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New Year’s Thankful Things & Wrap-Up, Too!

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Well, 2014 is indeed here and seriously still can not believe how quickly 2013 just flew by.  As most know I am hoping for a bit more balance for the new year here on my blog, for my design company, J9 Designs and also for my personal life, as well.

With that said, I wanted to share with you as always, my 10 Things of Thankful for this past week from the end of 2013 heading into good old, 2014.

So sit back and enjoy.  And Happy New Year Again to all my readers!

Ten Things of Thankful

1.  Finding a new Flutterby Fairy last one on the shelf at Target after unfortunately the one that Santa brought Emma stopped working.  Yes, after I posted this amazingly cute video (if you missed it, I am reposting right below), the darn thing just decided it didn’t want to lift off the base anymore!

2.  Saturday night Candyland game with Kevin and the girls.  Lily won!

Candyland
Candy land

3. Driving looking at Christmas lights (after Christmas sounds crazy, but the girls were all for it).  Lily says, “I like candy canes. Aww shucks!”  That kid just cracks me up and more on that in a bit!

4.  Being awarded the Sunshine Award from my bloggy friend, April at 100lb Countdown.  Thanks so much April and you made my day!

And then on Friday, I was awarded this one again by Millie and Kristina over at 2 Crochet Hooks, who equally made my night and put a smile a mile long on my face after the long snowy, two days we had here.

Thank you to all three ladies for thinking me worthy of this award.

Thanks April!!

5. Sleeping in on Sunday until 8:30!  I really don’t remember the last time I slept this late, but totally felt great!

6.  Staying up late Saturday and organizing my Bloglovin, which was out of control and now I feel I can at least see who is posting and when, so I can better read my favorites as my time permit.

7.  Sunday afternoon, I returned the broken Flutterby Fairy and was informed the truck brought that Toys R Us, one new pink Flutterby Fairy.  So what is a mom to do, but take it home.  Now each girl has their own!

8. Being told by Lily, “If you say so!” In response to me telling her to clean up.  Yup, this is the so the kid, that is going to give me a run for my money in those wonderful teen years!

My Girls Doing What They Do Best and Being Silly!
My Girls Doing What They Do Best and Being Silly!

9.  New Year’s Eve dinner with homemade pizza with a thin crust topped with diced petite tomatoes, black olives, fresh mozzarella, crumbled goat cheese, and sliced tomatoes, too.  So, yummy and definitely a delicious way to end 2013!

Yummy- Homemade Pizza for New Year's Eve!
Yummy- Homemade Pizza for New Year’s Eve!

10.  Rocking in the New Year with my favorite people with Kevin and the girls, who after a quick cat nap by Lily managed to stay up until 11:45 that night.

Lily Taking a New Year's Eve Cat Nap!
Lily Taking a New Year’s Eve Cat Nap!

11.  Getting to see Billy Joel perform live at the Barclay Center on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. with You May Be Right right after the ball dropped.  Seriously saw this man in concert once before and he totally does an amazing show.  Hope to see him again soon!

12.  One last one for good measure.  Happy New Year’s to all my family, friends and readers alike!  So thankful for all of you!

*A side note by the way, I am on Instagram here and my hashtag to follow me is @jnine0712.  Most of the photos above were indeed posted on there and trying to make an conscious effort for 2014 (one of my goals for the new year) to use Instagram more then ever and hope you will follow me over there if you haven’t already!*

Now if you missed a moment of this week’s blog articles, here is a recap~

Time to Confess!!

On Monday, I merrily and cheerily showcased December Holiday GLOSSYBOX for all, here.  

On Tuesday, overzealously shared the week’s PINcentive Blog Hop, which has the best of the best as far as posts this side of Pinterest.  For more, click here.  I also happily linked up with Joy’s New Year’s Blog Hop, where I answered some great questions and also shared a year wrap-up video here.  

On Wednesday, loved being able to post up The Mother of All Meltdown’s Resolutions’ video here in which I am also sharing my own resolution for 2014, for more on this click here.

On Thursday, I was able to share that Pish Posh Baby is offering pre-orders for their new 2014 products for click here for more. 

