Sneak Peek Of My Upcoming Book Review - The Replacement Wife!

Here's a picture of pure happiness.  Not only is this a brand new shiny book written by my favorite author, Eileen Goudge.  It's a brand new shiny book that isn't available in stores or online yet!!!!  Yes, yes...I am that cool.

How did I get to be so cool, you might be asking?  Well, it's pretty simple.  I contacted the author and asked to read and review her new book, The Replacement Wife.  I know, pretty complicated process, huh?  I've been a fan of hers for many years.  More years than I even knew about or can count since she not only has written many bestsellers, but she had a hand in the popular Sweet Valley High books that I read growing up.

Anyway, my little slice of heaven arrived last week in the mail.  But...I was so sick last week, I couldn't even think of reading.  Plus, I didn't want to get sick on the new shiny book.  Also, I don't like putting a book down once I start.  Think of watching a movie over a week span and pausing it 20 times before the end, it's not the same, is it?  Same with me and books.  Yesterday, I had the chance to finally dig in.  I'm on page 80 or so and it's hard to put down...yay!  :)

I shared this news on my personal Facebook last week, and had a few questions about Eileen Goudge's book(s).  What's her writing style, etc.  Here's my professional quote (hehe), "Eileen Gouge writes women's fiction, her books are solid reads that grab you on the first page and have a feel good ending."

Look for my full review coming soon.  Want to know some of her best books?  Leave me a comment and I'll share some of my favorites.  I've read many of her books 2 or 3 times each...

P.S.  Be sure to follow Eileen Goudge on Twitter and me, Wylie Mom on Twitter.

Read The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer for FREE!

Here's a chance to read The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner for FREE! No library needed. :) The book is a companion novella to the Twilight series by author Stephenie Meyer. It is the story of a newborn vampire, Bree Tanner, who is featured in the third book of the series, Eclipse. Remember the newborn army that Victoria was building? Bree was one of them...

BreeTanner.Com

Here's the fine print on reading it for free: "The site will be live from noon EST on June 7th until midnight EST on July 5th. Please keep in mind that you can only read the book here – you won’t be able to download it to your e-reader or phone. And you can’t print it out."

Have you read it yet? Or, are you reading it now? I'd love to hear your thoughts!! I just found it this morning and haven't found a chance to curl up at the computer yet.

A huge thanks to Stephanie Meyer's for sharing this with her fans, for free. :)

Having A Fun (And Frugal) Thanksgiving Weekend

I've been having a great Thanksgiving week. I guess it all started Monday night when I gave in and bought Twilight . The first novel in the way too popular Stephanie Meyer series. I say "gave in" because, well lets face it, I'm in my 30's so I've already done the whole vampire thing back in the 90's with Anne Rice. Plus, Stephanie Meyer's books have way too many screaming tween and teen fans (mostly due to the movies, I'm sure). Anyway, I couldn't put Twilight down once I stared reading it in the store. I loved it! Which is saying a lot. I love to read but I am very picky at the same time.

I finished reading Wednesday afternoon while cooking our Thanksgiving dinner. My husband worked on Thanksgiving Day, so we planned ahead for dinner on Wednesday. By the way, I used the Slow Cooker Turkey Recipe (2 ingredients plus 8 hours) and it came out awesome! We had just a few sides and a pecan pie, since it was just the 4 of us. It was so relaxing to hang out together without any stress to clean or have dinner ready at a certain time.

On Thanksgiving Day we lounged around in our pajamas (well 3 of us did, hubby was off to work), watched the Macy's parade and ate leftovers. I'll have to say the best compliment I've ever received on my cooking is when my son asked for turkey and sweet potatoes for breakfast! Anyway, then we headed out to my in-laws. The kids got to play with all their cousins. It was lots of fun and the weather was so beautiful. Then, we drove by my parents and visited them for a bit. We are so thankful to have so much of our family, living so close. :)

Friday...well, I'm not a Black Friday shopper. At all. The whole getting up really early and fighting large crowds to save a few bucks does not appeal to me. I'm more of a sleep in and shop on the Internet at my leisure type. I'm already done shopping for my kids via the internet, free shipping on everything (Santa and I shopped Toys R Us and Amazon). So yesterday, since I was afraid to go out with the crowds just for a new book (New Moon...second in the Twilight series). I stayed home again and blogged. It was so nice to devote a few hours to it, I had lots of fun. And, I opened a new checking account that will pay me a $121 bonus! More on that at the end of this post.

Today, I had to get out and get the next book. First I dropped of eBay stuff at the Post Office (yay!). Then, I picked up my free 8x10 Walgreens collage (expired offer-saved $3.99) and got a free Redbox (promo code: DVDONME, I used a new debit card- saved $1). Finally I got to Target and got the book. Last, I planned a trip to Chick-Fil-A. I saved $2.89 there using a coupon. The kids got to play while I started to read. It's already sucked me in and now I'm wondering what I'm doing blogging right now, I need to be reading!

Also, I need to say how much I love the new Wylie Target. I forgot to use a few coupons (guess I was giddy about the new book) and ran back in after loading the car. The lady at customer service was SO nice about it. They love couponers at the Wylie location! Oh and a deal alert, they have 1 lb. cartons of strawberries for $.99!!!

I mentioned I opened a new account that will pay me a $121 bonus. It's an ING Direct Electic Ornage checking account. I've been an ING saving account holder since 2003, and it's the best savings account I've ever had. So, yesterday when ING had a Black Froday offer for their checking account, I jumped on teh offer. Read yesterday's ING post for all the scoop. Here's the best part, the offer was extended for today! I have no idea when it expires exactl, so please hurry if $121 in free money sounds good to you! It's a "Black Friday" deal so it won't last long.

Okay, I'm off to post a few more things and then stick my nose back in New Moon. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and remember all that you're thankful for!

Sesame Street Is Turning 40, Turn In Tomorrow For The Season Premire!

Tomorrow, November 10th 2009, will mark the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street! I think that's pretty cool! I grew up watching it and still enjoy watching it today with my kids.

Sesame Street first aired on November 10th, 1969 and was sponsored by the letters W, S, and E and the numbers 2 and 3. It's the longest running children's program on television in the US and holds the record for most Emmy Awards given to a single show with 122.

Pictured in black and white, is how I remember the cast as a kid. I was 4 in 1979, so about their 10th season sounds about right. I'm amazed that so many members of the early cast are still on the show. Bob McGrath and Loretta Long, who play Bob and Susan, have been since the first season!

Check your listings and tune into PBS tomorrow morning for the 40th season premiere. It will episode 4,187!! This season will focus on environmental issues. The season is "designed to nurture young children's appreciation and love for nature".

Here in Dallas, the premiere will air tomorrow at 11am. Do you have any favorite Sesame Street clips or characters? Please, share them with me!!

I always liked the Tiny Little Super Guy and the pin ball thing that counts to 12, oh, and the older version of the bug family that lives in the milk carton.

2009 Summer Reading Club In Wylie, Texas is Almost Over

During the summer, Texas public libraries participate in the Texas Summer Reading Club. This year's theme is Libraries: Deep In The Heart Of Texas! It's easy to join, just visit your library and sign up.

Here in Wylie, the last day to turn in your reading log is July 31st. But you still plenty of time to participate. Children from birth to 11 can sign up (there is also an adult reading club) and you only need to read 10 titles or 10 hours. This year we did the 10 hours, it took a bit longer but was more fun. We turned our logs in last week after story time and here's what each of my kids received:

- Official Reading Club Certificate

- One paperback book

- Prize (my kids each picked a cactus finger puppet)

- One FREE Texas Rangers ticket for July 19th game (additional tickets at a discount)

- Coupon for FREE cookie dough at Papa Murphy's (or 1/2 off a pizza)

- Coupon for FREE Men's or Boy's haircut at SportsClips

- Coupon for a FREE personal pizza at Napolis Pizza & Restaurant

- Coupon for FREE admission to Texas Skatium in Garland

Pretty awesome prizes, huh? Don't forget Story Time is today. :)

I'll Need To Wake Up Early In Wylie This Weekend!

I have a few reasons to get up and out the door early this weekend.

Tomorrow morning, June 5th, is the kick-off party for the Texas Summer Reading Club. This year's theme is Libraries: Deep in the Heart of Texas! The kick off party will be from 9am to 12pm.

