Something always happens in May.
My brain is done with school.
Problem is...we're not actually "done" with school.
So I have to get creative.
And by creative I mean closing the books and breaking out the flip-flops.
Hot humid Tennessee weather and a pollen covered truck were just the excuse I needed to play hooky.
I decided that instead of just turning on the hose and letting them have at it, I would teach them the proper steps to washing a car.
You know, the whole start at the top and work your way down, work in sections, rinse immediately, tires and wheels and bug guts in the grill last thing.
I think this falls under Life Skills.
Or Home Economics.
Or something.
Heck, I don't even care.
All I know is that while I was soaking up some much needed Vitamin D, my kids were learning.
How to take instructions.
How to follow through with them.
How to plan and delegate.
How to have patience with others.
How to pull their weight for the sake of others.
How to work together as a team to accomplish a task.
Because sometimes you have to close the books to learn.
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The winner of the Lisa Leonard Designs giveaway is Theresa at Red Oak Lane.
Congratulations Theresa! Enjoy your new Lisa Leonard!! :-)
A huge thank you to all that participated in this giveaway.
If you subscribed to Lisa's blog you should have received a 15% off coupon.
Treat yourself or another special mom this Mother's Day.
"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Because Sometimes You Have to Close the Books To Learn {Giveaway Winner Annouced}
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
A Lisa Leonard {Mother's Day} Giveaway
::::THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED::::
Meet Lisa.
What the heck am I saying...if you don't know who Lisa Leonard is by now you really should come out from under that rock a little more often.
She is beautiful...inside and out.
And pretty famous for her gorgeous handmade jewelry.
In fact if she weren't so darn down to earth, I might be a bit starstruck that she even knows who I am.
She has so many beautiful pieces that having to pick a favorite could be used as a form of torture.
I currently have my eyes on this little gem.
Hint Hint.
Wink Wink.
Wonder if my hubby actually reads my blog?
This was my very first Lisa Leonard.
Mother's Day 2010.
Rarely do I take it off.
My 11 year old daughter fell in love with my "hearstrings" necklace and asked for her very own LL necklace for Christmas.
I loved that Lisa offered this petite, whimsical piece for younger ones.
She has wrestled with night terrors and bad dreams since she was a toddler.
We helped her memorize this verse when she was younger and now she wears it around her neck close to her heart as a constant reminder of God's promise to her.
My word of the year for 2011.
Joy.
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Lisa has graciously offered to give away a $50 store credit to one of my lovely readers {that's you}.
Just in time for Mother's Day!
Ok, so you won't have it by Mother's Day but you can know it is being made just for you and that will be gift enough trust me.
Since I just turned 36 and my teenager just turned 16, I am offering 6 ways to earn an entry for this Giveaway.
Please leave a separate comment per entry!
- Visit Lisa's site and peruse her lovely merchandise.{She makes more than necklaces} Come back here and share which piece you'd love to have.
- While you are there, subscribe to her newsletter.
- "Like" her Facebook page.
- Subscribe to my blog "Mosaic of Grace". You can click "subscribe" up top of the page or "join this site" down at the bottom.
- Share this giveaway on Twitter...here's a sample you could copy and paste: Head over to "Mosaic of Grace" @talysam for your chance to win a $50 credit from @Lisaleonard Designs. http://bit.ly/KuY2gv
- Share this giveaway with your friends on Facebook with this link: http://bit.ly/KuY2gv
Please make sure I can find you through email so that I can contact you should you be the winner. If I cannot find you I will be forced to draw another winner.
"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Giveaway Winner and a Little Bit of Random.
A huge thank you to each of you that left a comment sharing what you were grateful for.
Reading your comments blessed me each day.
I used the Random Number Generator to determine a winner and it was Rachel.
Rachel, your book and Starbucks card will be in the mail soon. Enjoy!
For the rest of you...do yourselves a favor and add '1000 Gifts' to your Christmas lists.
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It has been one of those weeks around here.
A venti salted caramel mocha latte kinda week.
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I have had a nasty head cold since Tuesday.
Bleh.
Wastin' away in Nyquilville.
Colds are the worst.
Actually this stuff is the worst.
I have no idea if it really works...but I do it anyway.
Dear flavor creators at Emergen-C: Buttercream. Think about it.
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The week wasn't a total loss.
Thanks to my mom and coupons I was able to get all of this for $36.
Boom!
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We've been participating in the Happy Day Project this week.
Have you?
