tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15505626626288557462024-03-05T13:22:20.560-08:00Welcome to the Super Mom ClubAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-51633549220045917382011-03-21T07:38:00.000-07:002011-03-21T07:38:34.341-07:00Getting Ready for Garage Sale Season!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today it is 70 degrees out!!! I can't believe it. Friday will be 40. Again. But let's not think about that. We are 20 degrees above normal today (in Indiana) and it's got me thinking garage sale time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well not yet.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But soon.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I.Can.Not.Wait.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you garage sale? I love it. The finding. The bargaining (usually not...but this year I am going to break out of my shell and try). The re purposing. All on a budget. My favorite part. {One day I'll find that gem that's worth like $5,000 and pay $1} :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found this list of garage sale buying tips. Time to get ready!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><ol><li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>There are two types of garage sales: the ones where people want to make money and the ones where people want to get rid of stuff.</b> The latter are best for finding deals.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For maximum efficiency, map out your route.</b> This is only for the truly hardcore.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If at all possible, leave the kids at home.</b> If you must bring children with you, make sure to bring plenty of snacks. Allow the older children an allowance to find bargains of their own.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Be prepared.</b> Wear cool, comfortable clothes. Bring lots of change and dollar bills. Keep your money in your pockets, not your purse. Bring a tote bag.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When you find something you’re not sure you want, pick it up and carry it with you while you continue to look.</b> This prevents somebody else from finding it while you’re trying to decide.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Always ask politely if the seller will reduce the price.</b> Beware: sometimes the prices are so low that it seems impolite to ask for less.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If there is something you really want, but the seller is asking more than you want to pay, offer a lower price.</b> If they say no, leave your name and number in case they change their mind.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Check items for hard-to-see tears, stains, and breakage.</b> Better safe than sorry.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It is best to go early, but don’t panic if you can’t.</b> The best stuff is available at the start of a sale, but the best deals can be had later in the day when the seller is tired and nonplused about carrying everything back into the house.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If you don’t have success in one part of town, try somewhere else the next time.</b> Sometimes the best garage sale neighborhoods are the ones you don’t expect.</span></div></li>
</ol><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of the above tips are great. One other important tip is to search </span><a href="http://www.craigslist.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">craigslist</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for garage sale information. Craigslist offers a list of garage sales in your city, often with a preview of the most desireable items. It’s easy to plan a morning of garage-saling with craigslist.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was found</span><a href="http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/04/27/how-to-find-garage-sale-gold/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What was your best garage sale find?</span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-7349777528143107652011-02-21T06:25:00.003-08:002011-02-21T06:25:22.146-08:00Blogging/Etsy Tax Tips<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know it is Monday and it's usually blanket day, but I thought that this was something you would all be interested in! And if you already filed your taxes this year, keep records for next year!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="266" id="il_fi" src="http://www.mobilityfreedom.org/images/taxes.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you make money blogging or on Etsy you have to (ok. You really should) claim it on your taxes. Congrats! You are a business owner! :) There are lots of deductions you can write off. I'm not an accountant, so you should talk these over with yours but here are some general things that can help you save some money.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="400" id="il_fi" src="http://www.protecteverychild.org/images/stickgirl.gif" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="367" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Internet related expenses. Without the internet - there would be no blog right? Hosting fees, domain name registrations, internet access, blogging software, picture storing, linky party subscriptions are all things that fall into this category. Don't forget selling fees - Etsy, pay pal, Ebay. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="304" id="il_fi" src="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2010/08/nikond310000.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Your equipment. You need a computer right? Any upgrades (memory and so forth), software (including tax software, picture editing). And don't forget those cameras, sewing machines, and silhouettes!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="400" id="il_fi" src="http://www.hubspot.com/Portals/53/images//twittericon.png" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Do you tweet from your cell phone? You can use part of your cell bill as a write off.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="creative-office-design-idea-a1" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-900" height="324" src="http://cdn.dornob.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/creative-office-design-idea-a1.jpg" title="creative-office-design-idea-a1" width="468" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Any new office furniture? {My table from the trash would not count here lol}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="251" id="il_fi" src="http://haloweencraftsupplies.com/images/craft_supplies/craft_supplies_250x251.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="250" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Supplies/Stationary. Supplies add up quickly. Fabric, thread, needles, pins, rulers, cutting mats, pens, staples, paint brushes, Stamps. Keep all of your receipts. Your accountant can help you go through all of them. I write notes on mine so I know exactly what project I bought each item for. If it's something like Mod Podge I just write general. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="239" id="il_fi" src="http://nwso.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/your_ad_here_banner.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Advertising, Promo and Design. Do you advertise on other blogs. Ask for a receipt or print off your pay pal receipt. Advertising also include promos and giveaways! Did you have someone design your blog. Print off a receipt! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="300" id="il_fi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPkKy-jBVMK3pCvrh_NvW7Vv5UFgjk5lZ0Q_R2SSZC7gCOkHXJ9CuyHvcgvVVpwvFm1Kg1K-njUfDGdALuL7IneOweIQ5VPHmeADQydZHcdqJeygxg3QhBRD1wlM4tIjzA4MnKkZwhczS/s400/airplane1bnw.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Travel and Entertainment. Did you go to a blogging conference? Conference fees, travel accommodations, and dining expenses can be written off. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="296" id="il_fi" src="http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/FSB/FSB094/x17129568.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Office Space. Do you blog from home? Do you have an office? You can deem that part of your home as your office and write off a small amount of your household bills for rent plus your utilities.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="350" id="il_fi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxugTHJ3wBJtagYn4oernDLwTwnm9mW2TTWD6XRjjAURlQbnqPQb_2SNdj0Agh2GXloF3Y-y7jtoqHuVGdP4eTEIOWoyXpb1iKjowUMTExnPM97Ara5LkhozpTu9OiJGurfjJ2tLkR3A/s400/receipts.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="350" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know. It's a lot! Just remember to save your receipts! Make small notes on them. I put all of my receipts into a big folder and at the beginning of each new month I sort them and staple each category together. I also try to keep Etsy/blog stuff away from my personal stuff when I check out somewhere. For example I was buying tablecloths and towels for an order at Target but I also had milk and a movie. Just have them ring it up as 2 transactions. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also keep a sales order book on my desk. (You can get them anywhere). Every time someone orders something or pays for advertising I write it down. I keep all of the receipts in the book. I also write how I got paid (pay pal, cash, check). Keeping them in one place makes it easy to have them ready to go! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Any tax tips you have? </span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-15417634784820929132011-01-18T10:16:00.001-08:002011-01-18T10:16:30.330-08:00Pretzel Crusted Chicken -- YUMMy USB cable is MIA so hold tight for a minute! :) <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I mad this pretzel crusted chicken the other night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Josh wanted chicken fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I found this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He declared them the best chicken fingers he’s ever had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>{Sorry again for no pictures….but seriously it’s yummy!}</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pretzel crusted chicken</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prep: 15 min</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bake 25 min</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Serves 4</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cost per serving: $1.79</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 c. pretzel twists (about 3 oz)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">½ c parmesan</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">½ c all purpose flour</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">¼ tsp pepper</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 large eggs</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 lb boneless chicken cut into strips</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Preheat oven to 400.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place pretzels and parmesan in a food processor and process until coarsely ground and well mixed (or do as I did and put in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin!)Transfer to a large bowl. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Combine flour and pepper in another bowl.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beat eggs with 1 tsp water in a third bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roll a chicken piece in flour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dip in egg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roll in pretzels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place on baking sheet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repeat. Cook until browned about 20 – 25 minutes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">355 calories, 8 g fat, 182 mg chol, 1 g fiber, 37 g pro, 30 g carb</span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-29521225138249214652011-01-11T08:07:00.000-08:002011-01-11T08:07:32.077-08:00Tasty TuesdayWant a quick and easy dinner recipe? And under $10? Here it is<br />
<br />
Italian Sausage and Potato Roast (From All You Magazine)<br />
1 small yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips<br />
1 small green bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips<br />
1/2 sweet onion sliced<br />
3/4 lb red potatoes cut into quarters<br />
1 tbsp olive oil<br />
1/4 tsp dried oregano<br />
1 tsp garlic salt<br />
pepper<br />
1 lb Italian sausage cut into chunks<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxtK2arBnRT7tINzFRfsT1RH0N48PfYPZUJs7lRblzCKjkUF6CgNlJCrV92NUbjPouae9d_3CqdBOHVXOZ5SR2vuz9lzhZ9_kg-vL3oogDXF3bl9hmBAqYZ02ZUESCfIHrWPxc82H25U/s1600/Picture+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxtK2arBnRT7tINzFRfsT1RH0N48PfYPZUJs7lRblzCKjkUF6CgNlJCrV92NUbjPouae9d_3CqdBOHVXOZ5SR2vuz9lzhZ9_kg-vL3oogDXF3bl9hmBAqYZ02ZUESCfIHrWPxc82H25U/s400/Picture+010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>1. Preheat oven to 450. Line baking sheet with foil and mist with cooking spray. In a large bowl toss peppers, onion, potatoes with olive oil, oregano, garlic salt and pepper. Spread on baking sheet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8Alq-2KVyNLYH2BlpDAyFojB2T8y_1gZr7jQr716UyldmCDWihpaAM5VoBIgh3dd-WVsB6Oyn8_ey_EPP-YBC_G8sfFsfnDNqO_wMLXBV3QbkwYcV12K5f8lGFJzmpWVZxRcFFikLdU/s1600/Picture+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8Alq-2KVyNLYH2BlpDAyFojB2T8y_1gZr7jQr716UyldmCDWihpaAM5VoBIgh3dd-WVsB6Oyn8_ey_EPP-YBC_G8sfFsfnDNqO_wMLXBV3QbkwYcV12K5f8lGFJzmpWVZxRcFFikLdU/s400/Picture+011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
2. Distribute sausage chunks among veggies. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheS6mTH0i6cOPulhnGlTexVR1U22i-R2SeBCJKcO0ehk-QwoV_wKXHtBj4omISKHkGfVy2RMvZ_H6sYk_qka9ZgotTXOe4iOPnJmjLtBA_ZaeDNyEcvNQ3VdM2LUXuKuBrcHYC2esrW3g/s1600/Picture+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheS6mTH0i6cOPulhnGlTexVR1U22i-R2SeBCJKcO0ehk-QwoV_wKXHtBj4omISKHkGfVy2RMvZ_H6sYk_qka9ZgotTXOe4iOPnJmjLtBA_ZaeDNyEcvNQ3VdM2LUXuKuBrcHYC2esrW3g/s400/Picture+012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmm6la68_TKBidLgldNXJPIQLjyMdYqsoGLLkStpVF4Dm-aI3VCZFPHo0Roz9yWpkIz0FzEQfb26xBNeF2bfDTGv6WbH-c3Ea9RVvFZo9pMyDbZCU44yh1sAetpnkaYKGdva8QGWd7QU/s1600/Picture+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmm6la68_TKBidLgldNXJPIQLjyMdYqsoGLLkStpVF4Dm-aI3VCZFPHo0Roz9yWpkIz0FzEQfb26xBNeF2bfDTGv6WbH-c3Ea9RVvFZo9pMyDbZCU44yh1sAetpnkaYKGdva8QGWd7QU/s320/Picture+014.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>3.Roast until sausages are cooked through. About 30 minutes. Stir once or twice during baking.<br />
<br />
506 calories, 39 g fat, 86 mg chol, 3 g fiber, 18 g pro, 20 g carbs<br />
<br />
My likes: Only 10 minutes prep time! One bowl and one pan to clean (which the foil makes it super easy). Lots of veggies. Cheap. Easily can swap out sausage with...turkey, chicken anything really {if your trying to watch your weight like me. Well I'm really trying to watch it go down) The boys loved itAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-87515860209236058682011-01-10T06:18:00.000-08:002011-01-10T06:18:22.377-08:00CouponsDid you know that some stores let you load coupons directly onto your rewards card? I just found out. We grocery shop at Kroger and if anyone else does --- they have TONS of coupons (and good ones!) on their site that you can load onto your card! Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-53340764420720913122011-01-06T15:12:00.001-08:002011-01-06T15:12:38.086-08:00CSN Giveaway!I'm hosting a CSN giveaway on my other blog <a href="http://www.werethejoneses.blogspot.com/">We're The Joneses</a>. And you get an entry for following The Super Mom Club! So go enter! :)Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-74261181138467687492011-01-06T05:39:00.000-08:002011-01-06T05:39:31.025-08:00Things that work: Barilla Plus Pasta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="400" src="http://images.bizrate.com/resize?sq=500&uid=1833681416" width="400" /></div><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">I recently picked up a few boxes of Barilla Plus Pasta at the grocery store to try. I've bought the spinach pasta (my son snubbed it - I love it but green pasta didn't really work out to well at our house). I've bought the whole wheat pasta (again, I liked. Boys not to much). So this was the last time I was buying healthy pasta. </div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
