Random Tid Bits

1. For a few weeks now I've been battling it out with computer problems. I think I have it fixed, nope, think again. It keeps fanning up like crazy when I'm on the internet! Under Activity Monitor it kept saying that my Mac was using over 100% CPU for Google Chrome Helper. I removed some things off that looks suspicious, it still fanned up once again! I read up on computer issues with Macs. I've had this one for quite some time. It's been virus free up until this point. I read up, and watched videos on how to fix my Mac. Finally a coworker convinced me to download Malwarebytes. I was incredibly nervous to download anything when something from the internet was clearly my issue. Like what if I downloaded a fake version of Malwarebytes, and then it would be worse off than it already was? That was my thinking. Malwarebytes detected 15 problems, and removed them! After that it continued to fan up. I did a system update, backed up my stuff again. 




Now my boss can't see my back up on other macs. The battery life says, "Condition Replace Soon". That isn't good. So I need a new battery.


2. Isaak starts a camp next week! It's an upcycled | Invention camp. I think he'll love it!


3. Our family is into watching a show called Under the Dome.  It's based off a Stephen King novel, and directed by Spielberg. It's not scary, just odd. Have you seen it? It's on Amazon Prime.








4. Do you have sisters, brothers, or are/were you a single child? I have sisters, and there seems to be drama at many turns. I wouldn't say I'm a dramatic person, but I am like Isaak where I want things to be right. I don't like to leave people out, make people feel bad and so on. 


5. Do you have any big plans for the weekend? I think Isaak and I need to work on a craft. The boy will go to decorate cupcakes at a library, and Mica started volunteering for a few hours on Sunday at the library. 

3 Important Tips for Moms Who Run Businesses

The barriers to becoming an entrepreneur have lowered considerably over the last couple of decades. As a result, many more people, including mothers, are choosing to start their own businesses. This is always a challenging undertaking, but here are 3 ways of relieving some of the pressure.

Make Time for Yourself 

It is absolutely essential for any entrepreneur to make time for themselves as well as their business interests. When that entrepreneur also happens to be a mom, there are even more pressures in their day to day lives. If you don’t make the necessary time for yourself and your personal pursuits, the stress of either parenting or your business alone can easily get too much.

You should try and make time for yourself every day; if it is possible to work some personal time into your personal schedule then do so. But if this isn’t possible, you should look to setting aside a day each week, or even half a day if that’s all you can manage, to spend on yourself.

You Can Say No

Many moms spend a good deal of their time saying no to their children’s many requests and demands. After all, left to their own devices, most children would run amok! It is hardly surprising that after a day spent saying no to their own children, many moms simply don’t have the energy to say no to all the adults pressuring them at work.

However, it is imperative that you don’t lose your nerve. As hard as it might be to say no when you’re already feeling tired and worn down, relenting at the wrong moment could prove disastrous, even fatal, for your business.

Outsource Where You Need to

It is understandable for entrepreneurs to want to control as many aspects of their business as possible. However, sometimes it is a far wiser use of your business’s resources to hire an outside agency to undertake either individual tasks, or even the work of entire departments. The design of your business’s website is a task that is commonly outsourced to a professional agency, it isn’t something you can afford to get wrong in the long run.

Similarly, more specialized creative tasks, such as writing, are regularly outsourced. Product reviews are a good example. These can make a significant impact on your overall sales figures, but you need people who can write them in a compelling way, suitable for the site they’re to be placed on.

It is often a good idea to outsource your marketing strategy in general to a specialist agency as it isn’t nearly as easy to manage as many new business owners assume. An experienced marketing agency will know the most appropriate and effective techniques to use in promoting your business. In particular, they will be able to identify the less obvious marketing opportunities, such as having your product mentioned in an article on a website like Savantmag.com.

Running a business is never going to be easy. For moms who also have a family to take care of, the burdens are even greater than usual. The most important thing is to make sure that your entrepreneurial life doesn’t completely take over your family life. With these tips in mind, you stand a much better chance of success.

