My Beautiful Creations

Parapro

2012-01-28T07:12:00.002-05:00

Guest post of the week by Deangelo Spencer

I finally graduated from college in May of this year. I took the teaching certification tests and am now a certified teacher. I have applied for teaching jobs in 15 different counties, but have only had two interviews, in which someone else was hired. I did have one job offer as a parapro in an elementary school, so I decided to take it. The pay for a parapro is far below that of a teacher. I found a roommate that is in a similar situation and we rented a small two bedroom apartment. Money is going to be really tight for us for a while, especially since I will not get my first paycheck until my second month of teaching. We decided to search TexasElectricityProviders online and found that we could save money on our power bill using fixed-rate energy, so that is one thing that we don’t have to worry about. My brother helped me to create a strict budgeting plan that includes working a second job for at least six hours a week, so I need to find a job waiting tables at night. Things may be pretty tight for a while until I can find a job as a teacher.

New Lights

2012-01-15T19:05:00.002-05:00

The apartment I live in has ceiling mounted lights. I think the complex went with the cheapest, ugliest fixtures they could find, because they are horrible. They have plastic coverings that have yellowed with age, and no matter how much I scrub them, they just will not come clean. If I could choose flush mount ceiling lights to replace them, I would pick the one pictured above. I love the frosted globe and the little decorative piece on the bottom.

I wonder if the apartment manager would let me replace my lights if I paid for them myself? Probably not.

Finally...

2011-12-28T17:15:00.003-05:00

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

2011-12-22T05:20:00.001-05:00

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

2011-12-22T05:15:00.001-05:00

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.

2011-12-20T12:00:00.001-05:00

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

2011-12-13T20:00:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-26T18:56:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-26T03:00:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-23T03:00:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-21T03:00:00.001-05:00

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!

2011-11-12T19:00:00.001-05:00

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.

2011-11-11T16:01:00.001-05:00

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:

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

2011-11-07T19:04:00.003-05:00

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

2011-10-20T18:06:00.001-04:00

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?

2011-10-04T10:01:00.001-04:00

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

2011-10-02T00:02:00.001-04:00

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

2011-10-01T14:55:00.001-04:00

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

2011-09-14T16:50:00.000-04:00

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

2011-09-08T17:01:00.001-04:00

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

2011-09-04T10:01:00.001-04:00

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

2011-08-28T03:02:00.001-04:00

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

2011-08-21T10:01:00.001-04:00

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

2011-08-01T12:02:00.001-04:00

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

2011-07-29T17:06:00.000-04:00

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!

2011-07-16T22:14:00.002-04:00

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

2011-06-18T18:25:00.001-04:00

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

2011-06-10T06:01:00.001-04:00

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

2011-05-18T21:00:00.001-04:00

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

2011-05-16T20:59:00.002-04:00

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

2011-03-15T20:09:00.000-04:00

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

2011-03-15T10:00:00.001-04:00

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

2011-03-10T09:45:00.000-05:00

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?

2011-03-09T21:45:00.000-05:00

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

2011-02-24T16:24:00.000-05:00

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

2011-02-15T10:01:00.001-05:00

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

2011-02-11T10:01:00.001-05:00

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

2011-02-05T13:16:00.000-05:00

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

2011-02-03T21:01:00.001-05:00

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

2011-02-01T22:01:00.000-05:00

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!

2011-01-21T22:49:00.000-05:00

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!

2011-01-20T19:14:00.002-05:00

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...

2011-01-17T21:53:00.000-05:00

...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?

Will We Be Dealing With Car Dealers Again?

2011-01-17T21:48:00.000-05:00

We were driving home from running some errands today when Bob informed me that he is going to have to sink some money into the van to get it back to running right. I asked him how much money, and he didn't commit to an actual number, which kind of freaks me out a bit. I know it needs tires and plugs and wires and a bunch of other stuff, but I guess in the end it will be worth it. I mean, we own it. I don't want to have to deal with Car Dealers again while trying to find a new car, and I definitely don't want a car payment right now.

Bob has become kind of addicted to online shopping, and I wouldn't put it past him to check out Net Car Dealers. I mean, car shopping online has to be less stressful. There are no pushy salespeople to deal with, and you can take your time while looking around. The downside of online Car Dealers UK would be not being able to test drive the cars, but I guess when you find the right vehicle, you can always go and test drive it before making a final decision.

For now, I guess I'll just have to let Bob spend the money to get our van running right. It's got to be cheaper than investing in another vehicle.

I'm Going To Be, Um, Well, A Year Older

2011-01-14T14:14:00.000-05:00

My birthday is in a couple of weeks. I am going to be 39. I seriously can not wrap my mind around that number. Not because I am closing in on 40, but because I seriously do not feel that old. Not that 39 is old. I am just wondering why the years seem to be going by so much faster. When I was in high school, time seemed to drag. I couldn't wait to graduate, yet it seemed to take forever for that day to come.

That day was 21 years ago.

Now that I'm a mom, I like to focus on the kids' birthdays, and not mine. We'll probably go out to eat, and have cake, but that's about it. It's not like I am going to send out luau themed invitations. Maybe next year, for the big 4-0, I'll have a party. This year, I am going to let it slip on by quietly.

But, that doesn't mean I don't want presents. I love presents. There are a couple of books I want, and I really need some silicone tipped tongs. Oh, and you can never go wrong buying me an elephant. I love those!

Super Bowl Sunday

2011-01-14T10:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.

We are not big sports fans in this house, but we do like a good party, especially if there is great food being served. I know that Super Bowl Sunday is coming up, and a lot of people have company over to watch the game. If you are hosting a party this year, you should check out TABASCO's Game-Day Party Menu. You will find all sorts of recipes for finger foods and pizza. I love all the tips they share about making frozen and delivery pizza taste better. They call it their Pizza Perfected tips. Basically, all you have to do is use your imagination and add whatever your favorite topping is, along with a dash of TABASCO® Original Red. It not only adds a little heat, it also helps to enhance the flavor of the other ingredients. My favorite pizza would be one with mushrooms, garlic, and spinach, as well as a white sauce. A little dash of TABASCO on top for some heat would make it perfect. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

You should think about making pizza with Tabasco Original Red a part of your game day traditions. As they say, it is "So Much More Than Hot".

