Deaths of children prompt recall of roll-up blinds and Roman shades

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Lewis Hyman Inc., announced a voluntary recall of blinds and Roman shades due to strangulation deaths of children.

• Name of product: ¼” Oval Roll-up Blinds and Woolrich Roman Shades
• Units: About 4.2 million roll-up blinds and 600,000 Roman shades
• Importer: Lewis Hyman Inc., of Carson, Calif.
• Hazard: Roll-up Blinds: Strangulations can occur if the lifting loops slide off the side of the blind and a child’s neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop or if a child places his/her neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.
• Roman Shades: Strangulation can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.
• Incidents/Injuries: In November 2007, a 1-year-old boy from Norridgewock, Maine became entangled and strangled in the lift cord loop of a roll-up blind that had fallen into his portable crib. In October 2008, a 13-month-old boy from Conway, Ark. was found with his head between the exposed inner cord and the cloth on the backside of a Roman shade. The cord was not looped around the boy’s neck, but rather ran from ear to ear and strangled the child.
• Description: This recall involves roll-up blinds without release clips and all Woolrich Roman shades. The roll-up blinds have plastic oval-shaped slats that measure about ¼ inch tall. The blinds measure either 72” or 96” long. The bottom rail has a WARNING label advising that “Young children can become entangled and strangle in cord or bead loops” and a label that reads “Lewis Hyman, Inc.” and the year of manufacture. Roll-up blinds that have release clips on the backside of the blind are not included in this recall. The Woolrich Roman shades come in twill fabric and micro-suede fabric and measure 72” long. The head rail has two labels that read “Lewis Hyman, Inc., www.lewishymaninc.com” and “LHI, 005301, Made in China” respectively.
• Sold at: The Roman shades were sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide and on Target.com from March 2006 through December 2008 for between $25 and $43. The roll-up blinds were sold at retail stores nationwide from January 1999 through December 2003 for between $6 and $20.
• Manufactured in: China
• Remedy: Consumers should immediately check the backside of the roll-up blinds to determine if they have release clips. If the roll-up blind does not have release clips, stop using it immediately and contact Lewis Hyman for a free repair kit
• Consumers should immediately stop using the Roman shades and contact Lewis Hyman for a free repair kit. The repair kits for the Roman shades will be available by the end of September.
• Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Lewis Hyman toll-free at (877) 354-5457 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT daily, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.lewishymaninc.com/recall

Outback Steakhouse Summer Adventures $9.95

Summer is almost over, but Outback Steakhouse is still offering three Summer Adventures for $9.95.

• 6 oz. Outback sirloin steak with classic blue cheese wedge salad and dressed baked potato
• Grilled honey dijon chicken breast served with sweet potato fries
• 6 oz. Outback sirloin steak & grilled shrimp on the Barbie and dressed baked potato

There are other menu items that don't break the bank with a total of 15 meals under $15.

How to hack a Swiffer WetJet to refill it and go green or save money

I use my Swiffer WetJet for all of my mopping needs, but the refills are pretty expensive - especially during this slow economy.

And it's very inconvenient when I run out of product and need to mop my floors.
Now, I've learned how to easily refill it with whatever cleaner I want. Although, Swiffer wants us to think the cap is permanent, it can be easily removed without much elbow grease.

Engineer A Debt Free Life has detailed instructions how to refill the bottles in three easy steps.

Step 1: Remove the cap. Almost everyone probably has a pair of standard pliers. Make sure the pliers are in the biggest jaw setting for maximum effect. Clamp on the lid and give it a tug.

Remember the leftie loosie ... rightie tightie rule.

Step 2: Once you have it off, fill it up with whatever cleaner you like. You can use about 1.5 cups of vinegar and top it off with water. Or another product of your choice. You should remove the label and write the contents on the bottle with a marker.

Step 3: Screw the lid back on. It goes on easily the second time, but the first time the  pliers were needed to get it on tight again.

