FL Mom's blog!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

2013-05-16T22:10:00.002-04:00

Congrats to Sandy, Claudia, and Kaitlin on the Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Toilet Care Giveaway!! You three have been e-mailed and now have 48 hours in which to get back to me! :O)

Today is my birthday!

2013-05-16T16:26:00.000-04:00

Well, I kind of feel like I hit another milestone, though I probably hit it last year when I turned 50! Today was my 51st birthday, and I went to get my pre-op paperwork and prescription for next week's surgery on Tuesday. I have two more work days left till I go on leave for about 6 to 8 weeks for a discectomy. I was having such a fun morning, that I had to go straight from work to the doctor appointment, then head home for a quick shower and breakfast from Starbucks (not good for a low carb/ sugar free sort of diet!) and take care of the birds---before heading to Orlando for a Ford event. I got lost with the GPS, (ha!) and had issues with the compass directions from MapQuest, but got there about 9 minutes late! It goes to show that Orlando gets hard to navigate the less frequent you go into the downtown area, especially for me, and I had not been in that particular area in at least about 25.5 years---when my sister Karen and her husband Bruce got married in late '87! I ran into Adrianna, from MilSpouseBloggers, whom I had met at last year's CFLBlogCon in Orlando. It was nice to run into a familiar face! What an afternoon!
And oh BTW, yesterday was Steve's birthday! A shout out to my husband!

Rod Stewart's TIME Released Recently! (Review)

2013-05-15T13:08:00.002-04:00

Disclosure: I was given a free CD via One2One Network in order to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed were my own!

Rod Stewart's "Time" was recently released on May 7th, and it marked Rod's return to his song-writing roots and his first album of new material in almost 20 years! "Time" was released by Capital Records and it has 12 tracks--- 11 of which Rod wrote and produced. (Barb's note here: I heard "She Makes Me Happy" when I was at work last night! I smiled! I love his music!) You can watch a video on a montage of 7 of his original new songs which were filmed during the making of the album:
Rod on YouTube and at Rod Stewart. It's a great montage of the songs, and I'm sure that you'll enjoy it, too! "She makes Me Happy" was the first song to be released on March 19th, followed by "Finest Woman"on April 8th. Presales of his new album started with digital retailers on April 8th. Billboard proclaimed "Stewart rocks again."(Love it!)

His song-writing skills returned during the time that he was writing his autobiography "Rod". He was able to write about 7 to 8 of the songs pretty quickly. Said Stewart," Something about that process of reviewing my life for the book reconnected me and that was it: I was away. Suddenly ideas for lyrics were piling up in my head. Next thing I knew, I had a song called 'It's Over' about divorce and separation. And now I was getting up in the middle of the night and scrambling for a pen to write things down, which has never happened to me. I finished seven or eight songs very quickly and I still wasn't done and it became apparent that I would eventually have a whole album of material to record, which had never happened before."
"TIME" track listing:
1. She Makes Me Happy
2. Can't Stop Me Now
3. It's Over
4. Brighton Beach
5. Beautiful Morning
6. Live The Life
7. Finest Woman
8. Time
9. Picture In A Frame
10. Sexual Religion
11. Make Love To Me Tonight
12. Pure Love

"Time" iTunes Deluxe Edition (Bonus Tracks)
1. Love Has No Pride
2. Corina Corina
3. Legless

Rod Stewart is set to go on the European leg of his Live the Life tour on June 1st, while American date with Steve Winwood will begin on October 17th.

You can purchase the new album at your local stores, and online with Amazon.com and iTunes. I really enjoyed listening to "Time, it felt like I was listening to an old friend! The songs will get you tapping your fingers on the steering wheel and singing along, that is, if your are listening to him in your car! My favorites are" Can't Stop Me Now", Beautiful Morning", and "Sexual Religion".

Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Toilet Care review and giveaway (3 winners, ends 5/16/13, US only)

2013-05-13T13:00:00.000-04:00

Disclosure: The Soft Scrub brand provided me with a sample of Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Toilet Care in exchange for a product review. However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own!

Soft Scrub brand has come out with a new way of taking care of your toilet! What would you think if a toilet care product not only cleaned your toilet, but it prevented future buildup, fought toilet bowl ring, and was freshening your toilet up to 4 weeks? And, may I add, it costs less than $2.00!! I would say that it sounds like a great new product! It comes in two fragrances: Alpine Fresh--fragrance with bleach, and Sapphire Waters--fragrance without bleach. They provide long lasting cleaning and freshening thanks to the unique design and advanced formula.

I was given a sample of the Sapphire Waters, and I opted to put it in the hall bathroom, which Steve and Steven tend to use. It took me a bit to put the plastic hanger for the plastic cage on the rim of the toilet, since our toilet's water flow wasn't super visible! I liked the fragrance! We've been using it for over 2 weeks now, and the toilet's still clean on the inside! It has definitely made my cleaning chores in the bathroom with the toilet a bit easier! The fragrance could have been a bit stronger, in my opinion, though. I am happy that the fragrance and the clean toilet has made my guys happy!

Now onto the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

2013-05-09T09:42:00.002-04:00

Sandy was the winner of the Oransi Ionic Air Purifier for the refrigerator! Congrats!

Merchbox (review)

2013-05-01T14:01:00.002-04:00

Disclosure: I was given information about Merchbox from Big Picture Media, and I decided to join Merchbox, paying for it myself! Information was given to me by Big Picture Media, and pictures were taken of my own recently received products!

