Do your kids stink?  Mine do!  Especially my 13 year old.  He doesn't take nearly as many showers as he needs and often forgets to put deodorant on.  When  I tell him he stinks, he says he doesn't smell anything.  I said that's cause you're used to the smell!  That is why I was happy to have him try out QwikShower Wipes.


QwikShower Wipes are big, strong, 10 x 12 inch cloth-like wipes developed by a dad of 3 smelly boys.  They are individually packaged moist body wipes with a light scent that are disposable.  These would be great for after gym class, after school sports, exercising, camping, and any other activity that works up a sweat.  I would have loved to have these to freshen up with when I walked on my lunch hour at work.

Mitchell was skeptical of the QwikShower Wipes at first, especially since he doesn't think he smells, lol!  I waited for a day where he forgot deodorant, and let him go out and get all hot and sweaty.  Gross, I know, but I wanted to see if they really worked.  I did a before and after smell test myself, believe me the before almost knocked me out!  However, after using one of the QwikShower Wipes on his underarms, the smell was almost completely gone!  My son and I were both impressed with the scent of the wipe and how good it worked!  He's even asked to use more since then.

I love how the QwikShower Wipes are small and individually packaged, so you can send them with your kids to school or whatever activity they are involved in.  They are also a great size to put in your purse, just in case you need it!  Prices run from .49 cents to $1 a package depending on how many you purchase.  Shipping is always free.  You can purchase QwikShower Wipes here.


Qwik Shower sent me free samples in order for me to do this review.  All opinions are my own.

 I hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving and were able to be with family and friends!

Wow!  Has this been a busy day for me!  First we had a Thanksgiving lunch with relatives.  Lots of ham, turkey, dressing and tons of desserts.  We had such a great time with the family.

Then we came home and I started cooking a Thanksgiving supper for my family and Barb's family.  I cooked a turkey, stuffing, real mashed potatoes (my favorite), and some rolls.  I was so full from earlier, I couldn't even eat for awhile!  I think everyone else had a good time today too.

Sometimes we focus too much on the things we don't have.  If you have a minute go read Barb's Thanksgiving post, it really puts things into perspective!

Here are just a few of the things I am thankful for:

• I am blessed to have two boys to love!  They can be a handful, but I can't imagine life without them. 

• I am thankful my husband works very hard for us so that I can stay at home with our boys.  
• I am thankful my best friend is here with me, even though I drive her crazy sometimes!  
• I am blessed to have lots of friends in the blogging community!  
• I am thankful God is loving and forgiving, even though I don't deserve it! 

Wait, I didn't take this picture!

Who is taking these pics?

Hmm, who's forehead is that?

Ah ha!  He incriminated himself!  It's Hunter!

 
This weekend I watched The Way Home starring Dean Cain.  It's the true story of a family who is preparing to go on vacation when something awful happens.  Dean stars as the dad, Randy Simpkins, who is too wrapped up in his work to take time with his family like he should.

Randy's wife, Christal, asks him to put their two year old in his car seat so they can finish loading the van.  Instead, he lets him play in the driveway while he goes back inside for a few minutes.  They live out in the country, so Randy felt little Joe would be safe riding his tricycle around.

When he comes back outside, the trike is on its side and Joe is nowhere to be found.  Randy and his wife look all around for Joe, both inside and out, and can't find him.  After checking everywhere, they start getting really worried and realize they need help and call 911.

This is a very emotional movie.  As you watch everyone search for Joe, Randy does some soul-searching of his own.  The family's faith is tested with each hour that passes.  Will they find Joe, will he be okay? 

The Way home is a Christian movie without being too preachy.  Faith is shown more often than spoken.  Best of all, it's family friendly!

I received The Way Home from Book Sneeze in exchange for a review.

August 8, 1993-November 20, 2008

It's been 2 years since I got that phone call in the middle of the night. The one everyone dreads. 2 years since my nephew Jason died at the age of 15.

If you're new here, you may not know the story.  Jason had been experimenting with huffing. Huffing is the inhalation of chemical vapors to get high. Some things that are huffed are paint thinner, nail polish remover, gasoline, and cans of forced air, like Dust Off.  Jason had left a friend's house and was going back to his grandmother's house when he stopped by their shed and huffed some gasoline.  That was the night he died.

