mamasaysmine

I got a comment last week (thank you thank you thank you - I do so love comments) suggesting that I post the winners of the giveaways. 

Do people really want this? Here’s my rationale for not doing so: I get really irritated with sites who require that you come back and see if you’re a winner. I like to enter giveaways for two reasons: one, to win free stuff and two, to explore new blogs. If I don’t like your blog, I’m not going to come back, and that’s ok, right? You want a blog leadership that actually wants to read what you’re writing, right? So, I don’t have any requirement like that on my giveaways.

The other reason is because today.com sometimes closes my posts before the giveaway is over, meaning I can’t go back and edit them (for example, to write on the original post, “Giveaway now closed, congratulations Becky on your win!”), which is how I’d prefer to announce the winners.

I really don’t love the idea of creating a separate post for giveaway winners, although I’ve certainly done it before and it isn’t such a big deal (just kind of seems like a “whatever” post). BUT, if I hear from more readers that you want to know who’s winning, I’ll absolutely post winners.

I’m just that kind of gal.

For my money, nothing says summer better than Dairy Queen.  When I was pregnant with Hurricane Eva, we lived within walking distance of a Dairy Queen… I believe most of my pregnancy weight gain was actually DQ soft-serve, not baby (even though I didn’t gain much weight, that was A LOT of soft serve).

In honor of that hot HOT pregnant summer, I’m giving away a $5 Dairy Queen gift card. To enter, just leave a comment with your favorite ice cream flavor.  This giveaway will end Sunday, June 7 at midnight.  

Want an extra entry?  Blog this contest and leave me the link.

Good luck, mamas!

ps.  Enter my other giveaways:

Vera Bradley Luggage tag here  
3 copies of the book Hollywood Car Wash here 

Happy Memorial Day!  In honor of summer (whether or not the weather cooperates - it’s in the 60’s here tonight), I’m doing a week of giveaways, each one focused on one of my favorite parts of summer!

Whoo hoo!

Kicking off the week is a fabulous Vera Bradley luggage tag in Pinwheel Pink (my personal favorite print, in shades of pink and green).

I love summertime travel, although our destinations and activities have certainly changed since the arrival of Hurricane Eva. (less exploring in Spain, more exploring the zoo)

Even if you’re just heading to the grandparents, a fabulous luggage tag will put a smile on your face! (and so will the free babysitting)

To enter, leave me a comment telling me your dream vacation! Mine? Now that we have a child, I’d love to do a Disney Cruise. A self-contained hotel with entertainment for my daughter and chocolate for me sounds about perfect.

Want an extra entry? Blog this contest (make sure you link back here!) and leave me the link. Giveaway ends at midnight, Sunday, June 7.

Good luck, mamas! Come back tomorrow for another giveaway!

Residents of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming are eligible to win a $500 Casey’s gas card by visiting traveliowa.com (the link is on the right hand side). PLUS, you can get a free 2009 Iowa Travel Guide (priceless, really). The giveaway ends May 31, 2009.

We ended up buying an extra paper yesterday to get more Lowe’s coupons (did you see?  $10 off a $50 purchase AND $25 off a $250 purchase - we had to buy a lawn mower & edger, plus some other stuff, so these are being put to good use), AND I just got a ton of P&G coupons in the mail, so I have an over-abundance of coupons, which I am happy to share.

To enter, just leave me a comment telling me something you love about your life. It’s that easy.

This giveaway will close at midnight, Sunday, May 24. Good luck!

Monday is here, and with it, another giveaway. This week, I’ve got coupons on the brain, so I’m sharing the love.  

I have two sets of over $100 in coupons EACH and will be giving both away. 

How to enter?  Leave me a comment here before midnight, Sunday, May 10 (that’s Mother’s Day, y’all) telling me something POSITIVE that you’ve experienced from this economic downturn.  Seriously. 

Mine?  I’ve been re-evaluating every purchase.  Do we need it?  Is it the best deal?  Part of why I have so many coupons to give away is that I’m less brand-loyal than I used to be and won’t buy stuff just because it’s on sale.  

If you want an extra entry, blog about this giveaway and leave me the link.

Good luck! 

Alternate post title:  You had me at “restores normal bowel function.”

It is no secret that my daughter, affectionately known as Hurricane Eva, struggles with constipation, especially when we travel. And we travel A LOT.

