Bye Bye 2010~ Hello 2011

OK~ What a year 2010 has been.....I'm ready for a New Year!  Some of the highlights of 2010 were................

• I published Bootstrapped in Iowa
• My Blog (yep, this one) went from 500 hits a month to now more than 4,000- and growing 
• Blaine turned 19 and is finding his way- two jobs, one day at a time
• Garrett joined the trapshooting team- found his place- lettered as a Freshman
• Celebrated Mom & Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary in November
• I danced with my high school science teacher at the big 50th Wedding Anniversary party
• Made a 3 day, 2 night get-a-way to Rocky Mountain National Park in July with Todd
• Met some helpful Docs at the Mayo Clinic.....

2010 was good......But you know what?  I think 2011 is gonna be a little bit better!  Happy New Year to each of you-  After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

Yep, I Have A Cat For You.....

OK~ I'm surfing through Facebook and I notice that one of my friends is on the hunt for a cat.  I notice that she has had a disappointing day, as she had been to the local Humane Society/Animal Shelter and found a cat that she and her family fell in love with.  She then proceeded to say that she completed the 4 sheets of paper work, but could not adopt a cat due to the fact that her Vet could not provide the necessary records from a previous cat that they had owned.  I looked outside at all of our farm cats....Ummm...

I then sent her a message letting her know that I had cats!  I offered her Tree Cat, but she said they wanted a female.  No problem, I knew I had a couple really cute female cats.  They looked alike, same Mother, and were very friendly.  So, I went out to pick up one of them....and, of course they ran from me.  I caught one female cat, or so I thought, and it rode very nice in the car...A whole three miles!

Well, this little kitty that was five months old....bonded with this family instantly!  "Ginger" had found a new home!  It's now a couple days later and I see that "Ginger" has been to the Vet, is healthy and HE needs a new name!  I guess next time I will "look" rather good before I say, "Yep, I have a female cat for you!"  I guess I failed to tell her that our male cat is named "Susie!"  That should have given her the first hint that this Mom has no clue~ After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

My 47th Wordless Wednesday Post

Christmas~ New Years Cards

OK~ It's almost New Years and I'm looking at all of the fun Christmas Cards and letters we received this year.  Some really stick out.........You might ask why....Well, here we go

• Our friend Rhonda has a cute, furry family~ Herself and three dogs!  One of the nicest looking family pics we received.  We always look forward to that picture.
• Three family Christmas letters told of tales from Northern Wisconsin for the July 4th holiday.  Looks like this is "the" place to go once July rolls around.
• Looks like water parks, casinos, beaches, and Disney World are popular destinations this holiday season for several of our friends/family.
• And then there is the picture of my sister and her family~ I do wonder who that man is......When you have a picture taken in front of a monument in Washington D. C- note to self:  Make sure there are no crazies in the photo making funny motions with their hands!

Seriously, it was fun to receive so many wonderful pictures (kids grow up way too fast) and to hear of all the wonderful activities and adventures your families have taken part in this past year.....I can't wait to see and hear what's in store for 2011 for all of you!  After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right? 

A Beautiful Winter Day

OK~ I seriously did not think I would ever find myself saying this~ but, we have a beautiful winter day here in Iowa!

A great way to enjoy a holiday week~ And the blue sky~ I love it! After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

Husky Tools Review

OK~ If you are looking to get organized through the New Year, HUSKY Tools has just what you are looking for! This HUSKY 48 Piece Tri-Grip Screwdriver Set keeps everything simple, and all in one place!  The really cool part of this, it retails for less than $10.00! Along with being organized, you will not have any reason for not completing that home improvement project that has been hanging around for a while.

It not only comes with this carrying and storage case, but it comes with a ratcheting Tri-Grip driver, extension bar, 14 sockets and 32 screwdriver bits! A user friendly, and simple to store item.  So, in 2011, you will have no reason to go on the hunt for that screwdriver that you cannot find. All 14 sockets, as well as 32 screwdriver bits will be in this handy carrying case.You will have it all in one tidy compartment once you invest in a HUSKY Tri-Grip Screwdriver Set! A purchase you will not regret.  HUSKY has numerous tools that retail for less than $20.00, as well. This household appreciates the compact packaging, as well as the ease of use. After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

*I did receive one Tri-Grip Screwdriver Set for Review Purposes.  I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post.  The opinions expressed here are mine and nobody else's. 

Christmas Memories 2010

OK~Christmas 2010....A short re-cap of our Christmas~ One of my favorite tree ornaments!

