Travels With Gannon and Wyatt Reading Series @GannonAndWyatt #GannonWyatt

November 6, 2013April 18, 2014 - brandy3 7 Comments

Travels with Gannon and Wyatt is a middle-grade adventure series written by Patti Wheeler and Keith Hemstreet. It focuses on brothers who go on wild adventures, and find ways to overcome all the obstacles in their way.

The series includes:

Gannon and Wyatt Botswana (May 2013)
Gannon and Wyatt Great Bear Rainforest (October 2013)
Gannon and Wyatt Egypt (January 2014)

My daughter is in the middle of reading this series and she is loving it. It is full of adventure and fun. We are done with Botswana and half way through Great Bear Rainforest. Botswana was really interesting and had a lot of information about different animals.

Botswana- the boys go on a vacation to Botswana and find out a poacher has wounded a lioness. They decided to go out into the wild and try and save the Lioness before the poachers can kill her cubs. During their journey they encounter tons of different animals and learn that these animals are not as dangerous as those trying to hunt it.
Great Bear Rainforest seems to be just as exciting as Botswana. Gannon and Wyatt set out to find a mythical creature called the Spirit Bear. Along their journey some of the people in their trip go missing, so they go off on their own to find out what is going on. They end up getting lost and find solitude in the First Nation people. They uncover a big scandal going on and have to try and save the people that are missing.
Egypt- Gannon and Wyatt win a prestigious award from the exploration society. After that they travel to Egypt to study with a world famous archeologist trying to find Cleopatra’s lost tomb. The boys are so excited to find all the secrets and treasures it holds, but so are tomb raiders. Gannon and Wyatt must brave all the obstacles to stay safe and preserve history.

These books are easy to read for middle aged children. My daughter is eight and is loving them. Each book is has less than 200 pages. My daughter loves that at the end of the books there are travel maps showing where Gannon and Wyatt have traveled.

Through the Month of November Gannon and Wyatt Facebook page will be giving away 3 Kindle Fires.

You can find out more about the books here.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Need To Edit A Photo, You Can Use Fotor.com #SP #Fotor

November 4, 2013April 18, 2014 - brandy3 1 Comment

Disclosure: This is a compensated post on behalf of Fotor. All opinions are 100% my own.

As a blogger I am constantly editing my photos, or putting my name on them. I am always looking for the easiest editing program.

Fotor is a free photo editing software, to help make your pictures the way you need them. I love the edits on this site, I can add borders to my photos or change the colors.

Cropping your photos, adding text and add some clipart to your photo.

One of my favorite features from the site is the templates, you can make a card for any holiday. It’s a easy and money saving way to make your holiday photo cards this season.

I have been on Fotor for hours now editing all my photos, it has actually turned into a lot of fun playing with the designs. One of their newest features is really neat. You can turn your pictures into a shape collage. I have been having so much fun with it.

Next time you need to edit a photo, make sure to check out Fotor.

The Good Wife Is About To Get Serious

October 21, 2013April 18, 2014 - brandy3

If you have been watching “The Good Wife” then you know that the show is getting really good. Every episode has been full of drama and leaving fans on the edge of their seats waiting for what happens next.

The Good Wife stars Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, a wife and mother who reinvents her life following her husband’s sex and political corruption scandal. Four years into her tenure at the law firm of Lockhart/Gardner, Alicia accepts a prestigious partner offer from her bosses, Diane Lockhart, Will Gardner and David Lee. However, a mutual attraction with Will leaves Alicia conflicted after she agrees to renew her vows with her husband, Peter, who has won the gubernatorial election with the help of campaign manager Eli Gold. After much thought, Alicia agrees to leave Lockhart/Gardner to start a new firm with her colleague, Cary Agos, who is unable to convince investigator Kalinda Sharma to join them. Now, Alicia must find a way to balance her evolving career, her new position as First Lady of Illinois and her roles as a wife and mother to her teenage children, Zach and Grace. Emboldened by the prospect of taking control of her future, Alicia bravely ventures into unknown territory

The Next episode is entitled ” Hitting The Fan”
It is the most explosive episode yet. Here are some details on the episode:
Alicia and Cary’s plans to depart Lockhart/Gardner are suddenly exposed and a desperate battle to retain clients ensues.

