I’m fortunate that I get to see my grandchildren almost every day. ‘Lil Moomette is at such a terrific age ~ her little mind soaks up everything like a sponge. What’s fun now is that she’s learning to express her creativity with crayons, coloring books and paper.

Fortunately, I have the opportunity to review the Aquadoodle Draw N’ Doodle Mat from Spin Master.

Aquadoodle Draw N’ Doodle Mat is no mess magic ~ the pictures children draw on the mat magically disappear without any mess to clean up (which usually, is left to Grandma.) With the Aquadoodle Draw N’ Doodle Mat, you just add water to the Aqua Pen and voila ~ watch as the kids have fun drawing pictures that magically appear on the doodle mat!

This unique toy inspires their young imaginations and artistic talents whether they kiddos are playing on their own, or with their friends.

The Draw ‘N Doodle is a large, soft, fabric mat that is great for either individual or group play. Additionally, it’s durable and re-usable ~ the fabric mat can be used over and over again for hours of no-mess magical fun ~ which is great for Grandma too!

What I particularly like about it is that it’s non-toxic, rolls up and is easy to store!

The Aquadoodle Draw N’ Doodle Mat is the perfect creative playtime activity to keep on hand for when the grandchildren come to visit, home schooling, travel, or as a gift for the upcoming holidays!

Age Range 2+ years.
Suggested Price: $24.99
Available at all leading toy retailers.

Gloucester Fisherman

Interesting.  According to this Meme, I should live in Indiana.  I’ve only flown over Indiana, and as a native New Englander, can’t even imagine not living within a daily commute of a Dunkin Donuts, fried clams, chowda  or salt water.  At most, I’d have to live near either some type of large lake (think Lake Champlain in Vermont  or Lake Winnepausakee in New Hampshire, Tahoe or a Great Lake.)

I’ve never been to any of these other states.  I have been to Savannah, Georgia, and enjoyed it for it’s historical ambiance, notoriaty for “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” and  proximity to water.  So, Georgia could be a possible maybe.

Any suggestions for other large lakes for me, with some mountains in the USA?

You Should Live in Indiana

If you don’t want to live in Indiana, you might also consider: Missouri Texas Washington Georgia Iowa

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

Are you trying to cut down on credit card debt and expenses? I know I am. Although the country is in an economic downturn that will hopefully pick up within the next year, it’s always good to have at least one credit card for emergencies.

Over the weekend, my sister-in-law announced that she rented a condo for 2 months this winter in Florida ~ and she invited me down for a few days!

Now, I consider that an emergency! I need some R & R, and actually haven’t had a winter vacation where I relaxed down South since I was a teenager. No winter breaks for me!

To fund this little road trip, I’m going to Apply for a credit card that issues rewards for every time I use it. I’m also looking for one that is unsecured and has a low regular rate, and no annual fees. Cardhub makes it easy for me to find exactly what I’m looking for.

Do you have any ‘emergencies’ that you might like to have a card on-hand for? Check them out! It’s an awsome site!  They’ve covered every option to help you out ~ search capabilities, saved searches ~ the only thing they need to improve on is making the print larger for these Baby Boomer eyes!

Can you say “Early Bird Special?”

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!

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!

It’s amazing how time passes so quickly. Many of you may be aware that I really like hot, humid weather. My loyal readers know I live in New England, but I really believe I was meant to live down South.

When the kids were 11 and 7, we took them to Orlando in August for a family vacation. It wasn’t as crowded as in the winter months, and many of the children who live down south were already back in school. August was considered “off-season,” so our rates were really reasonable

Reminiscing about what a fantastic time we had taking in all the things to do in Orlando, my oldest daughter is already making suggestions that she would like all of us to take a family vacation next year. By then, my soon-to-be-born grandson will be old enough to be portable, and ‘Lil Moomette will be at a great age to enjoy all the activity. Family vacation includes Charming Son-in-Law’s parents from Vermont.

Now that my daughter’s a married Mom herself, I’m passing the baton, and am going to suggest that she obtain all the online travel guides from Trusted Tours & Attractions and make arrangements for everyone. I’m even going to hint that since I Love New York, I wouldn’t mind her looking into things to do in New York for my Birthday, which is in January and taking some New York City tours.  It would be a terrific opportunity to visit the shopping district and do some serious shopping to stock my eBay store, or spend New Year’s Eve in the Big Apple!

Planning your next vacation? Looking for ideas on what to do?  Sign up for the Trusted Travels eNewsletter and enter to win a $150 iTunes gift card Offer ends July 31st, 2008.

My youngest daughter, the College Student, just returned from a 10-day tour.  Actually, it was supposed to be a 3-day tour, and got extended.  Her boyfriend’s Grandfather has a yacht, and his extended family invited her along to got on a seafaring adventure.   My husband and I started referring to her as “Gilligan” whenever she called to tell us what port-of-call the SS Minnow was in on any given day.

Several years ago, my oldest daughter, then also a College Student, had the opportunity to travel to the Outer Banks with her friends and their extended families.  Arrangements had been made for Outer Banks rentals, and they all ended up staying in some fantastic beach-front houses in Nags Head, one of which had an elevator and pool!

Something is wrong with this picture.   I have travel-envy.  Why is it that my husband and I get to labor all summer long, and take National Lampoon-type vacations, while the kiddos are off doing Lewis & Clark expeditions?

To add insult to injury, while at the top of Hatteras Lighthouse, oldest darling daughter called me from her cell phone while I was sitting in my office cubicle, and then had the nerve to send me a cell phone picture as well!

I’m adding a trip to North Carolina’s Outer Banks to my ‘Bucket List.’ If you haven’t been yet, I think you should too.

This week has been so slow at my cubicle job. It seems as if everyone has chosen to take some time off in July.

Not only are my office co-workers away on vacation, it seems like everyone else is too, as the phones aren’t ringing off the hook!

If you haven’t made plans yet, and are the type to decide to take off on the spur-of-the-moment, don’t despair. Should you decide to travel by air, you can always make arrangements for a car rental.

Advantage Car Rental has special offers and discounts up to 50% on Luxury and Convertible car rentals in select cities and airports in the U.S. Make your reservation and selection easily online, and get a quote right away!

Whether you’re traveling for business, relaxation or going to see Grandma, enjoy your trip & drive safely!

You can tell it’s summer here in New England! There’s the sound of air conditioners running all over town. I haven’t seen my next door neighbors in ages ~ everyone is all cooped up inside, instead of sitting out on their decks!

What would be nice about now is to be sitting on a deck at a Courchevel chalet. I’ve been to Europe, but never to Courchevel, France.

I hope my blogging friends in the UK use Supertravel to book their holidays. Supertravel is a UK based company with more than 40 years of travel experience. With departments dedicated to organizing Ski and Golf holidays, you can be sure that your holiday will be arranged by a specialist. They can plan an itinerary agenda for you and have you out and about in no time visiting Meribel, France and St Anton, Austria for Luxury Skiing holidays.

If you travel with your family or a special group and woujld like to vacation in Luxury ski chalets, Supertravel Ski has luxury chalets in Courchevel & Meribel in France, and St Anton in Austria. With fantastic food and wine provided by your chalet host, you may never want to go home!

Ski hotels can also be arranged in the best ski resorts around the world.

Don’t forget to bring a camera and post pictures if you blog!