Mom Bloggers Help Oklahoma Tornado Victims With Posts of Support & Where to Donate

Community

The news continues to roll in about the horrific aftermath of yesterday's 2-mile wide tornado that has leveled two schools and multiple towns in the Moore, Oklahoma area near Oklahoma City. As this post goes live, 24 people are dead including 9 children who were in their last week of the school year. At latest count there are also 242 people who have been reported injured. Meanwhile, the destruction is overwhelming and the total cost of physical damage to property is still being tabulated.

Worst Tornado in Oklahoma history struck May 20, 2013, NY Daily News Image 

Immediate aftermath of Oklahoma Tornado yesterday, CNN Image

For the latest updates on recovery efforts my go to source is ABC.com.

When giving to the charitable effort, please be extremely careful about being scammed by unsavory characters who may be trying to take advantage of this most unfortunate situation that has impacted thousands of people. At a time like this, it is so sad to know that a few opportunists do indeed lurk among the masses who truly care and want to help. 

If you'd like to lend a hand there are a number of legitimate things you can do to help. This list originally posted by Kelly Kinkaid appeared today on MomSpark.com which is published by my friend Amy Bellgardt, a leading mom blogger with kids who has resided in Oklahoma her whole life and lives just about 20 miles away from the storm's worst devastation.

OKC area homes, business & 2 schools were flattened, Perez Hilton Image

Here's where to Donate

• Redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999
• The Salvation Army USA has mobilized emergency relief services in Oklahoma, including Moore, to dispense food, water and emotional support to first responders and survivors. Donate via their website or text STORM to 80888 to contribute $10 to the Salvation Army's relief efforts. You can also make a donation by calling 800-SAL-ARMY.
• Disaster Relief of Oklahoma Donate here
• Central Oklahoma Human Society To help pets Donate here
• Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Donate here or text FOOD to 32333

Amy, your A Day in Hell in Oklahoma post today made me cry. How I wish I was there so I could give you and your kids a hug. But even though I'm in California I want you and everyone else in Oklahoma to know that you are in my constant thoughts, heart, and prayers and I will do everything I can as a mom who blogs to spread the word of how we can all show our support and reach out to your local community at this most difficult time.

Don't forget: You can also help spread the word simply by retweeting this post.


FTC Disclosure: This post is a community service to inspire mom bloggers to come to the aid of those in need. I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this particular post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

How Life Insurance Protects Kids and Why Moms & Dads With Children Need to Have It

Family Finances
1st in a series of 5 posts

Information for this post is sourced from Genworth Financial in partnership with the SheHeard Influencer Network

It's not the kind of thing that most parents with young kids want to discuss, let alone even to think about. I know personally with four children including two sons and two daughters, I wasn't always comfortable having a chat about something that implies that my hubbie and/or I could die suddenly and might not be around to watch our kids grow up. The reality is, though, that life insurance actually is a very important topic to educate yourself about especially for moms and dads who are young, healthy and who have children. After all, none of us know what tomorrow will bring and each of us needs to make sure that our family will be taken care of financially if, G-d forbid, anything should happen to us and one or both parents meet an untimely sudden death.

My family after recently being named Family of The Year

For a lot of us life insurance can be overwhelming

• What is life insurance any way? 
• What are the differences between universal and term life policies?
• How do I avoid falling victim to a scam? 
• What does it cost and how will I afford it?
• Who can help me make the right decisions for my family? 

These are just some of the questions that Genworth Financial can answer for you by clicking on the What is Life Insurance image below.



Now that we've finally broached the inevitable together -- our own mortality -- we can move on and discuss life insurance itself. After all, now it's pretty easy to see why parents who work outside the home should be insured because if something happens to them there will be no one to pay the bills. 

But what about those who work part-time and stay at home moms and dads -- they don't need insurance because they have little or no income, right? Wrong. That's because they also provide a range of services that are essential to the family and household like childcare, cooking, cleaning, errands -- yes, even helping the kids with homework and making science projects -- and much more. 

Here's why stay-at-home parents need to get life insurance to insulate your kid's financial future, too.

