Are you an Introvert or Extrovert?

We’re on the Explorer of the Seas enjoying the sunshine, food and activities. Last night we attended the ice skating show, which was marvelous. The Osmond Brothers are doing two shows tomorrow night that Wayne is gearing up for.

It’s been relaxing and fun sitting on the balcony reading a book that Michelle’s professor suggested. It’s called “The Introvert Advantage,” by Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D. We have discussed introverts and extroverts here on the blog before, so I thought it might be interesting to learn more and see how many of you are introverts and how many are extroverts.

The most surprising fact I learned in the book was the statistic that 75% of the people in the world are extroverts. The author states that because ¾ of all people are extroverts, the introverts tend to feel there is something wrong with them and may desire to be extroverts because extroverts seem to be valued more in our society.

 “Introversion is at its root a type of temperament. It is not the same as shyness or having a withdrawn personality, and it is not pathological. It is also not something you can change. But you can learn to work with it, not against it.

The strongest distinguishing characteristic of introverts is their energy source: Introverts draw energy from their internal world of ideas, emotions, and impressions. They are energy conservers.  They can be easily over stimulated by the external world, experiencing the uncomfortable feeling of ‘too much.’ This can feel like antsyness or torpor. In either case, they need to limit their social experiences so they don’t get drained. However, introverts need to balance their alone time with outside time, or they can lose other perspectives and connections. Introverted people who balance their energy have perseverance and the ability to think independently, focus deeply and work creatively.

What are the most obvious characteristics of extroverts? They are energized by the external world—by activities, people, places, and things. They are energy spenders. Long periods of hanging out, internal contemplation, or being alone or with just one other person under stimulate them. However, extroverts need to balance their time doing with intervals of just being, or they can lose themselves in a whirlwind of anxious activities. Extroverts offer much to our society—they express themselves easily, they concentrate on results and they enjoy crowds and action.” (“The Introvert Advantage,” by Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D. page, 19-20.)

The author of the book is an introvert married to an extravert, so she covers relationships, parenting, socializing, the workplace, many coping strategies, ideas on how to manage your energy and tips for thriving in an extrovert world. The book helped me accept and appreciate myself more and offered many ideas and techniques on how to make the most of my life being an Introvert so I can celebrate my introvert advantage.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Please leave a comment so we can all get to know you better.

Relaxing and Enjoying

Waiting for the boys and the flight to leave from the Salt Lake City Airport.

We all arrived safely in Atlanta for a long layover.

Wayne got comfortable on the table.

Jason is missing Lauren!

Is the secret to multi-tasking a foot massage?

Waiting with George at the Montego Bay Airport for Steve Mason's flight to arrive. George escorted us to the Crane Ridge Resort in Ocho Rios.

The school children are darling in their school uniforms.

The drive from the airport to Ocho Rios took about an hour and a half.

The gorgeous view from the Crane Ridge Resort.

Most of the buildings at the resort are painted yellow with a touch of lime green and orange.

George helped us all get checked into our rooms.

We're off to our rooms.  George make sure we had a guide to lead us to our room and help with our luggage.

Our room is the one on the right bottom of the page.

The beautiful pool right outside our back balcony door.

The weather is so beautiful - hot and sunny!

The quaint walks around the grounds.

WE'RE HERE AT OUR ROOM! I'm sitting in one of the chairs on the balcony right now, listening to music that is being piped out over the pool - restaurant area, totally relaxed and enjoying myself. The long, all night travel really was worth it! Tomorrow we embark the Freedom of the Seas.

Atlanta Airport

We're waiting for a plane to Montego Bay, Jamaica. It's 8:00 am in the morning here in Atlanta, GA. Our plane leaves in about 1 1/2 hours. I took some photos but for some reason I can't seem to download them right now. Jay said, "Jimmy is getting a foot massage." Now Jay's missing. That would be some good photos but I don't know where they are. Maybe I'll go take a walk. I'm sure they will make sure that I can't find them. Ha!

