My Nutrisystem Weight Loss Journey: Week 23

I managed to survive the holidays and was able to reach my original weight loss goal.  I'm going to begin the New Year as Me, but with a new way a life, a healthier one!  Now, I'm focused (and determined) on losing another 10 pounds in my final 5 weeks on Nutrisystem.

Losing weight isn't all about a lower number on the scale. I have to take the time to appreciate my non-scale victories as well.  This may seem a little silly to some, but this week I'm celebrating boots!  Yes, my boots!  

I can FINALLY wear fashionable boots like Uggs and "snow bunny" boots.  My calves were too big before, and I could never find ones that would fit.  This winter I bought 3 pairs and I absolutely love them!

During my 23rd week on the Nutrisystem program, I lost... 

Target 70 Percent Off Christmas Clearance - It's Finally Here!

I've made a trip to Target every morning for the past 4 days hoping to find their Christmas clearance at 70% off.  When I woke up this morning, I really didn't feel like making another trip into town - but I knew that if I didn't go check that I would kick myself for it later.

As I turned the last corner towards the Christmas clearance, I was thrilled when I saw the Target 70 percent off Christmas clearance signs on all the shelves.   I immediately headed towards the musical snow globes, and started filling my cart!

By the time I left, my cart was filled to the top with a magical variety of Christmas clearance items including candy, cookie mixes, socks, hats, and even a new artificial tree our school's giving tree program.

I have to sort all my goodies out and take a photo, then I'll be sharing another post with my great finds and exactly how much I saved! 

Get That After Dental Cleaning Feeling at Home with an Oral-B Professional Precision 5000 Power Toothbrush!

Even though my children and I go for our regular six month dental visit check-ups, I'll admit that I'm not always faithful about brushing my teeth after every meal.  However, I make sure that both of my children brush regularly, after breakfast and before bedtime always and after lunch whenever possible.

 Two weeks ago, I received an Oral-B® Professional™ Precision 5000 rechargeable power toothbrush to review.  My husband has used an Oral-B electric toothbrush for several years now, but I hadn't made the switch... until now!

I can't believe the difference the past two weeks have made.  My teeth feel so smooth and clean, like right after a dental cleaning!  Now I realize why my children love their power toothbrushes so much, it makes brushing fun and easy!

Plus, the Oral-B Professional Precision 5000 power toothbrush comes with an idiot proof SmartGuide feature.  The SmartGuide two-minute timer has 30-second intervals to help guide you through the four quadrants of your mouth, making it easy to track how long you’ve been brushing!  And when you're not brushing it's a clock, perfect for keeping track of time when you're getting ready in the morning!

  

Oral-B’s most technologically advanced toothbrush, ProfessionalCare SmartSeries 5000 with SmartGuide provides Oral-B's most advanced cleaning technology for ultimate plaque removal and also features a wireless SmartGuide.

Enter the Purex Oh Baby! Sweepstakes

Babies are a blessing. However, raising them can get very expensive. When a little one moves home, you need all the help you can get. Purex Baby detergent is safe and effective for children's clothing at an everyday value! 

Enter the ‘Oh Baby!’ Detergent Sweepstakes and let Purex help cover some of those baby expenses. Three grand prize winners will each receive $500 plus 250 additional winners get FREE Purex Baby detergent.

Free 2013 Calendar - Vistaprint

  
Now that the stress of the holidays is winding down, you can finally kick back, relax, and enjoy the last few days of 2012. While you’re reminiscing over all the memorable birthdays, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, and vacations, collect your favorite pictures to use in a free 2013 calendar so you can remember every moment year-round! Plus, with all of those pictures on your camera from the holidays, now is the perfect time to show them off!

And right now, you can customize your own photo wall calendar for free—just pay for shipping and processing!

New Baby? Sign up to get Free Baby Stuff!

 

Are you currently pregnant or have a new baby at home? Get free baby samples and coupons for infant formula, baby magazines, diapers and more!

Slumber Party Birthday Cake Ideas!

