Mariannes Motifs

Deals Deals Deals

I am so glad I bought those buy one get one free Lil Webkins from Walgreens on Black Friday.  Today Ben is going to a birthday party and viola, a gift is all ready.  Next week Adam's class is having a secret Santa at their holiday party - viola, a webkins.  I kind of wish I had bought a buch more!  Oh well, that will be the end of them.  My neice got one, Asela got one, the boys each got one... there they went. 

And then there are all the 90% off Christmassy goodies I got at Target last year.  Pulling them out was funny - I had forgotten what they were.  But there were enough ornaments and garland to decorate the tree, and I remember that by the time you took off 90% they were pretty much negligable in price.  Now where did I put that electric Menorah?  I need to get some Hanukkah going.  Ben made a dreidle at school out of a milk carton - very cute.  We put that on the tree.

I am so sore from being in the car so much last night.  I think I am developing Plantar Fasciitis.  When I wake up in the morning my ankles do get very stiff.

Magical Nights of Traffic

Last night we took the yearly trek through Lake Lanier's Holiday lightshow.  They call in the Magical Nights of Lights.  I call it the Magical Nights of Traffic.  Woo boy.  5 hours later we were all light showed out.

And this morning the boys and I put up the Hanukkah bush aka Christmas tree.  Its really pretty, if I do say so myself.  It was fun because I had a bunch of Christmassy stuff I got last year at 90% off that I had put away.  I totally forgot what it all was so it was like opening presents already.

Holiday Gift Idea - Coolest thing edition.

I have found the most awesome idea for a holiday gift this year - TOCS Watches

Featured as one of Oprah's O List, holiday edition, the TOCS watch line features bold colors, glitzy designs, and best of all some of their models feature solar power with a battery backup that never needs winding or replacing.

They remind me of today's version of the Swatch watch when that brand was the newest and biggest thing when I was in high school.  My favorite is the Ani-Digi Solar Alarm Chrono model.  I think it looks so sharp and I love the solar aspect.  Very eco-cool.  They come in a number of cool colors - I even saw a transparent one.

Here is some info from tocswatches.com on this solar model:

Powered by the sun (or indoor lighting), this watch features a lifetime battery back up system. This is a watch that never needs winding. Quickly tell time using either analog or digital displays. Also features a Reminder Alarm plus Digital Chronograph stop watch and Dual Time Zone.

The hottest model they have selling right now is called the glitz.  It has very cool stylized numbers on the dial - the 8 is the biggest number and has sparkle.  Here is a picture of the analog round glitz model.  As you can see it would be a very hip Hanukkah gift.  Purchase TOCS online.  They range between $45 and $60.

 

TGIF

I had lunch today with Melissa.  Tomorrow, she and I are taking the kids to the Magical Nights of Lights at Lake Lanier.  (I think she looks forward to it more than the kids do!)

I had two calls from recruiters today, so I feel pretty decent on the job hunting front.  My hope is that I can have a nice 2 weeks off over the holidays and then start a short term contract of some sort to keep me busy.  Wish me luck!

Oh, I signed up for Facebook today.  I figure I can use it for networking.

Website Security - Detect and Block Anonymous Proxy Users

Did you know that people who hit business sites using an anonymous proxy service are more likely to be attempting fraud?

An anonymous proxy service is a web site that allows users to go through their network to browse the internet so that their actual IP address is hidden.   Why would someone use an anonymous proxy service?  There are a few reasons.  Perhaps they are on a system that tracks their web usage and they want to avoid this tracking.  Or perhaps they are on a network that blocks certain sites and they want to get around that security.  I know that people in China can use proxy services to try to reach sites that are blocked by the government.  And yes, they can get in trouble for doing that if they care caught.  However, another not so innocent sounding use for an anonymous proxy service is committing fraud.

From the perspective of a company doing business on the net, it may be beneficial to block users who come to your site using an anonymous proxy service.   The quote below is from the ip2location.com web site.  Ip2location sells a product that detects and allows you to any IP address coming through to your site in this manner. 

Studies found that a large number of anonymous proxy users are generally responsible for online credit card fraud, forums and blogs spamming or defacing any visitor editable Web sites. More often than not they can be scammers, hackers or content thieves seeking only to prey on you and your legitimate Web site visitors.

