Thermacell Tick Control Tubes - Review

About three weeks ago I had been hanging out at a campground.  I came home later that day and ran my fingers through my hair.  Feeling a bump, I first thought it was dandruff.  I picked at it and the piece wouldn't come out of my hair.  After having my husband check, we found out it was a tick.  Luckily, it hadn't dug itself in very far so we were able to easily remove the nasty thing.  

I'm not a fan of ticks and can't say I've ever come across someone who is.  I have yet to find an advantage to having them around.  

West Nile, Triple E and Lyme, all vector borne illnesses, are thriving and so are Thermacell repellent products, keeping mosquitoes and ticks at bay.

One product that Thermacell carries to keep the tick population under control are Tick Control Tubes.  The 6-pack will protect a typical 1/4 acre property and will kill backyard ticks with Lyme disease.  There's no harm to kids, pets or the environment.

Using the Tick Control Tubes is super simple.  Just place them about ten yard apart, in places that mice like to hang out.  For instance, place one tube near a rotted stump and another near a stone wall.  The reason you want to place them were mice can find them is because young ticks feed primarily on mice.  Thermacell Tick Control Tubes are made from biodegradable cardboard filled with a specially treated material that kills ticks.  Mice seek out that material for their nests and collect it to line their nests deep underground.  Young ticks feeding on the mice encounter the material on the mice's fur and die.  The mice themselves don't; just the ticks.  It's actually doing the mice a favor because they have material for their nests and the ticks aren't feeding off them once they die.

Thermacell Tick Control Tubes were developed at Harvard University School of Public Health.  The tubes should be applied twice a year - once in late April and once in late July.  

I can't personally vouch for an absolute fact that these tubes work.  But, like some things, you've got to trust that they do.  And, I'm quite okay with using Thermacell Tick Control Tubes and trusting that they'll kill off revolting, nasty ticks.

I received products for review.  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.

Softsoap Limited Edition Body Washes - Review

To help keep summer around a little longer, Softsoap has released two new Limited Edition variants that are sure to boost your mood and awaken your senses.  Both contain moisture rich formulas that keep your skin  hydrated, smooth, and radiant..

Softsoap Limited Edition Coastal Sunrise™ Moisturizing Body Wash

Awaken your senses with the new limited edition Coastal Sunrise™ moisturizing body wash. Watch the summer season bloom before your eyes, as the invigorated scent of Citrus Blossom surrounds you and the moisturizing formula leaves skin feeling soft and smooth.

Softsoap Limited Edition Seaside Rush™ Moisturizing Body Wash

This summer, set sail with the new limited edition Seaside Rush™ moisturizing body wash. Celebrate the warmer weather with the refreshing scents of Lily & Bergamot, which will captivate your senses and leave skin feeling soft and radiant.

I've used Softsoap's liquid hand soaps and body washes several times. I like the fragrances and the way my skin gets clean.  I have a favorable impression of this brand and what it has to offer. Softsoap does well with their limited edition body wash releases, and these two new scents are a welcome addition.  Although I really like both fragrances, I think I prefer the citrus smell of the Coastal Sunrise body wash.

Both scents are available at Walmart for a limited time, until September 2018.  While using these Softsoap Limited Edition Body Washes, I am enveloped with nice scents. The flip-top lids are easy to open, and the body wash lathers up nicely. My family likes Softsoap because it doesn't irritate our skin and it gives our bodies a nice, clean feeling. Softsoap has a fair price point. Be sure to pick up your Softsoap Limited Edition Body Washes before time runs out!

Which of these two Softsoap fragrances would you most likely try - Coastal Sunrise or Seaside Rush?

I received products for review from Colgate Palmolive.  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.

Summer Concert with the Kids

I love that I'm still semi-sorta cool to my kids.  As teenagers and young adults, they still want to hang out with me sometimes.  Logan and Shelby wanted to go to a concert in St. Louis and invited me along.  Heck yeah!

Before we went, Logan had to clean his shoes with a toothbrush and dish soap.  I mean, nobody wants to attend a rock concert in dirty shoes!

We took my vehicle and I let Shelby drive.  Bigger cities give me anxiety.  She's a pro at maneuvering in and out of traffic.

If you're interested in reading where I got this shirt, read my recent Rosegal post.

I think it was well suited for a rock concert.

I was the back seat driver.  Shelby and Logan only rolled their eyes at me twice.  I count that a success. 

We stopped at Denny's in Troy, MO before the concert.  I love, love, love Denny's and would go broke if there was one where I lived.  We went for the norm that day and just went for the Grand Slams.  

After the concert we went through the drive-thru at Jack-in-the-Box.  The food was good, minus the fries they forgot to give us.  The customer service was atrocious.  I'm almost positive the food attendant got a whiff of the reefer that floated through the concert crowd.  Dude was higher than a kite and chillin' like a villain.  Didn't have a care in the world....including a care about our order.

