Milestones: I'm Not Mushy....

I never really cried at milestones in my life.


High school graduation? Please, get me out of there.


College graduation? I was more interested in getting one last glimpse at the boy I had a huge crush on.


My wedding? Nope, that was Hubs. Really hard, too. If you haven't read that story and want a laugh, you can find it HERE.


I've always thought of these events as more of a beginning than an end. The mark that means that something new and exciting is about to begin: I looked forward and not back.


I laugh and smile during these times, not cry.


Monkey, my oldest, had his preschool graduation last Friday.


A lot of his buddies had their preschool graduations last year or even the year before. He's been the baby of his group of friends, not that you can tell it otherwise, except for what grade the kids are in.


And the moms talked about how they cried. And, being the extra-supportive friend I am, I rolled my eyes. But, not to their faces at least.


Preschool graduation means my oldest is moving on into the world of kindergarten. Full-day kindergarten. New friends and new challenges. It's exciting.


But, then, his preschool teacher had to go and set the slide show at graduation to the song "Let Them Be Little."


Please, let them be little,

'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.


I couldn't help it. I turned into a big pile of mushy mom and cried. Because, you see, I didn't let him be little....but that's a story for Pour Your Heart Out this week.

Father's Day Contest and a Giveaway

You know those cheesy #1 Dad t-shirts?


There's got to be something better out there....or maybe you can think of a better idea!


Actually, if you can think of a better t-shirt idea for Father's Day, you can win an Ipad! And over $150 in prizes.


For details, see how you can enter the Father's Day Contest at Fibers.com.  You can see the designs already submitted at that link for ideas. In addition to a great prize for you and how cool would it be for someone I know to have the winning design, the proceeds of the winning designs benefit National Fatherhood Initiative.  Contest ends on June 9th. Really, there's not a lot of competition right now!


Now, for the giveaway!


In addition to Dad T-shirts and a variety of other fun, shirts, Fibers.com also has Custom T-shirts!  I am going to get a chance to review one shortly. I'm thinking of designing something to go along with my blog to wear to a blog conference. So, that the people I want to meet up with will be able to find me easily! Or....maybe something different. Lots of possibilities.


One of my readers will win a $25 gift voucher for Fibers.com!


It's a holiday weekend, so I'm going to go really easy on you with entries!


To enter: simply leave a comment telling me about a t-shirt that you love- either from their site or one that you have or one that you have seen around. If your email is not visible in your profile, please leave it with your comment.


Now, if you want extra entries: if you enter the t-shirt contest, leave a link with your entry and 5 additional comments! There's voting involved, so if you enter, we can help spread the word about your design and see if we can win you that iPad!


Contest will close June 9th, to give you a chance to get in your design!


This contest is now closed. Congrats to Dondi @ Confessions of a Housewife. I will be contacting you later today!

Friendship for Grown-Ups

If you've been around here at all, you've probably had the chance to laugh at some of my attempts at making friends. There's a certain word I use to describe some of the women I've encountered.....


I guess it's a common problem, making friends as an adult.


I had the chance to review Friendship for Grown-ups by Lisa Whelchel through Booksneeze. I love getting free books- all you have to do is review them after you're done reading them. If you are a reader, I highly recommend checking it out!

The former Facts of Life star describes how she had to learn to come out of her shell and trust others. It was by God's grace that she was able to find true friends, but not before she had some painful experiences.


While this is more of a memoir than a how-to book, it was easy to see the lessons that she learned along the way.


I had previously read her Creative Correction book and participated in a Bible Study based off the guide to that book. In addition, I grew up watching Facts of Life, so it was really interesting to read her story.


I could identify with a lot in her book and would recommend it.

Imaginiff...Some Friday Fun

One of our favorite games to play is "imaginiff..." It's a board game with silly questions, where everyone says what they think about the different players. Um, just to clarify, no, this isn't a sponsored post- this is just fun.

You'll get a question like this:

Imaginiff__________ were a dessert. Which would he/she be?
1. Triple Chocolate Tart
2. Apple pie
3. Creme Brulee
4. Fresh fruit
5. Port and cigars
6. Cookies and milk


Everyone picks their answer and then reveals. The players in the majority get a point or move on the board...or something like that. It's been a while since we played. I was always trying to argue my way into getting points and convincing everyone that my answer was the right one- even to the person that the question was about. I don't like to lose.


