My loving daughter is going now with her boyfriend hoping to get two for my little ones.
Toys R Us Zhu Zhu Pets
Hurry and go to your local Toys R Us as they are giving away 100 Zhu Zhu pets to the first 100! One per household and it starts at midnight.
My loving daughter is going now with her boyfriend hoping to get two for my little ones.
My loving daughter is going now with her boyfriend hoping to get two for my little ones.
DVD & Game Thanksgiving Deals at Amazon
Hurry as these are going fast:
Surf's Up $5
Seven Pounds $5
Kung Fu Panda $5
Madagascar Escape 2 $5
Many games for XBox, Wii and more as well.
Amazon Thanksgiving Day Sale
Surf's Up $5
Seven Pounds $5
Kung Fu Panda $5
Madagascar Escape 2 $5
Many games for XBox, Wii and more as well.
Amazon Thanksgiving Day Sale
Tommy Bahama Great Sale - Over 50% Off
Rue La La has a great sale on Tommy Bahama that started at 7 pm. I recieved a $20 off coupon earlier this week and used it to buy my father-in-law a shirt for $38.82 including tax/shipping. If you buy something from them, the next order within that day ships free so think tactifully to save more money.
This shirt normally is priced at $128.
They also have swim trunks, luggage, watches and more.
Hurry as you only have 1 day and 15 hours left!
My Best Martha Stewart Attempt: Candy Bar Napkin Rings
I finally made my pumpkin pies and they are baking. I hate that I still have enough left for another pie shell but I'm too lazy to make one more. Two will be more than enough and who needs the temptations?
I saw this idea on Martha Stewart so I tried it. It was extremely easy as Martha did all the hard work! Parts of it are tedious since you have to cover the candy bars and cut out each template but I do like it. I didn't have the complete setting out on the charger but you get the idea on how it looks.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Lazy Thanksgiving
I completely cheated this Thanksgiving and am having all food made by Publix. All I have to do is pop it in the oven and I'm done! Publix has great food so I'm hoping this will be just as good. Last year, my husband deep fried a turkey but after being overcooked a tad, we decided not to do that again. I keep reading about brining a turkey and watched a special Martha Stewart on our horrible Comcast on demand. I had to endure my oldest saying "ewwwww" and "OMG" as she watched Martha cram the stuffing in the turkey cavaties. She's going to have trouble when she moves out and has to look at meat.
I also cheated as I figured since Macy's can have Christmas in their Macy's Day Parade then I can have Christmas in my Thanksgiving Day house. I love Christmas! We're also having my daughter's boyfriend of six months over for dinner so this should be interesting.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Little Music Lovers Sampler Review & Giveaway 11/24: Closed Winner
I am getting ready to send you an e-mail in which you will have until Saturday to respond (given the holiday).
Thanks to all those that entered and don't forget to enter one of the over 20 other giveaways!
Many feel the soothing sounds of classical music are good at any age. There are other benefits that they might unleash a level of creativity if introduced at an early age. Since I've never had my children listen to classical movie, I wanted to test their interest so I requested to review a sampler of Little Music Lovers.The CD sampler had four songs from their other four Little Music Lovers collection:
Little Music Lovers: Mozart - Smart Music for Play Time- Little Music Lovers: Beethoven - Smart Music for Story Time
- Little Music Lovers: Lullabies - Smart Music for Bed Time
- Little Music Lovers: Bach - Smart Music for Activity Time.
The CDs are very reasonable priced at around $7.00 at Amazon and if you click HERE, you can hear a samples. I personally love the music as I find it soothing and enchanting. The Smart Music for Bed was a definite hit with the girls as it calmed them and allowed them to go to sleep quickly which I loved!
If you notice from each selection, the titles are geared towards a particular time in your youngster's day which is a great idea. I would recommend this collection to classical music lovers as well as parents wishing to expose their children to a great cultural experience that may serve to benefit them in other ways. I enjoyed the music. I think for my girls, it will have to grow on them as it was a completely new experience for them over Sponge Bob which I welcome!Visit http://www.littlemusiclovers.com/ for more information, sit back and enjoy the music!
The Giveaway:
Your choice of one of the available CDs noted above.
