We Make Motherhood Simple."ish"

As Seen on Oprah...Emu Oil

2007-04-06T08:20:00.001-07:00

I was first introduced to Emu Oil a few years ago. My eighteen month old daughter had fallen on a glass and got a severe wound on her chin. I was desperate. I searched everywhere for something that would help reduce the scarring. After hours of searching the internet, and a few conversations with the owner of a local natural foods store who swore by it for scarring as well its anti-aging properties, I decided to give Emu Oil a try.

Within a few weeks her scar started to lighten and soften. I was so impressed that I decided to try it as a facial moisturizer. I have naturally dry skin and it soaked into my skin instantly. It wasn't greasy and smoothed my itchy skin instantly. I was hooked. I have been using it for two years now. My skin is softer, smoother and my crows’ feet and laugh lines are less noticeable. I have been using it religiously ever since I saw how well it worked for my daugher.
Needless to say, I was thrilled when I learned about this line of Anti Aging Skin Care Products made with Emu oil and wanted to share them with you.

The product line includes facial moisturizers, pain relief rubs, an exfoliant, a cleanser and more...

Click here to learn more about the benefits of Emu Oil and the Dremu Oil product line. I will not use anything else, and am certain you will feel the same way if you give it a try.

This is a sponsored post.

What Will Those Designer Jeans Actually Cost You?

2007-04-02T07:41:00.001-07:00

by Traci Anderson | More from this Blogger

I had a college friend who had an annoying little habit. Whenever it was time to pay the rent, buy groceries, or split the utility bills she would say something like, "well, there goes seven hours worth of tips" (she was a waitress).

When we went shopping and she was debating on whether or not to purchase a pair of designer jeans or ones from a discount store like Wal-Mart she would ask us, "do you think they are worth five hours of housekeeping"? (She cleaned hotel rooms too). It was annoying because she was constantly calculating every purchase with the amount of work she had to do to earn it. Sometimes she cracked us up too. After final exams she swigged back a few beers and exclaimed, "those were soooo worth the five toilets I had to scrub to earn them".

Continue Reading at Families.com...

Technorati tags: jeans, blue jeans, shopping, frugal, thrifty, tips, advice, save money, live simply

Bismarck, ND - Here We Come!

2007-03-31T20:41:00.000-07:00

It's time for spring break where normal people travel South or West, actually just about anywhere warm for some fun in the sun. Not me. I am headed to Minnesota via North Dakota. I take this 12 hour journey every few months to visit my family and friends.

Normally, I leave during the kiddo's nap time and drive through the night (12 hours). Yep, I am insane. A few months ago we encountered a snowstorm in North Dakota. My husband and I spent 16 hours in our mini-van with two toddlers. Talk about insane...needless to say, it WON’T happen again.

This time, I am not taking any chances. I spent the last few days searching for inexpensive hotel rates in Bismarck, North Dakota which is the mid-point of my trip. I checked rates at Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz and Hotwire and wasn't thrilled with the prices.

This afternoon, I tried a site I was unfamiliar with called Hotel Reservations.com. Not only was the site super-simple to navigate...but I saved at least 10 bucks on the rates quoted by the other sites. I am thrilled! While I am not going to be enjoying any "fun in the sun" like many of you...now, I am going to take my 10 bucks, buy myself a margarita and lounge by the hotel pool! =)

If you are planning to travel this summer and want great rates for your Hotel Reservations check out HotelReservations.com. They also offer great rates for world wide travel...in case you want to travel somewhere that is more exotic than Bismarck, North Dakota.

4/6/07 – Post Update

I just wanted to update my post to let you know that I had a wonderful stay at the Super 8 in Bismarck. Honestly, I was a bit reluctant to stay in a 1 star hotel, but Hotel Reservations.com offers reviews too. The hotel was inexpensively priced and the reviews were good, so we stayed there. Ironically, the least-expensive hotel was actually the cleanest I’d ever stayed in! The reservation process was smooth and simple and I even had a play-pen waiting for me in my room. I will definitely use the site for my next reservation!

This is a sponsored post.

Important - We are moving!

2007-03-30T23:15:00.000-07:00

Update your bookmarks! I just moved this blog on it's own domain....

You are going to LOVE the new look!

Stop by....

www.simplesahm.com/blog

Looking for a Great Daycare Near You? Check Out Daycare Bear

2007-03-30T14:34:00.001-07:00

Check out this wonderful online resource. Have you been trying to find a daycare near you? What about a preschool, a nanny or a babysitter? Daycare Bear is a simple to navigate free tool that will connect you with providers in your area.

Are you a daycare provider, babysitter, preschool owner or childcare center operator looking to expand your business? Advertise on Daycare Bear. It is the fastest growing childcare and daycare center search in the U.S.

I love the search tool the site provides. You can search by the type of center you are looking for (non-profit, drop-in nanny, home-based, etc...) while also searching for openings based upon your child's age and daily rates.

A few years ago, I literally spent weeks trying to find a part-time childcare provider near me. I made dozens of phone calls. I searched the phone book and I interviewed several providers. I wish this site would have been available during my search. It would have saved me a ton of time and energy.

I hope you'll take a moment to check out the site. Whether you are a provider or a seeker, it will be a wonderfol tool for you!

This is a sponsored post...

Technorati tags: daycare, childcare, resources, search, nanny, babysitter, center, preschool, assistance, directory

Just Say Hi - New Online Dating Site

2007-03-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

If you've spent any time searching dating sites you've probably become frustrated with cheesy slogans, expensive joining fees and difficult navigation.

Out of curiosity, I checked out a few sites for myself. (I am happily married, but checked them out for "blog research". It turns out, a bunch of attractive men were "waiting to hear from me". That's odd...because they didn't even know I existed.

Anyway, I continued clicking and learned that some sites have "premium members" and other hidden fees.

Sites like E-Harmony, True.com and Cupid.com are always free to browse, but you can't go much further than that without getting a paid membership. JustSayHi.com is completely free. You don't need a credit card and there are no hidden charges. They have a quick 60 second sign up so you can start browsing local singles immediately!

Click here to "Just Say Hi".

This is a sponsored post.

Ooo eeee oooo aahhh ahhh...ting, tang walla walla bing bang...

2007-03-28T19:27:00.001-07:00

Alright, I admit. I am going a little nutso tongiht with the muppet show posts, but I was so excited about the "ma na na na" skit that I looked up my second favorite skit..."the witch doctor" on You Tube.

For your viewing pleasure..... (I REALLY hope you guys love the muppets as much as I do.) If not, show your kids....it will crack them up.

Technorati tags: muppet show, muppets, witch doctor, funny, humor, skit, kermit

Ma na na na...do do...do do doot!

2007-03-28T19:17:00.001-07:00

I just watched a Saturn Commercial where they had this "ma na na na " song in the background. What a blast from the past! I am a huge Muppet's fan and was reminded of my favorite skit.

So...I typed "Muppets" into You Tube and lookie what I found!

I hope you enjoy the blast from the past as much as I did.

PS - if you know what a "Ma na na na" is....let us know in the comments section! =)

Technorati tags: classic, muppets, skits, mananana, laugh, funny, hysterical, muppet show, jim hensen, kermit, humor, skit

Two Under Two...The Good, The Bad and The Foggy

2007-03-28T14:30:00.001-07:00

I’ll never forget the day I found out I was pregnant with my second child. I’d spent nearly all day in bed watching afternoon talk shows with my six month old daughter laying on my chest. I was exhausted…and nauseous. The last time I felt that sick, I was pregnant. Oh my goodness, I couldn’t be…could I? Nah. It took us nearly two years to get pregnant with my daughter. There is no way I got pregnant that quickly with a second child. My head was spinning. I ran to the bathroom and puked…again.

I bundled up the baby and made a bee-line to the drug store. As I set the pregnancy test stick near the scanner I watched the clerk look at me...and then the pregnancy test…and then my baby…and then me again. I am fairly certain he was doing the math in his head. He smirked. “Would you PLEASE just scan the freekin test”, I said under my breath.

I walked in the house and threw up again. Boy, this flu bug is killing me, I thought. I was clearly in denial. I set the test stick on the counter and avoided it. If I didn’t take the test, I wouldn’t be pregnant…right? I cleaned up around it. I ate lunch around it. I even considered stirring my coffee with it when I couldn’t find a clean spoon.

It was a bit ironic. I used to love those little sticks. I would anxiously tear them open and…(well, you know what comes next). I would gaze longingly at the little spot where the second little line might appear. On the glorious day it actually did appear, I ran up to my husband and tried to shove it in his hand. He lurched back. (I was so excited that I forgot to clean it off, woops). We are pregnant! I squealed.

This time was different. I didn’t want to be pregnant. I couldn’t be pregnant. I barely figured out how to take care of this one…much less another one. We couldn’t afford a baby and I didn’t want another baby.

There was that second line I’d only had the pleasure of seeing once before. It looked florescent this time. I’ve probably taken 50 pregnancy tests and I’ve never, ever seen such a clear, bright line. I puked…again. Only this time, it was due to nerves.

I spent the rest of the day trying to figure out how to tell my husband. Should I buy him balloons, a cake, cookies? Maybe if I turned it into a celebration we would forget how ill-prepared we were for a second child. As I was planning the “we don’t want another baby…but ‘oh-well’” celebration, my husband arrived home early from work.

I couldn’t wait. “Honey, I have to tell you something”. “You aren’t pregnant again, are you?” He laughed. “Not funny”, I grumbled. “Yes..WE are”, I replied. He walked into the bathroom. I think he puked too. “Well, we’ll make it work”, he said. He sounded sincere. “Okay then”.

I am not sure if we said anything else that night or for the next eight months for that matter. We didn’t really talk much about the baby even though our excitement started to grow with every prenatal appointment. “We’ll make it work” became our mantra. And we did. My daughter had just taken her first steps around the time my son was born.

While this is the part of the article where I should be giving you tips on how we made it work, I can’t. Quite honestly, I don’t remember much. I remember changing a ton of diapers, pushing around a super heavy double stroller, having back pain from lugging around a toddler on one hip and a bulky car-seat on the other. I also remember getting up between one and five times every night for two years straight to tend to a crying baby. That’s about it.

My son is almost three now and my daughter will turn four this summer. The fog has lifted. Suddenly, I am sleeping again. I know what it feels like to take a long, hot shower again. I can shave my legs, fix my hair and apply makeup now. I even smell good. The other day, I read a magazine, drank a cup of coffee and watched a reality tv show without interruption. Pinch me.

My kids are a bit more independent now and I am enjoying some much deserved “me-time”. They play together. They like each other and they entertain each other. It is great.

If you are reading this in panic mode while awaiting a second baby I am probably going to disappoint you. I don’t have any profound advice to share or tips to offer. In fact, I am not even going to lie to you and suggest that it is easy. Two under two is hard. You won’t get much sleep, you won’t have much time to yourself and you will probably be running non-stop.

That being said, I am LOVING “two under four” . It is fun, it is easier and I blessed with non-stop laughter at the antics of two preschoolers. Who knows, I might even be ready to try “three under five” soon (just kidding, honey).

Technorati tags: pregnant, pregnancy, infertility, two under two, family planning, two-under-two, multiples, twins, parenting, babies, baby, resources, advice, tips, stories, birth

A Complaint-Free World Starts in the Home

2007-03-28T09:20:00.001-07:00

Can you imagine a complaint free world? "Really, honey...dinner was fantastic tonight". "Uh huh...sure it was."

