Heck Of A Bunch

Hormel Foods 'Go Big for the Big Game' Sweepstakes

2012-01-28T04:49:00.001-06:00

As a Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger, I want to make sure you're aware of the Hormel Foods 'Go Big for the Big Game' Sweepstakes. By filling out the simple entry form on the sweepstakes tab of the Hormel Foods Facebook page you can have the chance to win a $500 gift card to throw the ultimate Big Game party for friends and family. The sweepstakes ends February 3rd so be sure to head over there, "Like" Hormel Foods Recipes on Facebook, and enter to win. Good luck!

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Life Peak - Touchless Hand Sanitizer Dispenser Review and Giveaway

2012-01-28T04:37:00.003-06:00

In my house alone there are three adults, six kids, and one dog. Yeah, that's why I'm called "Heck Of A Bunch"! I love having a full house but it sometimes comes at a price. When one of us get sick, it usually becomes a domino effect until we've all come down with whatever contaminant has been passed our way. That's why it's super important that we all follow a health routine to keep ourselves and others from getting sick.

Life Peak, a global leader in sanitizing systems, has been manufacturing hand hygiene products for more than forty years in the commercial sector. The Touchless Hand Sanitizer Dispenser with sanitizers and bottles that I received from Life Peak have made the routine easier and more fun.

The Flu Season Special Pack that I received included one dispenser, a bag of solution, and refillable empty bottles and spray pens. This touchless hand sanitizer dispenser is motion-activated and filled with a bag of sanitizer. When you run your hands under the dispenser, it automatically dispenses an alcohol solution that sanitizes. The Germstar solution is a premium quality, hospital-grade solution with a water-like consistency with no sticky residue.

There are different color options for the touchless sanitizer. I have the Chrome/Smoke dispenser. It matches my kitchen decor well and has gives a futuristic feel. Seriously, it almost looks like something out of a cool sci-fi movie! A bag of sanitizer solution was included with the dispenser and already inserted. All I had to do was remove the red safety tab and insert 4 AA batteries to make the dispenser work. If you prefer to plug in the dispenser an A/C adapter is included.

There is more than one option for placement of the Life Peak hand sanitizer. It can be mounted to a wall or set on a counter top. Hardware is included if you want to mount it. There are several nice features and innovation that went into the Life Peak hand sanitizer. For one, you can purchase hand soap cleanser or sanitizer refills, so the machine works for either solution. There's also a night light so you can see what you're doing in the dark. A cover security lock feature allows you to lock the cover if you choose. A small plastic key is stored at the bottom of the dispenser that you use to unlock the cover. If you use this feature, I recommend that you always place the key back where it belongs so you know where it's at the next time you need to open the top.

Each dispenser comes with empty refill bottles and spray pens that can be filled with the sanitizer and used wherever you go. There are two notches on the tray of the dispenser. One notch is to set bigger bottles on for exact placement and the other notch is for the spray pen bottles. Yet another cool feature is that you can control how much liquid is dispensed by turning a knob at the side of the dispenser. The knob settings go from 1 to 5.

The bag that holds the solution lists all ingredients and warnings; The bag is also recyclable. Replacing refills is easy. The hand sanitizer itself doesn't dry our hands and has only a slight alcohol scent. It has only four ingredients and kills 99.99% of germs. The only downfall that I find is with the instruction manual. There are very little written instructions and the visuals aren't very clear. There are videos on the Life Peak website that are very informative on how to operate the dispenser and the features that are available.

The whole family is enthralled with the Life Peak Touchless Dispensing System. We just pass our hands under the sensor when needed and the proper amount of sanitizer is dispensed. The kids have filled the spray pens and bottles up with sanitizer and carry them around in their purses and backpacks. Seriously, I had no idea that a hand sanitizer dispenser could have so much ingenuity. I'm definitely impressed!

Win It!

One person will win a Life Peak Hand Sanitizer and Touchless Dispenser - Flu Season Special Pack.

Includes:

1 - Touchless Dispensing System

1 - Bag of Sanitizer (Citrus or Original Mint)

2 - Empty Refill Bottle

2 - Empty Refill Spray Pen

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BottleHood - Recycled Glassware Review

2012-01-28T01:16:00.003-06:00

I have a small collection of shot glasses. I have them scattered for display in my kitchen and my camper. At times, I'll even put them to use. One company that has several neat shot glasses and other dapper products made of recycled glassware is BottleHood.

BottleHood glassware is made from bottles reclaimed from local restaurants, bars, and events. The bottles are repurposed using local crafts people and are turned into great looking glassware. Functional products are made while glass is kept out of landfills. I received a set of Chopin Shot Glasses for review from BottleHood.

Truthfully, I've never heard of Chopin Potato Vodka until I received the shot glasses. However, when I saw them on the site I was immediately drawn in by the unique design. The shot glasses are repurposed from the Vodka bottles. The glass is frosted with a clear window on the front so you can see a picture of the famous composer come through from the back of the bottle. On the back of the shot glass is a description and ingredients from the original bottle. The shot glasses are well crafted and comparable to any you'd buy at a store or souvenir shop.

I really, really like the original look of the shot glass and it's been added to my collection. What I like even more is that it's been repurposed from an actual Vodka bottle. BottleHood is making its mark on the environment by making something useful out of bottles that would otherwise just be thrown in landfills.

I've got my eye on this Jagermeister Pendant Light and have already told my husband that it'd make a nice gift for me. Jager is my favorite alcohol of choice and I can totally see this light added to my camper.

If you are looking for a unique Valentine's Day gift for your loved one, this "Sweet" Collection would make a nice present.

"Like" BottleHood on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BottleHood.
Follow BottleHood on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BottleHood.

I received product for review from BottleHood. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Last Winners' Announcement for January

2012-01-27T11:30:00.002-06:00

A few of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have been notified and have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the Tropical Traditions giveaway is #384, lexee. (confirmed)

The winner of the Purex UltraPacks giveaway is #34, VickieC. (confirmed)

The three winners of the Sarris Candies giveaway are #29 Jackie and #367 trixx and #265 bison61.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Be sure to check out my current giveaways, always listed at the top left hand side of my blog. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

Dollars & Uncommon Sense - Book Review

2012-01-27T04:14:00.001-06:00

Book Synopsis:

Most people use common sense when they make decisions about their money.
Most people also live paycheck to paycheck, have sleepless nights worrying about debt, and think the only way to have money is to win the lottery.

In Dollars & Uncommon Sense, Certified Financial Planner® Stephen Repak shows you why and how to use uncommon sense instead. He retrains the way you think about money and takes you step by step through a program in which you will:

· take control of your spending
· get rid of your debts once and for all
· build more wealth through saving and investing than you ever thought possible.

My Review:

I've never been wealthy, but I've been really close to poor. My present financial situation is probably better than it's ever been, but I still live paycheck to paycheck. I was aware of and have a system already in place for a few of Stephen's tips on how to better manage my money and have more to save up. With that said, this book has a wealth of information on other methods I can use to have extra income in the long run. There are several sections in this book, with the Saving and Investing principles being most helpful to me. Included in the book is a section of useful websites, a glossary, and worksheets. For anyone wanting a financial help book that is easy to follow, I'd recommend Dollars & Uncommon Sense.

I received book for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

Infant Meningitis Awareness - Protect Infants Now

2012-01-27T01:29:00.001-06:00

I know there is open debate on whether or not to vaccinate your children. Everyone has their own beliefs and I'm not here to judge. Personally, I've had all of my children vaccinated and feel okay with that decision. I would like to tell you abut Meningococcal Disease, the Meningitis Angels, and the Protect Infants NOW (PIN) petition, which will hopefully educate and inform you of the disease, how it affects children, and what you can do to recommend infant meningitis vaccines.

Meningococcal disease is a leading cause of meningitis (an infection of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord) and sepsis (a life-threatening bloodstream infection).

Aside from injuries and neonatal complications, meningoccal disease is among the leading causes of preventable infant death in the U.S. Approximately 50-60% of these cases are vaccine preventable.

Recent CDC estimates reveal that meningococcal disease incidence is three to seven times higher in infants under one year old than in any other age group, and the highest risk for meningococcal disease is during the first seven months of life.

Approximately 1 in 16 infants who contract meningococcal disease will die from it.

There are more deaths from meningococcal disease each year than there are from pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella and rotavirus disease -all infections which infants currently receive vaccines for.

Let your voice be heard and visit Protect Infants Now to learn how you can raise your voice and ask the CDC to make the right decision by encouraging them to recommend adding this lifesaving vaccine to the infant immunization schedule. You can sign the Protect Infants Now (PIN) petition, like I have, to help with efforts to protect our children and try to eliminate as many cases of this disease as possible.

Meningitis Angels is a national non-profit organization founded in memory of a child who's life was taken as a result of meningoccocal meningitis/meningococcemia. Meningitis Angels educates the public, health professionals, child care facilities, schools and universities on meningitis and other vaccine preventable diseases and the preventions including vaccines, through personal stories or educational brochures, posters, and videos. You can learn more by viewing the Meningitis Angels PSA video.

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central and Meningitis Angels. This campaign was made possible in part through support provided by Novartis Vaccines. A small donation to a charity of my choice was made in my name from Mom Central as a thank-you for participating. All opinions in this posting are 100% my own.

This post contains an embedded video.

Tropics in the Winter, With Bath & Body Works

2012-01-26T03:37:00.001-06:00

Although the weather is chilly, get in the tropical state of mind with Bath & Body Works Island Paradise Signature Collection featuring Aruba Coconut, Rio Rumberry and Bali Mango.

Aruba Coconut

Top Notes: Juicy Thai Mango, Fuji Apple, White Nectarine

Mid Notes: Passionflower, Vanilla Orchid, Casaba Melon

Dry Notes: Coconut Cream, Tahitian Vanilla, Indonesian Sandalwood

Rio Rumberry

Top Notes: Thai Papaya, Tangelo, Fresh Coconut Water, Sparkling Summer Lemon

Mid Notes: Tiare Flower Plumeria, Watery Starfruit

Dry Notes: Coconut Cream, Tahitian Vanilla, Indonesian Sandalwood

Bali Mango

Top Notes: Sparkling Tangerine, Asian Apple, Peony

Mid Notes: Thai Lychee, Passion Flower, Pink Rose, Nectarine

Dry Notes: Raspberry Coulis, Skin Musk, Sugar Woods

I received a sample of Bali Mango body spray and my senses instantly went to a place of warm breezes, sipping light beverages, and enjoying the sun's rays. I love Bath & Body Works as it is, so being able to try Bali Mango was a pleasure. The sweet scent is suitable for wearing at any time you want your imagination to go on a tropical vacation.

I received product for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Play With Your Food And Eat It Too

2012-01-26T03:27:00.001-06:00

I bought a Scrabble edition box of Cheez-It baked snack crackers, thinking the kids would find them pretty neat. Out of all six kids, it was the almost 18 year old daughter who laid them out on my computer desk to play a game of solitaire Scrabble. At least she picked up the crumbs when she was done!

Robby Wash - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-26T03:18:00.001-06:00

I've used different forms of laundry detergent in my wash before, ranging from powders and liquids to concentrated packs. The newest, a first for me, was the Robby Wash from Oransi. The Robby Wash laundry detergent ball has launched in the U.S. with several money-saving benefits:

10 ounces of Robby Wash ball replaces 75 lbs. of traditional laundry detergent.

One Robby Wash ball lasts up to 12 months. The ball itself will last three years.

One Robby Wash ball will save more than $100+ over 120 washes.

The ecofriendly, hypoallergenic and safe Robby Wash ball is only $2.95 and lasts one year. It also includes refills and a tube of stain remover.

Granted, I haven't had the Robby Wash for a year, so I can't vouch for its longevity. But I'm all about saving money on laundry, especially since I have to wash clothing for a family of eight people. In the few weeks that I've had the Robby Wash, I've found that it is easier to mess with than big containers of detergent, it doesn't cause a mess, it takes up little room in my washer, my clothes come out as clean as they would with any other detergent, and it seems to be quite cost-effective. With the Robby Wash costing $32.95 and the indication that it lasts a year, that's quite a bit of money saved!

The Robby Wash ball works by using a unique and patented worldwide technology to clean your laundry effectively. Its activated macromolecules are gradually released through the wash, dissolving dried-in stains by generating ions which activate the water molecules. This increase in pH enables the activated molecules to penetrate deep into the fabrics and attach themselves to the stains. As the motion of the drum agitates against the clothes, the stains come away easily from the fabric and dissolve in the water.

Although there is a tube of stain remover included with the Robby Wash, I prefer to use a regular trigger-spray remover. After pretreating and sorting my clothes as usual, I place the clothes in my washing machine and then place the Robby Wash laundry washing ball amongst the clothes. There is no need to add any additional soap or detergent; The capsules inside the Robby Wash do the work. The Robby Wash ball can even be kept in the washing machine between uses as long as it's not buried in clothes because it needs to be in a well aerated place. It also it not meant to be used in the dryer. New pellets need to be put in the Robby Wash when you notice the existing pellets starting to decrease significantly because it needs to be full for optimal use. There is a tab on the ball to refill with the pellets when it's time to do so. For me and my family, the Robby Wash has made the chore of laundry even easier.

Win It!

One person will win a Robby Wash.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Not Soap, Radio - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-25T04:13:00.002-06:00

Not Soap, Radio is a whimsical bath and body collection designed to assuage modern frustrations such as diet, love, stress, and other people in an amusing way. They use the best ingredients and all fragrances are custom blended. I'm not sure what the company name means but I like the cleverness of the packaging and the playfulness of the products.

I received a couple Dry Oil Perfume Sprays and a Solid Parfum from Not Soap, Radio for review from the 'I'm Not Here, I'm Really...' collection. The 'On Holiday In Tuscany' dry oil perfume spray is a blend of tangerine, neroli, bergamot, lime, and sweet tea. The 'Vacationing In A Quaint Seaside Village' dry oil perfume spray and solid parfum blends notes of nectarine blossom, honey, peach, black currant, and green mandarin.

The Dry Oil Sprays are a blend of exotic fragrances and essential oils to give your skin a sensuous, silky feel. They can also be used as room sprays. I haven't used the Dry Oil Sprays to freshen my room but they've definitely given my dry, dull wintry skin a radiant shine. Before I get dressed for work, I spritz some Dry Oil Spray on an area of my skin and lightly rub it in. There's a noticeable difference in how my skin goes from dry and dull to healthy looking. The light scents are also pleasant.

The Solid Parfums from Not Soap, Radio are FAA approved for travelling. The fragrance works when applied to pulse points and as a hair pomade. I used it on my hair once and didn't seem to have as much frizziness. A few times a day I'll apply the Solid Parfum to my wrists and back of my earlobes for a pleasing scent.

If I can't be at an exotic or fun location right now, I may as well wear products that give the indication of what it would be like!

Win It!

Two people will each win a Solid Parfum and two Dry Oil Sprays from Not Soap, Radio.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Plumb Pretty Jewelry - Valentine's Special Discount Code

2012-01-25T02:35:00.001-06:00

Tina, a friend and co-worker of mine, is offering a special discount code for 25% off her handmade jewelry through her Etsy Shop, PlumbPretty. Use code VDAY25 during checkout. Discount expires 2/14/12. I've held a few reviews and giveaways for Tina. I've also worn a few of her pieces. I think you'll like them as much as I do.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes only. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Dentist Tips to Prevent/Cure Bad Breath

2012-01-24T14:23:00.001-06:00

Did you know that Americans cite bad breath as the least attractive trait a co-worker can have? Studies have shown that 35% of Americans suffer from bad breath. Brushing your teeth isn’t enough to cure bad breath. Check out these unique cures, from Founder & CEO of Arch Dental, Dr. Pankaj Singh, that will leave you feeling better inside and out!

Practice good oral hygiene.

