Now that we’re officially enjoying a gorgeous fall in Connecticut, one must keep in mind that we’re coming into the cold and flu season.

The crisp New England mornings, frost-on-the-pumpkin and sounds of the heating furnace reminds us that the windows are officially shuttered for the season. One of the things I like best about fall is that first smell of wood-burning stoves waifing through the air.

One of our family members is a fat, lazy, spoiled 11-year old house cat. Occasionally he tries to escape (why, I don’t know ~ he has it so good here.) He became a member of the household when my daughter, now 25, got straight-A’s in 8th grade. We previously had a purebred Black Lab that lived to be 12, and then we were fur-free for awhile. It soon became evident that darling daughter….might be allergic to cats.

I’m pleased to have the opportunity to review Clorox® Anywhere® Anti-Allergen Fabric Spray.

Clorox® Anywhere® Anti-Allergen Fabric Spray helps to reduce common indoor allergens such as cat dander, dog dander and dust mite matter up to 90 percent. This is important to our family since I now have two grandchildren whom I’m fortunate to see almost on a daily basis! Lil Moomette just turned 2, and Slugger, my new grandson, is 2 months old.

When darling daughter was younger she was the typical teenager ~ and we all know how most teenagers are always on the go, and we constantly have to remind them to pick up their rooms. My, how times change. After living away at college, she actually became a changed person! Not to mention that my Charming Son-In-Law has some wonderful qualities in the housekeeping department!

If the pacifer gets dropped on the carpet ~ it’s immediately boiled for 5 minutes!

Now I can use Clorox® Anywhere® Anti-Allergen Fabric Spray for any soft fabric surfaces around the home where indoor allergens can thrive: cushions; upholstered fabrics; curtains; carpets; bedding; stuffed animals and pet bedding. When used as directed, it’s safe to use on virtually all fabric surfaces, and gentle enough to use around the kids and pets ~ it’s dye and fragrance free. When sprayed there were no harsh fumes.

Clorox® Anywhere® Anti-Allergen Fabric Spray has a fine mist trigger that won’t leave behind any harmful residue on fabrics, which is great since ‘Lil Moomette climbs all over, and the kitty likes to get comfy in the winter.

Clorox® Anywhere® Anti-Allergen Fabric Spray retails for approximately $2.99 and is available in home care iaisles of major retailers, or online at www.clorox.com. For further information, you can also call 1-800-277-1860.

Now that schools are back in session, I’m a little wistful.  Ever since my daughters were younger, I’ve always been a mom who attended sporting events.  My girls did soccer, travel soccer, indoor soccer, basketball, softball, lacrosse and cross country over the years.  They were active from grade school, all the way through becoming letter-winners in high school and college.

As a New England native, I can’t begin to tell you how many hours I’ve spent on athletic fields in all kinds of weather ~ rain, snow, freezing cold and days that sometimes were over 100 degrees.  New England weather can be so unpredictable.

Awhile back I posted a product review on this terrific new product called the “Cabin Cuddler.”  It’s so versitile, it can be used when traveling by air, train, car & more!

The Cabin Cuddler is also great if you’re a cubicle dweller, like I am.  But I really wish that this had been around when I was a soccer/basketball/softball/cross-country/lacrosse mom!  While I don’t have sons, I do have a new grandson, so maybe I’ll be a Hockey Grand-mom some day….maybe.

The kind folks at Cabbin Cuddler sent me this terrific travel blanket so I can have one of my very own!  It even has a pocket for my feet!

Start your Holiday Shopping early ~ maybe some mom, dad, grandma or grandpa would like a Cabbin Cuddler to bring to the games with them ~ football season is in full swing!

Thanks so much~  See for yourself, try the Cabin Cuddler today!

For all my new readers ~ I’d like to point out that I’m from New England ~ Connecticut specifically.  Connecticut is known as “The Land of Steady Habits.” What that means is, we Yankees pretty much don’t like a change in routine.

For example, I still live in the same town I grew up in and; live in the one and only house I’ve ever owned.  If my husband ever moves, they’re going to have to carry him out feet first.

Now I live in an historic town in Connecticut, and my house is a colonial.  The Colonial has all sorts of neat features ~ crown moldings, 6-panel wood doors & beautiful hardwood floors.  But you can’t see those beautiful hardwood floors, because they’re covered up with wall-to-wall carpeting.

I know, Martha would have a trauma if she knew that.  But you see, my husband is a bit of a curmudgeon.  He doesn’t like change.  I’m on about my third change of wall-to-wall carpeting, and as long as I stay married (going on 35 years), I’ll never see those hardwood floors in my living and dining room.

We’ve raised two grown daughters in this house, and now are blessed with two grandchildren.  Can you imagine the traffic my carpets have seen?

I ‘m delighted to have the opportunity therefore, to review Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover.

Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover instantly eliminates the toughest carpet stains-even OLD stains! Spot Shot works great on pet stains, coffee, spaghetti sauce, grease and oil, marker, wine and more!

Just spray on Spot Shot and blot the stain away. No need for rubbing or scrubbing. It’s that simple.

This product is everything it claims to be, and then some!  My daughter uses it in her house as she has the two kids, a Black Lab and a cat.  Occasionally the Grand Dog comes to my house to visit or stay over, and, let’s just say she’s a New England dog too.  Although she adapts pretty well when we doggie sit, sometimes her tummy gets a tad upset.

Spot Shot instantly eliminates the toughest pet stains – and their equally tough odors. Specially formulated to get out the worst stains – including cat urine, dog feces and the always-popular dirty or greasy paw prints – while still being gentle to your carpet’s fibers.  Spot Shot’s NEW Non-Toxic Pet formula was created specifically for pet problems, and is safe to use around your pets when used as directed.

I just spray the Spot Shot on to whatever damage the grandkids or Fido has done, and my carpets are clean again!  We are certainly not lacking in carpet in this house to try the product on!  What I really like about this product is that it’s Non-Toxic, safe for children and environmentally friendly!  Plus ~ it has a Money Back Guarantee ~ now how many products come with that incentive to try!

Thanks Spot Shot, guess I’ll never see those hardwood floors as long as my carpets come out so clean using this product!  Check out Spot Shot at http://www.spotshot.com/

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to Town!

As a life-long resident of Connecticut, my family has always mentioned that Hartford, CT has a long history with the Circus.  And of course, P.T. Barnum was born in Bethel, CT and the P.T. Barnum Museum is located in Bridgeport, CT.

One of the most memorable experiences I’ve shared with my oldest daughter, who’s now 25, was attending the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Hartford when she was younger.  My late Brother-in-Law and I each took our daughters to the show and had such a great time.  We were fortunate enough to get to see the renowned animal tamer, Gunther Gabel Williams perform. To this day we still have the plastic beverage cup and program from the show that we got as souvenirs.

Everyone has his or her own memories and experiences:

Attending a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus provides more than just a night out. It creates a memory that lasts a lifetime and a tradition that can be carried on from year to year and generation to generation. As one mom said, the circus is “worth every smile and mesmerized stare.” From the laughs that come at the clowns’ expense, the gasps of delight at seeing a motorcycle making its way across the high wire, and the huge grins that come from seeing elephants and tigers up close, the circus truly feels synonymous with childhood.

Nothing quite compares to the experience of the circus: the anticipation followed by the sheer excitement of the lights coming up, the performers riding in on elephants, the colorful clowns, and the acrobats flying through the air. Many of us remember the magic of the circus from our own childhoods-one of the rare things that we can now pass down to our children as well.

To help start your own family traditions early, the Baby’s First Circus program allows babies to receive a free ticket voucher that can be exchanged for a free ticket to any Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance, anytime, anywhere. No expiration date!

Now you can get a  20% discount code for Ringling Bros. Circus. Code: MCC

Simply go on http://ringling.com and type in your zip code to find the shows and purchase tickets online with the Code.

The code is valid for the circus shows in the following cities:

Indianapolis, IN - Sept. 4-7, 2008
Kansas City, MO - Sept. 10-14, 2008
Grand Rapids, MI - Sept. 18-21, 2008
Denver, CO - Oct. 2-13, 2008
Boston, MA – Oct. 8-13, 2008
Cleveland, OH - Oct. 24 - Nov. 2
Chicago, IL - Nov. 6 - 30, 2008
St. Louis, MO - Nov. 6-9, 2008
Auburn Hills, MI - Nov. 12 - 16, 2008
Highland Heights, KY - Feb 27 - Mar. 1, 2009
Cincinnati, OH - Mar. 4 - 8, 2008

The last two weeks of August are always bittersweet to me.  When I was dating my hubby, his family always took the last two weeks as a vacation at the seashore cottage they owned, and I was always invited to tag along.

Here in New England where we have 4 seasons, I can sense that fall will soon be upon us ~ I can feel and smell it in the cool night air.  The approaching fall season then means that winter’s not too far behind.

Along with winter come all the associated skin problems that occur when the heating season begins.  Fortunately, there’s good news for the millions who suffer with dry skin each year.

I recently had the opportunity to review Gloves In a Bottle, a revolutionary Shielding Lotion that works like an invisible pair of gloves.  I received a full-size 8-fl. oz./240ml bottle of the lotion.

If you’re not familiar with a shielding lotion, the product  provides the following benefits ~

“Shielding Lotions form a protective shield with the outer layer of skin and help keep out irritants and chemicals. They also allow the natural oils and moisture to remain in the skin so it can heal better. They are light and go on without a greasy mess.”

Shielding Lotion can prevent a costly trip to your dermatologist and keep your skin silky smooth all winter.

My brother is a professional photographer and spent many years working for Kodak in Rochester, New York.  I’ve seen first-hand what the effects of photography chemicals and the brutal winters of Rochester can do to one’s skin.

The chilling cold of the winter months can take a heavy toll on your skin. According to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) figures, 81 million Americans all across the country will be looking for relief from dry, itchy skin this winter.

The traditional prescription for treating dry skin has been a cream or lotion with moisturizers in it, in an attempt to replace the lost moisture and oils in the skin.

The features and benefits of Gloves in a Bottle include:

*  Non-greasy, non-sticky lotion; rapidly absorbs into outer layer of skin.
* Works like an invisible pair of gloves.
* Prevents dirt and grime from penetrating the skin.
* Allows skin to breathe and retain its natural moisture and oils.
* Does not wash off, lasts 4 hours or more, and comes off naturally with exfoliated skin cells.
* Greaseless, non-sticky, fragrance free, hypoallergenic, completely safe, non-toxic and used daily by a   wide range of healthcare professionals.
* Prevents dry, cracked skin.
* Absorbs quickly, undetectable once absorbed.

Gloves In A Bottle lasts for up to 4 hours or more. After about 4 hours enough skin cells have sloughed off to cause the barrier to break down; for continued protection just reapply. Wash and dry your hands before re-applying.

When I applied the lotion for the first time, I immediately noticed that it was fragrance free, and glided on like silk.  Only a small amount was needed.

What further impressed me was that after applying it, I felt as if I had a spa experience!  If you’ve ever had your hands dipped in the parafin hot-bath after having a manicure, it forms a ‘glove’ on your hands that is then peeled off.  You’re skin is then baby-smooth!  This same feeling was achieved after I applied Gloves in a Bottle ~ without having to go to the spa!  It was simply amazing!

I’m a convert for sure!  If you’re a Baby Boomer, or someone who works with their hands, or just in need of a little tender loving care, give this product a try!  Gloves in a Bottle is available at CVS and Brooks.

If you’d like to try a sample of Gloves in a Bottle and are willing to post a review on your blog, send a request to petegrimaldi@earthlink.net along with your blog URL and mailing address.

Visit their website at http://glovesinabottle.com to locate the retail outlet closest to you.

It’s hard to believe that we’re almost through the summer and Labor Day is right around the corner! My youngest daughter starts her Senior year of college soon, so I’m still in the parenting Back-To-School mode. My readers know that “Rosie the Riviter” decided to move back home for her Senior Year, so rather than being an Empty-Nestor for the upcoming school year, I’m still in Mama-mode.

No longer am I worrying about having to go out and buy apartment basics for Rosie, such as pots, pans, bedding and furniture. Most of it came back safely with her when she moved back in. Some of these items disappeared via roommates and probably would have returned home had they been labeled properly. That’s where Dymo label makers come in handy.

With the whiff of Autumn, New England fall foliage and and Back-To-School on my mind, I’m flashing back to the days when I used to take the obligatory first-day-of school picture, and waiving good-bye to the kiddos on the school bus. Flashback further, and I’m the one going off to school for the first time.

My first day of school would have been 51 years ago! I was a “walker,” even in Kindergarten. We only went half-days. When I was in first-grade, we were dismissed for lunch, walked home, and then back to school again. There was no such thing as a cafeteria, and I would say 99% of the moms didn’t work, and were at home to greet us with lunch! I still carried a lunch box for snacks, and we hand-wrote our names on masking tape in crayon to distinguish Betty-Lou’s from Suzie’s. That’s where the kids today are lucky, and have all the options such as color labels to mark not only their lunch boxes, but also their backpacks! We didn’t even have backpacks ~ I can remember carrying all my books in my arms, or once, in a rubberized green carrying sack!

If you’re a mom making a Back-To-School list, don’t forget to add a Dymo label maker to that list. Buying all those school supplies once certainly adds up! Having to replace them because they weren’t labeled is something none of us wants to do!

Whether you’ll be waiving goodbye to the school bus, or home school ~ don’t forget to charge the camera battery for those First-Day-of-School photos!

Today is Tuesday Toot Day!

What does that mean? Well, it means every Tuesday, you get to post an accomplishment that you have done. As moms sometimes, we are quick in praising our kids and others about their accomplishments but we are “shy” when it comes to our achievements so … here is our chance.

I’m so excited - I have a new boutique product line that’s been designed especially for my Moomette’s Magnificents Olde Towne Shoppes!

Just in time for those headed off to college ~ the perfect going away gift! ~ I now carry spectacularly designed, handcrafted bracelets that can be personalized with your favorite New England or other College!

Show your school spirit, or give a unique gift to your favorite graduate who’ll be traveling off to college shortly ~ perhaps out-of-state!  Hand-crafted bracelets depicting the name of a favorite Alma-Mater!

Do you have a daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece or favorite friend bound for higher education?  This gorgeous bracelet would be a perfect remembrance!

This adorable bracelet is cleverly handcrafted with durable beading wire, a silver clasp, colorful swarovski crystals, terling silver daisy & ball spacers, alphabet beads that say “UVM”, and features a dangle on the clasp!! You can request any color & name from selected options!

Examples of colleges: UCONN (University of Connecticut) UMASS (University of Massachusetts) Keene State (New Hampshire) Boston College, URI (University of Rhode Island), and UVM (University of Vermont)!

So stunning!!

I think I might be having a contest coming up!

Many of you are aware that the birth of Slugger, my No-Name-Yet-Until-It’s-Time-To-Fill-Out-The-Birth-Certificate grandson is drawing closer. I’ll be blogging about a birth announcement soon! My 21 mo. old granddaughter, ‘Lil Moomette, is certainly going to be in for a rude awakening. Up until now, she’s been everyone’s darling, and enjoys being the center of attention. Slugger is going to be the first grandson for Charming Son-In-Law’s parents.

Charming Son-In-Law is a twin, and originally from Vermont. However, CSIL and the “Bonus” son-in-law have both moved away from Vermont, much to the consternation of their Dad. So when Slugger pays his first visit to the Green Mountain State to visit his grandparents, I’m sure he’s going to get a good, hearty, Yankee welcome!

