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Does Schweddy Balls Ice Cream Offend You?

I thought this day would never arrive…it’s like Christmas has come early.  Yes, folks I’m talking about the impending arrival of the infamous SNL inspired Schweddy Balls ice cream.  For years, I’ve laughed wholeheartedly at this skit, created more than a decade ago during one of Alec Baldwin’s hosting gigs. The parody of NPR, coupled with the hilarious barrage of double entendre has made me laugh again and again. In fact I have my own copy.

When one of the neighbor girls told me that Ben & Jerry’s was going to launch a special, limited edition Schweddy Balls ice cream I was like, “Where do I sign up?”  I can’t believe it took nearly 13 years before this idea came to fruition.

In fact, my kids have asked repeatedly when our supermarket will carry it.  Yes, I won’t be running for “Mother of Year” anytime soon as my kids have seen the skit–in addition to the other classics such as, “Sean Connery on Jeopardy” and the “Church Lady.”  Whenever Justin Timberlake hosts–we all tune in.

I know…it’s wrong…but oh so funny.  However, there are plenty of people who “don’t find any of this funny,” especially for kids.  The conservative group “One Million Moms” calls the idea of Schweddy Balls ice cream to be, ”Not exactly what you want a child asking for at the supermarket.”

Sadly, this is EXACTLY what my children are asking for at the supermarket.  I guess my membership will be revoked.  But that’s o.k.  I admit it–I want my Schweddy Balls ice cream so I can have a big bowl and re-watch one of the classic SNL episodes, fireside with the family.

Now if only they can find a flavor to dedicate to the “Canteen Boy” skit, I can die a happy woman.

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Weekly Deal Roundup 9/16 - 9/22

It’s Friday, so you know what that means…the Weekly Deal Roundup is here! As always, we have some amazing finds for your this weekend. Are you ready??

During Dell’s Small Business sale, receive up to 35% off select laptop and desktop accessories now through October 1 (think Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, new printer, software…go crazy and get a new flat-screen monitor with LED…).

If your pet needs a little TLC, be sure to check out Petsmart’s Friends and Family Sale offering 15% off your entire purchase (sale ends Sunday).

Last, but certainly not least, it’s Land of Nod’s free shipping event, ending Monday! Shop for new, adorable kid’s bedding, furniture, toys and more!

Deal of the Day #321: Dell Small Business Sale

Deal of the Day #320: Friends & Family Sale at PetSmart.com

Deal of the Day #319: Land of Nod Free shipping via Fedex or UPS ground

If you missed some of our fantastic deals from earlier in the week (and I really hope you didn’t), be sure to bookmark our Daily Deals forum and check daily!

Happy shopping!

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When Moms Flee

The coveted “girls getaway” weekend is considered a mom’s haven away from home.  A time to recharge the batteries, let her significant other spend more time with the kids (and the house) and a way to reconnect with friends.

This past weekend I was fortunate enougt to experience one of these havens.  One of my closest friends’ husband extended an invitation to surprise his wife for her birthday.  He asked another one of her girlfriends, Mel, to join as well and booked our flights.

My girlfriend, Kim, lives in this magical land called ‘Charlottesville, Virginia.’  A place covered in soft focus lighting, where pimples are forbidden, the dogs don’t bark, all homes and yards are perfectly maintained and neighbors grow fruits and vegetables in their garden, then throw a pot luck dinner.

In fact, hot air balloons fly overhead on a daily basis–it’s suspiciously perfect, like the Jim Carey film, “The Truman Show.”  I wondered if there was a guy sitting at mission control saying, “Cue the hot air balloons,” while we were there.

Kim was extremely surprised and thrilled to have her two best friends in town to celebrate her birthday. We talked, drank, ate and laughed…all the elements of a girls’ weekend in tact. Big win to Kim’s husband.

