Small Talk Six: Most Useful Websites

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Today's topic is "6 Most Useful Websites". Some of the sites I am about to list are useful to me, but I doubt useful to many others.

1. Google: I am always searching for something on google whether it be for info, pictures, or even just one little word I can't remember.

2. Facebook: This site keeps me up to date with the goings ons of the world. Yep my family has taken Facebook to our main way to communicate.

3. Goodreads: Goodreads has become almost as important as Facebook. This site is great for keeping track of books you are reading, have read, or want to read. I am always finding more books I want to read, so I just list them all on this great site made for the bookworms out there.

4. Cafemom: I signed up with Cafemom, because a friend sent me an email to try it out. I didn't go back for a couple years until I found out I was pregnant with Chick 3. I hadn't been pregnant for 7 years and thought this site could help me with what I had forgotten. I wound up finding a group with others pregnant and due around the same time. Who knew I would meet the most wonderful women, who have become lifelong friends!

5. IMDB: This site has become my new best friend. Remember the old days before internet when you would be watching a movie and couldn't place one of the actors/actresses? Well IMDB has alleviated that frustration. My guilty pleasure though is to read the trivia and quotes... You can never have too much useless information in your brain.

6. Blogger: I never thought I would ever start a blog. I am so glad I did. I have met some wonderful blog writers and found so many great and useful networking sites. Who knew how much power us mom bloggers had!

Aloha Friday #1 Favorite Kids Show

It is the end of the week and what better way than to take it easy and just ask my readers a simple question. This means it is time for Aloha Friday!

My question to is:

What is the one show your child/children watches that you can't help but love?

I have to confess that I love watching Wizards of Waverly Place. I just love how witty and funny Selena Gomez is! This show makes me laugh every time!

Security Risks and Copy Machines

This video opened up my eyes into the world of copy machines and the data that is stored. If you have ever photocopied your social security card, or any kind of private information you must watch!

C25K update: Week 6

I started week 6 a couple weeks ago and that week was my slump week. I just couldn't find the motivation to get to the gym those 3 days. I did the first 2 and then started over week 6 the following week as well.

Week 6 Day 1: This day I ran for 5 minutes, walked 3 minutes, ran 8 minutes, walked 3 minutes, ran 5 minutes.

For some reason these interval runs are really hard. Once you get a taste of straight running it is hard to go back.

Week 6 Day 2: This day I ran for 10 minutes, walked 3 minutes, ran 10 minutes.

Again this was hard for me. It is hard just to get into a groove, stop, and then have to get into that running groove once again.

Week 6 Day 3: Run a straight 25 minutes.

This was a great day! I got into my groove and stayed in my groove. I felt great after as well. It wasn't until 5 minutes left warning where I started to get a little antsy. I wonder if I would get that way if there were no warning. Something to think about.

Cheat Sheet Monday!

Summer is just around the corner and this is the time for some vibrant colored food. Best yet will be those dishes, whether main or side dishes, that are no cook recipes.

Here are a couple that I absolutely love and will be making a lot this summer!

Broccoli Slaw

(From Trader Joe’s)

1 12 oz package broccoli slaw

¼ cup raisins or cranberries

¼ cup walnuts or almonds

1 cup diced apples

½ cup of your favorite dressing. ( I used fat-free sun-dried tomato dressing. You can use up to 1 cup of dressing if you prefer more dressing.)

In a medium-sized bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add dressing and mix thoroughly.

Serving size 1 1/4 cup.

Serves 4

* I usually use this as a side dish and eat 1/2 a cup. In WW land that is a 1 point side. I get this 1 point though with using the fat free dressing above. Different dressing yields different points. *

Black Bean, Avocado, Tomato Salad

(From WW Hit The Spot cookbook)

1 (151/2 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed

12 grape tomatoes, halved

½ Hass avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and cut into ½-inch pieces

2 tbsp lime juice

2 tsp olive oil

¼ tsp salt

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional)

Toss together in a serving bowl.

Serving size ¾ cup.

