Cookies!

Image by crunchcandy via FlickrAre you the kind of mom who bakes cookies all the time so the kids can have milk and cookies when they get home from school? Or are you the kind of mom who only bakes Christmas cookies and cookies the rest of the year come from a package?

It just always strikes me as weird interesting that some baking supplies seem to be seasonal items - on sale from before Thanksgiving until after Christmas and then harder to find or definitely not on sale. Maybe it's just some of the things I like to get at Aldi's?

Speaking of cookies - I have some peanut butter cookie dough in the fridge that I need to bake. It's not a pie, but since Fred is coming to visit, and he likes peanut butter everything, I thought he might appreciate them.

Harvest Fest Sunday

Image via WikipediaI'm trying to remember where I left off. I feel like I haven't been here in ages, though it was only a couple days.

Cory had to work at Harvest Fest at State Fair Park all day Sunday, so Jeffrey and I took him, and then ran around all day. Actually, after we got Cory to work at 9am, we waited around for the woman who was supposed to be working with him. She didn't show up until 10am, when the Harvest Fest was supposed to open. In the meantime, Cory and Jeffrey had found the Golden Guernsey van and stocked the booth with milk, though they couldn't get to the cash box because Jeffrey didn't have a key. So, we were going through our pockets and purses to see what small bills and change we had so Cory would at least have something to start the day with. Then she showed up and got the cash box, so they were good to go, and we left.

We went to breakfast at Denny's and then did some shopping at Sam's. No, we didn't buy any air tools but we did buy practically everything else. We hadn't been there in a while, so it was time to stock up. Then we went back to the Harvest Fest and walked around. It was interesting - a flea market, farmer's market, food booths, fun stuff for kids like pony rides, camel rides, pumpkin bowling, and a little train. We spent a bit of time there. Jeffrey bought some sundae glasses and thought about getting a wallet, but didn't. I had a slice of apple pie from the Elegant Farmer, we got some beef jerky for Cory, and I bought some apples, green peppers, and butternut squash. I wish I had been thinking and not bought apples at Sam's, but I know Cory will eat them because they're his favorite, Granny Smith. We just have a lot of apples now.

We left a couple hours before Cory was supposed to get off work and went and got something to eat - instead of spending more than we had to by buying something there - and we felt we'd seen enough. About the time we finished eating and left Wendy's, Cory called and said he was finished with work, so we ran by and picked him up and came on home.

Whew!

Blogging While I'm Working

I mentioned on Facebook yesterday that I should be cleaning. My cousin left me a message saying that as much as I clean I shouldn't have anything else left to clean, so I should come help her clean her house. Obviously I wasn't cleaning my house, since I was online, and that is pretty much my problem. There are so many things that always need done around here, but I'd rather be online, blogging about the things that need done. I have a friend on LiveJournal who seems to get more done in one day than most people get done in a month, and she has time to blog about it and create videos. Me? I usually have to choose - between doing something or blogging about it.

I just finished watching a video showing how Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Preferred works. Or was it Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Standard? Either way, I can see how this software could help busy bloggers, and busy moms like me who want to have time to be good bloggers. This software lets you type just by using your voice. So, I could be doing other things and blogging at the same time, especially if I can get my Bluetooth headset to work with my computer. The software comes with a headset, but I'd need a really long cord.

I'm always composing posts in my head while I'm washing dishes or folding laundry or vacuuming the floor. With the Dragon Naturally Speaking software, instead of putting together a great post in my head, only to forget everything I wanted to say when I finally sit down at the computer, I could be putting together a great post on my computer. When no-one's around, I'm usually talking out loud anyway. (Shhh, don't tell)

When I have take time to sit down at my computer to put together a blog post, the Dragon Naturally Speaking software could help with that, too. Even though I type pretty fast, I can talk a lot faster, and that means it would take less time to write a post, not counting the editing and perfecting and all that stuff I always have to do, but no software can help me with that! I would probably have to go back to typing when other people are in the room, either that or let Jeffrey think I'm just telling him about my day, when I'm really blogging it.

Check out a couple videos and the NY Times Review of DNS10 to find out more about this software.

Video 1:


Dogs, kids, construction, vacuum cleaners?

