Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday. Merry Christmas.

Win Soap Nuts

Win a 500g bag of soap nuts

• Cute Like Me Giveaways and Reviews courtesy of Buy Soap Nuts Ends 12/28
• Thanks, Mail Carrier courtesy of Hazelaid. Ends 1/1

Win a Best Buy Gift Card

Win a $200 Best Buy Card at Parent Trend Ends 12/27

Win an HP TouchSmart Computer

Well, they say try and try again, so that is exactly what I'm doing in trying to win one of these beauties. Daddy Forever is hosting a giveaway for an HP TouchSmart 600. Ends 12/23

Win a Seagate Free Agent Go

Win a Seagate Free Agent Go

• The B Keeps Us Honest Ends 12/26
• Mama's Money Savers Ends 1/8

Win a Best Buy Gift Card

Win a $100 Best Buy Gift Card at Parent Trend Ends 12/20

Win an HP dm3

Win an HP Pavilion dm3 laptop from Pretty Sandy Reviews Ends 12/23

Baconaise Giveaway

Visit Mommy Blessings for a chance to win 1 jar of Baconnaise, 1 bottle of Bacon Salt, 1 tube of Bacon Lip Balm, 1 pack of Mmmvelopes and 1 box of BaconPop from J&D's Foods

Win an HP Pavilion dm3

Win an HP Pavilion dm3 laptop from Mom Spark Ends 12/18

Win a HP TouchSmart Computer

TechSavvyMama is giving away a HP TouchSmart 600 touchscreen computer. Why do I want it? Well, honestly who wouldn't? I would love to play with the touch features. I would love to try Windows 7. I would just plain love to have such a super cool computer.

Win a HP TouchSmart 600

I'm happy for another chance to win an HP TouchSmart 600 computer with Windows 7 at Pink & Posh. Ends 12/18

Win a Cook's Ham coupon

Win a $30 Gift certificate for a Cook's Ham from

• Guessing all the Way Ends 12/17
• Networking Witches Ends 12/18
• Smart and Trendy Moms Ends 12/18

Win a Ceiva Digital Picture Frame

Win a Ceiva Pro 80 Digital Frame with one year PicturePlan Photo Delivery Service,a $147.99, from Moonlight & Magnolias. Ends 12/16

Win an HP Envy Laptop

Win a HP Envy 13 Notebook, a $1,899 value from The Fashionable Housewife. Ends 12/20

Win a TouchSmart 600

HP and BlogHer are sponsoring a giveaway for an HP TouchSmart 600 Computer. You can enter at the following blogs. Ends 12/24

• Kelly’s Korner
• A Year of Slow Cooking
• My Charming Kids
• The NieNie Dialogues
• BooMama

Win a Cook's Ham

I love ham and I'm hoping to win a $30 coupon for a Cook's ham at one of the following blogs

• My Looneyverse ends 12/15
• Mother2Mother Ends 12/15
• The Art of Random Willy Nillyness Ends 12/18

Tropical Traditions Honey Winner

I want to thank everyone for entering. The winner of the Tropical Traditions Honey is #126 One Southern Girl. Watch for my email.

Win a Cook's Ham

Having Ham for the holidays? Want to try a delicious Cook's Ham on your table this year? Angie at 5 Vinez Monkeys is giving away a free Cook's Ham - valued up to $30! You won't want to miss this giveaway! Stop by before 11:59pm ET on December 15th and enter to win!

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go

Win a silver 500GB Seagate FreeAgent Go at Jabbering Jessi. Ends 12/12

Win a Cook's Ham Gift Certificate

Win a $30 Gift certificate for a Cook's Ham from Fairy Blog Mother Ends 12/8

Win an HP Pavilion dm3 laptop

Enter at The Rest Is Still Unwritten for your chance to win an Win an HP Pavilion dm3 laptop. Ends 11/30.

I figure I don't really have a chance at it, but I'll promote it anyway.

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go

Networkingwitches's is hosting a giveaway for a a Seagate 500GB FreeAgent Go. Ends 12/5

Win a a HP TouchSmart 600

Visit Jolly Mom and enter for your chance to win an awesome HP TouchSmart 600. Ends 12/7

Win a Walmart Gift Card

Win a $30 Walmart Gift Card from

• Playsational Ends 11/30
• Keeper of the Cheerios Ends 12/4

Metropolitan Mama's Christmas Gift Guide

Check out the Christmas Gift Guide of hand selected and reviewed items at Metropolitan Mama

Win a $50 Visa Gift Card

Courtesy of Kleenex's Battle the Bug Campaign, you have a chance to win Kleenex and $50 Visa Gift Card at the following blogs

• A Daily Dose of Toni. Ends 12/5
• My Charmed Life Ends 12/4

Win a Visa Gift Card

Thanks to Kodak's Print and Prosper Campaign, you have a chance to win a $110 Visa at the following blogs

• Sheilacakes Ends 12/7
• Prissy Green Ends 12/15
• 3 Kids & Us Ends 12/15

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Flakes

Win a bucket of Tropical Traditions Coconut Flakes at An Herbal Bedfellow Ends 11/30

Win a Lapworks Futura Laptop Desk

Win a Lapworks Futura Laptop Desk

• My Blogs 4 U Ends 11/30
• I Like it Frantic has a giveaway for 12/10

Happy Thanksgiving

Proclamation of Thanksgiving

by the President of the United States of America

The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the field of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than theretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.

In testimony wherof I have herunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

[Signed]
A. Lincoln

Win an HP TouchSmart 600

Win an HP TouchSmart 600 at 5 Minutes for Mom Ends 12/1

Win an HP TouchSmart 600

Starting Monday 11/23, Jolly Mom will be hosting a giveaway for a HP TouchSmart 600.

Win a Seagate FreeAgentGo and DockStar

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go and a DockStar at Two of a kind working on a full house. Ends 12/7

Win F-Secure Internet Security 2010

Win a $150 Amazon gift card and F-Secure Internet Security 2010 or 1 of 2 $100 Amazon gift cards at The Shopping Mama Ends 11/30

Win a ValueRays® Pink Warm Computer Mouse III

Win a ValueRays® Pink Warm Computer Mouse III at Is it Naptime Yet Ends 11/19

Win a ValueRays® Pink Warm Computer Mouse III

Win a ValueRays® Pink Warm Computer Mouse at Misadventures in Baby Raising Ends 11/24

Win an Assortment of Kikkoman Products

Win an assortment of Kikkoman products from Mom Start. Ends 11/23

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go

• The Post-it Place . Ends 11/20
• Babybix Ends 11/24
• I Like It Frantic Ends 12/10

Tropical Traditions Organic Raw Honey Review and Giveaway

Tropical Traditions Organic Canadian Raw Honey is a crystallized raw honey, not a liquid. It's harvested only during a 6 week period, from the wilds of Canada and not being processed, it still contains the the good stuff (nutrients, enzymes and such) that honey is known for... and the flavor is awesome.