The Jacobsen Family shared some funny photos with me that should make us all feel not so dumb! I thought I'd share a few. Washing the car in the rain storm. Ha!

A Great Story!

Marie forwarded this story to her brothers and I thought you might all enjoy reading it. I know I did. Let me know what you think.
A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.

He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. "The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however, he just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.

Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at
the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful -- in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"

All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! His name is Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed.

"How could he be the new CEO?" the others said.

Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!"

* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust

* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends

* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness

* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment

* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective

* If you plant hard work, you will reap success

* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation

So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.

"The Wii Fitters"

I've gotten a lot of cleaning and organizing done this week, but not using the Wii Fit. I've also been exercising with Noah. He pushes a button on this stuffed animal that sings and we both dance to it. We've had so much fun playing with cars, trucks, plastic animals, blocks, balls and about everything else. What have you done for exercise this week?

The best part is that Noah actually likes to play with me. I wonder how long that will last? One day this week we were playing in the basement and his mom came downstairs. He immediately got up and lead her back upstairs. After she went into the family room, he shut the door behind her and came back down to play with me.  

We're flying out of the Salt Lake City airport tomorrow night before midnight for the cruise with Jimmy, Jay, Jason and Marcus. We'll arrive in Montego Bay, Jamaica no earlier than 1:53 pm in the afternoon. After staying the night at a hotel in Jamaica, we'll be taking a wild ride to Ocho Rios to embark the cruise ship the following day.

"An Apple a Day Bunch"

My weight is about the same as last week. I hope it is the same by the end of the cruise. Ha! I'm still going to keep my 3 goals for the next 2 weeks.

Wayne begged me to taste one of the cookies that he bought. It was small and without thinking I let him put it in my mouth. Then I remembered.  I could have spit the cookie out but, "Oh well." It did have sugar. The next day he brought home sugarless cookies, but I haven't opened the package yet.

I've been really good at not eating in front of the TV but now I am going to add not eating in front of the computer too.

My whole life I have eaten a snack before going to bed. Instead of the pretzels, crackers and bread, I've been eating some cottage cheese, fruit and/or nuts. I know the best would be not to eat anything after 7:00 pm but I'm not ready for that challenge yet - if ever. I must think I'm going to starve to death while I'm asleep.

How are the rest of the bunch doing? Let's report and keep up with our goals.

"Wonky's Book Worms"

I really liked Isaiah Chapter 33:14-16 because it states who will "dwell on high" or live with God in the next life. This can only be possible because of the atoning sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

1. "He that walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly." (I need to keep the commandments, speak the truth, etc.)
2. "He that despiseth the gain of oppressions." (I need to treat everyone equally and justly.)
3. He "that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes." (I need to reject every effort to buy influence and make sure that I deal fairly with everyone.)
4. He "that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil." (I need to not center my attention on evil and wickedness but look for the good and give my attention to wholesome things.)

How can you apply what you have read this week to your daily life?

The reading for this last week of January is Isaiah Chapters 43-56. Since we are leaving for a working cruise on Monday, I'm also posting the reading assignment for the following week, January 30th to February 6th.  We will all be reading Isaiah Chapters 57-66 and Jeremiah Chapters 1-4.


For those of you that are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

Isaiah Chapter 29 is the most widely quoted and understood chapter of Isaiah among the Latter-day Saints. This wouldn't have been so if Nephi had not included it in the Book of Mormon. The 29th Chapter contains one of the most important predictions regarding the Book of Mormon. Many of the "plain and precious things" in Isaiah have been lost in the Old Testament but have been included when Isaiah is quoted in the Book of Mormon. Please compare the great truths in the original text of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon with the text of the Old Testament.

Wendy's a Winner!

"Recently, I won a Quiz Contest about Merrill....and was sent some prize items from the gals who put the Quiz together. They asked me to take a picture of myself with the items once I received them.

