Book Fair Giveaway

I am ever so lucky to have so many great books sent to me.  So today I thought we would have a book fair.  I will give you my top favorites right now.  And I am going to host a giveaway too!

Sweetwater Taffy:  Young Adult / Middle Grade fiction.

Saltwater Taffy follows the lives of five friends as they uncover a treasure map that once belonged to the ruthless New Orleans pirate, Jean Lafitte. The discovery thrusts them from one treasure hunting adventure to the next as they try to out-wit, out-think and out-maneuver everyone from the one-legged junk-yard man and an overbearing town bully, to the creepy old man living at the top of the hill. Saltwater Taffy is a race to-the-finish adventure that grabs the reader and never lets go.

I may not be a young adult, but I enjoy the freedom of reading this kinda fiction.  It is relaxing and fun to jump off on an adventure like this.  I found it interesting that the author, Eric DelaBarre, also writes on the Law & Order shows.  And that the illustrator, R. C. Nason, works with Hallmark and 20th Century Fox.  It is also wonderful that Eric DelaBarre is currently on a Great Give Away book tour to over 10 cities visiting to speak and give away his book to schools in need and youth centers including: Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, The United Way, Gary Sinise and The Snowball Express, and Wonderland PTA

The Family ADHD Solution: Help Book

In this accessible guide, developmental pediatrician Mark Bertin demystifies ADHD and offers advice to overwhelmed parents that includes clear explanations of:
* Biological causes of ADHD, and the ins and outs of a thorough evaluation
* Common symptoms, showing how they extend far beyond inattention and hyperactivity
* Behavioral, educational and medical approaches that increase academic and social success
* Research proven mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques for parents that benefit the whole family
* Advice to help your child build self-esteem along with healthy relationships with peers and with you

This is a book that would have so helped me when I was helping raise the boys with my friend years ago.  It was so hard to understand why one moment Bubba would be going 90 to nothing and the next asleep in a corner of the couch.  And also how we could help him reduce the stress of the moods that took him so quickly.  If your dealing with this at home you may find some aids right here.

Shmirshky: woman's health

Ellen Sarver Dolgen (who goes by the pen name "E," which stands for everyone) tells us all about our "shmirshky".   E's playful codeword for vagina and the women who possess them.  It's just a matter of time before we all will need the understanding, support and crucial information that Shmirshky (pronounced SHMERSH-KEY) provides in the author's funny, engaging and easy-to-read style.

I laughed out loud so many times while reading this that my Dear Hubby wanted to know if this was a book of jokes.  The down to earth realistic style of writing that Ellen has makes it where we are all sisters learning just what all these changes with our bodies is all about.  And gosh I am telling you the pursuit of hormone happiness is not an easy path to traverse alone.

The Naked Mom: parenting

In THE NAKED MOM, Brooke Burke paints an honest picture of motherhood that all women can relate to and offers a workable approach to handling everyday emotional challenges.  It’s not about right or wrong—it’s about being your best authentic, “naked” self.

Do you ever wonder how those high power moms do it all?  Do they have a big staff to raise their family?  Is it all go go go and never any down time?  Well Brooke shares what it is really like to be successful and raise her family.  And what I loved the most is that she shares it is not perfect by any means.  It is down and dirty gritty truth of day to day life.  We do not have to try and reach some unattainable bar to be super mom.  Instead we need to be here day after day caring for the kids and hubby.  Working together to make the days successful.

Exploiting My Baby: woman's health

Teresa Strasser  shares on her blog and in this book an uninhibited and edgy look into the life of a new mother. With Strasser’s honesty about her flaws and fears along with a candid look at the highs (having doors opened and seats offered) and lows (leaking breasts and uncontrollable gas) of pregnancy, EXPLOITING MY BABY takes on many of the things that annoy real moms.

This is the book I am sending on to my Turtle's momma.  With this being her first pregnancy, I was sure she needed a 'how to' book that will share information and a good laugh.  It is so hard having all the changes a pregnancy brings on.  I am sure that seeing the funny side of life will help with those down moments.

Well this is my current list of good reads.  And for the giveaway, you get to pick the book from this listing that you wish to receive.  So make sure when you leave a comment for your entry, you tell me which book you want.  Will it be an adventure, a good laugh, a way to help understand your family or just a grab bag?

