tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29098000578562915842024-02-20T11:37:41.106-05:00My Life of What IfsI don't believe in regrets, but an occasional what if is perfectly acceptable.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.comBlogger245125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-86253963209296103622012-04-20T21:44:00.002-04:002012-04-20T21:44:26.183-04:00The End of an EraTonight, on the eve of my 40th birthday, I am putting My Life of What Ifs to rest. When I started this blog three years ago I was feeling a little broken, a little lost, and a little disappointed. But I've come full circle and most of that has changed.<br />
<br />
I still have my "moments" and I still believe in the "process", and I wouldn't trade the pain for what I've learned. (Shameless P!nk lyric) But I'm whole again, and in a great place, and it's time to move on.<br />
<br />
I've started a new blog and it launches tomorrow- on my 40th birthday. It's a joint venture with my husband and it's called We Used To Be Cool, because... well... we used to be. Cory has opinions about all sorts of things and I have stories about all sorts of things, and sometimes no things.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow is a new day, and in some ways a new chapter in my life. I hope you come visit us at <a href="http://www.weused2bcool.com/">www.weused2bcool.com</a> and see how far I've come, and where I am going.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-84312893921679144322012-01-14T12:52:00.002-05:002012-01-14T12:52:37.014-05:00Enjoy $1 off Yoplait Smoothies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yoplait Smoothies now come in Chocolate Banana! Click below to print a coupon for $1.00 off one package of Yoplait® Frozen Smoothies.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.myblogspark.com/uc/main/707b/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSTkWr5CRZycZ46TbltoWMuJamO9hoQwduBDwXfarCF3rmjkCppsUV7K68NAwj_e8rrz47R5US9X46JdWlh3avTyyOC8f58oyEVBm92KoJoLGPoMsg4h9Lf684pa6xAGH8AuRXHrczlY/s1600/yoplaitchocobanasmoothie.jpg" /></a></div>
<i>*This coupon offer is not valid in the following states: including
California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North
Dakota and Tennessee. This information and the coupon offer was received from Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-48551705804114394332012-01-04T13:52:00.004-05:002012-01-04T14:00:01.445-05:00And the happiest of New Years to you!I realize it's the fourth, but since I have found it impossible to accomplish anything real until today then I guess it's MY New Year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVtMauXpYZWt8UkCQL7orw72j-pfJqDgdevgK5VXXf59Chyx58MU1PWojWLlquEWP7kEPni-jNXaoBMfnjZGhRs3jnnWArFwZORC4yPj3cgil-3eXRJiVi1MOXfwoJjGijnUcfgK3FM8/s1600/2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVtMauXpYZWt8UkCQL7orw72j-pfJqDgdevgK5VXXf59Chyx58MU1PWojWLlquEWP7kEPni-jNXaoBMfnjZGhRs3jnnWArFwZORC4yPj3cgil-3eXRJiVi1MOXfwoJjGijnUcfgK3FM8/s320/2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
For the last month or so I have repeatedly stated what my New Years resolution will be for 2012. It's won't be to lose weight or get in shape, the trainer I work with twice a week is helping me with that. It won't be to swear less, and honestly my girls are finally getting to an age where I can swear in front of them and they don't look at me and fear for my soul. It won't be to save more money. You have to make money to save it and I am just now starting a couple of new freelance projects and I've already spent that money on a new refrigerator, because yes, I have been living out of 3 dorm-size units since before Christmas.<br />
<br />
No, my resolution is none of those. My resolution is to say "no".<br />
<br />
I worked myself into such a tizzy before the holidays by taking on too much, that I really didn't enjoy Christmas and I'm pretty sure I rained on my kids parades too. I had major projects at each of the girls' schools. Two Girl Scout troops with promises of field trips that need to be organized. Two ornament workshops for those troops. An extremely unrealistic writing gig for little money that has probably, no most-likely, ruined my cred with a local writing affiliate.<br />
<br />
Add that to all of the other things we do- soccer, basketball, religious education (I volunteer in a class), I also administrate websites, newsletters and Facebook pages. Enough is enough! I am just now reading the Christmas issues of all my favorite magazines! Blah!!!!!!<br />
<br />
For the first time in over 11 years we stayed home on New Year's Eve and didn't invite anyone over. I couldn't handle the thought of the mess that I would have to clean the next day. The toys, games, and little Life people scattered across my basement carpet. I just. Couldn't. Do it. And now I've decided that I won't.<br />
<br />
I have two freelance projects going right now. I need this work. We need this money. I have to chop off some other things. I have an idea of what things are going to go, and they are the things I just don't enjoy much anymore. The tasks that when someone asks me a question pertaining to these obligations my face falls in disgust before I can even think to stop it from doing so.<br />
<br />
I hope I am not "un-friended" by those affected by my decisions, but I have to do this for me. I have to learn to say, "No, I am just not available. No, I don't have another commitment. Oh wait! I did just sign an agreement with my couch, my TV, the new issue of Real Simple and a liquored-up beverage. Sorry, they will be really disappointed if I don't show up."<br />
<br />
In April I will turn 40. An age that I honestly never thought I would apply to myself. Not that I've predicted an early death for myself but because it just sounded too old to ever apply to me. With this age I have made other changes. I work out often and twice a week I get the crap kicked out of me by a personal trainer. I try to sleep well and consistently. I "encourage" or is it "nag" my husband to do some stuff around here so I don't have to, and I've let my kids know I won't let them harsh my mellow anymore.<br />
<br />
I need time to do things that I enjoy so that the things that make me money aren't deemed such a burden. I need time for me, so that I don't completely go all crazy-ass up on you. I need to say no, because damn it there are other people in this school, school district, town, state, country and world who have more time than I do. I need to do it now. Because going to see a movie by myself, or hauling my laptop to Starbucks so I can sip a latte and play Zynga's latest game on Facebook is what I want to do. And I deserve it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-4426927366858977102011-12-25T09:57:00.000-05:002011-12-25T09:57:55.400-05:00Merry Christmas to All...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pamsclipart.com/clipart_images/santa_with_ho_ho_ho_and_merry_christmas_text_0515-0911-2122-4251.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pam’s Clipart Images" border="0" src="http://www.pamsclipart.com/clipart_images/santa_with_ho_ho_ho_and_merry_christmas_text_0515-0911-2122-4251_SMU.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you all have a wonderful and joyous holiday. Peace be with you.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-87922838109718705442011-12-19T22:42:00.001-05:002011-12-20T09:11:04.399-05:00I may not be the "ornament lady" but my kids think I'm super cool! #gluenglitter #elmersholiday<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I was given a challenge. I was up for the challenge. And dang nabbit I was going to succeed at the challenge.</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Remember the <a href="http://www.mylifeofwhatifs.com/2011/12/it-was-great-idea-at-time.html" target="_blank">ornaments</a> I was talking about? The ornaments that all the children in my life can decorate their first tree with when they move out on their own? Well, 'twas a week before Christmas and I was feeling the pressure.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So I went to to Walmart and checked out the <a href="http://www.elmers.com/" target="_blank">Elmer's</a> Memory Keeping aisle and after much back and forth between plain Christmas tree bulbs that I could jazz up, and foam creations I could make three dimensional I came up with something that make my youngest say, "Mom, that is super cool!" So, it has to be. Right?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFkXgp0_6G_djD281xoSoCT7uNSIxspC-8crxfXj0RnCv2iNisCQIZmpWo6__cYn38kaSoDoHUA0yN4lKTHT7yZf7xjtEXaXqnk027p-VLTqOOrw2awbn8odioPWnTlDhl5GPINQlVAk/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFkXgp0_6G_djD281xoSoCT7uNSIxspC-8crxfXj0RnCv2iNisCQIZmpWo6__cYn38kaSoDoHUA0yN4lKTHT7yZf7xjtEXaXqnk027p-VLTqOOrw2awbn8odioPWnTlDhl5GPINQlVAk/s320/IMG_0947.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I found that the Elmer's and X-ACTO section at Walmart has some mighty fine tools to use to make my holiday ornaments "super cool." I also discovered that X-ACTO has come a long way since I was in high school and was given a plain silver weapon to cut out and place format when we laid out the school newspaper.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzLkr50VBF_vs_340YJVH8xIPmizM6C3fngHH5QRlT2KXU6D5Xn6tCYU7jPWh4PZmxOXaK5bimU0icrVMuQdDFJc3B9daAyP7QI80vR5rGS8GTcNKXKAsh1f7JhoL1tyKUB4NWU3TT1c/s1600/IMG_0948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzLkr50VBF_vs_340YJVH8xIPmizM6C3fngHH5QRlT2KXU6D5Xn6tCYU7jPWh4PZmxOXaK5bimU0icrVMuQdDFJc3B9daAyP7QI80vR5rGS8GTcNKXKAsh1f7JhoL1tyKUB4NWU3TT1c/s320/IMG_0948.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I perused items I don't need this time, but ones that I definitely will have in the future including these templates.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EkwZX7Dy-6SuqM41Rn_JHTHXBpQY1uBbrAOF68RFbq9ebXee0AB6mHentjZ-M6DijdDXlWK_QyPhfFFD0sp6ragf2nuwTgjPZG1iSYZSRoPERGiNgWV5gsk3Q5kwz-mEfMBDr4C8R1o/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EkwZX7Dy-6SuqM41Rn_JHTHXBpQY1uBbrAOF68RFbq9ebXee0AB6mHentjZ-M6DijdDXlWK_QyPhfFFD0sp6ragf2nuwTgjPZG1iSYZSRoPERGiNgWV5gsk3Q5kwz-mEfMBDr4C8R1o/s320/IMG_0949.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuE8TPWVWPScbnkqHG654bpq8hCn5PspzQrIrtxq5YMFOCMsG_NVlcUk3C3BMNBEWKZn8xnR_ntdSxG3V1WQTZDvdwBkBM8X6IgGhQkXfnWb4VJAAPeyECQHQ1JHlJ-vnwr1OFixHU0M/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuE8TPWVWPScbnkqHG654bpq8hCn5PspzQrIrtxq5YMFOCMsG_NVlcUk3C3BMNBEWKZn8xnR_ntdSxG3V1WQTZDvdwBkBM8X6IgGhQkXfnWb4VJAAPeyECQHQ1JHlJ-vnwr1OFixHU0M/s320/IMG_0950.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
And this Spot Stamper! Wow! Santa are you listening! If I am to finish scrapbooking the eight trillion gazillion photos I have this would certainly help!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1QMFE3Yvag-fVnUP3ijMai0EvFyvarsxCx7SYVlAzM-nknAMZ9xcShy2CJkYyRFGl3qi3oQXEp2b6lSCkspM_QfgFm8kPX1yeqJwkPAE0zi3if3xF3zkzzeem7afGm_aezQ2j7HdATE/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1QMFE3Yvag-fVnUP3ijMai0EvFyvarsxCx7SYVlAzM-nknAMZ9xcShy2CJkYyRFGl3qi3oQXEp2b6lSCkspM_QfgFm8kPX1yeqJwkPAE0zi3if3xF3zkzzeem7afGm_aezQ2j7HdATE/s320/IMG_0951.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEkSm08LnA5qd7lk4B67ojRkpTuHKiG8Mdw9WT39FiZvBfJ-3NmQi_ro0ZBjEXX2HEd56Mcw58w2BtUmI0groP6z2ZeMtMXACmTGXzEs42zB-NS8fV2CIXRD19c2kiXjPCL43L5H9B3w/s1600/IMG_0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEkSm08LnA5qd7lk4B67ojRkpTuHKiG8Mdw9WT39FiZvBfJ-3NmQi_ro0ZBjEXX2HEd56Mcw58w2BtUmI0groP6z2ZeMtMXACmTGXzEs42zB-NS8fV2CIXRD19c2kiXjPCL43L5H9B3w/s320/IMG_0952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOIOv_FR6oscVo7kIgw99tohAsfJKY4Pyv-25WYZEtpluF-iZrA_tLOVUc33FuebJVR2wJherrbFpirtKsZUrvWs0GBfRUQN2EYfsozGq298K6W7ADGqAmR-RU9TJXxmPCAxhXbjT-9U/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOIOv_FR6oscVo7kIgw99tohAsfJKY4Pyv-25WYZEtpluF-iZrA_tLOVUc33FuebJVR2wJherrbFpirtKsZUrvWs0GBfRUQN2EYfsozGq298K6W7ADGqAmR-RU9TJXxmPCAxhXbjT-9U/s320/IMG_0953.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mR1IrTzLZIhugZmqZpo0Tdl1i7Sbl8X4Mripq1SmYOB6RPBm3GyGfeO5x3mKeu0TYpIoaTRecPlkAnHqrEn5js9w8KT1vXOpJN-5t_tb8Q0A1b8vlmV6E1GHcB7pHS2fCNZj-R9vyYY/s1600/IMG_0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mR1IrTzLZIhugZmqZpo0Tdl1i7Sbl8X4Mripq1SmYOB6RPBm3GyGfeO5x3mKeu0TYpIoaTRecPlkAnHqrEn5js9w8KT1vXOpJN-5t_tb8Q0A1b8vlmV6E1GHcB7pHS2fCNZj-R9vyYY/s320/IMG_0956.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
