Cyber Patrol: protection for your family

Internet safety is something every parent desires for their children while they are online. The Internet world is filled with messages, topics, pictures, sites, that we would rather not expose our children to.
Cyber Patrol Parental Controls is a great product that you can install on your computer to help protect your child from the online dangers that lurk.
I got to review this product from Fuel My Blog, and I am happy that I was able to try this product out for my home computer. I like how the Cyber Patrol has so many features. I can control how, when and how long people use the computer. This is a great feature because my son can use the computer, like for gaming, and I can set a time limit. I like that because I can let him play, and his time on the computer doesn't get too long.
I can also check status of the usage online, modify the settings and have options for what gets filtered from online. I can customize each of the computer users in our home, so we each have our own settings to work with. I can set the settings to child, young teen, mature teen or adult with blocking porn and other tasteless sites, content and images. I also like that I can just simply omit certain sites/programs for my child.
My son isn't quite old enough to use the chatting features from websites yet, but Cyber Patrol Parental Controls offers ways to block IM, chat, games or home finance programs, and it will prevent program downloads that can harm your PC!
There are so many features that the Cyber Patrol helps with your online usage! It will protect your personal information, give detailed reports on websites visited/time/length there, and will block certain phrases that online "bullies" use to draw kids in.
I highly recommend the Cyber Patrol Parental Controls for your family's safety and children's online exposure. For one year, you can have online safety (for up to 3 computers) for only $39.95! Check out Cyber Patrol for options for your family!

Thank you Cyber Patrol and Fuel my Blog for this review!

Want a Chance to go to BlogHer? And Win??

You can have a chance to win a JVC Everio camcorder and an all-expenses paid trip to BlogHer ’09!!! Tell me how cool that would be? I hope someday that BlogHer will be something I can attend!
There is an amazing JVC Everio “Send Me To BlogHer ’09” Sweepstakes, which will give mom/parenting bloggers like yourself a chance to win a trip to this year’s BlogHer conference in Chicago, IL (July 23-25), along with a new JVC Everio camcorder to capture all the memories! I would love to win the trip and that great camcorder! Not only could you use the camcorder on your amazing trip, you can capture the moments at home and on the road with your children!

The sweepstakes is open to all mom/parenting bloggers whether or not you plan to attend BlogHer ’09.

With a variety of model and color choices, the JVC Everio line of camcorders is perfect for capturing and sharing family memories in stylish and simple fashion. When you register, just pick which Everio camcorder best fits your family’s lifestyle and why.

The contest runs through May 29th and winners will be announced on June 2nd.

Fighting allergies with 3M Filtrete's help!

It is that time of year again, with everything in full bloom comes all the allergies with it!
Temperatures are rising, flowers are blooming and the times to be outdoors are at their peak. Being outdoors right now, for me, can be a bit miserable. My allergies start acting up, I get all sneezy, stuffy, and tight chested. My eyes get itchy, and sometimes it gets just awful.
While the tendency may be to head indoors for relief, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies indicate that indoor levels of many pollutants may be two to five times higher than outdoor levels, making it one of the top five urgent environmental risks to public health. In fact, many seasonal activities such as cooking, spring cleaning and redecorating can spread indoor pollutants.
Did you know:
· Poor indoor air quality can cause a lack of concentration in school-aged children (Journal of Indoor Air)
· Every year, asthma accounts for an estimated three million lost work days for adults and over ten million lost school days for children (American Lung Association's Trends in Asthma Morbidity and Mortality)
Dr. Neil Schachter, M.D., past president of the American Lung Association of the City of New York, suggests a "home health check-up" to help make your home a healthier place to live. He recommends avoiding cleaning products that contain ammonia or chlorine, and limiting your pet's access to certain areas of the home, including the bedroom. A high performance air filter, such as a Filtrete filter, may also help improve indoor air quality. Listen to these tips and more on Dr. Schachter's podcast on Filtrete.com. While you're there, play the Filtrete Clean Air Fact or Fiction to test your knowledge of indoor air quality. You could win a home inspection from Steve Ramos, featured home inspector on HGTV's House Detective. It's recommended to change your air filter at the start of every season, or every three months. Recognizing that this may be the last thing on the mind of a busy Mom, 3M, the makers of Filtrete filters, offers the Clean Air Club. Moms can receive seasonal e-newsletters featuring special offers, filter change reminders, better home living tips and more. Plus, the first 50 people to sign up each week will receive a free bamboo plant - a natural air purifier!!