And guess what? They couldn't taste the difference. </div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">And guess what? The healthy stuff is HUGE in that little box. Seriously The pasta is made with golden semolina and wholesome flax seed, spelt, oats, barley, and legumes. It's a great source of protein. This pasta has 40% more protein than traditional pasta. It's fiber rich - giving you 1 cup (uncooked) gives you 28% of your daily fiber! And it's rich in Omega -3's.</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">It's won awards. It's had tons of endorsements. It's basically the stuff.</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">And it's not expensive. I know that right now Target has it on sale for $1.87 a box. </div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
Def. worth picking up a few boxes!</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-9406906065323818712011-01-03T15:36:00.000-08:002011-01-03T15:36:40.165-08:005 ways to save at Starbucks<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Save Money on Starbucks" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-142" height="300" src="http://savemoneytips.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/starbucks-thumb-295x300.gif" title="Save Money on Starbucks" width="295" /></div>1) Starbucks has promotions called “pairings.” You can save as much as 90 cents if you buy a snack or breakfast with a drink that they choose to combine with it.<br />
2) If you bring your own cup you’ll get 10 cents off your beverage.<br />
3) If you can save the receipt from a Starbucks visit in the morning until the afternoon, after 2 p.m. you can get an Grande cold beverage for 2 bucks. Even a Vivanno Smoothie.<br />
4) For brewed coffee, try the coffee press. It costs around $3 (less than two Grandes) and you’ll get four 8-ounce cups from it.<br />
5) Probably the best tip to save money at Starbucks: A refill on brewed coffee is 50 cents and if you have a Starbucks Card they’re free!<br />
<br />
- These tips were taken from savemoneytips.orgAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-57324014664084905422010-12-28T14:02:00.000-08:002010-12-28T14:02:23.910-08:00Pizza Sauce RecipeSorry about no pictures -- USB cable got left at Grandmas and is in the mail back home to me!!<br />
<br />
This recipe is really grab and stuff. Use what you have. It tastes yummy!<br />
<br />
3 cans of Italian seasoned tomatoes ( I use Red Gold)<br />
2 cans of tomato paste<br />
1 bag of frozen Mirepoix mix (our grocery store sells bags for $1, but all it is onions, celery and carrots chopped up)<br />
1/2 of a small package of frozen spinach<br />
1/2 of a green pepper<br />
lots of Italian spices (Oregano, Bay leaves, basil...just throw it in!)<br />
salt / pepper to taste<br />
I add cheese to ours - Parmesan, provolone and mozzarella<br />
<br />
Add or don't add other veggies that you like - mushrooms are good too!<br />
And if your family won't eat Spinach...don't worry about it because.....you are going to bring it to a boil. Then let simmer for 15 minutes. Then throw it in the blender. <br />
<br />
{I added too much spinach last time I made it. After I blended it, it wasn't really red anymore. My boys won't eat it if it wasn't red so honestly -- I added food coloring. :) }<br />
<br />
Then pour in ice cube trays. Freeze. Pop out and put in Ziploc bag. I use 4 cubes/pizza. The "recipe" should make about 12 -15 pizzas. <br />
<br />
If you want to use as pasta sauce omit one of the cans of tomato paste and use less spinach. It will thin up a little bit.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-29061693444670812212010-12-27T10:52:00.000-08:002010-12-27T10:52:13.487-08:00Millionaire Mommy - Guess how we saved over $1300 ... it's kind of crazy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img height="240" id="il_fi" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Eq_it-na_pizza-margherita_sep2005_sml.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Pizza. Yes ma'am (or sir..) Pizza. Pizza is Joshua's favorite food. Ever. So, if he is a good eater Monday - Thursday (meaning tries even the smallest bite of veggies that really shouldn't even count as a bite but hey it's progress) then we have pizza on Friday night. Every Friday. That's 52 times a year. That's a lot of pizza.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2008/06/papa-johns425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" id="il_fi" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2008/06/papa-johns425.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">We used to order our pizza from Papa Johns. I like their pizza. Yum. But I didn't like the fact that after tip for the delivery guy it was almost $30 for 2 pizzas! $30 X 4 times a month = $120 ... for pizza!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdz_2yJEpuNysaET5-MCrWlj2c7LH2udEKGnT-jtmW9r5r40tm0huRmqmF8vMVsjtv5lqT9yH50bbX1XEtg568KgHLDDdxeciL6b1UgDLY8-EXv1YyWMbqISfQFATsMg-k2boL9BrtzE/s1600/pizza_sauce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" id="il_fi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdz_2yJEpuNysaET5-MCrWlj2c7LH2udEKGnT-jtmW9r5r40tm0huRmqmF8vMVsjtv5lqT9yH50bbX1XEtg568KgHLDDdxeciL6b1UgDLY8-EXv1YyWMbqISfQFATsMg-k2boL9BrtzE/s320/pizza_sauce.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">So we make our own. For $2 a pizza. Oh yea. You heard me. $2 a pizza. And the sauce -- pure veggies. (I'm posting the recipe tomorrow) And so good. And you make one batch - freeze it (I freeze it in ice cube trays, pop them out and throw in a ziploc bag. That way I don't have to un-thaw it and refreeze the left overs.) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So saving $26 a week gives us....$1352 over a year. ON PIZZA! I told you. Crazy!</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-47410759548291340652010-12-14T12:50:00.000-08:002010-12-14T12:50:41.663-08:00School Winter Treat Ideas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Soooo is anyone else crazy busy?!? This morning for example Santa was made aware of the fact that Kmart was giving away a $50 game card with the purchase of a Wii....so Mrs. C decided to take back the Wii the elves had already made to Target (where it was on sale now) and go to Kmart to buy it. And there was a 2 hour delay which threw me off. I opened my email this morning and I had TONS - I won a blog giveaway! Hooray I never win! Well, I can't say that now! :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Inlaw Christmas is this weekend...Bazillion things left to do/make. Christmas Christmas is next week. A bazillion and 5 things left to do/make.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Whew. Stress...what stress?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas. Kid's school. Are you sending in anything? I've found a bunch of cute stuff online. But I've settled on these cookies:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crazydomestic.com/2010/12/melted-snowman-cookies.html"><img alt="" border="0" height="307" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548003461334750274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OO0v5HxrU3n4i2OIM7XlYyd1EbFCU9MU8cdOzFCglsWy_qaQQHhOUc8Zgdb44APWiMAkZZ8tnHfBxbcvftGIDnpD5vo9ACDd3ZpwP567ASm3G2m3eh92VE4yKwXCBDLUvIHFPt4Ggr4/s320/Girl+Melted+Snowman+Cookie.JPG" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; display: block; height: 491px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 511px;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crazydomestic.com/2010/12/melted-snowman-cookies.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548003194814179298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pmvirghDr_i8-YVvBdSeyvCll2LlT4F6rZ_nQ1jpAsS-Zpk5zoA96dmdLRLr6gJJfibhVj5DNVvO8q_HHbGUClr16iZ_90s6KWgnqUjktzMUQWn9HZK0kYtnqVKizbWSsR1XBfxTfxk/s400/Melted+Snowman+Cookie+3.JPG" style="display: block; height: 524px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 511px;" /></a><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548002933512919490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviL-IIHA7Q-QcRZVRb4GFYB8LjyQpcU-41GLvh9-XEwoNZWFSyOzo3EtP4NwP39RtnVWl17tbHTvYxJecCtKBcGtP2NHIz0h2_wcs0fGzAqtQdS-nbBtnCkeCrH0BnkFmkDBMblZ7Pks/s400/Melted+Snowman+Cookie.JPG" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; display: block; height: 456px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 513px;" />Melted snowman cookies. Way cute right? {Pictures from <a href="http://www.crazydomestic.com/2010/12/melted-snowman-cookies.html">Crazy Domestic</a>} Plus, I thought they were pretty holiday neutral since I don't know if anyone in his class doesn't celebrate Christmas.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">But these were also some choices I thought about:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://onecharmingparty.com/2010/12/01/gingerbread-house-decorating-party-dessert/"><img alt="" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3044" height="400" src="http://onecharmingparty.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/north_pole-e1290735012913.jpg" title="north_pole" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Sweet and simple. {From <a href="http://onecharmingparty.com/2010/12/01/gingerbread-house-decorating-party-dessert/">One Charming Party</a>}</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2010/12/ive-been-crazy-busy-lately-and-it-has.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548073916652033698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcWUlAqocqVysui4NDypb_jYEAi6z4DmPM4pIORWdjobb5J79FHZAbAVKCs3Shv2zmuYY1Y6a1Lem5lAY2svm4SgBac2ojSKBlIaasqVV9S1Ol2_l7XShOmi0oy8ug6ZRfk6awgUT350O/s400/snowman+snack+1.jpg" style="display: block; height: 293px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2010/12/ive-been-crazy-busy-lately-and-it-has.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548073916002332370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmJJN1S_okc2-uTnxYMENxjlvU9nyW-T5BjrRT6C7xNuLRrzH9lHEDEtr_j1FgMuyGrtONuMXbM4zuCS3USWXuLM2-sV2w1gG1z_iY0Wrx_FgAWlAmr5SbRRGESz-3hB82Ppj_tD2jlkF/s400/snowman+snack+2.jpg" style="display: block; height: 340px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mixed up snowmen. Cute idea..plus <a href="http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2010/12/ive-been-crazy-busy-lately-and-it-has.html">Gourmet Mom on the Go</a> had the labels I could just print. I Liked that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://brownpaper--packages.blogspot.com/2010/12/snowman-soup.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547974728227729266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVxU3-IiIQZB91Gz1lGk-8TJBucor0mkpUq0WPiF0Opc0DhmtbKwnN_VHUeUN_7kMznqODCbH0vPrlorV43s4S3j3XCJjE9O03sunCv1hMx5yHs6d1-gDKCTfPEvO5S9KRYdc3AGlYkM/s400/snowman+soup+2+copy.jpg" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And <a href="http://brownpaper--packages.blogspot.com/2010/12/snowman-soup.html">Brown Paper Packages</a> also provided labels for their snowman soup. Which is also super cute. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I think the 2nd graders are going to get a kick out of the melted snowmen. If only I can come up with a cute label....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What are you doing? What about teacher gifts?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Amanda</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-23623816671758190822010-12-11T15:43:00.000-08:002010-12-11T15:43:15.366-08:00Eating healthy...<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://yummydelicious.com/cdin.us/01pics/ydf/ohboy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" id="il_fi" src="http://yummydelicious.com/cdin.us/01pics/ydf/ohboy.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.trifectaentertainment.com/station_downloads/punkd_red_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>So I started a new rule at our house - and I was pretty darn happy with myself for it. Each meal must contain 3 colors. {Because you have to eat a rainbow each day!} This may not sound like anything extravagant - and probably all you good moms do this. But this is a huge challenge at our house. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><img height="153" id="il_fi" src="http://www.heatem.com/images/no_vegetables.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">My son -- has never eaten a veggie before. Gasp. I know. BUT Josh has Autism and with that there are big sensory issues. So we've worked with a food therapist ( yup there are food therapists out there) who said there are certain textures that really bother him. So I've been scared to death that I will force my child to eat something that really bothers him sensory wise. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I think I've been </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.trifectaentertainment.com/station_downloads/punkd_red_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" id="il_fi" src="http://www.trifectaentertainment.com/station_downloads/punkd_red_logo.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I KNOW that there are sensory issues. And I'm sure some bother him. But I am sure that I've been punk'd and that my kid totally uses this to get out of it. {Anyone else challenged by this?}</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">So 3 colors. Each meal. Do you know how much beige food we eat? Make felt food. You'll see. 10 yards of beige, 1 yard of green. Seriously. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="226" id="il_fi" src="http://www.2kad.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/funny-sign-for-bananas-curved-yellow.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Breakfast it worked. {We may have cheated - we counted a banana as yellow. That counts?!?! RIGHT?!?!}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="200" id="il_fi" src="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2010/08/25/chocolate-milk-istock.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="173" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dinner. Um. I had to state that parsley did not count for something green. And although chocolate milk is brown and there was no brown in the chicken it still didn't count. {We were having baked chicken and macaroni and cheese. I made green beans but as usual I was the only taker..} I told Josh he had yellow and beige but needed one more color. That there were apples in the fridge. Green beans. Hint Hint child. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">His solution? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="200" id="il_fi" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cHGSUfR5A1Q/TN327RrIVVI/AAAAAAAAAkA/nWTGo8SXre8/s200/ketchup.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="111" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He got up and got ketchup. And said (looking mighty proud of himself) Red is my third color. And my husband started to laugh. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is going to be harder than I thought.....</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-86836304783137097082010-12-09T16:43:00.000-08:002010-12-09T16:43:00.010-08:00Review of SpongeBob Cranium by Josh<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=thsumocl-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B001R6AS3U" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div><br />
<br />
**Note that this post was written (well dictated. He told me what to write) by a 7 year old boy. I didn't change a word. (And you better believe he told me "start typing" & "write this down" more than once!) Nothing is more honest about a kid's review than a 7 year old!<br />
<br />
