Fall Gardening with Miracle-Gro

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Scotts Miracle-Gro. All opinions are 100% mine.
I absolutely love the colors in a fall garden! Yellow, orange and red mums remind me that cooler days are coming, even down here in Texas. Fall gardening is the perfect opportunity to plant bulbs for the spring and to add trees and shrubs.

I found a great project on Pinterest for fall garden decor (click here) and it looks so simple! Directions: Just clean out a pumpkin, fill it with Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, and add orange mums and a brown bow. If you'd like it to last longer, you could use a plastic jack-o-lantern container. I love easy projects because I just don't have lots of time for huge planting projects. Find beauty in the Fall by using Miracle-Gro in all kinds of containers!

If I can get my husband and teenage boys to plant some trees this fall, we're going to do it right this time and use Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Trees and Shrubs, plus Miracle-Gro Tree and Shrub Fertilizer Spikes. Our last tree planting didn't go so well and the poor sapling died without the right soil and nutrients. The Miracle-Gro Facebook page is a great place to share stories with fellow gardeners, so maybe I can get some tips on motivating family members to garden with me. If you prefer inground gardening, Miracle-Gro offers a huge line of products including Miracle-Gro LiquiFeed that makes feeding plants as easy as watering and Miracle-Gro Garden soil that feeds up to three months with Continuous Release Plant Food. There are so many wonderful ways to beautify your landscape in the fall. What will you plant this year?

Fiction Untitled 2.0

2.0

She struggled to open her eyes. Around the bed she could see three young girls peering at her with expectant eyes. A heavy quilt lay across her body, comforting and warm. She closed her eyes, then weakly opened them again.  Suddenly, the sweet young faces were gone and she was alone. She could see a concrete wall, gray and cold. A small table was across the room and on it a small candle burned on a dish. Her strength was gone and she couldn’t move. That in itself didn’t concern her, she was only glad she was no longer soaking wet and shivering beneath the large tree. There was nothing else in the tiny room, just the bed and the table. Not coherent enough to really consider her surroundings, she began to slip back into sleep. The scent of young children suddenly surrounded her again but she was too exhausted to even open her eyes. She felt tiny hands upon her hair and her face. It must be a dream, she thought. I must be dead, she mused. In the distance a door slammed and again the scent of innocence and curiosity disappeared. The thud of heavy footsteps was nearby. Squeezing her eyelids closed, she vowed not to open them for fear of what she might she see. Suddenly, she felt him above her, leaning over her and breathing heavily into her face. Her heart began to race and a deep fear settled into her heart. Seemingly satisfied she was still out of it, he left the room. As quietly as she could, she exhaled the fear that was in her body. She felt so alone. Not knowing where she was or why she was there, she tried unsuccessfully to move her legs. Nothing. It was though she was tied to the bed. Exhaustion overtook her and once again she fell fitfully into a sleep that only served to scare her more. In her dreams, demons chased her and bit at her legs, causing a pain so great she cried out. There were three little angelic faces that hovered near, in her dreams, but they could do nothing for her. Their little hands reached out to her but stayed out of reach. A large angry creature approached her again and though her heart shrank fearfully away from him, she felt a strange longing to connect with him. His hands were rough and uncaring, yet clumsily attempted to push away the demons who caused her pain. She was so far removed that she could barely feel anything except the slight movement of her lower limbs. Keeping her eyes tightly closed, she inhaled the smell of sweat and dirt. Too afraid to even peek, she simply waited until she felt she was alone again, not really knowing if she was awake or dreaming. She had never been so afraid and helpless in her life. A warm, wet cloth touched her lips for a moment and then was laid across her forehead. She heard someone blow out the candle and the darkness of night enveloped her again.

Did you miss chapter one? Read it HERE.

Keep Your Family Safe with Bitdefender 2013

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bitdefender. All opinions are 100% mine.

Isn't it great that we can now bank from home, shop from home, and talk online to everyone we know for next to nothing? The internet saves us so much time and money! Keeping all your personal information safe can sometimes be challenging. Bitdefender Total Security 2013 is the next generation of the top-rated antivirus technology. Their new line of security solutions provide user-friendly protection against hackers, spyware, viruses, spam and phishing attacks. Plus, they offer social networking protection, parental controls and online backup. My favorite feature is the Bitdefender Safepay, a secured browser that safeguards online transactions and home banking applications from all tampering attempts. With all the online shopping and banking that I do, it's a requirement of mine for personal security. 

