Monthly Archives: November 2008

Another Diet Post? Seriously?!

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99% of my posts are 100% organic. 1% is “assigned”. The majority of those “assigned” end up fitting naturally into my schedule and blog flow.  Today, however, I am out of balance.

What is an “assigned” post?  It’s where someone says, “Hey, here’s $5 if you mention my keyword and link in your blog.” Or “How about $20 to review my product?”  Whatever the case, I get to review and post using my true opinion, regardless of how it reflects upon the product.  The product is often not even the topic of the post, it is just mentioned.

I usually enjoy them because it’s fun to be “inspired” by the keywords and see where along the parenting path it takes me.  But lately I have gotten a ton of diet assignments.  Since they are not of products I personally have experience with I won’t “praise” them. I just offer up the information. Today I received an assignment about the alli diet pills and program.  I have at least heard of this but have no experience.

Alli is a popular diet aid.  I’ll include the link here so you can check it out if you are interested. Funny that I am writing about it on the even of Thanksgiving, the one time when we are more obsessed with everything that we are GOING to eat instead of everything we CAN’T! :-)

A Different Kind of Fat Burner

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I had so many comments and questions regarding the fat burning post and I really am no expert. I only wrote the first post because I know what a hot topic weight loss is, I know first hand how easy it is to get carried away with diet pills and supplements, and I wanted to remind everyone of the seriousness of it and the message it sends our young ones if not handled responsibly. Now I have been asked to share a link about Leptovox and I have decided to do so because I am intrigued by it. It’s made up of the ten super foods, like acai berry & flaxseed, that gained popularity on Oprah plus antioxidants. And it’s not your typical fat burner. It clears up acne, smoothes out wrinkles, and encourages weight loss. So check it out if you like and if you have any experience with it, please share.

Here’s Your Sign

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I believe the majority of conflict could be avoided with better communication. We should all come with our own digital signage. Wouldn’t that be cool?

Have you ever been in a situation when you were so irritated by someone one minute but then given a little more information your feelings of frustration are replaced by patience and understanding?

Take eating out for instance. You pay a good price for it, you are likely there because you need a break, so receiving poor service is not acceptable. Is it? I was at a restaurant up north with my family and we waited a very long time for someone to take our order. When the order came it was wrong. Then it was wrong again. We are pretty patient and didn’t complain but we were upset, even though we chose to keep it among ourselves. It wasn’t long before a man came out from the kitchen to ask how my eggs were. Truthfully they were worse than the first ones I had sent back.

Let me just say here that I NEVER send food back or complain about much of anything so this tells you how bad this breakfast experience was.

So anyway, the man asked how were the eggs. He was so nice and genuinely concerned all I could say is, “much better.” He then went on to explain how all of his staff had called in either sick or snowed in so his 15 year old daughter was waiting tables AND cooking for him. I looked around and it all started to settle in that I hadn’t seen any other waitresses. That one little girl was hustling to take care of all these customers who were complaining about the slow, bad service they were receiving.

Only now, armed with the full story, I suddenly was happy with my service and impressed what a good job the Daughter Daddy duo was doing under the circumstances. Everyone at my table started laughing and chatting and enjoying their meal that they were only minutes ago disappointed with.

Isn’t that crazy? Just a little information totally changed our attitudes. Imagine how much more understanding and kind that people would be if they had a better understanding of the various situations they find themselves in. I bet road rage would go down too! If only we could all have our own digital signage.

What would your sign say?

Motrin Ad Pulled

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Have you seen the Motrin baby carrying commercial?  Holy crap! What is all the fuss about?  Apparently Moms are furious and Motrin has pulled the ad. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  If you haven't seen it please watch it below and let me know what you think.  I don't think you can change my mind but I am open to your thoughts.  Here are mine.

It’s funny.  It’s a cartoon.  The subject mom is a CHARACTER, not Motrin’s depiction of a real mom.  Have you ever seen the show KATH & KIM?  I can hear Kim saying every word in that ad.  Kim’s character on the show is an EXAGGERATION, as is the subject in this ad.

