Scrutiny by the Masses

Go Further with Ford - The Classroom Part

Recently, I had the distinct pleasure to be sent to the Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. I was sent to learn more about the future of the Ford company - to learn where they are headed in terms of technology, sustainability, ecology, and the future of a car company that, not too long ago, had one of the worst reputations in the car industry.

Oh. I can say that because my first car *was* a Ford. A Ford Pinto. A 1976 dark green Ford Pinto, with a yellow stripe, and a hubcap size rust spot hidden under the floor boards, so that you could do the Fred Flinstone if, say, your clutch froze and you couldn't go faster than 22 mph on the highway - until your dad did an engine overhaul, giving you a manual clutch that was the envy of all your friends.

Or maybe I'm fantasizing again.

The trip was broken into three days - Day one was travel and a dinner at Ford Field, the home of the Detroit Lions. I *love* me some football, and so the opportunity to kick a field goal on Ford Field was one that I just couldn't pass up.

Getting my prep lessons from a super patient football guy

 

Yes. I kick like a girl. In a dress and flip flops. Wanna make something of it??

It didn't make it over the goal. Came really, really close, though.

The second day was classroom type instruction. There were four rotations - Technology, Sustainabilty, Design and Innovation. You selected the sessions in which you were most interested and your day was scheduled according to this arrangement

I picked the Technology session for my first, because I'm most interested in it, and I think Ford does an amazing job integrating technology in a customer friendly way. My husband drives a Chrysler, and they have a similar system, but I find it so frustrating to use that I don't even bother. I love my Jeep more than is probably advisable, but the My Ford Touch system that they have makes me more than slightly covetous.

Notes from the session that really stuck out for me:

• 67% of people believe most people would be better off with a simpler lifestyle
• 46% wish lives were less cluttered - I know I do, but I rarely do anything to make it better (except complain)
• Consumer reality - daily commute is 47 minutes a day and they expect on demand connectivity
• Ford introduced voice control in 2007 to minimize distractions. Eyes on the road hands on the wheel. Imbedded voice control brought in (phones) and beamed in and built in.
• Creating a stylish car, a seductive car, means a fun car that will be bought
• Approach your purchases as if you will only buy one for life
• We live in a remix culture - I laughed when I heard this, but it was so very true.

I did shoot a couple of photos of some relevant boards:

The Design panel was next. Apparently, these are famous people. Apparently, I am clueless, because I not only didn't know who they were, but wondered why I was hearing what seemed to me to be a lecture on how important these people were -

when I wanted to see where the design was done. That was the second half, and it was much more interesting. Imagine, if you will, a car, created out of clay. And imagine that your job is to create in that clay - all day long. Wouldn't that be the best day EVER? Watching the gentleman customize the styling, changing this flare or that, and then moving along to the paint and interior, showed me the level of detail that Ford puts into their cars.

 

Notes from the Urbanization session - it was really neat to read the boards from each session

I learned a lot in this session, although I did have to question one fact. It was presented that kids in the 15-20 (ish, I was, ahem, chatting when the figure was represented) are becoming less interested in getting their drivers licenses. I don't see this at all in my life. Not at all. My two who have their licenses, the next up coming, and the hundreds of their friends have all, to a man, been anxious to get their licenses. Maybe in cities that have great public transit and/or really good walk scores (do you know yours? My city rates at a 40 - very low) but I asked for back up on her figure.

I didn't get it. A friend found it and gave it to me - it was on the Internet - and I wonder if I believe facts from the Internet. :)

Maybe my kids want their licenses so they can get away from me. Hmmm.

I am really, really impressed with the work Ford does to make their cars both recyclable and eco friendly. Electric cars, internal fabrics made from recycled jeans and plastic water bottles and so much more that I can't remember.

This day of the trip left me with a really favorable impresion of Ford as a company. I like the direction that they are taking. The next post will tell you what I thought of Ford, the cars, as I participated in a few test drives.

Disclaimer- Ford paid for me & 256 other famous people from the Internet to fly to Dearborn, fed us food, poured drinks down our throats, and forced us to shred their rubber.  I didn’t hurt any tires, but I tried.( H/T to Christopher Tracy for the stellar disclaimer.)

