'tis the season for peppermint coffee and winter fun!

Although the weather was bad to drive in this morning, well more of it was the drivers---I enjoyed listening to Christmas music on the way into work. Then it got only better as I sipped away on my coffee with peppermint creamer (thanks Jackie--her mama taught her to share) I love all the festivities that keep our social calendar going this month! I'm joining my mom group friends on Wednesday for more crafting. Friday is our work party then taking taking my family to Barnes & Noble story time The Polar Express. Saturday is a meetup for Gingerbread House decorating. Sunday we are meeting my parents at The Garden Factory! and so on and so forth.....

TWO Pink Scotch ATG Adhesive Dispensers GIVEAWAY!

3M has given me TWO PINK SCOTCH ATG adhesive dispensers to give away!

I am SO EXCITED about this giveaway!! As many of you know, this is my most favorite adhesive tool ever and I have been using one since 2005! I continually recommend this product to people as I believe in it whole-heartedly and don't know how I could craft without it!

Let me tell you why this will revolutionize the way you paper craft:

1) This tape dispenser NEVER jams and the tape NEVER breaks. Have you ever bought some of those disposable adhesives and before you know it, the tape breaks or jams and you can't fix it? So irritating! That will not happen with this device and this tape!

2) The 3M/Scotch adhesive comes in rolls that are 36 YARDS long (108 feet) - not 36 feet, like most adhesives! Not only that, the cost per roll is VERY affordable. Currently, at Michaels and Joanns, you can get a two pack for around $10, before you use a coupon. You can't beat that!

3) This adhesive STICKS! No more problems having your project fall apart. Have you ever gone back to layouts and found that all the pieces and parts are falling off? This will never happen with the Scotch adhesive!

4) Size of the ATG dispenser means you will never lose it on your desk. Some people worry that the size is too big. It will take some getting used to BUT once you start using it, you will love it. Perhaps your desk gets a bit messy when you are crafting (mine looks like a train wreck). You will always be able to spot your cute pink ATG amongst all your scraps!

I have TWO Pink ATG adhesive dispensers to give away! Each one also comes with a two pack of adhesive (acid free/photo safe).

TWO LUCKY PEOPLE will win!

How can you win?

1) Leave a comment telling me about your favorite adhesive! Be sure and leave an identifying name (joywholovescats, for example) so it's easy to identify you!

2) Follow me or subscribe to this blog!

Want more chances to win?

1) For five more chances, create a post about this release and contest and link back here to me. Put that info in a comment to me below.

2) For five more chances, create a post on facebook and link back here to me. Put that info in a comment to me below.

3) For five more chances, twitter about this and send me a link. Put that info in a comment to me below.

You can combine everything into one comment with all you did. Don't feel any pressure to do the extras - it's just for fun!

That's it!


Winners announced next Wednesday, December 8, 2010. Winners have two weeks to claim their prize.

What if I can't wait for the giveaway and need one RIGHT NOW? Head straight over to Michaels and Joanns and pick one up. They are very reasonable (MSRP around $40) and combined with a coupon, are a fantastic buy!

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Fa LaLa Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

I LOVE SHUTTERFLY..and here's why!

I'm very excited to order my Christmas photo cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery and a couple of photo mugs. We recently got our photos taken by a professional photography, Mike Wilson Photography. We hadn't had our family portrait taken in almost 2 yrs. I want to use a bright photo card that will allow me to put 3 of the photos from the photo shoot -- one of our family, one of Aiden and one of Maya. I'm going to create photo mugs http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/photo-mugs using art work from Aiden and Maya. I am going to scan in the artwork and then upload the photos into an album, then create the photo mug. It will be a gift from the kids to their daddy. I've used Shutterfly recently when I made digital photo books http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books/simple-path of a family vacation to Hilton Head, Savannah and Charleston. We went with my brother's family and my cousin's family. We created such great memories. I had Jason and Sara send me their favorite pictures so they could be added to the book. I ordered a book for my family and their families. I am giving them the books as Christmas gifts. I am excited to receive my photo cards so I can mail them out to my several college friends, mom group friends, family and friends! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I can't believe my last post was in June---check my FB status instead : )

As a working mom and wife I find myself often struggling to juggle it all including updating my blog. I more enjoy reading others and getting craft and educational ideas from other moms.

June 2010---- OMG, I can't believe my last post was in April

Wow...It seems like just yesterday I wrote my last post...things get crazy.......I guess facebook is like posting a blog....I need a way for my facebook status' to attach it onto my blog.

So, Pat finished the kitchen and it's amazing!!!!!!!! Just in time for my birthday! It was great visiting with my family.....Mom and Dave were in from Florida....celebrated Grandpa's 85th birthday.

Kids are having a great time at their new daycare. I didn't get to blog about the drama at the time. Daycare put up a note on a Wednesday saying they were closing indefinately that Friday. CRISIS!!!! We can't afford $400/week at the big box daycares...so I ran searches on the State Certified At Home Daycares and off I went on a day and 1/2 venture to find a new daycare for my kids...had to find a place that could take both kids...wanting to make sure it wasn't a "drop your kids off and they'll watch tv and play all day". Aiden has been doing so well as his school...learning so much in his pre-school room. You would have thought I was a contestant in a Find a new daycare reality show....I can't even tell you the countless houses I interviewed at. Talk about first impressions.....so in the end I went with a really cute place Creative Preschool at a woman's home..it's her and her mom...they have been state certified and doing this for several years. There basement has been converted to their daycare/school room. I really think Maya is learning even faster because they take care of a 3 mo old up to 4 yrs olds..there are about 8-9 kids. Aiden is already fast making friends....such the social butterfly like his mom.

We again have been busy with going to sporting events in Rochester...Family birthday parties, family walks outside...etc.

My biggest accomplishment was building a garden of veggies and fruits last weekend. I wouldn't have been able to do it without my friend Lydia. She is a GREAT influence on my life to live a healthier more environmentally conscious lifestyle. We planted blueberries, raspberries, squash, green and red peppers, halepano (sp?) peppers, basil, and tomato plants!!! I can't wait to see results. I was so excited to include Aiden in the process of helping remove the dirt, see the bugs, and plant the seeds. I really want to stress the importance of fruits and veggies since Daddy doesn't eat veggies.

That's about it for now...back to work...need to make enough commission to pay daycare..that's my thought process anyway.

Bye for now.

Spring-----playdates, birthday parties, family time, life.....

Starting yet another busy day at my sales job where I try to balance life as a working mom and wife. I've caught up on emails, facebook, and prepared for my sales appointments. It's been a busy couple of weeks. Aiden's friends are all turning 3 and having birthday parties. It's a great time of year to take the kids for walks around the neighborhood; they love riding the ride on toys. Tonight I'm going to the beach with some mom friends and their kids so we can let the kids play on the playground and get dinner. Another friend is on a very exciting journey to adopt their 2nd child in Columbia! Another friend is balancing life as a single working mom buying a new beautiful home but overwhelmed with putting her house on the market. My wonderful husband continues to slave over the kitchen remodel. My parents and grandparents will arrive in the next couple of weeks from Florida! We'll celebrate Grandpa's 85th birthday, my birthday, my nephews birthday, my SILs birthday, Mothers Day, and just life in general.

Spring has arrived -- time for playing outside

We went to dinner as a family and found a playground along the way. Maya had fun crawling around and trying to keep up with Aiden. She was on the swings while he went down the slide.