OVER THE TOP Award...just for me:)

Thanks to Calley over at The EcoChic and Jessica over at Monkey Toes for BOTH sending me this fabulous OVER THE TOP award.

Calley lives in the Tampa area, which is where I am from and I cannot wait to meet up with her once we move back down! She has a great green blog featuring eco-friendly products including cloth diapers!

Jessica has a bunch of boys running around and not sure how she has the energy, especially since she is expecting AGAIN:) (keeping fingers crossed for pink vibes) She does product reviews and giveaways geared toward her boys and moms! She is also uses cloth diapers!

Here are the rules for the Over The Top Award: USE ONLY ONE WORD! It’s not as easy as you might think. Copy and change the answers to suit yourself and pass it on. It’s really hard to use only one-word answers so try your best.

1. Where is your cell phone? Hand
2.Your hair? Bob
3. Your mother? Generous
4. Your father? Aloof
5. Your favorite food? Fries
6. Your dream last night? Non-existent
7. Your favorite drink? Diet Coke
8. Your dream/goal? World travel
9. What room are you in? Family
10. Your hobby? Tweeting
11. Your fear? Critters
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Tampa
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something that you aren’t? Direction savvy
15. Muffins? CUPCAKES
16. Wish list item? Massage
17. Where did you grow up? Tampa
18. Last thing you did? Nursed
19. What are you wearing? Pajamas
20. Your TV? Disconnected
21. Your pets? Jack Russels
22. Friends? Few
23. Your life? Happy
24. Your mood? Tired
25. Missing someone? Mom
26. Vehicle? Borrego
27. Something you’re not wearing? Bra
28. Your favorite store? American Eagle
29. Your favorite color? Gray
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Today
32. Your best friend? Christian
33. One place you visit over and over? Target
34. One person who emails me regularly? Mom
35. Favorite place to eat? Chili's

Now I must pass it on to 3 other bloggers?
If I must:)

Lauren at Mommy is Rock and Roll...because she really is Over the Top!
(I love it)
Nicole at Grudgemom...because in a second she is willing to help me fix anything technical!
(I love her)
Bobbi at When did I go from kid to grownup...because she sports pigtails and cowboy boots! (Jealous)

The Boy's Store review AND GIVEAWAY

Zealand is a Rock and Roll kid. Maybe because I make him that way....maybe because he just "is". From out of the womb he has always been consoled by the Rent Soundtrack, he enjoys ALL music genres and loves his ukulele. I have a hard time finding him cute clothes that aren't babyish or fruity. Teddy bears just ain't my thang!
When I got the outfit from The Boy's Store to review, I realized Suzanne obviously knows what she is doing because she matched Zealand's personality with a Kick Ass outfit, it looks AWESOME on him and we get tons of compliments on his pants! The pants fit him incredibly and the shirt is a tiny bit big (but it is long sleeve and I do live in South Georgia...so by the time it gets cold, it will fit) I had never heard of the brand she sent me which is Appaman and I am highly interested in this line of clothing now!
The Boy's Store features a $10 and under page! How great is that? They also have flat rate shipping! If you have a boy...this is THE website for you. From newborn to size 20 in juniors!

Wanna buy something NOW? Enter "Shipping" for free shipping on orders $35 or more! Or join their mailing list for a one-time free shipping code and to be entered for a monthly Gift card drawing!

Wanna win a $25 gift card?
Mandatory:
Go to The Boy's Store and pick something you would like to get with your Gift card!

Additional entries:
Subscribe to The Boys Store newsletter
Follow The Boys Store on twitter
Follow me on twitter
Tweet this giveaway (include both our IDs please)
Become a Facebook fan of The Boys Store and tell her I sent you!
Tell me who you would buy for

Contest ends October 1st at noonish!
Winner has 48 hours to respond once contacted!

Peace love mom winner

#60
Betsy Knight!!

Congrats Mama! I shall hear from you within 48 hours (right?).....emailing you now!

