The Middle Sister by Jesse Miles - REVIEW

The 411:

It weird I am not a huge mystery fan but the last two book were both mystery and I loved them both. 

Jack Salvo is a hired by a mother to find Lille one of her three daughters. She often goes missing and shows up eventually but this time it feels different. I don't want to give too much away but Jack is good at his job.  Now he must piece everything together as he interviews the people in Lillie's life.  

I enjoyed Jack's character. He is witty and doesn't always do what he is suppose to to get the facts. 

There is enough twists and turns for even the best mystery sleuths who quickly solve by the middle of the book. I felt like I knew what was going on and then I didn't. 

Well written! Great characters and fast paced. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Colgate & Ryan's World Are Here To Help You Get Your Kids To Brush With The Funtastic Gift Pack

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THE 411:

Every year I get my kids a new toothbrush and toothpaste for their stocking. As little kids they would have loved this. They thought of everything AND THE PRICE IS PERFECT! Only $14.88 at Walmart.

As a teacher in preschool I can tell you kids love Ryan the You Tube sensation with 22.7 million followers. 

The Gift Pack comes with:

• 1 Kid Toothpaste with Fluoride, 1 Kids Battery Toothbrush, 1 Manual Kids toothbrush, 1 Fluoride Kids Mouthwash, 1 Mystery Kid Toy
• Ryan's Bubble Fruit Toothpaste & Mouthwash Flavor that Kids Will Love
• Help Strengthen Tooth Enamel and Fight Cavities
• Battery Powered Toothbrush with Extra Soft Bristles Sweep Away Plaque and Bacteria
• Manual Toothbrush with Suction Cup for Upright Storage
• Fun Mystery Toy Included
• For Kids Ages 3+

My Life In Pics Nov 13 - Nov 20

November 13 - I went to my kids school for parent teacher night. My daughter's art teachers as well as her other teachers all said the same thing. "OMG she is so talented but so very shy." Both my kids are doing amazing in high school this year. They are way better students than I ever was. My daughter saw me taking a photo of this water color she did in school on the art room wall and was so embarrassed but I LOVE it and cannot wait for it to come home.

November 14 - My daughter took this photo as we were driving home. She loved the colors. We never tire of this view.

November 15 - Mommy and Me babysitting was a success. Goddess brought her computer and our little guy loved watching her play a game online.

November 16 - Posted this on my Instagram. I love saving money.
Thanks @thefreebieguy I wasn’t going to go today but saw your post. $51.21 total using digitals only

November 17 - I got my son's high school photos in. I cannot believe what a difference a year makes!

November 18 - From middle school graduation into high school. At least she is smiling. I love this new pic!

November 19 - LOL...ok well this was a photo from Shoprite that I took to send to my husband. We have been talking about a bigger, lighter one for the bedroom. Boring I  know. LIFE!

November 20 - I was so excited to get these deals on makeup at CVS.  Saved over $190 bucks. SWEET! I love clearance.

My Life In Pics - Nov 6 - Nov 12

November 6 - Predator alert! Yeah she looks cute but she really just wants to paw at Stormy the Guinea Pig. Jinxy is wondering how to get up there. He doesn't have the ability to jump like most cats.

November 7- NADA...must have been a quiet day

November 8 - One of my students had Chinese food for lunch and as usual the moment I smell it, I need to have it. So dinner was Chinese Food. Honestly it was amazing! I love Chinese food but only allow myself to have it once every other month. Better for my health, waistline, and pocketbook. I only eat half and save the rest for the next day. BTW...the dumplings sucked. Ate one and threw the rest away. Not worth the calories.

November 9 - Took my girl and two friends to the library for a hemp jewelry class. They have 4 more years before they age out of these free classes and I sign her up for everything. This photo cracks me up though. There is a girl sitting next to her whose bun looks like it is part of my daughter's head. So weird.

November 10 - Jinxy! He is a cute boy so I need to share. Plus it is all I have.

