Happy New Year #newyear

Happy New Year to everyone who ever reads, comments or likes my posts. We may not really know each other but I truly appreciate each and every one of you.

I wish you a wonderful 2018 filled with laughter and love. From my family to yours Happy 2018!

Today I Said Goodbye To My Grandmother

Saying goodbye to a loved one is hard. Grandma was 100 years old this past October. She lived a nice long life. She had a lot of friends, traveled and had a husband who adored her. He passed this past May. She also buried two childen who were only in their early 30s. She had been in a nursing home, rehab since breaking her should this Spring. She couldn’t see or hear well anymore. She didn’t really know wherre she was anymore either thinking that she was at her home upstate in Millbrook NY.  She passed right before Christmas. We didn’t expect she would live past the New Year as she had stopped eating. Thankfully she wasn’t ill, just old. Her body just couldn’t do it anymore.

I remind myself that she is again with my Grandpa, not feeling alone anymore and with her children again. Losing her for me, means less of my mother here on the planet. I know my sisters, and I, along with our children are here and part of her but her core family is only my Uncle, her brother now.

Today at her funeral I found myself looking at her casket ready to go in the ground with my grandfather and her two children a few rows back and thought, this is life. This is what is supposed to happen. We live, we die and hopefully we make a difference in the world. This realization doesn’t make it easier but it reminds us that we need to always live for now. Tomorrrow is a mystery and we never know how long we have. I pray for everyone reading this to have a long, full life and if you are mourning someone know that they would want you to live your best life. Cherish the time you have, enjoy your family, take pictures, create memories because one day that is all they will have of us.

This Girl Makes Me Happy

My daughter is amazing. We all think that about our kids right? She is a challenge. She keeps me on my toes with an attitude that makes me cringe at times. She is quick witted, smart, talented and a total  crack up. She always gets the joke and loves to laugh. We have a special bond and too many times a day say exactly the same thing at the same time. Not sure if that means we spend too much time together but I will never get enough of her.

I usually tell people I want to be her when I grow up. She is oddly fearless yet extremely shy. She is not afraid to speak her mind or make a joke of herself. She truly is an amazing person and I am so happy to be her mother.

My Cat Luna Loves Her Christmas Gift

To Order

Merry Chistmas Everyone

Christmas Themed Books For Kids

The 411:

I am not done with the book yet but so far I am thoroughly enjoying it so wanted you to know

When Santa decides he wants to retire early but doesn't want to just hand the red suit down to his first son who would be the next in line to carry on the tradition of Santa. Instead he holds a contest that is open to anyone who wants to apply including the elves. This competition isn't easy after all it is a huge responsibility to be Santa.

I love Ollie and Celia two elves who enter the Santa Trials and found myself thinking that Top Shelf was a combination of The Hunger Games and Five Nights At Freddy's with a whole lot of humor and heart.  The story is entertaining and moves along quickly.

Hopefully I can finish it tonight and hand it to my son so he can read it.

This is a great Christmas read.

Coobie Seamless Bras Are The Most Comfortable Bra EVER! @usfg #shopcoobie

I don't know about you but the best part of my day when I get in the door is when I can finally take my bra off right through my sleeves. Sometimes it happens as I am walking up the stairs. Sometimes in the kitchen as I am making a snack and sometimes I do it the normal way, by taking my shirt off! Wearing a bra is uncomfortable. They either feel too tight, too low, cut me in the wrong place or just hurt. UNTIL NOW!

Introducing the Coobie Seamless Bra!

Coobie Seamless Bras are The World's Most Comfortable Bras!

You need this amazing bra in your life!  Coobie Seamless Bras are ultra comfortable and supportive. Perfect for everyday wear our versatile one-size fits 32A - 36D, available in 7+ styles and 70+ colors/patterns, with adjustable straps and removable pads! Try one, you'll love it!

Now, I am not going to show you a picture of me in a bra but my crazy baby was willing to model one for you'll.

The bra is a large and while she would be a small it fits her as well as it fits me.

 

My Luna's First Christmas and She Loves Hanging Under The Tree

Saying Goodbye To A Pet Is Never Easy.

