The Three Whiskateers: January 2013

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Cook N Grow Giveaway

The Three Whiskateers are participating in the Cook N Grow Giveaway event! How cool would this be to win?! It starts February 1st and ends February 15th so hurry! This one will be over soon. You can't win if you don't enter so go enter for a chance to win below! Best of luck to you <^..^>

Welcome to the Cook n’ Grow Event

Hosted by Mom to Bed by 8. With special co-hosts: Kelly's Thoughts on Things, Capri's Coupons, Homeschooling Mom 4, Coupon Queen of Texas, Giveaway Bandit and Iowa Sweets.

You will have an inspiring little chef with this realistic Cook N' Grow Kitchen playset that grows with your child. When this Little Tikes kitchen is opened it is the perfect height for toddlers. When the kitchen is compacted it is now the perfect size for your preschooler to cook your dinner. There are 50+ accessories included! Browse our full Play Kitchen collection for more fun toys.

Features:

• Kitchen has 2 age grade configurations
1) Kitchen is expanded and the height is just right for toddlers
2) Compacting the kitchen makes it just right for preschoolers
• Electronic cooking sounds
• Hooks for hanging cups
• Molded in slots to hold plates
• Oven, refrigerator and microwave doors all open and close
• Shape-sorting lid for pot helps develop fine motor skills
• 50+ accessories included

One lucky winner will receive the Little Tikes Cook N' Grow Kitchen + $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Giveaway ends February 15th, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. The Three Whiskateers is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!

$350 Melissa & Doug Toys Giveaway

We here at The Three Whiskateers are participating in the Melissa & Doug $350 Toys Giveaway! This awesome giveaway begins February 1st and runs until February 26th, so get your entries in soon! This is a great company that makes fun, high quality toys and I highly recommend them! You can't win if you don't enter, so fill out the easy entry form below for a chance to win! <^..^>

$350 Melissa & Doug Toys Giveaway

Thursday 13 And Our Love Story

Hello all you wonderful people out there in Internet Land, and welcome to another installment of Thursday 13! Since it is so close to Valentine's Day, today I am writing on 13 things about my sweet wonderful fiance, Tyler, and our relationship. Hope you enjoy <^..^>

1. How we met and fell in love.

I have known Tyler since our sophomore year of high school. We met in the cafeteria at school and became best friends almost instantly. Anyone who knows Tyler knows that he is a very funny guy. He knows how to make anyone laugh, ( one of the many things about him that I fell in love with <3 ) and that is what interested me about him the most! Who doesn't want to be around a funny guy, right? At the time, he wasn't going to church and I got him to start coming with me. After a few months of church, he made a decision to give his heart to the Lord! He decided to devote his life to God. And, little did he know, this gave me the excuse I needed to allow myself to fall head over heels for him! I had made a promise to God that I wouldn't date guys that hadn't given their life to God, and when Tyler did, I could start to see him as more than a friend (even though I secretly already had feelings for him!) After that, it was only a matter of time before he worked up the courage to ask me out. He was a very shy guy! ( it's sweet! ) And, of course, I said yes! Our anniversary of the day we started going out was January 2, 2010. Which, by the way, is the date we picked for our upcoming wedding in 2014! Tyler was my first boyfriend (and last!) and it was all a brand new experience for me!

This is a picture of us a couple of months after we started dating, our junior year of high school. I'm on the right side and he's on the left. Sorry about the bad quality, we were on a bus : )

2. Exactly a month after we officially started going out, ( Ground hog's Day ) we had our first kiss! It's a very sweet story, but maybe for another time!

