Friday, August 22, 2014

Legends of Oz Tweet-A-Long Party 8/22/14

Come along for a fun night celebrating the music of Legend of Oz: Dorothy’s Return available now on Digital HD and available on Blu-ray on August 26!

Relive your favorite songs from the movie for the chance to win Digital HD movie download codes, graphic novels, character collectibles, costumes, dolls, and more! We will also be releasing DVD bonus sing-a-long videos for you and your family to enjoy.





No RSVP required
Prizes are only open to US residents 18 or older

DATE:  
Friday, August 22nd from 9PM – 10PM Eastern/6PM – 7PM Pacific

FOLLOW:  
@ThriftyChicMom
@LegendsofOZ
@FoxHomeEnt and @FHEInsiders will be tweeting as well

OFFICIAL HASHTAG:
 #LegendsofOz


Friday, August 15, 2014

#TargetSponsored - Target Pharmacy Rewards (with Giveaway)

Disclosure: Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target. All opinions are my own. #TargetSponsored

Two of my kids started back to school this week and another is about to start college. Heading into this time of year can be quite hectic. I'm always looking for ways to make my life a little easier. Using Target Pharmacy is one of those ways.

Not long ago, I shared with you how you could have a better pharmacy experience by using Target for all your medication/prescription needs. Today I want to remind you of some of the amazing benefits of Target Pharmacy Rewards.

   

What I like best about Target Pharmacy Rewards is that there are no points to count or track. Simply fill five prescriptions & get 5% off a day of shopping (in-store and online). You can earn rewards faster by filling pet prescriptions, getting vaccinations such as the flu shot, and adding all family members to one account. Easy peasy, right? And, a 5% off shopping day at Target is a huge help to my family of six.

Being able to walk-in for vaccinations is another benefit of Target's Pharmacy Rewards. In addition to flu, vaccinations for shingles, whooping cough, tetanus, meningitis and pneumonia are available — no appointment required. My daughter needed a meningitis shot before going off to college this fall. How handy is it that we could pop into Target's pharmacy for the vaccine, then head out into the store to shop for her school supplies and dorm needs. That's a real time-saver!

By switching to Target Pharmacy, you can get all the benefits of Pharmacy Rewards. And, because they offer hundreds of $4 generics and a price match guarantee, it's also a great value. See just how easy it is to Flip the Script with Target.


Giveaway 
Target has generously offered a $50 Target e-Gift card for one of my readers.

*Giveaway is open to U.S. residents who are 18 or older. Winner must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Back-To-School Lunch Ideas with Azteca's No Preservatives Tortillas (plus Giveaway)

This post is sponsored by Azteca Foods, Inc. however all opinions expressed are my own. 

School is back in session for us and once again I find myself on the lookout for easy and nutritious lunchbox ideas. My kids are teenagers so not only do I want options that are tasty, but also foods that they don't mind preparing themselves. With a daughter headed off to college, I'm especially concerned about her eating habits as she lives on her own for the first time. Coming up with healthy lunch ideas that she can easily prepare in her dorm room is very important.

Azteca Foods, Inc. has launched a new No Preservative flour tortilla line. The line includes burrito, fajita, taco, and mini sizes. These Azteca's No Preservative flour tortillas contain no high fructose corn syrup and no artificial flavors or colors.

Tortillas are so versatile - you can create just about any kind of wrap, stack, or roll-up that you like - making them a perfect choice for so many of your recipes. The versatility and the healthier "No Preservative" feature makes Azteca tortillas something that I will definitely turn to when preparing school lunches, snacks, and dinners for my own family this school year. You can find Azteca No Preservative flour tortillas in the refrigerated aisle at Walmart stores.

As I mentioned, the possibilities of what you can create using Azteca's No Preservative tortillas are practically limitless. My teens usually pack some type of sandwich in their lunch. Sandwiches are quick and easy to make and they taste good. But, having the same old thing day after day can get boring. Tortillas are a great way to put a new, fun twist on classic favorites such as deli meat sandwiches or the pb&j.

