Finally...

Post contributed by Noah Schmidt

Comparing dish vscable has been a full time job for me lately and it’s because I want to get this TV thing right. Watching BRAVO is the closest thing to a hobby I have since I work so much and I want to ensure I’ve got all the channels I need as well as DVR so I’ll never miss an episode of Housewives or Millionaire Matchmaker. My boss is running me ragged lately with all the new clients but you know, there’s something to be said for putting in your dues young so you won’t have to worry about doing it once you’re older. I don’t have time to get out and meet people the way things are so me and Andy Kohen are going to just have a TV relationship at home – that’s good enough for me! One day I’ll want to get in a relationship and have kids and all that but for now I’m going to keep working my butt off in hopes of that promotion I hear rumors of.

Slim-Fast 3•2•1 Plan

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Slim-Fast for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Slim-Fast has a new plan, and I am super excited to try it out.  It's called their 3•2•1 Plan.  Simply put, you can have two shakes or meal bars, one 500 calorie regular meal, and three snacks.  For your snacks, you can choose from Slim-Fast's 100-calorie snack bars, fruits, nuts or veggies.  As an overweight woman, I can tell you that being able to eat is a big factor in sticking to a meal plan. 

I tried Slim-Fast years ago, and back then, you could only have one meal a day and two shakes.  I found it hard to drink two meals.  I never felt full.  Plus, the shakes were kind of gross.  I was given the opportunity to try one of their new shakes for free, and I have to say, it was pretty good.  My kids liked them, too.  Brandi tried one, and said it tasted like a chocolate shake.  There are five different flavors now, as opposed to the basic chocolate and vanilla of years ago.  The new flavors are:

• Creamy Milk Chocolate
• French Vanilla
• Rich Chocolate Royale
• Cappuccino Delight
• Strawberries N’ Cream

We tried the Rich Chocolate Royale, and like I said, it was really good.  I am looking forward to trying the rest. All the Slim-Fast can be found nationwide at Wal-Mart, Target, Safeway and Kroger, and online at Amazon.com and the Slim-Fast 3-2-1 Store on Facebook.

Just like everything else these days, Slim-Fast has a facebook page, and I encourage you to "like" them, especially if you are looking for encouragement in your own weight lose journey.

Decorate Your Home With PartyLite

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PartyLite Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you ever attended a PartyLite party?  My sister hosted one several years ago, and I bought the most beautiful candle.  I believe it was their Gemini candle.  It was two candle holders joined together by brass rings.  I loved that candle.  I think I still have it somewhere around here. My sister got a bunch of free stuff when she hosted her party, which is one of the many benefits of hosting a party.  I would love to get my friends together for a night of candles and fun to earn free stuff for myself.  I mean, who wouldn't?

PartyLite just had a sweepstakes, called the PartyLite Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes, where they gave away five $500 PartyLite gift certificates to people who registered to host parties.  I would have loved to have won one of those.  I could have finished all my Christmas shopping!  Instead I have to fight the crowds Friday and go shopping after work.  Crazy, I know.  I would have loved to have gotten all the women in my life one of these:

It's a ScentGlow warmer, and it makes your house smell wonderful.  You just add some Scent Plus™ Melts, Aroma Melts™ or Scented Oil, plug it in, and an electric warming plate spreads the fragrance throughout the room.  

They have several different ones to choose from, but I like this Holiday ornament one.  I am big on decorating for Christmas, and this would make a wonderful addition to my collection.

Make sure you "like" the PartyLite Facebook page to find out about special monthly offers online for party hosts and guests.  They also just released their Winter/Spring 2012 Catalog on December 16, which is full of beautiful candles. You should check that out, too.

Beautify Your Yard With Tips From Dig. Drop. Done.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done. for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am super mom!  Seriously.  I always knew I was a good mom, but here lately, I have discovered that I really can do it all.  I work, I cook, I clean house, I get the kids up and off to school every day, I make sure they get to all their performances and rehearsals.  Sure, I need a little help now and then, but everyone does.  Right?

I want you to meet Marcy.  She's a super mom like me. 

She has all these super tips about gardening, and when the best time is to plant all the beautiful bulb flowers you want to grow in your yard.  Right now, I don't have a yard to plant bulbs in, because we are living in an apartment complex.  But if I did, I would want to grow these beautiful purple crocus bulbs. I bet I could probably grow them inside in a planter.  I used the Garden Guru Tool at Curbside Chaos to find out when the best time to plant these bulbs would be.  The tool was simple to use.  Al you have to do is:

Step 1 – Pick your Country
Step 2 – Pick your location within that Country
Step 3 – Choose the type of bulb you want to grow
Step 4 – Check out the Planting Guide that shows you how to plant your bulbs.

My results were:

You really should check out the website right now, because they are having a contest where you can win a $5,000 yard makeover including a visit from Taniya Nayak (@TaniyaNayak on Twitter).  Taniya will go through and give you tips on the best way to update your yard! She will give you creative ideas for incorporating flower bulbs into your landscape. All you need to do to enter is submit a photo of your yard at CurbsideChaos.com.  You can visit www.digdropdone.com to learn more.  You can also help donate money to Rebuilding Together, the nation’s leading nonprofit, working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities. Simply share about Dig. Drop. Done. on twitter.  Easy enough, right?

