Friday, November 19, 2010

Another peek at some CQ'd pilot

Here is another pictorial highlight in honor of our CQ'D Jet Pilot...



The kids and I made this sign to welcome our Jet Pilot home.

**FYI--the newly qualified pilots are called "Hookers" because the thing that actually allows them to stop their jet on the ship is a little metal hook. Hence the term...now if you happen to know anyone that is or has been in the military then you know their "sense" of humor...and you can see how the term would escalate.

It's kind of tasteless but it's pretty funny...that's why we exploited it.

We also made shirts to wear when we picked him up, I will post those later tonight and just add to this post. Those shirts are pretty hilarious...and tasteless too. So be forewarned.

Slanket Review and Giveaway

So everyone has a guilty pleasure (or two), one of Jet Pilot's is that he secretly wanted a relaxing blanket to snuggle in--WITH SLEEVES.  He has never said it out loud to me but I saw the longing in his eyes when Bonnie would bust hers out and relax while watching a movie.  So I did a little digging and discovered a company called Slanket. Here is a little info on Slanket and its inception...

"One subzero night in 1998 during my first semester of college I could not escape Maine's winter bite. While watching Late Night with Conan O'Brien I decided I needed to tear a hole in my sleeping bag so I could keep my upper body warm as I channel surfed during the commercial breaks. During Christmas vacation I commissioned the first Slanket to be made by my mother...and it was born.
--Gary Clegg (Slanket Creator)"

"The Slanket®
The Original Blanket with Sleeves!™
The Slanket is a gigantic fleece blanket with sleeves. A very soft to the touch, lightweight, but warm fleece blanket with large, loose sleeves designed so you don't feel like you're wearing the blanket, simply wrapped up in its wonder. The Slanket is designed to keep your entire body covered and cozy while you still retain the use of your hands. Simplistic and practical, its innovativeness opens up possibilities, but still can replace any normal blanket.

Pretty creative right??  I was sent the Slanket Original in Limoges Blue for Jet Pilot and when he came home and saw the box addressed to him I could see a gleam of excitement in his eye.   When he took the Slanket out of the package and tried it on--HE WAS TOTALLY PUMPED.  Never in a million years would he have asked for something like this because he is not the type to ask for anything so the idea that I had gone above and beyond and thought of getting it for him was great!!  
Since the Slanket's arrival Jet Pilot VERY ROUTINELY is seen in our living room wrapped up in it like a newborn while relaxing and watching TV.  
                                      
The Slanket is made from VERY THICK and soft fleece.  Like luxury status fleece.  Like a blanket with sleeves-SERIOUSLY.  I have seen other imitations of similar products and I can tell you hands down this product is a higher end, nicer quality than some of the other knock offs I have seen around.  Slanket also offers a variety of colors and prints and styles...stylish prints...girly ones, boyish ones and just down right cute ones.  Also available in kids sizes and Siamese style--think 2 people, 1 Slanket!!



I almost picked this one cuz Jet Pilot is a CS Major..yeah we roll corny like that!
BUY IT:
Check out the Slanket Store here

 WIN IT:
And just in time for your holiday shopping the Awesome Slanket Creator Gary has extended a fantastic opportunity for one special The Dill-io reader----> YOU CAN WIN A VERY SPECIAL ORIGINAL SLANKET OF YOUR OWN!!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Just leave a comment on this post-with your email addy!
 
EXTRA ENTRIES:
  • Follow The Slanket on FB and tell them "The Dill-io sent me!"
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  • Add my button to your blog & leave a link  (+5 entries)
  • Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to it in your comments (+5 entries)
  • Tweet this giveaway (just hit the Retweet button at the top of this post!!) (+1 entry daily) 
 Giveaway open to residents 18 years old+  residing in the US.  Contest ends on December 3rd at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email.  The lucky winner will have 24 hours to contact me. If you fail to contact me within the 24 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.

I received the Slanket for review purposes only.  I was under no obligation, monetary or otherwise  from any person(s) or company to post a positive review.  All information pertaining to this product was found in literature sent to me personally or obtained online from their website.