Video 2:


If I had this software, I'm thinking I might finally be able to get my house cleaned, and be able to tell you about it too. Now if I could just find some software that will do the cleaning for me...



Note: this post in no way implies that having this software would make me a great blogger, or that I would actually get my housework done. However, if you think I would love to try this software to see what I can do with it, you're right.

Maybe Labels Would Help

Now that school has started and Beth is working all the time, we never see her. The way her schedule works, she could come home after work, and we'd get to see her for a little while before bed, but she'd rather go see Tim. Then, every time we remind her that she needs to get her room cleaned up, she complains that she has no time. Well, yes, she does have time, it's just that she chooses to use it for other things. I honestly don't know how she lives in that room, or how she finds anything to wear, ever.

I am sometimes tempted to go in there while she is gone and clean and organize everything. I could use one of these DYMO Labelmakers to label all her drawers and bins and tubs so that she knows exactly what goes where. It would make me feel good, for a few hours, until she came home, got mad at me for messing with her stuff, and messed it all up again. If she'd only do it herself...

So, if you have kids who are still young and teachable, get one of these labelmakers and get everything organized now. Label the bins and label the boxes and label the shelves - label everything. Let the kids make their own labels so it's fun to get organized. Whatever it takes to avoid the mess. Get them organized now, and hopefully their rooms won't look like a hurricane went through later.

The DYMO website has all kinds of ideas and tips for getting organized and using their labelmaker to make it fun. There's a whole section on how to keep kids organized and some great ideas for back to school, too. Reading through this reminds me that we really need to put labels on all the kids' stuff, like their new cameras, iPod, Zune, anything they take back and forth to school.

What would you use the DYMO Labelmaker for?

Don't Miss the Good Stuff

Several years ago Jeffrey took a business trip to the San Francisco area, and all I got was a lousy t-shirt. Isn't that what you're supposed to say when someone goes on a trip without you? Actually, I got a sweatshirt, and the kids got t-shirts.

He went out there with a couple other guys from work, and they all stayed in the same hotel and attended meetings all day. At night they went out to see the sights in Jeffrey's rental car. The other guys rode with him, and they were just amazed that he would drive all over an area he had never visited before. I just think it's funny.

Actually, those guys were lucky to have him, because they hadn't checked into any San Francisco tours or made any plans to see the area. They probably would have gone back to the hotel after their meetings, eaten dinner in the hotel restaurant, and maybe hit the pool or the exercise room if they hadn't had Jeffrey to drive them around. That really would have been a shame. I know they went for work, but still, you can see the inside of a hotel anywhere.

If you're planning a trip or vacation, don't let yourself miss all the good stuff. No, you can't have Jeffrey come along and drive you around. You'll have to check out these online travel guides from Trusted Tours and Attractions. You can get ideas for things to do and purchase discounted tickets to the best sightseeing tours in 23 cities across America. I like this idea so much better than what I usually do, which is pick up all the brochures, information, and coupons when we arrive at our vacation destination and then get so busy 'vacationing' that I don't have time to read them all. I end up reading them after we get home and regretting all the great things we could have done. Imagine traveling to New York and missing the Metropolitan museum of art.

You can sign up for the Trusted Tours and Attractions newsletter and not only get travel tips, ideas, articles, and money saving deals delivered to your inbox, but you'll also be eligible to win a $150 Magellan’s Gift Certificate. And you won't miss the good stuff.

Transform Your Body with XFLOWSION

Jeffrey started exercising and watching what he eats last year right after Thanksgiving. He has lost quite a bit of weight and gone down several pants sizes. Recently, however, he has pretty much stalled and hasn't been losing like he was. Thankfully, he hasn't gained any back, but hitting that plateau can be frustrating.

He may have to change his exercise routine, and the XFLOWSION DVD exercise program looks very promising. This program combines cardio, resistance training, and flexibility - all the elements that top trainers say you need to get in the best shape of your life. If the pictures of people who use this program are any indication, it works, and I certainly wouldn't mind if Jeffrey got in that kind of shape!

