Ciara's Ramblings and Whatnot

Miss La-Di-Da-Di, Look How Far You've Come

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Johnson) — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:03:00 +0000

Tonight is Miss La-Di-Da-Di's spring music concert. This is a bit bittersweet, because tonight will also be the last performance under her current music teacher. He has resigned his teaching job, because his wife is about to have a baby, and like most people, can't afford daycare. Luckily, he has another job teaching private lessons, but the kids have already told him they are going to miss him. He has told his students that he will miss them. And I know he means it...especially when my daughter tells me how he had tears in his eyes when he was talking to them. She said she had tears of her own. Heck, I had tears just listening to the story.

It should be a good night. These types of things are always enjoyable to me. There's one thing that's going to be extra special about tonight. Miss La-Di-Da-Di has a solo in the Disney Dazzle medley. She gets to sing Part of Your World. This was the first year that she had felt confident enough to try out for a solo. Last year, she let her sister have the spotlight when Mini-Me had a solo in Seasons of Love from Rent for the spring concert and 8th grade graduation. It was also at Miss La-Di-Da-Di's suggestion that Part of Your World be a solo, as the teacher had not decided to make it one as of yet. The solo was coveted by most of the girls in the choir. Thirteen of them tried out. Miss La-Di-Da-Di's teacher had not realized how well she could sing, and when she was auditioning, the music teacher and the other teacher, he had helping him choose, had smiles on their faces. Her music teacher told her personally that he did not know she could sing as well as she did. I guess that's what happens in choir when voices are just blending. :)

Singing is Miss La-Di-Da-Di's passion. She will sing almost anything almost anywhere. Sometimes I have to ask her to stop. Having this solo has given her confidence in herself this year, when she's had it a bit rough the last year and half. You see, she was diagnosed with ADD last summer.

Her teachers from last year always embarrassed her in class and made her feel stupid. When that happens, she just doesn't bother with putting forth the effort in her school work or anything else. We started off with no medication, but that didn't go too well, so she was started on generic Concerta. This helped her initially, but then some of her forgetfulness and tiredness came back. So the doctor switched her to generic Adderrall. What an improvement since the medication switch...not only can she focus better, but she says it helps her from being tired. I'm not going to give the medication all the credit though. Miss La-Di-Da-Di was determined to show that she's smart and can do things when she wants to. There are three trimesters at her school: the first, she did okay, the second, was not so good, but the third, she has really been making sure she completes all her homework, remembers to bring it all home and return it as well, participates in class, and she has been doing well on all her tests. She has showed such an improvement over the year that tomorrow she will be receiving Most Improved Student of the Year award from her teacher. She doesn't know it yet, but her teacher emailed me yesterday to tell me and to see if I could make it to the awards ceremony. I emailed her back right away and said, "Yes!"

I also want to say something about Miss La-Di-Da-Di's teacher, Mrs. C. Most of the credit goes to Miss La-Di-Da-Di, but without Mrs. C. working with me every step of the way, answering my never-ending emails, trying to find the best ways for Miss La-Di to learn, even accepting the information that the doctor had given me on how teachers should instruct those with ADHD/ADD, Mrs. C. giving her positive reinforcement, all of Miss La-Di-Da-Di's determination to succeed might not have happened.

She does have another teacher for a couple of subjects that is one that likes to embarrass the ADHD/ADD kids, and sometimes those without as well, but she has battled that and has come out on the other end. Her grades went from mostly D's to A's, B's, and maybe a C or two.

Sometimes I still have my struggles with Miss La-Di's attitude, her telling me that I'm a bad mother (something that it seems that kids with depression and/or ADHD/ADD seem to do) and her irritability, but I'm very proud of how far she has come this year. Her determination to prove that she's as smart, if not smarter, than some, her fantastic artistic and writing abilities (which she's had for a long time), and just showing that she's capable of doing whatever she puts her mind to, impresses me everyday.

The Stars are My Night Light: Miss La-Di-Da-Di's Song

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Johnson) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 07:08:00 +0000

looking at the blue evening sky peering through the clouds knowing there's a

star lit universe above us , it's where i wanna go now
and yes , i am afraid of the dark
but i know if i go away
the stars will be my night light, my night light
and as my shadow fades away
the world that i know turns to gray
a star lit universe
you brought me down
and now i want to go high , join the angels in the sky
locked in the bathroom with these thoughts in my head
knowing you'd dance on my grave if i were dead
all the things you put me through
now i am doing this for you
soon enough i will sleep
and you wont have to deal with me
slowly i will drift away
silently i will make my apology
for being an imperfect me
oh , and yes, i am afraid of the dark
but when i go away
the stars will be my night light
now it's time for me to go ... goodbye...