Go and sign up for the Clean Air Club as we embark on allergy season.
Thank you MomCentral for this information to pass on to all of my readers!

The Mixer from Betty Crocker (giveaway)

Would you like to learn the ins and outs of cooking and baking with Betty Crocker Kitchen experts? When you join The Mixer online (IT’S FREE!) you can connect with the entire community of people wanting to learn more for in the kitchen with LIVE classes. What’s great is that you can do it in the comfort of your own kitchen whenever it best fits your schedule.

Each week for six weeks, The Mixer will feature a new class line up complete with recipe demos, tips & techniques, flavor secrets and much more.
Week #1 - Kickin' Chicken Recipes and tips for making juicy, mouthwatering chicken
Week #2 - Pastabilities Secrets of building flavor that will allow you to create your own signature sauces
Week #3 - Greens with Envy Recipes for go-to salads
Week #4 - Viva Tortilla Taking taco night to a whole new level
Week #5 - Wok it Out Stir-fry techniques and recipes for easy flavorful sauces
Week #6 - Small Bites-Big Flavors Dips and appetizers that are easy and flavorful and guiltless desserts Classes are held three times a week.
Chat live with the Betty Crocker Kitchens Experts:
Tuesdays 7 p.m. ET
Wednesdays 9 p.m. ET
Saturdays 4 p.m. ET
But don't worry if you miss it, you can always go back to watch the classes on demand and get in on the conversation. For complete details on each of the classes simply go to Bettycrocker The Mixer and register to become a member.
CONTEST!!
You can leave a comment here telling me what is the one cooking gadget in the kitchen you can't live without? You will be entered to win a basket full of goodies to help you in your journeys in the kitchen. This basket is filled with a Betty Crocker mixing spoon, spatula, measuring spoons and cups, whisk, liquid measuring cup and a Betty Crocker Magazine (filled with recipes), which is just the right items to help you prepare spectacular meals and desserts! This contest is open to all those in the USA, and will end on May 21, 2009. Feel free to do all the extra credits, just be sure to leave the extra comments to get the credit. (see past contests for extra credits). Good Luck, and enjoy!

Finding "me" time with Frigidaire!

Time. Time is shrinking, and especially finding "Me Time." After becoming a Mom the time from "me" shrinks away. Not that I am complaining...I love my kids more than anything. Sometimes it is nice to get the "me" time in, though.
Frigidaire, the appliance brand known for their legendary reliability, is unveiling 250 new appliances designed with specific time-saving features to give you more time for YOUR time. Frigidaire understands the needs all of us Moms crave...a little more me time. Knowing most moms burn the candle on both ends of the wick, we definitely use up a lot of time.
In fact, Frigidaire's recently released "Motherload Index" revealed that moms spend most of their waking lives - 200 hours each month - doing the activities they least enjoy rather than the things they love. With their new line of appliances, Frigidaire is aiming to free up some new found "me time" for Moms and they want to know what you'll do with it! By visiting Frigidaire.com, you can share the five things that you would do with an extra hour in your day for a chance to win an entire suite of the new time-saving Frigidaire appliances. Just go fill out this questionnaire and let them know what you would do with an extra hour in your day for just you! You will be entered into a contest to win a brand new washer and dryer from Frigidaire! The all NEW Frigidaire Affinity washer, offering WashSense technology to ensure clothes get clean with care AND the NEW Frigidaire Affinity Fits-More™ Dryer, the largest capacity dryer in a standard size so you can dry more at once! Go check it out! Plus, it is fun to think of ways to give yourself some time!

Winners & Contests

Congratulations to the recent winners of the contests that ended here at SassyFrazz!