I am a terrible cook. In fact, I can't even make one of those Campbell's soup can recipes. You know the ones I am talking about. They usually involve some sort of meat, topped with rice, topped with soup and milk. "Wa-la - dinner is served".

Well, it's not quite so simple in my house. Tonight, we were supposed to have "Pork Chop and Stuffing Casserole". It turned into "Pork Chop and Soggy Crouton Soup". "Mommy, this is yucky", my three year old daughter exclaimed. My husband didn't exactly complain, but he did seem stunned.

"Wow, Traci...is it hard to follow the directions on the back of a soup can?" he asked sarcastically. Needless to say, I am ready for a complaint free, sigh free, sarcasm free, eye-rolling free, and gag free world (especially during meal-time).

Have you heard of the Complaint Free World movement yet? It is a simple, yet powerful idea devised by Rev. Will Bowen, who pastors the Christ Church Unity in Kansas City. The task is easy, but the challenge may seem insurmountable. You start by wearing a little rubber purple band on your arm (like the yellow Live Strong bands worn by Lance Armstrong and his fans) as a gentle reminder to stop complaining.

Scientists suggest that it takes 21 days to change a habit. Therefore, the goal is to keep the bracelet on a single arm for 21 days. Why just one arm, you ask? Well, because the moment you sigh, grumble, moan, and whine about something you have to switch the bracelet to the opposite arm.

Personally, since I need a bit of a stronger "nudge", I am going to pull mine back as far as possible and snap it back against my wrist each time I whine about something - OUCH!

All kidding aside, imagine a complaint free dinner table. What about a complaint free home? Can you imagine a complaint and gossip free workplace? It almost seems implausible. What will people talk about around the water cooler? What will the conversations be like during the next "girls night out"? What will the next Super Bowl party sound like? While I am imagining people shuffling around, staring at their own feet and twiddling their thumbs, I am confident that the movement and the resulting awareness of all of the negativity that surrounds us will change all of our lives.

So, the next time one of my casseroles turns into a "just add meat" sloppy, soupy mess, my kids and husband will be forced to talk about their day. "So, how was preschool?" My husband will ask as he curls his toes and sips his stuffing soup.

You can't change the world without changing your own home first. You can get the free bracelets for your family at www.acomplaintfreeworld.org.

Additional Resources

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/living/religion/16090437.htm

http://www2.oprah.com/tows/slide/200703/20070327/slide_20070327_284_108.jhtml

Technorati tags: oprah, complaint-free, kansas city church, movement, peace, kindness, purple bracelets, acomplaintfreeworld.org, pastor, free bracelets, purple, a complaint free world, niceness, random acts of kindness, charity, giving back, home business, parenting, children, advice, tips, morals, values

Do You Want to Work from Home? Don't Air Your Dirty Laundry Online

2007-03-27T16:28:00.001-07:00

by Traci Anderson | More from this Blogger

The other day, I was reading some posts on a message board forum for moms who work from home. One of my favorite forums is the "telecommuting" thread. This is a great place to find current job openings and other ways to earn income online, or from home.

I visit the site often and am starting to get to know the personalities of many of the posters. One of the "regulars" rarely takes a bathroom break without announcing it to the entire forum. Let's just call her "Sally".

Just for arguments sake, I decided to pretend to be an employer who was considering hiring Sally. I "Googled" Sally's name and within moments, I was reading all about her marriage...including more "intimate" details that made me blush. I learned about arguments she was having with neighbors, her mother and friends. I also read ongoing complaints about companies that wouldn't hire her and other rambling posts about how she couldn't find a work at home opportunity. (Gee, I wonder why?) Let's just say that the majority of her posts were "TMI" - Too Much Information.

Continue Reading at Families.com....

Technorati tags: wahm, work from home, sahm, stay at home mom, resources, employment, telecommuting, opportunities, home business, forums, TMI

Online Slideshow and Photo Sharing with Smilebox

2007-03-26T09:39:00.001-07:00

Make your own | Click to play

Check out this cute little greeting I just created for my friends and family using Smilebox.com. I am in the process of creating a slideshow that I will post shortly, but I was so excited about this site that I thought I would throw something quick together so you can try it too! Enjoy! Let me know what you think of the site in the comments section. (PS. It's free.) =)

Technorati Tags: slideshow, photo, sharing, email, free, software, ecards, greetings, greeting cards, photos, photo cards, photocards, easter cards, easter

The Myth of the Mommy War

2007-03-25T21:01:00.001-07:00

Keywords: commanders, commanding, females ...
File Size: 9 KB" src="http://officeimages.microsoft.com/i/0000/MB/PE014/PE01479_.gif" vspace="5">

A friend called me this afternoon as she was driving home on her first day back from maternity leave to nurse her newborn son during her lunch break. She was clearly desperate, miserable, guilt-ridden and devastated,
"I don't know what to do, she cried". "I hate that he is spending the day with strangers". "What if they don't pick him up when he cries? "What if they don't rock him?" "I never would have gotten pregnant if I'd known it was going to be this hard".

My heart ached for her. I'd been there..twice...and it was awful. Even though I'd experienced the pain of leaving a newborn for the first time, I didn't have a clue how to make her feel better.

I am a bit of a free spirit. I am creative, but highly disorganized. When I think in terms of my future (and my children's future) I am often more concerned about what we will be having for breakfast tomorrow vs. college educations, retirement funds and medical benefits. Therefore, it was quite easy for me to leave my full-time career when my first child was born. Whatever happens...happens, right?

While my friend and I are as close as sisters, we are vastly different. My friend finds comfort in 401K plans, college savings and insurance coverage. I find comfort in flavored coffees, reality TV shows and a well-worn pair of jeans. Admittedly, I didn't have a clue how to make her feel better.

I left my full-time career to care for my daughter on a wing and a prayer. I consider myself lucky that my family didn't end up broke and homeless. When I left my job, we couldn't afford our house payments, our credit card bills or our insurance coverage without my financial contribution.
Through creativity and sheer will, we made it work, but I have the type of personality that literally gets high from taking risks. It was fairly easy for me to accept the consequences of losing everything to avoid the pain of leaving my daughter at a daycare center for the very first time.

So, what advice does a risk-taker give someone who seeks stability, financial security and a regular paycheck? I've worked from home for over five years now. I've quite literally done just about everything (legal and ethical, of course) to earn a few hundred dollars per month. Some months, I do home parties. Other months I write. When I want to de-clutter my home, I sell products on Ebay. For anyone with my "go with the flow" attitude, the pace is intoxicating.

My friend is brilliant. She has earned nearly six-figures working for various technology firms. I would be thrilled to have even an ounce of her skills. She is by far, the brightest, most capable person I have ever met. I want to tell her to quit her job, start a business to "just roll with the punches". But is that necessarily a better option for her family?

I feel fortunate that I have been able to avoid the pain of leaving my children for the first time to return to work, but perhaps I was the selfish one. I wanted to avoid the pain of leaving and I was more than willing to risk my families' financial security to do so.

Who us making the greater sacrifice? The free-spirit who is more than willing to leave her career without considering "safety nets" like savings accounts, retirement plans or insurance benefits or the mom who is seeks security and wants to ensure a comfortable, stable and financially independent life for her child.

This is the conflict many journalists define as the "mommy war". Quite frankly, I hate that term. It suggests that one group is at war with the other group...."the stay-at-home moms vs. the working moms" while it sounds intriguing and "sexy, it suggests that women are battling with one another. I believe that the biggest battle most mommies face is from within.

I've been a stay-at-home mom since my daughter was an infant. We've played together, I've watched her first steps, and I loved walking her into her classroom on her first day of preschool. That being said, she doesn't have a large savings account or college fund. I am often so preoccupied with our finances that when she wants to play "ring around the rosie", I am too busy calculating our medical bills to enjoy the part where we "all fall down".

While popular culture suggests that there is a moral war occurring between moms who believe it is better work vs. stay at home, I would beg to differ. . What if the so-called "war" is simply personality differences between the free-spirits and the moms who seek stability? Who wins that war? Who is really looking out for the best-interests of their children? We all are.

Maybe I am a hopeless optimist, but I don't believe that there is a mommy war. The moment I gave birth to my first child, I developed an almost animalistic desire to protect my child. I am not unique. All moms want what they believe is best for their children we just define "best" differently.

Technorati tags: mommy war, sahm, stay at home mom, wahm, work at home mom, daycare, issues, choosing, struggle, back to work, returning, new baby, infant

7 Simple Rainy Day Crafts for Preschoolers

2007-03-24T16:31:00.001-07:00

It is a georgeous day today. (High 60's...sunny, which is fantastic for this time of year in Montana).

So, why did I chose to talk about rainy day crafts on a beautiful day? Because April is on the way and for once I am going to be prepared for it.

(Plus, there is nothing better than grabbing a latte and hitting the craft stores on a day like today). =)

So...I am making my shopping list now and thought I'd share some activities I found with you.

When I was a kid, we used to make a hopscotch board out of chalk on the driveway. Leave it to Martha to make a super-dooper cute one out of fabric and ribbons.
Need a little sunshine on a rainy day? Paint a georgeous day on your windows with the kids with this simple window painting activity from FamilyFun.com.
Be prepared with a Collosal Bucket of Crafts from Amazon.com

4. Bring spring...(and nature) indoors by making some coffee filter

butterflies.

5. No time to run out for craft supplies? Print some crafts on DLTK!

6. Make forts, dioramas and even a guitar out of old boxes.

7. Make soap crayons together and let them play in the bathtub.

Technorati tags: rainy day crafts, activities, preschool, preschoolers, crafts, arts, busy, entertain, projects, kids, toddlers, ideas, family fun, mom, resources, parenting

Seven Simple Ways to Decorate Easter Eggs

2007-03-23T17:35:00.001-07:00

Are you ready for Easter yet? I'm not. I spent the day searching for fun and simple ways for my kiddos to decorate thier Easter eggs this year and thought I'd share the resources I found with you on today's Simple 7.

A groovy idea from FamilyFun.com...Tie Die Them!
From Martha...*of course*...Wax Resist Die Them....it's a good thing!
Kids Domain suggests making them FANCY-SCHMANCY....by using glitter and gemstones.
Go the "au-natural" route and create your own Easter Egg Dye.
Create your very own "egg-critters" - from About.com.
Keep it Simple...Sillly - with these easy egg dying ideas from Family Circle.
Last but not least...get a little messy and make some fingerprinted Easter eggs from DLTK.com.

Britney Spears - Finally the Role Model She Never Wanted to Be

2007-03-23T14:31:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the best role models are the ones who show us what not to do. Case in point, Tom Cruise. At the apex of his fame, he pounces like a giddy teenager on Oprah's couch, followed by a nationally televised showdown (or should I say breakdown) with Matt Lauer on the Today Show. When is the last Tom Cruise movie you saw? Just wondering.

And now, there's Britney Spears. As the mother of a young daughter, I couldn't stand Britney. In fact, I loathed her and everything she stood for.

All of the sudden, I just feel sorry for her. At one point, Britney had the opportunity to be a positive role model for young girls. She knew millions of impressionable "tweens" were acting like her, dressing like her...(make that....UNdressing like her). Britney soon became the patron princess of the "prosti-tot" culture.

All the while, Britney argued that she did not want to be viewed as a role model (let's just assume she was referring to the "positive" type). Well, my dear, you have your wish and it is long overdue.

As the mother of an impressionable young lady, I am finally ready to make amends with Britney. In fact, I should be thanking her. Soon my daughter will learn all about the panty-free, pop-phenom whose career quickly spiraled into oblivion.

I am sure there are a few Entertainment Channel producers sitting in a studio somewhere busily tweaking the next edition of Britney's "E-True Hollywood Story". (How can they possibly keep up?) My daughter (and young girls everywhere) will learn all about Britney's ten-minute Vegas wedding, her shaved head, her umbrella attack on the paparazzi and the rehab stint she was forced into by her back-up dancer, ex-husband and "baby-daddy". Lest we forget Britney's recent admission that she is the anti-Christ. (But did any of us really doubt it?)

I never thought I would want to write about Britney (much less tell my daughter about her) however, she is the classic example for little girls of "what not to do". Don't sell out. You have a lot more going for you than your sexuality. You are free to dress like a tramp, but don't be expected to be treated like a lady. If you aren't finished partying, don't have babies - it's hard to enjoy your children with a hangover. And last (but certainly not least) don't be expected to be taken seriously if you can't keep your panties on.

Technorati Tags: britney, role model, prosti-tot, spears, federline, rehab, news, gossip, celebrity, britneyspears, anti-christ, antichrist, bald, shaved head,

Create Your Own Free Online Store

2007-03-22T22:10:00.000-07:00

I just spent the last half hour creating my very own online store! As you can probably tell, I am passionate about helping families spend quality time with one another. In fact, I view it as a mission of mine.

I spent nearly 10 years working in the social services industry where I witnessed first-hand the tragic results of families who were torn apart by drugs, poverty and other issues.

I was visiting a favorite forum of mine and someone referred me to this site - zlio.com.

I love it! I just created two pages worth of products specifically designed to give parents simple ideas, and activities to do with their children.

You are more than welcome to visit my new store..."Our Time Together"....or better yet, create one of your own!

Technorati Tags: free, online store, shopping, make money online, earn, work from home, zlio, store, family, online income, sell products, drop ship, wahm, sahm, work at home mom, opportunities, resources

7 Quick and Easy Lunch Ideas for Kids

2007-03-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

It's 11:00 and we eat lunch at 11:30. I am starving...and the kiddos are getting cranky. I thought I would start my Simple 7 series in panic mode and share my last-minute lunch brainstorming session with you.

1. Egg Toast. Otherwise known as "bullseye sandwiches". My kids love these. You simply cut a hole into a piece of bread. Butter both sides and place into a pan. Crack an egg into the hole...flip, season and serve. (We also put shredded cheese on the top).

2. Bacon / Ranch Tortilla Roll-Up. These are super simple and tasty. Simply fry up some bacon (we use turkey bacon) and place into a warmed tortilla. Add some shredded cheese, ranch dressing...(and slip some veggies in if you can get away with it). Wa-la. Lunch is served!

3. Pizza Toast. Whenever my kids are hungry...and bored, we make Pizza bread. Simply take a piece of bread (French Bread is the best) and top with prepared pizza sauce. Grab whatever toppings you have leftover in your fridge and have the kids create their own pizza. The other day, we made BBQ chicken pizza bread with black beans, cheddar cheese, leftover chicken and BBQ sauce. It was DE-LISH! )
Once your pizzas are assembled place in the oven until the cheese turns brown.

4. Boiled BBQ Chicken. This is a simple meal kids love. Place some frozen chicken breasts in boiling water. The chicken is done when you can pull it apart with a fork. Shred the chicken, add BBQ sauce and serve on buns, tortillas or toast.

5. Banana Peanut Butter Sandwiches. From the Dole Kids Cookbook

6. Apple Tuna Sandwich. From the Dole Kids Cookbook

7. ....and when all else fails, make a classic PB&J and let the kids PAINT IT!

Technorati Tags: kids meals, lunches, kids lunches, lunch ideas, quick and easy, lunches, dinners, meals for kids, sandwiches, recipes, picky eaters, quick lunches, simple

Prevention and Treatment for Drug Addiction

2007-03-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of the Montana Meth Project? If not, you probably will soon. The campaign has been so successful here, that it is about to go nationwide.

I live in Billings, Montana and for nearly 5 years I was knee-deep in our local methanphetamine epidemic. I was employed as an Investigator for our local Child and Family Services Unit. Nearly 90% of our investigations involved child abuse and neglect due to methanphetamine addiction.

The Billings' city logo is "The Magic City" however, in a 1998 Time Magazine referred to Billings as "Meth Town USA". Needless to say, despite the national publicity, the mayor chose not to adopt that slogan.

Today, thanks to the Montana Meth Project, we are no longer known as "Meth Town USA". Rather we should be known as the community that took action. While some parents were outraged by the "in your face" advertising the Montana Meth Project created, most of us who understood the consequences of a meth addition were thrilled that someone was willing to step-up in a creative, bold and proactive way.

Unfortunately, prevention won't always work for your friend or family member that is already addicted. As someone who has worked with drug addicts for years, I firmly believe that treatment works! I've met women who were at the height of their addiction. They lost their children, they lost their jobs and their homes. With only the shirt on their back, they went to treatment and came out clean & sober.

Do you have a friend or family member in need of treatment? Start with Stone Hawk. They are an incredible, realistic facility that utilizes counselors and team members that have "been there...done that".

Even better....over 70% of Narconon Drug Rehab graduates beat their drug addiction successfully!

Click the link to learn more about the Stone Hawk drug treatment program.

Technorati Tags: meth, methanphetamine, addiction, montana meth project, treatment, resources, addiction, recovery, programs, drug treatment

This is a sponsored post.

Bluetooth Headset...Should I, or Shouldn't I?

2007-03-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

I have been seriously thinking about getting myself a bluetooth headset. It would be great for driving, cleaning days and those rare days I go to the gym or do laundry.

At the same time, I have a love-hate relationship with the headsets. While I want one...it makes me crazy when I am trying to talk to someone who is using one.

This commercial is a good example of what I am talking about....

Technorati Tags: funny, beer commercial, bluetooth, headset, video, commercial, keystone, joke, youtube

New Series! Simple 7

2007-03-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

I am excited to announce that I am starting a new series of daily posts called "simple 7". While I plan to continue offer simple housekeeping, crafts, activities and other tips...my simple 7 series will feature quick links in a variety of topics.

Coming soon...

7 Simple Potty Training Tips
7 Quick and Simple Lunches for Kids.
7 Simple Ways to Earn a Little Extra from Home
7 Simple Ways to Say "I Love You"
7 Quick and Simple Crockpot Recipes....

and more! Do you have some suggestions for the Simple 7 Series? Post them in the comments section!

Technorati Tags: simple, simplicity, housekeeping, crafts, projects, activities, WAHM, SAHM, Earn Money from Home, Home Business, Recipes, Quick Meals, Quick and Easy, Crockpot, Housewife, Homemaker, Stay at Home Mom, Work at Home Mom

Some Soup for You!

2007-03-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

Remember that great Seinfeld episode where the Soup Nazi screams at his *unruly* customers..."no soup for you". Well, I am not the Soup Nazi and great soup recipes are no longer a big secret thanks to this great site....

The Gracious Bowl.

They have fantastic recipes including Cream of Sherried Mushrooms, Lemongrass Shrimp...and even a Chocolate Rose Petal soup!

Do you have a favorite soup recipe? Drop me a note in the comments section and share it!

Technorati Tags: soup, recipes, homemaking, housekeeping, meals, dinner, quick and easy, chocolate soup

A Bridesmaid Dress...and a Treasured Memory

2007-03-18T19:55:00.000-07:00

One of my 3 1/2 year old daughter's favorite things to do is to check the mail. Earlier this week, she came running in with a rubbermaid box. "Mommy, is it for me?" She asked, excitedly. It was! We cut the tape, popped it open and pulled out a lovely red velvet and satin dress.

This looks familiar, I thought.

It was a bridesmaid dress from my wedding nearly 7 years earlier that my cousin had sent my daughter. The note inside was written to her....

It read, "My Dearest Jenna...This is the dress that I wore in your Mom and Dad's wedding. I was so blessed to be included in your parent's ceremony. It was such a pretty wedding, and the love your mom and dad had for each other, and the Lord really shined that day.

I want you to have this dress. What you chose to do with it is up to you and your mommy. You can save it, and wear it to a dance or a party when you are big. Or you can wear it to play dress-up. I love you."

I cried. While most people cringe when they think of bridesmaid dresses, but I will have fond memories of my daughter playing dress up in the empire waisted red-velvet dress that I picked for my wedding.

What an amazing gift. I am putting the note in Jenna's scrapbook and will be taking the dress to a tailor so it will fit my little "Jenna-bean".

Thank you Auntie Didi! We love you!

Super Simple Meal Planning

2007-03-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

I am all about meal planning. In fact, I created a website, blog and e-book dedicated to Once a Month Cooking. That being said, it has been a rough month. I've barely had the time to take a shower much less spend an entire day in the kitchen cooking. (I'm bummed because OAMC is a huge time saver when I take the time to do it.)

Anyway, I thought I would show you my next best meal planning trip. It goes like this.

First, I scan my pantry to see what we need. Mac and Cheese, Chicken Nuggets, Hot Dogs...(the staples). :)

Then, I send my husband to Costco where he buys tools, junk food and a bottle of wine (to get away with the tools and junk food).

After that, I scan my pantry again. What can I make with a box of noodles, a pound of hamburger, some cheese, chicken breasts and other random stuff......

With chalk in hand, I create a menu plan on a huge chalkboard I put in my kitchen with all of my leftovers.

While it isn't the most productive form of meal planning, it works in a pinch...and it's cute to boot! =)

Having an Ugly Day? Watch This....

2007-03-17T20:13:00.000-07:00

I couldn't have found this video at a better time. I couldn't sleep last night so I spent the day with my hair pulled back wearing a ratty t-shirt and my husband's boxer shorts. I didn't shower until 2 (pm)...and it was only because my skin was starting to itch.

Needless to say, I was having an ugly day. I needed this today...enjoy.

PS - I am headed to Best Buy in the morning to purchase Photoshop!

I'm a Local Mom Advocate!

2007-03-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

I spend at least an hour per day doing "blog research". (That's the professional way of saying, "mindless web searching".

Anyway, I found a site recently which I'd like to refer to as "MySpace...for Moms". It has all of the cool social networking features of MySpace...without all of the 'yuck' and spammy stuff.

I signed up immediately and saw that I am the ONLY user in my town (the site just got out of beta). So, I signed up to be a local mom's advocate! Woo hoo! Now, I connect local (and not-so-local) moms with the site and earn bonuses (gift cards) when my networks grow.

The site is completely free and extremely useful. I absolutely, positively would NOT promote something that I didn't feel good about.

If you are wondering what a Mom Advocate entails..it's pretty simple.

Yesterday, I connected with four of my local friends and asked them to post their upcoming MOPS meetings on the group. I also did a little web-surfing myself and added local events.

The coolest thing about the site is that it is an easy-to-use "one-stop-shop" for moms. I can meet other moms. Check the calendar. E-mail everyone about a party or playdate...and join other groups I am interested in. (Like blogging...).

So...if you would like to join me (and wouldn't mind using me as your referral source) please read more here and e-mail me and I will send you an invite to the site. When you get there...check to see if your town needs advocates too! It's fun!

So Much for Being "Boss-Free"

2007-03-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

by Traci Anderson | More from this Blogger

My new boss is a tyrant. She is bossy and demanding. While she stands less than four feet tall (including her piggy-tails) she is quite intimidating.

In a previous post, I talked about how much I enjoyed working from home because I enjoy being independent and "boss-free". Well, I am starting to realize that I am not actually boss-less, I simply switched from one type of boss to another.

