superdumb supervillain

UPrinting.com Business Cards (Giveaway)

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:51:12 PDT

It's summertime and the air is filled with the heady scent of blog conferences and craft fairs. Obviously, you need to order some new custom business cards…

Enter to win business cards from UPrinting.com by following the instructions in the Rafflecopter form below:

250 Die-cut Business Cards for one (1) winner
2×3.5″ Rounded Corners, 2×2″ Rounded Corners, 1.75×3.5″ Rounded Corners, 2×3.5″ Leaf, 2×3.5 Rounded one corner, 2×3.5″ Half-Circle Side, 2×3.5″ Oval, or 2.5″ Circle
14pt Cardstock Gloss / Matte / High Gloss (UV), or 13pt Cardstock Uncoated
6 Business days print turnaround time
Free US shipping only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I will receive free print products in exchange for the post. Any and all reviews posted are based solely on my own experience and may be atypical. Please practice due diligence in making any related purchase decisions. Interested to hold a giveaway like this? Please sign up here.

Wordless Wednesday - School's Out for the Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:30:53 PDT

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

Pinterest for Dummies (Giveaway)

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:22:15 PDT

I'll admit it, I am massively addicted to Pinterest, the site that lets you create virtual pinboards to share inspiration across your social networks. Many of my friends and family are similarly afflicted, including my husband, who probably spends even more time than I do on the site. He's an artist, so collecting visual inspiration is technically part of his job. Why is everyone else so Pinterest-crazy? Well, aside from its clean visual presentation and ease of use, it's a ton of fun. Many people use it to hoard recipes or ideas for home remodeling projects. As a blogger, it's a terrific way to find people with common interests and to share my posts. Pinterest is quickly becoming a go-to search platform for tutorials and shopping, popular with consumers and marketers alike. So how can you optimize Pinterest for your personal use?

Kelby Carr is a friend of mine and she is also the founder and CEO of Type-A Parent and the Type-A Parent Conference. She recently published Pinterest For Dummies, which addresses many of these issues. Her book is organized to be a helpful reference for everyone from total Pinterest novices, who have not yet requested or received an invitation to join the site, to established Pinners who are looking for ways to expand their skill set and learn some new tips and tricks to use. I learned quite a few!

Enter to win a copy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Look for a more business-oriented title from Kelby, Pinterest Marketing For Dummies, due out later this summer.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received a copy of the book to facilitate this review and the giveaway copy is also being provided. As usual, all opinions are my own. Especially the good ones!

Live A Little - Opera for Everyone

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:28:59 PDT

Here's an embarrassing admission: I am not a huge classical music fan or opera lover. I don't hate it necessarily, but I also don't feel compelled to listen to it of my own volition and I certainly don't go out of my way to see it live. This is embarrassing on several levels. First, because I have many friends who are musicians, several who are featured performers in the Symphony. Second, because everyone knows that listening to classical music makes you smarter. Right? (Only half joking about that!) Third, because my parents LOVE it and are huge supporters of the local opera.

This past weekend was my mom's birthday and I begrudgingly agreed to bring the kids to a schmancy dinner benefit for the opera. It was held outdoors and I figured I could endure it, for my mom. The kids were ambivalent. And then the music started, led off by a military color guard presenting the flag and a retinue of patriotic songs. The kids were enthralled.

Seated at a table next to us was the King of Ghana and his entourage. The kids were totally entranced by his colorful robes.

I explained why opera included so many different languages and told stories that she couldn't necessarily understand. I explained the difference between classical opera and light opera. I realized that Roo and Jasper would probably go nuts for Gilbert and Sullivan. I remembered how much fun it was to witness the spectacle of the costumes and the crazy high notes. Roo was positive that her glasses would shatter. I think she was hoping they would!

The performance was eventually rained out but we really enjoyed what we did get to see. And I was reminded that we should step outside of our usual habits every once in a while, even if it doesn't seem like something we'd like, just to make other people happy.

Toyota 100 Cars for Good - Kansas Council on Economic Education

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:16:21 PDT

Your clicks matter. The next 100 days your clicks – or votes – can decide which 100 nonprofits take home a new ride from Toyota. All you have to do is go to www.100carsforgood.com where five finalist nonprofit organizations will be profiled each day. Registered Facebook users are be able to vote once daily for the nonprofit they think can do the most good with a new set of wheels.

The organization with the most votes at the end of the day will win a new vehicle. The four runners-up will each receive a $1,000 cash grant from Toyota. Voting is open now through Tuesday, August 21 from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm CST. To see a full list of finalists go to www.100carsforgood.com.

There's a Wichita non-profit in the running! Kansas Council on Economic Education is hoping to win a Toyota Highlander to help them in their mission to bring economic and financial literacy to the schoolchildren of Kansas.

If you have the time, I highly encourage you to stop by and vote every day for the organization of your choice, they are all worthy of your time and a new set of wheels.

Share on Twitter: Click on the tweet below to easily share with your Twitter followers.

The next 100 days ur votes can decide which 100 nonprofits take home a new ride from @Toyota. Vote now @ bit.ly/100CarsForGood #100Cars

Share on Facebook: Click on the link below to easily share with your Facebook friends.

http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://on.fb.me/100CarsForGood

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received no compensation for writing about this program, although I wouldn't complain if Toyota wanted to send me a Prius or Sienna. As usual, all opinions are my own.

Wordless Wednesday - this week

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PDT

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

Live A Little - Baby Steps to Green with EkoBrew

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:57:49 PDT

I'd love to say I was a green and crunchy earth mama but that would be a pretty massive exaggeration. I do try, whenever possible, to recycle and compost and buy local. I think that being mindful of your actions and how they impact the world around us is important but I also know how nice convenience is to busy families. That's why this week's Live a Little post is about starting small.

I love my Keurig coffeemaker but I hate the wastefulness of throwing away a non-recyclable plastic filter pack filled with coffee grounds. I've actually dissected them before to compost the coffee, at least, and assuage my latent inner hippie. It is a major pain in the butt. I've tried some after-market filter doohickeys but they've been a massive hassle to clean and reuse since they have an inner filter and outer cup- you need to take them apart and clean all the pieces. Especially since I like iced coffee in warm weather, which requires a couple of shots of strong brewed coffee. Washing the filter and drying it and refilling it usually ends up with more coffee grounds going down the garbage disposal than into the compost pail.

I was thrilled to learn about a new design by Ekobrew that fits into the Keurig brewer's filter holder without an extra cup unit. It's BPA-free, features an integrated lid so it's just one piece to deal with, it's dishwasher safe and, most impressively, can be rinsed and reused immediately. All the grounds simply tap out into the compost pail, or you can rinse them out. Love that.

If you're even lazier than I am (which is hard to imagine but I won't judge you!), you might want to order a multi-pack so you can enjoy your coffee without waiting to rinse and reuse. There's an Ekobrew 4-pack on Amazon for $30, a good value for being able to use your own favorite fair trade coffee.

What baby steps are you taking towards a greener lifestyle?

Share your Live a Little suggestions with the Skimbaco every Monday by adding the link to your Live a Little blog post in the InLinkz widget below. Rules: Link either to Skimbacolifestyle.com OR grab the InLinkz code for your blog post – or do both! If you post the widget in your blog post, please add the rules as well.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received a complimentary sample Ekobrew filter to facilitate this review. No compensation has been received and, as usual, all opinions are my own.

Happy Mother's Day 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:12:59 PDT

Painted metal mommy and card from Roo.

The card reads "You've done so much for me and I respect that!"

Roses from my dad.

Pussywillow painting from Jasper.

(Going to have to frame this one!)

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Birthday, Graco Pack 'N Play! (Giveaway)

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Sat, 12 May 2012 14:41:41 PDT

Please rise in a standing ovation for Graco, a company that has made an overwhelming contribution to raising the world's babies, including my own. Both of my kids are sadly well beyond the playpen age but since I am a Graco Nation Ambassador (we have TurboBoosters in each car these days), I was given the opportunity to give one away in honor of the quarter-century anniversary of the Graco Pack 'N Play. Can you believe it's only been around for 25 years? What did parents do beforehand?!

Pack 'n Play® Playard with Reversible Napper & Changer™ 

The original Pack ‘n Play providing 25 years of heritage, trust and leadership 

Fact Sheet 

Designed to offer a compact, convenient solution for on-the-go parents, this playard combines two of our most popular features into one convenient solution – a reversible napper and changer. The Reversible Napper & Changer is a napping station on one side and can be flipped over to become a changing station on the other side. 

MSRP: $99.99



Available online and in stores at Babies ‘R Us, Target, Walmart, Amazon.com, GracoBaby.com, Buy Buy Baby and specialty retailers

Features: 
The first playard to feature a reversible napper and changing station, all-in-one
Toy bar features soft toys to amuse baby
Removable, full-size bassinet provides an extra-comfy spot for infants to nap
Convenient carrying bag for no-fuss travel and storage
Beautifully-styled, soft fabric cuddles baby for naps while the wipe-clean fabric resists messes

Pack Facts:
The first Pack ‘n Play was created in 1987
Pack ‘n Plays are currently available in more than 60 models and fashions
Pack ‘n Plays can range in price from $49.99 to $229.99 based on model
More than 30 million sold

Pack 'n Play Playard with Reversible Napper and Changer in Soho Square

Win one, courtesy of Graco by filling out the entry form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I am a Graco brand ambassador and have received complimentary samples of their products in the past. They are supplying a prize for this giveaway but no compensation has been received and, as usual, all opinions are my own.

Call Your Mother - Frugal Dad Infographic

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:25:27 PDT

Source: http://FrugalDad.com

Wordless Wednesday - Around the House

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:10:26 PDT

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

Live A Little - Love Kittens

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:16:56 PDT

I know I've already mentioned the impact of pets on personal happiness, but something happened last week that made it pertinent again. I attended a conference on social media for non-profits at the Kansas Humane Society. It was really great but I brought home a souvenir. Well, two, actually. I mean, who could resist these things?!

We're not settled on names yet. Bob figures they have to grow into them. Roo wants to call them Bella and Lucky. Jasper suggests, uh, Jasper and Captain Cat. I'm trying really hard not to give them lame-o Game of Thrones-themed names, although the scrappy tortoiseshell kitten is totally Arya. What we all agree on, though, is that they've brought a kittenish giddiness to our lives.

I'm not suggesting everyone needs to go out and get kittens every time they need a pick-me-up (though it would probably work!) but having a reminder to take a step back from everyday life and just be playful once in a while is true feline wisdom we can all learn from.

Live A Little - Break Out of the Box

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:25:28 PDT

This week's Live a Little thought was inspired by our turtle, Tick Tock. We've had Tick for a couple of years now, ever since our neighbor brought him over in a shoebox. He was tiny then, about the size of an egg, but he's huge now. I never expected him to have such a big personality to match, though. Who knew I'd have a turtle who would beckon me to hold him and let me scratch his chin? Crazy!

Another thing that's crazy about Tick is how fast he is. He can move. And climb. Obviously, he's too big for his tank these days, but he can climb out and then we'll find him all the way back in Jasper's room at the other end of the house. Playing with Playmobil knights and dragons. Okay, that last bit is total hyperbole, but he does get around, which is pretty impressive for a common red eared slider.

Tick's intrepid spirit made me ruminate a little bit about boundaries and how we set them for ourselves, even if they're entirely imaginary. "I can't do that!" or "I'm not qualified!" are not things we should accept in our day-to-day lives. Instead, we should try to say "I haven't done that before but I'll give it my best shot!" Think outside the box that you've made for yourself and see what a difference it makes.

What walls will you tear down?

FTD for Mother's Day (Giveaway)

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:05:35 PDT

I received a surprise from my dear friend Zippy this week, lovely flowers from the Better Homes and Gardens collection from FTD. Actually, it's an extra-special surprise because I ended up getting two arrangements! Here's what happened. The florist tried to deliver the first arrangement while we were in New Jersey but I had to schedule redelivery when I got home.

I think they delivered the same arrangement, three days later. The flowers were pretty but a little wilted. I mentioned this to my FTD contact and they sent a replacement arrangement, via a different local floral shop. I think it's more "me," what do you think?

FTD has been America's flower expert for over 100 years and is a go-to source for Mother's Day gifting. Their Better Homes and Gardens collection features “Editors’ Choice” arrangements, designed by BHG editors. Each flower arrangement and plant is designed to reflect the style and elegance of the Better Homes and Gardens magazine. For Mother’s Day, all Better Homes and Gardens Flowers by FTD come with an additional gift that is sure to make moms feel even more appreciated: a free one-year subscription to Better Homes and Gardens!