 Garrett is Hang Gliding with the X-Box Kinect!

 Wally is stunned that he did not have a present to open!

 Skipper is taking it all in~ He also can't believe that there was not one package under the tree for him!

Definitely a White Christmas in Iowa~ One we will remember for many years!  After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

Merry Christmas!

           MERRY CHRISTMAS~ IT'S A WHITE CHRISTMAS IN IOWA!

Mom~ The Red Light Is Off

OK~ Blaine comes home and says, "The brake light on my car is red!"  Believe me, I'm thinking you are asking the wrong person.  Red light tells me to stop.  He goes on his way, I go on mine. Today he says, "The red brake light is still on.  I wonder if it needs brake fluid?" I'm thinking, sounds like an option to me.
Now, this is how a Mom knows that her boys are not little boys anymore.  I say, "Garrett, can you check the brake fluid in your brother's car?"  He says, "Sure." My 15 year old is out checking the brake fluid in my soon to be 20 year old's car.

Wow~ I'm thinking back to when we were outside swinging, sledding down the hill in East Park, and digging that lost toy out of the bottom of the toy box.  Where did all of those years go.........

Brake fluid is in car, a new quart of oil is also in~ Garrett and I head back to the house.  Blaine starts his car and gives us the thumbs up~The red brake light is off!  Amazing what a little bit of brake fluid will do, isn't it?  After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

My 46th Wordless Wednesday Post

MOM, What Are You Listening To?

OK~ The boys and I were in the car today.  It's rare that the three of us are in one car.  Garrett usually takes control of the radio~ I have accustomed myself to this.  I don't pay attention to what is playing, I really don't.  He turned it to a radio station that I honestly never listen to.  I know, I know....My age is showing.  Blaine and I were having a conversation and all of a sudden he says, "Mom, What Are You Listening To? "I'm thinking, "This must not be good, my almost 20 year old is questioning my taste in music!"  It was at that point that I listened to what was playing....Every other word started with an "F", a "S", and other slang words that I knew were not good, but I have no clue what they mean!

Garrett, who is 15, reached over and turned it to another station, which he knows I do listen to.  This was later in the afternoon, as both boys know that Mom is in control of the radio station in the morning when it comes to giving them a ride to school or work!  The station then: Contemporary Christian Music!  And guess what?  They don't move the dial, push a button, as they know Mom expects them to listen to this!  I just think it's a great way for them to start their day (and mine too).

It's interesting how we can tune things out in our lives when we really need to.  I was focusing on the fact that I had both of my teenage sons in the car, we were all getting along, and conversing!  We all were enjoying ourselves!  After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

It's Cookie Time

OK~ I'm snowed in and thankfully I had a package of Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix ( I'm not makin' these from scratch). I could find three cookie cutters~ Two Santa's and a bent star.  All Santa cookies, no food coloring to color the frosting, but these work!  I'm thinking all 48 of these cookies will be gone within 48 hours. It wouldn't seem like Christmas without a decorated cookie or two in the house.  Too bad I didn't have some red cinnamon things to put on the hat....Oh well...After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

*I did not receive any product or monetary compensation in regards to this post.  The opinions expressed here are mine and nobody else's.

Shoes.......

OK~ I found these today!  Yep, they are mine~ Any guesses to how I acquired them?  Those of you that personally know me~ Do these really look like something I would wear?  After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

*I did not receive any product or compensation for this post.  The opinions expressed here are mine and nobody else's.

Hotels & Fire Alarms~ Be Prepared

OK~ It's been almost a month now since we were evacuated from a hotel in the middle of the night.  If you have never had this happen to you, I've got some tips to help you if it should ever happen to you!  We don't stay in hotels very often, so when this happened it was really a case of bad luck.

We were awakened at 4:00 a.m. with a LOUD noise. My ears still hurt!  When you get woke up from a deep sleep, it takes a moment for it all to sink in. I kept trying to turn off the alarm clock, as I did not check to see if it was set to go off before I went to bed. Well, that's when Todd said, "It's the fire alarm.  We need to get out now!" OK~ So, what do you grab? Well I grabbed a sweater to throw over my pajamas and that was it! Garrett got out of bed...sweatshirt on with his pajamas...Todd was out with a sweatshirt, pajamas, car keys, hotel room keys, and his cell phone. That was it~ we were out!

