Tuesday, June 30, 2009

TMI Tuesday


1. How many speeding tickets have you had? Accidents? I haven't got a speeding ticket yet and I couldn't possibly write the answer to the last part. Not because I have had many accidents but because I am superstitious.

2. Boxers, briefs or commando? It depends on the day, the tides and the sequence of the planets and such. To answer this question would mean one day, somehow I will have to show proof and you just never know which day it might be. *blush*


3. Have you ever had sex in your office or your place of employment? I have had something like sex but not actual sex if we are saying sex is penetration. Are we?

4. Do you or your so own a motorcycle? Do you ever ride one? Do you wear a helmet when you ride? No I do not own one but I have rode on the back of on. Not in a sexy, hog hugging kinda way but as a teenager taking an occasional ride around the back on her cousins fat boy Harley. He would never take me on his bike without a helmet. He's a cop and that would be a crime.

5. Ever been skinny dipping? Yes but it was in a pool and there was only one other person there. I am not sure if what I did was skinny dipping considering I wasn't actually skinny. I was actually quite curvy. So many I would call it curvy dipping.

Bonus: Ever been arrested? Turned someone in/had someone arrested? No, but I'm still young

Monday, June 29, 2009

Ruby Tuesday - Gems And Jewels of the Garden


Last week I took the kids to a local farm and took a bunch of photos of the flowers there. I love taking pictures of flowers and wish I had a macro lens to really get the detail.



The Jewels this Ruby Tuesday are of a necklace I strung last week. I wanted to see if I could do it. I really love the way it came out and the colors of the red look amazing!


Precious Moments Girls Club Pup, Book, & Online Access Code Giveaway



Hey everyone!

Summer is here and the kids are getting out of school for a hopefully, fun, safe summer.
Thanks to Mom Select I was able to review the second book in the Precious Girls Club series called Operation Kindness and one of two stuffed animals, as well as enter the Virtual world of Precious Moments Precious Girls Club.


If you are not familiar with the Precious Girls Club let me tell you about them. The Precious Girls Club is a wonderful, safe, online environment for your little girls to create their own characters (or "avatars"), decorate their rooms, explore our town, socialize, play games and even shop "virtually" using the points they earn on the site. PGC games reinforce such virtues as helpfulness, kindness, responsibility, loving and caring. In addition to points, many activities award "virtual" virtue charms. And, it's all fun!

Here is the front page of the website.


Online "chat" in Precious Girls Club is safe! PGC members can only communicate with other members. And, girls "talk" using sentences and questions pre-written by Precious Girls Club - no surprises!

PGC makes it easy for mothers to participate in their daughters' online activities. From your own page on our website, you can email from the "real" world to your daughter's "virtual laptop" in her Precious Girls Club room. So, when your child demonstrates "caring" in the real world, you can send her a congratulatory message and points toward an online "caring" charm. The parent's section even suggests ideas for helping your daughter earn her virtue charms at home or in her community. Precious Girls who earn all five virtue charms are awarded a pair of angel wings and the ability to fly - good for a limited-time and only online, of course!

In A Nutshell: Precious Girls Club is something we parents can stand behind. A company that supports teaching values, morals and being a good person is something that the mass media has stopped concerning themselves with. Most companies are appealing to the hip, funky styles that is fine too but there should be choices and with Precious Girls Club we have a choice. There is no reason to rush our children into growing up and I love that Precious Girls Club is all about the virtues I want for my daughter such as kindness, caring, modesty, truthfulness and the rest you can find here.

The website is so much fun and your daughter will love creating her room and meeting the characters of Precious Girls Club especially Katy.

Head over to their website for more information and to read chapter 1 of the Operation Kindness book.

As for the Giveaway I have the Precious Girls Club Book 2 Operation Kindness and the brown dog. It was a tough pick when I asked my daughter which one she wanted to keep and which one would go to a new home she was heartbroken. "Mommy, I don't want one of them to go." I explained that one would be going to a loving home and that we couldn't keep both, she was ok with that. We filmed a beautiful video about the animals and book and she said, she was hoping the dog would go to a good home and that you would take care of it but for some reason the video wasn't on the camera when I tried to load it onto the computer. I was bummed because it was adorable. Oh well, I digress...




Enter to win the Brown Pup & Operation Kindness Book!
Precious Moments has generously provided me with a Brown Pup and the second book, Operation Kindness, for one of my readers!