Xeco Pals~ Tung
MedBasics~ Mary
Idbids~ JeansandTs
Evenflo Comfort Select~ Holly
Dole~ Adele
Tiny Prints~ Heather

Congratulations! Winners have been notified, and/or will be notified asap.

Don't forget to enter the current giveaways & more contests will be posted this week...so stay tuned!
"Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms" Plus 2 gi...
Chicken Soup for the Soul book reviews (PLUS 4 giv...
Two book giveaways for Mother's Day! (reviews)

Sickness and Trials

Hello everyone. Thanks for being patient with my blogging, or lack thereof. I have had some things going on in our household that I would like to update you all on what has been happening in the Sassyfrazz household. We are going through some trials, sick times, and major medical issues. I am sure you will understand why I haven't been keeping up on my blogging.
My daughter has been sick for 3 weeks now. She is on a second medicine for ear infections. She started off with a bad cold, then fevers, and an ear infection. While being on Amoxicillin, she started a night time bad cough. Then she was coughing bad during the day. Well, on Tuesday, she spiked more fevers and was complaining about her ears~ even cried when I put on her shirt. So, back to the clinic we went, and found out she has a double ear infection! Now we are on a new medication, and costing $45 we hope it will cure her ailments. She is more herself today, and she actually had a restful night last night waking up at 7:30 this morning (which is rare for miss Madelyn).

I have been pretty sick myself. I was very sick the last weekend of April. I had fevers of 104 (a bit high for an adult). I had chills, lightheaded feelings, chills, and runny nose. I also experienced nausea and other symptoms. It only lasted two days, and I am not going to classify it as that Swine Flu. Cole got the fever, too. His fever was 101.5 for two days. I felt horrible for him. Being so little (3 months old) I get nervous when he is running a fever.
Then, my symptoms turned to the coughing side. I coughed SO much, especially at night. Getting little sleep, nursing, and taking care of sick kids during the day wasn't so great. I finally went to the Dr. (after a week of coughing) to see what was going on. I was diagnosed with Bronchitus. I was given two prescriptions~ Zithromax and Cherritussin. Making a long story short, I had a severe reaction to one of them, and I got a bad side effect. Yesterday, my mom noticed I had a slight rash on my neck yesterday. So, I called the Dr. and he said not to take any more meds. I only had one dose. Progressively I got worse, rash on my neck to my face, now my chest and arms. I swelled up terribly, and this morning my eyes were almost swollen shut. I looked like the girl on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Anyway, I went to the Dr. again today and now I am on Prednizone and Amoxicillin. Hopefully I will get well quickly.

I have had some very serious medical conditions thrown my way. I had 4 moles removed a few weeks ago. I had to wait for the results 10-14 days. I went in to get the stitches removed and had the news that I have Melanoma. This is the rarest skin cancer, but the deadliest. I am grateful that the Melanoma was only in one of the moles, but it is still very scary news. I am scheduled to have surgery on Thursday, May 14th. I hope I am well by then. I will be under a general anesthetic getting a portion of my ear cut. I will be in surgery for 2 hours. I have been praying for the Melanoma to be completely removed, and that it hasn't spread. My prayer is that the Melanoma isn't anywhere else in my body, and that the Lord will heal me completely. I will have to be under observation for the next two years with an Oncologist, and seeing my Dermatologist every 6 months. I do rest peacefully in the knowledge that I have my home in heaven waiting, but I plead with God to give me more years here to see my children grow up. He ultimately has a plan for me, my children/family, and my future. I do my best to trust in Him. I just ask you all to pray for my upcoming surgery, healing, and on-going medical roads.

So, if I don't get on here to blog, review, or do giveaways as often, I hope you will understand. I will try to get something up often, especially with updates. Thanks for reading my story.

Trebellina DVD: and introduction to music and instruments!

