It's The "Spicy Weekend Hop" !

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It's The "Spicy Weekend Hop" !
I hope that you you will join me in this Hop sponsored by A Spicy Boy,A Cat,& My Fat Ass!

Just copy the button above and place it somewhere on your site. That way others can join in on the fun! This is a great way to publicize your blog, and meet new friends! There will be a new link every Friday afternoon.
This will be listed for the entire week. This is a blog hop for all networks: Facebook, NetworkedBlog, Twitter, BlogFrog, and your giveaways. So have a great weekend and Happy Hopping everyone! BLOGS

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

NETWORKEDBLOG

BLOGFROG

GIVEAWAYS

I Spy With My Little Eye....

Today I came across a really awesome blog hop that seems to be right up my alley. I've never really joined a photo blog hop (with the exception of Wordless Wednesdays) simply because my pictures always seem less than stellar next to some of the others entered. My Mad Mind and Dazee Dreamer have come up with an awesome solution to my problem. Their creation of the I Spy Blog Hop allows us folks with a passion for amateur photography or just a ridiculous obsession with their cameras (me me me!!) to share their photos with the blogosphere. How cool is that??!! It also gives me more reason to take my camera everywhere (as if I needed a reason LOL!!) in hopes that I just might spy the object of the week.

The rules are simple:
**This is a Thursday Hop even though I am doing it Saturday. I just wanted to get in on the fun!!**
Each week there will be two categories: one chosen or suggested and the other is your choice. The only thing they ask is that the photo be taken by you. The object of this meme is to just have fun and share photos. The photos may be archived, altered or taken by phone and suggestions for categories are welcomed. Yayyyy!!

This week's category is Lamp(s):

I didn't get to go out and take any new photos this week due to rain and my crazy schedule so I scoured my archives for these.

Street lamps in front of Radio City Music Hall

My boys mesmerized by a Christmas bell lamp

My choice:
My local park, City Park. A little peace and serenity in a busy city :) I heart this place for quiet walks (except for the playground and b-ball court LOL)

Happy Weekend Hopping!!

I so missed blog hopping. After the unfortunate incident with my laptop (see this post), blog hopping became a thing of dreams. There's nothing like spending the day hopping around the blogosphere happening across some of the most interesting posts and blogs around. I decided that today is the day to get back to it. I am going to join in on the fun with a few different hops and hope to come across a few new ones along the way. happy weekend hopping to one and all!!

****House Party Alert****

Have you heard of HouseParty?? Well, if you have you know how excited I am to be hosting yet another HouseParty. If you haven't, then I must ask WHY??? You must check it out!! I am hosting my 6th, yes I said 6th House Party. It feels so good to be chosen out of the thousands of applicants. For me there's nothing better than winning free stuff, especially stuff that i use so much. My latest party is the Be The Chef With Chef Boyardee house Party. I absolutely LOVE Chef Boyardee. Be it for a my children's lunch, a quick afterschool snack, or even a quick no-fuss dinner, Chef Boyardee has always been on the top of my list. The faves in my house are the beefaroni and mini ravioli. I have decided to make this party just for the children. I have invited a few of my children's friends over to try out the Chef Boyardee recipes. To keep to my budget I have decided to do my favorite recipe out of the bunch, Ravioli Lasagna. It combines two of our favorite meals!! I will have seperate pans for each of the kids to create their own lasagna and of course take home bowls. (as if there will be leftovers FAT CHANCE!!) I can hardly wait to see how they do. they kids range in age from 11 to 20. I think it's pretty cool to let the younger ones experiment with new recipes while the older ones can actually learn how to make something almost gourmet on a young person's budget. I received my party pack last week. I will say that the bells and whistles that were a part of my previous party packs were not really a big feature of this box, but I did get a few goodies to share.

For Me:

6 Coupons for (1) free can (15 oz. or smaller) of Chef Boyardee
1 Chef Boyardee tote bag
1 Chef hat (See Pics for it's Awesomeness!!)
5 Chef Boyardee Recipes


For My Guests:

13 Coupons to save $0.50 on Chef Boyardee (They double , so free at most stores!!)
13 Chef Boyardee notepads
13 Chef Boyardee recipe info cards

Because my budget is limited, I decided that I will just use all of the coupons and make my parting gifts for the party the notepad, a pen, and a can of Chef Boyardee (unless I find something cool and cheap between now and Saturday**fingers & toes crossed**) . I've never done food as a party favor, but I am sure with the kiddies it will go over well.

Indoor Gardening????

