Raising Funds for Make A Wish Foundation

I had to share this wonderful press release about pediped® shoes and the Make a Wish Foundation. The Make a Wish Foundation is very near and dear to my heart and my family as I had two cousins that were diagnosed with a terrible degenerative disease (Batten's Disease) that there is no cure. Neither of the girls lived past their early teens. Make a Wish Foundation played a VERY BIG part in their lives and that of my aunt and uncle.

More than 50 well-known entertainers and athletes will participate in Stars for a Wish, an online auction of autographed pediped® baby shoes to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The auction will run Oct. 25-Nov. 5th (NEW EXTENDED DATE) on Charity Buzz.  Celebrities who signed pediped® baby shoes for the auction include:

MOVIES               

Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Pierce Brosnan, Andy Garcia, Molly Ringwald, Rachel Weisz

TELEVISION

Tim Allen, Courtney Cox Arquette, Marcia Cross, Jennie Garth, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Heidi Klum, Charlie Sheen, Jon Stewart, Allison Sweeney

 MUSIC                  

 Clay Aiken, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Ed Roland

SPORTS

Jerome Bettis, Anna Kournikova, Shaquille O’Neal, Mark Teixeira, J.D. Drew, David Ortiz, Adam LaRoche

Recipients will receive the shoes attractively displayed in a cherry-finished shadow box or clear acrylic box complete with an engraved plaque. 

The Stars for a Wish fundraiser has a minimum goal of $25,000, which will help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. One-hundred percent of the funds raised through the auction will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“We were overwhelmed by the willingness of so many celebrities, many of them already familiar with our brand, to generously help us support this cause,” said Angela Edgeworth, President and Co-Founder of pediped® footwear. “Now it’s all up to the public to bid high for these shoes so they not only receive a beautifully presented keepsake from their favorite celebrity, but more importantly, so they will be helping children facing life-threatening medical conditions.”

To learn more about the Stars for a Wish fundraiser and to view a complete list of participating celebrities, visit www.pediped.com/stars.

About pediped®

Pediped® footwear was launched in 2004 by Angela and Brian Edgeworth in their quest for the perfect soft-soled shoe for their first daughter. Exceptional quality, unsurpassed comfort and distinctive styling have made the award winning company one of the fastest-growing children's footwear brands in the United States.  Pediped® footwear is sold in over 2500 stores in the United States and 40 countries worldwide with an offering of more than 120 designs for boys and girls between their two lines, Originals and Flex. Originals (soft-soled shoes for newborns to age 2+) and Flex (rubber-soled shoes for children 1-6 years) are available in EU sizes from 20 to 29. For more information, visit www.pediped.com or call 1-702-567-0311.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 180,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish^®.
[Source: Hilary Abbott Communications, Inc., 2009]

(Kenny Chesney)

(Courtney Cox)

(Heidi Klum)

*Five Fish always blog ethically and with transparency. Click HERE!

Santa Fish is Coming to Town

Can you believe that we are more than three-quarters through 2009?! I know I cannot believe how fast time has flown. I can tell you that we have 75 days until Christmas!

THAT'S IT! ES TODO!

So if you are like me and wait until the VERY last minute to shop, or you finally get the nerve to rouse in the morning before 4am to fight all those lovely Black Friday shoppers, like I did last year. Well you are in luck!

I, Karie, aka Mrs. Fish, am compiling the ultimate gift guide for you! These lovely gifts will be oh so unique that your recipient will be swooning in joy over their one of a kind package. The range is from a total family gift, so one everyone in the family can enjoy, to individual gifts for the "hard to shop for" or "they have everything."

Be ready! The gift giving begins HERE November 1st. What is even better than a guide of wonderful gifts, is the chance to WIN some of these AWESOME gifts! How is that for holiday shopping! You're very own holiday concierge, right here, delivered by moi.

I am still compiling a FABULOUS month of gift giving ideas, reviews, and giveaways, because you can never have enough GREAT ideas for gifts. If you are not participating with The Five Fish Holiday Gift Guide YOU SHOULD BE! Share with us your products, we love to hear about them and give them a good whirl in our house. If you are PR, please use the linky above to submit all requests. I look forward to hearing, sharing, and giving you all a Jolly Good Holiday time!

PICK ME

I am a modest person by all means. I do not take compliments well, I have learned to smile very politely and show my gratitude but in the back of my mind I am running these questions:

• What do they want?
• Are they lying to get something?
• Do I have shit in my teeth...dang it...forgot to floss
• Are they saying this but behind my back saying something different?

Yeah I am a case what can I say. I am not modest with my kids...when people compliment about how beautiful and well behaved they are....I can almost feel my chest puff up in pride, my eyes sparkle, my skin flush and tighten. I KNOW I am a great mom.