If you've ever used an online security program, you are familiar with the aggravating pop-ups, but the Bitdefender Autopilot operates on its own and you can work uninterrupted. The Social Network Protection filters links from Facebook and Twitter friends, while monitoring privacy settings. Since I use social media all the time, I like to be cautious about what gets into my computer. The Anti-threat does more than just protect from online threats; it even tracks lost and stolen devices. As the number one ranked antivirus software, Bitdefender earned the CNET Editor's Choice and the PCMag Editor's Choice!

If you have children, you'll love the Parental Control dashboard that allows you to block inappropriate content, restrict web access during certain hours, remotely monitor your children's online activities (including Facebook), as well as the ability to view and even control installed applications and mobile devices. Bitdefender's 2013 solutions are designed to operate on multiple computer environments, including PCs that fuction mostly offline or in a secure LAN, to computer with unfiltered internet connections. I love having antivirus protection that I can trust, because not being able to use my computer due to a virus attack would make me crazy! I use my computer every day and love feeling secure online.

Bloggers: Join the Octoberfest Giveaway Hop

 

Seeking bloggers to join our Octoberfest Giveaway Hop!

By adding your link below, bloggers agree to:

* Post a dedicated giveaway for this event, from October 1, 2012 at 12:01a.m. until October 7, 2012 at 11:59p.m. Giveaway may be company-sponsored or self-sponsored. Giveaway prize must be worth at least $20.00.

* Include in the giveaway post - Octoberfest Giveaway Hop button (please save the above button image to your hard drive), link to both giveaway hosts in your post Planet Weidknecht (http://www.weidknecht.com) and Going Crazy!! Wanna Go??!! (http://goingcrazywanna.go.com), and the provided linky list of all participating bloggers.

* There is no fee to participate. There is no requirement to post the button on your sidebar, but if you choose to do so, we'll be your best friends. Please link the button to the signup post or page so others can join if they wish.

Our Facebook group was formed to gather bloggers together
for blog events and blogger support. Join us!

Win a Complete Tailgating Package

The Great Tailgate Giveaway Event! Win A Complete Tailgating Package! 

It’s Football Season! Are You Ready For Some Tailgating? The Great Tailgate Event Has Everything You Need!

 

We Are At It Again! Grandma Juice, The Kids Are Grown Now What And RonMel Events Has Has Teamed Up With Some Fantastic Bloggers To Bring You Yet Another Super, Awesome Giveaway!

The Great Tailgate Giveaway Event Starts On September 15th And Runs Thru September 30th. We Are Going to Hook Up One Lucky Winner With Everything They Need For The Perfect Tailgating Party!

For The Great Tailgate Giveaway, We will Be giving Away A Complete Tailgating Prize Pack! Everything To Make Your Next Football Tailgate Party Perfect!

 

This Prize Pack Includes: Gooseberry Patch Tailgating Cookbook Coleman Roadtrip Party Grill Igloo Roller Cooler Football Stadium Serving Tray

 

See, Everything You Need To Make Tailgating Fun And Easy This Football Season! Also Perfect For Camping! Hunting Season Is right Around The Corner! Yeah, We Got Ya Covered!

We've Made All Entries Easy And Optional. There Is Only One Mandatory Entry. Your Name And Email So We Know How To Contact Our Lucky Winner!

Giveaway Will Be Open To Residents 18+ From The USA Only. The Great Tailgate Giveaway Event Is Not Associated With Facebook Or Any Of The Brands Included In The Prize Package. All Entries Will Be Verified. Winner Will Be Notified By Email And Has 48 Hours To Respond Or Sadly, We will Have To Draw Again. Winner Is Drawn By Random.org

Are Ya Ready To Get This Great Tailgate Giveaway Event Started? You Know What To Do! Simply Fill Out The Handy, Dandy Rafflecopter Form Below And Off You Go!

GOOD LUCK!

Top 15 Halloween Amusement Parks

Nationally acclaimed Roller Coaster and Amusement Park Expert has released his 2012 list of the world's top 15 Halloween amusement parks. In his book, "America's Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks", Pete teaches people how to overcome their fear of roller coasters and lists the best roller coasters and amusement parks around North America.

