Thank you to everyone who entered and to Big Honcho Media for offering such a fun prize. Congratulations to Deb!

Yes, that Deb.

She offered to forfeit and have me choose another winner but I said no.
There were so few qualified entries it wouldn't have been fair to her, but I appreciated the offer.

Gift Idea: Teacher Appreciation (Ziggy Marley iPod giveaway)

There was a conversation on Twitter last week about what to do and what to give for Teacher Appreciation. Teaching is a calling. Actually, I think it's more than that but I just can't think of a word bigger than calling.

I'm a nerd and I really like school. I'm sure that's partly due to some of the great teachers I've had who helped take learning above memorization and recitation and made it engaging and fun.

My Freshman year, our World Studies teacher turned class time into a Jeopardy game. He was also really into classical music and made our knowing composers and individual pieces of music part of class too.

I credit Mr. T (my teacher, not the man from the ATeam) with the fact that I enjoy classical music and he's why I bought all the Baby Einstein music CD's to play for Tyler. I may not remember all the Palestinian Territories anymore, but I remember how awesome it was to come up with the winning mega bonus point answer after a really close round and all the cheering and high fives in our row. I think we may have gotten ice cream too.

Anyway, all this is to say that teachers work HARD to make a positive impression and impact on our kids' lives. For Teacher Appreciation week, gifts that can help teacher's expand on the lessons in their classroom are much needed, especially when budgets and funding are being cut. If that gift will also help a charity benefiting children, more's the better I say, and Ziggy Marley's new CD, Family Time, fits both bills.

Family Time is a CD of children's music and short stories. Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson, Ziggy's daughter Judah and Paul Simon are a few of the artists collaborating on Family Time, and Jamie Lee Curtis voices two short stories, one she wrote and one written by Ziggy.

The music is typical Marley. It makes me want to dance with my son on a white sand beach while we sip from coconuts (mine with a little Jamaican Rum added of course). Proceeds from Family Time go through Ziggy's foundation U.R.G.E to help renovate the Chepstowe Basic School in Port Antonio, Jamaica, which is so badly in need of repairs it is not allowed to be an official part of the school system.


Win It!
One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive the following:
* Copy of ‘Family Time’ CD * 1GB iPod Shuffle

Three (3) runner-up winners receive a copy of Family Time
To enter:
1. Leave a comment on this post and tell me how music is important to your family or what you're doing for Teacher Appreciation - required.

2. I MUST have a way to get in touch with you! I will have to delete comments with no contact info.

3. Comments will close on Monday, June 1st at 11:59pm CA time.

4. I will use random.org to draw the winners and post the results/notify winners via email and in a "Winners" post on Tuesday, June 2nd. The number that appears first in the sequence will be the grand prize winner.

5. US residents only (sorry!)

6. For two extra entries: (not required) Tweet, and/or blog about this contest and leave each of your links in a separate comment (three entry opportunities total). You will need a free Twitter account.

7. You do not have to follow me or subscribe to this blog as a method of entry (but you're more than welcome to!). Tweet as often as you like, but only one Tweet will count as an extra entry. Here's the URL to this post: http://tiny.cc/JEhPp

Good luck! (PS: Comment moderation is on only because this post is older than 25 days. I'm getting each one and will publish them before pulling a winner.)

Earth Day Giveaway: One Year Supply of Dropps

**Comments Closed**
***Update- Because apparently I have no idea how to read a calendar, Dropps gave me the OK to extend the entry date of my contest. Thanks to the two readers who read all the rules and pointed out my mistakes with the dates.**

More and more people, companies and businesses are realizing that going green is not just a trend. Coming up with ideas and products that will help us as consumers make good choices that benefit our families and the planet is no longer solely about good marketing, it's about a change in attitude and lifestyle. We have more opportunities and information available about ways to be healthier and smarter consumers than ever before, and to pass this information and attitude to our kids.


For Earth Day, I'm so happy to have one of my first sponsors back with a really great giveaway. Dropps are pre-measured liquid gel pods for laundry. They dissolve immediately, are biodegradable and are phosphate, chlorine and NPE free (that's bad stuff!).



