Well, guys, I survived NaBloPoMo! Posting every day for the month of November has been a challenge - but my blog is better because of it.

Here are my reflections on the past month:

• The number one way to overcome writer’s block is to write. By posting every day, I have gotten the creative juices flowing. I am always on the lookout for a good topic. And my family is a great subject (much to my son’s chagrin)
• Increased readership has been a big bonus of daily posting. My subscribers have doubled from 38 subscribers on October 30 to my all time high of 73 subscribers on November 27. (If you haven’t yet subscribed be sure to click the big orange RSS button on the right or enter your email address to receive my posts in your inbox).
• Through NaBloPoMo I have found so many other great blogs and met other parenting bloggers like myself.

So while the task has been tough, the results have been so worth it!

Now my blogging buddy Sherri - The Rebel Housewife has asked the big question - “Will I continue this daily blogging pace?”

I am sure going to try. But I think I will keep weekend blogging to a minimum. My family will appreciate that!

See you on Monday.

How many of you have old, discarded cell phones lying around the house? In this age of technology cell phone providers are practically giving away phones, so it really makes no sense to hold on to your old phone for longer than your contract period.

Of course, there is a downside. The earth. With throw away techonolgy our landfills are bursting at the seams and high tech materials are not biodegradable or environmentally friendly.

So, if you care about the earth, wouldn’t you jump at the chance to recycle your old phones and help our troops at the same time?

Yesterday in USA Today, I read an article about a company called Cell Phone for Soldiers. This company sells old cell phones to a recycler for about $5 each and uses the proceeds to buy prepaid phone cards to send to the troops overseas.

Cell Phones for Soldiers is the brainchild of two teenagers from Massachusetts, Brittany and Robbie Bergquist. It all started in 2004 when they read a story about a serviceman that racked up a $7,600 phone bill when calling home from Iraq. The inequity of leaving your family behind to serve the country and then having to pay such high rates to keep in touch struck a chord with the Bergquists. Cell Phones for Soldiers was created to help troops keep in touch ease the financial burden of calling home.

The busy high school junior and sophmore continue to run the company from their home and to date have provided soliers with over $1.4 million in minutes - approximately 400,000 phone cards.

It makes a mother’s heart proud! And what a difference they are making.

You can join the effort and donate your old cell phones. The Cell Phones for Soldiers website has a list of drop off sites and a downloadable postage paid shipping label. Their mailing address is:

Cell Phones for Soldiers
c/o ReCellular
2555 Bishop Circle West
Dexter, MI 48130

1-800-426-1031

There is even a link to an application called Cell Phone Data Eraser that can help you to erase all personal information off your old phone.

You, too, can make a difference.

If you have other gadgets to dispose of, read how you can recycle computers, cell phones, digital cameras, and more for cash.

I just stumbled across this cute Christmas activity for kids.

It is a virtual gingerbread house. Kids can drag all sorts of candy onto the house and create a delectable masterpiece.

The best part - this gingerbread house has zero calories and won’t cause cavities!

a clean house + a home-cooked meal + ballet class + sports practice + carpool + homework help + bedtime book of nursery rhymes + husband working late = no blog post

Tune in tomorrow.

Erika at Momsational has another great giveaway - just in time for the holidays!

Here’s your chance to win a LeapFrog ClickStart First Computer for Kids plus Two ClickStart games. All you have to do is pop over to her site and leave a comment on the post.

Easy.