Yes, you can win these pretty and whimsical earrings from Jacaranda Designs on Etsy.com. Check out her giveaway blog post to find out how!
Mama Bear
Mama Bear
Monday, May 11, 2009
Win a Baby Blanket from Paputsi
I have just discovered a cool blog, called "Etsy It Up". They feature loads of items from Etsy.com, and have some amazing giveaways too!
Speaking of giveaways, you can enter to win the minky baby blanket you see above, made by Paputsi, a shop on Etsy. Even if you don't have a baby, or aren't expecting, you may know someone who does or is! Just click HERE to go to the giveaway page.
Mama Bear
Thursday, April 30, 2009
My Weight Loss Coach
Papa Bear just ordered this for me, to use with Brother Bear's DS. Not that he is thinking "Boy! She really needs to lose weight, so I'll buy her a practical gift to aid her with her efforts.". No, he knows how much I really want to stay focused and have accountability. Not that a "game" is really a lot of accountability, but it will help.
Today is my first day using the pedometer that comes with the game. If you have this too, I'm sure you know that the pedometer is NOT accurate! I took it off while driving, and it bounced around a couple of times, and added a few extra steps to my total. Oh well. I wasn't wearing it all day, and I was walking, so I don't mind.
I will be starting a weight loss program at my gym too, so that's going to be great! I'm excited about it. I will be able to work with 3 personal trainers, get some nutritional advice, and work out with other women who are wanting to lose weight. The class is for 8 weeks, twice a week. I'm kind of bummed that the classes are in the evening from 7:30 to 8:30, because that's really time with my family, but I think this will be worth it. Papa Bear will have to tape The Biggest Loser for me!
If you are wanting to lose some weight too, I have a blog just for women who are really wanting to lose weight and need some (private) friendships and accountability to help out. Just email me, and I'll give you the details. Anyone can join the blog at any time. There's no fees to join. There's no minimum time required. The gals who are there now are super friendly, open and honest, and working hard at losing 15% of their weight. The name of the blog is The 15% Club, but you can only find it if I give you an invite. Yep, I told you it was private. No one else can see it, except for those who have the secret handshake. :-)
This is going to be an intense journey, but my baby brother is getting married one year from this coming Saturday, and I plan on being about 50 pounds lighter by then...if not more. Are ya with me?
Mama Bear
Monday, April 20, 2009
Baby Bear's First Fishing Trip
This past Saturday was beautiful, and it was a great time to head over to the Reservoir to go fishing. Notice, I didn't say "catching". We got a few really good bites, but the fish got away! A little frustrating, but a good time had by all anyway. It was Baby Bear's first fishing trip, and we think he really enjoyed it. Once he got used to the place (it was all new for him), he settled in and got down and dirty....in the dirt that is. Almost in the mud!
We all had poles in the water, trying different baits about every 45 minutes like the fishing report suggested. They bit on the chunky cheese Powerbait (don't think that's the actual name, but that's what we were calling it), and on the garlic Powerbait. We even had worms on the hooks, but no worms got taken, even by the diving ducks!
A few snacks, lots of water (because it was hot!), some sunscreen, a camera, a DS game, a little bucket and shovel, and a good book...it all made for a wonderful day together as a family. And a "cheap date" too! At least if you don't count the cost of the fishing licenses for Papa Bear and me.
Baby Bear even caught a few zzzzzz's while out there. He actually fell asleep in his chair, so we covered him with my jacket and the umbrella, giving him a little breezeway, so he wouldn't get overheated.
I'd love to hear about your fishing trips, and see your photos. Or even about a fun family outing. Leave me a comment, and I'll head over to your blog to check it out!
Mama Bear
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Feeling a Little Bogged Down
I haven't posted in awhile. Not because I don't have anything to say. That would pretty much never be the case. Instead, it's because I have SO much going on right now, that this seemed like one of the things I could let go without a negative effect.
So what's been going on since I last posted? Well, Brother Bear got his green belt in jiujitsu. He's been taking classes for nearly 3 years now, and we think his instructor is great. Brother Bear is in a class with kids who are 7-12 I think, and he towers above everyone, but because of his special needs, that's where he fits right now. His instructor is very cool and works with Brother Bear on a personal basis. We are so proud of Brother Bear! He's gotten a lot stronger, and has been able to learn balance a lot easier. Having had strokes that parazlyed his entire right side, he was often off balance, and was falling a LOT. He has learned how to fall in jiujitsu, and it has helped him when he does fall. It's been so good for him.
Baby Bear is still taking his ST, PT, and OT classes twice a week. I go with him to those classes, and I am right there with him as he learns and works. Sometimes I get frustrated because he doesn't obey, and just wants to do his own thing. There are only 3 other kids in his class, and the classes are only 1-1/2 hours a day, twice a week. BUT, the other three kids are all girls, so go figure. He wants to see what they're doing.
Oh, and Baby Bear has also gotten into this whining thing lately, which is new for him. It tends to get on my nerves, because he can be in the middle of doing something, and all of a sudden he will cry out. I don't know if it's weariness, or frustration or what, but I'm not sure how to handle it. He's still taking two naps most days, but we will be changing that soon. He has speech delays, so I think he may be frustrated with the fact that he can't express himself the way he wants to.
Papa Bear's workplace is in the middle of a small uproar. Their union contract expired a week and a half ago, and they're threatening to strike. I don't think they will. I think it's a little silly to even think about striking right now when the economy is so bad. I know we can't afford to go for a week with no pay because of a strike. I also know that Papa Bear would cross the line, because of his convictions and his commitment to Christ Jesus. It's a long story that I won't go into, but I totally support him 100%.
We have been searching for a larger home to rent for oh, about the past 3 years! Our lease was up last Sept. at our apartments, and they never had us re-sign, even though we asked them a few times about it. So we thought we'd look. Trouble is, most people want about $2500 to $3000 for a security deposit. Then there's the first month's rent, and sometimes the last. Hubby's company was supposed to get their annual bonus, but this year didn't receive it, because of the economy. That bonus would've been about $3000...a deposit! So we are trying diligently to save up every little penny to work towards a good amount for a deposit. We have looked at a couple of places in the past few weeks. One looked VERY promising, but the rent was just a little too high for us. We could've done it, but not easily. We would've had to rob Peter to pay Paul, and we would've been stretched to the limit too often. But we know that God is good, and He has a plan for us. Even though we REALLY liked that place, and it was only 4/10ths of a mile from Brother Bear's high school, the kitchen was tiny. Seriously. Like about the size of our kitchen in our 1100 sq. foot apt.! The rest of the house was pretty much just about perfect. God knows what we need, and He knows what we want, including a big yard, and a fairly good sized kitchen. A short commute, and not having to change schools with Brother Bear. He knows, and He will supply. We are completely trusting in Him, and we are at such peace about it all.
Besides, we just got a phone call from our apartment leasing office, saying that they would knock our lease down by $150. Praise God! Guess where that extra $150 is going? Yep! Towards our little nest egg for when we find a bigger place. We have to sign a 6 month lease, but we're ok with that. Especially since there's a pool here, and the warm weather is coming.
God is so good. He supplies all of our needs. I have been racking my brain, and talking over and over with Papa Bear about what I can do to increase my income from my Etsy shops. We have even thought about putting an ad in a local parent magazine. That would cost just under $500. Do we do it? Or do we just trust that God will bring us all the business we need? Do we fret and worry about it? It surely won't add a single day to our lives. Do we try to manipulate things to work the way we want? NO! We can do that, but ultimately God's plan is SO much better than ours. And just the very next day after talking about taking the ad out, I got close to $200 in orders and ad space sales!!! See? He IS GOOD!
Alright, I know this was long, but I had to make up for lost time. I hope all is going well with you. I'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to leave your comment below.
God bless!
Mama Bear
So what's been going on since I last posted? Well, Brother Bear got his green belt in jiujitsu. He's been taking classes for nearly 3 years now, and we think his instructor is great. Brother Bear is in a class with kids who are 7-12 I think, and he towers above everyone, but because of his special needs, that's where he fits right now. His instructor is very cool and works with Brother Bear on a personal basis. We are so proud of Brother Bear! He's gotten a lot stronger, and has been able to learn balance a lot easier. Having had strokes that parazlyed his entire right side, he was often off balance, and was falling a LOT. He has learned how to fall in jiujitsu, and it has helped him when he does fall. It's been so good for him.
Baby Bear is still taking his ST, PT, and OT classes twice a week. I go with him to those classes, and I am right there with him as he learns and works. Sometimes I get frustrated because he doesn't obey, and just wants to do his own thing. There are only 3 other kids in his class, and the classes are only 1-1/2 hours a day, twice a week. BUT, the other three kids are all girls, so go figure. He wants to see what they're doing.
Oh, and Baby Bear has also gotten into this whining thing lately, which is new for him. It tends to get on my nerves, because he can be in the middle of doing something, and all of a sudden he will cry out. I don't know if it's weariness, or frustration or what, but I'm not sure how to handle it. He's still taking two naps most days, but we will be changing that soon. He has speech delays, so I think he may be frustrated with the fact that he can't express himself the way he wants to.
Papa Bear's workplace is in the middle of a small uproar. Their union contract expired a week and a half ago, and they're threatening to strike. I don't think they will. I think it's a little silly to even think about striking right now when the economy is so bad. I know we can't afford to go for a week with no pay because of a strike. I also know that Papa Bear would cross the line, because of his convictions and his commitment to Christ Jesus. It's a long story that I won't go into, but I totally support him 100%.