The Family Tradition

2011-01-13T11:13:00.002-05:00

Author: Joseph Sandoval

One of my favorite hobbies is definitely knitting. I've been knitting since I was about about five years old and I've gotten progressively better as the years pass. I knit just about anything, from hats and scarves to booties and socks. I recently tried knitting a sweater but I wasn't happy with the way it came out. I guess I'm not a knitted sweater type of girl. I use an assortment of different yarns to create my crafts. One of my favorite yarns to work with is that fuzzy type that really gives off a modern and retro appeal. Once in awhile, I'll even knit things for my family members.

It's actually become a tradition in my family to get together during the holiday season and sit and watch BestChoiceTV while knitting. My mother, grandmother, and I all gather around the living room and just begin knitting our hearts out. My grandmother is fantastic at the hobby. She has been doing it for over sixty years and you can really tell that she's good at it because of the crafts she comes up with. If you want something knitted, she can knit it. It doesn't matter what it is. Maybe someday in the future I can be just as good as her or maybe even better. It's amazing how relaxing knitting can really be.

I Think I Need A Massage

2011-01-12T17:56:00.000-05:00

They canceled school for tomorrow. That means another day of kids who are bored bugging me all day. You would think the older kids would be able to entertain themselves, but no. I am about to send them off to get some massage training so that they can work some of this stress out of my shoulders. In the past 27 days, the kids have had four days of school. Bob was home 17 of those days as well. That means I have had no time to myself in weeks. I think I might be getting close to losing my mind.

Seriously.

At this point, getting a real massage may not be a bad idea. I have never had one before, but I have heard good things from people who have. We have a massage school right around the corner from where I live. I wonder if a part of their massage program is practicing on actual people? I wouldn't mind being someone's guinea pig if it means saving some money.

The Simple Joys of Knitting

2011-01-12T10:10:00.002-05:00

Guest written by our friend Mason Abbott

When I was a younger girl, I used to sit on the sofa watching television and was amazed to see my grandma sitting beside me for hours knitting. She would knit stocking caps, socks, and adorable baby blankets for friends or relatives that were having newborn babies. I watched in amazement because I always noticed that as meticulous as my grandmother was with her knitting, she would be rocking and humming happily as she was knitting. She told me this was her peaceful time, a time that she just enjoyed relaxing and doing something fun for her and from that point on, I wanted to learn how to knit!

I sat down when I was 10 years old and began learning from my grandmother how to knit. I always enjoyed her taking me to the store and picking out my favorite colors from the large selection before me and I would dream of my finished product before I even started! My first project was a knitted stocking cap for my cousin's baby girl and I will never forget the soft pink yarn that I selected.

It didn't take very long before I was doing the same as my grandma was, sitting for hours and hours knitting anxiously watching my projects get closer to completion and anticipating what it would look like when I was done.

Little by little I grew to love my knitting projects just like my grandmother did. I can sit for hours rocking and totally enjoy watching satellite TV from www.cannonsatellite.com/ while knitting away at blankets, sweaters, and all sorts of projects for people I enjoy knitting for. I can now knit without even looking down at my project too often, catching a nice show or movie and moving right along as knitting has become an art for me.

People Actually Buy Stuff Like This?

2011-01-11T22:27:00.000-05:00

Toilet paper and poop earrings....I don't even know what to say. The weird thing is...this etsy seller has sold six pairs of these, and eight toilet paper and poop phone charms. I guess people will buy anything.

A New Baby Blanket

2011-01-11T02:00:00.001-05:00

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

I was at the store today looking for yarn to make a baby blanket for my new nephew. I had a really hard time deciding what to get, so i didn't get anything. I found a yarn I kind of liked, but I didn't love it, so I decided against it. It was a blue/green/white multi-colored baby yarn, but it wasn't as soft as I wanted. Plus, they only had one, and I am sure I will need more than that.

I wish my sister had found out before delivery what she was having, so I could have had the blanket made and ready for my new nephew to use. This is her third child, and she already has one of each, so she was covered no matter what the sex of this baby was. Of course, you can never have enough diapers and wipes, or baby formula. All parent know to keep a stock of all of those things in the house. The only drawback is that baby supplies can be really expensive. I know you can buy on diapers.com most of the things you can get in your local store. They even offer Bright Beginnings Formula, which is cheaper than the name brands but just as nutritious for your baby. You can find out more about Bright Beginnings on Facebook.

I guess tomorrow I need to check out a few more stores to try and find some yarn. Any suggestions? Where do you get yours?

Making The Smart Choice

2011-01-05T19:00:00.001-05:00

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

Baby formula is expensive. Seriously expensive. Not as expensive as feeding a teenaged boy, though. That food bill every month is going to kill me.

I remember the days of buying formula, and even nine years ago when my youngest was a baby, it was expensive. We were on WIC back then, which was a huge blessing. The months we did run out of formula, we always bought the store brand formula. For us, the price difference was a big factor in that decision. Back then, you could save several dollars by buying the store brands, and they were just as good as the name brands. They had to be.

These days, you could save up to $600 a year simply by making the switch to generic formula. All infant formulas are regulated by the FDA, who makes sure that all formulas meet the same nutritional guidelines. For instance, Similac Advance and Parent's Choice Advantage Infant Formulas both have:

- Prebiotics to help support baby’s immune system

- Milk-based nutrition containing all nutrients, vitamins and minerals for growth and development
DHA & ARA, which may support brain and eye development

- Available in 23.2 oz and 12.4 oz sizes

The only significant difference is the price. I know all parents want what is best for their babies, but why pay more for a "name" when you don't have to? My kids were raised on the store brands, and they turned out just fine.

Here Come The Bills

2011-01-03T10:47:00.000-05:00

It's January. Christmas and New Year's Day are behind us, and we are all facing a new year full of endless possibilities. I am sure there are millions of you out there who will also be facing those credit cards bills from all the Christmas shopping you did last month. Luckily, we did all our shopping with cash. If you didn't, you may want to look into finding a way to make those credit card bills more manageable. I would consider Consolidating my credit cards if I had any, but I don't. I plan on keeping it that way, too.

Top Droppers ~ December

2011-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the following blogs for dropping the most this month!

