We were required to participate in monthly meetings/outings, to attend council meetings and to choose an extra activity as well. I asked to participate in the Christmas parade by being a judge. I love it! No surprise, since I do enjoy giving my opinion.

Last year, I received a call from the Chamber president asking if I’d like to judge the Christmas parade again. Of course, I accepted the offer. We had a great time especially since one of the judges was a dear friend and the other was my cousin’s ex-wife.

On Monday, the Chamber President called me to ask if I’d like to judge the parade again this year. How could I refuse? I love parades, I love giving my opinion and besides, the judges get the best seat in the house. So on Saturday I’ll be again judging the floats and bands and marchers and Shriners in their little cars.

If I remember to bring my camera, maybe I’ll get a nice shot of the winning float. Stay tuned for more.

I’ve always loved dressing up and having fun for Halloween. I’ve done the funny clown suits, the scary monster outfits and the sexy costumes. This year I want something totally different but I don’t know what exactly. I’m open to suggestions so anyone with an idea, speak up!

I’m pretty sure that every mother gets burned out eventually. This just happens to be a very stressful, emotionally charged job. There’s never a day off or even a moment when you can stop being a mommy. Once you become a mother, you’re always a mother. There’s no vacation days from this one!

Until now.

Motherhood Redefined, is a weekend seminar with a twist. It’s a “celebration” of motherhood, organized by mothers, for mothers. With speakers like John Gray and Kathy Buckley as well as others often seen on Oprah, the weekend is filled with a steady flow of excitement and information geared toward those of us who spend our lives tending to others. It’s a Mom’s luxury weekend getaway for self re-discovery.

Every mother understands how overwhelming our responsibilities can be at times. This special weekend is designed to offer new techniques for organizing our lives and maintaining a balance. The more I read about the weekend, the more I wonder why there wasn’t something like this for me when my kids were all younger and underfoot. And yet, we never stop being mothers. I’m still trying to juggle what I need with what my family demands. I’ve just added another generation to the equation.

I’m particularly interested in the workshop given by Sheila Kelly on motherhood and sensuality. I think women often lose that part of themselves when the nurturer takes over. I know that as I age, sensuality takes on a different focus. I do hope Ms. Kelly will touch on issues that we older mothers face also. I can’t wait to learn about her S Factor workout, too.

Motherhood Redefined is being held at a 4-star luxury resort hotel in Phoenix during the weekend of September 21st-23rd. The normal price for the weekend is $1,278 but I have a secret promotional code that will get you – you won’t believe this! – a 75% discount! That’s right, with this promotional code, the price drops to $319.50. And that includes your hotel accommodations!

Now this code has been leaked so you might want to grab it and use it ASAP. It brings the cost down so low I can’t imagine it even covering the hotel cost. Okay, now write this down. The promotional code is: 7575

Don’t wait too long to sign up. Be sure to use that code to get the discount of a lifetime! And remember, this is all about being the best YOU that you can be so that you will be a better mother. Redefine yourself and walk away from this fun, exciting weekend loving your life.

It’s been two years since I’ve been to Kennywood. Seems my kids go every year but I just haven’t had the chance lately. How does that happen?

The great thing about Kennywood is that it’s one of the few amusement parks that have picnic shelters and they actually encourage you to bring your own food in coolers rather than buying food there. Now isn’t that a great idea?

Boomer seems to have had a lot of fun. I think it’s time to plan a day trip for the family. I’m feeling the need to ride a Pirate Ship.

The only problem with it is that it will probably get me all confused. I’ll be thinking that Thursday is Monday and I won’t be ready for the following weekend at all. It really doesn’t take much to confuse me, you know. I’ll be okay by the 8th or so, but until then, I’ll just set my internal clock to Holiday Time and enjoy the fireworks that are sure to continue throughout the following weekend.

