Saturday, December 31, 2016

Amanda Topinka: When You're the Victim of Libel, Harassment, and Public Humiliation

PHOTO CREDIT:  ThinkBigger.com

I’ve pinned this post at the top of my blog using a postdated date - for a reason.  A reason that I never thought I’d have to deal with.  I originally wrote this in September 2016....

I have recently been the victim of libel, harassment, and public humiliation.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

The World's Best New Scraper! The Scrape-A-Round

I live in Kansas.  So our weather ranges from desert hot to Antarctica freezing.  And because of this, we constantly have to scrape our windows! And it’s the thing I loathe the most in the winter!

If you're tired of scraping your windows the old fashioned way, then join the Scrape-A-Round movement!

You will secure your family's safety, access new gift ideas and scrape your windows cleaner in half the time with the world's best windshield ice scraper.

View the Scrape-A-Round action http://youtu.be/baHi-litcD8

The Scrape-a-round is a brilliant feat of ice scraping engineering.  The simple explanations why Scrape-A-Round is the best ice scraper are as follows, Scrape-A-Round is the:
  • It’s the best ice scraper because of the softer plastic – which allows the scraper to conform to the window curvature! Find out more information: http://www.scrapearound.com/
  • 18" of ice scraping surface
  • The comfortable grasp provides relief for the arthritic or carpal syndrome sufferer
  • Direct pressure to the window, no pressure lost through the ice scraper
  • The circular rotational motion of ice scraper
  • Double ice scraper action, leading edge and trailing edge
  • Multi functional, remove the cap and it doubles as a funnel
  • This scrapes windows frost and ice free in half the time




Looking for a gift for someone? The Scrape-A-Round makes the perfect gift for the Holidays!

And now, for a limited time, my readers get to save! Get FREE Shipping at http://www.scrapearound.com/ 
Use code LU8FBEZREU2 at checkout.


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Make Christmas magic with Portable North Pole - the Best FREE personalized video from Santa!

Portable North Pole (PNP) is an online platform used by Santa and his elves to send personalized video messages and calls to the people you care about most - anywhere around the world!

In just a few simple steps {it literally took me less than two minutes} you can help Santa gather all the information he needs about your loved one and create a tailor-made video message or phone call that is positively magical!  But that isn't all Santa and his magical elves have in store!  To create truly unforgettable memories, you can even download a HD version of your video to keep for years to come!


For a limited time, you can make Christmas Magic with Portable North Pole at a discounted price!  SAVE 20% by following my special link:  http://bit.ly/2g1F2RT

Portable North Pole comes available in 3 main package types:
  • the Free (Christmas and Birthday videos)
  • the Video Pass (Unlimited Premium Santa videos + Reaction Recorder as well as access to previous seasons' videos) or;
  • the Magic Pass (Unlimited Premium Santa Videos, Reaction Recorder, HD Video downloads, access to previous seasons' videos)
And now, available for a limited time only:  The Pre-Season Magic Pass, which also comes with a Santa-Approved Nice-List certificate that lets your loved one know if they are one Santa's Naughty or Nice list!

We do a Portable North Pole video every year for our boys and they LOVE it!  They are amazed how Santa knows and says they’re name.  It’s seriously, the best Santa video around!


And remember, for a limited time, save 20% NOW and Make Christmas magic With Portable North Pole!
To redeem go to: http://bit.ly/2g1F2RT


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Tuesday, September 13, 2016

FREE State Park Day in Kansas is Encouraging Healthy Recreation Outdoors


Photo Credit:  Travel Kansas
The state’s largest health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), is teaming up with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to sponsor Healthy Trails Adventure Day on Oct. 1 with free admission to all 26 Kansas State Parks.

Did you know… 
Kansas State Parks include more than 500 miles of trails, 32,200 acres of land, nearly 280 miles of roads, 10,000 campsites that include utility hookups and cabins, and access to more than 130,000 surface-acres of water.

Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, camping, or exploring, there’s a Kansas State Park that you can enjoy!

Take a tech timeout for the day and enjoy a healthy dose of recreation.  Spending time outdoors cannot only make you happier and reduce stress and anxiety, but it also promotes a healthy body and even helps you live longer.  Not to mention the family bonding that you’d experience!

“Our Kansas State Parks offer unique terrain, amazing trails, and scenic landscapes for everyone to enjoy,” said Robin Jennison, secretary, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. “We’re pleased that for a second year, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has chosen the Kansas State Parks to serve as the centerpiece of this campaign."

