Mother's Gift Ideas

These free craft ideas were found at FavCrafts

Monogram Plate for Mom : What I like about this is that you can find cheap glass plates just about anywhere including the dollar store. You can use any kind of design. The thing that will cost the most is the ceramic paint needed for this.

Photo Plate : This is a neat idea but its purely decorative so if you decide to give this as a gift it would be good to include a stand for it.

Adorable Mom Flowers : I absolutely love this craft idea! You can actually make it to match home decor. Even make them say whatever you wanted.

Flower Bouquet Box : Great for those who love to garden

Flower Pot For Mother's Day : Great kids project

Flower Card For Mom : Great for a kids project

9 Mother's Day Gifts From Daughter : These items can be modified to be for Grandma or Aunts or Just Friends.
1.Mom Flower Pot
2.Photo Book Mark
3.Faux Stone Candle Piece
4.Heart Vouchers and Wrap
5.Sleep Mask
6.Blue Danube Lariat
7.Amber Bracelet
8.Chalk Board Mug
9.Floral Frame

7 Mother's Day Gift Ideas Includes coupon book, flower center piece and pretty in pink bracelet

9 Mother's Day Decorations

And last but not least by all means 30 FREE Crafts for Mom

FaveCrafts is full of ideas for every occasion. This was only a sample of the cool stuff they have posted on their site.

This Weeks Freebies & Coupons

Walmart Freebies:
Root Awakening By John Frieda
Garnier Frictis Pure Clean
Revita Lens acutec Multi-purpose dissinfecting solution for contacts

Walmart Coupons:
Cotonelle Ultra: get a free ultra simple decor guide
Friskies Dry Cat Food: Save $1.00 on any 16lb bag any variety
Glad 2-n-1 Bag
Hartz Ultraguard
International Delight Creamers
Kellogs
Macaroni Grill Frozen Entrees: Save $1.50
Maxwell House Coffees
Milka Chocolate Collection
MiraLax
Nature Made Vitamins
Purina Cat Chow Brand Cat Food: Save $2.00 of a 16lb bag
Purina Kit and Caboodle Brand Dry Cat Food: Save $1.00 on a 16lb bag
RITZ Multigrain Crackerfuls
T.G.I.Fridays Entrees for one
Zegerid OTC

Walmart Instant Online Savings:
Febreze Air Effects Hawaiann Aloha 2pk $4.97
Febreze Candle Hawiann Aloha $5.97
Febreze Home Collection Soy Blend Candle Green Tea Citrus 6oz $9.97
Febreze Air Effects Refresher Lavander, Vanila and Comfort 19.4oz $4.97
Febreze Home Collection Flameless Luminary Refills,Green Tea Citrus, 2 ct $4.97

Target.com is doing this neat thing called Mobile Cupons. Get exclusive offers up to five times a month via text message on your web-enabled phone. Your first coupon will arrive 1-2 weeks after sign up. Click Here To Sign Up for FREE
This week on the Target website their offering cupons that will save you up to $150
Targets Sample Spot is now offering GoodNites Underware

Kmart.com Free Samples
Zantec 150
Lanacane Anti-Chaffing Gel
Prilosec OTC
Purex with Zout
Shout Color Catcher
Miracle Whip
Dove Hair Care
Carefree Pads


Quality Health is offering Free samples when you sign up for their email newsletter

Save $15 at CVS.com

Save $15 on a purchase of $60 with FREE shipping. Head on over to CVS.com to claim your savings. Offer only valid online and expires 05/01/2011 CLICK HERE

Save $15 At CVS.com

Shop for your mother's day gifts online at CVS.com and save $15 on a purchase of $60 or more plus free shipping! Offer is only Available online and expires 05.01.2011 so hurry over to claim your savings!!

Click Here

Ripped off at Recycling Center

My husband went to turn in his cans and bottles at the recycling center in the R&N parking lot in Exeter CA. He always double checks the scales. They emptied the cans into their bags to weight and the scale showed 6.7 lbs. When he went to collect the money the paperwork said 3.4 lbs. He argued with the lady and she of course disagreed so he told her that they cant even go back and reweigh them because she already emptied them. Just beware when you go to a recycling center, ex specially a small one to watch the scales carefully and ask them not to put away your stuff until you've been paid. Avoid the Exeter recycling center in the R&N parking lot as much as possible because they do cheat you out of your money. Money that you just might be depending on for gas or groceries or other bills.

