Gift for A Special Youngster

Hannah and the Talking Tree by Elke Weiss is my picked for a Christmas gift to my BFF daughter.  We (my BFF) have been friends since we were 10 years old.  Yes, a very long time.  She has a adorable young daughter that sees life as an exploration.  I love that about her.  A toy is not just a toy, it is an expression of herself.  She paints beautiful pictures to put up in her hall gallery.  And being the eco lil self she is...each painting can be used on both sides of the paper.  

One of the things I love that my BFF has taught her daughter is to be ecologically minded.  We learned this when I was in junior high.  It was not being green or frugal or trendy.  It was told to us that we needed to learn to recycle and reuse to save our earth.  To just make it a way of life.  And we took it to heart.  Well my gift this year helps follow that process.  (Oh and I always give books to her daughter.)  Hannah and the Talking Tree is described as:  “This is a charming book for your youngsters about being different, learning to listen and the importance of saving the trees on our planet. It is a cute and colorful story about a little girl named Hannah who is different than others because of her big ears but those ears can hear things that most can not. Hannah learns how she should help save the trees and how to get others to help. This is an environmental story that your children will love to hear. The Dove "Family-Approved" seal for all ages is awarded to this wonderful children's book.”  It is also a GOLD MEDAL WINNER of the 2010 Moonbeam Children's Book Award.  I also like that it is printed on recycled paper.  This will make my BFF happy too!

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

My Personal Gift

 Every year I make sure to treat myself to a Christmas gift.  Yes, it may sound selfish but I feel that we need to treat ourselves too.  If I am going to go crazy getting gifts for all kinds of people (and I mean that) then why not think of myself too.  After all I know me better than anyone else does.  Now it is not amazing expensive gifts.  But instead a gift that I know I will treasure and helps me grow in some way.  

I have given myself the gift of Curves to work out.  Even given me a stuffed animal when I knew I really needed something soft and cuddly to hold on too.  I have given myself gifts for Christmas for all of my adult life.  Well I found my gift this year.  It is just for me.  (Not that it would not be great for others...but this is my selfish part.)  I battle with depression and part of that is a low self esteem.  I try to put a big bold front up.  Making people think I am brave and out going and larger than life.  But it hides much of what I feel and fear inside.  Now I can let that out.  And feel less stress and tension from those feelings.  I bet it will help me grow to.  You know...to let it out and hear what I have to say for myself. 

 Loving Yourself is a diary that is perfect for women of all ages that allow them to reconnect with their inner self by reflecting on things that are sometimes dismissed during hectic days.  “In today’s culture, there is an overemphasis upon the outer package and not enough on self esteem, self respect, and self confidence,” says Sagal Omar, Founder of Inspirational Diaries.  “We need to offer women and young adolescents a vehicle to empower themselves by reconnecting with who they are from the inside.” 

Loving Yourself diary begins with an introduction on how to love yourself.  Each day in the diary then displays a daily question, along with a powerful quote which is designed to move you to a joyful and fulfilling life. The diary questions how you have cared for your body and spirit as well as focusing on what you are grateful for, how you can help others, and making each day better than the next.  Each month follows a different quote theme.

January - Loving Yourself

February - Gratitude

March - Giving

April - Faith

May - Dreams

June - Health

July - Joy & Happiness

August - Growing

September - Fun & Pleasure

October - Being the Best You Can Be!

November - Family & Friends

December - Love & Romance

For those who are tech-savvy and would rather journal online, Loving Yourself is also available in digital format.  Offering the same unique and inviting capabilities as the original, the online version helps people connect and explore their inner self from any location.  Each user has instant access to their online diary by visiting the Web site and using their login and password to sign in.  Additionally, the history of every entry is saved and able to be referred to at any time.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

McLinky Monday Question

Georgie over at Decisionally Challenged put up her McLinky Monday challenge question.  One that makes me do the full body shudder.  It has to do with Christmas Decorations.  This is a personal downfall area for me.  The original grinch I am...or so I feel most of the time.

The question is:  "So tell me how much decorating do you do?"   or put better by RHOK star  Mrs. Edwards..."Are you an early bird or late to the party? Do you have a traditional day that things get put up or are you just a go-with-the-flow kind of person?"  


