Random Thoughts and Suggestions

Sam's Club and Boxtops for Education Review and Giveaway

2010-08-12T13:38:00.017-05:00

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We have a WINNER! Random.Org generated comment No. 23 as the winning entry.

Congratulations to Amanda!

Thanks for entering everyone. I look forward to holding my next giveaway!

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Yep, it's back to school time. No, I don't have any children going back to school, but that doesn't mean that I can't support my local schools. As the song says, "The children are our future...". General Mills and Sam's club have teamed up to really promote the Boxtops for Education program. You too can earn cash for your school every time you shop for groceries. Clip Box Tops from hundreds of your favorite products. Each Box Tops coupon is worth 10¢ for your school—and that adds up fast! Here's a list of the products that you can choose from.

MyBlogSpark, General Mills, and Sam's club generously provided me with a $25.00 gift card to go out and explore the great deals on products that qualify for the Boxtops program. To be honest, every time I walk into Sam's Club, I am astounded by the variety of products available. Here's a list of some of the products that have been recently added to the program:

Progresso® Soups and Broth
Hamburger Helpers® Complete Meals
Chex Mix® Treat Bars
Total® Plus Omega 3
Gold Medal® Flour
Betty Crocker® Cake Mix
Bisquick® Gluten Free Green Giant® Create a Meal®
Old El Paso Re-fried Beans
Totino’s® Crisp Crust Party Pizza®
LAND O LAKES® Butter

So what did I buy? I picked up some Nature Valley Trail Mix bars for my husband's lunches, some Honey Nut Cheerioes for breakfast, and some Chex Mix for munching on. Yummy!!!

Okay, now for the very cool part. General Mills, Sam's Club, and MyBlogspark have generously provided me with an extra $25.00 Gift Card to Sam's club for one of my readers.
Yeah! Free Stuff for you.

You too can go shopping for some amazing deals and help out your local school at the same time!

ENTRY RULES:

1. Leave a comment with the answer to this question: Which General Mills Boxtop Items do you plan to purchase during the Sam's Club Back-to-School Event?

2. For one extra entry, please publicly follow my blog through Google Friend Connect (Left Sidebar) and leave a second comment saying that you have done so.

This giveaway will run from August 12th until Aug. 19th at Noon Central Time. You MUST answer the question. Any comments that simply say, “I want to win!” or “Enter me” will be disqualified. I will use random.org to pick the winner. Make sure that you leave an email address so that I can contact you if you are the winner. You will have 48 hours to respond to my email, and then I will pick another winner. The winner must have a United States shipping address.

Good Luck!

Duo-Fast FloorMaster Giveaway at Home Construction & Improvement

2010-07-06T14:14:00.003-05:00

There's another great giveaway going on over at Home Construction & Improvement

Check out their review and giveaway for the Duo-Fast FloorMaster 250BN. For those of you who need a translation, that means it's a really really cool 16 Gauge Hardwood Flooring Finish Nailer. I know that a lot of us are sick of dealing with carpeting throughout our house. I grew up with green shag carpets, but even my nice beige Berber carpeting is getting a bit warn and tired looking. This great tool would help us diy'ers make the conversion to hardwood floors. According to the great review at Home Construction & Improvement, this great nailer includes the following features...

A proprietary 45º detachable no-mar nailing guide, and no-mar pads, that protect floor, wall and cabinets from marring, scratching or denting.

A proprietary depth-of-drive design, which helps to eliminate tongue splitting.

A proprietary nail lock-out design that eliminates blank firing.

Go check it out and take a look around the blog. I am always finding some great new tips and advice over there!

Wanchai Ferry Asian Entrée Review and Giveaway

2010-06-29T18:17:00.015-05:00

WE HAVE A WINNER!!! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALTREAU!!!

There were 54 entries. Random.org chose comment #48.

Altreau said...

I would love to see them make lemongrass chicken.

Thanks to everyone for participating in my giveaway!

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Let’s be honest, we can all use a little help now and then. It seems like the days are getting shorter and our lives are getting busier. Wanchai Ferry has answered our cries for help with their frozen Asian entrées. I was sent a newest frozen entrée, “Beef and Broccoli” to try out. It’s ready to serve in 14 minutes, so right off the bat, I was pretty excited. Wanchai Ferry Beef & Broccoli comes with tender beef strips, and an assortment of Asian-style vegetables, including broccoli florets, red peppers and water chestnuts.

Tonight was the night to try out this quick dinner solution. My husband and I both got a rather late start this morning, and then I had to run errands, so by the time we were both home, neither of us were really in the mood to cook. Our stomachs, on the other hand, were in the mood to be fed. Into the freezer I dove (well, reached) and pulled out my free sample of the Wanchai Ferry Beef with Broccoli. My husband’s first comment was, “Let’s cook up some Jasmine rice to go with it.” “Aha”, I replied, “it’s already in there.” Score one for Wanchai. The next question was as to whether we had to microwave it or heat it up in a pan. According to the directions, the answer is both. The meat and vegetables are cooked up in a skillet, and a separate package of rice is heated in the microwave.

My husband and I like to frequent a national Chinese food chain and so we have a fairly good opinion as to what we like. Overall, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this easy to fix meal. The packaging says that it serves two and that is just about right. A little more might have been nice, as we have hearty appetites, but it certainly was enough food for two average adults. This was particularly appealing for me, as we don’t have children, so we don’t need big batches of food that end up as leftovers going bad in our refrigerator. As for the nutritional content of the dinner, both my husband and I have made a commitment to eat healthier, so I took a good long look at the packaging to see what was in the meal. Right on the front of the package it states that it has no added MSG! That makes me sooo happy, as MSG tends to give me a killer headache.

You can try out this easy to prepare Asian cuisine yourself! There is a $1.60 off coupon available at http://bricks.coupons.com/bstart.asp?o=63369&ci=1&c=GM&p=OMaEZjGT. Also check out the website at http://www.wanchaiferry.com/MealTips.aspx later this summer for meal tips to enhance your Wanchai Ferry frozen entrée. You might want to try the two additional new flavors of Wanchai Ferry frozen entrées, Kung Pao Chicken and Szechuan Style Chicken, which will soon join five other delicious varieties including Orange Chicken, Shrimp Lo Mein, Spicy Garlic Chicken and Sweet & Sour Chicken. Additionally, all of the entrées have no added MSG!

Now on to the fun part… okay, eating a yummy dinner was fun for me, but I don’t know how to blog in smellavision… The folks from Blogspark and Wanchai Ferry generously sent me this free sample of their Asian meals for review. All opinions in this review are my own and not influenced by getting a free meal. They also sent me a pair of cute Chinese Tea Sets, and want to give one of my readers their own Wanchai Ferry prize pack! The prize pack will includes: one VIP coupon and two tea sets. Woo hoo! Free stuff for you too!!!

RULES:
To enter my very first Giveaway, please do the following:

1. Leave a comment with the answer to this question: Which Asian meal you would you also like to see as part of the Wanchai Ferry lineup and why do you need a quick and healthy meal for your family?
2. For one extra entry, please publicly follow my blog through Google Friend Connect (Left Sidebar) and leave a second comment saying that you have done so.

This giveaway will run from June 30th until July 14th at Noon Central Time. You MUST answer the question. Any comments that simply say, “I want to win!” or “Enter me” will be disqualified. I will use random.org to pick the winner. Make sure that you leave an email address so that I can contact you if you are the winner. You will have 48 hours to respond to my email, and then I will pick another winner. The winner must have a United States shipping address.

Good Luck!

SKIL RAS900 Router Table Review Giveaway at "One Project Closer"

2010-06-15T11:39:00.003-05:00

Most of you know that I have been steadily trying build up my own set of tools. It's not that I don't like sharing with my husband, but if I have my own tools, then (theoretically) I will always know where to find them (and can't be blamed if he can't find his). Yes, the end to the eternal... "Honey, where's the...?" questioning.

