100 Followers and 2 will WIN

****This Contest is CLOSED. Thanks for all your participation.****

Made it to 100! Yay! You still have time to win. Drawing is Aug. 2nd, 11:59 pm CST.

******SPECIAL NOTE: For those of you entering the contests, make sure you enter on both blogs. They are SEPARATE contests so you are eligible to win 2 prizes per blog and one on my company website.**********

That's right! I am finally getting close to the 100th follower and I am celebrating with a giveaway!

Here's the plan, once I reach 100 followers, you will be eligible to win one of these:



Look close! That's a candle! I will be giving away one of my Strawberry Cream Pie candles! They look and smell DELICIOUS!

This fabulous candle is one of many that I sell. Haven't heard of my business, SERENE MOMENTS?

Hello, and Welcome to SERENE MOMENTS!

Serene Moments is a line of all natural Candles, Bath and Body, and, recently added, Mineral Makeup.

The Candles are made with vegetable and soy waxes which makes them safe for the environment and nearly 100% Soot-Free. The candle will burn to the bottom, leaving only the metal ring from the wick. Each jar candle will burn up to 120 hours and each votive has a burn time up to 18 hours (each depends on your home conditions). An amazing feature of these candles is that, if spilled, they can be cleaned up with Soap and Water!

I offer an array of scents, approximately 100 and counting, and a new scent is added each month.

The Bath and Body products are all natural as well. We offer a Hand and Foot Lotion, Foaming Hand Wash and, the best bath product of all, the Cleansing Bar. The Cleansing Bar is so pure and natural that it is perfect for your Body and your HAIR. It is perfect for all skin types, has natural moisturizers and key ingredients to repair collagen and restore elasticity to your skin. It is perfect for those who endure dry, scaley skin and will help those suffering from eczema, psoriasis, dandruff and other skin conditions.



The Mineral Makeup is, of course, made up of all natural ingredients. It is a top of the line makeup, such as those that you see on television, however; it is much cheaper.

Each of my products can be viewed at my website: SERENE MOMENTS and can be purchased online or directly through me, which will eliminate your shipping and handling fees.

Make sure you visit this post with the Discontinued Scents. This are limited quantities, but huge discounts.

Again, I am so proud of my new friends I have found here. I wish I could give all of you something for being there for me and hanging out, but the shipping costs would kill me!

The Specifics:

I am looking for the 100th follower. Once I reach that, I am going to pick someone to win a Strawberry Cream Pie Candle. I will give everyone time to sign up but a winner will not be chosen until I hit 100. I need 12 followers to reach that goal so I will give it until August 2nd at 11:59 CST.


Main Entry:

To be eligible, just tell me your favorite candle scent.

2nd Entry:
Go to SERENE MOMENTS and enter the weekly candle drawing. You will be entered there, PLUS I will draw another winner from those entries. Just click on the jar candle that says "Free Drawing".
**Don't panic when you see the boxes at the bottom of the entry form, if they do not fit your needs, just ignore them.**

Don't forget, this contest is also going on at my "Relax and Enjoy all your Serene Moments" blog, so you can win another prize there, however you can only enter the weekly candle drawing once. I will only accept one entry for it in regards to this giveaway. (I do encourage you to enter the website drawing weekly to win. We draw each Monday.)

Top 10 Reasons I am Excited to Stay Home with My Family this Coming Weekend

Who needs BlogHer, really, when I can stay home and ENJOY:

10. The most perfect weather for July, with temps hovering just around 90 degrees.

9. A full weekend playing with my brindle boxer, Tiger. He loves me so much!

8. A whole weekend without housework. I'm all caught up.

7. Couch time with my sweetie, Ollie. (see #1)

6. Hanging with friends of ours we haven't seen since last summer!

5. Quiet time in the country. (see #1)

4. Morning coffee while sitting on the deck in the country with my sweetie. (see #1)

3. Long nights, snuggled up with my sweetie. (see #1)

2. I am spending 4 days at the river with my SWEETIE. (see #1)

And, my Number 1 Reason why I am EXCITED to Stay Home with my Family this coming weekend:

My sweetie, Ollie, is coming home! Yay! I haven't see him in a month and will only see him one weekend a month for the next 9 months or so, until he completes this job in NEBRASKA. So, you can have your party at BlogHer because I have MY BABY! Which, by the way, I can give at LEAST 10 more reasons for staying home, but this is a site for family!

