CyberDefender LiveTech Fully-Loaded PC GIVEAWAY Contest for Busy Parents - Ends 5/31/11

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Details below, Contest Ends 5/31/2011

MommyBlogExpert posts about family and hi tech appear on this blog frequently, including everything from Parent Guide to Help Kids Get the Most out of Technology to What My Kids Did to my Computer for April Fool's Day, and most recently, Tech Gadgets Gift Trend for Mothers Day. 

Nowadays, it seems we just can't get enough of technology, either us parents or our children.  Problem is, I know a lot of moms and dads like me who are getting pretty lax about using the very technology we depend on without properly maintaining it.  For sure I’m expert about procrastinating on things like updating my software whenever new versions come out and making sure that my virus protection is renewed in a timely fashion before it expires.  
My son has loved computers since he was a toddler-- he's now a teen
1999 Vintage Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

I hate to admit it, but I’m even lazy about doing something as simple as backing up my hard drive regularly.  In fact, I’ve spent over a thousand dollars professionally recovering data and precious personal photos just for the last two times my computer has crashed!

If you’re like me and you permit your kids to use the home computer, you’ve probably also noticed that things tend to get even more aggravating.  As soon as the children start downloading like crazy, in the blink of an eye that once speedy family PC is crawling like a tortoise across the desert.  Even if you have security software installed, your personal computer is running so slow that you feel like screaming at it.

Good thing there’s a new contest that can actually help you vent all this annoying computer stuff plus possibly win a really great prize that any mom or dad, can really use -- a brand new laptop loaded with CyberDefender security software that includes expert help from their LiveTech service to set it up when it arrives.  

How To Enter

To enter this contest, just visit the CyberDefender Facebook page and tell them your technology frustration story. Write about anything you feel like, such as problems setting up, downloading images or figuring out how to use your new iPad.  Alternately, you can tell it your story visually by snapping some digital pictures of you and your kids with your old tired and infected PC and posting them. Be creative, be funny and your chances of winning are even better.  Contest results are final, must be over 18 to enter. Please see terms and conditions before entering.

CyberDefender is a one-stop solution for multi-tasking moms  and dads with PC problems. The company’s remote tech support service, LiveTech, can help with any PC-related issues, home networks or connected devices, from system slowdown to malware removal or even helping sync data and music between computers and smartphones.

Finally, an end to all that tech frustration so you can enjoy more quality family time with your kids!  What have you got to lose? Enter this contest, already!

Click HERE to WIN a New Laptop

Good Luck!

FTC Disclosure:  I disclose that I earned a gift card from CyberDefender for writing about this giveaway.  However, the opinions expressed are my own.  I did not receive any other compensation related to this post.   See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one. 

6 Easy Eco Friendly Ways Busy Moms & Dads Can Save Lots of Money on Gas

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Eco Family Living

Green living seems to be on my mind a lot lately, most recently when I wrote a post for this blog for Earth Day on how families can take a more active role in repairing and preserving our environment.  As I left the house today I started obsessing on the fact that here I live in L.A. where people really do drive four blocks from home to go grocery shopping.

To be honest, I'm as guilty sometimes as just about all my neighbors on this.  So, today I thought why not combine all my errands to save gas, money, and do my small part to improve Southern California's air quality?

Pacific Ocean at Sunset - Brown/Orange Tint on Horizon is Colored by Smog

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

This shopping trip inspired these tips that will help you save big money on gasoline too.

• If your errands are all within walking distance of each other, why not consider driving to a central location between these different places, parking, and walking to each location? Instead of starting and stopping your car excessively, you'll only have to do it once.

• Even if you only have one errand to do, if it's within a 15 minute walk of your starting location, consider leaving the car and walking instead.  You'll save gas and money but also get some exercise besides.

• When driving the kids to extra curricular activities, such as to friends' houses, sports games and music lessons, where you are just dropping off your child, get them to walk home from the event, if it is safe and close enough to your house for him/her to do so. That way you don't have to make two round-trips to drop off and pick up.  Plus your son or daughter gets the physical workout all kids need but don't always get now a days.

