Beginning September 20th, the public has the opportunity to vote on their favorite giggle from JELL-O’s “Give it a Giggle” nationwide audition.  The finalists will be featured online, and consumer voting will pare down the giggles to the top three. Beloved JELL-O spokesperson, Bill Cosby will choose the winning giggle.

This summer, JELL-O went in search of America’s best giggles with the Hello JELL-O “Give it a Giggle” Tour. Featuring a mobile recording studio, the Tour traveled to 23 cities across the country, and collected more than a thousand giggles.  Consumers also had the opportunity to audition online.

The winning giggler will re-record their giggle in a professional recording studio, with guidance from Mr. Cosby.  Their giggle will be featured in a national JELL-O TV spot later this year.

To vote for your favorite giggle, visit Give it a Giggle from now until October 1st.

Yay I made it! The wait was looong but I am off to Vegas today woot woot! I really hope I can keep my head on straight in school this morning haha.

I'm sure I will be cool, but man that time is going to drag butt. Oh well by now though I already have our bags packed, have gathered up cash and card for hotel, checked in our plane reservations (learned a lesson last trip, check in 24 hours in advance online! That way you get seats together and a better boarding spot)

I never knew about this when we flew on our honey moon, we didn't check in early and we didn't get seats together!


Now I would love to win some money, but if I don't its OK because I am just looking forward to the time alone with hubby. NO KIDS ahhhhh so nice. Well Ill be back on next week with some pictures and a REVIEW of a Vegas show!

I always have the millions of dollars that I find are mine to claim sitting in my email box! I mean really how can one person be this lucky?


Crazy but check this one out, it could be a bit of work but for 20% of THAT kind of money well jeeze that seems more then fair

Goodday Ma/Sir, 
 
With all due respect Sir/Ma, I want you to read my letter with one mind and help 
me.I am Mariam Abdullah,the only child of late Mr and Mrs Abdullah.My Late 
father was a very wealthy cocoa dealer in Abidjan,the economic capital of Cote 
D'Ivoire before he was poisoned to death by his business associates on one of 
their outing to discuss on a business deal.My mother died when i was a baby 
since then my father took me so special because i am motherless.Before the death 
of my father on 24th December, 2009 in a private hospital here in Abidjan. He 
secretly called me on his bedside and told me that he has a sum of  Ten million 
five hundred thousand united states dollars(US$10,500,000.00) left in a suspense 
account in a local bank here in abidjan, that he used my name as his only 
daughter for the Next of Kin in deposit of the funds. 
 
He also explained to me that it was because of this wealth that he was poisoned 
by his business associates, that i should seek for a foreign partner in a 
country of my choice where i will transfer this funds to him/her and use it for 
investment purpose such as real estate agent and so on.Am only 19years old.Dear 
Sir/Ma, I am honourably seeking your assistance in the following ways . 
1) To provide any bank account where this money would be transfered. 
2) To serve as the guardian of this funds. 
3) To make arrangement for me to come over to your country to further my 
education and to secure a residential permit for me in your country. 
 
 
Moreover, Sir/Ma, i am willing to offer you 20 percent of the total sum as 
compensation for your effort input after the successful transfer of this fund to 
your nominated account in your country.I want you to help me not because of the 
20 percent of my inheritance of USD10,500,000.00 but because of my life to live 
a better life in your country. 
 
I will be waiting urgently for more details to proceed to receive my 
inheritance.Hope to hear from you soonest,thanks And GOD Blessing. 
 
Best regards, 
Mariam Abdullah 

Oh and I have a huge check waiting at Fedex too!

I am sorry to encroach into your privacy through this manner; we have a 
certified cheque of $300,000.00.00Usd in our custody that belongs to you. This 
cheque was brought to my desk last week by a lady who gave us your e-mail 
address to contact you on the delivery. We wait your response soonest. 
 
FedEx 

So I guess if I don't strike it rich I have more then enough to fall back on because well these are only two of the bunches of emails I get per day. WOW I never knew I could be rich so easily!

*Insert Dumb look if you could actually fall for this*

Who says when you are watching what you eat that you have to stick to the same old thing? Not me that is for sure. I have strayed a bit from South Beach but fully intend on getting back onto plan when I return From Vegas in about a week.

So with that in mind the creative juices have begun to flow again with recipes that fit into the healthy category!

This one literally hit me one night as I was thinking about my favorite treat Carrot Cake. Now I'm sure I could come up with a sugar free cake recipe pretty easily but I wanted to incorporate this craving into an actual meal not just a dessert. Thus Carrot Cake Pancakes were born. This recipe would be appropriate for those on South Beach Phase 2 and 3, and even a Diabetic in your world. They are also low fat!! Way to get veggies into your kids!