So, which bulbs do you plan on planting this year?

A Great Stocking Stuffer

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sprint for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

My kids want cell phones for Christmas.  Ryan has one, but all it does these days is text.  I have to buy a card for it every month, which is sometimes hard to so considering money is really tight around here.  I have been thinking about switching to Sprint and getting all of us new phones, including the girls. 

I need to make up my mind soon, though, if I want to take advantage of this awesome deal Sprint has going on right now.  From December 12 through December 14, Sprint is giving away their Android™ powered EVO 4G devices for free!  This offer is only good online, but they are also offering free shipping, which is awesome. 

It gets even better!  I can have the activation fees waived for new lines.  I am pretty sure I will have to put up a deposit, but free phones and free activation is hard to pass up.  I can already see the smiles my kids will have on their faces Christmas morning if they wake up to cell phones.

I think my girls would prefer the one that has the slide out keyboard.  I know that will make texting easier for them.  And we all know how much girls, especially teenaged girls, like to text!

I'm Not Moving Anymore

 In the past sixteen years, I have moved more times than I care to remember.  In the past three years alone I have moved three times.  I have become quite the expert packer, but I do not want to have to do that again for a long time.  Thankfully, I like where we live now.  The kids have friends, and I am friends with several of my neighbors. It's when the kids get home and all they want to do is go outside and ride their bikes with their friends. I am hoping that I will be able to find the money before Christmas to get each of them a new bike.

If I ever have to move again, it will be somewhere new.  I was looking online, and I found sites like rentedmonton.com are so helpful. I can look at properties in all kinds of locations and find the perfect place for me and the kids.  When we moved into this apartment, I had never set foot in it.  I knew it was a three bedroom, but I didn't actually view it until after I signed the lease because it was being cleaned.  I wish the apartment complex had a website so I could have seen it first, but they don't.  I was thrilled when it turned out to be the perfect place for us.

For now though, I am going to stay put right here.  The rent is reasonable and I can pay the bills on my own.  And that's important for us single parents.

Norton For Small Business Owners

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Norton Small Business by Symantec for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

How do you know which anti-virus software is right for you?  There are so many options available, and it can be confusing trying to find the right one to fit your needs.  I have heard really good things about the products Norton offers, and if you own a small business, it is even more important to have the right software on your computer.  You should check out Norton Small Business by Symantec.  This past September, they launched both the Norton 360 and the Norton Internet Security 2012.  You can even get 30% off Norton Small Business Products now.

I am not good with all the technical stuff, but from what I understand, having good malware protection can save you money in the long run, especially if you have to hire an expert to clean your computer of viruses.  I know I have had my share of computer viruses, and I am so thankful that my computer experts are relatives, so except for lost time online, it didn't cost me anything to have my computer restored. 

So even if you don't own a small business, it is still important to protect yourself online.  I am sure Norton has a program that can benefit you, no matter what your anti-virus needs are. Please leave me a comment letting me know which Norton product you think would work best for you and why.  Thanks!

LG Doubleplay

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of LG DoublePlay™ for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I want one of these phones!  Check out how cool it looks:

I do a lot of texting, don't you?  Whenever I stop to do a delivery and am waiting to either be loaded or unloaded, I spend my waiting time texting and checking my Facebook.  My problem is that I have an old flip phone and it does not have a full keyboard.  I really want a full keyboard.  This LG DoublePlay™ phone, which is available exclusively t T-Mobile, has a full keyboard as well as two different touch screens.  Talk about being able to multi-task! 

There are a ton of features this phone offers, most of which I do not understand.  The one thing I do understand is that it has a 5 megapixel camera (with a flash!) and the ability to record video.  Both of these can be uploaded to Facebook right from the phone.  Awesome, right? 

So tell me, how many hours do you spend every day texting?  How about on Facebook?  Don't you think a phone like this could make doing those things easier? Trust me when I say you need to check out all the other features of this phone.  I wish I could explain them to you, but it's probably better if you check the out for yourself.  I'd never get all that technical stuff right.

Cheap Eyeglasses

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Zenni Optical for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

The other day my mom and I were talking about our eyes.  She needs new contacts, and I want new glasses.  I don't need new glasses, I just want them.  I have had the same pair for a couple of years, and I am ready for a change.  I don't have a lot of money to spend, so I need to find some cheap eyeglasses that I will be able to afford.  After a quick online search, I discovered Zennioptical.  They have complete sets of eyeglasses for under ten dollars.  That is definitely a price I can afford!

I browsed around a little and found this pair of purple eyeglasses that I love! Check them out:

They had several other pairs that I liked as well, so it's going to be hard deciding which pair of eyeglasses I want.  The good thing is that at these prices, I can get two or three pairs. Heck, I could get six pairs for the same amount of money I spent on the pair I am wearing right now.  With the money I save, I might just be able to buy myself some clothes to go with my new glasses.  I used to live in sweats and t-shirts, but now that I am working (which I am so thankful for with the economy the way it is these days) I like to look pretty every day.  New glasses and new clothes would help with that.

I am curious if any of you have ordered eyeglasses from Zenni,  What was your experience like?  Did you love Zenni's glasses?  Would you order from them again?