Over at one of my favorite blogs, One Project Closer they are giving away a Skill RAS900 Router table. I'm not going to steal his review, as it is very thorough, but I have to say, that one of the best features of this little table is that it folds up. Yes! Meaning, I could continue to claim my own little workspace in the garage, and yet add this great tool to my collection. I love tools that both work great and save space! Check out the giveaway, and hang around over there and read the blog. They pack a lot of useful information into their posts.

The Volunteer State !

2010-05-19T12:45:00.006-05:00

The waters have receded here in Nashville, and now it's time for the clean-up and recovery. The scope of this disaster is humbling. Middle Tennessee put out the call for help, and we answered. I am in awe of the response to the call for volunteers. Our state is known as "The Volunteer State" and in the last few weeks we have lived up to that name. I am not a native Tennessean, but after 20 years here, I call it home. It is a home that I am proud of.

I thought that I would give you a little sense of what volunteering in flood relief is like. I have learned two major things. Disaster relief is a "hurry up and wait" process and involves a whole lot of decisions on the fly. The flood occurred on May 1st - 3rd. I started volunteering on Friday, May 7th. My first task was to answer phones for the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. We were taking donations for the relief effort. The next day (Saturday), I volunteered with the American Red Cross. Wow, did I learn a lot from them. That organization had an entire military-type operation up and running in just a few days. The speed of their response was amazing, as was their adaptability. They were organized and ready to adapt to what ever need the community had. I spent my time loading cases of water on to a truck for flood victims. The next day (Sunday) the Red Cross sent me out to the adjacent county on a truck filled with relief supplies. It was a wonderful feeling to know that my small efforts might be helping a family in need.

Last weekend, I manned a water distribution location. So many people are working hard to tear apart the damaged portions of their homes and clean out all of the debris (which used to be their household possessions). They need water to sustain them, so my husband and I joined a crew to hand out water. This weekend, I will be back with the Red Cross. I am supposed to help clean cots that were used in the local flood shelters. Given the way these things work, I don't really know what I will be doing. I just want to do my part as a citizen of The Volunteer State.

Tragic Flooding in Nashville

2010-05-05T10:00:00.003-05:00

We really need to get the word out. This morning, Good Morning America simply mentioned (in one sentence) that the waters were receding and people were moving back into their homes in Nashville. The report was less than 30 seconds in length. Nashville, and the surrounding counties, have experienced what is being described as a 1000 year flood. Homes, businesses, and historic landmarks have been inundated. People are living in emergency shelters. Lives have been lost. We are being asked to cut our water use in 1/2 because one of the two treatment plants has been flooded.

My family has been blessed in that our homes were spared, however I would like to share a personal story with you. On Monday, I managed to get into work. I work for the State government, and we were all asked to come in if it was safe. I had a t.v. in my office tuned into the local news when I heard a very frightening report. A viewer called in to report that Polo Park apartments was being evacuated because the water was rising. This is the apartment complex where my elderly and disabled mother lives on a ground-floor apartment. I flew out of the office and headed over there. My husband was able to contact the apartment office and told me that they might have to evacuate her by boat! When I arrived on the scene, the water in front of her apartment was up to my knees and rising. I yelled out of my window to a man standing nearby that I had a mom in a wheelchair that I needed to rescue and that I would need help. Immediately, three men appeared and said they would carry her out if necessary. We were not waiting for the boat. I had never met these young men before in my life, but they are my heroes. They managed to get my mom (and her cat) into my jeep without even getting her feet wet. They then helped me put some of her belongings up higher in hopes of keeping them dry. This is the spirit of Nashville. We take care of each other. I am so proud of my city, but we need help from the outside as well. Please encourage people to donate to the Nashville chapter of the Red Cross. www.redcross.org or the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee http://www.cfmt.org/index.php .

Please also see the following facebook post: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=390190583466&id=5306972&ref=mf

Bertie Needs a Home

2010-03-23T15:17:00.002-05:00

Check out the button on my right sidebar for a link to a great giveaway over at MayhemandMoxie! They're giving away a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Her name is Bertie, and she is one beautiful machine.

Bertie would be a big help to me around the holidays. We like to make up batches of treats to pass out the neighbors, and she looks like she could handle the pressure. I might even attempt to try to bake a strawberry cake again. The first one was a disaster, and something not ever mentioned except in hushed tones. Good luck to everyone...

2010-03-16T09:37:00.008-05:00

Thoughts on Communication

2010-02-19T09:39:00.002-06:00

Firstly, you should know that I am not really a "heart on my sleeve" emotionally exposed kinda gal. I live my life. I have ups and downs. I don't find it necessary to SHARE everything with everyone. However, today, I had a mini philosophical revelation. I have been working on this whole communication thing lately. I figure that if I tell people what I want, need, like, or am confused by, then they are then armed with the information they need to interact with me better. No, I am not always right about stuff, but I just want you to try to see things from my perspective. So... this morning was one of those little moments where I saw my efforts rewarded. The details aren't really important. It was one of those everyday little things, but it meant a lot to me. I witnessed the glory of a proactive attitude, both on the part of myself and my wonderful husband. Yeah, I guess this semi-old girl can still learn a few new tricks.

Coffee Coffee Yummy... Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies!

2010-02-02T13:11:00.006-06:00

I recently stared using the Keurig K-Cup coffee maker and am amazed! It is fantastic! All you do is pop a little K-Cup into the machine and you instantly have coffee. My husband has really been loving it. My favorite part is actually how neat and clean the machine is. The K-cups are self-contained. You never have to touch a filter or messy used grounds. It's GREAT! Even greater still is the giveaway over at Leslie Loves Veggies . She is giving away96 K-cups from Green Mountain Coffee. WOW! Check it out!!!
Leslie Loves Veggies – Green Mountain Coffee Giveaway

Craftsman Auto Hammer Giveaway at HomeConstructionImprovement.com

2010-01-25T13:02:00.004-06:00

They are hosting another great giveaway over at www.homeconstructionimprovement.com . Check it out! HCI Auto Hammer Giveaway

They are giving away a Craftsman Auto Hammer. This looks like it would be a handy tool to have around the house. It is particularly cool because it has a sleeve that comes down over the nail so that you can use it from nearly any angle. You can even hammer over your head! Another cool feature is that it is cordless. No tripping over a long extension cord with this puppy. It even has a little LED worklight so that you can see what you're doing.

Updated Thoughts on a New Year! Welcome to 2010!!!

2010-01-15T14:50:00.003-06:00

The holidays were wonderful. I shared some special times with family and friends. Now, I'm looking forward to the new year. It started out with a fun-filled weekend away celebrating my friend's birthday. We gambled, ate, and generally partied our hearts out. Now for the past week, I've been stuck at home sick. Yeehaw! (you think... a week off from work), but nope, I'm starting to go batty. Now, I'm on antibiotics and steroids and hoping to get over this bronchitis, but in the meantime, the meds are making me both loopy and restless. At least I'm catching up on my emails and all of the movies I've missed. Thanks for listening, and everyone out there stay happy and healthy in 2010!

Metal Clay Book Giveaway

2009-12-02T20:40:00.002-06:00

My husband has recently really become interested in jewelry making. He has mostly worked in fused glass and is verging on obsessed with his new hobby. The other day, told me about another medium that he wants to try out. It's called Precious Metal Clay. The "clay" is a polymer that consists of precious metals and a binding agent. After firing in a kiln, only the metal remains. Well, lo and behold, I stumbled across a giveaway for a book about this craft. Take a look at http://www.favecrafts.com/sweeps/Metal-Clay-Book-Giveaway# where they are giving away a copy of Metal Clay, Beyond the Basics, By Carol A. Babineau. It looks like a great book and would definitely be a great present under the tree for my husband.

HP Touchsmart 600 Desktop PC Giveaway!

2009-11-24T10:27:00.002-06:00

Wow! Run, don't walk, over to Jolly Mom (http://www.jollymom.com). (button on my blog too). She is giving away a fabulous brand new hi-tech all-in-one HP Touchsmart 600 Desktop Computer HP ( http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/touchsmart/ ). Yes!!! I can't begin to explain how cool this computer is. HP and Microsoft worked together to develop a computer that bundles all of the components into one thin screen. Yep, the computer is IN THE SCREEN. It is a a massive space-saver, not to mention a very powerful computer.

