Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Help! My Internet Is Down!

One of the most frightening things that happen these days, sadly, is when the internet goes down. Of course, it isn't an emergency but, it is terribly annoying when you have a gazillion bills to pay, emails to open and reply to, several blog posts, scheduled social media posts, grocery orders, homeschool lessons, and you need to put money on your school kid's lunch accounts and check their grades.

Unfortunately, we seem to rely on the internet a little too much. Although, a lot of places, including schools, make it difficult not to. I also rely on it as a full-time job so it is necessary to have reliable service.

Verizon cell phone data is available but for a pretty hefty price. We do have data on our plan but my husband uses the majority of this while driving truck. He needs it to access maps, check traffic situations, most of the brokers and companies he deals with use some sort of website for everything. So, the leftover data allowance isn't much.

I tried to salvage what I could so I could check in on social media accounts, catch a few Pokemon, and check in with my internet service provider to see what kind of progress was being made on the outage. We have been having outages quite a bit lately. Since last fall to be exact. So, I'm in the market for a new provider. We live in a very rural area so we don't have much to choose from. matter of fact, we have just 2 options. (We had just one option until about a year ago.)

The kids have been a little annoyed due to not having access to certain games, apps, Youtube, and Instagram accounts, (Our 10-year-old was recently allowed to create an Instagram.) Apparently, this was only for her to follow One Direction and everybody in One Direction and post pictures of none other than, One Direction. She does manage to fit in a few minutes a day to message a couple of her friends, though! But when they start asking things like, "What are we supposed to do?" (Actually, it's more like, "WAT are we supposed to doooooowhohoooo?") I start to think that maybe they're on to much.

We do have times they are allowed to be online and there are "no screen times" each day and at meals. But, if they seriously can't find something to do with their time when the internet is down, it makes me think I should cut that time in half yet again. I mean, after all, I found plenty to do when I was a kid without internet!

Times are different and most kids have learning apps and even their schools have different websites and accounts to log onto. They read books on their tablets nowadays and can even play video games. They can chat with friends who live far away or just across town. This all got me thinking of each individual activity that is done online and what could replace it offline?

It is very hard to replace everything since it seems to be so hard to find a house phone that isn't being used as just a fax. I haven't even seen a pay phone in years! Letter writing is nice but we can't mail to an @ symbol. We need a physical address. (Pen pals are being worked on, though!) Video games can be played on a console or in the form of board games, card games, or any of the other several games we have. (We love board games and cards at our house!) Books and research, well, I am not particularly fond of eBooks so we have an extensive, physical library inside the house. Research is done often online since I haven't purchased a new set of encyclopedias in many years. There are plenty of toys here, plenty of crafts, we all love to bake and cook so we have that too! (If the weather was nicer outside, they'd be out there digging holes and drawing with sidewalk chalk.) I decided to add more things to our "power is out" or "the internet is out" bins.

We have a toy bench filled to the brim with board games and cards. There are some crafts in there as well. Then there is a massive bin filled with googly eyes, paper, crayons, colored pencils, various pipe cleaners, pom poms, paints, foam stickers, fabric paints, everything and anything that can be used to occupy kids of all ages. My favorite would be the drawer in the end table that has every set of Rory's Story Cubes ever created, tons of National Geographic books and Mad Libs and a few Farmers Almanacs. Believe it or not, that is the most used drawer in the whole house.

Even when the internet is up and running, the most fun times at our house are family time. Whether that is just watching movies, baking cookies, or playing games, it really doesn't matter.

What are some fun things you do when the power is out or you don't have WiFi?

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Fresh Step Compact Packs Giveaway

Fresh Step Compact Packs Giveaway
Featuring
Fresh Step Compact Packs


Sponsored by:
Fresh Step®
Hosted By
~1 Winner~
Open to US
2/12  12am ~ 2/26 11:59pm
~Prize~
5 Winners will receive 
Fresh Step Fresh Step Compact Packs
(an $18 coupon each)

Find Fresh Step®   on social media
~Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram~

Check out Fresh Step® Paw Points®
The Fresh Step® Paw Points® program is free to join—and it’s easy to rack up the rewards:
1. Join the Paw Points® program.

2. Collect points from purchases, sharing pics of your favorite kitties, filling out surveys and more.

3. Redeem points for free litter, coupons, cat toys and more.
 A special shout out to our Co-Hosts 
Deliciously Savvy
&
 IMHO Views Reviews and Giveaways
Now for the fun stuff. This giveaway is open to US. There are daily bonus entries so please check back tomorrow. Share it with your family and friends, they'll want to enter to win too!!

I can't ask you to "Like" our pages but, if you see something you like, let us know so we can bring you more of it.
We LOVE it when you "LIKE" our pages.

a Rafflecopter giveaway   If you have any questions about this giveaway,  reviews, or any of our other giveaways, please feel free to email us directly at grovesamy81@gmail.com or amy@aarlreviews.com

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Win An Apple Watch + $50 From BeeSavy




Did you realize you can save even more money when you shop online? Not only is it easier to shop online – you can save more money and get paid to shop! Yes – shopping online lets you search for the best deal and when you shop through Beesavy you will earn cash back on all your online purchases. If you have never been paid to shop online, you are going to love this! It’s just 1 extra step and you shop. Beesavy keeps track of your purchases and gives you cash back on your purchases. Here are a few examples:
  • Walmart – 2%
  • Best Buy – 1.5%
  • Uber – up to $50
  • Hotels.com – 2%
  • 101 inks – 14%
  • Ancestry.com – up to $8.75
There are over 2,000 of the top online brands where you can earn cash back! All your purchase will add up and Beesavy will send you money! Use this “free” money to pamper yourself or put it away for a mini getaway.




How to earn cash back with Beesavy:

  • Click here to join and use the referral code ****ENTER YOUR CODE HERE****
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BONUS - If you shop online through Beesavy and you win this giveaway, Beesavy will give you an $50 bonus into your account!

Do you want to know what’s even better? Getting paid when your friends shop! And that’s what makes Beesavy’s social shopping concept so unique. Refer your friends to Beesavy and you will earn a 10% cash back bonus whenever they shop! This isn’t a limited time offer, you will earn this bonus forever…there is no limit!




Giveaway Details:

  • Apple Watch + $50 bonus if you have made a purchase through your Beesavy account.
  • Dates: February 7-24 2017.
  • US Only
  • Use this link to join because it is an entry below. Make sure you add code Busymommylist
Enter on the Giveaway Tool Below:

Friday, February 3, 2017

Rustic Pathways I Love Travel Giveaway

Rustic Pathways I Love Travel Giveaway

Sponsored by:
Rustic Pathways
Hosted By
~1 Winner~
Open to US
2/1  12am ~ 2/15 11:59pm
~Prize~
$500 Travel Gift Certificate 
(either airline or hotel)

A special shout out to our Co-Hosts 
 Deliciously Savvy,  Fabulous and Brunette, Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains, IMHO Views Reviews and Giveaways InezbyDesign,  Michigan Saving and More, and Oh My Heart


Rustic Pathways is a leader in providing superior quality international community service, education, and adventure programs for students around the globe. Rustic Pathways was founded in 1983 and offers spring and summer break experiences as well as Gap Year programs and customized experiences for educators and small groups.

Operating in over 20 different countries, Rustic Pathways focuses on areas of interest from public health, medicine, and education to the environment and community service. 80 percent of Rustic Pathways travel programs involve a service element where students give back to the communities they are visiting. From Morocco to Myanmar, each program is designed to help students make meaning of their travel experiences, identify interests and passions, gain confidence, and grow as individuals.

Across the globe, Rustic Pathways employs local staff and fosters lasting relationships with the communities in which it operates, enabling students to have immersive and authentic travel and service experiences. Rustic Pathways  was recently voted the Best Youth Tour Operator at the 2015 World Youth Student and Travel Conference (WYSTC) by 7,500 young travelers. 

For more information call 800.321.4353 or visit  RusticPathways.com. You can also follow the company on Facebook or Instagram, watch  Rustic Pathways  on YouTube and check out the Rustic Pathways LinkedIn  page.  
Now for the fun stuff. This giveaway is open to US. There are daily bonus entries so please check back tomorrow. Share it with your family and friends, they'll want to enter to win too!!

I can't ask you to "Like" our pages but, if you see something you like, let us know so we can bring you more of it.
We LOVE it when you "LIKE" our pages.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
  If you have any questions about this giveaway,  reviews, or any of our other giveaways, please feel free to email us directly at grovesamy81@gmail.com or amy@aarlreviews.com