To Enter The Giveaway: You must be a subscriber or follower! Head over to Precious Moments Girls Club and tell me something you learned about the Precious Girls Club. (If this rule is not followed you will be disqualified). (US Only! 18+ Years Only!)

Deadline: July 13, 2009 (midnight)
Do You Want More Entries?

1 Extra - Who would be getting the Book and Pup?

1 Extra - Blog about this contest and link back to me (provide the link in the comment).

1 Extra -
Add me to your blogroll

1 Extra -Add us to your technorati favorites

1 Extra - Follow me on Twitter

1 Extra - Tweet this and leave the URL link.

1 Extra- Post my button on your sidebar


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A winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified within 2 days. You will have 3 days to claim your prize or another winner will be chosen.

I've Picked Some Winners



The Winner of the $30.00 Gift Certificate sponsored by Skin Free is.....

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

11

Timestamp: 2009-06-29 21:51:55 UTC

Courtney is the winner - She wants Niaouli Butter Stick™ and After Shower Moisture Spritz



The winner of the Target.com Gift Card Sponsored by Got Free Cards is.....

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

115

Timestamp: 2009-06-29 21:57:20 UTC


Elita- Check out her blog Blackstating, and congratulate her if you have a chance.

Free Cards is your best resource of

And last but certainly not least is the winner of the Jake Bakes Giveaway, the winner is...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

18

Timestamp: 2009-06-29 22:09:38 UTC


Maria W - Who obviously has a chocolate thing! Girl after my own heart. "I would definitely choose: chocolate chocolate chip cookie, farmer's market, double chocolate, chocolate chocolate, oatty chocolate, carmel corn"

Congratulations to all the winners.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Manic Monday Meme Madness


This week we headed to a farm and spent a couple of hours. The kids love it because beside the animals and a wood train for them to climb on, there is a sand box to sit in. We have a sand box but it the kind you stand at and play. Kids love getting dirty.Play along with Mellow Yellow Monday by clicking here.
Whenever I see a batch of daisy I think of The Magic Garden.
Damn I loved that show when I was little. We miss you Paula & Carole.

For Blue Monday I am submitting my first batch of hand made jewelry. Blue is my favorite color so I noticed most of the jewelry I am designing, centers around the color blue.
Monday Crazy question : Likes Or Dislikes

1. what would you say is your biggest blessing ? My two beautiful babies.

2. do you shop on line...Home goods or personal items? Can you tell us what personal items you look for?? I do shop online but mostly it is virtual window shopping and it is no one thing.

3. Name a song from your past that you have always loved. what year was it recorded? Rhiannon & Sara by Stevie Nicks. Anything Fleetwood Mac makes me long for my childhood.

4. If you found out there was a pedophile living in your neighborhood, would you take any action or ignore the fact?? I would watch very closely. I wouldn't like it. Obviously if I know they are a pedophile they must be registered so I would tell everyone I know to be very aware. I don't believe in witch hunts. What kind of action can you take? Bang on their door with shovels and pitchforks, shouting devil words and thrusting up fists? We can't force anyone out of town but we can pay attention and know what they are up to all the time.

5. If you could live in any city In the USA...what would it be. I would like to live somewhere where there is no humidity and the slew of bugs I contend with.

6. what is the one city you wouldn't live in even if you were paid to!? I don't know enough about every city to say that there is a city that doesn't have a good section.
7. If you were strapped for cash would you ask a parent or sibling for money? Nope. Never.

8. what is your most favorite thing to do to relax when you are not working? These days, make jewelry it changes all the time.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Sunday Stealing - The ABC Meme


Sunday Stealing:-

A – An advantage you have – I can juggle a ton of things at one time.

B – Blue or brown eyes – Hazel

C – Chore you hate – Cleaning the bathroom

D – Dad’s name – Robert/Bobby

E – Essential start of your day – Coffee

F – Favorite color – Blue

G – Greatest thing you’ve ever done that made you feel really good – Nursing my babies until they were ready to be done.

H – Habit you have – Bitting my nails.

I – Issue you hate that the world tries to make you pursue – Too many to think about

J – Job title – Mom, wife, friend, accountant, chef, teacher, doctor, dentist, chauffeur, personal assistant, blogger, reviewer.

K – Kohls or Target – Target. You can get a lot more for your buck.

L – Living arrangements – With my husband and children

M – Music you like – All kinds

N - Nicknames – Ree, hun, mom, chick, ria, ree-ree, grandma, chickleta (sp?)

