How long has it been since you found yourself sitting in a math classroom? If you are like me, if has been ages. To me that is a blessing. You see, math and I don’t really get along. It goes back many, many years.
When I was in 8th grade, I was a math Super Star! I was taking high school Algebra and though it was easy. I had it down. I enjoyed it. I was proud of myself that I was good in math. Then came the final six weeks period of that 8th grade year. You see, my Algebra teacher decided that I just wasn’t “getting it” and that perhaps the previous 5 six weeks of classes just didn’t sink in for me. She told me that she didn’t feel I was “good enough” for the class and decided to remove me. That’s right. With one 6 week grading period left she suddenly decided I couldn’t cut it and removed me from the class. All of the hard work from that year was gone. I was moved to honors math and lost all of my Algebra credits. I was stung.
Something inside me broke when it came to math. In some twisted way my brain began to believe I was terrible at math. From that time on, math and I became bitter enemies. Not only did I lose my confidence in math, but in school. That one teacher took someone who was confident and excited about a subject and slammed it into the ground. Even today, I shudder at the words “Algebra” and “math” because, I just “couldn’t get it” like the smart kids.
I received a Sony Mylo 2 personal communicator for review recently. Did you catch the name? Mylo stands for My Life Online. I totally love that! The Mylo communication is based on using WiFi rather than a “cell service” which means for you, there are no monthly bills and no expensive data plans that you become locked into. That is a huge bonus when you have so many other monthly bills related to your electronic world. It is not a cell phone, however it does work with Skype. I thought that was absolutely cool when I learned how to use that feature. It really is an awesome, portable electronic world that can go anywhere you can find WiFi.Not sure where you can find WiFi? No problem. Sony Mylo users receive free Wi-Fi access at over 10,000 Wayport Hotspot locations nationwide (and the Mylo even has a feature that will tell you where some of those hotspots are located! Cool, right?). It also includes over 9,000 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s® Restaurants, 70 IHOP restaurants, 600 hotels, and more. I was able to use mine at home with our home wireless router. I also took it to my sister’s house and used their wireless network. So, you have many options when it comes to getting logged online. It was like having my own mini computer that fit in my purse. And when I say I took that bad boy everywhere, I mean it went everywhere with me!
The Mylo has a full QWERTY keyboard and a great 800×480 pixel high resolution touch screen. It comes with a very hard to lose stylus. Why do I say hard to lose? It attaches to the wrist strap. The perfect way to keep track of those pesky things that I so easily use. This one I know I will keep track of and that is saying something right there! And? It was so easy to use right out of the box. That is a huge seller for me because as many gadgets as I have, I still need things to be easy to use right away or my frustration level keeps me from fully enjoying a device. No problem with the Sony Mylo. I was up and texting within minutes. Weighing only 7oz., it can goes every where with me. (And trust me, “stay at home moms” rarely stay at home!)
I was very impressed with it’s many features. I think the 1.3 megapixel camera was my favorite! Not only does it take a great picture, but you can upload and download images, it has photo editing software and my favorite thing is I can write on the pictures and then save them. Great for when you want to take a picture of your son NOT doing his homework, write a note on it to get started then send it to him while he is on the computer! (Not to mention drawing a mustache on the dog!) The Mylo has 1 gig of internal memory, a mini USB port and even expandable memory using a memory stick Duo/Duo Pro.
To test it, I did what I do with many electronics: I handed it over to my teenage son and told him to mess around and let me know what he likes about it, how easy it is to use and if I were to give it to him, would he want one. (Seriously, he knows so much more than I do and is not afraid to try everything out! Teenagers seems to have this gene I lack that gives them unlimited electronic gadget knowledge.) His verdict? He wanted to take mine. That is a definite thumbs up from him. (Any teenage approval with electronics is like 5 adult thumbs up, I believe.) My next test subject was my very overly electronic gadget collector (must have all of the latest and greatest) was my brother-in-law. I handed it over and told him to test it, play with it and do everything he can think of with it to see if it fell into his must have list. Again, it got not only his approval, but I had to steal it back. (He is still trying to get it back from me!)
