Charter Digital Means Charter On Demand!

What is Wendy talking about now? I just wanted all you fascinating parents to know that if you have Charter Digital, you also have On Demand! WooHoo! What's more, you have free access to it! Aren't you glad you came to my little blog today and learned this ever important lesson? That's what I'm here for... you can thank me later! lol

Want more information about Charter On Demand? Sure you do! Visit this very helpful link to find the full scoop for On Demand: learn more at charter.net/ondemand and find out what you've been missing! Like, um... over 6,000 movies and shows, that are there when you want them, not when they just happen to be airing. That's right, you choose when and what to watch, so it's all about your schedule! Feeling spoiled are you?

What about that show you missed last night? The one you forgot to DVR and were so excited about? Did you know you might just be able to find it with On Demand the next day at no charge whatsoever?

Oh, and what about those nights when one of your kids wakes up at 2 in the morning with a stomach bug and wants to watch Spongebob? I know it's hard to believe, but sometimes you can't find it on! lol When your little one needs to find Winnie the Pooh, Scooby Doo, or yes... Spongebob at 2 in the morning, to help them feel a little better, you can! Once again, at no charge! After all, what do kids know about programming schedules anyway? lol No need to explain through the coughing and stomach aches, just find what they're wanting to watch and keep them comfortable. :)

If you're liking the whole HD thing, you'll also be quite pleased to know that On Demand offers hundreds of programs in HD.

So... that's today's lesson on Charter. lol Now, go find a movie or your favorite television show, pop some popcorn and think of me! lol Just kidding. :)



P.S... Don't forget that Charter is on Facebook! Are you? Be sure to get updates and fun extras on Charter’s Facebook page today!

Homeschooler's Celebrating Halloween

People sometimes put all homeschoolers into the same bucket or assume we come from the same mold, which most of us would likely agree to be a ridiculous assumption. Have you ever experienced this? I will agree that for the majority of homeschoolers in the United States, we have a few basic things in common and many of us are Christians, but that isn't even always the case. There is actually a group of pagan homeschoolers... I know this because I've seen their blogs!

Just to set an example for those who doubt, I will bet all the tea in China that there are a lot of strong beliefs among homeschoolers as to how (or if) to celebrate Halloween. As a Christian I've always struggled with this holiday to an extent and yet I married a man who lives for this time of year. He loves monster movies, Dracula, those horrible gory looking face masks with axes stuck in the side and fake blood dripping from the mouths and eyes. Gag, not me! Yet, my husband is a HUGE proponent of homeschooling... just like me and he's also a born again Christian. So there you go! lol

This is on my mind with Halloween just around the corner and goblins and ghouls adorning many of our neighbor's doors. So, here's my question to all my homeschooling readers...

Do you celebrate Halloween? If so, how do you celebrate? Do you go door-to-door with your kids? Do you pass out candy to the neighborhood children from your own door? Do you throw a party or attend parties?

Traveling to Asia Pacific? Book Now and Save Big!

If your looking for hotel rooms across the Asia Pacific area, this is the best time to reserve those rooms! One million hotel rooms are up for grabs in a 3-day long Super Sale!

In order to take advantage of this great savings, you'll want to book online at Accor Hotels 3-Day Super Sale Asia Pacific starting today, October 27th through October 30th. Believe it or not, the rates for this super sale start at just $30 (U.S.) per night. There are a wide variety of bargain rates available at a large number of qualifying hotels. Your qualifying stay must fall anywhere between December of this year and April of 2010, so if you are going oversees for the holidays for example, you've stumbled onto something huge! The only catch? You must book your stay before the October 30th deadline slips away!

Traveling to Thailand, China, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand or Figi, just to name a few? If so, you'll want to explore this awesome sale today! I'd love to visit New Zealand and Australia... that's always been a dream of mine.

Not only can you save on hotel rooms, but this just so happens to also be the season for awesome savings on airfare, so if you have someone to see between December and April, or have had a dream (like mine) to visit another part of the world (in this case Asia Pacific), why not plan that trip today?

Accor operates in nearly 100 countries around the world and is the European leader in hotels, employing some 150,000 people. I guess you could safely say Accor is a hotel giant!

Family Fun Online... Travel Games for Kids!

Are you taking a family trip this year? Possibly a long road trip to visit family for Thanksgiving or Christmas or maybe you're flying to Florida to soak up some sun and escape the falling temperatures?

If you have kids... and my guess is you do if you're reading this blog, you'll want to visit the travel section of Familyfun.com! A friend of mine emailed me a few links from this site last week and we couldn't believe the stuff they had there for free! You'll have to pay to print, but the cool thing is you'll only print what you want; not like when shopping for a book that may only have one or two things your kids are interested in.

