winner winner !!!

Elayna was SO happy to finally have a drawing in which SHE could pick the winner!

She wrote down all of the entries............

and put them in a bowl.....

stirred them around..........

and I know it's un-readable BUT

 the winner of the Printcopia giveaway  IS............

Amy!!! TEXAS KID!!!!!!
Shoot me an email and I'll tell ya what to do from here!
THANK YOU PRINTCOPIA!!!!

My Little Funny Face ~~~ Create a Personalized Gift with Printcopia ~~ Giveaway!!!

A little while ago I got an email from Printcopia, 

asking if I'd like a canvas print in exchanging for telling my friends about Printcopia's service.

Yes, please!

I knew immediately that I would get a picture of Hayleigh printed on canvas.  She's at the cutest age and I knew it would make a great gift for my niece and her husband.

She also LOVES to make this funny face and I felt that it needed to be captured!
See?

she is SO silly!

my dad totally photobombed us. rude.

I had the print framed myself, but received an 8 x 10 canvas from Printcopia.  I apparently cut her head off of the picture in the ordering process.  So, that's my fault.  =( 

But otherwise I am VERY happy with the finished product!  The colors and quality are great.

And Printcopia also has something for YOU, dear reader!
They are offering one of my lucky readers their CHOICE of one of the following four prizes: 

An 8"x10" print from Printcopia ~~ Canvas Prints
OR
A $50 Gift Card for Magnets on the Cheap ~~ Car Magnets
OR
A $40 Gift Card for Banners on the Cheap ~~ Vinyl Banners
OR
A $30 Gift Card for Signs on the Cheap ~~ Cheap Signs

Winner Picks One!

To enter - leave a comment telling me which prize you would choose if you are the lucky winner.
For extra entries - Tweet about the giveaway, or share it on Facebook, then come back and leave me a comment saying you did.

(This is not a paid post - I was only given the free canvas print in exchange for telling my friends about it!)

Contest closes January 2nd, 2013 and I will announce a winner on January 3rd, 2013.
Good Luck!!

Note - Comment Moderation is enabled.  Your comment won't show up right away but I will post it ASAP!

Dove Damage Therapy Conditioner: Review & Sweepstakes

I confess: I love Dove products.  

 I have used them for years, 

from the bar soaps to the deodorants 

and everything in between.

So I was excited for the opportunity to review another Dove product.

This time, it was the Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Daily Treatment Conditioner.

You may notice the package is all bent out of shape.  
That's because, by the time I took the picture, we'd already used it a LOT!  

When it arrived in the mail, the first thing I did was pop the cap and smell it.  It smells wonderful.  I wish I knew how to describe it, but it's not a fruity or floral scent.  Just a very clean, soap-like aroma.  Love it!

It's a thick yet weightless formula.  I condition my hair every time I wash it because I like for my hair to feel soft and free of tangles.  This conditioner was perfect for that!

We also took it camping with us last weekend.  I liked that it was in a lightweight, portable container.  It made it really easy to toss in the caddy and bring it along.

We swam in chlorinated water and lake water, and baked in the sun.  

Our hair definitely needed repair and protection, after all of that abuse!

After my 16 year old daughter, Shelbie, used it for the first time, I asked her how she liked it.

She said that she hadn't styled her hair after using it (obviously, since we were camping), but her hair definitely felt soft and she was able to comb through it easily and had no tangles.

Our hair looked great and never had that straw-like feeling it so often gets in the summer after the typical summer activities in Florida.

Instead of the dry, rough hair we often experience at this time of the year, 

our hair was silky-smooth.  

Dove uses a patented technology to achieve this; it penetrates deep inside the hair strand, helping rebind damaged proteins.

The patented Micromoisture Serum targets damage, 

repairing the surface of hair by sealing lifted cuticles.

It's available in two daily treatment conditioners:

a nourishing oil care daily treatment conditioner as well as the intensive repair daily treatment conditioner.

There are also other formulas that I'd like to try, like the Color Repair Conditioner - 

Mama colors OFTEN to cover up the gray!

Many conditioners that I've used in the past for repair of damage and dryness left my hair greasy.  It can be hard to nourish and moisturize your hair without leaving it oily as a result.  But Dove succeeded in that area as well.  My hair is soft, smooth, silky and shiny - not weighted down with oil.  

It feels great, and I think it looks pretty good!

me & Shelbie during our camping weekend

For more information about this and other Dove hair products, visit dovehair.com.

And now - what's in it for YOU?

We wanna know - what's the most important thing you look for in a conditioner?

Enter to win a $1,000 Spafinder gift certificate!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

COMMENTS TO THIS POST ARE NOT SWEEPSTAKES ENTRIES. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR ENTRY METHODS FOR THIS SWEEPSTAKES.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Follow this link, and provide your email address and your response to the Promotion prompt:
What is the most important thing you look for in a conditioner?

b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that Tweet.

c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that post.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. Winners will have 72 hours to claim the prize, or an alternative winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 9/4/2012 - 9/30/2012

Be sure to visit Dove^®Hair.com to get a coupon for $1.50 off Dove Hair Therapy products.

Remember - comments here don't count - you have to follow the links!  GOOD LUCK!

Summer Silliness in Florida | Giveaway!

Summertime is usually a very fun time in Florida. It's so HOT that, to beat the heat, we usually spend any free time in the water, be it the beach, springs, or rivers. This summer has been a little less fun than normal, because we haven't been able to do all of the fun things we like to do, due to work, schedules, storms, and just general CRAP. But it's still important to keep up with our beauty routine, because even just running to the store, we may not wear a bikini (you're WELCOME!) but we do wear flip flops, shorts, and tank tops.
Oh, how I need a tan!

Anyhoo, my youngest daughter, Elayna, interviewed me about my summer beauty tips, and I wanted to share the silliness with you!

Elayna: Mom. You hate feet. Do you hate your own feet?
Me: Nope. I love MY feet. My feet are awesome. I hate everyone else's feet!

My Awesome Feet.

Elayna: Have you ever had a pedicure?
Me: I've had two. I'm not a huge fan. I do my own pedicures.

Elayna: What's the silliest thing you've ever done to try to make yourself look good?
Me: That would probably be the time I dyed my hair kool-aid red. The box said "Copper". I thought, Copper=Penny. A nice bright auburn, perhaps? Except for No. Not at all. KOOL-AID RED.
It wasn't pretty.

Beach Time!

Elayna: What summer beauty tips would you like to share with everyone?
Me: Keep your feet looking good. Nobody wants to see nasty, scaly heels and chipping toenail polish. And fortheloveofGod, shave your legs! And don't use a cheap razor that's going to cut them up; nobody wants to see that either. Use a great razor, like Venus Embrace. You'll get a close shave without slicing your skin to ribbons.
Also? A secret to silky legs is most definitely Satin Care Passionista Fruit Shave Gel!

Its infused with the sparkling scent of juicy, fresh fruit, leaves your skin soft and satiny smooth every time you shave. That stuff is the bomb DOT COM!

Elayna: Mom, stop saying that. Seriously.

Me: Also, you don't want to go to the beach with nicks and cuts on your legs. That.HURTS. That's why I love the smooth-glide Ribbon of Moisture that Venus Embrace has, and the 5 blades for a comfortable shave. It's great for first-time shavers.

Beach Girl!

Elayna: So Mom. WHEN are you going to take us to the beach??
Me: When we hit the lottery, maybe???

Check out the brand's Facebook page for more fun & informative info. They've also got some great tips for moms of first-time shavers over here.

Aaaand check out this awesome sweepstakes!!

"What's the best beauty tip you have shared with your daughter to prepare her for the summer or share your funniest beauty mishap for the chance to win a $50 gift card!”

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 7/26 - 8/23.

Be sure to visit the Venus brand feature page on BlogHer.com where you can read other

bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Have you checked out the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com? There are some great tips and expert posts on everything from Looking Your Best to Getting Happy and Getting Organized!

Wrinkles, Aging & Toning - Oh My! | Review & Giveaway

Introducing Dove^® VisibleCare^® Crème Body Wash. Built on the brand’s heritage in cleansing and caring for skin, Dove VisibleCare combines the best of Dove technology into a luxurious experience for beauty seekers. With the highest concentration of NutriumMoisture technology across the Dove portfolio, Dove VisibleCare Crème Body Wash actually improves the look of skin over time. Visit Dove^® VisibleCare^® to get a coupon for $1 off!



Dove has released a new, premium line of body wash products, and being a long-time fan of Dove products, I was excited to check them out.

 I tried the Dove Visible Care Toning Creme Body Wash. Because, I am not exactly a spring chicken, and I figured I need all the toning I can get. It's not like I'm going to get any at the gym I never go to! The Toning Creme helps promote skin's elasticity and strength. Yes, please! Seriously, this is really important as we age. We lose so much of our elasticity, so I was happy to find a product that helps to promote that.

