Happy 10/10/10

{Image Credit}

I realized yesterday that today's date would be 10/10/10 and at 10:00 this morning it would be 10/10/10 10:00... pretty cool, huh?  I'm sure there are lots of people out there that figured that out LONG ago, but I'm a little slow on the uptake (blame it on my pain meds).

So, in honor of today, I thought I'd list 10 of my favorite things and ask you my dear friends to list them in your comments or even write a post of your own and put the link in your comment and I promise I'll come over and leave a comment for you. You all know how I love to visit you... even if it takes me a couple of days.  So here goes:

1. The MOST wonderful man in the entire world, who is my life and heart, Bill.

2. The best children I have ever known... my two sons, Alexander and Nikolaus.

3. My adorable puppies (from L to R) Nano, Mia, Mandie; along with the 3 I am still dog-sitting {really LONG story} Mai-Li, Maila, and Mumbo

4. Chocolate... need I say more????? 

5. My bloggy friends that have gotten me through some really difficult times and have kept me upbeat and supported through my son's deployment. (Only 6 more weeks until he comes home - WooHoo!)  I was lucky enough to meet a few of these darling people during the Disney Social Media Moms Conference.

Me, Felicia and Crystal

   6. The terrific ladies in my book club, with special mention of Beth and Patti, who have been there with me since its formation. They too, have been such fabulous friends and always there to encourage me and lend a hand when I need it or just say the right thing or give a hug when no word will do.

7. The sunshine... it can always make any day better. 

8. A good book, it can take you to places you never knew existed or places to warm your heart.

  9. A peaceful nap in the afternoon (of course with my puppies by my side).

10. Music... it can sooth, excite, or bring you back to a memory long forgotten.    

Thanks for the indulgence... now please let me know what your favorite things are and have a wonderful 10/10/10. Hugs and friendship to you all....

Raising a Well-Mannered Child Series

My friend Felicia over at Go Graham Go is hosting a wonderful series on her blog called "Raising a Well-Mannered Child" where she will be offering some practical ways we can make sure we are laying a good foundation for our children's future behaviors.

She will accomplish this by having guest posts from women she knows and believes have a handle on laying a great foundation in their own children's lives. She has also partnered up with several different companies she believes and have great tools for character education, several of which who will be offering really useful giveaways.

So head on over to Go Graham Go to find out all about this wonderful series and also how you can gain extra entries into these fabulous giveaways.

Thanks Felicia for always having such wonderful content on your blog, I am really looking forward to this series.

Until next time..... Lorie

Shoe Donations for Haiti - Head over to Go Graham Go

My friend Felicia at Go Graham Go has posted a wonderful way for us to help the people and rescue workers of Haiti. It is called Soles 4 Souls sponsored by the company See Kai Run.

Please head on over to Go Graham Go to see all the details and how you can help. You can drop off your new or gently used shoes at a participating locations or send them to a Soles4Souls warehouse facility.

Until next time..... Lorie

Very Nice Experience with Panda Cub Productions Representative

I just wanted to pass along a very nice experience I had with a representative named Patrick from Panda Cub Productions. Patrick noticed a comment I had left on Go Graham Go regarding an iPhone app that she had reviewed, and offered me the chance to review the app on my blog. I had to decline the review because of my recent surgery and I would not have been able to give the time I felt the company deserved for a real review. Here is the response I received from Patrick:


"Hi Lorie,

I hope you have a fast recovery! I had an operation some years back, and I know all about the ups and downs of the post operation time...so you have my full support!

Here is a free promo code and don't worry about reviewing it...just take it and enjoy...if it helps to lighten the load and bring a smile to you, then that is good enough for me :P

XXXXXXXXXXXX (actual code given to me and used by my grandson)

if down the road you do want to give a review, then let me know and i can give you our press release/pics...does that sound good?

Hope you have a wonderful New Year and a speedy recovery!

With Peace,

Patrick"

I have never worked with this company before, so there was no need for Patrick to give this to me, it was just a very kind thing for him to do, so I wanted to let you all know about it. If you have the opportunity to work with this company, please do so. I hope I get another chance, as I was really impressed.

By the way, I had already purchased the iPhone app "iMoo", and it is really cute, you can check out the review on Go Graham Go to see all of its capabilities - Nano really likes how I recorded my voice saying, "Mommy loves you!"

Thank you very much Patrick for your generosity, and I look forward to a continued relationship.

Until next time..... Lorie

{I received no compensation for this post, I just wanted you to know about a great experience I received from a wonderful company... Full FTC Disclaimer on bottom of blog.}

Oxfam America Unwrapped - The Gift that Helps Others

Through my friend Felicia's blog Go Graham Go, I learned about this wonderful organization called Oxfam America Unwrapped. It is an organization that allows you to give a gift to a child or community in need in someone's name, and they provide you with a beautiful card to be presented to that honoree.

For instance, for just $18.00 you could purchase a honey bee hive for a family who could then produce and sell their Fair Trade Honey to provide for their family. For a little bit more money, $40.00, you can provide a family with a dozen chicks to produce eggs, generate income, and improve nutrition.

If there is a group of you that can pool your money, you can get together and even help a village recover from a disaster for only $5,000.00; or provide the ultimate gift: a HOME on stilts for a family in a flood zone, so they do not have to relocate, all for only $10,000.00.

Now I know, some of this may seem a bit overwhelming and not in your budget, but how does $12.00 sound? This can provide manure for farmers, and organic manure increases crop yield and is cheaper, greener, and safer than chemical fertilizers. Not a bad deal for a pile of sh*t!! :-)

Please, I know that times are tough all around, but let us all see what we can do to help others, remember that what goes around, comes around.... Thank you, Felicia for bringing this wonderful organization to my attention so I could share it with all my readers.

Wishing you all a wondrous holiday season with happiness, prosperity, friendship, and love.

Until next time..... Lorie

You are ALL Invited to a Blog Holiday Party

Felicia at Go Graham Go and Piera at Jolly Mom, two of my very good friends and two WONDERFUL bloggers have gotten together to throw this FANTABULISTIC Holiday Blog Party and have decided to invite all of YOU... yes, you, my dear readers. They wanted me to extend the invitation to all of you by sharing this lovely button with you all:

Beginning November 23rd they will be having terrific giveaways including everything from holiday food, toys, jewelry and more. So head on over to either Felicia or Piera's site to find out how YOU can receive extra entries into each and every giveaway!!

Happy Holidays..... Until next time..... Lorie

Halloween Project for your Children from Go Graham Go

My wonderful friend Felicia over at GoGrahamGo has this adorable project that you can do with your children for Halloween, made from things you have right in the house! I have "lifted" this photo of what her extremely talented son, Graham, did with her so I could show you all. It is just so cute, that I HAD to show you. It reminded me of the type of things that my children used to make, and I am feel quite nostalgic right now, so I wanted to share this with you all.

Please head on over to Felicia's blog to find the directions on how to accomplish this masterpiece with your children and to get the download for the background. I am sure you will all enjoy making it with your children as much as I used to enjoy making things with mine.

And PLEASE, feel free to leave a comment and a link to a picture of your holiday projects with your children here, as I LOVE to see them all.

Thank you Felicia for indulging me, and allowing me to share your adorable son's masterpiece! He is truly a genius!! Until next time..... Lorie

October is SIDS Awareness Month

My friend Felicia over at Go Graham Go has let us know that October is SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Awareness month. I had no idea... and I'm sure that many of you didn't either. Felicia has tons of information on her blog about ways to prevent this terrible event from occuring. Since it can happen to families in ALL socioeconomic classes, please take a look at the information on Felicia's site, and share it with anyone you know who may be pregnant or new parents... you may help save a life.

For more information, please contact the American SIDS Institute website.

Until next time..... Lorie