Free Address Labels-Do you give to Charity?

It's the most wonderfullest time of the year! I am not speaking of Christmas, it's "FREE address labels in the mail" time! I get really excited when they arrive especially when they arrive just in time for mailing out my holiday cards. Here's the dilemma should I send in a donation when I receive the labels?

There's a little bit of guilt associated with receiving these labels. I haven't decided which charity if any that I will donate to this year but, it hasn't stopped me from getting excited when they arrive.

Question: Do you send in donations for the labels you receive in the mail? Which is your favorite Charity?

Whoa! Gracen

I guess it's high time for the bouncy chair to go!

Proper way to hold the door open for me

When holding the door open for someone, please hold the door open and allow the person to go in BEFORE you. Do not go in first and then lean your body in to hold the door with one arm thus making it harder for me to squeeze by to get in the door with my stroller and 5 year old. I really appreciated the gesture and all but damn if that didn't frustrate me so much I almost spit fire.

Happy 6 months Gracen

Happy 6 months Gracen

-Look at her-

She rolls everywhere now.

Noah Biorkman-last stages of a 2 1/2yr battle with Neuroblastoma Cancer.

Dear friends, this is for real- I hope you take it to heart and act on it- Received this message from a friend today:

"Diana Biorkman (a friend of a friend, of a friend) has a 5yr old son Noah who is in the last stages of a 2 1/2yr battle with Neuroblastoma Cancer.

The family is celebrating Christmas next week and Noah's request is to get lots of Christmas cards. Please send cards to: Noah Biorkman 1141 Fountian View Circle, South Lyon,Mi 48178 Lets see how many cards we can get to this little guy!"

-Let the Spirit of Christmas begin!

http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/21525126/index.html

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/medical/biorkman.asp

Flashback Friday (High School Sweethearts)

Darrin and Tanyetta (Kim)

Flashback Friday (High School Sweethearts)

Wordless Wednesday!

Welcome to Wordless Wednesday!  Feel free to post your favorite caption for this:

Private Time when you have little ones.

A recent episode on the Little Bill show "Private Time" hit home for us.  This episode discussed the importance of having private time with your spouse, friends and family.  Forgive me if I have the character's mixed up a little.  I'm not a regular watcher of this show and just happened to catch it in the middle of the show.

Little Bill and the older woman on the show (his grandmother?) were in the living room with his parents and a song came on the radio and the mommy told the daddy that was their song and invited him to dance with her.  The older woman signaled for her and Little Bill to go in the other room.  Little Bill didn't want to leave and they all had to explain to him that the parent's wanted their private time.

This reminded me of the day my  husband and I were leaving to go on our Apple Pie Date.  DJ was very adamant on going with us he even went as far as going to get his shoes and ran to jump in the carseat.  We had to break it down to him that this was our time together and this was his time to spend with his big sister.  Yeah right, he was not trying to hear it.  He wanted to go on the Apple Pie Date too and threw an almighty.

After Danyelle wrangled him from the carseat and we were on our way, we promised to bring him something back.  After that night, we decided to have a heart to heart with him and to explain that mommy and daddy need our private time away and it doesn't always mean we will bring him something back.

I'm not sure he understood any of it because when it's time for us to go on our Apple Pie Date, DJ starts off with the same routine of trying to go with us.  Now that we're here in Florida and Danyelle doesn't live here anymore, we have to get a little more creative with trying to find quality and private time together once the kids are in bed.

Our new challenge is keeping him in the bed because now he gets out of his bed to come and ask why are we still up watching TV, playing a game or whatever it is that we're doing.  Next step we will be LOCKING our door to keep him out.  Sounds harsh but, not really sure how to get him to understand that this is our PRIVATE time and it's time for him to go to bed.

Wish us luck.

Please leave us a comment on how you work it out in your home to have PRIVATE time with your significant other.  We'd love to get some creative ideas on how to maintain this tradition without DJ feeling left out.  Thank you.

Preschooler's Shopping List

We have a piece of paper taped to the front of the fridge to add items we need from the store. I noticed this was written on the list. Looks like DJ is in on the shopping list suggestion team now. He's growing up so fast. Great job DJ.

Dedicating your children to the Lord.

Hello Family and Friends,

Darrin and I recently had our children dedicated and presented to the Lord in the company of family and friends:

Here's the message from the Pastor:

Hello Tanyetta:

Please accept my thanks for the privilege of  presenting your children to the Lord in blessing. I have a certificate for you which I have to sign and get to you before you leave. I wish we  could have stayed longer, but I had to get the kids back to Pine Forge. I  enjoyed meeting your husband and his parents and family. You and Darrin are to be  congratulated for establishing a strong loving family, and for rearing  children who appear to be well adjusted and healthy.

