Favorite Invention Friday!!!

Today, after a full day of creating goodies in the kitchen, I just have to fawn over my Kitchen-Aid mixer. It helped out with three of the jobs...would have done more if necessary. And I love how it does the heavy lifting...like stirring the peanut butter mixture for Buckeyes or the dough for Pinwheel Cookies. I would lose an arm wrestling match any day to someone who makes such goodies with out the sous chef, but I am less weary and cranky at the end of the day. I totally love this little mighty machine.

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

OK...OK...I realize that I have been totally slacking on my FAVORITE INVENTION FRIDAY the past handful of weeks. I really don't have a good excuse...I certainly have modern day conveniences that I have been enjoying. Perhaps, just a bit too indecisive...maybe lazy? Let's go with "too busy"!

Moving along...

As the Christmas season motors along and I continue my gift choosing expeditions, I feel compelled today to celebrate the computer, printer and the Internet (My spell check feature determined that this word was spelled wrong until it was capitalized. Hmmm...). Now, at the risk of revealing too much, I can not tell you why I adore these items...but I promise to do so...soon. Perhaps on Christmas...after all the gifts have been opened. Make sure that you are utilizing all the tools available to you as you pick out gifts for loved ones!

UPDATE: Here's some, if not all, of the ways I've leveraged my computer, printer and the Internet for my Christmas gift planning.

• Hacked my way into my mother-in-law's account at Snapfish, lifted a wedding picture of her and my father-in-law, and had copies made for them and the families of my sisters-in-law.
• Asked by a friend to get on IM, found my husband's uncle and his pictures of the barns on the farm that my mother-in-law grew up. Contacted the uncle for permission, copied the photos, uploaded them to Snapfish and ordered copies for all my in-laws.
• Armed with the request for artwork for a specific spot in her home by my mom, printed off scanned artwork (you can find it here ) created by my girls and decoupaged a painted canvas for it.
• Contacting my sister's coworkers through her Facebook friends list...so I could get contact info for her local Miche Bag dealer and surprise her with an early gift on her desk.
• Searching Amazon and Half.com for a specific gift book that I had seen in this YouTube video shown here.
• Inspired by a Donna Summer related Facebook status by a friend, I remembered that my sister had a Donna Summer album when we were growing up. Found a used one through Amazon and had it shipped to her.
• While visiting a blog, I came across an advertisement for an artisan on Etsy. Was able to peruse the creator's selection to order and ship to my sister.
• After not finding the denim jacket my dad was wanting in any brick-and-mortar...I lucked out at JC Penney's click-and-order.

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

I know...I know...they are not the most attractive piece of furniture ever created. But this week, I had one of those moments where I was thankful for our...recliner. You see, when we were expecting our first child and building a new home twelve years ago, I placed the request for something big and comfy...that rocks and reclines. Well, there is not a lot of trendy furniture that does those things...and I was already lulled into accepting unattractive things after wearing maternity clothing for several months...so we bought a recliner. And I loved it!! I can't count the number of evenings that I rocked one of my baby girls, humming that one song that was special between her and I (there was a different song for each one). Or the afternoons, napping with an infant, the best blanket in the world according to my husband, laying on top of my chest. I remember watching the Canadian Olympic team from that chair quite a bit during the 1998 Olympics because only a Canadian channel, in our basic cable package, was carrying the winter Olympics in the middle of the night. And I have numerous pictures of the girls sitting together in that chair with their dad (they were usually sleeping).

I was reminded this week of all these special memories when my four-year-old joined me in the chair for some morning storytime. I loved the big armrests that could hold us both cozily. I loved kicking our feet up on the foot thingie and covering up together with a blanket. If I had gone with an old fashioned rocking chair or one of those gliders twelve years ago...we would not still be sharing that chair and those moments. It dawned on me while I was sitting there, that it won't be long before I won't be able to enjoy that chair with her anymore. My firstborn is way too big to join me...the nine-year-old might but would have to pull all of her limbs in tight, insuring she won't last long. So, I will savor it while it lasts.