©Miss La-Di-Da-Di Music 2012

Thank You, Davy Jones

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Johnson) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:43:00 +0000

When I was younger, I used to love watching The Monkees. Now that I'm older, my crush would be Mike Nesmith, but I'll never forget the person who made me fall in love with this show in the first place. He was my first Monkees crush, as I'm sure he was to a lot of girls and women. He was Davy Jones. I loved his British accent, the way he sang the songs, and his little dance he did along with the tambourine playing.

Davy Jones, I'll never forget the joy you brought to a young girl, and even now, that that little girl has grown up. I have my Monkees CD that I like to play now and again, it always takes me back. Thanks for the memories, being my crush, and the voice. R.I.P. Davy Jones

Here's one of my favorite The Monkees song. It was written by Neil Diamond (as was Daydream Believer).

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Johnson) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:39:00 +0000

Here's a gem to start your morning: last night hubs & watched Cowboy & Aliens. He says, 'That guy has a good James Bond accent,' referring to Daniel Craig. I look at him like, 'Really, are you stupid?' Then I say, 'seriously?' He's smiling. I say, 'Are you f*cking w me?' He says that he isn't while slightly smiling and laughing a little. I said, 'You're f*cking w me, aren't you?' He still says that he isn't. I said that Daniel Craig is British, and right now he has an american accent. I don't know...I still say he was f*cking w me. Oh, yes, I said the f word a lot of times :/ lol

Here's another little lovely gem: hubs tells me last night he lets Showboat drive home from Stockton after a dr.'s appt. As they near the freeway interchange they need, hubs tells him that he has to get over. So as he's nearing the interchange, he doesn't get over, he keeps going straight. Hubs lets him keep driving and says that he asked Showboat why didn't he get over. His reply: 'Dad, are you stupid? Tracy, that way (pointing straight), San Francisco, that way (pointing to where they needed to go).' Where do they end up? In the boonies of the city we pass through to get to where we live, nowhere near where they need to be (he was getting dropped off at his gf's house who lives in this city). This made them take a little longer to get to their destination. He told hubs, a bit upset, "Why didn't you tell me?" Hubs told him, "I did." But in his quest to be right, Showboat claims that his dad didn't. Guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, eh? By the way, did I mention Showboat got his driver's license last week? ;)

Project 365-Day Five: It's Not Easy Being Green

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Johnson) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:13:00 +0000

Project 365-Day Five: It's Not Easy Being Green, a photo by simplyciaraphotos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Found this old metal flower pin...I love the retro green color and the way the color is peeling on some parts. When I first saw this pin, in the grab bag of old/vintage jewelry, I thought it was ugly. Now I can see its beauty.

Project 365: Day 4, January 4, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Johnson) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:40:00 +0000

Project 365: Day 4, January 4, 2012, a photo by simplyciaraphotos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Seems like I'm almost on the point of failure with these Project 365 photos, because I've been waiting until the very last hour of the day to come up with something. Here I am taking a picture of me taking a picture of myself with my webcam. Not very original, I know, but not bad for last minute. Maybe I'll venture outside sometime this weekend. I haven't been out very much at all this week.

I won't bore you with the actual webcam pic. You can always see that on Flickr. Besides, who wants to see my ugly mug on here twice :p~

Project 365-Day 3: My New Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Johnson) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:51:00 +0000

My New Baby, a photo by simplyciaraphotos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Pardon her dust...nothing a little TLC won't cure, right?

Shutterfly Holiday Cards Review & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Johnson) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:39:00 +0000

If you're like me, you were a bit of a procrastinator and didn't get your Christmas cards made in time for the holidays. Then I saw Shutterfly's New Year's cards. It was an 'a-ha' moment, because I could still send out cards to family and not worry about getting them getting there late.

I have used Shutterfly before when I ordered a photo book, so I know my holiday card will come out great. I chose the "Peace in 2012" card that had a spot for only one photo, but there are several styles that have two or more places for additional photos. I edited my photo with cross-process action to make it looked a little more aged. I ordered it just before New Year's day, so I don't have it to post. I will share it when I receive it, because I LOVE it.

One of the cards I liked with the option for more photos was the "Year in Pictures" New Year's card. You can place one photo for every month of the year. I think those are best with those who have babies or toddlers, because you can see how they've grown in just a year.

With Shutterfly, it's easy to create a holiday card. Simply choose your photo, upload it to Shutterfly, and drag into the card template.

More benefits you’ll enjoy only at Shutterfly:

Free online photo storage: Shutterfly has never deleted a photo.
Free online photo sharing: Your friends and family can view pictures you want to share without having to log in or sign up. They just click on a link in your email and instantly view a slideshow of your newest memories.
Express Uploader: Shutterfly Express Uploader is a free, easy-to-use software application that quickly uploads your photos straight from your desktop. You can also view and edit your pictures before uploading them.
Photo borders: Enhance your prints for free with more than 400 colorful, festive and seasonal borders that range from new baby to birthday, wedding to so much more. You can even add personalized captions.
Back-of-print messaging: Every photo you order from Shutterfly can be personalized for free with a short message on the reverse side. This ensures that you and future generations will always remember the who, what and where of special times.

