Sunday's media madness...

I am currently working through a wonderful book challenge at Book Chick City and my February read was called Heat Wave by Richard Castle.  Some of you may recognize the authors name from the television show Castle.  The book is based on the characters of the show so if you are a fan it adds an extra dimension to the book, if you don't watch the show it won't matter when reading the book.  Heat Wave is the story of Nikki Heat, a tough as nails female detective in New York City.  Her current case takes place during one of the cities hottest heat waves, making everything she does just that much more difficult.  On top of the heat and cities rolling blackouts, she has been saddled with a civilian ride along, Jameson Rook.  Jameson is a well known, extremely handsome, magazine journalist with friends and poker buddies most people only dream of knowing, and a knack for playing just outside of the rules.  The story opens with Detective Heat and her team investigating the probable murder of a wealthy real estate mogul who, as it turns out isn't as wealthy as everyone thought.  The ever changing list of suspects will keep you guessing through the whole book, was it the wife, the nanny, the business manager, the Russian, or the ex mistress?  Every twist and turn brings Nikki closer to the truth and the reader more and more eager to find out if their hunch is right.  This is a fast paced and fun read for anyone that likes mysteries or enjoys the weekly television series.  So, you may ask, just who is the ghost writer for this book since Richard Castle is a fictitious TV character?  Well it seems this is the best kept secret since we all wondered who shot JR on Dallas.  If I had to wager a guess myself I would say look at the guest stars on the show, Stephen J. Cannell, James Patterson, and Michael Connelly.

The book is available new in paper back from Go Hastings for $5.66, hard cover from Overstock for $12.80 and the unabridged MP3 audiobook read by Johnny Heller also at Overstock for $15.28, Overstock has free shipping through February 28, 2011.  The Kindle edition is available from Amazon for $5.00 as is the Nook version from Barnes and Noble.

 

If you are a fan of the TV show Castle on ABC you will see the similarities between the characters in the book and the characters in the series, the obvious two being Richard Castle/Jameson Rook and Detective Kate Beckett/Detective Nikki Heat.  If you haven't seen the shows they are a great mix of drama and humor with a good mystery to keep you in suspense until the end.  If you would like to check out the show you can purchase seasons one from Buy.com for $19.98 with free shipping and season two from DVDs Direct for $21.95.  If you would like to watch on line or find out more about the show, actors, books check out the Castle website.

I hope everyone is enjoying the last day of the weekend.

C.Q.

Saving a bundle on your bundle of joy...

I found out this week that one of my friends is going to have a baby and she asked me if I knew of places to find coupons, discounts and free baby items, and while this isn't my specialty area, I am going to give it my very best shot this week.  So, here is what all I found, if you have more items to add and share please feel free to post them for everyone.

Coupons for babies are pretty easy to find and I was able to track down; the Gerber website offers a sign up for their coupons as well as special offers, articles and tips for you and your little one.  Registering at PlanningFamily.com for free will get you into the site to use the interactive tools and download coupons.  Diapers.com is a site designed very much like Alice.com except its for babies, right now they have a few great coupons, the first is for 30% off diapers for three months using coupon code BCDIAPERS30PCT, the other is for 10% off anything on the site using coupon code BC10PERCENT.  The great thing about this site is that they offer everything you could need and deliver it right to your door, no fuss no muss, you can save that part for baby.

The next thing I got to thinking about was the diapers, I did a little research and found that the cost of using cloth and cleaning them at home saves a ton of cash.  I found a great comparison at Baby Cotton Bottoms and I was utterly stunned at the cost difference, not having kids myself I never realized what a gargantuan expense this was!  For those times when disposable is the only way to go I was also surprised to see that Huggies has a reward program, all you need to do is enter the codes from the packages on to the web page and they track your points for you, you can redeem them for a bunch of things from the reward catalog.  As long as you're visiting the Huggies site, why not enter to win free diapers for a year in their sweepstakes?  Pampers also has a program called the Pampers Village & Gift and Grow.  To sign up you just need to enter your information on the web page and then enter the codes from Pampers products.  You will also get a free kit with $329 of offers as a welcome gift. Need a cute little nursery bag for organizing the changing area?  Every day at 11:00 Central time Nursery Water puts up an number of bag they give out for free, just be one of the first to click and they will get one out to you, if you miss it that day check back tomorrow, they reload this every day.