Up until now the only honey I have had has been processed honey: clover, orange (my favorite until now) and whipped honey. What a treat I was in for. It's smooth, creamy and delicious. Can you say heaven in a jar? It's by far the best honey I've ever tasted.

Thank you, thank you Tropical Traditions for giving me the chance to try this wonderful honey.

According to Tropical Traditions,

Tropical Traditions Organic Raw Honey has not been subjected to the heat of processing, only warmed enough to flow (same temperatures the honey would see inside the hive). We select only premium honey that is pure, smooth and creamy, with the consistency of soft margarine at harvest. It contains live yeast and enzymes, because it has not been processed. It also contains pollen because it has not been filtered—merely screened.

Fine textured crystals are characteristic of totally pure, unheated, unprocessed, raw honey. Properly crystallized honey has a fine, smooth texture. Crystallized honey preserves natural goodness and doesn’t drip. The more rapidly honey crystallizes the finer the texture will be. It will also turn harder over time as it crystallizes. Truly raw honeys do not deteriorate with age, but like fine wines, continue to age and develop into more complex tastes.

Thanks to Tropical Traditions you can have a chance to try this awesome honey, a $17.50 value for yourself.

Mandatory: Check out Tropical Traditions and comment with a another product you would like to try. Their list of organic and natural products just keeps growing.

Extra entries:

Leave separate comments for each entry. If it says 2 entries, remember to leave 2 comments

• Sign up for Tropical Traditions newsletter for 3 entries
  
• Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter for 2 entries, leave user name
• Become a fan of Tropical Traditions on Facebook for 2 entries, leave name
  
• Tweet this giveaway using: " RT @vlbsweeps @troptraditions Tropical Traditions Organic Canadian Raw Honey giveaway http://bit.ly/3EBwRG Ends 12/5". This can be done daily, leave the link to the tweet in your comment.
• Blog about this giveaway with a link to this giveaway and to Tropical Traditions for 3 entries, leave direct link of your post.
  

This giveaway ends December 5 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

Rules:

• Open to those 18 years of age or older
• Update 11/17 Open to US and Canadian residents
• Email must available in profile or be in comment
• Winners chosen by random.org and notified by email
• Winner has 72 hours to claim, if prize is not claimed within 72 hours, an alternate winner will be chosen
• The prize will be shipped by the sponsor
• Entries are per person

Special Offer for First-Time Tropical Traditions Customers

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Win a Safeway Gift Card

Win a $50 Safeway Gift Card at mysavvysavings.com Ends 11/11

Win a Walmart Gift Card

Win a $50 Walmart Gift Card at All in a Day's Work Ends 11/24

Win a ValueRays® Warm Mouse

Win a ValueRays® Pink Warm Computer Mouse at

• Jabbering Jessi
• Good Golly Miss Blondie

Both end 11/21

Win a Kitchen Towel Cake

Mother-2-Mother is having a fall Kitchen Towel Cake give away. Ends November 10!

Win an assortment of Kikkoman products

Win an assortment of Kikkoman products from 3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires. Ends 11/19

Win Tropical Traditions Shredded Coconut

Win Tropical Traditions Shredded Coconut from A Hook...A Line...And A Girl Ends 11/24

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Chips

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Chips from A Little of This and a Little of That. Ends 11/15

Win a Lapworks Laptop Desk

Win one of three Lapworks Futura Laptop Desk with a regular Mouzpad from 3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires. Ends 11/19

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Flour

Win a bag of Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Flour at Babasfarmlife Ends 11/10

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Chips

Win a gallon bucket of Tropical Traditions Coconut Chips at at A little of This and a Little of That Ends 11/15

Win a Netbook

Lenovo is sponsoring a giveaway at Mommy PR for an IdeaPad S10-2 or an IdeaPad S12. Ends 11/18

Pink Computer Mouse by ValueRays®

Win a Pink Computer Mouse by ValueRays® at

• Glamorous WAHM Ends 11/5
• Monkey Toes Reviews & Giveaways Ends 11/5
• She Scribes Ends 11/8
• Babas Farm Life Ends 11/10
• One Stop Mom Ends 11/1
  

Win a Best Buy Card

Win a $200 Best Buy Card from Samsung at the following blogs. All end 11/15

• McMama
• Bring The Rain
• Kitchen Parade
• She Just Walks Around With It
• A Year of Slow Cooking
• Nikas Culinaria
• Fluid Pudding
• The Life of Suz

Win a Visa Gift Card

Win a $100 Visa courtesy of Ragu from the following blogs. All end 11/11

• Stop, Drop & Blog
• The Frugal Girl
• Bonggamom
• Steeces Pieces
• The Karianna Spectrum
• I have things
• Welcome to Quadville
• Mom to the Screaming Masses
• Eat Real
• Home Slice

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut

Win a gallon bucket of Tropical Traditions Coconut Flakes at Savey Spender Ends 10/30

Win Wonder Bread & Visa Gift Card

Win 52 coupons for Wonder Bread and a $100 Visa from the following blogs. All end 11/4

• Salsa in China
• Fluid Pudding
• Jenny on the Spot
• Bonggamom
• 4tunate
• Oh,the Joys
• Blogher (membership required)

Tropical Traditions Organic Palm Shortening Winner

The winner of the Tropical Traditions Organic Palm Shortening Review and Giveaway is #125 coriwestphal. You have 72 hours to reply to my email

Win System Mechanic

Frugal-Freebies.com is having a great System Mechanic software giveaway! Stop by before midnight Oct 23rd EST to enter to win!

Win a Frito Lay Tailgating Kit

Win a Frito-Lay Tailgating Kit that includes Frito-Lay products, a gift card for purchasing your ingredients and a serving dish at Sage and Savvy Ends 10/18

Win a Laptop Bag

Win your choice of the Lowepro Messenger Bag or the Tote Couture Charleston Tote at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 10/17

Win a Black Pearl Necklace

Win a gorgeous Pearl Paradise Black Pearl Necklace from Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 10/16

Win a Laptop Desk

LI Reviews has a giveaway for an e-Pad Laptop Desk Ends 10/15

Win a Lapworks Laptop Desk

1stopmom Giveaways and Reviews has a giveaway for three Lapworks Futura Laptop Desks with MouzPads Ends 10/14

Win a Laptop Desk

Ends today. Go check out the Back 2 Blogging Bash on Jabbering Jessi she is giving away 3 Futura Laptop Desks w/MouzPad from LapWorks.

