Do you ever find yourself going through life at a mile a minute. Especially now that the kids are back in school, it seems that all us parents are just going through the motions with school, work, after school sports, etc. There never seems to be enough time in the day, and if there is, you have no idea what to do with the time, or find yourself wondering what you are forgetting to do -- so your stress level still stays the same. Even though I homeschool my girls, we are still outside of the house for most of week, with a couple activities or classes a day. There are days we eat breakfast and even lunch on the drive to or from a class, and are sitting down to the table for dinner around 8PM. It takes something like a cold or health concern to make you slow down and really look at your crazy life.
We were recently sidelined with the head cold/virus that is going around. Usually we don't get sick until November/Dec., and I made a point this year to ease up on the girls' schedule around this time, so we limit our germ exposure. But, I was factoring in cold season setting in so early, and being down for the count in Sept. It wasn't just the girls that got sick, but my husband and I also got it and found ourselves worse for wear for over a week. I spent two weeks caring for the girls and up through the night most nights with my youngest due to her asthma and eczema kicking in. And, I guess being exhausted and picking up the bug, really threw me for a leap. I was reminded that even though us moms think or feel we need to be Superwoman and do it all....we aren't and we can't, without burning out, getting sick, etc.
Thankfully the illness was staggered in our house, so my husband was able to help while I was sick, and then I took care of him when he got the bug. We found ourselves trying to stay away from the girls to cut down the chances of them picking up the bug again and then starting the cycle over. Times like these, I am happy that we have a spare bedroom set up, so that we can hole ourselves up in the room while getting better. And, shhh, but I have found this as a little oasis/home away from home, where I get extra quiet time to just sit and relax, or even read in quiet. It was nice, and as a pre-birthday gift to myself, it was made even nicer thanks to a product I was sent to review -- the 90-Can Beverage Cooler from NewAir.
Now I know what you are thinking, why did I get excited over a beverage cooler. Well, I have been asking for one of these for awhile, as our main refrigerator is filled with our girls' juice boxes and assorted sports bottles and drink cups. We have two shelves filled just with their drinks. And, my husband has his own mini fridge in the basement to store his favorite wines and hard ciders to enjoy when he goes off into his man cave. I was the only one in the house without a fridge to call my own, and thought it would be nice, to have a little spot in the house for me to work, or just go and relax and enjoy a little "me time," away from everything and everyone. When we are not outside the house for classes, the girls and I are together in the house doing school. We have a classroom in the lower level of our house set up, as well as another designated spot in the living room. In addition to the school spaces in the house, the girls have their bedrooms and a separate playroom, and my husband has his man cave area to watch television or work out. I never thought I needed a space for me until I found myself stopping and noticing I wasn't taking time for me to recharge my batteries or slow down and relax, and let my body rest. It took a week-long cold and my being banished to the guest room to be reminded of this, and want to turn this extra space in the house into my personal getaway. And, it was made sweeter with my own beverage cooler, which I stocked with my favorite drinks. I didn't have to worry about anyone sneaking in to grab a drink, especially if it was an adult beverage, as the beverage cooler comes with a lock and two keys.
Here is more about the 90-Can Beverage Cooler from NewAir, which was the finishing touch I needed on my "me time" space/office/hideaway. ;-)
"Upgrade your home bar, office or man cave with this convenient, freestanding beverage fridge. It's sleek black design looks great and it's compact design fits anywhere. It provides instant storage for all of your entertaining needs - no fancy installation or kitchen renovations required.
1. Beautiful Design, Built to Last
The AB-850B has a sleek, all-black design that looks great in any decor and stands up to years of use.
2. Temperature Control & LED Light
7 custom thermostat settings let you serve beer, wine and soft drinks at the perfect temperature every time. Interior LED light provides optimal viewing.
