Once a kid hits about 9 years old, figuring out what to send him/her for Christmas is impossible – we send cash.
Usually I get a card that holds cash, but this year I went in a different direction – Aggravation Wreath.
If you can’t figure out why it’s called an “Aggravation Wreath” try taking it apart to spend it!

Here’s how to make a Dollar Wreath.

1) Grab a buck and have about 15 to 17 on hand

2) Turn it upside down

3) Fold it in half

4) Fold it in half the other way and make a good crease, then unfold just this fold.

5) Using the second fold as a marker for the middle of your dollar, fold into a point.

6) Flip it over

7) Fold each of the flaps up – this is impossible to explain so look at the picture.

8 ) Fold the little bottom flaps into a triangle inward.

9) Fold the little flaps up so you have a triangle.

10) I don’t know why I’m typing instructions, they don’t make sense – look at the pictures.

11) Fold the whole thing in half so you’re making a smaller triangle

Make Several.

12) The open end has 2 little pointed ends, the other end has 2 little openings.
Slide the pointed ends into the openings of another folded dollar.

13) Make a circle by repeating step # 12.

14) Decorate.

Hints:
I use 20 – $1′s and 1 – $5 = $25
Don’t “Stick” the bills together with tape or any other sticky substance – you wan’t them to come apart at some part.

When the old Newt boy suggested that we use child labor in our schools to clean toilets and maintain electrical circuitry, this passage from Scrooge was the first thing that came to mind.

Click Images to Enlarge

Oh why?
Today my dearest friend and her children came over to play. Our kids are around the same ages so it works out perfectly.

The older 2 thought it funny to spell out dirty words using the Leap Frog letters. Words like “Poop” and “Fart”

And according to my darling daughter “Balls” ….. and she added, as she was literally rolling on the floor laughing “He didn‘t mean ‘like the kind you bounce’ either.” laugh, laugh, laugh!
Apparently they were trying to out do each other in a game of “Who can spell the most dirty words”

I reminded her that we don’t use words like that, which she ignored and said “I wish I could spell like he does”

And I replied with the STUPIDEST thing I could have ever said “You can‘t spell Balls?”

What on earth possessed me to say that? Of course she can! But until that moment it hadn’t occurred to her that “the kind that bounce” and the kind that grow on boys were spelled the same way – you know, until Mommy filled in the blanks!

It’s pretty simple, but it also depends on what kind of computer you have.
We’re going to start with a regular old Desktop Windows type computer.
(For Laptop/Notebook directions, please Read the Desktop instructions because they apply, but also read the Laptop instructions at the bottom of this page.)

1. Open Paint.
This pretty much works in any photo editor where you can open a blank screen. However Windows comes with Paint and since most people reading this use some version of Windows – Paint it is!

2. Now it’s time to take the screenshot – since you are reading THIS – we’re going to make it simple for you, you can take your first screenshot right here. Keep reading.

3. Every computer is a little different, but for the most part it all works the same way. Look at the top row of your keyboard. See the F keys? They are at the VERY top of your keyboard – there, got them now?
Go all the way over to the F12. Next to F12 you will see a Print Screen key.
On many desktop computers all you need to do is press Print Screen and the image will be copied to the clip board. Press Print Screen now and just read over the other options quickly incase this first option doesn’t work.

Option b. Hold DOWN ctrl with your left index finger and while still Holding Down the ctrl key tap the Print Screen key with your right index finger.

Option c. And this one rarely works, but on a very few computers you can hold down alt and press the Print Screen key and that will save it. But I’ve only seen that work once on a very old version of Windows.

4. Now that you’ve pressed the Print Screen key bring the Paint program back up.
Click somewhere in the middle of the blank screen in Paint.
HOLD DOWN ctrl with your Left index finger and tap V with your Right index finger and you should see your screenshot.

If you do not see your screenshot, then go back and try Option b.

5. Edit the screenshot as you wish, then save it.

You’re done!
Now that you got it, go take screenshots of everything! Post them to FaceBook!

LapTops!
The idea is the same with a Laptop or Notebook, but since the devices are smaller so are the keyboards and that means the designers tend to use other types of function keys.

I’m using a Windows 7 HP Laptop. The keyboard is setup a little different. There is an “fn” near the space bar and “insert” key doubles as the Print Screen key when the “fn” is depressed.
The technique is the same, I hold down the “fn” key with my left index finger and I strike the insert/prt sc key with my right.

Then I continue to Paint and continue with #4.

SIDE NOTE: Why do I tell people to use their Left index finger and so on?
Most people will figure it out – when I say “press and hold the whatever key, then while holding the whatever key, press such and such.”
But believe it or not, I have received many emails from people who ask “How do I hold down one key and press another at the same time?”
It happens with EVERY How To post.
If you didn’t need to be told HOW to hold down one key while pressing another, consider yourself one of the more educated web users. However, this cuts down on the amount of “I don’t understand” emails I receive.

I’m pretty sure I’ve written this one out in some form before, but this is exactly what you need to do to post your FaceBook Fan Page link into your eBay auction/store listing.

1. Start your auctions like you normally would. Get all the way down to description, including filling in your description, before you come back here.

2. Now that you have your product description written you’ll see 2 tabs above marked “Standard” and “HTML”
Click on the tab marked HTML.

3. Do NOT touch any of the code already there. If you are not familiar with coding, and if you are reading this I have to assume you’re not, scroll down to the bottom of the box and paste your code there. Just until you get comfortable with pasting this code. Once you become a master at it, put it where ever you like.

4. Click the Standard Tab.
You will no longer see the code, just your link.

5. Continue on with your listing like you normally would. Test out the link after you finish your listing. You can always edit your listing later if there is a problem.

This is a link to the sample code: http://how2doeverything.info/downloads/howToAddALinkToAnEbayListing.txt
Information will open in a new window.

This is very simple and an easy way to build traffic and returning traffic.

1) Go to the profile @BloggersVillage on twitter.

2) You will see your tribe members posts. Each time you see “twrt.me/something” Right Click the twrt.me/ link

3) Then Left Click “Open in new tab”

A new tab will open – USUALLY behind the current tab you have open.

 
I do steps 2 and 3 very quickly about 20 times, then I go and tend to my kids. I come back in 5 or so minutes, close the first 20 tabs I opened, then do steps 2 and 3 again for the next 20 tweets.

Just leave the links open for a few minutes, close the tabs, then do it again. We suggest 15 minutes to ½ hour, but there’s no real time limit.

Either Maria or I will create a reminder post on our the Blogger’s Village Triberr everyday – or we’ll try to. lol

FarmVille, CafeWorld, FrontierVille, TreasureIsle $20 Gift Card Give Away

{Contest Now Open World Wide – see rules}

Saw this and thought of you, my friends.

Again, no review, just a give away. Really, do you want to read a review? No you don’t.
Do you want to log into FaceBook and play Farmville or Café World? Yes, you do.
You’re probably logged into FaceBook now. You probably saw in your feed before jumping to Frontierville and thought HOLD UP WHAT’S THAT?!?!?!

You want it.
You need it.

Tell a friend. If they post your name as a referral, I’ll give you 2 more entries. Two entries for EACH friend – Remember I track IP addresses, so don’t try to pass yourself off as a friend, I can tell.

Win It: FarmVille, CafeWorld, FrontierVille, TreasureIsle $20 Gift Card

Required Entry: You must post 1 comment leaving with an email address where you can be reached. PLEASE put your email address is the space provided. Please don’t post your email address in your comment.
There is No need to put your email address in the comment, just put it in the area provided.
Please read the rules before entering. Giveaway open World Wide (you must post in English and I must be able to ship to your country – NOT responsible for cards lost in the mail!) must be 18yrs old or older to enter.

Additional Entries available after required entry has been fulfilled.
One Entry for Each of the following:
Like StuckAtHomeMom on Facebook (…and feel free to leave a link to your Mommy Blog on my Fan Page)
Follow @stuckathomemom on Twitter
Follow my blog Publicly through Goggle Friend Connect (found on the side bar)
If you already follow this blog, please post and let me know. If you already follow that is an entry and you don’t have to do anything other than post a comment :)

10 Extra Entries
Blog about this contest, using a text link to this post, on your blog for 10 extra entries.

Daily Unlimited Entries:
Share this giveaway on Facebook by clicking the Facebook button below. Limited to 1x an Hour so you don’t make your friends crazy by clicking any more than that. Make sure you make it public so I can verify.
TWEET this Giveaway on TWITTER, Limited to 1x an Hour. You may tweet this if you like:
I entered to win a $25 Farmville Gift Card @StuckAtHomeMom You should too! http://www.stuckathomemom.com Ends 7/31/11 #Giveaway

5 extra entries.
Post my button on your blog. Remember to leave a link to your blog in your comment.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. The number of comments are entered and picked randomly, so you want to add a separate comment for each entry.

Disclaimer: NO monetary compensation was received for this promotion. I did not receive a free product for promotional purposes. This product was purchase by Stuck At Home Mom. Stuck At Home Mom is sponsoring this contest.

RULES: Giveaway open World Wide (you must post in English and I must be able to ship to your country – NOT responsible for cards lost in the mail!), 18 yrs or older. Only 1 person per household may enter. Rules must be followed and required entry must be answered. All entries of winner pulled will be validated for winning. Giveaway ends July 31, 2011 at 11:59 Est. Winner will be selected using Random.org and all entries will be verified. Then I will email you and give 72 hours to respond. In the event of no response a new winner will be chosen. The Stuck At Home Mom holds no warranty or guarantee. Blogger has the right to refuse duplicate winners from other blogs. Blogger has the right to end giveaway without notice for any reason.

I’m giving away a $25 Chili’s Gift Card – Again!
…. and I’m not even going to make you read a long boring review!
Why? You ask.
Because, I’m trying to build my membership, my views, my PR.
You don’t want to read a long boring review – do you?

You already LOVE Chili’s. Everyone Loves Chili’s. You know what they serve and YOU WANT IT!
That’s why you’re here – right?

You don’t need me to tell you how awesome they are, you’re going to skip the review anyway and you’re going to enter no matter what I write because – YOU LOVE CHILI’s!

Here’s how you enter:

Win It: $25 Chili’s Gift Card

Required Entry: You must Subscribe 2 My Blog (see top of next column) and post 1 comment leaving with an email address where you can be reached. Email address are not published if you put the email address in the space provided.
There is NO need to put your email address in the comment, just put it in the area provided.
Please read the rules before entering. U.S only must be 18yrs old or older to enter.

Additional Entries available after required entry has been fulfilled.
One Entry for Each of the following:
Like StuckAtHomeMom on Facebook (…and feel free to leave a link to your Mommy Blog on my Fan Page)
Follow @stuckathomemom on Twitter
Follow my blog Publicly through Goggle Friend Connect (found on the side bar)

10 Extra Entries
Blog about this contest, using a text link to this post, on your blog for 10 extra entries.

Daily Unlimited Entries:
Share this giveaway on Facebook by clicking the Facebook button below. Limited to 1x an Hour so you don’t make your friends crazy by clicking any more than that. Make sure you make it public so I can verify.
TWEET this Giveaway on TWITTER, Limited to 1x an Hour. You may tweet this if you like:
I entered to win a $25 Chili’s Gift Card @StuckAtHomeMom You should too! http://www.stuckathomemom.com Ends 7/10/11 #Giveaway

5 extra entries.
Post my button on your blog. Remember to leave a link to your blog in your comment.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. The number of comments are entered and picked randomly, so you want to add a separate comment for each entry.

Disclaimer: NO monetary compensation was received for this promotion. I did not receive a free product for promotional purposes. This product was purchase by Stuck At Home Mom. Stuck At Home Mom is sponsoring this contest.

RULES: Giveaway open to U.S Residents Only, 18 yrs or older. Only 1 person per household may enter. Rules must be followed and required entry must be answered. All entries of winner pulled will be validated for winning. Giveaway ends July 10, 2011 at 11:59 Est. Winner will be selected using Random.org and all entries will be verified. Then I will email the winner and give 72 hours to respond. In the event of no response a new winner will be chosen. The Stuck At Home Mom holds no warranty or guarantee. Blogger has the right to refuse duplicate winners from other blogs. Blogger has the right to end giveaway without notice for any reason.

