Postponing Christmas

So it has been a very busy and hectic time for us right now. My husband has been in the hospital since the 7th of December with the hopes that he might have been able to be discharged (another round of Chemo therapy) for the holidays, alas that was not so. We have postponed our Christmas celebrations until he is discharged from the hospital which could be in a couple days or even a couple weeks from now, who knows at this point. Luckily our kids are too young to realize that Christmas was yesterday and they don't suspect a thing, my oldest (3) knows that it is the holidays and that presents come with holidays but he has no sense of the days yet. His main concern is getting to play in the snow, then getting upset when his hands get cold! We are expecting 8 to 16 more inches in the next couple days so there will be plenty of opportunity for him to get cold and cry about it, funny thing is that he begs and pleads to go outside too!

We also recently found out that my husbands sister is not a match for the stem cell transplant so now they are looking to the national registry to find a donor, and who knows how long that will take. I urge anyone who is not currently on the registry to join, they will send you a free kit for testing and you may (or may never) be called to help save someones life. A family friend of ours has been on the registry list for 18 years and has never been called but she knows that if someone out there needed her help she would be able to be there for someone. All you do is swab your cheek and send it back, it is that simple!

We are also finding out that he may be becoming resistant to the platelet transfusions they have been giving him, he is having a lot of bleeding issues lately. They will be doing further testing to see if his body is destroying them just as fast as they are giving them to him.

Needless to say this is all a work in progress. The hospital is an hour away otherwise I would be with him every day that I could. We have a lot of friends and family supporting us in this time of need and I thank them very much for all the help! We will see what the new year brings us.

Coachlicious Giveaway! Ends 01/03!

Here is another great giveaway brought to you by Mom Powered Media! These two matching Coach items! An awesome duffle handbag with a matching zippy wallet! What girl wouldn't want to win this? Get your entries in today this giveaway won't be around forever, ends on 01/03! This bag would be great for a day on the town shopping with the girls or at date night with your gentleman! Stylish and classy this prize is valued at $396!

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Coach Legacy Signature Duffle Handbag in Silver {RV$298}

The beloved 1973 Duffle Sac is updated with a slimmer profile, decorative tassels and an adjustable crossbody strap. Crafted in our iconic signature jacquard, and richly trimmed with glove-tanned leather, it has the look and feel of classic Coach.

• Signature fabric with leather trim
• Inside zip, cell phone and multifunction pockets
• Outside zip pocket
• Zip-top closure, fabric lining
• Strap with 18 3/4" drop for crossbody wear converts to double strap for shoulder wear
• 9 3/4" (L) x 13" (H) x 5 1/2" (W)

Coach Legacy Signature Zippy Wallet in Silver {RV$98}

Tonal and textured in iconic signature jacquard, our popular, soft-sided design is framed with hand-finished leather trim and updated with an elegant enameled Legacy plaque.

• Signature fabric with leather trim
• Credit card and multifunction pockets
• Full-length billfold compartments
• Zip-top closure
• Wrist strap attached
• 7 3/4" (L) x 4 1/4" (H) x 3/4" (W)
• A coach.com exclusive

Big thank you to Mom Powered Media partners: Mom to Bed by 8, Powered By Mom, Real Mom Reviews and Baby Costcutters for organizing this Coachlicious fashion event.

As well as our fantastic co-hosting blogs Mom Knows It All, What's Up Giveaways, Monica's Rants, Raves & Reviews, Keeping Your Cents, Mommy and Me Giveaways and Just Me and Davey.

One lucky winner will receive the Coachlicious Prize Package including Legacy Signature Duffle and Zippy Wallet.

Giveaway ends January 3rd, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

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The good and the bad

I just had to take the time and get this out there, it has been something I have been thinking about a lot recently. Why does it take some horrible disease or illness, tragedy or something out of the ordinary to get people/family to visit? Are we just so lazy that we cannot possibly make an effort once a year even to go see relatives during normal circumstances? I know for some it is the financial aspect that keeps them from their families, but its not for not wanting to visit. While for others they may say they will do it but never make the effort, and yet others still never mention it.

Another thing, the offer has been put out there and there is no response. So aggravating when you may take the time and effort to plan for something that never comes about. Then still, there's others, something happens then suddenly you are bombarded by people who ordinarily don't take the time, effort or otherwise to contact or visit.

I know we are all guilty of this, I am too, but I make an effort to plan to visit, or actually visit. Unless of course something comes up, which lately seems to always be the case. It's not that anyone is not grateful for all the help etc. during the bad times, but what about the good times, where are you then?

Gillette Venus Embrace, a must have!

Not sure if I mentioned this in my last post about the Influenster VoxBox or not, but the Venus Razor that I received in the box can fit any cartridge so you do not have to buy a whole new one! What a money saver! Not to mention space saver, I know I have several handles from other brands' razors laying around, now unused thanks to the Gillette Venus Embrace! Be sure to check out their website for more information on each individual refill cartridge! Visit here: Gillette Venus


You can generally find a Gillette Venus razor at any drug store, mass merchandiser and start around $3.50 for a refill.

Here is a little more product information:

Venus Embrace blade refills provide an ultra-close shave with five blades that hug curves to get virtually every hair. Available in 4- and 8- count packages.

Venus & Olay blade refills feature Olay Moisture Bars that contain skin conditioners to help lock in moisture and with every smoothing stroke, Venus’ five blades provide an ultra-close shave. Available in 3-count packages.

Prices are at the sole discretion of the retailer. Based on monthly cartridge replacement rate and manufacturer suggested retail price from June 2011 to July 2012.

2012 Fall Cosmo VoxBox from Influenster!

I recently received my Influenster Cosmo Voxbox! I was so excited to open it that I did not even take pictures, I opened it right away. Small and neatly packaged it even fit right inside my small mail box, but I know that it was full of goodies none-the-less. My VoxBox contained:

• 2 FriXion pens by Pilot
• 1 Forever Red Eau de Parfume from Bath & Body Works
• 1 FULL SIZE bar of Ghirardelli's New Sea Salt Escape
• 1 Gillette Venus Razor and an Olay replacement cartridge

I just took the time to go take pictures of these awesome products so you have an idea of what I am talking about exactly.

The FriXion pens from Pilot are a favorite of mine! I love that if you make a mistake you can just erase, and they fully erase not like some other pens which do not. Also, they don't leave little eraser bits behind when you do need to use the eraser because it is not an eraser, it is just plastic that you use for friction, yes, it is the friction that erases the ink. One thing I would like to mention about these pens, do not use them to sign important documents, I have heard that if you leave paperwork written/signed with these pens in your car, it will disappear in the heat--of course you can put the papers in the refrigerator or freezer to get the ink to reappear. Neat trick. 

The Forever Red Eau de Parfume smells great a little too heavy for me but it seems to gradually fade to a nice gentle unmistakable fragrance. Something I definitely will be wearing, it has a sweet smell to it. I couldn't put my finger on what it smelled like exactly so I looked up the description on Bath & Body Works' website, here is what they say about this fragrance:

Our most luxurious longest lasting fragrance blends opulent notes of fiery red pomegranate and delicate peche de vigne, a rare and fleeting French peach. Soft petals of red osmanthus give way to notes of addictive velvety marshmallow and a surprising finale of rich vanilla rum that leaves an unforgettable impression.

 Oh my gosh, the Ghirardelli Sea Salt Escape bar was so good that I already went and bought another! It has the nice sweetness of the delicious milk chocolate, and then the salty goodness of the sea salt, topping it off with bits of crunchy roasted almonds. This has definitely made my top chocolate list!

I love the Venus Razor from Gillette, I haven't yet had the chance to try the Olay replacement cartridge, but if it is anything like the one that came attached, I am sold. 5 blades for an extremely close shave, I did not even nick myself while shaving. I have very dry and sensitive skin and some razors cause a "razor rash" on my legs but I did not get that with this razor, would definitely recommend it if you have sensitive skin or are prone to bumps.

Busy Momma's Treasures!

I have decided to open my own little fresh, funky and chic jewelry boutique! Busy Momma's Treasures is operated by Kitsy Lane, they handle all the processing and shipping but I get to hand pick what appears in my shop! With weekly flash sales how much better could this get? It does get better! 