The show will air on Sunday October 27th at 9PM ET.

Thinking about the upcoming episode, you have to decide which team you are on. Team Lockhart/Gardner or Team Florick/Agos?

I think I would have to be on team Florick/Agos, I think it’s great that Alicia is branching out and starting her own firm. She is doing everything she should be to help her family and herself. after all she couldn’t stay at Lockhart/Gardner law firm with her attraction to Will, it will only cause problems with everyone.

To see Videos and learn more about the show, visit their site.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer’s Network

2 Broke Girls Moves To A New Time #2brokegirls

October 16, 2013April 18, 2014 - brandy3

I love the show 2 broke girls. I know it’s all acting and scripted, but it really reminds me of my life when i was a teen and growing up. We have always been in the low-income bracket and struggled, even now I still struggle. When I was 18 though and I finally moved on my own was so hard.

I moved into a low-income subsidized apartment, that I had to spend 75% of my time there killing cockroaches. I was working at a thrift store at the time and wasn’t making much, so I lived off of ramen and frozen pizzas. I would go to my moms house and ask Can I have this and raid her kitchen. The best part about being on my own was no rules and my apt. had great view of a big hill mountain thing. LOL! When you live like that you don’t take anything for granted.

2 Broke Girls is a comedy about the unlikely friendship that develops between two very different young women who meet waitressing at a diner in trendy Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and form a bond over their dream of one day owning their own successful cupcake business. Only one thing stands in their way – they’re broke. Sarcastic, street-smart Max Black met the sophisticated, school-smart Caroline Channing when the uptown trust fund princess was having a run of bad luck due to her father’s Wall Street scandal, which caused her to lose all her money and forced her to give waitressing a shot. At first, Max sees Caroline as an entitled rich girl, but she’s surprised to find that Caroline has as much substance as she does style. When Caroline discovers Max’s knack for baking amazing cupcakes, she visualizes a lucrative future for them and they begin to save money to reach their start-up money goal of $250,000. As the girls’ cupcake tally expands week-to-week, they become closer to their goal and to each other. At the diner they are surrounded by their offbeat, colorful “work family”: Oleg, an overly flirtatious cook; Earl, a hip 75-year-old cashier; Han, the eager-to-please owner of the diner; and Sophie, the girls’ outrageous upstairs neighbor. As Max and Caroline climb toward their goal, we see that their “smarts” plus their “hearts” might just be the recipe for success.

2 Broke Girls is moving to a new time Mondays at 8:30/7:30 c on CBS

Have you seen 2 Broke Girls?

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer’s Network.

Baby Boomers Are Beginning To Become Internet Obsessed

October 3, 2013April 18, 2014 - brandy3

Disclosure: This is a compensated post, Information provided by the company.

Being “plugged in” isn’t just for Generation X and Millenials anymore. The latest numbers on Internet usage are starting to show that baby boomers are beginning to become just as Internet obsessed as the other generations. There are some good reasons for this sudden interest in joining the online crowd, baby boomers are discovering just how much the Internet has to offer and how much it can play a part in making their lives better.

Increased Access

Being connected to the Internet used to require more of an active choice on the part of a user. You had to specially contract for the service, learn how to run a computer and then figure out how to connect everything together. With the latest in technological advances, the Internet is everywhere whether you want it or not. Almost all cellphones come with automatic access to at least some of the Internet and more and more baby boomers are becoming accustomed to getting their news and weather updates over the Internet than from the TV. While 76% of boomers still use the TV as their main source of news, current surveys show that 30% now use the Internet. That is almost a 100% increase in less than 5 years.

