Two U.S. Navy Vessels Collided Saturday

Top Ten Things Heard on the two Navy Vessels...

1. "Alright, whose stupid idea was it to play bumper boats?"
2. "Oh, I thought YOU were watching the radar!"
3. "Got a bandage? I broke a nail."
4. "Even a nuclear submarine can't sink The Mighty Monty!"
5. "I told you they wouldn't flinch first."
6. "Sorry, thought it was a Marine vessel. My bad."
7. "The ocean just ain't big enough for the two of us."
8. "Great. There goes my Sailor of the Month Award!"
9. "Maybe NOW they'll give us a day off."
10. "You used Apple Maps for directions?"

Things I Learned This Week

1. You can never pack too many clothes for a trip.
2. You can never pack too many shoes for a trip.
3. Always make sure you pack everything you need in your carry-on.
4. You will always forget something. I forgot my own coffee blend.
5. People will pay outrageous prices for a soda from a machine, when the "always free" coffee tastes like total crap.
6. Breaking a bad habit is easy to do when you're on vacation and away from your normal routine.
7. Some ladies who travel clean their pantyhose in hotel room coffee-makers. Seriously. Well, I heard this, I didn't really learn it, but I'll never drink in-room coffee again.
8. In group discussions, there is always one person who dominates the conversation, talking about how amazing they are.
9. Be yourself. Every one else is already taken.
10. You can't send a text message when you only have one bar. Standing on a hill outside might get you two bars so you can send it.
11. Dieting while on vacation is stupid (and near impossible).
12. If you really want to stand out at a costume party, be the one who doesn't wear a costume.
13. Everyone's life is just as hard as yours. Their battle is just different.

Photo Walk 2 - Callaway Butterfly Garden, Georgia

Some of my favorite shots from our second photo walk:

Photo Walk - Pine Mountain, Georgia #Travel

This weekend I'm at the Aiming Low Non-Conference in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Friday morning we went on a photo walk of Callaway Gardens, where we're staying. Here are some of my favorite photos from my walk.

Breaking News - Ugglebo Clogs is now Sandgrens Clogs

Ugglebo Clogs is changing its name to Sandgrens Clogs! Oh, don't worry...you can still expect all of the same greatness from their superior products but with a new classic Swedish name. Check out these gorgeous Philly Clog Boots in Mocha. I'm so glad it's boot season again!

So why the new name? Both the founder and his son Christer (current Clog Master) learned the art of clog-making at the Sandgrens factory in Sweden during the 1950’s. It was there that clog making became more than just a job; it became an art and a passion for the entire family, now in its third generation! Sandgrens is the oldest clog brand and was once the largest.

Sandgrens Clogs are committed to all the same core principles and fundamentals as before:

• Unmatched clog and boot quality
• Unmatched customer service
• Authentic Swedish design
• A socially responsible brand and employer
• A company that reaches out to fans in fun and exciting ways

The new website www.sandgrensclogs.com is now live and the Ugglebo Clogs website will be wound-down within the very near future. Sandgrens Clogs for women will offer a wider assortment of classic, professional clogs, plus more high end. Not only that, Sandgrens will also offer clogs for Men and Kids.

Their attention to detail in shoes is incredible. When I put these Philly Clog Boots on I could not believe how comfortable they feel. I've never owned a pair of boots this comfortable, especially ones with heels. Walking in them is wonderful because the wooden sole is designed to fit around a foot in motion. I also own two pair of their clogs and they are some of my favorite shoes!

Go check out the website at www.sandgrensclogs.com/ and be one of their first followers on their new Facebook and Twitter accounts! I can't wait to see all the new styles that will be coming out from Sandgrens Clogs over the next few months.

Disclosure: I received these products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

American Apparel Unisex Winter Jacket - Review

I love winter jackets! I especially love my new Unisex Winter Jacket from American Apparel. It's made of cotton twill and lined with Sherpa. The inside of the sleeves are silky soft and it even has a hood. It's got a double-zipper, buttons and cinch-cords at the hood and waist. There are two deep front pockets too.

Classy and fashionable for both women and men, this wonderful winter coat comes in ten different colors. It was challenging to choose a color because I liked all of them, but I finally picked the camel color. And hooray - American Apparel is made right here in the USA!

This jacket is heavy enough for the very cold days, but light enough for milder days. The length of it is perfect and hits just below my hips. I absolutely love this winter coat! You can purchase the Unisex Winter Jacket at americanapparel.net. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter too.

American Apparel is my sponsor for the 2012 Fall Fashionista Giveaway Event and you can enter to win your choice of color/size of the Unisex Winter Jacket HERE! Hurry, giveaway ends on October 17, 2012!

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

American Apparel - 2012 Fall Fashionista Giveaway Event

Welcome to the semi-annual Fashionista Events, ALL FASHION, ONLY FASHION, Giveaway Event. This is the Largest Fashion giveaway event on the internet, with 115+ blogs offering over $20,000 in prizes, hosted by Still Blonde after all these YEARS and Modly Chic, with co-host K Squared Glamour.

