tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52914192779838963612024-03-13T11:24:14.643-04:00Just the FactsReading reviews on products and services can help you make a decision as to whether or not to buy it. My blog is a way to express my HONEST opinion about everything. As a wife, a mother of four, a college student, and a photographer, I experience a wide range of products. This blog is a way to express my opinions and provide my readers with useful information.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-77975845733447940542014-02-16T15:31:00.003-05:002014-02-16T15:31:11.511-05:00Home buying--Why buying new is better than buying usedI am guilty of falling into the same thought process as most people...buying new is more expensive than buying used. I mean, if you think about it everything falls into this category....new cars, toys, electronics, books, etc. In most cases, new homes cost more as well, but that is not the case now.<br />
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It is quite unfortunate for those that purchased right before the housing market took a hit. Property values decreased leaving homeowners owing more than their houses were worth. This change in the market also resulted in a lower demand for lumber and contractors; thus, resulting in lower costs for materials and services so builders could offer new homes for a lower price than a used home. <br />
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Why wouldn't you want a new home? Besides the fact that they are more energy efficient, compliant with all state and national codes, and warrantied, they will not have remnants of the previous owner. What does that mean, you ask? Yes, you can change the paint and carpet all you want, but I guarantee you will eventually find some unexpected surprise whether that is a toenail stuck in the baseboard in the corner of the room or toys shoved deep into the register vents. With todays outbreak of bed bugs, would you want to take a chance that those little creepy crawlers could be hiding inside the walls waiting for new unsuspecting roommates? I wouldn't!<br />
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Of course I may be biased because I now work for a new home builder, but after my eyes have been opened, I cannot fathom buying a used home ever again. There is even some financing options available to new builds that you cannot get with a used home such as work equity and point contribution with a preferred lender. <br />
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Just like brands of TV's, smartphones, and automobiles, not all builder's quality is equal. I will save that information for my next blog, stay tuned........Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com0Columbus, OH, USA39.9611755 -82.9987942000000239.571838500000005 -83.644241200000025 40.3505125 -82.353347200000016tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-72652071574193916252013-02-04T14:45:00.001-05:002013-02-04T14:45:53.623-05:00Giving back to the community--Groveport Madison Marching Band<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" class="UPE-StandardTableSmallest">
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<tr><td class="UPE-Text" style="vertical-align: top; width: 70%;">My daughter is a Sophmore in the Groveport Madison Marching Band. They do so many fundraisers to raise money for band equipment...please help them to get a grant to help with transportation. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Help support by voting --</span><br />
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"The Groveport Madison
High School Marching Band has been the pride of Groveport and Madison Township
for many years. The Marching Band has qualified and performed at State Marching
Band Finals consistently since 1991. The’ve earned Superior Ratings, the highest
honor for competing bands, 20 of the last 22 years. The band currently gives 160
GMHS students the opportunity to perform and express themselves in a positive
way. The band is taught to be Focused on the task at hand, Fearless of any
insecurities, and Fantastic in all that they do. <br />
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The band supports The
Stowe Mission, a food pantry dedicated to feeding the needy of Central Ohio. The
Director of Bands has instilled into our young people how important it is to
give back to the community. The kids collect food items at their many concerts,
and the kids get to take it to the food bank personally. This is becoming a
program close to the hearts of many band students. The band supports various
school community events such as the 4th of July parade and the Cardinal Health
5K. The band students give several concerts throughout the year. The Marching
Band is a competition band that travels to several locations to compete in the
fall. They perform for all the GMHS football games and several basketball games.
The students also give their time to work in the concessions booth for
volleyball, wrestling, and basketball games."</td></tr>
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<script src="http://nbc4i.upickem.net/engine/SubmissionWidget.aspx?PageType=VOTING&ContestID=65509&SubmissionID=30016389" type="text/javascript"></script><br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-19765545490915127852012-12-17T18:58:00.001-05:002012-12-17T18:58:33.687-05:00iPhone 5So I did it. I broke down and bought an iPhone 5. My husband and I both went to Verizon to upgrade our phones. He wasn't too pleased that I opted to pay extra for the 5 while he got the 4s. His reply was "you always have to have the best out there, don't you?". The answer to that is YES!! I had a Droid with 4G, how could I possibly go back to a 3G phone?
Although I love my iPhone for many reasons, I've compiled a list of my top 3 reasons.
First reason is the ease of Facetime! A lot of my friends and family have iPhones, and I love how it's just as easy to Facetime them as it is to call them. For those of you who do not know what Facetime is, it's an application that is already loaded on your iPhone that allows you to video talk to another person. This especially came in handy when my husband stayed home to care for one of our sick children while I was at our other child's Christmas program. He was able to watch her from home. It's also nice on those long work days and you just want to see your child's smiling face while you ask her how her day was at school.
Second reason is that I love the visual voicemail! Although this feature was available on my other phone, I had to pay for that service. With iPhone, it is built in. This allows you to see your voicemails on a screen, and you can choose which ones you want to listen to. You don't have to worry about dialing into your voicemail and entering a password in order to retrieve your messages. Better yet, you don't have to go through 20 saved messages in order to get to the one you wanted to hear.
Finally, reason number 3......SIRI!! She is a wonderful personal assistant. Siri is voice recognition software with a wide range of capabilities. I say "Call my husband", and she does. I tell her "Remind me to pick up bread on the way home", and she does! Due to my lack of navigation skills, I often tell Siri "get me home", and she finds the fastest route to my house. I've played around with Siri just to see how she would respond to certain statements and she never ceases to amaze me. I said "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and she replied "the sound of that is something quite atrocious". Perhaps I'm easily amused, but I'm happy with it!
Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-41330110792158798792012-09-04T17:57:00.000-04:002012-09-04T17:57:19.902-04:00V/H/S Movie Review<span style="font-size: large;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: red;">V/H/S</span></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- In theaters
October 5, 2012</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">This past weekend my husband and I invited my brother and
his wife over to watch movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
decided to go through the ‘On Demand’ selection and watch the trailers in order
to pick a movie we could all agree on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After watching the trailer for V/H/S, we all were eager to watch it even
though it was twice the cost of the others. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><u><strong>Movie Info:</strong></u></span><br />
Rated R<br />
115 minutes<br /><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Director:David
Bruckner, Glenn McQuaid, Radio Silence, Joe Swanberg, Ti West, Adam Wingard</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: red;"><u>The Synopsis:</u></span></strong><br />
“When a group of petty criminals is hired by a mysterious party to retrieve a
rare piece of found footage from a rundown house in the middle of nowhere, they
soon realize that the job isn't going to be as easy as they thought. In the
living room, a lifeless body holds court before a hub of old television sets,
surrounded by stacks upon stacks of VHS tapes. As they search for the right
one, they are treated to a seemingly endless number of horrifying videos, each
stranger than the last.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong><u>My Review:</u></strong></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The whole movie was viewed as though it was recorded on a
variety of VHS tapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So those of us
that remember what happens to the tape when you record and then pause and then
record again, especially over another recording, would appreciate the effects
used in this movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as the synopsis
states, the men watch videos of horrific stories, which kept getting
stranger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The videos were shot by
different people in different situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The first video was unanimously our favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was about a group of young men who try to
lure women back to their hotel in hopes of recording their sexual encounters
with a pair of recording spy glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
mission accomplished; however, it came with a huge, disturbing price!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each video kept your interest and the movie
did not seem to be 2 hours long at all, in fact, I wanted more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were bits and parts that were corny and
left you thinking, “Okay…that was stupid”, especially in the third video;
however, the fourth video’s unexpected twist blew me away!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wanted to rewind because it all would
make more sense if you knew what you knew in the end in the beginning!! (Did I
lose you?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The special effects in the
last of the videos were amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A group
of guys thought they were attending a Halloween party at a (for lack of a
better term) “man-made” haunted house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What they find is complete horror!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: red;"><u>My Rating</u></span></strong>:</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Due to the originality and creativity, I give this movie a…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>4.5 out of 5 stars</strong></span></div>
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I did not receive this item free of charge nor was I endorsed in any way, this opinion is my honest review of
this product!</span></span></span></span></span></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=befyoubuychet-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00944CS3A&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-16992552834468440962012-08-14T17:04:00.001-04:002012-08-14T20:17:33.591-04:00Farm Rich Review & Giveaway!<br />
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<a href="http://www.farmrich.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mun2kH5g9Qs/UCq5ZRLM7EI/AAAAAAAAAGY/yEIVTYKp4G0/s400/logo.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">As a mother of four, I am always looking
for easy-to-prepare, healthy snacks that my children will love to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.farmrich.com/" target="_blank">Farm Rich</a> offers so many choices for healthy
snacks, lunches, and side dishes. They have <a href="http://www.farmrich.com/products/cheese-sticks" target="_blank">Mozzarella Sticks</a>, <a href="http://www.farmrich.com/products/mozzarella-bites" target="_blank">MozzarellaBites</a>, <a href="http://www.farmrich.com/products/mini-pizza-slices" target="_blank">Mini Pizza Slices</a>, <a href="http://www.farmrich.com/products/stuffed-pretzel-bites" target="_blank">Stuffed Pretzel Bites</a>, <a href="http://www.farmrich.com/products/queso-cheese-bites" target="_blank">Queso Cheese Bites</a>, <a href="http://www.farmrich.com/products/mushrooms" target="_blank">BreadedMushrooms</a>, a variety of <a href="http://www.farmrich.com/products/meatballs" target="_blank">Meatballs</a>, <a href="http://www.farmrich.com/products/mini-quesadillas" target="_blank">Mini Quesadillas</a>, <a href="http://www.farmrich.com/products/mini-philly-cheese-steaks" target="_blank">Philly Cheese Steaks</a>,
<a href="http://www.farmrich.com/products/jalapeno-peppers" target="_blank">Jalapeño Peppers</a>, and a variety of <a href="http://www.farmrich.com/products/french-toast-sticks" target="_blank">French Toast Sticks</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the pleasure of reviewing two snacks
from Farm Rich.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.farmrich.com/products/cheese-sticks" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4mC9neG_Ypw/UCq5GqkI0rI/AAAAAAAAAGI/L0cHtHQCrS4/s1600/chezSticks.png" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">The Breaded Mozzarella sticks are made
with 100% real mozzarella cheese</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> and are a g</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">ood source
of calcium and protein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are packed
with delicious cheese and are irresistible!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">I prepared Mozzarella sticks and marinara sauce for a snack for the kids
and ended up having to make more because my husband couldn’t stop eating them….they
are that good!!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M3VbCEFsQpE/UCq5_muFKsI/AAAAAAAAAGo/so7_17Th1_E/s1600/DSCF1463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M3VbCEFsQpE/UCq5_muFKsI/AAAAAAAAAGo/so7_17Th1_E/s320/DSCF1463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IbimmIqU5Ko/UCq56MPakQI/AAAAAAAAAGg/s2shui8PHCo/s1600/DSCF1461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IbimmIqU5Ko/UCq56MPakQI/AAAAAAAAAGg/s2shui8PHCo/s320/DSCF1461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4IIzQnYhc4g/UCq619UNz0I/AAAAAAAAAG0/ARIbw-XTV9k/s1600/DSCF1470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4IIzQnYhc4g/UCq619UNz0I/AAAAAAAAAG0/ARIbw-XTV9k/s320/DSCF1470.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.farmrich.com/products/mini-pizza-slices" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqYtBoUelTM/UCq5Kp7Wh-I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/3Gbd2S7SdG0/s1600/MiniPiza.png" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">I also tried the Mini Pizza Slices, and
I was pleasantly surprised!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything
about this snack was delicious! The authentic pizzeria-style crust surrounds
100% mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and marinara sauce to make a perfectly
sized, mess-free pizza snack for my kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone absolutely loved these!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h0-_5cY2wwc/UCq7FeIO0gI/AAAAAAAAAG8/Hj5dR_N-g-Q/s1600/DSCF1473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h0-_5cY2wwc/UCq7FeIO0gI/AAAAAAAAAG8/Hj5dR_N-g-Q/s320/DSCF1473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I recommend trying Farm
Rich snacks; you won’t be disappointed!! </span>Be sure to visit <a href="http://www.farmrich.com/" target="_blank">Farm Rich</a> and sign up
for the Keep ‘Em Happy Club for coupons, product information, and promotions!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Giveaway:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">One lucky reader will win 2 coupons good
for free Farm Rich snacks and appetizers ($6.99 value each)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">*Disclaimer - I received the item mentioned
above, free of charge, for review purposes. In no way did this alter my opinion
of their products. All of my opinions expressed in this post are 100% honest
and true.*</span></div>
<a id="rc-f2b6eb5" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f2b6eb5/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com90tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-6902205836882037352012-08-12T14:53:00.003-04:002012-08-12T14:54:10.255-04:00Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure Review<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TndRu3dtvI/UCf5sRWzlmI/AAAAAAAAAF4/UD4xB5N_L4k/s1600/DSCF9651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TndRu3dtvI/UCf5sRWzlmI/AAAAAAAAAF4/UD4xB5N_L4k/s320/DSCF9651.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Disney Pixar Adventure game for the Xbox Kinect is
absolutely amazing!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think
people can grasp “your body is the controller” until they actually try the game
themselves!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want your character
to run, then you run in place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
want your character to jump, then you jump…and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am completely blown away by this game and
how much fun it is!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had guests at my
Rush party ranging from 5 years old to 40 years old and everyone loved
it!!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There are different worlds you can enter and each one is a
blast!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can enter the worlds of
