Family Friday- Family is like an orange

I came across a quote today that I liked. It is from Letty Cottin Pogrebin, a journalist and the founding editor of Ms. magazine. She said, "If the family were a fruit, it would be an orange, a circle of sections, held together but separable - each segment distinct." What better way to describe what a family is? Adding to her analogy: sometimes they are sweet, other times, not so much; some are full of juice (or drama) and others are less "juicy"; and oranges, like families, come in lots of sizes, from small to huge. Can you think of any other ways families are like oranges, or any other fruit?

Making Money at home

I have enjoyed many opportunities to supplement my husband's income by making money from home. I belong to several survey groups and online panels where I often earn cash/PayPal/checks or gift cards. I also have had the opportunity over the years to test many products, saving us money on our grocery bill. There are also a few websites that offer incentives for reading e-mails. The amount to read 1 e-mail is usually small, but they add up quickly and it is usually worth the few seconds of my time to do it. In addition to these activities, I perform mystery shops which pays money and often reimburses me for purchases. As a family, and individually, we have participated in research studies and focus groups, which often pay very well. Those have sometimes resulted in receiving medical care that we otherwise would have had to pay for out of pocket as well as nice sums of money. Currently, my children and I are in a flu research study. We go twice a year to the hospital for a blood draw so they can study our blood for how our body's react to the flu. We also have to report weekly, during the flu season, any symptoms we experience and if we have flu symptoms, we have to go to the hospital for a nasal swab. If the swab shows we have the flu, we return again for another blood draw. The study lasts 3 years and each time we go to the hospital for a routine blood draw each child gets a $25 Toys R Us gift card and I get a $25 check. The same is given to the sick person who goes for a nasal swab and again if they have the flu and go in for the blood draw. In my house, it truly pays to get sick ;0) Of course, we do not try to get sick, but at least there is a little comfort when we do. They also gave us all digital thermometers, hand-knitted gloves and little gifts when we signed up. They entertain the kids during our visits as well so I am able to relax a bit. At our last scheduled blood draw, they also gave me a $35 gift card to Wegman's (a grocery store in the Northeast). Some research studies require you to take medications and, understandably, some people have concerns about that, especially when involving their children. I like the study we are in because we do not have to take any medicines and the flu shot is optional. Anyway, I just wanted to share so that anyone who is interested in earning some extra money while at home, knows there are ways to do so without spending a lot/anything up front. Also, be sure to check out Nicole's Nickles for a great post with links to several university research sites that offer online studies in exchange for checks, Amazon gift cards or entry into giveaways with great odds. Overall, by doing all the things I do, I am bringing in about $200 a month in cash and merchandise. Not bad, for a few hours of time each week.

Wellness Wednesday: A Get Well Basket

I recently got over a severe case of the flu and it made me appreciate certain things. I decided to put together a basket of items that are nice to have easily accessible when feeling sick. As mothers, we are often the ones to tend to others when they fall ill, but we have no one to tend to us when we are ill. This basket is our way of tending to ourselves ahead of time or it would be a great gift of service to another person who has fallen ill. Here is what I pulled together:
-A laundry-basket sized wicker basket
-An extra-soft blanket
-A box of quality tissues (super soft ones with added lotion)
-Thermometer and alcohol wipes to clean it
-Saline Nasal Rinse/Neti-Pot (I felt so much better after each saline rinse)
-Bottled water and a few packets of high protein drink mixes (it is so important to stay hydrated and protein helps your immune system)
-A bottle of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and/or ibuprofen (be sure take ibuprofen with food or a glass of milk and only take the recommended dose of any medicine)
-Honey based cough drops or cough syrup
-Some nice stationary, envelopes, and stamps (if you have to take it easy, use the opportunity to catch up with loved ones)
-Multi-vitamins (important to recovery, especially if your appetite is diminished and you are not eating)

If you can think of any items you would add, please feel free to comment.

Out of the race

Unfortunately, my run in the Amazing Blogger Race was very short lived. I ended up with a severe case of the flu very early on and was understandably cut due to my inactivity. However, I do hope to participate in some MomDot's future reality-show based games, so keep an eye out.

The Amazing Blog Race

I am so excited to be participating in the Amazing Blog Race on MomDot. The other bloggers competing are:
Dore
Tiffany
Gena
Angie
Andrea
Renee
Kate
Cheryl
Miss Blondie
Toni
Jenna
Chelsea
Elizabeth
Brandy
Stacie
Christy

This is a new experience for me, but I am looking forward to it. Come along and watch the competition.

Open a lemonade stand

Do you remember setting up a table in your front yard and selling small cups of lemonade to the neighbors? This summer, you can relive those memories by opening your own online lemonade stand to help support the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Electrolux and Kelly Ripa are teaming up, and asking for your help, to bring awareness and money to this organization that helps women everywhere. The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund works to help develop a method of detecting ovarian cancer early and ultimately, finding a cure for it. The Virtual Lemonade Stand Campaign assists you in designing and opening your own virtual lemonade stand, complete with 3 lemonade flavors that you choose. You can choose from flavors like Raspberry Meyer Lemonade or Sparkling Ginger Lemonade. Electrolux will donate $1 to the OCRF for every virtual lemonade stand opened. Plus, you can invite your friends to come and buy a virtual glass of lemonade for as little as $1 or up to $50 (their choice) and 100% of the money raised goes directly to the OCRF.

Aside from the fun of designing your own lemonade stand and the good feeling of helping others, Electrolux is also giving away 3 Electrolux French Door Refrigerators with Perfect Temp Drawer™. One will be awarded to a person who opens a virtual lemonade stand; one will go to a virtual lemonade stand owner who changes their lemonade stand, invites a friend to it, or shares it on a social media site, like facebook; and one will go to someone who buys a virtual glass of lemonade for as little as $1. The best part is that registering and setting up your virtual lemonade stand is free.



When you are done setting up your lemonade stand, be sure to check out Kelly Ripa's tips for making perfect lemonade and the recipes on the site for a variety of yummy lemonades you can make at home.

I hope that all of you will take this opportunity to set up their own virtual lemonade stand and encourage your loved ones to visit. Feel free to check out my lemonade stand as well. It is not fancy, but I like it and I am hoping to be able to raise a bunch of money for the OCRF.

Cloth Diapers

I have wanted to use cloth diapers for a LONG time (since before we had baby #1), but my husband has been very hesitant. Now that baby #4 has turned 1, hubby has decided that we can go ahead and try them. I know they have changed quite a bit since the days we wore them, which is how I got my husband to agree to try them, but now they seem more confusing than ever. How many of you use(d) cloth diapers and do you have tips? Also, we are looking for recommendations of brands and types to use. Please feel free to use Mr. Linky if you have blogged about this. I would love to read any posts about cloth diapering. If you know any companies who may be interested in having their diapers reviewed here, I would be happy to do that as well. Thanks for your help.