Ring In 2011 Blog Hop

Welcome to Ring In 2011 Blog hop hosted by

{me} Melissa at Day To Day Living and
Heather at In The Land Of Mom

This is our first annual end of the year blog hop. 

What a better way to ring in 2011 by making great new friends here 

in Bloggy Land and finding lots of great new blogs. 

So what do you need to do?

Just grab our button

<a href="http://www.day-2-dayliving.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Ring In 2011 Blog Hop" src="http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z368/heatherpatrick1/hop1.png" /></a>

Follow both of the hostesses, link up and follow as many blogs as you want.

Let them know you found them through the blog hop. You can also grab the code from the linky to add to your own blog hop post!

Easy peasy!

So hop your way into 2011! 

Linky will be open from December 30th until Sunday January 2, 2011

Season Tickets for The New York Knicks - Guest Post

Written by my friend Dong Wood

I have been a fan of the great game of Basketball since I was a kid. A lot of the free time I had as a kid, I spent out on the court at the local park or Boy's Club shooting hoops with all of my friends. I also enjoyed going to watch great teams play at the local arena with my father as a boy and it was a great way to spend time with him.

My favorite team has alway been the New York Knicks and I have been going to watch them play ever since I was a kid. I finally have been able to get the season tickets I've been waiting years to get. It seems every available set of season tickets were snagged up before I could even order any! I learned a little secret though, and I ordered next year's tickets early. I managed to get a great set of seats too!

Being prepared for next year already, I purchased a ticket to go see the Knicks play down at Madison Square Garden in a few weeks. I can't wait to go and I have already made plans for some of my friends to come with me. Being that we're all going as a group, we have plenty of orange and blue face paint to get our game faces ready but I need to stay at my father's house because I live so far away, so I set my home security alarm from TotalAlarmSystems.com/ and I'm heading over there soon. I can't wait to see the look on my Dad's face when he sees that I got him tickets too!

Remember When...

 Remember those days when the only locks on the door were the little ones on the door handle. That was sufficient, you felt safe. Then they put those chains on there and that made you feel safe. Now a days we have dead bolts and not even those make me feel safe.

Remember when you didn't have to lock your car doors, you could leave money in your car and you didn't worry about it being stolen. When you did lock your car doors you unlocked them with a key. Or you had to roll your car window down manually. Then they made auto locks and windows and that was the coolest thing. Now you can start your car from inside your house. I can remember one of our cars having a button on the floor board that the driver could push with their foot to change the radio station and it wasn't a digital radio it had that little orange hand.

Remember when TV's didn't have remotes, only had 3 or 4 channels and you actually had to get up off your butt to change the station. The big floor model TV's! LOL Gosh I think I was close to 15 when we got a TV with a remote.

I asked my kids a few weeks ago if they knew what a cassette tape was and they looked at me like I was half crazy. Imagine if I had asked them about an 8 track or a record!

Remember rotary phones, and how you were restricted to sitting right there by the phone to talk to someone. Private conversations were hard to have unless you could whisper well and the other could hear well. I remember getting really long cords so that I could go in another room to talk to my friends. Then came the cordless phone and they were huge with those big antenna's!

Now can you guess my age??

Remembering The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

This guest post from Lenny Mcknight

My favorite animated Christmas special probably ranks high on the list of anyone that has appreciated these Christmas shows over the year. A Charlie Brown Christmas has been near and dear to millions of people over many generations, with the latest generation still getting the opportunity to make new memories with the show. It doesn't matter how old or young you are, it's okay to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas special every year of your life. In fact, it's encouraged.

My family and I always watch this show once per year, no more, via Cannon Satellite tv. Watching the special any more than that wouldn't make it very special. We look forward to the viewing and enjoy each and every minute of it, but we never let ourselves watch the show again and again. It's best taken in small doses if you want it to be extra special to you and your family.

The Christmas tree is one of our fondest memories of the show. It might be little. It might not be beautiful. But it's beautiful. That might not make sense to write, but it makes plenty of sense when you're enjoying the show. This is one of the many reasons that I rank A Charlie Brown Christmas at the top of my list of animated Christmas shows. We'll be watching again very soon I hope.

Family Night

We took the girls out bowling on Sunday after enough of the snow had melted off the roads so that we could get out of the hollow. We had such a great time! As promised y'all are gonna get sick of my pics, but here they are anyway.

Of course there are those fashionable shoes. Prince Charming and I have our own pair but the girls got to wear the super cool ones.

I think someone forgot to mention to these 2 that bowling is serious business and it's a a competition, not a comedy show.