O – Overnight hospital stay – My appendix op and my cesareans

P – Pet Peeve – Being on time

Q – Quote that you like most – Collaboration not competition

R – Right or left handed – right

S – Siblings – two sisters

T – Time you wake up – when the kids wake (about 6:00 a.m.).

U – Underwear – sometimes

V – Vegetable you dislike – Lima beans

W – What makes you run late – my kids

X – X-rays you’ve had – appendix, neck, back, knee

Y – Yummy food you make – sausage and peppers, better than sex cake, oh everything I do ok in the kitchen.

Z – Zoo animal – monkeys

Self Portrait Sunday #6


Come on, admit it, you look through your photo albums or computer folders and see very few photos of yourself. Maybe it is because, like me, you are usually behind the camera. Or maybe, it's because you never feel you look good in photos so you tell everyone, "don't take any of me."

Join me, putting up your self portrait shots every Sunday. There is only one rule. Link back to me so I can come visit you. I would really love seeing some participants so come and play.
I tried to grab a quick picture today. This week went so fast I hardly had time to think about my SPS. In case anyone joins me, I wanted to make sure I got a post up. If you decide to join me thank you. I can't wait to see your lovely face.

Maria

Giveaways I Entered Around The Web - Try Your Luck


Enter to win a bejeweled necklace at All Because Two People Fell In Love


Enter to win a double pack of games for your game systems at This Full House



Enter to win a huge Kiss My Face Giveaway at Beautiful to God

Give Your WiiFit Workout a Boost! Enter to win a Thrustmaster T-Fitness Pro Pack for Wii (9-piece set!) over @momfuse http://bit.ly/eHy1Q

Win Big at 5 Minutes for Mom by entering the Hebrew National Giveaway

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Win a Mastmind Street Pack over at Catch The Drift With Mama Snow



I Love Saturday


Camera Critters
At the farm last week, I feel in love with this baby calf. She isn't that young anymore but look at those sweet eyes. She is kept in a very tiny pen so I doubt she has much of a future although I am trying not to think about that. Isn't she sweet?



Saturday 9: I Want You Back

1. Where were you when you heard that Michael Jackson died? I was in my bedroom looking for my land line because at the same moment my cell phone was going off. My girlfriend was calling with a text message that read OMG Michael Jackson died. When I answered my land line all I could think about is I need to find information and don't have time for this call. We had a brief conversation while I scanned the news channels. It wasn't until Fox News confirmed at 6:30 p.m. that I actually believed it.

2. How do you think that he will be remembered? As a sad, disturbed, misunderstood, interesting genius.

3. What was your favorite Jackson tune? Man in the Mirror


and Smooth Criminal

4. Did you watch the original Charlie’s Angels? Oh yes. If you grew up in the 70's you watched Charlies Angels, had the dolls, the posters, wanted to be an angel and had Farrah hair or wanted it.

5. Did someone you know have that poster of Farrah? Quite a few people. I don't think there was a single boy under the age of 25 that didn't have that poster back then.

6. Did you consider her battle with cancer heroic? I don't know that it was heroic but anyone battling cancer is a hero but I believe it is an individual journey and no one can understand what you are going through.

7. Were you a fan of The Tonight Show Starring Johnnie Carson? No, I knew of it but never watched. I was never a late night talk show fan. I got my news during the a.m. Howard Stern run.

8. Did you like Ed McMahon on the show? See answer #7. However I was sad that he passed away.

9. What else will you remember McMahon for? The Jerry Lewis Telethon (he was a cohost) and Star Search.

Want to join in? Go here to learn how and to view the weekly list Small Talk Six topics for 2009.
Today’s topic is “if you had magical sunglasses, name 6 things you would like to see with them.” You can answer this with a list of 6 words, 6 phrases, 6 sentences, 6 paragraphs, 6 photos, 6 videos, etc . . .


1. I would love to see my mother at various stages of her life. She passed away when I was 12 and seeing her going through her every day life would be a dream.

2. I would like to be on the set of New Moon or Eclipse to see what is really going on there. Being a fly on Rob Pattinson's wall would be a wonderful fantasy. Maybe seeing him in his every day life will allow me to move onto another obsession.


3. If my glasses were really magical and I could see anywhere, I would like to see what it is like in Heaven or even if there is a heaven.

4. Seeing the past play out as a movie before my eyes would answer some of my questions. Was there a God, Jesus, Ark, Garden of Eden?

5. It would be nice to see my sisters and I growing up. Playing together as children and all of our wonderful summers of riding our bikes, playing man hunt, swimming in creeks and just being together.