 

Keeping In Motion with Degree MotionSense

 

 

I've been participating in Degree's  “Get Into the Move Challenge,”  and it's been a great motivator to help me stay active - no more slacking off for me! Using the Facebook I've been able to log my movement activites - yay! for boxing class and running, my ultimate sanity checkers - and the app has helped me keep on task. Each activity has given me points to use towards great prizes. 

One of the coolest parts of the app has been what I call "non activity motivators". By simply checking in using Facebook places, and entering the weekly keyword into the "What are you doing" box, I was entered for a chance to earn more motionMILES. I also earned a point every day simply by answering - and hopefully correctly more times than not! - the daily trivia question.

Each activity I logged earned me 5 motionMiles points, and every time I shared with a friend, I added two!more!bonus! points to my bank.Entering codes with my phone earned 5 more points. The best part of all? I can rack up tons of points without going out of my way - I'm just living my life.

Instead of using those miles for myself, I've decided that I'm going to donate them to charity.

Want to win a $100 visa gift card to help you try out a new form of exercise, buy new gear or shoes or, maybe, new deodorant? I'm giving away a gift card to one lucky winner. To enter, please leave me a comment telling me your favorite way to stay active and healthy. This contest will run from 7/19-8/15/2011: 5pm PST Winner to be chosen by random draw.

Visit the Prizes and Promotions section for even more chances to win!

Rules: No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

Visit the Official Rules

Degree MotionSense - No More Stinky Workouts

I try to work out every day. Try to being the operative word, but I try to get the sweat pouring every day in some way. Most often, it involves noon time boxing class. And, man, does the sweat pour there.

7 years ago, I began a weight loss effort. It took me more than 18 months, but at the end, I was able to say that I lost 80 pounds. Over the past five years, I've kept off most of this weight. I walk, run, take boxing class, go to Core class, or fire up the Wii. It's imperative to me that I stay active, for it improves my mood every bit as much as my figure.I don't want to smell like a man while doing my exercise, though - the reality that I'm often one of the only women in a large boxing class is smelly enough, thank you very much. Every time I go to the store, I grab a new brand or scent of antiperspirant/deodorant so as to test the efficacy. Sometimes I even pick a man's brand, hoping that it'll quell the sweat. No dice.

I'm an inherently lazy person, and so every day it's a challenge to get myself active. Even though I know the benefits, even though I know that I'll feel better when I'm done - there have been days I've chosen to just take a nap instead. Not that there's anything wrong with that - a good nap can help you have the energy to exercise.

Degree has created a new form of anti-perspirant, the first in it's class, activated by movement, not moisture. Degree with motionSense is a one of a kind product that capitalizes on the reality that women are moving all the time - in many ways, both big and small. Building on this concept of "the more you move, the more it works"  Degree has created the Degree MotionSense “Get Into the Move"Challenge. This application was launched on Facebook and it rewards users with a chance to win thousands of cool prizes, simply for doing things that they already do as active women. 

From the press release:

By registering for the Degree Women “Get into the Move” application on Facebook  or on mobile devices (m.degreewomen.com), fans can start earning motionMILES, virtual currency redeemable towards chances to win thousands of prizes. These motionMILES are earned for various ways women move, including checking in with Facebook places and logging activities. Earning motionMILES is easy - eligible activities include going to the gym, taking Zumba® or yoga classes and various other activities women already do, like grocery shopping or catching the bus. Fans can also earn motionMILES by answering daily trivia questions on the Facebook application, inviting friends to “Get into the Move,” and even logging in daily.

Once you sign up, you earn points that you can then redeem for things like designer shoes, Zumba classes, and even a trip to Hawaii, surfing lessons and all.

In my next post, I'll be chronicling my progress in the challenge and using this space to keep me moving. And maybe not smelling quite so, uh, manly at the same time. I'd also encourage you to participate in the Degree motionSense “Get Into The Move” challenge.

Want to win a $100 visa gift card to help you try out a new form of exercise, buy new gear or shoes or, maybe, new deodorant? I'm giving away a gift card to one lucky winner. To enter, please leave me a comment telling me your favorite way to stay active and healthy. This contest will run from 6/18 to 7/20 and will end at 11:59 p.m. Winner to be chosen by random draw.

Visit the Prizes and Promotions section for even more chances to win!

Rules: No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

Visit the Official Rules

Walgreens Brand Health and Wellness = Good for the Pocketbook

This review was sponsored by Blogher and Walgreens. While I was compensated for my time, the thoughts and ideas expressed in this post are all my own.