I am not a holiday kinda gal.  I like holidays simple and quiet.  Why?  Well I was raised in a large family.  Granny M (aka my mom) loved the holidays.  She decorated everything and in every room.  Me being the baby of the family...saw this year after year after year.  The day after Thanksgiving til right after New Years Eve it was Christmas in our house.  And that took lots of work to get done.  All the boxes, decorations being put up, cleaning as you go....til finally after 12 or more hours of hard labor you had all the razzle dazzle of the holiday.  The only thing was it did not make me feel happy or joyful or even excited.  It made me feel tired and dreading the putting up of all of the decorations.  

Also large holidays in large families means large meals.  Expensive time consuming meals.  Thanksgiving this year had 20 people at the tables.  A whole 12 hours of non stop cooking by College Girl and I.  And tons of preparing, cleaning, setting up and tearing down.  All for a meal that I did not get to visit with 1/3 of the people very well.  I love my family and extended family very much.  But gosh, in mass it is overwhelming.  Am I the only person like this?   Maybe having only had one child and a ex hubby who worked every holiday spoiled me too.  With me and my now College Girl we could have holidays as our special time for just us.  Eating finger foods that we normally did not get to have.  Watching movies while painting our nails and toes.  Wonderful afternoon naps cuddled together like a mommy and daughter can enjoy.  Enjoying an afternoon walk with the dogs while we talked about the ideas floating in our head.  Just 'us' time.  

This year Dear Hubby is having another foot surgery at the beginning of December.  I have informed all the family....no big meal here.  No big holiday thing here.  No big celebration here.  This will be a calm quiet home while he is recuperating.  He will be laid up for 3 to 4 weeks healing.  If folks wanna bring a dessert and have coffee and visit.  Great!  If friends wanna share a drink and play some Wii or watch a movie...fantastic.  But if you want me to bust my ass to fix you a big ol meal while your sitting on yours.....no way....this mom is taking her time out.  And going to enjoy the peace and quiet with her husband. 


I guess this is not what most people expected....dang it.....I love the idea of Christmas.  Just want a quiet one this time around.  How do you feel?

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SSS Reveal

I was lucky enough to join in the SSS hosted by Georgie at Decisionally Challenged.  And instead of posting what I receive we get to post what we are sending to our Secret Partner.  They get to look at all the goodies and then match up their packages to see who was their Secret Santa.  So here is my package that is going out in the mail tomorrow morning.

First, my partner is a mom of a young one.  So I felt she (the mom) needed some time to relax and unwind.  I love a cup of hot tea and hope she will too.  Here is her personal tea for one set.

With a tin of Eat, Pray, Love....Blood Orange Cinnamon Black Tea by The Republic of Tea.  I love this flavor and felt it was perfect for a warm fall tea.  Also the tin sorta makes me think of her blog.

Of course she needs a tin of Royal Dansk Luxury Wafers in Chocolate Hazelnut Cream.  So light, crisp and still rich in flavor. 

Of course she needs to have some time to unwind in the tub.  So I am sending her one of my favorite soaps from Serenity Soapworks out of Texas (my home sweet home).  This one is in Spicy Orange in keeping with a great fall scent.

And when this mom bats her beautiful eyes she can have them made up with L. A. Colors mineral eyeshadow duo in Secret.  A lovely mix of chocolate brown and a tawny gold shades.    There is also (not pictured) baby sitter checklist memo pad.  She can insert a photo (oh how she loves photos) of her lil one in the top.  Below she can list where she is at and how she can be reached.  Along with special instructions and emergency information for the sitter when she gets a chance to get out and about. 

Of course since my partner is a reader I have to send a book mark and a couple of books.  The first book is Mothers Need Time-Outs, Too.  This is a great one to remind moms that you have to be a lil selfish to actually be a better mother.  I hope she enjoys this one and heeds some of the ideas in there too. 

Another book is a signed (by Hank Wasiak) copy of Change the Way You See Everything: Through Asset-Based Thinking.  This was a wonderful book that helped open my eyes to seeing life on the positive.  I was also happy to have met Hank Wasiak in person too.  So I hope my partner enjoys her signed copy. 

