It's a Giveaway today!

*****Times's Up!*****

Comments are closed, and I'll announce a winner shortly!

There's a giveaway carnival going on today at Bloggy Giveaways. Thanks, Shannon!

Last week, I mentioned my fondness for the scent of lavender. I don't wear a perfume, and some days I don't even shower. And it is usually at the end of those non showered, pony-tail days, that I find myself in need of a warm bath before I crawl into bed.

While I enjoy a nice bath, I usually don't have time for one. Most nights, after the kids are in bed, I am ready for bed myself. Or, I'm at least ready to sit down and watch Jon and Kate plus 8 so that I can take comfort in the fact that there is a mother out there who is indeed, more crabby than I am. But, crabby or not, when I do take the time to indulge in some time for myself, I feel so much better.

A little lavender scent in my tub and some lavender lotion on my so-very-dry winter skin helps me to really relax and have a good nights sleep. And who couldn't use a good nights sleep?

So I'd like to pass along a little of that lavender relaxation to you.

I have for you, newly purchased, unopened bottles of lavender scented body wash and body lotion to give away. They are from Bath and Body Works' Aromatherapy line, and they smell great. Subtle, not overpowering, and clean.

But, wait!

There's one more thing.

I'm throwing in a book for you to read after you're all soaked, bathed and moisturized in lavender.

Because I love to crawl into bed with a good book.

I also love yellow Labs. Especially my new little yellow lab.

So the winner of my giveaway will also receive this book. Marley & Me by John Grogan. I laughed out loud, I cried, and I thanked the Patron Saint of Pets that I didn't end up with a dog as crazy as Marley. My book club read this book a year ago and it was enjoyed by non-dog owners as well.

I think you'll enjoy it a a lot too. Especially since you'll be so relaxed and smelling good.

So, if you think you'd use and enjoy these lavender products and would enjoy reading Marley & Me, leave a comment and I'll draw a winner on Friday afternoon. I'll ship anywhere, too!

That's it!

Koko and I wish you Good Luck!

Oh, and no emails from you PETA fanatics please. It's a crate, not a cage. And we use it humanely, and for training, and all that jazz. And I would never turn her into a coat. Or a muff. If I used muffs. Actually, I still have a white rabbit muff from when I was six, so I don't even need a muff. And I only put her in the crate for this picture because she won't move more than 12 inches away from me and it's kind of hard to take a picture that way. Then she was let right back out and free to continue on thru her three bowls of food a day. Food that is natural, healthful and organic. So see, she's fine. She eats better than my kids, OK?

Okay.

Lavender; you can't barbeque it, boil it, broil it, bake it or saute it, but it smells real good.

I love lavender.

Which is actually a surprising thing for me to love. Because I don't really care for flowery smells all that much. I don't wear purple clothes. I don't eat eggplant, and I've never even seen The Color Purple. So for me to have such an affinity for something so purple, is pretty surprising.

But I can't help it. I love lavender like Bubba loves shrimp.

I took this picture in October, the house next door to me has beautiful lavender plants that line the front walk. The smell envelopes you as you walk past them.

Now, I don't have quite as many uses for lavender as Benjamin Buford Blue had recipes for his beloved shrimp.

(Holy cow. Can you believe I just pulled Bubba's real name off the top of my head like it was my favorite flavor of ice cream?)

(My mind, 'tis a scary place.)

However.

I do appreciate the plethora of goods which derive from the versatile plant known as lavandula angustifoliant.

(And that, I did not know off the top of my head. Go figure.)

(Useless fact obscurely related to a shellfish I enjoy; no problem. Scientific plant name that I'm sure I had to know for my high school horticulture class; no clue.)

(In my defense though, I only took horticulture because my high school had a green house. And I thought it would be an easy A to go and water plants for an hour.)

(It wasn't.)

(Hence the reason I did not pursue anything remotely related to anything remotely horticultural once that class was over.)

I guess the thing I enjoy lavender the most in is my body cream. I love the way it smells. I love that it is subtle and calming and smells clean. It feels so good when I rub it on my legs and feet before I go to bed at night.

There's also lavender body wash, which is my favorite thing to pour into a warm tub at night.

