Camera Critters - 4

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Hunter trying to get under the covers because Maddie is partly under the covers...

Through My Eyes Friday - Be scared of this bunch!

Tina from Life in the Lapadula House has started this Friday meme.

This is from when we ate at my BIL and SIL's house last week. The Brandt boy grandkids... Poor Lizzy, if this baby I am carrying is another boy, she will have to fend for herself against this group of roughians!

A little random

I want to start by wishing my blogging friend Sandra a very happy birthday today!!!! Hope you had a wonderful day and got 5 minutes of peace!!!

Tomorrow night we are going to a little rodeo. This will be Hunter's 3rd year to go. The first time he was only a little over a month old. Last year, he was almost 14 months old and we had to take him out during the calf roping because he was getting upset. Curious to see how he does this year.

I must admit that watching the news and seeing all the jobs that are being cut is depressing. I often miss working myself, because of the adult conversation and because here at our house money is tight. I worked in the IT department of a managed care company for almost 10 years. However, I wonder if I had to go out and get a job tomorrow would there be any health care jobs available?

Now, the stimulus package. I must admit that it scares me to put our country that much more in debt. But I had seeing all the jobs lost as well. I am so glad I am not the one making these decisions. I just hope that those who are, think about the future as well as the present.

Wordless Wednesday - You had to be there

Last week we went over to Brad's brother's house for dinner. Well after dinner we played on the Wii! You know I want one!!! This is Brad's older brother Walt (his house) and Brad's Mom. As funny as everyone was. The funniest was Brad's younger brother Bill doing the cow races! The way he was working his controller his cow was hopping down the track. I had tears in my eyes and could not stop myself from snorting! Good times, good times!!!

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

Quick updates...

Hey everyone. Just wanted to let you know that I have moved my Creating Life blog. It is now located at http://www.creatinglifeblog.blogspot.com. And I am actually updating it!!!

Also, you know how addicted to TV I am so I have started a 3rd blog called Whatcha Watching. You can find it at http://www.whatchawatching.wordpress.com. In this blog I will talk about the shows I watch. It won't necessarily be re-caps but just little snippets that I would normally just think in my head or yell at the TV. So, stop by if you get a chance.

Both blogs still have some work to be done but they are readable now....

Meet My Friends Monday

Okay, once again I am doing something a little different. Today starts the beginning of the Bloggy Giveaway Quarterly Carnival! I am participating this time and I wanted to let you all not only know about my giveaway but also send you over to the Bloggy Giveaway headquarters so you can enter to win a whole bunch of prizes!!!


You can find my contest here!

Go to the Bloggy Carnival here!

Good luck and have fun at the carnival!!!

I promise I will get my interview pad out this week and be back to my normal Meet My Friends next Monday!!!

Bloggy Giveaways Carnival!!!

So, what am I giving away? A new copy of Shark Tale! Hunter loves this movie and know that you or your kids or grandkids or nieces or nephews or friends kid or well you see what I am saying!


So here is the deal - This contest will be open to residents in the United States. You do not have to be a blogger. Be sure to leave me your contact information.

Leave a comment on this post telling me that you would like to be entered. That simple!

Also, if you are interested, I do have a couple more contest going on; you can find links to them at the top of the page!

Good luck and enjoy the Carnival!!! Go to the Carnival Here!!!

National Security Mom Book Review and Something For the Kids!

Thanks to MomSelect, I was given an opportunity to review National Security Mom by Gina M. Bennett. Gina M. Bennett worked for 20 years in the US Intelligence Community. And as a Senior Counterterrorism Analyst, she authored some of the earliest warnings of Osama Bin Laden and the extremists he represented.

One of the reasons I was eager for a chance to review this book is that when it comes to national security, I am not very informed.  When people debate issues of national security I usually don't participate but just say that I hope that those in charge are informed enough to do what need to be done to protect us.

I had definitely never thought of national security being compared to raising kids.  What a concept!!!  And it does make sense.  In Part One - Redefining National Security: A Parent's Perspective, there are chapter such as "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", "Time-outs do not solve everything" and "Life is not a fairy tale", among others, and they really make sense.

Why wouldn't National Security start at home with the way we are raising the children that in the future will be in charge of National Security? Chapters in Part Two reinforces this with chapters such as "Tell the truth", "Don't give in to a bully", "Choose your friends wisely", and others with similar things that you want to instill in your child.

One of the things that I took from the book that I continue to think about is how we as parents need to be participants in what is going on with our government.  We need to use our voices.  We need to be informed.  These people work for us!

