Evie

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Evie. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

My eldest daughter is starting primary school this year. It means I am spending more time behind the wheel than ever before, and this is leaving less time for my hobby. During weekdays, I spend more than 2 hours driving to run errands, or to pick up or drop my eldest daughter to school. So when I heard about Evie, I immediately install it to my iPhone.

You must be wandering who or what is Evie. Evie is a voice-enabled application that helps you stay connected on a go. Hand’s free!! You just install this application on your iPhone and you can tell Evie what you want and Evie will do it for you. Isn’t this amazing? Among what Evie can do are: Make a phone call, play items on your iPod, find businesses or points of interest, and listen to Facebook news feed. Interested? You can download Evie for FREE!

Uploaded with Skitch!

You know what else? I also think Evie is going to be an ideal companion during knitting time. It’s troublesome have to stop and put down your knitting halfway in a certain row when you suddenly remember that you need to make a certain phone call. By the time you finished your phone call, pick-up your knitting back, you have forgotten the pattern. I am talking about lace knitting! Not a simple garter stitch or stockinette stitch. I think all the knitter out there agree with me.

 

 

Baby Blocks

Nope! That is not my baby. What I want to show you is the knitting baby-blocks. You can find the free pattern here.

However, these baby block can be easily made from your swatches (For non-knitter: Most knitting patterns that require the finished project to be a particular size will advise you to check your gauge before beginning. This is accomplished by knitting a gauge swatch, which will tell you how many stitches and rows per inch you get when you knit with the yarn you want to use in the pattern stitch that is called for).

So, if you have a lot of swatches from your past projects, you can sew 6 swatches to make 1 blocks (make sure they have almost same sizes).

Valentine's Day

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

The purpose of Valentines Day is to acknowledge your relationship and feelings towards one another. A relationship is built on shared and romantic experiences, so with this in mind, an experience you can both enjoy together is ideal for the occasion. Whether it is watching romantic movie together, cooking for a romantic dinner together, or probably you decided to splurge for a short getaway to a romantic place and stay in a romantic hotel like Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing or Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. They have special Valentine’s day special package, which include the following:

• Early check-in & pre-registration upon request

• In-room sparkling wine (where permitted by law) or cider upon arrival

• Access to hotel health club, pool and whirlpool spa (where available)

• Full American breakfast for two in their room (where available) or in the hotel's designated restaurant. At airport locations, guests can exchange their breakfast for a lunch or dinner discount

• On stays beyond one night, buy one entrée and get a second one of equal or lesser value at no additional cost. (Choose from either lunch or dinner in designated restaurant)

• Late check-out available upon request

Sounds good, isn’t it. The one that interest me is that we have access to the hotel health club, pool and whirpool spa. And, take a look at the Valentine’s day dinner menu! Beef tenderloin with seared Foie Gras, Tourne Yukon Gold Potatoes, Steamed Asparagus and Foyot Sauce. Yummmm! That’s it! I will persuade my husband to go.

If you are a mother with 2 toddlers like me, it’s heaven to be able to get alone with your husband without interruption. Admit it, when was the last time you had sex with your spouse? If you can not remember it, then it’s time to pack your bag, ask your mother/mother-in-law/relatives to take-care your kids and just spend value time with your spouse this week-end. You can use Valentine’s day as an excuse.

Are you procrastinating?

Do you often find it hard to get started on an important project, instead waiting until the very last possible minute? If this sounds familiar, then you’re also very likely familiar with the negative side effects of procrastination, such as stress, missed deadlines or lower quality results. Next time you find yourself procrastinating on a project, give yourself permission to make progress during a short work session.

When I’m procrastinating on a writing project, it’s usually because I’m feeling as if I need to finish the entire project in one sitting. And this feels overwhelming, stifles my creativity and makes it nearly impossible to write. By setting my timer for 30 minutes, I give myself permission to simply start my writing project and make progress, instead of piling on the added pressure of finishing.

Next time you’re procrastinating on a project, give this idea a try. Start by deciding to make progress on your project, instead of trying to finish it in one sitting. Then, set your timer for 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes or 30 minutes. Simply select a timeframe that feels doable to you based on the project and your stress level. Then, set your timer and start. Who knows, when the timer dings, you might just find yourself completely over the procrastination hurdle and ready to keep plugging along.

About Milk

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

Not every new mother is blessed with a good supply of breast milk. My breast milk only started to flow a week after my baby was born. I tried to pump my breast using a breast milk pump, but nothing came out. I tried everything to make my breast milk to start to flow. I massaged my breast and used the hot compress method, and also drank and ate food that was supposed to increase my breast milk supply. In the mean time, my baby started to be fussy and didn’t want to latch onto my breast. My baby did latch onto my breast, but after less than a minute she started to cry. I panicked and in the end had to give up and gave her formula milk instead. By the time, my breast milk started to flow, her milk intake already surpassed my breast milk output so I only give her formula milk during the day and breast milk at night.

Speaking of formula milk, have you heard about Bright Beginning formula milk? You can buy on diapers.com.

Shipping is free if you spend over USD49 and the most wonderful thing is that they even have a free 365 days return policy.

At this site, you can also buy stuff that babies use like diapers, soap, and even toys. So it’s a one-stop shopping site for the needs of a baby.

You can also can check their Bright Beginnings on Facebook.

Pool Cool Toy Bag

My girls loves to bring their toys to take a bath (off course I made sure that the toys are safe to put inside the water first). Bath time is always a fun time for them with the toys around. After a while it was so troublesome to keep the toys that scaterred all over the bathroom. The bathroom look a mess and it was difficult to clean the bathroom.

When I saw this pattern, I immediately like the idea and plan to make this right away. This can solve my problem. My bathroom looks tidy and it looks cute too. If you want to make it, here is the link to the free pattern.

What's the best way to treat diaper rash?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Boudreaux's Butt Paste. All opinions are 100% mine.

Keep your baby clean and dry by changing his diaper frequently. That may mean getting him up at night for a diaper change.

Rinse his diaper area well at each diaper change. Some parents keep cotton balls and a squirt bottle or an insulated container of warm water at the changing table for easy, gentle cleanups. Pat your baby's skin dry — don't rub!

Using a barrier ointment — one that forms a protective layer on the skin — after every diaper change can help protect your baby's irritated skin from stool and urine. There are several good barrier ointments on the market, including petroleum ointment and white zinc oxide, which is thicker and good for protecting very sensitive skin.

