Ebates

I am not a store shopper; I don't like crowds of people during sales, trying things on in fitting rooms, waiting in lines to check out, the dry air in malls, etc. I much prefer to shop online, when I can enjoy some tea in my pajamas while I get what I need. I did most of my Christmas shopping this way and stocked up on some things for LP to wear next year during the clearance sales.

During my holiday shopping I discovered Ebates. It is free to register for the site, and they have thousands of online stores listed through them. All you have to do is go to your favorite store through the Ebate link, and you receive a percentage of your purchase price back. I also got additional deals on some of my purchases by using a discount coupon only offered to Ebate members.

It is easy to sign up and you can choose to receive your money back as a check or through PayPal.

Gift Ideas for the Outdoor Adventurer

Christmas is on the way. I guess I hadn't realized that the year snuck by already, but I worked for a few hours last weekend and the decorated mall and crazy shoppers drove the point home quickly. I have been putting things away for LP this year, so aside from the one gift she wants to ask for from Santa, shopping for her is just about done. Now I have to sit down and make my list of what I want to get for everyone else. I love giving gifts, as long as I can come up with the perfect thing that I know someone will love.

I know that some of you are probably already done shopping, and at least one of you (yes Jenn, I’m looking at you) is even done or mostly done with all the wrapping. But for the rest of you who haven’t planned a year ahead and are still working on shopping, Sierra Adventure Gear looks like a great Website to take a look at if you have an outdoor adventurer on your list. They have everything from tents and emergency kits to Luminox watches and sunglasses. I’m sure there is something that he would love to find under the tree.

Police Gear

The cold weather is settling in. We enjoyed a warm fall, but knew it was too good to last. Overnight the temperature dropped dramatically, reminding me that fall is just about over and winter is coming. As much as I dread the snow and cold, when the weather is really bad I can just stay in the warm, cozy house. Unfortunately Lilypad Dad doesn’t have that option, no matter how bitter cold or snowy out it is, he is in and out of the elements at night while he’s working.

LA Police Gear carries some great options to help him keep warm on the job over the winter months. I really like the 5.11 Flannel Lined Tactical Pants. Who wouldn't want to have a nice flannel lined pair of pants on when doing a car stop in the snow and freezing weather?

They also have a good selection of Under Armour gear, something that LP Dad has asked for recently. Since his department doesn't have an approved pair of flannel lined pants, he wears extra layers under his uniform to try to keep warm in the winter. I have been looking for Under Armour gear for him, and right now LA Police gear is offering free shipping on Under Armour orders over $50.

Four Eyes For Less

It's that time again, I need to get new glasses. Unlike the rest of my family, I don't need glasses in order to see my own hands when I wake up in the morning. I can read just fine without them, but after extended periods of reading or on the computer I will get a headache. Since having LP, I haven't had the time to spend reading or on the computer, so my last pair were put away and forgotten about. I haven't gotten a new pair of glasses in about 8 years. But now that LP is getting into longer books and I've been spending more time on the computer doing some work for Uncle Dave, I think it is time to replace them.

But glasses can be very expensive. Since they aren't something that I wear everyday, I don't want to spend too much on them. I just want something light, simple, comfortable, and cheap. So I started researching my options. An article in the Chicago Tribune discusses your options for frames, such as your local optometrist, warehouse clubs, and online.

The article talks about one online site, Zenni Optical, which sells stylish prescription eyeglasses from $8. They have a wide range of frames for men, women and children, from basic plastic or metal to stainless steel and memory titanium. They offer single vision lens, sunsensor (potochromic) lens, tinted sunglasses lens, bifocal lens and progressive lens. I have already found a couple of frames that I think would be great, and you can't beat the price!

Wedding Invitations

When Jumpin' J's mom and I were on the train heading to the game last weekend, she got a call from another friend who is getting married next month. She was going through some wedding preparation stress (which I hope is better now!) But it got me thinking about my wedding preparations again. I don't think I let myself get too stressed out by all the details, but if I had to do it all over again I would definitely do the invitations differently. I bought invitation stock, created the text, and printed them all myself. While I was happy with the way they turned out, it was a lot of work and wasted paper trying to get it all perfect.

