AWESOME opportunity

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I've been entering this same contest a million times this week, giveaways from Walgreens because whenever we're on the road there's always one nearby and most of the Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products are made with the same active ingredients as the name-brand products but at a fraction of the price. We like to keep band-aids and rubbing alcohol, peroxide and antibacterial cream in our first aid kit because you just never know what kind of injuries or illness will hit you and it's just plain smart.  So we like to be prepared.  I also like knowing that some of the funds are directed to the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™. (like $3 million last year)

So next time you're at Walgreens, check out the Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products and also, click on the word "giveaways" above to win some Walgreens gift cards. What would you do if you won? I already know what I would do. i would revamp all the first aid kits in the motorhome and in the house. I would also probably send a gift basket full of first aid supplies to my sister, she has boys and they're always hurting themselves. I hope one of us wins, good luck!

Where's the Pier?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I'm visiting Manchester, New Hampshire right now and I have to tell you that one of the first things I noticed as I arrived at my hotel was that there's a Pier One store almost right across the street.  How cool is that?  how lame is it that it was my first exciting thought!  Not that visiting a new town isn't exciting, but honestly, I wasn't planning to explore Manchester even though it looks cool. I just spent the most 72 hours in Boston, I must have walked a gazillion miles and I'm actually on my way to the Life Rocks Conference in North Conway, New Hampshire, so I planned to use my time in Manchester to catch up on my schoolwork, get a little paid work done and relax. my legs really need a break, y'know.  Yeah- I suck at relaxing.

I was here all of 30 minutes when I decided that I simply HAD to walk down to that Pier 1 store and browse around. You know what I love about Pier One? Everything.  If you're picky about details, go to Pier 1.  If you love amazing little treasures, go to Pier 1. If you're  a freak about making sure your colors are rich and vibrant, go to Pier 1. If you love texture and hate plastic, go to Pier 1.  I'm telling you, I could probably spend a million dollars in ONE visit if I could... (Can I use the word "could" twice in a sentence?)  If you ever want to send me a present that will make me jump up and down squealing with delight, please please please send me a Pier 1 gift certificate, OK. 

Did you know most of their furniture doubles as indoor / outdoor furniture? Plus they even have swinging Papasans (Swingasans :). I think I want like 4 of them!  What a great way to update your patio, right?  I mean, Spring is here and it's time to get ready for summer .

Anyway, check out their website because they're actually having some Pier 1 Tweetups in major cities all across the US and you can check out what those are about (Tweetups are fun).

What did I buy? Nothing, you goof- I'm traveling, I can't lug things 3000 miles home, but I have to say that when I get home, I do plan to replace our old tattered patio chair pads with some colorful new ones because I absolutely loved the prints they have and their prices are such a bargain.

Some like it hot

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was so excited when we ordered take out t the hotel a few weeks ago because the driver had the teeniest little bottles of TABASCO® Original Red sauce with him. I love tabasco sauce on everything. Seriously, I eat it on eggs, I add it to sandwiches and burritos, but the very best thing is to drizzle it on pizza, especially a vegetarian pizza with lots of spinach. Mmmmmm- it's my very favorite meal ever. And the pizza driver had tabasco sauce with him, so it must not be an uncommon thing. In fact, it's Pizza Perfected.

We're planning quite a few tailgate parties this season and I was so happy to find that the Tabasco sauce website has a fantastic Game-Day Party Menu with recipes for hot wings, ppetizers and just a bunch of great party foods.  It's amazing sometimes, to think about how our taastes change as we get older. When I was a child, I just thought it was disgusting, it made my eyes water. But now that I've given it a fair chance, I find that it's really a fantastic flavor that enhances the other flavors while enhancing the taste of the meal. I love it, and if you're a fan of Tabasco, go check out their website.

Kids and Entertainment

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Charter. All opinions are 100% mine.

We let our kids watch whatever they want. i used to try to limit their experiences when they were little, to things that i thought were wholesome, safe or acceptable.  but then I realized that it made the "unacceptable" content that much more provocative. I wish sometimes that I could go back in time with my older kids and just relax a bit, y'know.  I see moms all stressed out over what their kids are watching and i just have to say it's ridiculous.  That's why I chose to follow Charter Moms on Facebook because they're asking parents questions about their viewing habits and I just think it's important to let kids choose their own experiences.   That's how kids learn. And nothing they see on TV will scar them for life or anything, TV is entertainment, even the so-called "news" shows. 

Another cool thing about Charter Moms is that they're the "first to know" about new programming and services. How cool is that?  I'm not much of a TV watcher, but I do enjoy NCIS and House. My husband likes documentaries. I always end up falling for the arrogant jerk on Survivor, even if he never wins. I don't sit down to watch very often, but when I do it's usually mid afternoon. My kids and my husband watch in the evening.

So what do you think bout the discussions at Charter Moms on Facebook?  Have you joined? And isn't it awesome that they share their news with the moms first?

Hula Hooping and Travel

It's no secret anymore that I am a complete hula hoop addict. but I'm not the only one, and hoping is a fantastic hobby for families on the road because hoops are great exercise and even though it may be difficult to hoop INSIDE a camper, plenty of RV families are hooping. Check out Tara, Vicki, Sara Parent and Sara Jannsen for hula-hooping moms living in RV's.