Those of us who have gotten hooked on the touch-screen features of our smart phones, now have that same (and MORE ADVANCED) technology in a desktop computer. It also comes bundled with the new Windows 7 OS and lots of cool software and games.

It's a fantastic giveaway! Good Luck to everyone.

Dado Blade Giveaway at Home Construction Improvement (dot com)

2009-11-13T11:15:00.004-06:00

Woodworking is one of those hobbies that is addictive. Every trip to the home improvement store yields more fun gizmos and gadgets to help us with our projects. Well, Todd at http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/ has a giveaway up for us woodworking fiends. He's giving away a Stacked Dado set to one of his VERY LUCKY readers. For folks that aren't familiar with this type of blade "set" make sure that your read Todd's review. He will fill you in on how the Stacked Dado blade can accomplish so much more than your average table saw blade.

here's a link to the blog and giveaway! http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/delta-stacked-dado-set-giveaway/

The winner will receive the Delta 8″ Stacked Dado Set Model #35-7670! It's a $150 value!!!

Lenovo IdeaPad U350 Review & Giveaway!

2009-11-13T09:05:00.002-06:00

Wow, I can't believe this wonderful giveaway. Yes, I am a techno-geek and I love that so many other folks are also getting more interested in computers. The greatest thing about computers is that they are really getting so easy to operate that they practically take care of themselves. There is a lot less "operator-error" to deal with.

Head over to www.mommypr.com and check out there great giveaway. They are giving away a Lenovo IdeaPad U350!!! Yes, a free Computer! The IdeaPad is perfect for us bloggers on the go. According to MommyPr's review, it is lightweight and even has a cool new feature called "veriface". The laptop literally takes a picture of you with it's webcam and then uses that photo to verify that the operator is the owner. How cool and Star Trek-like is that?

While you are over at MommyPr, check out the rest of the blog. There is a lot going on over there, and it is a great resource, especially with the holiday season coming up.

The Dremel 4000 Giveaway at Home Construction Improvement

2009-11-12T15:11:00.004-06:00

Any of you who read my blog will know that one of my favorite blogs is at http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/ . Todd Fratzel runs a great site with tips on home improvement and also sends out an informative newsletter. Yeah, yeah, I've written about Todd's site before, but trust me, you are gonna want to head over there right now to get entered into his newest giveaway.

Homeimprovement.com is giving away a brand new Dremel 4000. This is the latest and greatest in the Dremel line of rotary tools. Just reading his review got my mind to wondering about all of the tasks that I could take on (and actually complete!) with this handy little (yet powerful!) tool. One of the greatest things about dremels is all of the cool attachments you can get for them. They basically become a small everything-power-tool. You can use cutting wheels, polishing discs, sharpening blades, drill bits, and even router bits. Gotta love the multi-tasking ability of this dynamo. So... yeah, get over to homeimprovement.com and read the whole review and sign up for Todd's newsletter!

Oreck Halo Vacuum Cleaner Giveaway at MommyGoggles!

2009-11-03T10:39:00.004-06:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I have two cats, a husband, and a four bedroom house. I am also always on the go and often entertain. I really need some help keeping our castle in order and ready for guests. Well, I love the idea of the new Oreck Halo Vacuum. It actually KILLS GERMS!!! Yes, it knocks those dustmites and germies right out! This is about the coolest vaccum that I have heard of. Considering that our vacuum is more of a dust-blower, I am very intrigued by the wonderful features of this Oreck vacuum.

Well, go on over to www.mommygoggles.com ( http://www.mommygoggles.com/oreck-halo-vacuum-cleaner/#comment-79857 ) and read Tanya's great review of this vacuum. Even better, enter her contest. Yep, she's giving away a free Oreck Halo Vacuum to one of her readers. Yeah, yeah, I really want to win it for myself, but fear not dear readers, you can throw your hat into the ring for the competition too. Oh, and while you are over at MommyGoggles, take a look around her blog. It is really worth a read!

Life has been exciting and busy...

2009-10-29T13:13:00.003-05:00

Yes, my adventure of a life has been continuing at full-speed. In the last month, I have gone to NFL football games, NHL hockey games, the symphony, lots of dinners out, and 2 vacations. Yep! that's right two vacations. The first was a quick weekend away with my husband and friends for his birthday. We headed down to Tunica, MS and did a bit of gambling and playing. I always describe to to friends as kind of like "Chuck E. Cheese" for adults. You pay money to play games, eat lots of food, and well since we're adults, drink free drinkees. It's a blast and really a great way to get rid of some stress.

Our other vacation was to beautiful Taos, New Mexico. We had never been their before, and I can definitely recommend it as a gorgeous place to visit. We spent three luxurious nights at the El Monte Sagrada resort and spa. Boy, oh Boy, that place treated me like a queen. It is so relaxing and quiet with beautiful views of the mountains. We also visited the Indian Pueblo, some art galleries, and the surrounding countryside. The beauty was almost overwhelming. I will attach a photo to give you just a hint of how special a place Taos is.

Stop Dropping Nails and Screws! The MagnoGrip!!!!

2009-09-16T12:05:00.005-05:00

I have a new cool gizmo to tell you about. One of my favorite sites http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com , Home Construction Improvement has posted a review of "The MagnoGrip". If you are like me, you tend to lose small screws and nails when you are working on a project. I also have a problem finding a secure place to set nails and screws when I am not using them at the moment, but will need them shortly. Either I lose them, or my cat runs away with them. Same result either way... I have a screw loose!

Anyway, the MagnoGrip folks have designed a cool cuff that you can wear that has a magnet on it so that you can simply magnetically attach nails, screws, and other small metal doohickies to your wrist. Woo hoo... no more lost objects or having to go back down the ladder to retrieve the nails that you need for your project. Check out the full review at Home Construction Improvement's website.

Oh, and even cooler yet... they are giving away a FREE MagnoGrip over at Home Construction Improvement.

Router Table Giveaway

2009-08-06T13:20:00.002-05:00

I love tools. This is no secret. Both my husband and I have been very interested in doing more woodworking projects. Many a weekend morning has been spent watching the "Router Guys" on T.V. practically build an entire house with just a router. Problem is... you need a good router table. Well, go on over to http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/giveaways/skil-ras900-router-table-giveaway-150-value/ and check out the cool router table giveaway that they have going on. While you are there, subscribe to the email list. It is one of my favorites. I get great tips and tool reviews delivered right to my email box.

They are giving away a SKIL RAS900 Router Table. It is designed for the "junior and mid-level" woodworker. Most of us fit into this category, so it sounds perfect.

UnPlanned Parties

2009-05-14T13:36:00.002-05:00

Last night, I was out running some errands. My husband called and told me that a couple of friends were meeting at our local Mexican restaurant for drinks and food. Nothing had been planned, but I turned my car around and headed on over. When I arrived there were 4 people gathered outside on the deck. We pushed some more tables together, and within a couple of hours our group had grown to 9 people. It was a beautiful spring evening. The humidity was low and the humor was high. All I kept thinking was what wonderful friends I have and how great it is when spontaneity takes over our overly planned lives. I think we all need to try just a bit harder to let go of our schedules, computers, smartphones, and appointments now and then. Sometimes it is great to just gather together on the spur of the moment and enjoy a nice relaxing evening. Gotta love spring!

NASCAR VIP for the Weekend

2009-04-13T12:17:00.002-05:00

I promised that I would tell you all about my trip to Martinsville, Virginia for my very first NASCAR race. In a word... WONDERFUL!

This was a trip that I won through a sweepstakes with Goodys Headache Powders. I was not sure what a free trip would be like, but I am always up for an adventure. Well, I can not say enough about how wonderfully my husband and I were treated for the three days of this trip. The folks from Goodys were generous and treated us like VIPs. Our hotel, the Downtown Marriott in Greensboro, NC, was very nice. I met several of my fellow prize winners, the promotions people, Goodys executives, and other race fans the first night in the hotel bar. Any nerves that I might have had about the trip quickly erased.