WW: Motion Screen {Linky}

We had fun at KANEKO in Omaha, Nebraska.

The boys loved their motion screens!

What kind of dance move would you do in front of the motion screen?

Faux Leather Coat Review

It’s so hot, but Isaak wouldn’t take off his faux leather coat. I do have to say that he looks pretty stylish.

Sizes:

• 3T-4T
• 5-6
• 7-8
• 9-10
• 11-12
• 13-14

Both Mica and Isaak are super tall - in the 97%! Isaak's 10, but I got him a 13-14. It fits great! It will fit all of fall, and hopefully all of winter.

Front:

• The front has 2 pockets for gloves, hands tissues, or whatever else one would put in there. 

• Towards the top are 2 faux pockets. 

• The sleeves have elastic, which is great for putting over gloves when it's cold. 

• There's elastic on the bottom sides. 

• There's a metal zipper, which I love. Plastic ones seem so dinky! Everything is plastic now a days.

• There's a snap on the top of the coat.

Back:

• Towards the top are 2 faux pockets.

Colors:

• Black
• Brown
• Camouflage 

Isaak would have picked black, but they were out his size. He said, "I like that color too Mom. It goes with my football!" Neither of us cared for the camouflage.

Cost:

$19.99 to $25.49 - Prices range due to color, and size.

You can get it on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0744DWT2H?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title&th=1

Isaak thought it was for sure leather, but it says it's faux leather. If he thinks it's real leather that's great!

What color would you have picked?

Disclaimer: I got this product for a discounted price in exchange for an honest review.

Disney’s Newsies is Showing @RoseTheaterCo - Review

We loved Disney’s Newsies at The Rose Theater last night! 

It was such a great show for all of us! So far we've liked Disney's Newsies, The Christmas Story, Disney's Tarzan and Seedfolks the best! It could be because I have older kids, and boys.

The Rose is a Children's Theater, so they have things for all kid ranges, which is great. This show was best for ages 6 and up. It's 2 hours with one intermission. They serve cookies during intermission.

About Disney's Newsies:

The story is based on the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic and rebellious newsboy who dreams of a life as an artist away from the big city. Andrew Wright, a student at Weslyan University, will make his Rose debut in the role. Jack shares his dream of leaving New York one day with his best friend and fellow newsie, Crutchie, played by Jake Parker. They are joined by newsie newcomer Davey and his little brother, Les. Marcel Daly, who was last seen on The Rose stage as Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid, will play Davey with Winston Schneider (formerly seen in Prancer and Peter Pan) playing Les.

The story had passion, a moral message, and charm. It was about the underdog getting the credit they deserved.

Show Times:

June 1-17

Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm, Sundays at 2 pm

Where: The Rose Theater 2001 Farnam Street Omaha, Nebraska on the Main Stage

Price: $27 for the Main Stage, $22 for the Balcony | Discounted Tickets are Sold at HyVee

Call for Reservations: 402 345 4849 for Tickets

I don't know part of me thinks it should run longer. Again we liked the show! They put in a lot of work!

Cast:

Part of what I loved is that the cast is mostly boys. That is not something you see often. It was great seeing that some girls played guys too. That gave more vocal range.

Cast Jack Kelly - Andrew Wright
Katherine Plumber - Torisa Walker
Crutchie - Jake Parker
Davey - Marcel Daly
Romeo/Dance Captain - Fran Adrianto
Joseph Pulitzer - Patrick Wolfe
Medda Larkin/Nun - Zhomontee Watson
Bowery Beauty/Nun/Newsie - Samantha Zarders
Hannah/Bowery Beauty/Nun - Rachel Busse
Teddy Roosevelt/Newsie - Jonathan Algeroy
Seitz/Bunsen/Snyder/Wiesel/Jacobi - Manny Oñate
Nunzio/Stage Manager/Mayor/Darcy - Jordan Smith
Henry/Finch/Spot Conlon - Garrett Griffin
Oscar Delancey/Newsie - Ben Adams*
Morris Delancey/Newsie - Wayne Hudson*
Race - Cody Drap*
Les - Winston Schneider*
Albert - Liam Brenzel
Specs/Bill - Payton Johnson*
Elmer - Dina Saltzman*
Mush - Camryn Jordan*
Tommy Boy - Natalie Hanson*
Jo Jo - Nora Coffey*