With its revolutionary TRIPLE TRAINING™, XFLOWSION combines the best moves from martial arts, power yoga, and dance to give you a great workout in 1/3 the time. No one but a professional athlete or perhaps a celebrity who needs to look good in order to work has time to spend all day in the gym, so I love the idea of a good exercise program that can fit into a real person's schedule. Jeffrey is telling me that when Cory gets out of high school and we're helping to pay for college, that I'm going to have to find a 'real' job that makes 'real' money. I'm already worrying about how I'm going to keep in shape. I think something like this would really help. Besides, if Jeffrey's going to get in this kind of shape, I'm going to have to do it just to keep up!

XFLOWSION has great music, is filmed in HD and Surround Sound and, if the online video clips are any indication, looks like a lot of fun. They say you'll sweat, sculpt and stretch your body to total transformation, from head to toe, inside and out. Xflowsion is the most fun you'll ever have working out! That really is the key, isn't it? If working out is fun, and it works, you're more likely to stick to it.

The XFLOWSION system comes with 4 workouts on DVD, 2 guidebooks, and 2 audio CDs for one low price, with a 30 day money-back guarantee. Try it, and let celebrity trainer ERIC PASKEL get you in the best shape of your life. Oh yeah, I want those abs.

Bingo, Anyone?

I recently received a Disney Bingo DVD game in the mail. At first I thought, "My kids are too old for this." But Cory and I decided to play it anyway, and it was fun. Each player gets a Bingo card filled with all the familiar Disney characters, and then you play the DVD to see where to place your chips. The game is for ages 4 and up, so the DVD gives you the color of the square and the character's name and plenty of time to find it on your own card. There are different options, like regular Bingo, and a version where you just have to fill up the entire card. My favorite part was getting to watch clips from Disney movies before getting to put a chip on any yellow square of my choice, or red, or blue, whatever color they said. I think Cory's favorite part was making fun of me when I kept confusing Flounder with Nemo.

We laughed and had a good time, and Jeffrey didn't play, but he was in the room watching us, and he seemed to enjoy that. It made me realize how much fun we can have when we do things together, and it doesn't have to be any big thing. Just having a game we can pull out and play is a good way to spend time together as a family and a good way to build memories. It was even more fun, because I won! This Disney DVD Bingo game would be a good one to play with a whole family group, and even the youngest kids would have a chance to win.



You can buy the Disney DVD Bingo game at Amazon.com or Drugstore.com. Go get your very own. You know you want to! Honestly, I don't think anyone is ever too old for Disney. After playing the game, I'm ready to watch all the Disney movies over again. It's been a while.

Golf in Las Vegas

Jeffrey has wanted to go to Las Vegas for a long time. I've never been completely sure why, but now I think it just might be Las Vegas Golf . I think he'd like to check out some casinos, but I'm pretty sure he'd be even happier checking out some of these golf courses. Walters Golf has the guaranteed best prices and some package deals, so he can play on all their courses, Bali Hai Golf Club, Desert Pines Golf Club and, Royal Links Golf Club for one low price. If you're planning a trip to Vegas, and you'd like to include some golf in your trip, do check out the Walters Golf site.

Not being the golfer in the family, I can't pick my favorite one of these courses, except to say that I really like the English style of the Royal Links Golf Club. Jeffrey will probably want to try them all. The question is, what am I going to do while he's busy playing golf? I hear there's lots to do in Vegas.

Coulda Saved a Couple Bucks

So, I'm kicking myself today, because I was online yesterday ordering some compact flash memory cards for the kids' new cameras, and it didn't even occur to me to check to see how much Brisingr cost.

Then today I check and see that I could have added it to my cart for $13.62 at buy.com, gotten free shipping because I was already ordering the other stuff, and saved $2 - not to mention the tax.

Yes, I know it's only a couple of dollars, but that's how I am.

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Brisingr - Ours Today

Cory had to get a book today - Brisingr by Christopher Paolini - so we stopped at Walmart, and no one could find it. They had a nice display of the previous books, all saying that Brisingr would be available September 20. Today. But no book. So we went to Kmart, and he got it there.

On the way home, we stopped at Walmart again, just in case, since the Walmart.com website listed a significantly lower price than the Kmart price. Still no book, and the acne-faced employee had no clue, told him that just because a book is supposed to come out on a certain date doesn't mean it actually does. Yeah, right. And they couldn't look it up without the actual item, so they couldn't check - like that would be really helpful. If you have the item, you don't need to look it up to see if you have it.