Hello. My name is Joshua. I played <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001R6AS3U?ie=UTF8&tag=thsumocl-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001R6AS3U">Cranium Spongebob Squarepants</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thsumocl-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001R6AS3U" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><br />
. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCMp9FLgNG4vjHxuZYvnXL19K-X_DLZZU0TN7TXHmkHfVek9aFbXSAxtC_8knRUGWJp7j5rQczXNG_e3ioyoAXQNZILzFuyHyq2vcX1_fGgvmYaSajmiO9c59F-1yn5HlHGGzh6Lkuk4/s1600/Picture+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCMp9FLgNG4vjHxuZYvnXL19K-X_DLZZU0TN7TXHmkHfVek9aFbXSAxtC_8knRUGWJp7j5rQczXNG_e3ioyoAXQNZILzFuyHyq2vcX1_fGgvmYaSajmiO9c59F-1yn5HlHGGzh6Lkuk4/s320/Picture+010.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> {Solo card}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JewCbv5V5Qlem4rAR-mm2922a2qoJoPxH4ELYW5pd8WE1jgrWElUTCJU3_pyElP0hct_WBxwS9ux4lk51EbE2nZYvqYIeY29LE9IYgOcE87_ansUy3uJ-gvLF5ghWKNciVZBcF8sZMM/s1600/Picture+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JewCbv5V5Qlem4rAR-mm2922a2qoJoPxH4ELYW5pd8WE1jgrWElUTCJU3_pyElP0hct_WBxwS9ux4lk51EbE2nZYvqYIeY29LE9IYgOcE87_ansUy3uJ-gvLF5ghWKNciVZBcF8sZMM/s320/Picture+015.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{Combo card}</div><div style="text-align: center;">First you roll the dice. And then see if you get a solo or a combo card. If you get a chose card you can chose any card you like. It can be solo or combo. Pick a card. Then see what you have to do. If you want to see the answer you must use the glasses. But you can't if you get a solo. You can only see the answer after you answer the question on a solo card.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPkHR6p1MQRwNPD3THDU9TnqX3fG5tfwypsv2aMOJnuMxwtaQOqWV4ODerW3lmT8LJ724VDiztio-fQCdb7zvbmHmsmKVqfBd_HVrEGKgP8zHWDIq9111qqqxNY0frOsky2kOYKWfFiE/s1600/Picture+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPkHR6p1MQRwNPD3THDU9TnqX3fG5tfwypsv2aMOJnuMxwtaQOqWV4ODerW3lmT8LJ724VDiztio-fQCdb7zvbmHmsmKVqfBd_HVrEGKgP8zHWDIq9111qqqxNY0frOsky2kOYKWfFiE/s320/Picture+011.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEcvvo86IC4JN6ZiyQkD_rytOp1ZzSvSSj7fQDOCfwwA5xra7LmetUDS-pscKk95KR-QmK8dC0jFf-mTDTpd1Iqe3Yz5q-5c7RjHN-NKOlU_vprBU0-vSzPQY7orky-K2OPYp_5DRsZs/s1600/Picture+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEcvvo86IC4JN6ZiyQkD_rytOp1ZzSvSSj7fQDOCfwwA5xra7LmetUDS-pscKk95KR-QmK8dC0jFf-mTDTpd1Iqe3Yz5q-5c7RjHN-NKOlU_vprBU0-vSzPQY7orky-K2OPYp_5DRsZs/s320/Picture+018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the cards make you find an object in your house before the timer runs out. Or you have to draw or act out. Or answer questions. Sometimes you can look at the answer, when you get a combo.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6mg8dvkCGiB_5svNrJn145H3KoLCrV7JC3S6eKf-aLQOD1fBAT2mKuc1KK604gRdpKdv_Luflq0-i5m0r0tsnLGsTRHhIxq7t3kWaoZDPb9vKuf1-I-70T-K_080XQ4SetRDl09H5Ak/s1600/Picture+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6mg8dvkCGiB_5svNrJn145H3KoLCrV7JC3S6eKf-aLQOD1fBAT2mKuc1KK604gRdpKdv_Luflq0-i5m0r0tsnLGsTRHhIxq7t3kWaoZDPb9vKuf1-I-70T-K_080XQ4SetRDl09H5Ak/s320/Picture+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxD23t9b2-5AzSaB0_oKz4cRnrqnADVFKKjCCTxY2Jep2Gt_06Kg0tpyf9lGJspc5GzIGPH2a2M-xbk6u2M8XsZ6vVpRzewTMhqyu3onkqGCrqmtRArB69Cj38wXIo2naDgFR2RMXUlQ/s1600/Picture+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxD23t9b2-5AzSaB0_oKz4cRnrqnADVFKKjCCTxY2Jep2Gt_06Kg0tpyf9lGJspc5GzIGPH2a2M-xbk6u2M8XsZ6vVpRzewTMhqyu3onkqGCrqmtRArB69Cj38wXIo2naDgFR2RMXUlQ/s320/Picture+014.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For example if you have to act out a word use the glasses to find out the word so you can act it out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The object of the game is to try to get 4 in a row. The thing that you use to get 4 in a row is a token.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FprTibKLFAbvXqawLaA-a3JaFk4CZbwcQjfBINN3tMitSBRb2BolspJ2x4Os9ygo7i9HJu-TMjfc1IfRzlJNAMh2bCsqw4_V-IyJFzjJ6GRjA47Xj73VRRab79gRge07jrQu4y7uMNY/s1600/Picture+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FprTibKLFAbvXqawLaA-a3JaFk4CZbwcQjfBINN3tMitSBRb2BolspJ2x4Os9ygo7i9HJu-TMjfc1IfRzlJNAMh2bCsqw4_V-IyJFzjJ6GRjA47Xj73VRRab79gRge07jrQu4y7uMNY/s320/Picture+024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEmRvyE30inksfxEVaLRvOdDfnriMcfB1WFfwxWowhyphenhyphenf_BZhDUm4vErGV737K1q4M2Yo7F_y0yTNv935prTsc2WCYsrtfWj4-_LFT1llkwefDQuSiKw3mlMIXSzPPVjcMaQA7hq8G1W4/s1600/Picture+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEmRvyE30inksfxEVaLRvOdDfnriMcfB1WFfwxWowhyphenhyphenf_BZhDUm4vErGV737K1q4M2Yo7F_y0yTNv935prTsc2WCYsrtfWj4-_LFT1llkwefDQuSiKw3mlMIXSzPPVjcMaQA7hq8G1W4/s320/Picture+025.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I liked the game so you must buy the game. My favorite part was when I win. It is a super fun game. My least favorite thing is when my opponent almost won, but I beat her. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyone can play this game except for babies. I would play with my friends. I would play this ALL the time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That's all the time that I have. I hope you have a good day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">By Josh (age 7)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Mom: This is a really cool game. I would buy again!</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-21713995871733989872010-12-09T14:50:00.000-08:002010-12-09T14:50:18.874-08:00I am a mom to gamers<strong><a href="http://bit.ly/tmwishlist" modo="true"><span style="color: #f27b21;">TodaysMama</span></a></strong><strong><span style="color: #95a456;"> (link to: </span></strong><a href="http://bit.ly/tmwishlist" modo="false"><span style="color: #f27b21;">http://bit.ly/tmwishlist</span></a>) <strong><span style="color: #95a456;">and </span></strong><strong><a href="http://bit.ly/gamestop10"><span style="color: #f27b21;">GameStop</span></a></strong><strong><span style="color: #95a456;"> (link to: </span></strong><a href="http://bit.ly/gamestop10"><span style="color: #f27b21;">http://bit.ly/gamestop10</span></a>) <strong><span style="color: #95a456;">are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">1. What is your holiday wish for your family?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">I hope we can all be happy and grow together. We have a new home, Josh has a new school and Andy & I have new jobs.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">2. What is your Christmas morning / Hanukkah Nightly tradition?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">Cinnamon rolls...and Josh leaves a picture for Santa as our tree topper. Santa takes his picture and leaves something in return.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be? </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">A new Cannon Rebel Camera!!!! WOOT WOOT! </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">We watch Christmas movies and read Christmas books together.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">5. What games did you play with your family growing up?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">All kinds!! Smash the Grapes was a fave. Can't find it anymore...except for the person trying to sell it on Ebay for $45 -- Cheater.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">New PJ's on Christmas EVE</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">7. Where would you go for a Christmas/Hanukkah-away-from-home trip?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">Where are you sending me....:) </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">8. Check out </span><a href="http://bit.ly/gamestop10"><span style="color: #f27b21;">GameStop</span></a></strong><strong><span style="color: #95a456;"> (link to: </span></strong><a href="http://bit.ly/gamestop10" modo="false"><span style="color: #f27b21;">http://bit.ly/gamestop10</span></a><strong><span style="color: #95a456;">) and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year? </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">Holy cow. That's the only place I need to shop. A Wii. A new Xbox. Toy Store 3 for the DS. Lego Indiana Jones for the DS. Mario Galaxy 2 for the Wii. Call of Duty whatever for the Xbox. I know that's more than 3 but I seriously could keep going and going and going.</span></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #95a456;">Sooo We'll see if I win. Someone has to right? Even though there are 1,000,000 people trying! Cross your fingers for me!!</span></strong>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-359511740280250432010-12-09T05:04:00.000-08:002010-12-09T05:04:45.207-08:00Purex Complete 3 in 1 reviewSo I've never reviewed anything before. And please note that no one contacted me asking me to. I just am. And these are my honest to goodness opinions. No freebies for me, no cash (although...) :) <br />
