CLOSED! February Freebies Blog Giveaway Hop~ Win the Cook'n Recipe Software!

 

  Welcome to the February Freebies Giveaway Hop

HOSTED BY PLANET WEIDKNECHT AND GOING CRAZY!! WANNA GO??!! 

February 18-21

Each participating blogger is hosting their own giveaway, with prizes worth at least $20. Be sure to hop through the list below and visit them all to enter to win! 

PinkMama's Place is giving away~

Go HERE  to read my full review

Omg this has been a DREAM of mine and I now have it- ALL MY RECIPES in one spot.  I'm going to write up a longer review this weekend but I'm telling you, this is something everyone needs!

LOVE IT BECAUSE:

• I can save any recipe from the Internet
• It will make a grocery list for me from any recipe
• I can input how many people are eating and it will do the math for me
• It will sync to my android (also iPhone) so I have list when I go shopping
• Also sync to my iPad so I can have the recipe right there in the kitchen
• Plus its already loaded with a lot of recipes

ENTER HERE

The 10 Year Plan: My Fitness Challenge

Today I was reading "Fit Mom's For Life" book by Dustin Maher http://fitmomsforlife.com/ while outside in the sun and it just felt RIGHT!  I started a Weight Loss Challenge a couple weeks ago and the 1st week was GREAT then the 2nd week well I fell off!  I don't want to give up though!  So I got the book and read 2 chapters, my goal is to read 2 chapters a day and then blog about it.

What struck me the most is if I'm not in the right mind set then this isn't going to work.  I need to WANT this not because I want to loose weight but because I want to change my life.  Change is scary for me sometimes but I need to overcome that and look forward to what this challenge can really do for me in the long run.

Dustin writes about a 10 Year Plan- create a vision with my current negative behavior.  I took some time thinking what would my life be like in 10 years if I continue doing what I'm doing and this is what I came up with:

• Fatter
• Death knocking on my door
• Always in bed
• Grumpy with everyone
• Unhappy

Wow- really and that is the Truth!  So then I took a deep breath and imagined what I WANT from my life in 10 years 

• Healthier 
• Happy
• Wearing clothes that I love
• Being outside more
• In love with life
• Traveling more
• Owning my own business with husband

What a big difference and I won't get to where I WANT to be by doing what I'm doing now so YES I'm ready for change and I'm willing to work towards it.  

Weight Loss Challenge Struggles! Day 15

I'm going to be HONEST...I'm not sure if I was in the right Mind Frame when I started this challenge.  The book came a day before I started the challenge and yes I had looked at the eBook but did I actually READ it- NO!  I knew I needed to loose weight but was I really ready?

Yes, I changed my eating habits and have stayed within the healthy limits about 80% of the time.  I'm still not doing any goodies but I did have a soda the other day- husband brought it home for me.  Bless his heart he didn't know what to get me with my tuna on wheat sandwich.  Anyways, I been eating breakfast and sometimes drinking the water- kind of dropped off on that but I do drink water daily- that wasn't happening before.

Now the exercise- boy do I find all the excuses in the world not to this!  I don't understand either because I felt awesome after I exercised.  But life has been a bit stressful/depressing lately so I've been using that as my excuse.

I've been carrying "Fit Moms for Life" around the house with me but I haven't out right read it so my GOAL this week (starting today LOL) is to read 2 chapters a day.

Today I read 2 SUPERB Chapters that did that slap upside my head that I needed!  So my goal tomorrow is start fresh and not look back on what I haven't been doing- move forward!

Flirty Apron Giveaway~ Guest Post

Cutest Apron Ever!

The Product

The Women's Original apron from Flirty Aprons is a feminine, yet durable apron that you will enjoy over and over again. The double-layer thickness protects from spills and messes, and the apron comes in many different patterns and colors. The Original apron has long ties so you can tie it in the back or front, and it is made to fit women of all sizes. Sassy, fun, cute and even sexy

My Review

I was so excited when my package arrived from Flirty Aprons. While I'm not much of an apron-wearer, I sure need one. I am a messy cook and could use some splatter protection and fun in the kitchen. Since the word Apron makes me feel like I'm a kitchen mom, I like to call it my fabulous kitchen accessory, or FKA for short. My Pink Chocolate FKA arrived and I put it to use the same day. My husband thought I looked cute. My son couldn't wait to have his little girlfriends over so they could try it on. (Now that he's nine, he's too cool to wear girly stuff so I couldn't get him to even try it.) I love the pockets and frilly, girly pattern. It makes cooking fun! My Pink Chocolate FKA (Fabulous Kitchen Accessory) is:

• Sassy
• Fun
• Cute
• Sexy
• Practical
• Well-made. I love the double layers
• Handy (it has 2 front pockets)
• Fits the "real woman" not just model size

The only thing I didn't care for was the tie at the neck. I would have loved to be able to just slip it over my head and go. But, I can leave it tied all the time, so it's really not an issue.

The Giveaway:

One lucky winner will get to choose a FKA ($35 value) of their own! You can pick from: Pink Chocolate, Blue Chocolate, Frosted Cupcake, Chic Pink, or Scarlet Blossom apron.

Giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway starts at 9pm 2/14.

Enter on the easy Rafflecopter below. Only 13 Mandatory Entries. Lots more optional entries. Please try to follow us with Linky Follows, as it is a new tool to replace GFC. Thanks and good luck!

ENTER HERE (or below)

How to Add A Pinterest Tab to Your Facebook Page

Okay so I came across a cool post today- How to add Pinterest to your Facebook Fan Page!  Woohoo-plus it's FREE!  I love PINTEREST and if my fans can enjoy my pins right from my page than a big double WOOHOO! Oh guess what I don't have to leave FB now to look at Pinterest- I just click on my Facebook page and look around from there!  Loving this!

Simple Steps:

• Go to https://apps.facebook.com/iframehost-pin/  
• Choose which page you want the tab to be placed on
• Click on ADD
• This will take you to your PAGE then click on the Welcome Tab (blue arrow by it)
• Under "Page Source" click URL 
• Enter your Pinterest URL or any page you want to showcase on your page
• I changed the Tab Name to Pinterest (name it anything you want)
• I kept everything else as it is!  I don't like changing stuff I have no clue on, LOL! 

Here is the post I got this info from plus they have pictures:
http://agbeat.com/real-estate-technology-new-media/hack-your-way-into-a-pinterest-tab-for-your-facebook-page/

BTW my pinterest page is: http://pinterest.com/pamallen68/

Hope this helps someone :) I know I'm enjoying this plus I'm going to PIN this post!

So Sorry Whitney Houston~ You Will Be Missed

I will ALWAYS LOVE YOU Whitney! 

It's Not Right but It's Okay Whitney~ We understand this was not your fault!


I was in shock yesterday when I opened my Facebook page at 4pm on Sat Feb 11th to see yet another SUPERSTAR died.  They were sure quiet about WHY/HOW but I think we all knew why!  Hopefully, when the ME reports come back it will tell us something else besides drugs.  I'm not going to talk bad or look down on her because I think we all take a wrong road in our lives and some just get plain LOST! My heart goes out to her family and to everyone who loves this special woman!  

Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Day 10

Today I weighed myself and guess what I LOST 3 lbs (in 10 days) and I like that!  I feel so much better and turning down treats isn't bothering me anymore.  Water is still my #1 DRINK- no sodas and only 2 cups of coffee- compared to 4-5 cups.  I might not be the mommy blogger with the highest in points but I am trying and not giving up! 

I didn't exercise today because I work from 7am- 3pm and I'm on my feet pretty much that whole time running back and forth so my ole body is TIRED when I get home.  

Also I found out today it is totally hard to work at yummy breakfast cafe while on a diet.  Oh my did I want some blueberry pancakes and some bacon.  I had oatmeal for breakfast and sliced chicken-black beans-corn tortillas for lunch.  I felt very proud turning down the pastries that co-workers wanted to share with me.  I feel so good and I'm sure the exercise, change in food habits, and drinking the H20 has a lot to do with it!  

I really appreciate all the support from all the other mom's in this life changing opportunity.  

Plus I'm reading Dustin Maher "Fit Moms for Life" book and I'm learning so much.  I'll be posting a review/giveaway NEXT WEEK!  If your interested in weight loss you will need to read this book.  It has given me such a different out look on how to go about it.  I loved reading about other MOMS who did the program.  

Want to know more:

http://www.dustinmaherfitness.com and http://www.fitmomsforlife.com,

Also you can follow us on the #21MBC hashtag on twitter

Please visit  www.mommybloggerweightlosschallenge.com- if you are interested in JOINING March's Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge- email me (pamallen68@gmail.com) and I can send you info.  

I love "The Voice" show!

This show has me in TEARS when I watch- tears of joy though!  The VOICES are just amazing and so is their stories on how they got there!  I love the fact the judges can't see what they look like until they turn around or hit the buzzer to be on their TEAM.  Then the contestants get to pick from who buzzed what team they want to be on. Such a feel good show!  Next Monday is Blind Audition #3 so I will have my DVR set (hubby doesn't like shows like that.).

So far these are my TOP PICKS:
http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/gwen-sebastian/
http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/lindsey-pavao/
http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/kim-yarbrough/

LOVED HIM and so happy he got with CeeLoo!
http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/jamar-rogers/

Also this guy was a former Mickey Mouse Club star and Christina didn't recognize him until after he was done singing and Adam picked him: http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/tony-lucca/

Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge Feb 8th

Today I did the Wii Fit- 45 minutes!  Dustin's workout is AWESOME but I can't do that everyday.  I haven't been on the Wii Fit for about 2 years- lovely huh!  So it told me I gained 31 lbs and my Wii age is 59- WOW really Pam!

I forgot how much I enjoy the Wii Fit.  I first did the strength training then aerobics (love hula hoop) and finished off with yoga.  Some of the strength exercises I did very well in but aerobics I sucked!  I just need to get into that routine again.

Water is my #1 drink of choice these days.  Hubby just called and asked if I wanted McD's for lunch- Really?  I said no thank you and my Lean Cuisine pasta will do me just fine today.  I did forget breakfast today though.  Had some cleaning to do plus some computer work so went right back into my regular routine but I won't let that happen tomorrow!

I'm still at no GOODIES- which let me tell you is hard but I feel good about it.  Last night Hubby made cookies and brought them into the bedroom then asked if I wanted one.  I shook my head- no thank you and gave that WTF look.  He said he was sorry, sat right down and ate 6 cookies.

My kids are my biggest cheerleaders!

Tonight's dinner is fish, red potatoes and salad.

Read more about this challenge at : http://mommybloggerweightlosschallenge.com/   Dustin Maher is the sponsor for this wonderful workout, book, meal plan I was offered to be part of this challenge.

Also check out: http://fitmomsforlife.com/

There will be a NEW challenge in March!  Get to it!

1st Time in over 12 Years I Couldn't PAY My Rent

Wow...now I know I'm living in some hard times.  What a big slap in the face to us plus my landlord.  Ugh... I hate disappointing people too.  In all my years RENT is paid first and everything else is 2nd but this month everyone will be paid late!  Just depressing but my hubby won't let me get down and says PRAY ( if anyone else would like to pray for us- please do).

My hubby is getting garnished for the past couple months and WOW it SUCKS.  For a family who goes from pay check to check and when they take out $600-$900 a month that is a big hit for this family.  The only good thing that is coming out of this is an old bill from before we were married is almost paid off!

I picked up my check from work today and for some strange reason I was expecting more ( I think it was more wishful thinking than anything) but hey it is what it is.  I need to pick up more days or find another job.

This is a time I wish we had credit cards to help us through hard times like this but we don't because we feel if we don't have the money we don't need it.  But guess what we need a roof over our head so maybe we might want  reevaluate the "no credit card" policy.

We will be OK in a couple weeks- thanks to TAX REFUND! It will be a our little shot in the arm we need.

Now let's hope PG&E, Cable, and Car Note people understand this domino effect that is happening in our house.  Times like this I really need appreciate what we have and what we can loose.

I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer- just expressing what the heck is going on at the Allen's and this is why I love my blog.  It helps me process what is happening and do better.

I still have my smile and I'm not going to let this get me down....I promise!