To Enter:
Leave a comment that you follow my blog AND sign up for the LittleMusicLovers newsletter at LittleMusicLovers.com.
Extra Entries:
- Follow me on Twitter.
- Subscribe to my blog.
- Enter one of my other giveaways and leave 2 comments.
Tweet about the giveaway for 2 comments (can be done daily).
Blog about the giveaway for 2 comments.
Vote for me at DivineCaroline (see widget on left side of blog) for 5 comments.
Winner will be chosen by random.org. Good luck!
Toolkit Helps School Leaders Support Military Children
The National Military Family Association just released this:
The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) has released a toolkit on Supporting the Military Child to help school leaders meet the needs of children whose parents are deployed or in transition. Developed with a grant from the Veterans Support Foundation, this free, online resource is available on the AASA website at: www.aasa.org/MilitaryChild.aspx.
The toolkit includes:
The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) has released a toolkit on Supporting the Military Child to help school leaders meet the needs of children whose parents are deployed or in transition. Developed with a grant from the Veterans Support Foundation, this free, online resource is available on the AASA website at: www.aasa.org/MilitaryChild.aspx.
The toolkit includes:
- Top 15 things school leaders can do to support military children
- Key facts about the military child
- Facts about Impact Aid, the federal funding available to help school districts handle the cost of educating children from military families
- Facts about the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, legislation signed by 26 states that aims to ease school-to-school transfers for military children
- A videotaped discussion among school administrators on how schools can support military kids
- A video statement of support from Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau
Latest Kmart Bluelight Special Teasers: 11/26-11/29
Here are your Kmart Bluelight Specials for 11/26-11/29 THURSDAY to SUNDAY from 1PM-6PM!
- Kids Route 66 Graphic Tees $3.99 (Reg. $7.99)
- Essential Home 7.5' x 9.5' Rug in a Bag $34.99 (Reg. $69.99)
- All Multi-Roll Wrap 50% Off (Reg. $7.99)
For more info & rules: http://tr.im/KmartBLS. Good luck!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and happy shopping!
What is your Black Friday Plan of Attack this Year?
http://www.target.com/
Good ol' Black Friday! It's not for the faint at heart and in fact, you really have to have this set up a year in advance. It takes intense training, researching each and every sale and store and a plan of action. For some, January 1st is the usual 'get in shape' time of the year but for the serious Black Friday patrons, like me, they use this time to start pumping iron and running hours to get geared up to hit all the stores and get all the sales. As soon as the Black Sale ads start leaking out on the internet, we get our spreadsheets and notebooks out plotting out the carefully laid plan on the hit day. It takes months and months of preparation but it pays off. Okay, I don't really do all of that to prepare for Black Friday but I do watch the leaks pouring out on various outlets on the internet and I make sure I have the latest advertisments.
Good ol' Black Friday! It's not for the faint at heart and in fact, you really have to have this set up a year in advance. It takes intense training, researching each and every sale and store and a plan of action. For some, January 1st is the usual 'get in shape' time of the year but for the serious Black Friday patrons, like me, they use this time to start pumping iron and running hours to get geared up to hit all the stores and get all the sales. As soon as the Black Sale ads start leaking out on the internet, we get our spreadsheets and notebooks out plotting out the carefully laid plan on the hit day. It takes months and months of preparation but it pays off. Okay, I don't really do all of that to prepare for Black Friday but I do watch the leaks pouring out on various outlets on the internet and I make sure I have the latest advertisments.
Target and TwitterMoms came up with this great blogging contest on What is your Black Friday plan of attack this year and you can sign up to participate too by clicking here for the TwitterMoms discussion page.
What I plan to do this year is get to bed by 9 pm because you have to be full of energy to endure the crowds! I enlist my oldest as she's my shopping assistant on what is cool and what is not and she helps me figure out what is the main objective after we peruse through the numerous specials. We then pick out the top five items and decide what our chances are of securing them in a logical order and we do map out where we are going to go to have the most success. We get up before the sun even breaks daylight pending on which sale we are going to go to and arrive at the store EARLY! If we want more than one item, we will break out and target those areas.
Once we are either worn out, completed or dejected, we will stop and eat and savor our victories while enjoying a big fat steak!
*photo courtesy of 10e20.com
What are Your 5 Favorite Holiday Activities to do with Your Kids?
I'm sure you have a favorite activity you like to do with your kids or perhaps you have many. When TwitterMoms and Nickelodeon introduced this new blogging question as part of the Dora Christmas Carol Contest, I had to stop and think of all the activities we do each year. There are some that are major and some not, but all are memorable.
I love the holidays and am trying to instill this great love with my girls as I hope some of the traditions will be passed on to their own families.
My top five favorites are as follows:
We go on our annual Christmas picture taking trip to the local mall. This has turned into not so much of a fun event for my 21 year old as I still make her partake in it. In fact, today, we went and completed the holiday deed! - Another holiday activity are the pictures with Santa. Chalk one more year with no picture of Danielle. She was afraid of Santa for her second year in a row and she's only two! I couldn't force the 21 year old for this although I wanted to!
- A great activity that I thoroughly enjoy is decorating the house! I already started rolling out the Santas and was busted by my husband. I can't help it as it really is The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
- We watch the Christmas classics such as Rudolph. It's a painful experience for my oldest once again but it's nostalgic for my husband and I and the two smaller ones really love it. This contest is wonderful as Danielle loves Dora.
- We can't have a holiday without baking cookies, brownies, fudge and all the other great tasting, addicting and sinful treats! Besides, Santa gets his share so it's all fair in love and Christmas. I think this year, I'm going to try these great looking Chocolate-Caramel Cookie Bars that I found by Martha Stewart (see recipe below if interested).
I have many more but those are my favorites. What are yours? Join in the fun and enter HERE at TwitterMoms.
Favorite Holiday Activities with Kids
Dora's Caramel Holiday Cookies
Ingredients:
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1 roll sugar cooking dough
20 caramel candies
1 tablespoon water
Non-stick cookie tray
Your child will enjoy counting out the caramels and dropping them into the bowl. Be careful when removing the bowl from the microwave--it might be very hot!
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375 F. Knead the flour into the cookie dough until it's smooth.
Step 2
Pinch off pieces of cookie dough and roll it into small (half-inch) balls. Place them on a non-stick cookie sheet. Press down on the dough balls to flatten them slightly and bake for about 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the trays for a few minutes. When they're cool, move them to a cooling rack or a large plate.
Step 3
Unwrap the candies and place in a microwave-safe bowl with the water. Heat for 30 seconds, stir, and heat again just until smooth. Be careful when removing the bowl from the microwave--it may be hot!
Step 4
With a small spoon, add a drop of the caramel mixture to the back of each cookie and place another cookie on top. Makes 25 sandwich cookies.
These cookies can be made in two steps. Make the cookie portion the night before. Make and spread the caramel filling--or have the kids do so--the next day.
Biggest Loser Almost Wrapping Up Another Season & Colts Won Again!
This past week's Biggest Loser was make over week so it was a little boring but great to see these contestants go from being overly obese to WOW! Last season, my favorate was Tara and I'm favoring Alan since my favorite, Abby was eliminated. If you ever need a good cry or need to feel blessed for what you have, go to the Biggest Loser page and look up Abby's story.
My own fitness challenge has three people but these two ladies that joined me are amazing! They have already lost weight since we started and are my inspiration! Way to go ladies!
If you missed The Biggest Loser and need a kick start motivator, check out the make over pics here.
Forgot to mention, my Colts won! Go Peyton!!! I'll always be a Hoosier at heart!
10-0
Foods to Combat Aging
I wished I had the knowledge I have now when I was still in my 20's and 30's to help retain the youngest looking skin possible. I try to tell my 21 year old about tips and tricks but she's of that mind set of reality not sinking in. I keep telling her she would thank me later if she incorporated good practice now to prevent aging prematurely. I am on a kick for organic products as I think there is something telling of naturally occuring foods and products versus man made chemical creations. One of the first steps you can take, aside from limiting sun exposure, is to eat properly.