That is two hard to please electronic “pros” that not only approved but tried to keep it for themselves.
Now, for me? After getting over the intimidation of “what if I mess something up” (you can’t, by the way), I began to have a blast with it.
I loved that it supports instant messaging. I admit it. I live online with messaging but really can’t always be on my computer. This way, I can be anywhere and still stay connected and gossip and network while using my Mylo. I love that! It has received plenty of use to the point of near obsession. With the Sony® mylo™ communicator you can always stay in touch. Instant Message your friends with the most popular messaging software from AOL®, Yahoo!®, Google™ and Skype®. Send and receive e-mail through AOL® Mail, Google Gmail™ and Yahoo!® Mail. And, with COM-2’s new backlit keyboard you can type wherever you want to regardless of how much light is available. (Which means in bed while the hubby sleeps and I don’t wake him up. Bonus!)Do you want to also store you music and videos in handy place? Mylo can do it! It comes with headphones and supportsIWindows Media DRM 10 and plays MP3, AAC, ATRAC or WMA files. The video support includes MPEG4 and MPEG4/AVC.
The Sony Mylo comes in black and white and currently retails for around $199.
My Final Verdict: I LOVE this little product. I have been using it nonstop since I received it and have no plans to let either my son or my brother-in-law steal it. (You either, just for the record.) If you are looking for a great hand-held “life online”, I highly recommend the Sony Mylo. Because you can’t have mine. I am most definitely not letting this sweet thing go! I am thrilled I have been able to test it out, play with it to the point of obsession and still not tire of it. Sony is a brand you can trust. I am a blogger you can trust. How can you go wrong? Trust us. The Sony Mylo is great gift for someone you love– and especially for yourself. You will be glad you got one! I certainly am!
Like many people my age, I grew up playing the game of Monopoly.I played with my older brother and sister many, many times.They knew that I had no idea what I was doing, so they were able to whip up on me every time.The upside?I could cheat.I mean, the bank money was right there and that way they could never bankrupt me.Also? They always took the coolest game pieces like the sports car or the Scotty dog.That usually left me with the thimble.That was just fine with me because I could then put it on my pinky and act goofy with it to annoy them.
I was ecstatic to hear that Electronic Arts came out with a Monopoly game. Now the world’s most popular board game is available in an all new fun and exciting way to play.Surely, now I was finally old enough to win!My kids and I have played several times since we received the game.I would love to tell you that I won at least a few of those times.I would love to tell you that but I can’t. I am still losing.But!I am having a lot of fun.A big pro to the game when playing with “cheaters” is there is no way to rob the bank.(Bummer for me, though!)Another change is since it is on a video game, I also can’t put the thimble on my pinky and act like a dork.(However because I am now the Mom, I can choose the sports car, baby!)
The Wii version of Monopoly stays faithful to its board game origins while offering a few extras to give new life to the age old game. The heart of the game, however, is a straight console version of the traditional board game.Up to 4 players can play.If there are fewer players, the computer console fills those players’ spots to keep the game active and fun.Speaking of fun, a digital version of Mr. Monopoly walks from player to player on their turn helping in his ever so cheerful voice.He is encouraging when you do something great and supportive when you do something, well, stupid that could cost you the game.And? He doesn’t even mock you when you land in jail.For the fifth time in one game.
As this is the Wii version of Monopoly, players are encouraged to shake their controllers in order to reproduce the sound of rattling dice before pressing the A button to throw.Of course, trying to convince my 7 year old that she doesn’t need to shake it 15 times to get a good roll, she loves the sound of the dice shaking and will stop at nothing less than a 15 shake roll. (In fact, you will soon find you don’t actually have to shake the remote, but where is the fun in that?)