In the end, these were the items I decided on to make my 3-D Snowflake ornament. No, you don't need special glasses to watch, but here is a list of what you will need. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> Supplies Needed:</span></span></div>
<ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span><a href="http://www.elmers.com/product/detail/E4025?filterPath=craft" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Elmer's </span>CraftBond™ Foam Mounting Tape</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Elmer's CraftBond Sparkle Glue in Basic Shimmer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> Elmer's CraftBond Sparkle Glue in Shimmer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.xacto.com/Product/X3251" target="_blank">X-ACTO Designers Series #1 Craft Knife</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.xacto.com/Product/X2008" target="_blank">X-ACTO Designers Series Precision Tip Scissors</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.elmers.com/product/detail/7327?filterPath=paint-markers" target="_blank">Elmer's Paint Marker in Silver </a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">35 Count Foam Snowflakes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Thin ribbon for hanging</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyDTUWunBEyR3W5DUnsNBGdW8dhsECm0n_XCT8O8FPlz03B_EIN46BZKKvnU3XY9ZVVkIYppD1F_YUKUs8hilWcP_DNzVbnZNUpbmKvRVrR6iZQxXQ65w6tjlJRZDJCka6ZiTk2Fnc4o/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyDTUWunBEyR3W5DUnsNBGdW8dhsECm0n_XCT8O8FPlz03B_EIN46BZKKvnU3XY9ZVVkIYppD1F_YUKUs8hilWcP_DNzVbnZNUpbmKvRVrR6iZQxXQ65w6tjlJRZDJCka6ZiTk2Fnc4o/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JXFGEyJBGIkFEXCfkSeM56IGz28sTD4a-UL9O82hkJZ-uGRbHZA693-cBHcH4x8qje3hylmwEdpeH-jhwpxp7zefTUUa7YRUZJ4E4rXv8mM96p0U1YSyFmAAz-dEtdBxW0eYETv6Oe8/s1600/IMG_0976.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JXFGEyJBGIkFEXCfkSeM56IGz28sTD4a-UL9O82hkJZ-uGRbHZA693-cBHcH4x8qje3hylmwEdpeH-jhwpxp7zefTUUa7YRUZJ4E4rXv8mM96p0U1YSyFmAAz-dEtdBxW0eYETv6Oe8/s320/IMG_0976.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
My pack of 35 foam snowflakes contained white and light blue snowflakes. I had to experiment to see which configuration looked best. In the end I went with whatever struck me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtaVCOlFxrknhLSF6ZlSgJ_MiwbOl6NASbbcIuOWyDK-xu4rJeQ5YWNPxTZOE1ekMnFyP-MZcqfrPVDdGn1l_PWNqOT-IhURL7CemQXDcJ6El82SNfESIfPvE0hhBTXJpmw2CsYAo_n8/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtaVCOlFxrknhLSF6ZlSgJ_MiwbOl6NASbbcIuOWyDK-xu4rJeQ5YWNPxTZOE1ekMnFyP-MZcqfrPVDdGn1l_PWNqOT-IhURL7CemQXDcJ6El82SNfESIfPvE0hhBTXJpmw2CsYAo_n8/s320/IMG_0977.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I used the <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.xacto.com/Product/X3251" target="_blank">X-ACTO Designers Series #1 Craft Knife</a> to make a notch in the two snowflakes for adding the ribbon hanger when I am done decorating.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuw4n_VsFjPHnupzSbdIS6LWaT2tFoQ0z0RT-mEND3tlHrwxSyT5puJqU8MtWN4dFKBb2doYsY1zKc-6Ijq0VJNwroFFzNDNH4vLPc3ttmOyXRFTns3OPQTaacd04caQCT8DYeyCZYYc/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuw4n_VsFjPHnupzSbdIS6LWaT2tFoQ0z0RT-mEND3tlHrwxSyT5puJqU8MtWN4dFKBb2doYsY1zKc-6Ijq0VJNwroFFzNDNH4vLPc3ttmOyXRFTns3OPQTaacd04caQCT8DYeyCZYYc/s320/IMG_0978.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
The ornaments I give have to be personalized and dated. It's a must. I used the Elmer's Sparkle Glue to do just that. I did find that my letters should have used less Sparkle Glue. Keep your designs thin as it states on the package. I had to let mine dry overnight.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJErs33Jms6tYXKu03JR2Ura8fV068M318D7Ree5yIBCEIeAUyTmI9CBICKCuaKw99tPYGQXcRwIf0U2o5HSpX5TBu5SztQwsS9rC2x1AnIy9t6BGLCSm1wZ6U4bjfotZqa6WSnEaWWw/s1600/IMG_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJErs33Jms6tYXKu03JR2Ura8fV068M318D7Ree5yIBCEIeAUyTmI9CBICKCuaKw99tPYGQXcRwIf0U2o5HSpX5TBu5SztQwsS9rC2x1AnIy9t6BGLCSm1wZ6U4bjfotZqa6WSnEaWWw/s320/IMG_0980.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7LSR8dejZz1DPU26eQ-s0n_bgruguJKofiFIWFfneXXXS-NU1688JaOUSs7AO2tg8GJ5KBp0KApGwpIotzQWPEO_Cd1M6tUgvR2-XnpuGYH3Ok72nooizVgqr9DmgeOCa3JF9XChDl8/s1600/IMG_0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7LSR8dejZz1DPU26eQ-s0n_bgruguJKofiFIWFfneXXXS-NU1688JaOUSs7AO2tg8GJ5KBp0KApGwpIotzQWPEO_Cd1M6tUgvR2-XnpuGYH3Ok72nooizVgqr9DmgeOCa3JF9XChDl8/s320/IMG_0982.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfbStXnTj_ZSCVbFZ8mfbtke6_gh7oRgnBw2DlAHWSLHV7yQkkU7gwF1_kyCeYD1bZbUqXJ90kZ2oqUvdEY8ceZyWta8pPok-ybnzmF1M67dLls5EvhphlUQDA_lBBzldRIoN7RvRpak/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfbStXnTj_ZSCVbFZ8mfbtke6_gh7oRgnBw2DlAHWSLHV7yQkkU7gwF1_kyCeYD1bZbUqXJ90kZ2oqUvdEY8ceZyWta8pPok-ybnzmF1M67dLls5EvhphlUQDA_lBBzldRIoN7RvRpak/s320/IMG_0983.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgWLqifK4dc5aF073LpjhJIMjYfjTQRfbBpW3IyZeJAvU6mJDkPFqmvP-m885uspKkL9TByXb_dPKPYiN8CfazLimUd9hgRJ_BBiNjV6eGIh5f8ONepZgpXfr9TPdWyQjq0b77ctdPrg/s1600/IMG_0987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgWLqifK4dc5aF073LpjhJIMjYfjTQRfbBpW3IyZeJAvU6mJDkPFqmvP-m885uspKkL9TByXb_dPKPYiN8CfazLimUd9hgRJ_BBiNjV6eGIh5f8ONepZgpXfr9TPdWyQjq0b77ctdPrg/s320/IMG_0987.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HkJtXBO2PIySwhAEGXHk1ZbkXAHWmtBHaUHP9l6V3nYLMKeWJxY3andK0KOMHV6TC6-nodYJ6M5_f0BvVF2FcazbOHgw3KCYU_YcT-FiM-ztSnJBKmFXMkh1d9fpJRsZQStx1LyzPXU/s1600/IMG_0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HkJtXBO2PIySwhAEGXHk1ZbkXAHWmtBHaUHP9l6V3nYLMKeWJxY3andK0KOMHV6TC6-nodYJ6M5_f0BvVF2FcazbOHgw3KCYU_YcT-FiM-ztSnJBKmFXMkh1d9fpJRsZQStx1LyzPXU/s320/IMG_0988.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDyf2HdqflswrGDz1-NLOItyahrMUrNHGydJLkV0XFpgIVvEiS8d8Ddou3D5Nhci81K1Kt4GezR-Q8eLuYpgfvOeZaS6ki7XhVp5qugbpu7EUMRLmJns7or8_GtEaHxN64U7O450R6sE/s1600/IMG_0993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDyf2HdqflswrGDz1-NLOItyahrMUrNHGydJLkV0XFpgIVvEiS8d8Ddou3D5Nhci81K1Kt4GezR-Q8eLuYpgfvOeZaS6ki7XhVp5qugbpu7EUMRLmJns7or8_GtEaHxN64U7O450R6sE/s320/IMG_0993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I had SO much fun adding dots and squiggles. My eight-year-old thought it was so cool and wanted to join in. It was her bed time but I will definitely let her help with the other 15 or so I have to make this week.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73AKsBotx2TcVl1pjLIg5msYIwrDEwDJ0c86FPXFBzlOHp4OOHKieFludp_33IBh7fVqIpkZKJxiPf4QrF8WLok3qDK0omKBsZSHgDeFR4MWMHaW3pi2VKLshc0YAEJmQNoAbx1s3SSE/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73AKsBotx2TcVl1pjLIg5msYIwrDEwDJ0c86FPXFBzlOHp4OOHKieFludp_33IBh7fVqIpkZKJxiPf4QrF8WLok3qDK0omKBsZSHgDeFR4MWMHaW3pi2VKLshc0YAEJmQNoAbx1s3SSE/s320/IMG_0994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I bought ribbon in white and dark blue and cut the strips about 8 inches long to hang the ornaments.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKQxtZ-Tvb3F-FN-RvDtdcUAc4MeR_IzdffXhWWM6ObSTVQzfUJNpXF5QO1RAjE01oIW03S0ig1QTxFEFNwXJp81VWDIw88v9r475oLqHeverACw-TscgkHLgr7WopIn9-z031W9sMB0/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKQxtZ-Tvb3F-FN-RvDtdcUAc4MeR_IzdffXhWWM6ObSTVQzfUJNpXF5QO1RAjE01oIW03S0ig1QTxFEFNwXJp81VWDIw88v9r475oLqHeverACw-TscgkHLgr7WopIn9-z031W9sMB0/s320/IMG_0995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After an overnight drying period I used the </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.elmers.com/product/detail/E4025?filterPath=craft" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Elmer's </span>CraftBond™ Foam Mounting Tape</a> to adhere the two snowflakes together. This is where the 3-D look came into play. The two flakes were not flat against each other. Then I tied each with a ribbon to hang it by. Voila!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwNCTkiVfvV5ID7X8_xbmlH01uYuDYdQkzMYnFvNJcmlnZC8HOWB3buQThL2Q4kTyuoVn3l8GGWNwis6khVCPy6AU-Tj1StirnxrJgbtK0qggYQtnzHEr5jP6VKXnG2ULIp0Odx6K5e4/s1600/IMG_0998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwNCTkiVfvV5ID7X8_xbmlH01uYuDYdQkzMYnFvNJcmlnZC8HOWB3buQThL2Q4kTyuoVn3l8GGWNwis6khVCPy6AU-Tj1StirnxrJgbtK0qggYQtnzHEr5jP6VKXnG2ULIp0Odx6K5e4/s320/IMG_0998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjYqtrybhkAjVzV0oJQ7RobRq9OJnjth2TtBn7OAP-gEWGyPe9P02ezNbU4eJ6w9d2tMtZPuPO8icmMoGxksWC-bjo-UsKycX2JD8kfmb0J_O3rXIznih4BsIMn15xv9V3xEXGa6mIOY/s1600/IMG_0999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjYqtrybhkAjVzV0oJQ7RobRq9OJnjth2TtBn7OAP-gEWGyPe9P02ezNbU4eJ6w9d2tMtZPuPO8icmMoGxksWC-bjo-UsKycX2JD8kfmb0J_O3rXIznih4BsIMn15xv9V3xEXGa6mIOY/s320/IMG_0999.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZgEK6m0K-iJJxeFteXYvmFZ_vCh68FFghT4pz7kKWTwSEBoFeVEFqR-HdQ6VTeRQps0tAMkDfiUeml-712Rf0kuUOrPXu5VvMN6C_F_uW3V7C6_-Hvbc-KzRv4riQSqQj2N9tNHjoiY/s1600/IMG_1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZgEK6m0K-iJJxeFteXYvmFZ_vCh68FFghT4pz7kKWTwSEBoFeVEFqR-HdQ6VTeRQps0tAMkDfiUeml-712Rf0kuUOrPXu5VvMN6C_F_uW3V7C6_-Hvbc-KzRv4riQSqQj2N9tNHjoiY/s320/IMG_1001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This was a very simple project, but the kids love it. Added bonus it was very inexpensive. If you can't find your "ornament lady" then getting creative and DIYing it is the next best thing.</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can follow Elmer's on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/elmers" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/elmers" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and X-ACTO on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/xacto" target="_blank">Facebook</a> for more awesome Do-It-Yourself ideas.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;">This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for #ElmersHoliday #gluenglitter </span><a href="http://www.collectivebias.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000099;">#collectivebias</span></a></i><i><span style="color: black;"> #CBias. All opinions are my own.</span></i></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-35250781559396770822011-12-13T20:53:00.060-05:002011-12-18T23:30:55.797-05:00Cars 2, Oral-B, and Crest Pro Health for Me, umm... them<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was so excited to be picked by <a href="http://www.momselect.com/" target="_blank">MomSelect</a> to host a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/MommyParties" target="_blank">MommyParties</a> Crest and Oral-B Pro Health for me Party featuring many awesome Crest and Oral-B Stages products and the new Disney movie Cars 2.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Teeth brushing and oral hygiene has always been a challenge in my house. But it's something I am relentless about. My girls have always loved the Oral-B Stages toothbrushes and toothpaste, especially the Disney Princess designs. But, they are getting older and I was finding that plain toothbrushes weren't cutting it for my oldest who is now 11. So, I was extremely happy when Oral-B introduced their Pro Health for Me line. They are more grown up than Cinderella, but they still have more pizzazz than a plain toothbrush. The brushes, paste, flossers and rinse have been a huge hit in my house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We shared our bounty, courtesy of MomSelect, MommyParties, Crest and Oral B, with four of our favorite families. With a zillion kids between us ranging in age from two to twelve, we had something for everyone. Including coupons and information. Moms crave coupons and information.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDsMJU0-wdKNHohCp4aa7PU5hjI9aO5OlsR5RiP6AVIoB0_yhZ0uLk8Ao7N2zl49rLoKk7A21lWcwoXoDLKpf5p3cOPQqvzV9qz01ESQTQD6QROjx9HFGY40k2DcOPzZ3FykklCUtBtA/s320/IMG_0922%255B1%255D" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were able to host a viewing party for Cars 2 complete with popcorn, pop (for some) and lots and lots of goodies. Their was even a learning activity where the kids could vote for which items made a mouth yucky versus healthy. And balloons! We had balloons. My dogs LOVED the balloons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqK78MfBYqJ_v7Oi8xSV28aeXIyxPmoNpC9bMuQBDJ9c8B9YAGChBsfabb3oXvnXfyv5cuMOkbFuA1lrO7WCp416Oat9-Xkib_tct3Qkmvj4OQaxiq3tSUzWjyB1BYKyfrbGxjeKTkbM/s1600/IMG_0967%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqK78MfBYqJ_v7Oi8xSV28aeXIyxPmoNpC9bMuQBDJ9c8B9YAGChBsfabb3oXvnXfyv5cuMOkbFuA1lrO7WCp416Oat9-Xkib_tct3Qkmvj4OQaxiq3tSUzWjyB1BYKyfrbGxjeKTkbM/s320/IMG_0967%255B1%255D" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Organizing the goody bags is always a fun for me. I can't explain it, but putting a few of each item in every bag it something I truly enjoy, and for this party things were no different. Look at what I had to share with my peeps!