So I have been told by some really wonderful bloggy women how I have a great blog....really??

I mean my purpose is to keep it real. I am a voice for PR (plus I get to try out cool stuff...um....tell me where there is an issue with that?), I am a voice for other women who go through the same stuff....so if you are wondering if a child can truly projectile vomit....the answer is yes, at a very HIGH rate of speed and velocity, viscosity is less than desirable and stench is AWFUL!! Invest in a shop vac now and some Holy Cow. Seriously...only thing I have ever used that will take the puke smell out of ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!! Okay, sorry, my tangent.

But really, I am here because I love to write. About me. My kids. As a woman. As a wife. As a Mom. As a consumer. As a student.

I really would LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE for someone to pick me for Type-A Mom Con or SITScation!! I know SITScation is totally sold out...but there is a chance right?! I really do not have luck...but I have a TRUCK load of faith. Not the "Jesus Loves Me" type of faith....just plain, good, old fashioned FAITH. The one where you wish upon a star, you still wish with pennies in a fountain, a shooting star, a blown out candle on your birthday.

So I am putting this out there that I am begging, pleading, asking for someone to send me to these FABULOUS conferences to learn. To spread the blogging word and seed when I come back. To learn all I can in the short amout of time available for both of these events. No I am not one of these big blogs...but really....what do you get from a big blog other than a "fluffed" up number in my opinion. My blog is small....but BIG in heart, soul and love. I know that my readers....are my friends!! They will come here and share woes, they know I follow and read them back....I am not fast...but I am the little engine that could with them. I also know that A LOT of my readers keep coming back!! They are not just a face in the follower list, they are my friends, my confidants, my sisters. We share more than a blog, we share our experiences, our lives, our "Oh good its not just me" moments that make life that much more tolerable and A-OK to operate.

Again, I am begging, pleading, and asking for the opportunity. I saw how BlogHer in my opinion was a JOKE!! I have YET to see a woman come back and tell me what she learned other than how "fabulous she looked" or "I was jipped on swag....asshats!" or "OMG I was so effed up....what happened." To those I tell you....GROW UP!!! Sure, have a great time...but conduct yourself with some damn class, some pride, and maybe some self respect and not act like a teenage girl dropped off in the big city for a date for the first time off the farm. Sheesh!

I plan to treat these conferences as I have all other conferences I have had the awesome opportunity to attend in the past.....business with a side of pleasure. Sure have a great time....but learn. Learn more about blogging, networking, the whole web 2.0 thang as Kelby puts it.

Really, I am a guppy in the big sea of bloggers, but my voice in all aspects carries a lot farther than just this blog. So please, take a chance, send a sister to one of these great conferences...or heck one of the conferences coming up in 2010. I am your vessel, just help by putting the wind in my sails and I will show you how this girl can fly!

Blog Anniversary Celebration

What a year...I cannot believe I have been blogging a full year with The Five Fish!! I started a year prior to that just posting pictures here and there, maybe some news about what the kids were doing, how my pregnancy with the twins was progressing.

I know!!! I was pregnant with the Squids when I started blogging!! HELLO!!!???
Can you say forever and a day ago?! Not really, but sure seems to be eons ago!

So I want to share a great anniversary and I am asking you....my faithful readers, friends, stalkers, family and of course PR, yes you PR we want you to come swim with the Fish. Let me know of some great and fab ideas! What would make a one year anniversary just super spectacular? A giveaway, some cool reviews, maybe just some super fun stuff like oh say "Guest Blogger" because I would so love a guest blogger. I have a few in mind so if you want to take a day off and come post something fabulous here for the Fishy Anniversary, or maybe say come use my space for a WHOLE WEEK and promote your cool swag send me an email and I would love to hear some super cool ideas and input. Now off to formulate some idears of thy own to share in a belated (that works for late anniversaries right? right?!) anniversary celebration!

P.S. >> I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday!! I saw some of you celebrated at home, on a lake, at a parade, all in all looks and sounds like everyone had a blast and was safe! OH, and my virtual BFF Stesha has some great news about her boy! So go on over and check her out!! I am just so darn happy for her and one of her twins, so stop on over there and show her some comment love.

Rubbing My Magic Lamp for SITScation

I have been sitting in my house for the last month or so rubbing this lamp. I mean I am worse than a 15 year old boy when the wind blows rubbing on this thing. I wish and pray, man do I pray, for many things. I especially show my gratitude. One thing I was taught was to express how grateful I am for the things in my life before asking for answered prayers. No matter how petty, how small, how minuscule, how stupid to others, I am thankful. I think everyone should be thankful no matter what.

Anyway, so despite my positive thinking, despite the good karma I have been generating for YEARS now (with no avail), despite my prayers, and now despite my lamp, I. am. stuck.

