Getting all my Ducks in a Row: 2011-06-26

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Race for Congo Blog Drive and (Why Do I Blog?)

I am so excited to be helping out my twitter friend @wishfulme this great charity event, Race for Congo Blog Drive, she is working on. Not only do I owe her for helping me make some changes to my blog design, but as you well know if you read my blog, I am sucker for a cause.

I figured out long ago that the power of individual enthusiasm can bring about big change.

With this first link-up she asks that you promote the Race for Congo Blog Drive which you can read about below, and that you answer the question: Why do you blog?

In the very beginning I started following blogs to save money, get free samples and enter giveaways.
I got a ton of free samples, and still do.

I won a ton of giveaways, not so much anymore.

While I was spending all this time on other's blogs I started to notice something.

When they posted personal things - like something they were trying with their kids, something they were struggling with or just some news that they were so happy about that they just couldn't keep it to themselves...

They got a ton of comments.

With those comments came love, support and understanding.

This is why I blog.

It's so wonderful when you take the time to share your world,

how the world provides ears. (or eyes if your of the literal sort.)

Why do you blog?

The Race for Congo BLOG DRIVE starts July 7th!

There are some great prizes to be won just for sharing about the Race for Congo Blog Drive!

7 Days
8 Riders
2,776 Miles
Peace for Congo
The race is on!

World Relief and Fellowship Missionary Church have partnered together to accomplish an extraordinary goal. The Race for Congo is a team relay-riding 24 hours a day for 7 days across the United States. This ride will be held from August 1 – August 8th to raise awareness for Congo and $43,000 for peace building initiatives. Your donations are welcome and can be accepted on the World Relief – Race for Congo website.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Ten Things For Ten Years of Marriage

Sunday I hit the last major milestone that I will for a while. Hubby and I celebrated our 10 wedding anniversary. We didn't go out dancing or to a romantic dinner...we basically shipped our kids off and just enjoyed the day in each others company. I read a book - he took a nap, to say that we're not the most exciting people on the planet would be a gross understatement.

The truth is after being together for almost 14 years - it really wasn't that big a deal to celebrate 10 years of marriage. I love him. He loves me. Sunday is our lazy day. We spent it being lazy together.

The last couple of years we have celebrated our anniversary at this beautiful bed and breakfast in St. Louis and we did have plans to go back there this year. See No. 2 for explanation as to why we chose to stay home.

Hopefully later in the year we can take a weekend and get away.

Ten Things for Ten Years of Marriage:

1. We are in this for the long haul. We started out that way in the very beginning, both coming from marriages that ended in divorce. But we are commited to each other and committed to making this work in spite of ourselves, our families and sometimes each other.

2. This man would move heaven and earth for me. He is currently in the process of making it possible for me not only to go to San Diego for Blogher, but also to have some much needed dental work. To say that I am giddy with excitement over the selflessness of him giving up not only our annual anniversary trip but also all our extra money for the next couple of months is at this point beyond words.

3. He tries. This may not seem like a big deal and not really even touching the iceberg of trouble that we have experienced in the last couple of years, but he tries. I can see through his actions, words and guestures that he is trying.

4. We are road trip kind of people. We love the thrill of the ride, listening to 90's music, signing along like fools and discovering little places along the way. I am certain that once our kids are grown and gone, we will still have exciting adventures.

5. We are never going to be that cute couple that likes all the same things and can always agree on everything. We will never have all the answers or know exactly what to do, be we have each other. We will lean on each other in the hard times and hold hands through the times that make our hearts sing.

6. We have esp. It's amazing how alike we think. Hubby will be talking about what he thinks about this or that and too many times I say - exactly what I was thinking.

7. This man loves our children. He will go to bat for them in their time of need. There is something so heart breakingly sweet about a Dad that takes the time to love his kids.

8. We have made it through the hardest part of our marriage. The crazy, babies being born every couple of years are now behind us. We are now in the growing the next generation years. It's not always easy but it's much easier than those first few years.

9. I can't always be right, and it's not worth it to always try. Sometimes it's better to just bite my tongue and concede to this simple fact.

10. I am looking forward to the next 10 years.

Box Tops University Wrap Up and Giveaway

Last month I got to travel to Minneapolis, MN for Box Tops University. It was a fabulous experience. Not only did I get to take a behind the scenes look at General Mill Photograph Studio, I also learned a ton of new stuff about Box Tops. In my own life I have made changes in how I shop, including more box tops brands in my shopping cart to make great recipes like Monkey Bread Minis.

It was so exciting to see all the hard work and effort paying off for coordinators from all over the country. They offered so many great ideas and inspiration. As a blogger, I also got to see and connect with the brands that partner with and support Box tops for Education. It was amazing to see their commitment and excitement about all the new ways that schools can earn even more in the coming year.

I didn't realize when I left Minneapolis that a little seed had been planted. A seed that is blooming into a new found love for Box tops. I have since volunteered with the Kindergarten here in town and plan to do the same with the both of the boys schools, to help collect and raise money with boxtops.

After listening to one coordinator talk about approaching the funeral homes in town to collect box tops off of Kleenex packages, I was encouraged to do the same. They were going to waste, but will not be saved!

I am working on putting collection jars all over town for those that don't know what to do with box tops or have no children in the right age to collect for.

I also talked to the principle that I am volunteering for about allowing some of the high school groups to adopt classes or even grades to encourage and help them to earn more.

If you have any ideas on how to raise more box tops, I would love to hear them.

Now that you know how much I love Box tops...guess how excited I was to get this Big Bog o Box tops in the mail...

It included products from Hefty, Ziploc, Avery, Zoo Pals, Hi-Liter and Cheerios and Cascadian Farm. Some of them we already love, some we needed and all include box tops!

On behalf of General Mills I am able to offer this same package to one of my Lucky Duckies!

To be entered to win:

Tell me something about box tops.

A favorite product that you love that they come on.
A way to earn more.
Or just let me know where in your kitchen you save them.

Bonus Entries:

1. Follow me somehow: Through Google Friend Connect, e-mail subscriber, Twitter or Facebook. +1 entry. Leave a comment telling me how you follow.

2. Share this giveaway: Through Twitter or FB. +1 entry. Leave me a permalink to your twitter or FB status by clicking on the time stamp on it and commenting with the url of your share.

This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and will close July 14th. Winners will be drawn using random.org, contacted through e-mail and have 24 hours to get back to me with shipping information of a new winner will be drawn.

My travel accommodations while attending Box Tops University were paid for on behalf of General Mills. I was sent these free products in thanks for participating at Box Tops University but am not being compensated for this post or the giveaway. All opinion expressed is mine and mine alone.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Free Sample of Honey Nut Cheerios

Have you heard the BUZZ? Honey Nut Cheerios®cereal is America´s Favorite Cereal!*

Of course this wouldn´t be possible without their loyal colony of enthusiasts! As a special thank you for being such sweet fans, Honey Nut Cheerios is hosting a "Billion `O´ Giveaway," providing free samples to fans beginning July 4, 2011, available while supplies last.

So, if your family is nuts about Honey Nut Cheerios, zip on over to FavCereal.com for your sweet sample! In fact, grab a spoon and let´s enjoy this moment together.

In addition to checking out the "Billion `O´ Giveaway", make sure to BEE-come a fan of Cheerios on Facebook and get involved in the conversation about Honey Nut Cheerios!

*Based on Nielsen sales data, 52 weeks ending 1/1/2011.

I was sent the information mentioned above thanks to Cheerios through My Blog Spark. I was not compensated in any way. I grabbed my free sample and thought you might like one too!

We Should Have Skipped Out On The 4th of July

Last night against my better judgement I took my kids to see the fireworks. Now as their Mother I can tell you that there are times when it's best that we just stay home.

Last night was one of those nights. But that little voice in the back of my mind kept saying, "it'll be fine, they'll calm down, it's the 4th of July and they shouldn't miss out on the joy of watching fireworks."

