tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66022487870620507452026-04-06T03:18:17.308-04:00Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07258300882505774956noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-20665372144092314192014-11-24T10:09:00.004-05:002014-11-24T10:21:01.427-05:00

I really like the idea of Advent--the idea of building excitement for Christmas.  Growing up, we had the simple cardboard advent calendars... just the plain cardboard with picture windows.  I was envious of friends who had the sort with little chocolates already packaged in the calendar.  Sure, I knew it really was lame chocolate that tasted like wax, but that wasn't the point.&

Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07258300882505774956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-68576616991770863142014-09-19T08:28:00.001-04:002014-09-19T08:28:46.954-04:00

Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07258300882505774956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-25334626500976979972014-09-08T09:19:00.001-04:002014-09-08T09:19:12.442-04:00

Click here to view this photo book largerBuild your own high-quality photo books at Shutterfly.com.

Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07258300882505774956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-19539471372559858392014-05-16T15:04:00.001-04:002014-05-16T15:04:40.632-04:00

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5817921/?claim=d5jakpfttyt">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067650007172380832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-66475325888249047102013-05-17T12:51:00.002-04:002013-05-17T12:51:51.134-04:00

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg LarssonMy rating: 4 of 5 starsEven better than the original. This second book picks up roughly two years after the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, bringing back Blomkvist and Salandar as the central figures, along with a cast of familiar and new faces.I really enjoyed reading Girl with a Dragon Tattoo, despite having seen the movie first-- a practice I abhor.&

Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07258300882505774956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-13511335302704505452013-05-06T11:16:00.001-04:002013-05-06T11:16:01.765-04:00

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by Fiona CarnarvonMy rating: 3 of 5 starsAs the title implies, this is the story of the real family who lived in Highclere Castle.  One can't help but make comparisons to Downton Abbey.  There are definitely some similarities, as well as strong differences. The rich family history makes for a fascinating tale.

Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07258300882505774956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-23653047566957524782013-04-24T22:31:00.000-04:002013-04-24T22:35:35.162-04:00

I am not a medical professional.  Please do not take any of my rambling opinions as sound advice. I hate how I so often second guess whether it is right to take my son to the ER.  In the past, I have felt like I've waited and waited... tried to treat him at home, use home remedies to bring down the fever, put him in a steam filled bathroom to ease his breathing.  Only when it

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067650007172380832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-41608886141722606422013-04-19T21:59:00.000-04:002013-04-19T22:00:04.420-04:00

Spring is a great time to do some spring cleaning.  I love cleaning my closets because I feel it make room for the potential for a new, more stylish me.  Nothing makes your day better than receiving a few compliments.  For example, today I paired a new skirt with my styling new glasses and a string of pearls.  For the first time in quite awhile I had multiple compliments from

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067650007172380832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-53835436786077603772013-04-15T11:21:00.000-04:002013-04-19T22:00:04.422-04:00

Sometimes I can't believe my luck.  I was blessed with the opportunity to host a mommy party for my friends and family featuring Hailey Pomroy's new book The Fast Metabolism Diet: Eat More Food and Lose More Weight. The Fast Metabolism Diet promises to help you lose 20 lbs in 28 days,  all while eating an amazing 5 times a day.  The trick here is to control what you eat during

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067650007172380832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-6371738089167472552013-04-14T07:43:00.000-04:002013-04-14T07:43:42.865-04:00

I've always had a sweet spot for ice cream.  Lately we've been making our own at home.  It's really pretty easy once you have an ice cream maker. We bought ours at the end of last summer when they are heavily discounted.  I think we only paid $15 for a 4 qt maker.   When you factor in the cost of cream, making ice cream at home probably isn't

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067650007172380832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-51604087819907922412013-04-13T08:31:00.003-04:002013-04-15T11:22:07.403-04:00

Most of my students came back from spring break from exotic and warm locations.  Our spring break wasn't nearly as sunny. I really don't have an aversion to sunshine, and wouldn't have minded a day at the beach.  Still, I loved our staycation just the same. You see, we had these seriously hideous bushes in the front yard.  Maybe they weren't hideous, but they came with the

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067650007172380832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-26893296254194269592013-04-04T08:41:00.000-04:002013-04-04T08:41:39.495-04:00

Spring Break started Friday at the Toledo Zoo.  Little man had the day off from day care, so it was time for a family picnic at the zoo.  During the day, they had special Easter egg themed activities for the animals and story times for the kids.  We just liked that for a change, it was a sunny day to get out and walk around. While at the zoo, we stopped at the polar bear exhibit;

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067650007172380832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-23847467331120643022013-03-30T08:41:00.001-04:002013-03-30T08:43:13.926-04:00

My family never made the chow mein noodle birds nests. Sure my friends moms made them all the time for the Easter parties at school, but this never was in my family repertoire. They really aren't hard to make, or expensive, it just takes some forethought. This Easter, as I was deciding what to take to my parents for Easter lunch, I wanted something special that little man and his cousin would

Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07258300882505774956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-83211019364564469182013-03-25T15:18:00.000-04:002013-03-25T15:21:53.389-04:00

