Shh... I Have Got a Secret

So the fabulous folks over at CSN have given me yet another wonderful opportunity. You all know CSN, right? They sell everything, and I mean everything. They have gorgeous lighting, luggage, and wonderful furniture including absolutely terrific dining room tables. These are pretty enough that I might start cooking just so that I have something worthy of such a table!

Well, they offered me a chance to review an item of my choice and I couldn't resist something for my favorite two product testers -- my kiddos, of course. So don't tell but something very big and very fun is on its way. I just can't wait to share it with them and you! If feels a little like Christmas around here.

In the mean, if you'd like to guess what it is, check out CSN. Here's a hint, it's from Little Tikes and it is a perfect fit for my two little artists. So stay tuned. I promise pictures of product and testers!

Day 313 or Turning the Page, Part One

Well, settle in folks because this is going to be a long one.

So it is my birthday -- yay, yay, yay! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the much beloved author of the award-winning blog "38 and Growing" has turned 39. (I know, obnoxious, huh? After years of reading about people I knew written up by publicists, I thought that I would be my own publicist. LOL) Anyreality, it is my day. And I am celebrating. And who knows how to celebrate better than the Beatles?

You say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too--yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you.

Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party.

I would like you to dance--Birthday
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance-Birthday
I would like you to dance--Birthday
Dance

You say it's your birthday
Well it's my birthday too--yeah
You say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you.

Now I promised you a party. And to start this party, I have a winner to announce. The winner of the $40 CSN gift card is... (Insert drum roll here.)

Debbie from Suburb Sanity. Yay, Debbie. Sometimes it works out great to be the first commenter!

And there is more to celebrate than my birthday. You guys really came through on my Heifer challenge! Here's how the math broke down...

18 Comments = $18.00
(The Amazing) Erin of Mother Load's Donation = $50.00
My Donation Match = $50.00
(My REALLY amazing) Son's Donation = $2.00 -- Yes, he donated two of his own dollars. So proud. SOOOOO Proud!

TOTAL: $120.00 which buys a goat, And here is what Heifer International has to say about the wonders a goat can do.

Goat
Goats Are Great for Families

The gift of a dairy goat represents a lasting, meaningful way for you to help a little boy or girl on the other side of the world.

Goats can thrive in extreme climates and on poor, dry land by eating grass and leaves. The gift of a dairy goat can supply a family with up to several quarts of nutritious milk a day - a ton of milk a year. Extra milk can be sold or used to make cheese, butter or yogurt. Families learn to use goat manure to fertilize gardens.

Goats often have two or three kids a year making it easy for Heifer recipients to pass on the gift of a goat to another family in need. This great investment allows our partners to lift themselves out of poverty by starting small dairies that earn money for food, health care and education.

So pretty darn awesome, right?

And over the past year, I have had so much to celebrate. This may not be the Oscars but here is my moment on the stage to say thanks. Thanks to everyone who has been along for the ride. Whether you stopped by once or once a day, you made the journey all the better. Thanks to everyone who has supported me, showered me with awards, listened to me whine (yes, I said whine, I know I have on occasion), given my tears a shoulder, and my wins a "Whoo-Hoo!".

Thanks to CSN for allowing me to give away some fun stuff and thanks to eShakti for a beautiful dress to play with. Well there are so many thank yous that I will have to have a page two to turn. Many awards to acknowledge (some new, some HORRIBLY overdue!)

Remember those two men that I bragged on for Father's day? Look what they conspired together to get me for this birthday...


So light. So cute.

Only 3 Strawberry Shortcakes tall.

My husband said it was a perfect blogging laptop. How much do I love these guys??? Another huge thank you there!

I have so many blessings, my plate is full. I am going to San Antonio tomorrow for an exciting opportunity brought to me by blogging. It's still a secret now but I can't wait to share it. I am now an eShakti affiliate, as well. So many great things that 38 and Growing has brought me. But best of all is you -- my blogging friends. So much more to say. Much more to come. But here's what you have all been waiting for...