I have also enclosed a few extras.  A lil pink hibiscus flower keychain.  A month by month coupon keeper with a few coupons already clipped and inserted.  Maybe they can come in handy for her.  Since I am from the great state of Texas where Bar-B-Que's are almost a religion, I had to include a true living red, white and blue full apron.  I think it would be good for her or her own Dear Hubby to use.  Of course if we have an apron then we need something to cook.  So last but not least I am sending her a years subscription to my favorite cooking magazine, Cooking Light. 

When I was packing the box, it was a lil loose.  Now what can I do to stuff the box and not look yucky?  Hey!  I know....it is a lovely winter day.  A bit of a chill in the air.  Just added in a box of Swiss Miss hot cocoa and a couple bags of marshmallows (big and small ones).  I love marshmallows as my treat, especially since they are fat free!

I hope that all of this brings a smile to my SSS partner.  I know I enjoyed thinking of things she might enjoy.  Now I just need to get her card signed and off to the post office I go tomorrow morning.  Merry Christmas!

Getting Fit for the Season

I was so happy that Dear Hubby and College Girl granted my year long wish for a Wii.  It was my all year long combo birthday, anniversary, Christmas gift.  I wanted it especially for the exercise games with it.  I love working out at Curves but am a winter woosie.  I hate cold weather of any kind and hide most of the winter in my home.  And that is when I put on the most weight. 

So now I can be at home and still work out.  I love the jogging the most.  I feel like it is something that can help me build up my cardio while helping me stay in a routine of working out.  College Girl loves the yoga the best.  She has been taking classes this fall in school.  Dear Hubby just loves that I am happy! 

Well now I have a new fitness game to try and learn.  It is Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011.  I am sure it is going kick my butt to start out.  I am a beginner on any level.  But having 'someone' to workout with helps, even if it is on my Wii.  I love that there are over 100 fitness tips there and even recipes!  Yeah!  Food.  It is even cooler that by working out I am working on an adventure too.  There is a mission mode that features a work out to save the city.  Pretty cool?  I also have myWii Balance Board and Wii Motion Plus here already too.  I thought I would share 10 of Jillian Michaels Fitness Tips with you.  Which ones do you like?

Jillian Michaels: Fitness Ultimatum 2011 - 10 Fitness Tips

1. Exercise does more than just tone your body, it boosts self esteem, improves mood and revs up metabolism. So suck it up and get moving!

2. If you are looking to shed those last stubborn pounds, you need to increase the intensity of your workouts. Try working at 85% of your Maximum Heart Rate for optimal results.

3. Getting bored with that same old exercise routine? Chances are you body is too. It’s probably time to switch things up if you want to continue seeing results.

4. Using proper form when working out is the key to getting the results you want and preventing injuries. Think quality over quantity. Take the time to perfect your form in order to get the results you want and keep your body healthy and strong.

5. Do not exercise on an empty stomach. This way you’ll have energy during your workouts and you will burn fat instead of muscle.

6. Don’t over do it. When starting out consult your physician. Work to beginner / intermediate levels. Stay at around 70% of your MHR. IN a couple of weeks or so as you become stronger and more fit begin to up your intensity for best results.

7. For results fast try circuit training. This is an exercise technique that utilizes a series of moves in swift succession with no rest in between. For example: Push ups into squats followed by jumping jacks. This method allows your workouts to strengthen while burning fat at the same time.

8. To ramp up your fitness regimen try incorporating a technique called HIIT or High Intensity Interval Training. This simply means working short bouts (30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, 2 minutes) of cardio into your strength training routine.

9. Six pack abs are not about crunches. You simply CAN NOT spot reduce fat. The best way to get the washboard tummy is by burning the fat off on top of the muscle with a combination of diet, cardio, and over all resistance training.

10. When you are on the treadmill don’t hold on. If you hold on while walking or jogging it decreases the intensity thus decreasing your calorie burn by up to 24%!

I want to thank Nintendo Wii and Jilliam Michaels for sharing this game with me.  I did not receive any monetary payment. 

