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'm asking a risky question today.

I just have to know...

Am I the only person that thinks :

1. If Professor Gates had shown the police his ID (when first asked), showing his address and that he was indeed in his own home, the incident would have ended there?

... and ...

2. President Obama should not have gotten involved in the Professor Gates vs. the Cambridge Police incident?

I'm pretty sure that if a police officer asked me for my ID and I refused to show it to him that I would be arrested too.

CPSC ~ 4 Recalls

1. Boy's Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings and Warm up Sets Recalled by Burlington Coat Factory Due to Strangulation Hazard <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09289.html>

2. Little Tikes Recalls Clubhouse Swing Sets Due to Fall Hazard; New Assembly Directions to Be Provided <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09290.html> 3. Sherwin-Williams Recalls Purdy Scrapers Due to Laceration Hazard <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09291.html> 4. Frigidaire Recalls Clothes Washers Due to Fire Hazard <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09292.html>

Wordless Wednesday - Piazza San Marcos Venice, Italy

November 1997

CPSC ~ 2 Recalls

1. BabySwede LLC Recalls Bouncer Chairs Due to Laceration Hazard: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09287.html

2. Blitz USA Recalls Enviro-FloT Plus Fuel Containers Due to Fire Hazard: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09288.html

iStoryTime

When I get in the car with my grandchildren, one of the first things The Princess, my three year old grand daughter asks is, "Can I play with the pink iPhone?" Because I have very few applications for children her age, I worry she'll get bored with what she has available. That's why I was thrilled to have the opportunity to try iStoryTime.

Product Description: iStoryTime brings the joy of a children's book to the convenience of your iPhone or iPod Touch. Our books are illustrated and narrated, so your child can enjoy them even when you’re busy. Best of all the app is drop-dead simple to use because it’s actually designed for a 2-year old.

iStoryTime has 6 sweet stories available for only $1.99 each with 10 new stories coming soon. I chose "Binky The Pink Elephant." Not only was The Princess delighted with it but both her brothers were too. The iStoryTime application is very easy for little ones to use. All The Princess has to do is hold the iPhone and watch the story unfold before her.

"Binky The Pink Elephant" is the story of a darling little elephant who is an elephant through and through. She just happens to be a beautiful hot pink color! Because she is different from all the other elephants she imagines that everyone is always talking about her. By the end of the story she discovers how much she is loved for who she is and her beautiful pink color. I absolutely love the darling little child's voice that narrates the story.

On the iStoryTime website, you can view each of the original stories and decide for yourself what an asset they would be to any parent or grandparent with an iPhone. These stories will entertain in the car, while waiting for an appointment, in a restaurant or make a bedtime story an even more memorable event.

Thanks so much to the Family Review Network & iStory Time for this review opportunity.

Provident Living - Life Gear 6-in-1 (PSD) Personal Safety Device

Provident Living

Provident: 1. having or showing foresight; providing carefully for the future. 2. characterized by or proceeding from foresight: provident care. 3. economical; frugal; thrifty.

Emergency Preparedness is not only helpful after a hurricane, fire, tornado or earthquake. An illness, loss of a job, or even instability in the national economy are all good reason to be prepared.

Life Gear 6-in-1 (PSD) Personal Safety Device

I purchased two of the 6 in 1 Personal Safety Device's for our Emergency Preparedness backpacks. I'm extremely impressed with how well they work, especially the radio function. I truly expected to have to roam around both on the radio dial and my physical whereabouts to get good reception. Not so, the reception is incredible for a small hand held portable radio. I also was a bit hesitant about how well the crank flashlight would work. From my experience with crank flashlights, the light doesn't usually last very long. Again, not so with the Life Gear 6 in 1.

The 6 features of this little device are as follows:

• Flashlight
• Cell Phone Charger
• Emergency FM Radio
• Signal Flasher
• 130 Decibel Emergency Siren
• Directional Compass

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference."

Pink Saturday - Sew "Pink"

I have a sewing room upstairs (we call it the attic) but with my mom staying with us and not being able to let her out of my sight, I decided to bring my sewing machines and current projects downstairs in hopes of getting some "me" time (I know...I'm selfish).

As I walked through the dining room I realized that everything was Pink.

It made me smile!

The bright Pink on the right will be a darling little dress for The Princess. The denim and Pink plaid jumper is brand new but too short for her so I'm adding a denim ruffle at the bottom. The Pink and lavender draped over the sewing machine to the left is another summer dress for The Princess and the white with Pink flowers behind the sewing machine is a nightgown for her. The bright Pink handbag? I just tossed that in because it's a favorite of mine!!

Happy Pink Saturday Everyone!

Our dishwasher completed its last cycle ...

so said the applicance repair people. Their recommendation: get a Bosch. Anyone have an opinion on this? Bosch? Kenmore? Whirpool? Kitchenaid? or ... ?

(I'd personally rather be getting a Roomba or Scooba then a dishwasher!)

CPSC ~ 2 Recalls

1. Sevca LLC Recalls Sevylor(r) Tow Behinds; Quick Hitch Connectors Break, Posing Serious Hazard to Users: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09285.html

2. LeapFrog Recalls Electronic Plush Toys Due to Choking Hazard: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09286.html

Aloha Friday - What's in your handbag?

The other night when we arrived at the circus I decided to empty my handbag of everything I didn't need to take in with me. I was surprised at what I found once I started taking everything out. I was so overwhelmed I decided not to take anything in with me except my cell phone and camera which I put in my pockets.

This is what I found in my handbag:

iphone

camera

a bottle of hair color

3 shower caps

a pretty pink pen

note pad

3 Kool Aid singles

wallet

Nintendo DS

2 calling card holders

hand sander

2 movie tickets

2 lipsticks

tube of hand lotion

2 packs of Tic Tacs

4 Disneyland guides

Hidden Mickey book

small bottle of water

bottle of body wash

2 Naiouli Butter Sticks

sunglasses for The Princess

my sunglasses

Christmas ornament

pink pen

Halloween pencil

empty Ice Mints package

reusable shopping bag

eye drops

fingernail file

keys

loose change

misc. coupons

seam ripper

scotch tape

3 Guide to Family Finances books

Huggies wipes

kleenex

calculator

Relief Society calendar

2 movie ticket stubs

various Skittles

Monkey Boy's Cub Scout neckerchief

Monkey Boy's neckerchief slide

2 straws in wrappers

Small zipper bag containing:

toothpicks

bandaids

Tylenol

EpiPen

toothbrush

2 tubes of Neosporin

Remi-D

Neo-2-Go

Ayr

and...

a smaller bright pink handbag

Yep! and occasionally I throw our 9" laptop in!

So...I ask today,

Do you know what's in your handbag?

I love a good laugh!

First Time Boat Owner

This came by email from a friend in Florida.

I'm not sure of the story behind it but I had a good laugh.

Wordless Wednesday - Fun at the beach

July 2009

What I'm learning about Alzheimer's Disease

My mother has been staying with us. She'll be 88 years old in September. She suffers from Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease.

I've seen so called Alzheimer's patients on different TV programs. Not 20/20 or 60 Minutes but Grey's Anatomy and Law & Order. I need to watch more of 20/20 and 60 Minutes.

I've been keeping an update of Mom's antics on my Facebook page. Because as many as 5.3 million people in the United States alone suffer from Alzheimers, I thought I'd update here too.

Please do not think I am making jest of my mom or people with Alzheimer's because I am NOT. This is simply a way for me to share my experiences and what I'm learning to perhaps help someone else.

My Facebook entries:

July 10 - Many changes have taken place in my mom's health. She can't be left alone or do much of anything for herself. My head is trying to wrap around the whole situation. She needs to be cared for as if she's a toddler only she can't walk. Well she can but she needs to stay sitting because she's not strong enough to stand or walk alone. She falls.

July 12 - I've discovered if necessary, I can strip the bed, wash the sheets and make the bed. Every. Single. Day.

July 17 - Bear was playing Wii with Monkey Boy. Suddenly Bear was yelling because mom had Bear by the back of the neck of his t-shirt. "Let go of him" Yep...I yelled. She didn't. "Mom, let go of him!" She let go. "Why were you doing that?" I asked gritting my teeth. "It's my business" she said. "It's my house and my grandson" I replied. "Now I'm not going to tell you!" she said and never did. I moved her wheelchair FAR away from the boys.

What I've learned: I explained to my grand kids that GG can't move fast. If she's crabby...don't get within grabbing distance.

July 17 -Mom fell and hit her head. I'm scared. I don't know how to care for her or answer her questions. She wants to know where daddy is. He died 9 years ago.

July 18 - Mom was very weak when she woke up this morning. That didn’t stop her from getting out of bed and trying to walk into the kitchen without us knowing. It took both David and me to get her to the bathroom and dressed. She has an ugly bump on her head accompanied with a very purple bruise. She still won’t stay put so we have to use the bathroom or whatever in shifts.

What I learned: No matter how bad I have to go the bathroom, I can wait a little bit longer.

July 18 - I'm eating fresh grapes from our backyard, NY is watching The Great Escape and mom is folding white linen napkins. I think we should all go to bed!

July 19 - Yesterday with mom was a good day. We're going to take her to church today. I figure we can at least make it through Sacrament meeting.

July 19 - We made it through Sacrament meeting but all through Sunday School Mom kept saying,

"Let's get out of here!"

I was holding a very dear friend's grand baby and Mom suddenly grabbed my arm and asked,

"Do you know that baby?"

"Yes"

"Go give it to the mother!"

