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Free Local Family Fun Passes to Print Today – And More!

“Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you”- Ralph Waldo Emerson… If you were an early reader of this site, you’ll remember that I started out as a much more “Frugal Living” style of blog. One of my first big successes was my How to Get Free Stuff series, where I showed pics of the amazing amount of goodies I got completely free from things like entering giveaways, joining awesome mailing lists, or signing up for the best rewards programs. I still do all of that stuff, but as the blog evolved and grew into something a little different {I call it Smart Solutions for Busy Moms} – I stopped sharing as many of my frugal-style tips and tricks. But – sometimes I come across a new program that is so awesome, I can’t help but share it with you guys… And as you have probably guessed, I have one to share with you ladies today. It will rock your socks.

Scott's Shared Values - free stuff for families

“Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship”- Benjamin Franklin

So what is this awesome new program that I think is worth joining? Why join yet another rewards program? I know those are the questions you’re thinking right now, lol. Well – first off, the more programs and mailing lists that you’re on, the more amazing cool stuff you’ll get. I mean, I get super cool free samples in the mail I’m not even expecting – simply because I’m on a list of interested peeps somewhere. I find super helpful emails each day with the best new offers for free or deeply discounted deals on things I need for the fam – just because I’m a part of so many great rewards programs. So this stuff is seriously worth joining. {Get a list of great newsletters I recommend to get freebies and cool stuff here.} And this new program from Scott’s is one of the cooler ones that I’ve seen in a long time – It’s actually simple to join and get started, the rewards are the type of things that you actually want and need, and it’s just really honestly cool.

free family fun passes

“A penny saved is a penny earned.” – Benjamin Franklin

When I signed up – for Yakima, Washington, and then entered my zip for a Family Fun Pass – They let me choose from the location I wanted, so I requested a free admission to our local skating rink – Skateland. They emailed within a minute, printed my voucher – easy peasy, and done. Seriously – sign up to see what free Family Fun Passes are available for you this month, then keep checking back each month for new ones. No strings – just free, and super cool.

how to get free values for your family

Want to get started earning free family rewards asap??

Of course you do. It’s simple. It’s free. It gives you cool free stuff. And it’s from an awesome brand. If that hasn’t sold ya – here are a few more goodies – You can buy super cool ticket packages to see of the best racing events this summer. Or get 3 full free months to try out that new Blockbuster movie by mail program. You can get super sweet discounts on Hertz car rental too. Or get great coupons instantly for Scott’s brand products. Awesome, I know. So use this form to sign up now – without even having to click through to another site.

If the form doesn’t load or work for you – you can also find it in my sidebar all month, or click here!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up, get your freebies – then use the tweet button below to share with your own friends or networks. Or use my easy peas share buttons to post to Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, or whatever social media you love most. Because, friends don’t let friends pay full price, right? And this is such a sweet program you totally have to share it! It’s brand new, so most of your friends may not have even seen it yet! And it is rockin’ – for real.

 Join Scott’s Free Rewards Program for New Freebies Every Month – Including Free Family Fun Passes for August! 

{Disclaimer: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Scott. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating and am able to earn additional rewards throughout the campaign.}

 

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Posted by on August 11, 2012 Filed Under: Freebies, Busy Mom Solution | 4 Comments

How to Keep Your Budget for Summer Fun Right on Target

Make this year a “Big Honkin Summer”… As you’ve probably already noticed, I’m kind of an entertaining junkie once it gets to summertime. We’ve got a big in ground pool, patio, and field for kids to run in – so we’re the official gathering place of most of our friends and family. And I love that. Love-love it. And what I also love is creating cool new stuff to make the kids smile – whether it’s a new box of outdoor games, ingredients for summer parties and bbqs, or sweet gear and toys for the pool – Target is the destination for everything my family needs to make the most of summer. For real. {Remember how I told you that Target was dangerous for me? That big red eye hypnotizes me into buying so many trendy and affordable household decor and gadgets every time…}