So, we got outside...Thankfully it must've been in the upper 30's, which was good for that time of day in Des Moines, Iowa. I did not have my contact lenses in, so I was blind as a bat! My eye glasses were somewhere in the hotel room. Since Todd had grabbed our car keys we could sit in our heated car!  Several people were outside...as they had not grabbed their car keys.

Lesson learned........I had looked at the escape route which is pasted on every door in every hotel. I have always made a point to make a mental note of how to get out, but honestly never thought it would matter.  Well, I was glad I had glanced at that map.

Should you find yourself in a hotel and the fire alarm goes off~ Make sure you have any valuable items placed near your bed, so you can grab them if you should have to evacuate. As we were sitting in the car we were mentioning my purse, my cell phone, Garrett's cell phone, the laptop, and several other items that we would have preferred to have taken with us. Thankfully, 45 min. later we were back in our room~ fire department came to check everything out and never found anything!

I found out from an employee of the hotel that several guests had not taken their room keys with them.  That is a very important thing to take with you, should you be evacuated, as well as your car keys (if your car is in the parking lot). Place your items in a spot near your bed or the door so you can grab them as you head out of your hotel room. I know we will be much better prepared the next time we stay in a hotel.

Hopefully this never happens to you, but if it does you will be prepared! And if it does you will be much better prepared than we were! After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

Was it time for an update?

OK~ Do the little things in life get you excited?  Well, this Mom got pretty happy when she got a new light fixture!  Do you think it was time for this to be updated?

I'm kind of liking the new look.....What do you think?  Was it time for an update, or not?

After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right? 

Sweet Pea The Bumble Bee~ What do you want to BeeCome? Review & Giveaway * US Readers*

Sponsored by Tomoson.com




OK~ We all know that kids and parents love books!  Books are fun and a simple way to share a smile or two.  I have to say that Sweet Pea The Bumble Bee~ What do you want to BeeCome is definitely one of these books.  The illustrations are fabulous and the message is simple....You can be whatever you want and do what you want to do.  But most of all, you can BEE YOURSELF!

And the photography is absolutely stunning!  This is a children's book that you will laugh about~ check out that French Bulldog!  If you love animals ( or not) this dog book will inspire you and your children in ways you never imagined.  Co-Authors Tiffany Corbett and Courtney Noelle are two women that had a vision and ran with it~ Sweet Pea the Bumble Bee was born!

A great inspirational gift for anytime of year~ The Beehive (Set of all 3 books) is also available for purchase.

Beeing ExtraOrdinary~ Sweet Pea The Bumble Bee Book, Spreading the Buzz of the Holiday Season & What Do You Want To Beecome~  My four year old nephew thought this book was "Good." I'm quoting his exact words.  He thought some of the pictures were funny and the message that was sent through the photos was an inspiring one!

Thanks to the awesome team of people at Sweet Pea The Bumble Bee, one of you is going to win your very own copy of this fun book~ Sweet Pea The Bumble Bee~ What do you want to BeeCome?

Here's how to enter!  (Be sure to comment on each entry you make)

Mandatory Entry:  Head on over to Sweet Pea The Bumble Bee's website, check it out~ Come back and tell me something you learned about this awesome team of people!

Additional ways to Enter:

• Follow All In An Iowa Mom's Day Through GFC (1 entry)
• Follow @sweetpeabumbleb on Twitter  (1 entry)
• "Like"  Beeing ExtraOrdinary~Sweet Pea The BumbleBee on Facebook ( 2 entries)
• Follow @saramomof2 on twitter (1 entry)
• Tweet this giveaway~ (1x per day- up to 1 entry per day)

This Giveaway will officially end at Midnight (CST) on Dec. 27th, 2010.  Winner will be chosen through Random.org and announced Dec. 28, 2010.  Be sure to leave me an e-mail address or twitter id.  I need to have a way to contact the winner.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond. If needed, a new winner will be chosen through Random.org after the 48 hour time frame.  Sorry, No P. O. Boxes, must have a delivery address.  

*I did receive one book for review purposes.  I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed here are mine and nobody else's.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

My 45th Wordless Wednesday Post

How do you tackle this project?

OK~ I definitely have a problem.  I have eight 1/2 pairs of socks......... Notice how none of these match?  This is and has been a regular occurrence in this household for more than 23 years!  How do you tackle the sock monster at your house AKA: Clothes Dryer....Gotta blame it on something! What's a Mom to do?  After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

When is it time to break out the new clothes?

OK~ I'm frustrated!  I have a 15 year old boy that has four new sweatshirts in his dresser drawer.  Yet he reaches for the other three that look just like this!

