only backgroundI'm a wife, mother and grandmother. I'm opinionated. I contradict myself frequently. Most of all, I love my kids. I believe in them. I fight for them. They're weird and wonderful. If you want to know more, here's a bunch of other stuff from my old site.
Archive for the ‘Shopping’ Category
Hard to believe that we’re just weeks away from Thanksgiving, Black Friday and the shopping days till Christmas countdown. With the economy in such a mess, spending wisely on the right gifts is even more important than usual. I know we have only so much money to go around this year. Considering how our family is growing with grandchildren, that’s making it even more difficult to find just the right gifts for each child.
My goal this year is to get each of my grandchildren two or three toys that are so awesome that they won’t notice that there isn’t a room full of toys like the last two years. One of the best resources I’ve found is the Best Toys Guide, providing reviews of the top toys 2008 has to offer.
Before I take anyone’s word for anything, I like to do my own independent research. Since Kendyll and Steven are getting past the toddler stage, I decided to take a look at the recommendations for toddler toys to see if they match with my own opinions. We’ve got almost two dozen of the top toys here and the kids just love them. That’s a very good sign.
At ages 2 and 2 1/2, Kendyll and Steven are ready for preschool toys so I checked out some of the reviews. I shouldn’t have kept reading, though, because now I’ve got a Christmas list that’s two pages long!
I hadn’t even thought about getting Kendyll a doll house until I read the great review about the one from Fisher-Price. I’d totally forgotten how much I loved my own doll house. Oh, and until I read the article on the Rose Art Easel, I hadn’t thought about my chalk board in my mom’s basement for years. We spend hours writing on it and I’ll bet Kendyll and Steven would love this updated version.
The Best Toys Guide is just about the best toy review blog I’ve found. The toys that are chosen for review are some that I’ve wondered about, like the Crayola Glow Station and the LeapFrog Leapster 2. Rather than make a mistake with a toy that is too advanced for the kids or just plain boring, it’s good to get an honest opinion about the toys we’ve been considering for the kids. The toys being reviewed are some of the newest out there. What a great resource!
My kids already know that we’re trying to be more frugal this Christmas. With resources like the Best Toys Guide, we’re going to be able to stay within our budget without the kids even realizing that we did. We’ll invest in the best toys recommended here rather than throwing good money away on toys that are forgotten by the time the New Year rolls in. If you’re looking to make smart buys this year, you don’t want to miss the reviews at Best Toys Guide!
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We were planning to do a little window shopping this weekend at various furniture stores, but now our plans have changed. For one thing, it’s going to be in the 90s this weekend. That’s the highest the temperature’s been this summer.
Also, we need to keep Kendyll either in the air conditioning or in the pool. Sweating is the worst thing for her right now. The poor dear has poison ivy and it’s spreading everywhere. It’s all over her hands, between her fingers, and that’s causing it to spread even more.
She’s just miserable, even with the oatmeal baths and daily dose of Loratidine. This is one of those times when it’s best to stay cool. I do know that the chlorine in the pool always helped to dry up the rash when Chris or Brian got infected so we may let her swim a little.
Keep my grandbaby in your prayers. We want this misery to end soon!
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I’m not going to out any of my friends but I will say that it was quite comforting to find out that I’m not the only person who has an obsession with office supplies. Yes, there are many of us out there, many of us who wander around Staples in a daze, wanting to buy one of everything in the store.
What is it about matching desk sets, sleek organizers, custom pens or an entire aisle of specialty paper that just takes my breath away? And the electronics? I want every gadget I see! If it’s used in an office, I’ll find a way to use it at home. Or just hang on to it until I figure something out.
I really did think I was the only person with this kind of obsession. Now I know I’m not alone. I’ve found other women who love office supplies, too. I don’t know if they’re as far gone as I am, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve just been at it a little longer.
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I am surrounded by Kroger grocery stores. There are two within 10 miles to the south of me; there are two more to the north of me. Other grocery chains are farther away and with gas prices rising, I prefer to shop as close to home as possible.
The worst thing about Kroger having virtually no competition around here is that when a customer complains or makes a suggestion, no one pays attention. Case in point: the bathroom at Kroger.
The store in Wellsburg was remodeled a few years ago. It’s bigger and very nice. The bathroom is clean and much nicer than the employee bathroom that customers used prior to the remodeling. Nevertheless, it’s lacking two important features.