Win a L'Uvalla Age Defying System

Win a L'Uvalla Age Defying System at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 10/12

Win a STAR Gift Pack

Win Star Gift Pack that includes a 17 oz. bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a Taste of the Mediterranean Recipe Book at Sweeps4Bloggers. Ends 10/11

Win Soap Nuts

Win Soap Nuts at Eat Clean Live Green. Ends 10/7

Win a Lapworks Laptop Desk

She Scribes has a giveaway for three Lapworks Laptop Desks. Ends 10/10

ValueRays Warm Mouse Winner

Congratulations to #41 Nelsby. An email has been sent.

Tropical Traditions Organic Palm Shortening Review and Giveaway

Once in a while, we like having our fried food or baked goods. What we don't like is all the unhealthy things like trans fats that come with frying food or baking with using standard shortenings. That's one of the reasons I was interested in trying Tropical Traditions Organic Palm Shortening.

Organic Palm Shortening is made from Palm Oil, with some of the unsaturated fats removed, making it solid, odorless and colorless. It has a pretty high smoke point, 450 degrees, making it great for frying. It's very shelf stable AND IT IS TRANS FAT FREE. Like Organic Coconut Oil and butter, it's a saturated fat that up until modern history has been considered healthy. In fact, much of what we were taught about certain saturated fats has been reversed and their hydrogenated replacements have been found to carry even more health risks.


Anyways, one of the things I've been really hungry for is Indian Fry Bread. So, I made up a batch of dough and used the Organic Palm Shortening to fry it up. It turned out great. We also used it for some good old fried potatoes and onions. Although we don't plan on going crazy with fried foods, it is great to know that our occasional splurge isn't so bad for us anymore. I definitely give it a thumbs up.

Now that the weather has cooled a bit I'm more likely to bake and I'm looking forward to trying it out in other ways as well (with temps in or over the mid 90's until this week, and just starting a new job two weeks ago, after over a year of being unemployed, baking has been the last thing on my mind).

You can also learn more about Tropical Traditions by watching the video How We Discovered Virgin Coconut Oil - An Interview with Brian Shilhavy, CEO Tropical Traditions

Thanks to Tropical Traditions you have a chance to win a gallon bucket of Tropical Traditions Organic Palm Shortening, a $35.75 value, to try for yourself! To enter:

Mandatory: check out Tropical Traditions and comment with a recipe you would like to try, leave the link to the recipe in the comment.

Extra entries:

• Leave separate comments for each entry. If it says 2 entries, leave 2 comments
• Sign up for Tropical Traditions newsletter for 3 entries
  
• Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter for 2 entries, leave user name
• Tweet this giveaway using: "RT @vlbsweeps @troptraditions Tropical Traditions Organic Palm Shortening giveaway http://bit.ly/bt0cJ ". This can be done daily, leave the link to the tweet in your comment.
• Blog about this giveaway with a link to this giveaway and to Tropical Traditions for 3 entries, leave direct link of your post.
  

This giveaway ends Saturday October 24, 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

Rules:

• Open to those 18 years of age or older
• Open to US residents
• Email must available in profile or be in comment
• Winners chosen by random.org and notified by email
• Winner has 72 hours to claim, if prize is not claimed within 72 hours, an alternate winner will be chosen
• The prize will be shipped by the sponsor
• Entries are per person

Special Offer for First-Time Tropical Traditions Customers

Edit: This review and giveaway is based on sample product I received from Tropical Traditions.

Win a Home Depot Card

Win a $100 Home Depot Gift Card at One Project Closer. (We could sure put this to good use!) Ends 9/30

Win a Christmas Club Card to Sears/Kmart

Giveaway at Mom Start for a pre-loaded 50.00 Christmas Club Card to Sears/Kmart Ends 9/21

Tropical Traditions Unscented Soap & Lotion Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Unscented Soap & Lotion from Tropical Traditions is #100 elkaye. An email has been sent. Thanks to everyone for entering.

Enter the "Flip for Fall" Giveaway

Enter the "Flip for Fall" giveaway for 2 aller-ease pillows, 2 aller-ease pillow covers and a aller-ease mattress protector

• And Twins Make 5 Ends 9/20
• Something Snappy Ends 9/20
• Pretty Pink Momma Ends 9/23
• Ice Fairy's Treasure Chest Ends 9/22
• The Divine Miss Mommy Ends 9/20
• A Family Completed Ends 9/20
• Robyn's Online World Ends 9/20
• My Four Monkeys Ends 9/23
  

Win a Laptop Desk

Win a LapWorks Gamers Desk at Game Room Reveiws Ends 9/19

Win a Wi-Fire USB WIFI Adapter

Frugal-Freebies.com is having a great Wi-Fire USB WiFi Adapter giveaway! Stop by before midnight Sept 19th EST to enter to win!

Win a Magic Jack

Enter the giveaway at Is It Monday Already? for a Magic Jack. Ends 9/18

In Memory of our Garth - September 15, 2009

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

~ Author unknown ~

I miss you so much, you've been my companion, friend and my protector for over seven years. I can just be grateful that you are no longer in any pain. I love you Garth.

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Winner

We have a winner!

The winner of the quart of Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil is:

#104 Crystal

An email has been sent, you have 72 hours to reply.

Win a Green Gift Bag

Win a Green Gift Bag – a reusable tote filled with SCOTT Naturals™ product coupons, a reusable water bottle, green light bulbs, and cleaning products from Clorox Green Works

• Forever and Always Ends 9/13
• Lisa Reviews Ends 9/17
• STL Mommy Ends 9/17

Win a HP SimpleSave Drive

Mommy Goggles has a giveaway for a 320 GB HP SimpleSave Portable Drive. Ends 9/14

ValueRays® Warm Mouse Review and Giveaway

Thanks to Warm Mouse-Heated Keyboard I had the opportunity to try out ValueRays® Warm Mouse and I must say, I'm looking forward to using it during the cold months. My mouse hand usually stays cold to the point of numbness during the winter months. Although my hand was not cold at the time I was using Warm Mouse, it was a bit achy and I found the heat gave me relief. The infrared heat was delivered to the palm area and quickly warmed up my hand, easing the aching. I didn't need to keep it on very long at any single time. ValueRays® Warm Mouse is an ergonomically designed two button mouse with a scroll wheel and is USB powered with a convenient on/off switch right on the cable for the infrared heat. Other features include:

• Carbon fiber heating element
• Warms the hand with a comfortable 99-104 degrees Farhenheit temperature
• Uses a low voltage (5V) and is safe for people and the computer
• Improved 800 DPI scrolling Heated Warm Mouse
• Requires no drivers or software
• Easy plug & play installation
• ROHS & CE Certified

Other USB infrared heated products available in addition to the heated mouse include the Warm Mouse Pad, Warm Keyboard Pad and USB Mouse Hand Warmer®. Also available is a non USB Mouse Hand Warmer®.