However, like all good girls’ weekends, it had to end.  After watching a rousing polo match on Sunday afternoon at the local winery, it was time for us to leave.  We said our tearful good-byes and headed on our way home.   Mel and I knew a few things for sure–our homes had not burned to the ground and the kids were still breathing…but that was about it.  It was anyone’s game at this point and we prepared ourselves for the imminent return to South Florida.

Our decent back to hell…I mean South Florida…really began when we missed our connecting flight.  The airline flight board said one time, but the airline decided it might be delightful to leave early (but did not bother to tell anyone). Meanwhile, Mel and I were stuffing our faces with fajitas at the North Carolina airport as the crew closed the door and then denied us entrance (even though the plane was there and still connected to the ramp) when we arrived at the gate according to the time we were originally told. At this point we were exhausted and exasperated, but were booked on another flight leaving late in the evening.

This may have also been the point of no return.  The next two hours in the North Carolina airport were a blur of wine and too much Facebook. Somehow we made our second flight and landed in the excessive humidity and racing traffic of South Florida.

After hot air balloons, smiling neighbors and polo, I awoke abruptly to this scenario:

* My son explaining he had several projects due on Tuesday…but of course he’s done nothing…and needs supplies

* My daughter’s book log ignored…in addition to the mandatory reading

* Two inches of grease on all counter tops

* Dog pee etched into the grout of my bathroom…it wasn’t fresh

* Children refusing to get up in the morning (never mind the fact I landed after 1am)

* A dart board now hanging in the hallway

* I suddenly sprouted a zit that resembled one of Frankenstein’s bolts

But what really made me realize I was “home” was watching my dog Alley, the lovable Pit Lab, take down her fifth squirrel in the front yard as the elementary school children watched in horror.  Oh yes, the bus was late that day so they were able to get a first hand account of her bashing the poor thing to death, then gleefully tossing its lifeless body into the air….as a small plane flew overhead dragging a big banner advertising a pizza restaurant. Yes….I was home from my girls’ weekend.

Photo credit: Sean Michael McCord

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That’s Not in the Schedule

A few weeks ago, I did something I’ve been meaning to do for quite some time: I made a family schedule. I wrote down my goals for the week. I made a list of how many hours I needed to devote to work, school, play, and family time. Then I artfully arranged every hour of every day so I could achieve those goals. After an hour, I had finished my master plan. I took a step back and looked at my masterpiece. It was clear. It was organized. It was CRAZY.

I booked every minute of every day from now until December. My husband and I had dreamed of taking the kids up to the mountains to visit Grandma, but it’s not in the schedule. I really wanted to see the new Brad Pitt movie, but it is not in the schedule. I thought that I might like to try showering every day (a novel idea). Alas, it’s not in the schedule. My little calendar contained every must-do I could think of; however, there wasn’t any room left for the would-like-to-dos. I created the schedule to maximize my productivity and minimize the chaos that is my life, yet the more I looked at the schedule, the more I felt overwhelmed. It just reinforced what I feared: I had bitten off more than I could chew.

When I see those previews for that new movie with Sarah Jessica Parker, I want to throw things. Hard, concrete things that make loud noises when they hit other things. Maybe it bothers me because I think the filmmaker missed an opportunity to add something new to the conversation about working mothers. Or maybe it bothers me that Sarah Jessica Parker manages to get things done while waltzing around in a fancy pairs of shoe and I don’t have time to take a shower (see previous paragraph). Or maybe the movie bothers me because it reminds me of all the things I have to do and all the things I want to do that I never get around to doing because they’re not in the schedule.

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Weekly Deal Roundup 9/9 - 9/15

Another week has flown buy… I mean by! Speaking of buys, we have some great ones for you this weekend! From discounts on Shure educational toys and puzzles, to $15 off your $100+ order of stylish, comfortable Soft Surroundings clothing, check out our weekly bargain roundup!