Yep, holes everywhere!  You may ask, "Why don't you just toss it out?"  These are perfect for outside doing boy stuff, but NOT ok for school.  Yet.......this is what he reaches for every morning!  I have learned to choose my battles wisely ( at least I think I have) but this drives this Mom crazy!

I asked Garrett recently, "Why don't you wear one of those new ones without any holes?"  That was the mistake.  Lesson learned, don't ask!  This is what I wish my 15 year old would wear to school, but he chooses to wear what he wants, not what his Mom wants!

Just thinking~ His elbows are currently showing and it's mighty cold here in Iowa. Coats are over rated, Moms are supposed to know that too!  I'm hoping that he will reach for one of these well put together sweatshirts soon, as this Mom thinks it is time to break out the new clothes! After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

Winter is here~ Like it or Not!

Good Morning Sunshine~  I'm not sure how I feel about this.  I'm trying to see the beauty in all of this cold & snow.  Hard to believe that 24 hours before this we had rain and green grass.  Winter has officially arrived, even though the calendar does not say!  I was thinking back to when my boys were little.....the first snow fall, they could not wait~ and neither could I.

Garrett seemed to be rather content tearing around the yard on the 4-wheeler today all bundled up and then spending the rest of the day playing video games...Ahhh..to be 15 again!  Oh, and I did venture to the YMCA...roads were treacherous, but that's the fun of winter in Iowa, right?  I am less than one mile from home and I receive this text message:

Bring me McDonald's

Nope, not happening..........Remember this 15 year old will eat me out of the house if I'd let him.  He opted for a plate of spaghetti, ice cream and is now enjoying a plate of chicken nuggets.  I'm content by the fire place, the warmth coming through the vents and my cozy blanket!  The snow angels with my boys are fun memories~  After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

J-41 Essence Slip-on - Review

OK~ I had not purchased a pair of shoes for Fall for approximately four years. The last enclosed shoes that  I bought were tennis shoes, which I needed for my brace. While shopping with my Sister a little over a month ago, I found these fun shoes! I bought them and let me tell ya~ they simply rock!

These shoes are made of a super soft-suede upper with a faux fur lining~ Comfort and Warmth!  I got to test them out on some snow and ice today! They were wonderful. The sole of these shoes is eco-friendly while providing great traction. We all know how ice and snow can become so treacherous in Iowa during the Winter. Another cool thing, J-41 shoes are made with 100% recycled and recyclable packaging. The outsoles are also constructed with partially recycled rubber. So, if a comfy, eco-friendly pair of shoes is something you are looking for~I highly recommend that you give the J-41 Essence a try!  After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

*I did not receive any product or compensation for this post.  The opinions expressed here are mine and nobody else's.  

Simple Way To Keep Your Back Strong

OK~ Most of you know that I struggle with my back on a daily basis.  Some people ask me, "What's your secret to look so good?"  Well, let me tell you - I do not have any secrets.....It's a lot of buck up and deal with it and know that I need to stay positive!  I have goals~ I want to remain healthy and flexible as long as possible.  I know that if I would not have pushed myself the past 10 months, I would not have been able to endure this hike that I accomplished this past summer in Rocky Mountain National Park.

My recommendations of how to keep back pain manageable with the least amount of medications.

• Walk 5-6 days a week for at least 30 min. on a treadmill
• Lift some weights that focus on strengthening your back & stomach
• Leg lifts on a regular basis
• Flexing my right foot on an exercise ball to keep those tendons working properly ( A dropped foot means you have to work a little harder with each step you take).
• Do some of the "funny" looking exercises at home that a physical therapist has probably shared with you, they do help.

I still laugh about the day the lady at the YMCA seriously thought our family should participate in the Triathlon....She really doesn't understand how hard it is to press on to get where I am~ Gotta love the fact that I must give effort~ She sees it!  

If I can do this regimen on a regular basis, anybody can!  It's up to you to make it happen.  Believe me, I have some really great days and some really tough days~ but I get through them.  By setting goals and knowing that in order to be hiking, I need to keep my back strong!  So, if you have back issues, I'm here to show you that there is hope.  Push yourself a little bit and see where you can go!  After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right? 

There's NO Sound, Help!

OK~ I am on the computer and trying to access a You Tube video that one of my Facebook friends has produced...Grr...No sound.  I kid you not!  I cannot hear anything.  I am clicking on the arrow- making sure the sound bar is up on YouTube- So, everything looks good on this end.  I then look at this receiver that is hooked up to the computer, click a few buttons, still no sound.  I then think- A ha...I'll hook up these headphones.  Hooked up- still no sound!  I then resort to my 15 year old- Of course he claims that I know nothing about this process.