 

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Rite Aid take 1, 2 and 3

I have been reading several blogs who's writers are Rite Aid deal stalkers.  I like Rite Aid its a nice enough store but before they initiated their +UP's Program I was not one to be down for their Single Check Rebate Program (which they still offer), I only feel this way because I ABSOLUTELY DESPISE high OOP.  I know I shouldn't, especially if you end up getting the money back like Rite Aid's SCR program but I just can't wrap my head around it. 
I dunno, just dumb I guess. 
But I decided to jump head first into Rite Aid where I knew I could have a low OOP scenario with a fair amount of Rite Aid +UP's (Rite Aid dollars) back. 
And it worked.
So I having been trying to work the deals every week. 
And so far Rite Aid has been good to me.  Better than CVS even and I love CVS--ALOT.

This is 3 shops combined and I am on the verge of going in for a 4th trip but I think I might be overdoing it.  The only thing pushing me to go in again is because my mom and mother in law could greatly benefit from some of these items!!


Moneymakers
10 Thermacare Patches $4.99 each
Get $10 +Up wyb 5
Coupons Used:
$3/1 Thermacare from thermacare.com
$1/1 Thermacare VV q
After coupons and +UP's its a $5+ MM per 5 patches bought

4 Revlon Lustrous Lipsticks $7.99 and $3.99 B1G1 50% off
Get $4 +UP wyb 2
Coupons Used:
$5/1 Revlon Lustrous Lipstick Rite Aid q (posted at iheartriteaid.com)
**There are also $2/1 Peelies I found at CVS which turns this into a BIG MM (hence the reason I need to go back for my 4th shop**
After coupons and +UP's its a $2+ MM (even more if you have the Peelies) per 2 lipsticks


Stockpile
4 Huggies Diapers $8.99
Get $3 +UP wyb 1 Huggies 
Coupons used:
$3/1 Huggies Pure and Natural Diapers from smartsource.com
(there is also a $2/1 VV q but I used that last month :( )
After coupons and +UP's it breaks out to be $2.99 per pack of diapers (and with baby #3 on the way this is a go price for me!)

1 Loaf of bread $1.50
No coupons just needed to get my total up to $25 to use a $5/25 Rite Aid q

3 Halloween Candy .08
No coupons but this is a great filler to get my totals up to $25
hile back)About $36 in +UP's

I used 4 $5/25 Rite Aid coupons (printed from Redplum.com awhile back)
Subtotal: $1.57
Tax: $6.40
Total OOP: 7.97 ( I can totally live with that!!) Thank you Rite Aid--I think I love you!!

And I got $40 back in +UP's to spend next week!! YAY!!

Rite Aid is extremely difficult for me to explain to another human being so if you are interested in joining in the Rite Aid fun then I would suggest heading over to West Coast Savings or I Prefer Publix or The Great Shopping Game, they do a much better job than I do and make it look very easy!!

Winner Winner Winner

The Winner of the Hershey's Moderation Nation Prize Pack  is #96 Janet who said:

  
The Winner of The $25 Gift Card from Christen at Scentsy is #222  Ms-Texas who said:

I will be contacting you winners shortly via email so be on the lookout!! Thanks everyone for entering and please continue to do so!!

PediaCare Review and Giveaway

As the seasons began to change around here in Mississippi there is one thing that is crystal clear in the House of The Dill-io----> COLDS ARE COMING.  It never fails, the weather starts to shift from one season to another and like clockwork my kids are getting sick.   With that comes late nights, early morning and whiny babies.  Not that I blame them, I turn into a giant 2 year old when I have a cold.  Its horrible.
However this cold season I am bringing the heat and coming prepared--with PediaCare.

I was sent:
PediaCare® Children's Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever (cherry or grape flavor; ages 2-11) and  
PediaCare® Children's Fever Reducer Plus Multi-Symptom Cold (ages 6-11; okay for ages 4 & 5) with dosage directed by pediatrician

and literally the PediaCare products did not come a moment too soon.  Bonnie came down with her change of season cold and within MINUTES so did Clyde.  I called the pediatrician and asked if it was safe to dispense the Multi Symptom Cold to Clyde since he is not 4 yet and I got the okay.  But I hands down suggest asking your MD whether or not this is a practice they recommend for you.  My Clyde runs big, so he is right along the weight/height guidelines for a bigger kid.  Which I assume is the reason the doc gave him the thumbs up.