My daughter will be turning 9 years old next month and will be having her first ever slumber party!  She's very excited about her party and having her friends sleepover.  Of course, I want to make her first slumber party extra special.  I think I have all the other details figured out, my only dilemma is choosing the perfect cake.

Which slumber party cake is your favorite?

Giveaway Ending Tonight: Matching Mommy & Daughter Shoes

Little girls want nothing more than to be just like their mommy!  I know that my daughter has always loved doing what I do, and wearing my shoes.  Now, she can have it all with matching shoes from Pairendipty!  

Be sure to enter to win a set of Matching Mommy & Me Shoes for you and your daughter!

All I Want for Christmas Is...

Wishing you a day of happiness and memories... Merry Christmas!

What is Christmas?

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.
~ Agnes M. Pahro

 Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.

~ Margaret Thatcher

 Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.

~ Charles Schulz

 Christmas is, of course, the time to be home – in heart as well as body. 

~ Garry Moore

 Christmas is the keeping-place for memories of our innocence.

~ Joan Mills

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.
~ Washington Irving

Merry Christmas! 

If I Were a Mouse on Christmas Eve...

If I were a mouse on Christmas Eve, I would eat all of the snacks by myself. Maybe I would even crawl up the Christmas tree and slide down it for fun. When Santa arrived and went down the chimney, maybe I would squeak at him and run away as fast as I could. After that, I might even go outside in the snow and sneak over to eat cookies at the neighbor's houses. Oh what fun I would have if I were a mouse on Christmas Eve.

My Nutrisystem Weight Loss Journey: Week 22

Today, I am jumping for joy!  No, it's not because it's Christmas Eve and Santa will be coming tonight... it's because I reached a huge milestone in my weight loss journey!  I was hoping to reach my goal by New Year's, but I managed to reach it before Christmas!  Oh my goodness... I can't believe it!

Since starting Nutrisystem, I have done so much more than I ever imagined possible.  I've learned to manage my portions as well as the importance of drinking enough water.  I've learned that I can still eat all the foods I love, moderation and self-control needs to be a part of my everyday routine.  Moderation, determination, and being active are three keys to success!  And most important... I CAN DO IT!

During my 22nd week on the Nutrisystem program, I lost... 

Merry Christmas from Our House to Yours!

I'm still having a hard time accepting the fact that it's already Christmas, I still can't believe that the year is already nearly over. This week is Christmas and next week it's a New Year!  Where did 2012 go?

My "baby" is going to be turning 9 years old in January. Another year, another birthday, another big change that this Mommy isn't ready for.  I know that there is nothing I can do to stop by babies from growing up. Nothing I can do to keep them small. All I can do is enjoy each new day, milestone and accomplishment we encounter and experience together.

My "baby" LOVES to draw. She drew this Santa picture on her whiteboard and I just had to share with all of you all in time for Christmas. Complete with Santa, his sleigh, reindeer, presents and Rudolph, they are even flying over a house!

 Merry Christmas from my Family to Yours!!

What Is Your Elf Name?

Have you ever wondered what your Elf name would be?  Since we are all Santa's helpers, knowing your elf name could come in handy!

 

What is your Elf name?  My Elf name would be Nipper Sugarplum!

Wishing everyone a fun and Merry Christmas! 

Elf Yourself!

Are you looking for a good laugh?  Then you really should go Elf Yourself!

Office Max lets you Elf Yourself, your friends and your family.  Then, you get to choose which type of dance you'd like to perform!  Disco, Hip-Hop, Country and more!  It really is fun!

I never knew my family had such mad dancing skills until tonight.  LOL!

Elf Yourself!

Watch Santa Feed His Reindeer Online!

If the magic of Santa and his reindeer is still alive in your household, you're going to want to check out this really fun site with your little ones.  You and your children can watch Santa feed his reindeer!  How cool is that?

Go to ReindeerCam.com to watch live streaming of Santa's Reindeer and watch them being fed by Santa.

Here are the times Santa will be by to feed the Reindeer:

PST (Pacific) – 8AM, 3PM & 6PM
MST (Mountain) – 9AM, 4PM & 7PM
CST (Central) – 10AM, 5PM & 8PM
EST (Eastern) – 11AM, 6PM & 9PM
GMT UTC – 4PM, 11PM, 2AM

Gifts from the Heart... The Gift of Forgiveness!