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6kQpxFCLpfyN9vlaIrRQmxW2uhLRqqGLkacElZj4w3qk9t7tf-pql5-Mk1QOCRUBtVlScmhcWMBqdaQucPOsEZX8l1ITaA_ehHWidADMfIXEf73iElsDh1GUpkSbK5TiamHEjL9EEOI/s320/IMG_0918%255B1%255D" width="320" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_ER-OANrw1CWmolBP8HPs97D9MNd-mEtIq3XVgBWg7oM20vHBnjaJxHQSHASctoFWPti1BGUbN2pfAz9V0UqzrIdXtv1wynlMoQSqE8_tFmHSM8coIT9uN8HUx-8ANIrOmeyvHRctaE/s1600/IMG_0919%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_ER-OANrw1CWmolBP8HPs97D9MNd-mEtIq3XVgBWg7oM20vHBnjaJxHQSHASctoFWPti1BGUbN2pfAz9V0UqzrIdXtv1wynlMoQSqE8_tFmHSM8coIT9uN8HUx-8ANIrOmeyvHRctaE/s320/IMG_0919%255B1%255D" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuS1L3MXV5IUUN-HGLE4Bp2j_33NhRhkRy0-w7qZpXXhzQrnjEspgz778j50AGjEWNWjtK6NWX7CEzMk20Q0VI_UeAP0n7IzJmLpUOUcr-4sXpHH1LDcacmBjR90cO3iD_DFEQrFMF1_s/s1600/IMG_0921%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuS1L3MXV5IUUN-HGLE4Bp2j_33NhRhkRy0-w7qZpXXhzQrnjEspgz778j50AGjEWNWjtK6NWX7CEzMk20Q0VI_UeAP0n7IzJmLpUOUcr-4sXpHH1LDcacmBjR90cO3iD_DFEQrFMF1_s/s320/IMG_0921%255B1%255D" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVsBmfWIpwSbIfTkn0wXdHFhC2FIpDfkBQrtHGjKdivSXixnGUajgkGb5pBUILKlygUVXHkj8OOcBSohs5gNssnK6X5gF4wq6_lV6FDU39mPpBj_2fGw1Pm9yKVu9Miic-bnpscm4gxE/s320/IMG_0920%255B1%255D" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Of course the movie Cars 2 was a huge hit. My girls are big fans of Mater. Take a look at his teeth! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oB73g63ykG-psRAXfkScxY8KcmqXm5HG1Lbm9k-W1Y-lQGIF13KhXSYgsYJiajYF8MyDUlMEZjQ2Anomcwyu8nDL1tao0ntvvR8eaa6qh2_QEiJ_MSSRo9eVS8NL43uq6p4jUaBcy1A/s1600/IMG_0968%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oB73g63ykG-psRAXfkScxY8KcmqXm5HG1Lbm9k-W1Y-lQGIF13KhXSYgsYJiajYF8MyDUlMEZjQ2Anomcwyu8nDL1tao0ntvvR8eaa6qh2_QEiJ_MSSRo9eVS8NL43uq6p4jUaBcy1A/s320/IMG_0968%255B1%255D" width="320" /></a></div><br />
With all of the information I had to read and distribute courtesy of Crest and Oral-B, I learned a lot. Such as...<br />
<br />
<i>Oral B Stages, dentists' #1 recommended toothbrush brand for children, not only has kid appeal but is specially designed to address children's dentition, dexterity and development as they grow. Oral-B also offers kid-friendly Stages toothpaste to complement their brushing routine. </i><br />
<br />
<i>In a 2001 practice-based study involving 22 pediatric dental offices in the U.S., Europe and Australia, and nearly 800 children, revealed:</i><br />
<ul><li><i>69% of parents reported that, compared to other brushes used, their child was motivated to brush longer with the Stages brush.</i></li>
<li><i>91% of dental professionals surveyed felt that the Stages brushes address the specific dentition and dexterity needs of children.</i></li>
</ul>I can vouch for the longer brushing. My girls have ALWAYS brushed better with these toothbrushes. That's probably why my dentist gives this brand and style out at our twice-a-year visits.<br />
<br />
Crest and Oral-B Pro-Health FOR ME is the first and only complete line of oral care products for tweens (kids 8+) created to protect all the areas dentists check in kids including fighting cavities, strengthening teeth enamel and freshening their breath. And it has cool and unique packaging that tweens love. At least mine does.<br />
<br />
Some fun Tips and Trivia for Healthier Teeth<br />
<ul><li>Children should start flossing as soon as two teeth touch each other.</li>
<li>Brushing alone can miss up to 30% of the tooth surface. A plastic handled flosser can make it easier for kids to floss.</li>
<li> How much is the Tooth Fairy paying these days per tooth? About $2 according to Securian Dental Plans, an insurance provider. (Note to self...)</li>
<li>Kids with braces should use a two step system- brushing from the top down, and then the bottom up. This will help dislodge any breakfast that may be stuck in the brackets.</li>
<li>After a professional dental cleaning it only takes a few hours for plaque to re-form on your teeth, so make sure you brush, floss and rinse every day between visits.</li>
<li>Like fingerprints, everyone's tongue print is different. (How great is this little NCIS-worthy fact?)</li>
</ul>We had a great time, learned a lot, and have many great products to help our kids keep up some great oral hygiene habits. Thanks to Crest and Oral-B for helping us with another Mommy Challenge. <br />
<br />
Don't forget to visit <a href="http://oralb.com/Stages" target="_blank">Oralb.com/Stages</a> and <a href="http://www.crestprohealth.com/" target="_blank">CrestProHealth.com</a> for more valuable information. You can also follow <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/OralB" target="_blank">@OralB</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Crest" target="_blank">@Crest</a> on Twitter and become friends of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/oralb" target="_blank">Oral-B</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/crest" target="_blank">Crest</a> on Facebook.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Disclosure: I was </span></i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">supplied with all of the products shown by </span></i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.mommyparties.com/" target="_blank">MommyParties</a> in order to host this event. All opinions, photos and comments expressed are my own. </span></i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-43648684020789599602011-12-09T14:45:00.000-05:002011-12-09T14:45:00.108-05:00It was a great idea at the timeTwelve years ago I had a brilliant idea. It was my last one.<br />
<br />
Twelve years ago I decided that I would start a tradition of providing my nieces, nephews, children of friends, and eventually my own children, with yearly Christmas ornaments. For some, this yearly sentimental act was in lieu of a gift. No more dolls, books, or stuff their Mom's didn't want, just a nice ornament signed and dated by yours truly.<br />
<br />
That was 1999. I had one niece. My close friends had three daughters among them. I could swing the whole endeavor for less than 20 bucks. That was 1999.<br />
<br />
It is now 2011. I have three nieces, four nephews, and my closest, dearest friends now have 18 kids between them. I have developed friendships with new families too and could easily add in about eight more kids. That would total 33 ornaments. And once there was four.<br />
<br />
Back in the day I had a great "Ornament Lady", which is what I really called her. I could find her at a variety of craft shows in Jackson or Ann Arbor. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">She is responsible for this...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWjV6_YLhysE0MnD9iQHSt2g0EhXxu8lkBWXkYVOCGLXh0-2YvbT015g20x6QHKOLMbSHxViA-CD2i_wJTqdj-QL6zbxhu-xW6l881p8PXcagdkk2D-x9Nf9oOSri7T8KAGsd9btAa4Y/s1600/100_3699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWjV6_YLhysE0MnD9iQHSt2g0EhXxu8lkBWXkYVOCGLXh0-2YvbT015g20x6QHKOLMbSHxViA-CD2i_wJTqdj-QL6zbxhu-xW6l881p8PXcagdkk2D-x9Nf9oOSri7T8KAGsd9btAa4Y/s320/100_3699.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this and this...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BfFx8AlTM9IVRLZyenteifDUiUcpZPUzYknqNHY-uST-3EDyt4-7S0rrUyjFNFEvoDOx-JE4dLgRpeCbuGMaSWi2Aas9O0KPbGzJEegtMNVsq1WFl0Udu6oINYWrpvLU6PAHTUiZIxE/s1600/100_3702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BfFx8AlTM9IVRLZyenteifDUiUcpZPUzYknqNHY-uST-3EDyt4-7S0rrUyjFNFEvoDOx-JE4dLgRpeCbuGMaSWi2Aas9O0KPbGzJEegtMNVsq1WFl0Udu6oINYWrpvLU6PAHTUiZIxE/s320/100_3702.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzdfSxkJr6j7QmeA1m1UQ1CW12r_vM9xeR3DXGDVa5zrZN43tQmOVizDKgLQipq-RcJR8nxa5ZlAbwRtGfaYL6p6lDakF4UUKPVzZcT5DTBRaiSQrbKlwGoVe__MnquIzJbI_qA-ozTk/s1600/100_3711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzdfSxkJr6j7QmeA1m1UQ1CW12r_vM9xeR3DXGDVa5zrZN43tQmOVizDKgLQipq-RcJR8nxa5ZlAbwRtGfaYL6p6lDakF4UUKPVzZcT5DTBRaiSQrbKlwGoVe__MnquIzJbI_qA-ozTk/s320/100_3711.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>And then she fell off the Earth. Leaving me and my ornaments...hanging... with no idea where to turn to continue the tradition.<br />
<br />
I tried to continue the craft show tradition for a bit, but everything that met my "standards" which were based on the "Ornament Lady" cost an arm and a leg, and my siblings and friends kept reproducing.<br />
<br />
One year I found these lovely gems...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kHdr9HbSdU_z-uoXc2GeZUtHpFkLewRGTCGKrh3hfzV29CMYV7qEmWZHTYJWdEZ1EXgWvRKe819ea7nuKdCZbWBiT0Vsu_D9I9quCi14XY1kkcVO8O5esIMjIQg0ZgOdVW6Z8DvnKFc/s1600/100_3708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kHdr9HbSdU_z-uoXc2GeZUtHpFkLewRGTCGKrh3hfzV29CMYV7qEmWZHTYJWdEZ1EXgWvRKe819ea7nuKdCZbWBiT0Vsu_D9I9quCi14XY1kkcVO8O5esIMjIQg0ZgOdVW6Z8DvnKFc/s320/100_3708.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Not cheap and I had to pay to have them shipped because when I gave the crafter my list of names she passed out on the floor.<br />
<br />
Another year I got these for girls, and heaven only knows what everyone else got...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuL9eN10i6xBAc1_v0dDawAGciuWjWGEidPLIyPl4yzzt6sUzMZhfOw1ZnwOYvnFKNW8EchHR-ErZyqwWFe0-yHdEqDVcuG9NSKReyX6MjJGZg5c_lN8GPR_s5RNbmOuNkht4dhhd7uOo/s1600/100_3705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuL9eN10i6xBAc1_v0dDawAGciuWjWGEidPLIyPl4yzzt6sUzMZhfOw1ZnwOYvnFKNW8EchHR-ErZyqwWFe0-yHdEqDVcuG9NSKReyX6MjJGZg5c_lN8GPR_s5RNbmOuNkht4dhhd7uOo/s320/100_3705.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And as the numbers grew, and my money shrank- not in size, just in volume, I tried my luck at boxed ornaments that I could personalize myself. Thanks to Target and my love of Snowmen/SnowSantas I had a couple of more great years...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJey9dX98BgCQdOl_SlrkuZtJKIGaZQgQsc8-YTBvjolARJE_ugZytHl0TNKkGEM5D44vcZuSbGDw_GGtD1EpO0f0VOWgMO35VmGdwVXmtTx07DYJF5O2CpxC4G-P6VMZNjTk0QGy96g/s1600/100_3704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJey9dX98BgCQdOl_SlrkuZtJKIGaZQgQsc8-YTBvjolARJE_ugZytHl0TNKkGEM5D44vcZuSbGDw_GGtD1EpO0f0VOWgMO35VmGdwVXmtTx07DYJF5O2CpxC4G-P6VMZNjTk0QGy96g/s320/100_3704.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and my favorite...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LrsbmodP5E13SgoRHfCe6akdjTg_T5O3EubpMzM_mcS4Z6a-cqwkIUSctKhbNPZ5JTmN6xec_Xif7TlLwFEVgWXJT6ATV1ZiXnhG-pHI6fjKkHDDwp8R4CUtp8JpZfY1TkDrKPTwIsg/s1600/100_3715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LrsbmodP5E13SgoRHfCe6akdjTg_T5O3EubpMzM_mcS4Z6a-cqwkIUSctKhbNPZ5JTmN6xec_Xif7TlLwFEVgWXJT6ATV1ZiXnhG-pHI6fjKkHDDwp8R4CUtp8JpZfY1TkDrKPTwIsg/s320/100_3715.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So now here we are in 2011 and Christmas is 15 days away and I have yet to find this year's ornament that I need a gazillion of. OK, not a gazillion, but even if I only bought for my girls, nieces and nephews I would need 9. But of course I will buy more than that. I will probably even buy them for my dogs. And yes, the ornament has to "speak" to me, and when I see it I will just know that it's the one. I will drive my husband crazy with my process, but I will be proud of the outcome. When I deliver them to their recipients some of whom have 12 from me already they will love what I choose. And for awhile it will seem like a great idea all over again. Until next December anyway.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-74635254625439935592011-12-08T18:44:00.000-05:002011-12-08T18:44:58.592-05:00Tales from an Overextended MomI am overextended. Not necessarily in the financial sense, although I'm far from flush with cash, but in the time sense. As in, I have none. Less than some. No extra. Zip.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038N2VSK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hiccumedic-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038N2VSK" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgU_nycv5oT3bxpsWt-M0u_AeWeUOJM19lxe5qWemmNuI5d0YzifneMB1gOF_WQI23owQt2nCgq7_or3gXp1XQ3rFoaALwsQUBpvFx05KYbMtFVtiwPGZZ6e1eA6wWXUcxzLPSxNgfGwY/s1600/31RetM1Fz1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a>I must learn to say no. I must learn to say yes to tasks that make me money, and no to a few things that make others money. In the last few weeks I have been running a book fair, helping wee ones pick out bling for their mom's at the holiday shop, crafting ornaments with girl scouts, and handling recycling for the elementary school.<br />