I recently subscribed to a unique kind of box subscription called Merchbox! With a quote from MTV Act: "Merchbox is like a rad care package from your musically inclined Mom." I love that quote! I got curious, and decided to follow a link to see what came in a Merchbox: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/merchbox, where some people posted pictures on Tumblr of what they had received. Interesting! I figured "sure", and went through the process of ordering it. I received an e-mail from Mike Frankel, and he asked a few questions, along the lines of naming 3 bands that I liked, my age, my birthday, and something else that I can't remember at the moment! And, I responded back to him with my answers. I received the Merchbox in the past week, and am still listening to the cds. I received two cds, a pack of paper soap leaves, mustache mints, and 2 discount cards. The music is interesting!

Here's some information for you about Merchbox: It is a new subscription service with a simple mission: to shine a light on new music through tangible delivery. Each month, the members receive a box tailored to their interests. To sign up go to: Merchbox , answer the questions that they e-mail you, and using a complex algorithm (their brains), the Merchbox team will send out a monthly package that is tailored to the subscriber's taste.

Merchbox was launched in early December by Mike Frankel as an experiment. "I missed having stuff. Although I appreciate the convenience of digital delivery, nothing beats the experience of tearing off the shrink wrap, taking in the artwork, and losing yourself in a full album," says Frankel. "Merchbox encourages you to think back to a time before everything you listened to was encoded in 0's and 1's." Frankel's other gigs include helping Entourage actor Adrian Grenier run his Brooklyn-based recording studio,Wreckroom Records, and running his own MP3-giveaway blog, FreeIndie.com. In their own way, all three projects aid Frankel's vision of bringing together budding musicians and new listeners by making their music widely accessible.

Dreamworks Animation's "The Croods" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Review)

2013-05-01T13:21:00.001-04:00

Disclosure: I was given the opportunity to listen and download to the soundtrack in order to facilitate a review and the opinions expressed are my own!

"The Croods" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released on March 19th by Relativity Music Group, and it featured the original song "Shine Your Way" by Owl City and Yuna.( I happen to love that song, being a fan of Owl City, and it was my favorite song off of the soundtrack!) Here's a link to the video clip of the song over on Fuse TV: Shine Your Way. It's an enthusiastic uplifting song, and Owl City and Malaysian singer Yuna are included in the animation in this video! ( Barb's piece of information here:Yuna's from Verve Records and Owl City's from Republic Records. ) The song was produced by Owl City along with two-time Academy Award nominated composer Alan Sylvestri and Glen Ballard who wrote the track with the film's directors Kirk DeMicco and Chris Sanders. Sylvestri produced and composed the enter score of the soundtrack, which includes "Smash and Grab", and a sample of "Tusk" with the USC Trojan Marching Band. The whole soundtrack is available on Itunes.

"The Croods"

"The Croods" movie was released on March 22nd, and was directed by Kirk DeMicco and Chris Sanders, and was produced by Kristine Belson and Jane Hartwell. Nicholas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Cloris Leachman, Catherine Keener, and Clark Duke star in the animated movie.

The Croods tells the story of the world's first family road trip. When their cave is destroyed, the Crood family must embark on a comedy adventure into strange and spectacular territory in search of a new home. As if patriarch Grug (Nicolas Cage) didn't already have enough to handle, it goes from bad to worse when they encounter an imaginative nomad named Guy (Ryan Reynolds). With Guy's help the Croods conquer their fear of the outside world and discover that they have exactly what it takes to survive - each other.

For more information on the movie, visit: thecroodsmovie.com and on Facebook and on twitter @ DWAnimation. This time, Steven didn't get the opportunity to listen to the music, so no opinions from him! We both enjoy soundtrack music! I enjoyed all of the songs!
Here's a list of the songs in the soundtrack, and all of the songs are enjoyable to listen to!

The Croods Music from the Motion Picture - Score Composed and Produced by Alan Silvestri Track Listing:

Owl City and Yuna "Shine Your Way"
Prologue
Smash and Grab (contains a sample of "Tusk") Performed by Alan Silvestri and The USC Trojan Marching Band
Bear Owl Escape
Eep and the Warthog
Teaching Fire to Tiger Girl
Exploring New Dangers
Piranhakeets
Fire and Corn
Turkey Fish Follies
Going Guys Way
Story Time
Family Maze
Star Canopy
Grug Flips His Lid
Planet Collapse
We'll Die If We Stay Here
Cave Painting
Big Idea
Epilogue
Cave Painting Theme
The Crood's Family Theme
Cantina Croods

To Sing Frogs -A Memoir by John M. Simmons (Book review)

2013-04-30T13:54:00.000-04:00

Disclosure: I was given advance review copy to read in order to facilitate a review of the book. The opinions expressed are totally mine, and mine only!

Oh my gosh, is what I thought when I first started reading this book a few weeks ago!! And yes, it was a good oh my gosh! I felt like I was in the room with Amy and John, when they first met up with a social worker in their state when they wanted to adopt. I could imagine Amy's expressions on her face when John was voicing his opinions to the social worker about not wanting a foster child and not wanting a special needs child. Amy, the wife, had been a product of foster homes, and she had turned out to be just fine. Fast forward just a bit, and they were connected with a group who assisted with international adoptions--- in Russia! (Bear in mind, they already had 3 of their own biological children--boys-- and had adopted Jack, a special needs child with Down's syndrome.) They applied to be able to adopt 3 children from Russia. John and Amy went to Russia and met Stass and Anya, who would be assisting them and taking them to meet children at the orphanages. They met Katya and Luba who were sisters at 2 different orphanages, and Kirrill, a little boy at another orphanage.