"Try Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness products.  Visit the site for more information”

I'll admit - I'm a pretty frugal shopper. The pantry at my house is full of Great Value labels, and my kids know that they should always chose the cheaper choice - unless I've already done so and found it to be less than satisfactory. Such is the life in a larger than normal size family.

One area I don't skimp, though, is drugstore products. I almost always buy name brand products there. For whatever reason, I'm much more adventurous when it comes to tomatoes and juice than suncreen and toothpaste. I was recently asked to try out the Walgreens brand products and my checkbook is happy to report that it was an experiment done right.

Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products are a great value, allowing families and individuals to save money without sacrificing quality or trust. With the rising cost of health care, saving money on over-the-counter medications can really benefit a family’s budget. In addition to being an exceptional value, Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products:

·         a.        Are Walgreens pharmacist recommended.

·         b.        Most contain the same active ingredients as other national brands.

·         c.        Have a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

The Walgreens Brand Health line is extensive. It includes Cough/Cold, Pain, Sleep, Allergy, First Aid, Antacids, Vitamins, Smoking Cessation, Incontinence, Laxatives, Feminine Hygiene, Ointments, Eye/Ear, Foot, Suncare, Dental, Toothbrush, Nutritional Supplements, Mouthwash, Acne and Diet Aids

I've been diagnosed with Stage 2 Melanoma and I'm a fierce advocate of the sunblock. I typically suck it up and purchase the most expensive sunblock that I can find, hoping that it will be the most effective in prolonging my life. Non one wants to hear "The lab results are malignant" and if you can avoid that - hopefully - with some sunblock - who wouldn't want that? I purchased two Walgreens brand sunblock products - Sheer Dry touch Suncreen, Spf 55 and Sheer Sunscreen Roller, also SPF 55. The bottle size, label and descriptors were identical to the Neutrogena line that I always purchase. Both offer the Photostable Complex, a broad spectrum uva-uvb range with Parasol 1789, that is found in my oft purchased Neutrogena. The only difference between the two product lines? A full 40% discount on price for the Walgreens Brand product. Hmmmm.

I took this sunblock on a trip to Tucson. My husband and I both used it all weekend, and we were happy to report that it worked wonderfully. Both products went on smoothly, were not sticky and worked exactly as sunblock is supposed to - which means that we are still as white as we were before the vacation. All kidding aside, I was impressed by the sunblock, which was identical in all ways to the brand name I always purchase, but at a substantial savings.

I also purchased the Walgreens Brand Cold medicine - yup, you guessed it, I got a COLD two days before my trip, and it was a doozy. I purchased the daytime extended relief and it worked exactly as it was supposed to - I wasn't tired (well, any more that I already was!), I could breath and the sneezing stopped for a while. At a fraction of the label cost for the Dayquil.

Methinks I'll be increasing my purchases of Walgreens Brand Health and Wellness products.

Thanks to Blogher and Walgreens, I'm giving away a $100 Walgreen Giftcard from Blogher. To enter, please leave me a comment telling me which Walgreens Brand product you'd like to try. The giveaway will run from June 6^th – June 30^th at 11:59 p.m. EST. There are also other chances to enter, so please check out the Blogher Round Up page.

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a)      Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b)      Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c)       Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d)      For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

 

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

Visit the Official Rules

Sprite Tabs for Humanity

 

When you have kids, something miraculous happens. Even the most devoted couch potato around becomes a fierce devotee of the outdoors.

Or, at the very least, you become a lover of sending the KIDS out to play outside.

I'm kidding. I think. (It's spring break here. Don't judge.)

All jokes aside, I'm a huge believer in getting kids outside to play. Fresh air seem to have a wonderful, and exhausting, effect on kids, and no one sleeps better than a 7 year old who has run her buns off all day. Play helps children to increase their problem solving abilities, helps to foster creativity (my kids come up with some crazy scenarios when they are outside), and helps them stay active while still having fun.

Getting them outside to play helps children to learn to love to run, to kick the ball and to be active in a way that doesn't seem like the work that exercise becomes as you get older. Kid who are active have a higher probability of remaining active as they grow up.

