SHANDLEous

Dear Shandle People,

Thank you for sending me a free "shandle". Unfortunately, I wont be able to review your product at this time.

I DID recieve your Shandle and it DOES seem like a good idea: a little antimicrobial handle that you stick to the toilet seat so "you'll never have to touch the seat again."

I WAS really hoping it would encourage my oldest to put the seat back DOWN after peeing and the middle child to put the seat UP before peeing.

I also appreciated that mine came with a pro-hand-washing message.

UNFORTUNATELY, when I went to install it on the bottom of the toilet seat, I found that all the toilet seats in the house have a half inch thick lip running around the edge. To give the appearance that the seat is thick and not cheap and thin like it is.

So I thought, "well, I'll just stick it to the lid. At the very least, maybe it will remind the boys to wash their hands." I stuck it to the lid and washed my own hands. So far, so good.

10 minutes later, Sam went into the bathroom, ripped the Shandle off the lid, and then came to ask me, "What's this Momma?"

The thick foam adhesive was ripped to shreds half on/half off the toilet.

And that was the end of our Shandle.

And this review.

Thanks anyway,

Emily

And the Winner is...

#18 (total stranger to me) Becky!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, Becky!!!  You're gonna love it!  Please send me your mailing address to emilydeon(at)gmail(dot)com.

  

The rest of you, SORRY CHARLIES!!!  You'll have to beg, borrow, or steal your copy.  (I suppose you could also buy it.)

But whatever the case, make sure you READ IT!  You wont regret it!!!!!

Dear Kris, 

Now that I've made your book an international sensation with my blog, please use the money that is surely pouring in to visit me in Japan.  Post haste!

Thank you for your immediate cooperation!!!

xoxoxo

Em

Hard Times and Holy Places - Book Review and Giveaway

"Trials and difficulties can, if we let them, become holy places — places where we can feel the power of the Atonement in our lives. Our struggles can be consecrated to our good and growth, and you and I can become more like Christ." — Kris Belcher

A few months ago, I received an autographed copy of "Hard Times and Holy Places" written by none other than Kristen Belcher.  MY sister-in-law.  I was extremely excited to read it and devoured it in an afternoon. 

 
My immediate next thought was "I need to do a blog review of this book!"  But then I thought "...but Doug hasn't read it yet.  I should let him read it first.  Cause I want to be able to talk to him about it n' stuff."  So I gave it to Doug and commanded him to read it.  And he did.  Over a period of about two months.   And again I thought "I need to do a review of this book."

THEN I thought, "...but hey, I'm going to Utah in another two months.  I'll wait until I'm there, get a few copies autographed by Kris and do a giveaway!"

Then I went to Utah.  

And saw Kris.  

But I didn't have any copies for her to sign.  

Then I DID go to the bookstore and bought three copies of her book...

but didn't see her again!  

SO, I have a book to give away, but it is NOT signed by the author.  
(sigh)

Now, about the book.  This book...is incredible!!!  It is life changing and thought provoking and funny and spiritual.  I like it even though she left out the chapter all about me.  (I'm sure her editor made her leave it out.)

In case you think I'm biased because I'm related to Kris and I'm just hoping to get another free copy of her next book, here are a few unbiased reviews:

Fabulous Photographer Jen:  "i meant to tell u that i just read ur sis in laws book... kris belcher's hard times and holy places. i LOVED it. since my mom got diagnosed with ALS i have been reading a lot of church books and this was my favorite. i went and bought 2 more and gave one to my mom and one to my friend who just had to give her adopted baby back to total loser parents after having her for almost a year, and then her house burned down a couple weeks ago. she said the title even made her cry. ur sis in law is amazing and i would luv to meet her one day." 

Sister Dahl:  "Kris's book was such an inspiration to me that I read it twice in one weekend!  And it really put into perspective the health issues I've been worrying about.  Kris is my hero!  She must be one of Heavenly Father's very elect to have weathered all her storms with such grace and dignity.  I highly recommend her wonderful book of faith and acceptance and love."

Kim:  (I found this one on the Deseret Book website.)  "This book was so amazing! It gave me the strength to look back at my life and find my own personal Holy places that I didn't realize existed. The author beautifully weaved adversity and testimony into an inspiring and entertaining book. She shows you the way to see your life for what it truly is. A difficult and trying test, yet a rewarding journey. I laughed, I cried and I will certainly read it again."

For more info about the book or Kris, here's her website: 

hardtimesandholyplaces.blogspot.com

WANT A FREE COPY???

LEAVE A COMMENT!!!!!

I'll pick a winner on Sunday August 9th.

The rest of you, BUY A COPY!  

