In honor of their 60th anniversary, Jarlsberg Cheese® is hosting an amazing Summer Giveaway. Each week until August 31st, they're giving away a Big Green Egg Grill®. All you have to do to enter is fill out the entry form everyday with your information. You also have the option of adding a picture or description showing your way of enjoying Jarlsberg cheese.

About Jarlsberg Cheese:

Supporting Jarlsberg Cheese:

This post is my contest entry for the contest. Yes, that means I also have a chance to win one of the Big Green Egg grills. Regardless of that, any opinions expressed are my own and I am a real supporter of the company.

Now, make sure you leave this window open so you can take a look at a couple of other posts I wrote that included Jarlsberg Chess: A party kit contest and Super Bowl snack ideas.

Let's review: 

• Enter daily for a chance to win weekly prize. (Did I mention it's a weekly prize?)
• Add a photo to your entry. (Optional)
• You can also enter on Facebook or on the Jarlsberg site. 
• And don't forget to share your entry using #jarlsberg.

I'm be the first to admit I've fallen "victim" to the call of the keyboard. Its melody swirls around me and forces me to text, email or send a Facebook message. You  know, much like how a mermaid's siren song lures fishermen from their vessels. 

When I was an adolescent and even into my early 20s, I got immense pleasure from writing and receiving letters. I couldn't wait for the mail to be delivered because there would be a letter from my first love (I was 14) or my grandmother. As I got older, life got busier and technology more common place, letter writing was one of the first things to let go. 

Let's try to change that. Well, for this month at least then we'll see where it takes us. Pick up your paper, markers,gel pens, colored pencils, stickers, postcards and stationary (or just the regular stuff, if you like) and hand write some letters and notes to those who are too far away for frequent visits. There's still something special and even magical - when it's not a bill - in sending and receiving mail. 

I almost always have some type of pretty paper stashed for just such an occasion. Here are a few of my choices:

Scrapbooking paper can be made into  the prettiest cards and stationary.

In addition to using scrapbook paper for its intended purpose, I use it for greeting cards, projects and stationary. It has a nice heavy weight so your cards or letters aren't flimsy, which makes it even better for adding stickers and other embellishments.

When I'm in a hurry, notecards are perfect. You can get them with pre-written messages or blank to make them even more personalized. When you use the pre-written ones be sure to still include a personal note.

I adore using notecards especially bright colors. Don't you just love the puppy 🐶 cards I found for my  children to use?

One never had enough stickers!

Let's face it; if you're a college student at any level it can be difficult to keep up with all of the work especially when it's time to write essays and papers. When deadlines are looming and your strengths do not include essay writing, consider employing a service to complete the task for you. One of things I always tell clients, and anyone who will listen, if you can't do it yourself or it's not your strong suit then hire someone to do it for you.

My advice is the same when it comes to essay writing. Think about this: You hire professional plumbers, electricians, mechanics and others that you may need, why not do the same for something as important as this. Some may tell you it isn't a good idea to have someone else write for you, but when you do all of the research, give them the key components and work with them to get your essay complete it isn't their (the essay writer's) work, it's yours.

You can always do your own research and find an essay writer to work with, but can you imagine how much time that will take if you don't already have a recommendation, service or person lined up? Too much time when you're on a tight deadline.

To save you some time, here's an essay service you should look into: Essay-bag.com. 

'We are a custom essay writing service, and we are heavily experienced in this field. Everyone on our staff has an advanced degree in his or her respective field. Many hold more than one degree, some even PhDs. But it's not just about the prestige. It's about the quality of our work overall. We believe, as do our thousands of repeat customers, that we simply offer the best available work in the world. Chances are that you'll feel the same way about us once you've experienced the process for yourself. Custom essays are more than just something that sounds cool. In fact, there is no other way to describe the process we've developed for our customers. Each and every one of our essays is custom written to your specifications, to the point that neither you nor your professors will be able to detect a difference between your writing and ours. That's probably a good thing, don't you think?'

"My how time flies." That's one of the most overused phrases, but it's one that is so very true. The more our society speeds up, has more to do and continues to get more advanced technologically to help make everything faster then the more time flies. It's a vicious, time-warp-like cycle. (Kind of like the time warp that's between the time you grab your keys to leave the house and get in the car. If you're like me then you swear it only took you three to five minutes, but the clock says 10 to 20 minutes.)

