Just because Christmas was last week, does not mean the holidays are over. There is still plenty of time to get your gifts out, even the week after Christmas.  I do almost all of my shopping online and I’m always looking for a great deal and thanks to UPS-My Choice…I always have the option to get a great deal on shipping something. UPS is committed to making the on line shopping experience better – not just for shippers, but for the consumers who receive packages at their home as well. That’s why UPS is transforming the package delivery experience with a first-of-its kind, customizable delivery service for residential receivers called UPS My Choice.

There is nothing worse than ordering a package and you’re not there to get it. Can I get an AMEN? So many times I order something and then MISS it!  UPS My Choice helps avoid the disappointment and hassle of missing a home delivery by empowering consumers to take control of their UPS deliveries. This ground-breaking service increases the likelihood of a successful delivery on the first attempt by providing delivery alerts, specific delivery time frames, reroute options, a visibility dashboard and electronic signature release – all by accessing ups.com through a computer or mobile phone.

There of course are even more benefits to becoming a customer of UPS-My Choice

• UPS My Choice members receive phone, e-mail or text alerts notifying them a day in advance of when packages will arrive and providing a four-hour approximate delivery time frame. They also have the option to electronically authorize release of packages that require a signature and, for a $5 transaction fee, to reroute a package to another delivery address or have it delivered to the nearest The UPS Store® location.
• UPS My Choice Premium Membership, available for a $40 annual subscription, provides all the benefits of a regular UPS My Choice membership at no additional cost and in addition, members gain access to an online delivery calendar that shows the status of UPS home deliveries. Premium members also are offered a two-hour delivery window. A $5 transaction fee is charged only upon successful delivery of the package within the two-hour commitment.
• As a Premium member, consumers can even provide their UPS driver with detailed instructions on where to leave a package. They  just select from a drop-down list of location options like — leave it at the Side Door…the Garage…on the Porch…in the Management Office of my apartment complex or the Shed out back!

Don’t miss out on getting your packages delivered for the holidays and year round! Not to mention all of those great gifts you can get on sale after the holidays! To register for UPS-My Choice visit the link provided.

Speaking of UPS–They just pulled up! 

PS. Visit UPS on Facebook and Twitter!

I received compensation from UPS in the form of a gift card to participate in this campaign promoting the UPS My Choice delivery service.

Thanksgiving has passed us by but we should still take the time to remain thankful. Christmas is in a few weeks and I think it’s a great time to help those who are in need. Many of us still have children in diapers. Many of us also know a military family who might have a loved one serving right now. The next couple of weeks are a great way to help military families who are in need.

Huggies has released a really neat version of their diaper. It’s called a Camo diaper and the limited edition diapers are designed to also fund Operation Homefront. You may be wondering how you can help.

1. Visit the Huggies Camo website and take a look around the website.
2. Create a Camo Card: For every Camo Card created, Huggies will donate a diaper to a military family. Each submission also goes towards our ultimate goal of 500,000 diapers donated! (The Camo Card helps show your thankfulness to those who have served.)
3. Purchase Huggies® Limited Edition Cam0 Diapers-For every purchase, Huggies will donate to Operation Homefront, which provides emergency assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors.

Remember that Huggies and Wal-Mart are partnering with you to help deliver the best to our military families. After all, if it were not for their sacrifices…where would we be today?

These Huggies Camo Diapers are limited edition so make sure to get yours ASAP! I’ll be purchasing mine soon and I will be sure to put up a picture.

Huggies Camo Diapers will only be at Walmart for a limited time so act quickly and help us spread the word to support military families today!

If you’re that rare parent that has children who are not only willing to study and do homework each night, but they do so on heir own, without any help or encouragement on your part, then you should come back to this article in a few years when your kids starts rebelling.  For the rest of you that have children who either flat refuse to study, lie about their homework, or simply have trouble concentrating on the task at hand, this information is for you!  Most children, at some point, will become more interested in watching TV, playing games, or hanging out with friends than doing their homework or studying for tests.  As a parent it is your duty to ensure that they’re doing everything they can to get good grades and make it to adulthood as capable and learned individuals.  So if you’re having trouble reconciling the desires of your kids with their educational requirements, then here are just a few ways to help improve their study habits.