how to have fun this summer on a budget

Making the Most of Summer…

When they say, “Whether you are traveling to the beach or just want to keep the kids busy, Target has all the summer essentials at great prices to make the most of the season” – they are not lying to ya, my friends. We all know that Target is a must-shop destination for home decor and summer fashions, right? Well, they’ve also got a seriously cool selection of stuff for summer fun. If you’re ready to kick your summer up a notch, look for the big beach balls, sand buckets, and sunglasses throughout the store to guide you to sweet summer gear. I stocked up on a bunch of great goodies, so that I have something new to bring out once a week to get the kids excited again. I like to make sure they spend their time playing games outside, in real life, versus on the darn XBox all day! And there were SO many totally fun options – I got a whole kit to build our own Lemonade Stand {watch for that coming up soon – you’ll LOVE it. We’re going to set this up at our next BBQ, and let the kids sell drinks. Too fun.} We also got a giant badminton set, a golf club that the boys LOVE, and crafty supplies like the Modern Board Book kit, to keep that summer fun going even on rainy days. {This sweet craft line from Todd Oldham is amazing – and it’s all under $20 bucks!}

octopus cupcakes

Creating summer memories with the kids

I love bringing a little bit of the unexpected to our normal daily routines. That’s why I love stocking up on those affordable summer toys and gear – just to have random surprises to bring out once in a while. I also have a ton of fun putting together silly foods like this – My Octopus Cupcakes. They’re super simple {I’ll put up a tips post for them tomorrow!} and were a huge hit with the kiddos at our last swim party. That’s another reason I looooove to shop at Target – Not only can I pick up the gear that I want, but they have a really great new grocery section, so I can get the snacks and treats there too. And myohmy – it’s MUCH quicker than shopping at Walmart. {You all know what I’m talking about, right?}

big honkin summer - summerizer app

Use the Summerizer App for even more summer fun

You can also make the Target Facebook page your online summer destination – click on their Big Honkin’ Summer-izer App to add some fun summer flair to your photos – like this one of Abby. Cracks me up – Love this. It’s incredibly easy peasy to use, with lots of cool options, and you can share your creation right to your own Facebook albums. And – if you make a fun photo here, stop by and share it on MY blog wall too – I’d LOVE to see the fun pics you come up with. And you can even have these printed at your local Target Photo Center too, super cool.

So – Shop Target for summer fun this year. Totally affordable, absolutely adorable – keep your summertime fun budget right on target!

{Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Target and received products to facilitate my review, and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.}

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Posted by on July 10, 2012 Filed Under: Shopping | No Comments

Learn about a Stylish Solution to Skin Cancer Prevention

Did you know: Skin cancer is the fastest growing form of cancer in the United States… It’s true, and that’s a pretty scary thing to think about, when you realize that the majority of people’s sun damage happens before they’re 18 years old. When I was a kid, my mom didn’t have the kind of information that we have today – and had no idea that all that sun we were getting could potentially be so harmful. And she also didn’t have access to the kind of super innovative products that we’re lucky to have today – Like these super fun fashions from GrUVyWear. Check ’em out…

“Precaution is better than cure.” – Edward Coke

How fun is this, right? I love the bright colors, the fun summer print, the super cool mini surfer-girl styling – and most of all, I love that this adorable gear also blocks 98% of the harmful rays when Abby spends the whole day out in the sunshine. It’s so great to know that while she’s rockin’ this sweet summer style she’s also being totally protected from sun damage. {Do you know the dangers of tanning and sun damage?} About 10 years ago my dad was diagnosed with a massive malignant Melanoma – the worst type of skin cancer. Before that, I’d been a tanning bed junkie for years – in my early 20’s I definitely wasn’t thinking about things like cancer, I thought I was still invincible. I’d known friends who just had a mole removed in a quick procedure, I thought that was all that skin cancer was about.  But – watching my dad go through all of the treatment for his cancer totally opened my eyes to how serious skin cancer can be – I had NO idea! That’s why it’s extra important to me to make sure I keep Abby’s sensitive toddler skin safe and protected now.

