Fancast

When I was single and kid-free I seemed to be able to work my schedule around my favorite shows. I didn't have a ton that I liked to watch, but there were a few and it was fairly easy to make sure I didn't miss many episodes. Then I got married and within a year of that became a mother and my schedule was super unpredictable. Between working full-time, being a wife and having a baby I just lost track of my favorite shows. And now, a few years later, my schedule is still crazy. I no longer work outside the home, but I have added another kid to the mix and there are soccer practices and dance lessons and so many other things that I often miss the shows I like. In fact, I can't even tell you when most of my favorites are on...it's a hit or miss situation.

Enter Fancast, a free online tv viewing website. You can watch your favorite shows whenever you want to and with very limited commercial interruptions. In addition to the convenience of being able to watch your favorite shows when you want to watch them, Fancast gives you more extras like movies, pictorials, blogs, listings, live chats and Q&A's with stars and more.

If you're wondering if they have your favorite shows, it's quite possible they do. So now I can catch CSI, The Biggest Loser, 18 Kids & Counting and more whenever I want to. It looks like my "me time" is about to get a little more entertaining.

I wrote this post for One2One Network. I was not compensated, but have written this as an entry for a gift card.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from the Dog

I've long been a fan of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. So when I was asked if I wanted to receive one to review AND be able to give away a few copies I was more than happy to say, "Yes!" I received one of the newest books in the Chicken Soup collection, What I Learned from the Dog. This was a good book for me. My husband and I have been discussing getting a dog in the not too distant future. And if you know me at all you know this is HUGE, because I've never been a dog person. But I've given in after years and years of relentless begging asking and am actually getting a bit excited at the prospect of becoming a dog owner.

What I Learned from the Dog is broken down into sections, each section full of stories that teach you something like learning about family, overcoming adversity, learning to heal, learning to say goodbye, unconditional love and more. I never realized you could learn so much from a four legged friend. Dogs really are smarter than I ever gave them credit for. This book made me both smile and cry. All stories, whether happy or sad, were inspirational. I wouldn't have expected anything less from a Chicken Soup for the Soul book and this definitely lived up to the reputation.

Thanks to the nice folks at Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists, three Red Sox Mommy readers will get a Chicken Soup for the Soul book of their own. To enter just leave a comment on this post telling me if you have or have had a dog and what kind it was OR if you haven't had a dog just tell me if you've read a Chicken Soup for the Soul book before.

If you'd like more chances to win you can do one or more of the following after doing the above requirement:

- Blog about this giveaway (5 entries, leave 5 comments).
- Follow me on Twitter (@RedSoxMommy) and tweet about this giveaway, you can do this one once per day, just leave a comment each time (1 entry each time). Mention @RedSoxMommy in your tweets please.
- Add my button to your blog (2 entries, leave 2 comments) or add my URL to your blogroll (1 entry) (Please note my URL recently changed to redsoxmom.com, the code for the button in my sidebar reflects this change if you want to switch to this new code).
- Become a follower or subscriber (1 entry).
- Enter any other giveaways on Red Sox Mommy (look in left sidebar for links to giveaways) (1 entry).
- Fave this blog on Technorati (1 entry).

Disclaimer: You must have a US or Canada mailing address. You must leave a valid email address so I can contact you if you win. I will not use the addresses for any other purpose. You must follow the first entry requirement before any extra entries will be counted as valid. No "count me in" style comments will be qualified to win, please follow the directions. You have until November 22, 2009 at 11:59pm MT to enter. I will choose the winners at random soon after that time and they will have 72 hours to respond to the winning notification or a new winner will be chosen by the same method. The winners' info will be given to the sponsor so they can mail out the prizes.

Good luck!

I received a copy of this book for review as part of a campaign for the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. I received no other form of compensation and the opinion expressed is my own.

Halloween update

Halloween has come and gone, but I haven't had a chance until now to share a picture of each of the girls. I spaced it and didn't take any pictures at the Trunk or Treat at our church, but here are some at home beforehand. My little one was so excited to wear her Belle costume and told me many times that she was a princess. My older daughter has had her costume since April and was so excited to be able to wear it for the whole day. I'd dare say they were the cutest princesses at the party!

Cystex

I guess I consider myself pretty lucky. At 31 years old I've never had a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). I heard horror stories before I got married about getting them after having sex (yes, I was a virgin bride). I was so scared I'd get one...but, I was one of the fortunate ones who didn't. But I've had so many friends complain about them over the years. So when I was asked to share information about a UTI drug I figured it would be a good idea because I'm sure many of you could use this information.

Cystex is an over-the-counter medication to help relieve the pain associated with urinary tract infections. Not only that, but it is the only UTI medication that also has an antibacterial agent to help contain the progression of the infection. This medication will help ease your symptoms and help keep them at bay while you wait to see a physician. And from what I hear any relief you can get is heaven sent.

Cystex comes in easy-to-swallow tablet that adults 12 years and older can take with a full glass of water, four times a day. It's suggested retail price is $9.25 for a package of 40 tablets and $15.95 for a 100 tablet pack. It's active ingredients are Methenamine and Sodium Salicylate.

