The inside story

I have a confession. I love, love, love documentary films - almost to the point of obsession. I wrote my senior thesis in college about documentary films (it was awesome). I sat in the library for weeks watching documentary after documentary and then I wrote some short 60 page paper about my “findings”. Any who - I found two yesterday that I greatly enjoyed.

Well, both deserve commentary but one is far more controversial than the other (so I'll skip that one). The documentary that I’m skipping, but I’ll at least give you the title is “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” with Ben Stein. Sidebar – I used to love his show, Win Ben Stein’s Money – with Jimmy Kimmel. This particular documentary discusses intelligent design – hence why I’m not touching that one with a 10 foot pole.

The second one, was fascinating to me – “Nursery University”. Have you seen this?!?! It was so foreign to me! It discusses the preschool process in New York City. The movie sets the stage discussing the baby boom since 2000 and how there just aren’t enough “good” preschools.

It is funny to me, the principal of the Mandell school talks about how preschool isn’t the key to Harvard. If you listen to some of these parents on the documentary, you would think you went from 3 year-old preschool class to Harvard.

I can’t imagine that process. Can you relate?! Is the preschool market in your area competitive? I have to say with the baby, (yes, he is in “preschool” 2 days a week), I just made a few phone calls in July, he started in August. I toured the schools, talked to them on the pone. There were no applications. REALLY?!?! APPLICATION FOR PRESCHOOL?!?!

The application process in NYC starts the day after Labor Day and you don’t get accepted to March – then the tuition for these schools is insanity - $8,000 for a few hours a day for my preschooler?!?!

Maybe living where I do, I’m blessed or naïve. I believe that preschool is strictly ABC’s, sharing/caring, maybe a song here or there, nap, snack and home. Maybe I’m not obsessive enough, I don’t know. I got sucked in, fully intending to do a lot more around the house, but couldn’t!

Now – I don’t know if anyone is out there reading this anymore. But if you are – tell me did you have a huge preschool app process? Do you know anyone who lives in NYC who has lived through this drama!?! Is this everyone who experiences this stress or are this just the upper, crust elite?

Hello Again...

Today, I was going to reconnect with my blog with a purpose. I was going to have this thought provoking post that was going to explain my absence - where I have been, what I have been doing, why I missed obligations - but nope. I just missed my blog. I missed my outlet, I missed writing and sharing. I missed my bloggie friends. I missed the work that I was doing.

I was a bad, bad blogger. BUT - I'm back! I have a renewed spirit - many things to write about and I look forward to reconnecting and sharing. I apologize for my absence. I'm coming back with blogger guilt for letting my readers down (the giveaways that I never finished etc.). To you, I'm sorry. I hope that you'll forgive me. Sometimes there just weren't enough hours in a day to get everything accomplished.

I'm listing to blah blah on the View. I really can't stand this show. I need to get up and change the channel.

I also smell a stink coming from the baby - I better fix that before it becomes a larger issue....Ugh. I'm pretty sure I have a few loads of laundry that need to be done...

oh yeah, the poopy baby just walked by....

I'm glad to be back, I'll hope you'll forgive me, I missed you all....

Sunglass Warehouse Review & Giveaway

I was so excited when I was contacted by Mama Bzz and Sunglass Warehouse to not only review BUT also host a giveaway!!!!! Who doesn't need or want a new pair of sunglasses by this stage of summer!? ( I also feel that we should vote to move the first official day of summer back!).

There is something for everyone at Sunglass Warehouse. I found styles my husband loves with me that was no problem. I love sunglasses as much as I love flip flops. And I love some flip flops!

Here is a brief overview of the Sunglass Warehouse - free shipping on orders over $25, all sunglasses are under $20, 365 day returns, UVA/UVB protection on all styles.

Here are the sunglasses that I selected:



I am wearing these glasses everywhere. They've been in the pool, the bottom of my purse, shoved in my locker at work, "played" with by the baby, flung on the floor. These suckers have withstood all of this (without even a scratch!). I have to say I'm extra happy with all the baby stretching the head isn't loose at all - still fit like a glove!

I'm so happy to have these glasses in my possession - oh and did I mention these glasses are on sale right now for under $14?!

BUY THEM
Go to Sunglass Warehouse, order yourself a pair. You won't be disappointed!

WIN THEM

Hee Hee! I'm giggling for you really! I scored one of my precious, lovely peeps a $20 Gift Certificate! YEA!!!


I want to thank Mama Bzz and Sunglass Warehouse for allowing me to participate. I was given a pair of sunglasses to try but no other compensation was received. The opinions expressed here are my own. This giveaway will end on July 9th at 11:59 pm CST. Winners will be chosen via random.org. Please leave your profile public or leave me a valid email address so I can contact you if you win. Good luck friends!

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!?!

I'm sure all of you have been wondering where I have been or not. I have been lost in the throws of summer vacation would be the correct answer to that question. I've been here:



We had a great time! It was so fun. It was hot, really hot. But the two older kiddos had so much fun.

Then on our last day we went here:



That was fun - you can't bring me near a coast and not expect me to beg, plead, and cry to go to the beach. So I did, shamelessly in fact.