July 20 - I'm a lousy grandma. Having mom, (a full-time, don't blink your eyes for a moment job) the three grand kids and three neighborhood kids all in the house at the same time was too much. I sent the neighbor kids packing!

What I learned - Neighborhood kids do not have to play at my house.

July 20 - So...I was just grilled by mom as to why I gave the baby a sucker.

"What sucker?" I asked.

"That sucker"! she said.

Hmmm...The Princess is outside and I know I didn't give her a sucker.

"What baby?" I asked.

"That baby! That baby right there!" and mom pointed to the baby on the TV.

"Nope, I didn't give that baby a sucker." I stated with conviction!

What I learned - There's not much difference between television and real life.

July 20 - wants to know if I have anything I want ironed...

July 21 - Last night mom was anxiously getting the house ready (from the sofa) for the reception.

I said, "Everything is good mom. You did great. What is the reception for?"

She looked at me stunned and replied, "Don't play dumb with me...you know what it's for."

I told her I forgot and asked if she would remind me but several hours later we all went to bed without ever knowing who was coming or what for.

What I learned - Sundown Syndrome is real.

July 21 - Things are relatively quiet on the home front. I caught Mom before she completely mistook the white chair in the livingroom for the toilet.

What I learned - All toilets don't necessarily look the same.

July 21 - Roast beef sandwhiches and mixed salad for dinner.

Mom didn't want a sandwhich or salad.

What I learned - There's nothing wrong with ice cream for dinner.

The best thing I've learned is - Double diapers are better than one but triple diapers at night are the best!

CPSC ~ 4 Recalls

1. Buster Brown Clog Children's Shoes Recalled by Brown Shoe Co. and Pagoda International Footwear Ltd. Due to Choking Hazard: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09281.html

2. Heating System Thermostats Recalled by OJ Electronics Due to Shock Hazard: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09282.html

3. Fiesta Recalls to Repair Gas Grills Due to Fire, Burn Hazards: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09283.html

4. Stamina Products Recalls Elliptical Machines; Provides New Warning and Assembly Instructions: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09284.html

F16 vs. C-130

I received this little story in an email this morning.

It made me smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A C-130 was lumbering along when a cocky F-16 jet flashed by.

The jet pilot decided to show off.

The jet pilot told the C-130 pilot, "Watch this!" and promptly went into a barrel roll followed by a steep climb.

He then finished with a sonic boom as he broke the sound barrier. He asked the C-130 pilot what he thought of that?

The C-130 pilot said, "That was impressive, but watch this!" The C-130 droned along for about 5 minutes and then the C-130 pilot came back on and said:

"What did you think of that?"

Puzzled, the F-16 pilot asked, "What the heck did you do?"

The C-130 pilot chuckled.

"I stood up, stretched my legs, walked to the back, went to the bathroom,then got a cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun."

The moral of the story:

When you are young & foolish -

speed & flash may seem a good thing!!!

When you get older & smarter -

comfort & dull is not such a bad thing!!!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey "Zing Zang Zoom" Circus!

After weeks of anticipation our Circus day arrived. The car was packed with excitement and it wasn't just the grandchildren that were feeling it. I think I was the most excited of all. Especially when we arrived at the Honda Center in Anaheim and saw the ginormous elephants lumbering around their large enclosure. I honestly think they were just as excited to see us as we were to see them!!

Mom Central had invited us to attend the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's new Zing Zang Zoom Circus. I had gone to the circus once as a young child some forty something years ago and again when our children were little. This was the first time for our grandchildren and it was "Oh So Fun" to watch it again through their eyes.

Our evening started with a yummy buffet of...well...circus food.

This is the fanciest hotdog service I have ever seen.

What better to eat at the Circus than Pretzels...

and Cotton Candy?

We were all given a Clown Nose so we could blend in with the show! Monkey Boy (who is a voracious reader) read the circus program before we were even finished eating. I was able to meet Caryn from Rockin Mama.

The grandchildren were delighted with the magic tricks that Alex performed and I was surprised to find out that he was also the Zingmaster. (Ringmaster) Monkey Boy may have been too embarrassed to pose with this lovely dancer but The Princess and Bear weren't. During the All Access Pre-Show, we were able to get up close and personal with the performers. After meeting Mr Gravity and watching him perform his antics, Monkey Boy decided he wanted to be a clown. All the performers were friendly and paid attention to each of the children. The All Access Pre-Show is an hour before the actual start of the circus. Every ticket holder is invited to attend and it truly is a must see event. It wasn't only the little kids that were smiling and amazed. The kid's tried on clown costumes and Book Kennison, the contortionist clown , enlisted Brian's help to hold the tennis racket he was twisted his body to fit through. I have a deep love for the American flag. At the beginning of the show it was very moving when this elephant walked the arena while we stood and sang the National Anthem.

