Chevy Malibu Bluetooth Hands Free Calling for the Ultimate Multitasker!

Girlfriend Getaway

Today has been one week since I started to drive the  new 2011Chevy Malibu as part of the CT Girlfriend Getaway Program.  It’s amazing how every year the new car models seem to add and improve features.

The Connecticut Legislature recently enacted laws against drivers using cell phones to emphasize the dangers of texting while driving.  Although I have a headset, I never have felt comfortable using it.  If you’re caught talking or driving on your phone, a violation of the law is punishable by a whopping fine of up to $100, but could be suspended if you present proof of having acquired a hands-free accessory for the phone before any such fine is imposed.

If you’re a mom or grandmom like me, we all know the feeling we get in our  tummys when our cell phone rings when you’re not expecting it. And aren’t all moms and grandmoms always “on call”? You’ll be out and about town doing your errands, singing out along with whatever favorite tunes are playing on the CD or radio, and whammo – you need to make a decision.

• Do you risk breaking the law and answer the phone because it just might be a call where your family needs to get in touch with you LIKE RIGHT NOW?

• Do you pull over to the side of the road and take the call?  By the time you find a safe spot to pull over, you’ve probably missed the call.

Well now my dilemma has been solved.

The new 2011 Chevy Malibu LTZ is equipped with the Bluetooth technology hands-free calling feature!

As a Baby Boomer grandmom, I like to consider myself with-it, and try to keep up with technology and try to be one-step ahead of the curve with my 20-something year old daughters and charming son-in-law.

I do realize though that many Baby Boomers and senior citizens don’t grasp the concept of what exactly bluetooth and hands-free calling is.

What is Bluetooth Technology?

Bluetooth technology is a voice-activated, hands-free, in-car method of communication.  When Bluetooth is enabled for cell phones, it allows mobile users to connect to their hands free headset without using wires.  Bluetooth technology also allows mobile phone users to connect with their hands free kit as well.

As a solution to wireless, Bluetooth eliminates the need for messy cords, keeping everything nice and neat. It’s perfect for those who like to talk on cell phones, as you no longer need to hold the phone next to your ear – which is great for those who travel often.

On the Chevy Malibu, I don’t even need to wear a headset!  Whenever I have an incoming cell phone call, the radio will mute, and I’ll hear a ring tone announcing I have a call.  All I simply have to do is push the button on the steering wheel, and take the call! 

This feature works out really well for me because as a blogger and mompreneur, I have to try to fit as much work into my day during daylight hours as I can!

There’s no need for me to be distracted nor take my hands off the wheel while driving!  Easy Peasy!

At the end of my conversation, I push the disconnect button!

Here’s a video example below.

If you haven’t yet experienced Bluetooth technology, here’s your chance!

Test Drive Promotion August 30-October 3, 2010:

Right now, consumers who visit any of the NEW CT Chevy Network Chevy Dealers and test drive a new Chevy Malibu will receive a $40 SPA Finder gift card – think manicure, pedicure, or facial!

Here’s your chance to check out the New Chevy Malibu for yourself, but Getaway for some Me-Time too!  Bring your girlfriends, daughters, moms, aunts, and anyone who has a driver’s license along too!

Thanks for visiting! Comments are always appreciated!

Baby Bunch | Fun Baby Onesies | Crayon Set | Blog Giveaway

Fun Baby Onesies

Great Finds and Giveaways is holding a blog Giveaway Contest!

I’ve had the pleasure of being able to write again to let you know about unique gifts from The Baby Bunch.

Today I’d like to let you know about the Baby Bunch Crayon Rompers infant onesies.

Co-workers will clamor to contribute, cousins will cry to chip in, grandparents, godparents, and great relations will jump for joy over cute Crayon Rompers. Make a colorful statement with a refreshing alternative to traditional pastel colors and present Crayon Rompers to the new arrival.

To Enter Visit: Great Finds and Giveaways

Contest Ends: September 15, 2010 at 11:00 pm EST

I’m the “Chevy Girl On the Go” CT Girlfriend Getaway – 2011 Chevy Malibu

Connecticut Attractions

CT Chevy Girlfriend Getaway Program

Now that I’ve returned from my final camping trip of the season I’m excited to let you know I’ve been selected to take part in the CT Chevy Girlfriend Getaway Program! Who can resist a “Road Trip?” This Baby Boomer is old enough to remember “See the USA…” so I’ll be taking you on special Road Trips highlighting Connecticut attractions  from behind the wheel of a brand new 2011 Chevy Malibu.

