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Make Money Working From Home
2008-05-08 16:19:00
Most of you who read my posts are either working from home or wish that you were. I do most of my work from home and have been doing so for the past ten years. However, I don't make a "killing" doing it. I make money by doing the following:Blog Post Reviews - Payperpost, Sponsored Reviews, Review Me and now, Social Spark.comWest Telephone Sales online with telephone telecommuting Part-timeETS - Scoring student tests online part-time telecommutingSubstitute Teaching - a bad year - they overhired in our district and there has been no work this school year.I hope to add some income via blog advertising this year, which my husband does very successfully on the websites he manages. When I first left my full-time job to have my children, I did some consulting work from home in my work field - Human Resources. After that I sold Southern Living at Home products and left that after they refused to let me sell close out products online. Through it all I have Ebay-ed for nine years, very succ...
More About: Money , Make Money , Make , Working

Can I Really Get Ready to Be Seen In a Pool?
2008-05-04 18:35:00
I can't believe it's just a little over a month until I will have to don the annual caftan swimsuit and be seen almost naked! Why, you ask? Because where we are moving has a lovely community pool and the kids are already clamouring to go swimming everyday! I think I must get serious about Weight Loss if I am to actual undertake this mission!I've really not be serious in years about this and I don't really feel like going back to meetings and other previously tried ways to lose weight. I like to do things on my own first. That is why I like www.PlanetFatLoss. They have very straightforward articles about losing weight and getting fitter. They have easy sections with different diet plans (not one size fits all) and exercise plans to choose from. You can join the community and get daily RSS feeds and other information emailed to you. It seems to fit in well with my daily computer use, so I'll get a lot of commitment reminding! I need to do something, so this will be the fir...
More About: Pool , Ready , Get Ready

Growing Up Green Contest Winner
2008-05-02 15:02:00
Congratuations to Marcy - who finally took the plunge and wrote a comment on my post about the book Growing Up Green . She's looking forward to reading the book and I'm sending my review copy right out to her! Thank you for participating in my first contest! I'm happy to reward my readers!
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Saving Money on Kids and Mommy's Clothes
2008-04-27 02:53:00
I had this article about saving money on clothing purchases from Family Hack tucked away in my favorites list. I was weeding out my massive list of links today and I re-read it and found it perfect for today's budgeting use! It's a great guide to saving money on clothing by timing your purchases to the store sales system. Give it a looksie!
More About: Kids , Money , Clothes , Saving

Baby Carrier Recall
2008-04-26 20:52:00
I find the photo of this recalled baby carrier to be quite ironic, don't you? I don't think I'd be smiling with my coffee if my baby was ready to go plunk to the floor due to the failure of this product! Please check for other recalled children's and baby products at www.CPSC.gov.Beco Baby Butterfly CarriersUnits: About 2,000Made by Beco Baby Carrier Inc., of Newport Beach, Calif. The buckles on the carrier shoulder straps can unexpectedly release tension, causing the strap to slip through, posing a fall hazard to the baby.Incidents/Injuries: Beco has received eight reports of the carrier straps slipping through the shoulder buckles. No injuries have been reported.Description: The recalled infant carriers were sold under brand name “Beco Baby Carrier Butterfly.” The carriers have a black label with a green “b” logo on the left side and a butterfly on the right side. The label is sewn on the outside of the carrier. The following carrier styles are included in the recall...
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Feeding Your Family for Less
2008-04-23 22:41:00
Why is my dog's photo attached to this article about saving food dollars...you'll see! I think we're all feeling the pinch of rising gas and food prices. I know we are. So from various sources, I've compiled some ways to save money and lower your grocery bill:Coupons! Every Sunday get the paper and go through the coupons. The coupons alone will easily pay for the price of the Sunday paper. Match them up with the weekly food/grocery sale flyers and plan your shopping accordingly.Dollar Store! My husband is living in temporary quarters on his own until we relocate. He has saved a bundle by dropping by the dollar store to get some necessary household items. There was an ABC News story recently that showed a chef's challenge to make a gourmet meal using only foods from the dollar store. She did it and saved over $100 on the meal over purchasing items at a high end market. Give it a try.Wash Your Own Dog! Yes, technically, this isn't grocery shopping. But I save $32 to $40 every ti...
More About: Family , Feeding