*** The Greatest Show on Earth included Breathtaking aerial acts, *** and audience participation magic tricks. *** We cringed as Alex pushed the burning rods of fire through the yellow striped box containing one of the clowns. ***We were totally amazed when the little dog jumped into his trainers arms. *** It was breathtaking to watch Tina & Ekaterna the human cannonballs fly across the arena.

***Our daughter Mindi loves tigers so it was no surprise that this was her favorite part of the night. I'm amazed at how well trained the tigers are. They were beautiful to watch as they each performed. The way they interact with each other and with their trainer is really quite incredible.

Even though I've seen tigers before it was a surprise to me at how big they were.

For the grand finale, everyone returned to the arena. The Greatest Show on Earth truly is spectacular. Elephants (Alex actually makes one vanish!), zebras, horses, tigers, dogs, clowns, illusions, breathtaking high wire acts, audience participation and so much more!! It's all brought together with live music. Yes! A live band.

We loved it and I think you will too!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mom Central has a SPECIAL OFFER for you!

Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 by logging onto ticketmaster.com and entering the coupon code: MOM.*

Anaheim

Honda Center

July 20: 1:00pm

July 21: 7:30pm

July 22: 1:00pm, 7:30pm

July 23: 10:30am, 7:30pm

July 24: 1:00pm, 7:30pm

July 25: 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

July 26: 1:30pm, 5:30pm

Ontario

Citizens Business Bank Arena

July 29: 7:30pm

July 30: 7:30pm

July 31: 7:30pm

Aug. 1: 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

Aug. 2: 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

*Use promo code MOM when purchasing tickets at Arena Box Offices, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Enter code in the “MC Promotion Box” on Ticketmaster. Minimum purchase of 4 tickets required;additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Not valid on VIP, Front Row and Circus Celebrity seats or combinable with other offers. Service charge, facility fee and handling fees may apply.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus and received circus tickets to facilitate my candid review.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation: A lifelong symbol of The Greatest Show on Earth, the Asian elephant is a respected and revered member of the Ringling Bros. family. In the interest of the species’ present and future well-being, the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation was established in 1995. Located in central Florida, this 200-acre, $5-million, state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to the conservation, breeding and understanding of these amazing animals.

Barack, a male calf born on the inaugural eve of the 44th President of the United States at 11:50 p.m. is our first Asian elephant born as a result of artificial insemination. This calf is a first for fourteen-year-old Bonnie, who also was born at the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation, and until recently was performing with The Greatest Show On Earth. A BIG thank you to Mom Central and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus for this delightful review opportunity!!! *** Photos from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Zing Zang Zoom Circus program book.

"A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...

but the world may be different because I was important

in the life of a child."

Forest Witcraft

This is one of my favorite Greg Olsen paintings.

The Pleasure Of Your Company

A pillared porch and a wicker chair,

Sunlight gleams on haloed hair.

Making translucent the flowered vine,

Warming the place on which it shines.

Waffle creams and punch for tea,

All for the pleasure of your company.

Bows and lace and dresses of pink,

Cups and saucers that tinkle and clink.

Seated here is the honored guest,

A porcelain doll in an elegant dress.

She’s so well-mannered and polite,

But she doesn’t have much of an appetite.

No need to worry if the guest doesn’t eat,

Just being together is a most splendid treat.

Greg Olsen -2003

1. Evenflo Recalls Telephone Toys Due to Choking Hazard <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09275.html>

2. Butterfly Chairs Recalled by Hobby Lobby Stores Due to Fall Hazard <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09276.html. 3. Leather Shag Rugs Recalled by Chandra Rugs Due to Fire Hazard Art Collection rugs in a variety of colors <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09277.html> 4. Children's Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings Recalled by EMH Associates Due to Entrapment Hazard

<http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09278.html>

5. Steam Cleaners Recalled by Thane International Due to Shock and Burn Hazards <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09279.html>

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!

Last night we went to an event at a large arena. We were guests but because we were the first to arrive the "list" with our name on it hadn't made it's way to the gate. We paid $15.00 to park.

We have annual passes at Disneyland and with that membership we get free parking however parking for non pass holders is $12.00.

My question today is:

Do you think parking fees are getting ridiculously high?

I do!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

presents ZING ZANG ZOOM playing the Greater Los Angeles area.

This is a Family Event and we have a SPECIAL OFFER for you! Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 by logging onto ticketmaster.com and entering

the coupon code: MOM.*

Show Dates:

Anaheim

Honda Center

July 16: 1:00pm, 7:30pm

July 17: 10:30am, 7:30pm

July 18: 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

July 19: 1:30pm, 5:30pm

July 20: 1:00pm

July 21: 7:30pm

July 22: 1:00pm, 7:30pm

July 23: 10:30am, 7:30pm

July 24: 1:00pm, 7:30pm

July 25: 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

July 26: 1:30pm, 5:30pm

Ontario

Citizens Business Bank Arena

July 29: 7:30pm

July 30: 7:30pm

July 31: 7:30pm

Aug. 1: 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

Aug. 2: 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

*Use promo code MOM when purchasing tickets at Arena Box Offices, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Enter code in the “MC Promotion Box” on Ticketmaster. Minimum purchase of 4 tickets required;additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Not valid on VIP, Front Row and Circus Celebrity seats or combinable with other offers. Service charge, facility fee and handling fees may apply.

