August 31, 2010
Sample Avery Gift Basket
We’re trying to get back in the saddle of school here. But with three kids in three schools for the first time, Oy. Reality is settling in, along with my tuckus in the minivan driver’s seat. But, as always, the bright spot in routine coming back is the chance to organize things a little bit. You may recall my love of office products, and back to school is prime time for scoping out new ones.
But some teachers have to spend their own money to equip their classrooms. Avery Dennison seeks to shed light on that topic, as well as give some teachers the tools they need to equip their students to learn.
There’s two opportunities here- to enter a gift basket like the one pictured above, please tweet a link to this post and leave a comment letting me know you did so. If you’re not a Twitter user, please post a link on your Facebook wall and leave a comment. (Or, for two chances to enter, do both and leave two comments!) Winner will be selected via Random.org and notified on September 10th.
AND, To enter the “Avery Celebrates Teachers” sweepstakes, please see that website (complete sweepstakes rules listed here) Here’s what your teachers can win: Hurry, as this sweepstakes ends on September 15, 2010!
One (1) grand prize package, which includes: a goodie
bag of Avery products valued at $500; a SpaFinder gift
card valued at $350; and a Starbucks gift card valued at
$150
Three (3) second prize packages valued at $200 each
Five (5) third prize packages valued at $80 each
Or, another way to help your classrooms:
Avery is the only school and office supply manufacturer that
participates in Box Tops for Education. When you purchase
select Avery school supplies for the new academic year you
also receive Box Tops coupons to clip and return to
participating schools to be redeemed for cash. Each school
then uses the cash at their discretion to purchase new
supplies, fund programs, or buy much-needed equipment,
computers, etc. To learn more, visit www.avery.com/btfe.
Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post, though I am also receiving an Avery Gift basket, which I am donating to my child’s classroom.
Posted in Giveaways, Giving Back, Rock and Roll Mama 
3 Comments »
August 20, 2010
Sherry-Mom of 2 on Momcation.:)
Sherry Howard is both a rock star spin instructor, and the kind of friend who drops home-made soup off at your mama’s when she’s sick. For the last four years, she’s been a daily inspiration to me and my go-to Starbucks impromptu buddy.
In the last two years, she’s morphed from a mama who goes to the gym as a chore to get more activity points to a highly dedicated (and much loved!) fitness instructor…spin, water fitness, boot camp…my girl is out there kicking people’s bahookies seven days a week. I’ve been watching her step into this new role with such purpose and assurance, all the while juggling home cooking and caring for two sweet boys (and a Hubs.:)
And she’s very involved with her family’s non-profit, Courtney’s Crusade, to honor her sister who passed away much too young- and to insure that others have access to the equipment that can save their lives.
Courtney suffered an episode of sudden cardiac arrest at the age of 24. After her tragic and sudden loss, her family went to work- and learned that one of the keys to survival in the event of sudden cardiac arrest is early defibrillation.
Yet few public places have access to Automated External defibrillators (AED).
From Courtneys Crusade: Each year Sudden Cardiac Death claims the lives of a quarter of a million people in the United States alone and kills one adult every one to two minutes. It is because of these astonishing statistics that Courtney’s Crusade has partnered with the American Heart Association and holds an annual fundraiser in Courtney’s memory. Through generous donations and a silent auction, we have been able to raise thousands of dollars to purchase AED’s and place them in local schools throughout Houston. Less than six months later, one of those devices has already been utilized.
Sherry’s amazes me constantly with her spirit, energy, and very level- headed outlook. She’s a pragmatist of the best kind. She sees things for precisely what they are, then she rolls up her sleeves. She’s the girl you want in your corner.
So yes, she’s a machine, (think Energizer Bunny) but she’s our machine and we love her. (One of my favorite things about Sherry- she can be trusted to text me from anywhere in a three county radius with the best deal on Rainier cherries. We rejoice every summer when they show up at Whole Foods again.)
And the mark of a true Texas girl- her taste in music. Don’t let the sweet drawl and hawt blond hair fool you- this girl’s got some swamp blood in her veins. I love her mixes, and she shared a spin class version for your sweating pleasure.
