Postscript to a Wordless Wednesday

ell, I've demonstrated my lack of scientific knowledge. What I thought was a strange looking metamorphic caterpillar was simply a parasite-infected Tomato Hornworm! The only cocoons are those of the parasitic wasp eggs. What an interesting biology lesson -- thanks, Sarah!

Wordless Wednesday - WWII Bomber

We got to see these restored WWII Bombers several weeks ago!

Thoughts on an Early Morning Grocery Run

I try to be organized in my grocery shopping, but about a fourth of the time, it's still a failure. Yesterday morning, pretty much upon waking, I headed to the store to buy milk! I must admit that 8am on a Saturday morning is an excellent time for shopping -- the traffic flow was extremely smooth, the availability of parking spots could not have been better, the aisle traffic inside the store was almost nonexistent, and the check-out experience was just as it normally is, even though there was only one lane open.

Since I was rushing to buy milk and get that home in time for breakfast, I was a bit disappointed that I hadn't gotten my coupons and match-ups done. But after checking the "close-to-expiration" produce rack, my hopes were slowly lifted; with my "steals" on apples for applesauce and catfish & salmon for dinner, I was feeling better about my lack of planning! But the highlight was getting back to the dairy section, to find that my milk was on sale -- and it included the chocolate milk, and the chocolate milk was now free of HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP! We actually stopped buying chocolate milk because I feel it's unnecessary to have high fructose corn syrup in chocolate milk, but not I don't feel as guilty indulging!

On further investigation, I find that Reiter Dairy also produces organic milk through their division of Horizon Organic, another brand I really like! I'm just excited to find companies who desire similar things as I do, without coming across as simply profit-focused. But I suppose a company who is in-tune with its consumers will enjoy their profits.

Photo Credit: Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Friday Follow and Low Entry Linky!

Here's a list a few low entry giveaways (less than 100 entries) which end in the next 2 weeks. And link up contests in the blogsphere that have less than 100 entries, ending in the next 2 weeks! Happy Winning and Happy Friday!

Wordless Wednesday -- and he became a beautiful butterfly!

Paper Coterie -- $40 Gift Codes!

I really like anything that can be personalized, and Paper Coterie provides just that! They have personalized growth charts, as well as various calendars and photo books. You'll also personalized invitations and recipe cards.

I love this photo book, and though it'll take a bit of time to really personalize it, the finished product will educational as we learn our alphabet but also be fun to look at for years to come. I really appreciate the versatility in picking what each letter represents; I can easily use uploaded pictures or mix and match with the stock photos available. The book is also printed on premium 50% recycled fiber paper.

Want to try it out?!? August is the official "Begin Anywhere" month, and Paper Coterie is offering $40 to spend on orders placed through the month of August! Just leave a comment and email, and I'll get the info to you!

For those who need more time, a giveaway will be coming!


****This is not a paid post. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Paper Coterie who supplied the products for the review and giveaway!****

10 Years Ago

Last month, I got to reconnect with friends whom I met about 10 years ago. I think the were one of my first post-college friendships. But for the past 6 years, they've been overseas, and during that time, I've only been able to spend one evening with them. And yesterday was another afternoon to get caught up again.

As we talked about how life has changed, I couldn't help by think back to the person I was when we first met.

Ten years ago, I had finished my college degree and was beginning my career. I thought I had my life mostly under control! A single girl, making her way into the big world, with her diploma, car, and friends -- everything I thought I'd need.

And today, I still have my diploma, though my career's taken a bit of a detour! My car . . . she's seen much better days. As for friendships, some from 10 years ago have deepened into family, and I've made more friends than I even thought possible! And I now have a family . . . and I know my life is not quite close to being fully under control, but life is good!


And thinking about the past 10 years, ShopAtHome is giving away $1,000 in Gift Cards for their 10th anniversary. I try to remember to click through ShopaAtHome before getting any online purchases to get my cash back; check it out if you've never heard of it! Click here for more info!


Photo Credit: Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Wordless Wednesday - In Training

ImagineToys.com Review

ImagineToys.com carries a wide variety of interactive and stimulating play with great prices. They pride themselves on providing the best selection of imaginative and educational products, mom-tested and approved. Service is top-notch, and they have a special Price Matching Policy.

Knowing I had a toddler, I was sent the Corolle Babipouce Grenadine Doll and the Nursery Mealtime Set. The Babipouce Grenadine doll is soft and plush (and machine-washable). Her pursed mouth is designed for thumb-sucking and bottle feeding! She really is a great doll for little ones to love on.
The mealtime set includes a bib, feeding dish (with filled with oatmeal), spoon, baby food jar (which opens), bottle, bottle warmer (which dings when you push the button), and a pink carrying case. I love the small additions like the food in the dish and the bell of the warmer, just to bring more to their imaginative play!

"Mmmm," in a little baby voice. "All done!"
My little girl loves playing mommy and feeding her doll! I know you'll find great products at ImagineToys.com -- currently ImagineToys.com is having a sale on skill-building games, so you'll want to check and see what catches your eye!

****This is not a paid post. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to ImagineToys.com who supplied the products for the review!****

Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent Review and Giveaway!

Once again, I've found another product totally impressive! Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent is a powerful cleaner, yet non-toxic and environmentally safe. It is versatile, suiting any water temperature, without being affected by either hard or soft water. It also contains oxygen bleach destainer and deodorizer. There are no dyes, perfumes, fillers, or phosphates, leaving no residue in clothing. Made with soda ash, sodium percarbonate (basically peroxide), and mild ionic and non-ionic surfactants (cleaning agents used loosen dirt and grease), it is safe to use on cloth diapers -- and this is the best I've seen with my dipes! I know you'll be satisfied with this product!

