December 11th, 2008

Sugar Magic!

Yep, it’s that time again – another one of my hopeful entries into an HP Blogger Magic Giveaway. What can I say – I really, really, really would love to win this amazing prize package! It would be such a huge help to my slowly growing VA business, and a great way to share some fabulous equipment with friends and family who don’t have the cash to own it otherwise (this post and this one have more details on my ideas of how to share such a great prize with people who will appreciate it). And between the prize and my old equipment that would be replaced by a couple of the prizes (ok, I admit it, I’d keep the touchsmart, it’s so pretty!) there would be plenty to share!

But Sugar, from Living – In Theory, wants us to talk about what we are doing to make an impact on the lives of others for her HP contest. So that’s what this post is going to be about!

I think we all impact other people’s lives in so many ways – by being a good friend, by trying to be loving and supportive parents, by helping out our family when they need it. And I do all of these things, at least most of the time. Some days it is hard to make sure that impact is positive, when I’m tired and the kids are screaming!

I’m proud to talk about another area I work to have an impact in. When I first started planning my VA business, I read a suggestion that a great way to get experience was to volunteer. So I did some research and found an organization that needed my help AND that I cared about the cause! I started working as the secretary of my local VBAC association. We’re a small group but when a woman is pregnant with her second or third baby and wants desperately to finally have the vaginal birth she has wanted all along, we are there for support, answers and guidance. When we get emails saying that a woman is about to be pressured into a repeat c-section, it feels so good to be part of the group that can help her get the result she wants, or to be there for her if the c-section does happen. It’s not always easy finding the time to do volunteer work, especially with 3 young kids and a husband whose work has irregular hours and even works out of town. But I am committed to staying involved with this organization because I know that we can do good – and sometimes those little ripples of positive action can mean more than we can ever realize.

Well that’s my story and my entry – hope you like it! Now I’m off to read everyone else’s posts and to tweet about the contest!

***ADDED Friday am – Reading all of everyone’s ideas for sharing the contest winnings – I have to say I’m so impressed, and if I’m fortunate enough to win I may take a further look at the suggestions and find something great to try with at least one of the computers! I quite like the idea of giving it to an aspiring VA!

***ADDED Dec 16/last day of contest! If you haven’t entered yet make sure you do so today!! I’ve enjoyed commenting on other’s entries so much that I just had to add a little postscript and share some of my favorite entries right here on my blog! Be sure to check out:

• Nikolas’ great post – a young guy with a good heart who is coping with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• I’m pretty sure I’ve been to Shera’s blog before, A Frog In My Soup (the name is so memorable!!) but I didn’t notice until after reading her entry that she does blog design, especially for mommy blogs! Beautiful work and I recommend you check it out, especially if you need some work done or maybe some mommy cards, which she also designs!
• Courtenay had a great and inspiring post about community work and it reminded me to go and donate blood this holiday season. It is the gift of life after all!
• Paisley Raven’s post shows how truly thoughtful some people can be. Not many of us open our homes so freely to those in need.
• Gwynne’s post about living on so little really reminds me to be so grateful for all that I have.
• Roguepuppet’s Bridges post was so wonderful!! And Roguepuppet found out after entering the Living in Theory contest that she actually had won one of the other 50 HP Magic contests – wow, huh?!
• Definitely go watch the video at the Mommy Gossip entry if you have a chance – so touching!
• A truly well written entry came from Sarah at The Third Degree – didn’t even realize it was an entry until the end!

Honestly – there were so many amazing entries and I’m so glad to have been introduced to these blogs. Some made me laugh, some made me cry and some made me want to jump up and DO something! Sure hope you all find time to read them, oh and don’t miss Sugar’s own “impact” post on her blog – it’s about a refrigerator….

Laurie

November 29th, 2008

HP Magic Giveaway

I bet a lot of you have already heard about the amazing HP Magic Bloggers Giveaway by now. 50 Blogs are participating (at different times) and the prize package being given away by each blog is AMAZING!!  It includes 4 computers and a wireless printer, plus a few other things – WOW! What work at home mom couldn’t use a new computer or two?! I would love the HP mini personally!

This week the contest is being run on 3 blogs:

1. Bleeping Computer
2. Gear Live
3. Windows Connected

I’m entering to win and I hope you all do too! And if you are lucky enough to win, think about the spirit of the contest. Some of the blogs are requiring you to share the prize and some aren’t.  But wouldn’t it be a great way to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday season? To share this fabulous gift with someone deserving or maybe your favorite charity? If I win I’m thinking of giving part of the prize to a local women’s shelter, if it is something they could use. I’m sure they could!

Good luck! I’m sure you’ll see further posts from me about these amazing giveaways as the other blogs announce their contests!

October 18th, 2008

Weekend Reading, Twittermom Love

I joined the Twittermoms group on Ning a while back and I have to say it’s been a wonderful source of information and friendship. And many of my fellow twittermoms are also mom bloggers!

So I thought I’d share some linky love this week with some of my fellow Twittermoms! Check out these posts:

Working Mother wrote a helpful post about being a WAHM and needing childcare help

The View From My Fishbowl had a story about paying it forward. I like to think positive so I’m hoping the guy in question did pay it forward, just in another way!

Wine on the Keyboard had a post with some great fall pics.  Since fall is basically over where I live, I enjoyed the gorgeous shots! (yup, I’m in Alberta, we get a month of fall and now we’re into early winter almost!! Snow by Halloween usually!)

Tiny Mantras had a well thought out Blog Action Day post, definitely give this one a read!

Maternally Posh has a post about Living Local, something my family tries hard to do (especially hubby!)

Jennifer of The Dirty Shirt is getting a puppy for Christmas – got any recommendations for her? I vote for a lab!!

PMKU won a sling! I love my sling and think it’s a must have for any new mom!

Paper Bridges has a contest going on to win a copy of the book The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner.  Sounds like a great book, guess I better enter the contest!! I love to read!

Occasional Rambling shared a recap of her day at the BlogHer Boston reach out conference.  Oh I so want to go to the big BlogHer event next year!!

Days Go By shared about the Canadian federal election (I’m Canadian too! And yes I voted!!) In case you’re wondering, the conservatives “won”, if you can call a repeat minority government a win.  Still, for me it’s better than the Liberals winning!

I’ve got plenty of post material in the upcoming week (my spa trip is this week, update on vasectomy and parent teacher conference!) so check back soon!