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  • Benefits of Telecommuting {Think About It}

    Benefits of Telecommuting {Think About It}

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    This week on Think About it Thursday we’re talking Telecommuting.  You can join us for this topic, or tell us about anything on your mind. Just grab the button, and link up below.

    Does Telecommuting reduce road congestion?

    I think for telecommuting to make a significant impact on road congestion, more people would have to be doing it. Although it seems I hear more about people working from home these days, there are still a lot of jobs that require, and I think always will require, the employee to drive into work.  
    Then there is always the fact that if an employee can telecommute, why would they stay home? With relaxing places like bookstore cafe’s why would they want to work at home.  From many of the authors I’ve talked to, who don’t even have a workplace to go to, they still prefer to work somewhere else. 
    Mark, as a teacher, can’t telecommute. There is plenty of work after school he could do at home, but he still stays at work to finish it. When he is home he wants to relax and I don’t want to worry that the kids are bothering him while he tries to get work done.
    I have a friend who telecommutes, and recently on facebook her status read this 

    “One drawback of working from home is that I still have to work when I’m sick”

    Yeah seriously? Who would want that?

    Alright so I know I veered from the question, but I think it’s important to look at all aspects.

    Benefits of Telecommuting

    Saves money. By working from home, you can save money on gas and food. We all know it costs more when you go out to eat. By staying home, you’re more likely to eat in.
    Multitask. When working from home, you can get more done in your day. There are so many little household things that can be done while working on your phone, or watching an online conference on your computer.  Toss some laundry into the wash, wipe down counters, vacuum, dust – to name a few. (These are things I easily do throughout the day while blogging, playing with my kids, and joining twitter parties).
    Eat Healthier.  I somewhat mentioned this under Saves Money, but by working at home, you’re less likely to go out to eat, or grab snacks from a vending machine. Instead you’ll probably find yourself grabbing an apple or banana, taking time to make lunch at home, and drink more water.
    Your Time. Telecommuters, tell me if I’m wrong, but when you work from home, you mostly get to set your own hours. You can plan more time with your family, and do more things that you enjoy.  Plus you don’t have to rush to get ready. You could stay in your jammies if you wanted to.

    Next we want to know
    What is the funniest gift you’ve ever received?

     See what Mumfection and Tim and Angi are talking about, then share your thoughts by linking below!

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  • Hot Cocoa or Apple Cider? {Think About It}

    Hot Cocoa or Apple Cider? {Think About It}

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    Last week we talked about the Stress of the Holidays, and I told you how I’m having a Stress Free Holiday.
    After such a deep and though provoking topic, I wanted to lighten things up a bit. So this week curious minds want to know
     
    Hot Cocoa or Apple Cider?
     
    I know right?! What a conundrum you face when the choice is placed in front of you. There they are staring you in the face…a packet of Hot Cocoa with mini marshmallows, or that wonderfully harvest taste of hot apple cider! 
     
    Which do you choose?  How can you choose?  You definitely can’t have both. Cocoa and Cider do not mix (hmmm, though that does give me an experiment to try later).
     
    The answer is simple. Two mugs. But now what? Do you start with the cocoa or the cider?  It’s like we’re back to square one.
     
    I love both these drinks, especially this time of year. Could you tell?
    I think they are for separate moods though. When I think Hot Cocoa, I’m snuggling under a blanket, my kids are snuggled up next to me, and we all have a steaming mug with a favorite story being read. It’s cozy, it’s warm, and definitely a good sleep aid. So I guess if it’s night time, I’d prefer Hot Cocoa.
     
    Apple Cider. Oh what do I say about you!  When we took a trip in my 1st grade class to the Apple Orchard, and they let us try you so fresh from the apples, I was hooked. You’ve been my friend ever since. Store bought, Big Name Label “Apple Cider” just isn’t you.  You’re my Adult drink; my sophisticated feeling, harvest loving, tree hugger, fashionable drink.  To change a catchy tune to fit me and you “The best part of waking up, is Apple Cider in my cup”.
     
    Admittedly, I do drink the powdered stuff, and enjoy it. When I can get the real stuff straight from the orchards though, that is good. A nice warm cup of apple cider wakes my taste buds and my senses up, and just warms me throughout the day.
     