Ok~ Here it goes:

Me:  "Garrett , can you help me find the sound?"

Garrett: " Mom, you can't figure anything out?"

Me: " Just a little help?"

Garrett:  OK- He comes over and messes with the receiver as I am sitting with the headphones on, which are hooked up.  "Hear anything, Mom?"

Me:  "Nope"

Garrett:  "What are you trying to listen to?  You don't have anything open that plays sound? Do you know anything?"

Me; "Oops"

Guess what?  Garrett turned something on so I had sound, but this Mom failed to open anything that has sound!  Geeze, did I look like an idiot!?   Here I am sporting headphones wondering why I can't hear anything and you know what?  It's necessary to find something to listen to with sound once you have everything working.  Well, Garrett claims his Mother knows nothing about electronics now~ no surprise!
After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

My 44th Wordless Wednesday Post

Tiny Prints Custom Day Planner by Erin Condren Review & *Giveaway*

OK~I will admit I try to be organized.  I now have no excuses, thanks to TinyPrints! I was lucky to win a personalized Custom Day Planner by Erin Condren, about a month ago.  Wow, was I ever impressed when it arrived.

It is not only sturdy, but is also fun!  You can even customize your cover. The beauty of this?  The laminate cover will keep your cover design looking fresh all year long.  Each planner also comes with four sheets of colorful stickers for you to highlight special events during the year.  From birthdays to weddings, the events are all covered.  There are even several colorful blank stickers, which allows you to fill in the blank with your special event!

Fun, fashionable, and functionable~ a great package for someone on the go in our fast paced world!  This is a planner that you will want to take with you, use, and show it to your friends and family.  We all know that those basic solid color planners are just that~ but when it comes to a fashionable planner, you will want to take your Life Planner from Erin Condren with you 24/7! AND, you will want to share it with everyone!

If you are not familiar with TinyPrints; I must tell you that they also offer personalized cards, announcements, photo books, and even photo calendars.  The list of personalized products is simply astounding, do take some time to browse around and check out everything they offer!

Tiny Prints also offers Stationery Gifts and William Arthur Boxed Card Sets.  The Botanical Note Assortment is featured to the left.

I am so excited to announce that TinyPrints has agreed to give one of YOU, yes YOU, your very own personalized Life Planner from Erin Condren!  Someone is going to be extremely happy to call this their very own planner!  Thank You TinyPrints!

How to Enter:  Be sure to leave me a comment for each entry that you make.  Leave me your e-mail address/ twitter id~ I need to have a way to contact the winner!  This Giveaway will end  at Midnight (CST) on Dec. 21, 2010.  The winner will be chosen through Random.org and announced on Dec. 22, 2010. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize~ new winner will be chosen if necessary.

*Mandatory Entry:  Swing over toTinyPrints and tell me which products you would love to call your very own!

Extra Entries:

• Follow All In An Iowa Mom's Day through Google Friend Connect
• Follow @TinyPrints on twitter
• Follow @saramomof2 on twitter
• Tweet this Giveaway (1x per day)
• Grab my button and leave me the link to your blog

Good Luck!  Look around and see what TinyPrints has to offer~ there is a lot to see!

*I did win an Erin Condren Custom Day Planner.  I did not receive any additional product or compensation for this post/giveaway.  The opinions expressed here are mine and nobody else's.

I Wish

OK~ It's a chilly Winter like day in Iowa~ The calendar does not say that Winter has arrived, so I'll say a Fall like day and I found myself wishing .........

I wish everyday could be carefree and fun...This was a fun time last Christmas!

I wish Garrett did not bring papers home from school and just dump them on the table!  OK, I know I will miss the days when he doesn't do this!  But in all honesty, who can make any sense out of that mess?

I wish Skipper.............. (This guy)

Would not help himself to the garbage......

Oh, I know I will miss these days.....In all seriousness I found myself wishing for a quiet news day.  I was reading a news story which reminded of me of the old saying, "If you don't vote, don't complain!"  How true that is... I really wish (in regards to people in general) -If you aren't involved with something by trying to change something for the better- This Mom strongly believes that you should keep your opinions to yourself and don't complain!  Unless you are willing to step up to the plate to make things better for everyone.......

