New Jersey's Best Amusement Park!

My family is all about Amusement Parks and in fact we take a 2 week trip each year visiting our favorite parks in search of thrill rides, water slides, and new attractions! This year we're going in November and in fact our trip is already booked. We'll soon be on a plane headed for 15 days of water and amusement parks. Yes... I said 15 days!

If you're like my family and love amusement parks, beaches, and family fun, but are all Disney'd out (yes, it really is possible), consider heading a different direction this year. Why not hit New Jersey? There's a whole lot of fun awaiting you and I have the perfect website to hook you up with everything you need to get your vacation planning underway.

Take a look at all the New Jersey attractions and don't forget to check out the weekly specials featured at Morey's Piers.... which by the way is the best amusement park in the state of New Jersey! You'll love the Ocean Oasis Waterpark, Raging Waters Theme Park (ooooh the twisty water slides are amazing!), and all the thrill rides at Surfside Pier! You'll also find a wonderful selection of kiddie rides at Surfside. Morey's Piers is simply a fabulous spot for a New Jersey vacation!

I'm soooo loving the idea of a family beach vacation right about now, with the temperatures in our neck of the woods starting to fall. We're enjoying 70'ish degree temperatures right now which is totally cool with me, but that means autumn is just around the corner and as pretty as autumn is... I really am no fan to winter. Don't even get me started. So... I'm sitting here dreaming of the beach!

What are you dreaming of right now? Are you and the kids due for a family getaway? Before you book, take a look at Morey's Piers!

My Status with Today.com

Shamefully, I've not posted to my new Today.com in a couple weeks! I was so fired up when I started. The plan was to hit the new blog hard... post every single day and get a good traffic flow through the site so I would eventually qualify for the $5 a post payoff that so many other Today.com bloggers enjoy.

So what happened? Am I really that busy? I haven't decided if that's the problem or if somehow I lost my gumption to go full force at something that might or might not result in steady income. Have I given up on my other blog? Heavens no... I just need to find my mojo again. I'm sure it's around here somewhere.

If I had to guess... the biggest things dragging me down from my Today.com high horse are probably overcommitments with church related activities and my long days homeschooling. I don't have a lot of energy left at the end of the day and what I do have left has to somehow find it's way into the laundry room and the grocery store. So... what can I say?

Sadly, Mommy Space doesn't get a lot of visitor comments, but I would like to hear from anyone who has had success with Today.com. How long did it take you to generate a fair price for your posting efforts and how much time would do you really invest your blog?

Moms Looking for Credit Counseling

Our family has very good credit and would likely have no trouble financing a new car or home, but we've nothing in savings. We've not started saving for our children's educations or our retirement and frankly speaking that scares the tar out of me!

I have friends who've started saving for their families futures but are in over their heads in credit card debt. Why is it so hard for us to get this right? How many of us really have our financial responsibilities, both present and future in a happy place? I've never sought out credit counseling and yet am of the firm opinion that we all need it. In fact, those very few families who I have the pleasure of knowing who have their financial act together have done just that either in the past or as an ongoing part of their financial accountability plan.

There is no shame in falling on hard times financially, and given the uncertain economic climate we're all living in, along with the soaring gas prices, we should all be living a bit more frugally. The shame would be to find yourself slipping into a hole and not seeking help before you're drowning in a well of financial obligations that you can't afford to manage. Seeking help isn't a sign of weakness. It shows your intentions are in the right place and your creditors are much more willing to work with you, if you don't hide under a rock.

Before I was married I nearly hit bottom and I know what that kind of stress feels like. It's incredibly depressing, scary, and many of us choose to cope by ignoring the situation out of feelings of helplessness. We know it won't go away, but the challenge just seems to big to face. At bills.com you'll find free credit counseling tips and advice to help keep you out of that pit of despair and if you're already in a pit, they'll help you find your way back out. Living in a sea of debt is no way to live! Start today down a new path of restoration and healing... let the experts show you how.

