Hickory Farms Goodness!!

I was asked to blog about this Hickory Farms box of goodies that arrived in the mailbox the other day.  Everything in it was absolutely  delicious!  My favorite is the beef summer sausage - but I'm getting ahead of myself.

We took the goodies to VMI when we went to visit our #1 son.  We added them to the food at his Senior's tailgating table.  Everyone that tried the cheese, crackers, and summer sausage absolutely loved it.  I let everyone know that they were required to taste and then tell me what they thought -- good or bad -- and there was not one complaint. Well, there was one - that it was all gone and I had no more.  The mustards included were also a big hit!

(FYI: We had ham for Thanksgiving dinner and I put the Sweet Hot Mustard on my ham, as it is my favorite.  It was wonderful! Don't tell, okay...)

The cheeses were disappearing - The smoked gouda was the first to go.  Everyone loved the smooth smoky flavor.  The cheddar - a classic - went next.  The beef summer sausage was a huge hit as was the turkey.  I went to get my camera to take a picture of everyone enjoying the Hickory Farms goodies, but when I returned -- literally moments later, every crumb had been eaten and enjoyed!  So - unfortunately, I don't have a record of everyone enjoying the cheese, crackers, and summer sausages.

If you should need a gift for someone, don't hesitate to go to the Hickory Farms website, place an order, and sit back and wait for the complements.  Don't forget that they have 3 day for $3 shipping - that's a bargain and you'll look like a hero if it arrives in time for someone's party.


 “I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a product sample to facilitate my review.”

Affresh Stainless Steel Review

I was sent a bottle of Affresh Stainless Steel cleaner.

I have a stainless steel sink that I can never seem to get clean. Gram gets really annoyed by smudges and fingerprints on her stainless steel appliances. I thought that this might be a great product for us to try.

Gram used the Affresh on her appliances first. (She had fingerprints, water drips, and smudges and since I had a sink full of dishes -- She won!)  She sprayed a soft cloth with the Affresh. She rubbed. The smudges and fingerprints came right off. The drip stains from the ice/water in the door where people dribbled took more than one application, but nothing else has ever taken them completely out until now.
The company claims that the cleaner stays put where it is sprayed... not so much on a smooth vertical surface.  Gram put paper towels on the floor to catch the drips from when she sprayed the water stains on the fridge.  But honestly, it's not a huge deal.
Gram's dishwasher front was kind of a mess. With one application of the Affresh, it looked like new. No smudges. No drips. No nothing.  And a week later it still looks great. Ditto for the fridge. I don't think it has stayed as clean looking ever...  

I emptied my sink and proceeded to clean my sink.  Affresh works well. The scent is wonderful and clean. My problem is that the minute I get the sink clean, someone comes along and fills it up or runs water or just gets in my way.  That said, it seems to stay cleaner longer - you know?  The stains don't seem to stick to the sink the way they did before.  I did notice that when I sprayed the sink, the Affresh didn't seem to run down it as fast as I thought it would. It did sorta stay where I sprayed it. I wonder if it's because the sink is a different kind of stainless than the fridge...

What they say:

Affresh® Stainless Steel Cleaner gently cleans the fingerprints, smudges, and residue left behind from daily use. The cleaner combines commonly used cleaning agents with special ingredients that, when used as part of a normal maintenance program, can help prevent the formation of residue that can build-up on stainless steel surfaces.

The durable, distinguished look of clean stainless steel can really make a kitchen shine. Keeping that look, though, has always been a chore, until now.

To ensure maximum performance, Whirlpool recommends a monthly maintenance and cleaning routine detailed in the product’s Use & Care Guide. With the new Affresh® Stainless Steel Cleaner, consumers have even more cleaning power to help resolve the build-up residue.

Anyway - we'll continue to use it and let you know if we still like it in a few weeks!  Although, since we cleaned the appliances last week, they've stayed clean... This stuff seems kind of expensive - $6.99 per bottle - but since you use so little and the clean lasts so long, it's a great deal!


 “I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Affresh and received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Hickory Farms Picnic Basket

I got this lovely Hickory Farms Picnic basket to review. The basket itself is terrific! It is a Peterboro basket which is an excellent basket. I am currently using the basket to hold some Christmas hostess gifts, but I'll definitely be using this basket for polo in the summer.

When I opened the basket, this is what I saw:

The goodies inside were plenty! There were 3 summer sausages, 2 cheeses, 2 jars of mustard, a box of yummy pepper flat bread, a box of peanut brittle, some mint melt-aways, and some hard candies. I couldn't believe how much yummy goodness they stuffed in there.

We ate one of the summer sausages and the cheese and crackers at Thanksgiving as our appetizer. The summer sausage was phenomenal - we ate the beef and pork sausage. We topped it with the mustards - one was a honey mustard and the other was a sweet - hot mustard. The consensus of opinion was: They are both terrific. The combination of the two in the basket was perfect because you make everyone happy. They sent a Swiss cheese and a Monterey Jack cheese. Those who like a cheese with a little sharp will enjoy the Swiss and those who like a mild cheese will enjoy the Jack. See? Something for everyone. The pepper flat bread made the experience simply phenomenal! We would get the basket again just to get that flat bread!!

I took the beef sausage to a friend's house as an appetizer last week. I sliced it very thin and brought some pepper crackers and some cheese along to see what they thought of the sausage. Everyone loved it!! It is really yummy.  I think one of the people who tried it went on-line and bought some after our get-together...

I have one sausage left, the Turkey. I've not eaten it yet, but if it is anything like the other two, it's simply awesome!

As for the peanut brittle and the mint melt-aways, they are awesome. Mr. and Grandpa loved the peanut brittle. Both commented that it was delicious and just sweet enough to let the salty through. I happen to be a mint melt-away fan from way back and these simply melted in my mouth with just enough soft minty goodness. I have to say I'll never eat another melt-away that doesn't come from Hickory Farms!!

If you are looking for a great gift to send some special people in your life, this is it! There is something for everyone. If the picnic basket isn't your thing, fear not! Hickory Farms has many gift boxes to choose from. The prices range from $16 - $100 - so again, something for everyone in every price range! Once again this holiday season, Hickory Farms will donate $5 from each Party Planner Gift Box sold to Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign, a national nonprofit that is ending childhood hunger in America.

Hickory Farms provides free military shipping to military APO/FPO addresses on select products, allowing our troops across the globe to share in holiday traditions.

By the way, the packaging was great. The recycled cardboard box made a great fire starter.  The inner fill inside the basket was a brown paper fill that I also used as kindling in my wood stove. Very eco-friendly and it didn't get everywhere like those starch peanuts seem to do.


“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a signature gift box from Hickory Farms to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Soy Joy

Years ago a new product called SoyJoy hit the market. It was a bar made of soy and all natural stuff. It was healthy and was supposed to taste good. It was healthy...
Fast forward to last week.  Soy Joy asked if we would try their product again. You know, give it a second chance. I want a second chance sometimes, so I was more than happy to do that! Besides, I'm always looking for an easy snack for Mr and the kids.
They said that the new SOYJOY nutritional bar is more delicately baked to be fruitier, moister and better than before. I think they are right!
I received 3 bars - a banana, a strawberry, and a blueberry.
When I opened each package, the smell was divine! The banana bar smells JUST LIKE banana bread. The blueberry smelled like blueberry muffins.
We tried them.
My Mr. LOVES them. He went out and bought some to keep in his desk at work. The carb count isn't very high and the ingredients are such that he can eat this without it affecting his blood sugar. This is a very good thing for someone who needs to eat often.  My Mr. is not a big banana person, but he really  liked the banana flavor. His favorite, though, is the blueberry.  He likes the fact that they are a soft bar -- more cookie like than granola like. He can swill one down between meetings and be content. The best thing is that they are made with all natural ingredients -- no junk. 
Grandpa liked them very much. He likes everything, so this was no surprise. He did say that he liked the strawberry the best.
Gram and I thought they were okay. I think I expected them to be more like banana bread and  "sweeter" than they were.  They tasted good, but the consistency is not what I expected. They are definitely better than they were the first time I tried them years ago... 
So - if you are looking for an afternoon snack and you want to stay away from the sweet stuff, SoyJoy just might be what you are looking for. 
Oh and you can win $1000, too!!
SoyJoy is doing a Second Chance contest on Face Book: 


In the spirit of second chances, SOYJOY is hosting the Second Chances Contest. Share your story about a time you did not make the best first impression, but with a second chance, turned it into a joyous ending! You'll have a chance to win one of three $1,000 prizes. Entries can be submitted in the form of a 30-second video or a 100-word written story. Don't wait! The submission period ends October 3.


