Man there were some GREAT entries with this theme!! I am so glad that I didn’t have to choose the winner this time around because I would not have been able to do it!  A couple of my favorites are this strong fella fighting back the tears. What a great photo capture of emotion.

This lil cowboy outlaw was another fave of mine!

But the Blue Ribbon Winner in the Face theme is………………

The blue in the cake and those eyes are brilliant and just look at it…priceless!  Congrats!!! If you could email me with your shipping address, I’ll get your Flip HD  out to you ASAP!  Well, actually, it will be after I get back from Chicago because this prize is sitting here on my desk;)

All entries were beautiful and creative in their own ways.  Congratulations to all of you and thanks so much to everyone for participating.  And if you didn’t win, please don’t get discouraged.  Just try again!

The August theme will be announced on July 31st so be on the lookout!

You guys can email me at lori {at} thecowboyshack {dot} com

And if you would like to sponsor or a judge for the future Blue Ribbon Photo Contests, please feel free to contact me at the same email!

I chose to give the Tag Reading Systems to my boy’s school library, Highland ISD, and to my local hometown library, County-City Library of Nolan County.  When I called up Becky, the librarian, she was more than excited to receive these and was already spinning ideas around on how they would implement the systems into their library.

In order for my local library to get the entire book collection, I had to make a video with the librarian!  Becky, while a little shy, was more than happy to do this in order for the kids to get the entire book system!  And me?? Well, you know I don’t like to see myself like that but totally worth it for the kiddos!

LeapFrog’s goal with this program is to encourage reading and make it more fun so that the children want to learn.  I was able to handout the Tag and the Tag Junior Reading Systems and I know that your children will love them. Little man LOVES his!

Thank you Becky for letting me and LeapFrog into your library and the local community!  And thank you to LeapFrog for bringing such an awesome reading system to our kiddos!

Enjoy the video!

It’s so childish, all of it, and I don’t want to have anything to do with folks talking ugly towards me or others. I surround myself with people who love me and support me and have no time in my life to worry about that nonsense. You should too. I have learned online and off, that it’s best to worry about yourself and your family. Nothing else matters.

You’ll never win because there will always be someone who has nothing better to do that criticize others. You’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

Be yourself, be authentic, and don’t let anyone make you feel like you or your blog should be something else. Write what you want, Read what you want.

• maria jeff______01@yahoo.com
• Deanna D j___ill@yahoo.com
• Mandy m____r23@gmail.com
• alice ali____do@gmail.com
• The First Michelle bea____ls@aol.com
• Lethea Benson Lu____es@bellsouth.net
• Kristina La____a35@yahoo.com
• Shaunda sh____hn@hotmail.com
• Rebecca t__b@yahoo.com
• Myranda mc___n02@yahoo.com

My girl Tara got me hooked on this Old Navy Weekly site where you hunt for coupons to use at Old Navy and if you’re lucky enough, you might grab one of those $75 off $100!!  I haven’t been lucky enough to snag of the big ones yet but even the smaller ones like 30% is HUGE.  And with school coming up fast, these coupons can really come in handy.

I was just tickled to death when I was asked to host a giveaway for you guys ’cause I have learned how many people absolutely LOVE Old Navy and I’m a new lover of their stuff.  I even went their yesterday and bought me a cute camp shirt!

So guess what I have for you??

10 winners will receive a printable coupon for $50 off of $100 to use in-store only for the valid dates of July 17th through July 23rd, which means, this contest is gonna be quick!  2 days in fact!

All you have to do is comment here and tell me what you love about Old Navy, about the Old Navy Weekly site, and/or if you’ve won a coupon and what did you by. Chit chat I suppose;) . Is there a particular style they always carry that you love, the price, variety, what???

OH, and guess what?? Entering is unlimited!!! WOOT!  Have at it y’all!

Giveaway ends on July 16th at midnight CST so that you can use your coupon during the valid days.