Enter for a chance to win $500 in jewels--each week! PLUS each person who enters automatically gets a 15% off coupon! Just click the image link below, and enter to win! Oh, did I also mention that there is FREE SHIPPING until 2013?! Hurry on over and check it out, you will be so glad you did!

While you are over there be sure to check out what I have hand picked for this week and to see what is up for the flash sale! Great gift ideas at great prices for the ladies in your life!

$5 Code for Wonder Box!

Here is a $5.00 off coupon code for a Wonder Box purchase! My son loves these fun and entertaining (believe me its hard to keep him occupied) boxes full of goodies! Each box contains several activities for hours of entertainment, most items can be reused for later enjoyment as well! If you don't have a little one of your own that's okay! Wonder Boxes make a great gift for any child ages 3 to 6, providing time for learning that is spent together!

Be sure to enter code GIFT-VLV4MQ at checkout for your $5 discount!

Click on either photo to be taken to their website or simply click here!

Busy, exciting week!

We have had a very dramatic day here. I drove to the hospital (an hour away) to visit with my husband and while there were told a few things that immediately made us panic. Then were reassured that the information we were just given was incorrect. Stressed out we had been trying to call people left and right trying to verify this information. Very irritating day overall. On the plus side, my husbands White Blood Cell (WBC) count has increased after his first round of Chemo, and his Hematocrit levels are stable and Platelet count is up after a couple transfusions.


We also got the news that if he has no fever over the course of 24 hours (starting in the morning of today, ending tomorrow morning) without being on IV Antibiotics he can go home! So he may be discharged tomorrow some time! This is a huge relief that his body is responding so well to the Chemo and he is bouncing back! He will possibly need many more rounds of Chemo but we are hopeful. Talks of an Allogeneic Stem Cell transplant are still on the table but we don't know when or if this will happen any time soon. First thing to do is get his sister tested to see if she is a match to donate or not, if she is not then we need to check the donor registry to see if he can find a suitable match there. This is a long and stressful process, and I know it is strenuous on him no doubt. But he is strong and we have lots of support to make it through this. Thank you all.

Z had his blood drawn the other day for his 12 month blood tests, he did surprisingly well and came  home and went right down for a nap afterward. I also started wrapping Christmas presents and ordered Shane's final present (LeapPad2 Bundle!). I just have one thing on my Christmas list this year, okay well two....my husband to be able to spend it with us, and a sewing machine! What a list! What is on your shopping list this year?

$500 Christmas Cash Giveaway! Ends 12/26!

Christmas Cash Giveaway Event

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Please take a moment to visit our sponsor: Emperola.com!

Emperola.com was founded in summer 2012 in order to provide visitors with daily updated list of contests, giveaways, sweepstakes and deals. Enter your email here for a chance to win $500 in cash. If you host any kind of giveaway or contest feel free to submit your contest at Emperola for free.

Finally a special thank you to our lovely co-hosts whom without them great things would not be possible: Penny Auctions Canada, Bay Area Mommy, My Charming Life, Counting To Ten, Mommy's Fabulous Finds, BlogShopWin.com, Frugal Mom Eh!, The Crazy Nuts Mom, The Deal Fanatic, Frantic Mommy, Giveaway Bandit and My Vegan Gluten-Free Life!

One lucky reader will receive $500 {winner’s choice of Visa Gift Card, Paypal Cash or Amazon Gift Card}!

Giveaway ends December 26th at 11:59pm, open to worldwide, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.

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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Busy Momma Loves to Save is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

1000 Likes giveaway! $10 Michael's Gift Card!

Since I received no input from the fans what they would like to get for a giveaway I think I will do a Michaels gift card! I have been in the crafty-mood these past couple months, with my Halloween wreath and my Christmas Wreath which I have yet to post pictures of! A $10 gift card to one lucky fan would be a great way to start a project, or get some creative cute little projects to do with your little ones. I love to get their little foam kits, we did several for Halloween and a couple for Thanksgiving, I haven't looked yet for Christmas ones but I bet they have them! Or, you could use it to buy those little odds and ends for crafts you might currently have going. Who knows! With Michaels the possibilities are endless!

This giveaway starts 12/04 and ends on 12/18

Open to US and CA residents 18+ only!

If a winner so chooses they may opt for $10 PayPal cash in lieu of the gift card.

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