If you love cloth diapers like I do, you'll want to enter this giveaway!
http://www.theclothdiaperreport.com/2010/11/pregnancy-new-baby-event-100-diaper.html
It's an awesome $100 giveaway (shopping spree) to Diaper Junction
http://www.diaperjunction.com/
If I happen to win, I'm totally getting some wool diaper covers - I've been dying to try some, or at least make my own recycled ones... this would save me so much time (and money)!!!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Free Kashi Snack!
Get your free Kashi snack - you pick - at Kashi.com.
You can trade in a virtual unhealthy snack and Kashi will recommend a healthy alternative for you!
Valid until 19 Sept 2010 or until supplies last!
You can trade in a virtual unhealthy snack and Kashi will recommend a healthy alternative for you!
Valid until 19 Sept 2010 or until supplies last!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Murphy's Law
Earlier this week, I finally dusted off my wireless router, connected all the cables, secured the connection... so awesome! I have been putting off reconnecting it for a loooooong time (since we moved into the house from the apartment), so I was happy to be able to use my laptop in the living room again.
Of course, I couldn't resist finding something to entertain the girls. I decided to look at homeschool resources, and found a website with free audio downloads and we listened to excerpts from "Genesis".
After awhile, my battery was getting low, so I decided to plug the laptop in and let it charge. When I went back later to do something else on the laptop, it would not power up - whatsoever... I looked online to see if I could find a quick fix, but apparently lots of people have had this issue with their HP laptops... Nooooo! Less than 24 hours of laptop joy sadly faded into one more thing that has to get fixed... one more thing that has to get done around here... So, I suppose I'll order a new battery pack (which will no doubt be uber expensive) and/or a new charging brick. I hope and pray that it is not too expensive and doesn't turn out that the motherboard has gone kerputs...
Sometimes I really abhor computers... at least when they don't work properly, anyway.
Of course, I couldn't resist finding something to entertain the girls. I decided to look at homeschool resources, and found a website with free audio downloads and we listened to excerpts from "Genesis".
After awhile, my battery was getting low, so I decided to plug the laptop in and let it charge. When I went back later to do something else on the laptop, it would not power up - whatsoever... I looked online to see if I could find a quick fix, but apparently lots of people have had this issue with their HP laptops... Nooooo! Less than 24 hours of laptop joy sadly faded into one more thing that has to get fixed... one more thing that has to get done around here... So, I suppose I'll order a new battery pack (which will no doubt be uber expensive) and/or a new charging brick. I hope and pray that it is not too expensive and doesn't turn out that the motherboard has gone kerputs...
Sometimes I really abhor computers... at least when they don't work properly, anyway.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Thoughts on Homeschooling
I feel like a rooky attorney preparing for trial. The defendant: Homeschooling. The plaintiff: my DH. It's not that he's completely closed off to the idea of it, but because we are not currently part of a homeschool co-op or other group and are beginning homeschoolers with curriculum, he doesn't see all the ways to socialize aside from sitting in public school.
So, I am gathering my "witnesses", noting resources and preparing to submit the evidence that homeschooling/unschooling is a wonderful choice - dare I say the best choice - for our children.
There is no way of seeing the future - only faith...
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
So, I am gathering my "witnesses", noting resources and preparing to submit the evidence that homeschooling/unschooling is a wonderful choice - dare I say the best choice - for our children.
There is no way of seeing the future - only faith...
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Homeschooling Wishes
I currently homeschool my oldest using Horizons pre-school curriculum, which Alissa and I both love. Yes, it is difficult right now for me to be consistent with a baby/toddler that loves to explore the house all day long, (and keeps me very, very busy) but I really want to continue homeschooling versus sending the girls to public school. My hurdle in convincing my husband is the myth or stigma of the unsocialized homeschooled child that grows into an adult with little social skills. So, I am trying to drum up as many examples of well-socialized adults who were homeschooled, as well as show him how many ways there are of socializing children besides the traditional classroom setting. I am reading a wonderful book about homeschooling right now, but although I am excited about it and the prospect of homeschooling, I don't exactly get the interest I'd love from my DH. I almost feel like I need to be a good salesman... If only I could get my husband to see the potential, the beauty, the everything I see in homeschooling...
