Archive for Uncategorized

Changing a Flat Tire

Posted by html404 on March 3, 2014
in Automotive, Family Stuff, Parenting, Uncategorized

FFR Flat Tire 022814

Changing a Flat Tire

On Friday my daughter and I were doing the paper routes and got a flat tire. At four o’clock in the morning. That’s right, AM. I have never changed a flat tire in my life. I’ve watched flat tires be changed and know the basics but we still had my hubby call AAA since I wanted to keep my cell line open for the warehouse manager to call me back. We ended up needing his and his son’s assistance in getting the papers delivered because we had to wait 3.5 hours for AAA to get someone out to fix the tire. There was no way I would get them delivered in time.

My daughter and I watched a YouTube video of how to fix a flat tire. It was informative but we still laughed at the common sense tips the man provided. Things like don’t let the lug nuts roll in the grass – to which we responded, what about rolling away in the snow or melting in the snow? We were being silly at this point due to the long wait, boredom and lack of sleep. Another tip he gave was not to put your tire in the road….seriously? Anyhoo….we had no worries over that happening as we got our flat at the front door of the funeral home. Yep. We deliver to the funeral home and that’s where we discovered our flat, though I suspected at the previous stop as we were coming out the driveway.

We tried to change the flat tire. We had the car jacked up but after all that we could not get the lug nuts off, even with the little X-bar thingy. Don’t you love my automotive vocabulary?! Hubby is not here to give me the correct terminology right now. My dad would roll over in his grave. He was Mr. Car Man himself.

That was our excitement for the weekend because after that rough start on Friday all I wanted to do was sleep. Not really, I just need more sleep. I do have plans for my husband to teach our older children and I how to change a flat tire, to change the oil, how to check the air in the tire with a tire gauge etc. I think it’s important we all learn these basic automotive tasks.

Hubby got the tire fixed, but the tires still need to be aligned and a tie rod replaced. Goodyear just didn’t have time to do it on Friday.

Have you ever changed a flat tire? Will you teach your daughters (and or sons)?


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Hidden Falls by Olivia Newport

Posted by html404 on March 2, 2014
in Downloads, Ebooks, Reviews, Uncategorized

FFR image for posts


Hidden Falls by Olivia Newport

Review by B, my almost 15 year old, who found it really hard to review this ebook

Thirty years of small-town secrets—now the key to the mystery is gone. The small town of Hidden Falls is abuzz. Former students, friends, and loved ones are prepping for tonight’s big event to honor Ted Quinn’s many years of compassionate service. Quinn is reluctant about a night in the spotlight–but is tenderly prodded by Sylvia, mayor of Hidden Falls and Quinn’s dearest friend and confidante.

I thought Hidden Falls by Olivia Newport was good, but rather confusing. There were eight point of view characters that came across as too much even for me, and I’m a fast reader. I found myself forgetting about half of the characters as we hopped back and forth between point of views and inside the different character’s minds.

However, I did find Quinn to be interesting and liked his character as well as Dani, Nicole, Liam and Ethan. I wish we had gotten to see more of Dani as she came across as a really unique character and added something special to the novel. I felt bad for Liam and enjoyed Nicole and Ethan’s character point of views.

Unfortunately I couldn’t even rate this on terms of plot due to how much was going on. I couldn’t focus or even find the main plot line because of all the extra character point of views. It was a very slow read, but I loved the ending. It was quite surprising.

I’d give it a 2.5 out of 5 stars, but I would probably read more in this series due to the characters that I did like. I’m intrigued as to what will happen to Quinn and Dani in future books.

You can read the first episode of Hidden Falls here.


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Carter’s Baby and Kid Up to 50% Off Sale Plus $50 Gift Card Giveaway!

Posted by html404 on February 28, 2014
in Children's Clothing, Clothing, Deals, Fashion, Giveaways, Kids Stuff, SALES, Shopping, Uncategorized

I participated in this program on behalf of Carter’s and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.