First, there are no toilet seat covers available. Wal-Mart is one of the only stores in the area that does provide these sanitary covers and I love them for it. I’ve mentioned this to the manager at Kroger but I’m pretty sure there was no follow up since there are still no covers.
The other suggestion I made was that they remove the little table holding the vase of flowers and install a baby changing table. Let’s face it, moms with babies buy groceries. As much as we’d all prefer to not shop with the kids, we don’t always get what we prefer. I mentioned this to management over two years ago, when the remodeled store had it grand re-opening. There is still no changing station for babies. It’s mind boggling that a grocery store would neglect to provide for mothers and children!
I can’t help but think that Kroger would be more responsive to these and other suggestions if they had a little competition around here. What a shame.
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Even though I love tearing apart my computer or building a website now and then, I also love girly baubles and sparkly things. In fact, one of the toughest things I must decide on my birthday and Christmas is weather I want something glittery and pretty or a new gadget or upgrade. Today, my eye went toward the sparkly.
I was clicking around at Gemz N Gold earlier and got so emotional over their birthstone jewelry. My birthday is in November which makes my birthstone either Smokey Topaz or Citrine. Both come in shades ranging from light yellow to deep amber. I like the stones that are a little darker and deeper in color so I was thrilled when I saw that Gemz N Gold had such a nice selection of the stones in a variety of shades.
As soon as I clicked to the listing of citrine jewelry, I saw The Ring. Back when I was about 4 years old, my Aunt Jo bought me a beautiful birthstone ring with an emerald cut smokey topaz. I wore that ring every Sunday when Aunt Jo took me to church. I have no idea what happened to it, though. At some point, I just didn’t see it anymore. When I saw the very similar cut citrine ring I gasped. Mine didn’t have diamonds in the band but it was about the same size. Most emerald cut citrine rings I’ve seen are huge so this one really caught my eye. Isn’t it beautiful?
The only reason I wouldn’t buy that ring now is that I do have a birthstone ring and it also holds very special meaning. My Grandmother, who was born in November, gave it my Aunt Helen who was born in November, and who then gave it to me. Some day I hope to give it to a granddaughter or niece born in November. When I wear that ring, I feel like a very special part of some pretty amazing women. And there I go with even more emotions.
But back to sparkly things and shopping fun. After checking out that beautiful ring, I moved along to look at the other birthstone jewelry. I was seriously considering earrings since I noticed a few pair with emerald cut citrine stones. Those thoughts just faded away, though, when I saw the prettiest, most sensuous necklace ever! I know, how can a necklace be sensuous? Well, it just can be! This one is so dainty and yet has this luscious curve that just screams Woman.
I can just see this pendant resting high on my chest when I’m wearing a V-neck. It’s such an elegant, understated yet sexy design. I just have to have it! Now, don’t laugh at me but I think it’s also very much like my dandelion graphic here at my website. When my friend made this dandelion for me, I asked her to make it strong but sexy so she gave it that little bend. The citrine necklace reminds me of that same strong sexiness of my dandelion. I think that necklace was made for me.
I do want to look around a little more at Gemz N Gold but I’ll wait until my daughter is ready to sit with me to look at her birthstone. She’s as much into sparkly things as I am. Now, if only I could get her interested in the geeky side of life, we’d be like two peas in pod!
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I have a gripe. I’m not sure if anyone else has ever run into this but I’m guessing that it can’t be just me. Surely, others comparison shop also.
I normally do my grocery shopping at Krogers simply because it’s the closest store to me. When I shop, I almost always check the unit price listed in order to get the best bargain. Believe it or not, the biggest size isn’t always the best buy. That’s why I like to check the tags for unit price.
Last week I needed to buy cooking oil. My husband has been on a fried chicken kick lately, giving our deep fryer a real workout. As I began to compare unit prices I realized that several of the oils were priced as ounces while the larger size bottles were unit prices as quarts. Uh, thanks a lot but how does that help me? What good is it to know the price per ounce of a 32 ounce bottle of cooking oil and the price per quart of the gallon bottle?
Yes, I know how to do the math to find the answer. However, I didn’t have a calculator with me but I did have a 2 year old trying to get out of the buggy while I attempted to work the math in my head. I think I bought the best bargain but I’m still not certain.
Whatever the difference in price of that oil, it isn’t going to make or break me. That isn’t the point. If a store is going to list unit prices so consumers can comparison shop, then use the same unit across all brands and sizes of each product. Otherwise, it jsut looks shady.
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My kids are so lucky to have such a smart mom. No, really. They present me with a dilemma and I offer a suggestion that they love. Okay, so maybe it doesn’t happen all the time but it happened today. So I’m feeling like a pretty smart mom right now.
Jesse has a car here at home and isn’t quite sure he wants it shipped to Hawaii. It’s a Honda S2000 in perfect condition but he isn’t sure if the sea air will be too hard on the exterior. Besides, the cost of living is high on the island and he’s trying to save money so he only drives when he absolutely must. Otherwise, he walks. So I suggested that since he’s just down the road from Anini beach, and minutes from work, his best bet may be to look into beach cruisers.
Jesse is very athletic and when I mentioned this to him, he seemed surprised that I’d come up with such a good idea. I told Jesse that the Cruiser Style website had a number of really nice bikes and that they accept PayPal as well as his credit card. I really like the XYZ line but they carry GreenLine as well.
Jesse’s getting his internet access hooked up this weekend so I’m sending him the URL so he can look over the bikes himself. In fact, I’m going to suggest that he get two bikes so I’ll have one to ride when I come to visit. I’d much rather bike down to the beach than drive, anyway. After all, I gave him the great suggestion, right?
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The post I did earlier about my son, Jesse, in Hawaii got me to thinking. I’ve sent him a few gifts here and there for his birthday and Christmas. It isn’t the same as being with him but at least it’s something.
I’ve never sent him anything for Valentines Day, though. I know, it’s usually a guy who sends his girlfriend or wife flowers or chocolates for Valentine’s Day. But why is that? This day is all about love and there’s all kinds of love in the world. I love my son so why not send him something special?
Now, Hawaii has many beautiful exotic flowers. The thing is, I really don’t remember ever seeing roses there. Oh, I know there are roses in Hawaii, I just never noticed them before. With so many fragrant flowers around, I guess the rose just gets lost in the shuffle. So, why not a special gift of valentines roses for my son? Wouldn’t that be different and special?
The beauty of this is that Jesse won’t be expecting it. Surprises are always so nice. And it makes it really easy on the sender, too. I mean, there’s no packing or shipping; just a phone call or a website visit can have your flowers on their way. I love that kind of shopping. And you know, roses will probably remind Jesse of home, too. We don’t have any growing in the cold and snow right now but come spring, they’ll be surrounding my dad’s front porch. Maybe by the time Jesse gets home for a visit, he’ll be able to see our own roses in full bloom.
How nice to get a little taste of springtime in the bitter cold of February, not that Hawaii is cold, but it sure is frigid here in West Virginia! Hmmmm…. maybe I should order some for my husband, too.
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My mom stopped by today with my protein powder and I was so happy! I’ve been trying to get enough protein to keep me full but I discovered I’d have to eat massive amounts of food to equal the protein I get from favorite shake mix.
I used to stop in and pick up my stuff at the local GNC but that was when I knew the woman who owned the franchise. I just loved her and the other women she had working for her. I have no idea why she left or sold out, but apparently no one wanted to buy the business so now it’s run by the corporate office. Just between us, I don’t like it nearly as much as I did when it was an individually owned store.
Anyway, even with the gold card, my protein powder is kind of pricey. The other day I got an email newsletter from an store where I’ve purchased vitamins. On a whim, I checked out their protein powders and they carry my favorite for $20 less than GNC! How cool is that? With shipping at just $7, it’s still a great buy.
I think I’ve found a new way to get my protein powder.
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I found something really unusual at the mall just before Christmas. Right next to the place where I get my nails done is a little jewelry store. That may not seem so special but it is.
I was waiting for my turn to get my nails done and wandered into the store to ask if they had any ring guards. My rings are a little too big and my last ring guard had broken. The lady told me she didn’t but that she’d be happy to resize my ring. I thanked her but explained that I didn’t want to send my rings away.
This woman told me that she would size my rings right there, while I wait! The really unusual thing is that she didn’t belong to a chain but was an independent jeweler. I couldn’t believe it. My dad’s friend was a jeweler and that’s the only place where my parents ever bought fine jewelry.
I looked around a little at the rings, pendants and a few pieces of men’s jewelry and was quite impressed. Seems they craft most of their own jewelry, which means you can actually work with this woman and her husband to create a unique piece that no one else will ever have. How cool is that?
I know there are many independent jewelers out there but in this area, the last one was my dad’s friend. When he retired and closed up shop there was no one else nearby. I think Pittsburgh was the closest.
So this is exciting. I can’t wait to get my nails done again so I can have my rings sized while I wait and talk baubles with store owner.
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