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
... To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.

~Oren Arnold

FREE NORAD Santa Tracker

This is something super fun for children on Christmas Eve... you can follow Santa and his every move with the FREE NORAD Santa Tracker. You can also track Santa via your mobile phone!  How cool is that? 

You can also follow NORAD as they Track Santa on Facebook and Twitter!

Merry Christmas!

Holiday Gift Ideas for Girls!

With the holidays just around the corner, I know people are going to be wondering what to get the little girls on their list this year! Whether it's for Christmas or a birthday, here are some ideas for the little girl on your list!

• Anything Princess
• Webkinz
• Polly Pockets
• Barbie
• Legos (they even have pink ones)
• Babies/Dolls
• Horses
• My Little Ponies
• Littlest Pet Shop 

Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway Winner Announcement: Chicken Soup for the Soul - The Gift of Christmas!

Can you believe that Christmas in only three days away?  I'll be honest... I can't figure out how it crept up on us so quickly!  Even though I've had the gifts purchased for over a month, it just doesn't seem like it should be that time of the year already. 

Are you one of the today's lucky giveaway winners?

Holiday Gift Ideas for Boys!

With the holidays just around the corner, I know people are going to be wondering what to get the young boys on their list this year! Whether it's for Christmas or a birthday, here are some ideas for the young boy on your list!

• Cars
• Trucks
• Legos
• Robots
• Building Blocks
• Lincoln Logs
• Taking Pictures
• Computer Games
• Activity Books

My Favorite Holiday Traditions...

Holidays are something that I look forward to each year. I have so many wonderful holiday memories from when I was a child. Now, I'm fortunate enough to celebrate holidays with my own children and make lasting memories with them.

Holidays are such a special time filled with love, joy, and long standing traditions. Here are a few of my meaningful holiday traditions that take place each year.

• What’s your favorite holiday song? My favorite Christmas song is Winter Wonderland!
• What’s your technique for decorating your tree? For the past 8 years, the kids have decorated our Christmas tree. They pick the ornaments and choose where to put them on the tree. If they can't reach, we give them a lift!
• What’s your favorite holiday recipe to cook? It has to be Toll House Pie. I only make it for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's delicious!
• What do your kids love most about the holidays? Making special gifts for family. They look forward to it every year and we always have so much fun!
• What’s on your holiday list this year? Healing for my Daddy! Smiles on the faces of my children when they open up their presents and see what they asked for! It's not about the gifts under the tree, it's about making memories!
• How do you capture precious moments? I take hundreds of pictures. I rarely go anywhere without a camera (or two)!
• What’s one of your favorite family traditions? Getting brand new Christmas jammies to wear on Christmas Eve! That way we all look festive in our Christmas morning photos!

My First Christmas Puppy!

Growing up, my siblings and I would ask for a new puppy every Christmas.  We always had a dog growing up, but like every child we always wanted a puppy in the house.  

For Christmas 2006, I finally got my Christmas wish, a puppy!  I got her the week before Christmas, my present from my wonderful hubby who almost always gets me what I ask for.  She was an English mastiff and he let me pick her out - what a hard choice.   I would have taken them all if my husband would have let me.  I finally made my choice and wanted to name her Zena as we had a Zeus at home.

While my husband let me pick her out, he didn't let me name her.  My husband is one of those guys that like to shock people and make people laugh.  He chose her name, Kitty!  That's right, Kitty the Dog!   It's a name that I would have chosen or even thought of.  I wanted a pretty name that was unique and different.

My husband wanted a name that would contradict her size and I'm positive that he got what he was aiming for. 

You should have seen the look on people's faces when they heard her name and how they would look at you when you called... "Kitty come!" and she came running around the house!  At 135 pounds, she was the biggest house Kitty you have ever seen!  It gave new meaning to the phrase... "Here Kitty, Kitty!" 

