So whats all this fuss about?

I made this big announcement of how crazy my last few weeks have been and I promised a big announcement. Well I actually have two big announcements. The first and most um.. most forward on my mind is what's been ailing me the last few weeks. It all started with the worst bout of insomnia that I've had in pretty much my entire life. I thought at first it was all the stress I've been under with all that's going on in the last few weeks. I'd lay down in bed, mind you late as I never go to bed before 2am, and just sit there staring at the ceiling, and feeling like my entire body was on fire.

It really hit a head while I was at my parents house helping dad take shifts at the hospital watching mom. I was exhausted and laid down somewhere around midnight and I was still laying there with the lights off watching Connor sleep in the playpen next to me when the clock hit 6am. I must have tried everything I could think of and without freezing my child to death even turned the fan up on high.. still burning up.. still no sleepie. I should have known right then and there that this was no insomnia problem this was something more.

Then a few days later I made my trip to Promise Ponies. I didn't even bother packing riding gear to test out the ponies as by then I felt like I was pretty certain what the problem was and I just watched the ponies I was there to look at. Connor did get the luxury of riding a pony named Tinkerbell at a nearby pony farm and he talked about that ride for the next few days nonstop. Even though it was barely a minute as he got nervous when she shook her head a little, I already feel I have another star rider on my hands, heh, ok that's totally my wish but it makes no difference to me. On the way home however my "suspicion" was pretty much confirmed. I must have peed at least 15 times from the time we left Milton to the time we arrived in Defuniak Springs... about a 2 hour drive give or take.. it took us much much longer.

The ever classy person I am.. I stopped by the local department store and purchased just the thing I needed to confirm my suspicions and seeing as I couldn't wait to get home, I shamefully did the deed in the bathroom right in the store. heh. I have no patience whatsoever for surprises.

So there it is people.. the double lines. I'm pregnant. Heh. We were trying but lord knows I didn't expect it to happen so fast. So in one day Connor got a pony and a little brother or sister. I went a few days later to a doctor and had it confirmed though we are not totally certain yet just how many weeks I am along. My official appointment with my ob/gyn is on Monday and I should have some more news by then. Needless to say that's the real reason I've been MIA. Between not sleeping when I want to and having the overwhelming urge to sleep when I don't want to (ie middle of the day) and 24 hour nausea and mood swings this pregnancy thus far is been quite the experience. With Connor I had a little tiny bit of nausea here and there and wanted to nap the first few weeks but for the most part from the day I got pregnant to about 8 weeks before he was born I felt like a super hero. With this one on the other hand I feel like a moody, sleep depraved, hung over, nausea driven psycho. I am incredibly bloated, and seriously I feel as if I've already gained 30 pounds. I was chunky to begin with but now I feel like a beached whale with 24hour PMS. Hmm.. I wonder if this means its a girl? heh. Another weird symptom, with Connor all I could think about was salad and anything spicy like jalapeno nachos. That still sounds appealing to me now... but really all I want is fruit and pickles. I'm attempting to eat a truck full of clementines as we speak. They are quite possibly the one thing that doesn't make me want to hurle at first sight.

Honestly enough I don't care if its a girl or a boy. I'm excited, overjoyed, a little nervous (if you've heard Connor's birth story you'd understand the nervousness), and I pray a little every few minutes I would throw up so quite possibly I could get rid of some of this nausea. Oh yeh and its 6:15 am and I've yet to sleep so um, with that said I think I'll go try for the second time tonight. Wish me luck that this time my eyes close and don't pop open again. I'm also having the weirdest dreams.. and I do mean weird.. so that's not helping.

Last night I dreamed I was taking care of my friend's fish.. but instead of fish in her tank there was thousands of overgrown blood worms and maggots. I know, grossssss eh? I literally woke up and said out loud, what the *blank*, and the trick was on me as I couldn't go back to sleep.

I have a HUGE giveaway planned for Blogher. So stay posted. I'll release more details later today pending when I wake up.

I cant belive you guys actually wanted this cabbage recipe.

Ok for all of those that asked about my Cabbage recipe its simple enough that anyone can cook it and its pretty flexable so you can tweak it however you wish.

1 Full Head of Cabbage
1 Package of Bacon (use as much or as little as you like)
Noodles of your choosing.. I use sea shells but I know other people who use flat noodles.
Butter

Onion, Salt/Pepper & Cottage Cheese is optional

So its really simple folks and its a great recipe if you have cabbage growing in your garden this summer and it reminds me a bit of corn beef and cabbage without the corn beef (I mostly like corn beef and cabbage for the cabbage anyways).

Chop and wash cabbage. Turn the cooktop on medium and add a pretty generous dollop of butter to the bottom of your pan. I use a very large skillit so I can get everything in one pan and mine is big enough to cook an entire large head of cabbage in one pan but if your using a smaller pan you can just add cabbage as the cabbage on the bottom starts to soften. You may need to add another few spoonfuls of butter as the cabbage cooks but basically the cabbage should look wet and its really to taste. If you add too much butter the dish starts to get greasy. Cook cabbage till its soft and tender.

While your cooking the cabbage I cook the bacon in another pan.. you CAN use bacon bits if you wish or precooked bacon but personally I like the really thick breakfast bacon. I end up using about half a package but you can add as much or as little as you like. I always cook the entire package then once its been drained and sat long enough till it starts to firm up I cut all the bacon into little pieces and start adding it to the cabbage until I feel there is enough. The bacon is really the flavoring for the cabbage. I've not tried it with sausage but I've heard you can make it with sausage as well.

While all this is going on boil your pasta of choice though honestly I like this dish with or without the pasta... the pasta just adds a little more bulk to the dish to make it a meal. Last time I used a whole box of sea shells and honestly that was WAY too much for one head of cabbage. Half a box would have done the trick.

Once all three are done combine and season how you wish. I use a tiny bit of sea salt and a pinch of garlic. I also add in some onion flakes WHILE the cabbage is cooking. Though you can use fresh onion too.

My mother in law says that she likes it with cottage cheese on top. I personally am not a big cottage cheese fan but she swears by it.. lol.

Thats all.. its a plain dish.. but personally I could eat cabbage every day even only just steamed. Something is just comforting about hot cabbage.. Connor really loves this dish as well! I'm not master chef and I can cook it without any issues so thats a huge plus too! heh.

We have some HUGE news to share with you guys.

Ok, I'm saving the big news for later and I promise its HUGE HUGE HUGE. Needless to say its been slow around here the last two months but let me tell you it's been crazy. Needless to say in the last two months I've been away more than home and nothing has happened as planned. Right after the birthday bash was over we headed to Florida for a wedding, my wedding, as up till now Chris and I have never been married and I at times I thought we'd never would be! Heh. Afterwards we went to Orlando and spent a week enjoying Disney World and Universal for most likely the last time before we have kids in tow. Yes yes I left Connor with his grandparents and I felt guilty about it every time I saw something I knew he would love. I'm glad he was with the grandparents though as it rained the entire time we were there and he would have been miserable. Lucky for us rain meant it wasn't so hot and there was barely a wait for any of the rides. Not to mention without a toddler it was super easy to ride Areosmith five times in a row, quite possibly my favorite roller coaster known to man.

Once back from Florida I was barely home before I was called back to Florida as my cousin was in labor. I consider her son my nephew as we were both only children and Connor has spent many weekends with Aunt Jennifer and Uncle David before the birth of my new nephew Kynlee. The delivery was a bit rough and I thought he would never get here but he's gorgeous and I couldn't be more excited for Jennifer and David. Connor wants to hold and kiss his new cousin every chance he gets I just wish it wasn't a three and a half hour drive to do that or we would be down there much more often to bask in the yummy baby goodness.

So, I get back home and figure at last I'll be able to get back to work and without fail my mother ends up deathly ill and needs emergency surgery to remove several inches of her small intestines. Turns out she has had Meckel's diverticulum which is similar to diverticulitis but in this case is congenital. Needless to say most people find out they have this condition when they are toddlers but she did not find out until recently. It makes me wonder if all along her "spastic colon" was caused by this condition. The recovery process has been very slow as there was a lot of infection and she's been in alot of pain. She is finally back home after over a week's stay in the hospital and I'm hoping she will be feeling better soon.

While in Florida I visited a Welsh pony farm. Growing up I showed hunter/jumper horses and ponies and was lucky enough to have owned and competed with some of the best. My last pony at the age of 17 is still going strong on the A circuit and I'm feel like a gloating mommy when I see videos of him on youtube. I sold him shortly before our last move to Atlanta while I was still in high school along with my long time show partner Tarheel (a obnoxious and driven appendix bred quarter horse that landed me championships in everything we attempted from jumpers to dressage and we even attempted reining at one point successfully). Tarheel went on to win more 4H titles than should ever be allowed to one horse in one lifetime and sadly I've lost touch with him and I fear his age finally got the best of him. Blue was just a three year old when I last saw him and it still breaks my heart to think about him though I love the fact that he has touched so many young people. There has been horses since the dynamic duo in my life but none quite as special as my two buddies. Needless to say it's my hope and dream that I can share my intense passion for horses with my son but on a police officers salary the budget for horses is a bit limited. Needless to say thanks to Promise Ponies in Milton Florida, Connor will be receiving his first pony in a few short weeks. Not to mention I got to meet a pony I've been dying to see my entire life it seems. Snow Pony Blondus resides at Promise Ponies and I cant even believe it when I say that Dove our new welsh pony will be coming home hopefully in foal to him! Thanks Danielle, you will always be in our hearts for allowing us to bring Dove home with us. I'm counting the days and hours till she arrives. Connor has been practicing his "riding" skills on his Daddy in the pool. heh. Talk about one lucky baby boy, I didn't get my first pony till the first grade and my first "pony" was an ex barrel racing horse who pretty much hated everyone but me. I actually had a farrier show up at our house and refuse to touch him as he had a reputation that preceded himself. You could have never convinced me otherwise and Tonka was a complete gentleman around me, but don't even bother letting an adult near him. Dove is beyond words a dream come true for Connor's first pony. Beautiful, well bred, and young enough that they can both grow up together. She's a little too young and inexperienced for him at the moment but by the time Connor is old enough to ride her on his own Mommy will have her ready and waiting.

There is one more piece of this puzzle of why I've been away lately but I'll leave that news for a bit later.

Lookie lookie what just showed up on my doorstep!

Talk about an excited day in a girls life. Its not every day that you get a brand new Frigidaire Gallery Series stove and microwave delivered and installed by some incredible guys! To my surprise and almost horror I realized that the Electrolux rep was with them for the install and of course I had just come from Florida and I think everything I owned was on my kitchen counters and the house was a mess. Ahh well what is a girl to do I have a two year old that is obsessed with "touching" everything and I run this blog out of my tiny house so its not uncommon to see outgoing giveaways stacked in piles and review items scattered all over the living room as the best way to test something by far is to allow a two year old to have his way with something. heh. Not to mention I had just woken up from a nap and I looked as much as a mess as my poor house. Heh, I'm still totally embarrassed.

My house is older and my cabinets are not stock as they were made custom for the house by the first owner so nothing seems to fit exactly and the great install techs never even made a peep about the fact that installing a new microwave in my kitchen is not by far the easiest. Actually they were so sweet and so happy if I didn't already know how much of a pain it is from the last install I would haven ever known any different. The end result seeing that stove and microwave in my kitchen really took me back, wow is it a beautiful set.

Of course as soon as the guys were done I rushed out to the store and bought the ingredients for something I've been craving for awhile, and don't ask me to spell its traditional name, but basically its cabbage cooked in butter with sea shell noodles and a tiny bit of bacon. Its really a simple dish but because it takes three pans to make it all its not something I make often and when I do I make a huge batch and eat it for a week strait. My new cook top was perfect as the range has a middle element that will keep a pan warm while you cook. So once I was done with my cabbage I didn't have to worry about it burning while I got the noodles and bacon done. This range also claims it will boil water super quick and needless to say that is true... which leads me to our little boo boo. Well I am no genius in the kitchen and I used my all time favorite pot to boil the water for the noodles. Mind you I've used this pot countless times before to do just the same thing. So about five minutes into cooking I smell something weird but I can't find anything burning anywhere. SO when I'm all done and I go to drain the noodles I pick up the pot and there on my brand new glass cook top is a melted label, I mean totally melted onto the cook top. Turns out all along this pot has had a clear label attached to the underside and on my old range it never came off but my new Frigidaire Gallery range is in a totally different class than our old basic stove! I almost had a heart attack as all I can think is I've just ruined my brand new stove!!

Well not to leave you guys hanging but with the help of a plastic kitchen scraper and a little range top cleaner that pesky ugly melted label came off with hardly any work. I'm not sure why it was so easy as in my experience with my old range if anything melted on the cook top I'd spend the next month scrubbing it to get it off. I'm relieved and the day is saved, I'll just pay better attention to the bottom of my pans in the future.

Though I have not explored the microwave in detail yet there has to be more options and buttons on this new Frigidaire Gallery range than I've ever had on a stove. All of the controls are totally push button and I'm still exploring all the options but I think once I have a chance to read through the manual a bit our next cooking adventure will be to make some yummy cookies as I'm dying to try out the convection oven on a baking project. There are more shelves in this oven than I have ever seen in my lifetime so I'm fairly sure I could bake enough cookies for an army in one setting. At least I know when it comes time to make cookies for Connor's preschool class in a year or two, I can do it in one session! I just need some more cookie sheets and I'll be in business.

I'll have more coverage of my Frigidaire Gallery stove and microwave in the near future as well as our first baking session and more info on the microwave. I'm dying to get a video of this stove in action as I have to show you guys how many racks are inside of it. I feel a bit like a little girl on Christmas morning. In the meantime go check out the entire line of Frigidaire appliances on their website!

Don't forget that Frigidaire offers the “More Me Time” guarantee!

Win a Dyson DC25 just like on Transformers!

Transformers is finally out this week and I can't wait to see the new movie. When I was approached to do a giveaway for Dyson in honor of the new Transformers movie I had to laugh. There is a Dyson DC25 in the movie that actually transforms into a Decepticon. heh.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard from other mommies about how they would do just about anything to own a Dyson, and I can't say I blame them. I've gone through countless vacuum cleaners as the havoc a houseful of dogs and a toddler can do on a vacuum is immeasurable. We have several family members who own a Dyson and the feedback has been overwhelmingly the same. Sure Dysons are expensive but the fact that they continue to work, with the same quality as when you first bought them, over many many years (actually no one I've ever known that has bought a Dyson to date has ever had to replace it) is worth the purchase price and more.

Though we have not tested the Dyson DC25 I know I would be beyond estatic to try one for myself and one lucky reader here at Seven Dogs and a Baby will get that chance! Dyson is giving away a DC25 in honor of the new Transformers movie! How incredibly cool is that?

The DC25 is not your grandmother's vacuum.

• Propped up on a ball the vacuum will turn on a dime!
• No bags to replace. The lifetime hepa filter is washable as well!
• Cyclone technology, this vacuum will not loose suction over the course of its lifetime!
• Five year warrenty!

The Dyson DC25 All Floors has a retail value of $499!

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Visit the Dyson website and tell us which model you'd mostl ike to have and why you need a Dyson!
  
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
  • For an extra entry :
  • Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
  • Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
  • Let people know about the giveaway on Twitter with a link to the giveaway!
    
  • THREE extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
  • This contest will end July 30th at midnight!

Music for learning!

Imagination Movers really threw me aback. I'm not sure what I was expecting as a Disney title but a group of guys dressed like furniture movers singing songs and solving problems was not at all what I expected when I popped the dvd in my player.

Though I believe they are supposed to emulate a child friendly rock band the sound has a "pop" flavor. Though its really cool to see a kids band that sports long hair, goatees, and kinda an alternative dress in their mover outfits. Though this statement sounds like a bad one if I had to be stuck watching a children's musical tv show I'd much rather watch Imagination Movers than some of the alternatives. Heh, what I'm saying is they have a certain appeal that will get your kids moving and won't drive you goofy when you've watched the same episode the 100th time.

Imagination Mover's lessons are practical focusing more on common sense, and everyday lessons. Four episodes are included on this dvd ranging from the Imagination Movers making their own commercial where everything does not exactly go as planned to the warehouse mouse gets a toothache and is scared to go to the vet. Don't worry little mouse I'm sort of scared of the dentist too but like I tell my son, the last thing you want is your teeth falling out. heh.

You can get your own copy of Imagination Movers - Warehouse Mouse Edition on dvd at Amazon!

I have one copy of Imagination Movers to giveaway to one lucky winner.

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Check out Imagination Movers and tell us why you'd like to have this dvd!
  
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
  • For an extra entry :
  • Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
  • Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
  • Let people know about the giveaway on Twitter with a link to the giveaway!
    
  • THREE extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
  • This contest will end July 30th at midnight!

Mickey for the masses! heh.

Mickey Mouse is iconic symbol of childhood. Mickey Mouses episodes where a staple of after school time. The new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse release Mickey's Big Splash is really a big upgrade to the Mickey episodes that I watched as a kid.

Presented in a really brightly animated CGI, Mickey's Big Splash includes four episodes. Our favorite episode was Pete's Beach Blanket Luau, Pete is hosting a beach party at this big star shaped lake. It's hot and the guys want to cool off at the beach. Connor promptly screamed "hot burn" When he saw them on the sand after his recent visit to the beach he learned the challenges of the beach on a hot day. heh.

After your done watching the four episodes there is a really cute game included in the extras that has you help set up the luau by picking the things that shouldn't be there. It was the first dvd game that Connor could actually help me play, which was pretty exciting. My little man is growing up so fast!

Mickey's Big Splash is available right now on dvd and you can pick yours up on Amazon!

I have one copy of Mickey's Big Splash to give away to one lucky reader!

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Check out Mickey's Big Splash and tell me who in Mickey's gang of friends is your favorite!
  
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
  • For an extra entry :
  • Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
  • Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
  • Let people know about the giveaway on Twitter with a link to the giveaway!
    
  • THREE extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
  • This contest will end June 30th at midnight!

Scotts has gone green!

Imagine changing one of the biggest paper consumptions any family has into a green choice, easily, using the same brands you know and trust. Scott is a household name when it comes to personal paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, paper napkins, ect) has come clean, I mean gone green. heh. I've always wondered why more paper companies have not offered a green option, or even just converted all their products into more green friendly products.

Scott Natural paper products can have up to 80% post consumer recycled fiber, on the paper napkins, and 40% on the toilet paper. This means with no more change than buying a trusted brand in basically a different packaging you are making your family more green without having to sacrifice anything! No more excuses people you can make your first baby steps to living greener without even noticing!

Seriously enough I try not to use paper towels unless I have to, though there are times where its hard to avoid like cleaning up nasty puppy messes or using them to cover food in the microwave. All in all I probley use one paper towel roll every three months. However, my mother can use an entire paper towel roll in a day or worst. Though I'd really love to convince her to use cloth at least I can breath a little easier when I know her Scott Natural Paper towels are made with 60% post consumer recycled fibers! Not only that but the packaging is recycled as well! Let's not even get started on what sort of impact we could have in my family alone if all our toilet paper was from recycled fibers!

Have I peeked your interest yet? Well even if your not as obsessed about going green as I am you can't deny that Scotts is a quality brand. Why would you even bother buying anything else when you can have quality AND make a difference in the world around you. We owe it to our children and our grandchildren to at least make an effort. I don't expect people to change their lifestyles and I am not this super hippy everything has to be green sort of girl. My goal is to make one small change a year, or as often as I can, every baby step makes such a huge difference over a person's lifetime. Sure I fall off the train myself at times to, I was on a six month stretch where I recycled every piece of paper that came across my desk and to be honest with you other than the fact that I still print my coupons on the backside of printouts that are no longer useful, I totally stopped recycling paper. Don't worry though I'm gonna get back on that horse and get back to it.

As far as Scott Naturals? I forsee my toilet paper stash getting a little more green as soon as my current stash is gone.

Scott would like to give one lucky reader a gift bag to get them started with the Scott Naturals line and start them on their own green journey! The gift bag includes some of my favorite easy to go green items. Scott Naturals product coupons, Clorox Green Works items, a reusable shopping bag, green light bulbs and a reusable water bottle!

