Feast of the Holy Family

Today is the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family. It is usually celebrated the Sunday after Christmas, but since this year the Sunday after Christmas is January 1 (Feast Day of Mary, Mother of God), the celebration was moved to Friday.

I found this wonderful meditation by Blessed Mother Teresa for today:

You are to be a family, to be that presence of Christ to each other. God has sent the family to be His Love. Love each other tenderly as Jesus loves each one of you.

Jesus is always there...
to love
to share
to be the joy of our life.
Jesus' love for us is
unconditional
tender
forgiving
complete.
Just allow people to see Jesus in you
to see how you pray
to see how you lead a pure life
to see how you deal with your family
to see how much peace is in your family.

Thoughtfulness is the beginning of great sanctity. If you learn this art of being thoughtful, you will become more Christ like, for His Heart was meek, and He always thought of the needs of others. If we also have that kind of thoughtfulness for each other, our homes would really become the abode of God most high.

I've been tagged!

Alexa tagged me with this meme!

Write 5 resolutions for the new Liturgical Year (it started about 4-5 weeks ago or so?)

1. Attend at least one weekday mass weekly (in addition to, not in place of Sunday mass)
2. Schedule an appointment for reconciliation when I can't make the scheduled times
3. Take the time to learn about 12 new saints (one a month)
4. Continue to lead the mother's group at our parish and add more faith-filled activities to our meetings
5. Pray with DH in the morning - over the phone if necessary!

Thanks, Alexa! I tagged one of my email lists ;)

exhausted

B is very sick. He slept most of yesterday away, tossed and turned and coughed all night long, went to his meeting this morning, had a sales call cancel, and has been in bed again since coming home at 1. He's feverish now, all over body aches, cough and congestion. It's either the flu or bronchitis like my sis.

I have a migraine today and am barely able to see my head hurts so bad.

Thankfully, the boys play together well and aren't feeling poorly (yet).

I spent the last week & 1/2 caring for my sick sis, and it looks like I'm headed into more sick care. B is so rarely ill that he's kinda like a little kid that just doesn't understand he has to rest to feel better usually -- so I know he's very sick since he has willingly gone to bed 2 days in a row.

I'm really hoping the boys don't catch this. With no insurance until June, I don't know how we can find the extra money to pay for doctor appointments and prescriptions for the 3 of them. I think that's what is stressing me more than anything. In fact, I know that is what is stressing me more than anything. I need to give it up to the Lord - but right now my head hurts so bad I'm nauseous.

Christmas

Christmas was lovely. The boys were thrilled with their gifts and we had a very laid back, relaxing day. My sister is still sick with bronchitis, but did come over for a bit in the afternoon and stayed for dinner.

My mom told me yet again today how we should just sell our house and move back to Wisconsin where "we belong". I wish she understood how I believe we "belong" here -- and how the chances of us moving back to the midwest are pretty slim. I won't say never; because you just don't know what life may bring. But, as it stands now, I have no intention of leaving Arizona.

B is sick with a cold. He's rarely sick, and I hope that this cold doesn't last long. Purely selfish on my part because I don't want the boys or myself to catch it and I don't want him to lose time from work. I'm lucky that he doesn't turn into a baby when he's sick. I hear from various women that their husbands tend to become completely helpless when they're sick. I have to say that it would annoy me to no end if he was like that!

Santa's Snack

Colin and Santa's Snack
Originally uploaded by mellyrose.

C & N chose to leave Santa a hard boiled egg (he needs protein for energy, you know!), carrots for the reindeer, and Daddy talked them into leaving a Coke instead of the hot tea with milk they wanted to leave. C was a very tired boy by the time we put out the snack!

blessings

We have been so blessed during the time of B's layoff. Even though he's currently employed, it's 100% commission, and sales are slow. It'll be months before we're back to pre-job-loss income.

From every corner of my life, though -- from email list friends to real life friends - we've been blessed with gifts and prayers and amazing generosity. I'm humbled and awed and ever thankful.

I sometimes don't feel worthy - but I have to know that God knows what he's doing and I hope I'm up for living up to the blessings that have been placed with me.

St. Nick's Day

The boys woke up to chocolate in their shoes (N was extremely excited because he LOVES chocolate) and a set of shepherds, sheep & another angel for their Fisher Price nativity. We've talked about St. Nicholas and who he was, and C thought it was pretty neat. But, for some reason, he thought the chocolate was from St. Nick (who came down from heaven just for his feast day) and the extra pieces for the nativity were from Pope John Paul II (who apparently also came down from heaven to help out St. Nick). I'm not sure where he got that idea, but it was too sweet to argue with, you know?

Birthday Verse Meme

The idea is to find your birthday verse in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. My birthday verse is 11:10 for November 10.

Matthew 11:10 This is the one about whom it is written: 'Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.'

Mark 11:10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest!"

Luke 11:10 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

John 11:10 But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.

The New American Bible (Catholic version) is online here: New American Bible to make it even easier.

What color is your heart?

Your Heart Is Pink

In relationships, you like to play innocent - even though you aren't. Each time you fall in love, it's like falling for the first time. Your flirting style: Coy Your lucky first date: Picnic in the park Your dream lover: Is both caring and dominant What you bring to relationships: Romance

What Color Heart Do You Have?

Update

Well, the cruise was absolutely wonderful. No complaints -- lots of chances to relax, unwind, rest and eat.

We came back and B went to work and was fired. He called to tell me and I didn't believe it! Since he had a work truck, I had to go pick him up from the office and help him clean out his stuff from the truck. They gave him no reason -- just that they were going in a different direction, and didn't see him being part of it. They PAID for the cruise because he was such a great salesman. It made no sense -- and still doesn't, 5 weeks later.

So, he's been doing side jobs, thinking about going into business with this guy (that's been tabled, though), going on interviews and hopefully will start something in the next couple weeks.

The boys are totally enjoying the preschool program we're doing at the Botanical Gardens. The woman who runs it does a fantastic job and both boys eagerly look forward to attending.

I went to lunch today with a woman from my church's mom's group. I really like her - always have - but now I'm afraid I was a little too militant today in my dislike of mormons and my stance against corporal punishment. It's just like dating - but it feels like there's more at stake somehow - - because there are kids involved, and less time to focus, and it seems like more to lose if you don't connect, because there are so few chances TO connect when you're a SAHM of young kids. When I was dating, I always knew there'd be another guy along in a short time . . . now it seems trying to find a friend takes forever! Oh, well, hopefully she's not thinking I'm a complete basket case, because I like her AND her kids.

leaving . . .

We're leaving tomorrow morning, after C's t-ball game!

We're going to try & visit an aquarium near the hotel Sunday morning before heading over to the ship, and then we're staying the Sunday night we get back and will visit the Nat'l History Museum on Monday before heading back to AZ.

We're taking 5 suitcases, plus backpacks for all, plus a camera bag. It seems outrageous, but I don't know what to cut . . . multiple outfits necessary for each day made it hard to pack.

Here's to napping and relaxing . . .

baseball

We went to a baseball game yesterday to watch the Diamondbacks play . . . ummm . . . I have no idea who they played. Our seats included an aisle seat so I was happy. I filled my purse with snacks (literally! I had a big bag of peanuts, mini bags of animal crackers, fruit snacks, chex mix, reeses pieces, and graham crackers), we took bottles of water and then we bought cotton candy & nachos! We sign up for the designated driver program so we can get a free soda. OH, and it was kids' t-shirt day, so both boys got a Gonzalest t-shirt! Way too big for them, but they'll make great nightshirts.

The boys enjoyed themselves - everyone lasted until the beginning of the 8th, which I thought was pretty good! I wrote a bunch of notes about what we need to pack for the trip. The boys got to see someone hit a home run (always exciting!). B got to talk to the guy sitting next to him about details of the game.

With all they ate the game, they had yogurt and cinnamon sugar toast for dinner.

Nate has been having a hard time falling asleep recently. Not sure what's up with him, but he definitely NEEDS the sleep. He stopped napping almost a year ago, but I wonder if I need to start having him lie down in bed for 20 minutes each afternoon so he can nap if he needs to. We do have quiet time, but I let them play or read quietly in bed during that time.

We leave on Saturday!! Whooo Hoooo!! I can't wait!!!!

7 Days . . .

Next Saturday morning, we leave for California!! On Sunday, we'll board the ship. I am so excited and just can't wait. It'll be the longest DH & I have spent together in years . . . how sad is that?

I had a mini-meltdown this week over the class I'm taking online. I'm too tired/distracted to do my work after the kids go to bed (8:30/9PM) and I don't have any other time when they're not needing something. Unfortunately, I don't do well with constant interruption when I'm trying to work. I really need a good chunk of uninterrupted time to focus and create decent work. With B never being available, it just doesn't happen. My sister took the day off work today, though, and took the boys for a good 4 hours. I got 2 assignments done and turned in and am good until after our cruise!! I still have research and work to do this coming week, but no deadline breathing down my neck until October.

OH! We picked up our cruise documents this week and found out we have an extended balcony off our room!! That will be so nice! B & I will have someplace to sit & not have to be stuck "in" the room after the boys go to sleep at night. I can't believe our luck!

What cross are you?

You are St Brigid's Cross: St. Brigid is an Irish
saint who hand-wove a cross,out of rushes she
found by the river. She made the cross while
explaining the passion of our Lord to a pagan
man.


What Kind of Cross are You?
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What Saint Are You?

You are Joan of Arc! You don't really want to hurt
anyone, but if they attack your friends or your
country and no-one else will stand up to fight
them, you head into the battle. Beware though,
conviction tends to get you killed.


Which Saint Are You?
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dreams

I have a recurrent dream where I fall asleep / fight to stay awake while driving. Sometimes the boys are with me, sometimes I'm alone. Almost always there are car crashes happening in front of me that I manage to avoid, even though I can barely keep my eyes open, or am driving with my eyes closed.

I had another one today - took a nap with the boys (rare these days) - and dreamt there were multiple car crashes that I successfully avoided - all while weaving on the road and fighting to stay awake.

I'm sure it means something, just don't know what. I have had other recurrent dreams in the past - but never really delved into meanings. I've had this dream for probably 5 years or so. I shouldn't be so exhausted these days, but maybe I am?

28 days till we cruise

I have everyone's certified birth certificates, and my marriage certificate to prove my name change. If we were cruising in 2006, we would have all needed passports, so I'm glad the cruise is happening sooner rather than later. I should probably look into getting them in the next year or so anyway as I'd like to visit Buffalo in the next couple years, and what's a trip to Buffalo without visiting the Canadian side of Niagra Falls? But, I'm glad I didn't have to shell out all the money for them for this trip.

As it is, I've got about 1/2 the money we'll need for extras (gratuities, gas to get to LA, hotel stay, shore excursions, etc.) I'd have more than 1/2, but B decided he wanted a new digital camera. Well, not exactly new - we bought it on ebay. I can't remember which one he decided on - but it was about 1/2 as much as the Nikon D70 we had been talking about getting for over a year. I guess this means we won't be getting a D70 anytime soon, but that's okay.

Spent $40 yesterday and didn't fill the tank of the Caravan. ouch. When we bought the van in May gas was $2.17/gallon. Last night I filled up at $2.56 and that was only because I bought it with a Wal-M*rt card and saved .03/gallon! It was $2.63 at most stations around us. I'm trying to drive as little as possible, but there's nothing within walking distance here unfortunately.

We're going to the Diamondbacks game with the boys tomorrow afternoon. It'll be our second game this summer and the boys are very excited. I bought a bag of peanuts to take with us, and I've frozen some bottles of water to take as well. I'll throw some more snacks in my purse for them, and we'll probably get some cotton candy while we're there. Baseball bores me, but I like to watch how excited the boys get.

The Places Meme

Think about what cities or towns you've lived in (not just visited) in your life, and post them in your journal: (from HarshBetty's blog)

Buffalo, NY
Tonawanda, NY
Rochester, NY
Amherst, NY
Syracuse, NY
Buffalo, NY (again)
Humble, TX
Broken Arrow, OK
Metairie, LA
Slidell, LA
Waukesha, WI (2 houses)
Tonawanda, NY
Waukesha, WI (house / then apartment)
West Allis, WI
Milwaukee, WI
Phoenix, AZ
Apache Junction, AZ
Mesa, AZ (actually never moved from Apache Junction, but the post office re-drew the postal lines and so changed my city)

Cyborg Name

Wedding day

Wedding day
Originally uploaded by mellyrose.