For more information on UTI's please visit the Cystex blog and/or view the video below:

I received a gift card and a sample for sharing this information with you. I have not yet had the opportunity to use the sample, but am glad to have it on hand should I need it.

Michael Bublé: Crazy Love

One2One Network recently sent me a copy of Michael Bublé's newest album Crazy Love to listen to and share my thoughts. It arrived just in time for a trip out of town with my mom, so I brought it with me for us to enjoy together.

His voice and style are reminiscent of a different time. This collection of love songs is a perfect complement to a romantic evening or something to listen to as you relax at the end of the day. His soulful voice is sure to lull you into a laid back state of happiness.

Michael Bublé has sold over 22 million albums worldwide and his new one has been available since October 9th for his many fans to enjoy. You can purchase it at Amazon among many other places. So kick off your shoes, grab a glass of wine (of if you're like me and don't drink, a glass of Diet Coke) and relax to Crazy Love. And if you just can't get enough of Michael Bublé then check out his official site for the 4-1-1 on this jazzy star.

One2One Network provided me with the cd for this review, but the opinions are my own.

I'm back and there are some winners to announce!

I'm back from my quick trip to Utah to visit my grandparents. It was a good trip. Both my grandma and grandpa were having good health days the day I was at their house, so they were able to visit for quite awhile. I've been hearing how sick they are and how they've been close to their deathbed so many times and that grandpa can only handle visitors for about an hour at a time. But they looked great! My aunt was there and said he has about 3 good days a week...I just got lucky that Monday was one of those days.

It was nice to be "home" too. Things have changed so much there since I moved away almost three years ago. There's been a growth explosion and there's so much more to do and see. Even my mom's neighbor's are sprucing up their houses, some of them are barely recognizable. Even my mom has been doing a bunch of work, although her's is mostly on the inside. But she has done some lovely landscaping. But my favorite thing she's changed is a room downstairs. For the first 20 years we lived there it was a 2x4 framed storage room. Very basic, very spider filled and very scary! But in the last month or so she's had it completely finished and turned it into and awesome bedroom! I got to sleep in it and it was so nice! I miss the down comforter she had on the bed, it was so warm! Next month she's completely gutting her kitchen and modernizing it. I have to admit, my little green eyed monster of jealousy was itching just under the skin, I would LOVE to be able to do that to my kitchen, starting with the floor up. I'd love to get new tiles, updated stain on the cupboards, new hardware pulls, new light fixtures...and on and on. I am "inheriting" her old appliances which are newer and nicer than what I have now. But I have to find a way to get them from Utah to Colorado...hmmmm. But once I do I'll have a double oven with a flat top cooking surface. :)

Ok...enough about my trip and my jealousy, it's time to announce winners!!!!

First off, one lucky person will be receiving a pair of Eleven Collection shoes. These are some of my favorite kid's shoes of all time. My daughter is always getting complements on her pairs. That lucky winner is...
Here are your random numbers:

282

Timestamp: 2009-11-05 02:39:57 UTC
And that is: Amy Lynn

And now it's time to announce the winner of the two Elefun and Friends games. These would make perfect holiday presents for preschoolers and are great for family night games. Now it's time to figure out who's going to be enjoying these games and that person is...
Here are your random numbers:

100

Timestamp: 2009-11-05 02:54:21 UTC
That is: dreamcleavers

Congrats to you both! I will be in contact shortly for your shipping information.

Out of Town

Hello! I'm out of town at the moment. I'm just jumping on here really quick from my mom's work computer. My husband and kids are still back in Colorado and I'll be back tomorrow night to join them. But for today I'm in Utah and off to visit my sick grandparents. I'll announce the Eleven Collection shoes winner after I'm back.

I hope you all had a great Halloween and HOLY COW it's already NOVEMBER!!!

A look at Halloweens past

Happy Halloween everyone! My girls are eagerly awaiting the "Trunk-or-Treat" at our church tonight. They can't wait to get all dressed up in their princess costumes. My oldest as Cinderella and the little one as Belle. I'll be sure to take a bunch of pictures, especially since this is the first year my husband will be unable to be home for the festivities. Darn it! But he has to work and having a job is a good thing.

My oldest celebrated her first Halloween in 2005. She was a sweet little pumpkin, I can hardly believe that's her in that picture, she's grown up so much!


The next year we got her all dressed up as a Red Sox cheerleader. Sure, the Sox did pretty bad that year, but whatever...we're always fans and she looked absolutely adorable. You know, at least in my totally biased unbiased opinion.


The next Halloween was both our first Halloween in Colorado and my younger daughter's first Halloween. They were both dressed up as cute little ladybugs.




Last year we were on vacation in Utah for Halloween. We had lots of fun catching up with friends and family and the weather was awesome! We didn't even need jackets on Halloween night! My older daughter picked out her Tinkerbelle costume and we used the old Red Sox cheerleader costume for my younger daughter...I still LOVE that costume!




Have fun this Halloween and stay safe!