CPSC ~ 1 Recall

1. Children's Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Recalled by Propac Distributing Due to Strangulation Hazard

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09274.html

Down East Basics

I think this is absolutely darling!!

School Belle Top

Shorty Sweater

Down East Basics

Wordless Wednesday ~ Rock Star!

For more WW visit 5 Minutes for Mom & WW headquarters.

CPSC ~ 2 Recalls

1. Energizer Wallplate Nightlights Recalled Due to Fire Hazard <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09272.html>

2. Rossignol Recalls Cross-Country Boots Due to Fall Hazard <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09273.html>

Welcome to the Blog Hop!!

This is my first time participating so I thought while following the there of: THREE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ME (or US), I'd also make introductions.

1. We are NY & Cathi, happy parents, grandparents and yes, happily married. We have two grown sons and three delightful grandchildren. We are blessed to live close to our children and we get to spend quality time with our grandchildren almost everyday.

2. We love to travel. NY has worked for a major airline for over 30 years and we have been able to travel to all parts of the world. We also love road trips and traveling right here in the United States. Two of our favorite places to visit over and over again are New York City and Boston.

3. NY is tall and I am short! We constantly have to adjust the car seats from closest to the dash to furthest from the dash. NY is 6 feet tall and I am just a tad over five feet tall. Hmmm...a tad...rounds up to five feet 0ne inch. Right?!?

Chex Mix Turtle Bars ~ Oh So Good!!

I'm not usually crazy about any food that has a mixture of different flavors. I do however like treats that are sweet and salty. I also like Chex cereal so when MyBlogSpark offered me the opportunity to try the new Chex Mix Turtle Bars I was quite excited about it. Honestly? I figured if I didn't like them, my grand kids surely would. Sadly, my grandchildren never even got to taste them!! I ate all 6 of the Chex Mix Bars all by myself. Every last bite. My mistake was not throwing the empty box away. My grandchildren saw the box and wanted to know what they missed out on. So now I need to buy another box and show some discipline by not eating all the bars before my grandkids get to try them.

Product Description: Satisfy your craving with caramel, chocolate, peanuts, wheat and corn Chex cereal and pretzels. With less than 150 calories, a good source of fiber and at least 8 grams of whole grains per serving it’s the perfect treat when you’re craving something sweet.

The Way I See It: Wow! Only 150 calories? You can't beat that! Especially for something that taste this good. I love the chocolate and the pretzels mixed together with the caramel. I honestly cannot wait for my grandkids to try them. I know without a doubt that they will love them too. The only thing to watch out for is...Chex Mix Turtle Bars are so ooey gooey goood that you might eat the whole box too!!

Do you want to see if you can eat just one???

Giveaway!

Three lucky readers will win two boxes of Chex Mix Turtle Bars.

~Leave a comment here telling us what your favorite indulgence snack is.

~This giveaway will close at midnight on July 20th.

For extra entries:

~ Place our button in your sidebar.

~ Follow us on Twitter.

~ Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

A special thanks to My Blog Spark and Chex for this review and giveaway opportunity.

Provident Living

Provident: 1. having or showing foresight; providing carefully for the future.

2. characterized by or proceeding from foresight: provident care.

3. economical; frugal; thrifty.

Emergency Preparedness is not only helpful after a hurricane, fire, tornado or earthquake. An illness, loss of a job, or even instability in the national economy are all good reason to be prepared.

Krusteaz Pancake Mix is a staple in our pantry. With Krusteaz we make delicious pancakes and the only ingredients are the mix and water.

Pancakes are good for breakfast, lunch or dinner and everyone loves them. Krusteaz makes wonderful waffles and the only difference is the addition of oil along with the mix and water.

It really doesn't get any easier than Krusteaz!!

And that is why it's a great item to have in your food storage.

The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.

William James

Beauty Name - Esquisite Craftsmanship from Israel

Sometimes it's hard to find the perfect gift, a gift that is personal and timeless. When you do find a lovely personalized gift, it can be almost impossible to get the spelling of some names correct. My name for example is Cathy however I spell it Cathi with my own personalized “i”. I have never found a personalized anything with Cathi spelled with an “i”. I also have never found my grand daughter’s name printed, embroidered or carved on anything. BeautyName is an extraordinary company that creates handmade personalized necklaces with any name you want. Each necklace is exquisitely made. . Rani of BeautyName, is a silversmith, who lives in Jerusalem, Israel. These lovely handcrafted necklaces are part of a family silverware business that was started 40 years ago. Rani loves making personalized jewelry because it helps him appreciate each person’s name and it’s beauty. He believes everyone’s name is meaningful with a destiny. The refined craftsmanship makes each necklace a charming and striking piece of jewelry. Each necklace will be made just as ordered. You choose the precious metal, font the name will be made in. Each necklace is made of solid sterling silver or 14K gold. The silver necklaces have a beautiful snake chain, 14, 16 or 18 inches in length. With the gold necklaces you can choose between a box or braid chain in a 16 inch length.