Throughout the book, I read about their initial meeting with the children, and how Katya was burned and scarred. Luba loved her orphanage "mother", and Kirrill was sick. Katya had friends named Marina and Julia at the orphanage---- I can't give too much away of John's and Amy's story!!! I will tell you that they do adopt all three children, Katya, Luba, and Kirrill, and one of Luba's and Katya's older siblings. They jump through many loops after the initial visit as they are trying to bring the children home on another visit. Delays occur, and frustration mounts, but things work out! Prayers are answered, and mountains are conquered, so to speak! Experiences occur in the book that many of us would take for granted, to say the least! Family moves and trips abroad occur as the years go by, and their oldest son becomes a Mormon Missionary and goes to Spain. Spain has some importance in the book, and that is all I will tell you!

To summarize my opinion of the book... I loved it! I laughed and cried with them throughout Amy's and John's journeys! When I had to put the book down for a couple days, I wanted to get right back to it, to find out more about what was happening on the next page or in the next chapter! Though Steve and I never adopted any children, this book made me wish that we were younger and could adopt a child or two! I can't stop praising this book! I highly recommend that you read the book when it comes out on the market! If you read any book this summer, put this book at the top of your list!

* An important piece of information for you to know is that John will be donating all of the profits from the sale of To Sing Frogs to the Ele Lembra Foundation.
To find out more information about Ele Lembra Foundation, please go to: Ele Lembra Foundation

To find out more about Program Chance, please go to: Program Chance

Oransi Ionic Air Purifier for Refrigerator (Review and Giveaway) (ends May 7th, USA only)

2013-04-29T14:01:00.000-04:00

Disclosure: I was given an air purifier in order to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Do you worry about your refrigerator smelling? *Hands raising* I know that we do in my household, especially if Steve's cut part of an onion and is saving the other part to use in a few days wrapped up.
Well, there's a product out on the market that will help solve this problem with smelly refrigerators! It's
the Oransi Ionic Air Purifier for the Refrigerator! We've been testing our for at least 3+ weeks now, and
our fridge has been odor-free. I decided to put it on a busy shelf in our fridge, where the bread and beer and other miscellaneous items are kept. I just went and checked to see if I smelled anything before I posted this, and all I smelled was a clean smell emitting from the inside of our refrigerator!

I do want to share some information with you about the Oransi Ionic Air Purifier for the Refrigerator:
Function:
* Eliminate food odors in your refrigerator
* Kill bacteria
* Reduce food spillage
* Prevent mildew
* Sterilize fridge every 2 hours
* Neutralize stale and foul odors with fresh air inside refrigerator, closets

It's silent, and runs on 2 "AA" batteries for about 45 to 90 days. There are no filters to change or replace. It comes in an attractive and neutral color. It comes with :Patented Piezo-electric technology: allows for a high negative ion output to freshen your refrigerator without the harmful side effects of ozone that is found in standard ionizers. The average cost to run it is about $1 a month! A built-in micro-chip tells it when to turn off and on.Safety----the ionic air purifier has received safety certifications GS and CE as well as the RoHS lead free directive. It's size allows you to put it anywhere in the fridge!

Forgive me, I'm having issues getting back to regular size type!! My take on it: It's kept our fridge smelling fresh, and we've had less food spoilage. We had some spinach stay fresh in the fridge for well over a week, and I'm not sure why Steve threw it out (other than he must have not checked it!). I like the size of it, small and compact, and it seriously doesn't take up hardly any room on the shelf at all!

For more information, you can check out Oransi. Oransi can be purchased at www.oransi.com and at

http://www.amazon.com and it qualifies for free shipping at Amazon.com.

Now for the Rafflecopter giveaway! (NO P.O. BOXES, please, per request from sponsor!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sorry for lack of posts this past week!

2013-04-26T14:14:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure what's been going on with me lately! It feels like a bit of extreme exhaustion, when I just want to come home from work in the mornings, and just curl up on the sofa and vegetate for a bit before going to bed. It might be the recent change in meds from the endocrinologist or it could just be my fibromyalgia and a bit of arthritis! I'm trying to get more rest, and my blog suffered a bit in the last two weeks from it. I do have to work tonight, and plan to do some posting, along with spend time with the hubby and son this weekend. I even missed mentioning my husband's and my 24th wedding anniversary on April 15th, Tax Day! Happy belated, honey! And my Aunt Helen who doesn't have net access had her 75th birthday on this past Monday, happy belated birthday to you!

I want to thank all of you who are patient and continue to read my ramblings and posts, A BIG THANK YOU to you all!

Nuturing the Soul of Your Family-- 10 Ways to Reconnect and Find Peace in Everyday Life by Renee Peterson Trudeau (Review)

2013-04-26T14:05:00.002-04:00

Disclosure: I was given a copy of Renee Trudeau's book to read and to review, and the opinions expressed were my own!

I have been blessed with reading several great books this year, and they have been ones where I totally felt like I was there nodding "yes, I can relate to that!" Sometimes, I wasn't sure if it was because I was a bit older than her and had been through similar circumstances that she had in my own family, or it was because I was a parent, too! And it didn't matter what faith I was, as I read the book, because I could apply what I read to circumstances in my life with my husband and son. I was eager to learn more and found each chapter to be a learning experience! Most of the time that I was spending reading her book was spent in doctor's offices for a few weeks, and many of my "aha" moments occurred there, too.

Here are a few things that you will learn as you read Renee's book:
* find your center and move through chaos and uncertainty with renewed strength and ease

* live every day aligned with your values and what matters most

* slow down, tap the wisdom of your wise self, and know what's best for you and your family

* release old habits, fears, and anxieties as you explore a new way of being

* access more joy by living in the present moment (the best antidote to stress!)

*experience more freedom and unscheduled time

Some sections that I found interesting where when she encouraged one to cultivate curiosity and to listen without judgement, and sometimes those are two areas that are hard for me. Her book is definitely a think and talk about things book, and in turn, you do find ways of reconnecting with yourself and others within your family. She helps us in the book with providing tools which we can use to learn from. With me, I am an on-going project, and there is always room for change (and I will say the same for my son and my husband!

Have I said that I recommend the book? I'm saying it right now, that it's definitely on my list of "I highly recommend it!"! Sometime during the summer, I'm aiming to re-read it!

I have some links for you to check out for more information!

Renee on Facebook

Renee on twitter

And if you want to purchase her book, you can purchase it at Amazon.com .

Some thoughts about yesterday...

2013-04-16T12:08:00.000-04:00

I'm sending prayers towards those in Boston and those who have family and friends who may have been affected by yesterday's tragedy. I didn't find out till the wee hours of this morning at work about what had happened yesterday, I didn't have the news or social media on last night before work. When I saw it on the news in my residents' rooms and heard my co-workers talking about it, I was in shock, to say the least. I can't believe what has happened. We've got to be proud of out First Responders and those who helped with the injured and the people who died.

Guest Post: Ten Processed Food Alternatives Kids Will Love ---- from AuPair.org

2013-04-12T12:49:00.002-04:00

Disclosure: Guest post from AuPair.org found originally on http://www.aupair.org/blog/ten-processed-food-alternatives-kids-will-love/

Convincing kids to eat healthier foods is a challenge for most parents, and a battle that can be very difficult to win at times. If you’re having vegetable issues with the kids, there are ways to hide those vitamin-packed foods so that the kids will never suspect they are eating healthily. Processed foods are loaded with sugar and preservatives that are unhealthy for kids and adults alike, but they are quick and easy enough that it’s tempting to spring for the time-saving alternative from time to time. What you may not know is that there are quick and easy substitutes for healthy food as well. If you’re willing to do a little work ahead of time, you can serve your kids tasty foods that are good for them instead of their preservative-packed counterparts. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Opt for Homemade Granola Over Pre-Packaged Cereals – It doesn’t take much to mix together old fashioned oats, sunflower seeds, coconut, nuts, spices, honey and no-sugar-added applesauce to create delicious batch of granola for the kids. One of the perks of homemade granola is that you get to add the flavors your kids enjoy while avoiding preservatives and additives. Milk turns your homemade granola into a breakfast cereal, while mixing it with yogurt makes it a healthy and substantial snack.
Skip Breakfast Bars and Toaster Treats – Both are good for quick fixes in the morning, but are they good for you? Substitute whole wheat toast with a nut butter or an all fruit, no-sugar added spread. It’s fast, nutritious and just as tasty.
Freezing Homemade Pancakes – Commercially-frozen pancakes don’t taste nearly as good as the whole grain pancakes you can make yourself. You can whip up a large batch of the tasty cakes and put them in freezer bags to pull out when you need them. Since you are the one making them, you know exactly what they contain, and you can be sure your kids are getting healthy food without chemical additives
Choose Fruit Over Syrup – Pancake syrup might be tasty, but anything other than pure maple syrup is filled with chemicals, flavoring additives and preservatives. Try substituting pureed fruit or one of the many all-fruit spreads available without the added sugar. Another tasty topper is natural applesauce.
Make Your Own Pasta Sauce – Have you ever noticed how spaghetti usually tastes better the second day? Make your own pasta sauce from scratch and you will eliminate all the preservatives and excess sugar. Make enough to freeze dinner-sized portions and you will have instant meals for busy days.
Cut Out Canned Pasta – Opening a can of pasta is quick and easy, and kids love those little “o’s” and alphabet letters. You can make those quick and easy meals healthy by purchasing fun pasta shapes and combining them with your homemade pasta sauce. Freeze child size portions and you have plenty of meals ready to just heat and serve.
Make Your Own Lunch Kits –Kids love tearing into those lunches with crackers, deli meat, cheese and some kind of sugary treat. You can create the same effect using healthy ingredients and adding fresh fruits and vegetables. Whole grain crackers, organic cheese and your kids’ favorite treats still allow them to stack and assemble lunch, just without the added chemicals. Try carrot chips as a substitute for greasy potato chips.
Choose Fruit and Vegetable Bread Over Cakes – Every now and then, cake and other sweets are a nice treat. Still, a steady diet of such fare is not good for you. Substituting quick breads like banana bread or zucchini bread can be a healthy alternative, especially when they’re made with a health-conscious recipe. A little softened cream cheese with fruit makes a nice topping.
Make Mini Pizzas – Instead of the fat-laden, commercially-frozen pizza, offer your kids the opportunity to make their own mini pizzas. All you need are some whole wheat English muffins, a little marinara sauce, low fat cheese and any other toppings they’d like to add. Pile on the good stuff and bake in the oven until the cheese is a nice golden-brown. These little pizzas are easy and fun to make, the kids will love them and you’ll have the pleasure of knowing that your kids are eating healthily. For variety, you can make morning pizzas by adding scrambled eggs as a topping. Give it even more flair by using salsa and crumbled turkey or chicken sausage.
Pass on the Cookies – Cookies are an easy snack to reach for when little tummies rumble, but they’re also full of empty calories. A healthy alternative that kids will enjoy includes mini rice cakes with banana slices and peanut butter in between. When you use natural, no-sugar-added peanut butter, you have a healthy, protein rich snack.

