LadyJava Does Blog MakeOvers!

When I'm out and about surfing the blogosphere, every now and then a really snazzy header banner catches my eye, particularly if it is a big change from the blog's usual look. Lately, I can't help but notice that lots of my good blogosphere buddies have upgraded the look of their sites with a tasty Blog Make Over by LadyJava, who with 7 blogs also happens to be one of the most prolific bloggers in the world!

If you fancy a blog makeover for your Blogspot hosted blog, click on the blue square and let LJ work with you on that one exclusive look that is only yours alone. Lady Java's blog makeovers include:

1. Custom 2 or 3 column blogger design
2. Your very own header banner
3. Horizontal navigation bar
4. Favicon (the little icon next to your address)
5. 125x125 square blog button & code
6. Complete installation

A terrific value priced at thirty bucks... I may have to do something special for my Roxiticus Desperate Housewives site...or maybe LJ could give Roxy's Best Of... a Santa hat and a red sweater to keep warm for the holidays!

Polyanna: Seeing the Glass Half Full in a Troubled Economy

Over on my Roxiticus Desperate Housewives site, I just posted some tips for coping with stress during hard times and the current economic situation. While a troubled United States economy is tough on Wall Street and on Main Street, I've experienced one minor plus. Without the benefit of a lap-band doctor or even a diligent fitness program, I've dropped fifteen to twenty pounds over the past two months. Now I just need to get to a tailor so I can start showing off Roxy's slim new figure in my favorite clothes.

EntreCard Discovery: Simply Drunk

I found Simply Drunk through EntreCard, and have been laughing ever since. Self-described as a blog about life....discussing current events, everyday life and other useless or offensive topics over a few drinks. I particularly like the way Simply Drunk's posts are organized around song titles such as "Taxman," "Land Down Under," "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," and "You Don't Bring Me Flowers."

Check it out with your favorite beverage in hand... and tell 'em Roxy sent you!

Why More People Should Blog

A few weeks back, while our family attended the Far Hills Race Meeting, I caught up on quite a bit of hot gossip from my fellow Roxiticus Desperate Housewives. It is not my story to tell, but there was a steamy tale about an attractive 40-plus personal trainer with a hot local cop, packing heat in both senses of the word, and complete with Galco holsters and bulletproof vest...

That kind of story is the reason I'm convinced that more women should blog instead of just sharing explicit girl talk on the phone or in person... I would happily add their sites to Roxy's Best Of... Other People's Blogs for everyone to enjoy!

Roxy's Best Of... Blogs: Ken Armstrong Writing Stuff

I don't remember whether I found Ken Armstrong Writing Stuff through EntreCard or on Matt Urdan's Meltwater. Torrents. Meanderings. Delta. ("MTMD"). I do know that you should check out his site, which promises "movies, music and other people's habits peppered with the odd story or two from my world." Ken is both creative and entertaining, and rarely a day goes by that I don't lurk in the shadows of his blog, catching up on his latest post. Enjoy!

When Black Friday Comes...

Even though London and Maddie usually start their letters to Santa during the month of July and look forward to the big day all year, I've never been one for heading out to the malls and standing in line at the stores at 5 o'clock in the morning on Black Friday to start my holiday shopping, then counting down the number of days until Christmas. Our family actually celebrates Thanksgiving twice, once over at my mom's house with my oldest sister and my nieces, then again on Saturday when Rex does all the cooking for his family. My only responsibility is the baking -- pumpkin pies, pumpkin bread, sometimes a pumpkin bourbon cheesecake -- but on the Friday in between our two Thanksgiving celebration, Rex, London, Maddie and I just want to lounge around the house with nothing on the agenda.

I've actually had good luck over the years saving money by shopping online for most of my Christmas gifts...even online, Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, has turned into a major sale event.... and you can bet that Roxy prefers to do the shopping while I'm still wearing my jammies, cuddled up with my computer in a nice cozy chair by the fire. I've even found a site that offers email alerts that let me know when new black friday ads have been posted by my favorite stores (like Circuit City deals or Best Buy for electronics, or Toys R Us for the girls) to help me plan my online holiday shopping.

How does your family celebrate Thanksgiving, and that secondary holiday, Black Friday? Do you cook for an extended family, then head out to the mall the next day at 5am, or are you lucky enough to have someone else serve you a turkey with all the trimmings?

Bear-iuca: The Perfect Name for Mariuca's Teddy Bear

While we're celebrating Election Day here in the United States, and all eyes are on who will be the next President, over on the other side of the world, my good blogosphere buddy is looking for a name for her teddy bear. Don't worry, I'll get out this afternoon to cast my vote for President, but right now, I'd like to nominate "Bear-iuca" as my choice for Mariuca's teddy bear. If you'd like to submit a name for this cute teddy, click the link below or the photo to participate. And please let me (and Mariuca) know what you think of Bear-iuca!