This Full House Reviews

Extreme Home Do-Over: Our Honey Do List - SHE IS HUGE!!!

It's been nearly 6 months since Hurricane Irene blew in and left us without power for 5 days (we had no electric, no phone, no internet, NOTHING!) and a honey do list the size of the 50 foot woman, on 'roid rage.

Now that winter has officially been canceled (seems Mother Nature is feeling a bit pre-menopausal, or something) I think we're ready to start getting serious about ALL the house repairs that need to be addressed.

Because, THIS is what we're looking at folks:

In the Kitchen: Cooked Blender Mayonnaise - Put to the Test

It's no secret, we are ALL trying to eat a little healthier or busting our buns to make our lives a little simpler, right?  You know what's cool, though?

When I actually get a chance to put ALL those good intentions to the test, totally by accident.

One of my kids was home sick from school, last week (I know, act surprised anyway) so, I made a big pot of chicken soup and then started prepping for chicken salad with the leftovers.

"Dangit, we are ALL OUT of mayonnaise!!!"

Source: incredibleegg.org via

I hit the internets and decided to try and make my own (yeah, I know, good luck with THAT one, right?) field-testing a recipe I found via IncredibleEgg.org.

So, how did THAT work out?  Surprisingly...very well...check it out:

Family Game and Movie Night: PokePark 2 Wonders Beyond for Wii Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this awesome game with you Diane Allstadt (comment #2) please check your Facebook page for further details, thanks!

You know, my kids never really got into the whole Pokemon craze and not for the lack of trying -- considering trading cards were included in nearly every goodie bag they've ever come home with.

Did I mention, I have 4 children attending 4 different schools?

Aaaaaanyway, the good folks at Nintendo sent us copy of the soon-to-be released (2/27/12 available for Wii only) PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond and I'd love to be able to share it with one of our online friends (yes, maybe even YOU!)

Here's the PokePark2 Wonders Beyond teaser trailer for a closer look:

 

Welcome to Our 88th OPEN HOUSE BLOG TOUR!

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I love attending open houses -- especially, if it's a home that we've admired from the sidewalk, or wondered...you know...what the heck is going on over there?

Same thing with blogs, right?

Mi feed reader es su feed reader!  So please, clean off a chair, sit down and feel free to share your links (PG-13, please) about any blogging events, fundraisers, giveaways, book tours and contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need to a little shout out (HEY!) go for it!

Okay, I'll start:

Some of my favorite finds this week are a result of my being introduced to new websites and blogs  courtesy of Pinterest (my current time such of choice) for example:

Sarahndipities:  creating a jewelry display using a garden rake, really?  Some folks are just so gosh-darned crafty, yes?  

I'm having lots of fun reading through Sarah's blog (sarahndipities.blogspot.com) and pretending like, you know, "Yeah, I can make that!"

Right,  NOW it's YOUR turn:

URL TOO LONG? NO SWEAT:  You can shorten, share and track your link with bitly.com (takes only about 3 seconds!)

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by and feel free to come back anytime to see what my blogging friends are up to -- or, stop by my personal blog at ThisFullHouse.com -- we'll leave the porch light on for ya'!

In the meantime, TGIF (ALMOST!)

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

New Discusson @HorizonDairy Healthy Families Community: Holistic Vs. Traditional Medicine

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© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure: I have been engaged by BlogFrog as a Horizon's Community Leader and am being compensated for my services for the length of the program.

LIVE CHAT! TODAY! February 21st (1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST) Let's Talk Gardening!

COME AS YOU ARE:  as you will be able to participate in this Lunchtime Gardening Chat LIVE! and in real-time, right here, on this blog post TODAY at 1:00 p.m.!

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IHOP National Pancake Day: February 28, 2012 - Free Pancakes With Donation to Children's Miracle Network

Mmmmm, pancakes!!!  It's what's for dinner, at our house (a lot!) especially, when supporting a really great cause.

IHOP’s seventh annual National Pancake Day will be back on Tuesday, February 28, 2012:

All day long, IHOP restaurants will give each guest a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes in the hope that they will donate what they would have paid, or more, to Children’s Miracle Network hospitals and other local charities.  This year, the restaurant chain aims to raise $2.7 million for charity, the most ambitious goal to-date.

Now, feel free to take this moment (just a few seconds, really) mark your calendars and go out and share some pancake love!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  No payment was received for this blog post.  Why?  Because, supporting local children's hospitals is just a really nice thing to do.

Presidents' Day Fun Facts for Kids (and those of us suffering from mommy/daddy brain!)

Quite a few parenting experts have identified mealtime as perhaps one of the best opportunities to hold conversations with your family. 

I am NOT one of those experts. 

However, raising 3 teens and 1 tween, I can tell you that our dinner conversations can get quite, uh, interesting.

That is to say, once I am finally able to get my kids to, you know, actually talk.

Our friends at Kiddie Academy (just so you know, website has sound) a national education-based childcare provider came up with a list of fun and interesting facts about U.S. Presidents to help spark conversation with your kids.

Like, do  you know that George Washington NEVER had teeth made of wood?   Okay, fine, how about:

Family-Friendly FMX Show: Nuclear Cowboyz - East Rutherford, NJ Tour Dates and Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing tickets to this awesome show with you, A. Abduramani (comment #4) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

My son turned 13 last month (hold me!) which simply means, being raised in a house filled with females, he's grown used to navigating through a raging sea of hormones.

Also, rooting through an endless supply of feminine products, because, well, there has GOT to be a roll of toilet paper, in there, somewhere, DAGNABIT!

Long story, short (you're welcome) my husband and I make it a point to try and remember to do boy-friendly stuff, too.

Like, accepting the opportunity of attending the Nuclear Cowboyz Freestyle Motorcross show on March 2nd at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ.

My son is beyond THRILLED and canNOT wait to meet Jersey boy Ronnie Faisst and experience freestyle motorcross performances, up close and personal, guaranteed to get MY heart pumping while hollering, "I am SO GLAD you are NOT my son!"

I'm looking forward to blogging our experience and sharing some awesome pictures from the show.  Here's a sneak peek of what to expect:

Yes, it's LOUD and FLASHY which means my son and his bestie will, you know, absolutely LOVE IT!!!

Want to come along? 

Meaningful Moments: Raising Up Your Inner Child & Meaningful Beauty Giveaway

Life is filled with meaningful moments: video taping my youngest at her first band concert; cheering on my son and pretending that wrestling is my favorite thing; hiking through the woods and trading secrets with my middle girl; watching our oldest child negotiate a k-turn and successfully pass her driving test.

Not unlike raising 4 children, it would be very difficult for me to choose just one above all the rest.

Capturing this moment of lightness, however, makes my heart very happy.

My children know they are very lucky to have both sets of grandparents actively visible in their lives, as they each remain a constant source of inspiration on how my husband, Garth [not his real name] and I choose to raise our kids.

You see, there are no clear cut rules in parenting (sorry!) you just sort of make them up as we go along. Laughing at ourselves, every now and again, helps.

Aaaaaand, right now, at this very moment, I seek solace in believing perhaps I too will make a pretty good grandparent one day....just not yet.

Now, it's your turn.

Tell me what your most meaningful moment was in the last year for a chance to win one of 10 complete skin care Anti-Age Systems from Meaningful Beauty.

FIND IT HERE: Keep your skin looking great in every moment with Meaningful Beauty- Cindy Crawford's break through secret for younger looking skin.

GET IT HERE: By replying here you'll be entered for a chance to win this awesome prize pack from Blog Frog(click here for official rules.)

Good luck and here's to our being able to share many, many more meaningful moments...together!

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Meaningful Beauty. The opinions and text are all mine. Contest Rules.

Celtic Woman: Believe CD and Live Concert DVD Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  So happy to be able to share this awesome prize pack with you Heather S (comment #30) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

I was first introduced to Celtic Woman two years ago when I reviewed their then newly released album Songs From the Heart and was blown away by their amazing talent.

Celtic Woman is an all-female singing group featuring vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Lisa Lambe and Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt..  They perform classic Irish songs (“Green Grow the Rushes") contemporary favorites (“Bridge Over Troubled Water") and inspirational songs (“Ave Maria”) with their signature Celtic Woman twist.

Their new live concert special "Believe" was filmed for the first time in America at two sold-out nights at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA this past September.

My girls and I were very excited to receive a copy of their new CD/DVD and "Believe" is a truly beautiful addition to our ever-growing appreciation of all things Celtic.

Want one?

Favorite Find of the Week: Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System

My kids have been tag-teaming each other and burning through their sick days at school, which means I've had someone home, every week, since Christmas.

What?  You, too?  I know.  Is it spring, yet?

We received a sample of the NEW Lysol No-Touch Kitchen System officially launched in January:  it's an automatic "hands-free" dispenser and multi-purpose cleaner.

Seeing as our dishwasher isn't working (service people coming out next week) that's a good thing -- that it cleans dishes, too -- not that our dishwasher is broken, but I bet you knew what I meant, right?

LIVE CHAT! Tuesday, February 21st (1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST) Let's Talk Gardening!

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Top 14 Beauty Deals for Valentine's Day!

In my never-ending quest to NEVER PAY FULL PRICE if I don't have to (even my kids know to hit the clearance racks, FIRST!) every now and again I get a heads up on some awesome deals.

So, yes, of course I'm going to share them with you -- why should you have to pay full price, too, right?!?

RIGHT?!?

Riiiiiight!!

This week, our friends over at CouponSherpa.com sent over a listing of their Top 14 Beauty Deals for Valentine's Day!

Here ya' go:

Save on Valentine's Gifts for The Guys!

My husband and I don't usually exchange Valentine's Day gifts and when I say usually, I mean we agree "NO GIFTS!"

Then he goes out and gets me something, anyway.

Our friends at FreeShipping.org were kind enough to share the top 10 guy-friendly coupons from their list of Valentine's Day discounts:

1. Sony:  Get free shipping on all orders of $25 or more, now through Feb. 29 (no coupon code required).

2. Cabela's:  For a limited time, get $0.01 shipping on your entire order with a clothing or footwear purchase using Cabela's free shipping code 22PENNY.

3. REI:  Order by Feb. 10 and get free shipping on skis and snowboards (no code required).

4. Toshiba:  Save up to $230 on select prebuilt Toshiba Satellite laptops, plus get free shipping through Feb. 13.

5. Lands' End:  Order before Feb. 10 and receive Lands' End free shipping on all orders with code MINT and pin 1710.

6. Adidas:  Now through Feb. 13, get free shipping on orders of $49 or more (no code required).

7. Jos. A. Bank:  Enjoy free shipping through Feb. 29 with code FEBSHIP.

8. Crutchfield:  Now through Feb. 11, get free shipping plus up to $130 off select Focal car speakers (no promo code required).

9. Under Armour:  Get free shipping on orders of $75 or more through Feb. 29 with code AFP6XAA9FCQM.

10. Eastbay:  Enjoy free shipping on all orders through Feb. 26 with code LKS12257.

Good luck, have fun shopping and Happy Valentine's Day (early!)

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

Disclosure: No payment, product, service or any other consideration, besides a chance to perhaps help families (like mine) save a little milk money, was received for this blog post.