Monthly Archives: October 2017

Discover Woodloch-The #1 Family Resort in the Pocono Mountains

Even though, we were knee-deep in our entire home renovation project, we managed to go on a quick getaway  at the end of August. Fitting in a special trip before school started was just what we all needed.  We were pleasantly surprised to learn that Woodloch, the #1 Family Resort in America according to Tripadvisor was just 40 minutes from our house!

From the first moment of our arrival, the staff was so friendly and made our stay so much fun. Woodloch is a true family resort reminiscent of the resort portrayed in Dirty Dancing. In fact, most of the families we met on our trip, return year after year to this pristine Pocono Mountain resort. It is no wonder why, there is so much to do and activities are plentiful for kids and adults of all ages.

The meal plan is spectacular and gets the family around the table 2 or 3 times a day. There is no shortage of food and everything we ate was expertly prepared and delicious. If you have specific dietary needs, all you have to do is let them know.

When you check in, you are assigned a table in the main dining room. That table is yours for the duration of your stay, and you will enjoy all your meals there, unless you chose to eat at one of the other restaurants on site. We had a table in front of the windows overlooking the lake.

As you enter the dining room for each meal there is a character meet and greet. That was a really nice touch and just one of the many things Woodloch does to make their guests feel welcome and entertained. Every morning at breakfast, a new activity sheet is placed on each family’s dining table.

The lake has a thrilling water slide, and our kids had to try immediately after our arrival.

They did allow us to stop off at our beautifully appointed suite that had all the amenities we needed. There are laundry facilities on site, perfect for ensuring you don’t return home with bags of dirty laundry.

Everything is very structured and you can literally be doing something from them moment you wake up until you go to bed. If you prefer, you can lay out by the lake or the indoor or outdoor pool. There is a very nice outdoor splash/wading pool for younger kids and the indoor waterpark type splash zone and slide was another favorite.

The indoor pool and water slide was perfect when one of the days we were there was unseasonably cold. My kids had so much fun in the large indoor pool, splash zone and water slide. Soft, fluffy towels are provided near every pool and by the lake.

Woodloch had terrific entertainment at night. We participated in a “Block Party” on the grounds complete with carnival type games that we could play with the coupons we were given and win prizes.

There were games even little kids could play and win. We saw an amazing Billy Joel cover band that was just phenomenal! The magician and dog trainer put on great shows that entertained kids and adults alike.

We loved walking the grounds from our room to the main dining hall and activities. Woodloch also has shuttles that run all day to transport guests around the property.

 

They have go karts for bigger kids and adults, as well as Jr. Go Karts my little ones could drive themselves. The Jr. Go Karts were a huge hit. The indoor bumper cars were fun entertainment for everyone in the evening. A pontoon boat tour of Lake Teedyuskung with a boat captain who was a riot, was another highlight.

There is just so much to do! They have the signature Woodloch game of skill throughout the grounds and my husband had to make sure he mastered it before we left. There are kayaks, sailboats, paddleboats and stand up paddle boards that guests can take out on the lake. Bingo games, lawn games, trivia games, mock game shows, arts and crafts and so much more are available to guests.

Bumper boats, petting zoos, a gymnasium where they have fun family activities, an indoor play structure, arcade and more make for very exhausted kiddies at the end of the night. There were so many activities, we did not even get to experience everything. I guess we will have to make another trip there. Now I see why families come back every year.

The resort makes you feel so at home, you do feel like family and returning is like going home again. They do not treat you like a number, their enthusiastic and friendly staff is so genuine and they really take time to get to know you. I cannot believe how lucky we were to have discovered this jewel so close to where we live. My kids are still talking about our time there, and asking when we can go back.

They have lovely gift shops and stores on site, there are other restaurants including a deli. We stopped off at the gift shop and picked up sweatshirts, Woodloch logo toy trucks, coffee mugs, t-shirts and more to remember and celebrate our time there.

Thank you so much to Woodloch for arranging this wonderful and much-needed mini vacation for our family. Erica coordinated our trip and no detail was overlooked. If you are looking for a fun, family resort to spend some quality time with your family, Woodloch should be at the top of your list. 

We have more videos on our YouTube Channel and will be adding even more.  Check them out, they will give you an up close and personal look at this spectacular family resort. If you have any questions please ask in the comments, I will do my best to answer them, and if I cannot, I will reach out to the staff for you.

If you would like to book your own family getaway at Woodloch, you will not be disappointed. They have fun activities no matter what season you plan to visit. You can learn more and book your stay on their website as well as, connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, InstagramPinterest and YouTube.

So, what do you think of Woodloch Family Resort? Let me know if you have great Woodloch memories of your own.  We certainly created a multitude of memories at Woodloch this past summer!


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Filed under Attractions, Family Fun, recreation, Travel

How To Start a Facebook Page for Your Blog or Business-Step-By-Step Guide

If you have a blog or business and you want to create a Facebook Fan Page but don’t know where to start, we can help. If you still have not started a blog and need help, go to our, How To Start A Blog Tutorial first.

You might wonder if you really need a Facebook Page for your blog or business. Social media is one of the easiest ways to connect with your target market or audience. A Facebook Page allows you to bring targeted content, promotions, sales and giveaways in front of hundreds of thousands of potential customers, clients or readers who are looking for what you have. It also gives you a platform to showcase photos of your work. We know a picture is worth 1,000 words. If you are an artist, photographer, restaurant owner, contractor, decorator, DIY blogger, crafter and more, post fabulous photos of your best work to attract your audience.

Bloggers should use a Facebook Fan Page to interact daily with their audience. They can do this by posting call to action posts that ask a simple question like, what is the last book they read or what is their favorite classic movie. Beyond that, all blog posts should be promoted on your Facebook Page. There are many plugins or widgets that will automatically post to your page as soon as new posts are published.

Businesses can use their Facebook Page to connect with clients and customers and improve customer service by engaging and answering any questions or concerns they may have. 

So, now that you understand the importance, let’s get your Facebook Fan Page up and running. I promise, it will take only a few minutes. 

The first thing you need is the name of your page.  If you already have your business or blog, it is easy, just use that name. If you do not have anything and are just starting, think of a name.

Once you have your name, you might want to check on domains for that name if you don’t already have one. The reason I am saying this, is because you may be thinking small now and just want the Facebook page. However, if you decide to start a website for your business or blog later, and want a domain with that name, you might be very disappointed to find it is not available.

You can research domain names on  BlueHost , if you sign up for their low-cost hosting for your website, it includes a free domain! If you do find an available domain for your business or blog, it is a good idea to purchase it while it is available.

Step one,  go to Facebook. Click “HOME” on the top of your page. On the side You will see pages and then on the bottom something that says “create a page” and you click that.

 

After that, you will be directed to a page where you pick a category for your blog. For bloggers, photographers, musicians etc. you should choose the Artist, Band or Public Figure. If you have a cause, choose Cause or Community and so on. Just pick the best category for your page. Then, you can choose a sub-category and add your page name.

 

Next, it will take you to where you can enter your “About” information. Let everyone know what your page is about. You can also skip this, but the more details you have, the more people will find your page.

Now, you need to add a profile photo. I am also going to cover the cover photo here too. To add photos, you can use your own photos.

If you don’t have any that will work, you can try free photo sites like Pixabay.com. These are royalty free and can be used without any attribution. Type a word or two into the search bar and search for images. When you find one you like click on it and then save in your files.

You can then upload the images to Facebook to customize your page. If you want to add elements to your cover photo you can use FotoJet.  Just upload your image and customize.

To add a title you can choose an overlay or just add text directly. Many of the features are available for free. Anything with a special icon is only available if you have a subscription. This screenshot is from PicMonkey which has a free trial or you could use FotoJet or any other photo editing software you like.

 

You can change colors, sizes and more to really make it your own.

 

 

 

When you are happy, save it to your computer and then upload to your page.

Add your page to your favorites so you can find it easily.

 

You can customize who the ideal audience for your page is. Do not limit your audience too much.

Audience

 

At this point you are ready to go, you can learn more about promotion and adding buttons etc. but the basic page is done.

So what are you waiting for? Write your first post. Good luck guys, any questions you can ask them in the comments. 

 

Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links, if you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission. All of the links in this post are products or services that I recommend because I truly believe they are the best and would recommend them whether or not I earn a small commission from them. 

 

 

 

 


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Overwhelmed? Discover, “Why Motherhood Matters” #Giveaway

Tomorrow, I have to go for two ultrasound scans. To say the least, the last few weeks have been a rollercoaster. Already dealing with having our lives torn apart for the last year, as we have had to undergo a near total renovation of our house. This required moving out, having all our belongings packed by a less than careful mold remediation company and now dealing with a less than ethical contractor who took a large deposit on work he never even started.

So, now on top of everything, we are starting the litigation process to bring this contractor and his partner (wife) to justice and get our money back. They have caused us weeks of delays and much angst. I ended up being rushed to the hospital one night thinking I was having a heart attack. They found out that, thankfully, I was not having a heart attack but tomorrow I need to have an echocardiogram to rule out mitral valve prolapse and my thyroid levels (I am hypothyroid) were very low. This could be the reason for the chest pain etc. I had my levels tested again and they are normal but the doctor felt an enlargement in my thyroid, and that is the other scan I am going for. I would love your prayers and good thoughts because I am feeling a big weary.

