The Angel Forever

Calendar holiday happenings

Posted on August 20, 2009 10:49 am by TheAngelForever

As a former teacher, I still use an Academic calendar. I finally made my September 2009 to September 2010 calendar to fill in important dates. First I put in family/friend birthdays, anniversaries and the like. Next, I put in the secular holidays. After that, it was time to place the Jewish holidays in and incorporate the school district calendar for NHL.

This year the High Holidays are in September and October and aside from Yom Kippur, all fall on the weekend. Although this means we will not be able to go to Six Flags during those weekends, it does mean that hubby will not need to take time off for Rosh Hashana (2 days), Sukkot (2 days), Shmini Atzeret (1 day) and Simchat Torah (1 day). This is huge in my mind. Of course, in noting this I was aware that next year would likely be a lot different.

As I went through December, I saw Chanukah starts in mid-December on the 11th (miss all the big Christmas sales again). Then I noticed that Purim was February 28. Oy! I knew at that moment it was not a good sign. Sure enough the Passover seders are Monday-Tuesday March 29-30. To put that into perspective, Easter is the following Sunday on April 4th. This means that JL will need to take off 5 days from work for Pessach. Fast forward to May and two days mid week for Shavuot.

Then, it was back to the High Holidays of 2010. Everything is during the week, except Yom Kippur which is a Saturday and my sister-in-law’s birthday. Everything is between September 9th and October 1st. I joked with JL that Chanukah would likely be in November given the early holidays. I was not far off. Next year, in 2010, Chanukah begins December 1st and we will light the last candle on my birthday.

So, if you are keeping track with me: That is 13 holidays that my hubby takes off of work because of his beliefs. Another item I realized is that NHL will miss his first day of Hebrew school. We have a family function that weekend. Since the Jewish holidays this year are all Saturday/Sunday combination, it means he will not have his first day until October 18th. Oy!

Categories:
holidays jl school

Papa and the family princess

Posted on August 19, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

All photos of my father and niece.

Categories:
family photos summer weekend Wordless Wednesday

New Cards by Hallmark – Review

Posted on August 18, 2009 10:10 pm by TheAngelForever

There is nothing like getting a card from someone to make you smile. Whether the card is handed to you, left on your desk, or mailed with a stamp it shoes that someone really cares about you. When I was in middle school, I became a Secret Pal for my younger cousin. For years I sent her fun cards, little gifts and messages letting her know that her Secret Pal loved her. During those years, I would often go to Hallmark stores in our local mall and spend hours buying cards to have on hand. I have to admit, I am a Hallmark snob. Those commercials with people flipping the card over. . . . that’s me!

Recently, I was contacted by the Family Review Network to see check out some samples of Hallmark’s new Edge of Motherhood and Moms Encouraging Kids lines.

Edge of Motherhood: (Survey results from the Moms that inspired this line can be found here)

“Motherhood is sometimes raw, always authentic and frankly funny,” said Tina Neidlein, a writer who helped develop one of Hallmark’s new encouragement lines just for moms, called Edge of Motherhood. “Moms told us that they want to be able to connect with other moms around the experiences that only they can truly appreciate. That’s why we’re excited to share these new cards – to help moms address that need.”

The cards touch on a wide variety of motherhood topics including:

Being a stay-at-home mom
Juggling all of the responsibilities of life
Battling stress in every day life
Raising a child
Endless laundry and other chores
Dramas you encounter as a Mom
Figuring out your baby and children

Here are two of my favorites that were included in my samples:

Inside: "A company that has pooped on you, literally, but still it’s a company."

Inside: "Being a Mom is the most rewarding job that will ever make you want to tear your hair out. Don’t worry. It’ll grow back in."

Moms Encouraging Kids:

"The survey also revealed moms’ desires to encourage their kids more, particularly at the back-to-school timeframe. When asked about giving encouragement to their kids, more than three-fourths of moms said they are looking for new ways to boost their child’s confidence during back-to-school. To address their need, Hallmark has introduced new cards just for kids, which use humor, sound, and heartfelt messages to help adults “breakthrough” in a genuine, authentic way, packing a confidence boost."

