Thursday, March 28, 2019

3 Winner Mommy's Touch Teething Necklace Giveaway! Winner's Choice!

Sponsored By: Mommy's Touch

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy

3 Winners Will Receive A Mommy's Touch

Silicone Teething Necklace Prize!


1st Prize Winner: 

Winner's choice of 3 necklaces
Up to a $59.97 RV!

2nd Prize Winner:

Winner's choice of 2 necklaces
Up to a $39.98 RV!

3rd Prize Winner: 

Winner's choice of 1 necklace
Up to a $19.99 RV!

** Prize Choices **



Check out all their great products on 

Mommy's Touch Amazon Page


Open To US entries and must be 18+ to enter
Giveaway Dates 
3/28 9:00 AM EST through 4/28 11:59PM EST


Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winners will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winners have 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

When a little bit of atmosphere ends up being toxic

Okay, I admit it. I love the ambiance of candlelight. There was a time in my home when I'd easily have 20+ candles burning at once. I loved the spiced pumpkin scent of fall and the cinnamon and pine scents of the Christmas season. And then I wised up. Kind of.

I still love candles; I just can't do scents -- it's no wonder I walked around with headaches all the time! The fact is artificial fragrances, often simply referred to as "perfume" or "parfum" on packaging, are not good for you. Period. Breathing it in for hours on end is a recipe for disaster when it comes to your health and the health of your family and friends. I've heard people say, "It doesn't bother me," as they reach for their sinus spray for the umpteenth time. Ummm, excuse me? Or they add ibuprofen to their dietary needs on a daily basis. Hint: it might be the candles and/or room "fresheners" you're using.

Okay, so there are candles scented with essential oils. That's a good start, but even they make me a bit leery. After all, are they really pure essential oils? 

So I switched to unscented candles and tealights. But apparently that's not good enough either. After all, traditional candles are made using paraffin wax. Herein lies the problem:

Paraffin wax is a petroleum byproduct. You know that sooty smoke -- that's a carcinogen. Not only can it cause respiratory issues, but apparently, it can damage the inside of your house, electrical appliances, and ductwork. Seriously? Seriously.

Then there are those pesky wicks. Did you know any candles made prior to 2003 could have lead-core wicks? I know I have lots of old candles filling my drawers. I think it's time for a purge. You can test wicks that haven't been burned by rubbing the tip on some paper. Watch for a pencil-like mark. If it's there, it's lead. Get rid of it!

I have to admit, I'm seriously bummed about this. My husband and I just had a candlelit dinner a couple of nights ago. So romantic. So traditional. So wrong. 

There is hope, however! According to Green American, here are some Natural Candle Alternatives:

  • Buy 100 percent beeswax or vegetable-wax candles with cotton wicks. Look for coconut, hemp, or non-GMO soy.
  • Stick to unscented of the above, or ones scented with 100 percent natural essential oils.
  • Reduce soot by trimming wicks to 1/8 inch and do not burn candles anywhere in the line of a draft (think vents or open windows).
Green America has a great resource for finding safe candles from certified businesses. Just search for them at GreenPages.org

Are romantic candlelit dinners a thing of the past for me? Not if I can help it. I have a birthday coming up in a couple of months. Maybe I'll unwrap some lovely, safe candles as presents (hint, hint).

Keeping it green in the candlelight,


Monday, February 4, 2019

Motif Electric Breast Pump Giveaway! ARV $350!

Win TWO Motif Electric Breast Pumps!
Sponsored By Motif Medical
Hosted By: Mommy’s Playbook
Co-Hosted by: Deliciously Savvy



It's been a short while since anyone in my family was in need of a breast pump (which makes me a little bit sad), and a really long time since I needed one (which doesn't make me the least bit sad!), but I still love the opportunity to give them away! Thanks to Motif Medical, that's exactly what I get to do (and that makes me very happy!).

ENTER TO WIN two popular Motif breast pumps from Motif Medical! The approximate prize value for this event is $350! Learn more about this fabulous prize package, then enter on the easy giveaway form below! Good luck to all who enter!