Dropps are a better choice than plastic jugs because they take less material to produce which means less waste. I like the fact that they are six-times concentrated (instead of two-times like other detergents). Dropps has taken all the water out of the formula, saving millions of gallons per year, which is good for me because California is approaching a crisis situation with water rationing on the horizon. My favorite thing about Dropps is that they aren't tested on animals.


They come in three sizes: 2,20 and 26 load pouches. I asked if a larger size is available through Costco or Sam's. Dropps come in Fresh Scent or dye-free, non-scented and their brand new baby line. Dropps Baby are dye, scent and enzyme free. Dropps are sold online through their site, Amazon and Drugstore.com; and in Target, Wal Mart, Lowes, some Costco's and Whole Foods.

Now for the prize: One winner will receive a one-year supply of Dropps! That's 240 washloads (twelve 20 load pouches)! AND, the winner will be able to choose which Dropps formula they'd like. You can have all one style or mix and match between the three.

To enter:


1. Go to the Dropps site to read more about their conservation efforts.
2. Come back here and leave a comment on this post and tell me your impressions of Dropps or what you're doing to be more green - required.
3. I MUST have a way to get in touch with you! NoReply@Blogger will not send you a response. I will have to delete comments with no contact info.
4. Comments will close on Thursday, April 30th at 11:59pm CA time.
5. I will use random.org to draw the winner and post the results/notify winner via email and in a "Winners" post on Friday, May 1.
6. You don't need a blog to win, but I MUST have a way to contact you. US residents only (sorry!)

7. For two extra entries: (not required) Tweet, and/or blog about this contest and leave each of your links in a separate comment (three entries total). You will need a free Twitter account. You do not have to follow me or subscribe to this blog as a method of entry (but you're more than welcome to!). Here's the URL to this post: http://tiny.cc/v3jW1

Thanks so much to Dropps for sponsoring this give away! Happy Earth Day! (Earth photo from here)

Luck Be A Lady Tonight

I'm buying a lottery ticket tonight. I've had such good luck recently I'd be a fool not to.

A few weeks ago I won this leather case for my iPod Touch from Live SpeakR (video review coming soon).



I won a box of Little Debbie 100 calorie snacks from Melanie at Don't Try This at Home (can't wait for it to get here!).

I won this box of Lake Champlain chocolates from Spatulas, Corkscrews and Suitcases. (Today's recipe is for mini Red Velvet cakes, so cute!)

I got this all in one at the Kodak event I went to earlier this week.


Drama Dad and I are being interviewed by a national magazine and might be featured in the May issue! I don't know if I'm allowed to say yet but it's a magazine I read and I'm so stoked about the opportunity!

And on Wednesday I found out I'm one of 10 finalists in the Mabel's Labels BlogHer 2009 sponsorship! I'm overwhelmed and so happy Mabel's feels I'm worthy of the chance to go to BlogHer on their behalf. Read my submission here.

The winner of the Mabel's Labels contest is determined by votes. I'm having a contest to say thank you to everyone who votes for me. I have gift cards from the holidays that I've been hanging on to and I'm glad I did because now I can pay it forward.

None of this would have happened if it weren't for this blog. I'm so blessed and thankful. Having you all here makes me want this space to be the best it can. For that, I want to pass a little of my luck on to you.

I have for one winner a $75 prize package:
(2) $25 gift cards to Restaurant.com (they're in my email)
(1) $5 Starbucks card
(1) $10 Target card
(1) $10 Barnes and Noble card

There will be three opportunities to win*:
1. Vote for me and leave a comment here that you've done so.
2. Send out a Tweet and leave the URL here. (optional, you need a Twitter account)
URL for this post: http://tiny.cc/T1WAE
URL to Mabel's Label's voting page: http://tiny.cc/b4HNU
3. Post the button below on your site (optional, voting ends 2/23 so it won't need to be up very long)

*ETA 2/22: This contest and the voting are closed. I'll be choosing the winner after verifying the entries. Thank you!

That's it! Thanks so much for coming to this blog and being so supportive. It means the world to me to have made so many friends. There are literally thousands (if not millions!) of places you can spend your time online and the fact that you choose to come here is flattering and humbling. Thank you!