Put your baby's diaper on loosely or use a diaper that's a little big on him to allow for better air circulation. If your baby wears cloth diapers, don't use plastic pants. If you buy disposables, try a different brand to see if that helps.

When the weather is warm and your baby can play outside or in a room with an easy-clean floor, leave his diaper (and ointment) off for as long as possible every day. Exposure to the air will speed healing.

Consider letting your baby sleep with a bare butt whenever he has a rash. A plastic sheet under the cloth sheet will help protect the mattress.

Lastly, use baby butt paste.

I said this based on my own experience. My daughter got her diaper rash while being cared for in the hospital within days of being born. Every nurse had their opinion as to how to clear it up. Nothing worked. After bringing her home after 9 days in the hospital, my aunt bought me Boudreaux's Butt Paste. I simply rubbed it on her bottom after her wiping and she has not had diaper rash since. I never saw it before in my life, although I heard that this paste was being recommended by Oprah herself. If you want a free sample, I suggest you to drop by to their website.

Identify the Scissors

I always tie a scrap of fabric to my cutting tools. Not only does it identify my items at a class (and help students keep their things separate) but around the house it ensures that the children & the hubbs know fabric scissors will have fabric on them.

It's Superbowl Time!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

It's Superbowl time! You know what that means, right? Chips, dips, buffalo wings, pizza, and beer! What a great tradition!

I started my own Superbowl tradition in 1996 when I started dating my boyfriend (now husband). My marketing professor asked us to watch the commercial during Superbowl. All of the Superbowl commercials as they are usually pretty funny. If you have never watched the commercials that air during the Superbowl, then there is something wrong with you. Watch them. Seriously, almost all of them are really funny. 

We won’t be cooking during Superbowl. We just ordered fast-food. I know it’s unhealty, but hey! It’s one a year thing, right….? My favorite fast-food is Pizza eating with TABASCO® Original Red. I think it enhance the flavor of the pizza and give it a little zest. Check out this Pizza Perfected or Game-Day Party Menu to get more ideas of what food to eat during Superbowl. 

Speaking of Tabasco, I got a recipe that simply heaven:

 

·  1 tablespoon olive oil

·  1 tablespoon lime juice

·  2 tablespoons chili sauce

·  1 tablespoon Tabasco

·  1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste)

·  Place fish in a large plastic bag. Add olive oil and marinate for one hour.

·  2 Remove fish from marinade and salt to taste. Cook on preheated grill for 8-10 minutes.

·  3 Combine chili sauce and Tabasco Sweet & Spicy sauce. Add a dash of regular Tabasco sauce if desired for more heat.

·  4 Baste fish with sauce and grill for an additional 5 minutes.

Save Time at The Grocery Store

When you take the time to streamline recurring tasks, your efforts repay you many times over. For most of us, tasks like grocery shopping are on our agenda at least once a week, and often more. So just think of how much time you could save (and invest in a more enjoyable activity) if you optimize your grocery shopping process! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Create a grocery list template sorted in aisle order. This will prevent back-tracking while shopping.
2. Shop for a week’s worth of groceries at a time. While your weekly trip may take longer than several shorter trips, you’ll still come out ahead time-wise—especially when you factor in drive time.
3. Limit distractions while shopping. Distractions and interruptions make any task take longer than it has to be—and grocery shopping is no exception. If you have someone who can watch your children, consider shopping kid-free (you’ll save some money, too!). And turn off your cell phone so you can focus on the task at hand.

Look at how your grocery shopping process is costing you time over and over again, and then look for simple solutions to save that time (over and over again!).

Happy organizing (and happy shopping!)

Handicap Vehicles

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

About 3 months ago, my dad underwent knees cap replacement surgery. He replaced both of his knee caps. He has a problem with his knees for such a long time. He suffered from rheumatism since he was in the 40s. Then recently he could not walk at all and had to use wheelchair to move around. It really frustrated him as he was very healthy besides the problem with his knees and still actively working.

During the time when he could not walk, we decided to buy a wheelchair so he could independently moved around as we really could not assist him 24 hours a day. When I was in a search of buying wheelchair, I came across NMEDA.

NMEDA is a non-profit trade association; they educate consumers on buying products from a NMEDA qualified dealer. NMEDA is the only association that promotes safe driving and equipment for disabled people. They are non-profit and their members are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NMEDA dealers (members) are the ones who sell handicap vans and vehicle modifications for disabled people.

I tought that this is perfect for us since we are inexperienced in regards of this area and really need assistance as much as possible, and I found that NMEDA dealer will be there to help if we need additional training or product refinement.
Unfortunately my dad location is not in US so I could not use their services. However, if you are in US, you can search your nearest NMEDA dealer using their locator finder.

Tips for Organizing

With the change of seasons just around the corner, I find myself craving change. I’m ready for cooler temperatures, refreshing (and more frequent) rain showers, and the structure provided by our back-at-school routine. While I wait patiently for Mother Nature to refresh things on the outside, it’s a terrific time to freshen things up on the inside, as well. If you’re craving change, too, here are some ideas to get you started.

Whether the source is school or the ramp-up of volunteer activities, the season of “more paper” is just about upon us. Tweak your paper management systems now so they’re ready to handle the influx of fall’s many papers. Clean out old files to create space for new projects and paperwork. And look for ways to simplify your filing systems so it’s easier to stay on top of it all.

Freshen up your closet by donating items that have grown tired and faded over the past season. You’ll create breathing room and space for something new.

Make plans to freshen up a room in your home. Peruse magazines for DIY ideas, or take a trip to the paint or fabric store for swatches.

Create the feeling of fall inside by pulling out a few pieces of your fall decor. Seeing these items will remind you that cooler days are just around the corner.

Use the seasonal change in routines due to back-to-school or the lessening of daylight hours to carve out space in your schedule for something new. Sign up for the yoga class that’s been on your “someday” list for way too long, or work a daily walk into your morning routine.

One of the ultimate goals of organizing your closet is to weed out clothing that you no longer wear. To help, here’s a simple tip. The day before your closet organizing session, wear your absolute favorite outfit. Then, take note of how terrific you feel throughout the day. Use these feelings on closet organizing day as your litmus test as you sort through your clothing and decide what to keep and what to let go of. Wouldn’t it be amazing to feel favorite-outfit-good every single day? By making the right choices as you organize your closet, you can work toward that reality—feeling terrific about your organized closet, and what’s stored inside it, too.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Alvin and the Chipmunks. All opinions are 100% mine.

