Take A Load Off - Sweepstakes

Did you know that when doing laundry, heating water can account for up to 80 percent of the energy used per wash load in the U.S.?  If one household switched to washing in cold water for one year, they would save enough energy to watch TV for 1,363 hours! That's an extra 3.5 hours a day!  Making the switch to washing in cold is an easy change to make with Tide Coldwater, which is specially formulated to get clothes clean in cold water.

This past Sunday (April 22nd) was Earth Day.  But just because it's already gone doesn't mean you can't still honor it.  You can make a real difference by Taking A Load Off the energy grid, your wallet, and the environment by washing clothes in cold water only.

Tide and Future Friendly have launched the Take A Load Off Sweepstakes to encourage people to use cold water.  Make the promise to switch to washing in cold water on the Future Friendly Facebook page and you'll be entered to win a Maytag® Bravos XL® HE Top Load High Efficiency Washer and Dryer and a one-year supply of Tide Coldwater!  You can enter once per day to increase your chances of winning.  A new winner will be picked each week now through May 13th.

I made the promise ..... now it's your turn!


Take A Load Off Sweepstakes info:
Dates:  Now through May 13th
Direct link to sweepstakes entry:  Click Here
Entry info: Enter once per day to increase your chances of winning.  A new winner will be picked each week through May 13th.
Prize:  Maytag® Bravos XL® HE Top Load High Efficiency Washer and Dryer and a one-year supply of Tide Coldwater

Disclosure: I received contest information from Take A Load Off sweepstakes via SheSpeaks. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Please view our disclosure policy if you have any questions. The Procrastinating Mommy is not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes.

Crystal Bradfield - Makeup Artist & BFF

We all have that one friend that we can act completely stupid with.  That one friend that makes you giddy and can laugh at almost anything with.  That one friend that knows more about you than your spouse does.  And that one friend that has been there for you through almost EVERYthing in your life.  That one friend for me is Crystal Bradfield.  She's been my bestie for .... HOLY CRAP .... 18 years!!!  That makes me feel old.

Anyway.  I can't tell you enough how proud I am of this girl.  Who would've thought that this shy, sweet, girl with the devil horns would end up in LA doing makeup for magazines and models and photo shoots on the beach?!

Check her website out here.
Or her Model Mayhem website here.

And if you live in LA and need an amazing and talented Makeup Artist, contact her.  You won't be dissappointed!

LOVE YOU CRYSTAL RENEE!!!!!  :)

Facebook Wasn't Intended For You

The other day some people I know (who are married) had an awkward silence on Facebook.  Did you know that was possible?  I'm sure you actually probably do.


Here's how it went...  (btw, the names have been changed to protect the idiots happy couple.)

John:  "Why is it that I break my leg but I still have to somehow get the yard mowed but yet she has Spring fever but can't get the dishes in the dishwasher put away - THAT I LOADED FOR HER!"

Jane:  "UGH!!!!  GET OVER IT.  You're being such a baby about it!!!"

John:  "If I'm a baby.  Then you're nothing but a spoiled little bi#*$ that thinks she can walk all over people."

Jane:  [Jane went from "married" to "it's complicated"]

John:  "WOMEN!"

-------------------------------------------------------

Eventually some mutual friends of the couple (not myself) intervened and told them that they should really go to counseling if they're wanting to save their marriage.

Obviously the temptation to publicly slander each other was overpowered by the instinct to prove to their friends how "happy" they are, reality notwithstanding.  Arguing in front of their friends, family, and peers seemed to come as naturally as slamming doors to this couple.  This is not the first time they've had a fight on Facebook either. 

Facebook has become a place where people can broadcast themselves and show sides of themselves you never even knew existed - sometimes not always the good side.

On the other hand, Facebook is also amazing for seeing photos of long-lost friends' children.  There were people I barely knew in high school and college who I adore on Facebook.  As an extremely busy mom, going out with friends isn't something I get to do very often, so Facebook and blogging IS my social life.

John and Jane aren't the only type of people Facebook wasn't intended for.  There's also the know-it-alls, the braggarts, the fishermen, and the insecure Facebooker. 

