Sunday, June 28, 2009

A Stolen Meme I don't know why I did.

2 Comments
Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named Becky from Musings from the Sofa. She credits two bloggers for her theft, the Queen, and also Zoesmom. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Cheers to all us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The ABC Meme



A – An advantage you have – The best husband any girl could ever have.

B – Blue or brown eyes – Who? Me? Hazel.

C – Chore you hate – Yes! All of them!

D – Dog’s name – Tony Blair

E – Essential start of your day – Warm blanket time.

F – Favorite color – Pink. Or lavender. Whatever, I can choose two if I want.

G – Greatest thing you’ve ever done that made you feel really good – I don't know if I can just choose one thing. Giving birth. Many times.

H – Habit you have – Making jokes. Changing the words to music to fit my situation/mood.

I – Issue you hate that the world tries to make you pursue – Bad news. I do not think it is necessary or even good for a person to hear a lot of bad news from all over the place.

J – Job title – Carer

K – Kohls or Target – Target!

L – Living arrangements – I live in a house with my husband, four kids, and a shih tzu.

M – Music you like – Most music, but it varies depending upon my mood.

N - Nicknames – T, Tam, Kitten,

O – Overnight hospital stay – only when I gave birth.

P – Pet Peeve – Just one? How rude! Nah, I'll just add an 's'. When people don't lift up their feet when they walk. I think lots of women think it's somehow cute. It's not. I better stick to one. We could be here all day.

Q – Quote that you like most –

Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the universe is endlessly bountiful. Just put forth a clear enough request, and everything your heart desires must come to you - Mohandas Gandhi


R – Right or left handed – Right

S – Siblings – nope

T – Time you wake up – Exactly when my brain says "Wake up!"

U – Underwear – Is this a yes or no question? I don't get it. I like underwear?

V – Vegetable you dislike – Asparagus

W – What makes you run late – Goofing around and not starting soon enough, usually.

X – X-rays you’ve had – Hmmm... shoulder, does a mammogram count?

Y – Yummy food you make – Oh. My. Ganache! Don't get me started. Fried potato tacos. Migas, baby cupcakes, salsa, Fantastic cookies. Okay, I'll stop.

Z – Zoo animal – Penguin!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Age Appropriate Fashion: Mistake Onesie

1 Comments
Suck: Old people onesies

Rock: Wearing a polo

For the love of all that is holy, people, please stop pulling your shirt way way way down in the middle. Especially when you sit down. This does not hide whatever it is you are trying to hide. It just makes you look like you are wearing a giant scary onesie.

Diet Plan, Or Fat Storing System?

2 Comments
Suck: I am both hungry and lazy.

Rock: I have all the ingredients to make migas.

Last Night Around The Dinner Table

0 Comments
We were at dinner when Crystal, who couldn't keep from checking twitter to see if she won an iPhone, said "Michael Jackson is dead!" I thought she was joking or someone else was joking but she said she got it from a totally trustworthy source - TMZ.

The first thing out of my mouth was "The Thriller is gone"

Then, after the girls decided who was going to write that on facebook, I said "I guess he beat it beat it beat it." and they were happy because now they each had something to write.

Later I went to facebook and added that he is "Gone too soon" but I don't think they got it.

We are all going to hell. How can you help what pops into your mind?

King of Pop, R.I.P.

Also, say "Hi" to Elvis for us!

p.s Crystal did not win an iPhone from twitter. In light of this tragedy, your paypal donations would be greatly appreciated.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Fancy Fortune Cookies Giveaway!

246 Comments


Oh boy are you lucky today! Fancy Fortune Cookies has offered one of my readers ONE HUNDRED personalized fortune cookies of your choice! I wish I could win!

To be fair, they did send me a couple cookies of a few different flavors to taste. Oh my ganache, they were so good! I loved the mint, and let me tell you I did not plan to love the mint. I really loved them all and really need to eat many more before I could possibly do them justice in a description. I don't even know if I can choose a favorite. They need to make these things into ice cream cones and then send me like a kajillion of them for giving them the idea. *hint*

Okay, now that I'm done with all my not-so-subliminal-messagin' let me get on with it.



































Want to hear something really fun? You can choose your own customized message to put inside the cookies! I think that is the bees knees!

I hope you checked out the site because there is all sorts of great stuff. They have a weekly giveaway from the people on their Friends List, which can be found on the left. There is also an impressive bunch of celebrities who love their forutne cookies, from Oprah to Dustin Hoffman.

