Are You Thinking About Christmas Cards Yet? Pear Tree Greetings Can Help

It's never too early to start planning ahead for the holidays, especially if you're wanting to send personalized cards.   As a Pearista, I was sent some Christmas cards samples to preview.   Alas, they weren't personalized for me, which sent me into a drolling fit of envy over the individuals who were lucky enough to have ordered cards from them.    I was surprised over how heavy the paper was--heavy 100 lb Matte Card Stock, which is also 100% post-consumer recycled!    Haven't we all received Christmas cards that were so flimsy they flopped when you tried to pick them up?   I know I have.   But not with the Pear Tree cards.  These are cards you can be proud to send.    They have a wide variety of cards for all your needs. While there checking out all the cards they offer, be sure to note that they have Christmas address labels and letter inserts.  Check them out!

   Christmas Cards

   Photo Christmas Cards

Christmas Party Invitations       

Shop the Pear Tree Promo Code page for the latest discounts and promotions on everything from Christmas Cards, Halloween Photo Cards, baby announcements and even a code valid on ANY purchase! Happy shopping!

Katie Up and Down the Hall--Book Review and GIveaway--3 Winners!

Katie Up and Down the Hall is a heartwarming book about a little cocker spaniel named Katie who pulls together strangers and turns the unrelated individuals into a family.    The main characters in the book are Pearl and her husband of 59 years Arthur,a single father John and his young son Ryan, the author and of course, Katie.  Their love of, and caring for, Katie transforms these strangers into an unlikely group that share meals, good times, illnesses and deaths, that eventually makes them a family unit.


I love books about animals and found I loved this one as well.  Although the middle of the book was a bit slower for me personally, the first third and last third grabbed my attention with personal memories shared by the author.  The author of the book is Glenn Plaskin who has written several books and contributed to numerous magazines and newspapers including Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, the Daily News and New York Times.  The first third of the book includes recollections of the many famous celebrities he interviewed--from lunch or meetings with Ivana Trump and Senator Edward Kennedy, to even introducing Peter Jennings to Mr. Plaskin's favorite celebrity and Katie's namesake, Katherine Hepburn over lunch.   Katie often accompanied the author on his interviews and even managed to sneak into "no dogs allowed" buildings and hospitals. 

One of the aspects of the book I found most fascinating is his first hand account of 9/11 later in the book.  He lived in a penthouse apartment with a view of the Twin Towers and of the Statue of Liberty.   On 9/11 he was at home and witnessed the highjacked planes hitting the towers.    As the residents fled the apartments in fear, he felt the enormous impact of the towers collapsing and his senses were overwhelmed by the dust and smoke that engulfed the residents.   He shares the horrors of witnessing people jumping from the windows of the towers, to the Hudson being patrolled with machine gun manned police boats and the refrigerated trucks a month later storing human remains as the rescuers recovered them.    But he also chronicles the incredible coming together of perfect strangers with the young helping the old,  and the outreaching offers of help from friends and family. 

And of course scattered throughout the whole book are stories of Katie from her funny antics, her nonstop searching for food treats, her outrageous outfits, and her incredible love and sense of loyalty to her "family" members.  It's obvious that the strong love and devotion between the pet and the humans worked both ways. 


Check out the homepage of katiebook.com to read more about Glenn Plaskin and Katie, as well as see pictures of all the "family", hear the author reading excerpts from the book, and view a videotape.   Check it out!

Buy It:    If you think you'd enjoy reading the book, you  can purchase it from Amazon.

Win It:   Valerie from Hachette Books has been generous and offered THREE of my readers a copy of the book.

Mandatory Entry:    Comment below with the name of a dog you've loved.

Extra Entries:  

1)  Follow me on GFC  (2 entries so leave 2 comments)

2)  Subscribe to my feed

3)  Sign up for my email newsletter in the upper right side bar and make sure to verify the link in the email you'll receive   (2 entries so leave 2 comments)

4)   Blog about this on your own blog with a link here.   (5 entries so leave 5 comments)

5)   Enter any other open giveaway.
6)  Visit the katiebook site and tell me something interesting you found there.

7)   Read my post about swagbucks HERE and leave a comment on it.   Come back to let me know on this post

8)  Join swagbucks through the referral link on this post and get 5 extra entries.  You must be an active member of swagbucks by the end of the giveaway for these entries to count.  Make sure to leave 5 separate entries

RULES:
Giveaway begins now and ends Monday Nov. 15th  at 10 PM EST.   Must be 18 or older to enter and must reside in the US. Winner will be selected with random.org and will be notified by email.   Winner must respond by within 48 hours  or a new winner will be selected.    Prize will be mailed from Hachette Books.