“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of SOYJOY and received samples of their nutritional bars to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

SAM-e Complete

SAM-e Complete is a supplement you take to keep your mood healthy and steady. For someone who gets particularly cranky the week before Aunt Flo visits, this is a godsend!  Well, it's a godsend for my family anyway...

As we get older our bodies start making less SAM-e, a naturally occurring compound, which ultimately works to maintain a balanced mood. Nature Made SAM-e Complete helps replenish your body's natural levels of SAM-e and when taken daily it can begin to help naturally restore a healthy mood in as little as 7 to 14 days. What is SAM-e? Since I can't explain it very well - check it out here.  I'll wait.

Okay - so now you want to know if it works... umm.. yes! As a matter of fact it does.  Amazingly enough I received my trial box the week I would have been a cranky pain in the butt... I took one before breakfast every day and believe it or not... it worked!  My family was shocked to find that I was my normal jovial self that whole week. I've continued to take it and I honestly think it does make a difference.

Now for the best part:  Nature Made wants you to try SAM-e! They are giving away a 3 month supply of SAM-e along with a water bottle and a mood journal.  So - if you want to win, leave me a comment by August 5th.  I'll pull names out of a hat. I will post the winner on August 6th. Nature Made will send your prize directly to you. (US addresses only...)


 “I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Nature Made and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review.”

Filtrete

I use Filtrete air filters in my home.
They work...
We have a wood stove that we use in the winter and that Filtrete catches more dust and soot and Lord knows what else...  How do I know they work? It's simple - I tried the others... They don't work as well and I end up with all that dust and soot all over my house.

Speaking of all that dust and soot... Spring Cleaning is upon us.  Okay, so I know it's almost summer and I've not started my spring cleaning yet. Hey, I'm busy! It might not get done until mid June, but I'll get there!

So since I'm going to start my spring cleaning (one of these days), I thought I'd share what Filtrete sent to me. It's called Cleaning from Top to bottom - tips and secrets for a cleaner, healthier home by Laura Dellutri.  Basically, you start at the top and work your way down. Start with ceiling fans and mantles, the tops of doorframs, and all those really dusty places we don't usually see.  (Heck, I never see any of those places because I'd have to get a stool and if I did get a stool, I'd see the dust up there...)
From there we should wipe down the windows and walls. Since I have those new windows, cleaning them is a breeze. (It's almost fun, but don't tell anyone.)
Then we go to the horizontal surfaces - mattresses and pillows need a good clean. From there we hit the floor and we're good to go.
But, you can't forget to clean the air - use Filtrete.  I try to change the filter every other month during the winter because of the wood stove. I usually change the filter a little less frequently in the summer because it just doesn't need it.

My regular cleaning - that seems to be something that's never ending - and it ranks right up there with laundry. I'm constantly wiping down my counters - I like them shiny and spotless. It's just the way it is around here. The refrigerator gets wiped down weekly - this actually helps with "out dates". I don't have any of those issues.  My sink is the bane of my existence, though... I'm constantly wiping it down or scrubbing it... But I did learn this:  "To keep the sink shiny, use a buffing wheel to restore luster. Then use a cloth to generously apply mineral oil.  Water will bead up and roll off, keeping it shiny and helping prevent spots." Who knew?? I'm off to try that now!

Oh and since you're going to be starting your spring cleaning, you might want to visit the Filtrete website. There are coupons for big savings.  Also, check out the Clean Air Club and register to receive e-newsletter and better home living tips!



“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Filtrete and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Don't Fret the Sweat!

When my kids reached the tween stage, they started to umm... how can I say this nicely... stink.  I promptly went out and purchased deodorant. I would not have them be "the stinky kid" in school - ever.  I didn't want them to be embarrassed or nervous at school or camp...

That said, I am sure didn't tell my kids that they needed deodorant in a way that would protect their psyche -- I probably said something like, "Honey, you stink. Use this." 
Well, now there is a better way.