Nowadays, it’s very rare that I have a chance to watch my favorite TV channel. Most of the time I watch the Disney channel or the Nickelodeon channel because my eldest daughter insists that it’s her “turn” to watch TV. Don’t ask me about the newest movie on HBO nowadays because I rarely have the opportunity to watch it. Instead, ask me about the newest movie or cartoon on the Disney channel or the Nickelodeon channel and I can answer you right away.

Recently, I brought my eldest daughter (she is 6 years old) to watch movie in the theather the first time as I thought she is old enough to sit through the entire movie. She really enjoyed the movie and sit nicely through movie.

Speaking of movie, do you know that "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" is available on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Download? We didn’t see it in the theater last year, so I guess I will ask hubby to get the Double DVD Pack that includes "The Squeak Along" Bonus Disc, with more music, mayhem and all-new singalongs, buy it now!

If you still don't get enough, go here: More Munk Mayhem. Your kids will have a blast with this!

I still remember watching The Alvin Show on TV when I was a little girl myself and I remembered asking my mom to buy me chipmunks as a pet. I hope my daughter won’t ask me the same request.

The Dog-Food Bag Project

When I saw this project, I think this is very clever idea. Not only you have opportunity to recycle, in the end you also got yourself a very big and sturdy grocery bag. I don't like small and shallow grocery bag, I want my grocery bag big and deep enough to put all my grocery stuffs inside. Not only this bag meet my criteria, but it is actually sturdy enough to stand up by itself.

If you decided to make this project, don't forget to block out the UPC code on the bottom of the bag to avoid you being charged of a full bag of dog food.

Mead Johnson, Maker of Enfamil, Loses Multi-Million Dollar False Advertising Case Against Store-Bran

This is a sponsored guest post written by a Press Release on behalf of PBM Products. Post powered by Sponzai.

GORDONSVILLE, VA., December 2 , 2009—PBM Products, LLC, a leading infant formula company that supplies store-brand infant formulas to Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers, has received a favorable jury verdict and a $13.5 million damages award in its false advertising lawsuit against Mead Johnson & Co., the operating subsidiary of Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (NYSE: MJN) (“Mead Johnson”), the makers of the national-brand Enfamil® LIPIL® Infant Formula. Mead Johnson is 83 percent-owned by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

PBM’s lawsuit claimed that Mead Johnson engaged in false and misleading campaigns against PBM’s competing store-brand of infant formulas, suggesting they do not provide the same nutrition as Mead Johnson’s brands. PBM’s store-brand infant formulas cost up to 50 percent less than Enfamil® LIPIL®. The $13.5 million in damages awarded by the jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia is one of the largest damages awards ever for a false advertising case.

“This decision by a jury of the people confirms that Mead Johnson’s ads have been false in suggesting that there is a nutritional difference between our store-brand formula products and their products, when in fact the only major difference is price,” said PBM CEO Paul B. Manning. “Despite Mead Johnson’s scare tactics, parents are assured that PBM’s formula products are as high quality and nutritious as Mead Johnson’s.”

U.S. District Court Judge James R. Spencer issued his written rulings yesterday following the November 10^th jury verdict. Judge Spencer’s written rulings permanently enjoined Mead Johnson from making any false statements concerning PBM's infant formula, including the claims Mead Johnson previously made in Enfamil advertising that "It may be tempting to try a less expensive store brand, but only Enfamil LIPIL is clinically proven to improve brain and eye development," and "there are plenty of other ways to save on baby expenses without cutting back on nutrition." The Court also ordered Mead Johnson to retrieve from the public domain all advertising or promotional materials containing these or any other false claims about PBM's store brand infant formula.

The details of the decision and the complaint are posted online in full at:

· http://www.pbmproducts.com/docs/Order_Laches.pdf

· http://www.pbmproducts.com/docs/PBM_Complaint_MJ_III_LIPIL.pdf

The nutritional supplements under examination in the case are two fats, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), which Mead Johnson calls “LIPIL®” solely for marketing purposes and touts as promoting infant brain and eye development. PBM’s claim focused on Mead Johnson’s direct mailing to more than 1.6 million parents of an alarming blurry picture of a child’s cartoon duck next to a clear picture of the same image which suggested that anything other than the Enfamil LIPIL® blend of ingredients is inferior and will result in poor eye and brain development. Other parts of the false advertising campaign consist of statements that only Enfamil LIPIL has been proven to confer visual and mental benefits on infants, and store-brand formulas are a “cut-back in nutrition” compared to Enfamil.

PBM successfully argued that these advertisements were false and misleading especially since PBM store- brand infant formulas have the same nutrients at the same levels as Enfamil. PBM infant formulas are formulated to contain DHA and ARA, and are sourced from the same supplier in amounts which equal or exceed the DHA and ARA in Mead Johnson’s Enfamil LIPIL®.

This decision marks the third time PBM Products has sued Mead Johnson for false advertising claims. On the prior occasions Mead Johnson admitted that it made false claims about PBM’s products. It is also the first false advertising case to focus on the issue of DHA and ARA nutritional ingredients in formula, which were introduced into the market in 2003 and have become a staple in recent years by many brands as key components for infant development.

“This jury verdict should send a significant and clear message to Mead Johnson about the way it conducts marketing and advertising for its brands,” said Manning. “This lawsuit also demonstrates our complete commitment to defending our products and the valuable brands of our retail partners.”

“As a parent and supporter of children’s medical research, I take a personal responsibility in assuring our customers that the products we produce are healthy and nutritionally equivalent to brand names like Enfamil® LIPIL®. It is important, especially now, for parents to know that there are lower priced yet highly nutritious store-brand formulas that will provide the same benefit to their children as any national brand name formula product,” Manning added.

The U.S. infant formula market is estimated at $3.4 billion and the global market is estimated at $7.9 billion.

All of PBM’s formulas, and for that matter all of U.S. infant formulas, are subject to the exacting standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pursuant to the Infant Formula Act of 1980. This legislation vested FDA with the authority to ensure that all infant formula products sold in the United States provide the necessary levels of identified nutrients required for the growth of healthy babies. For more information, visit this FDA link.

