Monday, April 23, 2012

Lovable Labels Winner

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Congratulations to Journeys of the Zoo! You have won the Lovable Labels giveaway. You have 48 hours to reply before a new winner will be chosen.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

The DivaCup Review & Giveaway

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ABOUT DivaCup:
The DivaCup is a non-absorbent menstrual cup that simply collects menstrual flow. It is inserted in the vagina and sits at the lower base of the vaginal canal. It is worn internally, yet because it is soft and smooth, it cannot be felt nor will it leak when inserted properly.

The DivaCup is the most clean and convenient method of feminine hygiene protection. No need to touch the flow. It is worn low in the vagina, not near the cervix, so it is easy to remove. No mess!

The DivaCup ends hassles with unreliable disposables in endless absorbencies, shapes and styles. It is perfect for all activities – giving women true freedom without the worry, guessing and unreliability that disposable feminine hygiene products pose.

The DivaCup can be worn for up to 12 hours before emptying, washing and reinserting for use for another 12 hours. It can be used for light or moderate flows and is emptied more often to accommodate heavy flows. Perfect for overnight use.

The DivaCup’s expert, proprietary, patent-pending features make it comfortable and assures ease of use and reliability. Perfect for traveling, running, biking, hiking, dancing, camping, swimming, diving, scuba, yoga, extreme sports and more...

Latex-free, BPA-free, plastic-free

No dyes, colors or additives

Comfortable, reliable

Clean, convenient, easy-to-use

Worn for up to 12 hours at a time





MY THOUGHTS:
Alright ladies...time to get down to the TMI stuff...Periods! In light of the recent "moldy tampons" news (read an article on it HERE), and after hearing about DivaCup from a couple of people, I decided to contact DivaCup for a chance to do a review for them. Let me tell you I was ecstatic when they agreed to let me do one and to boot they are giving one away to one lucky reader!

Something you should know about the DivaCup is that there are two different sizes. There is DivaCup Model 1 which is for women under 30 years old who have never delivered vaginally or by caesarean section and DivaCup Model 2 for women over 30 years old and/or for women who have delivered vaginally or by caesarean section. These two model types allows for proper fits for women.



Here's my experience:
So, I'm just trucking along minding my business when WHAMMO...Aunt Flo decides that she would show up. Lucky for me, I've got my new DivaCup :D I nervously read my instructions over again and get ready for a whole new kind of period.

So, the instructions show two methods of "folding" the DivaCup for insertion. The folds are called "U Fold" and "Push Down Fold" and look like this:



The fold type you use is simply whichever one feels most comfortable. For me, I found the U fold to be too bulky so I opted for the Push Down Fold.

The Saga Continues:
After reading the instructions and choosing my fold type, I washed my hands up and got ready to roll. I was surprised at how easy to insert the DivaCup was! I did find, however, that I should have heeded the wise words of my SIL to cut my nails first...ouch! So ladies...CUT YOUR NAILS FIRST!!! LOL. The instructions say that the stem of the DivaCup should not extend beyond the vaginal opening and that if it does you can trim the stem, but no shorter than 1/4". I found that I had to trim it as others I've talked to have had to do also. After that I couldn't even tell that I was wearing DivaCup...well...physically at least.

I found that I had to overcome myself mentally with DivaCup. I actually dreamed about whether or not DivaCup was going to leak on me for the first 2 nights I wore it! I kept thinking that maybe it wasn't in right and it was going to leak. Ladies, I assure you, if you follow the directions properly, you will not have to worry.

One of the nice things about DivaCup is that it allows your natural "juices" to still keep you "lubed" up (told you there'd be TMI :P), however, this does mean that there will be some streaking and you should still wear a pantiliner (unless you like stained undies :D). I really liked the fact that I didn't get all dried out down there like I do with Tampons. DivaCup was NOT progressively more painful to use as the period progressed as tampons were for me. Plus, I only need ONE STYLE for my WHOLE PERIOD!!! No more Ultra, Super Plus, Super, Regular, Light for me!

Now, let's talk about the REALLY TMI stuff! It's time to change DivaCup. Again, a little nervous, but really easy to do. Pull the stem a bit til you can reach the base, squeeze base to release seal, and pull out. Now, I'm a bit of a glutton for gore so, of course, I had to look at what my body produced. Needless to say, if you are squeamish around blood then you probably shouldn't be looking in your DivaCup after removal. One of the features of DivaCup are measurement lines on the inside of your cup...you know...for those enquiring minds that need to know :D Anyway...word of advice with removal, when dumping your DivaCup be sure to dump it on top of any toilet paper in the toilet or directly into the hole of the toilet as this is a sticky substance you're dealing with. It will take at least 4 flushes (on a low flow toilet) to get all the blood down the toilet if you don't take the necessary precautions above. Found this out the hard way :P Also, it's really handy to have a sink right next to the toilet because I don't have to leave the toilet to rinse out the DivaCup.

