Web Hosting Geeks

When you get into blogging as much as I do, I think it is important to have your own domain, because you have a little more control over all your settings and how you present your blog.  When my blog sort of blew up, I went into panic mode because I wasn’t sure if I could get my information back.   Thankfully since I had my own host they were able to run a recovery and get most of my data back.  Good web hosting
is the key.

When I first got started in blogging I didn’t know too much about getting your own domain.  I mostly had my husband setting it all up for me. I am one of those people that want to make the job easy as possible especially when you are a mom of twins. I know that my husband is always switching our domains in search of a better deal. At Web Hosting Geeks they offer reviews of the top providers for your own domain. I like this because it has all the information in one place, so you aren’t out scouring a half a dozen places to find the right one. They also have a customer review page which is always helpful when you can hear others opinions. I love lists that rank things anyway because it is an organized and precise way of presenting valuable information.  For me, this makes the task less arduous. If you are looking for a new web host you should definitely visit the Web Hosting Geeks site for all your web hosting needs.  Having your own web host makes a big difference.

NearbyNow Saves You Legwork and Hassle

I know that you have had those moments in the store where you come across that great pair of shoes or the perfect shirt and it just happens to be in the wrong size or color.  It never fails for me, when I go shoe shopping that the store never has my size in stock.  I usually do one of two things, ask the sales person if there is another store I can go to, or I am inevitably standing there waiting behind 50 people just to ask if they have something.  I have spent many shopping endeavors looking for something that I can’t find and by the end of it all I am without what I was looking for and too tired to want it.

There has to be a better way and there is with NearbyNow.  Basically this is what I have needed all along, and I don’t have to leave my house to go on a wild goose chase.  NearbyNow will tell you which retailers have this item near you, place a hold on a specific product you’re curious about  – and even find out which items are on sale.  NearbyNow saves you time you’d normally spending searching multiple sites for a specific item; then it saves you money by locating the items you want, and indicating where they are on sale. In addition, you’ll receive directions to the local stores where these items are currently available (and the name of a helpful clerk), as well as the opportunity to feel and even try on the items before purchasing.  I love being able to sit here in the comfort of my home, find out if the stores even have what I need, and it saves a whole lot of potential hassles.

This is such an awesome resource if you are trying to find what you need and it saves so much time.  Plus when you have two little ones like I do, if I can get in and get out it makes my life much easier!  With NearbyNow, I can just enter my info in, do a search and get what I need.  Now I don’t have to leave the stores empty handed and with a big headache!

Disney’s Baby Einstein: World Music DVD Review

Both of my boys are music lovers.  They love to pound on their drum sets, grab their play guitars and love to dance and sing to the music on their favorite shows.  I loved music so much as a child and I want my boys to have the same appreciation for music that both me and my husband have.  There are all sorts of music styles all over the world and especially here in the United States since we are considered a melting pot.  Music is a great way to teach children about this diversity and to teach them a love of other cultures.

The Baby Einstein World Music DVD, which comes out March 31, 2009, encourages live interaction and introduces children to the world’s distinctive sights and sounds with fun-loving puppet host Jane the Monkey and her toy drum as she travels across the globe to play music with her puppet friends. It features real-world images of global musical instruments, regional toys and animals, and takes an extraordinary look at the universal language of music, encouraging viewers to join in the fun by blowing on a flute, strumming on a harp and singing along to songs from all seven continents. And for a more customized experience for each family’s stage and needs, the World Music DVD provides two settings- Grow with Me and Select-a-Segment. The “grow with me” setting offers a second viewing mode containing spoken words and additional content that grows with babies, while “select-a-segment” gives parents the choice of viewing shorter segments, such as five or ten minutes, as opposed to longer programming.  This is just right for my boys as they tend to watch for short periods of time and then come back to something.
We received a copy of the Baby Einstein World Music DVD big thanks to Mom Central for this opportunity and the boys simple loved watching it.  The music is very fun and has a very lively tempo which just drew my two to the television.  Both of them went to get their drums and guitar and played along.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching the DVD just as much as I enjoyed seeing their little faces light up.  This is such a great DVD and you can introduce a whole new world of music to your children while incorporating cultural differences.  So cool!  Available from www.babyeinstein.com starting March 31, 2009!