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Check out Scott Naturals and let me one step your taking in your own home to live a greener life or a step you'd like to take!
  
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
  • For an extra entry :
  • Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
  • Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
  • Let people know about the giveaway on Twitter with a link to the giveaway!
    
  • THREE extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
  • This contest will end June 30th at midnight!

It's almost Father's Day!

It's almost Father's Day and if your still stumped on what to buy your dad, husband or boyfriend I have some great suggestions. I figured since this was a father's day gift guide I'd include videos of most of the items on my gift list as you know how guys like visual guides verses written instructions!

Slot Radio Player - Does dad have no clue what a mp3 player is? Regardless if you understand current mp3 player technology or if you just want something easy and uncomplicated to listen to great music the Slot Radio Player is an awesome choice. Slot Radio is unlike any other mp3 player we have seen. There are no songs to download no play lists to take care of just stick in your slot radio card (many available) and your ready to go. It comes out of the box with a mix card that has 1000 songs from all genres to get you started. I've listened to it for days without hearing the same song twice and all of the selections are great across the board. You can buy additional cards from the Slot Radio store! The player also picks up FM channels so you can listen to all your favorite radio stations as well. Fairly small and very sturdy its a great option for children as well. You can pick up yours at the Slot Radio store!


Duckbill Designs Money Clips - I always thought the money clips my grandfather had were super cool. I still have a few of them in my jewelry box. Chris has been complaining for years about how his wallet is just too bulky for his police uniform and I wanted to find him something really cool that would allow him to keep his money and IDs safe but cut down on the bulk. The Duckbill Money Clip is the perfect solution and it looks great. Much larger than the money clips my grandfather used it is fairly indestructible and it will hold a surprisingly large amount of bills/cards. It comes in a really cool case and we had ours hand engraved with Chris's name so I'm sure it will be a treasured keepsake for many generations. Chris loves how it really cuts down on the bulk and how he can carry only a crew cards comfortably in it without worrying about them getting lost!


Picture Keeper - Hands down the best picture taking accessory I've ever found. This small usb device plugs into your computer and with no help from you scans your computer for pictures, or if you prefer any type of file you want including documents. It stores them all in its memory and you can then stash it in your safe or a secure location and keep all of your important pictures and files safe in case the awful reality of a computer crash. If your like me all of your treasured memories are now digital and I can't even imagine loosing my son's baby pictures or the video of him walking for the first time. The best part is the Picture Keeper remembers which files it has already backed up so every time you plug it in it automatically just looks for NEW files. Available in several different sizes you can get one that will perfectly suit your needs. There is no software to install so you do not have to be computer savvy to use this device! You can buy yours at Picture Keeper's website.

Hallmark Cards - I've found that my dad if nothing else is always pleased to get a card with a nice hand written note inside. Why send him a boring card when I can send him an awesome card with a recorded greeting from Hallmark! Choose from cards that just have music, ones that you can record your own greeting, or a card that not only records your message but then plays a cool song afterwards. Shhhh don't tell Chris but I got him the Superman card for Father's Day as he truly is our policeman hero. Now I just have to get Connor to say Happy Father's Day for the recording... right now its coming out more like Bab Dad Yay. I think we may have to shorten it to me saying "Happy" and Connor saying "Dad Day" as for some reason Connor is having problems with happy. Hallmark cards are available at Hallmark stores, most drug stores, and even many grocery stores and department stores these days!

Mark West - For the wine junkie Mark West's wines are incredibly affordable and no one will ever know you spent under $20 on, not even your hubbie unless he's a wine expert. Mark West makes a really fabulous Pinot Noir which is pretty much unheard of at this price. Pinot Noirs are if you ask me the best "drinking" wine you can buy. No need for a fancy dinner this wine is fabulous just sitting outside on the porch watching the world go by. Classically I prefer a very dry red and Pinot Noirs are much more flavorful but I've learned from testing out my wines on friends and family that this particular wine got the best review overall from everything I've given them. Partially because you do not have to be a "wine drinker" to enjoy a Pinot Noir. Call it the common man's wine. Presented in a rather fancy looking bottle it looks and tastes more like a $50-60 wine compared to its $12-20 price tag. You might even get lucky and find it for less than that! Stop believing that you have to spend $60+ on a bottle of wine to get something fabulous, this winemaker alone should change your opinion all together of "table priced" wines. Mark West is widely available ask around at your local stores for availability.

I'm a little loony... for Tinytoons

I have a confession, I spent every single afternoon after school all through high school watching Tiny Toons. So much so I still get the theme song stuck in my head often and I'm fairly sure though Connor has only seen the show a handful of times he knows the theme song as well, as his mother sings it to him fairly often. Tiny Toons was just one of those shows that was upbeat, non violent, and totally fun to watch. I still get the same joy watching it today as I did when I was a teenager.

Tiny Toons was a spin off of Loony Toons for a new generation, though not the same characters but "child versions" not actually related to the originals that they ever say in any way. In Tiny Toons you actually get to see the Animanics for the first time as well, still by far my favorite wb funny cartoon of all time. The humor is age appropriate but still fun for adults, the antics are never violent, and overall it was just great children's programming. Plus it has the best intro song hands down of any children's show ever if you ask me.. seeing as Im still singing it over 10 years later that alone lets you know how much it stuck with me!

Tiny Toons Season 1 Volume 2 offers four dvds of Tiny Toons goodness as well as my favorite Tiny Toons episode of all time Tiny Toon Music Television which features "Fuddonna" aka Elmer Fudd dressed up like Madonna pointy boobies and all and a parody of Istanbul, Not Constantinople my favorite song growing up by They Might Be Giants as its super fun to sing. I spent hours practicing for horse shows playing it, on a boom box.. lol no Ipods back then!

You can get your own copy of Tiny Toons Season 1 Volume 2 on dvd right now on Amazon!

Arg I'm not sure April is so Enchanted.

Don't get me wrong, I actually really love British dramas but I had my doubts about Enchanted April. Mostly because its taken what seems like a lifetime for it come out on dvd not to mention its won more awards than seems humanly possible. That all just seems too much pressure in a review as what happens if I hate it?

Enchanted April follows a group of British women who need an escape from their boring lives and husbands who are totally checked out. They go on a vacation in the countryside as an escape. The women are all pretty different and do not at all get along. The scenery is beautiful and it certainly makes me wish for a European vacation myself. I could not at all get into the story line. The movie is stuffy, the women are not at all appealing to me at all, and the story is so slow building that I could feel my hair growing.

Enchanted April certainly has a lot of substance and the characters are well developed. Fans of British drama will absolutely love it, it was just not at all to my taste. I do know there were a ton of people anxiously awaiting its release. So if your one of those people I'm excited to tell you I have a copy of Enchanted April to give away to one of my readers. As well Enchanted April is available right now on dvd and you can pick up your copy on Amazon!

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Check out Enchanted April and let me know why you'd like to see the movie!
  
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
  • For an extra entry :
  • Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
  • Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
  • Let people know about the giveaway on Twitter with a link to the giveaway!
    
  • THREE extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
  • This contest will end July 15th at midnight!

I picked all the winners for the Birthday Bash 09!

Check your email boxes guys.. I'll be sending out notifications by tomorrow night for all the winners. I'm so excited by how many of you participated!! I'd like to say I can't wait for next year but seeing as that means Connor will be three, lets wait a bit ok? :)

More contests coming up this week. I know the contest front here has been slow but I have some cool ones set up and as soon as I catch up from all the back log from going on vaction and leaving having to go back to Florida to see my new just born nephew I'll get the new contests up and going!

I'll also have some cool prizes to giveaway at blogher is anyone going?

;)
-Angela

The Freakazoid really isn't all that freaky, heh.

Tired of super serious superheros? Freakazoid is sort of the Tick of this generation. The alter ego of the super nerd Dexter Douglas (even his name sounds geeky). The Freakazoid is not at all your average super hero, he's funny, quirky, and obviously suffers from having problems keeping focus.

I identify with Freakazoid. I'm self admittedly a geek, I have issues keeping focused, and I have a tendency to make cheezy jokes. Though I'm a huge fan of classic super heroes there is something just so refreshing and downright entertaining about Freakazoid. The humor reminds me a bit of my favorite "super hero" show of all time Pinkie and the Brain, though I'm not really sure where to classify that show as its not really a super hero show but obviously only a mouse with super heros could think like the Brain. heh.

With really outragous villains like the Lobe who is actually a guy with such a huge brain that it sort of dominates his head and the Cobra Queen who can command snakes (wait.. where is the Cobra King?) heh. It's really just an overwhelming shame they canceled this show its still just as funny today as it was when it was released ten years ago. Eek make that more than ten years ago as I believe the last season aired shortly after I graduated. Man does that make me feel incredibly old.

Freakazoid Season 2 is presented in a super cool embossed case that really gets kids attention. Connor brought it to me several times asking to watch it even though he has no clue who Freakazoid is yet. It includes the whole second season in two glorious dvds. Though there are not a ton of extras there is a pretty comical season two commentary piece that is literally five minutes long, which on its own is hilarious.

If your looking for the perfect super hero show for the younger set this is absolutely a great option and believe me when I say that your teenagers, not to mention the men of the household, will enjoy the quirky humor as well. I still think I enjoy it more than Connor does by far and he loved it.

Freakazoid Season Two is available right now on dvd and you can pick yours up on Amazon!

Who ever said the BBC wasn't cool?

I've always had a personal fondness for the BBC, quite possibly its all those endless hours I've spent up late at night looking for something to do as I've been a horrible insomniac since I was a teen. Before I had blogging to occupy all those late night hours try finding anything decent on tv at 3am. Though I can recall countless nights watching the BBC and I still enjoy watching when I have some free time. For those of you that have not checked out the BBC's lineup I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.

I recently got a chance to check out Top Gear 10 - The Complete Season 10 and for all of you car junkies out there its totally worth a look. Top Gear is sort of car show with a major twist. I feel a little embarrassed to say that I didn't even realize the point of the show as the cars until I had seen a few episodes. The hosts are a group of middle aged men who act like a bunch of excited teenagers when it comes to completing these "car challenges". Can they drive across the Kalahari Desert in some old junkers? Test out high end dream cars and compare them. Its presented sort of like a super entertainment driven tech review show so even non car lovers like myself will still find entertainment in it all.

For those of you, especially some of the guys I know, who have written off the BBC as unhip or full of British dramas this show may just change your whole perception. I'm really surprised that I've not seen it up till now especially seeing as this is season ten.

If your curious you can check out the current season on BBC America or pick up Top Gear 10 The Complete Season 10 on dvd at Amazon right now!

It's time to stop living just for others!

I think it's ingrained into a woman's nature to completely check out the moment she becomes a mom. I know I had this overwhelming sense of devotion to Connor from the moment I found out I was pregnant so much so that I have moments where its hard to remember what its like to be anything other than Connor's Mommy. The first few months I followed the advice to sleep when he slept, though he has always slept through the night so I've always had it pretty easy. Regardless I think its just so easy to completely shed your identify for this new super mom identity that we all try so hard to pull off. None of the parenting books I read when I was pregnant prepared me for this change or even gave me advice on how to deal. Sure I learned alot about all the gross things that would happen to my body during pregnancy and about three in the morning feedings. Never did I read anything about how to deal with the guilt that you encounter when it comes to going back to work or how to still remain focused on your goals.

You can consider Mojo Mom as sort of the self help manual for all moms be it your first child or your fifth. Mojo Mom explores what it really means to become a mother and how the absolute weight of that realization affects moms. It's also sort of a how to guide on keeping your own identity, dealing with mommy guilt, and realizing your own dreams and goals. I know I still struggle with mommy guilt more often than I would like. I'll sit down to do some writing and within seconds Connor will swoop in on me and give me the cutest look and ask me to do something with him. Instead of setting a little time for myself and my career more often than not I spend all day with him and then attempt to do all my work in the wee hours of the morning and sacrifice my own sleep and health in exchange. Is it just me that feels this overwhelming guilt if I miss an hour of his life, like I'm going to totally miss something monumental.

Mojo Mom should be on every mom's to buy list when it comes to preparing for motherhood! You can pick up your own copy on Amazon. Thanks Mom Central for letting us know!