Soooo...Summer is officially gone and I am so going to miss all of the summer fruits and veggies, especially tomatoes. I think that I could live off of tomatoes alone. My relationship with the tomato really is that serious. With that in mind, I decided to research how to grow my own tomatoes indoors. I currently live in an apartment in the city which for gardening is a less than ideal place for growing anything. No to mention that I am the world's worst gardener. I've even killed a cactus before. I honestly didn't think it was possible but I did it, I've achieved the impossible. My son bought home a lovely little plant from school, a tomato plant, and I really thought that we might be able to get it growing and maybe, just maybe, even get some tomatoes from it. NOT! In less than a week, this plant went from a flourishing plant that had reached three feet high to a sad, brown, wilted excuse of a thing. I felt so bad and I truly don't even know what I did wrong. To right this heinous wrong I have decided to attempt this winter tomato growing with the eagerness of a toddler with a new toy. I hope to keep you posted on my progress or lack there of. You see, I am cautiously optimistic that I can do this. Fingers and toes crossed. Now off to buy some tomato seeds. C-ya lata-->Peace.

Holiday Gifts On A Tight Budget

Living on a tight budget? Wondering how to squeeze a little bit of awesome into your gift giving this year? If so, you should check out Vistaprint. I am sure that you've seen the ads all over the internet offering their business cards, even right on this page. What I'd like to let you in on is that they offer soooo much more. I personally purchased a personalized t-shirt, notepad, pen, and a tote bag. With their amazing deals I scored all of these products for just under 8 bucks!! I plan on purchasing my Christmas cards through them this year and maybe a few personalized gifts for my friends and family. I have decided that I am making Vistaprint one of my top online shopping choices for this holiday season; You should too. They have a great holiday gift idea section that you can personalize with pictures, dates, and more. I think that this is perfect when you have that one person that seems impossible to buy for. Nothing is more personal than a personalized gift. I am eyeing the desk calendar for a special someone on my list. My plan is to personalize it with pictures of the family taken each month of the year. A fun project and an even cooler gift. Vistaprint is awesome, but don't take my word for it. Try it and you'll learn just why I am a loyal customer. P.S. They have awesome freebies too (you have to pay for shipping)!! Vistaprint rocks!!

Notepad

T-Shirt

Tote Bag

Notepad & T-Shirt

Football fans Stand Up!!! Madden fans Stand up!!

Hey people!! If your read my posts like I know you do (not being facetious in any way LOL) then you know that I am a BZZAgent. If you didn't know, that's okay because I'm going to tell you about it anyway :). BZZAgent in a nutshell (I promise to let it out later)is this awesome company the focuses on promoting businesses through word of mouth marketing.In my opinion this is one of the smartest things I've ever seen a company do. What better way to promote your product or service than by utilizing the opinions of the consumer of said product? Word of mouth marketing and advertising is probably the best way to get real honest opinions from genuine consumers. I became a BZZAgent earlier this year simply because I was told (there goes that word of mouth again) that I would be able to try new products for free and then provide my opinion. Joining was a no-brainer; Free products AND I get to tell you about it! Sounds almost too good to be true, but it really is true!! I have already completed two campaigns (Covergirl NatureLuxe & Dr. Scholl's For Her High Heel Insoles) and I am patiently awaiting the arrival of my latest product trial(Tonka XT Ricochet Tricksters). BZZAgent brings together two of my favorite things, talking and freebies!! Check them out today BZZAgent.com!!

Now....I know the title of this post threw you a bit, but there is a reason. BZZAgent has a new campaign featuring Madden 12 and I really, really, really want it!!! All you gaming fans know that Madden 12 for a true football fan is like the Holy Grail!! The one thing they look forward to all year long, the arrival of the new Madden (insert inspirational theme music here). Unfortunately, we were unable to get our copy yet this year (release date 8/30/11**sad faces...a few tears**). Imagine my surprise and utter happiness when I saw this campaign on the BZZAgent website. I am truly buzzing to BZZ about Madden 12 on BZZAgent.com!! (too much?? NEVER!! LOL)

Nielsen Home Scan Consumer Panel (no landline required)

Join Nielsen Home Scan Consumer Panel - Earn valuable points, which are redeemable for electronics, household items, jewelry, toy, gift cards, and more.(no landline required with this homescan signup)Let's face it. we all love a good deal, right? Right! So what sounds better than earning free stuff while shopping. Nielsen HomeScan Consumer Panel is shopping with benefits. I have heard nothing but good things from those that have been chosen to represent Nielsen. Try it and let me know if you have been chosen. I love free stuff and love it when others get it too!!!

