A Couple of Awards

I was given this award from Karie over at One Fish, Two Fish, Three, Four, Five Fish. She is such a sweetie and you should really check out her blog! She has the cutest set of twins too! I'm going to pass this on to 4 blogs that I really enjoy reading.

Mel at The Bubble

Valerie at Sweeps for Bloggers

Lorie at The Shewbridges of Celebration Florida

Drahdrah at Drahdrah's Place


I've gotten this award so many times, and sorry but I'm too lazy to pass it around again! If you haven't received it, take it! I love you all!

How was that for a speech? LMAO!

Cooking in Style

Join in on the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel’s Cooking School Weekend October 16th and 17th. Come for the sumptuous Wine Tasting Reception and stay for a cooking demonstration with the Hotel’s very own Chef Nathan Read the next morning. He will teach participants how to prepare the appetizers served at the Wine Tasting. Experience a lavish four-course dinner paired with appropriate wines on Saturday evening. Then learn how to prepare the meal on Sunday morning.

They will be serving Smoked Rainbow Trout with Capers, Cornichons, Hard Cooked Egg, Diced Red Onion Served with Grilled Flatbreads and Herb Goat Cheese Dip. One of the appetizers will be Shrimp Fritters with Green Chile Salsa. I would love to learn how to cook that. My boyfriend would love it, and it would be a hit at all of the holiday parties we have to host at our house.

The Cooking School Weekend also includes deluxe accommodations at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel for two people Friday and Saturday evening all for just $398.00 plus tax for both nights! Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is located in Branson, Missouri. I wouldn't mind taking a walk on the river walk or visiting one of the 49 live entertainment theaters if I visited Branson.

The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel offers breathtaking modern decor rooms with gorgeous views. They have cribs available and even allow pets, just in case you have to bring the whole family!

Weird Places Kids Sleep

It was storming really bad the other night, just pouring out with super high winds. The kids were afraid to sleep in their bedroom, so I let them sleep in the living room. They both were originally sleeping on the couches. This is where I found Lil Man sleeping when I looked in a little bit later. What a goof!

Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd - Review & Giveaway {CLOSED}

Geektastic
Stories from the Nerd Herd

By Holly Black, Cecil Castellucci
Edited by Holly Black, Cecil Castellucci

Acclaimed authors Holly Black (Ironside) and Cecil Castellucci (Boy Proof) have united in geekdom to edit short stories from some of the best selling and most promising geeks in young adult literature: M.T. Anderson, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, John Green, Tracy Lynn, Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Barry Lyga, Wendy Mass, Garth Nix, Scott Westerfield, Lisa Yee, and Sara Zarr.

With illustrated interstitials from comic book artists Hope Larson and Bryan Lee O'Malley, Geektastic covers all things geeky, from Klingons and Jedi Knights to fan fiction, theater geeks, and cosplayers. Whether you're a former, current, or future geek, or if you just want to get in touch with your inner geek, Geektastic will help you get your geek on!

This book is hilarious, has some of the geekiest stories and some great comics. I especially like the "How to Hook Up at the Science Fair" comic, too funny! Do you or your kids like Star Wars, Star Trek or WoW? Then this is totally the book for you. Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd is sure to bring out your inner geek and give you some good laughs along the way.

Buy It! You can purchase Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd
on Amazon for a discounted price.

Win it:
Three lucky Outnumbered 3 to 1 readers will win a copy of Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd.

For your first MAIN entry: Head to Hachette Book Group and tell me another book you'd like. This step must be done before you can qualify for extra entries.


EXTRA ENTRIES - Please leave an additional comment for each extra entry! These entries will not be valid unless you do the main entry above!

• Follow, Subscribe through email or Subscribe to Outnumbered 3 to 1 in whichever reader you prefer {1 entry for each}
  
• Follow me on Twitter, Fan or become a friend on Facebook, Favorite me on Technorati or Stumble this post or this blog {1 entry for each}
  
• Add my button to your blog and tell me where to find it
• Post about this contest on your blog, linking back to this post {5 extra entries}.
• Enter any of my other giveaways and leave a comment telling me which one {Max 1 extra entry}
  
• Tweet this giveaway and leave the link to your tweet. {Can be done daily}
• Follow Little Brown on Twitter
  

THE RULES:
*Make sure I have a way to reach you, by either enabling your email through blogger, or leaving your email in the comment.
*Winners are chosen by random.org, so make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!
*Winner has 72 hours to contact me, or another winner will be chosen.
*Contest ends October 14th at 11:59 pm. Winner will be posted shortly after.
*Open to US and Canadian entries.
*Rules for each entry must be followed to be valid.

I received a copy of Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd for reviewing purposes. Opinions expressed are my own are were NOT influenced by any form of compensation. Thank you to Hachette Book Group for providing the review and giveaway copies.

Wordless Wednesday

Head over to Extraordinary Mothers, Wordless Wednesday HQ, 5 Minutes for Mom and MomDot for more Wordless Wednesday!

Teaser Tuesdays - Nine Dragons

This is my first time participating in this fun meme. I'll try to remember to do so every week. That way you can get a preview of upcoming book reviews too, a win/win situation! Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's my teaser:

He slammed the clipboard off his head and then grabbed him around the neck with his arms. His rage grew uncontrolled.

Page 127, Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly

Scavenging for Savings {CLOSED}

I've got another Sam's Club Advantage Plus Membership to give away! The membership is in the form of a "Gift of Membership" card valued at $100. You can use this for the membership, or to upgrade your current membership and have a little extra moola left over for something you'd like! This time I'm mixing it up a bit though. It's time for a Scavenger Hunt! But before we begin, I need help spreading the word! You must 'Tweet' this message and leave a comment below to your direct tweet. If you don't have a Twitter account, you can use Facebook or email 5 friends and cc shimmermeblue23@yahoo.com.

"Scavenger Hunt @OutnumberedMama Win a Sam's Club Advantage Plus Membership http://tinyurl.com/yagfmdj"


Here are the clues. You will find the answers to the following clues on Sam's Club website. You are looking for products:

1. A mans best friend, "52 inche"s of pure bliss. He will have to adjust it just so. Never again will he move from the couch as he stares at the "screen" and says, "BRAV"O!
2. Nothing will make her heart have “butterflies” more than “.50 carats” of a pretty little something “hanging on a chain” that her eyes will just adore.
3. “Rope” your pooch in when you hand him a gift that will bring him hours of joy. Breath a sigh of relief because when he sees this thing, he might have something other than you to annoy!
4. Let your “princess” “dream” of dolphins and “mermaids” playing under the sea. Giving her a gift like this will make her as happy as any little girl could be!
5. Since we have The Nurse Mommy to thank for coming up with all of these clues, the last one can be found there! You might just get a "cardio" workout searching "deep in the paiges"!
   

The Rules:

You will need to leave urls for all of the answers, just a url will do, no descriptions or names needed. Do NOT leave the answers in a comment. Use the Google Doc form below. One winner will be chosen at random from all of the correct entries. This giveaway will end September 30th at 11:59 pm.

Please note that there was a problem with the old form and I had to put in a new one. I do have the old one saved, and those entries will count.

Contest Tuesday

It's time once again for Contest Tuesday. Don't forget to check back every Tuesday for a fresh linky so you can get in on some great giveaways or to link your own. Feel free to link up as many giveaways as you want.

Also, it's not required, but it would be great if you could help spread the word about this link by posting my button, tweeting, etc.

Don't forget to let me know if you have a contest linky too. Tell me the day you host it or if it's ongoing, as well as the url and I will post your button or link in this listing of places to list your contests. There's quite a list compiled already, you might want to check it out. You can also show some bloggy love and let my readers and I know of any other places to list your contests.

Join in on the Scavenger for Savings! One winner from all the correct entries will receive a Sam's Club Advantage Plus Membership, valued at $100. You can use this for the membership, or to upgrade your current membership and have a little extra moola left over for something you'd like!

Current Giveaway at Outnumbered 3 to 1:

25o Greeting Cards 10/8
24x36 Vinyl Banner 10/8
Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms 10/7
Alex Cross's Trial 10/2
The Soft Landing 10/1
Charitable Creations $25 GC 9/30
Cover Your Hair 9/29

Now don't forget I have more Sam's Club Advantage Plus Memberships to give away! One {possibly two} will be going out to an email subscriber chosen at random on October 1st, so make sure you subscribe now!

Umi Shoes - Review

The Scoop on Umi

At Umi, we build real children's shoes. Not floppy leather slipper socks. And not miniature grown-up shoes. We know a lot about growing feet. Front to back. Side to side. Top to bottom. Umi shoes are designed with children's feet in mind.

Around here we have some pretty high standards. We craft our shoes from the highest quality nappa and nubuck leather, with carefully constructed lasts. Our manufacturing process includes more than twenty quality control checks to ensure that every pair of shoes meets our standards. The result: Umi shoes are flexible, supportive, built to fit, and go the distance.

Umi offers some really great shoes for kids. These shoes really are made to last. They have many styles, sizes and colors to choose from.

We received a pair of Aviator shoes in Forrest for Lil Man. As soon as I opened the box, I knew these were quality shoes. They have rubber all around in front and back, nice thick rubber. I'm not going to have to worry about him wearing out the toes or heels super fast like he usually does. I think that's one of my favorite qualities since my boys are so destructive on shoes. Usually their shoes last about a month, sometimes two if I'm lucky. I got a pair for Lil Man not too long ago, and the toes wore out in less than a week. Let's just say I was livid! Shoes aren't cheap and money sure doesn't grow on trees. I don't like to waste it on something that won't last. All in all, I am very pleased with my Umi experience and will definitely buy their shoes again. If you think these shoes are cute, you should take a look at the girl shoes they offer, super cute!

You can stay up to date with news from Umi by becoming a fan on Facebook and subscribing to their email.

I was given a product for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by any form of compensation. Click here to view my full disclosure policy.

Taco Bake

I get tired of the same old thing all the time, so I started mixing it up when it came time to make tacos. My kids love them, but honestly I can only eat tacos so often. I would always break the shells up and just pile everything in a bowl. So instead of your traditional tacos, I started making them into a casserole. Honestly, it even tastes better that way to me.


There really is no recipe to this, unless you don't know how to make taco meat. even then, the seasoning package tells you ;)

I simply pour some salsa into the bottom of a casserole dish so nothing sticks. Then I add the following in 2-3 layers:

Crushed up taco shells {tortilla chips would work too}
taco meat
refried beans
lettuce
cheese
salsa

Once you have the layers done, throw it in the oven for about 15 minutes and voila, you're done! Serve it up and add some salsa and sour cream if desired. You can add tomatoes, olives etc to this too if you want. I just don't like that stuff.

Flor - All Bark and No Bite Review

Launched in the spring of 2003 and based in Elmhurst, Illinois (just outside Chicago), FLOR is a line of design-inspired carpet squares for the home that lets you create unique area rugs, runners or wall-to-wall carpet designs quickly and easily.

The company was founded on the idea that carpet could be fun, stylish, practical and responsible. We think FLOR carpet tiles answer the call. The modular design means you can customize FLOR to fit any size space, even the most difficult layout, and take FLOR with you wherever you go. FLOR is also eco-friendly having some of the lowest Volatile Organic Compound emissions (VOCs) in the industry. Plus, FLOR comes in a wide variety of colors, patterns and textures so it gives you freedom to create exactly the right design for your room and your style.

I have hardwood floors throughout my entire house. Rugs are a necessity around here, especially in the winter months. I originally wanted a rug for my computer room, which is right off the living room. Unfortunately, my current living room rug had seen better days thanks to the kids and dogs spilling stuff all the time. It was also time for a change. I'm one of those people that needs change, even if it's just rearranging a room or adding something new.

Flor recently launched some new styles and I jumped at the chance to test one out. I chose the All Bark and No Bite Meadow. While I chose it for the computer room, it actually looks great in the living room. It matches nicely for sure. It's pretty close to the same color as my couch.


Here's a shot of the rug in my living room. I just love it. i think it looks great. I'm usually not one for having everything match so well like that, but the walls are a sage color, so it really does add a lot to the room.

The rug comes in tile which are 19.7" x 19.7". You simply place them together {they fit together easily}, then put little stickers on the corners of each tile so the rug stays together. It's really simple. I put the whole rug together very quickly and without an issue at all. What's really great about these tiles is you can go with whatever size you want. You're not limited to the sizes the rug comes in. You can also interchange the tiles and create a total custom look. There are so many great styles and colors to choose from, the combination possibilities are almost endless. Prices vary per style, but you can get the one I got for $16.99 per tile.

JumpStart Pet Rescue for Wii - Review

JumpStart Pet Rescue contains 5 Discovery worlds where Preschoolers navigate through 5 stories in a search for lost pets.

Each Discovery world contains a guided story told by one of the JumpStart friends, leading children on a learning adventure through more than 70 learning lessons and activities that teach kids over 75 essential skills they need to succeed. As kids progress through the adventures, they improve their pre-reading skills, memory, creativity, motor skills, listening,and much more!

Lil Man just adores JumpStart games, so he was trilled when he came home from school one day and I showed him Pet Rescue for the Wii. He played it right away and really liked that he got to feed his dog and make him do tricks. Big Bro has played too and he likes that you can run around the whole area. They also like that they were able to create a pet exactly to their specifications. All of their progress is saved, so they end up at the same spot the next time they play.


Here's an image of the game in progress. You speak to these little characters and they tell what to do, or just tell you something in general. It's really pretty neat. ESRB, the Entertainment Software Rating Board has rated Pet Rescue “Early Childhood” so it's good for the younger kiddos too!