UPDATE on Contest to Win a Free Growing Up Green Book!
2008-04-23 14:00:00
Update: Well, I still have a book to give away, People! No one has commented, so I don't have a winner today - April 22, 2008. So here's the deal - first person to leave a thoughtful comment about this post will win this book! Be sure to leave or send me your email so I can get your mailing information!I recently received a copy of the book by Deirdre Imus, Growing Up Green ! Volume Two: Baby and Child Care. Deirdre offers numerous ways that parents of young children can "go green" and raise happy, healthy children. She covers everything from greening up during your pregnancy, to healthy eating for babies and kids, to managing your adolescents. I liked the section on Green Pediatrics, which covers all kinds of health issues and how to work with your doctor to manage your child's health. It includes discussions on vaccines, allergies, weight management and more.Overall, I found it very thought provoking and interesting. It offers lots of practical ideas for going greener with your ...
More About: Contest , Free , Book , Update

Keep Kids Safe at the Playground
2008-04-15 16:56:00
More on summer safety! Playground accidents are the leading cause of injury to children in elementary school. Each year, in the United States, approximately 150,000 children ages five to 14 go to the emergency room with accidental injuries involving playground equipment -- and three out of four playground accidents occur on public playgrounds, including school facilities, as opposed to backyard play equipment. According to the Consumer Product Safe ty Commission (CPSC), the ground should be covered 12 inches deep with shredded rubber, hardwood fiber mulch or fine sand, extending at least six feet in all directions around the equipment. This lessens the chances that severe injury occurs WHEN a child falls. I say when, because they will fall. Medical experts say that I child who falls more than 10 feet risks spinal cord injury, paralysis and/or death. These guidelines apply to all types of playgrounds, home, school and parks. So check out your own areas for safety. Also, I've posted...
More About: Kids

Water Safety for Children
2008-04-13 13:52:00
Swim season will be beginning soon. It's actually already started in Florida. I have signed my kids up for another round of swimming lessons starting next month. We don't have a pool, so they don't always get to stay up to date with their swimming skills.Here are some water safey tips to keep in mind to keep your kids safe during swimming season.Never take your eyes off your children while they are swimming, even for a moment. Consider using a buddy system for the children as well.If you're in a group, take turns with other adults being the designated "water watcher" to keep eyes on the children.While supervising, avoid distractions, like phone use and/or reading or talking.Maintain visual contact with the children and the water.Teach children to swim beginning at age four.Don't rely on water wings or other inflatables.If your child can't swim, stay within arm's reach at all times.Use only U. S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices.Tell children to stay away from d...
More About: Safety , Children , Water

Remember me?
2008-04-02 22:10:00
Yes, it's been a while, hasn't it? Thank you for hanging in there and reading the blog, over and over, while I am recovering from the worst case of asthma I've had in years.I have now officially been sick since March 8th. My allergy doctor is befuddled. I've been coughing and coughing, and taking every prescription he can think of that might help me. This started the day before I left to visit Alabama (so I can't blame those people) and has only gotten worse over time.I like to tell Tim that it's due to global warming, and it probably is. The trees and flowers started earlier this year with pollen, it got hotter faster, therefore helping the fungus and mold to proliferate as well.I'm on Claritin AND the dreaded Singulair for allergies, taking a mega-strong antibiotic (again), plus all my regular meds for asthma and the daily "rescue" meds. And prednisone - my third course of it.Sorry to go on and on, but this is just one reason I've not been on blogging regularly. I p...
More About: Remember Me