Sprite has created an initiative in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity. From the Sprite Press Releae: 

Sprite is giving consumers an easy and inexpensive way to give back to communities through the "Sprite Tabs for Habitat" program. During the month of May, look for specially marked Sprite or Sprite Zero™ multipacks or 12-oz single cans with a unique green tab and Habitat for Humanity logo. For each green tab consumers collect and mail in by May 30, 2010, Sprite will donate 10 cents to Habitat for Humanity, up to $500,000. It’s that easy. Enjoy your Sprite, recycle your can and send in the green tab.

The coolest thing ever? I'm giving away a $100 Shutterfly.com gift card to those who participate in this. Take pictures of your tabs, put them on your own blogs or facebook and leave a link. You may also enter by leaving me a comment telling me what you would do with the tabs, or even by simply sharing what you family likes to do outdoors!

Visit the Blogher Round up page for even more chances to win!

Official Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

This sweepstakes ends on 5/31 at 11:59 p.m. EST. If your name is drawn, you have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

Holiday Temptations, Part 2 - With a Visa Gift Card Giveaway!

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.

Going to a party brings a whole 'nother level of effort to the diet/exercise/healthy eating game. After all, what's the first thing you see at most parties? The FOOD.  You could sit in the kitchen and munch on celery sticks, or you could go the other route and pig out on everything in site. (The next day isn't pretty if you chose this route - don't ask me how I know...) Here are some of my tried and true party tricks.

If I know I'm going to a party, I make sure to eat a large apple on the way there. It fills me up without stuffing me, and I know that I won't go overboard on the appetizers. Speaking of which...

If I know I'm going to a party, I make sure to eat a large apple on the way there. It fills me up without stuffing me, and I know that I won't go overboard on the appetizers. Speaking of which...

Use a small plate at the buffet. Pick 3-5 foods to sample and really enjoy those, instead of loading your plate with every food offered. Instead of having eggnog or mixed drinks, white wine spritzers have a much smaller calorie load. After you have one, switch to club soda with juice and a garnish - it's festive and looks like a mixed drink but with a much smaller calorie count.

If you are a baker, like I am, make sure to share your treats. Enjoy one of two cookies and package the rest for others. Your mail man or UPS driver does a lot for you during the year - he'd probably really appreciate some cookies or fudge.

What are some of the ways that you stay fit during the holiday season? Leave me a comment sharing your ideas and you could win a $150 gift card! In addition, check out the other 17 bloggers stories of handling holiday temptations. Here are the official rules:

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a)      Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b)      Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c)       Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d)      Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

“Please keep your comments G-rated as any profanity or offensive content will automatically disqualify you from sweepstakes entry.  You should also Visit The Daily Dose of Well-Being hub to read helpful content each day and for weekly chances to win $100 at the “Play For Laughs” game. If you share a really great tip, we may even use it in The Daily Dose!”

 

LG, Texting and My Kids - The Answers!

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and LG Text Ed

 

These are the answers to the questions that you guys left for my kids to answer.

Just to clarify - my kids have bought their own phones. They pay their portion of the bill each month - $40 for Allegra, $50 for Nik. If they can't pay it, they can't use the phone. Allegra has parental controls set on her phone which cut the phone off at 9:30.

 

 

Hey it's Allegra. I'm answering these questions.

1. I guess my biggest question is, do kids really understand the dangers, or do they just give lip service to us old people who try to talk to them about it. I have tried and tried to discuss online safety with my 14 year old and all I get is "I know mom."

I understand the dangers and I try to keep myself distanced from the creeps out there. I have received weird friend requests and disturbing messages but it's really easy to just delete and ignore them.

2. Is it fair for your parents to check up on your cell phone texting etc now & then if they are footing the bill?

I feel as though it's a breach of privacy to the privilege you are giving them. But that's coming from me and I pay my own bill.

3. I'm curious to know what sort of information they'd share with a "stranger" (this could be the Facebook profile available for everyone to see, the friend of a friend of a friend, etc) online? I'm frequently amazed by the pictures that I am able to view on Facebook by people in my general network (but people that I do not know at all).

My facebook is private and I ignore all friend requests from people i don't personally know.

4. Do either one of them ever feel "the danger" of the predators on the internet? On facebook or through random texts they receive?

I realize that the danger is present, but avoid at all costs.

5. What percentage of people do they know text while driving? Any ideas how to best discourage this habit in teens?

85% I strongly discourage all my friends from texting and driving, although the majority of my peers text and drive. I usually offer to text for them while they drive.

6. Do your kids freely give out/post real names and/or numbers without a second thought? Or do they carefully consider what information they share with others online?

