Category: Uncategorized

I’m one that would much rather drive if I can than fly. There’s several reasons for that.  One reason is that it’s less expensive (generally), you get to see the change in the scenery and find those neat little shops and restaurants along the way, and you can stop whenever you want to.

I used to do traveling therapy.  I received a placement in Texas.  I’m from PA and I had never been to TX. I was very much looking forward to it.  While my company offered to pay for a rental car and the plane ticket to get me there, I chose to drive.  I would take this road trip by myself.  I was to be there the beginning of May.  I made sure I took a bunch of my favorite cds, my sunglasses were in the car, and route was planned.  It had to be one of the most relaxing (and longest) road trip I’d ever taken. 

It was so amazing to see the change in the scenery.  To see new places I’d never seen before.  I started around 6 am.  I went past Cleveland, Ohio.  Down through Kentucky.  I remember driving down a highway and saw these amazing rolling hills covered in blue grass.  I never really knew exactly what those terms meant “rolling hills” and “blue grass” until I saw it for myself.  It was beautiful. I enjoyed the ride so much.  I drove until midnight . I remember calling a friend in Texas on my cell phone and telling them that I finally decided I was going to stop and find a hotel to sleep for a while.  As I was on the phone I remember telling my friend “oh my, there’s a huge bridge and big body of water coming up” (long bridges over water make me a little nervous for whatever reason).  My anxiety changed to excitement when I told my friend “oh my gosh I’m about to drive over the Mississippi river!” 

I finally got a hotel.  Woke up early the next day and started again.  I remember the change in scenery in Texas alone until I finally got to my destination.  Everything from driving near Dallas to driving past actual ranches.  For a Pennsylvania girl seeing a for real Texas ranch was exciting. 

I like being alone on this trip.  It was the quiet alone time I needed for myself at the time.  To do what I wanted to do.  Sometimes I still wish I could jump in the car and take that drive to Texas again. 

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Discount Tire blogging program, making me eligible to receive a $50 gift card and be entered for a chance to win a prize valued at $1,000. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Free Stuff, Fun Sites, Contests, and More

I love the Toys for Tots program. It’s my charity of choice during the holidays. I know that receiving gift is NOT what the Christmas season is about. But, for so many kids it’s a simple way to bring a spark of happiness and joy to a child whose family may not be of the financial means to provide that.

I was almost too excited to see that Growing Tree Toys is donating to Toys for Tots this year. You can help for FREE! All you have to do is “like” Growing Tree Toys facebook page. For each “like” Growing Tree Toys receives on their facebook page, they will donate $1 to Toys for Tots!

I really have a lot of respect for a company that is willing to donate so generously, especially during the holiday season.  So please, it only takes a second to go over and like their page.  Just think of how many happy kids there will be with only a couple seconds of your time.

Free Stuff, Fun Sites, Contests, and More

It seems with the holidays people are caught up in christmas lists, cookies, parties, and STRESS. Yes, what’s a major holiday without stress? Ok maybe it’s a bit negative. It always turns out great though right? The good things, the turkey disasters, whatever…it’s all memories.

The holidays also give me time to reflect.  It makes me very grateful that I do have so many blessings in my life.  While I may not be rich my family has a decent roof over their heads, a comfortable bed to sleep in, food in the cupboards, and we can pay the bills every month.  My children are healthy, happy, and active.  I have a loving husband and we have a lot in common.  I have a job, which in this economy isn’t a given to all.  We can’t get everything the boys want on their list for Christmas but we can get them a few things and they’re always happy with what they get.

I know for a lot of you reading this, you’re shaking your heads saying I have that, I can do that, etc.  The sad truth is that not everyone can say those things.  While it is upsetting at times to hear about families in need it brings comfort to me to include my family in charities for the holidays.  My boys and I pick a day to go “Toys for Tots” shopping.  They help pick out one toy for a boy, a girl, and a baby to donate to Toys for Tots.  I use this time almost every year to remind them of what christmas is really about.  I remind them how lucky they are to have what they have.  Make sure they understand that they should appreciate what they have.  This shopping trip has become a tradition for us.  While we can’t spend a lot of money on the trip it is comforting to me to know we helped in some small way.  I feel that these trips will carry over as my kids get older.

