BUILD A LEMONADE STAND

When life gives you lemons, build a lemonade stand and profit!

 Sometimes life throws us some serious curves.  The best thing we can do is learn from the obstacles that are placed before us and try to grow as human beings, as moms, as business people.  Always try to look for the bright side of an uncomfortable situation.  Sometimes, we are steered off of our path, so that we can go onto a better , brighter path, even though we may not realize it while it is happening.

Don't suck on the lemons!  Build a lemonade stand and make the best of it! 

HELPING OUT A MOM WITH A GREAT IDEA

Hannah Harris is a Pennsylvania mom of 3 kids, who came up with the idea of opening an indoor play-place for kids made up of luxury playhouses.  As of right now, she simply wants to purchase ONE playhouse, to rent out to parties so she can raise enough funds to start her business. 

As moms and "mompreneurs," we are all here to help each other.  This is the perfect opportunity to help out a mom who has a vision to create a happy place for kids.   All it takes is a group of like-minded moms to get the ball rolling and support her idea .  By obtaining just a few people to help her build equity in the business she can purchase the one luxury playhouse.

Her vision of Tiny Town - the coolest playground in America - is a great concept!

It will consist of 12 luxury play homes with ALL the accessories. We want to create something for kids in the coolest small town in America - Lititz, Pennsylvania.

An amusement for not only local families but a DESTINATION for families in the tri-state area! A truly magical place where children will beg to come back!

You can read my more about the "Tiny Town" kickstarter campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1313028949/tiny-town-fire-station.  

Sponsor a Playhouse today!  Sponsoring a playhouse is a great way to market your business to many different families in the area.  Your sponsorship will give you an opportunity to customize a playhouse and brand it with your company/business logo.  Read more on how to sponsor a playhouse here:  http://www.tinytownpa.com/sponsors.html 

Here is how YOU can help:   http://www.tinytownpa.com/funding.html

THE DANGERS OF SOCIAL MEDIA (Child Predator Social Experiment)

WATCH THIS VIDEO WITH YOUR KIDS!  I just made my tween sit and watch this video with me!  At the end she was more concerned with "why the faces were blurred?"  Really?!   As parents, we all think, "No, my kid would never..." but they just might!   We just have to keep pounding and bombarding them and explaining the dangers.   I explained why to my kid, and reiterated the dangers of such actions.   I pray that it sinks in.  Not only do we have to constantly teach our kids and talk to them, we have to pay attention to what they are doing on social media, have their passwords etc...

  

MOMMY WARRIOR RULES:  As long as our kids are under our roof and we are paying for their cell phones, they will be sharing passwords and have time limits on social media!

I recognize it isn't always easy, but a good place to start, is to not allow a 12, 13, 14-year old to have cell phone and or computer access after a certain time. Let's say maybe 10p.m., 11p.m. cut-off time.

Danger can arise at anytime and anyplace but the more you teach your kids and have rules in place, the more helpful it will be to try to avoid horrible situations such as those in the video above.

It is a whole new world out there with technology and we must continue to teach our kids and empower them to make the right decisions!!!!!  Like I always tell all my kids...."Be Safe & Be Smart" and "Do the right thing, even when NO one is looking!!!!" 

God bless!!!!  

MAKE MONEY RECOMMENDING BRANDS

Do you love to shop and be online?  I know I do!  Imagine if you could earn money just by recommending a brand to family and friends? I know that every time I make a purchase from a store that I love or get a great deal, I share it with my friends, except, I never got paid for the recommendation.  Well, now I will and you can too, with a new website called Yazing.com! 

Yazing is a new platform giving you easy access to the same coupon codes and deals, but now you earn the commissions for both the purchases you make online as well as those who make purchases after coming through your shared links. 

 

All you have to do is sign up (join) for FREE, then share your personalized link to the Brand's Yazing coupon and deal page anywhere - your blog, tweets, texts, emails, etc...

Then, if anyone makes a purchase,  you earn Cash Rewards when people click through and make a purchase!

Check out how it easily it works!

I am very excited , that as a "Mommy Blogger"  I can now recommend brands and get cash rewards for it. You too, can make money on referrals on Yazing.

Here is an example of one of the brands I use, Vistaprint.  I love this company because making business cards, flyers,marketing materials, signs, posters, clothing and other promo products is so easy!  Well, if you used my link, for example to purchase something, then I would earn cash referrals for your purchase.


If YOU sign up for FREE, you can start earning your own commissions, simply by refererring/recommending the brands that are listed with Yazing and there are plenty! Take a look at some of the list of brands you can start recommending like: Angie's List, Babies Online, Brookstone, Cafepress, ChiccoShop, The Cute Kid, Home Away, Vistaprint and more.

Join today:  Yazing.com!

