Category — Mom and Dad Toys

The wife has finally given me the ok to jump into the digital age. We have been spending time at a friend’s house who has a nice HD TV and Mommy Bacchus has finally seen what all the fuss has been about. I have had plans to start getting some for the house, but not until next holiday season. Fortunately for me, she has loved watching TV in HD and wants to contribute funds to the cause. So off I went to the internet and did my research. Talked to some friends and a good buddy developed the below list that I found very helpful.

• Darkest blacks possible
• 120 Hz is better
• DLP is the best for the price
• LCD is the best picture
• Plasma has a better picture but they’re about to be discontinued because of problems
• Mitsubishi probably the best big screen maker
• Measure how far your seat is from where the TV will be and get that distance away at the store
• Go HDMI – go digital its worth it but don’t buy expensive cables because digital is always digital – a 1 is a 1 and a 0 is a 0
• Fry’s is a good place to shop – online is a better place to buy
• Go with the picture you like the most and pay few hundred extra if you have to. You don’t want to be stuck with a TV you’re not happy with a year down the road and you could’ve spent just a few extra bucks.
• The TV will look bigger in your house than it does on the show room – trust me on that one

We were limited in the size that we could get, but got the best we could afford and fit in the space we planned for it. MB had been talking with her friends and decided that because of the two active kids we have, she made one hard requirement.

The Ultimate Mommy Toy: HD Flat Screen TV Wall Mounting

Because a couple of MB’s friends had children involved with some type of accident with the flat screen TV, she insisted that the TV be mounted on the wall. Initially it didn’t bother me because the mounts I saw in the stores cost a $100-200, but the real problem was the cost to get someone to actually do the mounting for you. Wow!!!! It was almost the cost I paid to buy the TV. I bit the bullet and got someone reputable. MB knows that I am good for finding a friend of a friend, but mounting a TV is not something you want to trust to just anyone. I decided to go with Circuit City Firedog service, and hopefully everything will go well.

Now What???

Since we needed the TV mounted and the existing TV stand would have to be taken down, MB thought that I would just leave the TV in the box and wait until the installers came. Nope, not gonna happen. I had the TV out of the box within 30 minutes after we got it in the house. Put it in the bedroom for the time being and watched my first show on fuzzing regualr TV. Oh, did I forget to mention that I now need to get a new satellite box that will bring the HD signal to the new TV. Oh, and you need to purchase HD wiring, Oh, and you need HD package for your satellite service……..IEverytime I looked up there was another “Oh.” I just hope everything will turn out ok. If anyone can think of anything that I missed, please share what you know.

The winter months usually has my skin feeling like a brown paper bag in the mornings. For years I have searched for a more affordable solution that has an acceptable smell and convenient to purchase. Because my skin gets so dried out during the winter I am usually forced to purchase an expense over the counter moisturizing product that is hard to find. The one sure thing I have used is the bath and body works body cream products but that works well for the wife and kids but the scents don’t go well with my personality, if you know what I mean. Plus paying $ 12 for 8 oz of a product.

Last year I ran across a new Gold Bond product that came in a small travel-like container that I used primarily for my dry hands. Once they came out with a larger version of 14 oz for body use I was sold. No more dry skin in the morning and I still use it for my hands. I have shared it’s use with friends and some men use it after shaving as an alternative to after shave balm. My oldest son uses it for his dry skin and the wife looks for it when she runs out of her products. Overall its a product I highly recommend and suggest its use. It can be found at any drug store or discount super store. You may have trouble finding it so look on the top and bottom shelves.

Good Luck my fellow dry skin people.

I support him so much I joined a group of bloggers (Shawn at Dallas South Blog) who share stories and resources for posting materials about the Senator. There are many reasons my support is behind Mr. Obama and I will make some of them apparent in the next few weeks in an effort to spread his words and ideals. If you also support the Senator, please consider joining our efforts and sharing your support by adding the button on the left. I wrote a post on the Bloggers4Obama site suggesting ways fellow bloggers can get involved. The week prior to the Texas and Ohio primaries we are planning something special so stop by for updates on our efforts.

How Bloggers can help Senator Obama

If you would like to learn more about the Senator, consider one of the books I identified in my left sidebar or visit the official Obama site as a resource.

The other week I joked about this being one of the few shows I would watch during the writer’s strike, but have now found that my oldest son loves the show. He gets into some of the Gladiator personalities and has claimed that powerball is his favorite event.