My new boss is three years old. She tells me when I should work, and when it is time to play. The other day, she even chastised me for drinking too much coffee .."mommy, you need to drink some milk". She was right.

.....continue reading my families.com blog post.

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-03-17T00:31:00.001-07:00

The Simplest $150 I've Ever Made...

2007-03-16T22:43:00.000-07:00

Normally I dread the time of the month that my credit card statement is about to arrive. (I will actually avoid the mailbox for a few days if I know it is coming....)

When I finally got the courage to check my mail, there it was. I grabbed it bitterly. It was thick too. How many pages of charges were they able to stuff in here? UG - They probably charged me for the extra postage too.

As I reluctantly looked at the first line of the dreaded bill I was pleasantly surprised. In bold letters was a credit of $156.57. Cha-CHING!

I'd signed up for my American Express card when I joined my first home-based direct selling business. I used it to purchase office supplies and all of the products that my customers would write me personal checks for. Since I had a hefty bill each month, the "1-2%" cash back feature paid off nicely.

In fact, I was so excited about my $150 bonus this month that I transfered several of the bills I normally pay through my savings account to my card. Of course, I'll have to be diligent about paying it in full each month...but my goal is to use my cash back for a family vacation.

Would you like to learn more about credit card incentives and options? Check on the links below.

Balance Transfers * Compare Credit Cards * 0% Credit Cards

credit card application

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Super Simple French Onion Soup

2007-03-16T20:44:00.000-07:00

Photo Courtesy of
by Shasta MacNasty

We are going to get our last cold blast of the season this weekend so I thought I would make a yummy soup. Have you ever tried TGI Fridays French Onion Soup? It is to die for! Since I am craving TGIF..and would have to drive over 6 hours to go there, I thought I'd try it at home.

Here is a fantastic (and super simple) recipe for French Onion Soup. Let me know what you think of it in the comments section! (PS - I like provolone vs. swiss cheese on top).

French Onion Soup
INGREDIENTS

* 1/4 cup butter
* 3 onions, thinly sliced
* 1 teaspoon white sugar
* 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
* 2 1/2 cups water
* 1/2 cup red wine
* 2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed beef broth
* 1 French baguette
* 8 ounces sliced Swiss cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Melt butter or margarine in a 4 quart saucepan. Stir in sugar. Cook onions over medium heat for 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

2. Stir in flour until well blended with the onions and pan juices. Add water, wine, and beef broth; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Cover soup, and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Cut four 1 inch thick slices of bread from the loaf. Toast the bread slices at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) just until browned, about 10 minutes. Reserve the remaining bread to serve with the soup.

4. Ladle soup into four 12 ounce, oven-safe bowls. Place 1 slice toasted bread on top of the soup in each bowl. Fold Swiss cheese slices, and fit onto toasted bread slices. Place soup bowls on a cookie sheet for easier handling.

5. Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 10 minutes, or just until cheese is melted

Don't Throw Out The Pickle Juice

2007-03-16T19:50:00.000-07:00

Before you throw out the pickle juice after your next BBQ...take a look at this site. It offers dozens of cool uses for pickle juice including giving mac and cheese a "kick" and "pickling" a beer. (Which sounds oddly yummy right now.)

Here's just one of the tips...you can read the rest here...

Add cut-up raw carrots, celery sticks, broccoli and cauliflower florets, and red and green pepper strips directly to the jar of any type of leftover pickle juice. Make sure to keep these tangy tidbits refrigerated. The marinated veggies are great for snacking on straight from the jar or become an innovative addition to a crudité platter.

How to Get an Extra Hour of Sleep....

2007-03-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

I feel so refreshed today. I am alert. I am relaxed. I am ready to take on the world...and I have the little cherub above to thank for it.

So, what would you be willing to clean up for an extra hour of sleep?

Flour on the counter, tv...and in the microwave?
Butter on the dog?
Eggs smashed on the floor?

These are just a few of the horrific morning mess stories my fellow moms have shared with me.

This morning it was my turn. I woke up....looked at the clock and was panic struck (but oddly happy at the same time.) My kids slept in! Which one is sick? Which one was kidnapped?

I rushed downstairs to find my daughter happily squishing flour between her fingertips.... "Mommy...I am making you breakfast". "What exactly are you trying to make me...'a mess'?" I asked, sarcastically? "No...COOKIES!" - "Ahhh...just what I wanted for breakfast".

While I gave her the best "we don't bake without mommy" lecture I could muster without coffee I really wasn't that mad. It was the longest night of sleep I'd had in a week. Thanks again for *breakfast*, Jenna!

Sesame Street Flashback - Doin' the Pigeon

2007-03-14T21:35:00.000-07:00

My kids made me really sad today. It was snowing outside so we decided to veg out in front of the TV this morning. I grabbed their sleeping bags, some fruit snacks and my own pillow and blanket so we could curl up and watch shows together.

As I flipped through the kids' channels my preschoolers (ages 2-3) were barking orders at me... "no, not that one"...."that's not my favorite"..."I want Dora"...."find Diego"....ug. so much for a fun morning.

And then...they really annoyed me. I turned the channel to PBS and Sesame Street was on. It was a classic Ernie and Bert skit. I wanted to watch. "Mommy...I don't like this show"...my daughter yelled. It was as if she had punched me in the guts.

"You are THREE...and you don't like Sesame Street?...what is WRONG with you?"

I was sad. I loved Sesame Street. I loved Big Bird, Grover...and I really loved to hate Oscar. I have fond memories of eating bagged cheerios in my jammies after sneaking out way too early in the morning just to watch it.

Unfortunately, my kids have been exposed to WAYYYYY too many options. Movies, DVD's, video games, computer games, realistic animation, cartoon musicals....and more. Suddenly silly little puppets aren't so exciting, I guess.

So...I missed Sesame Street this morning and am bummed out. I figured You Tube would have some clips and wa'la...here is my favorite. Doin' the Pigeon...by Burt.

I hope you enjoy the flashback as much as I did!

Mentos + Diet Coke = Family Fun!

2007-03-13T12:30:00.000-07:00

I live in Montana and the temps this week have been in the 70's...(which is unheard of this time of year).

Yesterday, I spent half the day scouring the local dollar stores for fun outside activities for my kids.

I got sidewalk chalk, kites, squirt guns, sandbox tools, bug catching kits, plastic balls and whiffle bats.

Within about 1/2 hour...my kids were bored....UG.

Today, I was looking for more activities to try with them and I found this article from Wiki How...

How to Make a Soda Bottle Volcano

Really...what kid wouldn't like watching coke spray like Old Faithful!

Give it a try...and post the results in the comments section. If you are feeling extra ambitious...check out these related Mentos+Diet Coke experiments.

A Litte Wisdom from Grey's Anatomy

2007-03-12T22:38:00.000-07:00

I was just watching the third of six episodes of Grey's Anatomy tonight. While most people have been watching Greys for over a year...I am a bit behind.

(I just thought of a simple tip...RENT! I rented two seasons of Greys for less than three bucks. I watch it when the kids are in bed..without commercials).

Okay...back to the point. A few moments ago I was blubbering like an idiot. Certain news stories make me cry..Extreme Home Makeover makes me weep and sometimes I even need to keep tissues handy when I watch cute animals on the Discovery channel.

Never, ever did I think that a "racy" evening soap opera would turn on the tear faucet.

If you missed this particular episode, here's a brief summary ...

A mother of a teenage daughter is dying (cancer, I think). When the doctors tell her she will not survive she gives her daughter some words of wisdom...

"do not forget to wear panties with pantyhose...even if it is bulky - you still need to wear them".

"drink a glass of champagne on your wedding night...and then stick with water - drunk brides are tacky".

Then, the daughter figures it out. "Why are you talking like that", she asks angrily.

The mother explains that she is dying and offers one final piece of advice....

"When you have children don't spend too much time worrying about whether or not they will be a concert pianist or math genius." "When all is said and done, just make sure that they are happy...that's all that really matters".

Again...I am a bit surprised by the source, but it was some of the best advice I've ever heard.

Technorati Tags: greys anatomy, greysanatomy, mom, advice, cancer

Craft Mats...making crafting slightly less messy.

2007-03-12T11:07:00.000-07:00

My three year old daughter LOVES crafting. Okay, I am not sure if she likes the crafting part as much as the getting messy part. (Like mother...like daughter, I guess).

Anyway, after scrubbing paint off of the dining room table (oh..and chairs, floors, windows...and even my baking canisters) I decided it was time to get a bit more organized.

Check out these "craft mats" from Big Yellow Box by Crayola. You simply place them on your workspace and craft to your heart's delight. (Check out my daughter's mat in the photo). I think I am going to frame it. It looks a bit like a Picasso!

You can also create craft mats on your own by getting some thick canvas and waterproof spray protectant (for easy cleaning).

If you are interested in purchasing one from BYB - click on this link and request a local consultant.

Technorati Tags: crafting, art mat, craft mat, cleaning, mess-free, preschool, tools, big yellow box, big yelllow box by crayola

Super Cute Project....Marble Magnets

2007-03-11T18:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick and easy craft activity for children of all ages...(except the ones that like to swallow stuff). =) They are called "marble magnets" and you can learn how to make them on one of my favorite blogs...notmartha.org.

My three year old daughter and I made these last week when I realized that she had WAYYYY too many stickers that she didn't want to throw out. They make wonderful gifts too. Pop them in an Altoids tin..and give them away!

This photo is taken from the notmartha site. (Mine didn't turn out *quite* so cute).

Now...I just need lighting.

2007-03-11T18:15:00.000-07:00

In my last post I showed you my brand new orange (make that terra cotta...) den. (In case you missed it....

I love it. However, I didn't realize what a huge difference paint color makes on a room in terms of lighting.

Before, my room was stark white. I never had to turn on the lights because it seems we always had a fresh "glare" if you will. I felt like I was hanging out in a hospital room.

So, tonight...I am typing from my favorite new room, but I can barely see anything. Even with the ceiling fan on, it is still way too dark.

I am stunned what a difference paint color makes in terms of lighting!

So....I am searching around tonight for some floor lamps and other lighting and thought I'd share some options with you.

What do you think?
Traditional?
Modern?
Funky?

Sorry for my home-obsession tonight. Like I told my husband...decorating is better than....well, you know. =)

If you are doing some Spring decorating too...check out shoppremier for more lighting choices.

interior lighting

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HGTV designed a room for me!

2007-03-11T17:57:00.000-07:00

Okay - so I didn't exactly get an extreme home makeover, but I did get some great ideas that helped me decorate a room in my home that I hated.

I have a room that is next to my kitchen (I guess you could call it a den.). Anyway, U.G.L.Y....is an understatement.

It had bright white walls, a dirty looking fireplace and "oldish" looking wainscoting. (Not the cool white stuff that you see in pottery barn). Oh...and it had dirty white carpeting.

Anyway - I turned on HGTV on afternoon "Get Color" and they were featuring a family that had MY room! (Ishy fireplace...CHECK!) (Icky carpeting...CHECK!) Dated wainscoting...CHECK!) It was identical!

So...I watched as they painted the room a terra-cotta orange color. At first, I was horrified, but then I saw how the paint color pulled everything together.

I decided to give it a whirl....

I couldn't be happier. I LOVE it! Thank you HGTV! =)

So..what do you think? Have you ever been tempted to go ORANGE? Boy...it sure helps when you can see a guinea pig home on TV before making a color commitment!

So...How Much Do You Make?

2007-03-10T18:09:00.000-08:00

As a work at home mom it seems like everyone wants to know what I am earning.

