Dear C. Jane

Our Last Post

2011-03-16T09:19:00.001-06:00

Dear C. Jane Readers,

Thank you so much for supporting this blog these past few years! Unfortunately, we won't be updating this blog anymore. Fortunately, we will leave up our archives so you can search for gifts, ideas and treasures.

Wishing you happy hearts!

Love,
C. Jane

p.s. As always, you can find us at our main blog, cjanerun.com

February 2010 Motherlode Winner Is -

2011-03-11T08:25:00.000-07:00

Blogger Sims Family said...

I keep thinking of the Madonna line about satin sheets and just had the thought that I have never owned any satin sheets in 13 year of marriage! Weird! Thanks for the fun giveaway!

sims.whitney at gmail.com

March 1, 2011 9:05 AM

Big congratulations to Sims Family, and thanks to everyone else who entered.

Here's what Sims Family will be set up with:

This February Motherlode comes with all sorts of romance:

1. A ModBod Cami Kit, your choice of two colors! A lightweight fabric (90/10 Cotton and Spandex) keeps the tummy in place and can be worn alone or for layer. A girl's MUST HAVE (I am telling you, your life will never be the same again.)
2. A set of satin sheets from JC Penny. Your choice on size and color/print. Warning, these can be dangerous.
3. Basa Body Kiss Me package comes with pure coconut oil-infused lotion, lip butter, Basa Stick and your selection of natural soaps.
4. Meaghan Smith's The Cricket's Orchestra, you will love and repeat. We do, all day long.
5. The Sabre Rattlers, an album of Americana hymns--with a bluesy, folksy feel.

Sims Family: look for an email. With words like "Winner" and "Congratulations" it may be be in your spam folder. Just sayin'.

Birch Creek Service Ranch

2011-03-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

When I first heard about the Birch Creek Service Ranch I thought two things: one, I wish I could've gone as a teenager, and two, I want to let as many parents know about it as possible. We send our children off to sports camps, dance camps, scout camps (which are all important) but what about a camp where they learn about service? Isn't that a great idea?

I asked Adam Bateman, artist and co-founder of the Birch Creek Service Ranch to write a post about how attending a service camp as a youth impacted him and how parents can get their own children involved.

Grain fields cut into puzzle pieces by the Teton River. Snowy rocky peaks of Grand Teton National Park peeking over lower mountains, everything green and golden. Its early summer, 1989, Teton Valley, Idaho, I’m 14 years old and a good kid and I’m in a vast garden with Lowell L Bennion, already with Parkinson’s and over 80, and Mateo, another 14-year-old boy. Mateo stole my pocketknife two days ago and then gave it back yesterday. Lowell is a legend. I’ve heard his name a dozen times a day since I’ve been three weeks at Bennion Teton Boys Ranch—a ranch he started to teach kids how to work. We are weeding the garden. The weeds look cultivated. They are a deep green and a uniform eight inches tall. When we pull them by the roots like Lowell shows us the soil is dark and damp. Nothing has been planted so we need to clear the entire garden. We’re on our knees and using our hands.

Lowell tells me he started the ranch because three decades earlier, he sent his then teenage boy, Steve, to Teton Valley to work on a friend’s ranch and Steve returned a man.

In those three decades Lowell, a teacher, found a way to purchase land and farm it with a bunch of boys from the city each summer. He also founded the Utah Food Bank and became a well-known humanitarian in Utah. He was famous for wearing the same sweater everyday because he only needed one. He was famous for visiting the sick and the elderly. He taught that people need companionship as much as they need shelter and food. He provided all three for hundreds of people.

* * *

It’s 2010 and I’m at a service event sponsored by the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center and the Utah Food Bank. I’m here because I’m helping take some food to the poor in my car and because I run a camp just like the one Lowell started, his now closed.

A board member for both organizations is talking. He’s talking about how Lowell was able to reach people across generations and across cultural differences. He’s talking about how Lowell worked hard until his death. He is telling a story about a time when Lowell was gardening with two campers at Bennion Ranch who didn’t know how to work. About how he didn’t talk to the boys—he just outworked them and by his example got them to work hard and connected with them. That board member had no idea that one of those boys was in the audience.