August 8, 1997

August 8, 1997

August 8, 1997
Originally uploaded by mellyrose.

From my wedding day

Cruise!!!

We got the confirmation from the travel agent today - our cruise is a done deal!!! I didn't want to believe it, but DH's company pulled through and really delivered on what was promised. Yea!!!

7 glorious days on a ship . . . no cooking, no cleaning, free child care, pools, lots of food . . . what more could I want?

We leave in 47 days!

Need to find DH's birth certificate, and get a copy of N's - and then all that is left is packing.

Woooo Hooooooooo

Your Gemstone is Aquamarine Intuitive, tranquil, and trusting. You inspire others to have faith in themselves. What Gemstone Are You? Take This Quiz :-) Find the Love of Your Life (and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

hair cut

I'm off to get my hair cut this afternoon. I've had the same style for more years than I can count. I have changed it in the past, but I always end up returning to a simple, short bob. It's easy to care for, I don't have to muss with it, and it dries fast.

I can remember in high school spending lots of time on my hair . . . but no more! I am definitely a wash & air dry kind of person now. I can't even blame it on my kids, since I was like that before they were born. I just can't bear spending the extra 15 minutes to blow dry and style my hair.

The boys are playing with clay right now. The stools we bought for the kitchen island at Christmas are some of our best buys ever! I love how they can use the island for all their craft projects.

Today . . .

woke up very early bc C was coughing and had runny nose. Stayed up and read email & blogs and surfed the net waiting for N to wake

we went to the library and returned a few books, checked out a few books & videos

went to Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market for packing tape, triaminic cough, ham, postcards, and vitamins

back home for lunch and the boys watched videos checked out from library while I taped up the boxes from the things that sold on ebay this weekend. inhaler for C because he started wheezing

out to the post office to mail boxes

back home to let the boys play in the sprinkler

boys in the bath, dinner of yogurt and cinnamon sugar toast next & then books, prayers, sleep

Spending Fiend

Oh, I have been a spending fiend this weekend! It rarely happens, as we rarely have money -- but DH has had a nice spell and the commission check this month was big. Granted, I should have saved most of it to help us through the lean months ahead -- but I spent lots of it instead.

Got an awesome deal on an outside table and chairs and a gazebo for our never-finished backyard. If we ever do finish our backyard, it'll be so beautiful . . . but time & money seem to limit us.

Bought the startings for 5 Christmas gifts, and if I do it right, they gifts will end up costing no more than $20/each! I got picnic blankets (that fold up and zip and also can be a cushion) for $5/each! (reg $20) and then a drink shaker with plastic ice cubes and stirrers for $1.25/each (reg $7). I'm going to round it out with some sunscreen and snacks and drink mixes . . . instant summer picnic! Cute for our family back in the midwest to receive for Christmas, don't you think??

Also bought the boys new swim goggles (way too expensive), dive sticks, mitts for T-Ball (N is too young this year, and was crushed, so we got him a mitt too so they can practice together), C also got a bat and ball, boys got new play-doh, another new ball, DH got a new racquetball racket, and a new gym bag, bought myself some goggles and new pool flip-flops and another pair of sandals.

Let's see, what else? A new steam cleaner because ours is broken. A Swiffer vaccuum to hopefully help me keep the kitchen floor cleaner (time will tell . . . ). A small St. Francis statue for my some-day herb garden (which N managed to break before noon today). Cushions for our patio set that we bought last year on clearance and were too late to get the cushions.

I think that's it? Like I said - I was a spending fiend!

A Meme

What I was doing 10 years ago: working as a network administrator for a company that leased Peterbilt trucks (and other big rigs) and placing personal ads looking for my next boyfriend.

