Monthly Archives: October 2017

October 14, 2017 · 11:12 pm

Top Vacuums of 2017 for Dog and Cat Owners

Do you share your home with pets that shed? If you do, you are probably well aware that you share your home with their hair as well. You may also find that their hair wants to go everywhere you do. Do you constantly find pet hair on your clothes and in your car? Do you keep pet hair rollers in your purse because it is a never ending struggle? Pet hair can be a real issue to vacuum too. Many vacuums simply do not get the job done. The last thing you want is for friends and family to find pet hair all over themselves after a visit to your home. Let’s take a look at some of the best vacuums for pet hair.

A recent Consumer Reports study rates the Miele AirClean Dynamic U1 Cat & Dog Upright Vacuum at the top of their list. This powerful AirClean pet vacuum features a unique electrobrush that follows the contours of your floor, automatically adjusting for different carpet depths and surface coverings. This vacuum provides even, constant suction and gentle cleaning. Accessories include a mini turbo brush, integrated dusting brush, upholstery tool and crevice nozzle.

The Kenmore Elite 21814 Pet Friendly CrossOver Canister Vacuum also earned high marks from Consumer Reports as a canister vacuum. From carpeting on stairs to your hardwood floors and even the space behind your fridge, this vacuum easily takes on your weekly floor chores. Stubborn pet hair and even the fluffiest dust bunnies, are no match for this powerful vacuum. Vacuum attachments like the Pet PowerMate and a 2 motor system that creates some serious suction, making vacuuming a breeze. The swiveling 8 ft. hose makes it simple to suck up cobwebs from your ceiling. If you like this model, you can purchase it from Sears.

The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light TruePet Deluxe Vacuum features a pet brush attachment, hard floor attachment and microfiber pad. The versatile design converts to a handheld vacuum for use in small spaces like vehicles and stairs. The lightweight stick design makes it effortless to use. I have this vacuum and I love it, it has great suction, is effortless to push and does an amazing job no matter what type of flooring I am using it on.

The Dyson V8 Absolute Vacuum Cleaner is one I personally own, and it works great! It has a rechargeable 21.6 volt Lithium ion battery and comes with a second bare floor brush roller as well as, a small motorized brush. There is a turbo mode for when you need extra power and a dirt cup that empties in one easy step. The cord free design allows you to vacuum anywhere. Get this vacuum on Amazon and live in harmony with your pets. This is another vacuum I own, and I love it. It has no cord so you can take it anywhere. It has great suction and works on all areas of my home.


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· 3:07 am

Tomorrow Sleep-A Different Way To Buy A Different Mattress

As many of you know, we are in the middle of an entire home renovation. Currently, we are midway through having all new hardwood flooring installed upstairs in all the bedrooms. With all the bedrooms being renovated, we knew it was time to get our 8-year-old son a new mattress. Usually, that would require a trip to the store, laying on multiple mattresses and then arranging delivery of the big bulky mattress and box spring units. Well, mattress shopping sure has changed for the better!

With a visit to Tomorrow Sleep’s website, we were able to shop and select a  medium to firm hybrid mattress. It was delivered quickly along with bedding and a memory foam pillow we selected for his bed along with bedding  pillows and a Sleeptracker Monitor we chose for ours.

 

Setting up the Mattress

You can see the whole process in our video below:

I would highly recommend on watching this video and also read a review of Tomorrow Sleep mattress that goes over their layers, coolness and so much more. That way you will know exactly what you get with this mattress.

As you can see in the video, setting up the mattress was so easy.  I was afraid that it would not be supportive enough for an adult because it ships so compactly and expanded once the plastic was cut and removed. I thought it would be something like an inflatable bed that would not feel firm or supportive enough. That changed as soon as I laid down on the bed, any doubt in my mind evaporated into thin air.