<br />
So I bought these:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMEp4mJN_PtWgu50AjItbrqPvGJ1SuWmCMqA7gxCC2GD0522tBUfTA3GnxCI9GzpHI4WS0PcAsPfTsNFoC7kHSjgu0IUrFq_IeXzY2NEWWS8QfA57ucprpkx_JL1naeeP-pyeebqQ9Owy/s1600/3in1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMEp4mJN_PtWgu50AjItbrqPvGJ1SuWmCMqA7gxCC2GD0522tBUfTA3GnxCI9GzpHI4WS0PcAsPfTsNFoC7kHSjgu0IUrFq_IeXzY2NEWWS8QfA57ucprpkx_JL1naeeP-pyeebqQ9Owy/s320/3in1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I got them at Wal Mart for $5.47 and I had a coupon. I thought Why not?<br />
<br />
I really did not expect much from them. I'm a Tide with Febreze kind of girl. But I figured 24 loads for $4.50 (19 cents/load) I would have them on hand for my emergency stash. Aka. When I run out of laundry detergent and something needs washed. <br />
<br />
Well I didn't have to wait long. HOW do 3 people create sooo much laundry? <br />
<br />
I tried. And I liked. I really liked.<br />
<br />
I was shocked. So easy (I know -- how difficult is it to measure out detergent and then grab a dryer sheet) but after you do this you get spoiled. Plus I had a coupon in my package. $3 off. Which means my next buy was only $2.47!!! That's 10 cents a load people!! <br />
<br />
{My Tide with Febreze was 25 cents/load}<br />
<br />
And just because I'm a numbers <strike>freak geak </strike>person...<br />
I spend about $130/year on Tide. (10 loads a week) <br />
PLUS $26/year on Bounce dryer sheets<br />
Total: $156/year on laundry<br />
<br />
Switching to Purex 3 in 1 $98.80/year<br />
<br />
I just saved myself $57.20!<br />
*Prices were taken from Walmart.com<br />
<br />
I'm buying them...not only cheaper - and easier - but my clothes are soft and smell yummy. Way important.<br />
<br />
And, when my box was empty I couldn't throw it away. <br />
Before: Under my Kitchen sink<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDAkXblYEv5vu9pnDqamzAQ34flXzqkt8xlcs-x-jBbj7gbdKKYD_PBZ8YKMHQZmFso6ppVJnzo_k_F2MvmzuDZCx_uCUji69_ah2f-utRUhfbDDtcnwiEqe5j8KydeLruwnLjWQcbMY/s1600/Picture+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDAkXblYEv5vu9pnDqamzAQ34flXzqkt8xlcs-x-jBbj7gbdKKYD_PBZ8YKMHQZmFso6ppVJnzo_k_F2MvmzuDZCx_uCUji69_ah2f-utRUhfbDDtcnwiEqe5j8KydeLruwnLjWQcbMY/s320/Picture+003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif26PNVWrr7M3ujGqYjDNxuFSS3i2yhI294YzwuoCUGQAZkjI8gk0Q8dFWEuRZhO8Lfvv4XB_-NWAF1DeStqZSH-wySmzsKjv9RDUYgzHw8BpWVvuPUALLfxqAFoYshU9lcaOLzhlT1nw/s1600/Picture+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif26PNVWrr7M3ujGqYjDNxuFSS3i2yhI294YzwuoCUGQAZkjI8gk0Q8dFWEuRZhO8Lfvv4XB_-NWAF1DeStqZSH-wySmzsKjv9RDUYgzHw8BpWVvuPUALLfxqAFoYshU9lcaOLzhlT1nw/s320/Picture+005.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWKHaMRHul_5zgAl4AE6QKj1HYfDx0QYwI89TAy7U_MPYgjkAzTxgTxMJTHZ1AmOOZ0_641ms5a6B_JkVr_3IxIt8OEBklXWJHy0pRGk9y-sNYZ0pRQLZ0IumM18wdT6bj1OsKSs3cC8/s1600/Picture+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWKHaMRHul_5zgAl4AE6QKj1HYfDx0QYwI89TAy7U_MPYgjkAzTxgTxMJTHZ1AmOOZ0_641ms5a6B_JkVr_3IxIt8OEBklXWJHy0pRGk9y-sNYZ0pRQLZ0IumM18wdT6bj1OsKSs3cC8/s320/Picture+004.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>haha yea I'm silly. But it's holding all those plastic bags. {I plan on pretty-ing it up here someday. Silly I know. But I like pretty.} Plus when I need one I don't have to get a bag that's holding a bag that has 2 bags inside it. And it's nice and neat.<br />
<br />
I'm really glad I tried this. Otherwise when Kroger had the liquid Purex on sale for $1.99 (24 loads) I would have kept walking. I bought them this time! (This was taken from my <a href="http://www.werethejoneses.blogspot.com/">We're the Joneses</a> blog from last week. I thought it better fit here)<br />
<br />
Have you ever tried something and were pleasantly surprised?<br />
<br />
P.S. This was not a slam Tide post. :) I do like Tide. Esp. those little tablets they have now!<br />
<br />
P.S.S. I was working on my blogs this morning (<em>all 4 of them...</em>) at the breakfast table this morning. {Shame on me I know}. Josh asked what I was doing. "Mommy blogging" "That's boring stuff." Thanks kid. Talked about what a review was. And he asked if he could review something? Why not? So tonight after school look out for Joshua's non-mommy censored first review. {I'll give him a list of questions but I won't help him write it!} Good for moms because who is more honest than a 7 year old giving his opinion? Good for us - because what great skills to work on! Talk soon!<br />
<br />
AmandaAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-90994780783962368952010-12-08T22:00:00.000-08:002010-12-08T22:00:18.916-08:00Making mornings easier with your kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXGNZKO6w7eVLJRuO-HhxqRbKDXKRP8Ojg5rP58mGrbwdemcBFmH1P25YuelcZqMqHiVOUMTCgNhnLYySFlGxNTQ-YnJOa1KQ6YgYeAnaFb3Ug3uRWF7zXB1zd2ts8Szxyv6bQ7OY2ak/s1600/Dreaming_2_tnb.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXGNZKO6w7eVLJRuO-HhxqRbKDXKRP8Ojg5rP58mGrbwdemcBFmH1P25YuelcZqMqHiVOUMTCgNhnLYySFlGxNTQ-YnJOa1KQ6YgYeAnaFb3Ug3uRWF7zXB1zd2ts8Szxyv6bQ7OY2ak/s320/Dreaming_2_tnb.png.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>Today's organizing tip is on making mornings (and your whole day) go more smoothly. I hate mornings. I'm just not a wake up, jump up kind of gal. I like to sleep. And unfortunately we are always seeming to run behind in the mornings. That lady above..that was me.<br />
<br />
I remember when I was little my mom would be running around like crazy and I'd get in trouble for dittle dattling and not getting ready fast enough. And it would just start my whole day off wrong. <br />
<br />
I really try to send Joshua off on a positive note. But sometimes (I'll admit) when it's hectic I'm like come on come on come on! And then we miss the bus. And I'm still in PJ's, wild woman hair. Do I take the chance of no one seeing me and drop him off at the door? Or do I jump in the shower and get ready real quick? Grrrr. No time. Wild woman it is. <em>And </em>that my friends is when someone, or MULTIPLE someones, say heyy Amanda and walk up to the car. Not that I mind seeing them. I would just rather not have my slippers on. :)<br />
So I came up with a list of things we do to help SIMPLIFY our mornings. And they really really help. They help both of us. <br />
<br />
