New Year's Resolution - Security in '08

I think a great New Year's resolution to go along with the weight loss and money management resolutions that we all have is to be more computer security conscious in 08... ok so I guess it sounds corny now, but trust me... the more advanced hackers become, the more threats there are to us as we surf the web and shop online.

A couple of tips that I think you should plan for in 08....

-Buy a security suite for your computer... we have arrived at the time where antivirus is no longer enough for a home computer. Antispyware, AntiMalware, AntiSpam.. yes it all slows down your computer - but so does spyware, malware and spam... so make the smart choice.

-Check your credit - go to equifax.com or one of those places that let you get your credit history for free and DO IT.... make sure someone isn't using your credit cards without you even knowing.

-Investigate LifeLock - www.lifelock.com - GREAT TOOL!!!

-Wipe your PC. Ok so not all of us can do this - but maybe pay someone to do it (preferably not me) but seriously this needs to be done every once in awhile to clean out all the garbage that you get piled up as you surf the web.... do this in conjunction with my first posting

-Change your passwords and download keepass - how long has your password been the same as your bank pin your voicemail password... etc... seriously CHANGE IT!

But seriously - have a great new year and try to be safe when surfing and shopping online.

Welcome to 2008

Welcome to 2008... I am still not sure what the theme is for this New Year, last year I was excited to be done with school, this year I am starting teaching but ... still don't know how all of that will go.... so I haven't decided what 2008 will be yet - but I know one thing, it will be March before I remember to write 08 on everything. I just got used to 07.

Had to go back to work today after a much needed long vacation.... Bill & I were couch potatoes for most of the break, just hanging out, playing our new Wii and watching football and movies. It was great, I am pretty sure it was the most consecutive time we have spent at home in over a year.

We did buy a new Wii before the holidays and since neither of us are really videogame people it has been funny trying to figure out how to play. I am addicted to the mario galaxy game which I am sure anyone who has played the original Mario would love. It is 3d and if you can imagine, Mario walks around worlds and is upside down and sideways, making it very interesting to try to control him. Also, the Wii remote controls are different than any other remote. For example when bownling you move the remote just as you would bowl, tennis you swing - forehand and back, etc.... so at least it is amusing at all times.

Not much else happening right now, other than a ton of snow in my road and driveway.... but Friday morning I will be heading down to sunny Florida for work, so maybe I will catch some sun and sand down there .....

Here's hoping your New Year was great and wishing you luck on your New Years resolutions, whatever they may be.

Last Christmas Post of 2007

Check it out.... Cole & Lexi

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1606367223

Favorite Book Review

So who out there has an ipod? (mom I know you don't know what an ipod is.... it's an .mp3 payer that you listen to music on)...

Well.... Bill & I have realized that there is something better than music to listen to on the ipod..... audio books. Since there is nothing on TV ever we have been listening to audio books as we go to sleep and let me tell you it is great... I also love to listen to them when I am doing household chores... makes the time go much faster.

So here is my reccomendation for you if you still need to get yourself a Christmas present... http://www.audible.com/ and check out all of the audio books that are available. They will go on any type of .mp3 player as long as it has enough storage capacity.

I also wanted to reccomend to you readers out there - 2 of my alltime favorite books by Ken Follett...

If you don't want to take my word for it - ask Oprah - Pillars is her Oprah's book club pick of the month... http://www2.oprah.com/obc_classic/featbook/pote/obc_featbook_pote_main.jhtml

If anyone has read any great books lately that they couldn't put down - send me an email... I am looking for something that can top these 2 and I know it will be hard!

The Pillars of the Earth

&

World Without End

It's About Time....

I almost forgot to tell all of you about the BIG NEWS of the Christmas season.... Trevor & Cindi are engaged..... I haven't heard the details yet but in the words of my Grandpa... It's about time!!

Here's a great picture I took of the ring :-)

Merry Christmas to all

Christmas day...

Bill & I went to my parents house for Christmas with my family... we had a great time and as always ate way too much food.....

Santa found his way to 052 (Fulton) and brought some presents for Cole & Lexi... obviously they were good this year as you will see from the pictures of their presents...

Cole with his NEW Air Hockey Table!

Lexi with her NEW Pink John Deere Tractor and Wagon

The big hit of the evening was a deer hunting game that Cole got which hooks up to the TV and there is a shotgun that you use to "shoot" the deer. At one point a bear "attacked" Cole and he was a little scared and threw the gun to Bill who finished off the bear right before he ate Cole...

Everyone had to try their hand at the shooting game and there was plenty of free advice from everyoen... it was a complete riot.

Christmas Eve Bruch & Presents

Christmas Eve morning Bill & I were up early baking, cooking and shopping in preparation for Christmas with Lyz, Jarrod, Rilley, Lilly, Kevin & Angela.... the food was great, wish I would have taken a picture of the yummy hashbrown quiche - if you want the recipe send me an email and I will share it... GREAT!

After all the food, we realized Santa had found our house a day early and Rilley and Lilly got some toys and presents to play with....

Somehow Angela guessed that one of her presents was Belvadier Vodka before she even opened it... OK Vodka maybe but BELVADIER???? How she guessed that we do not know... but we are a little worried.

Lyz and Jarrod got Bill a much needed boot warmer and me a beautiful sweater. Kevin & Angela got us accessories for our Wii so there is no way we can back out now... Wii bowling league here we come!