LIFE: Insure Your Love Picture Mosaic

Are you like me, procrastination queen of planning for insurance and other key financial arrangements? I am taking a careful review of our family's situation this month to feel some piece of mind and more in control over these vital details...especially as we move towards plans for the kids' education and our retirement - hey, the future is now!

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to think about protecting the most important people in our lives. The nonprofit LIFE Foundation sponsors Life Insurance Awareness Month in response to the growing problem of too many families not having adequate life insurance protection. According to the industry research group LIMRA, 11 million U.S. households with children under age 18 have no coverage. Those families are just one illness or accident away from a financial crisis, and something needs to be done about it. That's why LIFE has created the "Insure Your Love Picture Mosaic" in support of Life Insurance Awareness Month.

The "Insure Your Love Picture Mosaic" is designed to recognize and celebrate those who have made the responsible decision to protect their loved ones by owning life insurance, while also introducing them to a larger community of others who have made the same choice. People are encouraged to upload up to 20 photos of their loved ones, whose financial future has been safeguarded by their decision to purchase life insurance.

I've uploaded some of our family photos to include myself, hubs, the kids, Pekinese Preston and our parents in honor of their excellent example. By adding your photos to the mosaic, you will also be helping out a great cause. For each photo uploaded, $1 will be donated to the LIFE Lessons Scholarship Program, which provides tuition assistance to students who have lost a parent and are struggling to achieve their dream of a college education.

Here are the details on how to upload your photos (up to 20) to the mosaic, which can be done through the LIFE Foundation's Facebook fan page, located at www.facebook.com/lifehappens.org.

I received a gift card as part of a promotional program with the LIFE Foundation and MomSelect.

BlogHer10 Swag Hits!

Mom Bloggers gathered in mass recently at the BlogHer10 in metro NYC! Can't wait for BlogHer11 in San Diego-I'm already getting my tickets!

Such great learning and networking opportunity abounded, and some awesome social times...including Swag Suites for enjoy sampling and connecting with vendors/sponsors. Some great finds at the MomSelect Swag Suite, including:

Ionators by Activeion- raffle prize
Safe Bedding and Crib Gear from SootheTime
HEXBUG Nanos
The Daily Portrait by Milson Road- raffle prize
CharcoCaps®
Pedia-Lax® Fiber Gummies
Cystex® Liquid Cranberry Complex
KinokoTM AHCC®
Softlips®
PediaCare®
Temple Touch Thermometers
Zippity Doo's Lice Prevention Hair Care products
BioGaia samples
BNatal samples
Boogie Wipes/Achooz
Charlie Banana Tote Bags
Mickey Mom's Club promotional items
Halo Sleep Sacks
Lil Miss Diva dresses- raffle prize
Mrs. Smith Diaper Bags- raffle prize
Parigi Fashions
Precious Moments books and puzzles
Webkinz Jr. Plush Toys
Extra Dessert Delights from Wrigley
ZhuZhu Pets
Zynks for Drinks
Build-a-Bear Workshop Bears

Perfect collection of products and services to help busy moms like us! The Build-a-Bear, Zhu Zhu Pets, Webkinz, HEXBUG nanos, and Precious Moments were a huge hit with everyone. Perfect for our resident toy testers! These are all going to be TOP OF THE LIST for kids this holiday season! The Precious Moments books and puzzles, as well as a new line of baby gear, are so exceptionally well made and inspirational. LOVE THESE!

The Extra Dessert Delights gum from Wrigley is such a hoot! A fun little treat without the guilt in special dessert-inspired flavors like Key Lime Pie. Highly recommend these.

Thanks again to MomSelect and the great folks at BlogHer10...can't wait til next year!

Kelly Confidential-Electrolux Summer Giveaway

I just entered the Splits for a Cause to donate $1 to help fight ovarian cancer at:
www.Kelly-Confidential.com
Read on to learn about the project and also enter my blog contest to win a $25 American Express gift card for your summer ice cream wishes as directed below:

Kelly Ripa doesn’t normally like to dish about the latest break ups. But sometimes a split can be a good thing.

In celebration of Electrolux Appliance’s new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer – that’s right, the familiar duo has split up – Kelly teamed up with the “Emperor of Ice Cream” Stephen Bruce, owner and founder of Serendipity 3, the landmark New York City restaurant and dessert spot.

The pair teamed up to make banana splits for a cause. Starting today, at www.Kelly-Confidential.com, people can build their ultimate banana split using virtual ingredients from classic whipped cream to caramel sauce to rainbow sprinkles. For each “split”, Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund as part of its $750,000 commitment to help fight ovarian cancer .

“This is the kind of split that leaves you chilled … but in a good way,” laughed Ripa. “This is a cool campaign for an even cooler cause.”

Serendipity 3’s ultimate banana split recipes are also available on the site – sure to inspire incredible ice cream confections from experts and novices alike.

“Banana splits are classic,” said Bruce. “But there are lots of ways to jazz them up. Bananas are a must…everything else is up to you!”

To encourage people to help spread the word, everyone who logs on to the site and builds a split will be automatically entered for a chance to win the daily prize – $50 towards sweet summer treats – and the grand prize: the new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer from Electrolux.

$25 American Express Gift Card Contest for your own "Ice Cream Wishes":
One randomly selected entry will receive a $25 American Express gift card via postal mail. Please comment on this blog about your own Summer Ice Cream Wish to be entered. One entry per person. US residents only. One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries received at the deadline on July 15, 2010. Please be sure to include your email address so I can contact the winner.

I received a $25 American Express gift card from MomSelect as well as an additional $25 American Express gift card to distribute as a contest prize to help facilitate my review and posting.

Thank you for reading and participating in the contest!
Good luck in your entry for the Electrolux contest as well as this blog contest.

On Demand Learning for Today's "IGeneration"

Summer time learning is at your family's fingertips using the KC Distance Learning for middle school and high school students. New options to learn which embrace today's "IGeneration" is such a valuable resource. It's perfect for those homeschooling or those needing to cover topics during a relocation transition or those facing academic challenges.

Check out www.Onlineschoolsolutions.com to learn more

KC Distance Learning offers online learning options to fit all types of students and learning situations. Once at the site, click on your state to locate the online school serving your state.

Our Florida provider is Keystone School: http://keystoneschoolonline.com

View a great demo link at the site to view the tools and technologies available to engage and enlighten at http://aventalearning.com/aventa-capabilities-demo:
* Online Learning Environment
* Communicate with instructors
* Participate in discussion with other students

As parents, we realize the importance of a quality education for our children. KC Distance Learning, Inc. is another great tool for our "tool belt" to ensure their success.

I received a $20 Target gift card from MomSelect to assist in facilitating my review.

RaceTrac FreeFills This Summer-Gift Card Contest

Summer is here, and it's HOT...HOT...HOT!!
We're already sweating it out in the car as we journey to summer camp, the beach or pool, friends' for BBQ, and planning a fun summer vacation road trip. It's hot and thirsty work/play, so I am excited to share a great deal at RaceTrac which is always on your way, no matter where!

If you're always on the go with a drink in your hand, you have to check out the new RaceTrac FreeFill Cup. Available for only $6.99 at your local RaceTrac location, this cool cup entitles you to FREE refills from their impressive fountain for the entire summer. From now until August 1st, you and your family can be sipping all of the refreshing drinks you love, without any additional charges!


Our local RaceTrac has them in red, green, blue and purple fun designs to keep you cool and refreshed throughout the summertime! Free refills of our favorite drinks are a lifesaver for my fam! Gotta love those Slushies!!!! LOL

I am hosting a contest courtesy of RaceTrac and MomSelect.
ONE WINNER WILL RECEIVE A $10 RACETRAC GIFT CARD TO PURCHASE A RACETRAC FREEFILL CUP

Just post a comment on my blog to this post about what your road trip plans may be for the summer. Contest entry deadline is June 30, 2010. One winner will be selected via random draw from all entries. One entry per person. Please provide your contact information in your post. US residents only may participate. Prize will be sent directly from MomSelect.

Good luck and thank you for participating!

I received a $10 RaceTrac gift card as well as an additional $10 RaceTrac gift card to be mailed directly to a blog contest winner to be announced to help me facilitate my review.

SmartMom Solutions Roadshow in Tampa-5/13/10!!

Only one week left until the SmartMom Solutions Roadshow in Tampa! Don't miss out on this great event- RSVP now! All moms are welcome to join!

Save The Date
May 13, 2010
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
The Ramada Tampa Westshore Inn & Conference Center
1200 North Westshore Blvd
Tampa, FL 33607

During this free two-hour event, they'll be showcasing products and brands that are designed with Moms in mind! From an innovative green cleaning device to health and wellness solutions for the whole family, you'll have the opportunity to take part in interactive demonstrations and touch and feel the products for yourself. And since prizes always liven up any party, you'll have the chance to win great items to take home!

Maria Bailey, founder of outstanding WOM Marketing force - MomSelect, will be on hand for the event in our community! I can't wait to meet her...

In addition to hearing from brands across the country, you'll also take away advice and insights from a local mom expert presentation. You can be sure there will be plenty of time left over for my favorite activity- networking and socializing!

The event is open and complimentary to all interested moms - so what are you waiting for?????

To RSVP, please contact Melanie at myerman@bsmmedia.com. Can't wait to see you there!

MomSelect sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.