1. So the old stand by -- picking out your clothes the night before. Joshua is 7 and likes to pick out his own clothes. Uhh. He comes up with some good ones. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QPx7jyp5SbVFXLdDwS4myOXOYVL2jtlwwkguKI1eSsgfM_I35WvSpQxOF4gq5SP6zr2pc-I0Lip_9PrblycKqhyphenhyphenyU8GHz5LDZ01R9I7ThWVPMEq-U4CaqmiFQgq8fQ7Sy_-NAVcniuU/s1600/Picture+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QPx7jyp5SbVFXLdDwS4myOXOYVL2jtlwwkguKI1eSsgfM_I35WvSpQxOF4gq5SP6zr2pc-I0Lip_9PrblycKqhyphenhyphenyU8GHz5LDZ01R9I7ThWVPMEq-U4CaqmiFQgq8fQ7Sy_-NAVcniuU/s320/Picture+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And no wonder - when you think about it - opening your closet to this - is a slightly overwhelming task for a child.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylmyTN1tbAKgGfsvvrAZnGMS6myU_fCaX-SP96sYxJc8pGKxrYWvQBldWIbrq3-85LSxAmGaxaAOBjlZqioyIHHYM85dwhxleY83wu90dhNGhAxVaY3ls4UZ5IVozYkZaRDJfN2hR6w4/s1600/Picture+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylmyTN1tbAKgGfsvvrAZnGMS6myU_fCaX-SP96sYxJc8pGKxrYWvQBldWIbrq3-85LSxAmGaxaAOBjlZqioyIHHYM85dwhxleY83wu90dhNGhAxVaY3ls4UZ5IVozYkZaRDJfN2hR6w4/s320/Picture+003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbiNePTB1h3769NvPRwoj9G_wW2ohuWkN05L9eZm6mE2pqxO2uor6qNbHy2rJdY42IUfCuLM0efTXNfd0ZS4lgN7q4UjghcZqTbRnixca-yQrXP9b47tAfONmtaf-Ahq-SfZXzttUCzM/s1600/Picture+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbiNePTB1h3769NvPRwoj9G_wW2ohuWkN05L9eZm6mE2pqxO2uor6qNbHy2rJdY42IUfCuLM0efTXNfd0ZS4lgN7q4UjghcZqTbRnixca-yQrXP9b47tAfONmtaf-Ahq-SfZXzttUCzM/s320/Picture+004.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>So I pick out outfits for the week. And hang up 7 outfits. And he gets to pick one pre-matched outfit. It works out for us. {Josh has a big closet, so I use one of the front shelves to hang up his outfits for the week. Obviously today is Wednesday so there are only 2 left!} I hang up the jeans/shirts (layered so he can see how to put them on...learned my lesson) on 1 hanger. Because 1. this is visual for him (Joshua has Autism so we need visuals as do most kids) and 2. I may have a shopping problem. And although the picture of his closet looked full...it's not. I just ran out of hangers. I need hangers!! And this is my way of making it look like there isn't so much packed in there. {And thus, avoiding Andy saying "Amanda. This is ridiculous. Seriously. He doesn't even like clothes. Stop buying them. I think you have a problem." Yes, I've heard that conversation waaaay too many times.}<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH0UKgEcczH7n8ywZQ2c9uJDJBWlVEPe9W6CsBcbkjxvI1HV73qaRdiqhM5KGcqJELWGYtaAUvTEQbEOwkoMBSBl6NFGQUf1qM3Nb0iXgqHo7yCZDxSK6CEvV7l96KGd0F4U0wRgJd60/s1600/Picture+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH0UKgEcczH7n8ywZQ2c9uJDJBWlVEPe9W6CsBcbkjxvI1HV73qaRdiqhM5KGcqJELWGYtaAUvTEQbEOwkoMBSBl6NFGQUf1qM3Nb0iXgqHo7yCZDxSK6CEvV7l96KGd0F4U0wRgJd60/s320/Picture+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Also, I stick a pair of socks in his tennis shoes. Lesson learned here too. Because we can be all dressed. And he will miss the bus because he can't find a pair of socks that match. Or he simply put on mismatching socks. AND if I don't tell him to wear tennis shoes, he'll put on Crocs. Unavoidable. And when there is snow...yeah he'd still put on Crocs if he could.<br />
2. I freeze leftover pancakes or french toast from the weekends. Then I can just pop them in the toaster. I know you can buy frozen boxes of these but homemade are better. And cheaper. <br />
<br />
3. I also have a stack of PB&J in the freezer. You can freeze any kind of sandwich, Josh just loves PB&J. I personally would get tired of it everyday but not him. He even asks for one as a snack when he gets home. So Sundays I make 5 sandwiches, and mix up 10 bags of sides (2 for each day - one maybe goldfish and the other has maybe a cookie). That way in the morning I just grab and sandwich out of the freezer and he picks out his bags for the day. I throw a banana in there and boom. Lunch is made. (If your child eats an early lunch you may want to pull one out the night before and put in the fridge. I know some schools eat as early as 10:30.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOkmj5mBMc1TqnWLNDbylQ696UBO1Q_ov1wm8iUFnELvINXx47eBRY2kOttVoaaiQyfSYbboKyRAnwKwoJB0CL_0wPrg6TE9JVKy-h-wP-iC9rB2pFdfXn4c93Sh2D7LWs_Ty4CvaDd8/s1600/Picture+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOkmj5mBMc1TqnWLNDbylQ696UBO1Q_ov1wm8iUFnELvINXx47eBRY2kOttVoaaiQyfSYbboKyRAnwKwoJB0CL_0wPrg6TE9JVKy-h-wP-iC9rB2pFdfXn4c93Sh2D7LWs_Ty4CvaDd8/s320/Picture+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
4. After homework gets done we hang the bag on the front door. No way to forget that sucker. And it's nice that our coats are hung right there too. {P.S. Having a calendar right there next to the door was genius. Seriously. Now if I forget something at least I'm reminded of it early in the morning instead of 5 minutes ahead! Plus it works wonders with husbands and kids as they grab their stuff each day.}<br />
<br />
Do you have any tricks that you do?Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-71107068620985059632010-12-07T16:07:00.000-08:002010-12-07T16:07:14.675-08:00If you do one thing this Christmas....DO THIS!!!So I just got told (and I may be the very last person to find this out...) <br />
that if you go to <a href="http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/">http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/</a> Santa will video message your kids!!!!<br />
<br />
And not just any video message. This is a WAY cool one. And FREE!!!!!<br />
<br />
You type in their name, what they want for Christmas, one thing you asked them to do, if they've been good (or you can tell Santa on them for being naughty - maybe coming from Santa Claus will shape them up!) :) <br />
<br />
You upload their picture and it is emailed to you in a snap. <br />
<br />
Josh was PUMPED. He was jumping up and down and couldn't wait to call grandmas and grandpas to tell them. <br />
<br />
Seriously go. NOW! :)Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-66232317695202695732010-12-07T05:28:00.000-08:002010-12-08T08:13:08.174-08:00Apple Cheddar Turkey Burgers -- SOO good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhPm4-jqIvDmqre6JFay8ia-0iLp6secWG7SfiUCemjy8HREYybTsDIcljGGUiYOm6jsQ5PKe8655oAh5lb3mDQ9ls-ufXv69DnCc1X52JC5PvMLJyIssWfH65Qfqu1T0Sog43kB4M5I/s1600/burger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhPm4-jqIvDmqre6JFay8ia-0iLp6secWG7SfiUCemjy8HREYybTsDIcljGGUiYOm6jsQ5PKe8655oAh5lb3mDQ9ls-ufXv69DnCc1X52JC5PvMLJyIssWfH65Qfqu1T0Sog43kB4M5I/s1600/burger.jpg" /></a></div><div class="directions">A few years ago I found this recipe in the Rachael Ray magazine. It looked yummy to me. But there were some problems. I love turkey burgers. Husband does not. I think cranberries and apples on my burger sounds wonderful. Son and husband dub weird. </div><div class="directions"><br />
</div><div class="directions">But who cares what they think. I made them anyways. They loved it. I loved it. Everyone that I ever make these for love them. You have to try them. And I love putting burgers on English Muffins now. Just gives them a crunch. :) Let me know if you try them!!</div><h4 class="directions">Apple Cheddar Turkey Burgers</h4><h4 class="directions">Directions:<br />
<li>2 pounds ground turkey breast </li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>4 scallions, finely chopped </li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley (a generous handful) </li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>1 tablespoon grill seasoning </li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>1 teaspoon poultry seasoning </li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) </li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>1 apple, such as granny smith, cut into 12 slices </li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>8 slices extra-sharp cheddar cheese </li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>1/4 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce </li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>2 tablespoons grainy mustard </li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>4 sandwich-size english muffins, split and toasted </li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>8 leaves red- or green-leaf lettuce</li><br />
<br />
</h4><div class="directions"><ol><li>In a bowl, combine the turkey, scallions, parsley, grill seasoning and poultry seasoning. Form into 4 patties, pressing your thumb into the center of each to prevent it from bulging. </li>
<li>In a large skillet, heat the EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook for 6 minutes on each side for medium. Top each with 3 apple slices and 2 cheese slices, tent the pan with foil and cook until the cheese melts, 1 to 2 minutes. </li>
<li>In a small bowl, mix together the cranberry sauce and mustard; slather on the muffin tops. Pile 2 lettuce leaves on each muffin bottom, top with the patties and set the muffin tops into place.</li>
