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34 Lunch Solutions For A Nut Free School

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Hey parents, will your child be attending a nut-free school? Do not despair. There are lots of delicious snack and lunch possibilities your children will love that are all 100% nut-free!

34 healthy lunch options that are perfect for your kids to bring with them to their nut-free school #healthyeating

Nut allergies are so prevalent that, in my opinion, it is better to select non-nut and non-treenut foods for public settings rather than taking a chance of sending someone into an allergic reaction. Here are 34 great healthy ideas that you can include in your child’s school lunch every day!

  1. apple slices
  2. applesauce
  3. baby carrots
  4. bagel – with cream cheese inside
  5. berries – strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
  6. brown rice
  7. cereal – non-sugary, dry
  8. cheese slices or cheese cubes
  9. cheese sticks
  10. cherry tomatoes
  11. chips
  12. crackers
  13. cucumber slices
  14. dip – send veggie slices or apple slices with it
  15. eggs – hard boiled
  16. fruit cups
  17. graham crackers
  18. grapes
  19. guacamole  
  20. hummus
  21. lunchmeat – rolled up
  22. non-nut butters – sunflower butter etc.
  23. olives, pitted
  24. pepperoni slices
  25. peppers -green or red bell peppers- slices
  26. pickles
  27. pizza slice
  28. popcorn
  29. pretzels
  30. raisins
  31. rice cakes
  32. tangerines
  33. veggie sticks
  34. yogurt

 

Over the years I have witnessed two severe food-based allergic reactions and would never want to be responsible for triggering it for anyone else. In each case, without aid the person could have suffocated as their throats swelled up. It happened so quickly and in each case they did NOT ingest nuts. They were just in the vicinity of them. It is scary.

34 Nut-Free School Lunch Ideas #kids #allergies #food Click To Tweet

Another option is to make some homemade snacks – like these Nut Free Banana Oat Protein Energy Balls by Laura of Petite Allergy Treats or Nut-Free Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Energy Bites from Running With Spoons – to send in your little one’s lunch.

nut free snacks

 

nut free energy balls

Ever wonder how you would tell if someone is having an allergic reaction to food? This article from the Mayo Clinic clearly defines a variety of possible symptoms, the causes and what to do if you need to act on their behalf: Food Allergies Symptoms & Causes

Do you or someone you love have food allergies? What additional non-nut foods should we add to our list?

Enjoy!

Note: this author is an Amazon affiliate. What does that mean? Well, anything that you buy from Amazon by first clicking on an ad, link or using an Amazon search window on Ducks ‘n a Row will, at no extra cost to you, result in a small commission for me. In advance “thank you!” … Sinea

 


Congratulate us – We Just Hatched A Blog!

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Ducks 'n a Row blog has a new look


This has been a long 12 days…but our blog is back!

The story begins with me being so overwhelmed by a string of health crises my husband has been going through. That is what inspired me to write the recent post “Ways To Streamline Your Responsibilities In The Midst Of A Crisis” In an ongoing crisis you learn to ditch activities that wear you out and lay aside the ones that are optional.

Truly, it feels as if we have gone to the Emergency Room at least once a week this summer. That may be an exaggeration but we have been there a lot!
In fact, one of the wonderful security guards at the hospital handed me a wad of free parking passes so that I could come and go without concern about paying to park my car. It can get expensive. What a blessing!

So, in all of the turmoil. I forgot to renew my domain name for my blog (a domain name is the Ducks ‘n a Row address that gets you here!) I was 2 days late. They happily renewed me but I guess it must have started the process over like it was brand new. When they renewed it, my blog could no longer find the internet.

Instantaneously the LIGHTS WENT OUT at Ducks ‘n a Row.


The domain name holders believed they were innocent of doing any harm. The experts in the Blogger forum took a look and said “no, it’s not Blogger, it is the domain holder for sure.”  And with all the advice that came my way, I was unable to fix the problem.

When you earn a living blogging, absence from an online presence for a length of time equals lost income and sharply declining stats. Sponsors look at statistics so it is important to keep those traffic numbers up. Zero is BAD!

I had no choice. It was finally time to move to Word Press. I had heard that WP is a big blessing but it was a scary unknown world to me.