And if you are an expectant mom, I encourage you to duck the allure of style and flair when looking for that special chair to rock in with your baby...instead go with the ol' recliner because I bet it will allow for a lot more memorable moments that go beyond those first few months.

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

With a vote on Nancy Pelosi's healthcare bill tomorrow, I must reach back into the archive to celebrate my cell phone, it's QWERTY kepboard and texting technology. In a matter of 15 minutes I was able to send out dozens of messages encouraging friends, family and acquaintances to call their elected representatives in DC to express their opinion on the legislation. Love it! For the previous celebration of this convenience in my life, click here.

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

TGIF, Everybody!! I'm so glad that Friday is here because I get to celebrate some convenience in my...er, I mean...our life. This week's honoree is...drumroll please...the hospital gown!!!

You see...I had my annual doctor's visit this week and they provide a paper shirt, meant for a petite tween, and a paper sheet. Then, I had to sit on an examining table that was viewable when the door opens. In a gallent effort to use my paper wardrobe strategically, in the pursuit of modesty, I ripped a corner and I can't explain the horror that it caused because...well, it could have been worse and the worse could still happen.

Let's just say that by the time the appointment had ended, I had started my personal wish list for Christmas and the very first item is my own personal hospital gown...one that I can bring with me next year.

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

I always loved that precious week or two in gym class, during the elementary school years, where they would bring out the trampoline. Remember having to stand around the outside while someone was jumping off of it...for their safety...in case they flew off? That part always scared me...what was I going to do if they came flying off in my direction? The only way that I would have somehow caught them or cushioned their landing would be if I wasn't looking and didn't see 'em coming. But I loved it when it was my turn. And I would have never dreamed that we would have our own someday.

It is a special day when the trampoline comes out of storage and is set up. As you can see in the picture, the kids can't even wait for the sides to be put up...or for warmer weather. And once it's up...it will be visited regularly...sometimes with a sprinkler underneath it when it finally does warm up. And the kids have a special memory of their dad halting dinner during a pretty good downpour outside, so that they could all go jump in the rain. It's a sad day when it is put back into storage, because that means summer has departed and winter weather is on the way.

Now I know that there have been many a child injured on trampolines. A co-honoree with the trampoline, has to be the tall side wall-thingies. I could never find enough third graders in the neighborhood to stand around it any time my kids wanted to jump. And we already know that I wouldn't have been very useful. Thankfully, we have been able to avoid anything major...just my husband being a bit sore after having overdone it when bouncing with the kids.

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

You thought I had forgotten, hadn't you, dear readers? But, I had not. As I thought about what wonder I would celebrate today...I decided to wait. You see...I knew we were going to the orchard.

I knew that we were going to buy apples.

I knew that I had thought about canning applesauce (a Rachael Ray recipe that I love...warm in the fall and cold in the summer).

I knew this would take quite a few apples.

I knew that I would not like peeling the said apples.

I knew that I would love one of those tool bench peelers (Jeff had even suggested one when I casually mentioned trying my hand at canning the applesauce).

So, I waited...

And we did go to the orchard.

We did buy apples (2 for 1 on McIntosh today...PERFECT!).

And I did buy one of those peelers. It took two trips into the store, but I found one on the second trip in. (I do realize that there have probably been 58 of those available at garage sales within two miles of my home for the last four months for the very reasonable price of $1.)

And I love it!! It PEELS, it SLICES and it CORES! A little piece of heaven on earth. And I received lots of assistance preparing the apple sauce tonight...all because there was a toy/tool/machine involved.

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

Here it is! Favorite Invention Friday!!! This week's honoree is very similar to last week's...it is relevant to HEAT!!!

As you may realize, it is October in Michigan...a chill is in the air. Early this week, I was treated with such a treat by my husband. While I was away from the house running errands, he connected the mattress heating pad. That night I crawled into bed and the flannel sheets were toasty!!! Aaaahhhh...

So, this week I would like to honor the mattress heating pad. Now that I have had the privilege of enjoying one for a few years, I would put it right up there with food, clothing and shelter during the chilly mid-western autumn and frigid winter. I turn it on about thirty minutes before going to bed and it is sufficiently pre-heated when I manage to fall in to it. Did I say "Aaaahhh..." yet? I recommend that you put one of these on your Christmas list.