I especially love the idea of giving FTD potted plants, like bonsais and container gardens, because they keep giving well after the holiday is over.

$50 FTD Gift Card Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You might also want to check out the Mother’s Day Getaway Sweepstakes on the FTD Flowers Facebook page where, amongst other prizes, one Grand Prize winner will receive a trip for two to Morgan Bay Beach Resort in St Lucia. Prize includes a 4-night stay in a one-bedroom (double occupancy) Oceanview Suite with Morgan Bay’s all-inclusive program for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, unlimited beverages, all on-site activities, nightly entertainment, and more!

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received the flowers shown above to facilitate my review and gift codes to use and give away. No other compensation was provided and, as usual, all opinions are my own.

Walkabout Wrap-up

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:31:09 PDT

April is almost over and that means Dr. Weil Integrative Footwear's Walkabout has come to an end. The weather here in Kansas has run the gamut over the past 28 days, from jaw-chatteringly chilly to 95º, with a tornado touching down in town and flooding rains tossed in to liven things up. Still, it's been nice to let the winter doldrums go and get moving again. Especially because it's miniskirt weather!

I'm sorry. You probably didn't need to see my weird dark sock and sneakers with ikat miniskirt look, did you? Especially with the charming mottled color that my ferocious spring break sunburn left me with. Oh, well, at least they're not glaringly white daikon legs anymore. My knees like to breathe free when it's warm out. An old friend of mine in Seattle told me that before he ever met me, his code name from seeing me out at shows was "short skirts." Yeah. I know.

The kids only have two weeks of school left (shocking!) so I know we'll be doing more walking as a family, which will be nice. I wish there were kid-sized versions of Dr. Weil Integrative Footwear, especially for Roo. I think more comfortable walking shoes would make her decidedly less sullen about having to go anywhere with us. One of the healthy changes I've made during the Walkabout is trying to be a better healthy lifestyle role model for her, so I've been working out regularly and the two of us are signing up for the Girls on the Run Mother's Day 5K. She seems psyched.

You know who else is psyched?

I probably ought to start thinking about getting some walking sandals soon. Let those toes wiggle free in the fresh air, along with my knobby knees.

I think my walkabout is just getting good. How about yours?

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that, as a brand ambassador, I received the complimentary sneakers mentioned above. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are, as usual, my own.

Wordless Wednesday - Mall Haircuts and Jasp in a Box

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:32:27 PDT

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

ZeroWater Pitcher (Two Winners, Enter Now!)

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:40:22 PDT

Our water in Wichita is pretty icky compared to most other places I have lived. It's very hard and leaves a mineral scale on everything. Sometimes it even has a lovely poo smell due to algae bloom in the reservoir. Not so delicious.

I jumped at the chance to review a new ZeroWater pitcher, much to my husband's bafflement. You see, we have a reverse osmosis system that makes our water safer to drink and much tastier. When we had it installed, we gave away our old water filter pitchers and thought we were done with them for good but I was intrigued by ZeroWater's built-in TDS meter, which measures the amount of total dissolved solids in your drinking water. I was curious to see how our water would rank, with and without the reverse osmosis filtration. Shockingly, our tap water measured 382 ppm– 500 is the EPA maximum!

I knew it would be high but that was more than I expected. Next, I measured a glass of water from the R/O tap:

79 is definitely much better than 382 but it still could be better. I decided to fill the ZeroWater pitcher with regular tap water to test how well it reduced the TDS levels.

It did very well, getting it all the way down to 005ppm on the first pass.

Now I remember that my ancient water filtration pitchers recommended running water through the filter several times to remove any residual charcoal so that might account for the slightly elevated reading. ZeroWater is ready to go with one fill, though, making it awfully convenient for lazy folks like me. I also love the clever lid design that allows you to totally geek out and test your water at any time with the handy TDS meter:

I was a little surprised at the size of the ZeroWater filters and the weight of the pitcher, which is a bit heavy for kids to use in the traditional manner. Thankfully, the pour handle has a nifty integrated spigot:

My kids LOVE the spigot. They are constantly going to the fridge to get water now. I'm not even joking! We haven't bought juice boxes since getting the ZeroWater pitcher. It's increased the entire family's water consumption. And it tastes great, especially when we fill it from the R/O tap! I love having cold water at the ready, especially now that the weather is getting warmer.