The Motif Twist Breast Pump is a lightweight and simple to use – supporting busy moms who need to pump on the go.
The Duo has been nicknamed Motif's ‘Savvy Traveler’. It weighs less than half a pound and is a quiet device that fits in one hand allowing for discreet slips into your bag. The Duo is also rechargeable and lasts 2.5 hours. Moms can choose their experience with a single or double pumping option, handheld with 10 expression settings, 10 massage levels, and a memory option. Use it as your everyday to-go pump! The Maylilly Tote allows you to bring your Motif Duo, pumping supplies and personal accessories with you in an organized and lightweight bag.

The Motif Twist Breast Pump is a lightweight and simple to use – supporting busy moms who need to pump on the go.
Motif's ‘Affordable Portable' option is their Motif Twist! This convenient and economic option is for every mom. It’s a sturdy option for a busy schedule based on its lightweight design, super-silent motor, and portable power option. Just quickly ‘twist’ the adjustable suction control for a seamless, simple pumping experience. Use stationary or on-the-go with AA batteries!

About Motif Medical

 
Motif Medical designs products for mothers. Motif was started by a team of medical professionals, engineers, and working mothers who wanted to improve breast pump design, provide coverage through insurance, and upgrade the experience of obtaining supplies. Their line of breast pumps and maternity compression garments are sophisticated and discreet, designed with mom's busy day in mind. Visit Motif to discover your options, support your body, and bond with your baby.
 
ENTER TO WIN!
One Lucky Winner Will Receive

The giveaway is open US Only, 18+

The giveaway ends 2/20 at 11:59 pm EST

Be sure to come back daily for more chances to win.




Mommy’s Playbook Giveaway Rules: This giveaway is Sponsored by Motif Medical and hosted by Mommy’s Playbook. Victoria and/or Mommy’s Playbook, Participating bloggers, are not responsible for prize fulfillment. By entering this giveaway you are giving the giveaway host and/or event sponsor permission to retain your email address for future communication, you may choose to opt-out of such communications at any time. This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by any social media outlet including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Please contact Victoria (at) MommysPlaybook.com regarding any questions you have pertaining to this giveaway.
The Motif Twist Breast Pump is a lightweight and simple to use – supporting busy moms who need to pump on the go.The Motif Twist Breast Pump is a lightweight and simple to use – supporting busy moms who need to pump on the go.

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Say goodbye to BO for good!


My homemade deodorant is so fantastic, I just have to write about it again! 

My husband and I have been using this exclusively for over a year without a single fail and I truly can't imagine why more people aren't doing the same. While research is mixed on whether or not deodorants and antiperspirants are linked to breast cancer, I just don't want to take the chance.

The formula is simple, it's inexpensive, NON-TOXIC, and EFFECTIVE!! And I was thinking it would be make a great homemade gift for the holidays. All you need are small containers (pretty is a plus) with tight-fitting lids, some organic coconut oil, baking soda, and an essential oil of your choice. I use Young Living's Joy and my armpits smell oh, so, good. Or you can go with an unscented version and skip the essential oil altogether. It's still as effective.

Simply mix coconut oil and baking soda in a container. You want a creamy consistency, so play with the amounts as needed. Usually, it's a 50/50 blend. Of course, in the summer, your oil will tend to be more liquid than solid, but it still works. Add just a drop or two of essential oil and you're good to go. My husband and I use our fingertips and massage a small amount of the mixture under our arms as needed, which generally comes out to every third or fourth day or so... showering and bathing do not affect this. I don't pretend to know the science behind it, but it works. That's all.

So for anyone on your gift list who is still using toxic deodorants or antiperspirants, maybe you could introduce this natural alternative to them and save them from the possibility of breast cancer (you do know that even men can get breast cancer, right?). And for those who already are using safe deodorants, this is just a cheaper alternative that we've found works far better and longer than any we've tried. 

Let me know how it works for you. 

Sharing my green living tips,



Monday, October 29, 2018

We are broken, but not unfixable


Photo credit: Wikipedia

You've probably heard the story or seen the meme about how broken vessels in Japan are repaired using gold (kintsukuroi). Often, they are more beautiful after they've been fixed than they were before they were broken. 


Pittsburgh needs some kintsukuroi right now. Evil has come into our city and, for now, we are broken. We are brokenhearted. 

