May There Always Be Books Giveaway Hop! Win $10 to Amazon, B&N, Chapters or Book Depository


This hop is hosted by Literary Addicts and is from May 20 at 12:00am – May 31 @11:59pm EST.

Acting Balanced is giving away your choice of one: $10 Amazon, $10 B&N, $10 Chapters or $10 (US) in books from the Book Depository
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Follow the Hop
Posted by Heather Smith at 5/20/2013 | Labels: | Comments

Monday Quiz About Me - a great way to start your week! #MQAM

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic - sorry it's late getting up and last week was missing, but it's been crazy busy here at Never-Stay-At-Home mom headquarters... and my computer died tonight so I am on Robyn's...  Wayne is still on hiatus...

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like:


Acting Balanced

 Here are the Questions:
1. May is National Asparagus Month - do you like it?  Haves a favorite recipe?
2. May is also National Salad month... what's your favorite salad?
3. Laundry Question: Fabric Softener yea or nay?  How do you keep your clothes soft and static free?
4. Do you speak more than one language?  What language would you love to learn?
And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!



1. May is National Asparagus Month - do you like it?  Have a favorite recipe?

 Luv me some Asparagus... sauted in a little olive oil and garlic... yum!  I also make a yummy fritatta and soup!

2. May is also National Salad month... what's your favorite salad?

 I haven't really met a salad I didn't like, but I am totally partial to Greek Salads with big chunks of Feta Cheese...

3. Laundry Question: Fabric Softener yea or nay?  How do you keep your clothes soft and static free?

 I started using Bounce Dryer Bars a few years ago and LOVE them!  So easy and effective!

4. Do you speak more than one language?  What language would you love to learn?



I speak enough french to get me into trouble but not enough to get out of it... I'd love to learn German and Chinese.

My 5th question this week is ... 

Have you found your summer beach read yet?
Now, please link up and tell your friends to join us!


Posted by Heather Smith at 5/19/2013 | Labels: , , | Comments

SIMC: Swinging and Climbing with Erik









Posted by Heather Smith at 5/18/2013 | Labels: , , , | Comments

Wrote a great blog post? Share it with Thirsty for Comments!

Welcome to Thirsty for Comments  Get comfy, grab your favorite hot or cold beverage, link up a great post from this week (or even earlier) and visit some other great blogs to comment!
Grab our badge for your sidebar or post:
Acting Balanced
What is Thirsty for Comments?
This is a blog hop dedicated to giving good comment - please, when you are visiting, actually READ the post that is linked and make a thoughtful comment!
This is NOT a hop for "I'm here from the hop, follow me back" comments!
Link up your own SPECIFIC POST that you'd like comments on - remember - no giveaways!
*****************************************
The rules are simple -
1. Link up a SPECIFIC POST (NOT just your blog URL) that you'd like to have more comments on - NO  GIVEAWAYS or OTHER BLOG HOPS - they will be deleted
2. Visit AT LEAST THREE other blogs and READ the posts and then comment thoughtfully on the post.
Extras (nice but not required):
  • Add the Thirsty for Comments button to your post
  • Blog about Thirsty for Comments
  • Add Thirsty for Comments to your Meme List!
  • Leave a comment here on how we can improve Thirsty for Comments :)
Posted by Heather Smith at 5/16/2013 | | Comments

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Swinging into Spring



Please link up your WW post here:



Posted by Heather Smith at 5/13/2013 | | Comments

Sponsored Giveaway: Publix & Yoplait Greek 100 Yogurt are a great way to save this month!



It's almost swimsuit season, and Publix® invites you to dive in with a little help from Yoplait Greek 100 Yogurt.

New Yoplait Greek 100 is a tasty way to approach swimsuit season. It's everything you adore about Greek yogurt, with just 100 calories. Come into Publix® May 11th - 31st to save on irresistible flavors like Black Cherry, Lemon, Mixed Berry, Peach, Tropical and more — 10 for just $10! Sample all the delicious flavors of Yoplait Greek 100 at Publix®.

Robyn made herself a yummy smoothie this morning with Yoplait Greek 100 Yogurt - 

1 cup frozen blueberries
1 container Yoplait Greek 100 Peach Yogurt
1 cup crushed ice
1/4 cup milk


Which flavor are you most excited about?  You can enter to win 4 free One Cup Yoplait Greek 100 yogurts and a $25 Publix GC!  Just fill out the rafflecopter form below!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted by Heather Smith at 5/12/2013 | Labels: , | Comments

Monday Quiz - Back after hiatus! Come and link up!

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic - sorry it's late getting up and last week was missing, but it's been crazy busy here at Never-Stay-At-Home mom headquarters...