Unilever has come up with a new website for parents and kids.  It's called Don't Fret the Sweat.  There are answers to all kinds of questions you and your tween/teen might have.  There are articles written by experts, and there's so much more!!!  Heck, there's even a product matchmaker that will point you in the right direction!!

There's a great FAQ!  Want to tell your tween he's stinky but not scar him for life? The answer is there. Want to know the difference between antiperspirant and deodorant? The answer is there. Want to know which deodorant/antiperspirant is best for your kid? The answer is there. Check it out!

There are also coupons - read this makes your purchase virtually free.  This way, you can try them all if you have to!!

We received the new Dove Ultimate Go Fresh deodorant/antiperspirant in the pomegranate and lemon verbena scent. It is wonderful! LLB and I both tried and we both love it. It keeps us dry and the scent isn't overpowering or powdery.  They also sent us body spray in the same scent. It's light and fresh and it complements the deodorant very nicely.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Unilever and received the items necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

U by Kotex

We were asked to try the new line of "feminine protection" U by Kotex.  It is designed for teens. It comes in a black box and the items inside are brightly colored.
We received pantyliners. 
LLB tried them out and thinks they are terrific! They are thin, but absorbent. They work quite well.

Their new U line is simply wonderful! Everything is designed with the teen in mind.  The tampons are designed to be small until you need them so they can be hidden in a pocket or purse until then. They can even be held in your hand without the world knowing what you've got. 

The commercials? OMG! They are hysterical!! Check it out here!

Everyone is different and U is designed so you can pick out the products that meet your needs the best. Aunt Flo is a pain, but U makes Aunt Flo seem not so bad after all.

The website is terrific as well. Got questions? The answers are there. 
Need to plan - or figure out when Aunt Flo is coming for a visit? There's a planner there for you!
Want to know how to start talking to your tween about Aunt Flo? It's all there!!

Kotex - It's new and improved - it's certainly not like your mom's old style sanitary napkin!!

 “I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Kotex and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Neosporin Lip Care

We are taking Neosporin Lip Health 3-Day Challenge!
We received the Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy and the Lip Health Daily Hydration Therapy. Can I tell you how much we love them?!
The Daily Hydration Therapy goes on smooth and soaks in to your lips nicely. It doesn't "glom" on. The tube itself doesn't dispense the stuff very well, but we just put in on our finger and apply. It's terrific!
The Overnight Renewal Therapy comes in a tiny tub. You put a bit on your finger and apply to your lips. It has the appearance of soft frosting, and it feels like a cloud when it goes on your lips.
Our lips have been a mess since December. This stuff really works!!
LLB plays trumpet and has to always keep her lips healthy - playing with chapped lips just doesn't work all that well. (She has tried everything and the only thing that gave some relief was vaseline which she was using at night.)
She applied the Overnight Renewal Therapy first because it happened to be nighttime when we got the package. She felt immediate relief! She actually sighed. Her lips had been sore for a while!! The next morning, her lips were SO much better. She used the Daily Hydration during the day and by the time she got home her lips looked normal! She continued using both the Overnight and Daily Hydration and really, in 3 days, she was back to her normal self. She carries the Daily Hydration in her pocket and wants another tube for her trumpet case. She keeps the Overnight Renewal Therapy next to her bed and uses it at night. She has found that nothing works better and has told her fellow trumpeters about the Neosporin Lip Health 3-Day Challenge!.

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Neosporin and received a sample of the Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy and the Lip Health Daily Hydration Therapy to facilitate my review and a $20 thank-you gift certificate."

Airwear

I wear glasses - as do two other members of my family. We wear rimless glasses because they are light, vanish on the face, and are almost indestructible.  The lenses in our glasses are made by Airwear. They are fantastic!
Mr. wears progressive lenses and loves how light his glasses are compared to those of even just a few years ago. LLB has her father's eyes and has worn glasses since second grade. She loves her Airwear lenses.   Her lenses take a little more abuse than Mr.'s or mine. She has been hit in the face with a basketball and a volleyball more than once (she's not the most athletic child) and her lenses have always come out of the ordeal unscathed. I would recommend these lenses for their strength alone!

I can't wear contacts and in years past my glasses would be "heavy on my face" by the end of the day. NOT anymore! Airwear lenses are sooo light!  I forget I have them on!

In case you need another reason to go with Airwear - Airwear is a "green" company.

