Reviewing Be My Valentine World

Every January, I start thinking of Valentine's Day. And searching the Web for ideas. That's where the website By My Valentine World comes into play. It's the kind of site that makes my preparation for this February holiday so much easier.

Celebrating Valentine's Day doesn't just mean your spouse or significant other. For me, it includes my family. Especially my darling granddaughters. So I look for delightful ways to show them how loved they are.

Valentine's Gifts for Children of All Ages

With my grandchildren, the ages span from pre-teen to toddler. That means I need to find a variety of gift ideas. And I found them. Be My Valentine World has a wonderful collection of ideas for kids of all ages. I found great gifts for my 13-year-old granddaughter. Now that's say something. Kids that age are hard to shop for.

Of course, stuffed animals are always easy choices for the younger girls. Our own contributing writer Wednesday Elf shared some great red stuffed animals in her article right here on Review This. My favorite is that darling ladybug! But, for the adults, heart-shaped chocolate candy seemed ideal. 

Planning a Be My Valentine Dinner

Including in my celebration every year is a dinner for the whole family. I like to have a fun theme and Be My Valentine is an easy one. That's where the website came in even more handy. All the ideas for delightful extras are there.

Creating a centerpiece for the table is simple with things like vintage candy jars and Valentine's Day candle holders. These can be arranged on red or pink placemat to make a charming centerpiece for the dinner table.

Planning the menu will certainly include some great heart-shaped treats for everyone. Somehow, I never have enough ideas for those. But our own Sylvestermouse created a page here on Review This just for those kind of Valentine Day's treats.

Ideas Abound from Be My Valentine World

There are plenty more ideas for every way you want to share Valentine's Day on Be My Valentine World. That's one of the great parts about this holiday. You can celebrate it in many different ways. Whether it's a romantic dinner for two, the school kids day in the classroom, or a big family dinner for those you love, it's all still Valentine's Day.

It's also one of those things I enjoy about writing on Review This. I get to tell you about those great websites and articles that help you celebrate. Be My Valentine World is one of those sites.


Posted by: BuckHawk

About This Contributor

BuckHawk decribes herself as "Basically a lazy person who prefers the easy things in life." So that's what she writes about. Easy home decorating, easy recipes, easy entertaining. But, she is also a lover of animals, gardening and crafting. You'll find her writing all over the Web, but with Review This Reviews! she has the opportunity to write about all of her loves.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Author in Review: Cheryl Paton aka CherylsArt

For several years, I have been reading articles written by Cheryl Paton, but I did not realize she had published a book until I interviewed her for Review This!

Funny how you think you know someone well after reading their articles, only to discover even more to admire and appreciate about them during an interview.  

 

Author of The Phonics Guide 

The Phonics Guide:: A guide to reading and spelling patternsCheck Price

As a literacy tutor, Cheryl discovered a real need for a literacy reference guide for adults.  Instead of grumbling or complaining, Cheryl stepped out on her own and met that need by publishing The Phonics Guide, which is a quick resource handbook that lists common spelling patterns and/or letter combinations, alphabetically.  According to Cheryl, it can be used by both tutors and intermediate readers.  

I think we all understand how time consuming it can be to have to search several resources for information when we need to be spending our valuable time actually focusing on teaching and learning.  There are few things more valuable to a teacher than a well written reference guide by an experienced professional.

Cheryl Paton

I found Cheryl to be very open and candid in her interview.   Cheryl shared that her proudest achievement was when she started her art business, but I was personally touched when she stated "the most important thing was that I overcame old childhood beliefs about what I could or couldn’t be."

Saint RalphCheck PriceI was intrigued when she told me that her favorite movie is "Saint Ralph" and went on to explain that it is a story about a teen boy whose mother goes into a coma. Ralph is in a Catholic school and comes to believe that he must do something of significance in order for his mother to come out of the coma. He decides to run in the Boston Marathon.  There are funny spots in this movie too, and it ends with one of the best renditions of Hallelujah she has ever heard.

