Eff You Allergies!!

I posted this last year. 

And I'm reposting it now.  My allergies were so bad the other night that my eyes literally swelled shut.

Dear Allergies-
I don't hate a lot of things ... but I hate YOU.  Please go away. You're not welcome here. I'd rather sport the Rudolph look closer to Christmas.
Atchoo!!!!!!!!!!!

Pissed off and ready to blow,
Amanda

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

Poor Amanda had a runny nose,
that made her cough and sneeze.
It was quite red and sniffley,
because of her allergies.

Day and night her nose would run.
It caused her such disgrace.
Her biggest wish is that her runny nose,
would run right off her face.

14 Fabulous Fall Getaways (brought to you by....)

Eileen, from Taking the Kids along with help (input) from girlfriends at Family Travel Forum and Traveling Mom (my baby - sort of), have come up with a list of 14 favorite fall getaways.

What better way to see the beautiful leaves changing, smell some home-baked pumpkin goodies, see the Halloween Mickey spectacular, sample some local foods and brews, and soooo much more.

Check out the list HERE! You might just find something close to you that you didn't know about or have forgotten about ... or that you don't want to miss out on!

9/11 - The day my important events, became so small

If there is one day that I take the time to collect my thoughts, write, cry, and remember … it’s today.

11 years ago I woke up early to start planning and celebrating my (then) boyfriend (now, husband) and I's six month anniversary. I turned on the TV as I was blow drying my hair and saw the tragedy unfolding before my eyes.

Like most people, when the plane hit the first tower, I thought it was a terrible accident. And then it occurred to me … and Cale … and my roommate, Michelle … this was no accident.

It was then, that I realized that what movie I wanted to go see ... what restaurant I wanted to eat at ... and what outfit I was going to wear ... was no longer important.

It’s hard to imagine that on a morning – very much like the one today (clear, blue, beautiful skies) – eleven years ago, everything changed in the matter of 102 minutes. I remember feeling sort-of dumbfounded. The next few hours were spent in shock trying to comprehend what kind of person could hate another enough to do this kind of thing. It was impossible to comprehend the massive loss of life that morning. The terror the people on the aircraft felt knowing they were about to die. And the shock and confusion people in the towers felt when suddenly something came crashing through the window.

I don’t know anyone that lost their lives that morning, but for anyone who lived through that moment and the days and the weeks after, were impacted in some sort of way. The world literally stopped that day. I hope that for the generations too young – like my children and their children, and so on – will be taught to remember what happened on this day by their parents and teachers … to not forget.

Never forget doesn't mean that if we do, that history will repeat itself. At least that's not what it means for me. Never forget means to remember the 2,977 people who got up the morning, on a morning very much like today, and went to work, having no idea that their lives would be tragically cut short.

So many people were impacted by that disaster, and it took years to bring those responsible to justice. But through it all, one thing became undeniably clear - Americans are strong, resilient people, and we pull together in the toughest of times.

9/11 was a horrible day ... yes ... but something special also happened that day. A spirit of giving and of survival emerged as countless numbers of firefighters, police, paramedics and everyday people started running into harms way to help.

Please take a moment to remember all of those who died, but also remember the heroes of that day. The men and women who ran into harms way so that others could live. And lastly thank the Firefighters, Police & Paramedics who still willingly risk their lives for us everyday.

Although things will never be the same, once again we proved we're a nation of survivors. And that's why we're the greatest nation on earth.

Winners!! - Rubbermaid LunchBlox Giveaway

First of all ... thank you to everyone that entered this giveaway.  I honestly enjoyed reading everyone's responses.  This kit is definitely versatile for packing kid's lunches, lunch for work, picnics, travel lunch, etc.

 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!  Congratulations to:

Entry# 274 - Jennifer P. with her entry for Voting for ME on Picket Fence

Entry# 42 - Mindy M. with her entry for following Rubbermaid on Twitter

Entry# 75 - Susan V. with her entry for following Rubbermaid on Twitter

If you see your name ... check your email for instructions.  You'll have 48 hrs to respond before I am forced to choose another winner.

Congratulations.  And thank you again to everyone who entered this awesome giveaway.


PS:  ANOTHER giveaway is starting shortly.  If you have kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc .... this is one you DON'T want to miss!

*SUPER HOT* FREE $40 Credit for New Users of Paper Coterie

If you are new to Paper Coterie, you can get $40 worth of FREE items and all you pay is shipping!
It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas gifts.  With so many products to choose from like books, calendars, cards, home decor items, memory keepers, journals, planners, and more - you are sure to be able to do a one-stop shop for all those hard to please people in your life.

