Can you beat me in the MurphyUSA Bracket Challenge?

Probably.

I picked my teams the way kids pick books.  Because they're pretty.

OK, I used a little more logic than that.  Very little.  If I recognized the team, they had an advantage.  If I know someone who attended the school and/or is a major fan, the team had a bigger advantage.  If they are in the mid-west?  Ca-ching!  Total science I tell ya.  You should enter the MurphyUSA Bracket Challenge for two reasons:

1.  Prove that you know a whole lot more than me by winning the challenge.
2.  A chance to win free gas for a year, and who doesn't want that?

So give it a whirl.  Enter by the 15th and let me know how you did.  When it's all over and the fat lady has sung I will show just how magical my team picking method really is.  Or isn't.

Snowy thankfulness and comfort food

Today was a great day.  In fact 2011 has been a great year, all 12 days of it.

And if you know me and my family you would realize how big of a deal it is that I make that statement.

You see, last week my husband lost his job.  Meaning the job he had.  He has another job, at the same place, but it pays much less.  All of this because of a misinterpretation of contract language.

So, he had a choice.  Take severance, collect unemployment, lose our families insurance, and pray he found another job before the insurance ran out in a month.  OR.  Bid on a job in another department with less pay and less hours.  He chose option B.

This week he is on vacation.  It's weird because he can't recall taking a vacation where we didn't have a trip planned.  So he's hanging out, with his work-at-home wife, and getting a few things done including his homework, since he is going to college and all.

Do I feel for him?  Of course I do.  Do I want to go kick some ass on his behalf?  You betcha.  But instead I just keep making jokes and telling him it's all good.  Because that is what he would do for me.

Truthfully, I do think it's all good.  I have had two major clients in the last month for my clearance business.  I am writing for three news entities.  I am getting some major opps through my blog.  Oh and I really like selling a purses, handbags, and organizational devices.  Or two, check me out.  (Book a party, you know you want to!)

So anyway, even though I can't always apply this optimism to my own personal situations, I can do it for my husband, and I do do it for my husband because after 19 years he deserves my optimism and a good pasta meal to comfort his soul. :)

So tonight was Family Italian Night.  Jayden and I did the shopping, and I made the dinner, and it was great.  Penne with meat sauce, bread sticks and salad.  Just like Olive Garden only in our house at our table, while it was very cold and snowy outside.

I'm thankful for the doors that are opening, and I know that my extremely smart husband is a step away from his degree and a dream job.  He deserves the best and I will do everything in my power, and make everything in the pasta aisle, to keep him happy and worry free.  If I can do that then I will be thankful for the snow, my opportunities, and my husband.  Caio.

More check-ins at Walmart Supercenter #4584

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Disclosure:  I was compensated by Collective Bias for this shop.  All opinions are mine and mine alone.

What if I have other things going on?

While blogging is a passion for me, and also something I hope to do for a long time to come, it doesn't always mean I actually have time to sit down and write a post.

I'm kind of all over the place with "jobs".  Some days I cover events and write stories for the Jackson Citizen Patriot.  Recently I started doing the same thing for the Hartland edition of Patch, an online news and information platform and soon I will write for the Brighton Patch as well.

I have my own Rights & Licensing business.  Lately I've helped clear music for an industrial video for a major automotive manufacturer and a track for a smaller company's TV spot.

I also do special projects for a company called Collective Bias where I am paid to shop for specific products and brands.  I have also been asked to promote products at public events and to invite people to my home for a sampling of the same types of things, and I still do occasional posts for Detroit Mommies.
Oh and I recently became an Independent Consultant with Thirty-One gifts.

In addition to all that, I can usually be found about once a week at each of my girls' schools volunteering.  I co-lead two Girl Scout troops and my husband and I run the concession stand during soccer season.

Once in a while I try to sleep, eat, and watch Bones.  So, if my posting has been spotty, I think you may understand why :)

Last weekend I had an opportunity to have Ryann invite some friends over for a little spa party courtesy of MommyParties and Ottilie and Lulu.

Ottilie and Lulu sells a few items specially formulated for the personal care of tweens and their emerging hormones.  The girls washed their faces, learned about moisturizer, got awesome goodies to take home and I think, have a genuinely good time.  I love that I get to do things like this with my girls.  They are growing up so fast, and I hope they realize that even though Mama is "all-over-the-place" doing work, that the work I do is for them.  And me too of course.  Because I love all the different things I get to do, and I love the time I spend with my family while doing it.
I think my husband likes it too, as you can see in the left sidebar. I did a Frank's Red Hot shop yesterday and made meatballs.  Totally broke his heart ;)

More check-ins at House of Swann

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Disclosure:  I was supplied an abundance of Ottilie & Lulu products for free to give away at our party.  However all opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

It's not too late to pledge!

I have many friends who are big fans of The Biggest Loser.  They love that show.

And if you have read my blog lately you know that I am on a quest to lose weight and get healthy by making better food choices and by moving more. 

In May, I heard about the Pound for Pound Challenge where the Kroger Co. Family of Stores, General Mills, NBC's hit TV Show “The Biggest Loser” and other key sponsors are partnering to donate up to $1,080,000 to Feeding America® this year.

It made complete sense to me to make the pledge.  I was already on the quest and for every pound I pledged to lose through June 30, 2010 the Pound For Pound Challenge will donate 14¢ to Feeding America® — enough to deliver one pound of groceries to a local food bank.  Which, in our area is Gleaners.  And in my case was 20 pounds.  Now I am not going to tell you if I made it or not- I have until Wednesday to see...

But I do know that through this challenge I have discovered some new products, courtesy of Kroger and General Mills.  As the official supplier of the Biggest Loser Ranch and partner of the Pound for Pound Challenge, the Kroger Family of Stores wants to help you achieve your goals. If you’re a fan of the Biggest Loser, you may have seen several great General Mills products featured on the show. These products, including Yoplait Greek yogurt, Total, and Multigrain Cheerios, are available at your local Kroger Family of Stores and can help you stick to your weight management plan.

Kroger and MyBlogSpark sent me a $30 gift card to try out these products featured on the show.  I found that I am a big fan of LaraBars.  They are very filling, and are made from REAL products.  In fact each one has three to four ingredients, and I know what each of them is!  I was also able to try a few Muir Glen products, as well as a few products from General Mills and Yoplait.  It's been a great opportunity to help my community, help myself, and try out a few new things in the process.  Now, I just have to see how I did, check me out later this week :)

In the meantime, it's not too late!!!  You too, can go and make a pound for pound pledge.  Just visit the Pound for Pound Challenge and make a pledge to help your community and you!

Disclosure:  I was provided a gift card and information by the Kroger Family of Stores and General Mills through MyBlogSpark.  My opinion of these products is mine and mine alone.  I was not influenced by anyone at any time.

I'm a Brand Ambassador for The View!

I love The View.  I gave birth during The View.  How many people can say that?  The View is the ONE daytime show I will allow myself to watch and it's only because I feel I get an equal amount of celebrity gossip and fluff, and up-to-the-minute current events.

So, when I had the opportunity to apply to be a Brand Ambassador for the show that appeared on the tiny hospital TV in the corner as I pushed my nine pound, five ounce bundle of joy out of my body, I had to at least try!  And guess what?  They picked me!

I'm not sure how long prior to that February morning in 2004 that I had been a View viewer.  And yes, there were times when I was employed full-time out of the house that it just wasn't possible to tune in every day.  But now I can, and I usually do.  Today we heard more proof of John Mayer's toolness, and how freaky "sexting" can be- with life long consequences.  All that followed by Dr. Bailey herself!  Even my darling hubby watched along with me, and he feels Whoopi is doing a fantastic job.

On Wednesday, Posh... err.... Victoria Beckham is co-hosting.  The ladies will welcome Oscar nominee James Cameron.  I'll be watching, I don't plan on having any more babies during the broadcast, but I'll be watching. 

The View Brand Ambassador program is facilitated by Mom Central, and through February 28 you can enter Mom Central's sweepstakes where one lucky winner will be randomly selected to receive a trip to New York City to watch a taping of The View!  Click here for your chance to win!

I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.