Cheryl's favorite book is No Attachments No Aversions by Lester Levenson which she personally reviewed.  I encourage you to read it today by simply clicking on the book title link above.  

I began to see a strong thread in the tapestry of Cheryl's life.  Her choice in books and movies, her work to help adults overcome illiteracy, as well as her own determination to discard childhood insecurities, are examples of her belief in success over complacency and a zeal to move beyond adversity.   

CherylsArt on Zazzle

Cheryl offers her custom designs for weddings, birthdays, holidays, and more on Zazzle.  She has over 7000 items currently listed.

“Feeling good, feeling great, what can I appreciate?”
Quote by Cheryl Paton

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Customized Blankets and Throws Make Great Gifts

Are you looking for a gift for a special occasion? On this page I will review two of the special blankets that can be customized on Zazzle to make your gift extra special.

Zazzle has two different types of blankets available to be customized by you or you may choose one that is already made by the many Zazzle artists.

• The first type of blanket available is a soft and cozy polyester fleece blanket.  It comes in 3 different sizes (30x40-50x60-60x80).  This blanket is machine washable.
• The second type is a beautiful woven throw blanket.  It is made of a combination of 50% cotton and 50% polyester.  It is 54x38 inches in size.

Shown below are samples of each of the blankets from my Zazzle shops.

Fleece Blankets

Historic Lighthouses by lighthouseenthusiast
View another Fleece Blanket at Zazzle

Plumeria Blossoms by mbgphoto
Shop here for Fleece Blankets at Zazzle

Throw Blankets

Animals of Africa Throw by mbgphoto
Find other African animals Throw Blankets at zazzle.com

Purple Phlox by mbgphoto

Browse more Purple flowers Throw Blankets at Zazzle

Customized Blanket Ideas

There are so many different ways you can customize your blankets to make them a special gift.  Here are a few suggestions.

• A graduation gift- Add photos from their high school years to make this a special memento.  This will be a great blanket to take to college.
• Mothers Day- Add photos of children or grandchildren.  Use text to add a special message.
• Travel Memory- Add photos from a special trip.
• Graduation gift for athlete- Add special photos from sporting events
• Wedding Gift- Add a Monogram and perhaps the engagement photo of the couple
• Anniversary- Add photos from special moments
• Hobby enthusiast- add photos from their favorite hobby or pastime.  The lighthouse blanket above is a good example.
• Gardener- Take photos of their garden and add it on the blanket

More Blankets by Review This Staffers

This beautiful Resurrection blanket was created by Sylvestermouse.  Below that you will find two of her delightful animal blankets.

Jesus Resurrection Throw Blanket by Sylvestermouse
Look at another Throw Blanket

American Black Bear Throw Blanket by Sylvestermouse
Browse more American Throw Blankets

Panda Fleece Throw Blanket Fleece Blanket by Sylvestermouse
Check out these Fleece Blankets at Zazzle

Here is a beautiful dogwood blossom throw blanket from Dawn Rae and a fantastic daisy blanket.

Dogwood Blossom Throw Blanket by NatureByDawnRae
Look at Zazzle Throw Blankets

Sunny Daisy Art Throw Fleece Blanket by NatureByDawnRae
View other Throw Fleece Blankets at Zazzle.com

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Scanning Old Photos with the Canon CanoScan 9000F Mark II

Have a box of old photographs, negatives, or 35mm slides? Turn your old photos into digital files. Learn how in this review of the Canon CanoScan 9000F Mark II color image scanner.

Do you have an old box of photographs and negatives hiding in a dark corner of your closet? Do you find 35 mm slides during your wanderings through the flea market? Wondering what you can do with that old photographic film in this electronic age?

Turn photos, negatives, and slides into digital files

Photography has been a hobby for me since the mid-1970s. Over the decades, my hobby has filled a box with 35 mm slides, negatives, and photos. When I decided it was time to make some money from my photos, I needed a color image scanner to turn those photographs into digital files.