 
Disclosure:   I have not been compensated in any way for this review except receiving a sample of the book to review.     My review is my own and my honest opinion. 

It's the Day I Dread Each Year.......Mohawk Day!

Yes, sadly today is Mohawk day.   This is the fourth year that my son has gotten a Mohawk haircut as his high school football team heads into post season play.   Being a woman who thinks they look utterly ridiculous, I'm not sure why that is how his team chooses to show their solidarity or their team spirit, but they do it every year, so I have long ago stopped whining and whimpering in a corner as my beautiful boy comes home with a look that frankly dismays me.  

The even worst part is that this team has played in the state championship game every year he's been there and looks like they might be heading there again this year.   While that should be good news, it's worth noting that the state championship game is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving.    So not only do we have to work our Thanksgiving dinner around a high school football practice (yes, they practice on Thanksgiving Day) but we also have to see extended family with him sporting the "do".

He has a new girlfriend who attends another school who must not share this team tradition, because when he told her he was getting a Mohawk for the tournament, she let out a long "nooooooooo".    I see she shares my confusion and dismay at this tradition. 

Just now though as I was telling my husband that I was writing this post, he reminded me that this is the last year we'll be doing this since he's graduating high school.    All of a sudden I think I may miss Mohawk Day next fall when he's away at college.  So instead of bemoaning a hair cut and trying to hide him away from family, I think I've just decided to embrace the tradition this year.   So with tears in my eyes, I'll announce for all to hear.....I'm the proud mother of a mohawk wearing son.  Go Hounds!

Help Pepperidge Farm and Milano Cookies Support Susan G. Komen in the Fight Against Breast Cancer

So many of us have been touched by breast cancer.   Perhaps you've had a family member or friend affected, or you've had the disease yourself.   Most of us know someone.  Now there's an easy way to help in the fight against breast cancer.  

Pepperidge Farm Milano Moment is having a campaign supporting Susan G. Komen for the Cure during the month of October.   It's an donation incentive program supporting  them and you can help!!    By supporting each other and sharing our strength, we can work together to find the cure.  You can help right now by sharing your Milano Moment.

Do you remember your first Milano Cookie?   I do.    I had a roommate in college who had some and shared them with me.   Pure heaven!!  Have you experienced a moment of pure delight when savoring a Pepperidge Farm® Milano® cookie? Go to the Milano Moment Tab on facebook to share your moment, and Pepperidge Farm will donate 50¢ to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® (up to $50,000).
  
When someone posts a personal Milano Moment on Milano's Facebook Page in October, Pepperidge Farm will donate $.50 per Moment up to $50,000.

Pepperidge Farms Milano Cookies Facebook page

What an easy way to help in the fight against breast cancer.    Go and enter your own Milano Moment now!!


Disclosure:     I received no compensation for this post but will be entered into a contest to win prizes.    I posted this as a public service message to help in the fight against breast cancer.

Pear Tree Personalized Thank You Cards Review and Giveaway

As a Pearista I'm able to offer you all kinds of information about exciting products from Pear Tree Greetings and offer giveaways to my readers.    This month we're talking about Thank You Cards.    I must admit I love thank you cards.    It's a lost art to send them it seems.    I hear moms talking about how they don't feel they're necessary anymore, but I disagree.   I think they show good manners and show appreciation for a gift, a thoughtful gesture, or even just an ongoing positive relationship.

I received a packet of several different types to preview.   My favorite of the ones I received is a sample of this Christmas thank you.  But I also love the Snowman in Stripes and Santa's Sleigh Team Christmas thank yous shown on their site.

But they don't stop there.   They also have Baby Shower or general Baby thank you cards.   This is one of my favorites.

They also offer all occasion personalized note cards and  thank you cards.  They're great to keep on hand for all those times you need to thank someone or send a quick pick me up card. 

 I have a son graduating high school next May, so I'm already checking out the graduation thank yous.    I love these.   Do you like them?   Of course they'd have the year 2011 and my son's picture instead of this pretty girl on them.   LOL

But I also love this one!!   Okay, okay......I'll stop showing you all my favorites now and let you go and look for your own.   After all, one of you is going to win your own set of personalized greeting cards.

If you're shopping for thank yous or holiday cards or any sort of note cards, check out the Pear Tree site for coupon codes before you shop to get a discount on your purchase.  Shop the Pear Tree Promo Code page for the latest discounts and promotions on everything from Christmas Cards, Halloween Photo Cards, baby announcements and even a code valid on ANY purchase! Happy shopping!


