Gaggle of Chicks- Great Online Deals

Posted on December 30, 2010 by Mandy

Finding and enjoying products and services is that much sweeter to me when I don’t have to pay full price. Gaggle of Chicks is an online website where you can find fantastic deals for children’s clothing, gourmet food services, family outings and entertainment, and so much more.

HOW IT WORKS:
Each day a new deal is posted. Signing up is free and a new deal will be mailed to your inbox daily. Jump on these deals fast because they expire in 48 hours! If enough people sign up, the deal is then “hatched” and everyone enjoys the savings. You can also pass these deals along to your friends and family to enjoy even more savings. I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t appreciate some of these great deals.

MY EXPERIENCE:
I was given a $50 gift code courtesy of Mom Central to try out Gaggle of Chicks and I chose to use this code on a deal for 40% off a gourmet delivery deal at Jenny’s Kitchen NYC. This is where I need to warn you that some of these deals are city-specific and I didn’t realize this at the time. After contacting Jenny for the menu I realized I had made a terrible mistake, because I don’t live in New York. Oops. However, Jenny has been fabulous about this and has offered to come up with a special menu of treats that can be shipped for me. That’s great service, people! I’m looking forward to contacting her after the holidays to see what we can work out.

My experience with Gaggle of Chicks has been a positive one, overall. I wish I lived nearer to some of these fabulous city-specific deals. If you do live near a major city, some of these deals just can’t be beat, so I definitely recommend you check them out.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Gaggle of Chicks and received a $50 gift code for the website to facilitate this review.

How To Decorate a Christmas Tree

Posted on December 23, 2010December 11, 2016 by Mandy

My mom is a whirling dervish when it comes to the holidays and she definitely knows how to decorate a Christmas tree. She has a million social functions, church function, and just functions on pure adrenaline that we sometimes have to catch up by Facebook even though I live right around the corner from her. She has a ton of Christmas decorations, so she depends on me (and E.B. and whoever else wants to help) to help her get their home ready for the holidays.

It usually goes a little something like this:

My mom, E.B., and my grandmother decorate the tree and I am in charge of sitting back lazily watching capturing the memories on camera.

We ooh and ahh over our favorite unique Christmas ornaments. Here are a few of my personal favorites:

And Dad? He reads the Ole Miss football message boards supervises.

Mom makes sure the stockings are hung by the gas log fireplace chimney with care.

And then the real fun begins.

Mom drags a chair up to the tree and proceeds to try to climb up to put the angel on top. Dad freaks because she had heart surgery this year and isn’t supposed to be doing that. Mom insists she can too do it. My grandmother shakes her head and prays to baby Jesus. I roll my eyes. And laugh.

Dad huffs and puffs and cusses and climbs up to do it himself, because, by God, Mom is “not able to do it and I don’t understand why you want it there because it’s sitting right on a bulb on the tree and it will catch on fire if it sits on that bulb!”.

Doesn’t every family have arguments intense discussions while decorating the Christmas tree?

OK, so I’m totally picking on my parents. They love each other very much and have been married for 43 years. But since they’ve both retired, it’s been quite funny watching them adapt to being around each other the house so much. And how much my dad suddenly cares about home decor and cleaning. And correct holiday ornament placing.

Classic TV Christmas Collection

Posted on December 18, 2010December 18, 2010 by Mandy

We’ve been busy watching so many great Christmas shows around our home each night since the holiday season started. I’m so glad to have the opportunity to add yet another fabulous DVD to our collection. The Classic Christmas TV Collection is now available on DVD and it’s been an enjoyable trip down memory lane.

I have to say my husband has been the one in our house enjoying this DVD more than anyone, I think! The DVD includes Christmas episodes from favorite TV series’ from the past, including CHiPs, Alice, Welcome Back Kotter, Perfect Strangers, Eight is Enough, Mama’s Family and many more. My husband is a huge fan (still!) of CHips and Alice and Mama’s Family were big favorites of mine from growing up, so we’ve really had fun watching these episodes.

A little more info:

Synopsis:

This holiday settle in front of the TV with the California Highway Patrol, a Mypos immigrant and other wacky friends and co-workers in this wonderful 4-Disc Collection of Vintage TV Series Christmas Episodes. The yuletide season doesn’t mean less work for Dr. Kildare and Dr. Gillespie and for Jon and Ponch of CHiPs. A prized medallion is passed around as a gift in The Courtship of Eddie’s Father. Menorahs, mistletoes and Balky Claus – festive traditions of all kinds are celebrated on Welcome Back, Kotter and Perfect Strangers. The season is nearly ruined twice: on Eight Is Enough the Bradford family’s presents are stolen and Alice gets stuck in a Christmas blizzard. Mama’s Family debates the fate of Mama’s present, a goose. Keep it as a pet or eat it? The staffs from Veronica’s Closet and Suddenly Susan find Christmas with their co-workers to be the most challenging time of the year. So gather ’round and savor this classic compilation filled overflowing with holiday spirit!