· Brush your teeth AND tongue after you ea (keep a toothbrush/wisp at work or school to brush after lunch)

· Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.

· See your dentist twice a year

Chew on mint leaves or parsley

Eating an orange is a good way to eliminate bad breath instantly. The citric acid present in oranges will help in stimulating the salivary glands and encourage the flow of breath-freshening saliva.

Eat Yogurt - Studies have shown that the active bacteria in yogurt, specifically Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, may have a beneficial effect on odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.

Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist.

Chewing gum (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (preferably sugarless) also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Went to

2012-01-24T14:18:00.001-06:00

Went to

The Author of this post is Darius Boone

I went to http://www.homesecuritysystem.com to look into alarms for the house because I worry when I’m away and my kids and wife are home without me. I have to travel a lot for work and that’s made me miss my life back home a lot more but you know, I think it’s important to realize they’re not going to fall apart and die without me being there. Having an alarm is going to make me feel better about being away but you know, I’ve also been thinking about getting a dog for them, too. I think it’s important to remember that they need to learn responsibility while they’re young and a dog would be a good security feature, too, especially if we get a big one that barks loudly. I don’t know why I took this job with me travelling so much but now I’m totally committed so I’ve got to keep on keeping on until I score the next promotion and can finally get back into an office like I’m dying to do.

This is a sponsored guest post. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Helpful Travel Phrases

2012-01-24T05:22:00.001-06:00

Academy Award® Winner Rachel Weisz Stars in the Heart-Pounding Suspense Thriller, The Whistleblower, arriving on Blu-ray and DVD January 24. How far will one woman go to fight global injustice? Inspired by true events, THE WHISTLEBLOWER has been met with praise by critics and heralded at the Palm Springs International Film Festival (“Best Narrative Feature”), Seattle Film Festival (“Best Director”) and Whistler Film Festival (“Best Film,” “Best Narrative Feature”).

Academy Award winners Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardner) and Vanessa Redgrave (Julia) head a powerful cast that includes Oscar® Nominee David Strathairn (Good Night and Good Luck) in writer-director Larysa Kondracki’s harrowing dramatic thriller. When Nebraska cop Kathryn Bolkovac (Weisz) accepts a U.N. peacekeeper position in post-war Bosnia, she uncovers a deadly sex trafficking ring. After learning that fellow peacekeepers and military contractors are involved in the ghastly practice and its cover-up, Bolkovac risks her own life to save the lives of others and expose the corruption.

Kathryn and many of her American colleagues could have benefited from a quick Bosnian or Croatian language lesson. Here, we will explain some common words and phrases to help travelers, including "Hello," "Thank You," "Do You Speak English?" and "Help." Use this handy guide for common travel phrases in Spanish, French, Vietnamese and, of course, Croatian.

“Hello”

The first thing you want to do in any situation is greet the person you’re talking to. Here is how you say “Hello!” in four different languages:

Spanish: ¡Hola!
French: Bonjour!
Vietnamese: Xin chào!
Croatian: Bok!

“Do You Speak English?”

If you’re foreign language skills are minimal, knowing how to ask people if they speak English is especially useful. Here is how you do that:

Spanish: ¿Hablas Inglés?
French: Parlez-vous anglais?
Vietnamese: Bạn có nói tiếng Anh không?
Croatian: Govorite li engleski?

“Help!”

If you’re in a foreign country, you may need to ask someone for help, perhaps in getting directions, or in case of an emergency. Here is how you say “help:”

Spanish: Ayuda!
French: Aidez-moi!
Vietnamese: Giúp đỡ!
Croatian: Pomoć!

“Where’s the Toilet?”

No matter what country you travel to, you will, inevitably, need to use the bathroom while sightseeing. Here is how you ask where you can find the toilet:

Spanish: ¿Dónde está el baño?
French: Où sont les toilettes?
Vietnamese: Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu?
Croatian: Gdje je WC?

“Thank You”

If someone helps you by answering a question or pointing you in the right direction, saying “thank you” is the polite thing to do. Here is how you say this phrase:

Spanish: Gracias!
French: Merci!
Vietnamese: Cảm ơn!
Croatian: Hvala!

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational and entertainment purposes. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Light Affection - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-24T01:54:00.002-06:00

If you are looking to create a photo gift that's one-of-a-kind, I highly suggest Light Affection. The company offers personalized compact lamps and night lights using a porcelain engraving that comes alive when illuminated. The varying thickness of the translucent maerial creates the illusion of the original image. Based on your photo, a piece is carved using a special technique and created into a personalized compact lamp or night light. Each Light Affection piece is carved based on a personal photograph and each original has its own unique serial number.

I was blessed to receive a personalized night light for review. I submitted a couple of photos and was immediately contacted by email about image size or quality. I like that the company wanted to ensure I had a quality photo I could use to get the best final product. I ended up choosing a photo of my teenage daughter during Homecoming night last year. I was emailed back with a sample image of what the overall photo would look like. Within a couple of weeks, I received my final product and was quite pleased. Normal production time for each Light Affection piece is ten workdays.

sample photo

night light turned off

night light turned on

When turned off, the night light looks like a wooden frame with a white etched photo inside. When turned on, the night light illuminates the photo, giving a beautiful glow. Seeing the etched photo be transformed into an illuminated light is mesmerizing. The included light bulb is an energy efficient bulb that is long lasting and doesn't get hot. There's a switch on the front so you can turn the light on and off at will. The night light is set up to fit outlets that are positioned up/down on a wall. It will work for a sideways outlet but the picture won't be upright. The quality of the night light is superior and I'm wowed by the final product.

Win It!

One person will win a gift certificate for a free personalized Night Light from Light Affection.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Year, New Eating Habits - #HFExtendedFamily

2012-01-23T13:37:00.002-06:00

I've made two New Year's resolutions to myself. One is to attend church more regularly. The other is to eat healthier and lose a few pounds. So far I've lost two. It's nowhere near my goal, but it's a start. What ways are you getting healthy this year? What resolutions have you made and are you sticking to them?

Setting a resolution to eat healthier for the New Year is a lot easier said than done. With all of the distractions being thrown our way, whether it is work, family, or school, it is not uncommon to lose sight of our healthy eating goals. Instead of focusing on what NOT to eat this New Year, why not to make a goal to try new foods or create new habits in the home surrounding meal time? Keeping nutrition in mind, create a plan for yourself and your family that is fresh and unique, as well as healthy.

Having trouble where to start? Here are some tips!

Keep it simple. Don't attempt to overhaul your entire style of eating immediately. Gradual changes are key. Start by adding fruit as a dessert or a delicious veggie as a side dish to dinner.

Eat a variety of foods. Bringing the same sandwich to work every day isn't going to get you the nutritional value that your body needs. Try making a sandwich with Hormel Natural Choice deli meats, which contain no preservatives, artificial ingredients or MSG and include a variety of options including turkey, ham, chicken, and roast beef, so your sandwich selection never gets boring.

Don't deny yourself your favorite treats. It's important to remember moderation, not elimination.

Sit down with your family and create a meal plan for the week. Keeping in mind the food pyramid and using a tool like MyPlate, create dishes that everyone in the family will enjoy. Let each family member plan a dinner dish for the week and then get everyone's input on what changes can be made to make it a healthier meal.

Remember to drink water consistently throughout the day. For the body to function properly, you need to continually replenish it with water. This goal could be the perfect opportunity to cut out that extra glass of juice, soda, or coffee, and replace it with a cup of water.

Add a little bit of excitement to an otherwise boring salad by choosing a protein to sprinkle on the top. Try Lloyd's Woodfire Barbecue pulled chicken for added flavor or a quick fix like Hormel chunk chicken, made with one hundred percent real meat.

My husband recently created homemade chicken noodle soup using Hormel chunk chicken, chicken broth, and No Yolks egg noodles. What are your go-to recipes for eating healthy?

I received products, as part of the Hormel Extended Family Blogger team. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

New Hour-Long "Team Umizoomi" Special Premieres Today

2012-01-20T04:29:00.001-06:00

There’s a Shape Bandit on the loose taking shapes from all over Umi City and it’s up to Team Umizoomi to save the day in the new hour-long special, “Team Umizoomi vs. The Shape Bandit,” premiering today, Jan. 20, at 12:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. The Umi Team must identify shapes, numbers and patterns, count and measure in order to stop the Shape Bandit.

Nickelodeon recently launched Team Umizoomi Math: Zoom into Numbers, a math-based app inspired by the preschool series. Developed by curriculum consultants and tested by focus groups, the app features five touchable, deeply leveled games (23 levels in all) and takes the curriculum and excitement from the television screen to mobile devices using state of the art designs. It has been the number-one educational app on iTunes for several weeks.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes only. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

To Kill A Mockingbird - Blu-ray Giveaway

2012-01-20T01:26:00.001-06:00

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: Famous Stories of Innocence Lost

Digitally Remastered and Fully Restored with Over Three Hours of Bonus Materials Including Two FullLength Documentaries

On Limited Edition Collector’s Series Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, one of the screen’s most beloved and critically acclaimed films, celebrates its 50th anniversary with a commemorative Limited Edition Collector’s Series Blu-ray™ Combo Pack as well as on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD from Universal Studios Home Entertainment on January 31, 2012. The powerful and poignant adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel hits the half-century mark, digitally remastered and fully restored from high resolution 35MM original film elements, plus more than three-and-a-half hours of bonus features chronicling the making of the cinematic masterpiece.

Scout, the heroine of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, lives with her father and brother and isn't privy to many positive, female role models who want her to be anything more than a 'lady' in a nice dress.
To honor the release of the film on Blu-ray on January 31, we will examine some more progressive and forward thinking female role models that Scout could have used to look up to, including the smart and talented Hermione from the Harry Potter series and Princess Leia from Star Wars.

Margo Channing from All About Eve

Margo Channing (played by Bette Davis) from the classic film All About Eve is tough as nails and definitely plays against the stereotype that woman are meek and easily led by men. Margo also stands out in comparison to the manipulative, lying Eve (played by Anne Baxter). Davis was nominated for an Academy Award for this role, and won the Best Actress Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

Princess Leia from Star Wars

Princess Leia (played by Carrie Fisher) may seem demure at first glance, but she isn’t afraid to stare down cargo smugglers, military commanders, or even Sith Lords. Princess Leia isn’t afraid of getting her hands dirty either, often sporting a laser pistol and jumping into battle at a moment’s notice. Aside from being able to defend herself, Leia is always equipped with a one-liner that can put most anyone in their place.

Fa Mulan from Mulan

Fa Mulan (voiced by Ming-Na) is both strong and honorable. Unwilling to let her elderly father go to war, Mulan poses as a man and goes to the army in her father’s place. Mulan is able to succeed in training camp (often surpassing the actual men in her camp), and comes up with ingenius ideas that help defeat the Huns.

Erin Brockovich from Erin Brockovich

Julia Roberts portrays real life hero Erin Brockovich in a biographical film of the same name. Not only is Erin a single mother to three children (which is a feat in and of itself), but she also discovers a massive cover up of industrial poisoning by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and crusades for justice for those who were affected.

Hermione Granger from Harry Potter

Hermione Granger (played by Emma Watson) has shown an entire generation of girls that it’s cool to be smart and opinionated. Hermione is well read, extremely intelligent, logical, quick thinking, cool under pressure and very clever. She also has a soft spot for those in need, and often goes out of her way to defend those people or creatures.

Win It!

One person will win a Blu-ray copy of To Kill A Mockingbird 50th Anniversary Edition.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Tork Home and Finally Home To Family Winners Are...

2012-01-19T23:41:00.001-06:00

Two of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have been emailed and have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the Finally Home to Family giveaway is #385, ArtsyChaos.

The five winners of the Tork Home giveaway are:

#227 ababe28

#390 Belinda M.

#491 Tylerpants

#290 CouponQueen81

#287 Michelle B.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Be sure to enter my current giveaways, all listed at the top left hand side of my blog. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

Whole Grain As A First Ingredient

2012-01-19T03:07:00.001-06:00

The Whole Grain First Ingredient coupon link now has additional prints. Visit http://www.myblogspark.com/uc/main/d537/ to download a printable coupon for $1.75 off the purchase of any (2) cereals with the white check today!

The Dietary Guidelines recommend choosing products with a whole grain listed as the first ingredient. Now every cereal with the white check has more whole grain than any other single ingredient, with the same great taste. You will see whole grain as the first ingredient on the ingredient list, indicating that whole grain is the first and most prevalent ingredient.

According to Dr. Travis Stork, emergency room physician and host of "The Doctors," identifying whole grain products can be challenging. Shoppers can look for cues on the front of the box, but they need to read the ingredient list to know if they are getting products with whole grain as the first ingredient. Ingredient lists detail ingredients in order of prevalence, and if the words "whole" or "whole grain" are followed by a grain like wheat or oats, it means the food contains more whole grain than any other single ingredient. Here´s how to determine if your cereals have whole grain as a first ingredient:

People really want to make healthy eating decisions, but there are a lot of messages vying for their attention in the supermarket. This can be especially true when it comes to determining which foods have a meaningful amount of whole grain. Dr. Stork has some additional recommendations to help you include whole grain easily into your diet. They include:

Start Early! The Dietary Guidelines recommend people get at least 48 grams of whole grain in their daily diets. Get a jump-start on the day´s nutrition by incorporating whole grain into your morning routine. For instance, when choosing cereal make sure whole grain is listed as the first ingredient. One easy choice is cereal with the white check, which have more whole grain than any other single ingredient.

Make Simple Swaps. Choose whole grain versions of the foods you love. Great options include whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread or even whole grain crackers. Also, try different types of whole grain. Use brown rice instead of white rice as a side dish at dinner or popcorn, which is a whole grain, for a snack.

Don´t Judge a Food by Its Cover. The front of food packages provide good nutritional cues, but don´t forget to read the ingredients and check the nutrition label and side labels for additional health information. Cereals with the white check even include the amount of whole grain per serving on packaging.

To help make it easier to find whole grain products, General Mills developed "Fast Lane for Whole Grain," an online educational game. Consumers can navigate virtual grocery store aisles and identify products that have whole grain as the first ingredient, with the option to enter a sweepstakes to win one of each of the 50 cereals with the white check.

In connection with healthier lifestyles, a diet rich in whole grain has been linked to healthier body weights, and it may help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

Make a commitment to incorporate more whole grain into your family´s diets by starting their day with a bowl of cereal with the white check, including Cheerios®, Lucky Charms®, Cinnamon Toast Crunch®, Honey Nut Cheerios® and Total®. For more information on the importance of whole grain and a chance to enter the "Fast Lane for Whole Grain" sweepstakes visit www.WholeGrainNation.com.

I received no compensation for this post. This is an informational post on behalf of General Mills and MyBlogSpark. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

What's Your Number? - DVD Review

2012-01-18T05:54:00.001-06:00

Ring in the New Year with a fresh and funny tale about dating, relationships and life as Anna Faris (Scary Movie Franchise, The House Bunny) and Chris Evans (Fantastic Four, Captain America) come together in a hilarious quest for “the one” in WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER? Unrated Ex-tended Cut, debuting on Blu-ray and DVD released January 10 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

DVD Synopsis:

After reading a magazine article that insists if a woman has slept with at least 20 people that they have already missed Mr. Right, marketing executive Ally Darling (Anna Faris) begins to panic, thinking that she will be alone forever. With the help of her hunky new neighbor (Chris Evans), Ally starts tracking down all her ex-boyfriends, hoping to find her real true love while she helps him escape his latest fling. Hilarious hijinks and adventure ensues as Ally goes on her wild search for the best “ex” of her life, only to find what she is looking has been right in front of her all along.

