This is something I've been mulling over for some time and I've decided to open up a conversation.

I believe in Free Speech for every man, woman, and child. This is one of the best things that our country is built on. Heck, at this point, it's practically what the internet is built on.

That said - I do not believe that corporations or other entities have the same rights that people do. Corporations have access to power and resources that you and I don't. They don't walk softly. They are larger than life. Corporations are not people. They don't get to vote. They don't get rights under the Constitution or the Amendments.

Surprisingly, 80% of Americans actually agree with one another about this and are in vehement opposition to the recent Supreme Court decision. Can you believe it? Eighty-percent of Republicans, Democrats, Caucasians, African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, men, and women - we all said it together.

The rights our Founders documented are reserved for people. For us. And if we let Corporations take over the rights we enjoy and let them run with them - well, it's our own darn fault when they start running the world in way in which we don't agree.

There is over a hundred years of precedence already. There's no reason to build anymore. It's time to pay attention to the ways in which this issue will be rectified. Personally, I don't want the next election cycle brought to me by Viagra, HFCS, or ADM. It's not NASCAR or a television sitcom. It's the American political process. Let's take is seriously.

I'm enjoying the Olympics. How about you? One thing that I'm seeing more of - literally - is the agony of defeat.

Why?

I think because there is literally more television time to fill so we have the 'opportunity' to see more than just the best performances. Sometimes this is unfortunate. Like after the pairs figure skating.

Just in case you need a dose of beautiful, seamless ice skating where partners move together with their music and don't fall on their butts hop on over and watch this performance by Torvill and Dean from the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics. I guarantee that you won't be disappointed. Enjoy!

I just got an email from my local IKEA saying that if you dine at IKEA from February 18-21 they'll take the cost of your meal off of the price of any home furnishings over $100. So if you were in the market to get a new bed or sofa or bookcase or wall unit then hop on out to IKEA and have yourself some swedish meatballs - 'cause they're tasty and they'll be free:) Gotta love a Cool Idea like that!

I started doing surveys a year and a half ago when my oldest daughter was 3 and my youngest was 1 1/2. I found myself with lots of random bits of time that probably all added up to a full-time job - too much time to do nothing with. I enjoyed being home with my girls but I also needed to add income to our family as my husband's job was downsized.

I ran across a post on Deal Seeking Mom about surveys and signed up for a few and over the next few months I signed up for several more. As my children have grown and as I've found a rhythm in doing the surveys I created a system for myself.

I do the surveys when the girls are having their free play time and after they go to bed/ or nap. If they are watching a video then that's when I log in and get some surveys done because goodness knows I don't need to be totally focused on the 2,000th viewing of The Little Mermaid. If we are having constructive play, I put the computer aside and play with them but there are times we all need a break and that's when I check and see what surveys are available.

This system is working well for me. I cashout $30-50/ month or so. It took some time to get enough surveys going to get this kind of payout and I know I could do more, but at this point I don't have the time. It's a choice and a balance - to make money out of our 'down' time is a phenomenally Cool Idea!

Let's start this out right! How about a Full Size sample of Pantene Nature Fusion. Just log into your Vocalpoint account and then make your request. If you're not a member of Vocalpoint take a moment to register, it's free - and you get coupons, samples and some cool swag.

I promised I was going to do a better job this year of posting how I was doing with my resolutions - especially meal planning - and I think I can say I'm doing okay.

Here the list of my resolutions again:
1. Get serious about meal planning.
2. Continue to come up with creative solutions to add to my SAHM income.
3. I am a great writer. Whether it's non-fiction, blogging, birthday cards, or fiction. I need to make sure I give myself time to do what I enjoy.


1. Okay, meal planning is still something I need to work on. I did go through several weeks where I actually wrote what we were going to eat each evening on our family calendar. That ended when the first major snow came through and we were all home for every meal/ all day for a week. This was draining and did some major depleting of the freezer!

Now, I'm working on finding some new recipes to try so that we can have some new meals in rotation. I nearly drooled today when Tricia at Once A Month Mom posted her menu plan today and it included bacon cheeseburger meatballs. Now doesn't that sound yummy!

2. I'm continuing to do surveys and mystery shopping and it's working well. I've had to give up a couple of really good mystery shops due to the nasty weather that we've had. I have a mystery shop with a company I've never worked with before and I'm looking forward to that. I've also picked up some shops that are done on the phone which I'm looking forward to since they won't be dependent on our crazy weather and I can do them as soon as I get back from dropping the girls off at school.

3. I AM A GREAT WRITER! I'm over half way through the writing class I'm taking right now and I'm loving it - LOVING IT! This class is focusing on something I've never worried about before - discoverying the story before you sit down to write - and it's really helping me get a sense of things before I start the bulk of the writing. Surprisingly, I'm enjoying the soundtrack that I built. I listen to it all the time and I'm learning more about the story every time.

So, that's where I am. The second month of the year and still some good work ahead of me and many more Cool Ideas to discover.

The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics was like one big Hallmark moment for me. How about you?

In case you missed it here's a clip of k.d. lang singing "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen from a few years ago. Still good. The only differenc is that she wore white on Friday.

Electrolux is teaming up with Kelly Ripa again for "Kelly's Cake Off For A Cause" to support the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). This time Buddy Valastro, from TLC's "Cake Boss" has helped bake some lavish cakes to help out.

Do we get to eat these cakes? Nope. But we can vote on them! Visit Kelly-confidential.com and take your pick. For every vote Electrolux will donate a $1 to OCRF. And if that's not enough of a reason to hop over to check this out, everyone that logs into the site and sends a virtual cake is entered to win an induction range from Electrolux!

There you go. Many reasons to go to Kelly-Confidential. 1) Awareness. 2) Money for research. 3) Virtual cake that might win you a new range. I think those are definitely Cool Ideas!

Oh, we just love Children's Place at our house. It's one of the few places were the sizes are true for Comfort.

But, alas, kids grow so fast and prices are more than I'd like to pay - so I wait for good sales and great coupons.

Grab this one before it's gone. I know I'll be getting one because Comfort's pants from the beginning of school are too short already. Same is true for Joy. And if Comfort gets new pants I can hand her's down to her sister. Smart. Frugal. And Definitely a Cool Idea.

IKEA is doing FREE Breakfast again February 13-15. Check your store to make sure they are participating but I know that the Woodbridge location usually does. Just my previous experience. So, if you're off to IKEA to take advantage of the bedroom sales you might want to arrive a bit early and get a free meal. I think it's definitely a Cool Idea.