PowerCapes Customized Capes & More Review

I'm really jealous of the choice of items for children.  Growing up, life was more simple and we had to use our imagination a bit more.  One of the things I remember my brother playing is super heroes.  My own girls will find a towel and ask me to tie them on for them so when I was offered a complimentary PowerCapes for one of my girls, I took it as a great opportunity to also share with my readers.  Since I have two girls, I couldn't have just one so I bought one and I also purchased the matching masks which are adorable.  I let the girls pick out the color of the cape and they customized it themselves.

  

The process if very easy and efficient from choosing the appropriate age to ensure the cape isn't too long to the color, patches, lettering and matching optional items such as the mask.  Since they are customized, you won't receive it in a day or two.  It does take two to three weeks from ordering date due to them being hand made so do have to be aware of that if you are under a timeline.  Once the capes and masks arrived, the girls were not able to contain their excitement.  They played with them for two days straight but since we are in the process of moving, I had to put them up much to their sadness.  I didn't even get to take a picture of them but they really do love them.  I gave them to them while we went on a one day excursion and they were running back and forth in the hotel playing super heroes.

The 100% satin capes arrived in perfect shape with no fraying.  I love that these capes also inspire children to use their imagination during playtime.  They also are active as they run around saving the world which is more than playing a video game.

If you are a Tori Spelling fan, you would have seen PowerCapes during one of her shows for her children's birthday.  Some of the other cool things about PowerCapes:

• Made by Moms
• Made in the US
• Ship Worldwide
• 11 Cape Colors
• 29 Emblem Colors
• 8 Emblem Designs
• Adult Capes
• Custom Tutus
• Ready to Ship Capes
• Satisfaction Guarantee
• Fundraiser Opportunities
• Affiliate Opportunities

You can sign up for a chance to win a PowerCapes product here.  I would recommend PowerCapes the next time you need a really cool present or want a great looking customized costume.

Stay up to date by becoming a fan on Facebook here and Twitter here.

Mamavation Monday - Week Four

I'm an official Mamavation Sista again and I can't wait to do my part in the Sistahood in motivating the other great ladies while getting my own motivation.  The first time I participated, I was really geared up to get into the healthy lifestyle but had so many things going on in my life that I had to drop out.  Now that I'm in a point to restart, this was a no brainer that and I think BookieBoo is a great leader and an inspiration.  So now I begin my second week with the Mamavation Carnival and this past week was a bit of struggle but I lost a pound.

Since I started my weight loss journey January 1st, I've lost 12 pounds and I'm finally going to do it healthier.  I tried the Atkins, Dukan and then Weight Watchers which I enjoyed since I could eat and figure out the point system with real food not to mention free fruit and vegetables.  I then became desperate in wanting to lose so I went back to Dukan and it works but it's hard on the body and not at all safe.  I'm back to watching calories and I will continue exercising as I have been.  I try to minimally ride my bike for 30 minutes but usually go for around 50 minutes and then I complete a series of leg raises and ab work.  I have been doing this for about four to five weeks now.

I did slip a little today and took my girls out after we took some Easter pictures.  I opted for the chicken snack wrap and I had a one scoop vanilla cone.  A few month's ago, I would have opted for the fat-on-my-butt hamburger, fries and Coke along with a 2000 calories specialty ice cream shake.  This is how I know I'm changing.  It's even rubbing off on my eight year old who has been choosing apple slices and milk for her Happy Meals over french fries and soda.  I'm very proud of her!

I participated in last week's Mamavation TV and really listened to Pete discuss halting the cycle of rewarding with food.  It made so much sense as I not only reward but I treat sadness, frustration or anger by eating.  I'm a carb hound and am completely addicted.  I have confused eating with pleasure or a mechanism for comfort versus survival.  I'm getting it finally.  It's taking awhile but I am getting that it's okay to have some pleasurable food but not constantly.  I know that I need to eat for sustainability and health.  This has been an eye opener for me since it's taken my entire adult life to get it but I did.  I now have the foundation to take the next step.  My next thought ties in with this week's carnival question:

Who in your world deserves a “shout out” this week for pushing you to better yourself?  What did they do?

This is an easy one because it's my oldest daughter who understands how important it is for me to get healthier.  She has been trying to hang in there with me to motivate and inspire me as she tackles her last bit of pregnancy weight post birth.  She gives me encouragement and tries to keep me honest with how I'm eating.  She's a trooper with all the different hair brain ideas I have to join the diet of the moment as well as endure my crabby rages when I'm hungry and deprived.  She is my rock and has been for some time. 