It's fun and silly and a good way to get to know people. I just found our game as I was trying to work my way through some of this unpacking. I'd love to play with some of my bloggyfriends, but since that's not possible, I decided to do the best that I could with this....


I used random.org to select 10 of you who commented on Wednesday's post and decided to answer a question about you! Random.org picked some of you that I feel like I know well and some of you whom I just met, so this was interesting!


I'll list all the choices that the questions gave and then highlight the one that I picked. This is meant in fun, so I hope that is the way it is taken!


Imaginiff Katina at Peaceful Divas were a motto. Which would she be?
1. pedal to the metal
2. stop and smell the roses
3. take the road less traveled
4. better safe than sorry
5. an eye or an eye, a tooth for a tooth
6. love makes the world go 'round
C'mon "peaceful diva"- this totally fits! Absolutely loved her post this week on feeling inadequate. Awesome stuff.


Imaginiff Simone at Great Fun 4 Kids were traveling in space. How would she feel?
1. proud
2. nauseous
3. terrified
4. bored
5. exhilerated
6. weightless
She's about fun, so I think she'd be thrilled...and maybe a little nauseous. ;)


Imaginiff Evonne at All You Need is Love were a condiment. Which would she be?
1. salt
2. maple syrup
3. steak sauce
4. extra virgin olive oil
5. tabasco sauce
6. vinegar
Because she's a sweetie. And when I think of maple syrup, I think of pancakes and comfort food- and Evonne is a a very down-to-earth person, so this made sense to me.


Imaginiff Mary from The Mommyologist could discover the answer to a great mystery. Which mystery would she choose?
1. What is SPAM?
2. Where do the missing socks go?
3. Sasquatch- fact or fiction?
4. What goes on at Area 51?
5. Why was Stonehenge built?
6. How come I pay more taxes than Bill Gates?
She'd want to solve this weird mystery and then expose it to the world.


Imaginiff Tammy from Tammy's Two Cents were a piece of jewelry. Which would she be?
1. wedding ring
2. inspirational bracelet
3. jeweled crown
4. rolex
5. cubic zirconia
6. tongue piercing
Because she's a friend for life.


Imaginiff Shawna at My Girls were a fashion fad. Which would she be?
1. poodle skirt and saddle shoes
2. leisure suit
3. Victorian corset and gown
4. knickers
5. Jordache jeans
6. toga
She seems fun and girly and like she'd enjoy something on the lighter, fun side.


Imaginiff Rebecca at Unexplained X2 were a tool. Which would she be?
1. sledge hammer
2. pruning shears
3. screwdriver
4. level
5. coctail mixer
6. tonail clippers
This one just jumped out at me b/c I thought "level-headed" and having to keep everything straight with her twins.


Imaginiff Alex at Ma, What's for Dinner had to sing at a karaoke bar. Which song woul she sing?
1. I Love Rock n Roll
2. New York, New York
3. I Will Survive
4. Figaro
5. Oops, I Did It Again
6. Friends in Low Places
For some reason, I could just see her belting this one out. I'd be beside her on stage, singing away...after we'd had enough drinks, of course.


Imaginiff Tami G from Every Day in Gray were something to look through. Which would she be?
1. telescope
2. sunglasses
3. reading glasses
4. binoculars
5. safety goggles
6. rose colored glasses
Because she would want to examine things closely and clearly, to be sure she has the full picture.


Imaginiff Aunt Crazy from Aunt Crazy's Here Y'all wre a crime. Which would she be?
1. disorderly conduct
2. tax evasion
3. littering
4. illegal use of a motor vehicle
5. removal of mattress tags
6. computer hacking
C'mon, she's Aunt Crazy. She'd have to be something crazy and fun!


So, how did I do? Do you agree? If you don't know these bloggers, please go visit some of them and tell them I sent you!


