Sunday Listening Party & Recap

I found a new site to listen to music this weekend (http://www.reverbnation.com) and I thought I'd share it with you. I've been trying to share Christian music as a way to worship and lift Christ on Sundays, so I hope you've been enjoying the last few weeks. Please let me know if there are any certain bands or groups you'd like me to contact for a listening party - I can't guarantee I'll be able to bring them, but I will try.

This week I found two people I'd like to share with you. The first is an interesting rendition (? not sure that's what to call it) of 2 Corinthians 4:18 put to music. I found it encouraging and thought provoking and hopefully you will too. As the singer says "It's important to remember that it's ALL temporary". The second song is by a new artist (to me) Nia Austin who brings to us "Hold On". If you are stressed or frustrated with life, a job, kids, bills, etc these songs should uplift and support you and remind you to turn to God, not just when you need it, but always.

2 Cor 4:18 says "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (NIV)

R4R:



Hold On by Nia Austin



Recap of the week (otherwise known as: posts & 4 giveaways you might be interested in):

1. FREE bowling for kids this summer Click HERE
2. Prefense Foaming Hand Sanitizer Giveaway, ends 5/30, US, very LOW ENTRIES
3. Lavendar Nectar Spongeables Giveaway, ends 5/30, US, very LOW ENTRIES
4. Sign up 4 Summer Bk Club & you can WIN How Huge the Night!, 5/29, US, very LOW ENTRIES (Christian historical fiction - great for families to read together!)
5. WIN a SIGNED copy of Cows Can't Jump, 6/5/11, US, very LOW Entries too!

My Favorite Coupon:

Reynolds is also offering 2 cookbooks online that you can download:

  

Another Coupon you might like (I know I do!) - $1 off any Alexia product:

(Click the picture)

Want a FUN Cheap Activity to keep kids busy this summer?

Before you leave - be sure to enter my giveaways. They both have very low entries:


Lavendar Nectar Spongeables, 5/30, US


Large 8 oz bottle of prefense! Keeps hands “germ free”! 5/30, US

Bowling. I used to be good at it. But now? Now, it's a FUN, arm breaking, slip sliding, fanny spanking good time. Did I really say that? At my last job management took the whole office bowling every August and the last time I bowled I was actually on my bosses team and not only did I DROP the ball - it also flew behind me! I haven't played again. Instead I volunteered to be the cheerleader.  LOL 


Kid's love to bowl - we all know that. They love that everyone on the team is bad - Just like them. We all look funny trying not to slip in those weird looking shoes, lugging around a ball that weighs as much as our head. You can be silly swinging the ball between your legs, or you can cover one eye or better yet - you can stand on one leg and THEN swing the ball. 

So, What is the MOST embarrassing thing that
EVER happened to YOU at the Bowling Alley?
Comment below.....

I just heard about a great service that AMF Bowling is offering to parents to help keep your kid's busy this summer. Summer Unplugged will be launched officially Monday May 30th (Memorial Day) and run until September 5th (Labor Day). What is that you ask?

Summer Unplugged is AMF's answer to the heat, bored, whiny (there's nothing to do MOM!) kids and your wallet. Just go to http://bit.ly/AMFfree, fill out the registration form and find an alley near you.

AMF has a couple of AWESOME promotions for you:

1. Kids! Bowl for FREE!  This summer your kids 16 and under can bowl two FREE games per day. Be sure to register your kids to get weekly coupons via email for 2 free games per child per day all summer long.

2. What about Mom/Dad? AMF 17+ Summer Pass - 4 adults can bowl for $27.95 (That's less 
than $7 per person to bowl 2 FREE games every day for the entire summer!

Details: 

• Find a AMF Bowling Alley near you.
• Register at http://bit.ly/AMFfree
• Your coupons will be emailed to you on Sundays.
• Use your FREE bowling coupons until 8:00 pm, 7 days a week. (doesn't include shoes)
• There are over 200 locations across the US - check online for an alley near you!

 Children love bowling; it’s fun, active, social and local and – best of all – it’s FREE! That’s how AMF does summer!