VOILA, I told you it was easy.

Swiffer Wetjet refill promotions

Do you have any cost saving ideas to share?

What's better than MARS chocolate? FREE chocolate!

What's better than MARS real chocolate? FREE chocolate Fridays!

Every Friday, 250,000 lucky people register for a free coupon between the hours of 9 AM EST and 11:59:59 PM EST.

Then the mail carrier arrives in 6 to 8 weeks with a coupon for any single pack of MARS chocolate. Your problem may be trying to decide which candy to get: Snickers, Milky Way, Musketeers, Twix, M&Ms, or Dove.

MARS chocolate is made with real chocolate. For nearly 100 years, they've made chocolate with 100% cocoa butter. Without cocoa butter, chocolate is not chocolate.

Some companies use artificial ingredients to make their chocolate sweeter or because it's cheaper. Mars said there is no substitute for cocoa butter.

"We know you prefer Real Chocolate." said MARS. "And that's what we plan to deliver."

That's why MARS is having the MARS Real Chocolate Relief Act. And you get all the benefits.

Miley Cyrus tickets to be given away at noon today

The wait is almost over if you entered to win the Miley Cyrus tickets. If you didn't enter you still have time. The contest was extended until noon today when there weren't enough entries two weeks ago.

Please read my earlier story Enter to win Miley Cyrus tickets while learning about child health and safety for detailed information.

You can still enter by going to Pediatric Safety before noon, so hurry, and good luck.

Great Trade-In at Babies“R”Us and Toys“R”Us to round up dangerous baby products

Babies“R”Us and Toys“R”Us stores are holding a Great Trade-In so customers can exchange used baby items for a 20% savings toward the purchase of new ones.

Many baby products aren't the best candidates to be handed down or resold. Some items are on recall lists, while older, used baby items may be unsafe for a variety of reasons, including damage or lack of compliance with safety standards.

Safety experts report that sales of used products are on the rise due to the slow economy, and they're warning consumers to be cautious about purchasing second-hand children's items.

Kids In Danger (KID), a consumer advocacy organization, said less than 30% of affected items are returned when a baby product is recalled.

"In today's economy, we are all looking for ways to stretch our dollars, but in doing so, children's safety should not be compromised," said Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, Toys"R"Us, Inc. "We hope this program will help raise awareness of the importance of being vigilant about potentially unsafe children's items that may still be in the marketplace, while encouraging customers to use the Great Trade-In event as an opportunity to remove used baby products, such as cribs and car seats, from their garages and attics."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said it is challenging to get dangerous products out of the home following a product recall. The CPSC advises parents to check its Web site to make sure a product has not been recalled before using or purchasing it second-hand.

Parents should be aware of used baby product safety concerns.

For example:

• Federal and voluntary standards and regulations for safety testing, particularly for cribs, have changed significantly over the past few years, and older products may not have been produced to meet these stringent requirements;
• Car seats can sustain damage in an accident that may not be visible to the naked eye, but could prevent the seat from functioning properly;
• Car seats have expiration dates, as the materials can deteriorate over time, potentially making the car seat less effective in a crash. Parents can check with the car seat manufacturer to determine the recommended period of use for a particular car seat;
• Certain baby products, particularly car seats, are regularly introduced with new innovations in technology that can improve the products' safety efficacy;
• Products made of or that contain certain materials, like wood and plastic, for example, can deteriorate when exposed to extreme weather conditions, like heat, potentially compromising safety integrity;
• And parts or instruction books for proper assembly, installation or use may be missing.

Manufacturers participating in the Great Trade-In event include Baby Cache, Babi Italia, Baby Trend, Bertini, Britax, Chicco, Contours by Kolcraft, Cosco, Delta, Eddie Bauer, Evenflo, Graco, Jeep, Nature's Purest by Summer Infant, Safety 1st and Sorelle.
Customers can visit the company's Safety website, Toysrus.com/Safety, for the latest information on product safety and to sign up to receive product recall notifications by e-mail.
Day care centers or other organizations who wish to exchange items in bulk are encouraged to contact their local “R”Us store prior to returning their used items to ensure adequate availability of new merchandise.