My husband and I have owned Chevys since at least as far back as the early 1970s, and I currently own and drive a 2008 Chevy. When our daughters graduated college, we bought the girls brand new Chevys. So our family knows Chevy!

For the last few weeks I’ve been tweeting on Twitter (@Moomettes) with the hashtag #ctchevygirls announcing that I’ll be part of this exciting campaign.

The Grand Launch of the CT Chevy Girlfriend Getaway Program took place on Wednesday, August 25th and is sponsored by the NEW CT Chevy Network Chevy Dealers.  I got to meet some awesome fellow Connecticut bloggy friends and participants, Cheryl @TheBudgeBunch from The Budge Bunch and Mary, @TheMommyologist author of The Mommyologist.

Check out our orientation day on Whrrl:

More check-ins at max fish restaurant

Powered by Whrrl

Here I am getting the 411 about the features of this magnificent, and I mean magnificent 2011 Chevy Malibu that I’ll be driving and toodeling around in for one month!  It’s fully loaded, heated seats (great for my tush on cool autumn crisp mornings in New England) as well as complete with sun roof for when the days warm up (no my face doesn’t flubber while the sun roof is open)!  That’s fall in New England for you, heat in the morning and sun roof in the after noon! This ride totally RAWKS!  Now I feel like the “Little Old Lady from Pasadena” – Go Granny Go!

I was getting the update on the hands-free Bluetooth calling feature!

Those of you who are regular readers know that I love to showcase New England and Connecticut through my scenic photography shots.

Here’s a few photos of  the 2011 Chevy Malibu in some scenic photos of historic homes in Connecticut and attractions in Connecticut:

In upcoming posts I’ll be vlogging some of the Girlfriend Missions I’ll be taking you on. Grandmom doesn’t want you to think she’s just another “pretty face,” so I’ll be focusing on the special options and features that the 2011 Chevy Malibu can offer your family!

Some exciting upcoming promotions that you’ll want to be certain to subscribe to Moomette’s Magnificents so you can participate in:

Test Drive Promotion August 30-October 3, 2010:

Beginning August 30th, consumers who visit any of the NEW CT Chevy Network Chevy Dealers and test drive a new Chevy Malibu will receive a $40 SPA Finder gift card – think manicure, pedicure, or facial!

Here’s your chance to check out the New Chevy Malibu for yourself, but Getaway for some Me-Time too!  Bring your girlfriends, daughters, moms, aunts, and anyone who has a driver’s license along too!

Girlfriend Getaway Sweepstakes Trip to Ireland:

Beginning August 30th, consumers can register to win a Girlfriend Getaway for two.  The package includes round trip air to Dublin or Shannon on Aer Lingus Airlines for eight days and seven night stay at the winner’s choice of 200 hotels or bed and breakfasts and manual rental car.

For More Information Visit: girlfriendgetawayctchevy.com

Follow Along on Twitter: @Moomettes #ctchevygirls

On Facebook: GirlfriendGetawayCTChevy

Serendipitous Sunday Giveaways Linky – August 29, 2010

Blog Giveaways

Serendipitous Sunday Blog Giveaways Linky

Here’s a listing of the latest Contests & Giveaways from my friends around the blogosphere! Please visit their websites for details, rules and ending times.

Would you like to have your contest listed? Just add your Contest or Giveaway to the Mr. Linky listing below!

Be sure to check out my latest blog Giveaways ending soon!

Diamond Brilliance Elegant Cutlery 8/23 Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup Eye Kit 9/8

NAKANO Rice Vinegar & $25 Gift Card

Visit the Hersheys Summer Celebrations

site for some Magnificent ideas!

Entries Must be in the following format:

Link up the NAME OF THE CONTEST- NOT YOUR BLOG NAME.

LINK DIRECTLY TO THE CONTEST, NOT JUST TO YOUR BLOG

Ending Date

While not required to link your contest here, please take my banner and display it. Displaying my blog banner helps to promote my site and your Contests and Giveaways. You may also sign up by email to receive my free Newsletter for updates.

All entries will be deleted that don’t follow this format.

I also am available for Product Reviews and offer affordable Advertising rates. Please contact me for info.

Listings are offered here as a courtesy, Family-Friendly only.

Be sure to Visit Connie’s View to add your listings to another great Giveaway Roundup!

New England Campground: Pawtuckaway State Park – New Hampshire – Wordless Wednesday

Some of Our Favorite Family Activities

Summer Celebrations

Our family just got back from a magnificent long weekend at a New England camping place at Pawtuckaway State Park in New Hampshire.

