Dusting of the blog & time for a life makeover

I haven’t written publically for sometime – mostly because I have been in a very black, very dark place emotionally & didn’t want to write at all, let alone share what was going on for me.

• However, yesterday two things happened; I finished reading “The Spark” by Kristine Barnett ( the true story of raising a family & changing a community, with their autistic son at the centre of the story – don’t want to give anything away!)
•  My Doctor asked that if I could choose anything to make things better & I answered “ Get away from everything for 8 weeks & not have to think”

I spent the whole evening & most of the night mulling these to things over with the feeling that, in some way, these two things were a sign, and I want to grab that sign with both hands & see where it takes us.

So…one small step at a time has never been my style – it’s time for a total life makeover, not just for me but for my family without whom, I wouldn’t want to go on.

• We have spent enough time inside a bubble; wrestling autism for our sons – aba therapy, speech therapy, one-to-one school support
•  trailing around therapy after therapy for cerebral palsy
• being held prisoner in the house by the arthritis,
• loosing time together through hospital admissions
• not treating our sons ADD because we cant afford the meds & watching him slip back in school
• not taking our own meds because we have no money & the food bank isn’t open ‘till Wednesday

This is just a snap shot & I’m sick of it.

I’m sick of living with illness, physical & mental and not being able to afford to treat it. I’m sick of worrying that we can’t afford to take the kids to the dentist, or to get them new glasses.

But most of all I’m sick of the constant feeling that I am failing them. You only have one childhood & it should be filled with wonder, excitement & exploration. You should be able to feed your passion for knowledge and fall into bed at the end of the day with a smile on your face and dream of the new things you discovered today. That is how you should spend your childhood and that is what I’m going to dedicate the next few months too.

Wee Toy Heirloom Quality Rocker Giveaway

There is something so classic and timeless about a rocking horse. They are an iconic symbol of childhood that people of all generations can relate to. Whether it’s sitting in a nursery or getting plenty of use in the playroom, a rocking horse can add a certain esthetic to the room. Wee Rock Toy Co. has put a new spin on the classic rocking horse by making them sustainably in a convenient new design. Catherine O’Sullivan and Michael Galea, founders of Wee Rock Toy Co., used their architectural training to create a classic rocking horse that has only six pieces, allowing them to be shipped flat and assembled with no tools, no glue and no hardware! These unique rockers are crafted from bamboo plywood – an ultra high quality, renewable and child-safe material. Unlike most plywood, the bamboo plywood used by Wee Rock Toy Co. uses a soy-based adhesive that emits zero VOCs and is a responsibly sourced renewable material. The bamboo parts are simply finished with a food-grade butcher-block conditioner. A huge bonus – all of these toys are cut, finished and packaged in the United States! In addition to being sustainably made in the USA, the Wee Rock Toy Co. rockers are adorable, and currently available in five designs, including a classic horse, gorilla, elephant, rhino and giraffe. See the designs here.

 

 

 

 

Each of these five designs has the same critical dimensions. The seat is 13" off the ground and the assembled toy is approximately 13" W x 33" L – making the rockers ideal for kids from ages 18-48 months. If you’ve been looking for the perfect rocker for your little one, or need a unique baby shower gift idea, be sure to check out Wee Rock Toy Co!

The Giveaway

I’m excited to share that one lucky reader will win the Wee Rock Toy Co. rocker of their choice ($300 value)! This giveaway is open to the lower 48 US states only, ages 18+ and runs through February 7, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. EST. To enter, simply complete the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

Free Blogger op - iPad Giveaway

It's a MPM Birthday Celebration Event

Hosted by Mom Powered Media

Prizes: iPad 2 with Wi-Fi 16GB in Black

Event dates: 2/4 - 3/4

This is a Free Blogger Event! Sign-up here:

 BLOGGERS WANTED

& tell them ContestPatti sent you !

We Rock Toy Co. - Free Blogger Opportunity

Attention bloggers, I have an exciting giveaway opportunity to help one of our readers start their New Year off on an eco-friendly note! The Green Moms Network has teamed up with Wee Rock Toy Co. to giveaway one of their heirloom-quality rockers ($300 value!).
Wee Rock Toy Co. Founders, Catherine O’Sullivan and Michael Galea, used their architectural training to create a classic rocking horse using sustainable materials and a unique design. Each rocker has just six parts that are shipped flat and can be assembled with no tools, no glue and no hardware!
All of their classic rockers are crafted from bamboo plywood – an ultra high quality, renewable and child-safe material. Unlike most plywood, the bamboo plywood used by Wee Rock uses a soy-based adhesive that emits zero VOCs and is a responsibly sourced renewable material. The bamboo parts are simply finished with a food-grade butcher-block conditioner. All of these toys are cut, finished and packaged in the United States!
Your readers will be thrilled with the opportunity to win their choice of one of these classic, eco-friendly rockers! (Participating bloggers may enter the giveaway as well.)
All participating bloggers will receive one free link on the Rafflecopter form in exchange for posting and promoting the giveaway! Free option includes your choice of Twitter or Pinterest (additional links are available for purchase). The giveaway is open to US only. There will also be a referral prize for the blogger who refers the most signups!

Sign Up Here

Seeing Double! Keurig Vue V700 Contest

Seeing Double! Keurig Vue V700 Event

Hosted by Mom To Bed by 8 and Donna’s Deals and More

Brew with a Vue. Keurig has done it again with an entirely new brewing system that gives you more of the tasty beverages you love, exactly the way you want them. Now, you can decide how strong you want your coffee to taste and how hot, no matter how big or small your cup is! From creamy hot chocolate to delicious iced teas and frothy cafe beverages, the Keurig Vue V700 delivers the size, strength, and consistency you love, with every single-serving.

Still deliciously simple. At just the touch of a button, Keurig's revolutionary Custom Brew Technology adjusts water pressure, timing, and airflow to deliver the perfect cup of coffee or tea every time. You'll love the Vue's quiet operation and shortened steep time, as it whips up cafe-quality treats in a matter of minutes. Plus, there's no grinding beans, measuring, or cleanup needed--just add water and enjoy.

Countertop coffee shop. With the Keurig Vue system, you get the single-serve brewer with interactive touchscreen display, 66 Vue packs and a water filtration kit. And, for your convenience, it comes with two 16-oz iced coffee tumblers to get you started right out of the box.

Well, if that isn't the pot calling the Keurig fabulous!

• Includes Keurig V700 Vue Brewer, 10 Variety Vue packs, 12 travel-sized Breakfast Vue packs, 12 Vue House Blend Vue packs, 16 Donut Shop Vue packs, 16 Celestial Iced Tea Vue packs, two 16-oz tumblers, and a water filter kit
• Variety pack includes one each of Gloria Jean Hazelnut Coffee, Timothy's Decaf, Tully's French Roast, Celestial Seasoning Southern Sweet Tea, Green Mountain Breakfast Blend travel-sized, Celestial Seasoning Sleepytime, Barista Prima Italian Roast, Cafe Escape Milk Chocolate, GMC Nantucket Blend, and Donut Shop
• Tumblers: plastic/acrylic construction
• Colored touchscreen user interface
• Eight brew sizes: 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz, 14 oz, 16 oz, and 18 oz
• 74-oz water reservoir
• Brew coffee from 187F to 197F
• Strength selection for stronger flavor
• Removable drip tray with adjustable plate
• Vue packs are #5 recyclable plastic

One winner will receive a Keurig Vue V700 + K-Cups!

Giveaway ends January 20th at 11:59pm, open to US & Canada, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

Special thank you to our co-hosts: Penny Auctions Canada, Homeschooling Mom 4 Two, Simply Sherryl, The Dragyn's Lair, Spend With Pennies, Sparkles and a Stove, Freebie Spot, The Frugal Batavian, Cherished Handmade Treasures, Iowa Mom, Just Davey and Me, My Four Littles, Down South Savings, Powered By Mom and Baby Costcutters!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. The World of ContestPatti is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact Mom Powered Media with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!