Moms, Win a Day Off Sweepstakes

Calling All Moms —  Win a Day Off!

Mothers, we salute you. You deserve a much-needed day off, and we’d like to provide it! We’ll have a maid service clean your house and do the laundry while you’re off getting a mani-pedi, hire a baby sitter to watch the kids, and have dinner delivered so you don’t have to cook! Enter to WIN a day off for yourself or nominate another deserving Mom.

Sweepstakes begins: October 16, 2013 12:00

Sweepstakes ends: November 13, 2013 15:00

Like Purex and Win More Time for Mom Sweepstakes

With the kids back in school, that means more time for Mom to shop, scrapbook, read aned more! Like the Purex brand on Facebook and enter to WIN one of our weekly prizes today!

Each week from October 16^th to November 19^th we’ll be giving away a some amazing "More Time for Mom" prizes:

• Oct. 16 – 22:
  Cosmetics Shopping Spree
• Oct. 23 – 29:
  Scrapbooking Shopping Spree
• Oct. 30 – Nov. 5:
  Home Décor Shopping Spree
• Nov. 6 – 12:
  New Wardrobe Shopping Spree
• Nov. 13 – 19:
  Kindle Fire!

Each weekly grand prize winner will also receive a FREE year’s supply of Purex liquid detergent. 2^nd place winners each week will receive a Kindle eReader. Enter today for a chance to WIN, and enjoy some quality time for YOU!

Sweepstakes begins: October 16, 2013 12:00

Sweepstakes ends: November 19, 2013 15:00

Pumpkin Carving Time

My oldest and I attempted to carve some jack o' lanterns last year and lets just say there were no awards at our house :). She carved her's so much it caved in and mine at least could be displayed.

We are going to try again this year and I will post the results. I thought in the mean time you might enjoy this slideshow of carved pumpkins by Ray Villafane

Puppies, Puppies, Puppies everywhere

I just love puppies and ours are so much fun. Apparently I am "their person" because I can't walk anywhere without them being on my feet, trying to trip me. If all of us go somewhere, I am still the one they chase when I come home. They think they have to sleep with me. My bed isn't big enough for 1 dog, 4 puppies and me. So when I won't let them in the bed, they sleep right beside it. Here are a few of my favorite pictures of the puppies.

 This is Maxine and the puppies, The brown one is Bear, then its Romeo, Juliet and Tinkerbell. 

Bear is feeling unsocialable. Romeo was too tired to get out.

Juliet and Tinkerbell are nursing, Bear and Romeo are full but Bear needed extra love from Mom.

The 2 boys found a new sleeping spot. 

Nikki is not fond of the puppies and she is just like "why are they still here?"

New Boxed Set of 90 Disney Classic Songs Released

    Who didn't love the magic of Disney growing up? Just hearing the songs will still bring to life those magical memories and the joy of childhood. I remember watching Disney when I was a child and then reliving those memories again with my children. Its even more magical now being able to share it with my grandchildren.

    A new boxed set of 90  Disney classic songs is being released ... favorites like  "whistle while you work", "A Whole New World" and many others...If you love all things Disney, this #DisneyClassicsBox set of 90+ songs is just for you! http://bit.ly/DCBoxSet. This title will be released on November 11, 2013. Pre-order now. What a wonderful gift to give for Christmas.

   The four volumes of the collection – Disney Modern Classics, Disney Timeless Classics, Disney Theme Park Classics, and Disney Television Classics – bring favorite musical moments to fans of all generations.

This post was written as part of One2One Network's  Social campaign. This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a giveaway entry to be  eligible for a chance to win a giftcard or one of the box sets. 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 Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Awesome Soap Deal at Kroger

I wanted to share real fast with you the great deal you can get on Lever 2000 soap bars at Kroger.  First off go to Kroger Digital coupons to load a save $1 off 2 bars of Lever 2000 (I did a search for Lever products, made it a lot easier to load) then head to your local Kroger store where Lever 2000 is on sale for $1 a box. Get 2 boxes and check out. You will pay a dollar plus tax and it will print out a Catalina for $2 off your next shopping order. I did this 3 times to get 6 packages of soap.

Giveaways I entered on October 16

I spent the day trying to get some stuff cleaned up and packed away. I just don't know how we accumulate so much stuff. I am trying to get ready for winter. I have a ton of pictures of the puppies but I can't find my camera cord at the moment. Then I entered a few giveaways.

Ice Fairy Treasure Chest has a Betty Crocker Ultimate Prize pack- I have tried and tried to win one of these sets with no luck :( Ends Oct 31 2013

Bicultural Mama has a giveaway for Pillsbury Heat and Go Mini Pancakes.- yet another prize that I have tried and tried to win. Ends Oct 17 2013

Sarah's Blog of Fun has a Big G Monster Cereal Giveaway- We love those cereals. I wish they sold them all year. Ends Oct 22 2013

Take it from Me has a Warner Bros Halloween Film giveaway-We love Warner Bros films. As some of you might recall I won a box set of top 100 films from WB back in May. We still haven't made it through all the movies yet. I want one of the Scooby Doo dvds. We love Scooby Doo. Ends October 27 2013

Giveaways I entered Sunday October 13

I haven't been entering but a few giveaways lately and I hadn't blogged any of them. I was disgusted with blogger. Every time I have a post, if I make changes and try to leave the page then it would ask, do you want to leave with unsaved changes except for the one time I had a huge post of wins and accidently deleted them. That post it doesn't save. I was so mad and it was so many links that I just didn't redo it. I only entered a few today because I encountered one blog that just kept freezing this old pc up. I really need a new pc. This one is about 8 yrs old.

Frugality is Free has a Green Giants Frozen Veggies Giveaway- Ends on November 18 2013

Heck of a Bunch has a Smart Fillets Dog Chews giveaway- Maxine loves her treats. Ends Oct 27 2013

Heck of a Bunch has a giveaway for The Heat DVD- I love Sandra Bullock and this is supposed to be really funny. Ends Oct 23 2013

The Divine Miss Mommy has a Tailgating & Pin to Win  giveaway- this involves one of my favorite grocery stores, where I actually do the majority of my shopping.  Ends October 19, 2013

Giveaways I entered on Oct 2nd

    I haven't been feeling good for a few days so haven't been posting or entering many giveaways. I think its a seasonal bug. I usually get something every spring and fall. 
     I had the weirdest dream last night. We had a big snow storm. My grandmother drove by to check up on me (1. she's dead, 2 she didn't drive) and then it ended with me going to get my car that I had left parked at Tyree's. (the local funeral home). I am wondering what it meant and if it means I will soon be seeing my grandmother.

Susan Heim on Parenting has a Farm Rich prize pack- I dearly love aprons so that is half the reason I want this prize :). Ends October 10, 2013

Frugality is Free has a Pillsbury Heat N Go giveaway-  I really want to try these out. We like pancakes but lets face it, some days I don't feel like making pancakes. 3 small grandbabies can take a lot of energy. Ends October 16, 2013

Mom and More has an Adventures of Chuck and Friends DVD- I hadn't heard of this cartoon but I can tell you my grandson would love it. I will have to look and see if I can find it on tv for him.  Ends October 16th, 2013

My Review Cafe has a $25 gift certificate for Starbucks- This is my oldest's favorite coffee shop so this would make a great stocking stuffer for her. Ends Oct 18 2013

Win A Year of Ladies' Home Journal Subscription From Purex

If you live in the U.S., you can enter one time between October 1, 2013 and October 31, 2013 on the Purex Facebook to win a one year subscription for Ladies Home Journal.   A one year subscription is 10 issues, with a retail value of $10.

I always like the quality of articles in the Ladies Home Journal. They are almost always something that is relevant to my life. Over the years, I have been a subscriber to many different magazines but I can honestly say that Ladies Home Journal is one that has always fit where I was at in my life at that time. I haven't ever outgrown it. 

Natural Vitality Giveaway

 

October is Non-GMO Awareness Month, and to celebrate, Natural Vitality is sponsoring an awesome giveaway event, hosted by Happy Mothering and the Green Moms Network.

Natural Vitality makes high-quality, award-winning dietary supplements that are Non-GMO Project Verified! The ingredients in their supplements are also organically grown!


Natural Vitality is best know for Natural Calm, a tasty magnesium supplement that helps your muscles and nerves function properly, keeps your heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system and assists in keeping your bones strong.

Giveaways I entered Sept 25 2013

Oddly enough, yesterday I had a huge explosion of followers on Twitter. I got around 15 new followers. That is the most I think I have ever gotten in one day. I could have understood if they were the people who I had started following but not any of them were ones I followed. And they weren't even spam accounts. I looked to see if they were the type to enter giveaways since I tweet so many but none of them appeared to be. Oh well, I like the numbers going up so I can hopefully one day increase the accounts I follow.

