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Mar 10
Need some incentive to get moving on your spring cleaning? Here’s how you can get a FREE spring cleaning kit from SC Johnson. It only requires minimal information and took me 30 seconds to sign up.
Also, I received a $10 credit when I signed up on bTrendie and got these stylin’ rain boots for my daughter for $11.97 (including shipping). They’ve got great rain gear for spring on sale now, including umbrellas for under $5 shipped and hats for under $2. They have tons of cute stuff that would go great in an Easter basket. Or if you decide don’t see anything you like today you can save your $10 for another day. Get your FREE $10 HERE.
Thanks Coupon Geek for the heads-up on these great deals.
Mar 09
When we moved to our new house, we learned that our neighborhood enforces strict rules that require that all cars must be parked in the garage and not on the street. I knew we were in trouble because we had stashed a lot of stuff in the garage at the home we had recently left, and I had no idea how we’d ever fit it all in at the new house alongside our two cars.
In hindsight, I now know that a well-organized garage is a critical component to an organized home. However, we frequently make the garage the last place we organize, even though it should be one of the first.
Here’s how we get into trouble. First, of all, our garages are overflowing with mystery items and boxes of “stuff” that we aren’t sure what to do with or don’t want to investigate further. This approach leaves no room in the house for things that should really go in the garage, and the hall closets and bedrooms quickly fill with items that really should be stowed away in the garage.
So, here’s how you get the mystery behind door No. 3 under control.
De-clutter. Set a date to clean the garage and commit to it. Schedule a reward for afterwards (like going out to dinner or a movie) to motivate yourself and your family members. We did this once on New Year’s Day and our neighbors thought we were moving when they saw our driveway piled high with boxes and junk. It was embarrassing to see how much stuff we had packed into our little garage. During our cleaning fest, strangers rolled up and made offers on our rollerblades because they thought we were hosting a yard sale.
Sort it out. Begin by sorting through what you have and put it in three categories: 1) items to keep, 2) items to give away, or 3) items to throw away. Keep the vision of your clean and neat garage in mind as you try to part with the majority of your items. Remember, you only have the space to keep what you really need and use. If it’s hard to part with certain items, think about other people that might benefit from having these items you no longer need or use.
Create zones. Create zones in your garage with the items that you have decided you can’t live without. Our garage has areas for the cars, sporting goods, canned food, gift wrap, holiday items, kids clothing and extra toys. We’ve labeled our large, plastic storage bins on two sides to keep like items together and to be able to easily access everything.
Maximize every bit of space. We needed every inch of space we have, so we’ve installed overhead storage bins, wall shelving, bike storage systems, and hooks in our garage. Check out any hardware store, or even Target, for ideas on products that help you bring order to a once chaotic and crowded space.
Keep it clean. Maintaining order is the trickiest part of keeping the garage organized. It can easily become a dumping ground for random items because it’s the last place you’d clean up when you’re expecting guests. Resist the urge to turn a blind eye to the start of garage clutter or it will ooze into all other organizational systems in your home. On a regular basis, tidy up by sweeping the floor, replacing misplaced items to their proper place, and sifting through boxes, looking for items to give away that you no longer need or use. You might be surprised to see how much stuff you end up tossing out or donating during a quick tidy-up of your garage.
Spruce it up. Throwing a fun paint color onto your garage wall or hanging posters or artwork can make a dreary garage seem like an extension of your home. You may also want to add epoxy coating to your floors. It makes project clean-ups easy as well as provides a non-slip surface. Some people even use their garages for entertaining or as teenager haven. Regardless of what you use your garage for you may want to consider giving it a cosmetic makeover once you’ve completed your organizational overhaul.
Question: On a scale of 1 to 10, how much to dread the idea of cleaning out your garage?
Mar 09
After endless viewing of Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs over the past month, my youngest said to me, “I can’t wait for Daddy to come home and give me a kiss. He’s my true love. I love you, too, mom, but you’re more like a dwarf.”
She’s cute and she’s four, so I didn’t think much of it, but really, do I have to be a dwarf? After all, I suffered through endless years of trying to conceive this child, endured horrible morning sickness, and then survived months and months of bed rest. Now she views me as a dwarf?
It left me wondering, Which dwarf does she think I am?
Sneezy? I was pretty sick last weekend and I did do a lot of sneezing, but normally I’m a pretty healthy gal. I don’t think it was Sneezy she was thinking of when she labeled me a dwarf.
Bashful? Not a chance.