Motrin was trying to put some fun into a boring topic.  Do you watch the Superbowl?  It is surrounded by hilarious commercials poking fun at people… at characters… at stereotypes, etc.  I LIKE fun.  I have laughed for weeks at Tina Fey’s depiction of Sarah Palin on SNL.  I bet a lot of these inflamed moms did, too.  The writers of SNL exaggerated Sarah Palin’s character and made us laugh.  Motrin did the same thing.

Damn straight it hurts being a mom.  Lugging kids and stuff around. Juggling appointments. Managing a household.  I know we’re supposed to keep all of our suffering to ourselves and pretend we’re unaffected but I will admit it for all of us.  I love taking care of my kids and giving them every bit of me to be sure that they have every bit of what they need to keep them healthy and happy.  But I still wish I could also afford those Madonna tickets.  I kinda miss my trips to the salon to get my hair done.  And yeah, sometimes my back hurts from whatever physical strain I have suffered.  So yeah, like the ad says, “what about me?”

Of course Motrin did not intend to slight anyone.  They were ACKNOWLEDGING a mother’s pain.  They said, “hey! You’re doing a bang up job raising your family and meeting the needs of home and work.  But what about YOU?”  And they went on to tell you how their product can help you.

So stop taking yourself so seriously. And stop suffering. Take a Motrin. :-)

Lay Offs and Job Cuts and Bail Outs, Oh My

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Isn’t it tough just “being” right now?  Being happy, being positive, being productive, being in charge of a family, being on time with your bills, and being strong?  We know that a positive attitude is the number one defense against all the crap being flung at us right now.  Without a positive outlook it is more difficult to get the job done, find the new job, and brainstorm your way to keeping food on the table, gas in the car, and money in the bank. But it is so difficult to maintain that positivity when you are watching factories close and neighbors lose their jobs.  What do we do?

We regroup, retrain, reorganize, rethink our plans, that’s all.

Let’s use the Big Three Automakers as an example of where a lot of us need to change our thinking.  Many cities and many companies are experiencing similar turmoil, just probably not on the same level.  When my Hubby graduated with a degree in draft and design I tried to convince him to stay away from the automakers but here’s the thing.  Here in Flint, that’s our comfort zone.  Our parents worked there and their parents before them.  At almost twice the wage and being what felt like the “safe” choice, to him it was a no brainer. It is what people “did”.

That was about twenty years ago.  It sure isn’t the safe bet now.  In fact, not only are the direct employees in for a hit, but its affiliates.  Then you’re got all the small businesses that built nearby the factories to accomodate the autoworkers for lunch, bunsiness dinners, conference rooms, etc.  I really hope the automakers succeed.  It is a rich part of American history that I hate to see disappear.  They too need to reorganize and rethink things.  But back to us.

Where did we go wrong?  What can we do differently from here out.  Stop DEPENDING on GM for our livelihood. (or whatever company is wearing those shoes in your city).  REALIZE that there is more to YOUR life than building cars.  Building cars isn’t even close to being one of the top careers available to you.  One industry that never falters is the health care industry.  Nurses and medical assistants are always needed.  Tap into your entrepreneurial spirit.  Paint. Read. Write.  There is always a risk in losing your job or not making the money you desire.  But at least if you’re doing something for yourself, something you love, you increase your chances of being HAPPY.

When Hubby graduated he recieved job offers in draft and design for $9/hour.  At the same time Chrysler offered him $17/hour.  Which would you have chosen?

Need a giggle?  Check out the most hilarious game of “Aw Snap” yet.

Pop a Pill Burn Some Fat

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There is so much information available to us about burning fat and losing weight that it is more overwhelming than it is helpful.  One way to find the information you need is to do your due diligence and read everything you find on the topic.  Another way is to check out the Fatburner.net website.  They have done some of the work for you and put together a list of what they believe to be the best fat burners to pop when you’re trying to burn fat and build muscle.  Of course the best course of action to get healthy is to eat right and exercise. Be a good role model for your kids.  If they see you searching for short cuts they will learn to do the same.  And remember all these miracle pills are called supplements for a reason.  They are meant to “supplement” your already healthy lifestyle.  I gave you a short cut to your fat burners but you have to change your habits and build healthy routines for you and your family.

