How Did I Meet Technology
Once upon a time there was a girl that loved to play in the dirt and build mud pies with her brother and then she came across this keyboard in the dirt. Her world took a major drastic turn. These glasses popped up on her face, these suspenders all of a sudden popped onto her jeans, and she kept saying geek power, geek power, and geek power over and over. The world has never been the same since Jen Houck became an instant geek over night.
That is right, I am a geek and so proud of it. I remember my first brother typewriter and thinking I was all that with my awesome A drive diskettes. I totally still have my diskettes too. My first computer class at public school and my eyes locked with those back in the day apple computers, I just knew it was love at first sight. I knew this was going to be an addiction that would be very hard to break for sure. DOS and typing commands just helped me so much release my inner geek that I would count down the minutes to computer class. A couple years passed and our school upgraded to Windows 95 and IBM computers. I even got my first yahoo email address and received my first email from a boy. Oh this could go downhill very fast, but you know the inner geek in me prevailed and my parents had nothing to worry about with secret emails going out to random people. I had more important things to worry about like how I could get my first paint project printed off.
Fast forward to 2010 and the total geekiness has reached all new levels. I am such a tech geek and have to keep up with the changing technology even though my purse has been taking a huge hit in the last two years. It was last year in 2009, that I realized my love for computers needed to take me far places in this world. I enrolled into the Computers Information Technology program . It has been an awesome journey ever since.
I am a proud mom of two elementary aged girls who are so into technology it makes my husband’s head spin. On a recent business trip, my 7 year old gets her daddy’s phone and starts text messaging and sending pictures to me of how their day was going. My poor husband was blown away as he did not even know how to even get the text messaging program up on his phone. I am a proud mom!
I work in the social media field which is really taking over the world as we speak. I have been a blogger since 2005. Blogging is just a part of my life journey. I love writing and I love to share with the world. Technology just happens to be a part of the whole blogging world which makes me very happy as technology will always be a part of my life.
I just have to put out there that technology does not have to run or rule your life, but if you use it correctly, it can actually help you run a smoother lifestyle. As I see it, life is just that much better with technology as long as you use it as a family. Yes, I am a geek!
No tags for this post.Live with Regis and Kelly Want Your Opinions
Everyone is hearing all about the Education Funding issues all across America. Now is the time to speak up and give your opinion about all the funding issues. Don’t just sit back and not say a word, speak your mind by leaving a comment below and Anderson may very well read your comment on TV this Friday March 12, 2010.
LIVE! with Regis and Kelly are expecting Anderson Cooper to stop by (filling in for Regis) this Friday morning. Anderson is covering the current flux in education funding and wants us to help him get advice, secrets and tips on budget crunching to families that need it most!! In anticipation of his arrival we need all you thrifty Mom’s, Dad’s Grandmas and Grandpas to put your heads together for Elementary School children across America! What are some of the ways you maintain your budget and still send your little ones fully equipped for school!? What are some training strategies, and lessons you’ve instilled about respect, honesty and safety?
No tags for this post.The Invisible Glasses
Glasses, what glasses? Huh… what are you talking about new glasses? Oh….. those glasses! 
Pull up a chair and let me tell you all about them.
You see one day Jen was so tired of getting her picture taken and all you could see was blurred eyes. I bet you didn’t know Jen had beautiful hazel eyes did you? You see, Jen loves to show her inner geek in her thick brown glasses, but when it comes time for her picture to be taken, Jen wants to show off her beauitful hazel eyes and hide the inner geek . Never worry, it is Glasses USA to the rescue.
You can’t even tell Jen hardly has any eyeglasses on, so that is why we will call them the invisible glasses! They are so lightweight, that I even forget that I have them on. I just love how they fit and the beautiful blue side rims show off my beautiful hazel eyes as well. They are very flexible, so you don’t have to worry about the glasses not being able to move with you. Glasses USA mission statement is “Our mission is to guarantee the highest quality optical products at the most affordable prices in the fastest time span possible – all across the world.” I agree with this so much. I placed my order of my glasses and within the next week, I had my glasses. Unbelievable and they fit perfectly!
Glasses USA have several types of prescription glasses to choose from. They have styles of full frames, semi-rimless frames, rimless frames, classes frames and even progressive lenses. Pretty nifty if I say so. You don’t have to walk around with those think coke bottle glasses anyone. You can actually be all mr or mrs hip out on the street now with y our new stylish glasses!
They do offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. So whenever you order, you can order stress free as if you are not 100% happy with your eyeglasses when they come to you, then you can return the eyeglasses for an exchange or refund. Also you should know, all the returned glasses they get, they recycle the glasses. This means they send the glasses to various organizations around the US who sanitize them and redistribute them to people who cannot afford glasses that have that specific prescription. Just amazing! I love a company that will pay it forward.