I am stuck with no way to go to BlogHer, okay, I will live, there are other years, plus who knows, I might just be another face or blog, no one special right?!

I am stuck with no way to go to SITScation. This one bugs me because the location is in Las Vegas. Geographically I live less than six hours from Las Vegas, I can drive there faster than it would to park at the airport, go through security get on the plane, and get to my hotel. Plus SITScation is a quaint, small, group of women who do nothing but empower. I love that.

BlogHer you would be just another face, more of a "OMG I so went to BlogHer" as a way of bragging. Seriously, some women who say they are going to Blog Her talk like Kim Kardashian wearing a new pair of Jimmy Choo's......make me gag! I have heard more intelligent life speak.

So SITScation is a huge deal. This quaint setting would be a perfect way for me to learn, in a small atmosphere. I wouldn't be herded in like cattle. I can network with these women to the hilt, learn to be a better blogger, learn to be a better marketing proponent in the women's arena, learn to market and pitch better. (Really those are in the bag for me...been in sales for more than half my life (16 years to be exact), so a pitch is the easiest thing to do. I mean I can sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves.......yeah, I am that good.) But I can learn to gain a wider audience. Basically I can learn learn learn, and network network network.

The best part is.....if someone would sponsor me (as I sheepishly stand there, batting my bold blue eyes, exposing just a sample of my award winning smile) I would be so appreciative. I mean I would let you advertise on my body for free! I would let you advertise on my blog.....for FREE! Use me as your vessel, use me to further your purpose and mine. We can help each other. I can help you, you help me. And....I'm cheap! I would be splitting the room with my virtual BFF (one of them...I have a few, whom I hope to see at SITScation), I don't have airfare costs, and I am so low budget frugal friendly, and seriously I would be one of the more humbled and appreciative women on this Earth!!

So if any PR out there is feeling generous enough to send a Mom of three, a singleton and twins who has worked since she was 14, hasn't had a vacation in almost 10 years, and shows more gratitude than the Hallmark section I am your girl. If you have any questions of me email me, call me if need be, interview me, I have talents that are hard to post on a blog. I am a blogger, but first and foremost I have always been a face-to-face people person. Give me a chance, I can promise you won't be disappointed! I haven't had a boss, client, anyone EVER be disappointed when the subject comes to me delivering tangible or intangible good and services.

Bound to Please, Book Review

Books I think are the most wonderful creation to man kind. Books and stories to me are like a mini fantasy and or they tell a spectacular story of rich history. I love books because I choose the face of the characters, not some Hollywood director that will gross the crap out of me on admission for two hours plus popcorn. I get to choose what the scenery and backdrop would look like including the weather. I get to choose based on my knowledge and imagination.

I recently received a book from Hatchette Book Group and the book is a romance novel. Now last contemporary romance type drama book I read was a Candance Bushnell book.....Four Blondes and before that.....I can not recall because of school.

For the last three years, eight months, and some odd days I have been a text book addict in need of some rehab. Hatchette Book Group was my detox!! I love them for sending me this book because the romance novel I chose to read was just awesome.

Most romance novels have that stigma. You know...the one where Fabio graces the cover and just wreaks of soft porn gone bad. I mean worse than daytime soap opera love scenes with the bad 80's music and the diffused lighting.....you know what I mean?

This romance novel had me from the get-go! I honestly, could NOT put the book down. I mean I had put the book down only because of the hubs and the Gnomes, but I seriously did not want to put it down. I was hooked! The book is truly HOT!! Lilli Feisty does a SUPERB job of finding that adjective to burn into your soul the meaning and feelings behind the scene in the chapters. She reaches into your inner being, the place every woman has been, but the thought and idea is taboo.

I have to say that Bound to Please was a real pleasure for me to read.

Here is an excerpt from the book:

Ruby Scott is a beautiful, quiet event planner who leads an oh-so-respectable life. Yet the things that go on in her secret fantasies are anything but. She has every intention of keeping her hidden desires under wraps-until she meets a gorgeous, hard-muscled man ten years her junior. Mark St. Crow is a gifted, up-and-coming musician who collects erotic art and loves to "play" women as much as his piano. After one night of uninhibited passion, Ruby realizes there's no turning back. But as she surrenders to her deepest needs and lets Mark control every forbidden thrill, her passion for him builds. Can the wild, intoxicating nights they share lead to a love that will last forever?

Erotic, hot, sexy, devious, bold, flirtatious, steamy and fun.
I would say definitely a favorite romance novel for my night stand.
Seriously this book is not and I mean NOT your typical romance novel, but a whole lot of fun to read and makes you want more once you are done.


*Disclaimer: For all The Five Fish transparency and disclosure policies, 
be sure to click the link Looking in the Fish Bowl.