PBM Products was represented by the law firm Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP. Partners from the firm’s advertising practice, Harold P. Weinberger and Jonathan M. Wagner in New York, led the team.

About PBM

PBM is privately owned and based in Gordonsville, VA. PBM companies specialize in manufacturing, distributing, and marketing consumer food, nutritional, and pharmaceutical products. For more information, visit www.pbmproducts.com.

Enfamil® LIPIL® are registered trademarks of Mead Johnson & Co.

The Sun and The Moon Quilt

Since I enjoy sewing so much, I want to venture into quilting as well. I am trying to get simple project for beginner like me. So far I haven't found yet. However, I stumbled into this beautiful free pattern and want to share it with you all. I hope you like it.

My Daughter Wish List

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Bidazzled. All opinions are 100% mine.

Chrismas is knocking at the door. Unlike last year, this year my eldest daughter can make a wish list for Santa. The list is including the “Four Musketeer” Barbie dolls. I looked up in the store and this thing cost a fortune. Even one doll is expensive, and she wants four of them! I don’t think so. Nothing special with these dolls, it just their dress can have dual purpose. It can become a pretty dress and also can become a musketeer duel costume (just like in the cartoon movie)

I think what I am going to do is just bought her similar doll with a fraction of the cost and make the dress myself. Although I am not sure I can do it.

Recently, I found an online auction market called Bidazzled. Launched in early November, Bidazzled.com is redefining the online auction market by offering savings of up to 90% on name brand merchandise all while funding a lung cancer charity.

*** EXCLUSIVE OFFER ***
* 15 Additional Bids to your readers if they use this code until January 15th (all they have to do is enter it on the registration page, there is no obligation or cost of any kind):
* Blog: BBP1202A
* Twitter: BTP1202A

Roll Warmer

Do you serve breakfast in the morning? If you see in the movie, you can always see how nicely they prepare the breakfast in the table. It is totally different from my breakfast table. Every morning, it's always a big mess.

I found this pattern yesterday. Do you think if I make this, it will improve my table? If you want to make one also, you can find the pattern here.

Quilted Metal Hot Pad

Do you like to recycle? Then I think this is a perfect project for you. All you need is: soda cans, fat quarters of yellow and green cotton fabric, scrap of cotton batting, fusible web, press cloth and basic sewing supplies

Note: Use heavy-duty craft scissors for metal--not your sewing scissors! I also recommend wearing protective gloves when cutting metal.

Carefully cut apart three soda cans, removing the top and bottom sections. Press fusible web to the back of the metal pieces using a press cloth to protect the painted surface of the soda can.

Cut nine 2 inch squares from the fused metal. Remove the paper backing from the fusible web and center the metal pieces right side up on top of an 8-inch square of cotton fabric. Press using a press cloth to protect the painted surface.

Cut four 1 1/2 x 8-inch strips of green fabric. Turn under 3/8 inch along both edges and press down the entire 8-length. Lay two of the strips across the width of the fabric square, covering the edges of the metal squares. Pin the fabric strip to the fabric backing. Stitch down either side of the fabric strip through all layers of fabric and the metal squares. Repeat, stitching the remaining two strips vertically. Note: Be careful to not pin through the metal squares.

Cut four 1 1/2 x 10-inch strips of yellow fabric. With right sides together, stitch two of the strips of fabric to the sides of the metal fabric layer (hot-pad top layer) using a 1/4-inch seam. Press the fabric strip out from the edges of the hot pad top. Trim the strips even with the hot-pad top. Repeat stitching the remaining two strips to the opposite sides of the hot-pad top.

Cut four 1 1/2 x 10-inch strips of lime green fabric. With right sides together, stitch two of the strips of fabric to the sides of the hot pad using a 1/4-inch seam. Press the fabric strip out from the edges of the hot-pad top. Trim the strips even with the hot-pad top. Repeat stitching the remaining two strips to the opposite sides of the hot-pad top.

Measure the hot-pad top and cut two squares, one from the yellow fabric and the other from cotton batting. Lay the yellow square of fabric right side up on a flat surface; place the metal fabric layer on top, right sides down. Top with the cotton batting square. Pin together, being careful not to pin through the metal squares. Stitch around all sides using a 1/4-inch seam and leaving a 3-inch opening along one side. Turn right side out and hand-stitch the opening closed.

Quilt the layers together by stitching around the borders and down the centers of the green strips of fabric. Remove any stray threads and press the hot pad using a press cloth.

I want to make this as soon as I read what is high availability about.

Needlework Set

I found this wonderful needlework set in the internet with the instruction how to make it. It said only takes 4 hour to make (although probably more than 4 hours for me to make). I think this is a wonderful gift to give to somebody that like to sew or to quilt. It's pretty and and not long to make. I want to make this if I have time.

Buying Guide for Christmas

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Dirt Devil. All opinions are 100% mine.

Christmas is just another 1 month away. Have you thought about what you want to buy as Christmas gifts?

Every year, I always have a difficult time deciding what to buy for everybody. I want something that is not too expensive and yet it should be something useful for the person. Sometimes, when I run out of ideas about what to buy, I just go to the mall and just window shop. That way, I can get better ideas on what to buy although I always end up buying stuff for myself.

This year, I don’t think I have the time to do window shopping since I’ve got baby to look after now and leaving it to hubby to decide what to buy is not an option. Luckily Dirtdevil published a holiday buying guide. It lists over 300 websites, tricks, and celver ways to save when you shop online. For example, if you want free shipping, you can find in that buying guide lists of website that offer free shipping. The buying guide also lists a bunch of link to website that provides coupons. So, before buying anything make sure you check these website, sometimes you find coupon that will save you even more.

I really find this buying guide very helpful, and to tell you the truth while I browsing trough the guide, I kept distracting by the good offer from Dirt Devil product that I would like to get for myself, like the "sweep and vacuum in one step" for only $39.99. Anybody interested to buy it for me?

Simple Dolly

What about if your daughter asks you to make dolly or teddy bear and you just learn how to sew? No need to worry, I just found the solution. You just went to the fabric store and buy fabric with dolly or teddy bear prints on it. Cut the the outline of the dolly or teddy bear, stitch it and put some stuffing and you are done! It’s super easy.

