Juno is a Wonderful Intelligent Movie!

My husband and I took a little away time last evening to go out to dinner and a movie. We decided to see Juno and boy, are we glad we did.

Juno is the freshest comedy that I've seen in years. Not to mention - teen comedy. This is no American Pie, thankfully. Ellen Page is spot on as Juno, a teenaged girl facing the grown-up and daunting tasks of pregnancy and giving her child up for adoption. Every character is realistic and the movie's character development is moving, every actor perfect. It's easy to see why it is up for four Academy Awards. This is the kind of movie that when you see it, makes you realize how formulaic and underdone almost every movie out there is. Go and enjoy a refreshing new look at how comedies can really be done to perfection.

Oh, To Be Young Again.....

My daughter recently attended a sleepover with her friends sans cocktails (they are still young) for a birthday. They had a fashion show and danced with the disco ball! Great fun was had by all! Check out the adorable cake her mom made by hand (I'm not that ambitious, but I do appreciate great homemade cakes!) It's a sleepover cake!

Send Some Postcards from the Edge

There a few things people enjoy more than getting mail...or is that just me? Either way, I can sure think of a lot of reasons to take advantage of the deal at VistaPrint for Cheap Postcards.

You could advertise your blog with a targeted mailing campaign.....and get them in as few as three days. You can thank your readers for their patronage. You could advertise an upcoming special sale on your website or offer great coupons. How about mailing all your friends about your daughter's upcoming wedding and have them save the date? I just got one of these in the mail today for a relative's July wedding. They did a simple postcard with simple colors and topped it off with a personalized stamp with their photos on it - it was cute! You could invite your friends over for a post-holidays cocktail hour or sleepover (or both!) Why just let the kids enjoy them (the sleepovers, not the cocktails).....

Anyway, quick postcards are an efficient way to get your message out there. You can create your own design online or have them do it for you in black and white or color. Prices start at 24.99 for an order of 100. I've used them for other print orders and they do a wonderful job - very fast and very high quality! I'm printing some to send from my vacation island to make everyone jealous!

7 Weird Things About Me

Thanks for tagging me, dear husband. Here are the rules of this for when I tag you from the original sponsors of this fun:

1- Link to the person’s blog who tagged you. 2- Post these rules on your blog. 3- List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself. 4- Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. 5- Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting on comment on their blog.

Now, Tim didn't tag 7 people, but I'll try.....

7 Weird Things About Me

1) I have been electrified by lightning by sticking a fork into a Tyson's Chicken Patty exactly when lightning hit the line at our house. My heart hurt a lot and I didn't eat chicken patties for ten years. I also never saw a doctor about it.

2) I traveled to Tijuana, Mexico and didn't see any donkey show. I did eat at Hard Rock Cafe because I was scared to eat the "street food".

3) A childhood friend of mine was killed by a serial killer when she was 23.

4) I had a childhood dream to own a horse and my parents actually let me have one!

5) My first car was a 1972 Pontiac Firebird. I used to drive it over 100 miles per hour on a lonely stretch of road. I yell at my husband for speeding now.

6) I named my first child "Annie" because I thought it is better to have a friendly name than an "exotic" name.

7) I never liked any boys named Tim until I married one.

I will now tag Tee and Elizabeth, two of my regular lovely readers! Have fun!

Latest Toy Recalls January 2008

Today, there were several more hazardous toys and items recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Today's recalls and photos are listed below. Please be extra vigilant when using larger toys, like the Kenmore Play Stove, as tipping over is a major cause of deaths and injuries for children. There were other recalls today for a variety of candles, so for those details also go directly to the CPSC website.

“My First Kenmore” Play Stoves/Sears/Kmart
Retailers: Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corp., of Hoffman Estates, Ill.
A metal bracket connecting the door to the stove can cause a tip-over when the door is opened. This poses a risk of injury to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: Sears has received one report of the product tipping over, resulting in bruises to a child.


