July 4, 2011

I hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th July. We had some extended family festivities yesterday and some immediate family fun today. My children are still pretty young so before the needed to nap today we thought a nutritious much would be in order so we too them to the movies for a lunch of popcorn. It was the first time in a movie theater for either kids and they did ok. Girl child that is 4 did great the entire time. Boy child that is 2 and was trying to fall asleep in the car the short 10 minute ride there at 11am didn't do as well sitting the whole time. A little time in the lobby is fun for anyone right? I didn't mind since it's a cartoon that will most likely be played in front of me another 50 times in my life time. Dear husband had a good time taking his kids to the movies. He has many fond memories of movie watching in theaters as a kid. Glad we could make it happen.

Also thinking of all the lives and families that have given their service and more impotently their lives to our country. It seems so small to say thank you but I do thank them and their families. This is a great country. Happy Birthday America.

Missing In Action

I have been missing in action for WAY too long.  Where have I been exactly? Well to me its similar to my early 20's when I was just a sponge and couldn't help but get my hands and brain on any kind of personal growth information.

Lately I've been consumed by coupons and fitness.  I've changed my views on coupons.  At one time I didn't feel that I had enough time to dedicate my efforts to a binder and was happy with an according style letter keeper like in this post. Less money in our pockets due to life, and the cost of EVERYTHING rising I have moved to a coupon binder.  I have a 3 ring binder and I've based my categories and carrier off of Jessica's system that you can find here. Jessica's site is Utah Deal Diva and her site ROCKS if you are trying to save a dollar and live in Utah.  Every week when new ad's come out I check her "Grocery Smarts" link on the right hand side.  There is instructions on how to navigate and its a great tool that I feel is one of the BEST that is out there right now for Utah. 

I've also been consumed by my personal fitness and trying to find a pace and routine that is best for me. I've been soaking up information on what different foods do to our bodies and where that I feel will always be overwhelming I'm trying to make my way through it as best as I can with the time that I have.

We recently took a road trip to Indianapolis, Indiana.  We even hauled the 4 year old girl child and 2 year old boy child with us and yes it was in the car.  Do you know how long it takes to get there.  My maps app on my phone says "24 hours with traffic".  Love the 'with traffic' part.  Traffic really? Where? Well if there is construction and you get a slow, rude, lame semi truck driver that feels like being a jerk then I can see being a bit delayed.  It was a fun time all in all.  Will post more on the trip another time. 

I feel like I'm getting back into my groove and getting a little bit in front of the 8 ball.  I've wanted to put this component of blogging back into my life for a while. Hope anyone that still checks this blog is having a nice beginning to their summer.   

Playing Hookie

Today I am playing Hookie. I am taking the day off. In a perfect world I would be taking the day off to spend the day at a nice spa having all sorts of luxurious treatments applied to myself. Since this is not a perfect world I won't be at the spa. I will be at home recovering some of my "IT", my sanity. I will be taking my kids to the sitter and coming straight back home to do really exciting things like vacuum, laundry, empty garbage cans and other really thrilling things that if I told you about it might make you too sad to go any further in your day so I will hold back for the greater good.

Interesting how as life marches forward my idea of a good day off has changed. I don't mind it at all but find it funny.

Dinner Time Re-Design

If I had it my way I would spend more time in the kitchen every day. I honestly LOVE to cook and sometimes create with cooking and baking. Since having children it has proved to be harder and harder to spend the amount of time needed to even get the basics done. My weekly schedule would usually include one or two easy, but still cooked fresh meals. The rest were left overs from the weekend or some thing from the freezer. I have premade by me freezer items and prepackaged things too.

In an effort to get the kids into bed at a decent hour I have been playing with not cooking anything during the week, unless it's REALLY easy like scrambled eggs. I have tried the last couple of weeks cooking on the weekend the meals for the week and then warming them up during the week.

This has been successful so far. Nice to not have the hassle of the kids wanting to help or them just wanting to be near me while I'm in the kitchen. Too many people under foot has been a huge irritant for me since childhood. Possibly part of my ADD and it creating more distractions to pull me off task.

I'm sure I'll get back to cooking more one day but for now that is the way it has to be for a happier me. Everyone likes a happier me right?

WINNER :: Disney On Ice Give-A-Way 4 of 4

The WINNER of my Disney On Ice Give-A-Way 4 of 4 is comment number 3!

