My girls #sendcheer and make plans to send more

Isn't it funny how sometimes we just figure our kids have no idea about certain things and then one day while shopping at Walmart they blow you away by sharing the secret of life, and their knowledge of, well, the military?

My 11-year-old daughter Ryann is constantly surprising me, and honestly I guess I don't give either of my girls enough credit.

I posted on Friday about the partnership between General Mills and the USO to sendCheer to military families this holiday season.  With specially marked boxes of Cheerios (pictured below) families all over can participate in the Cheerios sendCheer campaign and help raise money for the USO to continue their fantastic programs for military families.

 

Ryann and I went to Walmart where we found these specially marked boxes on the shelf and we bought 10.  The Walmart cashier asked if I was "coupon shopping" so I told her all about the program and how my girls and I plan to deliver the extra boxes to our awesome neighbors so that they too, can send cheer.

 

While we were shopping for a few other items Ryann told me how she and her leadership club at school had written letters to soldiers at their meeting this week.  She asked if we would be writing letters with our Cheerios boxes so I explained that there was a post card inside all ready for us to add our own message and drop in the mail.

 

As you can see 10 boxes takes up a lot of room in the cart, in the trunk and on the counter.  But once we were home the girls were ready.  Jayden mentioned that she hopes her uncle receives her message, but since I could not guarantee that, we made plans to make a treat with our Cheerios to send to my brother, sister-in-law and my two nephews for Christmas.

 

There isn't much to sending our cheerful notes of thanks.  General Mills has it all ready to go inside the box. All you have to do is cut it out...

  

Write your message...

 

Add a stamp... and yes much to Ryann's chagrin I am fresh out of United States flag stamps.  Disney Pixar will have to do :)

 

I am proud of my girls and what they wrote on their cards, both the fronts and the backs.  They understood the action and the message completely with no help from me, which made me proud.  And now that school is out for the Thanksgiving holiday we plan to make some treats, give thanks and send cheer.

This post has been compensated as part of a sponsored charitable opportunity for Collective Bias.  All opinions expressed are my own.

I'm Excited to sendCheer to my Military Family

They say some people are truly called to a profession.  They never change majors, never waiver in their course, never have a mini-mid-life-crisis asking "What If?"

My brother was called to the military.  Even though he is almost nine years younger than I am and we never lived in the same house growing up I, as well as everyone else in our family, knew the route he would take.

From his hours in the woods dressed in camouflage to his knowledge of military facts, no one was surprised when he enlisted.  I, for one, have never truly feared for my brother.  I have always felt that if there is someone I want defending me and our country he is the guy.  His calling has given him focus and clarity and he seems to be right where he should be.

That's why I am happy to be a part of the Cheerios sendCheer Campaign.  This fall, Cheerios® and the USO are partnering to send "Cheer" to military families to thank and encourage them for their commitment to our country.  Specially marked boxes of Cheerios cereal will feature "Cheer" postcards, which can be cut out and mailed to military families through a partnership with the USO.  Even more, for each postcard received, Cheerios will donate $1 to the USO to help support programs for military families.  Cheerios has already donated $150,000 and will donate up to an additional $100,000 based upon the number of postcards received by November 30, 2012.

I often think about my sister-in-law- who I think the world of, but don't get to see that often, and all she has to endure with the multiple deployments and taking care of their two kids on her own.  I think of her every time I complain about feeling overwhelmed in my own life.  It takes a special person to partner with someone who is in the military. I complain when my husband goes to deer camp for a week.

I know I haven't done as much as I could to make life easier for them, and now I feel the urge to do more.  For not only them, but for others serving as well.  Our local Girl Scout council has sent girl scout cookies to troops overseas for several years now.  My community has collected a variety of items for care packages.  Now, we can go to Walmart and buy these specially marked packaged of Cheerios and sendCheer to a military family you know, or the USO will handle that for you.  Regardless of who it reaches, cheer will be sent.

The USO is a nonprofit organization that helps lift the spirits of America's troops and their families.  For over 70 years, the USO has provided a touch of home to our troops and their families through centers at airports and military bases, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services.  When a loved one is away serving, the USO steps in to be a second family for our military families, providing support and tools.  The donation from the "Cheer" program will help fund services and programs that support and comfort families, help kids cope when Mom or Dad are away or come home different, and keep families connected during these times.