I'm stepping back to sunlight as it is vital to get some sun exposure and in spite the heated warnings over skin cancer, a healthy amount of only around 15 minutes a day of exposure is actually good for you. One of the problems that people, especially in the US have, is lack of Vitamin D and this holds true for our children. There are numerous medical conditions linked to a deficit of Vitamin D in our lives. It's the extended over done exposure that is bad for you. There are many debates over this but the newest literature does support a small amount of sunlight for health.
Back to the original topic, foods that may assist in retaining good skin are logical as they also have the dual function of making you feel better and healthier so you have nothing to lose.
EveryDayHealth has this terrific article on the best foods for healthy skin:
How can what you eat affect your body so positively or negatively? “Antioxidants are the key,” explains Dr. Breiner. “They are nutrients that are able to protect your body from the aging effects of free radicals, a nasty process called oxidation.”
Free radicals are formed through natural processes in your body and the environment — everything from exposure to sun, cigarette smoke, chemicals, even exercise. A free radical is simply a molecule or atom that has lost one of its electrons and, now unpaired, has become unstable. This instability causes it to seek other atoms or molecules (yours) to stabilize it, resulting in a domino effect of unstable atoms and molecules in your body.
This is a problem "because the end result is a change in your cells’ DNA, which includes your body’s largest organ, your skin," Breiner says. "Oxidative stress and inflammation are two major causes of the aging process.”
The Anti-Aging Diet: Foods That Smooth Skin
“Eat a fiber-rich diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables," suggests Breiner. "Eight to 10 servings a day will help keep you young. Fruits and vegetables are generally low-calorie and have the ability to detoxify and renew your cells."
Add these great anti-aging food choices to your regular diet:
I'm stepping back to sunlight as it is vital to get some sun exposure and in spite the heated warnings over skin cancer, a healthy amount of only around 15 minutes a day of exposure is actually good for you. One of the problems that people, especially in the US have, is lack of Vitamin D and this holds true for our children. There are numerous medical conditions linked to a deficit of Vitamin D in our lives. It's the extended over done exposure that is bad for you. There are many debates over this but the newest literature does support a small amount of sunlight for health.
Back to the original topic, foods that may assist in retaining good skin are logical as they also have the dual function of making you feel better and healthier so you have nothing to lose.
EveryDayHealth has this terrific article on the best foods for healthy skin:
How can what you eat affect your body so positively or negatively? “Antioxidants are the key,” explains Dr. Breiner. “They are nutrients that are able to protect your body from the aging effects of free radicals, a nasty process called oxidation.”
Free radicals are formed through natural processes in your body and the environment — everything from exposure to sun, cigarette smoke, chemicals, even exercise. A free radical is simply a molecule or atom that has lost one of its electrons and, now unpaired, has become unstable. This instability causes it to seek other atoms or molecules (yours) to stabilize it, resulting in a domino effect of unstable atoms and molecules in your body.
This is a problem "because the end result is a change in your cells’ DNA, which includes your body’s largest organ, your skin," Breiner says. "Oxidative stress and inflammation are two major causes of the aging process.”
The Anti-Aging Diet: Foods That Smooth Skin
“Eat a fiber-rich diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables," suggests Breiner. "Eight to 10 servings a day will help keep you young. Fruits and vegetables are generally low-calorie and have the ability to detoxify and renew your cells."
Add these great anti-aging food choices to your regular diet:
- Colorful berries. The antioxidant anthocyanin is what gives berries their blue, red, and purple colors. To get a healthy dose of this potent antioxidant, eat plenty of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, pomegranate, cherries, acai berries, and blood oranges, to name a few of the best choices. Each of these foods has a variety of other powerful antioxidants that repair and protect your skin’s cells.
- Broccoli and broccoli sprouts. Quercetin is another powerful antioxidant that is found in broccoli, along with other foods including cranberries, onions, and apples. It is a natural anti-inflammatory agent as well, fighting the No. 2 cause of aging. Broccoli sprouts have 30 times more isothiocyanates (yet another antioxidant) regular broccoli.
- Spinach. Lutein is found in spinach, kale, corn, and other vegetables. It has the ability to give additional antioxidant capacity to your skin and enhances skin hydration.
- Garlic. Allium is an antioxidant that packs a punch. Garlic, onions, and scallions are loaded with this free-radical fighter that is good for your skin and your immune system.
