Because I Said So!!! Mom Knows Best!

AH, Spring is in the air and it is time
to fling open the windows and let in the Sunshine.
Let the dog out for hours and worry about the muddy
paw prints another day. Get those snow suits and toss
them in a Cedar box and break out the Spring jackets
and suit up the family. It is time for a walk! Get up
and move people! Rowan has already been out of the
house every day this week. John came back late Sunday
night and has given me a much needed break. Other then
a stray weekend here and there since Thanksgiving I have
pretty much been a single Parent this entire Winter. When
Rowan was teething I didn't think I was going to make it
and thank the stars that slowed a bit. Four in a week was
terminal on my back. Now she has two on the way but
it is not nearly as bad, though still a lot of fussy crabby
yuck yuck going on. Add in my Mothers Heart issues and
I thought once again I was going to crash so that I almost
sang like Mary Poppins when John walked in the house.
The last couple of days I had some issues to catch up
on at home but now I am ready to catch up the site and
that is long overdue. I must admit I want to be outside
with them for John and Rowan are going out about 4 times
a day with the dog right now and here I am stuck in the house
but in another of couple of weeks I will grab the laptop and
hit the patio. I did however get a chance to do this next review
and for that I had to go outside! Gosh, sometimes it sucks to
work other times I am truly blessed for I get to smell the
fresh air.
The Belle Baby Carrier had made my day by letting me
hit the pavement! Thanks Belle, before I even get to the
nuts and bolts of the review I am already grateful. I was
sent a carrier in black and let me first tell you about the
design. I wasn't sure I would be able to do the review for
a little while for Rowan's teeth caused me a lot of pain and
it was pain I had no choice but to endure. You just don't
tell a toddler, sorry, no comfort today for it really aggravates
your Mothers Rheumatoid Arthritis in her spine. The fact my
Neck and Shoulders are all jacked up when I fell last fall
made it even more difficult. I have been trying to mend the
last couple of weeks and have been postponing due to that
fact but when I felt that warm air I pretty much said dang
the consequences and lets do this thing. I tossed on the
Belle and was already prepared for the wave of pain in
simply putting it on but I didn't feel a thing. Lucky me!
Now for sure I expected to feel it when I added Rowan
for she has grown like a weed this Winter and I am sure
she is topping the scales close to 20 pounds right now.
Here came the Belle Design to the rescue. Belle is made
for comfort and they did away with the extra bulk and
brought you a stream lined design that includes cross-over
straps with high-end closed cell foam for comfort. The
reason they can due away with all the extra padding and
supports is they use the same materials found in those
super heavy High End Mountaineering Backpacks that are
made for a big load. A baby is a piece of cake in comparison
and this makes it more comfortable for you all around.
An independent waist belt brings the weight down to your hips
and off your shoulders so your back is spared as well.
With the Steel Rings you and your child are supper secure and
all in a lightweight, simple design that makes it a snap to
use. Baby can face in or out and Rowan, adventurous spirit that
she is wants to see the world. Your baby is in a natural ergo-
nomic position that protects their spine and leaves them comfy
and able to enjoy the ride. They also offer a removable head
support panel that is perfect for your sleeping baby.
John took Rowan out earlier in the day and he is a
totally different size then me and I hate changing the size
of gadgets and gizmo's and thought it would be a huge pain
and I was delighted at how simple it is to adjust. Rowan had
no problem snuggling in and we were soon on our way and
loving it.
"Ohhhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" MAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
That must have been a car rumbling down in front of us!"
"MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! WAhhhhhhhhh!"
Lucky me, I got to see a firetruck!
The Belle Carrier made it simple for me to enjoy the
experience with her and the cross back design and that
belt made it even more so for me since I didn't feel her
weight at all, even with the constant bouncing a jiggling she
was doing as she narrated the trip. I fully expected to let John
be the one using the carriers this Summer for as
lovely as it is to be able to have your child so close
and I totally agree with Baby wearing and the bonding it
affords a parent with their child I didn't think my back would
make the trip. I figured I would be the one who would be
stuck with the stroller and have to push her everywhere and
also not be able to take the Dog. Have you ever tried to
push a stroller and keep a 12 pound bundle of energy who
acts like she has been stored in a metal cage the entire
Winter every single time you open the door to the outside
world? It isn't fun and next to imposable but I believed I
was doomed to leave her at home. What a delightful surprise
to be able to leave the house with the Belle and leave the
old ball and chain at home, well one of them, the Dog I
had to bring with me! I walked for about 30 minutes and
that was just long enough to wear out both of the little
ones, furry and funny and bring them both home for a nap.
I thought I was going to be just as beat as they were but
I still felt like I could go another 30 and did not feel the
impact of the carrier at all. Their design works like a charm
and that isn't a normal back speaking, that is a down right
cranky one that normally protests acts as simple as picking
up a tennis shoe! Way to go Belle!
All of Belle's products are made right here in the good
old U S of A and in Colorado to boot. Remember when I
said they were created with durable, tough, equipment that
helps keep Mountain Climbers and Hikers wearing their gear
in comfort all day long? I can't think of a more suitable
place to manufacture items that you know are not only going
to work they are made to last then in Colorado. Home of
the Mountains! Smartly made and tough as can be your Belle
is going to last way longer then even the most active child's
energy level! Belle offers a large selection of styles so
you can look as fashionable as a runway model and don't
forget they also have some pretty dandy choices in the
way of Organics as well! You can find their items on line
or at a large selection of retail stores and Belle also
has an extremely informative web site with a great section
on the benefits of Baby Wearing and user support as
well as a blog and anything else you could need. Connect
to other Baby Wearers and share some war stories or
just keep up to date with currant events. Belle made my
first day of Spring one I will remember and Rowan already
wants to do again, or as she would say,
"WahhhhhhhhhhhhEhhhhhhhhhhhhh Ohhhhhhhhhh!"
Enjoy a Belle Carrier and some fresh air yourself with
a chance to win a Carrier of your own. Belle is giving
one of my lucky readers a chance to win one and to enter
just head over to their site and take a look around then come
back here and post something you have learned in a comment.
The contest will start tonight and run to Midnight on April 25th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day, every day, and then posting that you did here
and other ways to enter are posted below.


Belle Baby Carriers




Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.


1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter page
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times. You may only do this
one time! This is not a daily entry.


2. Tweet about my blog and post the link
here. 5 entries, please post five times. You
may do this once per day if you post a new
tweet. For Each Daily entry there must be a
tweet for that day!


3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times. You may only do this one time!
This is not a daily entry.


4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries. Please
post five times. You may do this once per
day per new blog post! For each Daily entry
there must be a blog post for that day!






Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Radius Toothbrush and isABelt Contests!

I love my bed. I have not always been a big soft
comfy bed person for I have more then once fallen for
fads when it comes to what I sleep on but one thing
has always remained constant no matter what the bed
looks like. I have got to be surrounded by pillows.
Not just a couple either. 2 would not even be semi
normal and 4 is just a good start. Right now I have 8
pillows on my bed and I would have more if I had the
room. The funny part is out of all those pillows I only
truly sleep with two, the rest are tossed around the
bed for when I roll and move around. I have the body
pillow I stash between my knees but also need one
behind my back, and a pile on the other side for I
tend to flip and roll. With Rowan it has become a little
more difficult but they are still there, sort of like a
frame around the outside for I really don't think I
could sleep without them. Now for the two, those are
always my favorite and if someone so much as looks
at them I get defensive. Now remember I told you I
have eight pillows right now? Those 8 are mine. John
has two of his own and they can't mingle with mine or
I get all upset. My favorite two? I don't care what the
circumstances are he will never ever be allowed to touch
them. If we are trying to have some alone time I
very carefully take those two pillows and put them on
my dresser so he does not get "Him" on them in any
way. Even for just a normal night of sleep I place
a lesser one of the eight or two between my best ones
and his pillows so not even his pillow can touch my
top two! I know it may sound a little nutty but men
in general have a distinct smell, it doesn't matter how
clean they are, it just seems to soak into linen and
bed items. If they do the least little bit of sweating
in the night it will never come out no matter how many
times you wash it. When I lay my head down I have
to have the feel and smell of fresh linen no matter what.
Picky, you betcha, but that is just the way I am.
How does a pillow make the top 2? Wow, now
that is complected. All of my pillows at one point
were a top 2 pillow. Every single one started out top
of the heap and pillows wear down just like anything else.
When they are new they have that status of top 2, I
will tell you why in a minute, but after about 6 months
I replace and refresh and move them down a level to
top side, then top legs and at last the feet. Once there
they slowly work their way off the bed and are either
passed over to John or one of the kids or sent to the
guest bed. Last stop for them would be Andrews room
for he is a pillow hog too but for him any old one will
do but they never have a chance to leave his room and
be passed to someone else for once they enter his room
it is all over for them. Andrew's room is the last stop for
most things in this house no matter what they are. Now to
make top two on my bed a pillow needs a few things first:
The right level of firmness
The right width of the pillow
The ability to mold to your head
The right feel of the pillow. This one is a doozy. It must
have that certain cool feel and comfort of fine linen. If
it is even the slightest bit tacky or picky out it goes.
I understand a case will go over it but it is the good
old "Princess and the Pea" syndrome, you can still feel
the bumps underneath.
The Pillow has to have the right smell. Just like feel I
want to smell good linen. No plastic by-products or
cheap materials for when it is on another product you
may not smell it but a pillow you can for face it, it
spends its entire life span by your nose.
The Pillow has to have the right "inner feel". Just like
the outer feel but when you smoosh it you want to be
able to feel more pillow and not your fingers. There
can not be any gaps where the foam or feathers or
stuffing are not there. No holes so to speak.
Now my list may seem silly but to me it means a lot
and I have been known to spend hundreds of dollars on
a pillow just to make sure I get the right one. There have
also been times when I found a really cheap one with
the same qualities but those times are rare. They are out
there but rare. When all of my specifications have been
met you can rest assured it is a pillow 90 percent of
the population would love and that is why I am so
protective of them. I have had house guests before that
have asked if there were any extra pillows and John,
foolish John, has told them to just go grab some off of
our bed ( there is a closet full but you know men) and
it never fails, no matter how I bury them, my top two
are always the pillows they come back with and I instantly
revert to a five year old yanking for my pillow back and
our now unwanted guest is just as stubbornly yanking to
keep it for they know perfection when they feel it. John
has had to break up a squabble over a pillow more then
once for they are normally his relatives for I do not
have any of my own and there is no way they are getting
my top 2 and though I was raised to be gracious I
draw the line there. It also upsets me for the top 2 are
always buried to avoid such mix ups as a simple
mis-understanding and his relatives did a lot of digging to
find them in the first place. Take the comforter, take the
sheets, heck, take the bed but you will not have those
pillows. Why am I so determined? Because it is so
hard to find them. I have spent weeks looking for
replacement pillows for I can never find a place that
