What Works For Us

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4

15 Seconds To Showtime
2007-09-24 03:51:00
According to this super scientific 5 question test, the muppet I most resemble is Scooter. First Bert, now Scooter. I think I'm going to develop a self-image problem pretty soon.I wonder if we could re-assemble the entire Muppet gang? Or at least account for Piggy, Kermie or my favorite - Fozzie Bear?So, what muppet are you?Brainy and knowledgable, you are the perfect sidekick. You're always willing to lend a helping hand. In any big event or party, you're the one who keeps things going. "15 seconds to showtime!"Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Showtime , Seconds

Paper Conservation
2007-09-22 08:20:00
Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Conservation , Paper

Haiku Friday - Ode To Sleep
2007-09-21 21:12:00
I finally slept8 consecutive hoursI'm a new womanA spring in my stepThis haiku better not jinx meFirst time in a yearSubscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Haiku , Friday , Sleep

Today. It Sucks Rocks.
2007-09-21 04:11:00
Pardon the whining, but today I have to get 85 stitches removed from my mouth and find out if my gum skin graft took. If it didn't, I can rinse and repeat the whole procedure. And no, I can't get the gas. I asked. They laughed.I'm just saying.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Today , Rocks , Sucks

13 Viewers Choice Selections
2007-09-20 21:11:00
I'm sick of yakking about myself already. This Thursday, I want to know what you like. Of the 13 selections below, which do you like or are awaiting to watch?[blogpoll ended]Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Choice , Selection

Awaiting Autumn's Arrival
2007-09-19 21:19:00
Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Riva , Wait

Self: Get The Nitrous Oxide
2007-09-18 20:42:00
Last week I had gum surgery. Before I went under I was given the choice to receive Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) to just "relax a little".I am offered this so infrequently, that I really wasn't sure if it was worthwhile. But since I rarely treat myself anymore, I decided to go for it. My big day out on the town. What the heck.Besides, she had me at "Relax".Self: when offered this in the future, always opt in for the nitrous oxide. I know the music being played was Josh Groban, I know there was a picture of a lovely beach on the ceiling and then I remember thinking this level of relaxation was far better than any spa treatment.Then I woke up. The party was over and pain was knocking at the door. But now, oh I can't wait for my next dental appointment. Even if they're only cleaning my teeth, I'm asking for the gas!Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.

Random Interview
2007-09-18 06:29:00
SAHMmy of SAHMmy Says had this little blog go-around. Below are the questions she asked me and my answers to them.Leave me a comment saying “Interview me.” I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions. If you don’t have a valid email address on your blog, please provide one. You will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.So are you brave enough to be interviewed? Come on . . . step right up. Any volunteers?1. What Works for Marital Bliss?Marital Bliss Equation = Respect + Love + (Humor)² - Nagging2. Your home is on fire! For which three things without a heartbeat do you brave smoke inhalation to rescue?Our son, our pets and our backup hard drive.3. What pre-Bear advice did you give a harried Mama that might impel you to sucker-punch someone were t...
More About: Random

OMG - What Have I Done?
2007-09-17 20:25:00
I have a knack for learning things the hard way.Since Bear was 5 months old, I've sat him in his Bumbo chair on the counter top of our kitchen island while I prepped his food right next to him. Without any drama. Just the way I like it.Last week, I turned my back. Just for an instant. To put yogurt back into the fridge. And then I heard a thud followed by a scream.Bear somehow got out of Bumbo and landed on the hardwood floor.Oh God, he's paralyzed. What have I done.He landed in a crawling position. Unharmed. Within 5 minutes he was crawling, walking, clapping and laughing. I on the other hand, started to shake uncontrollably. And 5 nights later, the visual and the panicked feeling is still firmly velcro'd to my head and heart.I know I shouldn't have turned my back. I know I shouldn't have put Bumbo on the counter. I know I am eternally lucky he wasn't hurt.I've been agonizing over this since it happened. It truly does only take an instant. Just like your Mom always told you...
More About: Done