3 Hours Later....

My husband has a friend that he hasn’t met up with since last year. Last weekend they finally got the opportunity to meet and catch up on news. To my husbands surprise it seems that his friend got divorced with his wife. Then the most shocking news is that he proposed to his divorce lawyer just 3 hours after the divorce.

The first question that popped in my mind was whether he divorced his wife because of this lawyer. It turned out that his wife was cheating on him, and during the divorce process somehow he fell in love with his divorce lawyer. The couple just had their first baby.

My husband said that when his friend told him this story, he just could not believe him and was so surprised that he could not close his mouth. Hahahahaha!

Speaking of divorcee lawyer, in an uncontested divorce, a knowledgeable and experienced divorce lawyers new jersey at Weinberger Law Group can assist in reviewing your resolved issues in detail to make certain that you did not miss any signifiscant points

Wool Felt

With autumn here and the holidays approaching, it’s time to think about holiday decorating and gift giving. Wool felt is an ideal choice for seasonal decorations and gifts. Discover why designers like working with wool felt and learn some tips from the experts.

Wool felt is a popular choice for artists and designers because it has many great properties.

It requires no edge finish and doesn’t ravel.
It is heirloom quality, making it suitable for pieces meant to last.
It is dense enough to provide some stability, but at about 1/16 inch thick, it is still soft and pliable to work with.
The fibers don’t pill or pull away from the surface

Wool felt can be used for making wall hangings, Christmas stockings, tree ornaments, purses, gift bags, journal covers and more. It is a great choice for appliqué because the edges don’t need to be turned under. However, for added embellishment, designers often finish the edges with hand or machine blanket stitching or machine satin stitches.

My New Hobby

I have a new hobby. Can you guess? Yup! It’s sewing. I did some simple patchwork recently and it’s addictive. I am not very expert in using sewing machine. Somehow I can’t sew in a straight line. So, at this moment, I just hand sew all the pieces together. One thing bothered me, though. I hate threaded the thread into the needle. It took me sometime to do it. Blame it to my old eyes.

One of my friends did the Lasik surgery, and I would love to do it if I have the money. Speaking of money do you know that you can win $5,000 grand prize from Abbott Medical Optics Inc. just by making video showing the impact of improved vision? Abbott Medical Optics Inc. (AMO) is a global leader in laser vision correction and they want to know how better vision could improve — or has improved — people’s lives.

If you want to join this iLASIK Video Contest, you can choose one from three selected theme:
1. My contacts are getting in the way of my good time
2. My favorite sport or activity would be so much cooler with better vision
3. You should see life after the iLASIK® Procedure

So, hurry up and submit your video.

Fat Quarter

If you are a quilter, you may already be familiar with this term and the benefits of using fat quarters. However, if you're unfamiliar with quilting, you may not know how much fabric you need when you see "fat quarter" listed in a project's materials list.

When you purchase fabric off a bolt, it is generally folded in half with the selvage edges matching. A 1/4 yard cut of fabric is a 9-inch-wide strip cut across the width of the fabric (usually 44 inches wide, for cotton quilting fabrics). A 1/4 yard cut typically measures 9 x 44 inches. A fat quarter of fabric is made by cutting an 18-inch-wide strip across the width of the fabric, and then cutting the strip in half again, but this time along the fold to yield two fat quarter pieces, each 18 x 22 inches.

Depending on what you're making, it might be more advantageous to purchase fat quarters, rather than traditional yardage cuts for your project. Some benefits of fat quarters include:

The ability to cut pieces up to 18 inches long, rather than only 9 inches long
Fat quarters are often packaged together with coordinates from the same fabric line, making it easy to select a group of fabrics that go with each other.

Stay At Home Mom

As a stay at home mom, at some point you feel bored, lonely, unappreciated and stressed. Staying at home all day and taking care of couple of toddler like me is bound to make you go insane at some point and after you've finished your daily chores, you felt exhausted and clueless as to what to do next. Below are some suggestion to make you feel accomplished once again.

Make Friends

Go to a park where you may find other stay at home moms and their kids. Start a conversation. Discuss your daily routines, trial and tribulations that are going on in your lives and your problems. This way you will have someone to talk to whenever you need them.

Join A Bookclub

Go to your local library, cafe, or research online where to find local bookclubs. Go to one of their meetings. You're sure to find it enlightening, relaxing, and enjoying. This will give you something to do after your daily chores and also when you're at home with the family and everyone's resting.

Get Organized
Get yourself couple of pocket calendars. They have wide selection with attractive price. List all the things you want to do. Cross out when you have done them. You will get a sense of accomplishment.

Start A Playgroup

Post ads in your local paper and also online. You can also chat with your friends from the park about bringing their kids over for a few playdates. You would be in charge of everything. This way you'll have your sense of accomplishment back because you have once again proven that you can organize more than just a refrigerator.

Try them out and you will see the result soon!

Ultimate Home Accessories

Making new throw pillows is an easy and inexpensive way to give your decorating scheme a fresh updated look. I use lots of pillows throughout my home and find them to be one of the best home accessories for the following reasons:

Homes are full of hard building materials, such as wood, stone, brick and tile. They also have many hard architectural features, such as windows, doors, cabinets and fireplaces. In addition, many furniture pieces in our homes are hard and boxy. Because pillows are made of fabric and have a soft appearance, they help to break up the hard elements and give your home a cozy feel.

Pillows are a great place to repeat colors found elsewhere in the room. Repeating colors can help to unify a color scheme and create eye movement throughout the space.

Pillows can lessen the impact of a very large furniture item in a room. For example, a large sofa or bed could seem overpowering for a particular space. By breaking up the large item with a scattering of throw pillows you can help keep eye movement flowing throughout the room, and prevent a large piece of furniture from becoming too dominant.

When the pillow covering becomes worn out, you can replace the outer pillow cover only and reuse the old pillow form, making it inexpensive to freshen up your decor.
To make a basic pillow cover, follow the steps below:

- Measure the pillow form in both directions and cut two pieces of fabric 1 inch larger than the form in each direction to allow for 1/2 inch seam allowances all around. For example, for a 12 x 16 inch pillow form, cut two rectangles of fabric 13 x 17 inches.
- Pin the fabric rectangles right sides together and stitch 1/2 inch from the raw edges all around, leaving an opening on one side for turning and inserting the pillow form.
- Trim the seam allowances to 1/4 inch all around and clip across the corners. Turn the pillow cover right side out and press.
- Insert the pillow form and slipstitch the opening closed.

