Monthly Archives: August 2012

Organize Your Family With A NeuYear Poster Size Calendar + A Giveaway!

NeuYear Academic Calendar - Horizontal
NeuYear Academic Calendar - Horizontal

Do you find yourself forgetting important dates like your child’s school Meet-and-Greet or Open House? What about your 6th grader’s first band concert?  No, I’m not speaking from experience, silly.

When you have multiple family members, it can difficult to remember important school dates, doctor appointments, what day each child’s extra-curricular activities are on, when the kids are supposed to bring their report cards home, when you need to renew your car tag, your best friend’s wedding, and tons of other important things.

Think about it.  Many of the dates that we need to remember, we think of months before hand, but because traditional calendars show only a month at a time, we aren’t able to plan ahead efficiently.

For example, my husband knew that a friend of his was getting married September 1st didn’t tell me.  I’m speaking hypothetically of course. 😉 Meanwhile, I planned on having my father in town to celebrate my son’s 13th birthday August 31st-September 3rd. I had the date marked on the calendar in July but because only July shows on our traditional wall calendar, my husband didn’t see that my family was going to be in town and therefor, accepted the wedding invitation for all four of us. If in July he would have been able to see August’s important dates/notes, he would have known that my family was going to be in town and would not have RSVP’d for the four of us to go to the wedding.

With the NeuYear wall calendar, we can see literally every day of the year right in front of us.  BAM! It’s all there!

My NeuYear calendar is on my office wall, right smack dab in front of my face.  My husband and son have one as well.  I’m on it this year!

There’s something not so sexy about constantly having to remind your husband about important school events, doctor’s appointments, and other important dates.  It’s not very wifely, I say.  I’d love for my husband to say to me one day “Alicia, Sebastian’s band concert is tomorrow night” or “the lawn service is coming this Wednesday”.  Whoa! That would be so awesome.  I just feel like always having to remind someone of what’s going on is a motherly function, not a wifely function.  Do you agree?

So, help yourself and/or your significant other get on the ball and have no more excuses for forgetting school events, dr appointments, etc..

NeuYear Wall Poster Academic Year Calendar
NeuYear Wall Poster Size Academic Year Calendar - Vertical

Go get a Neu Year calendar or two, put them on your kitchen wall, bathroom wall, and office wall and everyone in your house will know what’s up today, tomorrow, next week, and next month, without having to flip a page!

Mark these important dates on your child’s NeuYear calendar:

  • Important school events
  • Sports games and practices
  • School tests (CRCT’s, etc)
  • Doctor appointments
  • Spring Break
  • Winter Break
  • School vacation days

Mark these important dates or yours and your significant other’s NeuYear calendar:

  • School events
  • Sports games and practices
  • Doctor appointments
  • School vacation days
  • Tentative or potential family vacation dates
  • Family & friend birthdays
  • Spring Break
  • Winter Break
  • When his/her and your car tags are due
  • and more!

The Neu Year calendar is poster size.  There is a vertical calendar on one side and a horizontal calendar on the other side.  So, once you get your calendar(s) take your pick.    The Academic Neu Year calendar spans 12 months, August 2012 to July 2013.

The day boxes are larger than most calendars so there is plenty of room to write in them.  You’ll want to pick up a few colored fine-tip dry erase markers before your calendar arrives.
Oh, did I mention that you can get a laminated version of the calendar, so you can write on it with a dry-erase marker?  When your next annual checkup gets pushed back, just wipe it off and mark the new date.
Or, you can buy the uncoated version and use a pencil or a pen.  It’s up to you! Decisions, decisions!
A NeuYear calendar is a product that I consider a must-have for families.  With our increasingly busy schedules, it’s nice to know that everyone is on the same page when it comes to what’s going on and when.

NeuYear is offering our readers a coupon code for 30% off!

Get 30% off your order at NeuYear.net when you use coupon code MOMMYINSIDER.  This code expires December 31st, 2012.


We are giving 5 lucky readers a NeuYear calendar!

Entries accepted through September 15, 2012. Entrants must be 18+ and live in the U.S. No PO Boxes.  The company may send winners a laminated or uncoated calendar.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a NeuYear calendar for review purposes.  All opinions are 100% mine and were not influenced in any way.

