A shameless Plug

I'm going to shamelessly plug our new business (website) .. Why???? For a few reasons... 1. ) Because we are very excited and wanted to share that excitement with others.. 2.) Because we are offering an awesome raffle (contest ) right now for new customers, and most importantly 3.) Because the products are spectacular. This past weekend OUR first shipment came with the items we ordered. We decided to try out the Legacy of Clean Product Intro Bundle. The first thing I tried were the All Purpose wipes. I was previously a big user of Lysol wipes. They are great especially if you have kids or pets to clean up messes. But the ones we have are great. They smell amazing, that is the one big winner for me a nice citrus scent. Not to mention the price is just crazy, but in a good way.

For $65.00 you get the following:

Get to know the real meaning of clean! We’ve taken our top Legacy of Clean environmentally-sensitive laundry and household cleaning products and created this introductory bundle. And, as a bonus, we’re including a FREE Stain Chart. You’ll save more than $4.00 off the price of purchasing these items separately.

Intro Bundle includes:

• 33.8 fl. oz. SA8® Triple Liquid Detergent-Floral
• 33.8 fl. oz. Fabric Softener-Floral
• 32 fl. oz. Pre Wash
• 2.2 lbs. TRI-ZYME® Detergent Booster
• 32 fl. oz. All-Purpose Cleaner
• 32 fl. oz. Glass Cleaner
• 32 fl. oz. Bathroom Cleaner
• 16.9 fl. oz. Dish Drops® Dish Liquid-Citrus
• 3.08 lbs. Dishwasher Detergent
• 48-count box of All-Purpose Surface Wipes and a FREE Stain Chart.

Take a look here at how well these products work:



Now taking into account our awesome raffle (contest) this would already qualify you for an entry.

Here is the raffle we are currently offering:

For our Grand Opening we have two products up for a raffle. For orders over $50 placed through our site you will be entered in a drawing to receive :
ARTISTRY® essentials Replenishing Eye Creme
0.5 fl. oz.
Value of $27.00

More info on the Replenishing Eye Creme:
Younger-looking eyes in just one day. In just 24 hours, experience a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and puffiness with this light, silky crème formula.

For any order over $100 not only do you get free shipping but you will get :
ARTISTRY® essentials Replenishing Eye Creme
0.5 fl oz
Value of $27.00

Younger-looking eyes in just one day. In just 24 hours, experience a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and puffiness with this light, silky crème formula.

AND

ARTISTRY® TIME DEFIANCE® Skin Refinishing Lotion
1 fl. oz.
Value of $48.50

More info on the Skin Refinishing Lotion.
Softens skin and improves skin texture by 52% in 12 weeks
For all skin types, including sensitive skin, feel softer smoother skin instantly with ARTISTRY TIME DEFIANCE Skin Refinishing Lotion. And improve your skin texture by 52% in 12 weeks.


When shopping online through our personal website you will get Free shipping on orders over $99 delivered within a few days right to your home!

Take a look at our site here:

http://www.amway.com/chadandbridget?

It's very important to go through this link so your order can be tracked and you can then get the free shipping for orders $99 and over.

Once you have placed an order shoot me a quick message, and I will go ahead, track your order and add your name to the raffle drawing. Winner or Winners will be notified via email!

I am really excited. These products are awesome and our house has never been cleaner, we also have a bunch of clean laundry. It is just the folding part I do not like!!!

The Steelers are everywhere.....

At dinner all I heard was "Here we go.... Here we go.... Pittsburgh's going to the SuperBowl"... Over and over and over....Clifford just had to sing it for everyone! Clifford is really excited about the Steelers going to the Superbowl. He had to decorate his snowman as a Steelers player. However he refused to have him named "Ben Frosterberger, ( the snowman reference).

He insisted it was still Ben Roethlisberger. They were having Black and Gold day at school and he is super excited! Here's to hoping he has a better day then yesterday. The nurse called shortly after lunch saying Clifford tested and he was 39! A short while later after treating he went up to 327, only to drop back down when he came in the door from school to 64! The rest of the day though managed to level itself out with nothing higher then 160 and nothing lower then 85! That was however until morning when he woke up at 213!

So here's hoping he has a good day at school and D stays in check and he can enjoy showing off his Steelers snowman to all his friends.

The girls had to get in on the black and gold action.


And yes MOM even I participated :O. I actually own a Steelers sweatshirt, why? Because my mom gave this to me a few years back and well I really like hoodies, they are so comfy!

(wow no makeup- barely any caffeine, and was up most of the night, plus didn't sleep that great!!) all that equals SCARY! Happy Friday!

Despite Diabetes.....

The most awesome thing we've done despite diabetes............ Speaking from Clifford's point of view here, there are many things despite diabetes he has done. But the most awesome would be take on a new sport, basketball!!! For the most part D hasn't affected Clifford playing basketball, except one time he kept dropping low. Despite D Clifford has put his all into learning a new sport and having fun with his friends. D didn't stop him doing what he wanted to do. And despite diabetes this Spring he wants to take on another new sport, Soccer!!

From my point of view as his mom. The most awesome thing I've done despite diabetes, is to keep him a happy, healthy, friendly child. It's been a challenge, his behavior has been a challenge, but in all we are doing good. Despite diabetes he's been a good big brother to all his siblings. (for the most part ;) ). And despite diabetes we are still living our life the way we want with a few new things.

So despite diabetes you can live a normal, healthy life. It just takes a lot of work, blood (literally), sweat and tears. But in all it's worth it to keeping yourself, and your loved ones happy and healthy.

This post is my February entry in the DSMA blog carnival. If you'd like to participate too, you can get all the information at: http://diabetessocmed.com/2011/introducing-the-dsma-blog-carnival/

Valentines Contest!

I figured since February is our D Anniversary month I would offer up a D related product for a giveaway. Up for this contest is the Contour USB Meter The Contour USB meter is one of the newer meters on the market.

Here is a bit more information on the product:

Q: What can I expect when I run GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE from my CONTOUR®USB meter for the first time?

A: CONTOUR® USB utilizes the autoplay feature in Windows to automatically start the GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE software. Click here if your GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE software does not automatically launch.

A: Your CONTOUR® USB meter contains two flash drives, “GLUCOFACTS” and “CONTOUR USB”. The “GLUCOFACTS” drive is reserved for use by GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE. Important: Do not alter or delete the files on the “GLUCOFACTS”drive.

A: GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE works with Java™ software, and will verify your version of Java. If needed, you will be directed to update your Java version. The latest version of Java can be downloaded at http://www.java.com or installed from the JAVA folder on the GLUCOFACTS drive. After updating Java, unplug your meter and reinsert it to re-start GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE .

Auto-Run/Auto-Play

Q: How can I get Bayer’s GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE diabetes management software to auto-play from my CONTOUR™ USB meter?

A: For XP™ users auto-play for this type of software is on by default. If it has been turned off you will need to modify your Group Policy or Registry Settings to enable auto-play. Please obtain IT support to enable auto-play. Changing Group Policy or Registry Settings should not be performed by someone without experience.

A: Vista™ users open the Start menu, choose Control Panel, select AutoPlay. Make sure the “Use AutoPlay for all media and devices” checkbox is selected and verify that the setting for software and games is “Install or run program”.

A: For Mac™ users GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE software must be launched from the computer desktop screen.

A: Windows® 7 users need to navigate to the GLUCOFACTS drive on the CONTOUR® USB meter and double click the “Glucofacts.bat” file to launch the GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE software. In order to provide you with better security and protection, Windows® 7 has changed how it auto starts applications on removable media, like your CONTOUR® USB meter.

Q: Why is it taking so long to launch Bayer’s GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE diabetes management software?

A: The first time Bayer’s CONTOUR® USB meter is inserted into a USB port several programs are loaded in order to use the USB storage. The loading speed varies by computer and could take up to a few minutes. Subsequent insertions should take less time to process.

Q: Can I run the software without using autoplay?

A: CONTOUR® USB utilizes the Auto Play feature in Windows to automatically start the GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE software. If auto play does not automatically start the software the following steps can be followed to manually start the program:
• Navigate to the GLUCOFACTS drive on the CONTOUR® USB meter.
• For Mac Users, locate and double click the “Glucofacts” application to launch the GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE software.
• For Windows Users, locate and double click the “Glucofacts.bat” file to launch the GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE software.

Rules of the Contest:

Leave me a comment before midnight on Thursday, February 10th. Please include your first name. Comments left without a name will be eliminated.
● To earn extra entries (post a separate comment for each):
● Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter. Then, leave me an additional comment.
● Share a link to this contest on Facebook. Then, leave me an additional
comment to let me know.
● Blog about this contest. Then, leave me an additional comment containing
a link to your blog.
● No duplicate comments are allowed. Duplicate comments will be eliminated.
● Winners will be selected via random draw at http://www.random.org/.
● Winners' names will be posted here on this blog on Friday,February 11th.
● After winners' names are posted, winners will have 48 hours to send a message to me at bridgetw2001@gmail.com. If I do not hear from a winner within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.


Good LUCK!

Along Comes February...

February is supposed to be the month of "love". To me every month is a month of love. But this February brings with it a new feeling that I'm not really enjoying. Last year on February 28th, Cliffy was diagnosed with the monster I refer to as "D", Type 1 diabetes. That was the day our lives changed forever. Up until now I have been able to think "this time last year he was D free". But now that our D anniversary date is slowly sneaking up on us, everything becomes more real.

Gone are the care free days of his childhood, when a snack meant a cookie, or a juice box. Now cookies and juice boxes are our "Life savers" to bring up lows from hypoglycemia. We've seen the inside of an ambulance too many times to count this year alone from hypos. And unfortunately we've even rode on a life flight to Children's from a hypo episode where he passed out.

February is bitter sweet for me. As our date gets closer and closer the tears want to start flowing more and more. But in reality crying about what happened and what is our reality now isn't going to solve anything. I instead am trying to think of the positives that this February holds for us. Abby and Clifford are excited about sending out Valentines to their D friends and D siblings. Clifford is over joyed at the thought of handing out Valentines in school for the first time ever this year. The twins turn 4 months old tomorrow, and already are growing bigger daily. Speaking of the twins.... Sometime in the beginning of February of last year is when the twins came to be ( wink wink) so that is another positive to think about as we get through this month in one piece.