Just my babbling...Oh how I wish Spring was here.....I do miss the warmer weather!  I will make an effort to enjoy the Christmas season and hopefully my Christmas tree will arise out of storage next week-end, as it did not make an appearance this past week-end! My wish for each of you is to have a fun, safe, enjoyable Christmas season! After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right? 

The Menu of a 15 Year Old Boy

OK~ Looking at my kitchen and noticing that we have went through a lot of dishes today.  Now that the weather is cooler, food seems to be on everyone's mind in this household.  Let's see.....Here's Garrett's menu for the day.....

*Breakfast:  Bowl of Cereal, Glass of Milk
*Snack:  1/2 Package of cookies, Glass of Milk
*Lunch:  2 Cans of Ravioli, Crescent Rolls, Glass of Milk
*Snack:  Bag of Tostitos w/ Salsa & can of Diet Coke
*Supper:  Ham, Corn, Bread/Butter,  Glass of Milk
*Snack:  Full plate of popcorn chicken with Barbeque Sauce, Glass of Milk
*Snack:  Big dish of ice cream; Bottled Water

Oh well....I'm emptying and reloading the dishwasher tomorrow morning, it will wait.....After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

The Storm That Never Happened

OK~ Noon yesterday we had a Winter Storm Warning through the first part of today.  The snow started to fly around 1:00 p.m.  It did not come down very heavy and it pretty much stopped late in the afternoon.  I wondered if "it" would happen overnight....NOPE~ This is what we woke up to!  I have a disappointed 15 year old, who wanted to go out and dig around in it!  Not much to dig around in............I am thinking-this is one snowstorm we can check off the list for 2010-2011!

The official definition of a winter storm warning from The Weather Channel is: A significant winter storm or hazardous winter weather is occurring, imminent, or likely, and is a threat to life and property.  I wonder what they will call a winter storm when it actually snows this winter...I'm kind of curious!  

The biggest problem that I see with this is~ WHEN we do have an actual winter storm heading our way...people will ignore the warning!  Oh well....this is Iowa...deal with it!  After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right? 

CSN Stores~ $45 GC Giveaway

 OK~ Many of you have enjoyed shopping with CSNstores, as I have introduced them to you before.  And now that the weather has turned cooler and the crowds are much greater while shopping in the stores; you can shop CSNstores- anytime, anywhere, 24/7!  I thought I would show you some of the affordable items you can find for $45 or less!

Now this Sassy Cook'n Cheery Chirps Women's Bib Style Apron is probably something you would not usually purchase for yourself!  But, if you had a $45 Gift Code to use to purchase it, you might consider it, right?  Just one of the many items you could get yourself!

Or, how about some new grilling tools?  Here's a great set that retails for UNDER $40.00!

Here's another fun idea~ How about this J World Rolling Backpack with a Laptop Sleeve in Purple Flowers!  Another affordable item!

Maybe you need some new cookware~ This Faberware Classic Stainless Steel 3 Quart Covered Saucepan would make any Mom's day!

One of you lucky readers has the opportunity to win a $45 Gift Code to be used at CSNstores.  How to enter~ Be sure to comment after each entry!  Leave your E-mail address or twitter ID, if you are the winner I do need to know how to find you.

MANDATORY ENTRY:  Looking at the four items posted here~ Which one would you like the most and why?

EXTRA ENTRIES:

• Follow @saramomof2 on twitter 
• Grab My Blog Button ( Leave me the link on how to find it)
• Follow @CSNStores on twitterFollow All In An Iowa Mom's Day through Google Friend Connect
• Tweet This Giveaway (1x per day)

    All In an Iowa Mom's Day!: @saramomof2~ $45 GC Giveaway @CSNStores (Ends Dec. 16)          http://t.co/NZLP68v

This Giveaway will run through December 16, 2010 at Midnight.  Winner will be chosen through Random.org on December 17, 2010.  The winner will be announced here- with a message delivered to the winner,whom will have 48 hours to claim.  A new winner will be chosen if needed.  It is important to note that this promotional code cannot be combined with any other promotional code or CSN Rewards Dollars AND must be used by December 31, 2010. 

*I did not receive any product or compensation for this Giveaway.  The opinions expressed here are mine and nobody else's.  

Snowball Fight

OK~ We all know that Winter is about to hit North Iowa~ Gotta love Iowa in December...My mind was taking back to this eventful winter day a few years back~ Yep....these are my boys~ and it appears that the camera lady did not depart soon enough~ After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

My 43rd Wordless Wednesday Post