MobiStories - Digital Books - A Review and Something Free for You

I was given a chance to review MobiStories - digital books for kids. At the bottom of this review is a code so you can go check it out as well.

Through MobiStories you can download on-line children's books. With this technology your child can sit at the computer, headphones on, and get some undisturbed reading time and if you have a laptop they can do this anywhere.

Now, I know I love reading to Hunter but there are times when he wants to hear a story and I just can't do it at that moment. Enter MobiStories.

When I first went to the sight to download my stories there was a problem with the coupon code. So, I e-mailed the customer service and they were very quick to respond and correct the problem. I always appreciate good customer service!

I selected my titles, when through the check out as was immediately sent directions on how to download what I had purchased. It was all really simple.

After I had downloaded the digital books, I had Hunter (23 months old) come sit with me to view a couple of them. He was so excited and wanted to see the on-line books over and over. He even repeated several of the pages after the reader. It was great to watch his face as the pages turned!

One thing that I did notice, in their frequently asked questions there were several questions about DVD format and according to the answers they say they offer this format. However, I never could find how to select that as a format. As I mentioned earlier their customer service department replied to my e-mail very quickly, if you are interested in DVD format I am sure they can assist you.

I must give this a thumbs up! And the folks at MobiStories want you to give them a try as well. Head over with this code 230A and receive $10 worth of MobiStories downloads for free. The prices range from 2.99 to 9.99 so you will be able to download at least one book with this code.

I would love to hear what you think!

Thursday Thirteen - Edition 38

This is a sticky post for Thursday - there may be newer post below...

13 Things on my mind right now.

1. Our Cable provider, should we switch to Direct TV...

2. Hunter's Thanksgiving Feast - will my hashbrown casserole taste okay...

3. Am I going to try and fix fried apples to take to Brad's parent's for Thanksgiving breakfast...

4. What 2 desserts am I going to fix to take to my Uncle's for Thanksgiving lunch...

5. Will my dressing (Granny isn't up to fixing it this year) pass her test when I make it to take to my Dad's for Thanksgiving supper...

6. After 3 meals on Thanksgiving will I have to start taking diet pills to lose the 10 lbs I gain in one day...

7. How many people will respond to Hunter's birthday invitation...

8. What food am I going to serve on that day...

9. Will the weather hold and how will I entertain the kids if it doesn't...

10. Will I get pregnant again...

11. Can I keep Hunter from thinking he is the center of the universe if I don't (even though a lot of the time I think he is as well)...

12. Can I come up with good gifts for the remainder of my list...

13. And of course as always food, I am hungry, I hate dieting!!!

Have a wonderful Thursday Thirteen!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday - edition 27

This is a sticky post for Wednesday there may be newer post below...

This is the invitation for Hunter's upcoming birthday party. I am just hoping for decent weather on that day. If not, we will just have a gathering inside and that will be fine. I did get the invites in the mail so there is 1 thing checked of the list!



Also find more Wordless Wednesday at MomDot and 5 Minutes For Mom

Thanks and a plan

Thanks to everyone for your well wishes and kind words over me starting my period. I am doing fine now. I really do know how blessed I am and just needed a day or so to wallow.

My plan now is to try and lose a few pounds so that if I am able to get pregnant I will not be the few pounds over weight that I am now. The past few days I have been trying to watch my calorie and carb intake - so far I am doing okay. If I could lose 3-4 pounds by next Thursday that would be great. Otherwise, I will be looking for the best diet pill available considering we eat at 3 different places on that day!

A few awards and tags...

I was given this linky love from the cool site What Women Really Think

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Ann's Link Love In - Sponsored By Suburban Gypsy
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Welcome to Ann's Link Love In sponsored by the SuburbanGypsy.
Since this will be Ann's very first meme, let's get her going and good! Alright?

I have selected 5 bloggers (not including myself and our friend Ann) to tag and bestow a bit of linky love. I hope that you will similarly publish this post in your blog and pass that love forward. A bit of Free Love if you will.

