Oh the Joy!

I love homemade things! There just seems to be a little more love and effort put into it when it's homemade.


When I had asked Joys of Thread if I could post a link from her website to my blog, I didn't know that I was going to be receiving a little something from her! I was more excited because I didn't know what it was going to be!

Joy makes anything from aprons to towels that she makes and monograms! From the pictures on her site, everything is so nicely made and would be perfect for any decor that you may have in your home or taste that you like for your child(ren) to wear!

FAST and AFFORDABLE handmade, embroidered/monogrammed items. *FREE SHIPPING *small orders done in one day, large in 2 days *custom orders available *freebie each month to one lucky follower *if you spend over $25 you get a FREE MONOGRAMMED BIB!!!!

When I received my package from her I pulled out a little green pouch with white and darker green swirls on it. My first thought was "Oh cute is this!" My second thought was "What am I going to use this for!?" Then it suddenly hit me! My phone! I always just throw my phone in my purse and go. And no matter how clean my purse is, it always gets crumbs all over it. I cannot close the velcro on it because my phone is just as long as the pocket-but it works just as well!

Not only is this a lot cuter then things that you can buy in the store but it makes a great conversation piece! When I pull it out people are going to want to know where I got it and where they can get one too! I love promoting WAHM & small business and this is the perfect way to do that!

So if you are looking for something to decorate your home or child(ren) with, please check Joy out at http://www.joysofthread.com/

Also, be sure to join the group on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=135302729821630

*I received this at no charge and all opinions are my own*

Pretty & works?!

YES!!!!


I have always been interested in trying an absorbent cloth because the amount of rags I go through in one day + the laundry that I have to do for the rags + paper towels aren't all that absorbent and it's wasteful! So I was very excited when I came across SKOY!

Not only are these Earth friendly cloths pretty but they actually work!

When I opened the package that came to me and pulled out 4 SKOY clothes wrapped in brown twine, I was so excited & couldn't wait to go home and try them out!

Since I knew I was getting them soon, I had left some chocolate sauce, kool-aid, & soda on my counters and stove to see how well the clothes worked on sticky messes.

The verdict: VERY pleasantly surprised! Not only did it wipe away these sticky messes but it did it in half the time a rag & paper towel would have taken me.

Dirty-but I can still use it before I need to use another one!

Less time cleaning = more time with my family!

Here are a few facts about SKOY cloth:

*One SKOY cloth saves 15 rolls of paper towels

*100% biodegradable & natural
*Reuseable & machine washable
*Absorbs 15 times its own weight

Great facts huh!? I thought so! As well as putting them in the washing machine you also put them in the microwave for about 2 minutes and then they are germ-free!

What I am going to do is put them in the microwave as a weekly cleaning and then the washing machine monthly!

Here is a peak into the story behind SKOY:
Our story is quite simple. We had a desire to share a cloth that is better than any cloth we have ever used and was environmentally friendly. We started to do a little research and were shocked to see how people were cleaning their kitchens. We were even more shocked to find out how many tons of paper towels were being used annually (2.5 million tons) and filling up our landfills.

Check out more of their story and how to get your own here http://www.skoycloth.com/

Be sure to check them out on their Facebook page also
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Skoy/34885431393?ref=ts

*I received these at no charge and all opinions are my own*

Talkawhat? Talkawho? Talkatoo!!!!

I honestly cannot remember how I came across finding this product but I am so glad that I did! I thought this was such a great way for loved ones to hear each others voices even if they are unavailable to talk on the phone, great for keeping a list of things you need to get at the store or a To-do list, or anything else that you can think of!


As soon as I took it out of the package my kids wanted to touch it and see what it did. They fell in love with this and actually started fighting over who's turn it was to see it!

It is very easy to use and so cute! It comes in 6 different designs & you can either get it as a clip or necklace. The way we received is a necklace and I was surprised that the material they use is so flexible and durable! Which is obviously great for kids! I think the thing that I loved most about this product was that when the batteries run out-there is no need to buy another one....just replace the batteries! I love that! It is small enough to fit anywhere:backpack, purse, briefcase, lunch box, or anything else that you carry around.