With everything passing so quickly we tend to miss a lot.There are some of us who are making a concerted effort to take time for the special moments. It's something I try to do as well. I'm not always successful in acknowledging important occasions hence the reason I missed my birthday.

Not the day of my birth. I missed the chance to celebrate and honor the day I was given the opportunity to begin life again. A healthier life. It's the day I had a bone marrow transplant: December 24, 2014.

The month of December is a little hazy for me because I was packing to move again (the second time in about three months) and the circumstances surrounding the move weren't pleasant. I was resistant to the move and could not get into a place that I wanted. And the last thing I wanted to do was celebrate Christmas, but the children are always extra excited about the holiday so I focused on packing and present purchasing.

Early in 2013

Early 2015 - before my hair started growing back. Yup, it's a wig.

Mid 2015 - after my hair started growing back.

If you know me or have been following me for awhile then you know that I'm always doing something. Selling JewelScent candles, sharing It Works products as well as the company and my writing. Among it all, you know that writing is what I like to do the most. It makes me happy, I'm good at it and plus I have a degree in Journalism so I'm serious about it.

About me

Where are the gigs?

You may not realize this but for millions of Americans, Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest food holidays of the years. Instead of resorting to the same old fatty, greasy, unhealthy snacks and food why not make a healthier noshing choice?

Lucky for you, I have an answer for you. Try Garden Lites Muffins and Garden Lites Broccoli & Brown Rice Veggie Bites. I received coupons to try these little goodies, but they have been misplaced during my move and I haven't tried them yet. However, that doesn't make me any less excited to recommend them to you because I've heard good things about them. And, I'll write a review at a later date.

Garden Lites Broccoli Bites

Oozy Boozy Mudslide Cupcakes

1. Cream butter in mixer
2. Gradually add Powdered Sugar until blended
3. Stir in Irish Cream, Vanilla Extra, and Salt
4. Blend until smooth and creamy

Whoopie Pie Glites

At the same time every year on this day around this time, my mind spins with everything that happened over the past year. This reflection messes with my emotions; I'm caught somewhere between sadness, relief, joy, expectation, hope and anger. This year I'm going to take the time to make this moment feel a little better for me. Let's review...

What's Been Happening

How to Handle the New Year

1. Some people can hit the ground running, but if you're not that kind of person you can get overwhelmed with all the goals you've set for the new year. If that's the case, instead of making a Dream Board for your entire year make one that gives you targets and goals to get there for each month. You can make a board for each month or get a poster board or corkboard for this.
2. Even though you have your Dream Board or Vision Board with what you're going to be doing, you'll need to break it down into actionable steps. Put those steps in writing on your daily planner. 
3. Don't forget to put yourself on your planner. Not just the days or dates you're going to workout, but the fun days like dates with your children or significant others. Write down that picnic in the park or pizza night with the family. Whatever activities and treats that make you happy make note of them.

Most Professional Careers Depend on Written Communication

The Importance of Well-Written Content

 Share your ideas with others

Finding professional help

Disclosure: I received a complimentary sample of Natural Calm to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own. Read my complete disclosure policy for more information.

Regardless of how you celebrate the holidays, it's almost guaranteed that it will be a busy time. With shopping to do, parties to plan, relatives to welcome, halls to deck, gifts to wrap... this list is almost endless... our days and nights are filled with activity. For some of us, it's a load of fun and we bound through it energetically, but on the other side of the Christmas ornament, there are those of us who are bumbling along and stressed out.

Thirty years ago there was a young lady who had a dream of becoming a well-known - if not famous - novelist and a world-renowned journalist. She dreamt of nice clothes, houses, and cars, well-dressed children, private schools, vacations, and trips home to visit family.

She had many small dreams. Now, she's 47 years old and even her smallest dreams haven't come true. Well, we can say she was once a nationally-known freelance writer ("known" probably isn't the correct word) who has written for publications across the United States. And she was at least a known Georgia journalist... you can see where this is going, right?

In the middle of those endeavors she's done other things to take care of her responsibilities including serving in the Air Force, substitute teaching, hosting writer's workshops and performed editing and writing duties for individuals, companies and organizations. Currently, she's a blogger, which happened to be a natural evolution from a print to a virtual writer, and she's an It Works! Distributor.

You've figured out we're talking about me, right?
That's the short and open-ended version of me and what I've been doing. Oh, sidebar, I forgot to mention I'm also a JewelScent consultant. (Check out the latest smell good candle with a jewel inside in the sidebar.) 

