Yikes! I just watched Hoarders!

Have you seen Hoarders?  It's a reality show on the A & E Network about, well, hoarders.  LOL  In other words, these are folks who take messy to a whole new level.  Now, I don't have cable, but we recently bought a BLU-RAY player which came with a free subscription to Netflix.  I'd always wanted to see the show, and Netflix has it as an instant download, so this was my big chance to watch it. 

Wow.

I thought I was a messy gal.  I AM a messy gal.  I have messy kids.  But I am not a hoarder.  I don't have a house full of expired food, empty wine bottles, rotten pumpkins, or dead cats.  So, watching Hoarders should make me feel better, right?  WRONG!  Know why?  Because I see that I have great potential!  LOL  What drives these people to become hoarders lives in me.  Yes, I have self-diagnosed myself as having hoarder tendencies.  Here's a list I've come up with as to why I feel this way.

• I'm frugal. 
• I'm sentimental.
• I procrastinate.
• I'm disorganized. 
• I'm a people pleaser and just WAY too nice.  (Hear the kids snickering?)

Because of these things I tend spend hours cleaning with little tangible results.  Now, if I have a few hours I can make this place fairly presentable for company.  The four main rooms on the main floor pretty much get cleaned every day.  They never get so bad that we can't tidy them up with a little concentrated effort.  That being said, I still rarely have anyone over.  It's just too darn stressful for me. Another problem I have is that I tend to put off fun stuff, like getting together with friends, visiting relatives, or just going to the park because "I should really just stay home and clean."  My house is like a ball and chain that keeps me tied down.   I need to really take a look at that list above and figure out a way overcome these issues so that I can be free.  My house should serve me, not the other way around. 

Will you join me for this journey?  Maybe you're have a little bit of hoarder in you too, or maybe even a lot!  Or maybe you used to and have overcome.  Or maybe you don't get this at all and can just be here to encourage me to keep on keepin' on!  My plan is to do a little series on what is causing me to be a messy and what I can do about it.  I have no real plan, I'm just winging it, but I do plan to check in a few times a week to let you know my progress.  I do hope you'll come along beside me.  I always work better with a friend.  :)

Making a Comeback! That's the Plan, Anyway!

Okay, so some of you have been around for a while, and some of you are new followers.  If you've been around for a while, you know that my blog used to be a mix of reviews, funny stories, memes, and other assorted stuff.  Well, life got overwhelming for me this past year.  Well, MORE overwhelming, and so other than the reviews I was obligated to write, and a few contests, you haven't heard much from me.  Soooo.....

I made the decision to drop out of the TOS Crew.  (Well, maybe I quit before I got fired, but I'd like to think they'd have had me back!)  Anyway, this probably doesn't really free up much time as things have a way of filling in empty time, but I am hoping to get back to writing more fun stuff!  And maybe, just maybe, I'll write some posts on my Crazy Mom style of homeschooling.  I want to do this because I listen to all the reasons people say they "could never homeschool" and I am proof that you can still do it, if you have the committment and desire.  For example, I am disorganized, impatient, and more or less clueless about just about everything.  However, my kids do just fine.  I wanna be here to be the one who says, I don't care how poorly you think you are doing, if you can teach your kid to read, do basic math, follow basic directions, and love the Lord, YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Progresso Light Soup and a new CONTEST!!! :)

Hi everyone!

Well, it's been a while since I've given anything away, but today is the day!  I am running one of my "speed contests," which means you only have a short time to enter, so you'd better enter quick!  The deadline is this Friday, May 27, 2011 at 11:59 p.m.

But first let me tell you a little bit about Progresso Light soups.  I received several free cans of Progresso Light soup so that I could try them and let you know what I thought.  They are very low calorie, so I was liking them before I even ate any!  However, I have to say that I liked them even more after I tasted them.  I mean, they were yummy!  No boring or yucky "diet" taste about them.  My fave was the chicken noodle, but there are actually 40 different flavors with less 100 or less calories per serving each!

Here's a quick video which will show you how you can eat right with Progresso!

 

Okay, so I bet you're wanting to know what you can win, right?  Well here it is!

The Progresso Souper You gift packs contains a VIP coupon for a free can of Progresso soup, as well as a yoga mat, water bottle, set of aerobic bands, sport headband, and two sport wristbands.  Entering is easy.  Just leave a comment on this blog telling me your fave soup.  Then you can win get additional entries by:

Following me on Twitter (1 entry)

Tweeting about the contest (2 entries)
Following me on Facebook (1 entry)
Posting about the contest on Facebook (2 entries)
Following me on Google Friend Connect (1 entry)

Blogging about this contest (2 entries)

Subbing to this blog with Feedburner (3 entries)

Wow!  That's 13 ways to enter!  Now, you will have to do a bit of work, because I'll need you to leave a separate comment for each entry.  This means you might have to leave 13 comments!  LOL  But, hey, you could win!  :) 

NOTE:  You must be at least 18 years old to enter, and a resident of the United States or Canada.  The contest ends Friday, May 27, 2011 at 11:59 p.m.  I will not be able to accept comments posted after the deadline. 

