Thankful - Day 7

How true is this?

As a teenager, I thought I knew WAY more than my mom. I mean, what teenager doesn't think that?!!

After I had my first child, I went through a bad divorce. My mom was there for me every step of the way. She stepped in and helped take care of my daughter, there were times she had to help me financially, and she never made me feel bad or guilty for asking for help. She did it because she loved me.

Now, I'm remarried, have more kids, bought a house specifically because it was close to where she worked...I see her almost every day, talk to her constantly. She is as close to a best friend as you can get still being a parent and without excluding my husband.

I am SOOO thankful for my mom because without her, there would be no "dates" with my husband, no fun girl lunches, no getaways just for my husband and myself. She is always there to help me, whether I've locked myself out of the house, need helping picking kids up from school, or grabbing something for me at the grocery.

I know that's what moms are for, but I still appreciate it!!

Source: sayingimages.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Thankful - Day 5 & 6

Day late on this one...but yesterday, I supervised the kids and my boys school participate in Kids Voting. It's an online election, with ballots identical to what we, as adults, would vote on. The school system sponsors it, then tallies the votes. Teachers use this as a way to discuss the political process, the branches of government, and what those positions we are electing are responsible for. It was amazing the number of kids who had clearly heard their parents talking...and it was equally amazing the number of kids who had no idea about anything political. Maybe I didn't either, but with 24 hour news now and so much everywhere about the presidential election, one would hope the kids would have learned something about how people are elected!

Nonetheless, make sure you go out and vote!

Source: marian16rox.tumblr.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Modcloth Sale

Save big with ModCloth's ModCloth Homeward Bound Sale! The Homeward Bound Sale offers a great selection of holiday-ready products at an exciting 25% off discount. The featured products are all about going home, getting cozy, and going out! Get ready for the holidays and save with ModCloth.
ModCloth Homeward Bound Sale - Shop Dazzling Holiday Dresses at 25% Off! Free US Shipping on $50+ & Free Returns.

If I didn't already have a dress for Holiday parties, I would buy this one!

Source: modcloth.com via Meredith on Pinterest

ModCloth Homeward Bound Sale -Shop Nifty Holiday-Ready Decor at 25% Off! Free US Shipping on $50+ & Free Returns.

Wouldn't this blanket be great to cozy up under on a cold winter day?

Source: modcloth.com via Meredith on Pinterest

ModCloth Homeward Bound Sale - Shop Cool Holiday-Ready Items at 25% Off! Free US Shipping on $50+ & Free Returns.

Holiday red gloves with beautiful embellishments

Source: modcloth.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Thankful - Day 4

On Day 4 of this month of Thankfulness, I'm thankful for my husband.

Every Sunday night, he gets on a flight or two to some city that I usually can't remember and spends the next 5 days in a hotel. Working up to 20 hours days sometimes, eating late lunches, late dinners, having meeting after meeting, etc. He misses the school stuff, the kids stuff...little things like doctor appointments, hearing about what happened at school, doing carpool and walking the dog. But he does this so that I don't have to work and can stay home with the kids

So today, I'm thankful for him...

Source: etsy.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Thankful - Day 3

Every once in a while, it's good to be alone. Not lonely, just alone.

My husband took our boys to an air show. Just the 3 of them.

My daughter is away for the weekend for a piano competition with my mom.

That leaves myself with the dog...alone. In the peace and quiet.

Until they came back and within 5 minutes the house is turned upside down again, I have a headache, and the boys are fighting. Why? Just...why?

Everyone says that one day I will miss them..miss all the noise and the busyness and everything that goes with having kids. Really? I'm not so sure.

I love my kids, but I'm totally ok with them growing up! I'm thankful that I have 3 great kids, but I'm also thankful that I know they will eventually leave...so I can have more peace and quiet.

Source: luellaloves.tumblr.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Thankful - Day 2

After watching the continuing coverage of the devastation from Superstorm Sandy, it makes me so thankful for the things I take for granted everyday.

My house.

Electricity.

Water.

Food.

Heat.

Gas.

What would I do without those things? How would I maintain control over my kids without directing them after school to the computer or tv? How would I make a dinner without the handy, dandy microwave? Of course, we can live without these things, but they do make life so much easier. And I'm so thankful for them!

Source: Uploaded by user via Meredith on Pinterest

Thankful - Day 1

October was a very busy month for me. Not that November or December is going to slow down or anything, but I thought I would at least explain why I dropped off the face of the earth! Even though I was crazy busy during October, in some sadistic way, I was grateful for all the things I was a part of.

