madameblogalot

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.

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!

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.

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.

As summer winds down and kids go back to school, many people look to this time of late summer/early fall as the perfect vacation time. It seems like this could be an ideal time to travel abroad and take in all the sights and sounds with less of the crowds. While perusing some of the villas to rent I just can’t help but imagine what it would be like to take a stay in Spain, Italy, France or Croatia. I saw that there are over 7,000 last minute villa offers within the next 2 weeks! A European holiday would be a delightful way to end the summer!

I’ve been looking for a part time job off and on. I am picky though. I have only a couple of days a week I can work and I want to be here for my kids in the afternoons, evenings and weekends. Which really limits my opportunities. So I’ve been looking at some other options, including work at home jobs. I did see one place that is hiring 15 million people to work as independent sales representatives for their consumer coupon books. You can Apply Here Start Tomorrow if you are interested.

Toy Story 3: We decided as a family to go see the newest edition of the Disney “trilogy”. I was not sure I wanted to see it and sort of “blew it off” when my son’s girlfriend’s mother told me I was going to cry. *Spoiler Warning* When I found out that Andy is 17 and getting ready for college and is figuring out what to do with all his toys, I knew I was going to be a lost cause! I teared up at the trash incinerator scene but cried all out when Andy gives his toys to Bonnie and sits and plays with them one last time on his way to college. In spite of the innuendos between Ken and Barbie, this one was a HIT for me.

Murder on the Orient Express: We watched the PBS Mystery Masterpiece version. While I like the book, I have to say that I was not too impressed with the film. It was a bit hard to follow and I even dozed off for a bit. I had forgotten about the ending, so while still liking the story, I think I have to say this film was a MISS for me.

Inception: WOW! Good movie. Our whole family votes this one as a HIT! Lots to think about and good conversations afterward.

Despicable Me: so-so. While I enjoyed the family time together and had no real complaints about this one (though I probably wouldn’t want to take little kids to see it) I will say it’s neither a HIT nor a MISS. (Just be aware that they are charging more per ticket if you choose to see it in 3D!)

USA Triathlon Life Summer Issue: While I did not read every article, I enjoyed the ones I did read. I learned some running mechanics for when I can get back to the running. I also enjoyed looking at all the upcoming races, wishing I could do one or two of them! This issue was a HIT for me.

I have always been a proponent of educational toys. And I think there are toys that can be educational in many forms and for all ages. I have seen toys that help with math skills, logic and creative thinking skills, reading skills and ones that foster musical talent . Every time I saw a toy that I knew my kids would like and that I also felt had great educational value and benefits, I would consider it an investment. And there were games that we all enjoyed playing together.

We have found board games, word games, musical games and even computer and video games that fall into this category. I love the ones that include interaction with others, like the board games. Some video games can be multiplayer, making them beneficial in that area as well. Anytime a child can play to help concrete something in his/her mind, it is a way to learn lessons without the pain and frustration that can sometimes build up when learning new and difficult concepts. I know that when my kids were young, if they were having a hard time with a new math concept, we would play games that related to that to help embed ideas into their brains. These kinds of educational games and toys can also help them learn and understand abstract concepts.

My husband and I had a nice little vacation last week, just the two of us. It was a much needed get away. Today, when I came across the website for a Costa Rica resort, I wanted to take a look. As the site began loading its gorgeous photographs, my husband walked in. He took one look and asked if I was planning our next trip!

The Florblanca looks like a lovely destination. The photos of the sea and surrounding beaches look truly inviting. The villas look like a place I would never want to leave! The open area overlooking the jungle hosts a two person hammock just right for relaxing together and enjoying the sights and sounds. The bathroom looks like an amazing garden area. The Honeymoon House offers personal beach access and a complete kitchen. Rates start at $350 and the current special states when staying four nights, the fifth night is free.

Activities include lovely beaches, walking and jogging trails, cycling, yoga, fishing, swimming pool and what looks like the ultimate in luxurious relaxation. Though I did not see it listed, it looks like it would be a gorgeous place for scuba diving as well.

One thing my daughter had trouble finding to her liking while decorating her room was window treatments. She didn’t like most of the curtains we found. They were too heavy or too gaudy or just plain did not meet her tastes. But my mom was able to find some sheer panels that have worked perfectly for her. While these are great in her room, most of our windows are covered with cheap blinds, which work perfectly well for us.

I love the blinds because they blend in with any decor and color scheme. It is easy to find blinds in nearly every color and they are one of the cheapest window treatments to utilize. They are easy to use and maintain. I used to be pretty good about taking them down once a year to spray them down with the water hose! This has gone by the wayside, but all in all our blinds have held up well.