I hope you have a beverage and snack for this long-winded post. You’re gonna need it! There’s also a chance to win something!!

Despite how you spell it, today is a day for tying up a few loose ends around here; it’s a good day for playing catch-up.

1.) My Two Boys is giving away one fabulous stocking stuffer from Hazelnut Kids. At My Two Boys, you will find comprehensive posts on autism-spectrum disorders and ways in which to enhance the lives of children suffering from the disease. Even though Jacob has never been diagnosed as clinically autistic, the mere fact that he has twice tested on the edge of the spectrum has left me feeling quite appreciative of the struggles other parents and caregivers face on a daily basis. There are days when I feel entrenched in disorderly conduct, but I know Jacob’s “problems” are nothing compared to what other children must endure. *On an aside about Jacob, my neighbor, Dave, graciously gifted us a certificate to a mutual neighbor who performs cranio-sacral massage. Dave’s friend has a son suffering from Asperger’s. Apparantly, this child receives frequent massages, and it helps to “center” the child. When I spoke on the phone with the therapist yesterday, her perception of Jacob, having met him over the summer, was that he “has a difficult time being comfortable in his own body.” Uh, don’t I know it? This is an interesting article which depicts Jacob fairly accurately, as it describes those children on the autism spectrum. Jacob’s appointment is December 14th, so I will be sure to document how his session goes.*

2.) The holidays are soon upon us, Friends! Have you begun shopping yet? We’re tightening our purse strings this year, for sure, and I am thankful that we budgeted for gifts, food, and holiday-related expenses beforehand. Consider giving handmade items this year from etsy and other sites. You’ll be surprised at just how budget-friendly they are. Want to know what I’ve purchased so far? This piggy bank. This crown and this crown and this crown. This tutu and this tutu. These puzzles. This hat. These puppets. To-be-purchased, something from here.

These gifts are for the little ones in both my immediate family and my extended family. When you have two sisters who’ve procreated and a SIL who’s procreated, in addition to the three children you, yourself, have produced as a result of procreation, all of a sudden there are TEN children, aged 10 months - 8 years for whom to buy goodies. A few of these gifts are also birthday presents for those few children who must share their birthday milestone with the holiday season.

I have purchased six bags from byKimLane. (and one for me) SIX!!! Well, I took advantage of her 50% off sale and scored SIX bags for less than $20 each!! By the way, you MUST buy this bag in the corduroy spots. I am a HUGE sucker for corduroy and nearly peed my pants when I saw and felt the bag. Before Kim sent my purchase out, she emailed me and said I would especially like the corduroy print. BOY, WAS SHE RIGHT!! I have come to the conclusion that I *love* handbags the way that some women love shoes. Not just any handbags, though. byKimLane, handbags!!

Don’t forget to take advantage of my 10% off coupon code for eBeanstalk. I used mine when I purchased this and this and this. Make sure you use the code WOOLGATHERINGS at checkout.

Remember what the ONE thing is I want this year?? I mentioned it in a post not too long ago. The first one to identify the correct item will receive a FREE, BRAND NEW copy of The Gift of the Magi, purchased especially for one of you, dear readers. (it’s also a reward for having read this far down, too)

3.) Now, the moment for which you’ve all been waiting. Or maybe not. The name! The name! I appreciate the many comments I received on this post in regards to choosing a moniker. With much careful consideration, I do believe I have to go with Lis Garrett. Oh, how I thought about this. In the morning. In the afternoon. Late in the evening. In the middle of the night. Many of you made compelling arguments and even emailed me personally with suggestions. With my most sincere gratitude, I appreciate your thoughts and opinions. It’s unfortunate that, as a child born in 1977, I ended up with the name, Melissa Renee. In case you didn’t know, Melissa was one of the most popular, if not THE most popular, names of that year. It may have been second only to the name, Jennifer, which happens to be the name of my older sister. Gawd, mom! For someone who has creative juices pouring from her fingertips, the well was surely dry when came time to fill in our birth certificates. I *hated* my name as a child. It could have been the result of having no less than two other girls named Melissa in my class at any given time. I even went to highschool with another Melissa Renee who, thankfully, went by Lisa. My best friend’s name is Melissa, for crying out loud!

So it is unfortunate that I have a common name. Pair that with my maiden name, Luznicky, and there is a whole new mess of problems. It’s been almost nine years since I’ve written that last name, and I miss it not one ounce. Nevermind the fact that I had teachers who told me I wasn’t pronouncing it correctly (luz nes key - long u sound). When I assumed the last name of Garrett, I was ecstatic to leave my old self behind. Sorry, dad.

I mentioned to a few friends in private emails that Melissa Garrett is a horribly common name for someone who does not wish to be a horribly common writer. That’s it. Plain and simple.

So Lis Garrett it is. I like it. I can work with it. It’s short, simple, and sweet. Just like I am.

(inhale. one two three. exhale. one two three.)

Are you still with me?

Let me preface my next question with a few statements. In addition to my contract work writing online content and the two possible writing gigs I have coming up in the new year (keeping fingers crossed), I would like to focus on writing reviews/promotions. Most of you can tell by now how much I love gushing about other bloggers and products. And if you happen to be a blogger who sells products ~ whoa!! I’m a genuinely nice person, and I like to spread nice feelings around. I like to establish a sense of connection for my readers, whether it be to another person or a something I feel might make your life easier or better.

While I would like to keep this personal blog for talking about non-writing related activities, such as recipes and crafts and memes (yes, I *will* complete the memes for which I’ve been tagged), I would also like to have a spot to write reviews, how-to articles, maybe host advertisers. One of the disadvantages of WordPress is that you cannot advertise on your site. While I don’t often care for blog heavily laden with advertisements (the writing HAS to be compelling for me to stay), I wouldn’t mind being associated with Blogher. I am seriously considering starting another site for Lis Garrett, either on Blogger or TypePad which would be STRICTLY a writing site. There would be tips on writing and publishing, how-to articles, reviews, etc. Another blog?! I know. I hear you moaning at the thought. If you have NO interest in writing, don’t fret. I don’t plan on giving up this site. As for reviews, I would post them both there and here. So if you ever want to purchase a review, you would get twice the exposure. Got it?(inhale. one two three. exhale. one two three.)

Almost done. I promise.

I have to tell you that the only reason I have been able to write this much is because Bridget is taking an early morning nap. GASP! That never happens.

So my question is, how do you feel about Blogger vs TypePad? Additionally, who could I hire to help me design a logo that would reflect a sense of creative professionalism? I’m not stuffy, yet I’m not juvenile. I need something in between. I’m not Ann Taylor. I’m not American Eagle. I’m GAP. (although I shop at Target - LOL!)

Help me out, Friends. What are your opinions about the whole thing?

My head is about to explode, either as a result of all these ideas bouncing around . . . or the near 30 ounces of coffee I have consumed this morning.