May 1 Giveaways

LESLIE LOVES VEGGIES GIVEAWAYS
Lingerie.com ~ Lace Mesh Halter Babydoll & Matching G-String Giveaway
Win a Lace & Mesh Halter Babydoll with Matching G-String from Lingerie.com {ARV $19.99} ~ 2 Winners  Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 5/18 

SECOND TIME AROUND GIVEAWAYS
Rubbermaid Modular Canisters Giveaway
Win an 8-Piece Modular Canister Set from Rubbermaid that includes: (1) 5 cup, (1) 10 cup, (1) 16 cup, and (1) 21 cup Giveaway at Second Time Around   Ends 5/4

Peeled Snacks Giveaway
Win an Organic Fruit Picks Variety Pack from Peeled Snacks ~ Giveaway at Second Time Around Ends 5/5 

Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson ~ 3 Winners Giveaway at Second Time Around Ends 5/6  

Jim Henson DVD Giveaway
Win the Jim Henson's the Song of the Cloud Forest and Other Earth Stories DVD ~ Giveaway at Second Time Around Ends 5/7

High Sierra Giveaway
Win a High Sierra Pack from High Sierra ~ Giveaway at Second Time Around  Ends 5/12 

Pearl Paradise Giveaway
Win  7.0-8.0 mm White Freshwater Pearl Stud Earrings from Pearl Paradise ~ Giveaway at Second Time Around  Ends 5/14


SWEEPS4BLOGGERS GIVEAWAYS
Angelic Soaps & Gifts ~ Soap Set Giveaway
Win a Set of 5 Soaps from Angelic Soaps & Gifts - Cherry Almond, Lilac, Lemon Calendula,Oatmeal Honey and Raspberry Lemonade {ARV $23.75} ~ 2 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/12

Just Neon Tees Giveaway
Win a Green Neon Tee from Just Neon Tees {ARV $9.99 - 11.29} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/13

Loving Pets Bella Bowl Giveaway
Win a Bella Bowl from Loving Pets {ARV $10} ~ 5 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/13  

Spracht Aura Mobile BT ~ Bluetooth Speakerphone Giveaway
Win an Aura Moblie BT Speakerphone from Spracht {ARV $99.99} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/13

The Art of Choosing by Sheena Iyengar Audio Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the audio book The Art of Choosing by Sheena Iyengar {ARV $34.98} ~ 3 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/17   

Butterfly Effects Home Fragrance Giveaway
Win an 8.5 oz. Simply Square Candle (ARV $20) or an 8 oz. Room/Linen Spray (ARV $12) - Your Choice of Size & Fragrance ~ 2 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/17 

Easy as Pi by Jamie Buchan Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Easy as Pi by Jamie Buchan {ARV $14.95} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/17 

Why do these things always happen on Fridays?!

Just a few minutes ago DH told me he got an email from a professor at the University of Houston about a job he'd applied to and they want to either have a phone interview or schedule an interview (I wasn't sure which).  I know it's still a long shot, and I'm not getting my hopes up, but it would be a miracle if something comes through with this.  But now we've got to wait the whole weekend...Maddening!  It's promising at least because DH only applied for that position less than 2 weeks ago (it has to do with manufacture of nanoparticles, I think DH described it as not terribly stimulating mentally but the pay is decent).  Plus, he did seem a pretty good match based on the job description.  DH also has some contacts at U of H (not people who would be in a position to hire but who have worked with him in the past), in the chemistry & physics department as well as a couple in the biology department.  We're still going ahead with our packing plans, but if something comes of this, it will be nothing short of a miracle.

It's frustrating though how these things will happen on a Friday, and you have to wait the whole weekend before you have a feel for the situation.

Pray REALLY, REALLY hard for something to come of this PLEASE!

