Mark Your Calendars - Rita's Free Regular Size Italian Ice on March 20, 2010

On Saturday, March 20th, 2010, ALL Rita's locations will be giving away a FREE regular Italian Ice or Cream Ice to welcome in the first day of spring. What a great way to start off the new season with a FREE cup of your favorite flavor ice. Click here to find a location near you.

Giveaway: Ringling Bros. Zing Zang Zoom Tickets

Update: We have a winner - Brian S! Please send me your contact information in order to claim these tickets. Contact must be made by noon on Saturday, February 27, 2010 to be eligible for these tickets. Thanks!

Yes, it’s true! THE circus is coming. Not just any circus but the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey “ZING ZANG ZOOM”. It’s an awesome experience for you and your family.

Elephants, tigers, acrobats, clowns and more wonder than you can imagine! It’s been a good number of years since I’ve seen the circus. I think the last time we went was when my older son, which is going on 10 years old, was 2 or 3 years old. He almost choked on his hot dog when the cannon went off. It was all good after that though. My youngest son is excited for the circus to come our way. He’s never been but has seen promotions and heard about it. He'll be excited - Mom Central will be sending my family to see the Dayton show in April

I have teamed up with Mom Central to giveaway to 1 lucky winner a family 4-pack of tickets to the Cincinnati, OH show on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 7:00pm.To enter, leave a comment telling me your favorite thing about the circus.

Earn a bonus entry by posting this giveaway on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, or other social site. Just remember to come back here and leave the link.

The giveaway will end Friday, February 26 @ 6am. I will pick the winner through random generator. Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you.

You can also purchase tickets at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and enter the code MOM to get a family 4-pack for only $44, or you can get $4 off any ticket for a Monday - Friday matinee show.

Please note: The winner does have to be able to pick up their tickets at the will call window the night of the show with a valid picture ID.

Event: Elmo's Birthday @ Borders - Saturday, February 20, 2010

Celebrate Elmo's birthday with your friends at Borders on Saturday, February 20, 2010 @ 11:00 am. There will be stories, games, fun art projects and more for kids ages 2-7. Click here to find out if a location near you will be participating.

Littlest Pet Shop "Pets on Parade" @ Walmart - Saturday, February 13, 2010

Littlest Pet Shop "Pets on Parade" is coming to Walmart. The event takes place on Saturday, February 13, 2010 from 11:00am - 2:00pm with a parade starting every 10-20 minutes.

This is a great opportunity for Littlest Pet Shop fans to get freebies, posters, stickers, parade flags and a tote. Don't forget the photo opportunities!

Not all Walmart locations will be hosting this event. Go here to see if your Walmart is hosting a Littlest Pet Shop Parade.

NOTE: This is not for real pets!

Home Depot Kids Workshop - Saturday, February 6, 2010

The Home Depot Kids Workshop for February will take place this weekend. Get the details here.

February 6th @ Home Depot – 9am-noon: #20 car display

March's project will be a rain gauge. It's scheduled for March 6th.

Menu Plan - Week of 2/1/2010

I can't believe it. I've actually had time to post my menu. I've decided to print it out each week for my family. My fiance' and kids get home from work/school before me and they start questioning me before I get in the house some days. It will also help with dinner being what it's supposed to be (not that I mind someone else cooking dinner).

I'm not posting it this week but I've also planned my breakfast and lunches for the week. This kids will be eating at school/daycare.

Dinner
1. BBQ Shredded Pork, Mashed Potatoes, Baked Beans
2. French Onion Burger, homemade potato chips
3. Hearty Chicken and Noodle Casserole
4. Beef tips, rice, broccoli
5. Easy Chicken Enchiladas
6. Mexican Style Rice & Bean Burritos (kids - chicken nuggets, fries and corn)

Super Bowl Sunday will be a finger foods since we will either hosting a party or going to one.

To see other menu plans, visit I'm an Organized Junkie.

Reflection on 2009 Goals

I’ve finally had a few minutes to sit down and reflect on the 2009 goals that I had created this time last year. I was doing well on both sets of goals until I returned to work. I hadn’t been out of the workforce that long but it was a difficult return. It could have been that I returned to the employer that laid me off or was it that I was getting comfortable in my new job – stay at home mom?

In the first half of the year, I had started working on many of my goals. Eating healthier and exercising were my top focus on the personal side. As far as financial, I was working hard at paying down balances on credit cards while growing my emergency fund. It was pretty balanced. By mid-year, I had fallen off the weight loss bandwagon and my emergency fund was disappearing. I stopped paying “extra” to the credit card companies too. My money was (and still is) being quickly sucked up in daycare coverage as well as gas to get back and forth to work. I went from filling my gas take up 2 a month to filling it up 5-6 times a month. We pretty much stopped dining out unless we have coupons or gift cards, and I’ve continued to use coupons (not as faithfully as I used to but I’m getting back to it) but seem to keep falling behind. I pay out so much in child care and gas each month that it makes me wonder “Is it really worth me working full time?” This is one question I plan to analyze this year. If it is worth it, then it will be back to the drawing board to make more cuts…not sure how that will happen since I’ve pretty much cut back everywhere possible. Stay tuned for the final decision…

As a result of all that, I’ve become very stressed and somewhat of a miserable person. Let me tell you, I am normally not this way. It’s one of many things I plan to change in 2010 even if it means making major changes in my life. Over the past month, I have realized that life is too short to sit around and be miserable. It's time for me to live life to its fullest!