Please, leave me your comments. I am trying for a $100 Cozi sponsorship and it is based on comments received between now and July 27th. THANK YOU!

Special Post from Make-A-Wish: I am Honored

"Tribute Tuesday: Charity Begins With You" - with a twist.

I am so honored to bring this post to you today. This past May, I posted about the Stirring Up Wishes Campaign in which Betty Crocker, in conjunction with Make-A-Wish, began the "12 Wishes in 12 Weeks" campaign to raise funds for Make-A-Wish. They issued a challenge to local chapters to "compete" in raising funds. In my post, I added a link to Make-A-Wish so my followers could go to their website and look around, purchase their items or make a donation.

Two days ago, I received an e-mail from Megan at Make-A-Wish. She had seen the post and, in addition to a very kind "Thank You", she asked if I would like to post the results of their "12 Wishes in 12 Weeks" campaign. Of course, I agreed.

Please take a look and I want to reach out to each of you and ask that you take the time to give of yourself. It doesn't have to be money. Organizations such as Make-A-Wish need volunteers and word-of-mouth, as well as funding. If you are in a position to where you can, please make a donation to this fabulous cause. Also, look at their new campaigns for the summer: "Summer of 5000 Wishes" and "Destination Joy".

Make-A-Wish and Betty Crocker Stirring Up Wishes Campaign Results:

We want to commend all Make-A-Wish® chapters for their efforts to grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions, and thanks to the support of the Stirring Up Wishes™ program, we are pleased to announce the 12 Make-A-Wish chapters that will receive funding for a wish to be granted for a Make-A-Wish kid in their community.

It garnered 146,000 votes (people could vote once per day for their chapter) and the 12 winning chapters are listed below:


1. Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Orange County & Inland Empire

2. Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Greater Bay Area

3. Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Mid-South

4. Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Michigan

5. Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Utah

6. Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Wisconsin

7. Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Iowa

8. Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Suffolk County, NY, Inc.

9. Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire

10. Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Tri-Counties

11. Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee

12. Make-A-Wish Foundation® of East Tennessee

Yoplait Thick and Creamy Review with Giveaway for Two

****This Giveaway is Closed! Congrats Stacy the Cool Chick and Joy at The Insane Writer! Thanks everyone for participating!****



Recently, I was contacted by My Blog Spark and offered the opportunity to try out a Yoplait® Thick & Creamy® product. I was sent this fabulous gift basket, shown above, of course, it actually contained a coupon for the yogurt. This was my "Thank You" to review their product. Isn't it gorgeous. You should see it in person. Really nice.



What They Say

The name says it all. In fact, Yoplait Thick & Creamy offers such an extra-thick texture that you can actually write in it with a toothpick and it will hold the design! Take a look at the photo we included above - feel free to try it out yourself and draw whatever you'd like in your yogurt cup.

Yoplait® Thick & Creamy® is extra-thick and super-creamy for a deliciously rich taste.



Flavor List
Blackberry Harvest
Key Lime Pie
Peaches 'N Cream
Royal Raspberry
Strawberry
Strawberry Banana
Vanilla

Yoplait® Light Thick & Creamy is extra-thick and super-creamy for a deliciously rich taste with only 100 calories and is fat free!



Flavor List
Cherry Cobbler
Cinnamon Roll
French Vanilla
Key Lime Pie
Lemon Meringue
Mixed Berry
Orange Crème
Peaches and Cream
Strawberry

Yoplait®, the only leading yogurt with vitamin D in every cup!

My Review

I have to admit, for years you couldn't get me to try yogurt. There just wasn't any way in this world I was going to do it. Well, a few years back, I had a taste bud change. What a different world it is. I eat tons of stuff that I would not touch before and I actually own a yogurt maker which is fabulous.

Anyway, after getting my gift basket today with my coupon, I went out to the store and grabbed me one. I was really hoping to get the light version, but my store was out.

I will stop there and tell you, if you are watching your diet, do not get the regular. A 6 oz Yoplait® Thick & Creamy® has 180 calories, 31 grams of carbohydrates.... not for a diet at all. It does have 7 grams of protein, so that's good.

It is my understanding that the Yoplait® Light Thick & Creamy® is about 100 calories. Significant difference.

I opted to grab the strawberry flavored Yoplait® Thick & Creamy®. I opened it up and it was a firm, "non-jiggly" texture. A light pink color (not that the color really matters, but you get it anyway).

