Making Cinderella

In case you haven't realized Halloween is just a hop skip and away from being front and center. The stores are setting up their merchandise, some people have even already started to decorate. For our family the kids are picking out what they want to be. Sure I have lots of ideas what I would like them to be for Halloween, but it really comes down to what they want to be. 

MarksvilleandMe joined with Costume Supercenter to bring you a great idea. Instead of running out and trying to find everything you need for your costume in the stores, wasting precious gas, resources, as well as time, you can sit in the comfort of your own home and shop when it is convenient for your family. 

Costume shopping 101

1. Ask your child what they would like to be.

2. Shoot out some ideas of your own. 

3. Decide on what they will be.

4. Decide how much you can spend.

5. Look in your own inventory for products you might already have. 

6. Sit back bring up Costume Supercenter and start browsing. 

My 7 year old Dorothy settled on being Cinderella from the Wedding. We have the Tiara (borrowed from my older 12 year old Princess Deanna) and the shoes. All we needed was the dress.

Once it came in she couldn't wait to give it a whirl. This dress is super nice by the way. I would even let her wear this to a special outing because it just is that nice.

Even though she wears a size 8 in girls clothes I always order costumes a size bigger so we went with the 10-12 size. A little extra room so she can get more than one wear out of it.

All of my children have loved to play dress up so we have lots of props for different kinds of play. Imagination is something I love to instill in my children and their love for creating just fills my heart with cheer. Often when the girls aren't playing Princess, you will find them fighting crime and evil by being fully dressed in Superhero Costumes. In case you are wondering Costume Supercenter has those too check the Superheroes section out.

Yes your majesty I would be honored to dance with you.

Looking to make someone Cinderella? You can find some great costumes at Costume Supercenter. They have costumes for young and old alike. 

You can find out more about Costume Supercenter on:

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Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Costume Supercenter. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. 

Suicide Prevention Month

Finally I was able to get some pictures of my daughter to have for this blog. Even though my daughter did not take her life she did hurt herself many times. The scars on her body are proof enough to anyone who may think differently. Her father cut himself, her aunt burned herself, and her older sister even cut a few times, but no where near what this young lady who I am proud to call my daughter has done.

For the most part people who cut themselves do it as a way to get through tough times they are having  in their lives or a way to try and forget the past. Everyone has their own way of working through problems that come their way, some ultimately give up and end up taking their lives, leaving those who loved them behind wondering why didn't they reach out.

I noticed the cuts when I accidentally walked in on my daughter getting ready for her shower. I didn't say anything until after she showered and got dressed. Then we had a heart to heart. I knew one of the reasons she might be cutting, and she told me the rest.

One is from something that happened to her while she was younger and the others were well just plain old regular teen stress combined with some really mean bullies. Mind you my daughter is bigger not only by weight to most of the bullies but also in height, hand, and foot size. She is not small in any way, accept from the inside.

She has always been quick to protect others while letting everything that was bothering her build up inside. She didn't want to bother me who has been sick most of my life and when this cutting was at the height my husband had an accident at work that changed his life and our families lives forever. So she just didn't want to burden us anymore.

I quickly told her it was never a burden to hear her concerns, and there is always time to talk. I am here for her like my mother was there for me. Sure I never cut, burned, or hurt my body in any way, other then punishing myself for things I had done wrong in life. I HAVE wanted to die before, just to end the pain and sickness I have had to endure all of my life. What keeps me going is my children, who gives me breath everyday is God, and my husband fills in everywhere else in my life.

I explained to her there will always be mean people because there is a Devil, and those who follow him are some of the meanest people on earth who people will follow just because it easier to do so then to follow the right ticket for Hell. Sorry to be blunt but it is very clearly stated in the Bible.

What about the people who felt there was no other way then to take their lives? I can just go by what the Bible says but ultimately that is going to be between God and them someday. It is not for me to be judge or jury. Everyone has to answer for what they have done in their lives.

My heart goes out to those who take their lives because the devil just kept on them until they did it. Telling them there was no one to turn to, nobody will listen, nobody can do anything, the list goes on and on.

Anyone who may be reading this and doesn't want to believe there is a God and have thought about hurting yourself, others, or even going as far as trying to take your life. There is someone out there that cares. Keep reaching out, don't give up there are people who love you. Open your eyes and tell the Devil if you believe or the voice inside your head to get away because you have a right to live and be happy.

The world is not a perfect place by any means, people are mean, some do it because someone is mean to them and others do it just because well they have been led to be mean by the own voices in their heads. They think they are better, want to have control, or even just can't control themselves or words. Everyday that God gives us breath is a blessing. Sure we might be in pain, sick, depressed, etc but there is always something to live for, someone in a worse situation.

Life is precious, reach out, you deserved to be loved and happy.

My daughter overcame cutting herself. She opened up, reached out, and began to live life again. Does she think about it sometimes? Yes she does, but she told herself that day she stopped August 5,2014 if she could go a year without cutting herself she would get her first tattoo. What does she do to keep from cutting. Well now she has a permanent symbolic tattoo to remind her each day. She also sings, meditates, and reaches out to those around her.

 She is strong, she is beautiful, she is my daughter, 

she is a survivor. 

Perfectly Poached

One of my favorite ways to eat eggs is by poaching them. In the past I have broken my egg into gently boiling water and had to chase my egg around the pan, sometimes breaking the precious yolk before finally scooping it up into my ladle.

With these silicone egg poachers I don't have to worry about that. I just place my egg into the poacher, place in boiling water, cover pan, and when the eggs are done to my liking I can just scoop them right out of the silicone mold. No more watery eggs. Perfectly poached.

