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Waiting for Spring

Posted by html404 on January 19, 2013
in Books, Reviews

If you like historical fiction, especially set in the West, you will probably like Waiting for Spring by Amanda Cabot and is the second in the Westward Wind series. This book is set 1886 in the Wyoming Territory and is a story about an independent woman named Charlotte who is making a life for herself and son, in Cheyenne, working a dressmaker.

Charlotte has a secret though and had to tell some lies to keep her secret hidden. As you all know, secrets have a way of being discovered and as things start to unravel so do the lives of those around her. She also has something to fear but won’t allow herself to talk to anyone about it, even her family in another state.

Power, politics, social standing and money are not important to Charlotte, but they are to Barrett Landry, a wealthy cattle baron, who Charlotte fast becomes friends with.

This is another book where a sweet friendship develops into love but not without some bumps along the way, including a kidnapping! Not your typical courtship to say the least.

I loved Charlotte’s strength of character to overcome her past, her son’s disability and turn it all into something good.

Barrett Landry was a true gentleman and I loved how he eventually got around to wooing Charlotte and her son.

I found it ironic that Barrett eventually went back to doing what he left home to avoid. There’s something about our roots that can call us back to the very depths of that is familiar and comfortable; and find real happiness in the process.

Waiting for Spring was a sweet story in which Amanda captures the Wyoming Territory for it’s wealth, poverty and realities of being a cattle baron, shopkeeper and dressmaker. Not to mention the intriguing aspect of living among common criminals without even being aware.

This was what I consider a “candy” read. Easy, predictable and not very challenging. However, I liked the book, a candy read is the kind of book I like to read to relax without any heavy duty thinking and a way to spend a pleasurable time away from every day life and the stress that goes along with it.

“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review

Posted by html404 on January 17, 2013
in Products for Dad, Products for Mom, Reviews, Safety, Travel

Aside from my extreme excitement of being offered the opportunity to do a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport review – a brand new car – for a week (less than 5000 miles were on it when it arrived at our home), I love these things about the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

Love the push button start

Fast key entry system

Love the sporty look and color – Laguna Blue

Love the tilting feature of the headlights

Love the smooth ride

Better gas mileage than most SUVs

4WD/AWD came in handy when we had lots of ice

The interior light was located at the front between the two visors and not in the middle of the ceiling so I didn’t have to stretch back my arm, which I have to do when I drive my mother-in-law’s car

Panoramic sunroof!

My husband loved:

Nice, bright headlights, cool dial to adjust headlights (they moved down)

Running lights on the sunroof was a neat feature, didn’t offer much lighting just a cool affect

Satellite radio – I avoided it but my husband liked being able to listen to CNBC and buisness news in real time listen to the programs

Nice stereo system! Hidden CD Player…see video above

Heated front seats! I liked the back heat especially

This little car had a decent amount of trunk space considering its size. I was pleasantly surprised and was even able to transport 4 bags of horse feed, as well as 5 bags of chicken feed. Not all in one trip, though I probably could have, it just happened on two different shopping excursions.

Funny story about my first day driving the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport….I’ve been driving since I was basically 16 and know all about a gear shift, right? Well, the first time I drove the Mistubishi Outlander Sport I drove in second gear! In the picture above you’ll see how the gear shift is jagged rather than straight. It messed with my head royally. lol! I wasn’t even looking at the dashboard to see the P, D, R, N, 1 or 2. My daughter and I were wondering why on earth the car was so loud. Yes, I was completely oblivious that first day. I finally clued into the fact that I had the gear shift in second gear and laughed. Gave my husband a laugh too. Certainly a blonde moment. 😉

Additional Specs for the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Comes in six fancy colors: Quick Silver, Mercury Gray, White Pearl, Laguna Blue (my favorite), Rally Red and Labrador Black.
26 MPG average fuel economy. 24 MPG city. 29 MPG highway. $1350 savings in fuel costs over 5 years, compared to the average new vehicle. Or $270/year.
Has a 7/10 Fuel Economy & Greenhouse Gas Rating. Only a 5/10 Smog Rating.
It has an 4 star government safety rating.
It has a 60/40 split fold down back seat, with a very easy to push button.

A nice two cup console in front and back seats.

Rear camera for backing up, which my nine year old son loved making faces in and asking me if I could see him!

