Emma Accessorized Gavin!

Friends of ours went on a cruise and then spent two days in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

They brought back beads for Em!

Em decided Gavin looked good in beads and high heals...for some reason Troy didn't concur. ;-)

I think he looks smashing!

Cellular Phones

Being on the hunt for a new cell phone (we have one from, GOSH, 2000!), I have been researching then and came across Cingular, who at this moment, having a SALE (which ends on Thursday at midnight)!

I have to say I'm not overly technologically inclined, but I am very interested in the Blackberries. Not only can you use them as a cell, but you can send emails as well, not to mention being able to view documents and the like and play games as well. I really feel it’s the all around perfect business tool.

But being a lowly stay at home mom, what do I need with an all around perfect business tool? Who cares! I just want one. Honey, Easter is coming up as is my birthday and Christmas! ;-)

There are all kinds of other cells phones out there, not to mention wireless providers and carriers, so who to choose? I stumbled upon Cell Phones Etc. and really found the information there rather helpful. The reviews aren't all 10/10, which I like to see, because lets face it, some are bound to be no good-ola. As a plus this site also has reviews on cell plans and cell gadgets, not to mention a forum where you can discuss and get solid thoughts on all things cellular, phones that is.

So if you, like me, are completely out of your element (I mean lets be honest, I only just became an owner of an MP3 player) when it comes to technological gobbly-goop (why can't they speak English?), check out the site above. Do yourself a favour though; get informed by people who have used the product, who know how it works in the 'real world'.

It makes more sense to do your research first, and then purchase; instead of purchasing and then being disappointed. That being said though, I don’t think it really has to be that difficult either – pick a phone you like and can have fun with too!

Thanks for reading - the new AT&T

Enchanted Learning

Just a quick post today to recommend a website for the kidlets: Enchanted Learning!

Its a great place with lots of great learning activities from crafts to colouring pages, from activities on music to activities regarding the languages and the alphabet.

You can either pay for a subscription ($24 CND) or you can use the free banner-ed pages.

Today Em and I printed out the Paper Bag Puppets craft. Fun, fun!

Thanks for reading!

The Aladdin Factor

I am in the process of reading The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen and I must say I'm impressed.

You probably recognize their names from Chicken Soup for the Soul fame. I must admit that I am not a fan of those books, I have read a couple - namely Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul - I find the stories nice but not uplifting per say, simply stories.

However, The Aladdin Factor, while mostly a compilation of stories, has exercises to practice, suggestions and tips, clear techniques on how to get what you want.

One passage is from Jim Cathcart. He tells of how one night while working in a deadend, boring job he was listening to Earl Nightingale speak on the radio. Mr. Nightingale said "If you will spend an extra hour every day and study, in five years or less you will be a national expert."

Think about that for a second. Now decide what it is you want to do and start studying!

Its true, we think 'I can't do that', 'I wouldn't succeed', 'I don't have time'. Why can't you do that? Why can't you succeed? Why can't you find the time? An hour within your day...you can't find an hour?

Go for it, whatever it is, go for it!

Thanks for reading!

Blogsvertise!

Now here's an interesting concept! Advertisers and Bloggers helping each other out.

Bloggers write about Advertisers' products and services. Bloggers can write honestly, positively or negatively. This creates publicity, exposure, 'buzz' about the Advertisers' products and services - which is GREAT for the Advertisers! After all, any publicity is good publicity.

So how does this benefit the Bloggers? Well, they get paid via paypal for each blog entry an Advertiser is mentioned.

Considering you don't have to speak positively to get paid, that is, you can be honest, I think that's pretty darn nifty!

If you're interested in this concept as either a Blogger or an Advertiser, head over to Blogsvertise to learn more.

Thanks for reading!

Valentine's Day

Just a quick post to say 'Happy LOVE day' to everyone!

Thanks For Reading!

Turkey Leftovers - What To Do With Them?