Here's one such twist that I made to jazz up one of my kids' faves, the turkey sandwich.

Monte Cristo Pinwheels

If you're familiar with the classic Monte Cristo sandwich, you know that they are typically a fried sandwich made up of turkey and/or ham, some type of cheese, and often a fruit jelly or condiment sauce. For my version, I wanted to stay with a cold "sandwich" that would pack well and stay fresh in a lunchbox. By using Azteca's No Preservative flour tortillas and adding some fresh spinach, these Monte Cristo Pinwheels are something I can feel good about my kids eating for lunch.

Ingredients:
Azteca No Preservative flour tortillas (can use any size, I used fajita size)
Cream Cheese
Fresh Baby Spinach
Deli Turkey
Deli Ham
Berry Jam (can use whatever you like, I used an organic Four Fruit flavor)



Directions:

  • Spread a layer of cream cheese onto tortilla
  • On top of that, add a layer of baby spinach leaves
  • Next, add turkey and ham slices
  • Finally, apply a layer of the fruit spread over the meat
  • Roll up the tortilla, cut into sections, and secure with toothpicks.

You can't get much easier than that! And, they are quite yummy, getting the "thumbs-up" from my teenagers.


When you start thinking about back-to-school lunches and meal planning remember to look for Azteca's new No Preservative flour tortilla line. You can find them in the refrigerated section at Walmart stores. 

Giveaway
Azteca Foods, Inc. has created a special prize pack to help one lucky Alas 3 Lads reader get ready for back-to-school. This prize pack includes:

$50 Walmart Gift Card
Azteca Free Product Coupon
Meal Planning Notepad
Tupperware Container
Dry Erase Wall Decal Calendar


*This giveaway is open to U.S. residents who are 18 or older. One random winner will be selected from all eligible entries. Please make sure I have valid contact information for you in case you are the winner. Winner must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. Prize fulfilled and shipped via Azteca Foods. Please enter using the Rafflecopter form below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

August 12th - A Guilty Pleasure #BEDAoutmumbered


Continuing along with the Blog Every Day in August challenge. If you would like to join in, head over to Outmumbered for the all the details.

Today's topic is to share a guilty pleasure...

For me, that's easy. Whenever I want to just chill out or have a little "escape" I can always find something to watch on television. I am a tv-junkie - from sitcoms to movies to reality tv shows - I can watch it all. A few of my favorite can't-miss programs are Game of Thrones, Sons of Anarchy, Homeland, The Walking Dead, Parenthood, Big Brother, Survivor...I could go on and on:) I probably spend more time than I should watching tv but that is my guilty pleasure.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Monday, August 11, 2014

August 11th - My 5 Favorite Movies #BEDAoutmumbered


The Blog Every Day in August challenge is going on over at Outmumbered. Click HERE if you would like to check it out.

So here it is the eleventh day of August and I've already blown my 'Blog Every Day in August' goal. I started out on a roll but by August 7th life got in the way and I haven't been able to post for a few days. A few things keeping me busy -- my two youngest started back to school on the 6th, my daughter leaves for college soon and we have been running around trying to get everything she needs for school/dorm living, and someone stole my debit card number and it was used fraudulently for a few purchases (don't you just hate thieves?!)

Anyway, I'm back on track and the topic for today is to share my 5 favorite movies. If you've been around my blog at all, you know I'm a huge movie lover so choosing 5 favorites is extremely difficult. Here goes...

5 of My Favorite Movies

1. The Godfather Series
Yes, I know that's technically 3 movies but I'm going to count it as one. I really love this series - the story, the music, a young Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall - it's just so good!

2. The Sound of Music
Such a classic and I love to sing along.

3. Dan in Real Life
This movie is exceptional! Heartwarming, sweet, and so, so LOL funny. It also has a great soundtrack. You should really watch it if you have not yet seen it. Check out the trailer:


4. Sense and Sensibility
I'm a sucker for all Jane Austen stories/movies. This 1995 version of Sense and Sensibility starring Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson, and Hugh Grant is my favorite.