Reinsertion is a breeze and only gets easier and faster each time you use it! I'm so thankful for this product and I'll never go back!

My initial concerns:
When first receiving the product my worries were about taking DivaCup out and cleaning it in public. Then, I realized the most wonderful thing, since you can wear DivaCup for up to 12 hours at a time (much longer than a tampon), you really can time changing it so that you don't need to be out when doing it. I NEVER had to change my DivaCup when out and about! Not once!

Another worry was (sorry TMI again) whether or not DivaCup would pop out when pooping. Well...it doesn't...question answered LOL. Also, you can shower with it in too (just in case you were wondering).

I am definitely PRO DivaCup and will continue recommending it to anyone I can! It has REVOLUTIONIZED my period! :D

If you would like to find out more about DivaCup you can visit them at http://www.divacup.com/, "Like" them on Facebook, and/or follow them on Twitter.

If you already like what you've read, you can purchase your own DivaCup at a retailer in your area or directly from DivaCup.

***DISCLAIMER - The products in this review were provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. ***


GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Alright Ladies, The DivaCup has graciously offered up a DivaCup of in the size you need to 1 of my lucky readers! Entry runs from Today (4/21/2012) through the end of the day Saturday May 5th, 2012. Good Luck Everyone!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Toilet Time Targets

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ABOUT TOILET TIME TARGETS:

Toilet Training made FUN and EASY!

Toilet training with Toilet Time Targets not only builds confidence and independence in children, but increases vocabulary and language skills with animal shapes and colours.

Toilet Time Targets improve aim and coordination and avoids the clean-up and odor due to wet floors.

Directions: Twenty layers of different colored tissue paper are die cut into five different shaped targets. The colored tissue paper targets are removed from the package and placed in the toilet bowl. The number of targets used at a time depends on the age and abilities of the youngster.

Placement: The target attracts the attention of the child, helping him focus on urinating into the toilet bowl. The package can be placed on a shelf or hung with it's built in hanging device. The compact design was chosen so that parents would leave the package on top of the toilet tank, helping to stimulate usage.

Success: When hit, these targets fold in half and sink to the bottom. This provides your child instant gratification so that he can gain more confidence in his ability and is more apt to continue to play this game he can win.

- 100 Toilet Time Targets per package
- Pediatrician recommended
- Made from non-toxic biodegradable tissue paper
- Packaging and product made from 75% post-consumer recycled material and printed with earth friendly inks.
- Septic System Safe
- Made in the USA

MY THOUGHTS:

When I first received my package of Toilet Time Targets I was a bit skeptical. The exact thoughts running through my head were, "Do I really want my little guy to pee standing up?", "Will he even be able to reach above the rim of the toilet with the required parts?", "How can I incorporate this product into my style of potty training?" Well...for those enquiring minds that really must know...No...I don't want him to pee standing up, His parts don't reach above the rim, and I CAN incorporate this product into my style of training. :D

You see, my little guy is just shy of 2 1/2 yrs. old and had shown no desire what-so-ever to use (or even look at) a potty. While I took a less than "by the book" approach as to how to use the Targets, I do feel that my approach is also useful. I decided that since I want little Jake to sit when he pees so that he can also poop if need be, I would simply throw a few teddies (or whatever animal I pick out) into the potty and tell him to poop on it! LOL...this was a HUGE hit with Jake. The thought of pooping on something's head is hilarious to him (boys will be boys eh?). While I haven't seen any actual success with the pottying, I have seen an increase in requests to use the potty. This is certainly a step in the right direction.

If you simply want to get your child interested in the potty then these are a great way to do that. You can start with just one target in the potty ('cause let's face it, who wants to waste teddies? LOL). As for success, I think if your child is the right age (and height) these would be a very fun way to encourage aiming skills!

An innovative product and great fun for all :D

Toilet Time Targets can be purchased HERE

***DISCLAIMER: This review was made possible because I received a set of Toilet Time Targets to review. I was not monetarily compensated for this review and all opinions expressed in it are my own.***

Monday, April 9, 2012

Lovable Labels Review and Giveaway

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Clicking link after link while making my usual blog rounds, I stumbled upon a company called Lovable Labels. I’m so glad I did! Let me tell you a bit about them.

THE LOVABLE LABELS STORY

It is said that necessity is the mother of invention and this proved all too true for Laura Porreca, Owner and President of Lovable Labels.

When Laura’s first child entered daycare, she was told to label all his belongings. This meant labeling everything from his outdoor clothing, to his indoor shoes, lunches, sippy cups and backpack. Laura recognized a need in the market for personalized labels that were tough and durable and could stand the test of time and the everyday use that children put them through.