1.Schedule it in.  Most kids these days have a variety of scheduled activities like sports and music lessons to fill their after-school time.  But homework is the real priority, so make sure to schedule it in with everything else.  Just remember that your children are not machines.  They need breaks, snacks, and other concessions that as an adult, you may forego.  So make sure that they have had a chance to unwind and fuel up before they have to sit down and focus on their homework.

2.Keep a calendar.  Your kids are not bookkeepers.  Without reminders about test dates and projects they can easily forget upcoming events until the last minute.  By putting these important dates on the calendar, you and your child can both stay up-to-date and ensure that proper studying and homework milestones are met in order to avoid cramming at the last minute.

3.Lend a hand.  If your children fail at their studies, you can certainly have them tested for defects or blame the schools, but the truth is that their ultimate success or failure may rest squarely on your shoulders.  It is your responsibility to ensure that your kids have everything they need to be successful, especially when it comes to education, and that means taking the time to check up on their progress frequently (not just when the report card shows up or you get a call from the teacher).  So make yourself available to help with homework and always check what your kids have accomplished before you let them out to play or send them off to bed.

4.Offer praise.  Kids are motivated in two ways: they either want rewards or they want to avoid punishment.  Each child will likely be motivated more by one or the other, but by offering them constructive criticism and solutions when you catch them doing something wrong and giving them frequent (but proportionate) praise when they do things right, you’ll find that your kids are a lot more likely to do their homework (and do it well).

5.Hire a tutor.  This should be your last resort.  But if you work a lot or your children need more help than you can offer (if they face special challenges or have reached a level of study that is beyond your ability, for example) then you need to take steps to ensure that they have every opportunity to succeed in their studies.

Sarah Danielson writes for Go College where you can find helpful information on counseling scholarships and how to go about choosing your college major.

By now, many of you may had started your search for the perfect Father’s Day Gift.  When searching for a gift for the man in your life, that process may not always be an easy one.  Sometimes it involves reading your partner and knowing what exactly it is they like.   With the help of RedEnvelope, that process can a bit easier for you.

With so many Unique Ideas for Dad, RedEnvelope has something for just about everyone.  They have tons of ideas!  Wheter your guy is into gadgets, traveling or just an average Joe, there is surely something that would suit him perfectly.  

Shopping for my husband is pretty easy.  If it has anything to do with sports, technology, or music then he is sure to love it.  But what do you get a guy who has everything?   This time around, I knew I wanted to go with something practical so I chose a pair of  men’s nickname pajamas.  I wanted something he could really use and thought the idea of having them personalized would be fun. 

When the package arrived, I knew I made the right decision.  They were perfect!

I was very impressed with the quality of the PJ’s and they felt super comfortable.  I just knew my husband would LOVE them too!!  I was pleased with my selection knowing that I made a great choice.

Father’s Day is just around the corner, so are you ready?  If you are looking for Father’s Day Gifts to Remember then RedEnvelope is a good place to start.  To help you get started, RedEnvelope has generously offered a GIVEAWAY for you my awesome readers.

Win It!

One lucky winner will receive a $50 GIFT CODE TO REDENVELOPE.  The coupon will be valid through December 31,2011 and if you like them on Facebook you can get a 20% discount on your order!

To enter to win, you can do any or all of the following, but please leave a comment for each as it will count as your entry:

Mandatory Entry:

Visit RedEnvelope and leave a comment telling me what you get for the DAD in your life if you won!