consistency has the same pillow. I fall for one brand
and order it without thinking the next time and when I
get it the pillow is never what I remember. THE HORROR!
The pain, Andrew gets a new pillow that is brand new!
It has been like this for years and then I got a chance
to do a product review that may have changed my ways.
I might even let the next guest try one of my top two
for when I found out I was going to do this review I
was happy but a little worried for I have never replaced
one of the two before I have always replaced both at
the same time. As a surprise John ordered me another
one and it was not even sent here and when he told me
what he did I pretty much dismissed it for I know I have
explained to him more then once if you do not get them
together they will not be the same. He knows how I feel
but absent minded John took the chance any ways and
though I admit it was a lovely gesture I didn't think I
would have two of the same pillows. I was wrong.
John won. The pillow I received for review and the
pillow he ordered were exactly the same. I about
keeled over.
Who is this company? Who has offered me two pillows
of the same consistent quality that were ordered 10 days
apart? Who has proved for the first time in my life you
can buy the same quality every time you shop? Why
the place I did a review for that offers this is Select
Comfort. I have to rave for a minute here. I thought
they were pretty much beds and that was it. I never
realized they offered so much more. I really never thought
they would have my dream pillow. For one, not only
is their product consistent, it is consistently a pillow that
is pure perfection. They met each and every one of my
requirements head on and more. Each item on my list
was blown out of the water and I can tell you that since
my pillow thing started over 25 years ago I have went
through close to 100 pillows at an average of 4 a year
and have never found a pillow this fantastic before. I
just got two new pillows in January and though they were
nice, they were not THIS nice for these are off the charts.
Now I walked through the house and counted all the
bed pillows we have in the house right now and there
are 28 in total. I think changing out 4 a year is pretty
modest and I also think out of a family of four I am
an expert in the field of pillows.
The particular pillow I received for review is the Down Pillow and though
and in theory I know they are supposed to be one of the
best types of pillows on the market but in my experience
they are the first to fail the "Inner Feel" test for seldom
are they filled enough and you can almost always feel
your other hand if you press hard enough. With the
Down Pillows at Select Comfort this was not the case.
These were fantastic. These were stupendous, these
were off the charts for me and I was doing a happy
dance around the bed like some insane rain dance of
dreams. I just couldn't believe it. Some people collect
knick knacks, some people collect trinkets, some
collect art work and some go for antiques, I collect
pillows to put it to you plainly. I am almost as bad
when it comes to throw pillows but bed pillows are my
specialty and to find a pillow that makes me this happy
is just about unheard off. Select Comfort fills theirs with
European White Goose Down and they choose the finest
quality available. They have the policy of only using
feathers that are freshness assured, and that means they
use an exclusive 15-step cleaning process that removes
allergy-causing impurities. This pretty much means those
Hypoallergenic covers I pay a small fortune for are unnecessary.
And remember that feel I told you about? Well Select
Comfort uses 300-thread-count, 100% cotton sateen to
provide me with that luxurious feel I so crave. The pillows
themselves can be spot cleaned or tossed in the wash
and come with a 5 year warranty. They are also constructed
in the USA and you guys know what a kick I am on
with that issue. Anyway you slice it, I am in love.
The fact they offer a consistently exceptional product
just sweetens the deal!
Select comfort offers more then bed and pillows
and I am so excited about that as well. In fact I
am dieing to get my hand on another one of their
products, the Comforters. Now their beds have been on
my wish list for a few years now and I have really
heated up my want for one since my back has taken
a turn for the worse but like anyone else I have to
budget and re-do one room at a time and Rowan
sorta put a bump in my road there for next year was
supposed to be the bedroom but I had to push my
schedule back and Andrews room has to be first for
he is going to need items to get him started in his
own life but right after that I will have my bed. Until
then I can busy myself with their other products and
that comforter is first on my list. They have a classic
down comforter that will go splendid with my pillows
and I have got to get it! I MUST have it! If I am
doing a Jig over the pillows I might all out break
dance over the comforter! Now they have more then
the down one, a complete line at that with everything
all the way down to an Organic one too! Even inserts
and covers and blankets for those look like they are
right up my alley as well! Select comfort has sheets
and mattress pads and covers and of coarse their
famous beds. Everything you would ever need to
assure you get the most comfortable nights rest ever.
We all work better when we have had a good night
of sleep! You just can't get more comfortable then
a bedroom accessory from Select Comfort! In
fact I need to go spend some time hugging my
pillow now!
Now if you guys come to my house I still have
not got enough of these pillows to share so Select
Comfort is going to give you a chance to win one!
To enter just head over to their site and take a look
around and then come back here and post what you
have learned in a comment. The contest will start
tonight and run to Midnight on April 29th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day, every day, and then posting that you did here
and other ways to enter are posted below.
I also will need a valid Email addy and name for Select
Comforts Mailing list. This will not be used for Spam and
their mailings only. Thanks guys!