We have been searching for a larger home to rent for oh, about the past 3 years! Our lease was up last Sept. at our apartments, and they never had us re-sign, even though we asked them a few times about it. So we thought we'd look. Trouble is, most people want about $2500 to $3000 for a security deposit. Then there's the first month's rent, and sometimes the last. Hubby's company was supposed to get their annual bonus, but this year didn't receive it, because of the economy. That bonus would've been about $3000...a deposit! So we are trying diligently to save up every little penny to work towards a good amount for a deposit. We have looked at a couple of places in the past few weeks. One looked VERY promising, but the rent was just a little too high for us. We could've done it, but not easily. We would've had to rob Peter to pay Paul, and we would've been stretched to the limit too often. But we know that God is good, and He has a plan for us. Even though we REALLY liked that place, and it was only 4/10ths of a mile from Brother Bear's high school, the kitchen was tiny. Seriously. Like about the size of our kitchen in our 1100 sq. foot apt.! The rest of the house was pretty much just about perfect. God knows what we need, and He knows what we want, including a big yard, and a fairly good sized kitchen. A short commute, and not having to change schools with Brother Bear. He knows, and He will supply. We are completely trusting in Him, and we are at such peace about it all.
Besides, we just got a phone call from our apartment leasing office, saying that they would knock our lease down by $150. Praise God! Guess where that extra $150 is going? Yep! Towards our little nest egg for when we find a bigger place. We have to sign a 6 month lease, but we're ok with that. Especially since there's a pool here, and the warm weather is coming.
God is so good. He supplies all of our needs. I have been racking my brain, and talking over and over with Papa Bear about what I can do to increase my income from my Etsy shops. We have even thought about putting an ad in a local parent magazine. That would cost just under $500. Do we do it? Or do we just trust that God will bring us all the business we need? Do we fret and worry about it? It surely won't add a single day to our lives. Do we try to manipulate things to work the way we want? NO! We can do that, but ultimately God's plan is SO much better than ours. And just the very next day after talking about taking the ad out, I got close to $200 in orders and ad space sales!!! See? He IS GOOD!
Alright, I know this was long, but I had to make up for lost time. I hope all is going well with you. I'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to leave your comment below.
God bless!
Mama Bear
Monday, March 23, 2009
Ultimate Blog Party 2009
Well, it's party time again. 5 Minutes for Mom is holding their annual Ultimate Blog Party, and you can enter to win some amazing prizes! How to Party with the Ultimate Blog Party:
(Simplified version. Details here.)
*Read and comment on THIS post to be entered in the draw for PRIZES.
*If you have a blog, write a party post on your site, include a UBP 09 BUTTON, and tell us which prizes you want if you win.
*Add your blog url AND/OR your facebook link AND/OR your twitter link to the appropriate Mr. Linky below.
*Visit tons of blogs, facebook pages and follow new twitter friends from the Mr. Linkies. (To be eligible for prizes, we ask that you visit and comment on at least 20 blogs.)
Here's what I would pick from the list of prizes, if I won:
INTL 19 -- $130 Sponsor spot on Tip Junkie
INTL 14 -- 4 week ad spot on Boutique Flair
#19 -- $50 Target Gift Card
So what are you waiting for? Oh! You mean you want ME to give something away? Ok, I can do that. I will give you a choice of what you would like to win:
1. A $10 Amazon.com gift card.
2. A $10 Target gift card.
3. This custom made "Biker Chick" jacket that is size 6-9M (infant size).
4. This custom made peasant dress that is size 4T (worn only for modeling purposes).
5. This custom made Pink Sequin Cross t-shirt that is size 4T.
The winner chooses which one of the 5 items they would like.
To enter, simply leave a comment with your name and email
and which prize you would like to win.
Deadline to enter is Sunday March 29 at 11:59pm.
The drawing will be held on March 30, 2009.
Giveaway available to US residents only.
Please make sure you leave a valid email address, or that there is one attached to your Blogger account when you enter. If we can not get ahold of you easily, we will pick someone else.
Friday, March 20, 2009
A Slow and Painful Death
Our house phone is dying. It's not a quick thing. It's been a slow and painful death. We have gotten new headsets twice now. Maybe it's just the headset. Maybe it's the phone. Who knows? But when I saw my email from the Mom Buzz, I just had to enter to win the phone that she and VTech are giving away! It's a VTech CS6129-31 phone, that has 3 handsets. Now, we don't really NEED three handsets, but I figure, when one goes out we will have another one to quickly replace it with!
Need a new phone? Be sure to head over to the Mom Buzz to enter to win.
Need a new phone? Be sure to head over to the Mom Buzz to enter to win.
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