AT&T Family Map-aka "Track-a-Teen"

Have you heard about the latest feature offered by AT&T? It's called "FamilyMap" and it's a service that will allow you to track any cell phone you own via your own wireless phone or computer. You can also schedule alerts so that they could be notified where your child was at specific times each day - like when they were expected home from school. BlogHer and AT&T had 10 bloggers review the service and post their opinions. After checking out the review, you'll find a giveaway on each for a $100 Visa gift card. No need to search, you'll find them here:

1) Slackermama.

2) I Try Things.

3) My Own Circle of Confusion.

4) Because Your Momma Said So.

5) Surviving Assorted Home Mayhem.

6) Bridgett's Reviews.

7) Mama's Picks and Pans.

8) The Swim Mom Review.

9) Caloden.

10) Unexpected Bliss Reviews.

Each giveaway ends on September 20, 2009.

Inspired by the Acer Aspire

In honor of another school year starting, Blogher and Intel have teamed up to offer a few lucky bloggers the opportunity to put the Acer Aspire laptop to the test. Did it score an A+ or is it serving a Saturday detention? You'll have to read the reviews listed to find out, but if you do your homework you, too, will have the chance to be the teacher's pet with an Acer Aspire of your own! The bell rings for each on August 31 at 5:00pm, so don't be tardy!

1) Scrutiny by the Masses.

2) Deb on the Rocks.

3) Bacon is My Enemy.

4) Owlhaven.

5) Petroville.

6) Mocha Momma.

7) Busy Mom.

8) WhatNot.net.

Review: Nature Valley Nut Clusters

I was recently given the opportunity by My Blog Spark to sample the new line of snacks by Nature Valley: Nature Valley Nut Clusters.

Let me start by staying my husband is one of those guys that doesn't appreciate change. In any restaurant we visit, I can tell you what my husband will order, with no variations. It will either be a patty melt or a cheeseburger, no onions or mayo. Every so often he throws me a curve and will order ribs.

But he loves nuts and snacks. His routine is to come home from work and grab a bag of chips and a pop and unwind on the couch. He usually keeps a canister of nuts on his end table for snacking. Imagine my surprise to see an empty bag of Nature Valley Nut Clusters laying on the end table last week.

I assumed the kids and I would be sampling all four varieties: Roasted Cashew, Nut Lovers, Roasted Almond, and Honey Roasted Peanut. We got to try all except the Roasted Cashew...we got to sniff the empty bag, though. My husband said they were great and to buy them again. All of us agree: they're a great, crunchy snack that will satisfy your sweet & salty side all at once. My daughter asked me to pack her a sandwich bag of them for her lunch last week instead of cookies & chips.

I'm not a huge nut fan. I like nuts in brownies or cookies but, except cashews, I rarely eat nuts plain. I really enjoyed the Nature Valley Nut Lovers Nut Clusters, though. They had just the right amount of sweetness without making your teeth ache and just enough crunch that eating them wasn't a workout for your mouth.

I have to thank My Blog Spark for making them available to my family and introducing us to a great new snack we all enjoy.

And Fiber For All.......

I grew up in the era of 8-track tapes and transistor radios. There was no such thing as cable television. We had five working television stations and a sixth that required some fiddling with the rabbit-ear antenna on the top of the television to get the station to come in without static. I remember manipulating those rabbit ears to get the signal to come in perfectly clear, walking over to the couch and discovering that I was now watching the "snow-storm" channel once again. There were no cordless phones let alone cellular phones. If you were out and needed to make a call, you found a payphone and put a dime in the slot. We had a "party-line" phone; occasionally you would pick up the receiver to make a call and could clearly hear Mrs. Yabotch down the street discussing her bunion woes with her sister. Video games and computers were ideas of the future; even our calculators back then were oversized monsters that came in their own cases, definitely something that would never fit in your purse or pocket, we called them adding machines and that's about all they did.

Fast forward to today and my kids sometimes can't believe I lived in such an archaic time. But I evolved and adapted. I've become quite tech-savvy and the go-to gal when my own children and friends are having a computer problems. When it comes time to hook up the television, cable, video game system and dvd player and make each one of those components work TOGETHER, the cables are handed over to me and I go to town. When I decided to network my home computer system, I shunned the technician and did it myself and later upgrading everything to a wireless home network. Yes Virginia, I can open up my computer and install components myself.

When our family first jumped online 12 years ago, we had a dial-up internet connection. That meant if you were online, you couldn't use the phone. You could do one but not both. When DSL became available, I immediately signed up. While faster, it certainly came with its own host of problems. I can't count how many times the internet was "down". It was especially frustrating when you were in the middle of something and the modem began flashing its ugly red connect light. Making the switch to cable cleared some of that up as well as correcting the satellite television problems we had every time there was a storm when the "acquiring satellite signal" message would flash across our television screen every time there was a gust of wind. No longer did we have to troop outside with the broom to dust of the dish after a snowstorm so we could watch tv.

Our family has certainly come a long way. But are we all the way there? While everything works, is it really "the best" that's out there? For phone, television and internet, do I have the most reliable, economic, efficient alternative available? Or is there something more?

There is. It's fiber optic technology and it's changing the way home users communicate, relax, entertain and acquire information. What's the difference? Fiber-optic lines are strands of optically pure glass as thin as a human hair that are capable of carrying data over long distances. Unlike electrical signals in copper wires, light signals from one fiber do not interfere with those of other fibers in the same cable. This means clearer phone conversations or TV reception. Fiber technology is also lighter and weighs less than its copper counterpart. This small size means big power; fiber is able to deliver data over greater distances and faster than traditional copper cable lines. Fiber also costs less to maintain than copper cable. With a conductor made of glass, fiber doesn't generate electricity so it is immune to interference from other electrical devices. This means that high-voltage electricity, lightning and power lines won't disrupt fiber in the least.

The only drawback is availability. Verizon Communications is marketing their Verizon FiOS (Fiber Optic Service) in select areas offering high-speed fiber internet, digital television and phone service to home consumers. More bandwidth, better quality and clarity of television stations and crystal-clear phone reception, who wouldn't want fiber optic technology? Companies like AT&T and Qwest are jumping on board but they're not jumping nearly as fast as consumers would like.

Let's make our voices heard, as clearly as fiber optic technology. Let's tell the telecommunications companies that we, the consumers, insist on the best technology available and we want fiber. Join the fiber revolution by heading over to Fiber For All and seeing what all the fiber-fuss is about, find a company in your area who knows the future is fiber and intends to deliver the latest advancements to its customers, and enter for a chance to win a FiOS Triple Play package of prizes.

I pledge allegiance to the company that provides fiber optic clarity and to the future for which it stands, one nation, technologically-advanced, with speed and freedom and fiber for all.

Sweet Swag Grab Bag

Stop by Twirlit and enter to win one of two $50 Free People gift cards; your fall wardrobe could use a little Free People pick-me-up, no? Deadline: 8/26.

Win a $100 Apple gift card from Tropicana Orange Juice, The Juice, at the Contest Corner. Deadline: 9/13

Win a Clarisonic Skin Care Brush from Prissy Green. Deadline: 9/10.

Swing by Living as Mom and enter to win a 3-month supply of Dropps laundry detergent. No mess, no measuring, yes clean! Deadline: 9/10.

Make sure you enter the Flor rug giveaway going on now at 1 Happy Corner. You have 7 great Flor rug styles to choose from and who doesn't adore Flor? Deadline: 9/22.

The Shopping Mama has a Keurig Platinum Brewer giveaway going on now. Deadline: 9/30.

Enter to win a Bamboo Henley and a Organic Scoop Neck Long Sleeve shirt from Yoga Fit at Prissy Green. Deadline: 9/7

Winners: Itzadog

Winners:
#48: Tina
#4 : Jamaise
#31: Danielle
#10: Vala
#26: Kimberly

Congrats winners! I'm sending you emails for your information.