Extra Entries

Like Cocktails with Mom on  Facebook
Like RedEnvelope on Facebook —(You get a 20% off discount by doing this too! )
Subscribe to my blog via email or rss feed (2 Entries)
Follow this blog on Google Friend Connect
Like/Share This Post (below)
Add my text link or button to your blogroll (5 entries)
Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post (Come back and let me know that you did!)(can be done up to 5 times)
Blog about this giveaway and link back to Cocktails with Mom! ( 5 entries)
Enter one of my other current giveaways
Follow Cocktails with Mom on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. Leave your Tweet Link. (2 tweets per DAY is allowed)
Tweet: Win a $50 Gift Certificate from @RedEnvelope for Father’s Day! #giveaway @momcocktails http://t.co/LSczDGx  ends 6/18

 Rules:
Open to US
Include email address with first entry
Winner will be chosen by random
Giveaway ends 6/18/11 at 11:59 P.M. CST
Winner will be emailed and must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be selected.

Disclaimer: The featured products were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone.

Even if your kids are still in diapers, the realities of the cost of a college education will be upon you before you know it.  Eighteen years will go by in a flash and you’ll be facing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees to secure a higher education for your kids.  Although many students will have to take out loans (and take on debt) in order to complete their schooling, you can certainly do your part now to make sure they have a little less burden when the time comes.  You are, after all, responsible for their well-being (and you certainly don’t want to be saddled with the outrageous bills that come with acceptance into prestigious universities).  Here are just a few good reasons to start contributing to the college fund the moment you bring your bundle of joy home from the hospital.

1. Save a little now, save a lot later.  Even if you’re only putting $100 a month into savings, you’ll have socked away over $20,000 (plus interest) by the time your child is ready to go off to college.  Can you imagine having to cough up that same amount on the spot because you didn’t bother to save a dime?
2. No debt.  Can you imagine how different your life would be if you had come out of college without owing a single cent?  You could have put a down payment on a house sooner, started your own business, or even just set off into the world with a clean slate.  You can do that for your kids.
3. Tax-free savings plans.  Many states offer plans specifically aimed at encouraging parents to save for the future education of their kids.  There will be no write-off for money put into the account, but it will grow interest-free and can be withdrawn tax-free to pay for tuition and other college expenses down the road.  And if your child gets a scholarship, you can withdraw an equal amount of money.
4. Rising cost of tuition.  Did you know that the cost of tuition is going up at twice the rate of inflation?  So even if you’re receiving cost-of-living increases annually at your job, you will still be behind when you have to start paying for your child’s college education.  That’s a pretty big incentive to get on the ball.
5. Increased earning potential.  If your child is able to graduate from college, they stand to earn twice the money of someone who doesn’t (or more, in some cases).  This makes the likelihood of them living in your basement until they’re 30 much smaller.
6. You can’t count on financial aid.  Federal funding for low-income families is great, but you may not be eligible (and who knows where the government will be in another 10 or 20 years).  Don’t count on any help.
7. Compound interest.  Whether you start a standard savings account or you opt to purchase certificates of deposit (CDs) every six months, you can earn on both the money you put in and the interest it accumulates.  Just a note: long-term CDs (up to 5 years) will net you the best percentage, although they tend to top out around 3%.

Sarah Danielson writes for PO Financing you can grow your business and pave the way for more.

Sundays are my days to relax and unwwind after a long stressful week.   Wheter it be time spent alone or in the company fo my family,  it is a day of pure realaxation.  One thing I’ve learned over the years is that finding ways to relax is just one key to enjoying all that life has to offer and sometimes we just need to sit back and enjoy the “View”. 

Here are some of my favorite views that I find relaxing.

Staring at the Beautiful Skies

Bird Watching

Enjoying Nature- Serene Swan

Relaxing on a Park Bench 

   Enjoying a Beautiful Sunset

So whatever you may be doing today, I hope you take some time and enjoy your view!