 

Don't forget to watch the men behind the moms on Mamavation TV on Monday at 10:00 pm (EST) on Mingle Media TV.  Also, check out My Trainer Fitness' (MTF) 100-Calorie Workouts here.  Six cards with 100-calorie workouts that can be done in 20 minutes sounds wonderful!  When my time is limited, I don't want to have to ride my bike for 50 minutes to an hour.  This is a great way to get in a good workout in limited time.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the Mamavation Blogging Carnival for a chance to win My Trainer Fitness 100 Calorie+ Workout featuring MizFitOnline from Mamavation

Those So-Called Fast Food Healthy Alternatives

I just wrote about eating healthier and trying to make smarter choices especially while on the road.  I even noted the recent controversy over McDonald's new oatmeal and how it's not so healthy once you get outside of the sound of good wholesome oatmeal.  It was a New York Times reporter, Mark Bittman, who uncovered the high sugar content and other ingredients that weren't easy to say if at all.  I remember hearing over and over again that if you can't say it, don't eat it.  My e-mail today contained one from Every Day Health with an interview with a nutritionists who tackled some of the worse fast food "healthy" food choices.

Oatmeal was the first food due to the toppings or other sugary additions added which takes away from the healthy goodness of a high fiber, whole grain meal.  I already knew the made to order yogurts had to be chalked full of the same old bad sugars and I was right as it made the list along with fruit smoothies.  This is another example of what the health gurus tell you in that you should not drink your calories.  The infamous baked potato was next but a potato on the surface is not bad for you rather it's when you pile on the butter, sour cream, cheese and bacon bits.

This one was a surprise for me as I never really thought about it but the vegetable sandwich made the list due to the oil, cheese and sodium.  A Blimpie Veggie Supreme has a whopping 1,106 calories per the article!  Of course the fancy coffee drinks made the list but luckily, I don't drink nor like coffee.  I was also surprised to see the turkey burger made the list due to restaurant preparation.  The chicken salads were included but that was a no brainer as anything with breading is usually bad in terms of calories but oh do they taste better!  It's sort of like watching a movie with Johnny Depp and never getting to see him.

To read the entire article, click here.  In summary, I'm trying to get to a mind set where I eat for survival and every now and then, eat for pleasure but within reason.  I used to find myself rewarding myself with food and still do so it's a habit I need to get over along with the stress eating that I'm notorious for.  I learned about stopping the cycle of food rewards via Pete Cohan who is a weight loss guru out of the UK.  He's very motivational and really has great tips on getting healthy which leads to weight loss.

Need Help in Measuring Your Little One for a Suit?

Adorable Baby Clothing is my first choice for all my special occasion children clothing.  I love the selection and the ability to quickly choose multiple sizes in the same dress.  I might pay a little more but I want to have a special dress that is of high quality and that is what I get from Adorable Baby Clothing.  I also opt for that special customer service which I received from this amazing mompreneur who is the sole owner of this online store for not only special occasion clothing but anytime clothing, baby gifts, toys and more.  My mother-in-law made a comment that I must have a small fortune in dresses but when I explained how I see these dresses not only functional at the moment, I also see them as heirloom dresses as they will be passed down through all my children.  My first grandchild is already wearing old clothes from my three year old so it works out perfect.


Adorable Baby Clothing also has a new blog that you might want to follow as she grows the blog and addresses informative topics to help you.  I'm partial to her because she is a mompreneur and I love to support my fellow moms and hope you will take a moment to follow her too!  Her most current post is how to measure your little one for a suit which you can find here.

Our Ultimate Taylor Swift Party

Every year, I have to have the perfect party for my girls.  My oldest one sort of fell out of the radar since she's 22 and it's hard to really come up with themes so I have my younger ones to have fun with.  All my girls love Taylor Swift so I'm taking the opportunity to have a really cool party for my seven year old.

I'm going to update this post as I go as the party isn't until April but I saw that I've had some hits for the party so I wanted to start sharing my preparation for the party with more to come as I proceed.

For the invitations, I chose these cool backstage passes from EventWrapper.com and they had matching Hershey bar wrappers.  Normally, I make my own invitations and wrappers but it was easier to go this route.  The customer service was amazing and I would recommend them for your party needs.  These invitations were the coolest and were very professional.  My daughter lit up when she saw them and loves them.

