What's In My Bookmarks?

Up until about 3 months ago, I had a total of 13 websites bookmarked - 2 I had added on my own and the other 11 were added for me (manufacturer sites, etc). I really didn't like the idea of bookmarking websites. I had committed to memory my favorite addresses and the rest just didn't matter that much to me. I liked knowing that I didn't need a computer tool to help me - I pride myself on my memory.

But in the last few months, my pride has been a little taxed and I have started to take full advantage of the little tool called a bookmark. This change came largely from my surfing the web a lot more (particularly blogs). I couldn't keep track of them all! In stepped the bookmark and I've been a happy surfer ever since.

So, what's in my bookmarks? Lots of things, actually. So many that I have to categorize them. And I have blogs, as well as "actual" sites. I could list all of my bookmarks, but who wants to read that? Instead, here are 5 blogs that tickle my fancy right now (I'm sure my fancy will change soon enough, so I'll keep you posted).

Dooce - my absolute favorite blog on the web today. She is funny, smart, and candid. She's my age and has a daughter 1 week younger than Elliot. She helps to keep me sane with all of her insanity.

The Green Blog - this is a new discovery of mine. I'm always looking for new/better websites that focus on healthier living for both my family and the planet. I also love the Sundance channel's series The Green. So when I discovered this little gem, I couldn't have been happier.

Smitten Kitchen - my girlfriend turned me on to this site. The author is regular person who makes food in her home kitchen and takes beautiful photographs of the process and creations. She is honest about the results and will admit when something didn't go as planned. Very tasty and inspiring!

Making Memories Blog - okay, so I had to include a scrapbooking site. This is really why I got into blogging in the first place - I was searching out inspiration. MM is one of my favorite manufacturers and their blog is great. They feature a lot of inspiration and have contests sometimes too - nothing like the possibility of free stuff to make me want to visit your site!

AE Design - Technically, this is another scrapbooking blog - Ali is one of the contributing editors of Creating Keepsakes magazine. But her website is more than just scrapbooking. She is an inspiring person and has a wonderful perspective that she shares in her blog.

Oh and, by the way, the original 2 are still there. They are Kopp's Frozen Custard and Nostalgic Candy. I clearly needed to broaden my horizons.

Ed

I'd like to introduce you to my first baby. His name is Ed, as in "Big Head Ed," "Mr. Ed," "Eduardo Carroccio" and (when he's being naughty) Edward. He's been a part of our family for almost 5 years - we "adopted" him while I was pregnant with Elliot.

Ed's birth mother is a golden retriever and his dad is a neighborhood dog. This combination of pure-bred and mutt spawned a gentle and loving dog whom we often compare to Gomer Pyle: his only desire in life is to be your friend - to love you and be loved back - and he's probably not the quickest puppy in the kennel. But we love him anyway.

Ed thinks he's a lap dog. I'm serious. If you sit on the floor with your legs crossed, Ed will try to sit on your lap. Of course, you'll probably have to move your legs to accommodate his large size, but I think most people tend to move when they see 75lbs of tail-wagging, stinky-breathe-blowing dogginess headed toward them. But we love him anyway.

Ed is so generous that he will give you the fur off his back. I find little clumps of it ALL OVER THE PLACE. And more than once I've seen it in places it shouldn't be. But we love him anyway.

Ed's gentleness and love for us has no bounds. This morning, he graciously and willing shared his pig's ear with Betsy. He was eating his treat on his bed, when Betsy walked up and took the pork flesh from his mouth. She carried it to the other side of the room, stuck it in her mouth, took a bite and started chewing. She didn't seem too bothered by the taste and I'm worried this is going to become a trend. But we love her anyway!

Another year, another resolution

Happy New Year and welcome to the 2008 edition of Mrs. Jones!

A new year marks 12 more months to work on getting it right (lose weight, spend time with family, be healthier, get those house projects under control, etc., etc. etc...). And, like most of us, another year in the Jones house means another list of goals at which to point and laugh for 365 days. My list of resolutions for 2008 is pretty much the same list I've had for the last 5 years, with one exception. This year I really hope to blog (more).

I started this blog about a month ago. It's something I'd thought about doing for awhile and one day I just decided to get it done! During the tail-end of 2007, I got over 10 posts under my belt. In 2008 I hope to keep that trend going. I want to chronicle our daily lives and share our stories with all of you. I'm also doing it because I know that someday soon I won't be able to remember what life was like with a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old and I want someone (or something) to remind me.

So here's to keeping 2008 resolutions (even if this is the only one on my list I have any luck of accomplishing)!