I come from a very musical family, and we were all raised with music composition, piano playing/practicing, and we all love music. I am a big time believer in exposing my children to music, instruments, and rhythm/beats. I was happy to review the Trebellina DVD when I was asked from Parent Reviewers.
Trebellina is a child friendly DVD to introduce your child to music, instruments and musical concepts. I enjoyed watching this DVD with Caleb (almost 4 years old) and Madelyn (2 years old). We had a great time learning about the different instruments, and what they sound like. Trebellina shows you the notes on the piano keyboard, and sings the note. My kids liked singing (matching the note) with Trebellina. My kids liked this DVD and request watching it. I think it is an easy way to introduce the basics at an early age. The graphics aren't high quality, but the lessons and teachings are of great quality.

Here is an excerpt from their site:
Vivacious Trebellina leads the note lessons. Along with Rock Bassey, she teaches your young child how to read the note in the treble clef and identify the corresponding key on the piano. Fun Rhythmo leads your child through a basic rhythm lesson, encouraging movement. Fascinating live action segments introduce percussion instruments from cabasa to cow bell so that your baby will quickly learn their sounds and see how some can be played. Other segments introduce the sound of various instruments in the context of foot-tapping music, coupled with relevant visuals. And, of course, parents will love the music as much as their children!
The engaging music and sound with oral explanation caters to auditory learners. Visual learners will especially appreciate the beautiful pictures and cleverly styled words. The upbeat dance and rhythm scenes encourage kinesthetic learners.
For the preschooler or older toddler, the Trebellina and Friends series is the perfect precursor to formal piano or other instrument lessons.

Trebellina has won many awards and accolades from “noteworthy” organizations, including Dr. Toy, iParenting Media, Aegis, Dove and The National Parenting Center. If you are looking for a program to introduce music, instruments and theory to your child, I would like to recommend Trebellina to you. Trebellina is retailed at $19.95, and you can also purchase other products from the Cristofori Baby website.

Two book giveaways for Mother's Day! (reviews)

Formula for identity loss:
1. Take one multifaceted, intriguing human being.
2. Bless her with a child.
3. Mix with today’s cultural assumptions.
4. Add the demands of motherhood.
5. Presto! All identity except Mom disappears.
For every woman wondering what happened to the unique combination of gifts and abilities she was known for before kids came along, Caryn Dahlstrand Rivedeneira has good news: in Mama’s Got a Fake I.D., Rivedeneira helps moms reclaim their full identity as creative beings, gifted professionals and volunteers, loving friends, children of God—and mothers.
This inspiring and practical guide shows women how to break free from false guilt, learn a new language to express who they really are, and follow God’s lead in sharing their true self with others. After all, motherhood doesn’t have to mean losing one’s identity. Instead, being a mom makes it possible for a woman to discover a more complete identity as the person God made her to be.
Author Bio:
The former managing editor of Marriage Partnership and Christian Parenting Today, Caryn Dahlstrand Rivedeneira has been a trusted voice writing and speaking to women for more than a decade. Today she is the managing editor of GiftedForLeadership.com, an online community for Christian women in leadership. Rivadeneira works from home in the Chicago suburbs, where she lives with her husband and their three children.

In Enduring Justice, Hanna Kessler’s childhood secret has remained buried for over two decades. But when the dark shadows of her past threaten to destroy those she loves, Hanna must face the summer that changed her life and the man who still haunts her thoughts. Crimes Against Children FBI Agent, Michael Parker knows what it means to get knocked down. And when the system fails and a white supremacist is set free, Michael’s drive for retribution eclipses all else.
A racist’s well-planned assault forces Hanna and Michael to decide between executing vengeance and pursuing justice. When the attack turns personal, is healing still possible?
This thought-provoking novel deals with healing from sexual abuse, the balance of justice and mercy, and maintaining mixed-race friendships in the midst of racial tension. Readers who enjoy investigative thrillers by Dee Henderson, Colleen Coble, and Catherine Coulter, and who watch crime dramas like Law & Order: SVU, Criminal Minds, and Without a Trace will love this book—and the entire series.
Author Bio:
Amy Wallace is the author of Ransomed Dreams and Healing Promises, a home school mom, and self-confessed chocoholic. She is a graduate of the Gwinnett County Citizens Police Academy and a contributing author of several books including God Answers Moms’ Prayers and Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Diabetes. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia.
Happy Mother's Day to all you Mom's out there! I have an extra copy of each book for two winners for a gift to you for Mother's Day! This contest is open to all who live in the United States. Just leave a comment about a time when you felt loved as a Mom, or how you displayed love to your mom. Please include which book you would prefer to win, as well.This contest will be open until May 19, 2009. You can do all the extras: blog this contest, tweet this contest, comment on other posts of mine, subscribe to my blog, add my button, etc. Just be sure you leave extra comments for the extra credits so you get the credit for it! :)