Featuring hysterical supporting performances from Chris Pratt (Moneyball, “Parks and Recreation”), Joel McHale (“The Soup,” “Community”) and Andy Samberg (“Saturday Night Live,” Hot Rod), WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER? is based on the book “20 times a Lady” by Karen Bosnak and will be available as a Blu-ray combo pack and single disc DVD. Flaunting an unrated extended cut of the film and loaded with laugh-out-loud bonus material including new expanded flashback dates and gag reel, the Blu-ray combo pack and single disc DVD is available for an average retail price of $29.99 and $19.99 respectively.

WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER? Special Features

●Extended Cut of Movie
●Extended Flashback Dates and deleted scenes
●Gag Reel

My Review:

Anna Faris is an actress who I deem to be quirky and fun to watch. She didn't disappoint in this movie. She plays Ally Darling, a girl who is on the quest for love from her several ex-boyfriends. Unbeknownst to her, true love was right under her nose. The plot is predictable but the scenes are funny. This is what I'd consider a chic flick, but I caught my husband chuckling several times at the raunchiness and laugh-out-loud moments. The movie is Rated R and shouldn't be seen by children, but I suggest it for adults who are in the mood for a good romantic comedy.

I received DVD for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I wasn't influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Laughter Heals - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-18T02:45:00.001-06:00

Ever notice how you generally feel better when you're smiling and laughing. At least that's the way it is for me. My heart feels lighter and my mind is calmer when I watch a comedy, read a funny joke, giggle with my friends, or just find amusement in everyday things.

From the creaters of Save The Ta-Tas is Laughter Heals, a company that supports initiatives that create joy. Being diagnosed with breast cancer, or any of life's circumstances, doesn't have to defeat your spirit. Laughter Heals knows that and is all about creating joy together, even during times that don't seem so joyful. Laughter Heals Gifts has a Facebook page with posts of joyful and funny pictures, jokes, and quotes. The company sells travel mugs, apparel, keychains, and more to promote the mantra that "Laughter Heals". A free keychain is included with every Laughter Heals purchase.

I received a Laughter Heals travel mug and now carry it to work with me all the time filled with coffee. The 16 oz. stainless steel mug is adorned with a purple band that is designed with butterflies and the 'Laughter Heals' logo. The lid has a pull-back lip to drink out of when open and keep your beverage from spilling when closed. On the bottom is a black non-slip surface to keep the mug in place. For the most part, the travel mug is leakproof. It keeps my coffee hot for a long time and the heat doesn't transfer to the outside of the mug, preventing it from burning your hands. The travel mug is very pretty, functional for my coffee cravings, and reminds me to consider laughter when times are tough.

Win It!

One person will win a Laughter Heals Travel Mug.

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Wordful Wednesday - Hangin' With the Girls

2012-01-17T23:07:00.002-06:00

Simply stated, I miss camp. What I miss most is the camaraderie. It's a feeling of belonging and being with groups of people that accept me for who I am, silliness and all. That's why it's always a good feeling when I can get together with my girls and hang out, which is exactly what I did Saturday.

My sisters have the best sister in the whole world!

We're related by blood and friends by choice.

When I get together with these four girls, all is right with the world.

In the Doghouse Now

2012-01-17T04:21:00.001-06:00

They say that dog is man's best friend. Does that count if both are in the doghouse together?!

Now I know where to send the dog AND the kids when they don't behave!

Disclaimer: Neither one were in trouble. They were just hanging out together in the dog kennel. I seriously don't use it as a form of punishment.

Diamond Candles - Blog Tour Review and Giveaway

2012-01-17T04:03:00.001-06:00

Take one look at my fingers and it's pretty obvious I have a ring obsession. Rings are my jewelry weakness. I also like candles. Combine the two and it's a pretty safe bet that I'm sold. Diamond Candles is a company that combines soy candles with rings for sweet scents and pretty bling.

Diamond Candles is a company that sells highly fragrant premium quality soy candles with a fun 'ring reveal' experience. Inside each earth friendly soy candle they make, there's a ring hidden inside a pouch. Once enough wax has melted from the candle, you can pull the pouch out and open it to reveal a ring worth a price range anywhere from $10 to $5000.

As part of the Diamond Candles Campaign, I received a Diamond Candles soy candle for review in the Cupcake scent. With a burn time of 125-160 hours, the scent pleasantly reminds me of what a cupcake smells like. The candle is placed in on a bookshelf in one of my hallways and fills the space with a yummy scent. The fragrance is enough that you can definitely smell it when you pass through the hallway, but not so strong that it is overpowering.

The suspense of what my ring looked like was almost too much. As soon as I was able to, I pulled the gold pouch out of the candle and opened it to reveal the piece of jewelry. Although it is a ring of small value, it is very pretty. The costume ring is gold with diamonds on the side and a light purple stone in the middle. I have big fingers so the ring only fits on my pinkie, but it is an appealing piece.

There is no outright indication of how much your ring is worth when it's revealed but there are clues. If a ring has '14k' or something similar imprinted on it, there's a good chance it's of higher value. If it has 'Thailand' or other similar words imprinted on it, the band is most likely has little value. You can also upload a picture of your ring to the Diamond Candles Facebook Fan Page to show off your pretty band and get opinions on how much it may be worth. Although my ring isn't the real thing, the reveal process was lots of fun and the candle itself is charming, with a pleasant fragrance.

Win It!

As part of the Diamond Candles Campaign, 30 people will each win a Diamond Candle from the company. The winners will be randomly drawn by the company from all participating blogs.

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In Time - DVD Review and Giveaway

2012-01-17T00:50:00.002-06:00

Be Your Own Minuteman

Arriving on Blu-ray and DVD January 31

In the year 2161, time has become the ultimate currency and genetic alteration has allowed people to stop aging at 25 years old. Upon reaching 25, the countdown begins and in order to stay alive everyone must work to buy themselves more time or die within a year. When a struggling young man, Will Salas (Justin Timberlake), comes in contact with a “millionaire,” he is gifted more time than he can imagine. Falsely accused of murder, Will is a fugitive on the run and becomes determined to bring down the entire system by any means possible.

In the film, Philippe Weis was in the business of loaning time to lengthen the lives of society's elite; however, you don't have to have a thousand years under your belt in order to live a long and full life - or to look as good as Justin Timberlake looks in the film. In this feature, we will discuss quick and easy ways to 'invest' in your life, so to speak.

Start Your Day With a Glass of Water

One of the best things you can do for yourself is drinking tons of water, especially in the morning. While we sleep, we lose a lot of oxygen. So, to rejuvenate our cells, we need to supply them with oxygen and water. Drinking a nice glass of water in the morning is a great way to do this, and it will help you feel less tired in the mornings.

Replace Coffee With Herbal Tea

Many people love drinking a cup (or many cups) of coffee or caffeinated tea during the day. For a healthier alternative, you can try a nice cup of herbal tea. There is a massive selection of flavors of herbal tea and many of them aren’t just soothing, but actually offer health benefits! For instance, chamomile and peppermint teas have both been found to antimicrobial and antiviral properties, and peppermint tea actually acts as an antioxidant as well!

Squeeze in Some Exercise

Not everyone has time to go to the gym on a regular basis, and that’s completely understandable in today’s busy world. Though a mix of cardio and weight training exercises are best for your body, if you don’t have the time to dedicate to this kind of workout routine, there are still things you can do to stay in shape! If you work in an office, you can do simple things like talking a short walk every hour or so. Or, if your building has stairs, run or walk up and down them a few extra times a day, just to get your blood flowing and your muscles working. You can also stretch at your desk, or even jog in place while you’re waiting for the printer!

Be Conscious of What You Consume

The absolute best way to invest in yourself is to know and moderate what goes into your body. Knowing simple things like what foods have good fats in them (like avocados and olive oil) and which meats are best for you (fish, chicken and lean cuts of beef are good choices) is essential if you want to treat your body well. Basic rules like staying away from heavily processed foods (fast food, sugars, etc.) and loading up on things like fruits, vegetables and whole grains are simple dietary adjustments you can make that will greatly benefit your health.

Practice Deep Breathing

Practicing a bit of deep breathing is both calming and has healing effects for your body. Any time that you’re able (in the office, while driving, cooking, etc.), you can try deep breathing where you inhale for five seconds, hold it for a few seconds, and then slowly release. Do this for a few minutes a day. This exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is great for rejuvenating your blood cells, and giving you a calm, relaxed feeling throughout the day.

My Review:

Just imagine if you had a set amount of time and it was used as currency instead of money. Would you use that time wisely? In Time makes you think and ponder how you'd live your life if that were the case. Money is no longer used and people are guaranteed to live until the age of 25. After that age, they are given one year to use as currency. Spend it too fast and you're dead. Save it up or steal it and you can live for decades. New Greenwich is the dividing line between the people of poverty and the people who have all the time in the world to spend.

Justin Timberlake plays Will Salas who is wrongfully accused of stealing time from a wealthy man with many years. He ends up in New Greenwich and learns that the government, politics, and Timekeepers play a large role in how long people live. Will takes a wealthy socialite's daughter hostage and she soon joins his side in winning the war for those who don't have the time to live very long.

I watched In Time with a few family members. One person said they thought there should've been more action and another thought a car wreck scene looked very simulated. Other than that, it was agreed that In Time is a very good movie with an original, thought-provoking plot and believable acting.

Win It!

Two people will win In Time on DVD.

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Trop50 True Resolutions - Giveaway

2012-01-16T04:38:00.001-06:00

We are a few days into the new year and I'm more resolved than ever to stick to my resolutions. One of them is to attend church more regularly in order to grow spiritually. My other resolution is to reduce my soda intake. Although I'm not sure I can ever give up on carbonated, fizzy drinks I know they sabotage my diet and aren't good for me.

Trop50 offers fruit juice goodness with 50% less sugar and calories, and no artificial sweeteners. These juice beverages are just what I need to consume healthier drink options and there's several flavors that sound refreshing. I haven't yet tried Trop50 but plan on purchasing some during my next grocery trip. Farmstand Apple and Raspberry Lemonade sound especially refreshing.

Trop50 True Resolutions celebrates the real reasons behind New Year's resolutions. Share your secret motivation behind your resolutions and you'll earn a coupon for $1 off Trop50 for yourself and 50 cent off coupons for up to fifty of your friends. Whether you submit a resolution or not, you can also enter a sweepstakes to win a $1000 gift card. I've submitted one of my New Year's resolutions on the Trop50 True Resolutions Facebook page and encourage you to do the same.

Win It!

One person will win a $25 Visa gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sarris Candies - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-13T10:58:00.001-06:00

I love me some chocolate. I have a sweet tooth and usually grab something sweet to eat a couple times a day. I don't see myself giving up chocolate, but I'm trying to shed a few pounds by summer. That's where it helps to have chocolates that aren't so fattening, like the Pretzel Slims from Sarris Candies.

Available in Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate, the 100 calorie Pretzel Slims are a guilt free treat. Each individual pack has ten chocolate coated pretzel sticks that are big on taste and small on calories. I received a few packages of the Milk Chocolate Pretzel Slims. A perfect combination of salty and sweet, I'm able to satisfy my sweet tooth without overindulging. The Pretzel Slims are salted pretzel sticks drizzled in delicious chocolate. Rather than eat a whole package at once, I've been eating a few Pretzel Slims at a time, and a few at once does the trick. They satisfy my cravings and taste delicious.

Sarries Candies signature piece is milk, dark, and white chocolate pretzels. They also offer several other chocolate confections and candies. Wedding favors, novelties, and corporate gifts are included in their purchase options.

Win It!

Three people will each win six packages of Pretzel Slims.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SendAFrizbee - FrizbeeGram Review

2012-01-12T03:53:00.001-06:00

I may be a full-grown adult but I get as giddy as a child when I get a special package in the mail. It's always nice to know that someone is thinking of me and has taken the time to send something by mail. Not too long ago I received a nice gift in the mail...in the form of a frisbee. Although I like to receive other kinds of gifts I thought it was pretty cool I could get a frisbee in the mail, and it was delivered in my mailbox. There were no extra boxes or packaging to open or have to discard later.

The frisbee came courtesy of SendaFrizbee.com. It is a family owned business that produces personalized FrizbeeGrams from high quality discs made from FDA food and drink approved polypropylene plastic. The frisbees are approximately 9 1/4 inches round and can be kept as a memento or can be played with just like a regular frisbee. There are several colors to choose from and you can add your custom message or picture for free. Free shipping is included on all orders and there is no extra charge for any military address outside of the United States.

The Frisbee I received is hot pink in color and has my blog header image on it. The words say "We love Heck Of A Bunch From your friends at SendaFrizbee.com. Because the frisbee is not packaged, it has a mailing label on the back of the disc. The label can be removed or left on there to show others that you received a FrizbeeGram in the mail. I chose to remove the label from mine. Most of the label came off easily but some of the adhesive was stubborn so I scraped it off with a butter knife. I let the kids play with the plastic disc a few times, but now have it placed in my cedar chest as a souvenir.

I received product for review from SendaFrizbee. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

Purex UltraPacks - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-12T02:46:00.001-06:00

As a VIP Purex Insider, I get the good fortune of trying some of Purex's latest and newest laundry formulas. In fact, I recently posted a review and giveaway for Purex Triple Action laundry detergent. I'm pleased to now be doing one for Purex UltraPacks.

New Purex UltraPacks detergent will launch in February. Purex UltraPacks are convenient pre-dosed liquid detergent packs that make laundry easier than ever. Each Purex UltraPack contains powerful 2x concentrated liquid detergent and they dissolve quickly once the washer is started - even in cold water. They are formulated and safe for all machines, including high-efficiency (HE). Available in two varieties, Mountain Breeze and Free & Clear, the Purex UltraPacks simply get placed in the washer before clothing is added. The film then dissolves and the detergent is released.

I tried the Mountain Breeze Purex UltraPacks on several washes. The are approximately eighteen blue detergent bricks in each package and one is usually enough per load. It's a convenient process where I just have to add one of the UltraPacks and let water run over it before adding in the clothes. Sometimes the film doesn't dissolve as quickly as I'd like so I have aided it along by massaging the UltraPack film under the water until the film dissolves and the detergent is fully released. The packaging size is smaller and more portable than a laundry detergent jug. I don't have to measure how much detergent I need to use. It's a "throw in the wash and be done" method. The detergent seems to work the same as any other Purex laundry detergent I've been pleased with. It cleans my clothes and adds a slight mountainy fragrance. Unbeknownst how, one of my last detergent bricks remaining busted open in the packaging and created somewhat of a mess. For the most part, Purex UltraPacks are advantageous for making laundry simpler and time-saving.

Win It!

One person will win a coupon for FREE Purex UltraPacks.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Time To Clean Out the Locker

2012-01-11T16:33:00.003-06:00

Where I work, my company has a locker room provided with employee lockers. They resemble school lockers, with a large section to hang your coat and a smaller section to put books and papers. At first, my locker was simply filled with work papers and a sweater for chilly nights.

Over the years, the locker has been overrun with other things. One is the wooden Christmas tree I set out on the countertop every year. Oh, and there's the headphones I've never used. A couple of DVDs I loaned out to co-workers and never took back home sit in there. Let's not forget the credential certificates I've received. Now that I think about it, my locker is beginning to look more like a hoarder's home rather than a place to neatly store stuff. You know it's bad when you open your locker up and stuff starts falling out at you. Doubt I'd receive workman's comp for that!

Guess I'll be adding 'Clean Out My Locker' on my list of things to do.

This is a spnosored post. The opinions within this post are of my own. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

To Kill A Mockingbird Video Clip

2012-01-11T16:15:00.001-06:00

The classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, will be released on Blu-ray January 31st. In anticipation, here's a video clip called Atticus Shoots Rabid Dog.

This post contains an embedded video.

I received no compensation for this post. Please do your own research before purchasing product or using services.