Here is how you can enter to win:

Follow Fortuneaday on twitter. - 1 entry
Follow me on twitter - 1 entry
Fave this blog on technorati - 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger - 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger - 1 entry per blog
Subscribe to this blog via email or reader - 1 entry
Subscribe to my any of my blogs via email or reader - 1 entry per blog
Put my buttons on your blog - 3 entries per button
Blog about this giveaway - 5 entries
Add my Giveaway to a Mr.Linky, Sweepstakes site, etc. Leave the link. - 5 entries each
Make a drop on my entrecard -1 entry per day
Send me cookies 100 entries (just kidding)

And of course you can always earn daily entries by posting on twitter. - up to two entries daily
Here is one you can use:

Fancy Fortune Cookies giveaway at Funnel Full of Soup. Win 100 with your own personalize message! http://tinyurl.com/mmw9uj Please RT

*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.

*Please be certain to claim each entry by leaving one comment per entry earned.

* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "If You Could See What I See" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"

*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.

There are more fancy fortune cookies to be won at News Around the Blogs.

Guess what? Mission Mommy has a giveaway for you, too.

Would you like another chance to win? Try Frugal Plus for a $50 gc to Fancy Fortune Cookies.

Mom Talk with Three Kids and Us has a giveaway as well. Check out her Giant and Fancy Fortune Cookies.

Diana Rambles about Giant Fortune Cookies with a giveaway as well.

Brea's Mommy is also having a giveaway for Fancy Fortune Cookies on her blog!

You can also enter to win Fancy Fortune Cookies from Pour Some Sugar on Me.

She Scribes also has a giveaway from Giant Fortune Cookies and Fancy Fortune Cookies!

Monsters in My House has Fancy Fortune Cookies to giveaway on her blog!

Know who else is giving away Fancy Fortune Cookies? I Like it Frantic, that's who!

Blessings Abound is also giving away 100 Fancy Fortune Cookies.

Oh boy! Here's Stepmom Extraordinaire with a Fancy Fortune Cookie giveaway.

Guess who else is giving away Fancy Fortune Cookies? Simply Being Mommy, that's who!


Giveaway will run through July 15th, 2009.




Tropical Tradtions Giveaway

12 Comments
Tropical Traditions came about because someone had a passion for doing things the best way possible. I'm not going to retell the whole story on the blog, but I really urge you to go see for yourself.


[We] extract the oil by grating the fresh coconut, extracting the coconut milk, and then letting the coconut milk stand in a covered container for about 24 hours. After about 24 hours, the oil naturally separates from the water producing a crystal clear oil that retains the full scent and taste of coconuts.

We L-O-V-E to make a great curry at this house, and one of my favorite things about a good curry is the coconut milk, coconut smell, and coconut taste. I have to admit we haven't made it yet (we just got back from vacation) but we will be using a lot of this bottle for our chicken curry addiction.

How else will I be using it? I will be using it on my hair. Yep, my hair. It can be used both pre-wash and post-wash. Hey, I'll try anything to make my hair strong and shiny.

Want to win this big honkin' bottle of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions?


In order to gain your first (mandatory) entry go Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter

Do these things to earn additional entries:
Follow Tropical Traditions on twitter - 1 entry
Follow me on twitter - 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger - 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger -1 entry per blog
Subscribe to this blog via email or reader - 1 entry
Subscribe to my any of my blogs via email or reader- 1 entry per subscription
Put my buttons on your blog - 2 entries per button
Blog about this giveaway - 5 entries
Fave me on technorati - 1 entry per day
Make a drop on my entrecard - 1 entry daily
Send me cookies 100 entries (just kidding - or am I?)
Add my Giveaway to a Mr.Linky, Sweepstakes site, etc. Leave the link. - 5 entries each
Tweet this giveaway up to twice a day for en entry each time. Here is a tweet you can use:

Win a Quart of Organic Virgin Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions, a $37 value from If You Could See What I See http://tinyurl.com/lvc62u


*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.

*Please be certain to claim each entry by leaving one comment per entry earned.

* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "Funnel Full of Soup" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"

*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.

This giveaway is for U.S. residents. It will end July 15th, 2009

Find a retail outlet near you

You must enter in the contest entry form.
Comments are not counted as entries for this giveaway.


Entry type = tweet, following on twitter, blogging, posting a button, etc.



Monday, June 22, 2009

3 Comments


I do not understand why someone would hang a wedding dress from a tree close to the street. Especially when said street gets high truck traffic. Can any of you shed some light on the reasoning behind this kind of behavior?

Note: I took this video with my new Flip camcorder. My daughter got it for me as a birthday gift and it is fantastic!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Rubbermaid 20 Piece Set - Giveaway

367 Comments
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who participated. Keep entering for all the other great giveaways going on now on Funnel Full of Soup and at If You Could See What I See.

We have a winner! The randomizer chose #136 this morning. Congratulations to Kiddiescorner who said:

136. kiddiescorner said...

Your button is in my and even more blogs blogroll






Rubbermaid sent me this twenty piece set to try out. It has four different product types inside. Each one is so doggone nifty I could rave about them all.