Bit Doze ~ Help your site to become No 1 in search engines, here you can find useful information about ways of making money online and other news related to internet world,Blogging Tips, SEO, Social Media

Comedy Plus ~ A place for a few laughs.

my kids are my world ~ This is a blog about my life as a wife and mother of three kids, who are, obviously, my world.

the way I see it ~ A collection of monologues on my thoughts and opinions. Personal observations on a wide variety of subjects including travel, politics, child sponsorship with Children International. News and views from my perspective.

Moonangelnay on Etsy ~ A contemporary handmade, fine art, photography, crafts, gifts, jewelry, fashion and Etsy focused blog, sharing weekly features, tutorials, original works and interviews of the new artists of Etsy.

Sparkle ~ Sparkle is the author of two cat-to-cat advice books (no humans!), has her own Muse Medallion-winning calendar and is one of the original cat bloggers - she has been blogging since January, 2003!

Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife ~ I am the Psychotic Housewife - a gothic Martha Stewart, SAHM, addicted to shopping and saving money while living in a Murphy's Law zone where everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. I love to give my opinion and share the deals I come across.

Technology News ~ All about Technology

Digital Rebel350 ~ Digital Rebel 350-Digital Memories Captured With Canon EOS 350 Digital Rebel

bethere2day ~ A personal blog about anything and everything, fun, humour, randomness and rants.

I'm Dreaming Of Warmer Weather

2010-12-29T23:01:00.000-05:00

It has been so cold here in South Carolina. We even had a white Christmas, which hasn't happened in over 45 years. The snow is slowly melting away, but the temperatures are still pretty chilly. I am ready to go somewhere warm, with beautiful beaches so I can get my feet wet in the ocean water. I told Junior he needs to look into west palm beach real estate, not to buy anything, but to find a rental place where we could stay for a few days. Brandi has been asking for years to go to the ocean, and I think this year we might actually do it. Well, I say this year, but I really mean next year, seeing as how there are only two days left in this year.

Either way, I am looking forward to some down time with my family.

On Company Time

2010-12-29T22:54:00.000-05:00

Do you own your own company, and have company vehicles? If so, you may want to look into vehicle tracking systems. Knowing where you employees are while on company time can save you money in a bunch of different ways. For one thing, gas prices are pretty high right now, and if your employee is using the company vehicle to run personal errands on company time, you have a right to know bout it so that you can put a stop to it. Tracking your vehicles can also insure that your employees are being efficient.

Some people may think this is an invasion of their privacy, but I don't agree with that. If you are on the clock, than your boss has a right to know how you are spending your time.

Easy DIY Quilt For My Daughter

2010-12-29T07:59:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Tina Carlson

I love making things for my family and I think that they like the stuff I make them. It's not like I knit them embarrassing sweaters every year for Christmas or anything, but I really think about what they could use like a new pair of gloves or a scarf to match a new winter coat.

Right now my daughter just finished up her first semester of college and it's so nice to have her back at home for the holidays. I thought that I could make something really nice for her to take back with her to use at school. While I was online I came across a site with some internet packages on it and after I looked through them, I decided to sign up for one of them.

I decided to make her a easy DIY quilt that she could put on her bed in her dorm room and have as an extra layer of warmth in that drafty old dorm. I think that she'll like it, especially because I made it to match her bed's comforter.

I'm A Charter Mom

2010-12-22T18:02:00.002-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Charter. All opinions are 100% mine.
I just "liked" the new Charter Moms Facebook page. This is a place where mom's can voice their opinions on all things Charter. For those of you who don't know, Charter is the 4th largest cable operator in the United States, and just so happens to provide me with my cable, internet, and home phone. I have been a loyal customer for many years, and overall, I have been very happy with the service they provide.

When I heard about Charter Moms, I knew that I wanted to be a part of it. I want to be one of the first to know about new programs and features that are available. As a new customer many years ago, I didn't know about their on demand feature for several months. Once I realized what it was, I could have slapped myself for not using it before. I have almost every channel available, including all the movie channels. I like watching movies on demand with the kids, because it gives me the ability to pause and even rewind if one of the kids missed a part. I also love watching Victorious on demand. I know, it's a show geared towards kids, but I really like it. I have been known to watch it even when the kids aren't.
Don't judge me. You know there are shows you secretly watch, too.

Four More Days!

2010-12-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

I can not believe there are only four days until Christmas day. This is the first year, in many, many years that we have not had to borrow money to get the kids their gifts. Sure, it's not going to be a big Christmas, but each kid is going to get exactly what they asked for, which doesn't happen very often around here.

We have lots to do the next few days, too. On Christmas Eve, we are going to visit some of my husband's cousins, and then we are going to my sister's house to exchange gifts with my dad. Christmas Day will be spent with my mom, of course, which I am really looking forward to.

I am also looking forward to seeing what Junior and the kids have for mt under the tree. It's been many, many years since Junior and I have spent money on each other, letting the kids pick out gifts for us. We decided that we will worry about "real life" stuff like car insurance and changing our cable package after the first of the year. We have until February to pay for our yearly car insurance policy, and I think I have until March to decide about the cable. It's nice to put those things on the back burner for the next week or so, and not worry about money. Or even worry about anything.

We are dedicated to enjoying this Christmas, stress free.

Shopping On Black Friday Is The Best

2010-12-15T10:55:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Rolf Tate

It's the first day of the Christmas shopping season. Stores put everything on sale at phenomenal prices. Okay, the traffic is snarled and the people are militant, but there's a reason for that. Women drive the economy; it's a statistical fact. It's women who shop on Black Friday and women who buy most of the Christmas decorations and presents. So you crawl through the crowds with your purchases clutched to your chest and actually make it to the checkout.

But I got the deal of the century on a new coffeepot. I was in Kohl's and saw a black twelve cup Mr. Coffee coffeepot for twenty dollars. The sale price knocked it down to fifteen. At the register, unbeknownst to me, was yet another discount and so I got a great coffeepot for eight dollars! I put the coffeepot in the car and went back in to get a gift for my three year old granddaughter.

I happened across a set of blocks with letters and numbers to help my daughter teach her to count and teach her the alphabet. The set was ten dollars but with the discount at the register, I got the set of blocks for four dollars! I just love Kohl's!

As I watched satellite TV that I got after seeing this Directtv comparison, I was very thankful to be home with few bruises.

Brandi's Teacher's Christmas Gift

2010-12-14T23:16:00.000-05:00

Did you follow that? Since Brandi is my only kid who still wants to give her teacher a gift, I decided to make it special. As some of you know, Brandi is in an all girl's class, and the room is done in pink and black prints. This is what I came up with:

I know the picture isn't the best...my camera broke, and my mom left her's here over the weekend, so I tried using hers, and, well, it's not like mine at all. That said, I think Brandi's teacher will like this.

DIY iPad Case

2010-12-14T09:54:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Sam Rodriguez

I kind of wanted an ipad for a while, but I broke down about a month ago and finally bought one for myself. I actually have gotten quite a bit of use out of it, so I'm satisfied that I'll eventually get the money's worth out of it, which is the reason that I put it off for so long.

But I still haven't bought an ipad case for it yet. I thought that could wait. I wanted to shop around for that anyway. When I was shopping around for one online one night, I actually found some information about Clearwire wireless internet systems and decided to change over my home internet access to that provider.

I found all kinds of great cases that looked like I could actually recreate myself, so I decided to just pull of an DIY ipad case. I mean, I didn't think that would be too hard to make. Now this way I could even personalize my case with my name and make it exactly how I want it.

DIY Ribbon Bulletin Board

2010-12-13T06:46:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Stacy Carlson

I'm so bad about forgetting to hold onto business cards or pictures or other little random things that people give me. I end up throwing a lot of them away or losing them under my couch, which can really cause problems when I try to find them later. But here lately, I've been trying to be a little more organized. I've bought a few different organizational things and everything. However, I still hadn't found anything that would be perfect to use to store all of that stuff while leaving it out for me to see and remind myself of what I do have.

I went online to try and find an organizational solution for that and actually came across some info about York Wireless internet deals and decided to order one of them to change over my internet access.

After a whole lot of searching, I decided that a ribbon bulletin board was exactly what I was thinking. I could easily make it and just stick cards or whatever I needed to hold onto it with the ribbons so that they wouldn't get ruined.

2010 Ornament For Brandi

2010-12-12T10:25:00.000-05:00

I love the feet on this one! And the googly eyes!

Getting The House Ready

2010-12-12T10:21:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been the victim of a flood? The way it was raining here last night I was convinced our little home would be swept away. The weather men had talked about it snowing, but thankfully it was just rain. Today is Brandi's birthday party, and if I had to worry about applied structural drying the party would be ruined.

As it is now, the girls and I are trying to get the house clean and ready. I am baking meatballs to go with my ziti, Brandi is cleaning the bathroom, and Kasi is working on the floors. We have mostly hardwoods (the fake kind) and an area rug. The rug seem to be a catch all for every piece of dirt in this house, and I hate having to drag out the vacuum just to clean it. Most of the time, I just sweep it, but that just gets rid of the surface dirt. I really need to look for some rug cleaning tips so I can get all the ground in dirt out. I would hate to see what a carpet cleaner would pull out of it.

If I had thought ahead, I would have looked up some do it yourself upholstery cleaning tips and tried to clean the couch. Most of the time I keep a sheet on it, so it's not too bad. It's just nice every now and them to do a little Spring cleaning, even if it is Winter time.

Do You Want To Be A Teacher?

2010-12-12T01:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of 2tor. All opinions are 100% mine.

For all you busy moms out there, going to school online is an easy way to continue your education without sacrificing time with your family. You can study on your own time, and work your school work into your own schedule. Depending on what you want to study, there are several different schools that offer online classes. If you are interested in becoming a teacher, you should check out the The USC Rossier School of Education’s MAT@USC program. If you qualify, you can participate in their accelerated program, which you can finish in a little as 12 months. You can take classes online and gain field experience in your own area. Again, this is something you can fit into your own schedule. They also offer tuition reimbursement and scholarships, which will come in handy with today's economy. If this sounds like something you are interested in, you can check out the program information for yourself.

I have been toying with going back to school for a while now, but I can't seem to make up my mind. I need to find out about transferring my credits from when I went to college years ago, though I doubt many of them will be transferable. I will most likely have to start over, which I don't really mind. It's just that it can be expensive, and we are tight on money right now. But, if I do go back to school, when I graduate, I will make more money, which makes it all worth while.

Right?

2010 Ornament For Kasi

2010-12-09T15:20:00.000-05:00

Here's Kasi's ornament for this year. Cute, right?

Free Dating Site

2010-12-09T11:00:00.001-05:00

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

More and more single people these days are turning to the internet to find their soul mates. There are so many different sites dedicated to helping a person find a compatible mate, it can get confusing trying to find the right one for you. Some boast they can match you with someone who meets all your needs, while others leave it to you to browse and find someone yourself.

On LuvFree, it's a little different. The more time you spend on the site, the more matches you will make. In fact, if someone is searching for a specific attribute that you possess, if you are online, you will be on the top of their match list. You can video chat, view profiles, message people, and rate photos, all for free. That's right. One of the biggest things that sets this dating site apart is that you are never charged for any of their services. There are no hidden charges, either. When they say free, they mean free.

I am thankful that I am happily married, and not having to deal with being single. It has been way too many years since my last date, and I would hate to have to do the whole dating thing again. It's scary out there.

2010 Ornament For Ryan

2010-12-06T14:33:00.000-05:00

Christmas wouldn't be complete without the kids yearly ornaments. This year, Ryan ended up with a cute little tree, complete with snowflakes and berries. Is it my most creative ornament ever? Not even close. But I have been so busy, he's actually lucky he got an ornament at all this year.

It's Beginning To Feel Like Christmas

2010-12-06T14:22:00.000-05:00

It is cold today! Our high is only going to be 40 degrees. I was thrilled this morning when Brandi woke up still not feeling well, because that meant I didn't have to go to the bus stop when it was twenty something degrees. She has been fighting a cough for a while now, and it seems to be getting worse instead of better. So, instead of school we are taking a trip to the doctors. I'm hoping he'll be able to give her something to knock the cough out.

I have gotten used to the "not so cold" Christmas' we have here in South Carolina. That doesn't stop the stores from decorating like we're living at the North Pole. I love all the Santa villages and snowmen. Whenever we go to a store or the mall, I always think to myself that it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. Now if I could just finish up my shopping, things would be perfect. Kasi is the only one I have left to shop for, but whenever I try and find something for her, I find things I know Brandi would love.

I found this adorable umbrella that I know Brandi would love. I mean, it's a ladybug, and you all know about her ladybug obsessions. She reminds me of myself with elephants. Anyway, this is part of a Kidorable deal where they are offering this umbrella free with purchase until December 15. I am hoping I can find something to buy for Kasi, so that I can get this free umbrella.

If only I could find something for Kasi. Who knew it would be so hard shopping for a 13 year old girl?

Almost Done

2010-12-03T17:01:00.001-05:00

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

Last Friday, Junior and I ventured out to do a little shopping. It was Black Friday, so we were hoping to find some good deals. We didn't go out until after noon, so most of the great deals were long gone. however, we were able to get most of our shopping done. The only kid I have left to buy for is Kasi, and I just need to get her a few more things. One of the things I want to find is a flat wallet, which seems to be a popular accessory these days. The last time we were in our local mall, we found a kiosk that sells them, but they were $30 each. I flat out refuse to pay that much money for one wallet, no matter how badly she wants it.

I decided to look online to see if I could find a cheaper one, and I found a few that are pretty nice at Pier 1. The best thing is that they are on sale. I found these on sale for $3.98.

That is a huge savings. I also found these for $11.18, and I am thinking about getting her the zebra print one. I bought her a zebra print purse she was wanting, and this would match that perfectly.

Pier one also has a ton of decorations for your holiday entertaining. I know that when I step one foot into that store, I am going to want to buy everything. I love Christmas, and even though we don't have people over to our house for the holidays, I love decorating it anyway. The girls and I had fun putting up our tree last weekend, and I know all the decorations help to get them into the Holiday mood.

Pier 1 is collecting toys for Toys for Tots, so make sure you bring an unwrapped toy with you when you shop to donate. You can also make a cash donation at the register. If you are like me and running low on cash, you can always donate by going to the Pier 1 facebook page and "like" them. For every person who does this, they will donate a dollar to Toys for Tots. This is an easy way to give when you have nothing to give.

I'm off to go find a store in my area so I can buy Kasi that wallet.

Top Droppers ~ November

2010-12-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

The following blog dropped here the most last month:

Comedy Plus ~ A place for a few laughs

my kids are my world ~ This is a blog about my life as a wife and mother of three kids, who are, obviously, my world.

Random Ramblings ~ Personal observations on a wide variety of subjects. Photographs of creatures and things that are taken on seeing the unusual as well as everyday things.

Technology News ~ All about Technology

Traders' Hub ~ My blog gives trading advice, makes critical reviews of related sites, and teaches trading techniques.

Confessions of a Fitness Diva ~ The Fitness Diva shows you how to be fit and fabulous while still indulging in some of the more "sinful" things in life. Tips on how to be decadent, but still smart enough to stay looking amazing!

Da Dude's BBQ Thought ~ Da Dude's BBQ Thought & other things. The thoughts and rantings of a Barbecue God Wanna be!

The Sewing Mom ~ Personal blog showcasing my fabric creations. I also talk about family, friends, hobbies, cooking and daily life.

Thanks to all who dropped by!

More Cross Magnets

2010-11-28T22:39:00.000-05:00

Here are two more magnets that I painted. I used the same purple/gold/black combination, and I think it worked just as well on these. I love the hearts. I am keeping these for myself, too.

Quilted Christmas

2010-11-28T22:35:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Amelia Palmer

I've always love to quilt. My grandmother was always quilting when I was little and my mom always hated quilting I think because her mother was so gung ho about it. But over the years, I got better and better at quilting and have kept on doing it throughout my adult life. I sent my kids off to college with quilts that I made for them and on other occasions. It makes me feel like I'm there with them and I think that they kind of feel the same way too.

After all the quilts that I've made over the years, it never occurred to me to make a quilted Christmas tree skirt and then I got the idea a few weeks ago. So I went online to get a pattern for it. While I was doing that I saw an internet offer and after looking at it, decided to get clear wireless internet for our house.

I'm actually going to make a quilted tree skirt for me and then one for both of my kids to give them as kind of family gifts for Christmas. I'm so excited about them!

Cross Magnets

2010-11-28T22:33:00.000-05:00

I bought these magnets with the intention of painting them and giving them away as Christmas gifts. Once I painted them, however, I decided to keep them for myself. I love the black/gold/purple combination. I like the way they look with swapping out the gold and purple. Don't you?

Pretty Holiday Packaging

2010-11-27T12:00:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Ruth Wright

Gone are the days when my little girls insist on me wrapping all of their Christmas presents in tacky brightly colored wrapping paper covered in their favorite cartoons characters. I'm pretty grateful for that because I'm so sick of buying that stuff because it's more expensive and doesn't look all that nice with all my other Christmas decor.

This year I thought that I would come up with some more unique gift wrappings for the holidays, so I started looking for some ideas online when I came across some deals for an internet company and decided to CLICK and go ahead and sign up for one of them.

Even though it only lasts for a while, I think that holiday gift packaging is one of the best ways to get creative during the holidays. I love to flex my creativity and am thinking about putting all those scraps of ribbon that I have in my craft room to use on some bows for presents and then reuse them again for next year.

Easy Come, Easy Go

2010-11-26T23:04:00.002-05:00

I have a hard time making friends. I happen to be really shy, and I always feel like I say the wrong things to people. So, instead of possibly looking like a fool, I just keep to myself.

About a month ago, one of the moms at the bus stop started talking to me in the afternoons. She is a big talker, so basically all I had to do was nod my head every now and then because she did all the talking. It took her a week to tell me her entire life story, and trust me, there were things I could have lived the rest of my life without knowing. I think she felt we had a connection because she had just moved to SC from Pennsylvania, and I am originally from New York.

One of the things I know about her is that she is a nursing assistant. Several days a week she would show up at the bus stop in her scrubs, ready to head to work as soon as the kids got off the bus. She worked for a staffing company in different nursing homes in the area. I am familiar with a lot of them because my husband used to be a CNA when we first got together, and he worked for a competing staffing agency. He didn't need to wear uniform scrubs, though. He just needed to wear white shirts and pants. I think they should have been required to wear green scrubs or something, because the white always got so dirty. He would come home with who knows what all over his clothes, and it took a lot of bleach to get them white again.

