NKOTB Tour Dates

Mark your calendars, ladies!!! Here are the tour dates released so far for the NKOTB reunion tour...

5/16/08 New York, NY - The TODAY Show
5/17/08 East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center
5/18/08 Boston, MA - Tweeter Center

9/20/08 Montreal, Quebec - Bell Centre

9/21/08 Toronto, ON - Air Canada Center

9/23/08 East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center

9/24/08 Uniondale, NY - Nassau VETERANS MEMORIAL Coliseum

9/26/08 Boston, MA - TD Banknorth Garden

9/27/08 Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Hotel and Casino Event Center

10/4/08 Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena

Check out NKOTB.com for more information!

Photo courtesy of NKOTB.com

Speaking of Vacations...

So, of course, as I mentioned before, I highly recommend a vacation with just you and your spouse. But if you have kids, of course, you are going to want to take a vacation with them, too, right?

Last month, we went on vacation with another family to the Inn at Entrada in St. George, UT. Okay, I am not going to lie to you...I had never even heard of St. George, UT but checked out the website and had heard some good things about this particular resort (ie. they filmed High School Musical 2 there, which is always a great selling point to teenagers!).

St. George was beautiful and the Inn at Entrada was extremely impressive. All the condo/villa units are "smart homes" with push-button controls for everything and all units sit on the golf course.

I really liked the pool facility, as it had a 2-foot deep pool that was perfect for our little toddlers. Oh yeah, and I was able to get a 120-minute massage for $120!!! Pretty phenomenal considering most resorts charge that for a measly 50-minute massage! And my husband was really impressed with the shape of the golf course. He had a great time playing there.

Oh, and we took the kids to Snow Canyon National Park and they had the best time "hiking" through the dunes trail which is basically a huge sandbox...what kid wouldn't love that?

So where is this great place? St. George is about 2 to 2-1/2 hours north of Las Vegas. We drove from Southern California through Nevada and Arizona to get to St. George in about 5-1/2 hours.



Click here for more information about The Inn at Entrada. Oh yeah, and every night they bring you milk and cookies...now who doesn't love that?!?!

I Need a Vacation!!!

Well, at least that is what I was saying to myself a little over a week ago. I am happy to say that I have been MIA the past week because my husband and I took a glorious trip to the Atlantis Paradise Island. It was a scheduled trip through my husband's company so it was now or never!

Yes, I was totally freaking out about leaving my five month old at home, but there was no way in h*&% that I was taking the kids on a vacation across the country. I will admit, I cried many times the week leading up to the trip and even on the plane ride to the Bahamas. But I also danced a little in my seat and had a few drinks while on the plane (living it up!!!).

I was most anxious about leaving the kids because I was worried that my five month old would not be able to breast feed when I came back. And I knew in my heart of hearts that the kids would be just fine with their grandparents. (I even asked our pediatrician if it was okay to go, and she reassured me that it was the best thing we could do. "Happy parents make for happy kids," she said.)

So, the trip...the Atlantis was amazing! I highly recommend anyone going there for a couple getaway or even if you want to take the kids. My husband and I couldn't stop talking on the way home about how there is probably no other place in the world like it. Of course, you have to be ready to drop a lot of dough, because it certainly isn't cheap there. But you name it, they have it.

Here is just one day's itinerary...a trip to the spa for a massage and facial. Then it was off to the exclusive Cove pool for adults only where a DJ was spinning serious Vegas tunes. Then we walked on the beach to the phenomenal water park area, where oh yeah, I went on the Leap of Faith water slide which is a 60-foot almost completely vertical drop (pictured above). After that rush, I put on a nice dress and went to an amazing 5-star dinner at the Bahamian Club and topped off the night at the casino bar, Dragon, where drinks and dancing ensued.

