allisonhester

OK. Saw Harry Potter today. (Also saw Unstoppable today. What can I say? I made a day of it.) I really liked HP but wish I had rewatched the last one prior to going. Couldn't remember hardly anything that happened in the last movie. I'm glad for the warnings of it being darker than past episodes, and also boy, they ARE growin up, aren't they? Missed some of the cool, fun effects, but overall really enjoyed it.

I loved "megabrain" (aka Megamind). I thought it was hilarious! Liked it more than my daughter.

Horror movies, roller coasters and falling off a bike are all a lot scarier now that I'm 40.

Thanks guys. Yeah, I won't take my kids. Abby (5) "likes scary stuff" but she hasn't see any of the others yet and it just looks too grown up. Ethan (7) has high-functioning autism and does not like movies at the theater. I thought the commercials made it look scarier than a PG rating. I will still go Monday (I hope!)

Here's a wonderful charitable project for the entire family. Monday is the last official day for "Operation Christmas Child," a project created by Samaritan's purse. The mission is simple: pack a shoebox full of small items (toys, hard candy, school supplies, hygeinic items) to send to a child in another part of the world who otherwise will not receive anything for Christmas. There are drop off locations around the country, and they are listed on their web site. While the official campaign ends Monday, you can take part later on in the season. I'm going to take my kids shopping tomorrow to get stuff for our boxes. Here's the link for more information: Samaritan's Purse | Operation Christmas Child | Pack a Shoe Box

How was it? (Don't give anything away please!) I am going Monday while the kids are in school. I'm taking the day "off" (I work from home for myself, so I don't know if that really counts) and going to see it at 10 a.m. at the IMAX. And is this not THE end? I heard the radio say it was Part 1. I thought this was it.

I LOVE it! That's awesome!

Geez! OUCH!

I'm so happy for you, but your announcement made me sad at the same time. Thank you for your friendship. Please stay in touch!

Steve Stephens, who's been in the industry for 30 years, used to offer an intensive 5-day training course that included on-the-job experience, along with all kinds of other things (marketing, business setup, chemistry, etc.). We are looking at restarting this, but will need to have an 8-10 student minimum for it to be worthwhile. Steve can also do consulting work, much of which can be done over the phone. Holler if you'd like to learn more.

Has anyone tried to Magic Jack -- that phone system you plug into your computer? And does it work? I live/work on a small military base where my phone lines are ancient. Every time it rained, our land line went out so I got rid of that phone and am depending solely on my cell phone. The cell phone cuts out at times though. Just wondered if this might be a decent option.

I would go if I was anywhere close and had anyone to watch my kids. Since neither of those are the case, enjoy! I'm very excited to see it myself.

Oh good! I'm so glad someone picked it up!

I just need to say I'm extra proud of my husband today, SFC Michael Hester, who is currently serving in Afghanistan.

Wonderful idea! I love it! Thanks for sharing, and thanks for doing.

When Ethan was a toddler, we had a black widow in the house that crawled under the edge of the kitchen counter. I called Mike in a panic and made him come home. His response, laughing: "Um, what am I supposed to do about it?" That said, I also have been known to go snake shooting with Mike a time or two.

(I realize this is an old post, but I'm new.) To give my husband's response, ALL spiders are poisonous to various degrees. We had a vegetable garden for awhile when I was pregnant with Ethan. Mike had to go to some sniper thing for three weeks, leaving me to tend the garden. I discovered it was FULL of wolf spiders and let's just say the garden was dead by the time Mike returned home.

I am posting a BUNCH of photos from last week's PWNA meeting on our Facebook page -- Steve Stephens Consulting. Be sure to take a look and feel free to tag any of them if you recognize folks. Thank you!

Sorry guys. I can't get the images to load. Keep getting an error message. I'll try another time when I'm less tired.

Sorry Beth. I'm testing the signature now.

Absolutely. I just have to figure out how to do it. Give me a little bit. (Anything for ice cream!)

We will be featuring this cause in the premier issue of our new online magazine, Pressure Cleaning Monthly. (I have also volunteered to help them with their writing needs, particularly because my husband is currently serving in Afghanistan and was in Iraq all of 2008.) Anyone involved with this organization who wants to talk to me for this article, send me an email: ssconsulting@live.com. Be sure to visit our website and sign up to learn more about our new publication. Thank you!

Hey guys, just to clarify about Steve Stephens...he was in a bad car wreck, TEMPORARILY lost the use of his legs, but is walking again and has regained partial use/strength in his arms. The gift from John Allison was awesome! A friend of Steve's called John, hoping he would donate a pump or something. John jumped in and donated the entire unit. So I want to plug them all I can. As for Steve, we are starting a new business, Steve Stephens Consulting. Our first book just came out on the market and we've got some mor big news coming very soon. Steve will also be the keynote speaker at this week's PWNA meeting.