Category: Giveaways/Contests

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Giveaways/Contests

Bounce Dryer Bar- Review & Giveaway! (In some browsers, my review & giveway information is at the bottom of the page. Please continue to scroll down to the post. Thank you!)


 

 

Time. Not very many people have a lot of extra time on their hands these days. As a single, working mom of two active boys, it seems as my kids get older, I have less and less time. There is always something to do, or things to take care of. If not for your kids, then for your family, your health, or the house, or work, or friends. It can be quite challenging at times to find that balance to get everything done. Unfortunately, I haven’t had much time lately to write as much I would like on my blog.

I received a request a few weeks ago asking if I would like to try and review the new Bounce Dryer Bar. If you have followed my blog for a while, you know that I don’t write very many product reviews. In fact, since I started the blog in 2007, I have done less than five. I believe a product really has to be top-notch, and would be something my readers would benefit from, for me to take the time to write it, and to expect my readers to take the time to read it. I get countless offers to review products, but since the majority of them don’t meet my criteria, I don’t review them.

Two things stood out about the Bounce Dryer Bar, when looking over the proposal. The first feature was how simple and convenient it seemed, and the second was a dryer sheet, without the heavy fragrances so many dryer sheets use. I really liked the idea of being able to leave the bar in the dryer, not having to remember to put a sheet in every time- it would be automatic. One less thing to have to think about is always a plus! I am sensitive to heavy fragrances and after having cancer, I’m especially mindful of additional chemicals added to products. It seemed like the Bounce Dryer Bar was a good fit for a review.

When I received the bar, I was very, very, happy no strong fragrance overwhelmed me. I cleaned an area on my dryer drum, let it dry for a few minutes, peeled back the adhesive paper, and stuck it on. Easy and quick! The real test came within minutes. Washing several days’ worth of sweaty, sticky, dirty, 7- and 5 year-old boys’ clothes. I was very impressed as I was taking my boys’ clothes out of the dryer, after the inaugural dryer bar use. They were soft and did not have that artificial dryer sheet smell. I didn’t notice any static at all, which is very common because of the dry weather where I live in Colorado. Even with the dryer sheets I use now, there is always a little static, especially in the polyester items. Best of all, I didn’t have to look through every pair of shorts, pants, socks, or shirt sleeves to find the dryer sheet.

The following day, I washed our towels and washcloths, with the same impressive results. My towels were fluffy, soft, had no static cling, or that artificial dryer sheet scent, whatsoever. I am very pleased and somewhat surprised with the excellent results from the Bounce Dryer Bar. It exceeds my expectations, and I am very confident anyone who tries it will love it.

Even though it is a small thing- 2 minutes here to get the sheet out of the box, and put it in the dryer, 2 minutes there to find it in the clean clothes, and take it out, those 2 minutes add up. It adds up to 10 minutes in a few days, for time to read an extra bedtime story or to listen to your child explain his latest drawing. Those few minutes are precious, and I’m very happy the Bounce Dryer Bar enables me to get a few of those minutes back every week.

You can find more details on the Bounce Dryer Bar in the Bounce FaceBook Page under the products tab. Be sure to check it out. You will be impressed!

Bounce and BlogHer are hosting a giveaway for your very own Bounce Dryer Bar and a $50 Visa gift card right here on my blog! To enter to win, leave a comment or answer this question: How many people are you doing laundry for in your house?

Rules: No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

The last day to enter the giveaway is: Tuesday, 12/6 at 5:00 P.M. PST.

For more opportunities to win, visit the Bounce round-up page on BlogHer.com to read other bloggers’ reviews!

Categories
Giveaways/Contests Parenting

My Passions- Mabel’s Labels Contest Entry

Last summer my good friend, Amy of Crunchy Domestic Goddess, entered us into a contest sponsered by Mabel’s Labels for a trip to BlogHer 2010.  Amy’s video made it to the top ten, and we were finalists!  The other night Amy sent me a link to a new contest the wondeful people at Mabel’s Labels is having for another trip to BlogHer 2010, and a blogging position with them.  Mabel’s Labels has asked,

“Write a post on your blog in response to the following hypothetical situation: Electrical storms are going to wipe out the Internet (perhaps forever). You have one day left to write about your passions: what do you want to say to the blogosphere in 300 words or less?”  Here is my entry:

I have written about my passions often over the years; the joys and frustrations associated with them.  I took for granted that I would always be healthy enough to pursue them.  I am also learning the hardest lesson of all- our loved ones won’t always be alive to help and support us with our passions.

Sometimes it is overwhelming like a ocean being ripped apart in a storm.  During these times my passions become the lighthouse in the distance.  The waves crash and break, but there is always a flicker of light showing me these struggles are temporary.   Writing my blog helps me navigate through these times, like during the last year when I discovered I had cancer, and my marriage ended.   When my cancer treatments were over, I found myself at the starting line of my new passion- running. 

Two weeks ago, another storm came crashing in, when my mother died.  I have no idea how to find the flicker of light through this storm. I wish if I could pursue my passions hard enough- write that brilliant piece, or run fast enough-it would bring my mom back. Life gives us beautiful highlights and agonizing heartbreaks.  It is easy to get weighed down in the sorrow and pain. 

But my greatest passion and love reminds me life goes on. The smiles and laughter are the brilliant lights, illuminating against the dark and angry waves.   This life-long passion is parenting.  It is the beacon in the storm, and the calming force. It is hope, and it is my future. 

Categories
Cancer Giveaways/Contests Health

Earth Mama Angel Baby Giveaway- C-Mama Healing Salve (Scar Healing)

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I promised a few months ago, I would share the amazing scar reducing-healing product that was sent to me complimentary from Earth Mama Angel Baby, after my thyroid cancer, and neck dissection surgery.  I have mentioned in a few previous blog posts that I could not believe how wonderful this salve works, and I promised to write a blog post about it.  Since then, I have received a number of e-mails from people asking me what this product is- from other thyroid cancer patients to parents wanting something for their children who have had surgery, or scars. 

The product is  C-Mama Healing Salve.  Earth Mama Angel Baby describes the salve as:

Our amazing bodies are naturally designed to close wounds, soothe inflammations and rashes, staunch bleeding, resist infection and fade scars. Yet sometimes even nature’s perfection needs a helping hand!  So for you, this revolutionary, clinically tested healing salve was created with 100% natural ingredients rich in Vitamin C, essential fatty acids and amino acids – all nutrients necessary for proper cell regeneration and wound repair. Formulated especially for cesarean section and other surgical wounds, old c-section scars and stretch marks, and inflamed rashes and burns. Optimize your skin’s natural healing power with C-Mama Healing Salve™.

C-Mama Healing Salve was developed after a year of research.  It is also clinically tested, dermatologist tested, toxin-free, cruelty-free, and certified vegan.  It contains vitamin E, lavender oil, and organic calendula extract, among its ingredients. 

I have very sensitive skin, and so many cosmetics and products irritate it.  I have been using this salve every day since July, and have never had any sensitivity to it.  I have been astonished on how wonderful C-Mama Healing Salve has worked in reducing my scar on my neck.  I received the salve when I was recuperating at my dad’s house, a week after my surgery.  I didn’t mention anything to my dad about the salve.  I put the salve on at bedtime, and the next morning my dad asked me what had happened to my scar.  When I asked him what he meant, he said it didn’t look as red, and it looked like it had healed a lot over night!  He was right- it had!

I have posted pictures of my surgery scars, including some right after the surgery, in previous blog posts, so I am not going to post those again in this post.  But you can click on the links if you want to see them.  But since a picture speaks a thousand words, here is a picture of my scar that was taken on July 15, which was 33 days after my surgery.  I had been using the salve for about two weeks at this point:

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I am happy to say that the scar is so faint now, taking a close-up of it, doesn’t really turn out.  Below is a picture of me on my birthday, just three weeks ago.  If you look closely at my neck, you might be able to see the faint line of a scar.  🙂 

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I have only used the C-Mama Healing Salve on my scar.  The jar is 1 ounce, but a little goes a long way.  I still have the original jar that Earth Mama Angel Baby sent me!  Also, my surgeon (who is also a plastic surgeon) was surprised on how faint the incision had become.  He sells a professional line of scar reducing products.  He asked me if I had been using them, and I told him no, and told him I had been using this product.  He said it looked perfect, and couldn’t be healing any better!  I agree! I don’t do very many giveaways, but I am so impressed with this product, and I think it can help so many people- thyroid cancer patients included!