Adoption Brings Friends Together

I was very lucky to have met a lady online named Kim. It was a odd chance thing. You see I took a photo several years ago of a grove of oak trees after a light snow.  The Texas bluebonnets were poking up through the snow.  It was something I was so lucky to have caught.  I placed it on my blog and on facebook. 

Some time after that I was surprised to see the same picture as someone else's profile photo on facebook.  I sent her a message inquiring on how she found it.  Well after a few messages with me telling her to please use it if she wanted, we started a new friendship.  It was so odd and chance.  She was from Missouri and had recently moved to Texas.  As a matter of fact she had moved to Comanche Texas.  Now if you pay attention you would know that is where I live.  She had fallen in love with the photo feeling that it was a sign of hope.  I was tickled that this photo had brought us together.

Since then Kim and I have continued to talk.  I have learned of her love for God and family.  This last summer we were able to finally meet in person at our local fair.  She also helped save two small kittens that had wondered up to my home.  Adding them to her growing family.  Growing...yes.  You see Kim has a two sons and a daughter.  Her daughter was adopted from China.  She is a beautiful child, full of wonder.  I am so happy to say that Kim and her husband are currently working on papers to adopt again.  They are hoping to eventually add two more children to their family.

Why do I tell you this?  Well, I have found my Christmas gift to Kim.  My Family, A Symphony: A Memoir of Global Adoption by Aaron Eske is the book that I think Kim will love to read.  This is a moving story of how Aaron was raised with his 4 adopted siblings.  In wishing to keep the close bond they had as children, Aaron traveled to the 23 cities across the globe that marked his brothers and sisters origins.  He was able to met the people who had taken care of them before they became his family.  Visiting orphanages across the world, the slums in India, North Korean village and a Ethiopian tribe in the rain forest.  This trip helped Aaron with a new perspective of his family and how they were all brought together.  I so want to share this story with Kim and her family.  I pray it will strengthen them in their quest to find the family that is meant to be.  All coming together right here in our lil country town on the ranch they call home.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

Movie Weekend Coming Up

We all know that it is holiday time. But we can also get holiday-ed out if we do not watch out. So we are having a holiday free weekend.  Sounds "Grinchy" I am sure but this way we are not going to choke the tar out of the next person wishing us a Merry Christmas or singing Jingle Bells.  In our home movie night is a much honored indulgence.  And this time it was my choice of movies.  So I went for a theme---a girls theme.

No I did not do all romance!  Nor did I shove pretty things all down Dear Hubby's throat.  Instead I went with a very strong female actress.  Also we showed some movies that College Girl had never seen.  This is our all Cher:  The Film Collection weekend!  With a 6 film collection there are 3 movies for Saturday and 3 movies for Sunday.  This gives us time to have meals in between shows too.  So what 6 films do we have?

• Good Times (1967)  This one actually has Sonny and Cher starring together.
• Chasity (1969)  No this is not about their daughter but was written and produced by Sonny Bono.
• Silkwood (1983) With Meryl Streep this was nominated for 5 Academy Awards.
• Moonstruck (1987)  Delightful with hunk Nicolas Cake and sassy Olympia Dukakis.
• Mermaids (1990)  Cher with youngsters Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci making an incredible family.
• Tea with Mussolini (1999)  Beauty in WWII can be had after all.

This is an amazing collection.  I felt that the cost of $49.98 for all 6 movies was more than fair.  That is only $8.33 a movie.  A lot cheaper than a matinee movie would be for the three of us.  I love Cher and feel she has grown so.  Providing a strong leading lady from her early days of music with Sonny. Was you a fan of Cher?  What is your favorite movie she was in.  Yes, I am sad that Mask is not part of this collection.  It is my all time favorite Cher movie.

Christmas Lullabies Giveway

I was listening to soft music this week. Working on a collection of songs to use this weekend. You see we will have our grandson here with us. This time his big sister will not be with him. I am predicting that bedtime will not go as smoothly as it normally does when it is both grandbabes. I want to have some music that is soothing yet songs he will recognize too.  Thus it should be easier to have him focus on the songs instead of the lack of a sister or mom around.