Time for Vacation

I was only 15 years old when my parents brought me and my brother (he was only 7 years old then) to Hong Kong for vacation. It was our first trip overseas. I was very exciting as I had heard about Hong Kong many times from books and TV. It was an exciting trip and I really had a wonderful time there. My husband, on the other hand, has never been to Hong Kong before, so probably Taiwan is our next holiday trip. The next question is: should we bring the children? I guess it depends whether my in laws are willing to take care my children. If they don’t then we have to bring them along. Since you also can find Disneyland in Hong Kong, I guess our children will have a great time.

When I was surfing in the internet to get good deal for our accommodation, I came across this fantastic deal to stay in Accor’s Hotels (Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, All Seasons and Ibis hotels). Hotel rates in 27 cities across 10 countries in Asia Pacific are being reduced in Accor Hotels 3-Day Super Sale Asia Pacific promotion. Travelers will be able to take advantage of savings when they book on-line between 27 - 30 October 2009. Over one million room nights will be on sale, with rates starting as low as US$30 per night. Stay period Dec 2009 till Apr 2010. I think it’s a good deal.

Now, I have to find the best deal on the air ticket.

Potty Training

It seems like just yesterday that I changed my toddler's first diaper, and now I am wondering if it's time to start potty training. There's no magic age at which children are ready to start learning how to use the potty, but some develop the necessary physical and cognitive skills between 18 and 24 months of age. Many parents don't start potty training until their children are 2 1/2 to 3 years old, when daytime bladder control has become more reliable. And some children aren't interested in potty training until they're closer to 3, or even 4.

Use the checklist below to measure your toddler's progress toward readiness, and keep in mind that starting before your child is truly ready doesn't mean you'll finish sooner — it's more likely that the process will just end up taking longer.

You don't have to wait until you've checked off every item to start training. Just look for a general trend toward independence and an understanding of what it means to go to the bathroom like a grown-up.

Physical signs
Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily.
Urinates a fair amount at one time.
Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.
Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.

Behavioral signs
Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes.
Can pull his pants up and down.
Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.
Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear).
Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.
Demonstrates a desire for independence.
Takes pride in his accomplishments.
Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet.
Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one.

Cognitive signs
Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."
Understands the value of putting things where they belong.
Has words for urine and stool.
Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or even hold it until he has time to get to the potty.

TV Can Be Good For Children

Where kids are concerned, TV and movies get a bad rap, but with healthy viewing habits and parental supervision, “screen time” can be a positive experience for children. For one thing TV can help kids learn about a variety of subjects. If there’s a subject your child enjoys, more likely than not, there is a TV show, movie, or educational DVD that explores the subject in detail. You might be even be surprised to find out how many kids watch and love educational shows aimed at adults. Most kids are not able to visit the rain forest or see a giraffe in the wild, but many have seen these things on TV. Thankfully, educationally minded producers have given us many shows and movies that allow viewers to see amazing footage of nature, animals, society, and other peoples. Kids and adults alike can learn from this type of media and gain a greater appreciation for our world and the animals and other people who inhabit it.

Talking about TV programs, you may not know it, but if you have Charter digital, you have On Demand and it’s free to access. Your kids probably don’t understand or have the patience for TV schedules. When they want their Little Einstein or WorldWord, they want it right then. This On Demand also helps me to arrange TV time for my children so it won’t collide with their nap time.

You can learn more at charter.net/ondemand or get updates and fun extras on Charter’s Facebook page.

How do I answer my toddler's questions about genitals?

As parents, we can get anxious when children ask about anything remotely sexual. But your child's curiosity about genitals is no different than her questions about eyes, ears, feet, noses, and other less private parts. And genitals are pretty interesting, as body parts go. Her questions are only natural — after all, she has to learn about private parts from someone, and it's best for that someone to be you.

How should you respond? Be direct, and stay matter-of-fact. Follow the rule of thumb: "Is this how I would tell her about elbows or knees?" Give her the anatomically correct name for the body part and avoid baby talk — using funny or silly words will just confuse her and, if anything, makes the discussion a bigger deal. If she asks what they're for, you can say that genitals are for going to the bathroom. If you feel comfortable mentioning that they're also used for making babies, that's okay, too. She may not get it, but a child this age has no understanding of sex and won't make that connection.

She may also ask why Daddy's or her brother's genitals are different from hers. Point out that each person is unique: Her best friend's eyes are blue while hers are brown, and Grandma's nose is smaller than Grandpa's. In the same vein, boys' private parts look different from girls'. Keep it simple, and if you don't act embarrassed, she won't be, either.

Obamanomics

The US election has passed quite sometime ago, but the buzz of how Obama won the election is still around. People are still talking about how he won the election.

Why did Obama win the presidency campaign? Is he better than the other candidate? Or is he simply the lucky one? It is very interesting to learn that Obama actually focused on utilizing the viral and democratic nature of the web. We all know that the internet is a system that proves to be both a powerful tool and is inexpensive too. Obama focused on cheap yet effective resources, which mobilize huge fan bases that would generate buzz in their spare time for free. Thus the result is a very powerful word-of-mouth campaign.

There’s even a report called Obamanomics that studies this phenomenon. The whole exercise finally ended in a landslide victory for him even though he was up against the war-hero and experienced statesman John McCain.

If you are interested to read more details about obamanomics and want to learn something from it, please feel free to click on the link and read on!

After this phenomenon, it is interesting to see how the next USA presidential candidates will use the web or internet for the next election.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang

Hard Rock International and Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) are proud to announce the opening of the newest members of the Hard Rock family: Hard Rock Hotel Penang and Hard Rock Cafe Penang. Located in Malaysia, within one of Asia’s most popular island destinations, Hard Rock is infusing new excitement and energy into the market, underscoring the brand’s strategy to accelerate expansion worldwide.



Hard Rock Hotel Penang is situated on five acres along the famous beaches of Batu Ferringhi, on the northern coast of Penang. The six-story Hard Rock Hotel Penang recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation bringing together superb service, unparalleled amenities and well-appointed accommodations with a rock ’n’ roll edge. The renovation added additional rooms and suites, a full-service luxury spa and the highly anticipated Hard Rock Cafe Penang.

