You all know that I'm a fan of blogger. I will always pick blogger over wordpress - even though "they" say I should feel otherwise. Blogger is easy to use, easy to customize, and I rarely get a headache when using it. (And that's saying something!)

One issue I was having, though, was finding a way to backup my posts and comments here on blogger. It's a huge fear of mine that someday I'll log on and it will all be - pfffft - gone. Then what? All the time I've invested - gone!

Thank heavens I found Blogger Backup from Codeplex. I've been using them for awhile now, and I love them! Just download the program, run it, put in your blogger user name and password, and then select which blog(s) you'd like to backup. You can choose to save your comments or just your posts. You can also decide if you want to save your posts as one large file or as individual files.

It's super easy and super fast. And for those of you who want a way to backup your blogger blog, definitely check out the Blogger Backup from Codeplex.
Disclaimer: I was not contacted by codeplex and asked to post about their services at all. I simply use and love the product and wanted to share it with my readers. I was in no way compensated for this post. Other users may get different results from using this service.

Valentine's Day is almost here. I've been trying like crazy to win some great giveaways for my hubby. :) (And a vacuum for myself!) My point is, there are some really fantastic giveaways out there. We just need to know where to find them.

If you are hosting a giveaway, or found a super-great giveaway somewhere on the net, we'd love to have you leave your link here.

Remember to post your links like this:
Name: Wholesalekeychain.com - 3 winners - 2/12
Link: http://www.5vinezmonkeys.com/2010/01/wholesalekeychaincom-giveaway-3-winners.html
Shows up like this: Wholesalekeychain.com - 3 winners - 2/12

Now it's your turn!

With 5 kids, 3 cats, and a husband, I am having a very hard time finding a vacuum that can keep up with me. I run my vacuum every single day, sometimes 3 - 4 times a day.

I know it's crazy, but I'm really paranoid about germs. The thought of Parker finding anything on the floor that he could put in his mouth makes me shudder.

That's why I'm dying to win the giveaway over on raveandreview.com. She's giving away the new Oreck Halo - the vacuum I go to bed dreaming about at night. Seriously. Not only is it a cool looking vacuum, but it kills germs too!


With a price tag of $599, I desperately need to win this giveaway or have a PR rep from Oreck contact me to do a review of my own. (And, boy, could I give it a workout!!)

Enter for yourself here.

I'm hoping that karma is my friend and that by telling you all about this contest, it increases my chances just a little bit. :)

My Follow Friday pick this week is Susan Heim on Parenting. She offers tons of great giveaways, too, so be sure to stop by and enter some - or all! - of them.

Here's a little bit about Susan:

Susan M. Heim is an author and editor, specializing in parenting, multiples, women’s and Christian issues. Her books include "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Twins and More"; "Boosting Your Baby's Brain Power"; "It's Twins! Parent-to-Parent Advice from Infancy Through Adolescence"; "Oh, Baby! 7 Ways a Baby Will Change Your Life the First Year"; and, "Twice the Love: Stories of Inspiration for Families with Twins, Multiples and Singletons." Upcoming books include "Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family" and "Moms of Multiples' Devotions to Go." Susan is the founder of TwinsTalk (www.twinstalk.com), a website for parents of twins and multiples. She writes a regular column called "Loving and Living with Twins and Multiples" on MommiesMagazine.com. She is an expert on twins and multiples for AllExperts.com and a parenting expert on SelfGrowth.com. She is married and the mother of four sons -- two teenagers and twin preschoolers.

Head over to  Susan Heim on Parenting and get to know Susan today.

Susan, it's been such a pleasure reading your blog, and I will stop by often! I'd love to have you post this on your blog, if you'd like:


<a target="_blank" href="http://www.5vinezmonkeys.com/2009/04/follow-fridays-explained.html"><img src="http://www.vinezfamily.com/followfridays125.jpg" />
If you're participating in Follow Friday this week, post a link to your blog of choice here:

Time to announce the winner of the gorgeous Baby Bella Maya Slip Cover Giveaway!

Here's who random.org picked....
That means our lucky winner is......

122. Tylerpants said... I love the chic Infant Car Seat Cover - Zoe Zebra with Pink Ruffle!
February 3, 2010 8:20 PM 

Congratulations!! I have already sent an email your way. You have until Saturday at noon EST to claim your prize.

I am a huge fan of Mom Central. I'm so lucky to be able to participate in some really fantastic blog tours thanks to them. (Like the recent Pepsi blog tour. So cool!)

I wanted to let you all know that Mom Central has released their Valentine's Day Gift Guide. They've got gift ideas for everyone on your list - your spouse, your best friend, your kids - and yourself! The best part is, not only can you find out about all of the really great products that made their cut, you can enter to win each item! And it's so easy to do!

Just head to their Valentine's Day Gift Guide, click on the links to the giveaways you want to win, and leave your comment. It couldn't be any easier. (Make sure you register with Mom Central - if you haven't already!)

Here are just a few of the giveaways they have up this week:

Frederick's of Hollywood: Frederick's of Hollywood creates beautiful and sophisticated lingerie to help women feel sexy and confident in their own skin. Re-ignite the romance in your life and treat yourself- and your significant other- with special lingerie this Valentine's Day and beyond.

Perry Ellis Platinum Cologne: High-end fashion company Perry Ellis has launched their own line of men's fragrances, and Perry Ellis Platinum Label stands as the crown jewel of this catalog. This intricate blend of bamboo, mandarin, rosemary, violet, lavender, and cedar wood can be only be described as completely addictive and endlessly seductive.

Chocri Customizable Chocolate bars: Take the quintessential Valentine's Day gift of chocolate one step further with Chocri Chocolates, and move beyond your typical candy experience with customizable chocolate bars. Start with a base of milk, dark, or white chocolate and choose up to 5 toppings from more than 90 different mix-ins to create a truly unique confection to your Valentine.

Don't delay. Head to the Mom Central Valentine's Day Gift Guide, get some really great gift-giving (or hinting!!) ideas, and then enter to win. It runs through Valentine's Day, and new links will be put up each week, so make sure you stop by often.

Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central. Mom Central entered my name in a random drawing to win a gift to thank me for taking the time to participate.

When the weather people even predict that this might be coming, good luck finding bread or milk at the local grocery store. School is called off at the release of the first flake. Businesses shut down. No one leaves their house.

I wish these pictures had turned out better. These were some of the biggest flakes I've ever seen in my life. Not panic worthy in my book, but very cool looking.

If you're participating in wordless wednesday, leave your link here: