The Amazon Mom program is CHANGING, and not going to be nearly as good as the old on in my opinion. This makes me a little sad. This is an email that was sent to me directly from Amazon;
"The Amazon Mom program is changing in 2012 and we want to make sure you know about it. Some of these changes affect your membership. Here's how:
1) Starting on January 24, 2012, the maximum discount available on diapers and wipes subscriptions will be 20%. This includes a 5% Subscribe & Save discount plus an additional 15% exclusively for Amazon Mom members who are earning free shipping benefits or have an active Amazon Prime membership.
2) Customers who join Amazon Mom in 2012 will get three months of FREE Two-Day Shipping benefits. Once the initial free period is over, customers can join Amazon Prime to continue to receive full access to Amazon Mom and Amazon Prime benefits.
We hope that you have enjoyed the value and convenience of your Amazon Mom membership over the past year. To continue receiving all the benefits of Amazon Mom, join Amazon Prime for $79/year. As a Prime member you'll receive:
1) 20% off diapers and wipes subscriptions with Amazon Mom and Subscribe & Save.
FREE Two-Day Shipping on millions of items.
2) Unlimited instant streaming of thousands of videos with a wide range of content for the whole family, including Sesame Street and Phineas and Ferb.
3) A Kindle book to borrow for free each month from the Kindle Owners' Lending Library.
Membership sharing benefits: invite up to four household members to share your shipping benefits for free."
Confusing right?? So this means if you are an existing Amazon Mom member;
1) All Subscribe & Save discounts will be dropped down to a total of 20% off, even if you have subscriptions that started at 30% off.
2) After 3 months, you’ll need an Amazon Prime membership to get the extra 15% Amazon Mom discount.
The real question is would Amazon Prime be worth it for you and your family? For us not so much! We are pretty much on the tail end of wipes and diapers so that savings is not going to be necessary. Until then, I play the Walgreens and CVS games and get great deals on my diapers that way, for the oldest. The youngest is in cloth. I would never use the free streaming and I borrow and lend Kindle books with friend all the time, so neither of these are incentives for me.
The other thing I use my Amazon Mom account is for snacks and food. I have found so many of these items qualify for free super saver shipping after $25, that I am still not paying for shipping. Don't forget you can get free two day shipping from Diapers.com after $50 AND you can use coupons AND they price match! So, while Amazon Mom has been good for the last year or so, it might be worth it now to switch over to Diapers.com for your baby needs.
ALSO, a friendly reminder...if you have subscriptions open in the Subscribe and Save program on Amazon, you should cancel them now. They will still send you the items even if you are out of the program and the costs are much higher!!!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Adventures in Heartsy
If you enjoy daily deals AND handmade items then I have the site for you. Heartsy describes itself as "Exclusive deals on fabulous handmade designer items with members-only prices." Heartsy is a division of Etsy and the new daily deals site where you can save a ton on amazing handmade designer items. Etsy is basically an online craft fair. You can find all kinds of handmade items on Etsy from hand painted signs to jewelry and clothing.. As a shameless plug, while you are browsing on Etsy make sure you stop by our shop, By Cee Cee. We have all kinds of handmade items for the special little ones in your life.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Adventures in Raising Compassionate Children
As the holiday season comes to a close, I am left wondering if I do enough to instill compassion in the little hearts of my children. I spend a lot of time trying to figure out what the little people in our family can do to help others. It's important to me to not only tell them, but also to show them how blessed we are to have what we have. I want them to understand that there are so many people who are in a different situations than us, and who do not have as much as we have. I want them to know from an early age that life can change at any minute and we do not take things for granted.
We did the Toy's for Tots program, and we also always put change in the red pots outside stores. We also participated in Operation Christmas Child. We helped with care packages for deployed men and made cookies for our neighbor. Teaching giving is easy during the holidays, but that is just it. I don't want to teach just giving. I want to teach compassion. I want them to feel something when they see someone who needs help, whether that is opening a door and helping someone with groceries or placing spare change in a jar for a cancer patient.