Nope, I don't do it, I think about what I'm posting.

7. I'm really curious as to what they and their friends think about kids who don't have cell phones. Is a teen doomed to no friends? Do they even care if their friends have phones?

All of my peers have cell phones. If you don't, it's abnormal.

8. Do your kids remain skeptical of things others reveal about themselves on the internet? How likely are they to believe someones purported age/sex/occupation?

Again, I don't accept friend requests from people I don't know, so I usually don't believe those people.

9. Do they have a plan for if their phone is stolen/misplaced, and gets into the hands of someone they wouldn't want looking at it's contents? Life can be cruel in HS, and phones become the new diary of sorts... Just thinking of the possibilities now gives me the creeps

I would be in shambles if someone had my phone. It's like a security blanket.

10. Do any of your friends NOT have cell phones? How any hours a day to you spend on your phone?

All of my friends have phones. I text in the morning before school, after school til night, then on the weekends 24/7.


And now for Nik:

1- I guess my biggest question is, do kids really understand the dangers, or do they just give lip service to us old people who try to talk to them about it. I have tried and tried to discuss online safety with my 14 year old and all I get is "I know mom.

I think kids understand the dangers as they get older and experience friends involved with the 'dangers'

2 - Is it fair for your parents to check up on your cell phone texting etc now & then if they are footing the bill?

I think if you live in the house, for free, and are under the 'age of consent' then the texts could be monitored.

3 - I'm curious to know what sort of information they'd share with a "stranger" (this could be the Facebook profile available for everyone to see, the friend of a friend of a friend, etc) online? I'm frequently amazed by the pictures that I am able to view on Facebook by people in my general network (but people that I do not know at all).

My facebook is set to as private as it goes, you can only view my profile picture, unless you're a friend.

4 - Do either one of them ever feel "the danger" of the predators on the internet? On facebook or through random texts they receive?

No I have never experienced any kind of predator.

5 - What percentage of people do they know text while driving? Any ideas how to best discourage this habit in teens?

I text while driving, many friends do, but I do not participate while driving in traffic, usually just if I am coasting to a stop or on a low traffic road.

6 - Do your kids freely give out/post real names and/or numbers without a second thought? Or do they carefully consider what information they share with others online?

I don't  usually just give out my number. Depends on the friends.

7 - I'm really curious as to what they and their friends think about kids who don't have cell phones. Is a teen doomed to no friends? Do they even care if their friends have phones?

It's easier to talk to my friends if they have phones, especially with the texting phenomenon. Many of the less popular kids at my high school did not have personal cell phones, and my social life began to expand after I started my own phone plan. 

8 - Do your kids remain skeptical of things others reveal about themselves on the internet? How likely are they to believe someones purported age/sex/occupation?

I don't have much interest in other people's facebook information.

9 - Do they have a plan for if their phone is stolen/misplaced, and gets into the hands of someone they wouldn't want looking at it's contents? Life can be cruel in HS, and phones become the new diary of sorts... Just thinking of the possibilities now gives me the creeps.

My iPhone is password protected, and after ten attempts all the data is erased, so no, I am not too worried

10 - Do any of your friends NOT have cell phones? How any hours a day to you spend on your phone?

All of my friends have cell phones, most of the time that I spend on my phone is for family or work usage. I don't spend much time on the phone for leisure time.

Holiday Temptations

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.

Having lost a large amount of weight, you might think that all is solved for me. After all, I don't have to count calories anymore, don't have to try to find exercise I like - just keep on keeping on with what I've done for the past five years and feel like I've solved the puzzle.

And then you toss in THE HOLIDAYS and the entire shebang goes to pot. Which begs the question...

How do you stay fit as the seasons change and all of the holiday temptations begin?

I've got several tricks up my sleeve.

First of all, I try to get in a good chunk of cardio every single day. I go for a walk or a short run. I play a Wii game designed to get me moving for at least 30 minutes, or I take boxing class. If I'm having trouble fitting it in, I break my exercise into smaller chunks - I've even gone to ten minute segments. Keeping myself moving every day is really important for not packing the pounds back on over the holidays.

Call a girlfriend and make an appointment to walk together every morning after the kids go to school. Walk to the grocery store if you just need a few items. Find a spin class and encourage your husband to go with you. Encourage your family to an obstacle course on a Saturday afternoon - the loser has to do dishes.