Apr. 30 Giveaways

A GIVEAWAY ADDICTED MOMMY
Swiffer SweeperVac $40 Wal-mart Gift Card Giveaway
Win a $40 Gift Card to Wal-mart to Purchase your own Swiffer Sweeper Vac! Giveaway at A Giveaway Addicted Mommy Ends 5/6  

LESLIE LOVES VEGGIES GIVEAWAYS
Dr. Alkaitis ~ Organic Body Wash Giveaway
Win an Organic Body Wash from Dr. Alkaitis {ARV $34} ~ 3 Winners Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 5/18 

SWEEPS4BLOGGERS GIVEAWAYS
Eleven Collection ~ Kid's Shoes Giveaway
Win a pair of Children's Shoes of Your Choice of Size/Style (subject to availability) Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/11


Energizer Smart Charger & Batteries Giveaway
Win an Energizer Smart Charger with 4 AA Rechargeable Batteries included {ARV $20} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/11


HydroPeptide Power Lift Anti-Wrinkle Ultra Rich Concentrate Giveaway
Win a HydroPeptide Power Lift Anti-Wrinkle Utra Rich Concentrate from HydroPeptide {ARV $80} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 5/11   

Beach Buddy Tote Giveaway
Win a Beach Buddy Tote from RoxiesShop {ARV $49.95} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/16


Happy by Ian K. Smith, MD Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Happy: Simple Steps to Get the Most Out of Life by Ian K. Smith, MD {ARV $23.99} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/16 

Hope Hippo ~ Our World in Little Hands DVD Giveaway
Win a copy of the Our World in Little Hands DVD from Hope Hippo {ARV $14.95} ~ 5 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/16


Yoga Tune Up DVDs & Ball Therapy Program Giveaway
3 will win prizes from Yoga Tune Up:one winner will get the Quick Fix RX dvd (ARV $29.95), One winner will get the Post Athletic Stretch Routines dvd (ARV $21.95) and one will get the Therapy Ball Program (ARV $19.95 ) ~ 3 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/17   

Apr. 29 Giveaways

LESLIE LOVES VEGGIES GIVEAWAYS
Buzzy  ~ Taking the Sting out of Shots Deluxe Kit Giveaway
Win a Buzzy Deluxe Kit from Buzzy {ARV $54.95} Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 5/17


Marshalls $50 Gift Card Giveaway
Win a $50 Gift Card to Marshalls Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 5/17 

Mr. Clean Spring Cleaning Prize Package Giveaway
Win a Spring Cleaning Prize Package from Mr. Clean that includes: Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser® Bath Scrubbers, a Bottle of Mr. Clean® with Febreze® Freshness Antibacterial Cleaner, & a Bottle of Mr. Clean® Disinfecting Bath Cleaner with Febreze® Freshness (scent will vary depending on availability at time of Giveaway) {ARV ~ $15} Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 5/17

SIMPLY STACIE GIVEAWAYS
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Women Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Women ~ 3 Winners Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 5/7


Mother's Day Romance Book Giveaway
Win a set of 6 Romance Books: Montana Destiny by R.C Ryan, Ravished by a Highlander by Paula Quinn, Still the One by Robin Wells, Desire Me (The Legend Hunters) bt Robyn DeHart, Knight of Passion (All the King's Men) by Margaret Mallory & To Surrender To A Rogue (Circle of Sin Trilogy) by Cara Elliott ~ 3 Winners Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 5/7   

SWEEPS4BLOGGERS GIVEAWAYS
Organic B.R.A.T. Feel Better Drink Giveaway
Win 4 Shelf Stable Cartons of B.R.A.T. Feel Better Drink - 1 of each of the 4 flavors {ARV $30} ~ 2 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 5/15


The Rehearsal by Eleanor Catton Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book The Rehearsal by Eleanor Catton {ARV $23.99} ~ 5 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/16   

Not My Daughter by Barbara Delinsky Book Review


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Susan Tate has worked hard to overcome her past.  Pregnant at 17 and banished by her parents, Susan worked her way through school and up the ranks from teacher to high school principal in Zaganack, Maine.  She has done her best as a single mom to raise her daughter Lily to be a bright, compassionate individual and considers herself Lily's friend and confidante.  Lately, though, a space has grown between Susan & Lily.  When she receives the shocking news that her daughter is nearly three months pregnant, Susan is blown away.  It turns out it is not just Lily pregnant.  Her best friends, Mary Kate & Jess are pregnant as well.  The girls made a pact to get pregnant together.

Susan's entire world is in a shambles.  How can history be repeating itself?  Wasn't she a good mom?  Didn't she raise Lily to think things through and consider the consequences?  As high school principal, news of the pregnancy pact does not sit well with the Zaganack school board.  Susan finds her job in jeopardy while trying to come to terms with Lily's pregnancy.  The pregnancies could even affect PC Wool, the yarn dyeing company Susan owns with her best friends, two of them the mothers of Mary Kate & Jess.