Out of town!

I am going out of town for the weekend to comfort my Mom and to go to the viewing of her recently deceased boyfriend.

Thought I'd leave you with a peek at what I'm gonna give away for my 100 follower party!

Puj sling

Spot Me ID kit

Bella Bottoms cloth diaper

Smart mom teething bling necklace

That Baby CD and DVD
Ruthless and Toothless onesie
$5.00 GC to Bumkins
$5.00 GC to Euphoria Baby

plus maybe a few more!

Grab your friends have them follow the blog cause only my followers are "in it to win it"!

Thanks again for reading!

MWAH!

Strength

I don't know why certain people are born to be stronger than others. I don't mean the strength that wins you marathons or trophies but the strength that keeps you together in the time of tragedy and disappointment. I never have been really strong, prime example: hallmark commercials make me cry. I haven't actually lost anyone to death in awhile. My Great-Grandmother passed in 1997 and my Grandfather in 2000. Last year a friend of mine died and I lost an old high school friend this year both to car accidents. With each death, I was overwhelmed with sadness and confusion. Why must it be "today". Why couldn't God wait just one more day. One more day to find the time to tell that person what they meant and how much they were loved.

What do you do when you really lose your heart? Your soul? Your day in and day out? When it really is gone? My Grandmother lost her husband of over 50 years. How do you recoup from that? How do you go to bed alone, how do you not call out his name? Think of him every breath you take? When everything reminds you of a part of yourself, that is gone forever.

My mom lost her boyfriend of 11+ years yesterday. He died of a sudden heart attack. She didn't talk to him yesterday, she was busy at work. She called him at 2:15 and he didn't answer, she now knows why. She didn't spend the night there the night before either, she wasn't feeling well and wanted to keep the germs at bay. I'm not sure what her last physical contact was with him or if she got to say "I love you". Being that he is 'only' his girlfriend, if his Father hadn't been at the hospital, my Mother would not have been allowed to see him and say her goodbyes. The earrings he wore that she played with, were silently passed to his Father in an envelope by a nurse at the hospital. Earrings that no one cares about but my Mom. She has no right to them, no claim. The only thing that was truly hers of his, was his heart, the very thing that failed him and now forever keeps them apart. She has spent the last 11 years of her life with a man that she has no possession of. The house that she spent time in, the friends that were theirs, the future they had planned....it doesn't belong to her now.

My Mom has strength. The strength that few posses. it has been less than 24 hours as I write this, and she is at his house, (sorta her house too) cleaning out the refrigerator. Thinking of everyone else but herself. While, I sit here and cry. Yes, death is tragic but I'm not crying over his death. I'm crying over my Mom's broken heart. I mourn for her and her memories lost. I mourn for her future without him. I mourn for every minute that goes by that she doesn't get to hear his voice or hold his hand. I mourn for the dinners apart and the cold bed. I mourn for the intimate moments she may never have again. I mourn that she will never play with his earrings again or stroke her fingers through his hair.

She consoled me as I cried. SHE consoled me. At the one moment in my life I really needed to be there for someone, I lost it. My heart aches 1000 times for the love my Mom lost yesterday. I feel heavy with anxiety over what her future holds. I cry my tears for the tears that she will hold back.....all because she got stuck with strength.

Peace Love Mom review AND GIVEAWAY

I have to tell you first and foremost the customer service behind this Mom team at Peace Love Mom is incredible!

I originally picked the burnout tee, as those are the only tees they have in v-neck and the size of my humungo boobs, leaves me feeling that I should wear V-necks (and Tim Gunn said it once on TV too). Turns out that the burnout tees are very delicate, so much so that while wearing Kingsley in the ergo it pilled and as I used my de-pillar, ripped. I was devastated.It was the first time I wore the shirt and it was the first shirt in a LONG time that I really felt good in. I felt fresh and young. I emailed them about the shirt and they assured me, that the fabric is very thin and delicate but not so much that a regular purse or diaper bag would cause this but the rubbing and pressure from the ergo straps. The fabric is chemically burned to show the sheer look. This tee is AMAZING, but not for the active baby wearer.