I promise, we did try to keep little man from commercial efforts and to minimize his television exposure.  That said, commercial images and television still managed to find Jack.  I've come to the realization that as noble as my intentions were, I am not going to keep peanut TV free.  In fact, as a working parent, sometimes you need 15 minutes to get the dishes done, 20 minutes to

Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07258300882505774956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-27895362443142031002013-03-20T08:46:00.000-04:002013-03-20T09:35:31.807-04:00

As a product reviewer, there is nothing I like more than coming home to a delightful surprise in my mailbox.  Its like a small glimpse of Christmas morning as I'm pulling in the drive at the end of a long day.  Despite this insanely gray winter, surprises in the mail are my little rays of sunshine that lift the soul. That's probably one of the biggest reasons I am so glad to bring

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067650007172380832noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-76248067481271669142013-03-11T19:05:00.000-04:002013-03-11T19:05:02.085-04:00

Oy! I have been doing a lot of reading lately, even if I haven't managed to post.  I loved my kindle, and now the iPad... both provide me free and instant access to scores of library books.  Even better, I'm now a fan of audiobooks---I listen to them on the iPad in the car or at home while washing the dishes at night... I feel like I can get twice as much done. So here's a short 

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067650007172380832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-50246740550533362472013-02-24T14:12:00.000-05:002013-02-24T14:22:42.019-05:00

Every 90 seconds, a woman in the United States has a heart attack.  Both men and women suffer heart attacks, but they are often more fatal in women. More than 10,000 American women younger than 45 have a heart attack every year. Sobering statistics reported in the Heart Healthy Living section of my latest product review and giveaway.  I am honored to have the opportunity to bring you

Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07258300882505774956noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-68323757142623214332013-02-18T15:25:00.001-05:002013-02-18T15:25:35.815-05:00

As you may recall I recently posted about my New Year's resolutions. As expected, I was unable to keep nearly as many as I had hoped to. In some ways, I'm glad that I put these thoughts in writing. They are proof of my efforts if also proof of my failings. So here's my progress, for those of you keeping track. I'm count one my desire to stay in better communication I've been semi successful. I

Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07258300882505774956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-14189719053047097802013-02-01T15:16:00.001-05:002013-02-01T15:23:00.011-05:00

It sure has been a long time since I've had the opportunity to bring you a great product to win.  Where does the time go? Want to win an amazing appetizer kit like this?  Read more. Today I'd love to tell you about our experience with Progresso's Recipe Starters.  Its just the sort of thing to get you ready for the big game.  As a mother, it's also just the sort of staple

Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07258300882505774956noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-72402681467768584862013-01-07T13:58:00.002-05:002013-01-07T13:59:41.931-05:00

I often make a mental list of things I'd like to do better in the new year. Naturally, I usually fail on some level not to meet all of my expectations.  Perhaps this is what makes New Year's Resolutions so cliche. Because it's a mental list, no one really knows if I disappoint myself by not fulfilling my obligations. So this year, I'm going to strive for a limited list. 

Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07258300882505774956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-38183094275547969632013-01-05T11:14:00.003-05:002013-01-05T11:27:22.560-05:00

As some of you may know, our home was broken in to just before the holidays.  I should probably  give more details from that experience in another post--maybe I will.  I'd like to share some of my recent experiences with the GameStop store in my neighborhood.  GameStop is a national chain store where you can buy new and used video games/devices.  You can also trade in

Kathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07258300882505774956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-71604460071298980662012-05-02T15:25:00.005-04:002012-05-02T15:34:08.043-04:00

Keeping up with little man is hard work.  When I put peanut down a night, I sigh a little relief. Unfortunately, it is only then that I remember the twenty other things I've put off during the day that I need to get done now that he's sleeping.  The dishes, the lawn, the laundry... it never ends. I am really looking forward to mother's day this year.  I've been promised a relaxing

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067650007172380832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-60938651047057993592012-05-01T15:53:00.005-04:002012-05-01T15:54:43.023-04:00

As a high school librarian, I try to be well versed in the world of YA literature.  That's why I leaped at a chance to preview Monica Leonelle's latest offering --Socialpunk, the first installment of her Socialpunk Trilogy. Monica Leonelle is a digital media strategist. She is also the author of Silver Smoke and Tin Soldier from the Seven Halo's Series.  She blogs at Prose on Fire (http

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067650007172380832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-39465133632735822432012-04-23T21:57:00.000-04:002012-04-24T11:24:45.712-04:00

I have again been blessed with another perfect selection of products from Shoplet.com  This shipment included a bundle of great eco-friendly paper notebooks and note pads  from Roaring Spring.  Included were the College Ruled Landscape Format writing pad, a quad ruled landscape format writing pad, a one subject wire bound notebook in a delicious shade of pink, a 3 subject notebook

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067650007172380832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602248787062050745.post-78607122962107257762012-04-17T13:09:00.001-04:002012-04-17T13:09:55.819-04:00

It's official. Peanut is his grandmother's grandson.  His Paternal grandmother is a certified butter addict.  At dinner, the woman can go through multiple packs of butter on a single dinner roll.  Butter on steak, extra butter on the mashed potatoes... you get the idea.  In all fairness, my own family members are strong proponents of the creamy light yellow pats of heavenly

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067650007172380832noreply@blogger.com0