product testing-Swiffer 360

I've have signed up with a website called Vocal Point. They send you products to test with some coupons.  I recently just received a Swiffer 360.  I wasn't sure about recommending it or not.  So here is what I found.  It works great, but it gets dirty quick. I have severe dust allergies.  I'm very sensitive to dust flying around. So I would have to have a ton of those refills.  The 360 part is great and it picks up dust great.  It is gentle enough to use on electronics and your finer items without having to move them and doesn't leave smudges.  I just can't get a whole room done with just one. So I recommend to have on hand for for a quick dust.  But for your regular to heavy duty dusting.  I would still use a spray and dust cloth.

Consignmnet Sale: Selling Tips

Consignment Sale: Selling Tips

I've consigned, worked, volunteered and help run a consignment sale. Fall consignment sales are in full swing and I thought I might share some tips that will help with either current sales or getting ready for spring sales.  Many consignment sales you cannot enter in your items year round. Which means you have mounds of stuff to enter in all at once. This can be overwhelming which aids in procrastination.  A vicious cycle.

Tip 1: I started sorting as my son grew out of things.  Donate, Sell, and Toss.  Any thing that I wanted to sell I was hanging up in the spare closet.  Many of you have a wire rake in a basement.  This helps because you will know how many wire hangers you need and keeps the clothes is better shape. (Most sales require wire hangers.  So keep it easy and simple and just have everything on wire hangers.) 

Tip 2:   Keep all your clothes and shoes in size order as much as possible. Trust me it makes it easier to tag and to load in your stuff at time of check in. 


Tip 3:  Do the same with toys and books.  Clean them.  Make sure  all parts and pieces are gathered together and attach properly with ziplock bags and packing tape.  Most veterans to consignment sales do this already.

Tip 4:  I took this a step farther.  I wrote down as I put items in storage.  So I have a handy list of all my items that I'm going to sell.  And I sit down with my list and enter in all my information that I need and I don't have pile surrounding me.  I also don't have to worry about the cats laying on them or my son getting close with that chocolate ice cream cone.
 
Tip 5:  Your items will sell better if they are neat and tidy.  So button, snap and zip everything up, and iron out any wrinkles.

summer fun at splash parks

 I love going to these destinations because the summer heat  is stinking hot and it is a quick way to cool down.  I usually bring our lunch or supper and and then let my son pick out treats at a concession.  I love it when there are play grounds near by to help with changing things up.  Always check the playground equipment  before your kiddo uses it.  Because even semi-shaded equipment can get too hot for little legs.  As always bring sun screen and towels, and maybe a change of clothes.

Centennial Park 
These fountain are great fun.  They have shows 4 times a day.
Daily Shows at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.  Which the fountains are set to music.  The playground is not that far away.  If you want to picnic here.  I suggest bringing a blanket. The Cost is free.  But you will have to pay for parking or ride Marta.

Piedmont Park
Has a new fountain area for the kids to run through. 
Promenade at Piedmont Park featuring Legacy Fountain
Admission is free.  There are also two playgrounds at the park.
Just have to find parking or use Marta.
Parking can cost up to $15 at the garage.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens
In the Kids Garden the have a fun place for the kiddos to cool  off.  The price is admission to the park $18.95 for adults and $12.95 for kids ages 3-12.  Also they recommend using the Sage Parking Garage which can cost up to $15 to park. Or there is always Marta.

Roswell Parks
Roswell has two splash parks.  We have been to both and we have had a blast!  There is concession and picnic places and playgrounds nearby.   I recommend bringing your own chairs. 
•    Splash ‘n Play at Riverside Park
575 Riverside Road, Roswell, GA, 30075
770-594-6158
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays for maintenance and Private Rentals
•    The Spray Station at East Roswell Park
9000 Fouts Road, Roswell, GA, 30076
770-594-6188
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Closed Wednesdays for maintenance and Private Rentals

Spraygound Fees
•    $1 per person, 1 year old and up (infants are free)
•    $1 - Adult in the water area with infant or child
•    Free - Adult entering with paying child - on deck only
•    $25 per person individual pass* - one sprayground
•    $30 per person individual pass* - both spraygrounds
•    $30 per family pass* - one sprayground
•    $60 per family pass* - both spraygrounds
•    $20 Individual/$40 Families to add both spraygrounds to your RAP pool pass*
*Passes are valid for the 2011 season
Please call 770-594-6134 for more information and to make your reservation.