This holiday season we were given a HUGE turkey! Eighteen and a half pounds of gobble-gobble for four of us. Well, actually, two of us because Gavin is still 'on the boob' exclusively and Emma might have eaten a tablespoonful. It was a big turkey - lots 'o leftovers!

So after the next day's turkey sandwiches and pot of turkey soup was made, we still had lots of turkey, and still do.

One quick, easy and yummy way to use up some of those leftovers follows.

***
Quick, Easy, Yummy Turkey Casserole

1 pkg Stove Top Stuffing for Turkey
2 cups Leftover Turkey Meat, cubed
1 Tbsp Summer Savoury
Salt and Pepper To Taste
3 cups Frozen Broccoli Florets, thawed
1 Tbsp Margarine
3 Tbsp Flour
1 1/2 cups Milk
1 Cup Cheddar Cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Prepare stuffing as per package. Set aside.

In a prepared 8"x8" baking pan, or like sized casserole dish, spread out meat. Sprinkle with seasonings. Then layer thawed broccoli over top.

In a sauce pan, over medium-low heat, melt margarine. Whisk in flour and milk. Whisk until smooth and thick. Remove from heat and whisk in cheese. Pour sauce over meat and broccoli.

Evenly top with prepared stuffing and bake for 30 minutes or until heated through.

***

Thanks for reading and Enjoy!

[Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due: This recipe was adapted from a recipe on the side of a Stove Top Stuffing box.]

Everyone Is Sick - AgAiN!

Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Emma has been sick since late Saturday night. She awoke vomiting! Poor kid. She got better...or so I thought...and by Sunday evening I thought she was on the mend. Nope! Tuesday brought more vomiting, a rather high fever and horrible diarrhea.

[In the midst of this I was hit by 'a brick wall' (with an episode of passing out! GACK!) on Monday. I had to call Troy at work and ask him to come home. But by Monday evening, I was fine.]

And today is more of the same. Poor kid! (Not to mention, poor carpets! ;-D) And Troy came home early from work because he is ill as well.

All are asleep now, the first really quiet time in five days, so I've sat down with a cup of tea, a Nature Valley granola bar and my pen for a bit of quiet time myself.

On the upside, I must say Troy and Em being sick and caring for a 3 1/2 month old is a great workout, not to mention a crash diet! I'm getting a constant workout, walking the floors with an extra 15 or 22 pounds, depending on what kidlet is in my arms, and I've been surviving on granola bars and tea, with the occasional almond or piece of cheese. ;-)

Seriously thought, where Emma is concerned, I'm worried about dehydration and the thought of this being something more than just a nasty stomach bug. She's two, so the communication just isn't there. I ask her where it hurts, she says 'evweeware'; I say 'I know, but where does it hurt the most?' to which her response has been 'Whaaaaaa!' So I'm waiting until Saturday morn, that'll make it a week, and if she's still not on the mend, to the clinic we go.

Wish us luck and the carpets too!

***

Thursday, February 1, 2007
Emma awoke with a DRY diaper. So we went to the clinic this morning instead of waiting. But the fabulous Dr. Heeg assured me she is not dehydrated and unfortunately, 'these bugs are going to have to run their course'.

***

Today, Friday, February 2, 2007
Emma has a terrible cough and a VERY runny nose (but she's better as far as the nasty vomiting bug goes. Whew!) and now Gavin has a very red right eye. My goodness!

Enough is enough!!! We are usually such healthy people and for the last two months we have been incredible sick. Its no fun, in fact, we SUCK! ;-)

Emma attends a day-home once per week, but I'm not sending her back until we're all better and her immune system has had a chance to 'reboot'.

And poor Gav-Gav! Since he's been born three and a half months ago, he's been sick three times and now he has a red eye and I'm hoping against hope its not Pink Eye. But the way things are going it probably is.

Mon Dieu!

Thanks for reading and send us good, healing vibes please! ;-)