kdh5370

We have too much crap in our house.  I repeat, we have too much CRAP in our house!   This has been my mantra through most of 2010, and my kids can repeat my diatribe verbatim when I lose it over the messiness of our house.  They probably even mimic me behind my back. So, I’ve really been trying to maintain the mindset of paring everything down.  Sock drawer . . . check.  Boys closet . . . 1/2 check.  A single linen closet shelf (baby steps, ok?) . . . check.  Active file drawer . . . went... Read Full Story

Although my mother was a nurse and went on to teach nursing, I never pursued her career. Whether it was the blood or science that turned me off most, I’ll never know; fact is I pursued my business degree and now work from home. However, I found myself envying nurses today. I’m working on my household budget and found the total I had spent on clothes this year. And some of what I’ve bought isn’t even that comfortable! The number was astounding (and a little bit crazy). I always purchase... Read Full Story

So, CSN asked me to review an item for them and write about it in my blog.   I wrote about this earlier in case anyone is following along :).  I ordered two doormats.  I know it doesn’t seem like a very exciting purchase, but you didn’t see the old doormats or know my struggles of finding something that doesn’t say “WELCOME” in big letters and look like something you’d prefer to step OVER! CSN has a WONDERFUL selection of door mats.  I mean just look at how many they have just for Christmas... Read Full Story

Originally submitted at CSN Stores Features: Construction: Handmade Technique: Woven Material: 100% Natural coir Origin: India Collection: Coir Pile height: 0.75" Available in the following size: 18" x 30" Mid Thickness Coir Two-Lips Coconut Fiber Novelty Doormat - 1′6″ x 2′6″ BEAUTIFUL MAT! By Karen, Mother of 4 from Auburn, AL on   5 out of 5 Pros: Attractive Design, Cleans Shoes, Unique, Durable Best Uses: Decoration, Front Door, Side Door... Read Full Story

One of the keys to surviving in a tilted economic system in which opportunities to achieve a decent standard of living will be limited is versatility – and the ability to communicate articulately in a variety of ways with the widest possible audience. This includes bilingual ability as well as the ability to communicate in non-verbal ways for the benefit of the disabled – primarily the deaf. At the same time, a growing shortage of qualified interpreters fluent in American Sign Language has... Read Full Story

I’ve been on this de-cluttering kick lately - ravishing everything written on getting rid of clutter (Surely this absorption of “knowledge” isn’t a way of procrastinating the actually process of getting rid of stuff.).   So, when CSN contacted me to “pick something” from their online store to review, I found LOTS of things I’d like to clutter-up my home with.  I even found myself looking at their bedroom furniture sets . . . and I don’t even need one! I mean, their inventory is so vast and... Read Full Story

I follow most rules I’m given or imagine . . . except when it comes to eating. I like to eat what I want and when I want. A bowl of Rocky Road ice cream before bed fills my sweet dreams just fine. So when the folks at underWAY and Smart for Life wanted me to participate in their blog tour, I was a little disappointed to receive instructions with their products. Granted, they were giving me directions on how to eat COOKIES, keeping track of anything more than my four kids is more than I can... Read Full Story

When I was given the opportunity to participate in a blog tour for the book, You’re Not the Boss of Me by Betsy Brown Braun, I was immediately interested.  The subtitle, “Brat-proofing your 4- to 12-year-old child” screamed out for me to jump in - with four kids, aged 3, 5, 7, and 10, I SO needed to read this book.   My 10-year-old thinks he knows more than God, and I’ve renamed my 3-year-old “Sassafras” because of her persistent sassy-ness! Betsy Brown Braun offers pages of thoughtful... Read Full Story

One of the toughest jobs parents have to face is the responsibility of saving up for the family. It can be a difficult lifestyle to adapt into especially for first-parents. There’s also the misconception that savings is only for the kids’ college education when in reality, you can apply this into so many things. You and the family no longer have to skip another fun summer getaway if you have a travel savings on hand. Every once in a while you and your spouse can splurge on couples’ time if... Read Full Story

“My blog is carbon neutral” is an initiative, originally started in Germany by the “Make it Green” program, that has the goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. They plant a tree for your blog and thereby neutralize your blog’s carbon footprint for the next 50 years! Everyone can make a small contribution to the environment. Every tree counts! I try to recycle. I teach my children to recycle. I try to conserve energy and gas. I don’t really know whether my blog, limited traffic as it has... Read Full Story