Identity Theft Prevention to Keep Us Secure for the Move
2008-03-26 11:36:00
I really like services that help make life easier when difficult things happen. I've been quite impressed with the identity theft protection service offered by lifelock. Their CEO gives out his own social security number in every print ad and commercial, because they stand behind the security of their product completely. They have a million dollar guarantee which states that they'll pay up to $1,000,000 to cure a failure or defect in their identity protection service, per member, per lifetime for all incidents in the aggregate, regardless of circumstance. If something happens to your personal information while you are a member with them, they will completely handle the situation with creditors, law enforcement and the credit bureaus to ensure that your family's financial reputation is not harmed.As I said, I'm really impressed by what they are offering and intend to take advantage of this myself. Since we're moving, changing mailing addresses to a new state, and moving all our ...
More About: Identity Theft , Prevention , Move , Theft , Identity

We are the New Leading American Economic Indicators
2008-03-23 23:50:00
It would appear that our family might be a new leading economic indicator that economists and families might want to follow. Everyone is saying the recession has just gotten started or that it hasn't bottomed out yet. Well, I beg to differ.Tim and I have spent the last two years living with my parents. There we said it for all to hear! Now media is reporting that it is a new trend for families with job loss or economic worries to move back in with their parents to get back on their feet. As this is coming out as a reportedly growing trend, we are moving back out into the unsheltered world, one paycheck from the street again. Things are different. Before we had a house with a half acre of land. Now, we have no real estate, no savings and no retirement, having used every bit of it to survive and pay our bills on - sans house. We actually sold our home just before the real estate crash, thus allowing us a pool of money that has been drained by our never ending bills from the old life....
More About: American , Economic , Leading

Some Freaky...and Nice Easter Videos for You!
2008-03-23 01:38:00
The first one really is freaky! The weird little eggs will haunt me in my dreams tonight, as the Easter bunny prepares to add chocolate to their weird little countenances in the baskets set out for the children.The next one is a classic and my favorite of all the Peanuts videos. It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown! That Marcy really is dim! This one "cracks" the kids up every time we watch it. I'm so glad we can still share in the awesomeness that is Charles Schultz. Happy Easter!
More About: Videos , Nice , Freaky

Keeping Kids Safe This Summer
2008-03-22 10:38:00
Before you know it, the kids will be out of school and looking for things to do. You'll be wanting to keep them safe from the hazards that free time and heat can bring!Here are some tips for keeping your children safe during summertime and Spring Break!My Kids Ride Safe Infants ride in rear-facing car seats as long as possible, but until at least one year of age and 20 pounds. Children at least one year old and between 20-40 pounds are secured in a forward-facing car seat. Children over 40 pounds ride in a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt. Children who weigh 80 pounds and 4 feet 9 inches tall may use an adult lap and shoulder belt. Before getting in my vehicle and starting the motor, I always walk all the way around it to check for children. I never leave my child alone in a carMy Kids Swim SafeI maintain visual contact with my kids when they are playing in or near the water. Install fencing around all sides of a home pool or spa. The fencing should be five feet high and ha...
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Parents - Here's A Great Engineering Program for Your College Student
2008-03-21 15:30:00
As parents of soon-to-be college students, you are certainly evaluating which colleges and universities will be the best choice for your child. As important as the choice of college is, it is just as important to evaluate which program of study will best prepare him/her for the career and real world experiences they'll need when they graduate. Engineering is always a top field for graduates. Employers look for graduates with real-world experience gained by participation in top quality engineering co-op programs.As a daughter of an engineer, who once aspired to join this profession myself, I heard time and time again, as my dad prepared to hire new graduates into his division, that the quality of engineering program they came from was paramount. Kettering University has one of the leading Co-op programs and maintains an edge by ensuring that they place students in companies in their freshman year and rotate them between school and their co-op job alternating every 3 months to gain p...
More About: College , Student , Great , Parents