Part of making the change to healthy substitutes is not saying anything about what’s being substituted. Just offer the alternative as you would any other food, and soon you will find your kids eating healthy foods without complaining. Ideally, starting your kids off early in life with less sugar and bad fats means a much healthier childhood, but it’s never too late to change. It may take a little time to get older kids on board, but modeling good eating habits yourself and getting them involved in helping make the meals will go a long way towards advancing your cause.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

2013-04-12T12:37:00.003-04:00

Realia, Julie, and Donna were the winners for the New Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash Detergent coupons. Congrats, ladies! You have been e-mailed and now have 48 hours in which to e-mail me your name and mailing address!

"A Hero's Throne" by Ross Lawhead (Review)

2013-04-12T12:11:00.000-04:00

Disclosure: I was given the book by BookSneeze in order to facilitate my review, and the opinions expressed were my own!

I reviewed the first book of Ross Lawhead's The Ancient Earth Trilogy in the past two years, it was "The Realms Thereunder". I was lucky to get the opportunity to read the second book in his trilogy recently called "A Hero's Throne". Until I read this book, I did not know that Ross was the son of Stephen Lawhead, another author whose audio book I had also reviewed. That was quite interesting to know, and they both write fantasy fiction. Anyhow, back to Ross' 2nd book in this series... it's about 320 pages long, but you don't realize it when you are so absorbed in the book! (I was taking it with me to appointments, and got totally immersed in it each time I picked it back up!)

As the second book starts, Daniel and Freya gather with a few other people, and go through the portals back into the land of Nidergeard. Things have changed a lot since they left Nidergeard eight years ago, and now their help is needed. The dark forces have taken over, and the sleeping knights and others are being killed. Daniel and Freya get involved in different areas, in helping rally the remaining people into action to save Nidergeard. Something happens to Daniel along the journey in the other realm, but I don't want to divulge too much. Freya helps to awaken Modwyn, after removing a sword from her chest. Children in in our realm are being taken, through various ways, by selkies, giants, and mermaids into the other world. These children are what we'd probably call outcasts, or those who wouldn't be missed if they were to disappear. I was somewhat confused at first why these children and teens were disappearing. That kind of creeped me a bit, until towards the end of the book. I don't want to give too much away about the book, hoping that you'll read it! I'm definitely looking forward to reading the third book in the trilogy! I seriously recommend the book if you are into fantasy fiction, and suggest that you start out with the first book!

NEW Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash Detergent Review and Giveaway (US Only, ends 4/12/13)

2013-04-05T09:50:00.001-04:00

I love exotic fruit smells, like my favorite Pineapple Dole Whip Float from Magic Kingdom at WDW. And, I like pina coladas! So, I was really excited to try the NEW Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash Detergent!! It's a tropical splash in your washer and in your laundry room! WOW!! (I think that if you've been following my blog for awhile that when I use my exclamation points, I'm excited about something!)

Let me give you a bit of information about this awesome product:

*it has hypoallergenic and dye-free formula which is great for those with sensitive skin.

*it has a fresh, nature inspired fragrance!!

* it packs the cleaning power of Purex with DirtLift Action!!

* it is available in 50 oz, 75 oz, and 100 oz sizes!!

*Its biodegradable promotes green cleaning practices!

Use the store locator to find retailers in your area that carry this product:
Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash Detergent

I'm so glad that it's carried in my area! I am also glad that it's a part of the Purex #1 selling Natural Elements brand, which delivers the bright, white and clean that I do expect from Purex. We've been using Purex for years, ever since Steven was younger, and it's kept our clothes clean.

I think that I was the first one in our family to use the bottle that we received for the review, and I loved the scent the immediate moment that I opened the bottle! I forgot to mention to you that you can use the liquid laundry detergent in HE washers, and that was important to me, too, since we have a front-loading washer. I either watched jeans or towels for my first load with it, and it naturally cleaned our laundry! Odors and stains on the jeans went away, and the towels smelled great! I wished the I had taken pictures of the laundry that I washed with it, to post, but I'd be taking pictures everyday! My white and my blue nursing uniforms have come clean, along with all of our other laundry loads, especially our bird sheets that we cover the birds with at night. And if anything's dirty, it's the birds' sheets, and it gets them clean! Am I recommending the NEW Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash detergent, you ask? Of course!!!

Disclosure: "Purex" brand provided me with a sample of Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash detergent in exchange for a product review. However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own.

Now onto my giveaway! Three lucky winner will each receive one coupon good for one free bottle of New Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash detergent (max value of $6.00).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner, Winner, chicken dinner!

