“Not everything that can be counted counts,

and not everything that counts can be counted.”

–Albert Einstein

If you’ve been around these parts for a bit, you might have read about our sweet beagle, Lola, the dog with the super-sonic hearing.  While she’s the chief squirrel chaser and leading shedder in our happy household, she’s also Ariel’s best secret keeper and adorable partner in crime.

The past three years since we adopted Lola from the local shelter have been filled with such love—the kind of unconditional love that only a pet gives.  She has been such a great addition to our family, one I’m so glad to have.  It’s quite funny how she thinks of herself as my second daughter.  She adores Ariel and loves to play with her, but she jealously insists that I tuck her into bed before I tuck Ariel in.  And heaven forbid if Ariel spends the night away at her grandmother’s or a friend’s….Lola wanders around, looking for Ariel.  It’s touching how much she loves and misses her “sister.”

Sadly, at last year’s annual check-up at the vet’s, we learned that Lola is a bit too pudgy of a pup.  We modified her diet to include a lower calorie intake and watched carefully for the scales to drop.  Nothing doing.  She seemed to be putting on weight.  We stopped feeding her purchased treats (at the vet’s advice) and only gave her the occasional recommended low-calorie carrot or cucumber slice.  Then we discovered that our backdoor neighbor was treating Lola over the fence!  And not just any treats–but huge, high-calorie treats!  No wonder Lola liked the neighbor lady!!

We did talk to our over-the-fence-friend and asked her to stop treating Lola and we again started looking for healthy, delicious, low calorie treats for our pup.  Carrots and cucumbers, while good for us humans, weren’t the meat-flavored treats Lola craved.

Imagine how delighted we were to be asked to try new Cesar Cookie Crunchies!  Low calorie treats for dogs!  Now we could treat our dog without adding to her waistline!

And oh how she has been treated!!  Ariel has enjoyed “taste-testing” the two varieties of treats to see which Lola would prefer.  Now, I could have told you that she would enjoy both flavors equally…. but Ariel had to be scientific about it and do multiple tastings.  Of course, Lola, being the patient pup that she is, was willing to try them both multiple times.  At only 10 calories for each treat, sampling more than a few treats didn’t blow her healthy eating plan.  (and the treats are in adorable tween-approved shapes:  paw prints, bones, and hearts!)

I was right—Lola didn’t care.  She loved them both.  Over and over again she sat and waited for Ariel to arrange the testing.  And not once did she give up and walk out of the tasting area.  Not Lola.  She stuck with it and (I’m judging by the vigorous tail-wagging action) enjoyed every last minute of every last test.

I wish I could tell you that Lola preferred the Filet Mignon Flavor Cookie Crunchies over the Rotisserie Chicken Flavored Cookie Crunchies (Ariel’s prediction)…. but she didn’t.  Lola loved both equally, and she loved that Ariel was treating her.  Yet another bonding experience for my two girls. 

With 130 treats per bag, there will be a lot of bonding going on over here!

Do your small dog a favor and check out new Cesar Cookie Crunchies.  They’re perfectly sized for small dogs and according to Lola, they’re perfectly delectable!

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Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Cesar and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

As a work-at-home mom, I spend a lot of time working.  Sometimes working is a solitary adventure, with only the sound of my keystrokes breaking the silence  (and the occasional “ARGH!” when I can’t figure out something technical).

Sometimes, though, work is accomplished with lots of company.  Brainstorming, opinion-seeking, survey-taking, shopping planning and execution.  All of those require assistance…. and since most of my friends and family don’t live next door, we don’t communicate over the back yard fence.  Nope, we are eternally grateful to Alexander Graham Bell for his revolutionary invention, the telephone.

I have been one of those “cell only” people…. and while it was convenient to have only one number to give out, I found myself burning through airtime and batteries.  Not a good situation.

So I reluctantly ordered a new home phone line and dug around for the old plug-in phones I *knew* I had somewhere.