Ultimately none of us wants to even think about what it would be like for the family members we leave behind if we were tragically killed in a car accident or suffered a fatal heart attack or stroke. But, at the same time, I don't know a single parent who wouldn't want their children to be completely taken care in every way if something horrific happened. That's where life insurance comes in and -- because no size fits all -- it's a good thing there are companies like Genworth that will work with you to go over the options you have and help you get the best kind of coverage so you have ensured financial protection for all your loved ones.

It might be hard to open the conversation on this topic but once you do and you've acted upon securing adequate financial protection for your family, it will give you peace of mind knowing that you have done the right thing. I can't imagine a better way to take some of the financial worries out of your life so you can enjoy all those day-to-day moments with your growing family more. Life insurance without a worry in the world -- what a great concept.

About Genworth
Genworth, headquartered in Richmond, VA, offers a range of services to client living in all 50 U.S. states. Among the products available are retirement income, life and long term care insurance and mortgage insurance. For more information visit Genworth.com 

FTC Disclosure: Information for this post is sourced from Genworth Financial in partnership with the SheHeard Influencer Network, however all opinions are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Twitter Party Calendar This Week May 19 - 25 with Prizes ~ Continuously Updated

Twitter Parties

Updated 5/21/13 - Sneak Peek at Coming Weeks Too!

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to check back often every week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook and Google+ parties with prizes too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter, Facebook and/or by subscribing to this blog right now.

THIS WEEK

Monday, May 20

Play-Doh Color Sticks Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @playdoh. FIVE (5) Play-Doh product prize packages. #Playdohcolorsticks RSVP

Tiny Prints Baby Pinning Party at 8 pm ET with @tinyprints. TWENTY FIVE (25) various Tiny Prints prize packages plus ONE (1) Grand Prize $150 Tiny Prints gift certificate. #Tinyprintsbaby  RSVP

Summer Travel Planning Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Travelingmoms @Kimorlando @Debmomof3 @Cindyrichards. Prize: TBA. #TMom RSVP

Tuesday, May 21

Kraft Fresh Take Twitter Party at Noon ET with @WiCProject @paulabendfeldt @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart gift cards. #Freshtake RSVP

DTour Doubletree by Hilton Twitter Party at Noon ET with @Hiltonhotelfans @TheMotherhood @JuliaDimon. Prizes: FOUR (4) prize packages that include one, two, three or four tins of chocolate chip cookies; Grand Prize is a 2-Night Stay at any Doubletree by Hilton location. #DTourParty RSVP

Toxin Free Gen Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Smiley360 @SeventhGen. Prizes: TEN (10) Seventh Generation product packs. #ToxinFreeGen RSVP

Sergeant's Pet Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @MomCocktails @ConnieFoggles @EightyMPHMom and others. FIVE (5) Sergeant's Pet prize packages. #SergeantsPet RSVP

Weekly Tech Tuesday Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @KristinaLibby of Microsoft with @windows @aceramerica @microsoftoem @windowsblog. Prize: ONE (1) Acer Aspire R7 Laptop. #Windows #WinChat Details

Ask Betty Cake Decorating Twitter Party at 4 pm ET with @BettyCrocker. Prizes: TBA. Participate with hashtag #AskBetty

L'Oreal Paris Advanced Haircare Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Shespeaksup @LOrealParisUSA @Lisasamples @StacieinAtlanta @Zipporahs and others. $1500 in Prizes: L'Oreal Paris Gift Baskets, Target gift cards, Sunglass Hut GCs and hats from San Diego Hat Company. Grand Prize is a SUPER Size L'Oreal Paris Gift Basket and a Waterpik Showerhead. #AdvancedHaircare RSVP

Baby Trend Bday Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @babytrend @lovemco. Prizes: ONE (1) Baby Trend Car Seat and TWO (2) Sit N' Stand Ultra Strollers. #BabyTrendBday RSVP

POSTPONED Due to Oklahoma Tornado - New date soon
Summer Spuds Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @idahopotato. Prizes: TEN (10) $50 grocery card plus 20 lb gift box of premium Idaho potatoes and an IPC picnic gift set including picnic cooler, potato peeler and Spuddy Buddies. #summerspuds RSVP

Girls Night Out Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Frigidaire @Momitforward and others. Prize: Frigidaire Professional Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker ARV $99.99  #gno #frigidaire Details

MayPam Style Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @savvysassymoms @pregawareness. Prizes: SIX (6) Giveaways for moms and babies. Participate with hashtag #Maypam Details

Wednesday, May 22

My Mariano's Twitter Party at Noon ET with @Kellysluckyyou @Proverbswife. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Mariano's Market gift cards. #MyMarianos RSVP

Baking Soda Uses Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Smiley360. Prizes: EIGHT (8) Arm & Hammer Gift Bags. #BakingSodaUses RSVP

Finish the Fight Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @AmericanCancer @TheMotherhood. Prizes: FIVE (5) Visa giftcards. #FinishtheFight RSVP

Memorial Day Recipes Twitter Party at 4:30 pm ET with @Rebeccalangcooks @Pizzazzerie. Prizes: Vidalia Onions, summer foods & herbs and a $50 Visa giftcard. #Flavorsofsummer RSVP

I am Curious Twitter Party at 6 pm ET with @Curious. Prizes: iPad Mini, $50 gift cards and more. #iamcurious RSVP

Dark Nights, Dangerous Men Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @ElisNaughton @JoanSwan @lit_connect. Prizes: Lots of prizes and gift cards from Barnes & Noble, Amazon and iTunes; Grand Prize includes an autographed copy of FIREBRAND series, a $10 iTunes GC and set of four Eternal Guardians coasters. #DarkNights RSVP

Similac No GMO Petition Twitter Party at 8:00-9:30 pm ET with @Bookieboo @Momma_oz and others. Prizes EVERY 3 MINS from brands like Nutiva, Nature's Path, iPlay Baby Dinnerware and others.  #SimilacNoGMO RSVP

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Reviewers Retreat Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Doubledutydivas @BridgetteLA @Coolbabykid and others. Prize: Reviewers Retreat pass and a CVS Total Home prize package. #RevRet RSVP

Move Forward PT Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @MoveforwardPT @MarianneryanPT @Momitforward and others. Prizes: TWO (2) Babies 'R Us gift cards. #FitMom Details

Thursday, May 23

Super Tasty FreshNFruti Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @jmanmillerbug @Outnumberedmama @cbTweetChat. Prizes: FOUR (4) Walmart giftcards. #FreshNFruti RSVP

Summer Fun Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @aleamilham @mommysavesmoney @savings @savingsclasses and others.  Prizes: TWO (2) $100 Visa gift cards, FOUR (4) $50 Visa GCs and ONE (1) $50 Amazon GC. #summersavings RSVP

Nuby Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @LoveMCO @OpenHands31. Prizes: TEN (10) Nuby Bath Toys. #NubyBDay RSVP

Summer Salsa Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @SavingUGreenMom @Fronterafresh @Moonlitfarms. Prizes: $25 Visa gift cards every 15 minutes and Grand Prize: KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Food Processor, salsa supplies and $20 Visa giftcard. #Summersalsa RSVP

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @CTJumpstart @RossanaWyatt @Nugglemama and others. Prizes: TBA - Canada Only. #JumpstartDay RSVP

Friday, May 24

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP

More Twitter Parties constantly to be added for This Week to this list as soon as they're scheduled. So stay tuned for updates as they happen by following this blog.

NEXT WEEK


Monday, May 27

Cool Summer Kickoff Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @momsandbrands. Prizes TBA. #Coolsummerkickoff RSVP

Weekly Traveling Moms Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. #TMom More details soon

Tuesday, May 28 

Samsung Pix Bundle Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @TheRebelChick @TheMommyFiles. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Sam's Club gift cards. #PixBundle RSVP

Weekly Tech Tuesday Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @KristinaLibby of Microsoft. Prize: A different major prize to win each week. #Windows #WinChat Details

Wednesday, May 29


Celebrate Sears Style Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @searsstyle @dentistmel @jmanmillerbug. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Sears gift cards. #ThisisStyle RSVP

It Can Wait Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @audreymcclellan. Prizes TBA. Participate with hashtags #ItCanWait #ATT