sun safety clothing for toddlers

“Safety is a cheap and effective insurance policy.” – Author Unknown

In the summertime, we spend our whole days outside. {Yes, it takes almost a week of summer vacation before I can get the boys to stop asking to play the XBox, lol. But once they get used to playing games in real life, we have a blast.} Last year was our first summer in this new house, and it’s such a great place to have the kiddos grow up. We’ve got a big in ground pool, nice side yard and a huge field to run in, and a peaceful, pretty, shaded patio for me to work on my laptop while keeping an eye on the wild ones as they play. With all that time outdoors I definitely need to take some precautions – I’m a Coppertone Mom, so I always have some great sunblock products to cover the kids in before heading out. {Make sure to apply about 20 minutes before going out into the sun.} But if you’ve got kids, you know how hard it can be to coat a squirmy toddler in slippery sunblock, right? Reminds me of a rodeo! So – It’s a total time saver – and sanity saver! – to just apply it to her arms and legs, then put on her cutie patootie GrUVyWear outfit to keep the rest of her skin safe.

GrUVyWare summer sun safety products

“Broken tools can be replaced.  You can’t.” – Author Unknown

We just ordered shirts for the boys too, to keep them looking and feeling cool this summer. They’ve both suffered through a few sunburns on their backs and shoulders before, and are pretty excited to have these sweet shirts to be able to avoid that this year. If you want to stock up for the rest of summer {or some of their great sporty wear for the rest of the year!} – here’s a sweet savings coupon code just for you guys:

Use coupon code SAVE1537 to save 15% off your order at GrUVyWear.com today!

As you can see, they’ve got gear for the whole family – from babies to adults. You can also pick up great accessories like hats and sunscreen too – so stock up on all of your needs for summer sun-safety gear there using the savings code! When you’re done with a long day at the pool, the beach, or on the lake – and you’re not suffering from your usual sunburned shoulders – you’ll definitely be thankful you did!

 For more summer fun ideas, tips, and cool products – check out my Summertime Living board on Pinterest!

{Disclaimer: I received a complimentary outfit from GrUVyWear in exchange for this post.  All opinions, photos, and overuse of exclamation points are my own. Only the best products that we try out make it onto this site – so you know this one is goooood.}

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Posted by on July 6, 2012 Filed Under: Shopping, Deals and Coupon Codes | No Comments

Has a Nurse Ever Saved the Day for You?

“You know you’re a nurse if… you triage the laundry when at home: This pile needs immediate attention, the pile can wait, this pile, with a little stain stick will be OK until you get back to it.” – Donna Wilk Cardillo… If you’ve ever spent any time at all in a hospital, you know that the quality of the nurses who attend to you can truly a difference in your experience. I mean, doctors are great, but honestly – whether it’s at your doctor’s office for a basic check-up, a hospital emergency room, or an in-patient stay at the hospital – you spend a heck of a lot more time with your nurses than you ever do with your doctor. Which is why I want to give a little shout out to an amazing nurse that made a difference in my life, and give you all a chance to recognize a great nurse who’s made a difference in your life too…

maternity pic

“When you’re a nurse you know that every day you will touch a life or a life will touch yours.” – Author Unknown

I’d originally planned to use this article to finally tell you all the story of Abby’s birth. Until recently, that was THE scariest day I’d ever faced in my entire life. But then last week I endured scariest thing I’ve ever been through, ever – My Toddler Had a Seizure: What I Learned Might Help You Too – And while things have recovered and calmed down amazingly well, the whole situation is still so vivid in my mind. And, it reminded me of what a difference the right set of medical professionals can make, especially nurses… I hate to have to say bad things about anyone, but I would be lying if I said that I felt ok about the way that the Emergency Room staff treated us during our ordeal… Abby had already suffered through two very mini seizures at home before we got to the ER. They were only around 5 seconds each, but they were horrible. So when the full one hit after being in the ER for an hour – I thought we would get some help. I was wrong…

