March 2013 | Miki's Hope

Baby Just Will NOT Let me Sleep!

Sunday, March 31, 2013

There are evenings where I fall asleep on my couch watching TV. Of course I would not even be in there if Baby, my cat didn’t insist on it. At around 6 o’clock she starts talking to me from the living room. Fine-I go in there, turn on the TV and SHE proceeds to go to sleep on the chair back. Then if I fall asleep and I am supposed to be in my bed—well the remote goes flying to the floor-luckily I have carpet-but I am a light sleeper at best. She watches as I turn off the computer then the lights and after I pull the covers over me she proceeds to the window and/or the highboy to check out the neighborhood. She leaves me alone until 1 AM. If I happen to wake up or can’t sleep she lies down in front of my bedroom door glaring—daring me to attempt to leave the room.

Here it is 1:37 AM and I was rudely woken up by Baby because she thinks this is the time that breakfast is supposed to be served. It doesn’t matter to her that I happened to go to bed later then normal. She does try to convince me to go to bed by 8 or 9 the latest. I just could not seem to fall asleep last night, I think I might have slept for an hour. Then comes the rattling as she stomps on my printer—then the picture that she shakes on the wall—then the jump right onto my stomach. There is just no ignoring her. Believe me I have tried!! The noises just keep getting louder.

This cat has me totally trained. Now that I haven’t been working outside my home she is convinced that I am not supposed to EVER leave. The look that I get is incredible-and I better be back BEFORE her nap is over or she is all over me!! Do I love her, of course I do. Do, I want to strangle her----DAILY—but won’t. If Baby had ever had kittens I can guarantee one thing—they would have been obedient. She even gives me swats when I don’t listen!!







All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the winner of "Sand Castle Bay" by Sherryl Woods is...

This contest is officially ended. Out of 87 entries the comment number picked via Random.org is #82

Anonymous said... 82

Like you on facebook as Merry Sunshine
March 14, 2013 at 9:21 PM

Congratulations! All the winner has to do now is reply to the email I will be sending in just a few minutes within 48 hours with their full name and mailing address and I will forward the info to the publicist who will be sending the book direct.

Keep your eyes out-The second book in this marvelous series will be reviewed and 1 copy given away starting 4/13!




All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Diabetes–Walden Farms 0 Cal, 0 Carbs, Fat Free, Gluten Free, Sugar Free Products

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Walden Farm products are good for everyone-not only diabetics! I originally bumped into their salad dressing when shopping. The tag that states 0 Calories, 0 Carbs, 0 Sugar, Gluten Free, Fat Free caught my attention. I bought a bottle of the Raspberry Vinaigrette. It was a bit too sweet for my taste but I did like it. Next time I bought the Creamy Blue Cheese---now this one I loved!! I also bought one of the Ranch dressings, also liked it. They have 22 varieties of salad dressings—there has got to be one that you will love. When I decided to do a series of posts on foods for diabetics I went to their website. Imagine my surprise when I saw they sell a whole lot more then just salad dressing which is all they sell in the supermarket where I shop! So, I did some shopping on-line. I received all the items and they were certainly packed well—all these products come in glass jars (which can be recycled or re used!!).

Here is what I ordered:

Chocolate Dip (is a bit bitter for my taste but then I like WHITE chocolate)
Marshmallow Dip (LOVED it)
Ketchup (have not tried yet)
Amazin’ Mayo Salad & Sandwich Spread (have not tried yet)
Whipped Peanut Spread (a bit oily for my taste-but no oil in there)
Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce (have not tried yet)
Chocolate Syrup Single Serve Packets (again a bit bitter for me)
Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing (I LOVE IT)
Apricot Fruit Spread (have not tried yet)
French Onion Dip (not enough onion flavor for my taste)

Sorry-no pictures-I still have not figured out how to get pictures from my cell phone to my desk top!!

I am planning on attempting to use the Mayo on chicken breasts to see if it works the same as regular mayo (put mayo on chicken breast then bread then bake). The pasta sauce I will try with a side dish of pasta. I will be mixing the ketchup and mayo together then adding horse radish for a fish dip. A PB&J using the peanut butter spread and Apricot Spread. I didn’t find any of the no sugar ice cream at my supermarket but I did find one made with Almond Milk. Not too crazy about it (the ice cream made from Almond Milk) but the Chocolate Syrup and Marshmallow Fluff made it taste much better!!

You can find the ingredients of any of their products (most start with purified water, have something called vegetable fiber and all use Splenda) and the nutritional chart for each on their website. Copy/Paste this link http://www.waldenfarms.com/nutrition_facts and then click on the product(s) you would like to know about. Almost every one of these products has sodium-so if you are watching that-please check!!

There is lots of information on their website including recipes. http://www.waldenfarms.com/index.html



I purchased these products-I did receive a discount on the purchase. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement.

Trends to Increase Bone Mass and Prevent Bone Loss

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Anyone can experience bone loss. It is especially common in women who are going through menopause. However, if you work at it, you can not only prevent bone loss, you can increase your bone mass. This will make your bones stronger, and generally make you healthier.

Image via Flickr by Official U.S. Navy Imagery

One prevalent reason people start to lose bone mass is because their muscles are not strong. It sounds a little silly at first, but all of the systems in your body are connected. If you exercise and keep you muscles strong, your bones are likely to stay strong as well.

Chronic Inflammation can Chip Away at Bones

Image via Flickr by ceonyc

Are you constantly in pain? If your body suffers from chronic inflammation, it can cause more than just pain. In fact, inflammation around your gut can cause your body to not absorb calcium and other nutrients it needs to keep your bones strong. Inflammation in other areas can eventually lead to deterioration of the bones. To combat this, talk with your doctor about the best ways to keep inflammation down. You may be prescribed medication or you might be told to restrict your diet.

A Glass of Wine a Day Keeps the Doctor Away


Image via Flickr by sh0dan

Did you know that your nightly glass of wine can actually help improve your health. Women who drink 1-2 drinks a day have been shown to have a higher bone mineral density than those who do not drink. The alcohol seems to slow down the bone turnover rate, allowing bones to grow and strengthen.

Get Medication

Image via Flickr by trekkyandy

There are medications that can help stop bone loss, and even increase bone density. These medications are extremely helpful for women going through menopause. When you buy Actonel, you are getting a medication that has been shown to help women increase their bone mass. Make sure you talk to your doctor about any medications you take.

Increase Your Calcium Intake

Image via Flickr by markhillary

Calcium helps increase bone mass. Because of this, it is important to get enough calcium each day. It is suggested that women over 50 should get about 1,200 milligrams of calcium each day. This will help stop bone loss and increase bone density. If you have good calcium intake through your life, you can keep from losing too much bone mass as you get older.

Quit Smoking Cigarettes


Image via Flickr by Qfamily

If you needed another reason to kick the habit, think about your bones. In a three year long study in Brazil that was published in 2010, it was found that smoking was the leading cause of fractures and bone loss in women. There is a toxic effect that is a part of nicotine. This causes estrogen levels to lower, can make menopause come earlier, and also inhibits the bone-forming cells in the body. Smoking cigarettes can increase spontaneous bone loss, which can cause a lot of problems in the body.

Bone mass loss is detrimental to all parts of the body. If you have low bone density, work toward increasing it. For those who do not yet have problems with their bones, it is never a bad idea to look toward the future.


This is a guest post.

Diabetes – Ice Cream

Wednesday, March 27, 2013


Thankfully I am not much of an ice cream eater. I never even looked in the supermarket for a diabetic semi friendly brand! But there are times where I would like just a little. Was I ever surprised to find out that YES-there are plenty of Brands who now put out not only reduced sugar ice cream but also sugar free ice cream. Of course when I told one of my friends whose husband is diabetic-she rattled them right off!! But just in case you are like me and did not really even think that you would ever taste that tasty concoction again---------Just remember—a small scoop (approx ½ cup) and if you happen to be like me where milk (full, skim or anything inbetween) raises your blood sugar—do not indulge too often and certainly not until your blood sugar is under control! I even found a chocolate syrup and a caramel syrup that is sugar free (and a marshmallow fluff)-but that is for another post! I found a site who listed all the different brands and whether they were low carb, sugar free etc. I suggest you go check this list out. Unfortunately the ones that are listed for diabetics are mostly foreign brands which can not be found in the United States that I am aware of (yes I googled every one of those!) Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/sugar-free-ice-cream-brands.html There is even a recipe for making your own sugar free ice cream in Buzzle’s post which I might try-it sounds pretty easy to me and you do not need an ice cream maker!

The brands I know you can probably find in your local supermarket but are generally not totally sugar free are:

Skinny Cow
Edy’s
Turkey Hill
Blue Bunny
Hersey’s
Baskin Robbins
Breyers

Just remember to read the labels carefully!! ALWAYS watch those carb counts and in this case-sugar count as well! It would not hurt to keep an eye on the calorie count and the PORTION size as well!!!








I was NOT paid for this post. It is for informational purposes only and compiled by me. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the winner of the Hallmark Channel! Giveaway-Return to Nim's Island contest is...

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

This contest is officially ended. The winner picked at Random.org is #15

Jane Ritz said... 15

I'm Nim-The Valient Voyager. I'm adventurous, curious and have a strong sense of justice that may put me in risky places but will bring extraordinary adventures!!! Hey-That'me. NIM
Jane Ritz
March 19, 2013 at 7:01 PM

Congratulations Jane! You are the winner of the Hallmark Channel! Giveaway-Return to Nim's Island contest. You will have to reply to the email I am about to send you quickly this time in order that I can get the information to the people who will be sending the prize!! I will need your full name and mailing address as well as your email address just in case they are going to be emailing you the prize!




All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Live (FREE) Q And A: Find Out If Your Student Athlete Is At Risk for Sudden Heart Failure

This is a guest post which PartnersHub has asked me to share with all of you. It is one with which I agree totally. We should all be aware of what can happen and why to our young student athletes. If you have or know a young student athlete I strongly suggest you attend to ask questions and get answers. Please feel free to share this post and spread the word. Click on the picture to find out more and to RSVP to this important event!



Top 5 risk factors for sudden heart failure in student athletes:

1. Family history of sudden death.
2. Fainting or family history of fainting.
3. Family history of arrhythmias or heart muscle disease.
4. Participation in sports (particularly sports that require a burst of
activity like basketball, hockey and football).
5. Athlete has gone through puberty (an athlete’s body is stronger at this point and has power during the burst of activity).

PartnersHub is working with the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center on a free live Q and A to help active families understand the risk factors of sudden heart failure in student athletes.

DID YOU KNOW?*
If defibrillation is administered within one minute of collapse, the survival rate for sudden heart failure goes up 90 percent. “Timing is key to survival. Waiting even 10 minutes to defibrillate drops the chances of survival to 10 percent,” says John Lynn Jefferies, MD.*


This issue has really hit home for all of us here at Partnershub recently and we want to do what we can to help shed light on this issue.

This is a free, live, on-line Q and A where you and your readers can ask questions in real time. It’s a chance to talk to knowledgeable and experienced doctors and get answers right on the spot.

The Q and A takes place April 9th from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. EST with Jeffrey Towbin, MD and John Lynn Jefferies, MD.


Check out the link below for more information!

*RSVP Here!* : *
http://liveevent.cincinnatichildrensblog.org/events/heart-failure-athletes


Thanks so much for your time. Family is the most important thing in the world, so if we can help one person with this chat then we’ve made a huge difference!


Please note: We support ethical blogging and content sharing; and strict adherence to the FTC guidelines regarding free samples, gifts, perks and items for giveaways. Bloggers and individual influencers are expected to do the same. For more information go to: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/03/dotcom.shtm

PartnersHub - 1848 Lincoln Blvd Suite 100, Santa Monica CA 90404





I was Not paid in any form for this post. I agree with all opinions expressed. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

$25 PP-WW-Lucky Bunny Giveaway Hop-Ends 3/31

This contest is officially closed. Out of 720 comments (Thank you everyone!) the number picked at Random.org was #496

Janet W. said... 496

tweet 3/29
https://twitter.com/jwatson50/status/317655549124677632
March 29, 2013 at 11:18 AM

Congratulations Janet! You are the the winner of the $25 PayPal in the Lucky Bunny Giveaway at Miki's Hope! Now all you have to do to receive the $25 is reply to the email I will be sending in just a few minutes with your full name and your paypal email and I will get it right out to you!



Happy Passover & Happy Easter to all my followers world wide. Welcome to the Lucky Bunny Giveaway Hop! BloggerPR is hosting this event so that we can bring all of our readers something to do as we anxiously await the arrival of the Easter Bunny! Now this is a special year-as Passover is ending-Easter arrives. Thus this hop is spanning both these holidays. Each participant blogger is giving away a prize valued at $20 or more. This event will run until Easter (March 31st), which gives you plenty of time to hop down the linky list like a bunny!


In the spirit of the season Miki's Hope is going to give one lucky winner $25.00 PayPal. I am also going to make this very easy to enter! No long lists of things to do--(remember only the mandatory entry HAS to be done)

Mandatory: In a comment please enter your name and email address

Extra: Follow me on GFC (to the right)
Follow me on Linky Followers (to the right)
Subscribe to my emails (up top)
Follow me on Twitter
Like this post
Tweet this post (once daily)

Here's wishing you all a very happy holiday season! Now go down the linky list below and enter all the other giveaways in this hop!!





All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Diabetes-Meal Replacements

Monday, March 25, 2013

Although I try not to use them, at times it just makes sense to drink down a meal replacement, especially when you are on the go. As a diabetic you are supposed to eat 4 small meals a day. Even before I was diagnosed I would use meal replacement drinks on occasion! They really can stop you from eating at those fast food restaurants when you are running around like a mad person trying to get a million or so things done.

A little background here about me and meal replacements----I was always over weight, then in my senior year of high school I broke my ankle—I decided to lose weight-hey it was pretty hard to drag myself around on crutches with all that extra poundage!! Back then, as far as I remember there was only Metracal. My Mom was all for me losing weight so she went out and bought a bunch of it—of course she also made sure there were plenty of fresh veggie sticks and that I had at least one real meal a day! Long story short-I was able to wear a bikini by my senior graduation! Of course I gained it all back again and then some by the end of the next year, by then I had stopped this particular diet! Over the ensuing years, more brands came out and I occasionally would attempt to substitute a meal with one or the other of them, usually Slim Fast.

Fast forward about 20 years—Glucerna, a meal replacement drink for diabetics came out. (click here for nutrition breakdown) At this particular point my doctor had told me I was pre diabetic so I figured I’d try it. Actually it tastes pretty darn good, of course I always bought either the chocolate or coffee tasting ones!
Fast forward to today—Now, I am a Type 2 diabetic (under control). I also have tried most of the meal replacements that are sold by independent reps on the internet. Most of them, well honestly, I do not like the taste. There is one which does taste good and is okay, for me at least, as long as I do not try to mix it with milk! Almond Milk works very well with this particular brand thank heavens. I even like the taste of this brand if it is mixed with water (and it is not chocolate or coffee flavored). They do have little packages of flavors you can add if you really want a different taste. So which one is this?
Vi Salis (Body by Vi) and is sold by many on the internet-If you do not know anyone who sells this click here-I know this person will take care of you. http://jsam.bodybyvi.com/
Livestrong.com has the nutritional breakdown-click here to view.

While I do not recommend using meal replacements as a diabetic or otherwise-they can help out in a pinch-and yes I will still occasionally be using either Glucerna or Vi Salus as that extra little meal when time is not on my side!






I was not paid for this post-nor did I receive any products! All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Where Do You Buy Pre-Made Diabetic Friendly Foods?

Sunday, March 24, 2013


Ok-I have gotten my Type 2 Diabetes under control, mostly. I have lost lots of weight and am still losing. You know what my biggest problem is—I’m single—it is very hard to cook for a single person—much less keep to a specific diet. I personally dislike leftovers and get tired of eating the same thing day in and day out. Most recipes are for 4 or more people-everyone talks about “family” recipes. It is not always possible to make these recipes for 1 person and likely not cost effective, at least not for a 1 person household!

When I go to a regular supermarket, I automatically put on my reading glasses. Hey, that nutritional information on any of the side panels is in print that is VERY small. As a diabetic I have to know the carbohydrate count (you can minus out the fiber count from the carbohydrate count) and the sugar count. I personally also watch the sodium—everyone should but for me it is the taste-I do not like an excessive taste of salt! Due to the fact that I also control my gallbladder with diet I have to be especially careful of the fat content-Olive Oil will have me in dire pain for hours!! And my cholesterol is mildly high. I can not take the medicine for that as it affected me adversely-so I have to watch out for that as well. There is no way I will ever be a vegetarian –humans were meant to be omnivores (both meat and veggie eaters)-and I like both!

I remember my Doctor pushing salad and yogurt—well at this point I am tired of salad and anything with milk spikes my blood sugar! I have switched to Almond Milk. Cherrios (plain) was his breakfast cereal of choice and I do still eat it-but am beginning to NOT eat breakfast again because I am tired of it and really do not want to cook in the morning. Eggs, I have to be careful-cholesterol. I am finding myself buying foods that are not so good for me!!

Supermarkets have SOME foods that are diabetic friendly-not very many. Health food stores-lets just say that “healthy” food is NOT for diabetics (read the labels)! Can you find individual sized portions of diabetic friendly foods on the internet? There are diet plans where pre-prepared meals are sent directly to your home. Some of these plans are diabetic friendly, but expensive and again I am afraid that I would get bored really quickly.

I am about to go on an internet quest to find out if there are any on-line stores which sell food (not snacks, cookies, etc) that is really diabetic friendly. Once I find a couple and try them out I will write another post and let everyone know!






All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the winner at the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway $25 PP Hop is...

Saturday, March 23, 2013

The Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop at Miki's Hope is officially closed! There were 442 comments-Thank you everyone. The winning comment as picked at Random.org is number 12

Megan Parsons said... 12

I subscribe via email
March 14, 2013 at 7:59 AM

Congratulations Megan!! You are the winner of $25.00 PayPal. Now all you have to do is reply to the email I will be sending you shortly within 48 hours with your paypal email and I will send you the $25.00!!





All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Dress United – A Custom Tee-Shirt Site

Friday, March 22, 2013

I have previously worked with this company (Design a Sign)-they made the most beautiful print for me! Thus when I was contacted to do a review of a new site they have, a custom tee shirt site I jumped on it. Remember I really NEED new clothes since losing a lot of weight (and still losing!).

This site is really easy to use. Even I had no trouble (and I can get kind of crazy with this stuff)-you are virtually walked thru the entire process. First I had to pick the type of tee I wanted; they have woman’s, unisex and sweatshirts. I chose the Unisex long sleeve tee. Which brand, Budget, Classic or Fashion-I chose the Classic which happens to be Hanes and the color. I chose a blue-because-well I like the color blue! The next screen is for customization. I just had text added to the front (Bookkeeper for Hire) in a darker shade of blue then the tee itself. You can also add art or names and have the back personalized as well. At this point in the process you can check to see an estimate of the cost. Just before you checkout you chose the number and size you need (Youth, Adult, Plus). I chose the Adult XL just in case and I do like my tees a bit loose.


It arrived!! The tee was a Hanes Beefy-T Long-Sleeve T-Shirt. It is Classic-fit heavyweight Long Sleeve Tees in long-lasting 100% ring-spun cotton. It is a heavier weight tee which is exactly what I wanted. The sleeves are ended in ribbing-very well made (I was definitely impressed!) The lettering was perfectly centered—I wore it the other day and it was oh so comfortable. And it fits the way I want it to fit—I thought I needed a large originally but am glad I opted for the extra large.

I did try to take a picture of the completed tee using my camera-----unfortunately I can not seem to get the picture to my computer--I wish I could--it is so pretty--I love it and will be going back to get more!

I was just told to add this to this post!! Click on this link http://www.dressunited.com/redeem, then type in this code "BLOG30OFF4U" you can get 30% off and free shipping in the US for your order!!!!!!


I did not receive payment for this review-I did receive a personalized tee shirt! All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the winner of the $25.00 PP in the Good Luck Giveaway is...

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

This contest is officially over. There were 659 entries. Thank you everyone! I just got back from Random.org and the winning comment number is #286

Seyma Bennett Shabbir said... 286

liked this post Seyma Shabbir

March 16, 2013 at 1:28 PM

Congratulations Seyma! You are the winner of $25.00 in the Good Luck Giveaway. Now all you have to do is reply to the email I will be sending you in just a few minutes with your name and PayPal address and I will send you the $25.00.







I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the Winner of the $15 Walmart GC is (The Bible).......

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

This contest is officially over. Out of 93 comments the number picked at Random.org is #87

eliza elliott said... 87

7 judas

eliza e
March 15, 2013 at 1:10 AM

Congratulations Eliza! Now all you have to do--QUICKLY this time--is reply to the email I am about to send you with your full name and mailing address. I have to get that reply in to the people who will be sending you the $15 Walmart Gift Card directly.


I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

$200 Diapers.com Giveaway - Ends 4/8

Miki's Hope is very-excited to give YOU the opportunity to WIN a $200.00 Diapers.com Gift Card!

Bellyhood

Are you a woman who is trying to conceive, pregnant, or a brand-new Mommy? If so, you need to look into BellyHood.com. Have you not heard of BellyHood.com? Well, it is an online meeting place to talk to and get advice from other moms. The forums are easy-to-navigate and full of useful information. Plus, they have monthly drawings for $10.00 babies"R"us gift cards!

I only wish a group like this one had been around when my friends had their babies, or their daughters had their babies. I will be letting all my friends know about this site so they can send their granddaughters there! There is such good information here.

Blog with Mom and Adventures of 8 have teamed up with a wonderful group of Bloggers to offer you a chance to WIN a $200.00 Diapers.com gift card from BellyHood.com in an !

diapers

 

This giveaway:
  • Will run from 12:01 am CST on Tuesday 3/19 until midnight on 4/7
  • Is opened entrants 18 years and older living in USA, Alaska, or Hawaii (anywhere Diapers.com can ship to)
  • All mandatory entries MUST be completed
  • See all disclosures in the entry form

⇩⇩⇩⇩Enter Giveaway Here⇩⇩⇩⇩

**DISCLOSURE** Miki's Hope is acting as an advertisement for the Sponsor and is not responsible for prize. Prize will be given by BellyHood.com. This event is brought to you by Blog with Mom and Adventures of 8 through Advertise with Bloggers! If you are interested in sponsoring an event like this, please contact Advertise with Bloggers.





I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Kindle Fire Giveaway-Saving Grace-Pamela Fagan Hutchins-Ends 3/30

What a delightful book! Katie Connell is a character you can not help but love. I give this book 5 stars. She does remind me somewhat of the Stephanie Plum character (which was pointed out to me by a reader quoted in the back cover) and her side kick, Ava—well you gonna love this one!! There is even a ghost who helps Katie out on occasion and is the reason she ends up purchasing an old run down mansion in the Caribbean. Of course it helps that she has been humiliated as a lawyer in Texas AND been scorned by someone she really likes. Besides, she really does not believe that her parents had an unfortunate “accident” when on vacation at that island—and an older brother who is always on her case. I will say no more—you will just have to read it for yourself to find out what the ending is—you will enjoy it!! I certainly hope there will be sequels to this book.

From the back of the book:


Texas attorney Katie Connell escapes professional humiliation, a broken heart, and her Bloody Mary-habit when she runs to the island of St. Marcos to investigate the suspicious deaths of her parents. But she trades one set of problems for another when she is bewitched by the voodoo spirit Annalise in an abandoned rainforest house and, as worlds collide, finds herself reluctantly donning her lawyer clothes again to defend her new friend Ava, who is accused of stabbing her very married Senator-boyfriend.

This book can be purchased at Amazon and Barnes & Noble


About the Author:


Pamela Fagan Hutchins writes award-winning mysterious women’s fiction and relationship humor books, and holds nothing back. She is known for “having it all” which really means she has a little too much of everything, but loves it: writer, mediocre endurance athlete (triathlon, marathons), wife, mom of an ADHD & Asperger’s son, five kids/step-kids, business owner, recovering employment attorney and human resources executive, investigator, consultant, and musician. Pamela lives with her husband Eric and two high school-aged kids, plus 200 pounds of pets in Houston. Their hearts are still in St. Croix, USVI, along with those of their three oldest offspring.

To find out more about this book and author visit the Saving Grace Tour Page at Pump Up Your Book who is also sponsoring this Kindle Fire Giveaway!


a Rafflecopter giveaway














Saving Grace Pamela Fagan Hutchins 19-Mar Kindle Fire






I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

$25 Amazon GC-Book Blast-January Justice-Ends 3/22


About the Book:


Reeling from his wife’s unsolved murder, Malcolm Cutter is just going through the motions as a chauffeur and bodyguard for Hollywood’s rich and famous. Then a pair of Guatemalan tough guys offer him a job. It’s an open question whether they’re patriotic revolutionaries or vicious terrorists. Either way, Cutter doesn’t much care until he gets a bomb through his window, a gangland beating on the streets of L.A., and three bullets in the chest. Now there’s another murder on Cutter’s Mind. His own.

Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AGAW6EC

About the Author:


Athol Dickson’s mystery, suspense, and literary novels have won three Christy Awards and an Audie Award. Suspense fans who enjoyed Athol’s They Shall See God will love his latest novel, January Justice, the first installment in a new mystery series called The Malcolm Cutter Memoirs. The second and third novels in the series, Free Fall in February, and A March Murder, are coming in 2013.

Critics have favorably compared Athol’s work to such diverse authors as Octavia Butler (Publisher’s Weekly), Hermann Hesse (The New York Journal of Books) and Flannery O’Connor (The New York Times). Athol lives with his wife in southern California.

Website: http://www.malcolmcutter.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AtholDickson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Athol-Dickson/416622918355206

Pump Up Your Book and Athol Dickson are teaming up to give you a chance to win a fabulous prize!

Here’s how it works:

Each person will enter this giveaway by liking, following, subscribing and tweeting about this giveaway through the Rafflecopter form placed on blogs throughout the tour. This promotion will run from March 18 – Mar 22. The winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, contacted by email and announced on March 25, 2013. Visit each blog stop below to gain more entries as the Rafflecopter widget will be placed on each blog for the duration of the tour. Good luck everyone!

Rafflecopter code: a Rafflecopter giveaway







I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Paying Too Much for Your Business Package?

Monday, March 18, 2013

As a bookkeeper/office manager and as an outside consultant I have been called on over the years to find the best yet least expensive option for my small business clients. There are so many companies out there selling telephone, internet packages, it really does get confusing.


First off-do you use a landline or a cell phone or a combination of the two? Do you have a need for conference calling, or a stable and reliable HOLD and possibly a transfer button if you have more then one employee? Is the internet a big part of your business? Is internet speed very essential to your business? What type of space do you have available for the equipment? Do you mostly sell on line and do you also have a separate “store” where people can come in and purchase the items you sell? If you have a physical store would you like TV service so that people will not get fidgety or bored while they wait for help? (Every bank lately has the news going and I have to admit I find myself watching while I stand in line-it does make the wait easier). Most important—if something suddenly does not work—how long will it take for the company to fix it and how much extra will the SERVICE plan cost.


When you start talking to the various companies’ sales people every last one of them makes their company sound like the best! Hey, they are paid to sell! It is your job to weed through the sales hype and get the options which are right for your business at a price you can afford. Never be afraid to tell that sales person you would like to shop around and will get back to them when you have made your decision. There are lots of companies and if you answer the questions I posed up above honestly you will find a good if not perfect fit for your company. And try to be patient when they keep calling you to see if you have decided yet—they are trying to make a living just like you are!











All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement.

Book Spotlight-Coming Through the Fog-Functioning Recovery of Autism is Possible!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

When author Tami Goldstein contacted me and asked if I would spotlight her book-I did not hesitate. There are so many families who have a child with one form of Autism or another, how could I not try and get the word out about this book for her. Because I do not know too much about this subject I asked if she could send me what she wanted to be written--I have copied/pasted this entire blog article with the permission of the author and her publishers. I sincerely hope that this book helps the many out there who struggle every day. This book can be purchased directly from the publisher and Amazon.


Functioning Recovery of Autism is Possible!

This journey begins with a mother’s love for her
daughter…

Heather was diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism,Asperser’s Syndrome just shy of her 13th Birthday. Not long after, her mother, Tami, watched her daughter spiral out of control medically and educationally until she found
an occupational therapist who explained how Heather’s Sensory Processing Disorder impacted the Autism.

Knowing that having the right support is key not only to the development of children on the Autism Spectrum, but also to the well-being of their parents, Tami began to tirelessly educate herself in the sciences of: Behavioral Health,
Child Psychology, Human Anatomy, Occupational Health, Pharmacology, Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and has been a parent advocate for her daughter since 1997.

Together mother and daughter learned from their OT how a Sensory Diet, CranioSacral Therapy, and Bio-Medical Therapies can lead to Functioning Recovery. Tami navigated the public school environment and the medical community to get the right support for Heather, who overcame many obstacles. Tami uses this personal experience, extensive knowledge, and dedication to help others learn about and understand the medical and educational aspects of Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorders and SPD. Knowing there is no one-size-fits-all trick, Tami shares her recommendations for other parents as she tells the story of Heather’s Coming Through The Fog.

Tami provides useful tips to navigate the medical, educational and overwhelming, frustrating but can be wonderful task of parenting a child with High-Functioning Autism. Few of the questions answered by the book are:

What is CranioSacral Therapy?

What are Bio-Medical Therapies and the role they play?

How a Sensory diet/lifestyle was developed to provide and maintain Functioning- Recovery?

How a Sensory Lifestyle is a crucial support for school, employment and independent living?

What's the controversy between the medical and educational aspect of Autism? Is it legal educational

discrimination? Read about the Attorney's explanation, He billed the author $17,000.00 for this explanation.


Contact Tami Goldstein: Tami.CST1@gmail.com

1013 N Osborne Ave, Janesville, WI 53548

608-758-9074-home or 608-931-9488-cell

A portion of the profits will be donated to The SPD Foundation. (The Sensory Processing Foundation expands knowledge, fosters awareness and promotes recognition of Sensory Processing Disorders.)

Author Interview:

What is the title of your book? Coming Through the Fog

What is your book about? I share the journey of my daughter’s recovery from Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder to Functioning Recovery and independent living while providing helpful tips for other parents.

Why did you decide to write it? I wrote “Coming Through the Fog,” to help other families. It was such an all-consuming journey in which we learned a lot of information along the way, I knew had I had some of this information
sooner it would have greatly helped us navigate the world of autism. Heather’s prognoses were bleak and yet look what she achieved, how could I not share this information? Heather’s doctors and the families I advocate for have been
encouraging me for years, when Heather started looking to purchase her own home, I felt the time was right, we had truly achieved Functioning Recovery and had come through the fog.

How did you get your book published? After talking to some traditional publishers who were concerned about some of the controversial aspects of autism I write about I decided to self publish with Outskirts Press. This is our story, but every
parent with a child with autism faces the same obstacles.

www.outskirtspress.com
10940 S Parker Rd – 515
Parker, CO 80134

What types of readers will be interested in your book? I purposely wrote the book like I was telling a story so that anyone who has a child with autism, or a grandchild, niece, nephew, friend or student could understand what families with
children with autism go through.

What is special about your book? What differentiates it from other books in the same category? “Coming Through the Fog,” is different than other books in the same category because it doesn’t hide from the controversial aspects of
autism. It spells out why and how the educational domain is failing our children, it explains the semantics game in getting supports both medically and educationally and it provides actual projective trials used in the occupational therapy field
for reclassification of sensory processing disorder. (Every child with autism has sensory processing disorder.) In “Coming Through the Fog” you read how Heather breaks down medically, educationally, socially and behaviorally without
the supports and then how successful she becomes with them.

Have you published any other books? Do you plan to publish more? “Coming Through the Fog” is the first book I published, but I am getting a lot of feedback from CranioSacral Therapists around the world who would like me to further elaborate on the CranioSacral Therapy Heather received. CranioSacral Therapy is a light touch therapy that improves sensory, motor and mental
dysfunction. It was beneficial in our efforts to achieve functioning recovery and continues to be today. In my own office I have seen amazing results in children on the autism Spectrum who have received CranioSacral Therapy, so yes I believe
there will be another book in my future.




About the Author:

TAMI A. GOLDSTEIN became State and Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork in 2005. In 2013, Tami became Certified in CranioSacral Therapy having received her training from The Upledger Institute. She has 2 offices with a focus on infants, children and teenagers on the Autism Spectrum and Sensory Processing Disorders. She lives in Wisconsin
with Stan, her husband of 33 years. She has 2 children, 1 grandchild and continues to advocate for children and families. For more information about the Author go to WWW.Comingthroughthefog.com A portion of the profits will be donated to the SPD Foundation. (The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation expands knowledge, fosters awareness and promotes recognition of Sensory
Processing Disorders.)

For more information, visit http://outskirtspress.com/comingthroughthefog



I was not paid cash for this post.For more information please check my Disclosure Statement.

And the winners of the e-book "Sky Tinted Water" are...

This contest is officially ended. There are 2 winners--they are:

Meghan said... 1

Decadent deceptions looks good!
I follow via GFC: Meghan Stith
I like this post on FB: Meghan Stith
I follow your blog via email: mestith at gmail dot com

Thanks for the giveaway!

February 19, 2013 at 8:44 AM

And

werejumpinbooks said... 4

GFC: Jenna
Follow Keta on Twitter: JennaJbearden
Email:Jenna_bearden_10152005@yahoo.com
Tweet: https://twitter.com/JennaJBearden/status/306807572181172224

February 27, 2013 at 11:47 AM

Both of you have won an e-copy of "Sky Tinted Water". This really is a sweet little romance and I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I did. I will be sending out e-mails to each of you in just a few minutes--all you have to do is respond to that email within 48 hours with the email address you would like the e-book sent to and I will forward it to the author so that she can send it to you!



I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the winner of the book "Soul Control" is...

This contest is officially over. The winner of the book "Soul Control" is #35.

Tina Kohrman said... 35

No, I have not read any of her books but I am hoping to . Thanks for the chance to win this!
March 9, 2013 at 9:17 AM

Congratulations Tina! You are in for a really great read. All that has to be done now is to reply to the email I will be sending in just a few minutes with your full name and mailing address and I will mail the book out to you!


I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

$40 GC to Something About Silver-US & CAN-Ends 4/6

Saturday, March 16, 2013

This contest is officially ended. Out of 131 comments (Thank You Everyone) the number picked at Random.org was #103

Danielle Royalegacy said... 103

https://twitter.com/royalegacy/status/318804655331225600
April 1, 2013 at 3:19 PM

Congratulations Danielle!! You are the winner of a $40 GC to Something About Silver!! All you have to do now is reply to the email I am about to send within 48 hours with your full name and mailing address (include your email address). I am not sure if they are going to send a code for you to use or have you pick something which they will then send you!


I have friends in the jewelry business so I don’t often order any over the internet. When Something About Silver contacted me about doing a review/giveaway for their site for some reason I actually went in to have a look around. I loved what I saw!! I immediately replied saying I would love to review the site and pick out a piece just for me.

They have everything silver from baby spoons and earrings to Easter items to gifts for men and even ready made pieces. I do not doubt if you need a special gift you will find it here!



It just came today!! When I took it out, Baby, my cat, immediately tried to take it from me—hey it was dangling from my fingers and oh so shiny!! I have hidden it from her!! She really wanted that necklace!!


I am terrible with taking pictures but the folks at Something about Silver said I could use the pictures on their site. Below is the necklace I choose with the same chain in a 20” length. It is called the Rustic Paw Print Necklace. If you have ever been to my facebook page you KNOW I love animals!! If I wasn’t going to keep this one it would make a perfect gift to send direct to someone special! It came in a beige box with the prettiest blue bow. Inside the necklace was enclosed in a plastic zip lock which was enclosed in a cloth drawstring bag. Directions for care were enclosed as well as a small polishing cloth.


Something About Silver would like to offer a giveaway to my readers for a $40 dollar gift-card for one winner, the giveaway is open to the U.S. and Canada.


Mandatory: In a comment tell me which piece you might choose from Something About Silver if you are the
Winner.

Extra: Follow me on GFC (to the right)
Follow me on Facebook
Follow Something About Silver on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow Something About Silver on Twitter
Like this post
Tweet this post (once daily)






I was not paid cash for this post. I was sent a silver necklace for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Traffic Violations - How Much Does that Ticket Change Your Insurance Rates?

You know that getting into a car accident, running a stop light, or speeding can increase your car insurance, but do you know how much?

All drivers should be careful while on the road, but it's more than your safety that you should be thinking about. You may end up paying hundreds of dollars extra each month, just because you ran that stop sign, drove under the influence, or passed a bus on a no-passing street. Understanding how traffic violations affect your Good2Go New Jersey car insurance is important!

Minor Traffic Violations

A minor traffic violation is the most common one, and it's likely that you will get a few minor traffic tickets before you ever get a major or serious one. Minor violations include:

Defective brakes
Driving without a license, or not handing it over to the police when requested
Failure to use seatbelts, signal a turn, yield to another car or pedestrian that has the right of way, or produce evidence of insurance
Tailgating or following too closely behind another vehicle
Improper driving, lane changing, opening doors, passing, turning, towing, and using a divided highway
Obstructing traffic

These are just a few, but the list goes on.

For your first minor offense, you'll find that your insurance premiums won't go up too much. Not all offenses will cause an increase in your insurance, but some will:

A ticket for failing to yield can cause a 9% increase in your insurance premiums
Improper passing can cause a 14% increase in your insurance
Tailgating or following too closely can cause you insurance to go up 13%
Seat belt infractions will increase your insurance premium by 3%
Driving without a license will cause your insurance to go up by 18%

Major Offenses

Major offenses are not too uncommon, and they will usually result in a much more noticeable increase in your insurance. Some of the major offenses that will get you a ticket include:

Driving without insurance
Speeding in a construction zone
Improper passing or failing to stop around a school bus
Failing to report an accident or damage to highway property
Driving 30 mph over the posted speed limit

For these offenses, the increase in your insurance premium will differ:

Driving without insurance can raise your premiums by 6%
Speeding 30 mph over the speed limit will cause an increase of 30 (speeding less than 14 MPH over the speed limit will be an 11% increase, and speeding between 15 and 29 MPH over the posted limit will result in a 12% increase)

Serious Offenses

More serious offenses include:

DUI
Careless and Reckless Driving
Motor Vehicle Manslaughter
Racing
Refusing to be tested for alcohol
Racing and Stunt Driving

The insurance premium raise will be significant for these offenses:

First time DUI drivers will get a raise of 19% in their insurance premiums
Reckless driving will raise the insurance by 22%, and careless driving will cause a 16% increase

As you can see, it's important that you are a safe driver while on the roads. You may see that your car has the power to reach 160+ MPH, but that doesn't mean that you should push your car to actually reach those speeds. You already spend enough on your car insurance, so driving safely is the smart thing to do. You'll stay safe while on the roads, avoid getting into any accidents, avoid jail time, and keep your insurance premiums at a reasonable rate. Just because you can drive crazy, that doesn't mean it's wise!




All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement.
 
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