After doing some shopping, I narrowed my choices to the Canon CanoScan 9000F MKII and the Epson Perfection V600 based on these requirements:

• Low price. I didn't have a lot of money to spend and couldn't afford a top-of-the-line professional scanner. Both of these scanners are priced below $200.
• High resolution. Many of the products available through the print-on-demand services such as Zazzle or CafePress are large. The Canon scans film at a maximum resolution of 9600 x 9600 dpi and the Epson at a maximum resolution of 6400 x 9600 dpi.
• Scan multiple formats. The Canon and the Epson digitize slides, negatives, photo prints, and printed documents. Files can be saved in JPG, TIFF, PNG, and PDF formats.

Digitize images with the Canon CanoScan 9000F MKII

The Canon CanoScan has more than met my expectations. The setup was simple and the software drivers installed without a problem. Here are some of the features that I really enjoy about this image scanner:

• It is simple to scan multi-page documents and convert those pages into a single PDF file.
• The film guides hold slides and negatives securely.
• The protective cover is easy to remove for slide and negative scanning.
• The included software reduces image editing with automatic image enhancement features.

Enhance photos with the My Image Garden software

The Canon CanoScan includes My Image Garden software for scanning, enhancing, and organizing photographs. I'm not usually a fan of the software that comes with many electronic devices, but the My Image Garden software has saved me a lot of time. I especially enjoy using the ScanGear utility to scan slides and to correct imperfections.

Here's an example showing the settings for a 35 mm slide and a preview of the image.

The ScanGear image scanning utility gives complete control over images. As different resolutions and different levels of image correction are selected, the utility shows the output file size. Here are other ways to use this scanning software:

• Remove dust spots. Images files from slides and negatives that are old, have been  handled over the years, and are dusty can be difficult to clean up. I estimate the ScanGear utility removes 95% of the dust spots from my scanned slides and negatives.
• Fix over-exposed photos. It's heartbreaking when a well-framed shot is ruined from a bad exposure. Adjust the backlight and exposure options while watching the changes in the preview window.
• Adjust the color. Sometimes the color in the photo isn't as vibrant as the memory because slides and negatives fade over time. Increase the color saturation, brightness, or contrast and see the adjustments in the preview window.

Preserve photos and documents with the Canon CanoScan

Scanning a variety of documents is made quick and simple with the Canon CanoScan 9000F Mark II color image scanner. The scanner comes with guides for 120 format film, 35 mm slides, and 35 mm negatives. It also operates as a flatbed scanner and turns pages as large as 8-1/2" x 11" into PDF files.

I give this scanner 4.5 of 5 stars for ease of use, high quality scans, and image editing abilities.

If you have a large number of photos, slides, negatives, and other documents that you want to turn into digital files, I highly recommend the Canon CanoScan 9000F Mark II color image scanner.

Posted by Coletta Teske

About This Contributor

Coletta Teske writes reviews on books, business management, writing, crafting, cooking, and gardening. She is also an avid recycler and shares her tips on recycling. She delights in upcycling an old object, recycling or transforming discarded items into a new treasure.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Inexpensive Home Fitness at 50

I am not a fitness expert. Nor have I had any formal physical education training. So why am I writing a workout review?  Because I am like many other busy women who want to be fit but have a really hard time committing time and energy to working out. If we share what works for us we will all be more apt to be healthier people. 

I want to be a healthy person.  I don't want to gain more weight.  In fact, I'd like to lose a few pounds.  But at age 50, it becomes more difficult to not only lose weight but to remain toned.  My muscles seem to be turning to jelly.  Everything sags.  My muscles jiggle.  I can feel that I'm losing strength and stamina.  And I don't like it.

I am very busy. By the time I end each day at my job it is often all I can do to get home, walk the dog, make something to eat, and wander off to bed. The lack of time and energy is my biggest excuse to avoid exercise.