Visiting the Learning Center, I learned a lot of interesting things about infrared heat and how it's used to provide relief for many diseases, such as arthritis. Infrared heat can also be used to help prevent the onset of such things as carpal tunnel. There is also a video overview of the products here.

Eventually, I'll probably end up using what Warm Mouse-Heated Keyboard calls their Designer Computer Mouse House, the trio of products that includes the Warm Mouse, Warm Mouse Pad and the Mouse Hand Warmer®(non USB). I can see where the different applications would be useful.

Warm Mouse-Heated Keyboard is sponsoring a giveaway for a ValueRays® Warm Mouse, a $29.95 value, to one lucky reader. Thank you Warm Mouse-Heated Keyboard.

Mandatory: Visit the Learning Center and leave a comment with the something you learned that's not mentioned in the review.

Extra entries (Leave separate comments for each entry. If it says 2 entries, leave 2 comments):

• Sign up for USB Warm Gadgets News for 2 entries. Leave the email address used for the newsletter, if different from the one used for this giveaway.
  
• Follow Warm_Mouse on Twitter for 2 entries, leave user name
• Become a ValueRays® Facebook Fan for 2 entries, leave user name
  
• Tweet this giveaway using: "RT @vlbsweeps Win a @Warm_Mouse ValueRays® Warm Mouse http://bit.ly/13ciUb" This can be done daily, leave the link to the tweet in your comment.
• Blog about this giveaway with a link to this giveaway and to Warm Mouse-Heated Keyboard for 2 entries, leave direct link
  
  

This giveaway ends Saturday October 3,2009 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

Rules:

• Open to those 18 years of age or older
• Open to US residents
• Entries are per person
• Email must available in profile or be in comment
• Winners chosen by random.org and notified by email
• Winner has 72 hours from notification to claim, if prize is not claimed within 72 hours, an alternate winner will be chosen
• The prize will be shipped by the sponsor

Opinions expressed are entirely my own and based on my use of the product. Individual results may vary.

Tropical Traditions Coconut Flakes Win

I'm in coconut heaven! Just received the gallon pail (2 lbs) of Tropical Traditions Dried Organic Flaked Coconut that I won from Sweeps4Bloggers. Tastes great, looking forward to making the Coconut Macaroons Recipe from Tropical Traditions site, just have to decide if heating up the house is worth it. Anyways, thanks to both!

Win a $25 Shell Gift Card

Sanity is for those without children has a giveaway for a $25 Shell Gift Card. Ends 9/12

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

The following blogs have giveaways for a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil

• Mommy's Hangout Ends 9/8
• A Keeper At Home Ends 9/8
• Guessing All The Way Ends 9/7
• Simply Me Ends 9/8

HP Back to School: Better Together Giveaway

Daddy Forever is giving away a HP DV6 Laptop, a HP Mini 110 Netbook, and a Timbuk2 notebook bag to one lucky winner. Ends 9/6

Win Coconut Flakes

Sweeps4Bloggers has a giveaway for Tropical Traditions Coconut Flakes. Ends 9/6

Junie Had Laser Eye Surgery

Junie's laser surgery yesterday for cataracts on one of her eyes went well. She has another follow up in two weeks, and if it's doing as well as expected, they'll schedule surgery for the other eye, early next month. She can't believe how well she can see already.

She's worn glasses for over 50 years, and since her stroke a few years ago, her eyes have deteriorated pretty fast. She's pretty excited now. When all is said and done, she won't need glasses anymore, except for reading.

Win a Grocery Outlet Gift Certificate

Giveaway at A Couch With A View for a $100 Grocery Outlet Gift Certificate Ends 9/8

Grocery Outlet is only in a few states, so make sure one is near you before you enter. I'm lucky, I have two of them within four miles of my home.

Win Microsoft Office 2007

Win one of three copies of Microsoft Office Small Business 2007 at 5 Minutes for Mom Ends 8/28

Tropical Traditions Unscented Soap and Moisturizing Lotion Review and Giveaway

I have been using Tropical Traditions Unscented Soap and Unscented Moisturizing Lotion for about two weeks now. As I'm fragrance sensitive the Unscented Bar Soap and Moisturizing Lotion sounded perfect to try.

In using the soap, made from saponified organic virgin coconut oil, I was surprised by how much lather you get from such a little amount of soap. Tropical Traditions does recommend against using the Bar Soaps, Shampoo Bar or Liquid foaming Soaps on the face as they can be very drying. Although I would suggest you follow Tropical Traditions recommendation, I still have combination/oily facial skin and have been using it with no problem. However, I do follow it either with small amounts of Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil or, when oil is not appropriate, the Unscented Moisturizing Lotion. My skin feels very clean after using the soap.

The Unscented Moisturizing Lotion, made from Virgin Coconut Oil and Virgin Palm Oil, I found to be pretty rich, with just the slightest hint of a coconut scent. I can use it sparingly, right from the bottle for my body, but for my face, I have to thin it with a bit more water. Once it soaks in, my skin feels so nice and smooth. Tropical Traditions lotions as well as their creams and lip balms contain no alcohols, no artificial fragrances, and no petroleum products. In fact, look at the ingredients of the Unscented Moisturizing Lotion: purified water, organic virgin coconut oil, organic jojoba, emulsifying wax (plant based, no soy), grapefruit seed extract, and virgin palm oil. Pretty simple.

Visit Tropical Traditions to learn more about the products they sell, and to learn more about how Tropical Traditions was founded, you can watch the video How We Discovered Virgin Coconut Oil - An Interview with Brian Shilhavy, CEO Tropical Traditions

Thanks to Tropical Traditions you have a chance to win a bar of Unscented Coconut Oil Soap AND a bottle of Unscented Moisturizing Lotion. If you're fragrance sensitive like me, now would be the perfect time to give it a try.

Mandatory: check out Tropical Traditions and comment with something you learned about Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil or Virgin Palm Oil.

Extra entries (Leave separate comments for each entry. If it says 2 entries, leave 2 comments):

• Sign up for Tropical Traditions newsletter for 2 entries. Leave the email address used for the newsletter, if different from the one used for this giveaway.
  
• Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter for 1 entry, leave user name
• Tweet this giveaway using: "Tropical Traditions Unscented Coconut Oil Soap and Unscented Moisturizing Lotion giveaway @vlbsweeps @troptraditions http://bit.ly/2XgVby ". This can be done daily, leave the link to the tweet in your comment.
• Blog about this giveaway with a link to this giveaway and to Tropical Traditions for 2 entries, leave direct link
  

This giveaway ends Saturday September 19,2009 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

Rules:

• Open to those 18 years of age or older
• Open to US residents
• Entries are per person
• Email must available in profile or be in comment
• Winners chosen by random.org and notified by email
• Winner has 3 days to claim, if prize is not claimed within 3 days, an alternate winner will be chosen
• The prize will be shipped by the sponsor

While you're here, check out my giveaway for Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil ending 9/12

Special Offer for First-Time Tropical Traditions Customers

Win a Magic Jack

Enter the giveaway at She Scribes for a Magic Jack. Ends 9/7

Win Tropical Traditions Organic Raw Honey

Win a jar of Tropical Traditions Organic Canadian Raw Honey at Sweeps 4 Bloggers Ends 8/28

Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil Review and Giveaway

I've had the opportunity to try Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil and all I can say is WOW. I really love it's versatility. It has a very slight coconut scent and taste, but you don't really taste the coconut. I have used it in cooking, as a treatment on my hair and as a bath and body oil. It has become my bath oil of choice. A little goes a long way, I use 1/2 teaspoon of oil in my bath. It soaks into my skin fairly quickly and I love how my skin feels.

The French Toast made with the coconut oil turned out great as did the popcorn. We have used it for other cooking needs with success. One of the few things I don't care to use it for is salad dressings... the flavor of the dressing was very good, but I don't want to take the time to bring the dressing to room temperature before use. Coconut oil is a solid below about 76 degrees.



To learn more about Tropical Traditions, watch the video How We Discovered Virgin Coconut Oil - An Interview with Brian Shilhavy, CEO Tropical Traditions

I also received the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy. The book has many testimonials from people who have successfully used Virgin Coconut Oil for it's health benefits. Virgin Coconut Oil has very high levels of medium chain fatty acids and also contain lauric acid. The book also contains many recipes.

Now on to my first giveaway! Thanks to Tropical Traditions you have a chance to win a quart of Organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil to try for yourself! To enter:

Mandatory: check out Tropical Traditions and comment with another product you would like to try.

Extra entries:

• Leave separate comments for each entry. If it says 2 entries, leave 2 comments
• Sign up for Tropical Traditions newsletter for 2 entries
  
• Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter for 1 entry, leave user name
• Tweet this giveaway using: "Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil giveaway @vlbsweeps @troptraditions http://bit.ly/wMk6u Ends 9/12 RT ". This can be done daily, leave the link to the tweet in your comment.
• Blog about this giveaway with a link to this giveaway and to Tropical Traditions for 2 entries, leave direct link
  

This giveaway ends Saturday September 12, 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

Rules:

• Open to those 18 years of age or older
• Open to US residents
• Email must available in profile or be in comment
• Winners chosen by random.org and notified by email
• Winner has 3 days to claim, if prize is not claimed within 3 days, an alternate winner will be chosen
• The prize will be shipped by the sponsor
• Entries are per person

Special Offer for First-Time Customers

To receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy through Tropical Traditions Referral Program: When placing your first-time order, please select “Referred by a friend” and in the box that says “How did you hear of us?” enter my sponsor ID number… 5038057. By telling Tropical Traditions that I referred you, you will receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy with your first order! This book is filled with testimonies and research showing how healthy coconut oil is, and it also includes over 85 recipes showing how one can incorporate coconut into their diet.

Here are some easy to use directions for your referrals:

1. Add the items you would like to purchase from the order form linked to Tropical Traditions. Visit www.healthybuyersclub.com/orderform.cfm

2. You'll be directed to the Order Form at the Tropical Traditions/Healthy Buyers Club website. You do not have to be a member or purchase a membership to buy from Tropical Traditions. Membership in the Healthy Buyers Club allows you to purchase in bulk amount at club member discounts if you choose to join. If you choose not to purchase a membership to the Healthy Buyers Club please order under the heading “Retail Sale Items”. This will enable you to purchase less than case amounts of any of the individual items without a membership.

3. Select the items you would like to purchase.

4. When you are ready to check out please click on the "Continue'' link which will take you to your shopping cart.

5. Review your order and then click on the "Check Out" button from your shopping cart.

6. Fill in your account information as directed. In the box: "How did you hear of us?'' you must select: "Referred by a friend'' on the drop down arrow. When you make this selection, a box for your sponsor's User ID number should appear if you are a first time customer.

7. Enter your sponsor's User ID number.

8. To complete your order click on "Save and Proceed to Checkout" at the bottom of this page and follow the instructions through the checkout process. You will receive an order number when you have successfully placed your order.

By following these steps, you will receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy. Your sponsor will receive a coupon for a complimentary gift to redeem on their next order.

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Flakes

Win Tropical Traditions 100% natural Coconut Flakes at Is It Naptime Yet? Ends 8/26

Special Offer for First-Time Tropical Traditions Customers

Special Offer for First-Time Tropical Traditions Customers

To receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy through Tropical Traditions Referral Program: When placing your first-time order, please select “Referred by a friend” and in the box that says “How did you hear of us?” enter my sponsor ID number… 5038057. By telling Tropical Traditions that I referred you, you will receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy with your first order! This book is filled with testimonies and research showing how healthy coconut oil is, and it also includes over 85 recipes showing how one can incorporate coconut into their diet.

Here are some easy to use directions for your referrals:

1. Add the items you would like to purchase from the order form linked to Tropical Traditions. Visit www.healthybuyersclub.com/orderform.cfm

2. You'll be directed to the Order Form at the Tropical Traditions/Healthy Buyers Club website. You do not have to be a member or purchase a membership to buy from Tropical Traditions. Membership in the Healthy Buyers Club allows you to purchase in bulk amount at club member discounts if you choose to join. If you choose not to purchase a membership to the Healthy Buyers Club please order under the heading “Retail Sale Items”. This will enable you to purchase less than case amounts of any of the individual items without a membership.

3. Select the items you would like to purchase.

4. When you are ready to check out please click on the "Continue'' link which will take you to your shopping cart.

5. Review your order and then click on the "Check Out" button from your shopping cart.

6. Fill in your account information as directed. In the box: "How did you hear of us?'' you must select: "Referred by a friend'' on the drop down arrow. When you make this selection, a box for your sponsor's User ID number should appear if you are a first time customer.

7. Enter your sponsor's User ID number - 5038057

8. To complete your order click on "Save and Proceed to Checkout" at the bottom of this page and follow the instructions through the checkout process. You will receive an order number when you have successfully placed your order.

By following these steps, you will receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy. Your sponsor will receive a coupon for a complimentary gift to redeem on their next order.

My reviews:

• Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil Review and Giveaway (Ends 9/12/09)

To learn more about Tropical Traditions and the products they offer, visit the site. For more information about the founding of Tropical Traditions, watch the video How We Discovered Virgin Coconut Oil - An Interview with Brian Shilhavy, CEO Tropical Traditions

Back 2 School Blog Bash at Three Boys and a Dog

For the month of September, Three Boys and a Dog will be hosting a series of giveaways during thier Back 2 School Blog Bash. Lots of different prizes, check it out.

