Kick My Gas.

Gas prices are rising, everywhere - and, it's estimated to rise to $4.50 in Western KY by the 4th of July weekend. You don't need me to tell you how ridiculous it is, because most likely, you already know! For some of us though, it's more than just a few more dollars...


There are families across the United States right now that can LITERALLY not afford gas. But, they buy it anyhow, as to not lose their jobs. They sacrifice food and basics for overpriced gas - but why? Not, why do they buy gas...but, why is it overpriced? And, why are we just sitting here, doing nothing? It's time to make a change. It's time to stand up and take back OUR AMERICA. You don't have to fight front lines to be a hero, you can be a hero in your own hometown by helping families be able to afford food again...

Here's How:
-taken from a Lime Newsletter....

Thursday's Dump the Pump Day! Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Assn., Dump the Pump Day invites all to liberate themselves from the gas pump — and its sky high prices these days — by opting for public transportation. Many transit agencies across the nation are offering free rides and organizing fun events, so check with your local bus or rail company to get in on the good deals.

Dump the pump every day by joining the Kiss My Gass protest, which kicked off on Sunday. The campaign basically asks people to avoid a chosen oil company — at the moment, ExxonMobil — for a month, in an effort to simultaneously protest high gas prices while encouraging people to rethink their dependency on gasoline. While the organizers concede their actions likely won't bring the oil companies down in and of themselves, Kiss My Gass still encourages people to take direct, individual action to combat a big, worldwide problem.

If you're really angry at Exxon, join the Exxpose Exxon campaign. This effort, led by major environmental and public advocacy organizations like Greenpeace and Sierra Club, seeks to make the world's largest private oil company to face up to and take action to combat global climate change — as well as pay all of the punitive damages awarded to fisherman, Alaskan natives, and others injured by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Exxpose Exxon's action center has everything from a petition you can sign to tips on "adopting" a gas station.

Of course, the most direct action you can take against Exxon and other gas companies is simply to dump the pump!

New Group and a Favor!

Today, my post is going to be short and sweet. :) I'm asking a super quick favor of you ALL - whether you are a mom, dad, grandparents, or TTC - please go to: http://www.lilaguide.com/groups/parents
and sign up for my group. If you aren't in lilaguide's system, it'll prompt you to join first (it's free), so please take the 3 minutes to do that and then join my actual group (address above). I'm in a contest, so the more members I get before Aug. 1, the better. I'm aiming at 600! It's all free and you are under no obligation to actually post anything or do anything in the group (unless you want to) - Just join! Please?

Oh yeh. And, as always...if you join, I'll add your name to a drawing and I'll be giving away prizes.

Living On A Dime

• Having a hard time doing the things you used to because money just isn't stretching as far?
• Having trouble figuring out what to fix for dinner that you can AFFORD, is healthy, AND will tasted great?
• Feel like you can't look great on your budget?
• Want to know how to clean on a dime?
• Want to get out of debt?
• In need of ideas for holidays and other special occasions that won't break the bank?
• Would you appreciate some new ideas for your low-cost ideas regarding children?
• Want to know how to make the most of your money at the grocery?

If you answered YES, to any of these...check out Living On A Dime and their comprehensive selection of ebooks. These great ebooks can teach you what you need to know about living more frugally - but, without having to give up the things you love - and, how to save money to do the things you've always wanted to do.

With these ebooks and a little careful planning, you could be on your way to living on a dime!

Local Goodness - J. Elaine's & Candy Bouquet

I wanted to introduce you all to a sweet little place called J. Elaine's. They have some of the most WONDERFUL fudge (all different sorts of flavors), as well as candy, cards, unique gifts and specialty gift baskets.

If you live locally, you can check them out at:

405 Broadway St
Paducah, KY 42001
270-442-2828

Hours: Tues. - Fri. 10:00 - 5:00 Sat. 10:00 - 2:00 After Dinner Program May - Oct. Sat. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m

HOWEVER, if you don't live locally, you can still get a taste of this place, simply call them and they will deliver NATIONWIDE!

This would be the PERFECT treat for any parent, grandparent, or....um ...mom (Mother's Day). So, call 'em and let them know I sent ya!

PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES!!

Live in or around the Western KY area? Then, come check us out at the Baby Fest!