My second biggest excuse is cost.  My budget doesn't allow a gym membership. Besides that, I don't want to work out around people. I am not a social sweater.  I want to sweat in private.

Those reasons to avoid exercise are excuses.  I know it. You know it.  We all know it. There are quick, easy and inexpensive ways to get some exercise, at my age and at home.  I'm going to share  three of my favorites with you.

Walking

I have always been good about parking a little farther from the front door of a store. Or walking the dog farther than I have to.  The nearest bush for the dog to potty on is about 12 steps from my front stoop. Instead of walking those 12 measly steps,  I always make sure I walk him to at least the end of my parking lot.  I have no excuse for not walking a bit more each day. Walking is free.  However, I should be walking around the entire block. At least.

New Balance Women's Walking Shoe

When I spend a little bit of money on walking, it is to buy a good walking shoe.  I have had good luck with New Balance walking shoes. I find that they seem to fit my feet well - my high arch, wide foot, and narrow heel. You may or may not have the same luck with New Balance. There are plenty of shoes to choose from that will meet your walking needs and the important thing to focus on is having a comfortable pair of appropriate shoes. 

Hula Hooping 

I enjoy hula hooping and now that I have my own grown-up hoop, I have no excuse for not hooping.  I'm not very good at it. But it is a great aerobic exercise and excellent for strengthening my core.  It is also a lot of fun.   It doesn't seem as though it would burn calories but it does. 

"An average woman can burn about 165 calories in 30 minutes of hula hooping, and an average man can burn about 200 calories in 30 minutes of hula hooping" - an article by the Mayo Clinic

Hooping doesn't seem like work. It seems like fun. So it isn't very difficult to hoop for 15 to 30 minutes at a time.

Yoga

Yoga is great for both strengthening and for relaxing.  The thing that triggered the writing of this article was getting back to my yoga DVD on a regular basis. I feel such a difference.  I enjoy this workout immensely and wanted to share it with you.

YOGA BURN with Rodney Yee

There are many things about this workout that I like.  My job is a high stress situation.  I become tense physically and mentally.  I love my Yoga Burn DVD by Rodney Yee.  It is not easy yoga and is called Yoga Burn for a reason.  It makes me sweat (in the privacy of my own home).  I cannot do all of the moves fully, hold them for the entire time, or get to the end of the workout.  But I modify.  I take breaks. And I do as much of the workout at one time as I can.  Little by little I can hold the poses and make it farther through the workout.  I like Rodney Yee's instruction, the pace of the workout and the difficulty.  It is not so difficult that I feel like it is impossible and end up quitting. But I definitely feel that I am working out. 

I ALWAYS feel better when I do this workout.  I can feel my spine re-align (as I loosen up and work out, I actually feel it pop back into place) and I feel my muscles strengthening.  I also feel more relaxed mentally when I am finished.

If you are looking for a way to become more physically healthy and relaxed, this workout may be a good choice for you too.

Photo Credit - photograph courtesy of Pixabay CC0

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Red Gifts and Romantic Ideas for Valentine's Day

Valentine Penguins on Etsy

Our favorite February holiday ~ Valentine's Day ~ is just around the corner. Time to look at  some romantic ideas and red gift choices for that special someone in your life.

Red and Pink, along with white, are traditional Valentine's Day colors.

• Red is a symbol for passion and deep love. 
• Pink stands for affection, sweetness and understanding and is a combination of red and white.  

A plush penguin in one of the Valentine colors of red or pink, handmade in crochet, makes a cute gift for your sweetheart. This cuddly stuffed animal is perfect for a favorite girl. These round and roly-poly penguins measure 5 x 5 inches and make an adorable gift.  They are available in the Etsy Shop of Coastal Crochet Crafts.

Handmade Happiness in Red or Pink Plush

Plush Penguins in Valentine Colors (Etsy)

Handmade red or pink plush animals are fun gifts for your special Valentine. 