Then you have the 3 most beautiful females in the building! Look...that's me...there in the middle! I wasn't the one behind the camera for once.

Wait for it!

STRIKE!

Then there was celebration!

Prince Charming and his little Princess!

Rite Aid Deals 12/26/10

These are few of my favorite deals this week. You can find the whole list @ Deal Seeking Mom

Select Crest, OralB, and Scope Products, $2.79
Get $1 +UP Reward
--Crest Toothpaste (4-6.2 oz.)
$0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste, exp. 12-31-10 (P&G 11/28/10)
$1/1 Crest Product, exp. 12-31-10 (Essence Magazine, Nov)
$1/1 Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel, exp. 2-28 (P&G Book)
$1/1 Crest Pro Health Toothpaste (Rite Aid Booklet)
--OralB Manual Toothbrush Advantage Plus, Stages, or 3D (1 ct.)
$1/1 Oral-B Manual Toothbrush, exp. 4-30 (P&G Everyday Savings Book)
$1/2 Select Oral-B or Crest Kids' Products, exp. 12-31 (P&G 11/28/10)
$1/1 Oral-B Toothbrush (Rite Aid Booklet)
--Scope (250 mL)
Better than FREE after stacked coupons and +UP Reward!

Nivea Lip Care, 2/$4
B1G1 Nivea Lip Care Product, exp. 12-31-10 (RP 12/05/10)
**Qualifies for $10 +UP Reward wyb $20 Nivea Products

Deal Scenario

Buy (10) Nivea Lip Products, 2/$4
Get $10 +UP Reward wyb $20 Nivea Products
Use (5) B1G1 Nivea Lip Care Product, exp. 12-31-10 (RP 12/05/10)
(10) FREE after coupons and +UP Reward!

Dawn Dishwashing Detergent (9.5-10.3 oz.), $0.97
$0.50/1 Dawn Hand Renewal, exp. 12-31-10 (P&G 11/28/10)
$0.25/1 Dawn Product, exp. 12-31-10 (P&G 11/28/10)
$1/1 Dawn Hand Renewal Dish Liquid, exp. 4-30-11 (Organize In Style)
$0.50/1 Dawn Product, exp. 2-28-11 (P&G Everyday Savings Book)
As low as FREE after coupon!

 
Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor Power or Manual (1 ct.), $9.97
Get $5 +UP Reward (Limit 2)
$4/1 Gillette Fusion Pro Glide Razor, exp. 1-31-11 (P&G 12/26/10)
$4/1 Gillette Fusion Pro Glide Razor, exp. 12-31-10 (P&G 11/28/10)
$0.97 ea. after coupon and +UP Reward!

Walgreens 12/26/10

These are few of my favorite deals this week. You can find the whole list @ Deal Seeking Mom

Chex Mix, $0.99
Get $1.50 RRs wyb 3
Get $2.50 RRs wyb 4
Get $3.50 RRs wyb 5
$1/2 Chex Mix or Chex 100 Calorie Snack, exp. 1-29-11 (GM 12/05/10)
$0.50/2 Chex Mix or Chex 100 Calorie Snack, exp. 1-29-11 (GM 12/05/10)
$1/2 Chex Mix or 100 Calorie Snack Mix, exp. 1-8-11 (GM 11/14/10)
$0.50/2 Chex Mix or 100 Calorie Snack Mix, exp. 1-8-11 (GM 11/14/10)

Suggested Scenario

Buy (6) Chex Mix @ $0.99 each
Use (3) $1/2 Chex Mix or Chex 100 Calorie Snack, exp. 1-29-11 (GM 12/05/10)
Get $3.50 in RRs
Better than FREE after coupons and RRs!

Buy (5) Chex Mix @ $0.99 each
Use (2) $0.50/2 Chex Mix or Chex 100 Calorie Snack, exp. 1-29-11 (GM 12/05/10)
Get $3.50 in RRs
$0.09 ea. after coupons and RRs!

Colgate Max Fresh or Max White Toothbrush or Toothpaste (6 oz.), $2.99
Get $2 RRs
$0.75/1 Colgate MaxWhite Toothpaste printable
$1/1 Max Fresh or Max White Toothbrush, exp. 1/31/11 (Walgreens Everything Bright and Beautiful)
As low as FREE after coupon and RRs!

Gillette Fusion Proglide Razor System, $9.99
Get $4 RRs
$4/1 Gillette Fusion Proglide Razor, exp. 1-31-11 (P&G 12/26/10)
$4/1 Gillette Fusion Pro Glide Razor, exp. 12-31-10 (P&G 11/28/10)
$1.99 ea. after coupon!

Aussie or Herbal Essences Hair Care (5.7-14 oz.), $2.99
Get $1 RR
FREE Styler wyb Aussie/Herbal Essence Item, exp. 1-31 (P&G 12/26/10)
$1/1 Herbal Essences or Aussie Product, exp. 2-28 (P&G Book)
$1/1 Herbal Essence or Aussie Product, exp. 12-31-10 (P&G 11/28/10)
**More Aussie/Herbal Essences coupons
As low as $0.50 ea. after coupons and RRs!

Pantene Hair Care 2/$7
Get $2 RRs wyb 2
--Shampoo or Conditioner (12.6 oz.)
--Styling Product (1.9-11.5 oz.)
$3/2 Pantene Product, exp. 1-31-11 (P&G 12/26/10)
FREE Pantene Shampoo wyb Full Size Product, exp. 12-31 (P&G 11/28/10)
$1 off Pantene Pro-V Shampoo AND Conditioner, exp. 2-28 (P&G Book)
$1/2 Pantene Product, exp. 12-31-10 (P&G 11/28/10)
As low as $.67 ea. after coupon and RR wyb 3!

Dawn Dish Liquid, $0.99 (with in-ad coupon)
$0.25/1 Dawn Product, exp. 12-31-10 (P&G 11/28/10)
$0.25/1 Dawn Product, exp. 1-31-11 (P&G 12/26/10)
$0.50/1 Dawn Hand Renewal, exp. 1-31-11 (P&G 12/26/10)
As low as $0.49 ea. after stacked coupons!

CVS Deals 12/26/10

These are few of my favorite deals this week. You can find the whole list @ Deal Seeking Mom

 

CVS

Tone Body Wash, $3.88
Get $3 ECBs (Limit 1)
$1/1 Tone Body Wash printable or printable
Better than FREE after coupon and ECBs or .88 w/ out printable

Pantene Shampoo or Conditioner, 2/$6.97
Get $2 ECBs wyb 2 (Limit 1)
$1/2 Pantene Product, exp. 12-31-10 (P&G 11/28/10)
FREE Pantene Shampoo wyb Full Size Product, exp. 12-31 (P&G 11/28/10)
$3/2 Pantene Product, exp. 1-31-10 (P&G 12/26/10)
$1 off Pantene Pro-V Shampoo AND Conditioner, exp. 2-28-10 (P&G Book)
$1 off Pantene Pro-V Shampoo AND Conditioner, exp. 4-30-10 (P&G Book)
As low as $0.84 ea. after coupon and ECBs!

Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor, $9.99
Get $4 ECBs (Limit 1)
$4/1 Gillette Fusion Pro Glide Razor, exp. 1-31-11 (P&G 12/26/10)
$4/1 Gillette Fusion Pro Glide Razor, exp. 12-31-10 (P&G 11/28/10)
$1.99 ea. after coupon and ECBs!

Colgate Total Advanced or Enamel Strength, $2.99
Get $2 ECBs (Limit 2)
$0.99 ea. after ECBs!

Always Pads, 2/$6
Get $2 ECBs wyb 2 (Limit 1)
$1/1 Always Pads, Clean, or Feminine Cleansing Cloths, exp. 1-31-11 (P&G 12/26/10) **Use 2**
$1 ea. after coupon and ECBs!

Olay Body Wash, $6.79
Get $2 ECBs (Limit 1)
$2/1 Select Olay Products, exp. 1-31-11 (P&G 12/26/10)
FREE Olay Hand & Body Lotion wyb Body Wash, exp. 12-31 (P&G 11/28/10)
$1.39 ea. wyb both Body Wash and Body Lotion after coupons and ECBs!

Dawn or Dawn Renewal, $0.94 (Limit 6)
$0.50/1 Dawn Hand Renewal, exp. 1-31-11 (P&G 12/26/10)
$0.25/1 Dawn Product, exp. 1-31-11 (P&G 12/26/10)
$0.25/1 Dawn Product, exp. 12-31-10 (P&G 11/28/10)
As low as $0.44 ea. after coupon!

Herbal Essence or Aussie Shampoo, Conditioner or Styler, $2.99
FREE Styler wyb Aussie/Herbal Essence Item, exp. 1-31 (P&G 12/26/10)
$1/1 Herbal Essence or Aussie Product, exp. 12-31-10 (P&G 11/28/10)
$0.50/1 Select Aussie or Herbal Essences, exp. 12-31 (RP 11/14/10 #2)
$0.99 ea. after stacked coupons!