I hope you will all visit a store and look for these specially marked displays of Cheerios.  Buy a box of Cheerios, cut out the card, write your message of cheer and send it on.  Make it a first step for your holiday season.  A first step that could brighten an other's season as well.

This post has been compensated as part of a sponsored charitable opportunity for Collective Bias, all opinions are mine alone.

My Happy Place

I am currently three days in to our annual vacation at Drummond Island off the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. All of the stress I’ve been feeling lately, the main reason for my lack of blog posts, was left in the Lower Peninsula, where it belongs.

Right now I am sitting under a tree at the yacht haven with my family and several friends who are like family. The kids are swimming, the ladies are reading and chatting, the dogs are sitting in the shade and a few of the guys are fishing. The breeze is balmy and it just doesn’t get any better.

After 2 weeks taking the Member’s Mark Probiotic daily I can also notice a discernable difference in how my stress affects my gastrointestinal system. There seems to be regularity about me, LOL. Where normally all hell could break loose the minute my workload becomes overwhelming, things in that area have stayed relaxed and normal.

Of course in the past I have made it through stressful times and then as soon as things calm down my body or stomach rather, retaliates. But I’ve been on vacation since Friday afternoon and so far so good.

My family looks forward to this vacation every year. So much so, that even the mention of not going can send my girls into a tizzy. But really why would we not come? Two-tracking through the woods, swimming off of fossil ledges, drinking “punch” from a garbage can, sitting under the stars in front of a warm fire, dogs playing, kids laughing, and it all takes place this one week of the year.

The Circle of My Life

I've been back in the advertising grind for three months now and I am recognizing the signs.  The signs of me becoming who I was before.  Irritable, tired, anxious, edgy, unable to enjoy the simple things and I am constantly reminding myself to breathe.

I haven't blogged.  I have read a book.  I have a stack of magazines waiting to be read.  And my stomach is a mess.

It's been a long time since I've had the stomach issues brought on by stress but they're back and in full force.  Of course there is the even more demented side of me saying "yay, maybe I'll lose some weight."  But yes, it's a problem.  I have to do more than breathe.  I have to be positive.  Why can't I be positive?  Why can't I not worry about everything?  Why can't I be more like my husband?  The only time his bowels are irritated is when he drinks draft beer.

A friend recommended I try probiotics for my stomach irritability (which blesses me with a host of symptoms) and I am hoping that I can feel less of my stress in my stomach so I am going to give it a whirl and see what happens.  I am trying Member's Mark 4X Probiotic and was fortunate enough to receive a six week supply to try.  I am also visiting Digestive Health for Me!  where there is a forum to discuss digestive health.

It seems I may be on the right track for my digestive issues, now I just need to work on my brain and maintaining a positive outlook, a good work-life balance, etc.  But I guess that's why I go to therapy.  Right?

I received a six week supply of Member's Mark 4X Probiotic from Collective Bias as part of a social shopper's insight study.  All opinions are mine and mine alone.

Having fun in my El Naturalista Shoes

I am a fan of shoes.  Shoes and socks are my favorite clothing items.  No matter what, I can find shoes and socks that fit me and my style.

Recently I heard about El Naturalista shoes and using their store locator I found a store in Ann Arbor- Fourth Avenue Birkenstock- that sold them.

I was intrigued by El Naturalista because they're comfortable and yet attractive.  And I like the "road" they follow. "Naturalistas" start their journey observing everything that surrounds them. They travel through the world and observe it, becoming impregnated by its textures, its colors, its lines... and after a thousand journeys, real and imaginary, they discover that a single idea brings us together. Whatever our race or culture... we all walk in search of happiness.  It is that simple. And that complicated.

The philosophy of El Naturalista reeks of my What If beliefs.“Naturalistas” are sincere. They analyze life and the world around them with the intensity of a thoughtful observer. “Naturalistas” enjoy every moment of every minute, and every minute of every moment.

Of course they also make cute shoes, in great colors of green, red, orange and purple.  Iggdrasil is my favorite collection and exactly what I found on Fourth Ave.  I tried on clogs and Mary Jane's and when the weather is more reliable I think I will be going back for these.

