Forgive the craptastic job on the tissue paper- I really need to fix that.

I had three teachers to buy for.
Inside each bucket is:

Lysol sanitizing wipes- $2.92 x 3

Big bottle of GermX instant hand sanitizer- $1.98 x 3

Bottle of Chewable Vitamin C- $2 x 3 (found that bargain at Wally World)

Travel-size kleenx-$.99 for a pack of three

5 bags of Yogi brand tea: Cold Season $4.42 for one box, that I split in 3

On the sparkly tag, I wrote "Miss (insert teacher's name here)'s Germ-Busting Bucket."

So, that's three teacher gifts of something that I think they will actually use, for just over $20 total.


Um, not counting the buckets($2.50 each at Wally World- they have a cute lid with a snowflake on it), tissue paper, and the sparkly tags, which bring my total closer to $30. But, by the time that I was shopping for those items, I had picked up the older two from preschool and had three kids shopping with me, so I went for whatever I saw that I thought was reasonable, instead of shopping around for a better deal. But, still, that means $10 per teacher, which isn't bad at all!


Feel free to steal this idea for your kids' teachers!


Click HERE to see the movie-themed basket I made for my boys' teachers as an end-of-the-year gift.


What are you getting for your children's teachers?



This post was originally published on 12/16/09. But, since there were less than 100 of you around then, I figured it was safe to repost.

Labels: Christmas presents

Labels: Christmas, SITS

I've never done a great job at working out on my own. I need a workout buddy to meet at the gym- so that I can't change my mind and not go to the gym. Or I need to take a class so that someone is telling me what to do and I can't wimp out and only workout half-heartedly. But, sometimes it's hard to work getting to the gym into my schedule.


Working out at home is hard for me, too. I get tired of doing the same workout dvds. So, there's no motivation there, either.


Here's a way to combine that motivation of a workout partner or instructor with working out at home: With Get Fit with Mel B for the Playstation Move, you get your own personal cheerleader during your workouts! Through the advanced technology of the Playstation Move, you join her on screen and receive feedback.


There are 200+ routines including dance routines, yoga, kickboxing and step aerobics: no boredom here! You can follow your fitness progress with the tracking program, too.


If you want to see it in action, you can check out the video HERE.


Now, I do have to confess my blonde moment to y'all. When I had the opportunity to review this, I thought OH, HOW FUN! I have a Playstation, I should try this.


Guess I thought that somehow, mine would magically be able to detect my movements or maybe that it would come with everything that I needed, I'm not quite sure what was going through my head. You do have to have the Move for this to work.


Luckily, one of my husband's friends has it, so we took it over there for me to try. Yes, Hubs and his friends were highly entertained by me jumping around reviewing this game.


But, now I want a Playstation Move! Dear Santa....


However, if you do have one or are getting one, Get Fit with Mel B would give you a fun workout. And at $39.99, it's cheaper than a gym membership!


This post was written for Family Review Network & Deep Silver who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Labels: reviews

Want to have irresistibly kissable lips this holiday season? Or are you in need of the perfect little gift for a friend?



To celebrate the winter season, Softlips is offering their limited edition Holiday 5-pack of lip conditioners: Sugar & Spice, Winter Mint, Sugar Cookie, Sugar Plum Berry and Mint with a Hint of Vanilla. They come packaged in a festive  blue sachet. It makes for a great stocking stuffer or a final touch on a gift or a little something for yourself as a reward for all that holiday shopping!


Throughout the holiday season this Holidays 5-Pack will be available exclusively in the new Softlips online store for $9.99. From 11/26/10-12/10/10, there is FREE shipping on all orders place in their online store.



I'm always a fan of Softlips and think that they help make my lips soft, especially when I need it in the winter. Already the chillier air is causing my lips to crack, so I always carry one of these around with me. Sugar Cookie is my favorite from this collection.


Want to drop a hint that these would be a great present for you for Christmas? Starting 11/26 you can visit the Softlips Facebook page and click on the “WISH LIST” tab and share your list with your Facebook friends!


One of you will win the Holiday 5-Pack from Softlips!

To enter: If your email is not visible in your profile, you must leave it with your comment. Winner will be announced on this post and notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Contest closes at 9pm on 12/4. US only.


Entry options: Please leave a separate comment for each entry that you do.
*Follow Softlips on twitter
*Like Softlips on facebook
*Follow Things I Can't Say(GFC, twitter OR facebook)- one entry total
*Tell me who you want to win this for
*Entered all three of the stocking stuffer giveaways? Conair, Scunci, and Softlips? Leave another comment for an extra entry to win!


 
I was sent some Softlips samples to try. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

This giveaway is now closed and the winner is #14 AEKZ2

Labels: giveaway, reviews

I have obnoxiously thick hair. Trying to find anything that will stay put in my hair is a struggle. Scunci has a solution with their New Evolution hair ties, hair bands, and clips.


This great collection utilizes new technology to create hair accessories that won't come out until you take them out!


Have a holiday party where you want to try something fun and festive with your hair but aren't sure you have the styling skill? Try the Scunci Upzing double combs.   They are easy to use, comfortable, and sophisticated.  It has a last hold and can be used to create dozen of styles.




Scunci Upzing and Evolution products are available nationwide at mass market and drug store retailers. And would make a great stocking stuffer!
Giveaway: One of you will win an evolution and upzing product from scunci!

To enter: If your email is not visible in your profile, you must leave it with your comment. Winner will be announced on this post and notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Contest closes at 9pm on 12/4. US only.

Entry options: Please leave a separate comment for each entry that you do.
*Tell me another scunci product you would like to try.
*Tell me who you want to win this for.
*Follow Things I Can't Say(GFC, twitter or facebook)- one entry total
*Entered all three of the stocking stuffer giveaways? Conair, Scunci, and Softlips? Leave another comment for an extra entry to win!



I received these products for review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

This giveaway is now closed and the winner is #51: Batman's Mom.

Labels: giveaway, reviews

Great hairstyles start with a great brush! My boys are forever running away with my hairbrushes for some reason, so I don't mind having extras on hand. And even if you don't have hair brushing-thieving boys in your house, you can still probably use an extra brush or two to put in a stocking!


You can detangle wet and dry hair of all lengths with the Conair Tormaline Ceramic Small Porcupine Round Brush or Conair Gel Grips Cushion Brush. Each helps smooth, style, and straighten hair. The Conair Gel Grips Cushion Brush conforms to the shape of your hand for easy styling and the flexible cushion base prevents hair breakage.


The Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Small Porcupine Round Brush utilizes finely crushed tourmaline a gemstone that naturally releases negative ions, infused into the nylon bristles and ceramic barrel of the brush. The ions tighten the cuticle layer and seal in natural oils reducing static electricity leaving hair shiny and silky. I had a lot of luck using this round brush as I was blowdrying my hair.

Entry options: Please leave a separate comment for each entry that you do.
*Like Conair on facebook
*Follow Conair on twitter
*Follow Things I Can't Say(GFC, twitter OR facebook)- one entry total

*Tell me who you want to win this for!
*Entered all three of the stocking stuffer giveaways? Conair, Scunci, and Softlips? Leave another comment for an extra entry to win!

I was sent these hair brushes to review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

This giveaway is now closed and the winner is #32: It's Always Something Around Here.

Labels: giveaway, reviews

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday! Or at least got through it okay. With the holiday weekend, I wasn't sure if I should have a Blog Friend Feature today. So, I asked the ultimate authority on anything important: Twitter. And  I even asked if there was anyone who would like to be featured today.

Kimberly AKA Not Blessed Mama replied that she wanted to. Love people who just jump right in like that. And her post today is very timely since it's about Black Friday. Some of you might already be back from hours of shopping by the time this posts early in the morning since the stores are open insanely early.

Autumn- it’s such a magical time of year. Thanksgiving. Sharing a special meal with loved ones. Family traditions. The beginning of the holiday season. And, what I hold dearest to my heart-



My name is Not Blessed Mama, and I am an addict. I am hopelessly, hopelessly addicted to bargain shopping. Whenever I walk into a store, my eyes immediately begin sweeping the aisles searching for those telltale orange clearance stickers and 75% off signs. So to have a whole day devoted to sales of epic proportions- be still, my beating heart! It is the one day a year I allow myself to be a rampant consumer without remorse- and I full well take advantage of it!


Now, before you go thinking I am one of those crazy nutcases- well, I’m not (really). Pushing, shoving, grabbing, fighting- all big no-no’s in my book. While I do love a good bargain, I am definitely not willing to fight someone over a Furby (’member those?) or trample someone for a Nerf gun. Last year I did yell at some “gentlemen”, though- as they were shoving an older man to get to some video games. I mean, video games or breaking some old guys bones? It’s obvious what the choice would be!


I am a serious shopper though. I begin planning my trip as soon as the ads start leaking. With three adorable (greedy) Spawn, my Christmas list is a mile long. I have to compare prices, compare opening times, see who is price matching and see how good the bargains actually are. Because come on now Target, if I am dragging my butt out of bed at 3 am, this had better be a darn good price.


Come Thanksgiving day, I stuff my face with turkey and get those ads in my hot little hands. Which is rather unnecessary, because at this point I have them memorized- but I may need to show them to the clerk to price match. Before I go to bed , I stay up late to see what deals will go live on-line. You knew Black Friday went on in the virtual world too, right? (*Note: There is that Cyber Monday nonsense, but that’s what it is- nonsense.) After anxiously refreshing websites over and over to see what I can get on-line, I grab a couple hours of sleep and wake in the wee hours of the morning. Grab an apple, jump in the car and I’m off!


Having a friend tag along is definitely a major bonus. Having a friend who doesn’t have much shopping to do tag along- priceless! Last year I had a side-kick helping me out. I was so grateful, I offered to buy her a bottle of wine from a nearby display as a token of my undying gratitude and appreciation. Do you have any idea how mortifying it is to get turned down when you try and buy a bottle of wine at Wal-Mart at 5:50 am? Extremely, let me tell you. Apparently you can’t buy alcohol before 6 am here- pshaw.


I wish I could give you some advice for what to do when you are in the store shopping, but pretty much all I can say is eat or be eaten. Seriously! Watch your back, move fast and get in and out as quickly as possible- after all, the next store is waiting!


To my fellow Black Friday lovers out there, I hope you had great luck this year and snagged everything you were looking for, while avoiding bodily harm. And to the newbies, I hope I have given you a little encouragement to check out the sales. Happy Hunting!

I'm a little scared of Black Friday shopping. We'll see if I head out or not. Please leave Not Blessed Mama some comment love here and go follow her blog if you don't already!

Labels: blog friend feature, guest post

Hope you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I'm joining in with Mama Kat today for Writer's Workshop. One of the choices was to interview your kids about Thanksgiving so I'm turning my blog over to my boys.


I asked Monkey(5) why we have Thanksgiving.
Because the Pilgrims and Indians ate together. They helped each other.


He then launched into a song:
Pilgrims and Indians ate together on Thanksgiving DAAAAAAAAYYYYY.


And when I laughed, he started dancing around and singing a different song:
Thanksgiving Day is coming so Mr. Turkey said! The pumpkin hears the turkey. I'm eating so much. They'll mix me up with spice and sugar and cut off my head and I'll be a pumpkin pie.


Um, okay, kid. Moving on to Bear(4).


What do we do on Thanksgiving?
We go to (cousin)'s house for a Thanksgiving FEAST! And we wear a hat.


What are you thankful for, Bear?
Cupcakes, Mommy, Daddy, Monkey, Cub, all the people. And cupcakes.  


He's got his priorities straight.


So, back to Monkey, what are you thankful for?
TV.

Anything else?
No.


Hmmm. Santa heard that.

Labels: thanksgiving, writer's workshop

 <a href="http://thingsicantsay-shell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac246/shellthings/pouryourheartout.jpg" /></a>
I was trying not to step on my sil's train or fall off the steps in my heels and break something, so yeah, it's a little bit of a weird pose, but the only one of my two brothers and me(and obviously my brother's wife) from when we were together for the wedding in October.

I'm thankful that I have brothers whom I can feel close to, even though I no longer live near them. I miss them, but I love that we are all happily married and building our families. And that, despite whatever craziness is around us, us kids stick together.


I'm going to try to remember all this during the craziness of the holidays. And if I can't, well, I'll take that half-full glass and DRINK it. And then pour another.

Labels: crazy family, pour your heart out, thanksgiving

1. Remember that you are here for the kids to play. Fussing at them about getting dirty is pretty silly, given where you brought them. If you think it's the end of the world for them to get a little dirty in whatever you brought them to the park in, you either need to chill out or leave the park and come back another day, in another outfit.


2. If it's possible for a child to climb up on something and jump off, he will probably attempt it(this one might be just for boy moms, I'm not sure). So, keep your eye out....even if you decide you will let him try, just don't be surprised that it is attempted.


3. If you bring snacks and drinks to the playground, do not leave them lying around after your child wonders off to play again. A random toddler will view an open juice box and cookies sitting out on a picnic table as an open invitation for his own personal snack time. Do the other mamas a favor and put all of that away so that they don't have to spend all their time keeping their children away from the open snacks.


4. If you must bring your dog to the playground, that dog is your responsibility. It is not okay to tie said dog to one of the few park benches available and then go to the other side of the playground. Someone might want to actually be able to sit down. And now you've forced other moms to be the ones to stand guard over your dog to keep their children from playing with him.


5. It is expected that if you are near a child who is about to fall you should step in and catch them instead of letting them tumble to the ground at your feet. HOWEVER, that's not the rule here. The rule here is that if you see a mom standing near her child and SHE is not concerned enough to step in to stop her child from doing whatever he is doing, then you shouldn't either. Maybe you wouldn't let your 2 year-old climb up the rock wall, but maybe the 2 year-old in question is perfectly capable of this. If mom is within catching distance, it is not your problem.


6. No comments about other people's children. Unless they actually do something to harm yours, remember that no child is perfect. Also remember that they are there to play, so if you are loudly complaining about a child making noise or running around...um, they're outside at a playground- they need to get that all out somewhere.


7. Yes, I know it's tempting to talk on your phone, check your blog comments, or even read a book when you are on the playground- especially if it is a fenced-in playground and you are sitting right beside the only exit...but remember that you do need to actually watch your kids. That also helps with the snide comments about your kids mentioned in #6. But, if you aren't paying attention to your kids, you should expect snide comments about you.


8. Do not bring sick children to the playground. They might be driving you crazy at home, but that is no excuse for bringing them out to share their germs.


9. Be nice to the other mamas. If you expect your kids to play nice, you better play nice, too. Otherwise, we might call you a motherbitch.


10. Just like kids don't follow all the rules all the time....us mamas probably won't either. And sometimes, having your children run around a fenced-in area is such a relief that we forget about everything else.

Labels: motherbitches

How to describe an engaement that happened so long ago.


Because of course that is what happened after he came back from Greece and she went to see him.


More than ten years later, she can remember where they ate dinner: the exact table where they sat.  She never sat at that table again, though she's been back to that restaurant many times.


She remembers how nervous he was the whole time. His leg constantly bouncing up and down. The way he kept staring at her.


The movie they saw after dinner, one she's seen countless times since and never once without remembering that day.


The way he kept shifting in his chair and squeezing her hand.


The abrupt way that he said goodbye to their friends afterward, insisting that they needed to go.


The way that she worried that something was wrong since it was still early and he was so desperate to leave.


Figuring he was just tired and wanted to go back to their hotel, she was confused when he insisted on stopping at store and looking around, all the time checking his watch. A store that now sits abandoned, weeds growing in the parking lot.


The way that he suddenly announced that they needed to go back to their room right then. In a hotel that has since changed names and been remodeled to the point of being unrecognizable except for its location.


The way that he insisted she go up the steps first and enter the room first when he was the one who usually led the way.


How he opened the door for her and she saw a room lit by countless candles and a floor strewn with rose petals.


The way she didn't know what to say, but he nodded at her to enter.


A path of rose petals followed to a huge bouquet of roses on the window seat.