Finally Home to Family - Giveaway

2012-01-11T01:52:00.001-06:00

For many service men and women the day they return home is the happiest day of their lives! We have all seen the happy reunions of families during the holidays, but what happens after the reunion is over? For many men and women it’s the beginning of a new struggle, the struggle to put their families back together again, and it’s not easy. Military divorces have increased 42% since 2001, and that number is sure to increase with the number of service men and women returning home from Afghanistan.

With the Finally Home To Family widget we all can help the men and women who have defended our country fight the war in their backyard! Included in the widget is a What's Your Romance Recipe Quiz where you can find out your spouse's secret ingredient for romance. With just a click of your mouse, answer a few questions and you'll have your customized romance recipe. With the exclusive Finally Home Dates PDF you can download great ideas that will help add some spice into your romantic life. The Awesome Stories section includes stories from couples who have struggled with relationships and how they've coped in the same situation.

Win It!

One person will win a $15 Amazon gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

January Facebook Giveaways

2012-01-11T01:04:00.001-06:00

Here are a few Facebook giveaways you may be interested in:

The Natural Dentist 1,000 Fan Celebration Giveaway!

Don't want to have to choose between natural and effective when it comes to oral care? Then you'll love The Natural Dentist! When their Facebook page reaches 1,000 fans, they'll celebrate with a giveaway that will offer a chance to be one of 10 winners to receive a prize pack containing a bottle of TND Healthy Gums Rinse, PLUS your choice of a $25 retailer gift card from either Walgreens, Rite Aid or Whole Foods!

Powered by nature, proven by science, The Natural Dentist line of products was formulated with a scientific blend of natural ingredients by a dentist to provide effective, natural oral care for his patients' teeth and gums.

PediaCare® Helps Parents Understand the New Changes to Infants Acetaminophen Products; Offers "Get Back to Happy" Sweeps!

PediaCare is one of the first brands to adopt a new dosing system for infant acetaminophen products. And, to help explain and illustrate the changes to infants and children's acetaminophen products, Dr. Jim Sears, pediatrician and co-host of The Doctors, teamed up with PediaCare® and Little Remedies® to create a video explaining the new, smart product changes along with a demonstration of the new special dosing mechanisms.

And, to help you get your little one back to feeling happy, now through January 31, 2012, you can enter thePediaCare "Get Back to Happy" Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of four fun prizes! One grand prize includes a two night stay for four (4) at one of The Great Wolf Lodge® resorts and all winners will receive a PediaCare "Get Back to Happy" Family Pack each valued at $350.

For additional information about PediaCare® products and the dosing changes, visit the PediaCare web site, www.pediacare.com .

Nip Flu Season in the Bud with a New Oscillo® Sweeps!

Oscillococcinum® is tough to pronounce….but even tougher on flu-like symptoms!

Enter the “How Do You Say Oscillococcinum” Sweepstakes for your chance to win Oscillo, Children’s Chestal and a $50 Walgreens retail gift card. Prizing starts Monday, January 9; one random winner will be selected each weekday until January 20! Plus, watch the fun video of fans trying to say Oscillococcinum. If you are one of the 10 random prize winners and also guess which of the three fans says it correctly, you’ll be eligible for a bonus $100 Walgreens retail gift card. That’s triple the prize!

Enter now through 12 p.m. ET on January 20, 2012, for your chance to win. “LIKE” the Oscillo Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/Oscillo for great flu season tips.

Silpat Giveaway

Silpat, maker of the original non-stick baking mat, is hosting a Facebook giveaway now through Jan. 23, 2012.

Silpat is ideal for baking cookies, preparing candies and even roasting vegetables, fish, poultry and more. Silpat provides maximum heat transfer, ultimate release and quick and easy cleanup.

Visit Silpat's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mysilpat) to enter for a chance to win a Silpat half-size non-stick baking mat.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes only. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Jolly Happy For These January Winners

2012-01-10T23:37:00.001-06:00

A few of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the Aerobie Megatop giveaway is #361, DLSLoveBlogs. (confirmed)

The winner of the Original Copper and Brass Polish giveaway is #65, lisa. (confirmed)

The winner of the New Year's Carnival Giveaway Hop giveaway is #492, jmcghee2024.

The three winners of the Purex giveaway are #26 Wild N Mild $$$, #374 ababe28 and #226 shopannies.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, listed at the top left hand side of my blog. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

That's What I Call Ingenuity!

2012-01-10T05:39:00.001-06:00

My husband amazes me. Sometimes it's with how immature he acts. Other times it's with how clever he is.
I really think he could be stranded on a deserted island and find a way to make a raft out of underwear elastic and coconut milk.

The other day my vacuum took a dump. That just cannot happen. It is necessary for me to vacuum everyday. I have a dog that sheds more hair in one day than a cockroach lays eggs. The vacuum belt was completely broke. I ran to Wal-Mart with the part number in hand, only to return empty handed. Wal-Mart does not carry the belt size I need and I was too stressed out to look in any other stores.

I figured my carpets would just become a dumping ground for dog hair and resigned myself to that fact.

Da, Dah, Da....Husband to the rescue!

He searched around the house and found just the thing. A rubber tire from an R/C vehicle.
With some tweaking and cutting, he was able to turn it into a belt for the vacuum. Beat that one, McGyver!

Tropical Traditions - Powdered Laundry Detergent Review and Giveaway

2012-01-10T00:57:00.002-06:00

Tropical Traditions, a company I've worked with before, recently gave me the opportunity to review their powdered laundry detergent. I knew that if it was as good as the products I've reviewed in the past, I'd be mighty pleased.

Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent cleans and removes stains from your laundry with the power of Oxygen Bleach Destainer and Deodorizer. The Powdered Laundry Detergent is safe and effective at all temperatures on whites, permanent press, bright colors, pastels, prints, and delicates in hard or soft water. It is not suitable for silk or wool. Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent is non-toxic, environmentally safe and contains no phosphates. It cleans and safely bleaches your clothes.

With their laundry detergent there is no harmful by-products upon decomposition. It dissolves as completely as liquid detergents and rinses away completely leaving no residue in your clothes.

I've never really tried a laundry detergent with oxygen bleach added in it. That's because I've been fearful it would cause my colored clothes to fade. My fears were short-lived with the Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent. It seems to make my whites a little cleaner and doesn't cause any fading. The laundry detergent is added to the washer after it's filled with water. For my regular size top-loading washer, I use 1/4 cup of detergent on normally soiled loads. A scoop is included and helps to measure the correct amount. The laundry detergent is unscented and gives a nice amount of suds in the wash. There net weight of the detergent is five pounds and quite a few loads can be washed with just one tub. I do have to be careful when scooping out the detergent because some of the granules fall out of the container so I usually have a minor mess to clean up. Other than that, it's a laundry detergent that works well for my large family.

Tropical Traditions has several free coconut recipes that you can browse through and use if you are looking for variations and different ideas for your meals. You can receive a free copy of the Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil Book with your first time purchase from their site.

Win It!

One person will win Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent.

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New Progresso Souper You Contest

2012-01-09T23:32:00.001-06:00

Are you ready for a new look this New Year? Progresso® is excited to announce the return of their Souper You® Contest giving you the change to win an incredible makeover. By telling Progresso why you deserve a makeover and what you love about their soup, you could have the chance to win an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood this Spring!

Now that the ball has dropped and the confetti has settled, it´s time to consider how you will stick to your resolution for the New Year and maintain your weight management plan, without sacrificing on variety or the taste of foods you love. Thanks to Progresso®, you can have your soup and eat it too!

With 40 delicious soups with 100 calories or less per serving, Progresso Soup has a variety of offerings that help you beat diet boredom and satisfy your taste cravings, while helping you stick to your weight management calorie goals. Progresso soups are packed with hearty ingredients like pasta, beans, rice, meat and vegetables that suit your taste buds and make you feel good about including it in your meal choices.

o This year, the Souper You® Contest will provide three lucky winners with an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood; this includes a trip for 2 to Los Angeles, California where the winner will receive a head-to-toe makeover including hair and makeup, guided shopping spree with a $1,000 fashion retailer gift card, $1,000 spending money and 2 tickets to this season´s live finale of NBC´s The Biggest Loser

o Progresso is asking fans to visit www.SouperYou.com and submit their photo with a brief essay about why they love Progresso soups and why they deserve a makeover, by no later than February 22nd

o Fans can check back on March 12th for the announcement of the top ten finalists, and to vote for their favorite finalist until March 25th

o In addition, visit http://bit.ly/ProgressoCoup to download a printable coupon for $1.25 off the purchase of four (4) cans of Progresso Soup.

o Also, tune into The Biggest Loser on NBC Tuesdays at 8/7c.

Watch this amazing video of the 2011 winner experience, then get your entry in for the chance to win.

I received no compensation for this post. This information was provided to me by Progresso through MyBlogSpark. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Happy Birthday Allyson!

2012-01-09T16:16:00.001-06:00

My step-daughter, Allyson, is 17 years old today! Until Shelby's birthday in April, there will be two 17 year old teenagers in the house. Oh My!

We celebrated Allyson's birthday yesterday with a simple family gathering in our home. My mother made cupcakes and cookies and my husband made Velvetta Cheese dip.

With her own special cupcake

My nephew makes it a point to invade at least one picture at every event.

Happy 17th Allyson!!

The Caldecott Chronicles No. 1 - Book Review

2012-01-08T04:29:00.002-06:00

Book Synopsis:

Written by R.G. Bullet, The Caldecott Chronicles No. 1 is a 120 page young adult short story.

Caldecott, the ancestral home of the 32nd Earl of Rothshire, is besieged. The undead and certainly unwashed are traipsing across overgrown lawns intent on ripping the very flesh from the Earl’s body, scooping his brains out and eating his remaining horse.

But many of them will not make it that far as the 32nd Earl has two things in their way: A prised Purdey shotgun and an accomplice named Saffy. Saffy is a young and simple girl from the local village. She is quick of foot at setting traps, and dispatching the undead to the afterlife. She is endlessly coming up with cunning and disturbing methods to rid the estate of disease.

Although the word zombie is never used in The Caldecott Chronicles, the undead, the ungodly, the beef squad, and stumblers certainly is.

The bizarre and gruesome details are narrated in a journal by a very Aristocratic British gent. Get a first hand look on how the Victorian upper class deal with stumbling trespassers and see how one draws ones inspiration from a teenage girl born to kill.

A truly chilling, unique and often hilarious illustrated fantasy set as a series of short stories. The Caldecott Chronicles will resonate till your dying days.

My Review:

My 13 year old son read this book in a few short days. Logan advised he liked the characters and how the plot was told. He wants to read the other books in the series of short stories. Here is the synopsis in his words:

"It's about a guy who tries to surive and not get killed by zombies. He finds a girl, a horse, and a kitten on a farm. He takes all of them in and the girl cooks for him. Plus she helps him around to barricade his house and makes a small barn that is a trap for the zombies. One night a person that is not a zombie got hurt in the barn with all the traps. The girl ran outside the house and she was never seen again. Later the man went on a killing rampage and killed a lot of zombies. One morning, he found the girl and some friends she made and they lived together and killed zombies together."

I received book for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and my son's and we were not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from ours.

Five Ways To Evade Your Ex

2012-01-08T04:00:00.001-06:00

What's Your Number? is an outrageous romantic comedy arriving on Blu-ray and DVD January 10th as an all-new Unrated Extended Cut. Colin (Chris Evans) makes a habit of hiding out from his many former flings in Ally's (Anny Faris) apartment. This playful feature will give the top five ways to avoid interacting with your ex, including funny and creative ideas like changing your appearance, hiding at a friend's apartment, and putting a fake name on Facebook.

After reading a magazine article that insists if a woman has slept with at least 20 people that they have already missed Mr. Right, marketing executive Ally Darling begins to panic, thinking that she will be alone forever. With the help of her hunky new neighbor Colin, Ally starts tracking down all her ex-boyfriends, hoping to find her real true love while she helps him escape his latest fling. Hilarious hijinks and adventure ensues as Ally goes on her wild search for the best "ex" of her life, only to find what she is looking for has been right in front of her all along.

Avoid Their Hangouts

If you're looking to avoid your ex, the first thing you must do is avoid all of their hangouts, because the last thing you want is an awkward confrontation. This includes the area in which they live, their place of employment, and bars, parks, movie theaters, etc. that you know they frequent. Why run the risk of bumping into your ex at a restaurant you know they love? On a positive note, this gives you a chance to explore new places, make new friends, and potentially find that perfect replacement for your ex.

Put A Fake Name on Facebook

If your ex is starting to enter into stalker territory, you might want to consider putting a fake name on Facebook. This is, of course, assuming that you have already un-friended your ex and limited y our privacy settings. To make yourself virtually untraceable to your ex on Facebook, change your last name to your mom's maiden name, substitute a nickname, or just make up something crazy to throw your ex off your scent. If worse comes to worse, you can always deactivate your Facebook page too.

Hide At A Friend's Apartment

If you live near your ex, or if they're just really persistent and keep showing up at your house, consider hiding out at a friend's place. Not only will your ex not be able to find out, but you will also get to spend some quality time with one (or many) of your friends. Staying with a friend is a great way to make the best out of a bad situation.

Change Your Appearance

This is starting to get a little extreme, but if you need to, you can always change your appearance in order to avoid your ex. Not only will this confuse and bewilder your ex, but it might also boost your self-esteem! You can try donning a fake moustache, dying and cutting your hair, losing or gaining weight, changing around your wardrobe or, if you have the money, getting plastic surgery.

Move Out of Town

Moving out of town should be a last resort in trying to avoid your ex, but it is always an option. Moving to a different city is pretty much a surefire way to avoid your ex, because you're physically picking up your life and taking it elsewhere. Of course, this drastic move has many, many drawbacks, including having to find a new job, being further from your friends and/or family, having to find a new place to live, and spending a good chunk of money on moving expenses. You need to be really dedicated (or crazy) to move out of town to avoid your ex.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

Tork Home - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-06T02:43:00.001-06:00

We go through a lot of napkins, hand towels, and paper towels in my home. With a large family like mine, it's impossible not to. I have an upright holder for my paper towels, but the napkins become problematic when they are left sitting in the packaging because they eventually fall out everywhere. Tork sent me a napkin dispenser and hand towel dispenser for review and both products have given me the opportunity to store my paper items so they are dispensed one at a time and not left to be scattered around.

The Tork brand offers a complete range of products and services within hygiene and cleaning for washrooms and kitchens. They sell napkin dispensers and refills, hand towel dispensers and refills, and wet and dry wipes to consumers through their Tork Home webpage.

The Tork Xpress Hand Towel Portable Interfold Dispenser is a countertop towel dispenser that adds an upcale touch to your restroom. The dispenser utilizes a unique towel system that delivers only one towel at a time, minimizing the risk of cross contamination. It features a smooth surface for optimum hygiene. The dispenser works best with Tork hand towels that are made from 100% recycled fibers. I received a white Hand Towel Dispenser without the hand towels so I purchased some from a warehouse store. I have the dispenser set atop a bathroom cabinet and my household uses the hand towels to wipe our hands, clean up minor messes, and blot excess makeup. There are two push-in buttons on the sides of the dispenser to open it and fill with hand towels. The hand towels are then dispensed one at a time.

The Tork Xpressnap Napkin Dispenser is similar to the hand towel dispenser in that it dispenses towels one at a time. There are two push-in areas on the sides to open the top cover and insert the napkins. Dispenser capacity is 200 napkins. What makes this napkin dispenser from any I've seen is the AD-a-Glance feature. This feature lets you insert an advertising or decorative template on both sides of the dispenser. Some themes include education, environment, and holidays. With my dispenser, I inserted a cherry blossom display card on one side and a winter scene card on the other. The top cover has to be opened for the templates to be inserted. There are also display cards you can purchase or make yourself that looks like a photo frame, making it even more personable. A picture of your loved ones or a favorite item can be displayed on the napkin dispenser.