The Know-it-all is the expert in everything.  They have a strong opinion when it comes to EVERYthing and will tell you all you need to do or know in every aspect of your life.  They are no doubt single ... but will tell you just what you need to do in order to save your marriage or ask a person out on a date.

The braggart.  I had a hard time calling this person a liar ... or a braggart.  But until I know this person like I know the back of my hand, I'll just stick with braggart.  This is the person that makes at least one crazy post a day about how little Tommy can ride a bike with no training wheels at age 2.  And how he can also say his ABC's backwards, read Shakespeare, tie his shoes, and name prime numbers.  Parental pride is completely understandable and we're definitely allowed to be proud of our children's milestones.  It says a lot about you as a parent when your child is intelligent.  And I like to hear those things too.  What I get annoyed by is the parents who are CONSTANTLY thrilled about EVERYTHING their child does.  They never have a bad day and their kids never fail.  They start to make the rest of us question where are child fits on the smarts bar and they make us feel like failures.  They are annoying and I most definitely have blocked their status updates.

The fishermen.  Or status baiting as some call it.  We all have at least one friend that does this.  They're the person you can almost always count on leaving an open-ended status update in hopes of getting people to comment on their post.  You know those statuses:  "Best News EVER!"  .... or "Wondering if it's even worth it anymore." .... or "Well that was dumb" ..... or "This place is creepy."
Here's an FYI if you're one of those people:  Nobody cares!! 

and last but definitely not least....

The insecure Facebooker.  The ones where the woman is married to prince charming.  Where her life is so perfect and s/he never has a bad day.  On and on she goes about his glory.  I'm not going to say that a post here and a post there about what your spouse did for you isn't okay.  I will most likely "like" the status that shows the dozen roses John gave you "just because".  In fact, if my husband were to EVER buy me flowers, I would more than likely put it on Facebook because my man never does this and I would have to have the proof.  But when your spouse cleans the entire house tomorrow and does the dishes and washes and folds the laundry.  Then buys you a new purse the next day.  Fixed dinner the next and then loaded the fam up and took you to get ice cream afterwards.  And so on and so on.  I start to question your life and undoubtedly your insecurities.  Especially when your spouse isn't even on Facebook so that they can see what s/he supposedly did.  Everyone (including yourself) knows that you are lying.  Watching a person lie on Facebook is almost as annoying as a person bragging on Facebook.

Facebook is strange but can be used in a very positive way.  It's not a diary.  And you shouldn't display your dirty washing on the digital clothes line.

Just sayin....

Keith Urban - For You

I heard this song for the first time the other day and wanted to cry.  I've heard that it's causing some disagreement.  But all I'm going to say is that I love the message in it.  Period.

A Promise To My Family

I took Cash and Chris to McDonalds after work today for lunch because I hadn't had a date with them in awhile.  Cash wanted to go to the one "with the slide and other play fings" so I agreed - eventho that entire area is a germ-infested place (in my opinion).  While we were eating I couldn't help but notice a mom of 3 sitting directly across from us.  Grandma was also there and was helping out with the youngest (an infant).  They had all just finished eating when I brought the drinks over and the oldest two were going out to the Playland.  I went back up to get my food and as I turned around I saw the middle boy (probably about 3) tapping his Mom and repeatedly saying, "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy....etc".  She would not look up from her phone.  It was not until the little boy smacked her on the cheek that she realised she was being called.  She looked up from her phone long enough to slug him on the arm and tell him not to hit.  I honestly feel now, like I should've stepped up and said something.  The little boy walked away with slouched shoulders rubbing his arm where she smacked him.  She never did ask him what he needed.

Her kids went out and played and kept coming up to the window and tapping trying to get her to look at them just once.  She never did.  She never even moved to the tables inside the Playland to be closer to her kids.  And in all honesty, I feel like a stranger could have walked in and snatched her kids - or the children could've darted out the double doors and she wouldn't have known until the battery started to die on her phone and she had to go plug it in - which is what happened.  It was time to go once her phone started beeping that she only had so much power left.

