I’m thinking about joining Library Thing.  When I first came across it, it looked good, but expensive ($10/year).  Basically, it lets you catalog your books.  It does other things too, though – connects readers with similar books in their libraries (book-centered social networking), offers review opportunities, etc.  Several of my online friends use it and love it.  One feature I like is that if you get a barcode scanner you can enter your books very easily (maybe not so much of an issue now that we have high-speed internet access and searches don’t take as long).  And I recently heard through one of these online friends that they have a life membership for only $25.  I don’t know if I overlooked that before or if they didn’t have it yet when I was first checking Library Thing out, but that’s not terribly expensive.  And it’s free for up to 200 books, so users can try it out and not necessarily have to pay the $25 just to see if it’s set up in a way that works for them.  Plus, it would help me with my whole household inventory project.

So…I may go ahead and sign up soon.  But I’m wondering – do any of my readers use it?  And if so, what do you like/dislike about it?

Filed under: Media & Technology, Organization & Time Management, Personal and Blog News by Rachel
[Comments (0)]  [link]  [TB]

We’ve been on vacation this week, at Massanutten Resort, and I have been marveling at modern technology.  With the advent of not only computers, but laptop computers and wireless internet access, I can check on all kinds of things while I’m here.  What’s the weather going to be like tomorrow? (Scattered thunderstorms, high around 68.)  What is this movie that came on television?  (Journey to the Center of Earth, or maybe Adventure at the Center of the Earth.)  How expensive is this local restaurant we’re thinking about trying (Hank’s Smokehouse), and is it any good?  (Medium-expensive, and yes.)  Amazing!

Filed under: Personal and Blog News by Rachel
[Comments (0)]  [link]  [TB]

My new 101 in 1001 list is more different than I expected.  There were some differences I did expect.  For instance, I already released more marked Where’s George bills than my goal, so that’s not on the new list.  (I never did get around to buying a custom rubber stamp for my Where’s George bills, either, which I always kind of wanted to do.  I just write on them with an extra-fine-point Sharpie.  But that’s beside the point.)  There were some things that went on it again.  For instance, I liked the idea of learning a new hymn so, even though I completed that on the last list, I put it on the new one.  On the other hand, my educational goals changed, as I learned about new options.

What most surprised me, though, I think, was how different the list became when I filled in the large gap left by the items I had already completed from the former list.  I did not realize how much I had crossed off until I discovered how difficult it was to fill those gaps!  So, the “new, improved” list is done.  Now, to get cracking.

Filed under: Personal and Blog News by Rachel
[Comments (0)]  [link]  [TB]

I will be updating this to show in the sidebar (in place of the old list) as soon as I get a chance. In the meantime, here’s the new list.

101 Things in 1001 Days

GROW IN SPIRIT
1. Read the Bible twice. [0/2]
2. Memorize a Bible verse or passage each month for a year. [0/12]
3. Go an entire day without complaining, on 5 different occasions. [0/5]
4. Finish updating/refreshing quiet time notebook.
5. Learn a(nother) new hymn.
6. Study seeking/walking with God.

GROW IN STRENGTH
7. Attain and maintain 95 lbs. (or 100 lbs. nursing).
8. Exercise twice a week for 2 months. [0/18]
9. Be able to jump rope 100 consecutive times.
10. Be able to stretch to (or beyond) toes.
11. Be able to do 30 pushups.
12. Learn to do all of the movements on my bellydancing DVD.
13. Drink 3 glasses of water a day for at least 28 of 30 days. [0/28]
14. Try a new vegetable.
15. Try 5 new snack recipes. [0/5]

EXERCISE MY MIND
16. Take 2 CLEP’s. [0/2]
17. Study with Nations University for 1 full year (2, if practical).
18. Learn Spanish. (Be able to read Esta Patente Oscuridad.)
19. Find a good (graded) violin repertoire list.
20. Write at least 1 chapter each of health and homemaking books. [0/2]
21. Submit a total of at least 15 articles to eHow. [2/15]
22. Complete anatomy & physiology book.
23. Re-memorize Paul Revere’s Ride.
24. Complete new example set for scrapbooking book.
25. Create doll pattern.
26. Get a walking foot and learn to sew knits.
27. Make infinity dress.
28. Go through project folders, listing “to-do’s,” and decide what to eliminate.
29. Finish 3 projects from folders/list. [0/3]
30. Plan new website structure (incl. updated shop, wiki, and blog archives).
31. Use up 5+ pieces of fabric from stash. [0/5]