This past Saturday, Shabbat, our shalom was shattered by a lone gunman, a vessel of evil perpetrating a Satanic deed. Satanic? Yes, that's what I believe. I refuse to call this anything but. 

In a season when we are reminded of death and evil in the lawn displays and in nearly every store, death and evil became all too real for the Squirrel Hill community in Pittsburgh. Squirrel Hill, my former home, and a neighborhood where many of my friends and acquaintances live, shop, and worship.

I spent Saturday in front of the television. How could I not? First there were reports of 8 deaths then 11. Eleven. Were there people I knew among the dead? I couldn't help wondering/praying/worrying. Although I heard from some, for the most part, I, like countless others, had to wait for the names to be announced on Sunday morning, just a few short hours after the last of the bodies were carried out of the Tree of Life Synagogue

And then, there it was. The list of names, none of which I was familiar with, but all of which affected so, so many. I was relieved, yet burdened with grief for people I did not know as well as those I knew who were undoubtedly affected by this news. People who had worshiped beside those who were now deceased. 

One of my students in the Osher program at Carnegie Mellon University responded to my email on Saturday with this short reply:

Dear Hana:

Thanks for your concern. Our synagogue is affected. Still don't know how many of the dead and wounded are ours.
Stan and I are Ok. I was heading to shul expecting a normal Shabbat, but friends told me police had surrounded the building where we meet. Don't know yet how many of our congregants are dead and wounded...I fear the worst....

sarah

Don't know "how many of our congregants are dead and wounded..." Can you imagine?


Image by Tim Hindes
Yes, we are broken, but we're not unfixable. As always, Pittsburgh's resilience will shine through. We will never be the same, especially the Jewish community here, but we will take the gold dust and, like the Japanese who practice kintsukuroi, we will celebrate our unique history, acknowledging the breaks and fractures, and we will emerge more beautiful and stronger than ever. After all, we're Pittsburgh. We're united in this senseless tragedy, and we'll be united in our healing.

Join me in praying for those most devastated by the shootings at the synagogue -- the families of the victims, the injured, the first responders, the children (oh Lord, bless the children), those who will be haunted by nightmares, and for the Squirrel Hill community at large. It was Mr. Rogers' neighborhood, so I'll end with 2 quotes from him:

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."

and

We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say "It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem." Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider these people my heroes.

Someday, it will once again be a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Until then, let's not only look for the helpers... let's be the helpers.

Sharing my heart,



Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Who wants to WIN a $50 Amazon Gift Card?

Sponsored By: KarmaPets

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy

Celebrate my oldest grandchild's birthday (10/17) and my youngest grandchild's birthday (10/18) by entering this great giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card, because... well, because everyone can use an extra $50, right?

KarmaPets dog treats bring you a fantastic giveaway this week. A $50 Amazon gift card to spend online on the Amazon store, for one lucky winner! Available on Amazon, KarmaPets calming dog treats are very popular with pups suffering from anxiety and restlessness issues. They have developed treats to help dogs with those tough times.

Winner Will Receive:

$50 Amazon Gift Card!

Spend it on your family, save it for holiday presents, or splurge on yourself! After all, we deserve a treat every now and then too! :)

Open to Worldwide entries. Must be 18+ to enter.

Giveaway Dates

10/17/18 9:00am through 11/14/18 11:59pm

Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winner will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Are you pulled in too many directions?

It happens. Our calendars fill up. Demands on our time increase. We run ourselves ragged throughout the day and collapse into bed in states of total exhaustion and weariness. Did you ever stop and ask yourself why? Maybe you should.

Image by Gerald_G

As someone who's been there far too often, I want to encourage you to do something. Sit down. Breathe. Even if it's just for a minute or two. Close your eyes and imagine being somewhere else. The beach. The mountains. In your sweetheart's arms.

Now grab your calendar and take an honest look at it. Is there anything on there you could eliminate? Do it. Is there something that causes dread when you think about it? Do you have to keep that appointment? And please note: I'm not talking about doctor or dentist appointments you may be dreading. Keep them! But maybe there's an upcoming social event you feel obligated to attend, even though you don't want to. Ask yourself why you are going.