I guess it makes sense. It's pretty simple to figure out what a doctor, lawyer, police officer or teacher earns...(well, at least it is easy to get a ballpark figure). But what does a blogger, website editor, freelance writer or direct seller earn?

Of course, my friends and family don't come out and actually ASK....(that would be rude). But I know it drives them crazy....

"So, how was your tax-refund this year?"
"How much are you spending on Christmas this year?"
"Do you rent, or own?" etc..

Well, today is your lucky day. I am going to tell you what I earn...actually, I am going to give you a hint.

This month is the first month I've been qualified with Pay Per Post (which is a form of blog marketing). I've been posting at least two blogs fairly consistently and right now, I have $65.00 in my account that will help pay the bills. (I had sick kids, so I took a few days off). I also blog for a few other companies, but PayPerPost is my favorite!

So...do you have your calculator handy? (2 posts per day at anywhere between $5.00-$15.00 per post X 30 days). Not bad for just a portion of my monthly income.

As for the rest...well, I'll keep you guessing!

New Look...Under Construction

2007-03-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

Check out our new look! I am spending the day tweaking this site...and simplesahm.com so the design fits my message....

The look of the old site was not quite..."simple..ish" - it was bright and flamboyant. (I think I'll save that color scheme for an upcoming kids site I am working on)....currently craftkitstogo.blogspot.com.

I am still working on things but would love to know what you think of the new look!

Post your feedback in the comments section.

A Blast from the Past...and a Great Project for Kids

2007-03-09T20:07:00.000-08:00

Do you remember friendship bracelets? As a young teenager I remember spending hours creating all sorts of different styles of friendship bracelets.

I drove my mom crazy because I was constantly tying the ends on chairs, lamps, couches...whatever was handy as I tugged...wrapped and pulled my bracelets.

Do you have a pre-teen? Teach them how to make these super fun, and always stylish bracelets.

This site offers a ton of different styles and ideas.

Enjoy!

Have you ever streeeeeeeetched a chicken?

2007-03-09T08:27:00.000-08:00

....and I am not talking about the rubber type.

Chicken stretching simply means turning a whole chicken, into a variety of recipes. It is a great way to use leftovers...and save money.

Here's how at cheapcooking.com...

Because Chicks Dig Cute Stuff..

2007-03-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to create a shopping site for awhile now and I threw one together last night.

Part of the reason I created it is because I kept finding super cute products online, that didn't really fit into my "simple" blog.

Check it out, and let me know what you think in the comments section!

Oooohhh...I hate secrets.

2007-03-09T07:07:00.000-08:00

Most people love them. Many people like to be "in the know". I don't. I will quite literally sweat when hanging onto a secret that no one is supposed to know about. PLEASE don't put me in that position.

I am a good secret-keeper though. That's part of the problem. Bad secret-keepers probably don't get so worked up over knowing stuff that no one else knows. At least bad secret keepers can get the news off of their chest. Yes, they may carry the guilt of knowing that they divulged something that they weren't supposed to...but I would rather carry a bit of guilt than the constant nagging anxiety of knowing something that I can't talk about.

So...what's the big secret, you ask? Well...I am not going to tell but I will give you a few hints.

It involves my very favorite way to make money from home...payperpost.com
In involves BIG changes.
It will be launched soon.

Keep visiting...I may (or may not) be able to hang onto the big news much longer.

Click here to increase site traffic.

How to Get Rid of Things...

2007-03-08T19:11:00.000-08:00

Check out this great new site..."How to Get Rid of Things". It has tips on how to get rid of annoying things like ants, bugs....and worst of all...WRINKLES.

Uploaded on February 12, 2007
by whartonds - flickr.com

Pregnant Mudflap Girl

2007-03-07T22:02:00.000-08:00

I am loving this tank from becommingmommy.com. It features the famous "mudflap girl" graphic that is usually reserved for big-rigs and "redneck'ed up" pick-up trucks.

It says...sexy and showing. Ain't that the truth!

A Unique Dating Site for Single Moms

2007-03-07T21:42:00.000-08:00

Are you a single mom that is tired of sorting through online sites that seem to cater to childless twenty-somethings?

Check out this site just for single moms. This is a fun and easy way to sort through profiles of other single parents looking to date. Plus, you can sign up for free.

It is easy to sort and search through the thousands of profiles to find someone who is a good match for you (and your children!) Once you've found a potential dating partner, you can send them a message...or a "flirt".

Click here to check it out....

Single Moms

The Perfect Pantry

2007-03-07T21:13:00.000-08:00

Check out this article from Allrecipes.com and prepare your pantry for last-minute and easy home-cooked meals.

Your Very Own Mini Disposable Personal Organizer

2007-03-07T19:45:00.000-08:00

Check out this great site I just stumbled upon...

What's a "PocketMod?" It's basically a folded piece of paper with valuable information on it. What makes it special, you ask? Here's a list from the site...

It fits easily in your back pocket or purse.
It's as cheap as one piece of paper (Because that's all it is!)
It opens like a book. Leading to easier to find, more organized notes.
The first page has a pouch, big enough to carry a business card!
Customizable with "Mods" tailored to your needs.
It's free and fun!

I am not going to try to describe this thing anymore because you simply have to see it...and play around with it to "get it".

It's pretty fun...and it is actually useful to boot! Enjoy!

Hey...Look What I Made!

2007-03-07T19:05:00.000-08:00

I've met many of my readers on various online forums and thought it would be neat for you to see what I look like. (Okay, what I would look like if I was 30 pounds thinner with a shapely figure). =)

I made the avatar above using a site called the doll palace.com. I had a blast creating my personalized doll. In fact, I am sitting here with dishes piled up in the sink and laundry to do because I just spent the last hour playing on the site.

There are a ton of options. In fact, the outfit the above doll is wearing is exactly the one I am wearing right now. (Minus the fuzzy socks and scrunchy).

If you love to play "dress-up" you can make more complex creations too. The site offers different styles of clothing, hairstyles, backgrounds, accessories, even angel wings and boas!

Check out a few of the more detailed dolls below.

I feel like a little girl playing dress up again! You can use your dolls as avatars in chat rooms, forums and competitions. You can also add them to your e-mail signature line and websites.

Once you are finished, you simply cut and paste the code you need for whatever you want to use the doll for. They will also e-mail you a "copy" of your creation. It's free to boot!

Make one now...and e-mail me. I'll post show off your doll here if you'd like!

Dress Up Games

As if TOAST wasn't simple enough....

2007-03-07T18:37:00.000-08:00

Now there is a "butter cutter".

Frankly, buttering stuff was really the least of my cooking concerns...but now that I am raising two toddlers who LOVE to stick their fingers in the butter dish and lick them (just like mom)....I am thinking I may have to get myself one.

Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments section!

Because Shopping is More Fun With Friends

2007-03-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

Would these jeans make my butt look big? Don't answer that.

Have you kaboodled yet? Check out this site if you don't know what I am talking about.

It is a cool new shopping site where you can share (and compare) your wishlists with your friends. Are you shopping for a cocktail dress? Send your list to your friends and ask them to vote.

It's like hanging out in a dressing room together...without the icky mirrors and lighting!

...and you probably thought toast was boring.

2007-03-06T19:51:00.000-08:00

Check out this site. Dedicated entirely to....(believe it or not) TOAST. You'll never look at a piece of bread the same again.

Photo by Charles Kaufman

Hey Traci...What's Up With the Little Blue Bar?

2007-03-06T18:47:00.000-08:00

Have you been wondering about that little blue bar at the bottom of all of my posts? Let me take a moment to explain. First, the bar from PayPerPost offers you the chance to review my posts and earn $7.50 when you join PayPerPost and talk about my blog on your blog. (Are you still with me?)

Are you a blogger? Are you a wannabe blogger? Would you like to earn a little extra money from home to pay the bills, by groceries, or put into your vacation savings?

Get paid to post! Yesterday, I earned over $20.00 doing what I love....reviewing great sites for PayPerPost. It's actually pretty simple (and lucrative to boot!)

When you join, everyone wins. I will earn $7.50 for referring you and you'll get $7.50 for reviewing me. When you link your blog to my blog, we both benefit by gaining more traffic for our blogs.

Does it make sense?

One of my readers contacted me yesterday to ask me more about PayPerPost. Frankly, the best way to learn more is to join, read the FAQ's and start posting!

So...do you see that cute little banner down there? Click on it...and check it out. You know you want to! =) Just think..$7.50 will buy both of us a couple of Happy Meals or a burger and coke. Gotta love that!

Click here to learn more about blog marketing.

Just in Time for Spring Cleaning....

2007-03-06T12:43:00.000-08:00

Holy cow....just in time for spring cleaning, I've found the mother load of cleaning tips for you.

This is a fairly simple site, but it has something for everything, everyone...and then some. =)

Technorati Tags: cleaning, housekeeping, housewife, spring cleaning, tips, tools, advice, stains, howto,

The gallery of regrettable food.

2007-03-06T09:59:00.000-08:00

I just found this site today and it is hysterical so I wanted to share it. It isn't going to make your life any simpler, but it will crack you up...and perhaps make you feel a bit better if you aren't a very gifted cook.

The Gallery of Regrettable Food

Mmmmmm....doesn't that jello dish look delish.......? Blech.

This is embarassing...

2007-03-05T19:10:00.000-08:00

Alright...I'll admit. I am a celebrity gossip junky. Their overly dramatic, and always pathetic lives make me feel better about myself. So sue me.

My favorite site is TMZ.com. Today, they had an article about Britney's online rehab shopping spree. While I am not in rehab...I should be for my little online shopping addiction.

Needless to say, I clicked...I shopped...and I fell in love with this site.

SHOPINTUITION.COM

Check it out. There are a lot of unique items for the closet celebrity lover in all of us. The photograph above is a is a Kids Restaurant Fun Kit....how cool is that?

Technorati Tags: britney, rehab, shopping, celebrity, gossip, online stores, style, internet, intuition, shop intuition

A Simple..."ish" Way to Earn Extra Money

2007-03-05T16:15:00.000-08:00

blogging

Since I've been shamelessly plugging my other blogs here lately, I thought I'd tell you a bit more about how I am earning a living online and balancing my career and motherhood.

First, let me tell you a bit about my day. I got up and checked my e-mail while my kids ate breakfast. Then, I spent about forty five minutes writing three blog posts.

It is a beautiful spring day, so I took the kids to the park. During their naps, I wrote a few more blog posts. Now, my kids are back outside and I am blogging. Honestly, I need someone to pinch me. I can't believe I am earning an income doing something I love.

Are you a simple S.A.H.M. that could you use a few extra dollars per day? What about $1000 for one post? If you have a high-traffic blog you can actually earn that much for a single entry. Can you imagine paying your monthly mortgage with a single blog post? (That's my goal!)

Pay Per Post allows me to blog about things I love and earn an income too. The pay rate is fantastic even for lower traffic blogs. Would you like to find a bit more family / career balance? Do you like to write? Give blogging a try and join payperpost.com. Remember, disclosure is required for all bloggers and you can view my statement below.

Women Savers.com

2007-03-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

I am an active member of an online forum and it seems like each week someone is asking, 'is my husband / boyfriend cheating on me?"

The thread usually lasts for pages with dozens of women chiming in to offer comfort, words of wisdom and signs to look for.

Wouldn't it be great to have an anonymous place to gather the same information and to network with women who may be experiencing the same thing?

Take a moment to check out this brand new website (womensavers.com) where you can participate in a forum, get advice from experts and read more about various aspects of marriage / dating relationships.

Personally, my favorite section is the "rate-a-guy" database. I am happily married now, but boy I wish this was available when I was dating!

