Wordless Wednesday - White Christmas?!?

Happy Christmas Week!

It's here . . . and today is my last day to get free 2 day shipping on Amazon to get presents on time! Preparation for Christmas this year has been my sketchiest, hence my lack of time online here. In theory, I should be having a grand time (it's always fun in the blogosphere, and I do have lots to be joyful about), but for some reason, I feel like I'm just picking at surfaces of so many things and yet really accomplishing that much. Perhaps I can blame the weather -- for 85% of December, we've experienced below normal temperatures (and way too much snow, in my opinion). I'm a fair, warm weather girl, in so many ways, and this winter has gotten to me. Part of the solution is at my fingers -- I just need to be deliberate and make it a point to get out and do things I enjoy, but often I don't realize that in time and get to the point of not even knowing what I would enjoy...eh. What do you think?

On a better note, I'm baking some goodies. I'm not a cook. I'm not a baker, but I do bake a few things all right! So I'm preparing a few things for some friends . . . and the postman. I know it's courtesy to tip your newspaper person and mailman around this time, but I always figured they're just doing their job! But our postman has really gone out of his way to be helpful, especially with the packages I've been getting from reviews and giveaways. Since the boxes don't fit in our mailbox, he'll get out of his mail truck, bring the mail and boxes to the door, and actually wait for me to get the door, not like the UPS or FedEx people. I think I'll leave some goodies in the mailbox for the postman tomorrow.

Now to find a fudge recipe . . .

Friday Follow

Happy Friday! I know for some it's the start of Christmas break -- for me, it's the realization that Christmas is next week! But I'm glad to be here in the blogosphere, and glad to meet you! I'm just a new mommy, trying not to lose myself as I have many roles to play. I'm also looking for new Facebook friends! (And there's a "sweet" giveaway when we get to 200 fans!)

Shoveling snow

I snuck out while the kids were napping to shovel the driveway -- we had a good 3 inches of lighter, powdery snow. While I was about halfway complete, I saw 4 middle school aged boys walking down, strutting their entrepreneurial wears (to no avail around this neighborhood because either people are out shoveling or just continue to drive over the snow in their driveway, like the people who live to the right and left of us). My husband gives those kids some credit because they're trying to make something for themselves on their free day off, but I don't know ... I can't give them that much credit because not one of them offered to help me. Maybe I'm thinking of myself more highly than I should, but I thought the pink coat would give it away -- isn't it just plain courtesy to help? Anyway, this little lady in her pink coat gets things done.

A bit of a side note -- when looking for images on Picapp, I noticed that only one of the 27 images were of women shoveling; the other 26 were of men. Hmm....

Applied Labels Review

For those needing a solution to labeling your children's belongings in a simple fashion, I've found it! I have the opportunity to sample kid's labels from Applied Labels LLC; they do the trick. They're sharply printed black on white, with an icon, if desired. Definitely versatile, they can be used to label sippy cups, shoes, clothing, or other items. They are also dishwasher safe and lead, BPA, and DEHP- free. The thing I appreciate most though is the value; you can get 30 for $14.95, definitely the best value I've seen for children's labels.
Also of note is Applied Labels LLC's opportunity for child care centers to print at a group-rate discount or even offer label printers.

Stay updated with Applied Labels on their website, but also on Facebook and Twitter too!


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. 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.

Thoughtful Living Tuesday -- And Giveaway!

It sure feels like the dead of winter around here -- blowing snow, below freezing temps, drying heat from the furnace (or fireplace for those who are lucky). And for several weeks, we were battling the onslaught of sinus issues, where we did use OCEAN for Kids to help the little one with her symptoms, since she can't really take any OTC medication.

