Tanners help in the kitchen

December 11, 2007 | Leave a Comment

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You ask where the baby has been while I’m cooking up a storm?

She fell asleep in the middle of the kitchen floor listening to Dylan and I talking & singing.

Anyone that is over-reacting to why the baby is on the floor, stop- we have radient heated floors so they are very warm to lay on- she doesn’t look bothered does she?

Tanner

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Chaos of Life

A bomb in my kitchen

December 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment

It’s been a hard week here with the news that the mother of a close friend is quickly losing her battle to cancer. A battle she has been fighting for the last year and a few weeks ago the prognosis was 6 months and last week it was shortened to two weeks.

I have dropped pretty much everything and spending my days in the kitchen preparing food to make sure everyone has some comfort food to munch on here and there. I feel it’s one of the few things I can do to offer my support at this stage as family drifts in and out to say their last goodbyes.

My kitchen looks like a bomb went off, between my food processor and vacuum sealer that are running full time and every pot and pan taking their turns between the stove top and the sink. Well, I have to admit, that I am one of those very messy cooks.

I try to keep organized and make my work area look like Rachel Ray could join me to cook… but… that’s not the case. I have every surface covered with something, a cookbook, a spoon, a container of flour, a basket of veggies, a half cut onion… you name it.

And of course, while I’m cooking I have my little three year old friend who is helping and can’t understand why I bother making anything more then just cookies. He has his own “safe knife” and I put him to work cutting bananas and other easy to cut fruits. No, I don’t really need them but it keeps him involved and he ends up eating them as he goes so it’s really a win win and his conversation is priceless.

I’m focusing on the comfort foods mashed pototatos, meat loaf, pasta, muffins and breads, chunky chicken soup, steamed veggies, pot roast, anything that is pre-made and just needs to be heated and served. I so love my vacuum sealer, seal it up and they just need to plop the bag in a pot of hot water to warm or even the microwave. How easy is that.

What do you say to someone at this stage? “How are you” seems like the most inappropriate comment but it seems better then not saying anything at all. I try to imagine myself in that situation as hard as it is and I would like to believe that I would want people to remain as normal, casual and up beat as they could and not be treating me different or staying away.

It’s hard as a mother to watch the interaction between my girlfriend, an only child, and her mother, who is too young to leave, doing the best they can in their last days together. I started to watch the Oprah special about having one more day with someone, who would it be and what would you do, what would you say? Well, I made it to the second set of commercials then I decided that was enough of that, grabbed my book and headed to bed.

It does make you say THANK YOU every day for what you have and thankful that all my children are healthy and say a prayer for those less fortunate and more then anything you don’t want to let a day pass that you don’t tell someone just how special they are to you.

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Chaos of Life

A Day of Christmas Shopping

December 9, 2007 | 2 Comments

My parents came down today to watch the kids so my husband and I could brave the crowds and try to get a start on our Christmas shopping. Everyone has their preference for shopping styles, I have to admit I am NOT a wandering shopper. I spend little to no time in the malls all year since I tend to be bored by the same stores that have their shelves stocked with the same things and I’m one that is always searching for ”that” special present.

A present that shows you found something just for them, unique and useful and not a shrink wrapped pre-made gift off the shelf. This does make my shopping challenging I have to admit.

Of course, the end goal of our shopping day is get as many gifts checked off the list as quickly as possible so we can end our day at one of my favorite brew pubs for munchies and my favorite beer that is only on tap during the holiday season. Priorities!

So with my three ring binder under my arm- because my husband refused to carry it at any time saying he felt like he was back in school- we made our direct hits with much success. What was in my binder? All the coupons from the paper and various mailings, the Toys R Us catalog that seemed to have every toy circled, “THE” santa lists, My complete gift list of who I needed to buy for between nieces/nephews/swaps and teachers, my excel spreadsheet for the budget and an envelope to keep all receipts and gift receipts in.

The crowds were not bad and I didn’t need to wait in any lines. This surprised me for a Sunday afternoon at prime season. It is amazing how fast you can be in and out of stores when not toting the kids and the need to stop every three steps and explain why we are not buying XY or Z.

The toy store was once again my most difficult stop. I think I’ve become so negative toy shopping that I actually feel guilty. I can’t help but walk up and down the isles and pick apart every gift with a simple glance… junk, junk… parts that will be lost after the first 2 days…too many batteries…looks cool but will not be played with after the first week.. junk, junk… HOW much for THAT?? and I’m going to be picking that up again and again…

This year I chose less toys and more practical and I’ll share since none of them will be reading my blog For my three year old who LOVES to work and I mean really work, he lives to work -I found a Home Depot tool box that actually has small real tools and a build a birdhouse kit. Yes they are both for ages 5 and up but he will do just fine with these and it makes a good project for us while the big kids are at school.