Can't wait to tell you all about it.
Life changing stuff.
"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"
Monday, November 7, 2011
Giving Thanks Giveaway {1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp and a $10 Starbucks Gift Card}
***THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. THANKS SO MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING***
Four years ago I started a blog.
I figured I might have 2 followers at most...the grandparents.
Today I am pushing 100 followers and I was just nominated for a few snazzy awards.
Amazing.
Inspiring.
Humbling.
You write such sweet comments on my blog...and encouragement on my heart.
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Back in january, I declared that 2011 would be my year of joy.
Eucharisteo
Counting the things I am grateful for.
I am so incredibly grateful for every single person that has stopped by this little blog and somehow enjoyed reading my mindless ramblings about my life as a homeschooling wife and mom...and my great need for Christ in my life.
To say thank you, I am giving away a copy of Ann Voskamp's book, "1000 Gifts".
*Photo via A Holy Experience*
I cannot think of a better way to enter this season of Thanksgiving than to read this book.
Ok, so I can think of one thing that would be better...a $10 Starbucks gift card to go along with it.
"1000 Gifts" and a Venti Salted Caramel Mocha Latte. Life changing stuff.
**the fine print:
Ann has no idea I'm doing this...or who I am for that matter.
This is not a sponsored giveaway.
I believe so much in this book that I purchased it myself just to give away.
This giveaway is open to US residents only. Sorry.
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So here's how to enter:
Simply leave one comment telling me one thing you are grateful for today...right now...wherever you are...in this moment.
Bonus entries:
That's a total of 4 chances to win.
Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure I have your email so I can contact you.
This giveaway closes on Friday, November 11th at midnight (CST) and a random winner will be generated.
Linking up here:
"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Lisa Leonard Winner and Ramblings
Thanks to all of you fabulous ladies that entered my Giveaway this week! You made it a huge success and I am seriously grateful. A big thank you to Lisa as well for her generosity. I let the birthday boy pick a random number and the winner is...
Bean619
Congratulations! Please send me your email and I will get it to Lisa so you can start shopping!
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I'm losing my mind.
No I'm serious.
I cannot remember anything to save my life these days.
This is what it has come to folks.
The original Palm Pilot.
It's the only way.
I can't forget my hand.
So it works.
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I'm going through early menopause.
Ok, so not really I suppose but it sure as heck feels like it.
My hormones are goofy these days.
I have terrible night sweats and wake up with my shirt soaked.
Gross.
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I'm in love with Kate Gosselin's new hair cut.
And her hair isn't even real.
So I'm conflicted.
Would it then be called a weave cut instead?
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Speaking of haircuts.
I got one this week only to discover that it is uneven.
Totally lopsided.
One side has longer layers than the other.
Is there anything worse than haircut remorse??
It is driving me bonkers.
It's like walking around with a crooked picture on my head that I can't straighten.
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My house has been invaded by Silly Bands.
Yours?
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I found this jacket at a yard sale and loved it.
For some reason this jacket makes everyone around me more than willing to share with me how much they dislike it.
Why pray tell?
What did my little green and white striped jacket ever do to you?
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Note to self:
"Do not wear your hair pulled back completely off your face ever again. You have a receding hairline remember?"
As if needing to add 10 minutes to my getting ready ritual just to pluck out gray hair wasn't insult enough.
I believe in women this is called a widow's peak.
Is that supposed to make me feel better?
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It gets worse I'm afraid.
While camping a couple of weeks ago, my daughter was politely trying to get something off my face when she stood back and clasped her hands over her mouth in sheer horror.
The thing she was trying to get was attached.
It was about an inch and a half long.
Gray.
And coming out of my eyebrow!!!!
Are there any words for this really?
Can you hit the "Unsubscribe" button fast enough?
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On a lighter less disgusting note, I found Honeycrisp apples today!
Yay!
I wait every year for September to roll around just for these apples.
If you have never tasted a Honeycrisp apple I demand that you step away from the computer and hop in your car to the nearest grocery store now.
Honeycrisp will ruin it for all other apples in your life and make you forget all the other apples from your past.
Your fruit bowl will never be the same.
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Found this in my fridge this week.
Seriously?!
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We signed up for pen pals this summer.
My kids have loved this.
And we have learned a lot about snail mail just by sending these letters.
Not to mention it makes a great writing assignment.
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We had a skating party for Aidan last night.
Certain things in life remind us of our age.
Skating is one of them.
I did manage to stay vertical the whole time.