Sometimes the things that are best for us are the very things we have been trying to avoid. That being said … I hired a design company – Five J’s Design – who had done a phenomenal job for some bloggers that I admire. With Joy’s help, and an abundance of wise advice from my blogging buddy, Marilyn from Marilyn’s Treats, I made my way through to victory. Ducks ‘n a Row is BACK!

Hey, Ducks 'n a Row blog is back and with a new look! #momblogger Click To Tweet


As when any little baby is born …. a duckling or a “bloggling” … it looks a little messy. Know that I am working out the kinks …. there is a learning curve for sure. Actually, it is a fun adventure. But it feels so good to be back. REALLY good!

Of course,  we host the weekly Happiness is Homemade Link Party. If you are a blog hopper, be sure to come on by!

Tuesday there will be an awesome Cheese Spread Recipe on the blog. (It is 100% low carb, for those who care about carbs, and delicious for everybody. I received a batch as a Christmas gift from the parents of one of my students and soon as I tried it I had to have the recipe. It’s that good:)

And Tuesday evening at 7pm ET the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop begins.

So stop by and see the new design, visit a few posts and even share some? Let others know that we are back in business.

Oh yes, and you have to stop by the “Organizing” tab at the top of the page. One of my very first posts with a video of me explaining the premise of Ducks ‘n a Row is there. I had totally forgotten about that post and video. I’m actually glad it turned up. It’s good to revisit the vision from time to time.

BTW, I missed you!

Enjoy!

Note: this author is an Amazon affiliate. What does that mean? Well, anything that you buy from Amazon by first clicking on an ad, link or using an Amazon search window on Ducks ‘n a Row will, at no extra cost to you, result in a small commission for me. In advance “thank you!” … Sinea

Ways To Streamline Your Responsibilities In The Midst Of A Crisis

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“There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full.” 
Henry Kissinger
 
Can I get that line engraved on a plaque? I will put it over my desk, and in my kitchen, in the bathroom …and in the car! As Mr. Kissinger implied, if you are going to have a crisis, it really would be nice to be able to schedule it. Crises are unwelcome, unannounced intruders. They just muscle in the door at the wrong time and stay for way too long.
How to streamline your responsibilities in the midst of a crisis. Start with "simple!" #tips
 
This has been an interesting year – one emergency after another. It started in January with my husband in the hospital with heart trouble. He came home with lots of instructions and not as strong as he had been – but he was getting better. Next, a wind storm came through the region so big that it actually knocked over the boxcars on a freight train! The power in the whole community was out for for days. Power came on and then over 20 inches of snow fell in a day – blizzard!  After that was over, life became normal, for a while.
At the end of May, we were back in the thick of it. A number of times in the hospital for hubby. Changes in medications. Loss of mobility for him so almost everything became mine to do. While trying to work everything out as best I could, it became apparent that truly we were in survival mode.
There is a breaking point. This week I finally admitted that I have battle fatigue. I need a mom … or a vacation … or both!  Anyone have a mom they can spare for a little while? LOL
So, today I just took the morning off. No blogging. No cleaning. I just went out on my deck in the sunshine with my cup of coffee and an inspiring book filled with scripture but mostly I prayed. I started with thanksgiving. There are still lots of things to be glad for. Being thankful brings the not-so-good things into perspective. Next, I poured out my requests to the Lord. Then I gently thought about what can be done to minimize so that I can do the things that really need to be done better.
I say “gently” because I wasn’t ready to think too hard about anything so I took my big yellow lab dog, Sadie, for a long overdue walk. Afterward, I came up with some simple things to concentrate on:
 
1. Recognize what REALLY must be done and what can wait till later or be abandoned forever.
The prioritization would look something like this:
     a. paying bills MUST happen
     b. balancing the checkbook can wait a few days
     c. building my blogging business gets delayed till sometime in the future
2. Accept that some things may need to be done in a smaller way. My house needs cleaned BIG TIME! I absolutely cannot do it. No time. No energy. Not now. So, I picked just one thing I could do. I vacuumed the carpets. I needed some exercise and knew I would feel so much better after they were done. I was right. But I kept the promise I made with myself and stopped cleaning after that was done.
3. Enlist help. I have reserved this for the more important times when I cannot be in two places at once. At those times I will call my kids or my brother and sister-in-law.
What I really need is a maid or super-assistant. That isn’t going to happen (if it does, first thing she does is clean my house!) 