The napkins for the napkin dispenser are also unique. You don't have to use plain, boring napkins. There are six designs available to choose from. I have the Praire Blossom Xpressnap Napkins in my dispenser. They are functional and cute at the same time. I now have a neat way to dispense my napkins and they aren't left loosly scattered. Both the napkin dispenser and the hand towel dispenser are handy to have.

Win It!

Five people will each win a Tork Xpressnap Tabletop Napkin Dispenser with napkins and a Tork Xpress Hand Towel Dispenser.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wordful Wednesday - Going To Be Great Again

2012-01-04T03:44:00.001-06:00

On Christmas Eve a big surprise came to the family. My niece is expecting her second child! I'm going to be GREAT again....a great-aunt, that is.

Ashley, Tyler, and Faythe surprised the entire family when they walked in my sister's house wearing their coats. They discreetly took their outerwear off and just stood there. It took a few minutes but it finally registered to us what their shirts said. Their daughter's nickname is Peanut so now they have a Cashew waiting to be born.

I always get excited when there's a new addition to our family. My nephew and his girlfriend are also expecting, around the same time. It's going to be GREAT!

The Jamberry Nails and G-X Disinfectant Winners Are...

2012-01-04T03:43:00.001-06:00

Two of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the Jamberry Nails giveaway is #224, lisa.

The winner of the G-X Disinfectant giveaway is #101, Jessica Snook.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. I always have my current giveaways listed at the top left hand side of my blog. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

New Year's Resolution Blog Carnival - DVDs Giveaway

2012-01-02T23:01:00.002-06:00

Hauling & Trucking, Medical Transcription Source and Makobi Scribe Present New Year’s Resolution Blog Carnival. My New Year's Resolution is to lose a few pounds and keep it off. It seems I do fairly well in the spring and summer, but gain all my weight back in the winter. I'm like a bear in hibernation. All I want to do in winter is eat and sleep. I'm not going to let the vicious cycle repeat itself this year.

For the giveaway I am offering three new DVDs from Vivendi Entertainment. Giveaway is open to residents fo the USA and one winner will receive all three DVDs. Enter on the Rafflecopter form below.

A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures – Release Date: 1/3

Born on a Baja, California beach in 1959, new hatchling Sammy must do what his fellow newborn sea turtles are doing: race across the beach to the ocean before a seagull or crab captures them. Thus begins Sammy’s incredible fifty-year ocean journey. Along the way he meets his best friend, a fellow turtle named Ray, and overcomes obstacles both natural and man-made while trying to fulfill his dream of travelling around the world. Throughout his travels, Sammy never forgets about Shelly – the turtle he saved on his first day and loves passionately from afar. Based on the actual course of a sea turtle’s life, this story of one creature’s breathtaking journey is a thrilling voyage the whole family will enjoy.

My Review:

Children will fall in love with Sammy and his friends as they conquer obstacles while racing to reach the ocean. It's a kid-friendly movie that entertains and teaches about friendship, struggles, hope, and environmental awareness.

The Garfield Show: Dinosaurs and Other Animal Adventures – Release Date: 1/10

Everyone’s favorite cat is at it again! Join this larger than life feline and his animal friends as they embark on a series of adventures from digging up dinosaur bones, working with farm animals and discovering life under the sea. No stone is left unturned as Garfield takes us through the history of dogs, attends a pet show and even prepares to eat a pet goldfish! Being part of the animal kingdom has never been any more exciting!

My Review:

I grew up watching Garfield in older cartoon animation and recall it being a favorite. Even with its CGI animation, Garfield is still a lovable show with humor and mischief. Watching Garfield, Jon, Odie, and the other characters in The Garfield Show: Dinosaurs and Other Animal Adventures is a welcoming trip down memory lane for myself and clean, fun entertainment for my kids. The different episodes on this DVD feature Garfield and his friends as they deal with all things animal-related.

A Mile In His Shoes – Release Date: 1/10

Only a miracle can help baseball coach Arthur “Murph” Murphy (Dean Cain) and his losing minor league baseball team. As Murph sets out to recruit new talent, he stumbles upon Mickey (Luke Schroder), a young farmer with an incredible pitcher’s arm. However, Mickey’s parents are reluctant in allowing him to join the team because he has Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. Murph convinces Mickey’s parents that life in the minor league will benefit their unique son, but he doesn’t realize just how much his new recruit will help the team’s game and, more importantly, their spirit. Based on a true story, A Mile in His Shoes is an inspirational film that celebrates faith, determination and the power of friendship.

My Review:

You don't have to be a baseball fan to appreciate this movie. Mickey Tussler, a teen with autism, is set apart from others due to his behaviors. With help from baseball Manager, Arthur "Murph" Murphy, Mickey shows others the meaning of compassion and inspiration. There are some religious undertones in the story, but they're not pushy. I shed a few tears, felt warmness in my heart, and rooted for the underdog while watching this movie.

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Monkey Pod Games - Brainteasers Review

2012-01-02T01:33:00.002-06:00

At Monkey Pod Games you will find a huge variety of wooden brainteasers, puzzles, and family games. They have created games that can be used for a great family night and have developed brainteasers which can be solved by oneself or as a team. Many of their puzzles are also educational which build mathematical awareness as well as social and analytical skills. Monkey Pod Games is named after the Monkey Pod tree, which is the wood from which the puzzles are made. Monkey Pod Games challenged me once before with their games and I'm glad for the most recent review opportunity.

The Globe Trotter Large Airplane Puzzle is an 11-piece puzzle that is an airplane when completed. The pieces are large, the wood is smooth, and the airplane can be played with once it's put together. It also makes a nice decoration piece, which my boys have done.

The three sets of metal brain teasers we received were definitely a mental challenge. Each set comes with four metal brain teasers designed to test the mind. The object is to remove a piece of metal by twisting and turning, figuring out a solution. My husband was quite proficient in figuring out what moves were needed to find the solution to each puzzle. I was on the opposite side of the spectrum; I couldn't find the solution on my own to any of them. Once my husband showed me the solution to each one, it was an "Ooooh, now I get it!" moment. If you need help with the brainteasers, you can enter the product code or order ID online and have the solutions/hints sent to you to download.

The Monkey Pod Games Wooden Tangram Set - Large Shape Cards was a big hit among the kids. With seven wooden pieces, known as tans, the object is to form a specific silhouette shape using all the pieces without overlapping any of them. There are fifty cards of shapes to duplicate and three categories - animals, people, and abstracts. There are varying degrees of difficulty so some shapes are easier to master than others. If you get stumped, solutions to each puzzle are printed on the back of each card. A wooden box with lid keeps all the pieces in place. The kids like to challenge each other to see who can make the most shapes without any assistance.

The puzzles, books, and games at Monkey Pod Games have varying levels. If you're a genius (and I'm not!) you can purchase books and brainteasers that will show your true skill. There are also kid's learning puzzles for the younger ones to explore and play with. And there's something for everyone in between.

I received products for review from Monkey Pod Games. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

Triple Action Liquid - Purex Laundry Detergent Review and Giveaway

2011-12-28T05:23:00.001-06:00

Purex is rolling out a new Triple Action formula across the entire liquid detergent line. This new and improved Triple Action formula delivers even better on Purex's promise to leave your clothes bright, white, and clean, at half the price of the leading brand.

Purex's R&D scientists have been working hard to create an even better Purex formula and have come up with the new Purex Triple Action formula. New Purex Triple Action leverages the best parts of their current formula, combined with new additions, to deliver great cleaning and improved brightening power. As with all their current detergents, new Purex Triple Action has been specifically formulated to work in both traditional and HE washers.

Purex is one laundry detergent brand that I use on a regular basis. I like that it's inexpensive and efficiently cleans my clothes. I don't know specifically what the new formula is that's added, but I've used the laundry detergent on several of my loads. Mountain Breeze, the scent I've used, isn't overpowering. The detergent itself isn't watered down and a little bit seems to go a long way. My husband and nephew are the biggest culprits when it comes to dirtying up clothes, although the rest of the household isn't innocent. The Purex Triple Action has been successful in removing the dirt and minor stains from our clothes.

Win It!

Three people will each win a coupon for FREE Triple Action liquid detergent.

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Wordful Wednesday - Christmas

2011-12-27T23:07:00.002-06:00

Wow, this year has flew by fast! It's hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone. For the first time in a long time, we didn't have any snow. Me and snow aren't friends so I can't say I missed it, but it didn't seem much like the holidays without it.

December 23rd is when my children got to open their gifts from us. Between seven kids, four adults, one dog, and a ton of presents, the house was pretty packed.

Christmas Eve morning was modern warfare with Nerf guns in the kitchen. Shelby was the main target.

Christmas Eve we had dinner at my sister's house. The spread of food was enough to almost put me in a coma. Oh, and make me gain five pounds!

We exchanged more gifts at my sister's house.

Step-daughters, Allyson and Juliann

Daughter, Shelby

Great-niece, Ayala, says it all with her tongue sticking out!

I received lots of wonderful gifts. Some included a microfiber plush blanket, Tassimo coffee, pajamas, Water for Elephants book, metal wall clock, photo collage frame, and more.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas as well!

ThinkGeek - Gadgets and Gizmos Review

2011-12-27T05:22:00.001-06:00

Whether you consider yourself a geek or a collector of all things cool, ThinkGeek has an abundance of amazing gadgets, toys, t-shirts, and electronics. I've done reviews and giveaways for ThinkGeek in the past and have been fascinated with their products every time. I don't consider myself a geek, but I could spend hours browsing all the neat items that ThinkGeek has to offer.

If you are a Star Wars fanatic, you'd be amazed at all ThinkGeek has to offer for the movie fans. Take the Star Wars Han Solo Carbonite Chocolate, for instance. Officially licensed, the dark chocolate bar is molded to look like Han Solo frozen in carbonite. It comes encased in a gift box. Logan and Adam ate this chocolate bar up almost as quick as I got a picture of it. They said it was one of the coolest looking pieces of candy they'd seen and it was yummy delicious. They also mentioned that the plastic packaging the chocolate is in almost looks like a vault, making it look like Han Solo is trapped inside and trying to get out. So they chanted "Free me! Free me!" while munching on the head and arms of Han Solo.

Bananas are eaten about as quick as they're brought in the house, so I thought it'd be a hoot to try out the Grow Your Own Banana Tree greenhouse. The kit comes with everything you need to grow bananas. Once the banana tree (that's actually an herb) sprouts, it will grow about a foot the first month. Included are banana tree seeds, a windowsill greenhouse, planting mixture, and instructions. Juliann and Emma have been taking care of the seeds, following the instructions, and waiting patiently for anything to sprout. Right now it's cold weather where I live, so we have to be careful not to let the greenhouse near the windowsill when the temperatures drop. We're still waiting on any bananas to form, but we're excited to see what may come about.

Shelby has been rockin' out with the Ladies Electronic Rock Guitar Shirt. What makes this shirt special is that the guitar decal on the front plays like a real guitar with music. All power cords are recorded from a real electric guitar, so you can strum out all you want. The included mini amp clips to your belt and has volume control. The sound quality is clear and it's pretty loud when turned up at full volume. The shirt itself runs small, so it's best to order one size up. Shelby may not know how to play a real guitar in real life, but she can semi-sorta have some serious strummin' skills when wearing this shirt.

To clean the shirt, the decal comes off the front and the amp unplugs. Once the shirt is clean and dried, the decal gets pressed back into place and the amp connects back to the ribbon part of the shirt. The shirt requires 4AAA batteries for the amp, and they're not included.

I've watched episodes of Dr. Who from time to time and understand there's a cult following of the popular sci-fi show. My kids don't have the first clue about Dr. Who. That didn't stop Adam from thinking The Doctor's Nano-Recorder is pretty darn awesome. It is a voice recorder that lets you record a message for up to ten seconds long and flashes a red light. It requires 2 AAA batteries, which are not included, and looks like something from outer space. The boys like to record goofy messages on it and ambush their family members with surprise messages and red lights.

ThinkGeek has a Geek Points program that rewards you for shopping with them. The more you shop, the more points you earn. By earning points from each purchase, you can redeem those points later for free products.

I received products for review from ThinkGeek. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

The Fuller Brush Original Copper & Brass Polish - Review and Giveaway

2011-12-27T02:44:00.002-06:00

Fuller Brush is focused on providing modern remedies for today's cleaning needs. With much cleaning experience, they have the know-how and expertise to provide you with cleaning supplies to make home cleaning faster and easier.

I had the opportunity to review the Original Copper & Brass Polish from Fuller Brush. Honestly, I wasn't too sure what to do with it at first. Obviously, it's use is to clean brass and copper but I don't have a whole lot of that lying around my house. Lo and behold, I decided to give it a try on the bottom of my cooking pans that were coated with darkness from years of cooking with them.

It's important to wear rubber or latex gloves when using the Original Copper & Brass Polish. I poured a small amount onto a cloth and applied it to my cooking pans, then let it sit for a few minutes. I then rinsed the pans thoroughly and wiped them dry with a different cloth. It almost looks like I have new pans now! I've also used the Copper & Brash Polish on the doorknobs in my home and they are now a lot shinier and newer looking. The Original Copper & Brash Polish is made with special anti-tarnish ingredients that leave surfaces clean and adds a protective barrier.

Win It!

One person will win Original Copper & Brass Polish.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Last Winners of the Year

2011-12-27T02:17:00.001-06:00

Two of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the Chick-fil-A Prize Pack giveaway is #47, Anne N.

The winner of the Aqua Clean Concentrate giveaway is #39, Lexigurl.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Please check your entries to be sure you follow via GFC, subscribe to email, etc. The first winner chosen for the Chick-fil-A giveaway said they subscribe by email, but I couldn't verify that. So another winner was chosen.

To enter any of my current giveaways, check out the list on the top left hand side. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

eBags - Packing Cubes Review

2011-12-26T04:23:00.001-06:00

My daughter will be attending college next fall. It's still some time away, but I've been gathering items for her that she can use while at college. For Christmas, I got her a pop-up laundry hamper and other things to start her college stay. I'm not ready to let her go, but I want her to have the needed essentials.

eBags, the world's largest online retailer of bags and accessories for all lifestyles, recently sent me a set of Packing Cubes for review. I knew they'd be perfect for Shelby. Once she saw them, she knew they'd be perfect for her too.

Packing Cubes from eBags come in a variety of shapes and sizes. I received a three-piece set in purple. Made of TechLite Diamond Nylon, each one has a mesh top panel for easy identification of contents. The interior seams are fully finished for durability and corded double zipper pulls make opening and closing simple.

When I first got the packing cubes, two of them were nestled inside the largest, which shows me they are very compact and don't take up much space if they're not being used. Shelby has already started storing items in her packing cubes and says she plans to use them throughout her college stay. The largest cube holds her towels and washcloths, the medium one holds beauty and hygiene products, and the smallest one holds important documents and applications. She's been able to pack quite a bit into the cubes and likes the design of them. If she wasn't already using them, I could get a lot of use out of them myself during camping season by packing toiletries and camping equipment in them.

You can find eBags on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bags-by-eBags/159614177463938 or follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bags_by_ebags.

I received products for review from eBags. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Aerobie Megatop - Review and Giveaway

2011-12-25T21:46:00.002-06:00

I'm no stranger to Aerobie, a sports toys brand. I've worked in the past with them, reviewing the coffee press and the flying discs. This time I was given the chance to review their newest product, the Aerobie Megatop.

Made in the U.S.A., the Aerobie Megatop Spinning Top is perimeter weighted and precision crafted for long spins. The quick launch accelerator easily achieves 3000+ RPM spin rates. It includes a catching plate for catching, throwing and balancing tricks and a spin booter for almost unlimited spin times. Several tricks and games can be played for hours of fun and competition.