This time.
But I hurt like nobody's business today.
In places I didn't even know I could.
Tell me though, who can resist "Jam On It"?
"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"
Saturday, September 18, 2010
A Lisa Leonard Giveaway!
Confession:
I am not fit to attend events such as Blissdom or any other type of event where the likes of Lisa Leonard will be attending.
How do I know this?
Because I can not even get a Direct Message on Twitter from these people without becoming absolutely giddy. Like I am in the 5th grade all over again getting picked in a game of dodge ball by the cool girls.
Pathetic I'm aware.
But true.
What does this say about me? I have no idea ...and at 34 I am not really in the mood to start trying to figure it out now.
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The lovely and incredibly sweet Lisa Leonard has agreed to let me give away $40 of her beautiful jewelry here on my blog!
If you do not know Lisa and her made uniquely just for you custom jewelry let me be the first to introduce you to your new obsession.
Right after you climb out from under that rock you have been under.
Your Christmas list will never be the same.
Through my Lens has hit "must get my paws on" status.
I personally have this piece titled "Heartstrings"
My babies.
You have 3 chances to enter this Giveaway. Please come back here and leave a SEPARATE comment for EACH of these things you do.
1. Visit Lisa's store then come back here and leave a comment telling me your favorite item. If you already have one of Lisa's pieces feel free to share what you have and why you love it.
2. Tweet about this Giveaway by using this:
Win a $40 Gift Certificate to Lisa Leonard Designs via @TalysaM http://bit.ly/9PJnDt
3. Subject yourself to my mindless ramblings by subscribing to my blog up top. If you already do feel free to leave a comment saying so.
**This Giveaway will end Tuesday September 21st at 9pm Central Time.**
"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Giveaway Winners!
It only took me two whole days, and my little sister bringing it to my attention today (I know it just pained her to show me the error of my ways), to notice that I was advertising a Starbucks gift card for the giveaway, but had a photo of my Dunkin Donuts mug at the top of the post. It's a long story so I will spare you...let's just say there oughta be a law against me operating heavy machinery (or anything with a shift key) after 10pm. Well, that and a law against me being allowed to respond to emails from my Pastor when I'm recovering from surgery and taking enough pain killers to put down a large horse. And while we are putting laws down on the books for me, go ahead and throw in the "thou shalt not insist on driving the little motorized "jazzy" carts through the grocery store hanging the wheels up on every single corner of every single aisle resulting in the reverse beep of death while on above said narcotics after surgery" law. I apologize for any coffee confusion.
I also went for a run this morning and locked myself out of my house. I'm on a roll. I hid the key so I wouldn't have to carry it on my run...I just didn't realize I was hiding it in a place that left me with one more door to walk through and lock behind me. I'm pretty sure my poor husband will be visiting me in an assisted living home by the time I'm 50. And I may not put up a fight....food cooked and served, laundry washed, room cleaned, Bingo every Friday. ;-)
Onto the winners...drumroll please.
**The winners were chosen using Random Number Generator**
The winner for the $25 Starbucks Gift Card is... Please email me your name and address and I will get your gift card in the mail to you right away. Congrats and enjoy. And try to get some sleep.
And the winner of the Camera Strap is ... Please email me with your contact info and I will get it to Ruthanne and she will be in contact with you. Go on with your strappy fab self.
Thank you all so much for your comments...especially for the drink ideas for Starbucks. Who knew I was missing out on so much?!?! I have a little notepad that I keep on my visor (with a mind like mine I know that's shocking to you) and I have already made a list on it of your ideas so I will know how to "shake up" the Drive-Thru next time.
Most of all thank you for your wonderful comments about my blog and for making my blog reveal/first-ever giveaway a success. It was so exciting!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
A New Name, New Look and 2 Giveaways!
Testing...testing one two...is this thing on? Are we really live now? I am skeered silly to press publish but here goes. No turning back! :-)
Don't worry. No need to head out to get your eyes checked. You are at the right place. Same blog. Same family...
New name. New "do".
My husband was gracious enough to purchase a blog makeover from Darcy for me as a Christmas present. It only seemed fitting to give this blog a new name while going through that process. We are still "McManus Party of Five"... and unless God has other plans, we always will be. But since starting this blog, it has become far more personal to me than the original purpose of capturing my kiddos as they grow and keeping out of town family members in the know. Why "Mosaic of Grace"? Read here.
