A Mama's Rant

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As a mom, I'm always on the look out for new babysitters. Luckily between my mother-in-law, friends, and some preteen and teenage girls we know, we're covered. But it hasn't always been that way. Just a few years ago I was desperate for a sitter just so my husband and I could go out to dinner and the movies.

We knew no one, and had no relatives nearby. Looking back I wonder how we managed. I could have really used a babysitting service like Care.com back then.

Care.com is a great backup plan if I can't get a babysitter. It's also a service I would consider using when I go back to work outside the home in the near future. Also, it's nice to have a source for tutors as well as eldercare in my mother-in-law's area. (She lives two hours south of us.)

At the moment, the selection in my neighborhood is sparse. But it's growing.

Here's how it works if you're looking for a babysitter, dog sitter, or help with tutoring or eldercare:

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Take a Holiday with Mr. Bean this Christmas

If you're looking for a wholesome, G-rated  DVD to give as a holiday gift or to rent as a family, look no further than Mr. Bean's Holiday.

We're big fans of Rowan Atkinson from way back, though I do prefer his work on Black Adder (with Hugh Laurie from "House" - brilliant!)and The Thin Blue Line much more.

Must be all those sex jokes. But that's o.k. because Mr. Bean's a laugh riot, too, especially for a guy who doesn't talk much, and who sleeps with a teddy bear.

I did enjoy 1997's Bean: The Movie, and figure that this one will be just as silly. (No we haven't watched Mr. Bean's Holiday yet. I'm saving it as a stocking stuffer for my husband. Though now that he's read this, I've probably spoiled that plan. Oh well.)

A brief synopsis:

In his latest misadventure, Mr. Bean - the nearly wordless misfit who seems to be followed by a trail of pratfalls and hijinks - goes on holiday to the French Riviera and becomes ensnared in a European adventure of cinematic proportions.

Oh good, we get to make fun of the French. It's almost as enjoyable as making fun of the Germans and the Welsh. Just kidding. Did I mention that my mother's French, my dad's English and we have lots of friends in Berlin? Back to Mr. Bean...

Bean packs up his suitcase and camcorder to head to Cannes for some sun on the beach. But his trip doesn't go as smoothly as he had hoped when the bumbling Bean falls face first into a series of mishaps far-fetched enough to make his own avant-garde film.

Oh we get to make fun of Hollywood, too. Tee hee!

Wrongly thought to be both kidnapper and acclaimed filmmaker, he has some serious explaining to do after wreaking havoc across the French countryside.

Sounds completely ridiculous and full of pratfalls and potty humor. Just perfect for my kids and husband.

And if it sounds like your brand of British humor - BRILLIANT! - get a copy of Mr. Bean's Holiday and check out the rest of Rowan Atkinson's work after the kids are in bed.

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Forget the Girl, My Birthday Buddies of the Week

Lucie's still not cooperating so I thought I'd introduce you to a couple of buddies of mine, Rémy and his brother Émile.

Lucie took their pictures when they showed up for my 43rd birthday last week courtesy of Dairy Queen and a really good ice cream cake.

I had a really good birthday. My husband was out of town hunting (we celebrated as a family a few days before) so I scheduled a Gold Canyon candle party slash birthday party.

It had been a few years since I had a grown up party. Usually I just celebrate with family. But I thought it would be fun to shop, hang out, and drink wine with friends.

Michelle and Maria, two ladies who I have only known for a couple of years, brought cards. Inside them were written words of friendship and admiration. I was extremely touched.

More than anything - even eating yummy ice cream cake - my real life buddies made this year's birthday very special.

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Welcome Advertising Age Readers

Welcome if you're stopping by from Beth Snyder Bulik's article at Advertising Age, Advertisers Promise You More Family Time.

If you want to see the post she referenced, click on The Dodge Caravan Dilemma.

Beth was right on with her analysis of both what marketers are trying to say to parents as well as what we feel - it's important to spend time with your family.

But it doesn't mean that I'm going out and purchasing a Dodge Grand Caravan any time soon. However, I am in the market for a gently used Honda Element once the kids grow out of their car seats.

Are you listening Honda?

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Building a house? Get some online planning help

No matter where we've lived, everyone we know was looking to buy property in the mountains or out by a lake to build a retirement or vacation home. Several friends have property in the countryside, others will be inheriting the family cabin, and we've been looking for a couple of lots in the mountains ourselves. We figure that the mountains will be a good place to retire.

Retirement? Well, it's not as far away as you think it is. And if I had to stay in suburban hell as an old lady, I think I'd go nuts. Still building a small home for retirement or just wanting to plan your dream home with all the things you want, from that perfect gourmet kitchen to a great craft room or office, is daunting. Plus it's expensive to hire an architect. So what's a DIYer like you supposed to do?

HousePlansAndMore.com is an online site that can help you out. Whether you're looking for log home plans, luxury home plans, or just plain old ranch house plans they can help.

A Computer Game Review: Jump Start World 1st Grade

The folks at Moms Central sent me a copy of the children's learning computer game, Jump Start World 1st Grade. We have several old versions of JumpStart software that we bought used online or at consignment stores and garage sales. The kids play JumpStart games all the time and enjoy them immensely. (Both Lucie and Nathan have computers in their rooms.)

Jump Start World has been called "an educational theme park" by the New York Times and "a masterpiece of children's technology" by USA Today. With those reviews and our past experience, I couldn't wait to get the game loaded and the kids playing!

First thing I did when I received our game was to notice that the "NEW for 2008!" sticker said the software was for "high speed connections." Uh oh. Neither of the kids' computers are hooked up to the Internet because we don't see the need at their age (4 and 7).