5. You've Got Mail
I love a good romantic comedy. This is one that I can watch over and over and always enjoy. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are so good together and their movie, Sleepless in Seattle, is also a favorite.


You're turn! Tell me a few of your favorite movies...

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Legends of Oz Blu-ray GIVEAWAY #OzInsiders

I am sharing this information as a member of the Fox Home ENT Insiders Blogging Program. I will receive a free blu-ray of this movie. Any and all opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return is coming to Blu-ray and DVD on August 26th. 

Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return Kids of all ages will love this musical, animated journey back to the magical world of Oz that features a legendary cast, including Lea Michele from TV’s “Glee,” Dan Akroyd, Martin Short, Jim Belushi, Patrick Stewart, Kelsey Grammar and more. A devious new villain, the Jester, rules over Oz and Dorothy must return from Kansas to rescue her old friends: the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man. Set to irresistible new songs from Academy Award®-nominated singer/songwriter Bryan Adams and featuring a host of delightful new characters, this animated return to Oz is sure to be a family-favorite filled with fun and laughs for generations to come! 

Special Features 
• Legends of Oz: The Music of Oz 
• Legends of Oz: The Legacy of Oz 
• Sing Along the Yellow Brick Road 
• Legends of Oz: Activity Sheet 
• Theatrical Trailer

Giveaway:
One lucky Alas 3 Lads reader is going to win a free Blu-ray copy of Legends of Oz.

*This giveaway is open to U.S. residents who are 18 or older.  One random winner will be selected from all eligible entries. Please make sure I have valid contact information for you in case you are the winner. Winner must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Sunset Rising by S.M. McEachern - BOOK BLAST and GIVEAWAY

sunset rising

Sunset Rising by S.M McEachern 

  February 2024: Desperate to find refuge from the nuclear storm, a group of civilians discover a secret government bio-dome. Greeted by a hail of bullets and told to turn back, the frantic refugees stand their ground and are grudgingly permitted entry. But the price of admission is high. 283 years later… 

Life as a slave in the Pit had never been easy, but for seventeen-year-old Sunny O’Donnell it was quickly careening out of control. Her mother was killed in the annual spring Cull, leaving her alone with a father who decided to give up on life. It’s not that she blamed him for grieving, but if they didn’t earn enough credits to keep their place inside the Pit, they would be kicked out into a world still teeming with radiation. That left her to earn the credits for both of them. It didn’t help that her boyfriend, Reyes Crowe, was pressuring her to get married and abandon her father.   Sunny didn’t think life could get any worse, until she was forced upstairs to the Dome to serve and entertain the elite at a bachelor party. That's where she met Leisel Holt, the president's daughter, and her fiancé, Jack Kenner. Now Sunny and Jack Kenner are wanted for treason. If they catch them, they'll be executed.   She thought Leisel's betrayal was the end…but it turns out it was just the beginning.   Sunset Rising is Book One of a series.  

Amazon * iBooks * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

From August 7th to 13th

Sunset Rising will be just .99 cents

Grab your copy today!

 
Praise for “Sunset Rising”
“Sunset Rising is thrilling; there is no better word for it. Romance, intrigue and action all come together beautifully here to create an experience that will leave anyone asking for more.” – Molly Burkemper for Readers Favorite  

“Sorry to all the Hunger Games fans but Sunset Rising surpasses my expectation. Sunset Rising is a rollercoaster ride with a terrifying drop at the end. A beautiful love story filled with danger and horror. The Greatest Book I've Ever Read.” – Selena Liaw, reviewer for Books and Sweet Epiphany.

