favorite apps

First of all I wanted to thank you all for your thoughtful comments and emails you sent regarding my seeing the everyday class at squam. I am most grateful for your support, encouragement, and love. It means more to me than you know. Thank you!

So I've had several people ask me lately what apps I use the most (I'm thinking maybe a tablet is in their immediate future--good for them). Aside from some of the apps that come with the iphone/ipad, like maps, web, & calendar, here are a few of my favorites.

All apps free unless specified.

2Do paid
I've owned this app longer than any of the others and I'd say it's by far the one I use the most. It's my go to, the thing that keeps me organized, on time, and on top of my life. It's sad, but I'm not sure how I'd do it all without it.


instagram
So far it's been my favorite way to share my iphone photos and have quite enjoyed catching up with friends through their iphotos. Of course there is always a lot of greatness to find on there as well. It can be easy to get lost.

SketchBook Express
My favorite app for drawing or doodling or just messing around. My girls are quite fond of it as well. I only have the free version, which is perfect for someone like me, but I know the paid version gives you so much more. I have watched a ton of speed drawings on youtube lately and it's amazing to see what some artists can do with just an ipad and their finger.

Moviefone
The best way, in my opinion, to look up movies past, in theaters, and coming soon. It's got an easy interface and lets you rate movies like goodreads.

Pulse
The perfect way to stay up to date with your favorite websites, news, and/or blogs. It is much like a reader where you can quickly scan for articles you want to read and it presents the article in a pleasing clean interface. You can share the articles and easily save them for future reading. The only downside I have seen is it limits the amount of blogs you can follow. Perhaps they have a paid version, I've never looked.

Yelp
I have never been disappointed when using this app to locate a delicious restaurant, even if it does take you to an Indian restaurant attached to a convenient store. I have to admit, I was a little intimidated (Adam not so much), but it was some of the best Indian.

Scriptures paid
Love having this on the go.

imapmyrun
This app was invaluable to me when training for my 1/2 marathon. I never needed to drive my route ahead of time to figure out how far to go--it tracked me through gps. I loved how it would tell me my pace and how far I had gone (a function you can have on/off). I haven't used it since November, but I will when I get back into it.

Ringtone Maker
A free way to make your own unique ringtones. Super easy and addicting.

Pinterest & Etsy
Need I say more? Both of these can be very dangerous.

Moodboard or Corkulous
These two apps I am currently debating about. They are both excellent ways to collect ideas which is what I'm in the market for. I wish I could combine the two--Corkulous looks more appealing (I love the file cabinet), but moodboard has more functions I want, like making a pallete and pulling ideas from the web. What to do? Do any of you have one of these apps??


Do you use apps, if so, what are you favorites??

loving right now

Mormon Channel
I downloaded this app on my phone when it first came out and used it to listen to conference talks and even the Ensign. It wasn't until a few months ago that I started listening to the actually radio and discovered all the fabulous programs they had available. I listen to it everyday now--when I'm getting ready, cleaning the house, driving, working on photos, etc. I have come to love the spontaneous messages that come up as so many of them are ones I need to hear. It is available at the apple store free and I know it's available for other devices as well. Check it out.

apple TV
Recently Adam and I both discovered we were going to give the other Apple TV for Christmas (long story). After laughing about how funny that would have been to exchange the same gift (and him telling me he wouldn't have wanted it--nice), I walked into my closet, pulled it out of it's hiding place, and started setting it up. Since the cat was out of the bag I figured apple TV, as a gift, was off the table so why not enjoy it now--and enjoy I am. Last night I sat on the couch while the girls danced to music (controlled through my iphone) and watched my photos randomly stream from my flickr account. We were so caught up in the memory of each one saying, remember when..., I couldn't believe more than an hour had gone by. I must add, it sure didn't take long for Adam to appreciate the awesomeness that apple TV is. Once I got him acquainted with everything he could do with it he was, shall I say, hooked. Turns out, not such a bad gift after all.


the lights
I think it's been well established, for better or worse, that I lack patience so it should be no surprise that yesterday we succumbed and started decorating the house. I know it's a little early, ok quite early, but we were all in agreement--it had to be done. What a delight it was to come from church with the lights and glow of the holiday season. I know some think it takes away from Thanksgiving, but I think it's the perfect accompaniment to both holidays. We're loving it.

this talk | education for real life by President Eyring
"Your life is carefully watched over, as was mine. The Lord knows both what He will need you to do and what you will need to know. He is kind and He is all-knowing. So you can with confidence expect that He has prepared opportunities for you to learn in preparation for the service you will give. You will not recognize those opportunities perfectly, as I did not. But when you put the spiritual things first in your life, you will be blessed to feel directed toward certain learning, and you will be motivated to work harder. You will recognize later that your power to serve was increased, and you will be grateful.


