Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Amazon.com $50 Gift Card (0109)My mother's birthday is this weekend January 29th.  So I posted an event on Facebook (super cool feature) and invited all the siblings.   The best thing about being able to post events is that it takes all the hassle out of trying to figure out which time will work best for everyone.  I have six sisters and one brother, all but two still live close by. Since we all get together regularly for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions Facebook events have been a life saver. 

This is how the scenario started before I remembered about the event feature on Facebook, and typically how we would try to work things out.  My sister Marie texted me to ask what we were doing for Mom's birthday this weekend because she had texted Mom and hadn't gotten a return message yet.  So after several back and forth message's to decide what to do and what day to do it on, I finally decided to call my mom later that day and texted Marie to let her know.

Called my mom later to get everything squared away and she says "well whatever works for everyone else, either Saturday or Sunday."  Then we discuss maybe will we go ice skating, take the whole family, and enjoy the day.  Then think maybe it will be too expensive for some of my siblings that have children to pay for the admission, skate rental and food.  The conversation goes on and on and on.  Finally landing on having people come to Marie's  house (my mom lives a little farther away) so it would be easier to all met there.  Have some cake and ice cream and call it a day. Sounds like a plan to me.

So I preceded to text Marie and ask if her house is okay, let her know what time we were thinking and then I now need to confirm this with 4 more people.  By this time I am exhausted, irritated, really not in the mood to see anyone and can't even remember who's birthday it is.  Why has this become so difficult and how did I get put in charge of this.  So all of a sudden the light bulb flashed over my head, create a Facebook event! I love you Facebook.

So I posted an event on Facebook, stating the time, date and place.  Then made my notes about possibly ordering food, having cake and ice cream.  Also mentioning that if the time did not work for everyone that we could adjust it.  Took me all of 10 seconds and Voila!  Done and done.  The next day my mom calls me and says I thought we were going ice skating! Really!

Too tired to go into another discussion I respond whatever you want Mom, just post your comment on the Facebook event and see what everyone else thinks.  With all this indecisiveness, I was dreading the next question I had to ask "What do you want for your birthday?"  With no hesitation she says " Well an Amazon gift card, so I can buy books for my kindle, of course."

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

In a land far far away......

There is a beautiful town in New Zealand called Waverly, which I have never visited but hope to one day.  I know this is a beautiful town because my sister Alison and my niece and nephew Kaela and Luke live there.  My brave sister over 5 years ago finished her teaching degree in Michigan and decided it was time for a change.  She was offered the opportunity to teach in New Zealand and she jumped at the chance.  They packed all the stuff they could carry and headed off on a new adventure.  We talk as often as we can via telephone and it's great to hear their voices.  In one of my last calls my nephew Luke said to me "Aunt Lana you sound so different this time".  Nothing takes the place of being with your family or even hearing their voice but nowadays most of the updates I get from them come via Facebook in the form or pictures and posts. Facebook has a unique way of making you feel like you are right there with them. So I have come to love New Zealand as much as my sister does as she shares their experiences and adventures online. I get to sit on the sidelines to view my niece in her rowing competitions, open their Christmas presents and even check out the local boy my niece is "in a relationship" with.  Useful information that I may never have known otherwise. So here's to New Zealand for welcoming my family into your beautiful home and cheers to Facebook for keeping us connected. So anyone who wants to come with me, pack your bags, grab your travel guide and let's go!  I have to warn you though, you may not want to come back.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Just Bust a Move!

Just Dance 2
Just Dance 2
I come from a large extended family, kind of like the Brady bunch.  I have 6 sisters and 1 brother, ranging in age from 18-35 and we all like to get together for a sibling night. We try to find the time at least once a month to catch up on what is going on in each others lives and also like to find fun things to do. So this weekend we got together and one of my sisters brought the new Wii game Just Dance 2 for us to play. And this by far was the most fun and funniest time we have had. Not only do we get to see who is the most competitive but also who is the most coordinated. We get to laugh at each other and get laughed at, and being from a big family, this just comes with the territory. Wii has definitely hit another home run with this game! It is an interactive dance game that comes with a variety of songs to choose from. You imitate the dancers on the screen and earn points for correct dance moves. Not only is this a fun game but you will definitely break a sweat. The songs are from a range of genres and you can also shop for new songs and download them to your game. This game made our sibling night a huge hit and I look forward to the next time I get to bust a move.