Visit your local “R”Us stores to trade-in your used baby products through September 20.

Are criminals stealing your PIN number at the ATM?

Criminals have a wide variety of clever devices available to swipe your ATM card data and your PIN right at the ATM itself. And they don't have to compromise software to do it.

How ATM card skimming and PIN capturing scams work.

View more documents from worldstuff.

Southern Living $5 magazine deal at Amazon

Amazon's Magazine Steal of the Week is for Southern Living magazine. For $5 you will get 13 issues for 12 months.

The price on this magazine has been reduced for one week only and will expire Saturday at 11:59 p.m.

If you already subscribe to Southern Living, you can also renew your current subscription. Just use the same name and address you already have on your subscription and place your order.

It's never too early to start shopping for the holidays.

Amazon has several other magazine bargains listed for $5 and under. Remember, you subtract $5 from the price listed.

• Country Living
• Woman's Day
• Health
• Harper's Bazaar
• Seventeen for 24 issues
• Parents
• Field & Stream
• Town & Country
• SPIN
• Outdoor Life
• Los Angeles Magazine
• Parenting Early Years
• Working Mother
• Windsurfing

For a little more money, All You magazine costs $15 a year.

WARNING: Texting and driving are deadly!

This is no laughing matter.
This is not for the faint of heart.
This is very explicit.
This is very graphic.
This is a Public Service Announcement from England shown on the Today show.
This is our new reality.
This is bloody and violent.
This could be you or one of your loved ones.
Don't let this be you or your kids.
STOP texting while driving!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Blog Hop laughs: Four naked chicks in a hot tub

One Hour Parties wants you

Are you a savvy, fun female entrepreneur? Are you the creative one everybody turns to when there's an event being planned? Then why not earn some money doing it?

One Hour Parties offers quick, creative, and affordable celebrations. They are looking for women who want to work from home to run their own party planning business. They will train you.

Make a Smilebox invite

Entrepreneur Magazine named One Hour Parties the “Hot New Franchise.” And Seattle Business Magazine named the founders on the “Top 25 Innovators and Entrepreneurs.”

$1 Off Any Large Combo - valid through 8/30/2009

Two more deaths urge consumers to immediately stop using bassinets

Consumers are urged to immediately stop using the 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 bassinets, including those with the Graco logo and the “Winnie the Pooh” motifs.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is once again urging all parents and caregivers to immediately stop using convertible "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa. CPSC has learned of two additional infant deaths since the August 2008 safety alert and recall announcements that notified consumers of two infants who had strangled in their Simplicity bassinets. To date, CPSC is aware of four infants who have died in the close-sleeper bassinets.

CPSC learned that in September 2008, a two-month old female in Demorest, Georgia suffocated when she rolled into the adjustable fabric siding of the bassinet, pressing her face into a "pocket" which formed near the Velcro© fasteners. In another incident in January 2009, a six-month old female in Fort Worth, Texas appears to have been fatally entrapped in the bassinet’s bar opening created when the Velcro© fasteners were not secured. An investigation into this infant’s death is ongoing.

In addition, CPSC has received two separate reports involving a 10-week old and a 3-month old whose heads became entrapped between the lower bassinet bar and the mattress support. The infants were freed by their caregivers without injury.

The Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets, including bassinets with the Graco logo and “Winnie the Pooh” motif licensed by Disney Consumer Products, contain metal bars that are covered by an adjustable fabric flap. This fabric flap is secured by Velcro© fasteners, which are intended to be partially removed when the bassinet is converted into the bedside/close-sleeper mode. If the Velcro© fasteners are not properly re-secured when the fabric flap is adjusted, or if the consumer entirely removes the fabric flap exposing the metal bars, an infant can slip through the opening between the lower metal bar and the mattress support and become entrapped and suffocate or strangle.