“FABULOUS!!! I fricken loved this story! I have to agree with another reviewer who said this is 7 star book not a 5 star ~~seriously it is THAT good! How is this not on every bestseller list yet? Listen to me now, please... if you love Dystopian YA novels ~~~ READ THIS BOOK!” – Paula Fetty King, Goodreads Reviewer.

   add to goodreads

Excerpt:  
I had decided I didn’t want to give up on my plan to help change things. After all the hardship I had brought on my father and Summer, I owed it to them to try to make things right. I didn’t want to fail. Jack stood up and went into his T’ai Chi stance. I followed. He began the fluid movements and I tried to keep up, but he seemed to be going a lot faster tonight. “So you want to start stopping people in the hall and ask them if they want to join the rebellion?” Jack asked, his tone light. “Well, it sounds stupid when you say it like that.” “Alright, we’re all warmed up now.” Jack faced me in a defensive stance. “Take your best shot.” “I don’t feel like it anymore.” “Come on.” He flicked a hand out at me, stopping inches from my face. “Pretend I’m Reyes. You must be mad at him.” I threw the heel of my hand toward his face, which he blocked easily. I followed with a roundhouse kick at his stomach. He pushed me away. “That’s weak, Sunny,” he said. “Come on. The other night you just about ripped my head off when you were mad about Summer.” I had been really mad about Summer. Even the thought of her now in the clutches of that crazy president was making me angry. He had my father, too. My anger snuck out of the place where I thought I’d had it tucked safely away and gripped me again. I threw a punch as hard as I could at Jack, then another. He blocked them both, but I kept coming at him. First with my right leg followed swiftly by my left. He threw a right punch at me, but I pulled my head back and he missed. I instinctively knew he was going to follow with his left fist, and I ducked. He missed again. He was smiling at me. I came at him to wipe the smile off his face, but he turned, and I missed. He grabbed me from behind. “I see the boyfriend isn’t the key to getting you mad. Your best friend is,” he whispered in my ear. I drove my elbow as hard as I could into his stomach. As soon as I made contact, I heard his breath forced out of him. I realized I might have hit him too hard. “I’m sorry!” I turned around to see if he was okay. He was bent over, holding his stomach. “Jack, are you hurt?” “I’ll be fine,” he choked out. I felt a little helpless watching him struggle to get his breath back. He finally straightened up and gently touched a couple of his ribs. “Nothing broken.” He limped off to sit in a chair. “Maybe I should have told you the first rule of sparring before I started teaching you. You don’t actually hurt your partner.” “Sorry. I guess I let my frustrations get the better of me.” “I don’t suppose there’s a hot shower in here?” he asked, even though he must have known the answer. “No.” I laughed at the thought. “But I can take you to the common bath.” He got up from the chair. “Take me.” I found a couple of towels and a bar of soap in a cupboard. “We only have about forty-five minutes left before lights out. We need to be back by then.” We left the apartment and headed toward the bathroom. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jack changed his mind when he saw where he had to bathe. It wasn’t anything like the private hot shower in his apartment. When we reached the common bath, I was silently relieved to see that the water had been changed recently. It wasn’t bad at all. “It’s freezing!” Jack exclaimed when he put his hand in the water. “I’m not getting in there.” “You don’t actually get in. Soak your towel in the water and wash off that way. You can dry with mine. You go first.” I started toward the door. “Wait. We’re supposed to be married. Isn’t it going to look weird if we’re taking turns in here?” “I’m not watching you have a bath. I’m only prepared to take the pretend marriage thing so far.” He gave me a wry look. “We’ll just turn our backs on each other. It will save time, and we can get back before lights out.” “I don’t know. It seems a little…intimate.” But there was a guard on duty within view of the bathroom, and he might wonder why we were taking turns. “I promise I won’t peek,” Jack said, but I wasn’t convinced. “Hey, I’m taking a big risk here, too. You know how many girls would love to see the Jack Kenner naked?” That made me smile. A week ago, that was probably true. “I can’t believe I’m going to do this. Turn around.” We both turned our backs on each other. I stripped as fast as I could so I wouldn’t have time to change my mind. I heard his clothes drop to the floor. An image of my hands on his naked chest came back to me, and a feeling of excitement began to grow in the pit of my stomach. If I turned around right now we would both be naked and only inches apart. A warm sensation spread through me at the thought, and my chest tightened, making it difficult to breathe. I wanted to banish the thoughts from my mind. I didn’t want to think of Jack in that way. I dunked one of the towels into the water and scrubbed my arms. The water was freezing and made me shiver, but at least now I could blame my heavy breathing on that. And I was grateful it was helping to douse the heat that seemed to be consuming me. When I was done, I rinsed the towel and stuck it out behind my back to pass it to him. “That was quick,” he said. I heard the water splashing behind me then Jack sucked his breath in. “Oh my god, it’s cold!” I dried off, put on my clothes and waited for him to finish and get dressed before I knelt down to wash my hair. “Not so bad,” Jack said, but I could tell he was lying. He dipped his head in the water, ran the bar of soap through his hair, and then rinsed. I was still working on my long hair. A lot of coal was coming out, darkening the water and I felt a little guilty considering it had just been changed. I wrapped the towel around my head to hide my red hair until I could reapply the coal. “We better get back before lights out,” I said. Jack opened the door for me. “Even though it was freezing, it feels good to be clean,” he said. “I like the cold. It’s refreshing.” Maybe I would have to have a bath every night if my body was going to continue to respond to Jack like that, I thought. Back at our apartment, I busied myself hanging up the towels and brushing out my wet hair. I was feeling a little vulnerable without the coal, but knew I would have to wait until my hair dried before I could reapply it. The lights would go out any minute now. I put the brush away and turned around to find Jack flopped in a chair observing me. “What?” I asked. “Nothing.” He looked away. But there was something about the way he was looking at me… “Did you peek?” I asked. “Sunny,” Jack shook his head, but a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and his cheeks turned pink. “Of course I peeked. I’m a guy.”  

