Wordless Wednesday - Sorry Barney and Betty . . . but the geese LOVE your yard!

Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF

Description (from Amazon):

HANDMADE? IT LOOKS LIKE YOU MADE IT WITH YOUR FEET.

A chicken poncho. A painting of a corn dog. A clock made out of an old “mostly clean” cheese grater. All this and more await you in the pages of Regretsy, a veritable sideshow of handcrafts gone wrong. Based on the eponymous hit blog and arranged in categories such as Décor, Pet Humiliation, and Christmas, Regretsy showcases the best of the worst, ranging from the hilariously absurd to the purely horrifying. Each page of this jaw-dropping volume features the actual seller’s online listing with a light coat of snarky commentary to give it a good shellacking. So join us as we descend into handmade hell and gawk, gasp, and marvel at the disturbingly odd artifacts that Regretsy has collected for your viewing pleasure, proving that you can never have too much of a bad thing.

I had never heard of the book nor the website, Regretsy.  So, when I received a copy of the book in the mail I glanced over it and thought, "Eh, I'll get to it."  Last night was the night.  Not feeling like watching TV, browsing the internet, or reading a "real" book, I picked it up.  Figuring that I'd probably fall asleep reading it, I went to bed so that I'd be in place when boredom struck and the book fell to the floor.  At 154 pages, it definitely isn't a long read, but I couldn't believe how quickly I read through it . . . and how many times I actually laughed out loud.  In fact, Doc was trying to sleep next to me when he rolled over and said, "What is so funny?  I might have to go in the other room so I can actually sleep."  While the book is impossible to describe, it is hilarious.  I enjoyed it so much that I went to the website this morning to see what other unique creations and commentary there were to be found.  While the website was definitely amusing, I have to say that I enjoyed the book even more.  I plan to pass this book on to my sister next.  They keep reading material in their bathroom, and I have to say that this is an ideal bathroom reader. 

Note:  All opinions and experiences are my own.  I did not receive any products or compensation in exchange for this review.

House Rules by Jodi Picoult - Review

From Jodi Picoult's website:

HOUSE RULES is about Jacob Hunt, a teenage boy with Asperger’s Syndrome. He’s hopeless at reading social cues or expressing himself well to others, and like many kids with AS, Jacob has a special focus on one subject – in his case, forensic analysis. He’s always showing up at crime scenes, thanks to the police scanner he keeps in his room, and telling the cops what they need to do…and he’s usually right. But then one day his tutor is found dead, and the police come to question him. All of the hallmark behaviors of Asperger’s – not looking someone in the eye, stimulatory tics and twitches, inappropriate affect – can look a heck of a lot like guilt to law enforcement personnel -- and suddenly, Jacob finds himself accused of murder. HOUSE RULES looks at what it means to be different in our society, how autism affects a family, and how our legal system works well for people who communicate a certain way – but lousy for those who don’t.

Honestly, the synopsis of the book really didn't make me interested in reading House Rules at all.  Previously, I had read and enjoyed My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult.  The fact that her writing style is easy to read and really draws you in to the characters was my primary motivation to pick up this book.  That being said, once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down.  Within 48 hours, I read all 532 pages of this book.  The book was very well written and definitely an enjoyable read.  Throughout the book, I came to really care about each of the characters.  I wanted them all to find a way to be happy and experience some closure in their lives. 

At the end of the book, I was slightly disappointed.  In My Sister's Keeper, I ended up being surprised by the turn of events.  House Rules didn't offer me that surprise, nor did it offer me a sense of finality.  I felt like I knew "what happened" about half way through the book and wanted loose ends to be tied.  When the book ended, I almost felt that it should have said, "to be continued . . . " since there was so much more I wanted to know. 

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to my family and friends.  It provided me with some interesting insight into an individual with Asperger's and the struggles a family might have in dealing with this disorder.  Not having any direct contact with a child with Asperger's, I would be curious to hear the reaction of someone that has experienced similar trials and tribulations.

Note:  All opinions are my own.  I did not receive any product or compensation for this review.