It was somewhat of a culture shock to me (a city mouse) as I’m used to traditional camping locations, and the NH campground and lake was almost 3 miles into the woods, off the main road!

While there, we held a family reunion with charming son-in-law’s family from Vermont.

There weren’t any lions, tigers or bears, (Oh My!) but I did see a water moccasin snake, and a huge mother-spider on my car!

I really can’t wait to go back again next year!

For more information visit: Pawtuckaway State Park and Campground, New Hampshire

Be sure to check out my Hershey’s Summer Celebrations Series Brand Ambassador post on How to Plan a Family Reunion Camping Trip and Campfire Cooking Recipes

Follow Along on Twitter for more Ideas on how to use Hershey’s: #summercelebrations

Does your family go camping?  In a tent?  In an RV?  Tell me about your favorite places to camp!

Don’t forget to sign the Linky!

Serendipitous Sunday Giveaways Linky – August 22, 2010

Blog Giveaways

Serendipitous Sunday Blog Giveaways Linky

Here’s a listing of the latest Contests & Giveaways from my friends around the blogosphere! Please visit their websites for details, rules and ending times.

Would you like to have your contest listed? Just add your Contest or Giveaway to the Mr. Linky listing below!

Be sure to check out my latest blog Giveaways ending soon!

Diamond Brilliance Elegant Cutlery 8/23 Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup Eye Kit 9/8

Visit the Hersheys Summer Celebrations

site for some Magnificent ideas!

Entries Must be in the following format:

Link up the NAME OF THE CONTEST- NOT YOUR BLOG NAME.

LINK DIRECTLY TO THE CONTEST, NOT JUST TO YOUR BLOG

Ending Date

While not required to link your contest here, please take my banner and display it. Displaying my blog banner helps to promote my site and your Contests and Giveaways. You may also sign up by email to receive my free Newsletter for updates.

All entries will be deleted that don’t follow this format.

I also am available for Product Reviews and offer affordable Advertising rates. Please contact me for info.

Listings are offered here as a courtesy, Family-Friendly only.

Be sure to Visit Connie’s View to add your listings to another great Giveaway Roundup!

Hersheys Syrup Summer Celebrations: How to Plan a Family Reunion Camping Trip

Summer Celebrations

Family Reunion Ideas and Campfire Cooking

This is my summer to celebrate as I’ve been chosen as a Hershey’s Summer Celebrations Ambassador and have written 3-part series on How to Organize and Plan a Family Reunion Camping Trip. I’ll be sharing my family reunion ideas and also our family’s favorite campfire cooking recipes that you can prepare to make Hersheys recipe a tradition in your family as well.  You’ll be able to enjoy delicious dessert treats while sitting around the campfire after the sun goes down.

When the sun goes down
we’ll be groovin
when the sun goes down we’ll be feelin alright
when the sun sinks down
over the water
everything gets hotter when the sun goes down

… Kenny Chesney

Our family has been camping since my 20-something daughters were youngsters.  Prior to being campers, we were boaters and traveled throughout the Long Island, Rhode Island and Block Island Sound areas.  Our travels also took us on vacations through the Inter-Coastal Waterway to Fire Island National Seashore.

My in-laws are avid camping aficionados, and we joined the fold at a camping family reunion one year.  As the girls grew older, we spent many a summer in Eastham, Massachusetts (Cape Cod) enjoying the National Seashore beaches.

I have some beautiful photos up on Whrrl of our family reunion camping trip at Cape Cod this past July that I went on with my daughter, charming son-in-law and the grandkids.

I hope you’ll visit and follow my series as well as those of the other Hershey’s Summer Celebration Ambassadors.  Hersheys is more than just an ice cream syrup.  Find some magnificent ideas on what you can do with Hersheys that these ladies are sharing!

Follow on Twitter: #summercelebrations

Visit the Hersheys Summer Celebrations Website: Hersheys Summer Celebrations

How to Plan a Family Reunion Camping Trip

Campfire Cooking Menu

Campfire Recipes and Games and Things to Do at a Cookout

Now tell me, how did YOU celebrate summer?

Scentsy Candle Founding Consultant: Guest Post

Meet My Friend

Direct Selling Consultant

I’d like to introduce my readers to Meet My Friend, Jodi Albertini, whom I’ve met through blogging and  invited to Guest Post on Moomette’s Magnificents.