Speaking of being weary, motherhood itself can leave us feeling overwhelmed. Add to that health issues, and it can sap our energy as we worry about something happening to us, and what that would mean to our family. As much as we try to stay positive, those negative thoughts creep in. Since I was told there was an enlargement on one side of my thyroid, it feels that the fullness I felt from time to time in my throat, is now constant. It also feels like something is pulling from my collarbone when I turn my neck. As much as I try to push it from my thoughts, they find a way of creeping in. This morning, I woke up at the crack of dawn, and could not lie there because of the thoughts that kept coming into my mind. I had to get up and do something to try and take my mind off tomorrow.

As mothers, our lives are so full and no matter how much we get accomplished, we tend to focus on all the things we did not get done. We are so critical on ourselves. It can easily leave us feeling overwhelmed. Maybe you have even wondered if you were succeeding at motherhood. We tend to berate ourselves about everything we did not complete or do.  Worse yet, social media has introduced us to hoards of  “supermoms” who only make us feel worse about ourselves. We have to understand everything is not what it seems on social media, and the “supermom” you see, is probably hanging by a thread just like you are many days.

I understand that many mothers feel overwhelmed and have at least fleeting thoughts of inadequacy. That is why I want to introduce you to, Why Motherhood Matters by September McCarthy. The author has been a mom for 25 years (close to how long I have been a mother but, I have a few years more on the job, lol), like myself ,she continues to raise young children and loves her young adults.

September imparts words of wisdom and grace in key areas of Christian parenting, including faith (getting honest with your family about your need for Jesus), wellness (learning to take care of your kids and yourself), education (raising a new generation with creativity and character), and relationships (speaking to the heart of your children in unique ways). On the pages of the book, you’ll find sweet anecdotes and gentle guidance for those moments you need both a breather and a lifeline.

More About September:

September McCarthy is a writer, speaker, blogger (One September Day at www.septembermccarthy.com), wife, and a home-educating mother to ten beautiful children. Today, she juggles motherhood and being a grandmother as her older children are married with families of their own.  She is also the founder and director of Raising Generations Today, a nonprofit ministry designed to equip and inspire moms to reach the hearts of their children for God’s glory.

Giveaway:

We are happy to run a giveaway for our readers. One lucky Mommy Ramblings’ reader will win their own copy of, Why Motherhood Matters. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Open to residents of the USA.

Why Motherhood Matters Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules

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“We’re Amazing 1,2,3!” is Sesame Street’s Newest Big Golden Book! #Giveaway

You might remember several months ago, I posted about Sesame Street’s newest character Julia, a sweet, curious four-year-old girl with autism. Now I want to introduce you to Sesame Street’s newest Big Golden Book, We’re Amazing 1, 2, 3! by Leslie Kimmelman. Just like, The Monster at the End of this Book, We’re Amazing 1,2,3! is destined to become a Sesame Street Classic.

This book contains subject matter that is both relevant and important. It does a great job introducing children to autism in an age-appropriate way that will help them understand why some children may act differently. It teaches kids the valuable lesson that our difference are what make us special. 

The book’s autism storyline was carefully research by Sesame Workshop’s early childhood experts as part of Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children. 

Author Leslie Kimmelman has personal experience as the mother of a child with autism and it helped her create the character of Julia. This book is perfect to use in the classroom and at home. We really enjoyed it and it opens up a springboard for conversation. Books that provide natural conversation about important issues such as autism are such valuable teaching tools.

Giveaway:

Penguin Random House is sponsoring this giveaway. One lucky Mommy Ramblings’ reader will win their own copy of We’re Amazing 1,2,3! Thank you  Penguin Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.

We’re Amazing 1,2,3! Book Set Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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How To Find The Best Neighborhood For Your Family

When looking for a new neighborhood to move into, it serves you well to do your homework to avoid moving into bad areas. The region needs to have a low crime rate, be affordable, and have the right amenities. If you are looking to buy a house, remember you are not just buying a property, you are also investing in the neighborhood.

Here are some tips that will help you choose the safest and best neighborhood for you and your family:

Ask The Right Questions  

According to the owner of Eastown apartments, ask yourself what the best features of the neighborhood are . What would make an area stand out to you?

  •         Amenities that are within walking distance?
  •         Trees and parks?
  •         Active, busy areas or quiet streets?
  •         New developments or older neighborhoods?
  •         Anonymity or tight-knit areas?