Buy It:    Check out Pear Tree Greetings for all your stationery needs. 
Check them out on Twitter or Facebook.

Win It:   Pear Tree Greetings has been generous and offered one of my readers a set (up to 16) of personalized thank you cards or note cards of their choice from any of the many categories.

Mandatory Entry:    Go to Pear Tree Greetings and tell me which card you would choose.

Extra Entries:  

1)  Follow me on GFC  (2 entries so leave 2 comments)

2)  Subscribe to my feed

3)  Sign up for my email newsletter in the upper right side bar and make sure to verify the link in the email you'll receive   (2 entries so leave 2 comments)

4)   Blog about this on your own blog with a link here and to Pear Tree Greetings.   (5 entries so leave 5 comments)

5)  Enter any other open giveaway.
6)  Like Pear Tree Greetings on facebook 

7)  Read my post about swagbucks HERE and leave a comment on it.   Come back to let me know on this post

8)  Join swagbucks through the referral link on this post and get 5 extra entries.  You must be an active member of swagbucks by the end of the giveaway for these entries to count.  Make sure to leave 5 separate entries

RULES:
Giveaway begins now and ends Friday Nov. 5th  at 10 PM EST.   Must be 18 or older to enter and must reside in the US. Winner will be selected with random.org and will be notified by email.   Winner must respond by within 48 hours  or a new winner will be selected.    Prize will be mailed from Pear Tree Greetings.

Disclosure:   I have not been compensated in any way for this review except receiving samples of cards for myself.     My review is my own and my honest opinion. 

Free 8 X 10 Collage Print at Walgreen's

Good through Saturday Oct. 23rd.      Click here to visit the Walgreen's site and  get started on putting together your collage.   What a great gift this would make for grandparents for Christmas.   A collage of the grandkids.    Or pics of you & your sweetie.   Or maybe I'll do a collage of my amazing football playing son (did you read my proud mommy moment picture?).   Enjoy!

Vera Bradley Zip Around Wallets (Wristlets) Over 60% Off!

Vera Bradley has some adorable zip around wallets in select fabrics on sale for only $15, normally $38.   There are 28 different fabric choices available to choose from.   The sale is only good for two days and ends on Oct. 22.   Although these are called zip around wallets, I consider them more of a wristlet.   So check them out now. 

• 7½" x 4¾" –6" wrist strap 
• An outside change pocket
• Nnine interior pockets 
• Zip-around closure keep everything secure. 
• The wrist strap makes it a trendy way to carry cash and cards.

Lots of different prints and patterns to choose from.  I love the Mesa Red (looks like a dark red bandana print) and the Pink Elephants (Tiny pink elephants on a black background).   But there are lots of fun bright colors for next spring and summer also.    So check them out!   

Freebies and great finds for you on Oct. 20th

• Get a free Orange 'n Creme Swirl Fruitista Freeze coupon for Taco Bell.
• Free sample of Tide with Febreeze.    While there I could also request two other samples sent to me including tampons.
• If you haven't already gotten your free sample of Crest toothpaste from Walmart, then get it now!  Or I just sent one to my college daughter.   A nice little surprise you can send someone in the mail.   Free Crest.
• Have you gotten your free full sized bottle of Advil yet?   I just received my coupon this week.   So hurry, there is a limit and to how many they'll send.   Free Advil
• Send someone a free share package of  Kleenex Tissue
• Sign up for their newsletter and get two free cans of Spot's Stew (pet food).
• Print a coupon for $2 off Quaker hot cereal.    Not free but still a great deal.   Quaker cereal.

A reminder that free samples are only available while supplies last.

Also this Saturday, Oct. 23, Old Navy will have their performance fleece vests on sale for only $5.   Limit of 5 per customer while supplies last.     Thanks Budget Savvy Diva for the heads up!

Be Careful What You Click On! The Dark Side of the Internet.

So today, I'm reading a post on a forum I frequent, and it referenced an article about someone from a reality show getting arrested and posted a link to the article.    So being the nosy person I am, I clicked on the link.   My eyes nearly popped out of my eye sockets!   There on the left hand side was the article written as any other news article would be written, detailing the person's arrest and the incidents that led up to it.   All very normal and informative.   But all down the right side were photos of nude people in all sorts of graphic sexual contact.   Close ups.....multiple people together....things too obscene for me to even describe here on a family friendly site.