The Aerobie Megatop has quite a long spin time. A clear area is needed if you are spinning it on the ground, to keep it from knocking against obstacles. Once it's spinning, you can throw it in the air and catch it with the catch plate to watch it spin against that. The spin booster is used to keep the top spinning while it's in motion, for even longer spins. Logan and Adam have learned a few tricks using the Aerobie Megatop and like to compete to see who can come up with the coolest tricks and keep it spinning the longest. You can watch a video fo the Megatop in action at http://aerobie.com/videos/Megatop320.wmv.

Win It!

One person will win an Aerobie Megatop.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Country Dance 2 - Wii Game Review

2011-12-25T18:35:00.001-06:00

Released November 1, 2011, Country Dance 2 is twice as much boot scootin' fun! It features all new music, all new moves and this time, you get to sing along! Country Dance has set the bar for all dance games with over 18 CMA award winning artists - and now that list has grown to 30+ songs featuring today's hottest artists and their new hit songs.

Notice my nephew wearing cowboy boots with his sweatpants!

Country music is not my genre of choice, but I'll listen to it once in a wihle. Everyone else in my household likes country music, and Country Dance 2 has been a big hit. This Wii game features current country songs from big hit stars. I don't know a lot about country music, but I know enough about the stars listed to know they are popular. Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, and Jason Aldean are just a few.

Each player only needs one Wii controller to play. Participants can choose which song they'd like to dance to or have it randomly selected. Some songs are easier to dance to while others are a little more intricate. By following the computer generated dancers, participants follow moves on the screen to get scores on dance numbers. There's not a lot of variety in the dance moves and a lot of it resembles line dancing, but it's fun to play and we all compete to see who can get the highest scores.

I received Wii game for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Wishing You A Wonderful Christmas

2011-12-25T04:57:00.001-06:00

I'd like to wish my readers and PR contacts a wonderful, warm, happy, and merry Christmas!

I've already celebrated Christmas with my family. Today all of our kids will be at their other parental homes to exchange gifts so we did our family gift exchange on the 23rd. Christmas eve is when we opened gifts at my sister's house. Lots of good food was consumed and nice gifts were exchanged. I found out that I'm going to be a great-aunt again when the news was divulged at my sister's Christmas dinner. I'm so happy there will be another addition to the family and another baby to spoil! My kids were grateful for all they got and I came away with some nice presents. God bless everyone!

Blue Orange Games - Review

2011-12-25T04:28:00.002-06:00

I have fond memories of playing board games with my mother and brother when I was growing up. Maybe that's why I like to play games with my kids so much now. Blue Orange Games sent my family a couple of games to review and we were more than happy to play them. Blue Orange Games has over eleven years of experience creating high quality games using durable materials. The company pledges to produce eco-friendly games and plant two trees for every one used in game construction.

Yamslam is a dice game, similar to Yahtzee. Rolling the dice and choosing the combination that gets you the best results is the name of the game. Each combination has a point value but there are only four corresponding chips. Your goals is to try to get the highest-scoring combination and get the higher numerical chips before your opponents do. For 1-4 players, some of the point combinations include a flush and a full house. A Yamslam is achieved when all five dice show the same number. Bonus points are awarded for drawing the last chip from a rack and having one chip each from the stack. The game comes in a tin case, providing for more effective storage than cardboard. Yamslam is for players age 8 and up, and is a game of luck and strategy. It's quite fun to play.

Spot It! is a pocket game that also comes in a tin case. For 2-8 players, this card game requires a keen eye. Fifty-five cards make up this game in which there is only one matching symbol between any two cards in the game. There are four variations of game rules but the main object is to spot which two symbols can be found between a set of cards, and get rid of all the cards in your hand first. I have yet to win this game but I can't seem to want to quit playing it! By the time I find the first matching symbols in cards, someone else has already found it and the next card has been laid down. It goes fast and you have to find the two matching symbols before your opponent does. In addition to the original set of cards, I received an NHL version of Spot It! cards. Gameplay is the same but the cards have a hockey theme. Me and the kids really like this fast, fun game. The games we have from Blue Orange have been well received in my household by all the kids and myself.

I received products for review from Blue Orange Games. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

OrnamentShop.com - Christmas Ornament Review

2011-12-22T09:24:00.001-06:00

As I've mentioned before, my Christmas tree has ornaments that are personalized or hold special meaning. All of the kids have their own personalized Christmas ornaments on the tree, and Adam recently added another, thanks to OrnamentShop.com.

One of Adam's passions is cars. I'm pretty sure his step-dad passed the love of cars on to Adam. When he received the Yellow Car - Personalized Christmas Ornament, he was quite happy to add it to the Christmas tree. Made of resin, it resembles a convertible car, complete with painted wiper blades, headlights, and wheels. A gold string is attached so it can be hung on the tree. Adam's name is adorned atop the hood of the car. It is hung on the front of the tree so, according to Adam, "people can see my awesome ornament".

If you're looking for a specific tree ornament or angel Christmas ornaments in general, Ornament shop is your source for personalized Christmas ornaments and gifts for all occasions. Made from many different materials (ceramic, glass, dough, clay dough, metal, and resin) their ornaments represent significant memories that customers can cherish in the years to come. They even have a Christmas A to Z section where you can learn interesting and useful facts and tips about Christmas, including why is Santa in a red suit.

I received product for review from OrnamentShop.com. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

iCaughtSanta.com - Catch the Magic of Christmas

2011-12-21T13:19:00.001-06:00

Imagine the look of wonder and surprise when a child receives a photo of Santa caught in the act in his or her very own home. iCaughtSanta.com is a unique website that helps visitors create those memorable keepsake photos.

In three simple steps anyone can upload a holiday photo, add Santa Claus and print it as proof… or share it via Facebook and Twitter. Last-minute shoppers can purchase Gift Cards and eGift Certificates for loved ones with children, making iCaughtSanta.com a great gift idea even if you don't have kids yourself.

Enter code SANTA50 to get your entire order for half price. Merry Christmas!

In exchange for this post, I'm entered to win a prize. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Jamberry Nails - Review and Giveaway

2011-12-21T03:44:00.001-06:00

I like fun and funky art designs on nails, but I will not go to a manicurist and pay to get it done. For one, I don't have the extra money. For two, I used to do it and my real nails always suffered. The glue would inevitably ruin them.

Jamberry Nails, a direct selling party company, allows me to express moods and fun colors on my nails without damaging them. Their nail shields give you a high-end salon look in the convenience of your home.

I received a set of Green and Purple Whimsical Swirl Jamberry Nails for review. The set of 18 nail shields and instructions arrived on a flat card. The instructions are easy to understand and there are eight steps to applying the nail shields. It's important that your nails are free from dirt or nail polish before applying the Jamberry Nails. Once you have matched your finger or toenail to the shield that fits it best, the nail shield needs to be warmed with a blow dryer for 10-15 seconds until warm and flexible. I actually only had to warm my nail shields for about 6-7 seconds each. After that's done, the shields get pressed onto the nails and firm pressure is applied around the edges to adhere the shield to the nail. A rubber cuticle pusher helps seal the shield around the cuticle. Excess material can be trimmed with scissors and nail files. Once the shields are on the nails, heat and pressure are to be applied again until it is sealed to the nail.

When I first used the Jamberry Nails, I wasted three of them because I did not follow instructions like I should have. I did not have a cuticle pusher or nail file around the house and thought I could do without. I found out that those two tools are important to have on hand to help trim off excess and to apply pressure. I purchased those two tools and applied the nail shield like I should've done the first time.

After correctly applying Jamberry Nails, I was very pleased with the outcome. It looks like my nails have been professionally and artistically painted. Each sheet of nail shields will do 2-3 sets of fingers or toes. The nail shields last longer than regular nail polish. I've done my fingernails twice now and each time the nail shields have stayed on for a little over a week. They can be completely removed by breaking the seal underneath the edges of your fingernails and peeling them off. No residue or stickiness has been left behind on my nails after taking the nail shields off. Sure beats going to a manicurist!

Jamberry Nails can be ordered online or through a Jamberry Consultant. You can also host a party to receive hostess rewards towards Jamberry Nails products.

Win It!

One person will win a set of Jamberry Nails in color of choice.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Adam's Cover Made YourCover of the Month!

2011-12-21T02:47:00.001-06:00

In November I did a review and giveaway for YourCover, a company that enables users to create their own personalized magazine covers online. The covers can be printed by the company or you can print a downloadable image yourself. I had a cover created for my son, Adam and submitted it to the Gallery of Covers. I was happy to receive word that Adam's cover had been chosen as December's Cover of the Month! What that means is that his cover is now featured on the YourCover home page until January. I also received a gift certificate for a free YourCover magazine cover print with a wooden frame.

It's exciting to go to the YourCover homepage and see my son's magazine cover featured. Adam is stoked about it too. For the free YourCover print, I had one made for my son, Logan. He's on the track team at school and enjoys running. I'm going to gift the magazine cover in a wooden frame to him on Christmas.

I love the idea of YourCover. It's a unique product and would make a wonderful gift for anyone. Customer service is above exceptional. They helped me a couple of times in a very timely and kind manner. If you are a last minute shopper and you're still in need of a Christmas gift for someone, I'd suggest a gift from YourCover. For just $12.95, you can upload a photo and customize the cover. You'll then receive your magazine cover instantly by downloading, saving, and printing it out.

I received no compensation for this post. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

ZhuZhu Babies: A Perfect Pint-Size Present

2011-12-20T16:24:00.001-06:00

The perfect pint-sized present for your little Zhu-natics, ZhuZhu Babies™ are adorable miniature ZhuZhu™s that come in a variety of collectible characters. From penguins to ponies, ZhuZhu Babies add a touch of sweetness to the Zhu-niverse™. Each character has its own name, symbol, biography, and birthday. Kids can enjoy dressing their ZhuZhu Babies™ in charming outfits, tucking them into bed with the FunTime Sleepover Playset, or watching them twirl and spin with the Dance Recital Playset. Perfectly pocket-sized, ZhuZhu Babies are a great gift for your child!

Meet A Few Of The ZhuZhu Babies That Are New To Zhu!

The stork has landed: New ZhuZhu Babies™ are just hitting shelves, and these adorable characters come in a variety of animals. Kids can collect them all!

Savvy the pony: with her bright pink coat and polished mane, Savvy is as known for her beauty as she is for her clever brains. Quick-witted and cunning, Savvy helps her pony pals get out of the stickiest of situations

Scout the mouse: quite the adventurer, Scout loves to pretend she is a pilot, swinging as high as she can on the playground. Like a true mouse, she loves cheese, which is why cheese is her symbol!

Joey the seahorse: giddy and hyper, Joey is known for never being able to "swim still." He constantly darts across the ocean, challenging his friends to races. Moving so quickly often gives this seahorse bubble hiccups, which is why bubbles are his symbol!

In exchange for this post, I'm entered to win a gift. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

G-X Disinfectant - Review and Giveaway

2011-12-20T05:30:00.002-06:00

I've been working for a while now with Stanley Home Products, a direct-selling company that offers high quality household cleaners and more. The products I've used have been effective and I'm now pleased to present the G-X Disinfectant.

The G-X Disinfectant is an aerosol disinfectant spray that gets in hard-to-clean places to help kill more than a dozen harmful germs and viruses, including Influenza A. It is EPA Registered to be effective in killing the Influenza A virus, when used according to directions. Sized in a 16 oz. can, the aerosol penetrates cracks and crevices liquids can't reach.

There's eight people living in my household. When one gets sick, the domino effect takes place until we all get sick. I'm pretty vigilant about disinfecting my home to help prevent that from happening. I've been using the G-X Disinfectant on my doorknobs, all around the baseboards, and around the sides of large appliances. The can is big enough that it will last me a while. I can't say for certain that the G-X Disinfectant spray is what's kept my household from getting sick so far since using it, but I feel a little more comfortable and safe in knowing I'm using a product that's EPA registered and formulated to keep harmful germs from causing us illness.

If you are interested in earning some extra income, you can take advantage of Stanley Home Product's business opportunities to earn 35% on every item you sell.

Win It!

One person will win G-X Disinfectant.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jessica Cosmetics - Shine On Collection Review

2011-12-20T03:50:00.001-06:00

'Tis the season to shimmer in pure colour perfection! Light up the night and celebrate your style with a set of new festive colours by JESSICA that will have you shining bright. The Shine On collection is a colour trio designed to make your style the life of the party. The assortment of spirited sparkles includes Lucky Star, Starry Night, and Superstar.

I received the Shine On Collection for review. Each of the three colors are packaged in festive bulbs. Lucky Star is a gold glitter, Starry Night is a red glitter, and Superstar is a silver glitter. They can be worn alone or as accents to your nail polish. I've been wearing the colors by themselves. They go on easily and dry fairly quickly. Rather than using brushstrokes, I dab on the sparkly polish where I want the glitter to go. In addition to the glitter, there's small circular dots that give a confetti look. I usually put on two coats to get a strong glittery finish on my nails. There wasn't a strong nail polish odor when I applied the color to my nails. The colors are festive and the packaging is super cute.

The Jessica Cosmetics line offers products specifically targeted to treat each different nail type. Founder, Jessica Vartoughian, has a unique nail care philosophy behind each and every nail treatment and nail color. All JESSICA Cosmetics' nail colors and treatments are free of toluene, formaldehyde and DBP.

I received products for review from JESSICA Cosmetics. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

The Something About Silver and Charm Factory Winners Are...

2011-12-20T00:29:00.002-06:00

Two of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have been notified and have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the Something About Silver giveaway is #121, Kayla@TheEclecticElement.

The winner of the Charm Factory giveaway is #269, Erin.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Be sure to check out my other current giveaways, listed at the top left hand side of my blog. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

I don't have a lot of giveaways going on right now due to the holiday season. Giveaways will pick up again in the beginning of the year.

Reminder: Two Giveaways Ending Tonight

2011-12-19T03:40:00.001-06:00

This is your friendly bloggy reminder that two of my giveaways will be ending tonight, December 19th, at 11:01 pm CST. I'd hate for you to lose out on the chance to win.

$40 Something About Silver gift certificate giveaway

Charm Factory Beaded Bracelet giveaway

Will The Real Philly Cheesesteak Please Stand Up

2011-12-19T03:36:00.002-06:00

The other day my nephew ordered a Philly Cheesesteak pizza from Domino's. I was sitting right next to him so I know exactly how the conversation went. He asked about their specials and was told a 2 topping pizza would be $7.99. He then asked how much a Philly Cheesesteak pizza was and the price was somewhere around $16. A little hefty for a pizza if you ask me, but he told them to go ahead and bring that one on.

Does this even begin to look like a Philly Cheesesteak pizza to you? I've had a Philly Cheesesteak from Domino's a handful of times and I can certainly assure you this imposter was not it. What we got was a cheese pizza with a couple pieces of Philly steak on each slice. NO onions, NO mushrooms, NO special white cheese sauce. One half-eaten piece is all I could muster to even choke down. It tasted horrible, even for an imposter.

I called Domino's back to explain the situation. I was confronted with a rather rude employee (not the same one who took the order). She told me I needed to be more specific with what we order.

How much more specific can you be when you order a PHILLY CHEESESTEAK PIZZA?! Sometimes, according to her, customers call and order a regular pizza with philly steak on it. We didn't ask for a custom pizza. We asked for something that was on the menu. If math serves me right, I should've only been charged $7.99 if they thought we ordered the pizza we got. Not the inflated price that an actual Philly Cheesesteak pizza is.

I was dumbfounded and amazed that we were treated like the idiots in the situation. After much persistence, she finally agreed to bring out what we originally ordered, along with two lava cakes. The same driver showed up at our door, shoved the box at us, and sarcastically remarked "Enjoy your pizza."