On Friday, back with another FTSF with the sentence to finish being, “My blogging goals for this year are…”, to link up please click here! 

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And as I mentioned previously, I am now a proud affiliate marketer for Pandora Towson and will be sharing more about Pandora this upcoming weekend in the months to come now.  So stay tuned.

Pandora Towson

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Don’t forget to check out my web design company for specials running at J9 Designs for all your web design needs, plus we offer Paypal’s Bill Me Later, too!  
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Disclosure Final

 

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sara says

    Lily cracks me up with her little sayings. We looked at Christmas lights the weekend before Christmas and all the houses that go all out had a line of cars in front of them. It was so crowded and just too much for Collin. My sister in law took her kids after Christmas and had no issues seeing the lights. So smart move on your part!!

    I thought for sure tommy was surprising me with Billy Joel tickets for Christmas. I had hinted so many times but he got me a tablet instead which was an awesome surprise. Maybe for my birthday ……..
    My recent post January 2014 Goals

    • Janine Huldie says

      Sara, Lily is so my grandmother's sister (my Aunt Lucy). My aunt had spunk and was a big jokester. Even my mom thinks it and we see so many similarities there, it is just so freaky at times (but in a good way). That said, we did take the kids quickly out on December 23rd, but we were so busy with so much else (finishing wrapping and such) that we couldn't stay out took long, so we decided after leaving Kevin's mom's house to take them for about 20 minutes or so to see more lights. Her comments though and the sideshow was absolutely the best and had me giggling thinking about it for days. So, totally worth and seriously priceless! As for Billy Joel tickets, I told Kevin I want to see him again and was told as long as it didn't cost an arm and a leg, too. So, I think I most likely won't be seeing him other then Youtube for a long time either unfortunately. But a tablet is a great gift and trust me I use mine daily, so I talk from experience 🙂

  2. eddy says

    Hi Janine Firstly I have to apologise for not visiting this wonderful blog over Christmas but I didn't even publish on HubPages things were so hectic. However so nice to be back now and love hearing about what you've been up to with your beautiful family. Your girls are such wonderful, characters and I wish you all the best for 2014.I am sharing onto A Brand New Dawn and sending you lots of love from Wales Janine.
    Eddy.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Please don't worry about Christmas. Trust me I cut back a bit too here and when I could I checked in at that time. So, seriously knew that you and many others were busy with family and friends. So, very much a non-issue here. Happy to see you back and thank you so much for your kinds, friendship and for just being you! Happy New Year and sending you tons of love right back at you!! 🙂

  3. Kristina & Millie says

    you so deserve a dozen Sunshine Awards!! 🙂 Your girls are so adorable. I totally think that Billy Joel rocks, love his music. When MTV first came out and they actually showed music video's, I would so watch it all day long! Gosh, kind of miss that. Happy New Year to you and yours J!!!!
    My recent post Sunshine Award

    • Janine Huldie says

      You seriously are just such a wonderful person M and seriously this comes from my heart and mean it when I keep saying I am happy we are such great friends now. Also, I loved MTV and totally miss just being able to watch videos on there, too. And once again wishing you and your lovely family a very, Happy New Year! 🙂

  4. Michelle Liew says

    Whoa. Candyland is dreamland to most kids! Thanks for sharing, now, Janine, and say hi to the girls for me! (And tell them I said so). LOL!
    My recent post Taking Aim

  7. Amy_CMI says

    That is too bad about their toy. Candy Land is one of the best little family games. I used to like LIFE, it was always fun. Billy Joel is great…I have always loved the song Big Shot. I totally just wrote your comment while listening to the Happy New Year clip in NY. Pizza is a fantastic end to a new year. Oh man, I would say that cleaning up their room is by far the most frustrating and just clean up in general. I swear, it is the reason I have lots of gray hair, and I am only 30.
    My recent post Blogging Goals for the New Year ~2014

    • Janine Huldie says

      Amy at 36, I have tons of gray hair and we can totally commiserate on that for sure. As for the toy, happy I could find another to replace it, but definitely was a bummer for Emma on Christmas night and kept being told, but Santa promised. And I know the Billy Joel clip was so good and I love Big Shot, too! 🙂

