create a kudos file! Write down the nice things that the family does and then share them with everyone at the end of the week. I have posted a paper on the fridge and will jot down positives all week long. It's important to acknowledge the positives!

Mom Resolution: (OK, I couldn't help myself and have added one for me.) Be sure to take 15 min each night for myself. That can be to twitter or to write a blog post or just to sit and stare at the ceiling! Anything. Just don't forget that personal time is important for everyone in the family - mommy and daddy too.

What are your family resolutions for 2009?

Christmas letter tribute

Over the years I have found that you either love or hate Christmas letters. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground.

My brother and his family are fans of the Christmas letter and send one out every year. In fact, I believe this year's letter was the most sincere and moving letter, transforming the Christmas letter into a tribute - and making me rethink my position on Christmas letters.

I hope that you enjoy the following excerpts of his letter - and that you pause to cherish life and the people you love during this holiday season - and everyday of the year. Happy holidays.

Excerpt:

"If you throw a dart in the middle of a map of Kansas, you'll hit Great Bend. It is where my wife's mom, Judy, grew up with her sisters. There are three Pizza Huts in town. Turning left onto the main street is something the younger genration is sternly warned to avoid by the elder generations. The main hotel has an old pinball machine in the lobby that tilts. It's not a mecca by any means, but it is cozy and comfortable.

When my wife and I got married, we spent our first Christmas at her Grandparent's house in Great Bend -- little did I know what an experience it would be...

Nineteen of us gathered in the two-bedroom abode. I always thought my family's celebrations, with three sisters and my parents around battling ovens and microwaves (and each other and us) as they cooked away in the kitchen, were hectic. In 2001, I quickly learned that my concept of hectic was absurdly naive.

In Great Bend, if you were not cooking in the kitchen you were being recruited. Once recruited, you were stuck, trapped, following often contradictory orders from Judy and each of her sisters. It wasn't that there were too many cooks in the kitchen, but that there was not enough kitchen for the cooks. Only the cleverest managed to avoid being recruited, and it took creativity - you could plant yourself in front of the TV and pretend to be deaf (we watched about 16 episodes of Trading Spaces that day), or you could closely monitor the temperature outside, and the moment it was just warm enough, you could sneak off to go golfing.

What amazed me was that it wasn't the main meal that was being dramatically prepared in that tiny kitchen by the flurry of people. There was always food - sandwiches, cookies, anything and everything - all kinds, always out, always enticing, always delicious.

Because it was my first Christmas with my wife's family, there was naturally some curiosity as to what food I liked -- my wife's mom, Judy, was asking me about pie. It wasn't worth making a pie unless more than one of the nineteen people would eat it, you see. Judy liked pecan pie. She asked me whether I liked pecan or pumpkin pie better. I told her pumpkin (it's my favorite).

Finally, after many hours, countless shouted instructions and at least 18 chilly holes of golf, and innumerable room reveals by Paige Davis, dinner was served. And what a feast it was!

Then it was time for dessert. Judy and her sisters went to the kitchen and brought out thte pie. Judy, in a loud voice enough to rise above eighteen others, asked, "Jason, you would like a piece of pecan pie, wouldn't you?"

I froze. Pecan? I told her I liked pumpkin. Pumpkin is my favorite. I wanted pumpkin. I looked around. Everyone was talking now - Jason likes pecan pie? Jason's a pecan pie guy? That Jason, you sure can't keep him away from pecan pie, I was sure I heard them saying. But it wasn't true! I don't like pecan pie! No pecan pie! "Uh, no, I'd like a piece of pumpkin pie," I said. Judy asked me to confirm that I really didn't want pecan pie. I confirmed I'm a pumpkin pie guy. I was served pumpkin pie.

I'm not sure how long it took me to realize that the reason Judy had been asking me about pecan pie was because she wanted pecan pie, but no one else did, and it wasn't worth making a pie if only one person out of nineteen would eat it, you see. When I did finally piece it together, it was too late. The moment had passed. The pie had been served. My chance to ensure my morther-in-law would be able to enjoy one of her favorite desserts had come, and gone.

On August 16, 2008, Judy passed away from colon cancer. She was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt and grandmother. She was opinionated, smart, honext, funny, forgiving and endearingly straightforward. She was a wonderful listener and my wife's rock.

This Christmas, we will be in California with my family, enjoying our classic traditions and customs. There will be lots of bonding, and giving, and love. There will also be a little something missing.

And if anyone asks, yes, I would love a piece of pecan pie."

Twilight Addict!! Is it wrong to have a crush on Edward?

I was introduced to the Twilight books in October. As a full-time worker and mom of a little guy, I don't have much time to read - well, for myself that is. (If you count "I Love you Through and Through" or "The Very Hungry Catapillar" then I guess I am VERY well read).

A co-worker let me borrow the first book and I started reading it when my husband and I took our anniversary trip to Cabo. (yes, little man was bonding with his Grandparents). Well, when I started reading - I couldn't put the book down. I loved the entire teenage vampire world - and it was the best cotton candy, sinful escape!

When vaca was done, I tried to find every reason to "sneak away" for a minute to keep reading! I'd tell my fam that I needed to go downstairs and get something... or need to go on the computer for a minute. Anytime to sneak away to my secret crush - Edward. Before I knew it, I owned the entire four book set and had finished the last book in the series!

OK, so is it wrong to have a crush on Edward? We've had this debate at work. My defense (and I'm sticking to it) is that Edward is NOT a teenager, but a 110 year old vampire.

And of course, I had to see the movie with my sisters. Yes, another totally guilty pleasure. And while cheesy, it allowed me to extend my time with my favorite characters.

Does anyone else feel the saw way about the Twilight Series or Edward? Anywhere I can go to quench my everlasting thirst for Edward and Twilight?!