susiej/reviews

* Scott Towels: 30 Mega Rolls
* Scott Bath Tissue: 10 12-packs

Here’s the best part:  For one year, you won’t have to run out to the store to buy these bulky items, and lug them home. To win, leave a comment with your favorite household, kitchen, family, or money-saving tip. If you need some inspiration, check out the tips at Scott Common Sense. Here is my favorite tip, peeling potatoes without “peeling”, from the Scott page:

Boil potatoes with the skin on. When done, drain. Fold a SCOTT Towel in half and pick up a hot potato. Gently rub the potato back and forth and the skin comes right off. Shake the potato skin off and reuse the towel. It saves time and clean up. When finished, just discard the towel or, better yet, go green and place the towel and the peelings into a compost pile for next Spring’s gardening.

Inspire us here with your tips, (does not have to involve a paper towel!) and I’ll select a random winner to win a year’s supply of Scott Bath and Towel products on December 1, 2008. US Residents Only.

Filed under: contest, cooking, household | 10 Comments →

There are a scant 20-30 pages left of this historical novel, Stealing Athena,by Karen Essex; How will see tie the loose ends in the few pages left in this epic that spans centuries with parallel epics that cover art, romance and sex? Lady Elgin is in a perilous predicament with her husband — something even her own money and royal line can’t protect her from; while Lord Elgin uses her money to recover the Greek treasures. (What will become of her children?) Aspasia, courtesan lover of the great Pericles, has betrayed him with a secret, shaking the freedom of the artist who create the great sculptures.  Essex has roped me in with her historical facts of Napoleon’s ravages during the war, the customs of the Turks, where Lady Elgin served as an ambassador with her husand, the erection of the Greek Statues, mingled with the human, day-to-day drama of human weakness and passion.

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Magazine writing has always walked a fine line between in-depth introspection, and brevity.  A brilliantly-written magazine article opens a window into the lives of the quirky, the heroic, and the inspirational.  The tips I’ve found on the glossy pages of magazines have transformed my life. So, because of all those glossies have to offer, I tend to hoard my magazines.  Finally, practicality takes over, and I pitch them — still longing for that deep, thought-provoking prose that is now in the recycling bin.

O’s Big Book of Happiness: The Best of O, The Oprah Magazine: Wisdom, Wit, Advice, Interviews, and Inspiration is a beautifully hardback book, binding together 75 warm, wise, and helpful tips — all of the best articles from 75 wise contributors to O Magazine.

Inside, all the glossy articles with pictures are there (minus the ads), allowing you to flip from one article to the next, without those annoying, “go to page…” messages. I was drawn to this article: When your worst-case scenario finally happens, how do you carry on?, written by war correspondent Geraldine Brooks. Plus, these serious ones are tempered by more articles on style and fitness.

Excuse me, I’m off to read… Yep, this is a great gift for magazine fan on your wish list.  Retails for $17.97.

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I had a crush on Michael J. Fox, through the Back to the Future movies, followed his Republican bent on Family Ties, and then as he became a Democrat on Spin City. The chemistry between Michael J. Fox, and the entire cast of Spin City was a brilliant mix of comedy and irony that’s missing in today’s network TV.

For the first time, Shout! has released the entire first season of Spin City on DVD. Spin City: The Complete Season 1is a collectible 4-DVD box set, packed with all 24 addictive episodes featuring all-new interviews with Michael J. Fox, the cast, show creators and more. The disc set includes behind-the-scenes-workings of City Hall, and include stars like,  Carla Gugino (Chicago Hope, Karen Sisco), Barry Bostwick (Law & Order: SVU), Richard Kind (Mad About You, Scrubs), Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), Michael Boatman (Law & Order), Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights), and Alexander Chaplin (Scrubs), alongside notable guest stars Stephen Colbert, Jennifer Garner, Woody Harrelson, Marlee Matlin.

This 4-DVD set is a collectible, priced at $25.99, that won’t break your bank.

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The Flight Before Christmas is a new heartwarming Christmas DVD starring a young reindeer named Niko, who is determined to improve his flying skills in the hopes to be just as great as his father. But after wandering from Home Valley to practice, he catches the attention of the infamous Black Wolf who follows him back. In order to protect Santa and the other reindeer from the claws of Black Wolf, Niko must team up with the other forest animals to prevent any trouble that comes their way.

Emma Roberts (Nancy Drew, Aquamarine) and funny-man Norm MacDonald (“The Norm Show,” “Saturday Night Live”) round out the all-star cast in this touching tale. A perfect addition for the holiday season, A FLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS will keep the whole family smiling.

The DVD is available for $14.99

Special Thanks to Marisa Vaccari for the DVD.

Filed under: products | 4 Comments →

There’s no stress quite like the one that comes from creating the holiday Christmas Card.  For some friends and relatives who live too far for visits, your holiday card is the only glimpse they have of your family, and what they’ve been up to for the last 365 days.

I’ve always looked at the holiday card as the pivotal year-end point to review, not just the high-points of our lives, but to share the funniest moments from our lives together.  No letter — just brief highlights from the year. So, needless to say, creating the Christmas Card is a high point of stress in my life; the traditional photo cards are too small for our words, and I end up designing my own card every year.

Parent Bloggers Network asked me to try Minted, an on-line stationery designer known for their artistry, exquisite printing and superb papers. Minted uses independent designers that I could never find on my own, and stationery brands you can’t find from mainstream retailers.

When I clicked on the holiday card selections, I was truly amazed to see a unique card design, that incorporates five pictures, (including the main large one on the front), with room for a paragraph under four of the pictures.  This “yearline” design (see photo above) fit my needs beautifully — as I could write a brief, humorous summary for each of the four pictures; Minted grouped each section by the four seasons.  If you prefer the traditional Christmas letter, this format is also offered, and looks like this:

I chose my card, (which, after you’ve seen the designs, you’ll see was not easy). My selection was the  Holiday Delights Holiday Card by Oscar+Emma Design. Next, I simply uploaded the five photos I wanted.  As the files were uploading, a message from Minted popped up, explaining that their professional designers would take care of cropping and resizing my images to fit into the card. What a relief!

The Next step was to type in the text I wanted for each of the four sections.  Of course, my text didn’t fit. Instead of asking me to “edit” what I wrote, the Minted designer simply worked with the text formatting and design so that the finished card would accommodate my words; without looking cramped.

There’s also a place to add your family’s name, greeting style and color.  Once I was done submitting the photos, entering text, and choosing my options, I saved them, and placed my order.

No less than 24 hours later, I received in e-mail from Minted with my Christmas Card proof attached for my review. My card required the Minted designer to do quite a bit of tweaking; changing the “circle” pictures to “squares” and changing the fonts.  She presented me with two versions to pick from. My choice was made, and final edits were sent back. The process was effortless, easy, and fast.

I received my completed Christmas Cards in ten days; and it’s not even Thanksgiving yet.  I opened the box to find beautiful cards — I mean gorgeous cards– the kinds of cards you typically find in the form of a wedding invitation. I’m in love with my Christmas cards.

These cards, naturally, are quite expensive.  However, the entire design, and ordering process from Minted truly made what once was such a stressful nightmare every year, a breeze.  I may actually have time to make Christmas cookies this year.  Still, remember this; for some of your friends and family, your holiday card is perhaps as close as they’ll get to your family this year. Make it count.

Filed under: stationery | 2 Comments →

The CD arrived just a couple of days before Halloween.  As soon as the boys saw those familiar rodents on the CD’s cover; they pulled down the CD player from their bedroom, and gave it a new home in the kitchen.  Now, I’m forced to jam to Alvin & the Chipmunk’s latest CD, Undeniable, while I cook listening to  “Shake Your Grove Thing”,  Journey’s Steve Perry for “Don’t Stop Believin” and “Livin’ on a Prayer.”  My 5 and 6-year olds are in rock-n-roll heaven, spinning this CD around to their favorite tunes, while their big brothers jockey for their turn at the controls.

I love this CD; it has just the right amount of kick to keep the kids busy and happy, at just the time the weather’s turning colder, the nights are getting longer, and Christmas is still a ways off.

But don’t take my word for it, check out this video.

Oh yeah, and Chipmunk auditions?  Right here.

The CD, Undeniable, is available November 5, 2008; election day. The witching hour will never be the same. Special thanks to Walter Schmidli from Special Ops media for the afternoon’s entertainment.

Filed under: entertainment, kids, music, products | 1 Comment →

Just in time for Halloween, the latest release of WHO BOB WHAT PANTS? (Spongebob Squarepants) includes four underwater shorts:

What Ever Happened to SpongeBob?
SpongeBob leaves Bikini Bottom, gets amnesia and finds himself Mayor of New Kelp City! When Sandy, Patrick, Mr. Krabs and Squidward finally find him, will SpongeBob return to his old life with these “strangers” or remain in the city where he’s a hero?

Goo Goo Gas
In his latest attempt to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula, Plankton turns everyone inside the Krusty Krab into babies.

The Two Faces of Squidward
When Squidward breaks his face, his resulting look is so handsome he becomes all the rage in Bikini Bottom!

SpongeHenge
The strong winds whipping through SpongeBob’s pores are creative beautiful music. Everyone knows music attracts jellyfish, and this time is no exception.

Banned in Bikini Bottom
The United Organization of Fish Against Things Fun and Delicious has banned Krabby Patties!

