Debut Novel/Author Showcase: Thaddeus of Beewicke by Louis Sauvain - REVIEW

The 411:

WOW! I really loved this book even though I do not love books that have complicated names. Thaddeus was the easiest for me and everything else was glanced over. The book is being compared to Harry Potter meets Stand by Me. 

The book originally came out in 2012 but is now released with a new, more dynamic cover which definitely will entice younger readers although I found myself wondering if it really is a young adult book ahhhh yeah...there is sex but it is only eluded to and maybe young readers won't pick up on it.   

A stranger named Silvestrus comes to town with his talking mule Asullus.  Thaddeus' parents are offered gold for him to leave with this stranger who turns out to be a sorcerer with the promise of an education.  Along the way, Thaddeus and other young boys (Anders and Rolland) that the "master" picks up meet demons, ghosts, thieves, beasts, trolls, and more including Fairies who get Thaddeus drunk. Hmm...

I found it to be an interesting read. There are a lot of characters but the main characters are the focal and this is a travel journal with the boys getting to the "collegium" toward the end.  

Readers will love the relationships, the suspense, adventure, fantasy and the magic. This is a well written book with much below the surface.  

More Memes From 2008

MEME

Friday Fill In

Posted on June 28, 2008

1. Birthdays are once a year.

2. Autumn is my favorite season because of the colors and the crisp air.

3. I feel my best when I am home with my kids and husband.

4. Food is my favorite food!

5. First impressions are sometimes unfair.

6. The best piece of advice I ever received was discipline with love in your heart.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching a movie with my husband tomorrow my plans include relaxing with the kids and husband and Sunday, I want to do some blogging.

Getting Myself Prepared For Back To School

Back to School is often a sad realization for me. I am not one who gets excited about my kids returning. You can see my video about my sadness here. I love spending time with my kids and getting the summer off to be with them. They go back next week and I head back to my preschool class who I also love.  There is some prep to getting back to class. I started taking Vitamin C last month along with my Vitamins and started stocking up on cold products like lozenges and hand sanitizers. I use so much of it. Have you ever looked into the ingredients of your current hand sanitizer? Not all hand sanitizers are created equal and while the tingling sensation and potent smell of alcohol in most sanitizers leave you with the feeling of killed germs, one company is combining the powers of nature and science to bring you better hand hygiene.

Elyptol takes on of my favorite scents eucalyptus which also has healing properties. They use the eucalyptus oil combined with naturally sourced pure ethanol to bring you a healthy and eco-friendly way to properly sanitize your skin and other surfaces. Infused with natural botanicals and eucalyptus essential oils, Elyptol won’t leave your hands dry, cracked and chapped after use. These innovative products kill germs and moisturize your hands all in one! Thank God for that because between the gloves, hand washing and hand sanitizer my hands are cracked and dry all the time.

My Life In Photos - Aug 8 - Aug 16

August 8 - After a sudden downpour ended I walked out the kitchen door to see my very own rainbow. I have never noticed one from my house and was so excited to see this one. After every storm Facebook is filled with rainbow photos from friends who spot these beauties and I am always a little bit jealous.

August 9 - Headed to the deck this morning to read some review books. My book mark was some Forget-Me-Nots which were perfect for these books about Faith!

August 10 - I was dying to try that age app everyone else has been posting about.   I can honestly tell you I never looked like yesterday or today although they are beautiful. I am definitely more familiar with tomorrow. FaceApp is such a fun app if you have the chance check it out. It is free.

August 11 - We finally got our first Morning Glorys of the season.

August 12 - Headed to Millbrook with a good friend the day before my birthday.  Ran into a friend, went to the cemetery, drove past my old house, stopped for lunch then headed back home were we spent another hour on her boat. It was a wonderful day. The most relaxing of my summer.

August 13 - The same friend (Mad) who drove me to Millbrook yesterday also drive me to drop grab a rental car this morning because my car has been in the shop since the 3rd took me to breakfast for my birthday. These are her two babies staring us down as we sat in her driveway.

August 14 - The only pictures I took today were of Luna. She looked so comfy on a very uncomfortable ledge.

August 15 - Goddess and her peeps at a friend's birthday party.

August 16 - I am loving the bright yellow of the sunflowers on my deck. So cheerful.

Anyone Else Sad That It Is Almost Back To School Time Or Am I Just Crazy?

My Life In Photos - Aug 1 - Aug 7

August 1 - Goddess and I were dog sitting for a friend. We have been watching him for years but he has changed so much in the past year. He seems so much older.

August 2 - This is Rocky. Look how tiny he is! We have been watching him for about 10 years.

August 3 - This was the day my boys went for a slow walk around the block. My husband getting over pneumonia and my son walking after not being able to walk straight due to Vestibular Neuritis. I was so proud watching them walk together.

August 4 - My cats love to sit on this half wall. I hated it when the kids were small and really hate it now with the cats. At least the kids never sat on it.

August 5 - Nothing taken

August 6 - Oddly enough the only photo I have for the 6th is a screenshot I took online of a photo of the kitchen from my family home when I was a kid. It looks exactly the same.  Found on real estate sites. Have you ever put in your old address?