It wasn’t working with Lowell that changed my life. It was the two years I spent as a camper at Bennion Ranch and the several years I spent working as a counselor there getting indoctrinated by the principals of community, service, and hard work taught by Lowell.

Birch Creek Service Ranch, in Central Utah, is the ranch I co-founded and based on the program at Bennion Ranch. Now in our ninth summer, we teach good kids—boys and girls—the value of community service and hard work. They spend four hours each morning doing authentic farm work for our needy neighbors. They provide 5000 hours of service each summer. They have fun too. They ride horses and play soccer and make ceramic pots and go backpacking in Utah’s wilderness. They learn to do difficult and worthwhile things and be proud of themselves for doing so. They learn to be better, stronger, less self-centered. Their grades improve in school. They go home less picky eaters. They learn to value community. They learn to serve. They learn about Lowell L Bennion. They learn to garden.

2011 dates are:
Boys Session 1 (JUN 13– JUL 6) 12-15 year old boys

BoysSession 2 (JUL 11– AUG 3) 12-15 year old boys

Girls Session 3* (AUG 5 – AUG 19) 12-15 year old girls

birch creek service ranch (rough cut #1 march 23, 2010) from

Please see here for more information.

Review: Readeo (and a free book!)

2011-03-06T22:29:00.011-07:00

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Have a wee one into reading books or being read to?

Check out my friend Coby's little spot on the web: Readeo.

Readeo is a service you and your kids can use to read books or stories with each other no matter how far apart you are.

Think Skype, but with a library. A children's library with over 130 books, and they're adding new books every week.

It's pretty simple: With a decent internet connection and webcam, the audio/visual is seamless (like Skype, Live Messenger etc.) but the cool part is that the books are shared on both screens, so when the page turns on one end, it turns on the other.

Example video of a bookchat here.

Here's the thing: I was totally skeptical. I thought: "There's no WAY the Chief is going to sit down at my computer with me (or anyone else) and read a book." Especially when he knows there's "wocketship" videos on youtube and that motorcycle videogame I may or may not play too much of.

So I spent a few minutes one day browsing the library, and creating a "bookshelf" for him. I found a book I thought he would like: The Racecar Alphabet.

He LOVED it. Really. So did I actually. It's a great book. REAL cars, lively narrative and snappy prose; what's not to like?

We got done reading and he asked for it again. And then again.

Awesome point: with Skype, he's always making faces at the camera or trying to touch Grandma and Grandpa on the screen or getting bored and generally acting like he's got bees in his head. With Readeo, the book becomes the center of attention.

Brilliant.

Head on over to Readeo and take a look around.

SPECIAL OFFER:
Coby has been kind enough to put together a special deal for C. Jane readers: With membership, you get a free hard copy of the Caldecott Honored book Interrupting Chicken and Readeo will donate a book to a child in need through First Book!

Thanks Coby!

All the info you need is here: http://readeo.com/l/cjane.html

.

Seeing the Good in the Jacksons

2011-03-03T08:15:00.001-07:00

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Here's a bit of warmth for today. There is good in grief, I learned this from Molly Jackson.

p.s. If you live in Utah (or around these parts) The Good Grief foundation is putting on a fundraising concert to help families buy headstones for their children. Click on the poster for more details.

Thanks Jed Wells, and BYUtv for the short.

February 2011 Motherlode!

2011-02-28T06:46:00.002-07:00

This February Motherlode comes with all sorts of romance:

1. A ModBod Cami Kit, your choice of two colors! A lightweight fabric (90/10 Cotton and Spandex) keeps the tummy in place and can be worn alone or for layer. A girl's MUST HAVE (I am telling you, your life will never be the same again.)
2. A set of satin sheets from JC Penny. Your choice on size and color/print. Warning, these can be dangerous.
3. Basa Body Kiss Me package comes with pure coconut oil-infused lotion, lip butter, Basa Stick and your selection of natural soaps.
4. Meaghan Smith's The Cricket's Orchestra, you will love and repeat. We do, all day long.
5. The Sabre Rattlers, an album of Americana hymns--with a bluesy, folksy feel.

To enter:
Just leave us a comment by March 6th midnight Utah time.