They said that they traveled for quite a way and tried to dock on the Outer Banks but it was a little crowded. So they kept going and found a very small island in the river with no one on it. They stopped there for a while, ate a little from their picnic lunch then headed back for home.

I wonder if I can talk Brian in a similar excursion for us?

Okay, here’s a hint: anagram. Now do you see it? How many anagrams can you make from Technorati? Remember, they don’t have to make sense or be in a dictionary. But it’s cool if they’re real words.

Here’s the ones I’ve seen with just a few clicks.

[myginpage=aprilfool]

Now Ang. wants me to decide what 5 friends I’d want to take with me to this deserted island. Okay, here goes.

First up is Suni. I gotta have her. She’s strong and outspoken. And she’s my sister so I need her there.

Next is Laura. Look, the woman has not one but TWO sets of toddler aged twins. And she’s still coherent! You know we need her on that island, almost as much as she needs to get away there.

Now, anyone who knows me is well aware that my biggest fear is bugs. I can handle spiders because they eat flies and I detest flies. I’m terrified of bees, wasps, hornets. Ants freak me out. And so, if I’m going to be spending time on this deserted island then I need someone around who knows all about the creepy-crawly things that we might meet. That’s why I’m bringing Skeet along. Besides being a bug expert, she also lives on a beautiful island so she’s going to be very useful on many levels. Yep, Skeet’s going to be ship wrecked with me!

It’s always good to have someone who can build stuff and who’s really smart. And if I’m shipwrecked on a deserted island, my neighbor will probably send out a search team for me anyway. So I might as well bring Tammie along so she can build the deck on our grass hut and still be my neighbor.

Finally, no deserted island is complete without a male presence. There are several who come to mind but I’m going to have to pick my friend Jimi. I don’t know what kind of job he has or what talents he possesses; I don’t even know what he looks like since all I ever see is that darn xray of his head! But I have a feeling he’d be good under pressure and he’d get along well with an island of women. And if not, I think the four of us could take him.

So there you have it. My deserted island is populated. Now excuse me while I go pack my overnight case for this little excursion.

Most of those sites I used to visit now charge quite a bit to send ecards and most of the sites are anything but unique. I learned this yesterday, on Valentine’s Day. How disappointing.

One site, though, makes sending ecards a pleasure again. Egreetings lets you send unique, free funny eCards to all your friends. And every ecard you send can be personalized with your own message, too.

Egreetings.com also offers a paid service that allows you to choose cards and schedule them for delivery on dates you specify. That really makes keeping in touch so easy. And it’s just $13.99/year for unlimited ecards! You can’t buy 4 nice paper cards and mail them for that!

How unique are the ecards? Well, I’ve never seen a Valentine card with Chins before! Be sure to click on the image because the ecard is animated. You’ll want to see it in full action.

But don’t wait till next Valentine’s Day to send an ecard. Egreetings.com has ecards for every occasion. Whether you’re congratulating someone, just saying hello or wishing a Happy Birthday, you’ll find the perfect ecard at egreetings.com. (Go ahead, click the cleavage, too. It may not be what you expect. )

This is a sponsored post.

My kids love amusement parks and have been wanting to go to Florida for quite a while. I’ve been looking online for the best prices on Disney World Tickets and found a great site. Dwtickets.com is one of the best known and most reputable Orlando companies offering discounted tickets for many of Florida’s great attractions.

I’ll admit that Disney isn’t my first choice in Florida (although the kids will insist). I’ve been to Busch Gardens before and that’s where I’d really want to be. I doubt we’d have enough time to do both but I do hope we’d have time to visit the Kennedy Space Center. I’m an astronaut wannabe and have been fascinated by space exploration forever.

I’m going to check out the Winter specials, too, because there seems to be some great deals there. I’d love to get into the sunshine and I know that’s exactly what the kids need. I’m not sure we can fly out of the airport in this snow but I’m bookmarking Dwtickets.com so I’ll be ready when the jets start taking off again.

This is a sponsored post.