There are two ways to play. ‘Monopoly Edition’ stays true to the standard game.There is even a way to change the ‘House rules’ on a per-game basis.And, that my friends can completely change the dynamics of the game. (Which may actually help me win a game once in a while.)In the ‘Richest Edition’ the game offers three options for quick play by limiting the number of turns each players makes. This version incorporates some “mini-games” based on the elements of the actual board games like ‘Get out of Jail’ and ‘Bank Pays You Dividend’. You have to unlock these features through game play, but once they are unlocked they are able to play them.However, with these mini-games, it will probably appeal more to the younger age set.
The Xbox Experience. More fun than one console should be allowed to give…but it does anyway!
November 22, 2008
What do you do for a gamer who is looking for the next best, coolest and most fun experience online? Why, you send them an X-Box and hook them up with the fun new features, games and show them how much their life will freaking ROCK when you hook them up with an XBox Live account.
On November 20th, Xbox launched their new Xbox experience. I have to tell you that it is absolutely amazing. I will admit that I can be a rather harsh critic when I hear abot something New! and Wondeful! but in this case? This new experience actually is wonderful.
It’s not just about the games anymore with Xbox. If you sign up for an Xbox Live Gold acccount– a massive steal at only $60 a year–you can do so much more than just play your Xbox games. They are trying to make your Xbox experience an all inclusive package. Which means, not only can you and your family play games with the Xbox, but you can do so much more. Take for example if you combine your Xbox Live account and you have a standard (unlimited) Netflix membership, you can watch movies from Netflix through your Xbox. Yes, you can! In fact, the day they launched the new Xbox Live experience, my daughter and I immediately watched a movie. Why? Because we could! It does’t involve any downloading either. Netflix streams the video to your television, allowing you to watch movies and television shows immediately after ordering them. Instant gratification, baby!
Being a gamer, I am quite used to using voice chat when gaming. But the Xbox? It includes video. Yes! Now, when I pwn a n00b on one of the many online games I can play with Xbox, they can see that it was an “old mom lady” who pwned them. (Or? I can just sit and chat with friends who have Xbox live and a video camera. Video conferencing through my Xbox? Now, that? Rocks my socks off!)
Now, let me get the heart of what most parents want to know when it comes to games and online gaming. Parental controls. Xbox is big on parental controls and making sure that parents have many ways to ensure their kids are kept as safe as possible when playing online by using the Family Settings on the Xbox.
Family Settings perform two functions on the Xbox 360 console. When playing offline, they can be set to grant or restrict access to games based on the ESRB rating. When playing online, they can be used to restrict access to content and contacts based on the parent’s choice.
With Xbox LIVE Family Settings, you can set different levels of protection for online gameplay, online communications, and downloading member content or items from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
Xbox LIVE Family Settings let you:
Control access to all the features of Xbox LIVE.
Set a pass code to limit who can change your Family Settings.
Decide what your kids can play, both online and off.
Decide who your child can communicate with online.
Control who can see your child’s profile or friends list.
Other additions to the new Xbox Live Experience? Avatars. If you are familiar with the Mii avatars for the Nintendo Wii, you will recognize the feel of these avatars. And? The new interface? It is very cool! Gone are the old skool look of the former system and in its place is a new system that scrolls both horizontally and vertically. It is a sleek, clear and bright interface.
I was a casual fan of Xbox before this new experience and “overhaul” but now? I can really get into these new features. Not only that? I think I may love it. Seriously? The Xbox Live Experience is awesome and it will rock your world.
Give it a try. You will not be sorry. You have my word on that one! (And? I would totally love to video game and chat with you. And will try not to pwn you in front of your children. Ha!)
So many milestone celebrations feature photos and music. Everyone enjoys seeing a photo slide show set to music.
I am big on taking pictures. Of the kids, the world around me, of the kids. (Though without a camera since mine has met its untimely death), I am relying on the kindness of other’s photostreams.) There have been many times I have seen amazing slide shows and wished I could do something like that. I want to be able to send a DVD of pictures to my Dad and my sister. They don’t live close and it would be nice to share the big moments with them.