(And please tell us how to reach you, should you be the winner! Thanks!)

Dear C. Jane, Will You Tell Me More About the Undershirts You Wear?

2011-02-23T07:34:00.000-07:00

It's true I have a penchant for undershirts. I am a fast friend of Half Tees (as we know) but I do wear my fair share of long shirts for ultimate coverage as well. As it turns out, ModBod is a sponsor this month for Dear C. Jane and in the process I was sent several undershirts to try out on my own. In the privacy of my undershirt area.

Here is the deal: I love them. Soft, almost-silky material that feels nice on my skin. I really hate scratchy cotton undershirts (don't get me started). The cut of the shirts cover more chest area than most I have tried. I dislike wide cut t-shirts that allow for bra strap peekage. If I wanted to show everyone the color of my bra, I'd wear something sheer. You get me? Lastly, they are so long it feels like I am wearing a body suit. I especially love to wear ModBod undershirts with dresses. I feel like it is keeping all of my curves in place as I move. It's almost like Spanx but with the ability to breathe.

Breathe.
Breathing.

Ok.

I am recommending them whole-heartedly. And thanks to the good people at ModBod C. Jane reader's get 25% off their first purchase. I love when that happens.

Click here:

Basa Body Kiss Me Package

2011-02-09T06:02:00.000-07:00

A couple months ago I sat around a table with some girlfriends. Due to our unabashed love for each other, and I suppose our female nature, we were caught in utter silliness. We laughed, teased and cried (a little). Then, one friend dared to tell us about how she washed her body with Basa Body's Cinnamon Spice soap in the shower that morning and felt a fantastic tingle all over her body. It was a sensation very joyous to her soul (if you catch my subtly).
And with that introduction...may I suggest ordering the Basa Body Kiss Me package for this Valentines day? Made with pure coconut oil from Kenya and wrapped up in a lovely little box, this package includes Coconut Body Lotion, a Basa Body stick, lip butter and a bar of alleged "SUPER" soap. Here is how it could...enhance...your Valentine's activities:
The lotion is superb for body massages.
The Basa stick is a natural oil, safe for the body.
Lip butter will soften lips rendering them more kissable.
And the soap--especially the Cinnamon Spice--cleans as it invigorates. Yowzers.

You can order this package here for $34.99.

Enjoy...

Valentine Gift Suggestions: Satin Sheets

2011-02-08T08:18:00.001-07:00

Chup and I have been thinking about Valentine gift suggestions this week. My first thought? Satin sheets.

I think it would be incredibly sexy to get satin sheets from my husband for Valentines Day. Silky, slippy, luxurious. Who doesn't like satin sheets?

Here are some from JC Penny on sale. $44.99 for a king size set!

p.s. Jeanne Pruett likes satin sheets

January 2010 Motherlode WINNER is:-

2011-02-07T10:13:00.006-07:00

SedonaMichelle said...: thanks for the great giveaway!! you guys are the best. michy1027@ymail.com will take your congratulatory email when its time!!! xoxo
January 31, 2011 5:19 PM

Congratulations to SedonaMichelle, and thanks to EVERYONE who entered. With 1512 entries, it was our biggest. YET.

A little reminder of what SedonaMichelle will be receiving:

With this Motherlode you will get all these fantastic things we blogged about this month:
1. Not one, but TWO packages of Bucky Balls!
2. Darlybird's January AND Feburary earrings from the Earrings of the Month Club!
3. $50 shopping spree to Freshly Picked!
4. Ryan Innes fresh album!
5. A perky banner from Annily Green!
6. $25 credit to the etsy shop type type type!

Blue Lily San Diego Gopro Workshop

2011-02-02T11:45:00.004-07:00

Chup here -

I've been trying for 4 days now to come up with some sort of clever story or multi-leveled analogy to detail my extraordinary experience of this last weekend. With no luck.

I spent it on the beach in a photography workshop in San Diego with Wendy and Tyler Whitacre and 11 other people (wonderful, bright, creative, funny people) from as close as around the corner and as far flung as Cape Cod.

You probably know the Whitacres as Blue Lily Photo. Yeah. They're awesome. Super handsome couple in real life.

And tall too.