People You Meet

Many people will walk in and out of your life,
but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
To handle yourself, use your head;
To handle others, use your heart.
Anger is only one letter short of danger.
Great minds discuss ideas;
Average minds discuss events;
Small minds discuss people.
God gives every bird its food,
But He does not throw it into its nest.
He who loses money, loses much;
He who loses a friend, loses more;
He who loses faith, loses all.

Beautiful young people are acts of nature,
But beautiful old people are works of art.
Learn from the mistakes of others.
You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.
The tongue weighs practically nothing,
But so few people can hold it.
Friends, you and me....
you brought another friend...
and then there were 3...
we started our group...
Our circle of friends...
and like that circle...
there is no beginning or end..
[Author unknown]

Hello bloggy world! Don't ya just love technology! I am now learning how to post to my blog from my phone :) Yayy me!

Just getting it together...playing with my phone :)

Sent from my mobile. Enjoy.
_____________________________________________________________

My Latest Freebies :))

Hey there bloggy world!! I just wanted to share one of my latest freebie finds courtesy of Moms Saving Money. I just happened upon her page on facebook a few days ago when she posted a question to her readers wanting to know if anyone had taken advantage of the $1 Covergirl products deal at Family Dollar. I have to admit, I have been off my coupon game for a while now. Until about two weeks ago i wasn't even buying the Sunday paper. With all the stores changing their coupon policies and limits it just became a bit much, but when I saw this I decided that it was time to get back in the swing of things. I decided to start off small because my coupon binder is so empty:(

Only one transaction :(
I got one of each:
Cover Girl Queen Toe Separator,Emery Boards 10ct, Compact Slant/Point Tip Tweezer $1
($1 is regular price)
Used (2)$1/1 CoverGirl Queen Products 9/11/2011 SS Insert (exp 10/31/2011)&
(1)$1/1 CoverGirl Products September Essence Magazine (exp 9/30/2011)
Total after Q's and tax=$0.18

All in all, not a bad trip considering that I kinda let my couponing skills go to waste for a few months. I still don't know how I survived without it. My little stockpile is no more. Over the next few months I hope to get it back up to par. Until next time my lovelies-C'ya lata, Peace!!!


-->other coupons that can be used:
-$1/1 CoverGirl Queen Products 9/11/2011 SS Insert (exp 10/31/2011)
-$1/1 CoverGirl Products September Essence Magazine (exp 9/30/2011)
-$1/1 CoverGirl Products 8/28/2011 P&G Insert (exp 9/30/2011) (sadly I don't have these)
-$2.50/2 CoverGirl Products 8/28/2011 P&G Insert (exp 9/30/2011)(sadly I don't have these)

Preparing to breathe life back into my blog....

Sooooo....Hello all!! It's been a while right!! Well, let me start by saying that I fully intended on creating this really awesome blog and having a ridiculous amount of followers that couldn't wait to read my next post. Can we say COLOSSAL FAIL!! This last 6 months have been horrific when it came to my computer or should I call it what it really is, my lifeline. I purchased a laptop February 2010 and simply fell in love with it. Never mind that it was a lot larger than most, it was love at first site.

MY BABY

Well, that being said...April 11, 2011 my beloved had an unfortunate incident involving a 20 ounce cup of coffee and quite a bit of carelessness on my part. My heart sank. Being that it was almost 2 months past the 1 year anniversary of purchase, I just knew that my warranty was null and void. Color me shocked and amazed when I called my computer shop and they told me that because I purchased the extended warranty, I was still covered. After that call, it was a complete uphill battle. I called the warranty company, they said no, I wasn't covered. My shop still insisted that I was, but because the company refused to replace my computer, they would be generous and replace my motherboard. I figured that was better than nothing, right? NOT!! I recently found out that the company I purchased my computer from was no more. They have become a completely new company by way of a dissolved partnership. I am grateful to the new sole owner David Bennett. If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't be blogging right now. I had to wait almost 6 months (just got my replacement 2 weeks ago)and had a lot of headaches, but I got my replacement nonetheless. Now, I didn't have the same love-at-first-sight thing with the new laptop, but it's starting to grow on me.

MY NEW BABY

((CAN YOU TELL I HAVE A THING FOR PENGUINS???...LOL))

Anywho...I hope to get this blogging thing going on again now that I have a new computer and look forward to making some new bloggy friends while trying to reconnect with older ones. C'ya lata--Peace!!

In my area? (Reading, PA) Looking for a computer or repair? Be sure to check this local shop. I have been going to the for almost 5 years and with the exception of this recent experience, everything has been great!
Quality Solutionz
David Bennett
610-750-5925
801 N. 6th Street
Reading, PA 19601
qualitysolutionz.net

**Disclaimer**I was neither asked nor compensated in any form for this post. All opinions expressed are mine alone.