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My Healthy Home with Ology

Posted by html404 on April 14, 2014
in Children's Health, Cleaning, Eco Friendly Products, Health, Kids Stuff, Personal Care Products, Safety, Uncategorized

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser. #WalgreensOlogy

My healthy home includes using products that are safe for even my children to use. As Earth Day draws near, I thought it fitting to try a new brand called Ology, found exclusively at my local Walgreens store, and do a bit of spring cleaning.

About Ology

Ology products are free of 10 harmful chemicals (you can look these ingredients up at http://www.ewg.org/ and find out exactly why they are harmful):

Ammonia
Chlorine bleach
DEA (diethanolamine)
TEA (triethanolamine)
Parabens
Phthalates
Formaldehyde
Nonylphenol ethoxylates
Triclosan
SLS/SLES

Plus, Ology contains no dyes or artificial fragrances. This is huge for us as our children have had reactions to some ingredients, especially fragrances.

Their paper products are 100% tree free, strong, biodegradable and septic safe. Made from readily renewable sugar husk that would otherwise be disposed and they use Bamboo which is faster growing than trees, making Ology products better for the environment.

Celebrating Earth Day with Ology

My children helped me demonstrate how we used some of Ology products in our home. Starting with the large photo and going clockwise:

JAG is waiting for dinner using Ology bamboo plates. These plates are very sturdy. I really liked them!

JR is cleaning the bathroom with Ology all-purpose cleaner, which is free without harsh solvents or ammonia, and paper towels. The paper towels are surprisingly thick absorbent.

Jr. is helping me put Ology bathroom tissue on the toilet paper roll. This tp is very strong and absorbent.

Blondie is washing her hands with Ology Oatmeal & Honey bar soap. Everyone thought this soap made their hands very soft.

Nook is blowing his nose (yes it’s staged as he didn’t have a runny nose at the time!) with Ology facial tissue.

Ology laundry detergent is gentle on the skin. This is especially important for the delicate skin of my children. I was excited to try this detergent since we have yet to find a chemical free detergent that works for our family.

If you are trying to make your home more healthy, I’d highly recommend giving Ology a try.

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Week #17 Saturday Top Five Laughs

Posted by html404 on April 12, 2014
in Animals, Family Stuff, Farm Stuff, Fun Stuff, Humor, Saturday Top Five Laughs, Uncategorized

Getting back on track with our Saturday Top Five Laughs and joining Mel over at The Mommyhood Chronicles for week #17 (for us) in the Saturday Top Five Laughs of the week. I’ve gone back to trying to keep track of little things that happen each day so I don’t forget so many of them. I lost a couple of pieces of paper over the last two months when I neglected to put them down right here on the blog!

5. Padfoot was gun shy of water in his inflatable pool. Go figure. Yet Pumpkin, one of our cats, was discovered in Padfoot’s pool one afternoon!

4. A couple Mondays ago, in the evening, our 30 year old horse showed off 2 year old antics!

The girls say he’s obsessed with Miss Moo. The girls took the cow in first and Blaze was whinning up a storm. So while one of the girls was in the hay loft getting hay, the other girl starts yelling get back here because…..guess what Blaze did? He took off running in a canter around the house, down our road, then turned west down at our crossroads, turned aroundd waited at the gate on that road, which is locked. The girls think he was showing off for the cow. He’s going on 30 but think he’s 2!

The cars drove on the opposite side of the road. One guy stopped to see if the girls needed help, laughing all the while.

Apparently he got past O when she was closing the gate to his pasture.

Thankfully he’s ok and we can all laugh about it now but sheesh! Certainly didn’t expect him to ever do that!

3. We bought a used Ford Expedition nearly a month ago and the children nicknamed it “Hulk” because it’s big and green. Our eight year old daughter calls it “Hunk”! 😉

2. The photo below speaks for itself. 😉

1. For some reason my husband either threatened or took dessert away from our three year old last night…..what does Jr. do? He blackmails us with/about pull-ups . He stalked off and said he wasn’t using his potty he was going to put on a pull-up and he did! Hubby forgot to put the pull-ups out of reach this morning or last night! But our son is a little stinker! What he didn’t realize is his daddy still wouldn’t give him dessert.

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Another $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

Posted by html404 on April 10, 2014
in Blog Stuff, Contests, Giveaways, Uncategorized

Makobi Scribe is bringing you this Amazon Twitter blast where one lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card. The giveaway is open to everyone and provided by Makobi Scribe. Good Luck! If you are a blogger, you can sign up for this blast here.