The folks at Fourth Avenue Birkenstock were extremely helpful.  It has been A LONG time since anyone helped me try on shoes.  I felt like I was back in my hometown at Miller's Shoe Store getting corrective shoes as a child, with a golden egg surprise when I was all done.

In the end I went with Cobalto Mary Jane style El Naturalista's.  They are a dark, normal color, but they are not brown, or black, and with my need for new shoes that I could wear a lot they fit the bill.  They are super comfortable.  In fact, I have worn them for two long periods of time with no trouble at all.  They have breathable, anatomic, removable insoles, and are made of hand-stitched, soft pull grain leather.

I also love the sole of this shoe.  It's made of recycled rubber.  It has a decoration all of it's own and it's firm, but not hard.

I really like these shoes, and aside from one instance of a shop on their store locator being no longer in business, I really liked shopping for them.  It led me to Fourth Avenue Birkenstick, a great local store, with friendly, knowledgeable staff, and I felt important from the minute I walked in until the minute I walked out.

And now I feel important because I have comfortable, well-made shoes that still have a funky look to them, and that's alright with me.

More check-ins at Fourth Avenue Birkenstock

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Love your dog and SAVE!!!

Maxx is definitely the Prince in this house.  That fact was confirmed for me once again when my mother-in-law commented on Maxx's leisurely nap on our couch.  You see, our previous dogs were not allowed on the furniture.  Not because I liked them less, but because they made me sneeze.  Maxx doesn't seem to do that.

As I mentioned before Maxx really likes Kibbles ‘n Bits Bistro, and now others can try it with a $3.00 off coupon that appears to the left.  Yes, that left.  Up there at the top.  Print that coupon and give it a try.  Tell your friends about the coupon too.  Then web surf on over to the  I Love My Dog site to see other dogs who love Kibbles ‘n Bits Bistro too.  Then you should definitely check out the I Love My Dog Whrrl Society where you can see other folk's recommendations on ways they show their furry children the love.

I am receiving compensation for hosting this coupon widget by Del Monte.  All opinions of this product are mine and Maxx's.  We were not influenced at anytime by any one.

Another Superbowl comes and goes... yum.

Every year Cory hosts a Superbowl-Poker Party.  In many ways it's my favorite gathering, because it's his and I can laze around on my laptop while he hangs with his guys. Of course my Mom is always here, and some years a girlfriend or two, but it's nice because they are always the folks who know me best and won't be offended if I just sit with my laptop and only talk to them by way of Facebook.

Every year the menu is different and this year Cory wanted to have a Taco bar since we have SEVERAL pounds of ground beef in our freezer.  But I also like to have kid friendly things on hand too, so the girls and I went shopping.  Which, by the way, reminds me.  I am reasonably sure that I will never be allowed in a store during non-school hours without my daughters ever again.  Not because of any weird mid-western law but because the little princesses won't let me.  They love Target, Starbucks and Walmart, and the only way I can run to these places on my own is to go when they are at school, or asleep, but I'm too old to be out that late.

 

Any who, they liked the idea of pizza, and they helped me pick out a DiGiorno Rising Crust Pizza in the kid friendly Pepperoni variety.  We also grabbed a DiGiorno Buffalo Style Chicken Pizza for Big Papa, because he likes it hot.

At our gatherings the counter is always filled with food, and a five-man Poker game still warrants a full counter.  So the five men, 2 women, and 4 kids that were in our house during the Super Bowl ate all this.

That's the Buffalo Style Chicken Pizza in the front, and yes it was awesome.  The kid-friendly pepperoni is below and it was fantastic too.  Just all around great pizza, and an all around great time.  My family won 2 quarters of football squares, the commercials were great, especially the Chrysler 200 - Eminem spot and I got to be lazy.  I like being lazy.

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

I Love My Dog

This is what I brought home almost one year ago.  His name was Quinn, we changed it to Maxx.  He was about three months old and everybody wanted to adopt him.  But the rescue picked us.

Now he weighs about 80 pounds and I love every pound of him.  So much.

Right now he's curled up on the ottoman.  The ottoman that my beloved and our two girls all have their feet on while they play video games.  But Maxx found some room amidst the six feet.  He's even laying on a book, but he doesn't care.  He's with his family.