To help kids get out and enjoy the outdoors, BCBS is offering a coloring book at all state park locations, rest stops, local tourism offices, and the Kansas State Fair. It features a map of all 26 state parks, information about the parks and educational tips.

If you’re free on October 1st, there’s really no reason not to get out there and check out some of what Kansas has to offer – for FREE!


When you hit the trail Oct. 1 make to tag all your adventure posts with the hashtag #HealthyAdventure.

Photo Credit:  Travel Kansas


To learn more and pick the perfect state park for your next adventure head over to the Healthy Trails Adventure Day page!

 
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Amanda Topinka: The Kansas State Fair is COMING up soon!!



See the blue-ribbon winning animals, stroll around exhibits from across the state, take a ride down the Midway, listen to live music, and top it all off by indulging in an eclectic menu of fried cuisine.  Where can you do all of this?
The Kansas State Fair! 

The annual Kansas State Fair begins the Friday following Labor Day and lasts for 10 days at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas.

This 10-day event packs non-stop fun for all ages in Hutchinson each September and attracts the largest special event crowd in the state, totaling more than 350,000. For more than 100 years fairgoers have enjoyed seeing the blue-ribbon animals, strolling around exhibits, riding down the Midway, hearing live music, and topping it all off - indulging in an eclectic menu of fried cuisine.

You don't want to miss it!

Photo Credit:  Amanda's Photocreations - 9/8/12 - Thanks, Mandy!
ALSO...
Don’t forget to take a photo at the fair and post it to Instagram, Twitter or on the Kansas Tourism Facebook page and use the hashtag #KSBucketList (one entry per person per location) for a chance to win!


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Sunday, August 14, 2016

Amanda Topinka: The Procrastinating Mommy's Target DEALS of the Week!



This post contains affiliate links.


Here are the Target deals that started today8/14/2016

This week, Target is having a {save} $15 OFF a $50 purchase on Household Items In AdCoupon which makes for some great deals on our favorite brands like Gain, Downy, Bounty, Charmin, Tide, Clorox Wipes, Glad Trash Bags, and More!

For a limited time, Target is offering FREE shipping on apparel orders of $25 or more. Click the banner to see how!



Plus, Target has a lot of good deals on Always Pads, Tampax Tampons, Capri Sun, General Mills Cereal, Gillette Deodorant, Oral B Products, Schick Razors & More! Take a minute to print the newest Target Printable Coupons before you shop, and leave a comment if you find any deals I’ve missed. 

Don’t forget:

  • Target accepts one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon per item.
  • Your Target may limit your store coupons to one store coupon per trip.
  • Target does not double coupons.
  • If you’re able, grab a bunch of these deals for your own family, and one to donate to your local food pantry, church, or school!

HAPPY SHOPPING!


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Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Amanda Topinka: Towne West Square's “ARRIVE IN STYLE” Back-to-School Shopping Event Going on NOW


Back-to-school preparation is around the corner and Towne West Square, Wichita’s family friendly mall to shop and dine, is taking the lead to make sure that students are fully prepared with the latest fashions for the new school year ahead. From now through August 21, Towne West Square will be hosting “Arrive in Style,” its premier back-to-school shopping event series featuring style tips, fashion displays and a sweepstakes for a chance to win a shopping experience with celebrity stylist Lo VonRumpf.

A highlight of Towne West Square’s “Arrive in Style” program is the “Arrive in Style” Sweepstakes open to guests of all WP Glimcher Malls, nationwide. The contest offers a chance to win a $2,500 shopping spree with personal recommendations by celebrity stylist to the stars Lo VonRumpf. For a chance to win, shoppers should complete an online entry form at townewestsquare.com/arriveinstyle from now through August 21.

Lo VonRumpf is best known for his stand-out looks on numerous high profile Disney channel and Nickelodeon teen stars plus recording artists and A-list actors. From on-screen to red carpets, his expertise in the industry also shines through the pages of the top fashion magazines. He continues to evolve with his L.A. based consulting company, LVR Style, where he thrives consulting, styling, writing and lending his skills as a celebrity stylist and correspondent on the red carpet.

In addition, Towne West Square shoppers will have access to Lo VonRumpf’s exclusive back to school fashion forecast with several style tips to help shop for back to school. These tips will be available at Towne West Square and on the mall’s social media pages.