 Carrot Cake Pancakes

2 Cups Whole Wheat flour

2 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Salt

1/4 C. Granulated Splenda

1/2 C. Raisins (or chopped dates)

1/2 tsp Nutmeg

1 tsp Cinnamon

2 slightly beaten Eggs

2 C. Skim Milk

2 TBS Olive Oil

1/2 C. Chopped Pecans

1/2 C. Grated Carrot


Mix all ingredients together and cook on a hot skillet like regular pancakes


 Cream Cheese Topping

8oz Package low fat Cream Cheese

1/2 scant C Splenda

1/2 tsp vanilla


Spread the Cream Cheese topping over the warm pancakes and enjoy.

OK been a while since I was involved in a blog game. Heck some days I am lucky I have enough time to launch a post, but I was asked to answer 8 questions by Sherri and I shall answer! I cant pass it on but I am sure her other blogs tagged will! But here you go Sherri


 
1.  If there were one event in your life you could do over, which would it be?


Hmmm this is a great question. Can I say nothing? The reason I say this is life is a series of events, change one and others would not have happened. So there are certain things I would love to know the outcome of had I changed my actions, but I cant say that I would change them.
 
2.  Is there a particular food that you associate with a special person or event? 

Yes, Red Velvet cake with my wedding.



 
3.  What was your favorite childhood toy?



My bike, It gave me freedom.

4.  What is your idea of how to spend a perfect day? 





Playing Animal Crossing on the Wii, then vegging in front of the TV since I don't get much time for either.
 
5.   Which is your favorite season and why?


Winter because of the cold weather.

6.  Name a song that either touched your heart or described perfectly something that you were going through.




More Then Love by Los Lonely Boys. I chose it for our wedding song
 
7.  What is your guilty pleasure?




Smoking...yuck

8.    Name your favorite comfort food.

Macaroni and cheese, with tuna, and crushed potato chips on top YUMM

Have you tried it yet? I had just found this in the store about 3 weeks ago, which is good because I had a free coupons from Kraft First Taste that was going to expire at the end of the month. I hadn't yet tried it but was approached to see If my family wanted to sample all the flavors. I said yes because Mac & Cheese is one of those glorious foods that I can get my son to eat without really trying. He isn't a picky eater but just is uninterested in eating most days.

Even though I try not to eat it all that much because of South Beach I wondered what made it so different from the regular old Blue Box variety.

Well it is different and its really tasty too. OK so you have the option to cook it on the stove top all the way, or finish it in the oven for a more Baked Macaroni taste. I chose to just use the stove top method.

This is so easy to make, basically like regular stove top Mac and Cheese, but it comes with season packets, and a the piece de resistance the crunchy bread crumbs to top it off.

There are three different varieties available: Hearty Four Cheese, Classic Cheddar, and Old World Italian.

Our favorite bar far was the Old World Italian, such a creamy blend of Parmesan and Romano cheese way more versatile in flavor for meal time then your standard Cheddar!

Every one enjoyed this new product, the price is higher then the Blue Box, and even deluxe (which is what we normally get) but I think its a great choice!

Has anyone watched this show on MTV? I watched it for the first time last night. Its a documentary type series were the host and creator Andrew Jenks lives within the lives of other people for a week.

Last night's show was really powerful and sad. Andrew spent the week with a homeless girl. It may me think (even more then I already do) about people and their situations in life. One never really knows the story behind those nameless faces we see holding up card board signs, or dumpster diving. We have no clue why they are homeless, so do in fact chose it but not in the sense that they want to live the streets. The girl in last nights episode had such a bad family life with two Alcoholic parents, abuse, etc that she would rather sleep outside then to live here. 

The pain she was in wasn't so apparent until she and Andrew took a trip to her home town. Through out the show she was pretty mellow, and easy going. But it changed when she called her mom to let her know she was almost there. Her mother upset her by telling her to eat before she came.I guess she has been treated as a second class citizen to them.

The visit was so sad, like they were just so blah blah about her being homeless, her mother actually said she isn't worried about her because she does better being homeless!

If you head over and click on the street queen link you can watch the entire episode.

It was just a hard look, I couldn't believe a mother could be so cold to their child. No matter what my kids ever did I would never be OK with them living on the streets! The moral of the story be aware, be kind because you never know why someone is homeless. It could happen to any of us!

Did you have a goal in mind that you wanted to achieve when you first started your blog?

Are you trying to become rich and famous? Do you need a creative outlet, or an outlet where you can just let it all hang out?

I love to know why someone blogs, I think we can start one place and evolve into something completely different as well.