BLESS MY HOUSEHOLD
32. Make/acquire/alter an apron for each day of the week. [0/6]
33. Organize the kitchen (after remodel).
34. Set up the office/library.
35. Make pitas.
36. Make marshmallows.
37. Make fruit rolls.
38. Brainstorm uses for fruit powder and try every decent idea that results. [0/?]
39. Maintain a tidy (company-ready) home for 30 days. [0/30]
40. Finish household inventory.
41. Make a gift wrap organizer/station.
42. Re-cover dining room chairs.
43. Get window coverings up (and finished) in all relevant rooms.
44. Re-solidify cleaning “system.”
45. Clarify system for paper flow, especially up/downstairs.
46. Find a healthy/environmentally-friendly replacement for 2 cleaners/body products. [0/2]
47. Replace china cabinet glass and organize dining room.
48. Re-establish morning routine. (30 days) [0/30]
49. Re-establish daily routine. (30 days) [0/30]
50. Stay totally caught up on dishes for 30 days. [0/30]
51. Plant a garden.
52. Clear corner bedroom.
53. Organize pantry.
54. Sort out living room (esp. 2nd half).
55. Visit the farmer’s market.

BLESS (and celebrate with) MY FAMILY
56. Make Advent calendar.
57. Have family portraits made.
58. [personal]
59. [personal]
60. [personal]
61. Make a will.
62. Take Ariel to a museum.
63. Take Ariel to a live concert.
64. Take Ariel to the zoo.
65. Teach Ariel to sew.
66. Celebrate Sukkot.
67. Develop the habit of weekly “Sabbath dinners.” (1 month) [0/4]
68. Create a “Sunday box.”
69. Complete 2+ more sections of family values book. [0/2]
70. Organize genealogical information.
71. Buy Wise Words for Moms.

BLESS OTHERS
72. Send one handwritten letter a month for 6 months. [0/6]
73. Have one person/couple/family over every 2 months for a year. [0/6]
74. Do something hospitality-related.
75. Add something free and useful to my website.

TAKE CARE OF MYSELF (and look nice for hubby)
76. Make a list of 25 things I love about myself. [0/25]
77. Make a list of core wardrobe pieces.
78. Make/acquire 5+ pieces from the above list. [0/5]
79. Obtain well-fitted undergarments.
80. Buy new boots.
81. Find and buy a perfume that I like.
82. Get new glasses.
83. Learn a new way to fix my hair.
84. Get myself (and the girls) to the dentist.
85. Reconstruct an item of clothing for myself.

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL
86. Participate in “Gimme Your Stuff.”
87. Go to the drive-in movie.
88. Lie on my back and watch the clouds.
89. Take a leisurely walk.
90. Laugh. Long and hard.
91. Take a class. (Something locally – just for the sake of taking the class.)
92. Learn hip hop dance.
93. Have a candlelit dinner.
94. Take the girls to the park, spontaneously.
95. Do something outside, just for the sake of enjoying the weather, 5+ times in one summer. [0/5]
96. Take a day to drive around and “explore.”
97. Leave a note in a library book.
98. Have photos taken in a photobooth with Michael.
99. Participate in a craftalong.
100. Buy a CD of a new-to-me artist.
101. Go to a jazz café (or equivalent).

Filed under: Personal and Blog News by Rachel
[Comments (0)]  [link]  [TB]

Apple seems to do a fantastic job on their advertisements.  I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one I disliked, and I recall a number of them that I really like.  They use catchy music, likeable characters, etc.  Then there’s the newest one.  “There’s an app for that.”  I think it’s as ingrained in our heads as “Can you hear me now?”  (But far less annoying.)

And if you’ve heard that “there’s an app for that,” frequently enough that you’ve decided to actually buy an iPhone, well, there’s a sale for that.

And speaking of sales, I got a great deal on makeup yesterday at Walgreens that some of you may still be able to take advantage of.  Physicians Formula is on sale at Walgreens this week, 40% off.  And the PF OrganicWear has a rebate this month, $10 off of a purchase of $10 or more.  So I bought two packages of the OrganicWear bronzer/blush compacts that came in special promo packages with free lip glosses in each package.  On sale, they were $8.39 each.  The display had a tearpad of coupons – $5 off of any Physicians Formula bronzer product.  I used one for each package, and will submit for the $10 rebate, for a total of $6.78 out of pocket (plus tax), and, ultimately, $3.22 overage (minus tax).

Filed under: Frugality & Economics by Rachel
[Comments (0)]  [link]  [TB]