I could not believe how ridiculous this mom looked.  I was embarrassed for her and a little upset and mad.  I don't know why this kind of stuff bothers me but it does.  My biggest pet peeve is when we are at a family dinner and somebody is texting the entire time.  My husband hasn't had a cell phone in probably 6-7 years and I don't know that he'll ever get one again.  To him it is nothing more than an inconvenience and a nuisance.  And I'm beginning to feel the same way.

So here is a promise to my family:
I promise you that from this day on, I will not use my phone other than to make a call and take a call.  I will not text while we are out and I will not check-in, update a status, tweet, or play a game.

I am sorry if I have not given you my undivided attention.  I now understand how I may have looked at times and I am embarrassed.  While I know that I am not even half as bad as the mother I saw today ... even if I was buried in my phone for a couple minutes while we were out as a family, I am upset with myself.  The times we have together as a family is going by faster than I can believe.

Today was definitely a wakeup call for me.  It's unfortunate the mother of those three beautiful children doesn't have one too.  But maybe someday she will ... I just hope it's not too late.


Disclosure:  For once, both of my children were napping at the same time.  This is a very rare occurence.  So while I should have been doing the dishes or switching over the laundry during this time, I decided to get my frustrations out with blogging.
PS:  No cell phones were hurt during while writing this message.  Eventho I thought about it.

Huggies Little Movers Slip-On Diapers (Review & Giveaway)

Have you seen that adorable Huggies commercial with all those squirmy babies in it?  Were you sitting there shaking your head along with it?  I was too.  I know that with each day, Little C. Max is getting more and more active.  Do you know how much of a struggle it is to change his diaper?!  That kid is impossible to restrain.

The barrel roles, the kicking, the hands attempting to "help" take off his diaper, the giggles as he's trying to run away before I can get a new diaper back on him.  Sure it's cute when he first started moving around .... but now it's just stressful!

Can you relate???
If so ... Huggies heard my our pleas for help!  That's why they came up with the new Little Movers Slip-On Diapers - made especially for your baby, or maybe it was made for us parents. 

On the new Huggies branded YouTube Channel you can create your very own Huggies Little Movers Slip-On Diaper squirmy baby commercial!  You can upload those cute little babies in your life.  There are even some celebs doing it and we all know your kiddo can compete with their kids!  Melissa Rycroft, Tia Mowry and Emily Procter have all uploaded their own videos.  And you should too!

We had the opportunity to these diapers with Christopher and he struts around the house like he's "hot stuff".  And I have found them to be very absorbent and they fit my little monkey (and his chubster-rolls) extremely well!

Here's the best part.....
To celebrate the launch of their new channel, Huggies wants to give you the chance to try out their Little Movers Slip-On Diapers and are giving TWO Procrastinating Mommy readers a pack to try.  Each winner will also receive a magnet photo frame to show off their squirmy baby!

Be sure to enter all giveaway entries into the Rafflecopter widget or they won’t be counted!

My Video Game Debate -- err ... Opinion

My husband decided that getting our (just turned) 4-year-old a couple video games this past Christmas as well as a Nintendo DS would be a good idea.  I agreed with the DS as it would be a helpful babysitter during our roadtrips and stop at least a dozen "are we there yets".  Cash loved the the LeapFrog clicky game thingy that came with the pencil and he was actually quite good at it.  However, my husband also decided that our extremely imaginative and creative and smart 4-year-old was also old enough for games for the Playstation as well.  I had a hard time with this.  My JUST TURNED 4-year-old is still a sponge and still learning things and is still so innocent and playful.  I wasn't quite sure whether I was quite ready to let the video games into his life.  But for some reason ... I agreed.  So Cale said the Star Wars Lego game for the PS3 would be a good one.  Instead of blood and guts when somebody gets hurt - it just breaks the lego pieces apart and nobody ever "dies" or "gets killed".  But I couldn't help but still have this negative feeling towards it.

Video games have been around for 30+ years.  They've changed drastically and definitely have improved over the past couple of years.  Yet one thing remains the same, the impact of video games has both a positive AND a negative response.  And my response leans more towards the negative.