I am in love with this new way of poaching eggs. Even better then my poaching pan that ended up rusting out from many uses. These are just right for our family. Each person can pick their color and let me know how much they want their yolk to be cooked. Everyone is happy.

You can find these silicone egg poachers on Amazon.

What  Kitchen Essentials has to say about their product.

These egg poachers are perfect for the kitchen.  They have a 100% nonstick surface and do not need to be oiled.  These poachers will steam-poach eggs in about 5 minutes.  Just crack open an egg; put it in the poacher; place the poacher with egg in a pot of boiling water and then cover the pot.  Poached eggs can be scooped out with a spoon for a beautiful-looking meal.  These egg poachers are FDA approved 100% food-grade silicone, and can be used for poaching, melting, steaming, and warming various food items.

#EggPoacher

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and Kitchen Essentials. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. 

Kept safe and sound

Finally the perfect place to keep my glasses at night or when I am in the shower. No more finding my glasses on the floor or in the sink. Easy to put my glasses inside as well as retrieving them when I need them. Pretty, practical, and useful.

I have one on my night stand and want to add one to our bathroom as well. Would love to see them come in more colors in the future.

The Holdee Eyeglass Holder is Available in Cobalt Blue and Marsala Red on Amazon.


THE SECRET TO NEVER LOSING YOUR EYEGLASSES AGAIN

Tired of constantly misplacing your eyeglasses?

Want something more convenient than a case to protect your expensive eyeglasses?

Looking for a peace of mind and a great gift?

**Holdee Eyeglass Holder is Made Just for You
- No residue - soft & short liner that protects yet keeps your lens 99% crystal clear
- Never misplace your glasses again - no more frustration, no more panic
- Great gift - one for every spot: nightstand, kitchen, desk, office, bathroom, den
- Modern design - for all ages
- Peace of mind - maximum protection: no more scratching and nicking

**Space Saving Size
Holdee will work with most standard-sized eyeglasses and sunglasses. The inside holding area is 65mm (wide) x 33mm (thick).

#holdee

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and Holdee. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. 

Guide to Falls Festivals & Halloween Fun

MarksvilleandMe is ready for some Fall Festival Deals how about you!  MarksvilleandMe and USFamilyGuide has put together a great list of Corn Maze Coupons and Fall Festival savings nationwide.  

I love summer but fall is great for apples, pumpkins, and good scary fun. How about taking a look below for a place near you to visit? I have a few in mind myself. It has been a few years since we have done anything big for fall, other than pick apples and get pumpkins. Let's do this year up right. Are you in? 

Download valuable coupons for Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches and Fall Family Activities. 

Arizona
Tolmachoff Farms - Glendale
Mortimer Farms - Dewey
Rocker 7 Farm Patch - Buckeye

California
Pirates Dinner Adventure - Vampirates - Buena vista
Gilroy Gardens - Gilroy
California's Great America - Santa Clara
Big Horse Corn Maze Festival - Temecula

Colorado
ColoradoKids.com Annual Halloween Guide
http://www.coloradokids.com/seasonal/halloween.php
Anderson Farms - Erie
Fritzler Maze - La Salle
Mile High Farms - Bennett
Wishing Star Farm - Calhan
Harvest Farm - Wellington
Cottonwood Farms - Boulder
Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch - Longmont
Elitch Gardens Theme Park - Fright Fest - Denver
Denver Zoo - Boo at The Zoo - Denver
Children's Museum of Denver - Trick or Treat Street - Denver

Connecticut
Scott's Yankee Farmer - East Lyme

Florida
The Little Farm - Goulds
Lowry Park Zoo - ZOOBOO Kids! - Tampa

Georgia
Corn Dawgs - Loganville
Old Freeman Farms - Sylvania
LEGOLAND Discovery Center - Atlanta
Funopolis Family Fun Center - Fearopolis Haunts

Illinois
Siegel's Cottonwood Farm - Lockport

Indiana
Amazing Fall Fun - Waterloo
Shipshewana Corn Maze - Shipshewana

Maryland/DC
Great Country Farms - Bluemont
Ripley's Believe It or Not! - Batimore

Michigan
Bavarian Inn Lodge - Frankenmuth

Missouri/Kansas
Beggs Family Farm - Sikeston
Carolyn's Country Cousins - Liberty Corn Maze
Legoland Discovery Center - Brick or Treat - Kansas City

Montana
Applestem, Inc. - Vaughn

New Jersey
iPlay America - Freehold

New Mexico
La Union Maze - La Union

New York
Wright Family Farm - Warwick
Pick A Pumpkin Pumpkin Patch - Esperance
Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Water Park - Queensbury

OhioBlooms and Berries - Loveland
Beriswill Farms - Valley City

OklahomaTulsa Corn Maze - Tulsa

Oregon
The Maize at The Pumpkin Patch- Portland

Rhode Island
Confreda Greenhouses & Farms - Hope (Western Cranston)

South Carolina
Hollywild Animal Park - Wellford

Tennessee
Oakes Farm - Corryton
Shuckle's Corn Maze - Hendersonville

Texas
Devine Acres Farm - Devine 
Fiesta Farm - San Antonio
Barton Hill Farms - Bastrop
Lone Star Family Farm - Stephenville
LEGOLAND Discovery Center - Brick or Treat - Grapevine

Utah
Hee Haw Farms - Pleasant Grove
This Is The Place Heritage Park - Salt Lake City

Vermont
Gaines Farm - Guilford

Virginia
Great Country Farms - Bluemont

Personalized Fall Placemats from AccentsForKids.com

For daily updates on these coupons and coupons for other family attractions please visit and bookmark:http://www.usfamilycoupons.com

#FallFamily

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with US Family Guide. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.