Trying To Learn New Perspectives

Y'all are gonna get so sick of seeing pictures on here, but I can't help it. I love my new Camera. Christmas night the girls and I baked some cookies and had fun doing it.

Ready to go!

Baking away!

Then they decorated, yes I let them decorate chocolate chip cookies!

A message!

A New Camera!

A picture of one of the ornaments on my tree I took using my new camera. It has an HD mode and I love the detail it captures!

I Got It

I was on Santa's nice list this year and I got my DSLR! I'm so excited! I can't believe he got it for me! Oh my Santa loves me very much!
What does this mean for you? It means you will be seeing a TON of pictures on my blog!
I also signed up for the 365 project and will be taking one picture every day! If you want to follow all my pictures (which I am sure most will be posted on my blog) you can do that here. It would also be awesome if y'all joined in!!

Carpet Cleaning & Tips

Do you know what it's like to house train a new puppy? All the accidents that occur in the process and God forbid those accidents be on the carpet. I always worried that the odors would stay in my carpet and that he would think it was OK to continue to potty there. I found some great odor removal tips on this site. I had no clue that cleaning the spot could make the odors stronger. But thanks to Steam Team I found information on how to treat these problems.

Why you are visiting there site you can also find marble cleaning tips. I used to clean homes and that was always the hardest thing to clean and make sure that you didn't leave water marks on the marble. Steam Team in Austin gives you helpful tips and even offer marble cleaning services and have marble restoration services. If you just need to purchase some marble tile cleaning products you can do that as well.

If you are looking for local carpet cleaning service in Austin then check out The Steam Team. They offer a wide range of services.

I'm Gonna Miss You

***Google Image***

I know we will all be busy with our families the next few days and I am going to miss all of you! I will be around a little bit tomorrow but not this weekend. I'm going to soak up all the family time I can get. So I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I hope you get to enjoy your family and friends!

The First Snowman Of The Year - Guest Post

I appreciate the guest post, Lindsay Valdez

Frosty was always one of my favorite Christmas specials and I make sure to build a version of him whenever the first snow of winter brings enough snow to accomplish the task. My family is fond of snowmen as well, and we always make sure to have enough decorations on hand to make him the most handsome snowman in the neighborhood. There might be a few snowball fights during the construction work, but we make sure that everything is fair in the end. We also take our time when building the snowman and consult with one another to make sure that we get it right for the entire family. Other people will see our snowman. We don't want it to be a disaster.

We're good and bundled up during the process, to prevent any Christmas colds from ruining our good time. We also make sure to take it easy after our building venture. We usually drink warm drinks and watch satellite television your bound to get after looking at these DirecTV Comparisons. We know that he won't be with us forever and that one day our creativity will vanish from the earth, but that doesn't mean it isn't a lot of fun when it's happening. We appreciate this time of year for all the love and togetherness that it brings to our family, and to the wonderful memories we create.

Have Yourself a Safe Little Christmas, Too - Guest Post

The Author of this post is Velma Baird

Because toys are a traditional part of Christmas, checking to see that they are not only age-appropriate but that they, also, meet safety regulations is crucial. Holiday decorations present unique dangers of their own. From electrical shock to sharp objects, potential threats abound everywhere from the Christmas tree to the packages beneath its limbs. Candles, for example, should be placed in fireproof holders out of reach of small children and kept away from flammable fabrics or objects. Even the popular new battery-operated alternatives can be dangerous if children can remove the tiny batteries and swallow them.

With the proper precautions, the holidays can be a happy and safe time for everyone. In addition to having a safe home, however, it is important to turn on the home alarm system from Adt security system before leaving the house. Not only do thieves know that traveling is popular during the Christmas season, but they know that expensive presents are likely to be stored beneath the tree, as well.
With just a few precautions, the season can be happy and safe, too.

Pour Your Heart Out - Christmas Cheer

I'm joining in with Shell @ Things I Can't Say for Pour Your Heart Out.
Again, just a brief reminder that everyone linking is pouring their hearts out and we should all be respectful in our comments. ;)

There are just 3 days left until Christmas. I should be happy, I should be cheerful, and I should be in the Christmas mood. I'm not! Not even a little! I think that I'm stressing so much about not having the Christmas mood that it's making it worse.

Last night I drove to pick Braydon up. It's a little over an hour drive for me and where did my mind go? To the deepest and darkest of places. I tried to block the thoughts, turned the music up to try and distract myself, but nothing worked. My mind was in a dark place and that is where it stayed. I hate being like this!

