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When the Kidz Stop Screaming

By Sue · Comments (21) · January 10th, 2013

I remember it as if it were yesterday. It was an unseasonably warm night in October of 2001.

Truth be told, it was technically morning. But back then, the days and nights melded together in a murky haze.

I had just put an infant Twin A back in her crib after a feeding and diaper change. I was now sitting upright in bed, repeating the procedure with Twin B, giving him a bottle and willing myself to stay awake despite my exhaustion. Supporting his head in the crook of my elbow, I reached with the other hand for the television remote and hit the power button. I channel surfed until a technicolor image assaulted my bleary eyes:

This and all images copyrighted by Kidzbop, Inc.

As painful as the image was, I couldn’t look away.

Kids sing today’s greatest pop hits! The tenor voice on the screen proclaimed. Livin’ la Vida Loca! Oops!…I did it Again! Steal my Sunshine! All in one fabulous collection, sung by kids, for kids!

My punchy, post-partum brain registered this as funny. I laughed like a loon, scaring the wits out of the now dozing infant in my arms. He began to wail.

You’ve got that right, kid. I thought morosely. I finished up Twin B’s feeding and diaper change. The commercial was still on even after he was back in his crib. I snapped the television off, disgusted.

Who on earth would pay for yesterday’s C-rate music re-hashed by a gaggle of pre-pubescent pop star wannabes?

Seriously…Who?

A few months later, I had my answer.

More than 500,000 Americans, that’s who.

The CD had gone gold in no time flat.

And since then, friends? Kidz Bop has made a mockery of my mockery by cranking out more than forty five CDs in the subsequent ten years.

Just let that ~~regurgitate~~ resonate with you all for a moment.

I snorted when they came out with Kidz Bop Sings Monster Ballads, which included selections from Motley Crue, Poison and Whitesnake. For, as much as I love me some screechy-guitared glam rock action, the absurdity of this genre of music is not lost on me.

But when they released this?

I stopped laughing. That was hitting just a wee bit too close to my musical home. Some things – namely, the music of legitimate artists – should remain inviolate. And I was growing increasingly alarmed that the ‘tween gang at Kidz Bob didn’t know the meaning of that four-syllable word.

But it didn’t stop there, friends.

Oh, no.

The Kidz Boppers have waged their audio assault on musicians with their roots in indie music, folk, and rhythm & blues.

Coldplay. Norah Jones. Lenny Kravitz. Marvin Gaye and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

None of these has escaped the Kidz Bop juggernaut.

Forget the Mayan calendar, friends. It’s Kidz Bop upon which we must keep a vigilant watch.

They’re taking over the music world.

And, in so doing, they’re effectively taking over my world.

Since 2001, my dreams have been haunted by the shenanigans of these pipsqueaks. I can stay silent about it no longer.

Down with Kidz Bop.

To paraphrase the words of the fictitious Dr. Hannibal Lecter, don’t buy into the hype. And I’ll let you know when the Kidz stop screaming.

Inspired by a prompt from

“Tell us about something that is haunting you.”

Comments (21)

A Resolution Revolution

By Sue · Comments (34) · January 3rd, 2013

First: A bit of business…Thank you to the 48 entrants for the Thinkfun Daily Puzzle giveaway! Click here and scroll down to view the winner in the Rafflecopter box of the giveaway post. I’ll be emailing the winner today to obtain shipping address information. I hope that they enjoy the puzzle as much as we have.

And now…Back to our regularly scheduled post:

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Happy New Year, friends. Did you do it up right?

Boogie on down?

Party until the cows came home?

Me? I spent New Year’s Eve in Mexico in the company of thirteen other family members, plus scads of strangers at an all-inclusive shindig. We were treated to an international buffet of epic proportions, a live Avengers-themed stage show, and dancing to the selections of a disc jockey with an affinity for Laura Brannigan and The Thompson Twins.

And, friends…I partied until the cows came home. *fist pump*

Or until approximately 9:55 pm, when the third glass of chardonnay kicked in and I found it prudent to take a little nappy-nap at the dining table.

My groom, ever the attentive one, was at the ready with my phone camera. He captured the moment perfectly and sent it via text message to our friends back home.

I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve him.

One might be tempted to think that I’m feeling obliged to share the image with you here, on The Spin Cycle.

And one would be wrong if one were to think that.

But don’t you worry about me, friends…I rallied after my power snooze like the rock star that I am. At 10:30, I raised my head, rose from the table, and with a flourish…

I retired to our family’s casita.