With mostly writing aspirations, you may be wondering why I've chosen a path that clearly has absolutely nothing to do with writing. For me, It Works! is a vehicle on my path that's going to help me to get where I want to be. Make sense?

This is my middle daughter Amareah; she's 10 years old.

The trio! My youngest Anna (8), my son Andre (12) & Amareah! My young loves.

Funds to purchase whatever I or the children need exactly when we need it. (Those are all of my babies - one grandbaby - you see in the pictures in this post.)

At least one family vacation a year. 

My semi-dream house. 

The ability to hire specific professionals when I need or want to. A new vehicle.

A break.

My granddaughter, Autumn (she's 3 already), and her wonderful mommy, my oldest daughter Amber.

It's really that simple.

My only boy... he's turning into a young man so quickly.

You'll be a rep/distributor for It Works! Global. We offer a variety of products made from natural ingredients for improving overall health, weight loss, and skin care. 

I work from my cell phone on social media (putting up the posts you've seen on my Facebook & Instagram account), grow my followers, talk to people and answer any of their questions about the products, and when they are ready to order I show them how to do it on my website. The company ships the product to them and I get paid! 

I also do this through personal group appointments and/or parties as well as with people I know and meet. We basically get paid to talk to people. The more people you talk to, the more your business grows, the more money you make!

Let's reach our dreams together; email me to get started petulawrites (at) gmail (dot) com or leave a comment below with your contact information and I can get in touch with you. If you aren't interested in the business opportunity and would like to purchase something for your health and wellbeing or as a gift for someone else, leave a comment below.

Whatever you decide, I appreciate you taking the time to read this. While you're here click on a couple of links in this post to explore some of the other things I write about.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary digital copy of Cheryl Bridge’s book “Me, Myself, & I ~ 28 Days of Creative Self-Love”. My opinion and my inner wisdom are authentic and 100% my own. For more, please read my complete disclosure policy.

"more than just a book! It's a multi-dimensional exploration about how we can learn to love all of the different parts of ourselves (including the parts that are hard to love). The book includes inspiring pictures and artwork, links to uplifting music, plus creative exercises and journaling reflections that will empower you to bring more self-love into your life. More than that, this book offers you an invitation to open up and reconnect with the beauty of who you really are."

For some of you the weather is getting a bit too cool for outdoor grilling, but if you're a die-hard, year-round griller then you'll appreciate the Kabob Skewers Rack. As a  matter of fact, even if you'll only be cooking from your kitchen you can still use the skewer set for an amazing grilled-inspired meal.

1. That small bit of elevation makes the difference between food sticking to the grill or pan and it being easily removed it and ready to eat in little time.
2. With square skewers, you're able to evenly cook the food with little effort.
3. Easy, breezy cleanup and storage means little time in the kitchen.

I received a complimentary box of Tastykake Minis to facilitate my review; however, any opinions expressed here are my own honest commentary. See my disclosure policy for more information.

My camera was not cooperative and only the above photo was presentable enough to share.

This post contains affiliate links, which I earn a small portion from any purchase you make or program you sign up for. Read my complete disclosure policy.

Whether we want to believe it or not, it's already time for holiday shopping. Halloween hasn't arrived yet and we haven't enjoyed our Thanksgiving turkey, but that hasn't stopped retailers from putting out Christmas decorations and running ads about Christmas shopping. 

Just the other day when I was in Walmart to get a sketchbook I became distracted by the cutest Disney ornaments. Although I didn't purchase any ornaments (yet), the display reminded me to begin thinking about holiday shopping for the kids and, ultimately, this post to share with you. If you're like me you may not be ready to begin shopping for the holidays, but you are going to have to get over it (I did!) so you can save some money.

1. Shop early. I know this is a tried and true tip, but it never hurts to mention it. I know I need a reminder every year because I'm one of those individuals who waits until the end of November before I start shopping - sometimes later. In fact, it's seeing the ornaments on display that fueled me to get organized and start shopping.
2. Use layaway. If you wait until the last minute layaway is not going to help you. In the long run, you're more likely to spend more money because all the deals are gone and there won't be as many things to choose from. This is especially important if you're looking for specialty or popular items. How long do you think Disney's Frozen products will last? Or Star Wars? Get it now before it's too late and put it on layaway. You'll be able to pay on it over the next two months and pick it up when you're ready to wrap gifts. I started a layaway for the children a couple of days ago. (The bike pictured above is the same brand (Huffy) and similar to the one I'm telling you about.)