Heck there is a great chance to get the book you wish to read.  If you want an extra entry then help me help others.  I would like to help a couple of other bloggers raise their readers.  So you can get an extra entry and a chance to win another books if you will visit and follow one of the following bloggers.  Just go see them, follow on Google Friend Connect and then come back and tell me.  I will check to see if your a new friend for them.  Make sure to tell me of your second, third and fourth choice of book to win for this one...remember you will get a extra book if you enter and follow a friend.That means if your name is drawn once, you can win a total of 4 books.  One for entering and one for each friend blogger you follow.  As a matter of fact, you follow all 3 of my friends and enter with a comment to me too, if I draw your name you can have all 5 books....that is 5 books for 1 comment to me and befriend 3 bloggers.  Here are my friends I want you to visit.

JenJo at Rants & Raves.  This is College Girl's Other Mother and mom of Princess Emma.
Denea at An Unusual Outlook on Life.  My very own College Girl!
Marna at Furry Bottoms.  Love dogs?  Well so does Marna...at least her own Furry Bottoms.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copies of these books to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

Weekend Wrap-up

Had a great weekend with the Grandbabes here to visit.  Was a nice surprise too.  Got the call that they were on their way here so we dashed out to get some favorites of theirs.  As always have to have Pink-a-licious.  That is a pink Tampico punch that my Granddaughter loves and renamed.  Also some apples for my Grandson.  Topped it off with a few other nibblies and a couple of toy gifts to play with.  My Granddaughter made straight A's and we wanted her to have a reward.

Here at home we had so much fun.  Played putting on some 'real' make up much to my step daughters dismay.  She says play make up is okay but not real.  I do not see much difference when it is all just to have fun.  Also watched some of our Disney movies on Disney Movies Online.  Every time we get a new Disney movie, I also purchase the online copy at a real low price.  This way it is available where ever we happen to be.  This has come in real handy many times on the road or visiting the kiddos.  My Grandson loved playing with the Mickey Mote that came with Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Minnie's Masquerade.  It is the newest in the Mickey Mote series.  This one is to be released on Febuary 8th, just in time for Valentines day for the girls. Disney’s Mickey Mote works with any Disney Preschool DVD that includes the Discovery Mode™ feature – an interactive “Watch & Play” feature on the DVD. We also enjoyed it with the Handy Mandy DVD that we have.  It is great as he can play games with the show as it airs.  Just the right level for him at 3 yrs old while his big sister played with her DS game.  The Mickey Mote can be used with any Disney Preschool DVD that includes the Discovery Mode feature. To date there are more than 11 titles that can be used with the remote control, just take a look at the back of the package to make sure.

I am really glad that we have another lil extra too.  You see Dear Hubby has been having a hard time sleeping lately.  Well so have I.  But part of it is due to snoring.  You have one of those don't you?  Yeah, and they say they don't snore.  Well?  Don't they?  And of course they do.  But we are trying out something new so that 'Poppy' does not keep us all up at night.  TK (my granddaughter) says it worked great as she slept like a dream.  It is called ZQuiet and comes in this lil dark blue case to keep it clean when not in use.  I did not have to do a lil boiling of water to help make the mouth piece fit like you do with most.  Just popped it in his mouth and let him have a lil time getting use to it being there. Dear Hubby liked that he did not have to clench his teeth to keep it in place but could be comfortable and move his mouth.  This is a real easy fix to snoring.  It just helped hold his lower jaw forward some to open the airway in his throat.  That stopped the snoring.



So what else did we do?  Well we played at the park.  Went to the great grandparents house and took out lunch.  They love seeing the grandbabes just as much as we do.  And it was nice to get to get away from home for a lil while too.  Played lots of cards with my daughters this weekend.  That was really nice as we do not get to do too much with both girls at the same time.  Oh and my step daughter made off with my season 1 DVD of Are We There Yet.  Yeah, she saw I had it and snatched it right up.  Says that is one of her favorite sitcoms.  Also that Ice Cube does a great job producing the show.  Then new season started this month and we are already hooked. Now I am going to have to get me another copy of season 1.  Just like a kiddo to pick up the fun stuff.  HA HA!

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copies of these items to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

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Fractured Friday

Today is such a mish mash of a day. So I am going to let you see how bouncy my mind works with Fractured Friday.

First off....ta da!  Here is the Turtle I told you about before.  Yes that is my newest grandbabe up there.  And don't he or she look like a turtle to you?  See the head, shell, legs and all!  Here is this easier?

I am so so giddy with the anticipation of this new Grandbabe.

Last night we went to a local cafe to eat.  It was a horrid experience.  I do not know what was wrong with the staff but it was all wrong.  We were the only people in the cafe to eat.  They cooked one persons order at a time and served just that person.  So by the time half had meals the first were done eating.  The steak fingers were steak toes at best.  And nubby at that.  My chicken fried steak was cut in half and cooked half of it.  Then later they cooked the other half and brought that to me.  See this for a meal?  It was about the size of a deck of cards.  And in Texas that just does not fly for a chicken fried steak.

But if you ever want a great chicken fried steak and even better pies and you in Central Texas.  Then pop on over to the Koffee Kup Kafe.  I know I can sit there and have more pie than you could imagine.  And it is only about 45 minutes from our house.  Come on down with us if you wanna.

Image via Wikipedia

I have been wanting to clean and organize here all week.  But have accomplished absolutely nothing at all.  Well I did get dirty clothes clean, now just to put them all up.  I have plans drawn up to redo the bedroom and living room.  Just need the energy.  Here are some ideas though.  eHow.com has six easy tips to help you cut through the clutter to stay neat and organized in 2011!

Image by urbanwild via Flickr

Eliminate Clutter
* The first step is to survey your belongings. Prioritize the areas of your life or home that need the most help and start there.
* Throw out, sell or donate what you don't use and create a system to organize everything you do use on a regular basis.

Tools to Keep You on Track
* For office spaces, file folders and cable organizers will keep your desktop clear so you have room to work.
* In your closets, matching clothes hangers, bins and drawer organizers will keep all your essentials in order. Choose products that have space-saving benefits.

Keep Up the Good Work
Image by Simon Starr via Flickr* Don’t procrastinate. Make sure to maintain your new organization system and keep it updated according to month or season.
* Assign weekly area-specific tasks for each member of the household so you don’t fall behind.

Now if I can just do this myself...really soon.  I know it, but I am tired for some odd reason.  Hey I did get to Curves 4 times this week to work out.  Does that count?

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A Book, A Bath & A Glass of Wine

Today is one of those "gosh I am tired and wanna rest but can't" kinda days.  Tell me you have them too.  I know it can not be just me that feels like a worn out ol dish rag.  I am trying hard to get things done but find that by mid afternoon I am so give out that breathing is hard to do.

 I am up early (as usual) and have a bit of the house work done before 7 a.m.  Then I get Dear Hubby ready.  All out the door by 7:30 and at Curves by 8 a.m.  Finally working out again and that part I am loving.  Errands come after that.  But by mid day I feel all tuckered out.

Today I need to work on laundry more and make the bed too.  But I really want to make me up a warm lilac scented bubble bath so I can soak and read.  More so with a glass of chilled white wine.  Who is all two thumbs up with that idea.  Gosh I am sure I would feel much better and smell good too!  I am reading a new book by Xu Xi (yes that is the author's name and it is pronounced Shoo See).  "Habit of a Foreign Sky" is a novel that has me riveted to the pages.   It is about Gail Szeto who is balancing her life right now.  Having had to come to terms of losing her young son to now losing her mother too, life is not holding on to well for this international investment banker.  Trying hard to hold on to some semblance of sanity while everything around her goes all topsy turvy. I am enjoying this read as I so can understand how life seems to be clear one moment and then muddled up next.  We have all been there in one way or the other.  I do have to say I can understand why Xu Xi is a finalist for the Inaugural Man Asian Literary Prize (even though she is a woman).  If you have been in the executive seat before (or currently are) then you will love reading this one.  It brings home the power and responsibilities that fall upon your shoulders.

I am so leaning to that bubble bath.  I mean what the heck, the laundry will always be here tomorrow, right?  I do want to say thanks to Xu Xi for letting me review this book.  I think it is just perfect to help me run away to a different  life for a lil while.  Time to pop the cork and run the water.  Ta Ta for now friends.

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Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday is a great day to post an awesome picture that “speaks” for itself, no words needed!  Link up with us at:

My adorable Grandbabes!

Landon Lyric Lykins

Trentati Kae Cranford

College Girl Keeping It Close

Here is an update from College Girl.  She is back on campus and making sure she is safe with her commute back and for each day.  And she wanted to tell you of her newest lil precaution.  Take it away CG.....

A lot of stories in the news talk about safety concerns at school and my college is no exception. The campus police offer free self-defense courses specifically for women who attend school and/or live in town. There are well-lit parking lots and 24 hour escort services to help you get to your car. I use the escort service a lot since my work in the theater department can keep me at school til after dark. Thanks to my new RackTrap, I have one more measure I can use to keep my ID, money, etc. safe as I walk around campus.

The RackTrap is...well, exactly what it sounds like. I got the blue sports model($9.95 with free shipping), which is made of a moisture-resistant material. About four inches by three inches with a velcro closure, the RackTrap can tuck comfortably into my bra. It's totally invisible and comfortable to wear. One night, I even accidentally slept with it and didn't notice at all. I'm so glad I have the RackTrap to keep my money safe. Whether I'm crossing campus or hitting the clubs, nobody's going to get their hands on my cash or ID without me knowing - for sure!