August 7 - This was a shoot I did with Goddess for a pair of Haram Pants I reviewed. She looks so cute.

Inspiration for the School Year - Get Them Off The Phones and Computers And Back To Reading

Oh man...this summer hasn't been good to our family. The kids didn't enjoy their summer but the fact is that school will be starting soon so I have been making a conscious effort to read with my daughter and get her face out of her phone and off her computer. She will need to be ready for her new role as a high school student so I was happy to have these books to read with her.

Goddess is not a reader but if I read with her she will deal with it.

This was our favorite of all the books. Laura and Steph did a wonderful job of creating a handbook that all tween, teen, and young adult females should read. Honestly, get your girl this book. We loved reading both girls account of things. The book is broken up into Laura's page and Steph's page and great friendship photos of the girls. As a mom I loved how real they were. They cover all the things I currently worry about for my daughter in this world especially about separating the online life from the real life. This is soooo important. When my daughter started asking about "likes" on social media comparing her art to her peers seductive photos and how the girls get so many likes on a blurry mirror photo with a girl making a duck face compared to her artwork that she puts hours into getting so few. I can only tell her that these things don't matter but Laura and Steph say it in a way that kids will understand. It really doesn't matter in life!

The 411:

This one was a little hard for us to get into. It wasn't until we got to the exercises that we started to really enjoyed it. I totally agree with Natasha that we as a people need to be more mindfulness. I constantly tell my kids that life isn't behind a glass screen. They need to live it!

There are many helpful instructions included in this book along with the guided meditations.  I think I love them most of all.

Being mindful is good for your health and mental well being.

I highly recommend this book.

 
OMG...this book is just so pretty with it's pink cover and the gold lettering. Beautiful and gift worthy!

There are so many quotes. I took photos of a bunch of them for my social media. The pages were pretty, the quotes great and the women included inspirational.

Arm & Hammer Making Life Easier

I have always used Arm & Hammer. I have one in my fridge which I change every 2 months. I also sprinkle some on my downstairs carpet and let it sit for 15 minutes before vacuuming because that room is always so moist. It is partially under ground and it is where the cat litter box. Everyone knows that dampness and cats don't mix.

I even use it when we feed our guinea pig Stormy.  You simply spray it on your fruit or veggie, rub it in a little and give it a good rinse.

This week I tried Arm & Hammer Garbage Disposal Cleaner. WOW...just wow. Love it.  You know how the drain can smell sometimes. All that junk that gets rinsed into the garbage disposal can get down right nasty.

Run the water, turn on the garbage disposal, turn it off, drop a citrus scented ball down the drain, run some water and enjoy. Every time you run the warm water you will smell it. It is AWESOME!

Tra la la la la la Who Remembers The Banana Splits? I Just Watched The Banana Splits Movie - Oh The HORROR!

As a kid my sisters and I watched The Banana Splits, I can hear the song in my head as I type this but this is not The Banana Splits you grew up with.  Bingo, Fleegle, Drooper and Snorky are upset that their TV Show is being cancelled so what do they do? Well, a killing spree of course.  What? Yes...They are  just pissed because they seem to just take people out for no real reason. It is not like they are just going after mean people. They will mess a brother up for being there. 

Our main character is probably Harley a little boy who is surprised for his birthday with a trip to see his favorite show The Banana Splits of course.  After the show some select few with stars on their tickets get to meet the cast. Harley's brother makes a friend with a crew member and gets his brother, family and a friend to attend the meet and greet and things get a little crazy with bodies pilling up everywhere. 

The film is rated R for blood and gore and there are some pretty bloody deaths but nothing is too scary if you have a horror loving kid. It was actually pretty funny and really campy. It kind of reminded me of the FNAF books with robotic animatronics under their suits instead of people. Damn I wish someone would put that FNAF movie out already. It would have made a killing. Pun intended. 

If you are into campy, cheesy, horror movies like me you will enjoy this one. 

She Is Heading To High School....Time For A Special Gift

If you have been following me since the beginning you will know my kids have been a big part of my blog for a long time. They were always included especially in the beginning and reading my old posts, watching my You Tube Videos makes me sad for their "younger years". 

This year my Goddess is starting high school. It is shockingly hard for me. I don't want her to grow up but I am so happy to see what she does with the next 4 years of her life. 

She is NOT ready to start because it means she is getting older and she also is wise enough to know that with age comes get responsibility. I wanted her to know I have her back and there is nothing I don't think she can't do. She is a superstar and the only thing holding her back would be herself. I have worked with She Knew She Could before. I have given a necklace from them to my sister-in-law and a bracelet to my bestie and sister at times when they needed a lift me up, a reminder that they are superstars and they got this!  Now Goddess has a necklace for those moments when she is feeling nervous  or needs a reminder that she can get through anything. 

It is truly the best gift for someone or for yourself. 

When she opened the box, the necklace was a little twisted but she was able to get it out in 5 minutes using  tweezers.

From Their Website:

 This power necklace comes on an 18 inch matching chain that will not tarnish.

The Necklace comes on one of the below gift cards, in one of our special SKSC gift boxes.