I thought you might get a kick out of seeing the photo. Included in the prize were two Christmas ornaments....so I decided to put them over my ears and wear them like earrings....Ha!
Anyway, I just thought it might give you both a chuckle."

Thanks for sharing Wendy. You look darling!

Justin and Nathan

Mormon Times published a recent article on Justin Osmond, Merrill's son, that I thought you might enjoy. Justin's motto is, "When there's will, there's a way." It was amazing to see Justin interact with everyone when we were back at Starkey getting Wayne some new hearing aids. Justin's an amazing guy!

CLICK HERE to read the article in Mormon Times about Justin Osmond

Alan sent an email inviting us to all go see Nathan's show next month. I thought you might also enjoy watching this clip about the show if you haven't viewed it yet. I'd love to go to Hawaii next month and get out of this cold weather. How about you?

Adam, Sarah and Noah Arrived!

We're happy to have Adam, Sarah and Noah arrive here with us safely. It was a 3 day long trip for them but Noah was a great sport and was easily entertained in the car.

"The Wii Fitters"

How are the Wii Fitters doing? I've been working almost every day this week trying to get the house organized and cleaned for Adam, Sarah and Noah to move in. I've been getting more exercise than I would have by doing Wii Fit and sitting at the computer the rest of the day. The best would be doing both but they are arriving tomorrow, so Michelle, Wayne and I have been trying to get everything ready.

Tonight Michelle and I drove down to Jay's house to attend a bridal shower for Lauren. We had a fun time. Doesn't Lauren look beautiful in her tissue paper wedding gown and veil? 

"An Apple a Day Bunch"

"The Power of Three" is really working. I lost 2 pounds this week. I've kept all three of my goals since I made them and it's paid off. I haven't even had to count calories or points, which is a nice break. Yeah!

How is everyone else coming? What is working for you? Please share your stories, concerns and triumphs. Everyone keep plugging away. Let's make 2011 the year we all get healthy, trim and slim!

"Wonky's Book Worms"

We are studying the New Testament in Sunday School this year. The scripture Luke 2:52 was mentioned and reminded me of our reading in Isaiah this week.

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." 

Isaiah 28:9-10 

"Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine: them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line, here a little, and there a little."

Just as Jesus Christ wasn't born as a baby with perfect knowledge and wisdom - but it increased - so it is with us. Only when we accept and live by the wisdom we receive will we be given more. In Isaiah the Lord is teaching us that wisdom is only accepted by those who are willing and prepared to listen. 

Isaiah 28: 9 teaches us the principle of wisdom through the analogy of a baby's being fed on milk before taking solid foods. This same principle is taught by Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2; Hebrews 5:11-14 and by Peter in 1 Peter 2:2. 

Only by accepting the word of God and by living it will I receive more. When I am ready I will be able to receive more wisdom and continue learning line upon line.

The reading this week is Isaiah chapter 29 through chapter 42.

"Lose Weight Without Really Trying"

While going through 4 months of junk mail yesterday, I ran across an article in the February 2011 AARP magazine that suggested easy ways to cut calories. There were a few suggestions that I haven't tried so I thought I'd share them with you. This article was written by Brian Wansink who is the director of the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab and author of Mindless Eating.

1.   Serve dinner on a 9 or 10 inch plate (you'll eat up to 22 percent less).
2.   Serve popcorn in a small bucket instead of a huge bucket (you'll eat 34 percent more if popcorn is given in a very huge bucket).
3.   Use tall, thin glasses instead of short, wide ones (you'll pour 29 percent less).
4.   Store all your snacks in small single-serving food-storage bags (you'll eat up to 20 percent less).
5.   Keep the main serving dishes on the stove or counter (you'll eat 19 percent less than if you kept the food on the table).
6.   Move potato chips to the back of the pantry.
7.   Include a fruit and vegetable with your lunch and dinner.
8.   Don't eat white foods at dinner.
9.   Use the half-plate rule (fill half your plate with salad or veggies).
10. Have a sweet or salty afternoon snack only if you first eat a piece of fresh fruit.
11. Drink one glass of water before every meal or snack.
12. Use the Restaurant Rule of Two: Limit yourself to two items other than your entree.
13. Never eat in front of the TV.
14. Eat a piece of fruit on the way to work every day.
15. Freeze half of what you make, and serve the other half.
16. Save desserts for weekends.