He is a big baby.  At bed time he squeezes in bed between my husband and me and looks at us as if to say "What?  Is there a problem?"

On the mornings when Cory is home at bus stop time Maxx starts jumping all over.  He knows Daddy will take him along, and he can sniff every mailbox post, and sniff the neighbor dog's butts.  I would love to say that he leaves his mark on those mailbox posts, but this big fluff ball- my baby boy- still doesn't lift his leg to pee.  I wish I could say we were working on that, but really, how do you work on that?

It's taken us a while to find dog food that Maxx really likes, and while some would call us bad fur-parents we have found that like his late big brother C.J., Maxx loves Kibbles 'n Bits.  Actually C.J. loved Kibbles 'n Chunks but they stopped making that and he ate the regular.  But now, they have something new- Kibbles 'n Bits Bistro Meals dog food.  Maxx loves it, and he's featured on the back of the bag.  (Not Really)

It has a resealable, zipper top bag, and I love that he loves it.  'Cause when my baby's belly is full he sleeps good.  No matter where he sleeps.

I wasn't prepared for the love I feel for this dog.  He's so comical, and fluffy, and soft.  I just want him to be happy and healthy and from what I can tell when he hogs the couch in the evenings- he is.

 Disclosure:  I was compensated for this shop, whrrl, and blog post by Del Monte.  All thoughts and opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Too much fun makes us lazy

In many ways what we had today could be called a "dry run".  A rehearsal of sorts for that party I told you my husband hosts on Superbowl Sunday.  But regardless of the number of attendees (few) or amount of football watched (too much in the opinion of us girls) we had a great day with great food.  As we say, The Swann parties are the BEST parties.

Did somebody say football?

Football is big in my house.  With my husband.

He has a Superbowl gathering every year.  His dad, brother, my step-dad, and a few others all come over, play poker, eat heartily and watch the game.  My Mom and my friend Molly are usually the only other ladies here and we all sit around playing on our laptops and posting on each other's walls.

This year we are pre-Superbowling it as well.  Tomorrow means good snacks and play off games.  Plus I've entered this contest at Snackbowl2011.com.  All you have to do is upload some pics or a video telling the world why you host the best parties and you could one of 1,000 prizes including being honored at the Pro Football Hall of Fame and $5,000!!!!!

Chances are good that we will win over here at this house, but if you feel like ruining our chances then you could enter too.  You can also vote for other entries and win daily instant prizes.  It's kind of fun to see what peeps will do for prizes.  Especially prizes associated with football.

So take a look, enter the contest, get some snacks and watch the commercials with me on Superbowl Sunday.  Because I worked in advertising for over 12 years and the commercials are the parts I don't miss.

Disclosure:  I was compensated by Collective Bias for this post.  All opinions of the contest and products involved are mine and mine alone.

Some things do change...

I admit I had a pretty definite opinion of freezer convenience foods.

After all, I worked full time in an office for over twelve years.  There are days you will not be able to get out at lunch so it was very common to see a stockpile of Lean Cuisines and the like piled high in the office freezer with names scribbled on them with a Sharpie.

But when I left my job in November of 2008, I knew I would never eat one of those things again.  I didn't have to.  I worked at home, where there are many things in the kitchen to choose from, and I don't have to label anything with a Sharpie.

But this month I am taking all 31 days to plan my direction.  I am not resolving anything, I am simply researching my options for exercise, food ideas, vitamins, and other similar topics.

Interestingly enough I was asked to try out Lean Cuisine and Skinny Cow products.  Ugh.  Really?  Sante Fe Rice and Beans?  Chicken Alfredo?  yay.

What I found when I got to the store was that the section had grown a little.  OK, a lot.  By about five freezer doors.  Comfort cuisine.  Casual cuisine.  Steams Fresh varieties.  Holy Salisbury steak!  (Which I could never eat in the frozen-microwaved form, sorry.)  I grabbed the ones that looked the tastiest and went over to the ice cream aisle.

The Skinny Cow section had not grown at all, but I found that the ice cream sandwiches, my favorite, came in about 6-8 different varieties.  I went with Cookies & Cream and called it a day.