Carter's Spring Coupon

It is hard to think about spring clothing when the temperatures are still in the negatives and I am wearing triple layers, but being optimistic and knowing spring is just around the corner, literally only 20 days away, I did just that this week. I shopped Carter’s Baby and Kid Up to 50% Off Sale, which runs from February 18 through March 4, 2014. So only a few days left! Use Carter’s store locator to find a store near you!

Clothing items from Carter’s spring collection is up to 50% off in store, and the above coupon provides an extra 20% off your in-store purchase of $40 or more. Plus you’ll earn $10 Carter’s Rewards for your next visit just for spending $40 or more. How cool is that? Socks are buy one get one free and we always seem to need socks here at our house!

Carter's Spring Collection Collage_!

Carter’s Baby and Kid Up to 50% Off Sale is the perfect time to stock up on great play wear essentials or church clothing, which was my goal for our little boys. It’s sad because our little boys are the only ones I could shop for because our youngest daughter is too big for the girls clothing. Everyone is growing up! For those of you who still have little girls and babies Carter’s spring collection features adorable items for them too, including graphic tees, polos, woven shirts, shorts, cardigans, tunics & leggings and cotton dresses!

To get started on your spring wish list, take a look at Carter’s Spring into Pink collection for girls and Little Mate collection for boys. Both collections are very cute!

Visit Carter’s Baby and Kid Up to 50% Off Sale for a store near you and get started on your little one’s spring wardrobe!

Carter’s $50 Gift Card Giveaway!

Enter below! Giveaway ends 3/21!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Meet Juno Our Babydoll Lamb

Posted by html404 on February 26, 2014
in Animals, Family Stuff, Farm Stuff, Kids Stuff, Uncategorized, Wordless Wednesday

Hill Bunker Farms _Juno 021514
Photo compliments of Hill Bunker Farms

Meet Juno our son’s new Babydoll lamb! Two weeks ago we received word from the breeder that she discovered black twin lambs. Apparently, a ram jumped the fence in September and helped make these cuties so she had early lambs. Since we were the first to reserve 2014 lambs, we were offered one of these black ones! For a bit more money we said yes! Our son is excited that Juno should be able to come home in six weeks, depending on if our other lamb is born or if there is a companion lamb available to keep Juno company until our second lamb is ready to come home.

Oh and she’s a ewe (female sheep). We thought we were going to get a ewe and a ram (male sheep) but are kind of leaning towards another ewe….we’ll wait and see what sex the next lamb is I guess. We need warmer weather to get more fencing up! Eeeks….so much snow to melt too.

Isn’t Juno adorable?


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TopCashback.com Plus $500 PayPal Cash Giveaway

Posted by html404 on February 26, 2014
in Deals, Giveaways, Saving Money, Shopping, Uncategorized

This is a sponsored campaign with Mums the Word Network and TopCashback.com. All opinions are my own.

I had never heard of TopCashback.com until recently. It is a rebates site aimed to save consumers in the U.S. and Canada money on their online shopping. They give all the commission rates back to the consumer and their site membership is completely free to use and has a no-fee cash out policy. No minimum threshold on payouts either. Gotta love that.

How Does it Work?

When you visit a site referred by TopCashback, TopCashback receives a referral commission rate traffic and sales they drive to a store’s website. This is where they do not keep any money but give it back to you.


Visit TopCashback

Once on the website you can browse through the different headlines and what the site has to offer.

FFR TopCashback.com_1


Choose Company, Brand or Retailer

TopCashback provides you over 2000 stores to choose from, not to mention travel, insurance and utilities sites.

FFR TopCashback.com_2

TopCashback.com Takes Care You While You Shop

All you have to do is click the retailer or company you want to shop, visit their site, which will be pop up in new window, and TopCashback.com records your visit.

FFR TopCashback.com_3

While you at your preferred retailer, TopCashback.com is recording your visit to make sure you earn your rebate.


TopCashback Records Your Visit

This is the screen shown back at TopCashback.

FFR TopCashback.com_5

Under “My Account” you can choose a username, choose how to be paid (via direct deposit, PayPal or if you do a lot of shopping you can exchange your cashback for Amazon gift cards).
You will also be able to check your payout and gift card history, making tracking what you earned simple and in one place.

TopCashback.com is user friendly and easy to navigate.

$500 PayPal Cash Giveaway

Speaking of cash, could you use an extra $500? Enter this $500 PayPal Cash Giveaway below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Enter to Win the Ride of Your Life with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. or a VIP Cheerios® Racing Getaway with Austin Dillon

Posted by html404 on February 25, 2014
in Contests, Deals, Food and Treats, Giveaways, Saving Money, Shopping, Uncategorized

Are you a huge racing fan? Go to bit.ly/1doILQW to create a customized shopping cart for the chance to win a ride with Dale Earnhardt Jr. or a VIP Cheerios racing getaway to Charlotte, NC with Austin Dillon and many other prizes!

Check out these prize details:

Kroger Ultimate Race Fan Experience

Grand-prize: Win a ride with Dale Earnhardt Jr. sponsored by Unilever or a VIP Cheerios® racing getaway with Austin Dillon sponsored by General Mills.

You could also win:

· An autographed helmet sponsored by Smithfield

· An autographed fire suit sponsored by Smithfield

· 4 person ticket packages at 19 tracks sponsored by Coke®

· An autographed Carl Edwards diecast car sponsored by Kellogg’s®

· A $25 Kroger Gift Card

Increase your chances by entering daily anytime from 2/16/14-3/9/14.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fast Track to Savings

Fast Track to Savings

Save big at Kroger! Save $3 instantly at checkout when you mix & match any 6 participating items with your Shopper’s Card. Items must be purchased in a single transaction. Participating item varieties and sizes may vary by store.


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Movie Monday – Underdogs Movie Review

Posted by html404 on February 24, 2014
in DVDs & CDs, Entertainment, Movie Monday, Movie Review Monday, Movie Reviews, Movies, Reviews, Uncategorized

FFR image for posts


Trailer url:
http://tinyurl.com/lgu7wjf

Underdogs Movie Review

If you liked Facing the Giants, I think you will like Underdogs. It is the story of one Ohio high school football team that opened the minds and won the hearts of their community. It was inspired by a true story.

Underdogs was a little slow paced at times but still intriguing enough to keep all our children’s attention. A couple of scenes may be objectionable depending on your preferences (pool scene and a guy opening the bathroom on a girl trying to get dressed). Some of our children said “ewww” to the kissing scenes and one of our sons counted six kisses! ;) After we finished the movie, it was so cute to hear him leave the room saying how many kisses were in the movie.

The language was good, only one reference to a$$ that I caught. So I would tend to disagree with This film has been approved for all audiences by the Dove Foundation. It will depend on your family’s values etc.

I really liked the fact there were intact families. I know families come in all shapes in sized, I am not dismissing that fact but so often movies don’t have one or the other parent and this movie had both parents of two of the teens. Also, the teens were respectful of their parents, except Johnny (quarterback for opposing team) a few times.

The story was inspiring and I loved how the team evolved under their new coach’s teaching and direction.

Our family enjoyed watching Underdogs together.

You can watch it too on video on demand (In-Demand, iTunes http://tinyurl.com/mhnspj6 or DIRECTV)! Or swing by Walmart and grab your favorite movie snacks and pick up the Underdogs DVD, on-sale now! http://www.walmart.com/ip/29114152

Features legendary hall-of-famer Joe Namath and stars D.B. Sweeney.


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CBR – Cord Blood Registry

Posted by Brande on February 23, 2014
in Children's Health, Family Stuff, Guest Post, Health, Parenting, Pregnancy and Birth, Uncategorized

Cord Blood

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Dad Central Consulting for CBR (Cord Blood Registry).”

Guest Dad Blogger:  Scott

Did you know that Cord Blood Stem Cells have been used for treatment for more than 80 conditions? I never knew this.

Here’s another interesting fact:

“Newborn stem cells can trigger natural repair processes in the body by reducing inflammation and increasing blood flow to injured or diseased areas. They can also stimulate the growth of new blood vessels and other tissues.”

It just goes to show you how important it is to choose a Cord Blood Registry. More treatments are being evaluated by FDA-regulated clinical trials to help with common health issues including autism. Yet, 90% of blood cord is discarded and goes to medical waste.

With the capacity to create diverse cells for our own immune system, tissue, blood and organs; stem cells are often called the body’s “master cells”.  If your family decides to make the decision to bank your child’s cord blood, you need to do this before the due date. Obtaining the blood cord cells is very simple and painless. After the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, the blood cells are then transferred to a “collection bag”. You have options with banking cord blood cells, you can private bank or donate to a public bank.

During February CBR is having a promotion of $200.00 off of banking services.  Log onto  cordbankingbasics.com for more information.


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Goat Milk Soap Giveaway

Posted by html404 on February 21, 2014
in All Natural Products, Faith and Family Reviews Friday Giveaway, Giveaways, Handmade Items, Organic, Personal Care Products, Uncategorized

Most of you are probably aware that our second oldest daughter B (almost 15!) makes goat milk soap (read more here and here). We are anxiously awaiting for our goats to give birth in April or May so we can have our own supply of goat milk. Since last summer we have struggled to find a local source, but finally the farm we bought goat milk from last February started their kidding season and we have goat milk again!

FFR Goat Milk Soap Baby

FFR Goat Milk Soap Humming Bird

We also have a mold of mama goat and baby, a cow and a baby and a horse. Depending on availability, we will try to offer you a choice. ;)


About Goat Milk Soap

Goat milk soap is one of the most moisturizing soaps around. Our soap is all natural, handmade by our daughter using goat milk and 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils. We also leave some unscented for those with sensitivities. Other ingredients include: organic palm oil, organic olive oil, organic coconut oil, organic shea butter and lye (which is saponified.)

Enter the goat milk soap giveaway below for your chance to win!

We want to offer two of you a chance to win five bars of goat milk soap! ($30-35 Value!). These will be our medium to large bars or a mix of the two. We are running this giveaway longer as it takes the soap four weeks to cure and she is making a new batch so these will be FRESH off the assembly line so to speak.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Lola’s Math Train 2 App Review

Posted by Brande on February 18, 2014
in Apps, Education, Fun Stuff, Reviews, School, Techie Stuff, Uncategorized

FFR image for posts
 

math Train
Choo Choo Coming through with a new app just for you!

Lola the panda bear greats you at the train. All Aboard!

There are 3 difficulty levels – Easy, 2 (Medium), and 3 (Hard).  With 15 different math games!

Math train 2
The Easy & Level 2 I found to be very similar, the numbers math problems are a little harder.  This level has adding, arrange numbers smallest to biggest, how many more apples are in this box than the other.
Level 3 takes you to subtraction and harder problems like which number is missing, and the start of multiplication.Math Train 3
Once you finish a few problems you can pick out an outfit for one of your riders on Lola’s Math Train. Lola’s train will then give you a score at the end.

 

Math train 4

I love the progress tracker!  It’s on the welcome page in the lower left corner. Once there you can enter your email address and it will email you the progress of your child.
This app is available for Apple products as well as Android!

Lola’s Math Train is recommended for ages 3 to 6.

I did find that the easy level was a little hard for my daughter. She is 5, I expected it to be 5 + 1 type of games, but it was more like 10 + 20 which I found to be a bit advanced for her. Otherwise, this will be a great app in future.

 


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