Continuing with the great links I’ve discovered through Twitter as well as some from Google Reader, here are a few more:

Grandparents, do you have a new grandbaby shower on the way? Would you like a special way to spice up the party? See Penny Raine’s site for a sale on her book, “How to Make A Diaper Cake .” Today and tomorrow you can purchase this ebook along with several other ebooks for only $7.95. I’ve seen these at a couple of showers and they are spectacular! It would certainly be one of the hits of the day, second only to the precious new arrival, of course

Remember the contests I wrote about? I won one! A big THANK YOU to Autism Learning Felt and Readeez for the new DVD by Readeez that is on its way. My grandkids and I will enjoy it very much!

Encouragement – I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose in me.

If you are wrestling with the question of when to start taking your social security , take a look at the article at Consumer Boomer . Excellent information on how to “double-dip” your income.

Per CaregiverCoach, the number 1 deadliest mistake for a caregiver is putting yourself last on the priority list. Remember, you need care too. And when you think about it logically, taking care of yourself is one of the best gifts you can give those who receive the care you give. So make sure you schedule those routine dentist and doctor appointments to ensure that you stay healthy.

Encouragement - Blessed are You, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes.

With job layoffs hitting so many, the problem can impact us or our adult children. Maybe even our senior citizen parents. I thought this article by Jean Chatzky was very timely: “Get Tips On How To Thrive, Survive In ’09” –

Exercise helps keeps brain fit, slows Alzheimer’s – Seniors benefit in particular from brisk walks that get more blood to the brain” – Thank you to Alzheimers98 for that link.

Is the family car showing signs of faltering? Are you looking for more reliable transportation to carry elderly family members to the doctors and grandkids to Chuck E. Cheese (or for that matter, the doctor as well)? Here is an excellent article to help you with negotiation. I have to admit though, I still prefer CarMax! It’s so much easier!

If you have a relative with serious medical problems, you might spend quite a bit of time researching online. Here is a scientific search engine that could be an excellent resource:

Encouragement – The Lord God is our light and protector.

Some good tips for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s Disease.

That’s it for this round of links. More coming soon.

social security retirement, dementia care, Carmax, Camax, carmaxx, used car dealers, ways to save money, senior home care giver

Do you enjoy contests? I love them when I win . That’s only happened three or four times in my life and they were all smaller contests where my odds of winning were higher.

One fun thing I’ve discovered through blogging is that many sites offer easy-to-enter contests where the odds are definitely more inviting than, say, the state lotteries. Making these contests downright practical is that they often lead to new and useful resources. The warm mouse I wrote about last week, http://budurl.com/TwitLinks12009 , was discovered in just that manner. Granted, I lost that contest, but I still won by learning about a valuable tool to share with you. Today I found two more fun and resource-full contests you might enjoy entering.

Autism Learning Felt’s website – http://budurl.com/AutismLearningFelt – has a fun contest that runs through January 30, 2009. The three winners will each receive a copy of the DVD, Readeez. There are a variety of ways to enter, including writing a blog post about the site/product. This post is one of my “entries,” however I only do that type of entry when I feel the site/product is of value to you. Autism Learning Felt and Readeez both satisfy that requirement.

Autism Learning Felt’s goal is to share “ideas about products that may be beneficial for adults and children with Autism.” Tammy Lessick is a WAHM with two kids, one of whom has Autism. Her home-based business, www.learningfelt.com , provides great creative and fun activities with felt for children. These felt sets could easily be used by grandparents who want to help their grandkids, including those with Autism.

The DVD she is recommending (and giving away), Readeez – http://budurl.com/Readeez – combines fun, education, and learning. That’s my favorite combination! Kids can watch the words on the screen as they are clearly and entertainingly spoken or sung. This is an excellent option for home schoolers, grandkids with learning disabilities, autism, and more. The price is reasonable AND you can join me in signing up for the contest at Autism Learning Felt’s site and you might even get it for free

Another site that is also offering a fun contest is run by Penny Raine. You can find that site at http://budurl.com/PennyRaine where you’ll find a gorgeous, albeit cold-looking photo at the top of the page. A Christian mom’s blog, this site offers a wide variety of interesting items – frugal cooking tips, contests, ebooks, a modest clothing store, and even a tip for that absolutely gorgeous Diaper Cake you may have seen at a shower for your future grandchild. One of her many contests has a prize that would be excellent as a gift for your adult kids to encourage them in their marriages. The DVD, “Fireproof,” comes with excellent recommendations. From the people who brought you “Facing the Giants,” this is another great family movie. I highly recommend it and again, you could win it for free by heading over to visit Penny’s site. This contest also runs through January 30, 2009.

In case you are wondering, you do NOT have to have your own blog to enter either of these contests. There are many ways to enter, and the simplest for each is to leave a comment at their site. So come join me at both sites, and cheers to the grandparents who win