A pioneer in optical lenses, Essilor now employs green manufacturing processes in our Airwear^® lenses. Airwear^® lenses are the first Essilor lens material to go green, significantly reducing its environmental footprint by implementing responsible manufacturing, including:

• Packaging: Essilor uses 100 percent recyclable cardboard made from 100 percent recyclable wooden fibers for Airwear^® lenses, helping to eliminate 570,000 pounds of plastic waste every year.
• Water Consumption: Essilor uses 100 percent recycled water for Airwear^® lenses, cutting consumption in half and conserving millions of gallons of water.
•  
• Recycling Excess Material: Airwear^® re-purposes unused materials for other industries, such as automobiles and writing instruments. 
•  
• Donating Eyewear: Essilor supports Lions Club International's Recycle for Sight program, which accepts old, usable glasses and donates them to those in need.

But going green doesn't mean sacrificing comfort, performance, protection and style. Airwear^® lenses are 43 percent lighter and 10 times more impact-resistant than standard plastic lenses. They also provide 100 percent UV protection.
Airwear^® lenses are available for single vision and progressive prescriptions, and are compatible with the world's most trusted vision brands, such as Varilux^®, Crizal^®, Xperio^®, DEFINITY^® and Transitions^®.

Need new glasses? Get Airwear lenses! You'll love them!!


“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Airwear and received a pair of Airwear eyeglass lenses to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Greenworks Laundry

I was asked to try out the Greenworks Laundry Detergent (the one with the green cap) and Stain Remover.
I'm a Tide girl... I grew up with my mom using Tide. I have always used Tide. 
It would take a lot for me to change my ways.
I have been converted.
I LOVE this Greenworks Laundry Detergent.
I used this stuff on everything from undies to towels to jeans to sweaters.
My whites are white. My colors are bright. And the scent is simply divine!
The best part? You don't need to use a lot - just a little bit goes a long way.
I do over 10 loads of laundry a week and that little bottle is still going. I don't think I've even used half of it yet!
I also used the stain remover and it worked on the basics... except for red clay - but nothing works on red clay. 

So - try it. You'll love it!

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Clorox Green Works and received a bottle of Green Works Natural Detergent and Stain Remover to facilitate my review and a $20 thank-you gift certificate."

Hickory Farms

This arrived in the mail for us to sample last week. It is gorgeous!!!

When we opened the box, we were blown away by the selections. We immediately thought, "What a great gift for a family!"
This is called The Hickory Farms Storybook Gift Set. It comes with a summer sausage, a block of cheese, a small box of crackers, a cookie sampler, a plate with Mickey on it, and Mickey's Night Before Christmas hardcover book.
We thought the family could open this gift Christmas Eve. They could have some family time reading the book while chowing down on the edibles in the box. We also thought that if the family didn't have a special "cookies for Santa" plate, that this one could definitely serve the purpose - and with the cookies included in the package, no baking is necessary.
The package came exactly as you see it above except that the book comes wrapped in white butcher paper to protect it. The top layer of cookies were a little crumbled, but you can't eat them in once piece anyway, so it was fine with us. Everything in the box was absolutely delicious.  The crackers were yummy and intact. The cheese was phenomenal. The summer sausage was delectable. I can't say enough good things about this gift set.
I am a collector of children's Christmas books, so this gift set is right up my alley.  I'm going to add the book to the Christmas basket today when I set it out for the season.
If you need a different kind of gift, please go to Hickory Farms and check out the other yummies they have. There are fruit baskets, sausage and cheese boxes, petit fours - my all time favorite, and more. If you want to ship to your favorite soldier, APO/FPO shipping is free. You certainly can't beat that and you know it will be well received - Hickory Farms is the best!
So if you are looking for a terrific gift to give to friends - this is it!

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a Hickory Farms gift basket to facilitate my review."

Microsoft Office Live

I was asked to try out this new Microsoft Office Live.
I'm usually a little leery of stuff like this, but I thought I'd try it.
OMG! This thing is terrific and it's FREE!

Microsoft Office Live is a way to create and share documents without carrying flash drives. You create your documents online and they save them for you. You can share with whomever you choose, and you can access the documents from any computer. How many times have I wished I could access a document that was on my computer at home! No more!!!