Serves 4

*The 3/4 cup is about 1.5 points. I am sensitive to all things spicy so the jalapeno is omitted and still tastes yummy*

*** If you are a fellow WW always check point values yourself. These points are what I have figured out. ***

Searching Want Ads...

I am back at the daunting task of finding a job.

I don't mind working, however when going to school I chose the career that is being put through the ringer in California.

That's right I went to school in order to become a teacher. Well I got the bachelors, but never did finish my credential. As soon as I obtained my degree I did become a substitute teacher.

What I loved about subbing is that I didn't have all the stress actual teachers had. I got to teach, but I didn't have to correct papers, or worry about what parents thought of me. I did my teaching and at the end of the day I went home able to keep work at work.

Now there are many teachers being displaced, or let go. That means that as a sub there are less jobs available.

I am now looking for jobs not in the education field. Do I mind? Not really.

However, I only have experience in the education field. Since I was 18 I have worked in the classroom setting. This leaves me with little to no experience in anything else.

Because of this I have decided to look for jobs in the clerical/receptionist field. I am not doing this because I feel the job is "easy", but for the reason that I feel I can do this type of work.

I have taken computer classes, I have self taught myself, and I am a quick learner. I am hoping that when people meet me they see the same.

Job searching can be scary, and I hope I haven't lost my touch when it comes to interviewing.

I do have my first interview tomorrow and the guy I talked to felt he needed to remind me to dress in appropriate attire for interviews.

Umm isn't this common sense.

I guess he has had potential employees come in attire not acceptable. He told me their response was, "No one told me what to wear."

Yeah and that is that why you didn't get hired.

I think all high school students should have to take a course in the basics of life. Isn't this a basic we should all know?

I wonder how many people get texting lingo on resumes. How about a LOL here and a OMG there.

I just hope that employers look at the big picture of what a teacher is capable of. We are great multi-taskers. We can put out "fires" without breaking a sweat. We can help one child while another is calling your name. We have the ability to see things before they happen.

When it comes to working I give it my all every time. Hoping people take the time to see this.

No Phone Zone!!!

I was commenting on blogs and found that Oprah had the new Eclipse trailer. I watched it and then went to my Facebook page to share the link with my fellow Twilight Saga reader friends. As I began to type I hear a voice (I have my headphones on) talking about her child who was killed because he busy looking for his phone while driving. I clicked back to that tab and watched about 3 more stories. These stories were devastatingly sad and really painful to hear!

One lost her parents, because of the other driver texting. She too, was severely injured in this crash. It was her college graduation day.

Parents lost their daughter, because she was busy texting and lost control of her truck. She was really a beautiful girl, who had her whole life ahead of her. Not only did these parents lose their daughter, but she had a sibling that also has to deal with the loss of her sister.

I hear these stories and I really feel it should be common sense to not use your phone while driving. I live in California and the only way you can even be on your phone is if you have a hands free device. That means no texting or talking on the phone. That is not to say I never did this. I admit it. I used to. I never did it when I had my kids in the car though. I thought that since I was alone it didn't matter. How stupid was I?! I may not have had my own children in the car, but what would happen if I crashed into a car with children in it? What if they were killed? I would never be able to forgive myself.

Honestly, is there a call or text that is that important to put your life, your children's life, or even a complete stranger's life in jeopardy? Some may say, "What if this an emergency call?"
To that I reply with, "Well if you feel that in your gut then pull over, so you not only keep from being distracted and causing another emergency, but you can also give whoever is calling your undivided attention." Okay that is me being nice. What I really want to say is, "Well then call 911 not only for the emergency call you are taking, but also for the emergency you may cause while taking this emergency call."

When I am out and I see someone cut me off, or swerve a bit and they are on their phone I get extremely angry and would really like to yell at them. They are putting my kids in danger!!! They are putting themselves in danger! And all because of a call or text they had to take!!!

Please join Oprah and sign her "No Phone Zone" pledge by clicking the picture at the top of this post. If you do take the pledge please leave a comment and tell me you did so.

Always remember when you reach for your phone while driving, "Is this call or text worth my life, the life of my children, or even the life of the innocent ones out there?"