In one of my posts last week, I mentioned that Zac's preschool was going to have a Hop-A-Thon soon to benefit the MDA; it's part of their curriculum-taking a week to learn about disabilities and people with disabilities. It's been interesting to hear his take on the subject.
This past Friday was their official Hop-A-Thon and he hopped 313 times in five or ten minutes.
And he still didn't take a nap.
Nor did he go to bed early.
I did.
If you're still interested in giving to MDA through Zac, you actually have until April 3rd (Thursday) to donate, even though the link lists the deadline as today. Just click here to get to the link.
Thank You.
5 Kids 1 Great Journey
Monday, March 31, 2008
Secrets
I'm getting ready to head out the door for the day but wanted to write a quick post.
Secrets...I have a few and I'll share one with you.
I purchase many items online, especially at Christmas. Many companies have great online deals; I think it has something to do with cheaper advertising online, compared to other forms of media and probably lower overhead.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, so what's the secret?
Before I purchase anything online, I go to www.retailmenot.com and look for coupon codes. Now, I personally know that there are numbers of coupon code sites out there but this one works! You just type in the company that you would like a coupon for and up pops a list of them with different coupon offers. The best thing about this site is that each coupon gives it's success rate; so you don't waste your time with a coupon code that is too good to be true.
I've had great success with this site and that's why I go back to it consistently. My best savings so far was this past Christmas season. I was looking to buy one of my five a Leapster handheld but they're expensive--even on sale. I figured that once I bought the game system and one game, Andrew's Christmas was over. Being seven, one gift would not cut it.
So, I looked at www.leapsteronline.com and BooYah! they were having a great sale--something like 30% off most of their products. So, I of course go to retailmenot.com and look for Leapster coupon codes, crossing my fingers they would work on clearance prices.
I plugged in the codes and they worked! I received an extra 15% off AND FREE SHIPPING. I used two coupons and they both worked.
I. WAS. AMAZED.
Right then and there, I was hooked; a loyal online customer.
Call me a cynical consumer but isn't this unheard of in the retail world? Normally, it's "only one coupon, per visit, per person." or "We don't participate in taking those coupons."
I used the site just this morning and, once again, it saved me 20% on items already on sale.
Go there. Be a thrifty consumer. You won't be disappointed.
Secrets...I have a few and I'll share one with you.
I purchase many items online, especially at Christmas. Many companies have great online deals; I think it has something to do with cheaper advertising online, compared to other forms of media and probably lower overhead.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, so what's the secret?
Before I purchase anything online, I go to www.retailmenot.com and look for coupon codes. Now, I personally know that there are numbers of coupon code sites out there but this one works! You just type in the company that you would like a coupon for and up pops a list of them with different coupon offers. The best thing about this site is that each coupon gives it's success rate; so you don't waste your time with a coupon code that is too good to be true.
I've had great success with this site and that's why I go back to it consistently. My best savings so far was this past Christmas season. I was looking to buy one of my five a Leapster handheld but they're expensive--even on sale. I figured that once I bought the game system and one game, Andrew's Christmas was over. Being seven, one gift would not cut it.
So, I looked at www.leapsteronline.com and BooYah! they were having a great sale--something like 30% off most of their products. So, I of course go to retailmenot.com and look for Leapster coupon codes, crossing my fingers they would work on clearance prices.
I plugged in the codes and they worked! I received an extra 15% off AND FREE SHIPPING. I used two coupons and they both worked.
I. WAS. AMAZED.
Right then and there, I was hooked; a loyal online customer.
Call me a cynical consumer but isn't this unheard of in the retail world? Normally, it's "only one coupon, per visit, per person." or "We don't participate in taking those coupons."
I used the site just this morning and, once again, it saved me 20% on items already on sale.
Go there. Be a thrifty consumer. You won't be disappointed.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Soliciting and Stripping
Feeling a little ornery today, hence my post title.
Hahaha.
I'll be pulling head room mom duty and soliciting donations for Teacher Appreciation Week all day tomorrow - WooHoo - yah, right.
Saturday, I'll be stripping the painted-over wallpaper in our bedroom that the previous owners left to us. I'm hoping to have enough time left over for priming the Dining Room walls for paint. I'm going a shiny, gray/silver trying to stay neutral without browns. I'm tired of browns but I'm scared of bold colors--at least on my walls. I'm REALLY picky about shades of colors and I don't totally trust the color swatches at the stores. I can see the colors I want in my head but it doesn't always translate correctly in reality. So, I go color with my furniture, curtains, etc. I'm thinking the gray/silver will make my burgundy curtains and chairs pop. Pics will follow if all goes well.
Sunday...still up in the air. Hubby will be in Dallas and even though we started teaching S.S. again last week, I'm thinking I'll be at home helping Number 3 make final preparations for her Alabama History Notebook. It's been a nightmare project because she is so overwhelmed with schoolwork every single night so on the weekends she just wants to be a 10-year old little girl and...PLAY. I'm obliged to let her b/c she's a smart cookie and I'm a firm believer in playtime making those little neurons in the brain electrify.
Okay, and admitedly, I'm a firm believer that Moms need kids to go outside and play so they can finish projects...
Or take TV veggin'-out breaks with a big, tall glass of cherry coke on ice with extra grenadine. Mmmm. Hey, anyone for Black Bean Brownies? It's the recipe I'm trying out tonight and I'll let you know how good they taste. They're made with Agave Nectar so diabetics can eat them...and they're flourless, yay!
All this said, I'm signing out for the week but only after I post another Spring Break Chronicle late tonight.
Monday, ya'll!
Hahaha.
I'll be pulling head room mom duty and soliciting donations for Teacher Appreciation Week all day tomorrow - WooHoo - yah, right.
Saturday, I'll be stripping the painted-over wallpaper in our bedroom that the previous owners left to us. I'm hoping to have enough time left over for priming the Dining Room walls for paint. I'm going a shiny, gray/silver trying to stay neutral without browns. I'm tired of browns but I'm scared of bold colors--at least on my walls. I'm REALLY picky about shades of colors and I don't totally trust the color swatches at the stores. I can see the colors I want in my head but it doesn't always translate correctly in reality. So, I go color with my furniture, curtains, etc. I'm thinking the gray/silver will make my burgundy curtains and chairs pop. Pics will follow if all goes well.
Sunday...still up in the air. Hubby will be in Dallas and even though we started teaching S.S. again last week, I'm thinking I'll be at home helping Number 3 make final preparations for her Alabama History Notebook. It's been a nightmare project because she is so overwhelmed with schoolwork every single night so on the weekends she just wants to be a 10-year old little girl and...PLAY. I'm obliged to let her b/c she's a smart cookie and I'm a firm believer in playtime making those little neurons in the brain electrify.
Okay, and admitedly, I'm a firm believer that Moms need kids to go outside and play so they can finish projects...
Or take TV veggin'-out breaks with a big, tall glass of cherry coke on ice with extra grenadine. Mmmm. Hey, anyone for Black Bean Brownies? It's the recipe I'm trying out tonight and I'll let you know how good they taste. They're made with Agave Nectar so diabetics can eat them...and they're flourless, yay!
All this said, I'm signing out for the week but only after I post another Spring Break Chronicle late tonight.
Monday, ya'll!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Five Hours to Paradise - Spring Break '08
Would you believe Jake's fav subject this semester is Drama?
Two introvert parents--how does something like this child happen? The mystery of DNA.
Little does he know that he was dancin' to an 80's singer - Kylie Minogue.
Rock on, Jake! He was quite the entertainer for the five hour drive to Gulf Shores.
I think Anna almost wet her pants; you can hear her laughing in the background. If I'd known it was this easy to put videos on Blogger (about 5-8 min upload for 51 secs), I'd have taken more...with my camera. Amazing little things now days, huh? Do I sound old or what (shut up, Mark)?
More Spring Break Chronicles to come...
