Perfect Farm For The #Kids #Giveaway Ends 7/30 @SMGurusNetwork @las930 @SmartFeltToys

I am a great proponent of reading and writing. So, to find a toy that promotes language, I am all for it. Check this one out! ~Michelle

Welcome to the Perfect Farm For The Kids Giveaway!

1 Winner

This giveaway is part of our Back To School Gift Guide – Stop by to see all the giveaways and great products.

Host is Michigan Saving and More

My co-hosts for this giveaway are Deliciously Savvy, SaraLee’s Deals Steals & Giveaways, Eclectic Evelyn, and Ice Cream n Sticky Fingers

Below is a list of all the bloggers involved in the gift guide giveaways.

A Rain of Thought, Bargnhtress, Deliciously Savvy, Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains, Java John Z’s, Lisa-Queen of Random, MarksvilleandMe, Michigan Saving and More, My Crafty Zoo, My Silly Little Gang, Ohayo Okasan, SaraLee’s Deals Steals & Giveaways, Tales From A Southern Mom, This Frugal Family

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This giveaway's Sponsor is:

WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ INSTAGRAM ~ AMAZON

My Little Farm not only helps strengthen children's language skills, it offers ample opportunities for open-ended imaginative and creative play. It helps establish early speech and language concepts and, oh by the way, it's fun!!!

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My Little Farm Activity Kit

See the review HERE.

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THE GIVEAWAY

This giveaway/sweepstakes is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This Giveaway is valid to continental United States residents only, Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 7/30/19. The winner will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The giveaway is not valid where prohibited! By entering you are authorizing us to collect the information on the form below, this information is used only to contact the winner! No purchase necessary, Void where prohibited by law, and the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners are chosen randomly by the Giveaway Tools program. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contests are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.

Enter below and Good Luck!

 

Entry-Form

7 Things That Bring Me Joy #MamaKatWritingPrompts

There are many things that will bring me joy on a daily basis. Sometimes it is as simple as finding a penny on the ground or something large like winning the Publisher's Clearing House. Okay, so I haven't really won the PCH but I can dream.

This week I was asked what 7 things bring me joy. I thought I would list the 7 most consistent things. These are in no particular order.

1. A baby's smile  just gives me unspeakable joy. I cannot help but to smile myself when I see a baby smile. Sometimes I wonder what they are thinking when I see them smiling in their sleep. I imagine it dreaming of clouds and puppy dogs. Most likely, it is because they just stunk their pants.

free to use image-credit to photographer

2. A bottle of Pepsi. I know, Pepsi has been on other lists of mine. I simply cannot help myself but I like the stuff. Since I am not a coffee drinker per se, Pepsi will be my go-to pick me up every time. I am a better joy to be around when I have had my joy.

3. Books! Hands down, I love to read! A real book in my hand gives me joy. I love the smell of them, the look of them, the feel of the pages in my hands. I love them so much that I...(Shameless plug coming)...created this blog. Reading Authors

Another Shameless Plug-This book I Co-Wrote

4. Unexpected presents.  My birthday is this Saturday and I hope I receive a present or two. I may or may not but that is no matter. What I really love is one someone gives me something unexpected. I love the surprise of it and the fact that someone took their time out to think of me. For example, I recently was given a painting from a friend that I mentioned I loved that she did. She left it on my porch for me while I was gone to work. Unexpected!

5.Old black and white photographs. Today was can choose a filter to make photos black and white but not too long ago we had actual film. I used that kind of film a lot in my years of taking photos. My Dad did too. I especially love looking at photos of people. I often will look at them and wonder what they were thinking. Who were they? I have found joy in trying to find out who they were. I also have found joy in looking at some of my Dad's old photos.

6. Making people laugh.  I think I get a ton of joy out of watching people laugh with my antics. Sometime it is as simple as some stupid hat I have put on. Just the other day, I started a plastic ball fight with my co-workers. Their fun and laughter made it a great day.

Case In Point

7. Getting to know people. I am not exactly an extrovert but not a complete introvert either. So, I do like to sit down with people and get to know them. I especially like to talk to old people and find out about them. If I take the time to listen, I can find out the most fantastic things. Not too long ago, I was sitting on a bench when an older man sat down to rest. He began telling me about himself. It turns out he was a WWII vet and had some fascinating tales.

