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Tuesday Tales – Pinterest For Dummies

Posted on June 12, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Alright, it’s time to confess – have you gone to the dark side yet? I am not talking about Star Wars, although a lot of pins for related items will be found there. I am referring to Pinterest. As I have mentioned before, I joined Pinterest at the end of December and have written about it multiple time.

What I never mentioned was how I was hooked. Back in September 2011, I went to SheStreams in NYC. One of my roommates happened to be Kelby Carr.

While in our hotel room one evening, we got talking about Social Media. Yes, we are geeks at heart. Kelby, @Typeamom, was trying to sell Shannan and me on Pinterest. It was just a whisper at the time. I kept saying that I just did not have time to devote to another something. I was clueless and Kelby should have slapped me.

Fast forward to Christmas Eve. I was bored and mentioned something on Facebook. Kelby immediately told me that I should just join Pinterest and go to the Dark Side already. I made an excuse about not having an invitation. Seconds later, I had one in my e-mail from my dear friend. Yes, I was the Jewish girl learning, exploring, and pinning her way through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Kelby Carr, the evil one that hooked me on Pinterest, is now an author of a book all about Pinterest.

Why yes, Wiley knew the real deal and asked Kelby to write Pinterest For Dummies which was released May 8. I was even in Florida when she received her first copy from Ellen.

Like other books from the Dummies line, Pinterest For Dummies really does take a new user step-by-step and explain the ropes. You learn what to do to get started, including getting an invitation, linking profiles, and adding a bio. Once that is settled, you venture into creating board. I love that Kelby shows how to name, pick a category, and then walk you through how to rearrange and edit things later on. The other chapters include:

Pinning and Repinning <—Beware this can become addictive, but great to organize
Socializing on Pinterest <—Always fun to see what friends have pinned.
Using Community Features
Finding Ways to Use Pinterest <— I think it is a great tool for parents/teachers!
Going Mobile with Pinterest <—Still sad it is not Android friendly.
Understanding Pinterest Etiquette <—Hot topic within the social media world.
Controlling Privacy and Other Settings
Self-Promoting on Pinterest
Ten Companies Using Pinterest Effectively
Ten Power Pinners to Follow

What I really enjoyed while reading and browsing around Pinterest For Dummies was the Where’s Waldo effect within the book. Seriously, Kelby’s use of photos for examples in each step show cases some pretty cool people. Check this one out from page 68 in the book.

If you are new to Pinterest or really want to learn how to maximize the power behind it, I highly recommend this book. More related to the book can also be found on the Pinterest For Dummies board on Pinterest of course!

Are you a fan of Pinterest? Do you have thoughts on Pinterest For Dummies? Let me know where to find you on Pinterest and I will catch you there.

As always, Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books and learning. What have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something that you read on your own, with a child, or someone else.

Disclosure: I received Pinterest For Dummies from Wiley in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was given. The opinions expressed in the review are my own. One Amazon Affiliate link is included in this post for the book mentioned and another is coming next. Kelby Carr’s second book Pinterest Marketing For Dummies will be coming out July 24, 2012 and you can already preorder it from Amazon. I will receive a percentage of money for the sale should you opt to buy any of the books through my links. I know I am looking forward to the next book.

Categories:
Blogging Conference bloggy friends books interesting looking back me moments photos Pinterest social media Tuesday Tales

Game Geeks Unite for Wreck-It Ralph

Posted on June 10, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

You know you are a child of the 1980’s if you can remember playing Atari and Coleco Vision games. Enter Q-Bert, Donkey Kong, Frogger, and all of the old school game characters. Shortly later, Nintendo came into our gaming world. We met King Bowser, Link, and others.

Welcome to the world of Wreck-It Ralph. Characters from our youth will be revived to meet our children and entertain families together. On November 2, 2012, Walt Disney Animation Studios will release their new movie that will take us on an arcade game playing journey. I had heard about this movie here and there, but I have to say that the trailer has me extremely excited to take my family to see this film. Here is the latest trailer to share.

We have all watched this over and over again. I know that we will be heading to the theater in November to check out the rest of Wreck-It Ralph’s world. What is your favorite old school gaming character?

It's Me

Disclosure: Disney PR notified me of the Wreck-It Ralph trailer. I was not compensated for this and simply wanted to share since I adore all things Disney. You know we will be going to see Wreck-It Ralph when it is released November 2, 2012.

Categories:
Disney fun looking back me moments Movies

To the Magic Kingdom and Beyond with Nana and Papa

Posted on June 2, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL and JSL,

The other day, I was finally able to get to see the photos that Papa and Nana took with their camera while at Disney World. I saw some of the PhotoPass pictures, but wanted to see more of the candid shots from around the Yacht Club Resort and Disney parks. I have to say, it looks like the four of you had an amazing time exploring things together.

Without the two of you, I am not sure if Nana and Papa would have gone to have photos taken with Buzz Lightyear. Thanks to you being fans, we have the some Nana and Papa took of you alone and some with the four of you. These are priceless memories that I know will last.

They also captured the two of you chilling out on the bus. I think you were likely looking at the ads up above. Most of the time you would point out Doc McStuffins and other familiar characters.

I love seeing your smiles and knowing what a magical time we all had together, even if we were not always with you.