(This is a sponsored post).

The Lost Appetite Diet Blog

2007-03-04T18:18:00.000-08:00

Well, it's Sunday - "Shameless Plug Night". (My blog..my rules, right? =) ).

Check out my latest blog. It started as a joke when I lost 10 pounds this winter. My kids had the stomach flu, followed by constant runny noses. I have a weak stomach and told my husband that cleaning up after them has been the best diet ever.

I was bored last night and put together my very own Lost Appetite Diet Blog. My kids are better now, and I want to keep the weight off..... (Check it out, and you'll understand...)

Need a good laugh?

2007-03-04T18:14:00.000-08:00

Have you seen my "Silly Sahm" blog yet? I just tweaked it yesterday and love the new look.

I started the site because so many of my friends were sending me to funny sites that had really offensive advertising on the sidebars.

I didn't want to support those sites (and I really didn't want my kids to see them) and so I started one of my own.

Check out my last post where John Travolta dances with Ellen on her show. It is great!

Homemade Febreeze Recipe

2007-03-03T11:59:00.000-08:00

I just found out that my son may have asthma (or a related respiratory illness). As a result, I decided that I would start using more natural (and homemade) cleaning products.

Here is a great one that I just found for a Febreeze type freshener. I am going to add some scented oils (lemon or orange oil) to mine.

Enjoy!

I forgot how much I love these - grasshopper bars

2007-03-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

Have you ever smelled something that completely brought you back to your favorite childhood memories? Well, today...I "stumbled upon" something that did.

I used to LOVE these bars. My mom always made them for holidays and church potlucks.

It's been about 10 years since I've had them....so I am going to make a few batches today and make up for lost time. YUMMY!!!

Here's the recipe from Bettycrocker.com.

Coupon Codes at Target - 10% off everything!

2007-03-03T07:18:00.000-08:00

I just got my tax return back and made a deal with my husband. He gets a golf club, if I get $200 toward decorative house stuff. (area rugs, pictures...and cleaning supplies *ug*).

Target is my absolute favorite place to shop for home decor items. (It's like Pottery Barn for the middle class).

Here is a coupon code I just found on couponchief.com for 10% off an entire Target purchase! Woo hoo! (My $200 just turned into $220!) (I'll use the $20 for cleaning stuff...)

There are other Target deals available too like $5 off 50...and more!

Baking Tin Calendar

2007-03-03T01:26:00.000-08:00

I don't normally get worked up over craft projects, but I am drooling over this one.

Really, does it get much cuter than this???

I am going to work on one of these with my daughter tomorrow. We have piles of buttons, fake flowers and other crafty stuff that I'd love to recycle into something as adorable as this!

Here are the instructions from Buzz and Bloom.com.

Tie Die Birthday Bash

2007-03-01T21:59:00.000-08:00

I am a volunteer "mentor mom" for our local Young Lives program. At one of our recent get-together with the teen moms, we created tie-dyed onesies with them for their babies.

We all had a blast! Today, I was adding some cool family craft products to the simplesahm.com website and came across this "Shoebox Kit".

Wouldn't this be a great (and inexpensive) birthday party idea? You could have a tie-die slumber party and make pajama pants, boxers or nightshirts. You can even tie-die pillow cases.

Let me know what you think of the idea in the comments section! I would love to hear additional birthday party ideas as well.

Adorable Easter Eggs

2007-03-01T21:57:00.000-08:00

Check out these Egg Dying ideas from Family Circle Magazine! I know Easter isn't quite here yet, but these are so cute that you are going to want to make them now so you have more display time.

38 Pairs of Jeans That Fit

2007-02-27T20:17:00.000-08:00

If you hate buying jeans as much as I do you are going to thank me for finding this website.

It is awesome. You simply answer a few quick survey questions and within moments, the site will generate a list of "jeans that fit" for you.

Ironically...my favorite pair of jeans right now (that I can afford) are Arizona Boot Fit Jeans. After I completed my survey the Arizona jeans were on the top of the list of recommended jeans for me.

I knew my butt looked great in those jeans!!! =)

Check out the site...
Jeans - Designer Jeans - Top Brand Jeans | zafu.com

Technorati Tags: jeans, fit, websites, review, jeans that fit, seven, levis, true religion,

Good News...Lobsters Don't Scream When Cooked - And Other Kitchen Myths

2007-02-27T19:41:00.000-08:00

I love this site! Kitchen Myths.... While I don't spend a ton of time in the kitchen the "urban kitchen legends" are pretty interesting.

In case you were wondering about the lobster...here is an excerpt from the site...

"It's commendable that people do not want to inflict pain on animals, but this one is false on two accounts. First of all, pain doesn't just happen automatically - it is the result of specific receptors, nerve pathways, and brain regions all cooperating to convert certain physical stimuli into the perception of pain. This has all been thoroughly worked out in humans and other vertebrates. But guess what - lobsters and other crustaceans are not vertebrates and simply do not have these nerve pathways and brain regions (they don't have a real brain at all, for that matter). In other words, no brain, no pain (sorry, I couldn't resist that one!).

What about the "scream" that lobsters sometime emit when dropped in the boiling water? There's the problem that lobsters have no throat, no vocal cords, no lungs, so how could they scream at all? The fact is that the noise is caused by air trapped in the shell. When heated it expands and forces itself out through small gaps, causing the sound."

Gift Ideas for the "Politically Incorrect", "Earthy", "Bush Hater" or "Soccer Mom"

2007-02-27T19:31:00.001-08:00

Here's another simple site I love....

I am a gift-card-aholic. Even though I have good intentions, I am always looking for last-minute gifts...and failing miserably.

This site will help you find gifts for everyone on your list including those who....

"Work too Much"
"Loves Sushi"
"Vegans"
"Dreamer"

the "socially conscious" and more....

Take a look. There are gift ideas for everyone on your list!

Surprise.com - Birthday Gifts, Anniversary Gifts, Unique Gift Ideas

Technorati Tags: website reviews, gifts, mothers day, birthdays, ideas, fathers day, unique gifts, ideas, suggestions,

Free (and incredibly cute) family calendar

2007-02-27T10:18:00.000-08:00

I am loving this new family calendar I just found online especially since it is free...and CUTE too! It is ideal for busy families and it looks great to boot!

Here's what I loved the most....

You can create color coded appointments for individual family members, or your entire family.
You can create a shopping list that you can "text" to your cell phone.

(Last night, I sent my shopping list to my husband's phone when he told me he was stopping at the grocery store to grab a pizza.) (He ended up getting my grocery shopping done for me!) =)

You can create to-do lists. The calendar is created for family scheduling, but I am also using it to jot down random ideas like blog topics, to-do's etc....
You can create a cool screensaver with your family photos.

Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments section.

Sign up today and Cozi will donate $1.00 to Locks of Love! Woo Hoo...remember, it's FREE!

Technorati Tags: family, free, lists, shopping list, grocery list, calendar, scheduling, organize, organizing,

Had to take a break...

2007-02-25T18:58:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I haven't posted on my blog in awhile and wanted to let you know why. My son got extremely ill with a severe case of the croup and was hospitalized for the weekend. It has been a tough three days, but he is doing great now. (In fact, he is a bit 'too' okay).

He is making up for lost time by being a bit hyper-active.

Oh well...I would much rather be running around like a mad-woman than laying next to him in a hospital bed.

I will be back blogging shortly. Thanks for reading!

Traci

Turn Your Baby into a Teddy Bear

2007-02-21T20:48:00.000-08:00

It has always been an ongoing joke between my sister and I that our kids would need extensive therapy for the way we dressed them as infants.

We both have a "thing" for little babies that look like cuddly animals....(I've already set money aside in the "therapy" fund).

Needless to say, I was pretty thrilled when I saw that Ann Geddes who is famous for turning babies into vegetables, animals and flowers in her photography has created a clothing line for kids.

Check it out here....

Work From Home Mommies-Write Your Way to Extra Income

2007-02-18T15:12:00.001-08:00

Many new stay at home moms, or moms who already work from home, are
always on the look out for home-based business ideas that can add
income for their families. One home-based business opportunity that is
commonly overlooked is blogging for profits. A blog is simply a journal
(or newsletter) that is frequently updated. There are several reasons
besides never having heard about blogging that many work from home
mommies don't follow up with this opportunity.

I Don't Know How to Build a Website

There are several free blogging tools available online and you don't
have to know a thing about web design or web programming. You can sign
up for a free blog account with popular websites like Blogger or
Wordpress. These free services are user friendly and you can have a
blog set up in a matter of minutes! If you are a little more advanced,
you can even set up a blog with your very own web domain name using the
Wordpress free blogging software (which I highly recommend.)

I Don't Know What to Write About

Think again mom! You have a ton of topics to write about simply because
you are a mom! Moms are searching the internet every day for things
that benefit their children. Searches are made for items such as
educational tools, organic baby food, to diaper bags. You can review
these topics on your blog or write about your daily routine being a
work at home mom. The ideas are endless when it comes to family life
and working from home.

How Do I Make Money?

The most popular method of earning income from your blog(s) is by using
PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising. When you place PPC ads on your blog,
you earn money each time the ads are clicked by a reader. You can also
place banner ads and charge a monthly fee to advertisers. There are
several PPC companies that you can research and sign up with to begin
advertising on your blog. Of course the key to having a successful blog
is to write about a specific topic which attracts a lot of readers. The
more popular your blog, the more money you can earn from your ads.

I Don't Have Time

The best thing about blogging is that you can do it part-time and still
earn a nice income. You can write anytime you want and as often as you
want! Your readers can visit your blog 24 hours a day so there is no
pressure to when you have to write.

Blogging
can actually be a fun, stress relieving activity for stay at home moms
that can bring in extra income for your family. Add your personality to
your blog and your readers will be more inclined to visit often.
Writing on a blog is a great opportunity that work from home moms
should not pass up!

Learn more about earning income from blogging using "set it and forget it" websites. Download 2 free chapters today!

Eartha Haines is the author for http://www.selfemployedblog.com and http://www.homebasedbusinessbliss.com.
Both are web sites which share ideas, services, products, and
opportunities that may help others move closer to their dream of
working for themselves.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eartha_Haines

Tags: work+at+home, ideas, blog, blogs, make+money, writing, mom, income, wahm, sahm

Even if you don't operate a home-business, doesn't mean you don't have home busy-ness...

2007-02-13T19:30:00.001-08:00

One of my closest friends called me yesterday and told me she had been
reading my blog and that it was helping her focus on issues she hadn't
thought about before. Ironically, my friend doesn't own or operate a
home-business, but she does spend countless hours from home
volunteering for a non-profit agency.

Beta Fish, Hermit Crabs and Bulbs, Oh My!

2007-02-09T23:11:00.000-08:00

Have you ever bought your child a toy, or a gift that they were so excited about that you just had to step it up a notch?

Yesterday afternoon, my three year old daughter and I went to Target. They have this great new little dollar section in the front of the store that I refer to as the "bribe aisle".

Continue Reading...

Supplement Your Home-Based Income by "Swapping Up"

2007-02-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of the new year the pastor at my church gave a sermon on simplicity. "Do you really need fifteen pairs of shoes?" He asked the congregation. While I've never been much of a shoe collector, I do like to horde craft notions and books. I had a room full of glues, paints, brushes, scissors and other odds and ends I never used...

Continue Reading at Families.com...

Makeup....for a buck?

2007-02-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

I just ran out of my favorite lipgloss by Aveda. (My sister works there and gave it to me.) Normally it is $11.00 bucks.