I highly recommend this book.  Even if you don't agree with everything that Bennett has to say it is definitely a book that will give you something to think about.  I must also add that as someone who find it very difficult to read anything non-fiction, I found it extremely easy to read. 

Now, something for the kids.  Go to the Kid Center and you can get downloadable children's pages, links to online activities, a printable poster, Contests, and a chance to be in future books! 

Valentine's Day is coming...

It is hard to believe that January is almost behind us and February is knocking at the door. We all know what that means. That day that you either love or well hate. Good ole Valentines Day! It is time to start thinking about ordering those flowers for Valentines.

If you haven't tried 1-800-FLOWERS before I suggest you give them a try. I have used them on several occasions (3 to be exact) and have always been completely satisfied. I have always found a good selection to choose from. They also have a good price range. So, if I am ordering something from just me or from a group, I can find something that fits. I am sure they will have the perfect Valentine's Day roses!

So, if you need to get your special sweetheart something or maybe you always make sure your Mom or Sister receive something pretty like roses for Valentines, this could be for you. The choices and convenience really make 1-800-FLOWERS worth checking out!

Camera Critters - 3

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This is Hunter with my friend Denise and her dog Jersey. This was the day of the play-off game that the Titans lost to the Ravens.

Through My Eyes Friday - 6

This is a sticky post for Friday, there may be newer posts below...

Tina from Life in the Lapadula House has started this Friday meme.

Yesterday afternoon we were getting ready to head over to my SIL's to meet Brad's family for dinner.  I had my camera ready so I get a picture for today's Through My Eyes.  As I walked through the Den to go get Hunter ready this is what I saw...

 

 

All of Hunter's animals as well as his digger thing were "sleeping". 

We had a nice time with the family and I do have a couple of pictures from that to share later.  I ate way too much and if I were not pregnant, today I would need to be taking a diet pill!!!

Pillsbury Savorings Review and Giveaway

 

About a month ago I entered a contest over at Momstart to win a Pillsbury Cressent Rolls prize pack.  I did not win.  However, in my comment I mentioned how I wanted to try the new Savorings.  I love finger foods, snacks, hors d'oeuvres - you get the idea.  

So, Amanda, the nice lady from Pillsbury, contacted me about receiving the Pillsbury Savoring the Moment gift bag and doing a review and sponsoring a giveaway.  Of course I said yes, so here we are.

On New Years Day while we sat around and watched football we decided to fix some snacks.  The Pillsbury Savorings were the first thing we fixed.  We chose the Cheese and Spinach but you can also get Mozzerella-Pepperoni and Buffalo Style Chicken varieties.  

We Loved Them.  Both Brad and I were eyeing each other to make sure no one got more than their share!!!  I highly recommend them and will be having them again.  The outside is flaky just as you would expect it to be.  The inside was cheese and spinach deliciousness!!!  

If you would like a chance to win your own Savoring the Moment gift bag enter the contest now!

It is open to residents of the United States and will run through February the 7th.

To enter go to the Pillsbury Products site and tell me which product is your favorite or which one you would like to try.  Then come back here and leave me a comment.  This has to be done to be entered.

If you would like some extra entries you can...

1. Follow Me 

2. Fave Me on Technorati

3. Stumble this post

For two extra entries you can...

1. Blog about this contest

Good luck!!!

Wordless Wednesday - 33

 

This is Hunter (on the right) with his cousins on Brad side... 

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

Meet My Friends Monday and save a dollar...

This week I am introducing a blog from my blog roll and well this is a little different from the others because really, I am a lurker here.

Mommies With Cents

I think that now more than ever it is important to find good deals.  This blog can help you.  You will find great grocery deals, freebies, coupons, etc.  

I know that for me, I don't like the digging and looking for the best deal.  That is what is great about Mommies With Cents, the work is done for you!  Now go find some deals!!!

Duck, Duck, Goose, Horsey

Okay, as I think I mentioned earlier, my husband went duck hunting with his brothers and several others over the weekend. Despite the cold weather, it got down close to zero here, he had a great time.

He also came home with several ducks and geese. So tomorrow night he is going to cook duck. I don't think that I have ever had it and the couple of people who have said anything about it have not really said good things, so I am anxious to see if I like it. I will post an update!

Here is a picture from Friday at my Mom's that is my step-dad as usual doing what ever the grandkids want. I am not sure how many times he did this! Poor Papa!!! Do you think I need to get the kiddos some equestrian riding apparel?

Exhaustion

I am working to get caught up. I am still feeling exhausted in this 1st trimester. I remember be sleepy when I was pregnant with Hunter but I don't remember being so lazy/exhausted!

