Think Mean Green to Tackle Your Cleaning Tasks - Review

I received products for review, as part of being a Mean Green Ambassador.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

If you haven't heard of this fantastic company before, Mean Green sells a line of heavy-duty all-purpose cleaners for all kinds of messes. 

Mean Green cleaning products make getting my house and other areas back in shape so much easier.  I can see the gleam and shine.  As you begin your cleaning, consider Mean Green for all your cleaning needs.  Your automobile, garage, and entire house will thank you.

Mean Green added three new products to their line in 2017:

Mean Green Super Strength Heavy Duty wipes are specially formulated to out-clean other brands on tough grease and grime. Easily removes grease, grime, oil, adhesives, and other tough messes from various surfaces. It’s ideal for the kitchen, bathroom, workshop, garage, DIY projects, construction sites, commercial cleaning, in the home, or on the move.  

Mean Green Car Wash is specifically formulated to deliver rich foam that effortlessly removes dirt and grime without leaving behind streaks or spots. Cleans cars quickly and with confidence. Use Mean Green Car Wash for at home convenience, right from your garden hose. No Bucket Needed!

Mean Green Auto & Garage is a concentrated, multi-purpose cleaner and degreaser. Proven to beat other brands on tough grease and grime. Specially formulated to remove and dissolve petroleum based grease, grime, and oil from engines, tools, and concrete, to outdoor furniture, grills, painted surfaces, and more. 

Of the three, I was able to try the Mean Green Auto & Garage Cleaner & Degreaser.  

I had no doubt that Mean Green would come through with the Auto & Garage cleaner.  After all, I've been super pleased with their household cleaners.  My husband tinkers with cars in his garage and has talked highly of Mean Green Auto & Garage.  It is formulated to remove and dissolve petroleum based grease, grime, and oil from engines, tools, and concrete.  I have to give Jason props; he actually tidied up his garage and tools using this cleaning product.  I guess since he was able to do it without overexerting himself and he was able to notice how well the cleaner worked, he didn't mind straightening out his "man space".  

Mean Green Auto & Garage has also been handy on our vehicles.  Rather than take the vehicles to the car wash for a few dirty spots, I use Mean Green Auto & Garage.  Like most other cleaners, you just have to spray it on the areas you want treated and let sit for a short period of time.  Wipe the dirt and grease down with a cloth, then rinse clean with water. 

Launched in 1990 in Spartanburg, SC, Mean Green Super Strength is made with a unique blend of detergents and solvents that make one of the most powerful cleaners I've encountered.  Lab tests have shown it outperforms nearly every other cleaner on nearly every stain.

My white vehicle is actually white!  That happens when I tackle it with Mean Green Auto & Garage.

Is Mean Green on your list of cleaning products?

Wild Republic Huggers - Review and Giveaway

I received product for review from Wild Republic.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

For nearly four decades, Wild Republic’s realistic stuffed animals and toys have helped children explore the beauty of nature. Their mission is to create toys that foster curiosity about wildlife and educate children about the wonders of nature.  I love that the company features animals that you don't necessarily see for sale at other places.

I recently received one of the Wild Republic Huggers for review.  Huggers are soft, stuffed animals with snap bands as hands.  By spreading their arms wide and squeezing their chest, the Huggers plush will instantly wrap their arms around you.

There are many Wild Republic Huggers animals, with some of them being a sea turtle, unicorn, red monkey, snowy owl, and emperor penguin.  I received the Ice Blue Penguin.  It certainly is an adorable little critter.  If you're familiar with slap bracelets, the arms of the plush animals are like those.  Wild Republic Huggers can be used in many ways.  They can be worn around your wrist, attached to a backpack, or wrapped around a piece of decor.  Our blue penguin has made its way around the handle of the fridge and greets us every time we open the door.

Win It!

One person will win a Wild Republic Huggers plush.

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA.*
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It's National Chocolate Pudding Day

I don't know the first thing about making chocolate pudding from scratch, but I know the first thing about eating a big ole' bunch of the pre-packaged stuff.  Eat some today as a snack or dessert.

If you're feeling skippy, take some chocolate pudding over to your beautician today.  It's also National Beautician's Day.  My favorite beautician also happens to be one of my best friends.  She moved over three hours away just last week.  I'm going to be hard pressed to find someone as good as her.

Do you like chocolate pudding?
Who is your favorite beautician?

Pigsticks and Harold and the Tuptown Thief - Children's Book Review and Giveaway

I received book for review from Candlewick Press.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

Book Overview:

The Butterfly Ball is tomorrow, and everyone has a job to do — even Harold. He's making the Spirit of Tuptown prize! But when the prize statue goes missing, a confident Pigsticks volunteers to solve the case. With more and more things disappearing and everyone in Tuptown a suspect, will Detective Pigsticks track down the mysterious thief?

My Review:

I'd never heard of Pigsticks and Harold until recently.  The duo is featured in a handful of Pigsticks and Harold series books, intended for young readers.

