UnStuff ~ A Book Review

List Price:

14.99 

ISBN:

978-1-4143-3478-3 

Trim Size:

5 1/2 x 8 1/4 

Binding:

Softcover 

Release:

January 2011 

God . . . and stuff. Everything in the universe falls into one of these two categories. Which is more important to you? (It’s not a trick question.) In Unstuff: Making Room in Your Life for What Really Matters, popular authors Hayley and Michael DiMarco take a close look at what’s in your wallet, your heart, your house, and your mind to reveal the pleasures and perils of stuff—and the joy, peace, and freedom that comes from learning to live with less.
In this real-life look at “how it’s done,” the DiMarcos take an uncomfortably close look at the cost of their love affair with stuff. They start by Unstuffing their house—getting rid of anything they don’t need by giving away, selling, or throwing out items that only add to their love for more. Then, kicking it up a notch, this family of three travels across the country with nothing more than they can fit in a motor home . . . and discovers that the really important stuff goes with them.

 

 I read this book during a bad time, the Christmas Holiday when we receive alot! I can see where the Authors are coming from and talking about but the idea of selling everything including your house and moving into a small motor home is an idea that I cannot grasp right now. It would not work for my family. I prefer the habit we have of going thru our things every other month or so and donating it to our Community Action Office.

 

I received this book from Tyndale for Review, opinions are my own.

Merry Christmas~ The Day After!

We had a very nice Christmas here by staying inside warm and trying to get WELL, that's right the kids had the stomach bug which started Thursday afternoon as we were at the movies watching "Tangled" and celebrating my now 8 yr old's Birthday. Lil guy started to cry/scream about his ear hurting followed with a spike in temp all before movie had ended, we never made it to the Pizza Place, instead we ran to the Urgent Care where he was loaded up with meds for an Ear Infection/ stomach bug. Then Friday my Birthday girl got the bug with 102 fever. Christmas day we did open present but went back to bed where we all slept till 5.  We tried to salvage some of the Holiday by driving around town in the warm car looking at Christmas lights and Chinese food since I wasn't in the mood to cook. We weren't as wel as we thought and came right back home to just lay on the couch and watch "A Christmas Carol" with George C. Scott.

Today the kids are feeling a tad bit better and oldest is at her best friends playing but now it seems to be Husbands turn to feel icky and stay close to the bathroom...I'm sure I'm next...I'm glad that this hit us while the kids are on break though.

Hubby gave me a Flip Camera in my fav. color Blue so I'm ready to post more videos on my YouTube channel. I'm having fun and "meeting" new families.

I hope every one of you had a Blessed Christmas Day!!

What was your Fav. gift to receive this year?

Blind Hope- An Unwanted Dog & the Woman She Rescued~ Book Review

Meeder (Hope Rising) tells the story of an unwanted dog whose forlorn and broken heart and body called out to Meeder'sco-author, Sacher, and how, in their subsequent relationship, the dog became the agent of spiritual rescue to her owner. Together, Meeder and Sacher write about their own meeting and work at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Oregon, where Sacher was moved to take ownership of a disabled pooch that she renamed Mia. In a completely disarming manner, Meeder relates a love story between Sacher and Mia as human and dog grew to trust one another one day, one bump, and one bruise at a time. Meeder parallels their human/canine relationship with the trust and love Sacher develops with God. With humorous and poignant asides, Meeder beautifully bridges the gap between the sad and silly, showing the lovely and forsaken aspects of the individual heart so powerfully that readers will be coaxed into revisiting their understanding of the rescue God readily offers to all.

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books; 1 edition (July 20, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601422806
• ISBN-13: 978-1601422804

Mia is such a sweet dog. This book has made me stop and take a second look at homeless animals in the hopes that many will be rescued, cared for and loved in a safe house with a lovely family to see them thru till the end of their days. Mia started out abused but was rescued by Laurie and proved to be a worthy dog for the rest of her sweet life. She showed Laurie how to open her heart to God and to except situations that you can not change.

My dogs are rescued from the shelters and are so trusting and excepting of us that it was good to read about another dog gaining trust and showing love to her owner.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Christmas Decorations 2010~ VIDEO

I've been so busy with a sick lil boy and a very hard working Husband who has been coming in late every night.

I kept it simple this year but love how the kitchen looks when you first walk in. I have started to collect Santas but after Christmas I think I'll find some Snowman to carry me thru Winter.

Here is a very cute Santa that shares my comfy chair. I received him in a Swap last year and love how cute he looks!

I have loved looking at Everyone's Christmas decorations and every day there is more to see. I'm gathering ideas in a journal for next year which I hope will be calmer than this year. I'm not going to complain too much though, my Husband has a great job but boy they work him....I just wish we weren't getting sick, seems everyone is sick with something this year. Drink lots of water and take your vitamins my Friends!!

The weather here has been very cold and we've had Snow, Sleeting rain and ice, more bed weather coming here on Friday from what the weather man said.  How are you holding up, staying warm?

Christmas Band Concert 2010

Crystal is in Band this year and learning how to play the Sax. Lots of practicing and last night was their Christmas concert. She was so very nervous but looked so pretty in her new dress we found at Kohl's. She was sitting behind the piano so we couldn't see her play the Sax, but we know she did great for only a few months of practicing!

The video is rather shaky, I have to work on that but Please enjoy the Festive singing!

Circleville Pumpkin Show 2010

I wanted to share some Family fun we had in October at the Circleville Pumpkin Show before I share my Christmas decorations, Enjoy!!

Crayola Popart Pixies ~Giveaway~

Crayola Popart Pixies ~Giveaway~

 Great give-away!! Go enter for some mother daughter fun this cold long Winter, I hope I win...It will keep us busy!!

The Fresh Air Fund~ Can You Help?

1. Most of you know that we live on 6 acres and have a Horse, 2 dogs, and a few cats...A lil spring fed stream tht runs in the Spring/Summer and we sometimes see a stray Amish horse trot down the road.

My 3 kids run allover and explore! It's great out here and even if one day we have to move then they have great memories of our lil plot of land but to think that there are some kids that don't have this freedom, I simply can't imagine.
 Kids that have lived in the city their whole life need to enjoy this just once!

I was contacted by The Fresh Air Fund  to bring awareness to this.

I had no idea that there was a program like this and I'm so excited for these children!

Please read about this great program, Maybe we can spread cheer this Winter!

FYI~ I was asked to bring awareness to this program from Sara Wilson,
freshair.org

A Coffee Table or PlayPlace?

Today is snowing a very cold windy weather in the 20's and will be this way all week. So I'm cleaning and decorating and thinking to myself that I need more flat space to add some small decorations too!


I'm looking at these coffee tables  to fit the bill. Now that my 3 are older and know not to run into the corners and have boo-boos..lol..


But knowing my clan it would become full of toys and a playplace for Little Pet Shops and the Matchbox cars that run around under the couch!

Bigfoot Moods

Bigfoot Moods: "Enter The Bigfoot Moods Sweepstakes for your chance to win a Bigfoot the Monster toy."

A Christmas Give-Away and Randomness

Please pop over to Kristens for a very cute Christmas give-away she is having!

How was everyone's Thanksgiving? Ours was so nice!
We have bought a live tree this year and put it up, it is decorated with all of our kids ornaments and a hodge-podge of a collection from my Mom and Richard's Mom. I will be taking pics and a video later this week.

I have been taking advantage of the many coupons that are out there for Bath&Body Works and have gotten so many fun smelling soaps and lotions! What is your Fav. from Bath&Body Works this year? I love the new Twisted Peppermint and have gone thru 2 of their candles so far.

Our weather here is cold, wet, rainy and we are dropping down to low 30 tonight which will then turn all of this rain into Snow!! So not ready for it as we have yet to really get the barn ready for Winter.

I'm off to start my new book tonight, I am starting to read any of the Amish Holiday books I can find to put me in the Christmas spirit. What are you Reading right now?

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!!

Enjoy the day with Family and Friends!

We are watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with hot chocolate for the lil kids and coffee for me and eating warm Pumpkin bread. It's raining and cold outside, perfect for a Holiday get together! We have my mom coming over later and I hope to put up the Christmas tree later!

~Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball~

Can mysterious matchmaking booksellers bring two lonely hearts together in time for Christmas?
In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.

Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together.

This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?

It was fun curling up on the couch reading this book while the house was quiet. The pace was fast and lighthearted. I enjoyed reading about the budding relationship between Cora and Simon who have worked along side of each other but never took the time to look up and notice, really notice one another until fate jumped in. Along the way of getting to know one another they encounter how to trust their feelings and to deal with some rude family members while Fate makes sure to bump them together at every spare moment.

 Thank You Blogging For Books for sending me this delightful book to review.

Thank You for Keeping Us Safe!!

We are Blessed to be free!!

Thank You one and all for our Freedom.

Big & Rich - 8th Of November (Video)

We Remember!

Don't Throw Those Smiley Pumpkins Away Just Yet, Enjoy Them Still

This is a fun tip that I'm doing around my house. I grabbed this tip from Country Sampler yesterday.

Please let me know if your enjoying the vlogs, if not I will stop them and just leave them on my Youtube page.

A Give-Away From A Sweet Blogger Friend

OH My Gosh!! How Lovely is all this, Please go over to Melissa's Heart and Home  for a chance to see these in person!

I found her blog while browsing one night for ideas on how to update some of my Country. I adore her house!

Good Luck!

Fall Kitchen Tour and They Are NOT Napkins??

I thought I'd share some of my Simple Fall decorations, I said boring in the video but really should have said "Simple"!

I bought some new curtains and table runner from Park Designs at Kindred Spirits Craft Mall in Pickerington and I LOVE how nice they look in the kitchen, thought I had picked up 6 napkins only to find out that they are dish towels...lol...now I'm not sure how I'll use them.

Tonight is Trick-or-Treat so we are very excited for tonight and after school we will play dress up and get ready for Daddy to get home.

Be back with family pics of tonight, Enjoy your day!

My First Kroger Haul!

I wanted to share a Haul with you on a great deal that's going on at Kroger's right now, I forgot to mention that I did buy a $6.00 bag of dog food without a coupon so that's why my total is alittle on the high side.

$75.00 Give-Away from CSN...FUN FUN FUN

It has been such a long time since I had a Give-Away on my blog and since I was contacted by CSN to do one I thought "why not"! It's getting on to be that time of year where shopping is going to be oh-so-much-fun so why not start now with a fun $75.00.

I'm sitting here at my kitchen table wondering when my dear Husband will find the time to make us a new table since he has started a NEW JOB!! That's right I forgot to mention that he is now working at the Airport as the Lead Network Engineer, very happy for him and us!! So I'm eyeballing this Drop Leaf Table , Isn't she darling in all her oak glory..lol..A Mom can dream right.....

So here is what you can do to enter this give-away...
1~ Go to my Youtube channel and watch one video HERE
2~ Come back and comment here about which one you really liked
3~ Share one idea for a video

That gives you 2 chances to win this Fab. Give-away!! Good Luck :)
Gift certificate does not include shipping costs. However, a lot of items in stores do offer free shipping.

Good Bye G'ma and the Fair 2010

I have been so busy here lately and it just has not slowed down, today I'm forcing us to stay home so I can get caught up on this tower of laundry and clean/dust here.
  First G'ma Terri has moved to Florida to stay in a free Condo that was offered to them from her Husbands Sister... so of course they could not say NO and has put their Condo here up for sale and after making the rounds saying their "Good byes" they have left with the promise of visiting again soon! We got together for a quick lunch with her Mom and oldest daughter and oldest granddaughter, Here is 5 generations of family...

We are missing a few as work and school could not be missed. We Love and Miss ya'll!!

So now it's Fair time and the kids have the whole week off for it. Crystal got to show Coffee in the dog show this year and won a blue ribbon on her dog book which means she received an A!! Hard work pays off and man I had no idea how hard it would be, the show was at 8:00 in the morning and the judges were so picky (in my opinion). Crystal's best friend is showing her horse "Kikko" and we have been back and forth and  already  have spent sooo much money on fair food :) We helped set up the horse stalls and have to help take everything down and clean up in a few days too.
Here are a few fun pics from the fair...

Isn't Coffee getting so big? My Husband filmed the show and as soon as I'm able to I'll add it here.

We fixed the date on my camera but I wish we could just not have it there!

So that's what we've been doing and it's not over yet, The weather has been beautiful and we are loving it!! Hope your having great weather too:)

The Way Home~ A DVD Review

A missing child. A family in crisis. A faith tested. In their darkest hour, God gives hope.
Dean Cain stars as Randy Simpkins, a husband and father torn between the demands of his job and family. Asked by his wife to watch their two-year-old son, Joe, for a few minutes, he becomes distracted by work. When he returns, Joe is gone. He and his wife search desperately for their missing son through the vast countryside. But as their fear grows, the community responds – hundreds of supporters uniting behind the family in a powerful spiritual journey that will test the couple’s love and faith, and forever change a community.

I sat down to watch this movie with a warm blanket and a quiet house. It was a sadly sweet story that you'll have to watch for yourself cuse I won't give the ending away..lol..Check it out at the library or grab it at your local Christian store.

This DVD was provided to me for Review, opinions are my own.

Horse'n around after retirement...

This is our big boy HOSS and since he is getting on in years and has started to limp alittle already in this chilly OH weather we are just not sure how he will fair this Winter. On Sat. we were just cleaning the barn and playing with him, he stands about 16 and boy he loves him some carrots. I have posted pics of him in the past but you can watch him in short action.. but please go to my Youtube channel to watch, we posted music to it to shut out the chatter..lol..

I have put out all my Fall decorations and even bought some new curtains that we are in Love with! I will post a few pics or make a short film, What do you want to see?

My FREE Magazines are Taking Over My House!!!

I'm sharing a quick tip today on how you can get a mailbox overflowing with free magazines, I get so many because some of them have Awesome coupons in them!!
What is your Fav. magazine??

Thornville Backwoods Fest 2010

I went on Friday to the Thornville Backwoods Fest and had so much fun looking at the arts and crafts and smelling the great BBQ that was wafting in the air. Due to some vendors not wanting to be filmed or me even taking photos of their crafts for fear that I'd copy them I was only able to get a view minutes of video (you can watch some of the goodies that people have bought as they walk out) but at the end you can see the Awesome Americana Wreath the I bought and promptly hung up in my kitchen and the 3 stars that have Cinnamon/Apple pottpurie? that will hang in my kitchen windows. Isn't that Flag Wreath the Best?

September Book Raves

I'm sharing my new books with ya'll, almost done with "The Taking". It's pretty good so far, not sure how the ending is going to turn out.

My Lysol No-Touch Soap Hack

I have opened my own YouTube Channel so Please come over and Vote and Comment! I'm ssooo excited to start a new Venture, something to keep me busy while all 3 kids are in School.

I say "Hack" cuse it's a nifty word that my Computer Savvy Husband uses...lol...

A Give-Away From A Sweet Blogger Friend

Tammy over at http://countrygirlathome.blogspot.com/  is having a Fall Give-away!! How Adorable is that Stitchery! 