Well after trying to do it myself, I found a solution.  The O'Neill Brothers have a new release in Christmas Lullabies.  They have combined the nursery songs that children know with the traditional Christmas music.  I love the way they have combined the 16 songs.

Silent Night Lullaby

The First Noel

Hickory Dickory Old St. Nickory

What Child is This

Hush Little Drummer Boy

Are You Sleeping Away in a Manger

Hark the Herald Angels Sing Around the Rosy

The Bear Went Over the (Go Tell it on the) Mountain

Old McDonald Had a Farm in the Little Town of Bethlehem

We Three Blind Mice Kings

Mary Had a Little Lamb

Still, Still, Still - Twinkle Twinkle

I Saw Three Ships By The London Bridge

O Come Little Children

We Wish You a Merry Muffin Man

Rock a Bye Baby Christmas Medley

 Your able to get the complete CD for $13.98 or download the CD for just $9.99.  You can also download each song for just .99 cents each.  Listen to a selection of the songs here.  My favorite is Hush Little Drummer Boy.  Each song is all done with soothing piano and violin music.  It is amazing all the work the O'Neill Brothers put into this CD.  Making sure that they had calming lullabies.  Parenting magazine gave this CD a grade of an A.

Now for your special Christmas gift.  The O'Neill Brothers gave me 5----yes 5----Christmas Lullabies to share with you.  Just leave me a comment on your favorite nursery song and favorite Christmas carol.  Extra entries to those who follow me on GFC too.  We will pick winners real quick so you can get this before Christmas too!  DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this DVD to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

Thanks to YOU!

It's Bumble

This weekend the Christmas movies started.  So the first thing that College Girl looked for was her 3 favorite shows.  They are Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, Frosty the Snowman, Frosty Returns and Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer.  (Her fav character is Bumble.)  College Girl grew up watching these shows with her Poppa every year.  They even have a Bumble Christmas tree ornament.




Well I am so excited because I can now give a wonderful gift to her Poppa (my ex).  This year I have the Blu-Ray box set of The Original Christmas Classics Collection with these 3 shows. I can't wait to see his eyes when he opens this gift.  It is like giving him a piece of childhood to him. 

 Just think of it. With this collection you can share with your kids and grandbabes.    Having all 4 of these shows in one collection is a good deal.  At $44.99 it comes to just $11.25 per show.  Not a bad price on keeping a tradition going.  So we are all set with our hot cocoa and TV time set aside.  I know that College Girl and her Poppa will be introducing Princess Emma to their favorite Christmas stories this year.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this DVD to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided. Thanks to Classic Media for the image.

Mario, Zelda & Tetris

This last week was quite draining on all of us here. Worry for Dear Hubby on top of the holidays coming up. We really just needed to destress. College Girl has been going non stop all through this semester. I feel like we are just weighted down. So we felt it was time to unwind with a lil family time.

So last night we all huddled in the living room to be mesmerized with music and colors from The Video Games Life: Level 2. Oh this is so much fun. It has the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra doing all the music of those games we spent hours playing over the last 20 years it seems. I am a fan of Tetris while Dear Hubby loves The Legend of Selda and College Girl is classic Super Mario Brothers.



I know that it was so much fun to not only hear these songs but to see the amazing graphics paired up with them.  Granny M was lost with us so she retired to her room.  But I  promise you that you would have been yelling right along with us....."I know this one!"  I adore we have this on DVD/Blu-Ray.  There is also chances to see it live if you find a tour near you.  Look here!  We found that we did not need a quiet evening to unwind at all.  Instead we needed fun, lots of it....and we found it.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this DVD to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

College Girl's Thinking

I have told you that College Girl has ADD.  Now not ADHD, which does make it a lil easier on her.  But many people do not realize that ADD is just as disrupting for a child and an adult.  Sadly she was in college before it was discovered.  We have taken the time to learn all we can to help her but knowing more hands on really does help.  I have found out about Jodi Sleaper-Triplett who is the president of  JST Coaching Training Program  She helps others learn how to help Adolescents and Young Adults. 