But here is the point of all my bragging about my wonderful vacation...you, too, can have a wonderful vacation. I know that many of you are not comfortable leaving your kids overnight for fear of great catastrophe, but I am here to tell you that you need to do it for yourself. That wise pediatrician I mentioned earlier also told me that she was shocked when I said to her, "My husband and I are...going on vacation." She said she is used to hearing, "My husband and I are getting a divorce," which is really sad and scary. She said she wishes she heard about vacations more often from her parents.

And, of course, I am not insinuating that you need to go the Atlantis...my husband and I were lucky that he won a trip to that particular resort. But maybe it is just an overnight stay in a neighboring town. I know I mentioned all the amazing stuff I did while I was on vacation, but the most important thing, to me, was spending time with my husband...ALONE!!! Of course I love my kids, but often times my relationship with my husband gets shoved to the side because of the kids, and that is just not good.

But hey, what do I know...I was just on vacation......

Happy 3rd Birthday to My Big Boy

Well, today is the day that my life truly changed...the morning I went into labor and at 11:30p.m. when I popped out the most precious baby boy.

Fast forward 3 years I have a crazy, full of energy, Buzz Lightyear and Spider-Man loving toddler who is almost there with potty training (still hasn't gone #2 yet on the potty).

Happy Birthday, Jacob, I hope three is as fun as two (and perhaps a little more calming for Mommy?!?!)

How to Look Thinner WITHOUT Working Out

Here is the situation...I am going on a little getaway this week, I want to look like her(above) when I am at the pool, and haven't had a chance to work out at tall (you know, it's called having kids!). Luckily, I found a couple of the tips from eHow on how you can look taller and thinner without stepping foot in a gym.

First off, Think about color. Pick an outfit that is one color. Pair a contrasting colored or textured blazer, cardigan, or overshirt with an outfit of one color. Pick a pantyhose color that will match your skirt or pants and your shoe color. Remember that black slims.

Secondly, elongate yourself. If you're short, don't wear big belts, they cut you in half. Choose longer skirts that are not as wide as they are long. Wear long necklaces and pendants. Pick a shoe that has a heel of an inch or better. Wear V-neck shirts. They will make your neck look longer. Always stand up straight and with confidence.

For more ideas on how to look like a taller and slimmer you, check out How to Look Taller and Slimmer at eHow.com.

1 Pack = 1 Vaccine

Have you ever wanted to make a contribution to a charity but had a tough time finding the right one? If you are a parent, there is an easy way to make a charitable donation without even really knowing it.

Right now, you will find a sticker on packages of Pampers diapers that says "1 pack=1 vaccine." Basically, this means that when you buy a package of diapers with this sticker, Pampers will donate the cost of one vaccine to help UNICEF protect a woman and her newborns against tetanus. I know this may come as a shock, but there are still countries who do not have this vaccine made available to them.

This program is being run until June 30, 2008, so if you are like me and going to buy Pampers diapers anyway, keep buying them. Or perhaps you are a Huggies fan...try to buy a Pampers pack instead at least until these stickers are no longer available.

If you have a baby shower to attend in the next few months, this is a great opportunity to shock up your pregnant friends with diapers they will always need and a legacy of knowing they made a difference.

So what are you waiting for? Make a difference in another family's life by buying diapers that you are already going to buy...how hard is that?

(Also on the Pampers website, you can find Donate Diapers for Twice the Good — Through Pampers Gift Certificates. With this program, you can donate diapers to a needy family in America. And of course, with that purchase of diapers you are also providing 1 vaccine per package you buy. )

Ann Taylor Loft Maternity Clothes

Now that I am done having babies, I have been dumping off - I mean giving - my maternity clothes to my girlfriends who are going through the blessed time of pregnancy. My friend, Sarah, got a new outfit from Ann Taylor Loft's new maternity line and has this to say about the outfit...

Ann Taylor has a great new maternity line. I am 7 months pregnant and it is not easy to find nice, comfortable, outfits for work (at least ones that don't break the bank!). Ann Taylor's maternity clothes are slimming, stylish, and comfortable. Being pregnant I've found that I've had to sacrafice one thing for another, most often style for comfort. However, Ann Taylor's black roll panel boot leg maternity pants fit comfortably and were very slimming. Lately I feel frumpy and these pants make me feel like I'm wearing my regular black pants.