2013-04-04T11:48:00.002-04:00

Michelle won the New Dial Coconut Water Body Wash giveaway. I've e-mailed her and she now has 48 hours to e-mail me back! Congrats!

HAPPY EASTER!

2013-03-31T17:07:00.002-04:00

Happy Easter to everyone! He is risen indeed!
I heard from an old friend of ours today, we've known her since at least 1989 from our church in Orlando! I just want to say, hi Elaine, if you read this!

NEW Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath & Kitchen Cleanser (Review and Giveaway)

2013-03-29T13:56:00.001-04:00

Disclosure: Soft Scrub provided me a free sample of their Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath and Kitchen Cleanser so I could review it. However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own!

Whew! Got my disclosure out of the way! Hi ladies and gents! Has there ever been a product that you've used ever since I came out, as in years ago, and stayed with it? Well, for my family, it's been Soft Scrub. I've used it mostly in the bathrooms throughout the years, cleaning the tubs and showers and the sinks, sometimes even putting some into the toilet and using a toilet brush. Recently, I brought it into the kitchen and used it in the sink, and it was in the pictures that I took of our kitchen sink. It needed a bit of clean scrubbing after a weekend of cooking and making a mess in it! I have always appreciated it for its (what I call) "scrubbability"!! Okay, so I made up a word, but there are some products that I just love to use, and the Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath and Kitchen Cleanser is one of them!! Lemony goodness! Lemon Cleanser! It can clean the bathroom and the kitchen!

I moved the sink mats to one side and squirted some Soft Scrub into the sink!

Moved over to clean the other side first!

Scrub, scrub scrub! Loving how clean my sink's going to smell and look!

Rinsed that side out and did the same to the other side!


Gently on my kitchen sink! I will admit that I've still got plenty more uses for it in my house, since it's ALL PURPOSE!! Next plan is to use it on the drip pans on my gas stove! It had worked great in our hall shower/tub combo! What would you use in on in your home? I'm recommending it highly, and seriously hope that you try it if you haven't used it before! Below, 3 of you will get the opportunity to win a coupon valid on any Soft Scrub product!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NEW Dial Coconut Water Body Wash Review and Giveaway

2013-03-27T14:30:00.000-04:00

If there one thing that I've been concerned about since I was a younger, it's been skin care. I'm constantly looking for hydrating and moisturizing products for my body, and I found both in the new Dial Coconut Water Body Wash! It's the first of its kind to contain Coconut Water for clean, healthy (yes, I want healthy skin!), hydrated (definitely!) skin. Coconut Water is found in young, green coconuts and is known to be rich is in antioxidants and electrolytes that provide replenishing hydration, A leading trend in the food and beverage industry is coconut water, and that it is known as a "super water" for it's natural hydration and health benefits. The fragrance of the Dial Coconut Water Body Wash has hints of green, floral and coconut, and it's mild enough for the whole family to use (Barb's note here: I couldn't get my guys to try it since they are into another brand that I won't mention here!) :O(

I've been using it for at least 3 weeks now, and I've noticed that my skin has felt moisturized and clean smelling after my baths and showers with it! The fragrance is truly mild, and doesn't bother my nose. I've been bothered by dry skin this winter here in FL for some reason or another call it being inside or getting older, and Dial's Coconut Water Body Wash has helped it. I do recommend checking it out and see what it does for yours and your family's skin! New Dial Coconut Water Body Wash can be found at your local retailer.

I want to give you one more piece of information before I mention the giveaway for my blog below. Dial is proud to introduce the Healthier Skin. Healthier You. Sweepstakes featuring Dial Coconut Water Body Wash. One lucky grand prize winner will receive $1,000, while 250 second place winners will receive free Coconut Water Body Wash. Enter here for the Dial Coconut Water Body Wash Sweepstakes I hope that one of my readers wins!! That would be so awesome!

Disclosure: "Dial" Soap provided me with a sample of NEW Dial Coconut Water Body Wash in exchange for a product review. However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner of General Mills and DreamWorks Animation package

2013-03-21T10:23:00.001-04:00

Shawn A. is the winner of the General Mills and DreamWorks Animation giveaway! Congrats! Shawn's been e-mailed and has 48 hours in which to e-mail me!

10 Things That I Don't Know How to Do

2013-03-19T13:45:00.001-04:00

I'm following along with a writing prompt finally after over a year or so of reading Mama's Losin' It blog! I'm usually brave about most things, but talking about things that I don't know how to do and to admit them, whew! Okay, so here goes!

#1--- I can't knit! I have tried a few times, and even have a couple of books on how to do it, but I can't even get the first stitch cast! It's frustrating!

#2--- I can't really cook, well, not many things! I'm more of a baker! Mom and Dad never really let us tinker in the kitchen growing up, though my Grandma Ruth would let me help whenever I'd go over to visit her and Granddaddy for the day. Since I've known my husband Steve, he's done about 90% of the cooking. I am trying to cook more on my days off, and I follow several cooking blogs, such as Katie's Cucina , The Little Kitchen, and The Pioneer Woman.

#3---I don't know how to repair things around the house, but then again, I have a husband who does!

#4--- I can't draw! My drawing are pretty much stick figures! My son and my Dad can draw, and my late brother was talented in drawing mostly cartoon action figures.

#5---I can't organize my belongings! It's an ongoing issue!

#6--- I can't sing! Mercy, my son and my hubby constantly say, please don't sing in the car! I can't carry a tune, but absolutely love to listen to music!