    Now tell me, what about you? Are you like me, and can’t choose; or do you have a favorite?

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  • Stress Free Holidays? {Think About It}

    Stress Free Holidays? {Think About It}

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    What are Your Biggest Challenges with the Holidays?

    For me, holidays aren’t really challenging. I mean, I guess they could become challenging, if we had more family nearby, and had to figure out a bunch of schedules, and make sure we didn’t accidentally offend someone, or forget something, or leave anyone out.  
    Fact of the matter here though, we keep it simple. I think our biggest challenge will be getting enough snow (which we obviously have no control over), an finding a good enough hill to take the kids sledding.

    Are you looking at me funny now?
    Let me tell you why that is my biggest challenge – because holidays, for me, are about spending time with family. It’s not about the toys, the gifts, the perfect party. It’s about spending quality time with my husband, kids and extended family – making memories that will last, and be imprinted forever in their minds. 
    Will they remember whether I got them that special doll years down the road? probably not.
    Will they remember if I was stressed, and couldn’t play with them, because I was too worried about things being perfect? Most likely yes
    Will they remember me telling them no to certain toys, because it was too expensive? probably not.
    Will they remember sledding, building a snowman, throwing snowballs at Daddy, and snuggling up with Hot Cocoa and a Christmas story?  I sure hope so!
    This year, I’m casting off the worry of finding the perfect gift and replacing it with the ultimate gift – Time Spent Together.
    I’m leaving behind the worry that things might not look perfect, or run as smoothly as planned in favor of enjoying the moments of smiles and laughter with my kids.
    Thanks for coming by Think About It Thursday! We’d love for you to GRAB THE BUTTON, and place it on your blog. Then link up below with what’s on your mind.
    Then head over to Mumfection and Tim & Angi’s Blog to see what Challenges they’re facing this season.

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  • Blogging VS Broadcast Media {Think About It}

    Blogging VS Broadcast Media {Think About It}

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    Thanks for joining Home Maid Simple, Mumfection, and Tim and Angi’s blog for our weekly Think About it Thursday.
    Each week we discuss a thought provoking topic. Sometimes they’re serious, others are funny – but we hope they all make you think! In a world of daily grind, we often just go through actions without giving thought to much else. So take a moment, and think with us. Then write up your thoughts, and link up on the bottom of this post (we’d love to come visit at your place to see what you’re thinking!)
     
    Has Blogging become more Influential than Broadcast Media?
     
    As a blogger, I would love to say yes, because that would mean people come seeking what I write. They want to know my thoughts, how I felt about a product.  They would be looking to me for news and facts and truth.
     
    But I don’t think this is the case. I still think most people are influenced by Broadcast Media first, and use blogs as the way to back up their feelings. I mean, think about it. Every news station has their website, and most have added blogs now as well. Is that their main source of broadcasting though? No the blog is a 2nd, a backup, a stand in to add to what they’ve already put in their Broadcast Shows.
     
    Live with Kelly and MichaelTake for example, yesterday. I blogged about this new Deo Perfume Candy. Shortly before I had blogged about it, the Kelly and Michael  show (by the way, where did Regis go?) aired – and guess what, they were talking about the Deo Perfume Candy! Do you want to know what happened after their show? Amazon sold out of the Candy! Literally within minutes, it was gone.
     
    Now if I had blogged about it before the show was broadcast, there’s no way Amazon would have sold out that quickly. They probably wouldn’t have sold out at all actually.
     
    The thing is, Broadcast Media just reaches more people in the moment, influencing them right then to do something. While Blogging takes time. I don’t reach millions of people in a one hour segment. I reach thousands of people at different times of the day/week/month. Because of this alone, I don’t think blogging will ever be more influential than Broadcast Media.
    

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  • Pay it Forward {Think About It}

    Pay it Forward {Think About It}

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    This weeks Topic
    How do you Pay it Forward?
     
     I love this ad from Liberty Mutual.
     
     
    5 Ways You can Pay It Forward Today
    1. Take your neighbors trash to the curb, so they don’t forget, or rush out in their jammies. This was me on so many occasions. Periodically someone would have already done it for me, and I was always so grateful.
    2. Pay for the person behind you. In the grocery store, at the drive through, getting gas. It doesn’t matter how small or large, it helps.
    3. Help a mom get her groceries and kids to the car.
    4. Make a double dinner batch, and take some to a neighbor, new mom, elderly friend.
    5. Write a Thank You note to someone in your community.
     