Go Go Pets Review & Giveaway

Some families enjoy the pleasure of adopting a new pet into the family. They are loved, petted, caressed, looked after, named, and then finally cleaned up after. The cleaning job is generally left to mom and dad.....in my household namely me. The most common request for pets that I have heard from mom's and dad's have been dogs, cats, fish, and hamsters.

The folks at Mom Select and Cepia Toy decided to choose Phoenix and the Phoenix-metro areas to invade and unveil "Go Go Pets." Go Go Pets are great because they mimic real life pets without all the fuss and my home was one chosen to review their hamster pets and the "habitrails" that were included.

So my family is the proud owner of a hamster named Mr. Squiggles. I am quite happy to have adopted and received Mr. Squiggles for a few reasons:

1. No mess. Hamsters are stinky, they live in cages, and they have all sorts of junk they make messes with. YUCK
2. Hamsters are a rodent....I hunt rodents like the pests they are. This rodent, you would never know he was and is a rodent.
3. The feeding, the cleaning, all the excelsior cedar for their cages, we don't need any of that.
4. I never have to worry about him dying and explaining to the kids why we put him in a shoe box....I just crack him open and pop in new AAA batteries.
   

When the box arrived and I opened to see all the different habitrails I was a bit overwhelmed and spent a good amount of time putting the pieces together. Not that there is a lot to them, just there were a number of habit areas for the little rodent. Plus having an antsy five year old doesn't help when you are trying to put something together as fast as you can so they can begin playing. So here is what some of the "habitrails" looked like partially assembled:












Now with any toy and or new animal you have to find a place for them and they all have little quirks, ticks, and annoyances for some parents, here are mine:

1. Immediately had to change the batteries. As with any new toy as the batteries installed are for demo use only and not full play so they die within an hour of hard play.
2. The habitrail comes apart easily requiring an adult to continuously put the contraptions back together.
3. Mr. Squiggles didn't like the wheel. He would fall over sideways, again requiring someone to fix him or get him off the wheel altogether.
   
4. The hamster is ALWAYS making noise. I don't mind toys that make noise, but there should be some shut off timer that after some time and no response the thing shuts up!
5. He likes to back up A LOT, so going forward around the habitrail was a task for Mr. Squiggles.

Now I am not saying anything bad about the toy itself, just that I have higher preferences as a parent and mom about some of the toys my kids play with. Overall though my oldest boy LOVES Mr. Squiggles and the Go Go Pets toy. My twins, they like it because they can play demolition team on the house and chase the little fur ball. My philosophy is if the kids like it and are happy with the toy with no complaints....I'm good as well.

Here is a good deal about Go Go Pets.....you get one too!! Yup, you get your very own hamster and a habitrail. No muss or fuss of a real hamster, but your kids get to enjoy all the endless hours and entertainment that the cute little rodent brings! He has a love setting where he purrs for you and talks and his Go Go setting where he is on the move! Want to win your own Go Go Pet and habitrail? Here is what you will get:

One Hamster - Chunk
One habitrail - Car & Garage

Now here are all the rules for playing and you must post a comment for each entry and the additional entries thereafter to increase your odds (1 comment = 1 entry, Rinse and Repeat). Let me also say...if you don't follow the rules.....no loot.......no email, no loot, rules are made for a reason and to avoid spammers! So let the fun begin:

1. Follow my blog and tell me you do so or have done so, make sure you leave a valid email addy. (Worth 1 entry)
2. Subscribe to my blog in a feed, then come tell me you did so. (Worth 1 entry)
3. Follow me on Twitter @KariewithaK come back and tell me so (Worth 2 entries)
4. Tweet my giveaway on Twitter, come back and tell me you did, one per day please! (Worth 3 entries)
5. Grab my button to your right, add it to your blog, come back and give me the link showing you did! (Worth 5 entries)
6. Tell me why you would want one of these cute little fur balls for your kiddos, with your valid email addy. (Worth 2 entries)
7. Blog about this giveaway with the Mom Select button below and my button, come back and give me the link. (Worth 6 entries!!)

Now if you do not provide a valid email address you will be excluded from the drawing. The giveaway ends on June 7th @ Midnight AZ Time. I will choose a winner from Random.org

Good luck and have fun!

Healthy Snacking

I have been told to snack on stuff like Cottage Cheese (YUCK, GAG, PUKE) mmmm, and other light dairy products when snacking in between meals on my "diet". To be honest I love yogurt and I love fruit so here is what I go for:

If it's too good to be true.....

Then the offer generally is and not legit. I have learned this lesson the hard way in my life. The good life comes with LOTS and LOTS of hard work, elbow grease, suffering sometimes, pain, but most of all blood, sweat, and tears of hard work. I know, as most other working folks do, the good life and good things in life come with that price.