Maybe I could bypass that when I installed it. Nope, it wouldn't load. Plus the kids' computers, which are only a few years old and are fine for older JumpStart and Tiger Woods golf games, didn't have a robust enough video card according to the pop up window. Darn it.

So I did what I really didn't want to do - loaded the game on my computer. The one I where I write, pay bills, do emails, conduct business, and blog. (I do have a laptop to work on and a wireless connection in the house.)

Still, I was nervous about it since I'm convinced once you let kids use your computer, it gets hosed for them banging on the keyboard and clicking on stuff.

But so far so good. My computer is fine and the kids have been able to use it as a "special treat" while I've been cooking, doing laundry, reading and having lunch.

In fact, they keep bothering me about when they can jump on my computer, which means Jump Start World 1st Grade gets their approval. Maybe it's just because it's a new form of video game heroin. Me, I think the graphics are cool, the music and sound effects are pleasant, and the games are fun (you can go shopping with your gems - cool!) so I can see the appeal.

Mommy, why do you need to be online?

The reason for the Internet connection was so that parents can order new learning packs to customize the game to the pace of the individual child. (There was a monthly fee of $4.99 but doing this is not required.) It's a nice feature if you have children who need new games all the time. But is it necessary or even desirable? Probably not since the original game has tons of stuff to do. It will be a long time before my kids get tired of it.

Bottom line, Jump Start World could be a money pit if you sign up for the monthly updates. So don't sign up. Easy 'nuff.

Take the social media survey

If you're a blogger - either for personal use or for business - you know that social media is rapidly becoming a factor in society and business.

Do you think it will change the way we communicate? Do you think it will change the way we do business?

Give your opinion at Content Connection LLC's survey at
http://www.contentconnections.com/socialmedia/. You don't have to be a problogger to take it. Mommy blogger, craft blogger, tech blogger, food blogger - I'm sure they want to hear from us all.

I took the survey. It was very interesting, especially for someone like me who is trying to earn a living blogging and who writes at many blogs.

You will be entered in a drawing to win one of five iPod Nanos that will be given away at the close of the survey.

Content Connection plans to share our results early in 2008 via YouTube and a downloadable Executive Summary. Can't wait to see the results!

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Get paid for blogging with Smorty

Yesterday, I talked to a dozen writer's at a Northern Colorado Writer's Association (NCWA) workshop about how to start blogging. I barely touched on making money through your blog. Still, people are so interested in the topic that the director of the NCWA has asked me to give a talk at the April conference on just that.

I plan to talk about joining blog networks (ad revenue share), using affiliate programs, and running advertising on your blog. But another way to make money from your blogging is to sign up with a service that works with companies that want to do blog advertising and pay bloggers to write about websites, services and products on their blogs.

A Reluctant Buddy of the Week: Big Bunny

Well, Big Bunny wasn't reluctant, Lucie was. Thus the delay in posting. No matter what I did, that girl didn't want to get her picture taken this week.

This was the best picture I could take. Actually, Lucie was hiding under the covers and Big Bunny was leaning up against my pillow. I had to uncover Lucie just to get a picture of the two of them.

And forget trying to interview that girl. Instead, this week I'll tell you about Big Bunny.

Where did Big Bunny come from?

Actually, I bought Big Bunny for Nathan. It's a larger version of his stuffed animal, Bunny. Bunny is so worn out that you can see his stuffing through his fur. It's so bad that we dress him in Nathan and Lucie's old preemie pajama outfits to keep him from falling apart. At seven, Nathan still sleeps with Bunny and takes him on trips. I don't have a problem with that since I slept with my favorite buddy, Baby Bear, until I moved in with my first live-in boyfriend.

Originally, Nathan received a very small Beanie Baby sized version of him from my sister, Michele. Unfortunately, we lost it in San Diego, and Nathan was very upset.

I found the larger version online. which is now his current buddy. I'll never forget the day that the UPS man dropped off the box. I put it on the floor, opened it, and pulled out Bunny. Nathan took one look at him, ran over, and grabbed him. They've been best buddies ever since.

I bought a back up of that size buddy since he loved it so much. I was scared that he'd lose it and would be devastated. While I was ordering it, I saw that the larger, white version was on sale. If a medium sized Bunny is good, why not a bigger one? Thus Big Bunny came to our house.

What's up with that dress?

Big Bunny is wearing Lucie's Minnie Mouse dress from 2004 when she was 22 months old and still sucking down those baa-baas. (That's a story for another time.)

I dressed her up as Minnie Mouse that Halloween. I loved how Lucie looked in that dress so much that I couldn't part with it when she grew out of it.

So, I was thrilled that it fit Big Bunny. It gave me an excuse to keep the dress.

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Do your kids have an Xbox, Wii or Playstation? Then you should know about parental controls

Nope, we don't have any game consoles in our house though there's an old Nintendo (circa 1990) in the basement. We're more computer game people. Even so, I'm well aware that the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) gives ratings to video games.

The ratings are not to hard to find. If you go to Amazon's page for Halo 3 they list the ESRB rating as Mature right at the top of the page. Plus if you look at the box, you'll see the big M in the lower left hand corner.

The front of virtually every game box displays an ESRB rating symbol ranging from EC (Early Childhood 3+) to AO (Adults Only 18+).  On the back, next to the rating symbol, are content descriptors.  The ESRB's two-part rating system helps parents decide what games are best suited for their kids' age and maturity level. (Click here to see the entire list of symbols and ratings.)