November 11 - I was home early so I took this photo to send my husband at work. He had mentioned he had to remove all the dried vines from the deck for the winter. They use to be our Morning Glory plants. Didn't want him to think I was slacking plus it was so beautiful out I really wanted to be outdoors. WIN WIN. The deck looks so dreary after looking so beautiful in the summer.

November 12 - It is so hard to get rid of boxes sometimes. The cats love going into any box that is left near the garbage.  I let them play for a day then it has to go to recycling. There will always be another.

5 Years Ago Yesterday - 2008

PRECOCIOUS SON/HANDSOME

5 Years Ago Yesterday

Posted on May 12, 2008

I really wanted to write this yesterday but with it being my son’s 5th birthday, Mother’s Day and the fact that my husband wouldn’t be home after 4:30 p.m. I really wanted to spend the day just enjoying time with my family.

5 Years ago on Mother’s Day was one of the happiest days of my life.

I have written about this in the past but to sum it up, my son was breech and was scheduled to be born on May 13th by Cesarean. 

However, on the morning of May 11th at 3:30 a.m. my water broke, we rushed to the hospital and I became a mom for the first time.

5 years ago, where did the time go?

5 years ago, I held you and wished the 

moment would never end. 

5 years ago, I was handed a beautiful baby, wrapped in a blue blanket. 

5 years ago, I kissed your forehead and said, “Hi, I’m, your mommy.”

5 years ago we, your father and I, became a family. We were married 8 years before you came, but you made US a FAMILY.

5 years ago, you gave me the name “Mommy,” a name I longed to hear myself referred to after not being able to use the word for more than 25 years.

5 years ago, you I loved your father with every cell in my body. Giving birth to you and seeing him in a totally different way, sealed my love for him forever. I was IN LOVE and knew he was the best thing that had ever happened to me.

5 years ago, I never loved anyone so hard in all my life.

5 years ago, you saved me.

Baby boy, (I will call you this until the day I die) I love you so much. Our relationship is one of the most beautiful things in the world. You are loving and sweet. You tell me you love me at least 25 times a day (No doubt where you learned that from – I have done it to you since you were born).

You kiss me and hug me at least 30 times a day. Again, I am not surprised, I told everyone that you would end up with a permanent kiss mark on your forehead because I could not stop kissing you.

You are challenging and assuring, strong and sensitive, caring and nurturing and shy and boisterous, loving and kind.

You love me to hold your hand or touch your head when you sleep, something I have done since your first days.

You love me to sing to you and still enjoy hearing the songs I put you to sleep to.

You are beginning to read and love hearing how things are spelled.

You know right from left and use directions every moment you can.

You like taking care of your sister but like most siblings, fight like the cats and dogs.

You enjoy watching movies, being read to, playing games on XBox or the computer, coloring, playing games like Bingo, going to the park and going on play dates.

5 Things I love About You:

1. You love hugs and kisses.

2. You are extremely sensitive and like being held and rocked still.

3. You take care of your sister. When she calls you, you run to see if she is ok. You help her turn on lights she can’t reach, open doors she can’t open, take her shoes off or get her something she can’t get.

4. You enjoy laughing and have the best laugh.

5. You tell me you love me every single day. You thank me for taking you places and apologize

when you do something you shouldn’t.

I love you with all my heart baby boy. You are my heart on legs and I pray that you always want to spend time with me.

Love, Mommy.

Away by Gints Zilbalodis

Away An Animated feature film by Gints Zilbalodis

The 411:

I LOVED this part fantasy, part mystery, part fantasy, part science fiction movie. There is no dialogue necessary.

Memorizing scenery as a boy wakes dangling from his parachute way above the ground. A large, dark being walks toward him but he gets away. We follow his journey as he and his rescued bird friend try to find a way home with the threat of this dark presence throughout the movie.

Such a smart well done movie that had me glued. The 3D animation is OMG and the soundtrack beautiful. It is a perfect movie. No dialogue means it can be viewed by anyone and be understood.

My daughter came in while I was reviewing and watched with me. She kept mentioning the animation and how awesome the animation is. My husband came in from work and asked from downstairs if I were playing Myst a game from the 90s. He said the music reminded him of it.

Truly a masterpiece created by ONE person. 25 year old Gints Zilbalois wrote, directed, produced and composed all of it. He is a true genius

This is a must see!

My Life In 2008 - Way Different Now

SOMETIMES IT'S ABOUT ME

Weekly Update

Posted on July 14, 2008

Monday – Laundry, Cleaning then the beach for 3 hours. It was awesome, second time this season. We have a private beach about 5 minutes from us but my girlfriend who lives on the other side of the lake about 10 minutes away has a more kid friendly beach, so we headed there. My daughter who wasn’t into the water last year, could not get enough of it. She had a life vest on but managed to lose her footing 2 times.

The first time I scooped her up and she coughed and said put me down. The second time, I thought for sure she would want to get out but she again said, “put me down” when I scooped her out. Ummm…sometimes a little fear goes a long way. She is making me nervous.

Tuesday – Laundry, Special Instruction (SEIT) for my son started up again for summer, followed by Speech for 1/2. He didn’t get his speech instruction because Beth (speech) arrived right after a full out street fight in my hall way with Handsome. He has been talking back and hitting me when I tell him not too. Good Lord!

Wednesday – SEIT and Speech again. Grocery shopping and play date with my friend and her daughter. They only stayed for about an hour and a half but it was enough time for my daughter to have 10 books read to her and my son to play a Wii game with the daughter. Started some freelance work for my old job. Moving quickly. My sister’s birthday. Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Gabby, happy birthday to you. Read and posted a review on a Seven Easy Tips: Encouraging Your Daughter to Say “No” by Alyssa Avant. Worked with the husband on some invoicing. Yikes, always makes me nervous.

Thursday – Laundry, cleaned bathroom, kitchen and vacuumed. Beach again for 5 hours. It was great! My kids had a blast and I finally brought down my googles. Not a fashion statement but I have contacts and like to swim. I am sure I am a sight but my kids enjoy me being in there with them so that is all that matters to me. Pulled over by a PITA police officer who just wanted to ruin my day. He was overly obnxious, I didn’t appreciate in front of my children. It was the most annoying pullover ever. It took him 9 years to get out of his car and then he yelled at me for 2 minutes before telling me “this one is on me, the next one is on you!” Yeee God!

Friday – Cleaned bedroom, living room, hallway, dining room. Dropped books off at the library. Got pizza for dinner. Did freelance work and got the kids down early to watch Jumper with the hubby. More on that later.

Saturday – Freelance work. Beach for 3 1/2 hours with some friends. Kids to be early so that the Hub and I could watch Meet the Spartans. Also, wrote draft for second review (look for it this week).

Sunday – Grocery shopping, laundry, Freelance done! Early night for me hopefully since I am not feeling so well. Kids need a bath but I am thinking of doing a bird bath for each in the sink. Got to run, 7:19 p.m. and I want to get the changed and ready so there are no excuses for them to be up past 8:00. Night.

My Life In Pics Nov 1 - Nov 5

November 1 - My husband and I went to dinner for our Anniversary. We got pizza for the kids and stayed fairly local. I was so excited that he suggested it just be the two of us. We usually take the kids. Our outings aren't usually successful. Either he hates the place, hates the food or we argue over something small and stupid. This was success and my drink and food was amazing. No appetizer necessary. Look at the Bloody Mary.

November 2 - I made this page for my daughter of a bunch of Halloween photos of her and her friends.

November 3 - My girl found this dragon at Walmart. She really wanted it and hated leaving it there but we just couldn't imagine where she would put it once we got it home.

November 4 - My girl's drawer has been a cat bed for a long time. My son broke it when it was his room and we have never been able to fix it so now it has a blanket over her clothes and all three cats take turns making it their bed.

November 5 - We found this so weird. It looks like the chimney is going through the window but more like the window was boarded up and it just appears that way. Still had to grab a picture of it.

Manscaped The Perfect Package For Your Man! #Holidaygiftidea #manscaped

OK Ladies and Gents pull up a seat and let's discuss Manscapping. You all know what that is...it means cleaning up the nether region on a man and if you are not doing this you should be and Manscaped is making this easier for you with some products that you should definitely think about getting.

Ladies if your man doesn't have this on his Christmas list I suggest you do the honors of adding it for him. 

Manscaped has everything you need for cleaning up below the waist. I received the "Perfect Package to review which came with the following:

The Lawn Mower 2.0 which includes 2 attachments - It's waterproof and easy to handle. It is quiet too if you plan on surprising someone with your newly cleaned area.

The Crop Preserver which is a 3 oz bottle of anti chafing deodorant for "your boys".

The Crop Reviver a 2 oz spritz bottle of toner. After you mow you want to soothe the area. This will take down any inflammation and keep everything neat and tidy. It is designed for your sensitive area. 

It also comes with boxers and The Shed which basically is a case that carries all of your JUNK! LOL see what I did there?!

While not included I believe everyone should grab The Crop Cleaner which is a body wash great for post trimming or every day showering. 

I love this product and think you will too. 

Check out my video for more information 

My Life In Pics - October 27 - October 31

October 27 - I made my husband Empanadas for dinner. He asked for them since so I guess I did okay for my first attempt.  Since then I have gotten better and seal the whole thing with a fork like you are suppose to.

October 28 - Sage had her yearly appointment at the vet. She was so scared but did fantastic. Picture of health. Goddess always comes with me because she hates knowing they are getting a shot and she isn't there. She hates shots!

October 29 - I cut my Eucalyptus and made a swag. Not the biggest swag and totally need a new bow but I love it.

October 30 - One of my co-workers is so talented. Look at our soon to be painted hall.

October 31 - My teens for Halloween. My son is some dude named Treavor from Grand Theft Auto and my daughter was a Creepy Pasta character called Laughing Jack that she feminized.

My Life In Pictures - October 18 - October 26

October 18 -  I  got to review a fun Halloween Costume to wear to my school Halloween Parade. Goddess was nice enough to model it for me. I couldn't get over how funny she looked.

October 19 - My girl and her friends at my town's Halloween Bash. Every year the town does a whole thing with Merchant Trick Or Treating, a parade, a photo game and then a Haunted Terror Trail. We went to the trail and waited on the long line and when we got up Skye's friends tried to get her to go in but she refused instead hanging with me. I really wanted to go but she has been traumatized since the first time she went maybe about 8 years ago. It was fun anyway and these kids are pretty great.  This photo was after the hayride which was basically a few loops around a baseball field but it was fun anyway.

October 20 - I organized a farm outing for Goddess and some of her friends. It was so hard to choose one photo from this day. Even though it was raining we had a great time. I couldn't get a photo with everyone who went because they all kept breaking off into smaller groups depending on what everyone wanted to do. I find these kids all so funny. They are great friends who think about each other and make me laugh so hard.

October 21 - LOL the only picture I took for the 21st was this photo of a little boy named Sam in my class. He was trying to draw letters in the dirt at recess.

October 22 - Ahhhhh yeah so this pic is it. The only one of the day and it was while waiting for my kids outside their school. I noticed all the screen savers through the window and had to get a photo. Yeah I know I am friggin lame.

October 23 - Soooo I am kinda proud of this...I saved a Praying Mantis from getting toddler trampled at the playground. I picked it up and walked over to a tree right outside the play area. It was very pinchy if that is a word. I never walked so fast in my life.  I have been looking for it's egg case for weeks but never found it. Found a few last year. I guess they come back to the same place to lay but I don't know really. Maybe it is a coincidence or something. Trying to act way smarter than I really am. 

October 24 - A selfie is important. I need to take them or there are no photos of you. Your kids will only have the photos one day so take pictures whenever you can. I was waiting for the kids to come out of school so grabbed a pic of me!

October 25 - Not a great pic but my girl and I did a Mommy and Me Baby Sitting gig. The baby was so sweet and we missed him the next day. The couple had animals too which was really nice for us as well. We loved spending time with them.

October 26 - Cat Sitting for Phoebe and her other cat friends. She is a model fluff. I mean look at that face.

MY Boos Help With A Review

Posted on July 16, 2008

Hey, welcome to my Product Review Corner.Today I am reviewing Princess Linens.

I was delighted when Princess Linens offered to send me one of their products so that I could review it.

Imagine my surprise when I got home today and found a box waiting for me on my porch. Inside we found the most awesome idea I have come across in a long time.

The Doodlebugz Crayola Crayon Keeper!

We unrolled it and I asked my kids what they thought it was; their answer, “sleeping bags for crayons”. Well, basically, what the Doodlebugz Crayola Crayon Keeper does is; hold an entire box of 24 Washable Crayola Crayons and then some. Each crayon goes into it’s own little, well, it’s own sleeping bag. The you roll it up and secure it with an attached Velcro strap. It also has a convenient carrying strap. My kids spent the afternoon taking the crayons out of their “sleeping bags” and putting them back in.

I don’t know about anyone else, but when we are out to dinner, doctor office, waiting in the car for someone (this happens more times than I would like), or just out and about, my kids are constantly asking for something to draw with. I search the bottom of my bag for crayons, which I carry for this very reason.

Now, I will never have to search. The pouch is small enough to fit in my bag and it’s adorable too. No more crayon marks in my bag, no more crushed or broken crayons for us.

Beside the adorable Doodlebugz Crayola Crayon Keepers which can be personalized with a name and 5 patterns to chose from, Princess Linens is chock full of extremely, adorable kid things.

You will not be disappointed. I will be ordering my 3 nieces personalized Chef apron and hats for the holidays.

Enjoy and happy shopping.

All the Impossible Things By Lindsay Lackey Is The Perfect Debut Novel. #WOW #amazingread

The 411:

What an amazing debut novel. Saturday I woke at 6 AM before the house woke. I grabbed this book, headed to a chair with my coffee and didn't move until 8:15 AM. The book was amazing. I loved everything about it.

Ruby or Red as she likes to go by has been shuffled from Foster care to Foster care and she is counting down the days until her mom is out of prison and she can be with her. Life hasn't been easy for her. Her loving grandma died of cancer and her mom is in prison. She doesn't want to let anyone in because it is all temporary. She longs for the day her mom is home and they once again live together until she meets her new foster family Celine and Jackson Grooves. They own a petting zoo and want Red to be part of their family on her own time.

She becomes friends with Tuck a tortoise who lives with the Grooves and reluctantly friends with Marvin a little boy her age who lives close by and is in her class.  Living at the zoo is nothing like Red has ever experienced. She has a beautiful room all to herself, a family who gives her space when she needs it and makes sure she is happy and feels loved all things Red needs but only wants from her mother.

Ruby's prize possession is a notebook her grandmother gave her. It is filled with a list of impossible things that her grandmother and she came up with. She adds to it often. Her grandmother's lesson is that nothing is impossible and only feels that way until it is done.

Ruby's finding herself feeling settled but now the letter's she writes to her mother are coming back unopened. She is devastated and when she finds out her mother was released she is confused.

This book is full of heart and hope. I couldn't put it down. The characters are wonderful and I was in love with Celine and Jackson. They are exactly the type of foster parents I would wish for any child in the system.

The story felt so real. The perfect balance between happy and sad, heart wrenching and heart warming.

Written for middle schoolers, but you won't be able to put it down.

I hope for many more books by Lindsay Lackey!