These plush penguins in Valentine colors of red and pink will win her heart. Round and cuddly, your special someone will love this sweetheart penguin.



Perhaps a

Crochet Ladybug Plush Toy

LadyBug is your choice for a red plush gift.


Lady Bugs are a symbol of good luck and happiness, making a lady Bug plushie a happy gift to that special lady in your life.

Cute Valentine Octopus in Pink or Red Crochet

A mini crocheted octopus handmade in red or pink makes a cute gift for your favorite Valentine.  It would look darling sitting on her desk at work or home as a reminder of the sweet person who gave it to her.



A Special Card - Sweet, Funny, Fun

I love you every day Valentine's card

by aaronsgraphics

Top off your Valentine gift with a fun card.   

This card by aaronsgraphics on Zazzle may not be perfectly romantic, but your sweetheart will get a laugh and a smile out of it.  Simply tell them "I love you every single day", "But today you get a card!"

Symbols of Love

Image Source: Pixabay

If anyone has ever wondered how the heart became the symbol of love, and such burning questions such as 'why is the heart red', here's a light-hearted (yes, that's an intended pun) imagined conversation between Dr. Sheldon Cherry and a 2,000-year-old cardiologist.

Valentine's Day and Romance Go Together

For a list of romantic movies, books, songs and sweet stories perfect for Valentine's Day, check out these wonderful suggestions from many of the reviewers here on Review This in our ROMANCE section.

Valentine's Day is a Favorite Chocolate Holiday

As Lucy Van Pelt of Peanuts once wisely said “All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!”  And no one at Review This knows more about chocolate than our own Susan Kennedy. Check out lots of her chocolate recipes and stories perfect for this chocolate holiday.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day

So, Happy Valentine's Day to you from the Peanuts gang and all of us at Review This! 

(c) Wednesday Elf. Article written on 1/24/2015.  Updated on 1/16/2024

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Food Review: Special Treats and Recipes for Valentine's Day

Show someone how much you love them on Valentine's Day with these special treats and recipes.   

Here are a few suggestions for making this Valentine's Day fun, memorable and full of hearts for you and the one, or ones, you love.  

Delight your sweetheart with unique treats throughout the day, starting with a heart shaped breakfast.  We have even included a special gift for your backyard birds.

 

Heart Shaped Breakfast Waffles

Why not start the morning off right with heart shaped waffles.  Waffle batter is pretty easy to make.  You can either use a product like Bisquick and simply add milk, eggs and vegetable oil, or you can whip up waffles from scratch with a recipe like this one.   The secret ingredient to making homemade waffles delicious is a 1/2 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract. 

 Chef’sChoice 840 WafflePro Taste / Texture Select Waffle Maker Traditional Five of Hearts Easy to Clean Nonstick Plates, 5-Slice, SilverCheck Price

Add some delicious strawberry syrup or raspberry topping to the breakfast table, and your family is sure to be singing your praises all day long.


*All of the recipes are linked for easy clicking to find the delicious recipes.  Plus, you will find a selection of Heart Shaped Waffle Makers by clicking here.

Mozzarella Cheese Filled Heart Shaped Snacks

I recently came across this recipe pictorial for Mozzarella Cheese Filled Hearts posted by a friend on Pinterest.  I simply had to seek out the original recipe and tutorial post to share here on Review This!

These treats look easy and delicious for an afternoon snack, a treat for a child's lunch box, or perhaps an appetizer for a Valentine's Day romantic dinner. 

The recipe and directions for these awesome Valentine's Day treats can be found on Hungry Happenings.  

Beth also provides a recipe for Roasted Red Pepper Pesto which makes the perfect red sauce for dipping for Valentine's or any day.

These mozzarella hearts really are a cool "twist" on the mozzarella sticks that are popular appetizers in so many family restaurants.    