The Secret of Indigo Moon- The Dopple Ganger Chronicles~~ A Book Review

List Price:

19.99 

ISBN:

978-1-4143-1948-3 

Trim Size:

6 x 9 

Binding:

Hardcover 

Release:

September 2009 

From best-selling author G.P. Taylor comes the highly anticipated second installment of The Dopple Ganger Chronicles, a series that combines art and traditional text to help “reluctant readers” discover the wonder of books.
Erik Morissey Ganger, famed explorer and detective (well, in his dreams), and his mischief-making sidekicks, twins Sadie and Saskia Dopple, didn’t go looking for a secret tunnel beneath the school. They never intended to make the acquaintance of a shifty private eye with a nose for trouble. It wasn’t part of the plan to come face to face with an old enemy, one with an agenda of his own that could destroy them all. And unraveling the “secret of indigo moon” was the farthest thing from their minds.
 At Isambard Dunstan’s School for Wayward Children, these things just seem to happen.
In The Secret of Indigo Moon, confirmed troublemakers Erik, Sadie, and Saskia plunge headlong into a new and perilous mystery, one that challenges everything they thought they knew about their lives, themselves, and whom it’s safe to trust.

 

I read a few chapters of this book and my fav. section was the comics that take part as a chapter in the book, I passed it on to my 11 yr old daughter to read and she liked  how the comics made reading the book fun! She is a slow reader but I'm happy she stuck to it. Now she wants to read the other books by G.P.Taylor, which is a great thing as she rarely finds a book that she likes that does not evolve around horses!! This was a fun mystery and she found it not scary, perfect for her!

This book was provided to me by Tyndale for Review.

Faithful~ A Book Review

Three life-long friends experience life-altering struggles. Will they find the strength to be faithful to the covenants they've made with God...and each other?
Cydney Sanders thought she knew God’s plan for her life. She’d marry, have kids, and then snap her body back into shape with Tae Bo. But she’s celebrating her fortieth birthday as the maid of honor at her little sister's wedding . . . and still single. Why would God give her this desire to marry, but no husband? And why is her life suddenly complicated by the best man—who’s the opposite of what she wants in a husband?
Cydney's best friend Dana has the perfect marriage. But when Dana discovers her husband’s affair, her world goes into a tailspin. And Phyllis is out of hope after six years of unanswered prayers for her husband to find faith. When she runs into an old friend who is the Christian man she longs for, she's faced with an overwhelming choice.
With life falling apart around them, can they trust God like never before?

I finished this book but it really didn't sit well with me. I am more of a Happy Ending/Light Hearted/No Worries type of girl and this was too....just too..ughg  I'm not sure but the affair didn't sit well with me and then it was "fixed" to fast for me. The ending was better in regards to the other couple in this book but when you start a book with an affair in the first couple of chapters, in my opinion Not a good thing.

BookSneeze provided this book to me for Review.

2 Gooseberry Patch Goodies

On Tues. I was alone as all 3 kids were in school so I ran with my Mom to Cracker Barrel for lunch and afterwards we went to browse Kindred Spirits Crafts Mall in Pickerington. While in Cracker Barrel I was able to grab these 2 new goodies....

and did you know that Yankee Candle has come out with hand sanitizer? Where have I been?? I grabbed the yummy Apple one to keep in my car for fast clean-ups.

I also grabbed this very cute note pad for my purse, it has our last initial on it and is so pretty sparkly with blue stones and gold swirls...

Gosh, the flash just about blinds ya...Sorry 

So that what I've been up to, Tuesday I got out of the house for a bit and the rest of the week I've been in and catching up on Netflicks, I was able to watch "It's Complicated" which was a great movie and then some odd Horror movies that I can't watch while the kids are home. Oh and laundry :)

Hope ya'll have a great Holiday weekend!!

September Finds for Fall Wardrobes

I love these necklaces!! I'm more of a throw- on-and- go kind of Mom and these would dress up any outfit.

I found her channel on youtube and you should really check it out, She has some great cooking tips for Mom's also.

What is your fav. channel on Youtube, Share with me so I can check them out :)

New School Year 2010

It's a new school year and this past Tuesday was our first day!!

Crystal grade 5
Abigail grade 2
Richard grade K

This is as dressed up as they wanted, pick my battles right...there was no tears from Richard getting on the bus and leaving me for the whole day, he waved to us with a huge smile on his face sitting with his Sisters as the bus drove away.

All day long the house was to quiet and I felt like there was something I was forgetting...Any helpful tips to get used to this empty house feeling?

Practice for Real Life

This Summer Crystal was busy with 4H and volunteered at Scholl's Veterinary Clinic, Her best friend's Mom owns the office and agreed to let Crystal shadow her.

Here they are, 2 best friends ready to help in Surgery...Crystal did watch some kitties getting Spayed and it never bothered her and asked many a good question from I have been told.

Here's a lil Hamster that she is trying to bring home...UuMMM...not going to happen!!

It's been a great Summer and she learned some Science plus it has spurred her on to study hard this new year so she can do it again next Summer!

Can You See It ? Our New Find For Winter!

I'm so Sorry this is a dark pic but it's raining cats and dogs here right now!

We drove by this huge sled for sale for $20.00, We offered $15.00 since that's what we had after grabbing ice cream and they accepted! It's a lovely old wooden runner sled about as tall as me and was made in Medina OH!

OH the fun we will have this Winter sledding down our hill!

*Rooster* Blog Party 2

We have a wonderful country kitchen with a growing Rooster theme. My collection is fairly small compared to many in this get-together but they found a good home in this lil country house.

Roosters are even starting to move into the laundry room!

I'm joining a Rooster Blog party over at BELLA VISTA   Go take a peek at all the handsome Roosters that others are sharing! I'm sure enjoying the beauties!

~Angel Song- A Book Review~

When Annie Fletcher returns to Charleston to see her younger sister, Sarah, receive her master’s degree, she finds herself riding in the back of an ambulance, watching helplessly as Sarah fights for life. During the ride, Sarah appears to talk to someone who is not there, humming a melody Annie has never heard before.
Neighbor Ethan McKinney lends a shoulder when Sarah unexpectedly dies. And as a carpenter, Ethan volunteers to help Annie get the Fletcher family home into shape for selling. Ethan’s presence is distracting, but what troubles Annie is her neighbor Tammy’s 12-year-old son. Keith has Down Syndrome and the guile to believe he can see and hear angels.
God begins to reveal Himself to Annie – both in her newfound friends and through heart-rending and clearly supernatural events. Annie discovers faith in God, finally experiencing the comfort that His angels really do surround us.

I found myself caught up in this story from chapter 1 and usually it will take me about 50 pages into a book for me to decide if I like it or not. It's a sweetly sad yet strangely uplifting read that makes you think and wonder about Angels and what's after this life. Parts of this book made me want to yell at Annie, she needs to react to situations differently.

Do you find yourself wanting to help the main character out in a book, give them advice or just yell at them...It can't just be me right?

I was provided this book by BookSneeze for review.

A Milestone Reached~ Lost First Tooth!!

Yesterday the lil guy lost his first tooth! He didn't even cry and proudly slipped it into his Tooth Fairy pillow, the Tooth Fairy brought him .50 cents, he asked if the Tooth Fairy brought toys..lol...

He is growing up so fast, our last one. He starts Kindergarten which will be every other day. He is all ready to ride the bus with his Sisters, I am not ready to let him go...

We have been busy at SUPERKIDS camp, first time for me helping out, Richard does the Tech end of it. The kids loves going and we touch so many lil hearts. If you get a chance check out the link and see what we are about.

I found my fav. magazine and am going to curl up with some tea and settle in with some eye candy, I love easy going evenings like this one.

An Awesome Give-Away From a Couponer!!

My friend over at Full Price-Never is having an awesome give-away, stop on over and tell her Heather sent you. This would be a great start to stockpiling!