Beki said...

We've never gotten into the valentines day stuff either! and i thought i was out of place! Lol. We've gone out to dinner, and i get flowers and a card that actually is very heart felt. Come to think of it, i really lovegetting that card from my hunny.

Congratulations Beki, email me the address you want me to mail your family 4-pack of tickets to at masmith38@gmail.com. Good to hear romance isn't dead and you and your hunny have something to build on.   

Thank you to ALL my contest entry participants. I've had fun doing these and wish I had tickets for all of you. Thanks for reading and making my days fun. Finding fun in what I do is part of how I Keep IT Together.

Disney On Ice Give-A-Way 4 of 4

I have one last family 4-pack of passes to give away.   I don't know if any of you caught onto the "theme" I was making your comments be about but they were different things that they will be celebrating at the Disney On Ice Show.  For more details on show times and all other information that they will be celebrating and where to buy tickets for Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate click HERE. 

Here is how to play for my 4th and final pass give-a-way:

Leave a comment on THIS post about something you have done or received that was out of the ordinary special on Valentines Day.  Doesn't have to be this year.  Prior comments on prior posts will not be considered valid. All comments to be considered for contest entry must be submitted by SUNDAY, February 27, 2011, 6:00 p.m. Utah time. 

 

I've never been much into Valentines Day and my husband was never in to it much either. Since being married we decided to not celebrate on Valentines Day but the day that we met for the first time which is 2 days later. We can get Valentines Day card or an Anniversary card. A friend of mine had a fun tradition of making GIANT heart cookies for her family every year. So last year I adopted the idea and started to do the same for my husband and kids. Its nothing grand but its fun for us.

Bribery?

I have been having a struggle with my almost 4 year old dear daughter - dd. Specifically work days when it comes to getting dressed and out the door. I've polled family and friends to see if they ever experienced the same challenges when in my situation.

Had a number of suggestions on an earlier bed time. So we gave that a try and it helped over all but didn't seem to help with the morning specifically.

Had some suggestions of watching a favorite program while eating breakfast. My kids get breakfast at the sitters house so that isn't something that would work for me right now. 

I don't want to get my kids up any earlier than I already have to if possible and I know that the schedule I have been working with works if there aren't any major snags. I did decide to turn on a florescent light in the kids rooms and open their doors 10 minutes prior to time to get moving. My hopes in doing this was to slowly nudge them out of their sleep to make the transition a bit smoother.  I think this has helped a little.

After much thought and contemplation (honestly), I decided to use a reward system. Bribery in sheep's clothing you say? Well yes kind of. I like to think of it as an incentive program! Ha ha ... yes I have been told I can be clever when it comes to wording at times.

I implemented this system last week. Last week was successful.  This week we are still one day away from getting a reward after having a rocky start Tuesday morning. Here is what I came up with that I thought would work for us: 

Every day my dd cooperates in a tolerable manner (which includes does not cry, kick, scream, struggle, push clothes off) while getting dressed and out the door she gets 2 things.

1. a reeses miniature peanut butter cup after dinner; and 
2. a sticker on the calendar that day. 

If she gets 3 stickers in the week Monday through Friday then she gets a SURPRISE Friday night.  The surprise is different $1 items that I picked up at Target. I even wrapped them thanks to my sister's suggestion. This leaves it a mystery and the goal of keeping it an incentive will hopefully be successful. 

DD was very excited last week to pick her prize, "any one I want mom?", "yes, any one you want". She wanted to put the Dora stickers in her sticker book right then and there. She has also asked most every day, including the weekend if she gets a surprise today.

So far that is a good sign to me that this might just work, for now, and for now is great for me.  Progress is part of how I keep "IT" together.

WINNER :: Disney On Ice Give-A-Way 3 of 4

The WINNER of my Disney On Ice Give-A-Way 3 of 4 is comment number 2!

How It All Began... said...