So. How do you do justice to a weekend full of challenge and creative renewal and new friends and tear-sqeezing, lung-wheezing laughter and learning? Not to mention both terrible and terrific mexican food?

Hyperbole failing, I remembered (Gru: "lightbulb") it was a photography workshop!

And I took a ton of pictures.

Get ready to scroll, baby.

Wendy and Tyler rented a house right on the sand:

As if that were not motivation enough, there was plenty to see, hear and smell. Ambrosia for my drowsy creative conscious. (too much?)

Friday and Saturday we spent part of the day in the beach house listening to Wendy and Tyler detail the history and refinement of their business. They talked about how and why they love photography (people!)

They shared their strategies and ideas -creative and technical- and you never felt like they were keeping the best parts for themselves.

They told stories and showed pictures and answered questions.

We talked cameras and lenses and computers and software and blogging and money and clients and a little philosophy.

They set up 3 photo shoots so we could apply what we were trying to integrate into our own lives or photography or business.

Waiting for the first family to arrive we:

First family's youngest boy:

Second family. Good genes:

End of the first day:

Second day. Wedding practice. This couple has actually been married 5 years:

It was an amazing weekend. Creatively, professionally, relationshipally. Huge thanks to W&T for hosting and sharing. Nostalgic, wistful shouts to my new old friends. I hear there's been talk of a reunion.

I'm all in.

Learn more about Wendy, Tyler and their life altering workshops on their blog: http://bluelily.squarespace.com/

Workshop page here.

Next one is in San Diego coming up February 25-26.

What? I need a refresher.

- Chup out.

January 2011 Motherlode!

2011-01-31T07:56:00.000-07:00

With this Motherlode you will get all these fantastic things we blogged about this month:
1. Not one, but TWO packages of Bucky Balls!
2. Darlybird's January AND Feburary earrings from the Earrings of the Month Club!
3. $50 shopping spree to Freshly Picked!
4. Ryan Innes fresh album!
5. A perky banner from Annily Green!
6. $25 credit to the etsy shop type type type!

Just leave us a comment by February 5th midnight Utah time.

(And please tell us how to reach you, should you be the winner! Thanks!)

St. George Reading Links

2011-01-27T02:09:00.002-07:00

Oh man did we have fun at the St. George Reading. It was so thrilling to meet new people, to listen to new stories and eat new cupcakes. For instance, really good cupcakes.

(Kristin's cupcakes won, hands down.)

I wanted to share a couple of the posts we heard that night. I can't stop thinking about them:

Jenn (who is Justin Hackworth's sister) wrote about sharing a hotel room with five women for an extended period of time. Touching and funny, read it here.

Ronelle (who, with a friend, drove up from California) wrote about her how her dog died when left in the care of a friend. Touching and funny too, read it here. (That's Ronelle and me in the close up shot, from off her blog).

Andrea (who is a kindergarten teacher) wrote about the moment her daughter was born at 26 weeks. Incredible and so personal. I don't think Andrea actually posted the essay on her blog, but you can find similar stories here.

Plus, Haley answered questions about photography. (Pictures should be big on blogs AND close ups are best are two tips to start with.)

And my friend Anne and her mom JoAnn drove down for the evening from Provo. I was amazed. So much love in such a big Rec-center room! Where should we go next?

I am C. Jane Kendrick and I'd like to thank everyone for coming out! I love you. You can contact me personally at cjanemail @ gmail.com or leave comments on my facebook page and if you are on twitter you can find my tweets here. But no pressure.

Annily Green Banner

2011-01-25T01:18:00.001-07:00

We bought one of Annily Green's one-thread banner and it provided the mid-January perk our post-Christmas living room needed. It's modern, it's simple, it's pizazz. Like, like, like.

Plus Chup has this fascination with how she made it--with one continuous thread? Kinda cool.

$10 here.

I am C. Jane Kendrick and I cannot resist banners. They do it for me. You can contact me personally at cjanemail @ gmail.com or leave comments on my facebook page and if you are on twitter you can find my tweets here. But no pressure.

Update

2011-01-18T22:37:00.002-07:00

Here.