Only I hadn’t remembered just how dreadful and annoying the old phones I had were.  Squawky speakers, short battery life, even shorter talk range….. ugh.

So when I was offered the opportunity to review the VTech Multitasking Phone System (LS6475-3), I jumped at the chance.  (backstory:  one of my very first cordless phones was a VTech and I love love loved it!  It was a sad, sad day when I realized my old roommate had accidentally packed up my phones in addition to hers.  And had moved them across the country.    )

I didn’t tell Ariel about the VTech Multitasking Phone System (LS6475-3) until I had it set up and ready to go because I knew she would have to try it—and I wanted to have it to myself for a while. 

And oh the fun I had playing with my new toy.

But I wasn’t really playing.  I was playing mom-style.  I was folding laundry and talking on the phone.  I was cooking dinner and talking on the phone.  I was completing all kinds of household tasks completely hands-free…. all thanks to the cordless headset that is the crowning jewel of the VTech Multitasking Phone System (LS6475-3).  And while I often do chores while on the phone, I either end up with a crick in my neck from trying to hold the phone and perform said chores…. or trying to use the speakerphone feature and ending up with a lot of background noise intruding on my conversation.  Not to mention alllll the times I’ve dropped the phone because I just couldn’t balance everything and the phone.

No more!  The cordless headset of the VTech Multitasking Phone System (LS6475-3) has put an end to all of that!

Now this busy mom can work and play, getting chores done quickly and easily, and stay connected with friends and family while doing it.  I definitely feel that every mom could use a VTech Multitasking Phone System (LS6475-3) to make her life easier.  (Hint, hint!  This would be a great Mother’s Day gift!)

The range has been incredible.  Not only have I used the phone all throughout the house, I’ve even walked around the yard and across the street to the neighbor’s…. still on the phone!

Oh, and I did finally let Ariel in on the fun.  She’s equally enamored with the cordless headset.  However, she isn’t as enthusiastic about the “push-to-talk” feature that allows the handsets to function as walkie-talkies.  (I think that might have something to do with me using it as a summoning tool when I need her assistance in another part of the house.  Still, it really works for me!     )

I am thoroughly thrilled with the VTech Multitasking Phone System (LS6475-3) and believe that it fully lives up to its “multitasking” moniker.  You can find out more about the features on the VTech website here and join in the conversation on the VTech Facebook page here and the VTech Twitter page here.

(And again with the thinly veiled hint:  if you’re looking for a great Mother’s Day gift, I simply don’t think you can go wrong with the VTech Multitasking Phone System (LS6475-3).  The VTech site is offering free shipping on orders over $50 and I just happened to notice that a 10% off code popped up on the “Welcome” section of their Facebook page when I “liked” them!!  Awesome sauce!)

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Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of VTech and received a product sample to facilitate my review.

“The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost.”

–G. K. Chesterton

It’s almost summer and around here that means VACATION!  I saw pictures of this awesome resort on Pinterest and just had to find out more.  While Bali is probably not in my budget for this year, it’s definitely on my bucket list!  And I’m thinking the Panchoran Retreat sounds just about perfect!

Part of the movie Eat Pray Love was filmed at the Panchoran Retreat and I can see why.  It’s beautiful!

A spa, multiple enchanting villas to choose from, a monkey forest just 10 minutes walk away, local foods prepared on-site—-I’m ready to go!  I think the Panchoran Retreat looks divine!!

Some of my treasured memories are of introducing Ariel to some of my favorite things from my childhood.  Books, movies, activities, places—it’s all been so much fun to share with her.

Today, I had to share the sad, sad news of the passing of one of our favorites, Maurice Sendak, author of the 1964 Caldecott Medal winning Where The Wild Things Are and illustrator of many other books, including much of Else Holmelund Minarik’s Little Bear stories.