Good luck!

Disclaimer!  The the product, prize pack, information, online coupon and giveaway were all provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark.)

New Review!!! Mad Dog Math!

Well, hello there!!!  I'm so glad you stopped by!  :)  I bet you'd like to get my posts delivered right to your inbox, now wouldn't you?  So why not sign up for Feedburner?  Check it out, it's right there in my sidebar!  Thanks!!  :)

About the product/service: As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received a free download of Mad Dog Math.  Math Dog Math is a program that is set up to review the basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts.  The program is set up so that kids move from level to level as they advance through the worksheets.  The first goal is to get the problems done in two minutes.  Utlimately, the goal is to get it done in less than 30 seconds.  A cute little dog Ruff, helps lead the way!

What are the pros of this product? It's great review for kids and the cute little dog just adds to the fun.  The best part is that kids compete against themselves, so they are motivated to learn their facts!




What's not to like? Nothing really. :)  It is a wee bit confusing at first understanding how it works, but that's probably just me.  :)  My kids seemed to get is just fine. 


The Crazy Mom take:  I mostly had Baber doing this program.  He's always begging to get on the computer, so I would bribe him by saying he could get on to do his Mad Dog Math!  He didn't seem to mind (most days) and he enjoyed being able to try to get the problems done quickly.  It's a nice program, and the dog is really cute, so it's one I'd recommend.  :)

Happy problem solving! 



What's the bottom line? One year license $19.99/Two year license $29.99/Perpetual license $39.99

I am going to give Mad Dog Math 4 out of 5 smileys!!!

Check it out! http://www.maddogmath.com/about.html



See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @ http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783984/




*The Smiley System:

I can't really recommend this product.

I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

This is a good product, but isn't right for everyone.

Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!


Disclaimer!!! I reviewed this product because I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew. I was given the product by the vendor to use and evaluate in my home so that I might share my insights with others. Other than receiving the product, which I kinda have to to be able to assess the product, I am not compensated for my reviews in any way. I am in no way obligated to give a positive review. I do try to point out negatives when I see them, though I am admittedly a pretty easy going gal! What you read are my honest assessments of the products I receive.

As with all products, you must do the research before buying. Please visit the the other crew members' blogs, the vendor websites, and any other review sites you might find before buying. I can't guarantee that a product will work for you. You must decide what will fit with your teaching style, and your child(ren)'s learning style(s). I do not judge anything other than the educational value of the products I review. I am not qualified to make judgements as to the safely of any product, and I make no guarantee that the products I review are safe for you, your family, or anyone else. I am simply giving my opinion; only you know what is best for you and your family.

Don't use your blow dryer while you sleep or take a bath. Don't read my reviews in the tub either, and please do not read them when you are asleep, though I do not guarantee that you won't fall asleep reading them!

Copyright 2011 Ramblings from the Crazy House 2

New Review!!! WonderMaps!

Well, hello there!!!  I'm so glad you stopped by!  :)  I bet you'd like to get my posts delivered right to your inbox, now wouldn't you?  So why not sign up for Feedburner?  Check it out, it's right there in my sidebar!  Thanks!!  :)

About the product/service: As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received a free download of WonderMaps.  Wondermaps is a new product from Bright Ideas Press (The Mystery of History folks!) that includes over 350 maps.  I'm going to be lazy this time, and pull some of the description from the Bright Ideas website.  (There are just some times when it doesn't make sense to re-invent the wheel.)

 

WonderMaps is designed with easy-to-use layers that allow you to enjoy great customizable features with just a click. Select:


• Historical or modern-day maps

• Outline, reference, political, or topographical maps

• Black-and-white or color maps

• Features including: names, borders, rivers, cities, physical features, and graticules


WonderMaps includes:

• 60+ maps of the world

• 60+ maps of the USA

• 125 historical maps, including 25 biblical maps

• The complete map sets from The Mystery of History vols. I–III and All American History vols. I & II

Here's a video!!!

What are the pros of this product? Well, let's just say, if you want a map, you can pretty much be sure they have it!  :)  Oh, and it's very, very cool!