I remember going to the Rockin' R Ranch in Southern Utah when I was young. It was a great trip! We floated down the river on inner tubes, went horse back riding, water skiied and ate delicious food. Everything was going great until my father took part in the mini rodeo. He rode a bucking cow. We thought he was so cool. Then it bucked him off and stepped on him. It crushed several of his ribs. When he opened his eyes after the fall the first person he saw was my uncle who is a mortician. He's always joked that he never wanted to wake up and see my uncle first thing. It kind of freaked my father out. :) Well, that ended our trip. He refused to let anyone drive the car the six hours back to our home. The poor man had to sleep sitting up in a chair for the next six weeks. We got the whole thing on video. It's a great place to go though, and I hope to take my children there one day... :)

Congratulations How It All Began..., email me the address you want me to mail your family 4-pack of tickets to at masmith38@gmail.com. Sounds like it was quite a trip. Glad you all survived including your dad.

One more set of tickets to give away tomorrow sometime.  Stay tuned... :) Thanks for playing. I am loving all the stories.

Disney On Ice Give-A-Way 3 of 4

One more day to FRIDAY.... and one more chance to win a family 4-pack of tickets to Disney On Ice - Let's Celebrate TODAY!!! 

Here is how to play:

Leave a comment about a childhood trip, summer event or vacation memory that sticks out the most, good or bad on THIS post for your chance to WIN. Prior comments on prior posts will not be considered valid. All comments to be considered for contest entry must be submitted by TODAY, Thursday February 24, 2011, 3:00 p.m. Utah time.

One of my childhood trips with my family that sticks out the most for me even now is a trip to California when I was probably 7 or 8.  At that time I had 3 older siblings and only 1 younger. We drove to California with no modern day luxuries in a nice big station wagon. Most the way there we had the windows rolled down thanks to my older brothers and their smelly bowels. Once there we stayed with an aunt and uncle that had a pool. It was too cold to swim in the pool but the jacuzzi next to it was nice. We would jump into the pool of course because that's the sort of thing kids do. I also got to pour salt on the slugs for my aunt. Good luck! I hope you win the CONTEST!!! 

For complete details on show times and lots of other information for Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate click HERE. 

WINNER :: Disney On Ice Give-A-Way 2 of 4

The WINNER of my Disney On Ice Give-A-Way 2 of 4 is comment number 1!

Anonymous-toadylynn said:

I LOVE to go to our family cabin, where there is usually
4-6 feet of snow in the winter and go sledding. It is so much
fun, and we can be lazy and have someone shuttle us to
the top of the hill on the snowmobile! Unfortunatetly, I
have had new borns the last few times we went in the
winter, so not nuch sledding happened for me!
(The newborns ARE worth it though!!)

Congratulations Anonymous-toadylynn, email me the address you want me to mail your family 4-pack of tickets to at masmith38@gmail.com you are correct, they are worth it.

Thank you for all the entries, good times in the snow. I failed to mention what my favorite snow activity is/was. I used to LOVE to drive around LATE at night when the roads hadn't been cleared and not many people were out. Felt like my own little world.

Stay tuned for more chances to WIN. I have 2 more family 4-packs to give away this week.

Disney On Ice Give-A-Way 2 of 4

Its Wednesday and I feel wish it were FRIDAY already. I guess that's what a 3 day weekend will do to me. 

Today is a SPECIAL blow out Disney On Ice give-a-way.  Here is how to play:

Leave a comment about your favorite snow activity on THIS post for your chance to WIN. Prior comments on prior posts will not be considered valid. All comments to be considered for contest entry must be submitted by TODAY, Wednesday February 23, 2011, 10:00 p.m. Utah time.

Good luck! I hope you win the CONTEST!!! 

For complete details on show times and lots of other information for Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate click HERE. 

WINNER :: Disney On Ice Give-A-Way 1 of 4

The WINNER of my Disney On Ice Give-A-Way 1 of 4 is comment number 5! 

Baby Mama said...

My mom made me a winnie the pooh cake and it tasted horrible, she put a cup of salt instead of a cup of sugar. I was about ten. I'll never forget it.

Congratulations Baby Mama, email me the address you want me to mail your family 4-pack of tickets to at masmith38@gmail.com .

Thank you for all the entries, I loved to hear your stories. Nice to know we all have at least one out there we can think back fondly of.

Stay tuned for more chances to WIN. I have 3 more family 4-packs to give away within the next week - week and a half. 

Disney On Ice Give-A-Way 1 of 4

I am very excited to have 4 family 4-pack of tickets to give away in the next 2 weeks.  Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and more than 50 of their friends will be here in 3 weeks, starting March 9th. For all the details you can click HERE. They will be celebrating a multitude of things like a Very Merry Unbirthday Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter; a Mardi Gras parade with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen; a Hawaiian luau with Lilo and Stitch; a winter wonderland with everyone’s favorite toys – Woody, Jessie & Buzz Lightyear; a Halloween haunt with the Disney Villains; a Valentine’s Day Royal Ball with the Disney Princesses…and more in the celebration of the century!


For my give-a-way 1 of 4 here is how to enter.  Leave me a comment that has to do with your favorite childhood birthday memory.  My favorite childhood birthday memory is one year due to money constraints my mother had to be very creative. I got a gently used record player and some gently used records from the donation store as well as some fun colorful kid yarn and some crochet hooks. Probably was one of the least expensive birthday gifts I've received but some of the BEST in my memory. My mom really knew me and what would make me happy.

This 1st give-a-way will end Friday, February 18, 2011.  All comments to be considered for contest entry must be submitted by this Friday, February 18, 2011, 8:00 p.m. Utah time. 

Good luck and check back for other bloggers that have give-a-ways. I will update the left hand area at the top of this blog soon with their information.  

Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate

TICKETS FOR

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS LET’S CELEBRATE!

ON SALE JANUARY 24^TH IN SALT LAKE CITY

Salt Lake City, Utah (January 24, 2011) —Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! is bringing a colossal party on ice to Utah!  This all-new show visits Salt Lake City from Wednesday, March 9^th to Sunday, March 13^th for ten performances at the EnergySolutions Arena.  Tickets go on sale Monday, January 24, 2011.

Audiences are invited to make an ordinary day extraordinary and enjoy some of the world’s most popular festivities with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, including a Very Merry Unbirthday Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter; a Mardi Gras parade with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen; a Hawaiian luau with Lilo and Stitch; a winter wonderland with everyone’s favorite toys – Woody, Jessie & Buzz Lightyear; a Halloween haunt with the Disney Villains; a Valentine’s Day Royal Ball with the Disney Princesses…and more in the celebration of the century!

Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! features more than 50 characters from 16 Disney stories live on ice, including Tiana, the newest Disney Princess from Walt Disney Pictures’ The Princess and the Frog.

Ticket prices for Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! range from $13, $17, $23, $40 (VIP) and $52 (Front Row) – prices do not include service charges, handling or facility fees.  Tickets are available from the EnergySolutions Box Office and all SmithTix locations, via phone by calling (801) 355-SEAT or (800) 888-TIXX and online at www.energysolutionsarena.com or www.smithstix.com.  To learn more about Disney On Ice, go to www.disneyonice.com, or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.

Location & Showtimes 

EnergySolutions Arena

301 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT  84101  

Wednesday, March 9             7:00 pm
Thursday, March 10               7:00 pm
Friday, March 11                    4:00 pm;  7:30 pm
Saturday, March 12               11:00 am; 2:30 pm; 6:30 pm
Sunday, March 13                  11:00 am; 2:30 pm; 6:30 pm 

Random Act of Kindness

This morning after walking into the lobby of where I work I get to the bank of elevators and there is a man holding the elevator for me. What a pleasant surprise it was to have a stranger do something so simple but yet very appreciated.

I usually try to be cautious of these kinds of small acts and do them for others. I even had the opportunity to offer to help an older woman that pulled up to the air pump that I was using yesterday morning. I feel bad because I was a little put out that she was even pulling up next to my car, and can't she see that she is almost in my way?

Once I was done the woman got out of her car and politely asked if it was working. I told her that it seemed to be on a few of my tires but it didn't seem to have much air pressure now. Maybe if I give it a rest it will recharge and have more for her. As she was trying to fill up her tire I looked down and WOW her tire was LOW... One small bump and it was actually a flat tire. She said might as well give it a try and if it doesn't work oh well there isn't much air to let out. She had a great attitude and I offered to hold the hose on her tire for her. She said no thank you hun, very nice of you to offer.

Next time I see the opportunity to help, I hope I will jump in with no reservations or  pessimistic attitude. The man holding the elevator this morning reminded me of why I do these kinds of small things, it makes me feel good. I have resolved to do better. The most simple and smallest acts can really make the biggest difference in someones day.