I attempted to take a picture of the fireworks but my camera is far to novice for that sort of nonsense, but here is my poor attempt:



It was a great time. After we came home - it was a world of laundry, work, and we have knocked out 2 camps. I'm tired!!!

So, my sweet friends I have several things coming this week. I have some winners to shout out, then I have at least one giveaway happening - perhaps more if I can get to it.

Oh and did anyone notice my rocking new look?!?! I really want to give a big thank you to Jessica from So Stylilized! I love it, I love it, and just in case you misunderstood I LOVE IT!!!!!

Oh, btw Micheal Buble just started his new tour in Tulsa last night - went to see the show - if you like him and he is coming anywhere near you - GO! It was probably one of the best concerts I have seen. It was amazing - he is really, really funny and of course the man can sing anything!

Belly Burner Review & Giveaway

Perhaps you have seen this one on TV....the Belly Burner increases your caloric burn by raising your internal core temperature. It is manufactured out of Neoprene which is the same fabric used to manufacture wet suits, remote controls, laptop covers and more. So, just by wearing this belt under your clothes and doing your same activities should burn more calories.




When I was contacted by Mama Bzz and Belly Burner to do a review of the Belly Burner, I have to say that I was excited. Since the baby, the middle section is quite a bit larger than I would like it to be. I wouldn't mind getting a waist back (it's harder than it looks sometimes!). And come on, who wouldn't love a belt that did all the work for you without requiring much effort?!?

This is what your abdomen looks like when the belly burner is being worn:




When the package arrived and I put on that bad boy right away, I have to say I felt the "burn". My tummy was sweating bullets in no time. It's hard to say if the belt was working or if it was just this heavy belt that I had strapped on myself in addition to carrying around a baby. My tummy was really hot and sweaty. The Belly Burner also provided a DVD with exercises to promote the functionality of the belt. I'll be honest - I haven't had a chance to pop that in the ole DVD player.

Here's a video of how it works:




That being said, I have to say that I will have to give the Belly Burner a little bit more time. I have lost weight since I got the belt - but I can't say that it for sure all the belt. I have been dieting and making sure to get more exercise. Perhaps the belt is just a reminder of that swimsuit that I have been wearing (in the backyard - Thank God!).

BUY ONE:
The Belly Burner retails for $39.95 without taxes or shipping. That includes the belt and the DVD and the nutritional guides. You can go to the website and purchase one online.

However.....one of my lucky readers can win one and give it a go on their own and decide for themselves what they think!


WIN IT!

MANDATORY ENTRY: This must completed in order for your extra entries to count! Go to THE BELLY BURNER and tell me one thing that you learned about the belly burner that I haven't mentioned here....


EXTRA ENTRIES
1. Follow this blog publicly
2. Follow me on twitter - @misadventmomof3
3. Blog about this giveaway and leave the link here - 2 entries
4. Tweet about this giveaway and leave the link here - 1 entry may repeat once daily -
5. Follow @bellyburner on twitter
6. Tell me the reason why you want to shrink inches off your tummy region!
~ Please make sure that you either leave an email address or that your profile is public!


This contest will end on 6/15 at 11:59pm CST. The winner will be chosen using random.org. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond. Mamabzz and Belly Burner provided this product for me to review - no other compensation was received. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Sometimes I'm a Little Bit Crazy....

For those of you that know me - you know that I can/ am a little bit crazy.


This is my confession. I've been really mean. I wouldn't turn the air on. The nights were cool and the temperature of the house cooled down, with fans and open windows it was really 'comfortable' in the house.

Not to my poor hubbie. The rest of us seemed alright.

The other night I worked all night long. I came home, the baby was awake upstairs I go - he is laying in his crib with just a diaper on - sweating. I figured he was just like his Dad.

Onto the other 2 kids - it was time to get up. I've got the little girl sweating in her pull up and the boy sweating in his underoos. GROSS! What's wrong with the kids?!?! And why on Earth did my husband let EVERYONE sleep without pj's?!?

So, pushing that to the back burner it's off to the kitchen to make breakfast, when I realize that I am sweating to death. DANG! We must all be getting sick or something.

Just for the sake of my sanity, I thought I'll check the thermostat. Holy Hotness Batman - it was 82 degrees at 7:15am! No wonder we were all sweating to death. I felt a little bit more sane. The older kiddos escaped - it was just a sweaty mama and a sweaty baby who insisted on being held. UGH!

It only took until 2:30 pm on a 90 degree day to get the ac working. But by then the chance for sleep had passed me by. So sad was I....

WINNER COVERMATE FOOD COVERS!

Hey friends - things are hectic here (have I ever said that they weren't?!)

BUT I wanted to take a minute and announce the winner of the CoverMate Food Covers!


True Random Number Generator
Min: 1
Max: 17
Result:
7

I had to remove one set of comments and post those on the correct giveaway. So I promise I can count ;)

Congrats to:

shala_darkstone said...
Hi, I follow you publicly via Google Friend Connect.

May 11, 2010 4:47 AM

I'll be contacting you via email! You have 48 hours to respond or else I'll have to pick another winner.....