Veterans United Connect

This looks so interesting. Veterans United Connect contacted me to see if I had heard about their app. I had not, so they asked if I would check it out and do a post about it. Well, I'm not good at right posts for other people, so I told them that they could write the post and I would gladly post it. I did; however, check it out. It seems really interesting. It seems like it would be extremely helpful for active members and spouses for PCS'ing and connecting with other military families. Also, as Veterans, they can find people they were stationed with or deployed with. It is easy to use once you play around with it and seems very helpful!

Here is its description:

Time and distance can make maintaining friendships – even important ones – difficult. No one knows this better than service members and military families.

The transient nature of military life means a lot of friendships and support systems interrupted. Social media sites have helped to an extent, but scouring Facebook for an old friend isn’t always an easy task, especially if the person has a generic name or a new one.

But a new, free Facebook application created explicitly to foster reconnection for service members and spouses hopes to change all of that.

The app is called Veterans United Connect. It’s integrated fully within the Facebook platform and generates friend suggestions and matches based on a shared history of military service.  

Users select the places and years they served, covering everything from boot camp to their final duty station and everything in between. They can also narrow by branch, rank, unit and other identifiers.

The app suggests matches of others who may have served during the same time and at the same place. Service members and spouses can also check out and communicate with people on individual pages for bases and installations across the globe.

“The goal is to foster even stronger ties and communication among a community that’s already given so much to our country,” said Rob Stretch, social media manager for Veterans United, the nation’s leading dedicated VA lender and sponsor of the application. “The bonds they forge can be life-long. We want to enhance their experiences during and post-service as much as possible.”

Veterans United Connect isn’t just for finding and reconnecting with old friends. The application also allows active duty service members and spouses to connect with and learn more about the communities they are about to move to.

In advance of a PCS, users can dig into a particular base’s page and ask questions and interact with personnel and families already living there. Spouses and service members can find out about school districts, local neighborhoods and base life from people already on the ground.

They can also start forging new friendships well in advance of their move, which can make the transition so much easier.

A pilot version of Veterans United Connect was launched in 2009 and attracted both a large user base and the attention of Stars & Stripes. App developers wanted more, so they spent time revamping the platform to generate even more friend suggestions and matches for users.

The improved and updated version of the app launched this week.

I am doing it!

I have decided to take the plunge and continue to make things. I made majority of Baby A's hairbows and then as she outgrew her current bow holders, I decided to make her another one. While doing all this, I have had a few friends ask me to make them things. On top of all that, I wanted to make Baby A a tutu for some pictures coming up. Well, of course, that lead in some interest, too.

A few of my other friends suggested I sell them. That was an "I don't think so" until just recently. I was making them for fun and for myself and friends. Then I just go hooked. I could  not stop making stuff. I just kept purchasing supplies and creating new pieces. However, we do not have the room for me to have all of this stuff. Baby A definitely does not need 500 hair bows, 20 hair bow holders, 2000 tutus, etc etc... I'm sure you get the point.

I have started a Facebook page. It's called Southern Belles & Puppy Dog Tails. There are no pictures up yet, and I am still waiting for some stuff to come in. But I took the plunge anyway. Heck why not, right. All for fun, not necessarily profit.

The Facebook page is mostly to watch my progress because I have also decided to take sewing lessons. I have been crocheting for a while, but I would also like to learn how to knit. I will post my progress on my page. And of course pictures of all the exciting things I create!

Mr. Man is being supportive, too. I do not think he thought I was serious at first about learning to sew and such, but once I started, he became more supportive. He knows I'm doing it just to give me something to make and for fun. I think he secretly likes it! :)

Anyways, if you want to follow my progress, you are welcome to. At some point I will need to find some babies to make things for, and I'll do some giveaways too. Maybe auction off things as I lose storage space and need to get rid of stuff. You can find me here!

Cloth Diapering: Detergent

As most of you that are interested in cloth diapering know, you have to use a special detergent for your cloth diapers. It must not have any dyes, fragrance, enzymes, or brighteners.

Here is a great site to read which detergents are safe for your cloth diapers and their rate of safeness. Diaper Jungle.

Really, any detergent that is free of all that I mentioned above is a usable detergent. Many swear by Rockin' Green and Charlie's Soap.

However, I absolutely love, love, love 

Eco Sprout

When I was purchasing my cloth diaper detergent, price played a major impact. When I went to Diaper Junction, which is where I buy majority of my cloth diapers and accessories, I saw that it was highly recommended for many reasons. 

1. It is made by a Work-at-home Dad who is able to be with his kids all day and mix detergents (and other great cloth diapering solutions) at night.

2. Made in the U.S.A.

3. Fabulous scents, with seasonal scents!

4. Obviously meets the guidelines for what is needed for cloth diapering detergent. 

Definitely do your own research, even check out Diaper Junction's detergent section. You will find sample packets, too! 

Finding the right detergent for you depends on what you want to get out of cloth diapering. For example, if you plan on using them for multiple kids, I suggest you find a detergent specifically formulated for cloth diapers. I have one bag of Eco Sprout that I am currently using. I believe the 96oz. I have been cloth diapering for 4 months, and have not even put a dent into it. It cost me $13.95.

Don't let the thought of having to buy accessories to go with these diapers think you will spend just as much as disposables because that's far from true. At least in my case.

I know this did not cover very much about the detergent because there is a wide range of what to look for. Once again, depending on what you personally want to get out of your cloth diapers. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. 

I have personally tried Rockin' Green, Charlie's Soap, and All Free & Clear. Currently using Eco Sprout. 