Our Summer Bonding Project

My girls LOVE crafts.  They are both pretty artistic, very creative, and are always excited to show off their creations.  Unfortunately, as a non-artistic mom, it is sometimes hard for me to come up with ideas and projects for my girls to work on.   When I do come up with something, I often find that it is actually an activity that I have to do most of the work for.  At 4 and 6, Pumpkin and Peanut are not ready for glue-guns and sharp scissors.  So I end up crafting while listening to them ask, "Is it my turn yet?" and "When do I get to do something?"

When Twittermoms and GlueDots offered mom bloggers the opportunity to receive some free GlueDots to use in projects with our kids, I was thrilled!  I received the GlueDots in the mail and waited for more information on exactly what we'd be doing with them.  While I was a little disappointed that I didn't receive detailed instructions on specific projects to do with my kiddos (remember, I am not very creative), I was thrilled with the amount of GlueDots I did receive.  With that many, I could try several projects and not worry about running out before we found the perfect craft for our family.

After much debate and negotiation, the girls and I decided to create flower clips for their hair using the GlueDots.  Peanut and Pumpkin have received some gorgeous hair clips from Little Diva Tutus this past year.  People would always compliment them on the clips when they would wear them, which made them want to wear them more often.  Unfortunately, they didn't have enough to match every outfit, and I wasn't willing to buy them any more.  Flower hair clips are a little expensive, especially when they tend to get lost.   So, we set out on a mission to find the perfect flowers and clips in order to create the ideal hair accessory.  Here is what we ended up with:

I couldn't be more thrilled with the process and the end product.  The girls had a great time and were both able to participate fully in making these clips.  After a trip to Pat Catan's to pick up the flowers, butterflies, felt, and clips, we were ready to go.  For the flowers, the girls used the Craft GlueDots to attach the layers of the flowers together.  They used the Mini GlueDots to attach the gem to the middle of the flower.  I still ended up using a glue gun to attach the flower to the clip with a piece of felt.  For the butterflies, I used a gluegun to attach a piece of felt to the clip and the girls used the Craft GlueDots to attach the butterfly to the felt.  The clips were very easy to make and so inexpensive.  I think we might recreate this process as an activity for Pumpkin's birthday this fall. 

For more information on GlueDots and fun projects you can do with your kids, be sure to check out their facebook page here. 

Disclaimer:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Glue Dots blogging contest to be eligible to receive a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Better Than Ever

Just this morning I decided that I am going to start a new weekly post on my blog.  The topic will be "Thankful Thursday!"  I'm sure that I'm borrowing the idea from someone, but for the life of me I can't figure out who.  What I do know, is that I have an awesome family and an amazing life for many reasons.  I also know that I tend to focus on the negative rather than the positive.  This regular Thursday post will help me to focus on the great things that I have and am able to do in my life.   I know that when I think about it, my life right now really is "Better Than Ever"!  Here are just a few of the reasons:

• My girls are 4 and 6 - While I LOVED my girls when they were babies, and I sometimes still miss that stage, I have to say that I wouldn't go back.  I love that they are little people with huge personalities.  I love that they can tell me what they want without crying and throwing temper tantrums.  I love that they can tell jokes and make me laugh.  I love that we can carry on a long conversation with neither of us becoming bored.   While it might not seem possible, every day I love them more!
• We love where we live! - It was two years ago this past May that we moved to the home we are now living in.  I was happy when we made the move, but now I am ecstatic.  We have a gorgeous view, awesome neighbors, and spectacular friends.   On the weekends our home is busy with family and friends, but during the week it is like we live on an island all to ourselves.  It is the perfect combination of peace, relaxation, and fun.

You can read why other people's lives are "Better Than Ever" now too, here.  Maybe it will inspire you to take a new look at your own life and express appreciation for all the ways it is better than it was in the past.

It is funny that I had this idea earlier today, then received notification that Twittermoms is offering bloggers like me the opportunity to tell our readers why our life is better than ever.  Twittermoms is working with Dove to get the word out about their new better than ever NutriumMoisture as well as their facebook contest where you can win a weekend getaway or other prizes worth thousands of dollars.  Here are the highlights of that contest:

Better Than Ever Facebook Photo Contest
Dove® gofresh™ just got better with a boost of NutriumMoisture™. Now we’re asking: What in your life is better than ever? Visit the Dove® gofresh™ tab on Facebook and enter the "Better Than Ever" photo contest!