3. Our birthdays are exactly a week apart! We were both born the same year, and we were both born in December, exactly 7 days apart. Which, of course, is so fun for gift buying especially with Christmas right in between and our anniversary right after *sarcasm* : )

4. Timeless Valley

When we first started going out, we didn't get to spend much time together. So, we quickly came up with what came to be called "Timeless Valley" Timeless Valley is an escape. It is whatever we want it to be. It's a place where everything is perfect and a special place just for us. When we are stressed from the cares of the day or just lonely, when we can't spend time together or are apart for whatever reason, we'll go to Timeless Valley. Usually we will be on the phone and we will just make believe ( no, I'm not afraid to admit that, make believe is awesome! ) that we are together. If you don't have something like this, I would highly recommend it! Within minutes, you can be on an island with your toes in the sand, watching a beautiful sunset with the one you love! To explain it further, below is a poem that I wrote about it back in 2010. ( I took that picture too, right before a storm! )

5. We both love cartoons! ( only the old and good ones )

6. Tyler's nickname for me is Kitten! <^..^>

Ty drew this for me!

7. He proposed to me on my 20th birthday. He took me to a local lake when it was really stormy and cold. We went out to a dock, he got down on one knee, and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him!

8. Our song is " You'll Be In My Heart " by Phil Collins! Yeah, that one song from the Tarzan movie ( I know it's weird, but it's a sweet song! )

9. We do a thing called "Just Because I Love You Day" It's a day when one of us surprises the other with gifts just because I love you!

This was what Ty got me for our last JBILYD!

10. We complete each other.

An old photo from a photo booth.

11. We both adore kitties ( obviously )

12. We are fully committed to each other.

13. We are deeply and madly in love!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the post! Leave a comment below if you did. Have a great day and thanks so very very much for stopping by <^..^>

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Wordless Wednesday - Who Drank My Soda?

Kitty Bunk Beds and the Wonders of Fabric Glue!

Welcome to all our new followers! We have doubled in size almost overnight! Yeah, you all are SO awesome! Remember, we have a giveaway and a free sticker promotion going on right now, so go there and do those things people! They are great :0) So, I wanted to share with you all a project that I did a couple of years back. Hope ya like it. Here goes!

When I was still at my old job at a library, they had this weird shelf rack thingy that they were just going to throw out. It was still in pretty good shape, so I asked if I could take it. Now, I know what they were thinking when I asked for it: Why in the world would someone want that piece of junk? What use could I have for something with giant holes in it?! Well, my friends, when I see something like this, I don't see junk, I see possibility! I see endless opportunities!

So, I went to the craft store and bought some purple and green fabric, beads on a string, and a small sewing kit. I had never once in my life attempted to sew anything, so while I was there, I also picked up some fabric glue. :0) When I got home, I made a valiant effort to sew the fabric around the metal loops but I ~~didn't do so well~~ failed miserably. So, I went to plan B, fabric glue. And let me tell you, that stuff is amazing! It must have been created specifically for people like me who fail at sewing!
So, after some improvising, and lots of glue, I had the fabric secured around the black metal rings. Success! I made sure to leave some slack so it would hang down a bit, like a hammock. ( my babies love hammocks! ) Next, I added the beads on a string that I had bought. I love the colors and think it adds a fun element for Shadow and Smudges to play with, plus they were on sale! Always a bonus for people with no money, like me. :P

They had to sniff it first, but loved playing with the beads!

The last thing I did, as a finishing touch, was put some stickers on the posts that spelled my kitties' names. The finished project looked like this!

When I brought this home, my cats went crazy, ( this was before we got Scooter ) and immediately jumped right on it! At first, I was a little worried that it wouldn't hold up, but after carefully testing it, I realized that it could, in fact, hold my cats' weight. It has even held both of them at the same time on one "bunk." I love how it turned out! The colors are bright and work well in the room I put it in, and it seemed like the cats knew as soon as I put it down that it was made for them! They still use it and love it to this very day and, in fact, have almost worn a hole completely through the top "bunk" because they use it so often. :0) I'm gonna have to get some new fabric and replace it soon. And I think I will hang the beads around the middle this time so it looks even more awesome and kitty friendly. Pretty cool huh?