Entry -Form

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$100 Amazon Gift Card Blast

Posted by html404 on April 10, 2014
in Blog Stuff, Contests, Giveaways, Uncategorized

This is late notice since it ends tonight!

Makobi Scribe is bringing you this Amazon Instagram blast where one lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card. The giveaway is open to everyone and provided by Makobi Scribe. Good Luck! If you are a blogger, you can sign up for this blast here.

Entry -Form

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Oberhasli Goats – Wordless Wednesday

Posted by html404 on April 9, 2014
in Animals, Farm Stuff, Uncategorized, Wordless Wednesday

Goats like to climb. Our two Oberhasli goats are no different. They love to climb on a concrete pile the previous farmer left by the barn. It’s not a secure area so they have to be watched as they bounce and flit hither and yon.

We are working on getting their pasture fenced. While we tried working, the goats enjoyed spending time in their new pasture as we moved cow panels to outline where we want the fence lines. Right now the panels are just propped up against the old fencing, which is partially useable but far too low – the goats would jump over it. It was fun watching their antics but they definitely distracted from our work!

What did you do today?

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Disney’s Planes: Fire & Rescue

Posted by html404 on April 8, 2014
in Entertainment, Kids Stuff, Movies, News Worthy, Uncategorized

We have enjoyed all of Disney’s Planes and Cars movie. Coming July 18th to theaters near you is Disney’s Planes: Fire & Rescue!

View the trailer below:

PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE (In 3D)

DISNEY

Website: Disney.com/Planes

Like on Facebook: facebook.com/DisneyPlanes

Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Genre: Animation/Adventure

Rating: TBD

Release Date: July 18, 2014

Voice Cast: Dane Cook, Julie Bowen

Director: Bobs Gannaway

Producer: Ferrell Barron

“Planes: Fire & Rescue” is a new comedy-adventure about second chances, featuring a dynamic crew of elite firefighting aircraft devoted to protecting historic Piston Peak National Park from raging wildfire. When world famous air racer Dusty (voice of Dane Cook) learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his courageous team, including spirited super scooper Dipper (voice of Julie Bowen), heavy-lift helicopter Windlifter, ex-military transport Cabbie and a lively bunch of brave all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero. Directed by Bobs Gannaway (“Secret of the Wings”), “Planes: Fire & Rescue” hits theaters in 3D on July 18, 2014.

“Planes: Fire & Rescue” is a new comedy-adventure in which Dusty joins forces with a dynamic crew of elite firefighting aircraft and learns what it takes to become a true hero.

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Home Run – Movie Monday

Posted by html404 on April 7, 2014
in DVDs & CDs, Entertainment, Movie Monday, Movie Reviews, Movies, Reviews, Uncategorized

We found quite a few faith based movies on Amazon Prime (we are members). Some of them you have to pay for but a couple of them are free right now. One of the ones we watched for free this past weekend was called “Home Run”. It is about a professional baseball player, Cory Brand played by Scott Elrod, who struggles with alcohol addiction. It is set in Cory’s hometown where he finds himself after a car wreck and DUI. In order to avoid jail time, Cory is required to coach a little league baseball team, all the while trying to salvage his career and reputation.

The little league team, his 12 step program and his family all play a part in helping Cory, but ultimately it is God who gets Cory’s attention.

As sobering as alcohol addiction is, this movie was entertaining with a powerful message. We really liked it. To be honest, I felt sorry for Cory, as he dealt with his “demons”. I felt bad for his family who had to deal with him and his “problem”. I grew up in a home where alcoholism was a huge part of our life. It has devastating affects and it forever gave me an extreme dislike for anything alcohol related. While my loved one never found the freedom Cory did in this movie, it is my hope that those struggling with any addiction find help and freedom only Christ can bring through His healing grace.

This movie is rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, or in my opinion, the violent outbursts, the drinking scenes and subjects discussed in group therapy. We let our children under 13 watch it. We’ve discussed alcoholism with them before, the other mature themes seem to have gone over their heads because they didn’t illicit any questions from our children.

Watch the trailer here:

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Cow Trouble – Wordless Wednesday

Posted by html404 on April 2, 2014
in Animals, Family Stuff, Farm Stuff, Uncategorized, Wordless Wednesday

Yes, we’ve been having a bit of cow trouble. Some might thing our cow “honeymoon” is over but that’s not really the case. Though we have the following cow trouble, we still adore Miss Moo (a.k.a. Eclipse).