I dipped me out a spoonful and it was as the name says, thick. It reminded me of the filling on a chilled, boxed cheesecake.

My first bite: NICE! It was so creamy. It has such a nice texture and fullness to it. I liked that. Now, Yoplait® Thick & Creamy® does not have fruit pieces in it, but has enough flavoring to give you the taste without being overbearing. I did not experience an after taste or that yucky film that you sometimes get from yogurt. I truly enjoyed eating it and I honestly think that I prefer it over regular yogurt. It has so many wonderful flavors, too (listed above).

Who Wants To Win?



Yoplait is generously offering 2 of my readers one of these great gift baskets which contains a coupon for a Yoplait Thick and Creamy Yogurt, a pink and white Yoplait pen, and a Pinwheel Floral Stationery Set, boxed notecards and sticky notes. This is not a cheap, flimsy set. I love it.

As with all contests, you must make sure that I can find you if you win, so if you are not a blogger with a link back, leave me a twitter ID, e-mail, phone number...something so I can find you.

This contest will run until July 26th at 11:59 CST. Good luck!

Main Entry:

Tell me, outside of writing posts for your blog, what is your favorite writing? Are you adventurous and writing books, poetry, articles...? Maybe, if it's beyond the 140 characters of twitter, you just don't get involved. What?

Extra Entries:
Please leave a comment for each entry.

(1) Follow my blog
(2) Follow me on twitter: @SereneMoments
(3) Grab my button
(4) Tweet about this giveaway with @SereneMoments in it so I can find you.
(5) Enter one or more of my other 7 giveaways, found here, leave a comment telling me which one(s)

Tribute Tuesday: Charity Begins With You - It's about AWARENESS

Tribute Tuesday is to honor charities, charitable groups and those who go above and beyond for their charities.


I wanted to stress the "HONOR" in the above statement. I have noticed a low to no comment response on these posts and I want to stress to you that I am not soliciting money for these charities and this post is not "designed" for that. This is an "awareness" post to let you know what charities and charitable groups are out there, what they are doing and why they are doing it. Yes, they will take donations, obviously, but, please, don't "stay away" because of misconceptions. I'll share with you then, now or later, if this charity or charitable group "fits your needs", you'll know where to go and what to do.



For those of you who know me, you know that I spend a lot of time on twitter. Through twitter, I have met most of my "nominees" for "Tribute Tuesday". I watch their posts, determine what the "cause" is doing, make sure it is legit and then contact the spokesperson with a request to be featured here. This week's "Tribute Tuesday" really fascinated me and, I must say, I had to really "eyeball" it. I just couldn't wrap my mind around it. I had heard mention of something similar, but, again, just didn't understand how it'd work.

I introduce you to Cars4Causes:



Cars4Causes

If you can donate it, we can make it work!

Cars 4 Causes® was formed on the idea that kids deserve extra money to fund tutoring programs. Kids deserve all the help they can get. We have been growing the idea ever since. Once we started funding educational programs, other charities began asking us why can't you fund this, or help with that?

Answer: We can!

Cars 4 Causes® , to date, has donated over 20 Million dollars to over a million charities and is still going strong. In addition, we also give away our very best cars to people in need through other charities. In today’s economy, there is a great need, and a waiting list for these give-a-way cars.

"I have to say when I was a Cars 4 Causes® employee,(before becoming their SM consultant), I loved the give-a-way days the best. Seeing the recipient of a car come through the office, sometimes receiving a grateful hug, and watching them drive into their future knowing I had, in some small way, improved their life and circumstances made me so happy. Having a reliable car makes life so much easier."

The cars we don’t give are refurbished and sold as affordable transportation, and a percentage of the sale is then given to charity or recycled and taken off the road. Many thousands of gross polluters and gas guzzlers are taken off America’s roads each year thanks to Cars4Causes.

"I feel good about this from an Earth-friendly perspective."

How YOU Can Help

Everyone has a car, don't they? What is the best way to fund your favorite charity? Donate your car!

"The coolest thing about Cars 4 Causes® (I think)is that they first of all, gave me a job, and second, gave a way for EVERYONE to help their favorite cause with a big-ticket donation."

The donor who donates to Cars 4 Causes® also gets a tax write off from the IRS for their efforts. This year’s Stimulus bill may also provide an additional write-off as well.

