Beth & Cory's Mom

Credit

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:42:00 +0000

As you have noticed by now, I changed my blog layout. I'm liking it. I just wanted to give credit for the original design to FinalSense. They have all kinds of great looking Free Blogger templates. I found one that I liked, and then I modified it. Here's the original:

I changed some colors, added my own pictures, and came up with what I have now.

FinalSense has so many different templates, it's easy to find one you like, just the way it is. Choosing one is the hard part.

Clicksmart - Connecting Consumers and Professionals

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:40:00 +0000

There is so much information available on the Internet, but it's not always good information. It's hard to tell the difference between good and bad sometimes. Clicksmart is an online directory of certified, pre-screened experts. Clicksmart takes the guesswork out of choosing the right real estate agent, insurance broker, landscaper, or other professional. If a business or professional is listed with Clicksmart, that means they have met certain requirements in order to be certified. If they don't meet the requirements, Clicksmart doesn't list them.

If you need a raleigh landscaper, you enter your zip code or city and state, and you get a whole list of Clicksmart certified landscapers. You can even search within those results. If you don't need a landscaper in Raleigh, you can search other cities and even find attorneys, realtors, contractors, massage therapists, and other types of professionals.

Come to think of it, we could use a landscaper for that patio project, just not one in Raleigh. I'll have to enter my own zip code.

Go Misty and Kerri!

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:31:00 +0000

I'm up past my bedtime again, but Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh are playing for the gold medal right now, and I can't miss that. Those girls are so completely amazing. Kerri will do something awesome, and then Misty will, and there's just no way to decide which one of them is better. They are just the perfect team.

Let's go, girls! Gold all the way!

(note my fitness level - sitting on my couch, watching other people get active.)

Gold - Gold - Gold - Gold!!!!!

It's Not Just How Much You Weigh

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:39:00 +0000

I heard on the news recently that, if trends continue the way they are, nearly every American will be overweight or obese by 2030. That's pretty scary. What's also scary is that so much emphasis is placed on losing the weight, more so than on being healthy. It's Not Your Weight That Matters--It's How Much of Your Weight is Fat. Normal weight people are not necessarily healthy, especially if they aren't physically active. They can still be at risk for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

I'm really glad that, when Jeffrey decided to lose some weight, he also decided to start walking and working out. It not only helped him with the weight loss, but I know he's in much better shape, and getting better, and his cholesterol went way down! Yes, he looks better, but the main thing is that I want him to be healthy because I want to keep him around for a long time.

From the International Sports Sciences Association:

Press Release:
Fitness Assessment: Measure Your Fat, Not Your Weight
It’s not how much you weigh, it’s how much of your weight is fat.
Simple test determines your fat content, health risks.

Carpinteria, CA – August 20, 2008 - Within the past week, the American Heart Association, Journal of the American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society have cited new studies that seem to indicate the deteriorating health of Americans may not be related solely to weight--but to declining overall fitness levels.

While it is virtually impossible today to remain oblivious to the importance of exercise for staying healthy, there has been a marked emphasis on “weight” versus “fitness” in western society’s perception of health and wellness. Consequently, many people of “normal” weight continue to be uniformed of the fact that they may still be at risk for elevated levels of blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar if they lead a sedentary (inactive) lifestyle.

It has long been known that there are adverse effects associated with physical inactivity. Adults who are less active are at greater risk of dying of heart disease and developing diabetes, colon cancer, and high blood pressure. Illnesses related to physical inactivity and poor diet cause at least 300,000 deaths each year in the U.S.

Body mass index (BMI), which is calculated through a height-to-weight ratio alone has been the standard method of measuring a person’s “fatness” or “thinness” since 1950’s and 60’s, when obesity was becoming a noticeable medical concern in the U.S. As a result, being at a “normal” BMI weight is not necessarily a reliable indicator of health.