Because *that’s* how I roll.

Come to think of it, I spent last New Year’s Eve adhering to a similar timetable.

And the one before that as well.

I’m not old enough to behave this way. And it needs to stop.

Now. I typically poo-poo the idea of resolution making. I think of it as flinging the door to Disappointment wide open and ushering inevitable Feelings of Failure within. What is that crazy statistic regarding how many people fall off of their self-inflicted resolution bandwagon within a month?

I just don’t care to clamber aboard that bandwagon.

Plus…If I decide to make a change for the better? I can do it any old day. Not just on December 31st under the influence of sentimentality, bravado and a glass or two ~~or nine~~ of bubbly.

However. I am breaking with tradition by actually making a resolution this year. And that would be to keep my eyeballs until midnight on the next New Year’s Eve.

That’s it.

It’s a simple, attainable goal. One that will save me from being slapped with the moniker of Ultimate New Year’s Eve Party Pooper.

As well as from my own phone camera.

How about you, friends? Have you made any resolutions for this year? Or do avoid them at all costs?

Do tell…I’d love to hear where you stand on the issue.

Inspired by a prompt from

“Resolutions. Love ‘em? Hate ‘em?”

Comments (34)

ThinkFun’s Daily Puzzle – Review and Giveaway

By Sue · Comments (2) · December 27th, 2012

There are some things about daily life that I find puzzling.

Why do eleven year-old boys insist upon wearing shorts and calf-length black socks to school in 30-degree weather?

How is it that there is always an 8:00 am girls’ basketball game scheduled on the morning after an impromptu, but decidedly rocking and extended neighborhood happy hour?

Will Gangnam Style ever go off the airwaves?

Some of these puzzles keep me awake at night and eat away at my sanity, meager as it is.

And so when my homies at ThinkFun asked if my family and I wanted to try out one of their newest products called The Daily Puzzle, you can probably understand my hesitation.

Life is puzzling enough as it is, friends.

But at The Small One’s insistence, we took ThinkFun up on their offer.

And I’m so very glad that we did.

You see, while some of life’s puzzles are merely annoying, The Daily Puzzle is actually a fun challenge.

And a perpetual calendar.

All in one.

Isn’t it cute? It’s a set of interlocking pieces, that, when arranged properly, keeps tabs on the date.

The Small One had a fantastic time stretching his spatial reasoning skills and counting down the days until Christmas last week…

And I know that he’ll continue to enjoy it in the coming days, weeks, and months.

I just love toys that teach, don’t you?

And, being the gracious folks that they are, ThinkFun will send another Daily Puzzle to one fortunate reader. Win one of these babies? And you’ll be living Gangnam Style, my friends.

I’m sorry…did I just say that?

Anyway.

Here’s the really ultra-cool part: I’ve joined the masses and am using Rafflecopter to run my giveaways! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Rafflecopter, it’s easy. Just log in with your Facebook or email account to get started and follow the prompts.

And as a consequence, I will no longer be accepting monetary bribes in exchange for giveaway winnings on this blog.

I kid…I kid.

It’s much simpler than the old comment method…I promise. Good luck! Now start entering!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments (2)

Cornflake-Marshmallow Wreath Thingies

By Sue · Comments (24) · December 20th, 2012

“Are you ready for Christmas?”

It’s the question of the season, no?

*cue Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town*

And if “ready” means finished with shopping, wrapping, decorating, and Christmas cards, then my answer to that question would most definitely be…

…a resounding no.

However. I do have most of my baking done. I take comfort in knowing that at least Santa will have something to snack upon should he decide to keep The Cherubs on his “nice” list and pay a visit to our humble abode.

And today I’d love to share a favorite recipe that always seems to find its way onto Santa’s plate of goodies. That is, if I can manage to stash a few of them out of The Cherubs’ reach and keep them tucked away until Christmas Eve.

What is this recipe, you ask?

*dramatic pause in music*

Perhaps you’re not asking. Perhaps you’d just as soon not know, considering that I’m not much of a chef.

But I’m going to tell you anyway. ~~Neener-neener.~~

*again with the music*

Why, it’s Cornflake-Marshmallow Wreath Thingies, of course.

And here’s how we make them in my house.

I know…I know…they sound super-fancy. But this is all you need, friends: 3 cups of corn flakes, 30 large marshmallows, 1/2 cup of butter, green food coloring, and red hot candies.

Start by melting the butter in a large pot over medium-low heat.

Next, run into the adjacent family room. Tell The Boys to stop wrestling and come and help you create a Hallmark moment.