When I prepared and ate these items later in the week I was very pleased with the quality.  The "Steams Fresh" chicken stir fry was very tasty and very filling.  So was the Chicken Alfredo.  The Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches are huge!  And, my family ate five of them before I had one!  I'm really surprised I didn't pull an empty container from the freezer.  Don't laugh, it's happened before.

As far as the Lean Cuisines I did enjoy them.  Will I stockpile them and have them for lunch everyday?  I'm sorry to say- no.  But I will keep one or two around for the days when I need to eat something before I hop on a conference call, or for when I need to eat fast, and I will try many varieties not the same two all the time.

So another learning experience for my 31 days of January.  Thanks to Rebecca for reminding me after my last post that I have a Wii Fit which can provide a great exercise option.  Duh, I can't believe I forgot that!

More check-ins at Walmart Supercenter #4584

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

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.

Back to Basics - Some Like it Hot

Sometimes I laugh at myself because I think the olden days must have rocked.  This from someone who makes her entire living working on a computer.

I like it when I can do things I call "traditional".  I realize that many things new and old, can be traditional.  But these are the things that seem so basic to me, and they are things I don't recall doing as a child.  Camping.  Strawberry Picking.  Canning your own hot sauce.

OK, so that's really my husband's tradition and it's something he did last summer for the first time.  People LOVE his homemade hot sauce.  We take it camping and it gets rave reviews.  We put it on the table at gatherings people love it.  And now it's almost gone.

For Christmas my Mom and Step-Dad got Cory a Ninja.  A Ninja is this super-powered blender/food processor thingy and he can't wait to pulverize some peppers in it.  I went shopping today to see if I could find some canning-bottles, if you will, so we didn't have to re-purpose old, empty bottles of Frank's for him to make his creation.  The section was less than full.  But that's OK, I found a great Ball Freezer container, so at the very least he can freeze his excess hot sauce and refill the old Frank's bottle as needed.

I think tomorrow is the the designated hot sauce making day.  He's on vacation and I'm going to vacate the house.  The last time he made this stuff I cried every time I walked in the kitchen.  But I will allow him this time, because that's just the awesome kind of wife I am.  Do you have any tissues?

More check-ins at Walmart Supercenter #4584

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

The settling of the dust

It's all getting back to normal.  I have a renewed sense of direction and dedication.

Plus, I have moved my home office upstairs to the Living Room.  The Living Room is at the front of our house and aside from an upright player piano and a curio cabinet it has been a functionless room since we moved in nine years ago.

Now I have an office with sunlight.  It's much more inspiring than the space in the basement I really hoped would be my little escape for work.

In the meantime, while you're waiting for whatever, here is a video of Hubby and I making Chicken Chili with Frank's Red Hot (#FranksRedHot and our new Hamilton Beach Crock Pot. It came out great!  The recipe is below.  Holla!



My Life of What Ifs Spicy Chicken Chili

3 cans Great Northern Beans
2 cans Chicken Broth
Rotisserie Chicken
1 diced onion
1 can diced tomatoes with peppers
2/3 cup Franks Red Hot
1 clove garlic
2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp oregano

Top with tortilla Strips, sour cream and shredded cheese.  Yum.

Disclosure:  I was given this Hamilton Beach slow cooker by Collective Bias in exchange for my recipe.  All opinions are mine and mine alone.

Some people think I'm crazy

I'm not crazy.  Well, at least not in this respect.  I am what you call ambitious.  Maybe.

I recently signed up to be an Independent Consultant for Thirty-One gifts.  The reason is simple- I like the products and I like what the company stands for, enough said.

I also love that they personalize some of their products.  I am a huge sucker for personalization, so this is right up my alley.  If you'd like to check out Thirty-One then visit my site.  You can order anytime just by clicking on one of the current events in my listing.  Or shoot me an email and I can take your order that way.

But if you were interested in hosting a party there are some cool specials in December.  You can see them in my whrrl below :)

More check-ins at The UPS Store #4254

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Where would I be without my girlfriends?

As you get older you really find out who your true friends are, and, you find out who you truly want to be your friends.