Large sunroof with running lights, very cool at night.
Heated sideview mirrors, which I completely missed using.
Handsfree link system with USB port, which I didn’t use this time around.
Auto-dimming rearview mirror, which is another feature I completely neglected to use!
Anti-theft alarm system, which actually went off on my son once!
Active Stability control

Plus a whole slew of options and features that will be listed here:
www.mitsubishicars.com

I loved driving this little car. That’s the thing, it is little for our family as it only seats five. We’d need two of them to seat all of us! 😉

Editor’s note: I originally called this vehicle a hybrid. It is not. Chock it up to another blonde moment on my part.

I was loaned the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport car for a week with the agreement to feature of it on my blog, this post is done to fulfill that agreement. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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Language Stars Open House and iPad Mini Sweepstakes #LangStarsOpenHouse

Posted by html404 on January 16, 2013
in Education, Giveaways

Learning a second, third or even fourth language is an investment into the future since so many jobs now desire people to be bilingual. After all, we are a multilingual country made up of many differing cultures. Being bilingual or multilingual is also an asset when traveling to different countries.

I grew up taking French from fourth grade through a couple college courses, which I ended up dropping (and regretting) due to it overloading my course load. Though I never became fluent in French, I still remember and recognize words – the benefit of learning the language from a young age.

Bonjour, comment ca va? Je suis bien, merci.

Simple phrase that says, “Hello, how are you? I am fine/good, thank you.”

For the sake of this post, I did have to look up the spelling of my French though!

We have exposed our children to other languages, mostly French and Spanish. We lived across the street from a Hispanic family for over ten years and our oldest was really interested in Spanish for a while. At a young age listening to our neighbors speak in their native tongue always intrigued her.

Language Stars is an organization offering play-based, full-immersion foreign language classes to children ages toddler thru 5th grade. Language Stars has centers and satellite schools in two metro areas – Chicago and DC.

From January 14th- 27th Language Stars will be hosting Open House Weeks so you can experience Language Stars firsthand and get to:

Tour your local Language Stars center

Meet our international teaching team

Learn about the Window of Opportunity and why NOW is the best time for your child to learn a foreign language

Receive a special Open House gift to take home for you and your child

Enter our Open House Weeks Giveaway for a chance to win a brand new iPad mini

Enroll during our Open House Weeks and receive $100 OFF you tuition (new families only)

You can reserve a spot for Language Stars Open House today by filling out the form at http://www.languagestars.com/openhouse2013 or call 866-55-STARS. If you sign up, you will be able to take in a language class with your toddler or allow your preschool through 5th grade age child take in a class on their own. They offer time choices and even offer a snack and ask if your child has any food allergies at the Language Stars Satellite schools.

Already enrolled? Receive $100 OFF your tuition for every family you refer who enrolls through January 27, 2013.

Visit Language Stars on the web:

Language Stars DC FB page-
http://www.facebook.com/LanguageStarsDC

Language Stars Chicago FB page-
http://www.facebook.com/LanguageStarsChicago

Enter Language Stars iPad Mini Giveaway

Language Stars will be giving away 2 iPad minis– one for the Chicago market and one for the DC market (valued at $329). Below you can enter to the iPad Mini Sweepstakes for the Chicago area:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you ever thought to or wanted to put your child in language classes? What languages do you speak?

“This blog post is part of a paid MtoM Consulting, LLC and Language Stars blogging program. Ideas and opinions are my own.”

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Choices of the Heart

Posted by html404 on January 14, 2013
in Books, Reviews

Getting sick of my book reviews yet? Don’t worry I won’t be reading much more since spring is around the corner. 😉

Choices of the Heart by Laurie Alice Eakes is the third book in The Midwives series. It appears to be about the second generation of Book One. Once again this is an author I am familiar with and have read the other two books in the series. See my review of Book One here and Book Two here.

In Choices of the Heart, Esther Cherrett, a midwife, a healer, runs from her past when personal scandal forces her to abandon all that she loves for the sake of her loved ones. The scandal not only separates her from her family but wreaks havoc with her self-belief and her relationship with God. You’ve heard the saying that hard times either draw you closer or put a distance between you and God. Well, it’s a matter of choices, thus part of the reason for the title of the book Choices of the Heart.

I loved how more details of Esther’s healing gift were shared in this book, if you remember in Book One I complained there were not enough midwifery details. Remember I was a former midwifery student….some day….maybe.

Esther possessed a lot of strength to leave everything that was familiar to her and to start anew in a foreign place without all the necessities she was use to with her privileged upbringing.

What I didn’t like about the book is the blame put on Esther, by herself and others. Perhaps it was a reflection on the time in which the book was set but still it didn’t set well with me. Inside I was screaming, “Don’t blame her/yourself!” You know how we all can belittle ourselves into almost nothing over silly mistakes or misjudgments? That’s exactly what happened to Esther.

