I Used to Think I Was Normal But Now I Take Pills for That by J.L. Black
My rating: 3 of 5 stars ( See Goodreads ★ Rating System below)

The title I Used to Think I Was Normal But Now I Take Pills for That had me laughing but I had no idea the amount of laughs that were tucked into the pages of this book. If we are honest I think we can all relate to the chapters in J.L. Black's book. We either know someone or have experienced first hand the topics that she brings to light using humor. Laughter is the best medicine. I can tell you I laughed out loud several times throughout this book. This is a quick read for those who are on the go and may not have a lot of time for reading.
I will warn that I typically review Children's and Christian books and this is neither. This book does include foul language and adult subject matter.
Support a self published author and pick up this book for some laughs.
Available in Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1463762...
Available for Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005V5K...

View all my reviews

Review imported from Goodreads.com.
Goodreads Rating System

★ Didn't like it
★★ It was OK
★★★ Liked it
★★★ Really liked it
★★★★ It was amazing

*Disclaimer:  I received a copy of I Used to Think I was Normal but Now I Take Pills for That by J.L. Black for the purpose of this review.  The review is in my own words and honest opinion.  No compensation was received for this post.

Avery Office Supplies From Shoplet

Love office supplies?  I do.  I'm not sure why but I love office supplies and trying new ways to organize my home office.  This week I tried three new products from Avery.

Avery Heavy Duty Ring Reference Binder is a great improvement in the office staple.  The binder's look and feel is not much different than the other Avery binders on the market.  My favorite feature is the easy open rings.  This is the first one touch open that is actually a one touch open without fear of breaking a nail or injuring your fingers.  The rings open like magic with only a slight touch.  Thumbs up for this great feature.   I also like that in contrast to traditional binders that have one inner pocket on the inside of each cover this binder features two inner pockets per inside cover.

Avery Custom Binder Spine Inserts are a product that made me say, where have these been during the many times I have tried to cut to fit and customize my own spine labels?  The labels consist of 5 1/2" labels on cardstock type paper.  The weight gives them the right amount of stiffness to easily slide into the spine of your ring binder without bending. I also like that you can go to http://avery.com/print and use their templates including pictures/icons for FREE.  I played around with a couple of different designs.  The program provided by Avery was extremely user friendly.  My only complaint is because of the format you must print the entire sheet/5 labels at once.  I was able to put all 5 to good use by also making a couple of label's for my daughter's school binder (also by Avery).  

What do you think?

The binder labels were so easy to print and slide into the spine of the 3 ring binder.

Avery Note Tabs are a extremely handy way to organize your binder, files and more.  The binder tab is an easy way to organize and keep important pages easily accessible.  I like that the binder tabs are sturdy and very easy to write on without smearing and easy to place where needed.  The binder tabs allow you to turn any page into a divider or organizing tool.  

I would like to say a huge Thank You! to Shoplet for allowing me to review these three very handy products from Avery.  If you don't already shop with Shoplet I would encourage you to check them out.  You may always find them by using the Shoplet button in the sidebar of this blog or visit them at: http://www.shoplet.com/

I
SHOP GREEN

*Disclosure:  I received the three office supplies mentioned in this review free of charge in exchange for sharing this review with my readers.  The review is my honest opinion.  The pictures are actual pictures of the products I received and reviewed.  No other compensation was received.

Winner~Purex Crystals and Jockey Sports Bra Giveaway!

Congratulations to Ty who is the winner of the Purex Crystals and Jockey Sports Bra Giveaway.

Make sure to check out her winning comment which was a great laundry tip.  Hydrogen peroxide is great at removing blood.

Thanks to all who entered and congratulations again to Ty.

TyJan 31, 2012 06:13 AM

My stain tip: Pour hydrogen peroxide on blood and rinse with cold water. If some blood remains, repeat.

Purex Crystals and Jockey Sports Bra Giveaway!