Cool Gadget: Talking Watches

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I love gadgets.  Before parenthood I was a collector of gadgets and loved playing with new gizmos.  These days I don’t have the time or the money to stay on top of the latest technology buy I do enjoy at least hearing about what is going on out there. I giggled when I ran across these talking watches Idon’t even wear a watch anymore because my pda phone is rarely NOT in my hand.  But this is something I could see my Dad being interested in if, in addition to speaking the time and date, the watch would announce, “Robert, it’s time for your pills.”  That’d be excellent.

I Just Bought the Cutest Teacher Gift!

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I just bought something so cute and unique for Sari’s third grade teacher and I think you all would love it.  I always have a hard time shopping for teacher gifts because they are so helpful and important to our family.  I don’t want to spend too much because that would be inappropriate.  I also don’t want to get anything lame or common.  I usually end up overspending trying to make up for the fact that I cannot find anything personal or unique.  Not this year thanks to my new friend Rista.

I have passed by Rista in the halls of Twitter on many occasions.  I built so many followers all at once that I do not know them all yet, nor have I spent much time visiting with many of them yet.  Rista has a really pretty icon, but that’s all I really knew about her. Today, though, she tweeted something that caught my attention.

“Who needs unique teachers gifts?”

That isn’t the exact quote, I can’t remember exactly what she said but I decided to check it out and there I found the cutest custom clipboard I have ever seen!  They are all hand crafted right nearby me in Michigan.

Everything at Rista’s store is unique and whimsical and conjured up warm feelings of love, happiness, and a playful spirit.  The prices are really good too so hurry and check out Rista’s Etsy Store for your Christmas shopping needs!

Follow me on Twitter @ CinWrites

Everything Family: Issue 7

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Welcome to the November 4, 2008 edition of everything family. So much good stuff, as usual.  I noted lots of posts on money.  One thing’s for sure, no matter how tough things get, we know we’re not alone. I know I’m not alone because I have these two goof balls who can’t wait to see me every day. :-)  

Pace yourself…. there’s lots of good reading here…

Steven Chang presents Planning Your Child?s First Birthday Party posted at Gagazine.

Fiona Lohrenz presents Are Daycare Requirements And Day Care Regulations The Same Thing? posted at Child Care Only.

Scott Palat presents 6 Tips for Success in School | posted at Colleen Palat.

Fiona Lohrenz presents Daycare Franchises? Montessori Day Care? So Many Choices! posted at Child Care Only.

TherapyDoc presents About those 8 Ways to Spot a Dishonest Date posted at Everyone Needs Therapy, saying, “A little fatherly advice goes a long way. This therapist’s father gave her a certain lecture about men. . .”

Madeleine Begun Kane presents The Couple That Reads Together… posted at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog.

Dads

CorporateFlyer presents Food Safety Starts At Home posted at Flight Attendant, saying, “A bit of information on food safety.”

Sarah presents Why Is Proper Lawn Clipping Height So Important? | Spring Lawn Care – Lawn Care Tips posted at Lawn Care Tips, saying, “Some reasons why it’s really important to clip your lawn correctly.”

Vicky presents Having a Friend Officiate Your Ceremony posted at Affordable Wedding Planning, saying, “How to get a friend to officiate your wedding ceremony.”

Family

Dust-Mites.org presents Allergic Reactions to Dust Mites posted at Dust Mites, saying, “Article describes various allergic reactions people may have to dust mites.”

Jen presents Get Spooked This Halloween (A Bit Like Secret Santa) posted at Jen’s Genuine Life, saying, “A Bit Like Secret Santa – Secretly deliver Halloween treats and a “Spook” to your neighbors and start a fun chain reaction that will end up all over town!”