In fact, physically active individuals who have more lean tissue than their sedentary counterparts, as well as taller people, often have a BMI that classifies them as obese when they actually have healthy body fat levels. Likewise, and more dangerous, slender or thin but inactive individuals often have a BMI that puts them within normal, or even underweight, ranges when they actually have high levels of body fat.

Because of the overemphasis on BMI that has developed over the last few decades, these “skinny fat” people often remain unaware that they are at an elevated risk for developing diseases typically associated with obesity until they are already facing health issues.

According to the International Sports Sciences Association, an organization that has educated and certified personal trainers for more than 2 decades, using a quick but reliable method of measuring various body circumferences (e.g. neck, thighs, upper arm, waist, hip) to assess total body fat better determines one’s body composition (fat vs muscle) than BMI alone. Measuring circumferences also provides personal trainers and clients with a very easy way to gauge clients’ progress.

“For people to begin to take a proactive approach to their health, they really need to know what their percentage of fat versus muscle is.” said Dr. Sal Arria, CEO and Co-Founder of the ISSA. Dr. Arria goes on to add, “most studies have shown that by just adding ONE circumference measurement at the waist to BMI, you can better predict a patient’s risk for type 2 diabetes and for all-cause mortality. Waist circumference is also about twice as good at predicting future coronary heart disease than BMI alone.”

The ISSA believes that personal trainers and health clubs should be utilizing circumference measurements as another tool to assess body fat because trainers can achieve proficiency with a few hours of practice and when done properly, the results can be replicated.

Patrick Gamboa, ISSA Vice President of Education, cautions that a person’s true fitness cannot be assessed by body measurements alone. True fitness must also take into account strength, aerobic capacity and flexibility measurements to most accurately predict longevity. Most gyms offer this type of assessment for free to their members.

About the ISSA
Since 1988, the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) has provided certification and continuing education to more than 100,000 wellness professionals in 85 countries around the globe. The ISSA offers a core personal training certification as well as eight additional specialized fitness certifications.

I Love Me a Man in Leather

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:58:00 +0000

Jeffrey has been riding his motorcycle back and forth to work this week, every day so far. Still he must not be getting enough of riding the bike.

Cory drove me around while I did some shopping today. I bought important stuff like lettuce and nectarines and milk. I also bought some shorts at Walgreens. I bought a couple pair of them last year for $3 each, I think, but now they are on clearance for 99¢. So I bought 3 pair. Then, after I got home and tried them on, I realized I grabbed the wrong size. For some reason I thought I needed a small. Some things I really do need a small, but these smalls are just too tight on my rear end. I know I would not be comfortable wearing them, without wearing a long, baggy t-shirt.

When I mentioned this, and how, at that price, they would probably all be gone by the time I got back over there, Jeffrey offered to go exchange them for me. He did ask Cory if he wanted to drive him over there, but Cory didn't. So Jeffrey put on his jeans, boots, leather jacket and helmet, and rode the bike to Walgreens to exchange my shorts. Sweet, isn't he?

Yes, he is sweet, but I think he really just wanted an excuse to ride the bike.

Official Olympics Visa Gift Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:52:00 +0000

So, I'm pretty much obsessed with the Olympics, if you hadn't noticed. I'm sure there are a few other people out there who feel the same way. What are we going to do when it's all over? Only two years until the winter Olympics...

In honor of these Summer Olympics, GiftCardLab is offering official and collectible 2008 Olympic Visa Gift Cards. That's right, gift cards with all your favorite Olympic athletes on them - Michael Phelps, Nastia Liukin, Kerri Walsh, Jonathan Horton... They're all available, but only for a limited time. These are definitely better than your generic run-of-the-mill gift card. I bet you're thinking of all your Olympics obsessed friends and family and trying to figure out which gift cards to get them, right? Or maybe which gift card you want for yourself. Will it be Michael?

Thank You, Country Bob's!

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:40:00 +0000

Remember that yummy all purpose sauce from Country Bob's? The sauce that is amazing on grilled chicken and burgers and that makes really good meat loaf? If you haven't tried it yet, you should, and now I have even more ways to use it because today I got this gorgeous Country Bob's cookbook in the mail. I really wasn't expecting that. At all.

Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce-BBQ Sauce-Seasoning Salt-Steak Sauce via kwout

There are so many great looking recipes in this book. I don't know what to try first.

You can still get a coupon for a free bottle of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce if you haven't done it yet.

Something's Interfering with My Sleep

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:23:00 +0000

Image by midorisyu via Flickr They had a story on the Olympics last night, saying that they realize watching the Olympics is interfering with everyone's sleep. I guess we're lucky that it only lasts a couple weeks, right? Of course, the Olympics aren't the only thing that interferes with getting a good night's sleep. Having teenagers seems to be interfering with our sleep, too.

Either Beth works until 10pm, and then has to drive home, or she's over at Tim's and not wanting to come home until the last possible minute. Try explaining that, even though it's summertime and she gets to sleep in, the rest of us are still getting up at normal time. This week I may be staying up watching gymnastics or something else important, but most nights I (we) want to get to bed before 11pm. And I'm just not good with going to bed until I know she's safely home where she belongs.

Those of you still buying diapers and crib bedding may think you're not getting any sleep now, but just wait until those precious babies are teenagers. Parents don't get to get a good night's sleep until those kids finally move out. At least that's my theory.

Heads or Tails - Heads or Tails

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:10:00 +0000

That sounds kind of redundant, doesn't it? But...

This week's theme/prompt is:

HEADS *OR* TAILS - Heads *Or* Tails

I'm going with TAILS!!

A twitching Tillie tail, to be precise. I'm not sure what Jeffrey is talking about - something Olympics-related it sounds like. And, speakng of the Olympics, did you see Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh kick those Brazilians' tails? Those girls are absolutely amazing!

Visit the home of Heads or Tails to join in and to see more participants.

Web Hosting Options

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:15:00 +0000

Since I just now made the change from Classic Blogger to the New Blogger, I suppose the next question is when am I going to make the move to a web hosting company. Obviously I'm not one to make any major moves quickly. I am looking at the options, though. I like comparing what I get for what price, but I've also come to realize that customer service is a big part of the whole package. If I'm going to jump into something, I like knowing there will be someone to help me if I have any problems.

Network Solutions web hosting has award winning customer service. They offer 24/7 technical support at no extra cost. That's good to know, because I hate being charged for technical support - hate it. Luckily I haven't had any major problems with Blogger so that I needed any kind of technical support because, does Google even do that? I guess you get what you pay for, huh?

Network Solutions doesn't offer free webhosting, but they do have several packages and prices, so you can get just what you need. Along with the hosting, you also get a free domain name, email boxes with spam and virus protection, free website building tools, and more. Standard web hosting starts at $9.96/month with an annual purchase.

I'm not ready to make the change yet, but I'll keep Network Solutions on my list.

Because Lynn Asked

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:02:00 +0000

I added some pictures to the header. It is more fun with pictures, isn't it? Probably I should have been doing something more constructive with my time, like clean my house maybe, but now I have pictures in my header.

I've also been playing around with the template on one of my other blogs, and I realized the New Blogger does not work the way I thought it did. I thought the point was that you could change things easily. Well, maybe some things are 'easier' but the fact that changing your template means that a lot of your widgets get deleted and have to be rebuilt and replaced just seems to defeat the whole purpose. The html widgets are easy enough, because all I have to do is paste the html in and save, but what about those link lists? Having to paste in site name and link separately, over and over? Not my idea of fun. Is there an easier way?

It's All New to Me

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:34:00 +0000

I finally switched to the 'New' Blogger and a new template. I like the layout, but I'm not sure about the 'New' Blogger and all those widgets or gadgets, or whatever they're calling them now. I think I finally got it figured out, but I feel like I have less control now - even though I can edit the html, it doesn't act like it's going to work.

Let me know what you think, OK?

Post #1011

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:34:00 +0000

Nothing significant in that number, it's just that I always miss the milestone posts. I didn't even know I was supposed to be paying attention or that there was any significance, until I had passed way over my 100th post. So, I thought I'd acknowledge post #500, but I missed that one, too, and before I knew it, I had passed #1000. Who knew I had that much to say?

I don't really have much I want to say about progesterone, though - just that I better save this link.

Since I missed post #100 and #500 and #1000, what's the next significant post I should try to catch? Does it really matter?

Camera Critters (#19)

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 02:56:00 +0000

Black dragonfly on yellow. At least the dragonfly posed for a picture, even if my daughter won't.

Camera Critters is a fun weekend meme hosted by (the dragonfly obsessed) Misty Dawn.Visit the Camera Critters headquarters and join in.

Senior Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:50:00 +0000

So, Beth is a senior this year, and someone has convinced all these kids that the thing to do is get senior pictures taken. Never mind that she 'hates' school and can't wait to get out of there. Beth had to have senior pictures, too. Now, I have a camera. It's digital. I can shoot lots and lots of pictures and probably come up with one or two decent ones, at least. I said I'd take her picture, but she would have nothing to do with that. And when Beth makes up her mind, whether she's right or wrong, there's no budging her. She was not going to cooperate with that at all, even just to see what we might come up with.

So, she made an appointment at Glamour Shots - makeup, hair, photo shoot, and a coupon for 48 wallets for $48 with any purchase. She even took her friend Kayla along so they could have some pictures taken together. All that took about 3 hours, while I waited, and waited. At least I had a book with me, so I did get some reading done. Then, we had to wait some more before we could look at the pictures. They downloaded the pictures to the computer and put them into a slideshow, with music even, so we could look at them and decide which ones we liked. Then she added everything up, and it came to $2300.oo or so, (with 19 poses selected). Nobody in their right mind would pay that much for pictures! And nobody really needs that many poses or that many pictures, seriously. Anyway, we narrowed things down, and it still cost way more than I really wanted to spend, but I ended up buying the pictures anyway. Kayla said it was cheaper than what her pictures are going to cost, and she isn't getting as many. They really did turn out nice. We got 4 different poses, and one of those was of the two girls together, a 5x7 for each of them.

I've been doing some looking online tonight (yes, I should have done this before but I didn't) to get an idea of what senior pictures cost, and, from the pages that actually gave some prices, I guess we came out OK. However, I really would rather have taken some myself, and I see I'm not the only one who thinks so. Here's a great article on do-it-yourself high school senior portraits. Yeah, just what I said - if only that daughter of mine wasn't so ~~stubborn~~ ~~hard-headed~~ ~~picky~~ ~~opinionated~~ determined.

Hopefully next year Cory will let me take his pictures. If we don't get anything he's happy with, then we can look for a place to get his pictures taken - or just buy him a plane ticket and send him to Oregon so his uncle can take the pictures.

Just Sayin'

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:33:00 +0000

Mobile post sent by bcmom using Utterz. Replies. mp3

Sky Watch Friday (#34)

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:12:00 +0000

It's Friday again, and that means
Sky Watch Friday!

I really liked these clouds Wednesday evening. There's something about big, white clouds that I just can't resist.

Look at the size of those things compared to the houses!

If you enjoy looking at the sky as much as I do, you'll want to check out Sky Watch Friday.

Eyeglasses for Less

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:01:00 +0000

Two things I need to do - get a haircut, and get new glasses. I keep putting it off because I don't know what to do with my hair, and I know new eyeglasses will be expensive. That is, they can be expensive if you buy them at the eye doctor or vision place. I've just recently heard about Zenni Optical, and I really want to try ordering glasses from them. They have glasses starting at $8. Can you believe that? $8. That includes single vision lenses and the frames.

They also have glasses that cost more, but I think my favorite $8 are these:

Shipping is only $4.95, so for a total of $12.95, it's certainly worth trying them. I could grab a couple pair for way less than I'd have to pay elsewhere. The shipping is still $4.95, no matter how many pair you order, so it's an even better deal to order several pair at once.

The reason Zenni Optical can sell glasses at such low prices is that they sell only their own glasses, directly to the consumer, cutting out the middleman. I'd say it's definitely worth looking for anyone who needs glasses but doesn't want to spend an arm and a leg. You can also add extras, like sunglass tinting and anti-reflective coating for an additional $4.95, but all Zenni Optical glasses, even the $8 ones, come with anti-scratch coating, UV protection, lens edge polishing, and more. You can find the full list on their home page. You can also get bifocal and progressive lenses, the same things you'd find at the eye doctor, only less expensive.

Zenni Optical was recently mentioned on the Clark Howard Show, and you can read what some real people who have tried the Zenni Optical glasses think of them.

I Was Almost Right

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0000

It didn't cost $216 to register the kids for school. It cost $310. Actually, it would have been right around the $200 mark, except that I ended up paying for a parking pass for Beth and going ahead and paying for her yearbook.

$50 for a semester parking pass, which Beth is supposed to pay for. She doesn't think she should have to pay it, but she's driving because she's signing up for work release and going to leave school early every day, hopefully to work. She's tired of 'working all the time just to pay for the gas to get to work' and I figure this falls into the same category. In the end it'll be cheaper than having to pay a few parking tickets.

$60 for a yearbook, since it's her senior year. Even though she 'hates' school, I guess she needs something to remember it by.

Label This

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:29:00 +0000

Along with the school fees associated with the beginning of school, there's also the cost of buying school supplies. I heard on the news the other day that the average family spends $500 on school supplies each year, and that doesn't count school clothes. What? It seems like we're spending quite a bit on supplies every year, but there's no way we've ever gotten close to $500. No way.

Still, we end up buying quite a few supplies. In elementary school, the kids needed pencils and crayons, markers, folders, notebooks, and glue sticks. Now that they're in high school the supply list is a little simpler - pretty much notebooks, folders, pens and pencils. Not quite as much fun as when they were little, is it? We also used to design fun labels for all the school supplies, with a cute picture, name, grade, and teacher's name on them. Then the kids got to label all their school supplies. We've kind of gotten away from that, and they usually just write their name in their notebooks and folders. Maybe the kids are too grown up for those cute labels we used to make, but they still need to have their names on everything that belongs to them. Things in high school have a tendency to become someone else's property if they're not clearly labeled.

Perhaps one of these DYMO label makers would be useful. They're small, portable, and easy to use. The kids could make labels for their notebooks and folders, and there would be no question who they belonged to. Besides, labels are more fun than just writing your name. There are some fun ideas and suggestions for getting ready to go back to school on the DYMO website. One helpful suggestion is not just to label the notebooks and folders with the kid's name, but also with the name of the class that notebook is going to be used for. I can see that being helpful, so the kids don't accidentally take the wrong notebook to class.

Once we've got all the new school supplies labeled, I can use the label maker to label all the new File folders I need to keep track of our bills. My file drawer is too full, and I need to clean it out. While I'm at it, I want all new folders with easy to read labels. It's amazing how much more organized I can be with a good system. We could even make labels for Beth's clothes bins, so she knows what is where (when it isn't on the floor) and it's easier to find. And I could label stuff I put in the freezer, and... I can just see labels on everything!

School Registration

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:59:00 +0000

I've got to register the kids for school today. I was filling out the paperwork this morning, and I had to stop and think, and double-check. I had to fill in the student's name and grade on each sheet. Grade 12. Grade 11. Seriously? How did that happen? It seems just yesterday they were cute little things starting kindergarten and first grade.

