The Academy Awards Show...Amazing!

In years past, I have tuned into the Academy Awards at the beginning (to find out who won Best Supporting Actor/Actress) and the end (to find out who won Best Actor/Actress and Best Film). That's it.

But this year was different. I watched the whole show with utter engagement and at times with tears in my eyes. They certainly turned the show around for the better this year. There were so many wonderful new elements.

One that stands out most in my mind is the presence of past Oscar winners giving a short monologue on each nominee. I found this part of the show particularly moving because it seemed like the nominees may have cherished more the kind words they received from winners' past than even the award. (I know that isn't true, but it was certainly a great consolation prize for the four nominees that didn't win!)

Another element that I loved was the explanation of the filming process from beginning to end. And let me start by saying that I took a film study class in high school, and Ms. Ray did a great job of explaining all the necessary elements of the film. However, the awards show tonight did a great job of showing and explaining all the details, which again, made the show worth watching.

As for the award winners...no real surprises. I will not pretend that I saw most of the movies nominated...I actually only saw a couple of them, Wall-E and Kung Fu Panda (come on, I am a mom!). Let me just say I was thrilled to see Wall-E nominated for so many different categories of awards. Even though it is a "kids film" it truly is a movie that adults can enjoy and it certainly tugs on your heart strings. I was just sad Peter Gabriel couldn't be there to sing "We're Going Down (to the Ground)"...then again, I was better off because I always cry when I hear that song in the movie.

And lastly, my husband and I both enjoyed the previews of movies coming out in 2009. Granted, I realize that the movies shown were probably the only movies that paid to get that little ad spot at the end of the show, but it was an innovative way to let the world know a little bit of what is coming this year and to get excited to go to the movies.

After all, in these hard economic times, the movie theaters seem to be the only ones unaffected.

Image courtesy of abc.com

Save Money on Dinner Tonight!

Wouldn't it be great to get a $25 dinner for just $10? I am shocked to tell you that it is possible...all thanks to Restaurants.com.

All you have to do is go to Restaurants.com, find a restaurant in your area, purchase a gift certificate, and then print your gift certificate and bring it to the restaurant.

And here is where the savings comes in...you can buy a $10 gift certificate for $3! A $25 gift certificate for $10!

Okay, I know this might be a little extra work, but if you want to make your money stretch farther, this could be a great way to help.

Now, there is one thing that is a bummer from this site...they don't have gift certificates to big name restaurants like P.F. Changs or Cheesecake Factory. But there are still plenty of restaurants to choose from.

Check it out...it could save you some of your hard-earned money. (Every little bit counts!)

Brain Teaser Answer

So the question for you last week was...

There are 7 girls in a bus.

Each girl has 7 backpacks .

In each backpack, there are 7 big cats.

For every big cat, there are 7 little cats.

The bus driver is not in the bus at this time.

Question:How many legs are there in the bus?

And here is your answer: 10990

392 number of cats with one girl

2744 number of cats with 7 girls

10976 Total legs of cats

+ 14 Legs of the 7 girls
= 10990 Total Legs

I hope you got this one right. If not, that's ok, too. Just remember, this is a 5th grade math problem.

Paper Shouts $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway Winner

Thank you to all those who entered the Paper Shouts $50 gift certificate giveaway.

Congratulations to Donna in Indiana.

Donna, please contact us at info@housescouchesandbabies.com to claim your prize by February 27!

Thanks again to all that entered and stay tuned for more fun giveaways!

Save Money on Hi-Tech Tools

It is safe to say that everyone is more money conscious these days. Good Morning America had a great segment on how you can save money on many of the technologies (luxuries) that we have grown so used to.

For example, did you know there is a website that can analyze your cell phone needs and find the best plan for you??? Check out myvalidas.com to find out the right plan for you.

Click here to learn all the great ideas on how to cut your cell phone, cable and internet bills...up to $5000 annually!



Image courtesy of abcnews.com

Brain Teaser Friday

Here is a real 5th grade math problem to let you know if you've still got it...or not. (It is not a trick question.)

There are 7 girls in a bus.
Each girl has 7 backpacks .
In each backpack, there are 7 big cats.
For every big cat, there are 7 little cats.
The bus driver is not in the bus at this time.
Question:
How many legs are there in the bus?

The answer will be posted next Thursday. Please feel free to leave your answer as a comment. If you would like to check your answer and receive a more immediate response, email your answer to info@housescouchesandbabies.com.

Happy thinking!

New Use: Baby Shower Wrapping Paper

While I was cleaning out the "baby-baby" stuff from my daughter's dresser, I stumbled upon a great idea someone (and forgive me for not remembering that "someone") gave me for extra baby shower wrapping paper.

Baby shower wrapping paper makes the cutest drawer liner! Simply select a style you like, measure, cut and place the wrapping paper in the drawer. It's cute, low-cost and effective!

The Bachelor Spoiler Alert

First, let me start off by saying that my husband (who would never admit to watching The Bachelor) is the one who told me about this spoiler alert.

Apparently, there is a guy (who obviously has way too much time on his hands) that has been able to piece together the clips ABC has shown to figure out who Jason Mesnick proposes to. We won't be sure if this spoiler is true until the final rose is given out, but I will admit, it is a pretty compelling argument.

I will not spoil it for you, but if you would like to spoil it for yourself, click here to view the YouTube video.

Image courtesy of ABC.com

Paper Shouts $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway

First of all, I have to tell you that I love the Paper Shouts' motto: "Why Whisper When you Can Shout?"

Paper Shouts has such a fun variety of paper products. At the end of last year I told you all about their super cute holiday cards and complimentary products. But with #1's birthday right around the corner, I had to share with you some of their super cute birthday invitations.

And the invitations aren't just for kids. They have amazing invitations for adult birthday parties and other special events like showers, housewarming parties, and even weddings!

One lucky HC&B reader has the opportunity to win a $50 gift certificate for Paper Shouts. Here's how to enter:

• Simply visit the Paper Shouts website and post a comment here, at HC&B, letting us know your favorite invitation
• Please be sure to include your name and location in your comment (Contest is open to U.S. residents only)
• Post your comment no later than Midnight PST on Monday, February 16th.

The winner will be announced after February 16, so please keep checking back to see if you are the winner.

Good luck!