Terence Gillespie presents Why I Live With My In-Laws! posted at Your Optimal Blog, saying, “I can’t claim credit for the idea that my father and mother-in-law move in with us. Or that we move my mom from her nursing home into my office. My wife saw the mounting nursing home bills, knew a baby was coming and swung into action. By the time she was finished laying it all out, one night after work, she had a way to upgrade all of our lives. She was proposing we live like a family. A multi-generational family. It was outrageous!”

axel presents 10 Steps To Better Sleep posted at axel g.

Donna Freedman presents We’ll be home for Christmas — if we can afford it posted at Smart Spending, saying, “As airfare costs continue to climb, we need to make tougher choices about how often we see family and/or old friends, and what constitutes a vacation.”

Doug Boude presents On Being Sorry… posted at Doug Boude (rhymes with ‘loud’), saying, “Now here’s a topic that applies to everybody in the family from the toddler to the grandparents! i wrote this article based on my own experiences having 7 children and 4 step children.”

Aparna presents Whiten your teeth with these home-remedies posted at Beauty and Personality Grooming.

Nara presents Why Some People Choose Divorce After Infidelity posted at Surviving Infidelity, saying, “Some reasons people choose to divorce after cheating.”

Donna Freedman presents Beginning to look a lot like (a glum) Christmas? Don’t let it posted at Smart Spending, saying, “The economy may have you wondering just how much holiday you can afford. Scale down, sure. Get creative, definitely. But don’t forego a ritual that has the potential to make you really happy if you do it right.”

Nara presents What to Do When You Suspect Infidelity posted at Surviving Infidelity, saying, “Some things you should do when you suspect your signficant other is cheating on you.”

FirstDateIdea presents First Date Ideas-Date Ideas posted at First Date Ideas, saying, “Need First Date ideas? Need Romance Date Ideas? We have 101 First Date Ideas and Date tips to impress your date.”

Anne-Marie Nichols presents We had a great time at the Greatest Show on Earth posted at A Mama’s Rant.

Moms

Sara Goldstein presents Fashion don’ts: ‘Mom jeans’ poem posted at The Bargain Queens, saying, “Moms, do you know someone who still wears ‘Mom jeans’? Send them a gentle hint with this funny poem.”

Pregnancy Hut presents 1 Week Pregnant posted at Pregnancy Calendar, saying, “What to do during your first week of pregnancy”

Pregnancy Hut presents 12 Weeks Pregnant | Pregnancy Hut – Week By Week Pregnancy Calendar posted at Pregnancy Calendar, saying, “What to be aware of when you are 12 weeks pregnant and counting!”

Other

Matt M presents Pet Haven Giveaway – $40 Value! posted at The Pet Haven, saying, “Everyone uses a digital camera to snap photos of their families. We are giving away memory cards and also mentioning an ever bigger contest courtesy of SanDisk, the makers of the memory cards.”

Shamelle presents Over Spending & Impulse Buying: 8 Reasons Why You’re Not To Blame posted at Enhance Life, saying, “Does your closet contain lots of shoes or clothes that you almost never wear? Do you own every gadget known to man (or woman)? Do you come home from the mall with items you had no intention of buying? Do you spend money on things that you didn’t realize you needed until you saw them on display in the store?
If you said yes to one or more, this post is for you.”

Metaliphe presents Money #1 Issue posted at Chandra Unplugged – No nonsense, Straight-up blogging from a Life Coach, saying, “Do you know the number #1 problem in marriage and the number #1 cause of divorce? If you said “money” you’d be right. If you’re constantly arguing about money – how it’s spent, how much is spent and who’s spending it – learn why in all good marriages there are mutually defined financial guidelines.”

Tonya presents Am I Pregnant? posted at My Pregnancy Blog, saying, “Discusses the signs that you may be pregnant.”

Curry Kenworthy presents Family-friendly web hosting options posted at Web Hosting Scene, saying, “Finding web hosting on a server free of adult content.”

Linda W. presents Getting a Fertility Test posted at The Eclectic Female, saying, “How can you tell if you are having fertility problems?”

