Pandora's Casket

For all you techies out there here is your chance to prove yourself and win some great prizes at that.

IDUG is having a 5 section contest that you may enter into 1 or all 5! Thats right you have that many categories to shine in.

Video Contest: Upload a video, judged by the community, prizes awarded monthly

Gadget Contest: Create a small widget or gadget, judged by the community, prizes awarded monthly

XQuery Challenge: Answer a series of questions by developing queries in XQuery. All correct answers (answer and query structure) entered to win larger prizes

Port an Application: Port an existing application to use XML, XQuery or DB2. Judged by a panel of judges

Develop an application: Develop a brand new application using XML and/or XQuery. Judged by a panel of judges


Each one is for different levels of skill so do not think that you have to be a super developer to enter. Students this would be a great opportunity to share what you have come up with.

This is a way to spread more information and knowledge on XQuery, XML and DB2.

If you or you know someone that would be interested in this contest please go to the site and read all the details. Follow the Terms of Service and enter to win some pretty cool prizes.

Just think that if you won how great it would be to put it in your portfolio of skills.

This is an amazing contest to enter! What I like about it is that any level of skill may enter. Students, professionals and even if you just fool around at home for something to do in your spare time may enter this contest. It is not just for the upper levels to try and out shine one another. It is meant for anyone that knows how and what to develop. Truly a unique contest.

I sent this along to my son in law that is always developing something. I do not know if he will enter although like I asked him what does he have to loose? Nothing really. But he has some cool
prizes to win!

Don't put it off! Go over there right now and choose which section you would like to enter.

Much luck to all that enter!

I did not go to Black Friday. For one thing I hate crowds and the way people act at these sales, well, I would probably kill someone verbally. haha

My older children went though. Crazy fools.

Leaving the house at 4 AM to arrive there by 4:30 AM or so. They wanted to go to Walmart to see if they could manage to get some of the deals. I slept.

They did get some pretty good things but they were disappointed that there was not enough action for them. I guess there were some crazy things going on but not what they had expected. I think that they were thinking more of a bigger city for the nut cases to really come out.

It is a shame as to what happened in New York. Someone getting killed over a cheap gift. I just think that is terrible.

My children were home by 6:30 or so. No, they went, found what it was they were looking for and that was that.

Coming home and back to bed for a few hours. haha

What a bunch of nuts they are!

Today I was taken out of my drawer because she forgot to put the adapter wires back in the zipper pocket. That wouldn't have been so bad but then she decided to take the lap top out and fool around with it. I am not just not one of those ordinary laptop bags, no, I am special. I am a brown leather brief case like bag. Small in stature and made for the more feminine side for the modern business woman. I can handle nearly anything that comes my way. The only thing that I do not like is when I am tossed on the bed when my owner decides to do work watching TV. I lay there on the cold rug by her side waiting to be put away.

My normal place that I reside is a special drawer. I only share it with her camera and MP3 player as this is one of the safest spots. No pets, children or anything else in between may harm us. Smart thinking.

I go a lot of places when I am not in my drawer. Whenever we are going to be away from the PC I am pulled out and a why we go. I have been all over the place. I am a very lucky lap top case.

I do have to admit that if ever I were to be replaced, I think that my first choice would be by a Spire's USA lap top. Heavy duty and made for challenges that occur when traveling. Made to last and are of good quality.

One thing is for sure, they are reasonably priced and high quality. The various styles would appeal to my owner but for now I think it will be our secret as I do not want to be replaced as of yet. You should go take a look at the lap top cases they have.

Especially since this is the holiday shopping season. This would make a very good gift for that special someone!

Now I love Christmas and especially the decorating of the house. But the worst thing is getting everything out of storage. My goodness what a hectic and crazy mess it is to do.

We have a rather large storage space that is behind the one wall of my room. When it is time to take things out the one small wall has to be taken down. Since it is an attachable wall it seems like a snap. Well it is not. I usually have shelves over on that section which means that it has to be moved and taken down. We only do this a few times a year but it sure wrecks havoc with my room.

One side looks rather nice I must say so. We just won't talk about the other side. haha

We will begin decorating tomorrow. Jamie will put up the two trees. One in the family room and the larger one in the Great Room. That one is around 8-9 feet tall I think. Huge and yes fake. I do not like cleaning those pine needles up all year round.