We spent some time finding out about the life and impact of Maurice Sendak.  We obviously aren’t the only folks touched by his work.  PBS did a story a few years back that we found insightful.  Of course, there’s a lot of good, basic info on wikipedia.  CNN’s tribute to Sendak is a well-crafted tribute by Sendak “appreciator” Gregory Maguire. 

I’d be remiss in not mentioning Stephen Colbert’s unforgettable January 2012 interview with Sendak.  Ohmygoodness!  I haven’t laughed so hard in a very long time!!! Surely, Mr. Sendak’s immeasurable contributions to the world of literature leave a legacy of magnificent, delightful creations that will live on forever. RIP.

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You know, when I was growing up, my momma told me, “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all,” and I’ve tried hard to listen to that advice.  But most journalists don’t.  Good news doesn’t sell newspapers—or catch watchers’ eyes on the evening news.

So I was most pleasantly surprised this morning when I did a quick search and found no less than nine (9!) different internet media outlets highlighting GOOD NEWS!!

Check out these three sites:

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The Good News Network has a cool feature “Good News on This Day in History.”  Did you know the Eiffel Tower opened as the entrance arch to the Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) on May 6, 1889?  Maybe Ariel and I should be there next May 6 to celebrate!?!

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Gimundo is a great resource for all kinds of good information:  ideas on how to give without spending a dime; 50 amazing websites; and a blog with all kinds of good news.  I’m looking forward to spending a lot of time here too!

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Daily Good offers one of my favorite things:  a daily quote!  But there’s so much more here.  I like that you can sort their news stories by most…. popular or inspiring or fascinating or courageous or hopeful or shared.  (That appeals to my OCD side.)

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Surprised?  I was…. pleasantly surprised!

Hope you have a surprisingly wonderful day!  <3!

Seems like the whole world is hot for dots this year!!  Here are a few cute swimsuits that we liked (all are from our friends over at Justice)—and of course, they’re all dots!!

‘Cause we like dots too!

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Some cute one-piece suits…

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some darling bikinis….

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and a few adorable tankinis…

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So, will your tween be wearing dots?  Or not?

I always find so many wonderful places on the interwebs…. and love to share them with my readers!!

Here are five of my time-saving, clutter busting, recycling and reusing favorites from this week:

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I’m constantly using the camera on my smart phone to snap pics of Ariel…. but why not use it to make my life easier?!?!  I love this series of tips from apartment therapy and found the comments from readers very helpful.  I’m definitely going to start using some of this info to make my life easier!!

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Sometimes I’m the one with a brilliant solution…. but so many more times, it’s someone else!  Family Handy Man has some great tips on busting clutter–I’m in love with all of them, but especially the shower caddy one!  Fantastic!!

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I find our recycling center locally to be incredibly helpful and am so glad it’s there.   But sometimes I wonder, “is that item really recyclable?’  Turns out some of the things I thought were recyclable indeed are not.  It depends on your area.  Check out ecosalon’s 10 Surprising Things You Can’t Recycle and see if you’re doing it right.  Again, there are lots of great comments on this article, so check there too–you might find your area is mentioned and there may be an exclusion for you.

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Designed by Dawn Nicole has a great idea for organizing your shower miscellany!  I could even imagine drying swim suits or lingerie with this!!  Brillz!

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And even though I don’t have an army of children, I still think this is a genius idea!  Lazy Mom Tip #49 will provide sanity for many a mom on laundry day!!

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And because I love you and I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea and am running out as soon as I finish this post to buy these materials…. I am giving you a BONUS Fabulous Friday Find:  Blue Cricket Design’s Rain Gutter Guard Earring Holder!!  It is just the thing for Ariel’s burgeoning earring collection!!  (And I’m kinda thinking I can use cup hooks to hold earrings and bracelets next to the earrings… so she’ll have her coordinated sets together!)

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So, what cool sites did you find this week?  Share!!

“It’s not what you look at that matters,

it’s what you see.”

–Henry David Thoreau