They emailed back and offered to send me one of their regular 100% cotton tees to review, which is REALLY the review I am doing here. The shirt is super cute. Super comfy and I know you want one. I want to get one for all my friends, I honestly do! The only beef that I have is really how small these are for the normal mom. I am not large. I am 5'2'' and weigh around 140 (I have some wight to lose I know) But I am not considered fat and I had to order an X-Large tee. Which means to me that alot of Moms can't wear these all would have to order their fuller cut tees...which in my opinion are not as cute.

Please check out ALL the stuff this site has. They have onesies and children's shirts. They have bags, hats and jewelry. They have belts and notepads. This could be your one stop shop for Christmas presents....if you had the money. They are a bit steep, in my opinion. I think $40 for a tee shirt is WAY too much, when I know I can only wear it half a day due to spit up or spills. I also wish they made v-necks in ALL their shirts. I do, however, recommend this site because of the amazing customer service and the product really is to die for. If you have the money......This is a MUST have! Peace Love Mom is offering FREE shipping on orders over $25 for my readers by using the code :

ZEALAND09




And for those who can't afford it Peace Love Mom has generously sponsored this pink Happy Mom tee to one of YOU!

Mandatory entry:
Go to Peace Love Mom and tell me YOUR favorite item (1 entry)

Additional entries:
Follow my blog (2 entries)
Follow me on twitter (1 entry)
Follow Peace Love Mom's blog (2 entries)
Follow Peace Love Mom on twitter (1 entry)
Become a fan of Peace Love Mom on Facebook (3 entries)
Tweet this contest (1 entry per tweet) (not to be tweeted more that once per hour)

Contest ends on September 21st at noonish
Open to Us and CANADA!
Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond!

Spoon Sisters review and coupon code

I'm super sad for you my readers that I cannot offer you a giveaway from this amazing site. Spoon Sisters' motto is great gifts opening everywhere! They have totally tubular (ha, I have wanted to use that word) gifts and gadgets! Lots of stuff can be purchased for under $20.
I purchased the I'm nuts about you keychain and the brownie pan for Christian for presents in the last few years. He LOVES them and USES them both.

I was sent the ABC ice cube trays that as you can see have multiple uses. They also have trays with all of one number, I wish they had one with all one letter.....maybe I should keep looking, they have so much, they just may!

I love the band-aids for Zealand and they also have tons others that are equally if not cuter! I love to get lots of plastic plates for the kiddos, to keep meal time fun....honestly I wanna play with this Face plate!



I would totally get this alarm clock that runs away from you, if Christian wasn't so deaf and it would be ME chasing all over the room for it. This would be a great gift for those zombie like teenagers!

Spoon sisters HAS however given you my readers a coupon code for 10% off till September 26th!
So dive in!
Use this code
zealandsmom

Gifts for Christmas

Yes, I mentioned Christmas the second week of September. I'm an early shopper and already done for both my babies! So far I won a book for my Dad for Christmas and a Wizards of Waverly place DVD for my niece. We do 3 presents per person.....if 3 was good enough for baby Jesus, it is good enough for us! (although I can't afford gold and have no idea really what the 2 other things J got) So I need to WIN this year's presents. If you see a good giveaway for my 8 year old niece or my 10 year old nephew....holla at me! Comment here or tweet at me @zealandsmom
I have 3 months to win them and have them shipped here.......I have some work to do!
THANKS!

Hands off Baby winner!

Congrats to #33 Pamela

You can check out her cool blog here

(since getting my computer back to factory settings, I can't remember how I got the screen shot button...UGH)

Pamela you have 48 hours to get back to me:)

What's in a name?