I am always pleased when  I see black couples who raise families and stay together. There was once a  time when a fractured family was a rarity among African-Americans, but now it  has become the norm. I congratulate the two of you and urge you to work hard  to keep things together in the years to come. My wife and I just celebrated  our 41st wedding anniversary this August.

Our oldest daughter will turn 40 in  November, and her two brothers and two sisters are close behind her. I can  tell you from experience that your best, and most difficult days as a couple  are still ahead of you, but God will bring you through all things united and  happy. I know you didn't ask for a sermon, but I couldn't resist telling you  how inspiring your family is to me, and I am sure to many around you. Let me  also thank you for what you have done for your mother. Your reunion has given  her a level of happiness I have not seen in her, and God always blesses  children who bless their parents.

God Bless you and your  family

Pastor N. Miles

Babies and Bulemia

Gracen is 5 months now and she likes to put her fingers in her mouth. She usually makes herself gag and throws up all over her clothes. I sure hope I am not raising a bulemic. She better stop playing with me.

(Winner Announced) UPrinting Giveaway-100 Postcards (Ends Monday, November 2, 2009)

CONGRATULATIONS TO KRISTIN!  PLEASE, SEND YOUR EMAIL TODAY TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE!

UPrinting offers products such as invitations, thank you cards, note cards and so much more! 

Since we recently moved from California to Florida, I am considering the Postcards.

I think this would be a very cool idea to officially announce our new address.

Popular Products from UPrinting include but, are not limited to: Business Cards, Postcards, Brochures, Canvas Prints and more.  

The customer reviews about UPrinting is a great resource to find out more about the company.

To Enter:

Mandatory:  1. Leave a comment about what you plan to do with the cards if you win.

Optional:
2. Tweet this giveaway-100 postcards giveaway @tanyetta http://bit.ly/2Uo7YK @uprinting #giveaway Ends Nov 2

3. Blog this giveaway.

4. Add my button to your sidebar.

Be sure to leave separate comments for each part you decide to complete.

Good Luck!  Giveaway ends Monday, November 2, 2009.  Winner must respond within 24 hours to be eligible for the prize.

Giveaway Details:

Giveaway Prize: 100 Postcards for One Lucky Winner
Size:  4x6; Paper:  14pt Cardstock Gloss; Printing: Full color both sides     
Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping in the US

Eligibility: Limited to US Residents 

Note: In addition to the winner, I will be provided 100 Postcards from UPrinting for hosting this giveaway.  

Payless ShoeSource In-Store Coupon Offer

As many of you know, my daughter is the Asst. Manager at Payless ShoeSource.  Here's the recent promotion with Payless.  It was announced on the Oprah Show today.  You know once Oprah says it, it will be HUGE!  Remember what happened with that chicken promotion!  LOL----What are you waiting for?

Go on down to your local Payless with the (paper print out or text message) coupon.  They have more than shoes!  You can get socks, purses, earrings, book bags, shades and much, much more!

Payless ShoeSource In-Store Coupon Offer

Payless ShoeSource is excited to offer Oprah Show viewers 50 percent off their entire purchase at Payless stores in the United States, Canada, Guam and Saipan*. This in-store offer is good from now through close of business on Friday, October 30.   

Go to Oprah.com HERE for all the details.

Getting a late start.

Getting my day started a little later than usual. Gracen decided at 10:30pm last night, she would rather stay up smiling and blowing bubbles as if it was 2 in the afternoon. I kindly took her into her room, gave her a kiss, put her in the crib, turned on the night light, turned the baby monitor down to 1 and closed the door. She better stop playing. I need my sleep.

King James Fitness Trainer (St. Louis)--Foul Language and Images.

Check out King James. He's a fitness trainer from St. Louis. What are your thoughts on this workout plan? (WARNING: FOUL LANGUAGE AND GRAPHIC IMAGES)---DO NOT WATCH AROUND THE LITTLE ONES...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ-3DI5Q23M

Famous Quotes:

"Get your fat a** up"

"If you fu** up, I'm gone hit you with this bat!" BOOM!

"u wasn't cryin at that damn table when you was stuffin yo fat ass face and hummin and pattin yo feet"

"If I don't help YO big a** who gone do it?"

Clean Your House in 10 Minutes a Day -Good Housekeeping

Have you heard of this very cool site Good Housekeeping?

Clean Your House in 10 Minutes a Day
Cleanups so easy you can do them after work

Click HERE.  I need all the helpful tips I can get therefore, I am going to try it out. You should too.  I like the calendar format of these tips.  You can try a new tip for each day of the month.
Let me know what you think about the site.

Note:  I didn't receive any monetary compensation for this.  I heard about the site and wanted to pass along the information.

Starting your baby on solids.

Preface: Always consult your pediatrician or a trusted source of reliable information BEFORE introducing solids to your baby.  