Wrinkles much?? 

 And it really does work! It contains the highest concentration of Nutrium Moisture technology across the Dove portfolio. These body washes give you visibly more beautiful skin in just one week. And yes - they really do! And it feels amazingly soft, and the difference really is noticeable. Oh - and it smells amaaaazing! I love a body wash that has a really great fragrance.

I use a lot of Dove products in my beauty routine; deodorant, bar soap, lotion, shampoo and conditioner are just a few. I've trusted the brand for many years for both my own beauty routine and my family's. I'm happy to add this to my collection of Dove products that I'll be using regularly.

 It may sound surprising - visibly more beautiful skin from a body wash? But it's true. I'm pushing 40 so I know all about the need for toning, and I was very impressed with the results of Dove's new body wash. It's been increasingly challenging lately to find time to take care of my skin & other beauty needs. (my gray roots are OUT OF CONTROL at the moment!! Time to color STAT!!) So I appreciate that Dove has a product to make toning as easy as washing up in the shower.

 They also offer a renewing creme body wash and a softening creme body wash - both of which I look forward to trying out.


 And now it's time for the fun part!! Hello, PLEASE check this out - $500 Spafinder gift certificate?!?! TWO of them up for grabs?
Have you EVER had $500 with which to pamper yourself at a spa?  Because I have NOT so I am SO excited that TWO of my awesome readers are going to get such a fantastic prize. Good luck, amigos!


Enter to win one of two $500 Spafinder gift certificates!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
COMMENTS TO THIS POST ARE NOT SWEEPSTAKES ENTRIES. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR ENTRY METHODS FOR THIS SWEEPSTAKES.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Follow this link, and provide your email address and your response to the Promotion prompt
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that Tweet.
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that post.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. Winners will have 72 hours to claim the prize, or an alternative winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/18/2012 - 8/22/2012
Be sure to visit the Dove^® VisibleCare™ Crème Body Wash brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

A First of Many Firsts

When my youngest child came to me asking about shaving her legs, a few thoughts ran through my head.
First of all: Wasn't she just born, like, last week? And now she's ELEVEN years old? How does this happen?
And then: OMG she's going to cut herself to pieces.
The thing is, she does need to shave. Her legs are quite hairy (sorry, kid), and we live in Florida. Shorts are worn year-round.
I just wasn't sure I was ready for yet another "first".
She's my last child. So all of her "firsts" are also "lasts"...her first Christmas was the last first Christmas I'd ever experience with a child. Same for her first steps, first words, first smile...
Her first day of Kindergarten nearly brought me to my knees!
And then there are those precious firsts...like last year when she and I sat on a dock and she saw her first shooting star. Priceless!
So here we are again, with yet another first. Her first time shaving her legs.
At first we tried the non-razor approach. We used a foam hair remover. It worked....somewhat. It left her stubbly and not smooth, and it was kind of a hassle, what with having to time how long the product was on her skin. "MOM!! Has it been five minutes yet?!?!"
So I finally let her move on to *gasp* razors.
And it really wasn't as bad as I thought.
I had visions of my own wounds from years past. I have had some lovely shaving-related injuries, which I won't elaborate on...you can thank me later. But times have changed, and the products available now are so much better.
I love that there are products specifically geared to women now. They smell fantastic and are made for the contours of our legs instead of men's faces.
The products we prefer are Venus Embrace & Satin Care Passionista Fruit shave gel. The Satin Care has a sparkling, fruity scent and is without a doubt the key to silky legs. It feels great!
And I love the Venus Embrace for Elayna. It has 5 blades for a close, comfortable shave. It also has a Ribbon of Moisture, for a smooth glide. This is so important...remember my flashbacks of shaving injuries past?? It also features a soft grip handle for great control, which also helps prevent those nicks and cuts.

So all in all, this was a good "first". She feels a little more grown-up and likes having silky smooth legs. I feel reassured that she's not going to cut herself up while getting those silky smooth legs. I'm glad these products are available now to help us get through one of many firsts in life! If you have a first-time shaver in your home, you should check out some of these great tips from Venus Embrace!

I know she's starting to pay more attention to her appearance and I want to make sure she's getting the right information from me. What are some of the ways you tackle conversations like shaving (or other "firsts") with your daughter?

Leave a comment to be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card, courtesy of BlogHer and Venus!

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 5/21 - 6/30.

Be sure to visit the Venus Brand feature page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and

find more chances to win!

