Earthquake, Hurricane & Croquet

Ever since I moved to Virginia, we had an Earthquake and then a few days later a Hurricane. We lost power for 3 days. And although that stunk - I'm grateful to get it back - tons of people are still without. And it actually delayed schools another week. Now my kids aren't even going to start school until Sept. 12!

Well anyway, here's a picture of croquet. Which has nothing to do with what I was just talking about, but this croquet set was my grandparents. (at least 50 yrs old - I think). We now have a big enough yard to play it again. And my daughter has been giving it a try. She gets kinda competitive!

Straight Talk - Great Benefits

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Every time I see my sister, she asks me about the cell phones I use. She was still under contract with her cell phone plan. And her husband really needs a cell phone for his business. But I told her that the Straight Talk phone my husband just got has everything you need. 

I told her that mom knows best and that she should switch to a Straight Talk phone as soon as she could. I have cut my phone bill in half (at least) and no Contract! You would have to be crazy these days to be under a contract. 

I told my sister to call a friend and tell them about Straight Talk too. The deals are so good. That got her Hook, line and sinker! You can get everything you need with the Straight Talk phone. Like what my husband has is the unlimited plan. For $45 a month you get unlimited calls, text, picture messaging and web. That is a good deal. My sister could really save a lot of money with this phone. I wonder what she would do with it? Maybe take a trip or something? 

You also get great phones with it. You could pick a trusted phone manufacture such as LG, Motorola, Kyocera, Nokia, and Samsung. I think my sister is really going to get one of these. Check it out for yourself! Also watch this video! 

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Carbonite - Back up Your Files!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Carbonite for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I wanted to share with you all a great computer backup program I found out about! Don't you think you would be interested in something like this? I know I am!

Have you ever had your computer crash & lost your files? Stuff like your documents, pictures, emails and all that music you may have downloaded?  I know I have! What a nightmare. I remember a few years ago, something happened to my computer. I'm pretty sure I got some kind of virus. 

Well now I found out about an online backup service called Carbonite that will really come in handy. I wish I had it a few years ago. I basically lost my whole file system on my computer. One thing I still am not over is a lot of the pictures I lost on there. I didn't have a lot of them backed up and then I got a virus. I try not to think about it - because it is too upsetting.

But with Carbonite you don't have to worry about losing your files. For only $59 a year you can have unlimited  backup for your PC or Mac. It works continually in the background backing up your files whenever you are on the internet. It's completely automatic and secure. And you can access your files from virtually any Internet connected device. There are even apps for iPhone, Android, etc. 

Please visit the site to find out more! Try it free for 15 days, no credit card required. Then if you decide to purchase use code: BLOGAD -  to get two free months! Carbonite has saved over 7 billion files that would have been lost without them! Now that is cool! 

TracFone - A Plan for You

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TracFone for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have talked before about my TracFone. It's a great idea, I think. And so do real TracFone customers. It has so many features! 

One of the best features is the No Contract! You can get a really great plan too. With no credit check no activation charges or cancelation fees! The Monthly plans are great, real TracFone customers love that you can pay as you go. You can pay online or buy the cards at tons of retail stores. 

I heard from some real TracFone customers that they really like the LG phone that TracFone has. Some other phones they have are Motorola, Samsung - to name a few. These pones are really a great way to save money. And are even great for kids. If you are thinking of getting a cell phone this summer - you should consider getting a TracFone.

Because you can get a great plan for as little as $9.99 for 50 minutes. You can also buy a card that "doubles your minutes for the life of your phone."  You can purchase that for only $19.99. But some phones include that already. My TracFone actually has that feature built right in. So whatever minutes I buy - they automatically double. Which is really cool!

There really are so many great plans with the TracFone. And a lot of cool phones with great features!

Check out this video of some features on the LG420 Phone:

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Summertime in Branson

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Summertime is a great time to visit Branson. They are so many terrific events going on there right now. There are several events that I think anyone would enjoy. Wouldn't it be nice to get away this summer and take advantage of all the activities Branson has to offer?

One event that I think looks particularly interesting is the 3rd Annual Guns & Hoses Fishing Tournament. This is a trout fishing tournament on Lake Taneycomo in Branson. It helps to benefit the fire and police departments. I love fishing. And so does my Son, so I think this would be really cool. (here he is fishing:)

 

I also just saw they are having a "concert" with Larry the  Cable guy in Branson. That would be really fun. I've seen him on TV and he is really funny. It would really be awesome to see a show of his. 

 

 

And while your in Branson, you could stay at the Hiltons of Branson. Maybe at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing or you could also stay at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. 

I also saw that there are some really great packages you can get at the hotels. The one that especially looks good is the Branson Best Value Vacation Package. This package will include:

Deluxe accommodations at Hilton Branson Convention Center or Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing, two adult and two children’s tickets to the Legends of Kung Fu show at the White House Theater in Branson, MO, two adult and two children’s two-day passes to Silver Dollar City, a $25 gift card for shopping, and a $25 food credit for Level 2 Steakhouse. On top of all that your third night is free!