Select Comfort!




Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.


1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter page
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times. You may only do this
one time! This is not a daily entry.


2. Tweet about my blog and post the link
here. 5 entries, please post five times. You
may do this once per day if you post a new
tweet. For Each Daily entry there must be a
tweet for that day!


3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times. You may only do this one time!
This is not a daily entry.


4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries. Please
post five times. You may do this once per
day per new blog post! For each Daily entry
there must be a blog post for that day!






Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Radius Toothbrush and isABelt Contests!

When Andrew was a baby the word Organic
was seldom used and pretty much pertained to only food and
a couple of clothing items. Mostly those made of hemp. In
the early 90's there was kind of a mini little hippy movement
going on and that was the word was used, mostly in that
little community and rarely outside of that. Then slowly you
saw some products, mainly in the produce section and
Whole Foods stores started to open here and there and
by 2000 it was catching on all over and now here we
are today where you can buy Organic items at your local
7-11. Now Organics takes on a whole new meaning and
it is as common place as a Twinkie. Instead of locating
Organic products all-together now the search for the best
ones begins and with so many items to search through it
seems like a daunting task at that. I started using Organic
items in the early 2000 but will be the first to admit it
was the produce section. The reason being? Fresh items
just tasted better and there was a store not that far from
me that was pretty much a high end grocery store and
offered an abundant selection and also in convenience
forms like pre-cut fruit and veggie trays and that was a
huge thing for me because I have always been a fresh
fruit and veggie person and to have a platter all ready to
go when I was working 70 hours a week made them a
must have item at my house. As far as other items went
I could not tell you. Andrew was at the age where he
was growing in leaps and bounds and just to keep clothes
on his back that fit was a huge feather in my cap, Organic?
I had not a clue. For my own clothing I had to wear dress
clothes and suits for work and in 1999, 2000 you would
be very hard pressed to find a Donna Karen or Ellen Tracey
Organic line. I did wear a lot of silk and that can sometimes
be Organic, back then only if it costs enough but it wasn't
because they were out to help the environment it was more
because they could charge more if it came from a silk worm
and wasn't synthetic. Now a days, Organic is the thing
to buy and everyone knows what it is and what to
look for. My Organic section in the Gourmet store has
turn into Organic isle and then more isles in every store. You
no longer have to travel, like I said now you job is to find
the products that are good and weed out the fakes!
I have found a few product lines that I love to death
and learn about more everyday. Some times I come across
an item that I toss back but for the most part they are
all pretty good. The bonus with Organics being so common
place now a days is that it is becoming the norm and
therefore the prices are getting lower and lower. I used to
pay around 5 bucks for Organic Carrots and now I can get
them for just over 2. Less then a Dollar over the regular
versions price. That is a big drop. A lot of that has to
do with the fact big business has seen their error of
their ways and has started to develop their own Organic lines.
With all the searching I have done they are probably the
poorest quality but they have helped make it more main
stream and I thank them for that. Without that push I
might never have had the chance to find places like my
next review. A fabulous store that is growing by leaps
and bounds for when you offers some fantastic products
and at a price you can afford it is only a matter of time
before the word spreads and I am so glad I found them
now! The Organic Bath Company! These guys make everything
from Bath and Skin care products to Toys and Baby items
to Household and even cleaning items and so far every item
I have tried has been marvelous! For a product review I
was sent three items, each from a different section of their
store. The first was Better Body Butter. Now everyone knows
what Shea butter, jojoba oil, and green tea oil are and
we all know they are each fantastic in their own right.
The Organic Bath Company goes the extra mile and
found a way to compile these exceptional products into
one spectacular item that is also infused with Lavender and
Vanilla. Lavender relaxes you and Vanilla is not only known
for its aphrodisiac benefits it also is a good anti-oxidant
and has other medicinal properties. When you combine all
of these items into one you are pretty much looking at a
body butter that is something to write home about. Not only
is this a surefire way to visibly improve dry skin in the
shake of a tail feather it is fantastic for healing that severely
dry skin, eczema, burns, rashes and lessen the irritation
of psoriasis. It also provides a natural UV sun protection,
protecting your skin from free radical damage. All that and
it is calming and can make your hubby sit up and take
notice too! Excellent! This stuff was exceptional and
I am toting it around in my purse for it just makes me
feel good all over. Also seeing as I was feeling all spry and
so was John whenever I used it, I don't know if it was
happen-chance or fate but the next item they sent was the
Bubble Bath Roses. Okay, first thought, these are adorable.
So cute I fell for them hook line and sinker before I even
opened the box! The thing is though they are not just for
show they are also a also a rich, skin softening bubble bath.
That's right, these adorable petal melt in your bath to create
a luxurious bubble bath for the petals completely dissolve into
rich, skin softening bubbles and the heavenly fragrance of
pure, distilled essential oils. Now when I looked at them
that was the furthest thought from my mind. I thought they
were purely for show. How they did it I have no clue but
they did and I so thank them for it because there is nothing
more relaxing then a hot tub with candles and some soft
music and then to sprinkle some Rose petal in that don't
just float but dissolve into pure heaven took my entire world
by surprise and brought me up to a level of relaxation that
you just can't compete with. Sensuous, beautiful and relaxing
all rolled into one!

After they showed me some products just for me they
clued me in on what they could do for Rowan. I was sent
a sampler pack of Baby items that were absolutely fabulous!
The Organic Baby Travel Pack has a little bit of everything
and a lot of quality and I was tickled pink to try them
all. The pack includes the:
Conditioning Shampoo & Wash
Calming Bubble Bath
Velvety Soft Babee Lotion
Soothing Bottom Balm
and every single item works like a charm. The Bubble Bath
has become a must have in our house and I am pretty sure
Rowan would not have the fun she has in the bathtub right
now without it. The bubbles are full and thick and do not
fizzle away and pretty much last the length of the bath
unless she is going for a record breaker. I used the Conditioning
Shampoo & Wash while in the tub and "no tears Mom!" just
smiles for she is still oohing and aweeeing over the
bubbles and barely knows the cleaning up part has even
taken place. Once finished we use the lotion and that locks
in the moisture that bath has given her for unlike the
chemical laden products we had before she comes out
all soft and silky and not stripped of her naturally perfect
baby skin she went in the tub with. Now the Soothing
Bottom Balm I have barely had a chance to use because
with the other products she is kept so soft and her skin
is so perfect she has not had a rash since I started using
it. There has been a couple of times her number 2 has
been a little tough for her and left her pink from effort so
I did use it to be safe and not sorry but a real need for
it I have yet to run across. There is not a doubt in my mind
though that if that day should come it will work wonders for
as well as the other items worked I know this will rock just
as well. I am in love with everyone of their items I have
tried. They were just fantastic!

I am looking forward to trying the other items they
make, the cleaning products the most for with their all
purpose cleaner and laundry liquid I don't think I can go
wrong and the men's items are also on my list for
I adore the fact they use Sage in them and it is
such a manly scent I know I will be totally impressed.
The Organic Bath Company has a great line of items and
I see them growing in leaps and bounds and not from
their products alone because they offer the full package.
Not only do they have great products the customer service
is off the charts. I really enjoyed speaking to them and
found them helpful and truly compassionate in what they
do and it is rare you run across a place that believes
in what they sell and you can tell by speaking to them
that they do. They are not only proud of what they
offer they stand behind their products and I am proud
to say that The Organic Bath Company is the first
Organic company to make my top ten list! Just read
through the criteria on that list and I can assure you
they meet every single one and more. Great prices,
great customer service, a fabulous product and they
go the whole nine yards to make sure you are just
as happy owning their items as they are making them.
I can picture their staff whistling while they work for
they are just a great company all around. They are
Snow White in an Organic forests and the Butterfly's
and Birds have already been signing their song and now
I am too! The Organic Bath Company is what I hope
to be a store that sets the standards for others because
it will be a much more healthy, happy and content world
if that is the case. The Organic Bath Company can sit on
the ledge of my tub anytime!