Yeah, I'm pretty sure our Philly Cheesteak that we ended up getting had some extra special loogies in it for us. At least it tasted decent.

Honey Can Do - Ornament Storage Review

2011-12-19T03:13:00.000-06:00

Honey Can Do is your source for home storage and organization products. The last review I did with Honey Can Do was for their Foldable Square Hamper. It is on the list of fave items I've reviewed this year. The hamper has went with us to the campground every weekend during camping season and has held up with all the clothing we've stuffed into it. Honey Can Do recently sent me their Ornament Storage Case.

The ornaments on my Christmas tree have special meaning. They are either personalized or have sentiment from a special event or occasion. In years past, the ornaments have been packed away in cardboard boxes and it's always inevitable that a few of them will get broke by the time the next holiday season rolls around. With the Ornament Storage from Honey Can do, my ornaments can now be safley stored away.

The Ornament Storage is a large canvas case with a flapped lid. Included are cardboard dividers. You can use as many or as few of the dividers as needed. On the bottom of each divider is green canvas reinforcement. There's no instructions included so it took me a few minutes to figure out how to criss-cross the dividers. The depth of the Ornament Storage is large enough to fit all my ornaments and still small enough to fit under my bed. Right now I'm not using the Ornament Storage since all my ornaments are on the tree, so it's flatly folded down. I like that I can now be assured my ornaments will be safely stored.

Honey Can Do carefully selects each of their products for its unique style and contribution to organizing and simplifying their customer's lives. The storage and organization products I have from them are handy and durable. Their website doesn't easily cover or show each product they carry, which would make it a tad simpler if it did. For a full viewing of what they offer, you can look at their online catalog.

I received product for review from Honey Can Do. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Extra 120-Day Get Fit Giveaway

2011-12-18T03:32:00.001-06:00

With all the opportunity for indulgence during the holiday season, it can be hard to stay in a healthy mindset. Although we shouldn't resist treating ourselves to some of our favorite seasonal confections, it's important to indulge wisely so we don't find ourselves in damage-control mode on January 1st! Extra® Gum knows that maintaining a fit lifestyle takes a little more willpower during this sugar-laden season, which is why they've launched their 120-Day Get Fit Giveaway.

Throughout the holiday season and as New Years' resolutions approach, Extra Dessert Delights® gum is the perfect ammo to have on hand as an easy alternative to high calorie snacks, and now they're offering even more ways to bring everyone a little more support during these crucial times. With the 120-Day Get Fit Giveaway, fitness buffs and gum chewers alike can enter once a day to win unique fitness-focused prizes that will help keep your New Years' resolutions on track. From now until March 29th, 2012, you can visit http://www.extragum.com/ for daily prize giveaways and the chance to win the Grand Prize- a fitness adventure trip to Red Mountain Resort in Utah. Prizes change daily, so be sure to check back each day to see what the fun new prize will be.

Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place.

Random Acts of Zhu - #RAZ2011

2011-12-18T03:09:00.002-06:00

A week ago I posted that I'd been RAZzed. More than 25 boxes showed up at my doorstep from Cepia, LLC., the makers of ZhuZhu Pets. My front room looked like a warehouse facility! Inside the boxes were ZhuZhu Pets and accessories. I took part in Random Acts of Zhu last year and was grateful for the task again this year. My mission, which I was glad to accept, was to distribute the toys to charities for deserving kids to receive.

The first destination was Quanada, an organization that serves those who've been domestically abused and sexually assaulted. Shelter is provided to women who need a safe haven. A lot of those women have children. I donated several boxes to Quanada in the hopes that the children staying at the shelter during the holidays can have a little brighter Christmas.

The remaining ZhuZhu Pets and accessories were donated to Salvation Army. Two corporals were out collecting donations Thursday with a trailer to fill with toys. The corporals were very appreciative of the donation. The toys that were handed to them on behalf of Salvation Army will go to children who will not be receiving Christmas gifts otherwise.

It warmed my heart to be able to donate the ZhuZhu Pets on behalf of Cepia, LLC. Several children will benefit from the donations and hopefully have a merry Christmas.

I received products to donate. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Toast the Holidays with ALDI Award-Winning Wines

2011-12-18T02:45:00.001-06:00

I shop at ALDI a few times a year but had no idea they sell wine. For holiday celebrations and dinner parties, ALDI has a selection of award-winning international exclusive wines. Most of them are affordably priced at $4.99 or less. Thanks to Mom Central and ALDI, I was able to purchase some of these wines and other grocery items to pair with them.

I'm not a wine connoisseur but like to drink it from time to time. I don't have much of a clue when it comes to which wines pair best with which foods. I purchased two wines based upon which sounded best in flavor. The first was Sovinello Private Collection, Pinot Noir (Italy). It consists of cherry and strawberry flavors with a hint of chocolate combined with juicy plum. The other wine I purchased was Tempranillo Crianza. It has a dry taste with flavors of red cherries and vanilla layered with notes of oak.

After having my wines in hand, I went about purchasing appetizers. I know the wines I chose aren't typically known to be paired with appetizers, but I wanted to share them with my family during our annual Candy/Cookie Day. The appetizers I picked were Moser Roth Fine Truffles, a box of Belmont petite cheesecakes, and two cheese spreads.

I took my purchases to my family's annual Candy/Cookie Day and shared them. We had glasses of the wine with my appetizers and other edibles. I'm no wine expert, but I really liked the taste of both wines. They were robust in flavor and tasted quite good. The adults at the gathering really liked it too. As for the appetizers, the petite cheesecakes were gone in the blink of an eye. The truffles had a velvety chocolate texture and the cheese spreads went well with crackers.

ALDI stands behind the quality of its private label products with a Double Guarantee. If, for any reason, a customer is not 100% satisfied with a product, ALDI will gladly replace the product and refund the customer's money. I've since gone back to ALDI and have purchased more appetizers and wines to indulge in during Christmas. Whether you're hosting a holiday party or simply cooking at home, ALDI carries an extensive selection of tasteful and affordable items.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of ALDI and received a gift certificate to facilitate my review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Experience the Invasion of DaGeDar this Holiday Season

2011-12-17T05:08:00.001-06:00

Speed. Action. Racing: DaGeDar™ is the toy kids want this holiday season! Nominated for "Boys Toy of the Year" for the annual TOTY (Toy of the Year) Awards, DaGeDar is an action-packed game of racing unlike any other: Players are challenged to create their own "House Rules" to play. Players can collect over 100 DaGeDar balls, which are referred to as Dags; Each of which displays a cool graphic. This is the Dag's inner racing avatar. Players can log-on to www.Dagedar.com, enter the code located on the back of their ball, and learn more about their Dags' "spirit within." A great stocking stuffer, Dags are the gift that keeps on RACING!

New Dags Have Just Been Unleashed With Set 2:

U.F. Oshi02021: An extraterrestrial bio-technician, U.F. Oshi has mind control tactics, which he uses to overtake his opponents on the racetracks

Grok02030:A multi-armed master of martial arts, Grok 02030 is a wizard of ancient weapons. Speed, agility, and unmatched skill with a blade, make him a dangerous racer

Ballistix02031: an expert explosives diffuser, he has a titanium alloy grip and reinforced hardwired nervous system that prepare him to tackle the most explosive of situations

In exchange for this post, I am entered to win a prize pack. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Hey Hey Whaddya Say, I Got Some Winners To Announce Today

2011-12-17T04:06:00.001-06:00

A few of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn. The winners have been emailed and have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or new winner(s) will be drawn.

The winner of the Defiants 4x4s giveaway is #38, Connie.

The winner of the CafePress giveaway is #330, tammy.

The two winners of the Neutrogena giveaway are #58, Emillie Rose and #133, Heather!

The winner of the Phix giveaway is #31, Jessica Snook.

The winner of the Pig of the Month giveaway is #103, carla aldrich.

The winner of the Christmas DVDs giveaway is #94, sarah shult.

All of the above have confirmed.

The winner of the Silver Dolphin Books giveaway is #12, tammy.

The winner of the Ice Age DVD giveaway is #173, ThePixieSprinkles.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered. Be sure to check out my other giveaways, listed at the top left hand side of my blog. There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

Please Excuse the Wonkiness

2011-12-17T03:59:00.001-06:00

I know my blog is looking all sorts of wacky and weird right now. I'm not sure what's going on with it. I've contacted the designer, who can hopefully help me get it all straightened out. Please bear with me as I work at getting it fixed.

On another note, me and Traci66 are considering changing Keepin' Company Thursdays from a GFC blog follow hop to a Google+ hop. What are your thought on this? Personally, I still haven't grasped what Google+ is all about and it's driving me nuts that I may lose a bunch of readers once GFC goes away. Why can't they leave well enough alone! It's my hope that Google realizes what they're doing and keeps GFC but I've hopped on the Google+ bandwagon ahead of time, just in case that becomes the norm.

More Prius. More Giving Online Toy Drive Challenge

2011-12-16T03:52:00.001-06:00

To celebrate the season of giving, Toyota USA is partnering Prius v – the newest member of the Prius family—with Toys for Tots to deliver more presents to children in need this holiday season. The “More Prius. More Giving.” online toy drive challenges everyone to virtually fill as many Toyota Prius v vehicles with as many toys as possible until Friday, December 23. And with participation as easy as a simple click and share on the Toyota Prius Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/prius), the brand hopes to reach their goal to donate $100,000 worth of new toys to Toys for Tots!

Visit the “More Prius. More Giving.” tab on the Prius Facebook page (www.facebook.com/prius) and click to select one of five toys to donate on behalf of Toyota (completely free on your end!). The toy will then be virtually loaded into the Prius v and added to the total donation count. That’s it!

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Personalize A Greeting...With Fruit

2011-12-16T03:42:00.001-06:00

Nothing says "I'm too busy to wish you happy birthday in a meaningful way" like leaving a short, boring "Happy Birthday" message on a friend or family member's Facebook Wall. That's why Emergen-C has created the Say It With Fruit Facebook application for its 200,000+ Facebook fans.

Now people can send a personalized video message (a Fruit-O-Gram, if you will) sung by a cast of fruit, including an orange MC and a robotic pomegranate. And the application is for more than just wishing Happy Birthday. By filling out a few short questions about their chosen recipient, the sender can create a Fruit-O-Gram for any of the following six occasions:

Hooray, You Were Born

Something Awesome Happened, Congrats

Baby, I'm Thinking of You, Baby

I Owe You One

You Can Do It

Just Because We're Facebook Friends

If this all sounds a tad strange (why is the pomegranate a robot?), that's because it is. And that's just what people have come to expect from Emergen-C's digital offerings -- quirky, lighthearted fun.

How Does It Work?

Choose one of six occasions.
Fill in a few blanks about the recipient to personalize your message.
Preview the instantly created Fruit-O-Gram.
Post the video on your friend's Facebook Wall or send it to them via email.
Wait impatiently at your phone or computer (or maybe you're cool enough to have a tablet?) for them to send a Fruit-O-Gram in return.

Visit facebook.com/emergenc to try it for yourself.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Quest for Zhu DVD and Soundtrack: A Zhu-tastic Family Gift

2011-12-15T16:51:00.001-06:00

The quest has begun! ZhuZhu Pets® first-ever movie, the Quest for Zhu™, is now available and is the perfect gift for your child! A heartwarming tale of love, friendship, and adventure, the Quest for Zhu follows the "Fab Four" ZhuZhu Pets, Pipsqueak, Mr. Squiggles, Chunk, and Num Nums, as they battle an ancient evil. It's a wholesome movie the whole family can enjoy! Available now at your local major retailers.

And the excitement does not have to end when the movie is over; Your kids can enjoy all of their favorite Quest for Zhu songs with the new soundtrack! This incredible soundtrack includes original numbers by hit performers: Radio Disney sensation, Savannah Outen, sings "No Place Like Here™" and American Idol finalist, Thia Megia, sings "One Day™." With catchy favorites like "ABC," "Celebration," and "What I Like About You," this soundtrack is sure to keep your kids dancing. This zhu-tastic soundtrack is available on Amazon.com and iTunes.

In exchange for this post, I am entered to win a prize. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

The Things That Matter

2011-12-15T13:27:00.001-06:00

The Things That Matter

Posted by Noble Stephens

With the holiday season upon us, the Christmas programming on our directv is awesome. Everyone in my family loves the holiday movies from the classics to the CGI filled thrill rides. I had the idea to look at direct tv channel listing and set up my DVR with enough holiday cheer movies to satisfy Santa himself. After the kids have wrapped up all their daily responsibilities, I will surprise them with a list of the classics! I mean, what could be better than curling up in your favorite pajamas and a bowl of popcorn and diving headfirst into the Christmas spirit? I feel this is just one more way we are creating great memories to cherish together just like I had with my family. My mom always told me to enjoy it while I can and boy was she right. The years fly by so fast I am certain that before I know it, it will be my grandchildren in my family room with the remote and not my own children anymore. This time together is very important for my husband and I and we are grateful for every moment.

This is a sponsored post and I was compensated. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Hormel for Holiday Leftovers

2011-12-15T10:48:00.001-06:00

Leave it to leftovers to keep you celebrating even after your big meals are over and done with. It's inevitable that you have additional food floating around following your large holiday feast, but it's important to find ways to use it that make you smile with relief when you open up your refrigerator post-holiday meal.

This year, get the most bang for your holiday buck by utilizing your leftovers in new ways. Start the following day off by creating a simple brunch for family or friends. Use that leftover pie crust that would normally get tossed in the garbage and bake a delicious ham and Swiss quiche. Mix in your favorite vegetables and seasonings with Hormel Cure 81 sliced ham to create a wonderful meal that can feed the whole family. No need to entertain today. Whip out some paper plates and disposable utensils so you have less of a mess to deal with afterward and sit back and relax.

Freezing your leftover ham for later on is always an option. You can freeze leftover ham for up to six months, but the National Food and Safety Database recommends two months for the best quality. Chop and freeze ham in meal-sized portions for easier access when you're looking to cook a quick, last-minute meal. Chopped meat can be used in a pasta salad or as a salad topper, as well as in a rice or pasta dish.

After the meal, cut the ham in cubes for easy use the next day. Adding cubed ham to scrambled eggs is a surefire hit at breakfast. Toss cubed ham into potato, pasta or bean salads - a surprise sure to receive compliments.

Try topping toasted frozen waffles with Hormel Cure 81 Canadian bacon, sliced strawberries and maple syrup for a quick brunch idea. For an easy and elegant appetizer, top toasted French bread slices with Hormel Cure 81 diced ham, a thickly sliced pear, and thinly sliced Fontina cheese. Broil 1 to 3 minutes to melt the cheese and watch them disappear.

My husband recently made brunch with Hormel Cure 81 diced ham and created omelets. In addition to the ham, he used shredded cheese, milk, eggs, and seasoning salt. The omelets were delicious and the Hormel Cure 81 diced ham gave it added flavor.

I received products from Hormel as a part of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger program. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

ZhuZhu Princess: A Magical gift For Your Little Zhu

2011-12-14T14:48:00.001-06:00

Give the gift of enchantment this holiday season with the new ZhuZhu Princess™ characters! Your little ones can enjoy creating their own ZhuZhu™-themed fairytales with this whimsical line of toys. Kids can dress their ZhuZhu Princess character in their finest for the castle court, take them for a regal carriage ride, or enjoy a dance at the royal ball. The adventures are endless, making this a perfect holiday gift for your little Zhu!

Meet the New ZhuZhu Princess™ Characters:

ZhuZhu Pets would like to cordially invite you to the Zhu-niverse™ court, where new ZhuZhu Princess characters are making their grand introduction.

Sebille the fairy godmother: Princess Snowcup's fairy godmother, Sebille is loyal to her princess. White with pink accent, she's a pretty companion with a castle symbol

Serenity the unicorn: Prince Dashington saved this purple unicorn. Now eternally grateful, Serenity is Prince Dashington's most trustworthy companion on all his quests!