As with everything else, I take it one day at a time, but no matter how hard I try time still flies by faster then I would like it to. So here's to February, I will make it through you without too many tears!

A wave of Blue!

If you are a member of the DOC you will notice an unfortunate scene today, blue candles. Five separate families this week have had to deal with the worse possible situation, losing a loved one to T1!. ! 28 yo mother of two, a 25 year old, 16 year olf, a 9 year old and a misdiagnosed 18 month old baby. This is the fear that is in the back of the mind of many of those affected with diabetes.

It's really hard to wrap your mind around the idea that a horrible disease just took them away from everyone that cared for them. While at the same time, we are here fighting the good fight against D and I pray and rejoice every day we are here fighting. It doesn't make it any easier when word of another T1 death spreads. I feel for these families, and my heart breaks for them. I hate D more and more if that is even possible when this happens. But it also makes me want to hold my boy that much more tighter, and soak in all the time I possibly can with him.

These people and children along with many others are an example of why it is so very important to find a cure now! Not tomorrow, not next year, not in the next 10 years, but NOW! It's hard enough for me to sleep at night just with constant worry that something will happen when I'm sleeping and not checking. But at the same time I battle the thought of "Over worrying" about him and what's going on with D. Besides his childhood has been interrupted with D as it is, I want him to be a kid for as long as possible. He already carries a burden on his shoulders that none of us will ever understand. He will eventually have to carry this burden and manage the monster on his own, but for right now I want to make it just a little bit lighter.

So for now, I will continue to pray for a cure harder then I have before, and will hold my boy that much more tighter. My thoughts and prayers go out to these families during this difficult time. And D if you're listening which I know you are, you're always around, Fuck off!

Temporary Home

Ever listen to the Carrie Underwood song, "Temporary Home"? It's sweet, cute and sad all rolled up in one. Each time I listen to it, a few different things and how it all relates to me and my life, come to mind. I'm only 28 years old ( omg yes I know I just threw my age out there.....) but in some ways I feel much older and much younger at the same time. I've had life experience for the most part I wish I didn't have to have at such a young age. But we all make mistakes, and we have to learn and move on from those mistakes. The one thing that is a constant that I would never change in my life are my children, (all of them). No matter the mistakes I made in the past it led me to have them be apart of my life, and to me that is priceless.

This song to me relates on a few different levels, the chorus states

"This is my temporary home
It's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through
This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary Home."


In my life previous to this all, I never felt as if I was at "home". I never felt comfortable like it was my home. Even though my things were there, and my children and I lived there, to me on the inside it never felt like home. I just never felt as if we belonged there. This part of the song hits home with me because now for once I feel as if I belong, I feel as if I'm finally "home". Things may be tough, but somehow I manage to keep an optimistic outlook on everything. I know deep down things will get better eventually, and until then we are just along for the ride so we should at least enjoy it.

I've also never had the pleasure of looking at someone and knowing I love them with my whole heart, (other then my children of course, from the moment they came into my life I knew I would do anything for them, it is a whole different love). But I've never truly looked at another person and just felt safe, wanted, and more importantly that I belonged. This may seem a little corny, but to me it is very real. I think this feeling is one of the best feelings in the world that everyone should have a chance to experience. It comes on at different times. For example and this may seem funny to some. We were watching a few episodes of Season 7 of the Office on Hulu this past week, just laying there on the bed watching it. During one of their little commercials , which btw I've gotten spoiled with Netflix and no commercials, but anyways during one of their commercials, I don't remember what Chad said exactly or if I said something who knows, he's always picking on me. But after it was said and we laughed he looked over at me and I just glanced back at him and again corny, but that was one of those "moments". We weren't doing anything special, we weren't professing our love for one another, etc. He just looked at me, and I just felt like it was right. That I could look at him forever, (plus he's very easy on the eyes ;) ). But that moment was very special to me and something I will always remember, and well now he will know just how corny I truly am deep down...... Oh well Cat's out of the bag.

Another aspect of my life this song really hits home is with Clifford's diabetes. I more then anything would like to see a cure for this disease during his lifetime. And hopefully soon enough he can at least enjoy his life without D. So sorry to say D but with you it's just our temporary home. We want you to leave as quick as you came into our lives. We would like nothing more then to get a divorce from you and never hear from you again!

Maybe I'm more sentimental today because it's the 2nd anniversary of my Grandma passing. I miss her more then anything, but what I think I miss the most is the time I lost with Grandma because of one of those "mistakes" I made. I miss the time my kids could have spent with her getting to know her. I miss that she wasn't around for the twins to be born. I miss all the big get togethers with Grandma and Grandpa when we were all younger. I just really am missing her today. But in all I'm managing to keep it together, and I think it's because my kids are here and I know I have someone that if I just want to cry or need a hug for no reason will understand and be there for me.