I will start with my personal favorite: The Produce Saver.

I used to bring home cilantro and in two or three days it was time for the trash. Since I got Rubbermaid Produce Savers my cilantro has lasted a week and even longer. I think I used some two weeks after purchase! Unheard of pre-produce savers. Hooray!







The Easy Find Lids are truly what we have all needed since containers were invented. I don't know about you, but I do not live alone. These 'other people' tend to toss stuff in the cupboards when they bother to 'put them away' at all. I am constantly saying "This had a lid just two days ago. Where could it be?" Every lid should be an Easy Find Lid. The good news? The other types of containers have easy find lids as well. Thank you Rubbermaid!








I Love these! I can close a container and give it to anyone and trust them to carry it without the bottom magically falling to the ground. It's good for anyone who is not quite sure when their container is well sealed. Just click the sides into place on your Rubbermaid Lock-It, and you are in good shape.











Well hello, good lookin'! The Rubbermaid Premier line is as handsome as can be. They are a different kind of clear plastic which is somehow clearer. I don't make the news, I just report it! These are pretty tough little guys. Homemade pasta sauce may try to leave its' mark, but it will fail, I assure you.



Here is what the set looks like in the box: I've seen it at Sam's Club for an AMAZING bargain.


Rubbermaid was kind enough to offer a set for me to share with the class, as well.

Here's what you do to win a set of your very own:

Go to the Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids site. Tell me what you would like to keep fresher this summer and which one of the products you would use to do it.


Extra Entries:


Follow Rubbermaid on Twitter - 1 entry

Follow me on twitter - 1 entry

Fave this blog on technorati - 1 entry

Follow this blog on blogger - 1 entry

Follow my other blogs on blogger - 1 entry per blog

Subscribe to this blog via email or reader - 1 entry

Subscribe to my any of my blogs via email or reader - 1 entry per blog

Put my buttons on your blog - 3 entries per button

Blog about this giveaway - 5 entries

Make a drop on my entrecard -1 entry per day

Send me cookies 100 entries (just kidding)

And of course you can always earn up to 2 daily entries by tweeting up to twice a day.

Here is one you can use:

A Rubbermaid 20 Piece Set will keep you fresher this summer. Giveaway @ Funnel Full Of Soup: http://tinyurl.com/lr7ojo



*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.

*Please be certain to claim each entry by leaving one comment per entry earned.

* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "If You Could See What I See" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"

*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.


Giveaway will run through July 3rd, 2009.


Thursday, June 18, 2009

Calypso S.H.O.P. Totes Giveaway

52 Comments

I was cruising twitter one day and say Calypso say they wanted bloggers. I've seen their shop totes around and tried to win a set of them since the first time I saw them. I've only heard good things about them. Of course I answered the call.

When I came home from vacation a week or so later I had a little package with an "Acts of Kindness" be kind to the air tote in yellow. I'm impressed. The design is lovely. The whole set is one of my two favorite sets they sell. The bag is lightweight, large enough to carry, like, a big old watermelon, and the fold up into a very compact space. There are little buttons so you can fasten it together once you have folded it all up.

This bag would have been great last week at the beach. I'm sure it will be great at the grocery store, the mall, and everywhere else. I love how, if you get the set of three, you also get a carrying case.

There are new bags coming soon to take you through the holidays from Halloween to Christmas. They would make great presentation bags. Buy someone pillows, towels, blankets, sheets, cases of Pepsi, mass quantities of brownies, and use the tote as the wrapping.

I would be delighted to receive a shop tote full of assorted baked goods. For anyone who could benefit from an occasional care package you could fill it full of stuff and give them a reusable bag, too!

Whether you are shopping at the mall or going to the grocery store, these stylish and well made bags will make your trip easier.



They have jewelry, too. One of my all time favorite designers, April Cornell, has designed some jewelry for them. I wish she would design a set of their lightweight totes, but she says that isn't in the works at this time. I'll just keep wishing. Kathy Hatch, a new name to me, also has some really cute jewelry pieces. The jewelry on this site is all recession-priced, too.

<--Here's one of my favorites, snowflake necklace, for $15.

One lucky reader will win a tote and a piece of jewelry.

Here is how to enter to win:
1st, the mandatory entry:

Visit The Calypso Studios website, and tell me your favorite item.

For additional entries you may:

Follow Calypso Studios on twitter. - 1 entry
Become a fan of Calypso Studios on facebook -1 entry
Follow me on twitter - 1 entry
Follow this blog on blogger - 1 entry
Follow my other blogs on blogger -1 entry per blog
Subscribe to this blog via email or reader - 1 entry
Subscribe to my any of my blogs via email or reader- 1 entry per subscription
Put my buttons on your blog - 2 entries per button
Blog about this giveaway - 5 entries
Fave me on technorati - 1 entry per day
Make a drop on my entrecard - 1 entry (you may do this daily)
Send me cookies 100 entries (just kidding - or am I?)
Add my Giveaway to a Mr.Linky, Sweepstakes site, etc. Leave the link. - 5 entries each
Tweet this giveaway up to twice a day for en entry each time. Here is a tweet you can use:

Calypso S.H.O.P. tote AND jewelry giveaway at If You Could See What I See! http://tinyurl.com/nl82aq

*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.

*Please be certain to claim each entry by leaving one comment per entry earned.

* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "Funnel Full of Soup" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"

*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.

This giveaway is for U.S. residents. It will end July 7th, 2009


This One's for You, Bloggess

4 Comments
I went on vacation with my husband and four kids ranging in age from sixteen to twenty three. I said this was what I wanted for Mother's Day/My birthday. My husband, who says he likes to spoil me, agreed to this plan easy-peasy. Hilton Head Island, here we come! It's my favorite vacation spot. If they could put Versailles on the Island it would be my perfect paradise. Maybe I should start a petition? Would any of you sign it?

So... anyway... We were vacationing our little butts off (I love how I can make my butt little on my blog!) and we went to eat at Fuddruckers. The name seems almost porno, but really it's a groovy hamburger joint. I hope, for your own sake, you have eaten at a Fuddruckers.

Guess how they do things at Fuddruckers? You stand in line, place your order, and then go sit and wait until they call you. So when Ryan, who was having a birthday the next day, asked my name I got all giddy. I thought about it for a few seconds and then I said the only thing I could say, really. I said "Wolverines."

Ryan grinned and looked at me again "Wolverines?" he asked.

"Wolverines." I repeated.

He wrote it down, and a few minutes later, in a very packed Fuddruckers, the girl grabbed the mic and said "Wolverines, your order is ready." A few people laughed, but I'm pretty sure it was out of a deep, deep respect.

I saved the receipt in your honor, Bloggess, and if you ever decide to collect these I'll be glad to forward it to you.

Also, on the 12 hour drive home from Hilton Head we noticed a lot of people taking pictures of the back of our car. I can't figure it out. What is wrong with the back of my van?





Tuesday, June 16, 2009

My back wants to go back on vacation

1 Comments
Suck: Hurt my back driving through the mountains all day.

Rock: Coming home from a great vacation!

Keurig B60 (Special Edition) Giveaway from Shoffee.com

1558 Comments
Everyone is chasing after the Keurig coffee makers these days. Who can blame them? I don't have one myself, but I have had occasion to use them and they are fantastic. You can keep lots of varieties on hand without them going bad. My husband would keep hundreds of different teas and coffees on hand all the time if it was possible. But you know what happens... you end up tossing them because when they are stale they just aren't good. K-cups solve that problem once and for all. This is definitely on my list for my husband.

Enter Joe at Shofee.com. He generously donated a Special Edition B60 to one of you lucky devils! A $129.00 value, and a bargain at that price!



Three (3) Brew Size Choices

Programmable LCD Message Center

Removable 48oz. Water Reservoir

Removable Drip Tray

Blue backlit LCD & Water Reservoir

Chrome Accents

Specifications: Model #B60, Weight 12lb empty (15lb full), 13"H 10"W 13.25"D, 1500 watts,120VAC/60HZ

Here are just a couple of the deals shown on their site:

Free shipping with a $60 or more order.

Order $75 or more of Keurig K-cups and they will give you a seasonal sampler free.

Free Green Mountain Rolling Cooler with the purchase of any brewer.

This is a wonderful prize, so let me get on with telling you how you can win!

In order to enter to win you must do this:


1. Go to Shoffee.com and look at the varieties of K-cups they carry. Come back here and tell me which two varieties you would want first.

For extra entries you may:

Follow Shoffee Joe on twitter. -2 entries

Tweet the following: Shoffee.com is sponsoring a giveaway for a Special edition Keurig B60 http://tinyurl.com/ma36tk Get your coffee fix from Shoffee @Shofee_Joe

You may tweet up to twice a day for one entry each time.

Become a fan of Shoffee on facebook. - 2 entries

Become a fan of Sam Pler on facebook. - 2 entries

Follow me on twitter - 1 entry

Fave this blog on technorati - 1 entry

Follow this blog on blogger - 1 entry

Follow my other blogs on blogger - 1 entry per blog

Subscribe to this blog via email or reader - 1 entry

Subscribe to my any of my blogs via email or reader - 1 entry per blog

Put my buttons on your blog - 3 entries per button

Blog about this giveaway - 5 entries

Make a drop on my entrecard -1 entry per day

Add my Giveaway to a Mr.Linky, Sweepstakes site, etc. Leave the link. - 5 entries each

Send me cookies 100 entries (just kidding)

And of course you can always earn up to 2 daily entries by tweeting up to twice a day.