In addition to these there are fountain or spray parks in the following locations. Suwanee, Duluth, Gainesville and the Mall of Georgia.  I found a great article which seems to have links to all these locations here.

$1 Summer Movies

 No more Free Summer Movies only $1 movies, and only two Theater Companies are offing this great deal again.  Bummer.
Depending on the location of your theater and the movies offered that day will depend on when you need to get there. 

GTC (Georgia Theater Company) also offers special pricing on kid drink and popcorn. $1.50 each. These will be typically shown Tuesday and Thursday Morning,  but double check your location.

Regal Theaters are also offering the $1 kids movies, but there is not any specials on food.  These are typically shown on Tuesday and Wednesday Mornings, but double check your location.

Most Movies are Rated PG though there are some that are G rated.

Spring Break

Our first Spring Break!
And what to do. Well the week has filled up fast. And I thought I was going to get bored.
The first part of the week we are going to go to Stone Mountain.

I highly recommend looking into Stone Mountain Annual Passes. We really have a blast there. And in the second trip they pay for themselves. But there is a special offer on-line right now for 30% off a family of 4 day pass.  Admission Ticket info.  Some of the regular fun things is the Sky Hike, miniature golf, train rides, antebellum village (which has some animal shows), and 4D Theater.  They have an awesome playground.  There are also some museum type stuff too. Oh and of course there is the mountain.  Going to the top is quite cool.  If you choose to walk bring lots of water, wear tennis shoe, and be ready to carry your kiddos.  Bringing your own food and drinks will save you a ton of money!

Next on the Agenda is Lego Store.  The Lego Store is at Discovery Mill Mall in Lawrenceville.

Every 1st Tuesday of the month they have a free mini model build.  It starts at 5pm and will go until supplies last, which around 250 models per a store.  Even though this is free, I except I will be buying something. The Mini model this month is a watering can.

Last but not least. Nashville.  My husband has a business trip at the end of the week and we will be tagging along. I've not really figured out what we will do there yet. So if you have going with kids and have an inexpensive ideas. I think the Parthenon is something to check out.

PNO- Parents Night Out

One of our local Churches is holding their Parent's Night Out this Friday.  We so take advantage of these.  They are usually inexpensive and great childcare.  We call them Kid's Night Out in house.   
Make your reservation.  They do fill up.  Here is the info.

 Friday, January 21^st
6:30-10:00

Ages: Infants through 5^th grade.
Bible Lessons - Music - Snacks - Games
Cost is $5 per child, $15 max per family.
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Limited space.
New Family Registration Returning Family Registration (2010)

 Phone:
  (770) 971-3052
Location:
  675 Holt Road NE
  Marietta, GA 30068

GA Aquarium tickets $15

Georgia Aquarium tickets for $15 a person. This deal is not quite as good as mommy and me passes, but there are less restrictions.  Like you can go on weekends and there are less blackout dates.   So we can go as a family. But you have to us them by March 13th. These type of passes that you buy online are great, because you print it out at home and you don't have to wait in the really long line, just the short line. Have fun fishy looking.

sweet lovely "yumo" pumpkin bread

This is a family favorite!  Caleb has declared this to be "yumo", especially the cookies.

But not only am I going to give you the recipe I use, but if you painted your pumpkins like I did mine you can cut them up and use that instead of buying the can stuff.  Most canned Pumpkin is 16 oz which equals 2 cups.

This is how you do that... cut pumpkin half, take out seed and stringy stuff, place on cookie sheet. Cook in oven at 350 for at least an hr.  (The bigger the pumpkin the longer. I had one big one that each half I cooked for 1hr 45 min.) Drain as much as the clear liquid as possible.
Place in blender or mixer until it is pureed.  A quick mixer tip.  "Place a lint free towel over your mixer and bowl to help cut down on having to clean up splatter." 

From here you can use or freeze.

side tip.  I often have batter left over and I make drop cookies from the batter.  cook for about 8-10 min at 350. 