Don't forget to enter the cloth wipes giveaway!! 

Ducks and Geese

The other day we finally had a pretty day after several days of rain. (It's back raining today, too!) I decided to bring Baby A to a local park area for a little picnic and to feed the ducks. There is always some ducks and geese in the area, and they are not afraid to walk up to you. While we were sitting there eating, a goose walked up to us. Baby A gets super excited at birds and any animal that is her height and they can get close to her. I held Baby A up like she was standing in front of the goose, and she got so excited. She was kicking her legs, throwing her arms, and slinging her body towards the goose. It was so adorable..... until the goose started hissing at her!

I thought I was going to have a heart attack, but Baby A didn't care. She just wanted the bird! It was so sweet and so funny, but I thought that Baby A may get attacked if I didn't "shoe" the bird away.

In the picture above, do you notice Baby A propping her foot up on the handle? She does that every single time I put her in that stroller. I try to tuck it underneath the snuggle bundle blanket thing with the other foot, but she pulls it out and props it right back up there! I think it's so cute!!

:)

Don't forget to enter the Cloth Wipes giveaway!

Giveaway: Cloth Wipes

It's Giveaway time!!


I recently purchased some wipes from a lady on Etsy. Her name is Kayla and she is from TurtlesRUs. She has so kindly allowed me to giveaway a dozen of her cloth wipes! 


These wipes are seriously so amazing. These are the wipes I was talking about when Mr. Man decided to try them out on his own and absolutely fell in love with using cloth for wipes. We have had nothing but a great experience with these, and I highly, highly, highly recommend them to everyone who uses cloth. They have multiple uses, so you are not only restricted to using them on your baby's bottom, which means this giveaway is not only for mothers. Anyone who washes their face with gentler cloth or even needs something for quick clean ups, these are for you! 


From Kayla herself:
Cloth Wipes - Perfectly sized for easy baby or toddler cleanups...... diaper changing time, bath time, wiping dirty hands or face time.....all the while reducing, reusing, and recycling! Folds neatly into your baby wipe case! Use with warm water or your own baby wipe solution. 

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These wipes are also great to use as makeup remover cloths, face washing, hand towels, and family cloth.....so many uses!
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If anyone needs ideas on how to use these wipes or wants recommendations or recipes for cloth wipe solutions, just let me know. I will be more than happy to do a separate post on that for you. 


To enter, you must be a subscriber of mine! That is mandatory. Just go right to the side of the page and scroll down until you see where it says "Join this site". You MUST be a reader in order to win any of my giveaways. Please comment separate comments for each entry. This is one entry.  


Another mandatory entry is to go to TurtlesRUs on Etsy and tell me which design you would choose for your dozen wipes. You can choose any colors or designs! Please comment separate comments for each entry. This is another entry. 


To earn more entries:
Go to TurtlesRUs Facebook page and become a fan. TurtlesRUs Facebook. Please let her know that I sent you, and thank her for hosting this giveaway. Please comment separate comments for each entry. This will give you an extra 2 entries.


Blog about this giveaway and earn another 3 extra entries. Please comment separate comments for each entry.


Post about this on another media site, such as Twitter and/or Facebook and earn 3 more entries. Please comment separate comments for each entry. 




In this giveaway, there are two mandatory entries. Please pay close attention as I will not be responsible for any mistakes you make regarding entries.


This giveaway will run for 2 weeks. It will end on August 15th at midnight GMT. Winner will be announced August 16th.   


I hope you enjoy this giveaway as it is something I am passionate about! Good luck. 

Interested? (Giveaway)

Boon Spoon recently contacted me and asked if I would like to do a review or giveaway on one of their products. I, of course, said I would happily do a review because I have heard so many great things about it and thought it may be a great tool for traveling. When I emailed them back to let them know this, they let me pick the product and color. I chose the Cherry Boon Spoon. They shipped it out that day and let me know. I, of course, emailed them back thanking them.

Then came another email... they asked if I would like to do a giveaway as well. They said that they allow bloggers to do both, review and giveaway. So before I email them back with an answer, I thought I would ask if any of you are interested in a giveaway from the Boon company?

Comments have gone down a lot in the past few weeks. I know it's summer and everyone has better things to do then be cooped up in their house, so I completely understand. I guess it does not mean that people are not reading, which is why I need to know the interest level on this before I give an answer.

If you want more information, you can check them out here! They have a variety of products, and they may even let you chose your own!

Half way - 069

 We are officially halfway over with this deployment. It is so crazy to think that Mr. Man has been away for a couple of months now. Time has flown by so fast for me, and I hope it has for him too.

Things are still the same here, but what comes with deployment 50% over, comes Baby A 4 months old. In a week, she will officially be 4 months old. Seriously, it does not feel like 4 months ago that I gave birth to her. I have to say that time has not necessarily gone too fast where I can't remember her as a newborn or when she first smiled or little milestones like that. I can remember when she fit into newborn clothes, and I can remember her teeny tiny little feet. Which I am appreciative of. But everything else is going by so fast. I guess she keeps me busy and days fly by.

We are ready for Mr. Man to come home and see her everyday achievements. This little girl does something new every single day, and every single new achievement amazes me more and more. I can not believe how amazing she is and every little accomplishment brightens my heart more and more.

Her 4 month appointment is not until August 18th, where she will actually be 2 weeks over 4 months, but I will be sure to update on weight and height. Maybe even get some pictures for ya'll.

Speaking of pictures... I had her 3 month old shots done. Did I ever show those?? I guess I should go back and look because they are so adorable!!