by admin -

My Cup Collection

Photobucket

Here is something you might not know about me, I collect cups. Not anything fancy, just the clear plastic kind you find at Target, Walmart, or Bed Bath and Beyond. I get them for my birthday, Christmas, and sometimes just because. I like my plastic cups almost as much as I like fresh flowers.

Photobucket

Today I am using my heart cup, it is one of my favorites. I love these cups because they are fun, last a long time, and the kids don’t break them when they are unloading the dishwasher. I think I have about 20 cups, so far…

So, what about you? Do you have a favorite thing, something you collect or love? I love to hear about your collection.

PS: Everyone in the family uses the cups not just me. I realized after I wrote that I had 20 cups it seemed like an obscene number for just one person.

by admin -

Articles Worth Reading

The Happy House is keeping me busy these days and I haven’t had time to write much this week. Here are a few links I liked and hope you will enjoy them too.

My friend Connie has a great tutorial on Simple Books Children Can Make. If you are looking for things to do during spring break, or a fun project for your homeschool this is a simple idea your kids will love!

I loved Amy’s perspective in her post Somebody Wants What You Have. The grass is not always greener.

This cake from I am Baker is one of my favorite ideas ever!  If you are looking for a one of a kind dessert on Sunday consider making this Faith Cake.

If you are like me and still have your Christmas cards sitting in a basket, you might want to try this creative Christmas card idea from my friend Angry Julie.

Joy is one of my first blogging friends, my blog designer, and an amazing homeschool mom. She has published her  homeschool reading list, and has many great reads picked out for this quarter.

Did you know that according to Neilsen the average American watches 151 hours of television a month? That is about 5 hours a day! Insane if you ask me. This article talks about what we could be doing with those 151 hours.

by admin -

Disney Vacation

I love Disney, it is one of my favorite places to take the family. My friend Fish Mama is getting ready to take her kids to Disney next month and is looking for advice. If you have a Disney post, or even advice to give her, hop over to Life as Mom and help her plan her trip. If you are planning a trip to Disney, my 30 Days of Disney series might be helpful as well.

by admin -

Outback: Free Bloomin’ Onion for Military in March

outback

It is no secret I love Outback! We don’t eat there often, but it is one of our family’s favorite restaurants. I was thrilled to find out that Outback is serious about supporting our troops. During the month of March all active duty and veterans will receive a FREE Bloomin’ Onion at their local participating Outback Steakhouse.

If you aren’t in the military you can help Outback in their efforts to support our troops by ordering off the Red, White and Bloomin’ menu.

by admin -

Single Best Town: $125 Amex Gift Card Giveaway

single best town

Remember last month when I told you how much I loved my hometown of Orlando, Florida? Well ten finalists have been chosen and it is time to vote for the Single Best Town in America. I have to admit, when I visited the contest website I got sucked in reading about these towns. It seems I am not the only one who has a love for my hometown.

Even if you didn’t make it into the finals, you can still win a $125 Amex gift card on The Happy Housewife. To enter the giveaway, go vote for your Single favorite town of the ten semifinalists then leave a comment and tell me what your single best afternoon looks like in your own hometown.  I will randomly pick two winners on March 23, 2010.

I have partnered with KRAFT Foods to help promote the “Single Best Town” in America program.  I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes writing about my own hometown experiences and hosting a giveaway where the prize has been provided by KRAFT Singles.  However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

by admin -

Bible in 90 Days Chat Tonight

How is everyone doing with their Bible in 90 Days reading? I am currently a day behind, but I hope to catch up this afternoon since I am hosting the Twitter chat tonight.

If you haven’t been participating in these chats I encourage you to join us tonight at 9pm EST. It is a great way to discuss the week’s chapters, ask questions, and receive encouragement. To participate in or read the chat, follow the Twitter hashtag #B90Days.

See you tonight!

by admin -

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended for Active Duty Military

Good news for military serving overseas, the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit has been extended for an entire year.

home for sale

From the IRS website:

  • Members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and qualify for the credit. Thus, an eligible taxpayer must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2011. If a binding contract is entered into by that date, the taxpayer has until June 30, 2011, to close on the purchase. Members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community are eligible for this special rule. It applies to any individual (and, if married, the individual’s spouse) who serves on qualified official extended duty service outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period beginning after Dec. 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010.
  • In many cases, the credit repayment (recapture) requirement is waived for members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community. This relief applies where a home is sold or stops being the taxpayer’s principal residence after Dec. 31, 2008, in connection with government orders received by the individual (or the individual’s spouse) for qualified official extended duty service. The credit is still allowable even if this happens during the year of purchase. Qualified official extended duty is any period of extended duty while serving at a place of duty at least 50 miles away from the taxpayer’s principal residence (whether inside or outside the U.S.) or while residing under government orders in government quarters. Extended duty is defined as any period of duty pursuant to a call or order to such duty for a period in excess of 90 days or for an indefinite period.

In other military housing news, the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) provides relief to families who cannot sell their homes due base closures and realignment. This looks like a great program and has recently been expanded to include assistance to wounded soldiers who are forced to transfer because of their injuries, surviving spouses of wounded warriors,  and military members who cannot sell their house because of the current mortgage crisis. This is a huge benefit, so please share this information with anyone who might be in this situation.