 
 
At the risk of sounding all salesy, I am sincere in saying that getting Amazon Prime has lightened my load. I order all sorts of supplies that normally I would go to the store to purchase.

For instance, I needed a couple of long sleeved shirts (our summer has been unusally cool) so I bought them through Amazon. There “how does it fit” feature was perfect. Each top is a keeper! Dog food? Amazon! They brought that big 24 bag right to the door in 2 days – FREE shipping! Office supplies? Of course! No traveling for toner again. Groceries? Yes, I have started buying food supplies through them, as well. Amazon Prime is not a maid but definitely like having a shopping assistant!

4. Conserve energy. Minimize the places you go and the things you do. Pick the most beneficial. Besides going to work and taking hubby to doctor appointments, I made going to a two hour family get together as one of my times out. I needed it!  We had such a good time. It was refreshing.
5. Think happy thoughts. Crisis situations can lead to negative talk. The problem is screaming for attention all of the time. We do need somebody to talk to but the tendency can be to repeat the situation over and over again.
A little bit of sharing can be therapeutic but dwelling on it – giving it constant attention – can lead to depression. I totally stopped going on my personal Facebook page and I’ve reduced how many people I share with. I’m believing for this man to be healed. I have to keep my thoughts positive. I stopped watching the news, too. Oh, I keep up-to-date on the basics but I do not feed on it anymore. I’d rather talk and think about good things and I feel much better for it.
Enjoy!

Note: this writer is an Amazon affiliate. What that means is that if you first click on an Amazon ad, link or use the Amazon search window on Ducks ‘n a Row and then buy something from Amazon, which is at NO extra cost to you, I will earn a small commission. Thank you so much! Do you know that I have some lovely friends who make a point of coming here to go to do all of their Amazon shopping? Wow!
Simplify your life by getting Amazon Prime - free 2-day shipping on a multitude of items!

Bored With Your Routine? Here Is Something New And Fun To Do!

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art, artwork, family fun
Do you ever get in a rut when it comes to planning family outings? We all do from time to time. We know what we like so we keep on doing the same thing over and over again …but that can grow old.
Then, also, families outgrow activities as their little ones grow up. Tastes change and it gets harder to find things to do together. That was why I was so excited to try Painting With a Twist.

MacKenzie is almost 12 years old and lots of the “little kid” dates are, well, for LITTLE KIDS! What can you do together that an almost-teen will enjoy? Thankfully, Kenzie loves art and when I asked if she’d like to go out with me for a painting class and lunch to follow? Wow! She was in! She was so happy and so was I.

art, artwork, family fun, party
Our day at Painting With A Twist was so much fun. When we arrived at our class and checked in, we were directed to help ourselves to an apron and pick the easels where we would sit. Had we been meeting a group of friends, they were ready to reserve several easels so that we could all sit together. Painting With A Twist looks out for your every need.

art, artwork, family fun
The particular class we signed up for was a daytime class which only had 6 students. Carly, our instructor,  started us out using chalk to draw our basic outline and then we began to paint. There were times that we needed to let the paint dry before we moved on so we took that opportunity to roam around and enjoy the “scenery” as we waited. (You know what they say about paint drying. Well, PWAT is smart. Hairdryers work wonders!)
Someday I would love to bring a group of friends to a class. PWAT can accommodate lots of people at the same time and this location even has more than one room.
family fun
The class is all about enjoying art and the experience, not becoming a professional artist. Interestingly enough, when you walk out with your finished product you kind of feel like a pro – and you want to go back again soon to do it again!

art, artwork, family fun, painting lessons, painting class

Our Painting With A Twist instructor, Carly, made us feel right at home. And, as I said, no prior art experience is needed. She walked us through it step by step. The theme picture for our class featured large colorful flowers. Here is what our finished products look like⇒

family fun, mother - daughter, painting class

Each guest is invited to create their masterpiece as they see fit. Some people will want to make theirs as close to the original as possible. Others will go off on their own imaginative tangents. That is what MacKenzie did. She has a style all her own. I took a road much closer to the example we were given.