How do we do this? Well, I know that my children emulate pretty much every thing I do, so modeling is the first step in my "Compassion Bootcamp," that will last at least 18 years. I know, that is a LONG time to be in bootcamp right?!?! We also plan to talk a lot about it. I know from a young age that kids understand a whole lot more than we give them credit for. It's funny how they can hear the word "cookie" and little ears perk up, but you yell "STOP," when they are running away in a parking lot and you get a blank stare. Taking to heart they are understanding your words; instead of saying "don't stare at the lady in the wheel chair," when you are in the checkout line and they ask very loudly "Why is that lady in a wheel chair?" A better response maybe saying something along the lines of "Some people just need some extra help to get around," Changing my responses will however challenge me to stop giving the easiest answers. Not an easy task when my 3 year old notices EVERYTHING and asks questions loudly about it ALL, but we all know that raising kids is not easy.
Step two in my Compassion Bootcamp is to expose my kids to the "not so easy" parts of life. As they get older it will be easy to volunteer in soup kitchens and help out in clothing closets. Right now we can purchase school supplies for kids who may need them, sort through old toys to donate, and buy food to donate. But physically taking the kids to these places will help them to gain a visual of how life is different for others, and yes this too will spark some interesting questions. Thing One asked me why a man was so dirty and smelly, again he asked this question LOUDLY, when we made some donations to a soup kitchen last week. We talked about how some people don't get to take baths because they don't have one...to which he replied, "That is soooo cool, he is really lucky." So, maybe three years old is a little young to understand it, but you get my drift and what I was trying to do!
Step three in Compassion Bootcamp is teaching little ones to do things for others without wanting anything in return. This one is the easiest to actually do, but the hardest lesson to teach so they get it. We don't actually have to talk a lot on this one...well, take that back. There are no answers to the questions besides, "just because." "Why are we baking cookies for the Marines coming home from Afghanistan?"...."Just because it is a nice thing to do." "Why are we helping the neighbor weed her garden?"......"Just because it is a nice thing to do." "Why are we visiting our friend in the hospital"...."Just because is it a nice thing to do." The end goal being that my babies grow up doing things just because it is a nice thing to do.
These are my 3 steps, but I am sure you can add more and I would love to hear them! I surely need all the advice and suggestions I can get. Supporting each other in our adventures in raising babies is what this is all about. I love hearing from grandmothers too...I mean they have already been there and done that! You guys can tell us where you messed up, so we can avoid your mistakes or at least feel like our own mistakes aren't so bad.
One of J's little friends needs to use a walker when walking due to a genetic disease. The other day as we were looking through pictures online he said "Mom, you know why he needs that thing?" I said, "No, why?" He said with much confidence, "Well Mom, he just needs a little more help that's all." So, maybe, just maybe, we are making headway on this compassion bit that I am so compassionate about :)
We did the Toy's for Tots program, and we also always put change in the red pots outside stores. We also participated in Operation Christmas Child. We helped with care packages for deployed men and made cookies for our neighbor. Teaching giving is easy during the holidays, but that is just it. I don't want to teach just giving. I want to teach compassion. I want them to feel something when they see someone who needs help, whether that is opening a door and helping someone with groceries or placing spare change in a jar for a cancer patient.
How do we do this? Well, I know that my children emulate pretty much every thing I do, so modeling is the first step in my "Compassion Bootcamp," that will last at least 18 years. I know, that is a LONG time to be in bootcamp right?!?! We also plan to talk a lot about it. I know from a young age that kids understand a whole lot more than we give them credit for. It's funny how they can hear the word "cookie" and little ears perk up, but you yell "STOP," when they are running away in a parking lot and you get a blank stare. Taking to heart they are understanding your words; instead of saying "don't stare at the lady in the wheel chair," when you are in the checkout line and they ask very loudly "Why is that lady in a wheel chair?" A better response maybe saying something along the lines of "Some people just need some extra help to get around," Changing my responses will however challenge me to stop giving the easiest answers. Not an easy task when my 3 year old notices EVERYTHING and asks questions loudly about it ALL, but we all know that raising kids is not easy.
Step two in my Compassion Bootcamp is to expose my kids to the "not so easy" parts of life. As they get older it will be easy to volunteer in soup kitchens and help out in clothing closets. Right now we can purchase school supplies for kids who may need them, sort through old toys to donate, and buy food to donate. But physically taking the kids to these places will help them to gain a visual of how life is different for others, and yes this too will spark some interesting questions. Thing One asked me why a man was so dirty and smelly, again he asked this question LOUDLY, when we made some donations to a soup kitchen last week. We talked about how some people don't get to take baths because they don't have one...to which he replied, "That is soooo cool, he is really lucky." So, maybe three years old is a little young to understand it, but you get my drift and what I was trying to do!