Want to know how you can make the most of family photos, check out Shutterfly's Family Photo Days.

One of my readers will have a chance to win a set of 15-5x7 Shutterflyholiday cards.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: This review was done as part of the Family Review Netowrk and Shutterfly. I received a complimentary set of 15-5x7 holiday cards in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not further compensated.

Is it Fry-day yet?

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Johnson) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 07:40:00 +0000

Is it Fry-day yet?, a photo by simplyciaraphotos on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Had the perfect opportunity for a nice cloud shot, because they cloud was in an amazing shape...the sad part? I didn't have my camera on me. I tried to take it with my phone, but it didn't come out the way I had hoped. Earlier, my youngest and I stopped at McD's on the way home from an outdoor mall. These are my favorite fries, but I try not to eat a lot of them. :)

My What Sparkly Eyes You Have

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Johnson) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:49:00 +0000

Love this eye look I did back in 2010 after seeing Petrilude on YouTube do a video on it. He has fantastic eyes, so my look doesn't quite match up to his. I think I should bring back this look, but I am also remembering how heavy my eyelids felt after lining my eyes with glitter liner so that I could apply loose glitter on top to make it extra sparkly (he used another product which I don't have-LA Splash eyeshadow base/sealer, so I improvised). Yeah, my look is probably a more toned down version, and he's got those fantastic false eyelashes, but he looks better. :p~

If you haven't seen Petrilude's videos, you should definitely check it out. He's got great Halloween tutorials as well as makeup ones.

Project 365

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Johnson) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:30:00 +0000

I started a photography Project 365. I am also doing one of Just Me everyday this year as well. This will be my first true attempt at taking a photo everyday for a year. We will see how it goes. :) You can also find these photos on my Flickr along with other photos I have taken of places, shows, etc. Let me know what you think of my photos here and/or on Flickr. Comments are always appreciated.

Drano Snake Plus Review and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (ciara) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:55:00 +0000

Our house is relatively new, but for some reason, about 3 or 4 years ago, the tub in the hall bathroom would get clogged. I did my duty, bought a cheap brand of drain cleaner, and thought that was it. Unfortunately, it clogged again...and again...and again. If it wasn't clogged, it would sometimes drain slowly. I knew I need something a little tougher.

Drano® Snake Plus combines an 18-inch flexible tool with our most powerful gel to clear clogs for the first time—guaranteed!*

Our two-step solution for your toughest clogs:

First the snake loosens the clog; then the powerful gel clears it away!

Easy to use:

Simply feed the 18-inch tool down the drain, remove and discard. Then pour the entire bottle of gel down the drain to clear the clog away.

Safe to use on all pipes and plumbing configurations:

The flexible tool bends safely through your pipes, and the thick clog-busting formula has a special ingredient to protect pipes from corrosion. Safe for plastic, PVC, metal pipes, garbage disposals and septic systems.

Perfect for standing-water clogs:

Really tough clogs require more than one step, so we’ve engineered the most powerful combination to penetrate even standing-water blockages—effectively and efficiently.

Drano^® Snake Plus is available for purchase in the home cleaning sections of food, drug, do-it-yourself and mass-merchandise stores such as Target, Walmart and CVS. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is: $6.99.

When I got the chance to review Drano Snake Plus, I was excited. Would I finally have a clog-free tub? Drano Snake Plus is really easy to use. Simply insert the 18" snake tool down the drain to loosen the clog. It's not a pretty sight when you pull the tool out, so be prepared. Next, pour the entire bottle of Drano Pro Concentrate Gel and let it sit for 30 minutes, then run hot water down the drain. No more clog!

Have a tough drain problem? One lucky Ciara's Ramblings and Whatnot reader will win a Drano Snake Plus kit.

Disclosure: This review was written as part of the Family Review Network and Drano. I was given a complimentary Drano Snake Plus kit with no further compensation. All opinions stated above are my own.

BlogBlast for Peace 2011

noreply@blogger.com (ciara) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:14:00 +0000

My bloggy friend, Mimi, started a peace movement awhile back that started with the story of her Papa's (her grandfather) Marble (you can find the link to it in the sidebar of her blog). I'm lucky enough to share a birthday with the man with which this movement began.

So today, I'm BlogBlasting for Peace. I'm joined by thousands of others all over the world uniting for one cause: Peace. Thanks to Mimi for starting this movement. But most of all, thanks to Mimi's Papa, whose globe-like marble started it all.