In the next few weeks I am going to help at another book fair, suggest a coffee mug for dad at another holiday shop, help with math games, craft ornaments at another workshop, and deliver collected toys and crafts to two local organizations.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah and I have a severely past due deadline to contend with, and a few other employment opportunities to move to the top of my priority list.<br />
<br />
All bitching aside I do love volunteering. I love being involved at my daughter's schools and I love helping out where I can whether it's at school, church, or elsewhere. The problem is that these endeavors are wearing me out and when it comes time to complete tasks that pay me money I have nothing left. These endeavors also cut into my "me" time, which for the last 10 weeks has involved time at the gym. I'm on the fast track to 40 and I am making significant changes in my physical health before it gets here. But if I'm worn out mentally, the feelings overpower my physical strength and not only do I not complete work I get paid for I don't do the work I want to do on me either.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure there is a solution to my over extension. My several jobs, two kids, two dogs, hubby and a house all add to my stress, but I have to cut back for so many reasons the most obvious of which is my sanity! There are only so many mental health trips to Target-with-a-Starbucks that I can squeeze in to my already negative time balance. So, what do I do? What do you do? I have such a hard time with repetition in my schedule that to live by the hour seems horrific. But is it the only way? Must I schedule "me" time so that I don't fill those hours with "them" time?<br />
<br />
I'm clueless. And I'm open to suggestions. What can I do to find a healthy balance? What is the proper work-me-them balance? I'm too tired to think. Share your wisdom, or your lack of. I'm all ears.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-56065018143167815722011-11-28T23:50:00.000-05:002011-11-29T00:31:55.959-05:00Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but meI think that if you looked back at the month of November for every year I have been blogging you will find some sort of Seasonal Affective Disorder post. Here is the 2011 installment.<br />
<br />
I hate this time of year. I hate that it's dark at 4:45. I hate that every ounce of energy I have is zapped from my body. I hate that I can't sleep when I am oh so tired. I'm in a funk and even though- for the first time in my life- I am working out three times a week or more, it's not helping.<br />
<br />
The simplest of tasks take everything to complete. And everything is just so... blue.<br />
<br />
Depression has many frustrating aspects. It's amplification during the winter months is just one of them. But the one I find most frustrating is that people usually don't consider that there is anything wrong with you- except that you are a disrespectful, ungrateful, cold-hearted, bitch. They don't consider the extreme anxiety you feel in certain situations, or the effort it takes to leave the house. No they don't, because some depressed folks do a pretty good job of hiding what they feel. Until they're back home. And the sun goes down.<br />
<br />
I am not the type of person who deliberately hurts people, and yet my actions, or lack thereof, seem to do just that. I don't mean to hurt anyone, and I don't want to feel this way, but I have and I do, and sometimes we all just have to learn to accept it.<br />
<br />
I'm sad. I have a therapist. I work out. I take medication. This too shall pass.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-12691637509112658972011-11-22T20:54:00.000-05:002011-11-22T20:54:37.737-05:00My girls #sendcheer and make plans to send more<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Isn't it funny how sometimes we just figure our kids have no idea about certain things and then one day while shopping at Walmart they blow you away by sharing the secret of life, and their knowledge of, well, the military?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My 11-year-old daughter Ryann is constantly surprising me, and honestly I guess I don't give either of my girls enough credit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I posted on <a href="http://www.mylifeofwhatifs.com/2011/11/im-excited-to-sendcheer-to-my-military.html" target="_blank">Friday</a> about the partnership between General Mills and the USO to <a href="http://www.sendcheer.info/" target="_blank">sendCheer</a> to military families this holiday season. With specially marked boxes of Cheerios (pictured below) families all over can participate in the <a href="http://www.cheerios.com/Articles/Send-Cheer-to-Military-Families" target="_blank">Cheerios sendCheer campaign</a> and help raise money for the USO to continue their fantastic programs for military families.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsu5rlOdlLj4V4HRw7uLqgepvvrE2QCCfT06sLaUuclxcXYexUmg7-xzv0NPpn2pjSsGhvh55GUnkHZ57yu1QkAtMyNMCPJ3j8oB7-uRqFZQA_Mr38WdLr0MQOjsl9AygNQRQZlkBslX0/s320/IMG_0848%255B1%255D" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ryann and I went to Walmart where we found these specially marked boxes on the shelf and we bought 10. The Walmart cashier asked if I was "coupon shopping" so I told her all about the program and how my girls and I plan to deliver the extra boxes to our awesome neighbors so that they too, can send cheer. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinWM1mJQ3uXZLXJZPbi1juSPIGjsNEbCmIF65MRZQ4VjXTa07B6LWKceIqwa7uVcA9TFh3_IT75-KQnjdljJMZNBEykMCpHXSDEN7wDoG5ltHKwWCgsVnDOQ4nI1Eb7R5y50K3jn4UEg/s320/IMG_0849.JPG" width="239" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While we were shopping for a few other items Ryann told me how she and her leadership club at school had written letters to soldiers at their meeting this week. She asked if we would be writing letters with our Cheerios boxes so I explained that there was a post card inside all ready for us to add our own message and drop in the mail.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DyxpTjQ_beUqbwRpfo_sT5sUyokFMfGXM5vfNqL_nIc8ejwuTR0Pa5iqRtwnCyhFca7BW2r_DpHUjPEQwXwkXgO9T9IXxLwav6gj8Ymi_30mlWBo0lwPcaxm1aTtEfYRgK6D1qseJNw/s320/IMG_0850.JPG" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you can see 10 boxes takes up a lot of room in the cart, in the trunk and on the counter. But once we were home the girls were ready. Jayden mentioned that she hopes her uncle receives her message, but since I could not guarantee that, we made plans to make a treat with our Cheerios to send to my brother, sister-in-law and my two nephews for Christmas.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiZcbuykf_oY3zGgtiXEuHXTS4RWJNcW7NDv3FNFluMZHcQo119emzGVNcvqH92HfB7FOD3Jg3gSVgsiT42tFXfYT8A8TXPNvIbIQcrvMlkNP0_LUu2E__GhyphenhyphenvqQnKAe5KlAt1rsNbkM/s1600/IMG_0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiZcbuykf_oY3zGgtiXEuHXTS4RWJNcW7NDv3FNFluMZHcQo119emzGVNcvqH92HfB7FOD3Jg3gSVgsiT42tFXfYT8A8TXPNvIbIQcrvMlkNP0_LUu2E__GhyphenhyphenvqQnKAe5KlAt1rsNbkM/s320/IMG_0851.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnE6MvIRaYQq1AecqQxk-s09wUGwfSdZj6h95wZnyk6uA9IizLpgQt4hA_DrTQswDirkMzyCFbELwc5hOwkLIfF39W8cWVc0MPiEA7kWRVrzRLGwq9MHCvTxoLFwV5-VP0vsxj1meV6_o/s1600/IMG_0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnE6MvIRaYQq1AecqQxk-s09wUGwfSdZj6h95wZnyk6uA9IizLpgQt4hA_DrTQswDirkMzyCFbELwc5hOwkLIfF39W8cWVc0MPiEA7kWRVrzRLGwq9MHCvTxoLFwV5-VP0vsxj1meV6_o/s320/IMG_0852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZHAfAvTo5mRoJMjWb9uTGEL88aBpL_eH6R_VC3EtjYxowWNQ9gnjrS2QnUP22TIMemKU02y3tPi4QcXQ9DPf9KCQAiJh-LOlzSOvbHaJViaHPktwTNY4eo85XMRIqEoZuoMLrOHSXh4/s320/IMG_0853.JPG" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There isn't much to sending our cheerful notes of thanks. General Mills has it all ready to go inside the box. All you have to do is cut it out...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnR6S1_QB2ckxZ8ddYBKCW_UQLhkYYDBM4SF9hrDt92168P49EsRiCEcw2J9GHmvX__I7UlFizs1atf5krVJhWUHp53jnZoxv2NRrF1FoI7LpGGnbQh-8dG7cYz3n1typdtL9T4xW4A0M/s320/IMG_0854.JPG" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Write your message...</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjM4pOFEWCAmEdbutQcJrzSL0LvOXEC3cmtRvAzrqwY9rMe-6cmSo2dAY6W37yPNltuAj87qTWyEx-LyDi18z967cT_x5t_Ib6yvgHHhU2ZPg-ofpRq8u4O1AqgJLGt3uSArMeP9cbn8/s320/IMG_0855.JPG" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Add a stamp... and yes much to Ryann's chagrin I am fresh out of United States flag stamps. Disney Pixar will have to do :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiO3C53JSnYR73hCIzpHYvEKx_-0dQhiH8MEXD6wyHGUBGGHul2jc8v1b-rQyUbCB872Ijb0tGKJ9z9AMgAz4PJ3ljXVjZD-Mw0RZKiOB5W6N_ISWRCEgd54cukyLKivTsauH02uWZ9o/s320/IMG_0856.JPG" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am proud of my girls and what they wrote on their cards, both the fronts and the backs. They understood the action and the message completely with no help from me, which made me proud. And now that school is out for the Thanksgiving holiday we plan to make some treats, give thanks and send cheer.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QBVB5HFvg3N9NtO685T_djFB_KKxaisf5WKO8kh4j1_vrDXBfgkuAiyr1r0OybSWilWXTswnfBnlVhiXIfxD5uABsVhD8_qh7uaqVG6A4RbDxwTN-CqiKZqbM71BsRQZSWBLzWgXEFo/s1600/IMG_0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QBVB5HFvg3N9NtO685T_djFB_KKxaisf5WKO8kh4j1_vrDXBfgkuAiyr1r0OybSWilWXTswnfBnlVhiXIfxD5uABsVhD8_qh7uaqVG6A4RbDxwTN-CqiKZqbM71BsRQZSWBLzWgXEFo/s320/IMG_0857.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3CPRGhNDQplOHPw2QFO5jHdjk9IO6CQXIlXKYMn7HiHI4IcmXrQvip0kytGjhyphenhyphenGfGO69CEl_KBrXKvgCuT7NIo3aTMKP60DZ0v0xBCzd_CXnqvycWanx-NUZnd6m-52nHB-U7mNfmY8/s1600/IMG_0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3CPRGhNDQplOHPw2QFO5jHdjk9IO6CQXIlXKYMn7HiHI4IcmXrQvip0kytGjhyphenhyphenGfGO69CEl_KBrXKvgCuT7NIo3aTMKP60DZ0v0xBCzd_CXnqvycWanx-NUZnd6m-52nHB-U7mNfmY8/s320/IMG_0858.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<i>This post has been compensated as part of a sponsored charitable opportunity for <a href="http://collectivebias.com/" target="_blank">Collective Bias</a>. All opinions expressed are my own. </i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-41607022754482925832011-11-18T21:08:00.000-05:002011-11-18T21:08:18.764-05:00I'm Excited to sendCheer to my Military FamilyThey say some people are truly called to a profession. They never change majors, never waiver in their course, never have a mini-mid-life-crisis asking "What If?"<br />
<br />
My brother was called to the military. Even though he is almost nine years younger than I am and we never lived in the same house growing up I, as well as everyone else in our family, knew the route he would take.<br />
<br />
From his hours in the woods dressed in camouflage to his knowledge of military facts, no one was surprised when he enlisted. I, for one, have never truly feared for my brother. I have always felt that if there is someone I want defending me and our country he is the guy. His calling has given him focus and clarity and he seems to be right where he should be.<br />
<br />
That's why I am happy to be a part of the <a href="http://www.cheerios.com/Articles/Send-Cheer-to-Military-Families" target="_blank">Cheerios sendCheer Campaign</a>. This fall, Cheerios® and the USO are partnering to send "Cheer" to military families to thank and encourage them for their commitment to our country. Specially marked boxes of Cheerios cereal will feature "Cheer" postcards, which can be cut out and mailed to military families through a partnership with the USO. Even more, for each postcard received, Cheerios will donate $1 to the USO to help support programs for military families. Cheerios has already donated $150,000 and will donate up to an additional $100,000 based upon the number of postcards received by November 30, 2012.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sendcheer.info/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_PYh0MW5dOK1_vG36NqDkRcG5cMORz2oiN8r5NFS9HYvQjmhueIHyAy8_wG_W4l0sijt9PjQfyOXVC_NqyHc85xfeBUrOWRq9deYNhzlEwAIvFkcz6Ln8tU8BU9xEVUBxN1Y2MS4z9A/s320/sendcheer.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I often think about my sister-in-law- who I think the world of, but don't get to see that often, and all she has to endure with the multiple deployments and taking care of their two kids on her own. I think of her every time I complain about feeling overwhelmed in my own life. It takes a special person to partner with someone who is in the military. I complain when my husband goes to deer camp for a week.<br />
