Thursday Thirteen #6

13 Things in the Refrigerator

1. Hidden Valley Ranch dressing for me.
2. Generic Ranch dressing for my son... he goes through 2-3 bottles a month!
3. Mt. Dew... I drink 4-6 cans a day.
4. Water... we are all trying to drink more water.
5. Bags of salad... inexpensive at Aldis and my son loves it.
6. Pickles... its cheaper to buy the big 62 oz. jars so there are always pickles in the fridge.
7. Nail polish... it lasts longer when stored in the fridge.
8. 35mm film... photographs & colors are more vibrant and film can be used past the expiration date when stored in the fridge.
9. Ketchup.
10. Mustard.
11. Chocolate, of course... don't want it to melt in this hot weather.
12. Yogurt.
13. Crumbs and spills.
    

Wordless Wednesday #18

Works for Me Wednesday #8

I love aromatherapy, the smells of the different seasons... the smell of crisp green apples in summer, the smell of falling leaves in autumn, the smell of gingerbread at Christmas, the smell of fresh dirt in spring. Some aromas calm and sooth me, other aromas energize me. There are candles and potpourri in various rooms throughout the house.

The best thing I have found to keep the aromas fresh and long-lasting is placing drops of fragrance -- aromatherapy oils, massage oils, perfume, room deodorizers linen sprays, etc. -- on the light bulbs. Spray or place a few drops of your favorite fragrance on any light bulb in any room to create a light scent when the light is turned on.

For more great tips and brilliant ideas to help you be a better person, go to Rocks in My Dryer.

Family Minute #31

Focus on the Flowers

Do you ever get discouraged, disappointed or frustrated? Do you ever feel like your circumstances are more negative than positive? Does your outlook seem more pessimistic than optimistic?

By focusing on flowers, on what is good in your life, you can "out grow" your depression. Its not easy living with depression but flowers will help brighten your life (whether for a few minutes or few a few hours). As you go through difficult times, forget about weeding out the negatives – your depression, your anxiety – instead, nurture the positive parts of your life.

Remember your family first.

Make Me Laugh Monday - Present

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Thanks for partcipating.

Family Minute #30

Do you C.H.A.R.M. your children?

An old Irish saying defines charm as the ability to get someone to say “yes” before you even ask the question. So use the acronym C.H.A.R.M. to capture your child’s heart.

C – Converse. Talk regularly with your kids on topics they enjoy.
H – Have fun. Do things together that make you laugh.
A – Ask. Ask open-ended questions about their day.
R – Read. Read books together.
M – Make memories. Capture photos of your time together.
C.H.A.R.M. your children and...

Remember your family first.

Family Minute #29

Want a fun way to mix learning and Independence Day?

Give your kids a quiz. Make it fun and award a prize to the one who gets the most answers right. You can use questions like: Where was the Declaration of Independence signed? Who sewed the first American flag? And, who was the king of England during the Revolutionary War?

Do you know the answers? Check out the library or internet together to find the answers. It’s a great way to teach your kids the facts behind the fireworks.

Remember your family first.

A Tribute to the Flag

"I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS,

ONE NATION UNDER GOD,

INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY

AND JUSTICE FOR ALL."

I don't think I ever heard Elvis in 'better voice' than on this. Enjoy Elvis' version of America the Beautiful.

Get facts about the flag of the United States.

Read about the timeline of the flag.

Get the history and how to's to care for the flag from the United States Congress.

To Smoke or Not To Smoke

Here is timeline that shares the positive facts about the immediate effects of quitting smoking:

In 20 minutes your blood pressure will drop back down to normal.
In 8 hours the carbon monoxide (a toxic gas) levels in your blood stream will drop by half and oxygen levels will return to normal.
In 48 hours your chance of having a heart attack will have decreased.
In 48 hours all nicotine will have left your body.
In 48 hours sense of taste and smell will return to a normal level.
In 72 hours your bronchial tubes will relax.
In 72 hours your energy levels will increase.
In 2 weeks your circulation will increase and it will continue to improve for the next 10 weeks.
In 3 to 9 months coughs, wheezing, and breathing problems will dissipate as your lung capacity improves by 10%.
In 1 year your risk of having a heart attack will have dropped by half.
In 5 years your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.
In 10 years your risk of lung cancer will have returned to that of a non-smoker.
In 15 years your risk of heart attack will have returned to that of a non-smoker.

Does this encourage you to not smoke?

Around the Blogosphere #9

Check out the beautiful scenery of the United States of America at My Beautiful America. This site offers an awesome pictorial tour around the country comprising all 50 states.

Thursday Thirteen #5

13 People I am Thankful For

In no particular order...

1. For my son, Cameron, for his sweetness that reminds me that he can overcome all obstacles.
2. For my daughter, Cassandra, for her sassiness that reminds me that she has a mind of her own and is very independent.
3. For Jessica, a new friend, Cameron's former TSS, for her generosity and joy of life. She is a younger version of me... sassy and quirky and all.
4. For Sandy, a long-time friend and confidante for being my cheerleader and advice giver.
5. For Champ, my Chihuahua, who loves me no matter what.
6. For Teresa, a long-time friend, for her help and support in so many aspects of my life and for the many things we have in common.
7. For Phyllis, a new online friend, for her help and kindness and for the many things we have in common.
8. For the WrapAround Team that provides services for my son.
9. For the Big Brothers Big Sisters (program) of Butler County for providing fun and support for my daughter.
10. For Art, for making me feel sexy even when I'm not.
11. For Dave, for constantly checking on me and for mowing my grass.
12. For the creator of the Internet, so I can sit here and write such a list.
13. Most of all, for God, for everything he has given me.