The newest hotel in the Hard Rock portfolio holds 233 rooms and 17 suites. All Hillview Deluxe standard guest rooms have 312 square-feet of living space, while the Seaview Studio Suites expand to 570 square-feet. Most of the guest rooms offer stunning beach views, and the ground floor rooms facing the swimming pool feature spectacular private swim-up patios with wood trellis covers. Hard Rock Hotel Penang boasts the only club floor in Batu Ferringhi, known as “Kings Club,” located on the top floor of the property. The Kings Club offers a private lounge with stunning sea views and personalized concierge service.

Bringing one of Hard Rock Hotel’s trademark experiences to Malaysia, the hotel introduces an oversized free-form pool -- the largest swimming pool in Penang -- totaling 26,000 square feet, equipped with sand islands and lush poolside cabanas. The resort also offers a main ballroom and three function rooms for a total of 6,650 square-feet for private events, weddings, meetings, and exhibitions.

The opening of Hard Rock Hotel Penang includes the famous Hard Rock Cafe Penang. Sure to contend as one of the city’s premier dining and entertainment destinations, the 3,175 square-feet cafe features a 140-seat restaurant, live concert venue and a Rock Shop complete with Hard Rock’s limited-edition merchandise. The cafe will be adorned with pieces from Hard Rock’s world-famous memorabilia collection, including items representing both contemporary stars and rock legends, such as Keith Richards, Stevie Nicks, Madonna and many more. Additional key memorabilia items on display include a grey felt Fedora hat worn by Prince when all live tracks for his smash hit “Purple Rain” were recorded, custom-made leather pants and Cruefest t-shirt worn by Vince Neil of Motley Crue on the “Cruefest” Tour, and an outfit by “Junker Designs” worn by Rob Nicholson of Rob Zombie fame during the 2005 OZZFEST Tour.



For more than 38 years, Hard Rock Cafe has offered guests classic American fare in a rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere. Hard Rock Cafe Penang features a hardwood smoker, which uses the very best Hickory wood chips to slowly cook Hard Rock’s classic ribs and chicken to perfection. Hard Rock’s Legendary Experience menu is just that – legendary – offering six different mouth-watering Legendary Burgers made from Certified Angus Beef. In addition to its food, Hard Rock offers unmatched specialty drinks from its award-winning bar menu, from Hurricanes and Margaritas, to its Alternative Rock non-alcoholic beverage menu featuring favorites like Wildberry Smoothies and Crushed Velvet “martinis.”

The Rock Shop offers an exclusive line of rock inspired items, including Hard Rock’s famous Classic and City T-shirts, as well as highly coveted accessories and pins, which reflect the spirit of the city and the authenticity of Hard Rock’s merchandise. Hard Rock Cafe Penang’s limited-edition and city-specific merchandise is now available on-site.

High School Reunion

I had a high school reunion last week, but unfortunately I could not attend it as I am living in another country now with 2 young children to care for and believe me travelling with 2 children is not easy (not to mention paying for the extra flight tickets).

Although I could not attend the reunion but I was still able to look at the photos of the event in the internet (how I love internet). It was fun to see all the familiar faces of my high school colleagues. Some are fatter and older (especially the men). However, most of the ladies haven’t changed much over the years. I guess, all that skin care does work.

Anyway, I saw the current pictures of some of my high school teachers also that attended the reunion. I was happy to see that my favorite teacher was there. He was my inspiration to become a better person. He was a dedicated teacher and always had time for all of us whenever we had questions.

I believe one way or another, we all had a teacher or a mentor that touched our lives and inspired us to become a better person. If you had one and have lost contact with him or her, you can try to find him or her using MyLife.

Top 5 things doctors wish you'd do for your toddler

1. Don't turn the car seat around on your child's first birthday
Many parents eagerly do, since some kids like the car better once they're facing forward and it's easier to see the child that way. But it's safer to hold off. Studies show it's safer for kids all the way up to 4 years old to sit rear-facing, thus it's better to keep your toddlers facing backward until they outgrow the height and weight limits of their convertible car seat (meaning one designed to face either backward or forward), usually sometime around 15 to 18 months.

2. Know this life-saving number
Make sure everyone who cares for your toddler knows this number: 1-800-222-1222 (for US only).
That's the nationwide number for Poison Control, and once you have a mobile, curious toddler, it's important to display it someplace prominent. Everyone caring for your child should have easy access to this number, including grandparents and babysitters. Program it into your cell phone, too, in case your toddler swallows something while you're out of the house.

3. Go easy on the juice
Many kids are getting way too much of it. It's leading to weight problems and cavities, among other nutrition and health issues.
Your toddler doesn't necessarily need juice at all, but if you do offer it, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 4 to 6 ounces a day for kids age 1 to 6 so it doesn't replace other foods. A lot of toddlers start to fill up on liquids – they drink mostly milk or juice – and they have no appetite for meals. To prevent tooth decay, don't let your toddler wander around with a sippy cup of juice for too long, and don't serve it at bedtime.

4. Stay strong during food battles
Just continue offering healthy foods rather than just catering to your child's preferences. Food jags are normal, but that doesn't mean you should cave in and start serving, say, only white foods. If kids are hungry, they'll eventually eat at least some of what you serve. And remember, at this age, one day they'll love zucchini and one day they won't. Just because they reject it once doesn't mean they won't eat it the next time.

5. Drink a glass of milk

What is Torrent?

The other day, somebody ask me about torrent. I have no idea what is that, so I need to look up and search it in the internet. It turned out that Torrent is the most popular way of downloading large files, including movies and games. Of course you have to remember the legality of downloading. Downloading with a torrent is advantageous especially when downloading files, which are momentarily very popular and whitch lots of people are downloading. Because the more people download the file, the higher speed for everyone.

One of the new torrents site is called QueenTorrent.com.
Benefits of this site:
a) Simple interface
b) Powerful search engine
c) Opportunity to download lots of games, music, films for free in to time without the fear of downloading empty and not complete file.
d) Huge regularly updated torrent files base. Every day bots cover thousands of sites with torrent files and add them to the database.

You can go and check it out yourself!

How to protect your family from swine flu

•Get yourself and your children vaccinated as soon as a vaccine becomes available. It takes a while for immunity to develop after you get the vaccine.