  SM McEachern
Author S.M. McEachern
S.M. McEachern (also known as Susan) currently resides in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. With a background in international development and resource management (Dalhousie University), as well as being the wife of a military officer, Susan has had first hand experience in international affairs and policies. She attributes Elizabeth Mann Borgese—daughter of Nobel prize winner, Thomas Mann—as one of the greatest influences on her view of world politics. Susan had the privilege to work and study under Mann Borgese, an author, teacher and political activist for world peace. The first book of a series, Sunset Rising combines Susan’s knowledge of politics and resource management with her love for romance, action and adventure. In March 2014 she published Worlds Collide, the second book in the series. She is currently writing the third book.

  book blast button      

Book Blast Giveaway
$50 iTunes Gift Certificate (US) or Paypal Cash (International) 2 signed copies of Sunset Rising (Internationally)  

Ends 8/28/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an iTunes Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

August 6th - My Best Friend #BEDAoutmumbered


I'm participating in the Blog Every Day in August challenged hosted by Emma over at Outmumbered. For more details or to join in, stop by her blog and check it out.

Today's prompt is to tell you about my best friend.

Friends may come and go, but if you're lucky, you will have that one (or more) friend that is with you for life. The one that you share so many special memories with, that knows all your secrets, and is there whenever you need them.

My life-long BFF is named Anna. We met in kindergarten and quickly became inseparable friends. She is smart, kind, and fiercely loyal - the kind of friend that you know always has your back. She is also wickedly funny...so much of our time growing up was spent in a fit of giggles and laughter. We were always laughing!

From kindergarten until high school graduation, we were pretty much inseparable. Then, as life does, we started growing in different directions, getting married and having families. We each kinda went our own way, still knowing that our friendship would always hold a special place in our hearts. Today, we live about 20 minutes away from one another. We may go weeks or months without talking, but we both know that when we do, it feels like we can always pick right back up where we left off. We have so many great memories and stories and I am truly lucky to have a friend like Anna.



Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Posters for ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY #VeryBadDay

I am sharing this information on behalf of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. No compensation was received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own. 

ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY opens in theaters October 10th!

From Disney:
Disney’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” follows the exploits of 11-year-old Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) as he experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life—a day that begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by one calamity after another. But when Alexander tells his upbeat family about the misadventures of his disastrous day, he finds little sympathy and begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him. He soon learns that he’s not alone when his mom (Jennifer Garner), dad (Steve Carell), brother (Dylan Minnette) and sister (Kerris Dorsey) all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Anyone who says there is no such thing as a bad day just hasn't had one.