I should have ignored that little voice and saved myself the headache, heart ache and spent the evening watching a movie instead.

I don't mean to complain - but all I did last night was snap at my kids for being too loud, shh them for complaining about boredom and the speed at which the sun went down.

Even though once the sun did finally go down, and the fireworks started up I saw a glimmer of hope...

It didn't last long.

During the entire fireworks show, which lasted a whole 10 minutes (mind you after waiting for an hour and a half) my kids complained about the bugs, boom of the fireworks and one of them about getting something in their eyes.

All I could think was - this wasn't what I signed up for when I had kids.

That and the fact that I was that Mother. The one that I had always looked at with pity. The one with the kids that wouldn't listen or obey. The one that I wondered if she knew what a treasure her kids were. The one that I wanted to shake and say - take a breath. Breathe in the scent of childhood in the air. It's important that you realize that you as their Mother can make or break this time in their lives.

I was that Mother.

It had already been a long day, but I wanted to do what I thought was right for my kids.

I didn't want them to miss out on what I knew every other kid in America was doing at that very moment. I couldn't stomach the thought of sending them to bed, even though I know that's that they really needed. Instead I kept them up way past the bedtime that their behavior was warranting.

This wasn't what I was envisioning as I looked into their beautiful faces in the delivery room. When I brought them home from the hospital with such adoration in my heart I had no clue that they would become just like every other kid in the world...

Incapable of doing more than they can handle.

Motherhood isn't always a piece of cake. Some days it's not fun.

Thankfully today is a new day. We can start again. We can choose to try to make today better than yesterday. Today, this is what I choose.

I'm going to put a smile on my face and wait for it to take shape in my heart as well.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Gourmet Gift Baskets Sports Fan Care Package Review and Giveaway

Recently we got a chance to try out a new care package from Gourmet Gift Baskets.com. We loved our last experience with this Easter Basket and were excited to see what would come in our Sports Fan Care Package. The kids have been getting more and more involved with soccer even going so far as to sit down and watch games on TV with their Dad.

I thought it would be really fun to review this Sports Fan Care Package:

From Gourmet Gift Baskets website:

The Sports Fan Care Package contains all the snacks an armchair athlete craves for the big game! If they like watching sports, they will love this delicious care package while watching their favorite sports team dole out some pain to the opposing team. Nothing can make a sports fan happier than a sports care package filled with such a wide selection of tasty game-time snacks. Send a sports fan this care package and receive a standing ovation.

This care package includes:

· Ritz Crackers and Cheese Dip by Kraft - .95 oz.
·Original Skittles by Mars - 2.17 oz.
· Easy Mac Microwavable Macaroni and Cheese Dinner by Kraft - 2.05 oz.
· Snyder's Pretzels by Snyder's of Hanover - 1.5 oz.
· Cracker Jack's by Frito Lay - 1.25 oz.
· Sour Patch Kids by Cadbury Adams Canada - 2 oz.
· Pixy Stix 3-pack by Nestle - .23 oz. -
· Cheddar Cheese Pretzel Combos by Mars - 1.8 oz.
· Lifesavers Gummies by Wrigley's - 2 oz.
· Chewy Granola Bars by Quaker Oats Co. - .84 oz.
· David Sunflower Seeds by Con Agra Foods - 1.75 oz.
· Rice Krispies Treats by Kellogg's - 1.3 oz.
· Welch's Fruit Snacks by Welch's - 2.25 oz.
· Gobstoppers by Nestle - 1.77 oz.
· Cheddar and Bacon Potato Skins by T.G.I.Friday's - 1 oz.
· Plain M&M's by Mars - 1.69 oz
· Smartfood Popcorn by Frito Lay - .625 oz.
· Original Slim Jim's by Con Agra Foods - .28 oz.
· Oreo's by Nabisco - 2 oz.
· Tootsie Pops by Tootsie Roll Industries - .6 oz.
· Cinnabon Original by Kellogg - 1.3 oz.
· Pringles Snack Stacks by Procter & Gamble - .74 oz.
· Twizzlers by Hershey - 2.5 oz.
· Dorito's Nacho Cheese Flavor by Frito Lay - 1 oz.
· Planters Nuts on the Go by Kraft - 1 oz.
· Cheez-Its by Sunshine - 1.5 oz.
· Yoo-Hoo Chocolate Drink by Yoo-Hoo - 6.5 oz.
· Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies by Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookie Co. - 2 oz.

This was a great big box of yummy and fun snacks that my kids really enjoyed. They thought it was really cool that so many snacks were included. It seemed like each one of them was able to find a few snacks that they really liked and there was enough for all of them to share so that the soccer match didn't turn into a wresting match if you know what I mean.

I could see myself sending a care package like this to one of my kids at camp. It would be a great way to brighten their day and probably give them enough that they could have a few of their favorites plus a few good things left over to share with their friends. I should add: I think it would be great if there were a few more healthy options mixed in with all the fun stuff, but that's just the Mom in me talking.

Thanks to Gourmet Gift Baskets.com I am able to offer this same care package to one of my Lucky Duckies!

To be entered to win:

“Like” Gourmet Gift Basket's Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/GourmetGiftBaskets. Make sure that you leave your Facebook User Name in a comment below.

Bonus Entries:

1. Follow me somehow: Through Google Friend Connect, e-mail subscriber, Twitter or Facebook. +1 entry. Leave a comment telling me how you follow.

2. Share this giveaway: Through Twitter or FB. +1 entry. Leave me a permalink to your twitter or FB status by clicking on the time stamp on it and commenting with the url of your share.

This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian Residents only and will close July 17th. Winners will be drawn using random.org, contacted through e-mail and have 24 hours to get back to me with shipping information of a new winner will be drawn.

I was sent the care package mentioned above thanks to gourmetgiftbaskets.com for the purpose of review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any other way and all opinion expressed is mine and mine alone.

10 Years of Marriage (guest post)

This Sunday I will be celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary. I thought it would be really fun to celebrate with a week of guest posts about all the years leading up to this milestone anniversary. I put a call out on twitter and a group of wonderful ladies agreed to help me.

On the ninth year of marriage, Faith (@FaithRPhoto) from:

My name is Faith, and I am bopping in from my blog Simplicity to help my friend Mellisa celebrate her anniversary! I have also been married for ten years and I know what an accomplishment it is to have made it so long! Congratulations!

I got married super-young, convinced that the wonderful man I married and I would have none of the common problems we saw in the couples around us and the books we read. But if only being happily married were as easy as reading a good book on marriage! We went through a lot of crap in the first few years of our marriage that stressed us to the breaking point both as individuals and as a couple. We experienced crisis after crisis, between health, job, money, babies, churches, moves and bouts with depression I didn't think we were going to make it. But we have come through all of that still loving each other, enjoying being together and committed to our relationship.

When I was thinking about what to write as a "married for ten years" woman and what, if anything, the perspective of being married for that length of time has given me I thought right away about the words "love is patient". I know it's a phrase I tend to think of only in terms of short-term patience. Bearing with someone when they are tired, grumpy and stressed. Being patient instead of snappy and easily irritated. But now I think that there is another dimension to being patient involved in staying happily married, and that is being patient through all of the downs of the relationship.

Something I hear people say when they are unhappy in their marriage is "he's not the man I married" and I'd just like to say, as kindly as I can, that that is pretty much the stupidest reason I've ever heard for being unhappy in your marriage. Of course he's not the same as when you married him! Are you? I know I have changed a ton since I married my husband, and I am tremendously glad that I have. I'm stronger now but gentler, I have learned to stand on my own two feet and yet also learned how to reach out for help when I've needed it. I wouldn't want to be the same person I was ten years ago, and I don't expect my husband to be the same person he was ten years ago either. But here's the problem - sometimes my husband has changed in ways I haven't appreciated. What then? When he's going through a phase that's driving me crazy - what am I going to do? I'm going to remember to be patient with him the way that I would want him to be patient with me as I and changing and growing. I'm going to remember that the only thing that really stays the same is that everything is always changing. I'm going to hang on, wait it out and believe in the best for my marriage and for my man. I think being patient and having that sense of peace that everything is eventually going to work out all right has helped me get past some tough patches and stay positive about my marriage.