Keeping Communication Open Giveaways

Sprint wants to know how you keep the lines of communication open between you and your children. And to leave you speechless, they're giving away $200 Visa gift cards on a few different blogs. Deadline: 9/4

1) More Little Bites.

2) Chickens in the Road.

3) Healthier Happier You Reviews.

4) Bridgett's Reviews.

5) Found Not Lost.

6) Smockity Frocks Review & Giveaways.

7) Show & Tell & Give & Take.

8) Retro-Food Reviews.

And make sure you stop by MomStart and enter to win a cool HTC Snap cell phone. Deadline: 8/20

Looking for some great Walmart giveaways?

$500 Walmart gift cards up for grabs at the following sites, get In The Zone with Walmart:

Three Different Directions: Deadline 9/8.

Bargain Briana: Deadline 8/28

My Home Sweet Home Online: Deadline ?

A Happy Hippy Mom: Deadline 9/10

Life in a House of Blue: Deadline 9/9

Mama of 3 Munchkins: Deadline 9/11

Winner: Shannon's Custom Creations

Kelly F said... 155
I follow!
wordsmoveme at gmail dot com
August 9, 2009 3:21 PM

Congratulations Kelly...sending you an email.

The Fifty Factor-stop by & send congrats & win

The Fifty Factor is having a great Time & Money Giveaway sponsored by Teak, Wicker and More who carries everything from bird baths to patio furniture. Stop by before midnight, August 16th and enter to win!

The Be-All-End-All Lands' End Back-To-School Party

It's that time again; back-to-school bargain hunting. Time to outfit your budding scholars with their must-have back-to-school fashions. I think my daughter & I spend a fair amount of our shopping time trying to find that "perfect" backpack since it's the one item she'll be using every school day. Now that she's 13, I'm feeling the pain my mother went through every school year: balancing her "wants" against my budget.

If that back-to-school shopping overwhelms you like it does me, then Lands' End is giving you the chance to vent your spleen and have your questions answered by their team of experts at the Lands' End Twitter Party (#landsend) on Thursday, August 20, 2009 from 7pm to 9pm CST. Co-hosted by 5MinutesForMom, The Lands' End team will be on hand to take the baffle out of back-to-school. Bring your back-to-school questions and settle in for an evening of fun, shopping tips and some great giveaways which will certainly ease the strain on your checkbook.

Pre-party, check out the Lands' End site and take a look at the back-to-school fashions. You can even design a dream backpack for your child using their Packland Fantasy Backpack Creator. A little fun for your little one.

Save the date (August 20), I'll see you there!

Giveaways You Gotta See

Ever hear of a clothing swap party? What a great way to recycle your cast-off clothes amongst your friends and score yourself some great new additions to your wardrobe. Tropicana & Prissy Green will give you some tips on hosting your own clothing swap party and while you're at it, you can win a $100 grocery store gift card to provide refreshments for your evening of fun. Deadline: 8/13

And after you've entered that, make sure you enter Prissy Green's Holly Yashi jewelry giveaway. Four gorgeous pieces from the Holly Yashi collection for four lucky winners. Deadline: 8/21

Annies Home has a $100 Dick's Sporting Goods gift card giveaway. Deadline: 8/21

How about dressing up that boring Twitter background? Win a Twitter background from Custom Blog Designs. Deadline: 8/10

Win a Montel Williams HealthMaster Blender at The Ohana Mama. It puts other blenders to shame: it chops, blends, juices, kneads dough and can even cook soup. Deadline: 8/31

Win a Keurig B70 Platinum Brewer courtesy of CoffeeWiz at Single Serve Coffee Deals. Deadline: 8/31 or 500 entries.

Win $100 to Dick's Sporting Goods. Enter to win at Green Mama's Pad. Deadline: 8/21

A Couch with a View also has a $100 gift card to Dick's for a lucky winner. Deadline: 8/31.