Thursday, August 12, 2010
UV Skinz 15% Off Sale thru August 31st
UV Skinz is having a great sale right now through August 31st!
Receive 15% off your entire order by entering MIF1015 at checkout!
In addition, UV Skinz will donate 10% of your order total to the Melanoma International Foundation.
The girls and I are big fans of UV Skinz! Alissa loves her Aqua Ice Cream Girls Board Shorts and Maggie Aqua/Light Pink Shirt. Top it all off with a Blue/Purple Reversible Bucket Hat and she's all smiles =)
I hope to keep my girls protected as much as possible while playing outside, especially since one of my uncles passed away from Melanoma in his 40's.
UV Skinz offers a great variety of products - clothing, hats, sunshades, etc. for children and adults as well.
Receive 15% off your entire order by entering MIF1015 at checkout!
In addition, UV Skinz will donate 10% of your order total to the Melanoma International Foundation.
The girls and I are big fans of UV Skinz! Alissa loves her Aqua Ice Cream Girls Board Shorts and Maggie Aqua/Light Pink Shirt. Top it all off with a Blue/Purple Reversible Bucket Hat and she's all smiles =)
I hope to keep my girls protected as much as possible while playing outside, especially since one of my uncles passed away from Melanoma in his 40's.
UV Skinz offers a great variety of products - clothing, hats, sunshades, etc. for children and adults as well.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Just Dreaming...
In less than a year, we will be moving yet again...
But, this time, we don't know where exactly... just what state.
I've been searching through the real estate listings in and around the town where my in-laws live and have found a few places I really like. And, when I say that I really like them, I mean that I have found one place that I am in love with that could potentially be in our price range...
I would post pics, but don't have the rights to them... and being out of state, don't have an opportunity right now to take any. Besides, this is like my secret little place...
The highlights (to me):
It's out in the country with a few acres!
The house is an old farmhouse from the turn of the century with most, if not all of the original woodwork.
Leaded glass windows...
Chicken coop and other outbuildings...
Clothesline in back! (Even Alissa said she wants to hang clothes up on that clothesline!)
A tire swing...
The front porch, the landscaping... everything is just gorgeous to me...
So, I am praying... and hoping that this could potentially be our home.
Of course, we will see - we haven't even seen it in person, but I already love it... can see the girls playing in the green, green grass, watering the flowers, getting eggs from the chickens, making a huge mess feeding the chickens (oh, did I mention I already have imaginary chickens?), swinging on the tire swing and drinking ice cold lemonade and sun tea on the front porch...
Awwww.... here's to dreaming...
But, this time, we don't know where exactly... just what state.
I've been searching through the real estate listings in and around the town where my in-laws live and have found a few places I really like. And, when I say that I really like them, I mean that I have found one place that I am in love with that could potentially be in our price range...
I would post pics, but don't have the rights to them... and being out of state, don't have an opportunity right now to take any. Besides, this is like my secret little place...
The highlights (to me):
It's out in the country with a few acres!
The house is an old farmhouse from the turn of the century with most, if not all of the original woodwork.
Leaded glass windows...
Chicken coop and other outbuildings...
Clothesline in back! (Even Alissa said she wants to hang clothes up on that clothesline!)
A tire swing...
The front porch, the landscaping... everything is just gorgeous to me...
So, I am praying... and hoping that this could potentially be our home.
Of course, we will see - we haven't even seen it in person, but I already love it... can see the girls playing in the green, green grass, watering the flowers, getting eggs from the chickens, making a huge mess feeding the chickens (oh, did I mention I already have imaginary chickens?), swinging on the tire swing and drinking ice cold lemonade and sun tea on the front porch...