Magnet Toy Recalls Today
2008-03-13 22:36:00
Today there are several new toy recalls. I have been somewhat lax in my recall reporting due to our pending move. But I am rectifying this today and am reporting all the toy recalls since my last update, starting with these. I will be reporting the balance of them shortly. Remember you can find child-related recalls by looking at my category list to the right under Toy Recall or Child Safety.Play Wonder Toy Sundae Sets/TargetUnits: About 22,000, Distributor: Battat Inc., of Plattsburgh, N.Y.The wooden cherries on top of the toy sundae pose a choking hazard to young children. Incidents/Injuries: None reported.The recalled wooden sundae set toy includes six woodenscoops of ice cream, three cherries that attach to the top of the ice cream scoops, banana slices, a spoon and bowl. The ice cream scoops are green, pink, brown, yellow and purple. The sundae set pieces attach to each other with Velcro. Model number DPCI-204-12-0526 is included in this recall and is located on the packaging.S...
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Return from Alabama
2008-03-13 13:25:00
I got back yesterday from our trip to Huntsville to relocate Tim for his new job. It was good I stayed for five days, as it gave me a chance to travel around the city and see more about schools and housing.There are really too many choices for areas to live and schools - there will be many hard decisions to make to pick one over another. A complicating factor is that we have to rent, instead of buy. There aren't a lot of rental homes available and the apartments don't always mesh with the best schools. Also we have a lot of "stuff" to condense into an apartment, even though we weeded it out before we last moved.The coolest elementary school is one located on the top of a mountain. It has only 250 students and a fabulous gifted program. It just scares me to ride up a mountain drop off road to go to school. Plus they have sea-type fog envelop the road from time to time.More to come later on!
More About: Alabama , Return

Alabama Native Helen Keller in Newly Found Photo
2008-03-06 01:20:00
No, this post isn't an Alabama song, but it's just as Alabama-y. It's amazing how many people and things in the world are connected to Alabama. Today, CNN reports that a newly discovered photo of Alabama native, Helen Keller , shown with her teacher, Annie Sullivan, was published. It shows Helen with her beloved doll and teacher in Cape Cod on vacation. It's amazing how much my oldest daughter looks like young Helen.I will try to be less disparaging of Alabama and Alabamans in general, since we are going to join them shortly. Certainly, Helen Keller is a role model Alabaman. And her image graces the back of Alabama's state quarter.Countdown to Alabama - two days until our road trip in to the Bama lands.
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Off to Alabama with My Banjo on My Knee...
2008-03-04 02:42:00
You know how every Hannah Montana episode is titled by using takeoffs from popular pop songs....what, you didn't know that? Check it out sometime. I'm going to title the next ?? posts with Alabama related songs. I guess we'll find out how many there really are....Me and the hubby are headin' out on the lonesome highway later this week to check out Bama. He'll be establishing a lone, single life without all of us until we get moved on up. I'm going to check out housing and the entire area in just a few days...oh boy! Photos to come later!See ya!

Naked Hair?
2008-03-01 15:28:00
I've written here before about the benefits of using natural shampoo and skincare products. I believe that many of the chemicals used in common hair care products are really bad for you and for the environment. There has been a lot in the news about phthalates and how bad they are for everyone, especially kids. When I stopped using "regular" shampoo earlier this year, my head breakouts and irritated skin disappeared. So I'm an advocate. I now only use natural products on my children too.I had the chance to try out a new haircare line called naked naturals. I was very happy with the results, using the Awapuhi & Lavender scened shampoo and conditioner for Color-Treated hair. I, again, had no reactions when I used the shampoo and conditioner. My hair smelled clean and fresh for two days ( I am ready to shampoo again right now). I can definitely recommend this as a product to try if you're looking for a great all-natural shampoo. An extra benefit is that it will make your hair 7 ...
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Flu Vaccine Recommended for All Children
2008-02-28 11:58:00
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said all children should get the flu vaccine as soon as possible, acknowledging that many doctors have already ordered their vaccine for the 2008-2009 season and may not be able to give the shots until 2009-2010. The flu season generally starts in the fall and continues through spring. Currently, only children under five and those with chronic health issues are advised to get the flu vaccine.My children have always had those health issues that qualified them to get the dreaded shot annually. They both have asthma. But since they said recently that this year's vaccine didn't work very well, we are on high alert, since the flu is spreading here in Florida. I am one of those people who do believe that vaccines help more than they might hurt. So many terrible illnesses are completely prevented by keeping up with the childhood vaccines. I will continue to take the whole family for the annual flu shot, after all we like the free lollipops!
More About: Children , Vaccine