I thought I would tell you why and how we came about naming Zealand. I would venture to say, most of you don't know...maybe even don't care;) Christian and I both thought our first born was going to be a girl. I desperately wanted it to be a girl, as I have/had no idea what to do with a boy, as I was pretty much raised by my Mom and I have one sibling, a sister. I wanted to name our daughter Zoe. I have always loved the name and it was not that common at the time (or so I thought) I knew I wanted a different name, an unusual but GREAT name. We started thinking of boy names that would sound good with Zoe. There are few Z names all together but Z for a boy is hard. I liked Zion and Zane....Christian did NOT. At the time we were heavily watching McLeods Daughters, an Australian show, taped in New Zealand. I randomly came up with the name McLeod and hubby sternly told me he did not want a last name as a first name, so I creatively said Zealand? Which in turn took us to the fact that there are no snakes in New Zealand (which Christian is DEATHLY afraid of) and that he had always wanted to visit and even wrote a paper on it in high school. Like every name we tossed around, Christian would test it out by loudly yelling the name as if to scold a make believe child. He wanted to see how easily it rolled off the tongue in intense moments:) He said he would get back to me on it. A day or two went by and I had probably even forgot the name, when he said out of the thin air "yup, Zealand it is" and that was the end of the beginning!
Zealand's middle name is Mac, after Christian's late Father. I suggested that name to him and he was hesitant to accept. I honestly have always wanted my son's middle name to be Danger. The D in Danger sorta hit heads with the D in Zealand and once I offered Christian the opportunity to name Z after his own dad, I couldn't fight for the name Danger.....so I forever lost it;)
I still worry if we made the right decision. Every now and again I will hear a name or think of a name and wonder if we chose the right one. Will it suit him? Will he be able to grow in it? Will he like it? Will it be cool? As an adult, will it be professional? Only time will tell, and I have much bigger things to worry about, so I guess I'll stop here! What do you think....you think Zealand is cool? One thing is for sure, there won't be another one!

Resolve Muti-fabric Review

I can assure you no one sent me this product. I am not getting paid to write this....I wish I was though, the times are tough;) I stumbled upon Resolve multi-fabric from one of their commercials. I was most interested in it because we have micro-suede couches and they attract dirt easily. They also clean fairly easily with just water. After 2 Jack Russells and 2 kids, I needed something a little bit stronger than water!

Let me tell you what this cleaner has cleaned up for me!
Pen off my micro-suede couches....PEN as in INK!
Milk, juice, mushed strawberry pop-tart, dried Velveeta cheese and MUCH MORE!
I have used it on my chair (the holy thrown I sit/eat/work on computer on) and I just used it on my area rug in the family room.
The rug in the family room is probably a 6'x 10' dark khaki short shag. I have only had it in the room for about 2-3 months, to help Punky with her crawling (we have wood underneath). It looked awful. I mean milk stains, dirt stains, food smeared in, boogers, drool the WHOLE shabang! I quickly spent about 15 minutes on my knees with a dry washcloth and Resolve multi-fabric and it is out! Looks brand new again. Oh and it smells good too, not chemically at all!

I HIGHLY recommend it!

Growing up

Zealand is finally mature enough to sleep in his own little toddler bed. I knew this day would come, I forced him to sleep in his pack and play after he climbed out of his crib. He has had his toddler bed for months now, and we tried to get him to sleep in it before but we would always find him sprawled out on the floor or in his beanbag chair. I look at him and wonder if time will continually get faster and faster. I can't believe I'm actually old enough to have children....let alone 2 children. Now one is in a toddler bed and becoming more and more self sufficient!

I want Zealand to be free. Free to be whoever he wants to be. Free to say whatever he wants to say. Eat whatever he wants to eat. Play however he wants to play. I'm just not ready yet. I need old man time to SLOW it down a bit. The waking up and the going to sleep part, is the most memorable time of the day, the rest just ZOOMS by. Time does not care that I want it to creep. Time does not care that I forgot to write in the baby book. Time does not care that I slacked on picture taking this week.

I care and I'm just not ready.