One of you can find out just how fantastic they are
too for The Organic Bath Company is going to give one
of my very lucky readers the same items they gave me.
To enter is easy, just head over to their site and take
a look around and then come back here and post something
you have learned in a comment. The contests will start
tonight and run to Midnight on May 8th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day, every day, and then posting that you did here
and other ways to enter are posted below.


Organic Bath Co.




Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.


1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter page
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times. You may only do this
one time! This is not a daily entry.


2. Tweet about my blog and post the link
here. 5 entries, please post five times. You
may do this once per day if you post a new
tweet. For Each Daily entry there must be a
tweet for that day!


3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times. You may only do this one time!
This is not a daily entry.


4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries. Please
post five times. You may do this once per
day per new blog post! For each Daily entry
there must be a blog post for that day!






Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Radius Toothbrush and isABelt Contests!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Scratch scratch.
Grumble grumble, SNIFF, grumble grumble. GRRRRRR.
SHHHHHHHHH! Stop it!
Slam! ( lid down on the toilet for one of the guys must
have been the last one in here) GRRRRR. mumble mumble.
( Water running) Grumble, grrrrrrrrr. SIGH. Pound. Pound.
Pound. Grrrrrrrr.
Alight, I know you are all wondering what in the heck is
going on about now. I just thought I would share the first couple
of minutes of my day with you. Every Morning pretty much goes
the same way and this right here, this very unflattering play
by play is mild in comparison to how Johns would go. Sad
to say though, I can't post his with out using some pretty
colorful keys and I might have to pass out a chuck the
yuck bag or two! I think the best thing to do is move
on and just let you know we are Coffee people. Coffee
people in a big way. Now I have cut back over the years
for I used to be much worse. I am down to about only
3 or 4 pots a day. I used to be closer to 10 when I
was working. Worse then that was about at least one of
those pots would be considered Espresso since we had a
machine at work and I would drink about 6 doubles a day.
One Friday night I was so bad I was on the Expediting
line during the dinner rush. I was calling the orders so
fast my cooks were about ready to drop dead from a
heart attack and when I was not calling the orders I was
talking to whatever server who happened to be a within
distance. No servers, cooks in the weeds? No problem,
I would talk to the tables closest to the line about 10
feet away. Dinner rush on a Friday night starts at about
4:30 and runs to 8:30 PM and somewhere around 7 a
waitress whom I liked and trusted walked up to the line,
grabbed my Grande Starbucks Cup I had kept pouring
Coffee into, turned and dropped it right into the trash.
"Your done!" She said cheerily as she placed a glass
of water in its spot and the rest of the staff broke into
applause. So I knew I had a problem and had to cut back.
My ten pots went to 3 or 4. It isn't my fault really, I
will blame the first person who told me Coffee was a good
thing to drink if you want to lose weight. I was around 13
and rushed to get some and have been drinking it ever since.
Now I know the diet thing is a bunch of hogwash but Coffee
is a darn good drink and like all things if done in moderation
is really enjoyable. It is also not the Coffee's fault that
I drank so much. I don't want you guys to worry that if
you drink a cup you will soon need to be in a 12 step
program or you could end up in the big house for trying
to top off your carry out cup from Starbucks at Panara Bread
for you just need a fix man! I am just a drinker in general.
If I was not drinking Coffee I would be drinking soda, if
not soda, tea, if not that whatever the next item down the
list would be. I have always been that way. I feel like if I
do not always have something liquid in my hands I will
dehydrate and wither away at any given moment. The only
thing Coffee is responsible for is being the best tasting
beverage out of the list I just rambled on about. Unless
my Mother makes it I really don't think there is such a
thing as bad tasting Coffee, only degrees of good. I buy
cheap Coffee, I buy the good stuff, I buy just about
everything there is.
Now I do have my favorites. I used to be a swear by
Starbucks, then Caribou Coffee then for the last couple
of 5 years Dunkin Donuts. Though I am always looking
for a new trick to toss in my bag of treats. When I got
the chance to review Dad's Roast I first had to giggle for
who would of thought Dad could do anything better then
Mom. Sorry Dad's out there, it is just been my experience
that Dad's tend to mess things up so Mom's will never
ask them to do it again. Then I read a little bit about
them and I must admit, I liked what they said. Now I
may settle for any old Coffee out there. I can't help it,
I love the stuff, but that does not mean that I can't tell
the difference between one Coffee to the next. Is also does
not mean that I don't know when one brand is better then
another. If that were the case I would not be so found of
Dunkin Donuts for so long. I have tried fresh roasted
Coffee before and I know it is good, great, well even better
then that in fact and I would love to drink it each and every
time I had Coffee but the problem is it is expensive.
Really Expensive
I pay about $7.99 a pound right now and go through 2 or
3 a week. Now the last time I bought fresh roasted it was
$15.99 a pound and I am sure you can see the difference
there. I can take a couple of bucks more a pound, hey,
fresh is worth it, but twice the price? Ouch! So I am reading
on the Dad's site and see it is no where near as expensive
as the places I had seen before. Not even close. In fact you
can get it for less then 10 bucks a pound. So I am already
at fresh roast and stuck there and then inexpensive?
Hey, that I can handle! They also offer a large selection of
items to choose from. Dad's Roast has all the best
and also carry flavored blends and Espresso. One of the
coolest features on the site is you can order your own
personal custom blend. That's right folks, you pick the
bean or the beans and the flavor. That will do it, no
wait, there is more, pick the grind and the roast too!
So of you wanted to you could get a Mint, Sumatra in
a Turkish Grind and an Espresso Dark Roast. Now try
getting that any where else.
How does it taste?
Oh-My-Gawd!
Look, I got the Coffee last week and could have
turned the review in early. It is an easy review to
do for Coffee is pretty much a food product and not
a whole lot of research goes into the making of a food
product review, you either like it or you don't. There is
not a lot of pro's and con's to write about there so I
don't have to put the normal 10-15 hours into the review
I normally have to do. This could have been done over the
weekend even with the chaos I have went through lately.
Hour tops and I would have been done. Rowan needs
a nap, BAM, finished by the time she wakes up but
truthfully, I was too busy. I was drinking the Coffee. I
couldn't stop. Not even for the lousy hour it would have
taken to write the review. It is delicious. When they say
fresh they mean it. Even better, if you grind it yourself and
order the bean whole like I did. Now you have a fresh
bean cooked just for you and shipped out ASAP. They
sent me an email letting me know they were roasting my
blend on Friday, Saturday evening I was enjoying a cup.
Yeah, your right, they could have been faster. ( ROLLS
EYES) Speedy Gonzales has nothing on these guys.
So let's do a quick check list here:
Delicious Coffee
Super fast can you say I barely had time to blink delivery
Freshly Roasted to Order.
You pick all the details or your order
Affordable
AWESOME IN EVERY WAY!