"There will be a balloon artist, a bounce house, a Texas Size Petting Zoo and the City of Wylie's police and fire department. These events are FREE and fun for the whole family. If you plan on participating in all of the activities, be sure to arrive early."

The early part is the truth! They usually stop the line for the face painter at 11 or so, so get there closer to 9am than to 12pm.

You can pick up your reading logs anytime. Yesterday was the first day they were available so I went to get ours. I'm such a nerd! Click here for more info on the summer reading programs and the kick off tomorrow.

Saturday, the 6th, is the Wylie Farmer's Market from 8am to 1pm. I got some yummy starwberries last time. It's on Ballard St. across from the park.

Also on Saturday, the Home Depot is having their Kids Workshop from 9am to 12pm. This month you'll build a hardware sorter. Sounds pretty handy. The kids workshop is FREE. :)

Story Time!

It's seems like all the pieces are back in place, with our fall schedule that is. The last missing piece was the start up of story time at the local library. Since summer is such a busy season for them, they take some time off at the end of the summer. I'm so glad it's started again. We continued to visit the library for books, but it's not the same as story time!!

I definitely have a couple of young readers on my hands. My daughter was so excited last week after story time, that she set up "story time" in her room and read to us and her stuffed animals all afternoon. When you ask my son if he wants to go to the library, he starts dancing around singing "books, books". Funny!

Here in Wylie, they have 3 story times. Two are for ages 3-5 and one is for ages 0-2. They read books, sing songs, have felt stories and always do a craft. We of course also get to borrow books and even movies.....all for FREE! I encourage you to look up you local library and go check it out. You never know what fun programs yours could be offering! Ours has an after school teen center, tutoring, programs for youngsters learning to read, adult book groups/discussions, get the idea? :)

You can also head over to Pottery Barn (Tuesdays) or a Barnes & Noble (dates & times vary) for story time. Of course there you are tempted to buy some of the cute & pretty things in the store......but be strong and just listen to the free stories!

Check out (haha) you local library!!!!

My Fuel For School Rebate Has Been Sent

And I will make a 20 cent profit!!!! Here's how I did it, based off of memory since the receipt is already sealed up in the envelope. I always do my rebates as soon as I get home, so I don't forget!

I shopped at Walmart (everyday low prices!!).

Eggos (Homestyle and French Toast Waffles on Rollback) 2/$3....$6.00
Pop-Tarts 2/$4.....$4.00
Yogos $1.70 each.....6.80

Minus

(3) Yogos $1/1 from HERE
(1) $1.00 Yogos from paper (like 2 months ago)
(2) $1.00/2 Eggos from paper with rebate
(1) $1.00/1 Pop-Tarts from paper with rebate

Total OOP $9.80. Less the $10.00 rebate......20 cent profit!!!!

YAY!!!!! The funny thing is, I was bummed about having to cut off the UPCs. That's 10 boxes that I can't use for eBay, click here to see what I mean. :)

Free Books For Reading

My kids finished the Texas Summer Reading Club last week. Look at all the goodies they each received! This years theme is "Texas Reading Club Jubilee:1958-2008". Texas is celebrating a 50 year anniversary for the summer reading program! Yay books!

I'm always disappointed we finish so quick, we only needed to read 25 books to complete the reading log. We did that in about a week and a half, as far as the books I logged at least.

Anyway, here's what the kids each received: A cool certificate, Texas Rangers ticket, 1/2 Pizza card for Papa Murphy's, free shaved ice at Bahama Buck's and a book!! Not bad for reading what we would have anyway, huh?

They also have an adult version of the reading club, I'm working my way through 5 books for a coffee mug. It's seems harder for me to complete. It's not that I don't love to read, it's just I usually fall asleep in the evenings. But, I only have 2 more books to go. I can see my mug now.......!

Here's where you can find a library near you. If you're in Wylie, the Smith Public Library is the place to be! In addition to story time this summer, they also have lots of fun programs. We've been to a petting zoo, watched a magician, and bounced in a bounce house. They have story tellers, people bring in animals, etc. It's all so much fun and FREE! The additional programs last through July.

Please visit your local library!!