Wishing everyone going near and far this holiday season safe travels. May you make many wonderful memories with your family during this special time of year.
Happy Holidays 2009 from my family to yours
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A snowy birthday to remember
Each of us probably has a birthday that we will always remember. I have several of those from my childhood, when I first met TechyDad and as a mother. Yesterday, I added another memorable one into the group.
As if turning another year older is not enough, add being sick. My Neti Pot and I became very good friends by the end of the day. I was up most of the night not feeling well. Poor TechyDad was up with me and felt lousy in the morning. He had a headache and sore throat. He called in sick to rest up and try to feel better. Then there was the snow. The reminder of winter and the frigid months that are ahead came back fast and furious. The 1-2 inches turned into at least 5-6 inches of very heavy/wet snow.
NHL’s school was closed, along with pretty much every other school in the area and beyond. The two little guys were anxious to get outside. Too bad TechyDad and I were not feeling as excited about it thanks to illness. To delay going out TechyDad got the boys to give me my birthday presents. The boys gave me a Snuggie since I am always freezing in our house as we attempt to save the planet and cut costs. TechyDad had already bought me the "Forget Me-Knot" charm for my Pandora bracelet. In addition to this, he gave me a subscription to Picnik Premium. I had been toying with this for a while, but he splurged and now I get to play.
After breakfast, we found all of the snow gear so the boys went out. TechyDad focused his attention on the roof. He raked the snow to try to avoid the ice damn issues of the past few years.
Meanwhile, the boys had fun. NHL kept pegging JSL with snow and eventually the little guy caught on and did some sneak attacks on him. Once TechyDad was done with the raking and sidewalk in front, he helped the boys to make a snow creature and sled down the street for a few rides. Here is a photo show I created using Picnik.
When the boys came in, they were soggy and cold. So hot chocolate came out and then it was time for lunch. Eventually, TechyDad figured it was best to get our cars out from under the snow. NHL went outside to help Daddy. Meanwhile the little guy and I set out to bake a cake. We had planned on going out for a nice birthday dinner and then to have cake with my parents. Since I felt awful and so did hubby, we asked for a raincheck.
While the cake was baking, I heard a scream of "Oh no!" come from outside the window by my laptop. I looked outside and saw TechyDad grab NHL and scream to me to come to the door quickly. I ran and grabbed tissues expecting something to be bleeding. By this point, NHL was howling in pain. The boys were digging out the driveway together. NHL walked in front of hubby as he was looking down. TechyDad did not know he was back there and lifted up a big shovel of snow just as NHL bent down. The shovel got NHL right on the outside edge of his eyebrow.
When they arrived at the door, there was blood all over the place (faces are brutal like that). I grabbed more tissues (could not find gauze). We removed the pressure for an inspection. I could see there was a deep gash. Still in my PJ’s, I called my mother. She came to our rescue. While TechyDad finished getting his car uncovered, I got NHL ready to go to the ER. He was in a panic because of past stitches history (and removal). The boys picked up Nana on the way.
Long story short, they went to a new ER and it was a good experience. The people there were amazing and in the end NHL did not need stitches. They were able to use glue to put the skin back together. Now we just have to be careful to watch for an infection and to make sure it holds. We go back to the doctor on Monday for a check to see how things are going.
So after that eventful day, I used my Neti Pot (with an audience amazed to see the magical event) before bed and curled under my flannel sheets to bid adieu to my birthday for 2009.
P.S. TechyDad wrote about yesterday here. He has photos from the ER and of my cake right before we ate it.
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Being married to a webmaster has perks
For my one year Blogoversary, I celebrated with a new blog design. I was sick of my old header/theme, so TechyDad quickly made something up. This was only supposed to be a temporary fix. Fast forward almost two years later (my 3rd Blogoversary is in February). The old design was functional, clean, easy to read and I liked it. See below for a reference.
Over the past few months, both of us were not thrilled with my blog. To be honest, I never really liked the hearts and had asked for those to be changed to something else (honey do list = never done). Hubby wanted to change the theme, but I had different thoughts. My thought was something crisp and more "professional" looking. I also really wanted a blog button. One day, hubby talked with a very talented friend who happens to do graphic design. He quickly did a sample of something for a header and sent it our way. I was in love. It was perfect! Look at the top, it is there now.
Friday, I was surprised with the latest addition, a brand new TheAngelForever.com button for my blog. Here it is:
After I saw the button, I finally made a list of items I wanted changed and asked my favorite webmaster about them. He said all of them were not too difficult and doable. The best part was by the end of the weekend it was set and live.
Of course, all of these items meant we TechyDad had to fix/tidy up areas of my blog.