Brooklyn Newsies Olivia Bryant*, Drew Cota*, Cooper Nielson*, Austin Lempke*, Danny Denenberg, Jayven Brandt, Sophie Williams*

Disney's Songs:

ACT ONE

Santa Fe (Prologue) - Jack, Crutchie

Carrying the Banner - Jack, Newsies, Nuns

The Bottom Line - Pulitzer, Seitz, Bunsen, Hannah

Carrying the Banner (Reprise) - Newsies

That’s Rich - Medda

I Never Planned on You/Don’t Come a-Knocking - Jack, Bowery Beauties

The World Will Know - Jack, Davey, Les, Crutchie, Newsies

The World Will Know (Reprise) - Jack, Davey, Les, Newsies

Watch What Happens - Katherine

Seize the Day - Davey, Jack, Les, Newsies

Santa Fe - Jack

ACT TWO

King of New York - Davey, Katherine, Les, Newsies

Letter from The Refuge - Crutchie

Watch What Happens (Reprise) - Davey, Jack, Katherine, Les

The Bottom Line (Reprise) - Pulitzer, Seitz, Bunsen

Brooklyn’s Here - Spot, Newsies

Something to Believe In - Katherine, Jack

Seize the Day (Reprise) - Newsies

Once and for All - Jack, Davey, Katherine, Newsies

Seize the Day (Reprise 2) - Newsies

Finale Ultimo - Company

Top Voice: Torisa Walker! The main girl in the photo above.

Most Fun to Watch: Fran Adrianto! He was the one in the front of the photo below. He really got into his moves and singing.

Artistic & Production Credits:

Director - Jerry Jay Cranford
Assistant Director - Geran Ramet
Music Director - Jerry Brabec
Choreographer - Sue Gillespie Booton
Costume Designer - Sherri Geerdes
Scenic Designer - Tim McMath
Projection Designer - Brittany Merenda
Lighting & Sound Designer - Craig S. Moxon
Hair & Makeup Designer - Erin Bragg
Production Stage Manager - Lisa Krabbenhoft
Production Director - Erin M. Solemsaas
Technical Director - Greg Rishoi
Props Mistress - Devon Denn-Young
Scenic Charge - Lauren Crabtree
Master Carpenter - Jackson Curtright
Lighting Apprentice - Matthew Benes
Scenic Apprentice - Saylor Novonglosky
Production Apprentice - Christy Hernandez
Assistant Stage Managers - Meghan Boucher, Molly Fryda
Run Crew - Zach Acherman, Jesse Groff, Donavon Perrone
Spot Op - Avi Littky, Amanda Harris
Stitchers - Sherri Geerdes, Erin Bragg, Audio Helkiuk, Jill Maenner

Orchestra:

Keyboards - Jerry Brabec, Mitch Fuller
Trumpet - Marcus Nunez
Trombone - Paul Niedbalski
Reed - Michael Prucha
Drums - Jeff Kolega
Percussion - Michael Pollock
Guitar - Jason Koch
Violin - Mary Amador
Cello - Christina Allred
Bass - Tom Miller

Certainly a great musical! 

The Rose Theater is a nonprofit organization. Their sponsors include: Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Mutual of Omaha, Whitmore Charitable Trust, Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and many private donors.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free from The Rose Theater. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

BeLive Apple Cider Vinegar Pills Review

I love Apple Cider Vinegar!

I was drinking a spoon full a day in water. In my mind I said it tasted like lemonade.