Cow Trouble

Head stuck in a gate/stall. Very serious but by the time the vet got here she was perfectly fine. Figures, right?

Mites or else she’s rubbing the hair off her neck when she puts her head through her gate.

Getting out of her stall.

Getting into cat food….eeeewww! Not exactly what I want to eat via her milk. :0

Getting out of her pasture through the little bungie gate. It’s electrified but she was getting out. We think it was being ground out somehow. She’s been good this week but we will be shoring up that gate to prevent her from getting out anymore.

She lost another calf two weeks ago. 🙁

Yet we love her.

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When The Cypress Whispers by Yvette Manessis Corporon

Posted by html404 on March 31, 2014
in Books, Gift Ideas, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

This review was done by my daughter B and contains affiliate links to support our family.

When the Cypress Whispers is about the daughter of Greek immigrants, Daphne. She was brought up to believe in the American dream. After a tragic event leaving her basically at rock bottom, she puts her all into opening a Greek restaurant. She returns to Erikousa, a magical Greek island she grew up visiting and to her Yia-Yia (grandmother).

When the Cypress Whispers is a good book. I would read it again. I figured out almost everything before the end, but I’m used to that now since I read a lot. I wasn’t even trying.

This book made me cry. The characters were good and well rounded. I loved the setting and the use of the Greek language. I wrote down four pages (small pages), eight front and back, from it.

There was a “oogie” part (Theresa here, I think she’s referring to a kissing or intimate scene), I wasn’t sure if it would become anything else so I skipped it.

Greece felt real, it was like I was there and it was amazing.

I loved the myth stories from ancient times, I’m big on that anyways. I loved learning about Greek mythology. I loved Daphne’s connection with her Yia-Yia (grandmother).

I didn’t think the end would happen quite like it did, but I was glad and liked the ending.

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Alcott Adventures Inflatable Pool for Pets & Giveaway #DogsLoveAdventure

Posted by html404 on March 30, 2014
in Animals, Giveaways, Pet Products, Uncategorized

The weather is s-l-o-w-l-y warming up here in the Chicagoland area. It’s actually suppose to be 60 degrees today! Yesterday we were outside as a family hanging out, doing a bit of yard work but mostly just enjoying watching the animals and being together. So much for productivity in the work department, eh? We were all on one of the hay racks and I saw Padfoot just sitting in the backyard watching us. That’s when I suggested that he really should be with us while we were outside. B voiced her concerns over Padfoot getting her goats but I assured her he’d stay by us. How did I know that? I didn’t for sure but felt pretty confident he’d be content to play, be petted and hang out with us. And I was right. He chased the ball for the children. He took a run with B and generally sniffed around marking his territory.

Padfoot is half Newfoundland, a breed of dog bred for water rescue in icy water, so he has triple layer of skin to protect him from the cold. This means in the summer time he really minds the heat. He needs lots of water, shade and to be cooled off, if he’ll let us. He’s not a fan of the water hose unless it is to drink from it. We’ve never taken him swimming, though we want to, so I thought reviewing an inflatable pool for pets would be a wonderful relief to Padfoot during the hot summer months. I also purchased the cooling bandana as well, just to try it out and try to keep “pup” cool this summer.

I was very thankful the weather was suppose to be warm today because I had been putting off messing with water hoses and cold water during freezing temperatures, especially since we’ve been sick with this horrible chest cold for the past two weeks.

Alcott Adventures Inflatable Pool Review

Padfoot actually barked at me when I was finishing blowing up the pool and then was shy about getting into the pool. We had to coax him into it with treats. I don’t think it’s hot enough to warrant him being interested even with his Newfie blood.

I had to blow the pool up by hand (mouth really) because we don’t have a pump and I doubt any store does at this time either. I wasn’t about to waste a beautiful day hunting for a pool pump. The valves had to dry before they stayed shut. Other than those challenges the pool will be a keeper for Padfoot this summer. If he doesn’t use it, the geese will, if he doesn’t burst it before then.

About Alcott Adventures:

Alcott offers dogs and their owners a complete line of gear and accessories to turn everyday walks into extraordinary adventures.

Alcott reinvented sizes for dogs to make it easy on their humans. Generally speaking, if you buy a medium collar, you’ll also use a medium in all the other Alcott products.

What’s interesting about Alcott’s websites is you can shop Alcott online in two ways: either by category or by adventure. The Alcott store locator is available at: http://alcottadventures.com/apps/store-locator