More Sites for Boomers

The Internet used to all be games and geeks, but developers and companies are now creating niches for baby boomers that are attracting them online in droves. There are Oldies Music Sites, where you can find singles or albums to download of music you thought lost forever. There are history sites and sites that allow users to post pictures from the past of areas of their town to document the changes over the decades. Many of the boomers are being drawn online to reconnect with old friends, reminiscing with nostalgia posts as well as sharing news about their current lives and children’s lives. There has also been an explosion in the number of dating sites aimed at the 50+ crowd. These “boutique” sites make finding someone special easier than the monster sites where it would take years to wade through profiles of “not right.”

Money and Health

One of the biggest reasons that the Internet has seen such an increase in usage by baby boomers are the advances in information and research to do with managing money and health online. There are more educational resources, better shopping prices for medication and online banking services available than ever before. For boomers, this is proving to turn their golden years into “get up and go” years as it is easier to find places to travel that accommodate boomers, health information to help boost immune systems and better pricing on necessary items so there is more money left in the budget to spend on life.

Predictions for the Future

The Internet, especially social media, will continue to see more and more baby boomer’s flocking to its worlds as time goes on. With the younger generations being so effortlessly involved with the online world, and more comfortable with maintaining social and family contacts on a regular basis through posting, it is becoming the only way to keep up with what is happening. VOIP services like Skype are also letting baby boomers see more of their grandkids than would have been possible if all they had to rely on was the occasional flight out. Boomers are also discovering that the youth they remember so well, can be found again online through sites dedicated to preserving the music, arts and ideas of generations. It truly is keeping people connected in all directions of life and closing the distances between families.

Enter The Hormel Up The Stakes Recipe Contest and Ham-Stakes Sweepstakes #HormelFamily #SP

September 30, 2013April 18, 2014 - brandy3

Disclosure: Disclosure: I’ve partnered with Hormel Foods as part of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger Program. Throughout the year I’ll be receiving product, coupons, giveaways and promotions. However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

Hormel Cure 81 Ham is the easiest way to prepare a full healthy ham meal for your family. The hams are fully cooked and just go in the oven for a hour or so (depending on the pounds). It’s that simple. We love the ham, we use it as a dinner or with our breakfast for Ham and eggs.

Hormel is hosting a “Up The Stakes” recipe contest:
The “Up the Steaks” recipe contest challenges you to submit the most unique recipe featuring Hormel® Cure 81 ham steaks. It’s easy: just submit a recipe and you’ll be entered to win a grand prize valued at $1,500 ($1,000 gift card and a variety of kitchen tools and serving ware valued at $500)! To participate, simply like the Hormel Cure 81 Facebook page between August 30th and October 18 and fill out the form with your recipe and information. Winners will be notified at the end of the contest period – it’s that simple.

You can also enter the Ham-Stakes sweepstakes:
After you like their Facebook page and enter the recipe contest.
A drawing will take place each Friday, beginning on September 6th. The first drawing includes:
Grand Prize: a grill, grilling tool set, two camping chairs, one bag tossing set, one $500 gift card.
Second Place: TEN winners will receive one $10 off coupon toward the purchase of a Hormel Cure 81 ham product.
Additional prizes will be awarded on Fridays through October 18th and include:
First Place: one small grill, two camping chairs, one small folding table, one $250 giftcard.

Whats your go to Hormel Ham recipe?

Why You should sell your diamonds

July 1, 2013April 18, 2014 - brandy3 1 Comment

Disclosure: This is a compensated post written by me. All opinions are my own.

Tomorrow is my 9 year wedding anniversary and I am so thankful to be where I am today. There have been some rough patches in my marriage though, as everyone does. Even contemplating divorce, thankfully we were able to work through our problems.

It got me thinking though what would I do with my wedding ring set, if we did split up. Watching my parents split was hard and usually you want to get rid of everything from your partner including the ring. So when you close that chapter of your life you should sell the diamond ring, earrings etc that could bring back painful memories. You desrve a little spending money and happiness after such a hard time in your life.

The Diamond Lining to every divorce is the diamond ring!

It’s easy and safe to sell your Jewelry, you can do so in person or online. Yo can even find out the value of your diamonds online. DiamondLining.com is a safe and secure online Diamond buyer. You simply feel out a form online, they call you with a offer and then you decide. If you decide to sell you can send it via Fed Ex insured for free. Then receive a immediate payment via check, wire transfer or Paypal. It’s that simple.