I like to burn a lavender candle in my bathroom and I think a little misting of lavender linen spray on my sheets before climbing into bed would be like transforming my bedroom into a room at a 5 star resort.

Clearly, as scents of lotions and candles go, lavender is my choice.

You might be wondering why all this talk of lavender during the long cold winter? Well, my skin is dry, for one thing. And also, there is a big new pink button on my sidebar. Have you checked it out? Are you giving something away next Monday?

I am.

Can you guess what it is?

"Finding Fiona"

Congratulations Martha! You are the winner of my 100th post contest! And the new owner of a brand new TV! Get your address to me and you can ring in the New Year watching the ball drop on 15 inches of LCD flatness!

"Finding Fiona" made me imagine how I felt when I first saw my newborn baby girl, how I feel now everytime she says or does something new, something that gives me a little glimpse of her style, taste, opinions, and the woman she will become. She is trying to find something in this photo, with that intent look on her face, and it did remind me of that little fish Nemo, trying to find his own way in the great big ocean. Just like my Fiona must do for herself.

I don't know if I'll ever do another Name That Photo! contest again, because honestly, it was torture! Seriously, I have been struggling all day.

"Island Girl" by Jessie was some tough competion! I loved Island Girl, it made me feel all warm and beachy and I wanted to hop online and book a flight to St. Thomas. Seriously, Jessie? You almost nailed it with Island Girl. The only hang up was that the Island Girl? She's also a snowboarding queen. Winter time is her time. So while she definitely enjoys the islands, the beach, the sun, I know she'll never be far from a snowy hill. Not that you would've know that or anything. Oh jeez, can you tell how guilty I feel? I really loved Island Girl. I wish I had two TV's.

Other titles in there until the bitter end were:

Moonchild's "Beauty and the Beach" Because I love that movie. In fact, I am a beauty myself, married to her beast.

alwys_shoppin's (no blog, no email) "Girl Uninterrupted" Loved it! Sounded like an Angelina Jolie movie to me. And I love me some Brangelina.

Mom of 2 Little Princesses "Carefree Concentration" I was totally into the play on words with this one. Carefree, yet concentrating. Get it?

And of course, another great entry by Jessie (Jessie? Jessie? With no blog or email? Tell me who you are girl, 'cause you're cracking me up!) "Bahama Mama's Girl" This one had me chuckling all day. Just chuckling through the crowded Toys R Us today, I was. Yes indeed.

And that's all she wrote on that, folks. See you in 2008, and thanks for letting me get to know you over the course of 100 posts!

Merry Christmas to you all.

It's A "Give That Photo A Name" Contest to celebrate my 100th post!

Time's Up! Thanks for all of the great entries, I'll have a winner announced sometime tomorrow, after I finish my Christmas shopping, that is.

With the Pioneer Woman's go ahead, here is my very own version of "Give That Photo A Name!"

I love this picture. I have a large version of it leaning on the counter in my kitchen. This photo is my oldest daughter, strolling the beach in the Bahamas. I love this picture for so many reasons, I love seeing the beach, the water, and the bright sunshine every day. This picture reminds me of a wonderful vacation we had, but it also reminds me of our love of travel to different beach destinations. I love how she looks so lost in her thoughts, and I love how intently she is looking for shells with her green bucket. I also love the reminder that while we are here in the icy cold of a Midwest winter, this beach is still there, in all its warm, Carribean glory, waiting for us to visit again.

Not only do I love this picture, but I LOVE this girl. She is my oldest, my first, my guinea pig, and she is fun! She is at such a great age right now, not yet a teen, not a child, but a really cool kid. Her personality is changing and developing and I am loving getting to know her at this age. My emotions run deep for this one, she has me wrapped around her finger. We have a special bond, her and I. When I was nine months pregnant with her, I lost my grandma, suddenly and unexpectedly. It was the darkest time of my life. And this baby, my first baby, she pulled me back, she gave me my life back. She needed me. And I desperately needed her.

So your job internet friends, is to give this photo a title. What would you call it? Get those creative juices flowing, because the winner receives a prize! A prize! That you could win! You could win a TV! A brand new, still in its sealed box, LCD, flat screen, 15" TV, identical to the one I have on my kitchen counter. Cause a girl has to to keep up with an E True Hollywood Story every now and then while she's working in the kitchen.