Waking up each morning and trying to be a better person most every day is one of the way's I keep 'IT' together.

Monster Jam Ticket Winner

The winner of the family 4-pack of tickets to the Monster Jam event that will be held at the Energy Solutions Arena is comment number 3. This was picked by my almost 4 year old as she was on her way to bed. Comment number 3 was Amy Jahasz.  Her comment was:

"My husband would love if I won these for him! He seems to have some rotten luck with car hoods. Once, on his way to work on the freeway, his car hood flipped up, cracked his windshield, and then flew off, and two other cars hit it. Yikes, was that scary for him. He's had different car hoods flip up 3 times while driving".

Congratulations Amy. Glad he is okay with all those hood fiasco's. That is crazy luck. Hopefully that is the end of hood issues for him.  Please email me at masmith38@gmail.com with the name you would like the tickets to be left in will-call under. 

Remember the tickets I have to give-a-way are specifically for the Friday, February 18th 7:00 p.m. performance.

Thank you to all that entered.  Will be having more give-a-way information soon.

Dinner Easy Button - Rotisserie Teriyaki Chicken

'Easy Button's' are great especially when it comes to dinner ideas. I have one in particular that I have been defaulting to recently. Rotisserie Teriyaki Chicken is simply using the meat from a rotisserie chicken with a jarred teriyaki sauce.  In our house we serve it over rice for the DH and I like it with a little rice and crunchy chow mien noodles.

I feel that Costco has the largest rotisserie chickens for the best price. Our family only uses half the chicken for 1 meal, and there is usually left overs.  Kikkoman has a Takumi Collection of Teriyaki sauces and we really enjoy the Original (brown label). We have tried the Garlic and Green Onion (green label) version and didn't like it as well as the Original. Kikkoman's website has 4 listed in this collection but I have not seen them in any store locally and will have to keep an eye out for them in the future. They sound pretty good and would be willing to try them. They are Spicy Miso and Triple Ginger.

The other half of the chicken I pull the meat off and put it in a quart size freezer bag. The carcass of the chicken I either make chicken stock out of it or throw it in the freezer for future chicken stock making.

::UPDATED:: Monster Jam - 2011 Ticket Give-A-Way

::UPDATED:: to my prior post on the Monster Jam - 2011 Ticket Give-A-Way, I failed to mention a cut off for the contest. So since this is my blog and I make the rules I add this detail now. All comments to be considered for contest entry must be submitted by this Friday, February 4, 2011, 8:00 p.m. Utah time whatever we are on right now, saving or not saving. The tickets will be left at will-call at the EnergySolutions Arena. These tickets will be good for the Friday, February 18th 7:00 p.m. performance ONLY if you didn't catch that in the original post.


You can leave your comment on this post or my original post that I linked above and also HERE.

For more chances to win these tickets check out the other blogs I have listed to the LEFT and enter their contests too. 

Check back soon for more posts. Some with give-a-way's!!!

Monster Jam - 2011 Ticket Give-A-Way

I have 1 family 4-pack of tickets to give away to the up coming Monster Jam event that will be held at the Energy Solutions Arena. The event is playing from February 18 - 19th.  The tickets I have to give-a-way are specifically for the Friday, February 18th 7:00 p.m. performance.  If you are unable to attend that performance I would ask that you think twice before entering my contest.  Such a great event would be sad to miss out.

I am excited to attend this event as well. I've never been to one of these and have always wanted to go. I'm looking forward to things getting all smashed up.

For complete details click to my earlier post HERE.

How to enter MY contest:  Leave me a post that has to do with something car related. Memories of car trips, car problems, favorite car, worst car, car wrecks. I will pick a random winner from the comments and your comment must be car related.

I got to drive a Chevrolet Citation 4-door in High School. The best part about this car was that it was a stick shift that you didn't really have to push the clutch in to shift it. It also had some rust spots on the sides that were random circle shapes. They kind of looked like bullet holes, which I loved. Worst car trip was with my entire family, mom, dad, and 6 kids, to California. My two oldest brothers were teenagers and wow did we have the windows open most the way there. Books, siblings, the view, and songs is all we had back then... terrible.

One more thing... for extra chances to win check out the blogs to the LEFT that are having similar give-a-way's.