The cards touch on some of the following topics:

Giving good wishes/luck
Boosting confidence
Helping with back-to-school butterflies
Encouraging your child to do their best
Sending a laugh via a card just because
Letting your child know you are thinking of them

All of the card samples that I received had sounds in them when you opened them. Two of my favorites were:

Inside: "There! Now you have good luck! (But you can open this card again anytime you need some more!) Music like a fairy waiving their wand plays upon opening.

Inside: "…TOO much." A loud, mother is heard saying " Hi Honey. Hi! Guess who loves you? I do! I love you so much. That’s right schnuckums. You heard that? I love you!"

Where to purchase:

Both collections of cards are available at select Hallmark Gold Crown stores and other retailers where Hallmark cards are sold. Some styles of the “Edge of Motherhood” cards are also available online at Hallmark.com. The full collection is only in stores. Both lines have cards that start at 99 cents each. The cards for kids that include sound retail for $2.99

My thoughts:

I honestly fell in love with the Edge of Motherhood cards. I adore the fun sense of humor, slight sarcasm and mommy-isms that all mothers will understand and sympathize with. Not only did I laugh as I read them, I nodded in full agreement with sentiments expressed within the cards. I also sat there looking at my cards planning out people who I would send them to to make them smile and let them know I was thinking of them. Next time I need a card for a mom friend, these will be on the top of my list.

Growing up, my mother used to tuck a card/note into my lunch at school. I would feel special and her words would carry me through the rest of the day. I have done the same and thing with my oldest son. The Moms Encouraging Kids line is a perfect and fun way to help kids know they are extra special to us. I know that I plan on going out to my local Hallmark store to look for a back to school card to tuck into my son’s bag for his first day of 1st grade in a few weeks.

This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program for Hallmark, who supplied the cards for review.

Categories:
laughs me moments Product review

Table Manners by Mia King

Posted on August 18, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

The recipe for a great book includes characters that you connect with and a plot that you can believe in. When these ingredients are put together, you have a book that you will not want to put down. Author Mia King does just this in her new book Table Manners (August 2009). Table Manners picks up the story of Deirdre McIntosh that King introduced readers to in Good Things (2007).

Book Description from Amazon.com:

Her simple life is more complicated than ever.

Deidre McIntosh finally has all the ingredients for a perfect life. She has her own line of cakes and cookies, and the perfect boyfriend, Kevin Johnson, one of Seattle’s top bachelors. Creative, energetic, and loving, Deidre is the person friends go to when they need a helping hand.

But when Kevin’s ex-fiancée, the sultry and successful magazine publisher Sabine Durant, suddenly appears in Seattle, it’s Deidre who needs help. Already intimidated by Kevin’s glamorous, moneyed world–and his sister, who wants Deidre out of Kevin’s life–she knows she’s no match for Sabine.

Deidre turns to her friends for advice, but finds they’re having crises of their own. When her business begins to slip from her fingers, Deidre knows she must to do something to keep her career and her love life from imploding. Can everyone’s favorite go-to person save herself?

More about Mia King (from Amazon.com Biography):

Author Mia King

National bestselling author Mia King is the author of three novels, GOOD THINGS (2007), SWEET LIFE (2008), and TABLE MANNERS (2009). Her books have been printed internationally and are selections of the Doubleday, Literary Guild, Rhapsody and Book of the Month book clubs. Mia lives in Hawaii where she is currently at work on her next novel.

My Review:

Last summer, I kept reading review after review for the book Sweet Life by Mia King. I was intrigued by all of the positive remarks that people wrote. I decided to pick up a copy and devoured the book over two days. I even wrote about it since I was actually able to put my knitting down in favor of this book.

I was immediately able to call my self a Mia King fan and decided to read Good Things. King’s style of writing is captivating. You quickly transport ourself into the world of her believable characters. When I was finished reading Good Things, I wanted to continue on and know more about Deirdre McIntosh. What happened to her and Kevin? Would Deirdre’s life continue in a positive direction after her walks around the lake?

When I was given the opportunity to read Table Manners as part of a review for The Family Review Network, I jumped at it. Like a little kid, I stayed up late and read in dim lights reading through the book with delight. Each page brought me closer to finding out what happened to the likeable Deidre McIntosh. I absolutely loved this book. Seriously, the characters lives grew in depth as I read more about them. We watched as Deidre problem solved through several sticky situations and baked more amazing sweets (which inspired my need to bake). When I was finished, I once again found myself wishing for more. Rather than spoil it, let me just say that I want to know how life continues to play out for Deidre, Kevin, Marla, and Lindsey.