Dopey? I do struggle to help my third-grader with math, but I doubt she notices my scholastic downfalls … yet.
Sleepy? Hmm…she might have me here. After all, she has been my personal alarm clock for the past four years.
Doc? I’ve performed surgery on her Barbies when she rips off an arm or head by accident. I’ve also placed a Band-aid on nearly every inch of her precious, soft toddler skin over the years. (She’s accident prone and fearless – not a good combo.) I’d be happy with the title of Doc, but I really doubt my daughter pictures me as a vertically challenged medical professional.
So, by process of elimination that only leaves Happy or Grumpy. Hmm…Can I cross my fingers and hope for Happy?
It’s easy to reflect on the past few weeks and remember all of the times when I was less than patient or a little irritable with my children. It’s harder for any mom to pat herself on the back for all of her other victories – the times she didn’t lose her patience but instead took a deep breath, or when she spent time playing a game together, or reading a book or snuggling. It’s easy to focus on the times when we’re not at our best instead of cutting ourselves some slack and realizing we won’t be judged for one or two weak moments, but instead on the collective job we’ve done.
I’ll settle for being a dwarf any day if I can be seen as Happy in my daughter’s eyes. After all, she could have said I was The Evil Queen.
Mar 05
I think my daughter is addicted to snacking. She’d be happy on a deserted island with a pile of crackers and some cheese. Usually, I don’t fight food wars with my kids, and I pick my battles wisely, but hearing the results of a recent study has motivated me to put a stop to her endless grazing.
The latest research shows that 27 percent of a kids’ daily calorie intake comes from those handfuls of extras throughout the day. What’s worse is that the study revealed that three of those daily snacks kids were tossing into their mouths were classified as junk food.
It made me take a hard look at what types of snacks we’re selecting as a family and I had to wonder how I’d rate the quality of extras that fill our pantry shelves. While my kids aren’t snacking on Twinkies and Twizzlers, they certainly could make healthier snack choices.
Here’s a great list of tips from the Mayo Clinic that helped me put our snacking back in check. In just two days, she’s learning to embrace a snack schedule and she’s eating a lot better, too. (It’s amazing how being hungry makes you less picky.)
Teaching your child to make healthy snack choices now will set the stage for a lifetime of healthy snacking. Start today!
1. Keep junk food out of the house.
Your child won’t clamor for cookies or candy bars if you don’t keep them on hand. Instead, set a good example by snacking on healthy foods yourself.
2. Go for the grain.
Whole-grain snacks — such as whole-grain pretzels or tortillas and high-fiber, whole-grain cereals — can give your child energy with some staying power.
3. Mix and match.
Serve baby carrots or other raw veggies with fat-free ranch dressing. Dip graham cracker sticks or fresh fruit in fat-free yogurt. Top celery, apples or bananas with peanut butter.
4. Broaden the menu.
Offer out-of-the-usual fare, such as pineapple, cranberries, red or yellow peppers, mangoes, tangelos or roasted soy nuts.
5. Revisit breakfast.
Many breakfast foods — such as low-sugar, whole-grain cereals and whole-grain toast — make great afternoon snacks. Likewise, a small serving of last night’s casserole could double as an after-school snack.
6. Sweeten it up.
Healthy children’s snacks don’t need to be bland. To satisfy your child’s sweet tooth, offer fat-free pudding, frozen yogurt or frozen fruit bars. Or use skim milk, fat-free yogurt and fresh fruit to make your own smoothies.
7. Have fun.
Use a cookie cutter to make shapes out of low-fat cheese slices, whole-grain bread or whole-grain tortillas. Eat diced fruit with chopsticks or make fruit kebabs. Make a tower out of whole-grain crackers, spell words with pretzel sticks, or make funny faces on a plate using different types of fruit.
8. Promote independence.
Keep a selection of ready-to-eat veggies in the refrigerator. Leave fresh fruit in a bowl on the counter. Store low-sugar, whole-grain cereal and fruit canned or packaged in its own juice in an easily accessible cabinet.
9. Don’t be fooled by labeling gimmicks.
Foods marketed as low-fat or fat-free can still be high in calories. Likewise, foods touted as cholesterol-free can still be high in fat, saturated fat and sugar. Check nutrition labels to find out the whole story.
10. Designate a snacking zone.
Restrict snacking to the kitchen. You’ll save your child countless calories from mindless munching in front of the TV. If your child needs to snack on the go, offer string cheese, yogurt sticks, cereal bars or other drip-free items.