Congratulations to all the finalists. I'm honored to be in your company!

Darcie from Such the Spot
Kim at Prairie Mama
Robin at Who's the Boss
Deb at Mom of 3 Girls
Katrina at Fickle Feline 2.0
Dani at Postcards from the Mothership
Kim at What's That Smell
Piera at Jolly Mom
Tanya at Mommy Goggles

*The rules: Leave a comment for each of the items you decide to do. I'll draw a winner at random after the voting ends on 2/23. The winner will be notified here and via email and will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Likewise if the chosen winner is verified to have not fulfilled the requirements (not posting the button or Tweeting as stated) they will be disqualified and new winner chosen. You do not have to follow my blog to enter. PLEASE make sure there is a way to contact you in your entry! If I can't, find you I will have to pull a new winner. Please follow the Mabel's Labels voting rules! This is a pretty big prize (IMHO) and I want to be fair to everyone. I owe a huge thank you to Melanie for helping me with the button code! FYI- None of these people asked me to link to them. Good luck everyone!

Why I Need to be Freed From Housecleaning, by Mel

A whole year of housecleaning would be great for my mental health and my marriage. I might even go so far as to say it would be life changing. For the past several days I’ve been cleaning and straightening, cleaning and straightening. And I’m over it.

Cleaning is a catch-22 for me because I’m anal and I LOVE a nice clean house, but I don’t like to clean. When the house is clean I can relax. Clutter makes me jittery, anxious and distracted. Even if I’m reading or watching TV, if the house isn’t clean I’m not completely relaxed because my sitting down is time I’m not spending cleaning. And then I feel guilty so I straighten. Then I get angry because cleaning is kind of a time waster.

When I think of all the hours I’ve spent scrubbing, dusting, wiping, sweeping and vacuuming I get sad for the time I’ve lost. Those are hours I’ll never get back and I could have enjoyed them so much more! I could have relaxed with my family. I could have read all the books in my ‘to be read’ pile (which, at last count, has ??? titles). I could have watched more academy award nominees. I could have started my scrapbook (well, maybe not that). Point being I’ve spent hours maybe even days or weeks! doing something that makes me feel anxious, jittery, distracted, guilty, sad and angry.

Tonight I asked my husband if he would make a video explaining why he thought I deserved to win a year of housekeeping services from BidMyCleaning.com. I thought it would be nice to turn the blog over to him for a change.

His response? “Sure, just tell me what to say.”

I tried again. “Just talk about what you think winning would mean to me.”

“My brain doesn’t work that way. I need a script. Have Drama Kid do it.”

Oh, hell, forget it. I’ll do it myself.

That anecdote perfectly sums up why I need this. Because it seems that most days, if something needs cleaning I do it myself. That’s not to say my two boys aren’t helpful. They are. But if someone were to ask all the members of my household “who here has ever scrubbed the toilets?” I feel confident I’d be the only one raising my hand. Cleaning just isn’t that important to them. But it is to me so I take on the bulk of it. And back comes the anger and sadness but this time there’s a little bitterness and bitchy mixed in.

So let’s recap: angry, sad, jittery, anxious, distracted, guilty, bitchy and bitter. That’s one hell of an emotional roller coaster. I love roller coasters but this one has me tired and I’m ready to get off. I’ll still clean because hi, nice to meet you, I’m anal. But knowing that once a month someone will be coming to help me would take such a weight off. I could legitimately relax. And a relaxed mommy is a happy mommy. A relaxed wife is more likely to put out (Shut up. You know it’s true).

I need this. My family needs this. Free me from housecleaning. Please.

You can enter too. Rules and info here. (photo from here)

'Tis the Season

We may not have as much as we did last year but we have enough. Not everyone can say the same. If you know a family who may need help this holiday season, 5 Minutes For Mom is taking nominations. They are also hosting giveaways with prizes from the same sponsors donating to the families in need. I really like what these ladies do. Many of the promotions they run really make a difference in a families lives. Take a moment to see how you can help.