His mom found out he was huffing not long before he died.  He had just went to his second counseling session that day.  If she had known that would be his last day, she would have done anything to save him.  I urge you, if you know any preteens or teenagers, please let them knowing huffing is NOT safe.  Let them know it CAN KILL!  If you know of someone who is huffing, please make sure they get the help they need before it's too late!

In memory of Jason Moree

The winner of the CSN $35 Gift Certificate Giveaway as chosen by random.org is comment #5 Barb J.  Congrats Barb!  Thank you to everyone who entered!  I hope to have another giveaway really soon!


Thanks CSN for an awesome giveaway!

Adam and Hunter watching the garden being burned

In my last post, I talked about how we were being invaded by Ladybugs.  Apparently, I was mistaken about their identity.  Shannon from Southern Grits and Tidbits left this comment: Actually only the red ones are ladybugs. The orange ones were brought to the US by the USDA to eat other bugs. They do bite.


Wow!  I had no idea.  I just didn't realize there was a difference.  So the picture you see above is an actual Ladybug.  The picture below is what has invaded my home, they are called Asian Lady Beetles.  They are an  orange color.


The Asian Ladybeetles were first introduced in 1916 and then twice more after that.  They were brought in for different biological control programs.  I am always wondering WHY they bring in things that aren't native to our country?  Seriously, do we need more bugs?  Fire ants were brought in from South America.  I sure don't like those bugs!  And Kudzu from Japan.  I know, not a bug, but still not native, and it almost ate the last town I lived in.

Mitchell told us last week that a ladybug had bitten him.  We told him we didn't think Ladybugs bit people.  But, what we didn't know at the time was that Asian Lady Beetles do! 

I love learning new things.  Thanks Shannon for letting me know they are different from Ladybugs!

We are being invaded!


They are on the walls.


 On the ceiling.


On the ceiling fan light pull.


On the porch railing.


On the shutters. 


I think they are getting in the house through the screen in the windows, maybe?  Seems to happen every year around this time.  I'm still trying to convince Hunter that ladybugs are nice and not yucky like other bugs.  So far, he's not buying it.  Maybe I should call it something other than a lady-bug?  Any suggestions? 

You may remember I did a review and giveaway for CSN Stores last year.  They were super nice!  That is why I'm excited to work with them on another giveaway this year!  In case you don't remember, CSN is made up of over 200 online stores.  They have everything from children's backpacks to furniture.  I know you can find something there for everyone on your Christmas list!

Here are a few things I could spend $35 on at CSN Stores:

How cute is this plush backpack? $23.99

Hunter would like this! Noah's Ark shape sorter $28.99

I think you know why I need this, lol! Procter-Silex black toaster- $19.99

I love this pink Johnson Brothers Christmas Dinner Plate- $12.00

How gorgeous is this Lenox Christmas Ornament?-  $19.95 for a set of 3

CSN Stores is offering a $35 gift certificate to any of their stores to one of my readers.  To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  You can get extra entries by doing any or all of these:

• Follow me on Google Friend Connect for 1 extra entry. 
• Follow me on Twitter & tweet about this giveaway for 1 extra entry.
• Put my button on your sidebar for 1 extra entry. 
• Like Southern Blessings on Facebook. (click on like on my right sidebar) for 2 extra entries.
• Blog about this giveaway for 2 extra entries.

You must leave a separate comment for each entry! Giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only. (Canadian residents may have to pay international shipping charges) Giveaway will close Thursday night Novemeber 18th at midnight. Good luck!

CSN Stores is providing a $35 gift certificate to one of my readers in exchange for this post.  Thanks CSN!

I was thinking of Jeff Foxworthy and his funny redneck jokes when I started writing this.  When we bought our house, we got all black appliances to match the black counters I wanted.  One of these appliances was a toaster.  Well, awhile ago, it broke.  Okay, so maybe it was more than awhile, more like 9 months or so?  It still heats up and will toast things, but the button to get the bread to stay down in it to toast, won't stay anymore.


I figured out a way to rig it to work.  At first I used a box of toothpicks, it fit well, but the box got smashed and wouldn't hold it down anymore.  Then I found this thing pictured above.  It is exactly the perfect size to hold the trigger down!


