Online shopping a little easier

We all know the frustrations of shopping for products and having to go to different stores to find the best prices. Plus, when you make a big purchase, you want to know if what you are buying is a good buy or not. With the way things are these days it pays to be conscious of what we are buying and how much we are spending, not only now but what it will cost in the long run as well.

Well there is a website that will make all of our shopping experiences a little bit easier. It is http://www.become.com/. With http://www.become.com/, you can compare prices, read product reviews and find hot deals. Like if you want to purchase a new heater for your deck, you can get a crown verity vs schwank review. See what others  are saying and see where you can find the best prices.

Or suppose you are looking for a brookstone storage benches for deck. You have all of the information that you need to make a purchase and get the best deal around.

This summer as you are looking for pool stuff and other outdoor items, be sure to check out www.become.com so that you can get the best deals. If you want to go swimming before the summer you can always look into getting a pool heater. You can research the different pool heater gas but no spark on purex.

So check them out for your next purchase and see if you can't save some money this year.

Mile in His Shoes - DVD review/giveaway

From the directors of Angels in the Outfield comes an inspiring story about a special boy with an amazing gift, and the coach who believed. Dean Cain and Luke Schroeder star in the gmc movie based on the book "The Legend of Mickey Tussler".

It is amazing how things seem to happen and how people come into our lives at just the right moment. Coach Arthur "Murph" Murphy is in a losing streak with his baseball team, River Rats. He gets some information about a possible recruit and sets out to find this new possible pitcher. But as he is on his way, he gets lost. While trying to look at the map he runs off the road and hits the ditch where he gets stuck. That is where things get interesting.

Murph goes up to the nearest house to use the phone and while he is calling a tow truck he sees something really amazing.  He looks out the window and witnesses Mickey feeding his pig Oscar some apples. The way he feeds Oscar is what is so amazing but all I will say is that he has one good pitching arm. Murph wants to recruit Mickey, but there is one small problem...his dad. Mickey's dad is a little over protective of his son because he has Asperger's syndrome, which is a form of autism.

Without giving away the movie, I will say that this is a great movie about faith, determination and the power of friendship. We also witness the power of jealousy and the affects it can have on a person that will also affect others.

A Mile in His Shoes is truly an inspirational, true story. It is a movie that I will watch again and again, and I recommend that other families watch it as well.

I have a DVD that I would like to give away to one North Carolina Momma reader....So if you would like to win your very own copy here is all you need to do:

Leave me a comment about your favorite family movie and tell me why it is your favorite.

That is all that you have to do. If you would like extra entries you can: subscribe to my blog via email or follow with GFC, you can tweet this giveaway (once daily), or share this giveaway in other ways. Just leave me a seperate comment about what you did to get an extra entry.

This giveaway will end on January 25th @ 11:59 pm EST.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the movie mentioned above for free in hopes that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Courageous Movie

I am so excited that the movie Courageous is finally out on DVD...or it will be in about 4 1/2 hours from the time I am writing this!! I went to the theater and saw this movie but I am still ready to see it again.

If you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend that you go rent it or buy it this Tuesday and watch it with your family. If you have not heard about this movie yet then keep reading because I will tell you about it....

Courageous is the newest movie from the brothers from Albany, GA. The first movie they did was called Flywheel, then there was Facing the Giants and then Fireproof. I have seen all of these movies several times and they get better and better with each one.These brothers, Stephen and Alex Hendrick, are truly blessed and have a wonderful gift from God to be able to come up with these movies.

Courageous is my husband's favorite movie. The first movie, Flywheel, is a story line about a used car salesman; then Facing the Giants is about a football team and coach; Fireproof is about a fireman; and then we come to Courageous which is about a sheriff's department. (My husband works for the sheriff's department so that is why this one is his favorite).

In the movie Courageous, we see what the streets are like with gangs & drugs and how families without fathers are affected. We witness heartache when  one of the deputies loses his daughter in a car crash involving a drunk driver; we see how someone can appear to be an upright and honest person, but really be a deceitful person. But we also witness how God can answer our prayers and we learn a lesson in forgiveness.

I think everyone should watch this movie...it is great for dads, moms, and anyone that is planning on becoming a parent. There are many life lessons for parents in this movie and I can't wait to see it again myself.

Once you have seen this movie, I am really interested in hearing your thoughts and comments!

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

We all know the importance of having a personal relationship with the people that we depend on for our well being such as doctors and pharmacists. A lot of people that have gained that trust with their Walgreens pharmacist are finding out that they may have to change pharmacies.

For the past year, Walgreens has negotiated with Express Scripts for a new contract but have been unsuccessful. Patients that are covered by an Express Scripts plan are finding a disruption, and are having to find a new pharmacist. Many of these people are even having to drive further to get prescriptions filled. What is even worse is that Express Scripts has told their customers that they will not see any significant savings without Walgreens and costs may even go up.

Walgreens has been working to try to renew their contract to be able to continue to serve the many customers that depend on them and trust them. Follow this link (Walgreens and Express Script) for the press release of the change.

Walgreens is also offering a special discount on annual membership for its Prescription Savings Club: Walgreens Prescription Savings Club. For only $10 a year, a family membership covers everyone in your immediate family, including a spouse, dependents 22 and younger and even pets. Or individuals can join for only $5.00.

It is great to know that Walgreens cares enough about its customers that they have not just given up on those with Express Scripts, but they are trying to find a way that everyone can still be a part of the Walgreens family.

Be sure to follow  Walgreens on Twitter and like Walgreens on Facebook to keep up to date on what they are doing.

Slim-Fast's Best Teasting Shakes Ever

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Slim-Fast for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It is that time of year again that we all begin to think of our New Year's resolution. I don't know the true statistic, but I am sure there are about 80-90% of people that want to lose weight as a resolution. Unfortunately, I am one of those people that need to lose weight and I make that my resolution every year. I don't completely fail because I do lose, but sadly I gain too.

Slim-Fast has come out with some new shakes that will make it easier to lose weight because they taste soooo good! The new flavors include:

 Creamy Milk Chocolate
• French Vanilla
• Rich Chocolate Royale
• Cappuccino Delight
• Strawberries N’ Cream 

I have tried the Cappuccino Delight and the Strawberries N' Cream and all I can say is yummm. With shakes that taste this good it will be hard for some people to drink only one.

Check out Slim-Fast online and get more information on the shakes and the Slim-Fast 3*2*1 Plan. What is the 3*2*1 Plan? Well it is simple...3 snacks, 2 Slim-Fast shakes or meal bars, and 1 balanced meal. There are different snack options, but Slim-Fast has some tasty bars such as Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Nougat, Gone Nuts, and the one I am looking forward to trying Peanut Butter Crunch Time.

Along with the new shake flavors listed above there are some meal bars available too. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough looks delicious!

So there are no more excuses! If your New Year's Resolution is to lose weight, then the  Slim-Fast 3*2*1 plan is the way to go. Get more information at Slim-Fast and also be sure to like them on facebook Slim-Fast.

Puppies Vs. Babies! The Ultimate Showdown

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puppies vs. Babies for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

What is it about puppies and babies that makes everyone go...awwwww, how cute? It is portrayed in movies all the time; a single man will take a puppy or a friend's baby to the park to pick up women. There is just something about those cute little faces that are so adorable.

But, who is cuter? There is an online contest where you can vote for your favorite, either baby or puppy. Check out the contest here Puppies vs. Babies online contest, and cast your vote.

I personally think the babies are the cutest!! In fact, I have a few photos of my babies that would have won if I had entered them in  this contest.  Look at that face...who can resist saying how cute that is??? My son is much cuter than any puppy out there!!

 And my nephew here is more adorable than even the pooh bear he is almost holding.

But what about you?? Are you a puppy or baby person? Puppies vs. Babies Go cast your vote today. Make sure you leave a comment about which one you are voting for. Let's make this fun and see how many votes we get for the puppies and how many we get for the babies.

Slimming down with Shrinkvivor

Well I am a day late with this post, but better late than never, right?

I teamed up with this online weight loss group called The SisterHood of the Shrinking Jeans...and they have this challenge called Shrinkvivor. It started Wednesday, 9/28. I am on Tribe Hobari Gray (Go Team!!).

With this week being the first week, we had to weigh in and get our first challenge. I am really excited about this "adventure" because I have gained some serious weight over the last several months. So, I had the hubby take a before picture of me and when I did my first weigh-in, I took a picture of the scale. Most women would never tell their weight, but I am going to put it out there for the world to see...maybe that will help everyone to motivate me and keep me going. Soooooooo...here are the pictures....

Ginny Owens CD Review/Giveaway

This review is way overdue but I have been really under the weather with inflammation in my chest. But thanks to prayers and steroids I am feeling much better...thank God!!

I received Ginny Owens new CD titled "Get In, I'm Driving", that released on September 13th.

A three-time Dove Award winner, including the Gospel Music Association's 2000 New Artist of the Year recipient, and multiple ASCAP Award winner, Ginny Owens has sold nearly one million albums. A top performer on the Christian radio charts with hits like "If You Want Me To", "free", and "I Wanna Be Moved", among others, Owens' music has impacted mainstream audiences at Lilith Fair, the Sundance Film Festival and the White House. Her music has received widespread film and television placement, including songs on the popular WB series' "Roswell" and "Felicity". Owens was featured on national television, including NBC's "Today" and CNN, for her contribution to help rebuild New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

Born and raised in Jackson, Miss, Owens was discovering melodies on the piano almost before she could complete a sentence. Songs began to emerge from her fingers as the vision began to leave her eyes. By the age of  three, a degenerative eye condition left Owens completely blind. Despite her physical challenge, Owens pursued a music career. Songs provide a window into a world Owens can't see and an outlet for her to express her thoughts and dreams. Owens' unique musical style and inspiriataional lyrics aontinue to appeal to Christian and mainstream audiences alike.

In 2005 Owens launched The Fingerprint Initiative, and hands-on, non-profit organization designed to "bring hope to the world, one roject and one touch at a time." The organization has partnered with and raised money for groups such as Compassion International, International Justice Mission and Habitat for Humanity.

All of that accomplishment makes me humbled to be able to do this review. It is inspiring to know that there are people out there making a difference in so many ways, and she still has time to record new music for the rest of us to enjoy.

After I received my copy of this new CD, "Get In, I'm Driving", we were on the way to church for family movie night, so it was a perfect time to pop it into the CD player and listen. The very first thing I noticed is there was a great beat to the music. Even with all the kids, and adults too, talking in the background, you can still get into the beat and enjoy the music. I really love any kind of music that I can enjoy listening to even if I can't listen to all the words. When I am at work, I enjoy listening to the radio, even when I can't listen intently.

My favorite song on this CD is Joined At The Heart...."And now you're here with us, Oh the sweet reality, at the end of a hard road, at the close of a long day, we finally hold you in our arms."

Be sure to check out Ginny Owens at the following sites:
Website: http://ginnyowensmusic.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GinnyOwensMusic
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/GinnyOwens
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/before-you-fly-single/id442050145

You have the opportunity to get this CD as well with a GIVEAWAY.....If you want to win a copy of this CD and enjoy some good Christian music, here is all you have to do:

For your main entry: Go to Amazon and listen to the samples. Then leave a comment below telling which song is your favorite.

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES do any of the following

1 entry - subscribe to my blog
1 entry - follow with GFC
1 entry - follow me on twitter
1 entry (you can earn an extra entry daily) - tweet about this giveaway. Be sure to leave a link to your tweet in the comment

This giveaway will end on Sunday September 25th and I will draw a winner on Monday. Be sure to leave your email in your comment so I know how to contact you if you win.

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services

mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I
only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:
"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

True Random Number Generator




Min: 1

Max: 7

Result: 6

Powered by RANDOM.ORG

So I still cannot figure out how to make the little box show up, but I wanted to show the true random drawing for the DVD...Comment # 6
Cheryl said...



I am following via GFC.

dizzybloom(at)gmail(dot)com

August 25, 2011 12:29 AM

Congrats Cheryl!! I will email you shortly to get your mailing information!!

SIMPLE GIFTS

By Sharen Pearson


As a mother of five and now grandmother of seven, I’ve planned my share of birthday events. I am a creative person, so my problem is “going over the top.” My expectations supersede those of the birthday child. So, I have to step back and say, “Whose birthday is it anyway?” And, therein lies the key to a successful birthday party.



I recently assisted with my grandson, Waylon’s party. He was reaching that big-boy age of 5 years. He knew what theme he wanted: Herbie the Love Bug. He wanted a backyard campfire and a cake with Herbie on it. Simple—Herbie, campfire, cake. Got it! My daughter complied. She invited a few families from church that Waylon knew well and was comfortable around. Since entire families were represented, parents were there to help with crowd control. Bowls of chips and dip provided a place to gather around as people arrived. Children scattered to play in the back yard, parents grouped to watch and chat. Easy, huh? Daddy lit a small fire in the campfire ring in the yard. More talk, more easy playing. The cake was a simple giant chocolate chip cookie with a frosting “Herbie.” Waylon thought it was wonderful.



Mommy announced that it was gift-opening time and everyone pulled up lawn chairs and sat in family groups. Waylon sat in the middle of the circle on the grass and guests watched as he opened each gift and thanked the giver. He received many nice gifts, but to everyone’s delight, a small, inexpensive VW bug toy car was his favorite. He opened it, raised it above his head as if it were a trophy and yelled in delight. Waylon slept with his “Herbie;” woke up and greeted it; placed it on the edge of the tub so he could see it. He had the birthday he wanted. Simple party, simple gift, simple fun!



Some suggestions to consider when planning your party:

•If your child is old enough to have input, allow it.

•For ages 1-5 years, simple is best. Simple decorations, simple food, simple games.

•Invite only one party guest per age of the child. Young children are very intimidated by many children of the same age. Remember, “Whose birthday is it?”

•If guests include family/friends with older children, add activities especially for them.

•Home is the best place for children ages 5 and under. Big party venues are confusing, scary and do not position the “birthday child” as the center of attention as he should be.

Some traps that parents fall into:

•Making the party so complicated that you, as the parent, no longer enjoy it. (Been there, done that.)

•Allowing young party guests to get close to and grab for gifts as as the birthday child is opening them. (Admit it, you’ve seen this haven’t you?)

•Spending too much money. (Guilty as charged.)

•Preparing food for adults and not age-appropriate to the guests. (The only thing to show off today is your wonderful child)

•Engaging in sleepover parties before the age of 9 years. (Children younger than 9 or 10 years often find sleeping at someone else’s home frightening and uncomfortable.)



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Author Bio:

Sharen Pearson’s Goof & Giggle classes and materials continue to provide a quality Mom/Tot interaction. Widely popular, Goof & Giggle’s child-focused play plans are offered in various Arizona communities. She’s also created a variety of Goof Juice DVDs and filmed episodes of Baby D.I.Y. and written workbooks for BabyFirstTV. Arizona Midday (NBC) tapes monthly segments with Sharen to provide their audience with a variety of original and creative “easy to do” activities for babies and preschoolers. Sharen’s creativity reaches a combined audience over 200 million viewers worldwide. Goof & Giggle classes and products encourage green living, repurposing materials from around the house into affordable objects for play and learning. Learn more at: http://sharenpearson.com/





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The above article is loaded at docstoc.com. If for some reason you have difficulty copying or downloading the article, we will be glad to email the article in .pdf or .doc format.

Russ@kathycarltonwillis.com



This article content is provided free of charge by the author through Kathy Carlton Willis Communications. You are welcome to place this article on your site or in your publication as long as 1) it’s used in its entirety, 2) the full bio is also used, and 3) you previously request permission through KCWC at russ@kathycarltonwillis.com.



All other standard copyrights apply.

The Grace Card DVD review/giveaway

Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved."

One of the things I have learned in church is that grace is getting what you don't deserve and mercy is not getting what you do deserve. Grace is being nice to the person that is not likeable and is not nice to you. Mercy is not treating that person the way he/she has treated you.

What do you get when you team up a black preacher with a white man who is prejudiced and angry with God? You get a lot of hurt, anger and resentment; but you also get a reason to share the grace card. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to love the people that love you? Your family, your friends, and even people you just meet that smile and are nice to you. But what about those people that you meet that are mean and don't love you? You should love them anyway! Easier said than done, right? It is always easier for us to receive grace than it is for us to give it away.

Have you ever met anyone that you couldn't love? I am sure we have all have had someone come into our lives that has made it hard for us to love them. I try to stay away from these people, but sometimes it is not always that easy. That is when we need to pull out the Grace Card and share with them. What is the Grace Card?

THE GRACE CARD

I promise to pray for you everyday,

ask your forgiveness,

grant you the same,

and be your friend always.

About the movie:

After police officer Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, years of bitterness and pain erode his love for his family and leave him angry with God... and everyone else. Can Mac and his new patrol partner, Sgt. Sam Wright, somehow join forces to help one another when it's impossible to look past their differences - especially the most obvious one? Every day, we have th eopportunity to  rebuild relationships and heal wounds by extending and receiving God's grace. Offer The Grace Card...and never underestimate the power of God's love.

There is power in forgoveness, but it takes a strong person to be able to forgive. And sometimes the person we have to forgive is ourself.

I highly recommend this movie for all families and even church groups. In fact, I have offered my copy of this movie to share with the church at our upcoming family movie night. I watched this movie with my husband and son and by the end of the movie my husband's allergies were really bothering him. He told me I was not allowed to tell anyone he cried so we have to go with the allergy theory.

This movie is out on DVD on Tuesday, August 16th so you need to go out and get it. If you don't want to buy one just yet you can WIN ONE right here!!! Along with the DVD that I was sent to review, the company is holding one for a lucky North Carolina Momma reader for a giveaway!!!

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY:

Visit The Grace Card websitehttp://www.thegracecardmovie.com/ and tell me something about the movie that I did not mention already.

Leave me a comment and make sure your email address is in your comment so if you win I can contact you. To keep from getting spammed you can leave your email like this - gerrie DOT shaeffer AT yahoo DOT com.

For addtional entries: leave a comment for each entry....

• like The Grace Card on facebook
• become a follower of North Carolina Momma with GFC
• Share this giveaway with your friends
• tell me in a comment your all time favorite family-friendly movie

This giveaway will end on August 25th @ midnight.

Disclosure: "I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising."

My Coke Rewards for Schools

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of My Coke Rewards for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you familiar with Mycokerewards?  I have been saving those yellow caps for years now and have gotten quite a few nice things from the program.

If you are not familiar with the program, let me share a little about it with you. Any time you buy a Coke product (there are 15 participating brands), there is a code. If you are buying a bottle, the code is under the cap; if you buy a 12-pk or 24-pk of cans, the code is inside the box. Go to www.mycokerewards.com and set up an account, then enter your codes there. The caps are worth 3-pts and the others are 10-pts or more.

But that is not all. You can also donate points to your school through My Coke rewards for schools. It works the exact same way but you will go to mycokerewards.com/schools. Pick your school and then you can donate as many ponts as you would like.

If your school is not yet participating, encourage them to go to mycokerewards.com/schools and click "Register Today".  Then spread the word through newsletters, or meetings and encourage the parents and faculty to donate points.  This is a great way for schools to get some of the supplies they are in need of but can't afford - such as art supplies.

As parents, you can also use the points that you save in your account and get school supplies as well. So what are you waiting for? Drink Coke and help out the school that your children, grandchildren, or neighbors go to.

Also, from July 13 through September 30, Sprite is giving away 25 playgrounds, worth $25,000, to schools and are giving consumers who purchase and enter a code from any package of Sprite/Sprite Zero an entry into the sweepstakes to help their school win. In addition, every three points donated to the school through the Sprite Spark Parks for Schools sweepstakes will give the school additional chances. Any new school that registers will be given a chance to win.