I did not get a Through My Eyes or Camera Critters posted and I apologize! I love both those memes!

I also have some reviews and contest that will be coming up. I need to be doing a few links such as California car insurance. So bear with me. Catch up is coming! Of course having to go to the cold room where the computer is makes it less desirable!

We have a winner!!!!

We have a Skin MD lotion winner!!!!

Random Integer Generator Here are your random numbers: 7 Timestamp: 2009-01-18 20:59:55 UTC

Betty R - from Simply Southern won!!! Congrats Betty. The entry she received for adding my button to her site is the one that won.

Also, please stop by and enter the contest for The Demo Tapes - a fun read that anyone who likes Rock and Roll will enjoy!!!

I will have some more giveaways coming up so stay tuned. However, I am certain that Apidexin will not be on the giveaway list...

Stuff

Okay, I accidentally took a mini blogging break! My husband went duck hunting Thursday so Hunter, Maddie and I headed up to see my family while he was out of town. At my Dad's I didn't have computer access and at my Mom's I never had a chance to go upstairs and get on the computer. When we returned yesterday afternoon, I was just exhausted and did not want to go get on the computer - I so need a laptop! Anyway, I will be posting the winner of the lotion today. Don't forget to enter to win The Demo Tapes book!!! I need to put something about alli diet pills in here so there that is!

Be back with more posts soon!!!

The Game

If you are here to play the game, have a look around my blog to find the clue...

1. Mom Knows Everything

2. Mummy Diaries

3. Life In The Lapadula House

4. Super Mae

5. It Is Nap Time

6. Music Mondays

7. I Beati

8. Screaming Mimi

9. Live The Life Of ADreamer

10. Max A Dogs Story

11. Lady Banana

12. Game Freakz

13. A Little Girl Talk

14. Tell Me The Truth

15. Gossip Avenue

16. My Sweet Escape

Wordless Wednesday

 

Even Hunter's cheering could not help the Titans beat the Ravens in the playoff game...

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

A little blog rant

Grrr! Firefox has closed on me today about 20 times. That is no exaggeration! I just don't understand. It happens on my desktop computer but not on my husband's laptop which I use in the evenings. I guess I will uninstall and re-install and see if that works.

Also, I use the Entrecard toolbar to do drops. Lately I notice that I will get a random website like a yellow pages site or today it was a singles mom site that pops up. What is up with that. Is Entrecard making some bank by throwing some spam at me?

Next, I am having trouble with my Entrecard widget showing up on Internet Explorer. Diana, the lovely lady that did my blog design is trying to help me figure it out but if anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate.

Lastly, I have had some bloggy friends tell met that my blog has been really slow to load. It is not for me. Is it for you? I have not added any applications lately so I am not sure where to look.

Gee, if I weren't preggers I would be signing up for the wine of the month club to help me deal with my blog issues!!! lol

Don't forget to check out my giveaways!!! Skin MD Natural Review and Giveaway and The Demo Tapes book giveaway!!!

Meet My Friends Monday with a Book Review and a Giveaway!!!

This week I am not only introducing you to a blog but I am also reviewing a book written by the blog author and giving one away. Thanks to Susan taking care of the shipping, this contest will be open to EVERYONE!!!

So, with out further ado, let me introduce you to Susan over at West of Mars - The Meet and Greet. You can also find her at West of Mars -- Win a Book!, which is a great place if you love books. However, today I will talking about The Meet and Greet. My first experience with West of Mars - The Meet and Greet was through Thursday Thirteen. I was really new to blogging and was looking for ways to get people to my site. At this point if someone even left a 2 word sentence in a comment I was likely to add them to my blog roll. Well Susan was kind enough to continue to visit my blog through Thursday Thirteen - most of the blogs from my early blog roll are no longer listed. However, once I started visiting West of Mars there was no turning back.

Susan is a author and she has a novel called Trevor's Song that she is working on getting published. West of Mars includes backstory for the characters in Trevor's Song. Trevor belongs to the Metal band Shapeshifter and it is so much fun reading about the fictional Rock and Roll world that Susan has set up.

Susan's blog does not entirely revolve around the band, you will also find some talk about books she has read or how things are going with her book. She has also just released The Demo Tapes which is an excerpt of some of her blog fiction but we will get to that in a moment.

Here are some things about Susan and her blog in her own words:

When did you decide to introduce Trevor and the rest of the characters through use of a blog?

It was April 2006, right around my birthday. I was frustrated that I wasn't getting anywhere with finding a literary agent to represent the full-length novel starring Trevor and Mitchell, and I was trying to think of ways to prove to publishing industry people that yes, I do have a viable set of characters and that this book would sell.