</ol></div><a href="http://werethejoneses.blogspot.com/p/where-i-party.html">Linking up here!</a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-62679858220638671182010-12-05T16:23:00.000-08:002010-12-05T16:23:23.249-08:00Millionaire Mommy - Save $200!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3S50_w1CghkEOXG-SHLjjgPPlbgh4KY6c2gNXgFLNtnYwDVfeBKohhvEBfj4AsIdE1pDCrovRx60emlJ37RUFzJERDTwErBdv026nDB7kA63uBWfkjoxH_ACiF1xuXQqD3XRmYQUiMU/s1600/DollarSign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3S50_w1CghkEOXG-SHLjjgPPlbgh4KY6c2gNXgFLNtnYwDVfeBKohhvEBfj4AsIdE1pDCrovRx60emlJ37RUFzJERDTwErBdv026nDB7kA63uBWfkjoxH_ACiF1xuXQqD3XRmYQUiMU/s1600/DollarSign.jpg" /></a></div>Money Money Money. Mon-ey. Totally got that song stuck in my head. <br />
<br />
I have a secret. I am not a millionaire. I'm not even an eighth of a millionaire. Heck, not even a sixteenth of one. In fact, to some I'm sure we are 'poor'. I'm ok with poor. We live rich. And were moving up. {Before I met Andy I was a single mom working 50 hour weeks teaching preschool. I made $14000/year. Woo Hoo.} Anyways<br />
Is it possible to save a million bucks. Sure. In fact, it's my goal. How long will it take? Not sure. Now I'm not saying that you will have that cash in the bank. Maybe some. I'm just saying that you can live rich too. We'll save a million!<br />
<br />
Today's money saver earns us $200. <br />
<br />
Are you a reader? Are your kids readers? There is a site called Paperback Swap. Have you heard of them? <br />
<br />
Well you need to sign up! <br />
{Click the Logo to sign up!}<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php?n=6&r_by=amandaandandy%40yahoo.com" title="Trade Books for Free - PaperBack Swap."><img alt="Trade Books for Free - PaperBack Swap." height="102" src="http://www.paperbackswap.com/images/icons/pbs_button_1L.gif" width="182" /></a><br />
<br />
Basically you sign up. <br />
<br />
You post 10 books that you are willing to swap. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7K1OAF39eJADLMGkaRe04-r23889UWIciIZ5If21fcmWT0JAR3AAqkndof-_sbIx3fP2eO_g4p4FwXQurMn62qT6DeEj5vTTA9L09Nl9CVhi2_LVnIaxJdd9GNkc_2qrJU5ZQBzHYWds/s1600/Picture+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7K1OAF39eJADLMGkaRe04-r23889UWIciIZ5If21fcmWT0JAR3AAqkndof-_sbIx3fP2eO_g4p4FwXQurMn62qT6DeEj5vTTA9L09Nl9CVhi2_LVnIaxJdd9GNkc_2qrJU5ZQBzHYWds/s320/Picture+001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>{I posted some awesome books tonight if I do say so myself...and 2 of them are on someone's wish list. Score!}<br />
They automatically give you 2 credits (1 credit = 1 paperback book)<br />
<br />
Then for each book that you swap - you get 1 credit.<br />
<br />
Search for books that you want -- they have almost 5 million books in tons of categories..but if for some reason you don't see what your looking for put it on a wish list. As soon as a member puts it up they alert you!<br />
<br />
If someone requests one of your books, you just simply print out the mailer, wrap up the book and affix postage (It's usually no more than $2.50. Yes, you do pay to ship your books out but you DON'T pay to have books shipped to you so it evens out). When the member receives the book you get another credit. <br />
<br />
Super simple. <br />
<br />
Did I mention you can swap kid's books too!? Josh loves reading. But he reads them once and he's done. <br />
<br />
And listing books is easy. You just type in the ISBN (bar code) numbers. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdS1jMWIJ7EQAGWHe5d2DHIHwGVQBoV6HNlw9NN901eDZHiYoeDHepcQO4vETLtbLZ7qY5qOPydY2GLb7HCfvzbThyphenhyphen6X94GdXfe5GIg7-0m_Xg3Yx_TdgS8LKKAEDXn-FKKODldXF-31M/s1600/Picture+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdS1jMWIJ7EQAGWHe5d2DHIHwGVQBoV6HNlw9NN901eDZHiYoeDHepcQO4vETLtbLZ7qY5qOPydY2GLb7HCfvzbThyphenhyphen6X94GdXfe5GIg7-0m_Xg3Yx_TdgS8LKKAEDXn-FKKODldXF-31M/s320/Picture+002.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>{not sure why the picture won't flip....Darn blogger.} <br />
And FREE to join! <br />
<br />
I have my favorite genre's listed as kid's books, cook books and home books (crafting, decorating, entertaining) so it helps me find quickly what I'm looking for. <br />
<br />
I try to trade 1 adult book ($15-$25 value) and 1 kid's book ($5-$7) per month. Over a year - that's about $200 saved! (Even after I took out all the postage!) In fact to date the site has saved it's members over $22 MILLION dollars!! WOW!! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php?n=6&r_by=amandaandandy%40yahoo.com" title="Trade Books for Free - PaperBack Swap."><img alt="Trade Books for Free - PaperBack Swap." height="102" src="http://www.paperbackswap.com/images/icons/pbs_button_1L.gif" width="182" /></a><br />
Please note, that when you sign up and list 10 books I also get 1 credit for referring you. I don't want anyone to think I'm trying to be sneaky. I'm totally not. I just think that this site rocks! {And if you home school. Oh my gosh. TONS of resources!!}<br />
<br />
Amount saved to date: $200Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-78808970694646538082010-12-01T10:07:00.000-08:002010-12-05T14:06:19.877-08:00What to expectDid you read that book What to Expect When you are Expecting? <br />
<br />
Well this is my version. What to expect as you are expecting this blog to TAKE OFF! Which it will. Are you ready? Get ready.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Monday - Money Monday. Money not interesting? Oh yes it is!!! I'm starting with a series called Mommy Millionaires. The goal: save 1 million dollars. It can totally be done. Want to do it with me? <br />
<br />
Tuesday - Tasty Tuesday. Meal plans, Recipes and the such. Quick, easy and yummy are the musts.<br />
<br />
Wednesday - Wash it Wednesday. Wash it? Really. Well, kind of. More like how to make cleaning easier. More efficient. And organizing tips. <br />
<br />
Thursday - Things that work Thursday. Or things that don't. Check in for weekly reviews - and this is where the giveaways will be!!! {Who doesn't like winning!?}<br />
<br />
Friday - Family Friday. Ideas of things to do with your family. Fun "holidays" ( we totally celebrate things like Talk like a Pirate day at our house), little easy projects for everyone to do together, places to go. AND because I don't want hubbys to feel neglected a little love for the special men in our lives too.<br />
<br />
Saturday - Self Saturday. I don't know about you but it seems like motherhood, wifehood (totally made that word up), growing up - hood. I'm always running around taking care of everyone else. Self Saturday is made to make sure that I - and all of you - are making sure that we get some time in there too! Come drop a few pounds (don't make me do it alone!!), get healthy tips, turn back into a slightly self absorbed teenager. You remember -- well I remember...I wouldn't leave the house without my hair and make up done, always giving myself manicures and facials, doing things for myself without thinking about anyone else...I'm not saying turn back into that -- but I miss some of that! There are days - confession time - I don't get out of lounge clothes. I shower (some days at noon...don't judge me) and then put on comfy clothes. NO more. Self Saturday -- I need your help. Make me hot again. My hot hubby needs a hot wife. :) <br />
<br />
Sunday - Sharing Sunday. Floors open. Share your pictures, blogs, funny things your kids say/do. <br />
<br />
Sounds like fun huh? I'm so excited. Monday is the big day. The blog's birthday if you will. Make sure to follow so you don't miss anything!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550562662628855746.post-62067340787531407772010-11-30T13:51:00.000-08:002010-11-30T13:51:12.307-08:00Now accepting Applications!The Super Mom Club is now accepting applications! <br />
<br />
Are you a super mom? Do you want to learn how to become a super mom? <br />
Join up -- the site is currently under construction but will be up and running shortly.<br />
<br />
And you DON'T want to miss this. <br />
<br />
I promise.<br />
<br />
Would a Super Mom lie? <br />
<br />
No she wouldn't.<br />
<br />
Want to know why?<br />
<br />
Because the naughy corner is no place for a Super Mom.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07548154928950693849noreply@blogger.com0