Busy Sunday ahead of us

Why not stay at home and bundle up instead. During the Black Friday & Cyber Monday you will be able to save a ton of money when you purchase a bundle with charter Services. Along with the services that you will purchase you will also be able to get a get card and be entered in the sweepstakes that they have going on right now.

By bundling up you will receive, just to name a few, some of these services:

High Speed:
10 Mbps High Speed

TV:
Digital Home
Charter HD
Sports View
Digital View
HBO/Cinemax
Starz/Encore
Showtime/The Movie Channel

Phone:
Unlimited Calling

How is that for a good bundle? All this for just $165.97 for what they call the Charter Communications Ultimate Service Bundle. If you add up all that you pay right now for your cable, phone and internet you might just find that you will be saving, excuse the pun, a bundle of money here.

Not only will you receive the listed services but you will also receive a $250 Gift card with the services that you purchase. If that is not enough to make you happy there is one last thing. You will automatically be entered in the sweepstakes that I mentioned which the prize is an Xbox. Just in time for something to add under your Christmas tree!

So if you are looking for a great deal on a service bundle why not surf on over to the site and take a look for yourself at the money saving deals that Charter has going right now.

Fight the crowds and save a bundle on Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

Well, here it is the big Turkey day. I am still in amazement of how quickly it has arrived. Of course right now I am trying to gear up to go into the kitchen and begin cooking and cleaning in preparations for the dinner and guests. Should be an interesting Thanksgiving. We have had our share of add ones so it won't be that bad. haha

With this being my father's last Thanksgiving we are trying to make it even more memorable especially for Nick who is nine. At least this way he will have a lasting memory of his grandfather's last few holidays with him. Memories are something that we should all cherish and carry with us.

Here is hoping that everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Everyone that knows me knows that for years I have been shopping on line for the ease of it all. I like the ability to sit comfortably shopping for the items that I am looking for. No crowds, no hassles. This year on line shopping at Kmart is even better!

They have so many specials for those of us that shop on line it is nearly unbelievable. Take for example the special on Attention Women's Kimono Wrap Sweater for one of those special ladies on your list. They are nicely made and in lovely colors. Sure to be a gift that they will love. You are able to earn an extra 10% off online only (search ID# 70198911). A really good deal. My oldest daughter, Sab's would love to have one or even two of those to wear on chilly winter nights.

Browsing along I found many, many deals for us on line shoppers. There is even an ornament that has extra savings when you find it. Rather like a scavenger hunt! How fun is that? This ornament will be shown each with a secret coupon code to use at check out.

As I ventured further on the site, the one thing that I was looking for were new bedding for my youngest daughter Shay. She has been complaining (A LOT) about her ratty old sheet sets that she owns. Since she is going to buy a new bed I thought some really pretty bedding would be perfect for her. I found a sale on this as well. I looked at the Abbey Hill bedding Medallion Dream bedding collection. Finding the perfect set for her! AND I get an extra 30%taken off! This is for those that shop online only (search ID# 96096112).

Since I have a lot of gifts to buy from young ladies to young boys I found great deals in most of the departments. I mad some stops at the boys department and found some great deals on boys tops. Nick will like the shirts I found for him.

Time is running out on these great discounts. The special discounts do end for online discounts on November 26th. Since it is on line you have some time left.

There are great deals to be had by shopping on line. Kmart is giving those on line shoppers a great perk!

All discounts are shown in the shopping cart, not the actual product page. So when you see that do not be alarmed. The discount will be given.

Start your shopping tonight to catch a few fabulous deals for tomorrow!

Let me tell you this prep day has been so long.

My children all helped with a few things that needed to be done. Jamie made a rhubarb pie for tomorrow. Of course, those that tasted the rhubarb and compared with sour war heads. haha
It looks absolutely tasty though. A very pretty pie for a first time pie maker.

The rest was the things that I had to prepare. I started the broth for the stuffing and the gravy. I use a vegetable stock of onions, celery, tomatoes (fresh) and garlic. Along with the parts of the turkey that makes the children go ewwww. It gives the stuffing and gravy a flavorful taste. Much better than plain chicken or turkey stock. I found that recipe last year watching Martha Stewart.

The first turkey is completely cooked. Thank Eros for that. The worst part was fighting with one of the cats, DC. She would not leave the home made bread cubes alone. I mean come on, it's dried bread for God's sake! A couple of times I wanted to shove her out the door.

I am just happy I have completed as much as I did.

Tomorrow is the main cooking day. Yuck