Win a Heated Computer Keyboard Pad

Win a ValueRays® USB Heated Computer Keyboard Pad at the Warm Mouse Giveaway Blog Ends 8/19

Win Tea Tree Organic Foaming Soap

Win a bottle of Tropical Traditions Tea Tree Organic foaming soap at Shopping Frugal Ends 8/16

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go for Mac or PC at Barefoot Mommies Ends 8/23

Win a Mixed Case of Mix1

Win a mixed case of Mix1 that includes Mix1 enhanced protein shakes and Mix1 hi-antioxidant fiber drink at Prissy Green Ends 8/18

I haven't had the opportunity to try these boots yet, but I hear they're great. For a chance to win a pair, visit this link: http://www.whoogaboots.co.uk

Great Giveaways at Thyme for Herbs

Some of the current giveaways hosted at Thyme for Herbs include:

• Sponsored by Birdfeeders.com , win a
  

• Hummingbird feeder, box of necter and a feeder mop (giveaway #4) ends 8/12
• Hummingbird feeder, box of necter and a feeder mop (giveaway #5) ends 8/13

• Sponsored by Safer Brand win a
• deck planter and the hanging basket ends 8/17
• Obelisk and Hanging Basket - Giveaway #8 Ends 8/18

Win Hemp and Omega 3 Body Lotion

Win a bottle of Bonita Botanicals Moisturizing Hemp and Omega 3 Body Lotion at Prissy Green Ends 8/24

Win a Belkin Laptop Hideaway

Win a Laptop Hideaway from Belkin at Seeryus Mama Ends 8/26

Win a Belkin Network USB Hub

Win a Network USB Hub from Belkin at Outnumbered 3 to 1 Ends 8/25

Win Nutiva Organic Products

Win Nutiva Organic Products prize package of

• 15 oz Nutiva Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
• 16 oz Organic Hemp Oil
• 8 oz Organic Shelled Hempseed
• 15g sample of Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein 50%

at Grammy Janet's Place Ends 8/24

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go for Mac or PC at Barefoot Mommies Ends 8/23

Win a ValueRays® USB Mouse Hand Warmer

Win a ValueRays® USB Mouse Hand Warmer at My Mom's View Ends 8/14

Win Tropical Traditions Hair Conditioner

Win Tropical Traditions Hair Conditioner at A Hook, A Line and A Girl Ends 8/20

Tropical Traditions Body Lotion Giveaway

Win Tropical Traditions Arnica Body Lotion at Prissy Green Ends 8/13

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil at Just Another Blog Ends 8/19

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Giveaway

Win a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Coconut Oil in the giveaway at Live, Love, Laugh with Leslie Ends 8/17

Win a ValueRays® Mouse Hand Warmer

Win a ValueRays® USB Mouse Hand Warmer Just Another New Blog Ends 8/15

Soap Nuts Giveaway

Win Soap nuts from Buy Soap Nuts at Fun and Funky Mommy Ends 8/18

Win a Rubbermaid All in One Food Storage Set

Win a Rubbermaid All in One 20 Piece Food Storage Set at Frugal Creativity Ends 8/13

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

Win Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil at Donna's World Ends 8/7

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go for Mac or PC at Barefoot Mommies Ends 8/23

Win Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil

Win Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil at Contest Corner Ends 8/10

Win a ValueRays® USB Heated Mouse Pad

Win a ValueRays® USB Heated Mouse Pad at IGMproducts.com Warm Mouse-Heated Keyboard Ends 8/9

Win a ValueRays® Mouse Hand Warmer

Win a ValueRays® USB Mouse Hand Warmer at Connected 2 Christ Ends 8/9

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

Win a quart of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil at Thrifty & Chic Mom Ends 8/8

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go for Mac or PC at Barefoot Mommies Ends 8/23

Win a ValueRays® Mouse Hand Warmer

Win a ValueRays® Mouse Hand Warmer at Mrs. Cox's Slice o' Heaven Ends 8/8

Win a Rubbermaid Container Set

Win a Rubbermaid All in One 20 Piece Food Storage Set

• Organize With Sandy Reviews Ends 8/5
• Mom's Most Wanted Ends 8/10
• Eighty MPH Mom Ends 8/10
  

Tropical Traditions Raw Organic Honey Giveaway

Win Tropical Traditions Raw Organic Honey at Step Mom Extraordinaire Ends 8/11

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

Win Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil Jamie's Precious Peas Ends 8/8

Win a Belkin CushTop and Retractable Mouse

Win a Belkin CushTop and Retractable Mouse from Mammas Review Ends 8/10 noon EST

Win a FreeAgent Go for Mac or PC

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go for Mac or PC at Barefoot Mommies Ends 8/23

Win a Rubbermaid 20 pc. food storage set

Win a 20 pc. Easy FindLids food storage set from Rubbermaid at Amanda. Ends 8/4

Win a jar of Coconut Cream Concentrate

Win a jar of Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate at Saving with Mama Nordy Ends 8/1

Win a $100 Visa and Pantene Pro-V Full & Thick Shampoo and Conditioner

Win a $100 Visa and a years supply of Pantene Pro-V Full & Thick Shampoo and Conditioner

• Cursing Mama
• Blackbird
• Pundit Mom
• Why r u Stalking Me?
• Amoores
• Moosh in Indy
• Lisa from the Mamahood
• the Emerson Girls

Ends 8/1

Win a Rubbermaid 20 pc. food storage set

Win a 20 pc. Easy FindLids food storage set from Rubbermaid at A Hook, A Line And A Girl Ends 7/27

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

Win a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Coconut Oil in the giveaway at Simply Being Mommy Ends 8/4

Win Kernel Seasons Popcorn Gift Pack

Win Kernel Seasons Popcorn Gift Pack at Hip Mama's Place Ends 7/27

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

Win a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Coconut Oil in the giveaway at Grammy Janet's Place Ends 7/28

Win a Digital Frame

Win a KODAK W1020 Wireless Digital Frame Giveaway at Barefoot Mommies Ends 7/25

Win V8 V-Fusion® & L.L. Bean Tote

Win a case of V8 V-Fusion® and an embroidered V8 V-Fusion® L.L. Bean tote and boat bag at Table for Five Ends 7/30

The buttons and links on my site

You know, I think I've said this before, but I'll say again. Even though the reason I have usually posted a button, link, followed, etc., has originally been related to entering a giveaway, I have found along the way that these blogs are great.

Some specialize in finding bargains, cooking, giveaways, reviews and giveaways, some are more on the personal side and some on the more Techie side. With the obvious exception of those specializing in giveaways, all have something other than a giveaway to offer. Click a link and check them out.