    These are all simple ways that you can pay it forward, and inspire others to pay it forward. It sets an example for our children, and honesly makes the world a better place. If we all did acts of kindness like this, we just might get to World Peace that we all want.
     
    Now it’s your turn. Join us for Think About It Thursday. Grab the button, and link up any post that makes us think!
     
     
     

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  • 5 Things I’m Grateful for – Think About It

    5 Things I’m Grateful for – Think About It

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    Welcome to our Think About It Thursday Meme. Every week we talk about something new, different, and mostly thought provoking. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes it’s funny, and sometimes it’s just rambling.
    For more Think About It Thursdays visit my cohorts co-hosts Mumfection and Tim and Angi’s Blog
     
    This weeks Topic
    What 5 Things are you most Thankful for?
     
    Halloween is now behind us. It is November, and for most that means lots of family, baking and traditions; at least in the US. I realize Canada already celebrated their Thanksgiving (thanks for going with this topic anyways Eschelle!).  My group of mommy bloggers and I decided we would take the whole month of November to talk about Gratitude, Giving Thanks, and Thanksgiving in general.
     
    For me, there is so much I am grateful for, but I’ll try to stick to my top 5 today.
     
    1. My family. Immediate, extended, in laws, and ancestors. They all mean so much in my life. My parents, I don’t think could have been any better. They care about all their kids, and no matter what are always there for us – through the ups and downs. My husband, I love with all my heart. He makes such a wondeful Daddy to our kids. He works hard because he knows it’s important that I raise our kids. My kids because well they are just little miracles. The joy they can bring to any room, and smiles they can put on anyones face, just warms my heart. My in-laws, because I don’t think I could have gotten any better. They are truly an amazing couple full of love! And of course all my cousins, aunts, uncles, sister inlaws, brother inlaws, you all are so unique. You each inspire me to be better in different ways. 
     
    2. My religion. I don’t mention it often here, but I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, aka Mormon.  Yes this is the religion of my parents. No, we don’t practice polygamy. Yes I don’t drink alcohol, tea or smoke. No I am not forced to be a stay at home and under my husbands tyrannical rule. Yes I chose to stay at home and be a mom to my kids because I believe it’s important (and I don’t have a tyrannical husband). No, actually I do believe in the Bible. Last and to me the most important thing because nothing else matters, is that YES I do believe in Christ. I believe He is the Son of God. I believe He came to earth to show us the path to return to Heaven. I believe in doing good to all men. I believe Christ gave His life for each one of us, because He loves us each individually and knows each of our own personal sufferings. My religion is who I am. It is what shapes what I do. And I am so grateful I have it in my life, because I have felt so much joy through the knowledge I have from it.
     
    3. My baby brother.  Right now he is serving a 2 year LDS mission in Boston. I miss him like crazy. When he was little, he was my tickle buddy. We always had a blast together. And now he is serving others for 2 years. Giving 2 years of his life for something more important. He has set an example for my family that I love. I will deal with missing him for 2 long years, because he is blessing the lives of others. Last week my dad found a voice recording of my brother and sister that they must have sent me when I was just in college. They missed me, wanted me to visit soon. And they loved me. Seriously, I just have some awesome siblings that I love.
     
    4. A roof over our heads. I may complain about the mice, or the sloping floors, or the carpet in the kitchen. But when it comes down to it, I’m just grateful we have a roof over our heads. That my family has shelter from the elements. That we have heat to take away the cold nights. Rooms to sleep in, and beds too. A kitchen to cook in. I have a house, and it sure beats being homeless!
     
    5. Modern technology. Ok I’m not that big into tv and the latest gadgets, but I do love modern technology and the access it gives us. I get to send my voice to thousands of you through this blog and it’s many social media platforms. I get to connect with people I haven’t seen in years. I have been able to make new friends, that I probably will never even meet, but that encourage me every time I struggle with something. I love that modern technology can bring families spread over the world all together. My brother just created us a family site on myfamily.com  It is awesome! My older brother who I don’t stay in contact with as much as I should, I now feel close to again. Modern technology is a wonderful tool, when used for good.
     