A "Power of Three Checklist" was suggested because many people struggle to follow their plan unless they write it down. Number the days of the month across a piece of paper. List three changes that you want to try and keep track of your progress. Not every day will be perfect but you can see what you need to work on. An example was given with these three goals:
1. Use the half-plate rule
2. Slow down.
3. Pre-plate food.

My "Power of Three Checklist" is going to be:
1. Never eat in front of the TV.
2. Don't eat sugar or drink soda pop.
3. Don't eat any bread, crackers or pretzels after dinner and/or 7:00 pm.

Does anyone want to join me in making their "Power of Three Checklist?" Post your checklist under comments so we can encourage each other and report on "An Apple a Day Bunch" after a month. We'll see how this works for those of us that are tired of counting calories and/or points.

For more information and ideas Click Here

Wayne Osmond Night

Last night JoAnn H. had "Wayne Osmond Night" on her Facebook wall. I had a lot of fun viewing all the videos, photos, comments, everyone's favorite joke that Wayne tells, etc. There were several videos and photos that I hadn't ever seen before. Many of you shared and spent your time adding to our memories. Rebecca put together a special, beautiful tribute. Thank you everyone for such a nice evening of entertainment.

Wayne was flying home from the bus convention and missed out on HIS night. The Osmond Brothers didn't participate in the finale of the show after the luncheon because they would have missed their flight. They opened the show with a short version of "Down by the Lazy River" followed by "Through the Years" with the video - then off to the airport. Wayne's happy to be back home.

After doing a few errands today and cruising around town, Wayne made a stop at Walmart to buy his diet food - potato rolls, fudge bars, popsicles, and Rice Chex. It was dark outside and Michelle had just bopped home after a long day of school. Wayne called to tell us he had some bad news. He said, "Our car has been stolen!" He intentionally parked the car by a sign that said "Always" in the parking lot and the car wasn't by the sign after he finished shopping and left the store. The car had vanished. He  emphatically stated that he had looked everywhere.

Michelle immediately offered to go pick him up at Walmart since it is so cold outside, but before she arrived Wayne called me back to say that there were two signs that looked exactly alike. He had parked by the "Always" sign on the west entrance of the store and had walked out of the store using the east entrance by the groceries where there was also an "Always" sign. He didn't realize that there were two identical signs until he walked way out into the parking lot.

I'm quizzing Wayne right now about the details of the situation and he said, "You're telling everyone that I'm a dough head?" No! That's just Wonky Donkey.

On the way to pick up her dad at Walmart, Michelle was talking to Amy on her cell phone and mentioned to Amy where she was going. Amy recalled being with her dad when she was about 10 years old at a store and after they had finished shopping weren't able to locate the car. Wayne decided someone had stolen the car and called the police.  The police came and drove them around the parking lot in the police car. One of the first cars they spotted was our car. That's the first time that I've heard that story, but it's nice to know nothing has changed in the past 20+ years.

"There is nothing like riding a horse that makes a person feel better off." Wayne just shared that thought with us while playing his game of Tetris and enjoying his little kid's chair. He doesn't even know that I took this photo. Michelle and I are enjoying the moment.

"An Apple a Day Bunch"

I've been on Laura's no sugar - no soda diet. One of the benefits may be that I have more energy and don't need to sleep as much. I'll keep going to see if this continues.

As far as the weight goes, I am going to have to count calories. Even though I'm not eating sugar and drinking soda, I am eating too much. I've been replacing the sugar with other carbohydrates instead of vegetables and fruits. I guess I have to keep track of everything I eat in order to lose weight.

How is everyone else doing on their healthy eating habits?

"The Wii Fitters"

Here is a successful update from Carol. On January 2nd it had been 1 year and Carol still l♥ves the WII-FIT. She had great results! She lost over 40 pounds and is back to where she was 20 years ago. Congratulations Carol! You're an inspiration for us all.

Carol is a great example for me. Thank you for sharing. I didn't do the Wit Fit last week but I got more exercise than if I did. After moving heavy books up and down the stairs all day I could definitely tell I had been exercising. I'll be working all this week too, getting everything ready for Adam, Sarah and Noah to move in. I'll start the following week back to my regular Wii exercise schedule.

Please report on how you are doing with your exercise by posting a comment. Thank you!

"Wonky's Book Worms"

How can we relate Isaiah's prophecies to our present-day events? How can we apply what we read to our everyday lives? Isaiah is quoted more than any other Old Testament prophet in the New Testament.

There are many warnings and prophecies in Isaiah that have been fulfilled and that will be fulfilled. Could Isaiah 3:16-24 be referring to the women of our time? Are the dress styles of our day a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy?
     "Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go and making a tinkling with their feet:
     Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will discover their secret parts.
     In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,
     The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,
     The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,
     The rings, and nose jewels,
     The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,
     The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.
     And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty."

Haughty means proud of self and scornful of others. Wanton is defined as undisciplined, unmanageable, and lewd. Mincing is defined as short, feminine steps or as plain speech. Will I be cursed and tormented for my worldliness? There is a lot of pondering that I can do on these verses.

The 6 warnings in the Parable of the Vineyard, Isaiah 5:8-25, could be warnings for our day too.
1. Warning against Socialism
2. Warning against alcoholism
3. Warning against gross dishonesty and a distorted value system
4. Warning against a perverted moral code
5. Warning against pseudo-intellectualism
6. Warning against false and misleading advertising

I love the fulfilled prophecy of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ in Isaiah Chapter 9. What a righteous prophet Isaiah must have been to have a personal vision and see the Lord as recorded in Isaiah Chapter 6.

There is so much more that I could include but I want to read what you have discovered from your reading last week.

Isaiah chapters 15 through 28 is our reading assignment for this week.

Coming Home!

Last week Adam accepted a great job offer in Salt Lake City which starts February 1st. Adam, Sarah and Noah are going to be moving into our house until their home is vacant. When they moved to Chicago they rented their home to a lovely family and the lease isn't up yet.

Michelle, Joe, Wayne and I have been working hard trying to clean out the two bedrooms upstairs for them to stay in. The one bedroom was Michelle's growing up so she spent countless hours the past 4 days going through all her papers, clothes, drawers, shelves, etc. Even though it has been a big job I think she had fun reliving many memories of years past. Because today was her first day back to MBA school at the University of Utah she was trying to get everything done before school started again.

I had moved most of my family history books, folders and research into that bedroom so I've been moving everything to shelves and file cabinets in the basement. We're getting organized which is really great! We're really excited to have them come stay with us and hopefully they will be here when their newborn baby girl arrives in May. We are so blessed!

Which Theater in Branson?

It's bus convention time for Branson. Jimmy is at the APAP Convention in New York City today and will meet Merrill, Jay and Wayne in Philadelphia tomorrow for the ABA Convention. There is a tech/rehearsal before they check into the hotel to relax until the evening. Tomorrow evening there is a MINGLE AND MUNCH where the Branson Chamber of Commerce, CVB crew, other entertainers, tour operators and ABA officials will be enjoying the informal time together with a lot of food.

After the National Anthem at the luncheon on Tuesday, The Osmond Brothers are going to start the show and participate with the other entertainers in the finale. The Brothers will be flying home that afternoon, arriving late at night. It will be a quick but very important trip.