For me it was an outlet. I started blogging just about two years ago to get things out. I have mentioned before that my husband works out of town and ton, so I just needed some place to put my daily thoughts down. Then a while later I broke into reviews and giveaways. That was fun at time, but at times it was just too much.


I still love doing a select number of reviews and giveaways, but that is not what this blog will center around anymore. For me I started feeling like a peddler. So now I pass on info about the right products, products that I really stand by. That is not to say other previously were bad as I am always very honest, but it was just like a never ending line up of reviews and giveaways. I just do not have the desire to put all my energy into 100 review posts, I would rather do 1-2  a month and not be pressured. I want them to stand apart from others!

I still love posting about saving money, because that is a passion of mine. I cant see just going into a store and dropping tons of money when you don't have to. Even if you have it to spend. The less you spend the more you can save! I no longer do match ups because again I don't want to be one of a million sites doing the same thing. I will still pass on really great deals to readers, including coupons, samples, freebies.  There is another reason though and that is I want to teach you how to do it for yourself, not just lay it out for you.

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he will eat for a life time!

I have monetized my blog. I did it to feel a piece of financial independence. I have not worked outside the house since I had my son three years ago. When you go from bringing home a pay check in which you gauge your worth to depending on someone for everything it is tough! I know I am a good mom and wife, but every one needs their own money! I don't make a ton by any means, but that is in part because I do not post spammy affiliate offers. I hate spam and I will not post it just to make a buck. I do sponsored posts, and some passive type affiliates, but the posts are all my opinions. I don't feel that encroaches on my blog. I'm a student now so any bit o cash helps pay for that. 

So what are my goals then? Jeez I really don't know. I mean would I like to be known a bit? Sure but its not my goal to be the "it" blogger. Would I love to get bigger opportunities? Sure who wouldn't. Would I love to be invited on blogging trips? Sure, I do not know if I could attend with my husbands schedule but I would be nice to be invited just the same. Would I like to make more money? Well duh hahah but not at the cost of those who want to read what I have to say and contribute.

All in all I feel pretty comfortable where I am at. There is always room to grow, but I do not have a niche per say. I am who I am and write what I write. I am not the "keeping up with the Jone's " type person.

So I ask again, why did you start blogging? Do you have goals?

So I was going through my dashboard and it contains feeds to all blogs that I follow with GFC and I got sad.

Why? Well guys giveaways and reviews are fun, but I'm tired of  that be the only thing that I see! I have tried really hard over the past 6 months to kinda get a grip on my blog. I was doing a ton of reviews and giveaways, now not so much I mean like maybe two per month. I am soo cool with that, I mean I am super picky now on what I will and will not review, or giveaway.

In reality if it's not something I REALLY want or cannot just go buy myself I pass. I don't want to be just another blog that blends in with the rest. Now don't get me wrong there are some really small things I will review. Those are the cases of really great PR people. If I have worked with them before and they are great then I will usually accept. Great relationships certainly help us all.


I know readers appreciate giveaway, but there is a lot of work that go's into them! The same with reviews. I want to show case things that are really useful, I want to find a few products that I really believe in and be an ambassador but I don't seem to get those offers. Why? I have no clue but such is life, I have never been invited to a sponsored blog/brand trip. I don't know I think I have a great blog, but I can be biased hahaha.

But again that's OK, I don't want to be a machine KWIM? I want to speak my mind, let you all know who I am. I want to know about you too! Don't get me wrong I like entering giveaways (certain one's) but I want to know about you too not just product XYZ.

I want to be able to allow you into my world, and in return be welcomed into yours. I am not shy on what I post. I have opinions we all do and I want to read them.

Yes it does! I love to play around entering different zip codes because sometimes you find awesome coupons with just a different zip code!




If you enter Zip 12204 you will find an awesome coupon for

BOGO Starburst Gummi Pouches!

1.00 of McCanns Oatmeal

.50 of Eggbeaters

1.00 off Green Mountain Coffee 12 Ct K-cups

Great coupons print them before they are gone!

Can you tell that I am excited? I AM, I just can't wait. I really thing I am already there in my mind hahaha. It has been almost a year since hubby and I went to Laughlin Nevada. I wouldn't mind going back there at all but I hate the 5 hour drive! Besides I have school on the day we are leaving so if we were to go to Laughlin we would not get there till like 11 pm NO WAY!

So this year we chose to head back to Las Vegas! We went there on our honey moon four years ago. It was such a good time. I remember going down town and loved the atmosphere and said if we came back I wanted to stay there rather then the strip. So this time we are! I chose the Golden Nugget because they have totally revamped the place. It looks gorgeous and I am looking forward to swimming in the pool and seeing the shark tanks in the pool area!