I Vote Babies!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puppies vs. Babies for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am going to be an aunt again very soon to who I am sure will be another beautiful niece.  To me, there is nothing more amazing than a brand new baby.  If I could, I would have more kids, but money and the thought of being pregnant again and having to give up sleeping again keep me from doing it.  Oh, and the fact that right now I am a single mom plays into that as well.  There was a time when my ex and I discussed having another baby, and from where I am right now, I am glad we decided against it.  I am having a hard enough time with the three kids who are fairly self sufficient.  I don't know what I would be doing right now if I had an infant or toddler.

But that doesn't mean that I don't love babies.  I love the way they smell and coo and smile.  I will never forget the first time each of my kids laughed.  It was the sweetest sound in the world.  Right now, there is a Puppies vs. Babies online contest going on, and you can have your say as to which is cuter.  All you have to do is visit the website and cast your vote before November 23rd.  The winning puppy or baby will win $5,000!  That could either go towards a child's college education or a lot of chew toys. 

Let me know how you voted in the Puppies vs. Babies contest.  There are a lot of cute puppies out there, but to me, there is nothing cuter than a baby!

Dig. Drop. Done.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done. for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love flowers.  There is something so beautiful about the look and the smell.  I find it difficult to see a beautiful bloom and not smile.  But if you are like me, you have a hard time knowing which kind of flowers to plant when, and in what light.  There is this website called Curbside Chaos and they have all the information you need to plant a beautiful garden.  They have this garden guru tool which lets you know exactly when and how to plant the bulbs you love.  Simply follow these four easy steps:

Step 1 – Pick your Country
Step 2 – Pick your location within that Country
Step 3 – Choose the type of bulb you want to grow
Step 4 – Check out the Planting Guide that shows you how to plant your bulbs

Here's what came up when I tried it out:

Right now "Bulbs. Dig. Drop. Done." is giving away a $5,000 yard makeover, and all you have to do to enter is submit a picture of your yard.  In addition to the yard makeover, the winner will receive a visit from Taniya Nayak (@TaniyaNayak on Twitter).  She will go through and give the winner tips on the best way to update their yard, including ideas for incorporating flower bulbs into the winners landscape.  You can visit www.digdropdone.com to learn more about this contest and to check out all their tips. Also, for every share on Twitter, "Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done." will donate $1.00 to Rebuilding Together - the nation’s leading nonprofit, working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities.

They also have several different women on their site who offer their tips for gardening, and after reading their profiles, I discovered that I identify most with Marcy, the super mom.  Like her, I would rather spend time with my kids than gardening, but that doesn't mean I don't want beautiful flowers in my yard.  (or flowerbox since I technically don't have a yard right now) Simply and easy is perfect for me like it is for her.

Which women do you most identify with?

Crazy Talk

This guest post from Lenny Mcknight

I know it sounds crazy but I’ve developed a whole business around gift wrapping. I live in a really affluent community and there are lots of people here who give gifts for just about every occasion and they like for those gifts to be incredibly fancy when they give them. That’s why I’ve opened a website up that sells my wrapping services for a fee – I’ll even go to the store and pick up their gifts for them! Anyway, it took more effort than you’d think to get this up and running – I had to look into small business xo for all the technology and hire a graphic designer for the site and generally just do a lot of background. But at the end of the day I wanted to be sure I was getting it right – it had to be professional and aesthetically pleasing or it wasn’t going to attract the kind of customers I wanted it to, you know? I just hope this continues and business is just as good for years to come!

Tristan Trains As A Therapy Dog

I love to read, and there was a time when my girls showed signs of the same thing.  Recently, though, I can't get them to read anything unless they have to for school.  I am hoping that if I get them some really good books for Christmas, I can ignite that spark in them once again.

Brandi has recently showed a love for dogs, which is weird since up until recently, she has been terrified of them.  I thought that if I could find some inspirational books about dogs I could get her to read them.  I found this book, Tristan Trains as a Therapy Dog: A Tristan and Trudee Story, and I think it is something she will love.  It is the story of Tristan, a fluffy white bichon frise dog, who learn how to become a therapy dog.  Brandi will be able to read along as Tristan learns how to be a good therapy dog, and cheer as he takes his test. It's weird that I found this now, because my therapist is actually training her puppy to be a therapy dog, and Brandi has shown such a interest in that little puppy.

The book is geared towards kids a little younger than her, but I think she will enjoy it nonetheless.

Have You Heard About Straight Talk?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you tired of getting your cell phone bill in the mail only to find extra charges for going over your monthly minutes or for texting a little too much?  My money is precious to me, and every cent I bring into my home goes towards keeping the kids and I afloat.  I can not afford to have surprises every month, which is why I love Straight Talk.

Straight Talk offers pay as you go plans for their phones, and depending on your needs, you can really save money over contract phones.  For instance, I love their $45 unlimited talk, text, and web cards, which is what I buy every month for my phone.  I will admit to being hesitant in the beginning when I was looking for a cell phone, because I didn't know anyone who used Straight Talk personally.  But let me tell you, after the first month, I was sold on them, Hook, line and sinker.  I have never dropped a call, and there aren't many places where I can not get a signal.  I can Call a friend or send a text whenever I want, and not worry about if I am roaming or if it's after 7pm.  I hear that you can even get Android on Straight Talk.  That's pretty awesome.

I think I might need to upgrade my phone soon!