5 years ago: feeling completely upside down and working as an office manager, which was a made-up position and part of my manager’s plea to get me to stay with the company after I seemed to have gone kinda crazy (found out Aug 25 that I was 28 weeks pregnant and suddenly the craziness made sense – forever grateful to that boss bc otherwise I wouldn’t have had health insurance for my emergency c-section)


1 year ago: still grieving my miscarriage and trying to keep things together on the home front with my 2 young boys, while my husband worked an insane number of hours (80+/week . . . which he’s still doing actually)

Yesterday: shopped like a fiend because it was payday and we had some extra money to buy some extra goodies

5 Snacks I enjoy:
honey pretzels
Chocolate covered pretzels w/peanut butter insides
Expensive chocolate
Watermelon
cashews

5 songs I know all the words to:
many, many kid songs
“When the Sun Goes Down” by Kenny Chesney
“Rock Steady” by Sting
“Beautiful Mess” by Diamond Rio
“Glory to God” by John Michael Talbot


5 things I would do with $100 million dollars:
Take care of my family (charity begins at home)
Travel
Start a charity to help young mothers
Invest for my children’s future
Hire a household staff


5 locations to which I would like to run:
Anyplace with a beach
Ireland
Hungary
Italy
Luxembourg


5 bad habits I have:
Procrastination
Spend too much time on the internet
Worry about everyone/everything
Hold grudges
Become easily frustrated

5 things I like doing:
Reading
Spending time with my family
Sitting on a beach
Taking pictures
Writing


5 things I would never wear:
spandex
Tight clothes
Satanic symbols
Mini skirts
Daisy duke shorts


5 TV shows I like:
Survivor
The Apprentice
The Shield
Discovery Channel shows
Food Network shows


5 biggest joys of the moment:
Listening to my boys laugh
Snuggling with my husband
Developing a deeper spiritual life
Fresh watermelon
That my husband doesn’t have to work all weekend


5 favorite toys:
my computer
My convection oven
My digital camera
My film camera
My photo printer

Traveler Profile

	Your travel type: Travel Yup The Travel Yup likes exotic and adventurous travel, but prefers big cities with fast paced life. He has a keen interest in other cultures and always brings home a few souvenirs. Shopping in Bangkok, getting a tailor made suite in Kuala Lumpur, that's the kind of thing the Travel Yup is into. Even though he likes to get away, he prefers his travels to be comfortable.
	top destinations: Amsterdam Tahiti Las Vegas	stay away from: Ciudad Perdida Cairo Darien Gap

get your own travel profile

Which Classic Pin Up Are You?

You're Betty Grable!


What Classic Pin-Up Are You?
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funny

The blog that inspired my vent about homeschooling moms & poor grammar . . . posted today with a grammar vent of her own. Part of me really wants to comment and ask her to look up compliment / complement. Of course, I realize that by posting this, I am also opening up comments on my own grammar. Oh, well.

I realize that my punctuation grammar leaves a lot to be desired on this blog. I do know how to use proper grammar, but all these years of emails & writing like we speak have eroded my written grammar. Not that I couldn't clean it up, but it would take longer to do so than I spend writing on this blog.

I am still frustrated, though, by misspelled words and words used in the wrong context.

Birth Day Info

You entered: 11/10/1967

You were born on a Friday
under the astrological sign Scorpio.
Your Life path number is 8.

The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2439804.5.
The golden number for 1967 is 11.
The epact number for 1967 is 19.
The year 1967 was not a leap year.

As of 6/21/2005 12:07:38 PM CDT
You are 37 years old.
You are 451 months old.
You are 1,963 weeks old.
You are 13,738 days old.
You are 329,724 hours old.
You are 19,783,447 minutes old.
You are 1,187,006,858 seconds old.

There are 142 days till your next birthday
on which your cake will have 38 candles on it.

Those 38 candles produce 38 BTU's,
or 9,576 calories of heat (that's only 9.5760 food Calories!) .
You can boil 4.34 US ounces of water with that many candles.

Your birthstone is Citrine
The Mystical properties of Citrine

Citrine is said to help one connect with Spirit.

Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewlers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)

Yellow Topaz, Pearl, Diamond

Your birth tree is Walnut Tree, the Passion

Unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egoistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromises.

There are 187 days till Christmas 2005!

The moon's phase on the day you were born was waxing gibbous.