I am in love with Dad's Roast. My worst fear is this
stuff is so good I am going to be back up to 10 pots a
day because I can't help myself. I also kinda liked the
fact they have all sorts of information on the site so
you can educate yourself on Coffee. Health benefits even
so I can justify the fact I see 10 pots in my future.
How to store your Coffee so it will last longer as if you
have to with their delivery time but hey, you might be
moving to a shack in the middle of no where for a while
and have to stock up and take it with you. That would
be a good reason! There is just lots of fun facts and
things I didn't know and as I enjoyed a cup or four going
over all that information was fun! So my final word here
is this stuff is incredible and I can't get enough. I know
you guys will love it too even if you are not half the fiend
I am!
Another good way to try Coffee is to win it! Dad's Roast
is going to give one of my lucky readers a gift card for
2 bags so they can pick out their own blend and try it
them selves. To enter just head over to the site and
take a look around then come back here and post something
you have learned. The contest will start tonight and run to
Midnight on April 25th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day, every day, and then posting that you did here
and other ways to enter are posted below.


Dad's Roast!




Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.


1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter page
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times. You may only do this
one time! This is not a daily entry.


2. Tweet about my blog and post the link
here. 5 entries, please post five times. You
may do this once per day if you post a new
tweet. For Each Daily entry there must be a
tweet for that day!


3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times. You may only do this one time!
This is not a daily entry.


4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries. Please
post five times. You may do this once per
day per new blog post! For each Daily entry
there must be a blog post for that day!






Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Radius Toothbrush and isABelt Contests!

Now I am a huge Coffee Drinker and I know
I have to cut back and I have been looking for ways
to do so. The problem is I have been drinking it for so
many years I am afraid. In fact I got this product review
a few weeks ago and yes, I know I have had a lot
going on lately and I am behind in things due to that
but THAT is not the reason it has taken me the time
it has to do this review. Coffee is my comfort food
and I was afraid I would love this product and not have
my fall back of coffee any longer. I am so used to saying
I will get back to you after I have had a couple of cups
of Coffee as a way of buying myself time I wouldn't know
what to do with anything else. Would other words even come
out of my mouth? Can I even form them? Who knows!
Knocken knees here and everything! Over the last
couple of weeks I have pulled this out of the fridge then
put it back in, pulled it out and back again. I almost
hyperventilated once as I held it in my hands.
Breath Michelle
Breath.
Today is the day. I had to do it. No more little chicken
little, I made it and drank it and it was FABULOUS!
I think I am going to have a problem. I have never
been good at goodbyes. How do I break it to coffee?
Maybe I can share my time with both of them? I am
so torn. What product is this you ask that has turned my
life so upside down? What has brought about this turmoil?
What product has ended my love affair with Coffee or at
least opened my eyes to other possibilities for if this stuff
tastes so good what else is out there I have been missing?
It is called Oregon Chai and it is scrumptious! Oh, my
goodness is it good! Now don't get me wrong I have
always liked tea. In the warmer months I drink it from about
10 am on for Coffee and Summer days just don't go all
that well together but plain and black and iced was the only
way I have ever drank it. I never liked sweet tea or flavored
tea or even lemon and that is weird for I have no problem
with coffee drinks so one would think, but noooooooo, only
regular old ice tea for me. So this Chai stuff has been
teasing me. I hear it is good but isn't it sorta like a flavor?
Now for Hot Tea, I just never got into it. So unless I
tried the Chai cold I was for sure I wouldn't like it. Then
when I broke down today and gave it a whirl I tried it
and Hot and it is like a breath of fresh air, so different
then coffee but still such a comfort. How can I have two
loves? I have no clue but there you have it, I can't put
the stuff down and have been drinking it all day. In fact
I was sent two of the concentrates and I drank a whole
one today alone. Black Tea is strong, it does not have
the bite coffee does but it is strong and I think I phrased
that wrong. It has bite, just not that bitter coffee one, it
is smoother and well, more eloquent. I think that would
be the best way to describe Black Tea. Now Chai is
Black Tea made um, er, sexy? I can't think of a better
way to describe it there either. It is spicy where it needs
to be and smooth as silk other times and sweet swirled in
and with some delicious flavors, it can be served either
hot or cold. Can you think of a better way to describe
that? I loved the fact it was reminiscent of a latte and
I felt as if I was easing away from my coffee habit and
not going cold turkey and like Coffee drinks you can do
just as much with Chai and that was also another plus
for me. Unlike coffee though, where I hate it served cold,
the Chai I can totally see and think I would love to taste
over ice and I sorta regret the fact I drank it all hot and
didn't save any to try that way. You notice I say sorta and
it isn't because I mean not really it is more because I so
enjoyed drinking it hot that Yes, I would like to have cold
but was just as satisfied with it hot! So satisfied that I
could not stop drinking it all day long.
The Chai was also a snap too make and since I am
a novice I can't promise making it from scratch would be
like that but Oregon Chai was faster then coffee and much
more easy all the way around. If you are planning to drink it
cold it is as simple as open and pour, hot is simply heat
and serve. Just a couple of minutes to one delicious drink!
Oregon Chai comes in the liquid concentrate or powder
and in several different variety's such as Vanilla, slightly
Sweet and Sugar Free. I got a chance to try the regular
and the sugar free and was delighted with both. Another
thing I was happy with was the Oregon Chai website for
not only did they explain chai to me in detail they also
offered a slew of recipes for each season and different
ways to enjoy the chai. I felt like Starbucks for Tea
and with this stuff they better start sweating over at the
coffee houses for it was so good I might just have to
totally convert! Oregon Chai also has a Vegan Chai and
other flavors such as Peppermint and some pretty nifty
gift sets for any Chai lovers on your shopping lists!
They use only the finest ingredients and are 90 percent
organic and these guys are so good they are a big part
of the reason the Chai made it into the new Merriam
Webster's Dictionary! Now how is that for a reference?
I will tell you what as a die hard coffee drinker for going
on 30 years if they can make me re-think my breakfast
drink they can do wonders with people not as closed
minded! YUM is all I can say, YUM!
Oregon Chai would also like one of my readers to know
how truly delicious they are. One lucky reader is going to
win a gift pack that includes 2 of the concentrates, 2 of
the powders and a T-shirt too boot! To enter just head over
to their web site and take a look around then come back
here and post it in a comment. The contest will start tonight
and run to Midnight on April 30th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day, every day, and then posting that you did here
and other ways to enter are posted below.