Untitled Jersey City Project

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Untitled Jersey City Project for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Watch this:

It's the second episode in a series of eight episodes titled Untitled Jersey City Project.  I watched it, and quite honestly, I don't have a clue what is going on, which I think might be the point.  The storyline is pretty simple.  A new city is being built on the Jersey Waterfront, and everyone has something to gain.  Or lose.  I guess it just depends on who you are.

I have been known to give even the worst shows the benefit of the doubt, and this one did peak my interest a bit.  I am curious about the bigger storyline, since each mini-episode is part of a larger story.  The episodes air on FX, which unfortunately is a channel I do not get.  Heck, we don't get anything but Netflix around here.  I'm hoping the episodes will air on their website so that I can watch them all. 

Take a minute (or two) and watch the episode above.  Make sure you let me know what you think.  Is it something that interests you?  Would you watch future episodes?  Why or why not?

Yeah, I know, that's a lot of questions.  But I really am curious about what others think of this show.

Dry Shampoo

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TRESemmé for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

A couple of weeks ago, I let Kasi cut my hair.  I had so many split ends, when I washed my hair the ends just completely frizzed out.  My hair is all one length, so she just needed to trim the dead ends away.  Turns out, she had to cut off several inches because my hair was so damaged.  It was own fault, really, because it's been at least a year since I've had it cut.  Washing and blow drying it every day (and some days more than once) really takes a toll on it.  Most days, I wear my hair in a pony tail, because the van I drive all day has issues with it's air conditioning, so I drive with the windows down, which causes my hair to blow all over the place.  I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to the cooler weather coming so that I can leave my hair down occasionally.

I recently, as in a few minutes ago, learned of a product called TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo.  Basically, you put it on your hair when it is dry instead of washing it, and it helps to keep your hair looking and feeling fresh by absorbing excess oils and odor.  Check out this video of Julia Allison, showing how to use  it.  (make sure you enter to win the $500 Target gift card, too!)

For best results, follow these tips while using it:

- Do shake vigorously before use and in between spray bursts for best results.

- Do lift sections of dry hair and spray lightly at roots

- Do spray in short bursts, holding 8-12 inches from head

- Don’t spray it like hair spray (all over and continuously)

- Do leave in for 1-2 minutes.

- Do use fingertips or a brush to distribute product evenly

- If clogging occurs, remove nozzle and rinse the nozzle under warm water, then reattach.

Let me know if you try this, and what your results were.  I really am curious as to how well it works.

Crime Show Paranoia

Contribution by Kennith Griffin

I have always loved crime shows. Well, I did until it started to become a problem. I don’t know why I got so obsessed with them, but I did. Recently, there were several that affected me differently than they have in the past. I normally would just watch the show and when it was over it was over. I did not think about it again and nothing in the show ever crossed my mind. However, lately I have been walking around the house on edge. I keep thinking someone is going to jump through a window or knock down a door. I finally had to have home security install an alarm system. I know you are probably thinking I have lost my mind. Perhaps I need to see a therapist instead of have an alarm installed. Honestly, I never would have thought a simple television show would make me so paranoid to be in my own home. I would have never thought I could go from loving crime shows to fearing them, but this seems to be the path I am currently on.

TracFone

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TracFone for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

These days, everyone has a cell phone, eve little kids.  My youngest daughter is nine, and most of her friends already have their own cell phones.  Personally, I think that's a little young.  I made my son wait until he was 14 before he got his own phone. 

I ended up buying him a TracFone, and it has worked out pretty well.  He's big on texting, so I was hesitant to sign a contract with someone for fear of outrageous phone bills every month.  The phone he has has So many features and the best one is that there are no contracts or surprise bills.  I pay one low price every month, and he's good to go.  They even offer an option to pay for an entire year of service.

You can check out this video to see how Real TracFone customers feel about these phones, and all that they have to offer:

Trust me when I tell you that buying one of these phones for Ryan was a wise decision.  When my girls are old enough, I will probably get them each one s well.  Kasi is 14 now, so she is ready for a phone.  Brandi still has quite a few years to go before she is ready.

Dreams

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of UPromise for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Everyone has a dream.  Ask each of my kids what their dreams are, and the answers are so very different, but each is within their grasp.  Ryan wants to be a mechanic, and is taking classes this year in high school that will help him reach his goal.  Kasi wants to be a fashion designer, and I am sure she will be a great one.  Brandi wants to be an actress, and anyone who knows her will tell you she is already a very talented one.  I will do everything in my power, as their mother, to help them each achieve the goals and dreams they have.

Right now, Upromise is celebrating its 10th Anniversary by giving away $20,000 to users who share a story that tells how a parent has supported a child's dream.  I am sure many of you have stories of your own that should be submitted.  All you have to do is visit www.upromisetodream.com and share you dream.  After doing so, encourage everyone you know to go and "like" your dream.  Make sure to check out the dream wall official rules so you can be entered to win one of the cash prizes that will be awarded.  Upromise will give away $1,000 to 10 winners and a grand prize winner for $10,000 will be selected from the participants as well.

Good luck, and let me know if you enter so I can "like" your dream!