The self-assembled, wooden play stove is painted pink with six white knobs and a timer. The dimensions of the stove when assembled are 11 1/2” W x 13 3/4” D x 32 7/8” H.
Sold at: Sears and Kmart stores nationwide from September 2007 through November 2007 for about $100.
Manufactured in: Taiwan

Consumers should immediately remove and discard the bracket that connects the door to the stove to eliminate the hazard. Consumers may obtain updated assembly instructions by contacting Sears/Kmart or by visiting either firm’s Web site. In some products, the updated assembly instructions are already included and replacement instructions are not required.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Sears/Kmart at (800) 659-7026 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday, or visit either http://www.sears.com/shc/s/nb_10153_12608_NB_CSrecalls?adCell=A3 or http://www.kmart.com/

Cranium Cadoo Board Games
Importer: Cranium Inc., of Seattle, Wash.

The surface paint on the die contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Only the die found in Cranium Cadoo board games with lot numbers 2007195 through 2007244 are included in the recall. The Cranium Cadoo game is packaged in a square cardboard box with an orange background. The seven digit lot number is printed under the plastic tray on the bottom half of the box.
Sold at: Fred Meyer, Kmart, Shopko, Wal-Mart and specialty game stores nationwide between October 2007 through January 2008 for about $20.
Manufactured in: China

Consumers should immediately dispose of the die and contact Cranium Inc. to receive a free replacement die. For additional information, contact Cranium Inc. at (877) 272- 6486 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.cranium.com

Babies R Us Baby Frames Recalled

Today this recall was issued for baby frames. I hope this doesn't continue with the pace that is snowballing on the lead paint recalls. I am still waiting for them to recall all the Christmas present toys, now that they've made their money....scary! This frame could be in your baby's room now - take a look!

Hanging Photo Frames/Babies R Us
Importer: The Gift Wrap Co., of Atlanta, Ga.
Surface paint on the photo frames contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

This recall involves 4-inch by 6-inch hanging picture frames. The wooden frames are white with decorations in different colors, and with a coordinating ribbon attached to the top.
Sold at: Babies R Us stores nationwide from August 2007 through November 2007 for about $10.
Manufactured in: China

Consumers should immediately stop using this photo frame and contact The Gift Wrap Company for a full refund. For additional information, contact The Gift Wrap Company at (800) 443-4429, or visit the company’s Web site at http://www.giftwrapcompany.com/BRUposterrephoneframe.pdf

A Great Travel Guide To Save Money

As a family, we're always looking for ways to save money, especially when we are traveling. You can find wonderful information in the www.hotelsbycity.net Hotel Guides which are designed to give you maximum information and to save you maximum money! They offer city guides for 500 popular destinations with links to local cheap hotels and fun attractions for your family to enjoy.

If you are interested in history and fun check out the guide to Saint Augustine, Florida. I took a look through the information, because we travel here a lot. They have a great summary of sites and historical places you should visit listed on one page. You can also check more information about Saint Augustine at oldcity.com, which was a site I found on their page or go to City of Saint Augustine, where the home government page listed even more information. I would highly recommend one of the hotels they list on their page the Ramada Inn Saint Augustine, because my husband's family stayed there for our wedding. They found it to have a great location for the money, with good service. You can search for other cheap, but good hotels, at this link Saint Augustine Cheap Hotels.

I think you'll enjoy this historical city for a wonderful couples or family vacation, or you can certainly find great options at the city guides listed here. Enjoy!

Recalls Start Up Again in 2008

I kind of took a vacation, sort of. Over the holidays, I didn't do much on the computer or the blog. And then, right after New Year's, I got sick. Actually I still am hacking a bit, but I'm back in the swing of it all. And so.......back to catching you up, Dear Readers, on the recalls that affect your family and child-related products out there. You may find additional photos and information at http://www.cpsc.gov/.

