(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - When the Cat's Away, The Mice Will Play

I came home from vacation to find this perfectly lovely spider web in the doorway to our pantry.  Off to clean...

Simplify Laundry with all mighty pacs

If I had to make a list of my strengths and weaknesses, I can guarantee that laundry wouldn't be on the "strengths" side.  You would think that doing 6-8 loads of laundry each week for the past 8+ years would make me good at it.  It hasn't.  From shrinking clothes, to strange yellow stains on some of my whites, if something can go wrong, it will.

With the somewhat recent introduction of an HE washing machine to my laundry room, I find that I get strange errors mid cycle.  While I'm certain I can blame some of these errors on random objects that find their way into the drain trap, I also suspect that some of this is due to using too much laundry detergent.  (I used to subscribe to the belief that if some is good, then more is better.  Unfortunately, while I know that isn't true, I still have a hard time limiting my use of detergent.)

Problem:  Inability to appropriately measure and use laundry detergent.
Solutions:  all mighty pacs

I was sent a sample of all mighty pacs from all via MyBlogSpark to simplify my laundry routine.  So far, I've only used the original ones, but I just love them!  They completely eliminate the possibility for error in measuring out detergent.  I just throw my clothes in the washer, toss an all mighty pack on top, shut the door and press start.  What could be easier?  Now, if only someone could help me figure out how to get rid of those yellow stains . . .

So, which one of my loyal readers wants to win an all mighty pac prize so you can try it yourself?

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, be sure to check out this site which includes information about all®mighty pacs, a shareable coupon for $1 off the new all®mighty pacs, and details about how you can enter
for the chance to win a cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line with Nickelodeon
activities and entertainment.  Hurry though, as the contest ends August 23rd!



Disclosure:  Sample pack and information was provided to me by all through MyBlogSpark.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tweet with Oregon Chai

Every day it hits me harder and harder - Summer is almost over.  I have limited time to get all of my summer fun in.  Soon there won't be any more sleeping in.  It will be replaced by getting up early.  Instead of a lunchtime picnic in the park with my girls it will be a salad at my kitchen table by myself with a book.  Instead of morning walks with my neighbor, I'll be inside doing exercise videos on my own.  While some of the changes are good and some are not-so-good, others are simply changes.  For example, it is almost time to trade in my iced tea/coffee tumbler for a ceramic mug for hot tea/coffee.  Luckily, Oregon Chai makes delicious version of both hot and cold tea!

Want to learn more about Oregon Chai and have a chance to win some fun prizes?  Be sure to stop by the Oregon Chai Twitter party TODAY, Wednesday, August 15, 2012 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time.   (My time conversion skills aren't great, but I think that is 8-9pm ET.)  To make sure you don't miss out on the fun, be sure to follow @OregonChai on twitter and tweet with the hashtag #OregonChai.   Also, Oregon Chai has lots of fun stuff going on with their other pages too.  Chem them out on facebook for a chance to win some other great prizes including a backyard makeover or an Oregon Chai tumbler.  I personally love to check out their website for delicious recipes and more!

Tweet your friends!  Tweet your family!  You don't want anyone to miss out on the fun tonight!  I hope to see you there!  

Sample Tweet:  Summer Twitter party alert! Use #OregonChai & follow @OregonChai on 8.15, 5-6 pm PT for a chance to win chai and a Kindle Fire grand prize.

*Disclosure:  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  I did not receive any compensation in exchange for this post other than the opportunity to win some great prizes from Oregon Chai.  Fingers crossed that I win, and so do you! 

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - A Peaceful Walk

With the summer quickly coming to a close, we went on a peaceful family walk through a local nature preserve last weekend. 

Carmex + Pomegranate = AWESOME

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times . . . I LOVE Carmex!

While I have used other lip balms over the years, I find that I always return to Carmex.  The smell, the texture, the tingle on my chapped lips that feels like home, is the one I get when I use Carmex.   While I am (and probably always will be) an original jar girl, I have to say that I love all the new options that Carmex now has. Each stick has a SPF of 15 to protect your lips from the effects of the summer sun.  In addition to the original stick, Lime, Cherry, Strawberry, Vanilla, and now Pomegranate varieties are available for people that like a little more flavor in their lip balm. . . like my girls.  Peanut and Pumpkin are flavor girls.  They like lip balm that tastes like candy.  I however, do not like them to have lip balm that tastes like candy.  Instead of applying it, leaving it alone, and allowing it to heal their chapped lips; they apply it, lick it off, make their chapped lips worse, and repeat.   These options from Carmex have a hint of flavor, enough to make my kids willing to use it, but not enough to make them want to eat it.   Awesome!

Lime Twist and Pomegranate are the current favorites in our family!  Lime Twist tastes like a mix between a margarita and lime sherbet.  Pomegranate is a little bit sweet, a little bit tart, and unique enough to give it a bit of an edge over a more standard flavor like cherry.   If you aren't a fruity kind of girl (or guy), the Vanilla might be just right for you.  It reminds me a little bit of cookies, but not quite so sweet.  I'm hoping they come out with a coconut variety next summer.   I think that would be just perfect for a day at the beach. 

So, which of my readers is suffering from too much sun?  Which one of you has chapped lips that need the healing help of Carmex?  If you do, and you want to try all six varieties, then now is your chance!  Enter for the chance to win a handy-dandy beach bag (in my favorite color), and some Carmex for your lips.  Good luck!

*Disclosure:  I received the same fun prize pack from Carmex that my winner will receive in exchange for my honest opinions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

August Already?!

Not only is it already August, but it is already almost mid-August!   How did this happen?  How did an entire month pass me by without a single post?   I'll give you one guess . . .

Yes, I am going to blame it on the kids.  :o)  The girls have been home from school and they have been keeping me crazy busy.  I don't think a single day has gone by where we haven't had something to do.  Whether it is something fun, like a trip to the beach or pool, or something not-so-fun like cleaning the house for guests (Remember, I live on the lake in a vacation town, so I get lots of summer guests!), we are ALWAYS busy. 

To be fair though, I can't blame it entirely on the kids.  This summer has been a summer full of changes.  At the end of June I lost my grandpa.  It was a loss that I took much harder than I expected.  I won't elaborate on that much more, because it still makes me very emotional when I think about it.  In addition, we got a new roommate a couple of weeks ago.  Due to some (positive) changes in my SIL's life, she needed a place a stay, and we took her in.  I'm not sure how long she'll be with us, but having another person in the house definitely requires an adjustment period.   So, you'll probably be hearing the occasional story about Auntie Em.  She is adorable, sweet, hilarious, and just plain fun.  She definitely adds a new dimension to our family dynamic though!

So, welcome back readers!  I have lots to tell you . . .