Submit a “before” photo and a “now” photo in one of the categories below and tell us how your life is better than ever for your chance to win a spa weekend getaway, cash prizes and more!

Choose from these categories:

Play: Have you gone from bunking up in hostels to staying in quality hotels? Have your vacations gone from spring break to lifetime adventures with family and friends? Tell us how you’ve enhanced your passions.

Love: Did you exchange a burn-out boyfriend for a loving man? College parties for dinner parties? Show us how your relationships have evolved.

Live: You used to microwave mac n’ cheese but now you cook meals made from scratch. You used to share an apartment but now you’re decorating your own pad. Show us how your living has gone from surviving to stylin’.

Style: Have you upgraded your hairstyle? Traded trucker hats for ballet flats? Show us how you’ve come into your own when it comes to style.

Disclaimer:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Dove® gofresh™ blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card and some product. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

WINNER Headboards, Cookware, and Toys - Oh My!

I am happy to announce the winner for the $50 CSN gift card. Out of 119 entries, random.org selected 109 as the lucky number. The winner has been contacted and confirmed.

ap66215 said...

This waffle maker looks fun http://www.cookware.com/Cuisinart-WMR-CA-CUI1093.html?cv=

Congrats! I hope you enjoy the wafflemaker or whatever else you choose to buy with your gift card.  Many thank to CSNStores.com for sponsoring the giveaway and to all who entered to make this my most popular giveaway yet!

In Bed By 8:00

According to our neighbors, Doc and I run a pretty tight ship.  As a general rule, the girls are on a pretty strict schedule.  They are in bed by 8:00 pm 95% of the time, whether it is a school night, weekend, or even the summer.  This past week has not been a typical week.  Between a trip to Cedar Point, Fireworks with the neighbors, a campfire and smores with friends, etc. we have been lucky to get the girls in bed by 10:00.   Last night we got the girls in bed by 8:00 again!   Ahhhh . . . I love the structure in our lives!

The Juicy Bunch

As many of you know, I am a member of The Juicy Bunch.  As a member I  provide feedback to Juicy Juice about their products, ideas, recipes, activities, etc.  In exchange for my feedback I earn points that I can use to "purchase" gift cards.  It is a perfect fit for me since I absolutely LOVE Juicy Juice.  I am a 100% juice mom with 100% juice kids!

As a Juicy Bunch member, I have two exciting pieces of information to share with you -

1. If you have been to one of my recent Juicy Juice parties, you can provide feedback about the party in exchange for a coupon.  Yes, even though you received one from me in person, you can also now print one.  All you have to do is go here and tell them all about our shindig!
2. If you think you might like to be a part of the Juicy Bunch community as well, you can apply here.  The community is expanding and you could be a part of it!

Here's what they have to say about their community:

"The Juicy Bunch is an exclusive and exciting team of highly influential and active brand advocates that help generate buzz about JUICY JUICE. As a member of the Juicy Bunch, you’ll have access to sneak peeks of new JUICY JUICE products and promotions as well as provide invaluable feedback that can help shape the future of our brand offerings. Once you’re in, you will use the site as a hub from which you can organize exciting social events and bring JUICY JUICE into your existing groups, clubs and social circles. Many of the tools and supplies needed to share JUICY JUICE will be provided."

Embracing Summer Reading

Twittermoms has a new blogging program this summer to find and share ways to keep your kids involved in reading this summer.  I can't wait to read the tips and tricks that other moms use to keep their kids engaged during the summer months.  Right now, I am fortunate to have two little girls that LOVE to read.  Reading is an integral part of their lives and has been since the day they were born.  Each night before bed we read a story (or two or three) to the girls.  Some of the books we read are silly, whereas others are more "educational" in nature.  No matter what we read though, the girls love to participate either by reading themselves or asking questions about the book and the characters.  Honestly, I don't think a day goes by where we don't spend at least 1/2 hour reading together.