We wish to thank Rack Trap for sending CG their sports model for her to try out.  I know I am not going to be getting it from her now.  She hates to carry a purse and this is a perfect solution instead of a billfold in the pocket.

Five Fabulous Bloggers

Thanks to Trop 50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 fabulous wishes. Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to help grant a friend's wish!

I want to share with y'all my top 5 Fabulous Bloggers.  And I hope you will share your favorite 5 with me.  That way I can go and visit and hopefully make some new friends.  So let's jump on in here.

 

1.   Real Housewives of Oklahoma   Now this is not actually a blogger.  It is a group of 9 bloggers and I think I have fallen in love with them all.  And for this TEXAS gal it is a big across the border thing to admit I so wanna be one of the RHOK!  They have McLinky Monday that I often jump in on.  You can visit them all at RHOK or one at at time on their own blogs.  The ladies are:

2.  My next one if very new to me but jumped way up on my list very quickly.  And that is The Un Mom who happens to be the mother to Captain Dumbass of  Us and Them.  Now what can you not like about those names alone?  But you have to also pop in on Random Tuesday Thoughts that is hosted each week.  I know we are all pretty random most days and are doing all we can to pull it together.  Join in and let all it just fall apart....what freedom.








3.  Never Growing Old has tickled my fancy with her Over 40 Bloggers page.  Now I can meet others who are just like me....getting old and some days cranky even.  But more so we are all experiencing the joys of our grandbabes, getting the house paid off (finally) and knowing that life is really wonderful in the living of it. And there is always Wordless Wednesday to hang with.  For that hump day of the week were we all just ran out of words and still have a great photo to share.

4.  Go and laugh til you pee your pants with The Tame One on Thoughts of an Oxymoron.  There is not a linky or a list or a set thing going on over there.  But there is those head scratching moments of what the heck?  And I know that I have to have time to see what is happening at this blog daily.  You might read about the fact that Taco Bells meat mixture is not all meat (only 35% of it is!) or find that perfect Avon lipstick and even sing along with Jimmy Buffet.  Of course that is just a couple of days worth....but it is always interesting.

5.  My all time favorite...I have told you once and I will tell you again.   Go   Go   Go    visit Tracy at The Crazy Suburban Mom.  Yes....she is my online blogging buddy....and soothes my soul with her Retro Tuesdays and all things 1950.  Jersey may be her state but I have to say she has a heart as big as Texas.  And she also raised a fantastic son, Ben at The Chair Fort.  What more can I say?

Don't forget to enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest for a chance to win $1,000 to support a friend's wish. I was selected for this Tropicana Trop50 sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses
Blog With Integrity, as I do. I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.

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Preserving My Life

Today was another run and go day. Up and at 'em for me.  And needless to say I am lagging about now.  So I thought we could visit while I ignore the pile of laundry in the bedroom for 30 more minutes.

My first thing I want to share is I am not crafty.  I want to be.  But think maybe I am just too practical for it.  Really!  You see you have to buy things in order to make crafts.  Special things for just that purpose.  And then you have to figure out what to do with the craft after wards.  Will it be a gift or try to sell it or are they piling up in the tote in the corner.  I still want to be crafty though.  I did attempt to make a tag with my home office products...ha ha.  But entered it in A Crafty Kind of Truffle January Tag Challenge.  Here is what it looks like.  All sorta like me huh?  I had to put in my motto.....There is always time to DANCE...well I got part of it in.  And I made sure my blog name Crazed Mind was there....because I am just that.  Put in a lil pink and tried to make it all bright.  Not the best but dang it....not the worst either.  What do you think?

Image by colorblindPICASO via Flickr
I want to wear all natural materials.  I wish to have beautiful long straight hair on my rail thin body.  And I want to dance barefoot across the grass at a folk concert.  Hey, I can have my own ideas of what image a crafty person looks like.  Of course I am all wrong.  I have met down to earth women who have made cards that make me beg for them.  I know chubby loves who can crochet a baby blanket to cuddle the happiest child.  And my craftiest friends paint the world across the side of a wall and have me dreaming of warm summer afternoons.

College Girl wishes to start up a scrap book.  I, of course, want to too for the photos of my grandbabes.  One to share with them each when they grow up.  A very long term craft.  I have been looking at Nancy O'Dell's book "Full of Love" that shares her scrap booking talent.  I so wish I could produce the beautiful pages she is showing in this book.  And you know what, I could I bet.  Nancy is telling us what to do is easy steps.  What to look for and just how to do it.