Obviously the positive is the fact that video games may help improve the child's hand-eye coordination, fine motor and spatial skills.  It can also very well "teach" problem solving and logic as well as following instructions.  I know there are parts of Cash's video game where he has to watch a clip on the screen and push buttons at the same time - which helps teach multitasking  and quick actions.  When my little brother was learning to read, he was so desperate to understand the instructions on the screen that he taught himself to read.  Video games can help the child understand teamwork and cooperation as well as reasoned judgements and memorization.

/\ /\  That's a pretty good sized list.

HOWEVER...
Lately my husband and I have noticed that our son has changed since he started playing video games.  We could blame it on the neighbor's kids - but it started before she became my angel and started babysitting Cash and Chris.
Lately we have noticed that Cash has not been paying attention at all.  And yes this could partly be due to him being a typical 4-year-old.  But I can't help but think that part of the reason is video games.  Cash doesn't play with his toys anymore.  He used to play with Spiderman, Hulk, Ironman, and the rest of the gang everyday.  He used to want to build forts in his bedroom and pretend like we were at the Haunted Mansion in Disney World.  He used to dress up in his Buzz or Woody costume and I had to be Bo Peep or Jesse or Mrs Potato Head.  But now ... now he just acts like he is in lala land.  Cale and I have to repeat everything we say to him at least twice.  Not because he can't hear, but because he just can't pay attention.  In soccer, he's the one standing when the coach and everyone else are sitting.  He's the one standing in the field facing the wrong direction.  He's the one that watches the ball as it goes right past him.  It's not until the ball accidentally bumps him that he wakes up and remembers what's going on.  And I can't remember the last conversation I had with Cash that didn't involve a character from his video game or something that happened while he was playing.

Obviously I haven't noticed violent behavior.  And he's definitely not gaining weight.
But he is losing his imagination.  His creativity.  And his playfulness.

So Cale and I decided that until he can learn to balance video games ... and everything else ... we are going to have to take the video games away.  And now I'm the "meanest Mommy EVER". Muahahaha!!!!

Then again:  I now know why Cale asked for video games for Cash for Christmas .... he wanted someone to play them with.  Just like he has since the day Cash was born....

GRRRRRRR!!!!

My Newest Addiction - Draw Something

First there was MySpace ... then there was Facebook.  Then it was Fishville and Farmville - which my husband will be so forever grateful I got over.  Then came Pinterest and Twitter.  A couple I still "try" to mess around with a few times a month but lately ... something else has stolen whatever free time I have.  "Draw Something"

Draw Something is a mobile app developed by OmgPop and bought by Zynga in March 2012.  In the first five weeks 2it 2q2w2ww33 ----> Sorry bout that, Christopher managed to grab a hold of the keyboard for a second.

Anyway...

In the first five weeks of it's launch, it was downloaded 20 million times.

The scoop:  Two players alternate turns between drawing a picture for the other to guess. The person drawing chooses one of three guess words to draw. Each player earns one to three coins if the drawing is guessed correctly, which build up to eventually allow the player to purchase more shades of color for drawing or "bombs".
After the drawer has finished drawing, the guesser will view an instant replay of the drawing, minus hesitation and delays. The guesser is given a number of blank spaces and scrambled letters to type the guess word.
Each player is given a number of "bombs." As a guesser, the bomb eliminates letters not part of the answer; as a drawer, the bomb gives them a new set of guess words to choose from.

If you play Draw Something, come find me....  My screen name is:  Husker Girl in KS
....and then you too can see how crappily I draw. 

Oh No She Didn't!

The past few times my Dad has picked up Cash from school he said there was a little girl that always comes up and gives him a hug goodbye.  I asked Cash who it was and he didn't want to say. 
So Tuesday when my Dad picked him up he asked Cash what her name was and Cash responded with, "you're suppose to ask her Papa ... not me!"  I asked him if it was Abby and Cash said "YES!  Abby ... it's Abby who always comes up and hugs me."

