It’s My Imagination

Razor Pocket Mod

My review of the Razor Pocket Mod electric scooter has been published. My daughter and I both received this scooter from Santa for Christmas and they’ve been a lot of fun to ride around the neighborhood.

I’d love it if you could take a look. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

Check out my recently published content on AC:

Product Review: The Razor Vapor Pocket Mod Moped

Skin Care

I’ve been sitting here listening to the wind howl for the third day in a row and I began dreaming of warmer days. Warmer days and being able to sit outside for fresh air and sunshine without being blown to another state. I feel somewhat trapped in the house with this horrid wind going on night and day. We have a very nice in ground swimming pool surrounded by nice concrete decking and some comfortable outdoor seating. I am so looking forward to using it!

Earlier this morning, I wrote about the importance of skin care. Caring for your skin becomes even more crucial whether you’re outdoors basking in the sun, or simply working in the garden. Skin protection is so important.

Last Spring, we were able to start using our swimming pool around the beginning of May, just a few short months from now. With that in mind, I’m going to start stocking up on Tanning Lotion and sunscreen. Even before our pool is warm enough to get in, I’ll be outside doing spring yard clean up and yard maintenance, so I need to be ready. I’m not one to use tanning beds, but if I were, I’d want the right lotion for protection, just like I want protection for being out in the sun itself.

I am so looking forward to warmer weather (and less wind), how about you?

Money Saving Tip

The financial news is constantly reminding us of banks and mortgage lenders who are in financial trouble due to their lending practices over the past several years.  While experts have not come out and said it, the U.S. economy is not in its best shape right now.  The dollar is down and interest rates were up, until recently.

Last week, and again this week, the fed has lowered its prime lending rate.  This is very good news for consumers, especially those with higher rate mortgages, high interest loans, and even high interest credit cards.  Don’t sit around and wait for a bank or lender to reduce your rate.  Take matters into your own hands and make some phone calls! 

Example:  Last week I received a balance transfer offer from one of my credit cards for a low rate of 4.99% for the balance of the loan.  This is an amazing credit card rate.  This particular card currently has no balance on it.  However, I have another card with a balance and an APR of 16.41%.  So, I called company B and asked if they would consider matching the rate of 4.99%.  I was told they couldn’t do that, but they did reduce my rate to 9.99%.  Not bad considering I’ve had that credit card for less than a year.

Now, I’m very pleased that they reduced the rate, but I do still plan to take advantage of the balance transfer offer.   Paying less in interest  charges means I will be able to pay off the full balance much sooner.

The point here is, call your credit card companies.  Ask if they can give you a lower interest rate.  The worst that can happen is that they say no.  Chances are though, they will work with you, especially if you let them know you have another offer in the wings!

Growing Up

My daughter is growing up, one more month and she’ll be 12. There is just no way to stop it, if there were, I would.

This year I have seen the most significant changes in my daughter, changes that tell me that she is no longer a little girl. I don’t want to get too personal here, she would kill me, but any mother out there knows what I’m talking about. Thankfully, the one thing that hasn’t changed yet, is her smooth, beautiful skin. She has complained a couple of times about it feeling dry, but other than that, it’s still perfect! (Yes, I’m her mom and I am biased).

Just like with any other part of personal care, I’m a believer in taking care of your skin. I wash my face every morning and apply toner followed by more than one lotion. Now I know that she doesn’t need that same regimen. I have been shopping for good quality lotions and cleaners designed for young girls. Their bodies are going through so many changes, I want to make sure I get something that she will utilize and will be good for her skin.

If, however, her skin does break out with acne, as many young teens do, I can get her the Exposed Acne Treatment that uses natural extracts combined with other ingredients to clear acne quickly.

I personally never had an acne issue (until I hit my 40’s!) and my mom has always had clear skin as well. I’m hoping my daughter inherited that trait from us. I hope she never has to deal with bad acne, but it’s good to know this product is there if she does need it.

Close Your Chip Bag

I found this video over at Windy Ridge and was amazed that no one had thought of this before!

You know all those half eaten bags of chips you have in your pantry? How do you close them? I usually use a bag clip, when I can find one, but more often than not, I just fold the bag and hope for the best. The “best” usually ends up being stale chips. Watch this video and learn how to easily close your chip bag, no clips required.

Family Dogs

Brody & ElsieOriginally uploaded by sewingmom1

We are such animal lovers in our family. Every family member’s house has at least one pet, a dog, sometimes two, and sometimes there are cats and birds mixed in for good measure. It occurred to me that I am always showing pictures of my dog Plinko and I decided today that I would show other animals that are in my extended family. Today, I have a picture of Elsie and Brody, both of whom are members of my sister Karen's family.