Fave Friday.....(on Saturday)

This is in conjunction to Three Boys and a Dog and her weekly Mr Linky. This week she lists her top 5 movies.

On that note I will list my top 5 TV shows of all time:

1. Dallas.....oh yeah coz that is how I roll

2. Saved by the Bell......reminds me of Saturday mornings

3. Rescue me.....makes me feel grown up

4. Wonder Years.....they just don't make quality like that anymore

5. Amazing Race.....I am on the edge of my seat every show!

I may have other favorites but these are near and dear to my heart....... wanna play along?

Link up here

aa>

HANDS OFF BABY Review AND GIVEAWAY!

It's basic principle. Do not touch other people's babies! I don't understand why the concept is soooo hard. Maybe it's me. I tend to get all the weirdos tell me their life story when I'm out. Maybe I have a considerate look, or maybe I look like I care. I can assure you, I do not care and I am probably not listening. Christian didn't believe me. He always wondered what took me so long to run the simplest of errands.....until our recent JCPenney trip. A lady admires our children, I say "thanks" but keep walking. She says she is from out of town and asks if the weather is always this hot. I say "yes, it is", while still walking through the store. She continues to follow. She tells me all about her health, how her husband just died (I know sad, huh?) and talks about her children and her children's children and oh how I was stuck pretending to listen for 15 minutes. Listen. I'm not hateful. I just have two kids and my time away from the house and my pajamas is limited. Anyways, I hate to be rude to someone's face and I always feel awkward about telling someone to NOT touch my children. I don't know why, maybe because I don't seem to have enough time to stop someone before they do it? Then after the fact its null?

Well, my old school buddy has a GREAT idea. After having triplets, and I'm sure everyone wanted to gawk at them and touch them, he and his wife came up with a sign to keep people away. Or at least to get people's attention. You gotta, just gotta wash your hands when touching babies! They put their hands in their mouth. Don't touch their feet either.....they put those in their mouth too! Be considerate, be clean. Hands off baby!

Hang this sign on an infant car seat handle or attach it to your stroller canopy. They also sell tees, tanks and bibs! They are currently working with hospitals and selling them in the gift shops. These are gonna be seen everywhere! Don't let your uncomfortableness stop you from keeping germs, flu's and diseases from touching your child. Pick up a Hands Off Baby today!

Or win one here!

Your choice of boy or girl:)

Main entry:

Why do you want this product?

Additional Entries:

Become a FB fan of Hands off baby

Would you choose blue or pink?

Follow my blog

Follow me on twitter

Tweet this giveaway.....the more the better (grab an entry per tweet)

Contest ends Saturday September 12th at noonish

Open to US and Canada

Runny poop! Pedia-Lax Review

Yes, the title is runny poop. Zealand RARELY has a solid nugg (what I like to call a firm turd). I have had his poop tested for bacteria and worms.....nothing has turned up. He is just a loose stool kinda guy. This makes cloth diaper changes absolutely disgusting. Thank the heavens for our diaper sprayer. I contacted Pedia-Lax to see if I could review some of their fiber gummies and wham-o they were in my mailbox before they even replied to me. (To clarify, they never did reply back). I found out some interesting facts on fiber and I thought I would pass them on to you!

Fiber is a special carbohydrate found in plants that the human body cannot absorb or digest. A diet rich in these fibers help promote gastrointestinal function.

Fiber: helps promote regularity

aids in digestion

helps maintain a healthy diet

relieves constipation

softens and loosens stool

improves bowel function

part of the USDA recommended diet

creates softer, bulkier stools

There are 2 types of fibers:

Soluble, which helps soften

examples include legumes, oats, rye and barley. Fruits like plums and berries. Vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, potatoes and onions

Insoluble, which adds bulk and regularity

examples include whole grains, bran, nuts and seeds. Vegetables such as green beans, cauliflower, zucchini and celery.

I had no idea that fiber was a sorta mandatory need for a diet! I also had no idea how many grams anyone needed, therefore I never thought that my own kids were possibly lacking the fiber they needed!

A child 2-3 years needs 19 grams

A child 4-8 years needs 25 grams

and depending on the sex of your child between the ages of 9-11 they need 26-31 grams

I started giving Zealand 3 gummies a night. For every 3 gummies it adds 4.5 grams to his diet.

4.5 grams is equivalent to 3 small brussel sprouts or 3/4 cups of carrots or 1/2 cup of broccoli!

That seems like a weight lifted off my shoulder! Zealand loves his fruit smoothies and his fruit cocktails. He is OK about applesauce and gets plenty of salty french fries.

He does love these gummies and they are a part of his nightly routine, next to his Flinstone vitamin. He however still has bulkless stools. This may not change for awhile!

I hope you learned something! I know I did!

1 day of hunting down...

It's not like I have a babysitter at my beckon call. And if you don't know anything about the background of a restaurant, let me tell you, you only apply between 2 and 4. This is the "down" time of the business and the only time a manager has the ability to see you.

So, I arrive at Longhorn just after 2. I am wearing a nice black, casual dress that shows the peaks of my breasts, big white beaded necklace and topped off with.....heels. A pair I have NEVER worn, but were $5.00 at TJMaxx.

The manager sits me down, even though he told the applicant directly before me, that he had no positions. He looks over my application and tells me it is ridiculous. (meaning ridiculously overqualified and outstanding;)) He asks me how Arkansas was.....I say, AK, is the abbreviation for Alaska, and I loved it. (What are we teaching in school these days....anyway) He goes over the basics, what brings you to town, (I have lived here for 4 years...and my last job was here, in town for 3 years) yada yada yada. He boils it down to, there is just not enough shifts for me. If anything he has too many servers already. I tell him, I don't want to work that much anyway, and ask him if he could just fit me in. (It doesn't help that I'm not available for any lunch shifts) He says he likes me (DUH, what's not to like;)) and that he like my vibe (does that mean tits?) and that I would be a great fit. He says he is pulling my application and giving it to the General Manager and together they will fire some people and hire me.....(We shall see)

Selling yourself is like being a door to door salesman. If you don't finalize the sale before you leave the door, you usually don't get it. I'm confident that I sold myself, but I can't work with an oversupplied staff issue. I was told to call him next week. And I will. Everything will work according to "His" plan. I will either have to go somewhere else or wait a week or two. I have NEVER applied somewhere and not gotten the job. I'm not being arrogant, I just am a good bullshitter and can sell myself (even if it means using my knockers)!

Keep me in your thoughts as I decide what to do from here!

I shall interview YOU!

So, the hunt is on. I am officially down to my last dollar and I must find some money. I have been ebaying and making quite my fair share but I am not consistant and cannot tell verizon, that I will pay them when my darling dress sells. I am not worried that I cannot find a job. I think anyone would hire me, I could talk my way about of hell, if I had to. I am worried that I may not find a job that fits the schedule I want or lack there of. My ideal job would be to work 1-2 nights a week. Starting at 5pm and ending before 11pm. I would like to make about $75 a shift. I would prefer to not have to work at all. I know that I need to do relieve some financial stresses and that this is the most efficient way to do it.

Tomorrow I will be handing in my first application and then meeting another potential employer and I hate to waste anyone's time. I will go straight to the facts, that my family is first and foremost and that is the make or break. I will not come into work if my child is sick or injured. The End. I have over 10 years in the restaurant industry and have carved a pretty influential resume along the way. I hope that I will be able to take the passenger seat and just get in and out of a shift without trying to overtake and run it.

I keep saying that it will only be for a short time. I will not miss much of my children's day. I can do this. I must do this. I may even enjoy it. (Athough I doubt it)

Busy Body Book winner!

Congrats to #43! GirlHouse

Shawna, I have emailed you!

If I don't hear back within 48 hours, I will draw again!

Thanks to everyone who entered!!!