Here’s an article that I’m recommending to my DD to ease the transition for ‘Lil Moomette. You can find other valuable information like this at Moms United in Business. Join Today!

Preparing Your Older Child for the Birth of a Sibling
By Jennifer Rogers, Founder and Owner Moms United in Business, LLC

One of my biggest concerns while pregnant with my second baby was how to prepare my nine year old daughter for the birth of her sister. She had been my one and only for so long. I wanted her to feel a part of the whole experience and not feel abandoned or replaced.

I set out on a mission. I was determined to find out how I could prepare her for life with a baby sister. I searched for any information that could help me make this transition easier for both my first born and for the family as a whole. I was disappointed to find that most books and articles focused more on younger children who were closer together in age.

I was on my own. However, by taking the following steps I was able to help my oldest daughter made the transition more smoothly. She has taken an active interest in her new sister without resentment or extreme jealousy.

Steps to Prepare Your Older Child for the Birth of a Sibling

1. From the very beginning talk with your child about the upcoming birth. Initiate conversations often, answering questions and concerns honestly. Allow your child to express his or her feelings without judgment.

2. Allow your child to attend at least one doctor’s appointment. By hearing the baby’s heartbeat or seeing the baby on the ultrasound monitor your older child will feel a part of the experience and the baby will become more of a reality to him or her.

3. Make the most of the time you have left. Is there a special place you have been meaning to go? A favorite activity your child enjoys? Go to the library, a local museum, the park or a movie. Play a game together. Bake some homemade cookies. It does not matter what you do, it is the time you spend together one on one that counts. It is equally important to continue these activities after the new baby’s birth.

4. Write a love letter to your child and mail it. Children love getting their own mail! Be specific. Let your child know why you love them, what makes him or her so special. Praise any recent accomplishments, such as a good grade on a spelling test, or hitting a home run at a ballgame. Leaving random notes in lunch boxes and around the house are another sure way to make your child feel special.

5. Take a stroll down memory lane. Pull out photo albums, videos, scrapbooks and any other mementos you may have from your child’s babyhood.

6. When decorating your baby’s nursery, make some changes to your older child’s room as well. It could be anything from rearranging the furniture, adding some new posters or pictures on the wall, to redoing the room all together.

7. If you have a baby shower, have a couple of gifts for your older child to open. My daughter loved the “Big Sister” t-shirt she received and could not wait to put it on. Do not forget to keep a gift for him or her to open on the baby’s “birth” day as well.

8. Do not cancel. If your child is involved in sports, extracurricular activities or if there is a special event coming up, enlist the help of others. This is especially important once the baby arrives. Keep your older child’s schedule as normal as possible and make his or her activities a priority, even if you are unavailable.

9. Make holidays extra special during your pregnancy. This will be the last holidays you celebrate with your firstborn. Make homemade cookies and Christmas ornaments. Attend holiday programs together in your community. Go caroling. Go on a picnic to celebrate Independence Day. Attend an Easter Egg Hunt. Do something, anything, you and your child have never done before. In the process you will make memories that last a lifetime.

10. If you have a blended family, have your first born spend one on one time with his or her step parent. My oldest daughter was upset that the baby was going to live with both her mom and dad. Be sure to address these issues from the beginning. She was also afraid that that her step dad would love the new baby more. By spending quality time with her step dad she was assured of his love for her and that she was not being replaced by his “real” child. Again, this is especially important after your baby’s birth.

Preparing your older child for the birth of a sibling will not only benefit him or her, but will also help make the transition smoother for the entire family. This is a new experience for both of you, and there will be many challenges along the way. Be patient with yourself and your child. It may take time, but before you know it your child will be an eager participant in caring for the new baby!

Jennifer Rogers is the Founder and Owner of Moms United in Business, LLC. MUIB is an organization dedicated to supporting you as a Mom and Business Professional. To learn more about MUIB visit www.MomsUnitedInBusiness.com.
Article Source: MUIB Article Directory, http://muib-article-directory.blogspot.com
Sponsored By: Moms United in Business, http://www.momsunitedinbusiness.com

Are you an armchair traveler?  I must say that I am.  I basically travel vicariously.  But unlike me, my niece has circumnavigated the globe like the explorer’s of yesteryear.  By the time she was 21, I think she’d had accumulated more frequent-flier miles than any Baby Boomer I know!

