Paying it forward

I want this year to be the year of "paying it forward" for myself and my family.  After taking financial peace university, it really stuck with me that as a Christian it is part of my responsibility to care for widows and orphans. God has put this on my heart with specifics in mind.  The specific I want to talk about is a new blog buddy that has come into my life.  Reading her story really touched me and since then I have been praying for her and her daughter.  I don't really know this woman.  The only contact we've had is through following each others' blogs, twitter and email.  We haven't met in person.  She lives in North Carolina and I live in the state of Washington.

I've always wanted to help others in any way I can.  I don't have money at this point to give to non-profits or other organizations.  However, I do have this blog and I know a few people read it.

My new blog buddy is Leah Gillen and she's a widow with a teenage daughter.  Her husband committed suicide this past May.  Through her blog she's been writing about her journey of grief.  I was thinking recently: "Well, how can I come alongside her in this journey and maybe encourage or bring a little joy in this hard time?"

I have this idea, not everyone will join in on it and that is ok.  It is called Project Gillen and I'm hoping friends, family and strangers will join in on the project.  I would like people to sign up for a specific month to encourage Leah and her daughter in whatever way they want.  It could be encouraging words, a package filled with goodies of some sort, or a note saying I'm praying for you.  I'd love for people to be creative and send me pictures of their creativity! 

If this is something you're interested in, please go to this page: Project Gillen

Samples, samples and more samples...

 This is what I received in the mail today:

Items: splenda essentials, emergen-c dietary supplement, seattle's best coffee, nescafe taster's choice instant coffee, and a dove haircare product.

I embarked on this journey to get free samples during my 2 weeks of rest after my foot surgery.  I stumbled upon this website: my free product samples.It is great!  I've received many more items beyond these ones.  It was just exciting to get so many items at 1 time in my mailbox(of course, I'd been gone for 1 week, but still very exciting).  I'm most excited about the Seattle's best coffee!

Here's some recommendations that's also shared on www.myfreeproductsamples.com/:
*Set up a separate email address just for requesting free items.  You'll get lots of junk mail!
*Don't give your real birth date (my viewpoint on this is to avoid identity theft).  Most sites want to make sure you're over 18.
*Don't give your real phone number unless you want solicitor's calling you!
*For myself personally: if it is going to take too much time outside of giving a name and address, then it's not worth it for me.
*Good samples go quickly, so check in the morning as soon as you get up.  Many times you have to like them on facebook before you can enter your name and address.

Items I've received in my first 2 months of requesting samples/free items:

*photo Christmas cards

*shampoo samples

*fragrance samples

*peterthomasroth laser free skin re-surfacer

*costco samples(I've been impressed with the size of their samples, not full size, but enough for multiple uses to really see if you want to purchase the product)

*disney princess postcard sent to my daughter after writing the disney fan department

*disney movie rewards without purchasing movies

*free redbox movie rentals

 *free calendars

I'm sure I'm forgetting some items and I'm waiting for more stuff in the mail. 

Who doesn't like getting free stuff without strings attached? I'd be interested to know what free items you've received...

And the winner is...

Barb Gadway.


Winner was selected by using www.random.org

Buck Denver asks...Why do we call it Christmas?

I was given this product to provide a review, please go to Christianbook.com to get more information.

This is a 45 minute video that presents lots of information about Christmas and the meaning behind it. It always brings the focus back to Jesus.  There's information about how Christmas got it's name, where Christmas trees began being used in decorating, Santa clause and much more.  Honestly, I learned a few things! 

My 3 year old daughter enjoyed it and sat through the entire video, but I think she'll get more out of it as she gets older.  She hasn't asked to watch it again, but  right now the Polar Express is magical for her.

I was impressed with all the information in the video from the creator of veggie tales, Phil Vischer. I'm always excited to have a product that brings the focus back to the reason our family celebrates Christmas.    Our society is so focused on Christmas, as in getting more stuff, that sometimes I feel the meaning can get lost. 

My parents made a point in my childhood years to bring the focus back to Jesus Christ and that has always left an impact on me.  I want to do the same for my daughter and this video will continue to be part of our Christmas tradition.

Good Cookie spatula anyone?

Cancer sucks. It can suck the life out of a loved one before the doctor has the chance to utter the diagnosis.

Cancer is a reminder about the fragility of life.  Chemo, radiation, limbs or body parts removed, and a life or lives that will never be the same...

That's where the Good Cookie Spatula comes in: This year OXO is donating up to $100,000 to support Cookies for Kids Cancer, an organization that was established by two OXO employees through their son's battle with pediatric cancer.

The reason why these funds are so important:

*25% of kids diagnosed with cancer do not survive because of lack of effective therapies

*lack of effective therapies is due to lack of funding.

Cookies for kids cancer was born to help fight pediatric cancer with the idea of local bake sales. Until December 31st, OXO will match all proceeds from registered bake sales up to $100,000.

How can you get involved to support this cause?

1. Send virtual cookies or register a bake sale for cookies for kids cancer: Cookies for kids bake sale

2. Purchase a Good cookie spatula on amazon or your nearest Bed, Bath and Beyond. 50% of the profits benefit pediatric awareness. 

Thanks to OXO, I was given a good cookie spatula to try and 1 for a giveaway. 

What's so great about this spatula is that it can be used to scrape out the last of the cookie dough to bake more cookies.  Then, after you've washed it, it is best used to take those cookies off your non-stick cookie sheet.

Ways to enter the giveaway:

1. Follow my blog and/or follow me on twitter.

2. Tell me what your favorite holiday cookie is or what you think you would like to do to support pediatric cancer

Each of these items is 1 entry. If you are having difficulty leaving a comment, please email me at: youniquemom@gmail.com

BONUS entry: Help me get the word out about pediatric cancer. For those of you who have a blog or you're on facebook/twitter:  I'll give you a bonus entry if you post this giveaway.  My goal is to have 20 individuals entered in this giveaway. More would be even better!

Last day to enter giveaway is Wednesday, December 14th.  Random winner will be selected and notified Thursday, December 15th.  **only shipping item in the United States

Coming soon...

Giveaway right around the corner.

It will be green and awesome for cookie making!

F-R-E-E

Ok, so I've been checking out a lot of websites and getting free samples.  I was able to get $50 worth of Christmas photo cards for free.

And while you're at it check out this site: My free product samples. This is where I've found so many great deals and freebies.  If you sign up, a newsletter is emailed daily to keep you updated on coupons, samples, and great deals.

And, pretty soon I'm going to have a giveaway.  Just waiting for the item to arrive. Hint:  this time it's not a book giveaway...