Help a fellow mom whose 3 year old daughter has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer

This is a heartbreaking post.  Coupon Mommy of 2 (3) and her family were informed over this past Christmas Season that 3 year old Emily is very ill with Stage 4 cancer.  They are in need of a lot of financial help right now for travels and medical expenses.  You can read more about this on Shannon's (Coupon Mommy of 2) blog.  


I have not personally seen her ask one time for anything from anyone except for prayer...which of course, she has.  If you can add this family to your list of prayer, I know it is appreciated.  Many women from the blogging community are coming together to try to ease some of her financial burden.  Melissa over at Fabulous Family Reviews and Giveaways is putting together a raffle to aid in the collection of money.  This raffle is huge already and has many prizes and sponsors:

Companies that have offered donations so far:

Rockin' Green

gDiapers

Bouncing Woolies

Applecheeks

BabyBug Creations

Independent Scentsy Consultant ~ Lisa Marie

Gina Turella Garcia- Go, Baby, Go! Independent Consultant

Cute Factor

SweetPeas An Bumpkins

GoGreen Pocket Diapers

Delaynie Cooper Designs

HootHootBaby

BabyLegs

Mud Butt

Lilys Bowtique

Prairie Tales

Lilac City Momma 

Living on Limited Income

Tiny Toe Creations

Five Talents Boutique

Mud Butt Cloth Diapers

EcoMom

All American Baby Boutique

Moms Saving Money

SoftBums

Designer Bub

Little Miss Posh

Wee Expressions

Green Bumkin

Sleepy Wrap

Boba Carrier

Personal donation from Becky Huss

Adventures in Abby Land

ali AND swan

Wash Away Cancer

Blogs that will be posting the giveaway:

The Mommy Times  http://themommytimes-scmomof2boys.blogspot.com/

Biehl Adventures http://biehladventures.blogspot.com/

Mammamoiselle! http://www.mammamoiselle.com/

Making Time For Mommy http://makingtimeformommy.com/

His Little Mrs. http://www.hislittlemrs.com/

Modified Momma Reviewshttp://www.modifiedmommareviews.blogspot.com/

Raising my 5 Sons http://www.raisingmy5sons.com/

The Cloth Experiment http://theclothexperiment.blogspot.com/

SAPsMaMa  http://sapsmama.com/

Living on Limited Income http://livingonlimitedincome.blogspot.com/

Portland Green Mama http://pdxgreenmama.blogspot.com/

The Rabbitt Hutch http://www.therabbitthutch.blogspot.com/

Lilac City Momma http://lilaccitymomma.com/

Go Long! Go Green!  http://longfamilychronicles.blogspot.com/

Having Fun Blogging http://mrsphilipswithonel.blogspot.com/

The Adventures of Mommy Bhttp://theadventuresofmommyb.blogspot.com/

Beck, The Crazy Housewife http://beckestbeck.blogspot.com/

Moms Saving Money www.momssaving.com

Happily Southern http://www.happilysouthernreviews.blogspot.com/

Chubby Cheeks Thinks http://www.chubbycheeksthinks.com/

Adventures in Abby Land http://adventuresnabbyland.blogspot.com/

Energizer Bunny's Mommy Reportshttp://energizerbunnysmommyreports.blogspot.com/

100% off the money donated will be going to Shannon's family. You MUST use the ChipIn (goes through paypal) widget to donate as the money goes directly into Shannon's paypal account.

There are going to be multiple prize packs to be won. A minimum of $5.00 is required to enter the giveaway. $5 will get you one entry into the giveaway. For every $1 after that = 1 entry. So donate $10 and you will get 6 entries into the giveaway. After your initial $5 donation you will then be eligible for extra entries such as liking the sponsors and bloggers on facebook, following on Twitter, etc.

*** If you donate via the ChipIn widget BEFORE (or already have donated) the giveaway starts you double your extra entries. You still get one for the $5 donation but you get 2 entries for every $1 after that. So if you donate $10 BEFORE the giveaway starts you get 11 entries ***

Sponsors and bloggers who post the ChipIn widget and giveaway ARE eligible to win.

The giveaway will run until Feb. 28, 2011 at 11:59 pm CST. 

Vinegar...not just for pickles!

Has anyone been noticing a big surge in women looking for frugal and natural ways to clean their homes lately?  I sure have!  I also have noticed women on the other side of the coin, those that see the words "natural" or "green" and say:  "Yeah, but I need something that really works!".  Companies will have you believe that if it isn't bleach, it isn't clean.
I used to fall on the latter side of the spectrum.  Every Saturday, I religiously would bleach EVERYTHING in my apartment.  I would know that my house was clean if I could smell bleach.  It was my right hand man!
Then I got pregnant with Baby Bear.  And then I got stuck on bed rest.  So, how was I supposed to clean the house effectively and not breath in toxic fumes?  I had lots of time to spend on the internet doing research and a new lifestyle has developed.  :)  I have learned that white household vinegar is the cheapest but strongest way to clean and disinfect.  An aunt of mine opened me up to the world of essential oils. Many blogs later, I have learned from countless women about cloth diapering and how to wash them.  
And now, aside from Jesus and my husband, vinegar is one of my best friends.
Did you know that a few cups of household vinegar will disinfect even your toilet?
That vinegar will kill even yeast on your cloth diapers?
That a mixture of vinegar and baking soda will clog the nastiest of drains?

Do you use vinegar in your home?  Please, share your uses!  I'd love to hear them!