Saturday morning they bussed us to the racetrack, about an hour away. They had coolers and snacks on the bus. Once we arrived at the track, we were escorted upstairs to the Goodys corporate suite and treated to a buffet and complimentary drinks. Our seats in the suite were phenomenal. We were in the front row of the suite on the Start/Finish line. Martinsville Racetrack is a "short-track", so our view let us see the entire track. The truck race was rained out that day, but we didn't care. We ate, drank, shopped and laughed a lot throughout the day. We also got to meet some celebrities. I met Darrel Waltrip, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jimmy Spencer, and A.J. Allmendinger. They were all nice guys.

On Sunday, we were up bright and early (well, maybe not bright) and back on the bus to the racetrack. When we arrived, the stands were not open for fans yet, but being with the Goodys people (the race sponsors) we were allowed in and up to our suite about an hour before everyone else. More food, drinks, and race swag awaited us. They even loaned us these new gizmos for watching/listening to the race that include a scanner and a mini personal t.v. I was hooked up! Richard Petty came by the suite and so I got to meet him and have him sign some items for me. Trace Adkins was the grand marshall for the race, so he watched the race in our suite.

One of the coolest things that I got to do was go down to the pits. We got to actually go through the tunnel under the track, and wander around the pits and garages while the crews were preparing for the race. I dodged lots of moving tires, and equipment. This "behind-the-scenes" experience was definitely an exclusive perk. I loved it.

I want to give a shout out to Chuck "Trouble" Carland. He is a well-known NASCAR radio announcer that Goodys arranged to host our suite. He is hilarious and one of the nicest folks I have met. He answered all of our questions about racing and entertained us with fun stories and trivia.

Overall, I want to thank the people from Goodys. These folks treated us like VIPs for a weekend and have created a new race fan.

Obsolescence

2009-04-06T16:35:00.002-05:00

I plan to write a nice long blog about my adventures at the Martinsville NASCAR race, but today, I have a mini-rant that I want to express about the concept/process of Obsolescence. I am laying here (feet up, cat snuggled close) typing on a very nice laptop computer. We have had this computer for about 5 years now. It was top of the line when we got it. Well... not it is fast approaching it's sell by date... if you know what I mean. I am getting annoyed at the way we are becoming a society that constantly needs new gizmos and gadgets because the onese we have are purposely designed to be obsolete in a year so that we will need to buy new ones. Case in point... a few years ago, my husband accidentally broke the LCD screen on his cell phone. No problem, we thought, let's just get him a new one. Well, turns out it is not so simple. Apparently, he could only replace his phone with one that operated on a new form of network and with a new type of chip. The hassle was that since we were on a family plan, they deteremined that I had to get a new phone too! Oddly enough, I am not complaining about the price of the phones. They gave us a nice discount. What I was upset (and obviously still am) about was that I had to turn in a perfectly good phone. I couldn't even donate it to a women's shelter, because it was so OBSOLETE. Yeah, it was only 2 years old.

Down from my soapbox for now. This rant was triggered by my laptop having a network burp and me spending an hour on the phone with a nice girl in India. She helped me out, but turns out I will be needing a new computer soon. Time to start saving up.

Life is an Adventure

2009-03-17T14:12:00.002-05:00

I am back from vacation. Nope, I didn't take one of those trendy "staycations", I got the heck outa Dodge. We went down to Florida and then took a cruise to Mexico. Yep, lots of adventures. I am not going to go into a big travel log here, but suffice to say I got to know the bartenders, snorkled with the fishies, ate still I was stuffed, and finally won a trivia game for my "ship on a stick" (aka a little trophy of the cruise ship).

It is kinda funny though, my traveling adventures often have an unforseen side effect (no, not of the intestinal parasite type). When I get back from a trip, I usually appreciate my home and everyday life more. I guess absence can make the hear grow stronger to many things.

In about a week and a half, I am going on another adventure. Believe it or not, I won a trip to a NASCAR race. I am not known as a race fan, but I am indeed known as someone who will probably try or see almost anything at least once. Why not a car race? Live entertainment is such fun! I bet the people-watching will be great too. Oh... and as a side note, I also have a 1 in 10 chance of coming home the winner of a brand new Dodge Durango. Not getting my hopes up, but it sure would make a nice tailgate vehicle. Cross your electronic fingers for me!

Vrooommmm

Mail Musings

2009-02-17T15:50:00.002-06:00

I originally titled my blog "Random Thoughts and Suggestions" because that is often how my mind operates. I have a very Seinfeld-esque way of posing questions about the most mundane things and then taking the time to actually try to ponder out some sort of solution.

Today, I am pondering Mail. It really is a pretty neat concept. The concept (and reality) of mail is changing though, and I guess that I am getting a bit sentimental as I type here in the blogosphere instead of sending off a nice letter to someone through the good 'ole postal service. When I was a little girl, there was nothing more exciting than getting a card or letter in the mail. My grandma and family would send me cute cards with news about what was going on in exciting places like "Florida" or "Colorado". Mail at summer camp was even better yet. Ahh, the joy of hearing my name called out by the camp counselors. Words from the outside to reassure me that the world kept turning even when I was stranded on a mountain and subsisting on marshmallow s'mores.

When my curiosity got the better of me I even signed up for some PenPals. Remember those? You could get on a list and write letters to a kid in some other country and swap stories about life in their world versus yours. I must admit that I was a pitiful PenPal, but the concept was still very cool.

Now that I am a "grown-up", or a reasonable facsimile thereof, Mail has an entirely different meaning. There is Bill Mail, Junk Mail, Catalogue Mail, and of course Fun Mail. Fun Mail is the best, but sadly the rarest. I love the holidays when those cards start rolling in. I love to order presents and packages and eagerly await their arrival on my doorstep. Anything is better than Bill Mail, but packages top the list.

My mom loves to retell the story about how when she was little packages arrived via the train service. A truck would then come down her street and she'd get all happy because it meant someone was getting a present. Today, I look for the FedEx or UPS trucks (don't get me started about the lackluster performance of DHL). They come rolling up my street, and I cross my fingers that they are bringing me something exciting, and not just a delivery for the home office neighbors a few doors down.

The newest kind of mail to consider is Electronic Mail. This is the newest evolution/revolution in mail. With Email, Instant Messaging, Texting, and all that other stuff that our new gizmos give us the ability to do, we have changed the concept of Mail forever. The convenience is fabulous. I can tap out a quick note to almost anyone, hit send, and then forget about it. It is quick, efficient, and sadly, rather impersonal. Yes, I don't have to buy stamps, burn gas, or use paper. So electronic might be considered a "green" way to communicate, but given all that is involved in constructing, operating, powering, delivering, and disposing of computers, the jury is still out on that one as far as I am concerned. Sometimes, I look at my childhood stamp collection and wonder if stamps will soon be something of the past. I hope not, as I would really miss those tiny little pieces of art affixed to the corner of missives.

So, I shall conclude this rambling and somewhat incoherent discussion with a salute to the glory of Mail. Long may she be delivered and long may she help us keep in touch with our fellow humans.

Time to go watch for the UPS truck now.

Printer Giveaway at "A Wrestling Addicted Mommy"

2009-02-05T10:29:00.003-06:00

Remember the days of dot matrix printers and paper that you had to tear the edges off? Well, head on over to the blog “A Wrestling Addicted Mommy” at http://lyricandariasmom.blogspot.com/ and check out the Epson Artisan 800 http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=63075471 printer that she is giving away. She has given her own Epson Artisan 800 a test drive and is raving about the quality and speed of the printer. Me? I am liking the fact that it runs on WiFi and can also serve as a FAX machine. We are all going wireless these days, and a wireless printer is just the gizmo to free you completely from being tethered to your desk. Print from the comfort of your own sofa, or even from the back deck (when the weather warms up of course).

While you are reading the review of the Epson Artisan 800 printer, take the time to look around at A Wrestling Addicted Mommy’s blog. She has some great posts on there to peruse. There is a button on my right sidebar that will take you directly to her site.

Layout Change...

2009-02-03T11:53:00.004-06:00

Pardon my dust whilst I attempt to change my blog layout. I am trying to jazz up the layout and at more personal touches. Let me know what you think of the new layout. I will be tinkering with it over the next few days. It is a work in progress.

Check out my "dancing penguin" button and feel free to add it to your own blog!

Historic Photos of Nashville, by Jan Duke... a great book

2009-02-03T09:19:00.002-06:00

I have lived in Nashville now for nearly twenty years. I have to say that I love my adopted home. It is such a beautiful city with so much to offer for residents and visitors alike. Recently, the folks at Turner Publishing, here in Nashville, sent me a wonderful book to look over and review. The book, “Historic Photos of Nashville”, by Jan Duke is a treasure trove of images from Nashville’s long and colorful history. The photos are expertly reproduced in a very clear format so that you can really get a sense of what the photographer was trying to show us as well as a feeling as to what life in Nashville’s past was like.

The photos in this book span the period from the Civil War through the development of Metropolitan Nashville to the 1970s. Images have been collected from many different archival sources in order to bring together a broad recordation of Nashville’s history. The photos vary from formal shots of grand structures and events to small glimpses into the life of the city’s residents. The book does not present any specific interpretation of Nashville’s history. There is no grand thesis being argued here. Instead, the reader/viewer is simply presented with these historic photographs and given the opportunity to draw from them what they will. It is an interesting way to present history, and I have to admit, it left me wanting more. My one minor criticism would be that I would love to have the stories behind more of these photographs; however, I realize that that was not the purpose of this volume. This book tells a story, but lets you fill in the blanks for yourself.

There are several photos in particular that really appealed to me. I tend to like historic photos that give you hints into the ordinary daily lives of our predecessors. Many of the grand public buildings still survive today, thank goodness, but the smaller non-descript structures and the businesses and people they housed are mostly gone. One image, of Printers alley, circa 1880s, is a particular favorite. Today, Printers Alley remains, but it is a strip of Honky Tonks, clubs, and bars. The photo on page 33 shows how Printers Alley got its name. The American Paper Box Company was one of the many suppliers for all of the Printing Businesses on Printers Alley. The photo shows us a horse and carriage parked out in front of the business and several signs advertising the warehouses’ goods.

I also really like the photos of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition of 1897. Few of the original buildings from this great fair are still standing. Most famous, at least here in Nashville, is the replica of the Greek Parthenon. Today, it houses a wonderful art gallery. During the Exposition, it was but one of a collection of fantastical buildings that included an Egyptian pyramid, castle towers, a hall filled with the latest advances in machinery, and a giant Seesaw. Centennial Park is a favorite spot for Nashvillians to take in a little fresh and maybe feed some ducks, but this book gives you a lot more to consider during your stroll through the park.

I truly recommend this book to Nashvillians and general history buffs alike. The photos are particular to Nashville, but anyone interested in our not-so-distant past will enjoy flipping through the pages of images.

Historic Photos of Nashville
Text and Captions by Jan Duke
2005 Turner Publishing, Nashville, TN
ISBN: 1-59652-184-8

Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce

2009-01-25T14:22:00.001-06:00

I have a tasty sauce to tell you about today. The nice folks at Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce sent me a couple of bottles to try out. They have a lot of great recipes that you can try out at their website www.countrybobs.com . Being the avid grillers and cookers that we are, we decided to try to incorporate the sauce into some everyday cooking. I think the real test of a product is whether or not it can become a staple in your cooking.

I am happy to report that Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce is going to be a permanent addition to our kitchen pantry! We first tried out the sauce on a couple of steaks. We didn’t do anything special with the steaks. We simply marinated in Country Bob’s for about ½ hour and then grilled them up (indoors, as it was 11 degrees outside). The sauce went great with the beef. The sauce has a light barbeque flavor, but also has a nice tang of citrus. Overall, it is a rather sweet flavorful sauce without a lot of heat. A few nights later, my husband got creative and mixed some Country Bob’s with a little soy sauce. He browned up the flank steak and in a pan with butter, garlic, and some other spices. Next he poured the Country Bob’s sauce over the meat and placed a lid over the pan. This cooking method kept the juices in the meat. After resting, the steak was sliced and served over some long grain rice. Flank steak is tricky and can be very tough and chewy. The flank steak came out tender, juicy, and flavorful.

While I have to give credit where credit is due, my husband is a great cook, I also want to recommend that you try out Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce. The sauce is delicious as a dipping sauce but also works great for cooking. We next plan to try it out with a nice pork loin. I think the hints of citrus and sweet undertones will go great with pork. In fact, I think that this is a very versatile sauce that will go great with most types of meat, poultry, and fish. Go out and experiment and let me know what you think. Me? I give it a two-thumb’s up.

Yet Another Cold This Season?

2009-01-22T12:40:00.002-06:00

Is anyone else having problems staying healthy this winter? This is my third cold so far this season. Well, I have to admit that it is actually getting hard to tell when one round of the funk ends and another begins. I know, I know, I need to take better care of myself. We all do. I think that that is part of the problem. We are committed to so many things that we fail to stop and just "be" sometimes. I propose a new holiday... the "just be" day. On this day, everyone sleeps in late and does not accomplish one single productive thing task. Reading a good book or watching a good movie are exceptions, as long as their consumption is not in order to fulfill some goal or given task. So... who's with me? Don't we all just need a break and to get ourselves healthy in mind and body????

Cool New Cutting Tool

2009-01-20T14:10:00.002-06:00

Check out the great new cutting tool and giveaway at www.oneprojectcloser.com . http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/giveaways/skil-cordless-lithium-ion-power-cutter-giveaway/#comment-20106 I am always looking to try out a new and fun gizmo. Gotta admit that some tools are more complicated than they have to be, but this little powered cutter looks like a great and handy device. According to the review at oneprojectcloser, the blade is self-sharpening. That's a plus unto itself. It is also small and compact, so it is a power tool that you can keep in a drawer or cupboard inside the house and not have to go and hunt down somewhere out in the garage or shed.

The End of The Football Season is a Beginning

2009-01-12T11:00:00.003-06:00

Yes, my beloved Titans let me down this weekend. We are officially out of the playoffs. No more tailgating and cheering for football till next season. Yes, I am disappointed, but I have found that by the end of the season, I am ready to move on and devote my attentions elsewhere. Don't get me wrong, a trip to the Superbowl would have been phenomenal, but the end of the Football season is not the end of my fun. This is the beginning of a new season of the the year for me. I will have my Sundays free from committment. Maybe I will actually get some stuff done around the house. I can work on my aquariums. I will go to Hockey games. I will go to the Symphony. I will continue to spend time with my friends. Life is a constant series of opportunities and adventures. Thank-you Titans for a great season. See you next year!

Home Improvement Website Part II

2009-01-06T12:53:00.002-06:00

I want to give another Shout-Out to one of my new favorite blogs and newsletters. Hubby and I have grand plans for home improvements, but to be honest, we don't really know what we are doing. We are very capable and handy, but we need a little help deciding what products and systems best fit our needs. I have discovered Home Construction Improvement . Todd Fratzel has lots of experience in the home construction business and writes some great articles to educate us wannabes. He also has some dandy giveaways on his site to. His blog also has a link to his other site that address Green Home Construction. I know that we are all interested in how we can make changes to our lives that help preserve the environment for the future.

Confessions of a Wii Addict...

2009-01-05T09:21:00.003-06:00

Hello, My name is Jen, and I am addicted to my Wii. There, I said it. It's out there for the world to judge me by.