The romance part wasn’t as predictable yet it was. It was a typical love triangle in which Esther had to choose. I was guessing for quite a while as to who she was going to choose and Esther was tempted again to run from her troubles.

The family feud aspect of the book had me guessing too. I was rather surprised at the culprit’s identity and results of the feud.

I really liked Choices of the Heart and give it two thumbs up.

“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Your Brain Injury Compensation Claim

Posted by html404 on January 14, 2013
in Health, Uncategorized

The success and size of your brain injury compensation claim will depend on a number of factors. The severity and type of brain injury, any additional injuries, and any other costs that need to be covered will ultimately determine the extent of payment that you receive but so too will other factors. Whether you accept a settlement or fight on in court, the exact details of the accident, and individual details of the compensation claim case will have a major bearing on the outcome of your case.

Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can take a lot of time to heal and the last thing you require during this period of rehabilitation is to be worrying about work. With early compensation you can use this money to cover the cost of living so that you don’t have to rush back to work and you can use the money to pay for private medical attention, to pay for any necessary rehabilitation items, and for any other necessary purposes.

How To Proceed

You should ensure that you attend doctors’ appointments and visit healthcare professionals as and when required because gaps in your health records could prove problematic during your case. Your solicitor will aim to acquire copies of your health records so that he or she can use these in your case. These records will show the exact injuries that have occurred as well as the severity of those
injuries.

Compensation And Settlement

Compensation figures will take into account your benefits and salary and you will be able to gain sound advice on financial issues from your solicitor. They will also represent you during any court case or, if you prefer, they will attempt to gain quick compensation so that the money can be used to pay for treatment or so that you do not have to rush back to work.

Contact www.theheadinjurysite.com for more details on how to proceed with a brain injury compensation claim.

This is a guest post.

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The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Posted by html404 on January 12, 2013
in Books, Reviews

The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the third book in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series. I have now read them all! It is about the youngest daughter of Amos Lapp whose name is Mary Kate. Mary Kate has grown up a lot since the last book by about 5-7 years if I remember without looking it up. She is now nineteen. She is just as curious, klutzy, hilariously funny with the vivid imagination of a dreamer….she could be part my daughter! lol!

Mary Kate is learning to be content with where she’s at in life. She’s forced to take on a teaching job when she absolutely hated school when she attended, but that proves to be a good character building experience that leads to a more mature Mary Kate.

Unlike most Amish young women, Mary Kate was prone to getting into all kinds of scrapes from running into people with her red scooter to falsely accusing innocent people of murder and robbery!

In the first couple of pages of the book Mary Kate is convinced her purpose in life is to solve the death (or murder as she called it) of a local sheep farmer, but it leads her into all kinds of unwanted trouble.

I loved reading her journey to womanhood, contentment and yes, even love.

Many of you should know by now one of my favorite authors is Suzanne Woods Fisher. It’s not just because she writes about the Amish, but because she entertains me with her characters antics, life and behavior. Her books are more than just romance novels, they are more about life and relationships. And yes her books are about the life and character of the Amish but as a Christian every time I read one of her books I cannot help but think the community the Amish exhibit should be a template, if you will, for what Christian churches everywhere should be like.

The Lesson gets two thumbs up from me!

“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

iPad Giveaway

Suzanne is giving away 2 iPads!

Contest dates: Jan 3-20, 2013

Two winners will receive:

• A brand new iPad

• A $15 gift certificate to iTunes

Enter Today – 1/3 – 1/20!

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Zen Swaddle Giveaway

Posted by html404 on January 11, 2013
in Baby Products, Giveaways, Reviews

Most moms of infants have some knowledge or experience with swaddling a baby. With my firstborn, the nurses in the hospital swaddled him in a receiving blanket. They did it so securely and fast, like second nature, and made it look so easy to do. When I arrived home I tried my hardest to swaddle him in a blanket, but I could never do it tight enough to make him feel secure. I tried using a swaddle I received from my baby shower, but he never liked it because it would not allow him to have his arms out.

The Zen Swaddle solves both of these problems and does even more than I could have every imagined. First of all, it is ultra soft and machine washable (very important for busy moms). Next, it is weighted with poly-beads in specific areas to make your baby feel as though you are still holding her. The construction of the wrap helps the baby sleep through the startle reflex, common among most infants. The Zen Swaddle was designed in a way to fit newborns all the way up to 14 pounds. My favorite feature of this product is that it offers an arms-out option, perfect for babies like mine that want the security while being able to move their arms.