“Towne West Square is ready to kick-start back-to-school shopping with great store deals and the chance to win a shopping spree with celebrity stylist Lo VonRumpf,” said Caitlin Kozak, marketing director at Towne West Square. “We are in high gear to welcome everyone to Towne West Square to complete all of their back to school shopping with the added benefit of style tips from a highly regarded celebrity stylist so our kids can put their best foot forward."


For more information about Towne West Square, please call (316) 945-1236 or visit www.townewestsquare.com.
Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TowneWestSquare 
and follow along on Twitter @TowneWestSqMall 
and on Instagram @TowneWestSqMall.



Good luck and Happy Shopping!

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Friday, May 13, 2016

Amanda Topinka: Towne West Square is Kicking-Off the KidX Club Event with 'X' Marks the Spot!

Towne West Square, Wichita’s family friendly mall to shop and dine, will kick-off its new KidX Club program with its first event “X Marks the Spot” on Saturday, May 21 from 1 – 3 p.m. This exciting children’s event to be held in North Dillard’s Court is one of many to be held throughout the year.

“X Marks the Spot” will challenge attendees with a mall-wide treasure hunt to search for X’s hidden around Towne West Square. The goal is to gather letters and figure out a secret word to redeem a special prize. There will also be live entertainment, face painting and balloon art.

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Amanda Topinka shares her recipe for HOMEMADE Hummus in 3 Easy Steps (#HummusMadeEasy)

A note to my readers: I was paid to try to make this amazing hummus and share it with all of you.  This in no way swayed my opinion on this product.  I was not otherwise compensated and I truly, truly love this new product!


Hummus has always been the life of any party I’ve ever thrown.  So when my son had his First Communion last weekend and we were having a BBQ (reception) afterwards, I knew that I wanted some hummus that our guests could snack on before the Burgers and Hot Dogs.  But I wanted to ‘wow’ our guests -- so I didn’t want just any ol’ store bought hummus, I wanted homemade.  And I found just that!

Next to the Bush’s canned beans and chickpeas you will now find a NEW product called Bush’s Hummus Made Easy.  I found a pouch of Bush’s Hummus Made Easy at my local Wal-Mart on the top shelf.

 
And now, after making and serving this Hummus, it’s the only kind I’ll buy!

What makes Bush’s Hummus Made Easy the best Hummus?  It’s just that … THE BEST hummus I’ve ever had!  And I’ve eaten my weight in hummus many, many times {and while a girl never discloses her weight, let’s just say that’s a LOT of garbanzo beans}.

This hummus has been hands-down my favorite snack or appetizer to whip up when I have last-minute company.  It’s the perfect blend of simple ingredients like tahini, olive oil and spices.  And I’ve found with Bush’s Hummus Made Easy, it’s really easy to experiment with and make them yours by adding personal touches like jalapenos, roasted red peppers, blue cheese, or even sour cream!


Making hummus at home is not only fresher and healthier, but finding the time and ingredients can be difficult.  With Bush’s Hummus Made Easy, making homemade hummus is as easy as 1-2-3.  Literally!
 
1.  Drain and rinse beans. Pour into food processor.


2.  Open pouch. Pour into food processor.  It won't look very pretty...


3.  Blend to desired consistency.  {We actually left a few chunks of Garbanzo beans whole}


And then ENJOY!  That’s all that's to it for amazing, creamy, delicious hummus!


Next time you’re in Wal-Mart, grab a pouch of Bush’s Hummus Made Easy and Bush’s Brothers’ beans and just keep them both in your pantry.  That way you’ll always have something ready to whip up that is healthy AND yummus, errr, I mean scrumptious the next time you have guests stopping by.
They’ll never believe it only took you 10 minutes and 3 easy steps to make this homemade hummus.  That is, IF you want to tell them how easy it was :::wink wink:::


Not Pictured:  Classic Version.  Because, well, we ate it before I could take pictures.

Now, for a limited time, you can save $1.00 with this coupon!
 

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


ABOUT BUSH BEANS
BUSH'S is all about family, friends that feel like family, and a certain Secret Family Recipe. When you enjoy our beans (doesn't matter if they're Baked Beans, black beans, pinto beans, great northern beans...you get the picture), you can trust that they're the very best. Because we wouldn't serve your family anything less. Since we got our start more than 100 years ago in Chestnut Hill, Tenn., BUSH'S® has always maintained that quality is the best policy. We pursue excellence and exceptional taste in our beans, sauces and everything we do. That's why, from mouthwatering Baked Beans to satisfying bean recipes, you're cooking up the best with BUSH'S BEST.

Disclosure:  I’d like to thank @KendalKingGroup, #SoapboxInfluence, The Women Bloggers, Bush Brothers’ Beans and #HummusMadeEasy for including me in this new product launch.  I am a customer for life now!

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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Amanda Topinka: Bountiful Baskets - Bringing Fresh Produce to your Hometown!

Photo Credit: Dylan Brown / IR

Just because Rose Hill, Kansas is left without a grocery store doesn’t mean there isn’t a place to get groceries anymore - or at least fresh vegetables at a low cost!  And everybody that knows me knows that I’m a sucker for a good deal.  Especially when it comes to food --- and --- oh my goodness am I stoked about my latest {LOCAL} discovery!

Thanks to local volunteers, Rose Hill now has a healthy alternative when shopping for fresh, healthy produce...
Bountiful Baskets.

Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op (BBFC), which distributes produce purchased from a small producer, has started a brand new pick-up site in Rose Hill in the Rose Hill Rec Center.

Previously, the closest pick-up sites were in Derby, Andover and Wichita.

Volunteers for BB said a lot of people in the Rose Hill area were interested based on small town talk and social media touts. It only took a few weeks to find a location and submit paperwork to get the whole process going.

The volunteer-based group offers $15 baskets with half fruits, half veggies {without an advance list of what will be included}.  One example of the contents includes: a pineapple, a watermelon, a cantaloupe, a couple cucumbers, nine rainbow carrots, bunches of green onions, a jicama fruit, six apples, six nectarines, four bok choy, and baby lettuce.  To order a basket, you must first sign up to become a member of the co-op.  There’s a one-time fee of $3.00, which pays for a laundry basket {that stays at the pickup location}.

Photo Credit:  Bountiful Baskets

Organic produce is $10 more per basket.  Add-ons are available and can be selected in advance.  Examples of add-ons were 25lb boxes of nectarines or 8 lbs. of strawberries, banana bread, Italian herbs and veggies, and SO much more!  There are also tortilla or bread add-ons with 9 grain, honey wheat, banana, or sourdough varieties.  A case of five loaves of bread runs about $10-12.

The orders or contributions are placed online every two weeks between Monday at noon and Tuesday evening, on a first-come first-served basis.  Pickup is the following Saturday at 10:30am and you have 20 minutes to pick up your basket at the designated area.

Volunteers help unload the truck and check inventory sheets. Bountiful Baskets are always looking for volunteers, who are required to have contributed towards that week's baskets and must be over 13-years-old.

The produce is then distributed into the baskets.  When people come to pick up their order, they need their confirmation number, then they are given a basket number, which changes each time. People bring a container for carrying their produce home, leaving the basket to be used again.  If, for any reason, there are baskets left over, the food will be generously donated to the local fire department.

I took advantage of this delicious deal for the first time this week and fully plan to continue doing so!  The variety in foods from week to week forces myself {and my family} to expand our repertoire and eat healthier as well!

Thanks, Rose Hill volunteers … for giving us ANOTHER reason to love our awesome small town!


For more information, visit the Bountiful Baskets website and sign up for a location near you!



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Friday, April 1, 2016

WIN TICKETS to LEGO KidsFest in Kansas City, MO!

At the beginning of this month I told you about LEGO® KidsFest making its way to Kansas City, MO May 13th - 15th.

Welllll, I’m just so excited about this event that I’ve decided to GIVE AWAY TWO tickets to ONE of my followers because I love you all so much - and LEGO® as well!

The tickets will be good for the opening night session on Friday, May 13, 2016 (4-8:30pm) – which is the event you’ll find ME Periscoping and Facebooking LIVE from.

I encourage you to LIKE and Follow LEGO® KidsFest on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram for all the latest ticketing updates as this event has been selling out in prior cities.

RULES:  Must be 18 to enter –1 entry per day allowed – random drawing by USFG!

Winner will be randomly chosen by USFG on Thu, Apr 14 and announced on my Blog as well as notified via email (so make sure you leave that info)! 

ENTER HERE


Remember:  The event can (and has in other cities) sell out in all promotions and I strongly urge you to buy tickets in advance online to avoid missing this AWESOME event! 

GOOD LUCK! 