This sounds like a great deal. And while your there check out the events. Even Larry the Cable Guy!

Camera Critters

Last week, we noticed a "dead" possum on the side of our street. Later that day while driving by there was turkey vultures taking advantage of the situation.

I got my camera and went back. I counted 15 turkey vultures.

Son's Birthday

Hey - it was my son's birthday. Actually a month ago! But I just got around to looking at these 2 pics I took of him that day.

My "baby" is now 15!

Back to school with Zenni Optical

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Zenni Optical for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Back to school time! Kids like to be fashionable right? But you probably want to save some money on school stuff too right? I definitely like to save money anyway I can. One way I figured out how to save money was - you know when they give you your receipt? If there is a survey you can take online. You should do it! I did that and othen the next time I went back I saved 10% on everything I bought the next time. That is a good deal. Don't you think?

You may also - besides clothes, need to buy some glasses for your children -for back to school. Well have you ever ordered from Zenni Optical? Did you like the glasses you received? You should really check them out you could really save money on prescription glasses. I was checking out the site and I really saw some great deals on there. And as I said I love to save money. Who doesn't right? I would totally consider buying my kids glasses from Zenni Optical.

If you are anything like me - you are trying to save money everyway you can. And why shouldn't you be able to on prescription glasses? Well now you can! Check out Zenni Optical for yourself!

Bealls and Back to School Shopping

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bealls for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

School shopping! Don't ya just love it? Well it's that time of year again. Time to start thinking about back to school shopping. 

My daughter likes shopping. I suppose that is typical for young girls. My 15 year old son kinda dreads it. We basically have to drag him to the store every year to do it. 

One of our school shopping traditions was always doing some of the shopping with the kid's grandmother (my mom.) But this year we can not go with her, since we live to far away now. That is a little bit sad. Because my mom enjoys going with the kids.

I already took my daughter to get some school clothes. I still have to bring my son, maybe this weekend. I'm not sure what the trends are, but for the girls it looks like a lot of floral prints, and tank tops. Boys - I think the different graphic t-shirts are popular. 

We are going to try to save money by looking for some sales. Also I went last weekend, when they were have a tax free weekend. So we saved money that way. 

I found a really cool website too, where you can do some school shopping. It is called Bealls. They have all kinds of cool clothes for kids. Also I noticed even backpacks and basics like socks and underwear. They also have school uniforms. My kids don't have to have those, but Bealls, looks like some great prices on those. Check out the website! Have fun school shopping! 

Sprint Total Equipment Protection App

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sprint for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

There is a new app I want to tell you about. It is the Sprint Total Equipment Protection App (TEP). This is a really important app to have and is available for Android, Blackberry and select feature phones. 

Here's a summary of what you can do with this app:

1. Locate phone
2. Sync contacts
3. Remote wipe phone
4. Lock Phone
5. Sound Alarm

Sprint TEP users can be up and running at no additional cost. Watch this YouTube Video below for more information:

 

 

This new app for Sprint Total Equipment Protection subscribers will really make life easier. No more losing your phone and not knowing where it is! Or you won't have to worry about someone stealing your phone and losing your contacts or  having them getting your information.

Also great news for those who previously did not activate the TEP within 30 days of their phone. Now Sprint is holding an open enrollment for those customers. But please hurry  as this is a limited time offer. Check out and download the app now! Current Sprint users have from August 1-30, 2011 to add this feature. 

In addition to those app features it will also provide customers a quick and convenient way to get a replacement if ever lost, stolen or damaged. There's a lot more to this! Pls. check it all out for yourself!!

Kitchen & Stuffed Animals

Here's a look at the kitchen;

and here is a picture of a stuffed animal hammock my daughter got. She has a lot of stuffed animals. Don't you think? I don't even think that is all of them - lol

Straight Talk 2

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hey guys, another post for  you on cell phones. And I'm sure  you know by now that I have moved. Well the number one reason we did was because of my husband's job. And since we relocated he has a bigger postion there.

He needed a phone to use at work. And he really needed one that had a camera and email capabilities. So it was hook, line and sinker that he got a Straight Talk Phone. If he wants to call a friend or more importantly his boss. He can now use his Straigh Talk phone. And we don't have to worry about contracts! The Straight Talk phone has everything you need.

They have great nationwide coverage and excellent connectivity and reception. My husband got a Motorola phone (you can also get manufactures like LG and Nokia -more too). For $45 he is getting Unlimited Monthly, which includes calls, text, picture messaging, and web. He really needed this, because his boss is in New Hampshire and we are in Virginia. And he needs to be able to take pictures and email them to his boss. And other things.  So my husband is hook, line and sinker sold on his new Straight Talk phone.

There are a lot of other features, phones, and plans to look into. Check it all out for yourself! Also watch this video too!