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

After camping over a late September weekend...on the shores of the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan's upper peninsula...this was an obvious choice. Thank you, portable heater...thank you.

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

Swim goggles have been a staple of our waterplay gear for years. We have gone through several pair...whether they were discarded due to wear, broken straps or simply didn't fit the owner any longer. I love these for the underwater world that they open up for my kids...being able to see rocks or fish clearly...being able to jump fearlessly into a pool or lake with no fear of discomfort to the eyes. I also love them in a fun photo.

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

My friendship with the calculator has been long...it has had different phases.

As a child, it was a toy..."What words could I spell?...HELLO...SHELLOIL...".

As a student that often found herself in math and science classes (pursuing an engineering degree will do that to you), it was often a necessity with homework, labwork and tests.

As an engineer, it was tool to getting the job done...whether calculating dimensions, machine rates or budget numbers.

And, even now, as a wife and homeschooling mom...it has a role in my life. Sometimes it's conversions in the kitchen or working on my budget. But, currently, it's most important job is helping me correct three- and four-digit multiplication and long division problems. I think this may be one of its most important functions yet.

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

You may be asking "What is it?" It is a FM transmitter for my Ipod. I plug it into the lighter socket in the car, plug the other end into the portable jukebox, set the radio to the appropriate FM station and enjoy. I love this contraption because it allows us to enjoy whatever we want to listen to...music, audiobooks, educational tracks...you name it. And, it charges my iPod...BONUS! Someday I will have a vehicle with the fancy little jack that you can plug the iPod directly into ... but it still won't charge it. (I guess you could always plug a car charger into the iPod while listening via the fancy jack, but please allow me to enjoy the fact that I only have to use one cord to accomplish both tasks!). :)

Happy Friday all!

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

My mom provided the suggestion for this week's celebrated invention. Over a year ago, she was laughing at me upon realizing that I had grown accustomed to calling this contraption a "chip clip" because that is its primary function in our home. She even gave me 40 of them on my ... 29th birthday :) . When did I transition from "clothespin" to "chip clip"? No idea...but it happened. Now, we do use it as a clothespin when we are camping. Something has to keep those wet towels and swimsuits from hitting the ground. My husband has used them to secure lights to the awning on the camper. So, maybe my summer uses will lead me back to the original nomenclature...or maybe not (they are still used as chip clips when we camp).

Do you have any unusual uses for the humble "clothes pin"..."chip clip"..."bomb diffuser" (I bet it was used for this purpose on more than one "MacGyver" episode)?

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

I have been in love with the SnapCapp from the moment they joined our family. We received them as a gift at Christmas from my sis...I mean...Santa. We each had our own color to clearly mark our beverage. It was now possible to save the cans the kids opened and didn't finish. I could throw my can of Diet Coke into my purse with the contents suffering no soakage! It helps keep carbonation...and it will keep any rogue insects out. Why didn't I think of this?!

Now, they are not perfect. They can not be washed in the dishwasher. If the lid is not on tight and the can is knocked over onto the floor at the basketball game, there will be fizzing and beverage loss..I've heard ;) . If you put it on before you open the can....good luck. You do have to mangle the can a little to get it off (Michiganders must be careful not to mangle the UPC code read by bottle return machines...if the dime is important to you). And if the can is full and still closed, well...as I said...good luck. With all that said, though, I have to admit that the good outweighs the bad. I love our SnapCapps!!

So, where do you find this little treasure? Is it strictly bounty from the North Pole? Just do a search for "SnapCapp" and you will find sites you can order them from online...or just keep your eyes open at convenience stores, gift stores and gas stations.

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

Last year when we got our camper, with a small inoperative refrigerator, my folks loaned us this baby. And it has been a lifesaver on many a camping trip!! It's a cooler that I can plug in at home to get it cold, fill with groceries, plug it in while it is in the car to keep it cold and then plug it in once we are set up at the campground. I love it!! We don't need anyone managing the ice so that no yummies perish! We did get that fridge in the camper fixed...but have found that we still need the cooler to help haul enough food and drink for a weekend.