This is why Sheila started Talkatoo:
It all started with a mom who was looking for ways to share a little love with her little ones. She would send them off to school with a heart on their hand or a note in their lunchbox, but it was never enough. She wanted a way for her kids to hear her sweet messages, whenever they wanted, and wherever they went.

Are you as excited about this product as I am?! I knew you would be! Here is the website where you can look at all the designs and order one of your own! http://www.talkatoo.com/
Also here is a link to the fan page on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/talkatoo/115660245744?ref=ts

I just love the slogan that she uses.....Talkatoo is a fun, new way to stay in touch with your kids whether you’re apart for a few hours or a few days.

Be sure to check this out and get one of your own! They are sure to be the 'hottest' thing in the very near future!

But I think the thing that I love most is this:
You’re helping to make a difference in a child's life. For every Talkatoo™ you buy on this website, we will donate a Talkatoo™ to K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc). K.I.D.S., in cooperation with Operation Homefront, will forward donations of talkatoo products to children with a parent serving abroad in our military. These children struggle with separation and face significant challenges and stress. Thanks to your support we can bring these children a smile, some warmth, or make their day a little brighter.

*I received this product at no charge & these opinions are my own*

Family Visits

Are wonderful! We love having family come here and, when we are able to, going to see family! We had a great weekend with a visit from Grandpa W. & Uncle D....they came down to celebrate my Husbands birthday. Of course the kids loved seeing them and never want them to leave, but I think it also helps us (the adults) to be able to actually be with family. Yes there are phones, internet, and Skype....but that doesn't always do it. So I am glad that we were ab;e to spend time with them.


With the exception of Friday afternoon(My FIL got into a fight with the floor-he is ok though, so no worries), it was pretty uneventful. The majority of the time was spent talking with each other, eating, and playing with the kids.

Thanks again to Grandpa W. & Uncle D. for coming and spending time with us! We can't wait to see you again!

Here are some pictures of the kids outside playing with chalk from this weekend.

Motivation

Where do people find this? Can you buy it in a store? Are people born with this and others not? Do you see something and say 'Ok-time to do (fill in blank)? Do you read something that inspires you to get motivated? Why is this such a hard thing to find and others seem to have it!?


I don't know any of these answers, but I do know that this is something that I lack on a pretty regular basis. I like that I have a love/hate relationship with Motivation. Sometimes he is good to me and others he is on vacation or something. I am not sure how to get him to come around more often-but I do know that others seem to obtain him more than others. Or maybe they don't and they just do what they need to do regardless. Other time I have the motivation to do things but just not the energy. So it is lack of motivation, lack of energy, or just plain and simple laziness!? Who know but whatever you want to call it....I need it!!!!!

But I think today I will just make a small goal to do something productive around here and then continue to make small goals so I don't put too much on my plate or put too much on my plate and then beat myself up because I didn't/couldn't do it in one day.

How do you obtain motivation? Music? Reading something? Fear of embarrassment that if someone walked into your house this very second!?
Please share!!!!

My First....

Guest blog!


Check it out!
http://www.deals4dummies.com/
It's my blog "Playing with your food" but I am so excited about this! This is a great opportunity for Mommieventures to get out there to more readers + it's a great opportunity for you (the readers) to be apart of her website! She is always updating her readers with giveaways, coupons, and much more!

Stop by her page, check out my guest blog, and sign up to get up her updates! Here is a link to 'like' her on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Crazy-Coupon-Mommy/115910125103639?ref=ts

Playing with Food!

I am serious! It's fun....sticky, but fun!


I was watching a friend's daughter while she took her son to the Dr. last week. And I was thinking of something crafty to do yet didn't cost a lot of money. Then something that I learned about in high school came rushing back to me! What is it you ask? Well I am going to tell you!

Painting with sweet condensed milk. Again, I am still serious! Just add any color of food coloring that you like and tada! Instant paint! It is sticky but so worth it! Plus we all know how kids like to eat things that they shouldn't..well here is a way to have fun and not worry about them not eating it!

So go on-make some of your own! There are no measurements to this! Add however much you would like!

Here are some pictures of the artists and their masterpieces!

*We used fingers here but you can use whatever you want! Once you are finished cleaning up is VERY easy!*