My daughter added the cross to the photo

The 411:

It is never easy to lose a pet. I remember as a kid my friends would bury their pets in the backyard in a cardboard box. It never felt right. All I ever thought about was how cold the pet must be. It was a pathetic resting place for a loved pet.

The Pod is 100% biodegradable and made of bamboo powder, cornstarch, and rice husk which allows it to break down to beneficial compost within 5 years.

They Pods come in different sizes from fish size to medium pet size and can be painted or personalized if your child wishes. Let them lead the best way for them to cope. Maybe leaving good-bye messages or writing their pet's name is what will help them most.

It also comes with a sympathy card in the same shape that is featured on the top of the pod. After placing the pod in the ground you can place this card that contains seeds for a living memorial

I think this is a beautiful tribute to a much loved pet.

Target Is One Of My Favorite Stores To Shop For Christmas Gifts

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30 Years? Really!? Remember Richard Simmons Sweatin' To The Oldies?

The 411:

I was and still am a avid General Hospital fan which is where I first was introduced to the Bob Ross hair styled Richard Simmons.  He was the exercise instructor at the Campus Disco back in the very early 80s that introduced aerobic dancing to the characters of GH. It was a whole new way of exercising and it was sweeping the nation.

With Sweatin' To The Oldies you basically danced yourself thinner. Richard came up with exercises that anyone could do. Big, small, old and young could dance themselves to a fitter self. The songs were mostly songs that everyone knew.  It was mostly low impact and so much fun!

Everyone exercising with Richard was your every day person. There were no leotards or tights, just normal street clothes. It was like a dance party!

When I was younger I had two of these and thought it wasn't enough for me. Now at 51 I have done I love Sweatin' To The Oldies. It is just right for me to get back into the swing of things.  I was able to keep up and looked forward to doing it every night the past 2 weeks. Usually I get discouraged because I can't keep up with the routines. This is perfect!

Who Wouldn't Want To Swim Like A Mermaid?

The 411:

What little girl doesn't love Mermaids? I have heard about a few boys who do too and now with the shark fin and sea monster tails at Sun Tail Mermaid this can be a reality for boys as well.

My daughter has seen the other little girls at the pool with their tails. She has always wanted to try one and now has her wish.  Mermaid Tails are not only beautiful but allow you to swim much faster than without them. They are easy to put on, comfortable to wear and when it is time to take off they come right. My daughter had no problem getting it on from the first time she used it. 

The monotail is important to the Mermaid Tail. Your ankles have full range of motion which is what allows the movement of the tail.  This is the piece that your feet will go in. It also is inside the bottom of your tail. It really is what allows you to do all the mermaiding that  you can do!  AND...they make them in adult sizes so don't let the kids have all the fun.

The Mermaid Tail we received came with the tail, a monofin and black bumpers. The mermaid tail fabric is very special but you have to imagine that the floor in most pools is non slippery which means it can be rough. The bumpers are to be placed on your monofin mermaid tail tips so that when you rub your tail against the bottom of the pool you won't damage the fabric. Believe me as someone who takes water aerobic classes in the summer I can tell you that scrapping the bottom of the pool hurts. I lost part of my toe nail this past summer just by rubbing against the bottom accidentally during a class.  Eventually you will learn how to safely swim and protect your tail without bumpers but until you do, it is nice that they include them.

You do not need to use the fabric over the monofin to swim like a mermaid but you do if you want to look like one and really why wouldn't you?

Has Snoring Become A Problem In Your House? It May Be More Than Just Annoying

The 411:

Over the past few years my husband has complained about my snoring. I never snored, it was always him. Now, he complains nightly. I heard myself once and it was not pretty. It actually woke me up. So, I was really happy to read this book to see if maybe there was a way I could get myself to stop. 

The book has made me make a ENT appointment so I can see if there is something else going on. 

Stop The Snore explained that most of the time snoring is because of issues with the mouth and or nose. I have a deviated septum, allergies, have gained weight and an overbite. All of these things can be contributing to me snoring problem. I want to make sure it is just this. BUT...I also know that many people can also have sleep apnea which can kill you. I made this ENT appointment as soon as I finished the book and next will be an appointment to my dentist because I had no idea that the placement of your jaw and your tongue could be contributing to your snoring. I want to see if maybe a mouth guard would help me with my jaw position while I sleep. 