6. Seeing the birth of my children from a different prospective would be the icing on the cake. I would love to relive their first breaths in the world.

Friday, June 26, 2009

I Need Time Management How about You???

Re: Blog Friendly PRWhen did life get so crazy. Now that the summer is here and the kids are off I really need to manage my time better. Between product and book reviews, social networking, blogging, mothering, my kids summer activities, my own activities and life I really need to be organized.

I had a chance to talk to Bonnie Joy Dewkett a professional organizer, author, motivational speaker and owner of The Joyful Organizer about some tips for organizing my life. Maybe these tips will help you.

Here is what she suggested:

Take Back Your Time with These Simple Tips

  • Clean off your desk completely and start from scratch. Throw away:
    • Unsorted mail (keep the bills)
    • Catalogs you will never order from
    • Duplicate items
    • Copies of something that you have an original of elsewhere
    • Old or unread reading material
    • Internet printouts
o Start your day accomplishing the things that are urgent or left from the night before. If it doesn’t need to get done right away, don’t do it.

o Use your best time, when you are most alert to tackle large tasks. These tasks are usually the tasks we all avoid such as starting a new project, writing a letter, preparing a report etc. However, it is these tasks that make the biggest impact in your day, career and life.

o Use the afternoon hours when you are tired and sleepy to tackle small tasks like returning quick emails and filing paperwork.

o Get your kids involved in time management as early as possible. Ask them how long they believe tasks will take. If they are incorrect, discuss with them how to better estimate the time needed for tasks.

o Set a timer. Use a time for just about every task you do. Sitting down at the computer "to pay bills" can be a three hour process by the time you have checked your email, bought a new scarf, and checked tomorrow's weather. Setting a time will simply keep you on task and give you a clear understanding of how much time you are spending on any give task.

o Start planning summer reading now! IF your kids have summer reading ask them how they want to divide the reading up over time. Develop a plan today. If they are reading chapters, have them create and insert bookmarks at points in the book they can easily read to in a day. This will give them a stopping point without having to look at the clock.

o Don't lose your school routine during the summer months. Although tempting, allowing kids to sleep in every day just makes it harder to get back into the routine of school in the fall.

o If you are overwhelmed by the amount of things you have to do, try this trick. Purchase a basket or container that is about the size of a breadbox. At the beginning of your established work time fill the basket with items that need your attention. (Bills, books, permission slips, broken items, etc). Work until you have emptied the basket. Chances are you will work faster and more efficiently when the end of your work is clearly established. Don't leave items in the basket from day to day and don't add to the basket while you are working.

Check out Bonnie's website here and read her June newsletter that also has some helpful tips.

Bonnie has a ton of services available. Here are just a few.

  • Relocation/moving
  • Photos/scrapbooking
  • Closet and garage system installation
She is available for phone and email coaching services. If you are interested in finding out more about this, please fill out her webform here.
My favorite part of her website is the before and after photos. It is amazing to see such drastic changes and always gives me hope because well, my place is never as bad as the before photos.

Check out Bonnie's blog for some more great tips and pictures.
A giveaway courtesy of Bonnie from The Joyful Organizer coming soon. Check back often.

Thank God It's Friday

It has been so cloudy and rainy for the past four weeks. We get out when we can and take advantage of any moments of sunshine and blue skies.



1. She had a great sense of humor

2. My daughter and guardian angel is by my side, always.

3. I know this: Life has everything to do with you!

4. Please be still.

5. These words apply to me: mother, friend, wife, blogger, women, person, human, sincere, dreamer, and child.

6. For a few moments today the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to making some jewelry tomorrow my plans include visiting with my sister-in-law and Sunday, I want to see some decent weather.

1. Where do you get most of your information about current local events? I read the local paper.

2. Where do you get most of your information about current national and international events? Fox & ABC News I get alerts through email all day.
3. Who in your family always is most likely to know what’s up with everyone else in your family? Me. I believe I am the only one keeping up with and talking to everyone. Odd family thing.

4. Who at work (or school) always seems to know what’s going on? I don't work or go to school so N/A

5. What other kinds of news do you try to keep up-to-date on and where do you get it? I keep up with Twilight, Rob Pattinson news. I can find my information on a thousand online sources.

Thanks for participating, and have a happily uneventful weekend!




Breakfast

What is your favorite part of the summertime? I think it is getting to spend more time outdoors and to do more family orientated things.


Lunch
How was this week different than others? The kids graduation from school. I got to watch my son perform. My husband and I met up with a friend at the spur of the moment, and 3 famous celebrities died.