Mother's Day Necklace Giveaway

Forty Toes Photography is giving away A mothers necklace for Estylo Jewelry. It's just for mom's and she will be drawing the winner on Mother's day so hurry on over to enter! Click To Go To Forty Toes Photography's Blog

25.5 Weeks

Our "little bean" is growing so quickly. 25 1/2 weeks down, 14.5 weeks left until we meet the little man. He's so active right now. My daughter was very active in the womb but my son in by far more active. Almost always moving, kicking and stretching. He knows my voice and even my daughters voice. It's the strangest thing but I swear he has already started to develop relationships with those who pay attention to him. My sister in law Jen for instance. If she touches my belly he just goes nuts moving around and kicking for her. It's actually quiet painful at times. Now it's gotten so bad that when I'm around her he starts up after the first sentence she says. It's crazy. All his growing and moving has been causing alot of pain for me but it's almost over and I won't get to experience this miracle again seeing as how this WILL be my last pregnancy. I'm no where near the size I was with my daughter, I'm half the size now that I was with her at this same stage. I defiantly don't want to be huge but it was a concern for me. Apparently I'm just carrying him differently and the doctor isn't at all concerned. It's strange, this kid likes to really stretch out to the point you can see his feet at times just poke out.

It's all a journey that I didn't realize I missed until I got to go through it again. Of course I say now that I can't wait for it to be over but I know that after some time I will miss it. I'm just trying to take each day as they come and trying to enjoy them as much as possible.

Unemployment & Seasonal Jobs

I worked as a tax preparer during tax season and had hopes that I would get unemployment from doing so. Actually was specifically told that I would because it was a seasonal job. In December 2010 I attended one paid meeting and earned $27. Then I started work in January 1st through April 18Th. After my last day I applied for unemployment knowing that yes according to EDD I was eligible. Today I get this notice in the mail and according to EDD and their "quarterly" crap their doing I'm getting jack. Not one dollar, not one penny. And why you ask?? Because they went off wages I made in March 2010, June 2010, September 2010 and December 2010. I've been a stay at home mom since March of 2008 shortly after my daughter was born, so I have no wages to report....except $27 in December for a paid meeting and $7.41 in June 2010 from a settlement I received from Home Depot. I just don't understand how they can just push aside all the money I made January 2011 through April 18 2011 and say I don't deserve a damn penny. Now if I wait until July or September and refile I might actually get something because then they'd have to go off the wages I made. So annoyed and P.O.ed right now. It just isn't right how they screw people. We've become dependant off the money I was making and now we don't even get a portion of it.

Quilted Bags with Style Book Giveaway

In my search for sewing patterns I came across this great site All Free Sewing. They have lots of free patterns and ideas. They also have Giveaways. Their newest giveaway is for Quilted Bags with Style Book Giveaway. Its Free to join and Free to enter!!! If you love sewing head on over and enter!

The Closing of a Season

I can't believe tax season is comming to an end with only three days left. It's been long and tiring. I have to say that I actually can't wait for a break but that I will truely miss it. It'll be weird going from being a working mom to a stay at home mom again...Much like it was when I started work after being off for so long. I didn't expect time to fly by so quickly and I guess truthfully I never thought of what I would do when it was over. I know I'll be returning nect year to be a tax preparer but I'm also setting my sights on becomming a CPA. I know it'll be hard but I like a challenge. Thank You Taxpayers for making it possible for me to go back to work and actually enjoy it. :)

How Will The Government Shutdown Will Impact Your Tax Return

We're getting alot of questions about the government shutdown and how it will impact your tax return/refund. Alot of people have missconceptions and I hope this will help to clear up some "un-answered questions" you might have:

Q: Can I still file my tax return?A: Yes, you can continue to file your tax return during the shutdown.

Q: Can I still file electronically or do I have to send in a paper return?A: Yes, you can still file electronically. In fact, filing your return electronically is the safest, most secure, and most accurate way to file a tax return! All tax returns that are e-filed will continue to be processed and acknowledged by the IRS. Paper returns will be received but not processed and could be delayed.

Q: Will I still get my refund?A: If you filed your return electronically and requested a direct deposit, there will be no delay. However, if you filed a paper return, both your return and your refund will not be processed until the shutdown is over.

Q: Do I still have to file my return by April 18th or has the deadline been extended?A: Yes, you still will have to file your tax return by April 18th. And, if you file electronically there will be no delay in processing. But, please remember that filing an extension extends the time to file, but not the time to pay. If you believe that you're going to owe, pay as much as possible with an extension to reduce or avoid interest and penalties when you do file your return.

Q: What if I owe money?A: If you have a balance due, these payments are being processed and you are expected to pay that balance on or before the April 18th deadline in order to avoid penalties.

Q: Do I still need to pay my estimated tax payment?A: Yes, these payments are being processed and you will need to pay them before their due date in order to avoid penalties.

Inspirational True Story

Today I talked with an older man. He was unbelievable nice and open. He told me how just about a year ago he was diagnosed with lung cancer and given only 3 months to live. This man was a truck driver who went in for his mandatory physical and that was how he found out. He was sent to a specialist in the area and they found several large spots on his lungs. The doctor decided that they needed to try somehting that was newly developed and only been testing for 6 months. It's kind of like kimo but genetic. He explained to me that it's a new kind of kimo that actually goes straight to the cancer to kill it off. Unlike the kimo we're all used to that they shoot into your body and pray it lands in the correct area to kill off the cancer. Just a few weeks ago, after only 2 sessions of this new genetic-kimo, this man went back to his specialist for his check-up and found that the spots were dead. When he went back a second time the doctor walked into the office grabbed the mans hand and shook it. The doctor continued to shake his hand as he congradualted the man letting him know that not only was the cancer spots dead but they have dissapeared. He was declared cancer free. It's amazing the breakthroughs that are happening. Just a month ago I was depressed because here my husband just lost his aunt to cancer, then my aunt had to be tested for cancer and then we found out my husbands buddies son was diagnosed with cancer. I was angry and mad that we havent found a way to fight the cancer more effectively or found a cure. It seems everyday we're getting closer. This man agreed to recieve experimental treatment and becouse his bravery he is now cancer free. It's amazing. I felt his story should be told, that we should all take it in and know that even when life seems to be dark and glum that there is light. There is good and there is hope. When a doctor looks at you and says "you have cancer" and only have so long to live means you should fight harder. Don't give up. Doctors don't know everything. They can estimate but its never a sure thing. Miracles happen everyday. Sometimes you just have to take a chance. Follow your heart.

Kids Activities

I've been on the search for kids activities that will help keep my daughter busy during the day. Being six months prego and needing to stay off my feet is hard when you have to run after an active three year old. I also needed some activities that would teach her. It's important to me that she learned as well as stayed out of trouble. Here are a few thing that I have come across:

Alphabet Coloring Pages: They have multiple things for each letter like A: Ant Apple Ambulance Acorn Artichoke or just A
http://www.dltk-teach.com/alphabuddies/mabcposter.html


Alphabet Games:
http://www.dltk-teach.com/alphabuddies/games.htm

Alphabet Tracer Pages:
http://www.dltk-teach.com/alphabuddies/tracer_pages.htm

I found a ton of activities and printables on the NickJR website such as:
Kai-lan Play store printable pack that teached money
Rubys House shape teacher
Max and Rubys Easter coloring page
Max and Rubys Color Pack
Bubble Guppies Color Pack
The site is so jam packed with activities and printables that a child will always have something new to do.


http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/free_printables.htm:
Design a stamp
Printable awards and certificates
Birthday Printables
Paper Dolls
Animal Masks
And More

Busy Bee Kids Printables
Lots of Easter Activities


So far my daughters favorite site is Nick JR because of all the activities with her favorite cartoon characters.

Time Flies

It's amazing how quickly time flies. It's already been ten years since I graduated High School, almost six years since I married my husband, three years since my daughter was born and now six months into my pregnancy. I swear it doesn't feel like any of that amount of time has passed. It feels like I'm barely four months pregnant not six. It's hard to believe we're on the last leg and that our little boy will be here soon. So much that needs to be done and it feels like there's not enough time. I know everything works out for the best but that doesn't help the anxiety level. It's been three years since I've taken care of a newborn and it feels like starting from new. Almost like all the information about newborns has just flown out of my head and now I need to re-learn it all again. My biggest issues are that the pain and "issues" with the pregnancy has set in. Already I'm going through what the doctor thinks might be contractions. The biggest thing they want me to do is rest. Believe me I have been resting but theres only so much "being lazy" I can handle. Especially with a three year old to run after. There's so much that has to do done to get ready to bring a newborn home. Shopping, baby shower, set the room up and so on. It's seems three months is adequate but time does fly and before I know it I won't have any time left.

Beutiful Rays of Sunshine

Tonight's sunset was absolutly beautiful. After a long day at work and comming home to a sick kid you can tend to overlook the beautiful things in life. Being able to look out my front door at this just brightened my day/night.


Today I offer no tax tips, no freebies, but only my thoughts. Everyday when the sun rises you have a chance to start over. To do things differently or to just live. The best peice of advice I ever got was to do what feels right, to do what makes you happy. Your life is ultimately up to you. The way you live it is your choice, no one elses. You might as well do what makes you happy, what makes you feel good, what you feel is right. Everyone's going to offer advice and tell you what they feel is right, but whats right for someone else might not be right for you. And remember just because someone dissagrees with you doesn't make you or them right or wrong. We all have freewill, which means we're not always going to get along.