Now, I know just how to share these moments. Kodak has introduced the Kodak Picture Movie DVD.
And trust me when I say, it is so easy to do. If you go to a Kodak Picture Movie DVD kiosk in select CVS Pharmacies, you simply insert the medium (CD, memory card, memory stick, USB flash drive) with your pictures on it and just follow the simple instructions. It is so easy *I* can do it!
You can choose up to 60 photos and arrange them on the touch screen in any order
Choose title words or a brief opening description
Choose a song from one of the popular songs in their database from categories such as energetic, happy, inspirational, relaxing and romantic.
The DVD is created and your pictures are set to music with transitions
That’s it! Now, you know you can do that! I have smart readers. You are one of them!
The Kodak Picture Movie DVD is a quick and easy way to bring your pictures to life with music and share with others.
From July 27-August 2, 2008, when you order a DVD, you’ll get the same value back in “extra bucks” that can be used towards anything at CVS/pharmacy.
DVDs are $14.99 each after the promotion is over. (But that is still so worth it for the ease of creating something so wonderful to share with family and friends!)
I know that bloggers are huge on picture taking. This takes it one step further. Try it out. What do you have to lose?
Nothing. And so much to gain! I am glad I did it. My family will be, too.
Try it and let me know how you like it. I think it is a great idea and a great service.
One of my goals lately is to try to be more eco-friendly. Recycle what can be recycled. Use less. Rinse. Repeat. But with 3 kids, sometimes it can be hard. However, I do have them trained with soda cans, school papers and boxes. While trying to to instill how recycling helps the environment, I guess I never really thought about what actually happens once the recycling truck takes away our containers and recycled goods. (I am just thankful they are gone and I am teaching my kids their part in helping to be more eco-friendly.)
Enter Preserve and Recycline, an innovative, green home products company, which closes the recycling cycle.
The Preserve line takes recycled BPA and phthalate-free plastic, including yogurt cups, and re-recycles them into stylish, affordable, and eco-friendly toothbrushes. And when it’s time to get new toothbrushes for the family, you can print out a pre-paid postage label from Recycline’s website, send the used toothbrushes back to them and the plastic will live on as a deck, picnic table, or boardwalk. (How cool is that?!) The line also includes Preserve Jr. toothbrushes for kids, with animal colors and shapes, making it easy for us to get an early start when it comes to promoting eco-friendly habits. (Because we all know that healthy habits have everything to do with how cute your toothbrush and/or products are. At least according to my 7 year old daughter.)
When I was sent a Recycline Preserve Toothbrush, I was eager to try it. I am very picky about my toothbrushes. Truth is, I love it. The bonus? It will be recycled when I am finished using it. (After 3 months- or strep throat- according to my dentist.)
Also known as “the toothbrush made from yogurt cups,” the Preserve Toothbrush was designed by dentists and engineers to be an innovation in both oral care and eco-friendliness.
The dentist-recommended 45° curved handle and soft bristles guarantee a thorough and even cleaning of your teeth. Available in seven vivid colors, the handle is made from recycled plastic, including Stonyfield Farm® yogurt cups, meaning that fewer natural resources are used to get your teeth sparkling. Combine that with the Preserve’s stylish design and reusable travel case and you’re not only living green, you’re living happy.
When it is time to replace your toothbrush (dentists recommend switching it every three months) send the toothbrush and case back to Preserve using our postage-paid label to be re-processed into plastic lumber for picnic tables, boardwalks and decks.
Features:
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Handle is made from 100% recycled plastic, including Stonyfield Farm® yogurt cups
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Curved, easy to grip handle makes it easy to reach every part of your teeth and gums
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Soft, virgin nylon bristles placed in a tri-level configuration with softer outer rows to protect your gums and tooth enamel
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Available in Medium, Soft, and Ultrasoft
Interested? (Yes, you are as a matter of fact.) Preserve toothbrushes are available at Target stores nationwide for only $2.04 and I have coupons for you! Just go to this site and get your own Recycline Preserve toothbrush coupon and try this bad boy out. Your teeth will thank you. So will the environment.