Last October, we cashed in a bunch of credit card points and bought ourselves a Wii game system. Now, I have never been much of a "Gamer" (gotta love my use of the hip lingo). I am not very adept at pushing buttons A and B at the same time as standing on my head and reciting the Constitution. I am more of a push button A and hope the thing shoots some other thing. But... now the Wii came along. It is the answer to all of us who loved our Atari and Pong games. this game is as simple or complicated as you want to make it. Even my 76 year old mom can play it. I am fascinated by the fact that it actually mimics your moves in real life with the moves on the screen. It is amazing technology that can turn even the most technologically and digitally challenged amonst us into "Gamers".

We have several games to play on our Wii now (about 8, I think), but by far my favorite is Mario Kart. You get to use a little steering wheel to race your kart or motorbike around on fantastic imaginary worlds and courses. I love it. I get to ram other cars, race my husband, and sometimes even blow stuff up. Well, if I manage to stay on the course and not race off the edge into oblivion only to see my little kart turn into a roiling ball of fire... Oh, and get this, you can play some Wii games, like Mario Kart, over the internet. Yes, you can challenge your buddies, the annoying kid next door, or even some unknown dude in Norway to a round of Mario Kart. It's a blast to kick peoples butts by remote. All the glory without even changing out of your loungy clothes or leaving the sofa.

Finally, since it sounds like this game is turning me into a Couch Potato, I want to make sure everyone knows that the Wii can also help you exercise. The boxing game is particularly taxing on the old body. Our neighbors recently bought the Wii Fit board, and say that the exercise programs on that game are also wonderful. So... maybe that will be my next toy.

Happy Wii-ing!

The Holiday Hectic Headache

2008-12-15T13:11:00.002-06:00

Today, I want to post some musings as a bit of a follow-up to my previous Economic posting. Not only is money tight, but so is time. I think that we all get a little Holiday-Crazy every December and try to live up to what are sometimes unrealistic expectations that we place on ourselves. I live a full and wonderful life with my husband and two kitties. We too many wonderful friends to count. We are always on the go to a concert, dinner, sporting event, whatever. Frankly, life is pretty darn good. Then... come the holidays. I am a big big big Christmas junkie. I love to decorate, find the perfect gift, wrap things creatively, cook, and bake. The problem is, that there is no stretching of the space time continuum during the holidays. Frankly, I think this is not fair of the universe, but I apparently have no real say in the laws of physices, so I am forced to adjust. Too much to do and not enough time and space. Sound familiar? Well, this year, I am subtly rebelling a bit. Finances demand that I cut back on some things, and this has helped me get a clearer picture on how I want to spend my holiday time. As I said in my previous post, it is all about the people in our lives.

This year, I am going to take time to stop and smell the Fraser Firs and sip a little hot cider. The indoor decorations are up, but the outdoor ones just may have to be skipped in honor of curling up on the sofa and watching It's a Wonderful Life for the millionth time. I want to spend this time enjoying the company of my family and friends. Less worrying about it being a perfect Christams... more time appreciating the life I already have.

Economic Ponderings

2008-12-04T12:26:00.002-06:00

Money is tight these days. I think that we are all feeling the crunch. The media is whipping us up into a scared frenzy. We are being pushed to buy stuff to "save" the economy, at the same time that we are being advised to watch our pennies because people are losing jobs everywhere. So... I wanted to throw out some ideas that we can all use to save money this season and perhaps in general. Nothing earth-shaking here, just common sense suggestions. Feel free to add some of your own.
Use Coupons
Comparison shop (on-line, advertisements, between stores, etc.)
Search the internet for discount codes or special "members only" specials
Buy online and use free shipping
Carpool
Map out your route ahead of time when you are running errands
Use "frequent shopper" programs to accumlate discounts and free merchandise
Give baked goods as gifts
Make up "themed" gift baskets of lots of small items. (i.e. travel sizes for someone going on a trip or health foods for a workout buddy)
Don't spend too much on wrappings.
Make a personalized gift (i.e. ornaments, glassware, T-shirt, etc.)
Give to a charity in someone's name (i.e. ASPCA, Red Cross, Salvation Army, World Wildlife Fund)
Make a budget and KEEP TO IT (this is the hardest tip of all)
Search out Sr. Citizen discounts and take your mom and/or dad shopping
Send E-Cards instead of paper cards in the mail (saves stamp money and environmentally friendly)

Anyways, that's all I have for now. I will continue to ponder.

Happy Shopping Everyone! Remember, it is truly the people and not the STUFF that makes the holiday season wonderful.

Let's Play a Game

2008-11-18T15:05:00.002-06:00

Hey, go and check out Jo-Jo's Place at http://momof2andwife.blogspot.com/2008/11/savvy-moms-christmas-gift-basket.html she is giving away some fun games to amuse the whole family. The great prize includes a basket with a Nintendo DS, Guitar Hero for DS, Rubiks World for DS, Scrabble 60th Anniversary Edition, and Cranium Family Edition. I have never played Cranium, but it is definitely on my list of family games to try out. While you are there, explore around Jo Jo's place. There's lots to read up on.

Home Improvement Website/Blog

2008-11-04T19:04:00.011-06:00

I know that everyone has about a thousand things that they plan to get done around the house. Here at Casa Jen, we are no different. Having grown up in a "non-handy" household, I often turn to the web to help me learn how to complete home improvement projects. Today, I found this great site at Home Construction Improvement
. There is a wealth of knowledge there to help us do-it-yourselfers and even the pros get their projects done. Even better, they are currently having a contest to give away a $100 Home Depot gift card to help us out. I see some new bathroom vanity lights in my future....

I Won the Contest

2008-10-14T19:37:00.004-05:00

Yeah!!! Woo Hooo.... I am going on the road with Pop Evil for the weekend. Thanks to everyone that helped me win. I will report back about the trip after I win.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey EVERYONE... Please go to YouTube and watch my video. If I get the most views I win a trip as a Roadie for the Weekend with the band Pop Evil. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go and watch the video. There are three of us competing. This is the biggest prize that I have ever been up for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeiHkJYVW3Q

THANKS!!!!

Football Season

2008-09-11T10:58:00.003-05:00

I know that there are four seasons on the calendar. I understand that they are tied to the movement of the earth around the sun. Yeah... I get all of that, but I still argue that they need to add an additional sub-season to the calendar. Yes folks, IT'S FOOTBALL SEASON!!! For some, this may simply mean that they get to go to the mall on Weekends and have fewer crowds to deal with. For others, it may mean that traffic is crazy on game day near the stadium. For me... well, Football pretty much takes over my free time between August and January. Between the food, drinkees, gatherings with friends, screaming at the T.V., fashions, and fantasy statistics, football keeps me pretty busy. I love this time of year.

Living in a Star Trek World

2008-08-26T13:13:00.001-05:00

Like many kids, I grew up watching Star Trek. I was fascinated by the gizmos, cultures, and general Star Trek universe. I even grew up to be a liberal-techno-geek-archaeologist. Pretty much livin’ the Star Trek way. I was also a fan of Next Generation and Voyager, but I never really liked Deep Space Nine, as it broke the cardinal rule. They rarely went where no Man (or one) has gone before. They stayed on that silly station and fought border wars. It was a little too like the real world and the conflicts in the Mideast for my taste.

Anyway, back to my “point”. I am known to often comment on how much our lives these days are like Star Trek. Beyond my personal techno-anthro-liberal lifestyle, I have noticed how much of our daily life was but a fantasy back in the days of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. Let’s consider a few of the obvious points in common…

1.. The communicator – Flips up, wireless, beeps, and can transmit your location. Sounds a lot like most cell phones with GPS. The Next Generation pin-on communicators look just like Bluetooth headsets!
2. The Tri-corder – These varied in size and shape, but we now have portable heart-rate monitors, breathalyzers, and blood sugar monitors. Medicine is all about the small and portable these days.
3. Data Pads – Amazon Kindle anyone? Laptops? Yeah, they’re everywhere.
4. Holodecks – We have all sorts of virtual worlds to explore these days. Be it with special goggles, giant movie screens, or even your Wii, we are not limited to living in reality anymore. The characters even interact with you just like on the holodeck.
5. Viewscreens – Flat Panel T.V.s work just like them. You can even hook your laptop and webcam up to them and speak to someone across the galaxy… uh well, maybe only the world.
6. Weapons - Nuff said. We can zap anyone anywhere these days.