You can thank me later!!!

Bella Sara Trading Cards

Remember how I told you I was a member of Team Mom and sometimes I get free stuff to review? (The sole compensation being the free stuff.)  Which is super cool because... 

it's free stuff?  

Well, recently I got an envelope from Team Mom containing...

*drumroll*

2 Bella Sara Royalty Card Packs

translation:  Really girlie trading cards with horses on them.

ie:

They're trading cards that work concurrently with an on-line interactive website.  A "magical new world with majestic realms, noble traditions, and regal families" no less.  

Only one problem.  I have three boys.  Three really boyish boys.  (I bought Max a baby doll when I was pregnant with Sam and he used it to sword fight.  Yes.  He held the doll by its legs and whacked things with it.)

Oh, and one other problem:  I'm not a horse girl.  Never have been.  Never once asked for a pony, never had a toy horse for my Barbie (never had Barbies), and never owned a single piece of unicorn paraphernalia.  

Never.  

Ever.  

In fact, this picture makes me want to throw-up in my mouth a little bit.  Sorry Bella Sara.  Just being honest.

ANYHOO!  Ever since I got the cards, they've sat, un-opened on my desk staring at me reproachfully saying "Review Me!  Review Me!"

Last night, I finally decided to do it.   I couldn't stand looking at the girlie-ness any longer.  So...

I OPENED THE CARDS!!!

I opened them, logged into the website, and called Max over.  

"Hey Max, wanna come play this computer game with me?"

Max comes running over having never before heard those words from my lips.

--Sees pastel colored horses.

Max:  "Uh, no thanks!  It's princess!!!"

Runs away.

I thought that was the end of it.  

But a little while later he came back (having run out of better things to do) and said

"Okay.  Show me the game."

So, we set him up and account and picked him a horse.  The next hour was highly amusing from my standpoint.  After showing Max around the site a bit, I left him alone at the computer to see what he'd do.  He found his way to what is, I believe, called the "beauty salon" where you can dress and accessorize your horse.   (!!!$&%#!!!)

 Max started going to town.

"Hey, Mom!  Look at this!  (adds black tale which looks like a whip.)  And THIS!  (adds pointy black armour.)  And THIS!"  (adds black horse shoes and evil looking shin guards.)  

What the...?  Max is sifting through the multitude of pastel and frou-frou offerings to find the most goth/emo/boyish/black stuff available.

 

Would it be wrong to say it made me a tiny bit happy?  

Well, after a little while Sammy comes over to see what the fuss is about.  And he wants to make his own horse.  (You can print them out when you're finished)

Doug sits down to help and he ends up with a decidedly sillier horse:  green running shoes, gray knee socks, Native American style feathered accessories, and little red devil horns.  

And then Doug wanted to decorate a horse...

and I mocked him inwardly and took a picture for blackmail purposes.

It just goes to show that you cant judge trading cards (or websites) by their pink/sparkly/horse-covered wrappers!!! 

Lesson learned.

And I have pictures to prove it.

Log-in to www.bellasara.com to create your own free account and play on-line  (user name Maxer_Boy is already taken) and/or buy your own trading cards where-ever trading cards are sold!  (Where are trading cards sold?)

Perfect for your horse/fantasy/computer game/pony/unicorn loving girlie-girl 

and/or 

your energetic/violence prone/computer game loving little boy!!!

Don't say I didn't warn you!

***

Post Script:

Max brought over one of the 9-year-old neighbor boys.  HE wanted to make a horse and print it out too!

***

And the Winners Are...

...I looked out my window and what did I see?  

Five boys jumping on the traaaam-poooo-leeeen!...

To pick our winners today, I went to an outside panel for help.  And by that I mean, I wrote 1-9 on a piece of paper, went outside and asked all the boys bouncing on our trampoline to pick a number between one and nine.  Then I circled their number and wrote their name by it.

Here are the results

Sammy-Boy picked #1.  #1 = Cami.  Appropriate since Cami is the mother of his best buddy Payden.  (I didn't tell him that though!  There was no undue influence!)

Ryan-1 picked #2 = Christina.  Also appropriate since they're both from Canada.  Just kidding.  I don't know where Ryan-1 is from.  I don't even know where he lives.  I just wanted more coincidences...

Strange-Boy-I've-Never-Met-Before picked #4 = Linz.  I don't know Strange-Boy.  I've seen him around but he's never played with Max before.  Before the trampoline was assembled that is. 

Pause for random tangent...

(Reminds me of the "swimming pool friends" I had as a kid.  The ones that only wanted to play with me during the summer.  At my house.  In my pool.  I could be there or not--whatever.  Good times, good times...sigh.

Well guess what, Stange-Boy?!  If I hear you yell "OH MY G**!" one more time, you're getting the boot.  From my trampoline and from my life.  But Lindsay still gets to keep her Frame-Name.)

Max picked #6 = Emily.  Another happy coincidence.  Emily is the mom of Camden, Max's friend from San Fran.   Her pleading must have penetrated Max's psyche.  He has The Force with him at all times, ya know.

Ryan-2 picked #7 = Annie who is actually my cousin of a different name but keeps her identity protected with an alias.  Congrats, Annie!  And thank you Ryan-2.  Yet another newly acquired Trampoline Friend!

Well, those are our winners!  Congrats ladies!  Those were some pretty great odds, no?!

For the rest of you who didn't enter/win, don't forget, you can still place an order at www.frame-name.com and get 20% off!  (Only $20.  A steal!  Just mention "favorite daughter" and/or "Emily")

Winners, please email me your email address (at emilydeon(at)gmail(dot)com) so I can forward them to my dad so HE can deal with all y'all!  THANKS FOR PLAYING everyone!  

Another great give-away coming up for Mother's Day so STAY TUNED!!!

Frame-Name Give-Away!!!!!!!!

You may recall that for his New Year's Resolution this year, Max has forsaken candy in favor of earning $10/month. 

He's actually doing a great job and staying quite strong in the face of temptation. The only problem I see is in the future when he's faced with more Candy-centric holidays. Valentine's Day was bad enough and now we're swiftly approaching Easter when Reeses Peanut Butter Eggs and Cadbury Mini Eggs can un-do even the most steely health resolve. (I'm thinking of myself here.)

Therefore, I'm trying to come up with non-candy solutions for the boy's Easter Baskets.  Maybe you're facing the same dilemma?

Enter, this month's GIVE-AWAY;

My dad is generously offering to give "Frame-Names" to FIVE yes FIVE lucky winners!!!  

Frame-Names are wall hangings perfect for kid's rooms, nurseries, play rooms, offices, and hobby rooms. 

Any kid (big or small) would be thrilled to find one in their Easter Basket.  You get to customize them with any name and your choice and a myriad of different patterns and designs.

The frames are 6" x 12" made of solid wood with a safe, non-breakable plexiglas front.

Here's what you do:

Select a background  (plentiful choices on www.Frame-Name.com and www.zoobeedoos.com)
Select a frame color (white, black, oak, pink, blue and lavender)
Enter your name or word(s)

Enjoy your Framed Name valued at $25.00!

Those of you (let's avoid using the term "losers") who don't win the give-away can still be winners!  Order from www.Frame-Name.com and get 20% off if you mention "Emily" or "Acte Gratuit" or "Favorite Daughter"!

Contest Rules:

Just leave a comment on this post in the next 48 hours!  

(That's Friday morning at 10 a.m. my time.  We have to wrap this up soon so you can get them in time for Easter!)

I'll select 5 winners at random!

Good luck!

Dear Barnes and Noble,

I searched the Internet far and wide and eventually found exactly what I wanted on your site:

A 2009 Japanese Woodblock Prints Mini Wall Calendar.  Although it wasn't on-sale (like every other calendar on every other site in the entire world) I was desperate and purchased it anyway.  I really need a new calendar and this one fit the bill perfectly.

And then I waited.

And waited.

And waited.

And even tracked the shipment to it's last known location in California where it arrived 3 weeks ago.

And after waiting MORE than a sufficient amount of time...

I contacted customer service.

Who apologized and offered to resend my shipment.

So I prepared to wait (PATIENTLY) again.

And then I got this:

Due to an unexpected delay, we are unable to ship the merchandise listed below in the time frame indicated in our previous email. We anticipate that your merchandise will be shipped within the next 1-5 business days. (Please note: business days are Monday through Friday, excluding holidays observed by the Post Office.)
As always, you will not be charged until this merchandise ships from our warehouse.

We assume that you still want to purchase this merchandise. However, if you would like to cancel this portion of your order, you may do so online at: http://www.bn.com/orderstatus.

Please accept our sincere apologies for the delay.

-- Barnes & Noble

NO!  I DON'T want to cancel my order!  I want to RECEIVE my order!!  Evidently you don't realize how much I NEED MY FREAKING CALENDAR!!!

Therefore, I label you LAME!

I'll stick to Target and Amazon from now on.  (Where my items are generally shipped within 24 hours of purchase and arrive, IN JAPAN, in as little as 9 days sometimes!)

Get it together, B&N!  

Sincerely,

A FIRST-TIME and LAST-TIME customer!