What's not to like? Well, maybe you'll get overwhelmed with all the choices!  :)


The Crazy Mom take: I admit, I was blown away by how cool this product is!  I'm really sorry that I didn't have this a little earlier in the year when we needed some maps for a couple of projects.  I just decided that for review purposes, I'd just let the kids play around with it for fun.  I know this product will come in handy time and time again.  We've been a bit "light" on geography, but now I can easily pull it other subjects like literature, current events, and more!  Very cool, indeed. 


What's the bottom line? $49.95

I am going to give WonderMaps 5 out of 5 smileys!!!

Check it out! http://brightideaspress.com/




See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @

http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783915/





*The Smiley System:

I can't really recommend this product.

I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

This is a good product, but isn't right for everyone.

Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!


Disclaimer!!! I reviewed this product because I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew. I was given the product by the vendor to use and evaluate in my home so that I might share my insights with others. Other than receiving the product, which I kinda have to to be able to assess the product, I am not compensated for my reviews in any way. I am in no way obligated to give a positive review. I do try to point out negatives when I see them, though I am admittedly a pretty easy going gal! What you read are my honest assessments of the products I receive.

As with all products, you must do the research before buying. Please visit the the other crew members' blogs, the vendor websites, and any other review sites you might find before buying. I can't guarantee that a product will work for you. You must decide what will fit with your teaching style, and your child(ren)'s learning style(s). I do not judge anything other than the educational value of the products I review. I am not qualified to make judgements as to the safely of any product, and I make no guarantee that the products I review are safe for you, your family, or anyone else. I am simply giving my opinion; only you know what is best for you and your family.

Don't use your blow dryer while you sleep or take a bath. Don't read my reviews in the tub either, and please do not read them when you are asleep, though I do not guarantee that you won't fall asleep reading them!

Copyright 2011 Ramblings from the Crazy House 2

New Review!!! Andi's Pony Trouble from Kregel Publications!

Well, hello there!!!  I'm so glad you stopped by!  :)  I bet you'd like to get my posts delivered right to your inbox, now wouldn't you?  So why not sign up for Feedburner?  Check it out, it's right there in my sidebar!  Thanks!!  :)

About the product/service: As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received a free copy of Andi's Pony Trouble by Susan Marlow from Kregel Publications so I could share it with my kids and let you know what they thought!  :)

This book features Andi, who first made her debut as an older child in the Circle C Adventures series.  Now younger kids can get to know Andi, too, through the Circle C Beginnings series. It's a chapter book, recommended for ages 6 to 8 but, in my humble opinion, is quite appropriate for kids a bit older.  (I have been known to read and enjoy many of the kids' books around here!)

In the story, Andi sets out to prove to her family that she is old enough to own and take care of her very own horse.  Can she convince her family?  Will Andi get her own horse?  You'll have to read it to find out!  :)

What are the pros of this product? It's just a nice little book for young readers. 

What's not to like? Drawing a blank here.  :)

The Crazy Mom take:  I knew right away who'd be my "Junior Reviewer" this time around.  It had to be Bear because she loves horses and this book was right up her alley.  Even though it is written for kids in the 6 to 8 year range, and she was 9 (almost 10) when she read it, she loved it! She would highly recommend it to others!  :)  (Oh, and she is literally begging me to get the rest of the books as I type!)



What's the bottom line? $4.99

I am going to give Andi's Pony Trouble 5 out of 5 smileys!!!

Check it out! http://store.kregel.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=2199

See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @ http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783897/

*The Smiley System:

I can't really recommend this product.

I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

This is a good product, but isn't right for everyone.

Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!

Disclaimer!!! I reviewed this product because I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew. I was given the product by the vendor to use and evaluate in my home so that I might share my insights with others. Other than receiving the product, which I kinda have to to be able to assess the product, I am not compensated for my reviews in any way. I am in no way obligated to give a positive review. I do try to point out negatives when I see them, though I am admittedly a pretty easy going gal! What you read are my honest assessments of the products I receive.

As with all products, you must do the research before buying. Please visit the the other crew members' blogs, the vendor websites, and any other review sites you might find before buying. I can't guarantee that a product will work for you. You must decide what will fit with your teaching style, and your child(ren)'s learning style(s). I do not judge anything other than the educational value of the products I review. I am not qualified to make judgements as to the safely of any product, and I make no guarantee that the products I review are safe for you, your family, or anyone else. I am simply giving my opinion; only you know what is best for you and your family.

Don't use your blow dryer while you sleep or take a bath. Don't read my reviews in the tub either, and please do not read them when you are asleep, though I do not guarantee that you won't fall asleep reading them!

Copyright 2011 Ramblings from the Crazy House 2