Valentines Peep Pops   

Another fun and easy treat would be these Peep Pops.  

Brianna gives us excellent instructions with lots of photos so we can makes these specialty chocolate goodies.

It is truly amazing how many different shapes are available in our favorite "Peeps" these days.  They certainly allow us to make a lot of really awesome and tasty gifts by serving as the foundation for specially made designs.  

I never could make myself eat the little chicks, but I have no trouble devouring the Peeps hearts.     

Valentine's Day Chocolate Mice

I am sure it will come as no surprise to anyone that one of my own personal favorites has to be these Chocolate Covered Cherry Mice! 

They are the perfect way to give chocolate covered cherries and Kisses for Valentines Day.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Mice

Roasted Red Pepper Pesto

Roasted Red Pepper Pesto

Roasted Red Pepper Pesto

Roasted Red Pepper Pesto

A Special Treat for our Feathered Friends

We certainly don't want to forget to make a special treat for our backyard birds.  They are always so faithful to sing to us and to add beauty to our ordinary days.

Chrysa provides us with directions and a recipe to make a Valentine Bird Feeder Heart. 


Many of us experience extreme cold, snow and ice during the month of February.  These hearts are fun and easy to make.  They are a wonderful way to say thank you to our outdoor "friends" as and a beautiful way to provide food during the winter months. 

Heart Shaped Cake

Last, but my no means least, I want to share the gift I enjoy making for my own family each Valentine's Day.  

Heart shaped cakes are easy to make with the right pans and they can be made in any flavor of cake and icing.  Over the years, I have made pink and red icing for the cakes, but my husbands' favorite is a simple German Chocolate cake in the shape of a heart.

*Additional Heart Shaped Bakeware
 

Share your favorite Valentine's Day Treat

Have you published an article about your favorite Valentine's Day treat?  We would love to see it!  Please leave the link in our guestbook so we can visit.

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Pillows can Add a Great Touch to Your Home Decor

Pillows can add a bit of your personality to your home decor.  On this page I will review several of the pillow designs that are available on Zazzle

Zazzle pillows come in many different sizes and shapes and can be customized to fit your tastes. You may design your own pillow or choose one from one of the designers on Zazzle.

Round Pillow

Portland Head Lighthouse by lighthouseenthusiast

The pillow above is an example of one of the round pillows you will find at Zazzle.  This particular pillow features photographs I took of the Portland Head Lighthouse.  The round pillows are 16 inches in diameter and have a hidden zipper.  They are wrinkle free thanks to the 100% brushed polyester fabric and can be machine washed.  

Design Suggestions

Here are some suggestions for designs for your pillows.

• A favorite flower
• Travel photographs- remember your trip with a beautiful toss pillow
• Child's photograph- delight a little one with their photo on a pillow
• Your pet
• Wild Animals
• Sports Themes
• Seasonal Photos- change your decor to match the seasons
• Holiday Photos- decorate for each holiday

Square Pillow

Here is a pillow I made using a floral design.  This square 16x16 pillow is reversible so I put a single blossom on one side and a bunch of blossoms on the opposite side.  These beautiful plumeria flowers were photographed at The Butterfly House in St. Louis, Missouri.  This pillow is also available in a 20x20 size.

Reversible Yellow Plumeria Flowers Pillow by mbgphoto
View another Pillow

Lumbar Pillow

The lumbar pillows come in a 13x21 size.  You have a choice of the polyester material or a 100% grade A cotton material.  Both are machine washable.  The reversible pillow below was designed using some photographs I took of monarch butterflies.  

Monarch Butterfly Reversible Throw Pillows by mbgphoto
Shop for another pillow.

This delightful sea turtle makes a great decorative pillow.  It was designed by fellow Review This staffer Coletta.  I can see this colorful pillow as part of your summer or sun room decor.

Hawaiian Honu Sea Turtle Pillows by CrypticArt
See other Turtle Pillows

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Rockland Melbourne 20 Inch Carry On Luggage Review

Best Carry On Luggage!