I love how helpful they seem to be and you don’t have to drive all around town to find a good buyer. You can do everything from the comfort of your home. Plus they pay for your shipping costs, It’s a win win.

Have you sold your ring after a breakup?

Finding a home in Jensen Beach Florida

June 22, 2013June 25, 2014 - brandy3 1 Comment

We have been talking a lot lately about where to move. My husband will be graduating with his PHD soon and has been scoping out places for a post doc. One of the places we are looking into is Florida.

We have family in Florida and the schools are great. One of places we were looking into is the Falls at Jensen Beach. The Falls at Jensen Beach is a gated community that has everything, beaches, fishing, shopping and so much more. Even better your house is surrounded by lakes and nature preserves.

New Homes For Sale Jensen Beach FL. start at 300,000 and go up, but the houses are gorgeous. It’s the perfect place to raise a family, as Martin County school districts have been rated one of the top schools.

I am in love with the Bimini model, it’s so cute and has all the luxuries you would want . A big bathroom with separate bath shower and toilet area. There is even a gigantic kitchen with all the cabinet space of a restaurant.

These are definitely houses we will be looking into if we decide to move to Florida.

Check out the houses and tell me what you think.

Disclosure: This is a compensated post

Clorox Ick-tionary: Germs all around

May 28, 2013April 18, 2014 - brandy3

I have teamed up with Clorox to help create some fun words to add to the Clorox Ick-tionary. These words are made up of scenarios of my everyday life, that are funny.

I have 3 kids, I go through it all.

I am now sharing word #3, and this one is a scenario that just makes me sick to my stomach. The sad thing is I see it on a daily basis, either from my kids, kids at the park, daycare etc.

The third word is…….

Snoyse-Watching someone sneeze on a toy, then another child picking it up.

Gross, I know. I have seen my own kids do it to each other, specially in allergy season. they sneeze, snot drips down or they lick a toy, one of my other children not knowing whats on the toy picks it up and plays with it. Easy way to spread germs.

Luckily it is so easy to clean a toy after that situation. Their are so many useful Clorox products for this type of cleaning. You can use Clorox wipes, spray, or even just the bleach. Once a week, I put there plastic toys in the sink with bleach and water to sanitize them.

Check out more Ick-tionary words and definitions at www.icktionary.com.

On the site:

Learn how to clean the ick, and play games for a chance to win $25 gift card.

Note:

Clorox products should never be used directly on people.
Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner with Bleach and Clorox Disinfecting Wipes should only be used on hard, non-porous surfaces.
Always check clothing labels before using Clorox Regular-Bleach or Clorox 2 Stain Fighter & Color Booster.

Disclosure: This is a compensated post for a campaign with Clorox.

Clorox Ick-tionary: This One Is For The Ladies, Dye-Saster

May 17, 2013April 18, 2014 - brandy3

I am being compensated by The Clorox Company to share a new language about messes for the Clorox Ick-tionary

I have teamed up with Clorox to help create words for their new Icktionary campaign. You can visit www.icktionary.com for hilarious words and situations that any Clorox product will clean.

I am now on my second word for the Clorox Ick-tionary campaign. It has been a blast putting these words together.

My second word I came up with is one for the ladies. It has to do with coloring your own hair, which I know everyone does at one point or another. The word and definition are:

Dye-Saster- Getting dye all over the bathroom when trying to dye your own hair.

This has happen to me on numerous occasions, I attempt to dye my own hair and end up getting the dye everywhere. The sad part is I think I am doing fine, I only have the dye on my hair and then when I am done I look around and there is a little on the counter, floor etc. It can get really bad in my white bathroom.

Since it is permenent hair dye, it doesn’t come out with water and a rag. Clorox bleach does the job, the wipes and spray have helped get it up and keep my bathroom clean.

Have you ever made a mess with Hair Dye trying to dye your own hair? Visit www.icktionary.com to find more words and funny scenarios.