Cars, Toy Story, Ratatouille, The Incredibles, and UP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My oldest daughters and their friends loved
driving in Cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My second youngest
loved being Remy in Ratatouille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
used her arms to climb, throw things, and zoom down a zip line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brother and husband favored the Incredibles
because they became superheroes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
would have to use their bodies to ski down hills and jump in time to make it
onto the tops of buildings where they would then fight villains by throwing
large objects at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My youngest
couldn’t pick a favorite, she said “they are all the best”.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I ABSOULTELY LOVE this game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Children have to use their entire bodies to play instead of just fingers
and thumbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is one of the better Kinect
games that actually requires you to move, and doesn’t allow you to succeed with
minimal movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually think my
kids get more exercise with this game than they do playing outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=befyoubuychet-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B006ZPAYMI&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">*Disclaimer - I received the item mentioned
above, free of charge, for review purposes. In no way did this alter my opinion
of their products. All of my opinions expressed in this post are one hundred
percent honest and true.*</span></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-64795243210540498672012-04-13T18:19:00.001-04:002012-04-21T22:10:57.330-04:00Raffle to Benefit March For Babies!!!<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">This raffle is to raise money for March of Dimes “March for Babies”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your donation will support March of Dimes research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And it will be used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have walked for the March for Babies for many years, this year I am walking for my nephew, who is in NICU as I write this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was born 6 weeks early and currently needs a feeding tube, is on bili lights, and is having a hard time maintaining his body temperature as well.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;">Rules & Odds<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">You earn entries by donating to the March for Babies through my page located at <a href="http://marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?pp=1867960&ct=4&w=5367014&u=christy924">http://marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?pp=1867960&ct=4&w=5367014&u=christy924 </a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Every dollar equals one entry (So a $1.00 donation will get you 1 entry & a $5.00 donation will get you 5 entries). I will check my dashboard on March for Babies & manually add the additional entries to RaffleCopter every night to equal your donation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For every $20 earned, I will add another prize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the prizes can be seen below under “Waiting List” or “Current Prizes”.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Want to know your odds of winning?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am starting at $0.00. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My March for Babies badge tracking my progress is on the right side of my website. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am only running this raffle for ten days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each $20 allows me to move a prize from the “Waiting list” to the “Current Prizes” list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prizes are not limited to one per person, so one person CAN win them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contest is open to continental US and 18+ only!!</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You can feel secure in donating to the March of Dimes via Credit Card or </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">PayPal</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">; they use secure socket layer (SSL) technology to protect the security of your information as it is transmitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can also write your donations off on your taxes!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It’s a win/win situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get to donate to a wonderful charity AND have a chance to win a great prize!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EVERY DOLLAR HELPS!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good luck and Thank you for your donations!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?pp=1867960&ct=4&w=5367014&u=christy924">http://marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?pp=1867960&ct=4&w=5367014&u=christy924</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hgCUWr4nR_Q/T4ig_VJPylI/AAAAAAAAAFU/ZPvozwSJT1s/s1600/largelot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hgCUWr4nR_Q/T4ig_VJPylI/AAAAAAAAAFU/ZPvozwSJT1s/s320/largelot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><strong><u>Current Prizes:</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Victoria’s Secret Prize Pack:</span> VS La Senza Anti Bacterial hand soap<br />
(2) VS Strawberries & Champagne body wash 8.4 oz<br />
VS Amber Romance Hand & body cream 6.7 oz<br />
VS Amber Romance body lotion 4.2 oz<br />
VS Amber Romance 4 oz Shower gel (ARV $46.50)</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Men’s Prize Pack:</span> Stetson gift set with 1.5 oz cologne & .75 oz after shave<br />Right Guard Professional Strength Anti-perspirant<br />Men’s Grooming & travel set<br />Old Spice 1.7 oz Odor blocker body wash<br />Old spice 1.7 oz After Hours body wash<br />AVON Today, tomorrow & Always<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5 oz. shower gel (ARV $39.57)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Bath & Body Works Prize Pack:</span> B&BW Country Chic 3 oz. fragrance Mist <br />B&BW Moonlight Path 3 oz Shower gel<br />B&BW Enchanted Orchid 10 oz. Bubble bath<br />B&BW Sea Island Cotton 1.7 oz waterless hand foam<br />B&BW Sun-ripened Raspberry hand gel<br />Hot pink bath sponge<br />Home Interiors Hot Apple Cider pillar candle (ARV $44.74)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><strong><u>Waiting List:</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: red;">Variety Gift Pack 1:</span> AVON 3.4 oz Footworks 8-hour overnight treatment<br />
AVON 3.4 oz Silicone Glove lotion<br />
AVON Plum & Nectarine Shower gel 3.4 oz<br />
AVON 2.5 oz Cucumber Melon antibacterial hand gel<br />
Chocolate Cupcake set (Spa Socks, .24 oz lip gloss, 1 oz. lotion)<br />
Home Interiors Dolce De Leche candle in a jar<br />
Conair Sophisticates barrette<br />
Conair Ponytailer<br />
Mini purse set with notebook & pen ($48.71)</span><br />
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<a class="rafl-powered" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/" id="rpow-26b9224" style="color: #999999; display: block; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 10px/normal sans-serif; text-align: center; width: 100%;" target="_blank">a <i>Rafflecopter</i> giveaway</a><br />
<noscript><a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js">You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway</a>.</noscript>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-49504096357410959432012-03-22T23:55:00.000-04:002012-03-22T23:55:39.455-04:00A must-have product for all moms!!!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VjqKSXZhVeg/T2vuyuQIBfI/AAAAAAAAAEY/8InJwGbnaoo/s1600/DSCF4936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VjqKSXZhVeg/T2vuyuQIBfI/AAAAAAAAAEY/8InJwGbnaoo/s200/DSCF4936.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LwLVCj9uJnw/T2vvCK8kZAI/AAAAAAAAAEg/Igvaelhd8SM/s1600/DSCF3738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LwLVCj9uJnw/T2vvCK8kZAI/AAAAAAAAAEg/Igvaelhd8SM/s200/DSCF3738.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Children make messes!!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But to this inspiring artist.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mYhLhb52S7E/T2vwqhqhKNI/AAAAAAAAAEo/MkyCt-OoZMs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mYhLhb52S7E/T2vwqhqhKNI/AAAAAAAAAEo/MkyCt-OoZMs/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">the world is her canvas!!!!</span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And...unfortunately, that includes my walls, floors, and furniture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gevJI6bitsU/T2vxBc187GI/AAAAAAAAAE4/Zs5UvfNEPRs/s1600/DSCF4814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gevJI6bitsU/T2vxBc187GI/AAAAAAAAAE4/Zs5UvfNEPRs/s200/DSCF4814.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9hMKHcTC8hk/T2vxKwxzGcI/AAAAAAAAAFA/ButiDBVszho/s1600/DSCF0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9hMKHcTC8hk/T2vxKwxzGcI/AAAAAAAAAFA/ButiDBVszho/s200/DSCF0003.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NOkUBzekpNo/T2vw6Vl2hdI/AAAAAAAAAEw/VAQKf8anGho/s1600/DSCF4813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NOkUBzekpNo/T2vw6Vl2hdI/AAAAAAAAAEw/VAQKf8anGho/s200/DSCF4813.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh2gFXxKCxc/T2vxT0CrrSI/AAAAAAAAAFI/LsQSjm8IM5w/s1600/DSCF0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh2gFXxKCxc/T2vxT0CrrSI/AAAAAAAAAFI/LsQSjm8IM5w/s200/DSCF0001.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am grateful I found Mr. Clean's MAGIC ERASER!! My little artist somehow got ahold of a permanent marker from one of my older girls and drew on the floor and table (as seen above). The magic eraser got every bit of it off!! I use it to clean crayon, pencil, paint, and markers from almost every surface. I also use it to clean shoes, toys, shower doors, and...well....practically everything. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">**Please Note** Mr. Clean did not in any way endorse me, this opinion is my honest review of this product!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-4371740465331033962012-02-29T16:41:00.002-05:002012-04-16T21:57:33.520-04:00Saving Babies<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="color: red;">You help save babies lives by walking in the 'March for Babies' or sponsor me </span></em><a href="http://www.marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?pp=1867960&ct=4&w=5367014&u=christy924"><em><span style="color: red;">here</span></em></a></span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Saving Babies</u></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>by Christy Holbrook</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><br />