Blue: She Knew She Could SO SHE DID.

Rose: BE KIND. BE BRAVE. BE YOU.

Wear the charm with our heart logo facing up, keeping the words just for you, or turn it the other way, whichever feels right for you. Our necklace is gorgeous alone or layers with pieces from your own collection. The gold tone stainless steel will not tarnish.

She loves the symbol and the meaning behind the triangle.  She gave me a weird look when she saw the word B-I-T-C-H. I am someone who doesn't believe this word should be used as a term of endearment for women an she was raised this way and understands why I don't like it. When I showed her the little note card with the reason for the letters she got it!

She wears it with her cross and loved it. I may need to get one for myself. There have been days this summer that I could have really used this!

To Order The Power Necklace visit

 She Knew She Could

Goddess Models Bebe Girls #bebegirl

Drafted but never posted because the sponsor never got back to me. But too cute not to post

Goddess has had a love affair with clothes since the age of 2 1/2. Even then she used to change her outfit at least 3 times a day. At 4-6 she was my little Punky Brewster wearing fun colors and tutus over stretch pants. At 7-8 and still is she was a little fashionista putting her outfits together the night before including hats and jewelry. At 10 she asked for a mannequin so she could put her clothes on it the night before.  We haven't got her one yet. One day hopefully. Now at 11 she is a classy, fun, sophisticated dresser. She was and still never was one to just toss on sweatpants or leggings and a t-shirt.  She has a real sense of style and always dresses way better than I ever will so I was so excited when she received this box from bebe girls of girl clothes.

The clothes range from classic chic to fun and funky.

 

Bebe Girl clothes can be purchased at

Yes! There Is A Baby Shark Book!

Baby Shark! Doo doo doo doo doo doo! 
Baby Shark! Doo doo doo doo doo doo!
Baby Shark! Doo doo doo doo doo doo!
Baby Shark! 

Baby Shark has become well-known and well-loved by teachers, parents, and children everywhere. And with hilarious and adorable under-the-sea art of Baby Shark, Mama Shark, Daddy Shark, Grandma Shark and more ocean creatures, kids won't be able to get enough of this silly illustrated story of a shark family!

Children will delight in this silly sing-along story with funny, eye-popping illustrations and informative picture guides to help readers to mimic and act out the hand/foot movements and develop their fine motor skills. By the end of the singalong story, little ones will be laughing, singing, and dancing their way to fun and reading success! 

Are you up for the Baby Shark reading challenge?

My Life In Photos - July 26 - July 30

July 26 - Early morning at the Children's Hospital. Horrifying night. My husband had pneumonia and my son Vestibular Neuritis. We didn't know either at this point.

July 27 - So we are home from the hospital after observation and a diagnosis. My son is not himself yet. He is weak, tired, dehydrated and still off balance. I helped him to the deck for some fresh air.  I wasn't sure how fast or slow he would progress at this point but was hopeful for the outcome.

July 28 - Luna likes to make me nervous by hanging off this wall. We have seen her jump down a few times. It is crazy. Cats are crazy.

July 29 - Our kitchen counter between the boys sickness. UGH

July 30 - The only photo I took today.

My Life In Photos July 15 - July 25

July 15 - Oddly enough the only photo I took was a shot of Back To School supplies from Dollar Tree. My daughter was home and I wanted to ask if she needed anything. We talk a lot through photos.

July 16 - This was the last day we visited Mineral Springs for the Summer. This was right before my son got sick. I had picked up Goddess' friend Tony to enjoy the day with us. I took some shots of my son jumping off the wall. A week after this our world was completely different. For more on what happened see Getting Over Some of the Scariest Days Of My Life.

July 17 - My daughter and I made some plastic balloons. You can see more of this in Blast From My Past. Does anyone remember making these?

July 18 - My son really wanted a Mohawk. This is modified but he loved it. I wasn't comfortable with him getting it but he is 16, I need to allow him to look how he wants to look.

July 19 - I spent the day with one of my besties this summer. We planned a sleep over which was wonderful. We use to room together and she is so important to my life so having so many hours to just talk was really nice.

July 20 - This is my happy place. My husband created a magical world on the deck. It is wonderful to come out and see the flowers, hear the bees and take a billion photos a day.

July 21 - Volunteering at the animal shelter is something we do for our souls! We love it and when we are done cleaning we get to spend time with the cats. It is definitely something I will cherish the rest of my life.

July 22 - My husband created some handmade flower boxes for the front of the  house. He used some scrap wood, got chicken wire and together we picked out flowers. He didn't want to use real flowers because he didn't want dirt running down the newly painted house.

July 23 - Sometimes watching my daughter makes me sad. I realize she is getting older and will one day leave me but I love the time we spend together. We were on our way to cat sit and she looked so adorable I needed to take a photo.

July 24 -  This was the day we headed to the emergency room. My son was having trouble walking. He was dizzy, off balance and his legs couldn't hold him up. They were shaking and it was horrifying for me. To see more about this story and what the diagnosis was, go here.

July 25 - This photo sums up this day. The scariest day of my life. The link for the breakdown is above. I can't look at this pic without feeling anxious