3. Shop during sales. Thanks to a sale (or in this instance, a rollback at Walmart) and layaway, I was able to put three bicycles away for my children. I really scored with one, which was more than $90 and because of a stain on the seat I'm getting it for $70. ($88 on rollback plus percentage off for stain!) I may add a couple of other items to the layaway, but at least I have the big things taken care of and the purchase price will be more manageable over the next two months.
4. Earn cash back. If you're going to shop online, it only makes sense to shop through a site where you earn cash back. The one I use is Ebates, which is free and easy to use. You can use this resource in a few ways, but I do one of two things each time I shop. a) click on a store's link directly from the site. b) activate the Ebates toolbar and click "activate coupons" when it pops up on a retailer's site. Each store's percentage off is a bit different. For instance, Kohl's was 3% cash back and recently they raised it to 6%. You can use your cash back to buy yourself something special or put that money in your savings account for next year or an upcoming birthday.
5. Earn gift cards. This may not appeal to everyone, but if you waste any time during your day why not spend it earning gift cards. I use Swagbucks and MyPoints. They're pretty simple to use; utilize their search engines, take surveys and read offers to earn points. Once your points are earned you can then cash them in for gift cards to popular retailers. I've earned gift cards from them as well as Bing. You just have to investigate them and see which works best for you.
6. Save your pennies. Choose a savings program that works for you. I'm sure you're aware of them. For instance, save $1 the first week, $2 the next week, $3 the next and so on - know what I'm referring to? My oldest daughter and I chose an easy one. Starting with a penny on the first day we just add a penny for each subsequent day. If you started on October 1st you'd have 15 cents by today.

Atlanta, Georgia - For a lot of people, cooler weather means spending more time inside. Before you snuggle down for the winter there are still fun things left to experience and enjoy outside. Coming up in a couple of weeks is The 4th Atlanta World Kite Festival and Expo for kite flying, food and fun at Piedmont Park in The Meadow.

This free event is open to the public and hosted by the City of Atlanta and Atlanta World Kite Festival and Expo, LLC. The festival was created to encourage community among the many international communities and families that make Atlanta a cultural melting pot.

It's going to be a fun, family-friendly event so everyone should bring their kites or make one there at the 2nd Annual Kite Decorating Contest or, in honor of fall, try your hand at pumpkin decorating for the 4th Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest. There will be tons of food and entertainments for kids and those who are kids at heart. In addition to flying kites, there will be live music, international food vendors, artists and representatives  from a variety of community and non-profit organizations.

The festivities begin at 1 p.m. and last until 6 p.m. at The Meadow at Piedmont Park, which is located on the corner of 10th Street and Monroe Drive and across the street from Grady High School. Visit AtlantaWorldKiteFestival.com for more information and follow them on social media: Twitter @Ilovekites.

http://www.atlantaworldkitefestival.com/

30 Things About My Invisible Illness - This week, up until Sunday the 4th, is Invisible Illness Awareness Week and I've shared 30 things about my illnesses (all invisible) that many people don't know. This post gives you a peek into my life and, if this applies to you it will give you some tips on understanding a friend or family member who is living with an invisible illness.

Photo Fixes and Fun with Fotor.com - I hate to admit it - again! - but I am pretty horrible at creating graphics and eye-eppealing photos. That's why I test out a lot of photo editing sites and programs. Hopefully, one day soon, I will master one of these online photo editing tools and right now I'm leaning toward Fotor. It's fairly easy to use and has tons of options.


What I Learned My First Year as a Grandmother - My granddaughter Autumn just turned 3 years old last month and these past three years have been amazing. The love a grandparent has for a grandchild is definitely a new experience filled with so many blessings, joys, barrels of love, concerns and a sorta weird sense of accomplishment. :-) 

Memory Lane: Thoughts of Daddy - My father passed away when I was 9 years old and it was hard on me on the young me. And, as a matter of fact, over the years it has been hard on the adult me. I still miss my daddy so much and I love sharing his memories with others.

What's a Writer to Do? 3 Tips to Deal with Life's Distractions - Regardless of where you are in life there always seems to be something distracting you from what you should be doing. I've written three tips that I think can help you deal with life's distrations.