</em></span><span style="font-size: large;">One in every eight babies born in the United States, which is around 543,000 a year, is born prematurely (March of Dimes). Prematurity is when a baby is born before 37 weeks gestation and can cause severe illness and complications that could affect the baby’s health in the future and their survival. A baby born before 25 weeks gestation or with severe defects has a 100% chance of mortality if there isn’t aggressive medical involvement (March of Dimes). If the baby survives, it is almost certain the baby will suffer from some sort of disability. Prematurity can cause distress to a baby’s brain and central nervous system that may lead to permanent damage. Many studies have revealed certain factors to be a possible cause of prematurity; however, in about 40% of premature births, the cause is uncertain (March of Dimes). Because the cause of premature birth is unknown, prematurity is a constant battle, and the consequences can have detrimental effects on the baby, causing them to fight for survival and then possibly live a life with medical complications.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a volunteer with the March for Babies to help raise funds to help fight against prematurity, I felt that it is necessary to fully understand what prematurity is and what effects it can have on babies. I also have become more passionate about raising money for the March for Babies since I have been working closely with babies in the hospital. I am a newborn photographer, and I often take photos of premature babies, and I see the struggle they endure. I also witness the sadness the parents feel as they watch their child fight for his life. After completion of my research, I feel that I have a full understanding of the complications prematurity causes, not only for the baby, but for the parents. One must fully understand the problem of prematurity before the problem can be solved and the lives of babies can be saved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">According to the March of Dimes, “Premature birth is a complex problem with no single solution” and is “the number 1 killer of newborns”. Specific causes of premature birth are uncertain, but there are factors that can increase the risk of preterm labor. Women who have had a previous preterm baby or previous pregnancies that ended in abortion or miscarriage increase their chances of premature birth. Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, drug use, and stress can also increase the chances of preterm labor. High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, or infections are also risk factors (Mayo Clinic). As reported by the Mayo Clinic Staff, “Preterm labor and premature birth can happen to anyone. In fact, many women who have a premature birth have no known risk factors” (Mayo Clinic). Because most causes are unknown, it is difficult to know when a woman will go into preterm labor; let alone prevent it. This is a major concern for parents, scientists, and doctors, which is reason that more research is needed by the March for Babies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is heartbreaking to be a parent of a premature baby. I see parents who spend day and night at their baby’s incubator, while sleeping in rocking chairs anticipating news that their baby’s health is improving. The mother’s life is put on hold as she temporarily moves into the small section designated for her baby. Although the hospital does not require the parents to be present, most choose to be by their baby’s side. Often mothers blame themselves for this misfortune. Even if the mother did everything right within her pregnancy, the chance of preterm labor is still there. Timothy Smith describes his first look at his daughter as “monitors and tubes everywhere, almost to the point I couldn’t see her face” and “her skin was purple, enveloping a pencil-thin frame”(5). One can only imagine how helpless parents must feel as they watch their child hang on to life by a thread. Prematurity physically affects a baby as it takes an emotional toll on the parents, and as Pauline Mifflin, a medical assistant and certified midwife, explains in her book Saving Very Premature Babies: Key Ethical Issues, “despite major advances in treatments for premature babies, doctors still have not managed to stem the rising tide of premature births” ( 9). Granted, there are many medical advances that have allowed babies to survive that otherwise would have died; prevention would be the best cure for prematurity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the major causes of serious illness in newborn babies is prematurity, which can result in serious complications with the baby’s lungs, brain, and heart. Because a premature baby’s lungs are not fully developed, there are many concerns with the complications of immature lungs (American Pregnancy Association). Respiratory Distress Syndrome causes harsh, irregular breathing due to the tiny sacs in the lungs collapsing, and Transient Tachypnea causes rapid shallow breathing. Apnea is the absence of breathing. Babies with breathing difficulties are put on ventilators to help them breathe, and sometimes their lungs cannot withstand the constant pressure of the respirator. This can cause deterioration of the lungs, also known as Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (American Pregnancy Association). With all the respiratory problems premature babies endure, they also can develop pneumonia. Pauline Mifflin claims, “Unfortunately for some babies, their lungs have suffered too much initial damage or are too immature, and death is inevitable” (24). Premature babies can also suffer from Intraventricular hemorrhage, which is bleeding in the brain caused by immature blood vessels that cannot handle the changes in circulation that occur during labor (American Pregnancy Association). Not only do premature babies suffer from complications in the brain and lungs, they can have conditions with their eyes, digestive system, heart, and liver. As if that was not enough to worry about, infections are also very common in premature babies. Pauline Mifflin explains “predicting the outcome for individual babies is still very difficult because of the number of uncertainties and exceptions surrounding their care” (25). Each premature baby is different and determining what complications and results a baby will have is intricate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A premature baby’s medical complications do not end once he leaves the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). According to Geeta Swamy, a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine, "When a baby is born pre-term we tend to focus on the short-term risk of complications”; however, “that risk continues into adolescence” (Laurance) . Intraventricular hemorrhaging can result in cerebral palsy, mental retardation and learning difficulties. Cerebral Palsy is usually not diagnosed until the child is 2 or 3 years of age (American Pregnancy Association). According to the American Pregnancy Association, “Premature babies who weigh less than 3 1/3 pounds are up to 30 times more likely to develop cerebral palsy than full-term babies” (American Pregnancy Association). Some complications due to prematurity do not show up until adulthood, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (American Pregnancy Association).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The complications of premature birth do not end after NICU. A premature baby can suffer for a lifetime resulting in physical and emotional stress for the child as well as the parents. Premature birth takes the lives of many babies, and for the survivors, it can mean lifelong illnesses. Although there are many risk factors that cause preterm labor, more information and research is needed to fully understand the cause and prevention of prematurity. It is a serious health concern that affects half a million babies in the United States alone, and not knowing the cause, creates a more difficult battle to fight, not only for the baby, but for the parents. The need to know how to prevent prematurity is necessary so that babies can have a chance at life, a healthy life nonetheless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><em>You can donate to help save babies lives through the 'March for Babies' by clicking </em></span><a href="http://www.marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?pp=1867960&ct=4&w=5367014&u=christy924"><span style="color: red;"><em>here</em></span></a></span><br />
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<i>Works Cited:</i>Laurance, Jeremy. Premature Babies Face Lifelong Health Problems. 26 March 2008. Web. 26 May 2011 <http: health-and-families="" health-news="" life-style="" premature-babies-face-lifelong-health-problems-800593.html="" www.independent.co.uk="">.<br />
March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com. 2011. 01 05 2011 <http: www.marchofdimes.com="">.<br />
Mifflin, Pauline Challinor. Saving Very Premature Babies: Key Ethical Issues. Edinburgh: Books for Midwives, 2003. Print (7-29). <br />
"Premature Birth Complications" American Pregnancy Association. Web. 25 May 2011. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/complicationspremature.htm. <br />
"Premature birth: Complications" Mayo Clinic. 5 Nov. 2010. Web. 25 May 2011. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/premature-birth/DS00137/DSECTION=complications. <br />
Smith, Timothy. Miracle Birth Stories of Very Premature Babies: Little Thumbs Up!. Westport, Conn: Bergin & Garvey, 1999. Print. <br />
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</http:></http:></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-78885027216155177832012-02-26T21:14:00.001-05:002012-04-13T18:02:29.638-04:00Creative Gift Giving!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">What do you get the person who has everything? <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gift they never knew they wanted!!!<br />