Then comes Thursday .... the day of his Easter party at school.  I went the first 30 mins of his party just long enough to see him talk to the Easter bunny and go find the eggs with his name on them.  I watched little Abby and she had her eyes on Cashie a LOT.  She kept smiling at me and when I left she even told me bye.  I had to get back to work so my Dad picked Cash up again for me.  When I got to Dad's house to pick up the boys he said that Abby didn't hug Cash today ..... he said that Abby KISSED Cash.  My little 4-year-old was kissed by a girl.  Of course he just stood there and did nothing back - which tells me I've raised him well - but yeah .... my son had his first kiss from a girl last week. 
So of course I did what all moms of boys would do ...... I told him that he just needs to stay away from little miss Abby.  She's trouble.  Plus .... Mommy is the only girl he need ;)

Clean + Green by SeaYa (Review)

For some reason, when my husband and I bought the furniture for our house, we were obviously NOT thinking long term.  Less than a year of being married and moving into our new house, we found out I was pregnant.  And with a new baby comes a LOT of company.  So we stayed within budget - but not within our intelligence.  We decided to go with an off-white microfiber sofa.  In our defense, we did anticipate our little one eating in our living room.  That's not what it's intended for.  But as we all know ... the things you said you'd never do pre-baby, don't always go as planned.  What I'm getting at is this:  Our beautiful, clean off-white microfiber sofa .... has turned into a speckled/gray disgusting "piece of art" in our family room.  And it's embarrassing.

So as you can imagine, I was VERY delighted to receive an e-mail from CLEAN+GREEN with an offer to sample their products in celebration of Earth Month which is this month.

I received the Carpet & Upholstery product, the Wood & Tile product, and the Odor Eliminator, Cleaner and Stain Remover for the Automobile (because our long-haired shih tzu goes EVERYWHERE with us). Clean+Green labels state that their product "delivers instant results in a safe, non-toxic, eco-friendly, hypoallergenic and fragrance free solution – safe for pets, people and the planet!"

The first night of receiving the products our cat projectile vomited all over the boys' room.  I was desperately searching for something to clean the mess up and remembered Clean+Green.  The first application reduced the stain by about 75%. The next day I sprayed again, and by afternoon, the stain (and smell) was completely gone.  I would've posted a picture, but I figured you really didn't want to see cat vomit.
Next tackle:  I applied Clean+Green Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner at the end of March on our sofa and waited until now to write this review because I wanted to see if the stains and odors would permanently be gone.  I'm pleased to say that they are.  The test area for the stains are gone, The smell is gone and I can definitely vouch that this is a great product!  Now I need to go buy some more so that I can finish the ENTIRE sofa.

We have Italian tile in our entryway and it's the usual spot our dog has her accidents since it's right by the door.  But the Italian tile is not something that is cheap and the pee tended to run into the grout.  After applying the Wood & Tile cleaner to the area, the grout is noticeably cleaner!

As far as the Auto Cleaner and Deodorizer:  I really need to clean my car before I can try this product out.  As I said, our dog goes EVERYWHERE with us.  She's never had an accident in the car (knock on wood) but she has been known to "not smell so purdy".  Right now I need to wait for the air freshener scent I used earlier to go away before I apply this product.  Otherwise, I'm not sure I'll be able to tell a difference.

Using a patented formula, Clean+Green encapsulates and eliminates stain and odor on contact - even skunk odor! - by naturally biodegrading the stain or odor source. The all-natural formula delivers instant results in a safe, non-toxic, eco-friendly solution. Ingredients include cane sugar derivatives, a proprietary blend of botanical extracts, hydrated cellulose, purified water, and a natural aerosol propellant (nitrogen). For more information, please visit www.odorandstainremover.com.

You can also visit Clean+Green on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CleanandGreen and Twitter : http://twitter.com/#!/cleanandgreen

Why Is Good Friday, "Good"

If you're a normal reader of my blog, you'll know I don't get into religion and politics very often.  But this is one that I'm not scared or embarrassed to share.

------------------------------------------------

So why DO we call "Good Friday", Good?