- Beans. “Eat your beans, too,” says Breiner. Anthocyanin is found in very high quantities in black beans and black soybeans. Soybeans are also high in isoflavones, also linked to anti-aging properties.
- Tea. Catechins, found in green tea, dark chocolate, and red wine, are another antioxidant that packs a wallop. “Have four to six cups of tea a day with lemon, which enhances the antioxidants’ activity in your cells,” Breiner advises.
- Wine. In addition to those catechins, resveratrol is found in red wine and has many anti-aging properties. It is another potent antioxidant.
- Yellow and Orange Root Vegetables. Put plenty of beta-carotene on your plate. These super-antioxidants are good for your skin and eyes. Good choices include carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and squash.
- Tomatoes. Lycopene, in red grapefruit, tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit, is a powerful weapon against free radicals. It has the ability to inhibit sun-induced aging and can neutralize free radicals. Breiner suggests, “Fill your glass with tomato juice or V8 juice daily.”
- Nuts. Eat a handful of nuts and seeds a day. They are loaded with “good” fat that helps “plump” your skin, antioxidants and lots of minerals that are good for your skin, too.
- Salmon. “Eat salmon at least three times a week,” says Breiner. “It has a host of benefits for your skin, from the omega-3s to the high-quality protein. Make it a regular in your diet, and you will see plumper, more youthful skin in about six weeks.”
- Water. Stay hydrated: Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. (And if you are drinking decaffeinated tea, that counts.) Caffeinated beverages can dehydrate you, which can contribute to dry, sallow-looking skin. Eat fruits and vegetables raw when possible. If you cook them, steaming is the best way to go to keep all of the anti-aging, anti-wrinkle antioxidants. At the same time, cut down on sweets. Avoid processed, refined foods and sugars, which can increase free-radical activity.
My Attitude for Gratitude
Notice the influx of gratitude themes invading the internet and other news outlets? I wonder if it has to do with the economic situation that is making people stop to think about the things we take for granted. It's so easy to get caught up in the moment of trying to live that we forget all the reasons we truly are blessed and should be grateful. There are probably a huge lists of things anyone can be grateful at any given moment if one stops to think about it. My grandmother never dwelled or focused on the bad things. For those of you over 40, you might have heard all the stories of what it was like to be a woman back in the 1800's and early 1900's (and of course before). My father, who is 73, tells me how his mother would get up before everyone else to light up the woodstove, she would get the daily bread made (not store bought) and would have to wash clothes with one of those washboards that would bloody her knuckles up every now and then. We truly have no idea how easier life is and all the reasons we should be grateful.
One of the biggest ways to avoid getting down about your situation is to not dwell on it. Focus on the good and help others. Studies have proven when you help someone else more down and out then you, you feel better. If it's too hard to think about, keep a journal of all the things you are grateful for on a daily basis. In time, life will be much better. I have a brother that is incapable of seeing any positive light in anything so he remains a miserable, unhappy person. Granted he does have a bad life, he could take a moment to realize he has two healthy children, a loving family that looks after him and so much more. I have told him for over a year to stop and remember what is good about his life versus what is bad. He won't listen ...
Things to help get or maintain an attitude for gratitude:
One of the biggest ways to avoid getting down about your situation is to not dwell on it. Focus on the good and help others. Studies have proven when you help someone else more down and out then you, you feel better. If it's too hard to think about, keep a journal of all the things you are grateful for on a daily basis. In time, life will be much better. I have a brother that is incapable of seeing any positive light in anything so he remains a miserable, unhappy person. Granted he does have a bad life, he could take a moment to realize he has two healthy children, a loving family that looks after him and so much more. I have told him for over a year to stop and remember what is good about his life versus what is bad. He won't listen ...
Things to help get or maintain an attitude for gratitude:
- Keep a journal or write in it every day what you have to be grateful for.
- Help someone less fortunate then you.
- Build your self-esteem if you have a low one. Avoiding the pitfalls of what you perceive can be an amazing mood changer.
Six Kodak 40% Off Coupon Codes Up For Grabs: Hurry Expires 12/01
First six interested can have the codes for 40% off at Kodak Galleries. Leave a comment please.
Thanks!
Thanks!