WIN IT
One Lucky The Dill-io Reader will win:
  • PediaCare® Children's Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever (cherry or grape flavor; ages 2-11) and 
  • PediaCare® Children's Fever Reducer Plus Multi-Symptom Cold (ages 6-11; okay for ages 4 & 5) with dosage directed by pediatrician



MANDATORY ENTRY: Just leave a comment on this post-with your email addy!
 
EXTRA ENTRIES:
  • Enter the PediaCare Giveaway I listed below (+5 entries)
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  • Add my button to your blog & leave a link  (+5 entries)
  • Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to it in your comments (+5 entries)
  • Tweet this giveaway (just hit the Retweet button at the top of this post!!) (+1 entry daily) 
 Giveaway open to residents 18 years old+  residing in the US.  Contest ends on December 2nd at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email.  The lucky winner will have 24 hours to contact me. If you fail to contact me within the 24 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.



Pedia Care also has this sweet giveaway going on here:  Check out the details and enter yourself to win!! It can't hurt and someone has to win right??  Might as well be you!!

Win The PediaCare® “Kid’s Cold Comfort” Giveaway!

PediaCare wants to help your child stay snug and comfy this cold and flu season, so PediaCare is giving one lucky Woman’s World reader a $1,000 gift card to 1-800-Mattress to buy a new children’s mattress set, along with another $200 toward some comfy pillows, sheets and a bedspread. The prize also includes the collection of PediaCare products for children, with various
formulas recommended by health professionals for cough, fever, flu, allergies and pain relief.

Visit www.pediacare.com/win and click on the “Enter to Win” banner to be taken to the official entry form!

I received products for review purposes only.  I was under no obligation, monetary or otherwise to post a positive review.   All information pertaining to these products was either sent to me personally in literature or obtained from the website online.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Wordless Wednesday (and a peek at some Carrier Qualified Pilots)

Instructor in the blue tee and some new Carrier Qualified Naval Pilots!!


Sidenote on the Wordless Wednesday post...I literally have like 894 pictures I want to share but since I should only pick one or two...well...maybe there will be additional posts on Thursday and Friday as well so I can share all the great things that have gone down lately!!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Flowerzinherhair.com Review and Giveaway




The amazing Amy at Flowerzinherhair.com graciously sent me three super cute and girly Funky Flowers clips for my Bonnie to try out (and completely love!!)  First let me say that I was concerned about comfort.  Bonnie doesn't like rubber bands in her hair sometimes because she says that they make her hair hurt.  (I guess the girl has a sensitive scalp..I dunno!!)  But when the beautiful flowers arrived my worries were quickly dispelled.  Bonnie got cleaned up and brushed her mop right away so we could try them out.  And they caused her no discomfort.  Secondly, the Funky Flowers were beautifully crafted and it was very plain to see that they were going to stand up to the wiles of a 6 year girl and her constant playing, which to me is a FAB thing because Bonnie can be so hard on her things.
All of them
Her favorite Funky Flower Clip
Isn't this the cutest thing??  Bonnie absolutely loved them and asked what other Flowers besides the three she was going to get because she needed them match her other clothes/outfits--especially for church!!  LOL!  The things that come outta that girl's mouth, needless to say she loved them.  And I did too!


Here is a little info on Flowerzinherhair.com
"Each product is meant to be comfortable for your little or big girl so that she will always want to have Flowers In Her Hair.  We only purchase quality materials, and ensure that every item that is sent to you is not only beautiful but packaged in a way that makes it exciting to receive every order!!"


Now onto the fun part!!
WIN IT:
Flowerzinherhair.com has so kindly offered one lucky The Dill-io reader a $15 credit to her store!!  Check it out here



MANDATORY ENTRY: Just leave a comment on this post-with your email addy!
 