That was before I found out how bad it is on the enamel of my teeth. Isaak did a test on what would break down crushed egg shells the fastest. Egg shells are similar to the enamel of your teeth. Apple Cider Vinegar won. It broke down the egg shells faster than Coke did!

Choices:

I could still drink it by using a metal straw, or I could take it in pill form.

I'll probably do both.

BeLive Apple Cider Vinegar Pills

Can be purchased on Amazon Prime for $10.99: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BPFP8MZ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Why Apple Cider?

• It is a detox for your system
• It helps with high cholesterol - which I get from both sides of the family
• It helps with allergies and asthma! 

Why Apple Cider Help With Allergies and Asthma?

Resource LiveStrong.com

People with allergies and asthma need more acid in our systems. I'm likely to also have GERD. It makes sense. I had stomach problems off and on my whole life. It was really bad when I was little. The acidity in apple cider vinegar helps hydrochloric acid, or stomach acid, do its job which may be why apple cider vinegar relieves acid reflux, and hence asthma.

It's kind of the opposite of what you'd think. You need acid to treat an acid problem. The same opposite thing goes for wet days; if I get a dry smoker sounding cough, a humidifier tends to break up the cough.

Step 1 Buy BeLive Apple Cider Vinegar Pills to take during or before asthma issues. You can purchase a bottle of natural or organic apple cider vinegar with the “mother,” which is sediment that looks like a cloudy brown mass floating around inside the bottle. You may have to go to a Trader Joes, Whole Foods, or Natural Grocers to find it. Many brands of apple cider vinegar sold at the grocery store are refined or flavored vinegars that are dark but clear when you hold them up to the light.

Step 2 Shake the bottle to distribute the mother throughout the bottle. This is what contains most of the healing properties, so you want to make sure that you consume some.

Step 3 Pour one tablespoonful of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and stir it well, or I put a cap on my drink and shake it every so often. Drink it in sips spread out over about half an hour.

Step 4 Repeat the treatment after another hour if wheezing has still not gone away.

Step 5 If you still don’t get relief, soak a cotton pad in shook up apple cider vinegar, and apply pressure as you hold it against the insides of your wrists. Some asthma sufferers say it can help. 

Step 6 Store your apple cider vinegar in a dark, cool place, or in the fridge.

Understand that while it seems that ingesting vinegar would have nothing to do with the ability to breathe, apple cider vinegar is also a common folk remedy for acid reflux, a symptom of GERD, which is closely related to asthma in many cases.

Acid in the esophagus triggers a reflex, which causes the airways to shrink. Other symptoms of GERD include asthma-like hoarseness and chronic cough (both I get).

According to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, a nonprofit academic medical center integrating research and education with clinical and hospital care, “it is estimated that more than 75 percent of patients with asthma also experience gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). People with asthma are twice as likely to have GERD as those people who do not have asthma. Of those people with asthma, those who have a severe, chronic form that is resistant to treatment are most likely to also have GERD.” The acidity in apple cider vinegar helps hydrochloric acid, or stomach acid, do its job which may be why apple cider vinegar relieves acid reflux, and hence asthma.

Coffee is great to drink during an asthma attack as well. It's a stimulant, so it opens up the airway. Don't add milk, or sugar that are known to create mucus. Unsweetened almond or a spoon full of local honey can be added if you don't like your coffee plain.

Why Pills?

• I've already covered that they don't mess up the enamel on your teeth.
• They are easy to take!
• They help with weight loss.
• They are organic.
• They are vegetarian. This doesn't so much matter to me, but it's important to others!
• They are made in the USA.
• They are FDA approved.

Fill it Up and Charge Me More

This goes out to all companies that package ANYTHING. Fill up the bottles and bags, and charge me more.

Leave it the same price, and package it in a smaller bottle!

Look at all That Waisted Room!

Do you think you could benefit from taking these pills?

Disclaimer: I got this product for a discounted price in exchange for an honest review. I only agree to review things my family, or readers will like, or use. All opinions are my own.