Now, it's your turn- let's use the question from the example: imaginiff Shell(or the person who commented ahead of you, whichever you want to use) were a dessert, which would she be?
1. Triple Chocolate Tart
2. Apple pie
3. Creme Brulee
4. Fresh fruit
5. Port and cigars
6. Cookies and milk

 
I'm linking up for the All New Friday Follow, since my blog buddy Ian is one of the hosts. Check it out! Oh, and I follow back- if I can find your blog- so please leave me your url if you are new...or even just new-ish.

Pet Pic Contest Starts Today!

TODAY'S THE DAY!   GET THOSE ADORABLE OR FUNNY PET PICS OUT!

<a href="http://toothsoap.com/shop-dentist-recommended-tooth-soap" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/dperry_2007/largeforpost.jpg" /></a>

Did you know that Tooth Soap®( the source of the internet's biggest buzz) offers additional great all natural products!?  One of the products that they offer is  Tooth soap® for your PEt! Fido or Fluffy can have clean teeth too!  In a safe and all natural way! ( how to brush you pet's teeth with Tooth Soap®)

WANT TO BUY SOME NOW?  SAVE SOME MONEY ON VET CLEANING BILLS!?  

USe coupon code " PET" to save $5..00 on a bottle ! 

or 

 You can win some!! 

PSSST.........Plus some Tooth Soap® Goodies for yourself!

<a href="http://toothsoap.com/shop-dentist-recommended-tooth-soap" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/dperry_2007/smallbuttonPETPIC.jpg" /></a>

Simply grab the Tooth Soap® Pet Pic Badge 

*****Display it on your sidebar  and in your submission post. *** 

( both places please! USE WHATEVER sized badge works for you !)

Write a post that includes your Cutest pet pic!    

Link up below to enter. 

3 finalists chosen by 

@supahmommy, @shellthings, @chiefshiding

( no bribing) 

Final Winner Chosen by  Karen VanCleef of @toothsoap 

Winner receives Tooth Soap® " My Pet Won Pack!"

•  Tooth soap® 
• Tooth Swish
•  Tooth Brightener 
• Tooth Soap® w brush  for your Pet!

Contest submissions close Thursday June 3rd @midnight.  Finalists will be announced Friday June 4th and winner will be chosen and announced Thursday June 10th on all hosts blogs.  

WANT TO BUY SOME NOW?  SAVE SOME MONEY ON VET CLEANING BILLS!?  

USe coupon code " PET" to save $5..00 on a bottle ! 

Duck Fest

DUCK FEST is supporting our fellow blog bud, Daffy. She is setting up the JD Scholarship Fund in honor of her sister, Wendy. JD is Daffy's 5 year old nephew who just lost his mother suddenly, last week. I have a 5 year-old. What the hell would he do without his mommy? It's not fair.

Right now, JD is too young to understand what is happening around him. I'd like to think that our efforts during DUCK FEST will one day give JD hope. That the generosity of strangers helped get him to college, and a community banded together for him and his family during a very difficult time.

DUCK FEST will begin on June 3rd. This day will be very difficult for Daffy and her family as it would have been Wendy's 36th birthday.

Donating to a good cause has never been more fun! Come back June 3rd and check out all the participating bloggers and their giveaways that will be listed!

What is DUCK FEST?
DUCK FEST is a blog party fundraising event to raise money for the JD Scholarship Fund. It runs June 3 - 8 right here in the blogosphere!


How does DUCK FEST work?By using the McLinky at the bottom of this page, you are able to visit a number of giveaways to raise money for the JD Scholarship Fund. If you find a giveaway you'd like to enter, beginning June 3, you can click on the donate button on that giveaway and donate money for entries. Each entry is $1.00. If you donate $10.00 you have 10 entries to spend however you want.   Please follow the PayPal directions for your donation (be sure to leave your blog url in notes for verification!) To enter, leave a comment for each $1.00 donation on the giveaways of your choice!  Except you know, you can leave the one on Cheapskate Mom's blog alone because my boys need that thing! Or you could win it and give it to my boys because you want to be my most favorite person in the whole world.
On June 9, each hosting blog will select their winners using random.org.


How can I participate?Do you have a skill or talent you'd like to showcase? Do you rub elbows with PR firms, have advertisers or sponsors that would support the cause? You are more than welcome to host a giveaway at your blog! Do you have product you'd like to donate, but don't have an outlet to run a giveaway? We're happy to host it for you! If you'd like to participate, send an email to me - That One Mom at thatonemom.onlyparentchronicles@gmail.com OR to Tamara at cheapskatemom.@live.com


What if I would just like to donate money and not worry about prizes?That is perfectly fine! Just click on the donate button in the side bar. All donations go directly to the JD Scholarship Fund!
In the meantime, grab a button and spread the word!! Word of mouth is key to making DUCK FEST a success!

<a href="http://proudtobecheap.blogspot.com/2010/05/birds-of-featherflock-together-duck.html"><img src="http://i881.photobucket.com/albums/ac13/CheapskateDesigns/duckfestbutton.png" /></a>

Pour Your Heart Out: The Good-bye Glass

If you need more info about Pour Your Heart Out, see THIS post.

But, really, it's anything that YOU consider pouring your heart out.

Please grab the button for your post and link up!

Be sure to check out some of the links- you will find some amazing stories out there.

Again, just a brief reminder that everyone linking is pouring their hearts out and we should all be respectful in our comments. ;)

 <a href="http://thingsicantsay-shell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac246/shellthings/pouryourheartout.jpg" /></a>

This didn't start out as my Pour Your Heart Out for the week- I was just going to post this for Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop which is on Thursday- I know, I confuse people with doing things on the wrong days....but after I wrote this, I realized that I'd poured my heart out and that maybe that was enough for this week....maybe I was a little bit spent after thinking about this...so I'm double-dipping.

I don't like to dwell on the past. I'm a happily married woman and mom to three darlings. But, I do believe that the past is a part of making me who I am now. So, it also doesn't make sense to me to pretend like it never happened. Inspired by one of Mama Kat's writing prompts: a story with an ending of "good-bye," I'll give you a little peek into my past: about 10 years ago. Yes, I know that talking about myself in the third person is annoying, but humor me just this once.

She knocked timidly on the door to the place she had called "home" with him until the day that she'd left six weeks before.


He answered quickly and ushered her in with the grin that had melted her heart the night she'd first met him.


She looked around at the flowers and the glowing candles that were her welcome.


"I missed you," he told her.


She tried not to speak, though she did let him hold her.


She was only there to get the rest of her things. She'd known walking in that she didn't really want to leave. She loved him still.


He promised her things could be different. He promised he'd try harder. That he'd make her happy. That she was his world.


Still, she kept quiet, looking into the eyes of the one she thought she'd spend the rest of her life with.  She looked down at the ring she still wore on her hand.


The words all sounded right. It was exactly what she wanted to hear.


But, she remembered the hurt he'd caused.  She remembered vowing to herself to never let it happen again. She reminded herself that she was worth more than this and that she had a better life waiting for her or at least the promise of a better life.  She knew the words were not enough.


She vowed to remain strong, to leave this place.


He realized he wouldn't change her mind, that he couldn't stop her from leaving. "Someday," he told her, "we'll be together. Maybe our timing just isn't right. But, there's no way that we'll never see each other again."


She wanted to cry. Did that mean he still loved her? The way that he'd loved her in the beginning, when he made her feel like the world revolved around the two of them and nothing else mattered? We loved with a love that was more than love, echoed the line from a poem read long ago.


Maybe he just needed time. Time and then they'd be together.


But, if they were going to be together someday, why wait? Why leave? Why not stay?


Her resolve weakened and she opened her mouth to tell him that she didn't want to leave.


But, wait. He hadn't asked her to stay now.


He's only telling her that maybe someday, he'll be ready and they can be together then.


Not now.


That's no way to live. To love someone who can only make some vague promise of someday.


How would it be to stay with someone who didn't want the now, only the hope of something in the future?


And so she gathered the rest of her things. As she emptied her closet, her eyes came to rest on the wedding dress hanging there, still wrapped up.


She could see his reflection in the mirror. Knew he saw what she was looking at.


"You might need it someday," he said.


"I woudn't wear it to marry someone else," she whispered. "It wouldn't be right."


"No, but you still might need it. You never know..." And he smiled.


She left the room without another word and began to take her things to her truck, fighting back tears.


It seemed like there should be more to this scene unfolding before her eyes. That it wasn't possible to end this part of her life so quickly and without much fanfare. Someone should stop this, change this, where was that magical moment that happens in the movies where everything can be made okay again with just the right words?


He held her in his arms inside the doorway of the place that used to be theirs. She closed her eyes and breathed in the smell of him, trying to remember or to forget or to freeze the moment.


She silently prayed, "Don't ask me to stay. Don't ask me to stay.  I can't leave if you ask me to stay. Oh, please, ask me to stay.  Ask me...don't ask me...."


They walked outside and he helped her into the truck. He held her hand and said, "I love you."


She didn't trust herself.  She was afraid of what she would say if she spoke. She thought she'd fall apart if she tried to tell him what she was feeling. And she wanted his last memory of her to be that of a strong woman, not an emotional mess.


And so she merely smiled, let go of his hand, and closed her door.


She drove away from him, still fighting back tears.


When she could see the city where they'd lived in her rearview mirror, knowing she'd never go back, she let herself cry and whisper, "Good-bye."

Beachy Notes

No More Babies in This House

The first time that I saw that double line show up telling me I was going to have my first little baby, I was a little surprised, even though we'd been trying. I didn't think it would happen that quickly.


The second time I saw that double line, I wasn't shocked at all. After all, the day before, I had decided that I wanted a huge glass of milk and chugged it down. I never want milk unless I'm pregnant. So, I barely glanced at the stick: I knew what it would say.


But, with my third, I looked at the double line and thought This thing must be broken. And so I did another test. Hmmm, this pack must be defective.


And so I bought a different brand and tried again the next morning. Okay, I guess I'm really pregnant.


We weren't trying at the time. We also weren't doing anything to prevent a pregnancy, so we weren't not trying either. Three or four kids was always our plan.


But, I had also just returned to work (part-time) for the first time in almost three years. Which is how I justify not realizing that I'd actually missed two periods by the time that I took a pregnancy test. I tried to insist that I'd just missed one- which led my OB to think that perhaps I was carrying twins since I was measuring big.


When we found out Cub was only one baby, just due about a month or so sooner than I thought, I was relieved. I had been panicking at the thought of having four children under the age of four. Three under four was scary enough.


Cub's birth was the easiest of the three. Since my other two had been born very quickly and we were living 45+ minutes away from the hospital, I was induced with him and given a blessed epidural, unlike my first which was natural and my second where there was enough time to give me a little something, but, nothing like the epidural, which allowed me to be a lot calmer than with my other two.


It was two years ago today that my little Cub was born. Why do I call him Cub? Because of all that hair! He looked just like a baby bear.  Look at my cute little newborn.

And months passed quickly....

And in a blink of an eye, he was one:

And I vowed not to blink any more.

But, somehow, my baby is now 2.

If you ask him how old he is, he tells you THREE. I try to correct him and tell him TWO, but he insists that he is three already.

And with that, I realized that I don't have any more babies in my house. That they are all growing up so quickly. The baby gear and clothes are slowly all making their way out the door.

There will be no more pregnancy tests with double lines in this house, no more anticipation of a new baby's arrival. No more first smile, first time rolling over, first time sitting up, first crawl, first spitting out of baby food, first step, first sleeping through the night, first word.

Now, it's lasts. Last firsts. The last time that I get to see one of my babies hit a milestone for the first time.

I think I understand why the baby of the family is forever treated like, well, a baby.

So, my dear Cub, I know you want to grow up quickly and be able to do all that your big brothers can do, but please forgive Mommy for wanting to keep you as a baby for a little while longer.

Because you are my last baby. Happy 2nd Birthday, Cub!

Monday Minute *snort Edition

This week's Monday Minute with Ian at The Daily Dose of Reality is dedicated to our friend Daffy, who lost her big sister this weekend. My thoughts and prayers are with you, love!


<a href="http://batcrapcrazy.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i881.photobucket.com/albums/ac13/CheapskateDesigns/daffyprayer.png" /></a>

1 - Do you *snort*? Not really, but I laugh so hard sometimes that I cry. Or become in danger of peeing my pants.


