Book Review: Alienation

I have found another great company that offers free books to bloggers for their honest review. I recently joined Book Sneeze, and they sent my Alienation, The C.H.A.O.S. Triology 2, by Jon S. Lewis.

I have enjoyed this book and all the action packed scenes. Colt, a 16 year old boy is the last hope for Earth to fight off an alien invasion from a group called the Thule (shapeshifters). He joins an academy to train for his new position, but as he begins his training he learns that a key leader is trying to have him killed. He, accompanied by his brilliant friend Danielle who can hack into any system, and his incredibly talented friend Oz, work together to get through this new trial in life and get ready for the oncoming invasion.

When I first started to read this book, I felt really lost. It moved fast and I couldn't keep up with all the bits and pieces to the story. Then I realized that it was the second part to a triology. So if I had read the first part, I would have been able to jump right in. Either way, after a couple of chapters I was caught up to speed and able to enjoy all the many challenges that Colt faced as he was constantly being attacked by Krone. The attacks came at any minute and the way he and his friends responded was quite remarkable.

As I read this story, I instantly thought of my middle school boys. This story is is filled with gun names that I cannot picture, but I know my husband could instantly tell me what they look like and are used for. Each chapter is so exciting it is hard to find a place to stop and take a break. It has action sequences like a movie or video game that would instantly appeal to young men. I can see my students grabbing this book and not putting it down.

To check out a free exerpt from the story you can go to amazon and read here.

Offer from Bzzagent

Bzzagent is one of my favorite companies to test products for. They recently sent me an email that they are looking for new people to test an electric shaver. Unfortunately, I don't fit the requirements for this one.

They are looking for 13-20 year old males. If you fit the criteria or know someone that does send them to www.bzzagent.com/go/shaver to sign up.

Frugal Fun: Using your local schools

Whether you home school, have children too young for school, or maybe your child attends a private school, you still may want to check out the opportunities at the local public schools. My daughter does attend a public school, so I get regular newsletters and notes sent about special activities. However, most schools also post these on their website, which you could book mark to keep an eye on.

I have noticed that her school has many programs in the evenings and weekends that have little to no cost, lots of potential for fun, and might be educational as well. This particular picture is from a Rain Forest presentation that we attended on Friday night. It was a free show for my son and my daughter was $5! You did not have to attend the school and the all the children there were able to meet incredible animals and even touch some of them.

You can see that my children are much braver than I am. There is no way I want to put a finger on that python.

Check out your local school's website and see if there are any great opportunities waiting for you!!!

Wegmans: Consistent Low Prices (CLPs)

In 2011, Wegmans decided to offer many of their items at a great low price through December 31, 2011. I wasn't sure what would happen as the new year started, but was very happy to see that they are continuing to offer a similar program through 2012.

There is a new list of items that will be kept at the same price no matter what, through April 28th. You can check out the items on the Wegmans website.

I am most excited to see that the chicken and ground beef are going to be kept at their previous prices from 2011!!!

I also noticed some produce and pasta sauces on the list. You can go to the website and enter your sip code to see the prices for your area.

New Year = New Organization

I mentioned earlier that I was soooo sick during the holidays. It started with the kids and then finally hit me at the end. The part that really stunk: I spent hours getting back to the couponing mess I had created because I just hadn't had time clip. I went through all of my inserts and organized all my coupons. I clipped all of the 12/31/11 expiring coupons and created a list of the things my family needed and that I could stock up on with a store by store break down. So then, after all the time and hard work.... I had to throw it all away. I was too sick to go to the store and do it! And there is no way I could ask my husband to take on the task. He barely remembers to hand the cashier a coupon or two... although he has gotten better. :) So now, they are expired and my time and hard work is basically for nothing.

However, it did get me thinking. I was great at keeping my coupons organized throughout the summer. I only had the family, house and part time job to take care of. This made couponing and blogging easy. Now add in the full time job and I am insane... So what am I going to do???

Well first, I am going to start this January fresh. Every compartment of my coupon bin is getting trashed (since they are from 6 months ago anyway...haha). And from this point forward, all coupons are going in their weekly folder with the date as soon as I get them. No more leaving it out in hopes that I get 5 minutes to clip it. If anything else, with a third babe coming  and a crazy life, I need organization. I need ultra organization!!! And for my family, that is going to be the focus for our 2012. Our goal: finding space for our every increasing family.

Now this is not my only goal for 2012, but the only one I am ready to share. Haha. My getting back into shape goal has to weight until April anyways... as we welcome baby #3. :)

Any New Year's Resolutions you'd like to share?

(I'll post pics of how I organize my coupons later for anyone wanting ideas. You can also go to the archives in the "getting started" category to see other posts on keeping coupons organized to help get you started. I personally think that the way you organize is personal to you. I have seen great ideas that when I tried just didn't work for me. So go out and find the one that works for you!!!)

Book Review: The Canary List

It sure seems that everytime I get back to blogging and couponing, something happens. My family has been so sick the past few weeks. From pneumonia to stomach bugs, we have been plagued by it all. I am really hoping that when I am off from my full time job for a little while, I can get back to business.

Anyways, while up late at night with sick ones, I did manage to get in some light reading. I review free books from Waterbrook Multnomah Press in return for my honest review.

My latest book is The Canary List, by Sigmund Brouwer.

(Here is a picture from Amazon.com of the book.)

This book was a Fiction -Suspense about a young foster girl running from evil. Jaimie, the foster child, has an uncanning ability to pick up on evil in other people around her. The problem is that is seems to be chasing her. And it is.

She finds comfort in running to her teacher for help. The problem is that her teacher is an attractive young single male. So showing up at his house late at night when she was afraid of the evil that follows her ends up opening up trouble for her and Crockett Grey, the teacher who wants to help.

This novel is filled with so many twists and turns. It starts as a very simple story in California and travels all the way to the Vatican, and includes the Pope and even a tale about a shark rescue....

I was drawn in by the fact that it involved a teacher trying to help a troubled student, since that is how I spend most days as a middle school teacher. However, this book was so full of twists and unbelieveable plots that it was hard to stay as interested in the end. I read it over a few sick nights and one terribly sleepy day for my sick kids. So it is a light and easy read. And for those of you that like constant changes to the story and where it is headed my find it very entertaining. Be ready for an unbelievable journey and some very strange motives and you read The Canary List!