We have some shopping to do because there are three yes (3) Coach outlets there, ahhh that in itself is like hitting the jack pot I'm sure! I have never been to one and I am excited to check them out, I am just hoping a coupon comes out before we leave!

When we were there last we wanted to see a show the night we flew in but we crashed! This time I have arranged a review of Viva Elvis the Cirque Du Soleil product at the Aria! I am so excited for that I love all the shows I have seen on T.V. with  Cirque! Ahh this is going to be great, now if I can strike it rich that would be the gravy baby!

Yep I am playing video games more now. A friend of mine turned me onto Animal Crossing Wii game. I remember seeing the commercial for the game when it first came out. Its really neat. You create your own little land, build a house, fish, dig up fossils, collect bugs. Make friends with your neighbors, and the best part is you can make friends from other games and interact with them using your WiFi connection and Wii speak!


I have played games before but never one's where you can actually interact with others down to road or across the globe! I have to say its really cool.  You can get the bundle on amazon, or you can just get the game and type and chat that way!
















It all ages friendly too, I plan on getting my daughter set up with a city so she can play as well.

So have you heard that Craigslist was made to remove its Adult Services category? At first they just replaced the category with a black strip reading "Censored" but now it is gone. How do you feel about this? Let me give you my take on it. While I understand that the category attracted some ads that were very questionable, some I'm sure illegal. But there were some that while they may not be someones cup of tea were not illegal.

I do not advocate prostitution so don't even read into that. However there are plenty of different things in the world that we may not all participate in or agree with morally, but that does not mean they are bad. I have read the Adult Services category listings on many occasions. Why? well some of them were pretty darned interesting. I mean there were plenty of ads that called for adult models. Have you heard the word Fetish? Some adult modeling is not what it seems. There are some people who are into things that most people do not even think of as Sexual in nature! Its true look up Foot Fetish photos, Crushing, Looner fetish and you will see exactly what I mean.!

I have pretty feet, so what is the harm in smooshing a cupcake with my manicured toes on film? Nothing! When we impose our morals on people I think we need to draw the line. Again I do not advocate prostitution or other illegal activity, but who am I or anyone else to judge someone else? Hey you wanna be a nude house keeper? Super? Do you want to model your feet? Awesome!

Now where will you find those job listings? To each there own who am I or anyone else to tell someone how to earn money as long as its legal?

Maybe the answer is to re-word this category? "Legal Adult Services" Its not hard to flag a posting on craigslist, I do it all the time, but taking away an entire category because Mrs. GFE is using it to get Johns?

You may not agree with me, and that's fine we all have to right to our opinions! But trust me those who are conducting these "services of a questionable nature, and illegal" will find a way to do it with or without cragislist. Its the worlds oldest profession, and it will continue without the censorship!

Will be potty trained! Hahahah this is so new to me. I had my daughter completely trained even at night by the age of 18 months! This boy is so lazy and stubborn!  Nothing is working with him. He does really well at day care but that is because they round them up every two hours to go. I have tried to be consistent with asking him, but when I do I usually get the response I just did, and he will be wet.

He does however (unless he is sick) go poop in the potty all the time. I have tried limiting liquids, trying a schedule, really under wear and nothing is working. He just turned 3 about a month ago but this is frustrating me. I feel like I should by stock in Kimberly Clark!  Ultimately the one thing that got my daughter done was knowing she couldn't go to the big kids class room with her friends until she was done with pull-ups. But once she was done it was done for good. I know my son knows when he has to go but he is so lazy! Ahhh OK thanks for letting me get that out. If you had a boy and a girl please tell me that its not unusually for them to take longer!

You can tell that cooler weather is coming. Do you know what I mean? You know when you smell the chill in the air! I love Winter. Sadly here in Arizona we do not get as much of those colder temperatures that other parts of the country do. This doesn't stop me from wishing them here though!



I was thinking this year of heading up to Flagstaff to do the Polar Express experience with the kids. Its so neat its a train ride (Polar Express) up to a place that has Santa and is made to be the North Pole. Such a cool thing for kids and adults alike, but I think my Son may still be a bit too young to really appreciate it. I am however planing a trip to the mountains some where this year. I really want my kids to be able to play in the snow.



We do get snow here but it hardly ever sticks. The last time we had snow that stuck was in November or December of 2006, I remember this because I was Pregnant with my son, and we took my daughter out at like 10 Pm to have a snow ball fight! This year I need to get prepared with all the winter gear that we don't really have on hand like Gloves, Heavy Jackets, Winter Hats, maybe even a sled! God I used to love to go snow sledding when I was a kid and lived in Vermont.