PS: Don't have an AMF alley near you? Why not ask your local bowling alley if they will honor this promotion - doesn't hurt to ask!

I participated in this campaign as a member of One2One Network and am eligible for a prize drawing.  All opinions stated in the post are my own.

Prefense Foaming Hand Sanitizer (Giveaway)

This giveaway is closed 

The winner has been contacted and has until Wed 10 pm (6/2) to respond.

In the past I've avoided most hand sanitizers because I didn't like the dry feeling that sanitizers with alcohol gave my hands. They felt dry, stripped and sand-papery & I HATE that feeling. I've also always wished for something when I was out and petted a cute little dog or a horse or a child - you know? Recently I tried the pre-fense silica based hand sanitizer and I have to tell you I'm impressed! My hands are soft, silky feeling, I don't itch and my hands aren't rough enough to sandpaper a rough board!


The bottle I have is also small enough to keep in my purse, my gym bag or even in a diaper bag (if I had any of those little creatures). You could probably even throw it in your fanny pack if it's medium sized - it would be great for bikers, hikers, campers, etc.

Prefense Foaming Hand Sanitizer: 

• Is not made with Alcohol which dries your skin out and leaves them dry and rough.
• Your hands are protected for 24 hours - so put some on before you leave home in the morning and again when you get home. But don't worry if you forget when you get home - your covered!
• Safe & non-toxic for kids! Be sure to add a small bottle to their backpack, lunch box or gym bag - this helps them avoid getting sick as often from all the cold & flu bugs going around at school!
• Silica based - Prefense softens and protects you throughout the day by coating your hands. 
• Protects your hands up to 10 washings - no sink around after a trip to the park or a day of playing with your kids & dogs? use Prefense!
• Prefense protects against staph, strep, E.coli, drug resistant MRSA strains, and more. We fight germs that other hand sanitizers can’t - here's a long list of them!

It's economical:

Because “one spray lasts all day” our 1.5 oz Prefense Foaming Hand Sanitizer offers 120 applications, costing only $.08 per day, compared to $1.20 per day with alcohol hand sanitizers. (The 8 oz Prefense Foaming Hand Sanitizer offers 640 applications!) Find out where Prefense is available near you - click here.

One of my readers is going to WIN a large 8 oz bottle of prefense! That's 640 applications! Wow!

Mandatory entry:  Leave a comment below - Tell us HOW you would use it daily in your life!

That's it - all you have to do - just make sure you do this one FIRST!

Extra Entries: Would you like more entries? Do one or all of the following - just be sure to do one comment per entry. (2 entries for tweeting means to LEAVE 2 comments)

• Read this:  Prefense vs Other Hand Sanitizers... http://ow.ly/4SaDA Tell us WHAT you learned!  (This one is SUPER easy!!!)
• Follow Prefense on Facebook - leave them a comment & say something letting them know GivingNSharing sent you.
• Follow Prefense on Twitter & tweet: " RT @familyliteracy #WIN Prefense Foaming Hand #Sanitizer: keep hands protected from #germs 24 hrs a day! http://ning.it/jEInkc 5/30, US " You can do this daily for one extra tweet each day. =D
• Follow ME on GFC (left column), Facebook and Twitter for 1 entry each.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Sunday's Listening Party!

Today I'm featuring a wonderful NEW group (to me anyway) that I thought most of you might enjoy! This Christian group has a nice driving beat and I LOVE their voices. Anthem Lights, formerly called Yellow Cavalier, has been a group since 2007 and has released 3 CD's one of which is a Christmas CD. The newest one was released on May 10, 2011 and you can listen to the WHOLE CD right here on GivingNSharing!

I have a couple of favorites - Lighthouse has a great strings segment at the beginning of the song - I could listen to that all day!

Order Here for $10.62 (CD)
MP3 is $7.99 (save to ipod for great workout music!)

You can watch some of their videos HERE and find out when they are going to be in YOUR area (Here) or follow them on Facebook or Twitter for future news on this great band!