Aloysius the wizard: over three thousand years old, Aloysius the wizard sometimes makes mistakes when casting spells: He frequently boils his shoes instead of ingredients! However, when the prince and princess are in dire need, Aloysius always saves the day!

Lyric the butterfly fairy: a witch tried to turn Lyric into a snail, but her beauty, grace, and kindness made the witch's plan backfire and turned her into a magnificent butterfly fairy: Her symbol is a butterfly too!

In exchange for this post, I'm entered to win a prize pack. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

A Shopper in Panic

2011-12-14T14:16:00.001-06:00

Only 11 more days until Christmas! Oh me, oh my! Somebody explain to me where this month has gone, let alone this year. I've been buying gifts for my kids all year so I'm not so stressed out about that, but it's the other family members I'm in a panic about. What do I get my sister who has everything? What about my nephew who hasn't given me any ideas? Luckily, JCPenney has last minute gifts and ideas. With that, I can find something for the family members I still need to buy for, and not be in such a panic.

I think these Nicole by Nicole Miller Diamond Earrings would be a perfect gift for my sister. She may have everything, but a girl can never have too many diamonds.

These Stafford Flannel Pants look comfy and I think my nephew would like them.

JCPenney Don't Panic Last Minute Shopping Guide

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of jcpenney and received a promotional item to thank me for my participation. The opinions within this post are of my own. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Annual Candy/Cookie Day

2011-12-14T13:59:00.001-06:00

I don't have an exact count, but for at least the last ten years our family has held an annual Candy/Cookie Day. We used to gather in my sister's home and bake all day long. That ceased a couple of years ago when we came to our senses and realized one kitchen is not big enough for ten people to cook in at a time. So, the way we've done it has changed but the tradition is still the same. We now make our cookies and candies ahead of time in our own homes, then gather at a family member's house on a Sunday in December to divide the goodies up onto trays. We each have our own people that we make trays for. I made two large ones for work, one for home, and each of my kids made their own small platter.

The assortment of goodies is tremendous. This year my family made Pecan Sandies, Velveeta Fudge, Nutella Truffles, and Pineapple Glaze Cookies. A lot of work and love goes into it. I hope it's a tradition that continues to carry on for years to come.

3D Light FX - Review

2011-12-13T13:55:00.001-06:00

3D Light FX is the brainchild of the 3D Deco Light, a cordless decorative night light shaped like a soccer ball with the appearance that it's been kicked into the wall. Available in pink or black, the life size soccer ball deco light comes with an AC adapter to plug into an outlet or there's the option for it to be cordless. My boys don't play soccer, but they like sports in general so they were thrilled to have one of the 3D Deco Lights hung on their wall.

I honestly thought it would be a hassle to install the 3D Deco Light. I was sure I'd mess it up, so I had my husband do it. In less than ten minutes, he had the night light up on the wall....and without grumbling or groaning! Instructions are included on a sheet of paper as well as on the wall transfer. The vinyl decal is first applied to the area of wall where you want it placed. A smooth, dry, clean surface is best. After the crackling wall decal effect is applied to the wall, the soccer ball night light gets screwed into the wall. Screws are included and there are position indicators to show where the screws need to be placed. An AC adapter is included if you choose to plug in the night light. If you go that route, be sure to place the night light in a position where the adapter will reach an outlet. We chose to go with the cordless route and install 3 AA batteries.

Once the entire setup was complete, we let the boys take a look. They really like it. There's an on/off switch so it's convenient to have it on only when you want. A soft glow emits from the soccer ball. The boys like to have it on at night when they are winding down for bedtime. The night light gives a realistic effect that the soccer ball has crashed through the wall.

The LED light of the night light uses less than 0.45W per hour, making it energy efficient. That's if you have it plugged in rather than use batteries. Logan and Adam like the night light and how it looks in their room. None of us have qualms about the night light being a soccer ball, but I think it'd be super if the company branched out with other sports balls, including basketballs, baseballs, and footballs.

I received product for review from 3D Light FX. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ.

Chick-Fil-A - Prize Pack Giveaway

2011-12-13T04:34:00.001-06:00

Win It!
One person will win five Chick-fil-A cow watches and two Chick-fil-A Plush Cows.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

12 Days of Giveaways from SkinCareRx and Apothica

2011-12-13T03:23:00.003-06:00

Running December 13th to the 24th SkinCareRx is having 12 Days of Giveaways on their Facebook page. A daily winner (or multiple winners!) will be selected to receive prizes. Each day a NEW contest begins with a generous selection of their bestselling products (many valued at $50 or more)! You are allowed to enter once per day. Enter at www.facebook.com/skincarerx.

Apothica is also sponsoring 12 Days of Giveaways on their Facebook page, with the entry terms and the rules the same as the SkinCareRX giveaway. You can enter for the Apothica 12 Days of Giveaways at www.facebook.com/apothica.

I received no compensation for this post. This post is for informational purposes only. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Join SheSpeaks - Your Power to Influence

2011-12-13T03:04:00.001-06:00

I am a member of several different survey and opinion sites, with one of them being SheSpeaks. I've worked with SheSpeaks on several topics/programs and invite you to join the community. SheSpeaks is a community powered by women to share the latest scoop. You can read and comment on blogs, share hot deals and offers, create a review, or join their discussion boards. It's free to join and if you participate regularly in their community you will be rewarded with access to their SheSpeaks Product Programs.

This post contains a referral link. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Christmas Ornaments.com - Heck Of A Holiday Review

2011-12-13T02:29:00.001-06:00

I do not have a specific theme for my Christmas tree. It doesn't have any certain color or flow. Each Christmas ornament on my tree has special meaning though. Some are personalized, while others are reminders of special events. Some ornaments are on the tree to remind us of traits of loved ones.

I recently received a guitar ornament from Christmas Ornaments.com. I chose that particular ornament because I wanted something on the tree that would be a significant reminder of my father who's no longer with me. Although he wasn't a pro at it, my father liked to play the guitar as a hobby. Guitars are now strongly branded in my mind as something directly related to my father. The specific ornament I received was the Redwood Electric Guitar ornament.

Made of wood, the Redwood Electric Guitar, has all the knobs and tuning dials. It even has real strings. It doesn't play music, but the detail is strikingly similar to an actual electric guitar. I'm impressed with the craftsmanship of it. The ornament now hangs on our Christmas tree and I'll display it there every year.

Christmas Ornaments.com has defined categories of ornaments and decorating gifts for Christmas and special occasions. Snow globes are included, as well as a dog Christmas ornament for the pet lover.

I received product for review from ChristmasOrnaments.com. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

Xia-Xia - A Perfect Gift for Holiday Cheer

2011-12-12T14:15:00.001-06:00

Santa Claws is coming to town with Xia-Xia™, robotic, collectible hermit crabs! Kids love hermit crabs, but moms don't like the hassle. Well now you can stuff their stocking with the gift they've always wanted with Xia-Xia! Fun, crazy, colorful crustaceans, Xia-Xia have collectible, interchangeable shells with kooky little friends hidden inside. Kids can dress Xia-Xia in a variety of shells that come in different shapes, sizes, styles, and colors. Press Xia-Xia's claw and watch it go: Xia-Xia skitter scatter like a real hermit crab!

Four crazy characters compose the Xia-Xia crew. They are:

Bimini: with her pink polka-dot and stripped shell, Bimini loves to strut her stuff in different shell fashions

Trinidad: with his dazzling bright orange and yellow swirled shell, Trinidad loves to dance. Press his claw and watch him skitter scatter in a fun parade

Turks: bubbly and silly, Turks has a red shell and girly pink bows. Her ballet slippers add a touch that is just a sweet as she is

Tobago: the brave adventure-seeking crab of the Xia-Xia crew, Tobago is always on the move: He has to see his missions through!

Which Xia-Xia would your child like as a Christmas gift?

In exchange for this post, I am entered for a prize pack. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.

A Perfect Birthday

2011-12-12T03:56:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow is my birthday. My 35th, to be exact. My family held a birthday party for me Sunday in my nephew's home. It was one of the best birthdays I've ever had. It wasn't fancy and it wasn't overly done. It was a day surrounded by the ones I love.

With my unopened gifts

My son made me a tie-dye shirt. It's not the prettiest but I love the thought and heart that went into it. Adam could hardly contain himself with the knowledge that he had made a gift for me and that was the most heartwarming part of it all. He also purchased me a card with a very special sentiment for all the kids to sign.

Allyson, my step-daughter, made me a strawberry Jell-O cake and two of my other kids made Fun-da-Middle cupcakes.

My loot of gifts:

A diamond ring - My husband knows that rings are my weakness and bought me a beautiful one to wear.

Foot lotion and foot scrub

Crocheted towels and pot holders - Handmade by my mother

Ghiradelli chocolates and Mistletoe Diamond Candle - The candle had a ring inside ranging in worth from $10 to $5000. Because the kids were anxious about seeing the worth of the ring, we pulled it out once we burned down enough wax. Nowhere does it say the value of the ring, but I believe it's a $10 one. It's still pretty though.

Black watch and slingback purse

Two photo collage frames

Shaggy blanket, two rolls of toilet paper, and package of Depends - My niece is full of HAHAs. The blanket was to make up for the other two gag gifts. I have severe stomach issues that I discussed with her one day, so she thought the toilet paper and Depends would come in handy.

Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar body wash, lotion, and body spray

$50 Kohls gift card

I have a wonderful family and I'm glad that I got to celebrate my birthday with them.

Aqua Clean Concentrate - Review and Giveaway

2011-12-12T03:20:00.003-06:00

*To view the Rafflecopter form and enter giveaway, please click on actual blog post link.*

I've been working for a while now with Stanley Home Products, a direct-selling company that offers high quality household cleaners and more. My last review for them was the Essentials All Purpose Creme and now I'm pleased to present the Aqua Clean Concentrate.

The Aqua Clean Concentrate safely soaks all fine washables clean in three minutes. There's no shrinking, no stretching, no fading. It eliminates costly dry cleaning of fine washables and is concentrated. Biodegradable and phosphate-free, there are 32 washloads in one bottle. The concentrate contains BITREX®--which has such an intensely nasty taste it is practically impossible for a person or pet to ingest.

washing the rugs in the tub

I like to wear delicate clothing but hate to take them to the cleaners. I don't have the extra time or money. The Aqua Clean Concentrate resolves the problem by allowing me to safely wash my delicates in my washing machine. I do this by placing the clothing in a mesh bag and pouring some of the Aqua Clean Concentrate in my washer. Once that's complete, I hang them to dry.

I've also used the Aqua Clean Concentrate on my kitchen rugs and organic bed pillows. They are too large to go through the wash, so I pour the recommended amount of Aqua Clean Concentrate into my bathtub and let it soak into my rugs and pillows. After rinsing them off, they are laid to try.

Because this is a concentrated formula, I don't have to use a lot at a time. It also suds up well and seems to do a good job at getting my delicates clean.

If you are interested in earning some extra income, you can take advantage of Stanley Home Product's business opportunities to earn 35% on every item you sell.

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Candy/Cookie Day - Pecan Sandies

2011-12-12T00:45:00.002-06:00

When I asked for recipes to use during our annual Candy/Cookie Day, Nichol of KiddiesCorner Deals directed me to the Betty Crocker website for a recipe on Pecan Sandies. Emma, Juliann, and Logan made the cookies and they were very tasty.

Ingredients:

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup finely chopped toasted pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon maple flavor
1/4 cup sugar

Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, stir all ingredients except 1/4 cup sugar until dough forms.

Roll dough into 1-inch balls; roll balls in 1/4 cup sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet; press each with bottom of glass to flatten slightly.

Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Sprinkle with sparkling sugar.

Makes 3 dozen cookies

Emma used a hammer to chop up the pecans in a Ziploc bag.

The finished cookies

Candy/Cookie Day - Nutella Truffles

2011-12-10T04:45:00.002-06:00

The last few days, our entire family has been busy making cookies and candy for our annual Candy/Cookie Day. On Sunday we'll be bringing our treats to a family member's home and dividing them up to arrange onto trays and hand out. Last night Logan and Juliann helped make Nutella Truffles. I found the recipe for Nutella Truffles through another blog I read, but I honestly can't remember which one. (If you think it's you, please let me know and I'll give you credit.)

Nutella Truffles

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Nutella

2 tablespoons butter

1 tsp real vanilla extract

holiday colored sprinkles

Directions:

In a medium, microwafe-safe bowl add Nutella and butter. Heat for 30 seconds or until butter is melted. Stir well to combine. Stir in vanilla. Stir again. Nutella will go from a silky texture to a rough, clumpy texture. Allow mixture to sit at room temperature to cool for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Scoop out mixture by the teaspoonful and roll into balls. Roll balls in a small dish filled with holiday sprinkles or other topping. After all truffles have been coated, place in the fridge to finish cooling.

Get Your Wish On With Build-A-Bear Workshop

2011-12-10T04:21:00.002-06:00

This holiday season, Build-A-Bear Workshop® is inviting you and your family to get your wish on. With brand-new furry friends from the latest holiday movies, classic and celebrity characters, hi-tech Kinect enabled bears, gifts that give back, holiday traditions, customized presents and fun stocking stuffers, Build-A-Bear Workshop will be on everyone's wish list this year. From those searching for the perfect stuffed animal for that special someone to a child discovering the joy of creating a personalized furry friend, Build-A-Bear Workshop invites you to check out the array of gift options that are sure to bring smiles long after the season is over.

Here are some favorable things about Build-a-Bear Workshop this season:

One of the best things about Build-A-Bear Workshop is the opportunity to make or buy a unique gift, add a customized, signature sound or embroidered message and give it to someone special. From newlyweds to new parents, sports fans to foodies, tweens to tough guys, Build-A-Bear Workshop has something for everyone and every budget.

What could be more personal than LIVE elves, ready to talk to your child about his/her wishlist? Thanks to Build-A-Bear Workshop, your family has a direct line to Santa and his little helpers! By visiting http://play.buildabear.com/, your child can create their own wish list with one of Santa's elves and tell them what they want for Christmas! Parental agreement is needed for all children under 13.

Who doesn't love a great deal, especially during the holidays? Through 12/18/11, you can purchase any animal PLUS any outfit for just $24.99 (USD). That's a great price for a friend that will last a lifetime!

Who is your favorite furry friend from Build-A-Bear Workshop?

I was entered for a chance to win a Build-A-Bear Workshop gift card in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place. All opinions are my own. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.

Welcome Home Brands - Paper Bakeware Review

2011-12-10T04:06:00.002-06:00

In a couple of days I will be having my birthday party. Rather than having a store bought cake, my children made me cupcakes. And instead of traditional cupcake liners, they used the oven-safe paper bakeware from Welcome Home Brands. By placing the paper bakeware directly in the oven or on a cookie sheet, there's no pre-greasing and you can bake directly. It is free standing, meaning it does not need a metal baking pan or muffin tin.

I received two sets of paper bakeware from Welcome Home Brands, one with a reindeer design and the other with a snowman design. Logan and Juliann placed the bakeware on a cookie sheet for stability and placed the batter directly into the cups. They were then placed into the oven to bake. The finished product was delicious cupcakes with a cute outer design. The bakeware is adequately sturdy and did not collapse when the kids were filling them with the batter. They did not have to oil or grease the paper bakeware and the cupcakes did not stick to it. They still had to use a cookie sheet to set the paper bakeware on when baking, but there was no big mess to clean up afterwards. The kids did a great job on the cupcakes and the decorative liners added an adorable holiday touch.

Bakeware filled halfway with batter

Welcome Home Brands is a leader in functional and exciting products for the place we all call home. Their two product lines are ceramics and paper bakeware.

I received products for review. The opinions within the post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products. Your opinions and results may differ from mine.