Happy 13th Birthday To The Boy Who Changed My Life!

My baby boy, the boy who changed my world for ever and for the better was born 13 years ago today.

The last 13 years with him have changed me more than I could imagine being a mother could. You have been the wheel that keeps me spinning. You have no idea how much of an impact you’ve had on me.  Thirteen years ago today, God gave me an angel on earth.  I can’t imagine life without you.

birthday collage

Despite your age, you are the most loving and tolerant child I could possibly wish for.

My wish for you in this next year and beyond, is that you to continue to be healthy, happy, honest, caring, and as loving as you’ve always been. I never imagined that my son, at 13 years old, would still give me hugs and kisses every day.  Or that he’d be so smart.

I also never imagine that you’d grow into being your own self.  I thought I could mold you into a craft loving, tennis playing, bike riding boy, but you proved me wrong.  You’ve done things I never dreamed you would do.  You are a loyal Scout of over six years, a volunteer, a lover of nature and animals, and the most beautiful, wondersul son I could have ever asked for.

To my son who will never know how much you changed my life and made living life possible for me, I love you, Mom.

@Sears #iComfort @SertaMattresses #TwitterParty 8/30 1-2pm CT

Serta Mattresses twitter partySears Serta Twitter Party

If you’re anything like me, you don’t sleep well.  It’s an issue a lot of parents deal with.

Serta wants to help you get a better night’s sleep and they invite you to join our upcoming Twitter chat so we can talk about all things mattresses and more specifically Serta’s fabulous iComfort Mattress.

WHO TO FOLLOW

@Sears, @SertaMattresses, @StacieInAtlanta, @Crissy, @DaddyMojo and @MommyInsider.

WHAT

#iComfort Twitter Party with @Sears & @SertaMattresses

WHERE

Twitter with the #iComfort hashtag

WHEN

Thursday, August 30, 2012 from 1-2 pm CST / 2-3 pm EST


Win Prizes!

First Prize: Serta “Adopt a Sheep”.

Second Prize: Double pillow set – Serta iComfort Scrunch Pillows

Third Prize: Ipod Nano

Fourth Prize: Double pillow set – Serta iComfort Scrunch Pillows

ARV of all Prizes is up to $475. Odds of winning Prize depend on number of eligible entries received.


Tweet this to join the party!

“Join me + @Sears for #iComfort @Sertamattresses #TwitterParty on 8/30 1-2p CT | $475 in Prizes! Rules+Entry : http://bit.ly/PFDgwf”

 

Click here to RSVP and read the official rules.

Wear Your Most Memorable Dates With This Calendar Key Charm From Not Just Any Old Day

I am going to surprise my husband with a special gift for our 13th wedding anniversary this year.

November 13th, 2009 is the day my husband and I were married.  Our wedding took place in a beautiful historic home in downtown Roswell, GA, surrounded by family and friends.

Mother's Day gift from my husband
Mother's Day gift from my husband

During the last 13 years, my husband has presented me with many memorable gifts.   It’s nearly impossible for me to trump his gift giving skills.  For Mother’s Day one year, he wrote me a beautiful letter and framed it with photographs of our kids.   Imagine trying to top that gift come Father’s Day?

For our anniversary this November, I can confidently say that I will finally trump him.

I am thrilled to present him with a Not Just Any Old Day..It’s YOUR Special Day® Calendar Key.  This beautiful piece of jewelry is an heirloom quality sterling silver key engraved with “November” and our anniversary date is marked with a gorgeous crystal. I know without a doubt that he will treasure this piece for years.  Because he is sentimental and will want to see it every day, I think we’ll hang it from a hook next to our mirror in our room.

 

For wives who’s husbands aren’t quite as sentimental as mine, you can put the key on a necklace chain and wear your favorite date close to your heart.

Not Just Any Old Day silver calendar key

 

Actress Tori Spelling has a Not Just Any Old Day necklace with the dates of her first two children Liam and Stella.

Personalized engraving is available.

The chain is sold separately.

Create your own Not Just Any Old Day key or other personalized piece such as a charm, ring, or wide cuffed bracelet at www.notjustanyoldday.com.

