Coming Soon - Carmex Review and Giveaway

In an email that I recently received from Carmex, I saw that they were looking for bloggers that love their products to apply to be part of their Carmex Blog Squad.  Without high hopes (I'm obviously not one of the most popular bloggers out there), I applied.  Well, what do you know . . . . they picked me!  :o)

Yesterday in the mail I received a fun Carmex kit (ARV $52.32).

It is loaded with all sorts of goodies. There are the obvious lip products that I know and love so well. However, there are also two new products - Healing Lotion and Healing Cream.

It is my job over the next few weeks to try them out and let you all know what I think of them.  Fortunately (or not) with the weather getting cold, my hands are already getting dry, so it should definitely be a good test for these products. 

In about two(ish) weeks, I'll post my initial review and offer you all the opportunity to get your entries in to win a kit of your very own.  Then, when the giveaway ends and I announce the winner, I'll give you a review update - just in case my opinions have changed since the initial review.

Be on the lookout for the post so you don't miss your chance.  The best ways to stay in-the-know about what is going on here at MomOnTheEdge is to follow me on twitter, fan me on facebook, and follow me on google friend connect (on the sidebar).

*Disclaimer - Carmex sent me this kit in order to facilitate my honest review of their new product.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Wordless Wednesday - Missing the Sunny Summer Days

I was looking through some of my pictures and ran across this image of the girls on their first jet ski rides.  With the weather being gorgeous (but the water being cold), I'm missing the sunny summer days.

Seriously? Only 2 Comments?

I know that my blog isn't the most popular (or probably even in the top 1,000), but I have to say that I'm a little sad that I only got 2 comments on my CSNstores post asking if I should do a review or giveaway.  Oh well. On the upside, I placed my order for products to review.  Within the next couple of weeks you will see my review of CSNstores and the products I've ordered.

Cold & Flu Season 2010

I am a four seasons girl.  I love playing in puddles, watching flowers bloom, and planting my garden in the spring.  I love to swim, eat fresh veggies, and catch fireflies in the summer.  Fall brings the crunching of leaves, watching football, and the comfort of my favorite sweater.  Winter means ice skating and sledding followed by hot cocoa next to a warm fire.   The one season I could definitely do without, is cold and flu season. 

As soon as the girls head back to school in the fall, I know that cold and flu season is right around the corner.  It starts with a tiny sniffle or a scratchy throat . . . and works its way around everyone in the school (and my house!)  We do what we can to avoid the sniffles and coughs, though so far they seem almost unavoidable.  We have been able to avoid the flu so far though.  (Where's some wood? . . . knock, knock, knock).

Here's what we have done, and will continue to do (until it stops working for us):

• Wash our hands - I am pretty diligent about requiring the girls to wash their hands before eating, after sneezing, or whenever we come in from being out and about around other people.  
• Cough and Sneeze into our elbows - It is as simple as it sounds.  By not catching sneezes and coughs with our hands we are less likely to spread them to others. 
• Keep your hands off your face - Your face has too many mucous membranes.  We try to avoid giving the germs on our hands direct access to the rest of our bodies.
• Eat right and exercise - By making healthy choices and keeping our bodies in the best possible condition we like to think that we are at an advantage to fight off the germs that find their way in.
• Flu vaccination - While I don't like getting colds, I hate having the stomach flu.  By getting the flu vaccine every year (when we are healthy), we feel like we are just a bit more likely to avoid it.

In fact, according to the CDC:

• Everyone 6 months of age and older is recommended to be vaccinated against the flu.
• The flu vaccine provides protection that lasts through the flu season.
• The flu vaccine is updated each season to protect against the three flu viruses that research indicates will cause the most illness.
• You need to get the 2010-11 seasonal flu vaccine even if you got the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine last season.
• If you or your kids do not like shots, the flu vaccine is also available in mist form. For more information on this, ask your doctor or visit www.cdc.gov/flu.

No matter what you do to stay healthy during this cold and flu season, I hope it works for you and your family.  If you have any remedies or tips that you swear by, I'd love to hear them.  I'm always ready to research a new idea that might keep my own family healthier as well.

*Disclaimer - I wrote this blog post while participating in a TwitterMoms blogging program for which I may receive a small thank you (valued at less than $20).” For more information on how you can participate, click here.  Information from this post came from TwitterMoms and the CDC.  Any information on this post that was not directly from TwitterMoms or the CDC is my own opinion.  I am not a doctor nor a scientist and therefore you should not take it as fact.

Wordless Wednesday - The Crunch of Fall Leaves

The Empty Gas Tank

Let me tell you just a little bit about us.

• We live in the middle of nowhere. 
• Gas stations are few are far between. 
• The gas stations we do have certainly aren't open 24 hours.  
  

All of those are the reasons why I try to make sure that I always have enough gas in the car I drive most often.  Which makes me wonder . . . Why is it that when I got in the car today to take Peanut to school, the low fuel level light popped on almost instantly?

The answer to that question is - Doc and I don't have the same stance on gas.  Doc is a man of efficiency.  He doesn't like to take time out to get gas until he is on empty.  I like to fill up any time I'm near Kroger (to get $0.20 off per gallon) or anytime the needle hits (or is close to) the 1/4 line.  You'd think after 10 years of marriage we would have come to an understanding on this matter.  We haven't.  Though I've fortunately never run out of gas.  He does make sure that there is enough to get to the nearest gas station.

To be fair, I'm sure I am still doing things he's asked me to stop doing (or not doing things he's asked me to do) for the past 10 years as well.  Why is it so hard to change our ways?

Gain's New Dishwashing Liquid - Review and WINNER

Wandering around Walmart last week, I finally remembered to pick up the new Gain Dishwashing Liquid in lavender.  When I found it, I was thrilled that it was only $0.97.  At that price, just about everyone can go and try it even if you didn't win my giveaway.  So, now that I found it, bought it, and tried it, here's what I think:

Since I didn't really love the smell of the "original" Gain Dishwashing Liquid, I wasn't overly optimistic about the lavender scent either.  In fact, when I got home and opened the bottle to give it a sniff, I braced myself for disappointment.  To be fair, I am VERY scent sensitive.  I only like certain smells, and even smells I like can be too strong and offensive to me.   After the first sniff, I wasn't sold.  It smelled fine, but not great.  I  certainly didn't develop an immediate urge to wash any dishes.  Later that night, like it or not, I had to do the dishes.  (I can't stand having dishes sit in a sink overnight.)  I turned the water to hot, let it run, and squeezed a bit of the lavender Gain into the flowing water.  I was very happy with the quantity and quality of the bubbles that filled my sink.  Additionally, I was also pleased with the smell.  It was fresh, relaxing, and quite enjoyable.   The scent wasn't at all overpowering, but it was definitely strong enough to appreciate.  I don't know what it was about adding it to the water that made it smell better, but it definitely is a more pleasant smell than I got from sniffing the liquid in the bottle alone.

After a week, I still enjoy the smell of Gain's New Dishwashing Liquid in lavender.  In fact, I enjoy it enough that it has been added to my approved list of dish soaps, which is not an easy feat.   Priced well, with bountiful bubbles, and a pleasant aroma, I definitely recommend that you try Gain's New Dishwashing Liquid.  While I like the Lavender, you might just like it in the Original, Apple Mango Tango, or Citrus Splash.

Now Shirley, who likes me on facebook, has the opportunity to try it for herself.  She can even try it while wearing her new purple Gain shirt.  Enjoy!

*Disclaimer: This product review was based on using complimentary Gain product provided by P&G through MyBlogSpark. Bloggers also received Walmart gift cards and T-shirts to share with their friends at their discretion. P&G does not represent or warrant the accuracy of any statements or product claims made here, nor does it endorse any opinions expressed within this blog site.

CSN stores - Review or Giveaway?

Fall is definitely upon us.  School is back in session.  There is a nip in the air.  The leaves are starting to turn.  It just feels like Autumn has arrived.

Inside, you can tell that cold weather is coming when wood is stacked by the fireplace and coasters for hot beverages are sitting on my end tables.   Nothing is better on a cool fall night then reading a book while cuddled on the couch with Doc as a fire burns in the fireplace with a steaming cup of tea at my side.  Do you know what would make that image even more cozy? 