Miss Kitty was a gentle giant and loved everyone, especially kids.  She was unaware of her size and weight and thought she was a lap dog.  She loved to cuddle, especially on the couch!

Schools Closed on the Day the World is Going to End! 12/21/12

I work for one of the local school districts and just got an automated phone call and text message that schools are going to be closed tomorrow due to numerous threats.  Of course my first priority is that all the children are safe, but I find it disgusting that there are people out there that would threaten the lives of innocent children just because they can.

Tomorrow is also the day that the world is suppose to come to an end... I guess I get to sleep in, so I won't know what hit me if it happens!

Hug your children tightly!

 

The Perfect Gift for Everyone: Personalized Creations!

 Personalized gifts make the perfect gift for the holidays and special occasions throughout the year.  From Christmas and birthdays to weddings, anniversaries and graduations... giving a personalized gift shows that you care enough to go that extra step.  It shows that you are giving a gift that comes from the heart!

I recently ordered two personalized hooded sweatshirts for my two children for Christmas.  These Personal Creations exclusives make the children in your life #1.  You can personalize them with any name (up to 12 characters) and any number.  I chose to personalize them with our last name and the year they were born.

Let me say that our personalized hoodies will be turning heads!  The colors are vivid and bold, and they are super soft (cotton/poly blend fleece)!  

My kids are going to want to wear them everyday... and they are going to be perfect for photos!  I can hardly wait to have a photo shoot with them in their matching but unique hoodies on Christmas!

10 Holiday Planning Tips!

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. I love everything about this time of year. I love the music, lights, homemade treats and most of all - the holiday smells and family traditions.

The aroma of pine trees, fresh baked cookies, Christmas cards from family and friends and holiday scented candles. Holidays are all about family and traditions. I love opening the mail to find holiday cards from those I haven't heard from or seen in quite some time. 

My personal favorites have always been photo Christmas cards. Seeing how much everyone has changed is always fun, especially the children - they always change so much and it's hard to imagine!

Since the holidays are right around the corner, I'm going to share10  Holiday Planning Tips:

1.  Fresh Baked Holiday Cookies!    

Baking with my children is one of my guilty pleasures. It's fun, a learning experience for the kids and it brings us closer together. Making memories that will last a lifetime. I still remember how much fun I had baking with my mom and siblings as a kid. Sugar cookies, gingerbread houses and peanut butter blossoms are just a few of my faves.   

2.  Fresh Cut Christmas Tree! 

It's been a family tradition for as long as I can remember. Getting all bundled up, driving into the woods and cutting down our very own Christmas tree. My parents always let us pick it out, we had some Charlie Brown trees growing up, but we always loved them! We even got to decorate the tree ourselves as well. Now, we do the same thing with my kids and it's always something they look forward to doing.

3.  Dress for the Holidays! 

Don't be embarrassed or afraid to wear those outrageous holiday shirts and hats that are covered in bright ornaments and even those that light up! The holidays are all about having fun! Reindeer antler headbands and Santa hats are the perfect holiday attire

4.  Get Outside! 

If you are fortunate to live where it snows, get out and build a snowman with the kids. If you don't have kids, find the kid inside of you and build one yourself. Everyone loves playing in the snow. Making snowforts, snowmen and having snowball fights will bring out the kid in just about everyone!

5.  Enjoy the Holidays Through the Eyes of Children! 

Ten Tips for Making This the Ultimate Holiday Season For You and Your Family

Many people think that in order for their children to have a wonderful Christmas, they have to spend a ton of money.  They buy the most expensive gifts and every item that their child has been asking for all year long.  I'll admit that I want my children to have the best Christmas each year and for them to get the things they have been wishing for.  I'll also be the first to admit that it is possible to do just that without spending a lot of money.

I'm going to share 10 Frugal Tips For Making this (and every year) the Ultimate Holiday Season for you and your Family!

1.  Make Memories!  Life is about making memories that are going to last a lifetime, it's very important. I have so many wonderful memories from my childhood.  My parents made sure to make the most of every moment and every day that we spent together. Since becoming a parent myself, I've always strived to do the same.  Memories are priceless and in the end, that's all we will have to hold on to.