Awwww.... here's to dreaming...
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Signs of the Times....
Ok, so I remember when a stamp cost twenty-five cents, and a cup of coffee at the local cafe cost a quarter to fifty cents tops...
Sadly, my four year old, Alissa doesn't remember those days...
She asked me to go into her kitchen today because she had money for me to buy things from her "office"... (and also said she was an office-Sir).
"Well," she said, "I'm not really an office-Sir, I just live in an office."
Anyway, back to the coffee...
First I bought a salad for one dollar, then proceeded to ask for the price of coffee.
"Ummm... twelve dollars."
"Twelve? That's a little too much.", I said. "I would give you one or two dollars..."
"Okay," says Alissa, "then two pours - One...... Two."
"Oh, okay... Two pours?" I say with a grin...
"Yep."
So, I got two pours of coffee for two dollars... and when I gave her my last four dollars... you guessed it, I got four pours...
Sadly, my four year old, Alissa doesn't remember those days...
She asked me to go into her kitchen today because she had money for me to buy things from her "office"... (and also said she was an office-Sir).
"Well," she said, "I'm not really an office-Sir, I just live in an office."
Anyway, back to the coffee...
First I bought a salad for one dollar, then proceeded to ask for the price of coffee.
"Ummm... twelve dollars."
"Twelve? That's a little too much.", I said. "I would give you one or two dollars..."
"Okay," says Alissa, "then two pours - One...... Two."
"Oh, okay... Two pours?" I say with a grin...
"Yep."
So, I got two pours of coffee for two dollars... and when I gave her my last four dollars... you guessed it, I got four pours...
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Matilda Jane 40% Off Sale Starts Today!
I've only recently discovered the virtues of Matilda Jane Clothing... Mostly for girls, but some boys' clothing and also adult clothing.
I love having clothing that is cute, yet modest for my little girls. I'm so tired of little girls' shorts being so short - they remind me of the shorts the Marines used to (maybe still wear) to workout in... shorts that I'd be embarrassed to wear because they offer essentially no modesty whatsoever.
What does this have to do with Matilda Jane Clothing? Well, they offer the most darling dresses and tops, ruffle pants and leggings that allow for modesty, yet are so beautiful and sweet... Plus, you can mix and match tons of pieces for a more custom look. The clothing can be worn through different sizes. For example, a dress can be worn as a top as it is outgrown in length, and pants can be worn as capris (and still look cute) when they are outgrown in length - unlike most store brand clothing made to fit one size only.
Finally, my main reason for this post is to tell you about the site wide 40% off sale beginning today at noon EST!!! The sale applies to everything except the Platinum line. So, visit the MJC site https://www.matildajaneclothing.com/ and see if there isn't something you can't do without =) The sale prices are already shown, so no need for an abacus or calculator =)
Now, just don't buy everything up, because I might like to get some sale items myself... for the girls, of course!
I love having clothing that is cute, yet modest for my little girls. I'm so tired of little girls' shorts being so short - they remind me of the shorts the Marines used to (maybe still wear) to workout in... shorts that I'd be embarrassed to wear because they offer essentially no modesty whatsoever.
What does this have to do with Matilda Jane Clothing? Well, they offer the most darling dresses and tops, ruffle pants and leggings that allow for modesty, yet are so beautiful and sweet... Plus, you can mix and match tons of pieces for a more custom look. The clothing can be worn through different sizes. For example, a dress can be worn as a top as it is outgrown in length, and pants can be worn as capris (and still look cute) when they are outgrown in length - unlike most store brand clothing made to fit one size only.