The balloons were from Ebay and I would put a link but often times, the links expire due to the seller not selling that product.  You can search both Ebay and Etsy with Taylor Swift for more products.  I also ordered water bottle labels.

For the party girl and her sister, I wanted to order necklaces to make it a little more special for them so I purchased two from Tiny Trees Boutique on Etsy, I bought these two:

 

No party is complete without a photo shoot wearing Taylor inspired dresses which was the highlight for the girls.  We went to JCPenney's for some good deals on dresses in the clearance section.  Sears also has some good deals on dresses.

 

The backdrop consists of purchasing a 50' roll of black paper from Shindigz to use both as the wall backing and the tablecloths.  A roll costs around $20 which is a good deal considering you can have a dual purpose and have plenty left over.  

I just purchased this guitar from an Ebay seller and I sprayed Elmer's Glue Adhesive over silver glitter to give it the Taylor appearance in her beautiful video.  This will provide the perfect prop for their pretend photo shoot while giving her something really cool to hand on the wall after the party for years to come.

I need to apply a second coat but here is how the guitar looks so far:

For the backdrop, I found another Ebay seller who has inexpensive silk paper posters at a fraction of the cost and are more durable than regular paper.  For $18.50 and free shipping, I was able to get all three posters.  The two on the ends are 20 x 13 and the middle one which is the theme is 36 x 24.  These will be placed in the staging area for our photo shoot and afterwards, the guitar and posters will make nice decor for her bedroom.

I used Smarty Had a Party plastic ware for the cups and plates.  With them being clear, I was able to print pictures of Taylor on sticker paper and place on the already upscaled plastic cups and plates.  It added a nice touch.

  

We had our party yesterday and here are the pictures:

 

 

Here are some of my other posts on Taylor Swift parties:

http://youthfultips.blogspot.com/2010/01/taylor-swift-party-ideas-more-great.html


http://youthfultips.blogspot.com/2010/01/taylor-swift-party-ideas-more-ideas.html


http://youthfultips.blogspot.com/2010/01/taylor-swift-party-ideas-buttons-more.html

The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut & Biscuit Bill Case #2 Book Review

This cute story, written by Renee Hand, starts out with the main character, Maple Moo who in the midst of having her friends visit her rock collection, her rare mineral goes missing from underneath her large cow nose.  She instantly turns to Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill, the most famous detectives in Acorn Valley, to find it.  But they didn’t know the task was going to be an impossible one.  The reader gets to follow along and find out that the suspects are hard to figure out. With a host of characters, they have to determine who did it.  Was it Candy Cardinal, who committed the crime?  She collects various gemstones to make jewelry or was it Brutus and Betty Blue Beaver?  They also collect minerals and have a fancy quartz collection.  Liam the Llama looks suspicious with his igneous rocks and exploding volcano, or was it Huckleberry Moose with his sedimentary rock collection? Joe-Joe and Biscuit find themselves at a loss until some bullies roar into town. Will the detectives be able to find the missing mineral? Or, will this be a case they won’t be able to close?


The illustrations are in black and white but depict inviting animals that will appeal to children.  I thought it was a delightful book yet challenging for children as it introduced problem solving from a mystery standpoint but also included resources in the back that satisfies the National Science Education Standards for Earth and Space Science.  It contains picture of the rock cycle, terminology, a "did you know?" section about rocks and minerals.  Your child can also conduct some experiments and work on inquiry, creating charts and using variables and constants to determine an outcome for particular rocks and elements.  It brought back memories of my earth science classes that I enjoyed as a child and feel this is a great introductory to open the mind and foster fun learning.  I am partial to books that teach while entertaining and this is certainly one of them.  I would recommend this book.  


Book Details:

• 82 pages
• North Star Press (March 1, 2011)
• 8.8 x 6 x 0.3 inches

About the Author:



Renee Hand writes because it is a passion in her heart. She is a homeschool parent and likes to create books that educate and inspire the children of today. She was born in Michigan and still lives there with her husband and two children. She has a degree in Zoology with a minor in Chemistry. Renee is the author of the amazing mystery series known as the Crypto-Capers Series that encourages children to read by incorporating several topics of interest. The reader participates into the story by solving cryptograms and puzzles to solve the case. She is also the author of the Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill Series, which focuses on animal detectives. This series is a great way to teach children about animals in a fun and interesting way that captures the reader's attention and yet fills them with knowledge they will be learning about in school. All books are great to use in a classroom setting to supplement various topics or to just enjoy. Renee is an award-winning author, receiving awards such as a Best Book Award, a National Literary Award and a Preferred Choice award for her children's series and adult books. She has just recently won a Seal of Excellence award in Storytelling for her Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill Series. She has been writing for over twenty years and when she is not spending time with her family or participating in author events, she is coaching and playing tennis, as well as doing research for her books and many other things that keep her busy. Not quite sure what a cryptogram is and want to learn more? Visit the author's website at www.reneeahand.com to learn about cryptograms and how to solve the ones that are in the books.