Sign up for your FREE workspace to:

• Access and share files from anywhere
• Work with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• 5GB of free online storage (thousands of Office documents)
• Share password-protected documents—you control who views and edits
• Use for work, home, and school
  

I used it to create the flyer, invitation, and guest list for our annual Christmas Party. I can then share it with Gram over the internet. She can check it all out, change what mistakes she sees, and not even leave her desk. She doesn't have to download anything - it's all right there on the internet. How cool is that???  The best part is that it is Word, PowerPoint and Excel documents so there is no learning curve. Everything is the same as she is used to seeing. We like to keep it simple here at The Crossing...


You basically download Microsoft Office Live to your desktop and then you can edit all you want!

They have many templates to choose from and have thought of everything! 

There is another option: Microsoft Office Live Small Business. You can create your own website in minutes! It's fast and easy. They've thought of everything!

So - interested? You should be. Go try it!
It's awesome!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Microsoft Office Live. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Disney on Ice

We went to see Disney on Ice last week - a big thanks to Mom Central and Feld Entertainment. It was a terrific evening out.

We arrived and found our seats - they were pretty high up, but we could see everything just fine.  It was not until the next day that we realized that we'd gone 5 rows too far, but it all worked out. We were virtually alone up there - no one was coughing or sneezing behind us. We're not totally germ-phobic, but right now, we're all so busy that none of us can afford to get sick.

There were two young mothers and their children in front of us. Their kids were little - about 3 or 4 years old. They were well behaved and were enjoying the show. As soon as Ariel came out, one of the mothers got all excited, said very loudly, "Oh, it's Ariel!!", and started dancing in her seat. Those two little kids gave her a look and then promptly pretended that they didn't know her. It was hysterical! Isn't it usually the other way around?  I wish I could have gotten a picture of the whole thing, but I was too busy laughing!

There was enough Mickey and Minnie to keep the younger set entertained.
The skating was terrific - we still don't know how they skate with those costumes on!  Speaking of costumes - they were amazing! Check out this Troll Doll from Toy Story:

The skaters must have done 5 or 6 costume changes... They even had skate covers for the skates that made their feet look like they had shoes or sandals on. See? Look at the shoes:

We are still in awe over the costumes... They were that gorgeous!

So - if you have a chance to go to Disney on Ice - Do it! You'll be glad you did.

Listerine Oral Care Challenge

So this arrived in the mail and started our Listerine Oral Care Challenge. We doled out the loot and everyone has been brushing and flossing and swishing like crazy.

It comes down to this: They like the toothbrushes. They like the mouthwash. They don't like the smart rinse so much because it shows what they missed... Mr. loves the Total Care mouthwash. It has great flavor and isn't too spicy.  The kids are using the Cool Blue - they like the bubble gum flavor.  It's not my thing, but it's what they like.  The Reach flosser things are great! You can floss and not leave all that gooey floss all over the bathroom. There is something to be said for that! 

The kit came with charts and stickers, but my kids - now high school students - are past that, so we skipped that part. If you have younger kids, definitely consider the sticker charts.   My kids thought that if they were younger, that would have been great.

If you and yours want to take the Listerine Oral Care Challenge, just click Listerine or Listerine Kids.  Once you get there, take the time to check out the websites! They are terrific. The Listerine Kids web site is full of excellent information and tips for keeping your kids' mouths healthy and clean at any age.  Oh, by the way, if you need more incentive - Listerine Kids also has $1 off coupon for their products. Saving and brushing go a long way!!

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Listerine and Reach and received Listerine and Reach products for the Oral Care Challenge and a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Disney on Ice

If you like Disney and you like ice - Then Disney on Ice is for you!

Disney on Ice - Celebrations is coming to the Patriot Center in Fairfax in October. I don't know about you, but I think some Forced Family Fun is in order.

According to the website: "It's one colossal party on ice with all of your favorite Disney friends!" I did a little research and found that Mickey and Minnie are skating in a winter wonderland. But that's not all! There is a Halloween haunt, an un-birthday party, a grand ball (with princesses??) and more! I think it's time to "get away from it all for a couple of hours". Who better to spend time with than the Disney crew?

My LLB used to figure skate and it's the one thing she really misses from our life in New England (where there is an ice rink on every corner). So - I think we just might make the time to go see this show. One of her coaches used to skate for Disney and we know that the skaters they choose are phenomenal. I'm sure the show will be worth every single penny.