DVD Includes:
Dr. Kildare – An Exchange of Gifts 12/24/64
Thinking he’s about to die, a derelict alcoholic gives away his life’s hoardings.

The Courtship of Eddie’s Father – Gifts are for Giving 12/23/70
What goes around comes around when Norman’s prized medallion circulates among the cast. Although not a Christmas episode per se, this story, originally aired two days before the holiday warmly illustrates the pure joy of giving.

CHiPs – Christmas Watch 12/15/79
Christmas season doesn’t mean time off for Jon and Ponch when thieves steal a 500 year-old bell from a community church.

Eight is Enough – Yes Nicholas, There is a Santa Claus – Parts 1 & 2 12/14/77
The Bradford’s Christmas is put on hold when all the family’s presents are stolen.

Welcome Back, Kotter – Sweathog Christmas Special 12/15/77
Mix merriment, mistletoe and menorahs and whip up a Christmas party with the Sweathogs.

Alice – A Semi-Merry Christmas 12/18/77
Alice, Tommy, Flo, Vera, and Mel spend Christmas together snowbound in a semi trailer.

Perfect Strangers – The Gift of the Mypiot 12/16/88
Balki ruins Larry’s holiday mood by inviting his lonely boss, Mr. Gorpley, to the their Christmas Eve party.

Mama’s Family – Mama Gets Goosed 12/20/86
Mama frets about cooking a live goose for Christmas dinner.

Veronica’s Closet – Veronica’s Christmas Song 12/18/97
Veronica and Olive audition to sing at a Christmas concert at Lincoln Center.

Suddenly Susan – The Walk Out 12/19/96
When Jack doesn’t hand out Christmas bonuses, the staff goes on strike.

We highly recommend this DVD collection for the adults who enjoy taking a trip down memory lane and enjoying holiday episodes from their favorite shows from the past.

Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales

Posted on December 18, 2010December 3, 2015 by Mandy

There are many, many traditions during the Christmas season that my fmaily enjoys and one of them is watching the Charlie Brown Christmas episodes. I watched them as a child and now I am so happy to share them with my son who is finally old enough to get excited about them, too.

Synopsis: Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales is a series of Christmas-themed animated stories, in which each of the beloved PEANUTS characters star in his or her own charming animated vignette. Bonus episode: Is This Goodbye, Charlie Brown – New-to-DVD! Linus must break the devastating news that his family is moving. Charlie Brown and the gang make their goodbyes and prepare for Linus and Lucy’s departure.

Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales is now out on DVD and we have been watching this over and over since it arrived in our home. My son is a big fan of Linus and his blanket and particularly loves Linus’ letter writing to Santa.

If you are a fan of The Peanuts, you don’t want to miss having this DVD in your collection.

I received a copy of this DVD for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Kroger/Chex Party Mix Holiday Recipes Giveaway

Posted on December 18, 2010December 22, 2010 by Mandy

It’s hard for me to remember a holiday when Chex Party Mix wasn’t around. It’s one of the main snacks I look forward to during the holidays. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and salty and sooo very difficult to eat just one handful.

If you’re still scrambling for a last minute food gift for those on your list, Kroger Family of Stores will have Chex cereal on sale for 3 weeks, from December 2nd – December 25th, when Kroger will offer Chex cereal at their lowest prices of the year! Just hit up a store for some cute holiday food tins/bags/boxes, fill them full of Chex Party Mix, and congratulate yourself on a gift that’s easy to make and always a hit!

You can find the original recipe here for Chex Party Mix. There are also some other great variations of Chex Party Mix to try You can even make it in the microwave now. Who knew?!

Don’t forget to visit Kroger and Chex on Facebook to“Like” their pages and keep up with recipes, news and their latest and greatest products.

GIVEAWAY:

One lucky Mommy Cracked reader will win a Kroger/Chex Party Mix Holiday Recipe Prize Pack which includes a $25 Kroger Gift Card (valid at any Kroger Family of Stores) and 2 samples of Chex cereals!

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment on this post telling me something you love about Chex Party Mix or perhaps you have another holiday recipe that uses Chex cereal…tell us what it is! Deadline to enter is Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 11 PM Central. U.S. Only.

