50-something Moms Blog

Tuppence a Bag?

I try very hard to be green and environmentally conscious.  I don't always succeed, but I do what I can when I can. 

Using the cool, reusable grocery bags from places like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and my personal favorite from our summer pilgrimage to Hershey Park, makes me feel like I'm doing my little part to help -- even though I don't always remember to bring them with me to the store!  Sure, it's nice when you get five cents off your food bill for each bag you use, but let's face it -- a nickle isn't much of an incentive given what groceries cost these days.

As I was whizzing through the grocery store this morning, trying to get a week's worth of supplies in 15 minutes, I noticed a sign -- starting now, if you're picking up dinner in Washington, D.C. and you don't bring your recyclable bags, and instead rely on the store to provide "disposable" bags, you'll get charged five cents each!  Later in the day, as I popped by the local wine store for a bottle of red to go with dinner, I noticed the same sign!

Epson Artisan 800 Printer GIVEAWAY!

.... this is a sponsored ad by Epson.

Premium printing can be available at home - and we are giving away the Epson Artisan Series 800 All-in-One Printer to one lucky winner to have it "all".

"Artisan is a line of premium all-in-ones perfect for all your household’s printing needs, including creative projects, photo lab quality prints, and even work taken home from the office. Elegantly designed, they fit seamlessly into the living room or home office. Plus, everyone in the home can easily share one Artisan thanks to the built-in wireless and wired networking."

Here are the Epson Artisan Series 800 features:

"Featuring a smart 7.8” touch panel and 3.5” LCD, premium features, total flexibility, and a sleek and chic appearance, the Artisan 800 is designed to fit the lifestyles and décor of creative households, photo enthusiasts and professionals who bring work home. The Artisan 800 excels at everyday photo and document printing, copying, scanning, and faxing needs, offering Ultra Hi-Definition prints with Epson Claria™ ink, a range of exclusive creative capabilities, and built-in Wi-Fi and wired networking. It also comes with a special Epson PreferredSM program offering a two-year warranty with toll-free support. "

One2One Network provided one Silicon Valley Moms Group blogger from each region an Epson Artisan 800 printer to try it out for themselves, and just look at what they had to say: 

• Michelle from Deep South Moms Blog thinks the Epson printer rules
• Leticia from DC Metro Moms Blog thought the Espon was easy to use, even for a 2 year old!
• MJ from Chicago Moms Blog discussed hearing of the term "smart phones", but said now you'll hear "smart printer"
• Heather S. from LA Moms Blog wanted to marry the printer
• Amy O. - New York City Moms blog can’t imagine another printer in this price range doing more or doing it better
• Sheila from the soon to be launched Rocky Mountain Moms Blog noticed the sleek design and found the Wi-Fi installation to be easy
• Cate from New Jersey Moms Blog thought that it printed remarkably well
• Donna from 50 Something Moms Blog thought the printer ROCKS
• Sarah from Philly Moms Blog livedblogged the install
• Beth B. from Silicon Valley Moms Blog won't need to make late night trips to Kinko's after the kids are asleep because she can print professional level documents at home

Interested? CLICK HERE TO ENTER at the Silicon Valley Moms Blog to win an Epson Artisan 800 Printer.

A perfect baby present

Where I live, there are lots of young families.  That means there are lots of babies.  That means baby presents.  These days, parents register like a bride and groom and get what they need.  Somehow though I just can't bring myself, with people I like a lot, to follow the register.  It's probably really arrogant to do what I want instead of what's been asked for, but I send music.

There's another reason, too.  Because I live in a community with many Orthodox Jewish families, popular culture is not automatically a part of childhood.  Some didn't grow up with Pete Seeger, or Raffi, or any of the classic CDs our kids had. 

And then, of course, there's Free to Be, You and Me.

Created by Marlo Thomas and Letty Cottin Pogrebin in 1972, it was designed to be a source of gender-free children's music and stories - and later became a TV special.   It succeeded.  "Parents Are people, people with children,"  "It's alright to cry, "Free to be, you and me"  -- all of them were anthems for so many childhoods.  And except for the one about the little boy who wanted a doll (I think that battle is mostly over) it's still timely.  So, boy or girl, many a child in our community receives the CD from us.  Mostly, they love it.  Except.

One daddy, whom I asked before I sent it, describing William wanting a doll and Rosey Grier singing about how OK it was to cry -- well he wasn't having any.  I guess I knew he wouldn't be interested and that's why I asked, but I'm a little sad about it.  Thirty-somethings I know who did grow up with the record loved it.  And as far as they, and my own sons are concerned - well, they're going to be magnificent, engaged fathers.  I hate for them to miss it.  Their call though.

So if you know about the arrival of some new little people, and they already have enough onesies and sleep sacs and Busy Boxes, send them a little propaganda.  Parents  are people, after all.  It's not like you're promising that all the princesses will marry their princes and live happily ever after or anything....

SV Moms Group "Summer Essentials" Buying Guide

Do you remember this song?  "Are You Ready For The Summer?  Are You Ready For the Good Times?"

Yes friends! Summer is officially here and many of us this weekend are enjoying the Fourth of July with picnics, firework displays, bbq's, swimming, camping, turning off that "crackberry" and spending time with the family.

In honor of Fourth of July Weekend...... Silicon Valley Moms Group wants to help make your summer shopping preparations a little easier.  Grab a great "summer read", bbq up some delicious food, dip your toes and body in the pool or ocean and relax!  Summer is here...and it is time to enjoy.  Mentioned below are some "essentials and must-haves" selected by SV Moms Group.

Click HERE to read our first-ever, "Summer Essentials" Buying Guide: