Could you do it?

I came across this article the other day and I've been trying to figure out if I could be screen free for an hour.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2012/05/21/a-goofy-challenge-from-googles-schmidt-could-you-go-an-hour-a-day-without-looking-at-a-screen/2/



There's lots of times when I'm reading that I'm not actively using a screen, but even then I'm usually sitting in a room with a TV on. Even though I'm not actively watching it I still don't consider that being screen free. And then I read in bed, but I've found it's easier for me to read on my nook when I'm in bed, so again not screen free.

It's amazing to me how much I rely on a screen for input into my life. I'm probably a little above average though. I go to school online, I run as much of my PartyLite business online as I can, I run three blogs, I'm a video gamer, I'm always searching for new knitting patterns online, and I love to read book reviews online. So even when I'm pursing an activity that doesn't require a screen I'm usually using a screen to at least get the task going. Even when I'm riding my bike I'm checking my heart rate on the screen of my watch and changing music on the screen of my iPad. The only time I'm truly screen free is when I'm sleeping - and only because we decided not to put a TV in our bedroom when we moved.

Screen are so abundant now I'm trying to think of a time when most people would be able to be screen free. Even in your car now most people have a GPS or some sort of screen in the dashboard. I think that the bathroom is the only screen free room in most houses now (and even then I've seen TV in the walls above tubs.)

When did this happen? As a kid I watched TV and we were lucky enough to have a computer when I was young - my grandpa was on the cutting edge and would give us his "discards". But I could go all day and not watch TV or sit in front of the computer. I think as a teenager was when my "dependence" on screens started. That's when I got a TV for my bedroom, and we had to have a computer for homework in school. But again, even then we spent a lot of time doing other things, and our TVs were off during the day. Now, even when I'm having a busy day and don't sit in front of the computer I'm still tied to a screen. My sister's wedding was last weekend and I barely had time to breath, but I still had time to check updates on Facebook, play my game on my phone, look at pictures of how I wanted to get my hair done on Pinterest - all using my phone... Screens really are everywhere now!

So can you do it? Can you go an hour without a using a screen? What about a whole day? And not just your TV or computer... No phone, no tablet, no GPS, no screen of any kind. While I want to say yes, I don't know if I truly could.

Let me know how you go screen free!

Great Chili's Gift Card Giveaway!

Welcome to the Great Chili’s Gift Card Giveaway!

In In the Kitchen With KP and Stuck at Home Mom have joined with a great group of bloggers to share this super tasty opportunity just for you! Is there anyone that wouln’t jump at the chance to go out and enjoy a free meal in this economy? I’m sure you’d be hard pressed to find one. So to make your day a little brighter, and your wallet a little heavier, Stuck at Home Mom and In the Kitchen With KP sponsored not one, but TWO $25.00 gift cards from Chili’s to giveaway. That means your chances to win just doubled instantly! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

This gift card giveaway starts May 12 at 12:01 AM EST and ends May 27 at 11:59 PM EST. Open to the US only. Must be at least 18 years old to be eligible.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Much thanks to the following for hosting. Jenny at Dapperhouse Been There Done That with Kat Ms Angela's Finds DonnasDealsAndMore Two Girls and Some Coupons SmartySaver annies home All About the Mommies Dr. Pepper Diva Gustosa Giveaways Crazy About Deals Deals, Teens and MMA SaraLee Earegood Love2EncourageYou I Luv 2 Save Mami's 3 Little Monkeys The Lucky Ladybug The Lucky Ladybug Jennifer's Deals Literary Winner Faerotic Prose a delicious obsession B^3 Just Married Mom of 3 Beautifully BellaFaith Pittsburgh Frugal Mom Plum Crazy About Coupons J4C Home The Ordinary aunt Health, Beauty, Children and Family Earth's Delights MyCouportiera Giveaway Gator Coupons are Genius Scattered Musings of A Creative Mind Christys Reviews And More Just Jennifer Talking VickieB's Ramblings Frugal-Shopping Family Savings Center Figuring Out the Small Stuff KATHY DONAHUE Momma On A Dime How To Survive in College Yummy Boy Mummy The Dollar Monger Super Mommy Of One Nana Roberta Cha Ching Queen Blog Booty Frugal Experiments The Review Wire Couponing With Integrity Scattered Musings of A Creative Mind