I have many great friends from all parts of my life.  I am so blessed to have each and every one of them and we stay in touch the best we can.  Even if it's been awhile since we last spoke, we are able to pick right up where we left off.  No awkwardness, no lulls in conversation.  It's the best.

The friends that I have made more recently in my life are primarily parents of the girls' friends.  Which is great because with kids, work, houses, etc. how else are we supposed to meet anyone?  Especially genuine people who don't care that we look the way we do ;)

Through the beauty of the bus stop I have made some fantastic neighborhood friends.  I say neighborhood friends because they live in the neighborhood, but we are truly friends.  We laugh together, we vent together, we watch each others kids, and we enjoy adult beverages together.  Sometimes we do all of that at the same time!

Every other week or so the neighborhood ladies, and a few others, get together for coffee.  The last meet up I had to miss because my daughter had strep throat and no one wanted our Swann House Cooties.  So after a long weekend I invited some over this morning for cocoa, coffee and conversation.  We had a great time and I didn't realize until they left how much I needed that conversation. 

These ladies don't judge me.  They don't care that I show up at the bus stop in my pink-heart jammie pants.  They don't care that sometimes I don't make my way to the bus stop at all, but they do check in to make sure I'm OK if I'm not there ;)  They are just true, genuine friends that I am so blessed to have found at this point in my life.

This morning they tried Cold Stone Creamery Hot Cocoa with me.  We loved it.  It's very rich and creamy, with great flavor and yes, it's great in coffee.  I mean REALLY great.  It's also great with marshmallows- especially the snowmen ones :)  I think you should try it, and if you look below you can see a whrrl of me and two of my favorite people trying it.  I love cocoa.  I love my girlfriends.  I would be lost without both :)

More check-ins at House of Swann

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Disclosure:  I was compensated by Collective Bias for my Cold Stone Cocoa Girlfriend Gathering.  All opinions are mine and mine alone.

What are your thoughts on Truvia?

What are your thoughts on sweetener?  Take it?  Leave it?  Sugar?  Sweet and Low?  Splenda?  The options are endless.  I have recently started using Truvia on the occasions where I may use sweetener, and while I use it in food more than my coffee, I do admit I prefer Truvia in my coffee over Splenda a zillion times to one.

If you agree and think that maybe Starbucks should add Truvia to their add-ons bar then click here and vote for it on the Starbucks My Idea page.

In the meantime, check out My Whrrl below.  I love Starbucks.  A lot.

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Disclosure:  I was given a Starbucks gift card and Truvia to share by Collective Bias in exchange for my opinion.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Swap out your Sweetener, when you use sweetener

Two weeks ago, on October 18th I started the Truvia Swap out your Sweetener Challenge.  I agreed to trade my normal choice of sweetener, good ole' sugar, for Truvia.

I received a sweet package (ha ha) in the mail, with spoonable truvia, a 40 ct. box of individual packets, and some samples and coupons to share.

The first place I tried my new Truvia (I have used Truvia before in a chai coffee recipe I cooked up) was in a cup of coffee.  Truthfully, on this occasion I didn't love it.  But I think I used too much.  You see, I've discovered something these last two weeks.  I don't use a lot of additional sweetener in my everyday life.  In fact, it's a nice discovery to realize how few things I actually add sweetener to- and when it comes to coffee, I add cream but not sugar.

So, it made sense to try it somewhere I did use this type of product, and that is in my Plain yogurt.  I added some to my plain, non-fat yogurt and it was exactly what it needed.  It was a tasty treat and I was very happy with the Truvia flavor.

Oddly, last week I found that I did enjoy Truvia in my cappucino from Panera.  I hit the drive thru when I was running errands and quickly discovered I didn't love what I was drinking.  I finished my errands and when I got home I figured, why not?  So I added a spoonful, warmed it back up and wow.  It took an not-so-great cappucino and made it perfect.  It's also gave me a great idea...

Why not throw a few of these packets in my purse?  That way I don't have to wait to get home to fix-up my cappucino, I can do it when I am on the go, and enjoy my drink when I am supposed to- when I buy it!

If you'd like to hear more personal experiences with Truvia visit MapTruvia and check out the Swap out your Sweetener (SOYS) Challenge forum.  You can also share this post here to get a free sample of Truvia to try for yourself.

Disclosure:  I received Truvia for free, but my opinions on the product are mine and mine alone.

Parenthood is stressful

I am a bad mother.

I started off this journey as a REALLY bad mother.  Now, I am just bad.  Singular.  Most days.

When Ryann was four months old we took her to San Diego for my brother's Navy BUDs graduation.  We were first time parents, and she was pretty much just a lump we carried from place to place that other people wanted to hold.

The morning of our last day as we packed to go home, Ryann threw up.  Then she squirted out.  Then she threw up and squirted out at the same time.  Clearly the child was ill.  Or possessed, as a new Mom I wasn't so sure.  And frankly, all I could think about was that we were in San Diego and we had to fly to Detroit.  With her, and all her... projecting.

On our way to the airport, and after we "borrowed" a number of towels from the hotel (most of which I still have and yes, I think of that day every time I wash) we had to stop for some Pedialyte.  'Cause that's what good mothers give their sick, squirting babies.  Cory stopped the car, I went in and came out with the goods and off we went.

Now I should tell you- all of this happened in January of 2001.  Months before planes were flown into buildings and I felt like an even badder mother for bringing a child into this world.  I share this time stamp with you because after we checked our luggage and approached the check in counter with our stroller and very pale infant I realized something.  I could not find my drivers license.  MY BABY IS SICK AND I HAVE NO I.D.!!!!  They aren't going to let me fly home with her!!!!  Hmmm, wait a minute.... NO!  I never thought of that!!!  At least not for long.

Anywho... I approached the counter sobbing.  "I am a new Mom and my baby is sick and we just wanna go hooooomeee!"  People were staring.  "I lost my drivers license when I stopped to buy Pedialyyyyyttttteeeeee!"

Yes, this much I had discovered.  Rewind to the parking lot of the store... Cory drops me off, I go in, Cory moves to a new location in the parking lot, and I get back in.  If Cory had not moved the car, I probably would have seen the best drivers license picture I have ever taken lying on the ground.  But no, I had no idea and off I went.

Again, in present time I would have never gotten on that plane without my I.D.  But in the pre-terrorist era, the counter lady took pity on me and my dear sweet child, and my husband who was clearly in the doghouse, and let us fly home.  With our baby.  With the Pedialyte.

So you can see, I am a normal bad Mom.  But I knew what I had to have for my sick baby, and I went and got it.  Had I been home I would have still had to run to the store, because we could never keep Pedialyte on hand to hydrate our dehydrated children because it expired before you could use it. 

Not anymore!  Now you can buy Pedialyte Singles in a 4 pack of juice box size drinks.  Great for kids, great for bad Moms, and they have an 18 month shelf life.  Rock on.

Visit the Pedialyte website for many valuable resources and to help you find new Pedialyte Singles at a store near you.

Disclosure:  I was compensated by Collective Bias for my time and this post.  All opinions and view are my own.

Bag it Forward and another opportunity to Adopt-A-Classroom

Come on, you can smell it can't you?  School is in the air!  Smell the paper, the new vinyl in your lunchbox, feel the firmness of new sneakers on your feet and the excitement of the unknown.  What will my teacher be like?  Who will be in my class?

Let's do everything we can to help out those who want to help others experience all of those feelings and more.

There are many opportunities to help out this year.  The economy is bad and teachers need help too, so Elmer's is also donating $10 per blog post to Adopt-A-Classroom.  The deadline for the Virtual Bag It Forward has been extended until September 12.  See Rules Below!

ELMER’S VIRTUAL BAG IT FORWARD RULES

• Copy and paste these rules into your blog post.
• Create a blog post giving a “virtual bag of school supplies” to other bloggers or write about your Back to School shopping trip at Walmart.
• Link back to the person who gave you a bag of school supplies.
• Let each person you are giving a virtual bag of school supplies know you have given them a bag.
• Leave your link in the Elmer’s Virtual Bag It Forward comment section. You can also find the official rules of this virtual #bagitforward program there.
• Elmer’s is donating $10 for each blog participating in the Virtual Bag It Forward Donation to Adopt-A-Classroom (up to total of $10,000 for blog posts written by August 12, 2010).
• Please note that only one blog post per blog url will count towards the donation.