2 - Our friend, has a nickname and it's Daffy.  What's your nickname? Shell. Shocked, aren't you? Only my closest friend call me that. I don't introduce myself like that, except in the blog world. Hubs calls me "Peanut." Because I am was so tiny when we first met. He also calls me "Button." He used to say "Why do they say 'cute as a button'? Buttons really aren't that cute." And then started calling me "Button."


3 - Do you know sign language? The universal kiss off sign, of course. And I can make wild gestures that my boys know how to interpret, like "Go to bed," "Stop," and "You're going to get a spanking if you don't stop."


4 - What's a sample convo from your hood?  I actually have a funny story from a parent teacher conference where the mom looked me right in the eye and said, "My son's problem is that he suffers from I.A.S."  I looked at her, confused, until she informed that meant "He's Ignorant As Shit." Only, in her heavy southern accent, shit is pronouned "sheeeeeeeiiit."


5-  Do you sleep with electronic devices - i.e. laptop, Blackberry, iPhone, etc? I always keep my blackberry right beside the bed. So I can easily tell what time it is. I also use it as an alarm clock. I have to admit that it's hard to ignore that flashing message light, even if I see it when I roll over at 3am.

Custom Greeting Cards Giveaway

You can win a set of customized greeting cards! Whether you want them for your business, or as thank you cards, or for any occasion, there are printing companies that can help you create them.

The ones you can win this week are from Uprinting, who will print folded cards for you: a set of 50 7 x 5" (folded to 3.5 x 5") with plain envelopes and 14 pt cardstock gloss coating, full color outside and blank inside.


Hmmm....what should I do with the ones that they will send me? Lots of possibilities! I can(and you can!) add some personal photos, graphics, logos, pictures and personal messages.


You must be 18+ to win. US only.


To enter:

*Tell me how you think you would use these cards.
*Follow Things I Can't Say on GFC
*Like Things I Can't Say on facebook(click in sidebar)

This giveaway will end on 5/27 at 9pm EST.

This contest is now closed. The winner is Cookies and Clogs! Congrats! :)

Cutest Pet Pic Contest COMING SOON!

Get READY FOR ANOTHER FUN CONTEST!

Did you know that Tooth Soap®( the source of the internet's biggest buzz) offers additional great all natural products!?  One of the products that they offer is  Tooth soap® for your PEt! Fido or Fluffy can have clean teeth too!  In a safe and all natural way! ( how to brush you pet's teeth with Tooth Soap®)

WANT TO BUY SOME NOW?  SAVE SOME MONEY ON VET CLEANING BILLS!?  

USe coupon code " PET" to save $5..00 on a bottle ! 

or 

 You can win some!! 

Plus some Tooth Soap® Goodies for yourself!

Find a pic of your pet-  and get it ready to submit this coming Thursday! 

Cutest Pet pic wins!  

Winner receives Tooth Soap® " My Pet Won Pack!"

•  Tooth soap® 
• Tooth Swish
•  Tooth Brightener 
• Tooth Soap® w brush  for your Pet!

WANT TO BUY SOME NOW?  SAVE SOME MONEY ON VET CLEANING BILLS!?  

Click Here USe coupon code " PET" to save $5..00 on a bottle ! 

A Sassy Glass Wine Charms Giveaway

Have you ever wanted something in particular and couldn't find exactly what you were looking for?


Happens to me all the time. Of course, I just end up whining about it.

But, Melissa, the creator of A Sassy Glass, decided to actually do something about it. She couldn't find the type of cute charms for glasses that she wanted, so she researched and experimented until she came up with products to be proud of.

She also has these fabulous bottle stoppers. She sent me one to review after I begged asked politely if I could review one of those instead of the charms that one of you will win since I have won several sets of wine charms lately.

When the package arrived, I actually had my doubts as to what it was because it felt heavier than I expected- it's a very solid bottle stopper and beautiful! Melissa, if you are reading this, the pics on your website actually do not do it justice.Neither does my pic- it's gorgeous! It also came wrapped up all pretty, too.

Now, one of you has the chance to win a set of her wine charms. I'm totally jealous. Even though I have sets from elsewhere, if hers are anything like the bottle stopper, ones from her would be my favorite set. If you are not a drinker, these can be put on glasses that are filled with anything! On A Sassy's Glass's facebook page, there's an example of a delicious strawberry dessert served in a martini glass decorated with one of these adorable charms.