A special bonus in each of Mia King’s books, including Table Manners, is the section of mouth watering recipes included at the end. In Table Manners, the recipes were all of the items that were served at William and Alain’s Buffet. I can not wait to try some of them.

If you are looking for a great book by an author that knows how to connect to her readers, then I highly recommend Mia King’s latest book Table Manners. One suggestion, just make sure to read the introductory book about Deirdre McIntosh called Good Things.

This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program for Mia King, who supplied me with the book for review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own genuine feelings.

Categories:
books Product review

Six today

Posted on August 17, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Today my big kid is six years old. I am in major denial. For some reason, NHL turning six has hit me harder than when I turned thirty. I am not sure why, but the fact that NHL is over half way to a double digit number is tough for me to swallow (Five).

Dear NHL,

Six years ago today the adventure began. You were born and our lives changed forever. Daddy and I became parents and we loved the challenges that came our way. Looking at our gorgeous little boy was worth every sleepless night.

Before we knew it you grew up before our eyes. Each year we would celebrate. . . one, two, three, four and, last year, five. This year has been quite the adventure with a five year old. It was a transition for not only us, but you as well. Soon after turning five, you went to full day kindergarten and began your adventure in elementary school.

Here is a look back at the last year of you life. After your fifth birthday, you were quite fascinated with croquet. Much time before kindergarten was spent outside with your new set from Nana and Papa. (August 2008)

With tears in our eyes we sent you, our kindergarten kid, off to school. (September 2008)

Dr. NHL had a lot of fun Trick-or-Treating on Halloween. To this day, we all joke that your fascination with all things medical may be a sign of a career in your future. (October 2008)

For Thanksgiving at school, you insisted that the Pilgrims try some matzoh balls made my Mommy. You gobbled them up and were so proud that JSL came to kindergarten to visit. (November 2008)

So many things happened at the end of 2008. We celebrated Chanukah, went to Disney on Ice and planned our first big family vacation. (December 2008)

During the cold winter months you, JSL and I had a lot of fun spending snow days home in our PJs. This was our time to catch up on watching different Disney movies before our trip in May. (January 2009)

For the third year in a row, you went to see Sesame Street Live. This time you were the pro and helped to show your little brother and cousin S the ropes. (February 2009)

As the spring arrived, you became excited about learning to ride your new bike (early birthday present from us), seeing your cousins for a weekend at the hotel/pool and getting ready for Disney World. You also showed your vulnerable side when you saw your brother taken away by ambulance to the hospital after another febrile seizure. (March 2009)

Along with kindergarten, this year began another part of your education. You went to Hebrew School and loved Israeli Dancing. Daddy went with you to your first big dance festival and you loved it. (April 2009)

When May finally arrived, you were beyond excited to take your first ride on an airplane and go to Disney World. You came home from that visit a new child. Not only did you love roller coasters/wild rides, you no longer were afraid of costumes at amusement parks. (may 2009)

In June, you rode a horse for the first time and graduated from kindergarten. At that moment, you were no longer my kindergarten kid and it was tough for Mommy. (June 2009)

This summer, we went back to Six Flags and you continued to show your love for rides galore. You had fun riding in the Big Red Cars with JSL, and of course the Bob Sled with Daddy and me. The best part, you wanted your photos taken with all of the characters at the park. Now if only you can get your little brother to be cool with them. (July 2009)

This month, you went to camp for the first time, tried a Super Soaker with Daddy, went to Home Depot and Lowes for kid building clinics, finished the summer library reading program (read over 60 books so far), and discovered your first wiggle tooth is almost ready to come out. (August 2009)

This year you have learned so much. You saw how important it is to take your medicine to control your allergies, even if you do not like it. Figuring out how to swallow a pill was much better than a lot of liquid medicine. Not only can you add and subtract, but you now write stories and can read books on your own. This was your number one goal that you told your teacher in September and you met it with flying colors!

You are my big kid and I am so proud of you. I can not wait to see what this year has in store for us as you turn six today. Know that I always love you, will be cheering you on, and will help you when you need me. I hope that you have a magical birthday today and know that I love you with all of my heart.

Mommy