madameblogalot

Tomorrow is a big family surprise. My daughter and my oldest nephew have been working all summer on a special surprise for the whole family. And tomorrow will be the culmination of all the hard work. I hope it all goes over well for them! I know everyone will love it!

Remember back when your kids were small and you would take them to the drugstore to pick up pictures? Back when a disposable camera was the only way to go, and when you had to come back the next day because you had to wait for the pictures to be developed? Those days are long gone, much to the chagrin of some people. But the new age has brought some exciting things. I think that this is one example of how, and how fast, times are changing. Almost no one uses throw away cameras any longer. Everyone has digital cameras, able to take a picture, see it instantly, upload it to all numbers of social networking sites as soon as they get home. Well, the latest and greatest in time changing technology is here. The digital camera camcorders . Not only is it “up to date”, but it is surprisingly easy to use and simple, yet sophisticated at the same time. Everyone should get their hands on one as soon as possible. The new possibilities seem endless for technology, and being able to experience those firsthand is truly amazing. I love things that push the cutting edge of technology, and it is even better when they are cheap and simple. That is why digital camcorders fit the bill perfectly.

There are some words and phrases that just grate on me when they are said or spelled wrong. One of the biggest irritants for me is when somebody says “Calvary” when what they actually mean is “cavalry”. So when I came across this list to help people say what they mean and mean what they say, I was happy to help spread the word(s)!

It’s my husband’s birthday this weekend. We have been in “need” (want) of a new tv for a while now. We have looked at several different ones to see which kind and size we would like. Of course the 22 inch lcd tv are too small for my husband. What he really wants is the 32 inch lcd tv (well, the minimum he wants). The biggest problem for me (besides the fact that there is no money in the budget for a new tv right now) is that in order for this size to fit, he will have to make some cuts to the entertainment center he built nearly twenty years ago! Televisions have changed over the last twenty years, so he is ready and willing to change the shelving unit to fit the newer tvs. I don’t know. I think that my husband has decided to wait until Thanksgiving to see if he can get the very best deal on a new tv. I am sure that at least come “Black Friday” we will have a new TV in the old entertainment center.

The senior year of high school *should* be “the perfect year”. It is the culmination of all the previous years you have put into your education. As my son started his senior year this year, my husband and I sat down with him and talked with him about this “transition” year. We want things to be moving toward more independence, toward more decision making/real life consequences, more toward the adult world.

What has followed for us is my son’s decision to homeschool and take dual credit classes at a local community college. He has also bought himself a car. He is looking for a suitable part time job. He has the privilege and responsibility of being a high school student and college student all at once. I think that the way this is working out for him, it could in fact turn out to be a perfect year for him.

I love coupons! I am not ashamed to admit it. Once when my daughter was in a community college play, we were sitting around listening to the college kids talking. A girl won a free item with a game piece on her soda. One boy said he would not use the coupon from a soft drink for a free item at the fast food restaurant. He said he was too embarrassed to use coupons!! I think he’s crazy!

I try to use coupons anytime I shop, even when I shop online. When I am looking for a certain item or am shopping a particular online store, I will search for Savings.com coupons, and any site that offers coupon codes, to see what I can save on what I am going to buy anyway. Earlier this summer, I bought some Crocs online for $15 using an online coupon I had found. And I recently purchased some textbooks for my son. I knew it was going to cost a bit and wanted to get whatever savings I could. I found a coupon for free shipping, which is always good. In fact, when I received the order, the company had even inserted another coupon for free shipping on my next order! Yes, I LOVE coupons!

It is quiet. Very quiet here. This summer has brought changes our way again. It seems we have been living a topsy-turvey life for several years now.

Today my daughter started her first day of public school. High school. I can’t say that I am particularly happy about it, but we let it be her choice. She will be gone all day for classes and volleyball. On the flip side of that, my son has decided after three years to return to homeschooling for his senior year of high school! He is taking outside classes three days a week, one day at a homeschool co-op and two days at a community college. The other two days will be for classes at home and homework. He is also planning on playing basketball.

So while it is quiet right now, we have plenty of craziness to keep us busy for the next school year!

No matter what time of year it is, it seems as if people are always looking for the best diet for fast weight loss. I know that everywhere I read, watch and listen, there are commercials for weight loss plans, diets, gadgets, ideas and fads. It seems though that the best ideas are the mainstays of health and nutrition. This is really the only true way to get and stay fit.

In trying to teach kids about healthy habits, I try to use the word “diet” in the proper context. Not that I am “on a diet” (which I have had my share of time with) but realizing that “diet” when used as a noun is simply one’s selection of food. So we are all “on a diet”, it is just a matter of whether we are on a healthy diet or not. I particularly like a post I read today about some of the best foods for a “hard body.” The list included many of my favorites and my stomach even started growling while I read through the list! The matter of fact approach to sharing healthy tips is just right. I like the points made about proper diets not being “restrictive” but about eating healthy foods for life and making it a lifestyle.

With good foods and good habits, weight control will be a by-product. Learning this has been an eye opening experience for me.

My son has always been a verbal kid. He has always loved to read and converse and express his own ideas. And he is a pretty good writer too.  For the last three years he has been contributing articles to a community newsletter with a pretty wide distribution. So when he asked me for some way to make money I told him he could take a few of the blog ads I had been assigned. He jumped right on that, figuring that writing fifty words for a few bucks was an easy job! You can read his work in the previous post.

We moved into our house about 10 years ago. I still remember what an ardous process it was. It was very difficult and time consuming. I remember thinking that if we just had all the proper supplies, it would have been much easier. Thankfully, there is now a company who tailors to your moving needs. Whether you are making a long haul to your new home and need some recovery straps and load locks for the moving van, or just moving a dresser from one room to another and you need a few furniture pads, they’ve got everything you need.