Anmol Mehta presents Yoga for Kids Guidelines & Benefits posted at Mastery of Meditation, Enlightenment and Kundalini Yoga, saying, “Important guidelines you should know before teaching your child kids yoga. How to practice kids yoga and the benefits of kids yoga are covered in detail.”

GrrlScientist presents Research Suggests Bipolar Children Likely to become Bipolar Adults posted at Living the Scientific Life, saying, “Another research paper indicates that many bipolar adults show symptoms of bipolar disorder when they were kids — suggesting that early identification and treatment could slow or prevent the progression of this mood disorder, and save social and familial relationships.”

Nursery Admin presents NURSERY JOBS BLOG » Blog Archive » Becoming a Nursery Assistant posted at Nursery Jobs, saying, “Some tips on becoming a good nursery assistant”

One Family presents Yamaha Digital Pianos (YPG, DGX, P, N, NP, CP, Arius, YDP, Clavinova CLP & CVP, and MODUS) – A Comparative Review posted at One Family’s Blog, saying, “The post is comparative review of Yamaha digital pianos that attempts to guide families come to the right purchase decision.”

Yvette Nietzen presents Supernatural Prison Break . posted at Fresh Wind Ministries, Int´l.

Parenting

babs mountjoy presents Ah, brief respite! « Awalkabout’s Weblog posted at Awalkabout’s Weblog, saying, “Absence does make the heart grow fonder…doesn’t it?”

Julie Heath – More4kids Inc. presents Long Distance/Virtual Parenting posted at More4kids.

Michelle McFarland-McDaniels presents Funding Autism Treatment Takes Resourcefulness and Determination posted at Autism Assistance Resources and Information.

Shen-Li Lee presents Spending Time with Your Child Helps You Understand Your Child posted at Babylicious.

One Family presents List Of Elementary Public School Textbooks – ISBN Numbers, Used And List Prices posted at One Family’s Blog, saying, “The post lists the textbooks used in Elementary Public Schools in the US with full details on ISBN and pricing.”

Pregnancy Hut presents How to Improve Your Chances of Conceiving posted at Pregnancy Calendar, saying, “Tips to help you conceive.”

PRmom presents Maybe they really do listen posted at PRmom: Where’s the Manual?, saying, “Thanks for your consideration”

Louis Burns presents Presuppose Greatness posted at NLP Marketing Blog.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of everything family using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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The Happy Road to Frugal

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If the positive response I have gotten to my few money saving posts is any indication, I’d say it is clear we are all interested in learning and sharing ways to make the most of our dollars right now.  In this current economy it isn’t enough to simply shop for cheap auto insurance or more wisely invest the $3 per day that we ordinarily spend on Starbucks.  We need a lifestyle change.

When we think of “lifestyle” change we often use words like “simplify”, “gratefulness”, and “abundance”.  We look in the mirror and say good things to ourselves and wish well for self and the world.  With “lifestyle change” we associate eating better, exercising, and loving life” but not often enough is the word “frugal” mentioned.

A favorite frugal blogger of mine wrote…

Most people who live a frugal lifestyle by choice, do so because they want more control over their lives.

Living frugally means using intelligence and creativity.  A frugal life is one where you are able to save more of what you earn, grow more of what you eat, and spend less on what you need.  Frugal living is not ‘perfecting the art of doing without’, as one friend put it – it is about being smart with what you’ve got and using things to your best advantage.

I realized “frugal” doesn’t necessarily mean “cheap.” And that embracing frugality didn’t have to be a negative thing, admitting that I was suddenly not as financially comfortable as I had been or would like to be. Living frugal is a choice made to gain control over my finances, not an act of desperation.  It wasn’t easy getting that through my thick head and learning those first practical and easy ways of saving money, but I did eventually start to experience the joy in taking control of aquiring what I need, rather than feeling deprived over what I don’t have. I am so glad the switch finally flipped for me.

Do you have a favorite money saving/frugal blog? Or are you a frugal blogger? Please tell us about it and maybe I’ll include it in a future post.