After researching and testing many different products and designs, Laura created a line of labels that include Regular and Slimline Stickers, Shoe Labels, Iron-ons and Bag Tags. They are not only bright, fun and colourful but also met the high standards that parents have come to expect. The Regular and Slimline labels are microwave and dishwasher safe, the Iron-on labels stay put in the washer and dryer, the Shoe Labels have an extra strength adhesive to ensure they won't come off and the Bag Tags are made of a durable and flexible plastic.

In 2003 Lovable Labels was born!

Today, the company continues to grow and offer exciting opportunities for its team of sales agents. Laura also feels strongly about giving back and has incorporated fundraising into the Lovable Labels company. Schools, daycares and camps use our labels to raise funds for extra-curricular activities while providing a practical and useful product for parents and children.




MY THOUGHTS:
I was given the privilege to try the Lovable Labels Split Pack. This allows the customer to get several names with the same design. For example, I have 2 children so I was able to get the following with each child’s own name on it:

15 Sticker Labels
40 Slimline Labels
12 Shoe Labels
24 Press n' Stick Clothing DOTS

The process begins by picking an icon and a color scheme for your labels. I found this a little frustrating as I have two opinionated children of different gender so picking a color and icon that would satisfy both of them without being too “girly” or “boyish” was quite the feat! Something Loveable Labels might want to think of in the future are more gender neutral colors and icons. Maybe my kids are just too hard to please though :D So we settled on Red colored with a Frog Icon (which was borderline too “boyish” for my 4 yr. old daughter).

I put in the request for the labels and they were shipped promptly and I received them VERY quick. They came much sooner that I had anticipated which was a pleasant surprize.

I opened up my package like a child on Christmas morning (yeah...I’m lame like that when it comes to getting non-bill mail - LOL). I expected sheets of labels, but to my surprize, I was greeted with booklets of labels complete with easy tabs so I could find whatever label I need at any given time. Also, this booklet includes an instruction page at the back that tells about how to properly use each type of label.







I decided first to use the Sticker Labels. These labels are roughly the size of a return address label (or for those of you with technical minds, 7 cm x 1.5 cm (2 ¾” x 9/16”)). I used these to label my kids’ water bottles that we frequently take to (and forget at) playgroup. Let me just say that these labels certainly do stick! I have run these labels countless times through the dishwasher at high heats and haven’t had any problems with them coming off or even wearing out in color! I did find, however, that you need to move slowly and deliberately when adhering the labels as they are difficult to move once on the item. I mis-stuck a label once and when I tried to move it it stretched and distorted a little. Word of advice...do not attempt to label something when your kids are running around and demanding your attention...lol...it won’t end well!



The next label I used were the Slimline labels (5 cm x 0.7 cm (2” x ¼”)). These are smaller labels that are a little more inconspicuous. These are the perfect label for adults as you can put them on your travel mugs, lunch containers, and/or water bottles and not feel like your name is being broadcasted to everyone that passes by your cubicle. These also withstood the rigorous dishwasher test!

Next up we have the Press n’ Stick clothing DOTS (These come in varying sizes). I absolutely LOVE these labels. I basically label any article of clothing that my kids are likely to take off while out of the house. This mainly includes sweaters & jackets. Anything that doesn’t involve an iron receives and automatic “A” in my book!! These also stick VERY well, but can be removed relatively easily before passing clothing along to another person. These wash and dry well without peeling!

Lastly, the Shoe Labels (3.8 cm x 3.8 cm (1 ½” x 1 ½”)). These fun shaped labels work well on both the inside and outside of footwear! You can stick them on the inside of your running shoes or on the outside of your child’s rain boots for easy identification! Either way they stay where they’re put and withstand the test of time!

One feature that I really wish that Lovable Labels would offer would be a tracking service. What I mean by this is that if you lose an item and someone finds it they can simply log onto the lovable label website and be given the proper directions to send the item back to the company to be returned to the customer. This, of course, would be offered at a price to the consumer upon ordering their labels. I know that there are label companies out there that currently offer this service.

All in all I have been extremely satisfied with all my labels and will continue to refer my business to Lovable Labels.

***DISCLAIMER - The products in this review were provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. ***


GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Lovable Labels has generously supplied me with a Split Pack for one lucky winner! Thanks, Lovable Labels!

Monday, January 30, 2012

The Captive Heart

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by Dale Cramer

Read the Back:
The Epic Story of an Amish Community in Peril

Ravaged by disease, preyed upon by ruthless bandits, the Bender family's second year in Mexico has taken a grievous turn. Faced with impossible choices, the expatriate Amish discover, more than ever before, what it means to live by faith and not by sight

But it's Miriam who must make the hardest choice as her heart takes her on a new and dangerous course. Domingo. "He is gentle," his sister said, "until someone he loves is threatened." Is Miriam that someone?