I know a woman who used to gather with high school friends for every birthday. The group of women would go out to dinner and every time my friend would complain about it. She didn't enjoy being part of this group anymore. She'd outgrown them. So why was she still filling her calendar with these gatherings? It was an obligation. When she finally realized she didn't have to continue being part of this group, the burden was lifted off of her and she was able to free up quite a few evenings in her year. Ahhh... relief. Did the others understand? Maybe not. But who cares??

So often, we live our lives to please others. I'm not saying we shouldn't put others first at times. But there has to be a balance.

After my first husband died, I decided to go back to college and finish my degree. At the time, I was a 32-year-old single mom with two small children. I met with someone at the university and discovered that many of my credits were no longer valid because they didn't offer the courses anymore. What? That made no sense to me. So instead of being a senior, I was going to start back as a junior. I originally double-majored in theater arts and creative writing. I no longer cared about the theater degree, so I planned to pursue a degree in writing. As they looked at the courses I'd taken, they said I had already fulfilled all of my writing requirements. They set up a schedule for me. It included chemistry, calculus, and some other lame-to-me courses. One thing was clear -- I was going to hate school. I had to do some soul searching. Why did I really want the degree? It was a simple answer: I wanted to do it for my mother. Once I knew that answer, I looked at what my life would be like if I enrolled in the next semester. Since I didn't have any family in Pittsburgh, I would have to have babysitters care for my children. I would have to drive into Oakland and find parking, despite the weather. I would have to listen to boring lectures about subjects I had zero interest in. And my evenings would be spent studying the aforementioned subjects. Fun times. The end result would be a miserable mommy for my little girls. What was all that for again? Oh yeah, for my mother.

I decided to skip the degree.

And you know what? It's okay. I did what was best for me and for my family at the time. And not once since then, have I ever been asked if I had a degree. I now teach writing at Carnegie Mellon University for their Osher program. I teach writing at conferences. I present writing workshops. I run a writers' group. I coach writers. And not taking chemistry or calculus has affected me in any negative way. Sometimes, you just have to let go of other people's expectations.

So look at your calendar again. Look at it honestly. Are your kids in activities someone else wants them to be in? Are you pushing them to do things they don't want to do? Would it be so bad if your kids didn't participate in everything your sister's kids participate in? Is there a competition going on here? Just some questions for you to ponder.

Freeing up some time can rescue you from the Gumby syndrome. After all, it's really not that cool to be stretched in that many directions. Let me know if you find a way out.

Sharing my thoughts on life,




Friday, October 5, 2018

DiaResQ to the rescue when your belly starts a rumbling!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I received product and/or compensation in exchange for this post.



Don't you love it when you find a new product that is safe and can be used to solve a common problem. Well, maybe for some of you and your kids, diarrhea isn't a common problem. But for others, it plagues them from time-to-time. Either way, this is a product you really want to have on hand. It's always exciting to find a product that WORKS, is the first of its kind AND fits our fast-paced lifestyles. How often do busy families eat out during the week at crowded restaurants, food trucks or street vendors and suffer from it later? DiaResQ is not a drug, but rather a food for special dietary use that quickly provides relief when you feel your tummy rumbling. I mean, seriously, I hate that rumbling. Nothing ruins a romantic moment like the urge to get to the bathroom... quickly! Right?!


How Does it Work?

DiaResQ provides nutrients and immune factors that help to rapidly restore normal intestinal function – so you’re back to normal in no time. The coolest part is that, because it’s a food, it effectively reaches the digestive tract and promotes healthy digestive function. It’s definitely something you want to pack for your next trip! Plus, it is safe for children as young as one year in age.

How is it Different?

Many diarrhea relief products help to alleviate the symptoms by interfering with your body’s natural immune response when you eat something that doesn’t agree with you. This can keep that unwanted something in your body longer and delay recovery. DiaResQ works with your body’s natural defenses to support digestive health by delivering micronutrients, macronutrients, and immune factors to get you back on track in no time!

Where Can I Find it?

You can find DiaResQ on Amazon, or at Target, CVS, Walmart, and other retail outlets. Click here for a comprehensive list. If you're like me, you'll be heading out to the store to have some DiaResQ on hand ASAP! Don't let that stomach rumbling affect your next date night or family outing. DiaResQ to the rescue!