• Don't overlook the freedom and convenience that owning a bicycle provides -- both for the driver and for the kid.  Get your child to ride their bike if he's old enough and responsible enough wherever he wants to go.  You'll feel like less of a taxi driver and your child will feel they actually can go to a lot more places without always depending on a ride from you.

• Lastly, but most importantly, your child will see you making an effort to conserve fuel, money, and show you care about the environment. Wouldn't it be great if your kid also adopted this ethic after he/she get their driver's license so they can enjoy the benefits too?

Try to do any or all of these little things whenever you can and you'll notice how much less often you find yourself at the pump filling up.  Besides all the money you're saving, you'll be helping to save Earth's precious natural resources too.

Now it's your turn to comment.  What other eco friendly ways can you think of (or that you already do) to conserve gasoline?

FTC Disclosure:  I did not receive any payment or other compensation related to this post.   See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Los Angeles Times Book Festival

Family Events

Annual LA Event Entertains, Educates Kids & Adults: Ages 1 - 100

Little Bear, Star of the movie First Dog, at the Los Angeles Festival of Books at USC

Photo by My Daughter, Mini MommyBlogExpert, MommyBlogExpert.com

I'm still on a high after the recent 16th Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books which took place April 30 - May 1.  I've been attending every year since the first event at UCLA before I had kids and last year I covered the Fresh Beat Band 's live appearance at this Los Angeles Times book festival for this blog.

My Daughter, Mini MommyBlogExpert at the 2011 Festival at USC
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

There was some chaos and confusion this year at the two-day fest as well as parking issues.  I think that could likely be attributed to the event's first year at the new location at USC near downtown L.A.  Even still, my kids and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  In fact, we spent the whole day there, staying till this free book lovers' mega event closed at 5 p.m.

There was truly something to discover for every generation here: kids (babies, toddlers, or school-age), tweens and teens, parents with children of every age, adults without kids, grandparents, and even great grandparents.  With eight outdoor stages and the glorious Southern California weather that weekend, it was so hard to choose between the one-show only events going on simultaneously.  

The Ben & Jerry's full-size ice cream giveaway on a sweltering hot weekend day to thousands at the event was a delectable treat for young and old alike, for sure. Though this had nothing to do with books, B&Js were there to pass out free samples of their new flavors available exclusively at Target which was a major sponsor of the event.

Juggling Ben & Jerry's Server

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

So many (hundreds) really intriguing panel discussions were available to attend, too, with some of the world's premiere authors like R.L. Stine (Goosebumps).  There were also talks by journalists, such as popular L.A. Times columnist, Steve Lopez.  

As a Baby Boomer who grew up on black and white TV, Sunday was the perfect day to attend the event.  That's because I found the conversation on stage between my favorite L.A. Times writer Mary McNamara and Jeannie Out of the Bottle author and actress Barbara Eden of 1960's I Dream of Jeannie fame a real thrill.

Barbara Eden on the L.A. Times Stage at the Festival

Photo by My Daughter, Mini MommyBlogExpert, Mommyblogexpert.com

There were also hundreds of authors who made personal appearances for book signings, too.  That's on top of all the interesting and diverse exhibitor booths to visit showcasing books, book-related items, and even movies based on books coming out this summer -- like Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer. 

Heads up:  I'm working on a separate post now based on my interviews with author and creator of the Judy Moody book series, Megan McDonald, and several members of the cast of this film which scheduled for release June 10.  So, look for that story with more photos really soon on this blog.

  

Zany Props on Display from the Judy Moody Movie

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

New in 2011, bringing the L.A. book festival fully into the hi tech age, was The Times first mobile interactive guide for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android.  This app was developed to help attendees explore and enjoy everything the weekend had to offer from their hand-held devices.

Mobile App That Was New to the Festival This Year

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

About the L.A. Times Festival of Books

This festival was created in 1996 to promote literacy, celebrate the written word, and bring together book creators with the audiences who love to read them.  The 2011 event was presented in association with USC, presenting sponsor Target, major sponsors Buick and GMC, and official ticketing vendor Eventbrite.

FTC Disclosure:  I covered the L.A. Times Festival of Books as a credentialed media member.  I did not receive any payment or other compensation related to this post.   See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.