Finally, my main reason for this post is to tell you about the site wide 40% off sale beginning today at noon EST!!! The sale applies to everything except the Platinum line. So, visit the MJC site https://www.matildajaneclothing.com/ and see if there isn't something you can't do without =) The sale prices are already shown, so no need for an abacus or calculator =)
Now, just don't buy everything up, because I might like to get some sale items myself... for the girls, of course!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Save 20% on BOB Strollers!
REI is having a great sale right now until April 18th!
Save 20% on one item (excluding sale and clearance items) - visit http://www.rei.com/promotions/member-rewards-coupon.html to see more details.
Use Coupon Code Member20 to save - if you are not already a member, you can joing for $20.
This would be a great time to get that BOB stroller you've been dying to get, or any other great get-out-there with your kids product that REI carries.
That being said, this sale is best if you are a)already a member (or really want to be and $20 will be well-spent for the perks), and b)live near an REI to pickup your item for free(shipping over $75 is free on some items, but there are exclusions - check to see if your item is one of them).
Save 20% on one item (excluding sale and clearance items) - visit http://www.rei.com/promotions/member-rewards-coupon.html to see more details.
Use Coupon Code Member20 to save - if you are not already a member, you can joing for $20.
This would be a great time to get that BOB stroller you've been dying to get, or any other great get-out-there with your kids product that REI carries.
That being said, this sale is best if you are a)already a member (or really want to be and $20 will be well-spent for the perks), and b)live near an REI to pickup your item for free(shipping over $75 is free on some items, but there are exclusions - check to see if your item is one of them).
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Why I chose "Romantic Notions of Motherhood" as my blog title...
Before I became a mother, I had many romantic notions of motherhood...
I tried to learn everything I could growing up to be a good wife and mother someday - I put all my life experiences into an internal file to draw from later, sure that these would prove to be the majority of the information I needed to raise a child. I had many notions of what every aspect of motherhood would be like. Here are some pre-baby examples on my thinking:
1. You can achieve balance between working and having children - I once wrote a college paper based on this thesis, after narrowing it down (really... now I see how broad it still is). At the time, I was working full time, often long hours and I guess just assumed everything would balance itself. Well, once I had my first daughter, I learned so much about this "thesis" of mine that I think it was ridiculous for me to even think about writing on the topic before having a child. Once I went back to work after six weeks of maternity leave, (which goes by so, so fast) I dealt with daily anxiety about my baby not being in my care... What if the nanny/babysitter called while I was in a meeting or out of the office and it was an emergency? What if something horrible happened to my child and I wasn't there? On top of that, I had trouble finding someone to care for my daughter after the first caretaker moved away, and I wouldn't let just anyone take care of my precious child. I'm not talking about whether or not they spoke Latin and French... nothing like that - I just wanted to find someone I knew without a doubt I could trust and that was prepared to handle any situation with my child. Perhaps my anxiety stemmed from unrealistic expectations - I mean, I know that things happen that you can't always be prepared for... Anyway, those anxieties are the reason I am now a Stay at Home Mom (SAHM). I truly feel for those who have no choice but to stay at work when they want to stay at home. On the flip side, I do miss working, too (or certain aspects of my previous job).
2. I can exercise as much as I want being a SAHM - Ahhh, exercise... I used to be in pretty good shape - running, lifting weights, circuit training... Now, running seven miles on a treadmill, then lifting weights afterward, then taking a shower (without some whining or crying), getting a smoothie (and having it all to myself)... those all seem like distant, blissful memories of mine. Ok, I know I need to just work it out, but perhaps in this and subsequent posts you'll understand why fitness has been such a hurdle for me after I started staying at home... maybe I'll do a posting on this subject alone. I will say now, though... I truly thought I could get up early in the morning and work out - or work out as much as I wanted every day.. after all, I would be at home, not working - I was sure there would be plenty of spare moments to steal for exercise... If you're laughing right now, I completely understand...