**Name:  Jessi
  Blog: www.jabberingjessi.com

1. To help us get a better idea of your personality, please describe yourself in 3 words.  Fun, talkative, easy-going
2.  What is the name of your blog and how did you come up with its name? Jabbering Jessi, because I love to talk a lot and my first name is Jessi it just seemed natural and has been natural and very true to it’s name since I started.
3. When did you begin blogging and how did you get started?  I started out doing personal blog posts when my daughter was born in 2007 as a way to let my frustrations out.  Then I realized other people were doing reviews of products and thought I can do that and so I pitched for my first product and have been doing it ever since.
4. Is there any one thing you think sets you apart from other blogs/bloggers? I think my large family is for sure a difference not many bloggers I noticed have as many kids as I do, or perhaps it is just because I have not visited that many blogs.  The age gap in my children also makes it much easier for me to review a larger diversity of products because I can do baby and tween products both at the same time.
5. How much personality do you think comes through on your blog?  I think that all of my personality shines through when I write.  My run on sentences and lack of punctuation is just how I talk and just how I write.
6. If you could eat anything in the world without gaining weight, what would it be?  It would be a seven layer, seventh heaven cake.  But that would also have to be without being sick because man that is sweet.
7. Pepsi or Coke? Pepsi
8. Peter Facinelli or  Mike “the Situation”  Peter Facinelli no question about it.
9. If there was anything you could change about yourself, what would it be?  My weight, I need to take some initivae and get my weight back down to what I was before I had my kids.
10. What is your favorite way to relax?  A hot bubble bath with a book by some candle light.
11. Fake hair or Fails Nails?  Fake nails
12. If your life was a reality show, what would it be called?  The Crazy Life of a Wife, Blogger & Mother of four
13. Name one thing you cannot live without?  My laptop because without it I could not run my blog.
14. What is something “not” a lot of people know about you but you WISH more people did know OR wish they didn’t know?  That I love to bake and work with fondant I just never have enough time to do it.
15. Now this wouldn’t be happy hour if I didn’t ask…so what is your favorite cocktail? My favorite cocktail by far is a Blue Motorcycle

You can find Jessi at her blog  daily.    Stop by to say hello and let her know I sent you.   You can also connect with her  on Twitter @jabberingjessi  and FaceBook .

Cheers!

I’ve been suffering from a sore stiff neck lately and I couldn’t figure out if it was the way I was sleeping or the worn out pillow I’ve been using.  I’ve been trying to troubleshoot the situation by altering my sleeping style but still no relief.  Recently my husband has had the same complaints.   I then figured  it MUST be the pillows.  

Since I’m not sure what type of sleeper I am,  finding the right pillow has been challenging for me.  I tend to sleep on my side, stomach AND back so I’ve tried ALL types of pillows.  Some for back sleepers ….some for side sleepers and I am still searching for the perfect pillow.  I’m starting to wonder if there really is a so called perfect pillow for me.

Recently, I was able to try out the Tempur-Pedic® Medium Neck Pillow from Sleepy’s, the Mattress Professional which is recommended for those who desire not only a better night’s sleep but also need a more therapeutic sleep.   

That surely sounds like the pillow for me so I was anxious to give it a try.  The first two nights I had to get used to the pillow but on night number three, I was sleeping like a baby.  I now love this pillow. The hardest part for me though is sleeping on my back all the time but l’m getting used to it.  I have noticed less neck pain also which is good.  I’m not sure if this pillow is designed for side sleepers but I will give it a try a few nights and let you know.

The design and function of the pillow is pretty neat.  The pillow is apparently made out of this heat-sensitive material that molds to your exact body shape to evenly distribute weight and pressure. It also has a dual-lobe design to supports the curve created by your head, neck and shoulders to properly align your spine and give you a perfect night’s sleep.

I must say, I have been sleeping better and definitely recommend the Tempur-Pedic Neck Pillow.  But if I’m going to do so, I must be fair and share with you both the positives and negatives.  I had to actually wait about a week before trying out the pillow.  Within the first week of attempting to test out the pillow, I noticed a scent that I could not tolerate very well.   It didn’t bother my husband much but it was very noticeable to me maybe due to my extra sensitive nose.    But by the end of the week, the scent /odor was barely detectable.  Once I got passed that, I realized it is probably one of the most comfortable pillows I have owned today.  Another plus about Tempur-Pedic pillows is that they feature anti-allergy covers that are hypoallergenic and remove easily for washing. The covers also repel those nasty little dust mites that inhabit conventional pillows and cause major indoor allergens.

