Monthly Round Up- October

Idea taken from Jen, Our Love and Our Blessing. What's Monthly Round Up? On the first Friday of each month, you recap some (or all) of your posts from the previous month!

In October, I...

...recapped September's post.
...introduced Part 1 of a Baby Shower I co-hosted.
...linked up for Boys Behind the Blog.
...revealed what I got in my Pretty Little Beauty Swap package. 
...took a Left Brain/Right Brain test.
...wrote about my Life recently. 
...ended the month with Halloween Costumes.

Throughout the month, I...
...compiled my Monday-Friday posts for Weekly What? (here, here and here).
...posted weekly Inspiration (here, here, here, here, here and here).
...shared songs that I am currently loving (here, here,  
...talked about my Favourite Things (Thanksgiving Weekend, Candy Corn and Justine/Blogger Meet Ups)
...had a feature on my blog showcasing different Canadian Provinces (Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta)

I participated in two weekly link ups;

Hey! It's Ok (here, here, here, here and here)

Sunday Social (here, here and here)

Lots of different posts...I can't wait to see what November will bring!

$1,000 Christmas Cash Giveaway

What would you do with an extra $1000 to spend this holiday season? How about I make the answer to that question a little easier with your chance to win $1000 cash in the Christmas Cash Giveaway event! Thanks to some amazing supporters of Raising Reagan and some all around awesome bloggers and shops, we were able to come together collectively with a CASH PRIZE of $1000!

And who do we have to thank for this amazing cash prize? Meet your phenomenal co-hosts!

From Top Left:

Sara  Confessions of a Redheaded Mama | Angel  Sew Crafty Angel

Sarah  Life in a Break Down | Krystal  My Life of Travels and Adventures

Dara  Not in Jersey | Anna  Cuddlebug Cuties

Alex  Munchkins and the Military |Rebecca  A Day in the Life of Calleigh Emma

Josi  That Suburban Momma | Dawn  Dawn's Disaster

Kera  Nugget on a Budget | Debra  Deliciously Inspired

Janine  Confessions of a Mommyaholic | Cathy  A Peek into My Paradise

 

And let's not forget to thank the other blogs and shops that have sponsored this giveaway! Please be sure and stop by and thank them for such a phenomenal giveaway.

Our amazing participants:

Holly Back Home Again Blog | Rachel Sultry Indulgences | Sandy Mother of Imperfection | Katie He Calls Me Grace | Anyonita Anyonita Nibbles | Tiffani Tiffani Goff at Home | Natasha Serenity You | Natalie At Home with the Hinkleys | Renee  Getting Fit Fab | Noel  High Heeled Mama | Alison NYC Recessionista | {Enjoy the View} | Brittnei Homemaking with Style | 2 Crochet Hooks | Jamie  Handling with Grace | Leslie | Violet Imperfection | Jamie Love Bakes Good Cakes | Lisa Chronically Content | Jenn Bad Luck Jenn | Jodi The Noise of Boys | Monica  Redefining Mom | Ann Marie  Growing Up Madison | Michelle A Little Moore From My Kitchen | Wanda Ann  Memories By the Mile | Angie God's Growing Garden | Nichi The Mandatory Mooch | Deb Kneaded Creations | Jeanie Create and Babble | Kristin Dizzy Busy and Hungry | Tina Classic Children's Books | West Street Story | Betty  Losing My Gut and Gaining My Insanity |Natasha  Lovely You Blog | Evelyn My Turn for Us | Laura  The Rookie Cook | Parenting With Parents | Beth The First Year Blog | Ida Second Chances Girl | Glenneth Let's Talk and Walk | Katy Experienced Bad Mom | Melissa  Dreams and Colours | Learn Like a Mom | Sarah Girlfriends Are Like Shoes | Andi The Weary Chef | Tamara Tamara (Like) Camera | Melissa Deliciously Savvy | Brooke Wide Open Spaces | Barb Second Chance to Dream | Koren My Full Time Fit Life | Spit and Sparkles | Tiffany Daydreaming Realist | April 100lb Countdown | Monica Happy and Blessed Home | Reagan's Toy Chest

Now you know the players! Are you ready to win some CASH? It's the kickoff of Holiday Season and we are celebrating with a

$1000 Giveaway!