Disclaimer - I am sharing this CD from the http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com website just because I love this band and I'd love you to. I was not paid to post this or my thoughts. 

Don't miss out on these great giveaways ending between NOW and the 30th! You'll need them this summer when you're at the park, shopping, summer school, on vacation, getting ready for that HOT date, keeping the kids busy, in the car..... you get the idea. Oh, they all have VERY low entries too!

Lavendar Nectar Spongeables - it's a massage in a sponge! Giveaway ends 5/30, US only

Click here to enter!

  

Ma Mi Sunny Days sunscreen - purse sized & perfect for running around this summer! Through it in your purse or diaper bag so you don't forget to protect your kid's sensitive skin from the sun! Ends 5/25, US only

Click here to enter!

           

pre-fense Hand-sanitizer - smooths, softens and protects. 1 application protects for up to 10 washings! Perfect for the diaper bag, porta-potties, anytime you need to wash your hands and a sink, soap and towels aren't handy!

Click here to enter!

How Huge the Night is the first book in the Online Summer Book Club being hosted on my OTHER blog - Family Literacy and You. The Book Club is for anyone that would like to join us in Middle Grades and Up. Parents please take the time to purchase & read it with your kids and then discuss the questions with them. The book will be posted 2 weeks Prior to the date it will be discussed so you have time to read it and discuss the questions. 

I will be giving away one of my copies on May 25th - Enter here.

You MUST be a member of the Online Summer Book Club to be eligible to win this book.   Become a member here and enter the book contest here.

Note: you do not have to have kids to join the book club =D You just have to enjoy teen fiction.

Questions to discuss are already posted here and you can purchase the book through Amazon for $10.19 (click on the book title to order) or you can purchase it elsewhere.

Angel Food Ministries & Senior Meals

 

Do you have a senior in your family who doesn't (or won't) eat much or won't buy quality foods because it's not in their budget? My landlady is like that - she's 86. I was visiting with her once and she was telling me about her meals and how she "saves" by eating a certain way.

One slice of "white" bread, a slice of baloney and that's it! At the time she only had 2 of the 3 apartments rented that she owns so things were really tight. I think they still are tight but she's in an assisted living home due to having issues with Osteoporosis and having fallen in January and breaking her leg in 4 places between her hip and and just above where she had her knee replaced.

I can't help but wonder if she had been eating better quality food if she wouldn't be having so much trouble with her bones. Of course, I don't know how long she had been eating like this as I've only known her for about 6 years but I can't help wondering.

For those of you with older adults or even handicapped adults who need help with eating or getting their meals easily available be sure to check out your options with Angel Food Ministries. They use Golden Cuisine Meals for their senior meals - these would also be ideal for singles, widowers, diabetics, people who need to watch their sodium, cholesterol, etc.

Golden Cuisine offers an expansive line of chef-inspired meals with the great taste and presentation that define a true dining experience. From single frozen entrees to complete meal bundles and shelf stable solutions, we provide everything you need to ensure that every senior meal your program serves is special.



Angel Food Ministries sells their Golden Cuisine packages for $29 and includes 10 complete meals that are Heat & Serve. They are perfectly seasoned, nutritionally balanced and fully cooked. They do need to be heated in the microwave or oven. (Microwave is approximately 7 minutes).  You can order HERE and find a location where you will pick up your AFM boxes each month.

Menu

FALL newsletter - Click Here
*Note: the fall newsletter includes helpful tips on Hypertension, Diabetes, why Senior Nutrition is different and how to check meds that affect senior appetites and also articles like "Why won't Mama Eat?"

Let's Get Social ~ Blog Hoppin'

 

Let's Get Social ~ Blog Hop

I thought we would all enjoy some great music

today while we HOP AROUND and meet NEW friends!

http://rsjames.com/listeningparty

Rebecca St James is a Christian musician. She has several albums

out and this is her newest one. I've really enjoyed it and thought you 

might too. Click on the listening party link above and enter your 

email address and if you'd like to hear the entire album do Step 2

to tweet the link to the listening party - and the whole album will become

available to listen to.  (Just so you know I've listened to the album several

times, it's free as long as it's posted and I haven't had any spam either).