I am really pleased with the quality and they hip factor to them as well. What do you think? Hey…. if you would like to order your own pair… feel free to use the coupon code Mommy5 to save an additional 5% off their already low prices. You so don’t have to pay eye doctor prices of $200.00 or more. Just pay as low as $27.95.
Full Disclosure: Glasses USA did provide these glasses to me for the review, but this review was written from my heart with no monetary value exchanged. I so do adore these glasses and highly recommend them.
No tags for this post.Recap of Type A Mom Conference
I was so tickled pink that a blog mom conference was actually right here close to home. It was so cool seeing mom bloggers all across the United States come here to the mountains of NC. I’m not selfish… I’ll share my beautiful landscaped mountains .
The conference started out right with all the moms mingling together with Mom Talk Radio since she was treating us to the infamous blue drinks! Thank you Maria for treating us so well and getting the conference off to a great hit!
I also had a wonderful dinner there in the hotel’s restaurant that first night. It was a group of ladies that I have been following on Twitter for a long time, so it was very neat to get a chance to meet them.
Awesomeness Moms were: @TodaysMama (So looking forward to her jello contest) @JylmomIF @AlliWorthington @cassieaiden @RealLifeSarah @SSmirnov @ExtraordMommy @MomSpark
We also had an open reception that night and I finally got to meet after 4+ years two great moms that I have corresponded with online. It was @TheMenuMom and @HBHW
We finally made it back to our room.. I would say close to midnight. Ready to take on the big Friday.
No conference day can start though without a run to Starbucks. So thankful for my wonderful Carolina buddies that helped me get my starbucks fix since we don’t have Starbucks in Boone. Also, it was awesome to be sharing this trip with @JessicaKnows. She is one fantastic talented lady. It was her session that I went to first and it ROCKED. Definitely best session of the day!
She had some great panelists on her panel too. Thank you @Griner @KatjaPresnal @dbinkowski @nancy_martira @ssmirnov – It was just so interesting to hear directly from the PR officials on the social media stance with mom bloggers.
Pretty soon it came time for the arrival of my most definitely super talented, awesomeness, wonderful co-worker at BabyCenter. She supervises me on the Social Media side and I am just so excited to be able to work with her. We really had a great time at the conference.
Of course… I had to introduce her to my super cool Carolina friends.
We spent a lot of the afternoon networking with PR and meeting other bloggers. It really is so great to put a face to names you have been talking to so much with online. Just like the super cool @PensieveRobin
Later that night we were treated to dinner at the great Table Restaurant by the super fab Maria Bailey. I am so thankful our paths crossed back earlier this year. She really is an inspiration to us moms and definitely knows her stuff . Thank you so much Maria!
It was great getting to chat with @scrappinMichele and @KeepitClassyJen and @MightyNest there at dinner as well.
Onto the next day, we had more sessions. The best session of that day was the BlogKarma session. I tweeted my heart out for that session. Also we had the blogger town hall meeting right after that and our beautiful Carolina Marketing Director for @ScanChild got up and spoke. She is awesome.
Then that evening my beautiful girls and wonderful hubby arrived… I was so happy to see them. Overall, the conference was wonderful. All the connections I made meant so much and it was just so great getting to hang out with all my Carolina Moms and my partner @BabyCenterMom. Mom Bloggers do ROCK! I know I am leaving out so much and so many great moms I met this weekend… but truly it was an all around great conference.
No tags for this post.How To Buy Clothes On A Budget
So listen… you all know that I will not pay full price for anything. I am always on the lookout for the best deal I can find on anything I want to purchase. Since loosing weight, I am really trying to be more fashionable with my clothing attire and actually dress up some way some how each and everyday. I know my hubby was getting tired of seeing me in jogging pants each and everyday.
When I found out that TJ Maxx was having a spendervention this spring to show you you can be more fashionable for less money, I was all over it. I was sent a $25.00 gift card to see what all I could purchase and stay on budget. I always wondered how I could buy the big name brands, but not spend as much money doing it. Well, I have found the secret. Listen in on my video and also listen at what size I was proud to get into finally 
. Share your thoughts below. I would love to hear them.
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National Moms Nite Out Boone NC
Hey all moms… Have you heard what Maria Bailey has been up to lately? She is giving over 10 million moms a night off this Thursday May 7, 2009. We are all celebrating National Moms Nite Out. I would love for you to join us here in Boone, NC for the National Moms Nite Out we are having here! If you cannot, make sure to sign up on the National Moms Nite Out site to join in on the fun online. Also, we will be streaming our event here in Boone, NC live on Mom TV which launches Thursday as well! So make sure you tune in and you all can see me in action that night… also my daughter will be clogging with her group that night as well .
Here are the happenings of our big night here in Boone. Please let me know if you have any questions or you need directions. I will be glad to answer.