Return to the kitchen. Add the marshmallows and the food coloring to the butter. Continue to stir until all the ingredients are melted together.

Hightail it back into the family room and remind The Boys that Santa is always watching them.

Marvel at how quickly Twin B comes running to aid his sister upon the mention of Santa. Remove the marshmallow concoction from the heat. Fold the corn flakes into the marshmallow concoction.

When the concoction resembles Grinch vomit? You’re good to go.

Drop the vomit by large spoonfuls onto wax paper. Butter the ends of a few wooden spoons and have your Cherubs poke holes in the middles to create wreath shapes.

Add a few red hot “berries…” And voila. You have Cornflake-Marshmallow Wreath Thingies. And the only thing better than Cornflake-Marshmallow Wreath Thingies…

Is the smiles that they create. Bon appetit…And a Merry, Merry Christmas to all.

Inspired by a prompt from

“What cookies are you leaving for the big guy?”

Comments (24)

Dear Santa…

By Sue · Comments (34) · December 13th, 2012

First: A bit of business…

The winner of the BYOU Magazine subscription giveaway is:

1) Susan: sgeh——–

Congratulations, Susan. I’ve emailed you to obtain shipping address information. I hope that a special girl in your life enjoys BYOU as much as Twin A has.

And now…Back to our regularly scheduled post:

*************************************************************************************************************************

Dear Santa,

I’m sure that you’re pretty surprised to hear from me. And, to be frank, I’m rather surprised to be writing you, considering the fact that I’ve tiptoed around my home on your behalf every Christmas Eve for the past eleven years, leaving presents underneath the tree and in the stockings, snarfing down cookies, guzzling milk, leaving crumbs and forged reindeer hoofprints in my wake.

But, as you know, my children have joined forces as of late in hopes of winning your favor. And, in all honesty, this uncommon show of unity and cooperation has me somewhat concerned.

So I’m going to hedge my bets and operate under the assumption that you are, indeed, real, and capable of granting super-big Christmas wishes.

Let me be clear: This is not one of those sniveling, smarmy letters about some ridiculous object of my desire that I MUST see under the tree come Christmas morning.

Oh, no.

It’s about what I DON’T want to see under the tree.

And that would be a puppy.

Please don’t be too hasty to judge me. Here’s the deal, Santa: The Cherubs have been yammering for a puppy since mid-October. As soon as their tears over the loss of our beloved Macy had dried, they turned their collective attentions upon Christmas…and how it would be the perfect time for a new dog.

I disagree whole-heartedly.

Does that make me mean?

Wait…don’t answer that. Just hear me out on this one first, big guy.

I think that fulfillment of Christmas wishes is fabulous. I really, really do.

And I love me some baloney-breathed, razor-toothed puppy affection as much as the next girl.

However.

I truly don’t believe that the time is right.

There are the obvious, practical reasons: The Cherubs are in school and unable to help with the care of a puppy. We will be doing some traveling as a family during the winter months. These creatures need to spend plenty of time outdoors as they are being housetrained, and who in their right mind wants to supervise tinkle time while standing in knee-deep Illinois snowdrifts and shivering in sub-zero degree temperatures?

No one, that’s who.

But, practically aside, there’s more.

And here’s where it gets sort of dicey, St. Nick.

The Cherubs aren’t aching for a dog.

There. I said it. And I won’t waver on this issue.

For the past eleven years, they’ve always had a dog – or two – around the house. They’ve tripped over the creatures and pulled their tails and attempted to dress them up and put makeup on them and taught them the Cha-Cha Slide and all the things that ~~deranged~~ young dog owners do.

Dogs have consistently been part of the family portrait around here. The Cherubs have never been without one.

Just like they’ve never been without a family room couch.

Or holes in the big toes of their socks.

Or overgrown fingernails.

A dog always been a given, so to speak.

And now? Now that the given is…well…gone?

It’s become clear to me that they’re truly starting to appreciate what they had. It’s a sensation that’s hard to come by in this age of entitled youth. And it’s…dare I say it? Character building.

So, Santa, while it is most definitely your call whether or not to leave a wriggling bundle of cuteness under our tree this year, I’m going to ask that you resist The Cherubs’ pining and allow them to wait a while longer.

It is Christmas, after all.

And just as a certain birth was heralded some two thousand years ago after the world had waited…

And waited…

And then waited some more…

I know that my children will herald the inevitable arrival of a new friend

If they are allowed to wait

A bit longer.