Heart Zipper has a Purex UltraPacks Plus Oxi- if you have followed my blog for any length of time, then you know I like Purex products. I make my own detergent usually and it has 2 of their products in that. Ends 10/2

Our Whiskey Lullaby has 40 lbs of Hill Science Diet- with 3 cats, 1 dog and 4 puppies I can use all the help I can get here.  Ends Sept 26, 2013 so enter fast.

Heavenly Savings has a Thomas and Friends: Animals Aboard DVD - my grandson loves Thomas so I would like to win this for him. Ends Oct 2 2013

Giveaways I entered Sept 23 2013

Working every day and then going straight to revival from work, made for a short week entering giveaways. I was so tired I usually just came home, checked email and went to bed. I am so excited because tonight is the season opener for Castle. I love that show. I really want Castle and Beckett to get together.  Hopefully tomorrow I will have more giveaways listed for you.




Three Loud Kids has a Little Mermaid Diamond DVD- I really want to win this dvd for my grandchildren. I know they will love it. Ends October 1st

She Scribes has the Croods DVD - you know I really want to win this for the grandbabies. Ends Sept 28 2013

Piece of Me has the Ultimate Helper Mixes kit- I have been wanting to try these out. I have heard about them but haven't tried them yet. Ends Oct 3, 2013

Weekly Recap

It was a really slow week last week. I didn't win anything until Wednesday but I was thrilled with both wins.. Then, I had to work Friday, Saturday and Sunday and go straight from work to revival. So I wasn't entering hardly any giveaways. We had a wonderful time at revival. I have a couple of posts I plan to blog about later on when I feel more energetic.

Giveaways I won

A beautiful Teacher's Vet Necklace- This was an author sponsored giveaway with the rafflecopter being on the several blogs.

Winning Moves Game Board- We love board games and play a lot of games here so can't wait to try this out. 

Giveaways I am entering Sept 19 2013

Boy when I woke up this morning, I thought it was earlier than it actually was because it was so dark and overcast. It looked like winter and that it was getting ready to come a snow storm. I am so not ready for summer to end.  I guess because it looked so nasty outside, it made me want to stay inside since today's giveaways all seem to be for dvds :)


Susan's Disney Family has a Croods DVD for giveaway- this just looks like the cutest movie. I would really love a copy of it. The grandbabies would love it, I am sure. We wanted to see it at the movies but let's face it, as high as prices are these days, we can't afford to go spend $40-50 a night. Ends Oct 1 2013

Our Whiskey Lullaby also has a Croods DVD for giveaway- This one ends on Sept 29 2013. While you are there check out her cute cockatiel named Whiskey. We used to have one named Fred. They are such fun birds. I will have to see if I can dig out an old photo since that was over 20 yrs ago. My aunt's ex got him in the divorce.

The Sweet Life of a Southern Wife has a Little Mermaid DVD- I can remember watching this with my oldest years ago and now I want to watch it with my grandbabies. Its hard to believe that much time has passed. Ends Sept 27th 2013

Heavenly Savings Thomas the Train  - I remember my cousin's son loved Thomas and I used to buy him stuff all the time and now my grandson loves him. Another character who has spanned time. Ends Sept 20, 2013

Giveaways I entered Sept 18, 2013

I didn't enter as many giveaways as I normally do so didn't get a post up in the past few days. Its been on the cool side here and I have been running a low grade fever as I adjust to the temperatures. I think snow is beautiful but I just hate cold weather. We didn't have much a summer this year, it was rainy and cool for the majority of it. We went to the laundromat yesterday and washed all the blankets up for winter because it been so cool.
I did have an awesome mail day yesterday. I got a box with some Beneful samples in it( my daughter let the dog eat them before I got a picture), and 3 prizes I had won.