Let's Talk Cell Phones

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

These days, everyone has a cell phone.  My daughter is nine, and a bunch of her friends in the neighborhood run around with cell phones in their pockets.  In my opinion, that is a little young to have their own cell phones.  I am going to make Brandi wait until she is a teenager before she gets her own phone.  Kasi, however, has been bugging me for a while now for a phone, and at 14, I think she is old enough for one.

I plan on getting her a Straight Talk phone like mine.  I have had mine for months now, and I love it.  It has everything you need to call a friend, send texts, and even get online.  I pay $45 every month for unlimited talk, text, and web.  I go to Walmart and buy a refill card, and it so easy to load it into my phone.  The best thing is that I am not getting a phone bill every month with hidden charges and overages.  II had to pay per text, my phone bill would probably be a few hundred dollars every month.  Yes, I do text that much. 

I believe in this instance. mom knows best about cell phones.  I wouldn't change mine for anything.

Affordable Cell Phones

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TracFone for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I became a single mom a few months ago, and one of the first things I did was get myself a cell phone.  Up until then, I stayed at home all the time so I never had the need for one.  Now that I am working, I use mine all the time. 

The problem I had getting a phone was my credit.  They wanted so much money down as a deposit, and I just couldn't afford it.  My only option was getting a pre-paid phone, and I love it.  I pay as I go, and I didn't have to sign a contract, which means there are no surprise charges every month. 

TracFone's are a great way to go if you are looking for an inexpensive way to stay in touch.  These phones have so many features, and you can get really simple phones that just make phone calls, or you can get a smart phone.  Hearing what real TracFone customers say about their experiences can help you decide if this is the way to go.  They have many options when it comes to putting minutes on the phone, from doing it online or buying a card at the store.  You can even buy a years worth of service, which wouldn't be a bad idea if you have the money.  You can even make international calls for the same price as a regular call. 

I know that I am satisfied with my pre-paid phone, as are other real TracFone customers.  If you want a phone that won't bring you a surprise bill every month, check out TracFone.

Straight Talk

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

That phone they are talking about is awesome.  I know this because I have one. I got it right after Bob left, and I needed a way to keep in touch with the kids while I was working.  I went into Walmart not knowing exactly which cell phone company I wanted to go with, and ended up with my phone simply because I could not afford the deposits on the "regular" cell phone plans. 

You have no idea how happy I am with the way things worked out.  My phone did not come with contract.  I simply buy a phone card every month for $45 and add it to my phone.  That $45 buys me unlimited talk, text, and web.  I mean, these phones have everything you need to stay connected.  I can check Facebook whenever I want, or I can simply call a friend.  There are no overage charges, which drew me in hook, line and sinker.  I mean, with three kids who love to text and talk on the phone, I know I would be paying much more with a "regular" cell phone plan. 

I would recommend Straight Talk phones to everyone.  I wouldn't trade mine for anything.  Well, maybe for one that has a full keyboard so texting is a little easier.

Christmas Will Be Here Sooner Than You Think

Did you know that Christmas is less than five months away?  Whenever I think about that, I get really stressed out.  This is the first time that I am going to have to get the kids things on my own, and I have no idea where the money is going to come from.  My only option is to start buying things now, and hiding them from the kids.

One of the things I know I want to get for Kasi is art supplies.  She can sit for hours with a pencil and paper and create the most beautiful pictures.  She loves drawing out designs for clothes, as well as pictures of animals. Heck, she likes drawing just about anything.  I am curious to see what she would come up with if I got her some paints and canvas' for under the tree.  

I have no idea what to get for Ryan and Boo, though she likes to draw, too.  I have several of her creations hanging on my fridge right now. One of them is a tribute to me, which I absolutely love.  I know some day she will outgrow making me pictures, and that makes me especially sad seeing as how she is my youngest.

Community is My Favorite!

Thanks for the post from Stan Atkins

Community' is hands-down my favorite television sitcom. I watch it every week on my Chevy Chase, and the character is perfect for that funny actor. I've watched Chevy Chase since he was originally on 'Saturday Night Live', and he's just gotten funnier over the years.

The women on the show are also funny as well as intelligent, and they seem to be women I'd enjoy being friends with. These characters might not have much in common with each other, but they have become true friends over their time together in their Spanish class and study group. It's a really fun show to watch.

Start While They Are Young

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PBM Products for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am a mom.  Most of you know this already.  Since I started my job a few months ago, I have become friendly with the people who work at the businesses I deal with on a daily basis.  Today, I had one of the guys ask me how many kids I had after hearing me on the phone with Ryan.  He was shocked when I told him I had a 15 year old son.  He said I looked too young.  I think he was trying to get on my good side.

Ryan will be graduating high school in a few short years, and I wish I could say that I have a college fund waiting for him to use.  There was never enough money to put some aside for him, or for either of the girls.  They will have to apply for student loans and scholarships.  If you have a baby, you can enter the Parent’s Choice Infant Formula Savings Sweepstakes.  The sweepstakes, created in partnership with PBM Products, LLC, a Perrigo Company, will provide one lucky winner with a $10,000 college scholarship in the form of a College Savings 529 Plan.  It runs until 11:59pm on August 1, 2011, so there is still plenty of time to enter.

Why I Love Walgreens

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have used several different pharmacies over the years, and recently I switched to Walgreens.  I am so glad that I did.  I love their Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products.  I recently tried their triple antibiotic ointment on Brandi's ears, and it worked really well.  And it was cheaper than the name brand stuff.  My philosophy is, why pay more for something just because of it's name? 