For all of the downs of our relationship, and all the broken hearted moments of disappointment or frustration we've had some great up seasons too, and the longer we are married the better those times are. Having experienced that makes it easier when times are tough or things aren't going like I want them too. It's not rocket science but it's helped me, maybe it will help you too.

9th Year of Marriage (guest post)

Real Romance isn’t Novel

At heart, I’m a girly girl. I love a good sappy romance movie or novel, with happy endings and over down dramatic gestures. I wanted to be swept off my feet by a prince on a white horse who showered me with roses and affection. I was swept off my feet alright, but there was no horse, and no grand elaborate gestures.

I was 20 years old and a junior in college when I met my husband for the fourth time. It was Christmas break I had just broken up, and by just I mean over Thanksgiving break, with my latest crush/boyfriend. Apparently I was more serious than him. It’s how most relationships ended, I wanted more than the could or would give. I wanted cuddles and roses and romance, just like in the movies! Darn it I wanted swooning! I vividly remember saying to my girlfriends as we sat around the night before leaving..."I feel the one for me is out there, already chosen for me and I missed him, passed him by or passed him over, or something. Like we have missed each other.” Turns out he was out there and we had missed each other!

When I “met” my husband at the New Years party his best friend dragged him to (hosted by my best friend who he- the best friend- was trying to get back together with, follow that?) it was the fourth time we had meet. We met when I was a senior in high school (though for reasons I will not disclose I didn’t remember it). We met that previous summer and he was too busy hitting on a younger girl to notice me, and later that summer he thought I was dating the friend I was with. So our story was kind of like the movies, but more like a romantic comedy!

We have been together since that New Years Eve, for 14 New Years Eve’s now. This October we will be married for 10 years. What I have learned in those years is that romance isn’t the stuff of movies and novels, it's the smaller things...

...romance is driving hours to see you in at school even when it’s not clear your car will survive the drive
...romance is defending you to friends and family
...romance is always walking on the edge of the sidewalk so he’s between the traffic and you
...romance is grabbing your hand in the car
...romance is a bouquet of Lilly's, or daises, or a wild flower mix because you had a bad day, or they reminded him of you
...romance is holding back your hair when you are sick as a dog
...romance is talking care of the kids when they get stomach bugs because you can’t handle it
...romance is knowing when mommy needs a break and making it happen
...romance is always doing bath time and bedtime with the kids
...romance is a peck on the cheek while your making dinner
...romance is telling her she’s beautiful when it’s 4 in the morning, she hasn’t showered in days and the baby just vomited on her (true story)
...romance is always having the coffee made when you wake up
...romance is making it through the tough times stronger than before
...romance is all the little things done that show you are loved.

Grand gestures are nice, but it’s the little bits of romance in the everyday that make a marriage.

Melissa is mom to 3 kids (4mo-6yrs) and 1 angel. She used to dream of traveling the world, now she dreams of a clean kitchen. She writes about all the sticky bits of motherhood at Peanut Butter in my Hair, and hides from her children on Twitter (@PBinmyHair).

