Pink Saturday ~ Trees

I can imagine myself walking along a mountain path with a subtle breeze against my face. As I come upon this grove of majestic pink trees I gaze up toward the sun and glimpse this lovely sight.

What kind of tree is this? I want one in my front yard!

I love the bold colors in this "photo shopped" photo.

It looks to be a black and white photo with the vibrant pink added.

This is just plain gorgeous.

I'd like to have a vase filled with these blooms on my kitchen table.

Can you see my house at the end of this delightful lane?

It's really not there but if you dream it enough it will appear!

What kind of tree do you think this is? Ornamental? Fruit?

Have a lovely Pink Saturday!!

I snagged these images from a Google search with the words "Pink Trees".

Aloha Friday ~ Thanksgiving Decor

Happy Aloha Friday Everyone!!

From Kailani at An Island Life: In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays let's take it easy on posting, too. Ask a simple question...nothing that requires a lengthy response. It’s a great way to make new blogging friends!

Halloween is over and the stores are ready for Christmas.

But what about Thanksgiving?

It seems that Thanksgiving isn't a big money maker for stores and gets lost between Halloween and Christmas.

How about you?

Do you decorate your home for Thanksgiving?

Itsy Bitsy Spider iPhone iPod Application

I love Duck Duck Moose!

Duck Duck Moose iPhone/iPod applications make my life less complicated, keep waiting rooms quiet and make my grandchildren happy. Duck Duck Moose also helps my grandchildren develop their small motor movement and stimulates their thought process.

The Old MacDonald application was such a big hit with us that I knew I'd like the Itsy Bitsy Spider application too.

Duck Duck Moose makes iPhone/iPod applications that give me the peace of mind I need when I want to keep my grandchildren occupied.

Product Description: Created by parents, “Itsy Bitsy Spider – by Duck Duck Moose” is a musical book based on the popular song, with fully interactive, original illustrations. Follow the spider through the captivating, inter-connected scenes as he goes up the water spout, comes down with the rain, and watches the sun dry up all the rain.

Itsy Bitsy is very different from our other two apps (Wheels on the Bus and Old MacDonald). There’s more interactivity, more fun things to do, a more engaging navigation model (poking the spider), and we’ve introduced a friendly tutor (a fly!) to teach your child about nature and the environment.

The music is delightful.

The spider is adorable.

The interaction is stimulating.

Most importantly, my grandchildren are happy and that makes me happy!

And now for Disclosure:

This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Duck Duck Moose, who provided the application for review.

Crayola’s "Lights, Camera, Color" Giveaway

I have a nine year old grandson that has gotten himself "restricted". I won't go into to why he's "restricted" but I will say that, he's "restricted" from playing outside and from anything electronic. Interestingly, that doesn't leave him with much to do from his "past" daily life.

Personally, I don’t think children are involved in as many creative activities as they could be. I believe that children (especially my grandson) would thrive if given the opportunity to let their creative juices flow.

Crayola´s new creative program, "Lights, Camera, Color" is the perfect place for kid’s to do just that. I introduced my Cub Scouts to the program with a picture of the American flag. Afterwards my grandson asked if I would print out other pictures for him to color. I was thrilled with his request and we printed out photos from our last trip to Disneyland.

Crayola's "Lights, Camera, Color" is a kid friendly website where kids can upload their very own digital photos to transform into coloring pages. Kids upload a favorite photo. An animated vacuum appears and pulls all the color from the photo. And then the creativity begins!

There are several available options where they can add backgrounds and fun stuff like hats, sunglasses, crazy hair and even a mustache! Kids can make their own creatures using their photos with the "Body Builder" tool and their own machines with the "Gizmo Gears" application.

So...

Lights! Camera! Color!

Please use this 1-day code to be creative: PRT77F3S

Giveaway!!

~ Win a Crayola Telescoping Crayon Tower ~

(just in time for Christmas)

• Leave a comment telling us which feature you like best Lights, Camera, Color!
• This giveaway will close at midnight on November 11th.
• Extra Entries:
• Please leave a separate comment for every entry.
• Follow Simply Cathi for five extra entries.
• For five extra entries place our button in your sidebar.
• For five extra entries follow us on Twitter.
• Get five extra entry each time you Tweet about this giveaway.
• Get five extra entries for becoming a fan of Simply Cathi on Facebook.
• Be sure and leave a separate comment for each and every entry.

Crayola provided me with the free product, information, and Crayon Tower to give away through MyBlogSpark.

Wordless Wednesday - Disneyland?

Dessert Shells from Cambria Cove

Are these little chocolate Dessert Shells making you hungry?

How about putting you in the mood to throw a little soirée?

I say...

Yes, I'd like to have one with whipped cream and berries please

and yes, let's party!!

(Image from the Cambria Cove)

Pink Saturday ~ Swine Flu

In honor of the Swine Flu, (which I'm having more than a hard time recovering from) I thought I'd share a few Pink Piggies.

"Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil"

Aspen Country

"Packed Pink Pigs"

Favorite Fabrics

Strawberry flavored "Alma Pink Pigs"

Sweetie World

Fantastic Farm and Country Photos

Aloha Friday ~ Signatures

Happy Aloha Friday Everyone!!

From Kailani at An Island Life: In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays let's take it easy on posting, too. Ask a simple question...nothing that requires a lengthy response. It’s a great way to make new blogging friends!

My daughter's boyfriend said to me one day...

"Britt doesn't have a signature! She just writes her name but doesn't have a signature!"

Britt worked hard at perfecting her "signature" after that but it still looked like her name to me.

Does a signature have to be something that's not legible?

Perhaps something like my husband's signature. I can read the D for his first name and the C for our last name, but after the C it looks like a series of bumps to me. I must make it clear that I absolutely love my husband's signature and if our desktop with the scanner had not crashed, I'd show a sample.

My signature however is very easy to read and every letter is legible. I guess it's my name but not a 'signature' signature!

Hmmm...

Do you have a signature?

Is it legible, or what Britt's boyfriend considered a true "signature"?

MADD & The Power Of Parents

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has a tremendous amount of influence. When I was a Trauma Intervention volunteer (TIP) a gal from MADD spoke at one of our meetings. I have never forgotten what she said to us. Especially that MADD members attend court for drunk drivers and give their business card to the bailiff (which always makes it to the judge). Just the presence of MADD in the courtroom can make a difference in how the judge will rule.

MADD has just created a new program that helps parents communicate with teenagers about the real life danger of alcohol use. Parents are the best influence for their children and the Power Of Parents provides different resources to help with that influence. Take the Safety Quiz to find out if your teen is safe from the health, academic, career and legal risks of underage drinking. Visit the MADD blog which is dedicated to the passionate MADD staff and volunteers that have a lot to say about the Power of Parents. Twitter with other parents and connect on Facebook. Pledge to show your support for the 21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age law, which has saved 25,000 lives since it was enacted in 1984. Education for both parents and teenagers can be lifesaving. I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of MADD. A donation was made to MADD in my name to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Wordless Wednesday - Todd's Puppy, "Butters"

Trunk & Treat 2009

Last night we went to the annual Trunk and Treat at our church. I've been sick for the last 2 weeks and put off Halloween costumes until the last minute. Next year...I promise myself ...I will not still be sewing costumes as we walk out the door for Halloween!

The Princess loves the Wizard of Oz.

She originally wanted to be Dorothy but changed her mind. She was a perfect little Wicked Witch who in the end got...

...the Ruby Slippers!

Bear is a second generation Vampire! He follows his father, Uncle Toddy and his brother. I was thrilled with Monkey Boy's Wolf Man.

We eat a lot...

...of fresh fruit and vegetables at our house.

Can you tell?

Believe it or not, that's only for two of us!!

Listerine Oral Care Challenge

A few years ago while my mother-in-law was sitting in the dental chair the dentist phoned my husband. The dentist was very excited about the dental work he had planned for my mother-in-law's teeth. The price of this work came to a grand total of $20,000. Yep! I said twenty thousand dollars.

We got several different opinions and she did have the work done but at a fraction of the original cost and at a different dental office.

Fast forward to the present. My mother-in-law is getting more dental work done. This time the cost is $5,000 and that is with a second opinion.

Needless to say, caring for our teeth is very important. It makes for a beautiful smile that we wear everyday and...it can save a lot of money.

Our family has taken the Listerine Oral Care Challenge.

We're brushing. It's important to brush with the toothbrush of your choice as long as it meets your needs.

We're also flossing. Not only is flossing good for your teeth but let's face it. There's nothing attractive about a poppy seed, or the like, visible in our smile!

Our grandchildren are using Listerine Agent Cool Blue . They rinse with Agent Blue before brushing to tint teeth for better cleaning and to make brushing fun.

They're rinsing with Listerine Smart Rinse. Smart Rinse is an anticavity mouthwash for kids ages six and older. It helps clean and protect teeth beyond brushing alone. The magnetic cleaning action attracts food particles and shows kids what they may have missed while brushing.

We're rinsing with Listerine Total Care Anticavity Mouthwash. It's a multi-benefit mouthwash that works in 6 ways for a cleaner, healthier mouth. It helps prevent cavities, restores minerals to enamel, strengthens teeth, kills bad breath germs, freshens breath and fights unsightly plaque above the gum line.

We're diligent about our oral care and are looking forward to years of healthy smiles.

Take the Listerine Oral Challenge. Not only will it save your smile but...it can save you a whole lot of money too.

Be sure to get your Listerine Total Care Coupon & the Listerine Smart Rinse Coupon.

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Listerine and Reach and received Listerine and Reach products for the Oral Care Challenge and a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Images taken from the Listerine website.

Take a moment to enjoy your journey...whatever it may be.

Kajeet Cell Phone for Kids

When my oldest grandchild entered kindergarten four years ago I wanted to get him a cell phone. I wanted him to be able to contact his parents and grandparents anytime he felt scared or uncomfortable. I wanted him to have that open line of communication with the people he knew could help him feel safe. Fours years ago there weren't very many options available for kid's cell phones.

Now there's Kajeet!