<br />
I know I haven't done as much as I could to make life easier for them, and now I feel the urge to do more. For not only them, but for others serving as well. Our local Girl Scout council has sent girl scout cookies to troops overseas for several years now. My community has collected a variety of items for care packages. Now, we can go to Walmart and buy these specially marked packaged of Cheerios and sendCheer to a military family you know, or the USO will handle that for you. Regardless of who it reaches, cheer will be sent.<br />
<br />
The USO is a nonprofit organization that helps lift the spirits of America's troops and their families. For over 70 years, the USO has provided a touch of home to our troops and their families through centers at airports and military bases, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. When a loved one is away serving, the USO steps in to be a second family for our military families, providing support and tools. The donation from the "Cheer" program will help fund services and programs that support and comfort families, help kids cope when Mom or Dad are away or come home different, and keep families connected during these times.<br />
<br />
I hope you will all visit a store and look for these specially marked displays of Cheerios. Buy a box of Cheerios, cut out the card, write your message of cheer and send it on. Make it a first step for your holiday season. A first step that could brighten an other's season as well.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<i>This post has been compensated as part of a sponsored charitable opportunity for <a href="http://collectivebias.com/" target="_blank">Collective Bias</a>, all opinions are mine alone.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-70048500447938052492011-10-26T12:15:00.002-04:002011-10-26T12:17:26.998-04:00How I Spent My Summer (Vacation)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did some pretty fun stuff this summer. Because I did so much, and because my Fall is always complete chaos I am just now finding the time to write about it all. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back in May I attended my first ever blogging conference- <a href="http://www.gleekretreat.com/">Gleek Retreat</a> which is right here in Michigan. It was held in Holland and I got to connect with some new bloggy friends and reconnect with some old ones and a great friend from my highschool (and younger) days.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I felt like I learned a great deal and I hope to attend next year too!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB002LJBi5SeDX_SQVumJvtgKe1rH3O3YLveE7ovP8O6w7Co9BMzoitdylByDCq4K3lyriBbQS2ZbeZnGtFNcXfOeAzVjuvgVGA0j7JAsK31zpCuzSWal6nMbNE1uCBQlKSiOhz3-8jhM/s1600/IMG_0575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB002LJBi5SeDX_SQVumJvtgKe1rH3O3YLveE7ovP8O6w7Co9BMzoitdylByDCq4K3lyriBbQS2ZbeZnGtFNcXfOeAzVjuvgVGA0j7JAsK31zpCuzSWal6nMbNE1uCBQlKSiOhz3-8jhM/s400/IMG_0575.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDLFsclUczxbmWMVuJy1eIGmQ0k-RFsS6k3OOskpUBSeYAMivH3Nhw3-8lop7drA3QbBmwO8-Q6YUtGLslmfq9UixqoW2yIa11iknthk2TwSyfSFAQT5lOLiK4lkHXVX_GOFTKNnx9JM/s1600/IMG_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDLFsclUczxbmWMVuJy1eIGmQ0k-RFsS6k3OOskpUBSeYAMivH3Nhw3-8lop7drA3QbBmwO8-Q6YUtGLslmfq9UixqoW2yIa11iknthk2TwSyfSFAQT5lOLiK4lkHXVX_GOFTKNnx9JM/s320/IMG_0578.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyEdZpIXtt6U_yUDwUfYsylPDZJG75_nLih3dd_T2L8uQ10IiaeQLOY9MkBfn5wtHXWyI_cvSL9fhipKI6uVWGCepecBjfS-3JMEKBbAqv1MhAmiLrdNMC2zpeuwjCfxYlpGSe7ji2wU/s1600/IMG_0580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyEdZpIXtt6U_yUDwUfYsylPDZJG75_nLih3dd_T2L8uQ10IiaeQLOY9MkBfn5wtHXWyI_cvSL9fhipKI6uVWGCepecBjfS-3JMEKBbAqv1MhAmiLrdNMC2zpeuwjCfxYlpGSe7ji2wU/s320/IMG_0580.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
From April until September I freelanced at an ad agency and my blogging got skimpy but I still had a chance to participate in the Shout Out to Eat Out promotion with Chili's! Hubby and I got to try out the Chili's Triple Dipper appetizer and then I got to <a href="http://www.mylifeofwhatifs.com/2011/06/shout-out-to-eat-out-and-get-chilis.html">share</a> one with you! What a yummy date night that was!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ034-voBDMD4Krcx_t66l5zzp8HtF0nzCUTzFLDVHEAPvRwqiGM_HUmV_DcIXeOAbMKtiJlWVmj9FXIAAbrkELMQVdg6OI2u1gR336nXwbw9WAfV3MBYPkNnm-MlrPrJyai6oaxZERSY/s1600/IMG_0589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ034-voBDMD4Krcx_t66l5zzp8HtF0nzCUTzFLDVHEAPvRwqiGM_HUmV_DcIXeOAbMKtiJlWVmj9FXIAAbrkELMQVdg6OI2u1gR336nXwbw9WAfV3MBYPkNnm-MlrPrJyai6oaxZERSY/s320/IMG_0589.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAw6Cusdsprimc7riqHeMACWvOcHOvOALeY7i88ybua-8zdZTtWOnWpMZ6ME5O8kwenxAvuSV_MvqAJmDolP4KVGzr_b394p8-QB1NJhOhkLLiOWihNjloLCtIJQTOYx30bpulCr41XQ/s1600/IMG_0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAw6Cusdsprimc7riqHeMACWvOcHOvOALeY7i88ybua-8zdZTtWOnWpMZ6ME5O8kwenxAvuSV_MvqAJmDolP4KVGzr_b394p8-QB1NJhOhkLLiOWihNjloLCtIJQTOYx30bpulCr41XQ/s320/IMG_0590.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Date nights are great but I also had fun celebrating Father's Day at Wendy's with Cory and the girls (plus one) with free Frostys. Another great opportunity for a blogger. A blogger who will never have other opportunities if she doesn't blog more often ;)</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6a42U5vPiOETlIqVjWA_mAtjgMRjObIV85Vm4sgL1KP9db8m1zdBYQGamxazgRWtGS_CrLmioI6RTxpoCq2HvzzXBTbyQ9NDCgcG3mstxZgTjhrBfb3f_lUKnsec9jDy8uuMJRS4UHY/s1600/IMG_0602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6a42U5vPiOETlIqVjWA_mAtjgMRjObIV85Vm4sgL1KP9db8m1zdBYQGamxazgRWtGS_CrLmioI6RTxpoCq2HvzzXBTbyQ9NDCgcG3mstxZgTjhrBfb3f_lUKnsec9jDy8uuMJRS4UHY/s320/IMG_0602.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJosineZlxC4pCE6_DtfTdZbn2MziBhxI595eZ_rouMRnY6WFT_VFDMVUWUtadaZHtrL-D4I8d-qxQjTYrNkYU7kzVwh0mCt8lsttMDwnfTvLJ7cuBDeQPRAu7jT9qBvU544EnNJEJ40/s1600/IMG_0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJosineZlxC4pCE6_DtfTdZbn2MziBhxI595eZ_rouMRnY6WFT_VFDMVUWUtadaZHtrL-D4I8d-qxQjTYrNkYU7kzVwh0mCt8lsttMDwnfTvLJ7cuBDeQPRAu7jT9qBvU544EnNJEJ40/s320/IMG_0604.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><br />
Cory and Jayden enjoy a Frosty and French Fries. The perfect combination of sweet and salty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaud2MtvTVyh5HloEpRQ4d7lTPwGjkUa-lzn8xSH_m7I_jCd9PzB_Ug7t9vS5TFnaL2sEqna3NZ0N6AQZ9g2XvqgjgY7cjebk5FNWQ_w2-uMo-uKu83ba-5nB5p-s5xhO8G-xhFPcj8WM/s1600/IMG_0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaud2MtvTVyh5HloEpRQ4d7lTPwGjkUa-lzn8xSH_m7I_jCd9PzB_Ug7t9vS5TFnaL2sEqna3NZ0N6AQZ9g2XvqgjgY7cjebk5FNWQ_w2-uMo-uKu83ba-5nB5p-s5xhO8G-xhFPcj8WM/s320/IMG_0605.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was the perfect treat after a hot day in and out of the pool. Jayden, Ryann and Ryann's friend Lauren (in the middle) completely agree!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, as you can see I've had some fun. As of early September the freelance job at the ad agency came to an end. I still bill an hour here and there, and am slowly picking up more "jobs" in addition to the unpaid work I do for soccer, girl scouts, church, school, etc. But hey, I'm happy. And that's all that really matters. Right?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-54684941679217451632011-09-20T18:35:00.000-04:002011-09-20T18:35:32.984-04:00Discover Girls Prize Pack Giveaway Winner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aCnQ03CnR6fLe-cIe0L_mnCBjyem7UrjQY9PCAdN71l_m5JbXFybvgyZrgeqk7qeid6C9nSYZcBZTskbd8vnH5C6XchtLDXEy669o35pUDYgbe_3bAx6GZUbUSHeciwEZIUvafIL3r0/s1600/Disc+Girls+Giveaway.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aCnQ03CnR6fLe-cIe0L_mnCBjyem7UrjQY9PCAdN71l_m5JbXFybvgyZrgeqk7qeid6C9nSYZcBZTskbd8vnH5C6XchtLDXEy669o35pUDYgbe_3bAx6GZUbUSHeciwEZIUvafIL3r0/s1600/Disc+Girls+Giveaway.gif" /></a></div>Is Amy! Congrats and enjoy!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-75837248222561207302011-09-14T05:56:00.004-04:002011-09-14T12:00:17.309-04:00Raising Girls with Discovery Girls **giveaway**<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i4QsLERxw7k0LVuIEIAflFORPB2IjVHYJkmnb8VcI3dh6nFAlhOWRVUFxhZbQKR8YA39GEgM57Y8bpkKZHATF8BKJjBGeUyEAsg3i7vTkt-YybJ8GK31-t3KZawYbx_E4BJIX2Cv8Jk/s1600/dg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i4QsLERxw7k0LVuIEIAflFORPB2IjVHYJkmnb8VcI3dh6nFAlhOWRVUFxhZbQKR8YA39GEgM57Y8bpkKZHATF8BKJjBGeUyEAsg3i7vTkt-YybJ8GK31-t3KZawYbx_E4BJIX2Cv8Jk/s200/dg.gif" width="200" /></a>I have two daughters. That's really no secret here. They are almost 11 and 7.5 and every day is a challenge to make sure they grow up happy, healthy, wise, respectful, with a realistic view of the world without hiding from them until they are grown or totally freaking them out. It's. A challenge.<br />
<br />
That's one of the reasons I have come to love <a href="http://www.discoverygirls.com/magazine">Discovery Girls magazine</a>. I feel that like content is realistic, enjoyable, and appropriate for them to sit and read. I also think that the magazine and their new <a href="https://secure.palmcoastd.com/pcd/eServCart?iServ=MTA2MDE0Njg5MCZpVHlwZT1GQUJGT1VSRlJFRVNISVBQSU5H">Fab Girls Guides</a> help put girls at ease about things they might not feel like talking about all day long.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fhNoMrN4wPGmjipsnI-Tl-U5qGL5tHnYG-b0X9S3cX7sPNsmP1Eo_BISNTAYrFgkjzhFcKKUSXIKyqEV-h6H6m3qqEbfQlYtl4nw3ubJpZ9HzmeOD6XrxOF_D1eyLKOR9ueBY6gCpsk/s1600/IMG_0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fhNoMrN4wPGmjipsnI-Tl-U5qGL5tHnYG-b0X9S3cX7sPNsmP1Eo_BISNTAYrFgkjzhFcKKUSXIKyqEV-h6H6m3qqEbfQlYtl4nw3ubJpZ9HzmeOD6XrxOF_D1eyLKOR9ueBY6gCpsk/s320/IMG_0653.JPG" width="320" /></a> My youngest daughter is on the tween horizon. She peruses the magazine but not with the intensity that my 10.9999 year-old does. My oldest is in middle school. I feel we have a great relationship, but I know sometimes it's easier to read about why your friends are catty and rude than it is to rehash the day with your Mom. That's where these materials really have value for me.<br />
<br />
Both girls loved the 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition and read it together on a long car ride up north. Even sisters are allowed to enjoy quizzes and reading about other girls' embarrassing moments together, and that made Mom very happy.<br />
<br />
I have an opportunity to share these great items with you and I am excited to do so! Today's giveaway includes:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMJ-xIRveEKYatb9h7J9kdrNnQaDHeJLP-Aat_hOt_27Kw98vZDdalk8JIF9mo6XhF1FDWnHvekikxRx_Ib-dqcC59Myyii0IJmCOG9Xt1nkcb_rxpmg0FEmSt4R8827tmxIWEZ8jIlQ/s1600/IMG_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMJ-xIRveEKYatb9h7J9kdrNnQaDHeJLP-Aat_hOt_27Kw98vZDdalk8JIF9mo6XhF1FDWnHvekikxRx_Ib-dqcC59Myyii0IJmCOG9Xt1nkcb_rxpmg0FEmSt4R8827tmxIWEZ8jIlQ/s320/IMG_0654.JPG" width="239" /></a>
<li>1 complimentary year subscription to the magazine (a $20 value!)</li>
<li>1 set of our Fab Girls book set ($40)</li>
<li>1 10-Year Anniversary Collector's Edition, which will encompass 10 years of the best content from our magazine! ($10)!</li>