Mark Your Calendars!!
The National Mom’s Nite Out is coming to Boone, NC! May 7, from 6:30-9 at the
Broyhill Inn and Conference Center!
Pamper Yourself with:
* Personal style/make-up consultations, manicures and more!
* Entertainment from Appalachian Rhythm Cloggers
http://www.apprhythm.com/
* Entertainment from Laura Kaufman
http://www.laurakaufman.net/
* Fab Prizes and Giveaways:
* (2) Free Sunday Brunch at The Broyhill Inn’s Jackson Dining Room.
* (2) Pair of Tickets for a Blowing Rock Stage Company Production May-September 2009 (HSM2 not included)
* Body Work Session from Appalachian Therapeutic Bodyworks
* Suddenly Showing Maternity & Nursing Boutique Gift Certificate
* Grandfather Mountain Passes
* Bald Guy Brew Coffee
* Mystery Hill: Family Pack Admission, 2 adults, 2 children
* Makoto Japanese steakhouse gift certificate
* (2) Mast Farm Inn Bed and Breakfast Packages! One is a Ladies Get Away for 6!
* Watauga Wellness Center 10 Visit Pass
* Watauga Wellness Center 60 Minute Massage
* Ultimate Mom Book
* 2 Precious Moms Figurines
* $100 Wyndham gift certificate
* 5 -$20 One Step Ahead gift cards.
* A Creative VADO Pocket Video Camera from NewBaby.com!
* Copy of EA Sports Active (upon release)
* Wyndham Spa Gift Certificate
* Great food and drink
* A simulcast, connecting with other Mom’s Nite Out locations across the US!
* We will have children’s area if you want to bring the kids.
*A LIVE demo of the upcoming EA Sports Active Virtual Fitness Product given by 30 day Challenger, Julie Maloney.
*Play other EA Games with Game Stop and you can even pre-order EA Sports Active while you’re there!
The Boone Mom’s Nite Out Event is sponsored by The Broyhill Inn, One Mom’s World, Real Life, and the Mom Squad.
http://www.broyhillinn.com/
http://www.onemomsworld.com/
http://www.reallifeblog.net/
http://www.highcountrymomsquad.com/
RSVP by Monday May 5th, 2009 to get two entries instead of one entry into the Wyndham Spa Gift Certificate and the Copy of EA Sports Active.
We look forward to seeing you all there for lots of fun. Again, any questions at all, just send me a message. I will be happy to answer.
No tags for this post.First Mommy Blog Up Meet
We took a little outing today and had such a wonderful time. It makes me really sad we are moving now, because I feel like Stef and I hit it off so good and our girls got along soooo good especially Madisyn and Stef’s little girl.
We have been meaning to meet up but kept putting it off… and I’m so glad we finally got the chance to today.
The girls were waiting on their arrival:
We saw them and proceeded to our destination… the oh so delicious Cheesecake Factory. I had never been and was soooo excited to try it. Even though after we ate, I didn’t have any room for Cheesecake 
.
The girls went straight to playing with each other… soooo cute.
We got seated at our table and while Stef and I were having fun chatting the girls were enjoying themselves as well.
After we ate our oh so delicous food, our waiter was so nice to snap a couple picts for us.
Jen (myself) on the left and Stefanie on the right.
Keep a watch out on Stef’s blog for more pictures our waiter took.
After we ate… we went for a little shopping time. Just wish we had more time in there as this was a HUGE place. It was time to say our good bye’s after what… 3.5 hours… it went by SOOOO fast.
I know the girls and I both enjoyed our outing with Stef and her daughter. It was like we had knew each other forever. I know when we come back down, I will make sure we plan another meet-up.
Thanks so much Stef for having a day out with us. I hope you all had a blast as much as we did.
The girls were so tired, that not even 10 minutes on the interstate, they were both sleeping.
Reflections On How Your Family Life Is
After spending 7 days thinking to myself ALOT and worrying if I would see the end of the week or not with this FLU. I tell you, I was one more scared woman with my little girl and then seeing the rest of us of how bad we were. It hit us hard. I do want to thank a minute and thank my commenter on this post. Out of all the 6 other medicines we tried, her suggestion in that last comment made our turning point to get over this awful FLU. I will definitely remember this for a long time and suggest it to others. Thank YOU KAT from the bottom of my heart.
Like I said, I did a lot of thinking of our situation right now and with my husband being in Florida and myself here with my 3 girls.
We are on the move again to find a nice warm, respectful, and caring household for us until we can be together all as a family again. You may ask, why I am writing this for and telling the whole world? Well, I just want you to know if your family is close and your friends are there for you then please respect that and make sure you tell them THANK YOU! Now my thoughts…
If your mom and/or dad gets in the floor to play with your kids their grandkids, then take a moment and say THANK YOU!