I am C. Jane Kendrick and vaaacaaationnn. You can contact me personally at cjanemail @ gmail.com or leave comments on my facebook page and if you are on twitter you can find my tweets here. But no pressure. Especially since I'm on VACATION!

Taking the Day ON Instead of OFF

2011-01-17T02:49:00.001-07:00

I like this idea of not taking the holiday off, but turning our service on. Surely there is something we can do today to show love, respect and brotherly kindness to our community. As Jared Gay from A Day On For Service puts it, "Do something good on a day made for good"

What do you do for MLKJ Day?

I am C. Jane Kendrick and I am inspired to do good on a day made for good. You can contact me personally at cjanemail @ gmail.com or leave comments on my facebook page and if you are on twitter you can find my tweets here. But no pressure.

Air Hogs Hawk Eye

2011-01-14T01:21:00.002-07:00

Chup here.

This week: Another item from my Christmas wish list. The Air Hogs Hawk Eye.

My parents picked this up for me for Christmas. Which is good, because C. Jane won't buy me toys anymore. I'm just saying.

Overall I'm pretty pleased with this little heli. I've owned -I don't know- 10 of these toy-grade helicopters since they became popular a couple of years ago, and this one is about the best flying. (Read: you can actually control it. Somewhat.)

AND, it has a video camera.

The GOOD:

-Nice, stable flight. The helicopter, once spun-up will leave your hand and begin a slow, steady forward flight. You affect altitude with the left stick and left/right turns with the right stick. You can actually trim the little bird out to fly in a gentle circle. The Chief LOVES it. "I try, Daddy?"

-Robust-ness. Almost said robustiness. That would've been funny. And totally inappropriate. You will crash it. I've crashed mine a bunch and it's still flies great. Foam body, plastic landing gear, blades and linkage all take a beating. The connectors are tough as well. Actual USB docking connection between helicopter and controller, and mini-USB from controller to computer.

-Pretty dummy proof. The helicopter charges in it's cradle through a USB cable that you can plug into a wall adapter (iphone charger anyone?) Same for transferring pictures and video. To transfer vids/pics, just plug it in and it shows up as a removable drive. On a pc. Don't have a mac to test it. Wonder if it'd work on an ipad?

-Cool controller. There are 2 shoulder buttons on the controller. Left one takes snapshots. Right one starts and stops video. Cool.

The BAD:

-Left/Right controls are not super proportional. Meaning they're basically on/off. Meaning not smooth. Meaning sometimes your videos will make Grandma sick. Which could also be fun.

-NO audio. Bummer.

-Infra-red controls. Common to toy-grade helicopters but lacking in response and precise-y-ness. Lots of lag in throttle inputs.

-Video or pictures in low light conditions is lack luster. NARF!

-Not great outdoors. Very sensitive to even a small breeze. And to light (see infra-red controls.)

-Your two-year old can probably fly it better than you.

I'm Chup and I live vicariously through my toys. But C. Jane won't buy me any.

You can contact C. Jane personally at cjanemail @ gmail.com or leave comments on her facebook page and if you are on twitter you can find her tweets here. But no pressure.

Macy's First Impressions Gift Set Review by a Baby

2011-01-13T00:01:00.005-07:00

So, I don't know, decades ago maybe, Macy's contacted me about reviewing a product. I usually don't respond to review emails (except the FREE FRIDGE ONES!!!) but this one was called First Impressions Gift Set--a whole set of goods for a baby. And as my procreation time table would have it, I had just birthed a specimen of my own. So I said, "Send one over!"

Which they did. It came in a white box and inside that white box was an "outfit from the Satin Hanger Collection, a five-piece layette set from the Everyday Value Collection and an adorable plush animal" just like they promised.

Only, it was for a little boy.

Lucky for me, my friend La Yen had her procreation time table set slightly later than mine, and she had a boy. So I sent her the package for her to review.

And she should win mother of the year, her bright-eyed son Waldo Jr. is only a couple months here and he's already reviewing products and using his Flip video.

Untitled from Jennifer Galan on Vimeo.

Sneaky guy, I saw that.

I am C. Jane Kendrick and I have to say, this is a perfect idea for a baby shower gift. Easy and simple. You can contact me personally at cjanemail @ gmail.com or leave comments on my facebook page and if you are on twitter you can find my tweets here. But no pressure.