This is the first time I've read Barbara Delinsky, and I have to say I'll be reading more!  This is a complex story with lots of interwoven parts and connected lives.  I find the story all the richer for the characters of Pam & Abby Perry, both of whom feel on the fringes of their groups.  Pam is married to a Perry, and  Zaganack was built around Perry & Cass, which stands for responsibility and respectability.  Pam's daughter is not pregnant, but as a community figure and member of the school board, Pam must decide whether to stick up for Susan or remain silent.  Abby had a key role in involving the other girls in the pact but miscarried and isn't pregnant and outed the pregnancy pact to the school.  Susan also gropes with her complicated non-relationship with her own mother and her growing dependency on Rick, Lily's father.  Meanwhile, Lily realizes the reaction of the town to the pregnancy pact is much worse than she had anticipated, and her baby's sonogram reveals troubling news.

This story is told from multiple points of view, with Susan and perhaps Lily being the main protagonists, but we also get glimpses from other supporting characters.  This is a complex tale of friendship and loyalty, which bonds are the strongest, and what does it take to be a good mom?

View all my reviews >>

Apr. 28 Giveaways

LESLIE LOVES VEGGIES GIVEAWAYS
Good Earth Tea $20 Gift Package Giveaway
Win a $20 Gift Package from Good Earth Tea Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 5/15

Minimus ~ Soothing Lavendar & Vanilla Eco-Traveler Gift Set Giveaway
Win an Eco-Traveler Gift Set - Soothing Lavendar & Vanilla from Minimus {ARV $42.33} Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 5/15 

SIMPLY STACIE GIVEAWAYS
Ravished by a Highlander by Paula Quinn Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Ravished by a Highlander by Paula Quinn ~ 5 Winners Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 5/7

Webkinz Jr. Giveaway
Win a Webkinz Jr. (Bunny, Frog, or Giraffe) Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 5/7  

SWEEPS4BLOGGERS GIVEAWAYS
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith Audio Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the audio book Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith {ARV $26.98} ~ 3 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/12


Innocent by Scott Turow Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Innocent by Scott Turow {ARV $27.99} ~ 5 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 5/12

Miracle on the 17th Green by James Patterson Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Miracle on the 17th Green by James Patterson {ARV $19.99} ~ 5 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/13   

31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book 31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan {ARV $25.99} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/14

Joy of Spa ~ $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway
Win a $50 Gift Certificate to Joy of Spa Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/14 


Wi-Ex zBoost Cell Phone Signal Extender Giveaway
Win a zBoost Dual Band Cell Phone Signal Extender from Wi-Ex {ARV $399.99} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/14


Gift Card Mall ~ $25 Gift Card of Choice Giveaway
Win a $25 Gift Card of Your Choice from Gift Card Mall ~ 5 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/15

Husband and Wife by Leah Stewart Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Husband and Wife by Leah Stewart {ARV $24.99}Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/15   

Reading Glasses Shopper ~ $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway
Win a $25 Gift Certificate to Reading Glasses Shopper Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 5/15  
 

Apr. 27 Giveaways

LESLIE LOVES VEGGIES GIVEAWAYS
Sunglass Warehouse Giveaway
Win a pair of Sunglasses of Your Choice from Sunglass Warehouse {ARV ~ $20} ~ 2 Winners Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies  Ends 5/14 

Teach My Baby All in One Learning System Giveaway
Win a Teach My Baby all in one Learning System from Teach My {ARV $49.99} Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies  Ends 5/14 

SIMPLY STACIE GIVEAWAYS
Organically Hatched Gift Certificate Giveaway
Win a $20 Gift Certificate to Organically Hatched  ~ Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 5/7 

Slip of the Knife by Denise Mina Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Slip of the Knife by Denise Mina ~ 3 Winners Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 5/7 

SWEEPS4BLOGGERS GIVEAWAYS
Foodie's Emporium at Dancing Spoon ~ Soiree Wine Decanter Giveaway
Win a Soiree Wine Decanter from Foodie's Emporium {ARV $24.99} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/10   

Jizo & Chibi Silver Necklaces Giveaway
Win 1 of 2 Silver Necklaces from Jizo & Chibi - 1 will win the Standing Jizo Necklace (ARV $145) and 1 will win the Tiny Chibi (ARV $50) ~ 2 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/11