On the way out, Cory went to the customer service desk to see if someone there would know something, and they had 3 boxes of the book there. Why? And why the people back by the books didn't know about it is beyond me. The in-store price ended up being more than the online price and more than the Kmart price, so I guess it turned out for the best. Still, what a pain.

Now, if Cory will just hurry and read the book so I can.

For a Good Night's Sleep

A few years ago Jeffrey and I bought a new mattress. We went to various mattress stores around town and tried out the mattresses. Do you know how many different kinds of mattresses there are out there? There are pillow top mattresses and memory foam mattresses and just plain basic mattresses. How in the world do you figure out what kind of mattress you actually want?

We laid on them, to see how they felt. Still, it's not the same as actually sleeping on the mattress night after night. I think it's really important when buying a new mattress that you get some kind of guarantee that lets you sleep on it for so many nights and return it if it doesn't work for you. After all, you are going to be sleeping on that mattress for many years, and you want it to be comfortable. We ended up with a pillow top mattress with at least one layer of memory foam, and it's really comfortable - much more so than our last mattress.

The idea of buying a mattress online never occurred to me. Did you know you can buy a mattress online? At Overnight Mattress you can. They have memory foam mattresses, free shipping the next day, and a 120 night sleep guarantee. They manufacture and sell their own mattresses, so they can offer the best prices, and if you don't like the mattress, you can send it back. They will even pay return shipping. The reason they're able to offer this unmatched return policy is because their mattresses are both absurdly comfortable and ridiculously low priced. In turn, they get very few mattress returns. All mattresses also come with a 20 year Limited Warranty.

If you have any questions, you can call their toll free number or chat live on the website.

Cory, the Video Master

Cory has been really active on YouTube recently. He's made some silly videos, and he's made lots of new friends. What we do is blogging. On YouTube, they call it vlogging, and Cory says he likes that better because he doesn't have to type. Also, he has a lot of fun with the video editing - so if I ever need video editing help, I know where to go!

Cory and 6 of his YouTube friends, who also happen to be girls, (all of them) started a channel on YouTube called 7awesomebookworms. Each of them is assigned a day of the week on which he or she makes a video. Cory's day is Tuesday, so if you want to see his videos, check on Tuesday nights or Wednesdays for the latest one. They're a lot of fun, at least I think so.

Since he's been shooting videos on a regular basis, he's been wanting a smaller camera that he can carry around with him. Right now he uses the Canon camera (S2 IS) and it is a little bulky to carry around everywhere. However, since we have both that camera and my S3, we really don't want to spend a lot of money on another camera. Any ideas on a good, not too expensive, small digital video camera that records good quality video?

Nurture the Mother-to-Be in Your Life

Pregnancy is one of the most exciting times in a woman's life. It can also be very stressful and uncomfortable, with all the added weight, changing hormones and various physical and emotional changes. Massage is a good way to help de-stress the expectant mom, as well as alleviating many of the uncomfortable aspects of pregnancy.

Aesthetic VideoSource’s new Nurturing Pregnancy Massage Techniques instructional DVD series can help anyone learn to properly perform a prenatal massage. In the Prenatal Massage Video, instructor Meade Steadman demonstrates step-by-step how to provide therapeutic massage techniques that focus on the special needs of the mother-to-be as she goes through the different trimesters. “The massage should be very nurturing, very supportive,— says Steadman, “Keep in mind that what you do affects the mother and the baby.

Here's an excerpt from part 1:

Pregnancy Massage Video

Massage Videos | Pregnancy Massage

You can order Nurturing Pregnancy Massage Techniques I (2 Hrs. 17 Mins.) for $54.95, and Nurturing Pregnancy Massage Techniques II (1 Hr. 7 Mins.) for 49.95, plus shipping. Or you can order both videos for $84.00, a savings of 20%. Order by calling 1-800-414-2434 or visiting www.VideoShelf.com.

Why wasn't this around when I was pregnant?

He Wants Another Toy

Jeffrey called me from work today. He said he went online and found a $250 GPS on sale for $100. Then, silence, as he waited for me to tell him what a great deal that was and that he should buy it. For some reason, he's gotten it into his head that he wants one. There's that saying about boys and their toys. It's just another neat toy, I think.

It's not like he needs one. I don't know if he's ever gotten lost in his life. If anyone in this family needs a GPS, it would be me - but with Google Maps and Yahoo Maps and Mapquest, with a little planning, I can print a map ahead of time. You know, if I really want to go somewhere.

So, no GPS for Jeffrey. He'll just have to continue to find his way around the old-fashioned way - following his nose.

Quality Clothes at a Discount Price

If Beth didn't have to work, she'd probably live in jeans. In high school, it's important to have the right jeans, or so she says. Before she got into Middle School, she was happy with the clothes we bought at Goodwill, but then it just wasn't good enough to buy Discount Clothes. She had to buy her clothes from a real store, or she wouldn't be popular enough, or other kids would make fun of her, or something. Kids can be so picky and judgmental.

Luckily, Beth hasn't gotten completely hung up on brand-name, designer jeans, and if she can get a good-looking pair of Cheap Jeans, she'll be happy. She has found some she really likes for around $25 a pair, so that's not horrible, but I'll have to send her a link to Heavenly Couture. They have high quality designer Teen Clothes, and nothing costs more than $17.95. Right now all the jeans are on sale for $13.80 - so she could almost get two pair for the same price she's been paying for one.

I checked out some of the jeans, and found a pair or two I'd like. I really like the white pair here, but Beth would probably rather have a nice blue denim. Definitely not the new skinny jean, but Heavenly Couture has those too, in case she ever changes her mind about them. She'd also probably like this cute denim skirt - only $17.95.

If you have a teenager who just has to dress in the lastest styles, you'll want to check out Heavenly Couture, too. Designer clothes at up to 85% off retail. It's hard to argue with that. Besides the jeans, they have dresses, tops, sweaters, skirts, loungwear, shoes, and accessories. Forget the teenagers. I'm shopping for me!

Check Out These Photoshop Brushes

I've got Photoshop open, and I've got the Help file open. Why? Because I really want to figure out how to import some of these Photoshop Brushes so I can use them. I found this site called Brusheezy that lets talented, creative, artistic people submit Photoshop brushes they have created so the rest of us can download them.

This looks like a great resource, and I can see all kinds of neat uses for these. They're the kinds of things I'd like to include in some of my images - hand-drawn flowers, vintage looks, dragons - things I can't draw myself. Thanks to Brusheezy, I don't have to, if I can only figure out this Help file.

ETA: I did figure out how to get the brushes into Photoshop - download the file, unzip it, and move the file into the brushes folder in Photoshop, then load it using the Presets manager. However, most of these are for more recent versions of Photoshop than I have, so I can't use them. There are a couple I can use, so I'll just grab those.

Personalized Photo Cards

Beth just got voter registration information in the mail today. She's going to be 18 next week - old enough to vote. Unbelievable!

Before we know it, it will be time to send out a Wedding Announcement, she's growing up so fast. There better be a few steps in between there, like at least high school graduation announcements.

PhotoAffections.com has lots of fresh and unique designs for holiday cards, birth announcements, wedding announcements, and more. I didn't find a category for graduation announcements, but I'll keep looking. Some of these other cards can probably be customized and made to be graduation cards. They do have some really cute holiday cards.

You make the cards personal by submitting your own photos, up to four on some of the designs. Simply choose your card, type in your text, submit your order, and upload your photos. In two business days, or less, they will email you a link to a proof page, and nothing actually gets printed until you approve it. Once approved, your cards are printed and shipped within two business days.

Sounds easy, huh? And you can be sure no one else will be sending the same card you are!

And, To Save Money on a Web Host

Don't even look for one. No, not really. Don't take that seriously, even though that's pretty much been my approach so far.

The best way to save money on a web host is to get as much information as possible about the web hosts that are out there. Webhostingrating.com has compiled a nice list of customer ratings. You can compare not only prices, but also space and traffic limits, and read customer reviews of the different hosts. Real reviews and rankings by real customers. I like that. If you're thinking about choosing a web host, this list looks really helpful.