What brings you joy? Tell me in a comment.
Michelle

PS> Want to join the Mama Kat Writer's Workshop every Thursday? Find out details here.

Enter Here

6 Things I Need Spring Cleaned #writingprompts #MamaKat

You know, Spring is here and people I know either start Spring cleaning or at least think about doing it. I am one of those that tend to do neither.

However, that does not mean that I don't need some stuff done. So, if I could actually afford for someone to do it for me, I would have at least the following 6 things done in no particular order.

1. My room. I need a complete rehaul and cleaned from top to bottom. I would want clean laundered sheets that have been left outside to soak up fresh air. Some fresh paint and one of those vanilla smelling candles. Fresh flowers, please.
2. My bathroom. I HATE cleaning the toilet, shower, um...anything!
3. The entire house windows inside and out. Where I live, mountain dust hits windows like crazy. Who wants to clean windows anyway?
4. My closet. My closet is such a mess with my Mother's stuff in it, my stuff from moving...aka books and art stuff...and oh yeah, my clothes. For the love of Mike, clean it all out and build me some shelves.
5. Not so much for me, but for my Mother, clean her office and reorganize it. It is a complete disaster. She keeps saying she is going to get it done but has she?
6. Clean up and spruce up the outdoor patio and furniture. It seriously may need some help, you know like new pillows, another rose bush. Maybe spray it down too. Can I get a new BBQ pit?

Although I am sure there is much more for this list, I am just plain tired looking at these 6. I will be out back lounging, drinking lemonade or wine or whatever, while you work on Spring cleaning for me.

I thank you.

~Michelle aka Naila Moon

What would you have done for Spring cleaning?

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YOUR TURN:

Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back HERE to add your name to the link list below. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment, karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!

Writing Prompts Via Mama Kat:

1. A memorable day at work.
2. March 20th is the first day of Spring! Show us signs of spring in your neighborhood.
3. List 6 things you would like spring cleaned for you.
4. Write a blog post inspired by the word: crush
5. You have one wish…what do you wish for?
6. Write about the last thing that surprised you.

Writer's Workshop: Falling Down #MamaKatPrompts #MyStories

Every week, Mama Kat from Mama Kat's Losing It hosts a writer's workshop. There are a variety of prompts to choose from. Here is this week:

Writing Prompts:

1. Share the last five items you pinned, choose one and let it inspire a blog post.
2. Write about your most recent purchase.
3. List 6 things you would love to eat guilt free.
4. Write a blog post inspired by the word: sparkle.
5. Share something that made you think this week.
6. Write about a time you fell down. <---i am="" choosing="" i="" one="" this="" week.="">

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photo from Creative Commons

Picture it, 1982 or 1983 or 1984...I don't really know. It is all kind of a blur now.

I was a young sophomore in high school (Go Lancer's) and already a full year of high school under my belt. Football season was in full swing and I was the junior league team's football manager. 

Essentially, that meant I got to wear my own football jersey when we had games and at school those days too. I was the one who ran out onto the field to give out bottles of water at a timeout and got to have my picture with the team for the yearbook.  I traveled with the team for away games as well. 

Prestigious!

It actually served me pretty well and I learned so much about the game. I was a master at running out onto the field and waving at the crowd when I left the field. Being around the boys all the time was not a bad perk either.

Superstar!

One particular game stands out for me that year. It had been raining quite a bit leading up to the week's home game. That did not matter though because we played rain or shine. However, this week the field turned to mud. Those boys flung that mud around like it was nothing. Of course, me being the team manager, I was right in it too. No big deal for me. 

That is, until almost halftime. A timeout was called and I proceeded to run out onto the field. I had my trusty water bottles in hand and some towels. Everything had been going well. But, just as I was leaving off of the field...

SPLAT!

I slipped on the mud and fell flat face down in it. The boys chuckled a bit and the crowd stood a moment. I got up, wiped my face off, and waved. The crowd clapped as I redeemed myself and my dignity.

I do not know if we won that game. We probably didn't since we did not have the best team.  What I do know, that was the last game of the season and also ended my career as a football manager.