The mattress was incredibly supportive, no matter which way I turned. With the sheets and the comforter, I will admit, I did not want to get out. The mattress felt so good and the bedding so luxuriously soft,  I wanted to settle in for the night right there. My son had other plans, he wanted to try out his new bed, after all, it was a school night and he needed to go to sleep.
He has been sleeping on the new mattress for about a week and a half and he loves it. He says it is very comfortable and the bedding feels amazing. I know the reason he is so comfortable is because the construction of this unique, hybrid mattress combines cooling high-density memory foam with a breathable, supportive coil system creating the perfect balance of cool comfort and support, giving him him real, restorative sleep.
The Pillow
We chose the memory foam pillow. This pillow will keeps its shape, so that the way it feels the same on night one as it does on night 50 and beyond. The ultra dense memory foam uses gravity to mold and conform, helping your spine stay aligned, especially for back and side sleeping positions. If you are one of those that turns your pillow over for the cool side, you will appreciate this pillow.  It uses a phase changing material that absorbs and releases thermal energy to help maintain a regulated temperature that is just right for you.
The Sheet Set
 The 500 thread count sheets are made from 100% supima cotton that is combed for superior softness. The best part is with every wash they get even softer without pilling. The perfect weight, oversized flat sheet and no slip fitted sheet are light and crisp. These sheets feel so good,  you will look forward to turning down your bed at night and wrapping yourself  in these luxuriously soft sheets.
 The Comforter
 The all season, down alternative comforter, has a 300 thread count cover and ThermoBall fill that allows air to flow keeping you comfortable in any temperature.  The ThermoBalls feel and fluff like down, yet are so light that the comforter does not feel like a lead weight on top of you.
I can’t wait to put the bedding on my bed and use the SleepTracker Monitor. I will be posting more videos and blog content about that in the next few days.
You can learn more on Sleep Tomorrow’s website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
So what do you think? Are you looking for a new mattress? Do you think the Tomorrow Sleep Mattress might be the one for you?

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October 13, 2017 · 12:06 pm

Mystery Tackle Box-The Perfect Gift for Your Favorite Angler

Subscription boxes and services are so popular. You can find many for beauty, fashion and gourmet foods, but there are not many choices when it comes to sports like fishing. I live in a very big fishing town, during fishing season, anglers can be found dotting the pristine mountain rivers, in boats on the crystal clear lakes and marching through town in their waders.

Raising my children on one of these pristine lakes, it is no wonder that my two oldest sons are fishing enthusiasts. My oldest son even started his own fly fishing Instagram account, if you like catch and release fishing photos and videos, check it out.

With holiday season quickly approaching, I wanted to share Mystery Tackle Box with you. It is the #1 fishing tackle subscription service offering anglers and fishing enthusiasts a fun and affordable way to discover new fishing lures, learn new techniques and catch more fish!

If you or someone you love enjoys fishing, get them a Mystery Tackle Box Subscription today. It truly is a gift that keeps on giving as a box full of new and innovative fishing lures and products, instructional content, stickers and special offers arrives every month. Click HERE to learn more!

Mommy Ramblings’ Readers Get $10.00 Off Your First Mystery Tackle Box – New Subscribers can enjoy $10.00 off their first box of Mystery Tackle Box fishing tackle subscription by using the promo code USFAM10. Get a box full of new fishing products delivered straight to your door. Subscriptions start at $15 per month. Coupon valid through December 31st, 2017. Click HERE to order.

Let me know what you think of this great service for this specialized niche. Do you have a special angler in your life that would love this?


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October 12, 2017 · 9:15 pm

Try Upcycling Instead of Buying New

Upcycling is really trending now, having gained momentum over the last few years with no signs of slowing down. Upcycling is when you reuse materials to create something new. It can be as simple as giving an old piece of furniture a fresh coat of paint and a new purpose, or as crafty as creating something from what some think is junk. Upcycling is a great way to add new pieces and elements to your home for much less than buying new.

1| Jars

Old pickle and jelly jars can be reused as storage pots for makeup brushes, craft materials, and so many other things. Clean them out, and use glass paint to give it a new chic look, paint the lid to compliment them and place them around the house.

2| Cans

By drilling holes around a tin can and painting it, you can create a candle holder that shines dots of lights all over the place. Alternatively, you can attach cord through two holes and create rustic planters.

3| Bed Frame

Normally it’s the slats that give out on the bed before the rest of the frame. Use it again by cutting the end in half and fixing them to the headboard as armrests, and using the sides as the seat of your new bench. You can paint it with bright colors to really lighten up your garden.

4| Pallets

Pallets are the miracle material; they are made and discarded everywhere. You can often get this discarded wood for free of minimal money from a local delivery yard. You can make shelving, benches, a garden sofa, or even tables from these things. If you’re making a big piece of furniture, then use something like a guide to choosing a functional dining table set to help with dimensions and styles.

5| Tires

People often replace their tires twice a year – for winter and summer. But what do you do with your old tires? Why not take them home and turn them into garden furniture. Create a lid/seat and base out of plywood. Attach the base but use seating foam and fabric to cover the loose lid. If you like the look of the tire then just paint it, or you can use rope to disguise it.