Red Gold Tomato Kit from Fat Free Queen

5 Day Nutrisystem Diabetes Starter Kit from Book Cover Justice

BFAST Gift Package from the Livy Updater

on Starships and Dragonwings is giving away an ARC of Kinslayer -both my daughters and myself are readers so we can use all the free books as possible. There are days we visit 3 libraries just to get enough to read for the week. Ends Sept 22 2013

Heck of a Bunch as a "Nature Knows Color" tote.- I think this is really cool because its part of a program by Burt's Bees to auction off the totes with celebrities signatures to raise funds for a program called Lipstick Angels. Ttheir mission to make hospitalized women feel beautiful through patient makeovers. Please note that the totes in the giveaway are not signed. Ends Sept 31 2013

Rats and More- Kristian Regale Juices I love that these juices come in bottles like wine, so you can use them for occasions that some people use wine for. They would also make great gifts. Ends Oct 1 2013

Mom and More has a Monopoly Empire giveaway- We love board games and Monopoly is one of our favorites. I would love to own this version. Ends Sept 20 2013

Mrs Dash: Ready Set Win game-  This isn't a blog giveaway but it was so easy and I won a seasoning kit that I wanted to share. Like Mrs Dash's facebook page and then play the game. On my second play I won a taco seasoning kit.

Weekly Recap

The biggest thing that happened to me was of course the new puppies being born and I got accepted as a Purex Insider :). Notice my snazzy new button on the side bar. I am still reading to figure this one out but I will be able to bring you some awesome prizes. I personally have won a ton of Purex prizes this year and I just love their products. I use 2 of their products in my homemade detergent mix. Now I just have to figure out exactly what I am doing as a Purex Insider.

Giveaways I won

Orkin Home Education Kit from Textbook Mommy- I really wanted to win one of these kits. I bet I entered a dozen different giveaways or more.

Orkin Home Education Kit from Sweetly Made- Good thing I really wanted this kit. Now I have one for each of the bigger grandchildren.

Kool Aid Prize pack- Awesome prize, it includes a year's supply of Kool Aid (they have no idea how much we drink :) so I am sure its not a years supply in our household haha,  a vintage T-shirt and a Walmart Gift Card that will come in handy with Christmas coming up.

Orkin Home Education Kit from Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy- Now I have a kit for all of the grandchildren so they won't fight over the bugs and lights :)

Excedrin back to school kit from Migraine Puppet- I love pens and I have to admit the pen is the whole reason I entered this one :)

Giveaways I entered today

I am running behind today.  For some reason, I didn't get my daily email from Bloglovin with the posts for the blogs I follow so I didn't have time before work this morning to enter any giveaways, then I worked 10 hours and had to go to Wal Mart afterwards so am just now getting to enter any.

A Mom's Balancing Act has a great giveaway for Pampers Swaddlers - since my youngest keeps being pregnant, we always need diapers. Ends on Sept 24 2013

She Scribes has a Coin Lithium Battery Safety  Energizer Giveaway ends Sept 22 2013

I'm not too Obsessed has a Focus Feature giveaway - prize is $100 Visa gift card for a night at the movies Focus Features DVD set: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Debt ends Sept 15 2013

Cars, Trucks and Teething Rings has a Lorax giveaway with a free Ebook also.  Ends Sept 20 2013

Frugal Ginger has a Pork Chomps Dog Chew giveaway - I figured Maxine deserved a prize after having puppies. Ends on Sept 22 2013

Giveaways for September 13th

     Its been a slow week for some reason for me. I did manage to do a bit of smart shopping. Rite Aid has their summer items on 75% clearance. I got several windchimes to give as Christmas presents and a toddler golf set for my grandson for Christmas. We picked up some nice beach towels for 1.50 each. Probably our best deal was a fan for 4.99.
     I went to Kroger to stock up on some Febreeze spray this week. It was on sale for 2.99 but if you bought 5 it was only 1.99. I had 3 coupons for b1g1 free. So I got 6 Frebreeze and combined them with some other sale items to get the money off. It made all 6 be 1.99 each then the coupons took off 2.99 3 times so altogether I paid 3.00 for 6 cans of Febreeze so not bad at all. That will last us a long time. I am really working on stocking up with winter coming. Heat bills about did us in last winter and I feel that this winter will be worse. I am pretty certain I have enough cleaning products and condiments to last all winter. I am trying each payday to pick one thing to stock up on. I found a pretty decent sale on Scott's extra soft toilet tissue and bought a bit of it but not enough to last all winter. That is on the list of things to buy yet.

Giveaways I entered today.

Susan's Disney Family has a giveaway for a free Ebook and a Lorax DVD ends Sept 20th 2013

Mom and More has a giveaway for the Epic DVD. I would love to own this dvd, it reminds me of Ferngully, which we loved. Ends Sept 17, 2013

Mom and more also has an awesome giveaway for a $200 Amazon Giftcard I would love to win this, I could buy my new laptop right away with this. Ends Sept 21, 2013

Create with Joy has an Hills Science Diet Cat Food Giveaway  With 3 cats I really need to win this one :). Did you know cats could be gluten intolerant?  Ends Sept 27, 2013.

Woman's Tribune also has a giveaway for a free ebook and Lorax dvd ends Sept 23 2013

New Puppies and Giveaways I am entering September 11, 2013

Yesterday was a pretty good day for me mailwise. I got 2 coupons for Fels-Naptha bars and 3 coupons for Wallby Kefir that I had won. I also got the paycheck for the last merchandising job that I had. I used part of that money to go to Rite Aid and buy a pool on clearance for next year. It is 8x10 but its only 2 feet deep but that is enough to splash around in and cool off. It is normally $100 but was on clearance for $25.

I am officially a puppy grandmother now. My dog Maxine had her puppies in the wee hours this morning. She had 5 but the first one was born dead :( I had to cry about it for a while but she has 4 other little ones. 3 are black and 1 is brown. I can't wait until they are big enough to toddle around and play with. I think it is amazing that God has programmed into the brains of animals exactly what they need to do. Maxine kept whining for me to pet her while she was in labor but once the puppies started coming so acted like a pro. Here she is with one of them.

Its Free At Last has a giveaway for a Horizon Milk Prize Pack. This ends Sept 19, 2013

Joan Holub is giving away a copy of her book called Little Red Writing This is part of a blog hop so be sure to hop along and enter all the giveaways. This book just looks so cute. I would really like to win this. Ends Sept 17th 2013

Misadventures in Baby Raising has a great giveaway for a basket of Bic products. My friend Cindy and myself are huge pen fans, we are always collecting them and buy them for each other as gifts. Ends Sept 12th 2013

Giveaways I am entering September 9th 2013

I thought it would be neat to start posting some of the links for the giveaways I am entering daily. That way you can win also. Just about every one of these blogs have more than one giveaway going so be sure to browse around and enter them all.


Momma in flip flops has a $100 Walmart Gift Card & the VTech Dual Handset Cordless Answering System
- this would be wonderful with Christmas coming up, to have an extra $100 to spend plus I really need a new phone.

Mommy Katie is hosting a Country Crock Country Casserole Kit giveaway this ends Sept 31st.

Eccentric Eclectic Woman has an Orkin Home Education Kit- every since I started doing the emergency prep stuff, I have been obsessed with flashlights so I keep entering giveaways that have flashlight prizes :). Ends on Sept 13th

Heck of a Bunch also has an Orkin Home Education Kit This one ends on Sept 12th.

Ice Fairys Treasure Chest is hosting a Family Movie Night giveaway. This ends on Sept 16th.

Weekly Recap

I was entering contests when I came across one related to The Book called Someday by Dianne Dixon
It had the following quote and I really just liked it so wanted to share it with everyone.

"No matter how painful your life has been, you have the choice to learn from your past and then leave it.  You have the choice.  Every day.  To love and be loved.  To find your purpose.  To work and and to give.  And to shape your world into something that's quite remarkable."

 I think a lot of people could benefit from reading that quote often. We can't let our pasts define who we are today. Its a springboard to push us into a brighter and better future.

Prizes I won this past week-

Coupon for a free bar of Fels Naptha Laundry Soap from FL Mom's Blog

A 5 day Nutrisystem Diabetes Weight Loss Kit from Book Cover Justice

copy of  The Greyfriar by Clay and Susan Griffith   The Space Between

I won another Red Gold Tomato sample pack from The Fat Free Queen

A $10 giftcard for Amazon from Two Savvy Sisters- I need all the Amazon money I can get since I am saving to buy another laptop from there.

I won 4 coupons for some Wallaby Organic Kefir from Mommy, I'm Hungry

I won a jar of pineapple salsa and  a 30 day supply of cherry capsules from The Kitchen is my Dance Floor.

I won 2 nights at any Days Inn in the US from Sarah's Blog of Fun Now I have to plan a quick little vacation someplace. Not sure when I will get the tickets and when they will expire.

I won the BFAST Gift Package from the Livy Updater

Walmart $200 Gift Card Nov 18 - Dec 9 free blogger opp

Christmas is almost here!!