Celebrating 75 Years of Shine: Windex Review and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (ciara) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:09:00 +0000

I grew up with Windex® being my mom's favorite window cleaner. I always remember the blue liquid in the spray bottle. It's hard to believe that Windex®has been around a good 30 years before I was even born! With it's longevity, you know that Windex® is a product that can be trusted and is loved.

I admit to using generic window cleaners in the past, but they always left a streaky mess. I would constantly go over it to get rid of the streaks which added

more to work to my cleaning time. With Windex®, you know you'll get a streak-free shine every time.

Since it's debut 75 years ago, Windex® has put out several products that can help with your everyday cleaning needs ranging from glass cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner, to electronics cleaner.

I was able to try out the Windex® with Vinegar multi-purpose cleaner which is good on sealed granite, counter tops, stainless steel (this alone made me love it), and sinks. The Windex® electronic wipes are great on televisions, cell

phones, computers, and more. It leaves a streak-free shine with no residue. That's a big plus. And what can I say about Windex® Original with Ammonia D? It does its job well and has for 75 years now.

As a household staple for more than 75 years, Windex®, America's No. 1 Glass Cleaner,(1) has established itself as a go-to cleaning solution trusted by generations for its streak-free shine. Recently declared as an "American ideal" in Fortune Magazine's 2011 "100 Greatest Things about America," Windex® has stood the test of time, adapted to changing family needs and lifestyles, and innovated through the years making it an established, iconic American brand.

The journey to becoming America's most used cleaner(2) started as a tradition. Just as moms have passed down heirlooms, family recipes and beloved traditions from generation to generation, moms have also shared their cleaning tricks and tips – including using Windex® – since the 1930s. To celebrate its 75th birthday, Windex® is looking back through history and inviting families to share their tried and true traditions and shining moments on the brand's Facebook page.

To help celebrate 75 years of Windex®, one lucky reader of Ciara's Ramblings and Whatnot will receive a Windex® prize pack that includes:

Windex® Original

Windex® Multi-Surface Vinegar

Windex® Electronic Wipes

MANDATORY ENTRY: (This entry must be completed first or all other entries will not count)

Visit the Windex® Facebook page and let me know about a good tip you learned, or tell me what product you're looking forward to trying.

Extra Entries:

Subscribe to Ciara's Ramblings with Feedburner-1 Entry

Follow me on GFC-1 Entry

Follow me on Twitter @SimplyCiara and post about the giveaway-1 Entry

Giveaway is open until 11:59PM PT, November 9th, to U.S. residents 18 and older. Please include your email in your entries. You can't win, if I can't contact you. Winners will have 48 hours to respond. If they do not respond, another winner will be chosen.

I received samples for review from Windex® as part of the Family Review Network. I was not further compensated. All opinions stated above are my own and are based on my lifelong experience with the product.

DreamWorks REAL STEEL Giveaway-Opens Nationwide October 7, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (ciara) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:53:00 +0000

COURAGE IS STRONGER THAN STEEL.
Opens nationwide: October 7, 2011

In DreamWorks Pictures’ gritty, white-knuckle action ride “Real Steel,” Hugh Jackman stars as Charlie Kenton, a washed-up boxer in the near future who, because his sport has been taken over by 8-foot steel robots, now lives in a world where he doesn’t fit in. With no fights and no prospects, Charlie is forced to hustle as a small-time robot fight promoter. He earns just enough money to survive by piecing together low-end “bots” and traveling from one seamy underground boxing venue to the next for whatever prizefight he can wrangle for his automatons. Just when things can’t become any more desperate and complicated, his estranged, tough-beyond-his-years son Max (Dakota Goyo) suddenly and unwillingly comes back into his life.

“Real Steel” is based in part on legendary sci-fi master Richard Matheson’s short story titled “Steel,” which was adapted for a 1963 “Twilight Zone” episode, starring Lee Marvin. Matheson’s prolific career has spanned over half a century, with many of his popular novels, including “I Am Legend,” “Hell House,” “Somewhere in Time” and “What Dreams May Come,” adapted to feature films. Matheson was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2010.

“Real Steel” also stars Evangeline Lilly, Anthony Mackie, Kevin Durand, Hope Davis and James Rebhorn.

GIVEAWAY:

One lucky Ciara's Ramblings and Whatnot reader will win:

- REAL STEEL t-shirt in adult sizes of S, M, L, XL

- REAL STEEL bottle opener

- REAL STEEL stickers

- REAL STEEL temporary tattoos(not shown...these are black & white)

Mandatory Entry: This MUST be done before other entries or none of the entries will count. Please leave separate comment for each entry.

Tell me in a comment if you will be seeing Real Steel on it's opening day, tomorrow, October, 7th, 2011 and who you would see it with.