This last time, it was so bad that I was planning to get off the plane and consult with her doctor prior to unpacking. Luckily, I checked the mail first. Waiting for me was a 10-day supply of Florastor Kids, a probiotic supplement designed for babies and kids.

While I have no qualms about using “alternative” remedies on myself (and probiotics are found naturally anyway), I checked with Eva’s pediatrician before giving her any. I’ve used probiotics to combat nasty side effects from taking antibiotics, so I wasn’t surprised to get the green light from the pediatrician.

To use Florastor Kids, you just mix a packet into a noncarbonated beverage. You’re supposed to use two a day, but I started with one and haven’t needed to increase the dose. I added it to Eva’s milk and she drank it every time without any problems. You can give it to babies in formula or in soft baby food.

Here’s what Florastor Kids is supposed to do:
- Maintains the balance of intestinal flora (essentially, the good bacteria in your intestines)
- Keeps intestines functioning wel
l- Promotes intestinal health
- Strengthens the intestinal immune system
- Restores normal bowel function (my personal favorite, in my daughter’s case)

How did it work? Well, whether it’s being home, her reconnection with her princess potty seat or the Florastor, Eva’s been pooping every day without needing a laxative. Success! (and more poop talk than I ever intended for this blog!)

The good people at Florastor Kids have provided me with a 10-day sample to share with you, along with a goofy book to help kids learn more about probiotics and a plush Florastor doll. Ha!

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment (make sure to include your email address) by midnight on Sunday, May 3. If you want to include a story about your child’s intestinal health, just make it funny.

For extra entries, blog this giveaway or subscribe to my feed (make sure and let me know you did!).

Good luck!

Internet, here’s a little secret.  I love the Real Housewives of New York City and I love Bethenny Frankel most of all.

Here’s another secret. When I got a copy of Bethenny’s new book Naturally Thin, I expected that I’d read it, enjoy it and give it away. But mamas, this one, for me, is a keeper.

Bethenny, a natural foods chef, offers 10 simple rules for developing a healthy relationship with food, plus over 30 recipes which are actually good. She tells you to satisfy your cravings with “real food” instead of processed crapola and doesn’t promise that you’ll lose 10 pounds in 2 weeks or anything crazy. This isn’t rocket science, but I could hear Bethenny’s voice in this book, and she is both funny and a gal you’d like to be friends with. Um, and her recipe for a “Skinnygirl Margarita” is to die for.

I’m happy to say that since I’ve read Bethenny’s book, I’ve heard her voice in my head repeating her 10 tips as I’ve been out and about. It’s a pretty empowering feeling to be staring at a plate of french fries and be mindful enough to ask if I’m really enjoying them or if we’ve approached the point of diminishing returns.

Because I love this book so much, I actually bought another copy to give away to a lucky reader! To enter, just leave me a comment with your favorite guilty pleasure (because I would never have read this book if I didn’t treat myself to the Real Housewives every week. Want extra entries? Blog this giveaway and leave me a link! Want another entry? Subscribe to my feed and let me know you did.

The giveaway will end Monday, April 20 and is only open to my US readers (sorry, Canada!).

Sorry for no posts last week - I’m hoping to be back on track this week!

Happy Monday!  I’m able to give away over $120 in coupons from my stash… I won’t be shopping as much in April (at least, not for food) because Hurricane Eva and I are headed to LA for two weeks to help a friend get ready for her wedding and then celebrate that wedding.  We had about six inches of snow this weekend, so I can hardly wait. 

(note to self:  when I complain about the occasionally mind-numbing nature of being a stay-at-home mom, remember that it allows me to go help a friend in LA for two weeks and that no job would possibly allow me that flexibility.)

Since I’ve got weddings on the brain (and some wedding-related posts planned), to enter the contest, leave a comment telling me the best wedding gift you’ve given or received.  It doesn’t have to be the most frugal or the most creative.  Just your favorite.   My favorite?  A dear family friend wrote down all of her recipes, including her famous fried chicken, for me.  I still treasure them, especially now that she has passed on.

The giveaway is open until Midnight, Monday, April 5.  US & Canadian residents only, please! 

Today’s winner is LT (loriandtonytt@)! Congrats, LT!  All I need is your mailing address and over $110 in coupons will be on their way to you! Everyone else, check back later for another giveaway.