Check your local TDS levels using the free TDS look-up on http://www.zerowater.com, then use code MC30 to get 30% off the 10-cup ZeroWater pitcher featured in this review! Learn more about ZeroWater on Facebook.

Giveaway
Two readers (US only, sorry international readers) will each win their own ZeroWater pitcher! Enter using the form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of ZeroWater and received a water pitcher to facilitate my review, two pitchers to giveaway, and extra filters to thank me for taking the time to participate. All opinions are my own.

They Might Be Giants Instant Fan Club

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:26:17 PDT

I know you love commemorative coins just as much as I do, so I thought I'd let you know that you have only until this Thursday to join They Might Be Giants Instant Fan Club and receive your very own three-eyed FDR medallion! Okay, fine, it just made me laugh.

Roo and Jasper are more than a little bit obsessed with TMBG's excellent (and actually educational!) DVD/CDs Here Come the ABCs, Here Come The 123s and Here Comes Science which have saved me from hours of kiddie rock lameness over the past few years. I might have to actually join up this year. I hear membership has its privileges, even above and beyond the coveted FDR coin…

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received no compensation for posting this video. I just thought it was amusing. However, if you buy any of the TMBG stuff on Amazon via my affiliate links, I could get a few shekels. Not sure that I would get anything if you joined their fan club, although if they wanted to send me the cool birdie nightlight or some singles, I wouldn't say no.

Live a Little: Be Grateful for Change

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:08:39 PDT

I've always loved thrift shopping and combing antique malls and estate sales. You find amazing bargains and tons of bizarre and beautiful things. You can also gauge how society has changed, for better and for worse. For example, the highly collectable realm of pickaninny dolls and related ephemera featuring cartoonish black folk or white people in blackface. It's offensive and yet oddly appealing- so wrong it's hard to believe it wasn't a joke. I mean, Amos and Andy ran for thirty years on radio and TV! Crazy.

I was perusing the wares at a shop a while back and came across this book with phenomenal typography and illustrations. It caught my eye because the main character is named Jasper. But I couldn't justify buying it. First of all due to the ridiculously high marked price but also because it's totally racist- look at his lips and the watermelons. Ugh.

I know our society is far from equal and that racism certainly still exists but I'm also glad that my kids are growing up with books full of characters from all ethnic and racial backgrounds peacefully coexisting. Sometimes the über-PC one-of-each color of today's children's programming is a bit heavy handed, true. It's not quite a small world, after all, but it's getting better about being thoughtful, and that's something.

Cox Conserves Earth Day Initiative

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:46:56 PDT

Cox Communications is our cable company, as well as our home phone and internet provider, so I was happy to learn that this year marks the fifth anniversary of their environmentally-conscious Cox Conserves program. Since today is Earth Day, it seemed like a particularly appropriate time to talk about it.

Cox Conserves is the company’s national sustainability program, designed to reduce Cox Enterprises’ carbon footprint by twenty percent. The plan reduces Cox corporate energy consumption by embracing alternative energy, conserving natural resources and inspiring eco-friendly behavior. The program engages each of the company’s major subsidiaries (Cox Communications, Manheim, Cox Media Group and AutoTrader.com) and encourages Cox Enterprises’ more than 50,000 employees and their families to engage in eco-friendly practices. For more information, visit: http://www.coxconserves.com/

Cox Conserves Green Initiatives

Alternative Energy: Cox actively identifies opportunities to harness solar energy and employ fuel cell technology, annually preventing more than 17,400 tons of greenhouse gases from entering the environment through its alternative energy projects.

Energy Conservation: Across Cox Enterprises, programs are in place to conserve energy, including producing alternative energy, constructing eco-friendly buildings, greening the company fleet, conserving resources and recycling materials.

Waste Management: Cox Enterprises employs a holistic approach to waste management including waste reduction, strategic partnerships for e-waste and customer engagement.

Water Conservation: Cox’s water conservation efforts save more than 20 million gallons of water annually and return high-quality reusable water to the community. This is accomplished through water conservation centers, motion-sensor faucets and well-water landscaping, among other programs. Cox also partners with groups such as American Rivers and the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper to help preserve valuable water resources and participate in river cleanup projects.