Purex has teamed up with Jockey to kick off the release of  Purex Crystals.  What are Purex Crystals?  They are one of the newest products in the Purex line.  The Purex Crystals are 92% natural crystals that you add to your wash load at the beginning with your detergent to infuse your laundry with a fresh scent.  Purex Crystals are an answer to one of my laundry woes.  My husband and daughter are both runners participating in 5k and marathons.  Today's running gear is made to wick moisture but is not made to be used with fabric softener leaving it with a high stink factor.  I was constantly frustrated by having to watch the loads that I could use fabric softener with as they constantly have exercise gear in the laundry.  Purex Crystals is here to help me defeat the stink factor without erasing the moisture-wicking  qualities of exercise clothing.  Purex Crystals do not contain oil so they are safe to be used on athletic wear, towels, sleepwear & everything else.  I was surprised to see one of the main ingredients is sucralose.  Sweet!  (pun intended).  I was able to test Purex Crystals in Tropical Splash.  The scent leave laundry smelling fresh with a scent that lingers past the dryer.

Do you want to put Purex Crystals to the test?  Purex has teamed up with Jockey to offer one lucky StuffSmart reader a full size bottle of crystals and Jockey is adding a Sports bra so you can see for yourself how the products works.  The Jockey Tech Terry Performance moisture-wicking sports bra has a convenient key pocket, reflective logo and breathable bottom band for support.

This will be a quick giveaway.  The winner will be drawn at noon EST Tues. January 31, 2012 and have until 3:00pm EST to reply with their contact information or another winner will be chosen.  Contest is open to US residents only.  Quick and easy entry below.

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Purex and tell me something you learned about Purex Crystals.  That's it very easy!

Optional extra entries: (Please leave a comment for each that you do in order to get extra chances to win)

1. Follow StuffSmart via Google Friend Connect.
2. Follow @StuffSmart on Twitter and leave your twitter name in your comment.
3. Follow StuffSmart's Blog on Facebook and leave your facebook name (may leave first name and last initial)
4. Tweet about this giveaway and come back leaving a link to your tweet.

Optional Super Entry:  Since this is a quick giveaway after the mandatory entry is completed you may leave a laundry tip for one additional entry per tip.  Leave a separate comment to get a separate entry per comment.  The only catch is please allow at least 10 minutes between tip comments.  (Comments are Moderated.  Please do not spam.  Leave serious tips only).

Thank you.  Good Luck!

*Disclosure:  As a Purex Insider I was provided a full sized bottle of Purex Crystals and a Jockey sports bra in exchange for posting product information.  The opinions expressed in the post were my honest opinion.  

Homeschool Supplies and More at Christianbook.com

Do you homeschool or know someone who does?  I've recently become familiar with Christianbook.com and wanted to share them with my readers who are homeschoolers.  Christianbook.com carries thousands of Christian products at deep discount prices.  They currently carry the following Homeschool curriculum:

• Alpha Omega
• Switched-On Schoolhouse
• BJU Press
• Apologia
• Saxon Math
• ACE/PACE

And more!

A complete listing of curriculum please visit the Homeschool product homepage.






*Disclosure This is not a paid post however, I am an affiliate with Christianbook.com so purchases through the links in this post help to support this blogger.  Thank you.

New Look!

If you are visiting and thinking that something looks a bit different, I am in the process of updating and changing the blog's template and layout.  I am very open to comments.  Do you like or dislike the new layout?  Why or why not?  Please let me know for example if the font and colors are hard to read.  I access blogger via pc or laptop so I haven't seen the changes via smartphone, tablet etc.  Please feel free to let me know what you think.

I look forward to reading your comments.  Thank you.

How Do You Feed a Hungry Giant?: A Munch-and-Sip Pop-Up Book by Caitlin Friedman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


How Do You Feed A Hungry Giant is a large pop-up and lift a flap book. I liked this book. The story line, illustrations and activities were fun. I shared it with my five year old niece who loved opening the little flaps and extras. I found a larger story inside this book as we need to be aware to the "Giant" called hunger and help to feed it. Even one person can make a difference.