My niece graduated the University of Vermont, and did a study-abroad in Adelaide, Australia.  During her time there, my lucky sister-in-law and brother-in-law ventured to see her and spent some time touring the country.  The photos they brought back were spectacular!  Unfortunately, I don’t fly well, not even to Chicago!

There was a movie many years ago when I was a kid called the “Time Machine.” ~ I remember the original, 1960 version, so please don’t laugh.   That’s how I prefer to travel ~ walk me in one door,  close it ~ open the other door, and poof ~ I’m there!

I have a new friend from Australia on Mom Blogger’s Club.  Annette Piper writes Under the Loupe.  Annette lives on a cattle ranch in NSW, Australia with her husband and 3 children, and has a background in gemology.  You just have to visit her site to see the magnificent hand crafted artisan gemstone jewelry creations that she makes!  Annette’s writing style will just mesmerize you, and makes you definitely want to visit her country!

I was “tagged” by Annette with this Meme where I am supposed to list six of my quirks and then tag six other people.  Only six?  Ha ~ you my loyal readers know I have more than six quirks, as I’ve done this Meme before.  But here are my latest ones:

Here are the rules:

1. link the person(s) who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

1.  I long to live a simpler lifestyle.  I’m tired of ’suburbia,’ which is no longer ’suburbia’ in Connecticut.  It’s just one big metropolis and the traffic is horrendous.  Even though I try to pace myself and slow down from living in the fast-lane (i.e., work commute; dinner; online biz; some sleep; commute again) I still flip out when someone is doing 25 mph in a 40 mph zone;

2.  Why am I the only one in this household who has to bag the trash and take it to the garage?

3.  I like to cover books I’m reading with a brown paper bag when I read at lunch at the office so no-one knows what I’m reading (no, it’s not dirty, it’s just I don’t think anyone needs to know my business unless I feel like sharing it with them);

4.  I go to Dunkin Donuts for my Coffee Coolatta fix.  At the drive through, I order “Medium French Vanilla Coolatta ~ Whip Cream ~ Senior Citizen.”   I get to the order window, and I get No Whip Cream, and get charged regular price.  So I have to say it all over again ~ Medium ~ Whip Cream ~ Senior Citizen.  What’s up with the hired help these days?   They can’t even count change back without a computer to tell them what is owed.  A sign of the times in society.  Geez.

5.  I’m a list maker.  Even at my cubicle job, all I think about is my online businesses and my blogs.  I make lists of what to put up on eBay; what to post on my blogs; links to change; emails I have to return; Memes I have to respond too!  Lists ~ Lists & More lists!  The more I cross off, the more I add!

6.  Every Saturday it’s the same routine (at least for my DH who should have a Bust of himself at the State Capitol in the Land of Steady Habits ~ breakfast at the same coffee shop; grocery shopping at the same grocery store we always go to ~ even though I can’t stand it anymore because they’ve discontinued all my favorite products and promote their own store brands which I can’t stand.

I don’t hit the ground running any more, and how about I skip breakfast on a Saturday and just putz around in my PJ’s for a change?

Ok.  And there you have it for this time around.  My Hot-Flash rantings.  And my lucky victims friends I’m tagging are:

1.  Matt ~ Meltwater.  Torrents. Meanderings. Delta.  ~ Just to see if guys are willing to fess up.

2.  April ~ That Crazy Mom (Sorry hon ~ I see you’re super busy!)

3.  Original G.R.I.T.S. ~ just because I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

4.  Dianne ~ WAHM Cafe ~ See what happens when you’re my top dropper?

5.  Nessa’s Place ~ This should be interesting!

6.  Midlife Misfit ~ hello new friend!  Let’s see what you have to add!