Eco-friendly Fleet: With more than 12,000 vehicles, Cox Enterprises has one of the nation’s largest fleets. Cox embraces Eco-friendly vehicles and uses technology such GPS Fleet Management Solutions to lessen its impact on the environment. Commuter programs and green call centers encourage employees to make a difference.

Ways to Celebrate Earth Day, Everyday

Have your family establish one day each week as Energy Savers Day. Turn off TVs, computers, video games and any other electronic gadgets. Use the time to read or play games.

BYOB – Bring your own bag to the store.

Use distilled white vinegar in place of chlorine-based cleaners. Distilled white vinegar contains about 5 percent acetic acid, which makes it a great stain remover.

Reduce your junk mail stream by joining a no-send list.

Unplug unused appliances. Electronics use 40% of their full running power when left on standby. Annually, this translates into an energy loss equivalent to the output of 26 power plants!

Bike around town instead of driving.

Download all these green home tips and more from Cox Conserves. Browse the site for more green suggestions in specific areas like Office, Travel, and Water Conservation. And if you know someone who is working hard to advocate for the environment, consider nominating them as a Cox Conserves Hero.

Keep up on the latest news Cox Conserves news by liking Cox on Facebook, following @cox_comm on Twitter and subscribing to their YouTube channel.

I'm spending my Earth Day on airplanes, trying to fly home from my grandpa's 90th birthday party. Not necessarily the greenest activity…Especially since we missed our connecting flight and we ended up having to rent a minivan and drive back to Wichita from Dallas so my stepfather could make it to work on time Monday morning. We got in at 4am, ouch!

How are you celebrating the earth today, and every day?

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I was compensated by Cox and Everywhere Society for writing this post. However, all opinions are, as usual, my own.

Grandma and Grandpa

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:33:45 PDT

I'm in New Jersey for my grandfather's 90th birthday. We're all really missing my grandma's presence. She passed away five years ago, when I was pregnant with Jasper. They had a 62 year love story. Amazing.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wordless Wednesday - Nyan Cat a la Roo

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:27:31 PDT

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

Live A Little: Let It Slide

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:07:45 PDT

So, you'll notice that my Live A Little Monday post is coming at you on a Tuesday. Whoops. Sometimes life gets in the way of other stuff and that's not only normal but also entirely okay. Let it slide. Ditch the guilt and the would've-could've-should've attitude and just keep going. The world is not going to end because you're running late or even if you majorly screw up. Assess the damage and try again. Listen to Mudhoney:

You know what? I started this blog post thinking about the "Let it slide" concept and realized there's a Mudhoney video that is even more pertinent to this week's thought. You have to love a song that starts off "Well I've made mistakes that I'm sure I'll make again, Guess I liked 'em enough the first time around…"

They look much cuter letting their full-on dorkness shine through. I never really thought I'd be looking for positive affirmation from Mudhoney but sometimes you just have to go with it, right? Live A Little. Let it slide. You're good enough. Now get on with it.

Pioneer Woman in Wichita

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:56:13 PDT

The Pioneer Woman was in Wichita last night to promote her new cookbook. She was gracious and funny, as ever, even serenading a PowerPoint photo montage of her basset hound, Charlie. And then she hung around for several hours to sign books. Some JLW compatriots presented her with a copy of Pinches & Dashes. I made her look at pictures of my basset hound, Stella, and she was very nice about the whole thing. Even though the glare off my forehead probably blinded her.

Rainy Day Fitness #Walkabout

noreply@blogger.com (Naomi Shapiro) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:29:27 PDT

Q: How do you keep active when the view from your front door looks like this?

A: Hit the gym.

We've had a lot of rain recently, the kind of torrential Kansas downpour that tries to make up for the year-round dryness. The parched soil can't soak up all the water quickly enough, which means we have a lot of flooding. Which means it's not a lot of fun to take walks, unless you're big into mud puddles.

So I've been taking my Rhythm Walkers to the gym. I had been wearing some lightweight running shoes to work out in, admittedly because they're neon pink and they make me laugh, but I thought the sturdiness of the walking shoes might help my form. I was right, they make a lot of difference with weight training, giving me a more solid footing and improving my posture. My knees feel less wobbly while doing squats, even. I don't think I would wear them to a cardio class but they're really great for step work, resistance training and, predictably, for the treadmill.