My friend asked me what it was and I told her it was a gun cleaning rod.  She was shocked that I was using it in the kitchen.  She says I should just buy a new toaster, but, it's clean, the perfect size to hold it down, and it still toasts the bread. I just have to remember to keep an eye on it so the bread doesn't burn. 

You might be a redneck if you use a gun cleaning rod to make your toaster work!  Are you a redneck too?

Okay, so that's not quite right. However, I am mentioned in this week's Woman's World Magazine.  That's close enough to being a star, right?


A couple months ago I was interviewed by an editor for Woman's World Magazine.  I had almost forgotten about it.  It was a feature called You deserve the best, where they find the best of all different kinds of products.  I told her a little bit about my Black and Decker Ergo Chopper. It's one of the 5 food processors mentioned.  Here's a clip of the article.  I'm mentioned in the middle column.

Click on to enlarge

The November 15th issue of Woman's World Magazine,  the one which mentions me, went on sale a couple days ago,  if you get a chance check it out!

I was tagged by Michele at My Blessings From Above.   Michele is a homeschooling mom of 2 boys just like me!  I'm sure you'd love her blog if you visited!  Here are my answers to these burning questions.  Lol!

1. What type of gifts do you prefer to give?  Do you prefer home-made, gift certificates, store-bought, etc?  I usually buy presents for close friends or small children.  It's harder as they get older to pick the right present for teens, so a lot of the time I give them gift cards.

2.What type of gifts do you prefer to receive?  I love to be surprised with anything.  I don't care if it's handmade, money, a store bought present, or a gift card.  The thrill is in the surprise!

3. Do you stock a gift closet, or box, and purchase gifts throughout the year?  Sometimes, if I find a really good deal I will buy things ahead of time and save them for later.

4. What is your favorite type of music? Do you have one?  I love country, hymns, older rock and some rap.  Also, some new music that makes sense, lol!

5. Do you like chick-flicks, or not?  Yes!

6. Do you have a hobby? Do you make time for it regularly?  I like reading, but I don't do it as often as I'd like. 

7. What is your favorite thing about where you live?  Every place has its pros and cons.What are the “pros” about where you live?  I love living in a very small town.  It's nice to know so many people and feel "at home" around them.  Another great thing is no traffic, except for football games, lol!


8. What is your favorite kids cartoon movie?  Maybe The Little Mermaid?  Both my boys loved her at one time or another, so I've watched it a lot!

Here are the other questions:

1. What is the most interesting thing about where you live?  A long time ago it used to be under the sea.


2) If you could go anywhere in the world and money didn't matter, where would you chose to go?  Greece


3) What is a food that you cook for your family a lot?  Pork Chops


4) What is your favorite subject to teach in your homeschool?  History, my son and I both love it!



5) What is your favorite movie that you have seen this year?  Hmm, probably The Book Of Eli.



6) What is your favorite book that you have read this year?  Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall.


7) What is the most interesting place that you have ever traveled to?  Jamaica 



8) What is your favorite book on homeschooling that you have read?  Wow, can't remember any of them right now?  Sorry!

I'm supposed to tag others, so if you're reading this and want to play along, please post your answers on your blog.  Let me know and I'll come read yours!

In our small town, trick or treating was held on Saturday night instead of Sunday.   Mitchell was a character from the video game Halo, and Hunter was an alligator.  My adopted daughter, AJ was a girl from the 80's and Barb's son, Adam, was Iron Man.  Since we were walking all over town, I decided to wear a different costume on Saturday. I wore my hippie costume from a few years ago.


 Barb's dog Leo, also came along as Spongebob, lol!


Hunter did pretty good walking around for the first half of houses, then he got tired.  I guess he thought he had enough candy already.  Crazy kid!  How could that be possible?  There weren't as many houses lit up this year.  I'm not sure if it's because of celebrating Halloween a day early or not?


Then on Sunday night my church held Trunk or Treat.  We had a hot dog supper with cupcakes and cookies.  Barb's son, Justin, won one of the costume contest awards.  That's him pictured above.


For the party I wore my Sorceress costume.  AJ fixed my hair and sprayed the color on for me.  Barb was a Renaissance Princess.  My hubby didn't dress up this time.  He was his usual loving self!

Here's a picture of the van decorated for Trunk or Treat.


I hope y'all had a Happy Halloween too!