It will be at Lourdes Hospital Marshall Nemer Pavilion
March 29th, 2008
From 9am - noon

Expect tons of prizes, gifts, food, lectures (optional), and tons more.

We'll be there, and we hope to see you, as well! We'll be giving away a TON of stuff...so come and find us (First Impressions Maternity and Baby LLC)!

Pampered Chef Food Chopper

Pecans. Veggies. Fruits. Cooked chicken. I could sure use this food chopper from Pampered Chef. It's like having 6 knives going at once! Quick, easy, and...heck, it's even safe enough to let the kids help!

Love it.

$29.50 at Pampered Chef

Thursday Thirteen No. 6

13 things I've learned this week

1. Pampered Chef is having a HUGE incentive. For the first time in ...probably FOREVER...they are offering 2 - 60 % off on ANY item (or set) if you get a $150 order. PLUS you get $15 off and 15% off on anything else. How stinkin' cool is that? You may not see this 60% off (two at once) again for a long time...it's only for February shows. So, call your Pampered Chef demonstrator ASAP!

2. SuperValu in Paducah is having a 10 (items) for 10 (dollars) deal right now. By the way, SuperValu is a grocery store :)

3. You can now use kroger.com to check out their weekly ads! You can also save coupons to your card online, meaning no clipping! They'll be on there when you check out!

4. CVS.com is another great way to save money if you use your Extra Care Card. Check out the site for all the ways you can save money. There are people getting 30 bucks worth of stuff (and more!) for less than a few dollars!

5. If you live in W. KY, there is a great lady I know who is a Personal Chef. You can hire her for your large or smaller parties - she charges only $5 a head. That INCLUDES the food. And, her cooking it. How cool is that? Oh yeh, that $5 is for an entire meal - meat, veggie, bread, dessert! (If you would like her contact info, please email me for it)

6. Pay only $4 for a $25 Restaurant.com gift certificate by typing in the cod "EXTRA".

7. There's a new service where you can send out cards. With a couple of clicks with your mouse, you are done! Sen Out Cards uses YOUR handwriting and signature that you scan into the computer. The cards are $1 a piece and THEY will stuff it, stamp it, and send it for you. Postage INCLUDED! To get a FREE Send Out Cards.com Gift Account (which is 3 Greeting Cards and postage - no obligation or purchase required), go to www.sendoutcards.com/11217. Be sure to let them know that Ashley at www.firstimpressionsbaby.com sent you! Also, you can redeem your free gift account by calling Barbara Duran at (313) 300-1710 OR emailing her at barbduran@sendoutcards.com.

8. To get free coupons, check out the labels on your favorite foods. Often, they will have websites printed on them. Visit the website and email the company telling them how much you love their product and how much you'd love a coupon, or to sample a new product. Many times, they'll send it to you!

9. For a free recipe magazine, check out www.kraftfoodandfamily.com. Sign up and they'll send you one FREE every so often (I think it's every two months or something - I forget)...but they are always pretty good!

10. All stopped up and can't breathe? Try putting one drop of peppermint essential oil on the back of your hand and licking it. For adults only...or older kids. This WILL take your breath for a second. Think Altoids peppermint mints x 20. But...it will make your breath fresher AND clear out your sinuses pretty well...as well as help fight nasty colds.

11. I'm going to get a garden this year! I wanted to grow my own garden this year, but had decided not to because I'm not really one to play in the dirt EVERY DAY. The thought of having to makes me want to run away scared. But, the fresh veggies and fruit at a fraction of the cost was what made the idea pop into my head. That, and flowers. Mmm. BUT, my lovely neighbor has volunteered to help me not only prepare the ground and plant the garden...but she's also agreed to help take care of it. We'll use my land and it'll be *OUR* garden. How nice, huh? I'm super excited. So, there's my lesson...see if you and some neighbors can team up to have a "neighborhood garden", where everyone pitches in on cost and labor ...and everyone gets veggies and fruits from it!

12. For more coupons, go to www.couponmom.com.

13. Apparently... I rock. ;) ( I ran out of things I've learned this week that you would care about)

Thursday Thirteen No. 6

My Thursday 13 this week...