Step three in Compassion Bootcamp is teaching little ones to do things for others without wanting anything in return. This one is the easiest to actually do, but the hardest lesson to teach so they get it. We don't actually have to talk a lot on this one...well, take that back. There are no answers to the questions besides, "just because." "Why are we baking cookies for the Marines coming home from Afghanistan?"...."Just because it is a nice thing to do." "Why are we helping the neighbor weed her garden?"......"Just because it is a nice thing to do." "Why are we visiting our friend in the hospital"...."Just because is it a nice thing to do." The end goal being that my babies grow up doing things just because it is a nice thing to do.
These are my 3 steps, but I am sure you can add more and I would love to hear them! I surely need all the advice and suggestions I can get. Supporting each other in our adventures in raising babies is what this is all about. I love hearing from grandmothers too...I mean they have already been there and done that! You guys can tell us where you messed up, so we can avoid your mistakes or at least feel like our own mistakes aren't so bad.
One of J's little friends needs to use a walker when walking due to a genetic disease. The other day as we were looking through pictures online he said "Mom, you know why he needs that thing?" I said, "No, why?" He said with much confidence, "Well Mom, he just needs a little more help that's all." So, maybe, just maybe, we are making headway on this compassion bit that I am so compassionate about :)
"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."
1 Peter 3:8
1 Peter 3:8
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Adventures in Amazon's Answers
So the new site My Habit, seems to be Amazon's answer to Zulilly, Totsy and the other daily deals sites. It's interesting and doesn't seem to be such a big hit yet. I didn't find anything mind-blowing yet, but it is Amazon and I am sure that will follow shortly :) Happy Shopping!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Adventures in Natural and Organic Coupons
Coupons for Natural and Organic items are not always easy to find. Check with your local organic market to see if they take coupons. Often that will be your best value, otherwise keep on the lookout for these products at your grocery store or at your favorite online venue. Seeking Truth Daily has put together a long list of all of the natural and organic coupons currently available on manufacturer’s sites. Definitely check it out to see if there are coupons there for products you routinely buy.
Nutiva Coconut Oil Only $6.08 Each Shipped: I think this is the lowest I’ve ever seen these. Right now Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 15 oz. Tubs (Pack of 2) is only $12.15 shipped! Use Subscribe & Save (you can unsubscribe later) and code NUTIVJAN to get this price.
Two Nail Polishes for $6.95 Shipped: Use the code ZOYA2012 at checkout to receive any two colors of Zoya nail polish for free. All polishes are made without toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates) or camphor. Use code on anything except Spring 2012 and True and Fleck Effect lines. You only pay the $6.95 shipping. One offer per household. (Thanks, The Frugal Greenish Mama!)
Simple Shoes 80% Off and Free Shipping: At 6PM.com, Simple Shoes (made with primarily eco-friendly and organic materials) are all discounted, with many pairs up to 80% off regular price and shipping is currently free (it’s automatic–no code required). Look quickly as sizes are selling as fast now that these shoes are no longer being made. (Thanks, Organic Deals!)
Natural and Organic Coupon Roundup: Get 5 $1 coupons for Coleman’s Natural meat products (survey required), $1/1 Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Honey, $1/2 Erewhon Cereal, $1/1 Oregon Chai, $1/1 Kashi GOLEAN Cereal, $1/1 Kettle Potato Chips, $1/1 Woodstock Foods Organic product (Facebook offer), various Lifeway Kefir product coupons (signup required), $1/1 Celestial Seasonings Wellness Teas (Facebook offer). (Thanks, Organic Deals!)
$15 for a Natural Mineral Makeup Kit: Eversave has a Natural Mineral Makeup Kit for $15 with free shipping. This makeup kit includes mineral glow powder, bronzer, kabuki brush, and more.
EOS Organic Lip Balms $0.99: At Walgreens, get an EOS organic lip balm for $2.99, and get back $2 in Register Rewards, making it $0.99. Limit of one. (Thanks, Organic Deals!)
Nutiva Coconut Oil Only $6.08 Each Shipped: I think this is the lowest I’ve ever seen these. Right now Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 15 oz. Tubs (Pack of 2) is only $12.15 shipped! Use Subscribe & Save (you can unsubscribe later) and code NUTIVJAN to get this price.
Two Nail Polishes for $6.95 Shipped: Use the code ZOYA2012 at checkout to receive any two colors of Zoya nail polish for free. All polishes are made without toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates) or camphor. Use code on anything except Spring 2012 and True and Fleck Effect lines. You only pay the $6.95 shipping. One offer per household. (Thanks, The Frugal Greenish Mama!)
Simple Shoes 80% Off and Free Shipping: At 6PM.com, Simple Shoes (made with primarily eco-friendly and organic materials) are all discounted, with many pairs up to 80% off regular price and shipping is currently free (it’s automatic–no code required). Look quickly as sizes are selling as fast now that these shoes are no longer being made. (Thanks, Organic Deals!)
Natural and Organic Coupon Roundup: Get 5 $1 coupons for Coleman’s Natural meat products (survey required), $1/1 Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Honey, $1/2 Erewhon Cereal, $1/1 Oregon Chai, $1/1 Kashi GOLEAN Cereal, $1/1 Kettle Potato Chips, $1/1 Woodstock Foods Organic product (Facebook offer), various Lifeway Kefir product coupons (signup required), $1/1 Celestial Seasonings Wellness Teas (Facebook offer). (Thanks, Organic Deals!)
$15 for a Natural Mineral Makeup Kit: Eversave has a Natural Mineral Makeup Kit for $15 with free shipping. This makeup kit includes mineral glow powder, bronzer, kabuki brush, and more.
EOS Organic Lip Balms $0.99: At Walgreens, get an EOS organic lip balm for $2.99, and get back $2 in Register Rewards, making it $0.99. Limit of one. (Thanks, Organic Deals!)
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Adventures in 2011
WOW!! I have been a blogger slacker!! While I despise excuses I can say that well, life has been a little over the top since I last posted and it will take several posts to catch up. For now, like most bloggers, I am in reflection mode so that is what you are going to get today!
In January, we were living in a very cold and snowy Rochester, NY anxiously awaiting where our new duty station was going to be. We had just found out during the Christmas break that we were not moving to VA, but didn't really have any idea where we were going!
In February, a fantastic crafty friend and I decided to learn how to make tutus for the 4 little girls in our playgroup. From that idea we spun a little out of control (in a good way) and ended up creating a small business creating children's handmade items.. You should really check us out...www.byceecee.com.
In March, we officially launched the business with a tutu party AND found out we were moving back to Jacksonville, NC. I will be honest. I was a little bummed. I had wanted to have another adventure and move to a totally new location and experience all that goes with that.
In April, we had a calm before the storm so to say. We hung out at home and enjoyed the weather that was finally breaking!
In May, my fantastic sister and her family came to the states to visit. We spent the month checking out Nashville and getting to know the newest cousin.
In June, we traveled all over the place visiting grandparents in SC and checking on the house in NC. Did I mention that we owned a house in Jacksonville?? So yes, we knew that one day we would be back and kept the house....which in the end was a good idea!
In July, we said goodbye to a now very pleasant NY and hello to a very hot NC. CB also turned one. We did some house repairs and then moved right back into the very first, and so far, only house we have ever bought. What a blessing it turned out to be. Although I would have loved a new adventure, it sure was nice to be back in a familiar place and already know where furniture was going to go.
In August, we learned that my husband would be deploying within weeks. This turned out to be a maddening process. I'm talking date changes every few days. No kidding, I thought I was going to lose my mind! I also started running in August. This has single handily been the best decision of the year. I joined a group o military moms who support each other not only in fitness goals, but also in life goals. These ladies I feel I have known forever and in actuality it has only been a few months. In fact, my best friends in the group I have only known about 12 weeks. That is a huge plus about military spouses; friendships are quick to form for several reasons and you feel like you are family from day 1.
In September, we braved a hurricane!! The first one in several years. We lost a little bit of siding, but had no real damage. The kids and I went to a hotel and here in town the power was out for about 48 hours. We fared well. It could have been much worse. Daddy also left for Afghanistan and thus we began a new journey.
In October, we had lots and lots of visitors from out of town. This was FANTASTIC!! We stayed super busy as we tried to figure out how to make life work with my husband gone, but still include him as much as possible! Thank goodness for Skype!!