"Cualnezqui," he often calls her--the Nahuatl word for Beautiful one. The chiseled native has proven himself a man of principle, grace and power, yet is he the pearl of great price for whom Miriam would sacrifice everything, or is he merely a friend? Tormented by conflicting emotions, she's haunted by vivid dreams: Dressed in the coarse cotton pants and shirt of a peasant, she stands on the precipice of a sun-washed ridge searching desperately for Domingo. Domingo the fierce. Domingo the protector.

Domingo the forbidden.

Inspired by Actual Events!


My Thoughts:
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! This book is beautifully written and the author does an amazing job of both drawing the reader into the story and keeping them there. This is the 2nd book in the Daughter of Caleb Bender series (Paradise Valley being book #1). You do not, however, have to read the stories in order.

This book is definitely a tear jerker! You really can understand what the characters are enduring living in amongst bandits in Mexico all the while trying to build their community and prosper as a people.

What I love about this book is that it's a romantic story. The storyline between Miriam and Domingo keeps you guessing right up until the final chapter!

This story contains action, adventure, love, loss and through it all Faith. An amazing read by a very talented author. I recommend reading both of the Daughters of Caleb Bender books and I'm hoping there is another one after this so I can find out more about what happens in Paradise Valley!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Giveaway

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Mom's Musings is having a giveaway! Head on over and enter for your chance to win one of three copies of Disney's Treasure Buddies DVD.

DVD Synopsis:

Disney’s talking canine superstars are back in “Treasure Buddies,” their 6th all-new adventure. This latest story is told from the perspective of the Buddies’ newest friend, a mischievous Egyptian monkey named Babi. As Babi tells us, more than 40 years ago a young archeologist named Thomas Howard, travelled to Egypt with his dog Digger to search for the lost necklace of Cleocatra. They managed to discover half of an artifact, the Bronze of Bastet, but their find triggered a booby-trapped cave-in, which they barely escaped.

Forty years later, Thomas is living in Fernfield where he manages a museum. Digger’s grandpups, Rosebud, B-Dawg, Budderball, Buddha and Mudbud also live in Fernfield and, in fact, Mudbud belongs to Thomas’ grandson, Pete. Thomas is about to close his museum due to lack of funding when he gets a visit from a mysterious stranger, Dr. Philip Wellington, who reveals the other half of the Bronze of Bastet and invites Thomas and Pete to accompany him back to Egypt to resume the quest for the legendary Cat’s Eye Jewel. Pete offers to bring Mudbud along but Wellington refuses as he travels with Ubasti, a hairless cat who is allergic to dogs. When Mudbud learns that Ubasti plans to steal the necklace for herself and use its power to dominate both dogs and humans, he rallies the other Buddies to stow away on the private plane in order to overtake the expedition and thwart Ubasti’s plan.

Once they get to Egypt, danger lurks around every secret sphinx, cryptic crypt and puzzling pyramid. With help from lovable new friends including Cammy, a baby camel and the clever Babi, the Buddies avoid booby traps, solve puzzles and explore a mysterious tomb in their most exciting and challenging adventure yet.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Keeper

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by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Read the Back:
A family. A farm. A heart. All in need of repair.

Life on Windmill Farm hasn't been the same since Julia Lapp's father has had trouble with his heart. But that doesn't stop Julia from hoping for a bright future. She has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. But when Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding--again--she is determined to change his mind. She knows who is to blame for Paul's sudden reluctance to wed: the Bee Man.

Roman Troyer, the Bee Man, travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. A mysterious man who relishes his nomadic life, Roman especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia seriously at odds with him, Windmill Farm is looking decidedly less appealing.

Can Julia secure the future she's always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?


My Thoughts:

Simply suspenseful. I kept having to remind myself to breathe throughout the entire book. While I found this book slightly harder to get into initially, it was surely no disappointment! The characters, as always, are simply endearing. I really enjoyed how Suzanne gave me mixed emotions about several of the characters. This kept me engaged in the story because I had to figure out how I really felt about them.

I really enjoyed the story lines and the twists and turns that rounded out the book. I was kept guessing right through the end of the story about what would happen in certain situations and that truly makes for a great read. I love reading how the characters faith in God can remain steadfast no matter what life throws at them. It's a great reminder to really examine our own faith and determine if we too could be so strong given the same circumstances.

I found the ending amazing, but also left in such a way as there is room for another book. Then upon reading the Author's note I was informed that there are to be two more books. One in August 2012 and one in January 2013. Can't wait to read them. There is a great journey contained on these pages and I hope it's one you'll decide to take :D

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.