2.  Start a New Tradition!  Traditions are the things that we look forward to each and every year.  Whether it's at Christmas, birthdays, Easter, Thanksgiving or even summer vacation.  Traditions can be anything from new pajamas on Christmas Eve to a special holiday dessert.

3.  Shop Early!  If you have an idea of who you are shopping for and what you would like to get, you can save a bundle by shopping early!  Clearance, sales and coupons are the perfect way to save and make your funds stretch farther. 

4.  Give to Others!  Be sure to think of those who are less fortunate that you are.  It doesn't take much to make a big difference in the life of another.  Donate to the local food bank or adopt a family from a Giving Tree.

Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway Ending Tonight: Christmas Classics DVD Collection

The holidays are about family traditions, and one of my favorite holiday traditions is watching classic Christmas movies with my children!  

Be sure to enter to win a delightful Christmas Classics DVD Collection just in time for the holidays!

What is your favorite holiday movie?

One of My Favorite Christmas Traditions!

Every year since my children were born, I buy them NEW festive holiday jammies to wear on Christmas Eve. It's a holiday tradition that I look forward to every year!  They don't get to see them or wear them before Christmas Eve. Not only do they LOVE getting their new jammies but it's perfect for Christmas morning photos.

Christmas 2004, this was our daughter's first Christmas. 

Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway Ending Tonight: Popsations Gourmet Popcorn

Who doesn't love a big bowl of delicious popcorn?  If you are a popcorn lover, then you're going to love the Popsations Gourmet Popcorn holiday gift guide giveaway!  But you need to hurry... this giveaway will be all popped tonight at midnight!

My Nutrisystem Weight Loss Journey: Week 21

   
I spent all week making chocolate dipped Oreo suckers and chocolate covered peanuts for gifts and our annual Gift Shop.  In years past, I would eat every single Oreo that broke while dipping, and when you're making 5 packages of them, chances are high that there will be many broken ones...

I thought this past week would be a struggle for me, and I was pleasantly surprised when I didn't even think twice!  I didn't eat a single one, which means more for gift giving and zero guilt for me!  It's a win-win situation all the way around.

During my 21st week on the Nutrisystem program, I lost... 

Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway Ending Tonight: Personalized Santa Letter - 10 Winners!

Keep the magic alive this Christmas and send a special child a personalized letter from Santa!  To help spread the holiday cheer, there are going to be 10 lucky winners, each will receive a coupon code for a free personalized letter from Santa!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway Ending Tonight: Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Gift of Christmas - 3 Winners!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Gift of Christmas will delight readers with its stories about the joy, wonder, and blessings of the holiday season. 

 

This special collection is filled with joyful, heartwarming and merry stories about holiday traditions, family, and goodwill that the whole family will enjoy. Most of these stories originally appeared in a limited edition book called Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tales of Christmas!

 

Enter to WIN a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Gift of Christmas! 

What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Warner Bros. Happy Holidays Blog App: Holiday Classics DVD Collection Giveaway!

Ho Ho Ho, it’s the holiday season and that can only mean one thing... Shopping! But finding presents for your loved ones can be no easy task! That’s why Warner Bros. has come up with their awesome Happy Holidays Blog App featuring some classic and new movies out on Blu-ray sure to please everyone from your teeny nephew to grandma wrinkles!

You are going to love the Warner Bros. Happy Holidays Blog App!

• Holiday Movie Challenge! Are you a true cinephile? Then take the WB Holiday Movie Challenge! Keep your movie skills sharp with this awesome quiz! Ready. Set. Go!

• Decode-A-Scene Game! Time is running out! Can you figure out what movie scene is slowly being decoded in front of your eyes? The sooner you figure it out the more points you earn!

•  Holiday Survival Guide! Throw an epic holiday party this season! We have some awesome tips to make you look like a total holiday master!

•  Get Social! Tweet with the #WBHoliday hashtag to get your audience exited for the awesome holiday titles Warner Bros. has this season.

Holiday Gift Guide Winners!