If you are interested in how all of this works, check out this really informative (and cool!) video on how they do it all. Education is key to clean teeth. Or not. But the video is interesting on Recycline and how it came about and what it is all about.
I must admit, when it comes to new Nintendo DS games, I usually fight my kids to play them first. (Truth be told, I usually lose that fight and have to go second.) The new game for Nintendo DS, Go Pets, Vacation Island was no exception. So as my daughter ripped into it and started, I watched eagerly over her shoulder for my turn to play.
GoPets is based on the online PC game GoPets. It brings the most advanced virtual pets created on the Internet to the most popular hand held entertainment system.
It is both a social network for kids and a cirtual univers, where pets created by each child feel like they are really alive- they have likes and dislikes when it comes to food (just like kids!). In addition you can watch you pet travel in real time between players all over the world!
My daughter loved creating her pets and naming them and treating them as real pets. (That I don’t have to clean up after. Bonus!)
It is also a great learning experience! Kids can win “shells” for performing acts of kindness to their pet or the pet of one of their buddies, allowing them to learn the value of good deeds. And in today’s world, that is a great quality for all of us to have!
The pets in the gam, either a dog or a cat, can be chosen randomly or matched to your child based on their interests. The pets names and appearanc, however, is completely up to your child. As your child amkes his way around the island, caring for his pets and meeting friends, he or she can trade purple shells he earns for different toys and pet suppoles. Your child can also interact with other characters and compete in mini games. Kids can also befriend new islanders, exchange gifts, and even unlocknew places to visit, all while increasing their ranking and the goal of acquiring the title of BIG KAHUNA, the most influential resident of Vacation Island.
Truth be told, I don’t know who had more fun with it, my daughter or me. All I do know for sure is that is it GAME ON in my house to see who can become the Big Kahuna first. My bet is on her, but my hope is with me.
This is a great game for kids as well as adults. It teaches children how to make friends online safely (which is a huge deal for me!) and they can add up to 250 players to their buddy list. I am not sure what it says that she has more friends that I do, but we both have made friends.
I highly recommend this game for anyone who enjoys their DS and virtual pets.
Other features that are a blast to enjoy:
Customize and dress up your dog, cat, or pony in cute, funky outfits
Collect over 700 world decorations, pet accessories, and food items
Build a buddy list of up to 250 friends to exchange messages and gifts with
Send your pet traveling when you’re not using your Nintendo DS, introducting you to more friends
Create and send graphical IKU messages to other characters and players
Play fun mini-games to earn bonus collectibles
Chat and play with your friends in party mode
Now, I am off to buy my own copy. I can’t have HER become the Big Kahuna first, now can I?
Some days it feels my life is lived online. At least a majority of my work is online. What is not online is on my computer. From the freelance articles I write, to rough drafts of my book to photos and videos of my family. I have my life saved of my hard drive. So, what would happen if I was “robbed” of my online life? I would be devastated. Just as my home has a burglar alarm, I know how important it is for my computer to have the equivalent.
Enter Norton 360 Version 2.0.
It is an all-in-one security solution that helps comsumers feel safe and secure when conducting daily computing activities. Norton 360 combines Symantec’s leading security and tuneup technologies with Identiity Protection and automated Backup technologies to help guard against online fraud and protect personal data. From securing against online threats, such as viruses, spyware and hackers to protecting irreplaceable files, photos, and music.
Some key features:
Defends your PC against a broad range of threats from drive-by downloads being stopped before hitting your computer to multi-levels of protection and a smart firewall
Safeguards against online identity theft: One way is by allowing customers to control how their personal information is shared with Web sites
Protects important files from loss: More ootions for backup destinations, knowledge your files were backedup and easily adding files for backup.