Registration shouldn't be too difficult this year because they sent the paperwork ahead of time, instead of having to pick it up and fill it out there. Both kids need to get their schedules finalized. Every year Cory has to get them to add Jazz Band to his schedule because they leave it off for some reason. This year I watched him fill it in on his schedule, and still they left it off. Beth has to figure out whether she's graduating after first semester or going to be able to take some classes at WCTC through the Youth Options program. I hope she gets to take the classes, because that means at least some of her schooling is paid for.

The thing that always bothers me is that there's no list of fees or even an idea of what it's going to cost me. The secretary just adds up this, that and the other thing and gives me the grand total. I did look it up, and last year it cost me $216, so I guess I can figure somewhere around there. I guess overall that's not so bad, right?

Just My Size coupon, No Matter How Small

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:24:00 +0000

I spent a while this afternoon cutting out coupons. Mostly we just get the Sunday paper for the ads and the coupons, but I hadn't cut them out in several weeks. One of the things I hate most is buying something and then realizing I had a coupon for it at home. Every little bit helps, and I'm all for saving as much money as possible.

The same goes for using online coupons. I love shopping online because of the convenience, and oftentimes the price is better. I'm especially happy when I get free shipping, too. Still, that's not good enough if there's any possibility of saving even more. Did I mention that I'm a little obsessive, and cheap? Yep, that's me. If there's a coupon code, I want to use it. I was even excited when I found a code some Micro SD cards I ordered were $9.50 each instead of $10 each. Since I ordered 4, that meant I saved $2. Some people might not think $2 is much, but that's $2 that I can use for something else, like gas! Or put it in the bank and save it for later. See, any coupon is a Just My Size coupon! I'm happy with the little ones, and I'm even happier with the big ones.

Savings.com looks like a helpful site for finding online coupon codes. Members find the coupons and rate the coupons, so it's easy to see which coupons are the most useful and popular. It's easy to search by merchant or category. I'll be checking this site next time I'm ready to buy something online.

So Tired

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:41:00 +0000

These guys kept me up too late last night. They were amazing and so much fun to watch.

Is anyone else missing sleep because of the Olympics? I just have a hard time turning it off. And that's just on TV. There is all kinds of content online, too:

Exclusive Summer Olympics news & widgets at NBC Olympics.com!

I especially like the swimming, diving, gymnastics, and beach volleyball. Right now I'm sort of ignoring tennis, but I do have it on. Today I also watched some water polo and a really strange sport that I think is called handball. It kind of looks like soccer, except that the players can pick the ball up, toss it around, and throw it into the goal.

I just heard that Michael Phelps has reached his limit of MySpace friends, so I guess it's too late to be one of his friends. Bummer! He's so awesome, and his dog is such a cutie, too.

Vacation Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Since Beth went to Florida with Tim and has been talking about all the fun things they did, I've been thinking it would be fun to go back to Florida. Along with those great Florida beaches on both sides of the state, there are also so many things to do in Orlando. Our favorite place to visit was Sea World, but we also enjoyed Disney and Universal Studios. It seemed like kind of a waste, but Tim's mom took them to Universal Studios when they were visiting. I say a waste because Beth wouldn't ride any of the fun (read scary) rides. Tim had to go without her on several of them. I remember the last time we took her there - she was 1. So I ended up going on at least one ride by myself because she was too little. Then when we went back to Florida when she was 6, and Cory was 4, we took the kids to Disneyworld. The Pirates of the Caribbean ride scared them. They only liked the It's a Small World ride, which seriously is enough to make an adult's head explode.

Because everyone likes different things, it's important to plan your vacation ahead of time, so you get the most out of your limited vacation time and everyone gets to have some fun. One of the easiest ways to do it is to sign up for the Trusted Tours & Attractions newsletter. Each month you get informative, useful, and practical articles, travel tips, and money saving deals. Sign up now, and you'll be entered to win a $150 Magellans gift certificate. Last month, they were giving away a $150 iTunes gift card, and before that a camera, so besides great online travel guides and savings on attraction tickets, they have chances to win some great prizes, just for letting them help you plan your next vacation.

Maybe we should visit Madame Tussauds in Las Vegas?