However, in this economy people are willing to do anything, no matter how simple or how complex to make a living. Unfortunately too, there are some real shit bags that will take you for all you are worth. They strip you of your bank account first, and then the rest of your life is stripped because you cannot afford to maintain your life, and finally, you are stripped of your pride.

Folks, take heed in these hard economic times. Don't be a victim to scammers, easy jobs that may require a little bit of hard work but not a lot in the grand scheme are scams. Anything and I mean ANYTHING that wants you to pay money up front is a bunch of HOGWASH!! I have worked in the car business, mortgages, sales, finance, and I have never asked anyone for money on something that they didn't get the product and work hard to get it, first! Never give out your credit card number, bank account, nothing!! If you want to know where I am going with this, please go check out my sister Brittany's blog where she talks about how our brother got scammed and he isn't the only one, especially in this rough economy where jobs are scarce. Below is also the names of the websites of the scamming companies to watch for.

Leaving you with my favorite quote from

The Weatherman (2005) with Nicholas Cage and Michael Caine:

Nothing that has meaning is easy.

www.overtimesports.us.com

www.gameday-usa.net

www.531854.info

www.game-time.us.com

www.in-sports.biz

www.gameday-usa.net

Summer Reviews and Giveaways!

I was contacted by a pair of lovely PR ladies the other day. One of whom wants my gnomes to test out some really cool summer products! I am ecstatic to review them because my gnomes will be spending a lot more time outside now that the weather is warmer and school is out. Not to mention that my pool is already a tepid 83 degrees! In addition to the review.....GIVEAWAY!! So stay tuned for that great stuff.

I also have the opportunity to catch up on my much needed reading! All the reading I have been doing for the last three years are text books. So I am happy to announce that my nose will be pulled from the text books and shoved back into some much needed, much appreciated, much loved novels, books, and short stories. These items will be reviewed and shared with you all as well, which will be super fantastic! Some great reads for mom by the pool....multi-tasking and reviewing multiple products at one time....bring on more!!! I can handle it....I have twins HEAR ME ROAR!!

Here is a glimpse of the summer products! Based on my these for the elementary school so I am super excited!! Make sure you Digg, Stumble, or Technorati these sites, I know I did.

MFS Eyewear

Sun Protection Zone

Ideas, sponsors, and feedback..Oh my!

So I want to do some fun stuff with being frugal in this economy. I am thinking of doing a frugal week but am lacking inspiration for some reason or another. Not quite sure why I am lack inspiration I mean I am the penny pinching bitch of mankind and I can handle money like no other but am lacking inspiration. I want to find some really frugal money saving products, I mean BIG savings, not just a few bucks here and there. I am not discounting (ha, pardon the pun) the smaller savings, but when you live on a budget, times are tough and the cost of goods is on the rise....you need BIG savings. If you are a company, fellow blogger, entrepreneur, or my favorite average Joe let me know your ideas or let me try out your product in ALL honesty to let you know the overall savings amounts. I mean I am a finance guru, I can do math like no other!! Compound equations got nothing on me!

I also want to do some really cool, innovative organic and or green products. I do not think we do enough to promote the importance of organic. Organic reduces the carbon foot print we leave by leaps and bounds, plus all the health benefits of not pumping extra chemicals and garbage into our systems. I am thinking a "Green Team" or "The Big O" on organic so give me your feedback and let's see if we can't do something fun on the net again.

I mean who really wants to bitch about BK's Square butts commercial? Not me!

The Mother Load of Appliances

When I went and checked out this link I couldn't believe I was looking at Frigidaire of all appliances! I was absolutely amazed at all the options beyond the standard old white and almond we are used to seeing with Frigidaire. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE the laundry system that has all the different wash options including a 25 minute cycle. That's great in my household where you need clothes in a jiffy. Go check out the Frigidaire site and fill out the questionnaire of what you would do with an extra hour in your day!

S.O.S. - Save Our Skin

Did you know that one MILLION new cases of skin cancer alone will be diagnosed this year? Just skin cancer. Did you know that the odds are 1 in 272? Those are good odds if you consider that some schools have upwards of 500 children in each school or more, so that's at least 2 kids.


The people that are diagnosed are just the people who have regular doctors appointments to have something checked or because they happened to notice a funky mole, maybe a dark spot on their skin that looked funny, or maybe some splotching that seemed out of the ordinary. The rest go completely undiagnosed.


Did you know that the chances of getting skin cancer start from birth? You got it! All the time of being exposed to the sun without protection, exposed to the harmful UV rays sets us up for skin cancer. Granted the sun is an excellent source for vitamins in our body and helps us to metabolize these vitamins and the sun provides us energy from the natural light, but the sun is also very dangerous.