For Drew, the six year old who wants everything I found a cool game of Star Wars edition RISK- Yes! That was a good find that we will be playing often. And of course, legos..

For Taylor, the eight year old that is in the tough in-between stage of toys and tweens we found some High School Musical and Hanna Montana treasures and a couple new leotards to go with her gift certificate for a season of gymnastic lessons. I’ll be keeping my eyes open for arts and crafts projects.

And the baby has a couple new little toys from santa.

Of course, I’ve held out as long as possible and will be breaking down to the Nintendo DS for the big kids- expensive but that is their big gift of the year that they have been asking for from Santa.

I also found a shake and go plane that is made of foam and is made for 3 and up. We have a few of these cars and they are so great that I couldn’t resist the plane. However, it is the toy that with every bump in the car it started to make noise. We always end up with one christmas toy that is noisy so every time we go in the closet it starts on it’s own and we have to try to mask the noise from little ears.

More Favorites that I like as well as the kids:

Little People and Playmobil are the other toys that are great toy for all ages and the kids enjoy playing together with.

Kidz Bop music for their walkmans or family listening in the car

Gift cards to the game store to pick out their own video games and they are good at trading in old games for extra credits.

So that concludes my shopping for this weekend hopefully while Dylan is at school on Tues or Thursday this week I’ll be able to wrap up my odds and ends and get things wrapped so I’m not doing my normal 2 a.m. Christmas Eve power wrap.

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Chaos of Life, Tips & Advice

A Stocking Stuffer for Mom

December 4, 2007 | 1 Comment

My six year old is my challenging child. I don’t mean this in a negative way, but I believe EVERY family has “THAT” child - you know the one that you can mutter the saying “your lucky you’re so cute” under your breath at least a couple times a week.

I love him love him love him but he is one that knows how to push the buttons and likes to challenge every word- if I say black he says white- I’ve gone thru various techniques on what to say and what to do, picked my battles and so on but I have to admit it becomes so tiring on some days. It’s not even the justifying that’s the hard part it’s the endless temper tantrums. While they are getting better as he gets older there are days that I just need to walk away biting my lip. Those are the days that make you question your own parenting and if you are doing something wrong in the big picture of parenting …. then watch the clock till five oclock for a big glass of wine… ohhh relax… that last part is a joke (sort of :))

Last month at my wits end I scribbled a grid on a piece of paper and posted it on my fridge. For every day he makes it without a screaming melt down he gets a big check for the day he doesn’t he gets an X. I try to keep as neutral and matter of fact as possible AND give him a chance to change an X into a check by doing a chore or being helpful.

Now, I found this cool tool- the BETTER BEHAVIOR WHEEL and I have to say I have added it to my stocking list. It’s a tool that parents and kids can use together and it’s simple enough to use without being another item added to the “To Do” list.

Better yet, no trying to find it in the store or waiting for the mail you can download it and start using it right away. It comes with eight themes including excessive arguing, leaving on the lights, not putting things away, stretching the truth, taking without asking, talking back and a positive wheel of just desserts or allows you to use your own.

Click Here! For all the information and details and maybe you can surprise the mom in your family with a new tool for peace in your house!

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Cool Finds

13 Questions to Ask before Starting your Business

December 4, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Starting a business is not a job it is a lifestyle. In my daily conversations with people the question often arises “what do you do?” once I tell them I am a work at home mom that has been working the past few years to bring my product to market they respond with “OHHH I have this idea” where they continue to tell me about an idea for their own business or product.

While I know this is often just a conversation piece I also get calls from women saying “I really want to do this but don’t know where to start”. So I ask them the below set of questions to start their process of thinking. They are areas that I have learned over the last few years either from research, experience or another kind “mentor” asking them to me. I hope this helps you if your still in that stage.

What are you offering- sounds simple but be concise on what your offering
What are the benefits and features?
Have you done any research yet to see if there is something similiar out there?
How is yours better if there is?
Who is your target market? Be EXACT on who is going to buy or use this service
Have you done any market research to see if they will actually buy it? Asking friends and family while at a party does not count. They will often sugar coat to spare your feelings.
How are you going to reach these customers?
How do you want these customers to perceive your product/service? High end, economy?
How will you produce your product? If it’s a textile can you sew or have a friend that will? If it’s plastic are you going to invest in having a prototype made?
What sales channel are you going to pursue? Direct sales with a website, home parties, wholesale, drop ship?
What do you plan on doing with this? Do you want to grow the business to employ others or do you want to grow and sell? Is it better to license?
How much time, energy and money can you invest?
What resources do you have available?

You don’t need to give long answers to these questions but just a starting point because they will have a huge impact with how you go forward with starting your business.

The next step would be to perform your market research and business plan.

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Work at Home MOM

And it starts..