I  found this book to be very helpful. I will update on all of this as I learn more.

I Don't Leave Home Without Man Vs. Wild Bear Grylls's Water Flask!

I never leave my house without my keys, cellphone and water. I am one of those people who is always thirsty. It probably has something to do with my deviated septum and post nasal drip. If I don't have water, I am annoyed. In fact I am taking a swig of water right now.

Over the years I have gone through many water bottles. This is my favorite and there are so many reasons why.

It is purple! This flask comes in 9 colors but look at this purple. This is the perfect survivalist flask, you can spot it anywhere. It will never go missing.

There is even a motivational message on top! Don't worry Bear, I will never give up!

It has yet to leak. Every single water bottle has leaked on me at one time or another. This is 2.5 weeks in and not a drop of my precious water escapes or wets my bag or pocket.


It is Stainless Steel inside and super easy to clean.

It is also 10 oz of liquid.

AND...it will keep my cold drink cold for 24 hours and my hot drink hot for 12 years. You cannot go wrong with that. 

It is truly a fabulous thermos, flask or water bottle. Whatever you want to call it. I have called it all of these.

Scratch And Grain Gave My Daughter Confidence To Try Baking

You can see on the back everything is easy to read and follow. Perfect for anyone intimidated by baking or beginners.

Once you open the box, you see all these filled packets of ingredients.

Each packet is numbered with the instruction on the back of the box. You know exactly which ingredient to use.

All we had to add were eggs and butter.

The surgical mask? Don't ask. I have no idea. She is crazy.

She did a great job and was so proud of herself. Her brother said they really are the best cookies he ever ate.

 

The were pretty amazing.

The next kit she tackled was the Honey Cornbread Kit

She asked if baking other things was as easy as this. I told her no but that she should be proud and that she was doing a great job. It is really a matter of following directions and Scratch and Grain makes it really easy by measuring everything for you.

When we took the cornbread out of the oven she pointed at it and said proudly, "I made that people!"
I has gained so much confidence with just 2 kits. I can't wait for her to make the pumpkin bar kit. I love pumpkin.

Skee-Ball, The Original Family Friendly Game Leaps onto your Smartphone!

After 100 Years and 40 Billion Quarters, America’s Favorite Alley Roller Game Goes Digital Across All Major Platforms!

Skee-Ball Makes The Leap From Arcade to Smartphone with Launch of New Premium App, Debuting November 2017 on iOS and Google Play

The 411:

My kids and I love Skee-Ball. We compete against each other and love that the game has some different options like scoring circles (hit the 30 3 times and get more tickets), there are also Magic Balls. It is a challenging game and we love the tilt feature. Sitting in the car waiting with the kids has become easier.  The only thing I don't like about it is that it resets every time I close the game. We are just a few tickets away from the next level but if we have to close the game and come back it is back at the beginning again. 

I hope to unlock the next level the next time I am sitting for a long period of time.

Great price and loads of fun.

Our Chocolatey After School Snack

After school my kids come home famished. I get it. School is hard and hey lunch was almost 3 hours ago. Sooooo during homework they like something. Just a little something to take the edge off and keep them at the table doing tons of homework before dinner. 

My kids are allergic to peanuts so tossing a PB&J at them doesn't work but sandwiches are so easy. Soo....in comes Nocciolata Dairy Free.

My daughter's favorite is a bagel with half Nocciolata and half Almond Butter.

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Super Blanky® The Blanket You Wear

The 411:

Adorable and soft and at a great price the Super Blanky is adorable and even kids at 12 and 14 want to wear one at least in my house. They fought over who would do this review.

We love that it comes with an easy to wear mask and that you wear the blanket by placing your arms in arm holes.  This is especially good for kids who are constantly kicking off their blanket like the kids in my preschool class. I am constantly putting their nap blankets around their shoulders while they sleep. 

We love that it also comes with a To: From tag on it. Perfect for gift giving. 

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