Edited to add:  The quilt, by the way, was hand crafted by my sister Karen for her daughter.  I do believe the dogs think it belongs to them!

Vehicle Ownership

Sometimes, I think owning a vehicle is more trouble than it’s worth!

We own two vehicles, a car and a van. We do our best to keep up with the regular maintenance, oil changes, tires, etc. We keep them washed and in very good running condition. No matter what condition our cars are in though, we still have to have auto insurance.

I tend to stay with the same insurer, as a matter of fact, I’ve used the same company since I got my very first car back in 1979 (you do the math). I have on occasion received car insurance quotes from various companies and I end up staying with the one I’ve got. Not just because they tend to offer me the best rate, but because I also know they have very good customer service.

You see, I have had to use my auto insurance a couple of times. Once when my car was totaled in an accident involving a semi-truck and another time when a car sped through an intersection, running a red light and ramming into the front end of my vehicle.

So, although I’m sure I’ll get quotes again sometime in the future, I think I’ll stay with what I’ve got for now. I think it’s worth checking out your policy and comparing it to what others have to offer every now and then.

Baritone vs. Tuba

It was just about 2 years ago that my daughter came home and informed me that she wanted to join the school band the following school year and she wanted to play the baritone (euphonium).

First let me say, prior to that day, my daughter had repeatedly informed me of her complete lack of desire in learning to play an instrument.  Of course I was delighted that she had changed her mind as I am a firm believer in learning music and how big of a role it can play in other areas of your life.  What was a bigger surprise was the instrument she chose, mainly because I had never considered it before.

Needless to say, T began private lessons on the baritone that summer and joined the 5th grade band that Fall.  She became a member of the local All Brass Choir which performed at numerous school functions and consisted of 5th graders through seniors in high school.  It was really an impressive sound and awesome to see her playing next to a high school boy.  By the way, she was the only girl in the All Brass Choir, even more impressive.

Upon moving to Texas, we discovered that the school district here starts band a year later and does not even offer the baritone as a beginning band instrument.  I had to get special permission from the band director for her to continue on her baritone.  Unfortunately, she has been so bored in band this year.  The instruction has moved so slowly that they have not yet even played a song and it’s been 5 months.

Two weeks ago, the 6th grade band performed a “concert” for the parents.  I write the word in quotes because it was more of an informational meeting for the parents of the band students than an actual concert.  This is particularly true since they haven’t learned a song to play.  The information we were given pertained to the instruments that the students could switch to at the beginning of February, if they qualify.  Baritone is one of those instruments, but since T all ready lays that instrument, I wasn’t even thinking about her switching.

However, when I looked over at her, she was smiling and mouthed the words, “I want to play the tuba”!  I was so surprised that I almost fell of the bench!  The tuba?  I thought the baritone was big, it doesn’t even compare to the size of a tuba!

Anyway, I’ve received very positive comments from her band director and he explained his belief that not only does he think that T can pick up playing the tuba rather quickly, but if she continues on the baritone as well (which she is), it will give her more options going into Jr. High next year and then on in to high school marching band.  He feels she is quite talented and, I have to admit, he’s not the first to tell me that.  Of course, being her mother, I am biased, but it’s certainly nice to get confirmation from people who know.

So, she will be trying out on the tube either this Thursday, or sometime next week.  I will update here on what she decides to do.

Photoshop

Last week I upgraded both of my blogs to Wordpress 2.3.2. Now, I didn’t do this on my own, I had technical assistance. The person who helped me noticed that I place quite a few photos in my posts and told me that rather than uploading those onto my server, I should be using a photo hosting site. This made sense to me, so I’ve spent some time doing exactly that over the last few days.

Now I’m wondering, what else can I do with my photos. I have 2 very nice digital cameras that I use regularly. I know how to put the pictures onto my computer. I know how to email them to family and friends. I even have two very good photo printers that I use to create special projects. I also now know how to use a photo hosting service to place pictures in my blog posts (I just learned this technique). Something I haven’t done is learn any photo software for enhancing my photos in any way.

I know another blogger who has spent quite a bit of time learning some photo software and I’m very impressed with what she has been able to do, not only with her pictures, but also with images she uses on her blog. I’m wondering if she might be interested in Photoshop Brushes to add to what she’s all ready doing. She’s been able to create some very cool headers and images in her sidebars as well. I’m hoping she’ll give me a tutorial!

What do you use to get images and photos into your blog?

Snowday

This dog really likes snow! This video was so funny that I wanted to share. You can mute the music if you choose, it’s Christmas music after all, but the dog in the video is having so much fun.