Allergies Anyone? Purify Your Air With Fellowes AP-300PH Air Purifier (Review + Video)

My husband, myself, and my two kids all have allergy issues and three of us have asthma.

My husband and I have accepted the fact that we need to take allergy medicine on a daily basis but the kids, 12 and 6, are a bit more hesitant to accept that fact. They are often worse off than we are, so it’s hard to watch their eyes turn bright red, hear them sniffling, coughing, wheezing, and feeling lethargic because their allergies are getting the best of them. Despite their hesitancy, they are in a regular routine of taking allergy medicine at bedtime but if they miss a day or two, BAM!, the symptoms come right back with a fierceness that only an allergy can.

Our two lovely guinea pigs have caused an allergy attack or two.. or three. You get it. We have put off having a family pet for years because we didn’t want to exasperate any of our allergy issues. With the kids being 12 and 6 years old, and begging for a pet almost every day for the better part of four years, I compromised and let them get guinea pigs. I am well aware that some people have allergic reactions to guinea pigs just as they would with cats or dogs. But I also learned that the chances are smaller. Ironically enough, it’s actually the hay that they eat that causes allergy attacks more than holding them.

Fellowes AP-300PH Air Purifier
Fellowes AP-300PH Air Purifier

Because of the natural air pollutant factors and the pets in our home, it is very important for us to have a good air purifier. The two main rooms we congregate in are about 20×12 feet making them over 250 square feet each. There are not many affordable air purifiers that cover than kind of square footage.

That’s why I was thrilled when I received a AP-300PH Air Purifier from Fellowes to try out.

In the process of reviewing the air purifier, I learned that an air purifier is the best way to reduce the risk of illness and allergies by fighting invisible indoor air pollutants. Studies show that indoor air pollutants are responsible for half of all illnesses. Filtering and purifying the air in your home and office environment can provide a healthy solution to invisible problems.

Back to the air purifier..

Besides covering an area of 300 square feet, this air purifier includes an air purity sensor that monitors the air quality and automatically adjusts the fan speed to keep the air cleaner! How fabulous is that?


Carbon filter removes odors and captures large airborne particulates

The AP-300PH Air Purifier goes through 4 steps to purify our air:

Step 1 The carbon filter removes odors and captures large airborne particulates.

Step 2 The Sanitized Stage >; Effectively reduces the development of bacteria, fungi and dust mites on carbon filter.

Step 3The True HEPA Filter captures 99.97% of particles and impurities as small as 0.3 microns, including mold spores, pollen, dust mites, allergens, bacteria, cigarette smoke, pet dander and odors.

Step 4 In the final stage of purification, Fellowes®PlasmaTRUE Technology safely removes airborne pollutants at the molecular level instantly neutralizing viruses and germs in the air.


Here are some of the features of the AP-300PH Air Purifier:

  • The air purifier includes an air purity sensor that monitors the air quality and automatically adjusts the fan speed to keep your air cleaner
  • Purifies large sized rooms up to 300 square feet
  • Ultra quiet operation
  • Filter change indicators signal when the True HEPA and Carbon filters need replacing
  • True HEPA and Carbon filters included with air purifier
  • User-friendly display panel on air purifier effectively communicates machine performance
  • 5 year limited warranty

Video about Fellowe’s AP-300PH Air Purifier:


Do you know what items can actually cause air pollutants in your home or office?

Upholstered Furniture – Dust particles on upholstered furniture can contain textile fibers, decomposing insect parts, pet dander and the flakes of human skin-all of which is released into the air anytime anyone sits down.

Air Vents – Central air handling systems can become breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and other sources of germs such as viruses and bacteria, which can then distribute these contaminants throughout a home or office.

Click here to find out what other items in your home could be causing air pollutants.


The Fellowes AP-300PH Air Purifier helps keep your home air fresh! Using air purifiers to keep your household environment cleaner is your first step to better indoor air. Air purifiers with a True HEPA Filter will safely remove 99.97% of airborne pollutants as small as 0.3 microns from your air.

Like Fellowes facebook page and click on over to their website to learn more.
The AP-300PH is available at Amazon.com for an estimated retail price of over $200 but Amazon.com is selling this air purifier for just over $100 now (as of August 27th, 2012), here!
I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Fellowes and received a product sample to facilitate my review.