AncordWorks Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker Review

An AncordWorks Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker is a great Father’s Day gift idea, or even a gift for a tween or teen that’s super into music. I know Mica loves his speaker! 

Where to Get it:

Get it on Amazon Prime https://www.amazon.com/AncordWorks-Waterproof-Bluetooth-Resistance-Portable/dp/B07CH9FRYS rel="nofollow" for $25.99

Color:

It only comes in orange. I like orange, but it would be nice if it did come in a handful of colors for people to choose from.

Other Colors I'd Like to See This Come In:

Blue, Red, Army Green, and Black. What color would you like to see it come in?

Waterproof:

All the buttons are coated in a hard rubber. They have a picture where it's being splashed in a puddle of water. I wouldn't dip it in a pool, but you can have it in the bathroom, while you're taking a shower, on the side of the pool where drops of water are being splashed up on it, and outside under a covered patio.

I just think the speaker its self will last longer if it's not being submerged in water.

Bluetooth:

It is bluetooth. It took Mica 2 minutes to figure it out. His phone synced up to it fast! It does come with cords if you have an older device.

I typically get speakers to hold on to for future presents. Kids that are Mica and Isaak's ages have smart phones, and get into music, or Mine Craft videos. Getting them a speaker to pair up with their phone is a great gift.

Disclaimer: I got this product for a discounted price in exchange for an honest review. I only agree to review things my family, or readers will like, or use. All opinions are my own.

Conniption Fit

See these cute little Apel's:

Don't let them fool you! Turn that Apel into another word. I think you can figure out what that word is. 

I wish Bill Cosby and all the others I liked that turned to the dark side weren't such punks. Cosby had a skit about kids eating chocolate cake for breakfast, and the Mom having a conniption fit. It would be so fitting to post with this. 

The two Apel's have been at home. I made them lots of food, and mentioned lots to do, and left them very little tasks to do.

Day 1: Mica washed and dried the sheets, but forgot to switch the last load over. Then he brought up Isaak's comforter partly wet. 

Isaak decided it was a great idea to eat lunch at 10 something. Why? Because he was hungry. Never mind that there are snacks in the house. I left them a 9x12 pan full of Pizza Burgers. They ate 3 each, and barely touched the bag of veggies I left.

Day 2: I got home, was finishing up an app. Isaak was extra bouncy, needed attention. I was getting annoyed big time. 

Then I asked what they did all day? Isaak said Mica was in his room most of the day reading, playing with Legos, and listening to music. 

That's when I snapped. I got on Mica big time. Mica can be alone all the time, and be ok with that. Isaak on the other hand needs interaction! There was a time when Isaak was in Kindergarten where he didn't get time with us because Travis was sick, and I was decorating cookies with my Mom and sisters. He was a green dot kid that turned to yellow and red. He stepped on a kid's scissors and wouldn't take his foot up. Well Isaak was in one of those needy bitter moods yesterday.

I said, "Mica your job as a babysitter is to make sure the house doesn't blow up, make sure everyone gets fed when it's time to eat, and to entertain who you are watching. Cleaning up is a perk. I can overlook some of the mess." 

He said, "Mom I'm not babysitting." 

I said, "Watching anyone younger than you is considered babysitting. Get out of your Mica world, and see how your brother feels." 

By this time Isaak was in his room crying. 

Two different personalities  + a mom that had a conniption.

Travis was going to take them to work but I said, "No let's see how they did after we got after them." 

Today at the end of the day they are to write how their day went privately. We'll see how they did.

Random Tid Bits

1. My work computer kept having the fan go off yesterday. I would shut it down, threw a bunch of stuff away, wouldn't have programs open, and it would still fan up. My co-worker helped me to figure out that I had a virus. Google was taking up 100% of my CPU. It took a bit, but is fixed now. I'm so glad I've procrastinated with transferring this computer to my new computer. 