So… those are my random thoughts of the moment. Feel free to comment or add your own real life parallels to science fiction.

And… if you don’t agree with my points, well, “Damnit Jim, I’m a blogger not editorialist.”

Blood Cancer can touch anyone's life

2008-08-15T13:29:00.002-05:00

Reading the inspirational stories at the Blogging for Blood Cancer site has really opened my eyes up to how this disease can effect lives. Please go and read the stories of these brave survivors. I love that people rise to the ocassion and fight back. They are not victims, they are survivors. I applaud them and encourage the rest of you to keep spreading the word and awareness.

Food Network Swag at My Wooden Spoon!

2008-08-14T18:49:00.002-05:00

Hi, my name is Jennifer, and I am a Food Network addict.
Every year, I wait to see what new shows they are going to launch on the channel o' food. I anxiously watch the "Next Food Network Star" show trying to size up the talent. Well, they have launched two new great shows. One show "Ask Aida" even lets you interact with the host. To help us get in the spirit of the new show one of my favorite websites mywoodenspoon.com is hosting a giveaway of some great Food TV swag. Go check out the site and enjoy her great looks at food and kitchen gizmos.

http://mywoodenspoon.com/2008/08/13/in-the-kitchen-with-cooking-for-real-and-ask-aida/#comment-9091

Light the Night for Blood Cancer Awareness

2008-08-14T10:50:00.003-05:00

So, I am outa shape like many of you. Kudos to those who have not abandonned their workout regime like I have. But... even with my wonky hip I can walk. Today, I recommend that you go to http://www.friendsofheroes.org/walker-resources/ to learn about how you can participate in a local Light the Night Walk for blood cancer. The site will tell you how to get sponsors, organize your own walk, or join up with a planned walk. Trust me, there is a walk coming to your town soon. Let's raise some money folks!

Oh, and last night I was discussing the wonderful "Blogging for Blood Cancer" even with my husband, and he reminded me that he once helped to diagnose blood cancers. He is a cytotechnologist, meaning, he diagnoses cancer cells for a living. He looks at them under a microscope and determines if they are "sick". When he first started out in this field, he worked at a hospital that was developing it's blood cancer diagnosis unit. I am so proud of him and his work toward saving lives.

The Science and What You Need to Know About Blood Cancer

2008-08-13T11:45:00.002-05:00

I am continuing to educate myself about Blood Cancer. I have been discussing the topic with my co-workers and family. It is amazing how many people know someone who has been personally affected by this disease. Today, I'd like to encourage you to take a look at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's website. There are a lot of great links there that will help us all to understand what we can do to raise awareness as well as learn more about how to live with the disease. The discussion boards look particularly helpful. It is always great to speak to people who have the direct scoop.

http://www.leukemia.org/hm_lls

Factoids about Blood Cancer

2008-08-12T10:45:00.002-05:00

I am continuing my campaign as part of the Blogging For Blood Cancer event. Below are some factoids that I found interesting and may help you to better understand this disease and the fight against it. I encourage you to do some research of your own and post some factoids to further educate me.

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 16,600 new cases of myeloma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Bone pain is the most common early symptom of myeloma. Most patients feel pain in their back or ribs, but it can occur in any bone. The pain is usually made worse by movement.

Bone marrow transplants are commonly being used today for the treatment of blood cancers and other maladies, and as the body regenerates its immune system after the process, nutritional needs are more important than ever. What are these needs, you may ask? Head over to The Diet Channel and find out.

Transplants of special cells in the blood stream may be more effective than bone marrow transplants in patients who receive high-dose chemotherapy for blood cancer, according to a large randomized trial reported in the New England Journal of Medicine on January 18, 2001(see the journal abstract).

Blood Cancer Awareness

2008-08-11T12:22:00.002-05:00

Today is the day... Blogging for Blood Cancer has begun. My frequent readers have noticed the button posted on my blog for a while now, but today I want to actually talk about this cause. I am so impressed by the blogging community for getting involved. Check out the blog at http://www.friendsofheroes.org/blog for more info. All forms of cancer are scary, and maybe not fun to talk about, but it is through awareness that our funding dollars and resources get channeled to the researchers who are making a difference. On a personal note, when I was a little girl, I had some bloodwork done to figure out why I kept getting sick. This was back in the early 70's and research has taken leaps and bounds since then. Well, the lab came back with some scary results. The doctor called my mom and told her that I might have Leukemia. Several blood tests later they determined that I did not have this frightening disease, but to this day, I remember how just the possibility was enough to profoundly effect my family. I can only imagine how brave the families of folks with this disease must be. Let's help them out folks. Talk, blog, read, discuss... we have a lot of power by just spreading the word.

Beautiful and Beneficial Salt Lamps

2008-08-05T12:11:00.002-05:00

I have to tell you about these gorgeous lamps that I have been seeing all over the web. They are "Himalayan Salt Lamps". They are giant crystals that give off a beautiful glow. They come in several colors from Solay Wellness at http://www.natural-salt-lamps.com/ . They increase the negative ions in the air and help people with respiratory problems. I soooo very much want one of these. They are both beautiful and beneficial to your heath. Well... guess what? www.dkmommyspot.com is giving one away!!! This site has lots of wonderful articles and suggestions and some great giveaway. Sign up for their email newsletter, it is filled with great info. too.

Digital Photo Frame

2008-08-03T15:28:00.002-05:00

Yes, I have yet to enter into the world of digital photo frames. Everyone seems to have one. They look sooo cool. Well, over at www.lisareviews.com she is giving away a Sony Digital Photo Frame. this amazing gizmo will hold 1000 photos. Yep, you could watch your life fly by before your eyes every single day. Check out her blog there is a lot of great info. there.

Coach Purses

2008-07-30T12:52:00.003-05:00

A very good friend of mine used to be a secret shopper for Coach. Oh how I envied her. She got lots of free products. Well, head over to http://laviedelaurie.com/2008/07/28/enter-my-bloggy-giveaway-for-coach/#comment-4158 for a chance to win your own free Coach Bag. Laurie is running a contest for a beautiful and stylish Hobo bag. Yeah, spreading the word is definitely cutting into my chance of winning, but Laurie's site is cool, so I shall sacrifice my little secret in the name of helping my fellow woman (or I guess some men too).

Fiesta Time

2008-07-24T19:38:00.003-05:00

Okay, everyone knows that I love a good party, and as a former California girl and frequent visitor to Mexico, I gotta say that the new contest at www.mywoodenspoon.com is fabulous. She is giving away salsa and party supplies. I didn't know that Pace had come out with a bunch of new flavors of salsa. I would love to give them a try. Yeah... doesn 't a salsa tasting party sound fun? Well, add some cold Negro Modelo's and you have a great time in the making. Go check out the blog at mywoodenspoon and take the time to check out her other recipes and content too.

Something Snappy

2008-07-21T13:14:00.000-05:00

I just found the blog "Something Snappy" at http://somethingsnappee.blogspot.com/ . She has some reviews of some great little gizmos, as well as links to some other great blogs. Right now, she is giving away a "ClipHanger". This little allows you to hang your cell phone or MP3 player just about anywhere. (i.e. purse, car, belt loop, etc.)

Boy, I need to invent a cool little gizmo. These things all make such sense, and seem so useful.

Bugs Be-Gone with ThisFullHouse

2008-07-16T19:04:00.000-05:00

So, last weekend we had our friends over to grill out on the back deck. The temperature had cooperated and it was really nice out. My huband stood by the grill creating yummy wings. The rest of us waited and anticipated. Then.... they struck. Mosquitos and bugs everywhere. We were chased inside to eat our dinner.

Well, there is hope at http://www.thisfullhouse.com/reviews/2008/07/this-full-hou-1.html?cid=122612838#comment-122612838 . She is holding a great giveaway of some bug repellent and picnic supplies. Sounds like heaven huh?