Once upon a time in my 20’s I lived in Philadelphia. And once upon my 20’s the Big City Philly Girl returned to visit her roots in Maine.
I was visiting my father for a week when he realized the clerk at Ye Ol’ Wheels and Deals forgot to charge my father for 2 of the 4 tires they had put on his truck.
My Dad’s response: Just Great! Now I have to go back down to Windham in the morning to pay for those.
My response: Why? (sarcastically)
My Dad’s response: Because I didn’t pay for them.

So!?! It wasn’t Dad’s fault. He was there, wallet in hand, ready to pay for the tires – all 4 of them – the clerk messed up.

Fast forward 15 years.

I’m coming out of the market with my 6 y/o with a pissy attitude and my screeching 3 y/o when I realize that the cucumbers look like they haven’t moved in over an hour – pretty much since I put them into the cart at the beginning of the trip.
My response: Oh Crap O La!
My Daughter: What’s wrong mom.
I search the receipt – “the clerk forgot to charge me for those 2 cucumbers“
Odd look from my 6 y/o.
Me: That means We didn’t pay for them.
Keeper: Mom we can’t take things without paying for them, that’s stealing.

I looked at my 3 year old, who it took every last bit of my strength to strap her into that car seat, as she continued to kick and scream and I knew without a doubt that there was no excuse I could come up with that would be able to keep me from going back into that store, up to the service desk and paying for those 2 stupid cucumbers – Oh and did I mention it was pouring rain!

Before I could say a word, Keeper unbuckled her seatbelt and jumped out of the truck. I handed her the cucumbers as I climbed back into the super cab to release our Tasmanian Devil and in we walked.
The entire time my oldest telling everyone that “We didn‘t pay for these so we have to bring them back so we can pay for them or that‘s stealing.” All the time she was acting as if I’m the superhero because we went back into the store to pay the $1.36.

Fast Forward 2 weeks.

Today I’m in the market – joyful that the girls are in school and I have time to shop by myself. As I’m filling the truck with bags I realize – yup the wine coolers are in the same place as the cucumbers were 2 weeks ago. A quick scan of my receipt shows that I wasn’t charged for my alcohol – I sigh. Hang my head. Take a very deep breath. And yes, I walked my ass back into the market with my 4 pack to pay for the stupid wine coolers.

If I don’t live the example every day, I won’t remember to live the example when it’s important.

Why have I never heard of this!?!?! WOW
Cake in a mug is something that is fun to do with kids and even if you only “bake” once or twice a year, you are bound to have everything in your kitchen.

This is a recipe Irene emailed me , the winner of the Xpress Redi Set Go earlier this month.

I don’t think I need to go looking for a better recipe, this was probably the best chocolate cake I’ve ever tasted.

Cake In A Mug
* 4 TBSP of Self Rising Flour (use plain flour and 1/4 tsp baking powder in place of-that’s what I did-who the hell has self rising flour in their pantry’s!?)
* 2 TBSP Sugar
* 2 TBSP cocoa powder
* 1 egg
* 3 TBSP milk
* 3 TBSP butter (melted)
* 1/2 tsp or so of vanilla
* 2 TBSP chocolate chips I didn’t have chips so I grated 4 Hershey Kisses.

Melt the butter. (I‘m assuming you should do this first in the mug you‘re going to use.)
Place all ingredients in a large mug.
Mix well (I used a kitchen fork)
Place in microwave and cook for 3 minutes (keep an eye on it, all microwave ovens are not the same)
LET IT COOL. Sprinkle with powder sugar if desired.

[I used the Xpress Redi Set Go, mixing everything in a small bowl first.]
Do the same for the Xpress cooker. You can either mix everything in the mug or a small bowl. Heat the Xpress cooker, then pour everything in. Cook for about 4-5 minutes. Check after 4 to make sure the middle is cooked. I lined the Xpress cooker with tinfoil (something that is NOT recommended) so my cake cooked in 5 minutes.

Rather you use the microwave or the Xpress Redi Set Go – you get this cute little personal size chocolate cake – or if you have little girls, like I do, you get a cute little cake for 3 – perfect for tea parties.