Since I'm on an around the world tour I decided to buy new carry on luggage for it.  All the airlines have changed the size of allowed carry on luggage in the last year or so, making it a necessity anyway, and besides, I wanted to start my trip with cool luggage. 

*All of the following suitcases are available at Amazon.com by clicking on this photo. 

 Rockland Melbourne Hardside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage, Blue, Carry-On 20-InchCheck Price

One thing that I found out is that all the airlines have different standards though, so what one airline will accept as carry on luggage is not necessarily what another airline will accept. So I had to look at my itinerary first and get a list of the allowed sizes and go from there. I took the maximum allowed sizes in all directions for every airline I would be using and used the smallest allowed ones as my maximum to be sure my carry on bag would be okay no matter what.

Rockland Melbourne 20 Inch Carry On Luggage

Next I went shopping on Amazon, one of my favorite things to do. What a dizzying array of choices though! So then I went to a couple of local luggage outlets to have a look at the newest innovations in luggage. Wow, I love the new design of the wheeled luggage! Instead of fixed wheels, they spin so it's easy to move your baggage in all directions! 

Interior, Rockland Melbourne Carry On Luggage

This made it much easier for me to handle my own luggage on all the trains and airplanes. In fact, instead of wheeling them behind me, I can set them straight up, pull out the handles and wheel them along beside me with my purse sitting on top of one. So easy!  And much easier on my back too! 

Rockland Melbourne 20 Inch Carry On Luggage

Why is Rockland the Best Carry On Luggage? 

In the end I went with a Rockland 20 inch Expandable Abs Carry On Suitcase, because it fits the guidelines of all the airline companies I have flown on, and it came in my favorite color: blue. But not to worry if you have a different favorite color, as the suitcases come in 19 colors! (Some of them are shown here in my review.)

Rockland Melbourne 20 Inch Carry On 

So here's what I like besides the spinning wheels and blue color. It expands about an inch for the airlines that allow it! You might not think that would be a lot, but trust me, it really is when you are packing a carry on suitcase!

Interior, Rockland 20 Inch Carry On 

The material is extremely lightweight and durable so it only weighs 7.3 pounds! The handle is an internal chrome telescoping one with a push button mechanism.  Inside there is a zip pocket on one side and elastic straps for the other side. It comes with a 3 year warranty too, but I doubt it will come close to needing repairs.  It's strong!  

Rockland Melbourne 20 Inch Carry On Luggage

I love my Rockland Melbourne 20 Inch Carry On Luggage so much that I've decided to get a matching large suitcase too! So if you need  a new carry on suitcase, I highly recommend a Rockland Melbourne 20 inch one with spinning wheels.

 Bon Voyage!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Review: Omron BP742 Blood Pressure Monitor

I was recently chatting with an acquaintance who was concerned about her husband's health and high blood pressure.  I was stunned when she said that the doctor had told him to use an old fashioned blood pressure cup and a stethoscope at home to monitor his pressure daily. The doctor reportedly told him this because the "electronic" ones aren't reliable.  

Manual Blood Pressure Cuff

I am sure the electronic blood pressure monitors that can be used in public places such as pharmacies and some big box stores are not accurate. Maybe those were the monitors the doctor was referring to. You've probably seen them, the big machines that look like a quarter pony ride, you sit down, slide your arm in the contraption and get your blood pressure taken.  I am aware that those are not accurate.  But for home monitoring, I'm surprised that the old fashioned pump up cuff with the stethoscope was what was recommended.

I am not a doctor. Please follow your doctor's instructions. Especially when it comes to something as critical as high blood pressure.  However, I have my own opinion about monitoring my own troublesome blood pressure.