Chicken Soup for the Soul book reviews (PLUS 4 giveaways)

Chicken Soup for the Soul are great books for their personal stories, reflections and experiences. I love the line of books for Mothers, and with Mother's Day quickly approaching, I thought it would be a great time to review these books. Both of these books are now available at Target for a special discounted price until Mother's Day on May 10. Both seek to honor moms, as they offer heartwarming, hilarious tales from moms and their loved ones.
Mothers and Daughters share such a special bond, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul: Like Mother, Like Daughter book will warm your heart with the stories that inspire, amuse, and remind you of the connection between Mom and Daughter. You will read stories about: the bond between mothers and daughters, the similarities between the two, the transformation from roles as parent/child to friends, the change between mom taking care of daughter to daughter taking care of mom, the inner strength that the daughter carries from her mother, and the unconditional love between grandmothers and granddaughters. From borrowed outfits to goofy mannerisms, there is a time when most women must sheepishly admit, "I'm turning into my mother." But while our uncanny connections can draw us closer, sometimes these similarities can drive us up the wall. (released September 2008 with a SRP $14.95)

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Moms & Sons celebrates the special relationship between mothers and sons. 101 best stories, poems, and inspirations are packed in this new book from Chicken Soup. This book is honoring the lifelong relationship between mothers and their male offspring. Heartfelt and loving stories written by mothers, grandmothers, and son, about each other, span generations and show how the mother-son bond transcends time. Mothers ans sons will enjoy these heartwarming, sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant stories from the best of Chicken Soup's library. You will read about: interesting adventures in raising boys, mom being a "sport," grateful sons, being a single mom, adopting a son, and funny boy moments. From baby blue blankets to first wedding dances, sons provide their mothers immeasurable amounts of joy - not to mention bruised knees to clean, rambunctious friends, and good-natured teasing. Written for mothers and "mama's boys" everywhere, "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Moms and Sons" is available online and in bookstores. Be sure to check it out at Target before Mother's Day to get a special discount price. (released September 2008 for a SRP $14.95)
GIVEAWAY~ 2 winners!
Happy Mother's Day to all you Mom's out there! I have an extra copy of each book for two winners for a gift to you for Mother's Day! This contest is open to all who live in the United States. Just leave a comment about a time when you felt loved as a Mom, or how you displayed love to your mom. Please include which book you would prefer to win, as well.
This contest will be open until May 19, 2009. You can do all the extras: blog this contest, tweet this contest, comment on other posts of mine, subscribe to my blog, add my button, etc. Just be sure you leave extra comments for the extra credits so you get the credit for it! :)

"Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms" Plus 2 giveaways!

