Hop on over to The Other 46 wine blog and enter to win a fabulous Cherry Wood 1-Bottle Wine Accessory Gift Set valued at $52.99! This would be a beautiful gift for yourself or a wine lover! Start thinking about your holiday shopping list now. Wouldn’t it be nice to win this fabulous prize?!?!

The giveaway ends September 19, 2010 and there are several ways to enter. For complete details, click here.

Good luck!

My neighbors may just be the smartest people in the world. Why? Well, the other day they came home with a brand new PUPPY! I am not saying this because the puppy is one of the most adorable little fur balls I have ever laid eyes on either, it is all because this couple decided they are NOT ready to take the baby plunge. Perhaps living next door to us for 7 months and listening to the toddler tantrums day in and day out helped them make this well educated decision?

At least if the dog is bad, they can lock him up in a kennel or put him outside. I remember the puppy stage very well, it is a lot of work. I used to think caring for a puppy prepared me for taking care of a baby. WRONG! OMG, big difference!

While their decision to get a new dog still means lots of work for them, I highly doubt they will have to listen to the painful screaming I endured for an hour last night as my toddler fought going to bed. My ear drums are still ringing!

I thought my son was a tomato monster, until I met this guy…

He ate my ENTIRE tomato plant, all he left was the stem! I think I am going to start using Topsy Turvy and planting my garden upside down to keep critters like this away! Any other suggestions for keeping tomato hornworms (and other tomato loving insects) away?

Some days, I think I focus too much on what needs to be done instead of stopping to appreciate the little things in life. I make such a difference to my kid, he loves that I read books and play toys all day long. He knows that when he wakes from his naps, it’s going to be me that comes through his door with a smile.

Isn’t it amazing when you’re having a bad day, all it takes is a big hug from your child to wipe that negative feeling away momentarily. Also, the sound of laughter has such a calming effect. These are the precious moments that instantly make a mom feel overwhelmed with love, which can easily lead to tears.

It’s so funny, a few years ago my worries consisted of project deadlines, gossiping co-workers and demanding bosses, now I have this little person to teach morals and values to. Although some do not feel that being a stay at home mom is a real job, I encourage them to sit back and think about the lessons being taught every single day. Children are a product of their surroundings.

Guess what…the next MomDot Brandcation blogging event is being held in Orlando, Florida. Tickets are only $99 and include your accommodations from Thursday, November 4 – Sunday, November 7, 2010 in a luxury home. Develop new relationships and lasting memories! Hurry, there are only a few spots left!

For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit here. Let me know if you sign up!

The redesigned 2011 Nissan Rogue crossover SUV is designed to satisfy both the buyer’s functional and emotional needs – especially those of moms. It has an upgraded look inside and out including exterior, interior, comfort and convenience. The utility of the vehicle is enhanced by numerous storage and functionality features including an over-sized glove compartment and large center console.

In addition to looking great, it also offers a long list of standard safety features (which is most important to me) including:

• Six standard air bags,
• Front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags, and
• Roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensors for improved occupant head protection.

The 2011 Rogue offers a wide range of technology features including Nissan Intelligent KeyÔ, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, XM® Satellite Radio, Nissan Navigation System, RearView Monitor, and a Bose-developed audio system.

In addition to these great features, the 2011 Rogue now comes in four additional colors: Pearl White, Cayenne Red, Frosted Steel and Black Amethyst – along with the carryover colors, Indigo Blue, Super Black, Brilliant Silver and Platinum Graphite.

The 2011 Nissan Rogue is scheduled to go on sales at Nissan dealers nationwide on August 13, 2010. More information about the new 2011 Rogue can be found here.

Nissan has generously offered one of their press cars so I can experience the redesigned 2011 Rogue. I am very excited to get a first-hand look and test the above mentioned features.

Why is it that I can try something on inside of a store and like the image I see, but when I get home and try the clothing on I absolutely hate it? What is it about those dressing room mirrors that make me feel like clothing flatters my figure, then I look in my own mirror and scratch my head wondering what I was thinking? Thankfully, I wasn’t too quick to rip the tags off two items I purchased today so they are going back!

Seriously though, is it just me or are trick mirrors used in fitting rooms? I’m not talking about the type that security cameras are hidden behind and the people in the booth are laughing while watching us squeeze ourselves into garments that we should know better either. Perhaps it is the lighting used inside the fitting room that gives that “you look good” ambiance, I’m not sure! But whatever it is, I need to invest in it for my own home!

I do not like spam in a can -or- on my blog pages. Lately, I have been receiving a lot of spam comments on my Facebook fan page and twitter account because people automatically assume my readers hang around trying to find unemployment help. If these spammers would take a brief moment to actually read my content, they may understand that is not what The Unemployed Mom is about.

I have received emails from people asking me to promote their job searching tools and/or facebook pages. Not once did they even acknowledge my blog or indicate they would help me in return by sending people to my link, it was all about them. Whatever! One lady actually said “before spamming your page, I wanted to let you know so you could promote my link for me instead”. Seriously? Well, I didn’t promote her page and denied the request yet she still spammed my facebook page. Oh, and there was one guy who basically told me I was being overprotective of my blog community which was not uncommon but a huge mistake. Buddy…I do not think my readers care about what you have to offer! Perhaps I should have given him the subject of breast feeding or reviewing the latest feminine hygiene products, then he would have backed off politely.

At least my blog has a spam filter that works VERY well!

Last night, my husband and I watched the show Bait Car. What a riot, we were laughing at the idiot car thieves who fall for these traps. I mean come on, if it seems to good to be true then chances are…it is. Also, I don’t understand criminal minds, do they steal for the adrenaline rush or because it is something to do?

Anyway, on the show last night, a pregnant lady pretended to be in labor and jumped out of her brand new Cadillac Escalade and left the door open and key in the ignition. Sure enough, within a few minutes a couple jumps in and takes off. I love the hidden cameras that capture the facial expressions, emotions go from “paranoid”, to “relaxed” when they think they are free and clear then to “oh crap, we’re going to jail” when the engine cuts off and sirens close in. My favorite part of the show is listening to the stories the thieves create to try to get off the hook, unaware that everything they said and did was caught on camera.

Now, after we watched a few unsuccessful attempts, my husband casually says “if you steal an Escalade, just don’t shut the door and you won’t get locked in”. I should have known he was analyzing how to successfully complete the task. No, he’s not a thief…just someone who over-analyzes everything!

I purchased jean diapers yesterday and it is not because I think they are stylish or fashion forward, it was strictly because Babies R Us had the jumbo packs on sale for “buy one, get one 50% off”.

Being a frugal shopper, I had a coupon for a free jumbo pack of Huggies diapers. My grand total was $6 for two jumbo packs. Not bad! Unfortunately, jean diapers were the only jumbo packs that the store carried otherwise, they would not have been my first choice.

While they are actually cute on, I promise you will not see photos of my kid sporting them. Also, Little Movers work well for my kid and in my opinion, it doesn’t matter if they are classic white or blue. They still get the job done.

With all that said, I am not a fan of the jean diaper marketing campaign. One of their slogans is “It’s the coolest you’ll look pooping your pants”.  Also, the videos are a bit much…people glaring at toddlers walking around half dressed. I can see why they are “Limited Edition” because in my opinion, they will soon be forgotten.