My new in real life friend and long time blogging inspiration Lee over at Headaches, Hormones & Hot Flashes, is going to help me make a proper blog so I am currently under construction, but I wanted to share the name of my new blog -- A Star in My Own Universe. It's a nod to my past career aspirations and the fact that I spin in my own orbit (We have already established that I am a little weird. It's okay, I know this about myself!). So stick with me a little while longer here while I get it all straight over there.

Whew! That was a long one with more to come. But the clock just clicked my birthday away so I'm letting the keys rest. See you on the next page.

Day 311 or Sundays in My City, July 4th Edition

Okay, I'm not nearly so grumpy -- we're all in the same city, yay!And it is a holiday to boot. My airman had to work, however, so we went to him. Here he is showing my little patriots around,





Happy Fourth of July to everyone. I am proud to be an American and proud of my husband who serves this country,

Please join my friend, Unknown Mami at her newly upgraded blog for her Meme of all Memes, Sundays in My City.

Finally, please remember that tomorrow night is the last chance to enter my fabulous CSN giveaway and to join my Heifer International Support challenge. Tuesday is the big birthday and I will be full of announcements. I also have lots of thank yous coming, some very overdue.

Day 307 or It's a Party and You're Invited!

Well, CSN contacted me and offered me a chance to do a review or a giveaway. In honor of my upcoming birthday, I wanted to celebrate -- so I am doing a giveaway! It's my party but the gift is for you!

If you had $40 to spend at any of the wonderful CSN stores, including www.allmodernfurniture.com, what would you buy? Because that is what the winner will receive -- a fabulous $40 gift card to spend. Be sure and check out the platform beds. Pretty cool, huh?

If it were me, I would get the Certified International Bubble Cobalt Blue All Purpose (Set of 4) -- they are on sale for $41.99 and gorgeous!




And as this is a party, all you have to do is R.S.V.P. Go over to CSN.com and tell me what you will take home as your party favor if you win. That's all you have to do. On the eve of my birthday, Monday night the 5th, I will pick a winner and share the wealth on Tuesday, July 6th!

And the winner is...

scg00387 -- Yay! You are the winner of the Little Tikes Turtle Sand box! I shall send you an email and you have 48 hours to please respond.

Thanks to everyone who participated and made my first giveaway a success.

Happy Monday, all!

Day 216 or April's Fool

Okay. I am still recovering from my blogging injury but I couldn't let the first day of April pass without acknowledgment. I love, Love, LOVE Spring. It is my favorite time of the year. Here in Austin, we are having a glorious spell of weather. While I wish I could enjoy it pain-free, I am committed to enjoying it.

So if it's lovely where you are, go revel in it for me. :-)

Also, today is the last day of my giveaway. Now in retrospect, April Fool's Day was probably NOT the best day to complete a giveaway. But it is no joke -- I have a great giveaway. In fact, I would say FABULOUS giveaway. It is a Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox. I wish I could enter myself. But alas, I can't enter my OWN giveaway, but you can. You have through tonight if you haven't entered. Please click here to check it out.

So since I am still nursing my shoulder, I thought I would share a little April Fool's History. I found this at Wilstar.com. I thought it was interesting.

Unlike most of the other nonfoolish holidays, the history of April Fool's Day,
sometimes called All Fool's Day, is not totally clear. There really wasn't a
"first April Fool's Day" that can be pinpointed on the calendar. Some believe it
sort of evolved simultaneously in several cultures at the same time, from
celebrations involving the first day of spring.

The closest point in
time that can be identified as the beginning of this tradition was in 1582, in
France. Prior to that year, the new year was celebrated for eight days,
beginning on March 25. The celebration culminated on April 1. With the reform of
the calendar under Charles IX, the Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New
Year's Day was moved to January 1.

http://wilstar.com/holidays/aprilfool.htm

Day 210 or Friday Follow -- Gimme, Gimme, Gimme

Well, it's Friday and I am participating in Friday Follow again and this week, there is a Cash giveaway. Wow. Plus, I am still pimping (yeah, I said it!) my first giveaway which is open to my US and Canadian readers. Please check it out here. So lots of fun to be had! Have a great weekend.

