Karen’s Opinion

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Dove Ice Cream. All opinions are 100% mine.

I find myself encouraging young mothers to take time for themselves. If they can manage a few minutes to paint their fingernails, read a magazine or do something that is just for themselves, they will find they have a better outlook for wiping noses and changing dirty diapers. It is amazing how much better one can feel after a few short moments of me time.

DOVE® Ice Cream knows how important some “me time” is and they are sponsoring a “My Mini Moment” contest . By simply submitting a photo and short essay at DoveIceCream.com/myminimoment by June 7, 2010, you will be entered to win some fantastic prizes. You could be the winner of one of 3 sensational mini-grand prizes: a mini-getaway to Napa Valley, Spa services for a year or a mini-home makeover.

Dove Ice Cream miniatures contain only 70 calories making them the perfect snack for your “mini moment”. I love the regular ones that are wrapped in real Dove chocolate and cannot wait to try the new Café Collection featuring Java Chip and Cappuccino Flavors.

So, think about what you like to do for your “mini moment”, let Dove know about it and be in the running to win!

Introducing our son and daughter in-law’s new dog, Phoebe. She is a Boston Terrier and was rescued through the Humane Society.

We have a Boston Terrier at our house too. They are lovable and very smart dogs. They don’t shed and ours sleeps all the time.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Lunchables. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hubby and I left early this morning to go on a much needed fishing field trip to southern Indiana. We love to get away and try our luck at catching a few fish. I always tease my husband by saying I will catch the first and the biggest fish each time we go fishing. I did neither today. During the first 5 minutes of being on the lake, my husband caught a huge crappie. I did catch two bass but they were too small to keep. We had a great time listening to the birds and watching the turtles sun themselves. I was disappointed that we didn’t think to take snacks on our field trip. Tomorrow, we will pick up two Lunchables to throw in the cooler. We won’t have to leave the lake at all!

Lunchables understands how important field trips are for everyone, especially kids. They want to help deserving kids across the country go on an inspiring, educational experience with the launch of the program, “Field Trips For All.” Because of funding cuts in our schools, many music programs, sports programs and extra things like field trips are vanishing from our schools. “Field Trips For All” is the first effort from the Lunchables Team’s new initiative called Project Potential where they are enabling schools to find a way to keep field trips available.

Field trips bring out the best in all of us. Think of the little girl who became a professional dancer because her school went on a field trip to see The Nutcracker. How about the little boy who decided to become an astronaut because of a visit to an air and science museum? We may never know of all the instances where a child’s true potential was enhanced by a field trip.

Watch the following video to see just one example of how kids can get excited by something they experience on a field trip:

Lunchables wants to keep field trips a part of education by offering a special promotion. You can nominate a deserving classroom by going to http://www.lunchables.com/potential/ and submitting a nomination. From all nominations received, 50 classrooms will be selected to go on an inspiring, educational experience. I would love to nominate the 5th grade classes from our local elementary school to be chosen for this exciting experience. Perhaps they would get to go to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and get as excited about nature as my husband and me!

For those of you, who like me, could not keep their eyes open and watch Betty White on Saturday Night Live, courtesy of Hulu.com:

I belong to a group called, Creative Bloggers. This group brought together crafters like me. We would visit each other’s websites to get to know each other and spread the word about each other’s websites and crafts. I received an email from the leader of our group that bore sad news. I went to Ning’s website where I found this information.

New plans and pricing announced! We’re focusing 100% on paying Ning Networks and will begin phasing out our free service in July. Get a sneak peek at upcoming plans.

I don’t understand how sites like this work so I can’t say I blame them or fault them. I just know how it effects me. Does anyone have a simple explanation of why Ning would need to only have paying networks? Please enlighten me.