Oregon Chai


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.


1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter page
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times. You may only do this
one time! This is not a daily entry.


2. Tweet about my blog and post the link
here. 5 entries, please post five times. You
may do this once per day if you post a new
tweet. For Each Daily entry there must be a
tweet for that day!


3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times. You may only do this one time!
This is not a daily entry.


4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries. Please
post five times. You may do this once per
day per new blog post! For each Daily entry
there must be a blog post for that day!






Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Radius Toothbrush and isABelt Contests!

Have I told you guys John is the new
Ebeneezer Scrooge! Big time! Now it isn't a raise,
or a Holiday Duck or even gifts that he has the
moth filled wallet closed, it is something even bigger
and worse then that. Heat! Lord do we have some
high heating bills here in Michigan and John hovers over
that thermostat like a crazy man. I wake up with Iceicles
on my nose it is that dang cold. Now Rowan has those
super warm and comfy Winter Jammie's she has lived in all
Winter long but they just don't make them in Mommy size!
I am cold as whatever cold cliche you would like to insert
here. Even during the day I freeze and I pretty much sit
bundled up in my room under 32 covers and still I shiver and
it is rotten when I have to get something for I have to
crawl out from the hoard of blankets and it drives me nuts.
Thank You Jesus for my Slanket! I was a hold out
on them for I just didn't see the big deal. Then I got a
chance to review them and I am doing the "And I could
have had a V-8 kick to the head" for I can't get over
what I have been missing. With my Slanket I am snug as
a bug in a rug and I don't have to worm my way out of
a load of blankets to just use the bathroom. With the Slanket
I can just get up and go! Not only does it work like a
Charm and I love the arms, it is sooooooooooo warm and
softtttt oh, my is it soft. I checked out the other one,
you know, the knock off and was so not impressed.
It was thin, it was not nearly as soft and I could not
believe they wanted they price they were asking for it.
When you place the Slanket next to that one it is
like placing a White Castle next to a Denny's Hamburger.
Now I don't mean Denny's that 24 hour place I mean
Denny's in Pennsylvania, that place that makes the worlds
biggest hamburger. That is how vast the difference is
in thickness and comfort. The Slanket kept me warm and
the sleeves made it so I could move through the house
with ease and also when I was not snuggling with Rowan
wrapped in the extra folds I could sit down and play
with her and I think she was a little jealous of my warm
blanket just like I was jealous of her warm Jammie's!
The Slanket is made from all around better materials
and is perfect if you live in a home with MR Heat Mizer
like I do. Come back next November and I will show you
a photo of everyone in my house sitting on the couch
with a Slanket. Everyone but John that is!
Slanket, the original is always the best!

Slanket!