6| End Table

An old or extra end table can easily be made into an ottoman. Use a thick piece of furniture foam and upholstery fabric on the top of the table. If you need to, cut down the legs to the right height and paint it.

7| Doorknobs

Interesting and fun doorknobs don’t have to be thrown out when the door is. Use them on other upcycled furniture, on the top of boxes and even as coat hooks.

8| Tiles

Chipped or odd tiles are usually thrown out by hardware stores and decorators. There are three great ways to upcycle tiles; the first is to polish them up and use them as drink coasters. The second is to tile the top of a table with them, and the third, is to use them to create a  garden path.

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

 


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October 11, 2017 · 6:29 pm

“Love You Always” Blog Tour & Picture Book #Giveaway

One of the most important messages for a child to understand, is that no matter what, they cannot lose the love of their family. It does not matter if they are angry, mad, sad or downright bad, their parents love is unconditional.

Eileen Spinelli’s new picture book, Love You Always does just that. Actually, it takes it a step further and shows how grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, cousin and friend will also love them unconditionally.

This book has a dedication page where you can write the child’s name and a message, making it a perfect gift for a new baby. As a bedtime story, this book is wonderful for lulling them to sleep with a tale of never ending love. It makes them feel secure and of course, loved.

We have a special treat, you can enter below to win a copy of this heartwarming book.

Giveaway:

Worthy Publishing is sponsoring this giveaway. One lucky Mommy Ramblings’ reader will win Love You Always Picture Book ! Thank you Worth Publishing for the review book and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.

Love You Always Picture Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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· 10:46 am

Discover Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race & Enter #Giveaway For The 3 Book Set!

If you have been patiently waiting for the third book in the bestselling, critically acclaimed Mr. Lemoncello’s adventure series, you are in luck! Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race by #1 NYT bestselling author Chris Grabenstein was released for sale yesterday! Three times is definitely a charm and this fantastically fun, puzzle-packed  book is the perfect addition to the other 2 books in Mr. Lemoncello’s adventures.

Everyone’s favorite game maker, Mr. Luigi Lemoncello, is testing out his new FABULOUS FACT-FINDING FRENZY game! If Kyle can make it through the first round, he and the other lucky finalists will go on a great race to find fascinating facts about famous Americans. The first team to bring their facts back to the library will win spectacular prizes! But when a few surprising “facts” about Mr. Lemoncello surface, it might be GO TO JAIL and LOSE A TURN all at once! Could Kyle’s hero be a fraud? Kyle and the other kids will have to dig deep to find out the truth before it’s GAME OVER for Mr. Lemoncello.

Filled with brand-new puzzles and games, this fast-paced read will have gamers and readers alike racing to the finish line because, as Mr. Lemoncello’s commercials say, IS IT FUN? . . . HELLO! IT’S A LEMONCELLO!

About the Author:

Chris Grabenstein’s novels with Random House Children’s Books have more than one million copies in print and hundreds of weeks combined on the New York Times bestseller list. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library has spent over 100 weeks on the bestseller list, received nominations for 42 state award lists, and been published in 19 countries and in 19 languages throughout the world. Nickelodeon premiered  a new original TV movie, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, based on the acclaimed children’s book on Monday, October 9, 2017.

CHRIS GRABENSTEIN is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics, The Island of Dr. Libris, the Welcome to Wonderland series, and many other books, as well as the coauthor of numerous fun and funny page-turners with James Patterson, including the I Funny, House of Robots, Treasure Hunters, and Jacky Ha-Ha series. Chris lives in New York City with his wife, J.J., and two cats. You can visit Chris on his website.

We have an amazing giveaway below where one lucky blog reader will win all 3 books in the Mr. Lemoncello series. This series is perfect for readers 8-12 years old.

Giveaway:

Penguin Random House is sponsoring this giveaway. One lucky Mommy Ramblings’ reader will win all 3 books in the Mr. Lemoncello Series. Thank you  Penguin Random House for the review books and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.

Mr. Lemoncello’s Adventures 3 Book Set Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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October 10, 2017 · 2:16 am

Helpful Tips for Winterizing Your Home

The summer has folded its wings and you’ve got to buckle down and prepare for the coming winter. This isn’t much of an issue if you live on the West Coast; but even in that region, gray days are ahead, and you want to make sure your plumbing, heating system and any other necessary repairs are taken care off.