Source: via Meredith on Pinterest

The middle of October in my town is the International Homes Furniture Market..a really big deal! It's the twice a year job that I work for 5 or 6 days and the one thing that ties me to my original college degree. I enjoy the opportunity to get dressed up and act like a real person...but I don't enjoy it so much that I would want to do it all the time. I'm just very lucky that I'm able to work for a wonderful husband and wife in the same showroom, so I know what I'm doing and what I'm talking about and with wonderful people. Blessed!

October also happened to be a very busy time at school. As I might have mentioned, I'm the PTA Vice-President this year, so a lot has been stacked on my plate and I'm trying very hard to keep up with everything. There are constant emails, things to approve, meetings to attend, it's constant. 

Last year, our PTA had applied for a grant and received it based on having a Multi-Cultural Fair at our school. It had to be held by the end of October of this year. We have over 25 different countries represented in our school and have always had a hard time getting the families of these different countries to participate, so we thought this would be a good opportunity to give these families a little exposure. This took A LOT of work of many people's parts and the week leading up to the event was absolute madness! But the end result was wonderful.

As you can see, some of these creations are just incredible. This is a pagoda that one of our Chinese teachers made with the help of some students, completely out of recycled items. So creative!

Immediately after this event, we had a massive Landscaping Day at school. I'm not a gardener, but I did my best. I dug up hydrangeas, dug holes, planted things, emptied wheelbarrows full of limbs and trash...anything I could do.

And as the month has gone, as soon as my body starts to recover, here come Halloween and we have to walk around the neighborhood to gather candy.

The puppy and I feel the same way..we are tired!

Bows-n-Ties

Tomoson gave me the opportunity to review a great tie from Bows-n-Ties. This is a great website that has ties listed by color, for men, as well as for kids.  They also have accessories, such as handkerchiefs, cuff links, and scarves. Also included on the website are instructions on how to tie a tie..which is what I would need if my husband wasn't around!

 This is the tie I received...the Silk Dot in Wine Red Tie. It is designed by Cavallieri and made from pure silk. The color will easily go with anything. My husband does not have to wear ties to work that often, but the beauty of this color tie is that he can wear it with a white, blue, or striped shirt with no issues. 

This seems like a great company and with prices at $25/tie, I would definitely be willing to buy from them. These ties usually retail on other websites between $50-60, so it seems like a good deal. Each tie is handmade from the finest Jacquard woven silk. Bows-n-Ties are able to keep their prices low because they do not have a brick and mortar store. They import directly and there are no middle men and their overhead is low.

If you are in the market for ties for the holidays, but sure to give Bows-n-Ties a look!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Medication Discount Card

I had never heard of this before and was slightly doubting of whether or not I would actually save any money. But thanks to Tomoson, they gave me the opportunity to review Medication Discount Card. 

This card can be used in place of insurance at places like CVS, Wal-Mart and Walgreens for drugs like Adderall, Advair, Ativan, Augmentin, and Avandia...and those are just the A's! Many of those drugs are brand name prescriptions on my insurance and I have to pay as much as $60, but with the medication discount card, I can save as much as 75% off. With prescription costs the way they are now, I'm thankful for any discounts!

There is no application, no health restrictions, no fees and the card will never expire. Just go to their website and download the card, print it off and take it to one of the 59,000 participating pharmacies. 

*Remember, this is not insurance and cannot be used to reduce your copay. It can, however, be used in place of your insurance or for drugs/vitamins that your insurance might not cover. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Halloween Printable Party & Games Pack

I was given the opportunity to review the Halloween Printable Party & Games Pack recently and it came just in time. My kids were out of school today for a teacher workday and these printable games were exactly what they needed to keep them busy while waiting for the time to go trick or treating. I have done many reviews for Python Printable Games and as always, the Printable Halloween Games  did not disappoint.

There are 40 printable activities, including party games, trivia, and craft activities. All ages are included in the activities which is great because the parents can have their games and the kids can have theirs.

Some of the fun titles of the games are Twisted Horror Movie Titles, Charades Monster Mash-Up, Chew On This Candy Name Game Trivia, Crossword Puzzles, Mad Libs, Fun Quizzes for Halloween, Gross Cooties Trivia, Mazes, Tongue Twisters, Trick or Treat Trivia Game, and Word Searches.

The games are suitable for any age and taste. There are no time restrictions or limits of any kind. The games can be kept forever and used over and over.

Right now, you can enter the code MYSTY to get a discount on your next printable game pack. The discount amount changes daily, so be sure you check it out for their Printable Fall and Thanksgiving Game Pack.

These printable games are definitely a great idea when kids are home and families are gathered around. It brings you together and helps you laugh, so try it out!

*This is a sponsored post. I received the Halloween Printable Games pack for free in return for this review. All opinions are my own and are in no way determined by the fact I received the games for free. I would like to thank Python Printable Games for this opportunity.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.