How often do you send your child to school without sunscreen? You are probably laughing and saying "Um, like everyday, who has extra time for sunscreen and they aren't outside that long anyway." Well that is what I said too. Did you know 20 minutes is all it takes a day to be exposed to the harmful UVA/UVB rays that cause burns and can eventually lead to skin cancer later in life? That's right and that is about the time your child spends on the playground and outside in P.E. (Physical Education) class everyday if not longer!

With all of this being said I am the new Treasurer for the Hermosa Vista Elementary School PTO. At our end of the 2009 school year meeting the board was advised by the principal of Hermosa Vista that the P.E. teacher might make a motion to the board about allocating funds for a sun shade for the kids. Why a sun shade? Take a look at this picture below:







Doesn't that picture make you want to play on the playground? In the shade, no hot slides to burn your legs (like we all did as kids), and MOST OF ALL no sunburns!!! The kids are pleasantly shaded from the sun and the harmful UV rays. Wouldn't you want to see those at your kids school, especially in the warmer spring and late summer months? I know I do. Want to know what else I want to see?



I would love to see one of these bad boys put over the outdoor area where the kids play basketball and have P.E. so they aren't exposed to all those nasty UVA/UVB rays, the unrelenting Arizona sun and heat, and caring parents like us aren't worried about gobbing the sunscreen on everyday during the warmer Spring and Summer months. So I am asking you as a Board Member to the Hermosa Vista Elementary PTO to make your donation today, either in funds, goods, and or services for our awesome P.E. teacher Mr. Peace (yup, that's his name...awesome!!) so that he is able to have a safe environment for our children to learn outdoors.


I would also love to see some corporate sponsorship (*hint hint) for community PR, exposure, and education about the benefits and drawbacks of the sun. Plus just a great plug to show how much the big guys love us little guys in the community and so we can show support in return!


Donations can be made by clicking on the little linky on the side of my page, all donations are accepted through PayPal and will be directly paid to Hermosa Vista Elementary School PTO. Thanks again for your support!!

Where is the Moral Obligation?

Okay, folks I so plan to give you the Five Fish "FREE" Week Day 3 review....its a WIP (work in progress) but this is something I am absolutely, most definitely passionate about...EDUCATION!

As most have read I have finished my college career (thus far) so you know I love education, I am an advocate for learning, I love to learn, I love to teach my children, and most of all I love that they love to learn and my oldest, Big G, is in school. He is in kindergarten but not your standard kindergarten program. He is in a program that you would call a YLK (Young Learner Kindergarten). What is YLK? Well this program is designed for children who's birthdays fall after the school deadline for standard kindergarten registration. So say school starts in August and your child's birthday is in September, well they have to wait another year. Not my kid!! He got to go to a FREE, yes FREE, program with the city of Mesa Public Schools.

He did three weeks of all day with a teacher who did not fit his personality and the poor boy suffered. So we got him into this program and I can say he is a changed boy and ready for next year. However, I don't think that Big G would have been such a changed boy or been at the aptitude he is had he not had Mrs. Burton and Mrs. Long by his side. Why are Mrs. Burton and Mrs. Long so fantastic? Well let me tell you!!

Mrs. Burton has been teaching for 15 years with Mesa Public School and for the last 10 years she has done the YLK program. Now I must confess and most any other parent will tell you that to get a 4 or 5 year old to listen to you, follow your directions, and be fully engaged is a FEAT!! This woman and her partner in crime Mrs. Long can engage these children, teach them, and get them to follow directions!!! To have that ability with over 20 children ranging from age 4-5 is expertise and experience, not to mention a whole BOAT load of patience.

So upon speaking with Mrs. Burton yesterday I saw that AZ is keeping all day kindergarten. (This is what has fueled my passion......) I was ecstatic! My boy will be gone all day to learn and run off RAW energy next year! HOORAY!! But I was informed that Mrs. Burton and Mrs. Long will be let go. I was pissed!! Even worse, they will be replaced by a teacher who has about a year, maybe two, of teaching experience. So we are looking at a teacher who is roughly 21 years of age!! UM??!!! HELLO!!!??? I am all about the younger generation teaching, but not to my kid! I want a teacher who has been around the block, is loving, patient, kind, and can give my child the educational attention he needs to strive and excel. Mrs. Burton and I chatted up for a while and then I went on my mission. I came home, bitched to DH, bitched to my mom, I bitched to anyone who would listen........including the Superintendent and the School Board for Mesa Public Schools. Below is my email correspondence back and forth as of 10:05am AZ time. I would love to hear from you about this!!! If you live in AZ or Mesa, help me stir the pot to save the jobs and education of our children!!