Dinner
What did you think of Michael Jackson? I thought he was sad and misunderstood. I also thought he was fascinating but so bizarre.


Midnight Snack
What do you have planned for this weekend? I have my sister in law stopping by to spend some time with my kids. They don't get to see much family so I am always happy when they are able to be with family. I grew up with all my cousins as did my husband's family. There were plenty of people to count on and be with. Loads of fond memories. My children don't have that.


Recipe for the Week (instead of your recipe for life, what is it just for this week?) Giving things up to make your life easier isn't a bad thing it is the necessary thing and you should have no guilt over it. My schedule had just gotten quite crazy and I had to let certain things go. I knew it was right and didn't spend much time deliberating on it. Just go for it.

Hint Card Winners


I wish I could say this more often......

Congratulations to everyone who entered the Hint Card Giveaway. You have all won!!!

Thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway. I hope you all receive flowers!!!

Ecostore Winner Announced


Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

23

Timestamp: 2009-06-26 18:44:14 UTC

The winner of the Ecostore Giveaway is....

Carol

Congratulations! You will not be disappointed. I will only use their laundry detergent for my son and no other. I love their products.

More New On The Fairy God Mother Academy

Sunday I told you about a new book series coming out in August called The Fairy Godmother Academy.

Here is the latest and greatest information about the book and the website.

I am so excited about the website and the books. The website looks amazing. There is so much to do:
  • Design your own outfits
  • Create your own talisman
  • Add your voice to the million girl choir
  • Meet the characters of the book
As I get more information, I will pass it along.

Shining Stones - Let Your Light Shine Through - Inspirational Giveaway

This crafty mom is one busy women, with two kids, her Etsy shop and a blog she has a lot on her plate. She has managed to craft some very beautiful, meaningful pieces of jewelry. One look at her shop and you will see what I am talking about.

It was hard for me to choose the pieces for this post because they are all so stunning and different. Plus she uses a lot of my favorite colors so they all appeal to me.
I had a chance to ask her about herself, here is her interview:

Tell us a little bit about yourself? I am a stay-at-home Mom to two kids, ages 6 and 3. I am a jewelry artist and designer, and have loved all things to do with stones, gems and crystals for as long as I can remember. We also have a dog, a cat, a hamster and five chickens, so we've got our hands full here.
How did you get started? I have been making jewelry for a long time, but it was when I began my recovery from alcoholism that it really became a passion for me. I began making jewelry for the recovery community, using semi-precious stones and crystals, and this began my love of making inspirationally themed jewelry. I love knowing the spiritual and meta-physical properties of stones, and incorporate these into my pieces often.

Where do you get your inspiration? Everywhere, but particularly from nature. I am simply amazed at the vast array of colors and textures nature creates in stones. I spend a lot of time at the beach, and a lot of my pieces are inspired by the beauty and serenity I find there.

What do you love most about what you do? The incredibly talented people I meet! The handmade community is simply amazing - I love sharing ideas and thoughts with other artists. I also love creating jewelry that gives people hope during a difficult time.

In 10 years I want..... to have a healthy, happy, thriving family, and to be able to make jewelry full-time!!

Here is the ring she sent me. Pretty and different. I love that greenish stone. I wore it for the past three days and showed it off to everyone in my daily circle (they are used to it now and look forward to my review items) who all loved the twisted wire around the stone beside the stone color itself. Even at A&P today two women commented on it as I was putting my groceries up.


Ellie is doing giveaways on her blog so be sure to stop by, say hi and enter there. Winners will be drawn at random every 15th and 30th of the month, so check back regularly!

Beside her blog giveaway she has generously offered to give one of my readers a ring.

Prize Description:

How to Enter: Visit Shining Stones, then come back and tell me another piece you love. (If this rule is not followed you will be disqualified).

Deadline: July 9, 2009 by Midnight

Do You Want More Entries?

*Favorite Shining Stones on Etsy

*Make a purchase on Shining Stones and get Five extra entries

* Blog about this contest and link back to me (provide the link in the comment).

*Add me to your blogroll

*Follow me on Twitter , Tweet this and leave the link.

*Follow Shining Stones on Twitter, Tweet this and leave link.

* Subscribe to Maria's Space (if already a Maria's Space VIP "subscriber", please let me know how you receive my feed).

* Post my button on your sidebar


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A winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified within 2 days. You will have 3 days to claim your prize or another winner will be chosen.