The 2012 Top 15 Halloween Amusement Parks

• Cedar Point "Halloweekends" at (Sandusky Ohio located between Cleveland and Toledo) www.cedarpoint.com
• Kennywood "Phantom Fright Nights" Kennywood (Pittsburgh, PA) www.kennywood.com
• Knoebels "Hallo-Fun Nights" (Elysburg, PA)www.knoebels.com
• Kings Island "Haunt" (Cincinnati, Ohio)www.visitkingsisland.com
• Six Flags Fright Fest (Jackson NJ /NYC area) and at most Six Flags theme parks around the nation. www.sixflags.com/greatAdventure/events/FrightFest
• Hershey Park in the Dark, (Hershey, PA)http://www.halloweeninhershey.com
• Knotts Berry Farm "Haunt" (Buena Park, CA outside of LA)www.halloweenhaunt.com
• Universal Studios "Halloween Horror Nights" (Orlando, Florida and Hollywood California)www.halloweenhorrornights.com
• Busch Garden Tampa "Howl-O-Scream" (Tampa, Florida and Williamsburg VA) www.howl-o-scream.com Lake Compounce (Bristol Ct) "Haunted Graveyard" http://www.hauntedgraveyard.com/

For Kids (Non Scary)

• Disney Magic Kingdom "Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party" (Orlando, Florida) http://disneyworld.disney.go.com
• Disneyland "Mickey's Halloween Party" (in Anaheim California) http://disneyland.disney.go.com
• SeaWorld's "Halloween Spooktacular" "Orlando Florida, and SanDiego, California http://seaworldparks.com
• Legoland California and Florida http://california.legoland.com/Plan/shows_and_events/bot_party_nights/ Andhttp://www.insidethemagic.net/2012/07/legoland-florida-to-celebrate-halloween-with-kid-friendly-brick-or-treat-featuring-miniland-overlay-costume-contest-prizes/
• Sesame Place Count's Spooktacular: (Langhorne, Pennsylvaniahttp://www.sesameplace.com/sesame2/plan.aspx?id=spooktacular

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Fanciful Butterfly Wings and Bird Wings - Review

Childhood should be about dreaming, about exploring, and about pretending. When we provide toys and props that encourage children to stretch their imaginations, we are creating opportunities for them to learn in many ways. Magic Cabin is one of my favorite places to shop because they offer so many exclusive items. These new Dreamy Dress-Ups transformed my preschoolers into beautiful, gliding birds and peaceful, flitting butterflies.

Each design comes in three dreamy colors and they are perfectly sized for all children with elastic shoulder straps and a finger loop at the edge of each wing. Soft and flowing, the polyester wings are hand-painted and glitter dances along the edge of the butterfly wings.

My preschoolers simply glowed when I showed them the wings and everyone wanted to be first to fly. We decided to head outside to play in the cool autumn breeze and see if we could get the birds and butterflies to fly with us.

As the children danced and twirled around the backyard, they giggled and laughed and even sang songs. The breeze helped lift the wings to encourage them to flap their arms and run. All they knew was they were having an amazing time. I knew they were developing their large motor skills, building their balance and strengthening muscles in their arms and legs.

They were gaining understanding about allowing each other enough space to stretch out. They were practicing fine motor skills as they discovered keeping their fingers curled tight kept the loops at the end of the wings from falling off.

Most importantly, they were dreaming and imagining. In their minds they were flying high above the trees, feeling freedom in their play, and having fun. And isn't that what childhood is really all about? Magic Cabin Fanciful Butterfly Wings and Fanciful Bird Wings are absolutely fabulous products and I highly recommend them!

Find these and many other wonderful children's toys at http://www.magiccabin.com/. Be sure to connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest too. You can even enter to win a set of Bird Wings and Butterfly Wings below!
Disclosure: I received these products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Enter to win Butterfly and Bird Wings from Magic Cabin!
To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and live in the USA. Only the first entry is mandatory; bonus entries will increase your chance to win. Ends at midnight ET on 9/29/2012. Good luck!

Golden Records The Magic Continues - Review

Golden Records has put together a fabulous celebrity series of classic songs and stories. Favorites from my childhood on this dvd took me back many years to the days when things were simpler. The familiar voices of Ed Anser, Susan Sarandon, and Alicia Silverstone share Little Red Riding Hood, The Frog Prince, The Princess and the Pea, among others, with a whole new generation of children who will love these stories as much as we did. The Magic Continues with Hansel and Gretal and Three Billy Goats Gruff and my group of preschoolers sat entranced, listening to the classic stories and songs. We've listened to it four times already this week and still they keep bringing it to me to hear it again. There is something very special about classics that simply call to children. This Golden Records dvd is perfect for all ages!