3. My house will be spotless since I'll be at home - I have been described before as a perfectionist, and as having OCD when it came to cleaning... I don't know if either of those is true or accurate at all, but I do know that no one would use those references now... {sigh} I still use old toothbrushes to clean every nook and cranny, but by the time I've cleaned something to my liking, it seems the whole house is in disarray again... (Again, there are many tangents here that I may expound on in later postings.)
I could spend hours upon hours on my romantic notions of motherhood, but I am holding a sleeping baby in one arm, and typing with my free hand... Besides, there is just so much to do around here other than blogging... So, I will save more to post later.
I tried to learn everything I could growing up to be a good wife and mother someday - I put all my life experiences into an internal file to draw from later, sure that these would prove to be the majority of the information I needed to raise a child. I had many notions of what every aspect of motherhood would be like. Here are some pre-baby examples on my thinking:
1. You can achieve balance between working and having children - I once wrote a college paper based on this thesis, after narrowing it down (really... now I see how broad it still is). At the time, I was working full time, often long hours and I guess just assumed everything would balance itself. Well, once I had my first daughter, I learned so much about this "thesis" of mine that I think it was ridiculous for me to even think about writing on the topic before having a child. Once I went back to work after six weeks of maternity leave, (which goes by so, so fast) I dealt with daily anxiety about my baby not being in my care... What if the nanny/babysitter called while I was in a meeting or out of the office and it was an emergency? What if something horrible happened to my child and I wasn't there? On top of that, I had trouble finding someone to care for my daughter after the first caretaker moved away, and I wouldn't let just anyone take care of my precious child. I'm not talking about whether or not they spoke Latin and French... nothing like that - I just wanted to find someone I knew without a doubt I could trust and that was prepared to handle any situation with my child. Perhaps my anxiety stemmed from unrealistic expectations - I mean, I know that things happen that you can't always be prepared for... Anyway, those anxieties are the reason I am now a Stay at Home Mom (SAHM). I truly feel for those who have no choice but to stay at work when they want to stay at home. On the flip side, I do miss working, too (or certain aspects of my previous job).
2. I can exercise as much as I want being a SAHM - Ahhh, exercise... I used to be in pretty good shape - running, lifting weights, circuit training... Now, running seven miles on a treadmill, then lifting weights afterward, then taking a shower (without some whining or crying), getting a smoothie (and having it all to myself)... those all seem like distant, blissful memories of mine. Ok, I know I need to just work it out, but perhaps in this and subsequent posts you'll understand why fitness has been such a hurdle for me after I started staying at home... maybe I'll do a posting on this subject alone. I will say now, though... I truly thought I could get up early in the morning and work out - or work out as much as I wanted every day.. after all, I would be at home, not working - I was sure there would be plenty of spare moments to steal for exercise... If you're laughing right now, I completely understand...
3. My house will be spotless since I'll be at home - I have been described before as a perfectionist, and as having OCD when it came to cleaning... I don't know if either of those is true or accurate at all, but I do know that no one would use those references now... {sigh} I still use old toothbrushes to clean every nook and cranny, but by the time I've cleaned something to my liking, it seems the whole house is in disarray again... (Again, there are many tangents here that I may expound on in later postings.)
I could spend hours upon hours on my romantic notions of motherhood, but I am holding a sleeping baby in one arm, and typing with my free hand... Besides, there is just so much to do around here other than blogging... So, I will save more to post later.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Britax Advocate Giveaway!
I have been searching hard to find the best deal on Britax Advocate carseats - baby Sara is already outgrowing her carseat, and I'd like to upgrade Alissa's as well... convincing my husband to get two is a different story... I came across this giveaway today at Baby GoodBuys http://babygoodbuys.com/2010/01/29/giveaway-britax-advocate-cs-convertible-car-seat-review-giveaway.html and I am more than hoping to win. I would be beyond ecstatic because my problem would be completely solved - I could get a new Britax Advocate for Sara, and upgrade Alissa's to offer her the same protection (isn't that only fair?). Oh, pleeeeeease let me win this carseat....
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