Walgreens also has this thing called the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™.  This fund will provide free preventive health tests as well as other health and wellness services and education to local communities. Some of those services will include preventive health tests through the National Urban League Health & Wellness Tour and vouchers redeemable in select stores.  I think this is an awesome thing.  As someone who is financially challenged, I have benefited from free healthcare in the past.  In fact, I had my breast reduction done through a free clinic, and it didn't cost me a thing.

Right now, there are several bloggers doing giveaways of Walgreen's gift cards.  If you enter and win one, you could use it to try out some of the Walgreens Brand Health and Wellness Products.

Formula Is Formula, No Matter Who Makes It

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of storebrandformula.com for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

We all know breastfeeding is best for babies, but sometimes, that just isn't an option.  There are many different reasons women choose to bottle feed their babies, and like me, sometimes that reason is because they are unable to breastfeed.  Left with no choice, it is nice to know that baby formulas can be just as good for babies. 

I was always under the assumption that the more expensive formulas were more nutritious for babies, and like millions of other people, I was wrong.  In fact, "Store brand infant formulas won a major victory this week when a U.S. Circuit Court upheld a $13.5 million false advertising claim against Enfamil maker Mead Johnson".  It seems they were trying to convince moms that their formula was better, when in reality, all formulas have to meet the same guidelines for nutrition, no matter who makes them.  You can find more information at storebrandformula.com. 

I don't plan on having any more babies, but someday I hope to be a grandmother.  Someday in the future.  The distant future.  The far, far distant future.  My girls are nowhere near ready to have babies of their own, but when they are, I will make sure they know they can save money and still give their babies nutritious formulas.

Teen Mom Is My Guilty Pleasure

Posted by Heriberto Fuentes

I'm shamefully addicted to the hit reality drama, "Teen Mom." I watch the show on my awesome cable from www.direc4u.com and I cannot stop watching, no matter how hard I try. "Teen Mom" airs on MTV and centers around the lives of four teenage mothers. It is a spinoff of the network's hit "16 and Pregnant." There is my favorite couple, Caitlyn and longtime boyfriend Tyler, who gave their baby, Carly, up for adoption. They struggle with their decision but they genuinely love one another. Then there is Amber; she and sometime-boyfriend Gary have a daughter, Leah. They are a violent, toxic combination and have no business even being around one another. Amber is actually facing assault charges after attacking Gary in a common fit of rage. Another character is Maci. She and her ex-boyfriend Ryan share joint custody of their son, Bentley. Ryan just kind of "checked out" after the baby was born. She is struggling with being a single parent but she is a wonderful mother with a heart of gold. Finally, Farrah is raising her daughter, Sophia on her own. The child's father was killed in a car accident and Farrah has a restraining order against her mother after a fight the two had. She tries to do the right thing and I hope she finds the right person to share her life with.

Now I Know What Not To Wear

Contribution by Odis Chan

I am a television fanatic. I love to watch television, and any time that I can find a show geared toward fashion, you can bet that my TVbyDirect is tuned in. I have recently found a great new fashion show that is fantastic and now a can't miss in my house. The show is called What Not To Wear, and it is, without a doubt, the best show that has came on in a long time.

I watch What Not To Wear on my satellite television each week. The show takes fashion-challenged people and puts them to the ultimate test of finding self-esteem and confidence, in part to what they have on. The show is awesome. Some of the people come on the show wearing some pretty radical things, and they have no clue. I love the transformations of these people at the end of the show. It is so amazing!

Lisa Butcher and Mica Paris host the show. They have such an incredible sense of style, they are perfect to host the show. The pair keep the show fun and exciting, and always make me laugh! If you haven't seen it, you are missing out! You will love it, too!

Feels Like SpringTo Me

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

The weather today was beautiful.  Here in South Carolina, we made it well into the 70's.  The girls and I spent the day at the park with my best friend, and my son spent the day fishing with one of his friends.  Weather like this makes me really look forward to swimming in mom's pool.

Since we will be living with her come summertime, I want to make a contribution to her yard.  I thought about maybe getting a piece of furniture for around the pool, but she pretty much has everything she needs right now.  I was on the Pier 1 website, and I found these really pretty garden stools. 

I love the bright colors, and I think they would look great on the grass in the pool area.  I also think they would make a great plant table for inside, too.  I might have to get one for me when I finally get a place for me and the kids.  I can see my huge peace lily sitting nicely on op of the stool.

While I was on their website, I signed up for the Pier 1 Outdoor newsletter.  You should, too, because you will find out about an in-store special going on the weekend of March 18-20.  You should also try and meet up at one of their upcoming Pier 1 Tweetups that will be held in Dallas on March 22nd, Atlanta on April 5th and NYC on April 20th.  I wish they were having one closer to me, because I would definitely try to make an appearance.

Art Supplies For My Girls

I took the kids to therapy on Monday, and it ended up that only Brandi and I had time with Elizabeth.  I was having a hard week, and a had a lot to talk about, so by the time I was done, there wasn't enough time left to talk to each of the kids.  I felt that Brandi benefits the most from therapy, so she spoke to her after me.  Next week, Ryan and Kasi will get their turn.