Sharing new products with you with confidence,





Thursday, September 13, 2018

Remember when pistachios used to be red?

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.




The other day, I found myself wondering what ever happened to red pistachios. Do you remember them? Your fingers used to bear the red stains from shelling them. So why now are they a beige-green color. Obviously, they're not red when they're harvested, so why were they dyed that color? I must admit, I kind of liked them that way. It's not like we were actually ingesting the dye... it was only on the shell. The pistachios themselves were still a light beige-green. 

Well, I found out that back in the days when nearly all pistachio nuts were imported, the only color they came in was red. And here's why: the nuts were all picked by hand and because of the natural oils present on the hands of the workers, the pale beige shells became discolored. Apparently, consumers thought they looked soiled and unappetizing, so they weren't a popular choice for a snacking.

Importers of the nuts wanted to find a way to hide the stains on the pistachio shells and increase sales, so they began dying the shells red with food coloring. The dye not only concealed the stains that some people thought were blemishes, but the red pistachios stood out from other kinds of snack nuts and sales picked up. The plan worked quite well and  red pistachios became so popular that the nuts were eventually grown right here in the states.

Around 80 years ago, machines took over the harvesting, so there was no longer a need for the red dye. But they remained red for years after that, probably because of the uniqueness of red nuts. After all, they stood out amidst the various shades of tan and brown common with the other types of nuts.  Personally, I can't remember when the change from red to natural occurred. One day I was buying red pistachios and the next I was buying naturally-colored ones. Hmmm. I just didn't notice. How many of you remember having red-stained fingers from eating a bowl of pistachios? 

While the color of pistachio nuts for sale in most stores is the natural greenish-beige, anyone wishing to purchase some  red pistachios for old times sake, you can still find them at specialty stores and online sites. Although the nutritional content of  red pistachios is the same as the those left natural, they make a colorful addition to the snack offerings at a party or holiday gathering. And hey, a little red dye on your hands isn't going to hurt anyone. Just don't swallow the shells -- the red dye won't be the worst of your problems!

Sharing random thoughts about things like why pistachios are no longer red,






Friday, September 7, 2018

Enter to Win a $75 Gift Card to My Gift Stop!



MyGiftStop.com has set out to provide you with a comfortable, smart and easy solution to find amazing last-minute gifts for your friends and loved ones! (And for YOU!) #MyGiftStop #GiftIdeas #Gifting



This great giveaway is Sponsored by My Gift Stop
and Hosted by Mommy's Playbook


Maybe you don't want to think about it right now, but the holidays are quickly approaching. The time to start shopping for gifts is NOW! Winning a gift card to My Gift Stop could certainly help! 


ABOUT MY GIFT STOP


My Gift Stop is a convenient Online Gift Boutique that has a gift for anyone and everyone! Be it a gift for yourself, for a friend, or an early Christmas present for a family member, see what My Gift Stop has to offer before you look anywhere else! They offer exceptional weekly sales and provide you with a variety of products from the brand names you love most.


BONUS! THEY GIVE BACK!!!


5% Of All Sales Go to Direct Relief!


Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 U.S. states and over 90 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. Direct Relief has top charity ratings, including four-stars from Charity Navigator and a 100% fundraising efficiency rating from Forbes magazine. Make your gift even more meaningful, SHOP NOW!

 


ENTER TO WIN A $75 GIFT CARD!!


Not sure what you'll do with your $75 Gift Card to My Gift Stop if you win? Get something you love, like a new pair of Sperry's OR grab a great gift to give to a loved one! MyGiftStop.com has a large inventory of designer watches, sunglasses, handbags, jewelry, shoes and MORE! Just a few of their featured brands include: Michael Kors, Anne Klein, Invicta, Bulova, Kenneth Cole, Swiss Army, Sperry, BearPaw, Vans, Dickies, Burbery, Costa Del Mar, Ray-Ban, and Guess! You are going to be so excited when your MyGiftStop.com gift arrives!
ENTER TO WIN!
One Lucky Winner Will Receive a
$75 Gift Card to MyGiftStop.com!

The giveaway is open *World Wide, 18+F

The giveaway ends 9/19 at 11:59pm EST

Be sure to come back daily for more chances to win.