Both of us had loads of fun and have our pictures displayed at home. I needed something bright and colorful on the wall in the kids’ bedroom so that is where mine hangs. I love the display of artwork at Painting With A Twist and I plan to go back for another class real soon so that I can start my own “gallery.”

home decor, artwork, decorating
art, artwork, family fun

Take a look at the beautiful gallery wall. There must be hundreds of sample pictures there to choose from. You can either enroll in a class for a specific painting that you will do (take a look at their website for your area for  the currently scheduled classes) or you can meet with them to select one for a group that you will be bringing in.

art, artwork, family fun

Painting With A Twist has daytime classes for all ages. In the evenings, there are adults-only classes so that those who wish to bring in their own adult-beverages for their special night may do so. (Check your local PWAT’s for exact beverage policies on their website.)

art, artwork, family fun, nature, painting class

There are so many kinds of parties you can plan for Painting With A Twist.  Here are the themes that I can think of:

          • Bachelorette Party
          • Birthday Parties
          • Bridal Party Get Together
          • Church Groups
          • Clubs or Associations
          • Date Night
          • Double-Date Night
          • Engagement Party
          • Evening Out With Your Friends
          • Family Reunion
          • Girl Scouts* (There are PWAT art badges to be earned!)
          • Girls Night Out
          • Graduation Party
          • Interior Decorating Party (Start your own gallery!)
          • Mother/Daughter (or mother/son, daddy/daughter, daddy/son)
          • Teacher Orientation Getting-To-Know-You Party
Did I miss anything? What kind of party would you have? 
 
The date-night plan can include painting a 2-part picture. You paint one half of the image and your date paints the other. Put them next to each other and you have one big work of art! Here are two that they had on display that I particularly liked but there are many, many you can choose from.
 
art, artwork, family fun
 
 



art, artwork, family fun, date night idea

Did you know that Painting With A Twist has over 345 locations across the USA? Look here to find the nearest location to you ⇒ Painting With A Twist

What FUN!!!⇒ One of the co-founders of Painting With A Twist was just on the UnderCover Boss TV show! The story with links is on the PWAT website including a photo of her in her disguise! 
 
 
Just a few more photos of our girls’ day out…
 
art, artwork, family fun
 
“Running out of things to do? Here is something really FUN!”
Click To Tweet
art, artwork, family fun, mother daughter day out
 
 
 
 
art, artwork, family fun
art, artwork, family fun, painting class
You are going to have such a great time at Painting With A Twist! Find a location near you and register for a class today⇒ PAINTING WITH A TWIST
Enjoy!

Welcome Our New Puppy

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Being a work-at-home mom has its advantages. You can do things that you could never do if you had a 9-5 job outside the home. You can take time off for school field trips whenever you want to, for instance. How about this ⇒ you can work in your pj’s! You also can take breaks to clean out a closet, load the dishwasher, do the laundry or walk the dog. None of those things can ever happen in a traditional work setting. And – ta da – you can also get a new PUPPY! 
newborn, pup, dog baby, Australian Cattledog, Boxer, Bulldog
Today that is just what we did. We got a puppy! Say “hello” to our new bundle of joy ⇒”Bailey!” She is an 8 week old mix: Australian Cattledog, Boxer and Bulldog.  Isn’t she pretty? Her story is kind of interesting.
My niece is pregnant with her 5th child.  She was finding raising a young dog – “OB” for Obi Wan Kanobi of Star Wars fame – and four young children a bit overwhelming. So she and her husband decided to adopt a second dog to keep OB company. Well, the little Australian Cattledog, Leia (yes Princess Leia!) was pregnant with pups, unbeknownst to them. It wasn’t till they could see the puppies moving in her tummy that they figured it out.   Dog pregnancies are just 8-9 weeks long and only a few short weeks later 8 bouncing baby boy and girl PUPPIES were born! 10 dogs and four kids in the house. My resilient niece and nephew had a lot on their hands.
puppy love, dog owner, new puppy
Now this is the part that I found fascinating. Apparently dogs can be impregnated by more than one male. Leia started out in a dog pound where they did not separate the dogs so, you guessed it, more than one doggy daddy!
It appears that there were 2 dads. My niece had the puppies’ DNA tested, as the prospective families wanted to know their new pet’s heritage. Three of the dogs are a mix of herding dogs and German Shepherd. You can see it. They are almost 5 pounds heavier and very fluffy. The other 5, of which Bailey is one, are Australian Cattledog, Boxer and Bulldog.  When I was a little girl I had three boxer dogs so hearing that made me very happy!  And, though she doesn’t have any Labrador Retriever in her, her mannerisms and face do remind me of our beloved labs. Can it get any better than that?
pets, dog training, house breaking dogs, boxer, cattledog, bulldog
You will think I am crazy but I swear that she asked to go out to go potty today. New home, only 8 weeks old and learning the ropes already?  Probably not but it sure seemed like it.
Thank goodness for dog crates. We have one near my in-home office (in the kitchen) and another upstairs in the bedroom where Sadie’s crate resides.

