Aug 10 2011

Guest Post: Selecting Kaiser Permanente Medical Insurance For Children

Guest blogger: Sam J.

If you are responsible for the well being of a child, then you are probably aware of the child’s potential for accumulating injuries and illnesses. As medical costs continue to rise, purchasing Kaiser Permanente medical insurance for children can save you a considerable amount of money on these expenses. With individual plans, family plans and group plans all available for immediate purchase, Kaiser Permanente makes it easy to take care of your dependent. The state in which you live can determine whether your child is eligible for an individual plan or a family plan. Some states require that children be part of a family plan to receive medical insurance, while others only offer children medical insurance through a single-subscriber plan. Either insurance option requires that the child be under 19 years old and have at least one legal guardian who is eligible for medical coverage. While no child can be denied medical insurance due to a preexisting medical condition, you should expect to pay an additional surcharge to insure such a child. If your employer offers a group insurance plan option, this can be a great way to ensure your child’s medical care. These plans charge a flat fee for each child, with no surcharge for preexisting medical conditions. If your employer offers this option, you should not hesitate to insure your child during the open enrollment period. With medical insurance plans for children, Kaiser Permanente will keep your child healthy and your finances safe.

Aug 10 2011

Special challenges that squirmy little love bugs present to parents – Relief is in sight! #SlipOnHUGGIES

My girls are 5 and 7 now, but I remember the diapering them just like it was yesterday. I remember the transition from diapers to training pants and then from training pants to panties. Boy am I glad those days are over!

I didn’t have fancy wall hangings or mobiles above the diaper-changing station, so my girls simply relied on me to keep their attention while I was changing their diapers. However, if you don’t have a dedicated area in which you consistently change your kids’ diapers, it might be helpful to keep their attention with some type of hanging distraction. Also, the speed at which you change them is important. You don’t want to put on the new diaper incorrectly, but you do want to be quick about the diaper-changing routine – this benefits both you and the baby. The baby benefits since the time period she needs to be still i shorter, and you benefit from the shorter time period as well, especially if the diaper is a stinky one!

Play with your baby which changing her diaper. I would talk to my daughters, sing to them, or blow raspberries to get their attention. Their attention span isn’t very long, but it was long enough that I could usually get them to calm down while I was doing my work.

Enlist the help of your other children. I would ask my older daughter to help entertain my younger daughter while I was changing the younger daughter’s diaper. This always worked. Every. Single. Time. Now, if it was a stinky diaper I’ve have to bribe 2-year old Lulu with some type of treat or tickling after it was all done, but since she looked forward to the treat or the special treatment, she would always help.

Another really good tip is to only pull their pants off halfway. If I kept their legs entangled with pants or tights, it would take care of squirmy bottom halves. Now that didn’t take care of the top, but 1/2 of the problem was avoided.

There are many different options for helping with your squirmy baby. I think the key is to be fast and distract the baby to be still until you’re finished. Or at least that’s what I remember.

In the meantime, if you’re at your wits’ end about squirmy babies and their squirmy diaper-changing, you can use Little Movers Slip-On Diapers from Huggies. These diapers allow you to slip them right on the baby, press the sides towards the front (like regular diapers but the sides are much wider than the tabs you’re used to using), and you’re done! That fast! This product was invented too late me and my girls but it may be of some use to you and yours.

What did you do for your squirmy baby? Did you have a nickname for your squirmy child?

About Huggies
The Huggies® community brings parents together so that you and your babies fully enjoy every day, whatever the day presents. Enjoy the ride with Huggies®.

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Huggies blogging program, for a gift card worth $35. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Aug 10 2011

Juice in the City – Deluxe Mani/Pedi – My Bella Spa or My Nail Spa #Charlotte

The Deal

I bite my nails. It’s so sad. Especially considering that I’m almost 40 years old. I don’t know how to stop. When I put acrylic on my nails, I don’t even attempt to bite them. The moment I transition to natural nails, my fingers are in my mouth. It’s ridiculous how bad this habit of mine is. Just ridiculous.

But if you’d like to make your hands and feet look pretty as you head back to school, back to work, or on that last vacation of the summer, you need to take advantage of this Deluxe Mani/Pedi deal and get your nails and feet looking puuurdy. Your kids, your man, and your co-workers will love you for it. Nobody wants to see crusty feet sticking out of cute sandals. Nobody.

For $25 you will receive both a manicure and a pedicure. That’s like 2-for-1 or 50% off. That’s what I call a good deal.