Dear Sirs and Madam,
The topic of the Young Learner Kindergarten program was brought to my attention recently and how the program would be losing some of the finest, experienced, and trusting educators I have met as a parent. I am EXTREMELY disappointed in the lack of judgment on behalf of the board, superintendent, and those involved in the decision to terminate the employment of seasoned, experienced, and well respected educators only to be replaced with younger, less experienced, cheaper paid contract educators.
Are you able to put a price on the value of a young learner’s education? As a parent and continuing education adult I cannot! Had my son, who’s birthday falls after the cutoff for the 2008-2009 full day kindergarten school year, not been able to attend the Young Learner program with Mrs. Burton and Mrs. Long at Hermosa Vista Elementary he would be just that much more behind entering the 2009-2010 full-day kindergarten. This program with the EXPERIENCED educators that currently are involved in the program are the foundation and first stepping stone in our children’s education. These educators have readied my son to a level where he would almost be bored in an all day kindergarten class. Their experience is what sets them apart from the lower paid, younger, less experienced (1-2 years teaching) educators. These educators know how to help these children LEARN, they don’t just teach, they help these children to use the power of his or her own minds to grasp for everything that is endless in this world to learn. If you eliminate these teachers you are eliminating the endless power that a young learner beholds!!
I know that the objection that will be brought to my attention is that of funds, money, the economy, and added pressure from the state due to a financial deficit. To which I will respond to you as a frustrated and angry parent…..HOG WASH!!! I am a finance major and I could tell you that I am sure you have not completely weighed all the creative financial loopholes, ideas, opportunities available to save these educators jobs. I am sure you have another means to reduce expenses. I am sure a portion of the educators may be close to retirement, or say within a year or two…..my financial decision would be to meet his or her vestment and cut losses now rather than to continue to pay the added expense of certain benefits and tax payments. How about those who have less tenure teaching or who only have a few years under his or her belt, cut their contract payments by 15% or more. They are younger, they are less experienced. Mesa needs, DEMANDS the top notch educators that have allowed these younger children the opportunity to be our future, the pioneers, and educational prodigies. Please note that as a parent and member of the Mesa community I hope to band other parents in an attempt to sway the board to save these educators positions with the schools. I will also use the power of social media and networking with Twitter, Facebook, and blogging in hopes to get the word out that education cannot be sacrificed, nor can experienced educators. Although, if the decision is not swayed I can only chalk the decision up to par based on the national rankings of Arizona schools which suggests that Arizona cannot afford to lose experienced, top notch educators. Attached is a flyer “raving” about the YLK program…..which in my opinion would include the staff that has been teaching and involved in the program for the last 10 years.

I thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Karie Herring

Response from the Superintendent :
Thank you for your e-mail about the YLK program. Your disappointment is misplaced; please address your support for YLK programming to your elected state officials. It is their position that children whose 5th birthday falls after September 1, will not generate funding to pay for teachers, supplies, etc. Before I became Superintendent, I put the YLK in place. I recognize the value of this program and have data to show its impact. The 2003 newsletter you included reference that success and it continues today.However, as sad as this is, this is a funding issue at the state level. As a finance major, you might want to investigate the manner in which Arizona funds education and the multitude of rules and regulations that dictate our actions. Someone with your passion and a fresh look might garner the attention of those with the power to change things. With reference to Mrs. Burton, and other experienced part-time teachers, we are obligated to follow adopted policies and procedures. Currently, we must be assured that all full-time continuing-contract employees have jobs. Once our obligation to them is settled, we will address those valued staff members who were not guaranteed employment by virtue of the contract they signed.
Deb Duvall
Alice Swinehart
Executive Secretary to Superintendent/Governing Board Dr. Debra Duvall
Mesa Public Schools
480-472-0200

And now my response TODAY, and probably not my last:
Dr. Duvall,
I am a smart individual and find hard to believe that my disappointment should placed with the state….when as you stated
“With reference to Mrs. Burton, and other experienced part-time teachers, we are obligated to follow adopted policies and procedures. Currently, we must be assured that all full-time continuing-contract employees have jobs. Once our obligation to them is settled, we will address those valued staff members who were not guaranteed employment by virtue of the contract they signed”
So how is this a matter of the state, other than a funding issue? Again my disappointment, as do other parents within the Hermosa Vista Elementary boundaries, place blame on the district and Mesa Public Schools. I do carry disappointment with the state in the mismanagement of funds but I am disappointed that the first obligation is to the full time continuing contract teachers and NOT the students who will be greatly and most definitely adversely affected by this decision. I beg the question in the future of child education……where is your obligation? The fulltime employees or the children who need the experience and expertise showcased by teachers such as Mrs. Burton.

Karie Herring

It's a House Party!!!

My sister, Nicole, over @ The Hudson Fam 4, and one of my partners at Three Sisters is having a super cool party!