So what do you need to do?

• Register a new account HERE
• Click through the list of product(s) that peak your interest
• After choosing your product, customize it and then add it to your cart
• At checkout, use promo code Welcome2012 to get $40 off your order
• All you should have to pay for is shipping (and any extra leftover after you've spent the $40)

Some restrictions apply.  But not really.  Check it out to see what I'm talking about.

Enjoy!

Who Wants a FREE Journal?

Paper Coterie is a circle of friends - inwhich I am a part of - who are passionate about documenting the beauty of life well lived. Whether it's in a photo book, guest book, journal, or one of their custom personalized books, they'll help you capture the memories you want to save and share.

If you are new to Paper Coterie, meaning have never created an account with your email address, you can get a FREE journal from them as a thank you.

When you check out you will need to use coupon code: welcomejournal

Click here to check our their selection of journals:

These are REALLY high quality. They are not the cheaper kind you'd find from some of the other stationary places. Shipping was $11.31 for me, so kinda high as far as shipping goes .... but the $18 journal was free. For a Christmas, birthday, anniversary, etc present I would pay $11.31 for this quality custom journal for a someone special.
 
There are MANY designs to choose from and something for everyone. Whether it's a mini-artist that likes to doodle, a child learning to write, a tween/teen that needs to get some thoughts out, a mom who can barely remember her name - let alone a reminder to buy snacks for little league, or a Dad that has to write down what fantasy football league players he's recruiting. The uses are endless for this personalized, custom journal. So check it out today and don't forget to enter the code:  welcomejournal at checkout.

Rubbermaid Lunchblox Sandwich Kit {Review & Giveaway}

Do you remember the days when Mom (or especially Dad) would pack your sandwich in your sack lunch for school, put it in the baggy, and then when it came time for lunch – you had a nice, flat, warm sandwich and crushed chips to eat?

Or are you that parent now who packs their child(ren)’s lunch only for them to come home and whine that their sandwich was warm, their chips were crushed, and their grapes were warm AND crushed?

Or maybe you forget to put your lunch in the fridge once you arrived at work and now YOU are the one that has to eat the warm sandwich and fruit. Or maybe someone stacked their lunch on top of yours smashing all of your food.

Well … thanks to the new Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit you NEVER have to worry about that again!

The kit includes a specially designed Blue Ice™ pack that works with LunchBlox containers to keep lunches chilled on the go, which is really nice if you have things that need to be kept cool in your child’s lunch like, milk, yogurt, cheese, pasta, etc. My son has a very hard time eating the sandwiches I make for him once it comes time for lunch, because (in a whiney voice) "the sandwich doesn’t taste good unless it’s cold".

This kit also saves space in your child’s lunchbox and helps it stay organized because the containers snap together, allowing space to be saved. The Blue Ice pack easily snaps onto the bottom of the sandwich container so that it doesn’t freely move around in the lunchbox if you don’t want it to.

A sandwich fits well in the sandwich container and you also have two little snack containers and a regular sized snack container, that are proportioned perfectly for fruits, vegetables, cheeses or whatever it is your child enjoys munching on. Also a plus: the blox are microwaveable, dishwasher and freezer safe, and BPA-free! So not only are you saving money on baggies, you’re reusing containers that often can go with just a shake out or quick rinse … not even a full trip in the dishwasher.

I love the new Rubbermaid Lunchblox Sandwich Kit and we plan on using it for school, work, picnics, travel, and other family outings!







Buy:
You can easily check out Rubbermaids complete line of LunchBlox products by visiting them here.  The LunchBlox Sandwich Kit is currently available for purchase at Rubbermaid.com, Target, Kmart, Kroger, Safeway, Bi-Lo, Winn-Dixie, HEB, other grocery stores and select Wal-Mart stores.
suggested retail value: $12.99 each

WIN!!:
Three winners will receive ONE Lunchblox Sandwich Kit for their back-to-school child (or for their selfish selves) ::wink wink:: Just kidding!

How?
Enter below via Rafflecopter either your login info or email (don't worry - I'm the only one that sees your email info).
This giveaway will end at midnight (CST) on Monday, September 10th.I will contact you via email.  You will have 24 hrs to respond back to me before a new winner is chosen.I'm sorry international peeps - but at this time, the giveaway is only for those living in the US and Canada and you must be 18+ to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
As I've stated before ... I am a freelance writer, editor, and professional lunch packer.  I am for hire for the first two.  I was provided the product above for an honest review and I gave it. Unfortunately I was not monetarily compensated for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.