Rather than begging her for another freebie, I thought I would check online for some inexpensive alternatives.

Here's what I found....all makeup is just a buck! It doesn't get any simpler than that! =) Now I am going to spend my 11 bucks and get an entirely new set of everything!

Hate Cleaning? Try the Happy Slob's 3 Step Solution

2007-02-01T09:23:00.000-08:00

Children need picking up after soccer practice? Super Mom to the rescue! Dinner needs to get on the table? Once again, Super Mom is there! A huge file at work that no one else wants to tackle? You already know who will deal with it - you. With the stresses of your day-to-day life, housecleaning is very likely the last thing on your mind. And yet, it’s hard to ignore, since the proof of ignoring the housecleaning for too long equals a cluttered, messy house – definitely not the happy haven you want your home to be.

Here, then, is a simple 3-step solution to finally solve the hassle of housecleaning. If you’re a ‘happy slob’ like me – just a laid back, fun natured person who’d rather be doing anything but cleaning – then it might be just the solution you’ve been looking for.

You Love Mary Engelbreit...& Now Your Kids Will Too!

2007-01-30T19:49:00.000-08:00

It will probably come as no surprise to you that I am a huge Mary Engelbreit fan. With her bright colors, polka dots, cheerful illustrations....who wouldn't be!

I almost flipped out tonight when I saw that she has a new website for kids. Your kids can create puzzles, use the computer to color her artwork and send e-cards.

While I don't like to play favorites with my suggested sites...this is certainly in the top....3!

Enjoy!

Finally, a reunion I can get behind...the Police are back.

2007-01-30T11:51:00.000-08:00

I know that this post has nothing to do with being "simple-ish"...but I am so excited about this entertainment news that I just had to share.

The Police are reuniting to perform at the Grammy Awards this year. Here are the details.

Sorry for getting a little off-topic....I just can't get "Roxanne" out of my head this morning.

Here's a You Tube video to get you in the mood too...

Unique Valentine's Day Gift for Your Favorite Computer Geeks

2007-01-25T11:20:00.000-08:00

I am sure it is no suprise that as a blogger, and self-proclaimed computer geek, I'd rather have this cool flash drive vs. flowers or chocolate any day of the week!

Nothing says "I Love You...Geek" like a personalized flash drive with FREE laser engraving. (I am not kidding). These are super cool and perfect for people who want to tote around their schoolwork, teachers, or bloggers (like me). You can even get them on keychains!

They come in 14 colors with free engraving.
They can store photos, music and business information.

Now that I think about it...I might get my husband one too! He is always wanting to transfer stuff from our laptop to his work computer. He isn't as computer "geeky" as I am, but every guy likes a gadget!

You can get the flash drives here.

This is a paid post.

I promise this isn't another shameless plug.

2007-01-24T19:34:00.000-08:00

You may not believe me, but I promise you that this is NOT a personal plug. I was recently hired as a blogger for Families.com. Prior to my new "gig", I didn't know much about the site. Now, I am addicted. The forums are fantastic and the blogs (if I should say so myself) are even better.

Frankly, the bloggers are so great over there that I have been a bit intimidated.

Anyway, check out the site and read the blogs. Tonight there are fantastic discussions on everything from Noah's Ark to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

There is quite literally something...for everyone.

Oh...and if you want to stop by the home-business blog, I would love it...but don't feel obligated! =)

A Little Backwards....New Simplesahm site!

2007-01-22T23:29:00.000-08:00

Normally when people have a website...they create a blog to complement it. I did the opposite.

Check out the ALL-NEW...Simplesahm Website! (Forums are coming soon too!)

Need a Little Moola?

2007-01-20T21:18:00.001-08:00

Honestly, I am not sure how this "must-see" sites fits into my blog theme of "keeping things simple" but I have to share this site with you because it is a bit of an addiction of mine.

Whenever I've had a really bad day with the kids I click on "Moola" and play a few mindless games to take the edge off. I really haven't made any money yet, but I am certainly saving money on booze and valium, right?

Kidding, of course.

PS - You need an invite to join so if you don't have one yet, click on the "contact me" button (left) and I will send you one.

Technorati Tags: moola, game, fun, money, make money, play games

Are You a Hungry Girl?

2007-01-20T21:11:00.001-08:00

Than you MUST check out this site! It's brilliant. They "test-drive" many different types of fast foods, new foods, tv dinners, etc...

Remember those "fat-free" chips with Olestra? Where were our test-drivers when I needed them? Instead, I spent Saturday morning eating an entire bag of Cheddar and Sour Cream Lays....and the entire afternoon reading magazines in the bathroom.

TMI...I know, but at least you've been warned....

Technorati Tags: hungry girl, food, recipes, diet, dieting, website reviews,

When Working at Home is Not Working for Your Family

2007-01-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

I'll never forget the day that I finally decided to work from home. I held various positions in the social services industry prior to the birth of my first child. I taught parenting classes, I worked with at-risk youth and juvenile delinquent teens and I investigated child abuse and neglect reports. In the eight years I worked in the field, I'd convinced myself that many of the social problems I'd been hired to fix were partially the result of moms that were too busy working (outside the home) to properly care for their children.

I worked in an office that was comprised of about 95% women. Most of them were young mothers. I threw the first grenade in my own "mommy war"when I proudly announced my intention to quit my job and work from home.

Technorati Tags: home-business, home business, mom, work at home, family, parenting, wahm, sahm, work at home mom, stay at home mom, direct sales, party plan, home-based business, home business, problems, balance

How to Organize the Playroom of Your Dreams

2007-01-18T17:29:00.000-08:00

Do you dream of a playroom that you can walk through and the kids can easily keep neat? If you are ready to turn down the volume and keep toys & art supplies from turning into clutter, here are 9 neat ideas to get you started.

1. Sort Everything. Collect everything in one place. Group items "like with like" such as Dolls, Purses, Train sets, Small Toys, Toys that Require Supervision, etc. Assess how much you have before thinking about the storage solutions. As you sort, set aside a container for toys with missing items. As you sort and find the missing pieces, put them in the container too. When you have all the pieces, you can give the complete toy, game or art kit a permanent home.

2. Set Limits. Determine how much of everything is a reasonable amount to keep. Do they really need 72 stuffed animals? Perhaps 10-20 is a reasonable limit. Remember, kids actually get overwhelmed when they have too much stuff. They take far better care of their things and enjoy them more when they have fewer of them.

3. Conduct a Treasure Hunt. Have your child pick his or her favorites according to the limits you have set. Set aside the rest to donate. Let them know that the rest will be going to kids who don't have as much. You might even want to spend quality time with your child writing a note to the kids who might receive the toys.

4. Assign Homes & Containers. Now that you know what you have and have a reasonable amount, store smaller items in containers by category and label each container. TIP: Put pictures on the containers so that your child knows where to put things away. Let your child help by choosing pictures and applying them. This is a fun way to involve your child in learning organizational skills. For larger items such as big trucks, assign a "parking spot" on a shelf or on the floor.

5. Make Things Easy to Access and Easy to Put Away.

* Store frequently used items that children can use without supervision on lower shelves that they can access.

* Use containers without lids for frequently accessed items. Lids are difficult for children to use and discourage them from using the storage solution.

* Separate arts and crafts supplies in square or rectangular bins for easy stacking and to maximize use of storage.

6. Be Safe. Store items requiring supervision either out of reach or locked. For example, if you have really young children, you probably want them to ask you to get down crayons, paints etc. If you use tall shelving, anchor them to the wall so they can't fall over. Store heavy items on the bottom shelves.

7. Teach the Kids How Put Everything Away. Kids don't always know what to do when you tell them to put stuff away. Take the time to teach your kids how to organize. Explain to them that organizing their toys will make it easy to find them later and prevent them from losing toys. Once you have a system in place, practice using the system with them for several days in a row. Help them put away toys and find them by making a game out of it, such as conducting a "treasure hunt". Ask them to find things, or to put away several different items in their new locations. For example, "Where are your favorite talking toys?" "Where does this stuffed animal go when you are done playing with it?" Give lots of praise for correct answers.

8. Be Creative. Containers don't have to be expensive. You can use plastic containers, or even empty tissue boxes. You can even turn decorating containers for art supplies into an art project.

9. Maintain. Once you have pared toys down to a reasonable number and given each toy a home, you need to keep the amount of toys you have under control. Going forward, maintain the limits you've set by adopting a "Give to Get" policy. So, whenever your child gets a new toy, have them pick one to donate. This is a great way to teach your child the joy of giving. Set up a monthly donation pick up or drop off with your favorite charity and you'll never have to do a big purge again!

To see photos of playroom makeovers, visit the photo gallery at www.neatliving.org.

© 2006 Ariane Benefit

Ariane Benefit, M.S.Ed., is a professional organizer, coach, author and speaker with over 25 years experience helping people and businesses reach new heights of performance. She has written over 80 articles which can be found on the popular "Neat Living Blog: Neat Ideas for Living" at http://www.NeatLiving.net and at http://www.OrganizingForHealth.com. Ariane resides in Bloomfield, NJ with her husband, Alan and three adorable Maine Coone cats. When not helping people organize their lives, she enjoys gardening, entertaining, traveling and riding her motorcycle.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ariane_Benefit

Miss Manners and Martha May Not Agree...but I Think Regifting is a Good Thing

2007-01-16T13:29:00.001-08:00

If you are reading this after the Holidays, odds are you have a few Christmas gifts you weren't thrilled about.

Rather than selling them at a garage sale, or stockpiling them in a storage shed...re-gift them

Even if you don't like the hot-pink mittens you got from your great aunt, or the "dickey" you got from your grandmother (this actually happened to me)...someone else will appreciate a brand new item.

Think carefully about where you want to re-gift.

Did you get baby clothes that didn't fit your child? Give them to a teen pregnancy program. Did you get a winter coat that you don't like? Drop it off at a homeless shelter. What about the drum set your sister-in-law gave to your preschooler? Give it to Goodwill or the Salvation Army so they can sell it for profit. What about a pair of dress pants that don't fit?

Skip the lengthy exchange lines and donate it to a local "Dress for Success" program where an impoverished woman seeking a job can proudly wear it to her first interview.

Domestic violence shelters, foster care programs and teen runaway agencies would love to have new electronics to give to teens who are usually the last to get donated gifts for Christmas. I am sure your local preschool or library would love some brand new books too.

You can also re-gift gift cards although they may be a bit harder to part with than the hot-pink mittens or drum set. After the holidays most stores offer huge discounts on toys and winter clothing. Use part of your gift-card to stock up on items for "Toys for Tots" for next year.

If you have really good gift-givers in your family and aren't willing to part with any of your presents, consider asking your children to donate one toy to a needy child for every toy they received. This will help them learn the value of helping others and will leave you with less
blocks, dolls, dinosaurs and trucks to trip over.

Here are just a few of the additional resources to help you put your post-holiday, re-gifting plan into place.

Charity Guide - Donate Toys to Inspire Children

Salvation Army - Locate a Store or Donation Center Near You

Goodwill Industries - Locate a Store or Donation Center Near You

Operation Give - Donate Toys and other goodies to Iraqi Children

Alibris - Donate Books to Schools and Non-Profits Nationwide

Make-A-Wish - Donate "Wish" Items to Terminally Ill Children Including Backpacks, Albums, Airline Miles and More...

Miss Manners and Martha may not agree, but I think re-gifting is a very good thing!

Tags: regifting, donations, donating, gifts, decluttering, organizing, home, family, charity, kindness

My "Mommy Guilt" is Gone for a Moment

2007-01-15T20:44:00.001-08:00

I made it a goal this weekend to place a big-hearty checkmark by 10 of my "to-do's". That meant, cleaning the closet...organizing several cupboards...posting items on Ebay...sorting old clothes...decluttering the kitchen...cleaning the fridge, and more....

Well, I can proudly say, "I did it!" Woo hoo! But at the expense of my two preschool-aged children. Okay, before you think I am a horrible mommy, I did get them involved in the tasks and we had fun with it. My daughter sprayed a bottle of water as she helped me clean the fridge and my son mopped the floor with his stuffed animals.

But, I did feel a tiny bit of "mommy guilt" when I let them watch four hours of Saturday morning cartoons and eat fruity-cheerios in ziplock bags.

Tonight, I was finishing up a few of my New Year's decluttering resolutions when I looked online for an activity for my preschool daughter. I was absolutely THRILLED when I found this site! It offers several books read aloud by celebrities! Not that my kids know who they are...but *I* think it is pretty neat, nonetheless!

Now, when I am having a Saturday morning "Mommy Guilt" prop the kids in front of the TV set - moment...I am going to allow a celebrity to read them a few books while I clean. While I personally think Sponge Bob is a hoot...I feel much better about online story-time!

Check it out, and let me know what you think!

BookPALS Storyline Online

Technorati Tags: sahm, wahm, websites, ideas, quality time, online stories, storybooks, activities, internet

Mom: Keep those Financial New Year’s Resolutions

2007-01-11T15:13:00.000-08:00

Each and every year, after the holiday credit card bill shows up, we make
resolutions with the best of intentions. And, within a month or maybe less
… we’ve given up completely. Why is that?

Vague Goals
The goals we oftentimes set are unrealistic or are too vague to be
trackable. Here are some examples of resolutions

Bad Resolution: “Pay off credit card debt.”
Better Resolution: “Pay an extra $20 each month towards credit card debt
until it’s paid off.”

Do you see the difference? One is vague. You can’t possibly hold yourself
accountable. The other is much more trackable.

Here’s another example.

Bad Resolution: “Spend less money eating at restaurants.”
Better Resolution: “Use a menu planning service to ensure that we have
groceries in the house at all times. Eat at restaurants or fast food only
twice per week or less.”

Difficult Goals
It’s wonderful to make resolutions, but, they do no good if you don’t have
a plan in place to help you reach them. Let’s go back to that “Pay an extra
$20 each month towards credit card debt.” Where is that $20/month going to
come from? Is it magically going to appear just because you set a goal?
Will the “New Year’s Fairy” deliver a wad of cash to you each month? Of
course not. You have to have a plan in place to make the extra money
available to you.

For instance, the two goals could be combined. The second goal is
reachable. Instead of just saying to eat fast food once per week, it adds
on a way to do just that – by signing up for a menu planning service.

The best Resolution could be a combination of both goals:
“Use menu planning service to ensure that we have groceries in the house
at all times. Eat at restaurants or fast food only twice per week or
less. Take the money we save and apply at least $20 each month towards credit
card debt until it’s paid off.

It’s a new year, which means that it’s a new chance to actually make New
Year’s Resolutions and KEEP THEM. We hope these examples will help you to
set achievable new year’s goals and put systems into place so you can
achieve them.

Christine Steendahl created a menu planner for busy moms. For a free one
week trial of this family friendly meal planning service which includes a
weekly grocery shopping list, visit www.dinewithoutwhine.com

My Morning Cup of Sanity Just Got Simple

2007-01-10T08:24:00.001-08:00

I can't live without my morning cup of coffee. Here was my old routine....

Stumble to the kitchen.
Crack open my huge plastic tub of Costco Coffee.
Scoop (and spill) the grounds as I fumble with the flimsy filter.
Wipe up mess.
Spill water as I try to pour the huge pitcher into the tiny hole on the back of my coffee pot.
Wipe up mess again.
Pull used filter out of coffee pot. Hold hand under filter to prevent drips as I scurry to the waste basket across the room.
Wipe up drips again (with my socks).

Yesterday, I excitedly went to the door to retrieve my brand new Senseo coffee pot from my UPS man. I was so excited I almost hugged him. (I actually got it for free after filling out a survey on trezr.com. (Check out my previous posts to learn more).

Here's my new routine.

Stumble to my kitchen.
Place coffee pod into Senseo coffee maker.
Place cup under maker and push button.

Wa-la! That's it...(and the coffee is much better...and foamy to boot!) The coffee maker holds 12 cups of coffee in a reserve that you simply have to fill once in awhile. .

Oh..and on a sidenote, I was a bit concered about the cost for the pods but noticed that they are becomming more and more popular at stores like Target and Walmart. Frankly, I am willing to pay a few pennies more per cup to simplify my morning and to enjoy a better cup of java!

Tags: coffee, pod, pods, single-cup, senseo, folgers

Are We There Yet? Fantastic Travel Products for Kids

2007-01-09T19:57:00.001-08:00

I recently drove twelve hours with two preschoolers to visit my family for the holidays. As soon as I arrived, my loving family proceeded to tell me how crazy I was....gee thanks.

Believe it or not, my kids were perfect. They didn't fuss. They didn't beg. They were perfect little cherubs. Honestly.

What's my trick, you ask? Sedation? Duct tape? Loads of candy? None of the above.

I simply planned ahead...and got a prescription for valium...(just in case).

Here are a few things I packed.

candy necklaces (Okay...I bribed them with candy once or twice)
matchbox cars for my two year old son
Crayola's Color Wonder Papers (a mess-free must-have for traveling).
a leapfrog game
a magnetic Dora dress up game
books
pillows
a portable DVD player...with a few rented movies (most video stores let you rent kids movies for a week for a buck a piece...WELL worth it!)

Here is an Amazon Store with some additional ideas to make traveling "simple-ish".

You are going to think I am crazy too when I tell you that I absolutely LOVE traveling with my preschoolers. Really, how often can you sit back, relax, eat snacks and listen to your Ipod with your kids completely immobile? Ahhhh.....road trips!

Technorati Tags: travel, traveling, kids, children, babies, car, packing, ideas, tips, products,

Need a Sitter? Wanna sit?

2007-01-06T21:47:00.000-08:00

Check out this great new site! It matches baby-sitters, house-sitters, pet-sitters and even housekeepers with people who are looking for those services.

It features a rating (5-star) system for the sitters as well as a schedule which shows the hours that the sitters are able to work.

I wish I would have known about this site on New Years Eve when I called every teenager in town to find out if they were booked yet!

What a neat concept and a great site. I actually registered as both a sitter...and someone looking for sitters. When I wrote my teenage sitter a $50.00 check after my Saturday afternoon "me-time" I was thinking..."why don't I babysit for some extra cash?" My kiddos could certainly use the playmates once in awhile.

When you stop by the site and register...please tell them "Simplesahm" sent you! =) Thanks.

Mommy and Me Activities Website

2007-01-06T19:43:00.001-08:00

I wanted to share another fun website with you tonight. Are you one of those moms that wakes up in the morning and wonders, "what in the world am I going to do with the kids today"? Me too.

I am pretty proud of myself when I break out the play-dough or...on a really daring day the finger paints!

This site is a fantastic resource to help you plan activities ahead of the time. It even has a playgroup locater, playgroup activities and a daily activity idea calendar.

Check it out, and let me know what you think in the comments section!

Spend big on wrinkle creams? Don't bother...

2007-01-05T08:13:00.001-08:00

Spend big on wrinkle creams? Don't bother: study
By Belinda Goldsmith

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Spend a fortune on anti-wrinkle creams? Don't bother, said a U.S. study released on Tuesday.

Luxury-price products don't work any better than drugstore brands, according to the study by Consumer Reports magazine, which ranked Olay Regenerist, priced at about $19, as the most effective in reducing wrinkles.

But none of these products made a significant difference in the skin's appearance.

Continue Reading....

Technorati Tags: skincare, anti-aging, creams, moisterizers, wrinkles,

Tell My Mom.com

2007-01-03T21:42:00.001-08:00

I ran into (pardon the pun) this site a few days ago and frankly I wish it would have been available five years ago. It was my very first car accident and I will never forget it. I looked into my rear-view window and watched as this pretty little blonde thing tried passing my Honda on a busy rush hour morning.

She was fixing her pretty blonde hair and makeup while driving at the speed of sound toward the local high-school. Without a moment's notice, she swerved into my lane and shoved my little foreign car into the curb...and straight toward the local hair and makeup salon...(ironic, huh?)

Thankfully, I missed the building but not the concrete curb that totaled my car. As I laid on my horn (in an attempt to get her to stop) I watched her drive away obviously oblivious to the accident she'd just caused. I can still see her flipping back her pretty blonde locks while I gave her the one finger salute with BOTH HANDS. (Okay, make that a two-finger salute).

Where was Tell-My-Mom.com when I needed them?

I love the concept behind this site and hope you'll find it helpful too the next time your car is totaled by a little blonde teenage diva who would rather fix her hair than watch the blankety...blank ROAD!!!!! After all these years am I still bitter????? Just a bit.

Have you seen a "tell my mom" sticker yet? Tell us about it in the comments section.

How's Your Teen's Driving? Would You Like to Know? - TELL-MY-MOM.COM

Make Your Own Baby Food

2007-01-03T15:56:00.000-08:00

I became a stay-at-home mom when my first child was born and quite honestly I was a bit frightened when she started eating solid foods and I started calculating the cost of those tiny little baby food jars.

I have to admit, I didn't necessarily think about the health benefits of homemade foods initially because I was simply trying to save money.

I have a wonderful relative who sent me numerous "recipes" for baby foods. I am not much of a cook so I was happy to find out that the process isn't too extensive. Cook, mash, freeze, thaw, serve. Even with my limited kitchen skills I could manage that.

One of the best tips I learned from the process was to use ice-cube trays as a portioning tube. In a standard tray, each section is approximately two ounces. You simply pop the trays into the freezer and store the food cubes in freezer bags. Then, you thaw the cubes and serve.

Here is a great site to help get you started.

Technorati Tags: baby food, homemade, infant, toddler, child, newborn, feeding, recipes

12 Steps to Raise a Juvenile Delinquent

2007-01-03T15:14:00.001-08:00

This is a wonderful and poignant reminder for all of us which was taken from a pamphlet entitled Twelve Rules for Raising Delinquent Children distributed by the Houston Police Department.

12 Steps to Raise a Juvenile Delinquent

Technorati Tags: parenting, teens, moms, raising, children, juvenile delinquent, advice

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As Seen on Oprah...Emu Oil

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Check out my Slide Show!

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How to Make a Soda Bottle Volcano

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Super Cute Project....Marble Magnets

Now...I just need lighting.

HGTV designed a room for me!

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Have you ever streeeeeeeetched a chicken?

Because Chicks Dig Cute Stuff..

Oooohhh...I hate secrets.

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Your Very Own Mini Disposable Personal Organizer

Hey...Look What I Made!

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...and you probably thought toast was boring.

Hey Traci...What's Up With the Little Blue Bar?

Just in Time for Spring Cleaning....

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This is embarassing...

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Women Savers.com

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Need a good laugh?

Homemade Febreeze Recipe

I forgot how much I love these - grasshopper bars

Coupon Codes at Target - 10% off everything!

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Tie Die Birthday Bash

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38 Pairs of Jeans That Fit

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Turn Your Baby into a Teddy Bear

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Even if you don't operate a home-business, doesn't mean you don't have home busy-ness...

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As if TOAST wasn't simple enough....