Finished Book #2

So, I did finish my Book Club book, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. This was another wonderful book so I have to say that our Book Club is off to a very good start! This book is the love story between two people caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is beautifully written, weaving romance, family ties, mystery and social consciousness. I actually cried during the final chapters of the book…I don't know that I have ever cried while reading.  With this said, I would definitely recommend this book…..

Our next Book Club meeting is April 8th. If any of you have read this book and have thoughts that you would like to share prior to our meeting just let me know. I would love any feedback and would be more than happy to share our thoughts after the meeting.

Nominated for Stylish Blogger Award!

Hope I am doing this right!

Thank you to Thy Word for nominating me for this award!!!!

In order to completely accept this award it is asked that one:

1. Thank and link back to the person that has given you this award.

2. Share seven things about yourself.

3. Award 10-15 blogs you feel deserve this award as well.

4. Contact these bloggers and let them know about the award.

So for seven things about myself:

1. I am happily married to my college sweetheart for almost 14 years

2. I have an insatiable addiction to frosting! I love cake!

3. I have a very aged dog…91 in dog years…she doesn't see or hear very well but is super sweet just the same

4. I underwent Fertility Treatment to have my 3 beautiful children and have so much love and appreciation for my Fertility Docs

5. I make a concerted effort to avoid engaging in idle gossip or judgemental conversations

6. I love to engage in handiwork around the house….I ride the tractor, rake leaves, stain decks, paint walls, fill holes, and hang pictures. I never want to be someone who is afraid to do things on their own. 

7. I love photography and truly enjoy taking pictures of my children and nature

Oh, there is so much more but these are 7 for now! Follow Me and you will learn all about my silly craziness!

Earth Hour!

Approximately 35 minutes until Earth Hour 2011 begins! Finished putting the kids to bed and am now wrapping up all technologically necessary chores and then am planning for the big "shut down". Will be turning off all lights, computers, TV's, stereo equipment, etc. Will be using no power during the hour except to run the monitors in my kids bedrooms.

I do believe in continually doing "my part" to conserve the environment and I believe this is one very small task that I can easily engage in. I hope that many of you will also make the same commitment. I look forward to finding out the impact Earth Hour 2011 will have in conserving energy!

To find out more check out National Geographic Daily News….Enjoy the quiet, peacefulness of being disengaged from everything technological!

Good Deed Of The Day: Girl Saves Sister, Loses Leg, Kidney

Girl, 9, nearly dies saving sister from oncoming truck She lost leg and broke her neck protecting 5-year-old: ‘She was too young to get hit’

Couldn't believe this story when I read it…what an amazing young girl! The love she has for her younger sister is so beautiful and inspirational. I believe all mothers hope to raise such strong and loving children…this is what makes our job so rewarding. Anaiah Tucker's mother should be so proud of the amazing child she has raised!

I took the Pledge

The Mom Pledge

I am a proud Mommy Blogger. I will conduct myself with integrity in all my blogging activities. I can lead by example.

I pledge to treat my fellow moms with respect. I will acknowledge that there is no one, "right" way to be a good Mom. Each woman makes the choices best for her family.

I believe a healthy dialogue on important issues is a good thing. I will welcome differing opinions when offered in a respectful, non-judgmental manner. And will treat those who do so in kind.

I stand up against online bullying. My blog is my space. I will not tolerate comments that are rude, condescending or disrespectful.

I refuse to give those who attack a platform. I will remove their remarks from my blog with no mention or response. I can take control.

I want to see moms work together to build one another up, not tear each other down. Words can be used as weapons. I will not engage in that behavior.

I affirm that we are a community. As a member, I will strive to foster goodwill among moms. Together, we can make a difference. 

I love this pledge because I believe in the rights of all people and this pledge aims at protecting those rights. I honor the rights of mothers everywhere to raise their children in ways that they see best as long as they are preserving the rights and well-being of their children. I promise to make my blog a peaceful environment for all to share their thoughts and concerns.

I Did It!

Yes, I did it….I painted my bathroom! My last necessary indoor project before I can begin playing around in the gardens! Super excited especially since I just bought some new bulbs to plant! Thank you to an essential member of my village for getting my oldest daughter off the school bus so I could do it!

Donate to Japan

Donate to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami relief through Living Social. For each $5 donation that is made Living Social will contribute another $5. Even on a tight budget I can spare the $5 to help make things better for those living in the aftermath of the Earthquake in Japan. I encourage you to do the same.

The Sweet Smell of Spring!

Yesterday and today have been absolutely spring-like here in Rhode Island! The air is warm, the sky is blue and the birds are chirping! We spent all yesterday and this morning in the great outdoors and I plan to rejoin it in an hour or so. Taking a short indoor break to get some things done in the house.

The kids have been riding their bikes, drawing with chalk and swinging on the swings. It has been so blissful! I have been in my happy place pulling weeds and surveying my gardens. I have discovered so much new growth and life. My perennials are all ready pushing themselves up from the ground like they can hear the sun calling their names. I find it is inspiring to witness the beauty and energy of nature!

I also feel a new sense of urgency to get my indoor projects completed…once Spring is in full force I will be spending very little time indoors! One more room inside needs painting before I can feel fully satisfied with my progress. Then it will be outdoors to complete new projects….and our list is definitely adventurous! We plan to power-wash and stain our deck, power-wash the house, paint the trim, paint the outsides of our doors, plant some new gardens and possibly even start an organic vegetable garden. Of course, some of these projects have been on our list for years but now that the kids are a little older we are able to accomplish much more. And because we have a well-established "village" we know there are people we can call on to help with the kids when needed.

A new trick to complete that endless to-do list…Pick one project a month. I learned this one from my neighbor. This is so much more do-able than just staring at a long laundry list of things you intend to finish but are overwhelmed to even start. Take your calendar (everyone needs one!) and write an intended task for the month. Do your best to complete it within the month but do not feel defeated if it runs into the next month. Just do your best to keep it going. And another trick my neighbor and I are working on…sharing child-duty one morning a week to get all those silly 5-minute jobs done, like hanging things, changing lightbulbs, cleaning windows. Maybe not really 5-minute jobs but all those extra jobs that are nearly impossible to get to amidst the regular chaos of the weekly routine.

So, I will keep you posted on my to-do list! But in the meantime I will definitely be enjoying the fresh-air with the family!!!!! Enjoy!

Great Deal from Shutterfly!

Check out Groupon today for a great deal from Shutterfly. You can order a 20-page 8x8 Hardcover Photo Album for just $10! This is a $20 savings! I own more than one of these books. They are extremely easy to create on the Shutterfly website and the completed project is AWESOME! Plus if you are a MyPoints member you can receive 8 points per dollar on this deal. Just remember to go through your MyPoints account to get credited….

Give and Get is Here!

Give and Get is Here!: "Enjoy 30% off from March 17-20 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy plus we'll make a 5% donation to a non-profit." I LOVE this program. Not only am I able to save a decent amount of money on my kids spring wardrobes but I am contributing to a social cause while doing so. This time around I picked Teach For America. I chose this organization because I have become increasingly concerned with the current school system. There are other organizations to choose from depending on your own concerns/motivations.