Click here to read more about Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill and to download some coloring pages or watch a video.

Twitter URL: http://twitter.com/thecryptocaper

Facebook URL: http://facebook.com/cdrahand

*Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purposes of this review.

Tiny Prints Free Mother's Day Card

Head on over to Tiny Prints and "like" them on Facebook to try out their cool app to create a Mother's Day card.  Like them and you also get a code for a free card! You can also check out some of these classic designs:

Garlic Gold Review: Great Mother's Day Gift

Doesn't the sound of hand crafted, artisanal and gourmet sound too good to pass up?  Garlic Gold all started at an organic ranch nestled in California's Ojai Valley.  I love garlic and I love organic products so this opportunity to review and giveaway a bottle of Garlic Gold Oil was golden (I couldn't resist).  Garlic Gold doesn't stop at oil as you can see from the picture above, they have many products:

• Toasted crunchy organic garlic mixed with organic extra-virgin olive oil. Stir and drizzle on steamed vegetables, bread, salad, meats and fish for a gourmet garlic experience!
• Garlic-infused organic extra-virgin olive oil.
• A variety of nuggets - use as a condiment to spice up any dish.
• Garlic Gold Vinaigrettes

I sampled the Garlic Gold Oil which is garlic-infused organic extra-virgin olive oil.  They even guarantee it and it's certified organic.  It has a light garlic taste coupled with a great use for sauteeing or frying food to give it a rich flavor to compliment your food.  I usually cook potatoes in butter but I really enjoyed the taste and flavor that Garlic Gold gave them.  I also felt better using extra-virgin olive oil over butter since it's healthier.  I can't wait to try it in a stir fry to see how it picks up the flavor.  The tasty nuggets were amazing on baked potatoes.  I definitely love it and so did my family.  

Garlic Gold even offers recipes here. This one is a must try:

Garlic Gold^® Marinated Vegetable Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces soft tofu
• ¼ cup Garlic Gold^® (nuggets in oil)
• 2-4 Tablespoons white miso paste (to taste)
• 6 Tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
• 6 Tablespoons Garlic Gold^® Oil
• 1 medium sized red onion, cut into thin slices
• 4 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise into ½ inch long slices
• 4 medium tomatoes, cut into ½ inch slices
• Sea Salt
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 2 avocado’s, thinly sliced
• 8 slices wheat free gluten free bread
• Additional Garlic Gold^® Italian Herb Nuggets for garnishing

At least 3 hours before, place sliced zucchini on bottom of a large colander; sprinkle liberally with sea salt. Carefully layer tomato slices over that; sprinkle again liberally with sea salt. For the last layer, add the red onion slices and sprinkle liberally again with sea salt. Take a bowl that is slightly smaller than the colander and fill it ¾ of the way full of water. Place bowl on top of salted vegetables in colander to weigh down and draw out excess moisture; leave in sink or other place to drain for at least 3 up to 8 hours.

Meanwhile, combine the first 3 ingredients in food processor to make the spread; adjust miso to taste.

After 3 to 8 hours, rinse the salt off the vegetables in colander, being careful not to break up tomato slices. Blot well with paper towels and place salted vegetables in a medium sized Tupperware-type container. Combine the balsamic vinegar and Garlic Gold^® Oil and pour over vegetables. Allow the vegetables to marinade at least 2 hours, preferably up to 8 hours to develop flavors fully. These will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator if you wish to make them ahead of time.

Assemble sandwiches in the following order: spread on the bread, marinated vegetables, avocado slices, fresh basil leaves, Garlic Gold^® Italian Herb Nuggets.

Serves 4

Helpful Hints:

• Make these ahead of time; they will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator; yes, the avocado will discolor slightly, but they will still taste awesome!
• Allow the sandwich to sit, wrapped in plastic wrap, for at least 2 hours before serving to soften up the wheat free gluten free bread and make it taste better.
• Use your favorite vegetarian mayonnaise instead of making the spread.
• Think of this like you would a crock pot recipe; you need to make it well ahead of time but it does not take that much work.
• Substitute cucumbers for the zucchini, feel free to mix and match with your favorite vegetables.
• Do not skip the salting process or you will have a pool of watery, flavorless vegetables very shortly after marinating.
• Don’t have fresh basil leaves or avocado? Feel free to leave them out.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

LocalPages.com $50 Electronics GC Giveaway 5/7: WINNER CLOSED

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...