Enjoy! ~ Tina "The Book Lady"

PS: I have several giveaways going on both my blogs, click on the pics below to enter:

   

Spongeables ~ review/giveaway

~ Spongeables ~ 

Spongeables® Lavender Nectar provides a luxurious, tension-relieving way to recover from a bad night’s sleep, get a head start on the most hectic day – or recover one’s equilibrium after a long one. A patented infusion process provides a guaranteed number of uses.  Lavish helpings of rich Olive Oil keep skin soft and restore supple, youthful resilience.  

And then there’s the gentle massage texture that turns from lightly exfoliating to soft and silky when you give it a squeeze…stress and muscle aches disappear down the drain, while the body complexion is buffed to a healthy glow. 

Available in 20+ uses 3.5 oz unit and a 1.2 oz, 5+ use travel size.

My experience:

I really loved the spongeables sponges. I received a two pack of the lavender nectar which includes a buffing pad on one side and the sponge on the other side. I was a little concerned because I have very sensitive skin and the first time I used the spongeable I was really itchy but I noticed that it wasn't as bad with each time I used it.

My favorite:

Ihow my skin feels. The dry skin on my feet around my ankles and the bottom of my feet have gone away (YAY) and the flakiness I had on my lower legs has gone away which is wonderful.  The last two years were really embarrassing due to the dryness but the little mesh thing I've been using with shower gel just wasn't cutting it. It's gone! Iit!

Spongeables comes in several scents, styles, sizes and types of sponges & has loads of bubbles. You can also get it in a travel size, their are cute heart, duck and flower shapes for kids of all ages.  

• Kids & Baby willthe ducky ones - they have a fruitilicious scent, are made with gentle cleansing gel, olive oil and shea butter perfect for anyone with sensitive skin.
• The Men's Spongeable has a bracing massage with the scent of Unexpected for Man which leaves their skin tingling and great smelling - (wish I could add a scratch and sniff sticker here). It comes in a 2 pack with over 20+ uses each!
• Your hands get their own moisturizing spongeable with healing botanicals and SalSphere Seaweed for deep moisturizing and softness.  Add in an exfoliating texture and Honey Lotus-Quince aromatherapy for a luxious, relaxing hand massage, for 20-plus uses. 

Spongeables are beautifying, exfoliating, moisturizing, protecting, massaging and cleansing!  Order yours online or find out where you can purchase yours near your home (Click HERE).

Spongeables is offering one of my readers a set of the Lavendar Nectar Spongeables. You can go ahead and purchase yours now if you can't wait, or you can enter the drawing below:

Mandatory:  Go to http://www.spongeables.com and tell me what makes Spongeables so Special? Leave a comment and tell us what you learned. 

This is all you need to do to enter the giveaway ~ unless you'd like to do some of the optional entries. Please leave 1 comment per entry, do not enter them all in the same comment or you won't have the maximum number of entries you've completed..

Optional: (These are optional and may be done ONLY after the Mandatory entry has been done.)

• Follow Spongeables on Facebook.
• Follow Spongeables on Twitter.
• Follow ME on Facebook.
• Follow ME on Twitter.
• Follow ME on GFC (left column)
• Click HERE to find out where you can find Spongeables near you & tell us in your comment.
• Tweet: " Get a fragrant, bubbly, #spa experience every time you #shower with a moisturizing Lavendar Spongeable. #Giveaway @ "

Don't Fret - here's your answer!

Important: I just found out that the comment form is not being made available to allow you to comment. I've gone in and manually changed my posts to allow comments on each post to the Seeds for Pups post which was marked to allow posts. Is anyone else having trouble with this? I've checked everything and even double checked my template to make sure that comments are allowed and it is.  Thoughts????




Do you have Tweens or kids who are quickly approaching their Tween years? If so you know how critical self esteem is at this tender age.

