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Welcome! I invite you to join me on this journey we call Life. It's crazy, fun, silly, sad, happy, loony, dull, exciting and everything in between

Thursday, April 30, 2015

The Many Uses For Lavender Essential Oil


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#essentialoils

Lavender is a very popular, very versatile essential oil that can be used for a variety of purposes. 

I received a bottle of 100% Pure Lavender Essential Oil from aVo Essentials to review. This was my first experience with lavender oil and I found there a a lot of uses I had never heard of!

Adorable Toddler Tank Clogs From Clogstrom


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#Clogstrom

Children's shoes are simply adorable! They are so little! And they are only getting cuter with new designs! I wish these had been around when our son was little because he would have LOVED them! 

I received a pair of Tank Clogs from Clogstrom to review and they are some cute shoes for boys!  These are super cute... or COOL slip on clogs with a tank design. I'm going to give them to our little cousin. I know he will love them and his daddy, an Army veteran, will too!

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Wednesday What Is It? Can You Guess?

Happy Wednesday! Can you guess this week's What Is It? 




Put your guess in the comments and come back Thursday to see if you're correct!


Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Light Up The Dark! USB Reading Lamp with Flexible Gooseneck


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#booklight

Do you ever find yourself  trying to use your laptop when everyone else is asleep and you don't want to turn on the lights and wake anyone up? It's just me? Well it happens more often than I care to admit. I always seem to have more to do!
I received the USB Reading Lamp with Flexible Gooseneck to review and I love that it provides the light I need to see the keyboard without being too bright and disturbing anyone else. It is handy because it seems the words seem to flow more easily at night, without the distraction of others needing me to do something or the hum of chores is quieted for a few hours.

A Letter To Rioters

Dear Rioters,

It's okay disagree. It's okay to be angry. It's okay to want justice. Most people can understand those feelings. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to express those feelings.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Memory Monday - April 27


Today is the fourth anniversary of a tornado outbreak that ripped through our area. The passage of time has not lessened the impact of the images and videos. They make it seem like it all happened only yesterday. They still make me cry even as I know the buildings have been repaired and rebuilt, that our community has moved forward. I have seen it with my own eyes, but my mind and heart still remember the terror of that day. 

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Da-da-da-da CHARGE! Atrico Rapid-Charging 6-Port Desktop USB Charger


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#AtricoDesktop

It seems like everything we have these days is rechargeable. We all have phones, tablets, speakers and music players that have to be charged regularly. 
I knew this Atrico Rapid-Charging 6-Port Desktop USB Charger would definitely get some use around our house so the opportunity to review it, was exciting. 

Get Fruity! Fruit Infusion Water Bottle


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#InfuserWaterBottle

Water is one of the healthiest things you can drink because it doesn't have artificial sweeteners, caffeine and other unhealthy ingredients. The drawback is most people like to taste flavor and waster is pretty plain.









For many years now I have been a water drinker, but only recently heard of and tried infused water. I instantly fell in love! What I wasn't prepared for, is the different styles of bottles. I was excited by the prospect of the Personally Balanced Fruit Infusion Bottle because it looked a little different.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

What Is It Wednesday

It's What Is It Wednesday! Can you guess what it is? Tell me in the comments





Light the Way With Extra Power! Orion Ultimate Survival Rechargeable LED Lantern and Power Bank


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#OrionPowerBank

We haven't been able to go camping in awhile, however we are into thunderstorm/tornado season and have already had a few power outages. Living in a rural area, we have to stay prepared and that means having working flashlights, power supplies and other necessities. 
Durable flashlights are one of the most important things we can have for these situations, so when the opportunity to review this Orion Ultimate Survival Rechargeable LED Lantern was presented, I was excited to see what it had to offer.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

It's A Shame Kids Can't Just Be Kids

I am so saddened by things I see in the news. Seeing some of the events lately where someone outside of a family decided it was their right to interfere for whatever reason, has had me thinking of my own childhood....This is just a bunch of treasured memories from my childhood, things that taught me, shaped me and have always stayed with me. It's a moment in time I wish I could give every kid.


I grew up in a different time than a lot of kids today. I walked to school by myself or with my friends from the time I was in first grade. In fourth grade I got a paper route and had to get up at around 2:30 AM to roll the papers, put them in the double sided bag that I put over my shoulders. I then walked my route. I would get finished in time to get back to the house and get showered and ready for school. I did that for several years. From day one, I was responsible for collecting the money from customers, getting new customers and even meeting with my manager to give her the money due from the subscriptions. I got to keep my share and was responsible for keeping up with it, saving it and spending it. 

During the Summer, my friends and I were all over our town, without any adults tagging along. I often left our house in the morning and was gone until it was time to go home... No matter where I was, when the street lights came on, I had to get home. After that I could still play outside, but only on our street.

 We either walked or rode our bikes all over town. We played at the park, splashed in the creek that was right next to the park. Went to the convenience store and bought slushies, "suicides" (a mix of some of each kind of soft drink from the machine) and candy and novelty toys. We chased the ice cream truck, picked crab apples from the neighbor's tree and sucked on the leaves of the peppermint that grew in a friend's yard.


On May Day we made little baskets with flowers and left them for our elderly neighbors. They in turn would bake an extra pie or share some of the veggies from their garden. We knew our neighbors and they knew us. They didn't freak out if we played in their yards, but we also had enough sense to respect their property and didn't damage or destroy anything. 

We played jump rope and jacks on the sidewalk. We drew hopscotch and wrote rhymes in the street with our chalk. We used to write out the McDonald's jingle in the middle of our street:



Big Mac, Filet-o-Fish, Quarter Pounder, French Fries, Icy Coke, Thick Shakes, Sundaes and Apple Pie!

We used to jump rope and do hopscotch to that one! :) It wasn't that any of us ate there a lot, but we saw the commercials. 

Some days were spent climbing the trees in my own yard. Some days were spent acting out Grease (it was our favorite movie!). Everyone had a part. A lot of days, my mom didn't know exactly where I was and she couldn't just pick up a phone and call me. I was trusted to behave. I was trusted to be with kids who were behaving. I was trusted to walk away if someone started doing wrong and not to join in. I was trusted to use my head.

In Winter, we built igloos in each other's yards or tunneled through snow when it was deep enough. We went sledding and "tubing" up on the Rocky Mountains that we could see from the street we lived on. We "hookie-bobbed" (if you know what that is, you had an awesome childhood too! :), we had snowball fights and made thousands of snow angles. 

I'm not saying I was an angel by any means. I DID have some wild times. I did things I know that I would totally freak out if my son did now. But I had the freedom to be kid. Freedom to have fun without being burdened like kids are now. 

I knew that there were people all over who knew who I was and how to get in touch with my parents if they saw me doing anything wrong. If I did something, my parents usually knew about it before I got home. People looked out FOR us, but they didn't stop us from being kids and having fun. I certainly never had to worry that someone would call the cops or child services on my parents for not being in my shadow every second of every day. 

Today's kids (and parents!) have so many things to worry about.  They are being exposed to so much at much earlier ages. Political correctness and over-bearing laws and codes have destroyed some of the basic things that made my childhood fabulous and taught me so much. I wouldn't trade my childhood for anything. I only wish we could allow our kids to experience those wonderful, carefree days before having to be encumbered with the knowledge of adult things. Time is so precious, so fleeting. It  gets away from us and is gone in just a blink.....

Monday, April 20, 2015

Rock The Cube! LON Little Speaker Review


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#lonlittlespeaker

You know those moments when you are totally shocked at the volume that can come out of something really small? Like that first time your adorable little newborn's shrieks pierce your brain? Or a tiny little dog suddenly barks and blood runs out of you ear? Those are the unpleasant sounds... But then there are the totally unexpected, pleasantly surprising ones...
Well, I received this LON Little Bluetooth Speaker to review and I was completely, although very pleasantly surprised by the power!

Saturday, April 18, 2015

GoPure Naturals Peppermint Essential Oil Review


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#PeppermintOil

It is no secret that I love peppermint. I love everything about it. The scent, the flavor and the cooling effect on my skin. It calms me but it also invigorates and can energize me. 

I received a bottle of this 100% Pure Peppermint Essential Oil from goPure Naturals to review and I simply love it. It can be used for so many different things!

Peppermint has been used for centuries in many parts of the world. It is indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, but is cultivated around the world. It is a hybrid of Watermint and Spearmint.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

LAVO Giro Cleansing System Review


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#lavoskin

I don't know if I am getting lazy or if I am discovering that a little pampering is great, but I am finding that I like motorized cleansers and beauty implements.
I received one of these LAVO Giro Skin Cleansing Systems to review and I love the soft brushes that do all the work!

Smile Brilliant Professional Teeth Whitening Giveaway

smile brilliant giveaway ends 4/30 Joy Makin' Mamas


Come read the Joy Makin' Mamas Review and learn more about the Smile Brilliant Professional teeth whitening system. One winner will receive a $139.95 credit to the Smile Brilliant store to apply toward their purchase of a teeth whitening system. (That's enough to get you a set of custom fitted trays and six syringes of gel. In other words, plenty to get you started!) Be prepared to pay your own international shipping or for any additional products you select before checkout, and you're on your way to a nicer smile without leaving the comfort of your home!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Whiter teeth and a brighter smile just make you feel great. It boosts your spirit, you feel confident and you almost can't stop smiling!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I hate that I have to mention this, but all entries will be moderated. Deliberate attempts to add false entries will disqualify you from winning. 

Good luck, and have fun!

***This giveaway is not in any way affiliated with any social media network, including Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Joy Makin’ Mamas received a copy of this gift set to facilitate the review. No other compensation has been offered or accepted for the running of this giveaway. Neither Joy Makin’ Mamas nor any other promoting blog is responsible for prize fulfillment. Prize fulfillment is the sole responsibility of our sponsor. Be sure to subscribe to Joy Makin’ Mamas and never miss any of our great giveaways!

Press On, Coffee! Press On! Vintage Double Wall French Press Review


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#FrenchPress

I have had lots of friends raving about french presses and I had no idea what they were talking about! They swear by the flavor produced and a few of them have gotten frantic when theirs broke or needed to be replaced for some reason.
I received this Vintage Double Wall French Press from Francois et Mimi to review and I now understand the attraction my friends have for their french presses.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Ultra Support With Ultra Flex Knee Brace & Ankle Braces


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#KneeBrace

I have mentioned my bad knees before. I try to be careful to prevent straining or re-injuring them, but sometimes it is only after the pain hits, that I realize there is a problem. 

I received the Ultra Flex Knee Brace and Ankle Support set to review and it arrived not a moment too soon.
I knew without a doubt I would be able to use the knee brace and was initially very interested in the comfort and functionality of it, but as it turned out, the bonus ankle support brace that is included in this pack was what I really needed!

Monday, April 13, 2015

Apothecary Extract Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil




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#ApothecaryExtracts

Tea Tree Oil has been used for a very long time by aboriginal Australians in New South Whales. They used it for many ailments from cuts and scrapes to colds.

As essential oils become more widely known and used in our time, Tea Tree Oils is one of those used for a multitude of things. I received a bottle of Apothecary Extracts Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil to review and love it's cleaning power.