Question: Do you think kids eat too much junk food? How do you monitor snacks in your house?
Mar 04
Guest blogger, Alan, shares his list for 10 trips great trips for families. They’re all places kids will love. How many have you visited?
1. Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Situated on the border between the United States and Canada, this is a great American treasure. The America side is called American Falls, the Canadian side is called Horseshoe Falls. There is an IMAX Theatre you can’t miss which has a stunning film about the falls.
On the Canadian side: The Dinner Theater is a good place to visit with the kids. You can enjoy a meal while you take in the family entertainment.
Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory: This is a short drive away in Queenstown Heights. You’ll be able to view thousands of different types of butterflies.
Niagara-on-the-Lake: Consider taking the drive to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Considered by many to be the prettiest town in Canada, the drive allows you to take in the scenery, and the tour only takes around 30 minutes.
2. Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Fla.
Walt Disney World is the largest, most visited resort in the world. It spans more than 25,000 acres. Walt Disney Resort is a must-do at least once in your lifetime. There are massive queues for some of the attractions and some parts need updating, but it’s an experience that you and your kids will never forget.
3. Grand Canyon National Park, Ariz.
This is the largest canyon in the United States spanning over 277 miles and is 18 miles wide. There are many different ways you can explore the canyon by train, plane, or helicopter tour.
4. USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
If you want to educate your kids on a little bit of history and hit the beach in one trip, then head to Hawaii. Pearl Harbor is history that our children should never forget.
A guided tour of the ship will keep your kids happy.
5. The Star Toys Museum, Baltimore, Md.
Carrying over 12,000 items, this is Thomas Atkinson’s collection of all the best “Star Wars” memorabilia. You have to make an appointment to get the tour but admission is free. It’s a non-profit organization; however, donations are accepted.
6. Yellowstone National Park, Wyo.
Sleep under the stars at one of the best places to camp in all 50 states. Yellowstone, the first national park in the U.S., has many different types of wildlife in the park to view and photograph. You might even run into a bear or two. Yellowstone is also known for it geysers, including the most popular attraction, Old Faithful.
The kids can apply to be junior rangers. A visit to the IMAX Theatre is also a good idea to see the park up close from a unique perspective captured on film.
7. The National Zoo, Washington, DC
This 167-acre zoological park has more than 4,000 animals and 500 different types of species, including pandas. Admission is free but parking is $20. Be sure to check out the kid’s farm area.
8. Civil War Battlefields, Gettysburg, Pa.
Getting a sense of the history of the United States is so much easier when you can actually stand where history was made—including walking on the battlefield. This was the scene of the war’s bloodiest battle and the location of Abraham Lincoln’s famous speech. Trips like this give the kids a much better perspective of our country’s history and they will love the moving tributes at this site.
9. Mount Rushmore, S.D.
One of the most famous man-made attractions is Mount Rushmore. It represents the first 150 years of American history. The four presidents carved into the side of mountain are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
If visiting during the evening, don’t miss the lighting ceremony.
10. The Statue of Liberty, New York City, N.Y.
Probably the most famous landmark in America, every kid should make at least one visit to this remarkable symbol of freedom. Make sure you get out to Liberty Island and climb the stairs to the 10th floor observatory. The boat also stops at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum which is a welcomed bonus.
Alan Murray is the webmaster for http://www.baby-names.tv/ . The site has a lot of information on more than just baby names, including pregnancy, breastfeeding, and much more (Check out pregnancy info HERE.).
Question: What would you add to the list?
Note: Short on cash? Check out these tips for great travel savings from last week.
Mar 03
I’m the first to admit that I don’t have a “glue gun” thumb (i.e. I’m not crafty), but I do get the urge to try a project now and then.
Here’s an excuse to experiment for less. Check out these good deals from JoAnn’s Fabrics and Michaels. They both expire this Saturday, so use ‘em or lose ‘em.
50 percent off any one regular price item at Michael’s – HERE.
40 percent off any one regular price item at JoAnn’s Fabrics — HERE.
Thanks Coupon Gal!
Mar 02
In case you missed it, Kate’s coming back for 15 more minutes of fame. I hope this doesn’t ruin how I feel about DWTS. I am quite the addict. (Probably due to my two left feet problem.) I even got to attend a taping of the show a season or two back and met Tom and Samantha. I’ll give her a shot, but I hope she doesn’t yell at her new partner, the way she did to her last one.
Here’s the lineup of stars to be paired up on the next season of Dancing With the Stars.