As you can see they love it. There's already some kitty fur on it in this picture! Aren't those beads fun? And underneath is a good spot for storing kitty toys!

Shadow gets the top bunk cuz he's the oldest!

Awwwww they can share!

Shadow put it through his curl-up initiation! Success!

And Smudges adores it too!

Thanks for stopping by today, dear reader, and I hope you will come back again soon! Leave a comment about what you think if you would like. It makes my day when you do!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Call Me Old-Fashioned

Call me old-fashioned but I believe:

If we look hard enough, there is some sort of good that can be found in almost every person.

We are not born with hatred toward others. It is taught.

In living the golden rule.

Technology isn't everything.

Parents should love and care for their children no matter how they turn out or who they turn into.

Marriage is a sacred commitment.

Laughter has healing powers.

We don't have to agree with everything a person does to be friends with them.

Every person, no matter how small, or different, has immense value.

A phone call, letter, or visit is more meaningful than a text message.

Sometimes we just need to turn off all the distractions and think.

We don't have to be popular to be happy.

There are no coincidences.

God created us for a purpose. We just have to find it.

Sorry this is kind of random. I've just had a lot on my mind lately. What kind of old-fashioned principles do you believe in? Leave a comment below if you like! Well, have a great Monday!

Make yourself at home and stick around for awhile!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Melissa & Doug Giveaway {Free Blogger Event}

Free Blogger Event!

Hosted by Coupon Gator Mommy</ a>

Prizes: $250 Melissa & Doug Toys Gift Card

2 Runner Up Prizes: $50 Melissa & Doug Gift Cards

Free Link with Announcement Post

Event Dates: 02/01 - 02/26

Bloggers Sign Up Here!

Bloggers Wanted ~ Cook n Grow Event

Cook n' Grow Event

Hosted by: Mom to Bed by 8

Prize Package includes: Little Tikes Cook n' Grow Kitchen + Amazon Gift Card

Event dates: 2/1 - 2/15

Free Blogger Event: Sign Up HERE

Free Blogger Event : Kindle Fire Giveaway

My Four Littles is excited to bring you a Kindle Fire Giveaway! Event Dates: March 1-31, 2013 One FREE link with announcement. You can write your own announcement or use the text HERE. Co-host (host page and up to four links): $15 Host Pages: $10 Additional Links: $2 Daily Votes: $4 Referral Prize: Free Co-host. Limited to the first 100 bloggers. Click here to sign up.

Free Blogger Opp – Have It Your Way Giveaway

Jenn's Blah Blah Blog, Pink Ninja Media and Happy Home and Family bring you a fabulous FREE Blogger Opportunity!

One lucky winner will recieve $200 prize of their choice. Kindles, Gift Cards, Toys, Cash, Anything They WANT up to $200! If they want it, and win this giveaway we will get it for them. (we are looking at adding 2 more winners, which will receive the same prize, just different amount. We are trying to work out all the details now.)

Bloggers get One FREE Link, additional links will be $3, co-host spots available

Giveaway will begin on February 15, 2013 and run an entire month.

Bloggers Wanted ~ It’s Raining Money Event

It's Raining Money Event

Hosted by: Mom Powered Media

Prize: $1,000 Cash {paypal or visa}

Event dates: 4/1 - 5/1

Free Blogger Event: Sign Up HERE

Saturday, January 26, 2013

And Now a Bit About Me!

Hello everyone! My name is Tyler, and I'm the other half of the Three Whiskateers! Scooter is my kitty, and I have never connected so much with an animal. He definitely recognizes me, because every time I walk through the door he comes running and meowing. It's so adorable!

So currently I work at an office supply store, and I'm also going to college. Sometimes it's a bit hard to juggle them both (especially with all the homework), but I'm managing. And eventually it'll all pay off and I'll be able to get a job away from retail. Hopefully =).

As Rach told you, we are engaged, and I still can't believe my luck in getting such an awesome woman to put up with me for 3 years! I still don't know how I got her to agree to spend the rest of her life with me, but I'm not complaining!