Next time I think I would use 1st Class Wedding Invitations. They have invitations of all types to choose from, finding the perfect one is easy. You can search by theme, color or paper type to find just the right style. Once you choose the invitation, you then personalize it just the way you want. They offer verses for you to choose from which you can modify as you like, then you choose from 70 different fonts and your type color. You can also choose to enlarge the couple's names, have the outer envelopes printed, or have a lined inner envelope.

I found an invitation very similar to the ones that I created for myself. I love the very simple, elegant Ecru Traditional invitation. Their invitation price also includes the blank outer and inner envelopes and tissue. Even with the additional options I would choose, lined envelopes and enlarged names, the price is about the same as I paid to do all the work myself, but without all the stress.

Buying Appliances

I enjoy cooking. And I love my kitchen. But I'm starting to get frustrated with our range. It is getting old and you can boil or turn it off, it's very difficult to get anything in between when you need to simmer or something. Lilypad Dad and I have started looking into replacing it although it is still going to have to wait a little while.

When we are ready to replace it, we are planning to look for a local Mom & Pop appliance store to purchase from. Mom & Pop places not only sell, but they install and service the products they sell instead of contracting it out or telling you to then go deal with the manufacturer if you have problems after it is in your home. The employees at Mom & Pop stores know the products that they sell, they are often family employees who have worked at the store for years instead of someone who jumps from department to department like at the big box stores.

If we lived in Southern California, one store that I would definitely go look for the range at would be Spears Appliance - Family Owned & Operated Since 1929. They are currently in their third generation serving customers with appliance sales and service.

Police Gear

Before I met Lilypad Dad I never thought I'd shop for gun holsters, bulletproof vests, or uniforms. Now that has just become a part of my life. And a special flashlight is Lilypad Dad's go-to gift whenever someone graduates from the academy, so I've started looking for online police supply stores that have a good variety of items and good prices.

LAPoliceGear.com is one site that I have found. They have tactical gear, from many different makers so you can find the one you like if you have a favorite. I'll be looking here the next time someone graduates from the academy, or if Lilypad Dad manages to break another gunbelt!




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Play Ball!

It's that time of the year again. The rivalry picks back up in the pond, and Lilypad Princess and I lose Lilypad Dad to the computer as he tries to manage his fantasy baseball team. Unfortunately, Lilypad Dad is not a very adept baseball manager, the only time his teams have ever made it to first was when I took over the management for a couple of weeks. Each year Lilypad Dad has struggled to get his team out of the bottom half, never coming anywhere near the winning position.

This year there may be hope for Lilypad Dad though! Sports Prophet® has created a fantasy baseball draft assistance program designed to help you dominate your fantasy baseball league. This Web-based program is accessible from anywhere, so LilyPad Dad can access it even when he heads up to his fraternity brothers for the draft. The player rankings are based on Predictive Modeling by PhD scientists, creating the most advanced draft assistance tool. It provides you with all the data needed to make the right decision about any player based on that given round and situation.

Throughout the season you can continue to use the software as it provides full season roster management, including updated mid-season projections via artificial intelligence. All stats, injury reports and major updates are available from within the software. With this program, Lilypad Dad might not only have a shot at winning the money prize, but bragging rights for the next year over his frat brothers!

Anyone interested in using the Sports Prophet software to manage their team can get $10 off by using the promo code BMC200.

Steven, An Oyster Joke?

OK, I am the first to admit that I don't have a large joke repertoire. I leave the jokes up to Steven, the king of corny jokes. So when I was asked to start off this post with a joke about oysters, I was stumped. A search of the web didn't turn up much except for this one.

What did the girl oyster say to the boy oyster?
You never open up to me.

There must be SOMETHING better than that, Steven, any suggestions?

While I might not like to joke about oysters, I do like to eat them. I'm not really a raw oyster person but I love good, fried oysters. But I know there are lots of people who enjoy them raw. Be Oyster Aware is a site that aims to inform people of the risks of raw oysters and educate them on how to enjoy Gulf oysters safely. They also include some recipes that sound really good, I'd like to try the grilled oysters and the oyster cakes!

Travel in Budapest

I love to travel; Australia and Ireland have been my two big international trips so far. Although I probably won't be going anyplace anymore exotic than Oklahoma or Disney World for the next few years, I still like to think about places I would like to visit.

One city that I think would be very interesting to visit is Budapest. Described by a travel guide as "old world charm and cosmopolitan living on the banks of the Danube", I love the mix of Western luxury and simple traditions. Budapest is a major spa center and 'taking the waters' at one of the many baths or spa-swimming pools is something that every visitor must experience.

Apartments in Budapest can help you plan your Budapest holiday by booking an apartment to stay in instead of a hotel. They offer your choice of 49 different accommodations, all with the amenities of 3-5 star hotels. But by staying in an apartment instead of a hotel you can have the convenience of a kitchen, saving you money on restaurants, laundry, and multiple rooms to keep a larger travel party together. If I had my choice, I think I would stay in the Hollywood Apartments of Budapest

Health Supplements

Now that I have gotten into a pretty good routine at the gym, I've turned my attention to my nutrition. I'm working on cutting down portion sizes, eating healthier snacks, balancing food groups, and reducing fat.

Along with the food changes, I have started looking into nutrition supplements as well. I need to start taking a multivitamin again, and I have been grabbing protein bars and fiber bars as a quick snack on the run. I came across that a site where you find discount bodybuilding supplements as well as vitamins and general, well-being products. Supplements.net has some really interesting bars and snacks, such as the Better Balance Pretzel Sticks, Protein Chips, and Luna Bars. The ones the sound the best to me are the thinkOrganic Raw Fruit and Nut bars. The Apricot Coconut, Chocolate Coconut and Cherry Nut sound like they could make a yummy, healthy treat when I'm craving something sweet.

Supplements.net has a good variety of products and the prices seem to be really great. Their site says that they have a low price guarantee.

Finding Insurance

Insurance. It's something we all have to have and is such an important part of life. Health insurance, auto insurance, life insurance, house insurance, pet insurance, travel insurance: there are so many different kinds of insurance out there. Some of which are a luxury, others are required. You cannot get a mortgage to buy a house without having home insurance and it is illegal to drive a car (at least in our state) without auto insurance. Unfortunately health insurance is not required, but should be something that everyone has, I cannot imagine having to pay medical bills without it.

We have recently been trying to get additional life insurance policies for Lilypad Dad and I. Lilypad Dad is covered with a policy at work, but we wanted to have another one just to be on the safe side. And now we have to start searching for a motorcycle policy. Pop Steve gave Lilypad Dad a motorcycle and now that he has his permit and the nice weather is coming, it's time to get it insured and registered so he can hit the road with Buby's dad.

Websites like Autonet Insurance Group make it easy to find the insurance you need. They can provide you with quotes for car, motorcycle, home, business, and courier insurance. Commercial Insurance helps employers find just the right kind of insurance they need, whether the business is a hotel, factory, or contractors.

Good Night, Sleep Tight

Bed is one of my favorite places to be. Sleeping is always wonderful of course, but there isn't much better than bringing Lilypad Princess into bed with us first thing in the morning and cuddling together as a family before starting the day and heading our separate ways. I love our bedroom set, I looked for over a year and a half after moving into my condo to find a set that I loved, but now I wish I had gotten a king size bed instead of a queen. Our bed seems to be shrinking with a 6'2" husband, rapidly growing child, and 2 cats taking up all my space. And since Lilypad Dad has been pushing me to redo our bedroom (I think he's sick of living in a Victoria's Secret box) I have been looking at new bed options.