Find out more at http://littlegoldenrecords.com/. Click HERE for a music trailer and download free music HERE from their Facebook page. Be sure and follow on Twitter and Pinterest too so you're first to know about the new releases that are coming soon!
Purchase at the Amazon link above or at any of these links: iTunes, Select-O Hits, or Walmart.
Disclosure: I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Swimming Pool Safety

During the summer of 2012, the following twelve states suffered the largest number of pool and spa drownings for children younger than 15:
1. Texas (17)
2. California (10)
3. Ohio (9)
4. Arizona (8)
5. Michigan (8)
6. Pennsylvania (7)
7. Florida (6)
8. Illinois (6)
9. North Carolina (6)
10. Alabama (5)
11. Georgia (5)
12. New York (5)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Pool Safely campaign reminds us of these important safety steps:

• stay close to children in the water
• be alert
• watch children in and around the pool at all times

Check out http://www.poolsafely.gov/ today!

Fiction Untitled 1.3

1.3

In her dreams she heard tiny voices and the giggling of little girls. She heard whispers drifting among the trees that stretched upward around her. The sound of crackling leaves and little footprints created visions of children dancing through the forest in her mind. She longed to reach out and hold onto them, to smell their sweetness and delight in their enchantment of nature’s treasures among the trees. Her heart ached for the company of someone, anyone, as she felt her life slipping away. As her breathing slowed and her dreams faded, suddenly she felt herself lifted up, as though angels came to carry her away. For a moment, she felt joy and love. She remembered briefly the happiness of holding a baby, smelling its newness, and rejoicing in the miracle of birth. She recalled seeing electric blue eyes and touching jet black hair so soft and new under her fingertips. The memory of a perfect, tiny child in her arms came to her and she felt a man’s strong arms around her that promised comfort and protection. Then, instantly the deafening pain screamed through her legs and back, and her fear was so great she thought she must be headed towards hell in the grasp of the devil. She felt almost suffocated as blackness swallowed her and she flailed unsuccessfully against the death that tried to capture her. Finally succumbing, she allowed the darkness to carry her away in hopes that the incredible pain would cease.  

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Missed the beginning of my novel? Read it HERE!

AZ Books - About the Human Body - Review

Bodies are fascinating to children. There are so many interesting body parts outside and so many more inside that do things we can't see. AZ Books has created a wonderful interactive book for children called About the Human Body. Each page of the book teaches children about different human body facts with pictures and with voices!

It was so much fun to hand this book to one of my preschoolers to see what she would do with it. As she turned each page, a new sound greeted her and drew her in. The bright pictures caught her attention immediately too. It didn't take her long to figure out that the buttons on the right side of the book had a purpose.

Each button has a child's face on it and when she pushed each button, each child asked a different question that was answered by the "doctor" at the top of the buttons. As she turned the pages and pushed the same buttons, the children asked different questions that applied to the pictures on that page. The pages are nice and thick, like a board book, so it will last through many readings.

Lowe's Ramps Up Home Accessibility

Lowe’s announced today the launch of the Gatehouse Custom Access Ramp System to improve home access without sacrificing style. This new offering provides families, caregivers and professionals an affordable, do-it-yourself ramp product that’s now available nationwide on Lowes.com/Ramps, by calling 1-800-GO-LOWES and in select Lowe’s stores.

The Gatehouse Custom Access Ramp System offers a unique solution by combining the customizable style of a custom-built wood ramp and the easy installation of a traditional aluminum modular ramp. Visit Lowe’s Accessible Home webpage, which offers product suggestions, checklists and more.

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Simple Ways to Raise Self-Reliant Teens: Guest Post

Easy tips to help kids grow up self-sufficient

Transitioning away from the total dependence of childhood can be a challenge for parents as well as teens, but it’s also one of the most vital parts of growing up, and it can be tremendously rewarding for parents. Here are a few ideas to help you navigate these tricky waters and help your kids be the best they can be.

1. Involve them in your daily responsibilities
Trips to the grocery store with my mom were a powerful learning experience—she taught me how stores market their products, how to do simple math quickly to get the best deal, as well as instilling a healthy skepticism of the idea that the expensive option is always the best. She also taught me to wait for things I wanted, which is an underappreciated skill in modern life—and it’s definitely a skill, one that takes practice.

2. Discuss finances frankly
On whatever level you’re comfortable, help your teens understand how you manage your money, and why. The point is not to justify your decisions to your kids, or to make them feel guilty for the things they ask for—the point is to provide a frame of reference, so that they can make their own financial decisions intelligently, and understand when you have to say no.