Inspired by a prompt from

“Write a letter to Santa and let him know what you’d like to see under your tree this year.”

Comments (34)

On Being Your Own You

By Sue · Comments (11) · December 6th, 2012

You know that expression, “She marches to the beat of her own drum?”

Yeah. People used to say that about me. Until Twin A came along.

That girl? Was born with her own marching rhythm section.

At Halloween, while all of her girlfriends dressed up as prom queens and pop stars, she opted to go trick-or-treating as Miss America. But she did it with a blue morph suit, knee-high red boots, a Captain America T-shirt, and a red, white, and blue superhero shield.

With Christmas right around the corner, she has provided me with a list of wishes. There is not an electronic gadget or a name-brand piece of clothing to be found anywhere on it. At the top of the list is an archery set.

Of course. *cue cymbal crash”

She’s never been one to follow a trend. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So when I was contacted by BYOU Magazine to conduct a review of their publication, I was intrigued. You see, BYOU stands for “Be Your Own You,” and it’s written with the eight-to-twelve-year-old demographic in mind.

Giddyap.

So they sent a few issues to us

And Twin A took them for a spin, so to speak.

She loves the fact that BYOU features celebrity write-ups. And I love the fact that the write-ups feature celebrities with talent, substance, and role model-worthy lifestyles.

She was drawn to the “beauty” articles. And I was impressed by the fact that the word “beauty” in BYOU is always preceded by the word “inner.”

We both gave high marks to the cover stories about community service and combatting bullying, as well as the “B-Smart” word puzzles. When my independent thinker and I agree? It is a beautiful thing.

Do you know a BYOU kind of girl who would enjoy this magazine as much as Twin A?

Then you’re in luck…because I am thrilled to offer a one-year subscription to BYOU Magazine to one of my readers. Can you say, “tween stocking stuffer?” You’re welcome.

Giveaway Rules:

Each comment left on this post, from now until Thursday, December 13th, will be considered an entry. The winner will be chosen by random electronic drawing and announced in a post on that date. Multiple entries (up to five) per person are encouraged. To enter, do one or more of the following. Verify each action with a separate comment here.

1. Follow my blog and leave a comment telling me why a special girl in your life might enjoy BYOU Magazine.

2. Share this giveaway on your Facebook wall.

3. ”Like” The Spin Cycle on Facebook.

4. ”Like” BYOU on Facebook.

5. Follow The Spin Cycle on Twitter and tweet this giveaway.

Good luck, friends!

Disclosure Statement:

I was provided with two issues of BYOU Magazine in order to complete this post. All opinions are my own. Only residents of the United States are eligible for entry.

Comments (11)

Mama Loves her Sparkle

By Sue · Comments (30) · November 29th, 2012

I love the weekend after Thanksgiving. It’s the time I set aside to decorate for Christmas.

I would suspect that I am not alone in this tradition.

With a long weekend at my disposal, I take my time making my way down to the basement

And returning with boxes full of treasures that have lain in wait for nearly a year

Treasures to be rediscovered as if for the first time.

Every homemaker has their method of choice…their signature style for making their dwelling merry and bright.

Some arrange winter village scenes

Others opt for a collection of nutcrackers

As for me?

It’s all about sparkle.

I eschew the candy canes, reindeer, snowmen and such

In favor of showing my holiday spirit with sparkle.

My groom rolls his eyes and laments that he will be finding glittery bits in his sock drawer come Easter

But still

I am compelled to sparkle.

If it don’t have the bling?

It ain’t worth nothing.

If it don’t shine?

Then it can’t be mine.

If it’s not bedazzled?

This mama’s sure to be frazzled.

{Insert five more sappy holiday couplets here}

{Have I made myself clear?}

Sparkle. ~~Dammit.~~

As tradition in our family dictates, The Cherubs are in charge of The Nativity. And although, in past years, they have put their personal mark on our Christmas decor with arrangements like Cirque du Messiah and A Mighty Fortress in Bethlehem,

This year?

They unanimously agreed to take my passion for sparkle to heart.

Hope, defined, in a season of hope. *sigh*

So last week, on the day after Thanksgiving, after I had finished bedazzling the halls, I went upstairs and took a long, hot bath while The Cherubs set to work on The Nativity.

Then I padded back downstairs in my robe to find the lights dimmed, save for a flicker of candlelight coming from a corner of the family room.

As I drew nearer, there was nary a Cherub in sight.

But, lo, there was sparkle.

Behold the 2012 Nativity:

Cosmic Bowling with the Holy Fam

Inspired by a prompt from

“Write a post that incorporates the word ‘sparkle.’”