Elizabeth told me she was going to ask Brandi to do some art therapy by drawing a picture of her family, and then describing each person in three words.  It was quite funny to see how she drew each of us, and of course, I was the prettiest.  Elizabeth suggested that I encourage Brandi to start keeping a journal where she can write or draw whenever she is feeling particularly down.

I mentioned this to Brandi, and while she loves the idea, she wants to take it to the next level.  She wants me to look into easels and art supplies so that she can have her own little art studio.  I was a little surprised when Kasi didn't pipe up and agree with her, since she has always loved to draw.  I believe that someday, Kasi will be a famous fashion designer.  She sketches out some pretty nice outfits and dresses.  She would definitely benefit if I got some art studio furniture and made her a little corner where she could pursue her dreams.  I could put her right beside my desk and we could spend time together as I worked and she drew.

I think we need some girl bonding time.

Who Knew?

I learned something today.  Some of you might find that shocking, as I pretend to know everything most of the time.  Just kidding.  I don't know everything.  Yet.

Today, I learned that the pants that people wear while riding a horse are called jodhpurs.  I am not even sure how to pronounce it, but they are cute.  I had no idea that you needed all kinds of things to ride a horse.  I just assumed that all you needed was a good pair of jeans and strong leg muscles.  The only time I have been on a horse was when I was little and a park we used to go to offered rides.  I have never been on a horse as an adult.

I have heard that riding can be good therapy.  They say that grooming a horse can be relaxing as well.  I am sure you all know that I am trying to find ways to relax and release some of the tension in my life.  It seems like no matter what I try, I can not seem to get rid of this huge weight that I am carrying around on my shoulders.  The good news is that I have a job interview this Friday, and I think once I am working again, I will feel better.  Part of my stress comes from knowing that my husband is giving me way more money than he can afford to, making sure the kids and I are taken care of.  I want to be able to take some of that burden off of him, and provide for my family as well. 

Now I just need to find someone who has a horse who would be willing to let me ride it.  Thankfully, living in South Carolina, that shouldn't be too much of a problem.  I see horses everywhere.

I'm Adorable, I Know

 I have been doing a lot of thinking the past couple of days, as I am sure you can imagine.  One of my main concerns is for my future, and finding a job as soon as possible.  I know there are a million possibilities out there, and I am hoping that it won't be too long until I am a working member of society again.

Another thought I have been having is that I should go back to school.  Bob has been encouraging me to do just that for years, but I was always so scared to take that leap.  Now that I have nothing but a bright future ahead of me, I may end up going.

I know my sister used to make a lot of money as a nurse, but I am not sure if I can handle blood.  There are very cute nursing uniforms these days, so I am not worried about not looking good.  I mean, I am totally convinced these days that I am adorable. There is something crazy about how my husband leaves me, and I have never felt more beautiful.  Crazy, right?  Having to wear nursing uniforms and scrubs wouldn't change that.  In fact, I bet I could find a uniform for nurses that has elephants on it.  I have seen nurses in the hospital and our doctor's office wearing scrub tops with all kinds of cute things on them.

If I could find a purple one with elephants on it, I might consider a nursing career simply so that I could wear it.

We Need To Get Away

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love food.  I really do.  In my family, every holiday, we are more excited about the menu than about the actual holiday.  This might be why I have a weight problem, but I just can't help myself.  Food is good.

I was reading online that the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing has a Valentine's special going on, and I really wish I had known about it before today.  (the special is good for the entire month of February, so if you like what you see, make sure you check it out for yourself)  I would have wanted to stay at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and eaten at the Level 2 Steakhouse.  I mean, check out the menu:

A M U S E   B O U C H E

HAWAIIAN AHI TUNA TARTAR
Caramelized Pineapple Puree | Sesame Sweet Potato Crostini

F I R S T   C O U R S E

VALENTINE SALAD
Aged Balsamic Roasted Figs | Pancetta | Swiss Chard | Red Onion
Maytag Blue Cheese | Blood Orange Avocado Oil

I N T E R M E Z Z O

LEMON SORBET
Fresh Pomegranate Infused Champagne

M A I N   C O U R S E

CHATEAUBRIAND WAGYU BEEF TENDERLOIN
Seared Foie Gras | Tourne Yukon Gold Potatoes
Steamed Asparagus | Foyot Sauce

D E S S E R T

ASKINOSIE CHOCOLATE BUTTER CAKE
Grand Marnier Infused Whipped Cream | Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Warm Crème Anglaise

Thanks to Food Network, I know what a lot of those foods are, and I would love to try it all.  Especially the dessert.  I know my husband would love it, too.  And this is just one of the things we would enjoy.  The romance package also includes in room sparkling cider (or wine if you drink) and in room breakfast (where available.  If unavailable, breakfast will be served in the hotel's dining room).  We can request early check in and late check out, making sure we find time to enjoy the hotel's whirlpool spa and pool.  Or, maybe we just want a little more time in the room, for, well, it is a romance package.

I really think we need some time for ourselves, away from the kids and everyday life.  We have been dealing with a lot of stress this year, and I would love for us to find a way to relax and maybe let go a little bit.

I wonder who would watch the kids for us?

Of Mice And...Well, It's All About The Mice

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Victor Pest. All opinions are 100% mine.