Once you have the right picture of the neighborhood in your mind, make sure all your criteria are met when choosing a house.

Crime Rates

Using search engines such as Bing or Google, you can look up the crime statistics by neighborhood to generate information about the area you are considering. Most big urban areas have crime reports that are detailed enough to help you choose the right area. Smaller towns, on the other hand, only have general information, which might not be very useful.

Contact The Local Police

The local police department will provide you with the right information about a certain area. This will probably be your best source of information when looking into the safety and crime in neighborhoods. A police station can also help you to find out how active a community is in crime prevention.

Drive Around

Drive around a neighborhood to look for graffiti as well as other forms of vandalism like broken windows. If the homes have strong deterrents such as ‘beware of dog’, exercise caution.

Take A Look Around

Spend some time walking around the neighborhood, then take note of how the houses look: how are the front yards, sidewalks, and streets? If the people in the area make eye contact with you and smile, it is probably a safe place. Look for abandoned and vacant buildings, which might affect the property value and feel of the neighborhood.

Take several walks through the neighborhood at different times of the day to get a better idea of its highs and lows. Assess the people living in the neighborhood: are they old or college-age students?

Public Transport

Is there public transport nearby? You might need to use public transport if the cost of fuel becomes too much for you. How often does transit stop during the peak periods?

Schools

A well-kept school is a sign of a very good neighborhood. Moreover, you need to look into schools if you have kids: this should be your first consideration before you buy a house. Is the school near your house and if it is not, how will your kids be getting there?

Future Development

You can find information through the local chamber of commerce or city hall. Anticipating future developments is smart because they usually increase traffic and taxes. You need to invest in the future potential of your neighborhood if you want to decide whether the outlook is great for your family.

Property Taxes

You need to find out the current tax rate in the city you want to move to. If there is an expected tax increase, consider this amount in your moving budget.

This is a sponsored guest post that does not necessarily reflect the views or  ideals of Mommy Ramblings.

 


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Discover “The Action Storybook Bible” Today!

I would like to introduce you to, The Action Storybook Bible, by Catherine DeVries and Illustrated by Sergio Cariello. This book is a great way for parents to explore God’s redemptive story together with their children.
The Action Storybook Bible tells the amazing creation story, the powerful kinds who reigned over ancient Israel, God’s miraculous gift of eternal life through his son, Jesus and more! On every page you will find God’s promise for the world.
This book has illustrations that are very different, more like a comic book, making it more relatable to kids  I believe that this is very beneficial in helping kids engage with the stories and people they are reading about. If you are looking for something a bit different to share God’s incredible story with your kids, you should really check The Action Storybook Bible out. 
Interactive features include:
  • Fifteen key episodes from God’s Word-each one loaded with several stories along with more than 350 brand-new illustrations throughout.
  • Short and easy readings—for children ages eight and under with rich, colorful images.
  • Life, Faith, Action! features-conclude every episode and invite families to talk about how God moves in the stories, how to see God in life today, how to put faith into action, and how to easily talk to God with a suggested prayer.
  • Hall of Fame visual index—the place to look up favorite Bible characters by discovering their icon connections and finding them in the stories.

About the Author:

Catherine DeVries has written more than twenty-five books for children, including the bestselling Adventure Bible Storybook. She lives with her family in the Colorado forest.
About the Illustrator:
Sergio Cariello is a master illustrator. He drew his first regular comic strip for his city’s newspaper at age eleven. Born in Brazil, he spent many childhood hours poring over the Portuguese edition of The Picture Bible. Sergio has worked for Marvel Comics and DC Comics, illustrating Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, Iron Man, Wonder Woman, Fantastic Four, and dozens more comic book characters.
What do you think of this Adventure Bible Storybook? I would love to know.
I received a copy of this Bible to facilitate my review. As always, my words and views are 100% my own.

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Cars 3 Digital is Available Today & Free Cars 3 Activity Download

Start your engines and get ready to race because today is the day CARS 3 can be cruising into your home on Digital HD. That’s right, Tuesday, October 24th, Disney and Pixar release this new fast-paced tale of Lightning McQueen, his classic CARS friends and a new spirited trainer Cruz Ramirez!  Lighting finds himself pushed out of racing by a new generation of faster and younger cars and goes on a journey to discover where he belongs in this new type of high-octane competition.

To celebrate this new digital release, check out the CARS 3 Halloween Fun Kit you can download. Just click on the image below and get ready for family movie night!

 

Download Cars 3 Halloween Activities
What do you think of the great activity downloads and when are you planning your family movie night?