Gina @ the Crave to Save said...

I entered your thomas the train giveaway!
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com

3

May 5, 2011 6:04 PM 

An e-mail has been sent and Gina has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected via random.org.  Thanks to all those who entered!

I have heard of LocalPages.com but to be honest, never checked them out until now after receiving an offer to provide my readers with a $50 gift card for an electronics item.  LocalPages.com is an online business advertising and search engine.  Local Pages connects companies and businesses with consumers who utilize the internet for products they are wanting to purchase.  When you first visit the site, you customize your location and set your neighborhood for easier use.  My main computer quit working so I entered "computer repair" with my zip code a host of local options appeared along with national contacts.  It also allows options in my search whether I want to expand or filter my search.  I like the map that pops up with the page showing me the locations of the different local businesses I can choose from.

Some other advantages of using Local Pages include links to:

• Local deal of the day
• Local business reviews
• Top online deals
• Local deals
• Coupons
• Local news
• Local events
• Weather

Right now, there is a promotion to "Like" Local Pages on Facebook and you could win an iPad2!

_________________________________

The Giveaway:

One reader will win a $50 gift card for a television or other electronic from electronic stores found at LocalPages.com.

To Enter:

Follow my blog and this is a little different than my other giveaways (per sponsor request) and with your comment, tell me electronic device you would purchase and include www.localpages.com at the end of your comment.

Extra Entries:

• Like Local Pages on Facebook
• Subscribe to my blog
• Follow me on Twitter
• Like me on Facebook
• Tweet about this giveaway (can be done daily for two entries)
• Blog about this giveaway (can be done twice at least 7 days apart for five entries)
• Enter any of my other giveaways (five entries)

Giveaway ends 5/7 at midnight (EST) - Winner will be selected via random.org

A Healthy Road Trip?

A couple of week's ago, I took the kids and headed out to El Paso, Texas and I can now say that I have completed the longest drive ever.  The girls did surprisingly well considering we had a six month, a three and a seven year old.  One of the hardest parts of the drive other than getting raped at the pump was trying to eat healthy.  I know there are options such as the fast food places new offerings but I often wonder if it's really healthy especially after reading the report about McDonald's oatmeal not being all that it's cracked up to be.  We'll be making that same journey again in about a month so finding an e-mail in my inbox this morning on how to have a healthy road trip was welcomed.


The article from SparkPeople.com's Family Health & wellness suggested:

• Pack a cooler full of healthy snacks and even complete meals. Chopped veggies, fresh fruits,bottled water and juice, low-fat yogurt, peanut butter sandwiches, popcorn, and pretzels make easy travel fare.
• Don't skip meals, and try not to go more than 4 or 5 hours without eating. Being famished at mealtime may hinder your ability to make healthy choices and can trigger overeating. Plus, constant energy levels will keep you alert at the wheel.
• Avoid eating full meals in the car. Take time to stop, relax and enjoy your meals as a family. This way, you can pay closer attention to your hunger and satiety signals.
• Plan exercise and stretching breaks as well. Just three 10-minute pit stops add up to 30 minutes of activity. Go for a quick jog or walk, stretch, and run around with the kids. Back in the car, you'll be more alert and energetic.
• Avoid coffee and caffeinated drinks. While they do give you a short energy burst, the drop when caffeine wears off can make you even more tired. For stable energy levels, drink plenty of water and eat healthy, whole foods that keep blood sugar levels from spiking and dropping.
• Be wary of fast food and roadside restaurants. If you have no other options, choose the healthiest possible items and keep portion sizes small. One way to avoid excess calories and fat is to hold the mayo, special sauces, cheese, and dressings. Also opt for non-breaded items and kid-sized portions for everyone.

The biggest problem I have with a couple of those is I'm on a mission to get there and loath the idea of elongating my trip with tiny breaks or to go in for a meal.  I guess unless I change my mindset and slow down, I'll still continue to not as healthy as I could but I'll choose the snack wraps, apple slices, water and so forth.  The good news is, my just turned eight year old is now choosing the apple slices and milk with her Happy Meals so that's a start.  The cooler sounds like my best option and I'll continue finding ways to move my legs while on cruise control to get a little leg stimulation and burn an extra cal per trip.