Wendy Walker, author of Four Wives and Social Lives, has collected 101 inspirational, poignant and often humorous stories from mothers who have made the choice to stay home, or work from
home, while raising their families and becoming active members of their communities. These multi-tasking, high-performing women have become today's Power Moms. This collection contains heartwarming and funny stories by moms everywhere, including Lynne Spears, Jodi Picoult, Jane Green, Liz Lange, and many more.
**In this Chicken Soup for the Soul book: Power MOMS you will read about:
**Making the decision to stay home
**Learning to juggle
**Finding joy and self-esteem in everyday moments
**The power of friendship and sharing
**Creating at-home jobs and businesses
**Perspectives from grateful husbands and children
Here is a book trailer for POWER MOMS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs3nwQiH3-s
I love how this book ties together stories of MOM's lives. All of us either work in home or out of home, but the main focus is we are all moms. None of us can really be part time moms, and we all can feel different emotions when others refer to us as: working mom, stay-at-home mom, etc. We really don't like the term "housewife," but we all love the term Mom.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power MOMS is available in local bookstores, and you can find it online for the suggested retail price of $14.95.
There is a book launch that will take place on Friday, May 8 at 1pm at the Lincoln Center Barnes & Noble in New York. There will be a "power mom" panel led by Liz Lange, Jane Green, Victoria Colligan, Amy Newmark, and Wendy Walker (the editor of this collection), followed by a Q&A and book signing. For any of you in that area, this is a fabulous opportunity to pick up a one-of-a-kind Mother's Day gift: a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms, signed by the Power Moms themselves!
GIVEAWAY~ 2 winners!
Happy Mother's Day to all you Mom's out there! I have two copies for two winners for a gift to you for Mother's Day! This contest is open to all who live in the United States. Just leave a comment about a time when you felt loved as a Mom, or how you displayed love to your mom. This contest will be open until May 19, 2009. You can do all the extras: blog this contest, tweet this contest, comment on other posts of mine, subscribe to my blog, add my button, etc. Just be sure you leave extra comments for the extra credits so you get the credit for it! :)

Jane Kirkpatrick books (review)

The perfect pairing of a heart retrenching tale and a real life view of a Utopian community, both set in the1800s, any fan of Jane will be sure to love! Even if you are new to Kirkpatrick’s work, you can certainly expect to be captivated and longing for more while discovering new fascinations you never knew you had. Her extraordinary experiences mixed with her rich history have given her the ability to draw you in and make you feel like you are experiencing her unique stories as they happen. This rare gift has helped her to become one of today’s best selling authors. Be prepared to be blown away by her words as you get a glimpse into an entirely new world.
A Flickering Light
Returning to her Midwest roots, award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick draws a page from her grandmother’s photo album to capture the interplay between shadow and light, temptation and faith that marks a woman’s pursuit of her dreams.
She took exquisite photographs,
but her heart was the true image exposed.

Fifteen-year-old Jessie Ann Gaebele loves nothing more than capturing a gorgeous Minnesota landscape when the sunlight casts its most mesmerizing shadows. So when F.J. Bauer hires her in 1907 to assist in his studio and darkroom, her dreams for a career in photography appear to find root in reality.
With the infamous hazards of the explosive powder used for lighting and the toxic darkroom chemicals, photography is considered a man’s profession. Yet Jessie shows remarkable talent in both the artistry and business of running a studio. She proves less skillful, however, at managing her growing attraction to the very married Mr. Bauer.
This luminous coming-of-age tale deftly exposes the intricate shadows that play across every dream worth pursuing—and the irresistible light that beckons the dreamer on.

Aurora An American Experience in a Quilt, Community, and Craft
Wrap yourself in a fantastic journey, a remarkable commitment, and a spare and splendid story
Master storyteller Jane Kirkpatrick extols the beautiful treasures, unknown to a wider public, rediscovered in the Old Aurora Colony of Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley. The people and legacy of Aurora, a utopian community founded in the mid-1800s, will stir your imagination, hopes, and dreams; and remind you that every life matters—that our lives are the stories other people read first.
~Featuring~
Unique and treasured quilt pattern variations

More than 100 photographs, many never-before published, from 1850 to today
Cherished stories from Aurora descendants
Rich images of fine crafts from the Aurora Colony and private collections
An introduction by renowned American artist John Houser
Aurora is about the difference every ordinary life can make—and a beautiful celebration of a time and place in which people expressed their most cherished beliefs through the work of their imagination and hands.

Jane Kirkpatrick is a best-selling, award-winning author whose previous historical novels include All Together in One Place and Christy Award finalist A Tendering in the Storm. An international keynote speaker, she has earned regional and national recognition for her stories based on the lives of actual people, including the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Hall of Fame. Jane is a Wisconsin native who since 1974 has lived in Eastern Oregon, where she and her husband, Jerry, ranch 160 rugged acres.