Wordless Wednesday #17

Last day of school.

Make Me Laugh Monday - Gas Prices

If you want to join in the fun and laughter, please sign Mr. Linky below. Please leave a link to your Make Me Laugh Monday post and not to the front page of your blog so we can read your post more easily.



Thanks to Jen, at Absolutely Bananas, for passing the hosting wand to me and thanks to each of you for participating. Don't forget to visit each other.

Unconscious Mutterings #2

I say ... and you think ... ?

Loneliness :: Being lonely sucks!
Traffic :: I'm glad I don't have to drive daily in the Pittsburgh traffic jam.
Chaos :: Chaos reigns (with children in the home).
Burp :: Why do men and children think this is funny?
500 :: Indianapolis 500.
Movie :: I want to see the movie "Wanted."
Coma :: Sad.
Bark :: I miss Champ's barking.
Stare :: Don't stare at me.
Angelina :: Angelina Jolie. (Does everyone have this same muttering?)

To see the fun ramblings of others &/or to participate in some mutterings of your own, go to Luna Nina.

Around the Blogosphere

Sail Away to a Good Night’s Sleep Contest
and Win a Cruise!
By Metropolitan Mama

Picture this... you and one other person on an all-expenses-paid three-night, four-day cruise to the balmy and beautiful Caribbean. Thanks to Protect-A-Bed.

Great food,
live entertainment,
a movie theater,
dancing,
special interest classes,
golden sands,
and glowing sunshine
-- the cruise experience awaits you.

If you’re sitting there, reading, and thinking, “Protect-A-Who?” – then, I have an introduction to make. Protect-A-Bed, meet you. You, meet Protect-A-Bed, “inventors of the very first ultra thin mattress protector, available in all bed sizes including cribs for babies.”

Protect-A-Bed mattress covers protect your mattress from poop, pee, vomit, apple juice, just about anything – and, by doing so, bring you incredible peace of mind and a better night’s sleep.


For a mother-friendly review, check out what Metropolitan Mama has to say.

Back to the cruise, here’s how to enter:
1. For Bloggers: Write a unique post about this contest (and link to the Protect-A-Bed website and this post) or write about your experience using Protect-A-Bed products (and link to the Protect-A-Bed website and this post).
2. Fill out the “Sail Away to a Good Night’s Sleep” entry form by clicking on heading on over to Metropolitan Mama. All entries must be received between June 1st, 2008 and September 1st, 2008.

The Grand Prize winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two to a three-night, four-day cruise to the Caribbean (including airfare) OR the winner may opt to receive a $1,000 cash prize.


Additionally, there will be a weekly winner every week of the promotion and a monthly winner every month of the promotion. Whoo hoo!

Go to Metropolitan Mama for more details and entry forms.

If you have questions, feel free to email Stephanie at stephanie@metropolitanmama.net.

Friday's Feast #3

Appetizer
What is the weather like today where you live?
Hot, humid, thunderstorms.

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how career-minded are you?
5. I work from home but it is not a priority; my family is my priority.

Salad
What type of window coverings do you have in your home? Blinds, curtains, shutters, etc.?
I have blinds and curtains.

Main Course
Name something that instantly cheers you up.
Reading, my children's smiles.

Dessert
How many times do you hit the snooze button on a typical morning?
I don't hit the snooze button. Children tend to not let you do that. Lol.

What Animal Are You?

What animal are you?

Thursday Thirteen #4

13 Unusual Things About Me

1. I have webbed toes.
2. When I am tired &/or sick I suck my thumb.
3. I often feel lonely even when there are others in the room.
4. I read every night before I go to sleep.
5. I am a Christmas fanatic... the last two years I had over 30 fully decorated trees.
6. I am ambidextrous.
7. I am a single mother.
8. I suffer from chronic pain... fibromyalgia, polyneuropathy, and more.
9. I love snail mail... who doesn't love an unexpected card or RAK?
10. I hate thunderstorms.
11. I often crave salt.
12. I often crave chocolate.
13. I know I am an unusual person but God made me this way so I must be all right.

Works for Me Wednesday #7

I'm a very organized person and heavily depend on calendars.

Many of us love the switch to paperless offices so I will share several online calendars that allow you to maintain an ultra-organized system.

My Favorite Calendar Picks:

Famundo for Families - http://www.famundo.com/
WhichTime - http://www.whichtime.com/
Google Calendar - http://www.google.com/
Universal Calendar - http://www.universalvillage.net/

All four online version offer many amenities, such as customizable family home page and sizes to fit your screen.

Tips for Using Online Calendars:

• Set the calendar to alert you to upcoming events.
• Look for repeat features that let you input the data only once.
• Opt for a calendar with comprehensive holiday listings -- from Groundhog Day to Grandparents Day -- so you won't have to type them in yourself.
• Opt for a calendar that can send text message reminders &/or email reminders.
• Opt for a calendar that other family members can have access to so they can compare and add events.

For more great tips and ideas, head on over to Rocks in My Dryer.

Make Me Laugh Monday - Delete Cookies