I have some pre-hypertension problems.  My frequent migraines have a large role in causing my high blood pressure.  Out of concern about my migraine medication changes and potential blood pressure problems, I began trying to monitor my pressure at home a few years ago.  I started with the regular manual cuff and stethoscope.  It was miserable.  I had a horrible time getting the cuff on myself, with one free hand. I had a very hard time of knowing what my blood pressure was. Trying to remember when I first heard the blood pump sound in the stethoscope and when I last heard the pump, while trying to unscrew the screw to let the air escape slowly. I just wasn't coordinated enough.  I gave up.

Omron BP742

I finally broke down and bought the Omron BP742 Blood Pressure Monitor.  I was skeptical. Thought I was throwing away good money on yet one more gadget that wouldn't get used more than a few times then left to gather dust.

But that wasn't the case. The Omron BP742 is GREAT.  I can easily place the cuff on my arm by using one hand. There is something about how the little metal bracket and the velcro works together that keeps the cuff mostly tight and yet loose enough to slide up my arm.  There are pictures and arrows on the cuff. A sort of "placement guide for dummies".  Something I definitely need.  The start and stop buttons are easy. The digital screen is large and easy to read.  The unit stores the numbers for not only one user, but two.

As far as reliability, the Omron seems very accurate. For a period of time, I had a nurse friend at work use the professional blood pressure machine in the health office to help me monitor. I even took my Omron to work a few times. I'd compare the Omron results with the results she'd get.  Of course, there was some difference based on what I was doing just before I went to her office. But overall, the readouts were very close.

Before long I was able to stop interrupting my friend in order to have her check my blood pressure.  And I am confident that my readings on my Omron are accurate.  I continue to monitor at home on a regular basis.  I've used this machine for over a year and haven't had an problems, nor have I had to replace the battery.

Omron BP742N Series 5

My Omron is an older model. The newer model, nearly same unit, is very popular and highly recommended.  

If you are having any hypertension concerns, I hope you are working with a doctor and closely tracking your numbers.  If you need a way to monitor at home, I highly recommend the Omron brand.

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Mom's Visual Tweets, How to be Heard Without TALKING

Yep, I've personally tagged wall quotes in our home with the title and purpose...' Mom's Visual Tweets.'

My first child was born in 1986, and my last child came into our life in 2000. Watching the world change quickly has been an incredible, almost shocking ride. I've been holding onto the railings for a long time, so quotes prevent me from going postal. Fact.

Understatement coming....parenting today is challenging. There are too many outside forces coming at our children; products, technology...more stuff...more things...more useless crap, even more crap that's eventually going to become useless and rinse and repeat! Too much 'stuff' and too many 'things' make Mom a big grump and maybe a tad nuts.

Most of my boys are young men now, but I'm sure other parents can attest that parenting never ends, and I do mean NEVER. As the mom of 4 boys, it's hard to deliver life tips and messages without getting that 'hurry up, yah yah, glazed over look' from your kids-slash-young men.

So, to solve this dilemma, I used wall quotes and handwritten quotes to feature in our home.

Instead of Deciding to beat the 140 Character-Attention-Span-Syndrome, I Decided to Join It

By sporadically using wall words throughout the house, I can send a positive life message to the
boys (and myself). Oh yeah, the quotes get eye-rolled. But tough bananas, like Martina McBride said in her song, I Do It Anyway.

I haven't just purchased wall quotes; I've also handwritten them and put them on the fridge.

Unfortunately, the fridge started to look like a hippie wall from the '60s, so I've since transferred most of them to a binder.

The binder sits ready for the kids to read..I've yet to see them open it. I should stuff some cash in it - in 10 years, check it, bet the money will still be there. 

But I don't get discouraged. Not me. Nope. I'm going subliminal.

I just keep rotating them from the binder to the fridge, where one always sits in full view: I have to keep that puppy up for a long time cause it's usually a month before they notice 'a quote change'.

For the family, I particularly love quotes about the mind, our thoughts, and how "we become what we think about" - 'control your thinking, control your life.' <---I'm hoping to control that thought so it sinks in.

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