Mommy’s Playbook Giveaway Rules: This giveaway is Sponsored by MyGiftStop.com and hosted by Mommy’s Playbook. Victoria and/or Mommy’s Playbook, Participating bloggers, are not responsible for prize fulfillment. No purchase necessary. By entering this giveaway you are giving the giveaway host and/or event sponsor permission to retain your email address for future communication, you may choose to opt-out of such communications at any time. Participant/entrant agrees that his/her email will be added to My Gift Stop email newsletter to receive private sales, new product updates, and other marketing emails. Email is never sold or shared. Participant may unsubscribe from newsletter at any time. All giveaway entrants will receive a 10% off coupon via email good towards any products at MyGiftStop. This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by any social media outlet including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Please contact Victoria (at) MommysPlaybook.com regarding any questions you have pertaining to this giveaway.

*This giveaway is open to domestic and international individuals aged 18 and older only; void where prohibited.

Monday, August 27, 2018

Win a Teething Necklace Prize Pack! RV over $60!

Sponsored By: Mommy's Touch

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy


3 Winners Will Receive A Mommy's Touch Silicone Necklace Prize!


Grand Prize: 


Winner will receive all the following silicone necklaces:
A $62.96 RV Prize Pack!

First Runner-up:


Winner's Choice of 2 silicone necklaces from the following options:
1 - Shark Tooth Necklace (Black Shark Tooth or White Shark Tooth)
1 - Fish Hook Necklace (Hawaiian Fish Hook or White Fish Hook)
Up to a $31.98 RV!

Second Runner-up: 


Winner's Choice of 1 silicone necklace from the following options:
Up to a $15.99 RV!


Open To US entries and must be 18+ to enter
Giveaway Dates ~ 8/27 9:00 AM EST through 9/24 11:59PM EST
Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winners will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winners have 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

Saturday, August 25, 2018

What happens when you lose sight of who you used to be?

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Do you ever feel like you've lost your way... or more accurately, lost yourself? I suspect that a lot of moms with younger children feel that way. There are just so many demands on you that you barely remember what made you tick before... before middle-of-the-night feedings, trips to the grocery store with three little ones in tow, endless packing of lunches, reading blog posts about parenting and vaccinations and school choices and breastfeeding, and juggling everyone else's schedules, and... and... phew, it's exhausting just thinking about all the ways you're no longer who you used to be.

Don't fret, mama, there will eventually be a time when you feel like you again. Maybe not the same you as before, but a better you. After all, motherhood, while exhausting, fulfills you in a way nothing else does.

Right now, I'm sort of in the same boat. No, I don't have little ones pulling me in different directions, but I do have a new, and unexpected, career that has taken me away from the me I used to be. It was never my goal to run an in-home senior care company. Never even on the radar. After working from home for most of my adult life, heading into the office every day is new to me. But, after 21 months now, I've adjusted. And I actually enjoy the job. I love working with my daughter. I enjoy knowing that we make a difference. But lately, I've been antsy. No, more than antsy... I've been depressed. And this past week, I figured out why. 

It's because I lost sight of who I was. As I was adjusting to a managerial role, I had to let go of some of the things that made me me. And I missed me. You know what I mean? I missed the me I used to be. That's not to say I want to go back to being the me I was before I started this job. Not at all. Just like you don't want to go back to being the person you were before you had kids... not if it means giving up those kids, right? I don't want to walk away from anything. But I need to walk toward the things that used to infuse me with life, with joy, with energy. 

So I've made a plan and started enacting it. I'm reconnecting with my writing friends... my old tribe. And I'm writing again. I'm going to refocus on my novel and make writing a priority, like it once was. When people ask about what I do, I want to go back to saying, "I'm a writer." And then I can add, "And I run an in-home care company." I may put more hours into the company, but I want to put my heart back into what I believe God created me to do. Does that make sense? 

The me I was had to be dormant for awhile as I readjusted my priorities and refocused my attention on a new pursuit. But I woke from my hibernation with a feeling of discontent and now I understand. 

Hang in there, mama. You are still you under the surface. And parts of you still shine through, even when your clothing is stained with spit up and you haven't had a shower in days. You're still beautiful and radiant and worth your weight in precious gems. 