•Wash your hands and your children’s hands frequently, including immediately before eating, after sneezing, and after going to the bathroom. Use proper hand-washing techniques, rubbing both sides of your soapy hands for at least 15 seconds and rinsing with plenty of water. When soap and water aren’t available, use alcohol-based gel sanitizers that contain at least 60 percent alcohol or disposable hand wipes.

•Don't cough or sneeze into your bare hands. That puts the virus is all over your hands, where it can easily spread to others. Instead, cover your mouth with your arm and cough or sneeze into your sleeve or cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue and throw it away after using. (Many experts say the sleeve method is better than using a tissue, because handling a tissue can contaminate your hands and spread illness.) If you inadvertently use your bare hands, wash them right away.

•Don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. You may think your hands are clean, but if your hands have touched a door knob, a cup, a refrigerator handle or any other item that someone else has touched with a virus-covered hand, your hands carry the virus and can infect you.

•Viruses and bacteria can live two to eight hours on hard surfaces. Wipe down surfaces at home such as toys, bedside tables, doorknobs, telephones, and bathroom and kitchen counters with a disinfectant, following directions on the label.

•Keep your children at least 6 feet away from people who are sick, including anyone in your household who is sick. Know the symptoms of swine flu and seek medical care if illness is severe. If you catch it early, antiviral medicines may help.

Motion Sickness

Do you suffer from motion sickness? I do. So is my eldest daughter. I don’t know yet whether my youngest also got it. Motion sickness or kinetosis, also known as Travel Sickness, is a condition in which a disagreement exists between visually perceived movement and the vestibular system's sense of movement. Depending on the cause it can also be referred to as seasickness, car sickness, simulation sickness, airsickness, or space sickness. One common suggestion is to simply look out of the window of the moving vehicle and to gaze toward the horizon in the direction of travel. This helps to re-orient the inner sense of balance by providing a visual reaffirmation of motion.

I normally suffer from motion sickness when I am a passanger, esspecially if I sit on the back. I am totally OK if I am the one who drive.

Speaking of car, you can find your next car, whether new or used cars, whether to finance, pay cash or lease from www.BuyYourCar.co.uk.

Games

For some people, playing games is a way to relax their mind, to keep the stress down and to keep their mind focused. Playing games is like taking a break from the real world plus all its problems and having a short vacation in a virtual world.

My husband likes to play games too. He could spend the whole night played games until forgot to sleep (although he still remembered to eat!). He tried to persuade me to play, but somehow playing games does not interest me at all. I have different hobby.

Speaking of games, there is a new games released called “heroes of newerth”. It is a new DOTA-clone game which is currently in beta.

Harley Davidson

A lot of people think that Harley Davidson is a cool motorbike, although a long time ago the image of the person who rides Harley is not really good. However, thanks to marketing campaign of Harley, they somewhat manage to change the image of Harley. Now, owning a Harley is like owning a piece of art. Harley is all about the image and the culture, and not at all about performance, handling, value, quality, or actual riding. In fact Harley is now become status symbol.

Anyway, if you are one of those people who own harley and looking for Harley parts and accessories to fully customize your ride, you'll find the perfect way to show your individual style at CruiserCustomizing.com.

Your Own Domain? Why Not!

Time passed so fast. In just a blink of the eyes, I have been blogging for 2 years already. If you notice, I rarely update my blog, nowadays. Only once in a while and not as often as last time. The reason is because since the economic slow down, not much opportunity to do product review anymore. I tried to submit my blog to other company, but since my blog have big fat zero rank, they rejected my blog. Some of you probably said that the reason I have zero page rank is because I do paid review. It’s not a secret that google doesn’t like blog with that kind of posts.

I hear that if you have your own domain, you can boost up your rank. I am thinking of buying my own domain if that is true, so I can get more opportunities to earn more money. Many hosting providers claim to be the best in one way or another, but not all hosts can be the best! If you have a hard time choosing a good hosting provider, you should head your way to this web hosting review site.

Don’t forget to look at their blog. You can find a lot of interesting informations there.

Say It Again and Again

Up to today my 14-month-old toddler still hasn't talk yet. I heard that Rhymes, jingles, and silly songs are big hits with toddlers. If your 14-month-old is already speaking several words, encourage her willingness to repeat after you by singing silly or repetitive songs, such as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." As she becomes familiar with the refrains she'll chime in one word at a time and before you know it she'll be singing the whole song right along with you.

If your 14-month-old isn't speaking many words at this point, you can help her with the other two elements of language acquisition. When talking to your child, vary your tone, facial expressions, and hand gestures, all of which will help her understand the meanings of your words. Maintain eye contact when you talk to her so she learns to listen to you. And don't rush her when she is trying to use words — listen patiently and look her in the eye.

Holiday With Toddler?

My parents started to bring me and my brother (younger brother) to go overseas for holiday when my younger brother was 7 years old. My mom always told me that bringing a child younger than 7 years old is a waste of money. They would not remember anything anyway. I think my mother is correct. Besides, bringing toddler for holiday is troublesome. You can not enjoy the trip because you have to take care of them since toddler still can not take care themselves well. Since my youngest daughter is still 1 year plus, I don’t think I have a plan to go for holiday with them soon. I have to wait for another 6 years to bring them for holiday.

Anyway, if you want to go somewhere for holiday (or for business trip) and looking for hotel, you can always use this world's no. 1 hotel search engine, www.HotelsCombined.com. They will donate to a charity every time someone helps them spread the word! This way, they can then benefit from word of mouth (or mouse in this case) whilst at the same time being able to donate what they normally would have had to spend on advertising.

There are 3 options to Spread The Word For Charity :
1. They will give $20 for a blog mention
2. They will give $10 for a tweet
3. They will give $5 for becoming a fan of our Facebook page.

My Baby is 14 Month Old

Observe a group of 14-month-olds at the park and you'll note that they're basically loners. Socializing isn't really toddlers' thing, and at this age a child is unlikely to do anything more than engage in parallel play, during which he/she and his/her companions play side by side but don't interact — unless it's to grab whatever object another child is playing with. While this may be frustrating for you, it's completely normal behavior. At this age a child doesn't think of his/her playmates as friends, or even people; they're objects. Since a 14-month-old is very much the center of his/her own universe, he/she thinks other children can be pushed, pulled, and poked the way a toy can. The only thing that really matters — to her/him — is what she/he wants. It's not selfishness — it's just the way everyone sees the world at this age.