Dear C. Jane, Motherhood Transitions?

2011-01-12T00:01:00.004-07:00

Page, Me (Ever), Stephanie and Lucy shortly after Ever was born. 

Dear C. Jane,

If you get a moment...which was a more complicated transition? Having no kiddos to one? Or one kiddo to two?

Nicole in Maine

--------------------------------------------------------------

Nicole,

I thought one child to two was nothing short of brutal, however "they" all tell me it's two to three that does a soul in. I think my difficulties came because I wasn't emotionally ready for the sacrifice it takes to care for two humans. Alone time gets severely shrunk, and oh man, I like my alone time. So for me, the transition called for some grieving of what was lost (including those golden hours with the one child).

And I think there is some post traumatic stress involved in birthing, how could there not be? The line between ultimate beauty and tragedy is so thin and we walk it ever so close in those first few weeks or even months. It's a wonder how we all survived, our mothers included.

I've learned something beautiful about this postpartum stage that I didn't realize before. When my sister Lucy had her second baby just last month, my oldest sister Page took over her care. Page made certain that someone was with Lucy, at her house for three weeks straight. She set up a schedule, called, reminded, and asked everyone in the family to pitch in (Yay oldest sisters!) My sister-in-law Lisa (also an oldest sister) has always preached that the new mom must have constant care and food, now I get it. I resolve to be a better help to those new mothers in that vulnerable stage. And if I get to have another baby, I resolve to also accept that care.

In the meantime, I am actively searching a spiritual answer to two questions: why the pregnancy sickness and why the postpartum blues/depression? There must be a purpose in this. And why does it only come to some and not others? 

Now, for a treat. This post by my pregnant friend Azucar about her proactive decision to start caring for her postpartum self now. Click here to read her battle plan.

Thanks for asking,

C. Jane

I am C. Jane Kendrick and I want a million babies, but not a million postpartums. You can contact me personally at cjanemail @ gmail.com or leave comments on my facebook page and if you are on twitter you can find my tweets here. But no pressure.

Something to do While you are Waiting at the Dentist's Office

2011-01-11T01:02:00.002-07:00

I am going to be writing a weekly column for the Deseret News, my first column here, came out this evening. It's about how I overcame some difficulties to be the model citizen I am today. Ok, it's sorta about that.

Here are some things I'd like to write about: Sarah Palin, My Dad, briefcases and clementines.

Wowzers, there's a list to look forward to!

Also, did you know you can contribute your own writings to the Deseret News (and other Deseret Media-Ksl, Mormon Times) by logging on to Deseret Connect and submitting your work? Utah residency is not required.

Seize the day!

I am C. Jane Kendrick and contrary to recent reports, self-promotion always feels weird. You can contact me personally at cjanemail @ gmail.com or leave comments on my facebook page and if you are on twitter you can find my tweets here. But no pressure.

Darlybird's Earring of the Month Club

2011-01-10T00:01:00.012-07:00

I fantasize about a colorful box showing up at my house once a month. Inside that box are fantastic earrings--handcrafted and smartly designed. And I think about being able to give a pair to my sister for her birthday, or my friend just because, or keep them all to myself . . . if I really love them. And if they are Darlybird, I just might.

$8.25 for a pair of gorgeous earrings in the mail every month?
I hate to be cliche, but honey you deserve it.

I am C. Jane Kendrick and sign me up. You can contact me personally at cjanemail @ gmail.com or leave comments on my facebook page and if you are on twitter you can find my tweets here. But no pressure.

Chup: Bucky Balls

2011-01-07T00:42:00.001-07:00

Hey, hi. Chup here with the post-holiday wish-list report.

While I wasn't exactly holding my breath thinking Santa would drop off my STi this year, I was definitely hoping for some of the other -less spendy- things on my list.

Hello, BuckyBalls.

I've been a bit of a magnet nerd for...well a long time. Nerdy like scouring Chinese websites for cheap magnets.

And I was happy with my humble magnet collection. Discs, cubes, rectangles and spheres. Large and small. Ceramic. Ferrite. Neodymium. And Rare earth, Oh Yeah!