Kajeet is a parent friendly cell phone that more importantly is child friendly. Parents set the time usage and internet access. They also control kid appropriate game downloads. But the phone always allows the child to phone his parents and 911. The Kajeet also teaches responsibility. The WalletManager helps children budget their money and minutes. TimeManager controls the time limits which parents and children can set together. With the ContactManager the parent can block unwanted calls and texts. My favorite feature is the GPS locator. Oh how I wish there had been such a thing when my children were teenagers.

Kajeet doesn't require a contract and there isn't an activation fee. Kajeet is pay-as-you-go month to month. There weren't any hidden costs or surprise bills and I like that.

Kajeet has also won 3 awards from parenting organizations: PTPA, NAPPA, iParenting.

It really doesn't get any better than that!

Giveaway!!

• Win your own Kajeet Samsung M300. (69.99 value)
• Leave a comment telling us which feature you like best about Kajeet.
• This giveaway will close at midnight on October 27th.
• Mega Extra Entries:
• Please leave a separate comment for every entry.
• Follow Simply Cathi for five extra entries.
• For five extra entries place our button in your sidebar.
• For five extra entries follow us on Twitter.
• Get five extra entry each time you Tweet about this giveaway.
• Get five extra entries for becoming a fan of Simply Cathi on Facebook.
• Be sure and leave a separate comment for each and every entry.

We received the Kajeet Samsung 300 for use and testing as part of this review post.

Images from the Kajeet website.

Pink Saturday - Shopping Pink

I'm not crazy abour shopping however when I do shop I like to shop Pink. I love these Pinks for me and I can never buy enough Pink for my grand daughter.

satin-stitch tunic

Velvet-trimmed tee

Pure Jill ultrasoft kimono-sleeve cardigan The boyfriend oxford shirt

Pure Jill pima sleep shirt Coco Mademoiselle

Avanti "Bathtime" Towel Set

First Impressions Baby Girl Sateen Floral Dress

Pink Sheared Beaver Coat

Aloha Friday - Swine Flu

Happy Aloha Friday Everyone!!

From Kailani at An Island Life: In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays let's take it easy on posting, too. Ask a simple question...nothing that requires a lengthy response. It’s a great way to make new blogging friends! I've been sick, flat on my back in bed. Monday I would have welcomed death. Because my fever returned last night I decided I best go to the doctor today. My doctor it sure it was H1N1 but without a test she can't positively confirm it. I knew I had all the symptoms but the media had me convinced that H1N1 was pretty much fatal.

My question today is: Did you know that H1N1 is NOT always fatal and many people get it and don't even know? *I received this photo in an email and it made me smile!

Wordless Wednesday - Baby it's HOT outside!

Walking the stairs

Recall - Plum Organics Baby Food

On Monday, October 19, Plum Organics

voluntarily recalled their Apple & Carrot

Baby Food in portable pouches due to a

potential contamination risk.

For more information (on this and other

baby product recalls), please click here.

Purex Complete 3-in-1

For the last 30 years, I have used a popular brand name laundry detergent along with another popular dryer sheet. I honestly didn't think I would ever change brands. I've always been happy with my clean laundry.

When I was introduced to Purex Complete 3-in-1 I was skeptical. I have always taken great pride in my clean laundry and I was going to compromise.

I did however like the convenience of throwing the 3-in-1 sheet in the wash and then tossing everything into the dryer.

But...were my clothes going to be clean, soft and static free?

Yes!!

It's incredibly simple and most importantly, it works!

You can print a $1.00 coupon for 3-in-1 here.

As I said, I was skeptical when I first used Purex Complete 3-in-1 but I'm happy to say I absolutely love it! Purex did send me a sample of Purex Complete 3-in-1 to use for my review and I'm proud to be a Purex insider.

The Perfect Pumpkin

The perfection is all in the crooked stem!!

October 2009

Pink Saturday

Pinks from Disneyland.

The Pink Princess had a very big day!

Aloha Friday ~ Hotel or Motel?

Happy Aloha Friday Everyone!!

From Kailani at An Island Life: In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays let's take it easy on posting, too. Ask a simple question...nothing that requires a lengthy response. It’s a great way to make new blogging friends!

*************

Which do you prefer?

Staying in a motel?

Or...a hotel?

I like the convenience of motels like being able to park my car right outside the door but I also like hotels. My preference totally depends on circumstances.

Pictured above is my very favorite hotel, the Omni Parker House in Boston Massachusetts. I absolutely love this hotel. It's like staying in a good friends guest room.

More of Disneyland at Halloween

Welcome to California Adventure!

Can you find the praying mantis? The last time Monkey Boy rode the bumper cars (Tuck and Roll's Drive'Em Buggies) he was stuck in a group of others and never really moved. This time he had a good ride circling the rink several times.

I think these little flowers are beautiful.

Only in California!!

The Princess cooled off in the Puddle Park.

Bear soaked (literally) up the water too.

Monkey Boy joined in but didn't go for the total wet look.

It was...

Hot!!

In Disneyland

the Nightmare Before Christmas

has taken

up residence

at the

Haunted Mansion.

It's well worth waiting in the long line but I recommend grabbing a Fast Pass.

Everyone loved it!!

Disneyland and Halloween