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Saturday, July 31, 2010

The Secrets of Newberry Book Giveaway (3 Winners)

Now this is a story about an author I love to read, Victor McGlothin a former Bank VP nearly forfeited an athletic scholarship due to poor reading skills. Thankfully he didn't and has become a very talented writer. He did what few do an overcame his obstacle and went on to complete a Masters degree. Some of you may recognize the name from his online column Victor Said?.

In the Secrets of Newberry you follow along with two lifelong friends discover the truth about life that it is hard and bad things are done. Set in the 1950's in New Orleans. The two friends meet at a not so legal gambling house outside Newberry, Louisiana. There ways are not only troubled with the gambling, but they over indulge with women, food and nights out on the town.

Hampton tries to make a break from the wrong doings when he meets Magnolia Holiday. She is a classy good woman that can turn his life around. He has a plan to leave and make a clean break. His plans take a dive when his pal in crime kills a white city councilman during a robbery gone wrong! All hope of starting over is ruined when local police and FBI is fast after them. How much is friendship worth?

A historical time piece that keeps you with the time period and what is going on with the price of friendship vs love.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
by Victor McGlothin

Thank you to Hachette Book Group for another great book!

BUY IT: Pick up a copy for yourself for $13.99 or on Amazon for $10.07 on Kindle for $9.99.

WIN IT: Hachette Book Group has offered 3 of my readers a copy of The Secrets of Newberry.

To Enter just leave me a comment if you've read any of Ted Dekker's books, he has a good collection. 1st Entry MUST be done before any of the extra entries. SUPER easy.

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

  • Follow my blog
  • Have my button up on your site
  • Subscribe via email (2 Extra Entries)
  • Sign up for Networked Blogs (facebook - located on the right side) (2 Extra Entries)
  • Follow @AlexisAKAMOM on Twitter (2 Extra Entries)
  • Retweet and let me know you can always click the retweet button (2 Extra Entries) can be done daily.
  • Blog about the giveaway or on your side bar (3 Extra Entries)

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.

The Host Book Giveaway (3 Winners)

Calling all Stephenie Meyer fans, yes people that is the author of the twilight series. I know most people only think of the books not the lady behind them. Stephenie Meyer's is a stay at home mom with three sons who changed the Young Adult Book reading world that soon took over a nation of all ages.

She has wrapped up the twilight series and started a new book in a WHOLE new direction. For you that know the movie body snatcher will get the feel of this book right away. It's on the science fiction side so don't go in thinking this is going to be about vampires. I've talked to others who went in with this thinking and were disappointed I find if you go in knowing the author is taking a whole new direction with their books you'll do a lot better. I've grown up with a dad who loved sci-fi so this is no new element to my world.

In the book you will be thrown into a world where unseen enemies have taken over human host, leaving their bodies intact (remind you of body snatchers). You will meet Melanie Stryder she has been invaded by Wanderer who finds that Melanie is not going to give up her mind with out a fight. Melanie can only think of one thing, more like one person Jared. Jared has escaped being invaded and is in hiding. Wanderer finds herself also falling for Jared with the help of Melanie's thoughts, before they know it they are allies in the search of him.

Prepare to take on a new way of thinking, just remember to go in knowing this is more sci-fi and NOT a vampire book.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
by Stephenie Meyer

Thank you to Hachette Book Group for another great book!

BUY IT: Pick up a copy for yourself for $25.99 or on Amazon for $15.97 on Kindle for $9.99.

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

To Enter just leave me a comment if you've read any of Stephenie Meyers's books, Yes any of the twilight books. 1st Entry MUST be done before any of the extra entries. SUPER easy.

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

  • Follow my blog
  • Have my button up on your site
  • Subscribe via email (2 Extra Entries)
  • Sign up for Networked Blogs (facebook - located on the right side) (2 Extra Entries)
  • Follow @AlexisAKAMOM on Twitter (2 Extra Entries)
  • Retweet and let me know you can always click the retweet button (2 Extra Entries) can be done daily. (Enter to win @ Running away? I'll help you pack. to win The Host Book Giveaway (3 Winners) http://bit.ly/cEVQav)
  • Blog about the giveaway or on your side bar (3 Extra Entries)

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.

The Tails of Abbygail Giveaway DVD

The boys love DVD's it's our family time we watch DVD's usually Friday nights. We also got a killer deal on the DVD players for the car so on our way up to my parents house (about a 1/2 away) the boys get to choose a DVD.

Our newest addition is The Tails of Abbygail a super cute DVD about Abbygail. It is wonderfully done and follows Abbygail on her day of new friends and adventures. Abbygail is a real life Jack Russell Terrier that you will just fall in love with. The only bad part was now the boys really want a dog :).

We have watched this movie over and over and the boys don't get tired of it. They love to watch Abbygail as she finds a magical fortune cookie that brings all her toys to life. They learn safety and life's lessons along the way. They discover a magical key that is said to make dreams come true. I promise you'll love this movie and look forward to watch the others.

BUY IT: Head over to Abby's Store to pick up the movie for $9.99 (I know a deal) you can even buy posters!

WIN IT: One of my lucky readers will win a copy of The Tails of Abbygail: Dreams come true.

ENTER: Head over to Abby's Store and tell me another of the Abbygail movies you would like to see.

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

  • Follow my blog
  • Have my button up on your site
  • Subscribe via email (2 Extra Entries)
  • Sign up for Networked Blogs (facebook - located on the right side) (2 Extra Entries)
  • Follow @AlexisAKAMOM on Twitter (2 Extra Entries)
  • Retweet and let me know you can always click the retweet button (2 Extra Entries) can be done daily. (Enter to Win The Tails of Abbygail DVD Giveaway @ Running away? I'll help you pack. http://bit.ly/9G6UlY)
  • Blog about the giveaway or on your side bar (3 Extra Entries)

Giveaway ends 8/18/10 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.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Bringing Back the Mom & Pop Shops

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

I remember when my dad remarried and brought me to what I thought at the time was this little hick town. Moving from the big city to this little town almost killed me. That was before I got to know this great little town and all the wonderful little shops and owners.

Sadly one part of town has been bulldozed down and replaced by strip malls. We had the cutest drive in diner that has been replaced by a fast food restaurant. Thankfully one part of town still has some great shops. I worry greatly for them, my mom and I always shop there and try to keep them there, over the years some have been replaced but thankfully this little strip on main street has stayed mom and pop shops.

Rick always makes fun of me when I only want to go to the little shops on our rare outings for dinner or lunch. I love to give back, plus they have so much more charm and personality then going to dinner at a place that is in a hurry to turn your table over to get as many tips as they can get.

Ramblers Way is one of these great companies out there that is on a mission to revitalize America's small towns. There program they started is Made in America. They grow and produce their fine woolen apparel using 100% domestic resources. They have brought manufacturing facilities to these towns that so desperately need to be revitalized. They don't just preach it they follow what they say. Their building in Kennebunk, Maine was built in 1792 and has been fully refurbished.

As you know I've worked in the engineering firm for a while and have mentioned that LEAD status is a HUGE thing for buildings being done these days. Very FEW have passed the high standards, and don't achieve higher then a Silver rating. Which is a HUGE thing, so for Ramblers Way building to be GOLD Lead Certified is the creme of the creme. All I can say is I remember the engineers I work with pulling their hair out to reach Silver and it was months of changes and strict guidelines.

Make sure you check them out and remember if you buy from them your helping support small towns all over America.
Visit my sponsor: Made in America

Randomness ... Getting it out of my head!















Thursday, July 29, 2010

Maximum Lash Eyelash Conditioner Review


Nothing is better then getting things that make you feel pretty, as I've mentioned before I have very light and thin eyelashes why I must use mascara so you can see my eyes.

Now this is something you need to be diligent on, put it by your toothbrush and do it EVERY night. In about 4 - 6 weeks you will see a change! Now don't worry one bottle will last you about 3 months! Even something to think about is your eyebrows! I can't be the only one that when I was younger was attacked by a butcher who left me with thin hairless eyebrows. Oh yes everytime I get a make over they try to send me home with more eyebrow pencils then I know what to do with.

Maximum is waterbased and can even be used with fake eyelashes! But after using this you won't be needing them anymore! Move over Brooke Shields, my eyes will be just as stunning :).

BUY IT: 2.2ml bottle $48.95, now slow down it last for 3 months. Daily average is 53 cents!!! Now how can you beat that! Now head over to Maximum Lash to pick one up for yourself.

Check out these before and after shots from their site:

Before After









I received a product to test, for my honest opinion. No monetary value was given.

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.

Laptop1

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).

Visit my sponsor: Charter is giving Free laptops to Schools

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.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

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

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

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.

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