 I am thrilled to announce that the wonderful people at Earth Mama Angel Baby have offered one jar of their C-Mama Healing Salve for a very lucky reader!  All you have to do to enter for a chance to win it is go to Earth Mama Angel Baby‘s site, and look around.  They have so many other natural and organic products that support the common discomforts of the entire process of birth, from pregnancy through labor, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, baby care and even the loss of a baby.

Then leave a comment here, on A Mama’s Blog, stating which product or products caught your eye, or which ones you would like to try.  The giveaway will run from November 3, to 10pm, Mountain Time, November 18th.  A winner will be selected by random.org.  I will announce the winner in a separate blog post.

When my surgeon told me I was going to be left with a U-shaped incision from the surgery, I was worried about the scar’s appearance.  No one wants a big, ugly, noticeable scar on their neck.  Fortunately my surgery ended up not being so extensive, but I still had a very large scar. C-Mama Healing Salve has helped reduce that in three months, to barely noticeable.  I am so happy with the results, and am thankful to Earth Mama Angel Baby for making such a great product- that actually works- to help with scar healing! 

Good luck!!

Categories
Giveaways/Contests

Bloggy Carnival Giveaway-Spa Basket of Indulgence

 

Thanks for stopping by A Mama’s Blog for Bloggy Carnival.  I am very excited to offer a wonderful and indulgent spa gift basket by Check Mix Bars. 

I don’t have to tell my busy readers, how precious a little free time is.  The Basket of Indulgence will add a touch of luxury to that time-even if you don’t have time for a bath, this great basket includes something to indulge yourself whether you have five minutes, or five hours (don’t we wish!)

The Basket of Indulgence includes:

  • One box of Turtle Chex Mix Bars with crunchy Chex pieces, pretzels, and peanuts with caramel and chocolate.  AND they have less than 150 calories per bar, while providing at least 8 grams of whole grains per serving.  (So you can indulge with a sweet treat-guilt free!)
  • Chocolate Candles
  • Caramel Lotion
  • Spa Essentials- a loofah, hand massager, nail brush, spa towel, and wicker basket to hold it all

We all love Bloggy Carnival, and thanks to the Chex Mix Bars folks, you have a chance to win one of THREE Baskets of Indulgence!  There will be THREE winners, each receiving their own basket.

 All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me your favorite homemade spa recipe, or a relaxation tip.  I am in the process of remodeling the new home we just purchased, and packing for our move.  I need all the relaxation tips I can get, and I always love homemade spa recipes. 

This giveaway will end at 8PM Eastern time on Friday, October 31st, (Halloween), so be sure to enter before then.  One comment will enter you for a chance to win one of the three baskets.  The winners will be picked by random.org, and notified by e-mail.  The basket will be shipped directly to you, from Chex Mix Bars.  This contest is only open to residents of the USA.

This is a fabulous spa basket, and I know you will love it!  I can’t wait to read all your tips, and I’ll let you know my favorite ones in a future post. 

Thanks again for stopping by, I hope you will visit A Mama’s Blog again, and good luck!

More giveaways at the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival!

Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival Button

Categories
Giveaways/Contests

Winners of BPA Free Water Bottles from Lets Go Green

I am sorry this announcement is a few days late, but I have been so busy forgot to post the winners. 

As always, I want to thank the bloggers who posted this giveaway on their blogs, and they are:

  • A Contest Blog
  • Island Review
  • Laura Williams Musings
  • Nature Diva

    • Now for the winners:

    The winner of the 24-ounce water bottle is:

    Kristin from Blue Skies

    The winner of the 21-ounce water bottle is:

    One Mother’s Love

    I have sent the winners an e-mail, and thanks to everyone who entered.  A BIG thank you to Lets Go Green.biz, for offering such great items.  

     Be sure to check back here at the end of September, where I will be giving away another fabulous product from Lets Go Green.biz!  Speaking of, head over there anyway, and get that water bottle in the color you have been wanting…come on, you know you want to, they are so affordable, and you need a BPA-free water bottle.  🙂