Simply tag 5 other bloggers and just keep adding on to the list. (Do not edit, replace, or delete. Just keep on adding! With any luck, this will be one heck of a groovy list.)

It’s just that easy! What is in it for you? A little bit of fun, the joy of annoying your blogging buddies - AGAIN, new friends, potentially an increase in your blog traffic, Google Page Rank, and in your Technorati *wink*

Add your blog url...

Ann's Rants | Suburban Gypsy | Life in the Lost World | What Women REALLY Think | Journeywoman | YummY! Down On This | Hooked On Memes | Have Babies Will Blog | Motherhood for Dummies | It is nap time | Ramblings From *While You're Up* | mommy bytes | Mummy Diaries | Mom Knows Everything | Life in the Lapadula House | Super Mae | Petula

You are next...


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Now on to a few awards:

Kristen from La Dolce Vita gave me the butterfly award! Thank-you so much Kristen! You need to check out her great custom made necklaces and bracelets!!!


And now Jennifer from The Fun Sucker, you may know her from The Dirty Diaper, gave me these awards...


Okay, that last award, the Eye Candy award, talk about sweet!!!

Thanks again Jennifer!!!!

A few winnings...

The first thing I am going to do in my attempt to get caught up is show you a few things I have won recently. I love to win stuff!!! And lucky for me and you there are a lot of great blogs that give us the opportunity to do so.

So, here are the items I have won as of late:


The first was the Yoplait kids lunch cooler with a coupon for free yogurt and a Brain Quest game for toddlers. Hunter is loving this game he actually sits down and answers the questions. I won this from The Dirty Shirt. She has a great blog and is having some great contest, go see Jennifer - you will not regret it!

Next I won a super soft and cute T-shirt from PMKU! Pam has wonderful T-shirts we got our first for Hunter through a contest earlier this year. I was amazed at how soft they were. Now, I have one of my very own. The T-shirt reads on the front Millionaire Club and on the back it says I'm Working On It. How great is that! Go get yourself one!

And then I won a juicer! The Clan McLeod is hosting a contest a day and I won a juicer! Gina has beautiful girls, some great reviews and some wonderful give-a-ways!

Now, if you will excuse me I am off to enter a contest or two!!!

Wow - so behind

Okay, I planned on doing some catch-up this weekend. I have some reviews to do, some awards to post and then there is the visiting on all my favorite blogs. However, it never happened.

Saturday, I started my period and as some of you know I am trying to get preggers. You can read more about that over at my other blog Creating Life So, I was really sad on Saturday. I did go to my friend Lina's Saturday night for a girl's wine night and had a great time. Sunday, I did nothing. I was totally worthless.

So, today I am getting back into the groove a little and will hopefully get started on catching up - so please bear with me...

Inviting Home - A Review

I love to day dream about building a new home and in my mind I walk through this house and try to picture how each room will look. When I was given the chance to review InvitingHome.com and give my opinion I decided to experience the web site as if I were designing and decorating a new home.

My first impression of the site was that they have a lot to offer. Right away you can see that they have wood carvings, decorative hardware, ceiling decor, home furnishings, and more to help you give your home the look you want.

Now, all of these products are nice, but for me, seeing as how I am not an interior decorator, it does not all just flow into place in my mind's eye. This is where the Inspiration Gallery and Interior Decorating pages come in handy. These pages offer wonderful ideas through pictures and words. I also enjoyed the Success Stories section of the Inspiration Gallery. I liked being able to hear in the customers own words how they used the products to improve their home.

Another thing that InvitingHome.com has done to help the consumer with their designing needs is to create a blog. It is a great way to see new ideas and to see what other consumer's thoughts are. While reading through some of the entries I realized there is a lot more to planning and designing that I realized. After reviewing InvitingHome.com I have found new wonderful products to fit into my day dreams from home lighting to wall decor. I have also decided that when the time comes to make my dream a reality InvitingHome.com is a site I will be visiting!

Thursday Thirteen - 37th edition

This is a sticky post for Thursday - there may be newer post below...