Pigsticks and Harold and the Tuptown Thief is centered around the annual Butterfly Ball where everyone has been assigned a job.  It is Harold the hamster's job to build a statue for the Spirit of Tuptown prize.  Once the statue has been finished, Harold comes outside and notices it missing.  Distraught, Harold enlists the help of Pigsticks, a pig known for his crime solving skills.  Pigsticks asks Harold to be his assistant in solving the mystery.  While they are working on that, two more crimes happen and the pair's plate is full as they try to solve who's doing all this.  Everyone is afraid the ball will be cancelled.  But, right before that happens, the culprit is caught.  Apologies are given and the ball goes back into full swing.

Mysteries aren't necessarily my thing but I got a kick out of this kid's book.  The illustrations and visual cues made me chuckle.  Although I don't necessarily agree with the reason the thief gave for stealing, I still liked this book and like that the residents of Tuptown showed compassion once they found out who the culprit was. 

Win It!

One person will win a book copy of Pigsticks and Harold and the Tuptown Thief.

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA and Canada.*

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Go Organically Fruit Snacks - Review

I received products for review from Go Organically Fruit Snacks.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

Most anyone with teens knows what it's like to keep food in the house.  At some point, they are scouring the pantry for a snack.  And then they're back five minutes later for another snack.

I'll be honest with you and admit that I keep junk food in my home.  There's not a lot of it, but it's there.  I also have healthy snacks on hand.  And my kids have no problem going to either one.

Azra and T.J. trying Go Organically Fruit Snacks for the first time

We've had the opportunity to try Go Organically Fruit Snacks a few times now.  Whether it be my teens or the young kids who come over to visit, the fruit snacks are a big hit.  

Go Organically Fruit Snacks are a brand of GMO-free fruit snacks available in three varieties, all of which are USDA-certified organic, made with real fruit purées and real fruit juices. These treats include 100% of the daily recommended value of Vitamin C and are a good source of Vitamins A and E. Go Organically® Fruit Snacks are also gluten-free, preservative-free and made with natural flavors and colors from natural sources.

There are three varieties of Go Organically Fruit Snacks - Fruit Medley, Tropical, and Mixed Berry.  There are eight individually wrapped snack pouches to a box.  Personally, Mixed Berry is my fave.  But they are all good.  Go Organically Fruit Snacks have a soft texture and don't contain a weird aftertaste.  I appreciate that they are comparable in taste to other brand name fruit snacks, yet are somewhat superior because they are certified organic and made with real juices and purees.  

Have you purchased Go Organically Fruit Snacks?
Which of the three flavors do you think your kids would like best?

A New Chapter In Life: My Daughter Is Engaged

I knew this day would happen but I didn't realize it'd be so soon.  The girl who I still consider to be "my baby" is now engaged.  I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.

Shelby is 23 years old and has always upheld her story that she'd never get married or have kids.  And, now, she's doing at least one of the two.

Shelby and George have been a couple for about six months but have been friends for five years.  They connected earlier in the year and have been inseparable since.  When George asked me for my blessing to ask Shelby to marry him, I was in shock more than anything.  I bawled...and bawled...and bawled.  Most of the tears were because "My Elby" won't be my baby anymore.  She'll be someone else's problem sidekick.  

After snotting and crying all over the place, I gave my blessing.  George then asked both of Shelby's fathers (bio and step).  It wasn't until after approved blessings that he asked her.  

I always thought Shelby would be a free spirit and a drifter.  But, seeing her with George, gives me a good feeling.  They are such a good fit and he treats her like a queen.  And, he doesn't mind hanging out with this crazy future mother-in-law!

The wedding date is set for October 2018.  If anyone wants to mail me several boxes of Kleenex before then, I'd be forever grateful.

There Might Be Lobsters - Children's Book Review and Giveaway

I received book for review from Candlewick Press.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

Book Overview:

Lots of things at the beach scare Sukie. Lots. Because she is just a small dog, and the stairs are big and sandy, and the waves are big and whooshy, and the balls are big and beachy. And besides, there might be lobsters. With endearing illustrations and a perfectly paced text that captures a timid pup’s looping thoughts, here is a funny and honest read-aloud about how overwhelming the world can be when you're worried — and how empowering it is to overcome your fears when it matters the most.

Come on, Sukie, you can do it! A little dog’s paralyzing anxiety gives way to bravery when someone smaller is in need in this humorous, tenderly sympathetic story.

My Review:

A hardback book that's perfect for the summer season, There Might Be Lobsters tells of a girl who wants to take her dog to the beach one day.  The canine, Sukie, is anxious and not necessarily excited about going to the beach.  The dog's imagination goes into action and it wonders what negative things could possibly happen.  When Sukie does finally get to the beach with a beloved sock money by its side, she is still fearful.  Beach balls, waves, and lobsters are just some of the things that Sukie worries about.  When her sock monkey accidentally ends up in the water, Sukie paddles out to save the plush friend without hesitation.  Sukie overcomes her fears to save the sock money friend and learns that the beach isn't such a bad place after all.

Win It!

One person will win a hardback book copy of There Might Be Lobsters.

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA and Canada.*
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