And since we are "storing" it for my parents (Hey! They told us that if they need it, they know where to find it. After all, they buy much bigger refrigerators for camping...wrapped in a much bigger RVs.), we have found it useful for non-camping road trips. For my husband's recent weekend trip, I loaded it with stuff for sandwiches, fruit and breakfast fixins'. He plugged it in for the trip in the car, then carried it to his room and plugged it in there. He was able to break bread in his room throughout the weekend, saving money and time...two of his love languages.

Suffice it to say that, when this thing is called home (to my parents or the curb), we will be looking for another one. It will pay for itself with saved bags of ice and less frequent meals wrapped in paper on the road.

Happy Friday, ya'll!

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

I know that so many people have these little contraptions. You can't walk through a mall without seeing a teenager walking along in their own little world, focused only on the path they walk and the noise bouncing from ear to ear.

My focus here isn't really about the iPod specifically, but on the MP3 concept. When going on road trips, it used to be a big ordeal to pick out and store the desired 8-tracks...cassettes...CDs. Thank goodness no one ever had a turntable in the car! Now, I just grab my iPod and the FM transmitter (I will feature that sometime) and we are off. I have enough selections loaded to keep everyone in the family happy! I have country, 80s rock, High school Musical, AC/DC and Air Supply! It's always a little schizophrenic to listen in the shuffle mode because you never know what you are going to get next. (I have found that some of the songs that I enjoyed in my youth, really are not appropriate for kids when you listen to the lyrics...easy enough to skip ahead, though.)

I LOVE that I can carry my favorite tunes, educational audios and episodes of the Office with me! And I haven't even tapped into the treasure of podcasts yet.

On a recent road trip, I enjoyed a special moment with my iPod and my 11-year-old. We were on our way to Arkansas for a family reunion, with my mom, sister, nephew and two younger daughters. During some leg of the trip, she and I were together in the seat located in the way back. After several miles of chatting, I put my earphones on and shuffled. When a HSM song came on, I passed an ear bud over to her and we sang together. After that, a Garth Brooks song came on about dreams being like rivers. I told her that her dad liked that song and we discussed it's meaning. Next came a song from my first date with her dad. It was so fun to relive these memories with her...discuss some of the poetic lessons of life included...create a new memory with her. I certainly didn't see that when I clicked "Add to Cart" last year.

Note: You can buy refurbished iPods here. You might have to be patient and wait for what you want. But, you will save money and they still have a 1 year warranty on them.

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

Today I am celebrating one of God's best inventions EVER....GRANDPARENTS!!! I could spend my whole day describing why they are awesome. Here's my evidence, though, just for this week

We have a grandma, who is out of town taking care of my grandma, writing multiple letters each week and sending treasures to the girls. This week, the grandpa, that goes with that grandma, let the girls hang out with the him for a few hours while I had an appointment. He took them all on a date to McDonald's, made sure there was treasure in the treasure boxes that grandma usually maintains and had the Power Wheels jeep battery charged. And finally, my in-laws are taking all of them away for the annual Torch Lake weekend with their cousins. They celebrate special days...such as backwards day (have dessert for breakfast, pancakes for dinner and wear their clothes backwards) and everyone's birthday...they swim...enjoy the special menu that their grandma planned just for them...go fishing with grandpa...enjoy adventures unforeseen at this time. The kids have so much fun that they start counting down to the next year's trip the moment they return from this year's excursion.

They all set a very high bar for grandparents. And they each are blessing in our lives.

Back to my material enjoyments next week!

Favorite Invention Friday

It was such an easy pick this week...sandwiched between two camping weekends. I want to celebrate the pop-up camper!

Speaking as an engineer, I have to say that I am impressed with the concept of the pop-up camper. It takes up so little space when all buttoned up but has a decent amount of room when fully opened. And it uses real estate wisely for stashing all of those camping necessities (many of those are worthy of their own FIF posts).

Speaking as a mom, I love all that it represents in our life--quality family time...away from distracting duties at home...opportunities to explore new places together...playing games...going on bike rides...skipping stones on any nearby body of water...passing time by poking at the campfire with sticks.