13 Valentines Activities to do with your children

1. Make Valentine's pancakes with red food color and heart shaped cookie cutters!
2. Make all of the food you cook today Valentine themed...use Valentine cookie cutters to make sandwiches fun shaped, use red and pink colored items (strawberries, cherries, tomatoes, red/pink food coloring, etc)
3. Cut out different shaped hearts with the kids and let them finger paint on them. Hang the hearts with fishing line to make a fun mobile or tape them to the windows
4. Fill a jar with small candies (conversation hearts, jelly beans, bubble gum, etc.) and have the children guess how many are in it.
5. Play a game similar to pin the tail on the donkey - using cupid, hearts, arrows, kisses, frogs, etc as the pieces.
6. Blow up red and pink balloons and put a folded piece of paper inside each of them. On each piece of paper, write a number. Tie the balloons and let each child choose one. Have a basket full of small gifts wrapped with a number attached. The number they choose will correspond with the Valentine's gift they get!
7. Using only heart shaped cutouts in a variety of sizes, see what sort of animals you can create...then judge and give awards!
8. Bend a wire coat hanger so the "hook" part stays but the triangular section becomes circular. Attach different sized hearts (decorated with markers, paint, glitter, etc) and then hang somewhere fun.
9. Make crayon hearts.
10. Make a curlicue card
11. Make Felt Fortune Cookies
12. Make a bouquet out of heart cutouts or tissue paper
13. Decorate cardboard frames with all things red and pink (conversation hearts, heart cutouts, buttons, markers, glitter, ribbon, paint, beads, etc)


Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm famous, ya'll!

Okay... so, not really. But, Mary Thorsby did do a great little write up on me and a few of my current endeavors, so please do take a look at her blog.

And, if you want to leave some snazzy comments about...oh, how much you love me, I wouldn't be mad. May stalk you with cupcakes and flowers...but no, I won't be mad.

Speaking of Mary, if you live in the area (Western KY or surrounding areas), you really do need to check out her website, http://ilistpaducah.com. It's a GREAT resource for all of the local events and happenings. Want to find something to do with the kids? Check here. Want to do something without the kids? Check here. Regardless...Check here.

Party Planning - Website

Planning a party? Check out My Punch Bowl. You can select a date (or select a few and have other guests weigh in), send invites and manage guest list, have a message board, create and manage your checklist, and more! It's a great way to keep all of your party planning ideas together, and online. So, no matter where you are - you have access to them (and no chance of the dog eating it).

gifts for the new year

A few great gifts that will keep giving all year long! - The perfect gifts for the New Year!
From RedEnvelope.com

wine with your cheese

These great sets (4 for $7.96) would be great for a New Year's party - or any other celebration. And, for less than $2 apiece, these are very affordable.

now its personal confections.

Mmmm mmmm! Okay, so I just can't help myself! I just received a boxed set of cookies from my friend, Schannelle at Now It's Personal Confections. And OH MY GOSH! These are hands down, some of the best cookies EVER!

I'm showing you a few, but she can do SO MANY MORE! And, if you give her enough advanced notice with a cookie you want created that's not shown on her site...she may be willing.

Now It's Personal Confections offers gourmet cookies, favors, and cookies by the dozen. So, whether you are throwing a party or simply in need of a gift to give (GREAT for favors, neighbor gifts, or hostess gifts by the way)...these are great for you.

Each cookie is personalized. You can add a name, choose the color icing, shape, and cookie type. How cool is that?

Now, I need to go hide my box of cookies before hubby gets home from work. This is one box of cookies I really don't want to share.

"What cookies?"

cooking for a crowd.

It may just so happen that this year (or every year for that matter) you were the oh-so-lucky individual "picked" to be the host of this year's holiday festivities...and you get to cook all the food, too.

So, you finally have narrowed down the guest list as to who is coming and who isn't (for the most part, anyhow). Now, you can move on to trying to calculate exactly how much Uncle Alfred can put away and if your 17 year old cousin will even eat at all...so how are you supposed to figure out how much to fix, then? You don't want leftover portions enough to sustain a small army for a week, but you also don't want dear old Uncle Alfred ransacking your cabinets for a little something more to satisfy him (after all, what if he found your chocolates? Oh, my!).

Don't lose heart, I have the perfect thing for you! Check out Cooking for a Crowd.

And by the way... I'd go ahead and hide those chocolates (just in case). Uncle Alfred may not like banana pudding. Who knew an old, fat bald guy could be so picky?