13 Christmas gift ideas for people who are hard to shop for.

1. Flowers

2. A donation made in their name to a local charity

3. Something baked - cake cookies...

4. A candid picture you have of the recipient placed in a nice frame

5. If you are dealing with adult friends or brothers and sisters - forgo the gifts and go out together for a nice meal.

6. Coupons for baby sitting or pet sitting

7. A nice bottle of wine or for non drinking maybe a bottle of olive oil from a gourmet shop

8. Go to Etsy.com and look around, they have a ton of handmade ideas

9. Go to any of the picture sites and put a picture on something, a mug, a T-shirt...

10. Make a mini scrapbook for a friend - highlighting some fun times

11. Make some snack mix and put it in a pretty Christmas tin along with the recipe you used

12. Create a home-made cook-book with your envied recipes

13. And of course when all else fails, grab a gift card from your local Walgreens...




Have a wonderful Thursday Thirteen!







Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Grrr, cable company grrr

Yesterday afternoon around 3 our cable went out, TV and internet. So I called to make sure it wasn't just me and that they were aware. They were and it was not just me. Okay, things happen. Well last night before 7, that is before the CMAs were to come on and my other shows were set to record I called again. I asked, knowing the answer, if they had any updates. They were working on it and it should not be long now. Well need less to say it did not get fixed before I went to bed. I did not get to watch the Country Music Awards, my regular shows, you all know I am a TV junky, did not record. Plus I am behind on my blog reading and drops. So bear with me!!!

Sales before Thanksgiving...

There is something that a lot of people do that I can't seem to get myself to do. Black Friday. The thought of standing in line for hours gives me a headache. I can't imagine what my head would do if I actually participated. And that is all good and fine there is definitely no law that says a person must participate in Black Friday.

However, here is the rub, there are a lot of good deals to be had on this day. Stores pull out all the stops to get you in the door. They want to be able to report record sales for the day after Thanksgiving.

Even though I am not going to succumb to the sirens call and wait in line behind 45 people for a deal, does not mean I am not going to take other measures to stretch my dollar.

Sears is having a Big One Day sale on November 15th, with door busters and everything - sounds a little like Black Friday but maybe there will not be as many people out!

Here are a few of the great deals that you can get:
While quantities last you can get a 32" Sylvania LCD HDTV for $429.99
Or for the cooks how about a KitchenAid 4.5 qt bowl lift stand mixer - only $159.99!

So, here is a little bit of help for those of us who just can't fight the masses on Black Friday!

Wordless Wednesday - Edition 26

This is a sticky post for Wednesday there may be newer post below...

I could not stay wordless. This is Hunter with his friend Tyler. Tyler is a few months older than Hunter and her parents are good friends of ours. They also have a houseboat next to ours at the boat dock, so the kids see each other quite a bit. I have already said that when they get a little older we will have to keep a close eye on them!

Also find more Wordless Wednesday at MomDot and 5 Minutes For Mom

FTD coupons

Your boss, your granny, that friend that has everything, if you were playing $100,000 pyramid, the answer would be people you have no idea what to get for Christmas. Here is the thing, as adults most of us don't really need anything that those who are buying for us can afford. You know what I mean. If there is something that you really want, you go out and buy it. However, how often lately have you gotten yourself a nice arrangement of flowers to have in your house?

I know with times being a little tight, this is a luxury that does not fit into our budget right now. One or more of those people on your list might be the same way. So, a nice arrangement as a gift, here at the holidays may be the perfect solution!140

You can get FTD coupons that will make the gift giving process easier on your wallet. And don't forget that fresh flower arrangements are not the only option. Some nice holiday silk arrangements that can be used year after year are an idea. You can also sent a variety of gift baskets.

And don't forget if you are doing any on-line shopping you really should be searching for discount codes. It never hurts to look.

Yes, I was named after a character on a soap opera...

I know you are shocked! But I actually got tagged for this in the last couple of days and am already getting to it!

Jennifer over at Another Online Blog has tagged me for this cool question meme. So here goes...