My Button

Anna from Value Rays noticed I didn't have a button, so since she was kind enough to make this for me, I'll use it. Thank you Anna.

I'm just slow on deciding what design I want for my blog.

Win a Picture Keeper

Win a 4 or 8 GB Picture Keeper at Did You See That? Ends 7/22

Win a Picture Keeper

Win an 8 GB Picture Keeper at Double Bugs Ends 7/31

Win a Digital Frame

KODAK W1020 Wireless Digital Frame giveaway at Mom in the City Ends 7/31

Win an Outback Gift Card

Win a $100 Gift Card to Outback from Mom in the City. Ends 7/31

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

Win a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Coconut Oil in the giveaway at momof3dolls Ends 8/18

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

Win a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Coconut oil in the giveaway at In the Raw Ends 7/19

Win a ValueRays Warm Keyboard Pad

Win one of two (2) ValueRays USB Heated Warm Keyboard Pads at Any Lucky Day Ends 7/17

Who's the underclass?

I make no qualms about the fact that I like to enter sweeps and giveaways, it's a hobby. I have nothing to hide, and my email address for entering giveaways, vlbsweeps, shows that. I also use this address for online shopping, and site memberships. Now, in the case of company sponsored sweeps, they're getting pretty cheap widespread publicity when they offer a sweep. In the case of blog hosted sweeps, the blogs gain a following, allowing them to review more items and the companies involved get cheap advertising, which is usually what everyone is after. Also in the case of blog hosted sweeps, I do realize the hard work of the bloggers involved and would like to take the time now to say THANK YOU.

Now on to the reason for this post. I have a little quirk, I write and eat left handed, everything else is right handed, including keyboard and mouse. There are few things I can do with either hand comfortably, but drawing is left handed, mouse is right handed. One of the things I'm trying to win, when offered, is a graphics tablet, hell, I don't have the funds to purchase one. Well, I found a giveaway for a graphics tablet http://www.cartoonmonkey.com/giveaway-details/ and according to the rules, all you had to do was leave a comment, and the draw was to be random, it looked like it was open to anyone.

Here is how it ended.

The following is straight from the site.

The TROLLS have migrated..
[...Beware the Sweepies!

There was, and probably has always been, an attraction to free stuff. It’s human nature. But for decades, there has been a special underclass of human, I call it the “sweepies”. The sweepstakes trolls. Related to the freegans? Who cares. They used to pass information to each other through the us mail, and now they inhabit the internet.. where giveaways abound, and they can easily enter as many contests as they want, without paying for postage!

They may not actually need the item in question, but they have a relative who might.. or they might sell it on ebay..

I’ve learned my lesson in sponsoring giveaways, and from now on will host an actual talent based contest, with judges for any future items.

The fact is, so many of the comments came from people who had just come from a sweepstakes blog, it was just sad. And not only that, most of you sweepies were’nt even smart enough to have a real e-mail that might disguise your true sweepie nature: sweepiemcsweeperton@sweepsstakeswinnr.org, sweepingtonsweeps@ilovefreestuff.net etc!

And so, this weekend, I painstakingly went through and added to the spam list, each and every sweeps person I could find who left a comment. I also googled, matched ip addresses and read over each and every comment, to find the right person, and I did! Congratulations to Donald Walker! I’ll be contacting you soon about shipping and the details behind the bonus software from Adesso.

Thanks everyone for trying. There are always a few who try and tip the wheel in their favor and ruin the fun for everyone.

Gnaahh!

C...]

He also drew a very unflattering cartoon of what he thought of sweepers.

If I could draw, I'd picture him as an ogre on a very high horse, using a sweeper as the polo ball, before setting down to feast on us.

How to fold a T-shirt in 2 seconds.

I found the link to this in Vanilla Joy's newsletter, it's so cool. I need to practice a little more, but once you start, it's actually really easy.
How to fold a t-shirt in 2 seconds

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go

Win a 500 GB Special Edition Chrome Trim Seagate FreeAgent Go portable hard drive and a Piano Black Desktop docking station at Thrifty Jinxy. Ends 7/21

Win a Digital Frame

KODAK W1020 Wireless Digital Frame Giveaway at Barefoot Mommies Ends 7/25

Win a GelPro Floor Mat

Giveaway for a Basketweave patterned GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat at Barefoot Mommies. Ends 7/15

Win a Subway Car Kit

Giveaway at Not-So-Blog for a Subway Car Kit that includes an insulated lunch tote for healthy snacks, a $10 SUBWAY gift card, car games, etc. (approximate value = $35-40) Ends 7/26

Win Country Bob's Sauce

Eight Outnumbered 3 to 1 readers will receive a bottle of country Bob's Sauce. One Grand Prize winner will win The Gift Pack that includes 1 Bottle of Original All Purpose Sauce, 1 Bottle of Spicy All Purpose Sauce, 1 Bottle of Barbecue Sauce and 1 Container of Seasoning Salt. Ends 7/22

Win a jar of Organic Raw Honey

Win a jar of Tropical Traditions Organic Raw Honey from Mom Most Traveled Ends 7/22

Win a ValueRays® Warm Mouse

Win a ValueRays® USB heated Warm Mouse from WarmMouse.info Ends 8/2

Win a GelPro Floor Mat

Giveaway for a Basketweave patterned GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat at Barefoot Mommies. Ends 7/15

Win a Digital Frame

KODAK W1020 Wireless Digital Frame Giveaway at Barefoot Mommies Ends 7/25

Win a GelPro Floor Mat

Giveaway for a Basketweave patterned GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat at Barefoot Mommies. Ends 7/15

Win Rubbermaid Containers

Win a 20 Piece Rubbermaid All in 1 container set at Forever and Always Ends 7/20

Mommy PR Blog Hopping Giveaway

Mommy PR is having a blog hopping party. Enter to win 1,000 entries into any giveaway you pick from someones site in the blog Hopping Contest and a $50 Gift Certificate to Sophie's Chic Boutique.