 

FREE TEXTING & FREE CALLS - YABB

Imagine an app where you could have FREE TEXTING and actually place a call for FREE, yes, I said it "FREE CALLING!"  I know I love it!  I am so over phone companies these days the way they charge obscene amounts of money for some cell phone plans but I know we are trapped in a world where communication is key and we can't live without our texting.  My daughter, who is almost a teenager, is definitely obsessed with texting, so having this feature is a top- priority in our phone plans. And of course, her little brother wants to follow in her footsteps as well, and be cool and text, but I won't let him have a "real" working cell phone!  He just has one of my old ones to play games.  And I, well, yea, I also love to text and I especially love to take pictures, but my phone bills are through the roof, even with a shared family plan, and let's not even mention my house phone, which I barely use but is still ridiculously priced.  All of it is just crazy but recently a friend told me about a free app called, Yabb Messenger.  I keep saying free, I know!  That's because it is ALL free!

Yabb Messenger is a FREE texting, photo editor and group chat service complete with animated stickers and emoticons, maps, and everything you need to connect faster with your family and friends. Now you can share videos, send photos and make local and international calls and texts from any country - totally free!  This is perfect for my family! I decided to try it and I love it. I am even thinking of installing the app on my youngest child's phone, just to have the "free texting and free calls!"  I know he is young but it's a whole new world we are living in and I love being able to stay in touch with my kids, especially when it is for free.

Yabb Messenger Features Free Text Messaging and Calling

- Text free with Yabb Messenger, and never worry about strict carrier plans again
- Free calls made right through the app to anyone with Yabb!
- International text connects you with other countries - for FREE
- International calls FREE for all Yabb users
- Voice messenger sends FREE voice messages
- Free chat with anyone, anywhere, at any time
-Private Texting Keeps Your Texts Safe
- Yabb Messenger supports both public and private messaging
- Private messenger makes texts visible only to those involved
- Delete messages you no longer want
- Disappearing texts can be timed to automatically delete from your recipient’s device
- Hide texts with Shout Out messages - recipients of your messages can’t see others you sent the same message to, and can only reply to you

Animated Stickers, Emoji and More
- Apply stickers or an Emoji in any message for any situation
- Animated stickers show off your unique personality
- Emojis for every emotion! Show off your mood while you chat
- Add custom backgrounds for your texts

Start saving money today and keep making your phone calls and sending texts but for FREE!  Try Yabb!  Yabb Messenger is the fast and fun way to share and edit photos, call and text free, and share videos and maps with friends. Keep your private life private while you share photos and videos, and make new friends.

FANTASY CHILDREN'S BOOK - ANNI MOON & THE ELEMENTAL ARTIFACT

Have your kids been reading this summer?  Do they complain there are never any good books to read?  If your kids are anything like mine, they always have their head in an electronic gadget. It is so frustrating how they are always using an iPad or iPhone. I know it's out own fault but it's a whole new world of technology.  However, my husband, who is "old school" is always trying to get our kids to read and I always tell him, the problem is that they can never find a great book they love.  Well, now I have found one for them!  It is Anni Moon & The Elemental Artifact,  a Fantasy Adventure for kids, probably best for middle-school aged children, by author, Melanie Abed.

It is a beautifully-written fantasy adventure book about Elementals, Funk, Zephyrs, excited talking Bat-Rat creatures, Dragons and a girl named, Anni.   When her best friend, Lexi is kidnapped, both she and her friend are pulled into the Elemental world where all this is normal. In a race against time, Anni must master this new world and save Lexi, all while knowing there’s no return to her old life. But saving her friend could cost Anni more than she’s bargained for.

Anni must uncover secrets and discover the unofficial truth behind an Elemental legend, while confronted by a dragon intent on testing her nerve and strength, not to mention an occasional monster and human generated Funk! Funk? Yes, Funk, the sticky, invisible slimy stuff that you humans cannot see!

(GETTY IMAGES)

Anni Moon & The Elemental Artifact  - if your kids love adventure, they are sure to love this book.

Transport your kids into a magical world and take advantage of the free download from iTunes!






Anni Moon & The Elemental Artifact: An Elemental Fantasy Adventure: Anni Moon Series Book For Kids Ages 9-12



VISIT: MELANIE ABED

iPAD, COVER & HEADPHONES FOR YOUR CHILD - READY TO TRAVEL

"LIKE A BOSS"

If you have to go on an airplane or long car ride with your little one, like many moms, you probably take your iPad and/or iPhone to entertain your child on the long ride. Here is a great cover that you can purchase that is very child-friendly for your iPad and your child can hold it himself/herself.  

The HDE Kids Light Weight Shock Proof Handle Case for Apple iPad 2/3/4 (Green) is a soft-protective carrying case that is made from high-quality, non-toxic EVA foam material with rugged surface for a firm grip.  You can find it on Amazon on sale for only $17.95. You can also purchase the LilGadgets Connect+ Volume Limited Wired Headphones for Children (Green.) 

The headphones include a a microfiber carrying pouch to hold your fold-able Connect+ headphones and a detachable 52" 3.5mm audio cable to allow for greater range between your children and their device. The cable is covered in a nylon braided fabric to increase durability and decrease tangles!  