Check out the On The Road Games section for a mountain of free games that can be printed at home and enjoyed on the road or in the sky. Memory games, matching games, mazes, even games specific to travel. Click and print, then stick them in your mommy bag (you do have one right?)

Family Fun is my favorite printed magazine. It has been every since I won a free year subscription and started getting it in the mail. I'm not normally a magazine reader, outside of the doctor's office waiting room, but when this particular magazine arrives each month, it never hits the recycling bin until I've ripped out about half a dozen must save pages! lol

If you can't afford to invest in a new magazine subscription, the website is just as cool! It offers a great variety of information, including family friendly activities, recipes, and as I already shared... A LOT of great printables.

Go have some fun!

Spend Christmas in Branson!

Are you wanting to do something different this Christmas? Perhaps schedule a holiday vacation rather than spending the Christmas season at home? This is something we've never done, but I'd love to pack up the kids and head to Branson for the holidays!

Not only is Branson a great place to catch a show and do some holiday shopping, but it's also a great place to find Santa Claus! Yes... Santa comes to Branson and he's making a special appearance at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing, with a special holiday hotel package they like to call "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", the big man will show up to your hotel room with gifts, milk and cookies! This would be a Christmas your kids would never forget! This package starts at just $189 a night!

The Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing also offers a special package called "It's a Wonderful Life" which starts at just $329 per night. This special package gives you discounts at dozens of shops and restaurants and a special appointment with the Aspire Medical Spa.

Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel lobby will be Mrs. Claus' hangout spot, so be sure you take the kids to meet her while you're on this unforgettable holiday excursion!

I haven't been to Branson in a few years and am dying to go back! I've been reading so much about the Hilton Promenade and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel, that I feel a bit of a void in that I've never stayed at either hotel! One of these days I'll be here telling you about our trip... that I'm certain of. Maybe it will be this Christmas? One never knows!

If it's your year to visit Branson over the Christmas holiday, be sure to check out a show or two and take advantage of all the amazing shops, Silver Dollar City (which isn't too terribly far away), and the many museums that the city offers. You'll never run out of attractions to see and places to shop!

It's 11:00, Do You Know Where Your Mother Is?

I just returned home from an outing with a friend and feel a bit like I missed my curfew! lol As a mom do you ever feel like you'll turn into a pumpkin if you're not home by a certain hour? I feel a bit odd about coming home so late... it's not the norm for this 30 something mom to be out past 9:30ish. lol

Yes... that's part of my life as mom... normally I'm here in time to get my kids off to bed. Teeth brushed (I still help them, just to be sure we get the job done), pajamas on, and tucked into bed with a good night hug and a reminder to say their prayers before they drift off to dreamland. Tonight however, I came home to find both my kids asleep on the living room floor in front of the television, with dry toothbrushes sitting on the sink and dirty dishes on the table. lol

So... I get to try and brush their teeth while they're sleeping, which means no toothpaste. I can't imagine what it would feel like to be sleeping comfortably and have someone stick a brush in my mouth, but by the looks of the bowls sitting on the dining room table they had a big bowl of sugar, also known as ice cream. Around here we call it a dairy product, but not sure their little teeth will consider it all good.

Anyway, this post is a bit about nothing, but such is life. I had a great time with a fairly new friend and although I didn't get to tuck my kiddos into bed, I'm enjoying watching them sleep just feet from my computer. They're so peaceful and beautiful!

Adopt a Sheltered Cat or Dog Online!

There are thousands of unwanted cats and dogs waiting for good homes at area shelters and yet we still find people buying pure-bred puppies for hundreds of dollars at pet stores. I have friends who breed dogs and I do get that... I also grew up with pure-breads and we NEVER adopted a pet from a shelter. We did however take in several strays over the years and I will say this... those strays were every bit as loving and wonderful as the dogs my father paid good money for.

If you're looking to add a pet to your family, please consider pet adoption first, before you hit a breeder or a pet store chain. Teach your children how to adopt a pet and why pet adoption is so very important.

If you're afraid to walk into a shelter, unsure of what you'll find and how it might tweak at your heart, consider checking out Petango.com where you can view images of pets in your area in need of a good home. Pentago provides the user with real-time searches in hopes of matching animals with families in need of a little fuzzy friend to nurture and love on.

You should see all the dogs I just pulled up in my area... many with photos and I'm already in love. There is a cute little brown lab mix that is making my heart melt!