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? A lab-tech from the soap opera The Doctors. My Middle name is the same as my Moms and my sons...
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? A full on cry - not sure.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Most of the time no - if I try really hard I can do okay.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Ham for sure, I also like roast beef - not turkey...
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes, 1
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Well of course!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? As much as possible.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Did once off of one of those T-bar things with a net. I don't think I could do it off a bridge or anything.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Not really a cereal eater.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Most of the time.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Sometimes I am but sometimes I am not.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Anything with caramel and no nuts.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Mannerisms.
15. RED OR PINK? Pink.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Impatience.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST. My grandparents and my uncle.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I think this started as an e-mail.
19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? None
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? A bite of Hunter's sandwich
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW ? The wind rustling the leaves outside.
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Periwinkle blue
23. FAVORITE SMELLS ? When Hubby cooks ribs...
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My husband.
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? She seems like she is very likable. If I knew her in real-life I think we would be friends.
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Football (College)
27. Hair Color? Blond (thanks to the hairstylist)
28. EYE COLOR? Blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes
30. FAVORITE FOOD ? Sushi
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED ? Pirates of the Caribbean - the last one
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING. Gray T-shirt
34. Summer or winter? Summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Both
36. FAVORITE DESSERT ? Anything with caramel and no nuts.
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Back to the e-mail thing.
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND. see above
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW ? Just finished an old Nora Roberts
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Don't have one
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT. Amazingly nothing - I wasn't home
42. FAVORITE SOUND. Hunter laughing
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Stones
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME??? US Virgin Islands
45. Do you have a special talent? Not really - how sad
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? TN
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Everyone's

So now for the tagging. I am not sure who has already done this, so if I list you and you have don't worry about it!

Sandra @ Love In My Veins
Tina @ Gossip Avenue
Tammy @ Mom Knows Everything
TwinMama @ Bringing Up Twins

Somethings cooking at Sears

I love kitchen gadgets. Unfortunately, at the present I have a little kitchen so I really don't buy myself as many as I would like to have. I love them all, the food processors, the different grilling machines, from Quesadilla Bakers to Panini makers. It seems like something new is always coming out.

Right now Sears is having a huge Cookware and Bakeware Sale. They just recently had an offer where you could get an 8-piece roaster set for $4.99 after a $10 rebate (it was effective 11/5 - 11/8) what a deal and there are more like them waiting for you.

This is a perfect time to go and get some things checked off your Christmas list. I personally love to take kitchen gadgets to the "Dirty Santa" exchanges our families do. And yes, I do usually try and get my own gift. It does not always work out for me but a girl has got to try.

One of great things about these great offers at Sears is that if you are asked to bring a $30 gift you can get something nicer than $30 and still only pay $30. Or if you are really keen on coming in under budget it is completing fine to find a $30 gift that is on sale and shave a few dollars off your Christmas spending!

I know that times are tough for a lot of people, they are definitely tight at my house so I love a good sale at Christmas time!

A few little things...

This past weekend we stayed at home which was great. Brad got several things checked of his list and I got the house a little cleaner than it was.

Brad's brothers own a contracting business and one of the houses they were doing work for had a wooden swing set that they no longer wanted. So, Brad went and checked it out and it ended up being in decent shape. He brought it home and put it up for Hunter. Once Hunter woke from his nap Saturday, we took him out to see it - he was so excited!

 

There is also a slide on the left but I video recorded more than I took still shots.  

Also, on Saturday Brad and Hunter worked on the tub while I went and did some Christmas shopping - almost done, I may have to install a new security system to protect Santa's workshop that is now in the basement.

 

And on Sunday I did something that I have put off for some time... I cut some of Hunter's hair.  He really was starting to get a mullet and no offense if you are a mullet person but we are not.  It was not a great hair cut - I only got a few snips in before he decided he was through.

A few of Santa's helpers

As you know I have been rambling on about getting my shopping done, enjoying the holidays, yada yada yada, I know shut up already...

So, I have received a few of the hand painted items I ordered and want to show them to you. I am really excited.

The lap trays I ordered from DMZ Designs. Donna was so helpful and I really received the order quickly! Since receiving the lap trays I have since ordered 2 more lap trays and 2 drawstring bags. I will show those when I get them.

The car holder was ordered from Gifts For You by Jennifer. I was really pleased with the quality of work that was put into it.

Now, don't forget to check out Etsy.com for hand made items. I am about to order some necklaces from La Dolce Vita and will put those up once I get them as well.

Catch up, catch up, everybody catch up...

If you have tagged me and for some reason I have not posted your tag please let me know. I try to keep up with all my tags but am afraid that some slip through! This is purely accidental, I never intentionally do not do a tag. That said, on to the catch up...

I must say that I am so blessed that people continue to give me awards and tag me for memes even though it seems to take me forever to post them. So since it is Monday, and the start of a fresh and chilly week I am going to try and get some things posted and give linky love to those who have awarded and tagged me!

First off I received the Uber award from Melissa over at Your Fun Family. Melissa has a great blog that always offers up great recipes and ideas for family fun!!! Thanks Melissa! I also recieved it from Tina L who is over at Life in The Lapadula House. She has several great blogs and is always fun to read. And my great blogging friend Sandra from Super Mae gave me this award as well. Sandra always has great post on this blog and her second blog Love in My Veins.

I received the Proximidade award from Signe over at Signe Says. I love visiting this sight because there is always something posted that makes me stop and think about how I feel about certain issues! Thank you for the award!

Anna from A Rose By Name gave me the Butterfly award. You have to check out her wonderful bead creations. There are some bracelets that I am definitely lusting over!!! Thanks Anna.

My last but not least award was from Tina who presides over Mummy Diaries, Game Freakz and Gossip Avenue. She has a blog for everyone! Moms, Gamers and those of us who like a little celebrity gossip! Tina gave me this nice collage of awards, which is why I don't have the individual awards showing above - they are in the neat package below! Thanks Tina!!!



So instead of tagging people for the individual awards listed above I am going to give this callage to 5 random people who were not on Tina's list...

Mommy MoMo
Diana
On The Verge
Another Online Mom
The Mom With Brownies

Now for some meme fun...

Twinmama from Bringing Up Twins tagged for a six random things meme...

So here goes...
1.) I have a cavity right now but can't seem to get into the dentist to get it taken care of.
2.) Sometimes I multitask to the point that not one single thing gets totally completed.
3.) I have most of my Christmas shopping finished.
4.) For some reason my blogging friend Sandra is getting an e-mail every time I get a comment, anyone know anything about this?
5.) I am really looking forward to the holidays this year.
6.) The people whom I have not bought their gift - I have no clue what to get them.

Sandra and Tina L (mentioned earlier in the award section) tagged me from their Love in My Veins and Life in The Lapadula House sites respectively, for the Pink Sisterhood tag. This tag is about breast cancer awareness. I know that October was the month dedicated to it but we need to be sure and keep this awareness alive 12 months out of the year!

Pink Sisterhood:
1- Fara 2- Massy 3- N.O.Y 4- Mariuca 5- A Great Pleasure 6- LadyJava 7- Kim 8- Pink Thoughts 9- Turn-u-Off 10- Roxiticus Desperate Housewives 11- STAY AT HOME MOM 12- Fida Abbott 13- Also Mommy 14- Janice Ng 15- Juliana’s Site 16- The Painted Veil 17- Cendrine 18- Wonderful Life 19- Our Little Princess Gwen 20-Mom's wonderland 21-Pleasure & Leisure
22-Love In My Veins 23. Life In The Lapadula House

I have seen this on a lot of blogs so I am not tagging anyone...

Sing me a song

I have always been a music fan. I can't play an instrument really, I can't carry a tune but I can sing along in my car with the best of them. I have also been known to hold a lighter in the air at a concert or two! That is why I was super excited to see this contest going on over at Tina's

So, head over and check it out - but I warn you, I am going to win!!!