As I searched for links this week, I was aware of the excitement and energy that comes as we anticipate a new season (and yes, I’m already anticipating the fall). I started contemplating school, soccer, ballet, Kung Fu lessons, Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving, school carnivals.  Then I got exhausted and decided to take it one day at a time.

Free Stuff for Pets and Children:

—Puppy Training DVD My kids want another puppy very badly, but I will not budge. It always falls to me to take care of and train the pets, but I’m not very good at the training part.  Maybe that’s why our beagle is currently throwing herself against the storm door to let me know that she’s ready to come in.
—Pocket Sized Constitution/Declaration of Independence I distinctly remember celebrating the anniversary of the Constitution in the 4th grade.  I got to dress up in breeches and ring a giant bell to call the entire school to come to convention.  I thought I was super cool.
—Cascade Complete and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser When you click over, scroll down to find the free sample sign-up box.  I nearly missed it the first time.  And even though I have no less than 18 Magic Erasers under my kitchen sink, I’ll never have enough.

Contest Carnival:
—Summer Vacation Stories?:  We Are THAT Family’s Kristen is hosting her Sizzling Summer Vacation Spectacle.  Link up on August 29 with stories of your family vacation and be eligible to win hourly door prizes.  And feel free to skip my story.  Apparently staycations are lame. (That’s a direct quote from a ten-year-old boy.)

Fun nd Educational Free Websites:

—Rubix Cube Solver: I was one of the ones who tried to use steam to peel off all of my stickers and put them back on to prove that I solved it.  When my son got a cube for Christmas I knew there had to be some genius computer program that could solve it.  I don’t think of it as cheating.  I think of it as bowing to superior artificial intelligence.  It helps.
—TeacherTube:  Like YouTube for teachers.  Rate video clips that range from a video on the Pythagorean Theorem , to videos of seals, this is a great resource for teachers, homeschoolers, or parents with kids who ask too many questions that their parents can’t answer.

In the Know: Politics and Blog Writing

—25 Things About John McCain I am an undecided voter.  I really don’t think this list will help me decide, but it was interesting to read.
—25 Things About Barack Obama Yep, still undecided.  Apparently 25 things won’t get it done for me.
—How To Write Good Blog Post Titles Not only do you get a lesson in how to draw readers to your site with your post titles, but ProBlogger is even providing you with practice titles to rework.

And in honor of my way lame stance on our Presidential elections, head over to the Blissfully Domestic forum and let me know if you’re undecided, or what issues are the major ones to judge our potential President on.  I’m in need of your help.  If you don’t visit the forum, I may be forced to write in my own name, and that’s just sad.

Know some exciting places that Blissfully Domestic readers should know about?  Email Sarah and let her know what you’d like to see Blissfully Linked. She scours the Internet for the best freebies, contests, time-wasters, and information…when she’s not trying to be the World’s Greatest Mommy.