When we got to the concert, Logan and Shelby played a game of Cornhole and both won bug spray and phone chargers.

Help me, I'm sweating like a stuck pig!

It was hotter than the seventh level of Hell when we got there.  Our seats were in SS which I'm sure translates to Smoldering Sun.  We completely missed the first band playing, Bad Wolves, because US Cellular mobile data sucks and our tickets were on our cellies.  

After figuring out that fiasco, we settled in to watch Nothing More. I'd never heard of them before.  Most opening bands are crap but I was super impressed with this one.  They killed it!  I'd definitely pay to watch them again.

An intercession went on after they played so we went and bought inhumanely expensive drinks.  When we got back, we kinda cheated and took empty seats in the GG row.  It was 12 rows closer and under a fan.  Yeah, we're those people!

Next was Five Finger Death Punch.  I knew who they were but that's about it.  Wow, just wow!  They slayed it.  I didn't think it could get any better, but it did.  Breaking Benjamin came on for the last set and they rocked out with their socks out! 

I've been to a handful of rock concerts in my time and I have to say this one was the best.  The music, the atmosphere, and the theatrics were out of this world. 

As a semi-sorta side story, I know there's people of all walks of life at these concerts.  I don't judge.  EMS had their hands full with all the passed out people.  They won't be remembering the concert!  Anyhow, I actually prayed to sweet Jesus during the Breaking Benjamin set.  A dude that was tatted from head to toe stood in the seat behind us.  (forehead, eyebrows, chest, the works)  I swear he had no soul!  His eyes were blank and he didn't move.  Not once did he rock out.  I saw Satan's spawn in human form that night, and he freaked me out a little bit.  Other than that, it was a great time!

lead singer of FFDP

Have you attended any concerts this year?
Are you a fan of Nothing More, Breaking Benjamin, or Five Finger Death Punch?

Go Organically Gives Back - Giveaway

Go Organically Fruit Snacks has launched an exciting program in partnership with First Book!

The Go Organically Literacy Program is open now from to August 29th asking consumers to vote for one of five in-need schools across the US for a chance to win books and other school supplies to fill their classrooms and libraries.

GO wants to give back to one of 5 in-need schools across the U.S. In partnership with First Book, Go Organically is asking consumers to vote for one of these 5 deserving schools for a chance to win additional Book Wishes, an e-reader, beanbag chair and more.  Book Wishes allow 50 other educators across the country to stock up on school supplies, backpacks, and more for their students as we head into the next school year.

And just for voting you’ll be entered for a chance to win your own e-reader, beanbag chair and more! Ten lucky runner-ups will receive Go Organically® Organic Fruit Snacks. Enter for a chance to win!  NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must 18+. Ends 11:59 p.m. ET 8/29/18. For Rules, visit www.goorganicallysnacks.com/GOGivesBack.

I entered the giveaway myself.  I won't tell you which school I voted for but all five are worthy to win.

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.

Win It!

One person will win four boxes of Go Organically Fruit Snacks (2 boxes of Mixed Berry and 2 boxes of Fruit Medley).

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

I received no compensation for this post.  This post is in partnership with PR firm.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jeulia Affordable Jewlery: $10 off Sitewide

Jeulia is one of top jewelry online stores worldwide specializing in unique and innovated jewelry for every occasion and offering more than 1000 flawless jewelry in a wide variety including engagement rings, birthstone jewelry, and more.

From now to 09/01/18, use code aff10 to receive $10 off sitewide at Jeulia!

This post contains an affiliate link.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

First Four Winners for August

Photo by Amy Shamblen on Unsplash

A few of my giveaways have ended and the winners have been randomly drawn.

The winner of the Benji & The Giant Kite children's book giveaway is #6, susan1215.

The winner of the Go Organically Fruit Snacks giveaway is #3, suburban prep.

The winner of the Cutie Fruities children's book giveaway is #4, Gwendolyn Jordan.

The winner of The Floor is Lava! game giveaway is #3, aperry.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who entered.  Be sure to enter the other giveaways I've currently got going on.  They're listed at the top left hand side of my blog.  There's no limit to how many you can enter or how many you can win.

The Backstreet Meat Boys

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you The Backstreet Meat Boys.  MC Meat Smoker on your left and DJ Ribz Eye on your right.  They are available for events on a very limited basis.

You gotta season the meat real good and right.

When two guys decide they wanna smoke some meat, it's game on!  Brent and Jason spent 16 hours smoking ribs and pork loin.  It was serious business, with apricot and hickory wood over the fire.  No sleep and lots of coffee.  

When all was said and done, they had two full slabs of ribs and more pulled pork than you could shake a stick at.  We had a group of about 10 people over to share in the bounty.  It was YummiTiScrumptilicious!