As you can see, Darcy is fabulous. And just as fabulous to work with. She has the patience of Job. I only had to ask her to stop speaking Greek and speak on my level 83 times. The woman is freakin' Superwoman as far as I'm concerned. Homeschooler, web designer, photographer, Twitter extraordinaire. HTML Master. You better hold onto tight to your cape and those boots Linda Carter.
This blog will be even more fabulous the minute I figure out what the heck I'm doing here. Yep, I'm clueless and learning trial by fire. Bigger picture capacity means I have to somehow make nice with my old flame Photoshop. Right now we are legally separated and need third-party counseling to move forward in this relationship.
If you are already a follower of my blog would you please take the extra step of subscribing again? I have a new feed so you will need to update me on your end...whatever that means for you. I apologize for the inconvenience. And don't worry...moving (without movers and moving trucks) makes me itch so you can rest assured that this is my last one. Oh, and be sure you grab a button down below too. :-)
"Celebrate Good Times, Come On!" ...now that I've got that stuck in your head (you can thank me later) let's get onto the celebration festivities shall we? I'd like to make this post extry fun by having my first ever giveaway!!! TWO to be exact! Read on to see how to enter each giveaway.
UPDATE*** (I'm gonna put it here in case you don't make it to the bottom) ;-)
PLEASE BE SURE TO LEAVE AT LEAST ONE COMMENT PER GIVEAWAY. ONE FOR THE GIFT CARD. AND ONE FOR WHICH STRAP IS YOUR FAV. YOU MUST HAVE A COFFEE COMMENT AND A STRAP COMMENT TO BE ENTERED FOR EACH. :-)
GIVEAWAY #1:
See that mug up there? How about $25 worth of that hot steamy (or cold frappy) goodness in your mug? Well, not a whole $25 all at once of course. Moderation folks.
To enter:
Just hit that subscribe button up there at the top (if you want to of course) and then leave me a comment here telling me your "go-to" drink of choice at Starbucks. I'm a creature of habit so for me it's always a Tall French Vanilla Skinny Latte. I need to spice it up a bit.
**For an extra shot at winning you can also comment and let me know (separate comment for each) if you mention this Giveaway (Starbucks Gift Card) in your blog or Twitter. Just leave a link so I'll know you did. So that's 3 chances for the Bux!
It's that simple. I will pick a random number sometime on Sunday.
GIVEAWAY #2:
My ever so sweet cyber friend Ruthanne agreed to help make my blog debut even more spectacular by offering to give away one of her snazzy camera straps below! Aren't they precious?!?! I'm so gonna have a Ruthanne original of my own someday. When I do, I may not take it off. Even to sleep. You think I'm kidding don't you? I won't get one this time though...that would be cheating. Tempting though.
I'm just gonna warn you...enter her domain at your own risk...there are loads of drool inducing photos. And I wouldn't read while drinking liquids...unless you want to have to change your shirt. You will laugh. Maybe even snort. You may waste hours of your life. I cannot be held responsible. Let me introduce....
Eclectic Whatnot {www.etsy.com/shop/eclecticwhatnot} is owned by Ruthanne, a homeschooling mother of five. It gives her the opportunity to combine two of her new-found loves - photography and sewing. Her shop features shabby, chic and just plain fun camera strap covers and aprons {and more to come!}. Her sewing is fueled by good coffee, streaming episodes of 24 and show tunes. You can find her at her blog {www.eclecticwhatnot.com}, on Facebook {http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eclectic-Whatnot/349190026856} or on Twitter {http://twitter.com/eclecticwhatnot}.
To Enter:
Visit Ruthanne's Etsy shop and come back here to my site and leave a comment sharing which strap is your favorite. I will pick a random number on Sunday and let Ruthanne know who you are.
For an extra shot at winning you can also comment and let me know (seperate comment for each) if you mention this Giveaway (Camera Strap) in your blog or Twitter. Just leave a link so I'll know you did. That's 3 chances for the snazzy strap too!
Look, but please wipe your chin.
It's really a win win....if you win the coffee your camera may be left in the dust looking drab and boring but at least you will have enough energy to clean those toilets you've been putting off till tomorrow.
Should you win the strap, your camera will be the most popular camera in it's class and all the other camera owners will just have to have one...but you won't know cause you'll be sleeping. ;-)
Either way, you can't lose.
Thank you so much for stopping by...your comments make me giddy. Be sure to grab a button below and don't be a stranger ya hear? ;-)
"My every mortal breath, is Grace and nothing less"