“When you’re a nurse you know that every day you will touch a life or a life will touch yours.” – Author Unknown

Abby’s full seizure hit in the middle of a blood draw, for testing. The Phlebotomist continued taking blood, although we were yelling that Abby was seizing. Mike tried to hold Abby’s arms steady, so she wouldn’t fall off of the big hospital bed – since no one had pulled the safety rails up. I held her feet, then let go to run and open up our curtains, and shout for help. I came back to hold Abby… And looked back to see a whole counter of ER staff looking at us, not taking action. After I screamed for someone to help us – finally, a couple people wandered in, then finally started helping – grabbing an oxygen mask for Abby, hooking her up to monitors, and making sure she was breathing and safe. I understand that in the ER a seizure is probably an everyday type occurance. But for us, this was the scariest thing that had ever happened in either of our lives.

“A nurse will always give us hope, an angel with a stethoscope.” – Terri Guillemets

After getting Abby stabilized, we were moved upstairs, and admitted to Pediatrics for the night. There, we were welcomed into an atmosphere that was a complete 180 from the ER… The nurses were so amazingly compassionate, caring, and involved. When we arrived to our family room there, Abby still didn’t really know who we were. She was hooked up to lots of wires and monitors, very scared, and extremely confused. The nurses who got us settled in asked us if she had any type of favorite “lovey” at home – a doll, blanket, toy, anything – that made her feel secure and calm. Mike told the nurses that we didn’t have anything particular, Abby just loved all of her 27 baby dolls she’d carry around the house…. We were just joking. But within 5 minutes the nurses had returned with a baby doll for Abby to hold and cuddle, as she settled into her strange new surroundings at the hospital. The care and consideration that they showed to us then, and over the course of the next day as we monitored Abby, was more appreciated than I can ever say. We KNEW that those ladies cared for us, and were truly invested in Abby’s recovery. The doctor was amazing too – but since 90% of our day was attended to by the nurses, they were the ones who made the biggest impact on us.

“Nurses – one of the few blessings of being ill.” – Sara Moss-Wolfe

Did you know: the healthcare field is experiencing a severe shortage of nurses; there is currently a nationwide vacancy of over 100,000 positions, and that number is expected to grow to 800,000 by the year 2020? It’s amazing to me that a job that makes such a dramatic impact on the lives of so many people could be going unfulfilled. The positive side to this? The career outlook is excellent for the nursing field. And nursing is a highly regarded profession: a 2011 Gallup Poll announced that the public voted nurses number one for “honesty and ethical standards of various professions” for the eighth consecutive year. Nurses offer patients comfort, care and skill that is desperately needed in patient care. The time is now to encourage and celebrate this important role in our healthcare system. If you know an amazingly wonderful nurse too, then you’ll definitely want to make sure to enter them into the Amazing Nurses Contest, from J&J…

Nominate an Amazing Nurse

If there’s a special nurse that has made a difference in your life that you’d like to honor, visit the Amazing Nurses Contest site  before June 29, 2012, to share their story, and give them the chance to be recognized for their amazing compassion and skill. The form is pretty simple to complete – it took me less than 3 minutes to totally fill in the info to nominate the amazing nurse we had during our stay at the hospital with Abby. {By the way, she had totally recovered. They are hoping that what she had was called a Febrile Seizure – meaning it wasn’t too dangerous, but it’s very common in kids under 5, and odds are high it will happen again.} *A few details: The winning Amazing Nurse and his/her guest will attend the 2012 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute show in Los Angeles, courtesy of CNN. He or she will also be honored in a video profile which will be screened before the live audience at the show, and featured on the Nursing Notes by Johnson & Johnson Facebook page. (*Eligible Nominees for the Amazing Nurses contest must be a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) who currently administers direct patient care.)*

Share your favorite story of a nurse who’s made a difference in your life – I love reading your comments…

{I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Johnson & Johnson and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.}

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Posted by on June 27, 2012 Filed Under: Giving Back | 2 Comments