And while you're there, enter to win a new Keurig Platinum Brewer and 4 boxes of K-Cups to get you started from A Couch with a View. Deadline: 8/31

Double Bugs also has a Keurig Platinum and K-Cups to giveaway. Comment to win. Deadline: 9/7

Stop by Pajama Mommy and enter the Scott's Common Sense back-to-school giveaway to win a $50 Visa card and coupons for Scott's products. Check out the great back-to-school tips, too! Deadline: 8/15

Check out the Fast Fixin' blog where they're giving away 10 Vado video cameras in pink & silver. Plenty of ways to enter. Deadline: 8/25

How about a Flor rug of your choice? Just For Me and You is giving you the chance to win your favorite Flor rug. Deadline: 8/24.

Mom Most Traveled is giving away a JVC Everio Camcorder worth over $600. Deadline: 8/20.

Organic Girl has a Baby Hawk Carrier to give away from The Cloth Diaper Shop. Deadline: 9/15

Win a Tike Tech CityX3 Stroller at Go Graham Go. Deadline: 8/19

Take a look at my Coach

About a week ago I found out I was the lucky winner of a new Coach bag from a giveaway I entered at Mommy Niri sponsored by Springpad. Finding Springpad was a gift in itself. Springpad is an online organizing site where you can keep track of addresses, appointments, recipes, photos, to-do lists, and more! Did I mention Springpad is free? It's also a way to connect with other Springpad users and your own friends and family. Share recipes and information with your Springpad contacts, have appointment reminders sent to your email or your cell phone or even your husband's (my favorite feature!). I love that you can add your personal to-do lists and tasks and I've already begun organizing all those recipes I keep on scraps of paper in a box in the kitchen. Find a recipe and you can also print out a grocery list of items you need to prepare the dish. Springpad is also capable of connecting with Facebook so you can exchange information from your Facebook account and post Springpad activity to your wall. Springpad is definitely a find for someone as disorganized and forgetful as I am.

And as far as my new Coach, I'm head-over-heels in love. Years ago I owned a Coach purse and only recently I attended a party and two of the ladies there had Coach purses. I spent the night promising that I'd start saving to buy myself a Coach for my birthday next year. Springpad also included a great Coach Poppy journal and Coach pencils with my new bag; a very beautiful and thoughtful touch that I appreciated so much.

Thank you Springpad and Mommy Niri; you couldn't have drawn a more happy winner and very pleased Springpad user.

Who's got the great giveaways?

Unexpected Bliss is putting the ban on summer boredom with a $50 Target giveaway. Deadline: 8/10.

Piece of Me has a Keurig Platinum Brewer and four of your favorite K-Cups up for grabs. Deadline: 8/24.

Share your back-to-school memory and enter to win a $100 Visa card courtesy of Hallmark at Common Sense with Money. Deadline: 8/9

Check out the new site design at Any Lucky Day and make sure you enter today's lucky giveaway for a Cambridge SoundWorks i765 Home Entertainment System. Love the new look & the great prizes! Deadline: 8/6

If you're in the mood for some great, fun gadget prizes, click over to Music, Movies, Mayhem.

1) Enter to win your choice of Mimobot, a cute little flash drive to store your essentials.

2) Enter for a Casio LK-100 Lighted Keyboard for the budding musician.

3) Enter to win a Kodak EasyShare W1020 Digital Picture Frame.

The deadline to enter all of the above is August 31.

Eighty MPH Mom has a Bed, Bath and Beyond giveaway: win an Abbey 11-Piece Dorm Room Ensemble. Deadline: 8/23

Prissy Green is giving two lucky commenters their choice of shoe from Sanuk. I've got my eye on the Scribble shoes. Deadline: 8/18.