Almost four years later, I still don't have a literary agent or a publisher for that novel -- but I have a lot of rejection notes and assurances that "Books about rock stars don't sell." However, I might have something better: a great group of dedicated fans who encouraged me to put out The Demo Tapes so that they could read about the boys in chronological order, rather than in the scattered-across-time manner I present them on the blog.

(However, if sales of The Demo Tapes are strong, I'll consider putting that novel out via Lulu!)

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

I can't choose just one. I love the feedback from my readers; I use it to stimulate me to do better. I love the friends I've made. I love seeing my friends have success, and that they celebrate my success, too. I love beingpart of communities -- EntreCard, Thursday Thirteen, and book bloggers most specifically.

When you are not blogging about Shapeshifter and those characters who surround them, what is your favorite thing to blog about.

Books! I love to read; I've been reading only a few years longer than I've been writing my own fiction. I think I started reading at three or four, and decided I wanted to be a writer at age six.

Another thing I love to blog about is those silly "I love your blog" awards. I take them seriously because they mean that there are people who dig what I do. And it's a neat way to introduce the various bloggers in my circle. I tend to forget that not everyone in my blog circle knows each other.

What occupies your non-fiction world? Husband? Kids? etc?

Husband, kids, cats. Normal stuff. I have a total addiction to my health club and working out -- add bicycling to that list. I'd rather bike than walk, and if I have to do a lot of walking, unless it's a hike, you'll often hear my grumble that I wish I had my bike. I love to be outdoors, too; I used to as a kid but then went indoors through college and until the past few years. Now I've got snowshoes and a tent for summer, and a family who's thankfully right there with me. We're all minor conservationists, concerned about the environment.

Maybe one day, I'll do the dishes that tend to pile up in the kitchen, but for now, I pretend I don't see them. And that I'm not hugely grateful when the Tour Manager does them for me (I usually ignore his slaving over the dishrag). The odd thing about this scenario is that I actually like doing dishes. Laundry, too. Both have such immediate rewards -- you can see the pile of clothes to fold shrinking, or the stack of clean dishes growing. How can you not like that?

Even though I don't get to do it as much due to blogging and a toddler, I love to read fiction. So, when Susan announced that The Demo Tapes was available, I ordered my very own signed copy. I received my copy and let Susan know that I had it but probably would not start on it until after the holidays because I have a little bit of a problem putting a book down once I open it.

I knew what I was talking about, I could not put the book down. I absolutely loved reading about Trevor and the entire set of characters. Since this book is a collection of blog post, Susan gives a little introduction to each section. I really enjoyed that part. I found it very interesting to hear some of what she as the author was thinking as she brought the characters to life.

If you like fiction and especially if you like Rock and Roll you are going to enjoy Susan's style and these characters!

The best way to express how much I enjoyed The Demo Tapes is to say I am so ready for Trevor's Song!!!

Okay are your ready to win your own signed copy of The Demo Tapes? Don't forget this contest is open to EVERYONE...
This contest will run until Jan. 31st...

Here are the rules:

1.) Go to Susan's site and say Hi. Check out a few of her fiction posts, introduce yourself to Trevor and the gang. Come back here and let me know why you are interested in winning a copy. This is the main rule for this contest.

If you follow the above rule and want some extra entries, each of the following will get you one extra entry...

2.) Follow this blog

3.) Fave me on Technorati

For 2 extra entries...

4.) Post about this contest on your blog linking both It Is Nap Time and West of Mars - The Meet and Greet.

Good luck! Now get out of here and go meet Susan, Trevor and the rest of the band!!!

Titans season over...

Well my Titans have finished their season. We let the Baltimore Ravens come into our house and gave them the game! Brad went to the game. Hunter and I stayed home and had a few friends over. I was really disappointed in my team. They had such a great year.

Since Brad and I root for Auburn and Tennessee respectively, in college football maybe we should have known that it was not our football year. Maybe we need to see about getting the players some horse supplements. Just kidding, teams have to have up and down seasons but I don't have to like it...

Camera Critters - 2

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This was taken this past fall.

Through My Eyes Friday - 5

This is a sticky post for Friday, there may be newer posts below...

Tina from Life in the Lapadula House has started this Friday meme.

So here is this weeks Through My Eyes...

 

This is Hunter's new big boy bed.  In the mornings he likes for one of us to get in there with him.  And of course Maddie is going to be where everyone else is!

Happy Friday!

Wordless Wednesday - 31

This is a Sticky Post Wednesday, there may be newer posts below...

 

Hunter and his cousin Ava on the horse swing he got for Christmas...  

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