Wordful Wednesday & Wordless Wednesday - Bluebonnets

If you would like to see more Wordless photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom, Live and Love...Out Loud, and J. Leigh Designz.  Now if you're like me and sometimes you can't stay wordless head on over to see some Wordful Wednesday photos at Seven Clown Circus.

I would love to come and visit your Wordless Wednesday photos so please leave me your link and I'll come on over.

Shutter Love Tuesdays - Summer Fun

Thought I would enter a photo in the Trendy Treehouse Shutter Love Tuesdays.  This weeks theme is "Summer Fun".  To see the other entries just click on the button above.  
Here is a photo of Sam and a water spout shooting up at him.  Love the surprise/fun look on his face.

SmartShield - Review and Giveaway

I was recently given a bottle of SmartShield to review.  My mom and I both used it this past weekend and I have to say that we both really liked it.  It's oil free and has a nice but not overpowering scent and  with a SPF 30 I knew we would be protected.  It didn't have that heavy lotion feeling like most sunscreens which was a great plus.  I like to put on my sunscreen and forget about it until the next application.  I will be using this one all summer long and recommending it to anyone I can!

Here's something I learned on their site in their Myths & Misunderstandings area...

"If SPF 30 is good, SPF 60 must be even better":
SPF 30 blocks 96.5% of UV rays. SPF 60 adds less than 1% of protection (97.4%) but adds significantly more active ingredients which can be harsh to the skin and might cause allergic reactions.

SmartShield is an eco friendly sunscreen company that creates light and oil free sunscreens that keep you comfortable and safe from the sun so you can concentrate on what you really like, being outdoors. SmartShield is serious sunscreen that you can wear all-day, everyday.  The oil free sunscreen won't clog your pores, won't stain your clothes and won't sting your eyes. Unlike oil-based sunscreens that clog pores and capture heat, SmartShield sunscreen products are quickly absorbed and bond with the top layers of the skin.  This invisible and natural feeling protective shield allows the skin to perspire naturally and stay cooler.

All products are hypoallergenic, PABA Free, and DEET Free.  They are safe for all skin types and are dermatologist-recommended.  SmartShield sunscreen is Aloe based with vitamins A, C, and E.

Unlike most sunscreens, SmartShield is approved for use in natural marine habitats.  Their eco-friendly sunscreen will not contaminate marine life and is bio-degradable.  You simply apply and continue fishing, swimming, snorkeling, or diving without transferring oil to residue to water or equipment.

SmartShield is offering a coupon to all of my readers!  When you checkout just use coupon code: Sun2  It is good for $2.00 off any online order!

SmartShield has also offered one reader a chance to win a bottle of SmartShield Sunscreen!  Giveaway ends July 13, at 11:59 P.M.  Please make sure you have a valid email address either in your comment or in your blog profile.  If you win you will have 48 hours to respond after I notify you.

How to enter:

MANDATORY ENTRY:
Go to SmartShield and look around and come back here and let me know what you have learned.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: (please note that you do not need to leave duplicate comments for each one that you do.  in other words if you post my button on your blog you just need to leave me one comment not five):

1 Entry - Become a fan of SmartShield on Facebook
1 Entry - Follow SmartShield on Twitter
2 Entries - Subscribe to my blog newsletter via email as you don't want to miss anything including upcoming giveaways!
5 Entries - Post my button on your blog and leave a link to your blog
5 Entries - Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link
1 Entry - Follow The Misplaced Midwesterner via Networked Blogs
1 Entry - Become a fan on Facebook
1 Entry - Become a fan on Twitter
1 Entry - Tweet about this giveaway and leave a link to your tweet.  You can tweet this once daily for 1 entry a day
1 Entry - Become a fan via Google Friend Connect

I received this product to provide a honest review.  All views are my own.  You can see my full disclosure HERE.

Reading Glasses Shopper Giveaway ~ WINNER!

The winner of the Reading Glasses Shopper Giveaway is comment #17 - Judy.  I will be sending her an email and she will have 48 hours to respond.  If she doesn't I'll pick another winner.

Congrats Judy!

Unconscious Mutterings

It's that time of the week. Head on over to see more Unconscious Mutterings!

1. Collectors :: Tax
2. Passion :: Feelings
3. Winner :: Loser
4. Uninhibited :: Free
5. Challenge :: Competitive 
6. Self :: Conscious 
7. Your :: Mine
8. Viewer :: View Master
9. Random :: Thoughts
10. Vice :: Versa

PhotoHunt - Purple

Today's theme for PhotoHunt is: Purple.  Here is Sam and last falls flag football team.  They wore reversible uniforms and on this particular week they wore the purple side.  Here they were raising their hands showing who has played a certain position already.  They take turns playing all positions and this is one reason I really like Upward Sports.

Winners ~ Gorton's Seafood

I have finally drawn the 5 winners!  They are comments #32 - A. Smith, #175 - Beth, #112 - Cheryl F., #70 - Heather Ransom and #15 - Laura.

Congrats to all!  You have all been emailed and I will forward your information as soon as I receive it.  I'll be doing another review soon some make sure you come back and check those out!

Looking At The Sky On Friday

I haven't participated in a few weeks and I also realized that I haven't taken a sky picture in awhile either.  So looking through my archives I found one that Sam took recently.  Looking at the sky from the grass.  How cool!  If you'd like to see more just click on the button above.

Winners???

I've been so busy today getting our house cleaned up for my parents visit that I forgot to draw winners for the Gorton's Seafood Giveaway.  If you all can wait until tomorrow I'll do it then.  I'm bushed and I know as soon as I start drawing winners tonight my parents will walk in the door.  They got a late start headed down here due to car troubles before they ever started and after they started.

Wordful Wednesday & Wordless Wednesday - Blueberries

A few years ago Sam and I went blueberry picking when we lived in Louisiana.  We got all of the above blueberries (plus a bit more) for just a little over $8.00!  Now I need to find one here because there is nothing like fresh picked blueberries.  I have some places to research but if you know of one please let me know!  What is your favorite summer fruit?

If you would like to see more Wordless photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom, Live and Love...Out Loud, and J. Leigh Designz.  Now if you're like me and sometimes you can't stay wordless head on over to see some Wordful Wednesday photos at Seven Clown Circus.

I would love to come and visit your Wordless Wednesday photos so please leave me your link and I'll come on over.

Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion!

From June 21st through July 20th, Rayovac is empowering families to have fun through the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion. There are several ways to enter and you can enter too! * The first 99 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion will win a prize package from Rayovac.

Rayovac Powers Your Summer Twitter Event

Join Rayovac and 5MinutesForMom for a Twitter Event to support the exciting Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion. The Twitter Event will feature more than 20 fun giveaways from Rayovac ranging from a summer supply of Rayovac Batteries to $50 Target Gift Cards.

Rayovac Powers Your Vacation Summer Promotion Twitter Event

Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Time: 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. CST
Location: #rayovac
Follow: @Rayovac_Battery, @5minutesformom, @CirclePRMary

Rayovac Powers Your Summer Blogger Promotion

First 99 Bloggers to Receive a $50 Wal-Mart Gift Card and Rayovac Batteries!
The blogger promotion begins June 22, 2010 and will end on June 25, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. (CST). Want to enter for a chance to win fun prizes to Power Your Summer? The first 99* posts that follow the posting requirements below to support the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion, will win a $50 Wal-Mart Gift Card from Rayovac and a summer pack of Rayovac batteries worth $35 ("Prize Package").

Here's how in five easy steps:

Step 1: "Like" Rayovac on Facebook: Simply "Like" the Rayovac brand and products on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RayovacFans.

Step 2: Post about the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion: Include a post promoting the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion on your blog, along with the following disclosure: "The first 99 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion win a prize package from Rayovac." Then provide a link back to the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion located at www.rayovac.com/PowersYourSummer.

Step 3: Answer the Question: Answer the June 22, 2010 Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion Summer Fun Inspiration question of the day onwww.rayovac.com/PowersYourSummer.

Step 4: Promote the Upcoming Twitter Event - Be sure to promote the Rayovac Powers Your Summer upcoming Twitter event on June 30, 2010 on your blog, along with the following disclosure: "The first 99 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Twitter Event won a prize package from Rayovac."

Step 5: Send a Link - You must be one of the first 99 bloggers to follow these Blogger Promotion requirements and send a link to your post tomary@circlepublicrelations.com. Winners will receive the prizes mentioned above and will be notified by June 28, 2010.

* The first 99 eligible bloggers who follow the above requirements will win one Prize Package. For those who may not be able to electronically post, one additional Prize Package will be awarded by random drawing to those eligible and entering by regular mail without participating in the blog promotion. See Official Rules for details.

Disclosure: Part of a promotional campaign with Rayovac.

Unconscious Mutterings

It's that time of the week. Head on over to see more Unconscious Mutterings!

1. Executive :: Director
2. Director :: Producer
3. Dress :: Up
4. Studio :: Sound
5. Accountant :: Numbers
6. Unit :: Measurement
7. Engaged :: Wedding
8. Safety :: Procedure
9. Post :: Blog
10. Dialogue :: Script

PhotoHunter - Six (6)

This weeks theme over at PhotoHunt is six (6).  I had a hard time with this one.  So what I've done is gone back to when I started this blog.  By that I mean when I really started keeping up this blog.  That was back in December 2006.  I found a picture in my Christmas 2006 folder and went to the sixth photo.  I'm also sharing a photo of Sam after he opened up his presents.  You see he was terribly sick that year and you can just see how miserable he looks.  Go here to read about it.  If you'd like to play along just click on the button above.  I'd love to see what you would post for this theme so please leave me a comment so that I can head on over.

Alumni Band & Friday Follow

Andy and I will be traveling up to our old College today to participate in Alumni Band. We'll practice all day tomorrow and then perform a concert Saturday evening and one again on Sunday evening. We're really looking forward to see a lot of old friends and playing our instruments again. Andy, at least, has been practicing to get his chops back. ME? I will have sore chops probably after the first song we practice. I haven't picked up my flute in roughly 2 1/2 years! YIKES! I have my camera with me along with the computer so I am hoping to post some while we're gone.

Sam is enjoying a weekend with my parents. In fact they just left to go to a sheep farm! I'm hoping they take lots of pictures. He didn't even want to say goodbye to me. So I embarrassed him anyway in front of his cousins. What mom could resist that?

If you are here from Friday Follow...WELCOME! I hope that you enjoy your visit here today.

Giveaways!

Don't forget to enter my two giveaways! They both end this coming week and one of them has LOW ENTRIES!

Wordful Wednesday & Wordless Wednesday - Wisteria

If you would like to see more Wordless photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom, Live and Love...Out Loud, and J. Leigh Designz.  Now if you're like me and sometimes you can't stay wordless head on over to see some Wordful Wednesday photos at Seven Clown Circus.

I would love to come and visit your Wordless Wednesday photos so please leave me your link and I'll come on over.

Happiness Project - Giant Flower

Giant Hibiscus against a beautiful sky make me happy!  Want to see more Happiness Photos?  Just click on the button below.  What's your favorite flower?

Sam's Surgery

We finally know when Sam's surgery is going to be!  It took a few weeks after his ultrasound and a few phone calls to the doctor's office to find out that his Doctor was on vacation.  I don't mind that he was on vacation, I just wish that they would have told us the first time we called to inquire.  His surgery is going to be on July 27th.  I'm going to start looking for movies and things for him to do while he recovers.  His recovery time will be about a week.  I'm sure the first few days will be easy to keep him calm but I can guarantee that the last few days of his recovery will be harder for him to handle.  I'd love to hear any ideas that you all have!

Camera Critters ~ Our Dog

This is another picture that my son, Sam, took a few weeks ago.  He really is getting an eye!  I'm so proud of him!  If you'd like to see more Camera Critters photos just click the button above.  

PhotoHunter - Bubbles

I actually took the above series of photos for another photo meme theme but it works perfectly for this weeks theme for PhotoHunt.  If you'd like to see more PhotoHunt photos just click on the button above.

Looking At The Sky On Friday

I'm finally remembering to get a photo up for Looking At The Sky On Friday!  If you want to see more just  click on the button above.

First Week of Summer & Friday Follow

It's Thursday night/Friday morning and we are almost at the end of our fist week of summer break.  We haven't done much but to try to adjust to a new schedule.  A schedule which is hard to figure out.  You see when you have a child that is ADHD, ODD and has Anxiety they thrive to have structure and schedules.  But we try very hard to ease the structure and schedule out a bit so that we can relax and enjoy our breaks.  We've made a calendar for him that has all of our daily "outings" on it along with required appointments and of course his daily chores.

He is still going to have tutoring over the summer and I have to say we have the best tutor!  She is going to be a senior in High School this year and will be going to college to be a teacher.  She has the best demeanor with Sam and has stuck it out with us even through some of Sam's worst days.  I am letting her take the reigns over the summer and today was our first meeting with her leading everything.  I have to say WOW!  She had Sam doing Math, Science, and Reading.  He is going to do one Math problem a day as his homework and he has a sheet of finding words hidden in sentences for fun.  Let me tell you that I have now seen something that I have not seen before...Sam couldn't stop working on the hidden words!  He even worked on it all the way home.

Tomorrow we'll be spending a good part of our day at Hawaiian Falls Water Park (thanks Mom and Dad for our season passes!) and I have to say that I can't wait.  In the evening our church has the whole place to ourselves!  It's a way for us all to get together and kick off the summer.  I'll be sure to take the camera and take some pictures for you all to see.

If you are here from Friday Follow....WELCOME!  Let me know that you were here and have followed me and I'll do the same.  I hope you have a great Friday!

Wordful Wednesday & Wordless Wednesday - Dinosaurs

Sam with some of his Cub Scout friends at Dinosaur State Park.  Check out the dinosaur footprints!

If you would like to see more Wordless photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom, Live and Love...Out Loud, and J. Leigh Designz. Now if you're like me and sometimes you can't stay wordless head on over to see some Wordful Wednesday photos at Seven Clown Circus.

I would love to come and visit your Wordless Wednesday photos so please leave me your link and I'll come on over.

Happiness Project - Photography From My Son

For this weeks photo for The Happiness Project I'm submitting one that my son took.  This is his self portrait.  He's doing a fantastic job at taking photos and I just wanted to share...because it makes me happy!

Want to see more photos of what makes us happy?  Just click the button below.  Also don't forget to enter my current giveaways!  I've got two fantastic ones going on right now.  Check them out by clicking the tab above or just click here.

Reading Glasses Shopper Giveaway

I was given the opportunity to review some Reading Glasses.  Yes, I'm finally to that age where I need them.  I don't mind them and I love the styles that are out there now.  I was THRILLED to find out that Reading Glasses Shopper has Sunglass Readers!  Now when I'm outside I can not only read without have to strain my eyes but I can also keep my eyes protected from the sun.  I've already used them a few times out in the backyard and not only have I used them for reading but I've used them while I knit outside.  Now that summer is officially here for us we'll spend a lot more time outside and I can't wait to use my readers while I'm out there whether it's for reading or crafting.

How would you like to have the opportunity to win a $20 gift certificate to Reading Glasses Shopper?  If you live in the US or Canada you sure can!  Just look below for your options to enter.  Good Luck!


Mandatory Entry:

Visit Reading Glasses Shopper and tell me which style you would select and follow my blog via Google Friend Connect.

Bonus Entries (please remember to leave a separate comment for each one but you don't need to leave duplicate comments to get your two entries.  Just tell me what you're leaving the comment for and I'll make sure you get the alloted entries):

• Become a fan of Reading Glasses Shopper on Facebook (two entries).
• Follow Reading Glasses Shopper on Twitter (two entries).
• Tell me one thing you found on Reading Glasses Shopper's blog  (two entries).
• Follow me on Twitter (two entries).
• Fan me on Facebook (two entries).
• Blog about this giveaway (five entries) and leave me a link to your post.
• Tweet about this giveaway (can be done daily - two entries) leave the link to your tweets.
• Subscribe to my blog  (two entries).
• Enter another one of my giveaways ( two entries).

Giveaway ends 6/25 at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time and winner will be chosen by random.org.

Open to US and Canada.

* Disclaimer:  I received a complimentary pair of Reading Sunglasses in exchange for my review.  I received no financial compensation.

Unconscious Mutterings

It's that time of the week. Head on over to see more Unconscious Mutterings!

1. Group :: participation
2. Pollution :: is hard on my body
3. Getaway :: would love to have one
4. Mail :: box
5. Believe :: in
6. Chimney :: sweep
7. Curses :: foiled again
8. Contrite :: sorry
9. Eyelash :: mascara
10. Jobs :: nice to have

Vintage Tee Give-Away

I wanted you to be the first to know about the brand new, Gorton's Seafood Old School Vintage Tee Facebook Giveaway...Every day in June they will be giving away Vintage T-shirts to 3 lucky Gorton's Seafood Facebook fans!  Just click on the button:

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school for Sam.  I now have a 5th grader!  YIKES!  He'll be moving up to the Intermediate school next year.  Here is a picture of him with his teacher this year.  She was the most wonderful teacher!  She understood Sam and helped him ever way she could.  Sam even cried over the fact that he won't have her next year.  Tonight we're having our annual all night movie fest!  We'll see who falls asleep first him or me.

Welcome fellow Friday Follow peeps!  It's good to have you here!  If you'd like to know more about Friday Follow just go click on the button below:

Gorton's Seafood Giveaway

I was recently given the opportunity to review Gorton's Seafood items.  I have to tell you that I was so surprised with their product line!  I knew they did fish sticks but I had NO IDEA how far they have come!  I was very impressed at not only their product line but the quality of their items.  


My favorites have to be their Grilled Shrimp Scampi and their All Natural Cajun Blackened Grilled Fillets.

They feature recipes using delicious and convenient Gorton’s Seafood - like their healthy, lowfat All-Natural Grilled Fillets - as an ingredient so stop by for healthy dinner ideas galore! 


I will not only purchase their products more often but I will also use their website to get some great dinner ideas!  
Now for the good stuff for YOU!  Five of you will with a prize of 2 full-value coupons, each valid for any Gorton's Seafood item from our entire product line! This contest will end on June 23, at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time.  How cool is that?


To enter into this contest please see the requirements below:

MANDATORY ENTRY:  Head on over to Gorton's Seafood and tell me which product you would purchase with your coupons.

EXTRA ENTRIES (please note that you do not need to leave duplicate comments for each one that you do.  In other words if you post my button on your blog you just need to leave me one comment not five):

2 Entries ~ Subscribe to my blog newsletter via email as you don't want to miss anything including upcoming giveaways!
5 Entries ~ Post my button on your blog and leave a link to your blog
5 Entries ~ Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link
1 Entry ~ Become a fan via Google Friend Connect
1 Entry ~ Become a fan on Facebook
1 Entry ~ Follow The Misplaced Midwesterner via Networked Blogs
1 Entry ~ Follow me on Twitter and leave me your twitter ID
1 Entry ~ Tweet about this giveaway and leave a link to your tweet. You can tweet this once daily for 1 entry a day.

I received complimentary product for this review. The opinions were from my experience and were not influenced by any source.  To read my full disclosure just click on the tab above.

Wordful Wednesday & Wordless Wednesday - Do you really?

Sam, do you really want to do that?

If you would like to see more Wordless photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom, Live and Love...Out Loud, and J. Leigh Designz. Now if you're like me and sometimes you can't stay wordless head on over to see some Wordful Wednesday photos at Seven Clown Circus.


I would love to come and visit your Wordless Wednesday photos so please leave me your link and I'll come on over.

Happiness Project - Fresh Veggies

This week for my Happiness Project photo I give you fresh corn and mushrooms ready to hit the grill!  YUM!  Click the button below to see more photos!  So...what makes you happy?