</ul><div>To enter you must "like" My Life of What Ifs on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Life-of-What-Ifs/124078514312483">Facebook</a>. Then leave me a comment below stating that you do in fact, "like" me and who you would share these lovely prizes with. Daughter? Granddaughter? Sister? Niece?</div><div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></div><div>You can earn another entry by "liking" Discovery Girls magazine on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/DiscoveryGirls?sk=wall">Facebook</a> too, and leaving a separate comment telling me you did so. Make sure any and all entries contain your email or a way to contact you.</div><div></div><div>So, like away. Leave a comment or two and good luck raising your daughters, no matter how old they are or how many you have. Luck is always needed, and appreciated. </div><div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></div><div><i><b>Disclosure: </b><b>This review was made possible by <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT347"><a href="http://www.momsparkmedia.com/" target="_blank">Mom Spark Media</a></span>, all thoughts are my own. </b></i><i><b>Contest ends Friday, September 16 at 11:59 pm ET. Winner will be chosen at random through Random.org.</b></i></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-80020637788720146772011-09-12T19:07:00.002-04:002011-09-12T19:09:23.808-04:00Totino´s says "Learn a Ton when School is Fun" **giveaway**<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8i-t-Fxh_6tWl_Yr3dlwHHtxt_y3cAsKXfczY97VfMWeh7XxeQAD4ZzFX0H4ZzkJYHvgonstI_Y5e2XR-uz-koTceV5nk8gHWXDJX18vWrMIjpIFinbIvlRWrH6-tK8wlV7TSDUcrSw/s1600/totino%2527s+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2354"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It's funny the memories that stand out from childhood. One of my fondest memories was going across the street to my Grandma's house whenever my Mom and Step-Dad went out, had to work, etc. because on those nights we always had Totino's pizza rolls for dinner and I got a big glass of Pepsi with ice. We would sit and watch TV eating our pizza rolls (with salt, shhh) and drinking our pop. Good times.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Totino's Pizza Rolls are still something I keep on hand as a treat for my kids when we are pressed for time, or just for fun. They are extremely valuable when you have extra kids for the night too.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8i-t-Fxh_6tWl_Yr3dlwHHtxt_y3cAsKXfczY97VfMWeh7XxeQAD4ZzFX0H4ZzkJYHvgonstI_Y5e2XR-uz-koTceV5nk8gHWXDJX18vWrMIjpIFinbIvlRWrH6-tK8wlV7TSDUcrSw/s1600/totino%2527s+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8i-t-Fxh_6tWl_Yr3dlwHHtxt_y3cAsKXfczY97VfMWeh7XxeQAD4ZzFX0H4ZzkJYHvgonstI_Y5e2XR-uz-koTceV5nk8gHWXDJX18vWrMIjpIFinbIvlRWrH6-tK8wlV7TSDUcrSw/s320/totino%2527s+logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This school year, Totino´s® is partnering with Box Tops for Education and giving away one million Bonus Box Tops (equivalent to $100,000) to help bring fun ideas to life both inside and outside of the classroom, through the "Learn a Ton when School is Fun" sweepstakes: </span></div><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This school year, four participating schools in the Box Tops for Education (BTFE) program will each win 250,000 Bonus Box Tops, equivalent to $25,000, from Totino´s to help fund a fun project at their school. Visit <a href="http://bit.ly/totionsbtfe" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.BTFE.com/Totinos</span></a> to view official sweepstakes rules.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">You can start, or continue, to earn cash for your kid´s school by collecting Box Tops coupons from hundreds of products, including Totino´s.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">AND this back-to-school season, Totino´s<sup>®</sup> <a href="http://bit.ly/totionsbtfe" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Party Pizza</span></a><sup>®</sup> and <a href="http://bit.ly/totionsbtfe" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Pizza Rolls</span></a><sup>®</sup> Snacks will feature double Box Tops on select varieties, to help you earn even more for your kid´s school!</span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Fun is an essential part of learning. Continue to help make your kid´s learning environment more fun and exciting by taking advantage of these simple opportunities from Totino´s - enter the "Learn a Ton when School is Fun" sweepstakes for your chance to win 250,000 Bonus Box Tops, and serve up a quick and delicious after-school snack <a href="http://bit.ly/totionsbtfe" style="color: black;" target="_blank"></a>with Totino´s Party Pizza <a href="http://bit.ly/totionsbtfe" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a>and Pizza Rolls Snacks, <a href="http://bit.ly/totionsbtfe" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> while collecting double Box Tops from each. </span></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 605px;"><tbody> </tbody></table><span class="txt">Totino's through MyBlogSpark provided me with an awesome pack of games and free coupons and I have one to give away to you!</span><br />
<span class="txt"> </span><br />
<span class="txt">The Totino´s "Learn a Ton when School is Fun" prize pack includes a Brain Quest Smart! Game, Micro Rubik´s<sup>®</sup> Cube Key Holder and draw string backpack, and coupons for a free package of Totino´s Pizza Rolls Snacks, Totino´s Party Pizza and new Totino´s Pizza Stuffers.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyup4GJWtZNyWLcT077hyad8W5ZsJvlmpIIrWz4VjTLUwXp_H6wSONMd_Wa-ByeF0X4bIvipe3S4XUUnfIlLCUzF1WxRN5HtFRdX8RdbqmdO3USmZbKg0Ap_dgGuYhv8XIBAF69j_qRYI/s1600/totinos-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyup4GJWtZNyWLcT077hyad8W5ZsJvlmpIIrWz4VjTLUwXp_H6wSONMd_Wa-ByeF0X4bIvipe3S4XUUnfIlLCUzF1WxRN5HtFRdX8RdbqmdO3USmZbKg0Ap_dgGuYhv8XIBAF69j_qRYI/s320/totinos-photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>You can enter to win this awesome Totino's prize pack one of three ways. If you choose any or all methods you have to submit separate comments all containing your email address for the additional entries. You can:<br />
<ul><li>Share in a comment what type of fun project you would use the 250,000 Bonus Box Tops ($25,000 value) to fund if you won the Totino´s "Learn a Ton when School is Fun" sweepstakes.</li>
<li>Share one of your fun memories from when you were in school and how you could help to create a similar experience at your child´s school</li>
<li> "Like" the Totino´s <a href="http://on.fb.me/totinosbtfe">Facebook</a> page, and please leave a comment here to notify me that you are a fan.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b></b></div>Be sure to visit the <a href="http://bit.ly/totionsbtfe">Totino´s website</a>, Totino´s on <a href="http://on.fb.me/totinosbtfe">Facebook</a>, and the Box Tops for Education Sweepstakes <a href="http://bit.ly/btfetotinos">website</a>.<br />
<br />
<span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2356">And if you wondered why schools collect Box Tops in the first place. Here's a video (and more will appear on the You Tube sidebar)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> from a Totino´s Fun-Atic! Totino's Fun-Atics are Box Tops Coordinators who are bringing fun to their local schools.</span><br />
<br />
<i><b>Disclosure: The information and prize pack has been provided by Totino´s through MyBlogSpark</b>. <b>Contest ends Wednesday, September 14 at 11:59 pm ET.</b></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-2802002809909500762011-08-01T17:14:00.000-04:002011-08-01T17:14:36.763-04:00My Happy PlaceI am currently three days in to our annual vacation at Drummond Island off the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. All of the stress I’ve been feeling lately, the main reason for my lack of blog posts, was left in the Lower Peninsula, where it belongs.<br />
<br />
Right now I am sitting under a tree at the yacht haven with my family and several friends who are like family. The kids are swimming, the ladies are reading and chatting, the dogs are sitting in the shade and a few of the guys are fishing. The breeze is balmy and it just doesn’t get any better.<br />
<br />
After 2 weeks taking the Member’s Mark Probiotic daily I can also notice a discernable difference in how my stress affects my gastrointestinal system. There seems to be regularity about me, LOL. Where normally all hell could break loose the minute my workload becomes overwhelming, things in that area have stayed relaxed and normal.<br />
<br />
Of course in the past I have made it through stressful times and then as soon as things calm down my body or stomach rather, retaliates. But I’ve been on vacation since Friday afternoon and so far so good.<br />
<br />
My family looks forward to this vacation every year. So much so, that even the mention of not going can send my girls into a tizzy. But really why would we not come? Two-tracking through the woods, swimming off of fossil ledges, drinking “punch” from a garbage can, sitting under the stars in front of a warm fire, dogs playing, kids laughing, and it all takes place this one week of the year.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-21053053775468110632011-07-13T17:34:00.000-04:002011-07-13T17:34:00.929-04:00The Circle of My Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXlLuZ3BO2cm3R7Aaxsr65D4hBKEFIJq5Set_X8BtEUT38SFb2sprHmAQrFYY_QYIQgzRisAOMrkBAvkTSUkerkUVTdOZJhcXw9bl2xNReSvOOuG9_qvz5k6WjnmoDvDLJy2zHq6ZOHc/s1600/breathe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXlLuZ3BO2cm3R7Aaxsr65D4hBKEFIJq5Set_X8BtEUT38SFb2sprHmAQrFYY_QYIQgzRisAOMrkBAvkTSUkerkUVTdOZJhcXw9bl2xNReSvOOuG9_qvz5k6WjnmoDvDLJy2zHq6ZOHc/s1600/breathe.jpg" /></a></div>I've been back in the advertising grind for three months now and I am recognizing the signs. The signs of me becoming who I was before. Irritable, tired, anxious, edgy, unable to enjoy the simple things and I am constantly reminding myself to breathe.<br />
<br />
I haven't blogged. I have read a book. I have a stack of magazines waiting to be read. And my stomach is a mess.<br />
<br />
It's been a long time since I've had the stomach issues brought on by stress but they're back and in full force. Of course there is the even more demented side of me saying "yay, maybe I'll lose some weight." But yes, it's a problem. I have to do more than breathe. I have to be positive. Why can't I be positive? Why can't I not worry about everything? Why can't I be more like my husband? The only time his bowels are irritated is when he drinks draft beer.<br />
<br />
A friend recommended I try probiotics for my stomach irritability (which blesses me with a host of symptoms) and I am hoping that I can feel less of my stress in my stomach so I am going to give it a whirl and see what happens. I am trying Member's Mark 4X Probiotic and was fortunate enough to receive a six week supply to try. I am also visiting <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_879216704">Digestive Health for Me!</a><a href="http://digestivehealthfor.me/"> </a> where there is a forum to discuss digestive health.<br />
<br />
It seems I may be on the right track for my digestive issues, now I just need to work on my brain and maintaining a positive outlook, a good work-life balance, etc. But I guess that's why I go to therapy. Right?<br />
<br />
<i>I received a six week supply of Member's Mark 4X Probiotic from <a href="http://www.collectivebias.com/">Collective Bias</a> as part of a social shopper's insight study. All opinions are mine and mine alone.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-55605247531876882342011-06-16T15:52:00.000-04:002011-06-16T15:52:51.693-04:00And the Chili's winner is....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Comment Number 16!!!! BusyWorkingMama!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ-p0SJGMf1UpHM2KKjOSKlKbT2qml58pvPP7gYTbhadgAX4N91d3bY55fq6ISOJ0JAVIAWUK4hu9M8SOQKlHfffxKesHWHO7fqYN-HSmHVTM-yxRwan7F2WrTMgbK35nK-8OrcRTS7U/s1600/chili%2527s+random.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ-p0SJGMf1UpHM2KKjOSKlKbT2qml58pvPP7gYTbhadgAX4N91d3bY55fq6ISOJ0JAVIAWUK4hu9M8SOQKlHfffxKesHWHO7fqYN-HSmHVTM-yxRwan7F2WrTMgbK35nK-8OrcRTS7U/s1600/chili%2527s+random.jpg" t8="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44Fi8CtnXnsXU6d5Td-6D9iFRqGVSSAqJfOUsv118BiL4OBNAaqHUMymKIKWpZKsIqDZWbztVAjINRmxs24hE4NWoXU80Oin-GGaZm-vEGQAcl0zszQ6iNLXJvDmS7NKPCjrxoRX6RwQ/s1600/chili+winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44Fi8CtnXnsXU6d5Td-6D9iFRqGVSSAqJfOUsv118BiL4OBNAaqHUMymKIKWpZKsIqDZWbztVAjINRmxs24hE4NWoXU80Oin-GGaZm-vEGQAcl0zszQ6iNLXJvDmS7NKPCjrxoRX6RwQ/s320/chili+winner.jpg" t8="true" width="249" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Winner has been notified by email and has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Thanks everyone!!!!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-19524039396557547882011-06-07T21:23:00.001-04:002011-06-13T10:52:19.097-04:00Shout out to eat out and get a Chili's Triple Dipper!!One of the things that has happened quite frequently since I've gone back to work full time is that we eat out. A lot.<br />
<br />