*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.

*Please be certain to claim each entry by leaving one comment per entry earned.

* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "If You Could See What I See" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"

*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.

*Prizes will only be shipped to a U.S. or Canadian address. The giveaway will go through Friday, July 17th.



Two of my friends will also be giving away a Keurig B60 provided by Shoffee.com. Please go enter their giveaways as well:

The Art of Random Willy-Nillyness
&
Auntie Thesis


If you enter one of their giveaways for the Keurig B60 you can take one more entry here.
If you enter both, take two more entries here.

Their giveaways are up and running now, so be sure to go enter for more chances to win!


Bonus points for reading the whole thing!


This is not a compensated post. It is a giveaway to benefit my readers.




Hilton Charlotte Center City, N.C.

0 Comments
We had friends to meet in Charlotte, N.C. on our way home from Hilton Head Island. Once again, this time from my room at the Crowne Plaza, I hopped on Priceline and named my own price for a hotel. I chose Charlotte Downtown - 4 star hotel. I bid $60. The bid was accepted immediately by Hilton Charlotte Center City. I called them right away to verify our reservations (both rooms) and request bed types.

Upon arrival to the hotel Rebecca at the front desk told me there were no King rooms available at all. She said "That's what you get when you use Priceline." I told her I understood. I do. I understand some hotels will treat you like less than a guest when you use Priceline. No biggie.

We went upstairs to our two rooms (606 & 607) with two full beds in each. (Another hotel which crams you into two doubles instead of two queens - what gives?) The kids dubbed it "The Taco Bell Hotel" because of the colors. They liked it, but thought it was funny. In their room there was something all over the wall above the beds. I don't even want to guess as to what it was. The halls obviously were not the responsibility of anyone in housekeeping, because the walls are pretty beat up and the carpets could use a good granny scrubbing.

When we got to our room we decided not to use the internet since, even though we are priority club members, there was a $10 fee per computer, even if you use the wired internet. My husband was happy to just watch the brand new 42" plasma. Problem: Even though the switch from analog has been in the works forever, and the hotel just had a TWENTY FIVE MILLION DOLLAR update, none of our HD channels worked. Translation: the only thing we could watch would be pay per view movies, at $16 each, after taxes. Gee, no thanks.

We called for some help. Les came up and was very nice. He tried to fix it, but it wasn't possible. He called down to the desk to ask if he could move us to a different room. Les gets my vote for #1 employee at this hotel.

"Sure" came back the answer on the radio "Room 615 is open." Guess what room 615 was like, REBECCA?? Why, it was a spacious room with a king bed, and a chaise lounge, a newly upgraded bathroom, and... the same problem with the television. Les said he would bring up an ethernet cord and give us free internet and let us watch pay per view movies free. As many as we want!

In the morning a pay per view movie was on the bill and I called down to the desk to tell them Les said he would leave a note on our account to waive the pay per view fees. She tells me it says to waive one. I tell her that is not what he told us, but thanks anyway. She immediately says she'll remove them both and adds "Have a great day." That was a quick turn around, wasn't it? I'm hoping it is because I was nice about it and was going to give up so easily.

The bathrooms are beautiful and have lighting as good as any bathroom I have ever seen. The new showers have marble bottoms, yes... but they are small rectangular marble tiles and they hurt your feet. Even my husband remarked about how uncomfortable they were. He says "No love was put into this place." I think I agree. It's a beautiful bathroom. Everything works well. The sink is not for children or the elderly, but it is modern. The coffee gets two thumbs up. It is a nice LaVazza from Italy.

The lights throughout the room are fantastic. Each little light has a built in dimmer giving you full control of the brightness. The bed was blissfully comfortable. The desk is huge and in the double bed rooms there is the only platform I have ever seen in any hotel which will actually hold a full sized suitcase. Very nifty indeed!

In the morning we ordered an omelet from room service. Nirvana. They bring it with little red potatoes with perfectly sauteed onions and bell peppers. Three of us who were up early shared it.

The hotel restaurant charges $18 per person for the breakfast buffet, and for all six of us, that's a hefty bill. $108. Before drinks and tip. Add $30 for drinks and a 30% tip and you're talking $162.84 for a breakfast buffet! Since I paid $60 per room and $18(!) for self parking, breakfast would have been more expensive than the two rooms and parking. We headed off to IHOP.

If I was going through Charlotte I would definitely stay here again, for the right price. Thank you Priceline!

Crowne Plaza Resort - Hilton Head Island, S.C.

2 Comments
During our time at Hilton Head last week we decided to extend our stay. I hopped on Priceline again and landed a different resort - The Crowne Plaza.We had stayed at this Crowne Plaza on other occasions, so we knew what to expect, sort of. I say sort of because this time, and maybe it was because we booked on Priceline(?) we didn't get the same quality of room as in the past. We always get a view of a rooftop full of air conditioners. This time we got a a better view... of the parking lot. Hey, it's better than air conditioners. Plus there was a big palm tree sort of in our face so it blocked a lot of the parking lot view.