How about a Daniadown Sherpini Dew Throw?  Doesn't it look cozy and warm?  I'm ready to cuddle up with it right now!

Or maybe a pair of comfy boots or slippers?  Personally, my feet are always cold.  If I can make them warm, then the rest of me feels a bit warmer too.

With so many options at CSNstores, you can find just about anything you might need to make your fall cozy or your summer cool.

Now, I have a big decision to make and you all are going to help me decide.  CSNstores has offered me the opportunity to either review a product OR host a giveaway for one of my lucky readers.  While I love to share, browsing the CSNstores site has caused me to add a few items to my wish list as well.  If I host a giveaway, I want to make sure that it will be well attended.  So, here's the deal.  If I can get 20 people to post here that they'd like a giveaway within the next week (by 11:59pm ET on 10/7/10), then we'll have a giveaway.  If 20 people don't post, then I'll do a review.  So, browse the CSNstores site, and if you want a chance to win, then let me know.

(Not even) Wordless Wednesday - Don't they grow up too fast already?

Auntie Em recently visited with the girls and gave them little goodie bags of stuff to take home.  One item in the bag was a set of  Disney stick on nails.  They are similar to these.  (My image isn't very clear, so I thought I'd give you a link too.)  While they are probably harmless, I just feel like the kids grow up too fast already.  I don't think they need nails and heels at such a young age.  What is your opinion?

*Note - I don't like nails and heels for the girls, so I don't buy them for them.  However, when others do, I do let them wear them.   I don't want them to seem "forbidden" and therefore more exciting.  I am more of a "everything in moderation" kind of gal.  

The Ego Boost

It is a good thing I'm not the jealous type. :o)

Recently, a new girl started working for the company my husband works for.  We'll call her Ginger.  While Doc has never seen Ginger, based on her correspondence to him I would guess that she is quite young - probably in her early 20s.   He often receives emails from her and loves to share them with me.  She is always bubbly, friendly, and often complimentary.  In fact, he recently received an email from her that said, "You are a very special and awesome guy.  I really mean it!"  To be fair, I can't remember the exact wording, but that is pretty much the gist of it. 

When he gets emails like this, he reads them to me with a big smile on his face.  "See, at least someone appreciates me" is a response I've heard more than once.  You know what?  He's right.  I don't always appreciate him as much as I should.  However, even when I do, I suspect he doesn't hear it.  I'm really no different.  He tells me I'm beautiful, but I feel plain.  He tells me I'm skinny, but I feel fat.  He tells me that I'm a good mom, but I feel guilty for something (yelling at the kids, not being better at playing pretend, or any of a plethora of other faults).   He tells me I'm smart, but I wonder how I used to function in a real job when I can't even figure out what it is I need to get from the store to make dinner. 

Why is it easier to hear and accept the compliments of strangers?  Why is it that we hear the criticisms clearly and shrug off the praises of those that we love (and love us)? Why do I think that Doc has an ulterior motive when he compliments me?  Why do I assume he "has to say that" when he tells me I'm beautiful?  What has happened to my confidence?  How do I make sure that my girls don't lose theirs as they grow up?  Right now they know that they are funny, smart, beautiful, kind, thoughtful, hard working, etc.  We tell them when they demonstrate those characteristics.  They hear us and they believe us.  What causes that to change?

In all sincerity, I don't begrudge Doc his compliments.  He is a "special and awesome guy".  If it takes hearing it from someone else to sink in just a bit and give him an ego boost, then so be it.   Here's my message to Ginger (and all others like her):

Thank you.  Thank you for your positive attitude and pleasant personality.  It is rare to encounter someone with such a sunny disposition.   Please continue to give well deserved compliments, whether for someone you know well or barely know at all.  We all need to hear that we're doing something right on occasion.  If you can make work more bearable or a day a little brighter for one person, then you have done something amazing.   Here's hoping that all those people that you have made smile will pay it forward to create a world that is brighter, happier, and better for us and all our children.