Comments (30)

Giving Thanks for Quotables

By Sue · Comments (24) · November 22nd, 2012

When I was a girl…some thirty years ago…

My parents did everything in their power to provide my two younger brothers and me with a solid upbringing.

They saw after our grooming

They helped us with our homework

They fed us three square meals a day

With the exception of milk.

But I digress.

And, of course, there were household rules by which we three had to abide.

You know…the basics:

Respect your elders…

No hitting…

And…umm…No quoting at the table.

You see, having been born in the 1970′s, we were First Generation VHS Kids. We watched movies and television during an era when on-demand repetition of worthy clips was a shiny new concept. We would press that rewind button ad nauseum, watching favorite snippets in reverse before viewing them again…and again…and again…

And yet again…

Until we had committed them to memory and could recite them at the smallest prompting. Which, incidentally, was usually at the dinner table.

Much to the dismay of our parents, who did not share our affinity for ad nauseum movie quoting.

The table was where we gathered to nourish our bodies, exchange ideas, and bow our heads together in gratitude for our blessings.

Quoting matches had no place in this family portrait. Especially on Thanksgiving.

And now…now that I am a grown-up with children of my own…

I have the same rule: No quoting at the table. I mean, really…who needs to hear, a thousand times over, some annoying quip first heard on Cartoon Network?

Unless, of course, the quote in question happens to be from one of my favorite quotable films or shows from yesteryear…a belly-laugh inducing quote that I, personally, have introduced to my children via the magic of oral tradition and YouTube.

In that case? I applaud The Cherubs and enthusiastically help them fill in the blanks where they stumble.

Call it a tradition of sorts. Their collective repertoire includes, but is certainly not limited to:

click images for sources

I like it. I like it a LOT.

Cheeseburger! Cheeseburger! Cheeseburger! Cheeseburger! Cheeseburger! Cheeseburger!

I don’t wanna be a pirate!

Dad is great…Gave us the choc-late cake!

Abe Froman? The sausage king of Chicago?

You can’t HANDLE the truth!

I could go on. But I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner.

And as certain as I am that the smoke alarm will announce supper

I am just as certain that there will be an abundance of vintage screenplay quips peppering our conversation.

So today, in addition to counting my blessings of faith and good health, of family and friends…I am especially thankful for the gift of laughter shared between generations, and the fact that there is never a shortage of it around my dinner table.

Inspired by a prompt from

“We’re going around the table and it’s your turn to share what you are thankful for…go!”

Comments (24)

The Case of the Missing Innards

By Sue · Comments (44) · November 15th, 2012

First: A bit of business…

The winner of the Organizing Utility Tote from Thirty-One Gifts is:

Pick Giveaway Winner

1) Runnermom-jen: jento-———–

Congratulations, Jen! I’ve emailed you to obtain shipping address information. I hope you enjoy your tote as much as I have.

WAIT! THERE’S MORE! Even if you didn’t win…make sure that you’ve requested to join Thirty-One Representative Tori’s Facebook Group. She’s conducting ANOTHER giveaway for group members only. Also – Click here to get in on some great deals ($5 bag, anyone?) just in time for the holidays.

And now…Back to our regularly scheduled post:

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I was going through my Thanksgiving checklist – I’ve hosted my in-laws for the past decade – and jotting down the items that I’d need to purchase. I take pride in the fact that, though I’m no Martha Stewart, I am able to prepare and serve an almost entirely home-cooked meal, from the stuffing to the pumpkin pie.

Almost.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

My grocery list is always rather long:

25 pound turkey

roasting pan

unsalted butter

onions

celery

corn meal

and so on.

I paused when I got to large jar of gravy. My pencil hovered over the paper and a smirk spread across my face as I recalled the first time I had played hostess, some ten years ago.

***

The distinctive aromas of parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, ~~Simon and Garfunkel~~ and turkey wafted through the kitchen and were evidently intoxicating The Twins. At 18 months, they were spinning around the kitchen like whirling dervishes, ricocheting off of each other and my legs and cabinets and generally making themselves underfoot.

I, for my part, was hunched over my weathered edition of The Joy of Cooking, muttering curses beneath my breath. The turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole were all prepared, covered in foil, and resting upon trivets. I had moved on to preparations for the gravy. There was a pot on the stove waiting to be filled with the turkey giblets.

Which, incidentally, were nowhere to be found.

Had I thrown them away?

A quick peek in the trash told me that I had not.

Down the disposal?