They keep a proxy list of all these anonymous browsing services so that a site owner can block anonymous browsers.

FREE DEMO of Open Proxy Detection - look for the green check in the box below, it means that you are not using an anonymous proxy to read this blog.

 

Friday Job Hunt Update

Yesterday I finished my resume and posted it online at Monter.com.  By the way, if you would like to see my LinkedIn profile here it is - Marianne Case.  I submitted my resume to two jobs as soon as I had it uploaded, and I have already received a call from a recruiter this morning.

I am hoping to find a short term contract so that I can keep busy while I job search for a fulltime position.  Since we have switched health insurance over to hubby's work, this gives the freedom to freelance for awhile.  Before the hubster got his awesome last 2 jobs he used to contract so I was the one with the health insurance.  That turns out to be a good way to balance out the higher wage and flexibility you can get with contracts with the need for steady paycheck and benefits you get from fulltime. 

I had lunch on Wednesday and Friday this week with some former co-workers.  That was very nice.  After next week I will be home with the kids for two weeks over the holidays.  That is going to be interesting!  But hey - I can save $200 on daycare extra fee for keeping Ben at home and if Ben is home I might as well have Adam at home too.  I am going to plan some craft activities and fun stuff for us to do. 

I already have all my Hanukkah shopping done so its all mellow from here. 

Peace, you'all!

NFL Team Slippers

Today we have what to get the guy who has everything, sports gifts edition.

I think these are great because guys need slippers too, but most slippers I have seem for men are majorly fuddy duddy looking.  These have the coolness factor of NFL team logos and all the teams are available, as well.  They look warm and comfy, yes, but not at all old fashioned or geeky.  So if you are looking for a gift for the person in your life that lives and breathes team spirit, these may be for you.

Finding my Inner Peace

I and 533,000 other people lost their jobs in November 2008.  Today was a hard day for me.  I still have a cold, I had a headache, and I really just felt like sleeping all day long.  My resume still needs about 10% more work before it is done and I am feeling the pressure to get it done and done well.   It's officially one week since I was laid off.

But lets look at what I have accomplished:

1.  Updated my linkedin profile and reached out to everyone in my network.  Received two positive recommendations on linkedin.

2.  My resume is 90% done.

3.  I have one job lead I am following up on.

4.  I have two great new interview suits and three shells/shirts to go under them.  Also already have the perfect shoes for them both.  Both suits are already altered to fit and haging in my closet ready to go.

5.  We have started the process of switching health insurance to hubby's work.

6.  I have the date and process in line for when I can sign up for unemployment if I still am out of work at that time. (God I hope I have a job before then!)

7.  I have signed all the paperwork for ex-employer and returned all assets.

I am trying to establish my inner peace about the situation. I am envisioning myself in a new work environment surrounded by some new office furniture.

Ommmm.....

New Suits

Melissa and I took off for some suit shopping tonight.  I bought two really nice interview suits and Nordstroms.  Both the jackets were on a great sale, and they altered the pants for free as they were full price.  The other pair of pants were petite so they fit perfectly.  The two jackets I paid for them to alter, and the tailor altered them while we went to dinner and then they were ready for me to pick up.  Fantastic service, great plus size department, and a very calm and nice shopping experience.

Zales coupon code

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for your girlfriend, wife, or mother?  Really, there's no better gift than jewelery.  It fits, it lasts, and just about everyone likes to have a beautiful piece of shiny goodness to wear.  One of my favorite memories is of my 30th birthday when Jin bought me a diamond tennis bracelet.  When I came in the kitchen there was a teddy bear on the table with a single rose and on the Teddy Bear's wrist was a gold and diamond tennis bracelet.  That totally took away any bad feelings I might have had about turning the big 3-0.

Ok, so if I have sold you on the idea of jewellry for the holidays now you need a deal.  Here is a Zales coupon code.  Use code ZALESWELCOME for $50 Discount on Orders of $200+ & Free Shipping.   Also check out savings.com for lots more coupon codes.

Here's a gift idea for some very pretty sparky diamond earrings any woman would love.  And with the $50 off and free shipping its a good deal too.  I like these because they are classic, but there are a lot of other choices like black diamonds, ones with square cuts, etc.
 

3/8 CT. T.W. Diamond Solitaire Stud Earrings in 14K White Gold

ITEM #: 17498130

$229.99