The Osmond Brothers will be opening at the Caravelle Theater in Branson on April 18, 2011 and perform through June 11, 2011. They will also be performing in Branson again starting in the fall - September 19, 2011 through December 8, 2011.

Click Here to learn more.

After church this afternoon Steve, Anneli and family came to visit and brightened this cold, winter day. We had an enjoyable time together with Joe and Michelle. I wish they could have stayed longer but there is school and work tomorrow morning so they needed to get back to Provo.

Aili and Paul are enjoying the Wii table tennis game. Notice Wayne's coat rack in the background. That's his favorite place for his Snap On jacket. I keep hanging it up in the hall closet but it seems to find itself back on the chair year round. Wayne is always cold and you can find him on a caribbean cruise in 90 degree weather wearing his Snap On jacket.

Wayne makes his little boy snuggle under the electric lap blanket with him. Thanks for being such a good sport Steve and bringing your family up to visit. We love you all!

Susan H.'s Favorite Christmas Photos

Christmas was extra special for us this year due to our son coming home from his LDS mission on December 15th!  While he was away we had fun with "Flat Jeff" and took him pretty much everywhere we went (Flat Jeff had to be "cloned" because so many people wanted him!)  I was really happy to find this "now in 3-D" shirt for Jeff!  Very fitting since we've only had his flat version for the last two years!

The second photo is what made our Christmas so special, having my two children together again and at home!

Traffic In My Mind

Alan and Alex put together a video and emailed us a link to view it. I really liked it so I thought some of you may like it too.

Click Here to view the video

Sherry C.'s New Year's Photos

Here are a few photos that Sherry took on New Year's Day. Her mom, who is 86 years old, is holding Cocoa, Paul is holding Bounce and Sherry's holding Snuggles. 

Paul and Sherry decided to splurge and bought the Xbox360 / Kinect system. They played the Wii system at Paul's cousin's on New Year's Eve - but with Xbox - you don't have to hold anything to play. They bought 2 extra game packs and an extra controller. Paul already has the Xbox360 - so they can play all of his games on the new system. 

Sherry's excited - as they do have an exercise game - but she didn't get that yet. She said that she wants to have fun playing the games first before getting serious about the exercising - HAH!!!!

Have a fun 2011 playing games and let us know how you like the exercise game if you try it!

No Sugar, No Soda

October 2009

January 2011

Click Here to join Laura's blog. I've enjoyed reading Laura's posts,  everyone's comments and participating in the NO SUGAR, NO SODA program.

Annette's Photos and Shopping Online

These are pictures of my grandkids at my Christmas party.  My mom always had a special Christmas party for the grandkids and they still have fond memories from those.  I have continued the tradition with my own grandchildren.  We all gather at my house on New Years Day.

My youngest son is serving over seas this Christmas in the Air Force. He's the "flat daddy". His son Dax doesn't go anywhere without him so we took a picture of all the kids with flat Daddy. Dax is the one kinda hugging "daddy". The other kids are Alida, Christian, Nicky and Jarod.  They are the light of my life and I am glad to have them live so close.

Love shopping online? Avoid the crowds, long lines and the traffic congestion as you shop at your favorite stores. Do all of this at your leisure from home. The holidays are right around the corner. What better way to do your shopping than letting your fingers do the walking and getting paid for it while you shop. We have over 2100 partner stores to shop. Shop at your favorite partner stores, filling your shopping cart as you go. Checkout with one bill for everything from all of our partner stores. This is awesome! We are the only company that provides this service to our customers. Think about it. You can:

(1) Avoid all of the pains of mall shopping.

(2) Enjoy shopping from the comfort of your home.

(3) One bill includes all partner store purchases.

(4) Utilize our price comparison feature.

(5) Get paid while you shop.

Enter ' newoptions4u.com ' into your Internet browser address, then click to connect to my website.

Click on the "Shop Partners" tab (across the top of the page) and enjoy your shopping spree.

Annette