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like:


Acting Balanced

 Here are the Questions:

1. What did you do for Mother's Day?
2. What was the best advice your mother (or a mother figure) gave you?
3. Are you gardening this year?  What have you/will you plant
4. What is the first song that comes to mind today?

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!



1. What did you do for Mother's Day?

I hung out with my kids... Erik was generous enough to start out my day with a special 3 AM wake up call, then after napping for a bit we went out for dinner... our original plan was to head to Olive Garden, but that wasn't so original - there was already an hour and a half wait by the time we arrived 'early' at 5:30...

2. What was the best advice your mother (or a mother figure) gave you?

Everything gets better after a cup of tea...

3. Are you gardening this year?  What have you/will you plant

We're container gardening again... strawberries, tomatoes and roses this year...

4. What is the first song that comes to mind today?





My 5th question this week is ... 

What chore do you dislike doing the most?
Now, please link up and tell your friends to join us!


Posted by Heather Smith at 5/12/2013 | | Comments

It's time to link up a great post for Thirsty for Comments!

Welcome to Thirsty for Comments  Get comfy, grab your favorite hot or cold beverage, link up a great post from this week (or even earlier) and visit some other great blogs to comment!
Grab our badge for your sidebar or post:
Acting Balanced
What is Thirsty for Comments?
This is a blog hop dedicated to giving good comment - please, when you are visiting, actually READ the post that is linked and make a thoughtful comment!
This is NOT a hop for "I'm here from the hop, follow me back" comments!
Link up your own SPECIFIC POST that you'd like comments on - remember - no giveaways!
*****************************************
The rules are simple -
1. Link up a SPECIFIC POST (NOT just your blog URL) that you'd like to have more comments on - NO  GIVEAWAYS or OTHER BLOG HOPS - they will be deleted
2. Visit AT LEAST THREE other blogs and READ the posts and then comment thoughtfully on the post.
Extras (nice but not required):
  • Add the Thirsty for Comments button to your post
  • Blog about Thirsty for Comments
  • Add Thirsty for Comments to your Meme List!
  • Leave a comment here on how we can improve Thirsty for Comments :)
Posted by Heather Smith at 5/08/2013 | | Comments

Wordless Wednesday: #Conairdidmyhair Twice at #SoFabCon



 Once for me and the second for 80's night... how fun!

Now please link your own ww posts up here:




Posted by Heather Smith at 5/08/2013 | | Comments

Never Stay At Home Mom's Gift Idea & Giveaway: Ritzpix Personalized Travel Mug or Photo Mug


As a never-stay-at-home mom I love being able to take my kids with me when I travel... sometimes...

The kids are never really far from my thoughts or my heart, but I can say that this past weekend at SoFabCon was a refreshing change from hotel travelling with the kids - I had one roommate instead of four, I had my own bed and no one hogged the covers, and we came to an amicable schedule for showering and getting ready that didn't involve any whining, dragging of feet or tantrums... There was no one banging doors or hiding in the closet and if I put something down it stayed down... but I didn't want to go without taking something of my kids so when RitzPix.com offered to let me poke around their site and make a photo gift, I knew that I had hit on something that I could personalize and would totally fit into my lifestyle: A Travel Mug!

The RitzPix.com site lets you design unique photo gifts including mugs, shirts, iPhone cases, photo books and more. It’s a great place to go when gift shopping for Mother’s Day, Father’s day or even graduation gifts.  It was really simple to browse the site and they offer scrolling coupons in the upper right hand corner of their site to let you get more bang for your buck!

 I quickly found exactly what I wanted, the stainless steel travel mug - 
  • Photos applied directly to steel surface for a reflective metallic look
  • Travel Mugs hold 14oz. and include lid
  • $24.99 Each
The whole process only took about ten minutes, including the time I took hemming and hawing between cute photos of my kids to upload my picture and place my order!  Within a week I had my new mug in hand and I was ready to take my kids to SoFabCon in spirit!  It was so easy that I added a latte mug to my order for when I actually get to have a drink at home!


The only thing I wish is that there was a way to request an opaque white background for the stainless steel travel mug, but I truly do like how they came out.  The travel mug itself has a great lid with a twist open spout and very few parts which makes it really easy to hand wash - neither mug is dishwasher safe because of the custom photography.  The stainless steel mug has great insulation and worked great to transport hot beverages!   Of course I had to pack it in my checked baggage or bring it to the airport empty, but it was a great way to bring my kids with me on my travels... if you've got a never stay at home mom or dad in your life or a graduate heading off to school that would love a reminder of home, you should check out ritxpix.com for a great photo gift!

One lucky Acting Balanced reader will win a $20 RitzPix.com GC - just fill out the rafflecopter form below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Posted by Heather Smith at 5/05/2013 | Labels: , , | Comments
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