3. Help them find work
When it’s time for your teen to find a job, be a coach rather than a personal assistant. Don’t fill out applications for them (or worse, try to accompany them to an interview); instead, offer help building a resume, brainstorm possible places to look, or even help them start their own business. Teens can mow lawns, fix bikes, design homemade jewelry, babysit—and nowadays, with a smartphone, they can even accept credit cards right at their customers’ front door. Without taking charge of the situation, parents can be a welcome source of advice, training, and inspiration.

4. Provide advice and encouragement with homework
Paradoxically, helping kids with homework or hobbies can be a great way to teach self-reliance. Kids who get stumped by their homework and can’t find help often grow up to view problems as insurmountable, instead of taking the necessary steps to solve them. The challenge for parents is to help kids through those rough spots, while creating enough space for kids to do their own problem-solving.

Shawna Davies is a staff writer for Going Cellular. She has a talent for organization and helping people navigate new technology. She’s a confessed gadget freak, but when she gets out of the house, she loves spending time at the lake with her husband and teenage son. They live in Beaumont, Texas.

Fiction Untitled 1.2

She was unsure how long she lay there, drifting in and out of consciousness. She recalled a parade of faces, with no names, but a flood of emotions that accompanied each face. Each time she awoke, the pain rushed back in to greet her with a vengeance. The woods around her were so thick that telling dusk from dawn was almost impossible. The searing heat of the afternoon sun finally fell upon her face and brought her back to a place of simple thought. She looked down at her legs, splayed in awkward directions, and realized she was indeed in real trouble. The hunger pangs in her stomach reminded her that she was most certainly alive, for the moment. Flies buzzed around her and the smell of her own sweat repulsed her. Breathing heavily, both from the heat and the pain, she waved unsuccessfully at the flies. In the near distance, the sound of running water beckoned her but even the smallest movement was difficult and painful. She looked at her surroundings and saw nothing but the thick of trees bare of life, overgrown weeds and rocky ground covered with the colors of autumn leaves. She shivered in spite of the sun on her face, for the air itself was crisp and breezy. Knowing that her legs were likely both broken, she knew she must, at the very least, lay them straight, even though she doubted she would live long enough for it to matter. Sucking in her breath, she grabbed her left leg and dragged it closer to the right leg, managing somehow to twist it around so her toes pointed upward. Then she did the same with her right leg, crying out only momentarily, then biting her lower lip against the pain. She gasped and leaned back against the tree trunk again and drifted off again, exhausted from the effort it took her. The sun set again and the relentless mosquitoes feasted on her hands on neck in the darkening woods.

Did you miss the beginning? Read it HERE! 

Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?

9/11

I will never forget.

Where were you?

Another Winner Announced

Congratulations to Melissa Nix,

winner of the Harry and David Apple Snack Box!

Didn't win this time?

Enter more HERE!

Katazoom Vinyl Wall Decals - Review

Katazoom has a huge selection of vinyl wall decals in their Etsy store and at http://www.katazoom.com. When I came across this one, I just knew I wanted on my wall. It took me less than 30 minutes to apply this amazing word art to the wall in my home daycare room.

All I had to do was peel off the backing, press it against the wall, smooth it out with a credit card, then peel off the paper front. It came out perfectly and I had no issues of any kind while applying it to the wall, even though my wall has a bumpy texture.

Their customer service is amazing and the shipping was super quick. You can shop for kitchen, kids' rooms, baby nursery, weddings, family and so much more. There are even Katazoom wall art decals for a working clock!

Check out Katazoom HERE and be sure to follow them on Facebook too. They even do custom designs; just ask! I happily recommend this company.

Disclosure: I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Emilie M Handbags - Review

Check out this stunning new cross-body handbag from Emilie M Handbags! With an adjustable buckle strap, it is also a perfect shoulder bag. The croco-texture is exotic and always in style. There are even four fashionable fall colors to choose from - Camel Croco (shown), Mallard Croco, Pewter Croco, and Ruby Croco. 

The inside material is a gorgeous blue satin and the closure snap is magnetic (my favorite kind). There are interior pockets as well as an exterior pocket. With the structured shape of this cross-body purse, it's a perfect on-the-go organizer. The signature "M" medallion that grips onto the strap is removable but I love the extra bling!

There is plenty of room inside for all my necessities, measuring 7"t x 9.8"l x 2.8"w. It's a great size for moms and teens! I've been carrying it all over town for about a week and I absolutely love it. I can wear it with either jeans and a t-shirt for grocery shopping or with a dress for parents' night at the high school. I've had lots of compliments on it.