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“God’s Big Plans for Me” Storybook Bible #Giveaway #RickWarren #FlyBy

You have probably heard of the New York Times Bestseller, The Purpose Driven Life.  Did you know there is a storybook Bible based on that book? There is, it is called, God’s Big Plans for Me and it is written by Rick Warren.

Pastor Rick Warren uses lyrical storytelling and engaging illustrations in his chronological approach to 40 Bible stories. Each story is introduced with a theme relatable to readers of all ages. God’s Big Plans for Me Storybook Bible helps children grow closer to God and discover the purpose for their own lives.

If you are looking for a meaningful gift to give to any child in your life, this Storybook Bible would be perfect. I really like the format and how stories from the Bible like Noah and the Ark, Ruth and Naomi, An Angel Visits Mary, The Parable of the Lost Sheep and many others are arranged and written. Another thing I like is reading one story each night with my kids. It is a wonderful way to teach them about Jesus. There is a dedication page you can fill out, which makes the book even more special.

Giveaway:

We have a special treat for Mommy Ramblings’ readers, you can enter for your chance to win God’s Big Plans for Me Storybook Bible. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Open to US residents. Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway and for the review book. Good Luck!!!

God’s Big Plans for Me Storybook Bible Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!! Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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Top 5 Oils to Keep Your Mind Active

Brain fog can be a real pain. Whether it’s from chronic pain, not getting enough sleep, or mental illness issues, you will often find that it can be difficult to try to keep your head on straight throughout the entire day. Dealing with these issues, you want to be sure that you’re doing everything possible so that your mind can stay active and on top of things.

“Essential oils are suggested to have healing properties for all kinds of illnesses”, says Quick Doctor.  Many people have turned to essential oils to make sure that they can stay on top of any and all of the issues that may come along when dealing with brain fog of all sorts. There are a lot of essential oils out there, though. Which ones are going to do the best job of getting this taken care of? Are there ways to make sure that you can find solutions that work out best for you? Let’s take a look at some of the most important options out there.

  1. Lavender Oil. We have all heard that using lavender of whatever sort can go a long way in terms of getting what we need for relaxation. Without a relaxed mind, we will likely find it difficult to take care of the issues that may happen with our brains in the meantime. So, consider adding lavender to the air in order to make sure that you can relax and concentrate, no matter what may come your way.
  2. Frankincense. Your mood plays a significant role in whether or not you’re going to be able to concentrate or take care of different tasks. This ancient oil is actually known for being a very effective mood stabilizer that can take care of a variety of issues related to anxiety, depression, or bursts of anger. This can be quite helpful in regards to getting everything done n a day.
  3. Mandarin Oil. This oil, from the mandarin orange, actually quiets the mind to help concentration. If you’re someone that is used to having racing thoughts that make it hard to think about certain tasks, or you’re a multitasker that needs to take care of all of these things in order to be able to function properly, then you can definitely benefit from using this.
  4. Rosemary Oil. If you have been looking for something that improves memory, this is it. You will have a much sharper memory when you infuse this during studying or when you’re trying to learn material in a specific situation. Memory is a big part of what we do, so having this on our side can go a very long way.
  5. CBD Oil. Hemp oil is getting more and more popular because it helps us to concentrate, can help our moods to be better in general, and make it so that we can actually work out what it is that we need to do on a regular basis. If you have any issues related to concentration or anxiety, using CBD oil in a diffuser or on your temples and neck can actually help you out immensely.

This is a sponsored guest post that does not necessarily reflect the ideals of Mommy Ramblings.


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Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament-An Exciting Family Evening

We recently went to Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, NJ for Dinner and a Tournament. My husband had been to Medieval Times in another state years ago but, it was the first time for myself and our kids. We were greeted at the door and given red and yellow crowns which were the color of our knight.  After that, we were escorted to our seats and then given a “goodie bag” of special merchandise.

We had great seats at the front of the arena. We sat at a long desk type table allowing us to eat, while not missing any of the action. The waitstaff was great and brought our drinks, soup, main course, dessert and coffee to us. The food is selected so you do not need utensils to eat it. Being able to eat with their hands was a real treat for our kids.

There were also flashing swords and other things you could buy to cheer on your knight. We bought the kids 2 of the flashing LED swords.

When the tournament started all of our eyes were glued to the action. We thought our knight was going to win. Our knight did not win, but he made it to the very last battle. Regardless of the outcome, the evening was still entertaining and fun. Upon exiting the arena, we were able to take photos with the knights as well as buy souvenirs.

After buying some towels and other items, we headed home with great memories. Have you ever been to Dinner and a Tournament at Medieval Times?

As a blogger with the USFG, we received free tickets to Medieval Times. As always my words and views are 100% my own.


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