Do you need some Forced Family Fun? Go to the Disney on Ice Show near you. Just click on the link and follow the directions!

See it! Enjoy it!


“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Feld Entertainment. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Guitar Hero

Guitar Hero - is a blast!!

Mom Central asked us to try out 2 Nintendo DS versions of Guitar Hero - Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits and the Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades.

When the box arrived, I handed each of my kids a game and told them they had to play it and let me know how they liked it. They sat there for a moment - I think they were stunned that I was making them play video games. They quickly got over it and got down to business.

The games come with stickers that you can stick on your DS. Personally, I didn't think they'd be into that at all. I was wrong. They loved the stickers. They each spent about 20 minutes deciding what stickers they would use on their DS and where they'd put them... They are 16 and 14. I guess some stickers are still cool.

The game comes with a guitar grip thing - I'm oh so technical - that goes into one of the slots on the DS. This grip has the colored buttons on it that you use to control the game. There is also a guitar pick that slides into the grip for safe keeping. (Those developers really thought of everything.) You use the pick to strum and the buttons are the frets and strings... It's pretty ingenious!! Anyway, the game comes with a skin that you can put into the grip to personalize the look of your grip... If you want to make your own skin or want a cooler skin, you can go to the Guitar Hero website and print out your own skins from the Grip Gallery... How cool is that?


Speaking of the Guitar Hero website - go take a look. I'll wait. It is really quite awesome. There is information there for parents and kids. We parents want information - and it is all there - ergonomics, song lists, how and where to purchase, etc. Kids want the good stuff - skins, videos, the Which rocker are you? quiz... (I'm Calista Valenz, by the way - tough as nails and sweet like candy - how did they know??)

Both of my kids have played the PS2 version of Guitar Hero, so they knew the rules and such. They got their headphones all plugged into their DSs and started rocking. Since they had different versions, the music was different and they didn't want to listen to the other one rock, headphones were in order. Note to parents: Headphones are the best invention ever - especially in the car. They can rock and you can still listen to the radio.

#1 had the Decades version. He enjoyed it very much and gave it 5 stars. He liked the challenge of the game, the music itself (which is awesome - everything from the Foo Fighters to Lenny Kravitz to REM and Bon Jovi), the fact that you could move up the ranks and unlock more songs. LLB had Modern Hits. She, too, loved the music itself - everything from Phantom Planet to Modest Mouse to Yellow Card. She enjoyed the ability to choose which part to play - melody, bass, etc. She did not like having to get Fan Points to move up the ranks. Alas, she managed to rock on and still gave the game 5 stars.

My kids really enjoyed rocking together and competing against each other - something you can only do if you have 2 games and controllers. They spent hours trying to kick each other's proverbial butt - both in the car and on the couch. There was much discussion about the songs, the game itself and who liked what why. I'm not sure if that was because they were game testing or if it was just something they would have done anyway. It was really neat to listen in and see what they were thinking.

There were many laughs, giggles, and groans as they Guitar Heroed together.

My kids shared music, thoughts, opinions, laughter, and time.
And really, isn't that what summer is all about?

If you are looking for a great game to play in the car, at home, in a waiting room (with headphones), or pretty much anywhere - Guitar Hero is for you!!

The Lace Makers of Glenmara

I was asked to review the new novel, The Lace Makers of Glenmara by Heather Barbieri by Mothertalk.

I got the book in the mail one afternoon last week. I opened it up and read the first 10 pages - I was totally hooked. I couldn't wait to see where Kate was going, who she was meeting, and what might happen next.

This is what the editorial review says about The Lace Makers of Glenmara:
"You can always start again," Kate Robinson's mother once told her, "all it takes is a new thread." Overwhelmed by heartbreak and loss, the struggling twenty-six-year-old fashion designer follows her mother's advice and flees to her ancestral homeland of Ireland, hoping to break free of old patterns and reinvent herself.