~Ex-football manager/star, Michelle

Fiction in 50..."Moving With the Times" by M. M.

Moving with the times, the place was filled with teenagers talking and having a good time. Everyone donned some sort of fancy hat that noted it was soon to be  2000.

Y2K was on everyone's minds. Music continued to blare. Were we doomed?

At midnight...the lights went out.

~M,M. Hudson aka Naila Moon

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About Fiction In 50:
50 in fiction is the brain child of "Bruce" who host this fun writing challenge every month. The idea is simple, to take a prompt and write a piece of flash fiction in 50 words or less. Did I meet the challenge?

Note: The story I presented above is actually not fiction at all but was manipulated to seem so. Obviously, I left out many details to meet this challenge. LINK UP HERE

Patiently awaiting...

I am patiently awaiting for April to arrive. I want it to get here soon. No, I don't want to rush the months as they already go by too quickly. What I am waiting for is the beginning of the A-Z blogging challenge.






Have you heard about this world famous challenge? Ok, maybe not world famous but a cool one at that. The challenge is to blog 26 days in April from A-Z. You do get to have the day off on Sundays with the exception of the 1st. It makes sense that the challenge would be in April too...you know, A for April!


As I said, I am waiting patiently. I have plenty of ideas for the mass gathering that is already well...amassing. Seriously! The last time I checked  732 bloggers had already signed up for the challenge.  I am lucky number 512. hee hee


Anyway, if you would like to sign up and put your mind to the alphabet, then head on over there and do so. It will be fun. I know it!





~Naila Moon

Day 23...Where I Am From

For today's blog, I thought I would join up with Mama Kat's and her fun writing prompts. This would be my very first from her site. This looked fun to do so I thought I would give it a shot. Remember those Mad Libs things we used to do as kids. This is basically loosely based on that. The template she used is at the bottom of this page. Make sure you link up with her. Also, welcome back to Java at Follow Friday!

WHERE I’M FROM

I am from the Mirror On My Wall, from Cracker Barrel and Pepsi.

I am from the lovely old, brick, white-painted rooms apartment complex, cinnamon and spice home where the cat roams.


I am from the red roses and green grass, the huge maples of reds, yellows and golds.


I am from the annual Christmas parties and Thanksgiving dinners, from Grandmother D and Uncle Jim and the family whose Dad was adopted and only child.

I am from the minor family uproars but who loves each other to death and the ones who have seen an entire country or two.

I am from the Tooth Fairy leaves me money for lost teeth and although Santa brings presents on Christmas Day, it is the Christ Child that is most important.

I am from the United Methodist Church to Catholic Church, who was raised to believe that God should always come first in your life.


I’m from the home of the Grand Ole Opry, where Elvis still lives, where mac 'n cheese and bologna sandwiches run supreme.


From the southern backwoods of Missouri, where you really do walk five miles to school, first to arrive and start the wood burning stove, from the father who could see details behind the camera like no one else could and a mother who believed in health and spirituality, from an uncle who's peacefullness and love of nature I must have inherited, although he was never known to me. 


I am from moldy scrapbooks, whose edges are frail and the boxes of Kodak slides gently placed on a shelf among other white boxes full of the images of my youth. I am from the pages of yellowed albums passing the moments tucked in to rickety book shelves that holds the camera waiting to make more memories for the generations to reveal. Blessings of a large and loving family.

 

The WHERE I’M FROM Template

This template came from HERE

I am from _______ (specific ordinary item), from _______ (product name) and _______.
I am from the _______ (home description… adjective, adjective, sensory detail).
I am from the _______ (plant, flower, natural item), the _______ (plant, flower, natural detail)
I am from _______ (family tradition) and _______ (family trait), from _______ (name of family member) and _______ (another family name) and _______ (family name).
I am from the _______ (description of family tendency) and _______ (another one).
From _______ (something you were told as a child) and _______ (another).
I am from (representation of religion, or lack of it). Further description.
I’m from _______ (place of birth and family ancestry), _______ (two food items representing your family).
From the _______ (specific family story about a specific person and detail), the _______ (another detail, and the _______ (another detail about another family member).
I am from _______ (location of family pictures, mementos, archives and several more lines indicating their worth).





Until tomorrow...peace,
Naila Moon