Time 4 Sleep has some beautiful beds. They carry all different styles, Light Wood, Dark Wood, Upholstered, Leather Beds and many more. I think that the Antibes bed would match the set now, allowing me to keep the rest of my furniture, but upgrade to a king size bed.

They also have some adorable children's beds. Lilypad Princess is still in her crib, and we recently purchased a twin bed for when we are ready to move her, so we will skip the toddler bed stage. But some of these beds could cause me to think twice they are so cute. They actually take a twin bed mattress, but are low to the ground like a toddler bed. The pink jeep and blue jeep are my favorites, but the fire engine and grand prix car are adorable as well.

Black Friday Ads

So I know I'm a few months early with this post, but I wanted to put the information in my blog so I could easily find it again in the fall. I am not a good shopper especially when there are big crowds around the holidays. Shopping on Black Friday is my idea of torture. But I am always hearing about the great deals that everyone has gotten and wondering if should venture out one year. I can never bring myself to do it though.

Online shopping is much more my speed. I can stay in my pajamas, have a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate while I shop, avoid the crowds, and have everything delivered right to my door. But Black Friday shopping can be overwhelming; trying to figure out which stores have the best deals, what time their deals start, etc. Now there is a website that keeps track of all of this for you. The site posts the thanksgiving ads as they are released, so you can plan your shopping ahead of time. You can even enter your email address to be notified when the 2008 Black Friday ads are posted. Their ads from 2007 include ToysRUs, BabiesRUs, Amazon.com and Target.

During the rest of the year, another page on their site takes you to current daily hot deals, for example this morning there is a laptop for $1000 after $200 in rebates. There is another page for coupon codes, so be sure to check for coupons before you make any purchase online.

Picture Perfect?

One of the things that I worry about while raising a daughter is how to develop her self-esteem, and love of herself no matter what. With the media images these days, it can only get harder and harder to encourage children to be happy with themselves. The stars and models that are held up as the images of "beautiful" are often altered by photoshop, retouching, or even plastic surgery.

I read an article today about how "Oscar nominees could benefit from surgery". The article recommends a browlift for Johnny Depp and Botox and lip fillers for Cate Blanchett among other stars. How can you convince a child that she is beautiful when we can search for something to fix on stars that are already considered beautiful?

The website that has the news article also shows photos of some stars and newscasters in the UK that have used their Breast Enlargement services. According to another article on this site, 44% of adults in the UK would consider having cosmetic surgery. Is this going to become the norm in the future, everyone will have some form of plastic surgery? Well, I guess except for people like me who are too terrified of needles to consider it.

From City to Suburbs

Until I moved here, I never would have considered 65 miles outside of a city to still be a suburb. But living here, I've realized that many of the people around here commute all the way into the city as well, making this a suburb despite the distance. I know that it was similar in the last metropolitan area I lived in as well, although the distance wasn't quite as great.

Apparently this isn't just happening here in the US, but in Europe as well. According to a news article I read on a site about Uk Mortgages, this is becoming a common practice outside of London as well. According to the article, the reasons that people are moving out of London as are the same reasons as here, cheaper housing prices and a better quality of life.

More Space Needed

I've been doing a lot of online searches for cabinets, building supplies, etc for Uncle Dave. One thing I've come across that I thought was pretty interesting is a Sectional Garages. They are built in the factory, then delivered and erected in your yard in one day. They have different sizes and styles depending on what you need.

When we were looking for our house, one thing that was a negative for some of the houses we looked at was the lack of a garage. With a product like this, if you fall in love with a house, the lack of garage doesn't have to be a reason to pass on it, you can add your own garage as soon as you move in.

Our house has a large garage and plenty of storage space above, so we don't need a new garage for storage or cars, but I think this one would make a cute playhouse for LP.Of course at the rate we are growing into our existing space, it might not be long before we could use the extra storage room in our backyard. I could see using one to store the yard equipment like the lawnmower and snowblower, freeing up space in the garage, LP’s outdoor toys, freeing up space on our porch, and maybe using it as a place to hide presents if LP turns out to be a present finder like her Auntie La.