If your mom and/or dad is there to help you while your whole family is sick and does it with a caring heart, then take a moment and say THANK YOU!
If your mom and/or dad is there cheering on your kids their grandkids while they are having a good time playing with their toys, then take a moment and say THANK YOU!
If your mom and/or dad is there to take your kids their grandkids out for an outing or even a day to give you a break, then take a moment and say THANK YOU!
If your mom and/or dad is there to talk to you and give you advice or just a casual talk and say they love you, then take a moment and say THANK YOU!
These are the things I have thought about A LOT, that I know I will be there for my girls in their every waking hour. In my opinion, I just think that is what family is all about and SHOULD BE ABOUT. It's family HELLO, what happened to the basics.
Even though, I cry and wonder what happened to my family basics, there is one thing I can make sure of. Is my family that I have created with my husband and our 3 daughters to make sure we do keep the family basics in line and show our daughters that we will be there always and forever for them and SHOW them on a daily basis of what family's SHOULD BE.
(((HUG))) you babies tight today. Much LOVE!!!
No tags for this post.Month of Love – Girls Melt My Heart
Today I went to pick up Madisyn from school and noticed they had did a paper on If they were queen for the day, what would they do?
Madisyn's response was: I would want to dance with my dad.
Is that not the sweetest. I know the girls love them some daddy. I do love the relationship they share with each other.
Then while Madisyn was at school,
Lyndsee said mommy: Knock Knock
I said: Who's There?
Lyndsee: Apples
I said: Apples who?
Lyndsee: Apples and Oranges mommy and busted out laughing.
I couldn't help but laugh too. We were both cracking up. She just thought she had done told the funniest joke.
No tags for this post.Out With The Old In With The New
I thought since it is the new year, it would be good to put a new fresh face on the blog!
I am feeling so much better and putting a new effort into making 2008 a wonderful and great year. As you can see from the pictures up above on the new face of the blog, we got to bring in the New Year with some cold weather and SNOW! I sure have missed the snow and Madisyn was soooo happy playing in it.
My girls are what life is about and they make me think more and more each and every day. With being up in NC for the New Year, it got me to thinking about a lot of things in my life and how I want to do much better as being a mother to my girls and teaching them about healthy lifestyles.
We went organic last year and I want to continue that tradition with my girls this year and help them make choices of what foods and drinks we are putting into our bodies. I know if I instill this into them now, that when they grow older and have kids it will come natural to them. Unlike when I was growing up, we had a lot of freezer meals and lord help me we all know what junk is in those . So that is one of my goals for the new year.
The second goal for the year is to move back to NC. Yes, I thought we were making a life changing decision that was going to be the best for our family by coming to Florida. I just knew this would be much better financially and mentally. Boy have I been shed the light. Now don't get me wrong, I love being close to the beach and near so many things, BUT that is not what life is all about. We have since found out that family has a whole lot to do with life. My girls and Scott and I have all missed our family back in NC and can't wait to get back to be with them. Also while in NC, we learned we would be regaining custody of my step-daughter. This happened so quick on the day we were leaving NC, that we had to drive back and stay another night to figure things out. So our move that was going to happen this summer back to NC is actually happening in the next month. I'm praying and hoping everything will go smoothly, but I know we are all going to be happy about all being back together in NC.
The third goal for this mom is going back to school to finish her degree that she started years ago. It's always been my grandmother's dream to see me graduate college and she let me know that again while we were in NC this past week. It is something that has been weighing heavy on my mind for the last six months and I know without a shadow of doubt that it is meant for me to do it. I have about a year and half to finish and I will be doing online and night classes till I get to graduate. Also, it always scares me what if I am left alone with the girls or God forbid something happen to Scott. I want to know that INDEED I have the power to get a job that will support all of us. Also, I want to see that smile on my grandmother's face when I walk across that stage to receive my diploma!
My fourth goal is for us to find a church home. I have struggled and struggled with this since my first daughter was born. We have always been openly about God here at home and Madisyn is such a sponge with all the information. Also I know how much I enjoyed church as a little girl and I indeed want my girls to experience that as well. The girls know we are believers in Christ but now I want to share that with a church family. So when we get back to NC, we will begin searching for a new church home that we all will enjoy.
My fifth and final goal is to continue to grow my business here at home, but not to let me stress about it anymore. The stressors with my business, I am removing them so I will not get the burnt out feeling and I am going to bring a couple people on board to help me with my business. I have did this alone long enough now and now it is time to share my knowledge with my assistants and also grow my businesses at the same time!
This will be a great year. 2007 was dealt with a lot of emotions mentally and physically, but that is in the past now. We can either wept and pity ourselves with the past, or learn from the past and put new guidelines into place. For 2008, I am going to do the latter part!
HAPPY NEW YEAR fellow Mom Bloggers. This is going to be one heck a ride
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