Up Early

Before I had my second child I would get up about 20 - 25 minutes before I needed to get up. I was good about getting up early to get a jump on some of the things that didn't get done the night before.  I would even do a little prep work on that evenings dinner at times. This little window of time was something that I really enjoyed.

My second child will be 2 in March and I've not managed to be able to get up early much. This morning I thought I would try it again since I made a huge mess of dishes last night cooking tonights dinner. Kids bags needed to be packed as well. I set 2 alarms one for the regular time in the event I didn't hear the first one or it didn't go off due to technical difficulty experienced by the whole country thanks to a glitch on certain phones software.

20 minutes before the first one goes off I'm lying in bed thinking why am I awake? After thinking on it for what seemed at least 15 minutes, which I'm sure was really 15 seconds I checked the actual time. Okay, time to decide what to do. I didn't see any signs of going back to sleep anytime soon so I got up.

Clean and dirty dishes taken care of and now a little blogging and then its off to pack the kids bags. Husband will be up soon and we watch the news and eat our breakfast together so we can have a little non-kid conversation. Most mornings we are SO tired we can't remember what we wanted to talk about but that's okay its nice not to be interrupted every half of a second, mostly by our 4 year old. 

I hope I don't resemble this picture later today.

I'm excited to continue with this UP EARLY business since it helps me feel like I have a tiny bit better of a handle on things. This is one way I manange to keep IT together.

Make My Day

I was able to make my day and another persons day today. Well that is what they think. In reality it was a 2 for 1 deal. A co-worker/friend and I are on a committee together and we were at a meeting last Thursday. Friday I ran into her and she complimented me on my eye makeup from the day earlier and told me that it really made my eyes just pop out and it was stunning, her words. On my lunch break later that Friday I needed to run to the drug store for a few items and thought I would just see what the eyeshadow brand and kind was specifically since she asked.

The eyeshadow was not only on sale for 40% off there was a great coupon with it. With the coupon and in store deals I was able to buy an eyeshadow for myself at a good price, and got a second one for FREE. They happened to have the very shades I had been wearing. Everything lined up just right. 

When I got back to the office I tucked the free eyeshadow into my pocket and when I needed to run something that took me past her desk I got to have a little fun. I asked this woman if she knew it was her lucky day, she told me she never has a lucky day. I told her that today was different and presented her with the eyeshadow that I had found. I told her that it was hers to have.  She was so thrilled, her entire face lit up and she hugged me which is usually frowned on in offices (except women usually get away with it). She is from across the pond, England, and so she gave me a kiss on the cheek as well. She's a cheeky one as well that one so its okay right?

I really enjoy making my day by making another person's day. One more way I keep IT together.

Disney On Ice Food Drive & Ticket Giveaway

Are you still in the giving spirit from the Holiday's, or do you just like to give when you can year round, or maybe you enjoy getting the best bang for your buck. Here is a way to get a FREE ticket to the up coming Disney On Ice Show that is coming to Salt Lake on March 9th.

Next Monday January 24th, each person that donates 10 cans of food to the Utah Food Bank will receive a FREE ticket to Disney on Ice.  This event starts early at 6:00 a.m. and the tickets go fast so set your alarms and reminders and bring a friend to get more than one ticket.  One ticket per person.  For more information you can go here.

Mom Blogger in Need

Dawn Meehan is a mom blogger of 6 kids and lives in Chicago, IL. She got her start blogging and writing years ago when she put an ad up on ebay for some Pokemon cards that got into her cart unbeknownst to her on a shopping trip thanks to one of those 6 kids (yes she actually took all 6 kids to the grocery store). Someone that came across her ad noticed her funny and creative writing skills and started to forward her post via email.
That is where I first read her writing and after googling her I found her blog and have been following her story ever since. Dawns blog has brought me much entertainment and lightened my day and given me the laugh I've needed so many times. I can't help but to share her site and ask for help on her behalf. Dawn has fallen on very hard times with separation and pending divorce from her children's father. She has also had a few children need some special medical attention as of recent and to top it off she has received word recently that they will no longer have any medical coverage. 