We are giving away

a 

Walmart $200 Gift Card

-FREE Link with announcement (Twitter or Pinterest)

(go here for the announcement)

-Giveaway date:  October 14 to November 4

-Co-host $15.00

10 Links

2 Co-host pages

Extra links $1.50

Send payment to melisurveys1978@gmail.com

For more sign up events go here

Sign up Here

Back to School with Go-GURT

I got an email today from Myblogspark about Go-Gurt and since my grandbabies love them, I decided to post on it.  I like them because they are healthy and not messy, the kids love them because they taste great. (I admit to sneaking a couple of them myself). I can put them in my granddaughter's lunch without worrying that they will spill over the rest of her lunch.

Celebrate “Back to School” time with everyone’s favorite yogurt in a tube, Go-GURT®!

Kids love Go-GURT® Yogurt! It’s fun to eat, and has great tasting flavors kids crave. And mom loves that Go-GURT is NOW made with natural colors and flavors, and contains no high-fructose corn syrup!

Not only is Go-GURT® a good source of calcium, but it is the perfect addition to any lunch because it’s made to freeze and thaw by lunchtime!

Learn more at yoplait.com/products/yoplait-go-gurt.

 My local Kroger has the 16 count value pack on sale for $2.99 as part of their Mega Saver deal. You can load a coupon from the Kroger site 75/2 digital coupon to your plus card or you can print one from the Coupons.com site for 75/2 printable coupon 

**I wrote this short review of yoplait Go-Gurt as a My Blog Spark member.  I received no free samples, coupons, or any other compensation for doing so.  

Another Week in Review

Last week wasn't that great for me healthwise . I started with back pain on my lower left side to the point I couldn't left my leg into the bed without my daughter helping me, then I guess because I was working the right side muscles so much, I started having terrible back and abdomen spasms on the right side by Tuesday. It got so bad I considered going to the E. R. I had to take to my bed because I couldn't even work my arm to type or use the mouse. I started taking some muscle relaxers I had at the house as much as I hate too.

I did really well frugally this past week also. I hit some great clearance sales and won a lot of wonderful prizes. I got a couple of bras on clearance for $3 each at Wal-Mart, I finally found some Purex detergent I had won coupons for but no one in town seem to carry that exact product but I found it at the Dollar General, the Dollar General was having a 90% sale on gardening seeds and I got a ton of seeds for 3 cents a pack, some 6 herb containers for 60 cents and also some seed starting pans for only 45 cents. I am set for next growing season. I got some snow cone flavorings for 50 cents a bottle, a really nice thermometer to go outside for just about $2.

My ex brother in law moved some furniture for us. The living room looks so much nicer now. I got rid of the old nasty couch that had been here since I moved and the rug on the living room floor. I put in the new rocking love seat and chair that I got from work and also the rug that one of the customers gave me.  It really matched well with the furniture.

Prizes I won this past week- I had a really great week and I sure do appreciate all the wonderful blog hosts who posted these blogs and the sponsors who offer the prizes.

Green Toys school bus from Abracadabra Momma   My grandson will love this.

Standing Up autographed DVD from Mon Cheri I really wanted to watch this movie about bullying with my grandkids.

3 books from Deal Sharing Aunt in the Clear Your Shelf Giveaway Can't wait to get my books. I love to read but as much as I read, I can't afford to buy that many books. I usually visit 2-3 libraries a week.

Red Gold Tomato grilling kit from Amy at A Balancing Act

Noxicare from Rosey the Coupon Coach-  I have wanted to try this out for ages. I actually supposed won twice already but never got either prize, nor will the blog owners answer my emails.

Wedding Chapel DVD from Mommy's Block Party 

A coupon for a free bar of Fels Naptha soap from Precious 416

Another coupon for a free bar of Fels Naptha soap from Mike and Kim on a Budget- I am loving winning all this laundry making supplies. I am stocking up and saving them.

Review of Last Week

I am so bummed. I had my laptop in the shop but the man said it needs a new motherboard and would cost $300 to fix. Its only a year and a half old but now they are so cheap it just isn't worth buying a motherboard to fix it with. So I am going to have to save up for a new laptop. He did get my battery fully charged on it so I can save my files to a couple thumb drives though so that is a blessing.

We did have one of those great coupon revelation moments though. A couple of weeks ago, Kroger had a sale on Lysol Wipes. They were on sale for $1.99 but if you bought 5 you got $5 off so that made the sale price .99 for each roll. I had coupons for .50 off 2 so that made them be .50 a canister. Yesterday we were going through the store and the Lysol Wipes were back to their original price of $2.99. My oldest and I talked about how much nicer it was to only pay .50 and stock up so we didn't have to pay $2.99. There are only 5 in this picture but we really bought 6.

I also got a product sample in the mail to test out and then do a survey on. Its not a review but one of those anonymous survey things. I also got a really cool back to school lunch box kit called Kroger Lunchbox Heroes from Bzz to try out. Naturally the grandbabies were thrilled. We got a package of cheese flavored peanut butter filled pretzel bites and 4 coupons for free products plus a slew of coupons off the products to share with friends. I love Bzz and have gotten a lot of really great products from there to review and try out.

Here are the great prizes I won last week- I sure do appreciate all the wonderful blogs and their sponsors. Winning products makes my life so much better since it saves me money, and lets me try product that I otherwise wouldn't be able to.

A coupon for a box of Borax from Nikki Knack's Reviews- I love Borax and use it to make my detergent.

A children's book called The Ruby Red Slippers from Women's Intution- I think my oldest granddaughter will love to read this one with me.

A coupon for a bar of Fels Naptha soap from Looking forward to becoming more frugal

Blog Giveaways I have won

My laptop has been out of commission since the beginning of April, so that has really slowed me down on entering giveaways. I am having to use an older model desktop and it is just superslow. All video's cause this desktop to hang so I do a lot of plugin-container.exe closing :). I finally have my laptop in the shop so now just waiting on it to get fixed. I am slowly entering a few giveaways have again though. I have won a few so far but not as frequently as I was winning. I am not entering like I was because of this desktop but its all good and will work out in the end. I am going to be super busy this week. I got a call Thursday from a marketing group who had seen my profile on NARMS and wants me to help with a grocery reset this week at one of my local stores. I was thrilled to get the call since I really could use the extra money. I need to get my oldest a set of glasses and we haven't been able to afford the exam.


Last week I won the following prizes- I guess I can watch the DVD while doing all that laundry :)

Coupon for a free bar of Fels-Naptha laundry soap from Now a Mom of 3

Another Coupon for a free bar of Fels-Naptha laundry soap from Urban Times in Michigan

Purex Fabric Softener Sheets from the Wood Elves

Heart of the Country DVD from Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

Book Quotes

I found some really inspiring quotes in the book I was reading last Friday.  I enjoyed the book very much. Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite writers. Both of these quotes spoke to me.
1. "It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere." Agnes Repplier-  I see so many people chasing happiness, first doing this and then doing that, being involved with one person after another trying to find someone who makes them happy. If you aren't happy in yourself, then there isn't anything that anyone else can do to make you happy. You have to find the cure inside of you for your unhappiness before you can be happy with others. So many relationships end because instead of working on their own selves people want others to fix their lives.

2. " The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances." - Martha Washington. How often do you see someone who has everything you want and yet they aren't happy. I have seen people who had basically nothing, yet they are happy as can be. Happiness doesn't come from stuff but from within. As Paul says in Philippians 4:11 basically we must be content  no matter whats going on in our lives. We can be as content in the midst of a raging storm as we are on a calm sunny day. Everything passes, we just have to hang on.

5 Things I am Grateful for Today

1. Nice customers- I had a man come in yesterday and ask me if I wanted some copy paper. He gave me 2 packs of copy paper. I use a lot at my house printing coupons and various items so I thought that was super nice.
2. My best friend Debbie and her husband- Debbie is always there when I need anything. Yesterday she brought me some gas drops for my youngest granddaughter because I said something about buying some when I got paid this week coming. She has had my back more times than I can count. Also her husband helps out a lot. He made me a stand to hang my bird feeder on a couple months back.
3. Birds- I just love to watch all the colorful birds at the feeder. I have all kinds of birds coming. I have to fill it up about once a week. I like to use the black oil sunflower seeds best of all. I have cardinals, blue jays, wrens, yellow finches, plus a lot that I don't know. I am going to start trying to figure out what they all are.
4. Extra hours at work- This week I am getting 40 hours again. I am planning to get some stuff done with these extra checks. I want to try to get some Christmas stuff done up ahead of time.
5. Tomatoes- I noticed yesterday that 2 of the tomatoes on my tomato plant were starting to get red. I can't wait to taste the fresh tomatoes.

Job Hunting and Gratitude.

I have been applying for some jobs lately. I love love love my current job but it is only 20 hrs a week and I am expected to be on call in case something happens (which did this week so I got 40 hrs and next week will be getting 40 also) but normally I am not called in. So I can't really get another job although I am thinking of trying for a home aide. Basically you go in an elderly person's home and check on them, light cleaning and cooking and take them to dr's appts. I can do that a couple days a week assuming those days aren't wrote in stone.  But I have also applying for 4 full time jobs. 3 are with the state since they have such awesome benefits. I have only heard back from one of them so far and have an appointment on Monday. I am leaving it in God's hands and if I get it then I know its what He wants for me right now.
If you are job hunting I recommend Indeed you can create email alerts and they will email you every day with the new postings for your area. I like them because they pull from a wide variety of sources so you don't have to go to all the different job boards.

I am currently reading a book by Debbie Macomber called Thursdays at Eight and I saw something on a page that gave me an inspiration. I think I am going to try to remember every time I post to put 5 things I am grateful for. That way I can look back and remember my blessings and hopefully it will encourage me to express more gratitude in life.

1.  Being able to work more hours this week and next. I need the extra money right now.
2.  Water- will blog about this one day and share my experience.
3.  The car continuing to run. - I am so paranoid about this now.
4.  Grace- I am so thankful that I can experience God's Grace on a daily basis.
5. 3 lbs lost-. I have been trying real hard this week to exercise more by walking a bit each hour.  

Feeling out of control of my life

Its been over a month since I blogged. I just can't seem to get a handle on life lately. I am so frustrated since my daughter and her children moved in. I don't see a way she is ever going to be able to afford a place of her own to get out my house but they are driving me insane. I love my grandchildren dearly but I can honestly say I have never seen worse behaved children. They don't follow rules at all and will open defy you. No matter how many times you tell them not to do something, they still do it. Most of that results from my daughter's inconsistencies. Sometimes she whips them, sometimes she yells but she doesn't constantly enforce a rule. You have to every single time punish a child for breaking the rules not every other time. Plus she is bad for saying "you keep it up and no tv or whatever punishment" but she never follows through so that teaches the children that they can do whatever and there are no consequences. I have watched and taken care of a lot of children in my life and never have I seen the likes. There is no structure to their lives. No set meal times, bedtimes, etc so they just act all harem scarem. Its to the point now, that I just don't want to be around them at all because of how they act and I never thought I would feel that way about my grandchildren.  Between my daughter and the children they have trashed our home. They value nothing that belongs to us. There is no respect for people or things.  No one cleans up messes. Food in the floor, dishes never washed, toys to trip over, trash left wherever they get done with it. No one throws anything away. They have spilled stuff on every blanket, the pillows, the furniture. They walk on the furniture and no matter how much you yell, punish, or whip they still do it.  Every single thing in the house is treated as their belongings, they never ask to use anything regardless of what it is. I am sick to death of the television being on 24 hours a day.  It doesn't matter what it is, my daughter just hands the baby whatever she wants to play with just to shut her up. Children should be taught they can't have everything.  I want them out of my house but I can't see it happening since they have no where else to go and I can't let them live on the street but at this rate I will be living in the asylum.  I feel bad for my daughter being homeless but these are life choices she keeps making. She is the one who keeps getting pregnant. I am tired all the time from the constant aggravation, the constant noise and the filth at the house. Its all just too much for me. I have prayed for patience, strength, a solution for the housing and nothing has worked. I have yelled at the kids and my daughter and all of them just ignore whatever I say. I just feel like walking away from my life and leaving no forwarding address.

Frankie and the Voice

I am loving the grandbabies being at the house. They are always saying funny stuff. Here is the cutest little story about something that happened with my grandson. 

Here is a funny story about my 4 yr old grandson. One night I sent him to bed. He comes back and tells me there was a voice that told him to shhhhhhhhhhhh. I told him there wasn't anyone in the room and he must have imagined it. He came back in a minute to say it happened again. I offered various suggestions and he discounted each one. Finally I told him that maybe it was God talking to him. He tells me that God doesn't talk to little boys. I tell him the story of Samuel from the Bible (1 Samuel 3) and then I suggest again that maybe the voice was God. Frankie shakes his head nope and says it doesn't sound like God.  I just laughed and laughed. He was so serious.

Grandbabies

I haven't blogged in a few weeks because my youngest just moved back from Texas with her family and they have been staying here until they find jobs and a place to live. I love having the grandbabies here. I hadn't seen the 2 oldest in almost 3 years and the baby is only 9 months old so I had never seen her. We have had a blast going to the park and playing, reading and watching tv.