In November, we got to host Thanksgiving. I have always wanted to do this and it was soooo much fun for the kids and I.
In December, my computer crashed and off to HP it went. It took about 2 weeks to get it back and ready for life again. December was also a little crazy as I worked to figure out how to make aprons, skirts and bows to sell online and at craft fairs! Finally, we also took a trip to visit friends and family for the holidays. We went to VA, MD, NY, OH, TN, AL, GA, SC and back home. The trip lasted a little longer as my Aunt passed away just a few days after Christmas after an extended illness. We were fortunate to be able to stay and be there for the funeral. It was a special time for my family.
What does 2012 hold in store for us???? I do promise to be on my best blogger behavior, but we also plan to ENJOY 2012. My husband will be home in February and we are so excited to spend our days playing with the kids and experiencing life through their eyes.
2011 was a year when I learned a lot about life, raising babies, and being who I am. I would have it no other way for I am completely in love with our Adventures in Chaos....
In January, we were living in a very cold and snowy Rochester, NY anxiously awaiting where our new duty station was going to be. We had just found out during the Christmas break that we were not moving to VA, but didn't really have any idea where we were going!
In February, a fantastic crafty friend and I decided to learn how to make tutus for the 4 little girls in our playgroup. From that idea we spun a little out of control (in a good way) and ended up creating a small business creating children's handmade items.. You should really check us out...www.byceecee.com.
In March, we officially launched the business with a tutu party AND found out we were moving back to Jacksonville, NC. I will be honest. I was a little bummed. I had wanted to have another adventure and move to a totally new location and experience all that goes with that.
In April, we had a calm before the storm so to say. We hung out at home and enjoyed the weather that was finally breaking!
In May, my fantastic sister and her family came to the states to visit. We spent the month checking out Nashville and getting to know the newest cousin.
In June, we traveled all over the place visiting grandparents in SC and checking on the house in NC. Did I mention that we owned a house in Jacksonville?? So yes, we knew that one day we would be back and kept the house....which in the end was a good idea!
In July, we said goodbye to a now very pleasant NY and hello to a very hot NC. CB also turned one. We did some house repairs and then moved right back into the very first, and so far, only house we have ever bought. What a blessing it turned out to be. Although I would have loved a new adventure, it sure was nice to be back in a familiar place and already know where furniture was going to go.
In August, we learned that my husband would be deploying within weeks. This turned out to be a maddening process. I'm talking date changes every few days. No kidding, I thought I was going to lose my mind! I also started running in August. This has single handily been the best decision of the year. I joined a group o military moms who support each other not only in fitness goals, but also in life goals. These ladies I feel I have known forever and in actuality it has only been a few months. In fact, my best friends in the group I have only known about 12 weeks. That is a huge plus about military spouses; friendships are quick to form for several reasons and you feel like you are family from day 1.
In September, we braved a hurricane!! The first one in several years. We lost a little bit of siding, but had no real damage. The kids and I went to a hotel and here in town the power was out for about 48 hours. We fared well. It could have been much worse. Daddy also left for Afghanistan and thus we began a new journey.
In October, we had lots and lots of visitors from out of town. This was FANTASTIC!! We stayed super busy as we tried to figure out how to make life work with my husband gone, but still include him as much as possible! Thank goodness for Skype!!
In November, we got to host Thanksgiving. I have always wanted to do this and it was soooo much fun for the kids and I.
In December, my computer crashed and off to HP it went. It took about 2 weeks to get it back and ready for life again. December was also a little crazy as I worked to figure out how to make aprons, skirts and bows to sell online and at craft fairs! Finally, we also took a trip to visit friends and family for the holidays. We went to VA, MD, NY, OH, TN, AL, GA, SC and back home. The trip lasted a little longer as my Aunt passed away just a few days after Christmas after an extended illness. We were fortunate to be able to stay and be there for the funeral. It was a special time for my family.
What does 2012 hold in store for us???? I do promise to be on my best blogger behavior, but we also plan to ENJOY 2012. My husband will be home in February and we are so excited to spend our days playing with the kids and experiencing life through their eyes.
2011 was a year when I learned a lot about life, raising babies, and being who I am. I would have it no other way for I am completely in love with our Adventures in Chaos....
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