Renew Life Digestive Care Company $50 GC Giveaway 5/7: WINNER CLOSED

Update:


Due to my misunderstanding, this giveaway was US only.  Christine was gracious and withdrew her name. In lieu of my error, I provided Christine with 10 extra entries for any three giveaways now or in the future - again my apologies!


The new winner is:

ky2here said...

http://twitter.com/#!/ky2here1/status/66667345082449920

entry 1

ky2here at msn dot com

May 6, 2011 8:55 PM 

An e-mail has been sent!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...

Christine said...

I like you on Facebook-Christine Davis

ceeenndee at gmail dot com

April 29, 2011 10:45 PM 

An e-mail has been sent and she has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected via random.org.  Thanks to all those who entered!

A few month's ago, I was flipping channels late at night after another bout of insomnia and I stopped at the local PBS channel for a special fund raising series on healthy living.  One of the specials included Brenda Watson for The Road to Perfect Health.  Brenda's topic is an emerging topic that is catching more and more attention in the importance of proper digestive maintenance and care.  Her statement, "Balance Your Gut, Heal Your Body" is how your digestive system can affect many other areas of the body such as aching joints, fatigue and weight gain.


The program was very informative and it taught me a lot so I was pleasantly surprised to be able to participate in a product review which is coming soon but you get to participate in the $50 gift card now!


The Giveaway:


One reader will receive a $50 gift card code for Renew Life!


To Enter:


Follow my blog and leave a comment if you have tried any digestive care products to date.


Extra Entries:

  

• Like Brenda at Facebook
• Follow Brenda on Twitter
• Follow on YouTube 
• Check out Renew Life and tell me a product you would like to try
• Subscribe to my blog
• Follow me on Twitter
• Like me on Facebook
• Tweet about this giveaway (can be done daily for two entries)
• Blog about this giveaway (can be done twice at least 7 days apart for five entries)
• Enter any of my other giveaways (five entries)
Giveaway ends 5/7 at midnight (EST) - Winner will be selected via random.org - US/Canada

$25 Stride Rite GC Giveaway 5/7: WINNER CLOSED

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...

Kristyn said...

daily tweet

http://twitter.com/#!/KristynAnn77/status/61619061737537536

Kristyn_Ann(at)hotmail.com

An e-mail has been sent  and Kristyn has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected via random.org.

Thanks to all those who entered!

I have been holding on to a Stride Rite gift card that I want to get rid of since I'm gearing up to move.  So this is an easy one with one mandatory entry and some extra entries if you wish to participate.

 

To Enter:


Follow my blog and leave a comment!


Extra Entries:

• Subscribe to my blog
• Follow me on Twitter
• Like me on Facebook
• Tweet about this giveaway (can be done daily for two entries)
• Blog about this giveaway (can be done twice at least 7 days apart for five entries)
• Enter any of my other giveaways (five entries)

Giveaway ends 5/7 at midnight (EST) - Winner will be selected via random.org


US only please

New Bills Could Impact Military Life: Contact Your Representatives

Military life is hard enough let alone having to worry about which cuts are coming next.  I really feel for the privates and don't know how they live as pay is so low and their living conditions aren't that stellar.  I know our country is hurting and there are cuts to be made but I can't believe there are not enough pork projects or other senseless projects that can't be cut before reducing the standard of living of so many who are defending our freedom.  I don't think unless you are in the military, you can truly understand what life is like.  My husband has been deployed (again) for a week shy of a year.  Luckily, I've lived as a single mom before so it wasn't very shocking to me but when they are deployed, the care taker becomes single.  I can't imagine what it would be like to worry about money on top of it all.

Military.com released this new story and I think it's important to band together and make our voices heard.

Several recently proposed bills could impact important aspects of military life, like military pay, retirement benefits, spouse employment and GI Bill benefits. For example, House bill HR 1297 would ensure military pay is safe in case of future government shutdowns. While Senate bill S.745 would ensure veteran students would not lose GI Bill benefits during scheduled school breaks and HR 1451 would protect current student veterans from the financial impact of GI Bill 2.0. In addition, some FY2012 budget proposals include cuts which could result in TRICARE Prime premium and fee increases, limits on access to the VA health care system for certain vets, and a possible military pay freeze.

Let your voice be heard. Contact your elected officials and tell them how you feel about these vital issues.