Paper Mate review via Shoplet.com

Back to school is in full swing. From those starting pre-K to those going back for another semester in college. It's time to prepare and stock up on all those supplies that you can find listed as "needs". Shoplet.com could be a great resource if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle that office and school aisles are crowded with. Everyone is looking to get those folders, pens, paper, etc that you are looking for. Shopping online eliminates the need to be among those crowds. You can shop from the comfort of your pajamas and office chair. Shoplet is the largest e-tailer of office supplies.

Shoplet sent me some cool products by Sanford to review. Products they provide include Sharpie, PaperMate, Expo, uni-ball, Dymo and Rubbermaid.  

PaperMate is a wonderful brand. I received some unique mechanical pencils, ball point pens and the Liquid Paper that will help hide mistakes. 

The PaperMate Mechanical Pencils are triangular in shape to be easier to hold.

They boast less breakage and do not have to be sharpened. This makes them great for all those standardized tests that kids are being put through. It also has a smudge resistant eraser. And lastly, they are refillable. At $2.44 a pack, they are a decent price too. 

The PaperMate Correction Tape (Liquid Paper) is one of my favorite items.

I don't like messy mistakes. So editing until it's perfect or covering it up are a must. This makes doing so all the easier. No wet brush. It has a swivel tip too. Its easier to hold and handle with the sleek design and comfort grip. 

I love that it is made from 60% recycled materials. It applies dry so that you can start rewriting immediately. The tape is strong enough to be tear-proof. 

I loved using the limited edition Electro Pop Sharpie Markers.

I used them to work on the notebook designs I have for preparing for my baby girl due in November. 

The ultra fine tips allowed for the finer details. The colors are bright and live up to their names; Optic Orange, Techno Blue, Nano Blue, Electric Pink, and Ultra Violet. I don't use something like this often enough to want to pay $5.32 a pack though. This is geared more towards creative use. 

Lastly, they sent some PaperMate (InkJoy) Pens. This pack comes with a wonderful assortment of colored inks. I love the grips that enable comfortable writing. They don't smear either thanks to their quick drying. 

They come in 8 packs for $3.87. 

What is your favorite product?

On top of things like this, Shoplet provides cleaning supplies, office furniture, and medical supplies.

This weeks penny deals

Every week at Office Depot, there are penny deals. We have been stocking up for next years school needs. This past Sunday, we were able to get 3 composition notebooks, 3 bottles of glue, and 3 packs of erasers each. 

These are things I know will be on the school lists. Best part is? This whole lot cost .20! 

BJ's is a new family favorite

While running some morning errands, we decided to stop and grab a bite to eat. BJ's off of 281 was nearby and since it was 11:00, they were just opening. No wait to be seated. 

The staff was cheerful and our waiter was extremely attentive. Our drinks were always filled and our needs were met. 

I took my daughter to the restroom and was thrilled with the provision of a step stool. I have a difficult time lifting her at others places to wash her hands in restrooms that cater to adults. 

The food was amazing! Happy faces the entire time.

We ordered the mozzarella sticks appetizer, but the kids were also give fruit and Parmesan bread knots while we waited for our food. I ordered the half sandwich and fries lunch special. I chose the triple decker, wedge fries and the broccoli and cheese soup. 

My daughter chose the spaghetti and smiley face fries while my son chose spaghetti and fruit.

He devoured all his spaghetti while she was focused on the fruit. 

I managed to finish the sandwich, half the soup, and some fries before feeling too full. I did, however, try some of the s'mores pizookie we got to share. 

The manager made her rounds checking on everyone and making sure there were nothing but happy customers. 

I was truly thrilled by the experience and would definitely recommend this place to others. 

Office Depot deals and the stock pile

I love the Office Depot deals. Their weekly changing of the penny deals helps me save money and put aside the supplies that my elementary kids and college fiancé need. Last week I almost didn't get anything. This week I hit two stores and scored at both. I have pronged folders for all of them, mechanical pencils for the fiancé, colored pencils, Sharpie markers, pencil boxes and notecards. 

This entire lot cost me a little under $2! Some of the pencil boxes I will be using to organize my office supplies box for easier access throughout the year. The notecards are great for quick lists or to keep in the car for those "I need paper!" moments. The pack of Sharpie markers were $1 for 5. I picked up the color pencils as I noticed my kids have gone through most of theirs and were .50. You are supposed to have a $5 minimum purchase. What I found is that when they scan everything, then total it out - the discounts apply.

Summer time is here, half a year is gone...

Can you believe that we are already over half a year into 2016? July is here. Summer is in full swing. I have to mark my calendar with all the events we have lined up for the next 3 months just to keep up. And I have to check in on it often. With 3 little ones and hitting the 4 ¾ months in the pregnancy, I’d crazy without that little bit of order.

So what does the start of July mean for me?

My daughter continues to get caught up on her shots so she can start preschool this year! My 3 year old baby won’t be the baby for long… She turns 4 next month and goes to school the following month! Where has time gone?

July – August also means that soon we will take our boys to 6 Flags. My little smarty pants duo won tickets and they will soon be eligible for use. A day of fun, sun, and roller coaster rides! Even though I’m pregnant, I’m considering riding some milder ones… Though this story about one getting stuck on the tracks and the riders needing to be rescued worries me a bit.

There is also a retro gaming convention coming up.

My boys play Super Mario Bros and Minecraft among the newer games of Lego Dimensions and Skylanders. So if I’m able to introduce them into true retro gaming – i.e. Arcade games, Atari, Sega, Nintendo 64…. YES! My kids will be nerds and I will be one proud mama. I might also take at least the older one to Austin to play Minecraft Summer Splash!

You get to play Minecraft Undersea Adventure in theaters on the big screen – with CaptainSparklez. For those of you who aren’t big nerds… Minecraft is an awesome game! And it is one that now allows you to play in an underwater world (something I have yet to be able to do). CaptainSparklez is a huge hit on YouTube that posts videos of himself playing Minecraft. He’s in the top 100 list for having the most subscribers on YouTube. (How sad is it that this guy is a major hit and younger than me…). This group of events is going on across the country, lasts for 5 days, and is being hosted by Super League. My oldest son would lose his mind…

We are also in the summer reading program for Half Price Books!

I am trying to get their 300 minutes of reading in for July towards free books since they love reading. If you haven’t gotten into it, just print up a form for the month of July and get on it!
July 4^th is this weekend. So many events are happening around San Antonio. I’m hoping to take my kiddos to the base up the street for some family fun and the fireworks. We bought some glow sticks and I plan on making them s’mores too.  But more than all these fun things, I want my kids to understand why we celebrate Independence Day. What freedoms we were granted as well as the cost.

Kangeaux Walkabout review via US Family Guide

As a member of the US Family Guide, I get to try out products and tell you what they can possibly offer you. I especially love things that benefit mothers and adventurers. Which if you think about it, Moms are adventurers – aren’t we? Forever on the go, we need assistance for whatever comes our way. That’s what the Kangeaux Walkabout is for.

Go hands-free while enjoying the outdoors, traveling, during sports or fitness, or if you are like me and just have a busy lifestyle.

I had barely opened it up and I noticed several things that I like about this.

1.       It is made here in the USA. I know that things are crazy here in the US and I have been considering moving to another country lately… BUT I’m a firm believer in supporting companies here in the states and promoting growth of those businesses to provide more jobs.

2.       The materials used in the manufacturing of the Walkabout are sturdy and I feel confident that things won’t slip or break while I’m using them. This is very important to me. I can’t lose my keys or phone. Or my knife if that is in the group of items I’m strapping in. Those are what I consider most important. Even more so than my wallet at times…

3.       I love the storage case they come in. When things aren’t in use, I want to be able to put them in a case and keep them in top shape. Everyone knows, or should know, that if you want something to last for a long time – you have to care for it. Plus, I can keep all the parts of it together.

