Add a meaningful comment and I'll visit your blog and leave a comment. No reciprocal comments for spammers.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Dishwasher Detergent Review

I changed to a new dishwasher detergent a few months ago called Diamond Brite and I love it!  I wanted to share it with everyone so you too can experience the advantages of a better safer product.  What are you going to gain from using Diamond Brite?
  • Condensed formula leads to less money spent!
  • Cleaner dishes!
  • Condensed formula means less packaging in landfills.
  • No harsh chemicals.

Before Diamond Brite I was using a store brand.  It was working ok but I was getting residue on the tops of the glasses that I would need to rinse off each time I ran the dishwasher.  The glasses had a film on them that was a constant so I got used to it.  Then I started using Diamond Brite and I saw the light!  Now the film on my glasses and dishes is gone.  They are crystal clear.  No more residue to rinse off of the glasses.  What’s the best part about switching to Diamond Brite?  I’m saving money!  Isn’t that amazing?!  I’m using a BETTER and SAFER product AND I’m paying LESS for it!  Contact me to experience the difference!

Fear of Failure

"Defeat is not the worst of failures.  Not to have tried is the true failure" George Edward Woodberry

How many opportunities have passed you by because of a fear of failure?  How many successes could have been celebrated if not for the fear of failure?  We live in a world of possibilities don't let fear keep you from taking advantage of them.

If fear ruled my life I wouldn't be a stay at home mom.  That is the thing I have wanted the most since I became a mom 7 years ago.  When my job was eliminated a few months ago I saw it as a new opportunity.  I embraced that change in my life and looked at it as my chance to start my own business.  Now I'm working with Internet CEO Moms.  I get to volunteer at my kids' school!  I don't have to worry about taking off of work for sick days, field trips, volunteer time, vacation days, or summer vacation for the kids.  I take off when I need to, not when my employer says it's "ok."  It's an incredible freedom that I so enjoy. 

My example of overcoming fear happens to use the case of me losing my job.  What about those of you that love working but you are in a job that isn't suited for you?  I have worked with people that  are undervalued and unappreciated that will stay in the same job until retirement simply because they are afraid to look for something new.  The excuses are losing their tenure or vacation time or they don't want to learn a new job.  They know their current job like the back of their hand... "why change?"  I don't know... maybe because you are miserable!!!  How is that affecting you?  Your family?  There are countless excuses for why people don't leave a job they hate.  Often the underlying reason is plain old fashioned FEAR.  Remember the saying "God won't give you more than you can handle" or "Everything happens for a reason."  You aren't meant to be at a job that makes you unhappy... take the plunge and start looking for something that will make you happy!!!

In looking at my situation, I lost my job the day after I was introduced to Internet CEO Moms.  I was going to think about the opportunity overnight.  When I lost my job the next day I immediately knew that I was supposed to take advantage of the Internet CEO Mom's opportunity.  I haven't looked back once!

What are you waiting for?  Tackle your fears instead of sitting back while life passes you by.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Financial Freedom

That's what my husband and I are hoping to have in the next few years.  This year we started to Dave Ramsey's class Financial Peace University.  It feels good that my husband and I are both in this together.  In the beginning I was so afraid to ask him to sign up for the class with me because I was afraid he would say no.  Thankfully, I under-estimated him.  Week 2 class was today.  It will be a challenge, but we are so looking forward to the bright future ahead for us and our children.  For the first time in our 15 year marriage, my husband and I will have a budget.

This is going to be a life changing year for us.  I have started my new business with Internet CEO Moms, my husband will be opening his new comic book store in the next few months, and we have begun our journey to Financial Peace.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

I Switched Stores And You Can Too!

Recently I switched stores for my household cleaners and personal care products to a better and safer online store. ALL of their products are chemical free and less expensive for my family. What a life savor... literally. I never realized the dangers that surrounded my family and I.

Did you know bleach, chlorine and other harsh chemicals contribute to the skin allergies you may be suffering from? Switching to the products from the new store has rid me of eczema I have suffered from for years. WebMd.com tells us about the affects of chemicals in our lives: "Allergic skin reactions, called allergic contact dermatitis, can occur when your immune system overreacts to chemicals that are normally harmless. Often these are chemicals in products that you are exposed to or use repeatedly, such as cleaners, colognes, hair dyes, and personal hygiene items. Even if you have no initial reaction to these products, regular use can eventually cause sensitivity and reaction to them. Some products cause a reaction only when they contact the skin and are exposed to sunlight."  Those store bought brands are more dangerous than you may think.

Let me know if you'd like to know more about my experience with these new safer and less expensive products.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Who babysits your kids?

Back when I was a kid it seemed like parents would hire strangers to watch their kids pretty often.  Is that still happening?  I am definitely not comfortable with that.  As a result, my husband and I don't spend a lot of time without the kids.  We do work from home so there is that... I suppose we could go out for a date during the day, but nobody has birthday parties for us to go to during the day.  This month two friends are having birthday parties on two different days.  I'd love to go to both of them but there is nobody we can turn to and know they will watch the kids at the drop of a hat.  Sad when you consider how many family members we have.  One problem of ours is that my husband and I are relatively quiet so our relationships with family aren't close enough that we feel comfortable asking them to watch the kids.  Then there is the fact that we have 3 sets of grandparents alive and none of them are able to watch the kids.  Some with good reasons some with not so good reasons.  It's so frustrating having so many family in our lives and not really being able to turn to them for help.  Granted, some of the distance is attributed to my husband and I so I can only be angry with us.  Frustration still reveals itself when events we'd like to attend come up. 

I guess I'll look at it as only needing about 7 more years before I can leave the kids alone and go out without using a babysitter. 

So who babysits YOUR kids?  Do you use babysitters often?  I know parents that have date night at LEAST once a month and have no problems finding a sitter.

Friday, January 7, 2011

iCarly iCe Cream party!!!

I've been planning my daughter's first birthday party with friends. The party is next weekend. I've gotten invitations designed by an online friend and love them. I'm including a copy of the invite and here is my friend's site. If you need anything customized let her know. She's awesome!!!

I'm hoping the great invitation it entices kids to come. Not that my daughter isn't liked by most, but if experience from a past birthday we attended is any indicator there will be low attendance. That would make me feel bad for Hannah.

Along with this being Hannah's first party, this is my first birthday party for kids.  As a result, I wanted to be sure I can keep them entertained.  My friend that provided the invitation design also gave me the idea of having the kids make their own ice cream.  I think that's a very unique idea and bet most if not all of the kids there haven't done this before.  Here's the ice cream recipe if you'd like to give it a try.

I ordered the iCarly party supplies tonight and they should be delivered early next week.  We can't wait!  I'll top off the theme with an iCarly cake.  I'll make a cake and decorate with iCarly pencil sharpeners that have iCarly photos on them.

For the Love of Music

My kids LOVE music!  I honestly think it started from the womb.  I'm one of those people that LOVES to sing alone.  And I have been known to throw some passion and volume into my singing.  I'd be pretty embarrassed if someone actually caught me doing this.  I'll do it with my kids and sometimes hubby around but definitely nobody else.

After the kids were born, the singing didn't stop.  I would play a cd with their name in the songs that my mom had given me for each of them until they fell asleep.  Also, this day I sing four songs to them before bed.  They love getting musical instruments as gifts: numerous play guitars over the years, maracas, tambourine, a metal drum set (still not sure I should have purchased the drum set), recorders from the dollar store (wow those things are loud), the Paper Jams Guitar for Christmas 2010, and probably some others I'm not thinking of.  My son also loves playing Guitar Hero.  He does very well on the drums and he's only 5 1/2.  Beyond the instruments, the kids love to sing whether it's with Hannah Montana or Jonas Brothers.  They even make up quite a few songs on their own.  They are quite the performers!

So with all of this exposure to music it's only natural to assume I'd want them in music at school right?  At their school the only options they have are violin and cello at their age.  My thought is "I'll take what I can get."  Problem?  It's not their favorite thing to do... ok they would like to quit, but I think taking the violin strengthens their music knowledge (for future instruments).   In addition, it's been proven that kids that participate in  musical activities do better in school.  With those two strong factors present, I want them to stick with it until they can switch to a different instrument when they get into a higher grade.  I think they can switch instruments in either third or fourth grade at their school.  Then they can be in band.  I hope they have more commitment when it comes to an instrument they want to play.  Am I forcing something on them?  Yes, I suppose but with 5 minutes of practice time a night (that I don't even commit to sometimes) I figure they'll survive.  They aren't doing a ton of other activities that pile onto their responsibilities of their instrument so I feel good about the lessons.

I'm looking forward to listening to my kids' music for many years to come.  What a blessing!!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Great site for moms!

I'd like to recommend a website for busy moms out there: Menus 4 Moms. This site is a time saver and money saver. What more could you ask for in a country riddled with joblessness and homes full of overwhelmed single and married mothers? What exactly does Menus 4 Moms provide? The full menu plan, the recipes for that menu plan, and even a shopping list for each of the recipes. They have a fabulous selection of Menu options.
  • Are you a mom that needs Gluten-Free Menu options? There is a subscription for exactly that need! 
  • The Busy Mom menu turns those quick unhealthy meals into quick healthy meals.
  • The Frugel Mom menu even provides you with a cost analysis for proof of savings.
  • For families that receive food from Angel Food Ministries there is a menu plan called Food Ministry Menu that caters to the items that are included in those boxes.  When you don't know what to do with something included in the box, the Food Ministry Menu DOES!
Beyond the variety of menu plans provided by Menus 4 Moms, there is a wealth of knowledge to be found on the website with a variety of articles on topics from adding more fruits & vegetables to your routine to deciding if a stay at home mom role will work for your family.


If menus and articles aren't enough, you'll even find tips on home organization, quick ideas for breakfast, lunch and snack, local grocery deals, and so much more that I couldn't possibly have room to list here.  Menus 4 Moms is a virtual gold mine of resources for moms.  If you're looking for a site abundant with knowledge and money saving opportunities stop at Menus 4 Moms ... you won't be disappointed!