I yanked up my shirt sleeve and gingerly inserted my arm up to my elbow.

Nothing.

I eyed Macy the Two-Year-Old Spastic Weimaraner suspiciously. She had a well-known affinity for all things slimy, from pre-chewed bubble gum to goose droppings. But she was gnawing with gusto on a slobbery chunk of rawhide.

I began to break out in a sweat. How was I to prepare gravy without giblets?

And serve Thanksgiving dinner without gravy?

In a panic, I flew to the pantry, a wordless prayer forming in my mind. It was all I could do not to scream hallelujah when, after a bit of rooting around, I located a jar of pre-made gravy.

In an attempt to save homemade face, I dumped the contents of the jar into the saucepan upon the stove, wiped the sweat off my brow, and stirred the concoction while calling to my father-in-law, “Granddad? Would you mind carving the turkey? I’m just about done with this homemade gravy.”

Granddad obliged, commenting dutifully on the effort that I had put into the meal, right down to the homemade gravy.

That’s what fathers-in-law are for.

And you know what else they’re for?

For not uttering a word of disgust

Or judgement

When they carve into your Thanksgiving turkey

And fish out a melting plastic bag of 375 degree giblets.

Inspired by a prompt from

“Tell us something that made you smile this week.”

Comments (44)

Getting my Act Together – A Thirty-One Gifts Giveaway

By Sue · Comments (76) · November 8th, 2012

I was flippng through my Martha Stewart Living magazine - the December issue – and feeling inevitably and woefully inadequate.

For, try as I might,

And no matter how many back-issues I collect and store for Someday,

All of my Martha-inspired projects

are destined to turn out like so:

Click the image for the accompanying story if you missed it.

Anyway. I was perusing the December issue, and this phrase in an article on gift giving inspired me to ~~dry heave~~ take pause and reflect: ”Each year, around September, I start to think seriously about my personal Christmas gifts for family members and close friends…I organize my homemade gifts into groups – edible, wearable, decorative, and practical – and the list of recipients into human and animal…”

After the smelling salts took effect and I more or less had my wits about me once again (September? Animal recipients?), I scrutinized Martha’s message, and a single word jumped out at me: Organize.

Could that be the key to sailing through the holidays Martha-style, full of creativity, heart-felt giving, ~~mimimum security prison~~ and clever crafts?

I quietly closed the magazine, filed it away,

And vowed that this holiday season, I would be organized.

Yes. This was key.

Once I had made this pact with myself, I raised my head and looked around my kitchen.

My gaze settled on this.

Thirty One Gifts Organizing Utility Tote

In the super-chic Parisian Print, no less.

My Organizing Utility Tote from Thirty-One Gifts.

And I sat up a bit taller in my chair.

It does keep me organized, friends.

Last weekend? I took it to Happy Hour(s) at a girlfriend’s house.

Drinks, appetizer, wine opener, and hostess gift all fit easily inside, as neat as you please.

I loaned it to Twin A a few days later as she was getting her things ready to take along to musical rehearsal.

She was smitten with the seven – SEVEN! – side pockets. I may never get it back.

In sum? My Organizing Utility Tote helps my family get our act together. And keep it together.

Heck – Thirty One Gifts is all about getting it together.

Envious of our togetherness, now, are you?

Don’t be. This is your chance to nab one of these gems for yourself. Here’s how:

Giveaway Rules:

Each comment left on this post, from now until Thursday, November 15th, will be considered an entry. The winner will be chosen by random electronic drawing and announced in a post on that date. Multiple entries (up to five) per person are encouraged. To enter, do one or more of the following. Verify each action with a separate comment here.

1. Follow my blog and leave a comment telling me how you would use the Organizing Utility Tote.

2. Check out Thirty-One’s online catalog – They have a boatload of supercool stuff – and let me know which product(s) most appeal to you.

3. Share this giveaway on your Facebook wall.

4. Join Tori’s 31 Specials Facebook Group by clicking here and then on the “Request to Join” button on the upper right corner of the page. This will keep you in the loop with all of Tori’s upcoming holiday specials! And, by all means, add friends to the group who you know would love Thirty-One Gifts.

5. Follow The Spin Cycle on Twitter and tweet this giveaway.

Good luck, friends!

Disclosure Statement:

I was provided with an Organizing Utility Tote in order to complete this post. All opinions are my own. Only residents of the United States are eligible for entry. Thirty-One Gifts and The Spin Cycle are not to be held responsible for transforming hopeful entrants into Martha Stewart.

Comments (76)