Some Great Titles for Young Readers

School of Fear

By Gitty Daneshvari

Everyone is afraid of something...

Madeleine Masterson is deathly afraid of bugs, especially spiders.

Theodore Bartholomew is petrified of dying.

Lulu Punchalower is scared of confined spaces.

Garrison Feldman is terrified of deep water.

With very few options left, the parents of these four twelve year-olds send them to the highly elusive and exclusive School of Fear to help them overcome their phobias. But when their peculiar teacher, Mrs. Wellington, and her unconventional teaching methods turn out to be more frightening than even their fears, the foursome realize that this just may be the scariest summer of their lives.

School of Fear was a little bit too long for my son to read by himself, so instead I read a chapter to the kids each night before bed. The kids loved hearing the stories about everyone's fears, which some they thought were extremely funny! Like Ablutophobia, the fear of washing or bathing {I bet they wish they could get away with this one!} and Logizomeachanphobia, the fear of computers.

Billy Bones: The Road to Nevermore

By Christopher Lincoln

Billy Bones and his cousin Millicent are ready to explore the world beyond the Biglum mansion. When Uncle Grim and Millicent are captured and taken to the hidden world of Nevermore, Billy begins an adventure bigger than even he could have asked for. As Billy searches for his loved ones, Millicent discovers that some secrets are too big for any Secrets Closet to hold-and may be too dark for any skeleton to overcome.

This sequel offers another spooky romp in the tradition of filmmaker Tim Burton, where friendships grow, betrayals linger, schemes entangle - and heroism appears in the most unexpected places.

We love a good ghost story around here. The kids really enjoyed Billy Bones: The Road to Nevermore and we're really looking forward to reading the other Billy Bones book. I can just see them telling Billy Bones ghost stories around the campfire next summer!

I was provided review copies of these books from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the purpose of reviewing. The opinions expressed are my own and my family's and were NOT influenced by any form of compensation.

Small Talk Six - 6 things you love or hate about your neighbors

I have seen these posts pretty much since I started blogging, and I always wanted to join in, but for some reason just never did. I never remembered since it is Saturday and all. Usually my weekends are pretty full. But I could not pass up this weeks topic! If you're a regular of this blog, you have heard some of my neighbor horror stories. My neighbors have got to be some of the worst in history!

Today’s topic is “6 things you love or hate about your neighbors.” Here are my 6 (Although it will be VERY hard to narrow it down to just 6)!

1. I hate that my neighbors are so ghetto they leave garbage bags lying by the garbage bins in the alley for raccoons and other animals to dig into, so there's always ripped open garbage lying around.

2. I hate that this same neighbor has two dogs but will not let them in the house. So they get bored or lonely and bark all day! I mean all day. We cannot have people in our backyard {especially if these people are not home} because the dogs will just bark and bark nonstop. We can't even enjoy our backyard we spent tons of money on to make it look nice so we could sit out there and enjoy it. {Maybe I should give them the receipts and make them pay for it?}

3. I hate that this same neighbor keeps his dogs on a leash in a yard that isn't fenced in. Somehow they constantly manage to off this leash and the little one comes in our yard to do his duty! We have complained to this neighbor and he doesn't think it's a big deal. He wonders what he's supposed to do. Hmm, lemme see; maybe he could keep his dog in his yard!

4. I hate that this same neighbor and his upstairs neighbor seem to 'hustle' for a living, so I have to worry about my things getting stolen.

5. I hate that the neighbor girl across the street needs to be on meds and constantly starts drama in the neighborhood. {I think they moving though, yay!}

6. I hate that the other neighbor across the street is so nosy she looks out her window to see what we're doing all the time if we're sitting on our front porch. One time we messed with her and waved. She scooted off and we saw her open the fridge and peek from around the fridge.

Now if these 3 neighbors would just move, we'd have a wonderful peaceful block!

Giveaway Rules

The following are giveaway rules at Outnumbered 3 to 1.  

*You must do the main entry before any extra entries will be valid
*Make sure I have a way to reach you, by either enabling your email through blogger, or leaving your email in the comment.
*Winners are chosen by random.org, so make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!
*Winner has 72 hours to contact me, or another winner will be chosen.

*Rules for each entry must be followed to be valid.

* I use random.org to pick my winners. Winners will be drawn and posted on Thursdays.
From time to time, people may be drawn as the winners who have already won on my blog. It's the luck of the draw! I do not have a rule or policy enforcing a limit of the number of times one can win my giveaways.