     
    Now it’s your turn! We’re not picky really, just try to stay with the theme of gratitude, grab our cool button (made by Mark), and link up below! We love reading your posts, and hope you enjoy ours.
    

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  • Halloween Costumes – Think About It!

    Halloween Costumes – Think About It!

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    Welcome back to Think About it Thursday!
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    Today’s Topic Is
    What was your most Memorable Halloween Costume as a Child?
     
    Before I jump into todays topic, I just want to give a Birthday Shout Out to Eschelle, blogger at Mumfection. I have loved getting to know this Canadian blogger. We bounce ideas off each other, and she has given me a lot of support here at Home Maid Simple. So please, go check her out, and tell her Happy Birthday!
     
     
    I’ll be honest, I can think of many “memorable” costumes for me. I tried to think outside the box.  Most years as a young child I was a witch. Princess C is taking over that for me this year.
     
    I’m really at a toss up for my most memorable costume. We did a lot of home made, what we could find around the house costumes. I remember one year in middle school, my aunt made a packet of pea seeds (or possible green beans). It was basically a large bag with head and arm holes cut out, and then painted to look like the front of a seed packet.
    Another year, and one of the only times I remember trick or treating, my BFF and I dressed up as housewifes. We wore old jeans, t-shirts, aprons, and a bandana over our hair. Truth be told….now that I am a house wife, I tend to look like that a lot minus the bandana. Maybe it’s time to pull out my bandana’s again! I’ve still got my Red Hot Chili Pepper bandana, complete with beaded ends!
     
    Though both of those are pretty memorable in my mind, I think my most memorable costume, was my completely crazy out of the box idea. I went as a shower.
    Yes, a shower, or possibly a person taking a shower. It was pretty simple really. We bought a hula hoop (or maybe we cut mine down smaller), attached a shower curtain. Then I believe through the use of a hat and hangers, got it to balance on my head, with me inside. Thus a shower.
    Seriously, I don’t know what I was thinking. I probably got a whole lot of weird looks as people asked me what I was. I guess I could have made it more scary if I added the shadow of a hand holding a knife to it. That may have been a more brilliant idea, but nope. Just me, inside a shower, getting strange looks. 
    Thinking about it now, and I’m reminded of the newer Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie. Yep that was me, but behind a shower curtain, and minus the braces.
    Blair Dunlop jouant Willy Wonka enfant dans «CHARLIE ET LA CHOCOLATERIE»
    
    We’d love for you to join us in this fun meme! Just grab the button, and post about the topic. Then come back and link up! We love visiting new blogs.
     
    Next weeks Topic
    What 5 things are you most Thankful for?
     

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  • Facebooking Diagnosies – Think About It

    Facebooking Diagnosies – Think About It

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    This week’s topic
    What is on your mind? Tell us about it, and then link up at the bottom of this post!
    Yestrday Prince L woke up with a puffy eye.  I assumed he was just really tired, as he hadn’t been sleeping as well lately.  Then he started acting just odd. He didn’t really want to open his eyes, almost as if the lights hurt. He became extremely cuddly, and just wanted me to hold him all day long, wrapped in a blanket. Unless he’s sleeping, he never closes his eyes, or lets me hold him for long. He would rather be looking at everything and moving around as best he can. So I started thinking maybe these symptoms were in relation to his puffy eye.  Since Mark and I had both been suffering allergies on and off, I chalked it up to that. 
    To be safe though, I posted about it on facebook, and even added a cute picture.

    Not looking for a diagnosis exactly, I just wanted to share my cute cuddly guy with his puffy eye. Well, a number of my friends immediately got on and said it looked like pink eye! I was feeling so lucky that after 4 kids we had never experienced this awful sounding virus. So pink eye hadn’t even crossed my mind before it was mentioned on facebook.  I started looking up the signs and symptoms of Pink Eye on google, and told Mark our weekend plans might be canceled because of it. 
    Mark called his brother, who happens to work in the medical field. He said looking at the picture it didn’t look like Pink Eye. He’s almost always been right when we call him. So I pushed my worries aside, and decided to wait it out. Then I decided maybe I should play it safe. We haven’t been to a doctor since moving, and Prince L needed his 6 month check anyways. So off I went to find a doctor.

    We have 1 doctor in our small town, and he was gone for the weekend (It’s fall break here).  On to the next town over. I found one that could see us before we left for our vacation, and got in to see him this morning as we headed out of town. I am so glad I didn’t wait!

    Although it is NOT pink eye, it is a bacterial infection, and needs some eye drops. Although it’s not going to be fun putting these eye drops into a 6 month old, it will be much better than watching his puffy red eye, an worrying that it hurts him.
    So thanks Facebook Friends for sending me in a mild panic, but also for putting the worry there, because something was wrong.
    Have you ever Facebook Diagnosed yourself or kids? Were they right? Did you send yourself into a panic with all the possibilities of what could be wrong? I’d love to hear about it!
    Don’t forget, you can link up any random post! We love meeting other bloggers, and reading what you’re thinking about. All we ask is that you grab our button and place it on your blog, so we can get more people involved!

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  • To finish reading or Not? – Think About It

    To finish reading or Not? – Think About It

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    If You’re Reading a Book and Decide you don’t like it, Do you Finish it?
     

    I am a self proclaimed book junkie. I love books. I even started reviewing books here on the blog this year. I hesitated with that, since they didn’t really fit my original theme for Home Maid Simple. They are a part of me though, and I couldn’t keep them out! 
    Sometimes though, I read a book, and I really don’t like it. I tell myself over and over, just stop reading! I have a problem though, I have hopes that if I keep reading, it will get better.
    Some books do! Some books really don’t!  I’m in the middle of one right now, it is cute and funny, but the writing style is awful, and somethings are thrown in that just don’t need to be there. Ugh, I should just stop reading it!
    Thinking back, there is only one book I can think of that I did put down, and never picked up again, because it was not a good book. I can’t even remember the name now.

    Now granted, there have also been books that I’ve started, but never finished. It wasn’t because I didn’t like the book, but more because it was slow moving, and I got caught up in other books.  The two specific books I can think of here are Great Expectations, and Emma.  Two classic books, styles I’ve read before, but they were soooo slow moving! I’m not a one book at a time girl. I’ve always got at least 2 and sometimes 3 books I’m in the middle.

    So what would make me put a book down, and never pick it up again?  The content. I like a good romance, but it has to be CLEAN! And if I’m reading a book, not even meant to be a romance, and those nasty unclean scenes are being put into the book, you can bet I’m putting it down. I just don’t want to read that stuff. And that is basically my criteria for putting a book down. I read Wicked a couple years ago, and it was very borderline. One that I probably should have put down and not finished. Oh well.

     

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  • Childhood Frights {Think About It}

    Childhood Frights {Think About It}

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    As a child what was one of your biggest fears?
     
    I had quite a number of fears as a child. Some I still have.
     
    Heights. I don’t like heights. I’m not entirely sure when this fear started. And some heights are ok. Like I loved climbing trees, and the height of that never bothered me. Maybe because I felt confident climbing. I remember once we were painting our house. I was on a tall ladder propped against the house. There I was, painting the second story, when my ladder begins to shift, sliding across the house.  I remember yelling, and either it finally stopped against the corner of the roof, or one of my brothers grabbed it. It was terrifying! Other heights, with big drop offs, like bridges. They scare me. Still do.
    Which brings me to my other large fright – Bridges! A couple years ago we took a family vacation to San Francisco. Mark really wanted to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. I adamently refused. It just looked too unstable, and too high up. I told him he could go drive across it, and then come back and get me, but I’d stick to the more stable, and only slightly less frightening bridge on the other side of the city.
     
    My fear of bridges, though I still have it, was much more as a child. Even small footbridges, that crossed a trickle of water, I had issues with.
    My last childhood fear I will share with you, is this. There was a man hiding under my bed with a shotgun. Truly there was! He was only there at night in the dark, and if I got out of bed, I knew he was going to get my feet. I think I may have officially been crazy. This particular fear may have stemmed from our cat that would hide under furniture and attack feet, but obviously it escalated for me.
     
    There you have it! My childhood frights.  Now I want to know what scared you?
     
    Next week’s topic
    If you’re reading a book, and decide you don’t like it, do you still finish it?
    
     
     

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