Jodi immediately wowed me as a work-at-home mom who is dedicated to helping other moms succeed in attaining their goals.  She has been a WAHM for the last 4 years; is a social worker by education; an interior decorator by business affiliation and a direct sales professional by choice.

Jodi has built a team of over 1,200 consultants in two years – which she is responsible for mentoring, and has achieved the highest title in this fabulous company. 

Scentsy just opened “Scentsy Canada” in October 2009. All Canadian Residents and most Provinces are currently approved for joining Scentsy as a consultant.

Additionally, she has spoken at several Scentsy engagements and conventions, as well as participated in training and informational videos for Scentsy.  Jodi has also made several media appearances to speak to her success as a WAHM,  and has recently began writing as an author on www.buzzle.com

With 2 years experience in Direct Sales and a current team of 1,200 consultants, I am frequently asked the “secrets” to my success.   Of course, I could go on with what is required to build a business, elaborating on all the basic motions of growing a successful Direct Sales franchise.  However, I truly believe that there are not too many true “secrets” to building a strong team and a GREAT business.  Rather, I believe that success involves a series of personal choices that differentiate those GOOD consultants from the GREAT ones:

1. Catch a Vision – Develop a vision for your business.  Imagine what it will be like when you have achieved your goals, and then strive to make that vision a reality.  No business is built overnight and big business does not come easy.  However, having an internal perspective of where you want your business to land someday will drive your daily actions that will move you toward success.
2. Share Your Enthusiasm – If you LOVE what you do (and you should), then express your passion for your business on a regular basis.  Passion creates enthusiasm and enthusiasm is contagious.  When engaged in your business, people should see the joy on your face.  Soon those who are watching will want what you have!
3. Be Bold – We often pass up business opportunities due to our own fears or insecurities.  Achieving what we desire often requires taking a chance.  Being bold does not mean that you lack fear.  Rather, it means that you are making choices for the good of your business despite fear.

This list could go on and on.  My perspective is that GREATNESS is not developed completely by what you do, but rather how you do it.  What are some personal choices that you can make to move your business from GOOD to GREAT?

Follow on Twitter: @JJANT

Visit Jodi at: Safe Candle

Jodi Albertini is a SuperStar Director with the Direct Sales Company Scentsy – a wickless, smokeless, flameless and safe candle product (www.safecandle.net).  Jodi has developed a team of 1200 Scentsy consultants in just over two years. She is a Stay-at-Home-Mom, turned Work-at-Home-Mom, with 2 fabulous children and one incredible husband of almost 15 years. Jodi’s formal education is in Social Work and Counseling.  She has learned to take a Psychological approach to sales, recruiting, and mentoring.

If you have a topic of interest that you’d like to share and be a Guest Blogger on Moomette’s Magnificents, please contact me (see Contact tab above).

Put Your Retweets in Overdrive: Su.Pr URL Shortening Services By Stumble Upon

Pack a Punch in your Retweets

Social Networking

I’d like to share my recommended URL Shortener for Twitter.  You may or may not have heard about it.

Twitter is a micro-blogging forum. You can talk to anyone who wants to listen. It’s a quicker way to get people interested in new product offerings, contests, prize giveaways, blog posts and more.

If you’re a work-at-home mom, this is important in order to get the word out on your brand!

Because Twitter limits you to only 140 characters per tweet, posting a link to your website can be troublesome. There are several services, such as bitly.com  or tinyurl.com that let you type in the URL of any site and will then shorten it into a clickable URL that uses fewer characters.

I prefer the new service that Stumble Upon has developed.

It’s called Su.pr

I also recommended that you install the bookmarklet on your toolbar.

Benefits:

* When links are shortened by su.pr, it also adds a StumbleUpon toolbar to the tweet, thereby increasing your chances that your post will get Stumbled (more traffic!)

example:  Click through my RT and see what happens:

New YANKEES MLB Baseball Infant Baby Lovey Blanket Blue http://su.pr/2tl352 #bonanzle <for any Yankees fan!

Actually, we should all try to stumble any tweets we may find interesting. 

• Simultaneously post to both your Twitter and Facebook accounts

• There’s also the ability to schedule your tweets through su.pr  I like to schedule my Retweets for optimal traffic-time on twitter and spread them out throughout the day, morning & evening, depending on the tweet and topic.  You also won’t be spamming your followers with so many Retweets all at once.

• Su.pr adds the ability to track your tweets and see how many click-throughs have occurred.

• There is also a su.pr WordPress plugin I use – post to twitter immediately with a shortened su.pr link (instead of bit.ly or tinyurl, etc.)