Looking Good - AND Winning Money!!

Now that I am back to working full-time, and living the semi-single mom life, things can be a little crazy here. OK, a whole lot of crazy! So time for taking care of me is a rare commodity.

At the same time, I really need to take care of myself and feel good about myself. As I get older, I am becoming more aware of the importance in taking care of my skin, and I've always admitted to being a little vain about looking younger. So, I'll take all the help I can get in that department!

I am always interested in products that can help me accomplish that quickly and easily.

I was happy to recently find that in New Olay Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo.

New Olay Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo is a uniquely formulated two-step system designed to gently, yet effectively remove unwanted facial hair, leaving skin smooth, conditioned, and visibly hair free.

This gentle hair removal system contains a Skin Guarding Balm, applied before the Hair Removal Cream, that hydrates the skin to minimize irritation, redness, and other tell-tale signs associated with hair removal creams.

I have sensitive skin, and I have never been able to use hair removal creams on my face. They burned and caused irritation in the past. But the New Olay Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo is different. The Skin Guarding Balm coats your skin and prevents the Hair Removal Cream from having a harmful effect on that delicate skin.

It's extremely quick and easy; you simply smooth on the Skin Guarding Balm, then the Hair Removal Cream. In a few minutes, you remove the cream, and the hair comes along with it.

It's great to find a product that helps me look and feel good about myself and makes it so easy.

Now, here's the fun part for YOU-there's a sweepstakes!!

You can win a $50 Gift Card, courtesy of BlogHer and Olay!

To be entered for a chance to win, leave a comment telling me how your beauty routine helps you express your inner beauty.

Here are the Rules:

This sweepstakes runs from 1/3/2012 - 2/3/2012.

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

Be sure to visit the Promotions & Prizes page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

While we’re on the subject of looking good, you might want to check out the “Looking Your Best” posts in the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com. There are some great tips and expert posts!

Blog Blessings

I have been very fortunate to have received some wonderful things through the blog world. I don't enter every giveaway out there; only things that really jump out at me, or mean something to me.

Recently, I won two amazing giveaways, and received both things within the past week. These two items are both incredibly special. They aren't just a simple prize, they are both artwork. I was able to have some choice in what I received. I am SO thrilled to have both of these things in my home!

The first was a painting that I won from Mama Sick. It's by an artist named Robin Maria Pedrero. I was able to choose the print that I wanted. It was SO hard to choose! But the one that spoke to me, which will probably not surprise anyone, is called Fleurs with Black Cat. I absolutely love it.

The picture doesn't do it justice; I took it outside for better light but it was overcast. Check it out on her Etsy shop; it's really beautiful.

The other wonderful creation that I won was from Pooh's Corner. It's an owl pillow! And totally adorable. She asked me what color I liked, and of course I said purple. But I didn't expect her to personalize it the way she did! She put my blog name and tagline on it. It's a Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional owl! It is just so special to me.

It was so beautifully packaged, especially before my kids got ahold of it.

How cute is that?!

Not only is Christina from Pooh's Corner sweet and talented, she is also generous! She told me that for the next two weeks, if my blog readers order an owl from her Etsy Shop, and type in the coupon code: dysFUNction - you will get a 25% discount! The owl price is $20 and that would make it $15 plus shipping. Fantastic!!

**ETA:** There's a glitch going on right now on the Etsy page and the owls aren't showing up, so if you want to order one, you can contact Christina via email: forever1pooh@yahoo.com and/or via her PC Boutique Facebook page.

Have you received any Blog Blessings? Tell me about them!

Flyby Fragments

I have several fragments to share with you this week, so I'm going to jump right in!

#1 - Elayna's MRI was clear - no Chiari, or any other abnormalities! YAY! She does have a buildup of mucous in her sinuses, so we're going to treat that and hopefully that will help the headaches. What a HUGE relief!

#2 - I have won several awesome giveaways recently. I am having a streak of luck! I won

this awesome necklace from Robyn Rhodes via SITS. Some of y'all know that John calls me Love and is always buying me stuff that says "Love", so I am totally thrilled to have won this.

I also won a framed print from a wonderful photographer that I'll tell you all about when I receive it.

#3 -Speaking of giveaways, I am going to have a giveaway going up very soon on Southern Loving, so keep your eye out.

#4 - Elayna started a blog to display her artwork and talk about books. She also wants to do giveaways of her artwork, which I think it such a cute idea. So if you have kids, girls in particular, around the age of 10, have them check it out!