Toy Wrestler Figures/Dollar Stores
Manufacturer: A.A. of America Inc., of East Brunswick, N.J.
The surface paint contains high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

The recalled toy is a package of four action figures. Each figure is about 5 3/4 inches high. The UPC number 604111230003 is printed on the product’s packaging.
Sold at: Dollar stores and discount stores nationwide from January 2007 through December 2007 for about $1.
Manufactured in: China

Consumers should take the toy away from children immediately and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For additional information, contact A.A. of America toll-free at (888) 822-8697 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, e-mail the firm at recalls@aatoys.com, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.aatoys.com/

Tinker Bell Lamps/Kash N' Gold/Lowes
Manufacturer: Kash N’ Gold Ltd., of Deer Park, N.Y.
The surface paint on the lamps contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

The recalled Tinker Bell lamp has model “Tinker Bell Lamp” printed on the bottom of the lamp. The lamp has a sculpted Tinker Bell in a flower garden with an animation of Tinker Bell swaying back and forth while music plays when the light switch or demo button is depressed.

Sold at: Electronic and appliance retailers nationwide, including Lowe’s from January 2007 through October 2007 for about $40.
Manufactured in: Hong Kong

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled lamps and return them to the store where purchased for a refund or contact the firm to receive a Kash N’ Gold merchandise credit. For additional information, visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.kngamerica.com/

“BabyTown” Pacifiers/Dollar Stores

Importer/Distributor: Shims Bargain Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif.

These pacifiers fail to meet federal safety standards for pacifiers. The pacifier shield is too small and could easily enter the mouth of an infant. Also, ventilation holes are too small and not placed to allow for the insertion of a tool to remove the pacifier when lodged in the mouth of a child. Finally, the package fails to display the required warning instructing consumers not to tie a pacifier around a child’s neck, which would present a strangulation hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled pacifiers were sold in a 4-pack of assorted colors. “BabyTown” and model #39864 are written on the product’s packaging.

Sold at: Dollar stores nationwide from March 2004 through December 2007 for $1.
Manufactured in: China

Consumers should take these pacifiers away from children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For additional information, contact Shims Bargain toll-free at (866) 540–3334 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

Fish Coin Banks/Coastal Federal Credit Union NC
Distributor: TJ Promotions, of South El Monte, Calif.

Surface paint on the coin banks contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

This recall involves coin banks made of plaster that are shaped as a fish. The coin banks are orange with white stripes.
Distribution: The coin banks were provided as a free gift to Coastal Federal Credit Union members in North Carolina from February 2006 through September 2007.
Manufactured in: China

Consumers should take the recalled coin bank away from children immediately and return it to where it was received for a free replacement as soon as one is available. For additional information, contact T J Promotions toll-free at (866) 742-2493 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.tjpromo.com

Please take a look at what you received over the holidays and assess them for safety.

A Great Way to Hire Help to Fix Up Your Home

HireAHelper.com is a great new site that makes it easy for you to Hire A Helper to assist you with your move, help clean your home, come weed the yard or for just about anything you need an extra helper for.

Sometimes you don't need a whole moving company, you just need some Moving Help, perhaps an extra guy or two to help load the heavy stuff into your van. I know we paid my brother-in-law and one of his friends to help us move a few year back, but now they are too old to call upon for such jobs. This site is a great help to match you up with workers willing to do the job for you in your area.

To find available Moving Helpers, you just follow easy steps to find local help. You can search by zip code to find willing workers for just about any job. You pick the worker or company to hire, they will contact you back and you pay HireAHelper via credit card. They will pay your contract worker when the job is done. They have a job ratings section available so you can check in advance to see if others have been happy with their work, before you hire them.

In addition, the site has a learning area to help you find out more about things like how to pack for a move successfully and a lawn and garden care guide. It contains wonderful information to get you started on your household jobs. It's a great way to find individuals you need for just a short job or for a longer term contract.

Hillary Clinton Should Win Because She's "Stylin"!

Overheard between my husband (staunch Republican) and youngest daughter, Emily:

(While looking at a newspaper showing Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton)

"Who would you vote for?" asks Tim. Daughter replies, "Hillary." "Why?" says Tim. "Because she's stylin", says Emily. Tim, "that's not a reason to vote for someone." Emily says, "And I think she'll stop the war."

You Go Emily! Six year olds have an eye for fashion, trends and the truth!

Great Deal on Eyeglasses!

Whoa! I couldn't believe the great value here at Great Discovery: www.ZenniOptical.com for prices on eye wear! They actually offer $ 8 Complete Prescription Eyeglasses plus a Case! If you've been reading my blog, I had a not so great time purchasing glasses recently at a major retailer. My daughter may need glasses this year as well so what a great site to save money! I think they offer some pretty cool styles too! I need sunglasses, so I'm going to give these a try!

The Joys of Childhood.....And Motherhood!

My youngest told me yesterday that she wasn't going to college. No way, not ever! I asked her why? She said, "because I'll never leave you Mommy!" Of course, you won't, darling! Never, ever....we'll see when she's sixteen! But I said, "you can stay with me forever!" And she smiled...the joys of motherhood!

How Can A Mom Keep Decent Hair?

You moms know what I'm talking about! I don't think I've had good hair on display since I had kids....well, maybe a few times, when I actually took the valuable hour to prep, shampoo, condition and set my hair and actually use styling products. That would be going on nine years now, by the way. It's quite sad!

Sometimes I go several days without time to actually shampoo my hair, or even take a shower! (don't tell my husband - wait....he probably knows - that's sad too!) I am happy to say that I have found a product that can actually help me and all the other moms out there who need a quick fix up in between that luxurious shower and shampoo time! Salon Grafix Dry Shampoo is really cool in that you can do a quick spray shampoo for those times when you don't have time! They also offer shades of brunette, blonde and silver so that it matches your hair color, while you use it to give yourself a quick hair clean up when you need it! I plan on keeping it in my bag for quick emergency touch ups when I need to head out to meet someone without having time to go home!

Salon Grafix dry shampoo is really a great mom product when the time crunch hits. And when is there NOT a time crunch, especially for you who still have infants and toddlers!

Girl Scout Cookie Sales - The World Was Against Us Today!

They say troubles come in threes, don't they? Well, we're waiting for number three and we still have time for it to happen! Today was our first day of Girl Scout Cookie Selling. My oldest is in her last year of Brownies and has a tremendous personal cookie sales goal of 750 boxes. If she achieves this, she'll get to go on a special trip to Arabian Nights in Orlando with the local council.

Already, we have one personal strike against us, because on Friday, I started to get the annual "sickness". You know, runny nose, quick bronchitis....blah, blah, yecch. So I don't feel good. But you only get to sell cookies for a short time and we gotta beat the other Brownies out there, so off we went. I drive her around and she goes to the doors. Midway through our morning run, I am backing out of a driveway and suddenly, the front end of the Explorer is in the air! I ran off the culvert and got stuck. I rang and rang the house, but no one answered. I finally sent my little scout running home to get me some help. Tim arrived and pushed me out of the ditch. Literally...with his bare hands - no truck, or anything! (he made me add this....)No harm, really.

We took a break. We headed back out after lunch, this time with little sister in tow. After only two houses, she is running across a yard and whammo! she steps on a metal rake with her Crocs on. She fell, the shoe was impaled (Crocs don't offer much protection) and her foot was bleeding. Someone doesn't want us selling cookies today!

She is fine, just scraped, no puncture wound and her tetanus shots are up to date. But the bastards didn't even offer to buy cookies after she fell in their yard! I can't tell you how many people will say "no" to a sweet little 8-year-old and her 6-year-old sister, I never say no to any scouts at my door!

Bottom-line is this - when a Girl Scout comes to the door - BUY A BOX OF COOKIES! For God's sake, do support the children who are doing something positive with their lives, not just running around robbing liquor stores or smoking crack....

Let us know if you want to buy some cookies or make a donation to Gift of Caring - they'll donate cookies to the needy, old folks homes, or orphans - no lie! Just email me at staceylovelock@yahoo.com.

There, I'm better now...have a cookie!

How Can I Write Anything Better than This?

I just cruised over to my husband's funny blog to see what he's been writing and found this profoundly touching and unfunny post about our daughter's birthday on Dec 31st. I really don't think I can write anything better than this today, so I'll just leave you to read that and see you tomorrow. Happy 2008! But I will add photos to go with the story...Here's the princess on her 6th Bday and sometime shortly after her scary original birthday!