Extra Entries:

Subscribe to me with Feedburner-Can be done on my right sidebar-1 entry

Follow me on GFC-Can be done on my right sidebar-1 entry

Like me on FB-Can be done on my right sidebar-1 entry

Follow me on Twitter @SimplyCiara-1 entry

If you see the movie this weekend, or anytime before the giveaway ends, come back and give me your rating of the movie.-2 entries

Giveaway open until 11:59PM PT, October 15th, 2011. Winner will be notified by email (so make sure your email is included in your comments) and will have 48 hours to reply. If winner does not reply 48 hours, another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: Prize pack provided for giveaway with no further compensation.

Yandy.com Costume Review-Pretty Pan

noreply@blogger.com (ciara) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:12:00 +0000

Mini-Me loves the movie Peter Pan. At fourteen, I guess she wants to be like Peter Pan and never grow up. Getting a chance to review a costume from Yandy was the perfect chance to see if they had a Peter Pan costume. We were in luck. We found this: Pretty Pan Costume
It's cute without being overly sexy. The sides have drawstring ties that you can adjust if you want it short, like the photo above, or loosen them for a more modest style. The costume comes with the dress, the cap with feather, belt, and mini sword.

Mini-Me is a bit big-boned and doesn't like anything that is made of material that 'hugs' your every curve. I told her that is usually what happens when it is made of a polyester/spandex blend. While she loved this costume, that was her only complaint. She is wearing an XL which claims to fit a 14-16 dress size. I think with the type of fabric it's made of that the XL can probably fit up to a 10-12 dress size.

While most of the costumes are not appropriate for teens, there are a handful that are modest enough to wear out on Halloween. Yandy has a great assortment of sexy costumes if you're looking for something a little more daring. They also have accessories and wigs to compliment your costume. I actually got a wig as well.
I had planned to have Mini-Me wear it with the costume since the Peter Pan at Disneyland wears a red-haired wig. She decided against it, but I tried it on. When I pulled it out of the package, and put it on, it did not look like the photo on the package. I discovered, when I turned the packaging over, that you could and should style the wig. Anyways, you may see the wig make an appearance here on my blog in the near future. My girls and I always like dressing up, being weird, and having fun.

About the company:

Starting as a small start up business, Yandy.com has grown into one of the leading suppliers of lingerie and costumes on the internet. Now stocking over 6,500 items in a brand new, state of the art Phoenix, Arizona facility. Yandy's already enormous selection grows daily with new items constantly added from over 20 top manufacturers such as Dreamgirl and Leg Avenue as well as boutique brands like Dreamy Intimates.

At Yandy, we pride ourselves on not only having the largest and most desirable collection of products, but also the lowest prices and best customer service of any online lingerie boutique. Even though our prices are, on average, 10% lower than those of our competitors, we offer support that rivals any of the top online stores. Our full time, friendly staff is dedicated to answering your questions and will respond to any voice mail or email that is received within the same business day.

Disclosure: This review was written for Family Review Network and Yandy.com. I was given a $60 gift card to purchase a costume in exchange for a fair and honest review of the product. This did not influence my review. All opinions stated above are my own. I was not further compensated.

Plus-Sized Major Trouble Costume Review-Costume Discounters

noreply@blogger.com (ciara) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:01:00 +0000

Trying to find a plus-sized Halloween costume that I feel comfortable in can sometimes be hard for me. I don't want to be overtly sexy, but I still want to have something that's cute and is "me". I checked on Costume Discounters website, because their prices are reasonable, and they also have great deals. There were so many adult Halloween costumes to choose from I had a hard time deciding. I finally decided, that since I grew up around the military, I would look for a military-inspired costume.

I found a Womens Major Trouble Costume from Costume Discounters. This costume came with a green military-looking dress, a collar with tie, and a military cap. I love the little faux-pocket flaps with the gold stars, and the dress has a cute flounce at the bottom that makes it very feminine.One of the things I love most about this costume, is that it is uber comfortable. The fabric is stretchy and fits dress sizes 16-24. This costume also comes in regular sizes as well. This costume retails for $59.99, but the Costume Discounters' price is $39.97. Not bad. I paid around the same a year or two ago on a costume for my daughter that was of lesser quality.

The dress was was a little loose at the top for me, but I can see this, for those with a little more curves, fitting nicely. Another thing that is good about this costume is that you can do a modern look (as in photo above-taken from website) with it or a retro look like I decided to do here:This was my first time ever attempting 1940's Victory Rolls. I loved the look when I was thinking what hairstyle I would do to go with this costume. I kept the makeup simple and classic, too, with wing-tipped eyeliner, pale shimmery shadow, and red lips. Looking at the website, I discovered some camouflage shoes that would have gone great with this outfit.

Costume Discounters has a big selection of infant/toddler, boys/girls, and men/womens available. Check out the sexy costumes for 2011. They also have accessories to complete your look. So you're sure to find something to suit your needs whether it's for Halloween or a costume-themed party.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a costume from Costume Discounters in exchange for an honest review. I received no further compensation. Receiving a costume did not influence this review. All opinions stated above are my own.