Other great deals this weekend include up to 90% off at Geeks.com’s 15th Anniversary Sale; save on almost anything for your computer, including parts and hardware, even laptop and desktop computers. Get 30% off site wide during Fashion Bug’s sale, plus an additional $20 off with any $60 purchase. Lastly, ship for free this weekend when you spend $35+ at BedBathStore.com.

For more deals, check our forum daily!

To all you WAHMs out there, have a wonderful weekend!

Deal of the Day #315: Shure Hautelook Event

Deal of the Day #314: $15 off $100+ orders at Soft Surroundings

Deal of the Day #313: Save up to 90% at Geeks.com

Deal of the Day #312: 30% off sitewide at Fashion Bug

Deal of the Day #310: Free Shipping at BedBathStore.com

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Just Stressing Out at Home. . .I Mean Work

Having a job is a little like having a luxury yacht these days. You are lucky to have one, but a bit of a slave to it as well. For those who work in an office for a company, worrying about layoffs, downsizing and benefit reduction is eminent.  For those like me who work independently, it’s no different.

My local newspaper ran a story today about workplace stress and how we can blame the economy for our stress levels. I can say that ever since my old company downsized two years ago, I’ve been (like many of us) in “scramble mode.” It’s scramble and look for clients…anyone who will give me any amount of money to work, I’m there.  Today I’m almost making the same amount of money I did previously with my former employer, but I’m working three times as hard.

This makes for a cranky, stressed out mom…and true, we are all stressed out moms; I’m no different.  But here’s where it gets a little tricky for the moms who work from home, we are expected not only to work, but also handle every day to day duty in the household.

This year, my kids’ schedules changed and my clients amped up the work–not for more money, but just more work and deadlines.  For the past month, I’ve been working three to four hours while my kids are in school (since I need to take care of any workmen or domestic issues around the house), stop when my daughter comes home, go pick up my son, help with homework, drive around for activities, make dinner, clean up…and then go back to work until late into the night.

As a writer, I have to be thinking, or at least conscious while I’m working. I can’t just turn it on and turn it off. I’m working harder for the same (and maybe a little less pay) and burn out is starting to set in.  The article in my paper had these interesting stats:

77% of workers polled said they always feel “burn out” on the job

46% of workers said workloads have increased in the last six months

43% of workers said their job-stress levels have increased over the past six months

So I know it’s not just me; it’s everyone.  I just want to say, “Jane get me off this crazy ride!”

Want to read the story?  Click here.

Photo Credit: Electron

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Weekly Deal Roundup 9/2 - 9/8

Can’t wait for the weekend? Neither can we! Check out some great deals that will help you finish your back-to-school shopping and stay away from crowded stores!

This week’s deals include 50-80% off on books at Half.com, buy 2 get 1 free on select school and office supplies at OfficeMax.com and 20% off anything (that’s anything at all!) at CoolComputerBags.com!

For more deals, don’t forget to check back with us throughout the work week.

Happy shopping!

Deal of the Day #308: 50-80% off at Half.com

Deal of the Day #307: Buy 2 - Get 1 Free at OfficeMax.com

Deal of the Day #305: 20% off sitewide at Cool Computer Bags

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Weekly Deal Round Up 8/26 - 9/1

Labor Day weekend is almost upon us and you know what that means…end of the summer BBQs, lots of football and a heaping dose of deals! Of course we have some fantastic finds for you on this spectacular shopping weekend including great discounts on Mattel toys (stock up for the Holidays!), laptop and phone accessories, plus shoes for the whole family. If you’re quick, you can take advantage of UTLA.com’s beauty supply sale lasting until Saturday.

We hope you have a lovely Labor Day weekend! Remember to check the forums daily for more deals.

Deal of the Day #302: 10% sitewide savings at AccessoryGeeks

Deal of the Day #301: Save up to 40% at MattelShop.com

Deal of the Day #300: 20% savings at ShoeMall.com

Deal of the Day #297: 20% off sitewide at ULTA.com

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Can One Person Single Handedly Take Down Your Brand?