the snow
The snow not only helps create the holiday mood, but it allows the kids to get out of the house and stay active. I never thought of it like this until yesterday, but my girls won't go outside in the cold unless there is something pushing them to, and snow is the perfect excuse. They spent a good portion of the afternoon sledding down the hill across from our home and came in exhausted and ready for a low key evening.

holiday messages
I bought a bag of dove dark chocolates for our advent calendar and am ashamed to say the bag is almost gone. I've enjoyed the messages on the inside of the packaging as much as the chocolate themselves. Guess I need to go buy a new bag. I think I'll wait till next week so there isn't near the temptation.

the fire
Our fall wasn't as cold as it has been in the past so we haven't had a lot of fires up to this point. Tonight after much convincing from the girls, we enjoyed the warmth and mood that only a fire can provide. It definitely has a way of drawing everyone together and we spent the evening hanging out in one anothers company--well that is until I had to leave.

bottle it up

I came around the corner the other day and walked straight into this scene. Megan has recently discovered an old ipod that has thought to be extinct, but with most things Megan touches, it has somehow come back to life. She's been quite excited about her discovery and we've often found her roaming the house with ear buds dancing or mumbling the tunes the best she can.



When I saw her there I couldn't help but think of this summer day in 2006. She was almost 2 years old and quite enchanted with the little box that brought music to her ears. I'd like to think not much has changed since then, and if I was just looking at the ear buds and the ipod I'd say nothing has, but the photo tells a different tale. It's funny, when I look at it now after all this time, I realize that's the way I see her--still itty bitty, still in constant need of me. If I didn't have these photos for proof it would almost be hard to believe this much time has past. How come it doesn't feel that way? How come so much life can happen in five years and yet when you look back it seems like just the other day? It's good to know whether or not time speeds up or slows down that we are all moving together.

Here I sit reminiscing about the past, but as I look back at that first photo from the other day I can so easily see Megan in her future. A teenager with spunk and sass ready to take on the world. It's good to know I don't have to be ready for that just yet (not sure I ever will) and I can enjoy her smallness for a little while longer. Right now I can't get enough of where we're all at. I love this stage--the ease before life starts to become complicated with emotions, friends, and hard decisions.

I love it here, I wish I could bottle it up.

out with the old in with the new

So anyone that has seen my computer knows I have an 8 years old (can you even fathom how old that is) CRT monitor that is so big I have to use an enormous table so all my equipment will fit. I have secretly been wanting a new one for a really time (several years). About a week ago I realized my monitor was starting to look different. The picture was bad and the color off. I thought maybe one of the girls played with the settings, but that wasn't it. When I spoke to Adam the other night he also said he noticed it so I knew it wasn't just me and my secret wanting.

So there you have it. My monitor is dying and I am forced to go find a new one. What luck right? Hee hee. I am very excited since I can actually afford something much nicer than I would have been able to years ago when LCD screen were new technology. So of the things I need to do today this is on the top of the list. I actually looked at costco yesterday which had a great selection. They have a great one that will be on sale in a month, but they're not even carrying it now. I am not sure what to do as that is a month away. I sort of want one now. I am going to check of few more stores and then decide what to do. I will either be coming home with one or I will get one later. The point is...goodbye to my old gigantic monitor.

Hooray!

can't live without...or at least i don't want to.

So I have been thinking about jill's post...the no TV for a week experiment and whether or not I could. I do believe I would have no problem. The kid thing might get a bit hairy as I feel it's the one time I get a break. Anyway, it's got me thinking about the things in life I can't live without...on a permant basis.

so here's my list: keeping in mind these are strickly material items and in no particular order.

1. my computer. I could not live without my computer. I find comfort in it. It connects me to other people, places I would not normally have in my life. I have thoroughly enjoyed the blog community and how it constantly keeps me thinking. There is so much information and so much to learn that the computer make available to someone who is constantly at home. I could not do without it.

2. my ipod. It has really change the way I listen to music in a big way. I do enjoy the quiet as I rarely get it, but I also enjoy the way music makes me feel. How it changes my mood in an instant. It keeps me going. It holds with it loads of memories just waiting. I love that.

3. long and lean jeans. if I could. If it were fashionably ok. I would wear my long and lean jeans everyday. I love them. They are so comfortable and I love the way they fit me. I am such a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal. It is a must have for me.

4. chocolate. I don't know if the world could exist without the pure rich delicate taste of chocolate. My mouth waters just thinking about it. I must have some everyday and I do. Without fail after lunch and dinner I always pop something chocolaty in my mouth.

5. my camera. I have fallen in love with taking pictures all over again. The ability it gives you to stop time in its tracks. To hold onto the memories that are long since gone. It's priceless to me. I also love the work. The challenge. The excitement of getting that one good shot.

6. paper. I love using my hands to work. To create. It makes it feel real. I love the colors and textures paper provides. I feel like such a complex person these days I could not go without creating. Letting my feelings out on paper is very therapeutic. I don't want to know me without it. i need it.