#7--- I can't do a cartwheel! I tried many years ago when I was younger, and even in gymnastics in HS---lousy! I think that I was terrible with balance!

#8--- I can't quilt! Well, maybe someday when I am older, I'll take a class in it!

#9--- whew! They are getting harder to come up with the higher the number that I type! I can't type without looking at the keyboard, well, maybe a few words here and there! I took typing in HS back in '79, and I forgot most of it!
And last but not least #10--- I don't know how to BBQ anything or how to use the grill!

Okay, so there you have it! What 10 things can you NOT do or don't know how to do?

Guest Post from Dr. Richard Bezozo, Put Your Skin Health First The Spring Break

2013-03-19T12:48:00.000-04:00

Put Your Skin Health First This Spring Break

By: Richard Bezozo, M.D.

Spring is quickly approaching, and that means many people are planning getaways to warm, sunny climates. Whether you’re prepping for a vacation from work or gearing up for a spring break trip, you probably have at least one thing in common: you are in search of that golden tan.

Let’s face it – although the sand is beckoning to dig ours toes into it and we may be looking forward to spending lazy vacation days in the sun, we are also putting our skin at extreme risk for serious damage and increasing the risk of potentially developing a serious skin illness or disease. If you are a spring breaker or a future vacationer seeking a hot spot, spending time outside in the sun requires some risk-taking. Follow these simple times to maximize your skin protection and practice safe sun:

· Do not seek a base tan. There truly is no such thing as a “base tan,” and getting one will certainly not provide you with protection from the sun’s UV rays. Recent studies and research from the Melanoma Research Foundation show that tanning bed users have a significantly increased risk of developing melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. So, instead of visiting your local tanning salon to get an initial tan, or burn, practice safe sun with the additional tips below.

· Minimize exposure during the sun’s strongest and most powerful hours. 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. is when the UV rays are strongest, so if possible, avoid the sun or minimize your time outdoors during these hours. Instead, try shopping, going out to lunch, or other fun vacation festivities! If you are looking to be a beach bum or enjoy a day lounging at the pool, consider renting a cabana or bringing a large umbrella to help shade you from the sun for prolonged hours.

· Protect your skin. When you are enjoying the sun’s warmth outdoors, always wear a broad-spectrum and water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and be sure to get all exposed and non-exposed skin areas. Apply the sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every 1 ½ to 2 hours. Don’t forget that sunscreen is needed even on cloudy days, because approximately 50 – 80 percent of UV rays penetrate through the clouds.

· Stay Covered. Wear a hat, UV-blocking sunglasses, a lip balm with an SPF, and wear protective clothing to cover your skin if and when possible.

· Treat your burns properly. Sun burns are the ultimate vacation-killer. There is nothing like getting a painful, or blistering, burn that keeps you from having fun the rest of your spring break or vacation. If your skin does happen to burn from too much sun exposure, apply aloe or moisturizing cream to ease the discomfort and hydrate your skin and be sure to stay out of the sun to limit any further damage.

· Monitor your skin. Be proactive in your skin health by regularly monitoring your skin for any changes in the size or shape of existing moles and monitor your skin for new moles. Consider enrolling in an early detection melanoma screening program, to optimize your skin health.

One blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life making it essential that people take the lead in their skin health, in order to reduce the risk of developing a potentially deadly disease, such as melanoma. As you are gearing up for your vacation and warmer climate keep these tips in mind and be sure to make regular visits to your dermatologist, perform self-checks, and consider enrolling in an early detection surveillance program.

Richard Bezozo, M.D., is the president of MoleSafe.

Guest Post from Renee Trudeau, author of Nuturing The Soul of Your Family

2013-03-19T12:40:00.001-04:00

The Benefits of Having a Support Network

An Excerpt from Nurturing the Soul of Your Family

Over the years as a career and executive coach, I have observed that people who are comfortable asking for and receiving help — whether that’s from a coach, a therapist, a mentor, a friend, a professional organization, or a business partner or colleague — experience greater success and feel more connected and confident at home and at work. One day at an executive team lunch, I asked the company’s CEO if he had ever been scared to initiate risky big business deals — mergers, buy-outs, going public. He said, “Hell yes, I was scared — often terrified! But I had an army of support surrounding me or I wouldn’t have been able to pull it off.”

Having a support system can have a huge impact on how you experience day-to-day life. Research shows that individuals who have robust support systems

• are more effective in all aspects of their lives;

• keep resolutions, particularly those involving their health and physical well-being;

• weather personal and professional challenges more easily;

• are less likely to feel overwhelmed and find it easier to maintain perspective;

• stay healthier on all levels — mentally, physically, and emotionally;

• are less likely to feel isolated (which can lead to feelings of despair and failure);

• experience less stress and burnout; and

• have children who are comfortable asking for and receiving help from others.

In my own life and work, I’ve seen the truth of this over and over: feeling supported while moving through a transition or facing a challenging issue can make all the difference in how you experience the journey — and how your family does as well.

Sarah, a mother of two, confided, “When Bryan goes out of town for work for a week or longer, I know solo parenting will be challenging. I have finally learned these are the times I need to heap on the extra support. I usually ask my younger sister to babysit one night during the week so I can enjoy a quiet dinner out with a girlfriend, and I have our high school neighbor come over three nights during the week to help with dinner, baths, and bedtime. I also make sure I have frozen dinners or easy-to-prepare food in the house. I used to dread these business trips. I would want to dump the kids on my husband the minute he returned from his trip and run out the door to get some time for myself. It took a while, but I finally learned that I just have to build in extra support when he’s away on a trip. Now, not only are the weeks he’s traveling more peaceful and enjoyable, but my husband returns to a family that’s happy to see him, rather than resentful that he’s been away.”