So there you have it!

Now get busy and give me a title for that photo! I'll leave the comments open until tonight at 9pm, CST. The winner will be announced on Saturday, and one of you creative people will have a new flat screen to start off the New Year!

How's that for a 100th post?

I believe a little clarification is needed

Y'all are really killing me. Seriously.

I was just reading the comments today from my previous post and I do think I detect a little bit of Pioneer Woman worship in your typing. I hate to be the one to burst the bubble, but I didn't say I was the Pioneer Woman's BFF. I merely said I've had a nice exchange of pleasantries with her via the ol' email.

That's it!

I'm sorry to disappoint you guys. Really. I hope you'll still come back and read. Even if I am a great big looser.

And if you do plan on coming back to read the blog of someone who has in no way, shape, or form ever laid eyes on The Pioneer Woman, well, tomorrow just might be a great day to do that. Because I know, that you all know, about a certain contest she holds, and I've got the go ahead to hold a little contest of my own.

It'll be my first ever Name That Photo Contest! And it is happening right here, tomorrow, with one of my current favorite photos. All in honor of my 100th post...and to honor all of you great ladies who read and who I consider my internet friends.

(Which is not at all as weird and creepy as I thought it was about 100 posts ago.)

But seriously, internet friends? Y'all need to get all life.

Quit stalking the redhead out on the prairie. You guys need a support group.

I've been shopping and I may have even picked up a little something for you

Did you think I went out to do my Christmas shopping and was never to be heard from again?

No, I am still here. And I'm not yet done with the shopping. Just 4 more stores. And that's it. I swear.

Really, that will have to be it because I am almost out of money. Seriously, have you seen the price of Legos lately?

I can't even blog it, because then K will see. And I'll be in a bit of trouble. It seems as though the mortgage company doesn't care that it is Christmas.

Anyway, my 100th post is rapidly approaching.

I could do the traditional 100 things about me post to mark the occasion, or I could spare us all a ride on a train bound for boredom and kick it up a notch.

I could have a giveaway. Or a contest.

Or I could just tell you all that I had a mighty nice email from the P-Dub herself and I am indeed going to do something fun.

And giveaway something pretty great.

A Winner, An Apology and A Bon Voyage

Congratulations to the Fall Y'all Bloggy Giveaway winners!
Tammy and Parker at Praying For Parker.

They are the lucky winners of

The Best Christmas Present I Have Ever Received.

I printed off the pages of comments, cut them all up, and threw them in a box.

Gracie picked a name, and Tammy and Parker are now the new owners of their very own Cocomotion Hot Chocolate Maker.

All they have to do now is wait for it to arrive, add milk and a couple packets of Swiss Miss and they too, will be sipping warm, frothy, perfect, hot cocoa.

Happy Fall Y'all!

***

I owe a big apology to a few of my blogging friends.

Chrissy and Heidi each tagged me for meme's and I have yet to do them.

I'm sorry. I just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten, and I'm not ignoring you. It's been a crazy week.

Jenny from Chicago had a post up on her blog, about sharing tips for successfully organizing your home, your kids, your LIFE,

and I never even participated in her carnival. And I love organizational help. I embrace it.

I NEED IT.
I started my post, I really did. It just never got done.

Seeing though, as how I spent most of the week looking like this

I am not really sure that I would've had a lot of helpful tips to offer.

I could go on and on about everything that has landed in my lap this week, but I will spare you the details. Just image lots of vomit, extra laundry, an ear infection, a to-do list that is still not showing a lot of check marks, some health concerns of my own, the croup, 2 doctors visits, pink eye, a car that had to go in for service, more vomit, pizza and McDonald's for dinner 3 nights this week, trying to pack for a vacation, and kids that STAYED HOME FROM SCHOOL SICK.

Indeed, it has been a week full of the type of child raising experiences that a new mother only dreams of.

***

And that's okay.

Because next week, instead of looking like this

I am going to be looking like this

Minus the pink sun visor. Because I don't wear sun visors.

And I don't think K will wear that straw hat.

But I will be totally rockin' the sarong.

But not the electric blue bathing suit.

Oh, nevermind.

Who cares what I'll be wearing, because we will be here

And y'all, I really need it.

See you in a week.

IT'S FALL Y'ALL!!

Today's the Day!

Shannon's Bloggy Giveaways site is hosting this giveaway carnival.

I know I mentioned during my bloggy Q&A that I love to give people things!

Because it makes me happy! And it makes you happy! So today is a happy day!

This is the happiest blog on earth!

Okay, okay...enough with the exclamation points. Just be glad I wasn't screaming at you in ALL CAPS, 'cause I have been know to do that on a post or two, or even fourteen.

Just know that I really am glad to be able to participate in this carnival because I get the chance to share my favorite cold weather appliance with y'all.

BECAUSE IN CASE YOU DIDN'T GET IT...IT'S FALL Y'ALL!

That's right, I said appliance. As in, small kitchen appliance.

A better invention there never was.

I spoke rather fondly of this item here.

I believe I called it The Best Christmas Present I Have Ever Received.

Oh yes, I surely did.

So go here.

And see what I love to pull out of the cabinet once Fall arrives.

You could win one for yourself!

Then come back and leave me a comment.

On Thursday, I will draw for a winner just as randomly as a three year old can pull a number out of a box.

And you could win!

I will leave the comments open until noon, central time, on Thursday, November 1st.

Then Gracie will draw a number out of box and pick the winner.

I pay all shipping and I will ship anywhere, the US, Canada, even to Norway! (Hi Heidi!)

You don't need to have a blog to enter, but I need to have someway to contact you if you are the winner. So please make sure I can either link to your blog from the comments or leave me an email address.

As soon as Gracie draws the winner, I will send you an email to let you know YOU WON! And to ask you for your shipping information.

Then I'll head on over here and place your order.

And it will arrive at your doorstep.

Paid for by me!

How's that for some Fall Y'all giveaway madness?

Good Luck Y'all!

It's Fall, Y'all !

I just have a few quick thoughts for today given as how my posting this week of the Great Bloggy Q&A, Parts 1 & 2, turned out to be rather wordy, to say the least.

---I got an email! From a reader! Someone actually used that little link on my sidebar that says email me. Thank you, thank you! I actually feel like a real blogger now!

The sweet person that emailed me had recently just seen my post on finding the perfect pair of jeans. She wanted to know if I thought these would work on someone who was not my size?

At first, I was a bit confused. What did she mean by 'not my size'? So I emailed her back and asked her. And she said that she thought that the picture I posted of the jeans, I had selected because that photo resembled my body type and showed the way the jeans actually looked on me.

It does not.

I can assure everyone, that indeed, while I do own and wear this exact pear of jeans, I am nowhere near looking, anything remotely, like those legs in that picture. Not even close. To the legs, the hips, or the flat stomach. Except maybe when I was a too tall, skinny and awkward 12 year old girl.

But really, not even then.

Let me take a moment now to just offer up some praise to Target for the wide range of jean sizes that they offer.

---Mark your calendars for Monday, Sept.29th. I am going to participate in Shannon's It's Fall Y'all giveaway. Because here in Chicago, I don't get many opportunities to say Y'all. So I am really gonna run with it.

And I love it.

'Cause it's Fall Y'all.

So if you go here, you can read all the details and think about participating for yourself.

Y'all should really do it.

And make sure you come back here on Monday, October 29th and see what I am giving away!

It's something I love and I think you will too.

Because it's Fall, Y'all!

---And lastly, I decided to take the leap and post a picture of myself. I am very nervous about this. In fact, I have been having major anxiety about this. Again, my neck finds itself a bit red and itchy. I have no idea why. I just think I am more comfortable saying what's on my mind if I remain somewhat anonymous. Even though I clearly am going to run into the New Diva on the Blog and Jenny from Chicago at Target, at some point.

But, given that I had such a great response to my Bloggy Q&A, and I'm really appreciative of that, AND the fact that one of you sweet, generous, kind-hearted souls actually threw me a bone and thought I shared a similar figure with the jean model girl, I feel I must set the record straight.

So here's me. In the white coat. Looking like The Michelin Man's sister.

Y'all see the resemblance?