She also taught me the best beauty queen trick for pictures- Put your tongue directly behind your two front teeth when you smile- perfect, every time. Now if only I could keep my eyes open.:)
Here’s some Sherry inspiration mix to get you over the Hill. I’m gonna rock it for my 5K training this week.To my kick-bahookie friend: Thank you for being exactly who you are. You don’t even know how cool you are, sister.
Beautiful Monster 4:11
Seated Flat 65%
Jai Ho! 3:42
Increase ½ Turn
Standing Run 70%
Seated Run 75%
Miss Independent 3:35
(Jay-Z version) Standing Climb 80%
7/10
Fell On Black Days 4:42
Seated Climb 85%
8/10
Just Dance 4:02
Run w/Resistance 75%
5/10
Dancing with Myself (The Donnas NOT Billy Idol) 3:28
Seated Flat
75% -85%
Born to Run 4:29
Run w/Resistance
FAST PACE 75%
Crush Crush Crush
3:09
Standing Climb 80%
7/10
Take me to the River 5:01
Seated Climb 85%
When Love Takes Over
3:09
Run w/Resistance 75%
5/10
Thanks for the Memories 3:23
(Fall Out Boy) Seated Flat 92%
Forever 2009
Black Sheep 3:28
Resistance Loading
6/10 75%
Ain\’t Nothing Wrong With That 3:30
Seated Climb
6/10 – 80RPM 80%
Kryptonite 3:54
Seated Climb
8/10 – 80RPM 92%
How Low 3:54
Ludakris and Shawna Standing Climb 85%
Ballroom Blitz The Sweet
4:04
Seated Run
5/10 – 90RPM 80%
Sexy Chick 3:16
David Guetta Standing Run w/Resistance 92%
Enter Sandman 5:32
Metallica Standing Climb 92%
7/10 80RPM
Evacuate the Dancefloor 3:30
Cascada Run w/Resistance 80%
Jump (Flo Rida – NOT Van Halen) 3:29
Standing Climb
SPRINTS 92%
Hey Soul Sister Train
South Side Moby
Fast Car , Wyclef
Breakfast in America
Supertramp
Posted in DIY, Music, Old School 2 Comments »
August 18, 2010
Sharpie Hawtness
There’s a tradition on rock and roll buses- probably in Frat houses, too, but I don’t know them as well- that if a person falls asleep in the front lounge, they may wake up inscribed with indelible ink and possible down an eyebrow or two.
It’s not that they were DRUNKER than anyone else, they just couldn’t be bothered to walk as far. And for that, they pay with adornment.
I didn’t realize that this concept carried over to motherhood, but after looking back on evenings spent with my six and four year old this year, I realized I’m the Sleepy Equivalent of Drunk Mommy in the Front Lounge.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Adventures, DIY, Mommy Like a Rock Star Series, Rock and Roll Mama 2 Comments »
August 10, 2010
If there’s one thing that’s always guaranteed to make me smile, it’s an assortment of Gerbera daisies. Something about their wild zany colors and the way they scream “Excitement!!!’ just energizes me. In fact, if I’m on a deadline, I go buy some at the store.
(Hey, we all have our own procrastination rituals.:)
It makes sense that I love flowers, since my daughter’s middle name is Marigold and my only tattoo is of a daisy. I love taking my six year old girl to the Amish market on Saturday mornings and deliberating in front of the stacks of fresh picked flowers. We start with a double dutch bouquet and then add on from there, pointing to lilies and daisies until our quota of over the top ridiculousness has been met. Then she tries to carry them out of the store, while straining to see over the top.
I also make it a point to send flowers when people aren’t expecting them. Birthdays and anniversaries, we all have our eyes open for surprises and are ready for them. I like to do it on the weird days- a friend has won an award, or we finished a project a long time in the making. Or, I just feel like someone could really use them right now.
As part of 1-800- FLOWERS “Summer of Smiles”, I have the chance to share a $50 gift card with you to make someone’s day. (And sure, it can be your own!:)
Just leave a comment on this post telling me about your most memorable time receiving flowers. I’ll draw a winner via Random.org on Monday, August 16, and e-mail them.
Disclosure: I received a gift card to share flowers with someone as well.
Posted in Miscellaneous 6 Comments »
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