Beauty Name necklaces can be found on Etsy

and Ebay for less than thirty dollars.

Your necklace will be made especially for you and shipped from Israel for only four dollars.

For more product reviews and for giveaways visit the Family Review Network.

Aloha Friday - Who should pay the bill?

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!

There's quite a bit of controversy surrounding the bill for Michael Jackson's Memorial service. The bill for providing the extra police for traffic and crowd control and other costs incurred is now in the hands of city of Los Angeles. I think Michael Jackson was a musical genius who lived a very sad and lonely life. My heart breaks for his three children. I watched the memorial service on TV but I personally feel his estate should pay the bill.

How about you?

Who do you think should pay the 1.4 million dollar bill for Michael Jackson's memorial service?

CPSC ~ 4 Recalls

1. Kidde Recalls Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms; Can Fail to Warn of a Fire <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09266.html>

2. American Greetings Corp. Recalls Sport Balls Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09267.html>

3. Tea Kettles Recalled by Wilton Industries Due to Burn Hazard<http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09268.html>

4. Children's Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Recalled by C-Mrk Inc. Due to Strangulation Hazard<http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09269.html>

5. Children's Hooded Jackets and Pullover Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Recalled by Hard Tail Due to Strangulation Hazard <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09270.html>

Circus Tickets - Giveaway!!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents ZING ZANG ZOOM playing the Greater Los Angeles area. This is a Family Event and we have a SPECIAL OFFER for you! Thanks to Mom Central, you can purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 by logging onto ticketmaster.com and entering the coupon code: MOM.*

Giveaway!!

Mom Central has made it possible for us to giveaway 4 tickets

for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus!

The tickets will be for the Honda Center in Anaheim CA

on Thursday, July 16 at 7:30 PM.

The tickets will be waiting for you at the will call window.

To enter:

~Leave a comment here telling how approximately many miles you live from the Honda Center.

~This giveaway will close at midnight on Saturday, July 11th.

For extra entries:

~ Place our button in your sidebar

~ Subscribe to our Feed

~ Follow us on Twitter

~ Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

~ The winner has 24 hours to claim the prize.

CPSC ~ 4 Recalls

1. Pacifiers Recalled by Gromex Due to Choking Hazard <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09262.html>

2. Women's Shoes Recalled by Charles David Due to Fall Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09263.html> 3. Nine Companies Penalized for Selling Children's Products that Violated the Federal Lead Paint Ban.

<http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09264.html>

4. Kolcraft Recalls 1 Million Play Yards Due to Fall Hazard

<http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09265.html>

Wordless Wednesday ~ Brothers

July 7, 2009

Thai Kitchen ~ Bringing the Thai Experience Home! - Giveaway

When I met NY he introduced me to an entire world I had only dreamed about. One of the many different foods he enjoys is Thai food. I however, didn't think it was anything I would like. When given the opportunity to review a few of the Thai Kitchen products I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to try something new for me. I felt I might have been missing out on something special and I was ready to give it a try.

Product description:

Thai Kitchen was founded in 1989 when Seth Jacobson made his first trip to Asia. At an outdoor market in the center of a Thai village, he discovered the secret of why Thai cuisine is so astonishingly complex, rich and flavorful. The high quality of Thai cuisine was achieved by selecting and combining only the freshest ingredients without making any compromises. Seth realized the Thai diet (based on grains, vegetables, herbs and spices) was perfectly positioned for the American market where consumers seek new exciting flavors and foods that are healthy. At the time, there were no domestic suppliers providing Thai staple items like fish sauce, coconut milk and fresh curry pastes. He wanted to create an authentic Thai product line but knew that he could not achieve the true flavors of Thai cuisine by using ingredients found domestically. Therefore, he chose to work closely with Thai farmers to create the true authentic flavors of Thailand. Today, Thai Kitchen has over 60 products and is sold in 50 states, and Canada.

The Way I See It: Excellent!! Incredibly Delicious!!

We received the products pictured above and recipes for Red Curry Vegetables and Red Curry Chicken. These recipes were a great new experience for me. I had never ever before used ingredients like coconut milk or red curry paste. I enjoyed making the chicken dish, especially tasting it after each addition. (Big Smile!!) And I love the Jasmine rice. We're big on rice at our house and I have to say this is my favorite rice so far. It's light and fluffy which is just the way I like it.

The Thai Kitchen website has a wide variety of tasty recipes, however the Red Curry Chicken we made is not listed. We liked it so much I'd like to share it here:

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Red Curry Chicken

1 can (14 ounces) Thai Kitchen Coconut Milk, divided

2 Tablespoons Thai Kitchen Red Curry Paste

1 Tablespoon brown sugar

1 pound cooked boneless skinless chicken breast

1/4 cup chopped fresh Thai basil

2 Tablespoons Thai Kitchen Premium Fish Sauce

Thai Kitchen Jasmine Rice

1. Bring 1/2 of the coconut milk to simmer in a large skillet on medium heat. Stir in curry paste until well blended. Add remaining coconut milk and sugar; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes.

2. Stir in chicken. Cook 3 to 5 minutes or until chicken is heated through. Stir in basil and fish sauce.

3. Serve with cooked Thai Kitchen Jasmine Rice. Garnish with additional basil and red chili slices, if desired.

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~ Giveaway ~

Win a "Thai Kitchen" cookbook.

~ Visit Thai Kitchen. ~Leave a comment here telling us what recipe you'd like to try.

~This giveaway will close at midnight on July 15th.

For extra entries:

~ Place our button in your sidebar

~ Follow us on Twitter

~ Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

I want to extend a huge thank you to Mom Fuse and Thai Kitchen for this review and giveaway opportunity!!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus!

Despite the traffic and crowds from the Jackson memorial, a herd of elephants were marching through downtown Los Angeles in a fitting start to a circus-like day. Asian elephants and horses are pictured marching from Union Station toward the Staples Center. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is opening tomorrow night (7/8) at the Staples Center! For more information and to find out how to get discount ticket through Mom Central, go here or scroll down.

LA Traffic

Today was to be NY's first day back to work after being off from injuries sustained in a torrorist bombing in Madrid, Spain on December 30, 2006.

He would have been flying out of LAX.

Thank goodness NY's opthmalogist told him not to fly for several more weeks. Getting to LAX on the same morning of Michael Jackson's memorial with the major freeway closure for the funeral procession would not have been a good thing!!

Several major freeways were closed this morning for the Michael Jackson funeral procession. In the above photo you can see the cars slowing on the northbound 5 while the southbound 5 is closed to all but the Jackson cars. The four lanes of traffic in the top right hand corner are stopped on the on ramp. Every on ramp between Forest Hills Cemetery and the Staples Center was blocked by several police vehicles on the 5 and 110 freeways.

I can understand why the LA Police Department said there would NOT be a funeral procession. They wanted to keep people from congregating around the freeways. I don't however think it was fair to all the people who could have taken alternate routes on their way to work, to appointments, to the airport, or wherever. I wonder how many people were delayed or late for thier events or even missed flights this morning, etc.

Provident Living - Cash on hand

Provident Living

Provident: 1. having or showing foresight; providing carefully for the future.

2. characterized by or proceeding from foresight: provident care.

3. economical; frugal; thrifty.

Emergency Preparedness is not only helpful after a hurricane, fire, tornado or earthquake. An illness, loss of a job, or even instability in the national economy are all good reason to be prepared.

It's imperative to have cash on hand in certain emergencies. I am not a "cash on hand" gal, even though NY is adamant I have some cash with me at all times. In the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma, when I went to Target to buy a few essential items, I found out just how important it was to have cash. The store had no electricity, but was open to sell non-perishable items on a cash only basis. No electricity means no credit card purchases. Luckily I did have cash, thanks to NY who takes good care of me (and puts money in my wallet!)

In a natural disaster, there very well may be no electricity for a period of time, which means: no banks, no ATM's, no petrol stations, etc. Our imagination can take it from there.

The amount of cash to have on hand is a personal decision.

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"Dueling" Guitar Hero DS

My grandson's love to play video games however I limit the time they are allowed to play. I want them to play games and participate in activities that stimulate their little minds. I'm delighted to say that the new Guitar Hero games for the Nintendo DS do both. While teaching coordination, Guitar Hero also get their little bodies moving to the beat of the music.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:Handheld guitar gods can now choose how they raise-up their band from the underground music scene to worldwide rock stardom in Guitar Hero® On Tour: Modern Hits. Featuring a set list comprised of 28 master tracks from influential artists including Coldplay, Fall Out Boy, Tenacious D, The Strokes and Weezer, Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits expands on the innovative Guitar Hero® gameplay on the Nintendo DS by introducing an all-new Fan Request system that challenges players to jam like never before. Fret board fanatics can once again unleash their inner rock stars anytime, anywhere as they hone their shredding skills and jam to face-melting modern rock tracks from the last five years in Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits. The song streaming features allow players of Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits and its predecessors, Guitar Hero: On Tour and Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades, to share songs via local wireless connectivity. Players can rock out together in multiplayer modes, jamming to tracks from all three versions of the game.

The way I see it: While my grandsons love to play Guitar Hero on the TV in our family room, I am not always in the mood to listen to the music as they “rock out”. One of my favorite features of the Nintendo DS Guitar Hero games is how the kids can play with their ear phones on. Not only is this a kick to watch as they rock around the house in what seems to be silence, it keeps them endlessly entertained in the car while we travel. Players can rock out together in multiplayer modes, jamming to the 28 different tracks from all three versions of the game. I have to say, this is my favorite feature. My grandsons have a good time while setting music goals and playing together. They have the choice of who will play lead guitar and who will play bass. The Rock Meter lets them know how well they’re doing. I love the little guitar pick that’s used to strum the strings on the guitar and the whammy bar actually makes the sound warble. I’m amazed everyday with the technology that is available for entertainment and the Nintendo DS Guitar Hero games are no exception.

Any kind of play that teaches and keeps us moving physically is good and Guitar Hero is a very good thing!! Many thanks to Mom Central and Guitar Hero for this review opportunity!!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Guitar Hero and received a sample to facilitate my candid review.

Fourth of July Trivia

I wanted to have a bit of fun on this Fourth of July holiday. NY shared these questions with me and I was surprised at what I didn't know.

How about you?

1. How many verses does the Star Spangled Banner have?

2. What is the last line of the last verse of our National Anthem?

3. Who wrote the Star Spangled Banner?

4. What is our national bird?

5. How were fireworks invented?

6. How is the flag supposed to be folded?

7. What are two things the flag should never touch?

8. The first Independence Day was July 4, 1776 but in what year was Fourth of July officially declared a national holiday by Congress?

9. Which president of the United States was born on the Fourth of July?

10. Which two presidents, both of whom signed the Declaration of Independence, died on the Fourth of July in 1826?

BONUS: How many signatures appeared on the Declaration of Independence?

Answers:

1. Four. 2. O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave (it's the last line of each verse).

3. Francis Scott Key.

4. The bald eagle.

5. The Chinese invented them much the same way they constructed rockets for war.

6. The preferred way to fold the flag to show respect is to fold it into the shape of a triangle.

7. The ground or water.

8. 1941.

9. The 30th president, Calvin Coolidge

10. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.

BONUS: Fifty-six.

Pink Saturday - When The Princess was teeny tiny

Aloha Friday ~ Fun at the Park

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!

We took our grandchildren to our local park for a play day today. Everyone had a good time playing and visiting with good friends. Especially Grandpa and The Princess who braved the exceptionally "high off the ground" swings.

Do you take your kids or grand kids to the park to play?

OFF! PowerPad Lamp & Lantern ~ Giveaway

We love to sit outside and enjoy the warm breezy summer evenings. We also like to dine on our patio however we don't like the bugs that usually come with being outdoors.

The bugs were so bad the other day that while I was nursing a mosquito bite (or two) I suggested we bring out a small fan to hopefully blow the bugs away from us. I'm pretty sure this would have dried out any food we were eating and may have made our light summer breeze a bit like a tornado.

From SC Johnson: The OFF! PowerPad Lamp and Lantern provides powerful mosquito protection with a pleasant, warm glow for outdoor parties. The products repel mosquitoes, including those that may carry the West Nile Virus. Heat-activated pads deter mosquitoes from an area up to 225 square feet, about the size of an average deck or patio.

I'm happy to say the OFF! PowerPad Lamp really does work!!

We had dinner on the patio and not only did the lamp keep the bugs away, it added a bit of ambiance to our meal. I simply lit the candle and dropped the little power pad into the lamp. I was concerned that there might be an odor from the power pad but there wasn't. Each little PowerPad repels pesty bugs up to 15ft which more more than covers our patio.

The OFF! PowerPad Lamp can be used anytime of the day and night. The Lamp is 15x more powerful than citronella candles or buckets. The lamp is also available in a Lantern style which is similar to the Lamp, but includes a 4-foot pole so that you can place it anywhere in your yard.

I love the PowerPad Lamp and I'm anxious to add a few of the Lanterns to our backyard for our next patio dinner party.

~ Giveaway ~

~ Visit the OFF! PowerPad Lamp website.

~Leave a comment here telling us what you like about the PowerPad Lamp.

~This giveaway will close at midnight on July 9th.

For extra entries:

~ Place our button in your sidebar

~ Follow us on Twitter

~ Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

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This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program by SC Johnson, who also supplied the product for review and giveaway.

Visit the Family Review Network for more reviews and giveaways.

CPSC ~ 2 Recalls

1. Simplicity Drop Side Cribs Recalled by Retailers Due to Risk of Death from Suffocation <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09260.html>

2. Aqua-Leisure Industries Recalls Inflatable Baby Floats Due to Drowning Hazard<http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09261.html>

CPSC ~ 1 Recall

Intermatic Recalls: In-Wall Timers Due to Shock Hazard

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09259.html