There are so many ways to help around the holidays. I had a stranger make a small gesture that still sticks with me today.  I was going through a very had time in my life at one point.  My 2 oldest boys were just babies.  I was about to go through a divorce.  Our financial situation at the time was stressful.  I just felt like a black cloud was following me around. I had gone to walmart.  I bought a few things with what little bit of cash I had.  I had the two babies in the cart.  I stepped out of walmart only to find it was pouring down rain and cold. (Maybe a black cloud really was following me around)  I hurried to my car with the cart.  I was trying to quickly get the babies in the car.  A middle age man came walking toward me quickly.  I’m embarrassed to say I was weary of him.  I wasn’t sure why he was coming toward me. He opened up an umbrella and held it over me until I got the babies in the car and continued to until I got all the groceries in the trunk.  AND THEN he took the cart and told me he’d put it away.  I thanked him but he’ll probably never know how much that meant to me.  A moment of caring and warmth in a hard time in my life. 

My situation has improved significantly since that moment.  I’m crying as I write this.  I even find comfort in the fact that I had gone through that situation in my life.  I think it makes me appreciate what I have now even more. 

There are so many ways to bring comfort and joy to someone.  Reflect on your blessing and take a moment to be thankful for what you have.  I’d love to hear what you are thankful for this holiday season!

Kleenex has the Softness Worth Sharing site: http://kleenex.com/softnessworthsharing
Stop by to send a free box of tissues to someone you care about.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Kleenex blogging program, making me eligible to get a $40 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Free Stuff, Fun Sites, Contests, and More

Bargain hunters, there is a way to save money on gift cards too!  Kind of like and gift cards outlet, if you will.

Have you heard about Plastic Jungle? You may know that you can buy gift cards from Plastic Jungle. If that’s all you know about Plastic Jungle then keep reading.

Plastic Jungle is the leading gift card exchange. Buy gift cards at a discount, sell your unwanted gift cards, or donate your gift cards.

If you sell your unwanted gift cards to Plastic Jungle, you can get up to 92% of the gift card balance. You also have the option to trade your unwanted gift card of an Amazon.com gift card for even greater value. If you sell or trade your unwanted gift card, Plastic Jungle will provide you with a pre-paid envelope to mail your gift card in.

Planning on giving a gift card for christmas? Check out Plastic Jungle first. You can buy gift cards for a discount.Here is just a few examples:

— Target gift card up to 4% off.

— AMC theatre gift cards 16% off:

—  Walmart gift cards up to 3% off

—  Pier 1 Imports up to 13% off

 Prices and availability vary so check back often.  Shipping is always free when you order your gift cards from Plastic Jungle. 

If you decide you’d like to donate your gift card to charity you have the option to donate part or all of the gift cards trade-in value. 

You can read about Plastic Jungle’s guarantee here: http://www.plasticjungle.com/pjweb/control/pjGuarantee

Plastic Jungle is one of my generous sponsors for the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop happening Dec. 1 – 5.  You will have your shot at winning a $25 Plastic Jungle shopping spree as one of the prizes!  Use it as a holiday gift or treat yourself for the holidays.  Want to get a jump start on your entries for the hop?

Follow Plastic Jungle on twitter:  @PlasticJungle  It’s not part of the entry BUT I’d love it if you tweet them and tell them ” Thanks for sponsoring the upcoming Holiday Gift Giveaway hop on www.luvsavingmoney.info”

Like Plastic Jungle on facebook.

These two tasks will be bonus entries in the Holiday Gift giveaway hop Dec. 1- 5.  There over 250 blogs participating.  Also if you want to get a head start on the mandatory entry you can follow my blog!

Free Stuff, Fun Sites, Contests, and More

My husband is a veteran of the Iraq War.  Some of the stories I’ve heard from him are almost unreal.  I can’t imagine dealing with some of the situations my husband and so many other veterans have.  It’s because of our veterans that we have so much today. 

My husband’s service has made him realize how important the little things are in life.  He passes this wisdom over to me.  His stories make me understand how lucky we really are.  I don’t know that everyone knows what our veterans have done for us.  I hope that maybe you’ll take a moment to thank a veteran, maybe donate to a local veterans home/hospital, or in some way honor the veterans of our great country today.

Free Stuff, Fun Sites, Contests, and More