The first thing you want to do is make sure that your heating system has undergone regular maintenance. If it hasn’t, now is the time to start looking for reputable HVAC Contractors in your area; they can take a look at your air conditioning unit, furnace and more. Keep their number handy for emergency services, too, when they’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – even on holidays.

Check The Status Of Your Roof

Whether the rain or the snow hits (or both, for that matter), you’ll want your roof to be in tip-top shape this season. Hire a handyman if there’s no one in the house who can safely climb a ladder to inspect the shingles. This past summer has been a hectic one with hurricanes and strong winds in some parts of the country, so you want to make sure damaged or broken sections of the roof are fixed just in case inclement weather hits your region.

 

For flat roofs, all it might take is a rake to get rid of pine needles and fallen leaves, so the water they retain doesn’t cause mold to build up. In fact; mold can be a problem in spaces inside the home you rarely see – behind the vanity in the bathroom. If there’s water damage in your home, RestorationElite is a trusted provider of emergency services, mold remediation and water/fire damage repair; they’re located in multiple places around the nation.

Property Cleaning And Leaf Work

Clean your gutters of leaves and debris. While you’re up there (or the professional handyman you hired is) have some water downspouts placed to allow any run-off from the rain to cleanly pour down them and into the street gutters.

For your front and back yards specifically, mulch the leaves to break them up into smaller parts. This saves you a bit of cleanup when compared to raking; furthermore, the mulching motion allows the soil to reabsorb the leaves and nourish your grass this season. If you have a lawn mower, replace the blade with one appropriate for mulching.

Lastly, don’t overlook the importance of winterizing your lawn mower. Any fuel left inside could cause issues if it gets too cold, and possible damage the exhaust. Even if it does not cause damage, it can make the mower more difficult to get running again in the spring. 

Have Your Sewer Line And Sump Pump Checked

Experts generally recommend you check your sump pump pit once every three months or so by pouring water into it. If the pump activates, then you’re okay; if not, then you need to have it looked at. Problems, when they arise, tend to occur after an extended dry season.

It’s a good idea to check your sump pump when the forecast is calling for a rainy season. If there’s any extended work to be done, you’ll probably require a registered professional engineer equipped with small trench boxes they use to safely excavate the ground. They may need to dig to find the problem and ward off an impending failure.

All-in-all, it’s best to have your house checked for all the things that require maintenance; if they fail during the winter season, they’re more costly to repair or replace.

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


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October 9, 2017 · 4:09 pm

How to Handle Toxic Family Members

 

The holiday season is fast approaching, and that can only mean one thing: Another dinner where you have to endure Aunt Sue. Try as you might, you can’t seem to find good in this person who shares your bloodline. It’s a sad reality, but family members can be toxic too.

What is a toxic person?

When we talk about toxic people, it goes deeper than your personal feelings. A toxic person is someone who consistently hurts other people with their words or actions. They may even be very charming, but you know you’re going to be sorry if you let yourself get too close. Toxic people are selfish, and they aren’t above lying to get their way.

How to handle toxic people

Fortunately, in most cases, you know when you’re going to see that toxic family member. This gives you some time to prepare. Follow the tips below to help protect yourself from other people’s toxicity.

  1. Give yourself a pep talk – When you know you’re going to see this person, remind yourself not to get sucked into the drama. This person cannot hurt you if you don’t engage.
  2. Consider that they cannot help themselves – Oftentimes, individuals who are considered toxic may have reasons for their behavior. They may suffer from a substance abuse disorder (1 in 8 Americans are reported alcoholics), or they may have a personality disorder, such as narcissism. You can forgive them for how they have hurt you in the past, but this doesn’t mean you should let them hurt you again.
  3. Keep contact to a minimum – Avoid talking to this person as much as possible. Try taking the seat furthest away and think of reasons to excuse yourself when this person approaches you. If this person calls or texts you, don’t respond. You don’t need to explain yourself to a toxic person. It’s better to keep your own sanity than to appear polite. This person will eventually take your hint.
  4. Avoid sharing personal information – The biggest problem with toxic people is that they can seem endearing. If you get stuck talking to this person, keep reminding yourself to share as little as possible. Any personal information you share may be used against you at a later time.
  5. Don’t let anyone make you feel small – Toxic people are very good at making you feel like you have to defend yourself. They may spread lies or half-truths about you to others, and you’re left feeling like you have to make up for something. Don’t fall into the trap. Whatever it is, let it go. If someone changes their opinion of you based on hearsay, that’s their problem.

