Help Fund Ovarian Cancer Research

Starting today (Sept 9th), you can help fund research for the early detection and CURE of ovarian cancer by participating in "Text-a-Thon for a Cause". You can easily donate $5 toward this cause by texting "KELLY" to 85944from your mobile phone. (Standard text messaging rates apply.) Or, if you're not the texting type, you can log into http://www.kelly-confidential.com/.

Here's the part for you - each day you log on, you are entered for a chance to win a luxury frontload washer and dryer from Electrolux in Turquoise Sky, the color of ovarian cancer awareness. Mom Central is ALSO giving away another washer/dryer set on their site, so be sure to go over and enter there as well.

Looking for more ways to support the cause?? During September, visitors to Kelly Confidential can also help spread awareness for this important cause by sending a virtual T-shirt to a friend. For every virtual T-shirt sent, Electrolux will donate $1 to the OCRF. You can also purchase a limited edition T-shirt designed by Ripa; 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts will go to OCRF.




I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Electrolux and received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate. To highlight the authenticity of my belief in this cause, I am donating the money I received for this post to the OCRF.

Wendy's Boneless Chicken Wings

I signed on to participate in the Wendy's Boneless Chicken Wing blog tour with Mom Central and was excited to try Wendy's new offering. I visited our local Wendy's and purchased the Honey BBQ wings.

They were served promptly and were hot and fresh. They were not at all greasy or tough. However, I have to admit - I didn't love them. On the other hand, Big J loved them.

Hmm, I thought. What's up with that?

Big J immediately pointed out that I am not a big BBQ fan, so why would these be any different. Thinking he had a good point, I tried the Bold Buffalo wings and loved them. (But then again, I am a hot wings fan!)

So, my review of Wendy's boneless wings is a big thumbs up with the added advice to choose the flavor you like before judging them!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog and giveaway campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Wendy's and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Mamapedia - A Resource for Moms

What do you do when you have questions about the everyday mom stuff? You know, the kind of things that keep you awake at night, but don't warrant a call to the pediatrician.

Most moms turn to other moms for answers.

But suppose your pack of playgroup moms don't appreciate a 2 am phone call about how to handle the fact that you just caught Susie texting her friends again when she's supposed to be sleeping. Or how your little toddler is screaming again, and you don't know why....

Or suppose it's a question you don't WANT to ask people you know...

Or suppose most of the moms you know are also newbies and can't offer much experience or wisdom as they're facing the same questions you are....

Enter Mamapedia.

Mamapedia.com is your online connection to moms who have "been there, done that" and don't mind being Googled at 2 am. Chock full of moms who are understanding and sympathetic, Mamapedia is available anytime you turn on your computer. You can search just about any subject, and come up with dozens of answers from real life moms, just like you.

Be sure to check out Mamapedia and sign up for your free membership.

Thanks to Mom Central and Mamapedia for sponsoring this review!

Current by Discover Card

To help us teach the important lesson of how to handle credit wisely, Discover Card has come up with their Current by Discover Card program. It features a debit card designed for kids aged between 13 and 18.

This innovative card allows parents the last word by letting YOU set the spending limits, either daily, weekly, or monthly. You can also block certain merchants (think liquor stores or cash withdrawals) and track how your teen is spending the money.

Since the card is a debit card, it stops working when the money limit is reached without costing you for any overdraft fees. Experience really is the best teacher and this card allows teens the ability to "practice" budgeting and handling credit without doing any lasting damage.

You can learn more at www.currentbydiscover.com.

Thank you to Mom Central for sponsoring this blog post.

Looking for more information on blogging?

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

What's YOUR secret to creating your own economy?

I'm curious.

How many of you are feeling affected by the economy right now?
Are you worried about your business?
Are you looking for more income streams?
Do you want to start a business but are afraid this isn't the right time?

For myself, I'm always interested in looking for more ways to take charge of my OWN life and my OWN income. That's why I was intrigued by Ali Brown's new free teleclass on Thursday, March 5, called "How to Create Your OWN Strong Economy This Year...With Online Information Marketing."

You may have heard of Ali. She's really shaken up the Internet marketing world by being honest and telling it how it is. And now she's going to do the same about the economy, the recession, and building a business.

Here's the link to sign up for Ali Brown's free call.
(Be sure to sign up even if you can't make the actual call - Ali will be sending you an invaluable offer via e-mail.)

And don't forget to share your thoughts and questions below. I'd love to know what you really think about your business and the economy right now.

Let Splenda help with your holiday entertaining!

I have to confess. I am usually an "over-planner". You know the type (they probably drive you nuts!)...they have the Christmas shopping done by December 1st, the holiday meals all planned and practically cooked weeks in advance, and sail through that week before Christmas with a blissful smile on their face. While I have not often achieved "blissful smile mode", I usually come pretty close.

Not this year.

I don't know what it is - maybe the increased responsibilities at work or the nasty weather that has kept me off the roads on a number of days when I would usually be getting things done. Whatever it is, I am behind the eight ball this year. Waaaay behind.

With the threat of another nasty winter storm closing schools tomorrow, I stashed Little J at my mom's house and headed out to try and get some things done. Since the weather is promising three storms in the next five days, everyone else in Southeast Wisconsin had the same idea. It was a zoo out there - people cutting each other off in traffic, stealing parking places, and hitting each other with their shopping carts in an effort to be next in line at the cash register. Bah humbug!

By the end of my shopping trip, I had a splitting headache. I couldn't stand to try and even think about meal planning for the Christmas Eve party we are hosting. I know that I don't want this year to be like last year where I didn't even sit down to visit with my guests. Turns out that this is not uncommon.

So this year, I am enlisting the help of the people at Splenda. Yep - you read that right and you can get their help too. Check out their website and get help with everything from recipes, to planning your celebration, to low calorie festive beverage options. (Be sure to check out new Splenda with added fiber to add a little healthy kick to your baking.) Give yourself the chance to sit and relax with your guests this holiday season - it's what the time is supposed to be all about, right?