For a 5 pound container, you'll have 40 - 80 washes, depending on whether your washer is a high-efficiency model or not.

BUY IT!!
You can purchase a 5 lbs. container of Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent for $30, but it's on sale for $16.99! Right now, you'll also be able to receive a FREE copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil, from the Referral program! Choose “Referred by a Friend” and enter User ID: 6608836 on their first online order, and the book will be automatically added to your order. If you need assistance, contact Customer Service.

WIN IT!!
Tropical Traditions is giving away a container of Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent! This is open to U.S. To enter, just leave your name and email address!

EXTRA ENTRIES!

You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do along with you email address.

1- For ONE extra entry, Be a Google Follower of Discovering the Me in Mommy.

2- For ONE extra entry, Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway.

3 - For ONE extra entry, Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter.

4 - For ONE extra entry, Like Tropical Traditions on Facebook and leave them a comment about your favorite product.

5 -For ONE extra entry Like Discovering the Me in Mommy on Facebook

Contest ends at 10pm EST on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011 when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address in your entry. I will notify the winner, and s/he will have 36 hours to respond!


****This is not a paid post. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Tropical Traditions who supplied the products for the review and giveaway!****

Do I need Flashcards?

I'm in love with the Dollar Tree store -- this is new, seriously. While I am thrifty, I normally don't mind paying more for the shopping environment, so this changes my shopping paradigm!

While all three of us were perusing the various products, I thought of buying something for our little one, just because it was all only a dollar! While passing an end cap, I saw Sesame Street flashcards, with numbers and colors. Great educational value. But I reminded myself that my little one knows most of her colors, from the books we have and from talking about the colors around us. She also getting better with numbers, as we count aloud things around us and also with a well-loved chunky, number puzzle that I bought at a garage sale for a quarter!

While I've read about talking through daily events and environment, I didn't stop to evaluate our progress. But I do believe that simple things help with learning, like:

1. Counting steps as we go up or down.
2. Counting items in the grocery store.
3. Yelling, or saying loudly, our numbers, letters, or colors -- this happens in our bathroom because the little one likes to hear her voice echo.
4. Imitating another child who has mastered that skill -- my little one loves to mimic her four-year-old cousin!
5. Alphabet and number puzzles -- either wooden or cardboard, our well-loved garage sale find has been another great too!

For our progress and also for being in a dollar store, we bought a mylar Elmo balloon....for only a dollar and not three times that price!

Friday Follow and Low Entry Linky!

Here's a list a few low entry giveaways (less than 100 entries) which end in the next 2 weeks. And link up contests in the blogsphere that have less than 100 entries, ending in the next 2 weeks! Happy Winning and Happy Friday!

Foamfetti Review -- Educational Toys Planet

I received the Foamfetti Textured Playdough 5 Colors Set to review from Educational Toys Planet. Foamfetti can be used to sculpt whatever you can imagine, and itcan also adhere to paper and unfinished wood surfaces. The colors are vibrant and fun. The package says that it crinckles, but our experience was that it was extremely moist. My daughter was excited about the colors and about opening and closing the containers, but not too thrilled with the feel of it even though she does like Playdough! The tiny bits of Foamfetti are extremely sticky, which is good for molding but also difficult for clean-up with an impatient toddler; this would be great for kids 4 and older, in my opinion.

You can purchase one from Educational Toys Planet for $9.95 or just browse through their wide selection of Arts and Crafts!

****This is not a paid post. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Educational Toys Planet and the Toy Review Network who supplied the product for the review.****

Wordless Wednesday -- "Et-e-phant"

Swagbucks -- 80 points for new account!

Sign up for Swagbucks through this link and use code: AUGUSTBONUS you’ll get a 50 buck bonus in your account, to add to the 30! Swagbucks is a google search engine which allows you to earn points for prizes, simply by searching. You can earn more points by taking surveys and other things like that too, and those points sure do get you nice Amazon, Starbucks, and Target gift cards!

Tropical Traditions -- Free Shipping Today!

You know that I rave about Tropical Traditions. But like much of online shopping, the shipping costs can really add up. Today, there is free shipping available! So if you wanted to give it a try, this is a great time!

Also currently on sale:

• 40% OFF Organic Moisturizing Creams Ends Thursday
• 45% OFF Grass-fed Bison Knuckle Soup Bones Ends Thursday
• FREE Organic Unscented Coconut Soaps
• 31% OFF All Purpose Non-toxic Household Cleaner

And, if this is your first order, you can receive a FREE copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil, from the Referral program! Choose “Referred by a Friend” and enter User ID: 6608836 on their first online order, and the book will be automatically added to your order. If you need assistance, contact Customer Service.

Sam's Open House

We gave up our Sams membership about a year ago, as we were only going a few times a year and buying less than 10 items each time, definitely not spending enough to save on the $40 membership fee! So we jumped at their Open House this weekend, to stock up on all we'd missed. Turns out we haven't missed too much! I don't know if this is the case for you, but we can find better deals at other stores with coupons and sales. And for the things we liked and wanted to purchase at Sams, more than half are no longer carried there or were not available -- strange, and somewhat frustrating. Guess it's always good to be content with all things!

Wordless Wednesday -- The County Fair

My favorite -- the "cockledo!"