The Chatty Mom

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Bloggers Wanted ~ Good Grillin' Event ~ 5/27 - 6/17

Good Grillin’ Event

Organized by: Mom to Bed by 8

Prize: Brinkmann Dual Function II + $100 Home Depot Gift Card

Event dates: 5/27 - 6/17

SIGN-UP HERE!

Honored To Honor An American WWII Veteran

I have been basically invisible for the past week and for good reason. At 6:30am, on Mother's Day, my husband received the phone call from his father that his grandfather had passed earlier that morning. It wasn't the Mother's Day that any of us had anticipated to say the least. The focus of the day was completely shifted and we all went into overdrive trying to help my husband and my father-in-law process the news.

It wasn't a shock (so-to-speak), Great-Grandpa Sam was 97 years old. He had very recently been a victim of yet another heart attack which could have easily claimed his life that night...and honestly, I believe it was God's mercy on the family that we were blessed to have him for several weeks after that scare. This man seemed to just continue to go-go-go no matter what was thrown at him. Even when he said he was ready to go (which was a year ago), his body tried its darnedest to make it to that 100 year mark.

Summer Fun Event

Organized by: Iowa Mom

Prizes Include: Skywalker Bounce-N-Learn Trampoline, Intex 10' x 30" Metal Frame Swimming Pool, Glenmeadow 6-Piece Folding Patio Dining Set with Umbrella, Flexible Flyer Swing Free Metal Swing Set & 20" Huffy Rock It Boys' Bike.

*5 winners*

Event dates: 6/10 - 6/24

SIGN-UP HERE!

Monday, May 6, 2013

Viva Las Vegas Giveaway ~ Ends 6/07

Organized by Adventure Into Domesticland

Sponsored by Alice On Vacation

A big thanks to the co-hosts: Exotic Philippines, My Four Littles, Stacy's Savings & Other Stuff, Miss beSavin and Growing Up Gabel!!

Who wouldn't want to win a trip to Las Vegas?! In my case, just to have a break from the every day demands of being a mom would be such a treat. (which I love, but the demands of the job can take its toll) Well, this is the perfect chance to win a break and a little fun time.

Prize Package includes:

•4 day and 3 night accommodations at a 3+ star hotel on the strip in Las Vegas, NV for 2 adults!

(25 years or older)

• A $500 dollar Funbook! (with cash, chips, meals, tokens & show tickets!)

Sale Day! And A Lesson In Finance.

Today we endeavored to participate in one of the oldest quick money making and household lightening events...The Garage Sale! Why is it that garage sales have to start so early in the morning? Who established the appropriate time to begin the sales? What on earth made them come to the conclusion of, "Oh, 6:30AM should be perfect."

I think that something along the lines of 8:00AM, or even better 9:00AM, is more along my lines of appropriate sale times. People are exhausted before that and the children that are toted around tend to just gripe and complain. (okay, maybe just the people holding the garage sales are exhausted)

My youngest sifted through her toy chest and came up with a number of items that were too young for her or were Happy Meal toys that were no longer wanted. It was so fun to see her excited about filling up her box with items to sell. She couldn't wait to start selling and collecting some $.

She even had to have the perfect outfit for this morning's event. And for her that was a no-brainer.

"I have to be fancy to sell my stuff mom."

My eldest had a different mindset for tackling this garage sale. She has been dying to get a pogo stick, so her Daddy decided that she needed to learn how to earn it. I agreed, it was about time that she fully understood that it takes effort to get the money needed to buy play things.

Here was the plan, which I thought might not work out so well, which was put into effect...

Buy some candy, granola bars and water.
Sell each item for $1.
Pay Dad & Mom for the purchase price of the product.
Pocket the profit.
Buy a new scooter.

Well, she did phenomenal! Not only did she sell enough to pay for the product, she made a profit!

AND she made enough to go purchase her new pogo stick!

AND she still has about 30 items left that she could sell to friends or at another yard sale!

PLUS...a couple who came buy actually have a pogo stick that they are giving to her for FREE! (she has no idea about this part...so Monday after school will be a fun reveal for sure)

At about the middle of the day, a walk became necessary...if for nothing else, just to step away and check out some of the other garage sales in the area. (it was a full community garage sale even) And along my walk I happened upon this lovely little dove perched up high spying on all of the activity below.

As for Dad & Mom, we got a little extra cash for some things that we needed to clear out. (but we are definitely in need of some sleepy time now)

It turned out to be a good day all around.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Giveaway Link-Up ~ Beginning OR Ending In May

I am busy searching for great giveaways & sweepstakes that I find every month...

There's not time like the present to enter. Here We GO!

Do you LOVE entering giveaways? We have a nice little assortment for you to enjoy below! AND there is no limit to the number of giveaways you can access & enter!

Do you have a giveaway beginning or ending in the month of May?

Leave a comment with a link to your giveaway and I will add it to our ever growing list!

SO, why not link-up and share information for readers to find your great giveaways?!

Giveaways in gray have ended, but the links remain active.

1. Viva Las Vegas Giveaway ~ The Chatty Mom (Ends 6/07)
2. $50,000 Kitchen Sweepstakes ~ House Beautiful (Ends 3/1/14)
3. Washer & Dryer Set ~ Clorox (Ends 06/28)
4. 1 of 50 Starbucks Cards (Hourly Entries!) ~ Woman Freebies (Ends 5/15)
5. Magellan eXplorist GC GPS ~ Mom To Bed By 8 (Ends 5/13)
6. CutesyWear Shoes Gift Certificates (1 - $50, 2 - $25) 3 Winners ~ Pawsitive Living (Ends 5/16)
7. Disney's Wreck-It Ralph GAME ON SWEEPSTAKES ~ DisneyRewards (Ends 5/31)
8. iPad with Retina Display ~ Makobi Scribe (Ends 5/15)
9. Liquid Plumr House Call Sweepstakes ~ Liquid Plumbr (Ends 5/20)
10. Trip for 2 To NY & a VSX Shopping Spree! ~ Victoria's Secret (Ends 6/05)
11. Talking Ginger Plush & Huge Prize Pack ~ The Night Owl Momma (Ends 5/01)
12. New Lee Jeans! ~ Lee Jeans (Ends 09/17)
13. $1,000 Daily Prize ~ RewardIt.com
14. $10,000 Cover Look Sweepstakes (Furnishings!) ~ House Beautiful (Ends 3/1/14)
15. $1,500 Cash! ~ Sweepstakes.com (Ends 5/30)

April's Giveaways Still Open For The Winning!

Did you ENTER? Have you WON?!
Here is a list of GIVEAWAYS still open from this month's Giveaway Link-Up.

Plenty of giveaways are still open!

There's always time for WINNING!

CLICK HERE to see (or enter, or join) all of the great giveaways listed in this month's Giveaway Link-Up!

Giveaways in gray have ended, but the links remain active.

2. $50,000 Kitchen Sweepstakes ~ House Beautiful (Ends 3/1/14)
10. Meet Rachel Ray in NYC! ~ Food Network (Ends 4/30)
11. Washer & Dryer Set ~ Clorox (Ends 06/28)
12. New Lee Jeans! ~ Lee Jeans (Ends 09/17)
13. $1,000 Daily Prize ~ RewardIt.com
14. $10,000 Cover Look Sweepstakes (Furnishings!) ~ House Beautiful (Ends 3/1/14)
22. 2013 Ford Mustang! ~ Ford (Ends 10/27)
24. Luvs Win A Year Of Diapers ~ Luvs (Ends 6/30)
30. DAILY Sweepstakes from Better Recipes.com! ~ ENTER EVERYDAY
31. Buick & GMC's National Sweepstakes! 2014 Vehicle of Your Choice!~ Ends 12/31/13
38. iPad Mini ~ Steamy Kitchen (Ends 5/26)
39. NEW PRIZES DAILY - Fashion swag galore! ~ Divine Caroline (new each day!)
40. Disney's Wreck-It Ralph GAME ON SWEEPSTAKES ~ DisneyRewards (Ends 5/31)
43. $25,000 Cash Giveaway! ~ Country Living (Ends 1/31/14)
45. $100,000 The Shine Sweeps ~ Enter Daily ~ Instant Win & Weekly Prizes! ~ Suave Professionals (Ends 5/31)
47. Cake Boss Giveaway ~ Woman Freebies (Ends 4/30)
48. Instant Glam Sweepstakes ~ 2 CARAT DIAMOND STUDS! ($7,495 ARV) ~ Ross Simons (Ends 6/12)
49. $1,000 Shopping Spree @ Macy's & Trip to L.A.! ~ Macy's (Ends 5/10)
54. KitchenAid Mixer (winner's choice of color) ~ Clabber Girl (winner announced 4/30)
55. $1,500 Cash! ~ Sweepstakes.com (Ends 5/30)
56. $5,000 A Week For Life! ~ Sweepstakes.com (Ends 12/20)
76. Talking Ginger Plush & Huge Prize Pack ~ The Night Owl Momma (Ends 5/01)
77. Ettitude Bamboo Sheet Set ~ A Helicopter Mom (Ends 5/14)
80. Disneynature: Wings of Life Prize Pack ~ Simply Stacie (Ends 5/01)
81. MyKitten.ca Prize Pack ~ Simply Stacie (Ends 4/30)
86. Pre-Mother's Day Prize Pack ($460+ value) ~ Simply Stacie (Ends 5/09)
87. BooJee Beads Item of Choice ~ Pawsitive Living (Ends 4/28)
88. Acupressure & Reflexology For Dummies ~ Pawsitive Living (Ends 5/08)
89. A Monster In Paris DVD ~ Pawsitive Living (Ends 4/29)
90. It's Raining Money $500 VISA GC Giveaway ~ Pawsitive Living (Ends 5/01)
91. Custom HearthSoft from Jamboo Creations ~ Adventures Into Domesticland (Ends 4/29)
93. Vegan Eats World cookbook ~ Pawsitive Living (Ends 4/29)
96. Montessori Books Young Masters Series (anti-bullying books) ~ Carrots Are Orange (Ends 4/29)
101. $30 Regal Entertainment GC ~ The Rebel Chick (Ends 5/01)
110. Wow! Wow! Wubzy!: The Best of Walden DVD ~ Hip Mama's Place (Ends 4/30)
111. $95 GC To Hapari.com Swimsuits ~ Who Doesn't Love Coupons? (Ends 5/06)
112. Funbites - Unique Kitchen Tool ~ Who Doesn't Love Coupons? (Ends 4/29)
115. Zoo Park Bouncer with Ball Pit ~ Mom To Bed By 8 (Ends 4/29)
118. Dinosaur Train - Buddy And The Nature Tracker Flip Book ~ Mama To 4 Blessings (Ends 5/01)
123. Illuminated Glass Handbag ($660 arv) ~ Mom Does Reviews (Ends 4/29)
125. Prayer For Girls OR Boys Book ~ The Attic Girl (Ends 5/01)
127. Teton Comfort Lite XL Self Inflating Pillow & Camping Pad ~ Jenn's Blah Blah Blog (Ends 4/30)
131. 1 of 50 Starbucks Cards (Hourly Entries!) ~ Woman Freebies (Ends 5/15)
132. 7 Day Trip To Orlando, FL OR Daily Prizes! Enter Daily! ~ Thomas' English Muffins (Ends 5/12)
133. Liquid Plumr House Call Sweepstakes ~ Liquid Plumbr (Ends 5/20)
134. Trip for 2 To NY & a VSX Shopping Spree! ~ Victoria's Secret (Ends 6/05)
135. Bottle of Torani Salted Caramel Syrup & Box of Nonni's Biscotti Enter Daily! 75 Winners! ~ Torani & Nonni's
136. Mamas & Papas George Giraffe Animal Rocker ~ The Chatty Mom (Ends 5/03)
138. Keurig B60 Home Brewing System ~ Mom To Bed By 8 (Ends 5/08)
142. $200 In Visa Gift Cards! ~ Powered By Mom (Ends 5/08)
143. Brand New Babe Giveaway! ~ So Sew Mama (Ends 5/08)
144. $1,000 Beauty Collection Giveaway ~ Savvy Saving Couple (Ends 5/15)
145. Earthbound Farms Giveaway ~ Savvy Saving Couple (Ends 4/30)
146. Bellabe Facial Hair Removal ~ Mom And More (Ends 5/10)
147. $30 VISA Gift Card ~ Mom and More (Ends 5/03)
148. $100 Lowe's Gift Card ~ Me, Him and the Cats (Ends 4/30)
149. Keep Calm Candles ~ Me, Him and the Cats (Ends 5/08)
150. OraMD (natural oral care) ~ Me, Him and the Cats (Ends 5/06)
151. Santalia Daily Cleanser ~ Mom To Bed By 8 (Ends 4/29)
152. Magellan eXplorist GC GPS ~ Mom To Bed By 8 (Ends 5/13)
153. Win A Vespa! ~ Garnier (Ends 5/17)
154. $50 Gift Card to Blue Steel ~ Beauty and Fashion Diva (Ends 4/30)
155. CutesyWear Shoes Gift Certificates (1 - $50, 2 - $25) 3 Winners ~ Pawsitive Living (Ends 5/16)
156. 150 Desserts In A Jar Cookbook ~ Pawsitive Living (Ends 5/13)
157. Grateful Body Moisturizer ~ Pawsitive Living (Ends 5/20)
158. Stainless Steel Charm Bracelet by Blue Steel ~ Fashion Trends Online (Ends 5/15)
159. Boba Baby Carrier (winner's choice of pattern) ~ Conserva Mom (Ends 5/05)
160. Cocka Doodle Doo The Right Thing DVD ~ Conserva Mom (Ends 5/04)
161. Inglesina Fast Table Chair ($49.99 arv) ~ Conserva Mom (Ends 5/01)
162. Hat Of Your Choice (up to $40) from Adventurehat.com ~ Fashion Trends Online (Ends 5/23)
163. Mother's Day Jewelry By Blue Love ~ Sterling Silver ($125 arv) OR 14k Gold Filled ($145) Necklace ~ The Seaman Mom (Ends 5/05)
164. Swim Way Spring Float ~ Makobi Scribe (Ends 5/05)
165. iPad with Retina Display ~ Makobi Scribe (Ends 5/15)
166. Nature's Sleep Memory Foam Mattress ~ Enter Daily ~ Makobi Scribe (Ends 5/15)
167. Reading Comprehension Game ~ Makobi Scribe (Ends 5/05)
168. Eos Hand Lotion & the Happy Brush ~ Thrifty Momma Ramblings (Ends 5/01)
169. Kashi Great Organic Giveaway ~ Kashi (Ends 5/03)