Pamela Anderson and Damian Whitewood
Jake Pavelka and Chelsie Hightower
Question: What do you think of the new lineup?
Mar 02
I hear all the hype about living in a paper-less, earth-friendly world, but I find that I have an endless paper trail that seems to follow me everywhere I go. It’s in the kitchen, on my nightstand, in the kids’ rooms, and even in my car.
It’s amazing how much I try to stay on it, yet it continues to pile up. I figure it’s an inevitable part of life that we all must face and filter through. These mysterious paper piles aren’t really all that mysterious, but instead contain a mix of mail, must-dos and treasured papers marking milestones in the lives of my children.
Even in the green world in which we live we’re still far from a paperless system, and every mom yearns for a day when the paper monster will be tamed. But this paper trail is really just the unfortunate reality of having kids in school, keeping up with a busy life, and managing a household.
While it’s clearly not a perfect system in our home, we’ve tried to tame the beast by taking a few rather painless steps to slay the monster.
1. Don’t feed the beast. When I get the mail every day I head straight to the trash can or recycling bin to get rid of the non-essential papers. Even being on the anti-junk mail lists we still get a remarkable amount of junk mail that goes straight to the trash or the shredder. Everyone should own a shredder and use it regularly.
2. Don’t get burned by the dragon’s fire. I bought a handy filing box in faux leather to hold all of my bills and I also use it as my temporary filing system. Bills and important papers are filed into my handy filer. I have files for recipes I want to try–one for each of my kids to hold the school papers I want to hold on to, medical insurance problems to be dealt with, etc. I try to have folders for things that need a home but aren’t ready to be tossed or put in “dry” storage either. For example, when you make a phone call on a problem and even though the customer service rep says to you, “This should be fixed in the next month,” it’s still a good idea to keep the paperwork handy to double check in a month.
3. Don’t let the beast eat the masterpiece. I pile up my kids favorite masterpieces from school and their proudest accomplishments all year in a basket on a high bookshelf. Within the first week of summer break we go through the big pile and save whatever will fit in the box that we label for the year and put in “dry” storage in the garage. I let them make the call on what stays and what goes, but they can’t save more than what we have room for. Sometimes we take a photo with the posterboard to preserve the memory of the project instead of keeping the huge momento as a memorial. The kids actually love the process of going through their stuff and saying goodbye to another year of school while reminiscing in the good times they’ve had. It’s a good way to cap off a school year with a trip down memory lane.
Note: Now that you’ve got your paper problem straightened up. Check out next week’s post on cleaning up your office.
Question: What tips can you offer to help win the war against The Paper Giant?
Mar 01
Well, last Friday was the big day. Ultrasound day. The day when, if all goes well, you get to find out if your new little one will be wrapped in a pink or blue blanket at the hospital.
The day before our appointment, Tyler, my husband, had mentioned he wanted a boy. That was the first time it had crossed my mind that the baby might not be a girl. We already have a two-year-old girl, so as far as I was concerned all babies are girls and I was expecting a girl. So I shrugged off his comment, thinking to myself, “Poor soul. He thinks he is getting a boy.”
Back to the big day. The technician ushered us into a room, directed me to the big grey table (they disguise it as a bed by putting a pillow on it), and proceeded to look for the little creature growing inside of me. The technician didn’t have to say anything, though she did anyway, because we could plainly see that this little baby was no girl.
The technician then goes about her business and begins checking all the other vital baby parts. All the while, my mind was racing. “A boy,” I thought to myself. “What will I do with a boy!?”
After a few minutes Tyler was a little concerned because I hadn’t said too much. He asked me if I was “ok” with a boy.
“Of course I am,” I replied. Honestly, what else was I supposed to say? The problem was, I wasn’t really OK yet. I was thinking of all our little baby church dresses in our daughter’s closet that wouldn’t be worn by a little boy.
The story has a happy ending. Now that the idea has settled in my brain, I am thrilled to go in a completely new direction and have a little “man-child.” (That is what my husband calls our new baby.) I have even made a list of pros to prove that I am excited about having a boy.
1. There will now be someone in the house who will actually want to play with Tyler and all his old Lego sets.
2. NO PINK!!!! (I hate pink.)
3. We have so many cool names to pick from that are unusable for a girl. For example: Jet, Dax, Jax, or Levi.
4. No hard-to-do hairstyles that don’t stay in anyway. (Hairstyling is not my strong point.)
5. Tyler will have to take a little more responsibility with this child. I can’t teach a little boy to be a little man because I don’t have any experience in that area.
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