Karen’s Opinion

I have not had time to blog today because I made this!

You can check out my other purses and quilts at Winding Threads.

This post was sponsored by Sears however, all the opinions are mine!

Can you believe that it is almost time for school to start again this year? It seems as if summer just began. I suppose, because our summer was so erratic, weather wise, it doesn’t really seem as if we had a typical summer. I have heard some grumbling about unused swimming pools and picnics ruined because of all our rain.

Nonetheless, school is starting so everyone needs to get prepared. College students today have the latest technology when it comes to being
CampusReady. Items needed for college are very expensive these days and we all must check things out before we spend our hard earned money. At Sears.com you can enter for your chance to win money toward your child’s college tuition from Sears and Upromise! A total of $25,000 will be awarded. Got to sears.com/campusready for more information.

Sears understands the need to make good choices for your student and has set up a helpful site, Sears Campus Ready. This website will help with many aspects of getting ready for college which include:
* Shop by dorm room
* Suite of coordinating dorm room products and design ideas
* Shopping checklist
* List of everything your child will need for their first home away from home
* Financial tips
* Financial planning tips
* Apparel must haves
* Links to categories of clothing they’ll need for college life

Sears has also created a Facebook application called CampusReady on Facebook to help ensure your college freshman has an easy transition into the college arena. It features a gift getter where your child can choose what he or she needs and let their friends and family put money towards financing it. This is a good idea for family and friends to do instead of a useless gift for graduation.

The website has a Dorm Room Designer function that lets them design their dorm room virtually! Wow! I tried it and it was so much fun to design my dorm room. The site also offers a Roommate Matchup that lets them check their compatibility with a roommate.

Sears has our best interests at heart! Check out all the helps to ensure your student is Campus Ready!

I was so surprised to see an old blogging buddy of mine drop her entrecard on mine. Hi Tina! I caught up with what she has been doing and saw this fun meme on her blog The Creative Nerd.

1) If you don’t frequent your local library, why not?

I love to go to our library!

2) If you do visit the library, how often do you go?

I used to go a couple times a week. I haven’t been in a year or more.

3) Do you have a favorite section that you always head to first, or do you just randomly peruse the shelves?

I look for books that other bloggers have recommended.

4) How many books are you allowed to check out at one time? Do you take advantage of this?

I think ten books. I probably check out three at a time.

5) How long are you allowed to have the books checked out?

Two weeks.

6) How many times are you allowed to renew your check-outs, if at all?

I am not sure we can renew without letting someone else have a chance to check them out first.

7) What do you love best about your particular library?

It is an old Carnegie library and has a lot of history.

What is one thing you wish your library did differently?

I wish they had more current books.

9) Do you request your books via an online catalog, or through the librarian at your branch?

We don’t have an online option so I rely on the librarian.

10) Have you ever chosen a book on impulse (from the online catalog OR the shelves) and had it turn out to be totally amazing? If so, what book was it, and why did you love it?

Sad to say, I don’t think any books have been that powerful for me.

This post was sponsored by Kmart. All the opinions are mine however!

We are fortunate, in our small town, to have a fantastic discount store. I cannot tell you how many times I have needed something and have appreciated the short drive to Kmart. When I run out of printer ink is when I want to kiss the cashier at Kmart! LOL

Seriously, Kmart has everything I need for our small business and our home. From gardening supplies that include annuals and mulch, to towels and other linens to brighten up my home, Kmart has me covered. You would think they would settle for being my backup plan but no, they offer the best prices too. They have decided to make me love them even more; they are bringing back the Bluelight Special!

The Bluelight is my favorite savings spectacular. After a cashier announces that a Bluelight Special is being held in a particular area of the store, watch the customers make a mad dash to see if they can get in on the deal. It is so much fun to participate in this historical event.

Kmart Bluelight Specials began in 1965 as a way to offer savings on specific items in their stores. They might not be able to offer savings all day long but watch for the Bluelight Special and save when they make the announcement…

I have been surprising myself. I am still going to the gym! I was afraid that once our son’s wedding was over, I wouldn’t have the motivation to exercise. I fooled myself! It helps that my mom goes to the gym with me and we motivate each other.

Exercise is an important part of our lives. Staying in shape is one way to increase your life expectancy. Weight bearing exercises are important also for increasing muscle mass and bone density as you age. I have osteopenia so it is very important that I walk or run to help my bones increase in density.

Most of us have learned what to do when it comes to exercising. The problem is where and when to get the job done. With a busy lifestyle, making time for exercise is a challenge.

Weight bearing exercises aren’t just for bodybuilders. As you age, especially once you hit the age of forty, you begin to lose muscle mass. For women especially, bone loss becomes a problem. When the body is in need of calcium it can rob it from your bones. Building muscle not only increases their mass but your strength.

Here are five easy toning exercises that can be done anywhere and whenever you have time. At home, at the office, or on vacation, you can do these easy yet extremely effective exercises.

1. The Bridge Butt Lift – Sounds like a plastic surgery technique but it is an easy way to tone your buttocks. Lay down with feet flat on the floor, legs shoulder width apart. Place your hands, palm side down, on either side of your body. Pushing with your feet, squeeze your gluteal muscles and lift your butt off the floor. Hold the position for a count of five to ten and release down to the floor.

2. Squats – Squats work the butt, the hamstring muscles and the quadriceps. If you aren’t sure of proper form, you can use a chair. Stand with feet shoulder width apart and feet firmly planted. Push your butt back as if you were preparing to sit in a chair. Keep your abs tight and your upper body straight. Once you reach chair level stop and hold the position for a count of two to five and release. At the lowest point, place all of your weight on your heels for balance and maximum toning.

3. Reverse Lunges – Lunges work the quadriceps muscles. They can be hard for people with knee problems. A reverse lunge still tones the right muscle groups but with less pressure on the knee. Stand with feet together and arms at your sides. Take one leg and move it backwards until you are in lunge position: front leg bent at a 90 degree angle and back leg extended until you are on the ball of your foot. From this position lower yourself down until the back knee almost touches the floor. Hold for a count of two and return to starting position.

4. Pushups – This is a classic toning exercise that works all areas of the arms plus the chest muscles. If you aren’t comfortable or strong enough to perform a pushup on your toes, lower your body to your knees. Be sure your arms are tucked into the body and your back straight as you lower and lift your body.

5. Crunches – Abdominal muscles can be worked every day to build strength and muscle tone. Lying on the floor in sit up position, lace your fingers behind your head. Squeezing your abdominal muscles, lift your upper body until your lower back is about to come off the floor. Hold for two to five counts and return to starting position.

These five exercise moves can be done whenever you have time. The best thing about exercise is that its effects are cumulative. Even five or ten minutes at a time will work to your advantage.