To enter: Please leave a separate comment for each entry. If your email is not visible in your profile, please leave it with your first comment.

Mandatory entry: Visit A Sassy Glass and tell me which set of charms you would want if you win.

Bonus entries:

*Become a fan of Sassy Glass on facebook

*Become a fan of Things I Can't Say on facebook(you can click right in my sidebar)

Simple enough? :)

P.S. If you fan A Sassy Glass on facebook, there's an extra chance for you to win an emerald ring bottle stopper!

This contest will close on 5/29 at 9pm EST.

This contest is now closed and the winner is: Joy! Congrats!

I'll Never Understand

Do you know how I deal with the possibility of bad things happening?


I try to pretend like they won't happen to me. Or my family. Or anyone close to me. Or even anyone that I know at all.


But, the reality is that we never really know what is going to happen. I'm sending prayers of comfort and strength and asking you to do the same for my friend Daffy, whose family is going through something really tough right now. I'm speechless. And heartbroken and angry and I can't say or do anything that will make it better. Her 35 year-old sister... Daffy has to say goodbye to her. Her sister, who will leave a 5 year-old behind. I just don't get it. Please go over and tell her that you are sending prayers.



I will never understand why these things happen. And when they do, I want to hide. I want to grab my kids and my husband and hide out somewhere, where nothing bad can get to us. I feel completely helpless.


And so, today, when I'm feeling heartbroken over a senseless loss, I want to feel like I'm doing something. So, we are talking about Monkey right now.


As you probably know, today is being dedicated as Worldwide Mission Monkey day.


Our blog friend  Pixie Momma, Michelle, has a little girl we know as Monkey who has been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma.  To learn more about it, click here. Monkey is a sweet little 16 month old girl.  She doesn't deserve this.  Nobody deserves this.


There is good news: Monkey only has Stage 1 (low risk).  The bad news is the medical bills are mounting and the Physical Therapy isn't covered by insurance.  Michelle is using the donated money to offset medical bills.  She will donate any unused portion to another family dealing with the same issue. Because that is what we do: we help each other.


This is why the blogging universe is banning together like never before to rally around Michelle and Monkey to provide support.  I hope that you will donate, even if it isn't much, anything that you can do will add up- there are SO many of us- so every little bit will add up!


In addition, if you do donate, you are eligible to win one of the over 50 items that have been donated.  Many bloggers are hosting these fabulous giveaways and all you need to win one of these items is just one raffle ticket.


You can check out the items at these links:
Donation pages:
Princess of Sarcasm - http://bit.ly/9nUmBp%20
The One and Only Oka - http://bit.ly/9KZSOG
SupahMommy - http://bit.ly/bSMrGw
Jenn B Says #1 - http://bit.ly/bYzHAH
Jenn B Says #2 - http://bit.ly/bej01D
Amber - http://bit.ly/cTGq29
Two Little Monkeys - http://bit.ly/cZKjzK
Mommy's Nest - http://bit.ly/9tLjoy
Chief's Hiding From the Kids - http://bit.ly/cfKIiO
Jenny - http://bit.ly/dftIS2
Jana (link forthcoming)


You may donate any amount of money via PayPal as it's linked directly to Michelle's bank account.  However, in order to be a part of the raffle, this is how that's going to go.  If you donate the following, you get the subsequent number of entries:

• $10 - 2 entries
• $20 - 5 entries
• $30 - 10 entries
• $40 - 15 entries
• $50 - 20 entries
• $75 - 35 entries
• $100 - 50 entries
• $200 - 125 entries

 The raffles for each item will start on or around July 1st.

Click on monkey to donate!

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When you donate, please click the plus sign that you will see to add a note. Leave your name and blog address/email so that you can be found and given your entries.



Here's the thing: this could be any of our kids. 

There are also a few other things going on to celebrate Mission Monkey please visit them all!






Twitter party!
More info can be found here - CASH PRIZES!!!!!! A note about the twitter party: it is now free to attend! Donations are appreciated, of course.