I am super excited to see this one! This beloved tale, familiar to many of us, is sure to be a lot of fun and has a great cast.

Check out these "before and after" posters for ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY and let me know if you'll be heading to theaters to see this one...





Like Alexander on Facebook 
Follow on Twitter
#VeryBadDay

FREE Legends of Oz Activity Sheets #OzInsiders

I am sharing this information as a member of the Fox Home ENT Insiders Blogging Program. I will receive a free blu-ray of this movie. Any and all opinions expressed in this post are my own.
The animated movie, Legends of Oz, is coming to Blu-ray and DVD on August 26th. Kids of all ages will love this musical, animated journey back to the magical world of Oz. It's sure to become a family favorite!

Be sure and visit again soon as I will be hosting a giveaway for a free Blu-ray copy of Legends of Oz. Watch for that giveaway to go live here on the blog later this week.

In the meantime, I have a few Legends of Oz activity sheets to share. As always, they are very cute, fun, and FREE for your enjoyment. Take a look and let me know which is your favorite...









august 5th - A Special Memory #BEDAoutmumbered

 

Today's prompt in the Blog Every Day in August challenge is to share a special memory. If you would like to join in, visit Outmumbered for all the details.

It's funny which memories opt to stand out in my mind. There are things I can remember from when I was a little girl. But, then I cannot remember something that happened yesterday or all of the items I need to pick up at the grocery store. My husband makes fun of me because lately I seem to be having an extra difficult time remembering things. I will start to tell him something and he will have to remind me that I told him that same exact story earlier.

My dad passed away several years ago from lung cancer. He was healthy all his life until one day he was not - he was diagnosed with lung cancer and was gone only eight months later. I miss him all the time.

My dad was an avid bluegrass music fan and played the fiddle. Growing up, I can remember going along with my parents to their friends' house so they could play music. There were many late nights that I can remember being so tired and sleepy and just wanting to go home, but the men were still jamming and playing music. At home, my dad would always practice his fiddle in the bathroom with the door shut (he claimed it made for good acoustics or something like that). I have never particularly been a fan of bluegrass music, but, to this day, when I hear fiddle music it takes me right back to my dad playing and almost always brings tears to my eyes. I can hear his music, hear his voice, and see the expression on his face while he played.

On my recent trip to Ireland, we visited a pub where some local musicians were performing folk music. One of them was playing the fiddle and upon hearing it, it hit me so hard I almost had to leave the room because I was about to break down and cry. I think that will forever be the case...when I hear fiddle music, I will immediately feel connected to my dad.


Monday, August 4, 2014

August 4th - Where Would You Like To Be In 10 Years #BEDAoutmumbered

 

Today's prompt in the Blog Every Day in August challenge is to talk about Where I would like to be in 10 years...

In 10 years, I will be 55 (oy! that sounds old) and my kids will be 31, 28, 26, and 23. Just typing that kinda freaks me out.

Hopefully my oldest kids will be settled into a career and path that makes them happy and successful. I hope that they will have found partners who love and appreciate them. Really, having happy, healthy, and successful kids is all I want (and I do not necessarily mean "successful" as in "rich" but just in a path that they feel satisfied and happy and able to earn a decent living for themselves.) Maybe I will even have a grandchild or two by then. Becoming grandparents in the future is something I look forward to and plan on being a very important part of my life.

As for me and my husband, first I hope that we will be in good health. Second, that we are in a good place financially. We have worked hard the last several years to chip away at our debt and I would love to say in 10 years that we are debt free! Having the means to travel and share with our kids/grandkids would be awesome!

Since my kids will all be older, I hope that my husband and I are able to travel a lot. With four kids, we just haven't had a lot of time or extra money to take many vacations or trips. I would love to have some real adventures and visit different parts of our country and the world.

And, on a final note, I hope that the world is in a much better place than it feels like today. There is so much hatred, fighting and unrest in the world and it feels a little scary to think about where we are heading. I know you can never rid the world of evil, but I sure hope things are better and not worse in the future.

So...a happy, healthy, successful family living in a peaceful world is how I hope things look for us in 10 years.

