More Christmas Cookies

Last week I shared my recipe for Egg Nog Spritz cookies. Last year was the first time we made them, and right away they became a favorite!

These are a pressed-cookie, and I use an old-school cookie press. This old-fashioned aluminum cookie press is by far the best way to make em!

Because we make more than one kind of pressed-cookie, I use different shapes for different flavors. I had already done the Hazelnut Spritz in the shape of a wreath, so the Egg Nog Spritz are trees.

This is my 2nd cookie press. The first one I bought at a garage sale for $1 and lasted me about 4 years. The turning-handle broke off. (That year, we finished the cookies cranking the press with a vice-grip!) This one was also bought at a garage sale, this time I paid $5 because it came with the original book and disks. I wish there was a date on it!

These Egg Nog Spritz cookies are a bit of work, but they are so worth it! Not only do they turn out pretty, they are super yummy!

Silly Survey: Help The Obama Family

What kind of dog should Barack Obama buy for his daughters? I can’t believe how much attention this getting – probably more than the economic crisis or the war in Iraq! Or maybe, it’s getting so much attention because of the crisis and war. We need something fun and positive to focus on.

Anyway, here is a link to a silly survey you can take to help the Obama’s decide – LOL. By participating, you could win a $100 VISA Gift Card. Click Here (sorry Canada – available to US residents only).

Your Brownies Can Win You A Kitchen Makeover!

AMERICANS ELECT BROWNIES AS THE COUNTRY’S FAVORITE DESSERT
This season there has been a sweet debate taking place online and in kitchens across the country. Pillsbury® asked Americans to cast votes for their favorite dessert – cake or brownies and brownies were declared America’s Favorite Dessert in the Pillsbury® Campaign for a Sweeter America.  After a national campaign tour with the Pillsbury Doughboy® and an online election, it was Brownies’ undeniable richness that won the hearts (and stomachs) of the nation’s voters.

SWEET CONTEST!!
To celebrate Brownies’ victory, the makers of Pillsbury baking products want to hear how people make things sweeter with their favorite desserts at www.pillsburybaking.com/campaign.  The sweetest entry will receive a kitchen makeover worth $5,000, and Pillsbury will also make a donation to Feeding AmericaTM to help end hunger in this country. (Ends December 31st)

Squidoo Holiday Twitter Drive – Please Vote!

Squidoo is doing a Twitter Drive to raise funds for 21 charities! Simply visit this Squidoo page: http://www.squidoo.com/squidoo-twitterdrive-for-charity and vote. $1 donated per vote up to 30,000 votes. You must have a Twitter account – if you don’t have one click here to get started and be sure to follow me!

Being that my little brother will be deployed again to Iraq shortly, I ask that you vote for Operation Helmet like I did.

Thanks in advance – and thank you Squidoo!

The Financial Impact of Prematurity

A few days ago I blogged about the emotional impact of prematurity. Today, I want to share the financial impact.

Grand Total: $715,000. Yes you read that right. This is the accumulated total of medical bills associated with Little Dude’s prematurity – from the day I was admitted to the hospital with preeclampsia to his last specialist visit just over a month ago.

Preemies are expensive. Don’t get me wrong, they’re worth every penny. But it’s a hardship. I fortunately had medical insurance. His hospital stay alone was more than what I paid for my house. $293,000 for my teeny-tiny little man to stay in the hospital for 55 days.

That doesn’t cover the doctors and specialists: perinatologist, neonatologist, respiratory therapist, cardiologist,  neurologist, ophthalmologist, and urologist.  We also had a social worker, a physical therapist, a speech therapist, a nutritionist and a lactation consultant. And then there was the 24/7 care he received from the NICU nursing staff. And our little dude was healthy! We didn’t have any complications or surgeries during our NICU stay.

After we were released from the NICU we had a few follow-up visits from a nursing program even though we didn’t bring anything home with us (oxygen, apnea monitor or gavage). And there were lots of follow-up visits to the ophthalmologist, urologist, physical therapist, speech therapist, occupational therapist and neurologist.

Our ‘case’ was so financially complicated that we were assigned a case manager by our insurance company. Also thrown into the mess were two different hospitals – on on the ‘plan’ and one out of network. Holy paperwork Batman!

Because I delivered 12 weeks early, I missed out on receiving 5 paychecks from my job that I had planned on depositing into savings. And to top it off, I had to take a 12-week leave-of-absence (family medical leave) unpaid because Little Dude was released from the hospital the day before my maternity leave ended. Financially it was hard – very hard.

Imagine if I didn’t have insurance coverage? Sure, there are services available to help like Medicare and Social Security. But imagine taking on the financial burden?

The March of Dimes has taken on this devastating problem—to find out what causes it and how it can be stopped.

Call To Action: How can you help?