Dumb Oysters!
2008-02-27 16:26:00
My kids love corny jokes. They're really on a kick about using classic jokes these days on just about anyone. Here's one:First Oyster: Where ya from dude?Second Oyster: I dunno.First Oyster: What do you mean, you don't know where you are from?Second Oyster: Oh, dat's right - Flori - Duh!LOL! I know it's stupid, but jokes like this are supposed to be. Anyway, Florida is home to many varieties of yummy oysters. Some of the best are Gulf oysters from our own Gulf of Mexico and Appalachiacola Bay. If you love oysters, you need to be aware of precautions to be sure you don't get sick from eating them. The website Be Oyster Aware has great information about oysters, how to prepare them and and great recipes too!
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Changes to My Parent Trap
2008-02-25 14:11:00
Well, the blog is not changing, at least not yet....but my Parent Trap , aka my home will be. Tim decided (well, we decided) to make a big change in our lives, hopefully improving them for the better. We will be relocating our home, our jobs, our kids, our LIVES to Huntsville, Alabama. Huntsville, Alabama?Yes, Alabama. Sweet Home Alabama. Forrest Gump's Alabama. Roll Tide (if that's how you say it) Alabama (Go Gators!). Yikes! See my accompanying photo - scary! These are the people that live in Alabama - rednecks! I have never resided anywhere but Florida, except when I was born in Colorado and then one year in Atlanta, when I was nine, so my father could get his Master's Degree at Georgia Tech.You can read more on Tim's blog why we are going to the land of the deep South (even though we are technically more south than they are right now). He gives all the dirty details over at Florida Sun Dog blog, which maybe now should be Alabama Hog Blog or something like that. We are all kin...

Toy Recalls Again - Cinderella and Spiderman
2008-02-20 14:30:00
More toy recalls came out this week. These include popular items with Cinderella and Spiderman motifs that every child seems to love. So take a look through the kitchen and the toys for these.Cinderella 12-Volt Electric Ride-On Vehicles by Dumar/WalmartUnits: About 64,000Manufacturer: Dumar International USA, of Franklin, Mass.The wires under the hood of the car and/or in the battery compartment under the seat can short circuit, posing a fire and burn hazard to children riding in the car.The firm and CPSC are aware of 40 incidents of the toy car’s wires overheating. In several incidents, smoke was seen coming out from underneath the seat area where the battery is located. In one incident, flames shot from under the hood while a 4-year-old girl was riding the vehicle. No injuries have been reported.The electric ride-on toy resembles the Pontiac Solstice. It is light blue and has Cinderella graphics on the front and sides. The wheels, steering wheel and two seats are pink. The white...

Storms Create Deja Vu
2008-02-18 17:36:00
We just had a bad line of squall storms pass through here. Very short and with lots of rain. And with a big crack of lightning. Nothing unusual here in Florida, except this time the next door neighbor now has a gaping hole in the roof of the house and no phone line and my daughter is a victim of lightning shock.She was stirring a pot of soup when the lightning hit next door. The shock traveled in our wiring and into her arm through the stove, much like when it happened to me twenty some odd years ago in the same house (see the chicken patty incident). She seems to be okay though, but I'll be watching her for a bit.This should be a cautionary tale! Do not use the stove during thunderstorms! I didn't know she was stirring soup, but Grandma was cooking! And lightning does strike the same place twice!
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Where's Molly - Reuniting Brother and Sister After 47 Years
2007-10-19 23:02:00
I read about Where's Molly, a DVD movie produced by the subjects of the film, several months ago on CNN.com. I found the story so compelling that I asked the Daly family if I might review their film, they agreed.Where's Molly is the story of two siblings, Jeff Daly and Molly Jo Daly, of Astoria, Oregon. When Molly was almost three years old, and Jeff, only six, their parents decided to place Molly in an institution for the disabled. Only they didn't tell Jeff. The longing in his voice is readily apparent as he describes missing his only sibling and playmate of his childhood. One day she was there, his constant companion, the next day, gone forever. His parents wouldn't tell him where she'd gone, only that something was wrong with her and that she was no longer to be mentioned, asked about or even considered family.Molly suffered from mild mental retardation, but at the time, doctors simply told families to put their children into state care and to forget them. Jeff's dad didn...
More About: Years , Brother , Sister , Unit , Olly