Consumers are urged to check their bassinets to ensure they are not using one of the recalled Simplicity bassinets.

Parents and caregivers are advised to return these bassinets to the retail store where they were purchased. All of the recalled bassinets can pose a danger to infants.

To determine whether your bassinet has been recalled, please check for the model number and the manufacture date code pictured below. Bassinets manufactured prior to 21st week of 2008, “2108” (before May 18) are recalled.

The model numbers for recalled bassinets manufactured prior to “2108” are:

• 3000


• 3010


• 3011


• 3012


• 3013


• 3014


• 3015


• 3016


• 3017


• 3020


• 3025


• 3026


• 3027


• 3030


• 3040


• 3045


• 3046


• 3047


• 3050


• 3060


• 3070


• 3111


• 3112


• 343-8363


• 343-8399


• 5730


• 5750


• 8383


• 9250


• TD2500
  

The following retailers have voluntarily agreed to recall the product and provide a refund or store credit to consumers who return the product to the store where purchased.

• Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Bentonville, Ark.


• Toys “R” Us Inc., Wayne, N.J.


• Kmart Corp., Hoffman Estates, Ill.


• Big Lots!, Columbus, Ohio


• Target, Minneapolis, Minnesota


• J.C. Penney, Plano, Texas


• AAFES, Dallas, Texas


• Amazon.com, LLC Seattle, WA


• Bed Bath & Beyond, Union, NJ


• Burlington Coat Factory, Burlington, NC


• Buy Buy Baby Garden City, NY


• Chelsea&Scott LTD (One Step Ahead),Lake Bluff, IL


• CSN Stores of Boston, MA


• Fingerhut Direct Marketing, Eden Prairie, MN


• Frogs and Lily Pads, St. Johnsbury, VT


• Kohl’s Department Stores, Menomonee Falls, WI


• ShopKo Stores, Inc., Green Bay, WI


• Sweet Pea Décor, North Beach, MD


• USA Baby #47, Overland Park, KS


• USA Baby #58, Brookfield, WI


• USA Baby #136, Berlin, CT


• USA Baby #141, Waipahu, HI


• USA Baby #142, Virginia Beach, VA


• USA Baby #147, Clovis, CA


• Value City Department Stores, Columbus, OH

Due to the life-threatening hazard these bassinets pose to infants, CPSC urges all consumers to share this safety warning with friends, family, day care centers, and consignment stores to ensure that no child is placed to sleep in a Simplicity convertible bassinet covered by this warning.

$84.05 coupons in the Sept. issue of All You

Check out the list of high-value coupons you'll find in the upcoming issue of All You, including many exclusive to All You, on sale August 28 at Walmart.

This month's total savings is $84.05.

All You insiders said the coupons in the magazines found at Walmart and the subscription versions are not the same.

• American Beauty Quick Cook Pasta, $0.75, 12/31/09
• Arrowhead, Poland Spring, Deer Park, Zepherhills, Ozarka, Ice Mountain $1.00 12/31/09
• Banquet Chicken Breast Nuggets $1.00 of 2 28.8 oz. bags 12/06/09
• Banquet Dinner Gatefold, $1.00 off any 6
• BOOST Kid Essentials Multipack, $3.00, 12/18/09
• Brut Deodorant or Anti-Perspirant $3.55 10/31/09
• Brut Fragrance $1.00 10/31/09
• Campbell's V8 Soup $1.00 11/15/09
• Claritin Eye $2.00 11/30/09
• Colgate Wisp $0.50 11/22/09
• Creamette Quick Cook Pasta $0.75 12/31/09
• Crunch n' Munch $1.00 off any 2 7.5 ounce or larger 12/06/09
• FASHION BUG $10.00 09/24/09
• French's French Fried Onions $0.75 01/31/10
• Glade¨ Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator Buy any Glade¨ Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator, get one FREE (up to $4.00) 11/30/09
• Healthy Choice All Natural Entrees $1.00 off any 2 Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers $1.00 off any 2
• Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers $1.00 off any 2
• Healthy Choice Microwavable Soup Bowls Buy 2 get 1 free ($2.00 value)
• Hunt's Ketchup $1.00 off any 2 12/06/09
• La Choy Creations $1.00 11/30/09
• Lay's Brand Light Original Potato Chips $0.50 off any 6.5 oz bag 10/31/09
• LEAN CUISINE Entrees $2.00 off any 3 12/31/09
• Log Cabin 24 oz. and 64 oz. Syrups $0.50 off 1
• Manwich Buy 2 15.5 oz. cans and get 1 free ($1.00 value) 12/06/09
• Marie Calendar's Dinners $1.00 off any 2
• Marie Calendar's Homestyle Creations $1.50 off any 1 1/31/10
• Marie Calendar's Pasta al Dente $1.00 off any 2
• Marie Calendar's Signature Sautes $2.00 off any 1
• Nestle Pure Life $0.50 12/31/09
• New York Brand Texas Garlic Toast $0.50 12/31/09
• N.Y.C. New York Color $1.00 09/30/09
• Playtex Gentle Glide $1.00 12/31/09
• Quilted Northern or Quilted Northern Ultra Plush Bath Tissue $2.00 off any 2 10/31/09
• Rimmel Mascara $2.00 09/30/09
• Ronzoni Quick Cook Pasta $0.75 12/31/09
• RO*TEL Buy 2 get any 1 10 oz. can free ($1.00 value)
• Sally Hansen La Cross $2.00 (off $4 purchase or higher) 10/31/09
• Sandwich Thins $1.00 11/30/09
• San Giorgio Quick Cook Pasta $0.75 12/31/09
• Skinner Quick Cook Pasta $0.75 12/31/09
• Snickers Marathon $0.50 10/31/09
• Softsoap Nutri Serums $1.00 10/23/09
• SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, with Fiber $1.00 11/30/09
• Spot Shot Free Movie Ticket (up to $12 value) with purchase of Spot Shot 12/31/09
• Suave Body Wash Save $0.75 on any 2 Body Wash Products 11/30/09
• SUNCHIPS Multigrain Snacks $1.00 10/31/09
• Taco Bell Home Originals Dinner Kits $1.00 10/31/09
• The Fragrance Collection by Glade $2.00 off any product from The Fragrance Collection by Glade 11/01/09
• Truvia natural Sweetener $1.00 12/31/09
• Tyson Any'tizers snacks Save $1.00 on 1 bag 11/30/09
• Tyson Any'tizers snacks Save $0.75 on 1 bag 11/30/09
• Tyson General Tso's and Sweet & Sour Chicken from the deli $1.00 10/31/09
• Underwood Deviled Ham $1.00 12/31/09
• White Cloud GreenEarth Paper Towels or Bathroom Tissue $1.00 11/28/09
• X3 Disposable Razor $1.00 10/16/09

Do the Chikin wave and win

Be one of the first 250,000 fans to join and receive a free Chick-fil-A Original Chicken Sandich.

Plus, you'll be entered in a daily drawing for a $50 Chick-fil-A gift card.

DVD players recalled by Walmart due to fire hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Walmart, have announced a voluntary recall of Durabrand DVD Players. Consumers should stop using it immediately due to fire hazard.