This is very important!-Before introducing solids, try to look out for cues that she's ready to try solids.  Does she sit up supported?  Does she open her mouth when she sees the spoon coming to her mouth?  Does she mimic sucking and snacking noises when she sees other members of the household eating? These are good indicators that your baby might be ready to try solids.  Now, when I say solids, I am  not talking about a neck bone.  I am speaking of rice and apple cereals.  LOL

When my baby was 2 months, I decided to research solid food options.   It was time to decide if I wanted to make my own baby food or choose to feed her commercial brand food products.  There are a great number of products available.  The few that come to mind are Gerber, Beech Nut and Nature's Goodness.  I am not endorsing one product over the other.  They have NOT paid me to endorse any of them.  I am just giving you a few examples.

I chose Gerber Stage 1 to introduce solid foods.  The price for the baby food is affordable and within our budget.  The Stage 1 food comes in the form of a 2 pack and costs under $1.00.

We begin with Breakfast (formula or breast milk-it's clearly up to you) and a jar of fruit.  I would highly recommend sticking with ONE ingredient  when beginning to introduce your baby to solids.

For instance, start her off with Rice Cereal mixed with Formula, Breast Milk or Water.  Try this for a week or so and pay close attention to how she reacts to the food.   Then the next week, try another ingredient like Apple sauce.  I started her off with one ingredient fruits.  She's 5 months old now and has been introduced to Applesauce, Bananas, Pears and Peaches.

I haven't introduced the Prunes to her yet.  For Lunch, she has squash or sweet potatoes.  For Dinner she has Vegetables.  Peas, Green Beans or Carrots.  She has ZERO interest in the green stuff.  I've tried.  She is NOT having it.  Needless to say, I am slowly but, surely trying to mix it in with a little cereal to mask the taste.  She knows the difference.  LOL.

The Gerber Website HERE is a great resource tool to begin your search for narrowing down your decisions on how to start the journey of feeing your baby.  Good Luck with whatever choice you decide and always remember, there are no right or wrong ways to choose.  Go with your heart and do your research.

This helpful tool HERE will allow you to custom design your feeding menu tailored to your baby's age and more.

Please, be sure to leave your feedback on what you have decided to choose for feeding your baby.

Grooming Preschoolers! DO as I DO

DJ usually gets himself dressed in the morning and has been 'grooming' himself more and more and paying attention to the details. Today I couldn't resist taking this photo because only a mother would recognize exactly what he's doing! When I brush his hair, I always hold the top of his head or his forehead. Come on now, admit it, I am not the only momma that does this. HahHa. I walked past his bathroom and busted up laughing. He's holding the top of his head while brushing his hair! HaHa! Go on DJ! That is just too cute. You're  making momma proud!

Similac Strong Moms-Coupons, Samples and More.

If you have decided to formula feed your baby with Similac Brand Formula, here's a great deal you should know about.

The corporation has a free program to Sign up for Strong Moms HERE to receive samples, coupons and more.

Examples of a recent mailing I received just by calling the company and requesting coupons.

From the website: Getting in touch with StrongMoms is simple. Just give us a call at 1-800-232-7677, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., CST/CD

Good Luck and be sure to tell a friend.

Please note, I didn't receive any monetary compensation for this.  I am just pleased with the customer service I have received from this company and wanted to pass along this information to you.

Migraines that will make you call on Jesus!

Hello Everyone. Has anyone ever experienced a massive migraine? One that goes from one side of the head to the other and down to your neck? I had one last night that worried even my husband who NEVER gets worried or scared about anything.  


I called my doctor this morning and she said it may be connected to my cycle regulating itself (this is my first full cycle with cramps and everything since Gracen was born--TMI, TMI). Man oh Man that was so scary, I was afraid to go to sleep last night. I kept thinking I would die in my sleep. Yes, I'm a bit of a drama queen when it comes to pain but, still.  


My husband gave me 2 Alleve tablets and when I woke up, it was 7am. Sweet Gracen slept all night OR maybe she woke up and I didn't hear her? LOL-----


Update: I'm all better but, that was the scariest feeling ever.  The migraine was so serious, I was calling on Jesus and everything! HaHa! Man, I'm a wimp.


I just did a quick google search and found this link. A few recommendations to help curb migraines are:

• Exercise, sleep, sexual activity  

I'll let you figure out which one my husband will probably co-sign with.  HaHa!----Ya'll pray for me and my physical health.  I need to slow down and take care of myself.  Last night was a huge eye opener that I really need to take care of myself.  If I die, what will my family do without me?  Here I go again.  Let me go and call on Jesus again.  Bye!

Question: Has anyone else ever experienced migraines? Are they regular? What do you do to get through them? Please explain. Thanks.