#5 - I have been reminded this week of how blessed we are to have some wonderful friends. I am so grateful for them & don't know where we'd be without them!

#6 - Alright, I'm in a rush so I'm going to end by wishing you a wonderful weekend! Check out Mrs 4444's Friday Fragments for more fragmented fun.

My Happy List

I have some ~*Happy*~ to share with you today!

So I'm joining in with Mamarazzi's Happy List.

~* I think we've found our house. I don't want to jinx anything, so I'm not going to say much....but I'm crossing everything crossable!

~* My parents invited us to go out for dinner with them tonight - their treat! This is a rare occurrence, so it definitely goes on the Happy List!

~* I won an adorable Coffee Cozy from Cream No Sugar via Mamarazzi's Taking Back Mondays. It came in the mail today (so fast!) and I just love it! Thanks, Sue & Mamarazzi!

~* One of our cats scared us very badly this week. I was certain we were going to lose her. Now - she has made a full recovery! I will post the whole story next week. But I am SO happy that she is okay!

~* I start my new job on Monday! Happy happy happy!

~* After a run of some bad luck, it seems like maybe things are turning around for us. What a relief!

~* I have a giveaway up at Southern Loving. Giveaways make everyone happy!

~* Mamarazzi makes me happy. I'm so glad I found her blog; she is one of the sweetest bloggers I've ever "met"!

Hope you have a ~*HAPPY*~ weekend!

Philly Cooking Creme Giveaway at Southern Loving

I'm giving away a Philadelphia Cooking Creme prize package over at

Southern Loving - Click here to check it out!

I'm alive, oh oh so alive....

(Anyone remember that song? You'd have to be old like me....)

It's Friday, and I'm alive! I even cleaned my house for the first time in over a week (other than the bare minimum). It was a mess; my family is a bunch of slackers!

Anyway. It has been cleaned, scrubbed, bleached, and Lysoled. I have a new toothbrush. I'm determined that I will NOT get this again and neither will anyone else in my family! RAWR!

We have a pretty nice weekend planned. The kids are home, and tomorrow the girls and I are going with my niece to order the dresses they will wear in my niece's wedding. They are bridesmaids. The girls are SO excited! Her wedding is in June.

Then on Saturday we are planning on going to a Gator baseball game. Sunday other than church, I think we will just hang around outside to enjoy this Spring weather.

Tomorrow I'll be announcing the winner of the Big G Cereals giveaway, so check back if you entered!

Does anyone watch "What Would You Do?" The episode on the OWN Network the other night literally made me cry. They had actors collapse on busy sidewalks to see if anyone would stop to help. For the most part, people walked right by as if this unconscious person lying on the sidewalk didn't exist. Finally a clearly disabled homeless woman stopped and begged people to call 911 (she didn't have a phone), and finally someone listened to her. I was appalled. I don't understand how a human being can walk by another human being lying on the ground and just ignore them. I would be so ashamed if I had done that, or if my children did that. It's so cold and unfeeling. It really, deeply upset me.

So tell me...what would YOU do?

Alright, blogosphere, that's all I've got for ya.
Visit Mrs 4444 for more Friday Fragments, and leave me a comment telling me what you have planned for this weekend! I hope it's a good one.

Here's my song for this week, appropriately enough:

Fragments of my Brain

I have a whole lot going on in my head this week, but not a lot that I can break off into fragments and leave here, unfortunately. It sure would be nice to unload it all!

This week I was struck down with a nasty cold, along with that lovely time of the month, all at once. I feel like crap. Still, I managed to do my regular mother, wife, animal caretaker, etc. duties. Do I get an award or something?

So after I wrote the post about My Journey, yet another fork has come up in the road. Well, more of an extra fork in one of the roads. Or something. Anyway. Decisions, decisions. Sigh.

This whole 'being a grownup' thing is SO overrated.

My Publix Italian Days Giveaway ends tomorrow (Saturday, 2/19/11). It's for a $25 Publix Gift Card. You gotta love that! Get your name in the hat.

Last weekend was super-busy; this weekend is totally opposite. And I'm looking forward to it. I'll probably do a whole lot of laundry and a whole lot of NOTHING. (except enjoy some fabulously warm weather!)

My cat is on the table, licking ranch dressing off of a plate.

Doesn't that just make you want to come have dinner with me?

I had a comment on my Pissy List post, asking if the commenter came up as a no-reply blogger. She did, so I went to her blog and told her that, and linked her to Mamarazzi's post explaining how to fix it. However, she came back and told me that she is a Wordpress blogger, so that explanation doesn't apply to her. Does anyone know how a Wordpress user can fix the no-reply commenter issue?