Anyway, last week, my new friend moved across town, and her son will be going to a different school. I am going to miss listening to her go on and on about herself at the bus stop. Okay, not really. I can now go back to reading peacefully while waiting for the bus, especially now that I have my new eReader.

My Ice Cream

2010-11-21T10:27:00.000-05:00

I know...there is no ice cream flavor that is purple. But, it's my favorite color, so that's what it is. I wish I could figure out how to add sprinkles to it. I guess my next trip to the craft store will be a mission to find the perfect craft sprinkle for fake ice cream cones. Any suggestions?

Catching Up With Old Friends

2010-11-21T10:22:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Heather Maness

My friend Melissa and I try to get together at least once every few weeks, if not just for a quick bite to eat to catch up. It's been nearly three years since we graduated from Penn State together and we've really tried our hardest to make sure life in the real world didn't stand the way of our friendship, so that's why we keep up the regular visits as much as we can. I actually went over to her place last night for a dinner-and-a-movie combo, which was a blast.

We made this great fettuccine alfredo meal - homemade alfredo and all - plus our favorite cheesy garlic bread from the grocery store. Making it all was so much fun! She also got to show off her new sears granite countertops, which she of course was excited to do. I'm actually thinking about having some installed in my place now, after working with hers for so long. Anyway, then we sat down and finally watched Dear John together - which we'd wanted to see in theaters but just never found the time. Every time I leave one of our hangouts I can't help but smile. It's great knowing I'll always have someone to kick back with, college-style.

A Piece Of Cake & A Banana Split

2010-11-21T10:18:00.000-05:00

Brandi painted these. Don't they look delicious? lol! She is getting pretty good at staying in the right spots with the paint. I think she is going to be crafty like me. I didn't have the heart to tell her that her "chocolate" looks a lot like a pile of poop on top of that banana split.

What's Your Wicked Fresh Moment?

2010-11-21T03:53:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tom's of Maine. All opinions are 100% mine.

Christmas is a little over a month away. If you are like me, you are worrying about finding the money to make those last minute purchases. Junior and I used to love to go shopping the morning of Christmas Eve, when the stores were packed with shoppers looking for last minute deals. We haven't done that in a few years, though, because we haven't had the money.

This year, I am going to enter Tom's Of Maine's That's Wicked Fresh contest for a chance to win a $500 Target gift card. The contests ends a couple of days before Christmas, so if I win, Junior and I can venture out this year. It's easy to enter, too. All you have to do is go to the That's Wicked Fresh contest page and tweet your Wicked Fresh moment. (you also have to follow them on Twitter and for a bonus entry, like them on Facebook) You know you have a Wicked Fresh moment. You can tell them about stealing a kiss under the stars from the person you love. Or about the time you kissed your future spouse for the first time. It could even be something as simple as a romantic night with your significant other. I haven't decided what my Wicked Fresh moment will be yet. I just know that it's going to be good!

Butt Paste

2010-11-21T03:52:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Boudreaux's Butt Paste. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's been a while since I've had a kid in diapers. (Thank Goodness!) I remember how expensive all the supplies used to cost, from the diapers and wipes to the powders and diaper rash creams. I always bought the cheapest diapers, wipes and powder, because let's face it, they all did the same thing. The only thing I remember spending extra money on was the diaper rash cream I used, because it worked. The funny thing is, they don't make it anymore.

My sister has a little one who is prone to diaper rash. She has always used Boudreaux's Butt Paste and she loves it. I will admit that when I have changed the baby's diaper, the cream wiped off so easily. Now, as a mom, I know this is really important. When a baby has diaper rash, their little bottoms can get very red and raw. ANY type of wiping hurts, so having to press hard to scrub off diaper rash cream is like torture. The Butt Paste eliminates the need to wipe harshly, making diaper changing easier.

Plus, it has a really funny name. I mean, who wouldn't want to buy something called Butt Paste?

Ice Cream

2010-11-20T13:33:00.000-05:00

The girls and I were bored last night so we painted some things I had bought a few months ago and forgotten about. Kasi painted these two. One is an ice cream cone (on the right) and one is a sundae cup (on the left). We still have a few more things to paint, too. Maybe if we get the Christmas tree up early enough tonight we'll paint some more. I still have to do the kids ornaments for this year.

Our New Abode

2010-11-19T10:23:00.001-05:00

Guest post written by Edin Cransworth

Now that my husband and I are retired, we have more time to do exactly what we want. In fact, we're doing so much of what we want these days that a few months ago we made a somewhat impromptu move to Clearwater Beach in Florida. It wasn't that much of a trek from our old home in Georgia, but we've talked about retiring down here ever since we first got married so it's great that we're finally seeing that happen. We got our own little condo by the ocean life really couldn't be any better right now! My brother, who lives in New Jersey, has been telling me how cold it is up there too which I respond by telling him that we're still swimming and fishing down in the Sunshine State!

Our first project in the new digs is to re-do our kitchen. We like what's there now, but we really want to give it a little bit of flare. We're going to look into the sears kitchen counters Florida to see what kinds of options we have first and then base the redesign around that. Can't wait to see how it comes out!

Some Realistic Quotes About Life

2010-11-18T05:36:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Laura Peterson

You'll never see one of those posters with the cat hanging on a branch that says Hang In There in my place or in my office either. I'm not much for inspirational quotes, especially when they're paired with cute pictures of small animals. Even in college when my roommate tried to talk me into splitting the cost of one of those posters with people playing beer pong on it with a definition of Teamwork underneath, I told her I wasn't interested.

But when I was just browsing the internet last week I found some quotes that are actually worth writing down by Kurt Vonnegut. Right after I saw those I found the site clearwirelessinternetservice.com and decided to change over my internet company to it because I'd been passively looking for a new one anyway.

I even wrote down one of those Vonnegut quotes down on a post it note and put it up on my computer monitor at work. It might be a little cheesy, but that quote isn't cheesy, just putting it up at my desk.

Baby Formula ~ Which Is Better?

2010-11-16T22:00:00.001-05:00

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

I think women all around the world know that breast feeding their babies is important. A mother's milk provides all the nutrients a baby needs to grow up healthy. But sometimes, breast feeding is not an option, and mothers have to rely on baby formula.