Now, I realize that it is not luxurious...but it keeps me...er...I mean...us...dry when it rains and we are off the ground away from the creepy-crawlies. It was perfect for breaking the family into the camping adventures and will help us appreciate any future upgrades.

If you want to read more about what I love about camping, you can go check out a post I did last year by clicking here.

Well, have to run...we are still packing for this weekend's fun!

Favorite Invention Friday

It's Friday, People!!! Ya know what that means, right?!! That's right!! I get to talk about something that makes my life enjoyable!!

Today, I'm talking about my cell phone with the QWERTY keyboard for easy texting!!!

Now, I believe I was a little late to the texting party...really only started about 18 months ago-ish. But I love it! I love it because it saves time! You might be thinking "What?!" It does, its saves time and cements relationships. My sister lives in CA and I live in MI. She's a busy, working wife and mom. I'm a busy wife and homeschooling mom. If something strikes me as funny, have a question, need to let her know the check is in the mail...I can text it and I'm done within seconds. If I had had to make a call, it would have taken several minutes because her and I just don't do quick phone calls. While I love talking to her, neither of us have time for daily 30 minute phone conversations. So, I saved time for both of us and still got to communicate with her. The phone has provided the same benefit in regards to some of my closest friends. We don't have time to talk everyday, but I can send them a text to let them know I'm thinking of them or that I need an arrow prayer (a prayer you shoot up quickly, short and sweet) in no time at all. I'm quite excited that my mom is now trying out texting in her life. I expect the same benefits. And finally, I love that I can easily drop a love note to my husband...whenever I feel like it.

And I love the QWERTY because of it's ease! My right thumb would get sore when I texted on my old phone and texting took longer.

Now, I do understand that there is a time to text and a time not to. Don't ignore others that are with you to text someone who is not with you...excuse yourself if it is urgent and IMPORTANT. And, don't make texting your primary mode of communication. It is better to talk to people...in whole sentences as opposed to abbreviated-text-speak. Utilize it when you need convenience. Beware of letting texting language (e.g. using "r" for "are", "u" for "you") influence how you write normally...that would make all those high school English classes a waste of time and we don't want to do that....and it looks unprofessional in a work-related memo or email. And, you could fall into an open manhole if you are not paying attention while texting, and lose a shoe (go here for the story).

So, thank you, cell phone with the QWERTY keyboard, for all you do in my life!!! I won't leave home without you...on purpose anyway.

See you next week on FIF!!

The Inaugural Post of Favorite Invention Fridays

Welcome to the first ever Favorite Invention Friday post. There can only be one first time at anything and I'm glad that you decided to join me for this one. Now, before we get to the primary purpose at hand, I do feel it necessary to take care of some business. I want to make it clear to all of you, that despite the rampant rumors, this is not the gig that led Sarah Palin to resign from being the governor of Alaska. Secondly, President Barack Obama will not be joining us today. He had discussed returning early from the G8 shindig in Europe to take over this responsibility. But, I told him that he has enough on his plate with banking, industry and healthcare. He could leave this one thing to me. If it doesn't go well, I'm sure I will hear from his appointed American Mommy Blogger Task Force ...a group comprised of single men who work in the aerospace industry and career women who have decided not to have children. Now on with FAVORITE INVENTION FRIDAY!!!!

The first post has to be dedicated to the item that inspired this whole concept...the FLOATIE BATHING SUIT!!! I love this item! It means that the kids get to go swimming way more because I don't have to get in with them to keep the three-year-old upright. I wouldn't say that it allows me to be a lazy mom...but it does allow me to stay dry, except in the event of an emergency or 85 degree water. It really is a win-win. The kids get to go swimming way more because they don't care what the water temp is -- to say that I was a bottleneck here would be an understatement. And, I get to read from a nearby perch, ready to leap in as needed...enjoying any number of books from my reading pile and catching a little vitamin D.

So please join me as I say "Thank you, floatie suit!! Thank you!!"

And I invite you to meet me here next Friday as I celebrate another wonderful item that brings quality to my life.