- Put an area on the right designated to website/networks/organizations that I am part of
- Blogroll was moved from right side to separate page because it was too overwhelming
- Categories is now an area you can click on to open up. This takes up much less space
- Flickr photo feed moved up top and different style
- Heading for "Buttons from Blogosphere" added
- Last 10 posts on left is gone. No need with archives/search/categories
- New area on the right for "Special Event Bloggy Buttons" to keep easier track of seasonal/timed events
- My shiny new blog button has a code box to make it easy for people to place on their websites
- Added a contact page/form for people to get in touch with me easier
At this point, I am keeping the theme because it is easy to view and I have not found anything else for WordPress that I like enough to alter it now.
To continue with the changes, I also updated my Twitter avatar. I made it festive for Chanukah since that begins this coming Friday at sundown. Check me out:
Welcome to my renovated home on the web (launched Saturday night for those in a reader). Pull up a chair, read about my world, enter a giveaway or two and please take time to drop me a line in the comments. I love seeing my in-box fill up with comment love from everyone.
P.S. An extra special thank you to my hubby. TechyDad you are the best – I love you with all of my heart. Kuddos for a fun new web design for my blog.
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Thankful for my three clowns
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Kellogg’s Apple Jacks and Froot Loops plus Fiber
Growing up, I do not think I ever heard the word fiber. I can not say the same for my six year old son. He is very aware of foods that are high in fiber and why we eat them. Does that mean that he gets enough in his diet? No, he probably does not get enough fiber in his diet. TechyDad and I work very hard to try to offer the boys healthy food options that are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.
I recently was asked by Mom Central and Kellogg’s to try the new Apple Jacks and Froot Loops with fiber. I agreed to do this with my family since it was something that intrigued me as a parent. We were sent two boxes of the Apple Jacks with fiber and an original box of Froot Loops to taste test with the new Froot Loops with Fiber.
More about Kellogg’s Apple Jack and Froot Loops with fiber from Kellogg’s:
Kellogg’s® Froot Loops® and Apple Jacks® cereals are making fiber fun!
Sometimes it isn’t easy to keep your kids healthy with foods they love to eat. Fiber usually isn’t something that’s a part of a "fun" meal and studies have shown that 9 out of 10 kids don’t get enough fiber in their diets.
Now there’s a cereal that your kids already know and love that also provides 3 grams of fiber in every serving-Kellogg’s® Froot Loops® and Apple Jacks® cereals. So, when your kids are eating the fun breakfast they love, they’re also getting the added benefit of a little fiber in every bite. It’s just the way kids like it!
Fiber is a great way to keep your kids healthy.
Fiber is part of a healthy diet for all kids. It helps aid the digestive system and helps nutrients to be absorbed to turn food into the energy your kids need, keeping them going throughout the day. And starting kids out right with healthful eating habits, like including fiber in their daily diets, is a great practice that’s likely to continue into the future.
Kellogg’s® Froot Loops® and Kellogg’s® Apple Jacks® cereals now provide fiber. Kellogg’s Makes Fiber Fun™.
For more information about the benefits of adding fiber to your kids’ diet, visit kelloggsnutrition.com
Our thoughts:
When the boys saw the package arrive with the bright and colorful boxes of cereal, they were excited. First, we tried the Apple Jacks with Fiber.
NHL (6) enjoyed them and was able to convince JSL (2) to try a bowl along with him. Both of them gobbled up their cereal and asked to open the Froot Loops next. We had to explain that we were going to do a taste test with those boxes over the weekend. Additional Apple Jacks was poured into the bowls and the boys were happy. TechyDad and I also enjoyed the cereal. It was more of a sweet treat for us, but we liked that it included additional fiber that is crucial for all of us.
Last weekend, we did our Froot Loops taste testing. TechyDad poured bowls and asked NHL, JSL and I to try some of the cereal from each. We wanted to see if we could tell a difference in taste or if we liked one over the other.
- NHL thought the tastes were pretty similar. In the end, he said he liked one a little more than the other. Which one did he select? It was the Froot Loops with fiber!
- JSL liked both of them and being 2 really only wanted one thing – more!
- TechyDad and I both thought that they were almost exactly the same. When pressed, we both liked one a little more than the other. One had a texture that we liked a bit more and was not quite as sweet (we’re adults – sad isn’t it?!). Like NHL, we liked the Froot Loops with fiber more.
Here is a close up photo of both of the Froot Loops mixed together.
Be sure to look for Apple Jacks and Froot Loops with fiber in a store near you.
Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Kellogg’s and received four boxes of cereal. I will also receive a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate. All opinions are my own, no other compensation was received.
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