Sadie, our lovely green-eyed Yellow Lab,  only sleeps in it at night, which really is for our sake. She’d love to sleep in our bed with us – all 100 pounds of loveliness. She takes up so much space it gets hard to roll over and, if she slept on the floor I am concerned she’d change her location in the middle of the night and one of us could trip over her. Not a good idea. Good thing she loves her crate. I just bought her a super-sized one that is made for a Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog or Great Dane. She has lots more room to move around.

blogger, mom blogger, puppies
Though we have been in and out the door ALL day long, little Bailey is now curled up next to me on the couch while I write this post. Another perk of being a work-at-home-mom!
 
Are you a WAHM? You a dog mom? Loving it? 
Tell us a little about your life!
Enjoy!
 
Note: this author is an Amazon affiliate. That means that if you purchase something from Amazon through an ad or a link on Ducks ‘n a Row, at NO extra cost to you, I will earn a small commission. Thanks so much for shopping Amazon through me! … Sinea

Make An Adorable "Welcome Doggie" Busy Bag For A New Puppy

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NewPetNoStains #CollectiveBias
Love puppies? Think about when you first brought your little fur baby home. She was cuddly, licky, snuggly, squirmy and truly a baby.
pets, pet care, dog care, puppy care, pet owner

If you haven’t had a young pup in a while, memories may have faded into everything fun. We all loved it, didn’t we? But with her youth comes messes. She poops – she pees – she may even have an upset tummy once in a while and your new little love, who doesn’t know anything,  lets it all happen on your beautiful clean rug.

My little gal, Sadie [100lbs of yellow lab loveliness] was just the size of a big tea cup when we met her 4 years ago. Of all the silly things, this picture of her doing her business is the first one I took! Believe me, the lawn is not the only place where that happened – not by a longshot.
She is what inspired me to make this new-dog busy bag for my brother’s family. They are getting a new puppy and plan on naming him “Boomer” Cute! As we all know, when puppies don’t have enough to do, they find things to do. Sadie did! I remember the day she first discovered mud. She enjoyed every gooshy minute of it. As you can see by the picture below, she got on the carpet before I could catch her. Aren’t those muddy paws adorable? Of course, the carpet needed some TLC after I captured it on film.
puppy care, carpet cleaning, dog busy bag
Then there was the day she brought a TREE into the house (OK… part of a tree.) She needed to chew and took it upon herself to solve the problem – thankfully it was a tree and NOT the furniture!  With that experience in mind, I decided to make a busy bag for the new arrival including the most important part: STAINMASTER® Carpet Pet Stain Remover.
STAINMASTER® Carpet Pet Stain Remover is the best way to be prepared for the inevitable messes pets will make. Whether it is the occasional piddle or poop on the rug or muddy paws, Stainmaster cleans it up great. Not only does it do an excellent cleaning job, leaving an invisible protective shield protecting your carpet from resoiling, but it deodorizes beautifully, too.
Check it out after you use it. There will not be a trace of sticky residue where you applied it. None! I only wish I had had it when Sadie was little. I use it all the time now and, guess what? It also works great on other everyday kinds of stains like coffee, grape juice, jelly, ketchup, chocolate syrup, motor oil (YES!) and soil.
#NewPetNoStains
I found Stainmaster Carpet Pet Stain Remover in the cleaning aisle at the Target Store on Chili Avenue in Rochester NY. Not every Target has it. If yours doesn’t, it is so easy to just order it from Target online and have it delivered to at Target store right near you. Click here to order it online⇨ Stainmaster Carpet Stain Remover at Target
So, while I was there, I got the brilliant idea to buy one of the red Target recyclable bags to use for my new pet busy bag! Made it so easy:) Next, I went to the pet supplies section of Target and bought some dog toys including teethers and chew toys plus a few plush toys, as well. Along with the stain remover, this will make a great starter gift for their new arrival.
dogs, DIY, crafts, gift idea
How ever did Sadie figure out those were DOG toys, anyway? I thought  had been discreet. Oh well, I may have to give them to her and go buy some more for Boomer. LOL.
dogs, cats, pets, pet owners, puppies, kittens
yellow lab, labrador retrievers, puppies, pets, crafts