When you know how to handle toxic family members, there’s no need to stress about the encounter. You’re above all of their nonsense, and you’re going to show that by removing yourself from the drama. The more you engage, the deeper you fall into their trap. It may seem gratifying to expose a toxic person, but you’ll likely be sorry you even spent the effort. Walk away with your head held high. After all, you’re not the one who is toxic.

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


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· 3:24 pm

Turn Your Home Into An Efficient Powerhouse

There are many kinds of improvements that you might want to make to your home. Arguably one of the most common is to make it more efficient, but this can be hard to achieve. Efficiency is often poorly misunderstood, and it is this lack of understanding which causes it not to be utilized in most  homes. If you are serious about wanting to make your home more efficient, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at what that really means. With a better approach, you can easily turn your home into a much more efficient place to live.

The Power Of An Audit

Most people who are aiming to make improvements in home efficiency will just dive straight into making those basic changes. Changing out the lightbulbs and the heating system are good things to do regardless, but you might find it more effective to first have an audit performed on your home. A home energy audit helps to reveal what the main problem areas are. With this knowledge, you can spend your money (and your time) more wisely as you make those changes. It is very difficult to know for certain where you are losing energy, so an audit of this kind could really help to make your home run more efficiently.

Outside The Box

The truth is that many of the top efficiency changes are those which you don’t consider at first. Using your imagination and thinking outside the box a little is often one of the best things you can do in terms of making your home much more efficient. There are a huge range of these ideas out there which can be a big benefit to your home, you just need to do your research. It might be that you choose to install an energy-efficient electric water heater, or perhaps you feel it is time to build a wind farm in your backyard. For more helpful tips check out https://theplumbinginfo.com and try to find other online resources with similar ideas.

Solar, Solar, Solar

If there is anything to always take away from this article, it is that solar is the number one renewable energy. Whenever you are thinking of turning your home into a much more efficient dwelling, you will want to find one way or another to utilize the power of  the sun.

The fact is, it is the most efficient energy source there is. It works for anything that you need energy for, and it is cheap to install and run. You won’t have to do anything once it is installed either, so you can just sit back and let it power your home. You might even be able to sell some energy back to the grid – and that can really make a huge difference in your life. Click here to find more about converting to solar energy.

Follow the tips above and you will be off to a  good start on improving your home’s energy efficiency. You might be surprised at just how quickly you can reap the rewards of making these changes. 

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

 


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· 1:05 pm

Enter To Win Tickets to “See Same Kind of Different As Me”

I have some exciting news to share about a new movie that will be in theaters nationwide on October 20th. It is called, Same Kind of Different as Me, from Paramount/PUREFLIX Studios. The cast includes Greg Kinnear, Renée Zellweger, Djimon Hounsou and Jon Voight.
With more money than they could ever possibly need, Ron and Debbie Hall have everything they could ever want … except for a loving marriage. When Ron’s unfaithfulness is brought to light, Debbie invites him to stay—as long as he remains truthful and does what she asks of him. But when her request includes serving the homeless at an inner-city rescue mission, Ron would prefer to write a large check instead.  Guided by her faith and spurred on by the dream of a homeless man she senses will change their city, Debbie befriends a disenfranchised man named Denver. More surprisingly, so does Ron. Despite vast differences, their lives begin to intersect and they all are changed … forever.
“Nobody can help everybody, but everybody can help somebody.” Words of wisdom from a homeless drifter; words that never would be shared with the world if not for a wayward husband, a forgiving wife, and an unforgettable true story that brought the three of them together.
Check out the trailer below:
Get Ticket info here. So what do you think? I am really looking forward to seeing this movie.

Giveaway:

 2 Fandango Movie Ticket Promo Codes for Same Kind of Different Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!  You can enter our giveaway to win two Fandango Promo Codes, each code is good towards one movie ticket (up to $15 total ticket and convenience fee value) to see Same Kind of Different as Me at Fandango partner theaters in the U.S. Fandango Promotional Code must be redeemed by 11/2/17 and is void if not redeemed by the expiration date (expires on 11/2/17 or when Same Kind of Different as Me is no longer in theaters, whichever comes first). Only one prize per person and per household will be awarded. Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents. Giveaway is sponsored by Paramount/PUREFLIX and LEV3L . 
 

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