So thanks for visiting, and we hope you guys stick around for a while! Enjoy the blog!

A Sweet Valentine Treat For You!

UPDATE: THIS OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED

Who wants some adorable free Valentine's day stickers? These are so cute :) And, as a way to say thank you to all our new followers, we are giving some away while supplies last! But there's no form to fill out this time. All you have to do to get some cute stickers is follow our blog on GFC and Facebook. Pretty simple right?

Just follow on GFC by clicking the blue button that says "Join This Site" on the right sidebar near the top. Then go right here and give us a "like" on facebook! After that, just message us on Facebook with your contact information and your GFC username, or email me at: the3whiskateers@yahoo.com with your Facebook and GFC username, and we will pop a few stickers in an envelope and get them out to you as soon as possible!! And don't forget to share with your friends and family so they can get some free stickers too :) Continental US only please. And this will only be valid til February 7th, or until supplies run out so hurry! Here's a picture of one of the sticker sheets. You may not receive these exact stickers, but they will be Valentine themed :) I will be cutting off a few to send out to each person who follows the steps above while supplies last.

So what are you waiting for? Adorable free stickers just in time for Valentine's Day! And here's something else that's adorable just to make you smile! Thanks for being a follower!

Would love if you'd leave us a comment about what you think!

Friday, January 25, 2013

A Little About Me

We just started this blog about two days ago, and already it seems to be growing way faster than we ever thought it would :) Thank you to everyone who has helped our little seed start to blossom! If you haven't already, you can follow our blog on the right sidebar. We would be so grateful if you would. And don't forget about our awesome little giveaway going on right now. It still has very few entries, so your odds are good if you enter. Anyhow, as the title suggests, this is a post about me, one of the writers of The Three Whiskateers and owner of two of those adorable kitties!

It's always been difficult for me to write about myself because I sometimes struggle with self confidence, but here I go anyway :0)

First off, the basics. My name is Rachael and I live in southern Indiana. As I said earlier, I am the owner of two of the Whiskateers, Shadow and Smudges. Which, by the way, are just as adorable in person! The other kitty, Scooter, is owned by Tyler aka: co-author of this site. He should be doing a post soon, but we will see :) So anyhow, Tyler and I have been together now for 3 years. And, just recently, he asked me to marry him! I said yes and the date for our marriage is set for January of 2014, and we are so excited!

I am in the process of moving to a new home (we'll call it a fore-closed home) I got it several months ago, and have been working on cleaning it up since then. Let's just say, it was a lot less than liveable. But, now the process is almost complete and I can't wait until the paperwork goes through and I will be able to call it my own! So, we have a lot happening this year as you can see.

So, more about me. I love to write, I just don't do it as much as I should. Hence, the blog :0) In Jr. High and High School, I used to write almost every day, but it has gotten a lot harder since. Mainly, I would write poetry. I still will occasionally when inspiration strikes, but not lately.

The most important thing about me, though, is my faith. I am a devout Christian, who has been in church since I was five years old. God is my everything. What else can I say? I hope for this blog to be a reflection of that. I will always post family friendly things and will try to never post offensive things. I won't shove religion down anyone's throat, but I will not be ashamed of what I believe in.

So, that is a little about me! I appreciate it if you have made it this far and haven't gotten bored and stopped reading yet. Leave a comment if you like. I would love it if you did :) And be sure to stick around and check back often, because I hope to be able to offer some new things and, hopefully, some new giveaways soon!

Make yourself at home and stick around for awhile!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Thursday 13

The Three Whiskateers are participating in the Thursday 13! You can see the other participating blogs by visiting the website. We will try to post a new Thursday 13 post every Thursday :) So, let's get started! Anything can be in a Thursday 13 as long as there is 13 of it of course. And we will be starting off Thursday 13 with.......

Thirteen Things About The Three Whiskateers!

1. Shadow really hates hoodies.