Digital Frame Giveaway

KODAK W1020 Wireless Digital Frame Giveaway at Barefoot Mommies Ends 7/25

Win a GelPro Floor Mat

Giveaway for a Basketweave patterned GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat at Barefoot Mommies. Ends 7/15

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Flour

Win a 2.2 lb bag of Tropical Traditions Coconut Flour at AutismLearningFelt Ends 7/10

Digital Frame Giveaway

KODAK W1020 Wireless Digital Frame Giveaway at Barefoot Mommies Ends 7/25

GelPro Floor Mat Giveaway

Giveaway for a Basketweave patterned GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat at Barefoot Mommies. Ends 7/15

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

Win Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil at The Health Nut Ends 7/15

Win a GelPro Floor Mat

Win a Basketweave patterned GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat at Barefoot Mommies. Ends 7/15

Win a GelPro Floor Mat

Giveaway for a Basketweave patterned GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat at Barefoot Mommies. Ends 7/15

Win a ValueRays® Mouse Hand Warmer

Win a ValueRays® USB Mouse Hand Warmer from Warm Mouse Heated Keyboard at

• Fairy Blog Mother ends 7/8
• Three Different Directions ends 7/8
• Mama's Money Savers ends 7/21
  

Win a 20 Piece Rubbermaid set

Win a 20 Piece Rubbermaid container set at Mommy PR Ends 7/17

Win a Laptop Bag

Win a The Gina B Bella laptop bag from Kolobags at The Not-So-Blog Ends 7/31

Win an Asus Netbook

Revive Your Life has a great giveaway going for an Asus Eee PC Netbook. Ends 7/31

Win Rubbermaid

Win a 20 Piece Rubbermaid container set as part of the Launch Party at Mommy PR Ends 7/17

Win a GelPro Floor Mat

Can you tell I really want to win this? Giveaway for a Basketweave patterned GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat at Barefoot Mommies. Ends 7/15

Win Kernel Seasons

Win a Kernel Season's gift pack that includes:A popcorn packet, 3 seasons (white cheddar, kettle corn and nacho cheddar), as well as a recipe booklet from Trying to stay calm Ends 7/9.

Soapnuts Giveaway

Win Soapnuts from Soapnuts.com at Fiesty Frugal and Fabulous. Ends 7/15

Win a GelPro Floor Mat

Giveaway for a Basketweave patterned GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat at Barefoot Mommies. Ends 7/15

Win a G4 Fabric Steamer

Win a Reliable G4 Fabric Steamer from Mommy PR. Ends 7/18

Win a 20 Piece Rubbermaid container

Win a 20 Piece Rubbermaid container set as part of the Launch Party at Mommy PR Ends 7/17

Win a GelPro Floor Mat

Giveaway for a Basketweave patterned GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat at Barefoot Mommies. Ends 7/15

Win a Messenger Bag

Win a Kolobag Laptop Messenger Bag at 3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires Ends 7/23

Win a $100 Visa

Win a $100 Visa courtesy of Frito-Lay Smartfood Popcorn Clusters Ends 7/15

• BlogHer (membership required)
• RhiInPink
• Everyday Goddess
• Murraycrew
• Young and Relentless
• I-am-Styleish
• YourStyleStar
• Alittlepieceofme
• OhHowLovely

Girls Night In

When I actually take the time to get away from the computer, Junie and I usually celebrate our Girl's Night In watching movies. Favorites are Tear Jerkers and Rom Coms. Pretty much the only movies we don't watch during our Girl's Night In are Horror type.. I don't like them. As a snack we often have popcorn, sometimes salami, cheese and crackers. Except for rare occasions, neither one of us drinks liquor, so we usually have iced tea or soda as a beverage.

Win a G4 Fabric Steamer

Win a Reliable G4 Fabric Steamer from Mommy PR. Ends 7/18

Launch Party at Mommy PR

Win a 20 Piece Rubbermaid container set as part of the Launch Party at Mommy PR Ends 7/17

Win Rubbermaid Containers

20 piece Rubbermaid set that includes 2 Produce Savers/2 lids, 2 Premier/2 lids, 3 EasyFind/2 lids, 3 Lock~its/2 lids.

• Shopping Frugal Ends 7/9
• Riding With No Hands Ends 7/12

Win a GelPro Floor Mat

Giveaway for a Basketweave patterned GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat at Barefoot Mommies. Ends 7/15

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

Win Tropical Traditions Black Label Virgin Coconut Oil at

• Kiddies Corner Deals Ends 7/11
• If You Could See What I See. Ends 7/15
• A Hook A Line and A Girl Ends 7/21

Win a GelPro Floor Mat

Giveaway for a Truffle colored, Basketweave patterned GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat at Barefoot Mommies. Ends 7/15

Win a Target Gift Card

Win a $50 Target Gift Card at Little Stomaks Ends 7/3

Win a Subway Gift Card

Win a $15 Subway Gift Card at From Melissa's Desk Ends 7/3

Win a GelPro Floor Mat

Giveaway for a Truffle colored, Basketweave patterned GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat at Barefoot Mommies. Ends 7/15

Win Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

Win Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil at the following blogs

• Shopping Frugal Ends 7/7
• A Simple Kind of Life

Win a GelPro Floor Mat

Barefoot Mommies has a giveaway for a Truffle colored, Basketweave patterned GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat. Ends 7/15

Spent yesterday in Monterey

A few friends and I ran away from the valley heat yesterday, spending the day in Monterey. The weather was a bit on the cool side and breezy, finally reaching about 70 or so degrees, but still, absolutely beautiful!

We had lunch on the wharf, spent some time on Cannery Row and took the 17 mile (tourist) drive along the coast, stopping at the points of interest to watch the ocean, harbor seals and otters. We finished off the day coming back to Cannery Row for dinner. Our alternate route home took us through some of the redwoods and even though it was dark by then, you could still appreciate the beauty of the forest. It was such a relaxing, soothing to the soul type day.

Just as a note, weather wise, as a comparison, the official temp here at home yesterday was 98, a little cooler than both the previous couple of days and the 100+ degree forecast for the next couple of days.

Win a Seagate FreeAgent Go or Replica

• Win a 500 GB Seagate FreeAgent Go at Short Pump Preppy Ends 7/13
• Win a 250 GB Seagate Replica at Thrifty Jinxy Ends 7/2

Win Kernel Seasons Popcorn Gift Pack

Win Kernel Seasons popcorn and seasoning at

• Three Different Directions Ends 7/5
• Mom Most Traveled Ends 7/5
• Nicole's Nickels Ends Ends 7/5
• Sage and Savvy Ends 7/3
  
• Fairy Blog Mother Ends 7/7
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Win Kernel Seasons Popcorn Gift Pack

Win Kernel Seasons popcorn and seasoning at

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Win Scott products and a $50 Visa Gift Card at Blessings Abound Ends 6/30

Win Kernel Seasons Popcorn Gift Pack

Win Kernel Seasons popcorn and seasoning at

• Blessings Abound Ends 6/26/09
• Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife Ends 6/27/09

Win a Nature Station Playhouse

Win a Step2 Nature Station Playhouse valued at $249.99 at An Ordinary Life or Mammas Review. Ends 6/30/09

Win a KODAK ESP 9 All-in-One Printer

Enter to win a great KODAK ESP 9 All-in-One Printer at I ♥ Faces Ends 6/19/09

Bloggy Giveaways

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• Win an HP MediaSmart Server LX195 valued at $399.99 at Mommy Goggles Ends 6/24
  
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• Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife Ends 6/27/09
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