While you may think the older generation doesn't understand your struggles, take it from me, we do. We really do.

Sharing my heart,


Thursday, August 16, 2018

Back to School Giveaway! Enter to Win a $45 Amazon Gift Card!

Proper hydration is vital for kids who need to stay alert during the school day. This is something that is often overlooked when trying to figure out what is causing the problems for some kids at school. Their concentration levels are off and doctors are quick to prescribe pharmaceuticals to 'solve' the 'problem'. But what if the problem is as simple as your kids just having enough water to drink?

What is Gululu? Gululu was developed by Bowhead Technology as an interactive water bottle that keeps children hydrated while allowing parents to monitor daily water-drinking progress through an easy to use smartphone app. Gululu provides a technology-enabled solution with a learning-through-play mechanism to address issues pertaining to children’s well being.

The water bottle tracks hydration and encourages the child to drink with the help of an educational pet-growing game DIRECTLY ON THE BOTTLE! As kids consume more water from their Gululu bottle, their virtual pet grows and unlocks new worlds and adventures at the “Gululu Universe." Gululu also has an automatic software and content update system that continuously rolls out new features to keep children engaged.


Back to School Must-Haves! Gululu Interactive Water Bottle with Hydration Tracking App for Parents! This great water bottle even has school-time settings!


Gululu's Greater Purpose:

Gululu's mission and contribution is to help children all over the world stay healthy and hydrated! To advance their goal, for every Gululu bottle purchased, a child in a developing country will be provided with clean drinking water! This initiative was created through a partnership with Generosity.org, a humanitarian organization that provides sustainable solutions to the global water crisis, one community at a time. Joining forces with Generosity.org has allowed Gululu to offer programs focused on educating kids on social responsibility and initiate water-well projects for developing countries.
Want to know more? Gululu has been featured in leading global media publications in over 20 countries. Among them are TechCrunch, Yahoo, Vogue, and Forbes that declared Gululu as a “Top 5 best kids’ gadgets.”

Enter to Win a $45 Gift Card from Gululu!


Gululu is giving away a $45 Gift Card to one lucky winner to
help you prepare for the upcoming school year!


Enter to Win an Amazon Gift Card from Gululu during the Back to School Giveaway at Mommy's PlaybooK! #EntertoWin #GululuBTS18


Quick Features!

Gululu is an amazing interactive water bottle that provides children with an entertaining reminder to stay hydrated. Parents love it because it doesn't require anything extra from them. All you have to do is wash Gululu after each use, allow it to air dry (baby bottle racks are a great drying solution to keep the lid and bottle together). Kids can easily charge Gululu overnight or between sips as the bottle just rests on the charging cradle when not in use. Take a look at the quick features that highlights why you'll love Gululu too:
  • Monitor children's daily water-drinking progress through your smartphone
  • Grow and evolve with a virtual ‘tamagotchi-like’ virtual pet
  • Experience continuous content updates through an automatic software update system to keep children engaged
  • Parents can utilize “Do Not Disturb” and “Bedtime” modes to be sure the Gululu Pet isn't distracting during learning or rest times.
  • Learn-Through-Play, embark on a journey of health, rewards, and adventures within the “Gululu universe”
  • Connect with friends by syncing to nearby bottles and stay connected with the cloud-based app. Durable, safe, and waterproof with a modular design and easy-to-clean spout that makes maintenance simple BPA-free
Other important features:
  • Monthly themes: Every couple of weeks, Gululu introduces additional features, such as new online campaigns, drinking animations, pet accessories, sound effects, and more. These exciting additions are all automatically updated into the bottle through the cloud.
  • Gululu Universe Journey: Children can redeem accessories for their pets with the virtual coins collected along their journey of discovering the Gululu Universe.
  • Virtual pets: A fourth virtual pet, (Donny), was released at the end of March. More characters are expected to be added soon to expand the population of the “Gululu universe.”
Back to School Giveaway at Mommy's Playbook! #GululuBTS2018
ENTER TO WIN!
One lucky reader will win a $45 Amazon Gift Card from Gululu!

The giveaway is open US Only, 18+
The giveaway ends 9/1 at 11:59pm EST

Be sure to come back daily for more chances to win.



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