Dawn needs help. There are a few ideas of ways to help, some cost little to nothing like sending a card or inspirational something her way and others are monetary. If you feel like you can and want to help I have provided a widget on the upper right hand side of my blog where you can make a monetary donation through pay pal.  Here is her blog site where you can read the other ideas that have been posted as to how to help.  http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/

If you want to more information as to the issues that she is currently dealing with she has posted about them there and I personally appreciate her candid but tactful sharing as well as all of the humor she has provided to me through out the past few years.  I will be ordering her book first thing tomorrow and seeing if I can put together some funds of some kind. It doesn't take much, many hands make light work.

Oh Sheets

Yes I said sheets... not shi.... bottom fitted sheets to be exact. I have had some sheet straps for a while now and I was just wondering how I ever tolerated my misbehaving fitted sheets before I came to know about these funny but helpful little things.

Not all sheets are created equal. before the end of the week I would be remaking the bed due to the fitted sheet being pulled out from under the mattress. A friend mentioned they used these sheet straps and what a difference. It kept the bottom sheet taught and straight and helped the rest of the bed stay tidy and less messy as well. By the end of the week the bed looked almost as good as the beginning of the week. 

I found my particular set at my local Target but am sure there are more places that stock them in their bedding sections you just need to look for them. 

Monster Jam - 2011

I love to watch things get demolished if no one is getting hurt. That is why I am very excited to go and see for my first time EVER a Advanced Motor Parts Monster Jam®. This event is coming SOON for two days only on February 18 & 19, 2011.  Below is information on tickets and links for more information about the show itself. Stay tuned for a give away for some tickets to this event.

Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®

Returns To Salt Lake City

February 18-19, 2011

More High-Flying, Car-Crushing Explosive Monster Truck Action

Playing Three Shows at the EnergySolutions Arena

Tickets are now on sale for the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam® shows at the EnergySolutions Arena on Friday, February 18 and Saturday, February 19, 2011. Tickets are available for purchase at the EnergySolutions Arena Box Office, all Smith's Tix Outlets, online at www.smithstix.com, or charge by phone at (800) 888-TIXX.

One of the most popular touring family entertainment sporting events in the world, Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam® events are affordably priced for the whole family with seats starting at just $20 for adults and only $5 for kids (advance purchase only).  In addition, Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam® also offers fans the unique opportunity to enjoy unprecedented access to the drivers and their amazing machines during the “Party in the Pits” pre-show experience on Saturday, February 19.

Motor sports fans will witness 8 trucks competing at the EnergySolutions Arena in the ultimate event of intense speed, racing and demolition.   Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam® fan-favorite truck icons, including world champions Grave Digger^® and El Toro Loco^®, in addition to other truck powerhouses such as Black Stallion, Iron Warrior, Michigan Ice Monster, Ground Pounder and Titan along with Maveric (driven by local Utah driver Ron Duncombe) will be electrifying crowds with the breathtaking stunts and awesome power of the world’s most popular monster trucks.

The ultimate experience for any die-hard Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam® fan, the “Party in the Pits” pre-show experience on Saturday, February 19 provides fans with unparalleled access by giving them the opportunity to get a view of the trucks up close and meet the drivers of the massive monster trucks.

The event schedule for Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam® at the EnergySolutions Arena is:

Friday, February 18                7:30pm

Saturday, February 19            2:00pm and 7:30pm

                                                **Pit Party scheduled from 11:30am – 1:00pm

Approximately 12 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, monster trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, monster trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Monster trucks can fly up to125 to 130 feet (a distance greater than 14 cars side by side) and up to 35 feet in the air.

Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, sanctioned by the United States Hot Rod Association®, is the most popular monster truck tour, performing to over 4 million fans in more than 325 performances annually at the most prestigious arenas and stadiums throughout the world. Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam® shows consist of three main fan-favorite elements – the pit party, side-by-side racing and freestyle competition.

For media requests, on-site photo opportunities or to arrange advance interviews, please contact Lulu Hart (435) 467-0833.

To learn more about Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, log on to www.MonsterJam.com.

About Feld Motor Sports

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy® Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Freestyle Motocross, Nuclear Cowboyz℠ and IHRA® Nitro Jam®.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment.  For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

About the United States Hot Rod Association®

The United States Hot Rod Association® originated in 1978 as a sanctioning body for truck and tractor pulling events, later expanding to produce mud and sand drag racing. The USHRA® grew steadily and within its first decade emerged as the premier Monster Truck racing organization. Today the USHRA®, together with Feld Motor Sports, produces quality events and involves coordinating competition, defining regulations and technical requirements, setting safety standards and officiating at each event. Whether the USHRA® event entails Pro Race Trucks, QUAD WARS™, or Monster Trucks, you can be sure the event will be the highest quality show motor sports has to offer, creating unmatched excitement and spectacular memories.