The Spas

A long, hot summer means you’ll be baring a lot of skin and exposing those hands and feet of yours to a lot of elements, so take the time to gussy up with a deluxe mani/pedi at either My Bella Spa or My Nail Spa in Ballantyne! Today’s deal will get you this delightful round of pampering for only $25, so hurry and buy yours before they’re all gone.

My Bella Spa and My Nail Spa will make sure you are doted on from start to finish. When you first arrive, you’ll be happily greeted and offered a refreshment of your choice. Once you nestle into your massage chair, you’ll relax as the chair gently kneads and heats your weary muscles. This incredible bargain also makes an ideal gift – especially for yourself – so go ahead grab your favorite book or iPad and head over to My Bella Spa at Blakeney or My Nail Spa at Stonecrest for a taste of the good life! Like all busy moms, you deserve it, and this low price makes it all the more easy to justify a little R&R!

The Fine Print

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Juice in the City

My Nail Spa at Blakeney: 7864-C Rea Road, Charlotte, NC 28277; (704) 540-8666
My Bella Spa at Stonecrest: 9724 Rea Road, Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28277; (704) 341-3299

Valid on Friday, Saturday & Sunday Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers. Entire value must be used in one transaction. Excludes gratuity. Limit one per person/visit. Not valid on holidays.

Disclosure: I have an affiliate relationship with Juice in the City.

Aug 10 2011

Review: The 5th Quarter DVD – Tragic! Emotional!

About The 5th Quarter

FROM THE ASHES OF GREAT TRAGEDY
CAN COME GREAT ACHIEVEMENT

A Triumphant Story of Family, Faith and Football,
THE 5TH QUARTER Comes to Blu-ray and DVD August 30

Summary: When a close-knit family is nearly broken by tragedy, hope is restored by their eldest son who carries the weight of victory on his shoulders in THE 5TH QUARTER, coming to Blu-ray and DVD August 30 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

A recent recipient of the Dove Foundation’s “Family-Approved” seal for all audiences over the age of twelve and in the spirit of The Blind Side, comes this inspiring true story of family, faith and football. Aidan Quinn (Legends of the Fall, A Shine of Rainbows) and Andie MacDowell (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Groundhog Day) deliver emotionally stirring performances as the mother and father of Jon Abbate, a rising football star at Wake Forest University. Their lives are suddenly shattered when the family’s youngest son, Luke, is killed in a tragic accident. Inspired by Luke’s memory, Jon courageously leads the Wake Forest team to a series of last-minute victories – leading to a thrilling climax that will “make you stand up and cheer” (NYC Movie Guru).

THE 5TH QUARTER will be available on single-disc Blu-ray and single-disc DVD in the U.S. and Canada.

My Thoughts on The 5th Quarter

Like my 7-year old said “He didn’t even have a chance to be a grown-up.”

What an amazing story. The Abbate’s seem to be your typical American family – middle class, 3 sons and a daughter, with athletic children. Their college-aged son, Jon, plays football for Wake Forest, and their 15-year old son, Luke, plays Lacrosse and football in high school.

When Luke’s classmate has to stay later at school, he has to find another ride home. When he gets razzed by his lacrosse teammates about having his mom pick him up, he gets driven home by one of the teammates. Except the driver is hell-bent on getting airborne at this particular section of the road and showing off for his friends. He crashes. While the driver and two other passengers appear to only have minor injuries, Luke is airlifted to the nearest trauma center, as his parents are contacted and told about the accident.

Luke’s family is told about 24 hours later that their son is brain-dead and needs to be removed from life support. Obviously this an emotionally devastating time for Luke’s family, and there’s a great moment when the parents walk into the hallway outside of Luke’s room and they see dozens of friends, classmates, neighbors blocking the entire hallway as they’re waiting for any news on Luke’s condition. But before the family can digest the enormity of what they’ve been told, a hospital worker is asking them to donate Luke’s organs, which they do decide to do.

Shortly thereafter is the funeral which was emotionally wrenching as well. Jon appears to be the sibling who takes his brother’s death the hardest. He’s ready to quit football but his teammates, family, and friends all impress upon him that Luke wouldn’t want him to quit. It works. Jon doesn’t quit. In fact he becomes the inspirational leader of the Wake Forest football team and the team becomes the conference champions that year.

The 5th Quarter displays the emotional roller coaster which occurs after a young family member passes away. While Aidan Quinn gives the performance of a lifetime as a father who has lost his young son too early, Andie MacDowell’s performance is quite flat.

The most poignant scenes are the hallway scene when all of the people are waiting to hear a status update on Luke’s condition, and the funeral scene where the Mr. Abbate bypasses the pallbearers and pushes his own son’s casket out of the church. It was heart wrenching to watch.