She arrives on the west coast, in the seaside hamlet of Glenmara. In this charming, fading Gaelic village, Kate quickly develops a bond with members of the local lace-making society: Bernie, alone and yearning for a new purpose since the death of her beloved husband, John; Aileen, plagued by doubt, helplessly watching her teenage daughter grow distant; Moira, caught in a cycle of abuse and denial, stubbornly refusing help from those closest to her; Oona, in remission from breast cancer, secretly harboring misgivings about her marriage; Colleen, the leader of the group, worried about her fisherman husband, missing at sea. And outside this newfound circle is local artist Sullivan Deane, an enigmatic man trying to overcome a tragedy of his own.

Under Glenmara's spell, Kate finds the inspiration that has eluded her, and soon she and the lace makers are creating a line of exquisite lingerie. In their skilled hands, flowers, Celtic dragons, nymphs, fish, saints, kings, and queens come to life, rendered with painterly skill. The circle also offers them something more—the strength to face their long-denied desires and fears. But not everyone welcomes Kate, and a series of unexpected events threatens to unravel everything the women have worked so hard for. . . .

I read this book late into the night even though I just KNEW I'd be exhausted the next day, but I couldn't put it down! This book is a terrific beach read, waiting room read, or even a lazy Saturday afternoon read. If lace or sewing isn't your thing, it doesn't matter. The book is WAY more than that. It's about relationships, friendships, and more.

Need a good read? Try The Lace Makers of Glenmara - you won't be sorry. It's being released June 23rd. If you really want it sooner, you can pre-order it at your favorite on-line book store.

Electrolux Lemonade Stands

Remember setting up a lemonade stand in your neighborhood? I do. I never sold much, but it was a fun way to spend an afternoon! Well, now we have the Virtual Lemonade Stand by Electrolux and Kelly Ripa. The Virtual Lemonade Stand campaign raises funds for Ovarian Cancer Research. Starting this month, you can visit Electroluxappliances.com to design and open your own virtual lemonade stand. You can even pick the flavors of lemonade you want to feature at your stand, like raspberry or citrus.

For every lemonade stand opened, Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). You can help the cause even more by buying and sending virtual glasses of lemonade to your friends and family! 100% of the proceeds benefit OCRF. Ovarian Cancer is a very nasty cancer and we need to find a way to beat it!

Just for opening your stand, and then again every day that you log in and visit your stand, you will be entered to win a new French Door Refrigerator from Electrolux – perfect for storing your own pitchers of lemonade. When others donate to your stand, they will also have a chance to win.

The new French Door Refrigerator by Electrolux has some cool new features that make it a great refrigerator for entertaining. This kind of refrigerator is the only kind that will fit in the opening in my kitchen. I'd LOVE to win one of these!! This refrigerator has many excellent options including the Perfect Temp Drawer™. This little lovely provides storage for items that you want to keep at an ideal temperature - me, I'd use it for cold cuts because I drive 25 miles to the grocery store that has the best cold cuts. It’s also a large enough refrigerator to store everything from party platters to juice boxes. The French Door Refrigerator also offers double the ice so there is always enough ice on hand to fill your pitchers of lemonade. I NEED an icemaker. I'm still operating with those little ice cube trays!!

Oh - and Mom Central will be giving away one French Door Refrigerator to a member of our community!* To enter, simply go to momcentral.com and (1) tell us about the lemonade stand you designed on the Electrolux site - which flavors you chose and (2) share your own “summer entertaining” tips/ideas. Mom Central will pick one lucky winner in a random drawing from all entries received!

So - if you need a new refrigerator - kill two birds with one stone. Help find a cure and enter to win. Get off your butt and go sell some lemonade!

Mamapedia - The Wisdom of Moms

I was asked to review Mamapedia by Mom Central.

Mamapedia is a resource for moms.

Directly from the site:
Mamapedia™ is...

* For mothers with kids of all ages
* Questions by moms, answered by moms who’ve been there
* Over a million answers on everything from Acne to Zoos
* Easily searchable and browsable
* Updated daily
* 100% free

I went to Mamapedia and surfed around for quite a while. The responses to the questions are honest, insightful, and well thought out. For example, if you want to send your kid to summer camp, just ask. The responses are amazing! Who knew there were so many options!?

If you have a teenager, you can surf the teen section. Want to know how to motivate a 16 year old? Just ask.
Have a two year old who is making you crazy? So does someone else!
Are you TTC? There's a section for you, too.
There's even a section for Moms - 'cause we have questions, too.

Do yourself a favor. Check out Mamapedia!!