Money Found

I have recently found an extra $60 in my checking account. It wasn't really lost and it was really just virtual money... unless it continued to go missing and then it would feel like real money. I made a clerical error by entering 2 transactions twice. I tried searching my bank statement for the total amount off but with it being 2 transactions it didn't really work.

I had a little extra time today, so I recommitted to having a balanced to the penny checking account. It took wading through transactions for the last entire month almost but it worked. I found it... I can do the happy money dance now.. I really should go buy myself nice as a reward for hard work right? I'll think about it and probably forget. I'll be happy when that doesn't happen for another 5 years or so.

Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate - Donation/Ticket Exchange

A New Year Wrap Party -Disney On Ice & KSTU's Big BudahInvite the Public to Celebrate and Help the Utah Food Bank!

The public is invited to come to the the EnergySolutions Arena Monday, January 24^th. Starting at 6:00 a.m. the FIRST 600 people to come to front doors at the arena on the Plaza and donate 10 cans of food will receive a free pass to the opening night performance of Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate on Wednesday, March  at the EnergySolutions Arena. There will be a limit of one ticket per person, and each donator must be present with 10 cans of food in order to receive a free pass.  This marks the sixth time Disney On Ice  has teamed up with Big Budah and the Utah Food Bank  to help in the collection of food for Utah communities.  

Local Mom Bloggers will face off in a Utah Food Bank Let's Wrap this up event, competing against each other in wrapping up food items collected during the Drive.    Timed events will include, fastest gift wrapping, prettiest gift wrapping, most unique gift wrapping, in addition to other events.

Audiences are invited to make an ordinary day extraordinary and enjoy some of the world's most popular festivities with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, including a Very Merry Unbirthday Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter; a Mardi Gras parade with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen; a Hawaiian luau with Lilo and Stitch; a winter wonderland with everyone's favorite toys - Woody, Jessie & Buzz Lightyear; a Halloween haunt with the Disney Villains; a Valentine's Day Royal Ball with the Disney Princesses...and more in the celebration of the century!  Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate! features more than 50 characters from 16 Disney stories live on ice, including Tiana, the newest Disney Princess from Walt Disney Pictures' The Princess and the Frog.

Location & Showtimes

EnergySolutions Arena - 301 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT  84101

·         Wednesday, March 9                        7:00 pm

·         Thursday, March 10                          7:00 pm

·         Friday, March 11                                               4:00 pm;  7:30 pm             

·         Saturday, March 12                           11:00 am; 2:30 pm; 6:30 pm                          

·         Sunday, March 13                             11:00 am; 2:30 pm; 6:30 pm          

Ticket prices for Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate! range from $13, $17, $23, $40 (VIP) and $52 (Front Row) - prices do not include service charges, handling or facility fees.  Tickets are available from the EnergySolutions Box Office and all SmithTix locations, via phone by calling (801) 355-SEAT or (800) 888-TIXX and online at www.energysolutionsarena.com or www.smithstix.com.  To learn more about Disney On Ice, go to www.disneyonice.com, or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.

About Utah Food Bank

Utah Food Bank provides food to a statewide network of 150 emergency food pantries and agencies statewide. Last fiscal year, Utah Food Bank distributed 30.8 million pounds of food, the equivalent of over 24 million meals for families and individuals in need. Utah Food Bank also served 221,237 Kids Cafe meals, delivered 26,472 senior food boxes and answered 114,994 phone calls through 2-1-1 Information & Referral. For more information about Utah Food Bank call (801) 978-2452 or visit www.UtahFoodBank.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UtahFoodBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/UtahFoodBank.

Exciting Things Coming to Salt Lake City 2011

Feld Entertainment has informed me and some other mom bloggers about some fun things coming soon to Salt Lake City.  I will be blogging about these as well as the usual updates that I feel I need to share with you all.

- February 18-19, 2011,  Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam ®  

- March 9-13, 2011, Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate!

- September, 2011, Fully Charged by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^®, seen at The Greatest Show On Earth<sup>®

More information to follow SOON.</sup>