Bad Credit Help is Available
2007-10-19 22:43:00
If you've had some difficult circumstances, perhaps losing a job, or unforeseen health problems that have led to bad credit, there's help at badcreditoffers.com. I have to admit their name almost makes it sound like they are offering "bad credit" but no, they are offering a clearing house to help people get back on their feet and get credit, all at one site.Rather than applying for the first offer that comes in the mail, they allow you to compare dozens of bad credit offers from major providers and find the best offer to fit your needs. And by making payments on time, you can rebuild your credit and work on your financial future. The site has pages that breakdown the type of credit you might need, such as credit card offers and home lenders.
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FDA Advisers Say Stop Using Cough and Cold Medicines for Children
2007-10-19 22:13:00
FDA advisers recommend stopping all use of cough and cold medicines for children under 6. They said they simply don't work. This comes on the heels of recalling cold medicines for children under 2. The FDA is expected to make their own ruling based on this evidence soon.Reading some of the comments in the linked story, this is causing a huge uproar. Lots of people said they have been using these kinds of drugs on their kids for years with no repercussions. I, myself, don't use them on my kids, because when I tried, they were just too sensitive to the ingredients, as I am I. Perhaps this is where some of this comes into play. Sudafed makes my kids bounce off the walls, even at a reduced dosage - it does the same to me as an adult, so I don't take it. I will never be a Methamphetamine abuser for the same reason - as you may know that's what the druggies make Meth out of - Sudafed). And of course, I don't do drugs anyway ;)Cough medicines, like Robitussin, don't seem to do the tr...
More About: Children , Cold , Stop , Medicines

Discounted Perfume and Cosmetics in Time for the Holidays
2007-10-18 18:36:00
Perfume Bay is a wonderful website to shop for brand name perfumes and cosmetics. They have all the top brands such as max factor, Shesheido, Revlon and Clinique. They offer all the best perfumes, many are discounted. You'll find Christian Dior, Dolce Gabbana, Calvin Klein and many more. It's like having a department store at your finger-tips. They are also currently supporting Breast Cancer Awareness by donating 1% of their proceeds to this worth cause. Now is the time to get everything you'll need for the holidays, BEFORE it starts to sell out!
More About: Holidays , Cosmetics , Perfume , Time , The Holidays

Flu Pandemic Planners Overlook Children
2007-10-18 16:06:00
Planners are overlooking children as they plan for a possible, if not probable, flu pandemic. Children , as we parents know, are prime flu and cold carriers and it is surmised that they will be the prime targets for a bird flu pandemic. I am a chronic worrier about such things and do believe in planning ahead. Of course, I belong to a family of the other type of people, who are typically saying "whatever will be, will be". So the planning is up to me. So, all the tips for planning for disaster apply here - keep supplies on hand: food and drink for sick people, like soups, gatorade, crackers, children's tylenol and advil, prepackaged cold packs, etc. You can buy adult size masks and put them in your disaster pack. Just think about what you'd need if anyone gets the flu and keep enough for your family on hand. If this does happen, grocery stores will have runs and items will be hard to find, there will be quarantines and general panic. So next trip to the store, get a few it...
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