I didn’t care for the on-the-field football scenes. It was as if they were shot by an amateur taking a home video, instead of by professional videographers. So much of the rallying around Jon, and the camaraderie between the players was shown that the movie missed some of the normal happenings of everyday life was left out.

The movie is certainly inspirational, and will have you reaching for the tissues throughout, but besides the performance by Aidan Quinn, it wasn’t great. If I was asked to rate the movie I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Disclosure:

Aug 9 2011

Juice in the City – #Atlanta – 86% off Laser Hair Removal at The Fountain – Juicy Deal

The Fountain

Conveniently located near Cumberland Mall, The Fountain has performed thousands of high quality laser hair removal treatments for over 8 years. Focusing on the individualized results of each client, The Fountain was opened with one mission: to bring the most advanced laser technology combined with a medically experienced staff to Atlanta. With a spotless facility, convenient location and friendly staff, The Fountain is focused on the comfort and satisfaction of each client.

The Deal

I don’t know about you, but I shave daily. It’s tedious. I’m pretty good about not cutting myself, but it’s a ritual in the shower I could do without. Plus, those little tiny hairs start growing right back and they’re annoying! I have a few girlfriends who do the laser thing and they love it. It’s a little expensive upfront but worth it, they say, for the results.

And let me tell you, as you get older you start finding hairs in places you didn’t even realize. I could write a book on the things my mother didn’t tell me about getting older. I’d be rich! And I could afford to pay full price for laser hair removal treatments. In the meantime, this deal is a wonderful value. See below in the fine print for the treatment areas. I don’t even know what a glabella is, but hair grows there and they can remove it at The Fountain. Just sayin’.

For $99 you get 4 treatments of laser hair removal in one area. This deal is valued at $745, so you just can’t beat the savings!

The Fine Print

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Juice in the City

This deal expires 6 months after the deal appears on Juice in the City.

There is a limit of 4 deals per person, with 2 being for yourself and 2 for gifts. Valid for new clients only. Redeemable for 4 laser hair removal treatments to 1 of the following 17 areas only: abdomen (linea alba), areolas, back (lower patch), bikini area, hands/feet, peri-anal region, underarms, cheeks, chin, ears, glabella, jaw line, neck (front), neck (back), nose, sideburns, or upper lip. Must use all 4 treatments in the same area. Appointment required. 24-hour Cancellation Policy: JITC Deal Code will be void if an appointment is missed without canceling or rescheduling 24 hours in advance. Must present JITC Deal Code printout to redeem.

Please call (770) 874-2266 to schedule your 4 appointments. Please print and present JITC Deal Code printout to redeem.

Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Juice in the City.

Aug 9 2011

Coca-Cola’s 125 years of Summer Fun Giveaway – Park Kit! – Ends August 25th

Celebrate the end of the summer with Coca-Cola!

To celebrate Coca-Cola’s 125th anniversary, they’ve created a summer-long program, available through My Coke Rewards. It’s designed to create summer fun for families by offering a variety of rewards through an interactive summer treasure map. By entering codes, found on 15 different Coca-Cola brands on My Coke Rewards, you gain points that can later be spent on prizes including: sweepstakes, instant win prizes, supporting a good cause, donating to your child’s school and much more!

The Prize – valued at $50

Coca-Cola’s Park Kit includes:

Coca-Cola tote

Sunglasses

Sports Bottle

Sunblock Kit

LED lamp (for nights when you’re just not ready to go inside)

Football

Frisbee

Reversible ball

Giveaway Rules

Entrants must be 18 or older and located in the US or Canada only. Winner to be chosen at random.

How to Enter

1. Tweet about this giveaway. 1 entry, 1 comment

Want to spend a day at the park but missing the essentials? @Cocacola has the answer! Enter here http://armsofasister.com/?p=4007 #CokeSummer

2. Follow Arms of a Sister using GFC. 1 entry, 1 comment

3. Follow Arms of a Sister by email. Verify your subscription. 2 entries, 2 comments

4. Answer this question (honestly): Are you a current My Coke Rewards member? 1 entry, 1 comment

5. Follow Arms of a Sister on twitter. 1 entry, 1 comment

6. Follow Arms of a Sister on facebook. 1 entry, 1 comment.

7. Follow Arms of a Sister’s RSS feed in the left menu bar. 2 entries, 2 comments.

Disclosure: The prize was provided by The Coca-Cola Company but The Coca-Cola Company is not a sponsor, administrator, or involved in any other way with this giveaway. All opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of The Coca-Cola Company.