How To Connect with Far-Away Family

“There is no friendship, no love, like that of the parent for the child.” – There is no friendship, no love, like that of the parent for the child.” – Henry Ward Beecher… I was a daddy’s girl when I was little. I loved going out fishing with him, although he still complains about all of the fish I let go. I remember that we’d always get those raspberry-filled powdered sugar donuts at 7-11 before we would head to the lake. It’s funny how those little things become such big memories. As I grew into the teen years, my relationship with my dad went through the usual challenges – He thought that as my parent, he was right. But as the teenager, I of course knew that I was right, lol. But now as an adult {ohmyheck, did I just admit that I’m officially an adult? } – and now that I’ve become a parent myself, my relationship with my father is much richer and fuller than ever. That’s why it hit me kind of hard last year when he made the decision to move to Seattle… It’s only a few hours away, but Abby is changing so quickly as she grows, and I hated for him to miss these precious years while she’s little. But – smart momma that I am, I knew there must be some type of solution. Something that would help us stay better connected. Some way for him to be able see Abby as she grows, and a way for Abby to get to know her Papa. I’m happy to announce that I have found the perfect solution to help our family stay close – and it’s so simple, it’ll work perfectly for anyone. Want to know what it is?….

connecting with loved ones

“In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.” – Alex Haley

With Skype video chat, it’s super easy to connect with Papa a couple nights a week. And Abby LOVES it! She’ll come to my desk sometimes when I’m working, look up at the computer screen, and ask for Papa. She says, “Talk? Talk a Papa?? Pease?” Totally warms my heart. Because even though the drive to Seattle is only a few hours, with all of the crazy-business around here, we only get to visit him once every few months. At first, she would forget him in between visits… And it would take her a little while to warm up to him again when she would see him. But now she see’s him every week. She knows him. And I know it makes him just as happy as it makes us.

using skype to talk to grandpa

“To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.” – Barbara Bush

We can’t always be close enough to put our arms around each other – but thanks to Skype, we can always be there. And it’s not just my dad that we chat with. With the group video calling feature, you can add up to 10 people into one fun chat. Only one of you has to have an upgraded Premium account, and that person simply invites everyone else to the call. And of course, each of you will need a webcam, so you can see each other. We love to get my dad’s sister on our calls – and sometimes my brother and his kids will jump in too! Do not underestimate what a fun party you can have together – even from far away. Moments like birthdays are more special with Skype – we bring Papa right up to the table, so he can help sing Happy Birthday, and watch the kiddos blow out their candles. He can be here to chat when one of the kids has a bad day. Or we can all just get together virtually to laugh and tell stories together – just like we do in real life. I cannot recommend this enough.

how to skype

It’s time to say more and stay human. It’s time for Skype.

I also use Skype a ton for business. I’m a work from home mom, and the majority of my contacts and partners are in other states – sometimes even other countries. Email works great for connecting with people, phone calls are perfect for clarifying details, but to really brainstorm new projects – talking face to face on Skype is the way to go! I’ll share a few tips on how I make Skype work for my business  with you soon. Until then, I want to know…

How do you stay connected to loved ones who are far away? Share in the comments!

{Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Skype via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Skype.}

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Posted by on June 25, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 15 Comments

Get some wind in your sails…

“A lot of people ask me if I were shipwrecked, and could only have one book, what would it be? I always say ‘How to Build a Boat.” – Stephen Wright… Ah, boating. Just the thought of a day out on the water – cruising around on any type of boat, discovering new places you can only find while exploring out in the water, enjoying that feeling of the wind in your hair and the sunshine on your face – followed up by a refreshing dip in the lake. There is just not much in life that gets better than a day spent boating with good friends and family.