"I have been affiliated with Cars 4 Causes® for nearly 4 years. Where I used to live in Southern CA , the name was already familiar to me. I was very excited to work for them because I just liked the idea of a family run, non-profit, whose mission was to help other charities raise funds. I began taking donations from the 800 line, and eventually began to train new employees and assist the Operations Coordinator with Best Practices and improving the process for the donor. We have truly tried to make the donation process easy for the donor and, as our many repeat donations and word of mouth referrals will attest, have largely succeeded. I was promoted to Supervisor of the Donations Dept. until I was asked to take over writing blogs, and all things SM for the charity. Being a writer in my “other” life, I jumped at the chance and spent several months doing this work, which I loved, until my hubby and I made the choice to “retire” in Oregon at the end of 2008. I asked the President of Cars 4 Causes®, Patti Kennedy, to think of a job I could do from my living room, in the snow, and she and her Board came up with my current position as Social Media Consultant and off-site Tweeter! I love talking about the good you can do by donating to Cars 4 Causes®. They are an honest, philanthropic group, whose only focus is to get more money to the charities they serve."

We believe that charity does begin with you. Each person has to make that choice.

There are several reasons that people donate to us: To help a certain cause, to get a tax break, or simply, to get that eyesore off their driveway. Once that choice is made, there are far-reaching implications that the donor often is not even aware of.

That car they have decided wasn’t worth fixing could end up being the one thing that makes employment possible for someone. It could mean that someone has access to medical care or educational opportunities they just didn’t have before they were mobile. The car that is donated could be the turning point in someone’s life.

In one case; a donated van meant to raise funds for a local community center ended up being given to a burn center hospital and sent to the war zone in Afghanistan to transport wounded soldiers and children for medical treatment. What an impact that donation made! There are many such stories. I hope you read this and think again how a car donation can help. Just making the decision opens a whole world of possibilities.


Our Exec Director Ms. Pat Jessup and Representative of Grossman Burn Center with the Afghanistan van.



Thanks so much to Lagean for asking me to write this post. I appreciate the opportunity to inspire people to give more. I feel that is my mission in life. I also work with Charity Development as their SM Consultant.

You can follow me on Twitter at @cars4causes or @charitydev.

My email is vcurtis@cars4causes.net, to donate a vehicle, truck, boat, motorcycle or RV: http://www.cars4causes.net

Cars 4 Causes ® Car Donation

Mr. Linky is here if you would like to post a link to your own Tribute Tuesday or you may also nominate the charities of your choice by giving me their link, once done, enter a comment telling me that you nominated them and give me your contact information. I will then contact them, collect the information needed and feature them. I will place links to your blog and let people know that you are the one honoring them.

Giveaways Galore

***Sneaking in to add another: Yoplait Thick and Creamy - 2 will win a fabulous stationery set, note cards and sticky notes in a Pinwheel Floral design (turquoise and yellow). Nice!***

Hello, my blogger and twitter friends! Thanks for stopping by for all the fun! I am so excited to have so many giveaways to offer you this week.

I want to make this easy for you, so, no scrolling, just click on the giveaway you're interested in and it'll take you right there.

If you are wanting to add PR to your blog or if you're interested in expanding what you have, go to SheBlogs and sign up. Please, let them know that I sent you. Each person signing up is entered in a giveaway. They are a new company and they will kick off very soon. Get your name in there now!

Also, UPrinting is looking for new blogs to add to their program. They have a lot of activities and giveaways for you and your followers.

Now to the GIVEAWAYS:

***CLOSED*** Minute Rice Giveaway: 4 winners to be chosen

Wii Fit With #Kidsweigh: Big Site Warming Party on twitter, Friday, July 10th

IPhone 3G Giveaway

Tupperware's Chain of Confidence Contest

CookieKids.com Laptop Giveaway

***CLOSED*** Cowgirl Mug Giveaway

***CLOSED*** There is also a giveaway posted on my "Relax and Enjoy all your Serene Moments".

Minute Rice Giveaway

**This Giveaway is CLOSED.**

About Our Rice:

Have you ever wondered where Minute® Rice comes from?

All of the Minute instant rice products including Whole Grain Brown Rice, White Rice, Boil-in-Bag White Rice, and Premium Rice are "Grown in the USA".

Minute Rice brings you quality rice products from the American farmer.


Have you experienced the whole grain goodness of Minute Rice's Brown Rice?

Brown Rice

Naturally wholesome, with a rich nutty taste, Minute Brown Rice is a precooked natural parboiled whole grain brown rice. In just 10 minutes, Minute Brown Rice can be a part of a healthier diet and lifestyle. This long grain precooked brown rice offers the same nutritional values as regular cooking brown rice, but cooks in just 1/4 of the time. Be sure to explore our recipe collection to discover new ways that Minute Brown Rice can help you create healthy, satisfying meals in minutes.

Eating healthy just got a whole lot easier.

How would you like a chance to win? Minute Rice has given me (4) boxes of Brown Rice to give to my followers. So, I am going to choose (4) winners to give them to. The contest will run until 11:59 CST on July 18th. You must have a link back to you or an e-mail address included in your entry for me to locate you when you win.

Main Entry:

Minute Rice wants to hear about your favorite dish using their products. (Just give the name or short version, please)

Extra Entries:

(1) Follow @Minute_Rice on twitter. They love communicating with their customers and sharing their products.

(2) Follow my blog.

(3) Check out SheBlogs Sign up for their PR network, tell them I sent you, then come back and tell me.

(4) Grab my Button. Tell me where you have it.

(5) Follow me on twitter: @SereneMoments and tweet about this giveaway, include @SereneMoments

Okay, I think that will get it. Good luck!

Win a Wii Fit with #KidsWeigh

With childhood obesity reaching an all time high across the country, many parents struggle with how to help their children maintain a healthy weight with proper nutrition.

How do you break that "cycle" of bad eating choices and, what I call, "lazyitis"? Well, there is hope, let me show you how:

Dr. Joanna Dolgoff, the official doctor of Camp Shane and a board certified pediatrician, has created Dr. Dolgoff's Weigh, a traffic-light system that allows kids to learn which foods are healthiest without counting calories. To spread the word about her site and program, Dr. Weigh, is sponsoring a Wii Fit contest to help you get your family up and moving this summer!


To Enter:

To enter to win the #KidsWeigh Wii Fit contest, check out client testimonials and fabulous Dr. Weigh success stories then fill out this secure contest form telling us which story was your favorite!

Form: http://tinyurl.com/kidsweighcontest

One grand prize winner will receive a Wii Fit. Two runners-up will receive a free one month membership to Dr. Weigh. This contest ends Friday, July 24th at 11:59 a.m. ET. and is brought to you by Momfluence.

Wait.......it doesn't end there!

Want a chance to speak with Dr. Dolgoff about your nutritional questions and win more prizes?

That's Right! Ten SiteWarming Party winners will receive gift cards to eat fresh at Subway! One SiteWarming Grand Prize winner will win one free month of membership to Dr. Weigh.


Join her Friday, July 10th at 9 p.m. ET on Twitter for her #KidsWeigh discussion. Door prizes will be awarded.

To RSVP and for more information go to: Resourceful Mommy. Make sure you take the time to participate in all the extra entries, too.


One grand prize winner will receive a Wii Fit. Two runners-up will receive a free one month membership to Dr. Weigh. This contest ends Friday, July 24th at 11:59 a.m. ET. and is brought to you by Momfluence.

Win an iPhone 3G from Packetel

Have you ever said the wrong thing to a client? Have you ever been caught not paying attention on the line? Have your kids screamed something crazy during a call...

If so - Packetel wants to hear about it!

If not - try out Packetel's Web Conferencing services FREE for 30-days and tell us about your experience!

Packetel Turbo Meeting makes web conferencing simple and easy to do. Here are just a few of their web conferencing features:

* Share screens/desktops with multiple participants
* Assign and acknowledge meeting roles of presenter and controller of keyboard/mouse
* Allow an unlimited number of users to host a web conference
* Schedule meetings and webinars
* Hold ad hoc meetings and webinars and use verbal meeting invitations without resorting to e-mail
* Integrate with Outlook for sending e-mail invitations
* Optimized for different internet connection speeds ranging from broadband to 28KB dial-up
* Annotation over the entire screen/desktop
* Whiteboard and chat functionalities


Win an iPhone for my misdeed on a conference call? Yes! Here's how you can win:

1. Fill out the form below, including your blooper story
OR
2. Try out Packetel's Web Conferencing Service for FREE for 30 days, fill out the form including your experience with the server

Entry form: http://cli.gs/PsvX9W

Bonus Entries! After you've completed 1 or 2 above and filled out the form you can also...