I love shopping for those unique gifts that most people have never seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could one add something to their wish list if they never knew it existed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are tons of websites that offer great, crazy items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could you imagine the look on that special someone’s face when you hand the world’s largest gummy bear??</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00315HJ8C/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=befyoubuychet-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00315HJ8C"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=B00315HJ8C&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=befyoubuychet-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=befyoubuychet-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00315HJ8C" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Or how about a melted clock? (I especially love this one!)</span></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GB0G8W/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=befyoubuychet-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002GB0G8W"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=B002GB0G8W&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=befyoubuychet-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=befyoubuychet-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002GB0G8W" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I have composed a list of some terrific websites that offer great gifts:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://www.thinkgeek.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- Stuff for smart masses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="http://www.personalcreations.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://www.personalcreations.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"> --A place where you can get personalized items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="http://www.babybox.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://www.babybox.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> -- Everything for baby!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="http://www.perpetualkid.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://www.perpetualkid.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> -- Entertain your inner child!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://www.uncommongoods.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> -- Unique gifts and creative design</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Allens-Woodworking/227928207261495"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Allens-Woodworking/227928207261495</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> --Hand turned wood bowls</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>Giveaway:</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">One lucky reader will receive a</span> super-cute high heel shoe jewelry box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You place your rings inside specially designed area inside the shoe and there is a drawer for your other trinkets.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hKMuDuNdaLA/T0rk90qnTZI/AAAAAAAAAEM/oniZzPruPVQ/s1600/shoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hKMuDuNdaLA/T0rk90qnTZI/AAAAAAAAAEM/oniZzPruPVQ/s320/shoe.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>How to Enter:</b><br />
Contest Ends on March 16, 2012. The winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only!<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span>All above entries will be verified. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All entries without proper verification will be removed. </span></span></div></div><br />
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<noscript></noscript>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-33704299172787216992012-01-17T16:34:00.000-05:002012-01-17T16:34:48.782-05:00The Queen of Dollhouses!!!<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">First, I must apologize for my temporary leave of absence. I left for vacation in November to Florida for a couple of weeks and visited Disney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I was busy with Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I spent December playing catch up with finances to pay for our vacation and buy Christmas gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I am back and ready to BLOG AWAY!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyhow, I have to tell you about my quest for a dollhouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed a dollhouse for all the Disney princess dolls that I bought in Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was out on Black Friday looking for a great deal and a great house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found Barbie’s Dream house and a Princess doll house at Walmart for around $149 - $179.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the girls would love either one of those, I knew they would only last a month (if that) because they were constructed with cheap plastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then came across this dollhouse that was wooden and furnished with wooden furniture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It stood four and half feet tall and four feet wide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had 8 rooms, an elevator, and the garage had working swinging doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought to myself “Do I really want to spend $200 on a dollhouse?”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the hour and a half of assembling the dollhouse (by daddy), I was then thinking to myself “I AM THE AWESOMEST MOM IN THE WORLD!!!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvb1sOJyy-Q/TxXo52fKs-I/AAAAAAAAAEA/SGSN2ayp-8U/s1600/mansion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvb1sOJyy-Q/TxXo52fKs-I/AAAAAAAAAEA/SGSN2ayp-8U/s320/mansion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This dollhouse is AMAZING!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I played with Barbie dolls until I was 8 years old or so, and the fact that I am going to get the 3-4 more years of play from this house makes the expense worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best part is the strong construction that will allow me to resell it once the girls are tired of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The funny thing is….I could’ve stopped at the dollhouse….they didn’t even care about the other gifts. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</div><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=befyoubuychet-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0049BCELY&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-32526909751776820372011-10-20T23:35:00.000-04:002011-10-20T23:35:49.762-04:00Beautifully Handcrafted<span style="font-size: large;">There is a local TV repair shop here in Columbus where the owner makes these <strong>GORGEOUS</strong> wood items in his spare time. He is the type of person that strives for perfection in every piece. Not only are the items well-made, but they are created from the best woods including exotic woods such as yellowheart, purpleheart, and bloodwood. The corner of this chess board shows the beautiful color in yellowheart. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vr_mxpjlu9g/TqDmjZmNgPI/AAAAAAAAADA/A01kp8vuvPY/s1600/DSCF3257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vr_mxpjlu9g/TqDmjZmNgPI/AAAAAAAAADA/A01kp8vuvPY/s320/DSCF3257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He recently created a Facebook page to promote his crafts, which can be seen <a href="http://www.facebook.com/allenswoodworking#!/pages/Allens-Woodworking/227928207261495">here</a>. A person with this talent should get more recognition, so please check out his page and 'like' it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I am absolutely in love with these vases and bowls.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BHTz9jYf758/TqDn9SIlU_I/AAAAAAAAADY/1Sm_iStt_qU/s1600/DSCF7978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BHTz9jYf758/TqDn9SIlU_I/AAAAAAAAADY/1Sm_iStt_qU/s320/DSCF7978.JPG" width="217" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4BD66c3v80/TqDn59GDwpI/AAAAAAAAADQ/wJSDPl6HGMo/s1600/IMG_20110928_150331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" rda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4BD66c3v80/TqDn59GDwpI/AAAAAAAAADQ/wJSDPl6HGMo/s320/IMG_20110928_150331.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-86155124526290528992011-10-05T23:30:00.002-04:002012-04-16T21:52:41.370-04:00Top 5 Gifts for Women & GIVEAWAY!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">With Sweetest Day right around the corner, I thought I would provide men with a little help on picking that perfect gift for any occasion by creating a top five gift guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am also giving away a Victoria’s Secret PINK Perfume and lotion gift set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ladies….you are encouraged to enter this giveaway and win it for yourself as well; please see details below.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong><u><span style="color: red;">#5</span> FLOWERS</u></strong> – Different flowers have different meanings, and if you research this, you’ll impress her even more!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flowers are beautiful and will brighten up her day; however, if she is anything like me then she will prefer a potted flower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I love to receive roses from my husband, I feel a bit sad when they wither and die a week later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He bought me an Orchid a few years back for Valentine’s Day; it is still alive and well, and I get to enjoy its blooms every so often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like a gift that keeps on giving!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flowers are the best gift when they are given as a “just because” gift and not on a specific holiday.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><u><strong><span style="color: red;">#4</span> ELECTRONIC GADGETS</strong></u> – You are probably wondering “what’s so romantic about electronic gadgets”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, with a little thought and personalization, they can be the gift to bring tears to her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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A <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003K0HISY/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=befyoubuychet-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B003K0HISY">Digital Photo Frame</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=befyoubuychet-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003K0HISY&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> already loaded with pictures of the kids or pets shows that you’re tech-savvy with a sentimental side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another great choice would be an IPod loaded with songs that remind you of her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back in the day we used to make each other mixed cassette tapes; however, an IPod will win you some extra brownie points. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u><span style="color: red;">#3</span> PERFUME</u></strong> – Now this gift is tricky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does she already have a favorite perfume?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she doesn’t, you shouldn’t just go out and buy a random perfume without some sneaky preparation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every woman’s chemistry is different and the same perfume can smell differently on different women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps one day at the mall, she can try on a couple to see which one she likes the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then later you can buy her the bottle of perfume when she isn’t around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">If she does have a favorite perfume, and unless you do not like the aroma of your lady, I wouldn’t recommend straying away from her favorite brand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DO NOT buy her a “knock-off” brand of her perfume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although they may smell similar, you are giving her the message that she is not worth the real thing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><u><strong><span style="color: red;">#2</span> PAMPERING</strong></u> –Treat your special lady to a day at the spa by providing her with a gift certificate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What woman would not love a relaxing massage, manicure, pedicure, and facial?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would be a wonderful gift especially for those mothers who need some alone time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let her relax and unwind while others take care of her for a change!</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong><u><span style="color: red;">#1</span> JEWELRY</u></strong> – We’ve all heard that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and that still holds true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diamonds signify “forever”, and diamonds never go out of style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What better way to show your girl that you love her than to give her diamonds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now….if diamonds are not in your budget, other jewelry will be wonderful as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gold bracelet, heart shaped jewelry or a personalized jewelry item such as an engraved ring or a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FLX2PY/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=befyoubuychet-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B000FLX2PY"> Locket</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=befyoubuychet-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000FLX2PY&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> would all make great gifts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">GIVEAWAY</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">One lucky reader will receive a Victoria’s Secret PINK perfume gift set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The set includes a 1 oz. bottle of PINK perfume and a 3.4 oz bottle of PINK lotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This set comes in a cute gift box with a ribbon bow.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xb-d5eQ1gq4/To0cYXfZp_I/AAAAAAAAAC4/BS5a9IskRUE/s1600/IMG_20110921_220027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="207" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xb-d5eQ1gq4/To0cYXfZp_I/AAAAAAAAAC4/BS5a9IskRUE/s320/IMG_20110921_220027.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How to Enter:</b><br />
Contest Ends on October 31, 2011. The winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only!<span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span>All above entries will be verified. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All entries without proper verification will be removed. </span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><script id="rafl-script" type="text/javascript">
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</span></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com109tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-89037573618183354432011-10-03T22:43:00.000-04:002011-10-03T22:46:53.627-04:00Sharing the Love for Redbox!Awesome contest going on with an awesome prize package!!!<br />
<a href="http://www.brickfish.com/Pages/PhotosAlbums/PhotoView.aspx?picid=1332523_6613240&pid=388545&scid=609&rec=1">Sharing the Love for Redbox!</a>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-18385579447315511442011-09-18T16:49:00.001-04:002012-04-16T21:55:34.387-04:00Avon Giveaway<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve bought Avon for years!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the fact that I can shop in the middle of the night, get my items delivered to my door within days, and I pay NO shipping costs!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s how that works…first you register and click "shop my store" online through an AVON representative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to go through a representative in order to get the free shipping offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t have a representative?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here….borrow mine...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://rmartinelli.avonrepresentative.com/">http://rmartinelli.avonrepresentative.com/</a> Make sure you check out the Outlet brochure because it has a lot of discontinued items at very low prices!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly, add your items to your cart until your order is $30 or more (to get free shipping).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At checkout, if the code does not already come up, type in FS30REP in the promo code to get free shipping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, pay through a credit card or Paypal and sit back and wait for your Avon to arrive at your door via UPS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVE shopping this way because I do not have to deal with a pushy sales person, and I can shop all hours of the night.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>So…What’s So Good about AVON?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong></span></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">They guarantee their products and will give you a refund if you’re unhappy for any reason. If you haven’t seen an Avon brochure in awhile, you’ll be surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is much more than make-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have toys, kitchen items, clothes, shoes, perfume, electronics, and jewelry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, my last purchase I just bought a 24-cupcake stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-chiI4b-mTcQ/TnZVV1vOMQI/AAAAAAAAAA4/sALIlPU1-ms/s1600/cupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z0JKjMKbpPU/TnZZ0T9hqKI/AAAAAAAAABQ/4atDT1nOP7Y/s200/cupcake.jpg" width="189" /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">MY FAVORITE AVON PRODUCTS:</span></span><u></u></strong></span><br />
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</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><u><strong><a href="http://rmartinelli.avonrepresentative.com/">TRUE COLOR Eyeshadow Quad</a></strong></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WCA4aEY_ONc/TnZVhMTpOrI/AAAAAAAAAA8/8htsuMsJXUw/s1600/eyeshadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><img border="0" height="200" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WCA4aEY_ONc/TnZVhMTpOrI/AAAAAAAAAA8/8htsuMsJXUw/s200/eyeshadow.jpg" width="189" /></strong></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This has four colors of eyeshadow that work together to give your eyes and absolutely beautiful look!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The eyeshadow is long-lasting and allows you to highlight certain areas of the eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The instructions for proper placement of the colors are on the box if you need them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would also be great for the smokey eye look.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><u><strong><a href="http://rmartinelli.avonrepresentative.com/">Moisture Effective Eye Makeup Remover Lotion</a></strong></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sPc8YKuwEIA/TnZWPJG-KOI/AAAAAAAAABA/e5jDHZNy6nw/s1600/remover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><img border="0" height="200" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sPc8YKuwEIA/TnZWPJG-KOI/AAAAAAAAABA/e5jDHZNy6nw/s200/remover.jpg" width="189" /></strong></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The best makeup remover ever!!! I have sensitive skin and this remover is delicate, but yet potent enough to take off waterproof mascara with ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use it around my eyes with no worries. I also use this on my little girls with those temporary tattoos that never seem to wash off.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><u><strong><a href="http://rmartinelli.avonrepresentative.com/">Shower gels</a></strong></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OoimqdFfv64/TnZXGEQ_7hI/AAAAAAAAABE/_FQo8j7L7VE/s1600/shower+gel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><img border="0" height="200" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OoimqdFfv64/TnZXGEQ_7hI/AAAAAAAAABE/_FQo8j7L7VE/s200/shower+gel.jpg" width="189" /></strong></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I love Avon shower gels because of the great scents and the fabulous bottles that allow you to hang them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sometimes fill these bottles with the other shower gels I get as gifts just because of the convenience of the bottles.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
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</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><u><strong><a href="http://rmartinelli.avonrepresentative.com/">Chapstick!!</a></strong></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ckcK39JidLs/TnZXdJBFGhI/AAAAAAAAABM/Tf4OOVtDFZs/s1600/lipbalm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><img border="0" height="200" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ckcK39JidLs/TnZXdJBFGhI/AAAAAAAAABM/Tf4OOVtDFZs/s200/lipbalm.jpg" width="190" /></strong></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Yes, I am addicted to chapstick and I stock up on Avon lip balm & chapstick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have at least three flavors in my purse alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the strawberry the best because it gives my lips a slight tint of pink.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><u><strong><a href="http://rmartinelli.avonrepresentative.com/">Avon Care Silicone Glove Protective Hand Cream</a></strong></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cRIJIEoWSdE/TnZXRZIsrMI/AAAAAAAAABI/l7lRyDJYNFg/s1600/silicone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><img border="0" height="200" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cRIJIEoWSdE/TnZXRZIsrMI/AAAAAAAAABI/l7lRyDJYNFg/s200/silicone.jpg" width="189" /></strong></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This is my favorite hand cream because it is like a gel and has a lasting effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t soak into my skin as quick as other lotions, and it protects my skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I especially love it in the winter when my skin is so dry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even use it anywhere I need extra moisture including my feet</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong><u>** GIVEAWAY **</u></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">One lucky followers of my blog will have the chance to experience my favorite products. Winner will receive:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">(1) 5 fl oz bottle of Blue Rush for men hair and body wash</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">(1) 5 fl oz Raspberry Moisturizing shower gel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">(1) 3.4 fl oz Avon Care Silicon Glove protective hand cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">(1) 2 fl oz Moisture effective eye makeup remover lotion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">(2) Love me lip balm - strawberry cream (ARV $23.48)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0nH5DPbkjKw/TnZfQ7fuL4I/AAAAAAAAABU/RukPzKZzJjk/s1600/giveaway" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0nH5DPbkjKw/TnZfQ7fuL4I/AAAAAAAAABU/RukPzKZzJjk/s320/giveaway" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>How to Enter:</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Contest Ends on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 12:01am est. The winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only! <br />
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</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-12430259225899113532011-09-06T23:20:00.000-04:002011-09-10T22:47:55.297-04:00Top Websites for Children<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The World Wide Web can be a dangerous place, but it also can provide a wonderful learning experience for your children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was amazed when my four-year-old started reading and spelling words she learned from an online game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to create a list of great websites for young children.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://pbskids.org/">http://pbskids.org/</a> <br />
A website full of games and videos from your child’s favorite TV shows on PBS kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a wide range of games appropriate for many different ages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are educational and focus on spelling, phonics, literacy, vocabulary, reading, social skills, and much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My four-year-old absolutely loves SuperWhy and walks around singing “I really love to spell S-P-E-L-L”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also knows the primary colors and how to make mixed colors.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.nickjr.com/kids-games/">http://www.nickjr.com/kids-games/</a><br />
Nickjr.com is another website full of games and videos from your child’s favorite TV shows such as Bubble Guppies, Dora the Explorer, and Team Umizoomi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also a ‘create’ link that allows your child to draw, color, play with virtual stickers, and create spin art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.coloringbookfun.com/">http://www.coloringbookfun.com/</a> <br />
Coloring Book Fun is full of printable pages for your child to color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love this site because it offers a huge variety of coloring pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has coloring pages for every holiday imaginable!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used this site a lot when I ran daycare out of my house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The popups are annoying, but I guess it’s a small price to pay for an extensive coloring book.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.funwithspot.com/us/">http://www.funwithspot.com/us/</a> <br />
Spot the dog has his own website!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is where your child can color, play games, and create a story!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.sesamestreet.org/games">http://www.sesamestreet.org/games</a> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sesame Street also has many educational games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are even games about potty time, brushing teeth, and cleaning up!</span></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-78627854700264871032011-08-28T19:20:00.001-04:002012-01-17T17:06:53.611-05:00SHARK Navigator Lift Away Vacuum cleaner / sweeper<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After many hours spent reading the reviews on vacuums I finally decided to buy one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although my husband was leaning toward a Dyson, I couldn’t justify spending $600 for a vacuum cleaner unless it came with an operator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My decision was the Shark Navigator Lift Away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although there weren’t many reviews for this particular model at that time, I really liked how versatile it looked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day I got it is the day I fell in love with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why didn’t I buy this thing sooner??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to have a heavy vacuum cleaner for the carpets and a ‘power broom’ for my hardwood floors, but I threw them both out (well, one went to the trash; the other I sold at my garage sale) after the first time I used the Shark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It swivels to allow me to get around the tables legs; it picks up the dirt along the baseboard without requiring me to use the hose and an attachment tool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The suction is AMAZING!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it allows me to adjust the suction if it is too powerful…as if there was such a thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It allows me to detach the canister and hold it in one hand as I clean the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hose easily separates from the body in two different locations giving the choice of either a long attachment or short attachment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When vacuuming in the upright position, you are given a choice of with brushes (for carpet) or without the use of brushes (bare floor), which is turned on and off by a switch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I use the brushes on the carpet, it is so powerful that it feels like it is self-propelled!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">After my first use of my Shark, I could not believe all the dirt and pet hair that my other vacuum left behind!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love EVERYTHING about this vacuum including emptying the canister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The canister unlocks from the base, and then you place if over a trash can and push a button so the bottom drops down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the dirt falls out….no more banging a filter against the trash can trying to get the clinging dirt and hair off of it as you inhale a lung full of dust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just used it to sweep out my minivan, which had sand and hair in the carpet left over from the carwash vacuums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to use it in the upright position inside my van and now my van looks brand new again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I paid $179 for this vacuum and I think it is COMPLETELY worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After seeing what this vacuum is capable of, I would’ve paid twice that amount!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Now, of course, I've only had this for a couple of months now, but I also own the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0028MB3HM/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=befyoubuychet-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0028MB3HM">Shark S3501N Deluxe Steam Pocket Mop</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=befyoubuychet-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0028MB3HM" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0034EG5X0/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=befyoubuychet-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0034EG5X0">Shark Premium Portable Steam Pocket Includes 5 Cleaning Pockets + 2 Quick Release Wands</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=befyoubuychet-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0034EG5X0" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> and I am happy with both of those, so I expect the same from the vacuum.<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=befyoubuychet-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B004Q4DRJW&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></span></span></span></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-29211744846901409222011-08-25T22:36:00.001-04:002012-01-17T17:21:38.752-05:00Where were IPOD's when I was growing up???