Now we are not able to go and learn directly from JST or Jodi.  But we do have a great at home aid.  Empowering Youth with ADHD is a book that Jodi wrote.  Here we have all the tools to help kids (including mine) excel.  Even if CG is in her early 20's we have found that many of the aids can be guided to her needs and learning skills.  It was also nice to see that we had accomplished some of them on our own too.  College Girl now lives her life on a schedule.  It helps her reduce stress and keeps her focused better.  She has also learned when to walk away from a project and regroup for a lil while.  It always does better for her to get a break and then a fresh look at work.  (I think we all need to take in that lesson at times.)  She is still learning more on accountability, not looking at why others make it harder for her but what she does that makes life harder.  And as her parents we have found many lessons on how to encourage her, not knock her back. 

I wonder what I have done that helps her most?  That I am unsure of, but I pray, it is always being by her side to encourage her.  Dear Hubby feels that he has helped her learn to stop, breath and look at the situation from a different perspective.  He has to use this himself, as he spins in place when he is overwhelmed.  Most of all we love her.  We want her to succeed and be happy within herself. 


DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

Princess Emma and The Mouse

Did you use to watch the Wonderful World of Disney every Sunday night like my family did?  I loved Sundays just for that reason.  What a great time it was to see a new Disney movie while all the family was gathered together.  My place was in the middle of the living room floor on my tummy.  This was so I was close enough to be the TV person.  You remember, the one who changed the channels, adjusted the volume and did any of the technical stand by stuff.  (Yeah, you stood by the TV then too, didn't you?)

We only dreamed of remotes at that time.  Never did we believe they would happen.  And once they did well it was only for mom and dad to control the TV, not the kids.  Now the kiddos know how to use them better than we ever could.  They learn more and much faster every day.  But it is even better now!  Really!  Now you can give your kiddos their very own remote and Disney figured it out.  The Mikey Mote is a child-size remote control that is interactive too.

We have one along with the Handy Manny: Big Construction Job DVD.  The Mickey Mote works with Disney Preschool DVD that includes Discovery Mode, the interactive "Watch & Play" feature on the DVD!  All you have to do is program the remote control - there's an easy and quick set-up guide in each DVD- and select the Discovery Mode feature on the menu screen.  Within minutes, your kiddos will be easily answering the questions, throughout the story, about scenes they just watched (such as "What color is Goofy's hat?") by pressing one of four color-coded buttons on the device -- a yellow star, green circle, orange triangle or blue square - to click in their responses.  Discovery Mode features include two levels of play, which provides more challenging questions as the child grows.  Kids can immediately use the remote with any of the following titles:

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Road Rally
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Choo Choo
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie's Bow-Tique
Handy Manny: Manny's Motorcycle Adventure
Handy Manny: Manny's Big Race
Little Einsteins: Fire Truck Blast Off
My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Super Duper Super Sleuths
My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Bedtime With Pooh

Princess Emma has been all over me to play with the Micky Mote here at our house.  With the bright red color and Mickey Mouse ears, it caught her attention as soon as I pulled it out of the box.  She told me she was a big girl and could use the remote all on her own.  I did assure her I needed to do just a couple of things first.  But that was all it took.  Now we have my games and Princess Emma has hers.  I want to leave you with the Numbers Song.....an earwig for sure.  Thanks so to Disney for sending me the Mickey Mote and Handy Manny to review. 

Eat, Drink & Be Merry

Good morning folks. Gosh it is so good to have Dear Hubby back home. Healthy and on the mend. You should see him, his color is good and he can breath again. Makes me smile so much. So I thought today I would share with you so many ways to help take good care of yourself.  I have quite a line up of goodies that are able to help out in so many ways.  I hope you find something here you like.  I know we did.

So let's get started.  First I will tell you (and you already know it) we have to hydrate.  Water is the most important drink we can consume.  And there are tons of them on the market now.  Gosh, if you had told me as a kid that we would pay for water I would have said you was nuts.  I mean buy a soda, sure!  Buy bottled water, NO WAY!  But we do.  I can understand why even.  Have you ever tasted the water where I live?  Unlimited lake water and sure taste just like it.  YUCK!  But I do not need the extras either.  I mean flavor yes, sugar no, caffeine no.  I love the taste of HINT water.  You can get it at Starbucks around here.  They have great fruit flavors with my favorite being Strawberry Kiwi.  It is funny because right now that is the Yogi bottle.  You know, Yogi and Boo-Boo!  Loved that cartoon when I was young.  There is a new 3 D movie coming out for Yogi on December 13th and you can win free tickets from HINT.  Just go to www.drinkhint.com/yogi.