- Blog about Packetel's Online Fax Service and link the text "packetel's web conference service" to: http://www.packetel.com/web-conferencing-turbo-meeting-main.asp

- Become a Fan of Packetel at their Brand New Facebook Fan Page here: http://facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=121265230239#

Contest ends 7/31/09 at 11:59 AM ET. This contest brought to you courtesy of the Momfluence network.

Tupperware's Chain of Confidence Challenge - Contest

TUPPERWARE'S CHAIN OF CONFIDENCE CHALLENGE, A PAY-IT-FORWARD CONTEST

Share your story of inspiration, nominate a friend who has empowered you to be more confident

Tupperware is proud to kick-off the Chain of Confidence Challenge, a ‘pay-it-forward’ contest which invites you to share your story of inspiration on ChainofConfidence.com by nominating a friend, relative, or member of the Tupperware community, who has empowered you through an act of kindness.

Three winners will receive $5,000 to donate to the charity of their choice.

The Chain of Confidence challenge is part of a larger global campaign celebrating the powerful bonds of female friendships and the rewards that come with self-confidence. Through Chain of Confidence and partnerships with likeminded organizations around the world, Tupperware continues to build on its 60-year commitment to enlighten, educate and empower women.

As part of Chain of Confidence, Tupperware re-established the SMART Girls program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, with a donation of over $1.5 million dollars. This program is dedicated to promoting confidence and healthy lifestyles for young girls, and ensures the next generation of women is given the same chance at confidence.

ABOUT THE CHAIN OF CONFIDENCE CHALLENGE

The Chain of Confidence Challenge kicks off on May 14 and runs through August 14. You can enter two categories:

(1) How has a Friend/Relative inspired you through their acts of kindness?
(2)How has a Tupperware Consultant/Director inspired you through their acts of kindness?

TO ENTER - Visit ChainofConfidence.com and submit an essay about how your friend, relative or fellow Tupperware Consultant ("nominee") has inspired you in 1,500 characters or less. You may also submit with your entry, optional photograph(s) of your nominee only and/or an optional video depicting your entry.

WINNERS - Three winners will be announced, one for each category and one ‘Viewers Choice’ winner will be chosen by votes on ChainofConfidence.com. A $5000 donation will be given in each winner’s name to a selected charity. Each winning pair (nominator and nominee) receives a Tupperware gift card valued at $1,000.

Blog Sponsorship - You're Invited

I'd like to take a minute and tell you about my blog sponsor, UPrinting. They are such a fun and exciting group to work with. There are so many opportunities with UPrinting. They sponsor contests and giveaways, not only to my followers, but for those they sponsor in appreciation of the work they do for them.

I really enjoy working with them and ....psst....I've even made a little money. That's always nice. So, take the time and read their information. See if their program fits with you needs. I think you'll be pleasantly suprised.


Why UPrinting.com isn't your average printing company:

Blog Sponsorships:

If you are looking to find a sponsor for your blog, UPrinting.com is definitely interested. We offer giveaways, advertising and more for qualified bloggers.

Non-Profit Sponsorships:

The U-Community Program sponsors hundreds of non-profits and education to improve our local communities.

Social Justice Projects:

The UPrinting Kiva account promotes small business growth in developing countries.

Green Printing:

UPrinting supports a sustainable future by recycling, using non-toxic inks, and offering eco-friendly recycled paper stocks for business cards and postcard printing.

CookiesKids.com Laptop Giveaway Sweepstakes

Is your current computer stalling and giving you blue screen nightmares?

Would you love to be able to have one that the kids could use (alas staying off of yours)?

CookiesKids.com feels your pain and has come to your rescue!

Sign up to receive the Cookies Kids Newsletter via email and you're automatically entered to win one of 4 brand new laptops!!

Simply fill out the form to be entered into our Laptop Giveaway Sweepstakes. Please be sure to read the Giveaway Sweepstakes "Terms and Conditions" before entering your information into this form!

Contest ends 9/30/09 at 11:59 AM ET. This contest brought to you courtesy of the Momfluence network.

Tribute Tuesday: Charity Begins With You

Tribute Tuesday is to honor charities, charitable groups and those who go above and beyond for their charities.


Today's "Tribute Tuesday" is nominated by Michelle at My Life on the XYZ List. Thanks so much, Michelle.



Project Linus: Who We Are

Project Linus National Headquarters is located in Bloomington, Illinois. National President Carol Babbitt and Vice President Mary Balagna direct and orchestrate the activities of Project Linus chapters located across the United States. Both have been involved with the organization since late 1998, as chapter coordinators and now as directors and officers. They also maintain a very busy Central Illinois chapter, donating an average of 350 blankets every month to local children. With chapters in all 50 states, Project Linus continues to grow. Blankets are collected locally and distributed to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, or anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug.

“I am extremely pleased by the outpouring of support Project Linus has enjoyed.” states Babbitt. “The comfort brought to a child by a Project Linus security blanket should not be underestimated. Thanks to our many blanketeers and our chapter coordinators, millions of children and their families have been given comfort and security at a time when they need it most. In addition, blanketeers are given an opportunity to use their talents and abilities in most rewarding way.”

Rarely a month goes by that Project Linus isn’t featured in a national magazine or program. Parade, People, Reader’s Digest, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, Quiltmaker, Quilters Newsletter, Guidepost, Parents Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day and many others have helped to spur interest. You may have seen or heard segments about Project Linus on the NBC Nightly News, Today Show, Oprah, and The Glenn Beck Program.

The Project Linus Mission

Project Linus is comprised of hundreds of local chapters and thousands of volunteers across the United States. Each volunteer and local chapter all work together to help us achieve our mission statement, which states:

First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”

Second, it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.

Together we have distributed over three million blankets to children in need since our inception in 1995.




Mr. Linky is here if you would like to post a link to your own Tribute Tuesday or you may also nominate the charities of your choice by giving me their link, once done, enter a comment telling me that you nominated them and give me your contact information. I will then contact them, collect the information needed and feature them. I will place links to your blog and let people know that you are the one honoring them.

Chex Mix Winners

Thank you all for entering my contest for the Chex Mix Turtle Bars. All 3 winners have been chosen and have accepted their prizes:

Gypsy Fox at Gypsy Fox
Mandala Michelle at My Life on the XYZ List
Robin at Cold Pizza for Breakfast

Congratulations, ladies!

Scroll to the next post and enter to win the fabulous Cowgirl Art Mug and visit "Relax and Enjoy all your Serene Moments" for the second chance at another fabulous mug from them, as well.

Cowgirl Mug Giveaway II

***This Giveaway is CLOSED.***

This giveaway has been extended until July 19th at 11:59 CST. Thanks!



Meet Winston. He is the creative mind and owner of Lone Wolf Media Cowgirl Art.



"Ever since I was very young, I have always been drawing something. Seeing pictures in books, or watching a movie would cause me to grab a pencil and paper and start scribbling out my own version of what I had seen. Encouraged by my parents, especially my Mom, I continued to explore the world of art. Although I have never had any formal art training, I have devoured quite a few art, drawing, and anatomy books. Now, at age twenty-six, and after much experimentation and practice, I have finally settled into what I think is a unique illustrative style. My major inspirations have been the works of Norman Rockwell, popular art of the twentieth century, and vintage advertising art of the early to mid-twentieth century. So, from my home studio in my native state of Texas, I want to thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoy my work!"



Winston's Cowgirl designs are placed on mugs, apparel, and totes, among other things. He also uses his creativity to do commission work.

You can contact Winston on twitter: @lonewolfmedia, on MySpace or at Zazzle.

Winston has agreed to share his work with two of my followers by giving away two (2) of his beautiful coffee mugs. One, pictured below, is being given away here and the other can be found at my "Relax and Enjoy all your Serene Moments" blog.


This contest is open to all residents of the U.S. and Canada. All entries must have a link that can be followed to them or you must leave an e-mail address to be contacted at in the event of their winning. Leave a seperate comment for each entry.

Contest will run until July 12th at midnight CST.

Main Entry:

This entry must be completed in order to qualify for the giveaway. Head on over to Winston's Zazzle page and tell me your favorite item.

Extra Entries:

(1) Follow Winston on twitter: @lonewolfmedia

(2) Follow me on twitter: @SereneMoments and tweet this giveaway. Include @SereneMoments so I can find it.

(3) Follow my blog.

(4) Grab my new button.

Thanks to you all and Good luck!