So how is it that a seemingly innocent link to a news article can take you to such stuff?    I have no idea.   The internet is a wonderful thing that can help us research illnesses, find long lost friends, find the best deal on items we're shopping for, etc.   But it is also a gateway to things I personally don't want to see.  It was obvious that other people had been shocked as I was by comments asking if there wasn't a different link to the information.

I have two older children so have long ago quit filtering.    Yet somehow, I can't imagine that with a simple click my kids could be viewing such things.    Obviously you don't even have to go looking for it.   It just can smack you in the face when you're least expecting it.   It's one thing if you use a search term to find such adult content or even if you click on a link that you know will take you to it.    But to click on a news article and find it?   Somehow that doesn't seem right to me. 

I just don't even know what to say.   While I love my internet and all the things it can lead me to, I don't like this dark side of the internet.   It makes me very sad and disheartened.

UPrinting Die Cut Business Cards Review and Giveaway

Are you in the market for business cards?   They're great to have for business contacts of course, but they're also useful for people wanting to spread the news about a new business or product they're selling, and even for moms wanting to set up playdates and dinners.  UPrinting.com is a company that offers a wide variety of cards in many different sizes, styles, and shapes.  So no need to be stuck with boring cards anymore.    Pick fun shapes!  Pick fun colors!  Select a fun picture or your own logo.   Individualize your cards in many different ways.   And I'm about to let you win some of those fun cards for yourself.

They have many different choices for styles for business cards you can view here.  I'm lucky to be able to give away 250 of the Die Cut Business Cards to one (1) winner.

You can choose between:
2 X 3.5" (the traditional size)
2 X 2"  (square card) or
1.75 X 3.5" (slim card)

You can also select between the different die cutting options available:
Rounded Corners
Leaf
Rounded One-Corner
Half-Circle Side or
Circle  (How fun do those sound?)

The paper is 14pt cardstock in your choice of gloss, matte or high gloss.   Or you can choose 13pt cardstock that is uncoated.

Buy It:    Check out UPrinting for all your printing needs.

Win It:   UPriniting  has been generous and offered one of my readers 250 die cut business cards as described above.

Mandatory Entry:    Go to UPrinting and tell me another item they make that you could use. **You can enter as many different items as you want by leaving a different comment for each item.**

Extra Entries:  

1)  Follow me on GFC  (2 entries so leave 2 comments)

2)  Subscribe to feed

3)  Sign up for my email newsletter in the upper right side bar and make sure to verify the link in the email you'll receive   (2 entries so leave 2 comments)

4)   Blog about this on your own blog with a link here and to UPrinting.   (5 entries so leave 5 comments)

5)  Enter any other open giveaway.
6)  Check out my Proud Mommy Moment post and leave a comment.   Since I'm very proud I'll give you 3 entries for that so leave 3 comments! 

7)  Read my post about swagbucks HERE and leave a comment on it.   Come back to let me know on this post

8)  Join swagbucks through the referral link on this post and get 5 extra entries.  You must be an active member of swagbucks by the end of the giveaway for these entries to count.  Make sure to leave 5 separate entries

RULES:
Giveaway begins now and ends Wed.Oct.20th  at 1PM EST.   Must be 18 or older to enter and must reside in the US. Winner will be selected with random.org and will be notified by email.   Winner must respond by 6PM on Oct. 20, as the turnaround time is very short,  or a new winner will be selected.    Prize will be mailed from UPrinting.

Disclosure:   I have not been compensated in any way for this review except the offer of a set of business cards for myself.     My review is my own and my honest opinion. 

 

Proud Mommy Moment!

Carmel's Adam Shockley, 95, carries the U.S. Flag and leads the team onto the field as Carmel defeated Ben Davis 35-7 at Carmel Friday October 15, 2010. Joe Vitti / The Star

Friday night was senior night at my son's high school.    He was selected by his team mates to carry the flag onto the field at the start of the game and to talk to his teammates in the locker room prior to the game.   He was nominated because both of his grandfathers fought in WWII so the coach asked him to talk to the team about his grandfathers.  My son plays very little, but loves being part of the team, so this was a very special honor for him.   We're very proud parents!!

When sports figures and their fawning fans make me want to puke!

I know many people who follow mom blogs probably aren't sports fans, but here in my house we are.   We live in a suburb of Indianapolis and live in the middle of Colts worship territory.   And we love our Colts!   So far Mr. Peyton Manning and most of the Colts have kept their noses pretty clean.   (We won't talk about the trouble our Pacers have been in...ahem.....)