However, our support networks help us even when we don’t have a specific need. More than ever before, we’re all craving community, and there are many benefits to gathering in small, intentional groups to share and explore what matters most. Humans have a strong desire to come together — not as a leisure-time luxury, but as a necessity. We need each other. And we need “belly time” — not just texts or Facebook updates.

We receive many gifts when we gather intentionally to feed our hearts and souls:

• When we allow ourselves to become vulnerable and open up to help, we embrace our interdependence and tap into one another’s wisdom on the deepest level. We realize we’re one another’s teachers.

• When going through a challenging time, reaching out to and gathering with like-minded friends for authentic conversation helps us feel validated and supported.

• Being with good friends who care deeply about us reminds us who we really are. They help us remember our stuff isn’t the “biggest thing that’s happening to us,” it’s just the “biggest thing in this moment!”

• When we ask for help or gather in groups, we experience our interconnectedness directly, so that we don’t feel alone.

• When we gather intentionally around a common theme, we realize how much our experience is shared by others. Having our friends or community articulate what we’ve been feeling in our own hearts can elicit an immediate shift in perspective or an aha moment!

• The practice of being real, vulnerable, and deeply authentic in front of others — as my mentor says, “showing up warts and all” — can be amazingly cathartic and freeing!

• When women gather in groups, our physiology changes: our im-mune systems and serotonin levels get a boost and we release oxytocin (the cuddle hormone) — which results in us feeling calmer and happier overall.

Finally, the act of giving and receiving support can be a spiritual practice. This is particularly true during times of extreme need — just ask anyone who has faced a major illness or has cared for a child with special needs. Occasionally, life forces us to surrender to divine grace and call in the troops!

# # #

Life balance coach/speaker Renée Peterson Trudeau is the author of the new book Nurturing the Soul of Your Family. Thousands of women in ten countries are participating in Personal Renewal Groups based on her first book, the award-winning The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal. Visit her online at www.ReneeTrudeau.com

Smokey Bones Bar and Fire Grill Review

2013-03-18T13:38:00.001-04:00

My family's favorite place to go these days is Smokey Bones Bar and Fire Grill. We happen to have one in Brevard County, and it's in Melbourne, FL not too far from the Melbourne Square Mall. When I read that they were coming out with a limited time only cheesy menu (it started early March), I knew that we had to get over to Smokey Bones to try it! We met Bob, the manager, and Zachary was our waiter that night.

I started off ordering unsweet iced tea. I had planned to order from their new beverage book which came out in December, but I had taken a pain pill that afternoon! Bummer, because they had some awesome sounding drinks, such as the Blood Orange Passion Rita, Fresh Diamond Rita, and the

Smokin' Cucumber Mary! I eyed the Magic Hat #9! I can't quite remember if Steve's Patron Perfection was on the new drinks. Son had the Cherry Coke. My guys wanted the Pretzel Bones, their usual appetizer, and I ordered the Italian Cheese Bites from the cheesy menu! The Cheese Bites came with tomato and ranch dipping sauces, and my favorite was the ranch---believe it or not! It was a perfect amount for an appetizer! We were in a booth around the perimeter of the bar area, and my guys were watching the sports on one of the many TVs! Zachary was busy checking with us for tea and soda refills.

Pretzel Bones

Cheesy Bites

I continued with the Cheesy menu for my entree by ordering a Smoked Brisket Cheesesteak Melt. How can you go wrong with that? As the description above says,"Shaved smoked beef brisket

with sauteed onions, peppers and melted provolone on a toasted hoagie bun. Served with a regular side." I also ordered The Big Mac & Cheese for my side. I was impressed when my meal came to the table! Yummy, was what I thought when I took my first bite out of the Cheesesteak! No sauce or anything else was needed for it, very flavorful!! Tender meat, too! The onions weren't that strong, either! The Big Mac and Cheese wasn't too garlicky tasting, and it was really creamy! Steve ordered the SW Scorcher Angus Burger with Peppered Bacon and Loaded Mashed potatoes. Steven had his usual, he's such a kid of habit, he ordered the Asiago Penne with Grilled Chicken. We ended the meal with Steve having a cup of coffee and I ordered the Cheesecake Bites for dessert! The Cheesecakes Bites were bites of cheesecake thrown in graham cracker and fried to a golden crisp, and they were served with a raspberry sauce! I really liked them, since I love cheesecake. Steve thought that they were okay, and Steven didn't try them since he's not a cheesecake fan.

My Cheesesteak

Steven's Asiago Penne

Steve's burger

my Big Mac & Cheese

Cheesecake Bites

All in all, we did have a great meal, and we enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant! Will we go back again? I hope we will before the end of the Cheesy menu! Do I recommend Smokey Bones Bar and Fire Grill ---not just the Melbourne, FL one, but any of the Smokey Bones? Yes, definitely, and it is family friendly!

Disclosure: I received information regarding the new Cheesy Menu and a discount on our meal from Smokey Bones bar and Fire Grill. The opinions expressed were mine and my family's. Honesty is everything!