My only concern is for durability as with the first reading my niece split one of the lift a flap layers with her finger nail in effort to open it. A tab for the lift a flaps would have been helpful.  With that being said, I would still recommend this book!

View all my reviews

*Disclosure:  I was provided with a copy of this book free of charge for review purposes.  The review itself is my own words and honest opinion.
**Review was linked from Goodreads.com

Looking to purchase this book?  Check it out on Amazon.com.

Entering the Zanussi Cookers Make Every Meal a Masterpiece Competition on Contest Corner

This is my entry for the Zanussi cookers make every meal a masterpiece competition

One way to make every meal count is with a great start!  Salads are easy even for those of use who aren't experienced cooks and can make a "so so" meal into a "WOW" meal.  The other thing about salad is that you can throw in various ingredients to change things up and keep it interesting.  This is one of our favorite meal starters.

Recipe:

• Baby Spinach
• Shredded Cheese (we prefer the mixed blends)
• Mandarin Orange slices (Canned oranges may be drained and used)
• Almond Slices (great for protein!)
• Drizzle with Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing.

I love how this salad has it all: Vegetable, Fruit, Dairy, and Protein!

Too busy for a home cooked meal? Ordering out?  Pizza?  A meal from a box?  Add a salad like the one above and viola you've made a not so healthy meal much healthier and well...a masterpiece!

Bring Back Beatrice! by Jennifer Griffin ~ Book Review

Bring Back Beatrice! 1,108 Baby Names with Meaning, Character and a Little Bit of Attitude. By Jennifer Griffin is a great read for anyone thinking of having children.  Naming your child is an important and sometimes stressful task since their name will stick with them throughout life.  When we found out that we were having a baby I will be honest.  I didn't consult any of the hundreds of "baby names" books out there.  My husband and I had come up with a girl name several yrs before and a couple of possible boy names as we never could come up with a boy name that we just loved.  When our bundle of joy arrived she fit perfectly with the name we had in mind and we breathed a sigh of relief that we didn't have to make a decision on a boy name.
Bring Back Beatrice!  Is a book that I would have loved to have around when we were discussing baby names.  The author beautifully spells out her purpose of writing the book and her endeavor to save children from being named fad or made up names.  Does she really expect everyone to name their daughters Beatrice?  No.  The author simply wants thought to be put into the names we are giving our children and the history of those names.  What if you have your mind set on a fad name?  The author lists alternatives to the name and provides history behind the name.
I'm not in the market for baby names but found the book very refreshing and think it would be a great resource for anyone.  How many times have you cringed when you heard the name someone was planning to name their child?  Do the child a favor and let the expectant parents know about this book and that it provides a refreshing new option to the old baby names books.  The child just might thank you!  This would also make a great shower gift.

* Disclosure: I was provided a free copy of the book for review purposes.  No compensation was received.  This post is my own honest opinion and was in no way influenced by the sponsor.

Hot on Amazon! Haan FS20 Plus Steam Cleaning Floor Sanitizer (Steam Mop) with Deluxe Sanitizing Tray $25.84 Shipped! (tax may be added in some states) Amazon.com

Hurry over to Amazon.com for a seriously HOT deal!

Hurry to Amazon.com for the Haan FS20 Plus Steam Cleaning Floor Sanitizer with Deluxe Sanitizing Tray by Haan for $18.56.  This offer is through Ace Hardware Direct so it doesn't qualify for Free Super Saver shipping.  However with the $7.28 shipping making it $25.84 this is by far the best price that I could find on this unit new (not refurbished) as it lists for $99.99

Product Features

• Chemical-free steam cleaner for all sealed hard-floor surfaces--uses regular tap water
• Plus version comes with sanitizing tray attachment for refreshing carpeted areas
• Heats up in less than 3 minutes; produces up to 20 minutes of steam per refill
• Includes 2 super-absorbent, multilayer Ultra-Microfiber cleaning pads that are washable and reusable
• Measures 50-1/2 by 11-1/2 by 7-1/2 inches (HxWxD) fully extended and weighs 3.15 pounds; backed by 1-year warranty