No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older and a resident of the U.S. to enter. No PO Boxes. Mandatory Entries must be completed or all optional entries will be rendered invalid. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. By entering, you are giving StuckatHomeMom.com and InTheKitchenWithKP.com permission to use your email to contact you in regards to prizes. Your information will be protected and never shared. Winner will be selected in a random drawing. Winner will be notified by email, and have 48 hours to respond with shipping information. If no response after 48 hours, a new winner will be selected. Giveaway ends 5/27/12 midnight EST The winner of this contest will be announced within 7 days after the contest end date. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or in associated with Twitter, Facebook or any other entity unless otherwise specified. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Please feel free to contact http://stuckathomemom.com/contact-lil-ol-me or Karen@InTheKitchenWithKP.com for further information.

A bit of shameless self-promotion and an awesome deal!

As you may or may not know I am a PartyLite Independent Sales Consultant. I don't normally post about promotions, but I have to let you know about this awesome deal that is available on my Consultant WebSite.



If you click on the banner above it will take you to the page with the selection of warmers that are on sale through this promotion.

The regular price for a warmer and 3 melts is $50. With this sale you can get a warmer and the 3 melts for less than the cost of a warmer at regular price. So act fast as I'm sure this deal will not last until May 15th!

As always if you have any questions please feel free to contact me at jenncandles@hotmail.com!

Note: the items will show up at regular price. Once you have a warmer and three melts (from the promotion page) in your cart the sale price will automatically show-up during check-out!

Blogger Event: iPad Giveaway from Bee Savy and Mom to Bed by 8

Mom to Bed by 8, the Iowa-Mom is proud to present the The New iPad Giveaway Event, sponsored by BeeSavy.

Event dates: July 1 to July 15.

Details: This is a free blogger event, open worldwide and blog accepting sign ups now.

Join The New iPad Giveaway event today!

• If you do not wish to post the announcement, send the $5 via paypal to goodnightmommyboutique@gmail.com with your email address and BeeSavy Event in subject line or notes portion of the form.
• Once you have posted your announcement or sent the paypal payment, fill out this form.
• You will receive an email from me with 7 days, confirming your participation. If you do not, please email me at teri@momtobedby8.com and I will check into it for you.
• Then around June 28^th you will receive another email from me with the html code for publishing the giveaway.  Note it is required that you publish the giveaway html in full to be included in this event. I will verify links on July 1^st around 8am central and if you have not done so, your link on the rafflecopter will be removed. This keeps this event fair for all who joins.

Referral prize: The top referrer will receive $50 paypal or Amazon credit for your effort. Then the top 2 runners-up will receive $10 paypal or Amazon credit Just make sure to add-on your announcement that they should add your blog name or url in the referred by section on the sign up form. This bonus will be paid the on June 2^nd after your referral links have been verified.

If you sign up please let them know that Just Jennifer Talking sent you!

No Cost Blogger Opportunity For Chili’s Restaurant Gift Card G!ve Away

In The Kitchen With KP and Stuck at Home Mom are teaming up to host a fun giveaway and we are looking for your help!

By promoting this giveaway on your blog you’ll gain a FREE spot on the Rafflecopter!

WHAT: TWO $25.00 gift cards for Chili’s
WHEN: Starts May 12 at 12:01 AM EST and ends May 27 at 11:59 PM EST

Event sign up is limited to the first 100 blogs on a first come, first serve basis.

Details are simple
     * Share the details of the giveaway on your own blog BEFORE submitting the form. You will need to add a link to the post to be eligible for a spot on the rafflecopter (add your link to the form below).
     * You receive one free link Facebook or Twitter (Your Choice) on the rafflecopter form just for sharing the post on your Blog
     * Post, HTML and Rafflecopter code will be emailed to you at least 24 hours before the event * You agree to publish the html in full (with all links intact)
     * Your post must be up by noon EST on the 20th or your name will be removed from the RC form.
     * You agree to mention the giveaway on Twitter and Facebook at least once after the giveaway has started!
     * Last day for blogger sign-up: 05/10/2012 or when 100 bloggers have signed up.
     * You can enter to win too, even if you are participating in this event! Event goes live on May 12 at 12:01 AM EST and May 27 at 11:59 PM EST

 Are you ready to create your blog post now and spread the word to your own fans?

To sign up to host this awesome giveaway click here!

Bright Starts Giveaway

Welcome to the Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway!

Bright Starts and Mom to Bed by 8, the Iowa-Mom have teamed to offer an amazing Bright Starts Sunnyside Safari Collection giveaway to one lucky reader!

This includes the Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair, Playard, Plug in Sway & Swing, Portable Swing and Saucer making this truly the Ultimate Baby Shower Gift.

Special thank you to the wonderful bloggers who made this possible including our co-hosts: To Sew with Love, The Lucky Ladybug and Mom Blog Society.

I don't have children, but this stuff is so cute. I couldn't resist the opportunity to guest host this giveaway. Thanks for looking and Good Luck!

Big smiles and bright adventures go hand in hand in this exciting, fun-filled collection!

Take a walk on the sunny side-where baby gear goes together in delightful new ways. It's a win for infants and parents alike, with irresistable jungle characters adorning an array of fun coordinated products you'll use every day. Each piece of the collection does its job charmingly, with non-stop fun at an unbeatable value.

The Bright Starts Sunnyside Collection is available at Wal-Mart!

 

 

Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair

A good high chair is a must for moms, and Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair is as good as they come! It does what a full-sized model does and more, adjusting to four different heights (and nearly any table), reclining to three positions, and converting to a booster seat for smooth transition to the toddler years.
The reversible seat pad is made of stain-resistant fabric you can wipe clean or machine-wash. The removable Stay Level Tray™ remains flat even when the seat is reclining. All this, plus the friendly characters of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Make mealtime and snack time more enjoyable for baby and you. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Convenient 2 piece reversible seat pad is made of stain resistant fabric that is wipeable and machine washable
• 4 height positions to fit most table sizes
• 3 position recline
• Removable Stay Level Tray™ remains level even when seat is reclined
• 3 locking positions to grow with baby
• Built-in holders are convenient for drinks or snacks
• Converts to booster for easy toddler transition
• 5 point convertible safety harness

 

Sunnyside Safari™ Playard

A bright, sunny place for baby to rest, play, get a quick diaper change and spend a few moments with some friendly jungle pals! That's the Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Playard. This playard includes a removable bassinet with our time-saving One Less Step™ feature for easy fold-and-go mobility.
There's a convenient changing table, a handy side storage pocket, easy-roll wheels, a travel bag, plus a colorful toy bar to delight baby. And like all Bright Starts™ products, this playard is an unbeatable value. Part of our coordinated Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Removable bassinet with One Less Step™ to quickly fold and go
• Convenient changing table
• Toy bar with 2 fun toys
• Side storage pocket
• Wheels for easy portability
• Includes travel bag

 

Sunnyside Safari™ Plug in Sway & Swing™

Some swings go back and forth. Some go side to side. This one does both—and does it with music, toys, and delightful jungle style. With a seat designed for 180° rotation, allowing three swing directions, the Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Plug in Sway & Swing™ uses our unique TrueSpeed™ technology to sense baby's weight and adjust for consistent speed—so it grows along with baby.
The swing also boasts a volume-adjustable 20 minutes of melodies and nature sounds, an overhead mobile—even an AC adaptor to save on battery expense. And it features the fun and engaging characters of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Seat rotates 180° for 3 swing directions
• TrueSpeed™ technology maintains 6 speeds as baby grows
• Mobiles with 2 playtime toys easily pivots out of the way
• 20 minutes of melodies and nature sounds with volume control and auto shut-off
• AC adaptor saves money on batteries
• Swing time with 3 settings: 30, 45 and 60 minutes
• Whisper Quiet™ operation
• 5 point harness
• Machine washable seat pad
• Non-slip feet

 

Sunnyside Safari™ Portable Swing

Find baby's favorite speed with this innovative portable swing. The Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Portable Swing is a win for parents and babies—from its machine-washable padded seat right down to its bright yellow, non-slip feet. With six distinct speeds to choose from, you'll find it easy to suit your little one's mood—and our patented TrueSpeed™ technology keeps those speeds consistent even as baby grows.
The Comfort Recline™ seat gives you a choice of two positions, and WhisperQuiet™ operation makes this swing silent in use. Wrap it all up in the super-fun animal decor and you've got a perfect travel companion. Part of Bright Starts™’ Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Features:

• TrueSpeed™ Technology maintains 6 speeds as baby grows
• Comfort Recline™ seat with 2 positions
• Whisper Quiet™ operation
• Easily folds for storage or travel
• 5 point harness
• Machine washable seat pad
• Non-slip feet

 

Sunnyside Safari™ Saucer

This is where babies go for serious fun. A Walmart exclusive, the 7-activity Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Saucer offers entertainment options galore—and a lighthearted jungle theme with fun characters you'll adore.
The seat rotates a full 360° for endless interaction with the activity stations. Twin overhead toy arms provide even more entertainment options. And the three different height positions make this one saucer your baby won't soon outgrow. Four link loops mean still more toys can be attached. Part of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection, this saucer will quickly become a family favorite. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• 3 adjustable height positions allows entertainer to grow with baby
• Seat rotates 360° for nonstop interaction with 7 activity stations
• 2 overhead toy bar arms with mirror, hanging toy and fabric crinkle leaves
• Hanging elephant toy
• Bendy giraffe teething stalk
• Bead chaser with easy to grip textured beads
• Lion popper with spiraling beads
• Rotating ladybug barrels with fun textures and beads
• Rocking toucan on leaf stalk
• 4 link loops for attaching more toys
• Lays flat for storage
• Built-in toy tray is easy to clean

Giveaway starts on May 7 at 12:01AM and ends May 28 at 11:59PM. Open to the US residents only; must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Enter to win the Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway including the Sunnyside Safari Collection on the rafflecopter form below.

What would you do?

So this story has been on the news a few times here in Detroit, and I've read a few articles about it online. And I'm still not sure what I think the right thing in this situation is.... A woman in Arkansas found a $1 million dollar scratch off ticket in the trash. She frequently takes scratch off tickets out of the garbage because in Arkansas - much like in Michigan - you can enter the tickets online to for a "second chance" drawing. The woman the bought the winning scratch off ticket said when she scanned the ticket the machine told her it wasn't a winner and she subsequently threw the ticket away. The woman who found the ticket went to enter the ticket online and was notified that it was a winning ticket and she couldn't enter the ticket into the second chance drawing. So she cashed the ticket in and was paid the $1 million dollar prize. However the original winner found out that the ticket had been cashed and sued for the winnings to be returned to her. A judge sided with the purchaser of the ticket and has order the woman who cashed the ticket in to repay the prize.

 Here's one of the more complete stories I've found on this: Two Arkansas women fight to claim $1M lotto ticket

Photo from NewsTalkRadioWHIO.com

This story brings up so many issues for me....

First off, if the lady was sure that she had won but the machine said it wasn't a winner when she scanned it wouldn't she have taken it to a lottery office to have them verify? I know I would have!

Then the lady that took the ticket out of the garbage and found out it was worth a million dollars should have tried to find the rightful owner of the ticket. The lottery commission in Arkansas had video of the ticket being purchased (although the time does not match up). So the ticket could have been returned to the purchaser.

The purchaser of the ticket threw it away out of her own free-will. Doesn't that mean she forfeited any rights she may have had to the ticket?

And my biggest question of this whole thing is how did the woman who purchased the ticket know that the winning ticket was hers when it was cashed in?

I originally thought the money should be given back to the woman who purchased the ticket. But then again finders keepers comes to mind. I keep flip-flopping on this one. And come to find out the woman who cashed the ticket left her job to care for her father-in-law. Given that she's not working and is digging through trash to pull out lottery tickets to redeem online leads me to believe she is in dire straights. Not that she should be given a hand-out but I've struggled before and I know how hard it would be for me to give up a windfall like that. But maybe the woman who bought the ticket is also in need, I've not read much that explains her situation either way. I just really don't know who should get the money. Being me - if I were the woman who purchased the ticket I would ask for half of the winnings, as I did throw the ticket away. If I were the woman who cashed it I would have tried to find the rightful owner. As hard as it may be to give up that kind of money I think I would feel guilty spending it. I see both sides to this argument and can see how each woman has a fair claim to the money... I just don't know who's right. What do you think about this one?