Snickerdoodle Winners Announced!!!

I have many "issues".  One is indecisiveness.  Another is fear of inadvertently hurting someones feelings.  (I have no problem hurting your feelings on purpose.)  Another issue is my tendency to procrastinate anything I "HAVE" to do.  These uh, "special traits" don't lend themselves to being great at judging contests.  So I'm a few days late, but today is the day.  The day I will announce the winner(s) of the delicious Snickerdoodles.  Yes.  There will be more than one winner.  (See issue number 1 above.)

So.  Here's the deal.  I tried to pawn the judging off on my mom and Doug, but we couldn't all agree on one, so we have multiple winners

Fae chose her winner based on actual usefulness/thoughtfulness:

(*drumroll please!*)

Jennifer from Connecticut who said;

"I remember when Courtney and I became good friends well.  It was when she called me from Costco out of the blue just to see if she could pick anything up for me..."

Something anyone can do, but it means a lot.  Good one Jen!

Honorable Mentions by Fae:

Marissa (You mentioned her Taco Stuff!)

Shelly  (My mom couldn't believe it when I told her you were the 15-year-old Shelly from S.F.!  She thinks you're very intelligent and astute for your age.)

Jonas Family (1st comment of several.) ;)

Marissa, Shelly, and Jenny.  You are all awarded a Virtual Snickerdoodle!  Enjoy!!!

Next up, Doug's selections were based more on their humor factor.  He couldn't decide so he'll be helping me roll the 10,000 little beasts in cinnamon because we're giving them to both of his winners:

Suz who recommended baking cakes and sticking random carrots in them.  Your comment completely baffled my mom ("She says 'cheerio'... is she English?") but Doug thought it was hilarious.

And Marissa.  Doug likes your Karate Party idea.  As do we all.  And it's so very fitting.

Finally, my pick.  I'm eliminating the three previous winners so that at least narrows it down.  Honestly, you guys really did give some excellent advice and gave me lots to consider.  But I'm going to go with a late entry.  (I can do that, it's my contest.)

Mandi-Baby left her comment under the "Hairy Situation" post and I think I'm actually going to take her advice.  Here it is:

  

Offer your talents willingly. Be open about yourself and the fun things you have done, the music you listen to, whatever, (people like to know you are cool) but also ASK others what they like and listen as they speak. Everyone's favorite subject is themselves. 

(ain't that the truth!)

If you showed up on the first Sunday and said "hey! I am having a moving in party and I make killer cupcakes! I would die if you/your family wasn't there!" People would show up. Sure some people would eat the cupcakes and leave but others will stick around and they now 1)know where you live, 2) know you have skills. These are perfect situations to start friends. People can now stop by just whenever and feel welcome in your home and who doesn't like a friend to cook and bake with? Those are my FAVORITE friends!

(I can do this.  I can make cupcakes and I love hosting parties!!!)

or...you know...whatever other skills you have be it numbchuck skills, computer hacking skills, you know... skills! People like friends with skills!
(Oh, I've got skills...)

Whatever it be, be open, inviting, and upbeat. It hasn't failed me yet!

She gets extra points for referencing Napolean Dynamite.  Sure, he's so 3 years ago, but I still love him, alright?  ("I see you're drinking 1%.  Is that 'cause you think you're fat?")

If you're a winner, (in this contest.  Not in life in general.) please email me at emilydeon(at)gmail(dot)com with your mailing address and I'll send you your cookies...eventually.  (And hey, let me know if you're allergic to cinnamon, yo!  I can diversify!)

If you're a (sore) loser (Diane) and/or just really want some cookies (Jenny Jonas, Kim B.),  send me your mailing address and maybe we'll take pity on you and send you some too.  (But not as many as we'll send the winners.  There must be some justice!)  

:)

Thanks for participating everyone; for the great advice, and all the laughs!!!

Make People Like Me and Win a Prize!

Yesterday we took our good friends the M*'s to the airport. My friend Diane will be back at the end of the month for graduation but the kids are gone for good.

It's the beginning of the end and I'm bummed about it. From this point on, we'll be saying a lot of good-byes. Good bye to work friends, church friends, family, and school friends. And in a few short weeks, sometime in the middle of August, we'll arrive in Japan and start the whole process of making new friends all over again.

And that stinks. Wanna know why? Because to know is to love us. But to first meet us, is usually to feel slightly disturbed and uncomfortable; possible frightened by us. Not ideal for the making of first impressions.

Here are a few of the more annoying character traits we possess which may or may not scare off potential friends:

1. We're chronically late. Especially to church.
1a. This is all my fault and I take full responsiblity.
1aa. Sunday is the one day of the week I bother to do all of the following things: *Take a shower. *Blow dry and style my hair. *Apply make-up. *Coordinate a matching outfit comprised of a clean and wrinkle free clothing. *Shave my legs.
(Every other day, you may get up to three of those things, but it's a crap-shoot. Only on Sunday do I go all out. And it's hard when sleeping in until the last possible minute.)
1aaa. I don't always shave my legs.

2. We're sarcastic.
2a. This is mostly Doug's problem. I mean "special trait". When we meet new people together, the first thing I say is "Don't take anything he says seriously. He's just kidding. He's very sarcastic." This may or may not prevent that person from being offended at the first thing out of his mouth. Or they may or may not think I'm just being sarcastic.

3. We're a bit messy.
3a. Doug truly believes he's a neat-nick. But he's not, and neither am I. And surprisingly, neither are our kids. So our house may appear a little cluttered, though I like to think of it as "alternatively styled".
3aaa. At least I keep my Ikea dishes in Rainbow order!

4. Our boys are not always calm and don't always play well with others.
4a. Some might use the word "naughty".
4aa. Some might also use "out-of-control, undisciplined, demonic little terrors." But they would be wrong because our boys are NOT that little.

5. I'm bossy and opinionated and I probably over-share far too early in every relationship. That's just part of my charm.

You're probably thinking; "That's not MY problem with the Dubs. MY problem is that they have terrible breathe and they're close-talkers!"

Whatever the case, we do have some redeeming qualities; We're good at making yummy breakfasts, and we like to do fun stuff! And sometimes Doug is really funny when he tries. (And after I've coached him a little.)

But we still need a little help. So here is what I want to know;

*What do you look for in potential friends?
*What attracks you to someone, (or to a couple) that makes you want to get to know him/her (or them) better?
*What are your friend turn-offs?
* Can you, personally, be bought with baked-goods? If so, what kinds?
As an added incentive for you to comment, the person to leave the BEST ADVICE (as determined by Doug and I) will win some HOMEMADE SNICKERDOODLES!!! Because until I know better, I'll just keeping using this method to win friends and influence people. GOOD LUCK!

(Please feel free to comment even if you're a lurker. We need all the help we can get!!! Who know's if people in Japan can be bought with Snickerdoodles!?!?)

(FYI, you do NOT need an account to comment. Just check the "name" circle and type in your name.)

Our First Contest

Doug just posted the FUNNIEST photo ever on his sight. And it inspired me to hold our first ever Photo Caption Contest! There will be a prize and everything, so get on over to his site and enter!