Get Your Name on The Computer Lab at School! (What it could Happen)

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Charter. All opinions are 100% mine.

Cole goes to a private little school that depends on fund raising and our tuition to buy the things for the school. We've been blessed with a computer lab but of course our computers we have are a little on the older side not dino but pretty darn close. So when I find a place that is giving back and offering computer to win for a school I'm all over it!

Charter is a great company that offers great service in TV, Video, OnDemand and so many other choices. If you sign up for their services you are automatically given a chance to win and get up to $300 cash back (hello cash back). You of course can register online with no purchase for the laptop-a-day giveaway, after you enter for you don't forget to enter your favorite school to win also! While you're out in the web make sure to check out Charter on Facebook also.

Now head over enter to win for yourself because we all need a new laptop (like you would say no to that) and enter to give back to your favorite school would mean so much to not only todays children but the future ones. You can get a whole years worth of goody points if your school wins :). Maybe they will name the computer lab after you. What it is a thought?

Details: 2 Schools will win 50 laptops, they need to be nominated by August 12. Charter will also choose 50 finalist and announce them on August 16. Open Voting from August 16 to September 20 and Charter will announce the schools that won on September 27th. The laptops are Lenovo G555's with a 15.6" screen, 160GB drive and 3GB ram (with a Targus bag).

LashBlast Fusion

One fun thing to do is make your eyes pop, I've been blessed with light lashes and eyebrows so sometimes my blue eyes get a little lost. I'm always on the hunt for a good mascara that won't flake or look clumpy. Why not add it some length and some weight to them!

The applicator is larger than your normal mascara which for me is good because smaller things around her disappeared even my make-up some how will end up under the boys bed (hmmm maybe I be worried about that one!). The larger feel you have to get use to and be careful if you're one of those drivers that put make up (which I so would never do or say to do) but if you do then be-careful :)

The brush end is like a ball with spikes but I promise they are soft and go on smooth! I even took a one eye done with it and one with out anything on it! I was able to wear it all day with having the flakes under my eyes, so not a fan of the raccoon look! Of course easy off with my make up remover. I found since I have light lashes it worked amazing.

BUY IT: COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion Mascara I found it online for $6.74 to $9.99, my local drug store was about in the middle.

Thank you to COVERGIRL and BzzAgent for another great product to review. I received a product to review to give my honest opinion. No monetary amount was given.

Thursday DVD Reviews ~ Some Family and Some Sappy Girlie Movies

It was a good week with movies :) I love weeks like that and kind of needed that :)

Looking for a good family night movie here it is!! We've had this one on the queue forever waiting for it to come threw. Rick really didn't love it but me and the boys did. The Rock usually is not my cup of tea but he actually was really funny and I love Julie Andrews she is always perfect with timing of comic jokes. You'll get a kick out of this one!

When minor-league hockey player Derek Thompson -- who has a penchant for knocking out his opponents' teeth every time he plays -- disillusions a fan, he is sentenced to a stint for one week as a bona fide, tutu-clad, real-life tooth fairy. Soon, Derek is inspired to rekindle his youthful dreams. Ashley Judd portrays his love interest, Carly, in this family comedy starring The Rock aka Dwayne Johnson.

If you're a Harry Potter fan you'll enjoy this movie. It was a great movie Cole even liked. It's all about demi-god children of the gods and a human. Percy Jackson is just your normal high school student right? Off to the field trip and bam the sub teacher turns into a creature. It's all on from there, it keeps you going the whole time. And Hello Uma as Medusa just rocks!! I even like Pierce Brosnan that usually drives me nuts. Enjoy it's a good one for the whole fam to watch!

After he discovers that he's the son of the Greek god Poseidon (Kevin McKidd), 12-year-old Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) strikes out on an action-packed adventure to rescue his mortal mother and negotiate a peace treaty between his father, Zeus (Sean Bean), and Hades (Steve Coogan). Chris Columbus (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) directs this fun family tale that also stars Pierce Brosnan, Rosario Dawson and Uma Thurman.