Speaking of no added caffeine there is a new energy drink on the horizon too.  College Girl loves it chilled and has been carrying it to campus with her.  MODJO 4LIFE is made with natural flavors and organic cane juice.  It also has Resveratrol in it which comes from the skin of red grapes....good for your heart folks.  Add in the antioxidants, electrolytes and vitamins and you have a winning combination.  CG says the flavor is great and she seems to be thriving on it during this busy season of plays, class work and projects she is currently working on.  There is also a Modjo Life Natural Energy shot that is caffeine free.  CG says it works but does not care for the heavy taste.  Of course she is not a energy shot kinda girl.  She thought it would have been better if she had it chilled too.

I was happy to have some snacks while I was waiting in the hospital for Dear Hubby.  I felt worried and drained.   I did not have much of an appetite but knew I needed to keep up my energy too.  Thankfully I had some of the bars from Wings of Nature.  They are organic health bars that are not heated when being made.  So none of the ingredients loose their raw potential.  I also love that they were gluten free, cholesterol free, no trans fats, vegetarian and low in sodium.  Gosh, I did wonder if they were so "free" of  things how would they taste?  But I do have to say I loved two of them very much.  Of course if you know me you would know that the Espresso Coffee Bar had my name all over it.  Great flavor and a true feeling of indulgence when I ate it.  My other fav was the Cranberry Crunch Bar.  I love cranberries and we all know this is the season for them.  I was not as thrilled with the Almond Raisin Bar even though I love almonds and raisins.  But the lil sesame seeds where not to my taste.

One more thing that I really loved using while I was away from home.  It is the Bryton Pick.  This is a great lil jewel.  It is a way to floss your teeth but not have all that string to carry with you.  This took up the same amount of space as my debit card does in my wallet.  But I can pull it out and floss (I did go to the bathroom to do it!) after my meals and snacks.  I was not having to feel bad about not being able to take care of my teeth while I was away from home.  And since it is my own lil pick, I just rinse it, dry it and store it for reuse.  Great idea!

So what have you found lately that seems to be a go to for replenishing your thirst or hunger?  I keep trying to find different things that I will enjoy to take away my guilty pleasures of candy and sodas.  I am not horrid on them but I do enjoy them very much.  I will say that with this season of parties, meals and get togethers we are having to find the good things to fill our bodies with.

All of these products were sent to me to review.  No financial compensation was given.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Gifts for A Lot of Readers

Today we are starting out on a lighter note. I am wanting to share another of my gift guide selections with you.  (Honestly, I have been pretty stressed and need to share some good with all.)

So lets start by looking at The Secret Life of Louie V.  This is told in a children's book about a Siamese cat, Louie V, who's mischievous caper is set to make children smile.  We all know that those lazy felines do not just sleep all day.  No they are on adventures all the time.  In this book Louie explores his owners closet while she is out for the day.  The next book has Louie V in Louie V Takes the Cake.  You can visit Louie at his website and share quizzes, blog and activities with your kiddos.   A portion of each sale of this book goes to help with 3 different charities, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Autism Speaks and VH1 Save the Music Foundation.  So you can give a gift to your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews while sharing a gift with many others in supporting these organizations.  Pretty good deal if you ask me.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

I also have some giveaways to share with you.  In Mummy Mazes we have two winners.  Here our two winners are:

jenjo3d said...

I follow you here and on facebook! My brain teaser is reading upside down. It causes your brain to have to work differently, not just word association. and

Denea said...

When is my brain not working? Lol. Don't answer that, Mom. ;) My favorite brain-working game is chess, for sure.

And we have 3 winners in the Baby Kiss n' Coo DVD sets.

Amy said...

I would like to win the Baby Kiss and Coo DVD. Classical, calming music is so wonderful in our household and my youngest really takes to those things. Thanks for the chance! And my youngest tries to help me out around the house (which he does) by putting our clothes in the washing machine - even the clean ones! lol Amy Snyder at aesnyder@suddenlink.net  

and

Janie R said...