Some women believe that the more expensive name brand formulas are better for their babies than the store brand formulas. This is completely untrue. Every baby formula has to meet the same nutritional guidelines. The name brand formulas are given to hospitals for free and heavily marketed, which keeps their prices high. Store brand formulas don't spend money on advertising, so their prices are lower. In fact, some say that a parent can save up to $600 a year simply by switching from the name brand formula to the store brand. In my opinion, if they are nutritionally the same, why spend the extra money?

All three of my kids were formula babies, not because that is what I wanted, but because I was unable to breast feed. I did, however, pump my milk for the first three months for each of them so they did receive some of the benefits of breast milk. I just wish I could have done it longer.

Taylor Ann

2010-11-15T18:06:00.000-05:00

I finally finished my last name sign. I did this one in blue and green. Taylor shares a room with Teagan, so I put green on both to tie them together. I also bought pretty white ribbon that has polka dots on it in all different colors...it's going to match both signs.

I am thinking about making a sign for Brandi's teacher that says "Mrs. Blanton's Classroom", but we'll see. She's the only teacher gift I have to do this year, so it shouldn't be too hard to get it done. I hate that the older kids don't bring gifts to their teachers anymore. I love making stuff every year for them...

Real Housewives DC

2010-11-13T10:35:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Amanda Toone

When I think about all the glamorous places to live, I don't really think about Washington DC but I guess with that being the seat of our government and all, there are lots of parties and charity events and goings on all the time there. Plus, a lot of really big politicians and famous people to rub elbows with on different occasions. So, I guess that filming a Real Housewives season there did make sense, after all.

I kept up with the whole season and watched all kinds of extra and deleted scenes from the show. When I was doing that and rewatching some stuff the other day online, I saw the site www.getclearwirelessinternet.com/4g-broadband/connecticut/new-haven.html and after reading through it decided to change over our internet service to it.

But even though I really ended up liking the show in the end, out of all the Real Housewives, I just couldn't stand Michaele. It wasn't just because she and her husband crashed the White House either. She was just one of my least favorites.

Writer's Block

2010-11-08T10:42:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Kayla Everett

I'm in college now to be an English teacher, but teaching isn't all that I want to do with my life. I want to also eventually publish some short stories and maybe even novels. So trying to write them makes for a nice distraction for me when I'm procrastinating or just taking a break from all of my school work. But it's kind of a problem too because then I stress out about writing my fiction instead of stressing out about school work like I should be doing right now as a college student.

I was online looking up advice for getting over writer's block, which I just happened to be experiencing at the time when I came across some info about CLEAR bundle deals and I think I may switch over my internet to it because a college student can use some extra cash all the time.

Just then I got the inspiration for a short story. It's going to be about, well someone that's like me, an English teacher that's wanting to break out and write a book. We'll see how it ends up.

Love Them!!!!!

2010-11-07T10:33:00.000-05:00

I decided last week that I needed a little something for myself. So, I scoured etsy and found these beautiful earrings in MAB Jewelry's shop. Aren't they gorgeous!

I was also thrilled when the package arrived and inside was a surprise...a pair of elephant dangle earrings. They are so cute. I recommend this seller to anyone looking for unique, beautiful jewelry.

I Found A Great Deal

2010-11-07T10:10:00.000-05:00

I went to Walmart last night and was pleasantly surprised to find that they had a huge selection of $1 items at the front of the store. I'm not talking about the cheap, regularly priced stuff. No, I am talking about clothes that had been marked down. Twenty dollar jeans, toddler outfits, shoes, jackets, men's dress shirts, even a swim nappy. Out of everything on the racks, I only bought one thing. I bought my nephew's Christmas gift; a Toy Story shorts set. Sure, he'll have to wait until summer to wear it, but for $1, well, I wasn't passing that up. I wish they had things in my kids sizes, but the racks had obviously been picked over, and most of the good stuff was gone. As we were checking out, the cashier said there would be new stuff out this morning, but we don't plan on going back. I wish we could, though, because I could get a lot of Christmas shopping done.

I Wonder If I Can Still Play?

2010-11-07T09:52:00.002-05:00

Growing up, I remember how much I looked forward to 4th grade. That was the year in elementary school when I could finally join chorus and learn to play an instrument. It was also the year the whole class got to do a play. The year I was in 4th grade, we did Cinderella, and I was the evil stepmother. I was a good evil stepmother.

Of course, I also joined the chorus and started playing the viola. I was really good at that, too. I sat first chair up until 10th grade, when I realized that there were more important things in life than orchestra. I remember when I first started learning that I picked up on it quickly. I was more advanced than the other students who took lessons at the same time, so my (male) music teacher used to put me in the supply closet to practice more advanced pieces while he taught the rest of the class. I guess back then I didn't see anything wrong with that, but I think I would be a little ticked nowadays if a teacher put any of my kids in a closet, even if it was for a good reason.

The thing is, the schools didn't offer my kids the opportunity to learn an instrument. I have been thinking about letting Ryan learn the guitar, because he is really into 80's rock, and wants to play some of those songs. (I don't think Guitar Hero counts as lessons, either) I was checking out Adeo School's Home Page and I think they offer exactly what I am looking for. The Adeo School's Teachers record lessons and post them online for the students to listen to and practice. They then offer the lessons either in home or in studio. You should check out Adeo School: How it Works for yourself.

I just wish we lived closer to Atlanta (where they are located) so that Ryan could go there. I read on their site that they even offer viola lessons, which I would love to take myself. I wonder how much I still remember?

One Of My Favorites

2010-11-06T16:06:00.000-04:00

RememberRene is one of my newest favorite etsy shops. Shari sells the most beautiful handmade jewelry. This particular set is $33, with free shipping.

I bought something from her recently, but I am giving it as a gift so I don't want to put up a picture of that until after Christmas. But trust me...I will, because what I bought is beyond beautiful.

If you are looking for Christmas gifts, check out her shop. I am sure you will fall in love with her work, just like I have.

From The Book To Fangs

2010-11-06T08:24:00.000-04:00

Guest post written by Lauren Thompson

Back when the movie Twilight came out, I had never heard of it before and then one of my friends dragged me to it. Well I thought it was okay, but it really wasn't my thing and I would have just preferred to have seen something that had some really intense vampires, like back when I used to love watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer on TV. Then one of my other friends told me that I should start watching True Blood and I did.

But after this season ended, I just couldn't stand not being able to worry about what was going to happen between Sookie and Bill every week, so I went online and ordered a few of the first books with my clear wimax that the series is based off of.

I just hate it when shows or movies aren't true to the source material and that's not an issue with the True Blood story because it still has a lot of the Louisiana flavor in it, which I really love and think makes the show.

Watching A Sunrise

2010-11-05T06:38:00.002-04:00

Guest written by our friend Ruby Holland

Watching a sunrise while on a camping trip is one of my favorite pastimes. Although I don't get to go camping very often, when I do make it, it's my priority to watch a sunrise each and every time, even if I get very little sleep during the night because of my fear of camping when it's dark.

I go camping for many reasons, but watching a sunrise while camping is one of the biggest reasons. There's something so reassuring and beautiful about a sunrise while free in the woods that is so much more powerful than watching a sunrise while in the middle of busy cities.

I'm comfortable when I'm camping because I know my home is safe. I always set my home security alarm from Adt Home Security prices before leaving for a camping trip so that I can enjoy the sunrise and everything else I'll be doing on my trip. It's just a great experience to know that I'll never have to worry about my home.

Camping will always be one of my most treasured activities, but watching the sunrise during the trip is my all time favorite thing on my trip. I do so in the safety of the woods, knowing that everything I do is a private moment for myself that I can remember forever. I can also share those moments with the people that I love the most.

The sunrise on a camping trip is unlike any other sunrise you'll witness. Give it a try and I think you'll agree.

Skating Mom

2010-11-04T00:06:00.000-04:00

Guest post written by Rebekah Holt

Even though my kids don't play soccer, that doesn't mean that I don't constantly cart them back and forth to sporting events. My daughter figure skates and my son plays hockey.

I was online looking to buy my kids some more skates coming up for the holidays. They seem to go through them so fast! When i was doing that I saw www.clearwirewimax4g.com and it got my interest so I read through it. After that I showed it to my husband and we're going to switch over our internet provider to it pretty soon.

I think I found some skates that are going to work for both of them. But I'm prepared to return them just in case they don't fit right. You never can tell when it comes to kids! I think that will also give my daughter enough time to break them in before her skating competition. She is really nervous about it because she's never competed in a figure skating competition before, although she has some practice in the limelight from piano competitions.

It's A Beautiful Day

2010-11-02T14:26:00.000-04:00

It is beautiful outside today. There is a chill in the air, and a beautiful breeze. I wish I could open my windows and let all the fresh air in, but unfortunately, my windows do not have screens, and all the flies and wasps will come into the house if the windows are open. For some reason, there are several wasps nests (or are they called hives?) along the roof line of our house, and no matter how many times we knock them down and spray, they keep coming back. I am seriously thinking we may need Billy (the exterminator) to come take a look at our problem. I know we have to do something, because I am ready to throw some shutters on the windows that will keep everything out, even the sun. Of course, since this is a rental house, I would only be able to put up something temporary that we could take down should we ever decide to leave. I am hoping that one day, someday, we will be able to get a place of our own. but, for right now, I deal with wasps and bees by keeping the windows closed and the A/C on.

Top Droppers ~ October

2010-11-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

The following blogs dropped the most here in October:

my kids are my world ~ This is a blog about my life as a wife and mother of three kids, who are, obviously, my world

Random Ramblings ~ Personal observations on a wide variety of subjects. Photographs of creatures and things that are taken on seeing the unusual as well as everyday things

Da Dude's BBQ Thought ~ Da Dude's BBQ Thought & other things. The thoughts and rantings of a Barbecue God Wanna be

Traders' Hub ~ My blog gives trading advice, makes critical reviews of related sites, and teaches trading techniques

Photography by KML ~ Photography by KML features the fine art and stock images of photographer, Kathy Libby. KML specializes in Landscape and Nature photos. The stock photos include concepts, food, backgrounds, abstracts, sports, architecture, transportation, and people

Technology News ~ All about Technology

The Sewing Mom ~ Personal blog showcasing my fabric creations. I also talk about family, friends, hobbies, cooking and daily life.

Online Social Networking ~ Thought provoking articles on a wide range of social media, web marketing and PR strategies

Thanks to all who dropped by in October!

Who Is The Superstar?

2010-10-30T10:28:00.000-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PlayStation MOVE. All opinions are 100% mine.
Let me set the scene for you.

WHO: me, Junior, Ryan, Kasi, and Brandi

WHAT: family game night

WHERE: the living room

WHEN: at least once a month

WHY: because it's FUN!

Family game night is kind of a tradition around here. It started a few years ago when we taught the kids how to play Rummy. I would bake up all kinds of junk food and we would gather around the table and play and eat. It was nice spending time with the kids, and they had a lot of fun beating Junior and I. We have gotten tired of playing cards, so we recently started playing board games. As much fun as this is, I want to start doing something a little more physical. I want us to get up and move.

There is no better way to do that than with the PlayStation®Move. The Move is a special controller and sensor system that you can add to your PlayStation3 for only $99, and it adds the ability to be interactive with video games. (think Wii) I was searching for a game online that we could all play together, and I found one called TV Superstars, and I think it has something for each of us.

In "Let's Get Physical", you can shoot paint cannons and perform stunts. I can see Ryan playing this game, and doing really well with it. I mean, what boy doesn't like performing stunts?

In "Frock Star", you can take center stage and model your way to stardom. If you have met my children, you know this is right up Brandi's alley. She already has the diva attitude down pat.

In "DIY Raw", you can paint, saw, hammer...does anyone else think this would be perfect for my husband?

In "Big Beat Kitchen", you can make over celebrity homes. Yup, this one is totally me.

And finally, for Kasi, we have "Super Television Acting Agency". She can perform and record her own TV commercials.

As you can see, there is a game within a game for every member of my family. I am looking forward to getting both the PS3 and the Move so that we can enjoy this game in the future.

Lylah

2010-10-29T13:33:00.000-04:00

Here's the one I made for my niece Lylah. It's pink and brown, and I am going to try and find a pink and brown gingham ribbon to hang it with. Maybe do a bow on each end instead of curly ribbon...I'm not sure yet. I guess it depends on the size of the ribbon I can find. (I love the dark shadows around the edges of the letters, but that's not really there...it's the sunlight playing tricks. I wish it was, though. It looks cool.)