Many sports figures do admirable and great things.   Our own Peyton Manning gave an undisclosed large sum of money to a local children's hospital and frequently does benefit work for them.   Many of the sports figures worked manually as well as raising funds after Hurricane Katrina.    But so many sports figures are in the paper all the time for all the wrong reasons.   Rape, beating their wives or girls, gun possession, drugs and even murder are topics on the sports pages with alarming frequency.

So enter Mr. Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback of the Pittsburg Steelers.    Ben has been one of those athletes in the sports pages for things other than sports, or  fine charitable work.    There was an "incident" a few years back involving a girl.   Then the motorcycle injury where he, someone a team is relying on and paying an enormous amount of money to, showed his incredible poor judgment.    And then the recent accusation of rape.

Whether what happened that night was rape or not, I can't say from personal knowledge.    But what I can say is that what happened that night was wrong on so many levels.   Giving him the BEST benefit of the doubt, Ben took a girl who was so drunk/impaired/ or whatever and took her into a bathroom, had rough sex with her (he says she fell and hit her head....uh.....okay), while two bodyguards stood outside and guarded the door and prevented her friends from coming in to get her.    At the worst, it was Ben raping an impaired girl while his bodyguards stood there and prevented her friends from rescuing her.   Either way, Ben is not a person I feel any level of respect or admiration for.

So today he finally returns after his puny four game suspension for "violating the NFL's personal conduct policy".    What do the fans do?   Boo?   Remain silent to show their disapproval of his horrid personal conduct?    Nope.    They give him a rousing, cheering ovation that was louder than any other starter to show their love and support.   The article I read even said that instead of announcing their starting defense as they normally do, they introduced their offense just so the fans could welcome him back.

Peyton, be warned if you come back after allegedly raping a girl, you won't get a rousing welcome from me.   You'll get boos and disgust that you're allowed to be a "sports hero".   Seriously......I may puke! 

Here's the article about Ben Roethlisberger's return

FREE Try Me Popcorn Trio from Popcorn Factory. Just pay $5.99 shipping.

If you've not had Popcorn Factory popcorn, you're in for a treat.   This isn't that stale popcorn you buy in those giant tins for $5 at Christmas time.   This is YUMMY popcorn delivered fresh to your door.   They currently have a deal for Popcorn Month.   Who knew there was a popcorn month?

Here is how they describe it on their site:

Try Me Popcorn Trio

October is National Popcorn Month! Celebrate with FREE Popcorn! If you've never tasted how delicious our famous premium popcorn is, we'd like to send you a trio of fresh-popped favorites...FREE. While supplies last, order our Try Me Trio of customer favorites, pay only shipping and handling charges of $5.99 and you'll receive three of our popular signature flavors: Cheese: robust cheddar makes this classic flavor stand out from the rest. (1.5 oz) Jalapeño: palate-pleasing spice gives these kernels their zesty edge. (1.6 oz) Caramel: our secret recipe blends sweet and crunchy for universal appeal. (6 oz) Each flavor is individually bagged for freshness! BONUS OFFER! Each Try Me Trio will include a $10 Promo Code to use on your next purchase! Let's give everyone a chance to try our popcorn! Please limit quantities to one Try Me Trio per order. Thank you! Available to ship to the 48 contiguous states only.

Some Freebies for Tuesday Oct. 5

I haven't posted any freebies for over a week, so there's quite a few out there now.   Free samples often go quickly and run out so request them now.   At the time of posting all these were still available.   So let's get started!

Walmart freebies are my favorites because they always come and arrive quickly:

• Garnier Fructis shampoo sample
• Crest Pro Health Clinical Gum Protection Toothpaste
• Garnier Moisture Rescue Cream
• TENA Overnight Pads

Free sample of Ester-C Gummies.   While there sign up to receive notification daily of their daily free sample.   They go fast.

Free bottle of Advil . 500,00- bottles available and still working as of this posting.   Click on this link.  

• If you haven't sent your free box of Kleenex tissues, you should do it now!   This is a great freebie.

• Free sample of Wisk laundry detergent from Costco.   You do not have to be a costco member to get this.   Just fill in the starred areas.

Two free samples from Target also:                                      

• Tide Original with Acti-Lift laundry detergent

• Glad Odor Shield Trash Bags with Febreeze Freshness

Vera Bradley Morgan Purse On sale for $19, Regularly $63.

I love Vera Bradley as does my college aged daughter.   We have numerous purses, bags, luggage, and accessories all in different Vera prints.    Today they're having a GREAT sale on one of their purses in select fabrics they're retiring.   Some of the prints I'm not so crazy about, but others are really cute.  This is only good for today so check it out if you're interested!!