Take a look around at ThisFullHouse.com. There is a lot of fun content there!

We should all be so optimistic and inspired.

2008-07-16T12:04:00.000-05:00

Please take a look at Aimee's blog at http://aimeeroo.com/ . She has done the coolest thing. She has a list of 101 things that she wants to do in 1001 days. What a great idea. She has updates on her progress. It's a fun blog to read!

Greenification is on the move

2008-07-16T11:37:00.000-05:00

www.GreenYourDecor.com is a great website that I have found. Browse about this site for lots of wonderful information on how to "green" your home. The suggestions for green-friendly livingroom decor is amazing. I didn't know that so many companies were beginning to make enviro-friendly products. Maybe we are taking a turn for the better here.

Cookie Bouquets and a great blog.

2008-07-14T14:32:00.001-05:00

Got a new blog for you to check out. Head over to AccidentalMommies.com and read the fun info there. While you're at it, she is running a sweep for a free cookie bouquet from "Cookies by Design". These yummy treats look so cute. They have selections for all sorts of occasions. The housewarming baskets would be particularly great for a new neighbor. Just think... you give them cookies, they bake for you later. Reciprocity is wonderful folks!

Movies that are important to see, if not enjoyable...

2008-07-08T10:25:00.000-05:00

Today, I want to point you in the direction of checking out films that lack fluff and frankly are not that fun to watch. Unfortunately, we live in a pretty messed up world. Many of us are shielded from the misery that surrounds us and the only way to learn about the suffering of others is through the media. Since there invention, movies have helped to bring issues and our common humanity to the attention of the public. Movies such as Schindler's List or Hotel Rwanda may not be fun to watch, and/or appropriate for small children, but they are important.

check out the blog at http://www.sevendogsandababy.com/2008/07/city-of-men-is-not-at-all-what-i_07.html . She is giving away a recent DVD, "Children of God" that is worthy of our attention.

Popcorn, food of the gods.

2008-06-17T09:56:00.000-05:00

http://fairytaletreasureshop.com/?p=276#comment-705

This wonderful site is giving away an Orville Rdenbacker’s Popcorn sample kit to two lucky visitors of Fairy Tale Treasure Shop. Each winner will receive a few bags of microwave popcorn, a cute popcorn bowl, and a couple of coupons.

I love to munch on popcorn. It is a healthy and satisfying snack. Isn't microwave popcorn amazing? Times have changed since I was a kid watching out Joe Namath Popocorn popper heat up and pop those kernels. Take a look at this site and enjoy!

Great Skin Care Giveaway

2008-06-16T12:33:00.001-05:00

Here's another wonderful opportunity for some self-pampering. Check out dkmommyspot at http://dkmommyspot.com/loccitane-skincare-giveaway/ for a chance at $98 worth of L’Occitane Ultra Comforting line! Check out their other products through her link at the site. Again girls, let's pamper ourselves. We can all use it!

Great Travel Gear

2008-06-12T12:33:00.000-05:00

Sassyfrazz has a great giveaway going on at her blog... http://sassyfrazz.blogspot.com/2008/06/lug-travel-giveaway.html for travel gear from Lug Travel. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to travel. This particular site has some great products for day trips or over-nighters. I think I need to run away this weekend myself.

Sweepers and Bloggers Unite!

2008-06-12T11:52:00.001-05:00

I have a kindred spirit (well lots I suppose, but that's a scary concept...). Please take a look at http://www.myloonyverse.com/2008/06/win-amazon-gc-or-ols-premium-membership.html for a great blog that has a lot of good sweeping information. (no, not the kind with a broom)

Make a new friend.

French Elegance

2008-06-10T13:00:00.000-05:00

http://dkmommyspot.com/lartisan-parfumeur-giveaway/#comments

Wonderful organic products for your mind, body at L’Artisan Parfumeur . dkmommyspot is having a giveaway of these lovely and elegant products. Check out the blog and site. We can all use some pampering sometimes. Treat yourself!

Build A Bear and Island Review

2008-06-10T12:44:00.000-05:00

The Island Review is having another great giveaway. Who doesn't love Build-a-Bear Workshop http://www.buildabear.com/default.aspx ? Well go and check out http://islandreview.blogspot.com/2008/06/review-giveaway-build-bear-workshop.html for some great blogging and a chance to win a gift card to share with someone special. Hey, make a day of it. Build a little furry friend, take it to the movies, and then go out to eat. Life is fun, and the folks at Island Review definitely understand that.

You only get one shot, have a great time in life!

Kitchenaide Mixe

2008-06-08T20:46:00.001-05:00

http://ribbonrockstarhairbows.blogspot.com/2008/06/lets-mix-it-up-kitchenaid-giveaway.html

Take a look at this site. She has great blogs and is currently giving away a wonderful mixer.

A great cause... let's raise some money

2008-06-06T13:03:00.000-05:00

Please go and check out the blog at http://our3day.com/2008/06/05/race-for-the-cure/ . It will give you lots of good information and links about The Race for the Cure. We all need to do our part to help come up with a cure for Breast Cancer. If you aren't in Dallas, check out the events in your own city.

You can even enter a contest to win a pink I-Pod Nano.
http://our3day.com/2008/06/05/enter-our-june-giveaway/

come on my cooking buddies!

2008-06-05T21:00:00.000-05:00

http://mywoodenspoon.com/2008/06/04/wilton-muffin-pans-reynolds-handi-vac-giveaway/

I love this blog. My woodenspoon has great cooking info. and some great contests.

Check it out! gizmos gizmos gizmos

Art Supplies Giveaway

2008-06-05T13:51:00.000-05:00

Check out http://www.sevendogsandababy.com/2008/06/markers-that-wont-leave-marks-on-walls.html at the Seven Dogs and a baby blog for a contest that is giving away some great Crayola art supplies.

Stop and take a look around the site it has a lot of great information and links for moms and women in general.

Another great site with a contest

2008-06-03T21:46:00.000-05:00

Kathryne Kennedy - Second Magical Jewel Contest

Check it out!

THE RELICS OF MERLIN SERIES: DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT & ENCHANTING THE LADY
"Simply delightful!"~Publishers Weekly
Please visit: http://www.KathryneKennedy.com

Protect a Bed and a take a cruise!

2008-06-03T11:47:00.000-05:00

Check out this wonderful product at http://www.protectabed.com/. It will help many a parent to feel more secure and keep precious little babies safe.

Also, take a look at http://metropolitanmama.net/2008/06/sail-away-to-a-good-nights-sleep-contest/ for a contest related to protect-a-bed that is giving away a free cruise. I love metromomma is one of my fav. sites for fun and great information.

Contest for a free DVD

2008-06-02T12:30:00.000-05:00

http://www.liveandletdi.com/my_weblog/2008/06/eight-below.html

Check out her great and amusing blog and get a chance to win Eight-Below on DVD.

A talking first aid kit!

2008-06-01T19:46:00.000-05:00

Check this out at mommymandy.com ! Great website and what a fun giveaway.

a fun summer read...

2008-05-29T12:54:00.000-05:00

Check out this great review of an amusing book entitled... "Skid", by Rene Gutteridge.

http://sassyfrazz.blogspot.com/2008/05/skid-book-review-and-giveaway.html

Take a look around sassyfrazz and let me know what you think.

I am all about the cooking!

2008-05-27T15:08:00.000-05:00

http://nerdfamilyfood.blogspot.com/2008/05/food-network-giveaway.html

Check out this site! They are giving away some great Food Network Swag! I dream of being the next Food Network star... or at least beating my husband in an Iron Chef competition!

First Thoughts

2008-05-27T15:03:00.000-05:00

I absolutely love any kind of kitchen gadget. Pampered Chef is one of the greatest sources of fun toys for the kitchen.

Check out http://www.genesismoments.com/awritersjourney/2008/05/my-pampered-chef-site-is-up-and-running.html for a new Pampered Chef site.