Have a great weekend, friends!

Stop by Mrs 4444's place to check out all of the other fraggers.

Christmas Crack, Christmas Cheer, Christmas Charity.....we've got it all right here.

~Friday Fragments~

It has been ridiculously cold here this week. As in, dipping down into the TWENTIES at night. It should be illegal for it to ever get this cold in Florida. It's just wrong!

There has even been talk of snow flurries next week. I am appalled.

But I am very cozy in my warm house, with my fireplace crackling. I absolutely love it! I'll be just fine....as long as I don't have to leave my house.
Here are some pictures to warm you up:

Andrew made a Christmas list this week. Andrew is 11, and apparently our talk about how Christmas was going to be very simple and minimal this year went in one ear and out the other for him.

His list consisted of these three things:

1. iPod

2. iPhone

3. iPad

iLaughed! iDon't think so! iBetter get one first!

In case you missed it, yesterday I posted a giveaway....I am spreading some Santa Magic for those of you with kids who still believe, so check it out!

My friend Shannon at The Nuthouse is doing something wonderful again this year for Christmas. For each comment she gets on this post, she will donate one non-perishable item to her local food bank. I love this! Please go over and leave her a comment for a great cause.

I posted a recipe on Southern Loving this week for Saltine Cracker Candy, which one of my Facebook friends told me she calls "Christmas Crack". I have since decided that Christmas Crack is the perfect name for this candy and that's how it shall be known in our family from here on out! This stuff is addictive. You have been warned.

And I will close with Dysfunctional Mom's song of the week. I LOVE Miranda Lambert; she is beautiful, tough and a great singer. I love chicks like her! This song is one of my favorites of hers, I love it for so many reasons! Check it out! And as always, visit Mrs 4444's for more Friday Fragments.

So Much to Say, So Many Frags

~*Friday Fragments*~

~* In case you didn't notice, I decorated my blog for the holidays. My header is all festive, my footer is a holiday message, AND....it's snowing! On my blog, that is. It's cold enough to snow here at home, too. Ugh! I thought I lived in Florida?!

~* I started decorating the house, too. I'm all done inside except for the tree, which we'll get this weekend (we always get a live one). We'll decorate outside this weekend too. This house is the biggest we've lived in, and I've decided we need more Christmas deco! I will be doing some after-Christmas stocking up for sure.

~* I almost let my kids stay up late watching TV last night - on a school night! - because I thought it was Friday. They weren't about to say anything, but I saw them exchange a weird look and then it hit me - d'uh! It's Thursday!

~* There's a great giveaway going on at I'm Living Proof that God Has a Sense of Humor. It's for a Reverse-a-Purse, and I want it! Check it out.

~* Speaking of giveaways, a while back I won a credit to have a custom piece made at Stamped Under the Moon. I just got my necklace in the mail, and I LOVE it! It is stamped with my kids' initials, which spell the word EAST in order of youngest to oldest (Elayna, Andrew, Shelbie, Timothy). I LOVE my necklace!

~* I got an award this week on my food blog, Southern Loving. I was so shocked! I am on a list with some real, GOOD food bloggers! I'm not sure how that happened, but I'll take it!

~* I am SO happy to be back to blogging regularly. I hated feeling so out of touch, and I NEED my outlet of blogging! I've been getting caught up on some of your blogs, and I've even had time to get on Twitter a little bit. I actually blogged every day this week, which is unusual for me, but I just had so much to say and had been out of the loop for so long! Thanks to all of you who stuck with me through my hit & miss blogging & visiting.

~* If you've never seen this site, check it out when no kids are around, and you're not eating so you don't (a) choke or (b) spit food all over your screen. Seriously, I have laughed myself SICK the past few nights reading this site! Hilarious! Damn You Auto Correct

~* If you are one of the people who gets upset when you see someone shorten "Christmas" to "X-mas", read this information that my friend put on Facebook. It's actually not an offensive thing!

"X-mas" originated due to the fact that "X" is the greek letter for "chi." What does "chi" mean?

You guessed it, "Christ."

So when you see "X-mas," the word Christ is still in it and the reason for season has not been forgotten!

~* Last but not least....I'm going to start ending my Friday Fragment posts with a favorite song of the week. Listen if you're interested. This one reminds me of myself & the hubby!

Visit the Fabulous Mrs 4444's for more Friday Fragments!