And please keep in mind this section specifically from my disclosure policy in regards to giveaways:

This blog will make every effort to deliver prizes or have prizes delivered to winner(s). However unlikely the scenario may be; this blog and its author are not responsible for giveaway prizes that are lost in transit or damaged. This blog is also not responsible if a sponsor/company does not send prize(s). Blog author will communicate with said company(s) several times, in an effort to resolve issue.

The owner{s} of this blog is also not responsible or liable for ANY allergic reaction, accident, or injury caused by a product that has been featured/reviewed on this blog. Always check with your doctor before using or consuming product that is questionable in nature.

If winner does not claim their prize within the allotted time, said prize is considered forfeited. So make sure you check your emails people! I will then either re-random for a new winner or offer the prize up as a LIVE giveaway. Which method I opt for is solely my decision.

Ride in Style!

I remember reading all the buzz about Charter's Laptop a Day Sweepstakes that went on for about 2 months.Let's not forget about the giveaway involving a HDTV every day to Xbox 360s to a Hybrid Car last year. I so wanted to win one of those babies! Well I didn't, but that's really okay. Now there's an even better prize up for grabs, and I want it! My boyfriend would be so jealous if I won. I'd totally have to rub it in too!

Charter has announced they are giving away a new Camaro! Yes, you read that write, no typos here! This is not just any Camaro either, but the hard to get 2010 Camaro 2SS. (Sales Tax included in the prize)



The Camaro Sweepstakes runs from September 15 through November 26 at noon. Visit charter.com/camaro to register today and to view the complete rules, specifications on the Camaro and more. You can also connect with Charter on Facebook and Charter on Twitter

Charter services have always brought your home to life, now they're bringing your garage to life! They love fast, and this new 426 hp Camaro is one of the fastest and hardest cars to get in North America. How awesome is it that they're giving it away free?!

Charter has even more special offers in store for us besides this great giveaway. You can get a $100 gift card when you buy 3 Charter services, $50 gift card for 2 services, and $25 gift card when you buy 1 Charter service. Gift Cards are from major retailers in clothing, home and accessories, restaurants and more!

Tink

We all loved cute little Tink as a child, and many of us still do to this day. Well she's back and you can share the beautiful tales of Never Land with your children! On October 27th, the world’s most famous fairy returns in a brand-new adventure in TINKER BELL and the LOST TREASURE on Blu-ray & DVD!

Aloha Friday

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday.

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link at An Island Life. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

My question this week is:

What do you like in a blog, what keeps you coming back for more?

If you are a regular visitor of this blog, what are your favorite posts?

Greeting Card Giveaway from UPrinting.com {CLOSED}

UPrinting offers greeting card printing. I just ordered some custom greeting cards from them today. I recently designed a new logo for my Etsy shop and had the cards made with the logo and my web site. I figured I'd stick the cards in all the packages with a little thank you note or something. I just approved the proof they sent and I can't wait to get them!


I think I might get some holiday greeting cards this time around. I really like the red one above.

Win it:
One lucky Outnumbered 3 to 1 reader will win (250 ct.) 7 x 5" (folded to 3.5 x 5") Custom Greeting Cards ($96 value). Envelopes not included

For your first MAIN entry - Leave a comment telling me what you'd use these cards for. This step must be done before you can qualify for extra entries.


EXTRA ENTRIES - Please leave an additional comment for each extra entry! These entries will not be valid unless you do the main entry above!

• Follow, Subscribe through email or Subscribe to Outnumbered 3 to 1 in whichever reader you prefer {1 entry for each}
  
• Follow me on Twitter, Befriend me on Facebook, Favorite me on Technorati or Stumble this post or this blog {1 entry for each}
  
• Add my button to your blog and tell me where to find it
• Post about this contest on your blog, linking back to this post {5 extra entries}.
• Enter any of my other giveaways and leave a comment telling me which one {Max 1 extra entry}
  
• Tweet this giveaway and leave the link to your tweet. {Can be done daily}
• Grab my Birthday Bash of Holiday Gift Guide banner and display it on your blog {1 entry for each}
  
• Follow @uprinting on Twitter
  

THE RULES:
*Make sure I have a way to reach you, by either enabling your email through blogger, or leaving your email in the comment.
*Winners are chosen by random.org, so make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!
*Winner has 72 hours to contact me, or another winner will be chosen.
*Contest ends October 8th at 11:59 pm. Winner will be posted shortly after.
*Open to US entries.
*Rules for each entry must be followed to be valid.

I will be receiving my own greeting cards for hosting this giveaway. Opinions expressed are my own are were NOT influenced by any form of compensation.