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Thursday, May 30

TBA

Friday, May 31

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP


COMING SOON

Tuesday, June 11

Work Like A Dog Twitter Party 8:30 - 10:00 pm ET with @Zukespets @Eventbarkers and others. Prizes: $1500 in prizes plus Grand Prize valued at $250. #WorkLikeADog RSVP

Bloggy Moms Guide to a Better Blog Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Bloggymoms. Prize: $500 Gift Card. #BloggyGuide RSVP


About this Weekly Twitter Party List
Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. However keep in mind that each party is run by a different brand and/or hosts and MommyBlogExpert, unless specified otherwise, is not responsible for any dealings readers have with these events including, but not limited to, prizing of any party on the calendar. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your  message.

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis@janiselspas.com for information with Twitter Party Consulting Query in the subject line.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Blackberries & BlackBerry Z10 Pinterest Collection ~ Two Things I'm Loving This Spring

Technology
2nd in a series of 3 posts on the New BlackBerry Z10

I've discovered there's not one but two things to love about Spring this year. The first is blackberries, one of my all-time favorite berries since I had my first taste at three years old. This season these bundles of anti-oxidant loaded fruits are indeed the biggest, juiciest and sweetest ever. Then there is the new BlackBerry Z10 from Verizon Wireless, the first smartphone I've ever owned by that brand. Granted the latter isn't edible, but just the same it's equally as sweet. Even better you can enjoy it year-round, not only now but in Summer, Fall and Winter too.

Ripe Blackberries, Ready to Eat, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

BlackBerry Z10 Flanked by Blackberries, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

In my last post on the latest BlackBerry generation my 17 year-old son raved that this phone is all about the gestures. Now I'm going to give you the Mom perspective about this sleek piece of brilliant technology -- that's just about as thin as the latest iPhone -- the first BlackBerry 10 smartphone to ever run on the ultra fast Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.

I'm both a mom who loves baking blackberry pies and a busy mommy blogger and social media strategist specializing in marketing to moms, dads, kids and family collectively. Life with four kids (triplets + 1, now teenagers) born within a year -- and the fact that I receive upwards of 1500 emails a day for my business -- mean that it would be an understatement to say that things are often a bit hectic around here.

Slice of Hot Blackberry Pie, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

With that kind of crazy busyness, I love that the BlackBerry Z10 allows me to manage both a busy family and my busy work life from a single device simply by switching between two profiles with the push of a button. A tool like that, for sure, is essential to keeping my head above water at all times. Come to think of it I don't know a mom who isn't busy raising her family while simultaneously juggling everything else that life throws at her.

High Calorie Blackberries & Ice Cream, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

Low Calorie Fresh Blackberries, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

No Calorie BlackBerry Z10, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

So if you love blackberries as much as I do -- no matter how many or how few calories they have -- I invite you to follow my Everything Delicious Blackberry Pinterest page.

The device comes in white (like the one I received for this review) and black and carries a list price of $599.99. Right now, though you can get the BlackBerry Z10 for just $199.99 with a two year Verizon contract commitment.

Other MommyBlogExpert Verizon Wireless Smartphone Reviews you might like
Nokia Lumia 822 Windows Smartphone
HTC Droid DNA Android Smartphone

Fresh Spring Berries Platter, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I disclose that I am a Verizon Wireless Brand Ambassador serving as a member of the Verizon AIC Blogger Team and that I received the BlackBerry Z10 featured to facilitate this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Homemade Cheesecake & Cheese Blintzes for Jewish Holiday of Shavuot May 14-16

Celebrations

Just finished making homemade Cheese Cake Torte from the 1950s vintage Betty Crocker Cookbook my parents gave to me and The Governor's Wife's Cheese Blintzes from Jewish Cooking in America by Joan Nathan.

Cheese Cake, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

Governor's Wife's Cheese Blintzes, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

Now I'm finally ready to celebrate Shavuot, also known as Festival of Weeks and a celebration of the first harvest, when Jews mark the time that G-d gave the Ten Commandments to Moses and the People.

To Everyone Else Celebrating

Hag Sameach

Happy Holiday!

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this particular post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.