Since motherhood comes with huge financial obligations, it's no wonder so many of us are in financial ruin... or on our way in that direction. Whether your family is in need of a little assistance or a major financial overhaul and recovery effort, you shouldn't go it alone when you don't have to. There's no shame in asking for help!

What I like about bills.com is they offer information on debt consolidation services, which is a good sense approach to cutting down the life of your debt. They also offer visitors a great list of debt relief pointers... for aiding you in making the best choices as you strive to turn your financial situation around. One example they offer is to pay off your highest interest rate credit cards first. Sure, that makes sense now! lol So, head on over, take a look around and find the solution that works for you. Just think, this time next year you might not have that knot in you gut like you do today!

Mommy Meltdowns

Have you ever had one? It's ok if you have. If you've not been there yet, you either have been blessed with a very easy child, or you're the most patient, selfless, understanding kind of mom around. Most women I know have had their share of meltdowns. I'm here to give cyberhugs to all those regular mom-types like me who on occasion have shed a few tears, maybe even thrown a crayon over her head or locked herself in the bathroom to count to 10.

I've never actually locked the door, unless of course my husband was home... but yes, I've had more meltdowns than I care to admit. I'm normal and after several years of feeling guilty about being normal, I've matured enough to know that meltdowns are not only a very real part of motherhood, they're ok. What's not ok is to have them in front of your kiddos. I mean not the angry stuff anyway. After all, they learn from every little (and not so little) thing they see us do or hear us say... even how we do or say it. Oh, talk about pressure! Yes, I've modeled some very immature behavior in front of my kids and that's the only regret I have. I realize it's ok to melt in a puddle of frustration and even borderline despair, just don't let them see it in it's full bloom.

This post was motivated by an experience I had just a moment ago, where I did throw a red crayon over my head. Didn't say a word, just took it and flung it high. My daughter didn't appreciate it and I immediately felt very stupid. I'm homeschooling and the stress sometimes gets too me. Today we're being audited and must complete every subject we're enrolled in... that's 6 for each child. I have 2 kids. Generally, we only do 4 or 5 a day as things like history, science, music, and art classes are only required a couple times a week. Teaching 12 lessons in one day and getting my kids to cooperate is a HUGE undertaking. I'm not enjoying it. My daughter is currently taking a break and my son is completing a math assessment. As soon as he's done it's onto a little break (for the sake of sanity) and then onto his history and my daughters language arts.

Ok... what is your mommy meltdown story? What did you do and did you beat yourself up for it later? Did your kids look at you like you were from Jupiter?

Moms Working as Personal Trainers

Are you fitness oriented? Are you looking for a new career on a part-time scale that pays well? Did you know there even was such an animal? Are you ready to hear more?

Many of our readers include women wishing to work from home, but we also have women looking for real-life, legitimate solutions for leaving the full-time work force, to go part-time... allowing more time with their families and not necessarily restricting their search to a home-based job or opportunity. If everything I've written up to this point sounds like where you're at... consider working as a certified personal trainer.

What I find most attractive about this prospect is it would allow me to work out too... what's more, I'd know how to work out. How hard is it to stay physically fit when you have a family... especially a young family? If you work too, how much of that time are you spending idle? Do you sit at a computer? Do you stand at a register?

Becoming a personal trainer could provide you with everything you're looking for, but making this dream a reality requires you become certified first. Real careers require real education and working as a certified personal trainer is no different, but unlike many careers women seek personal trainer certification is considerably less expensive to obtain.

For around $600 and just a few months investment, you can be on your way to earning a healthy part-time income. If you've looked for part-time work at all, you likely already know how low paying most positions are.

Consider too how such education will benefit you and your own health. You'll be an expert at maintaining a healthy physique, information that will benefit your entire family.

Think you're too old to do this job? I'd say probably not. Consider all the prospective clients outside your own generation looking for a trainer... if you're 36 for example, you might think your day of considering such a career has passed. Not true! In a way, it's the perfect age. You're old enough to have the respect of the younger generation and young enough to look legitimate to the older generation! Go girls! Make it happen!

Mommy Plates

What's on your mommy plate? Despite the fact that it's a bit outside my personality to do so... I'm directing a women's committee this year. It's a lot of fun, mixed with a lot of work, but I'm enjoying nearly every aspect.

As I stay-at-home mom, a homeschooler, a work-from-home (as she finds work) kinda gal... adding anything to my plate almost certainly means something had to fall off to the side. In fact, my mommy place mat is carrying a bit of spill off in the form of housekeeping. My house isn't fit for company and unless I really get serious this weekend, won't be fit for family either! lol Additionally, I'm finding it increasingly challenging to find time to work. I mean for pay of course. When am I not working? lol

Are you a busy mom too? Can you be a mom and not be busy? The real question is, does the busy lifestyle suit you or do you feel overwhelmed? If I had to guess, it would be that we are all over the place with that answer. One minute feeling confident and on top of our game, the next we feel like we're drowning in responsibility and uncertainty.

What do you do to prevent responsibility from spilling off the sides of your plate? I think the answer somehow involves a bowl instead of a plate. lol What do you think?

Skin MD Natural... What a Relief!

So... I have eczema, a nickle allergy, a rubber allergy (in most bras and sooo many other garments), I react to almost all bathing products containing any amount of fragrance or color and there are literally 2 lotions I've used that haven't angered my delicate skin. I'm a real mess... wouldn't you say? I can't enjoy or appreciate all the wonderful products at Bath & Body Works, I have to buy Pure & Natural soap and can only shower in luke warm water, because the steam and heat will also... well, break me out.

I have an autoimmune disease to blame for most of this, but thankfully found a product that's allowing me to feel normal again. It's Skin MD Natural... a shielding lotion that protects face and feet, and everything in between. It does more than moisturize, it actually shields the skin from would be environmental hazards or irritants that we come into contact with every day. It's like their website says... irritants out, moisture in!

The best part of all... it isn't greasy and has a light pleasant scent. I can't stand greasy lotions. One of the lotions I was using in order to keep my skin hydrated was so greasy, it would rub off on my clothing and make me feel dirty... minutes after showering. I couldn't stand that feeling. Now I have a new friend! Skin MD isn't heavy, isn't perfumed, is completely hypoallergenic, paraben free, isn't tested on animals... and oh, it is not greasy! It feels so light and wonderful, instantly softening the look and feel of your skin. Just a small amount and you're feeling like a new woman!

If someone with my delicate skin can use and benefit from this lotion, I would imagine anyone can! It's doctor recommended, providing 6 times greater moisturizing benefits than glycerin and it's revolutionary shielding capabilities actually prevent clogged pours!

I've been using this lotion for a couple weeks and all I can say is Thank You Skin MD! You've found yourself a new customer! Oh, I think I'm in love!

Automated Videoblogging Plugin

A new Wordpress plugin provides bloggers with the tools to create an automated niche videoblog. MyVideoBlog is compatible with YouTube and other hot video sharing sites and can be purchased for instant download.

Automatic Wordpress VideoBlogs through PHP MyVideoBlog provides automatic daily updates to your videoblog. Additionally, the script offers easy installation, control within your Wordpress admin, freedom to choose the number of feeds in a category, and you can choose the day of the week to update each of your feeds. You also have the ability to save videos to your own server.

Baby Gift Pack Giveaway

For new moms, moms-to-be, women with expecting friends or family... be sure to enter this wonderful baby shower gift pack giveaway from Deardrmoz.com. It's a cute little assortment including must have baby goodies like a waterproof superbib by Bumkins, a custom onesie by Too Hot Tot Bling and Seven Steps to Baby Bliss DVD.

How do ya enter? Simply visit the blog and leave a comment following the sites guidelines before Sept. 15th. Blog giveaways offer readers high winning odds when compared to those featured in magazines and newspapers as they generally don't offer as much exposure. Less competition improves your odds! There's no cost or consequence to entering a blog hosted giveaway... so watcha waiting for? Head on over, get your name into the mix, and let's see who wins!

Have fun and good luck!