The last six weeks of school or so, at least in our house, are insane. Soccer practices, soccer games, field trips, band concerts, field day, girls scout parties, and so on, and so on. It doesn't leave much time to plan a meal or to actually cook one. So we often find ourselves out at the same restaurant, ordering the same things.<br />
<br />
But last Saturday we were surprised to have our oldest gone until about 9 p.m. and our youngest gone for the night, so we went to Chili's and found out that good things do come in three's so we ordered the new Triple Dipper appetizer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNWy94qckJk2ahyggnLy_IHFuGSzvfViFgPmDkR_0mZDZJcAQJF8iz9JiN8CywtS4hYM-ZXbtBFNHV7tfhZM_2bmS3xsCVOVenKicdQTOv-knVrV4wGAYVXZMLZsrM3AlHB3wJfID_bY/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNWy94qckJk2ahyggnLy_IHFuGSzvfViFgPmDkR_0mZDZJcAQJF8iz9JiN8CywtS4hYM-ZXbtBFNHV7tfhZM_2bmS3xsCVOVenKicdQTOv-knVrV4wGAYVXZMLZsrM3AlHB3wJfID_bY/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My three favorite things to have on one plate are steak, mashed potatoes and something gooey and chocolate, but since I was sharing with my husband we picked boneless buffalo bites, potato skins, and southwestern egg rolls. Oh. My. Goodness. Look at that! It's a meal, in and of itself! Oh and we had a dip for each, talk about Yum!<br />
<br />
In addition to the Triple Dipper I also had a Top Shelf Raspberry Margarita and the Fajita Trio. Needless to say I rolled myself home.<br />
<br />
I would love for you to have an opportunity to roll yourself home too, so I am offering up a $20 Chili's gift card so you can Shout Out to Eat Out and see that Good Things Do Come in Three's and then enjoy a Chili's Triple Dipper of your own.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.shoutouttoeatout.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_w73q0Uw81Xj64z8CXP66faFcrG_4YdA4VJfIL1804HYlHuEVRhhzqO0slTNdBsT2FqMsdJiAwWgYSgn5nBa8TeAR6Bi7S-FS3ZY9Pkgl_i97_HNHdj49ne4ZBDvdBwR6cD-4z0w_DQg/s1600/image002.jpg" /></a><a href="http://bit.ly/linkyrave"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTx_0xhrp2Ifqz5HI6hyAMiVTTelqmkpFoxPEvW1oESojdsVmnttMejUeX9RZxXko_w6Gd2X52vL5RnjVQ_gGc67tThuaP559gSatrsD16WOWBN86yBIhka7go_1QvWBO60oH7csa5TI/s1600/image001.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
All you have to do to win the $20 Chili's gift card is fill in the name of my blog- <b>My Life of What Ifs</b> in the google doc field below, click submit, and then leave me a comment stating that you did so!<br />
<br />
You can earn extra entries by doing any of the following, just be sure to leave a comment for EACH entry.<br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Tell me your 3 favorite foods you would like to have all on 1 plate.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">"Like" <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Chilis">Chili's</a> on Facebook </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">Follow <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/Chilis">@Chilis</a> &<a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/ShoutOut2EatOut"> @Shoutout2eatout</a> on Twitter</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">Create your terrific trio located on <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT44"><a href="http:///" target="_blank">http://</a></span></span><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT45"><a href="http://www.shoutouttoeatout.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span">www.shoutouttoeatout.com</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">/ and comment with the URL link</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">Opt-In to Chili's email club here </span><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT46"><a href="http://bit.ly/m6HYef" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span">http://bit.ly/m6HYef</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> (You'll receive a free appetizer certificate too!)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">Tweet this "At @Chilis Good Things Come In 3's! Check out @2Wired2Tired </span><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT47"><a href="http://bit.ly/linkyrave" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1436a5;"><span class="Apple-style-span">http://bit.l/linkyrave</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> for 200 chances to win in the #tripledipper linky rave!”</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">Write a post on your blog about your 3 favorite foods you would like to have all on 1 plate and mention the </span><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT48"><a href="http://shoutout2eatout.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Shoutout2eatout.com</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> promotion. Then comment with the URL link.</span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span">Good Luck, enjoy and don't forget to fill in the name of my blog below! </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://spreadsheets1.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dG93R0JYcTJ2dzdINGFfTEdnNGIyd0E6MQ" width="760"></iframe><i>Contest ends Sunday, June 12 at 11:59:00 p.m ET. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<i>I was given a $20 virtual Chili's gift card to try the new Triple Dipper and a $20 gift card to give away. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.</i></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com149tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-71476403498189756022011-05-26T17:56:00.000-04:002011-05-26T17:56:24.523-04:00I've come full circle and I got my Gleek on!Last weekend I attended my first ever blogging conference. Perfect timing considering my blog has sat unattended for darn near a month!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyhHym194S7A17ft0Untg_dGh9csyfr2e3HEEgVU9inePlZ_nbMbeiqdzPbSGDA9bWCERkNstprMqBYPNLL-g6Y0tiEH9GRxU4HVIlgx2XsE_cpkmgLjzRmY-7KPT86A_Q5GjB3h8F-Y/s1600/gleek+headertagline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyhHym194S7A17ft0Untg_dGh9csyfr2e3HEEgVU9inePlZ_nbMbeiqdzPbSGDA9bWCERkNstprMqBYPNLL-g6Y0tiEH9GRxU4HVIlgx2XsE_cpkmgLjzRmY-7KPT86A_Q5GjB3h8F-Y/s320/gleek+headertagline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I spent two days in lovely <a href="http://holland.org/">Holland, MI</a> at <a href="http://www.gleekretreat.com/">Gleek Retreat 2011</a> and it was such a great experience. In addition to spending time with <a href="http://biggerbrighterdays.blogspot.com/">Heather</a> for the first time in about 10 years, I also saw many bloggy friends in real life and even heard a few of them speak and share their blogging expertise!<br />
<br />
It was a great way to network from other bloggers like myself, and kick back with an old friend. The swag bags kicked ass too with fun from <a href="http://www.bissell.com/">Bissell</a>, <a href="http://www.therapon.com/">Therapon</a>, <a href="http://www.mabel.ca/">Mabel's Labels</a>, <a href="http://goodlifegranola.com/Scripts/default.asp">Good Life Granola</a>,<a href="http://islandgirlbags.com/"> Island Girl Bags</a>, <a href="http://www.rogersjewelersmi.com/index.html">Rogers Jewelers<span id="goog_1762672338"></span><span id="goog_1762672339"></span></a> and <a href="http://www.rudykazoodys.com/">Rudy Kazoody's</a>.<br />
<br />
The last six weeks have been a little surreal for me. You see, it seems I've come full circle. One of the motivators behind the name of this blog was a major life change I made in November of 2008. I quit my job in advertising. Those of you that know me, and those of you that have read about my "process" for the last two-and-half-years may be surprised to find out that I have returned to that world. Yes, the world of advertising.<br />
<br />
I've streamlined some of my extra jobs and have contracted with an agency in the Detroit area. I handle Business Affairs and about 100 other things. I'm freelance so I am kind-of my own boss, and I work when and where I want. I don't feel guilt about working at home, and I don't feel guilty if I can't work at all.<br />
<br />
So, that's one of the reasons you haven't heard from me in oh-so-long. There are other reasons too, but they are for another time and another post. I'll share more about my job later, but tonight I just wanted to offer an update and a thought- we may wonder what if, and that is OK, but it's also OK to realize that you can go "home" again. Sometimes when we go to find ourselves, we may realize we were right there all along. I don't feel lost, and I don't regret my time away from this business, and I'm not 100% sure I'll always be here, but for now it feels right and that's good enough for me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-70446975661913153432011-04-25T22:53:00.003-04:002011-04-25T23:04:48.630-04:00Potatoes? No, Tomatoes. Learning to love them.<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love tomatoes. Enough said. Blog post over.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the favorite joys in my life is walking to my garden in the summer, picking a tomato, slicing it up and eating the whole thing. My lips and cheeks are puckering just thinking about the taste.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Four people live here and we are a house divided. My husband is not a fan of the tomato and that is putting it nicely. My youngest daughter has not yet discovered the joy of a tomato, in fact she actually says it's "potatoes" that she doesn't like. But if I put a tomato anywhere near her she cringes. But my oldest daughter has discovered that she likes tomatoes, she- is on my team.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love to cook with tomatoes. Sauce, diced, stewed, whole, and canned tomatoes are a great way to add juice and flavor to many things including one of our favorite recipes. This recipe doesn't have an official name. It's just a crock pot meal that a friend posted on a message board years ago.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You will need:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li><span style="font-size: small;"> One pound stewing beef</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">1 can tomato sauce (we use Hunt's)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">1 small bag of frozen peas</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">2T Worcestershire sauce</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">1/4 onion chopped</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Add a can of stewed tomatoes for more sustenance, and more health benefits.</span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaP-OJSHDlKhBEnDqw1Bp8ZiBQpv5UEKAB6D5kOz9rdHMD0sOnH3dI7CiGBDJTTg_TEzdQRSUOii88z68uIla1Q82PUJtW7AC8dxoY2ckdcPSkRxnUxAvKyoRpOfVgIQWnQsBRM_w8Bi0/s1600/stew+meat+pasta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaP-OJSHDlKhBEnDqw1Bp8ZiBQpv5UEKAB6D5kOz9rdHMD0sOnH3dI7CiGBDJTTg_TEzdQRSUOii88z68uIla1Q82PUJtW7AC8dxoY2ckdcPSkRxnUxAvKyoRpOfVgIQWnQsBRM_w8Bi0/s320/stew+meat+pasta.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Place all ingredients in crock pot, stir, cover and cook on high for three hours or on low for 10. Serve over linguine, other pasta, or mashed potatoes. Top with Parmesan.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This recipe makes me happy because our garden hasn't even been planted yet this year, heck it snowed last week, and making this crock pot tomato stew is one way I can expose my family to the benefits of tomatoes in the off season. I recently read the article <i><a href="http://ajl.sagepub.com/content/early/2010/11/10/1559827610387488.full.pdf+html">Tomato Consumption and Health: Emerging Benefits</a></i> and was very interested in a few of the basic tomato facts, such as: </span></div><ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Tomatoes are the most consumed non-starchy vegetable.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Tomatoes are the most significant source of dietary lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that gets more powerful after cooking. Which, this time of year, most of the tomatoes I use are cooked!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Tomatoes are one of the top contributors of potassium to the American diet.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Tomatoes are good for your heart. (It’s easy to remember because they’re red.) They are low in calories, but rich in fiber.