Yet Another Thing Making Me Feel Old

I am blown away that it's been 10 years since the first book in the Harry Potter series came out. It took me awhile to jump on that bandwagon but I'm so glad I did. I absolutely loved the books and have been impressed with the way the movies have followed them so closely.

Head over to MomDot and enter their anniversary contest from Scholastic. The books are being re-released as a boxed collectors set with new artwork. Good luck!

20 Days of Giveaways

My friend Laurie at Tip Junkie will be celebrating her 1-year blogversary by giving prizes to all of you! For 20 days! Hop on over for all the details then mark your calendars. Giveaways start this Monday, June 30th.

I Won a Trip to Chicago to See Coldplay!

...but then I lost it. Because my cell phone was in my purse.

But let me back up a bit so you can get the whole story.

Last Wednesday, Drama Kid and I were on our way to the park for the standing summer playdate with the other soon-to-be first graders. We were running late (typical me). I pull into a space just as Viva la Vida comes on the radio.

My son has turned into a huge Coldplay fan, I think because of the iTunes commercial. It stops him in his tracks. It's cute.

Anyway, he didn't want to get out of the car until the song was over.

DK: "Wait! Don't turn it off. I like this man's voice."

Me: "Honey, the song is on all the time. The other kids are waiting. Maybe I'll buy it on the computer later."

He gets out. He runs all over the playground while the moms crowd into any available shade. We stayed longer than we should have and I didn't pack lunch (not typical me).

He had an appointment for a much needed haircut so we raced away from the park and stopped at the grocery store next to the salon for a Lunchable.

Again, Coldplay on the radio, this time Clocks, which I LOVE.

Me: "Listen to this. This is the same man who sings Viva la Vida. Mommy loves this song."

So we sit in the car, both of us listening. The Kid had his head cocked to the side, not looking at me, but really concentrating on the music.

Me: "This part right here, with the piano by itself, that's my favorite part."

We stayed in the car until it ended, heads bobbing, imitating playing piano. It was a sweet moment. A "stop and smell the roses" moment.

Thursday I'm at home alone. The Kid is in camp. I'm on the computer with the radio on in the background. And I hear the cue to call. So I do. And I won!

I have a copy of the new CD and am qualified for the grand prize: a trip to Chicago to see Coldplay and a little backstage action after the show.

Yeeeeeee Haaaaaawwwww!

I danced around the room to Viva la Vida thinking how happy The Kid will be when I tell him we can listen to the song. Whenever. We. Want!!

I wasn't thinking about the trip part of the prize because really? I'm just not that lucky.

Fastforward through the weekend of record high temperatures, hours of mini golf and arcade games, a movie night potluck in Santee, 5 1/2 hours at a birthday pool party, laundry, a little cleaning, catching up on my reader and researching ways to improve my blog and it's almost 1:00 in the morning on Monday. I'm beat.

I'm showering off the sweat, sunscreen and chlorine and I think, "Hmm, I should go get my cell on the off chance I actually win." And then I fall into bed.

Which is why I missed the phone call.

All 14 of them.

Because my phone was still in my purse, upstairs, completely out of earshot.

When I saw all those missed calls starting at 6:35am, my stomach dropped. I felt like I was going to puke. I couldn't eat until late afternoon.

I actually won. Hubby and I could have taken our first vacation in almost 6 years. I could have begged Chris Martin to call The Kid, his newest little fan. I would tell him about the time I saw him, Gwyneth and Apple in my Target and how cute Apple is.

I'm from Chicago and I haven't been back since Drama Dad graduated from boot camp in 1995. Pizza from Lou Malnati's. The Sears Tower. Navy Pier. Brookfield Zoo. The Magnificent Mile.

All gone. Because my phone was in my purse. I totally suck!

To the lady in Escondido who's taking my trip: you owe me!

*Side note: Viva la Vida came on while typing this up. I called to The Kid and we danced in his room. I swung him around, dipped him and flipped him. He laughed and laughed (I'm not usually silly with him). Not a bad consolation prize.

Win A Bounce House!