The joy of a boat on a lake

Discover Boating with Your Family

We don’t have a boat of our own, although it’s a serious goal of ours. I have so many amazing memories that are connected to boating… Being a little girl, out for a day of fishing on the boat with my dad and grandpa. Those crazy-fun weekends out on the water that I used to have with my friends, in our early 20’s. And I can’t wait for the chance to enjoy time out on the lake with my own family… Right now, we have to settle for good times with friends who invite us to join them when they go boating. And don’t get me wrong – I LOVE it. But I can’t wait until we’re able to find the perfect family boat to enjoy on our own. So – to help us along with that goal, I found a great site called DiscoverBoating.com. I love the tools and resources there, and think think that they might be super helpful to you busy mommas too. Let me tell ya a little more about what you’ll find there…

bunch of boats on the water

Planning Your Families Perfect Boating Adventure

A boat is a pretty major investment – but it’s the kind of investment that is accessible to just about everyone; with a little bit of research, a little bit of saving, and a lot of passion for the water, anyone can afford to give their family some super fun boating adventures. But – since it IS an investment, you want to make sure you know what to look for, right? And once you have a boat {or if you’re lucky enough to have one already!} you’ll want some great tips on boating, or maybe some super creative ways to preserve those fun memories. So – here are some of the cool tools and resources that I found on DiscoverBoating.com that you might like too:

  • Free Advice: Get a totally free “Getting Started in Boating DVD”. Just click the little tab to request it, and they’ll ship you out a free DVD packed with great advice to get your family excited about getting a new boat.
  • Just for Kids: Get a ton of super fun stuff to get your kiddos excited for boating, and to help teach them some great boat safety. There are also games and activities too – very cool. {Speaking of fun – Check out the sweet video maker on their Facebook page, to create your own summer fun videos.}
  • Marina and Ramp Finder: If you already have a boat, this can help you find some great new local places to enjoy it. And if you’re in the market for a new boat, this will help you ensure that you have enough places to bring it to. You can also research ways to get in the water without buying your own boat, by renting one to try out.
  • Boat Loan Calculator and Selector Tool: This can be super helpful – it’ll help you figure out how big of a boat you need, what style would be best for the lakes or oceans you plan to use it in, and give you tips on how to plan for one financially. Very cool.

So – we’re using these tools here to help us plan for next summer, and our first boat. I hope that if you’re in the same boat as we are {hahaha – pun intended, lol} that this great planning resource will help you too. I’d love to hear what type of boat your hoping to get, and your favorite memories out on the water too….

“Twenty years from now you will be more disppointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

{Dislaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Discover Boating and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. Photo Credit: Loowgren, and Phillie Casablanca on Flickr.}

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Posted by on June 24, 2012 Filed Under: Fun Stuff | 2 Comments

Who was #Brave today? I wanna hear all about it!

Disney/Pixar’s Brave – in Theaters Now!

OhmyHECK – it’s finally time. Yep, if you didn’t already know, today was opening day for Brave, the super fun new animated film from those geniuses at Disney and Pixar! I’ve given you a few sneak peeks before – like the hysterical clip Kilt: Are You Brave Enough to Wear One? And some yummy Scottish recipes inspired by the movie. And now, you can finally catch in your local theater!

Hoping to see it soon…

Unfortunately for us, we’ll have to wait a little longer to head to the theater and see it. As many of you already know, Abby had a series of seizures last Sunday – and we’re still being extra careful for a few more days, keeping a super close watch on her. We’ve tried to stay close to home as much as possible, just in case. But she seems to be doing much better now – so maybe next week I can take her out for a super-special mommy-daughter day. She’s never been to a movie at a theater yet – and I think a film with a sassy, tough, and totally brave little princess as the hero is the perfect movie for her first trip! Until then, I’ve had to settle for getting some inside scoops on the making of the movie – like this great interview with the voice of princess Merida, Kelly Macdonald – from my friend Angela at AboutaMom.com. {You can also enter to win a super adorable prize package from her too – filled with dolls and dress up gear!} But I know a lot of you probably DID get a chance to see it today – so I’d love to hear your opinions on it!

If you’ve seen the movie already  – I’d LOVE to hear your reviews! Leave some comments please :)

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Posted by on June 22, 2012 Filed Under: Fun Stuff | 2 Comments
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