 Where to Buy: You can purchase the Tempur-Pedic  Medium Neck Pillow for$ 99.00 at www.sleepys.com.

 Win It!

One lucky reader will win a Tempur-Pedic  Medium Neck Pillow to try for themselves.

HERE’S HOW TO WIN!  (Please remember to have your email in your entry or viewable in your profile in order to win)

Mandatory Entry!

Visit sleepy’s.com and tell me of another product that will help you get a good night’s sleep.

 Extra Entries: (leave a separate comment for each!)

Like Cocktails With Mom on Facebook

Like Sleepy’s on Facebook

Follow my blog publicly via Google friend Connect

Subscribe to our email updates  (3 Entries)

Enter one of my current giveaways

Share this giveaway with your Facebook friends.  Please include the link to this giveaway then come back here and tell us you shared. (3 Entries)

Add our text link or button to your blogroll (5 entries)

Blog about this giveaway and link back to Cocktails with Mom! ( 5 entries)

Follow @momcocktails and @sleepys on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway!  Can be done twice daily, with 4 hours between tweets.

I just entered the @momcocktails  Tempur-Pedic  Medium Neck Pillow #giveaway (ARV $99) http://bit.ly/gpm3lC ends 3/21

Rules:

Open to US
Include email address with first entry
Winner will be chosen by random
Giveaway ends 3/21/11 at 11:59 P.M. CST
Winner will be emailed and must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be selected.

Disclosure:  I was provided with a free product for the purpose of writing this review/ giveaway. No type of monetary compensation was received. The opinions expressed are still 100% mine.

OH MY!  Can you believe that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner?  In addition to a few other holidays, V-Day is definitely on top as one of my favorites.  I can’t help it, I’m a hopeless romantic with a sense of humor so for me, Valentine’s Day can be lots of FUN!

 When showing your appreciation to your loved ones, money doesn’t have to be a spoiler; all you need is just a bit of imagination, a little taste and a lot of gratitude to show them that you care.

Red Envelope offers unique and personalized gifts for every occasion.  They have you covered in just about every way!   While browsing the site I came across some very interesting and heart- warming gifts that can really leave a lasting impression.

 For instance, the Gift of year long candles.   Why not melt her heart away with these romantic sentiments of love.   A very thoughtful gift that will last all year long.  A candle for each month enclosed in a small box with a love-related word and definition on top. 

 And what about a jewelry tree?  This is the perfect gift for someone who already has her share of fine jewelry, now she can showcase it and admire it each day.  It is also a great gift for someone who is looking to grow and expand her jewelry collection.    This is a great gift to hold rings, bracelets and necklaces that can be kept all in once organized place.

Did someone say chocolate?  Now what’s Valentine’s Day without chocolate?  I could not resist sharing these with you.  Here’s one for both the lady and guy in your life.

And let’s not forget about Dad!  Whether it’s all about the beer, the billiards or the sports, this personalized sign will definitely please.  These personalized signs would add great fun and personality to any garage, home bar, man cave or any special place your guy calls his own.  You can even get them customized with your choice of name or nick name.

No matter if you are shopping for gifts for her or gifts for him you are going to find the perfect gift at Red Envelope! You can send a message that comes straight from the heart and without breaking the bank.

Win it!
One lucky US Reader will win a $50 gift certificate to Red Envelope!

HERE’S HOW TO WIN!… (Please remember you must have your email in your entry or viewable in your profile in order to win)

 Mandatory Entry!

Visit RedEnvelope.com and let me know what you would choose for Valentine’s Day for a loved one, or yourself! (Besides the items mentioned in this post)

Extra Entries: ( leave a separate comment for each!)