  8. lovingmarshall says

    My Marshall is really into Hi Ho Cherrio right now. We've been playing all holiday break, and it is so much fun! Can't wait to play Candyland with him! We're big fans of homemade pizza too–just had some last night. And Billy Joel: You can't go wrong with Billy Joel. Love that man!!
    My recent post Motherless Daughters: Inside Voices

  9. Billybuc says

    A nice list of thankful things for sure. I have high hopes and expectations for 2014. My five year plan is right on schedule and this is the year rewards start coming my way. Of that I am sure…I am also sure that I would not be writing if it were not for my online writing friends who have been so supportive…and you are right there at the top of the list, so thank you Janine.

  10. realhousewife says

    Janine…I thought you were gonna slow down? Lol. Ok I thought "we" were going to however, I did happen to notice we are both up early and at it:) haha. Go on with your bad self!

    "If you say so"…is an awesome response seriously! LOL

  11. tamaralikecamera says

    I slept until 8:43 yesterday! It was almost eerie. And it makes the days pass much faster, of course.
    And I enjoyed some Christmas lights the other day too! The funny thing is that there are some beautiful ones in my town – and they were up until St. Patrick's Day last year. Too much!!!!
    Funny story about Billy Joel at Barclay! He was trying to do MSG on New Year's but it was booked for Phish. This led to a feud with Phish!! As you probably know, we watched the Phish show on New Year's Eve all night. (not my choice) So funny that they were feuding! I like both.
    My recent post Looking Back and Looking Ahead.

    • Janine Huldie says

      I really didn't know that about Phish and Billy Joel and must be living under a rock! But seriously thank you for sharing that with me. And the sleeping late nowadays is so eerie and totally remember back in the day when I did all the time. Sadly not so much anymore, but still I totally do have fond memories of sleeping in!! 🙂

  12. susanzutautas says

    Oh that pizza looks amazing! I really have to go on a diet from the weight I've gained over the holidays. Thankful that they're over and hopefully I'll be able to get back to a more normal routine next week.

  14. lrconsiderer says

    OHMIGOSH THEY'RE SO SO CUTE 😀 Thank you for the video 😀

    And I LOVE that "If you say so" – the kids with sass and character were always my favourites when I worked at daycare 🙂

  15. dianeroark says

    It sounds like you had a really busy but great New Year's. I just love homemade pizza. Yours look delicious! I love the cute video of your girls.
    We got home yesterday after going north 3 hours to Branson for a few days and then back home and 8 hours south to New Orleans Sugar bowl. It was a fun fast trip but I am so behind. It is true what they say about the south. If the weather man predicts a dusting of snow tomorrow everyone goes to Walmart and stocks up. It took me over 2 hours this morning from the time I left home to when I got back from Walmart. It did not help that we were out of everything.
    Thank you so much for always stopping by and encouraging me.
    You always make my day!
    Diane
    My recent post 1st Saturday Dishes Link Up “2014″

    • Janine Huldie says

      Diane, as do you make my day as well! And I must tell you I went grocery shopping after the blizzard was over yesterday and was told by the dairy guy that the supermarket was a mad house on Wednesday and Thursday with people preparing for the storm. He actually told me they all bought bread, eggs and milk and he kept wondering if they all were making French Toast, lol!! But seriously, it was the best grocery shopping I had in awhile and should remember this the next time we have storm, because I had the run of the store! 🙂

  17. day-with-kt.com says

    Not having girls, I miss out on some things (like that spinning fairy!) – that thing is awesome – so glad that you now have 2!!!
    That pizza looks so good – I should learn to make pizza dough and start making our own pizzas!!!
    Next time I have to clean (like every other day at our venue!), I'm going to tell myself "if you say so." (I do tend to talk to myself a bit too much.)
    Have a great rest of the weekend!
    My recent post One Kind Act Is Worth More than 100 Acts Done out of Resentment

    • Janine Huldie says

      I know I have to definitely tell myself more, "If you say so" whenever I am doing something that I don't want to do either! And those fairies seriously are cool, just hoping they now stay working for my girls! Happy Weekend again, Kim 🙂