Father's Day 2005 

another pet peeve

I suddenly have little patience for people (mainly DH - but now my kids are starting it too) that do not answer the question they are asked. I was reminded AGAIN last night when N asked DH "whatcha eating?" when he was eating a handful of nuts. He looked at me laughing and said "What that really means is 'Can I have some?'" and I responded - "No, what it means is he's asking you what you have and instead of answering THE QUESTION ASKED, you respond with giving him some. Why not say "I'm eating some almonds, would you like some?" and then he can answer the QUESTION YOU ASKED."

He just thought I was in a pissy mood. But, he does it ALL the time. I ask him "What time do you need the alarm set for?" when I'm headed to bed and he goes off on a tangent about what is planned for the morning and I have to ask again "OK, but WHAT TIME DO YOU NEED THE ALARM SET FOR?" And, a million other examples I could come up with . . . I think it bugs me more now (because he's always been like this) because my boys are picking up the habit and I think it's an absolutely horrible communication skill to pick up.

What Planet are you from?

You Are From Neptune

You are dreamy and mystical, with a natural psychic ability. You love music, poetry, dance, and (most of all) the open sea. Your soul is filled with possibilities, and your heart overflows with compassion. You can be in a room full of friendly people and feel all alone. If you don't get carried away with one idea, your spiritual nature will see you through anything.

What Planet Are You From?

pet peeve

I read a bunch of blogs, including many written by moms who are homeschooling their children. It really bugs me when they have this attitude of being educationally superior - and then do things like use the words compliment / complement incorrectly. Oh, and spelling errors. They drive me mad as well. It's just a small pet peeve . . . I know there are plenty of teachers who don't know the difference either . . . and my use of ellipses is probably somebody else's pet peeve :)

How cool is this?

Really old plant seed grows

Enneagram Test

ISFJ - "Conservator". Desires to be of service and to minister to individual needs - very loyal. 13.8% of total population.

Free Jung Personality Test (similar to Myers-Briggs/MBTI)

Introverted (I) 65.79% Extroverted (E) 34.21%
Sensing (S) 60.61% Intuitive (N) 39.39%
Feeling (F) 56.41% Thinking (T) 43.59%
Judging (J) 67.57% Perceiving (P) 32.43%

Speaking

Your Linguistic Profile:

55% General American English

20% Upper Midwestern

15% Yankee

5% Dixie

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Interview with my kids

N – turned 3 yesterday

What's your favorite color? blue

What do you want to be when you grow up? Fire fighter

How many children do you want to have? 5

Where is your favorite place to go? Park

Where's your favorite place to eat? McDonald's

What's your favorite food? Hamburgers and broccoli and donuts

What do you like to play? dinosaurs

What's your favorite thing to do with your brother? Play


C – age 4 1/2

What's your favorite color? purple

What do you want to be when you grow up? Firefighter

How many children do you want to have? 21; 10 boys and 11 girls
that's what I want

Where is your favorite place to go? park

Where's your favorite place to eat? Rainforest Café

What's your favorite food? Mac & cheese

What do you like to play? All the games on my computer

What's your favorite thing to do with your brother? Play with him –
all kinds of stuff – whatever I want!

Me & my boys 

Well, it's been a year & 1/2. And I'm still a SAHM, I'm still wondering how we're going to pay the mortgage, I still have 2 of the cutest kids in the world!

Should I write about all that has happened in that time?

Naw - let's just charge ahead. Maybe I'll update this thing more regularly.

My Disclosure Policy

Edited on October 13, 2009


In light of recent rulings by the FTC, I wanted to expand on my disclosure statement a bit.  The legalese of the statement prepared on March 14 can be a bit confusing, so I included these paragraphs as written by me, in my voice, and my words.



If I have received products and/or compensation for any post, that post is labeled "sponsored" in the label section. I also include a statement within each sponsored post that informs readers if I received products for the post.  I have always disclosed this information, from the first sponsored post I wrote.


I also review items that I have purchased with my own money, and have not been in contact with the PR firm or manufacturer. These posts do NOT include a sponsored label, but if I purchased them from Amazon.com, the link may be an affiliate link from which I earn a small percentage of sales resulting from readers following that link.  

In addition, there may be Amazon affiliate links included in my sponsored posts.  As of this date, I have no additional affiliate relationships. 


I may have paid advertising links in my sidebars.



This policy is valid from 14 March 2009


This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.


To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org