Keeps your PC tuned up for peak performance: Includes registry file cleanup, automatic shut down, diagnostic reports and Firefox compatability with its Internet cleanup.
Provides a hassle-free user experience
Protects against the latest online threats
One-click access to expert support right from your Norton 360 product
1 year protection for up to 3 PCs
So what does all of that mean to you and me? It means you can chill out and relax knowing that your computer is safe. That your life online and on your computer is being protected with Norton 360 Version 2.0. Trust me when I say that I am very paranoid when it comes to online security. Norton gives me peace of mind.
In the interest in full disclosure, I was given the opportunity to review this product for myself courtesy of Mom Central.
I admit it. I am a photo junkie. However, when it comes to pictures, both of my boys have a photo album of their early years and my daughter has a photo file on the computer. I am great at taking the pictures. Horrible at printing them out. Until now. Enter HP and their HP Photo Books and their HP Photosmart A626 compact photo printer. I am in love!
HP is committed to helping Moms quickly and easily record their family memories through digital photos. If you are interested, we will send you the Photo Book software and sample product. These new photo books are an easy and fun way for moms to create customized, professional-quality photo books at home. Everything moms need to make an affordable and unique photo book with any inkjet printer is included – a 12 sheet book, software, and photo paper. To create a photo book, mom simply loads the software, selects a design, chooses her photos, adds optional text, and prints.
Now I can print as many photos as I want and immediately slip those buggers into cloth-bound HP Photo Books. (MY daughter has a photo album now. That gives me great mommy points, doesn’t it?) Not to mention the fact that I don’t have to wrestle with the plastic sleeves of most photo albums. Easy. I love easy! I even got a bit creative and used the scrapbook feature on the printer and made some of the pictures even more personal. (I am not a scrapbooking, but with this I can pretend to be!)
Even before I printed out my pictures, I used the function that edits out red eyes on the touchscreen. (Either I have a knack for getting red eyes in pictures or my kids are possessed!) I found the red-eye removal function to be far superior than any I have used before.
The HP Photosmart A626 compact photo printer is what I would dream of if I were to dream up the perfect printer for myself. It really is so tiny and compact but with so many features. Now the clutter on my desk doesn’t have to compete with a huge printer. It is small enough to hide behind my monitor. Big plus for a cluttered desk.I just pull it out when I need it. Perfect! I can do things from basic photo printing (from a memory card or USB cable connection) to editing my photos all on this itty bitty printer. (Good things DO come in small packages!)
It gets better. I am giving away two of these HP Photo Books to two of you. Just email or leave a comment. It is that easy! I will contact the winners by email. You know you want them!
I have 3 kids– two of them in the “teen boy phase”– a girl who plays like there is not tomorrow and a Doberman. Can I just tell you how much I love Febreeze? My van really loves Febreeze! I was sent a sample of Febreeze To Go. I love the idea. Want to know a secret? I actually carried around a full size bottle of Febreeze in my van before this. (Boys? Doberman? Need it!) So now, I pop it in my hand dandy glove box and always have a small size with me. For those times when the kids spilled those french fries, but forgot to tell you and now your car really needs a fast cleansing smell. You can also keep it in your gym bag because we all know there is gym funk in your clothes after a work-out.
BUT, I can also travel with it. I can fly and not be thrown off on a airplane of have to throw my beautiful travel size away. It’s regular Febreeze in a TSA compliant 2.8 travel size. It’s great to be able to travel with in case you have something horrific smelling in your hotel room that has infected your clothes, like say bad cheese.
It retails for around $2.00 a bottle, and, is available where you get the regular sized Febreze.
Try it out! If you have kids, you owe it to yourself.
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Some days it feels my life is lived online. At least a majority of my work is online. What is not online is on my computer. From the freelance articles I write, to rough drafts of my book to photos and videos of my family. I have my life saved of my hard drive. So, what would happen if I was “robbed” of my online life? I would be devastated. Just as my home has a burglar alarm, I know how important it is for my computer to have the equivalent.