Speaking of shopping, I think I have found some styles for me and the kids. What do you think?

Is this me?

What about for the Diva Lexi?

Don't forget the G Man!

Have you thought about what you will dress your little Ghost and Goblins as this year?

I did buy some costumes last year on clearance after the holiday, but I think I may have to get new one's because they have both grown so much lately! That is the bad thing about trying to plan that far in advance with costumes! Oh well I can always Ebay or Craigslist the others.

Anyway I was looking around and there are so many to choose from, it just boggles my mind! I remember being a kids, and there were lots then but man o man now its almost ridiculous to try and keep up!

But I wanted to share some cute ones that I found.


How cute is this for a baby?













Or this one?














How is this for a blast from the past?














scary















So what will your kids be going as? Do you dress up too? I don't but I do decorate I love Halloween!

This is a sad post. My Brother and Sister In Law lost their 14 year old cat. Four months ago he was diagnosis with Diabetes after a $4000 hospital stay. They have been giving him daily shots of insulin. They left on Vacation on Friday and boarded the cat with a vet.

They received a call yesterday that his blood sugar crashed and he was basically in a coma. After lots of thought they chose comfort measures because that was not his only health problems, and who's to say it wouldn't happen again. The vest said he woke up briefly yesterday so they were feeling optimistic, however they received a call on Monday morning that he had passed away. Poor Chico, he has the best 14 years of life a cat could have! R.I.P Chico

Who would you invite? I was thinking about this the other day while on the treadmill at the gym. I think about the most random things while at the gym sometimes. I guess its because I actually have the time to think then.

I am a huge comedy lover, nothing puts a smile on my face like a good laugh, even if it about myself. So with that in mind my dinner party would have some funny guests.

Robin Williams

Will Ferrell

John Belushi

Adam Sandler

Chris Farley

Phil Hartman

Jaime Fox 

Einstein ( yeah I know so random compared to my list but I always wondered about him)


Starting to look like and SNL reunion huh? Well I loved that show, yes I said loved not so much anymore. I also used to love In Loving Color! I would want my dinner party to be full of laughs! So how about you who would you invite and why?







 

ahh makes me sad! But don't forget there area always printable coupons to fall back on!



Click the banner above!

Right now there are some pretty decent coupons on coupons.com! If you enter zip 33313 you can score a sweet $1.00/1 Oscar Mayer hot dog coupon! There is a $1.00/2 coupon the same one we received in the inserts too!

Enter Zip 85301 and get a .55/1 Mentos gum Q this is fab if you are in an area like me where they double because they are often on sale for $1.00 like now making for some FREE Mentos Gum!

Just look around and change the zip code while there, some times different coupons are available this way!

This is my mantra for now. I am human and being one I make mistakes. I have never claimed nor will I ever claim to be perfect. I try hard to make the right choices in life but they aren't always easy.


I quit smoke in April of 09. I had smoked for 17 years so that was a major accomplishment. I felt good, felt like I had beat my addiction; that is until I faltered and smoked a few. That poor decision led to the next, I bought  a pack.

I felt myself teetering on the verge and bought and E cigarette but I did that too late. I will quit again I am sure as it was wonderful to have that HUGE monkey off my back. For now though I am again a smoker. I am disappointed in myself but it is what it is. I quit something for a period of time I never dreamed possible. I am sure that it will happen again.

I just happen to notice a few deal to use if you are in Arizona this week at Fry's! The best part is since not everyone gets insert coupons these can be done using printable from one of my favorite printable resource!




Yep Coupons.com, if you click the banner about and input zip 90210 you will find  two coupons right on the front page.

.75 On any one Dole Salad it is a Ralph's coupon but technically Fry's is a division of Ralph's so we should be able to use it! (thanks Eve). The Dole Salads are on sale for 1.00  So FREE with coupon!

There is also a $1.00 coupon for any Ronzoni Pasta. The Ronzoni is also on sale for $1.00 so FREE as well after coupon!


Make sure to hit the back button so you can print two of each!

Seriously I don't know if its a cultural thing, and Arizona thing or what but really why the need to wear club wear and spike heals for every occasion?


I see this at the Swap meet (flea markets out here), School, and other places I would never think of wearing this stuff. I mean how comfortable can it be walking around dirt areas, and a college campus with a 30 lbs back pack?

I of all people know how exciting it can be to dress up especially if you are home 99% of your time but really? I love to get a dolled up IF the occasion calls for it, but ONLY if the occasion calls for it. I hate feeling over dressed! Comfort is a major thing to me. You can be comfortable and not look slobbish!

So I was just wondering why?