The rooms we had (3065 - and the kids had 3061) started out with a television remote which did not work, a missing ethernet cord, a toilet which took a carnival strong man two pushes to flush, (and it was loud!) and hardly any water pressure. There was a red drink of some kind spilled all over the wall and carpet near one of the beds, which the maids never cleaned while we were there, either. I bet if you go check 3065 today, it is still there. Some odd stuff was falling onto the balcony which was barely wide enough to fit a chair, and and a television signal was very bad, even on our pay per view movie. You know what though? These things really didn't amount to a hill of beans.

As far as the room goes, it's attractive. It had two double beds, which I always find sort of insulting. Come on, you can't give us two queens? To be fair, this double bed thing also happened at the Marriott Resort and Spa. The air conditioning worked well, and the hallways were not hot like on previous visits, but also comfortably air conditioned. The sounds were terrible. You could hear the other rooms taking a shower, flushing, or pretty much anything they did. And it felt like Florida during Spring Break as far as the noise levels in the hallways. I just don't remember any of these issues in previous stays at this location. Then again, we were never on this end of the resort in the past.

Beautiful grounds:

They have gorgeous grounds with lots of lush greenery. There are ponds of water with wildlife. The turtles, especially, love to swim their mossy-backed selves over to the little bridge when you stand on it. The hammocks are the perfect resort hammock, and shaded for the lucky loungers. There is an outdoor pool with chairs. The umbrellas for the chairs are few and far between, leaving most guests in the blaring sun while they lounge. There is also an indoor pool. The lone jacuzzi is indoors with this pool. You have to have a room card with you to access this pool room. There are a handful of chaise lounges in with this pool. The hamburgers from the pool bar are out of this world. The fries hold their own, as well. I had a virgin orange creamsicle icy drink and it was really good too.

Mossy Turtles:

The beach access is fantastic. At low tide you end up with warm and interesting tide pools. There are ample showers and there is a nice big bathroom right there by the showers. Very handy for when you are staying at the beach for a while.


The kids made new friends on the beach:

David from the restaurant was really great with us. He's my choice for #1 employee at this location. We loved the Key Lime pie!

They have a decent gift shop, although the staff, usually consisting of one person, follows you at every turn. They do not greet you or try to help, they just watch you as if you're apt to rob them blind. Do resorts of this calibur have a big old bunch of shoplifters or do I just look like a gypsy?

Did I mention the kids made a few friends on the beach?

The check in desk, save a nice girl from England, could always use a course in 'friendly' as far as I am concerned. Ditto the bartender out by the pool, and pretty much any employee of this resort except the girls in the towel hut, who were sweet. The Crowne Plaza could take a lesson from the Marriott in how to treat the guests to make them feel welcomed. Nobody was terribly rude or anything, they just don't know how to make you feel like they enjoy you being with them.

Checkout is noon, and before 11:30 the same girl from housekeeping had bothered us THREE times to see when they could make up the room. Each time I told her we would be checking out that day. When I told her the third time, at 11:30, we would be gone by 12:00 she gave me an unhappy look. What was this about? I have no idea. I didn't care, either.

This isn't a place to avoid, but it isn't a place to expect a quiet getaway. It more than met our needs for us and our four children aged 16-23. I wouldn't be upset if I named my own price on Priceline and got the Crowne Plaza again, even with their less than friendly staff.

I would give them a B- overall, but on all my other visits I would have given them an A.



Bagnesia

3 Comments

If you suffer from bagnesia: a person’s forgetfulness to grab their reusable bags, you’re not alone…


Symptom: You often find yourself standing at the register regretting that you left your reusable bags in the car or worse yet, at home.


Cure: The bagnesia reminder kit which contains simple, effective products that work together so you never forget to take your reusable bags into the store again.


Bagnesia’s reminder kit includes…


• Compact Reusable Bag- smaller than most cell phones, designed to easily stow in your purse or glove compartment


• Door Hanger- place it where you typically exit your home so you can remember to put your bags in the car*


• Steering Wheel Wrap- strategically placed at eye level to remind the driver on the go*


• Wrist Lanyard Key Chain- your printed reminder is attached to your keys to remind you as you exit your car before going into the store *


• Carabineer Clip- to conveniently clip your bag onto your belt loop, water bottle or even your key chain


*imprinted with bagnesia’s tag line “Grab your Bags!”™


Longtime friends, Pam Eatrides and Caprice Ericson developed Bagnesia’s Reminder Kit to keep from forgetting their own reusable bags. These products are great for anyone striving to be more environmentally friendly by eliminating plastic bags or paper bags from their life.