The Zen Swaddle comes with very clear step by step instructions to show exactly how to swaddle your baby. It can be found at select retailers as well as online and is available in three new prints: Dots, Wheels and Pods:

http://nestedbean.com/products

I can’t wait to use this on my new little one in April!

This video will give you an overview of how the Zen Swaddle works:

Zen Swaddle Giveaway

You can enter to win your own Zen Swaddle below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Baby Product Ingredients

Posted by html404 on January 10, 2013
in Baby Products, Kids Stuff, Personal Care Products

Reading baby product ingredients or any product ingredient lists for that matter are very important in our family. That’s why I want to share an opportunity for your to give your feedback on the ingredients used in personal care products for children of all ages. The Motherhood is conducting a survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R3QHRFF

What they are looking for is if you you trust the ingredients in traditional baby/child care products, if you read labels the same way you read food ingredient labels, plus a few other topics of interest and importance.

At the end of the survey there is an option to submit your email, again it’s optional, but anyone who does submit their email after completing the survey will be entered to win one of 10 VISA gift cards worth $25. Your email will only be used to contact gift card winners and will not be sold or shared with others.

Please feel free to pass this opportunity on to other parents. Huge thanks to any and all who help!

This is a compensated post by The Motherhood.

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Mama Alert Jewelry

Posted by html404 on January 10, 2013
in Jewelry

I had the pleasure of reviewing a great product that I believe every pregnant mother should own. m*a*m*a alert jewelry is designed to protect a mother and her unborn child in case of a medical emergency or accident where they may be unable to speak. This piece of jewelry could alter the medical treatment a mother receives in a way that could even be lifesaving. I know many women, including myself, who have been pregnant and did not tell anyone in the beginning for fear of miscarriage. I personally miscarried so when I became pregnant again only a select few knew. This piece of jewelry would have eased my mind knowing that my baby and I would receive the proper care should something bad happen to me.

m*a*m*a jewelry is stainless steel and contains a stork, a due date, and the “star of life,” which will easily alert emergency personnel that their patient is expecting. The company offers both bracelets and necklaces with their trademarked pendant. The bracelets can be resized to fit any size wrist, and the necklaces can be worn under clothing until you are ready to announce your big news.

m*a*m*a maternity alert jewelry is a must have for every pregnant woman. It speaks when you can’t.

You can purchase the Mama Alert Jewelry here:

http://www.mamajewelryco.com/index.html

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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Sparkling Clean With Cascade Complete Pacs #CascadeComplete

Posted by html404 on January 9, 2013
in Cleaning, Reviews

Over the weekend I blogged about January is Organization Month. In that post I shared my cleaning and my organizing wish list for certain rooms of our home, but neglected to mention my kitchen cupboards and hutches, which almost need a weekly or at least a monthly going through to stay on top of the clutter. Mostly because the children put dishes away.

I’ve been blessed to have a dishwasher most of my adult life. Spoiled, I know! I generally know what dishwasher detergent works and what doesn’t. You know those brands that leave a residue or leave food on your dishes? It’s sad to admit but since using one particular brand and the children being in charge of loading the dishwasher I have come to accept dirty residue as a part of my drinking pleasure. Ewwww! You say? Yeah, so does my husband. I just got tired of having to clean a glass before I got a drink so I started to skip that step.

However, I definitely have my favorite dishwasher soap brand(s). Cascade being one of them and no I’m not just saying that for the sake of this post. I have yet to find a good organic, eco-friendly brand that works just as well, unfortunately. Then recently I was able to try Cascade Complete Pacs. They are a little rectangle pacs of dishwasher soap detergent you pop into the dishwasher with no mess, spills or harmful odors emitting from it as it does with dishwasher powder. This was the first time we’ve ever tried a dishwasher soap pac, that I can remember anyways.

Cascade Complete Pacs

provide an immaculate clean without wasting precious time and water pre-rinsing 24-hour stuck-on food messes. Over time, Cascade Complete Pacs fight hard water film two-times better, wash after wash, than the next leading premium pac.

I was excited to try these little pacs. They worked so well that we bought the largest container we could find! Yes indeed these little pacs had our glasses sparkling and our dishes cleaner than they had been in months and it was a change we wanted to continue seeing after running the dishwasher…..We’d been using another brand’s eco-friendly dishwashing soap, which obviously was not doing it’s job, and we can stop blaming it on the children’s method of loading the dishwasher too! 😉

Need I say more? We really like the Cascade Complete Pacs.

“This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Cascade blogging program, and I received free product from P&G for participating. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here.”

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