Simple Inspirations :: August

RandomnessAugust 23, 2009 12:46 pm

My DH and his Dad went fishing, had a great time, and here are the highlights..(Wendell caught more fish, two at one time..what a show off LOL)

Mom StuffAugust 10, 2009 8:29 am

You need this…..

In light of the many scary internet related tragedies I have heard about over the years, I decided a LONG time ago that the best way to keep the kids safe was to protect them from potential harm. Makes sense right??? Wel, how can you protect them from the dangers of the internet…its everywhere. Facebook, myspace, twitter, instant messaging…porn disguised as something else and accessible to the innocent eyes of of your kids simply looking for "pictures of princesses to color: (true story). I came across this product through Mom Central that can help make the whole internet accessibility issue a little less nerve fraying. I typed up a little review things but realized that I wasn’t doing the product justice…so from the horse’s mouth here is what you get:

What you want to do:	How McAfee makes this possible:
Protect your children from objectionable Websites	Blocks up to 35 categories of objectionable websites and filters inappropriate content
Allow your children to view appropriate YouTube Videos	By using key word filtering technology, objectionable content will be prohibited, yet permitting watching acceptable videos
Provide times your children can go online	Allows you to manage the amount of time your children use the internet
Let your family enjoy instant messaging	Monitors and records instant message conversations to inform you of improper dialogue or conversations with strangers
Allow your children to freely communicate with their friends	Blocks unknown email addresses so children cannot communicate with strangers
Enjoy the benefits of social networking	Records conversations on social networking sites so you can be aware of bullying, solicitation from strangers and if confidential information has been posted
Allow access to specific programs on your PC	Blocks access to applications that parents feel are inappropriate
Make sure your family’s personal information remains safe	Prevents sharing of confidential information and keeps your PC safe from security threats that are commonly found in peer-to-peer file sharing
Ensure your children are having a safe experience online	Provides you a complete view of all Internet and IM activity and can be used as a tool to teach appropriate online behavior
Know immediately if there’s a problem so you can talk to your child	Receive email alerts when intentional or accidental website access is attempted and when confidential information is posted

I really love that it records instant messaging, this is a great way to guide your kids into appropriate online behaviour. In their innocence they may be missing something a wiser parent may clur into. OH and as if you need any more influence….McAfee is offering a discount through August 31, 2009 to save $5 off the McAfee Family Protection. The promo code is: 5familyprotection. In addition, if you have any questions you’d like to ask an expert, McAfee’s Chief Cyber Security Mom, Tracy Mooney, is available at cybermom@mcafee.com or at www.mcafee.com/cybermom

It is easy to install, easy to use, and gives you a little more peace and your kids a little more freedom. Check it out yourself…http://home.mcafee.com/Store/Package.aspx?pkgid=342

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of McAfee and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, McAfee sent me a blanket and care package to thank me for taking the time to participate."

RandomnessAugust 3, 2009 6:19 pm

I could hear a pin drop….

I have exams this week…and I needed every spare moment to study. The rest of the family (Wendell and all 5 kids) left today to go camping. They are going to meet my mother in law in Winkler and go to Rock Lake for 2 days, getting home in time for me to use the van for my exam Wednesday morning.

I helped pack, got the kids in the van, and watched all of them drive away without me and instead of the exhalted feeling of "no dishes, no laundry, silence and relaxation here I come" ….I cried. Yup big loser than I am a cried. This is the first time in 12 years that I have been away from all my kids overnight, the first time they have all gone away for the night without me, the second time I have been away overnight from Wendell in 10 years ( I went to my mom’s that other time). The TV has been off all day, I can actually value how loud the huming of the refrigerator is, the floor is shiny, and I did 5 dishes all day….and to be honest I want to smear something on the floor, plug the toilet, trip on a car left in the hallway, and pretend someone else did it.

What does a mother eat when her family leaves….the freedom to eat anything I want without thinking..no-onion-no-mushrooms-no-sauce-no-beans-no-potatoes-no…well you get the picture. I consoled myself by eating the very food that I tell the kids is gonna plug their arteries..boxed burritoes, corn dogs and, and …a peanut butter sandwich. Yup that was my extravegant fare today.

What is even sadder….I thought it is TOO quiet in here so while I eat supper I will throw in a movie. Great plan..pass my half hour of non study time quickly…but I can’t work the darn thing. I am technologically out matched. I have read all the god books in the house, nothing is on TV, and desperatly in need a half hour of non-geogrpahical enticement after a hardcore 10 hours of studying. I think I will go read Green Eggs and Ham.

Randomness 8:44 am