4.       The grip is comfortable and strong. I put my phone and keys on to test its hold and even while jerking it around, it didn’t loosen its hold on my stuff.

The size is adjustable to hold a variety things. It has a carabiner clip or you can wrap the cord around something like a stroller handle.

I love the versatility. Having options keeps me on track no matter what I’m carrying or doing.

 

I plan on using this for other outings to come. We are planning to go to 6 Flags next month with my boys (who won tickets for the reading challenge at school!), 4th of July at the park, San Japan comic convention... I can hang my phone and keys or water bottle and stay hands free to enjoy the fun! I also think it would be helpful when I'm riding the motorcycle.  In addition to this camo colored one, I received the blue one. The blue is definitely my favorite! Can't wait to get out more often and put this wonderful device to use. What do you think about it?

And the preparations continue...

You know how you have one good day when you live with chronic pain, so you try to do everything you can't normally do? Of course you pay for it later... BUT you get that list dwindled ever so slightly! 

Yesterday was one such day. I was feeling able to ignore the lower pain levels. So we went to pick up my motorcycle that has sat dormant at my fiances for a couple months and bring it back to my place.

Its a good 40 minute drive and the rain decided to give my bike a bath... while I was driving it back. But its now where it should be. 

Then we were able to run errands that I can't find the energy to do during the week while I work. Upon returning home with groceries, I got the bright idea to start cooking and freezing meals again. Until yesterday, I had a grand total of 3 frozen dinners. Being nearly halfway through the pregnancy, I think I should really pick up my game on this...

I made 3 more dinner to freeze and one for me to eat while I cooked. I have decided that Louisiana Purchase boxed dinners suck.

Flavorless but leaving an after taste I can't quite place. *shivers* Anyhow... The dinners I made were all ones that I have been wanting to try but keep putting off. And had my kids begging to dig in to at least one of them. Which is one I'll be making again for dinner tonight. I started a beef stew in the crock pot while I cooked a pepperoni pasta dish (my kids want this one) and a beef and bean soup.

I'll include those last two recipes for you guys. I paid for my efforts in pain last night. But I'm a strong believer that it will pay off later when the baby is born or on those nights that I'm just too tired to cook after work. Tonight, I'll be starting all over again. I think I'll make some brownies while I'm at it too... 

So here are a couple recipes you might want to try. The soup one is a favorite of mine while my kids can't wait to dig into the One Pot Pepperoni Pizza Pasta. 

Italian Sausage and Bean Soup

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided use

1 pound Italian sausage

1 1/2 cups each chopped onion and diced carrots

1 cup chopped celery (include leaves if you want)

1 tablespoon minced garlic in oil

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

5-6 cups chicken broth

1 can Italian-style diced tomatoes

1 can red kidney beans, drained

1 cup elbow macaroni

Place 1 tablespoon oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat; add sausage and cook, breaking up into small pieces with edge of cooking spoon. Remove to a plate and set aside. 

Add remaining oil to same pot; saute onions, carrots, celery, garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook 7-9 minutes or until tender; then return sausage to pot. 

Stir in broth, tomatoes, and beans. Bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 15-20 minutes, uncovered. Right before serving, bring soup to a full boil and add macaroni; simmer over medium, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until al dente. Season to taste with salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired. 

Substitute:

You can use ground beef instead of the Italian sausage. 

One Pot Pepperoni Pizza Pasta

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion

40 slices of pepperoni (or just wing it like I did)

24 oz jar of spaghetti sauce

3 cups penne pasta

2 cups of water

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella 

Brown ground beef and onion in a large skillet and drain excess fat.

Add some of the slices of pepperoni and spaghetti sauce.

Add pasta and water, stir and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed and pasta is tender.

Remove lid and sprinkle top with cheese and remaining pepperoni.

Broil until the cheese is lightly browned.