Web Things

The ultimate dinner tool would be one who would plan and cook dinners for me Sadly, that’s not possible yet so I’ll settle for anything that makes dinner planning easier and saves money. I’ve not been a fan of online menu or recipe boxes. For some reason, they just haven’t stuck with me. Maybe because I don’t have a computer in the kitchen or dining area and I do not like the idea of putting a laptop in the kitchen where spills and messes are apt to happen. Besides, our kitchen is kinda cramped. I need as much counter space as I need already. No space for one.

So, when I found out about Dinner Tool, I wasn’t all that thrilled and ignored it for a while. Later, after checking it out, I realized it’s more of a menu planner than a recipe box. Now that I can get used to but what’s even more intriguing to me is, it finds printable coupons and links to them right in the recipe. Which means I can plan next week’s menu and save at the same time.

I already do this on my own to a certain extent. Having an automated method instead of manual matching is definitely a bonus. Oh and in case you’re wondering, Dinner tool is a free service.

So, maybe you are planning a family bash but how do you co-ordinate our schedules? Uncle Jim is not available third weekend of August, cousin Sara is away in Australia and won’t be home till next week and you have your own family activities.

Why don’t you try WhichWeekend? Enter your email address and event you are planning. It will create a page you can e-mail to everyone. They just add their name and select the dates they are available/not available. Very interesting and super simple. You won’t run into confusing instructions here.

Twitter, which is dubbed the “virtual water cooler” of our day is one happening place to be.  It can also be so hopping and happening that it can be a bit hairy to keep up with at times.  I have been using the Twitter program, Tweetdeck, for a little while now, but it wasn’t until today that I began using the feature “groups”.  This feature allows your to sort those you are following on Twitter by group.  Maybe you follow a bunch of other “moms of preschoolers” or maybe you follow “mompreneurs” or “homeschoolers”, you can use the group feature to “sort” those you are following so that it makes following and keeping up with your Twitter friends a little bit easier. It is a feature I’m sure to enjoy.

Tweetdeck has other great features too, its latest version even allows you the option of posting your tweets to Facebook, simultaneously or separately, allowing you to update your Facebook account from Twitter.  Two thumbs up there hey?

I love Tweetdeck and think if you’re a Twitter fanatic you should definitely give it a try.

Photo Credit: shawnlzea

I have been quite in love with the idea of having a mini computer for while now.  Then, I was recently at a blogging convention and noticed the oh so many minis that were in the room.  They were all nice, but this particular one really caught my eye.  It isn’t only mini, it’s beautiful.  It’s practically a fashion statement, an accessory.  Now what momma wouldn’t want that?

After doing some research I find out it is the HP Mini – Vivienne and it weights on 3 lbs.  Now for this weak armed little lady that’s an added bonus.  Plus it’ll fit in my purse.  It even has accessories that match that you can purchase separately.  Not to mention all of its fab features, including Windows XP, a web cam, a mini mobile drive,  just to name a few.

I have been wanting a mini, but now I want THIS mini.  What about you?

It was less than 10 years ago that I remember the turtle paced dial up that I used to connect to the Internet.  I remember waiting literally 5-10 minutes to check my email.  Now I would never have the patience.  I am spoiled to high-speed Internet, my wireless router my laptop, and my personal desktop that all allow me to connect.  I can even be on both computers or my Ipod Itouch simultaneously thanks to this wireless age.

If you want to be able to connect more than one computer or device to the Internet at one time, say your kids want to play games or do homework on the computer and you want to get online to surf the web or check your email you can.  That’s what is so great about wireless.  Plus, the flexibility that it gives you to take your laptop around your home.

I really don’t know how we lived without it before.  I am spoiled by my wireless.

I am seeing a trend of more and more moms joining Facebook. What started out a college kid’s handout has become a place for just about anyone. From business professionals to stay at home moms. What are we all there for? Well, connections of course. Facebook allows you to connect with friends old and new, in real life and online that you’ve never met “face to face”.

Facebook allows you to find all those people you hope to connect with all in one place and then to share your life or whatever part of it you feel comfortable. That’s right, Facebook allows you to “control” what you share with others. You can share as little or as much as you would like. It’s privacy controls are quite nice if you ask me. They allow me to make some new friends on Facebook without sharing too much. Then, they also allow me to keep in touch with friends and relatives near and far and share more with them such as photos of my kids.

So, if you’re a mom who hasn’t made the leap yet, what are you waiting for connect with some other moms, or some old friends today via Facebook.

If you live anywhere along the path or hurricanes like I do, you’ll definitely want to be on the watch out for those nasty storms. I’ve been living in eastern North Carolina, minutes away from the beach for 8 years. Every year, my husband makes sure I know what’s going on during hurricane season.

I usually like to check out pictures and animated graphics compared to reading those cryptic text advisories from the NOAA. I cannot understand those. Now, I have another tool to use. Thanks to Annette, who tweeted about Stormpulse on Twitter. Beautiful tracker. Love it.