2. Blogger has changed a bunch of stuff. I no longer get your comments in an email to approve, so I just assumed no one loved this blog enough to comment. I was wrong. They were tucked away, waiting for my approval. 


3. I've read this over and over again, and it makes no sense to me. What do I need to do? Where's this message (Blogger People) that they are talking about? I haven't removed any message, but I don't want to get red flagged to never be able to get on here again. Anyone know?





4. I still in job land limbo. Two different companies wanted me. They are so far away in opposite directions. Both would do different things. Both interviews went great, they paid well, and I'd get benefits.
   
   One place had me in twice. That place told me that they may need someone in earlier; before classes got over. He wanted me to message him anyhow. Even if he didn't have me working there, he wanted me to freelance write for him. I emailed him, and nothing. I'd call, but I don't know that I want the full time job. Distance, chemicals, and a company dog is what's pushing me away. They work on school folders, pens, and other school things. I'd have to deal with a lot of customers, and not so much with actual designing.
   
   The other job is a Marketing Coordinator at a doctor's office. Basically I'd set up events, parties, and mingle with drunk doctors. Ha! It's just something she brought up. She seemed like she wanted me. Then she wouldn't return my emails. I found out they are looking for 3 top people for the job. When I applied, I was the only one. Again it's far away, it's a lot of tasks that would be new.
   
   I've kept looking. Part of me thought well maybe I'll get my Teacher's Certificate to teach high school art. Even those jobs are few and far between. Another part of me was thinking, forget it all I'll make over $50,000 and be a postman. It was tempting! I'd have to pay $50 for an exam book, which is odd. Could you imagine driving in the ice and snow though? If I was making good money, had good benefits I could just work on art at home - off the clock and be satisfied. Travis thinks I'm nuts! Another part of me likes what I do here, and just thinks I'll stay yet another year. Do you think I'm a flake for being all over the place?


5. So I've been filling out applications, trying to get Facebook Blueprint Certified, dealing with a computer virus, updating my website like crazy and more. What are you up too?

Carving Doesn't Have to Start With Wood

My Next Craft Post is up on ParentSavvy! 

If you want to see a different version of this post visit parentsavvy.com

Isaak loves carving. I actually found this out from my Dad. He had a project he spent hours on at their house.

I decided that our next craft would be carving related. I've seen that you can cut any hard rooted vegetable into half, then carve into it. We decided to give it a try.

Any potato, radish, or rutabaga will work!

You say, "Potato".

I say, "Sweet Potato".

The boys hate sweet potatoes. Say what? I love them. Isaak dislikes them so much so, that he didn't want to carve into one. I said, "You're not eating it. If you hate it so much I'd think you'd want to carve into it. Then you don't have to eat it." He said, "Ok then!" Ha!

Parent: Cut really straight! It's going to be a stamp. If the kid starts carving, messes up, you can just cut off the area they were carving straight again. They can just start over.

Have some wood carving tools handy!

Cutting into a vegetable is softer than other things like linoleum or wood. There is less give. Even though it's easier to carve into, it's a little more slippery. It's best to have a simple design. Isaak started out with a really complex design that we had to cut off because it just wasn't working.

He ended up with a triangle on one side, and a heart on the other.

It's a good idea to mix your paint. We went with a red because of the heart. Paint it on the stamp flat with a brush, foam brush, or foam roller. Don't over do the paint!  

Have your paper flat, and ready to stamp on. You can use colored paper to stamp on to get different results.

Heart Stamp

Good to remember this one for homemade Valentines if you get into doing that. I could also see using a stamp to make your own wrapping paper.

Triangle Stamp

With the triangle one I said to Isaak, "You should make the triangles into different things." He used colored pencils to add to the stamp.

He made a pizza:

He made an ice cream cone:

He made a tipi:

We didn't keep Isaak's stamps, but if you'd like to you can store them in the refrigerator for short term use, or freezer for long term use.

Have you ever make a carving of any kind? What would you carve into a rooted vegetable? I think I'd go with chevron stripes.