1. Sign the Preemie Petition

2. Join Kristine’s Blogging for Prematurity Awareness campaign and help spread awareness

3. Comment, favor, and share (Twitter it, share on Facebook, Stumble it, etc) my Resources for Preemie Parents page.

4. Post the following button on your blog or site:

<a href=”http://www.marchofdimes.com?kbid=1685″ target=”_blank”><img src=”http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j189/girlie0226/mod_pam.gif” alt=”Support The March Of Dimes”></a>

Note: 100% of the proceeds from this link go directly to MOD.

Dapper Snappers Product Review

For the first time, I’ve had to move Little Dude up a size because of his height. Usually it’s his girth that forces us to make the move, but he’s had a growth-spirt and has lost most of his “baby fat” {sobs}. So we’ve been facing a new challenge with his wardrobe: the waist on his pants is too big, not all toddler pants have adjustable elastic and belts on 3-year-olds are not conducive to potty training!

Problem Solved!! I received a sample of the Dapper Snapper thanks to Amanda at A Mom’s Review.

The mom-invented Dapper Snapper is made of elastic and snaps. You slip the Snapper through the back belt loops of your child’s pants then pull to size and snap. Each Snapper is adjustable to 4 sizes. It’s so simple!

Little Dude’s pants fit! And because the Snapper is used on the back of the pants, there is still quick and easy access to buttons and zippers (oh so necessary when potty training!).

The Dapper Snapper is available for boys and girls in a variety of colors. The cost for a single Snapper is $8.95, a 3-pack is $23.96, and a 6-pack is $39.95. There are also “snapcessories” to dress-up your Snapper.

There is a list of retail locations on the website or you can order the Dapper Snapper from Toddler Tech USA.

The Dapper Snapper is convenient and makes dressing Little Dude easy – I don’t know how moms got along without it. The Dapper Snapper gets The Household Helper’s Seal of Approval for saving time (no belts to fuss with), money (kids will fit in the pants they have), and sanity (easier potty training)!!

Recommended Gadget: The Plastic Surgeon

I hate items that are packaged in a “clamshell” – you know that darn plastic casing with fused edges.

Regular scissors just don’t cut it. I’ve heard that a hand-held can opener works – I didn’t have success with that tip. Usually we grab a utility knife to get the job done – not a very safe option.

Well look what I discovered! The Plastic Surgeon. It safely cuts through the plastic, keeping your fingers away from danger. I think it’s a must have for Christmas!

The Plastic Surgeon is available at leapsandbounds.com for just $9.95. (Psst: free shipping on orders $100 and more AND I have a coupon code for items in the the Favorite Toys category, valid for one day only: November 3rd. Enter code SAVE35EK at checkout)

Blogging for Prematurity Awareness Month

November is Prematurity Awareness Month.

Prematurity has been escalating steadily and alarmingly over the past two decades. In 2005, more than 525,000 infants were born prematurely, the highest number ever reported for the U.S. In 2005, the United States as a society paid at least $26.2 billion in economic costs associated with preterm birth (medical and educational expenses, loss in productivity).

Preterm delivery can happen to any pregnant woman. One in eight babies born is premature. In about four out of every 10 cases, the causes are unknown.

The March of Dimes has taken on this devastating problem—to find out what causes it and how it can be stopped.

Call To Action: How can you help?

1. Sign the Preemie Petition

2. Join Kristine’s Blogging for Prematurity Awareness campaign and help spread awareness

3. Comment, favor, and share (Twitter it, share on Facebook, Stumble it, etc) my Resources for Preemie Parents page.

4. Post the following button on your blog or site:

<a href=”http://www.marchofdimes.com?kbid=1685″ target=”_blank”><img src=”http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j189/girlie0226/mod_pam.gif” alt=”Support The March Of Dimes”></a>

Note: 100% of the proceeds from this link go directly to MOD.

While I have been personally touched by prematurity, The March of Dimes has touched your life if:

• Your baby received a vaccine to prevent polio
• Your baby received newborn screening to test for life-threatening but treatable conditions (such as the PKU heel stick test)
• Your baby spent time in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
• You took folic acid before and during pregnancy to prevent brain and spinal cord birth defects
• You had a healthy baby due in part to good prenatal care

Thank you for your support.

Gift Card Giveaway

It’s been a while since I did a giveaway. I like giving stuff away! So this week, I’m giving away a $25 Wal-Mart Gift Card. The rules are simple: ask me a household management question! Yep – that’s it! Simply leave me a comment below with your question and you’re entered to win!

Ask me your burning question about meal planning/cooking, organizing, frugal living, decorating or cleaning. One winner will be randomly selected on Friday, October 31st at 1pm. Good Luck – oh and spread the word!

If you’re looking for more giveaways, take a stroll over to DealSeakingMom.com – Tara’s got a list of them!

Last Minute Halloween Costumes

There is still time to order Halloween Costumes! Visit Amazon.com – spend $25 ad get free shipping!

Coupon Round-up

Up to $20 on Pillsbury products in October. Registration required.

20 Printable Betty Crocker Coupons.

Join Kashi and get coupons for free products here.

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SC Johnson Coupons

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