According to Abercrombie & Finch they sure can.  As a small (or big) business owner you take pride in your clients.  For example, I love to tell people I blog for WAHM or talk about the articles I write for financial publications. I’m proud of my clients because they do good work.

I recently pondered the question of whether your clients truly represent your work. In August Abercrombie & Finch announced it would pay Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino from MTV’s  Jersey Shore a “considerable” amount of money to stop wearing their clothes.  In fact a spokesperson for the clothing giant recently stated, “We are deeply concerned that Mr. Sorrentino’s association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image.”

Now wait a second, can one man-tipped wearing, orange tool really “take down” an entire empire? I going to have to agree with Mr. Abercrombie spokesperson.

Case in point–the John Gosselin Effect. Before Mr. Kate plus 8 decided to make a run for the border, he was already an Ed Hardy devotee. He was like a Dr. Seuss rhyme: “I will wear Ed Hardy in a box, I will wear Ed Hardy with a fox.”  Truthfully, I always thought the graffiti inspired garb was meant to be more of an accent piece, but what do I know about fashion? I’m still hanging onto my old Dinosaur Jr. t-shirt.

At first you would see John Gosselin on Entertainment Tonight (otherwise known at my house as “the news”) wearing a few pieces, before the big split.  But after he and Kate jumped ship, he must have gone off the Ed Hardy rails.  Every photo, every video was this blockhead wearing Ed Hardy from tip to tail.

As he revealed more puerile behavior (he has after all been Mr. Mom to like 50 kids), dancing gayly in his Ed Hardy attire, consumers began to associate Ed Hardy with the ridiculous.  Quite suddenly, wearing Ed Hardy meant that you must be a tool.  Seen a lot of “cool dudes” wrapped in Ed Hardy lately?

So I don’t blame Abercrombie to want to avoid being Gosselin’ed (it’s now a verb).  They’ve invested millions of marketing dollars featuring 17 year-old vapid-looking shirtless men-children.  And they should be entitled to maintaining their dignity.

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Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Locusts Arrive Monday

I stole today’s headline from a friend on Facebook who endured the wrath of the 5.6 earthquake on Tuesday.  While funny, I agree with his comment…is the world really coming to an end? For a few days, Hurricane Irene was pointed directly at my house. She had my address and was coming for me.  Of course the kids were delighted, including Hurricane Irene’s health and South Florida direction in their prayers at night.  Although they were hoping for the hurricane, because that meant no school, I dreaded it.

Not because of the winds and rain, because minimum strength hurricanes are generally like a bad rainstorm.  But more because of what would happen afterwards.  When we had Hurricane Wilma in 2005, our power was out for two weeks–and we were the lucky ones. One friend in Boca was without power for almost a month.

And no power means…no work. While my husband and other people who work for companies were still being paid, as a freelancer you make nothing.

So although I may get hurricanes and others get tornadoes, floods or earthquakes I’ve learned a few important steps to take before or during an emergency or natural disaster:

*  Back up, back up, back up:  probably the most important thing you can do is to back up your work if you maintain everything on a computer

*  Alert all clients to the impending disaster (or current):  before you lose power let everyone know you may be taken out by a storm. If the storm takes you by surprise, use your cell phone to call clients

*  Charge your electronics: cell phones, computer batteries and any other equipment related to work should be fully charged in case you lose power.  Also, a back up generator is helpful if you lose power frequently

* Protect your work: if you have graphic boards or other paperwork that could get wet from flooding, encase them in plastic and take them to higher ground, such as your attic

* Have a plan: determine what you would do if you were to lose power or connectivity for more than a few days.  Could you travel to a different location or can you wait it out until services are restored?

Of course have your typical family emergency plan ready to be activated.  Living South Florida, we are always ready to be smacked with some storm so most people have batteries, water, non perishable food and medical supplies.

Photo credit: By Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

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