Holidays are stressful on someone who is bipolar. They tend to send us to dark places. I thought that shopping would help...nope. Megan flying in would help....nope. Getting Braydon would help....nope. I just don't feel it. I love having Megan here with us, listening to the girls giggle over silly things. I love having Braydon with me, he's so silly when he tells the new jokes he's learned. Lexi is enjoying spending time with Megan, and was excited for Braydon to be with us.

Prince Charming has been really good to me through all these hard times. He knows I'm not feeling the joy, and he's been so sweet. Lots of cuddling and time together and that makes me happy. I love laying beside him, wrapped in his arms. I love the strength I feel in him and know that he's my rock. I would have crumbled into a million pieces this past month if I didn't have him holding me together.

I want this to be a good Christmas for all of them...so I have to find that cheer.

Lifes Little Luxuries - Guest Post

Written by my friend Constance Hayden

Being able to watch television has become a luxury for me, more than anything else. I guess when you have seven kids, a husband and three dogs, any sort of free time becomes luxury. One of my favorite channels that I love to watch on the Satellite TV is Nickelodeon, but only at night. There are so many half-hour shows that help me to escape the realities of my own life. I think The Nanny is one of my all time favorites. While all of the characters are great, I do like Fran. Most people can not get past her voice. Well, when dealing with whiny kids, her voice does not bother me. But she is not my favorite, Niles is. He has such a witty and fast response when it comes to C.C. Babcock. And hey, I can relate. He cooks and cleans all day for the family, just like I do. I always get a good chuckle when it comes to him. One of my other favorite shows is My Wife and Kids. The dad, Michael is so funny and they always solve what ever problems come their way. I would not trade my life with anyone.

Last Minute Shopping

**Google Image**

I finally got some shopping done this past weekend. I can't believe I was such a last minute shopper this year. Every year I say I'm going to start early, but I never manage to do that.  I have never waited this long though. I was in a panic thinking I would never be able to get everything I wanted. I was though, and I didn't even have to do a lot of running around to find it all. I still have a few things I need to pick up, stocking stuffers and such. 

 **Google Image**

My stepdaughter flew in this weekend and will be with us for 2 weeks. I love having her with us! I hate that I have to work the majority of the days she will be here. I really should save some vacation time for the holidays so I have more time to spend with family. 

**Google Image**

I will have Braydon from tonight until Friday, and then again on Saturday evening until Wednesday. I'm so excited to see him. I have gotten to talk to him a few times since he had to go back to his dads, but I haven't got to see him. He's gonna be so excited when he gets his Christmas gift because I have him completely convinced that there was no way I was going to buy it for him. I can't wait to see his face when he opens it.

A Much-Appreciated Reprieve - Guest Post

Contribution by Darren Saunders

Being the mother of 3 children, I care very much about and try to be strict about what they can or cannot watch. They are all at ages where just viewing or listening to something can influence them the wrong way, in my opinion.

Little Dannie is 5, Marsha is 9 and Simon is 13 and I am more than comfortable with all of them watching the shows on the children's channel, Nickelodeon. This is mostly to do with the fact that they find common ground almost exclusively when they are sitting down to watch various programs on the network. Ordinarily, they couldn't be anymore different, but put on a Sponge Bob or Power Rangers: Samurai episode and they become so completely entranced.

Many a time I have wished to have that kind of calming effect on my children! I can't say enough about how thankful I am to have the satellite tv I got after seeing this directtv comparison as it affords both my husband and I a bit of a reprieve from the constant battles my little angels wage against one another every day.

A New Way To Make Money

**Google Image**

Every time I drive past a homeless person my heart breaks. I want to pull out my wallet and give them money. I want to cry for them and bring them home. I want to feed them and make sure they are healthy. There is one gentleman who has been standing down by the highway for over a year now. Last year when the weather got bad and I didn't see him I worried for him. I've never seen him with a sign begging for money, just standing out there. A year later he's still there. I've taken him food and coffee when it's cold. I've prayed for him and hoped he would find a home. I don't know his story or why he's homeless but I know my heart breaks for him.

The past few weeks I've noticed a new guy close to the same location. He stands out there with a sign every day asking for money. Again my heart breaks for him. I don't know his story. Every day he's out there in the cold and in the rain. I worried for him, I prayed for him. 

Friday on my way home from work I seen something that really bothered me. I seen the new guy pack up his things and get into a pretty new looking BMW. I was shocked and stunned! Does that mean this man isn't homeless...no. It could be that he's living in his car, but wow it was a really nice looking car. I don't know what to think. Is he scamming us? Is this a new way to make money?

Dear Santa....

I NEED THIS!!!
I would love love love to have this! Oh why can't Santa visit me???