BONUS ENTRIES:

After you have left a comment (this is mandatory…see above), you can also earn up to 5 bonus entries! Choose as many (or all five) of the options below as you want:

1. Subscribe to Mommy Cracked in a reader by clicking here. (Leave a comment on this post telling me you did so).

2. Subscribe to Mommy Cracked by email and confirm the subscription. This option is in the sidebar. (Leave a comment on this post telling me you did so)

3. Tweet this contest and leave a comment on this post with your link on Twitter. (You can hit the Retweet button at the top of this post to make it easier.)

4. Click here to follow me on Twitter and leave a comment on this post telling me you did so.

5. Click here to become a fan of Mommy Cracked on Facebook and leave a comment on this post telling me you did so.

That’s it! Good luck!

The gift card, prize pack, information and giveaway were all provided by Chex and Kroger through MyBlogSpark. All opinions provided by me.

Women Succeeding With Epilepsy

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Mandy

Living with a chronic health condition can be difficult at times for the patient as well as the caretaker. HealthyWomen.org has recently launched a series of helpful videos for those living with or caring for someone with epilepsy called Women Succeeding With Epilepsy,which offers insight into the lives of real women caring for someone with epilepsy or managing their own diagnosis.

If you or someone you know could use some support on dealing with epilepsy, please click here for a helpful download sheet which includes tips for patients as well as caregivers. These tips are not exclusive to a diagnosis of epilepsy and are wonderful for any situation in which you can be supportive of anyone who is coping with an illness or chronic health condition.

These tips have made me more aware of how I can be supportive of two caregivers in my own family, one who specifically has an immediate family member that has epilepsy. Just the simple act of offering to relieve them for a few hours so they can get some respite would be appreciated, I’m sure, as well as letting them talk openly with me. Sometimes just talking can help put things into perspective.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of HealthyWomen’s “Women Succeeding with Epilepsy” sponsored by UCB, Inc. and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Little Star by Anthony DeStefano

Posted on December 12, 2010December 3, 2015 by Mandy

Reading is one of the most special forms of quality time I share with my son. I can tell he really loves a book when he requests it to be read over and over for days on end. That’s the true test on whether a book is good or great in our home. May I introduce you to a great new children’s book just in time for the holidays?

Little Star by Anthony DeStefano is one of those books I don’t mind reading over and over. Telling the story of the Christmas star, DeStefano sweetly recounts the birth of Jesus and the role “Little Star” (the star of Bethlehem) played in this joyous occasion. The illustrations by Mark Elliot are just beautiful.

The author recently shared this video with me to share with my readers. In this video, Pat Boone, a friend of his, reads the story Little Star to a group of children. To see how amazing this book is, I encourage you to watch the video below. Your kids will love it, too!

When our son’s teacher asked the students to send some Christmas books to share with the class this month, we didn’t hesitate to send our copy of Little Star. Even as an adult, this book really tugged at my heart strings and my son and I highly recommend this book to add to your holiday reading library.

HotterUSA Shoes

Posted on December 12, 2010 by Mandy

Since being diagnosed 6 years ago at the ripe old age of 30 with Rheumatoid Arthritis, I just can’t wear high heels and rely on flats for dressier shoes and of course, my tennis shoes whenever I can. I’ve had to forgo a lot of fashionable shoes in favor of comfort, and quite frankly, it’s been very disappointing.

When offered the chance to review a pair of HotterUSA Shoes, I was very skeptical of falling in love with a shoe I had not tried on personally and also skeptical of the claim that these were “stylish shoes with comfort built in”. Stylish shoes had always meant “painful” in my past experiences.

However, with the freedom to choose any pair I wanted to try, I wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass me by. After looking over the selection of women’s shoes, I decided my wardrobe was lacking a cute pair of boots and chose these:

The Aquarius Ladies Soft Touch Ankle Boot

And when would the best time be to try out these boots? A job in retail, of course….during the holidays.

I chose a busy day to wear these to work at the bookstore and was on my feet quite a bit, save to sit down and have lunch. These boots were never uncomfortable at any point, they never rubbed into my calves like most do, and I was very, very impressed. I even got complimented on how cute they were!

According to the company, each pair of HotterUSA Shoes are injected with hundreds of tiny air bubbles into the soles, creating the feeling of walking on air. Sizing is made easy with their fitting guide and my shoes fit perfectly! And if you need it, they even carry extra wide shoes which can be tough to find while not compromising style.

I am 100% pleased with my boots. HotterUSA Shoes even carries a men’s selection if you’re still holiday shopping and in the market for a great pair of comfortable shoes for the man on your list.

Thank you, HotterUSA Shoes, for allowing me to test drive a pair of your amazing shoes. They lived up to every promise you made!

I received a pair of shoes for review purposes, but all opinions are entirely my own.