But not from me! I've been trying to get Drama Dad to buy one of these from Costco for a long time. With the money we've spent renting them, we could have bought one by now!
This would go over really well in our neighborhood. I'm shamelessly admitting that my inner Bree Van de Kamp wants ours to be "the cool house" on the block. Enter the contest at The Secret is in the Sauce.

Thanks to Everyone and Congratulations!

Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by! And heartfelt thanks and appreciation to those who mentioned my little contest on your blogs. I REALLY appreciate it!

I hope to see all of you here again. Hopefully I'll be hosting contests periodically. They're a lot of fun!

Now for the winner:

Yeah Cindy! Cindy said:

Now that is an amazing banner! You have brought "Mel-o-drama" to a wonderous height. Was that due to the stilleto's? Wink. Ok, I will behave. I only have maybe 15 pairs of shoes or so these days. When you begin to age and keep adopting children you find little "support" for such goodies. Okay, I had to throw one more pun in. But YOU started it! I do love coffee.

Check your email Cindy!

Take A Survey and Be Entered to Win $100 to Lands' End

The folks at Lands' End would like feedback from parents about our back to school shopping habits (it will be here before you know it!).

Take this short survey (18 questions) by midnight CST June 25th and be entered to win one of five $100 Lands' End gift cards. Easy peasy.

Ch Ch Ch Changes! *Updated*

**Comments are now closed. Winner announced tomorrow**

TA DA! What do you think of the new look? I adore it! The wonderful ladies at Be Design put this together for me and I couldn’t be happier. To celebrate, I’m having a little giveaway! Woo Hoo! Free stuff!

I was very anal particular about what I wanted and really put Christy through the wringer making sure it came out exactly the way I pictured it in my head. She was SO patient with me. I know I was a royal pain and I really appreciate all her hard work. Thanks Christy!

I had another name picked out, Strawberry Doorbells, but decided against it. I couldn't come up with a design I liked better than this one and couldn't explain the inside joke publicly (thanks Jen!). So, I stuck with my attempt at a pun instead and I hope you like it as much as I do.

Thanks also go to 5 Minutes for Mom for helping me spread the word about the contest on 5 Minutes Around the Blogosphere.

Yeah,yeah, OK, get to the prizes already! One winner will receive a $10 Starbucks card, $10 Target card and a gift certificate to Be Designs for 50% off any service!

I would love it if you’d have a look around, give me feedback or leave a suggestion as to what type of content you'd like to see. Or help me with my diet. Or my cat situation.Or leave me a book suggestion. Or a movie suggestion. Or, head over to Be Designs and get to know Christy and Beth and their work before you win. Or help spread the word on your own site (be sure to tell me if you do so I can thank you profusely!).

But I won’t make that a condition to enter. Because I’m nice like that.

1. To enter, please leave a comment on this post only
2. The contest is open to US residents and runs from Sunday 6/15 to Friday 6/20
3. Comments will close at 11:59pm on Friday. A winner will be chosen at random on Saturday and notified here and through email. The winner has until Monday 6/23 to respond or an alternate will be chosen
5. Tell me a shoe story: how many pairs you have, what's favorite pair, your favorite brand anything you like as long as it's about shoes (pure selfishness on my part, more interesting than "enter me")
4. Anonymous comments will be deleted, I need a way to get in touch with you!

*Update: You do not have to have a blog to win. If the winner is a non blogger, can we agree to draw another name for that portion of the prize? I think that's fair, yes?

Thanks so much for stopping by to see my new look and good luck!

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!

At least I hope to be. There's a new blog in town, BloggedIn. They are part of the Family Friendly Blogs Network. They have a contest going for a $100 Target gift card. I haven't poked around their site too much but I think I'm gonna like it. From their About Me:

An e-zine with no attitude, we promote the family and those who choose to blog family-friendly style. It’s a safe place to network, learn, and grow. We’re here to promote your blog, help you find new blogs to read, and promote the family in a society that seems to be forgetting the pivotal role it holds.

I really need this because DS's pants look like he's waiting for the second coming of Noah. Plus, I love entering contests! So, will the two of you who read this head over and enter here telling them I sent ya? Please? Contest runs for the month of May.

Buttons confuse me. Sorry for the lame linkage.