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Emerging research underscores the relationship between consuming tomatoes and tomato products with reduced risk of certain cancers, heart disease, ultraviolet light-induced damage, osteoporosis and other conditions. </span></li>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBy7NCcPjynjdYPZTSYv6NW5tAltZwzDmFIeuin6rPwBq9tz9MRZdbXZPjsA-KTayxv12Vb7Zb1GdukHcJ5IFuqw5p82_FqvwDCbZC9TPiy79SrgyUoKNS6dqphXeHpDSw-3w50rcGpw8/s1600/stewed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBy7NCcPjynjdYPZTSYv6NW5tAltZwzDmFIeuin6rPwBq9tz9MRZdbXZPjsA-KTayxv12Vb7Zb1GdukHcJ5IFuqw5p82_FqvwDCbZC9TPiy79SrgyUoKNS6dqphXeHpDSw-3w50rcGpw8/s1600/stewed.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A favorite of mine is <a href="http://www.hunts.com/index.jsp">Hunt's</a> tomato products. All of Hunt's products are grown in California, 100% Natural, and they come in a lot of varieties including No Salt Added. Only Hunt's uses the natural FlashSteam process to lock in the natural tomato goodness of <b>every</b> tomato in their diced, whole and stewed varieties. And each Hunt's tomato goes from vine to can in just hours so home cooks can enjoy the summer-fresh taste of tomatoes all year round.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you think I'm just tomato happy then check out the <a href="http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2010.asp">2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans</a> and see how tomatoes and other healthy foods can benefit your life. These guidelines recommend one or more servings of tomatoes a day, as part of the new red-orange vegetable sub-group. Now if someone could just convince my husband that they really taste great too!</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><i>I received a stipend from <a href="http://www.hunts.com/index.jsp">Hunt's</a> and <a href="http://www.themotherhood.com/">The Motherhood</a> in exchange for this blog post. All opinions, ideas and statements are mine and mine alone.</i></span></span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-85961007005164729492011-04-17T22:28:00.000-04:002011-04-17T22:28:28.797-04:00Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cookie Pizza and hormonal tweensI have an enormous sweet tooth. Seriously, I need help. I also have a hormonal 10-year-old daughter. Seriously, I need help with that too. I will also say right off the bat that I am not condoning or fixing my daughters mood swings with sweet, sinful desserts. But I do make them to make me feel better after putting up with her. And her seven-year-old sister who can be equally as bitc... ummm, moody. I have food issues, and I am trying to make sure my daughters do not. But anywho, let's talk about the dessert pizza goodness I made today. #Familymeals do not need to be followed by dessert, but is sure as hell helps.<br />
<br />
I found the recipe for Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cookie Pizza on the Pillsbury website. I have seen it in magazines other times and had always wanted to make it. Today it was necessary. <br />
<br />
All you need is:<br />
<br />
1 roll of chocolate chip cookie dough<br />
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened<br />
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter ( I used Peter Pan)<br />
1 cup powdered sugar<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaR0stI2SoanlapVqfIkNbWbw312Lz6n52Yi9-9MZ2QmjLec0rXpIUHSjTSdZ03jJ604-GUc-eRgMfE7JNmgc9EzXK0_-02POEzD2VJSHAc_S1A6NDJx6uRk8G-qp5SKylxN7V6_zR6RM/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaR0stI2SoanlapVqfIkNbWbw312Lz6n52Yi9-9MZ2QmjLec0rXpIUHSjTSdZ03jJ604-GUc-eRgMfE7JNmgc9EzXK0_-02POEzD2VJSHAc_S1A6NDJx6uRk8G-qp5SKylxN7V6_zR6RM/s320/IMG_0492.JPG" width="320" /></a>1/2 cup milk<br />
1 cup whipped topping (I used Reddi Whip)<br />
hot fudge topping<br />
chopped nuts<br />
<br />
<br />
<div> <div class="heading"> With those sinful ingredients you do the following:</div><div class="list"> <div id="MethodInformationSection"><ul><li>Heat oven to 350°F. Press cookie dough evenly in bottom of pizzsa pan to form crust.</li>
<li>Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.</li>
<li>Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.</li>
<li>Spread peanut butter mixture over top. Drizzle with fudge topping. Sprinkle with peanuts. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or until serving time. Cut into wedges or squares. Spray a dollop of Reddi-Whip on top (OK that's my own signature move)</li>
</ul></div></div></div>Then you eat this ooey, gooey goodness and try not to gag. It's that good. I also strongly suggest small portions. Even those with the healthiest of blood sugar levels may have issues after ingesting this dessert. Check out my whrrl below for pictures of the delectable dessert pizza.<br />
<br />
<div><iframe frameborder="0" height="372" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://whrrl.com/whrrlMini/experience/28084067?s=small&sharer=19094646" style="border: 1px solid #D3D3D3;" width="263"></iframe><br />
<div style="background-color: lightgrey; color: #777777; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; height: 18px; overflow: hidden; width: 265px;"><div style="float: left; margin: 2px 8px 0px 8px;">More check-ins at <a href="http://whrrl.com/place/3974782/walmart-supercenter-1754-howell" style="color: #569bb5;">Walmart Supercenter #1754</a></div><div style="float: right; padding: 2px 8px 2px 0px;">Powered by <a href="http://whrrl.com/" style="color: #569bb5;">Whrrl</a></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;"><i>This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for #collectivebias, all opinions are mine and mine alone.</i></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-22186091326434534872011-04-07T10:53:00.000-04:002011-04-07T10:53:37.178-04:00Heigh Ho, Heigh HoI have been a little M.I.A. this week, and I apologize but I have a really good reason. I'm working!!!! <br />
<br />
Yes, I am always working, but this time I am working out of my home, in an office that is 30 minutes from my house. I have contracted with a company for a couple of weeks and haven't had much free time. But I'll be back. This is a good thing! In the meantime, watch some Snow White and see what song I've been singing in the shower every morning. :)<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nmhzVhYfEk8" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-39284443979040913162011-04-04T16:30:00.006-04:002011-04-04T17:06:45.463-04:00Having fun in my El Naturalista Shoes<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am a fan of shoes. Shoes and socks are my favorite clothing items. No matter what, I can find shoes and socks that fit me and my style.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
Recently I heard about </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.elnaturalista.com/index.php/es">El Naturalista</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> shoes and using their </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.elnaturalista.com/index.php/en/where-to-buy">store locator</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I found a store in Ann Arbor- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/birkenstock.store?sk=wall">Fourth Avenue Birkenstock</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- that sold them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
I was intrigued by El Naturalista because they're comfortable and yet attractive. And I like the "road" they follow.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> "Naturalistas" start their journey observing everything that surrounds them. They travel through the world and observe it, becoming impregnated by its textures, its colors, its lines... and after a thousand journeys, real and imaginary, they discover that a single idea brings us together. Whatever our race or culture... we all walk in search of happiness. </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>It is that simple. And that complicated.</i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-kRTsd9cmAdZVcdjPqPELPPE2rXWw-FhW4sqiMAMx9AJWeqIhK2BpI8_H6E7OGZ4VDNsKKCVckYzifzmzwgmVzsGDVpprElROiBPGrAjMdXHYljsSGZ4kpVJpAvO6G6nD1AMUBZoR60/s1600/el+nat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-kRTsd9cmAdZVcdjPqPELPPE2rXWw-FhW4sqiMAMx9AJWeqIhK2BpI8_H6E7OGZ4VDNsKKCVckYzifzmzwgmVzsGDVpprElROiBPGrAjMdXHYljsSGZ4kpVJpAvO6G6nD1AMUBZoR60/s1600/el+nat.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The philosophy of El Naturalista reeks of my What If beliefs.<i>“Naturalistas” are <strong style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">sincere</strong>. They analyze life and the world around them with the intensity of a thoughtful <strong style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">observer. </strong>“Naturalistas” enjoy every moment of every minute, and every minute of every moment.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of course they also make cute shoes, in great colors of green, red, orange and purple. <a href="http://www.elnaturalista.com/index.php/en/collection/inspiration-trips/iggdrasil">Iggdrasil</a> is my favorite collection and exactly what I found on Fourth Ave. I tried on <a href="http://www.elnaturalista.com/index.php/en/collection/spring-summer-2011/yggdrasil?force=31089">clogs</a> and <a href="http://www.elnaturalista.com/index.php/en/collection/spring-summer-2011/yggdrasil?force=5817">Mary Jane's</a> and when the weather is more reliable I think I will be going back for <a href="http://www.elnaturalista.com/index.php/en/collection/spring-summer-2011/yggdrasil?force=31099">these</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The folks at Fourth Avenue Birkenstock were extremely helpful. It has been A LONG time since anyone helped me try on shoes. I felt like I was back in my hometown at Miller's Shoe Store getting corrective shoes as a child, with a golden egg surprise when I was all done.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In the end I went with Cobalto Mary Jane style El Naturalista's. They are a dark, normal color, but they are not brown, or black, and with my need for new shoes that I could wear a lot they fit the bill. They are super comfortable. In fact, I have worn them for two long periods of time with no trouble at all. They have breathable, anatomic, removable insoles, and are made of hand-stitched, soft pull grain leather.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I also love the sole of this shoe. It's made of recycled rubber. It has a decoration all of it's own and it's firm, but not hard.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I really like these shoes, and aside from one instance of a shop on their store locator being no longer in business, I really liked shopping for them. It led me to Fourth Avenue Birkenstick, a great local store, with friendly, knowledgeable staff, and I felt important from the minute I walked in until the minute I walked out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And now I feel important because I have comfortable, well-made shoes that still have a funky look to them, and that's alright with me.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="372" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://whrrl.com/whrrlMini/experience/27816838?s=small&sharer=19094646" style="border: 1px solid #D3D3D3;" width="263"></iframe></div></div><div style="background-color: lightgrey; color: #777777; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; height: 18px; overflow: hidden; width: 265px;"><div style="float: left; margin: 2px 8px 0px 8px;"><div style="text-align: center;">More check-ins at <a href="http://whrrl.com/place/5055982/fourth-avenue-birkenstock-ann-arbor" style="color: #569bb5;">Fourth Avenue Birkenstock</a></div></div><div style="float: right; padding: 2px 8px 2px 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">Powered by <a href="http://whrrl.com/" style="color: #569bb5;">Whrrl</a></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909800057856291584.post-40679784798703060262011-03-30T16:35:00.002-04:002011-03-30T16:37:12.324-04:00Real Simple Daily Thought<b>“All endings are also beginnings. We just don’t know it at the time.” ~ Mitch Albom</b><br />
<br />
You can subscribe to Real Simple's Daily Thought <a href="http://browse.realsimple.com/magazine-more/inside-website/daily-thought/index.html">here</a>. It's funny how timely they can be. For me anyways :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10873611722737390712noreply@blogger.com0