• Name of product: Durabrand DVD players
• Units: About 1.5 million
• Importer: Walmart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.
• Hazard: The DVD players can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.
• Incidents/Injuries: Walmart has received 12 reports of DVD players overheating, five of which have resulted in fires that caused property damage. No injuries have been reported.
• Description: This recall involves a single DVD player with a remote control.
• The device is silver colored and has a U-shaped opening at the top to insert the DVD.
• Sold exclusively at: Walmart stores nationwide from January 2006 through July 2009 for about $29.
• Manufactured in: China
• Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return it to the nearest Walmart for a full refund.
• Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Walmart Stores at (800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit http://walmartstores.com/Recalls/

Enjoy a $25 meal for $3

Have you ever tried buying your dinner gift certificate online? It's easy and during these hard times it's a great way to save a bundle and still go out to eat. Go to http://www.restaurant.com/ to find a participating restaurant in your area by entering your zip code or state. After you get to the page you can refine the area of coverage from one to 30 miles.

After you make a selection, enter the discount code PALATE at checkout. You will get a $25 gift certificate for $3. This offer ends Monday, Aug. 24.

This service can be useful for gifts, and trips as well.

Bon appetite.

Join the Lands’ End Back-to-School Twitter Party tonight at 8p.m. EST

This is a fantasy backpack I created at Lands’ End’s Packland . You, too, can create a fantasy backpack.

Join us tonight at 8 p.m. EST for Lands' End Back-to-School Twitter Party. Lands’ End hosts will be available to answer back-to-school shopping questions and there will be product giveaways.

Your hosts include:
@LandsEndPRKira
@LEPRAmanda
@LandsEndPRAdam
@5MinutesForMom

There will be 20 prizes given out, including lunchboxes, backpacks and Lands’ End gift cards.

The hashtag is #landsend and you can use Tweetgrid to follow and ask questions.

Walt Disney's Hannah Montana: The Movie released August 18

After several hit seasons on TV, Hannah Montana comes to the big screen.

Real life father and daughter Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus star as the Montanas – Hannah being a teenage pop star struggling with the traps of superstardom.

But her dad hopes a trip back to her small town in Tennessee will help her regain her perspective.

• Motion Picture Association of America Rating: G
• Running Time: 1:42
• Genre: Comedy, Family, Hit Movies, Musical

Don't forget you can still enter to win Miley Cyrus concert tickets. See my earlier story Enter to win Miley Cyrus tickets while learning about child health and safety .

Back-to-school basics calendar with $20 in coupons from Nestle®

Nestle® calendar

LongHorn Steakhouse has four dinners for $11.99

LongHorn Steakhouse Coupon

Kids eat free at Ihop through Sept. 13

Going out to dinner can be expensive for a family these days. This summer, families can go out to eat without breaking the bank at IHOP.

IHOP is holding a national 'Kids Eat Free' dinner promotion.

"IHOP provides the answer to the question 'what's for dinner' with its wide selection of menu items that are available any time of day," said Carolyn O'Keefe, IHOP's senior vice president, marketing. "Whether its breakfast for dinner, or one of IHOP's classic savory dinner items, IHOP gives guests of all ages a craveable choice to satisfy their dinner taste buds."

Available for a limited time at participating locations, IHOP's 'Kids Eat Free' dinner promotion runs through September 13.

Families who dine in between 4 to 10 p.m. daily will receive one free Kid's Meal with each adult entrée purchase. The free meal is valid for kids 12 and under on IHOP's "Just for Kids" menu items. Drinks are not included unless otherwise specified on the "Just for Kids" menu.

The offer is not valid with any other discounts, coupons or specials.

The IHOP "Just for Kids" menu includes: cheeseburgers, grilled cheese, Kraft® Macaroni and Cheese, crispy chicken strips, and Funny Face and Silver Dollar pancakes. Create-A-Face pancake, fresh fruit dish and Jr. fish are also available.

For more information contact IHOP.

Recipe Blog Hop: Better Than Sex Cake

I was introduced to this cake at a family funeral. And I asked for the recipe.

I have since altered it a little. After all, that's what recipes are for, to make them satisfy what you and your family like.

I use:

1 box white (or flavor or your choice) cake mix
1 large box of instant vanilla (or flavor of your choice) pudding
1 bag of flaked coconut
1 can of crushed pineapple
1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 carton of Cool Whip (or whipped topping of your choice)
1/2 cup pecans or (nuts of your choice)
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Other additions or substitutions may be made if you wish, such as bananas, cherries, whole pineapple rings, toffee bits, but I do not use these.

Make box of cake mix as directed in glass 9x13 pan. After you remove it from the oven let it cool until warm, then poke holes in it with a fork.

Cook the pineapple and sugar in a small pot until sugar is dissolved. Let it cool a little then carefully pour it over the warm - not hot - cake. Then completely cool the cake before you proceed.

Make pudding as directed on package. Pour over cooled cake.

Stir 1/2 teaspoon vanilla into the Cool Whip. Pour the Cool Whip over the pudding and spread it.

Sprinkle coconut on the Cool Whip to cover the top of the cake.

Place pecans on top of the cake.

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, a little at a time, stirring until they're melted. Drizzle over the top of the cake.

This cake must be refrigerated. And although it doesn't last long, it does get better with age. Kinda like, well, you know!

Join a snazL stories virtual party at 3 p.m. EST today

SnazL

Win a Stork Craft Tuscany Glider and Ottoman

Dee, of Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House, a stay at home mom of a 2-year-old boy, and a new baby girl who was born Aug 5, is having a Baby Bash and you can win prizes, too.

Stork Craft sent Dee a Tuscany Glider and Ottoman in cherry and beige. She said she loves the glider and all of it's features.

It only took 15 minutes for her husband to put it together.

There are many ways for you to enter to win. It's mandatory to visit Stork Craft and tell Dee another product they carry prior to any of the extra entries.

Good luck.

Ksmart Assist Savings program helps the unemployed in Michigan

Kmart has a program, Ksmart Assist Savings, to help the unemployed in Michigan. You can get 20% off select Kmart brand merchandise.

Kmart brands gives you huge savings versus national brands every day, and now you'll get to increase savings by an additional 20% off on more than 1,000 regular-priced grocery and drugstore merchandise for up to six months with this program.

To get 20% off you must have a reusable smart assists savings card.

Eligibility for Kmart customers who are Michigan residents and present state-issued identification - driver’s license or identification card - and a state-issued unemployment benefits enrollment confirmation, are eligible to participate in the program.

At checkout, cardholders will be required to show their valid discount card, their state-issued identification card for signature verification, and their state-issued unemployment benefits enrollment verification. Valid signature verification is required to use the card.

For more information contact Kmart.

You can get $5 in Fiber One coupons and a sample, too

Have you signed up for your free Fiber One® Honey Clusters® cereal sample, Fiber One® Oats and Chocolate bar sample and coupon booklet?

If not, you better hurry, quanities are limited.

There is also a limit of one sample package per household.

Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery.

You must be 18 to apply.

This offer is limited to the United States.

Enter to win Miley Cyrus tickets while learning about child health and safety

Can you believe there was a contest for Miley Cyrus tickets and there weren't enough entries? Well, it's true. Today at noon was the deadline and the entrants voted to extend the deadline two weeks.

Each contest, one in Atlanta and one in New York, requires a minimum of 20 valid participants for tickets to be awarded. Alternatively a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate would have to be awarded in their place. No one wants a gift card in place of Miley tickets which is why we voted to extend the contest.

One lucky winner will win two tickets to see Miley Cyrus in concert on November 18 at Nassau Coliseum in New York. Another lucky winner will win two tickets to see Miley Cyrus in concert on November 29 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Ga.

So, the question is who is the fairy god mother and how do you enter?

The answers involve a group of people who care about children. Pediatric Safety wanted to create a Web site for caretakers of our kids. Everyone who cares about children’s health and safety – parents, doctors, nurses, emergency responders, teachers – can get together to stay informed on the child health safety topics that have the potential to affect children in their care.

The site shares ideas, products and services that help keep kids healthier and safer. There's also a forum of experts, including pediatricians, pediatric nurses, an EMS safety expert, and a specialist in keeping home & kids toxic chemical-free - who answers questions and shares ideas.

Pediatric Safety wants to get you involved in the site, and as a thank you they are giving away the tickets. Now, for the entries.

To enter go to their site join the community and fill out the form. Then there are bonus entries. You can tweet, share the contest on other networking sites, blog, join a cause on Facebook, sign a petition and leave a comment.

The contest now ends at noon EST Friday, Aug 28.

Help make Miley Cyrus and Pediatric Safety a winning ticket!

Week 1: Blogging tips with 5 Minutes for Mom SnazL Stories, 2 pm EST today

Let's talk about blogging.

What advice or tips do you have?

What are your tips and tricks for blogging success?

What have you learned to avoid?

What have you learned to do?

Which bloggers should others look to for good examples? Please share.

If you miss week 1 join us every Thursday at 2 EST at the same place.

Reminder: Today is Miracle Treat Day at Dairy Queen

Today is Dairy Queen's annual Miracle Treat Day, when a portion of the proceeds from Blizzard sales nationwide are donated to the local children's hospitals that make up the Children's Miracle Network.

Celebrate McDonald's Happy Meal 30th birthday

McDonald's and 5 Minutes for Mom are going to give one lucky winner an entire set of the 30th Birthday Ty® Teenie Beanie Babies® plush toys. All you need to do is leave a comment to enter.

This giveaway is open for entry until Friday, August 14. The winner will be announced on Saturday.

This giveaway is open to US addresses only.

McDonald's Answers Your Questions on Happy Meal Toy Safety

Nothing is more important than the safety and well being of their customers.

Here’s why McDonald’s Happy Meal toys are safe:

• All Happy Meal toys are made exclusively for McDonald’s with McDonald’s own safety approval.
• They’re not “off-the-shelf” toys or toys.
• Testing toys is nothing new at McDonald’s.
• McDonald's has been rigorously testing and retesting Happy Meal toys for decades.
• Happy Meal toys are tested over and over again.
• They’re backed by a proactive safety program that starts with the design of the toy and continues throughout the entire process, long before a Happy Meal toy makes it to the production line.
• When it comes to toy safety, McDonald's takes nothing for granted.
• McDonald's remains vigilant and continues to watch every step of the process.
• McDonald’s suppliers do not use lead-based paint on Happy Meal toys. This safety step has been a McDonald’s mandate for more than 20 years. That’s why the recent toy recalls have nothing to do with McDonald’s, or our Happy Meal toys.

Our teenage love story; Remembering our beloved dog, and other fav photos

I love this picture of my teenage husband 35 years ago with our daughter, Patricia. We are a teenage success love story. Everyone said we wouldn't make it a year. We've been together 37 years.

This is me and my firstborn, my daughter, Patricia, who weighed 2 pounds, 4 ounces. She had a birthday yesterday. I was a teen mom, and I am now a grandma of three.

Elsie was queen when she was on her boat. And this was how we like to remember her before she left us and went to doggie heaven.

My husband, Henry, and Elsie, on one of many of their boat rides before she got sick.

Elsie started young riding the boat with her daddy and she loved it.

Elsie and my grandson, Tyler, roll around in the grass playing. They grew up together.

Elsie thought the bird bath was her water bowl and she would just help herself when she was thirsty.

Elsie guarded our grandsons. As long as she was around, no one was getting near them,

Elsie loved her pool even though she had outgrown this one she liked it better than the bigger one.

Elsie liked to play tug of war with the water hose.

My mom, Bonnie, and my granddaughter, Kristen, made each other smile when they visited each other when she was a baby.

My mother-in-law Mary, 80, kisses my granddaughter, Kristen, during their first meeting. Kristen has the same middle name as my daughter, my mother-in-law, my mom, myself, and my daughter-law.

My son, Thomas and his wife, Amanda, the night we took them to dinner before they left to move out west. We haven't seen them since May 2008.