How to Make a New Dog Busy Bag

Contents of a New Dog Busy Bag
Plush dog toys
Tough rubber ball or bones
Doggie chew teethers
Rope toy

Supplies
Red Target Store Reusable Bag
Tacky glue
Variety of colors of felt squares
Template (2 copies)
Self adhesive felt alphabet letters
Large googly eyes (2)
Directions
Lay the felt letters on the bag for placement.
One by one, remove the backing and adhere the letters to the bag.
My letters were big so I only had room for “DOG.”puppy busy bag tutorial, how to make a dog busy bag
Print out a clipart picture of a dog*
*Do an internet search to find the dog you want to use! 
Make 2 copies so that you can keep one as a reference.
Cut apart the other copy for your pattern and lay the pieces out.free dog clipart
One at a time, hold them on a piece felt with one hand and cut around the shape.
Lay each piece down flat somewhere, after it is cut, to keep track of where every piece goes.
Starting at the bottom of the dog –  in this instance, the neck and collar – dab glue onto each part and place it on the bag.
Press gently.
Complete the process of creating the dog’s face.
Glue two big googly eyes on.

pets, dogs, puppies, DIY projects, gift ideas, busy bags, puppy

Let it sit for a few hours to be sure that the glue holds.
*You may want to check to be sure that the glue did not go through to the inside. I did not find that to be the case with mine but if it had happened, I would have put something inside to let the air flow while it dried.

Fill you bag with doggie goodies and a bottle of Stainmaster Carpet Pet Stain Remover.
Now you are ready to go!

Do you know someone who has a new puppy? It’s the perfect time to introduce them to Stainmaster Carpet Pet Stain Cleaner – they will be so grateful!


SAVE 25% thru March 4, 2017!

Enjoy!

Get The Best Family Data Plan Plus One Free Movie Every Month

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #DataAndAMovie #CollectiveBias 
Walmart Family Mobile PLUS plan with free movie from VuDu!

This summer just got a whole lot happier for me. You see, I finally have a REAL cell phone of my very own PLUS I get a free movie to watch with my family from VUDU every month. “You mean you have NEVER had a cell phone?”  Yes, that is exactly what I mean.

I am very frugal, you see, and paying astronomical phone bills was not on the radar.  I had a prepaid phone that was super-expensive to use per minute so I kept it loaded with just enough money to use in case of emergency. No texting. No leisurely phone conversations. No surfing the net. Nothing. I seldom gave my cell number to anyone lest I use up those valuable minutes. That is why the phone was switched to “off” most of the time.

But now, thanks to Walmart’s Family Mobile PLUS plan, I have a REAL cell phone and I love it! The price was a dream come true and I even get a FREE movie every month with VUDU that we can watch on our TV as a family — and do I have some family movie nights planned!

Walmart Family Mobile PLUS Plan including a free movie per month from VuDu

We are going to watch my 5 all time favorite family movies – one a month, all for free. I picked the ones we enjoyed years ago which will be new to the younger members of the family and every one of them is available on VUDU, which we can access using our BluRay player.