Kerri over at Kerri's Klutter is donating $1 for each and every linkup she receives for her weekly meme, Comment Love Letters.  In addition, Adrienne is matching Kerri's donation dollar for dollar!  Go and link up and support Mission Monkey!

ZGirl and Travis are participating in a weight loss challenge and they are asking for your sponsorship.  Please visit them and lend your support!

Jenn over at BabyStepsInHighHeels has a challenge where she's going to donate $1 for every comment/new follower from now until the end of May.  Please visit her!

While I will never understand why things like this happen, I do know that we should do our best to help out when we can. Whether it's a prayer, a donation, or helping to spread the word.

I'm Tickled Pink!

I get to be all girly today and say that "I'm Tickled Pink."

Girly is my nature, you know. But, being an all-boy mama means that the girly is buried somewhere under dirt, trucks, and footballs.

My friend Holly, at 504 Main, has this really sweet meme about things that tickle you pink: cool products, ideas, recipes, writings, bloggers, etc. No, no one is giving me anything to say any of this, I just want to share these things with you.

Okay, actually, it's a FRIDAY meme and it's only THURSDAY, so her new one won't be up until tomorrow...but I think she'll forgive me, just this once.


This week, I'm tickled pink by:
-a blogger
-a picture
-a tutu
-a party
-some caring people
and
-a contest
 

I'm actually putting Holly's blog first on my list of things that I'm Tickled Pink by. Because she's a total doll. I love her blog. If you haven't met her yet, you are totally missing out. Please go over and show her some love. Um, after you read my post, please. And don't forget that you can join in with her on Fridays and share what you are Tickled Pink about.

Now, take a look at this pic:

Gorgeous, right? Steph at A Grande Life takes the most amazing pics. I'm always in awe of them. She's a photographer in the Philly area, if you are nearby. ;) You can check out her photo site, too. I'm hoping to be in Pittsburgh at the same time that she is visiting there so that I can meet her and have her take some family pics.

Another reason I'm Tickled Pink by Steph is that she had an "honor" last week that would have given much traffic to her blog, but she said she didn't want it because it didn't sit right with her. Now, a lot of people would have just kept their mouth shut and enjoyed the spotlight, but not my girl Steph. So, let's show her our support! :)

I'm Tickled Pink by this tutu.

I know, I just have boys so I shouldn't drool over such girly cuteness. But, you know, I have nieces.

Messy Mommy makes these and even donated one for Mission Monkey. If you want to order one, they are $15 and you can contact her at aliasblogger at yahoo dot com.

I'm Tickled Pink that I get to host a Shrek Party this weekend. I applied at HouseParty, was accepted, and was sent all sorts of goodies from McDonalds and the new Shrek movie.

I'm not obligated to blog about this, but I wanted to tell you about it in case you didn't know about it. They have all sorts of parties that you can apply for and if you are accepted, they send you a party kit to help with your party. It's a great excuse to have a party!

P.S. I'm so not Tickled Pink by the mom who replied to my invite by saying "**** doesn't think that Shrek is appropriate for kids, but the rest of you have fun." Lady, it's just decorations. And McD's food. Lighten up.

I'm Tickled Pink by the blogfia, created by my friend Princess of Sarcasm.

The way that the blog world can come together to help each other when one of our own is in need is amazing. Whether it is praying, or sending emails on behalf of a cause, or raising money to help a cause like Mission Monkey. When we band together, we make a difference.



 

Btw, my friend Casey at If the Crown Fits is asking for some prayers today, so Blogfia, you know what to do.

Aw, look at this pic of me from last week aren't I skinny over 7 years ago when Hubs and I decided to get a cute little kitten, whom we called Sophie but whose full name was Princess Sophia(quick someone tell me what that is a reference to and if you laugh at that as much as we do)

Finally, I'm Tickled Pink to be hosting a Cutest Pet Pic Contest with Supah and Chief next week, sponsored by Tooth Soap®!

Please go show some love to these links!

Yes, I totally check to see if anyone listens to me. And hope to see some of you start following Holly and Steph or hear that you ordered a tutu or that you are praying for one of our own or hear about the House Party that you get to host!

I know, I'm totally neurotic that way.

WHAT TICKLES YOU PINK?