Stanley S. SquarePants
Cousin Stanley comes to live with SpongeBob and find his purpose in life. But it’s tough to find when practically everything you touch goes up in smoke. Literally.

Plus, now you can help SpongeBob Square Pants find his prizes. The SpongeBob Square Pants’ Lost & Found My Prizes Game is a fun and exciting online prize hunt for children and SpongeBob fans of all ages! First, get a Game Piece found in selected SpongeBob products or request a free one by mail. Then go online to Find Spongebob to play. Every time you play the SpongeBob Square Pants’ Lost & Found My Prizes Game, you will be entered to win one of 550 Instant Win Prizes and the Grand Prize. You can also enter to win the Grand Prize by mail.

Special Thanks to Tamara Brown from Special Ops Media for the video.

Filed under: kids, movies | Add Comment →

The mounted fish on the wall sets the tone – this is a lake house. A haven to five males and one female; yet there is no spot to lounge, or eat, at the same time. The floor plan was clearly designed by a man with two things on his mind: Fishing and cleaning fish.

The current furniture is decade-old leftovers. The watermarks on the ceiling are fixed; and we’ve squirmed over the perfect paint color. Yet, there’s still no place to put your feet up and enjoy the impeccable view. This is a house in desperate need of transformation.

I’m hoping, very much, to win the contest, that the Parent Bloggers Network is promoting, sponsored by Bill Me Later, and their “Win a Man Cave” contest. Our lake house, lovingly adored, is still in dire need of a makeover. You can post your own video and photo submissions at www.IWantMyManCave.com.

Filed under: contest, decorating, fashion, lake house, products | 3 Comments →

The longer I listened and learned from the Total Transformation Program, the more I began to believe that ineffective parenting causes problem behavior in children. While driving in my car, listening to behavioral therapist James Lehman on the audio CDs explain how to handle Oppositional Defiant Disorder in children, I realized how I had been setting my own kids up to misbehave. The good news is, the program shows you step by step how to stop what you’re doing, so you can reverse the spiral of bad behavior. A big thanks to the Parent Bloggers Network for introducing me to this educational series.

For example; one of my sons has learned that if he throws a REALLY big fit about taking out the garbage, I will still make him take out the garbage; but I probably won’t ask him to do it again. This kid is totally manipulating me; and he knows it. I shudder to think of the example I’m setting for his brothers.

We have heard the advice before: Set clear limits for our children, and let them experience the consequences of their actions. But as parents, we need to be reminded. Sometimes, our children have health, emotional or behavior issues that “they just can’t help,” and we become lax at enforcing the limits and rules we’ve set for everyone else in the family. Soon, this becomes a habit, and kids begin to think, “It’s OK if I don’t have to do my chores when I get home from school, because I’m worn out from the kid who bullied me all day.” Lehman explains that the real world will not compensate our kids for their excuses. It’s up to parents to teach our kids to take responsibility for their own behavior, and to learn to function and lead a productive life with whatever handicaps they may have.

As parents we can feed the monster of giving our kids “special treatment” without realizing that we’re setting our kids up to be defiant.

Can you imagine trying to negotiate yourself out of a speeding ticket when the officer walks up to your car? It doesn’t work; I’ve tried it. But, as Lehman explains, when we let our kids negotiate their way out of what’s expected of them, we’re not being fair to our children. We’re giving our kids a false sense of the way the world works. Life will be especially difficult for our children if we force them to learn the reality of self-responsibility as adults.

The Total Transformation Program starts with an Introduction DVD. This was my least favorite part of the program; some of the acting, I felt was difficult to watch. From there, you start the 7-audio lessons, one per week, that really take you into the meat of the program. Each lesson is presented by Lehman himself. I listened to these in the car; over and over again whenever I needed a pep talk. The CDs include examples, and direct strategies you can implement immediately; and lead you to self examination about the type of language you’re using with your children, and the “type” of parental behavior you need to change.

There is also a 118-page workbook that helps you identify which type of behavior problems you are having. Recognizing and understanding the problem is the first step to recovery, and I am currently doing the workbook four times, one time for each child. Each child is different.

The program demands time, work, and introspection. The price tag for the complete program, is hefty: $327. Still, how much would a year in therapy cost? However, the program is guaranteed to work for you or your money back. You pay only $19.00 for shipping and handling ($25 to Canadian destinations). If, and only if, you decide to keep the Total Transformation Program after the completion of the 30-Day Free Program Trial, the cost is three monthly payments of $109.00.

You can also sign up for the Parental Support Line, which is $1 for the first 30 days, and $29 per month after that. If you want to check out James Lehman and what he has to offer, sign up for his Empowering Parents enewsletter. (Sign up is on the bottom of the page.)

Check out the free trial at The Total Transformation Website. It could easily change your life — as well as the life of your kids.

Filed under: parenting, products, self-help, teen | 2 Comments →