Emilie M Handbags are stylish and affordable. This Morgan Cross-body Purse is just $55 and you can save 10% off your first purchase with the code SPEAKUP, sponsored by SheSpeaks.com. Go see all the great selections at http://www.emiliemshop.com. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of SheSpeaks/Emilie M. I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Preschool Gems by Leslie McCollom

Leslie McCollom is a preschool teacher who has collected years of quotes from children in her classrooms. She compiled all these "gems" into a single book to entertain and baffle adults. As a fellow early childhood educator, I think I enjoyed her introduction the most. She has a wonderful way of writing and I think she should have included more of her own insights throughout the book. I think since I work with kids, I've probably heard just about everything there is to hear from these little creatures, but they do tend to surprise us, even those of us who spend many hours with them. Their creative imaginations and sometimes lack of grasp of the meaning of words can produce some very interesting responses or exclamations out of nowhere. I liked that her illustrations were created by the children. Parents of preschoolers will love this book. You can pick up a copy for your preschool teacher or favorite parent at the link below.
Disclosure: I received this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Ideal Seal Embosser - Review

Next spring, when I close my home daycare and retire as a childcare provider, I'll be as busy as ever training other early childhood teachers. I'm also setting up a website where childcare providers can download training hours since thirty clock hours of training are required each year in Texas. I'm hoping to get my trainings approved in other states too. This means I'll be creating lots of training certificates in the next few years. The Ideal Seal Embosser Model No. 1 is the perfect tool for making certificates official!

The seal measures 1 5/8 inches in diameter and even comes with its own carrying pouch. It was so easy to order a customized seal embosser with the online templates at www.stampsdoneright.com. I could upload one of my own or create it right online. In just a couple minutes I created my seal with "Lisa Weidknecht" and "Master Trainer" around the circle and "Online Childcare Trainings" in the center.

My embosser arrived quickly and the seal is exactly the way I wanted it. The embosser is easy to use and even clips closed to keep the seal protected. I'm completely satisfied with this product and the crisp, clean impressions it makes. If you need custom stamps or seal embossers, check out www.stampsdoneright.com.

Packaways Plastic Storage Boxes - Review

Every time we move, there is a mad dash to find boxes. Then afterwards, there's a bunch to recycle. Packaways Storage Boxes are such a great solution, I wish I'd thought of it! Made from corrugated plastic, they fold flat when I'm not using them. Even the labels are dry-erase labels, so they can be used over and over again.

They come in lots of sizes and several colors (white, green, pink and blue). I'll definitely be using these when I move my scrapbooks and scrapbook supplies because the plastic will keep them safe from water and humidity. When I move my boys to college next fall, these Packaways Plastic Storage Boxes will definitely come in handy because they can fold them flat and store them in those little bitty dorm rooms.

They are a single piece and easy to open up or flatten down. Even the sides have handles cut into the plastic for easy carrying. Plus the ingenious lid closure means no tape is required. I absolutely love these new Packaways and definitely recommend them! Plus, they are made in the USA.

You can purchase these great Packaways classic boxes, totes and underbed storage boxes at http://www.packaways.com/ and be sure to follow them on Facebook too!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Perky-Pet Bird Water Cooler - Review

The birds of Pflugerville are going to be so happy that they no longer have to drink the chlorinated water in my swimming pool. My new Perky-Pet Bird Water Cooler holds one and a half quarts of fresh water. I can hardly wait to see what types of birds visit my yard now.

Made of a durable plastic, this water cooler will stand up to the Texas heat and dry winds, as well as the occasional rainstorm that rolls through here. The handle on the side makes it so easy to fill and carry. The plastic bird perch on the bottom twists on and off, but be careful not to flip it over until you get outside or you'll be wiping up water off the kitchen floor.

I enlisted the help of my son to hang it up and the notch on top of the water cooler was smaller than the hook I intended for hanging. As he stood on the deck chair soaking wet and laughing, he suggested I find something to hang it by like some rope.  

I dug through the kitchen junk drawer and found a cord that worked perfectly. The blue tint to the cooler, plus the blue sky reflecting through it, makes it the perfect temptation for thirsty birds. I even made sure it was in the shade so the water would stay cooler. Best of all, there is no standing water for mosquitoes!

You can get this awesome Bird Water Cooler at www.perkypet.com and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for great ideas to attract wild birds to your home!
Disclosure: I received this product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.