Here’s my Family Movie Favorites List:

  • Second Hand Lions – such a sweet movie filled with nostalgia, adventure and, of course, a lion! If you haven’t seen this gem, put it on your “to-do” list 🙂
  • George of the Jungle – I enjoyed this as a cartoon when I was a kid. When they made it into a movie, I couldn’t imagine how that would work but it sure did. The kids are going to love this.
  • Night At the Museum – we all have seen this movie a zillion times but it never grows old. Wouldn’t you like to work in a museum that comes to life at night? I would!
  • Enchanted – all the little princesses in our family love this movie. The little princes do, too. Some light hearted humor, a pinch of romance and a dash of scariness ala “wicked queen turns to fire breathing dragon.” It remains one of my alltime faves.
  • Flight of the Navigator – this is an “oldie but a goodie!” The setting takes place around the 4th of July so we will make it our July free pick but you can watch this one any time of year and be delighted. I took our son to see it when he was 6 years old and we actually went back to see it again the same week, that is how good it is. Perfect for audiences of all ages!

 

Walmart
Where to find it: this display is in the Electronics / Entertainment department at Walmart. In my store, it was directly in the back as you first walk into the store.
Now then, let me tell you about the Walmart Family Mobile PLUS plan! I got to choose from several kinds of phones. I picked the Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime. It is normally $149.99 but because it was on rollback, it knocked it down to $129.99. I picked this particular phone for the larger screen. Hey, another “finally” – I will FINALLY be able to use Instagram. You need a smart phone to set up an Instagram account and THIS is a very smart phone! I splurged a little bit and bought myself a purple case too…pretty! (The case doesn’t come with it but I just really wanted one!)

 

More about what you get with this plan: it provides you with UNLIMITED talk, text, data 10GB 4G LTE plus a FREE movie every month (rental, new release=value $7) per line for $49.88. Now, here is another deal to make you happy. You must purchase a starter kit. It usually costs $25 but it is also on sale for $19.88 for this offer. And, guess what? Since Family Mobile bills you later, you ONLY have to pay $19.88 when you go to Walmart to sign up.

Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to http://cbi.as/3edbv or your local Walmart for current pricing.


great deals on cell phones
My husband is laughing at me as he shows me how to use it. Oh, it is simple to use but remember that this is my very FIRST real cell phone.

In fact, Olga the lady who set it up for me in Walmart’s Electronics / Entertainment Dept. was so tickled that this was my first phone that she told all her co-workers “Hey everybody, this is her very FIRST cellphone!” They all answered with a sweet little “Aww!” 

But I am learning fast. Soon I will be able to call, text and surf like a champ, right along with the best of you! LOL

Can you tell that I am just a little bit excited?

dog, puppies, labrador retrievers
As a pro blogger, I love moving my home “office” around. I work in every room of the house and outdoors, too. See my yellow lab, Sadie? She got to have her breakfast on the deck this morning while I set up shop at the table – me and my new cell phone!
WAHM, blogging, blogger, Walmart Family Mobile Plus plan, ad

We “worked” together outside for hours – I sipped my coffee, she got some dog biscuits, and I had my NEW cell phone and laptop with me. Sunny and 75°. Does it get any better than that?

best cell phone plans
So, whether you have had a lot of cell phones in your time or are getting someone their very first, go over to Walmart and check out the Family Mobile PLUS plan with extra data and free VUDU movies deal for yourself. I think you will really happy, like me!


Enjoy!
           
 
 

Organizing Tip: The Morning Routine

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The start of a great day! First, invite God into your day. Spend some time talking and listening to Him. Read some of His Word and get energized. Keep your eyes open for His wonders, as He fills up your day with good things!
Proverbs 3: 5, 6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He 
Now, start your morning routine:
  • Showered and hair done?
  • Make up on?
  • Dress for whatever is appropriate. If you’re staying home, complete the attire with shoes that tie.*

     *slip on shoes “slip-off” all too easily…stay in “work mode” with tie-ons.

2. Enjoy a healthy breakfast and, to stay organized, make a quick plan.
  • Use a checklist.
  • Write it down.
3. What has to get done today?
  •  Keep the “must do” part of your list short.
4. What else would you like to accomplish today?
  • Add it to the list. What doesn’t get done today can move to tomorrow’s.
Now, get started. Do not delay. Take short breaks during your day to rest and reassess: are you on the right track? If you got sidetracked, regroup and get going again. And, don’t forget to take some time for YOU!  At day’s end, celebrate your accomplishments. Tomorrow will be another day.
Now, enjoy getting those little “ducks” in a row…
Sinea