Check out the features too on these suckers! I’ve never had anything so fancy.  I don’t know if I’ll even want to put bloody, caked on mud jeans into these red beauties but I reckon it’ll be quite the test to just how well they do work.

Frigidaire has a whole line of new appliances so check them out if you get a chance!

Frigidaire Affinity 3.5 Cu. Ft. Front Load Washer

Affinity Washer Available in Classic Red, Classic Black and Classic White and shown with optional pedastal.

27″ W x 36″ H x 28″ D
Features:

* WashSense™ Technology: WashSense™ technology ensures clothes get clean with care.
* Advanced Rinse Technology: Final rinse uses fresh water to ensure whiter whites and reduce allergens.
* Balance Control System: Vibration control technology keeps even oversized loads balanced for smooth, quiet operation. Ideal for use on second floors.
* Express-Select™ Controls: Easily select options and cycles with the touch of a button.
* Quick Cycle: A fast, 25-minute wash cycle.
* Add-a-Garment: With just the touch of a button, easily add an extra piece to the washer once a cycle has started.
* TimeWise™ Technology: With TimeWise™ technology, wash time equals dry time – so you don’t wait for clothes to dry.
* Save Your Settings: Automatically save your last wash setting so you can save time when doing laundry.
* Energy Saver Option: Reduces water temperature which saves energy when washing clothes.
* Multiple options: Over 15 wash options including Energy Saver and Stain Clean
* Multiple Cycles: Seven wash cycles including Whitest Whites and Deep Clean Sanitize.
* NSF Certification: Washer includes cycles up to 153 degrees to ensure your laundry will be 99.9% bacteria free.
* Delay Start: Set your washer to begin washing on your schedule. It can be programmed from 1 to 14 hours.

Frigidaire Affinity 7.0 Cu. Ft. Gas Dryer

Affinity Dryer Available in Classic Red, Classic Black and Classic White and shown with optional pedastal.

27″ W x 36.25″ H x 29.7″ D
Features:

* Fits-More™ Dryer: 7.0 cu.ft. Dryer The largest capacity dryer in a standard size¹ lets you dry more at once.
* DrySense™ Technology: Dries your clothes more precisely, reducing wrinkles.
* Express-Select™ Controls: Easily select options and cycles with the touch of a button.
* Quick Cycle: A fast, 25-minute dry cycle.
* Save Your Settings: Save your Settings: Automatically saves your last dry setting so you can save time when doing laundry.
* Multiple Cycles: Seven dry cycles including Ultra Delicates and Heavy Duty.
* Multiple options: 12 dry options including Shrink Guard Ultra and Extended Tumble.
* NSF Certification: Dryer includes ‘Sanitize’ temperature settings to ensure your laundry will be 99.9% bacteria free.

Now if you’re like me, then you might be remembering the old fashion or unflattering designs from the old days but I’m here to tell you, these guys have really stepped up their game!  The Kmart Design team consists of top designers with a well established work history like Pottery Barn and Macy’s so clearly the designs are gonna be hot!  The entire team is very passionate about what they do. They gather inspiration from everyday surroundings along with with the incorporating the hottest trends of the moment. They travel all over the world to create styles to suit everyone’s taste!  You really must check out their videos at Kmart Design and get to know them and see what inspires their creativity.

The new line is called ‘Country Living‘ and is just beautiful.  Something you should know that I found interesting, is that the colors at both stores are the same. So if you buy your set at Kmart but see a cute matching pillow at Sears, you can get it because the colors will match perfectly!

And check out these fun and funky colors for teens and college students!  Oh, and something to really cool to check out is their “Create a Dorm Room” feature!

And finally one of my favorite pieces was this affordable collection.  would go perfect in this rustic home!

I’m amazed at the quality they are able to bring to us and still being able to keep it affordable.  The amount of work that is put into each piece is incredible.