Download the Su.Pr Plugin

This is just a suggestion, it was mentioned on Mashable – but I think it’s definitely one worth using.

I recently formed a Twitter Social Media Retweet Group on Google so that any tweets my followers feel are important are immediately posted to retweet.  We’re all on Twitter at different hours of the day – so it’s impossible to see what’s going on in everyone’s tweet stream!    If you’d like more information, you can visit at:

height=30 width=140 alt="Google Groups">

Twitter Social Media Retweet Group

Visit this group

Check out more information and tips and suggestions I’ve written for using social networking sites and Twitter to brand your blog or business.

For More Info Visit: Su.Pr

Hat Tip to The Dailey Blonde

Free Easy Tips To Set Up A Specialized Content Daily Twitter Newspaper

A Little Birdie Told Me About Social Media

Twitter Social Media Retweet Group

Visit this group

Free Marketing Online

If you’re an online business work-at-home mompreneur, your primary priority after formulating your crafts or service is to discover the folks that will establish that your business is a winner. Promoting your business is an immense undertaking and Twitter can facilitate in that respect.

You’ve prepared a business plan that may include article marketing, social network marketing and viral advertising. In the social network marketing section, don’t rule out Twitter.

Twitter is more than just an internet site for keeping abreast with the miniscule particulars of day-to-day living. Sure, you’ve discovered that celebrities and other people twitter relentlessly what they had for lunch, upcoming vacations and pop culture but those same hoi polloi can be learning from you about your business or blog.

Twitter is considered a micro-blogging platform. You can chit chat to anybody who cares to lend an ear. It’s a real-time method to interest the masses  in product reviews, contests, prize giveaways, frugal shopping tips, recipes and more. Twitter is free to use so you can post a hyperlink to your Twitter account on your blog or business website.

That being said, I’d like to let you know that I’m working harder to try
to build a better widget here, and help my readers to cast a wider net.

I came across an interesting site and aggregation tool that allows you to create and publish specialized content “Daily Newspapers” from Twitter Lists. Basically what it entails is:

1.  You can create a Daily Newspaper from Twitter Lists, your Twitter followers or from Twitter Hashtags thus enabling everyone to read specific topics of interest in a one page ezine format posting.

Here’s a screenshot of the page from the newspaper i recently set up:

Twitter Social Media Daily Newsletter

Now here comes the good part.

Twitter Networking Social Media Retweet Group

Awhile back I established a Google Group for the purpose of creating a “tribe” of members who Retweet each-other’s tweets.

It’s actually very simple and convenient and similar to retweet groups that are on some ning forum sites.  Only this is easier, because my members post their most important tweets to the group, and the requests are automatically emailed to the members in digest-format daily by email.

Genius, don’t you think?

Of course, like any grandmom “Who’s Been Around the Block,”  I’ve established some criteria and house rules, and membership in the group is either by invitation, or application.

Now here’s the Bonus Part!

As a participant of the Twitter Social Media Retweet Group, the members are listed on my public Twitter List @Moomettes.

The Paper.li site then takes the member’s Twitter Ids and pulls content from their blog posts to publish the newspaper.  I have no control over it.  I have it set to auto publish, and it also auto-publishes “Featured” members of the group – I have no control over.

So some members who are prolific writers might find their content listed
more frequently than others.

What I will do once the Twitter press daily news  is published,  is to once again Retweet that posting myself – Featuring some of the members who aren’t auto-featured.  Grandmom believes in playing nice.

I think it’s a neat idea! I then request that the members visit the site link, and use the Promote to Facebook button, and also the Retweet Button and do this on a daily basis.

There’s also a widget that can be embed in your blog if you choose (I
Did) and you can view it at the bottom of my right-hand sidebar.   You can adjust the size and color of the widget to compliment your blog.  It rotates member posts, and if a reader clicks, it will click through to that member’s blog post, or also will bring them to the ezine, where the reader can then click through to the member’s blog.

I’ve also created a newspaper for my own personal Twitter followers,
so if you’re following me @Moomettes, you’ll get exposure on my second newsletter:  Moomette’s Daily News.  I repeat the tweeting process to Feature members in my tweet stream.

It’s cool, you can create newspapers for your twitter followers, hashtags, and lists.  For example, let’s say Eve wants to promote all of her posts from now on with #DWE as a hashtag.

Eve can create a list, and can aggregate her posts & publish to Twitter!

If you’d like to join the Twitter Social Media Retweet Group, look on my right sidebar and it’ll take you to the sign-up information.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Comments?  Suggestions?

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