Living on the Edge

I made the Pioneer Woman Chuckle!

Have you ever read the Pioneer Woman's blog?  It's funny, very funny. She has a name that photo contest from time to time.  I enter often, but never win.  Not sure why.  I think my captions must be THE most creative and THE best ones for her photos.....LOL!  Yeah, that's what the other 2,800 other people think as well!

But this week, although I didn't win the printer...I made the list of runner ups that "made her chuckle"!!  I'm now on cloud nine!  It was just what I needed on the FOURTH SNOW DAY THIS WEEK!

Speaking of snow days....does anyone have any extra snow plows sitting around their towns that they could send to Spokane County...now!....please?

I want these kids back in school.  I'm so ready to take my shovel to the roads myself! 

HELP!!!!!!

School Closures Spokane County

Here is a useful website for those of us living in Spokane County.  It is the ESD 101 page that lists all the updates for school district closures.  I truly don't believe there is one reliable source!  And some districts take their sweet time deciding to close school.  Mead didn't make the decision until about 4:45 this morning.  Who in the world is up at that time?!

http://www.esd101.net/infotech/services/psws/default.aspx

We are enjoying our snow day....dealing with all the snow around here.  It's incredible how much we've gotten and how they say we will get over another foot this week!  Where am I going to put it all.  I hear some guy in Canada sold his snow bank in his front yard on Ebay!  Hmm...maybe I should give that a try too!

Rules of Thumb

I found a fun website.  It's one every mom needs.  You are sure to find just the right "fact" to win any argument with your children!  It's called Rules of Thumb.  A Rule of Thumb, according to the website is "a homemade recipe for making a guess."  In junior high I had a teacher who called them guesstimates.

Here's some information that might come in handy someday:

• If you can't figure out what you want to eat, you're not hungry.
• The more children cry, the less they urinate.
• The circumference of an elephant's front foot is equal to the height of its shoulder from the ground.
• Never fill a child's glass more than half full.
• Zigzag to outrun a crocodile.
• Up to age 6, double the child's age to determine the size of the snowsuit to buy. (Someone has some honking big kids!!)

There are many different categories and if you have a good Rule to add...you can sign in and add your own!  You can even rate the rules.  It's a fun sight!

Junk Mail Solutions

Here's my latest green discovery...how to get rid of junk mail!  We only have a mailbox at the post office and I really like it that way.  It's so easy to throw the junk mail away before I even leave the post office...that way it doesn't fill my garbage can!  And I have plenty of those catalogs as you may have seen back in November.

But I love the idea of not filling the box up so much.  So on my favorite Green website, www.Idealbite.com, I found a list of places that can help you get rid of the junk in your mailbox!

EcoLogical Mail Coalition - helps businesses stop mail addressed to former employees.

Native Forest Network's Guide - includes five easy steps to stop the junk mail coming to your house. 

Opt Out Prescreen - If you're tired of those endless pre-approved credit cards and insurance offers online or by phone: 1-888-5-OPTOUT.

DirectMail.com - free, quick way to get your name off commercial mailing lists.    

Catalog Choice - it'll get you on no-send lists and stops catalog spam. 

I hope this helps you to empty your mailbox as well as your garbage can!

MyKidsRegistry.com

I don't know about you, but when I had birthday parties for my girls when they were little, the question I hated getting most was:  What should I get your daughter?  I never invited people over so my daughters would end up with lots of gifts.  I invited their friends over to play and celebrate the happiness a birthday brings a child.  It's one day during the year when it's ok for the world to revolve around them and for them to feel like they are walking on air!

I came across a fun, new website!  It's called MYkidsREGISTRY.com.  It was created by a mom who also hated that question: What does your child want?

It is a free online resource to assist parents or guardians in planning and registering, their child’s birthday, holiday and special occasion (big or small).

They offer online gift registries and wish lists, online scrap booking, online R.S.V.P., online invitations, vendor partnerships, advice and ideas for birthdays and parties, and charities in lieu of giving a gift.

MYkidsRegistry.com is dedicated to creating a comprehensive, FUN and time saving birthday, holiday or special occasion website for children.

Their goal is not to take the fun and tradition out of gift giving – just to make it a little easier and to make it a hassle free experience for everyone!

Now I haven't dug too deep into the site, just been playing around with it a bit...thought about making a wishlist for my birthday since it's coming up...Ha Ha Ha!  But I really like the "charities in lieu of gifts" part, especially now that my children are getting older and don't want a lot of stuff--mostly just $$ now! The site is in its infancy which is fun because you can help it evolve.  Yvette, the mom who started it, is willing to answer any of your questions!  Just email her.

Polka Dot Pottery

 

If the name isn't enough to intrigue you, then check out the website!  This is a very fun place to go and discover your creative side either by yourself, with friends or with the kids.  Kimberly, the owner keeps a wonderful assortment of pottery in stock for you to paint, from the simple to the extravagant. 

The studios are bright and cheerful, the staff is helpful, the music is fun and best of all, NO STUDIO FEES!  Up until this fall, you could only enjoy a Polka Dot experience in Northwest Spokane.  In October a second Polka Dot Pottery opened up in Spokane Valley.  Hurry and sign up for the eNewsletter and maybe you can still catch the great Grand Opening special offer good at either location!!  If you miss that offer, there will be more to come, plus you can find out about all the special evenings they have planned each month.

Northwest Spokane Location:   

2714 West Northwest Blvd.

509-327-5437

and the new Valley Location: 

118 South Pines 

509-924-2292

The Studio Hours are Wednesday through Friday 10-8, Saturday 10-5, and Sunday 12-4

Be sure to call about their school's out schedule.  Often they are open special hours during vacations so you can bring the kids in to paint with you!  It's a wonderful place to hang out during winter's rainy or dreary weather!

Mango Ink

A few weeks ago I discovered a talented online business that makes beautiful and unique cards!  This is a local online business based out of the Spokane area, which makes it that much more awesome and better yet, they haven't gone corporate!  So you will get that great personal service because there's no middle person.

MANGO INK has unique and creative designs to make your Christmas cards, birthday announcements, or any occasion that much more special!  Everything from Ryan and Heidi's "story" to the layout and design of their website is fresh and appealing.  Be sure to visit their site!

Contests are Fun

I like winning things, how about you?  I've come across many a site while noodling (yes, another multiple meaning word to confuse both children and adults).  Giving things away seems to be a mom thing to do...hopefully I will be feeling flush again soon and can do something along those lines too. 

In the meantime, here's a couple fun sites that have some giveaways for the holidays.  Oooo, I like the way the last part of that last sentence just rolls off my tongue.  But dare I get sidetracked again....

For the moms out there, and the dads who need a good gift idea for those moms, check out these sites:

www.5minutesformom.com

and

www.mom4life.typepad.com

Enter to win and good luck....if I'm not winning then maybe someone visiting my blog will!

Halloween Decorations

So I take time to check out other blogs from time to time.  I came across one with a great name:  Nerd Bucket 

I'm always looking for ideas and inspiration.  This one is great!

Check out the artwork on Nerd Bucket.  If she doesn't illustrate children's books, she should!  Great stuff!

This is the picture she posted yesterday!  I guess it's been floating around the internet.  Thought I'd help it a bit!  Would you put this in your front yard?