So, Yeah...

noreply@blogger.com (ciara) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 09:29:00 +0000

I haven't really had anything interesting to say as of late, so I haven't really been blogging much other than the occasional giveaway or review. I was visiting the old blogs I used to haunt, and I realized how much I miss that little blogging family.

As you know, I got bored with blogging. Then there was Twitter, and as much as I disliked Facebook in the beginning, I'm on it more than I should be. Well, that was until Tumblr came along. With Tumblr, I'm not forced to 'come up with something to say'. I can make a two word post, a lengthy one, and if I've got nothing to say, I can reblog the stuff I like from other Tumblr blogs.

I'm not one of those types who looks for people to talk them out of wanting to leave the blogging world. I guess if and when I decide that it's time to stop, I just will. For now, I guess I will still post when I have something to say. I've limited the amount and type of reviews and such. Maybe, just maybe, I'll go back to the blogging family I once knew.

Dreamworks Pictures' The Help Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (ciara) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 06:04:00 +0000

Get excited because the most anticipated movie of the summer is about to hit theatres on Wednesday, August 10th – DreamWorks Pictures’ THE HELP! Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon, “The Help” stars Emma Stone (“Easy A”) as Skeeter, Academy Award®–nominated Viola Davis (“Doubt”) as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny—three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed—even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.

Deeply moving, filled with poignancy, humor and hope, “The Help” is a timeless and universal story about the ability to create change.

Website and Mobile site: www.thehelpmovie.com

Like The Help on Facebook: facebook.com/thehelpmovie

Follow The Help movie on Twitter: twitter.com/helpmovie

I have one The Help prize pack to give away to one lucky Ciara's Ramblings and Whatnot reader. Included in this prize pack: - THE HELP t-shirt in adult female sizes of S, M, L, XL - THE HELP pocket jotter & pen - THE HELP fan - THE HELP nail file/mirror MANDATORY ENTRY:(This is required. If this is not done first, all other entries will be void.)

Have you read the book? Will you be seeing it on August 10th?

EXTRA ENTRIES:

Follow Ciara's Ramblings on Facebook (can do this on the right-hand sidebar)-1 entry

Follow me on GFC-1 entry

Follow The Help on Twitter or Facebook-1 entry

This giveaway will be open until 11:59PM PT, August 10th. Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only. Please include your email in your comment, so that I have a way to contact you if you win. Winner will be contacted and have 48 hours to respond. If winner fails to respond in 48 hours, another winner will be chosen.

Product provided for giveaway without compensation.

Hey, Here I Am

noreply@blogger.com (ciara) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 03:05:00 +0000

I have been on vacation with the family for the past week. As much as I enjoyed it, I'm ready to be back home tomorrow, so I can sleep in my own bed. I took a lot of pics, so that means a lot of sorting and editing. I will also be having a giveaway to help promote the movie The Help. A pretty cool package for the ladies. Stay tuned.

Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies Review and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (ciara) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:18:00 +0000

I'm a sucker for brownies, but at 200 calories or more a slice, it takes a big chunk of my limited daily calories. Then I got to try Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies. It was enough to satisfy my brownie craving without the guilt. I love how they're small enough to take on the go. It would be great to toss into a gym bag for an after-workout snack.

New Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies are moist, chewy treats that let you have what you crave while helping you stay on track with your balanced diet. With 5 grams of fiber, which is 20 percent of the Daily Value of Fiber, the new brownies are a smart snacking choice. The Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies come in two delicious flavors: he Chocolate Fudge brownies are made with chocolate-flavored chips and topped with a dark chocolate-flavored drizzle, and the Chocolate Peanut Butter variety contains peanut butter chips topped with a peanut butter drizzle.

I'm not a big fan of peanut butter, but I do love a peanut butter-chocolate combination. I think that's why the Chocolate Peanut Butter was my favorite. I definitely will have to get more to keep on hand.GIVEAWAY

Here's your chance to experience the New Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies. One lucky reader of Ciara's Ramblings and Whatnot will win a Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies prize which includes a box of Chocolate Fudge and a box of Chocolate Peanut Butter brownies, a water bottle, a jump rope, a head band, a small snack container, a Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies rubber bracelet, and a cool duffel bag. These prizes would be great for the gym.

MANDATORY ENTRY:(Please leave a comment for each entry)

Tell me which flavor your excited to try and when you might enjoy the brownies.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

Follow me on GFC-1 entry

Follow Ciara's Ramblings on Facebook-1 entry

This giveaway is open until 11:59PM PT, July 23, 2011. A winner will be chosen at random and will be notified by email. Please include your email in the comments, so I can contact you if you win. Winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond in 48 hours, another winner will be chosen. Good luck.

General Mills provided me with free product, information, and prize pack through MyBlogSpark. All opinions stated above are my own.

One More Time with Feeling

noreply@blogger.com (ciara) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 07:30:00 +0000

Here I go again. Going cold turkey. I know it's the only way I can break this bad habit. I have done it before, and I am successful for a few weeks, but I always revert back to my old ways. I'm a junkie who needs her daily fix. It should be easy, but it isn't. I just know that going cold turkey is going to be the ONLY way I can break my soda habit.

I don't really know why I can't break it, considering I've managed to get myself down to one soda a day, and I don't really drink a lot of sugary drinks or any other forms of caffeine like tea or coffee. I also know that after having a few sodas, I always swell up (thanks thyroid), and it just makes me feel yucky. That doesn't seem to stop me. Too bad there's not a patch to stop you from drinking soda. I'd totally invest in it!

I also want to try and eat less processed crap. Thanks to my heightened sense of smell and taste buds (which I curse a lot of the time, except the time that I smelled gas at my MIL's when no one else did), food sucks a lot of the time. My husband and stepson love all the processed and junky crap, and my girls are used to it, too. I think if anything, I would love for my girls and I to break it. I'm not sure I can get my husband and stepson on board.

Made a Decision

noreply@blogger.com (ciara) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 17:48:00 +0000

I sat around for three or four days weighing the pros and cons of the situation. Do I have Miss La-Di-Da-Di take medication? Or just find ways to deal with it using behavioral therapy? I had a lot to consider. One major pain in my ass, errr, I mean point of contention, is my ex-husband. He is a firm believer that all I want to do is medicate our girls, and not try to help them get better grades. As you all know, Mini-Me had been on depression medication which she has since stopped.

My ex-husband lives in another state, so he can't see everything that goes on with the girls the way that I do. When Mini-Me was diagnosed with depression, she was the one who asked to try medication after doing only therapy didn't help. Miss La-Di-Da-Di has had struggles with school basically her whole education. I didn't see this in the earlier years as much, which is typical for anyone who has ADHD, because it's often harder to see in younger children. There's also the fact that the work isn't as hard then. So when I told my ex-husband, via text (as that's the only he talks to me), that I was having her tested for ADHD, he gave me a lot of crap.

Miss La-Di-Da-Di had her appointment a few days ago, and with everyone who filled out the questionnaires, including herself, ADD could be seen, and as I suspected, it was ADD-Inattention. I believe there are 5 subtypes, some include the hyperactivity. Her pediatrician suggested that she start medication, but he was going to write the prescriptions out, so that I could think about it for a few days. I did say that I would love to not have her on meds, but he pointed out that there are some issues that can arise if she's not treated. Those who are not treated as teens can go on to not being able to hold onto jobs, lose interest in school, and as the material becomes harder, the grades can worsen, and have risky behavior.

My main focus right now is her education, and the fact that she has a very hard time remembering where she has put things or she actually loses things. This has impacted her grades this past year. She was losing her homework, I often had to run her back to school to get items she needed for homework and had forgotten, I also went everyday after school to make sure she had all her homework materials (after I checked her teachers' website (most of them don't have that).

Before I came to my decision, I considered the possible side effects that putting her on medication can have, but I think the benefits we could see, would far outweigh being afraid of the side effects. I also researched ADHD and the medication to be more knowledgeable.

I guess what made me decide to go in the way of the meds are two-fold: one, I need her to be more focused in school, and two, she can, at some point, stop the medications if she gets to a point where she can keep herself focused and organized on her own. She was also very embarrassed by the fact that she 'felt dumb'. Here's the thing, when she gets the assignment, she really gets it. She also has some talent in writing, art, and singing. I think that on top of the meds, I am going to try to get her lessons in something she loves but has to focus on. This helps people with ADHD. I've also talked with people that have kids who have ADHD, one of them being my sister-in-law. In my nephew's case, he got encephalitis when he was five, and he recovered more than most do, but he does have ADHD. For awhile, he was on a lot of meds, including one for ADHD. He has been off all his meds for awhile now, and I think it has a lot to do with his ability to focus more now. It has a lot to do with my brother and sister-in-law putting him in activities that he enjoys and requires concentration.

Today was day one on a low dose, 27 mg, and also with the generic form of Concerta (since that is what our insurance will do unless doctor says otherwise). It's too soon to tell, but I'm sure I will see if it's making a difference within a week. I'm supposed to up the dosage, but now I can't remember when. So I will ask her doctor again, and then fill the second prescription for 18mg. I would love it if she doesn't require the max dose, but they say it usually depends on a persons height and weight. She's 5'5" and between 115-118 pounds. Her doctor did say that sometimes he has seen people smaller need to take more and people who are bigger take less.

I guess my next step is to start a routine with Miss La-Di-Da-Di. This will be one of the most essential parts of whether or not she can stay focused and organized on her own later down the line. I also need to make sure she gets a teacher with a teaching style that is NOT like the ones from this past year. ADHD kids don't react well to being put down when they 'can't get it' or lose stuff. Her teachers did a lot of that and would often embarrass her in front of other kids/the class. She didn't want me to say anything to them about it though, because she felt like it would just bring her more trouble. So for Miss La-Di-Da-Di's benefit, I let it go. I don't think she'll need to be in a special class or an IEP in place. We're going to take it one step at a time when school starts and see where we go from there.

George Foreman Next Grilleration Grill: Knock Out The Fat(TM) Review

noreply@blogger.com (ciara) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 04:30:00 +0000

I kept hearing nothing but good things about George Foreman grills, and I was always told it's a 'must-have'. I kept thinking about it, and I have held out a long time. I don't know why. Then I got a chance to review the George Foreman Next Gilleration. I could kick myself in the pants for not investing in any George Foreman grill sooner.

I decided to grill Spicy Fresh Mozzarella Stuffed Burgers. Here are the ingredients:

ground beef (amount depends on how many people you'll serve)

sea salt (mine was a sea salt garlic blend)

black pepper

chili paste or crushed red pepper flakes (I would have loved to have done it with chili paste but didn't have any).

Mix ground beef, black pepper, and sea salt. Form half patty and make a little dent. Scoop fresh mozzarella and place in dent. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes and black pepper to taste. Cover with more ground beef and press edges well. I ended up rolling mine and then flattening them out. Place on grill then cook about 6-7 minutes for medium burgers. Take off grill and place on Kaiser roll or any type bun/bread you like. Top with favorite condiments and produce.

I like mine more on the medium well side so I left mine in for about 8-9 minutes.

New results of independent testing show that the George Foreman Grill removes up to 42% of fat from quarter-pound burgers made with 80/20 ground chuck beef, translating to a reduction of approximately 89 calories per burger!

Look at all that FAT!

I was surprised at how much fat drained off of the burgers. The stuff in the fat is some of the cheese that oozed out of ones I didn't seal well. The burgers weren't greasy, and they tasted pretty good. I was reading reviews from the website about the product and a few complained there were no grill marks. Some of my burgers did have grill marks and some came out like you see above. I guess that would be a personal preference, but for me it didn't matter.

One of the things I like about the grill is that it has 1.5" floating hinge lid. This accommodates larger pieces of meat. This came in handy while I was making these burgers, because I made some of them a little too big. The burgers didn't stick thanks to the non-stick coating.

The George Foreman Next Grilleration Grill has two removable plates for easy clean up. It also comes with 2 drip trays and 2 spatulas (as stated on the website). Mine only came with one each (maybe due to being a review product), but that second drip tray would have come in handy last night. I had an accident with the one tray. I spilled some of the drippings. It's amazing how much fat the grill gets out of the burgers! It really does Knock Out The Fat(TM).

I know that I'm going to use this grill often. I love that it's easy to use, cooks 3-4 good-sized burgers at a time, and very quickly. It is definitely a good step in making meals a little more healthy for my family and for me.

This post was written for Family Review Network and George Foreman Grill. I was given a George Foreman Next Grilleration Grill in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions stated above are my own.
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Sunsweet D'Noir Prunes Review and "Dare to N'oir" Facebook Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (ciara) — Mon, 30 May 2011 02:40:00 +0000

Back when I was younger, prunes had the stigma for being ‘old folk’ treat, but I have loved prunes since I was a teenager. I used to believe all prunes were created equal that is until I tried Sunsweet D’Noir Prunes. These prunes are free of preservatives, and there’s no extra sugar added. What you get is the natural delicious sweetness of the Sunsweet D’Noir Prunes. When I first got them, I had to stop myself from eating the whole package. The prunes were that good!

Another great thing about Sunsweet D’Noir Prunes is that they have whole fruit antioxidants and all natural fiber. Throw some into yogurt, your favorite cereal, or into a healthy turkey pita bread sandwich. They’re also a good low calorie (only 100 calories per serving!) non-fat snack that’s good for the family. It’s definitely a great alternative to candy when you’re trying to satisfy your kid’s sweet tooth. These tasty treats are also grown right here in my home state of California. I think those Sunsweet Growers are onto something with the D’Noir prunes. :o)

In celebration of D’Noir, Sunsweet recently launched the “Dare to D’Noir Challenge,” a Facebook-based video contest challenging prune lovers and prune skeptics alike to Dare to D’Noir and upload videos sharing what they think about the new product from now through June 17. Five finalists will be selected and put to a public vote for a chance to win the grand prize of $5,000. You can enter this video contest at Sunsweet Growers’ Facebook page. If you decide to enter, I would love to see your entry.

This post was written for the Family Review Network and Sunsweet. I received a complimentary package of Sunsweet D'Noir Prunes in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions stated above are my own.