Where have you been all my life?

When you have two dogs, it's like having four kids. Bella and Mia have their unique personalities and we love their different quirks and funny things they do. They are such opposites, it's no wonder that they get along.

There is one thing that they do have in common that I wished they didn't. They both have left a little (or big if it's Bella) present for us on the rugs-Argh!!

I have probably spent the kid's college funds three time's over buying new rugs over the years. I hate the smell that never seems to totally come out. Not to mention that once they've gone in a spot, they will go there again.

I hate dragging out our huge carpet cleaner for those little (and big) messes. When I got the Little Green Compact Deep Cleaner from Bissell, I had to try it out right away. The pups hadn't left me any early Christmas presents lately, but I had some old stains that I had tried to get rid of with a hand cleaner.

I bought the pet stain solution (you can only use Bissell's compact solution, which I wasn't too thrilled with because it limits choices). I filled the cleaner according to the directions and tried it out. The stains came out quickly and the rug was not damp like the bigger cleaner left afterwards.

There are three things that stand out with this cleaner:

1. Portability - This cleaner is light and easy to move around.

2. Cleaning abilities- This cleaner may be small, but does a big job.

3. Compact- I love the size of this cleaner! It stores much easier than traditional bigger cleaners.

If you are looking to switch out your bigger cleaner for a compact one, I would suggest investing in a Little Green Compact Deep Cleaner.

"I was given a Bissell Little Green Compact Deep Cleaner from csnstores.com for review and my honest opinion."

Breaking away from the 'blah'

This winter, I've been feeling very bloated and just 'blah'. I have this urge to go jogging (I don't even like to run) so, I think it's that time of the year to think about diet and exercise. I've been checking out Suzanne Somer's new book, Sexy Forever. I'm over 40 and this book deals with women 40 and over.

I also thought about checking into diet pills and need to find out the pros and cons of taking them. I've heard good and bad, that's why it's not something to jump into. There are so many options for dieting and I really don't know a whole lot about dieting. I've always been thin and never worried about what I ate, but ever since my youngest was born, I've kept about ten pounds on me that I have a hard time losing.

I blame it on the career change I made; I went from a manager working 60+ hours, to working at home and not so physically active. So, I have to find ways to be more active and change my eating habits. Me like a my sweets, baby!

So, any tips or recommendations would be welcomed, especially if it doesn't involve just eating rabbit food-if you know what I mean!

The Show

I realized that I never posted photos from the bridal show I did. Silly me! You'll have to excuse the blurriness. I had to quickly run and take them and run back. I didn't take the time to stop and focus. Bad, bad me!!

Jess was making our slips for our drawing we had for $100 off our wedding package. I thought of it that morning, so we had to hurry up and throw it together.

Here was our setup.

It wasn't as glamorous as the other fancier photographer's booths, but we still had tons of people come to our booth. My major selling point was our price.

This bride was my favorite bride, so I use her photos for lots of advertising.

It started getting busy fast.

I booked 4 weddings because of the show, so I think this will be part my advertising budget every year as long as I do weddings.

Besides, it's was a lot of fun!

Dear Blog

When you were first born, I loved and cared for you. I filled your pages with words every day. I posted photos, jokes, advice and reviews. I helped you make friends. Lots and lots of friends. Eventually, you started to grow. And grow. And grow. I got free stuff because of you. I made some money because of you. I loved you and all that you gave me.

But then I became obsessed with you. I spent too much time keeping up with your friends. I let housework go. Sacrificed time with kids. I obsessed with how many comments I got. I was in over my head with you.

I had to make the decision to back away from you.

I became busy with my other life away from you. I got a lot of things accomplished while away from you, but I missed you. I also felt guilty neglecting you. So, I kept trying to come back to you but I found that I couldn't.

I thought I would be okay to just post once in awhile. This worked for awhile. But, then I was sad again. But, then one day it hit me- maybe I needed you in a different way. In the beginning, I wanted to make you big for the fame, the income, and the ego. I had forgotten about the other side of blogging-support, advice, friends and being a part of a real community of great people.

I should have visited you during the good times, the bad times, and 'just because' times. When I needed to talk to someone when my brother decided he didn't want to be my brother anymore, I should have turned to you. When my grandbaby was in the hospital and they didn't know what she had, I should have written about my worries. Everytime I moved closer to reaching a goal, I should have posted about my excitement. When I needed advice about my youngest not wanting to go to school, I could have turned to you.

I will no longer be obsessed with you, but to turn to you as a friend. No longer will I be concerned about how many comments I get. Instead, I will smile if I get one, but not be upset if I only have two. I will visit other blogs, but not worry if I didn't get to everyone.

So, I hope you will forgive me and welcome me back, my dear friend.

Marketing your business

While at the bridal expo, I wished that I would had time to get more promotional materials to hand out. For example, promotional pens would have been nice. I think that having items like that will help get the word out about my photography business. We had business cards and handed out candy, but I think next time I'll need more.

In the mean time, I'm going to have to get some cool envelopes with my name on it. I did drop off calendars to local doctors to get the word out about newborn photography. I'm hoping that will get me some business.

I've thought about using engraved pens for when the client signs a contract with me and maybe letting them keep it afterwards. At any rate, I really like the idea of seeing my business name on bags, pens, cups, etc. I think the investment will pay off in the long run!

How fit are your kids?

I am really excited to tell you about ActivityTree.com! ActivityTree.com is the nation’s largest online parent resource for kid’s lessons, classes and camps . They are committed to fighting childhood obesity and promoting kid’s active bodies and minds by providing the nation’s largest online parent resource for kid’s lessons, classes and camps.