Nobody wants to be sick, that's a fact. And an
even bigger fact is nobody wants to be in the
hospital and I for one can't stand it at all. I
am about the biggest baby when it comes to pain
and even more so with needles but Hospitals, eeeww
I am shivering just thinking about it. In the last
few years I have been in patient more times then I
would have liked. The first one was when I had a
major surgery about 4 years ago. I knew going in
I would be in there for around 4 days, I should
have been prepared and truth be told the first day
I had the surgery went by and I could not have told
you one thing about that day I was so doped up.
The second day I was in and out but by the third
I was done hitting that little be no more pain button
that pumps Morphine into you whenever you press
it. I could only think of going home. When my
Doctor made his morning rounds he asked how I
was doing and I told him fine, I want to go home.
At first he laughed it off and tried to change the
subject but I was adamant about going home and
kept coming back to it. His final question was,
"are you sure you would be alright at home?"
and I explained that all I was doing was laying in
bed here and I could do that just as well in my
own bed. He said he would sign the discharge
papers as long as I promised to come back at the
first sign of anything hinkey! I agreed and he left.
Soon after the nurse came and I told her I was
going to call for my ride and she told me it would
take a while for the discharge to go through. I told
her that was fine, I needed to get my stuff together.
This was at 7 am and my idea of a while was an
hour or so and I now know her idea was a lot
different. I waited 45 minutes and called home for
a ride. It was about a 30 minute drive and 15
minutes later the nurse was still not back to have
me sign away my life. I paged her and she was
shocked to see me packed to go, all I had left to do
was get the IV removed. I asked her about the papers
and she told me that they would be ready in the
afternoon sometime. I explained my ride was already
in route and I could not wait that long because to me
that was like waiting a whole other day. She said she
would go see if she could speed it up and I waited
another 20 minutes before I just took the IV out myself.
Boy was she mad! The next few times I was in the
hospital pretty much went the same way the last being
when I had Rowan for when I had Andrew they were
sending you home in 24 hours and now they make
you wait at least 48. I wanted to go home the next
morning and threw a fit. To keep me there my doctor
wrote me a day pass so I could leave the floor and
walk out side. He did me a big favor for the Hospital
was none to pleased but he knew me well and knew
I would just go home if he didn't do something to let
me get some air and fast. Anything to avoid being
there. Well, if I would have had some of the items
this next review has I might have stayed a little longer.
I can't say for sure but I surely would have been more
comfortable each time.
Patient Style has all sorts of fabulous luxury
items for people who need it the most. Those
poor souls trapped in the Vampire wards without
a sympathetic Doctor like mine who allowed me
to wander about. From Expecting Moms to the
little bundles them self to the guy a few wards
over who is forced to survive on Jello and bad
jokes from his tone deaf room mate with a penance
for song, Patient Style has you covered. Literally.
They have gowns that offer a snap down back so
your booty is not hanging out for the world too
see, or even that Sadist Nurse that keeps poking
you for no reason. I swear she made up reasons!
Blood, blood, blood, we need more blood. I can't
make enough blood for that lady, just what is she
doing with it all? The gowns not only come in a
bevy of designer fashions they are also 100% cotton
and if you have a nurse that doesn't delight in your
pain like mine did they also offer PJ's as well!
Ladies, Gents and Kids! They even have some
lightweight cotton Robes that are super soft and also
warm and just pretty enough where you might feel
like you have to strut your stuff walking down the
halls!

For Moms they have Nursing covers and
some of the most adorable Baby items such as Blankets
and Gowns, Swaddlers and Slings. I completely gushed
at the Animal themed Swaddle blankets and I am so
bummed I missed them when Rowan was little for
they absolutely to die for! The Little Bee had me
laughing so hard I was in tears! For review I was
sent a pair of their Anti-microbial Socks in Chenille.
These puppies are so soft and comfy I feel like I am
walking on little clouds of silky air and I need about
20 more pair now for I am wearing them, tossing
them in the wash and walking around barefoot to
they dry then wearing them some more for I just
have fallen completely and totally head over heals
in love with these. I have never felt a softer sock
and you guys, Shhhhhhh, 2 things, one, no laughing
and 2, well 3 things for 2 is no laughing too and 3
is don't tell everyone, Gezz, it isn't like I want this
in public, but I have a thing about socks. When I
was working I spent 10-12 hours on my feet every
day. Now I had to wear dress clothes to work such
as suits and dresses and skirts but for shoes I
needed something that matched and was comfortable.
Even more so on the comfort part for I am also in
the kitchen at times. They only thing that worked for
this was dress boots. I must have owned 30 pairs.
Now the thing is you wear Boots for 10-12 hours
a day where that time is spent on your feet, in
and out of sweltering kitchens and then frozen
walk-ins and then back to the kitchen. Other
times you are standing in a dish room that is
always flooded and a hose that leaks a constant
flow over your legs and feet. Just think what your
feet will be like by the end of the day. Now picture
it ten times worse and you will almost be there.
That gross. It was then I developed this sock thing
and every week I would stop at Target and grab a
couple of packs of Gym Socks for when I came home
at night I would take them off and throw them away
for they truly were that gross! SO sweaty and grimy
I knew I would never touch them again. Now shake
that thought out of your head. Now if I had been
wearing these socks I might not have been able to
do it! They are that spectacular! So soft you could
also cuddle with them! Wow, I just listened to my
self and I think I am border line fetish, I had better
move on!


Now you don't have to be in the Hospital to
benefit from Patient Style. A friend or loved one there
can too! ( pst, another little secrete is a lot of their
items would work just as well in the comfort of your
own home. Patient Style even has gift baskets you are
just not going to get at the Hospital gift shop. They
have pre-made baskets to deal with just about every
reason someone you know might be there in the first
place. Now I never know just what to say and have
the worst time thinking of a get well gift for anyone.
My thing is cooking and Baking and I think the people
who tend to the prisoner, er, I mean patients, might
object if I wheeled in a Lasagna and a bottle of wine
with some Bread Pudding with Vanilla Glaze on top.
Instead grab one of their super reasonably priced, way
more affordable then the 16 dollar rattle I bought for
Rowan when she was there that first week, baskets.
They come in common ailments such as Cancer, Heart,
Diabetes and Pain Relief as well as a general get
well basket. They also have Ones for Mommy to
be, Mommy now and even baby and children. I
got a kick out of the one children's basket for
they named it the Boredom Buster. Now I pray I
will never need a gift for a child but this would
be it should my prayers ever fail. I have got to
say, sadly I have been in a lot of Hospital gift
shops in my time and I have never seen items
as refreshing as this. Not one thing in any of
the Baskets will get them in trouble with Nurse
Ratchet and when they leave they have a hand
made basket to use to cheer up the next friend!
Patient Style may not keep you out of the hospital
but they sure a the cure for a lot of other things!











Patient Style has a pair of these awesome, warm, soft
and adorable Slipper socks for you too! To enter just
head over to their site and take a look around then come
back her and post what item you would want someone to
get for you should you ever be in the Hospital. The contest
will start tonight and run to Midnight on April 21st.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day every day and then posting that you did here
and other ways to enter are posted below.


Patient Style




Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.


1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.


2. Tweet about my blog and post the link
here. 5 entries, please post five times.


3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.


4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.






Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Mommy Tool Box and Port a Pong Contests!