Love,

Mommy

Categories:
brothers Dear Kid Saturday Disney family jsl looking back nhl photos travel vacation

Another Febrile Seizure Anniversary

Posted on May 31, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As a parent, we love to remember the days that our children take their first steps, say our name, and other milestones. I have those memories in the front of my mind, but some others still haunt me to this day. The days that my boys have had febrile seizures will always be something I remember. NHL only had one, but it was the first that I experienced as a parent. JSL has now had five of them since he was nine months old.

After each of the febrile seizures that the kids have had, we would get especially nervous when the boys would have another fever. We practice very strict fever lowering protocol thanks to our doctor. Every week and month that goes by after a febrile seizure is a wonderful accomplishment. It typically means we are less likely to have a repeat event. Of course, JSL is not the typical child. He has shown us that even after 20 months, they can happen again.

On June 3 of last year, my heart skipped a beat. It was the moment as a parent that you never forget. It was getting a call from school to meet your child with a full emergency response team out on the playground. At almost the one year mark, we are thrilled that we have made it this far without another episode, but my guard is not down.

The timing right now could not be worse. On Tuesday, JSL went for his five year well visit. I knew that we had to make up some vaccines that had not been done earlier since he was not feeling well. Since he was healthy, happy, and good to go the doctor, I agreed to allow JSL to have his DTaP and Polio vaccines. We are holding off on the MMR until later in the summer. With his fever tendency, everyone felt that combining the MMR and DTaP would not be good.

Before we left, the doctor and I talked about preventative fever measure. We were going to give JSL ibuprofen around the clock for at least 24 hours. Right before bed, JSL had a dose of medicine. He was sleeping so soundly we didn’t have the heart to wake him in the middle of the night for more medicine. At 6:45, we heard a scream from JSL. He was howling and burning up. All day Wednesday we battled the fever. At one point, it was 102 with medicine (his normal temperature is just about 97).

With any luck, this fever will come and go and his body will fight off the reaction to the DTaP vaccine. Of course, now I am bracing myself for the next shot in a month. I just hope we can get to that year mark and beyond. Each month that passes, JSL gets older and kids usually do outgrow febrile seizures by 6-7 years old. I just hold my breath and hope.

Do you have one of those parenting moments that you can not forget? Please feel free to share and vent below.

It's Me

P.S. The other night I was in tears reading this post from Megan on Velveteen Mind. Her little girl also had a febrile seizure. So very close to home and brought back a flood of emotion. The truth is posts like ours help to raise awareness. Not only are they therapeutic to the parent after, but they let others know the signs, symptoms, tell-tale signs IF their children have a similar experience. We are not trying to scare people, but help people to be aware. A parent will forever remember that moment seeing their child’s blue or gray lifeless body.

Categories:
doctor health awareness jsl looking back milestone photos sick kid sickness

Personalize Father’s Day Cards with Treat – Giveaway

Posted on May 24, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

June is just around the corner and with that thoughts of summer, time with family, and Father’s Day come into my mind. For Father’s Day, the day is all about the special men in our lives. Since the boys were born, the focus has moved to celebrating the day as a family for TechyDad.

In past years, we have gone mini-golfing, to see a movie, and the amusement park. I’m not too sure what TechyDad will want to do. Of course, we also make sure to spend time with Papa. He is such a special part of our lives as well.

I know I will be spending time with the boys before Father’s Day to create some special cards for the men in our lives. We are excited to try out the new partner site from Tiny Prints called Treat. Treat offers personalized greeting cards that are fun to design for Father’s Day. Just looking around I already see something referencing Elvis that will be perfect for Papa, and a bunch that the boys will love to add photos to for TechyDad. Our photos from Disney World will be perfect additions to many of the cards that we can have shipped right to them, Grandpa, and uncles that live a distance from us.

Did you know that you can try Treat Cards for free? You can and perhaps it could be for Father’s Day. Simply use the code FREETREAT at checkout and the card will be sent right to the recipient for the time that you specify. This day and age, we often forget how special it is to receive a card in the mail. Treat Cards now helps us to do this by allowing you to schedule cards up to a year in advance and ship them out in time for a Birthday, Anniversary, or holiday that you are celebrating.

For more information on Treat, you can follow them via Social media on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+. Now for some other fun thanks to Treat Cards.

Treat Cards would like to offer a giveaway to one of my readers for 10 free tokens to use for your own personalized card purchases. Think about how easy it will be to design them at home, have them sent, and the happiness you will provide to the person on the receiving end of the card.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Leave a comment letting me know what type of Father’s Day Card you prefer to send. Do you like silly, sentimental, or some sort of combination and why?

The following Bonus Entries may also be done. Please be sure to leave separate comments for each that you complete below to make sure you get the right number of entries.

1 Bonus Entry – If you win who will you be sending cards to with your tokens?
1 Bonus Entry – Tweet the following about the giveaway: Enter to #win 10 tokens from @TreatCards & @TheAngelForever so you can get creative when sending cards http://bit.ly/KNAicg. #giveaway. (May be done once a day – leave link to Tweet in comment below for new entry)
1 Bonus Entry – Leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts from the months of May/June. Leave a comment here to let me know which one. This Bonus entry may be done twice per day.

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. The giveaway begins May 24, 2012 and ends June 3 , 2012 at 10:59 EST. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but you must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to US residents only – Treat Cards does not ship outside of the US at this time.

Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a Global Influence campaign. I will be receiving tokens to order cards to send to my family and friends in return for writing this post. As a customer of Tiny Prints, I look forward to trying out Treat soon.

Global Influence Network