People want to be socially responsible. Using even one less plastic or paper bag can make a difference in the future of our world, starting today.


For more information, please visit us at
www.bagnesia.com

Free produce bag from bagnesia when you order a reminder kit! Use code: FUNNEL


The above is not a paid/endorsed post. It is a press release from Bagnesia. Because I think their idea is clever, and their products necessary, I posted it here on my blog. I love sharing good things with you.
How do you remember to take your bags to the car and into the store?

Monday, June 15, 2009

Marriott Resort and Spa, Hilton Head Island, S.C.

2 Comments


Hilton Head Island is my all-time favorite beach vacation spot. I love the way it's low key and quiet. I love the twelve miles of beach, the restaurants, the people, the way it is all protected from looking commercial. Hilton Head is peaceful, but not boring.

This time we stayed at a couple of resorts. First we went to the Marriott Resort and Spa.

If I had to say it in one word: Amazing.

Lucky for me, I don't have to say things in one word! From the time I entered the lobby I felt like they were thrilled to have me visiting. This isn't always the case at Hilton Head resorts, but the Marriott treated us like we were movie stars. At the desk Brian, Roy, and Shiney all greeted me with enthusiasm and kindness. They were great about answering questions and being helpful in any way possible. They even extended platinum status to our 2nd room, which I had put under the name of my daughter.

A little aside: I booked this room through Priceline. (If you've read some other posts you know I like to book on Priceline.) I find the best hotels still treat you like a valued guest, even if you book on Priceline. Some of the others will not be as wonderful. Those are the places who are less likely to get my full price business. The Marriott Resort and Spa even removed the internet fees ($90 in total) and the parking fees (another $10 a day) for me because they wanted "to give me something for being platinum" They aren't allowed to upgrade rooms without a fee, even to platinum members, at that location. They also brought up our choice of welcome gifts to each room. In our room we took a half bottle of wine and some brie and berries. We sent ice cream and a Samuel Adams (which I confiscated for my husband to have later) to the room for the kids. There were two robes in each room, a mini fridge with a freezer, a mini safe, and ample pillows and towels for us. It also had a spacious balcony. We could see fireworks from our balcony in the evenings. It was a lovely view during the day as well.



It's simple to charge things to your room. The Marriott Resort and Spa does not try to force you to carry around a little paper card to do this. I feel the little paper card is a ridiculous expectation at a beachfront resort. We ate lunch poolside one day. The food was okay, but just okay. We really enjoy our food so the other days we left the resort for lunch. The bar has a nice little menu and drink menu printed on fans. What a clever idea! I liked getting an alcohol-free frozen raspberry drink to have around the pools.

Speaking of pools - Marriott wins for pools on Hilton Head Island. One indoor pool with warm water and an indoor spa. Nice. It's air conditioned in the room! They even have a big television you can watch from in the pool - usually playing Disney-type movies.Two outdoor pools and two outdoor spas. When the sun would start to go down the pools would be shaded, leaving hours worth of time with daylight and shaded pools. Even the beach ended up in shade for quite a while. There are plenty of chairs with umbrellas around the pools. PLENTY. Each chaise lounge also has a little flag you can raise for service. Every single employee at this resort was friendly and welcoming. Abdullah is another fine example of the quality people employed at this resort. He is a guest services manager and you find him all about the resort making sure people are happy and well taken care of.

Zachary did a little sand art:

I give the Marriott Resort and Spa on Hilton Head Island a perfect 10. This is how we felt when we had to leave.
Sand art done by Michael:
Hint for anyone traveling to Hilton Head Island soon:

Try "Name your own price" with Priceline for $75 a night. It worked for me twice - once for this stay at the Marriott, and once for Crowne Plaza when we decided we were not ready to leave the island just yet. You don't get to choose your resort with this method, but I have never stayed anywhere on Hilton Head Island and been disappointed. Be sure you bid for a resort. If they do not take your first bid for any reason (like say you start trying at $60 and they say no) just add the only option they give you for a nearby spot, which has no resorts to offer and raise your bid. You get a free 2nd bid this way. I was really hoping to get to stay at the Marriott for the 2nd Priceline bid, but Crowne Plaza grabbed us in just a few seconds. We have stayed at the Crowne Plaza in the past and loved it, so it wasn't terribly disappointing. We were getting to stay on the island, anyway!





We have a Winner! Carolina Pad

1 Comments
I just used the randomizer, which chose lucky number 51 in the Carolina Pad giveaway. Congratulations to hondaray6!

51. hondaray6 said... I tried to join the Insight Panal but got this:
Thank you for visiting Constant Contact!

I'm not holding it against you if you try to do what is asked and the website doesn't cooperate. I wouldn't want to lose a prize if it happened to me. So there you go, hondaray6. Please respond to my email with your mailing address and choice of prize.