I would love to win the Baby Kiss and Coo DVDs. My older sister is about to pop with her first baby, and I would love to surprise her with these. I can't wait to meet my new nephew, I just love the new baby smell and new baby cuddles. Thank you for the chance to win! lady_ponies_23@hotmail.com

and

 

Niecey said...

I'd like to enter to win both. My eldest daughter likes to be "mini mom". She helps dress her siblings and likes to cook simple foods for us like toasting bagels etc. nieceyd@gmail.com

 
Next is our winner for the Bink &; Gollie book.  And our winner there is:

Christina F. said...

I'd like the Bink and Gollie book. I think what helps them help others is when they show loving acts towards one another, like giving each other a hug. My older one helps by reading to the younger, which is oh so sweet:) annejk112233@yahoo.com

Now for our last winner of the day. We have Mrs. McVeigh's Magnificent Manners Show DVD. Lucky winner is:

Kim said...

I think my biggest pet peeve is eating with your mouth open, smacking slurping etc. It's disgusting! I have been working on this with my kiddos, they seem to think it's a requirement at their age.

I will be getting emails out to all. I will need them to email me their full names and mailing address so we can get your goodies out to you. Remember you can reach me at: lynette355@yahoo.com

Unexpected Delay in Life

It has been a heck of a week. Sitting in hospital waiting rooms and expecting all will be fine. Not worried as it is simple repair work. That is til...yeah that other shoe drops. I hate this time period.  Many of you follow me with twitter and facebook and know that I am sitting her praying for Dear Hubby.  And I so thank you for those prayers and all the support you give.   Now for the rest here is the catch up.

Dear Hubby has a pacemaker (along with a laundry list of repair parts and surgeries) that needed the lead to be replanted.  It had come undone.  Not common but OK, things happen.  A simple open up and fix case that should take 30 minutes.  3 hours later he is closed up and having to look at some other ideas.  It seems that Dear Hubby has so much scar tissue on his hear they could not find a soft spot to place a new lead.  The old one would not release either.  So over night stay and doing it all over again in the morning.

This is his heart surgeon and medtronic rep looking things over.  A team who are not to proud to be on their knees at all!  After trying all night to figure out a different approach they are in the same position as before.  So just open up and start all over again.  They both told us how they prayed over the situation.  I am a firm believer that Doctors are strong prayer warriors.  They see miracles all the time.  Currently they are in looking at Dear Hubby and trying to find that one spot that will work.  Wait, there is the phone now.....

Cover via AmazonYES!  They did find it.  Just the 30 minutes today to do what was needed.  The Doctor said that it was an oddball place to put it.  But it works and the pacemaker seems to be responding quite well.  Thank God!  So closing him up and will have him up in a room in just a moment.  I will be waiting up there when he is done.  Now is time to keep waiting.  Funny as I have been reading a book by a doctor right now.  Chauncey W. Crandall IV, MD is a cardiologist.  Yeah, can you believe it.  And this man believes in miracles.  Let me tell you more while I am waiting on Dear Hubby to make it out of recovery.

In Raising the Dead, Dr.  Crandall tells how he has seen God at work.  That he feels power and guidance as he has preformed surgeries time and time again.  And better yet, he has looked into the eyes of patients to see life well up inside of them as they have literally been brought back from the dead.  I have to thank PJ of PJ's Prayer Line for this book.  I won it in a blog review and it is really something that is helping me right now. Hey, Dear Hubby is going back to his room now.  I will post a photo on here of him too...just let me get up there and see how he is doing.

Here he is.  Bruised up but back in one piece.  Do you see the fingertip marks on the bottom right.  Yeah they did quite a bit of pushing the other day.  Dear Hubby woke before the 3 hours was over and felt that pushing as they put the pacemaker back in.  Did some stitches and glued him up.  Today he is closed once again but feeling better already.  He said so!  Amen!  And again thanks to all of the support I have had through my online family and friends.  It really helped me.

"Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly, and try another. But by all means, try something."
-Franklin D. Roosevelt