This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TenaTips #CollectiveBias

Just as my husband and I got a handle on the happy, messy, emotional ride that is raising teen daughters, along came another family situation we weren’t quite prepared for: helping take care of our senior loved one.  My mother in law started turning down invitations from friends, she started missing doctor’s appointments, she even stopped wanting to come to our home for holidays and the main cause, we later learned, was occasional incontinence. 



3 ways to help a senior in your life remain active


She never wanted to tell us she was struggling with this, so she remained silent until one day a few months ago, she fell. While she was recovering, she asked us to go shopping for her. She asked for overnight underwear and the look on her face as she did ‒ full of embarrassment ‒ stayed with me. I vowed to find ways to help this wonderful senior remain active and not let incontinence leave her sitting on the sidelines of her life.  



The first way to help a senior loved one is the easiest ‒ simply observe their behavior. Do they seem happy when you visit them or do they look uncomfortable? My mother in law shared with me that when she had to start using pads for unexpected leakage, she feared she may have an odor when we hugged her, or that her home might smell unpleasant because she had placed used product in the trash. 


Thankfully, she had discovered TENA® pads and liners which helped eliminate odor and I suggested she get a slightly larger waste basket for her bathroom and line it with a scented liner. 


#TenaTips to help you remain active



Second, take in their home. Do they have a towel or a pad on their favorite chair or part of the couch? That is a red flag to light bladder leakage or stress incontinence. If you asked to use their bathroom, do they say sure, or do they ask if they can grab something out of there first? I learned that my mother in law didn’t want us to see her pads and overnight underwear, but had to leave them out near the toilet some days.  I found an easy solution to this situation by making her a cute personal hygiene bag that could sit on the back of her toilet, on the side, or on the counter without advertising the contents.


#TenaTips overnight pads fit in a cute bag #ad #CBias



The third way to help your senior remain active is to make sure they always have enough pads, liners and overnight underwear on hand.  Our local CVS carries the full line of TENA® products, so I can just pop in and purchase what my mother in law needs for the week.  


#TenaTips find them easily at CVS #ad #CBias



TENA® is also available online at CVS.com . You can have them shipped directly to your loved ones’ home.  There are rebates available through Ibotta for pads/liners here and their overnight underwear here. These will be welcome savings  since most seniors are living on a fixed income. 


#TenaTips full line of TENA products at CVS #ad #CBias




Bonus tips for all women 35 and over:

I've learned several helpful things from watching my mother in law's decline in health and I'd love to share her wisdom (and that of her doctors) with you so that we can strive to live life without compromise well into our senior years.

1. Strengthen your core. All movement comes from your core and light bladder leakage may be prevented by having a stronger core. 

2. Do Kegal exercises, but do them correctly. Pelvic floor muscles can be easy to isolate once you know how to do a proper Kegal. The best way to isolate the right muscles is to clench or stop your urine the next time you go. The muscles you use to do this are the very muscles you need to use to do Kegals. Hold those muscles for 3 seconds and release. Do several times a day anywhere.  You can learn more from WebMD here

3. Walk more, sit less. It sounds easy enough, but just standing more often through out the day and taking short 10 to 15 minute walks helps strengthen your muscles, including your core muscles. And it helps with number 4.

4. Lose weight. Losing just 5 pounds of excess weight can help alleviate light bladder issues such as leakage and stress incontinence.

5. Last, but certainly not least, take the time to fully empty your bladder each time you go to the bathroom. Conversely, don't go to the bathroom at the very first hint of needing to go when at home. Allow your bladder to fill up and use the core and pelvic floor muscles. We all know that a muscle at rest tends to weaken, so use them, don't lose them!


It is my hope that this post will help you take that first important step to talk to your parents or grandparents on this delicate topic and let them know that there are great products to help them.  I hope the bonus tips for the 35 and over will help serve as a reminder for all of us women to take better care of ourselves today for a healthier tomorrow.

With a little love, discretion and TENA® products, you can help a senior in your life remain active and enjoy their golden years happily doing the things they love and living life without compromise!


Please share in comments: Do you have a senior in your life that may benefit from this post? 

Rare is the time when I post on a Sunday, but this awesome giveaway is just too cool to wait until Monday so I'm making an exception. As a member if their awesome affiliate blogger team, I've written about Groovy Labs subscription boxes in the past, like this cool Moon box and now they are hosting a great giveaway now through June 30th!


The links in this blog post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on these links, I will receive a small commission from Groovy Lab in a Box.

Groovy Labs #Stem learning in a box


About Groovy Labs: 

Groovy Lab in a Box, the award-winning educational kits for kids ages eight and up that teach about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), recently announced a new partnership with Popular Mechanics. 

Each month, they send out a themed box filled with investigations that are fun and hands on. The investigations culminate into an Engineering Design Challenge, where your STEMists must apply what they've learned from the investigations (and use their critical thinking skills) to complete the challenge. The boxes contain everything you need to complete all of the activities, including a groovy retro-themed lab notebook. The box activities are supplemented with their Beyond...in a Box web portal where your children will find videos, interactives and additional activities. Head over to Groovy Lab in a Box's website to learn more about this great service!


About the Giveaway:

Our friends at Groovy Lab in a Box are hosting a sweepstakes where you can win a one-year subscription (valued at more than $250!) All you have to do is type in your email address, and you are entered. Hurry! This giveaway ends on June 30th!


Groovy Lab in a box giveaway

Click here to enter to win a one-year subscription from Groovy Lab in a Box!


Good luck! I hope you win! Please stop by and let me know if you do. 


Please share in comments: Do you enjoy Stem learning activities with your family?

Wordless Wednesday: Much needed rain

in , , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, June 15, 2016

The photos I'm sharing today were taken from my front porch a few days ago when a unexpected rain shower blessed us with some much needed rain.


raindrops, summer, yard, trees, clouds, nature

This pop shower started with these big, beautiful raindrops.





summer, rain, tree, pond

Then quickly turned into a downpour.




rain, summer, flower, gardening, nature

And just as quickly as the rain started, it stopped and left everything refreshed and beautiful in its wake.


Happy Wednesday everyone.


Please share in comments: Do you enjoy watching summer showers like this one? 


June means weddings and endless summer days. June means crisp Ivory white walls and dresses and linens. This color of the month was inspired by my love of Benjamin Moore's Ivory White, which to me looks just like my white lilacs that bloom in spring.




Here's my Pinterest board for June.  Enjoy it and this amazing season!




Please share in comments: Do you decorate with Ivory White?





Avocados and lime for #Guacamole #foodie #summer
Avocados and lime = Guacamole




Sweet Cherry Tomatoes #summer #garden #food
Sweet treat Cherry Tomatoes




Iced tea on the front porch #summer #company #drinks
Iced tea on the front porch


Happy June! Summer is almost officially here.


Please share in comments: What summer food and drink are you enjoying now?

$100 Best Buy Father's Day Giveaway

in , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Sunday, May 29, 2016
Happy Memorial Day weekend! I hope this finds you enjoying your weekend and reflecting on how very lucky we are to be able to honor and celebrate!


Memorial Day wishes


I'm thankful for so very many things, including a fantastic group of bloggers I'm honored to work with today to share an amazing giveaway with you- just in time for Father's Day! 




Oh, the wonderful things you could purchase for those special guys in your life! Whether you are shopping for your Dad, husband, brother or son Best Buy has you covered! Here's a few gift ideas:

  • GoPro Hero4 Silver Camera
  • Sony Playstation
  • Roku Streaming Stick
  • Samsung Smartwatch





Welcome to the Father's Day $100 Best Buy Giveaway!

Hosted by: Southern Mom Loves

Co-Hosted by: Life, Naturally, Tales From A Southern Mom, Five Spot Green Living, Frugal Finds During Naptime, & We Love Frugal Finds


Enter below for your chance to win $100 to Best Buy! Winner may choose an eGift Card delivered via email or a physical gift card delivered via snail mail.


Giveaway begins on 5/29/16 at 1:00 am CST and ends on 6/18/16 at 11:59 pm CST. Must be 18 years or older, open to residents of the US only (void where prohibited.) I will email the winner on Father's Day; The winner will have 24 hours to claim or I will redraw. Once winners are confirmed, they will be added to the Winner's List here.





Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per IP address. All entries will be verified. Void where prohibited by law. Winner will be contacted by email; Please add southernmomloves@gmail.com to your whitelist. Holly of Southern Mom Loves will be responsible for prize delivery to the winner. This giveaway is in no way administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest, or any other social media platform.


Contact Holly at southernmomloves@gmail.com if you have any additional questions or comments, or would like Southern Mom Loves to organize your next giveaway.



Good Luck!

Please share in comments: Who would you shop for if you won this gift card?

Today I woke up with a grateful heart.  I am celebrating another day on this wonderful planet and my family is showering me with love because it’s my birthday.  While I had originally planned on sharing a post on working from home, a quick Google search of today led me to a much more important cause. Did you know that today is National Missing Children’s day? I didn’t either. How could I not know that I’ve shared my birthday with this very important cause since 1983? 


Wake up each morning and be grateful #morning #sky #star
Sunrises make me happy and grateful to be alive




About National Missing Children’s Day:


National Missing Children's Day May 25
Source


“In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25 as National Missing Children’s Day. Each year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) commemorates Missing Children’s Day with a ceremony honoring the heroic and exemplary efforts of agencies, organizations, and individuals to protect children.
Missing Children’s Day is dedicated to encouraging parents, guardians, caregivers, and others concerned with the well-being of children to make child safety a priority. It serves as a reminder to continue our efforts to reunite missing children with their families and an occasion to honor those dedicated to this noble cause.”

Three easy ways to get involved today:
Every child deserves to feel safe. Every child deserves to live with their families without fear of being taken, sold, hurt or worse. I always feel terrible when I get an Amber alert and I don’t take them lightly. I look at the photo, I study it and then I take action by sharing the Amber alert on social media AND by looking at the faces in the crowd as I go about my day. 

1. Always pay attention and share local and national Amber alerts

My husband and I always look at the missing children’s posters at the exit of our local Sam’s Club. We pull our cart over so we don’t get trampled on by the busy exiting shoppers and we look at those faces, we say a prayer and then we take our kids home with us. 

2. Always look at the Missing Children's posters post in your community


Keeping our kids as safe as we can is one of the most important reasons I am a work at home Mom. I’m here for my kids in a way that I couldn’t be working outside the home. It was a choice to earn less to be here in my home and in my community more. But not all Moms can do that, so I will try to do more when and where I can. I will pay attention to the kids, vehicles in my neighborhood, and report any suspicious activity to my neighborhood watch and law enforcement.

3. Pay attention to activities in your neighborhood and join your neighborhood watch.

Lastly, I invite you to visit http://mecptraining.org/educate/national-missing-childrens-day/ to learn more and find resources on how you may be able to help in your community, or nationally. 


If you are reading this and are a parent- hug and connect with your child. Tell them how very grateful you are to have them in your life. Do you know how many kids are never told they are wanted, valued, loved? Be sure you are giving your kids your undivided attention so they truly feel connected.


Positive words and feelings from a grateful heart


Today is my birthday and I woke with a grateful heart and I plan on using my voice, my talents, my heart to make today the best day of the rest of my life by shining my light and remembering my blessings and hopefully, plugging in to my community more and blessings others.



Please share in comments: In what way can you help a child feel safe and loved today?



Purple Clematis buds and blooms #gardening #grow #spring




Purple Clematis flower #gardening #flowers #spring


Please share in comments: Do you grow Clematis? If yes, what color is yours?


This month's color choice was inspired by a cute DIY project I did for my cat's litter box area. I fell in love with the rug I found that helps capture tracked litter. Fiona my youngest cat, loves this rug too!

Teal rug #homedecor #TealGreen



Here's this month's Pinterest collaboration board. I love all the home decor pieces I found- and the hair color was a find! 





Please share in comments: Which of my pins were you drawn to first and why?




This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #yougottabekittenme #CollectiveBias

It’s important to me as a homemaker to make my home pleasant to be in.  I’m usually on top on my daily and weekly chores, but there was one area of my home that was, how shall I put this delicately, a total cat-tastrophe! Yes people, I’m talking about the often messy and smelly litter box area in my home! Thanks to today’s sponsors, Sam’s Club and Fresh Step Total Control litter with the power of Febreze  for helping me with this easy litter box area DIY!


Kitty approved litter box area DIY #yougottabekittenme #Cbias #ad



I’m happy to say this kitty-approved DIY project took me less than an hour once I got all my supplies in place. I love how clean and fresh this area is now, but that wasn’t always the case. This next photo is hard to share and is not kitty-approved.



Messy litter box area #yougottabekittenme #CBias #ad


I love my cats, but Dottie and Fiona make their litter box area a smelly, litter ridden mess zone! I try to stay on top of it, but honestly, I was ashamed of this out-of-the-way bathroom. We have three full baths in our home, so if company came over, I would quickly clean the cats’ box, spray air freshener and leave the door ajar only wide enough to allow the cats entry. 


The first step to my DIY was to stop the odor and litter tracking, so I switched back to Fresh Step Total Control with the power of Febreze litter and even upgraded by purchasing the 42 pound bag of Fresh Step Total Control with the power of Febreze litter, which is currently available only at Sam’s Club. If you are a Sam’s Club member, this litter is really easy to find in the store. In my Sam’s Club, it’s in the back of the store nearing the bakery.  


Fresh Step at Sam's Club #yougottabekittenme #Cbias #ad


Sam’s Club members receive a discount of $3.50 off their purchase on this item in May. This savings is offered in the Instant Savings book and is already loaded to your member’s card. Savings and convenience? Thank you, Sam’s Club! And a huge thanks to Fresh Step Total Control with the power of Febreze for upgrading their litter!

Did you know that Fresh Step Total Control with the power of Febreze includes Borate Technology for superior ammonia control? Plus, it acts as an antimicrobial agent to inhibit odor-causing bacteria and clumps to ease litter tracking! Seems this company knew just what we cat parents needed to help stop those awful #yougottabekittenme moments!  You can learn more about Fresh Step Total Control with the power of Febreze by visiting their site here


The second step to this litter box area update was to pick up new items. I wanted the kitty bathroom to look clean and fresh like my other baths, so got bought a new shower curtain, shower floor liner, scented trash bags, a new litter scoop and a cute caddy for all the supplies to fit into.


#yougottabekittenme litter box area supplies #CBias #ad



The third step was to clean the litter box area. Ugh. That was a chore, but so well worth the effort!

Clean litter box area #yougottabekittenme #CBias #ad


The fourth step was fun because I got to pretty up the space! I cut my liner to fit the floor and added a piece on the shelf for an extra splash of color and to keep the kitty supply caddy from slipping. I hung the light and airy shower curtain (that I can partially close when company comes), and then put the litter box back in its proper location.


The fifth step was organizing the kitty supply caddy with all the supplies needed to keep the litter box clean and smelling fresh. I placed the area air freshener up out of the cats reach, added a scented trash bag to one of the caddy’s holders for the litter scooper, put in the scented bags and added a gallon size bag of Fresh Step Total Control with the power of Febreze litter to the supply caddy so anybody in the family helping with the cats can add a scoop or two of litter as needed without having to heft up a 42 pound bag of litter.



Voila! My easy DIY litter box area is complete.

clean and fresh litter box area #yougottabekittenme #CBias #ad



Now I have a clean and fresh kitty bathroom that I won’t be ashamed of if company decides to peak down the hall. And thanks to Fresh Step Total Control with the power of Febreze litter this area smells as great as it looks! 



I'd also like to give my sponsors Fresh Step Total Control with the power of Febreze and Sam's Club another big round of applause for providing me $100 to donate to a pet-related organization of my choice! I participated in a local charity event called the Big Pay Back where my $100 donation to The People for Animals was doubled! This will help many cats and dogs in my community have better lives. Thank you, thank you!



Please share in comments: Do you have cats? How do you keep their litter box area clean? 

Wordless Wednesday: Buds and Blooms

in , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, May 04, 2016



Pink Primrose, Gardening, May, Flowers, Bloom




Pink Peony Buds, flowers, gardening, blooms, May



White Lilacs, flowers, blooms, fragrant, gardening, May


Happy May!


Please share in comments: What's budding and blooming in your garden?
It’s Friday and you know I love being able to offer great giveaways on this special day, but this Friday feels more like a Throwback Thursday because I’m working with Dreft this week.  Smelling that heavenly “baby” scent brought back a flood of special memories for me! I remember taking great care with my girls clothing, blankets and Lovie’s back then, and now I’m honored to be working with Dreft again to pass this love of Dreft’s scent and gentle cleaning on to other Moms with little ones.  


This post and giveaway were made possible by iConnect and Dreft. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.



Dreft, babies, gentle, hypoallergenic, laundry, blankets,




Did you know that Dreft is the number 1 baby laundry choice of pediatricians because it’s gentle and hypoallergenic on baby’s skin? Dreft has been trusted for over 80 years! Now Moms can enjoy that beloved scent longer by switching to stage 2 Active baby Dreft and by adding the new Dreft Blissfuls in wash scent boosters to any load of laundry! I recently washed some of my girls’ stuffed animals before re-packing them for storage and I couldn’t get enough of that delightful scent



Dreft Blissfuls help extend that beloved Dreft scent!


Back when my now teen daughters were babies, I used Dreft newborn on all of their laundry. I didn’t want their clothes to be uncomfortable on their skin, especially during the warmer months. Here in the south, humidity plays a huge role in how we feel in our clothes.  Combine that with warmer temps and all the allergens floating around and you’ve got a recipe for skin irritations, especially with baby’s sensitive skin!  



Dreft baby laundry products


Dreft has teamed up with Mom and pediatrician Dr. Dyan Hes to talk more about spring allergy season and how we can help keep our baby’s protected and comfortable this time of year. 


Here are a few great tips from Dr. Dyan Hes to keep in mind this spring.


1.  Shade the sun: The long awaited spring season means increased outdoor time for parents and their babies. When heading outside, don’t forget to practice appropriate baby skin safety.
  • For babies 6 months or older. If your baby is 6 months or older, liberally use sunscreen. Also, avoid exposing your baby to the sun during peak hours — generally 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — and dress your baby in protective clothing, a hat with a brim and sunglasses. 
  • For babies younger than 6 months. If your baby is younger than 6 months, keep him or her out of direct sunlight. Protect your baby from sun exposure by dressing him or her in protective clothing, a hat with a brim and sunglasses.



2. Protect Problem Skin: Heat is a common trigger for eczema and as the weather warms up, there are a few things you can do to help prevent flare ups of such skin irritations.

  • The sun is strongest between the hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. so try to shield baby from direct sun exposure during those times. There are also apps available that can inform you of the hottest part of the day – which can be helpful for parents as they plan any outings with their little ones!


3. Load up on liquids: Staying hydrated during the spring months is important as baby gets more active outdoor time and sun exposure.
  • Start with the inside and ensure children get enough to drink throughout the day. Infants should nurse or take a bottle often; older kids should tote a sippy cup or reusable water bottle. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and smoothies in your child’s diet too.  


Want to learn more? Please join @Dreft on May 9th from 9-10pm EST as they host a Twitter party with Dr. Dyan Hes! She will be sharing her tips to ensure your baby is happy and healthy this spring allergy season! Please RSVP to let us know you'll be joining us! 




I've loved my walk down memory lane and I feel confident that when my girls pull their baby items out from storage, they will still be able to smell and feel the gentle care that Dreft provides.



Win It!



#DreftSpring giveaway prize pack




Thanks to our sponsors, one lucky reader will win a Dreft Hypoallergenic Package Dreft product prize package which includes 1 Dreft Newborn, Active Baby, & Blissfuls and a Gender neutral hypoallergenic blanket. 



Cuddly blanket in #DreftSpring giveaway package

This sweet snuggle blanket from Brooklyn Bamboo is so soft, lightweight and comfy, I’m tempted to use it now summer napping with my big girls!



Terms: 
No purchase is necessary to enter using the Rafflecopter from below.  My WAHM Plan is not responsible for prize fulfillment. I will mail a coupon to each winner. Winners will be notified by email used on entry form and have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.  This giveaway is not associated with nor endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, or any other social channel.


Please share in comments: Do you have a favorite blanket or stuffed animal that your baby loves(d) that you are saving for your them?


Good luck!



a Rafflecopter giveaway


White fluffy clouds blue skies





White clouds in dark blue sky road scene





White whispy clouds in blue sky


Comments welcome!

Happy Earth day! Temperatures are starting to rise, flowers are blooming, birds are chirping and bugs are buzzing. Yep, it's that time of year to arm ourselves with tools and tips to keep mosquito's and other bugs at bay. Thanks to today's sponsor, Orkin, you and your family can learn ways to keep mosquito's away; plus win a cool Summer Scientist bug catching kit! I'll receive a kit as a thank you for hosting this giveaway, however all opinions and love of catching fireflies are my own.





Orkin Summer Scientist bug catching kit



Are you ready for mosquito season?  Not only are they a nuisance, they also pose potentially serious health risks.  Fortunately, the experts at Orkin study the science of mosquitoes and other pests closely in order to better tailor plans that help keep them out of your home this spring and summer.



Check out their Buzzer Beater app to learn how prepared you are for mosquito season and see if your city is on the biter list! Sadly, Nashville, TN. is #7. Click the sign below to download the city list. 





I'm learning more about these pests and how to avoid and protect my family. For instance, do you you think you think mosquito's prefer biting adults over children? Watch this video to find out.








Win it:




Orkin Summer Scientist bug catching kit



The Orkin Summer Scientist Bug Catching Kits are fun for the whole family! Each pack includes:
2 Bug Catcher Craft Kits: These awesome DIY bug catcher kits will let your family’s personality shine through while also learning about nature and the world around us. The kits include a variety of foam ladybugs, dragonflies and more!
2 Bug Nets: Explore the great outdoors with these fun mesh insect nets. They can be used to collect and study butterflies, ladybugs, caterpillars and many other backyard creatures.
2 See-Through Bug Jars: Reveal the wonders of your backyard with these clear bug jars. Each transparent plastic box has a magnifying lid for better insect viewing. Young explorers love discovering worms, butterflies, ants and insects. These containers allow them to make homes for their new discoveries.
2 Magic Color Scratch Little Garden Critters: Scratch faces, designs and more on these Magic Color Scratch Little Garden Critters! A perfect kids' activity for critter lovers, simply scratch away the black coating to reveal vibrant rainbow colors. Includes butterflies, frogs, turtles and more.
Glow-in-the-Dark Creepy Crawlers: Turn off the lights and let them glow! These vinyl glow-in-the-dark bugs are lots of fun for all ages.


This is a pretty cool kit, sure to add hours of fun for your family! Want to learn more cool bug facts? Be sure to follow Orkin on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!



Ready to win? Entering is easy using the Rafflecopter form below.

Terms:

No purchase is necessary to enter using the Rafflecopter from below.  My WAHM Plan is not responsible for prize fulfillment. I will mail a coupon to each winner. Winners will be notified by email used on entry form and have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.  This giveaway is not associated with nor endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, or any other social channel.

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



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