I just found out about a really cool way to get rid of the rodents in your home.  I am excited about this because I have been fighting to get rid of a sneaky little mouse in my kitchen.  This guy found a way to get the peanut butter off the middle of a sticky trap.  I didn't think that was possible, but this guy figured out a way. 

Uploaded with Skitch!

I am at the point where I want to take a defensive stand, and prevent the rodents from coming into my house at all.  Victor, who are specialists in rodent control, have some great products to use for rodent control inside the home.  They have these electronic traps that kill mice in a pretty humane way.  Well, I guess it's as humane as you can get while killing something.  The thing I like best is that I won't have to see the dead mouse.  It enters the trap, is given a shock causing it's death, and a little green light lets you know that there is a dead mouse inside.  Then you simply empty the trap, never having to see or touch the dead mouse.

Victor also has these cool little gadgets that you can plug into any electrical socket and they give off high frequency sound waves which repel rodents, keeping them out of your home.  Both these and the traps can be purchased as part of the Victor® Protect Your Space Combo Kit, which sells for $99.99 with FREE shipping!! The kit includes the following: 
(1) Victor® Sonic PestChaser® Heavy Duty Sonic, (2) Victor® Sonic Mini PestChaser® Ultrasonic Rodent Repellent, and (2) Victor® Electronic Mouse Trap.  All of these products are safe for children and pets, which is a great thing. 

I really want these.  I like the idea of being proactive, and dealing with the mice before they become a problem.

Valentines

 

I wish I could say that I came up with this idea all on my own, but I didn't.  My dad's wife made these for all the grandkids for Valentine's Day, and I thought they would be perfect for the kids in Brandi's class.  

The cups are the little cups that the Crystal Light mix comes in.  Inside is a mini muffin liner filled with m&m's.  The little baggies are the ones that go over lolipops that you can buy in the craft store, and then we tied them with heart ribbon and added a little message from Brandi.

I know the kids in her class are going to love them.

My Birthday And Super Bowl Recipes

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kenmore Live Studio. All opinions are 100% mine.

This weekend is my birthday.  Most years, just like this year, my birthday falls on Super Bowl weekend.  There are several times it has actually fallen on Super Bowl Sunday.  Though we are not football fans in my house, my extended family is, so they are usually occupied with Super Bowl parties, which means my birthday gets celebrated either early or late.  This has not bothered me in long time, so don't think I am complaining.  In fact, I enjoy spending my birthday with the hubs and the kids.  They spoil me. 

I know a lot of you are going to either be going to or hosting your own Super Bowl party this weekend.  If you are looking for some Super Bowl Recipes, check out the videos below.

The first one explains how to make bacon cheddar popcorn.  Why have I never tried bacon and popcorn together before?  It looks delicious!  I know my family would love it if I made this for our family game nights.

The second video shows how to make a shrimp dish.  My family would love this!  The recipes are easy to follow, and I always do better when I see someone make the dish first. 

We may be having a different kind of party at our house this weekend, but that does not mean we won't have good food.

Buying These Pet Supplies Can Help Save A Dogs Life

My dad has a boat, and two dogs.  When I saw these dog life jackets I couldn't help but think of how cute his dogs would look in them.  I mean, check out how cute these life jackets are:

My dads dogs are golden retrievers, so that is exactly how cute they would look.

The best thing about these life jackets is that 100% of the profits from selling them goes to a Canadian based charity that rescues dogs from California and finds them permanent, loving homes.  These dogs are in kill shelters, and without this charity, most of them would probably be put down.  The economy these days makes it hard for some families to keep food on the table.  It's even harder for them to feed their pets, which means more and more dogs are ending up in shelters.  You can help these dogs by buying some of your pet supplies through their website.  They have all different kinds of things besides the life jackets.

Please check it out the next time you need something for your dog.

I Love This!

I found the cutest elephant decals for laptops on etsy today.  The one in the picture is my favorite!  The laptop I plan on buying next week is black, so I bought this decal in a lavender gloss finish.  I'm not getting a MAC, so I don't know exactly how I will place the decals, but I do know it's going to look awesome!

I Want These!

I want a new purse.  The one I carry is a couple of years old and it's falling apart.  It's pretty small and doesn't hold everything that I normally carry with me, so I am looking for one that is just a bit bigger.

I am really loving this one:

It's a fendi bag, and the dimensions seem to be exactly what I am looking for.  I love the little tassel thing on the front, and the fact that it comes with two different straps.  The short one (seen in the picture) is the same length as the strap on the purse I carry now, and it works well for me.  This purse also comes with a longer strap so that you can carry the bag across your body.  I am not sure I would ever do that, but I know that is a popular feature these days.

I also love this bag:

I love the different colors in this one.  I can't remember a time when I carried a purse that wasn't black.  I always seem to gravitate towards that color. 

The only thing keeping me from buying one of these fendi handbags is the price.  They are unbelievably expensive.   One purse would be the same amount of money as two months rent.  But, if I ever win the lottery and money is no object, both of these purses will be mine.

Just For Fun...

...I typed "weird" into etsy.  Since finding those poo and toilet paper earrings, I have been curious about all the weird stuff on there.  Holy cow was there some strange things that showed up.  One thing was crocheted lungs...yes, lungs. 

My favorite thing was the toilet tank monster.  Is it odd that I want one?