5 Things Friday

Welcome to the first installment of "5 Things Friday." Every Friday, I'll share a list of 5 things. It's pretty self-explanatory.

Today's list is (drumroll please):

5 Things I Always Have in my Purse

1. Tissues
2. Gum
3. Bottle of water
4. Chap stick
5. Dental floss

There you have it. Look for more exciting lists every Friday. Have a great weekend!

Nelson Park

I heard about a great park recently. It's called Nelson Park and it's in Plymouth, MA.

It sits right on the ocean.

It has a great splash area for the kids. They love running through the spray.

There's also a playground.

Here's Kelly and her youngest, Sean.

We were fortunate enough to get a nice shady spot.

There's no physical address for the park (that I could find). For GPS purposes use 225 Water Street, Plymouth. This is an apartment (or condo) complex. The park is just after that but before the bend in the road. They have bathrooms and a snack bar where they sell hot dogs, soda and ice cream. We find that it's best to bring a picnic. We pack a cooler and spend a few hours there.

Your best bet is to get there early, the parking lot fills up fast. Oh, and it's totally free!

TMI Tuesday

It's TMI Tuesday. I'm warning you now, it's not for the faint of heart. Don't blame me if you can't handle it. You've been warned.

I've never had a bikini wax.

TMI Tuesday. Love it or hate it, it's here to stay.

Happy Auntie's Day To Me

According to Savvy Auntie, yesterday was "Auntie's Day." I waited and waited and waited at home all day for calls and gifts and maybe a plane flying overhead professing undying love for me from my nieces and nephews. Sadly, nothing came.

I guess there's always next year. Sigh.

Bargain Hunting With the Big Guy

My dad (aka The Big Guy) always laughs when Kelly or I tell him about bargains that we find. He was mortified when we told him that we brought our lunch, PB & J, to the outlets instead of stopping at one of the restaurants there. He's totally embarrassed for us.

I stopped by The Fossil's the other day and the Big Guy couldn't wait to tell me about the bargain that he just got. I'll tell you about it in his words:

BG: "Look at dis nice shirt I got. It was $79.95, mahhked down to $29.95 and I got it for $14. Isn't that a bahhgin?"

BG: "Look at dese shots? Aren't these so hip and cool?"

I actually do like the shorts. I would never tell him though, he'd think he was cool if I did.

The Nestea Plunge

The post was written by Kelly. Part-time contributor to this blog

Remember the Nestea Plunge? Here's my little guy taking the plunge. Stay cool everyone.

TMI Tuesday

It's TMI Tuesday. I'm warning you now, it's not for the faint of heart. Don't blame me if you can't handle it. You've been warned.

I have really hairy knuckles.

TMI Tuesday. Love it or hate it, it's here to stay.

Invisalign Teen

This post was written by Kelly

Invisalign Teen is something I have been thinking about for my teenage daughter. When I was her age I had the worst teeth ever. I had overcrowding, an overbite and a really small mouth. I probably would have really benefitted form a palate expander, but they didn’t exist back then. I had to have teeth removed before they could put the braces on and then I had braces for almost 3 years. I had the type of braces with the bands that went all the way around the tooth and I had to wear a headgear (gasp). I didn’t get to wear the cute ones that were tiny and centered on the tooth like some of my friends. I truly had a “tin grin”.

My daughter is MUCH luckier than I was. Her teeth are only a little over crowded. Her dentist suggested that Invisalign may be just right for her. She wouldn’t have to have any teeth pulled either! Hmmm...this really made me think that now is the time to get my daughter braces. She would LOVE to have Invisalign. So many of her friends have the traditional braces. She doesn’t want the “tin grin” she would like to discretely have her teeth corrected. My dentist contacted my dental insurance to find out what was covered on my plan. Lucky for me a some of the cost will be covered.

I went online to do a little research and was pleasantly surprised with how many orthodontists are using Invisalign in my area.

I attended the Bloggy Boot Camp Conference in Boston a couple of months ago and Invisalign Teen was one of the sponsors of the conference. I had a chance to sit down with a couple of the ladies from Invisalign Teen and learn more about their product. To say I was impressed is an understatement.

Here are some things I learned about Invisalign Teen at the conference.

Invisalign (also known as “clear or invisible braces”) are removable appliances or “aligners” that are used to straighten teeth. For all of us who had braces as kids, think of the retainer you wore after your braces. Invisalign has products that are customized to treat both adults and teens.