Another big expense is the car seat, with so many companies out there offering different models I really can't tell you who's to buy and who's to avoid, but what I can tell you is that no matter which one you ultimately pick be sure to register it with the manufacturer, that way if there is ever a recall you will know right away and can keep your child safe.  In looking at the many models out there I also found a few sites that said to check with your health insurer to see if they will cover the purchase of a car seat, I was surprised to see that some of them will.

If you plan on using formula you can register to join the Enfamil Family Beginnings.  By filling in your information on their web page they will send you gifts up to $250 which includes up to $60.00 in Enfamil savings as well as samples of their products.  The Similac Strong Moms program is similar, just sign up on their web site for up free offers, samples and coupons. 

The third expensive item I tackled was clothes.  I think kids grow a full size in a day when they have growth spurts so clothes are always in demand.  I found a wonderful site called thredUP, they understand that kids grow, clothes don't so they have a program where moms can swap clothes and toys on line.  The program costs nothing except what it costs to ship the clothes to the new mom, in turn your box is mailed to you free from another member.  This is a wonderful idea and with the price of children's clothes could possibly save the equivalent of a semester at Harvard, OK, not that much but you know what I mean.

A few sites I stumbled on that I felt were worth checking out and joining for coupons, freebies, tips, tricks and networking were Zulily which offers discounts kind of like Groupon, except for children's needs. Planning Family which offers free baby stuff, sweepstakes and contests as well as access to professional advice videos.  Baby to Bee which has savings on diapers and formula as well as a nice area to print coupons.

Have a great weekend everyone!

C.Q.

Friday's freebie...

I know I always post a freebie here each Friday but today I am going to give you a great tool to get a freebie EVERY day if you want.  Just go to All You Magazine's daily freebie web site, enter your email and they will send you a daily freebie you can take advantage if you want.  Yesterday's was Maggi Onion Soup Mix, today's isn't out yet so it will be a surprise.

Have a great Friday everyone! 

C.Q.

Thursdays picture perfect deal...

The picture...

This is an old school in Northern Wisconsin that the hubby and I used to pass quite frequently.  After we moved I realized how much I missed seeing it and when we were out driving that direction one day I decided to have him stop so I could get some pictures before it completely collapses.  I love old buildings and can just imagine what they would say if they could talk.

The deal...

Yankee Candle is having their $5.00 Presidents day sale.  You can get any small jar candle, a box of tea lights, a QuickScent Candle starter kit or an Electric air freshener kit for $5.00.  They also have a mix and match 2 for $5.00 section the antibacterial products and lip balm. Yankee Candle always has the $5.00 flat rate shipping but when you spend over $100 you will get free shipping.  If you have a Yankee Candle near where you live you can print a coupon for $10.00 off your $25.00 purchase, if you need to order on line you can get the same coupon by entering code TAHSV at the checkout.

Have a great Thursday everyone!

C.Q.

Wednesday's learn and earn...

~WORD OF THE DAY~

proselytize ~ verb

DEFINITION(s):
1: to induce someone to convert to one's faith
2: to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause

EXAMPLESE: Liza is a staunch environmentalist who always feels the need to proselytize to anyone who doesn't recycle or drive a hybrid automobile.

"There is also no denying that in some of its iterations, the pacifism that [John] Lennon championed can seem truly beautiful. So long as the world is plagued by hate and war, people are going to look fondly upon those who proselytize for peace and love." -- From an article by John McMillian in the Boston Globe, December 5, 2010

DID YOU KNOW? "Proselytize" comes from the noun "proselyte" (meaning "a new convert"), which comes from the Late Latin noun "proselytus." "Proselytus" means "stranger" or "alien resident," and comes from a similar Greek word ("prosēlytos"). When "proselytize" entered English in the 17th century, it had a distinctly religious connotation and meant simply "to recruit religious converts." This meaning is still common, but today one can also proselytize in a broader sense -- recruiting converts to one's political party or pet cause, for example.