Looking for a cat instead? Visit Petango.com - Adopt a cat! Enter your zip code or city and state and let the search begin. Find that photo that melts your own heart, jump in your car and go after that precious little feline who has been waiting for you!

We're more dog people than cat people, so I'm drooling over the dogs. lol If your kids (like mine) are at that age when you think they might finally be ready to help take care of a brand new pooch visit this ever important link: Petango.com - Adopt a dog today!

Do your good dead for the day... if you're ready for a cat or dog, head to Petango.com and save the day for some homeless animal. Dogs and cats weren't meant to live in cages waiting for someone to love on them. The love of an animal is priceless... they love you even on your worst day! Let me know if you visit the site. :o)

Famous Quotes on Imagination

I have VERY imaginative children, providing me with the inspiration behind this post. I thoroughly enjoy reading thought provoking quotes and thought I'd share a few with you here. :o)

Imagination is more important that knowldege. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand. ~Albert Einstein

The human race is governed by its imagination. ~Napoleon

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities. ~Dr. Suess (gotta love the Suessman!)

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it. ~William A. Ward

I have discovered that people with money have no imagination, and people with imagination have no money. ~George Weiss Rainbow (I'm trying to decide if this is true, lol)

My favorites:

A fool-proof method for sculpting an elephant: first, get a huge block of marble; then you chip away everything that doesn't look like an elephant. ~Author Unknown

People who lean on logic and philosophy and rational exposition end by starving the best part of the mind. ~William Butler Yeats

Do you have a favorite quote on imagination? Perhaps one you've written yourself?

Collect Your Own Stem Cells and Help Breast Cancer Research

I didn't think I knew anyone with breast cancer, but what I've learned over the past few months is that I do know many breast cancer survivors. I learned of another just this past Sunday. It's been an eye opener.

When I was in jr. high school I recall my health teacher telling us that 1 in 12 women would one day develop breast cancer. What I learned today upon examining current stats is that it's now 1 in 8.

If one day it turned out that your own stem-cells could possibly help treat... maybe even cure you of such a horrible diagnosis, wouldn't you want to know today how you might collect those cells? Do you all remember me sharing information a number of weeks ago about Cryo-Cell International? I shared a post with my readers at that time on the discovery that menstrual blood actually provides an excellent supply of healthy stem cells.

C'elle is a collection kit that allows you to take your future into your own hands in a way never before imagined. This kit along with the vigorous research conducted by Cryo-Cell International, Inc. may one day save your life. In a partnership with the National Institute of Health this corporation is researching the potential benefits these vital stem cells may provide to women suffering from breast cancer.

During the month of October, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness month, C'elle will donate $25 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for every new enrollment into their collection and preservation program. Upon enrollment you'll receive your collection kit, which you'll then return for processing and professional preservation. What a great opportunity to be pro-active and to help support the race for a cure all at the same time. Why not learn more about how you can contribute to being a part of the Cyro-Cell Breast Cancer Donation process?

I've been buying pink all month, that is... when I know proceeds are going to support the cause. With C'elle you're not only supporting "the cause", but you could be protecting your future.

Learn more about C'Elle Breats Cancer Donation today! If you're looking for information about current stem cell research and the promises it holds, checkout their science showcase.

Art Links for Kids Via US Government?

You just never know what you're going to find on government websites. Sometimes it's boring bureaucratic stuff, other times it's sorta cool. Such is the case for portions of Kids.gov.

I was actually not looking for a government list of art sites for children, but another that I heard about today... the one I was searching out I've still yet to find. lol In the meantime, if you're like me and enjoy sharing the joy of art with your children, why not spend a few minutes checking out what the U.S. government finds worthwhile for our kiddos? At the very least these will be trusted sites free of viruses and spyware.

Kids.gov actually has a lot of interesting links for children. The first link on their list is "The Art Zone" and is really cool! Ok... so I haven't gotten past the first link, but hey there's a lot of fun to be had with the 3-D Twirler! lol Create your object to rotate, change it's pattern, then twirl it and practice drawing in it's various positions. What a great art lesson!

I think my 7 year old is going to have a blast with this. I'm going to invest a few minutes navigating this site to see what else it offers. :o) She's my little artist, but even my son will get a kick out of playing with this cool little gizmo!

Long Lost Mentors... How Do You Find Them?

Through the use of Internet social sites I've found a number of old friends from college, as well as a handful of co-workers from many years past. Modern day technology can make tracking down long lost family and friends simple and nearly effortless... so long as you know where to look!