OCEAN for Kids is a non-medicated, specially-formulated saline spray, even with a kid-sized nozzle. It's safe (and our pediatrician recommended it when little one was a teeny baby) for newborns up to pre-teens, providing (according to press information):
· General moisturizing during dry climates and cold temperatures, and while spending time in enclosed spaces (e.g., classrooms, train rides, air travel, etc.)
· Relieving allergy, cold & flu symptoms
· Relieving congestion by thinning mucus
· Reducing nosebleeds from dryness

I didn't realize that OCEAN has products for adults, like this OCEAN Complete, which is a 2-in-1 solution for relief from nasal congestion but also can be used for sinus irrigation, a great alternative (in my opinion) for pouring saline into your nostrils for rinsing. There is also OCEAN Premium, for people suffering from dry nasal passages, nose bleeds, nasal congestion, or allergies. This video tells you more about OCEAN Complete.

I trust OCEAN to provide excellent products to use on my child and also for myself. I also like the fact that the saline solution is formulated with moisturizers too. Especially with this winter/cold/flu season, we will all be using OCEAN's products!

Win It!!
You can also win ALL three bottles by liking Ocean's Facebook Page; please leave a comment with your name and email address. This is required and must be done before extra entries count!

Open to US only.

Extra Entries!
You can do any of these for a extra entries. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do, along with your email address.

1- For ONE extra entry, Follow Discovering the Me in Mommy on Twitter.
2- For TWO extra entries, Like Discovering the Me in Mommy on Facebook.

Contest ends at 10pm EST on Sunday, January 2, 2011 when I will draw a winner at random. 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 Robin Leedy & Associates, on behalf of OCEAN, who supplied the products for the review and giveaway!****

Cold - Flu - Allergies?!? = Yuck

This month has been a bit of a blur of tissues, coughing, sneezing, Nyquil, and major sinus issues. The sickness hit us around Thanksgiving and finally is easing its grip on us! No amount of handwashing kept the bug away. I think the little one caught it first, and then it was passed around -- I have a strong hunch that once someone started to feel better, the virus mutated and attacked again because my husband and I had the hardest time trying to shake it! We went through a bottle of apple cider vinegar, and I even tried "Sovereign Colloidal Silver," which according to the man at the health food store, is a natural sort of antibiotic...still trying to find out more about that! Anyways, I sure hope we've done our time for feeling yucky this cold/flu season!

Handmade for the Holidays

I saw that graphic at Sweet Bird Boutique and thought it'd be perfect to highlight a few favorites (and hopefully provide you with more options) for Christmas! I've interacted with a number of Etsy store owners, and most of them have been extremely gracious and kind, often going out of their way to make things right. So if you're still looking for the right gifts (as I am), check them out to find unique presents for your loved ones!

Piccadilly Circus Designs has custom baby, toddler and kids number and initial shirts and whimsical appliqued clothing for any and every occasion. You can also read my review of a toddler's custom shirt here.

The Owl & The Firefly has many whimsical and fun hand-crafted items for almost everyone in the family! You can read my review on her wrist cuff watch here.

Sweeter Than Sweets has beautiful items for little girls and also these hooded towels...which I love! She's also going to give one away when Discovering the Me in Mommy reaches 200 Facebook Fans! =)
Stay tuned for part two! =)

Believe

About a year ago, I started to read and follow more blogs, thinking that creating my own was just too much for me. Friends suggested that I myself blog, but I quickly and simply wrote them off! But in the summer of 2010, I decided to give it a try, and here we are, still striving!

As I look back at this last year's adventures, I'm so thankful for people who've believed in me and in this blog. I'm grateful for those friends who suggested and then supported me in the creation of Discovering the Me in Mommy! And I'm extremely grateful for my first few sponsors who believed in me to trust their products into my hands. My very first giveaway was a gift from a now extremely successful giveaway blogger, who referred me to the company. My second giveaway was one that I just stuck my neck out to ask the owner -- and for that, Martha at N-fini gets my Believe award! And if you need shapewear to look your best at those parties, N-fini has quite the selection -- you'll find effective and comfortable solutions there. They're also offering more of a selection for apparel too, even eco-friendly options.