~THE REBATE~

From now until February 28th you can get a free $10.00 gift card via email by March 4th from Amazon when you order $20.00 in magazine subscriptions.  One publication I love is All You which is full of coupons and great money saving tips every month.  You can get it right now for 6 months for $10.00 or dive in for the full year for $19.95.  If you are looking for some great new recipe ideas check out Taste of Home for only $12.98 for 7 issues. This magazine is full of great easy ideas for great cooking on a budget and limited time. 

Hope you are all having a great week!

C.Q.

Crafting is Like Crack

I want to get something off my chest. Crafters are like drug dealers. There I said it and feel better. I was not a gal who did crafts until the start of the year. I didn't own one crafty item. I had no desire to make anything with my own two chubby hands. Could care less about craft stores. Crafty for me meant ripping out an article in a magazine, hoping to get to it another day.

That all changed starting this year. I took up a challenge and have been dipping my toes in the craters wading pool. I used to laugh when Michele and Jen told me what they spent on Scrapbook supplies. I would hang up the phone and mutter, "Its like crafter's crack!" I could not understand getting excited over papers. Paper? Who cares about paper? Sadly, I must confess, that I now do. I got into making cards. There I said it, I'm a card maker. Granted some of my attempts have looked like a blind 4 year old monkey made them, but I try.

The thing I'm discovering about crafters is that they want others to be addicted as well. They help feed my addiction by giving me crafting supplies. I don't want to use the term pimp or pusher, but if the shoe fits? Michele sent me a bunch of treasures to help me get started with Valentiene's Day cards. My friend Teresa had me go "shopping" in her craft room. I have another friend who is going to dig through her craft stuff and see what I might need. Michele and Jen are going to be Scrapbooking this week and are putting together a package of goodies. I have been over to Hobby Lobby 12 times in the past two weeks. Well maybe not 12, but it seems like that.

It was kind of how kids get hooked on smoking. Everybody is doing it. Come in, it won't hurt. Ha!
The crafting thing sneaks up on you and before you know it our hooked. "Oh, I'll just go LOOK to see what Hobby Lobby has this week." Ya, right. There is no such thing as "just looking" at a craft store.

To help feed Your addiction http://hobbylobby.com/weekly/coupon.cfm Now I feel as if I have done my part to help "pimp" crafting.

Meet me on Monday...

I am not sure where the time goes, but it's Monday again!  Every Monday Java over at Never Growing Old hosts a Meet me on Monday blog hop that is always fun and helps to introduce new folks. Hop on over and check it out!!

Today's Questions:

1. Did you get any Valentine's Gifts?
2. What is your favorite topping on something toasted?
3. Do you pick out your outfit the night before?
4. What food item do you absolutely despise?
5. Righty or lefty?

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1. Did you get any Valentine's Gifts?
 

The hubby and I generally don't do anything different for holidays than we do any other day, it shouldn't take Hallmark to tell us when to celebrate life. :)


2. What is your favorite topping on something toasted?

I love cream cheese, I can put it on toast, bagels, English muffins, it get warm and a little softer yummmmmm.  I think I need to go make an English Muffin, I'll be back in a jiff.......

3. Do you pick out your outfit the night before?

Depends on if we are going to Walmart, then I get all dolled up.  Seriously though, since we are both retired we can take our time with what to wear when we go out, I usually change my mind and my outfit about 3 times before we are out the door, you would think I never go anywhere with how much I fret.

4. What food item do you absolutely despise?

Liver and onions, I can't even handle the smell!  Oh, and almost ANY food on the show Bizarre Foods!

5. Righty or lefty?

I am a right handed person as a general rule but when my hands get sore I can do some things with my left so I get a little break.

Have a great Monday everyone!
 
C.Q.