8th Year of Marriage (guest post)

What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been

Well long is a relative term I suppose. Just a generation or two ago, a LONG marriage would have been 30, 40 or even 50 years. However, my family history is not the best. My great grandparents were actually divorced as were my maternal grandparents, and my own parents. I'm not sure that I've broken the record for sustainability in our family just yet but I'm still declaring nearly 8 years of marriage to be a pretty long term success.
When you add in to the equation some of the bumps (really more like mountains) in the road along the way, I think it's pretty darn impressive that we've made it this far. After starting off by having a wedding, a baby (two actually) and buying a house (the three things they say will straing a marraige more than anything) in less than a year and a half, I THOUGHT I could settle in for smooth sailing. Boy was I wrong. Storms of job loss, addiction, the illness and loss of BOTH of our moms, the diagnosis and treatment of TWO of our three boys with ADHD were all still on the horizon.
All this not to say that we skipped along happily arm and arm through the tough times. Quite the opposite in fact. We fought, we fought ugly more than I should even be willing to admit. And we even separated. I filed for divorce. I was done. The people who cared about me were hoping I was done. I had lost all trust. I didn't know how I could ever find trust or even want to. But then we stopped. We decided (with the help of a little prayer on his part for my heart to be open to it) that we were serious when we made vows not only to each other but to God that we would be together, 'til death due us part. As much as there were days I may have thought of the many ways that could have been arranged, clearly, that wasn't the answer. So we buckled down. We talked! We talked about what had gone wrong. There were some issues that required some real help, and he did his part to get the help he needed. But honestly, the thing I believe made the BIGGEST difference was taking the 'D' word out of the equation. When we could talk or even argue without fear of being abandoned, life became easier. Not perfect, mind you, but easier. We still make each other crazy on a regular basis. But I believe that is because we were the perfect example of this statement I've heard many times:

Women marry men hoping they'll change. Men marry women hoping they won't.

I fell in love with the potential I saw in him. And while I don't think it's wrong to encourage growth, I was not prepared to spend my life with the man he was when we got together. I had convinced myself that the love I would give him would magically fix the issues he was dealing with when we got together. And he fell in love with the unwaveringly dedicated and saintly patient woman that I was, but could never be forever.
So I think we were in over our heads before we even started out. But we've still managed to take that and build. We have good days and bad days, but knowing we have each other makes the days better.
So while we are no where near the 50, or even 30 year mark, we celebrate EVERY anniversary as a success for us.

Have you heard about Expo Tryology?

I have been trying products for free with Expo Tryology for over a year and sharing my honest opinion in short videos.

You qualify to be a part of the product test through a short survey. They send you the products to try out and you upload a short video of your honest opinion...it's a very simple and easy way to get to try before you buy sometimes even before the items are on store shelves.

The best part about the site is that every time you take a survey, screener or upload a review you earn points. I recently cashed in for my first Amazon Gift Code, but there are tons of great prizes that you can qualify for.

Right now there are 2 new Tryology programs available to qualify for:

The first one is for a new Febreze Home Collections candle that is being released soon. It is a brand new product. Not a lot of details are being given, because they are SO new, but it will be worth it to apply.

The second program is one they have with Clearblue Easy. This is the first program they have done with a product like this. They are giving our members the chance to try one of three products – Pregnancy test(s), Ovulation Monitors or Fertility Monitors. Some of them are worth more than $100 a piece.

I have already filled out the survey's for both of these program's and am hoping to get in on the Febreeze collection one. I think Hubby might have a heart attack if I got in on the Clearblue one.

It only takes a minute to sign up and fill out the survey's. I have qualified several times for program's in the past and can tell you that you absolutely have a chance to be picked!

I was not compensated for this post, I have included referral links. For every referral that confirms their account I will get an entry into a monthly giveaway for one of four $25 Amazon Gift Codes. All opinion expressed is mine and mine alone.

Friday, July 1, 2011

7th Year of Marriage (guest post)

Hey! I'm Heidi from Resting in the Mystery. In April, my husband Chris & I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. Here are 7 things I know for sure about marriage.

1. Knowing that I have someone on my team makes up for all the times I was picked last.
2. Prayer & laughter are ESSENTIAL. Begin & end each day with both.
3. Sometimes an argument looks a lot different in the light of day.
4. The best thing you can do for your kids is love each other.
5. Hard times make the good times that much sweeter.
6. Every day is a blessing....celebrate it in any way you can.
7. Marriage is work....hard work...but it is so very worth it!