My girls are happy to continue their reading during the summer months.  The problem usually comes in when I get busy or just too lazy to keep them on track.  During the summer, as the days are longer, and bedtimes get later, it is tempting to skip the story to get the girls in bed faster.   One way that I have found to keep myself on track is to sign Peanut and Pumpkin up for summer reading programs.  Most major bookstores have a program that simply involves reading books to earn prizes. Some of our favorites are:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/index.asp
http://media.bordersstores.com/pdf/summerreading.pdf
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/for_parents_and_teachers.html
http://www.bookitprogram.com/summerbreak/challengesweeps.asp

Our local library has a summer reading program too.  This program has a list of different types of books to read in order to win various prizes.  For example, we needed to read 3 Caldecott books, 5 picture books, a biography, a book by an author whose last name begins with the same letter as our last name, etc.  It is like a scavenger hunt of reading.  It has encouraged us to select books we wouldn't normally read and expand our horizon a bit.  This is actually the best way we find to stay on track since weekly visits to the library are also factored in to your prize earning abilities.  Once we go to the library and pick out a book, the girls can't wait to get them all read. 

For other tips and tricks be sure to check out Twitter Moms Reading Channel.  You're bound to get some great ideas.  If you have ideas to share, the TwitterMoms community would love to hear them.  Check out their site to find out how to get involved.  I welcome your ideas and comments here as well.

*Disclaimer:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms blogging program to be eligible to get an "I Can Read!" book. For more information on how you can participate, click here.



I Can Read! BooksBecome an I Can Read! Member

Headboards, Cookware, and Toys - Oh My!

*CLOSED*

My bedroom is in desperate need of a makeover. We bought the furniture when we were first married over ten years ago.  Unfortunately, too many rooms are in need of repair to allow us to focus on just that one. The great thing about bedrooms though, is that simple changes can easily alter the entire look and feel of your room.   Headboards and comforters are two of the easiest and most inexpensive modifications you can make.  Upon browsing the CSN website I've found two styles that I'm leaning toward for our room.  I love the modern look of this headboard, but the storage aspect of this one is also very appealing.  I also fell in the love with the look of this headboard.  I think it would look perfect in a guest room with a coastal feel to it. 

The great thing about browsing a CSN site, is that  once you get an idea in your head for a new design or theme, you can find something for every room of your house.  After seeing this headboard, I started thinking about entertaining.  Right now, my cookware and serving dishes are a mish-mash of different colors and styles.  Wouldn't it look fabulous to have this Le Creuset bake ware in Caribbean for our picnics on the deck?  Nothing says relaxing vacation like this gorgeous shade of green-blue!

After eating a delicious meal, it is time to play.  We were just in the lake this weekend, so I started looking for some fun toys that the girls would really enjoy.  When I came across this fun water teeter-totter, I knew I had a winner.  I especially love that it is big enough for even adults to enjoy!

Now that I have a list a mile long of items I'd love to have from CSN stores, you have the opportunity to browse the site and find something you'd like.  One lucky winner will be receiving a $50 gift certificate to use as they wish on any of the 200+ CSNstore sites!  Here's what you have to do for your chance to win.

Mandatory Entry:  Browse any of the CSN stores and find an item that interests you (other than the ones linked to above).  Post a link to the item and a brief statement of why you'd like to win it.

Optional Extra Entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter.  Post your username in the comments.
2. Tweet about this giveaway using @rmgm and @CSNStores.  Post a link to your tweet here.  This can be done once daily.  You can use the shortened link http://bit.ly/dAvnVR
3. Blog about this giveaway and post a link to your blog post here.  Your post must include the link http://melissa987654321.blogspot.com/2010/06/headboards-cookware-and-toys-oh-my.html
4. Follow me publicly on Google Friend Connect and post a comment with your username.

Details:

• Only open to US and Canadian residents
• Winner will be chosen using random.org
• Giveaway ends 11:59pm ET on July 6, 2010
• Include your email address in your comment if it is not available on your profile page.
• Winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

*Note:  This giveaway is sponsored by CSNstores.  I did not receive any compensation in exchange for hosting this giveaway.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Others may have different experiences.