I have to admit that as a teenager in the 80’s I watched the show every time it was on. Maybe I didn’t notice how cheesy it was back then, but I have found several problems with the current version.

• The Contender Comments before and after each event seem so scripted.
• Couldn’t they find a ref who shows some semblance of athletic ability. His gut is bigger than mine.
• What’s up with Ms. Ali’s wardrobe. She’s a stunning lady, so please give her some sense of fashion and stop making her look like a jock in a dress.
• We need more personality from the female Gladiators. Other than Helga, the rest look like robots.
• Hulk Hogan, love your enthusiasm, but he has more than the competitors. Let’s take it down a notch.

So, those are my thoughts and we look forward to the finals next week.

I have been ordering Greenberg Smoked-Turkeys for about 5 years.  It takes the hassle out of cooking the big bird and makes a wonderful gift item to send to family members who are unable to be with you during the holidays.  I usually order a 8-10 lb bird and now have a separate frig in my garage to store it, because once you open it, everything in your frig will have to smoked favor also.   It is a family run business located in Tyler, TX and they don't take credit cards or payment until after the holidays.  It usually costs $3.65 a pound and you can eat it right out of the bag once delivered.  Order your today to insure Turkey Day delivery. You can order online or contact one of their "like-family" staff will assist you. (903) 595-0725.

With all the violence in the world these days, I thought I'd turn my attention to a more peaceful topic of discussion. While running Parenting Toys I have met some wonderful people along the way; Tricia , Izzy , MetroDad , Miss Lady Maam , Yellowdoggranny and others.]  Recently, something inspiring happened to me in the blogging world, and I just had to share with all.

If you read Parenting Toys in May, you may have noticed that I am a big Grey's Anatomy fan.   Lisa left a comment asking if someone could make a tape of the season-ending episode.  Since I had recorded it on my trusty [DVR,] I offered to do it for her.  She offered to pay me for my time and inconvenience, but I was happy to do it free of charge since she was also a fan.   Although it took me a couple of weeks to get around to making the copy, I was still glad to help someone out.  Two weeks later I received a letter of thanks from Lisa and a $25 gift card to Best Buy. 

Is that not the greatest thing or what? 

I was totally surprised and grateful for the kind gesture.  As a result, I have been holding onto the gift card for weeks because I have been saving my pennies for a new digital camera.  I currently have a 3 mega-pixel Kodak, but want to upgrade to something that would keep me from taking pictures of my thumb.  Since my birthday is coming up soon, I have been telling family members that I would love to receive additional Best Buy gift cards.  Hopefully I will have enough to get that camera sooner than I had planned.

Sometime ago I also posted about the "Kindness Project ." It's a way to spread kindness by giving people kindness coins when a good deed is done.  So as a result, I am sending Lisa a Kindness Coin and hope that she passes the kindness along.  Today also starts my campaign for the "Be kind to Bloggers Day." Try to do something kind to another blogger and as the movie suggested, "Pay it Forward."

By the way, Lisa runs Lady Bug , an environmentally responsible pest control company. Stop by and say, "hello."

If we can put a man on the moon, develop wireless phone technology, and give people the abilityto pause live television, why can't we create a single machine that will wash and dry a load of laundry???

The much anticipated Blackberry 7130c has made a unofficial appearance on the internet. The photos of the unreleased Blackberry 7130c have been leaked on the internet.

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My wife traded in her SUV for a Mini-Van this weekend…….My co-workers tell me that since I now drive a “loser cruiser” my cool points = 0. 

I went to the dealer kicking and screaming, but soon changed my tune.  She had a Honda Pilot and wanted something more family friendly. I found that the Odyssey did have more room and is longer than the SUV.  It also has more storage compartments and plenty of cup holders.  So I give it two thumbs up…..Plus the sliding side doors are “Daddy Cool.” If I had any complaint, it would be that some of the cup holders are not deep enough, but I can live with that.

Late yesterday afternoon I received flowers from Mommy Bacchus. Yes, a husband received flowers from his wife, not the other away around. What’s more surprising is that they were not “dog house” flowers but “just because” flowers. The card read the following:

You are a wonderful husband and great father, your wife–Mommy Bacchus

So let me publicly state to the internet world, “Thank You Mommy Bacchus.” See this is the result of loving and appreciating my wife to the fullest extent. Nothing more, nothing less.

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