As much as I love the holidays, I seem to get overwhelmed with so many things to do, places to be and people to see!  All I want for Christmas is a little more time... In order to catch up, I'm going to announce several winners for the following Holiday Gift Guide giveaways...  Faux Real Apparel, Ice Age: Continental Drift, Lil' Teammates, See's Candy, Thunderstruck & Shutterfly Photo Books!

Are you one of the lucky Holiday Gift Guide giveaway winners?

Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway Ending Tonight: Gourmet Brownie Sampler

If you are anything like me, you're getting those last minute details ready for the holidays...  So, why not take a moment and enter to win a delicious Gourmet Brownie Sampler.  It's the perfect way to make your holidays (or someone else's) just a little bit sweeter!

Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway Ending Tonight: Candle Warmer Combo Pack - 3 Winners

TGIF!  As the holidays get closer, the weekends and time spent with family are what I look forward to most!  Don't forget to stop by and enter for your chance to win one of the many great giveaways that are currently open for the Holiday Gift Guide event!

Tonight is your last chance to enter to win 1 of 3 great Candle Warmer combo packs to help make your house smell good all year long!

Holiday Gift Guide Giveaways Ending Tonight: Shutterfly Photo Book & Thunderstruck DVD Combo Pack

Christmas will be here before we know it, whether we are ready or not!  I know that I will be taking LOTS of photos Christmas morning, and a Shutterfly Photo Book would be the perfect way to cherish and preserve those memories for years to come.

Be sure to enter to WIN both holiday gift guide giveaways that will be ending tonight!

• Shutterfly Photo Book - 2 Winners!
• Thunderstruck DVD Combo Pack

Top 10 Holiday Gift Ideas for Men

Selecting holiday presents for a man may be one of the most daunting tasks a woman has ever faced. Men can be extremely picky when it comes to buying certain items like clothes and shoes, and you can forget about picking up that little trinket you saw last week. 

According to the 2012 Discover Annual Holiday Shopping Survey, women will spend nearly $165 more on Christmas gifts than men this year. If you spend your hard-earned money on a yellow pom-pom sweater for him, odds are he will tuck it in the back of the closet or throw it away. Be an awesome wife or girlfriend and give one of the ten hottest gifts that men really want this holiday season:

1. Tickets – For a personalized gift, buy a pair of tickets for an upcoming concert or sports game. Most men love to be involved in a crowd at a fun event. If he has mentioned a band or a basketball matchup he wants to see, purchase a pair of tickets for the show. He will adore you for being so thoughtful, and he’ll appreciate it even more if he gets to enjoy the event with you.

2. Electronics – Whether his laptop is broken or he needs a new cell phone, electronics are always at the top of his wish list. Stores like Best Buy and Walmart offer deep discounts on all types of electronics before Christmas so consider what he would like the most. Think about what technology he uses frequently, or ask him if you’re not sure.

3. Movies – Buy his favorite movie or a boxed set of a television series on DVD. If your man does not own many movies and prefers to watch online, consider a subscription to Netflix or Hulu Plus. Then, he can watch all the shows and movies he wants!

4. Video Games – If your guy likes to play video games in his spare time, get him a copy of Call of Duty or Age of Empires. It will be his refuge to unwind and dominate the competition online. For more gift ideas for technology lovers, check out FatWallet’s Holiday Tech Guide for Men.

5. Vacation - For a gift that will knock his socks off, plan a vacation to a warm destination. Tons of travel websites offer deals and packages for the off-season. A trip gives both of you something to look forward to when the holidays end and winter hits.

6. Car Accessories – Unless your man’s ride is completely pimped out, there is always something he could use for his car. Maybe his radio needs an upgrade, or a GPS would prevent him from getting lost all the time. If you really want to impress him, invest in an awesome set of tires or speakers.

Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway Ending Tonight: See's Candy: $25 Gift Card

Do you have a sweet tooth?  One of my favorite things about the holidays is the sweets, candies, and other goodies that I don't make or eat any other time of the year!  Why not make your holidays a little sweeter and enter to WIN a $25 Gift Card for See's Candy!

What is your favorite holiday treat?