December 3, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Today the kids had a two hour school delay due to icy roads and snow. With the extra time you would expect that would benefit me but it threw off my “routine” just enough that I felt off all day. While making the lunches the kids were outside shoveling the porch. NO they don’t normally shovel the porch, it just happended there wasn’t enough snow to actually “play” in and since it was the first of the year it was still new so shoveling didn’t seem like actual work.

Well, both kids have RED SOX kids nation tin lunch boxes, and I packed their lunches and stuffed them in their back packs with homework and shoes. Didn’t think twice until this conversation after they got off the bus….

“Mom, you packed my lunch in Taylors lunch box”

“well that’s ok, they are both the same. Yours just has more dents in it”

“NOOO Taylor has a Hannah Montana sticker on hers”

“oh, I didn’t really notice. ”

“MOMMM everyone laughed at me at snack time”

“But you like Hannah Montana”

“BUT THAT WAS MY SECRET”

“ohhhhh”

“AND Jake told Alex without my emission” Yes he tried to mean Permission.

So this conversation along with my daughter making the boys and me sit in the back of the movie theatre the other day when she went to the movies with girl scouts just makes me say “THIS starts already???”

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Chaos of Life

Deceptively Delicious

December 3, 2007 | Leave a Comment

I just got my copy of the Jessica Seinfeld cookbook “Deceptively Delicious” today.

I am not one to follow fads and have to admit that as much as I like to support moms and their business, I get envious when I see something like this launch. Since celebrities have such an easy way of promoting their product between already having plenty of money, publicity, resources and a branded name that makes promotion sooo much easier then a “regular” mom who is struggling to get her product started by herself from the kitchen table after the kids go to bed with no money. Selfish of me I know…. bad me…but….

For anyone that doesn’t know what I’m talking about, this is a cookbook that is about slipping veggies and fruits into kid favorite recipes so they get the added vitamins without knowing it.

Since it is about healthy eating and I do have boys that rebel against anything healthy, I thought it was worth the try. I’ll keep posting my results on if the kids know what hit them!

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Recipes, Reviews

Taylor Turns 8!

December 2, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Happy Birthday TAYLOR!! My little girl turned 8 today. Her big present? We brought her to get her ears pierced as a big surprise. She has been asking for months and we always divert the topic and say when she’s “Older” so she had no idea

Taylor gets her ears pierced

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Chaos of Life

The Amazon Kindle

December 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment

As an avid reader, I have to say I’m very excited about the new Amazon Kindle that is just hitting the market. As I look at the boxes of books I have read and spent so much money on collecting dust this new gadget is worth looking at. Below are the details according to Amazon- since I haven’t played with one yet it’s better left to them to describe the details.

The Amazon Kindle is a revolutionary portable reader that wirelessly downloads books, newspapers, magazines and blogs to a crisp, high-resolution electronic paper display that looks and reads like real paper, even in bright sunlight.

Kindle customers, no matter where they are in the U.S., can wirelessly shop the Kindle Store and download new content — all without a PC or a WiFi hot spot. Amazon pays for Kindle’s wireless connectivity so there are no monthly wireless bills and no service commitments for customers. The Kindle Store contains over 90,000 books that can be purchased and delivered wirelessly to Kindle, each in less than a minute. Customers can choose from hundreds of top newspapers, magazines and blogs and have their subscriptions auto-delivered wirelessly. All New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases are $9.99, unless marked otherwise.

At 10.3 ounces, Kindle is lighter and thinner than a paperback book, carries two hundred books, and includes built-in access to The New Oxford American Dictionary. For more information and great views of how it works in more detail check it out here AMAZON KINDLE

We designed Kindle to provide an exceptional reading experience. Thanks to electronic paper, a revolutionary new display technology, reading Kindle’s screen is as sharp and natural as reading ink on paper—and nothing like the strain and glare of a computer screen. Kindle is also easy on the fingertips. It never becomes hot and is designed for ambidextrous use so both “lefties” and “righties” can read comfortably at any angle for long periods of time.

NO MONTHLY WIRELESS FEES! NO WIFI HOTSPOTS!

Amazon wanted the Kindle to be completely mobile and simple to use for everyone, so we made it wireless. No PC and no syncing needed. Using the same 3G network as advanced cell phones, we deliver your content using our own wireless delivery system, Amazon Whispernet. Unlike WiFi, you’ll never need to locate a hotspot. There are no confusing service plans, yearly contracts, or monthly wireless bills—we take care of the hassles so you can just read.

With Whispernet, you can be anywhere, think of a book, and get it in one minute. Similarly, your content automatically comes to you, wherever you are. Newspaper subscriptions are delivered wirelessly each morning. Most magazines arrive before they hit newsstands. Haven’t read the book for tomorrow night’s book club? Get it in a minute. Finished your book in the airport? Download the sequel while you board the plane. Whether you’re in the mood for something serious or hilarious, lighthearted or studious, Kindle delivers your spontaneous reading choices on demand.

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Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Reviews