What about challenging a family member to a weight loss challenge from now until the end of the year? For every pound you gain, you add $5 to the pot - someone will have a great New Year's Eve on that money - it might as well be you!

What are some of the ways that you stay fit during the holiday season? Leave me a comment sharing your ideas and you could win a $150 gift card! In addition, check out the other 14 bloggers stories of handling holiday temptations. The official rules can be found here.

This contest will open on at 12:00 a.m. and will close on at 11:59 p.m. I'll use random.org to choose the winner, who will then have 48 hours to return my email of I'll have to chose a second winner.

We Love The NFL 'Round These Parts

This is a sponsored post by BlogHer and P&G.

I've got an 18 year old boy who loves football. And an (age kept private!) husband who loves football - almost as much as I do! Football is a great sport, and it's one that I can - and do - watch all the time. All day Sunday, Monday and Thursday nights.

We are split around these parts. We don't have a team for our state, but the closest, and therefore considered the home team, is often the Washington Redskins. My husband, who hails from New York City, is partial to the New York Giants. My mom is a fierce supporter of the Redskins - she has season tickets and everything possible to purchase in Redskins paraphernalia. My son believes that the only team worth anything is The Giants. i split the line down the middle and cheer for both. And anyone playing the Dallas Cowboys.

My guys have an entire room that they have christened The Man Cave. They have not one, not two, but THREE tvs out there in order that they not miss one second of a game. They lay in a stash of chips, sodas and beer - for the grownups - and try to cajole me into making cakes, cookies, chili or some kind of pasta dish. They always invite a dozen or so people over for Sunday.Night.FOOTBALL and it becomes QUITE the party.

Unless, you know, it's one of the games that we can'tget on our cable line up. Then they are all off to the sports bar - and I remain back at home,watching the other kids and maybe, just maybe, reading a book.

Shh. Don't tell.

Are you a fan of football? What is your team? How do you spend the time before the game, and what is your favorite way to watch the game? Do you stay home, or do you go to a sports bar?

Here’s a great opportunity to get some great prizes from one of the NFL’s sponsors, Procter & Gamble. Check out their “Take it to the House” program and photo contest, where prizes include a $10,000 community donation to support NFL PLAY 60 and an at-home visit from a local NFL legend! One lucky Grand Prize Winner will even win a trip to the 2011 Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Show us how you and your football family bring NFL game day to life at home on the NFL Facebook page (click on the contest tab)!

Also, check out the BlogHer.com exclusive offers round up page, where you can see the nineteen other blog posts!

Take it to the House

Promote Your Page Too

LG, Texting and My Kids

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and LG Text Ed

It’s been said that the online safety talk is the new sex talk. Just as difficult and just as complicated.  One of the reasons may be that we – the parents – make it more difficult than it needs to be by putting it off until our children have started to form their own (often erroneous) impressions of the facts, whether of life or simply cell phone use.

To help spread the word about the need to encourage parents to raise the issues of online and cell phone safety with their kids early and often, Blogher has requested that I interview my kids about cell phones, online safety, sexting and texting. And you, my faithful readers, are key in this initiative.

See these two kids? They are my two oldest. Nik and Allegra. Nik is 18 (appearing in his work uniform, yay!) and Allegra is close to 16 (although not close enough for her, and she's dressed for the Homecoming dance). For the purposes of this interview, I'll query either one or both. I'm going to give you the option to pick. That is, you can question one or both of them.

What would you like to ask my kids about teenagers, texting, sexting and the very real concept that online safety is just a fallacy?

Because this topic is so important for our kids and their futures, BlogHer really wants to get the conversation about texting, sexting and safety going – both with our kids and among parents. Blogher will match LG’s donation of .50 to dosomething.org for every comment on this post, so please give me your suggestions on questions for my kids. Dosomething.org will get a $1.00 for each and every one.So comment early, frequently and OFTEN! Dosomething.org is a tremendously wonderful organization with the motto: Using the power of online to get teens to do good stuff offline.

Have you seen Jane Lynch's great videos? Don’t miss Jane as she deftly doles out some tough love - with her uncompromising style - to parents who are woefully uninformed about the potentially risky ways teens are using mobile phones.

Check out this great LG/Text Ed page, chock a block full of information on the topic of teens and texting.

Check out the round up page to see the other bloggers.