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Windows 7 (And a Giveaway!)

As I mentioned, a couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to pick out a computer (courtesy of Microsoft) at Staples so I could test out the new Windows 7. Having no idea what I was doing, I turned to my friend Matt, and he gave me great advice on which laptop I should buy (Me: Let’s pretend you had to go to Staples tonight & buy a Microsoft laptop. What would you get? Him: Get this one {link}. Me: Sold.) (I love twitter.)

But I digress.

Windows has come a long way since I installed Windows 98 on my brand new (enormous) desktop before I headed off to college. One of the biggest changes is the amount of things you can customize to make your computer look and run the way you want it to. First, you can pick out a theme, which determines the pictures, colors, and sounds on your computer. Also, you can choose the Aero desktop experience you want. Here’s an example:

The aero experience “includes distinctive visual styles that combine the appearance of lightweight, translucent windows with powerful graphic advances. You can enjoy visually appealing effects and appearance and also benefit from better access to your programs.”

In other words, you can make your computer look pretty.

Another cool thing for those of you (like us) who have multiple computers in the house – HomeGroup allows sharing between machines. No more emailing documents to yourself so you can get them onto the other computer! “Now, you can easily connect two or more PCs running Windows 7 on your home network to automatically start sharing printers—and your media and document libraries—with other people in your home.” That is pretty sweet. Better yet? You can make files “read only” so your family members don’t jack up your stuff.

Speaking of having files at the ready, Windows 7 (combined with Windows Live) allows you to create a “cloud” so you can have everything at your fingertips. Check it out.

Overall, we have been really impressed with Windows 7. My husband, who is admittedly non-techie, commented tonight on how intuitive the program is. I think that is critically important for busy parents!

Here’s the fun part – we’re giving away a $50 Staples gift card! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post telling us what Windows 7 feature you’d like to check out!

The contest will end at 5:00 p.m. on March 18, and a winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!

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Let the games begin. And by “games” I mean “torture”.

It’s a good thing it’s a well-established fact that I’m narcissistic, or else I might have to write a really long background to this post.

But, you all already know I’m into me. So.

Monday I started Operation HoboNot, which is my campaign to lose this last 15 lbs of baby weight (I gained 43).  So, I started exercising.  Which I hate.  Also a well-established fact.

I started doing Pilates, which is about the only form of exercise I can tolerate and stick with.  And let me just tell you, my core is hatin’ life right now. OWWW!  Tomorrow I am gonna take a day off the ol’ (non-existent, stretched out) abs and do an upper body Pilates workout.  Also, I would suggest if you have hardwood floors and haven’t done Pilates in ohh saaaaaaaaaay roundabout two years, you should use TWO Pilates mats instead of one.  Ow my back!

I’ve been *trying* to cut down on pop.  Well-documented fact # 3: I looooves me some sugar.  Especially when it is carbonated and ice cold.  So I’m trying to limit myself to one a day.  I’ll admit I’m not always successful.  When I’m really stressed, I go for a Mountain Dew or a Coke!  But, since I cut down on the pop 3 weeks ago, I lost 6 lbs.  It really DOES make a difference.  I don’t eat that badly but I *drink* a lot of calories!

Why can’t I live in a world where I can drink three Mountain Dews a day and sit on my butt and maintain a movie-star physique?

Blargh.

I’m trying to get back to me, but I have to do a lot of totally not-me things to get there.  Oh, the irony!  Will it be worth it?? Only time will tell.  Let the games begin!

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Can I have the terrible twos back?

The “terrible twos” weren’t so terrible this past year for our Sam. He didn’t pitch a lot of fits, he was only in time out a handful of times… it went pretty smoothly. Or at least that’s how I remember it – a trip through the blog archives might tell a different story! But for now I am sticking with my rose colored glasses and saying wistfully “remember when?”

Because three? It’s not shaping up to be so easy.

Sam won’t even turn three for another two and a half weeks, but already I can see changes in his personality. He’s more demanding and more fond of the word “no.” We had a battle of the wills tonight when I assured him he wouldn’t get to watch Return of the Jedi until all his Star Wars figures were cleaned up. He just did not want to do it, and while he finally acquiesced, I wasn’t sure how it was all going to play out.

He’s also been more difficult to get to bed, and this time change is not helping the situation at all. He’s becoming a master at stalling, and continually wants one more drink or one more book or the one that gets me every time – “I want to rock.” And he’s not happy until he’s got both Andy and me in on the bedtime routine… just one of us won’t do!

The last time I went in to rock him tonight, it was nearly 10:00. He fell asleep in my arms almost as soon as I sat down in the rocking chair. That time, though, I wasn’t in as big of a hurry to put him down, and spent a few minutes staring at his sweet little face. I could almost see the tiny newborn baby he once was.

Eventually I put him down and went back into our room. I looked at Andy and said “He’s such a sweet boy… when he’s asleep.”

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