• Be a current email/rss subscriber to this blog (new or existing)MUST CONFIRM(3 Entries)
• Follow me on Google Friend Connect
• Like Cocktails With Mom on Facebook
• Share this giveaway with your friends on your Facebook Page with the link to this post then come back here and tell us you shared. (3 Entries)
• Add our text link or button to your blogroll (5 entries)
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to Cocktails with Mom! ( 5 entries)

Follow Cocktails With Mom  and @RedEnvelope on Twitter!  and Tweet about this giveaway!  Can be done 3 times daily, there must be 4 hours between tweets.

Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day Gift? Win a $50 GC to @RedEnvelope via @momcocktails http://bit.ly/hyv8tB #giveaway ends 2/10/11

Rules:
Open to US. 
Include email address with first entry 
Winner will be chosen by random 
Giveaway ends Feb 10 at 11:59 P.M. CST 
Winner will be emailed and must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be selected.

Disclaimer:  Thanks to Red Envelope for providing a GC for myself and for the purpose of hosting this giveaway.   All thoughts are that of my own. No other compensation was provided

If you like this giveaway..check out some of my bloggy friends who are giving away Red Envelop Gift Card TOO!

A Happy Hippy Mom   The Surburban Mom   For the Love of Baby  Delectible Mommies   My Silly Monkey’s   Busy Mommy   Three Different Directions   Being Alison    The Divine Miss Mommy   Blessings Abound Mommy  Shibley Smiles   The One Fantastical   2 Wired 2 Tired   Blommi

Heartburn is one of those nasty sensations I can definitely do without.  If you’re one of the 40 perfect of Americans who suffer from heartburn, then you know what I’m talking about.   Sufferers basically have two options. One… you make the necessary changes to your diet or Two…. you deal with the awful symptoms and not let a little heartburn detour you from your favorite foods.   You choose!

There are a lot ways on how to get rid of heartburn and its symptoms. Some are medicinal and some are natural, so take your pick.  Heartburn can occur after consuming spicy, fried, or fatty food.  Alcohol, chocolate and even ketchup can be a culprit, but thanks to Prilosec, you can have a little relief in no time.

 Prilosec OTC is a heartburn medication that you take daily to help prevent heartburn. This medication works for 24 hours by shutting down many of the acid pumps in your stomach. Prilosec OTC is made to be taken for 14 days continuously up to 3 times per year.

Deal Alert!

For a limited time, you can purchase two 42-count Prilosec OTC products in one single transaction and receive a $25 gift card in the mail.  This deal ends February 15, so stock up now and don’t let that nagging heartburn get you down.   All of the details and where to download the rebate form is here. You do have until March 1, 2011 to mail in the UPCs, rebate form, and receipt.

Prilosec OTC can be purchased at drugstores nationwide and on Amazon.com
.

Win It!!!

One Cocktails with Mom reader will a $100 AMEX giftcard as well as special Prilosec OTC gift pack! 

HERE’S HOW TO WIN!… (Please remember you must have your email in your entry or viewable in your profile in order to win)

 Mandatory Entry!

Leave a comment tell me your favorite guilty-pleasure food….

Extra Entries: ( leave a separate comment for each!)

• Be a current email/rss subscriber to this blog (new or existing)MUST CONFIRM(3 Entries)
• Follow me on Google Friend Connect
• Like Cocktails With Mom on Facebook
• Like the Prilosec OTC Facebook Page.
• Share this giveaway with your friends on your Facebook Page with the link to this post then come back here and tell us you shared. (3 Entries)
• Add our text link or button to your blogroll (5 entries)
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to Cocktails with Mom! ( 5 entries)
• Follow Cocktails With Mom  and @PrilosecOTC  on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway!  Can be done 3 times daily, there must be 2 hours between tweets.

 Tweet: #Win a $100 AMEX GC and a special gift pack from @Prilosecotc on @MomCocktails #POTCBOGO  http://bit.ly/ewG68a PLS RT ends 1/29

Rules:
Open to US. 
Include email address with first entry 
Winner will be chosen by random 
Giveaway ends January 29th at 11:59 P.M. CST 
Winner will be emailed and must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be selected.

Disclaimer: I am hosting this giveaway and sharing the deal for free. No other compensation was provided.