Love this blog? Please click the Top Mommy Blogs banner every day! This casts a vote for my blog today and helps me continue to get great products to share with you! You can vote daily! Thank you so much!

A Battle Fought...A Victory Won!

Oh my gosh! Have you ever come out of a week/weekend feeling that you now need a vacation from it all?

Last week was not my typical week...as I do not like confrontation one itsy bitsy bit. Since the beginning of the New Year there has been a shift in my 1st grader's classroom...a substitute covering while the regular teacher has been out on maternity leave. (as she rightly should be) At first all of the kids seemed to be excited about having a temporary teacher and had liked when she had subbed for the class before. Things have not turned out as all had hoped and let's just say that there have been far less happy days since the change has taken place.

Everything came to a head last Thursday when my daughter came home and burst into rivers of tears when I asked how her day went at school. When I tried to comfort her and probed for the reason behind the waterfall on her face I was told, "She told us to shut up!"

"Who told you to shut up?!" (mommy alarms are sounding and anger is brewing)

"Mrs. Teacher told us to shut up." ("teacher" is my censorship in an attempt to spare the teacher's name... out of respect)

"Did she say it to just one, a couple of kids OR the whole class?"

"She said it to all of us. I didn't see her but we all heard and got really quiet." She said her back was to the teacher when it was said but that everyone gasped and were quiet.

Sobs grow louder and tears are now falling like Niagara Falls.

"Please, please, PLEASE don't make me go back to school until Mrs. Peak comes back!!!"

At this point my heart is completely broken for my daughter...and I am on a mission to right whatever wrong has occurred.

Text messages begin going out to see if any other moms can corroborate the story with their children. It turns out the order was voiced at two children, but the entire class heard it and some thought it was directed to everyone.

Oh, let me tell you, this mommy's frustration level hit the roof and blew straight through! It was not the first time that inappropriate words had been spoken in the class...a few FAR worse than this before. (an "F" bomb overheard, "Little Sh**s") This was it!! I was done pushing things aside and hoping simply for issues to be resolved on their own. It was time for this mommy to take some action....and I wasn't the only one on a mission for resolution either.

CollageIt Pro Giveaway ~ Ends 5/08

The Chatty Mom Welcome's You To The CollageIt Pro Giveaway

Hosted by: So Sew Mama

Automatic, Easy to Use. It is easy enough for the users of all experienced level. There are several templates to choose from. Great capacity can accommodate a handful of photos up to 200.