Happy Anniversary Mellisa! Thanks for letting me share!

6th Year of Marriage (guest post)

When I was asked to write a post about my sixth year of marriage, my mind went blank. I'm not a writer; I'm a food blogger. And I'm certainly no expert on marriage. So all I can really share with you is why I love being married to my husband, and what challenges have reared their ugly heads in the past five years.

My husband, Chris, is my best friend. Cliche, I know, but true. He accepts me for who I am, and loves me regardless of my (many) faults. And I feel the same about him. I still look forward to seeing him after a long day at work, and I love holding his hand as we walk through the mall.

Of course it's not all roses and sunshine. We don't fight much, but that just means it bottles up inside of us and we get annoyed at little things and let it fester and sit and eat away at us. That's something we both need to work on. When something annoys me, or him, we need to learn to speak up about it.

Why don't I speak up? I'm a strong, modern woman after all. Why shouldn't I stand on my own two feet and tell this man, the father of my child, that when he leaves glasses on the counter instead of the in the dishwasher it makes me want to kick him in the knees? Fear? Of what? Of him leaving me? Because I'm nagging him? That's ridiculous.

We've been through some "stuff" together, Chris and I. His deployment for seven months, a wedding, buying a condo, the loss of a grandparent, the loss of our baby, many surgeries, the joy of our son being born, scary health news, job changes. But through it all, we've forged our way together, and we'll keep doing that. Even if I just clean the dang glasses up myself instead of starting a fight.

Saving My Way to Blogher

This year I am determined to take my seat on plane bound for Blogher. Today I am transferring $350.00 to my bank account thanks to donations to my Blogher or Bust campaign. I can't tell you how thankful I am for each and everyone of you who took the time and money out of your own budgets to help me make this dream come true.

In my efforts to make this happen I have put a spending freeze on my household...which means if it isn't bills or groceries...it's not getting bought right now.

Giving up things like automatic car washes and rainy day funds is the easy part...

But I needed shoes. I work in a restaurant and my work shoes (which I have been wearing since last June) have 2 small holes worn into the sides of them. At first I thought. Who cares. I would much rather be in sunny San Diego than have new shoes...but I found a way to make both happen.

I win swagbucks throughout the day searching online. It's a quick and easy way to accumulate Amazon gift cards for something that I already do as a blogger. If I need to go to my blog, I search blogger. Check my e-mail, I search Yahoo.

So all day long I search and then when I bank 450 swagbucks, cash those babies in for $5 Amazon Gift Card.

Lucky for me I had enough for a pair of shoes for work, 2 books for my summer reading challenge and a Happy Napper for Miss Maddy (which I am putting away for her birthday in August.) I got all 4 things for a whopping $3.86! I love Swagbucks!

Blogher or Bust Updates:

1. If you can and want to donate to my Blogher or Bust Campaign:

All donations will go towards flight, hotel and food while at Blogher in San Diego. No donation is to big or small and all are greatly appreciated. My paypal e-mail is:

mellisarock@yahoo.com

Want to donate but don't use paypal? E-mail me at the same address and I will share my mailing info.

2. Want to donate but can't spare any real money? You can also sign up for Swagbucks - for each referral I can earn 1000 swagbucks...which I am now cashing in for $5 in paypal. For every 700 swagbucks I can earn $5 towards my trip.

Don't worry - there's no e-mails to read, things to buy or anything like that. Once you sign up by clicking on a link in this e-mail - all you have to do is go to swagbucks.com, log in and search. If you win - I win. Simple as that. I search 3 times a day until I win. It doesn't matter what you are searching for or even if you follow the link to it.

3. My lovely friend Paula (Real Housewife of Singapore) is sponsoring a giveaway - for every dollar donated you get one entry to win this lovely necklace and free entries for every time you share the post online!

I can't wait to meet so many of the blogger's that I "met" through my blog, connect with brands and take my second trip for my blog. Thanks so much for all your help, love and support.