      • rosey says

        Spinmaster had it going on this year, didn't they??? That toy, the robot dog, the quad copter, and we had the balloon game out when everyone was visiting and the adults loved it more than the kids! Thank you for linking to Super Sunday Sync! 🙂

  20. Sarah says

    Mmmm…that pizza does look amazing! My parents embraced Billy Joe (oddly since they didn't go for any other rock musicians) when I was a kid, so know his greatest hits by heart. I still have a vivid memory of my sister riding around, standing, in the front seat of our car, singing Piano Man.
    My recent post TToT6: Plodding into the New Year

  21. babygatesdown says

    I can't wait until my daughters are old enough for board game stage of life! Looks like you had a wonderful holiday! And that fairy doll (and the video) is awesome 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks Louise and must tell you I couldn't wait for the board games stage myself. And was the one who suggested buying Candyland, because I absolutely loved it as a kid. So, I am so happy they love it and now want to play it daily 🙂

      • babygatesdown says

        I never played Candyland (although I might now…). I remember Hungry, Hungry, Hippos and things like Trouble, Snakes and Ladders, and basic card games like Old Maid and Spit and Go Fish. Can't wait until they hit that stage (although I suspect while in there may be some posting about how if I have to play Go Fish ONE MORE TIME…..)
        My recent post TTOT BP Style

      • Janine Huldie says

        Oh man, you totally brought me back and then some, because I played all of these games as a kid, too!! 😉

    • Janine Huldie says

      Ginny, return it. I seriously walked it with the Fullterby Fairy out of the box (no box to be honest), the receipt, the directions and Toys R Us took it back. No questions were asked and the lady working their told me some work perfectly and others are just like mine and crap out after one or two uses. So, I am telling you returning it was the best thing I did. And Same here with BlogLovin, I actually just cleaned mine out and set up groups and everything. And yours is definitely right there to read (and so happy to be following you, too!).

  25. christine says

    My first concert was a Billy Joel concert. It was so much fun!
    I didn't even know that Flutterby Fairy was a thing until I was Christmas shopping with my daughter. We happened to see some on a shelf, and she went crazy, saying I needed to get it for my niece. There was a woman there buying 5 of the 10 on the shelf, and she said everywhere in town was out of them. I snatched it up and my niece was beyond thrilled. They are fun little toys.
    When you play Candy Land, do you stack the deck like I do? Or am I the only parent that cannot stand it when someone is soooo close to winning, then pulls the candy cane and has to go all the way back? Probably just me. 🙂
    My recent post The Snow Is Comin'! The Snow Is Comin'!, TToT week 29

    • Janine Huldie says

      Christine, I hate that damn card with a passion and as much as I loved this game as a child and still do, that card is seriously my nemesis when playing this game and I am always the one who does end up pulling it for some reason now. Maybe my parents as a kid let me cheat and now totally think my husband cheats, but that is a different story altogether! But seriously, got to start playing the way you do. And the Flutterby Fairy, I hadn't a clue until it was all Emma would talk about even told Santa when he asked that that was the one thing she wanted.

  26. jenkehl says

    We were just talking about Candyland tonight. Isaiah and I like playing so much that at the end we make up funny rules so it takes longer to win than it should and there is a possibilty someone might get Miss Peanut and have to go all the way back!
    Also you deserve every award in the book. I have no idea where you find the time to do what you do but you AMAZE me! You're a wonderful mom, friend, blogger all rolled into one and you make time for everyone, which blows me away.
    Maybe you have a clone, do you have a clone?
    Can't wait to see what this New Year holds for you!
    My recent post Indoctrination Into Thankful

    • Janine Huldie says

      First off, I love your rules and seriously I want to play Candyland at your house with you and Isaiah now! Second, you seriously made me blush here and Jen, I really am just so damn happy to have gotten to know you through blogging and thank you for being an amazing friend to me. You have no idea how much I value and appreciate your support and kindness always. I am so not anywhere near perfect, but I honestly have to tell your comment this morning again was one of the nicest I have gotten in a long time and just want to thank you for that and so much more!! 🙂 Happy New Year to you and your family now and think big things are in store for you in 2014!!!

    • Janine Huldie says

      Billy was awesome Michelle and it was back in 2006, but god I still remember what an awesome show he put on. Seriously hope to get to see him again live in concert someday. And I know I remember the board I had and looked nothing like this.

  29. April (@100LBC) says

    I love reading your recaps and week of thankfulness. You bring a smile to my face everyday. I can’t wait until Ms B is old enough to play board games. It looks so fun! Thanks for sharing and linking up with Countdown in Style! Don’t forget to come back on Friday to see if you were featured!

    ~~April~~

    100lbCountdown.com

    • Janine Huldie says

      So glad you are home and just followed you back on Instagram. Just starting to use it more and loving it. And seriously so glad you are home safe and sound now! Wishing you and your family, a very, Happy New Year!! 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks so much Kim and I just followed you back on Instagram, too. I love it over there and not sure why I didn’t become more active sooner!

  33. Karen says

    you've been super busy woman…HUGS…what a great way to celebrate News Years. I know the way Anthony talks abck to me sometimes I wonder…WHO THE HELL ARE YOU? it's crazy anb then I feel bad for how I might have treated my parens when I was younger, LOL
    My recent post What’s New?

    • Janine Huldie says

      Happy New Year to you, too and bigs hugs back. Again, so happy to see you here and have you back. Seriously, I totally feel the same way about my girls’ mouths and truly getting it in spades from when I was younger for sure, lol too!! 😉

  35. pfchico says

    Your girls are seriously too cute for words. I can't wait until my monkey is old enough to play Candyland. I love board games, This is a wonderful list.

  36. lizzy allan says

    Oh wow, I'm so jealous that you saw Billy Joel live!! Such a gorgeous photo of your sleeping Lily. I hadn't heard of the Candyland game, but it sounds fun! We went looking at Christmas lights after Christmas this year too 🙂 Congrats on your awards, Janine, you definitely deserve them – you are like a ray of sunshine shining bright through the blogosphere, making everyone feel welcome at blog hops and encouraging everyone to keep blogging with your thoughtful comments. xx
    My recent post Christmas Recap – {Twelve} Things of Thankful

    • Janine Huldie says

      Lizzy, thank you so much for your kind and sweet words here. I just try my best, but always hoping I am not forgetting someone during the week. Billy Joel was awesome in concert and seriously hope you get to see him someday and actually greedily wish I would get to see him again!!! 🙂

  37. Brittnei Washington says

    Janine! I used to absolutely looooveee Candyland! Oh my! That toy is so adorable that the girls got this year. So creative how they can make it spin! So sad it's not working right now. Organizing Bloglovin' was important for me as well. It's actually one social media site I don't automatically follow people back on anymore. It was wayyy too full of blogs that I wasn't developing any relationships with. I use it now to keep up with only my favorites and the bloggers that have an understanding where we support each other. 🙂
    My recent post Countdown In Style- Week 5

    • Janine Huldie says

      Brittnei, I am in total agreement about Bloglovin. It now truly the one social media that I will not add to lightly, because I did and I couldn't seem to see the forest for the trees. I sat down last week and went through all the blogs and reorganized everything on there. Now, I feel like all that I have on there are blogs and follow and do read. So, has totally made me feel so much better at least on the front!! And thanks as always 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Kenya, I usually do buy in two's but this one Lily seemed to have no interest in until it was actually in the house. So, when I did get my hands on the second, I just grabbed it. Glad I did, because now I also have a backup in case I need! Thanks as always Kenya and hope you are having a great week so far 🙂

  39. Melanie Chisnall says

    Happy New year to you too Janine! 🙂 I'm sure it's going to be a fantastic year for you! Funny enough, we also made pizza on New Year's Eve. It was so much fun – we haven't done it in a while. Then we watched some stand up comedy. Who needs wild nights and hangovers when you can spend it with the ones you love? That's my motto for this year anyway – more time with friends and family. Have a super day!
    My recent post How to Get into Shape the Lazy Way

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