Good luck everyone, on the future giveaways.



Tuesday, June 2, 2009

0 Comments

Three of One, One of Another

10 Comments
Awards.

When I saw I had more awards I was a little scared at first. We all know what happened last time. Did I mention I am still waiting to hear back from the kids? I think they worked out a screenplay and are just waiting to film when Reese Witherspoon is free to play me in the movie. That's got to be it, right? Right? Anyway...

Let's just all simmer down and take me way seriously for a while, shall we?

No, longer than that!

You know what? Forget I asked.

My Fairy Blog Mother Annette, who would totally be my patron saint if I were Catholic, gave me this award:It says: "To accept this award, you need to pass it on to a few of your bloggy friends that you think are SuperStars! It can be 5 bloggers to 50 bloggers."

I'm going to take it easy on all of us and just choose a few. There are so many neat-0 blogs.

1. Carolyn in Carolina
2. Okay. Fine. Dammit
3. Motherhood in NYC
4. Katherine Unabridged
5. I Need A Martini Mom


This is really taking a long time because I go to one of the blogs I love, then I start reading everything, and later I'm like "Oh yeah..." So now I have like thirteen windows open so I can go back and read stuff when I'm done.

Then, She also bestowed upon me this award:

So Did Michelle from AuntieThesis and Beth from Bartering Basics!

The rules for this one stated:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

1. Megan's Cookin
2. Luv A Bargain
3. Cute & Fun Art RKdsign
4. Tips & Treasures
5. Jenn Cooks
6. Cinnamon, Spice & Everything Nice
7. Barefoot Foodie
8. Picky Palate
9. Whimsical Creations
10. None of Your Beeswax
11. La Fuji Mama
12. A Duck In Her Pond
13. Rose Petals and Rust
14. An Enchanted Cottage
15. The Lettered Cottage


Am I the only one who sees when you put these two awards together it makes this?:
I will contact these people later to tell them about their fabulous awards. Be ready for the worldwide festivities which are sure to ensue.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Cascade Water Bottle Giveaway

19 Comments
The new stainless steel water bottles are all the rage. Everyone wants them, especially since they are a stylish way to carry your water without leaching harmful chemicals.




The Cascade Water Bottle...
•Is made of 18/8 Marine Grade stainless steel.
•The screw top lid is made of 100% BPA-free plastic.
•Is available in both 12oz and 22oz.
•Features several lid and accessory options.
•Has a loop for easy attachment to pack clips or straps.
•Fits in most bike cages and cup holders.
•Is available in multiple colors and designs.
•Is dishwasher safe. However, we recommend hand washing the lid.
•22oz bottle available now.
•12oz bottle available Summer 2009.


Get 50% off any Cascade Stainless Steel Water bottle when you spend $9.99 or more! Coupon Code: summer09. You can even pay with paypal.




Pacific Cornetta is offering one 22 oz. stainless steel water bottle of your choice and one other product of your choice to one lucky winner.


**Mandatory entry**:
Go to Active Gear and tell me which stainless steel water bottle and which other item you would like to win.

Join the mailing list at Active Gear
Follow LiquidSolution on twitter
Follow me on twitter
Fave this blog on technorati
Follow this blog on blogger
Follow my other blogs on blogger
Subscribe to this blog via email or reader
Subscribe to my any of my blogs via email or reader
Put my buttons on your blog - 2 entries per button
Blog about this giveaway - 3 entries
Make a drop on my entrecard 1 (you may do this daily)
Send me cookies 100 entries (just kidding)

And of course you can always earn up to 2 daily entries by tweeting up to twice a day. Here is one you can use:

Funnel Full of Soup has an elegant stainless steel Cascade water bottle giveaway. Enter now! http://tinyurl.com/nqbdr8 @LiquidSolution RT

*If you digg, stumble, kirtsy, share on a message board, email friends, or whatever else please let me know what you did and take another entry.

*Please be certain to claim each entry by filling out the entry form one time per entry earned. (Contest Machine can not choose a winner from the comments section of my blog)

* You can find my other blogs listed across the top "If You Could See What I See" "Auntie Kitten" & "Suck/Rock"

*Click on my banner or the "Home" link to see a list of my giveaways and see what my friends are giving away.

*Prizes will only be shipped to a U.S. address. The giveaway will go through Sunday, June 14th. I will still allow entries until whatever time I actually do the drawing on Monday, June 15th. Good luck!





Marvelous Monday: Winners!

2 Comments
Today is Marvelous Monday for these lucky winners:

Pevonia Botanica Tropicale De-Aging line:

103. sito50 said...
I follow Pevonia Botanica on twitter and tweeted http://twitter.com/sito50/status/1837952620
Country Bobs: 2 bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce:

Jean D. & Dolores Olsen