Pumpkin Bread (from Betty Crocker's)
Pre-heat oven to 350.
1 can (16 ounces or two cups) (I use a touch more than this. probably 2 1/2 cups)
1 2/3 cups sugar
2/3 vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla (my vanilla is stronger than most... add 3-4 teaspoons to equal my 2)
4 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour) (mine uses all-purpose)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt (or less)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or more)
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoons baking powder
optional: 1/2 cup nuts and/ or raisins.  (Mine has neither.)

I will give you their directions and mine.  Since I cook 4-6 batches I do mine so I'm out of the kitchen a bit quicker.  My bowls are not big enough to hold two batches.  This will yield around 3-4 large loaf pans.

Instructions:
1.  Move oven rack to low position so that tops of pans will be in center of oven. (very important! I take out one of my racks and place it over the sink for a "dryer rack")  Heat oven to 350.  Grease bottoms of loaf pans with shortening. (I use spray canola oil.)
2.  Mix pumpkin, sugar, oil, vanilla, and eggs in large bowl.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Pour into pans.  (Here I differ quite a bit. I do all the dry ingredients in as many bowls as I'm doing batches.  Then as I'm mixing I add in liquid ingredients that I whip as needed.  That way raw eggs are sitting out a much less time.  You will have to mix on a higher speed for longer.  And I'm not in the kitchen that long.  It does mean more dishes, but that is what dishwashers are for.)
3.  Bake 8-inch loaves 50-60 min, 9 inch loaf 1hr10min- 1hr20min, until toothpick comes out clean. Coll 10 min in pans on wire rack.  Loosen sides of loaves from pans; removes from pans and place top side up on wire rack.  Cool completely before slicing.  Wrap tightly and store at room temperature up to 4 days, or refrigerate up to 10 days. (This is easily frozen.  Thaw in the fridge)

Baking time for mini loaves:
Amount of batter:               approximate time bake time at 350.
1/4 cup                                             15-20 min
1/3 cup                                             15-20 min
1/2 cup                                             25-35 min
3/4 cup                                             35-40 min

Airshow at Dobbins this weekend

We did this a couple of years ago.  We had a blast.  They do have free parking at Whitewater.  But if it like years past waiting for the shuttle took way to long.  So we paid $5 to $10 to park across the street and walked. Pack food and snacks and water.  Bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Last time we went there were jumpys but they do cost.  There is a ton of free stuff to do and see. First Act starts at 10 am.  For more info go here.

Pedialyte Coupon

With cold and flu season already starting, this is a great coupon.  $1.50 off any pedialyte product.  They have new singles out that look like juice boxes. That means you don't have to throw way over half the bottle! Sweet! See Pedialyte's website to view all varieties and flavors.  Big Thanks to my friend Maggie for sharing.

Free Museum Day

I saw this on one of my most favorite blogs Southern Savers. And thought I would share. 
On Saturday, September 25th Smithsonian Magazine is sponcering it's 6th annual FREE Museum day!
There are tons of Museums that are a part of this.  To find out which museums that are near you go here, and fill out your address.   To get your free ticket go here.  Fill out the form and you will be emailed a ticket.  Remember to print out your ticket and take it with you!  Some museums it is free per a household and some it is only 2 admission free. 
To get updates follow them on twitter and facebook.

Parents Magazine Subscription $4 (Coupons!)- from Deal Seeking Mom

Deal Seeking Mom had this on her blog and I thought I would share.  Read more about the deal and the coupons in this magazine here on her blog.  This is a great Magazine and a great deal!

New Garbage Company in Town

There is a new garbage company in town. American Disposal Services.  We saved over half of what we were paying quarterly. We did have to sign a 1yr contract which keeps our rate at the same price for a year.  There was a solicitor going door to door in our neighborhood.  We double checked all info and decided to try them.  We also had to pay for the 1st quarter up front.  We are hoping that their price doesn't go up to match what we had, but hey this year we are saving a good deal of money. They pick up the trash once a week on the same it was before. We love having the 64 gallon recycling container.  We have used their service for about a month now.  They don't seem to have gotten a schedule down yet.  Each week they have come a different times.  But at the end of the the day the trash and recycling has been picked up.
Individual Subscription Services include:

• 96 gallon trash containers (Toters)
• 64 gallon Single Stream Recycling containers (Toters)
• Yard debris collection
• Bulk item collection upon request *
• Pay your bill online, over the phone or by mail

* Indicates fee when applicable.