3. Clever, Space-Saving Design
Pack up to 90 standard cans into this surprisingly roomy beverage cooler. With 2.2 cubic feet of storage capacity, this freestanding fridge fits just about anywhere you need a cold drink within reach. Removable, adjustable racks let you keep almost any size can or bottle in this beverage cooler. Arrange your collection of wine, beer and unusual containers any way you like.
4. Safety Lock Feature
Keep little hands and curious teens away from adult beverages with the handy lock and key system."
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I don't know about you, but I don't like splurging on myself. I find myself always putting my girls and husband first. But, I have to say that when I was asked to review this beverage cooler, I was secretly hoping to keep it for myself. I had told my husband and girls about it, and they were already making plans on where to put it. My youngest wanted to put it her in bedroom, and even went as far as to stat moving stuff around to make space. She was hoping to fill it with bottled water, her favorite yogurt smoothies and juice boxes, and have at her disposal. My husband, on the other hand, was thinking it would be a great addition to our bedroom, for a night cap, or to have bottled water chilled and ready, if he woke with a tickle in his throat or parched in the night. I wasn't feeling a mini bar in our bedtime, and sure wasn't planning to put it in my daughter's room. It wasn't until it arrived and that I was holed up in the guest room sick, that I realized the perfect place for it.
I have only had the 90-Can Beverage Cooler for about a week, but it has become one of those things that you find yourself enjoying and wondering how you ever lived with it. When everyone goes to bed at night, I head into this room and blog for a bit at my desk. I love being able to wheel my chair over to the beverage cooler and pull out a cold bottle of water or wine cooler, to enjoy while I work in the quiet house.
And, in the AM when everyone is up at the crack of dawn, I sneak away to enjoy an iced coffee can while "folding the laundry". Shh, don't tell my family, but the laundry was already folding...I am just moving around to make them think I am folding and tidying up, while sipping my morning pick me up. I head out of the room more refreshed and ready to take on the day ahead. And, I know that when I return, I know have my own place to relax and take the much needed "me time" --- even if it is just 10-15 minutes at the end of the day. I need it to clear my head, and my body needs it, and reminded me of this with my recent cold that felt like the flu.
With the holidays fast approaching, why not consider putting yourself at the top of your shopping list, along with your significant other and kids. You, too, deserve a present, and have it be something that you could really use and enjoy. Why not consider picking up the 90-Can Beverage Cooler and making a little space in your house just for you, so that you can retreat their and decompress after a crazy day. We all need this "me time" and it will benefit not just you, but your whole family. You will be happier and less cranky, and your family will notice the difference. I had to laugh last night when I found myself getting upset with the girls not picking up their toys after I told them the hundredth time. My oldest daughter told me "Why not go into your room and relax a bit. You need it, and we need it." She told my husband that when I go in the room and then come out, I am happier and less stressed. I guess they are also picking up on days when I wish there were more hours in the day to get things done.
Look how compact this beverage cooler is...
You can adjust the door to open from left or right, depending on the space your choose for it
The shelves are adjusting to fit different size bottles and cans - holds 90 cans in total!
As you can see this is an energy-efficient beverage cooler, and only costs around $60 a year to run.
There is a light you can turn on and off, and the temperature levels are found up near the light at top of the cooler. Simply slide from 1-7, depending on how cold you want the beverage cooler to get.
This is what it looks like when you keep the light on. It remains on you can see inside, even when the door is shut.
I am loving it so much, I am considering picking up another one and replacing it with our old garbage disposal that was installed when the house was built back in the early 80's in the center island in my kitchen. We don't use the disposal, and it is always nice to have a beverage cooler for adult drinks or other beverages when you find your main fridge filled with your kids' drinks and sports bottles.
To learn more about the 90-Can Beverage Cooler from NewAir, or to purchase it and have ready for the holidays, visit https://www.newair.com/
And, when your family asks you what you want for Christmas this year, why not tell them you want this beverage cooler. Once you start using it, you will be glad you thought of yourself for once.
Cheers! :-)
Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
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