The Grand Prize for the Event is a $1200 (retail) Louis Vuitton Red Leather epi speedy 25 via Bella Bag (bella bag price $795) WORLDWIDE! For every giveaway in the FALL Fashionista Event you enter, you gain one entry toward the Louis Vuitton Bag.

My sponsor is American Apparel and you can win a Unisex Winter Jacket in any available size and color, ARV $164.00.
Read my review of this jacket HERE!
Follow American Apparel on Facebook and Twitter!

 Enter to win using the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and live in the USA. Giveaway ends at midnight ET on October 17, 2012. After you enter my giveaway, visit the other blogs below and enter their giveaways too. Good luck!

  

Melanoma Does Not Discriminate

Melanoma affects the young, the old, the fair skinned and the dark skinned. Contrary to the common belief that only fair-skinned individuals can be affected, dark skin does not indicate immunity to skin cancer. Although Caucasians are the primary targets for skin cancer, people with darker skin tones are also at risk. In fact, melanoma is usually more deadly for people with darker skin because they usually take fewer precautions and are commonly misdiagnosed or diagnosed too late.

This misconception may derive from the fact that people who have a darker complexion have more melanin in their skin. Melanin, which gives color to your skin, also acts as a natural shield against damaging sunrays, thus making darker-skinned people less prone to UV radiation damage and sun burns. However, that does not mean you are invincible to skin cancer if you have colored skin, because this natural protection is not flawless.

Several factors can lead to a high risk of developing skin cancer, regardless of your skin color:

• Overexposure in the sun 
• A history of sunburns 
• The presence of moles and/or skin lesions 
• Family history of skin cancer 
• Living in high-altitude climates or near the equator 
• A weakened immune system 
• Overexposure to radiation, or other substances such as arsenic

Because melanoma, one of the fastest-growing cancers and the most deadly form of skin cancer in the U.S. does not discriminate, people of all skin colors need to be aware of its risk factors and preventative measures to help lower your risk. Self-exams can help you identify potential skin cancers early, when they can almost always be completely cured. Regular visits to your dermatologist, self-checks, and enrolling in an early detection surveillance program to monitor existing and new moles and lesions are essential in keeping you and your skin healthy all year long.

- Dr. Richard Bezozo, President of Molesafe

Wedne$day Wealth Giveaway Link Up

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Have a blessed day!

Sweet Banana Snacks Recipe - with Dollop Gourmet Frosting Spread

Break away from the cake! Frosting is good on nearly anything and this Dollop Gourmet Frosting Spread is on a mission to "spread" across the nation making everything delicious! I received two packets of homemade chocolate frosting, made with real butter, real sugar, and real chocolate, by real people. My creativity was sparked and I had a hard time deciding whether to put the frosting spread on pretzels, crackers, apples, ice cream, or maybe even bacon....

In the end, I decided to at least try to give myself an illusion of eating healthy. I was going to use crackers with frosting and banana, but my teenage son made the suggestion of vanilla wafer cookies and I thought that was a great idea. Two packets of frosting allowed me to put a Dollop of gourmet frosting on about a dozen wafer cookies.

The packets are ingeniously designed with a little tear-off tab, making them perfect for decorating and also perfect for hiding in a purse for a dollop on the go. I sliced up a banana and pressed the slices onto the top of the frosting and created the perfect after-dinner dessert for my family. The frosting is absolutely delicious and everyone loved the Dollop chocolate banana cookies!

You can visit the frosting spread online shop at http://dollopgourmet.com and order a 16oz. pouch and 0.5oz. snack packets. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter, then enter to win two snack packets below! You must be at least 18 years old and live in the USA. This giveaway ends at midnight ET on 10/30/12. There will be TWO WINNERS! Good luck!
Disclosure: I received these products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

UM! Helps You Organize - Review

Many people ask me how I juggle running a household, running a home daycare, writing a blog, and working on my novel all at one time. The answer is - organization! Everything has a place in my house and if it's not where it's supposed to be, well, let's just say it better be there. I just received a package of UM! products to help me with my obsession.

My new Clip UM! found a perfect spot in the pantry and now securely hugs my broom. These products are made with a patented EverSTIK material with millions of nano-sized suction cups, so I can hang them absolutely anywhere with no nails, no tape, and no glue. I can also move them and reuse them over and over.

The square Mirror UM! and the 3-pack of blue Frame UM! found a special spot in my daycare room on the file cabinet doors. I love hanging up photos for the kids to see and with Frame UM! I can put out three different photos every day.

The children have had so much fun making faces at themselves in the Mirror UM! It's so easy to use that even my two year olds can peel it off and put it higher and lower as they wish. The adhesive material is very strong and none of my UM! products have fallen off the spot where I put them up.

The Hook UM! is the perfect place for me to hang my kitchen towel out of sight. I don't have a towel rack in the kitchen because I didn't want to damage my cabinets, but the Hook UM! is a wonderful solution.

You can find the whole line of UM! products at http://www.um-brands.com. They also offer a Note UM! which is a darling notepad that hangs wherever you want it to. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter to be first to hear about new UM! products to help you organize your home.

Disclosure: I received these products at no charge in exchange for my honest review.