EXTRA ENTRIES:
  • Follow The Dill-io thru GFC (+2 entries)
  • Follow The Dill-io on Networked Blogs (+3 entries)
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  • Follow The Dill-io on twitter (+2 entries) 
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  • Add my button to your blog & leave a link  (+5 entries)
  • Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to it in your comments (+5 entries)
  • Tweet this giveaway (just hit the Retweet button at the top of this post!!) (+1 entry daily) 
  • Became a fan of Flowerzinherhair.com on FB (+5 entries)
  • Follow Amy on twitter here (+5 entries)
  • Grab her button from her blog and leave a link showing me where (+5 entries)
 Giveaway open to residents 18 years old+  residing in the US.  Contest ends on December 1st at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email.  The lucky winner will have 24 hours to contact me. If you fail to contact me within the 24 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.

Apologies are in order

With Jet Pilot out of town these past few weeks I have been mindfully absent from this blog.  In truth, I have been just trying to survive in his absence.   I missed him so much and his leadership in our home that I was a bit of a mess emotionally without him.  Baby #3 is rocking my body with the hormones and nausea so I have literally been a ball of worthlessness at times.  For this I apologize.  I plan on getting back on the horse because truly I do love blogging--I just love my husband and family more.  So in honor of me sucking so much lately,  I am going to do a Review/Giveaway or Review everyday for a week.  To please both you the readers and me the writer.  Next month my Jet Pilot will be graduating from Flight School to become an official WINGED NAVAL AVIATOR so I am sure the blog will suffer a bit then as we prepare for family, celebrations and outings.  Then there is a potential military move in the works, which means boxes, Internet access, more stress...you kinda get the idea.  But this week I promise to make things just a big better and try just a little bit harder.  
I hope you can find it in your heart to show me some forgiveness over my lack of blogging.

Thanks!!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Jet Pilots+Carriers=FRAZZLED WIFE

Jet Pilot is in Sunny Southern California this week because he is "training" (translation, trying his hand at landing on an Aircraft Carrier, by himself ALONE in the jet.)
Yes I am a ball of nerves.
I know he is awesome.
I know he knows his stuff.
But I am still a knee knocking, nail biting, overly anxious cleaning housewife right now.
And I have to be this way til I hear from him sometimes tomorrow.  I was hoping by some random act of universe love he would call tonight but no such luck.  Or at least another wife who's husband is also "training" with my Pilot would call them and I would have some sort of update.  Sadly, this is not the case.

But I have everyone I know praying for him and I have been praying and sending love and light his way all day.  So I know it doesn't get any stronger than that. 

Yet here I sit, nervous...pacing and unable to sleep.  I hope I get some shut eye in before the morning comes.  Otherwise I will be useless as a mom tomorrow.  So if you happen to be reading this, please say a prayer for my husband.  Or at the very least..think calm landing safe on a GIANT AIRCRAFT CARRIER pleasant thoughts.  Thanks luvies...I appreciate it.

I really do.

Yes....he is always able to spare 5 seconds in the Jet to have a good time!!  The mustache was a Navy "tradition"-- you grow it out to show that you are going to the "Boat" Aircraft Carrier soon.  Jet Pilot's mustache was the thickest and fiercest of all the guys in his training detachment.  Cuz he just has to be the best at everything...even growing a thick "stache" for the trip!!  In this case...I think its pretty serious looking and I know he was proud of it.

P.S.   I have been a military wife 9 years (4 as an active duty member myself and 5 years as a dependent/SAHM)....and it is still as hard this time being apart as it was the first time we separated because of duty.  It never gets any easier....you just learn to embrace the emotional roller coaster ride a little better.

P.P.S.  That last line was meant to increase my own confidence....thanks for letting me talk thru that!!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Time please pass by fast...

I miss my husband.
And he has only been gone 16 hours.
These next 2 weeks just may kill me.
I want him to become the official awesome Jet Pilot that I already know he is, but I just wish I could have gone to beautiful San Diego as well.
Instead of staying here in the sprawling metropolis of Country Mississippi.

Tell me the time will fly by.
It has too right??

Yes, I am OVERLY hormonal...baby hormones....got me all jumbled up.  Hopefully I will wake up tomorrow and have myself together.

Here's hoping so anyway.