What about you? Where would you like to be in 10 years?

#BEDAoutmumbered

Sunday, August 3, 2014

August 3rd - My Favorite Quote #BEDAoutmumbered

 

Today's "Blog Every Day in August" topic is My Favorite Quote...

Because I'm such a homebody
Because I love being at home with my family
Because I'm happiest when all my people are at home safe and sound
Because this quote is from one of my all-time favorite movies



See more #BEDAoutmumbered posts here


Saturday, August 2, 2014

August 2nd - 20 Facts About Me #BEDAoutmumbered

 

I am continuing along with the Blog Every Day in August challenge. If you would like to join in, be sure and visit Emma at Outmumbered for all the details.

Today's prompt is to tell 20 facts about  myself...

1.   I love to read. My favorite genres to read are young adult/dystopian and historical fiction.
2.   I am a dog person and I especially love big dogs.
3.   I usually hide it well, but I have lots of anxiety and I stress over everything.
4.   I need coffee every morning as soon as I wake up. Hot, black, and strong!
5.   Knitting is something I've always wanted to learn how to do.
6.   I am a homebody.
7.   Dusting is the absolute worst household chore.
8.   I love to peruse thrift shops, antique shops, and yard sales.
9.   I am NOT very tech-savvy at all. 
10. My middle name is Elizabeth.
11. I prefer cold weather and love cold, cloudy days.
12. I'm married to a man who has an identical twin.
13. I loved being pregnant.
14. I love Mexican food as long as it's not too spicy.
15. Years before I ever met my husband, his dad was my 8th grade science teacher.
16.  I'm addicted to entering sweepstakes and giveaways.
17.  I will not go into haunted houses or ride roller coasters.
18.  I have a major fear of deep water and hate boats.
19.  I love going to the movies.
20.  I love, love, love elderly folks.



August 1st - An Introduction and Recent Photo #BEDAoutmumbered

My schedule has been a little crazy and I've been in a major blogging funk all summer. So, when I came across this fun Blog Every Day in August event going on at Outmumbered, I knew it was just the thing to help me get my groove back. There's a great list of 31 prompts for the month and even though I'm technically a little late getting started, I'm still going to join in and participate.

 

The first prompt is to share an introduction and recent photo. Here ya go...


My name is Kari and I live in Kentucky. Our town is a small, suburban area that is just a few minutes south of Louisville, Kentucky (home of THE Kentucky Derby). My husband and I were both born and raised in Louisville so we still consider ourselves "Louisvillians" and that's where most of our families live and we go for just about everything we do or need.

I'm married to my high school sweetheart (we just celebrated 23 years of marriage in July). We have four kids - a daughter who is 18 and three sons who are 13, 16, and 21. My daughter will be starting college next month (2 hours away from home *SOB*) and while I'm super excited for her to start this new chapter of her life, I'm also feeling a little blue and I will miss her like crazy. My oldest son still lives at home and is still trying to figure out where his path is going to go. The younger boys will be going into 8th and 11th grades. Being a parent to teenagers is pretty cool and I would say much harder than when they were all little - just my opinion.

I used to work as a registered nurse but when my third child was born, we made the decision for me to leave the work force and be a full-time mom. Stay-at-home mom?...Best job ever! Also one of the hardest jobs ever! My husband is a professional firefighter and he actually just retired August 1st after 23 years on the job. He is also a talented builder/carpenter so he has always worked on the side doing those types of jobs (remodeling, building houses, etc.) We are blessed to have such a hard-working husband/dad.

I am a quiet and somewhat reserved person and I do not handle change well, at all. I stress and worry about everything. That is something I know I need to work on.

Our family pet is a beagle/blue-heeler mix that we adopted from our local humane society. Her name is Piper and I think she is such a cutie. But, I also think that she's one of the quirkiest dogs I've ever seen and maybe is not all that smart. But, cute and loveable she definitely is! 

That's a little about me. If you would like to join in the Blog Every Day in August event, stop by and visit Emma at Outmumbered. I think it's going to be a lot of fun!

#BEDAoutmumbered