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth, without metal or wires. Detailed impressions are taken of the teeth, the company utilizes proprietary 3D computer imaging technology to map the patient’s complete treatment from start to finish. Patients wear each aligners for about two weeks. During that time, the aligners gradually move their teeth to the prescribed final position.

Patients typically visit their doctor once every six weeks to ensure the treatment is progressing as planned, and to receive their next few sets of aligners.

Invisalign Teen has a couple of new features, the blue compliance indicator, that is designed to fade as the aligner is worn and they also have an Eruption Tab that accommodates the growth of secondary molars.

Why Teens Want It:

 It fits their active lifestyle. -

Since the Invisalign Aligners are comfortable and durable, it is easy for teens

to continue their favorite activities such as playing sports and musical instruments - activities that can be challenging or uncomfortable with traditional metal braces.

 It looks great. -

Invisalign's near-invisibility is still one of the most popular features for teens;

treatment is very inconspicuous, making it easier for teens to "fit in" rather

than call attention to their treatment.

 It’s removable.

Since teens can take the aligners out to brush and floss, they can maintain normal, healthy hygiene during treatment.

They can eat what they want - no forbidden foods

 It’s comfortable.

Invisalign Teen Aligners are made of lightweight plastic that is custom-fitted to each patient’s teeth.

There are no wires or uncomfortable metal brackets poking or tearing their mouths or gums.

 It’s innovative and it works.

Invisalign Teen solves an age-old problem with a new technology and a fresh

approach.

Like traditional braces, Invisalign Teen effectively straightens teeth.

For more information visit the Invisalign website.

Disclaimer: I was compensated for this post, but all opinions are 100% my own.

TMI Tuesday

It's TMI Tuesday. I'm warning you now, it's not for the faint of heart. Don't blame me if you can't handle it. You've been warned.

You do not want to be near me at the end of a hot day. I'm downright gamey.

TMI Tuesday. Love it or hate it, it's here to stay.

Skinny Cow Perfect Cup Event

Today Kelly and I went into Boston for the Skinny Cow Perfect Cup event. We had a blast! They really know how to put on an event.

The event was held at Cyclorama on Tremont Street. They even offered free valet parking. The atmosphere was ideal. Check out this couch with the cute pillows.

Everyone who attended received free drinks, ice cream, a certificate for a free bra and a goody bag on the way out.

They had several "fitters" on hand to measure people for their new bras. Here I am getting measured by Sonja.

Here's Kelly with Sonja after her fitting.

We even ran into some of our blogging friends while we were there.

(L to R: Mommy Niri, Jessica Severson, Kelly, Mommycosm, Me)

They say that 8 out of 10 women are wearing the wrong bra size. I'm one of the 8. Thanks to the fitting, I can now get the correct (more comfortable) size.

If this event comes to a city near you, I highly recommend attending.

"I know the perfect guy for you...."

Being 40 and single means that I've heard the above phrase more times than I care to remember. When I meet new women, they tend to say, "Why are you still single? I know the perfect guy for you.." Experience tells me that this "perfect guy" and I have one thing in common; we're both single. That's it. I've never been on a blind date where I had more than one or two things in common with the guy. Why people would think that I would have anything in common with a guy who scoops elephant poop in the circus, is 48 and lives with his parents, has dirty fingernails and a tattoo of a naked lady on his forearm, is beyond me. Don't get me wrong, I don't think I'm better than this guy. I just don't think we'd have much in common.

I will say that I have met some really good guys on blind dates. Unfortunately, there wasn't a spark, so we've ended up as friends.

People say that I'm too picky. I don't think that's true. Here's a quick checklist of what I look for in a guy.

A guy..

• Who makes more than $300,000 a year
• That I don't have to check his math to see if he left a reasonable tip in a restaurant
• With manners
• Who likes sports but isn't obsessed with them
• Who drives a nice car
• Who likes the beach
• Who likes women with cellulite
• Who can accept my shopping addiction
• Who likes to watch "Golden Girls"
• Who will apply sunscreen to my back but warm it up in his hands first
• Who won't try to get me to eat weird food, like lobster and scallops
• Who is close to his family
• Who likes kids
• Who doesn't mind that I don't shave my legs every day. Okay, every week.

So, if you know someone who meets ALL of the criteria above, send him my way.