According to Amazon,  these LilGadgets Wired Headphones "also have our brand new SharePort feature which sets them apart from other wired headphones available on the market. With a 3.5mm port on each ear, your child can use one port to plug into their device and the other to share their sound! A friend can simply connect their own headphones into the port on the other side to immediately start listening in. No need to purchase or carry an extra splitter! The Connect+ is a stylish, practical, rugged, and comfortable pair of headphones for children ages 2+. Through some nifty engineering and rigorous testing, you can rest assured the ear pads won't fall off through the inevitable pulling, throwing, and dropping. Finally, the speakers in the headphones are as high quality as you'll find in most top of the line adult headphones. Every headphone comes with a matching 3.5mm cable, a microfiber travel pouch, a detailed instruction manual and user guide, our 100% LilGadgets Satisfaction Guarantee, and a 1 year limited warranty."

So, whether you are going on an airplane ride or just taking a long road trip, the combination of this cover, which allows your child to easily hold the iPad, together with the headphones, makes for a perfectly quietly car ride.  Now it's up to you to provide something child-friendly to watch or play.

Enjoy!

(affiliate links)

A MUSICAL COMPANION FOR YOUR KIDS - LULLAPETS

Do your children loved stuffed animals? I know my little ones love them. Recently, my youngest daughter saw the commercial on TV for her new favorite stuffed animal/toy, a LullaPets and begged me for her own.  If you haven't seen the commercial on TV you are probably wondering, what in the world is a LullaPet?

No, it is not a real pet.  It is the cutest stuffed animal/toy that talks. LullaPets come in a variety of different characters (animals) and each one comes with an MP3 Player/Voice Recorder, Remote Control and a Voice Recording App. Your child can save their favorite recordings to their LullaPets MP3 player  (which is removable.) The MP3 that comes with the LullaPets can hold up to 300 songs. It is great "musical companion" for your kids.

Kids love them because they are cute and cuddly and they can record their own personal messages and even record their silly voices and keep it in their "pet."

One of the best things about the LullaPets toy is that family members can record special messages for your child. For example, grandma (nana, meemaw, grandpa etc...) or any other loved one can record a few words or a special song that your child  listen to and enjoy over and over.

Whether they choose the monkey, dog, bunny or any other of the adorable characters, this musical companion can help your kids fall fast asleep by listening to their favorite song or favorite story via their LullaPets.

Check for yourself as seen on TV:

ALMOST TIME TO GO BACK TO "WORK."

So my time is getting closer - closer to going back to the "real world" that is.  The world of working 9-5p.m, which I absolutely dread! It's been a wonderful year and half on hiatus (actually, closer to two years!)  I never went back to work after my brain surgery (craniotomy) in November 2013.  I mean, I still write/blog and do some social media work from home on the side, but I have not been back in the "real" (corporate) world for a while, and I have to tell you, I do not miss it one little bit!  But times are tough, the economy is rough, and "you got to do what you got to do."

I will tell you though, if I could just stay home writing and taking care of my family, I'd be a very happy camper!  During my hiatus, I have written tons of blog entries, designed many items on my MiaMoon Designs website, done social media work for a few companies and I have even created a new blog/website in the hopes of it developing into a book someday.  (A girl can dream, right?)

But with all that being said, sitting at home is still not cutting it in the middle-class suburbs in today's economic turmoil.  It is a luxury to stay home with the kids, one that I am infinitely grateful for, but I know the time has come to do more on my part to help the family financially.  So, until, I get that big book deal or write a ground-breaking blog entry, or sell thousands of my adorable, designed t-shirts or mugs, the reality is that I must get ready to go back to "work."  It's not going to be easy!

I had an initial phone interview today for a marketing job with the possibility of a face-to-face interview next week, so it is beginning to look a lot more realistic now.  I have been holding out for that "perfect job" with great hours, maybe even a part-time but, now-a-days, getting any job is a blessing!  I have to appreciate the good offers that come my way and stop passing them up.

As I write this blog entry I realize, once I get a job out in the real world, I will not have the luxury of writing at 11 o' clock in the morning in my pajamas or picking up my little guy in the school car line at 2:00p.m., or running to the grocery store on a whim or driving my daughter to theater camp during the summer.  Those are the "little things," that I will truly miss, that I do not take for granted!  It will be back to fighting early morning traffic, listening to the morning radio shows and watching the clock tick down to 5:29p.m.

Hmm, I know more and more now this is not what I want to do for the rest of my life!  The finding a job, just to make ends meet.  No!  I want to write and blog and do social media and spend time with my kids and drive them to hockey and theater camp and be active in their daily lives, not just after 6p.m. during homework and bath time.  I know it won't kill them if I go off to work again, but it might kill me, from unhappiness. A little dramatic, I know but the last time I spent 4 years at a job I did not like, I ended up with a brain tumor!  (Yikes!)  Related or not, I do not know.  What I have learned from my experiences is that life is too short to be unhappy.

How does one find the balance between doing what you really love to do in your career, make money and balance your life as a mom?  I guess I will continue my search for something I will really enjoy doing for a living! If you have any great suggestions, please share!

For now, I am off to take my rink-rat to hockey practice!

I know in the end, everything is going to be alright. It might not be the same, but it will be alright!

WHEN HE STARTED TALKING ABOUT HIS MOM, I BROKE DOWN

Beautiful speech by ex-WWE wrestler, Marc Mero, as he gives kids a speech about life and loving your mom.

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