Also Nancy shares many photos of our favorite stars too.  You see she has worked in the entertainment world for a long time.  And made friends with so many of the ones we all ohhh and awwww over.  “As a mother, you have so many hopes and dreams for your children,” Nancy says. “But how will they know what those are if you don’t tell them?”   That is her goal in her Album of Hope Initiative.  Want more?  Well you can also make all of the fab pages online.  Yeah, not cutting, paste or brads to make it look just as beautiful.  Now this is my kinda scrap booking.  Nancy has Creative Memories where there you can find all you need for digital pages.  And for you that are every so crafty then make some money helping others like me.  You can be a consultant for Creative Memories too!  They are making this look easier and easier as I browse through the pages.  I wish to thank Nancy for sending me her book to look over.  It sure is making ideas work up in my head and how I can do them on my budget.  What money saving tips do you have for me on making up a scrapbook?

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Southland Is Back!

Dear Hubby is so happy that one of his favorite shows is back on.  Last year we learned about Southland.  It was a very interesting show that is filmed in an interesting way.  Making the show come across with a raw and authentic look.  Fast paced showing a police unit in Los Angeles and it catches your breath right from the start.   We are now in Season 3 and you want to see every show.  They are short seasons on TNT.  Do not miss out!

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Getting Moving Again

Well it has been a busy few weeks here at home with all the illness and sickness and yuck going on. But we are finally back on track. Thanks GOD! I am so glad.

Today Dear Hubby is finally back at work after a 6 week break. He had to go back in his lil 'storm trooper' boot but at least can walk finally. His toes are all healed up and looking good. And the Dr. says that the bone is looking good on the x-rays. So it looks like we are finally done with all of the foot surgeries for some time! YIPEESSS!

Granny M has been to church this week and is back to her daily trips to the coffee shop visiting friends there. Also she is still smoke free. So happy about that. We will go this week and do the assessment for her cardiac rehab too.  It looks like she will be able to get her body back in better shape than she started out.  But it will be a good 6 months til we are in a good all clear signal.  And we are unsure as if the oxygen will be a daily part of her life or not?

College Girl is doing full swing with school again and has landed 2 small parts in the play 'The Glass Slipper'.  It is good that her car is also up and going again thanks so much to our neighbor who did all the work for her.  FOR FREE and (can you believe this) also filled her gas tank up too!  What a amazing thing to do to help us all out.  Thank God and bless this man too.

And last but not least, I am out of the house and working out again at Curves.  I am beginning to feel like ME again.  Hate winters and one filled with hospital stays is never any fun.  I am glad I have been able to help out all of my family so but also thrilled that life is beginning to get back on track too.

I also have some things happening that I wanted to give you info on.  As I love my books, movies and family fun times too.  The first is that we helped place a darling lil chihuahua with a 16 yr old girl this weekend.  She was looking for her own doggie and I had a niece who was looking for a new home for her doggie.  Easy peasy and a match made in heaven.  It was nice to tell Princess Emma how this all worked out.  We also shared the book 'Our Rescue Dog Family Album' to explain that pets have ways of making new families.  Many of us have had times where we had to release a loved pet to a new family.  Not always easy but feels good to know that a loving home is awaiting the pet too.  Showing Princess Emma the many photos and the way that each pet fit in was the best way to help her understand.  (The 16 yr old is her cousin and she met the new doggie this weekend too.)  Our Rescue Dog Family Album (Polaire Entertainment Group, Inc.) by Diane Pomerance, Ph.D., is a collection of endearing stories that covers the lives of forty rescued dogs, lucky enough to become members of her seemingly ever-expanding family, and the obstacles they overcame in their recovery. You can share more at Dr. Pomerance's blog too.

We also had fun this weekend with Princess Emma dancing. We be-bopped all around to the newest Kidz Bop 19.  Princess Emma loves to dance just as much as I do.  And it is great fun and exercise.  I am unsure as to her favorite song but I just loved Please Don't Go. You can hear a sample of all of the songs too.  They have music, web shows, contest, games and so much more to do with the kids.  We just love the energy it gives us to dance all around the room.  The best yet is the Kidz  Bop radio...all free!  I know that Tammy and Maureen will have it on with all the kiddos they watch.  Rocking all around the play room.  Who is going to join them?

I know that it is so much fun to be up and moving around again.  I do wish to thank those that have sent me the books and cds for reviews.  It is great how things work out the way they should.  Life is back on track here.  And I hope that it is going well for you too.