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Shameless Solicitation
Just back from Spring Break and I'm asking for money.
But, it's for a good cause.
And today is Good Deed Tuesday.
Click here for info to help Zac help the MDA during a Hop-A-Thon coming soon to his preschool.
Again, for a great cause AND it's Good Deed Tuesday.
Did I already mention that? :0)
But, it's for a good cause.
And today is Good Deed Tuesday.
Click here for info to help Zac help the MDA during a Hop-A-Thon coming soon to his preschool.
Again, for a great cause AND it's Good Deed Tuesday.
Did I already mention that? :0)
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Gulf Shores Here We Come
We've had the condo booked since December and it doesn't come a day too soon. Yay!
Here's to sun, sand and heated pools overlooking the white sand Gulf.
I'll have pics when we return in a few.
Have a fun and inspirational Easter.
Here's to sun, sand and heated pools overlooking the white sand Gulf.
I'll have pics when we return in a few.
Have a fun and inspirational Easter.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Trying to Spring
Series: About: My Quirks
So, spring is desperately trying to give winter the ole' heave-ho down here and I, being a person who hates being the least bit chilly, am doing my best to help spring...spring...by spring cleaning.
Cleaning--especially deep cleaning--brings out the quirk in me, and so, here we go...
A while back, I started purging my kitchen of all things made in China. I had actually started before the big recall of practically all the toys in America, which was sometime in October??? So, I've been at it, on and off, for awhile.
It started with the cheap, painted, plastic cups my children drink from--all MADE in China. I decided I'd probably have to go glass (unless MADE in China) and just cross my fingers that the kids could keep from dropping and shattering, then stepping on shards of glass. I have found in my research however, that Tupperware is made in America, so I scour yard sales and thrift stores for it. So far, I've found three that were in good enough condition, and cheap enough. They're each a different size and color, which concerns me none the least, but I don't think I'll have to worry about possible lead. (Leaching plastic--well, that's another concern about which I'm "quirkin' ".)
Next, I started going through some of my plastic storage containers and throwing them away. I started buying glass storage containers but they're pricey and not very big. So, I'm starting to look at garage sales for the old glass refrigerator containers. I went into a Kmart for the first time in years last week, and to my surprise, the Martha Stewart line carries them--and in green, my fav color. Again, though, out of my price range unless I just have some extra cash laying around and nothing to spend it on--unlikely. BTW, all of the M.S. merchandise I looked at was MADE in U.S.A. Kudos to Martha!
If you feel comfortable buying plasticware, I've looked it over at the store and I think Gladware is MADE in U.S.A. but the Lock-Lock systems and Sterilite are both China-made, as are the Take-A-Long systems. I really like the Lock-Lock products sold at Target but I think I'm gonna have to purge it or just not freeze it or heat it in the micro--both of these actions, I've read, can cause plastics to leach into food. Ugh.
It's weird, I know, but I worry about plastic sandwich bags leaching into everything lunch, not to mention, how much post-consumer waste they probably generate. Since we'd been trying to slowly go "green," awhile back I had quit using plastic bags and instead bought all those little sandwich and chip containers that were reusable, for our lunchboxes...and with five kids taking approximately five baggies a day, five days a week, we alone were making the Ziploc company stockholders happy and my hubby work a second job :0) But then, when surveying my plastic supply, all those little containers were made you-know-where, so out they went especially b/c most of the week, my kids will take leftovers from dinner the night before to heat in the micro at school. Ahhh...leaching...at school...when they're trying to learn! We're back to Ziplocs for now, until I can find those Tupperware lunchboxes that everybody used to have in the 70's--then I'll still probably send little glass containers for reheating. Unfortunately, glass containers are not allowed in preschool lunchboxes. I sent Zac a small, glass cup awhile back and got a note sent home. Tsk, Tsk. (Nevermind your child being behind in school b/c his brain is saturated with lead, please whatever you do, don't send glass :)
I don't know, maybe I'm overreacting; it's a health-quirk thing but my Mom always said that Moms have a sixth sense and if something doesn't ring true to your sixth sense, go with your sense. I just can't shake that 'what if'... what if ten or twenty years down the road these things have been found to harm my kids? When something that's so simple to change could protect my child's health, I'm gonna change it, quirky or not.
Next time...is there lead in my glass? Is a BEEF hotdog really that different? What makes a turkey organic? Who eats bee pollen? Are those worms in my corn? Starbucks for your garden? Why does cleaning make me sick? Who put the hormones in my milk?
Quirks, all of them.
So, spring is desperately trying to give winter the ole' heave-ho down here and I, being a person who hates being the least bit chilly, am doing my best to help spring...spring...by spring cleaning.
Cleaning--especially deep cleaning--brings out the quirk in me, and so, here we go...
A while back, I started purging my kitchen of all things made in China. I had actually started before the big recall of practically all the toys in America, which was sometime in October??? So, I've been at it, on and off, for awhile.
It started with the cheap, painted, plastic cups my children drink from--all MADE in China. I decided I'd probably have to go glass (unless MADE in China) and just cross my fingers that the kids could keep from dropping and shattering, then stepping on shards of glass. I have found in my research however, that Tupperware is made in America, so I scour yard sales and thrift stores for it. So far, I've found three that were in good enough condition, and cheap enough. They're each a different size and color, which concerns me none the least, but I don't think I'll have to worry about possible lead. (Leaching plastic--well, that's another concern about which I'm "quirkin' ".)
Next, I started going through some of my plastic storage containers and throwing them away. I started buying glass storage containers but they're pricey and not very big. So, I'm starting to look at garage sales for the old glass refrigerator containers. I went into a Kmart for the first time in years last week, and to my surprise, the Martha Stewart line carries them--and in green, my fav color. Again, though, out of my price range unless I just have some extra cash laying around and nothing to spend it on--unlikely. BTW, all of the M.S. merchandise I looked at was MADE in U.S.A. Kudos to Martha!
If you feel comfortable buying plasticware, I've looked it over at the store and I think Gladware is MADE in U.S.A. but the Lock-Lock systems and Sterilite are both China-made, as are the Take-A-Long systems. I really like the Lock-Lock products sold at Target but I think I'm gonna have to purge it or just not freeze it or heat it in the micro--both of these actions, I've read, can cause plastics to leach into food. Ugh.
It's weird, I know, but I worry about plastic sandwich bags leaching into everything lunch, not to mention, how much post-consumer waste they probably generate. Since we'd been trying to slowly go "green," awhile back I had quit using plastic bags and instead bought all those little sandwich and chip containers that were reusable, for our lunchboxes...and with five kids taking approximately five baggies a day, five days a week, we alone were making the Ziploc company stockholders happy and my hubby work a second job :0) But then, when surveying my plastic supply, all those little containers were made you-know-where, so out they went especially b/c most of the week, my kids will take leftovers from dinner the night before to heat in the micro at school. Ahhh...leaching...at school...when they're trying to learn! We're back to Ziplocs for now, until I can find those Tupperware lunchboxes that everybody used to have in the 70's--then I'll still probably send little glass containers for reheating. Unfortunately, glass containers are not allowed in preschool lunchboxes. I sent Zac a small, glass cup awhile back and got a note sent home. Tsk, Tsk. (Nevermind your child being behind in school b/c his brain is saturated with lead, please whatever you do, don't send glass :)
I don't know, maybe I'm overreacting; it's a health-quirk thing but my Mom always said that Moms have a sixth sense and if something doesn't ring true to your sixth sense, go with your sense. I just can't shake that 'what if'... what if ten or twenty years down the road these things have been found to harm my kids? When something that's so simple to change could protect my child's health, I'm gonna change it, quirky or not.
Next time...is there lead in my glass? Is a BEEF hotdog really that different? What makes a turkey organic? Who eats bee pollen? Are those worms in my corn? Starbucks for your garden? Why does cleaning make me sick? Who put the hormones in my milk?
Quirks, all of them.
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