Roots and Branches
2007-09-16 20:01:00
Saving the world, one seedling a a time.We thought it would be fun to plant a small tree in honor of Bear's first birthday. To watch it grow. To play in its' shade someday. To marvel at its' beauty 30 years from now. So we've planted some roots and we're waiting for branches. From the tree and from Bear.Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Roots , Ranch

Plastic
2007-09-15 07:10:00
This plastic fella just found out he's not toxic. That explains his big smile.Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Plastic

Haiku Fridays - The Stink Edition
2007-09-14 16:06:00
Bye Diaper GenieOur relationship is doneRefills too costly.Hello Diaper ChampI have great expectationsPlease keep the stink out.Wanna play along? Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Haiku , Edition

Dental Work + Soft Foods = Crabby
2007-09-14 06:50:00
I'm having gum surgery today. I have to get a skin graft from the roof of my mouth to replace my lower gumline. Yay for me. But. The worst part is I have to eat soft foods (no straw, no chewing) for one entire month following surgery. Let me repeat, soft foods for one month. Oh. the. horror. I like me crunchy food! A lot. My last supper will consist of doritos, cheetos, chocolate chips and some hard candy.The best part is I'll be knocked out during surgery, so I'm hoping to finally catch up on some sleep. I fear the crabbiness odometer will be spiked for dear hubby by the end of week day 1. Needless to say, I've compiled a list of soft foods for any other poor soul looking for the same type of information.May I preface this list with a big fat bleh. BLEH! *Tacos (arrrgh)*Nachos (doh)*Ice-cream*Oatmeal*Fruit smoothies*Pureed veggies*Pureed chicken*Soup*Broth*Well-cooked rice*Mashed potatoes*Sweet potatoes*Scrambled eggs*Quiche (heh-heh)*Waffles*Pancakes*Pudding*Cream of ...
More About: Dental , Work , Soft , Foods

13 Signs Of Middle Age
2007-09-14 04:43:00
1- You become (too) particular about lawn maintenance.2- Your back goes out more than you do.3- When people call after 8PM, they ask if you were already sleeping.4- You begin to hum to elevator music.5- You actually use the dashboard/digital compass in your car.6- You complain about gasoline and milk prices.7- Date night consists of renting in movies.8- You complain about MTV no longer playing any videos.9- You're rather proud of your mini-van.10- You regularly watch news programs.11- You're aware of IRA's, interest rates and pension plans.12- You watch Local on the 8's on The Weather Channel.13- You worry too often. And begin to think your parents were right.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Signs , Middle

The Bird Of Paradise - Maui
2007-09-13 06:38:00
Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Paradise , Maui , Bird of Paradise , Bird

Keeping Bees Away
2007-09-12 20:14:00
Tis the season and I'm not talking ho-ho-ho.We have bees everywhere right now. A trick we've learned to keep the bees away is to spray Avon's Skin So Soft. Apparently Avon re-formulated the SSS lotion to contain sunscreen and insect repellent.We frequently have bees hanging around our hummingbird feeders and by our patio table.By simply spraying Skin So Soft in an inconspicuous area really does keep them away. We've even spray it on the back of our son's coat in the fall to keep the bees off of him.It works for me! Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Bees

9-11: Beyond Words
2007-09-11 18:54:00
"There's been a horrific accident."I was sitting in my office listening to Sara McLachlan's Building a Mystery, programming a software application when a co-worker rushed in and softly muttered those words the morning of September 11th. I knew when we couldn't load cnn.com or msnbc.com it was something bigger. The rest we all know is tragically, history.From business trips to broadway get-aways, many NYC excursions ended with a trip to the World Trade Center observation deck to marvel at the magnificent NYC skyline. So shortly after the 9-11 attacks we paid homage to sacred Ground Zero. To pay our respects. To see for ourselves. The sight, smell and sounds of Ground Zero was and still is indescribable. Yet permananetly etched in my mind. I can't begin to articulate something that is beyond words. Bigger than words.So on this 9-11 anniversary I am sharing photos of our Ground Zero homage. The pictures speak more than I could ever begin to. The sacred ground where the Worl...
More About: Words

Perspective
2007-09-10 19:58:00
Do you remember the days when you were single or childless? Picture yourself relaxing someplace quiet. Maybe at the beach sunning your skin and soul, or at yoga meditating or at church reflecting.And then there's THAT Mom. The mom with the bouncing, bubbling, yappy baby invading your peaceful, silent solitude.You wonder why she doesn't take the baby away, to a different room, to a different area. Doesn't she realize the noise barrier being broken? Is she deaf?How rude. How annoying. How dare she. You shoot her a look, but she and baby yappy are oblivious to it.For the record, I was THAT girl. I now am THAT Mom. I firmly believe parents need to parent their children and be responsible and considerate, but now I just have so much more compassion.Perspective . It'll get you. Every time.Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.

Save $$ - Generic Pet Medication
2007-09-10 19:51:00
Our Golden Retriever has really bad allergies. As a result, he is at the Vet (ka-ching) far too frequently.Last week I asked our vet if there was a generic equivalent to the ear drop medication he was subscribed.Much to my surprise, there was. It was $10 cheaper than the brand name equivalent. Mr. Vet said they, by default, just subscribe the brand name. Gee thanks.So be sure to ask for the generic version on your furry friend's next medical subscription.Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Save , Medication , Generic , Neri

As Kermit Said
2007-09-09 20:01:00
It Isn't Easy Being Green.Well that finally answers that. It turns out I am a green crayon. Between you and me, I disagree with the post-assessment. But then again, green is in these days, so I'll go with it. What Color Crayon Are You?Your world is colored in harmonious, peaceful, natural colors.While some may associate green with money, you are one of the least materialistic people around.Comfort is important to you. You like to feel as relaxed as possible - and you try to make others feel at ease.You're very happy with who you are, and it certainly shows!Your color wheel opposite is red. Every time you feel grounded, a red person does their best to shake you.Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.

Photohunt: Music
2007-09-08 20:43:00
A new music genre has officially taken over our house. Good-bye Mary Chapin. Hello Mary and and your loud little Lamb. Click here for other PhotoHunt ers. Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Music

Class Is In Session
2007-09-07 19:56:00
The last 2 weeks I've loved reading all you Moms sending your kids off to school with nervous anticipation and reckless abandon.Some Moms were thrilled. Some were sad. Some were humorous. Some (okay all) were downright relieved how the first day went down. The pictures spoke a thousand words.Since Bear is only 1, I have a few years before I have to even worry about registration, school shopping, new clothes, bus schedules and all that jazz.For now, his only class is Finger painting 101. And class is in session. He thinks his art teacher is way cool. For now.Hey Jackson Pollack, eat your heart out. Ok, I know that's probably not nice, given your dead and all. My apologies.Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Class , Class I

Silence = Trouble
2007-09-06 19:37:00
How do you know if your toddler is in trouble?[there is complete silence for more than 1 minute]And an empty bookcase awaits you when you find him. Again.Doh!! Why did I buy that dumb bookcase already? What was I thinking?Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Silence

Free Iced Tea
2007-09-06 15:22:00
Tetley is giving away free iced tea samples and a coupon in exchange for your address and an (junk) e-mail address.Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
More About: Free

13 Good Blog Tools & Resources
2007-09-06 14:26:00
13 good blogging tips, resources, tools and sites:1- SiteMeterThe obvious one. Where else can you waste so much time analyzing stats?2- Blog ging Basics 101The title says it all. Everything you wanted to know about blogging.3- ProBloggerMore advanced blog articles and tips.4- Technorati Reactions and WidgetsFind out who is linking to you via Technorati and get some blog widgets.5- BlogfluxA good blog catalog to belong to. Get good polls, pingers & widgets.6- WhoLinksToMeFind out who links to your blog, your Google page rank, blogrolls you're on.7- Google WebMaster Tools Monitor your blog via the eyes of Google's index! Or set your crawl rate.8- Yahoo Site ExplorerYahoo's version of Google WebMaster tools for their engine.9- U Comment, I FollowGive your commenters link love. Fix your templates & add a badge. 10- KinedaOh go ahead, find out your bloggebrity status. Are you an A-Lister?11- ClustrMapsGet a graphical geographical representation of your blog visitors.12- GoogleReader...
More About: Resources , Good