What little I do know about magnets makes me appreciate Buckyballs: they're super strong, and the coating doesn't chip. Most every other source I've tried fails in one or both categories.

Funny: my parents bought me a set for Christmas.

And then my brother and I didn't put them down for 3 days.

Then my dad felt bad and bought my brother his own set.

Then I felt bad and bought my dad his own set.

Merry Christmas, Buckyballs.

What do you do with them?

Duh.

Dunno really what else I can say about Buckyballs other than: buy some.

Most places (like their site) are around $30. Occasionally woot.com has a two-fer for $30 plus $5 shipping.

There are some other names out there: Neocube and Zen Magnets. Haven't tried either of these (yet!) But Zen makes some pretty convincing arguments. Funny. If you're nerd.

Oh yeah, evidently they can mess up your intestines.

Gratuitous macro fun:

I'm Chup and I'm made of non-ferrous material.

Ryan Innes Call to Arms

2011-01-06T00:01:00.002-07:00

My friends told me Ryan's voice was ear candy, and my ears are licking up this song:

Call to Arms by Ryan Innes

More Ryan Innes music on iLike

I am C. Jane Kendrick and I am a solider in love. You can contact me personally at cjanemail @ gmail.com or leave comments on my facebook page and if you are on twitter you can find my tweets here. But no pressure.

BOM Reading Charts

2011-01-05T00:01:00.007-07:00

I went to order some new Book of Mormon (aka Nie's favorite book) from type type type Etsy shop and I was pleased to see some new colors (Hello Orange, I adore!) I'm ordering some for the Book of Mormon readers in my life. (Well, not all the Book of Mormon readers in my life because that would probably be zillions. But even still, it wouldn't be that expensive, these prints are kindly cheap.)

See the new palette here and other colors there.

[LDS tip] Get your YM and YW a mutual theme 13th Article of Faith print in all sorts of swirling colors, here.

I am C. Jane Kendrick and I am a Book of Mormon reader. You can contact me personally at cjanemail @ gmail.com or leave comments on my facebook page and if you are on twitter you can find my tweets here. But no pressure.

Newness Around Here + Major Announcement!

2011-01-04T00:01:00.009-07:00

Welcome to a new year of Dear C. Jane! Huzzah! Here are some changes in the way we are operating this year:

1. We changed the title a bit. We're calling this a "Guide to Life" but Chup thinks the tagline "A Simple Guide to a Simple Life" is sorta misleading. I see his point, because who really leads a simple life? And if there is someone out there doing just that, I'd like to read their blog. But no matter, we want to include more than just products around here--like lifestyle choices and happy thoughts. Free stuff, basically.

2. Like all my blogs, this site will be under construction as we get ready to roll out a new C. Jane look. Please pray for us, and excuse our dust.

3. We are hoping to get out and meet readers this year. With this will bring little travel guides as we go. We hope readers will point us in the best directions. Readers never fail--neither does charity.

4. We are going to be earnest in our Monthly Motherlodes. 11 winners for 2011 is our goal. If you are a newbie, Monthly Motherlodes is a giveaway at the end of the month that usually includes all the stuff we blogged about in that month. It's the motherlode of all giveaways, get it? Huzzah? Huzzah!

5. I use "we" and "our" a lot but most days it's really "me" and "only me" running this operation. (rude. ed: (chup))

6. We'll still be answering questions (something I've been lazy about in recent months) every Wednesday. And we'll try to include your "Where did Nie Nie get her...wallpaper, woodland animals, fish tank, can opener, toothpick, sieve..." questions.

7. That leads me to my major announcement: Chup will be posting every Friday! Huzzah again! Guy guides, buying guides, techy stuff, geek stuff, books, movies, photography "ask a man" junk all of it. Did Friday just become your favorite day?

We are now accepting advertising for this special blog. Email me at cjanemail @ gmail .com for rates. I have heard advertising with C. Jane is life changing. What? I am only repeating what I heard.

I am C. Jane Kendrick and I tried to get to 10 on this list, but that's all I got. You can contact me personally at cjanemail @ gmail.com or leave comments on my facebook page and if you are on twitter you can find my tweets here. But no pressure.