Trader Joe's: Now Accepting Coupons & Here are Some Coupon Matches

Trader Joe's: Now Accepting Coupons & Here are Some Coupon Matches

Here is a link to one of the blogs I follow. The Thrifty Mama.  This a great post about Trader Joe's!

Cellfire Cinderella Free Money on your Kroger Card

Thursday June 17 at 3pm eastern you can get your free money.  Last  week I got a $1 off my shopping.  Which is great for produce and milk. I believe you can win up to $10 dollars.  Just register your Kroger Card at Cellfire.

Free Movie at the Y- East Cobb

McCleakey - East Cobb YMCA is showing
"Alvin & the Chipmunks the Squeakel" Saturday, June 19th at 7:00 PM

Bring your family, Friends and neighbors along with your blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy a fun evening of delightful enterainment and comaraderie.

Concessions will be available for purchase.

McCleakey - East Cobb YMCA
1055 East Piedmont Rd
Marietta, GA 30062
770-977-5991

Skinny Cow $1 printable

 Skinny Cow has a $1 off any product on their Facebook Fan site.  After you click the Like button go to Fan Exclusive tab.  Click the picture to print your coupon.  Don't forget to hit your back button to get a second coupon.  CVS had the one cupper on sale for $1 last week.  We will see if they or Walgreens will this week.

Veggie Garden

There is nothing like bumping around in the dark and stubbing your toes.  That is what I am doing with a veggie "garden" this year.  All of this was started from my son wanting to plant some things.  I don't think our crops will have a high yield this year.
(warning tangent) But if your like me and are experimenting with growing your own produce.  Not a bad idea. I've read several blogs about cost analysis about growing your own veggie garden (none of which I can find now) and it gets cheaper the longer you do it. The first year you still save but the amount is minimal. But it is a great way to eat healthy. (now back to point)
Since this is my first year doing more than a tomato plant I have been well bumping around in the dark as to when (and some hows) of growing veggie.  Thanks to my Aunt Sandy, here is a Vegetable garden calender for Georgia. It was done by UGA. It is a pdf. so print and put with gardening stuff.  I might just input stuff on my google calender (geek alert). Happy Growing!

$4 AMC tickets- KGB like Groupon

So I saw this on Southern Savers blog and I thought just in case you didn't see it there I would also post it since it is such a lovely deal.
$4 for a movie ticket instead of $12.50 at AMC on kgb. Sweet! I don't know about you, but we love going to the movies.  The catch, you can only get one ticket, it is only good for Atlanta and metro areas, and it will be mailed to you... allow 2-4 weeks of delivery. Last time I checked there were just under 2000 tickets left. and just over 3 days. 

Kraft Coupons... from First Taste

 This is a great website, Kraft first taste. They have coupons just for new Kraft products.  You can only print each coupon once. Here are the 6 coupons I just got.  They do like getting feed back on their products. And their surveys are short and to the point, usually 3 to 5 questions.

New KOOL-AID Fun Fizz Drink Drops. A fun and delicious way to get kids to drink water. Plus, it's just 5 calories. Each drink drop dissolves into a fizz kids will love to watch and then drink! Drop it! Watch it! Drink it! Get $1.00 off

New KRAFT HOMESTYLE DELUXE Macaroni & Cheese Dinner. Delivers homemade taste in every bite. Its rich and creamy cheese sauce finished with a crunchy breadcrumb topping will make it a new family favorite. Get $1.50 off.

New KRAFT 100 CALORIE PACKS CHEESE BITES. Lets you savor cheese bites with big flavor in perfectly satisfying, 100 calorie portions.  Enjoy this wholesome snack anywhere, anytime. Get $1.50 off.

New DIGIORNO® Deep Dish Pizza. Great at lunch time with a taste experience you'd expect from a restaurant. It's microwaveable with a delicious buttery and flaky crust and juicy toppings. Get $1.50 off.

OSCAR MAYER Deli Fresh Shaved Meats. Sliced, packed and sealed at the peak of freshness. Get $1.50 off.