Simply head on over to House Party to read all the juicy details of all the available and upcoming parties! What a great way to review, test, share, and have a blast with a new product.

So back to Nicole. She is doing the biggest and most popular house party known to man.....

THE AMERICAN IDOL FINALE FORD HOUSE PARTY

I mean how freaking cool is that!? You get to check out the totally redesigned Ford Fusion plus Ford is offering great incentives like a $1700 federal tax credit for those buying the new Ford Fusion Hybrid. So you get paid to be green? Sounds like an added bonus to me, at least that bailout money is being put to good use!

Keep an eye out for Ms. Nic as she is going to start promoting her house party, post cool pics of the whole event and give us all the juicy details on the American Idol Finale and the new Ford Fusion. Way to go Nicole!

Be sure to sign up for your very own House Party and tell them how you heard about it!

Mystic Wonders Giveaway!

How would you love to never have to buy those bulky bottles of laundry detergent again? Or how about those annoying little dryer sheets that you have to fish out of your clothing every time you fold clothes?

Well my fabulous sister Brittany over @ the Greer 5 is giving away the Mystic Wonders product. She has the complete laundry system which is One laundry ball and two dryer balls. Could you imagine the money you would save not buying any laundry accessories for a year?

No detergent = SAVINGS!!!
No softener = SAVINGS!!!
No Dryer sheets = SAVINGS!!!
PLUS a reduced dry time as the dryer balls disburse the heat as they tumble through the clothes thus reducing the dry times and amount of energy you use = MORE SAVINGS!!!!

Please rush over and check out her one of many giveaways, this one is fantastic among others. be sure to check out the Mystic Wonders site to see what the organization is all about and all the fantastic products they have to offer.

MOM!!!!! She took my stuff!!!!

Have you met my sisters?

Nicole Hudson over @ The Hudson Fam 4

Brittany Greer (Hudson) over @ The Greer 5

Well the three of us are joining forces to bring you the best of what is around with sisters. No this blog won't always be happy happy joy joy we are sisters. Nope, we will bring you recipes, stories, musings, antics, reviews, giveaways and of course....sister fights! Everything that makes being a sister the best and most unique relationship in the world!! So be sure to check out their individual blogs and of course our new blog Three Sisters.

PR Info

 Looking In the Fish Bowl: The Five Fish Transparency and Disclosure


Want to know a little bit about working with The Five Fish?

First off let's talk Giveaways and Promoting!

Giveaways are a great way to expose your business and product! It drives in traffic and makes everyone aware of what you have to offer.

Giveaways are always free on The Five Fish. Always. We are always open to any business large or small!

I will list the giveaway on all networks I am involved with, Twitter, Giveaway listing sites and so on and so forth! It's not about my blog, it's about your business! I just get excited about being the portal between you and potential customers!

Let's talk Reviews!!!

Reviewing done by bloggers, Mom Blogger, Dad Bloggers have become a great word of mouth marketing tool for any company big or small. I can NOT promise you though, that my review will paint you a pretty picture. I am always honest, giving your company and consumers an insight to how a family of five, and or myself as the sole user,  thought of the product. I take my time. I tend be obsessive compulsive with things that come in and out of my home. In other words, I will be very thorough, giving you the best feedback that I can provide.

I prefer to keep each product you ask me to review, as then it will be used and I would hate for someone to get a used product. However, if you prefer it be returned to your company or passed along, I am always willing to oblige. I am very open and easy to work with, when it comes to reviewing YOUR product.

I do NOT charge for reviews. I consider the product a compensation, again, another reason explaining why I prefer to keep the product. Again this is open to communication and I am willing to negotiate on how you would like to work with me on this.

Each product will be tried, tested and thoroughly inspected by either myself, my 6 year old son, my twins (age 1+) and or my husband. We even have a dog that normally helps in testing out anything!

I love learning about any product and spreading the word. If it works for me, it's bound to work for someone else!

I've also learned that with reviews, giveaways often come in handy! But that is subject to you and left to your discretion if you would like to provide a second item for giveaway.

If you would like your review posted and done within a time limit, please, please email so we can discuss this!

Reviews will be promoted within the same aspects as giveaways.

Email for any questions and details!

Disclosure

The Five Fish is written by Karie Herring

As the owner of this blog, I do accept forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. I will and do accept and keep free products, services, travel, event tickets, and other forms of compensation from companies and organizations. The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog.
The owner of this blog is sometimes compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though I receive compensation for some posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. I will only endorse products or services that I believe, based on my expertise, are worthy of such endorsement.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog belong purely to Karie Herring. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party in question.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements.

Any questions, comments or concerns should be directed to Karie Herring (karie@thefivefish.com).