PS:  I’m working on finding out if they’ll have the new Series 1 Disney LEGO® minifigs on display and/or for sale at this event as well.  I haven’t heard back from LEGO as of yet.


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Monday, March 14, 2016

Amanda Topinka: 2016 City-Wide Garage Sales in South-Central Kansas

We all love ‘em.  We all want to know when and where they are.  And now I have it.  Your 2016 list of City-Wide Garage Sales for the South Central Kansas area.
Feel free to share this list! 

And if I left one off the list, PLEASE let me know by sending me a quick email to:
amanda@procrastinatingmommy.com


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Friday, March 4, 2016

Amanda Topinka shares Why she thinks you Should Visit the Tallgrass National Preserve in Kansas


Photo Credit:  Flickr (Miguel Vieira}
"A child said, What is the grass? fetching it to me with
full hands;

How could I answer the child? I do not know what it
is any more than he.

I guess it must be the flag of my disposition, out of
hopeful green-stuff woven.

Or I guess it is the handkerchief of the Lord. - Walt Whitman 

How DOES one describe something that is nothing?  Because that’s exactly what the Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve is just outside the town of Strong City, Kansas.  It's open skies, open fields, never-ending horizons, and hills of nothing.  But that nothing is something that only God could’ve created.  It’s not anything a writer or author can paint and portray.  It’s wide-open space of beautiful wildflowers, vista and wildlife.  The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is the only unit in the National Park Service dedicated to preserving a rare relic of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem.  So those fields of ‘nothing’ – are definitely something.

When you’re standing in the middle of nearly 11,000 acres of prairie tallgrass in Kansas, all you can hear are the birds and the wind.  It brings a sense of calmness and peacefulness that is indescribable.  Your mind can’t help but think back to when travelers and settlers once crossed the very prairie land you’re standing on by ox and wagons so many many years ago.

Prairies began appearing in the mid-continent from 8,000 to 10,000 years ago and have developed into one of the most complicated and diverse ecosystems in the world, surpassed only by the rainforest of Brazil.  Tallgrass prairie once covered approximately 170 million acres of North America.  It was the continent's largest continuous ecosystem supporting an enormous quantity of plants and animals.  Some of the grasses include Big Bluestem, Indian Grass, and Switch Grass and they can grow to heights of eight feet in the fall, depending on moisture and other factors.

Sadly, over time, the vast majority of the prairie was developed and plowed under.  Today, less than 4% remains, mostly here in the Flint Hills of Kansas.  This makes it one of the rarest and most endangered ecosystems in the world.

On November 12, 1996, legislation created the 10,894 acre Tallgrass National Prairie Preserve to protect a sample of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem.

With help from the NPS, the natural prairie cycle of weather, wildfires and animal grazing has sustained the tallgrass prairie and its diverse plant and animal species ever since.

Now you can find over 500 species of plants, nearly 150 species of birds, 39 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 31 species of mammals. Much of the prairie vegetation and wildlife is far too tiny to be seen from a passing car. For those who take the time to stop and look closer, a delicate world of magnificence and natural wonder is waiting.


Visitors can enjoy historic house tours of an 1880s limestone mansion, a massive three story limestone barn, Lower Fox Creek {one-room} schoolhouse, and nature trails that appeal to any age – some of which pass you up close and personal with bison. Cell phone tours of the historic buildings and prairie are available as well.  Starting late April, guided bus tours into the prairie are available daily. Bus tours are wheelchair accessible.



New exhibits in the visitor center and Junior Ranger activities are available on site or may also be downloaded via the website. Completion of five activities are required to earn a Junior Ranger badge. Children may complete a Leave No Trace Scavenger Hunt to obtain a patch. Both activities are available in Spanish.  Visit the website for hours and location.


Just how the prairie speaks to you depends on you.  Some may find it literally, fields of nothing.  But most will find the beauty and the hopefulness of what was, and what is.



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Thursday, March 3, 2016

LEGO KidsFest is coming to Kansas City!


LEGO KidsFest® is coming to Kansas City, MO, May 13–15!

LEGO KidsFest is an official LEGO Event and is supported and authorized by The LEGO Company.

For the very first time since the tour began in 2009, LEGO will be making at stop in Kansas City, MO bringing all of the creative hands-on, minds-on fun of LEGO building and experiences together in this three acre activity - and entertainment - packed family event.
LEGO KidsFest is for children of all ages and builders of all skills and interests.



Among the many LEGO attractions, families will find: