PENSIEVE

Oreck Magnesium Giveaway!! ($600 value)

Right before Thanksgiving, I remember thinking, "I wish someone was hosting a vacuum cleaner giveaway or blogging campaign or SOMETHING" because my extended family was coming to spend a few nights, there was LOTS of cleaning to do, and my years' old vacuum was showing her age.  I'm always happy to work for food and/or fancy household appliances. 

You can imagine my shock when THE WEEK AFTER THANKSGIVING I was contacted by Oreck about a blogger outreach program to receive their new Oreck Magnesium for review and host a giveaway for one lucky reader. 

If I wasn't so thrilled I would've been more concerned about Big Brother somehow getting inside my head.

There are so many good things to say about the Oreck Magnesium I'm offering you ~ (please click to find out!!)

Win a Kindle Fire. Seriously.

In the easiest giveaway on the world wide web, all you need to do to win a Kindle Fire, the latest and greatest e-reader on steriods, is to Like Therapon Skin Health on Facebook!

In case you aren't familiar, Therapon is a medical grade skin care line, and since I started using it a year ago, people ask me what I do for my skin.  No one ~ no one ~ ever asked me that question before.

*Like* Therapon now to enter the Kindle Fire giveaway; and subscribe to The Skinny to receive notice of all special offers and discounts including  HUGE Cyber Monday sales after Thanksgiving.  Winner announced November 18th.

NEWSFLASH:  Now through midnight on the 18th you can save 20% on your Therapon purchase by using the code PR2011!  This is the PERFECT time to try the skin care line or replenish your dwindling supplies! 

 

Brownie points and my undying affection for everyone who shares news about this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter and all your favorite social networking sites.  Because turn about is fair play, leave a link to your favorite recent post and I'll be happy to tweet, Facebook or give it a Stumble in return!!

 

Joie de la NETTOYAGE?!? [Simple Mom :: project simplify + book GIVEAWAY!]

There is no greater evidence of God's twisted sense of humor than when he pairs a Messy with a Neat Freak 'til death do us part.  

It's a combustible combination that will have both parties at times tugging and warring.

In our family, I'm the messy.  

I'm pretty good at cleaning, mind you, but that organizing and decluttering business?  Well, sometimes the mere thought of it strangles me in paralyzing chokehold.  It's not that I don't have the want to--I do, I really do!--I just don't have the follow through.  

Can we call it adult-onset A.D.D.?  Or genetic?  My dad was the biggest clutter-hound on the planet (well, I thought he was until I saw an episode of Niecy Nash's Clean House...!).

In spite of my natural tendency to multiply clutter like a dozen libidinous bunnies, I actually enjoy seasons of organization.  I can't predict it, I can't manufacture it, but when it strikes me SWEETMERCY I carpe that diem!  

W e l l, lovies...it hit me last week when my husband traveled to God's Country, an energizing, irresistible force of Spring Cleaning meets project simplify.

Maybe it was a case of sympathetic, transferred nesting for Lisa Jo; or perfect timing with the start of my kids' Spring Break; or all of that coupled with inspiration from...

I met Tsh/Simple Mom years ago at the first Blissdom Conference; I've admired her ever since.  With great design sense, clear vision for her site and an obvious heart for God and family, she leads by example.  When she asked me to guest post about parenting teenagers** in her Seasons of Parenting series, then invited me as a regular contributor for that niche, I was honored and thrilled.  To the max.

Her book, Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living, is six shades of fabulous--

practical, beautiful and inspiring, and one of you have a chance to win one!  We'll get to that in a minute.

Simple Mom is midway through project simplify, a five-week series challenging readers "to roll up their sleeves and clear the clutter from the different “hot spots” in their homes."  

By focusing on specific tasks each week, she makes de-cluttering doable and almost downright FUN by having her community do it together, celebrating accomplishment with before/after photos.  

This week's Hot Spot:  kids' clothes and toys.

Did I mention it's Spring Break at Chez Pensieve?  Me thinks the kids might suddenly come down with Mama-induced Spring(break) Cleaning Fever.  There's only one cure for that.... ;)

While I'm not following project simplify to a "T", I'm reading along gaining inspiration and encouragement from those taking part.  Simple Mom is all about doing what works for you...and honestly?  For the first time ever I was more about the cleaning/decluttering/organizing process than I was about photo-documenting the occasion!!  Wonders never cease....

Wanna win a copy of Organized Simplicity?  (trust me, you do!)  Please leave a thoughtful comment below relevant to this post by Friday, March 25th at 11:59 EST.  ("Great post!" or "I want to win!" comments mean nothing to me and will be disqualified.)   Maybe share your favorite Spring Cleaning and organizing tips or let me know if you're already taking part in project simplify. 

After you do that, feel free to enter as many times as you like by leaving a separate comment indicating you've done any/all of the following.  Winner will be chosen by Random Integer Generator (unless you write a really cool cleaning-related haiku or poem and I'm swayed to pick favorites....).

• Subscribe to PENSIEVE in a reader or by email.
• Tweet a link to this giveaway and comment its specific URL.
• *Like* or Share this post on Facebook.
• Stumble, Kirtsy, etc. this post.

 

**  If you're interested, here's my two-part series for Seasons in Parenting:

Parenting Teens, Part 1
Parenting Teens, Part 2

 

Blog Hop '10 ~ Giveaway winners!

THANK YOU for your patience with me in posting these!  I'm grateful for all of our giveaway providers listed below (hint:  if you thank them in a post or on Facebook or Twitter, I'm sure they'll want to sponsor again next year)!  If you see your name listed, please send me an email at pensieve(dot)me(at)gmail(dot)come with your name and shipping information; BE SURE to include "BLOG HOP WINNER!" in the Subject Line!!   I'll email those I haven't heard from in the next few days to let them know their good fortunes.

Thanks, too, to all who joined Blog Hop '10; I'm determined to visit YOUR blogs eventually, but goodness gracious, administration of this sucker has slowed me to a snail's pace!! :)  

OH, and guess what else?!  EVERYONE'S A WINNER because Kelby Carr, aka @Typeamom, has offered a 25% discount for ALL Blog Hop '10 participants for the Typeamom Conference!!  This year's conference speakers are wonderful and it's a perfect opportunity to make your online acquaintances real life friends!  Just use code:  http://bit.ly/9LG8jt (Discount is automatically applied for your convenience.)  

Chef's Requested $25 Gift Certificates:  Julie from Inmates, Vanderbilt Wife, Jessica, Bridget

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

3	6	2	5	

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 10:31:47 UTC

Paula Deen Cookbook - Jane Anne

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

 10	

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 10:36:26 UTC

Etsy Graphics Package - Lisa Lehmann

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

 3	

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 10:41:26 UTC

Corolle Doll - Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

 10

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 10:43:26 UTC

Studio Jewell store credit ~ Shelli aka Hope Devoted

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

17	

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 10:47:23 UTC

Paul and Sandy Coughlin book pair ~ Kelly @ Love Well

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

5	

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 15:38:15 UTC

Sandy Coughlin's "The Reluctant Entertainer" ~ Diaper Diaries, New to Mom and Nicole

(**For giveaways with a Linky attached, I began the count with #1 on the Linky list, then picked up in numbering comments where it left off; i.e., for this giveaway, the first comment was actually "23".)

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

 6	15	24	

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 15:49:42 UTC

Custom Twitter Background ~ Vsliker

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

1	

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 16:03:53 UTC

Lisa Leonard $50 Shop Credit ~ Dawn

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

27	

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 16:08:40 UTC

Shop Credit from @GussySews ~ Melissa Brotherton

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

59	

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 16:18:25 UTC

Giveaway from Gettington.com ~ Michpendegrass

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

22

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 16:40:16 UTC

(in)courage/DaySpring Shopping Spree ~ Erin

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

51	

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 16:46:40 UTC

Walmart giftcard in conjunction with Elmers Bag-it-Forward ~ Kelly@Childhood

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

3	

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 16:59:13 UTC

Book set from Thomas Nelson (Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God by Sheila Walsh and Friendship for Grown-Ups by Lisa Whelchel) ~ FC_Melissa, Jennifer & Jessie

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

 10	11    3

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 17:09:06 UTC

Christian Fiction Pack from Bethany House ~ Includes Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist, Tomorrow We Die by Shawn Grady and Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl ~ LaVonne

Type-A Mom Conference Pass ~ Monica @ Paper Bridges

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated without replacement:

 91	

Timestamp: 2010-08-18 17:25:42 UTC

Blog Hop '10 Winners TBA...

by Wednesday.

While I hate to keep you wondering if you're one of the many winners drawn for our fantastic slate of giveaways, a bridal shower, an important birthday, writing deadlines and the sheer amount of time it'll take to draw random numbers, verify eligibility and write a post means I need some time to get it done!  Thanks for your patience!

Until then, continue hopping among our 255 blog hoppers--I'm amazed by how many NEW bloggers joined in this year!  Thanks to all who took part and I'm already in conversation with some friends to make next year's event MUCH more substantial!! 

Celebrate/(in)courage!

Had I known then what I know now, I sure wouldn't have dragged my feet in saying "yes".  

I received an email in June of last year inviting me to consider joining a new website where I would have "the opportunity to write what God lays on [my] heart, encourage other women with [my] story, and be a more relevant voice for Christian women."  It captured my interest but after writing for several on-line venues, I wondered if the benefit would outweigh the cost.

After careful consideration and seeking wisdom, a month later I replied to that email and said "If you'll still have me, I want in!" Thankfully, their arms were open wide.  It has been one of the best blogging/writing decisions I've ever made!  

(in)courage has managed to create an online space for women who follow Christ that isn't preachy, trite or presumptive of all the answers.  We allow for questions, explore faith, admit imperfections, offer advice and encourage relationships.  It's our imaginary beach house with an open invitation to all who would come. 

(in)courage is celebrating its First Anniversary, and because WE feel like we've been gifted all year long with hundreds (thousands?) of wonderful, encouraging readers, we're giving back day after day after DAY!  

 

Join our celebration!  If you're a reader, thank you (I'm personally grateful for those of you who've read and commented to my posts...)!  If you've never clicked over, this is the perfect time to meet us! With 30 days of giveaways--ending on the National Day of Encouragement!--you're bound to end up with an (in)courage surcie!

Blog Hop '10 ~ MASTER GIVEAWAY LIST

Lovies--new & not-so-new--when you see the wonderful giveaways that have fallen into place over the PAST 24 HOURS, you really won't mind missing BlogHer AT. ALL.  

I'm thankful for every offering and especially grateful to Elmer's Bag it Forward as our lead Sponsor; because of their generosity I've been compensated for a portion of my administrative time in organizing the Hop.  Though it might not look like it, it's a job!  A really fun one, mind you, but still a LOTTA juggling. :)

General guidelines & Information:

• All Blog Hop Giveaways are listed here with a link to their details and entry page.
• Eligibility requirements:
• • The Blog Hop '10 Badge must be displayed on your sidebar and/or in a post and link back to the Blog Hop FAQs & Master Linky page. 
  • For each giveaway you're interested in entering--and they're AWESOME, so I hope you'll enter ALL of them!!--you'll need to leave a comment ON EACH GIVEAWAY POST (linked below).  
  • All giveaways will have a Linky associated with that giveaway.
  • Each giveaway will have multiple ways to enter.
  • Enter the URL on the Linky for EVERY way you've entered.  For instance, if you posted it on Facebook, your blog, Tweeted about it and Kirtsied the giveaway, you can enter three different times on the Linky with the URL to your FB status, blog permalink, Tweet & Kirtsy page.

• I'm handling the giveaways this way so a) you can have the benefit of multiple entries AND b) TypePad doesn't allow for numbered comments.   Last year it was a mess trying to match up numbers with the ones drawn :).

As always, if you have questions, email me at pensieve(dot)me(at)gmail (dot)com.  Chances are, if you're wondering, others are, too.

LET THE GIVEAWAYS BEGIN!!

$50 Walmart Giftcard, Elmer's Bag it Forward {Our Blog Hop Sponsor and my favorite giveaway because, while one of YOU will win $50, "Adopt-a-Classroom stands to gain $10,000 for school basics!  Please check it out!}

$50 (in)courage/DaySpring Shopping Spree

$50 choice of giveaway from Gettington.com

$60 shop credit to be spent at www.shopgussy.com {Handmade ruffled accessories with flair!  Baby blankets excluded.}

$50 shopping spree at Lisa Leonard Designs

$45 Custom Twitter background from Erica Mueller at TechnoMomDesigns.com

Sandy Coughlin's "The Reluctant Entertainer: Every Woman's Guide to Simple and Gracious Hospitality" | {$17.99  A gorgeous book about all things "hospitality".  Sandy makes it look easy!!} **FOUR COPIES!** 

Coughlin book set:  "No More Christian Nice Girl," Paul Coughlin {$14.99} & "The Reluctant Entertainer," Sandy Coughlin {$17.99}

$50 to Studio Jewel compliments of Lisa Lehman

$30 Autographed Paula Deen cookbook, "Savanah Style"

$35 Etsy Graphics Package from http://www.nicolemariebydesign.etsy.com {Includes seven pieces!}

$65 Corolle doll, Be´be´ Do

Christian Fiction book set:  "Maid to Match," Deeanne Gist {RV:  $14.99}, "Tomorrow We Die," Shawn Grady {$14.99} and "Heartless," Anne Elisabeth Stengl {$14.99}

Christian Non-fiction book set:  "Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God," Sheila Walsh {$21.99} and "Friendship for Grown-ups:  What I missed and learned along the way," Lisa Whelchel {$21.99}

$25 for delicious Chef's Requested {FOUR winners will receive this giveaway!!}

and...so you won't miss the next wonderful conference...

A pass to Type-A Mom Conference!  Up to a $299 value!  

{I'll be adding more giveaways as they're confirmed so keep checking back!}

If YOU'RE hosting a Blog Hop '10 giveaway on your site, feel free to link that permalink here with a brief description, too!

Blog Hop '10 Giveaway: Chef's Requested (Steaks!)

Giveaway:  $25 from Chef's Requested (includes free and dollars' off coupons) 

Sponsored by Chef's Requested

Entry deadline:  Friday, August 13th @ 11:59 EST

(Four prize packs, one to be awarded on Twitter)

Requirements for entry:

1. You must have the Blog Hop '10 badge displayed on your blog's sidebar and/or post and linked to:  http://bit.ly/dztBGe   (Blog Hop FAQs post).
2. Visit the Chef's Requested site and nose around a little.  Comment below what you most want to sample.
3. After you complete #2, you can enter as many times as you wish by tweeting, Facebooking, Stumbling, etc. this post; simply link that URL below in comments.  You can also follow Chef's Requested on Twitter and let me know in comments.

Blog Hop '10 Giveaway: Books by Sheila Walsh and Lisa Whelchel

Giveaway:  3 books ~  "Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God," Sheila Walsh and "Friendship for Grown-ups:  What I missed and learned along the way," Lisa Whelchel 

Sponsored by Thomas Nelson Publishers

Entry deadline:  Friday, August 13th @ 11:59 EST

Requirements for entry:

1. You must have the Blog Hop '10 badge displayed on your blog's sidebar and/or post and linked to:  http://bit.ly/dztBGe   (Blog Hop FAQs post).
2. In comments, share who your favorite Christian non-fiction authors are and why OR your favorite Christian non-fiction titles and a brief description.
3. After you complete #2, you can enter as many times as you wish by tweeting, Facebooking, Stumbling, etc. this post; simply link that URL below in comments.  You can also follow Thomas Nelson on Twitter.

Blog Hop '10 Giveaway: Christian Fiction pack!

Giveaway:  3 books ~ "Maid to Match," Deeanne Gist, "Tomorrow We Die," Shawn Grady and "Heartless," Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Sponsored by Bethany House Publishers

Entry deadline:  Friday, August 13th @ 11:59 EST

Requirements for entry:

1. You must have the Blog Hop '10 badge displayed on your blog's sidebar and/or post and linked to:  http://bit.ly/dztBGe   (Blog Hop FAQs post).
2. In comments, share who your favorite Christian fiction authors are and why OR your favorite Christian fiction titles and a brief description.
3. After you complete #2, you can enter as many times as you wish by tweeting, Facebooking, Stumbling, etc. this post; simply link that URL below in comments.