Unilever, the maker of Degree, Dove and Suave have put together some tips to help you help your little "stinker" along with a Facebook page that gives you expert advice, a "cool" product matchmaker to help you find the right deodorant or antiperspirant and more. Your kid will be Cool, Calm and Collected in no time!




Check out these helpful websites (click on the picture):
    

I was asked to post the above widget and links to this very helpful website and have been entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card through One2One Network. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. 

Ma Mi Skincare & Sunscreen

I have very sensitive skin (I'm a red head) and have trouble being in the sun for any length of time. I can remember being at camp my 7th grade year and when my folks came to get me 2 days later I was covered in blisters (got 'em the first day). Mom was not happy! Turns out I was "allergic" to the sun and a friend shared the secret of PABA with mom. I have no idea if that is really what helped me avoid those blisters later or if I was really "allergic" to the sun but it did help for several years.

Ma Mi Sunscreen:

A couple of months ago I did a review & giveaway for Ma Mi Skincare and I'm thrilled that they have just released a NEW Sunscreen. 

Sunny Days is a physical sun block that serves as a safe alternative to chemical sun block products that use Benzophenone (or it's dirivatives Benzophenone-3 or Oxybenzone) that can post health risks for pregnant or breastfeeding moms and children as well. 

The benefits to using Ma Mi's highly effective, natural skin care line are great. Because Ma Mi's focus is on YOUR Health there are NO Toxins, Parabens, Filters, Petrolatums, or Sodium Laureth in their line of skin care products. You will find pure, highly concentrated active ingredients that produce quick, visible results. 

The benefits to using Ma Mi's NEW Sunscreen: Sunny Days include a sunscreen that is:

• Anti-UV-A, UV-B and infrared.
• Anti-MMP (sun-induced collagen damage).
• Paraben-Free, Fragrance-free, PABA-free, Non-comedogenic.
• Potent antioxidant, anti-pollution and strong anti-inflammatory.
• For all skin types, including sensitive or Rosacea-prone skin.

My experience with Sunny Days:

When I received my PURSE size bottle of Sunny Days I was praying it wouldn't be greasy or runny - It wasn't! The texture of the sunscreen is a bit thick but easily spread over my arms and neck for a complete coverage. I didn't feel like I needed to keep adding it because it wasn't spreading far enough. I wore it outside for the first time at the race track last night and I was so relieved that I didn't end up getting burned because I'd forgotten my hat. My skin did feel a little tight and my neck was a little red too but it wasn't burned. And when I showered it didn't hurt to use the little mesh thingy that you use with shower gel. Usually it hurts so much to shower for about 3 days.  I didn't have any issues with that at all.

Sunny Days comes in two sizes. A .1 oz purse sized bottle for $6 for purses or your beach bag. It's also a great size for traveling or you can throw it in with your kid's backpacks in the summer for using at the daycare or sports camps. Or you can get a larger (.4oz) bottle for $16.00 which is perfect for covering your legs, kids, backs, etc - anyone need a back rub from their "honey"?

Ma Mi is generously offering one of my readers a purse sized bottle of their very own. It's a great way to try the sunscreen before you invest in the large bottle - you'll definitely want to order after you've tried it.

Mandatory entry: These 2 steps must be done before any of the others - this counts as 1 (One) entry. Thanks!

A - Go to MaMi Skincare and tell us about something you learned or a product you'd like to try.  Return here and leave a comment with your email and name.

B - Follow GivingNSharing on GFC (left column) - If you are already following just let me know.

Optional entries:

Please note:  You do not have to do these, they are optional.  Please be sure to leave a comment/email address with each entry that you do.  Thanks so much!

1.  "Like" MaMi Skincare on Facebook!

2.  "Leave a comment" on their Facebook page telling them who sent you.

3.  Follow ME on Twitter

4.  Follow ME on Facebook
5.  Follow MaMi on Twitter: 

5.  Tweet: " Sunny Days: MaMi's NEW Sunscreen - it's natural, effective, safe, toxin & paraben-free!  Giveaway @ http://ning.it/ltYA78, 5/20, US, #WIN "

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.