I got Ann Taylor's turquoise top to go with the pants. I love this top because the material is light and soft. It fits loose but does not look like I'm wearing an oversized shirt. The ties on the sleeves gives it a little extra style. It is great to wear with jeans for a more casual look. I'm going to get one in every color! I highly reccomend Ann Taylor Maternity, like their everyday line,the maternity line is comfortable, stylish and reasonably priced. This outfit will be great also after have the baby, until I return to my pre-pregnacy weight.

Maternity Solid Tie Sleeve Top in Reef Blue and Maternity Boot Leg Roll Panel Pants in black are the two pieces Sarah mentioned and are pictured above.

Credit Reports - They All Are Not Free!

You hear the advertisements all the time about checking out your credit score on the web for free. However, according to Consumer Reports, many of these free credit report websites are deceptively luring you to purchase everything from paid credit monitoring services to discount travel.

What site can you trust? AnnualCreditReports.com is the major credit agencies' official website that provides the free reports you are entitled by law to receive once each year.

April 15th - Only One Week Away

Okay, hopefully when you hear the date April 15th your mind does not draw a blank. Yes, it is my in-laws' wedding anniversary, but I know that doesn't matter to you. Income Tax due date is probably more of what you are thinking of.

Hopefully, you are getting a tax refund. If not, perhaps you will at least get some cash from the economic stimulus plan.

Here are 5 ways Money Magazine suggests to use your tax rebate...

1. Pay down high interest debt: With the stock market's prospects modest at best and credit card rates averaging 12.5%, you'll get the surest double-digit returning by trimming your plastic balances.


2. Feed your emergency fund: In hard times, it is best to have six months of living expenses saved - just in case.


3. Invest in your career: Make yourself indispensible by taking a class to build a skill that is in demand in your field.


4. Make money off it: a.k.a. invest it!


5. Splurge - a little! It's okay to have some fun, but financial planners recommend spending up to 10% of your refund and rebate.

What's a CFL and How Can it Help You?

First of all, if you have never heard of a CFL, the acronym stands for Compact Fluorescent Light, and is commonly used when referring to a light bulb. These days, you probably hear everyone jabbering about switching to CFLs from traditional incandescent light bulb. But you may be asking yourself, why should I?

Here are 6 questions that should help you understand why using CFLs is in your best interest...

Q1: A 15-watt CFL replaces what wattage incandescent bulb?
a. 6o watt
b. 75 watt
c. 100 watt

Q2: CFLs last how much longer than incandescent bulbs?
a. 4 times longer
b. 6 times longer
c. 10 times longer

Q3: CFLs are available in...
a. dimmable
b. three-way
c. frosted
d. all of the above

Q4: CFL bulbs can heat up to 115 degrees F, whereas an incandescent bulb heats to over
a. 150 degrees
b. 200 degrees
c. 500 degrees

Q5: How much money could you save in one year if you replaced just four of your most used incandescent bulbs with CFLs?
a. $28
b. $30
c. $35

Q6: Pin-based, plug-in CFLs can be used in decorative lighting fixtures such as...
a. desk lamps, ceiling fans
b. table and floor lamps
c. all of the above

Did any of those questions make you think...hmm? Here is a simple fact that you have probably heard on a radio or TV commercial, but nevertheless, it is a powerful fact. Did you know that if every household in America replaced just one incandescent bulb with a qualified CFL, it would prevent pollution equal to removing 1 million cars from the road!

Okay, I didn't ever realize that light bulbs cause pollution! (I know, sometimes I can be so dense.)

But the CFL is not perfect. It does contain mercury, which many of you can remember your OB/GYN telling you to avoid when you were pregnant. And even though fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, using them contributes less mercury to the environment than using regular incandescent bulbs. That's because they use less electricity — and coal-fired power plants are the biggest source of mercury emissions in the air.

So, when you are replacing a CFL, do not throw it in the trash, recycle it. Some curbside recycling pick-ups do not allow CFLs, so you may need to do some research and take them to a hazardous-waste collection day or a special facility. (Luckily, since these bulbs last so long, it will be quite a while before you have to recycle them anyway!)

It is simple...from a money standpoint, from an energy standpoint, from an ease of use standpoint, CFLs are the way to go. I am not trying to go all "Al Gore" on you or anything, but the next time you have to pick up a light bulb, think about buying a CFL. 5, 10, and 20 years from now, you will be glad you did!

Answers: Q1=b, 2=c, 3=d, 4=a, 5=c, 6=c

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.com

NKOTB...They're Baaack!!

So, I am glad to see there are people as wacky as me who are totally psyched about the NKOTB reunion. I would especially like to thank all of the wonderful people who put the footage of the New Kids from the Today show on YouTube because the Today Show in Southern California was pre-empted.

I must say I was rather impressed with the guys GQ approach to the comeback. Thank you Spice Girls for putting this fantastic idea into the heads of the "5 hardest working guys in show business." (Or atleast that is what their announcer used to say at the beginning of their concert!)

Enjoy the video!

March Madness - Why Does it have to Go into April?!?

Let's start with a scary statistic...1.2 billion dollars is the estimated amount of money employers nationwide could lose in productivity during the NCAA Men's basketball tournament because employees are spending too much time on filling out the perfect bracket.

Not to mention, however much your spouse (or even you) decided to put into the pool for the bracket. (Of course, you are not gambling, though, because that would be illegal!)

Well, luckily, we are down to the Final 4. Memphis, Kansas, UCLA, and North Carolina will be competing this Saturday for a chance at the championship game.

So, hopefully you haven't lost your shirt or your house in this bracket mumbo jumbo...but if you have a sports fan in the house like I do, I am sure you will be watching college hoops this weekend!

Here are a couple quick pieces of trivia about NCAA basketball to wow your spouse with. Kansas, UCLA and North Carolina have combined for 17 national titles and 48 Final Four trips. Secondly, probably the most famous NBA player ever, Michael Jordan, led North Carolina to one of their many national titles.

Oh, and another note of interest...all the teams in the final four have blue in their school colors, thus their uniforms. So if your spouse asks you who you want to win, just say the blue team!

To Feel Like a Teenager Again

It's official...I am obsessed! (Ah, I feel like I am 13 again!)

Here is a picture of the newly reunited New Kids on the Block. Sure, they should probably change their names to the Old Guys Who Have Been Around the Block a Few Times, but hey, we love them anyway!

Only a day and a half to go!

Photo courtesy of omg! Thanks HipHostess for the photo 411!

New Use for a Dryer Sheet

Sure dryer sheets can make your laundry soft and fluffy. But did you know you can use them to dust your furniture?

While watching Rachael Ray, I found out that not only will a dryer sheet remove the dust currently on furniture, like your TV, but also repell it! Way to go dryer sheet!

While you are at it, here are some strange uses for 'Bounce' dryer sheets I found while searching for a picture of a dryer sheet. Don't know if they work, but I like the idea that they can repel yellow jackets!

If you have your own clever way of using a 'Bounce' dryer sheet, click here to tell your story and possibly win a month of maid service!

No Foolin' - NKOTB to Perform on The Today Show this Friday!

So, since I signed up for updates and announcements from NKOTB.com, I am pleased to tell you that the 5 guys from Beantown are scheduled to perform this Friday, April 4, on The Today Show (sometime between 7 and 9am. I am sure closer to 9am to make us all watch the entire program!).

I am stoked to see if the old guys still have some pelvic thrusts in them. Back in the day, the pelvic thrusts always drove the girls into a tizzy, but we shall see if that is still the case now that the guys are in their late 30's.

Click here for more video on New Kids on the Block back in their hey day, the aftermath, and now the reunion.

Photo courtesy of Starpulse.com