The fabulous ladies over at Hearts Make Families, One 2 Try, and Midday Escapades host this every week and I have met some wonderful bloggers this way, so go check them out and link up!

Check out our Friday Follow Sponsor & Giveaway!

No need to fear the dentist anymore. You can reduce the visits and make your dentist happy too. Brush with Tooth Soap®. Non-toxic, sustainable, organic and no need for a warning label. Created by a mom who has kids with no cavities. Get more information at: http://www.toothsoap.com/special-offers.

Toothsoap.com ” I LOVE TOOTH SOAP®” CASH Giveaway!

THREE one hundred dollar cash prizes up for grabs from Toothsoap.com as a thank you for your Friday Follow participation!

Contest Requirement: To be entered into the contest for three 100 dollar cash prizes please do the following:

Please place the Toothsoap.com button on your blog post today for Friday Follow and also on your blog sidebar.
During the week of March 26 – April 2, 2010 THREE winners will be chosen AT RANDOM to win a 100 dollar cash prize from TOOTHSOAP.COM
Winners are selected by random.org using the Friday Follow Link System
Winners selected MUST have the Toothsoap.com button on displayed prominently on both their Friday Follow post and blog sidebar to be eligible to win said prize.
Winners will be notified by email and by blog comment by team@toothsoap.com.
Winners have 24 hours from notification date to claim 100 dollar cash prize via email.
Cash prize is payable by Paypal.com or check from Vitality Products to winners (winners choice).
Contest ends Friday, April 2, 2010 at the stroke of midnight.
Open to US & Canada Residents
Here’s how YOU can join the Friday Follow celebration:

–Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

–Grab the Friday Follow and Sponsor buttons and include both on your Friday Follow blog post.

–Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.

–Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you’d like.

–Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you’re from Friday Follow.

–Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.

This list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

As hostesses, we realize the time required to participate in Friday Follow. Due to the overwhelming number of entries each week, we understand everyone, including ourselves, may not be able to follow every blog. To keep it fun, follow what you can at your own pace. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your continued participation!

Friday Follower of the Week

Congratulations to Boobies, Babies, & A Blog, this week’s Friday Follower of the Week! Each week we will randomly draw from all the links, one Friday Follower for the next week’s Friday Follow, and the chosen blog will be placed in the highly coveted number 4 position on the blog hop. We love your participation and want to give back to you! You could be next!

Day 209 or Sharing the Fun

Okay. I have some news. Over the last seven months, I have participated in (and won -- yay!yay! yay!) giveaways. As this is such a personal blog, I wondered if I should host one. Well, the great people over at CSN contacted little old me and asked if I would like to give my readers something special. They allowed me to look at several of their sites which carry absolutely everything from lighting to baking dishes to terrific stuff for the kiddos. And as so many of my bloggy friends have been generous with me, I couldn't resist the opportunity to share the fun.

So many of my lovely bloggy friends have shared stories of their young ones running around that I chose the Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox. I have personally wanted one of these for my munchkins and I am totally jealous of whomever receives it.

Pretty cool, huh? So here's the lowdown. This giveaway will be open through midnight CST, Thursday April 1st and I will announce the winner on Monday, April 5th. And here's all you have to do...

Required Entry: Go to CSN stores and let me know what catches your eye.

Extra Entries:

1. Become a follower via Google Connect -- 1 entry

2. Follow me via Facebook -- 1 entry

3. Follow me on Twitter -- 1 entry

4. Follow my other blogs

I'd Let My Kid See That -- 1 entry

Cold Comfort Living -- 1 entry

5. Mention me at your place and link back -- 2 entries

So if my math holds (which is always questionable!), that is eight possibilities to win this dynamite item. Thanks to all my readers. You make my day. I remember when I had five followers and they were all related to me. The fact that you choose to take a part of your busy day to spend with me makes me feel like I have won that Oscar! (Or pretty darn close, anyways!). This giveaway is my way of thanking you.

Now here is the business. I received nothing other than the opportunity to give one of my F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S readers something cool. It is limited to my U.S. and Canadian friends (sorry!) I hope that covers it. Email me at 38traci@excite.com if you have any questions. And again, you guys rock my world!