Easter Is On It’s Way

Today was a beautiful day and the weather was so incredibly nice. While I was out putting a new screen in our sliding door ( yes folks I am a handy woman)  because I got so sick of my screen flapping in the wind that I decided to do something about it and it dawned on me that Easter isn’t too far away (thinking about two things at once).

Last year the boys were semi into the whole Easter thing but had not completely grasped the concept. We took them to our church Easter egg hunt which they divided into ages, and the boys got a few eggs and were happy. This year they definitely seem to get the concept. I can hardly wait to go to the local egg hunts because I know they are going to love it!

So I got to thinking about what to do for their Easter baskets this year. I am not a huge fan of overloading them with candy and I like to sort of cater to their interests when I am putting together their baskets. I thought I would give some ideas that they seemed to love last year, and I may go the same route this year.

1. Sidewalk Chalk: This is especially exciting for toddlers because they get a big kick out of drawing on the driveway and sidewalk. With the warmer weather this is a perfect family activity and it gets you outside.

2. Magna Doodles: Last year I found the cutest little travel Magna Doodles that were shaped like and Easter egg, the boys still play with these and they are perfect for car travel as well.

3. Hot Wheels: My two love these things! We have a whole bucket devoted to hot wheels and they are always playing with them.

4 Stickers: I found these little activity books, but you can but a small blank notebook and draw pictures to put their stickers in a scene or just let them stick away on blank paper.

5. Stamps: I like the washable inks that are non toxic and kid friendly. You would be surprised how much kids love these. My two love to get their hand stamped and the washable stuff comes off in the bath or comes off your walls easily.

6. Bubbles: Kids always love bubbles and again are a perfect thing to entertain them outdoors.

7. Outdoor toys: A frisbee they can try and toss around i perfect, or a jump rope. I found this neat little ball that has a parachute inside, and when you throw it up the parachute opens. The boys love this thing.

8. Plastic Eggs: I will buy some candy but then get fun kinds of eggs to put it in. My two loves all the different eggs, like soccer ball, and character eggs more than the candy that was inside them.

9. Bath toys: Any small bath toys are sure to make them happy and my two love their bath time

10. Crayons: I buy the bug chunky crayons that are easy for them to grasp.

11. Small little books: I found a few of these that are tiny but perfect for little hands

12. Spinners with lights: I found a couple of fun Easter ones and they are sure to entertain.

13. Playdoh

14. Little figurines:  Fisher Price has some cute ones and I just found the Little Einsteins (gonna be a huge hit!)

These are some ideas to get you started, and there is so much more you can do without overloading your kids with sugar. I like things that are more useful and encourage them to play and use their imagination. I always have some goodies in there for them, but they really like getting things they can actually play with. Leave me some of your creative Easter basket ideas!

Wordless Wednesday

Smiling Eyes

Sick Again

Today was a beautiful day but all of us are sick. It never seems to fail that when the weather changes we all get sick. I am hoping to get some much needed sleep tonight so I can actually function in the morning. When the boys are sick it seems like I am waking anywhere from 6-7 times in the night. My poor little bubs can’t seem to get comfy and when you can’t breathe through your nose, it just makes matters worse. The boys were a little crankier than usual but they still wanted to play outside.  I lnow that when I am miserable, all I want is my bed.  I never know if I should be keeping them sort of quiet or let them just play. We decided to let them go out but I think the boys overdid it. I just hope that this crud  goes away soon so we can enjoy the warmer weather!

Corneille Making Music From Tragedy

Corneille has a wonderful music style and I wasn’t sure what type of music I would be listening to, I was pleasantly surprised.  Corneille is considered an R&B artist but is is more of the older style music.  It reminds me of the Motown style music but more of an easy listening with an upbeat tempo.   I already have acquired one of my very favorite songs on the album, and I am afraid that I am going to wear the track out on my cd!  All of the songs are wonderful but “Too Much Of Everything” is the one I love in particular.

I started listening to this cd after I had a particularly long and stressful day and, it was after the boys had gone to bed.   This is definitely a good way to relax and music has a tendency to lift our spirits, or calm them.   I can imagine popping this cd in, taking a hot bath, and ignoring the rest of the world for a while.   It just has a very relaxing tone to it and some good upbeat rhythms too. 

Even more amazing than the cd is Corneille’s life story.  Corneille Nyungura was born in Fribourg, Germany, where his parents were students.  At the age of 6, his family returned to Rwanda.  As a boy he began to develop a great interest in music.  He credits his father for nuturing his interest in music by his encouragement and hearing him sing.  At age 16 he made his first actual recording and was selected as a finalist in a state run television station. Corneille’s parents and other family members were killed in Rwanda during the genocide in 1994.  He managed to escape first to Kinshasa, and then to Germany where he was taken in by some family.  After three years in Germany he decided he didn’t fit into their society or culture and moved to Montreal.  Music was a place where he could go and forget about the world, something that you can definitely feel when you listen to this cd.

Some of his musical influences are that of Michael Jackson, the ever so wonderful Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.  Scoring a number of hits in Canada, France, and even Japan.  His new album “The Birth of Cornelius” is Corneille’s Englinsh-language debut.

I think Corneille’s story is an amazing one, and quickly reminds me that when things seem like they are bad that, there are much worse things in this world.  And to see someone like Corneille that has taken a tragic life and turned it into something positive and rewarding helps me to be thankful for the things I have.  When my days are stressful, I will definitely be putting Corneille’s music on so I can escape and remind myself that I have a lot to be thankful for.

The Birth of Cornelius is currently in stores from Universal Motown. And to celebrate Corneille’s wonderful life, the release of his record, and the 50th anniversary of Motown Records.  DoubleBugs would like to offer it’s readers the chance to win one of Corneille’s cd’s!   We will be giving away 2 cd’s to two lucky winners! You don’t want to miss this chance.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

Here’s What You Gotta Do

• Leave me a comment tell me what music means to you, a story that you remember where music lifted your spirits, or what kind of music you love and why you would like to win this cd
• Please leave me an email so I can contact you if you win

• Winners are chosen at random via Random.org.
• If Winner Does Not Respond Within 2 Days the prize is forfeited and donated!

For Additional Entries (please leave as an additional comment):

• Tweet about this post
• Follow me on Twitter
• Blog about my contest and give me the link!
• Put my badge on your sidebar

• Deadline is March 30, 2009

Busy Day

It was a beautiful day out today so the boys and dh got out to play.   I spent a lot of my day catching up on the dreaded laundry that only seems to multiply.  The minute you think you are done, there seems to be another load sitting there mocking me.

I took the time today to make about 60 homemade meatballs for the freezer, made a fresh batch of brownies, and made a roast, with carrots, mashed potatoes, rolls for dinner.   After all of that I must say I am worn out so, I will be heading to bed early tonight, if you consider 10 pm early.

My new goal now is to start really watching our money for grocery spending.   It is difficult sometimes to determine our budget with food and it seems like I live at the grocery store.  Today I did well, and spent $50 and managed to get a cart full.  I have been cutting coupons  and I really watch the local ads and there is some serious money to be saved if you just do a little research.  I will have to keep you updated on my endeavor.  It is hard with figuring out meals, especially when you are in a rut but I plan on sticking with our budget.

Small Talk Six Things I Love That Are Green

This week’s Small Talk Six are the things that I love that are green.

1. Money has to be at the top of my list simply because I never seem to have enough of it.  I think if I could have just enough to pay everything and have fun money left over that would be perfect!
2. Green M&M’s.  Ever since I was a little girl and my aunt told me they were the best, they are my favorite.
3. The Grass.  I don’t love to cut it but I love when it is green.  It means that the weather is nice and Winter is over.
4. All Green vegetables except Brussel Sprouts.
5. Peeps, I love Green peeps and blue ones too!
6. My couch, it is so comfy, and my favorite spot is my recliner that’s built in.

Big G Cereals Giveaway Winners

Here are the 9 Winners of The Big G Cereal Vintage T Giveaway!  Thank you to all who gave their input and took the time to enter.  Please come back often for other fun opportunities here at DoubleBugs!

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