This Full House Reviews

Allstate's Good Hands Roadside Assistance Program Recap and Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing with you, Donna B. (comment #39) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

Mom's Driving School 2010:  Holly, Day 1 - sitting in our driveway.

Remember, last month, when I first told you about Allstate Good Hands Roadside Assistance program and how I was all, like, what do you mean I have a kid old enough to drive?

Frankly, I could never have imagined the combination of relief and nausea I felt, when realizing...YES...this was really happening...as of last month...my sweet baby girl is now a legally licensed driver!

My husband surprised us with a last-minute road trip to Cape Cod, MA and it was funny to watch my 17 year-old hit the imaginary break, for once.

7 hours later (seriously, Connecticut?!?) she was just as exhausted as we were, backseat driving.

After only 2 months of running errands and driving her siblings to local events (which, I'm getting real used to, btw) Holly admits that she's not quite ready to tackle the New Jersey Turnpike and/or the Garden State Parkway...me, either!!!

Still, it's nice to know, in case of an emergency, Allstate Good Hands Roadside Assistance services provide 24/7 assistance, including:

• Towing
• Lockouts
• Tire Changes
• Refueling
• Jump-start

What's also great about this new service is you pay as you need it and when you need it, ONLY: in most cases just $75 per tow and $50 per other service.

Other really important key points to Allstate Good Hands Roadside Assistance service are:

Allstate Roadside Assistance Program

If you were to ask me to list the scariest words in the English language, a few years ago, it would have looked something like this:

• Strep throat
• It's probably viral
• Check E. Cheese
• Parent-teacher conference
• I couldn't find any clean underwear (don't ask)

Then, one day, I picked up my oldest daughter from school (last year) and she laid 5 more on me, right in the middle of the high school parking lot:

"I started driver's ed, today!"

I knew this day would come.  Dreaded it more than anything (even hot flashes) actually.

"I GOT IT...I got my driver's license, Mom!!!"

Okay, I lied.  I could never have imagined the combination of relief and nausea I felt, when realizing...YES...this was really happening...as of last month...my sweet baby girl is now a legally licensed driver!

"I'm borrowing the car and taking Hope to the library, okay?"

It's been 6 weeks (to the day) since Holly got her driver's license and, I have to admit, I'm getting used to the idea (sort of) especially, when helping to get her siblings to and from summer activities.

Until, I realized, my middle girl will be turning 16, this year (YIKES!) and very, very soon, I will have 2 licensed drivers in the house.

It's like when they were younger, only, now I find myself in a perpetual state of parental nausea.

So, when the good folks representing Allstate contacted me about their Good Hands Roadside Assistance Program, I was more than relieved to learn that their service is available to everyone and other great features, including:

• You do not need to have Allstate insurance to use this service
• You only pay when you use it, there are no monthly fees
• Pre-registering for Good Hands Roadside Assistance provides faster service at time of need on the road. Those that pre-register will also receive a welcome kit in the mail containing a wallet card, key fob and window cling with the phone number for roadside help.
• You can register for up to 5 users on your account

You can register for Allstate's Good Hands Roadside Assistance Program by using this widget -- you DO NOT have to have an Allstate insurance policy to enroll in the program:

Now that we have a new driver in the house -- not to mention, my middle girl following close behind and most likely sharing the same car, you know, the one I drive, as well -- I believe it is very important to introduce teens on the basic fundamentals of taking care of a car, as well.

Still, it's nice to know, in case of an emergency, Allstate's new roadside services provide 24/7 assistance, including:

• Towing
• Lockouts
• Tire Changes
• Refueling
• Jump-start

What's also great about this new service is you pay as you need it and when you need it, ONLY: in most cases just $75 per tow and $50 per other service.

So...YES...I'm a little less nauseous (thank you!) knowing there is a service dedicated to helping my kids stay safe while they're on the road (me, too!)

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post by Allstate and I was compensated for my time, however, I think it's a really awesome idea and have enrolled my family in the program, as well!

Parrot Minikit Slim: Portable Bluetooth Hands Free Car Kit Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  SO HAPPY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH DOREEN RIOPEL (COMMENT #7) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!

TFH Holiday Picks 2010

It's no secret, I love multi-functional gadgets (says so right over there ----> a little lower, RIGHT THERE, see it?)

So, when this really nice woman I met while attending the BlogHer '10 conference this passed summer handed me a box, encouraging me to "give this handy little gadget a try," I thanked her and then went on my merry way, thinking it was a motorized wine bottle opener, a spinning spaghetti fork, or something.

What?  Okay, perhaps your definition of handy little gadget is slightly, you know, different from mine.

It was this new portable bluetooth hands free car system from Parrot.com for iPhones, smart phones and mobile phones and I could NOT have been more delighted, because NOT everyone has an iPhone (or, an iPad) dangit!

So, I gave it to Garth (not his real name) since, you know, I'm giving like that...want to see?

How Ford Flex Took My Family For A Ride, or Six

[GIVEAWAY ENTRIES ARE CLOSED: WE HAVE A WINNER - CONGRATULATIONS, AURIETTE (#391) YOUR COMMENT WAS PICKED (VIA RANDOM.OR) AND ANNOUNCED ON MY GIVEAWAYS PAGE ON PRIZEY.NET.  PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

[6/3/09 EDITED TO ADD: I have also included a comment left by a Ford employee, as well as my response, at the end of this review, regarding the SYNC cell phone feature.]

So, I get this email about "an exciting opportunity for This Full House" and I'm like, wow, I wonder what it could be? 

I mean, a subject line like that leaves a lot up to the imagination, right?

With very little hesitation -- only because, I've worked with this particular company before -- I clicked to learn more.

Ford Motor Company wanted to see if I'd be interested in test driving their 2009 Ford Flex and I was like, really?  What's the catch?  Would I have to wear a funky chicken suit?  Drive around in a car painted in a rainbow of Ford colors, or something?

Nope, in fact, they insisted it was simply a chance for us to get an "up close and personal experience with a new car," and I was all, yep, they read my blog...alright. 

So, I ditched our 2004 Kia Sedona, gave it to my husband to use since his car is 13 years old (a Ford Windstar, just so you know) and opted in with the promise of a multi-panel roof and more leg room.

Oh, and a Flip camera to document said road test...which I'm more than willing to share...at the end of this post...because I already have a Flip...oh, and it's how I roll.

Interview With AskPatty.com: Jody DeVere Gives Automotive Advice for Women & Review of Rain-X Car Care Kit

[This giveaway has ended: WE HAVE A WINNER - Congratulations, Jill W!]

My husband, Garth (not his real name) and I arranged for a mommy and daddy play date, last weekend and headed over to Jiffy Lube -- we are married, with children, what did you expect? -- and, while we were waiting for the oil to be changed (shuddup!) I pointed to the Rain-X display in the reception area.

"I want a pair of those for Valentine's Day!"

What?  Okay, it's not diamonds (see "married" note above) but, since I seem to spend most of my time driving my kids here, there and everywhere,  I would much rather he spend the money on my minivan.

Cars can be real high maintenance, especially in the winter, right?

It is with extreme pleasure that I introduce to you Jody DeVere, the President of the Women’s Automotive Association International and CEO of the auto-advice site AskPatty.com -- AskPatty is in the house to answer a few questions about car care!