My dangling chad will be informed this election year. Educate yours, too.
January 29, 2008
I have mentioned before that I don’t really get political here. Who I vote for is between me and my dangling chad. But this election? This election has me absolutely fascinated. I have actually enjoyed watching bloggers talk about the issues. I have learned a lot from following some of the political blogs and listening to all sides and supporters of all the candidates. I will admit I have hidden under my desk in fear over some of the shove this down your throat tactics that some bloggers take. Because seriously? You people scare the snot out of me! But overall? Overall, this has been the most fascinating election year I can remember. And I am old enough to remember many.
Julie brings up a great point in that even if you don’t know who will get your vote and you have not aligned behind one person, you may not know exactly why.
Swiffer and Warner Music have teamed up and created a contest called the “Swiffer Break-up Music Video Contest.”
Here’s the best part : The Grand Prize for the contest is $15,000.
Here’s how it works:
Swiffer-lovers can submit a short video to YouTube that demonstrates how they “broke up” with their old cleaning products and now use Swiffer for all their cleaning needs. If you enter, you receive 10 downloads of “break-up” songs to use in the video (that’s one of the requirements). The top 10 videos will be posted to YouTube for the general public to cast a vote for their favorite and the video with the most votes wins $15,000.
You can find a complete list of rules, prizes and approved “break-up” songs at the Swiffer brand channel at the YouTube Swiffer Channel.
Sounds like it could be fun!
Here is the catch. The contest ends TOMORROW 1/30/08. So get on it you mad video making machines.
Personalized Fruit Roll-Ups? Rule the school with these. (WIN!)
January 28, 2008
I had the chance to order personalized (yes, personalized) FruitRoll-Ups for Valentine’s Day for my first grader (though I wanted them for myself) through MomCentral. Read all about it over at Fresh Brewed Reviews.
However, because I love you all so much, I want YOU to win, too. We can beat those Martha Stewart wanna-be Muffin Mafia Moms at the “I have the best Valentine’s to for my precious” game. This year, YOU can send your little one of with one of a kind, no one else has these Personalized Fruit Roll Ups.
Three of my readers will win a box of 30 personalized Fruit Roll-Ups. Here is the catch. You have to comment here and leave me the sweetest Valentine’s messages you’ve sent or received. It can be a non-typical sweet but one that meant a lot to you. THREE of you will win a chance to order your own box of personalized Fruit Roll-Ups.
BUT there is a FAST time limit. You have to order by February 3rd to get these sent to you in time for Valentine’s Day. If you don’t win but want to order, please go here to My Fruit Roll-Ups. If you order before February 2nd, you get a $10 discount. Note: I receive nothing from telling you about this or from giving away three free boxes.
Don’t forget to leave me your sweetest Valentine’s message so that you can win, too. In order to get your orders in by February 3rd, I am cutting this contest off at midnight PST on February 1st and notifying the winners first thing the morning of the second so that those who want to get the $10 off can still order on the 2nd to receive that discount.
Crazy is as crazy does videos and speaking of crazy, Mommybloggers is back and rocking the ‘Net
January 27, 2008
I have been sent a few links to “interview videos” this weekend that are awesome. I want so badly to share every one of them with you because with the exception of one that was serious, you would so get a kick out of the crazy! I love the crazy. Especially the couch jumping, I am out of my mind crazy kind of crazy. The things you can find online boggles the mind.
But, I will refrain from the video overload and just show you this brand of crazy.
If for some reason you have been living under a rock and missed the parody of the Tom Cruise Scientology Video, here is Jerry O’Connell doing a “it is so good it is scary” imitation.
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In other news, Mommybloggers is back and rocking the house. We have not officially relaunched as we have much to do, but you will find new content, new writers and new newness there. When we are ready to officially relaunch, we will let you know. It is a blast and we want you to enjoy it, too. Have ideas? Interested in being featured? Know a blogger who really wants to be a part of this? Feel free to send what you have in mind to me at jenn@mommybloggers.com I look forward to hearing from y’all.
Now scoot on over there to Mommybloggers and welcome Crystal aboard. She is awesome and has become my right hand woman. (And let Jenny know you miss her and blow her kisses as she asked to be on hiatus from the site for a while.)
You will slowly see the new writers and new features as we roll them out. So to speak. We aren’t really rolling anything over there. It is all legal.
Blog awards? And I thought I just did this for fun. And pain. And you.
January 26, 2008
After getting a kick in the gut, knife in the back, slap to the face yesterday (bitter much?), it was really nice to have someone point me to the fact that I am actually up for a few awards at the Bloggers Choice Awards.
Now, I was more than a little sad to not be in the ranks with Liz at Mom-101 because if I am with her, I have made it, baby. But, sadly, I am not. I tried to campaign to join her, but they top off the number of categories you can be nominated in. Bummer. Honestly, any award that Liz is up for is one I would be honored to be there with her. Though, this particular nomination she writes about is a ridiculous joke. However, you have to love her sense of humor about it. She was nominated for one she deserves, though. (So go. Vote for the one she deserves here.)
To be 100% honest, the best “awards” I get for this blog are the comments, the emails and the friendships. You readers rock.
I have to say after yesterday, it was nice to get a kind email from someone who reads this blog letting me know that there are friends I have met online who are good and kind and caring, unlike some I have met and trusted who put the B in Witch.
So if you feel inclined, go vote. If not, go vote for Mom 101 HERE. That is the nomination that is real.
This is the only time you will see me talk about it or write about. I feel compelled to, though, because someone took the time to nominate me. For that, I am thankful. Again, my readers rock.
** [Edited to explain this one.] This award will be presented to the blogger who demonstrates the best writing ability on his or her blog.
Does this mean best writing about parenting because best parenting part is SO not going to be ME!
(This one makes me feel like I am being voted off the island and am getting farewell tribute. All time? Ever? Uhhh, not so much.)
Global Belly Laugh Day and Mom’s Birthday. What a match!
January 24, 2008
Today is my Mom’s birthday. This day usually hits me harder than the anniversary of when she died. I suppose because birthdays celebrate life. And my mom? She was so very full of life! She and laughter went hand in hand. Two years ago I was at a stage where I was searching for signs–any signs– that things would get better. That I could remember her life and not crumble into dust and blow away. It was around that time I got a wonderful email addressing that issue.
January 24, 2006 was the first celebration of the great gift of laughter. In June, 2005 I thought we celebrate love, give thanks. Why don’t we celebrate the great gift of laughter? Thus Belly Laugh Day was born. A day to celebrate past laughter and connect with positive laughter.
Yes, my friends, today is Global Belly Laugh Day!
On January 24, at 1:24 p.m. (local time)
smile, throw your arms in the air and laugh out loud!
It makes me smile that on my Mom’s birthday there is a real holiday (It is legit and actually listed in the 2008 Chase’s Calendar of Events published by McGraw Hill.) A day for laughter on the day one of the funniest people I know was born? Perfect.
Many thanks to Elaine for emailing me every year before this event to check up on me, tell me she is thinking of my mom on her birthday and to remind me to laugh. (I will be!)
Will you laugh with me? I could use the company. Join me! At 1:24pm (your local time) I want you to join in with me and throw your arms in the air and laugh out loud. Who cares who is looking. Laugh. They will join in. Maybe they will be laughing at you, but they will be laughing!
Now in case you just need a good laugh, rather than tell you a knock-knock joke, I will share this. Now come on…this should make you at the very least giggle.
Why older people should not fall but rather leave those stunts to the babies
January 23, 2008
I was working on something telling you why I have been MIA when my son looked over my shoulder at the title and said, “That is wrong. Re-read it.”
The title was “Strep is a four-letter word I hate!” Okay, so strep is technically a FIVE letter word, but the way it has taken up residence in my home, it has become a four letter word. Sick Math: If you take “strep” add 3 [people] divide by 2 then you have a four letter word. So, yes, to me: Strep is a Four Letter Word. First my son brought it home and I trembled in fear. No! I even asked the doctor to put the rest of us on preventative medicine in order to keep the rest of us free of this dreaded invader. I pondered a HazMat suit, but I could not find one at a reasonable rate. I took every precaution short of moving to a hotel or kicking out my son, but none of it worked. By Wednesday, I had chills, a fever, ached everywhere and just wanted a fire hydrant to put out the pain in my throat.
“But I am okay!” was my mantra.
Thursday, Gabrie came home, hit the couch and was out cold. By dinner time her fever had sky-rocketed. Friday morning we dragged our sick, pitiful bodies to the doctor. And, yes, he did get an “I TOLD YOU SO!” glare from me. And that, my friends, is how I spent the last pitiful days.
Of course, being young my daughter is just fine and bouncing around. Me? I am still battling the on again off again fever, chills and “what kind of truck ran me down because I hurt and am too tired to speak” a week later. Getting old sucks.
So, if I have missed an email or two or owe you something, do not hesitate to send me an email. It may have been overlooked in my delirium. Because I tend to not say, “Hey, I am sick with a high fever and need a break.” I pretend I am just fine until I fall on my face.
Speaking of falling on my face, here is a bit of humor for you.
You know how they say cold and flu medicines come in non-drowsy versions? I say YEAH RIGHT. On Thursday I took a DayQuil and tried to work. (Forgive me for any contact you may have had with me. I was not in my right mind.) When it came time to pick up the kids, I went to the school to start the never-ending-always-in-my-van routine. As I walked towards the elementary school, I apparently either forgot that you must step UP when approaching a curb or someone pulled the curb out from under me. Either way, I fell ass over tea kettle flat on my face. When I say flat, I mean FLAT. Sprawled on the ground like road kill. For a moment I pondered whether or not I could have actually popped my right breast. It’s not even like I have implants, but it certainly felt like I popped it. (Not sure how I would explain that one.) And my hands? I forgot how badly it stings to get cement burn on your palms. That is some serious stingage. But the brunt of the fall apparently fell on my knee (and my right boob) because barring the breast poppage, the knee was in the (second) most amount ofagony.
This is why we all learn to walk at an early age. Besides the fact that we would look utterly ridiculous if we were a society of adults who only crawled, there is a much better reason. Falling when you are old and have a much farther way down to the ground HURTS.
And for the record, I don’t think anyone saw. At least, no one rushed to me in that humiliating concerned way to try to pry the Mom Road Kill off of the sidewalk. And no third graders pointed and laughed. At least I have that.
I also have this beauty (nasty after the jump) to show off. Or gain sympathy. Or just a reminder that cold medicine and walking do not mix well.
Do you need to “Relax, Renew, and Restore?” I know I certainly do!
As we go through our whirlwind days as Moms we are busier than ever trying to balance it all. We juggle daily tasks inside and outside of our homes, trying to succeed in every task we undertake. Whew! We at Mom Central know that Moms everywhere often just need a breather! (Can a get an Amen from the Moms?) Amidst all of our priorities, however, it’s easy to forget that relaxing isn’t just a privilege — it’s a necessity! MomCentralhas teamed up with Kimberly-Clark in a “Room-A-Day Giveaway” sweepstakes that encourages moms to “Relax, Renew, and Restore.”
The sweepstakes is sponsored by Kimberly-Clark (you know them by products such as Huggies, Kleenex, Pull-ups, all things all of us use…) and Kimberly-Clark products and brands offer solutions to clean, organize and beautify every room in your home. From January 28 to February 15, one person per weekday will be announced on The View and win $25,000 to renovate any room in their house. The final contestant winner will be announced March 21st on the Room-a-Day Giveaway web site.
What are you waiting for? Go here to the Room-A-Day giveaway contest site and enter. Daily.
Who of us doesn’t need a new room make-over? I know I could use one. (Though I am not eligible to enter, I will drool over your win if one of my readers wins AND will expect an invite to come play in your new room!)
Good luck!
— Disclaimer: I turned down any compensation for this contest announcement because I think that my readers deserve to win something so awesome! Yes, for you, my readers, I sacrifice these things!
Cranium Bloom games for the preschool set! Win one!
Thanks to MomCentral, I had the opportunity to review two Cranium Bloom games for ages 3 and up: Let’s Play Count & Cook Game and Let’s Go to the Zoo Seek & Find Puzzle.
My kids are younger than these games are geared towards, but I think that Cranium makes such wonderfully educational toys and wanted to let you know about these great products.
First up we have “Let’s Play Count & Cook Game.” The object of the game is to collect all the ingredients in the recipe. You use a simple board, a dice and a cook– that is your game piece. In this game everyone works together and therefore it creates a game that is very non-competitive. Seeing as this game is geared towards the preschool set, I love that. Having preschooler start a throw down over a game is not my idea of fun!
In this game, the players count their way around the board as they gather food for the recipes in your cookbook. Add your secret ingredients — then pull the tab for something funny to do! It is a great way to introduce young children to the concept of recipes and cooking. (My idea of putting the fun in cooking at a young age sounds wonderful!) Great for counting skills, working together, pretend play, matching items and working on the ever elusive taking turns concept.
The game is set for children age 3 and up. It is geared mainly for preschoolers.
The other game is “Let’s Go to the Zoo Seek & Find Puzzle.” This game works on skills such as Spatial thinking, Counting, Color and letter matching, Fine motor skills and Working together.
Peacocks and polar bears, lemurs and lions. Share in the magic of a day at the zoo with this activity-packed puzzle set.
Piece together the picture. Find the flamingo. Circle something yellow, then hop, hop, hop like a kangaroo.
With sturdy, kid-sized pieces, an erasable pen, and fun activity cards, you’re all set for a new adventure every time you play.
What’s in the box?
Let’s Go to the Zoo Seek & Find Puzzle includes 24 puzzle pieces, 30 cards, and erasable pen.
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These are great games for the preschool set. Are you interested in having one? Just leave me a comment and you can win one. Be sure to let me know which game you are interested in receiving and I will contact the winners. There will be one winner per game. Cranium is well known for their educational toys, so this is a great deal.
Good luck!
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Disclaimer for the powers that be: I did not receive any compensation for this review and am giving the products away.
The onE where I take the quiz and my head explodes!* (Thanks for the catch!)
January 12, 2008
What have I my entire family and I been spending hours doing? Yes, HOURS. Putting in the hard wood floors we have been putting off since before the holidays? Nah. Laying new carpet in the hallways that I was oh-so-eager to finally get? Of course not.
We have been “doing” this “Impossible Quiz” which came from the very depths of the pits of Hades.
I would like to thank Busy Mom for sending me this way seeing as I had nothing better to do and did not follow her advise for my New Year’s Resolution. She owes me a bit of pain. Consider this payment in full, my friend.