Sears and Kmart took the plunge into social media, making tremedous strides with online growth.  It goes to show you the power of things like twitter, facebook, etc in the world wide web. They really care about creating a community that today, conists of hundreds of thousands of members.  They care about what we think and want our honest opinions on improving their products. Communties include mykmart.com and mysears.com.

You want to know what I learned out of all of it that meant the most to me??  I learned that you should let things around you inspire you to live.  Find your passion and pursue it.  It’s funny what I take back from some of these events but I always find a new appreciation for things.

I could go on forever about this event but I’ll leave at that for now.

This survey was given to me and I thought I’d share it with you along with my answers.

PLANNING

Do you keep a list of items you need? Mental or written?

I keep a list using my Smartshopper.  Otherwise, I’d be a mess and forget everything and since I live so far from town, I can’t forget!

Thinking about laundry, once an item is on your list, what triggers you to re-purchase? Is it the same for all laundry segments, for instance stain fighters or fabric softener?

Loyalty and sale price.  When it comes to detergent, I’m a loyal user of 3 brands.  I’m willing to try new things but since I’ve used the same ones for so long, it’s just habit to keep buying them.   I always wait for it to come on sale too.  Even if I have 3 bottles, if a good sale is happening, I stock up.  I always Now with stain fighters and fabric softener, I usually go for what’s on sale.

How do you choose which retailer to shop at?

I shop at Wal-mart or Kmart because that is what we have.  There is only one other grocery store that is way to expensive to shop at.

SHOPPING

How do you identify the laundry aisle?

It’s before the beer and after the toilet paper! lol

Do you go to the laundry aisle if laundry isn’t on your list?

No.  Do y’all?

How do you select your laundry items in the aisle? What do you select first, second…? Do you start at one end of the aisle and work down? Only pick up what is on your list?

I always get my detergent first, fabric softener second, static sheets third, and bleach last.  And I only get what’s on my list.  Who wants to spend extra in that aisle? I don’t.

Do you ever stock up on laundry items (buy more than what you immediately need)? Why or why not?

If it’s a great sale, then yes I do.  If I got a coupon that makes it a great price, then yes I do.

Do you spend time in the aisle to notice what’s new or to browse?

I really don’t. Like I said earlier, the last thing I want to do is spend my extra time shopping for something I hate to do.  The best way to get my attention with a new product at the store is to have it in the middle aisle or on the end cap.

Anything that irritates you about the aisle or that would make it a better shopping experience?

Not really. The only thing that comes to mind is when a brand does a new design and I can’t figure out which one it is that I normally buy.  I love the variety of scents though because I like to mix it up, even in the laundry room.

USAGE

Describe your laundry routine?

I have a laundry basket with the 3 bins separating whites, colors, and darks.  My “darks” are our jeans and I have another laundry basket for towels, sheets, etc.  I start with whites always just in case something happens to bleed from the colors.  I move to jeans, colors, then towels.  I use detergent and softener, putting them in the washer first.  Once done, I throw them in the dryer while tossing another load in the washer.  Once dry, I throw them all on the folding table I have directly across from the dryer.  I have a bar to hang up shirts and I fold everything else and leave it on the table until done.  Once everything is folded and hung up, I use my awesome laundry basket, like the ones you find a laundry mats, to take the clothes to their home.  It makes it much easier for me instead of walking back and forth.  The whole process repeated daily, over and over again.  blech

Do you have an HE machine?

Not yet!

Do you have help from other family members?

Yes, my two oldest boys do their own laundry.  I don’t touch theirs.  My oldest is great at it. Washes, puts in the dryer, and puts them up immediately.  My middle son is not as disciplined.  He does the washer and dryer but then throws them on the folding table until I make him put them up.

What products do you use in your laundry routine? What laundry additives do you use? Do you use them in every load?

Every load except whites get detergent, softener and static sheets.  Whites get that and bleach.  Tough stains get pretreated.

Are you happy with the results you get?

Yes, I’ve developed a regimen that works for me and I’m very happy with it.  Our clothes are clean, don’t fade, and smell good.

Do you have any personal tips or tricks that you use to approach laundry problems (ie, tough stains)?

Most of the time, I use coke to get stains out like blood and grease, which is common ’round here.  Coke seems to get out anything.  And yes, even on whites.

Also, I find that having a bar to hang clothes and a folding table really makes it easier. I’m more apt to get them out and put them up right then.  Always keep hangers on your bar.

What problems/stains do you have in the laundry room that you would like help with?

My problem is motivation.  The only help you can give me is a maid that will do it for me.

I’m not a spotless gal by any means!!! I could have totally cleaned this up before taking pictures but I knew I had to keep it real with you guys.  Below is my folding table where we throw everything to from the dryer. Underneath is out dog food, another basket of dirty clothes, and our wet/dry vac.

Here’s my washer and dryer. I keep the detergent on the dryer and the bleach, softener, stain fighters, and static sheets up in the cabinet. You can see my bar, with hangers.

And this is my favorite laundry basket. It’s just like the ones at the laundry-mat! lol  It was here when we moved in and I ain’t givin’ it up!  It has dirty sheets and stuff right now but normally it’s filled with clean clothes to be put up.

So, these are the things that work for me.  To recap:

• Do at least one load a day.
• Have a hanging bar for when clothes come right of the dryer. Prevents wrinkling too;)
• Use a folding table.
• Use a laundry basket with bins so that your clothes are already separated.
• Make your kids do their own laundry! lol

What are YOUR habits??  What tips can you share with us about the way you do laundry?  Share your favorite brands and why you love them or tell me the ones you don’t like and why.  Lemme hear it!

Tyler, my oldest, has sorta always felt like my brother in a way.  I mean, I did have him at 17 after all so we kinda grew up together in a sense I suppose.  He always gave me a hard time from the early newborn days until about 14.  I remember waking up at 2am trying to soothe him with no luck at all and my husband walking over, patting him on the back and him falling right to sleep.  He’s always been a daddy’s boy.  He was also the one carving on saddles, writing his name with a marker under out dinner table, acting up in class, and hiding all sorts of snacks in his room.  He’s now almost all grown up it seems.  He’ll be 16 in September and he’s a good young man.  He’s so very polite and respectful.  He has this unbelievable work ethic, something many teens lack these days.  He’s been breakin’ horses since he was 7 or so and he’s still doing it, only now he’s earning a man’s wages.

He’s just waiting for the day he can leave home to go daywork on other ranches.  I can’t imagine him leaving home though.  He’s just like me whether he wants to admit it or not.  He’s silly and is always cracking me up.  He’s my best friend now.  I know I still have a few years left with him but God how I’ll miss him when he’s gone to live out his cowboy days.

Disney Family.com is offering an “On the Road With Family.com” kit to one lucky reader! The kit promises to keep children comfortably entertained during car or plane trips this summer and will put an end to the dreaded “Are we there yet?” questions while allowing families to share their favorite family vacation destinations.

The travel kit includes a plush kid size travel pillow, a copy of Dr. Seuss’s There’s a Map in My Lap, a travel game kit, notepad and pen and adorable tote bag (a $30 value). Please share your favorite family vacation destination spot in our comment section for a chance to win; a winner will be chosen at random.

Also, make sure to visit Disney Family.com Travel to help with all your vacation planning needs as the site provides a unique resource for parents providing a combination of expert reviews, parent recommendations, and age-appropriate points of interest for family-friendly destinations on any budget.

One of the many great features on the site is a list of “Cities on a Shoestring” where parents can find inexpensive or free activities to do in cities around the country. The site also includes tips for hassle free air travel, videos of popular family destinations, and safety travel tips.

HOW TO ENTER

You can enter the contest by leaving a comment about your favorite family vacation destination spot!

It’s that simple!  Ends on July 3rd!

This has been made possible via the lovely ladies at Mom Generations;)