We are always looking for something to help keep the kids active when not in school. Sometimes just playing at home is not enough. Parents can search nearly 80 activity types by zip code to find activity providers in their area. It features contact information, web site links, interactive maps and activity descriptions for over 18,000 providers. What a great idea to help kids! We already searched to see if there was one in our area.

Sign up for the Get Kids Active! Facebook Campaign
Get Kids Active! Facebook Campaign helps parents get their kids active through social networking. When you are a fan of ActivityTree, you can find and share activity ideas on their wall, pass the “Get Kids Active!” sticky note to their friends, and take fun and informative activity-related polls.

Apply for the Kid’s Activity Scholarships
ActivityTree.com helps families by by offering “Get Kids Active!” Scholarships. There are two ways to enter to win a scholarship:
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Start your search today to get your kids signed up for ActivityTree.com classes and camps today. You won't be sorry and your kids will thank you for it!

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A major investment

What have I been up to lately?
Marketing my photography business.
I've been trying to think 'outside of the box' and came up with some good ideas! I've been wanting to network with other vendors to try to get in connection with wedding couples, so I'm going to put together a bag filled with ads from other businesses (along with something from me) and hand them out to couples that come to see me. In return, the businesses agree to give out my card-hopefully, they do!

This weekend, I've been asked to set up a booth at the Quad City Kennel's open house and I'm also doing my first wedding show! It's a big investment and I figured it would be good timing to make it. It's pretty much using ALL my advertising budget, but if it doesn't get me any business, at least I know not to do it again.

I'm excited and also nervous. I've been running around, trying to get everything I need this week. I actually found out about at the last minute and they only had one booth left, so I had to decide quickly. I weighed the pros and cons and decided to go for it.

I will be bringing my camera, so I'll be posting photos-wish me luck!!

Decorating during the snow season

I am always looking at decorating ideas for the house. I love to dream about decorating all the time and how I would change different rooms.

I found some nice items at BedBathStore.com that would compliment our rooms. I love this stool, for example. Isn't it cool? I am liking a new stool by Hillsdale too.

I would also love to do little Avrie's room in my favorite theme- dragonflies. Isn't this cute? They have lots more cute New Girl Crib and Toddler Bedding to choose from as well!

If you are looking for New Bathroom Vanity Furniture , you really need to check these out. Very cool. Now, I'm wanting one of these sets.

So, while we are all stuck inside because of the snow, take advantage of it and do some decorating of your own!

My dad's New Year's resolutions

Guest post written by Kirk Kent

Back when I was a kid I had so much fun with my dad. it seems like he always had time for me and my little brother no matter how busy he was with work. Now that I'm older and have kids of my own I realize just how much effort that took for him to juggle his schedule around to do that. I want my kids to feel the same way about me years from now so I made a New Year's resolution to make more time for them and just be a better dad in general.
I went looking online with my ClearWirelessInternet4g to find some ideas about fun things to do with my kids to help kick off my New Year's resolution. Well, I found all kinds of stuff but I had to think harder because many of those were summer activities.
But then again I got to thinking about simple things I could do to meet my dad New Year's resolutions and asked my wife for a schedule of the kids' sporting events so I'm going to try and plan my schedules around them and make it to more fo them to watch and support them.

My husband would kill me if he knew I forgot

Just to show how absent minded I am, I totally forgot to tell you about the awesome present the hubby got me this year.


The hubby really wanted to throw me off this Christmas. He even went as far as to tell me for the whole month of December that he was sorry, but he really didn't get me much this year and he hoped that I wasn't too disappointed when I opened them.


He also went as far as to have me open this keychain first.


I have to admit that it was cute, but I was starting to believe him that my Christmas was going to be a bummer.


Then, I opened a mini camera bag.


Ok, I can always use another bag.


Maybe he wasn't getting me a big present this year after all. Now, I wasn't even looking forward to the next present.


So, I started to open it half-heartedly and then I started to see the words on the side of the box.


"PENT..."


WHAT THE HECK?

IS THIS WHAT I THINK IT IS?????

I quickly ripped the rest of the wrapping paper off.


IT WAS A NEW CAMERA BODY!



A Pentax K-7 to be exact.

Woo-Hoo!


I couldn't believe it. It actually brought a tear to my eye, because this had to of just killed him to keep this big secret from me.


I'm still so excited to have it.

Thanks, hubby!


Oh yeah, I also got Photo Shop Elements.


Hmm, my birthday is coming up in a couple of months. Can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

Happy New Year

Yes, it's a little belated. I've had a slow start to the year. We celebrated our Christmas with my dad this last weekend, my youngest got pink eye (again) just in time for school to start, and I've been busting my butt marketing my photography business.

I hope everyone else's year has been less hectic so far. I know I've been neglecting my blog alot lately and not visiting others, but things should settle down here shortly.

With that, I have some conversations with a six year old to leave you with:

At the doctor's office with dad...

Nurse: "Looks like you've got pink eye again."

Emily: "Daddy says Mommy was a dummy to not put the drops in BOTH of my eyes."

Dad: (embarrassed) "Hehe.."

--------------

Emily: "Mom, can you clean my room?"

Me: "Why can't you do it?"

Emily: "Because Dad says it's your job."

-----------------

Me: "Emily, you'll have to stay home from school because of your pink eye."

Emily: "Oh no!"

Me: "What?"

Emily: "I WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL!"

Me: "I hope you still have that attitude when you hit high school."