Many of my past acquaintances have been found through networking sites, but since not everyone networks... there are still a handful of faces I long to see. Today I found a website that not only allows you to do some digging for those you've lost contact with, but it even allows you to search out the names of individuals who've been searching for you! lol

So... who will you search for? Maybe a basketball coach from high school or a favorite Sunday school teacher? Maybe it's even a friend of one of you parents... someone you knew growing up, a babysitter or that best friend in 8th grade who moved away and you never heard from again. We all have someone with whom we attribute much of our success in life to... those people who believed in us, taught us what it meant to be a friend and gave us a greater sense of self-worth. It's these special individuals who stepped into our life just when we needed them most, to give us that extra nudge in life... even if it was just a daily dose of friendship.

Are you ready to search for someone from your past? Who knows... maybe they've been searching for you too! Visit MyLife and see if you can find that special someone. I'm going to see if I can find an old friend I knew from grade school. I haven't seen her in nearly 25 years. Wish me luck!

Making Granola at Home!

My kids are getting to that age where they really want to help me in the kitchen... and they absolutely love to help me make snacky types of foods. I'm fine with that so long as we can find healthy alternatives to some of the old standards. I've scoped out the web and found a couple fun sites sharing how to make your own granola from home! I've never done this, but think we'll give it a shot. Might make nice gifts for the neighbors too!

The first link: How to Make Granola shows you how to make your own granola without spending a small fortune. This site offers excellent step by step instructions and photos.

Another cool site is Healthy Eats, with it's Make Your Own Granola tutorial. A lot of great information here... only one photo, but a good resource.

Finally, I found Cooks.com has multiple recipes for homemade granola, including recipes for bars and cereals! Visit the start of their impressive list at Recipes - Homemade Granola and find that special recipe that suits you and your family best!

Have fun and happy snacking!

Calling All Canadians Interested in Winning a Dream Kitchen!

So you live in Canada and you love to cook and enjoy searching out great recipes and cooking tips.... and you could fully appreciate a brand new dream kitchen? Have I got the website for you! The Maple Leaf Market provides great recipes like the one for chicken and cheese quesadillos that I'm currently looking over now. Yummy! This site has vivid photos, skill level assessment, and easy to follow directions for every recipe on site.

You'll want to meet the butcher and the baker while you're there! Also be sure to check out the great "Meals Made Easy" section that provides you with time efficient meal planning options that are also family pleasing! This is a great resource and a site that is a lot of fun to navigate through to boot!

If I caught your attention when I mentioned the kitchen makeover , and how could that not have escaped your attention (lol), you'll want to visit the site daily, to enter to win your dream kitchen! This contest is for Canadians, so if that's you... be sure to get yourself registered!

I can't even imagine getting that phone call or email! Can you? Entering starts with you visiting the site, entering your email and agreeing to the terms and conditions of the giveaway. You are permitted one entry each and everyday through the duration of the contest. This contest is HUGE... by any stretch of the imagination... we're talking a dream kitchen worth $32,000. Additionally, they're giving away 12 Frigidaire refrigerators all to kick off their new website! What's better than an ultimate giveway to get you excited about a new website featuring recipes, tips, and coupons!

If I were to win this contest, I'd have to apply the winnings to our new dream home... something we hope to build next year. The kitchen is the most important room in my house... to me anyway! I spend many hours there on a daily basis and would so love to have all new appliances and the latest and greatest in kitchen counter tops and accessories. Can't even imagine what it would be like to go shopping for those sorts of things on someone elses dollar! lol

Good luck!

When is it time to start thinking about Christmas Cards?

How soon do you start planning your Christmas card sending? Maybe you don't even send cards. I know a growing number of people who are relying on email and ecards to share their Christmas hellos and well wishes, but I'm all about snail mail, including a letter about what our family has been up to and filled with many photos (or one really good shot) of my family. That can be expensive and time consuming, but everyone loves receiving their card... so I have no intention of slashing the tradition!

What is different this year though is that I'm using SendOutCards to send my holiday greetings. It's cheaper than store bought cards, you can write your own message and upload your own photos and when you submit the finished product someone in Utah prints your card and sends it out for you! Tada!

I'm going to send out about 80 cards this year, so going the SendOutCards route is really the way for me to go! I wish I could twist your arm a bit and convince you to give this system a shot, but I'm since that's physically impossible to do through my computer, you'll just have to take my word for it! lol I got hooked a number of months ago and have had the best time creating my own cards and when in a pinch selecting one of their premade cards from their card catalog. So much fun and so super convenient, especially if you're creating a campaign and sending to multiple recipients. :)

Hope you'll visit my link in the sidebar and give it a shot!