I've got something cool to give away! Soon after publishing my post about the VoiceQuilt, I received an e-mail from Holly at VoiceQuilt, offering up a VoiceQuilt Christmas Memories Audio CD Folio ($29.95 value) as a giveaway for my readers. Of course I took Holly up on her offer and now have the giveaway details posted on my Giveaways page. Check it out and enter to win!

On another note, I've not been posting a whole lot about my sweet Bubby lately, since he was down with the horrid flu and photos just weren't in the cards. But he's all better now, for the most part (he's still a tad rundown), and Megan has graciously sent me some recent photos of the cutie.

Here's a shot of Bubby during a visit to the zoo while spending Thanksgiving week with his Nana and Poppy (Preston's parents):

What a big boy, he is! I can't wait to see him -- in TEN DAYS!

And last but not least on this busy Tuesday morning is ...

Today's question from "The Christmas Conversation Piece":

If, as the winner of a Christmas contest, you were given five minutes in one of the following three departments to haul away as many items as you could physically carry out the door, which department would you choose -- consumer electronics, home furnishings and accessories, or sports equipment and attire? (Assume that you cannot solicit the help of a salesperson.)

My answer: I'd be all over that consumer electronics department! I'm pretty sure I could carry a laptop, a Wii and a PS3 without any help from a salesperson!

I came across an online ad for something called a VoiceQuilt, and the name piqued my interest just because I thought it must be some kind of goofy, cheesy, grandma gift.

Well, it is a grandma gift, but it's actually pretty cool. If you're imagining homemade quilts with pictures drawn by the kids all sewn up with love -- like I pictured -- that is so not what this is. The VoiceQuilt isn't a quilt at all. And rather than try to explain the concept, I'll just share the video from the company:

I think this is a great idea for families spread across the globe. I'm fortunate in that my girls are relatively close (despite my constant whining about the 819 miles between me and my Bubby!) but I know there are some readers who have kids and grandkids scattered in far reaches of the world. And those kids should really consider pooling their dollars and creating one of these nifty keepsakes for Mom.

It's also a good idea for extended families with lots of little ones because the sound of a grandchild's voice (when it's not screaming or crying or complaining or whining!) is the sweetest music to a grandma's ear.

And it's an awesome gift for weddings, graduations, birthdays -- especially those milestone birthdays.

Prices aren't bad, ranging from $16 to $200. If you're interested, you can find more info on the VoiceQuilt website.

Two notes: I have no affiliation whatsoever with VoiceQuilt; I just thought it was a cool idea ... and one folks need to get a start on now in order to give it for Christmas. AND, a note specifically to my daughters: Yes, this is a cool gift, but it honestly is not one I want ... at least not this year!