Along with the comparisons and reviews, webhostingrating.com also has a lot of helpful articles, on things like how to make money from your website and how to find a cheap web host. I'll definitely be reading that one!

Reading through all this information makes me realize that, while I want to find a cheap web host, I also need one that provides great customer service, because I don't even know what some of this stuff is or means. The idea of actually moving my blog and making it work really scares me. I will definitely need some help, and if I can't get the absolute cheapest web hosting plan, it will be worth it to know I can count on customer service, right? The webhostingrating.com rating system is based on customer satisfaction, affordability, reliability, uptime and techical support, and I will be looking for that check mark next to 'phone support' when I read through the reviews.

A Social Network for Sports Lovers

Jeffrey's brother Kirk was visiting the last couple of days. One of the questions he had before he came up was whether he was going to be able to watch his Bears game. I wonder if he would have stayed home if we said no? Some people are like that. They just have to watch their sports teams. I've never cared all that much about sports, except for the Olympics. I love the Olympics - Summer Olympics, Winter Olympics. I could be a real sports fan if I could watch the Olympics more than every couple years.

I'm excited to learn about a new sports social network called Sportsviews, because it's not only about all the typical pro sports like football, basketball and baseball. There's an Olympics category, as well as golf and Nascar, tennis, and hockey. Sportsviews is a free sports community. Anyone can join and post sports related videos, blogs and photos, and view other people's posts, too. You can join or create groups, and invite your friends, too. It sounds kind of like an online sports bar, with all the love of sports and none of the cigarette smoke.

I think this would have been really fun during the Olympics. Now I think it will be a good way to go back over the highlights, and soon a good way to look forward to the next Olympic games. I might even learn to like some other sports. It could happen.

Just for signing up you get $50,000 Sportsviews Dollars to start playing with. You can use some of those Sportsviews Dollars to create and place bets, and win Sportsviews Dollars to do more things on the site.

ETA: I registered, got my $50,000 Sportsviews Dollars and placed my first bet - on the burning question, How Many Olympics Will Pass Before Phelps' Record Is Broken?

Why I Love Walgreens

I got an email today from the Walgreens EasySaver Club (their rebate program). It says:

Dear Anna,

Our records show you entered rebate information for the Easy Saver August 2008, but did not redeem it prior to the 09/06/08 expiration date.

As a courtesy to you, we processed your eligible rebates to redeem as a Walgreens gift card. You should receive the following within two to three weeks:

	Cash Back Offers
	Offer	Product	Rebate
	2	Chc Liv Sol Vacuum Bag	$5.99
	4	bioINFUSION Hair Care	$5.99
	6	jane.Be Pure Mineral	$4.99
	7	Pert Plus 2 in 1	$3.79

		Sub-Total Rebate	$20.76
		Walgreens Gift Card Bonus	$0.00
		Total Rebate	$20.76

- emphasis mine where they say 'as a courtesy to you.'

I love shopping at Walgreens, mostly because of their rebates, and especially because of the FREE after rebate items. I was even more excited recently when they updated the system so that I don't even have to mail my rebates in any more. All I have to do is log in to the Walgreens site and enter a number from my receipt. Then, at the end of the month, I can submit the rebates, finalizing everything and choosing how I would like to receive my rebate. I always choose a Walgreens gift card, because they add an extra 10% to my rebate - so I have more money to spend at Walgreens!

What's even nicer about this is that, if I forget to go back and submit the rebate for the receipts I've entered, like I obviously did this month, Walgreens does it for me! I didn't mean to forget, but it's so nice to know that Walgreens will take care of me if I do.

I know some people don't like doing rebates because it sometimes seems like more of a hassle than it's worth. You have to make sure you do everything right. You have to keep track of when you mailed the rebate forms and whether or not you've received your rebates, and sometimes have to call multiple times to track the rebates down. It's refreshing to see a company that handles rebates differently, a company that wants you to receive your rebates. Thank you, Walgreens!

Now, if I can just figure out why I didn't get a rebate for weight loss pills. Oh, yeah, I didn't buy any weight loss pills. Walgreens is good, but they only give you rebates for the things you actually buy.