Vision Boxes

About the Book:  Vision boxes and shrine containers connect the spirit of creativity with life. Each of Mark's charming projects will help you discover the inner self, acquire a sense of wonder, and provide inspiration. Be inspired as you assemble your personal mojo into a personal display of your life. Bring your mind, hands and spirit into focus through these simple steps. Vision Boxes are very personal and require no artistic training. Expand personal messages in your projects as you discover your hidden potential. Appreciate the uniqueness of your experience in the world as you create unique art and discover the infinite possibilities that spring from creativity.

About the Author:  Mark Montano is the author of Big Ass Book of Crafts, Big Ass Book of Crafts #2, Big Ass Book of Home Decor, Pulp Fiction and others. He has been a contributing editor to CosmoGIRL! magazine and his weekly column, Make Your Mark appeared in more than 70 news papers across the country. His television credits include being a designer on While You Were Out (TLC), and She’s Moving In (WE TV) as well as hosting 10 Years Younger (TLC) and My Celebrity Home (Style Network). He holds a Masters Degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where he also runs a successful boutique.

My Thoughts:  Throughout the book the Vision boxes are called mojo boxes, shrine containers and Montano himself refers to them as "Dream boxes.  These boxes are collections of special moments in a persons life and the directions given throughout the book are very easy to follow.  They make great momentos for travels, special moments, special things.  I loved the book.  The pictures are so inspiring and I could hardly wait to complete my first one. 

Disclaimer:  This book was given to me to preview through Net Galley and Fox Chapel Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  If you are a DIY then this book is definitely for you.

PrintRunner Business Card Giveaway!

So let’s say you’re at one of those awesome bloggy conferences and you meet an important person who likes your blog and wants you to host a giveaway for a fabulous product. You want to stay in contact but ack—it’s time to go in for the conference so there’s no time exchange info into phones.

Luckily, you have a business card to hand over with all your information on it.

Don’t have any business cards?

Well, you’re in a luck.

A wonderful company called PrintRunner contacted me asking if I would be willing to host a giveaway for business cards.

PrintRunner is a fabulous site that does all sorts of printing services. From bumper stickers, to online business cards printing, to magnets, they seem to do it all. Here’s more info about the company that was sent to me:

PrintRunner.com was established with little more than a small press and a dream. Ten years later our company became one of the foremost quality printers in Southern California. Our commitment to provide the best value and high quality full color printing at affordable price made our company grow. PrintRunner is a full service high quality printing company located in Chatsworth, California.


I love hearing about companies like that.

A lucky reader will win 250 business cards!

More info:

Size: 2X3.5 (Standard)
Quantity: 250
Colors: 4/4 Color Both Sides
Paper: 14 pt. UV Coating on Front, 14 pt. UV Coating on both sides
Proof: None
Rounded Corners: No
Ready to ship in: 3 business days


Giveaway Rules:

--Must be 18 or older

--Must live in the US


Mandatory Entry: Go to printrunner.com and tell me something you like on the site aside from the business cards.


Extra Entries:

--Like PrintRunner on Facebook

--Follow PrintRunner on Twitter

--Tweet about this giveaway

--Blog about this giveaway


For each thing you do, please leave a separate comment.

Contest will run until Sunday, May 27th.

Good luck!


And if you can’t wait to see if you won, PrintRunner is having several sales on their site. You can save up to 40% on certain products!


I was not paid for this post. I was given a set of business cards. All opinions are my own. Thank you printrunner for providing this giveaway.

Project 365 Week 20

 

Sara is such a lovely hostess on Project 365.  I have been a bit slow because I have been deathly ill.  I have had no energy, no appetite( to the tune of 41 lost pounds) and after numerous tests and doctor visits have a diagnosis.  Hop over to Sara's blog and see her awesome pictures and then check out the links she has posted and see the amazing offerings from the other participants.  I am feeling a lot better and plan to link up Week 21 on time this week.   I actually felt like holding a camera

Sunday, May 13th

This is Mother's Day and we had a wonderful service at church.  I loved it.  The mothers were all given bookmarkers that when rubbed smelled like lavendar and a matching pen.  I love mine.

Monday, May 14th

I went to Betty Jeans and shot some flowers that were blooming.  You are going to see quite a bit.  I had little to no strength and it seemed that the pictures I made on other days just didn't get it.  I took enough from this day that I am going to share with you all her beautiful flowers/ 

Tuesday, May 15th

Corn Crib or silo I don't know.  It is in Larry's back yard and I am fascinated by farming things.

Wednesday, May 16th

No picture today.  I was really feeling bad and it was our last night at youth.  By the time we got home from there I went straight to bed and crashed.  I have an MRI in the morning.

Thursday, May 17th

I slept most of the day.  Went outside briefy and took a picture of my hydrangea.

Friday, May 18th

Friday night after dinner at Gedneys Frank made a new pretty friend.  She did not like me because of the flash on the camera.

Saturday, May 19th

We got up early Saturday morning to be at a high school graduation in La Grange, GA.  Tyler was graduating.  By the time I sat in the sun for the ceremony my legs felt like they weighed a ton.  I took several pictrues with my phone but have not figured how to put them on my computer.  We went to Applebees for lunch at 10:30 and there was nothing that looked easy to eat.  Everything had some kind of chipotle, southwest, some kind of sauce. I ate the plainest thing I could find...but spent the rest of the day on the couch....and finally ate some cheese and crackers and got them to stay down.  I will be glad to feel better.  Hope your week was great.  

Everybody's Daughter

About the Book:  What if you had a chance to ask a loved one for forgiveness – after they died? What would you say?

Would you give up your own lifetime of happiness for someone else?

Michael Stewart confronts these questions as he travels back in time through a mysterious tunnel in an old church when the Romans ruled with brutal violence and Jesus preached his peaceful message.

His teenage daughter Elizabeth soon follows Michael, but is surprised to discover that her father is nowhere to be found. Little does she know that Michael has returned safely to the present, leaving her to battle a vicious Roman soldier.

Separated by centuries, Michael is trapped to fight his own battles in the present day. Elizabeth’s disappearance, and the discovery of her blood in his car ignites a rush of judgment as the FBI focuses on him as a person of interest. Michael’s only hope for saving his daughter rests in the hands of his best friend -- a local pastor with secrets of his own -- and a mysterious old journal containing tales of miracles within the walls of the old church itself.

Thrilling and suspenseful, Everybody’s Daughter takes readers on a miraculous journey of their own, where salvation can be found in acts of sacrifice and hope remains forever eternal through the passage of a tunnel.

About the Author:  Michael John Sullivan is the author of Necessary Heartbreak: A Novel of Faith and Forgiveness. It was published by Simon & Schuster's Gallery Books imprint in April 2010. The Library Journal named Necessary Heartbreak as one of the year's best in Christian fiction for 2010. He recently finished the sequel, Everybody's Daughter, featuring more memories from his young adult life, including the day he walked to Forest Park as he contemplated taking his own life. Only the strains of a song prevented him from doing the unthinkable. Sullivan lives with his family in New York. He is a nominated board member for the Long Island Coalition of the Homeless.

Visit the author's website at http://www.michaeljohnsullivan.com/

My Thoughts:  When I first got the book I was not sure what to expect after reading the above description, but was drawn in by the element of suspense that called to me so I decided to take a chance and read this book. This one one of the best choices I have made in a while.  This book was one I did not want to put down and there were a number of surprises thrown at me throughout the story.  This book, Everybody's Daughter, was a masterful  illustration of  love and forgiveness.

 Michael John Sullivan is a truly gifted writer who brings his story and it's characters to life. One minute I was angry and the next minute tears flowed freely down my face.   I was so engrossed by the time travel element of this story. What truly tugged at my heart strings was Michael John Sullivan's description of Jesus.  The description was so real and  so beautifully that I felt a strong desire to be there too.

Everybody's Daughter is unique, captivating and suspenseful. I could not put this book down nor did I want the story to end. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't recommend this book enough!  The oddity of characters, were quite memorable.  The protagonist's sister is skillfully drawn and the local, motorcycle-riding pastor is intriguing. But Elizabeth tops them all. The ending is absolutely amazing.  This is a must read for you reading Bucket List.

Disclaimer:  This is an  ebook received courtesy of the author and The B&B Media Group, in exchange for my honest review.  I would give this book a solid 5.

My Dear Letters

These are letters I wish I could send.


----------

Dear People Who Complain That Others Spoiled The Ending Of A Show,

It’s season finale time. People are going to want to talk about what they’ve just seen. Sometimes Yahoo even has winners or plot lines on their front page. If you don’t want to know, STAY OFFLINE until after you’ve seen the program. I’ve said this before and I’m sure I’ll have to say it again and again.

Signed,
A-Hates-being-chastised-for-writing-stuff-on-MY-wall,
Amber

----------------

Dear People Who Don’t Get Their Vehicle Tags Renewed,

Okay, if I can remember to do it when my husband was in Korea for BOTH cars, so can you. The payment might suck but pay attention to when the tags expire and make sure you start saving around that time. My husband pulls people over all the time for expired plate and he usually gets the “I forgot” excuse. It bugs him. A lot.

Signed,
A-Just-something-everyone-has-to-do,
Amber

----------

Dear Natalie,

You look adorable in your ballet photo but what were you doing with your hands?

Signed,
A-She-just-wasn’t-sure-what-to-do-with-them,
Amber

---------


Dear Tommy,

It’s actually my iPod Touch so when I want it back I can have it back without any reason.

Signed,
A-Start-Saving-Now-If-You-Want-Your-Own,
Amber

--------

Dear Grey’s Anatomy,

Well, I admit it, you surprised me. I didn’t think the person who died would die. And it’s nice to see that Meredith Grey is not an attractive crier. I’m the same way.

Signed,
An-Anyone-Else-In-The-Ugly-Crier-Group,
Amber

Things That Annoy Me Thursday: School Ending Today

School ends for both kids today.

And yes, I love them to bits, but I’m going to miss my quiet time. In Wyoming, school didn’t get out until June. I liked that. Some parents don’t want to spend any time apart from their offspring. I am not one of these people. I was an only child, therefore I grew up enjoying the silence.

Some people might be like, “Why have kids if you think they are too noisy?” My answer is, I love having them around, but as I said before, I need to have time for myself or else I turn into a Mean Mom.

Am I looking forward to summer? Sort of. Tom will be gone so it’ll just be the kids and I. The kids don’t take me as seriously. Well, NATALIE doesn’t take me as seriously. For instance, I’ll take them to the park. I’ll warn them that they have 5 minutes left. Then I’ll say it’s time to go. Natalie either will refuse to go or will take baby steps to the car.

“Tell her to stop that!” is what I’m told to do.

Really? I did NOT think of that.

She’s stubborn. So what I have to do is pick her up and she usually kicks and screams. Or she’ll go limp, which means her 36 lb frame suddenly feels like 60 lbs.

Does she do that when Tom is here? Nope. She immediately says, “Yes, Daddy.”

And let’s not even mention the fighting between the kids.

So yes. I am dreading the fact that they are out of school today.

Wish me luck.

The Head Bump

Reason 138942 why letting your kids run around is not always a good idea.

Yeah.

This happened when we were waiting at PreK for her teacher. One minute she was racing around playing (you guessed it) Rapunzel, the next she went face first onto the concrete.

Natalie is my accident prone child. She’s been in the ER three times. First, for a cyst on her leg. Then, for a cut on her side that needed that special glue to close. Finally, a hole in her head.

Now this.

On the plus, at least there wasn’t a hole.

On the negative…what if she got a concussion? I wondered if I should take her to an ER to get it checked out.

“Mommy. I want to run,” Natalie sniffled.

Uh? What?

That’s when I figured she’d be okay. Still, she got an ice pack from the nurse and her teachers assured me they’d call if she was acting funny.

When I picked her up, the teacher said she was fine, she behaved normally in school. No issues. But I was still worried about a concussion. I’ve seen Grey’s Anatomy, head injuries can suddenly act up at ANY TIME! On the drive home I kept asking Natalie how she was feeling.

“Fine. Ugh!” she huffed.

Then she started to meow. For no reason. I immediately panicked. CONCUSSION! This wasn’t normal!

“Darling?” I asked nervously. “Why are you meowing? Is your vision okay? CAN YOU SEE ME?”

“MEEEOOWW,” Natalie answered.

Oh my God. Something was wrong. Her speech was gone. She’d have to have an operation and—

“I’m being a CAT, Mommy,” Natalie said as though I were a moron.

Of course.

Still..

“How old are you?” I pressed.

“Five!”

“What’s your favorite color?”

“Purple today. Green yesterday.”

As soon as we got home I was like, “Put your backpack by that wall, put your shoes over there, and touch your nose.” Just to make sure she could still follow basic instructions.

“You’re weird,” Natalie muttered, but did as I asked.

I knelt down to her level to make sure her pupils looked normal.

“Is everything okay?” I wondered.

“Yes!” Natalie promised.

She played like she usually did. She went to ballet and did fine. Then we came home and she suddenly started crying.

SOMETHING WAS WRONG!

“Is it your head? What’s the matter? CAN YOU SEE ME?” I asked, rushing over to Natalie. I was prepared to scoop her up and race her to the ER.

Natalie hung her head. “Rapunzel would have never done this.” She pointed to her head.

I was speechless for a few seconds. “Well, I mean, I’m sure she went through her own injuries,” I explained.

“I want Rapunzel to like me,” Natalie sniffled. We’re going to Disney next year. She’s been obsessed with meeting Rapunzel ever since she found out.

“She’ll love you,” I assured her. “You’re a great kid who just happens to get hurt a lot. But that’s okay. It means you’re adventurous. Rapunzel loves that.”

Natalie sighed. “I hope so.”

So thankfully, her head was okay. But really, this kid seems to get hurt every week!

Do you have an accident prone child?