Please read the official rules of all sweepstakes and contests held at Raising Reagan.

Giveaway is open worldwide to participants with a verified PayPal account.

All entries will be verified. In the event an entry can not be verified participant chooses to forfeit that entry and another winner will be chosen.

Winner has 48 hours to respond to the winning email.

Giveaway will run from November 1st, 12 AM Eastern Time to November 22nd, 12 AM Eastern Time

Any taxes or fees associated with the winnings of this contest are the sole responsibility of the winner according to their county, state and/or country laws.

CASH prize is in US Dollars and will not be converted to any foreign currency.

Void where prohibited by law.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Halloween Costume Debacle

As everyone knows, today is Halloween. I was aware of this fact, but due to my busy schedule (see yesterday's post), Halloween just crept up on me! 

I'm not one of those people who gets into Halloween- my brother and cousin LOVE Halloween. Me, not so much. I don't decorate, have scary movie marathons, etc. It's just not for me. However, I will be a good sport and handout candy and even dress up for Halloween.

Last year, my boss decided to have a Halloween party for staff- we ordered pizza and were going to carve pumpkins, except the person who was in charge of buying the pumpkins (and it wasn't me), didn't go to the store until the morning of Halloween. Store was sold out, so no pumpkin carving. Anyway, I convinced my office mates that we should dress up as 3 blind mice. They were on board with this and I was in charge of costumes.

This year, being so busy, I was not on the ball, so no group Halloween costume. I was scrambling yesterday between working late and an Alumni event to come up with a group or single costume. We work in a community building and everyone dresses up, so I'm going to be a good sport. 

I went to Party City and found I was not the only one who was scrambling to find a costume. There were so many choices! And so many not work appropriate costumes. 

After a lot of debate, and consulting with co-workers and friends, I settled on being a black cat. 

Original? Not so much. But at least I have a costume and I'm being a "good sport" about Halloween.

Life Update- October Happenings

If you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you know the best way to describe my life is BUSY! October has not been an exception. While everyone would agree that I'm super busy, I don't think I'd have it any other way...I'm the one who makes my life busy.

So, what have I been to?

Work has probably been the aspect of my life that has kept me the most busy, but it has been pretty rewarding too! I've had the chance to experience some pretty cool things because of work. Here's a point form summary of my October work life:

• Toured a new Family Centre
• Toured local CTV offices- I was in the room when they did the news, saw the new set before the debut and was in the directors booth while they were airing the news!
• Staff meeting
• Meeting with a sister organization
• Preparing and hosting a conference (500+ people)
• Young professionals networking group
• Community partner meetings
• Committee meeting
• Visiting a long term care facility to thank them for making centre pieces for our conference
• Hosting a Southwest Regional meeting

And of course, being nominated for TWO Chamber Awards (Best PR & Marketing Campaign, Best Fundraiser) and exceeding a campaign fundraising goal just over a month into the campaign!

Personally, I have been just as busy. I have gone away every weekend this month, which is typical for me, but I've also:

• Two Sorority meetings and a social
• Two Brock Alumni meetings (one that I hosted) and a Brock Professional Development event
• Two high school Alumni meetings
• High School Homecoming event
• Celebrating a 90th birthday
• Thanksgiving- two days of celebrating
• My parents wedding anniversary
• Co-hosted a surprise baby shower for a friend/co-worker (you can read about part of it here)
• Keeping a friend company as she stripped wallpaper in her new house
• Blogger meetup with Justine and exchanged our Pretty Little Beauty Swap packages
• Pilgrimage- a fundraiser my high school does. I always go back and help with registration and attend mass

This month has flown by, but I had blast...so many fun things happened this month. Pilgrimage is ALWAYS a highlight of my October, as is Thanksgiving. I am incredibly proud to be nominated for two Chamber awards and over the moon for exceeding a fundraising goal so quickly! The surprise baby shower was such a high point this month...my friend/coworker was totally surprised and had no idea; she and I were actually talking about it yesterday. I love seeing how much the shower meant to her and how much she enjoyed it.

November is days away and it will be just as busy; hockey game, spending time with my university roommate, fundraising event, national talent competition finals and hosting a Community Engagement Session- and that's just the first week of November!