Frugal Creativity has a $100 Barnes & Noble gift card giveaway. Deadline: 8/14

How about a $500 Walmart gift card? The Centsible Sawyer and Nestle have teamed up to make that back to school shopping trip a whole lot easier on your budget. Deadline: 8/21

GIVEAWAY: It's a bird, It's a plane, Itzadog!

We, semi-jokingly, say that our three dogs have more issues than Time Magazine. When we refer to them we call them "the Doggage". A few months ago I bought these great raised dog bowls on wrought-iron frames. The bowls were cute: red ceramic bowls with dog paws on them. I bought them because the oldest dog, Bo, had a bad habit of trying to dig in his metal bowl on the floor when it was empty...like digging in it was supposed to suddenly make it fill up with food or water. What would actually happen is Mommy would have to get up and take the bowl away so Digger-the-Dog would stop making his bowl clang around the kitchen.

Except there was a problem...a big problem. Occasionally when the doggage would feed, someone's dog tags would get caught in the wrought-iron frame of the dog feeder. Suddenly you'd hear a huge crash come from the kitchen and one spooked dog who managed to extract his or herself from the "tag-snag" would come busting out of the kitchen like the vet was chasing him with a needle. Food and water would be all over the floor and, more often than not, the bowl would have a chip or break entirely. Twice now I've reordered more bowls.

But I found a fix while browsing the pet store at the mall. Itzadog Quiet Spot Pet Tag Silencers.



Itzadog Quiet Spot is a padded Neoprene "bag" that you slip the dog tags into and close with velcro strips that you wrap around the collar's ring. A great device if you don't like to hear the jangle of tags smacking together...especially when you have a scratchy dog itching in the middle of the night!

In our case, Quiet Spot is a real bowl-saver. The dogs' tags are no longer able to wedge themselves into the wrought-iron feeder frame. Goodbye tag-snag!

Quiet Spot also keeps your tags from wearing out and becoming illegible. What good is a tag if you can't read the lettering? The Quiet Spot is completely weatherproof and has a 3M Scotchlite reflective logo for greater visibility at night. It easily houses more than 3 tags and oh boy, does it come in colors!

Best part ever...the great folks at Itzadog are giving five of you readers the opportunity to experience peace & quiet in your own homes: 5 Itzadog Pet Tag Silencers up for grabs.

Mandatory Entry:

Click over to the Itzadog website and peruse the different color options available for the Quiet Spot Pet Tag Silencer. Make your choice and let me know the color you want if you're drawn a winner. Feel free to take a look at the other products Itzadog has: Zuka Travel bowls, Ecollargy collars & leads and even some great stickers to show your pet pride (1 entry, leave 1 comment).

Extra Credit:

1) Follow my blog (left sidebar) or take credit if you already do. (1 entry, leave 1 comment).

2) Using the locator on their website, tell me the closet retailer to you that sells great Itzadog products. ( 1 entry, leave 1 comment).

3) Tweet the giveaway, can be done daily. (1 entry, leave 1 daily comment).
An easy tweet you can use:

It's a bird, it's a plane, Itzadog - Quiet Spot Tag Silencer giveaway, 5 winners! Ends 8/17 http://454.me/4m8e/

4) Blog it. No need to go nuts..just a quick link to the giveaway and Itzadog on your site. (3 entries, leave 3 comments with your blog url).

US residents only. Giveaway will end on Monday, August 17, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST. Winners will be contacted via email for their shipping information and color choice. Please leave a way to contact you if your email address is not visible in your blogger profile. Winners have 48 hours to respond before there's a do-over.

Winners- Chex Mix Bars

v4ever said... 52
I love yogurt, especially Yoplait Whipped ones, I would indulge myself in these.

Mishia said... 76
I take a long hot bath.

ktgonyea said... 58
My 07/24 entry : ) TGIF !!

Congratulations winners. I've sent emails to Mishia and ktgonyea for their mailing information. v4ever, I sent you a message via your livejournal account since you didn't include your email address. You have 48 hours to respond before I pull a do-over..email me at shel704 at aol dot com.