<span style="font-size: large;">For Christmas my oldest daughters each wanted an IPod touch. So my husband and I let them open every single gift under the tree and watch the disappointment as they did not receive the biggest gift on their lists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They then moved on to their stockings, which were usually filled with candy and dollar store items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this time in the toe of the stockings was the IPod Touches they asked for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t understand why such a strong desire for another IPod…was it because it was a touch screen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </SPAN> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FA1O18/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=befyoubuychet-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001FA1O18"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=B001FA1O18&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=befyoubuychet-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=befyoubuychet-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001FA1O18" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They immediately transferred the iTunes to the new IPods, and nearly 9 months later, I have yet to see a day they don’t have it with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this is one of the best purchases we ever bought them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t like past gifts that I frantically searched and fought for on Black Friday (such as the Wii Fit) only for it to be shoved under the couch a month later and never be played with again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The IPod Touch 4<sup>th</sup> generation is much more than a MP3 player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has a camera that allows still pictures as well as video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It allows you to Tweet and Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has a <strong>HUGE</strong> market of applications that can be downloaded, many of which are free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My ultimate favorite application (I believe it was already preloaded) is “Facetime”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It allows you to have a video chat with someone that could be down the hall or even across the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was impressed with the video quality and the speed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls have downloaded so many games that the wait at a doctor’s office is no longer intolerable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, too, became addicted to Angry Birds while waiting for the test results regarding my daughter’s appendicitis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The IPod touch can be educational as well; they have downloaded scientific calculators and apps to learn Spanish as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Overall, I give the IPod Touch 4<sup>th</sup> generation five out of five stars due to its capabilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would strongly recommend a 32 GB or 64 GB because the 8 GB can be used up pretty quickly with all the pictures, games, and music that is available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve seen my girls drop their IPod Touches more than once, and yet they are still going strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So durability is anot<span style="font-family: inherit;">her plus; however, <span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I wouldn’t recommend dropping it</span> to find out</span>.</span><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FA1O0O/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=befyoubuychet-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001FA1O0O">Apple iPod touch 8GB (4th Generation) - Black - Current Version</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=befyoubuychet-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001FA1O0O" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FA1O18/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=befyoubuychet-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001FA1O18">Apple iPod touch 32GB (4th Generation) - Black - Current Version</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=befyoubuychet-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001FA1O18" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FA1O1S/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=befyoubuychet-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001FA1O1S">Apple iPod touch 64GB (4th Generation) - Black - Current Version</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=befyoubuychet-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001FA1O1S" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291419277983896361.post-32380094951030686892011-08-25T00:35:00.001-04:002012-01-17T17:23:18.137-05:00Thinking of buying a Dodge Caravan?<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The only good thing that has come from dealing with issues with my 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan is that I was inspired to start this blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What better way to prove to my readers that I will not endorse a product that I do not believe in than to start with a product I regret buying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I am only three years into my six year loan, but I am ready to push it off a cliff (too bad Ohio is mostly flat).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So….let me start from the beginning but keep it long and not so sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought the van brand new in 2008 and thought it was the greatest thing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After 12,000 miles, I was told that my front brakes needed replaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After researching and seeing that other Caravans had the same issue, I called Dodge to see what they would do about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They told me to take it to the dealership and have them check it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, according to the dealership, they were fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two weeks later, my husband replaced all four brakes himself because they were so worn down and squeaking so terribly loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few months later I received a letter from Dodge stating that the Caravans have premature brake wear and to take it to the dealership to fix the issues and that Dodge would cover the cost minus a $100 deductible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, I already replaced the brakes, so why bother now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few months after that I took my van to another service center in a different dealership for an oil change and a replacement of a recalled radiator cap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While in the shop I was told I needed front brakes again and that I would just have to pay the $100 deductible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So my van received its third set of brake pads at 21,000 miles.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Now my van has 40,000 miles and it needs rear brakes again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent Dodge an email and received a response immediately that stated a case manager would contact me the next business day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here I thought, “Wow, this company stands behind their product”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, when my case manager called I could not take his call, but I returned it no longer than 3 minutes later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was told he was on the other line and that he would call me back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My van was already at the dealership being evaluated as to whether or not it needed new brakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also had a rental car while it was being fixed because my first day is free due to the service agreement I bought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not hear back from my case manager that day despite my three phone calls and two left messages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dealership was waiting on a response from my case manager before they performed the work because apparently rotors were on backorder for six months (WOW, there must be a demand for them…wonder why?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day two, I am still in a rental car that I am now being charged for and I still have not heard back from Dodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I call again and leave a message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two hours later I call again and another case manager tells me she will time stamp my request and my case manager will call me back as soon as he is off the other line. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two hours later I call again and a different case manager gives me the same time-stamp spiel, and I argue with her that it didn’t work last time so I don’t expect it to work this time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I call back at 4:30pm and my case manager is gone for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>ARE YOU SERIOUS</strong>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left a couple angry messages and then called the dealership to tell them to just fix my brakes because I want my van back. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day three, I still have not heard from Dodge and my van is ready for pickup with a cost of $428.00, which was for brake pads, resurfaced rotors, and labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t even get new rotors??!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By this time I am <strong><span style="color: red;">FURIOUS</span></strong>, and I call Dodge once again demanding to speak with a supervisor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could you believe that he was busy and would have to call me back within the hour?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three hours later it wasn’t a supervisor that called but my case manager to discuss my brakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He requested a copy of my receipt for work, and he will contact the dealership to see if Dodge can reimburse me any.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are quite aware of the issues and have fixed them in the newer models, but are doing little to help those stuck in these money pits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My frustration is that in every 13,000-15,000 miles I will have to go through this again, and more than likely, I will be eating the cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><u><span style="color: magenta;">Moral of the story??</span></u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do your homework before you buy!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other people were already having problems before I bought my van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> After researching it recently, I find an upsetting amount of unhappy Caravan owners. </span>That is the purpose of my blog…honest opinions, stories, and reviews for the sake of all of mankind's wallets.<br />
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Update: Dodge finally contacted me and is giving me a reimbursement on my brakes minus a $100 deductible. Perhaps they do take care of their customers to an extent....However, now my tire valves are breaking in half (which costs $150 to replace each one), and my transmission is slipping. Can I scream yet????</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747705622365819482noreply@blogger.com0