Wouldn't "Good Friday" be considered an oxymoron?  What’s so good about a day when someone died?  We all celebrate life but why celebrate death?  What’s so good about the death of Jesus?
On Good Friday Christians everywhere commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death by crucifixion of the Lord, Jesus Christ.  But why would we call that Jesus was crucified, "Good"?
It is good because of the good thing that happened many, many years ago - the death and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  If He didn't die we would not be here.

If you were to ask me, "Would I die for a friend?" "Would I die for my enemy?" "Probably not".

The Bible says in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." This is what Jesus did for us.
He paid our sin debt in full. He took the blame for all the wrong things we have ever done and He willing submitted Himself to the Father and died in our place, taking the punishment we deserve.

So on this Good Friday ... I am reminded how much God loves me.  And you.  Jesus agonized the night before, knowing the pain he was about to suffer.  He even prayed to God for another way: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” - Luke 22:42 (PS: Cup = God's wrath).
Imagine all the wrong you’ve ever done – everything that you’ve ever been ashamed of.  Now imagine someone who never did any wrong taking responsibility for your mistakes.  That’s Jesus.  He took your punishment.  He took mine.

And because of that we now have hope.  We now have eternal life if we claim Jesus as our Savior.  And that’s why we call it Good Friday.

So as you are hiding Easter eggs for the kiddos and spending time with the family ... remember the family member who is present - but not seen.

In the words of Father Mike Baldwin (previous priest at St. Vincent de Paul): "You are soooooo good!"



This proud Bible thump was brought to you by.....

Sure He Has Hair Issues - But He's Still Adorable

Sure C. Max rocks the business in the front ... party in the back look.  But he also has the most precious little ringlets that I refuse to cut.  He may look like a little girl, but to me - he's just a very pretty little boy.

This picture is 100% him.
The most ornery 16-month-old you'll ever meet....

But you can't help but fall in love with the little man.

That Didn't Quite Go As Planned

Two years ago I attempted to explain the meaning of Easter to my (then) 2.5 year old son, Cash.  You can read about that "attempt" here. 


Curious as to what the outcome was?

Me to Cash this morning:  "Why do we celebrate Easter?"
Cash:  "Because the Easter bunny lays eggs all around the yard and house and it's up to me, a kid, to find them all before they start to stink and the candy goes bad."


So we're going to go back to square one and attempt the Resurrection Cookies again this year.

Two Things Are Very Clear About Levi Johnston

1)  He is good at impregnating women
2)  He wears extremely ugly camo

Way to go Levi for slipping another one past the goalie.

On a POSITIVE note:  All children are a gift from God.
...but with that comes the responsibility.  Can I get an Amen?!

What My Children Have Taught Me

I've started a list of things that my boys have taught me.  This isn't everything, it's actually just the beginning...

• Take the time to watch a leaf blowing by – it can very well be the best 15 seconds of your day.
• Enjoy the tugs on your pant leg while you’re trying to do dishes – it won’t last forever and someday soon, you’re gonna miss them.
• If the toy phone is ringing and your toddler wants you to answer it – you better freaking answer it!
• It’s perfectly acceptable to have ice cream for breakfast.
• Sometimes a good cry or tantrum is what we need to get through the rest of our day.
• Bathtime = splashtime and a big mess. It’s the little things that equal happiness.
• Don’t cry over spilt milk.
• Patience.
• It doesn’t matter how silly you look …. Just dance.
• Unless there’s blood, there’s no reason to panic.
• Toots are the funniest thing EVER.
• The dishes can wait. Sometimes a fort out of the couch cushions needs built immediately before Hulk and Ironman find us!

What have your children taught you?

Grrr ... FINALLY

So ... FINALLY I can start writing again.  All I can say is ... Blogger really messed up my old blog domain. 

But it's fixed now and that's all that matters.  I hope you all have continued to support this blog and the new changes ... and the TIME that Blogger took to make my changes.  It's kind of funny how I'm known as "The Procrastinating Mommy" but yet Blogger is the one that procrastinated WITH my blog.

WELCOME TO MY NEW BLOG!!!  YAY!!!!! 

I'm excited to start writing again!  And don't forget to check me out over at Traveling Mom.