I saw this on a preview and had to rent it. At first it starts and you think oh you little (insert the b word) thinking she is stepping out on her boyfriend. Well of course it's one of those skip forward 3 months than go back and give you the whole story. The boyfriend is a real douche bag and of course the other guy turns out to be a real sweetie! It does have some slow moments but over all not a bad rental.

Well aware of his own blessings, up-and-coming Wall Street star Tommy Fielding (Scott Porter) decides to mentor one of his co-workers, Daniel (Bryan Greenberg). But his new protégé may prove too apt a pupil in this romantic comedy penned and helmed by Julio DePietro. All is going according to plan until Daniel befriends Tommy's new girlfriend, Beth (Alexis Bledel) -- at which point things go rapidly south for Tommy.

I found this on my netflix instant download and just had to check it out, I love Kathy Bates and you add in Jessica Lange I'm there :). It was a funny but sad movie, yes like a lifetime movie :). Jessica Lange looses her beloved husband and her step daughter is threatening to kick her out of her house unless she hands over his body that was cremated. It is a very sad and beautiful movie of protecting ones wishes and growth and love of friends. Yes it will make you tear up and the only bad part was the ending kind of leaving wanting to know what exactly happened.

When Arvilla Holden promises her husband that she'll cremate him and scatter his ashes, she doesn't expect her promise to be called so soon, or to lead to a high-stakes fight with her stepdaughter Francine, a Santa Barbara socialite determined to give him a proper burial. Convinced that she has no choice but to surrender the ashes to Francine, Arvilla sets off on a journey from Pocatello, Idaho to Santa Barbara. Her friends, life-of-the-party Margene and goody-two-shoes Carol, volunteer to go with her for moral support. Expecting to fly, they're surprised when Arvilla picks them up in her '66 Pontiac Bonneville convertible, and shocked when she cruises serenely past the airport and hijacks them on a reluctant road trip that becomes the ride of their lives.

When I saw a preview for this I just had to set my DVR. Talk about laugh out loud funny comedy. Raven our little Cosby girl really has grown up and I just love her. I so would take that bride down. She and her mom are beyond any Bridezilla show I've ever seen. They really go to extremes to mess with this wedding, I so want to be their friend!

Raven-Symoné stars as Abigail Scanlon and JoAnna Garcia as Parker Wald, best friends since childhood returning to their small, Southern home town from New York City, for a visit. After running into old friends they learn that their close friend, Rachel (Chryssie Whitehead), has lost the love of her life, Tony (Lyle Brocato), to their ex-friend Caitlin (Virginia Williams) – a conniving gold-digger. Intent upon preventing the loveless marriage, Parker and Abigail go "undercover" as Caitlin's bridesmaids to sabotage the wedding. Along the way, Caitlyn's tightly-wound mother, Olivia (Beth Broderick), works hard to keep Abigail and Parker at bay, and Parker falls for the town cop and groomsman Henry (David Rogers). The bridesmaids put their best-laid plans in motion only to see them go outrageously awry! "Revenge of the Bridesmaids" is directed by Jim Hayman Ugly Betty, Drop Dead Diva, written by David Kendall & Bob Young and Stephanie Phillips & Mark Amato and produced by Frank von Zerneck and Bob Sertner Beauty & the Briefcase, Sorority Wars.

With Lifetime on the other day I also caught this one. What a cute movie and of course you want the evil sorority to go down. If you like Greek like I do then you'll love this movie. Lucy Hale is so cute I don't usually like these type of girls but love her in this one. It also gives you a glimpse of what happens when a mom wants something more then the daughter does! Enjoy it's a younger feel movie but you'll enjoy it.

Class is in session, the “rush” is on, and it’s time to pick a sorority house. This should be easy for college freshman Katie Snow (Hale), especially since her mother, Lutie (Thorne-Smith), and Lutie’s best friend, Summer (Ford), were the founders of the popular Delta house. But when Katie meets the infamous Delta girls, known for their wild parties and hot boyfriends, she begins to have second thoughts – and it’s the final straw when she finds herself at the center of their “dirty rush” scandal. Katie becomes the target of the Deltas’ vengeance – and her mother’s disappointment – when she shocks her friends and family by pledging their rivals, the Kappas. Soon, a full-fledged sorority war breaks out on campus, creating a fight-to-the-finish competition that leaves only one question: Who will come out on top?

I just happen to have lifetime on in the background the other day and this movie came on. What a cute and fun movie. You just fall in love with the weather girl! You even hate Mark Harmon which in my book is a hard thing to do! Of course it goes down the cliche path you would expect it to go to, but you laugh along the way so why not :). Plus did I mention it was based here in Seattle :).

Sylvia, approaching 35, is the "sassy weather girl" at a Seattle TV station. On a live broadcast, she castigates her boyfriend Dale (who's the show's anchorman) for sleeping with his co-anchor; then she quits. She'd been living with Dale, who explains himself by saying she's cold, so she moves in temporarily with her younger brother Walt. His neighbor Byron, a computer programmer, is always in Walt's flat working. While Sylvia looks for a job, Byron offers himself as a no-strings-attached rebound-sex partner, with the condition that she not tell Walt. How will she respond, and what about finding work, living with her brother, sorting things out with Dale, and being cold? Written by

WWW ~ Me time and Even a Date Night

Well it was one heck of a weekend as always. I set out to take care of me, I've been putting myself off for sometime and knowing that if I don't feel good about me then I'm not doing any good for anyone around me.

Saturday after work I was surprised by my parents stopping by to take the boys for a few hours. My prayers had been answered! They took them over to my grandfather's estate to run around and I got some me time. Then surprise #2 my friend texted me to see what I was doing, she headed up and we hit the town. We got pedi's it was so nice to sit and talk and enjoy adult time!! She got a parfin wax on her hands also :). I took advantage of it and got my eyebrows waxed! Then taking full advantage we hit the hair salon to get my hair cut, had a little weight so we hit subway for lunch. What a heck of a day! Oh yes mom and Christina bought me coffee, talk about a Heaven Sent Day!!!

Fun things with the boys, the airforce base had an air show the last weekend, so the boys set up their own airshow on my fence :). Caden who loves rocks is now a klepto and "borrowed" some from the empty lot next door ... yes I made him take them back. Caden decided to roller skate around the house, as I hear a click click down the hall to see this :). Our neighbor buddy came over, we're sure going to miss them they move this weekend :(.

Hair cut time for Cole, when asked why Caden didn't get one I tell everyone to hide his bruises one day that boy will learn to walk. Cole started VBS down the street, our church's program was wrapped with the daycare and $500 so we went for the church down the street. He is LOVING it!!

Sunday I thought I'd do a quick weeding and revamp on my garden and yard. 3 hours later and missed church I got the bed cleaned up and had a few bugs stop by to say hi, even a frog but I couldn't catch him before he jumped.

Then Dad called and invited us up to the lake. Yeah I even went to Avenue to pick up a swimsuit since they were half off. Take that everyone who has been on me about buying a suit. Caden hates the water he's so like me :). Mom hates that I read, she rather chit chat me I take the time to read and enjoy :). Dad even made me a bloody mary, it was a great day!

Monday was our 7 year anniversary, my dad bless his soul was being so sweet and called and offered to take the boys again! God was answering my prayers this weekend. We ended up using the last of our GC at Anthony's and even got to meet up Dad and the boys for a walk around the river.

What a full packed weekend, I'm so glad I got some me time and even a date night. Working forward and hoping we are moving in a great direction.

TMTT ~ Beef-Broccoli Strudel & New Take No Bake Cookies

Another busy week around here last week and I found some yummy new recipes that were a big hit. Last night we actually got out for our anniversary so it's a quick post and I hope to catch up soon ... ugh. Thanks for stopping by ;).

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Beef-Broccoli Strudel

Beef-Broccoli Strudel

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion -- chopped
• 1 10 oz pkg frozen chopped broccoli -- thawed/drained
• 4 ounces mozzarella cheese -- shredded
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
• 8 ounces phyllo dough -- thawed
• 1/2 cup melted butter

Brown ground beef and onion in skillet, stirring until ground beef is crumbly; drain. Mix in broccoli, cheese, sour cream and bread crumbs. Cook until heated through and cheese is melted.

Place sheet of phyllo on waxed paper; brush with butter. Repeat with remaining dough, layering sheets. Spoon ground beef mixture evenly on half the dough. Roll up from ground beef side as for jelly roll. Place seam side down on baking sheet; brush with remaining butter.

Bake at 350F for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

ALEXIS NOTES: I again had my ground beef broke up so it was closer to 1 1/2 lbs. I used fresh broccoli and light sour cream.

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A New Take on No Bake Cookies

Non Chocolate No Bake Cookies:

1/3 cup butter

1/2 bag of mini marshmallows

1 cup white chocolate chips

2 cups oatmeal

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup coconut

1/3 cup smooth peanut butter

Melt the marshmallows, butter and chips in the microwave at 50% power for 2 minutes (depending on the power of your microwave, it may take a bit more or less). Stir until smooth. Add the peanut butter and vanilla and mix well. Add the coconut and oatmeal. You may need to use your hands to get it all incorporated. Form golfball sized balls and place on waxed paper or a silpat pad. Refrigerate if necessary. Mine were so firm that I just left them on the counter.

Note: You could leave out the peanut butter and still have a great cookie.

ALEXIS NOTES: I didn't have white chocolate chips just milk chocolate wanting to stick with the white color I skipped this part and added a little extra peanut butter (about 1/2 cup total). Also had about 1 1/2 cups of coconut in the bag so used that. I found that if your hands were a little wet in between the roll of each cookie it didn't stick to my hands as much :).

Thank you Kristen at Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker for this awesome recipe, check her blog out you'll love it!

MSM ~ Dinner & Some Yummy Desert!

First off I must apologize and thank you all for the beautiful comments and love I received. Today is our 7 year anniversary, as I said on Friday things have been rocky. We're working on things and I pray things will turn out, only time will tale. Life is funny it can send you some crazy curve balls that makes you do a recheck and make sure you do things differently. I can't say that we'll end with the rose color glasses but we'll figure it out as we go. Sorry if I haven't made it around to thank you, I've taken a little time off from the computer. Trying to be better on my end to spending more time sitting down with the fam :). HUGS, I'll be by soon.

Ok now onto why you come here on Mondays! FOOD yes I know you all are sitting on your edge of your seat waiting to see what new meal I've made. Well today I have to show a yummy dinner and of course some yummy desert or you could do like my neighbors husband and have the bread for dinner :).

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First off we show you a meal that at first I was a little unsure of. I've heard of waffles and chicken and thought it was odd but waffles and chili? I'm glad to say Paula Deans recipe is not a let down, you'll love it!!!

Cornmeal Waffles with Spicy Chili

Cornmeal Waffles and Spicy Chili

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups yellow cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• Spicy chili, recipe follows
• Shredded Cheddar, for garnish
• Sour cream, for garnish
• Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

Directions

Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions.

In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Add milk, oil, and eggs; stirring until smooth. Pour batter onto hot waffle iron and bake in batches. Set aside and keep warm.

Serve with Spicy Chili. Garnish with shredded Cheddar, sour cream and chopped fresh cilantro.

Spicy Chili:

• 1 pound lean ground chuck
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
• 2 (15-ounce) cans ranch-style beans
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (15-ounce) can niblet corn, drained
• 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles

In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown ground chuck, until beef is crumbly. Stir in onion, bell pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.

Stir in beans, tomato sauce, corn, diced tomatoes, and green chiles. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally.

Yield: 10 to 12 servings

ALEXIS NOTES: I used half whole wheat flour and white flour it turned out great. I also used the ground beef I had in the freeze so it was more like under 2 lbs of ground beef. The boys like it a little meaty so it worked perfect. Also used light sour cream. Enjoy!

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Next I had some bananas that had to be used up and I wanted to make something new, yes I know I can never do the same recipe. I found this recipe and thought it was just perfect. I took a loaf over to the neighbors and let's just say my friend left and her husband ate the whole loaf for dinner .. hehe thankfully I had another loaf I brought over the next night so she could have a slice. On a sad note they are moving :( I may have to show up at their new house with baked goods.

Crumb Topped Cocoa Banana Bread by Thats My Home (click link)

Crumb Topped Cocoa Banana Bread

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
6 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash ground ginger
Dash ground mace
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup mashed banana (about 2 extra-ripe,
medium-size bananas)
Crumb Topping (recipe follows)

Heat oven to 350 degrees F . Grease bottom only of 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan.

In large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, salt, baking powder, ginger and mace. Add eggs, oil and banana; stir with spoon just until all ingredients are well blended.

Spoon batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle topping evenly over top.

Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes.

Loosen sides of loaf from pan; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. (Loaf may be stored in refrigerator, well wrapped, for up to 1 week.) 1 loaf.

Crumb Topping
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In small bowl, blend all ingredients until fine crumbs form.

ALEXIS NOTES: I again switched out half whole wheat flour, I used 3 banana's and I didn't have mace so I skipped this part. I used my special pan that has 4 loafs and a special design on the bottom, gives a little special to the bread :). This is great with or with out butter. I think it was so moist you didn't even need to add the butter. You'll love this one, I will have to make it again.

I hope you enjoy and will try these out. Have a wonderful Monday I promise to stop by, I may be a little slower at coming around but I'll be there :).

The Bourne Objective Audio Book Giveaway (3 Winners)

As most of you know I just got into the Bourne books, I know I'm so behind the ball on it. I did even add the books to my Netflix's queue :).

Get ready for the next addition to the serious on Audio books. Another love I have is for audio books, reading is one of my favorite things to do. Sadly most days I don't get to sit and read like I would love to do. Audio books allow me to still enjoy a book and the best part I get voices with them.

We pick right up where we left off and believe me when I say this is not a book that takes a while to get going. Right off the bat your thrown into the mix and heat is on! Now Bourne is not really the star feature in the book you start off following Leonid Arkadin. Bourne of course is after Arkadin and they make it a pursuit like no other. This is one that you have to pay attention to and will not want to turn off.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Robert Ludlum's (TM) The Bourne Objective

by Eric Van Lustbader

Thank you to Hachette Book Group for another great book!

BUY IT: Pick up a copy The Bourne Objective for yourself for $49.98 or on Amazon for $32.99 or on Kindle for $9.99.

WIN IT: Hachette Book Group has offered 3 of my readers a copy of

The Bourne Objective To Enter let me know what is your favorite Bourne book or if your a newbie like I was. Yup EASY name a title or newbie :).

EXTRA ENTRIES - Do as many as you like just leave a separate comment for EACH:

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• Retweet and let me know you can always click the retweet button (2 Extra Entries) can be done daily. (Running away? I'll help you pack.: The Bourne Objective Audio Book Giveaway (3 Winners) http://bit.ly/ds5cbB)
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Giveaway ends 8/11/10 Only residents of the U.S. or Canada are eligible to win. No Post Office Boxes.

I was not paid for this review these are my opinions and experiences, I received products to try and to tell how I liked them. No monetary or any other form of compensation was given to me. I review products free of charge to give my experience and opinion.