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 

Apr. 26 Giveaways

LESLIE LOVES VEGGIES GIVEAWAYS
Happy: Simple Steps to Get the Most Out of Life by Ian K. Smith, M.D.
Win a copy of the book Happy: Simple Steps to Get the Most Out of  Life by Ian K. Smith, M.D. {ARV $23.99} Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 5/13


Tandoor Chef Indian Cuisine Giveaway
Win 6 FREE Product Coupons from Tandoor Chef {ARV $23.94} ~ 5 Winners Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies  Ends 5/13 

SIMPLY STACIE GIVEAWAYS
Eleven Collection Shoe Giveaway
Win a pair of Shoes of your choice of Size & Style from Eleven Collection Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends May 7 

The 3-Day Cleanse by Zoe Sakoutis & Erica Huss Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book The 3-Day Cleanse by Zoe Sakoutis & Erica Huss ~ 3 Winners Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 5/7 

SWEEPS4BLOGGERS GIVEAWAYS
Fever Dream by Preston & Child Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Fever Dream by Preston & Child {ARV $26.99} ~ 5 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/14   

the inlaws arrived today...

My ILs arrived today. MIL is going to help watch Tessa while we start the packing. It's an overwhelming process, just so much to do and of course, I'm depressed about leaving the house too. Moodwise, I'm still beating up on myself and down though having MIL here helps with watching Tessa already. Tessa is very high needs and while I had a bit of a routine where she'd play independently some while DH was working, since he's been laid off, he plays with her (or expects me to) all day and she no longer plays by herself (and she did precious little of that even when I watched her all day) plus she never naps now even though she desperately needs a nap. So it does help to have an extra pair of hands.

I had a pretty bad panic attack in the car earlier today, on the way home from lunch (I wasn't driving, thank God). I hate anxiety & depression

Tomorrow we start the packing.

Apr. 25 Giveaways

AUDREY'S GIVEAWAYS
Kranich's Jewelers Mother Day Ring Giveaway
Win a Mother's Day Ring up to $300 from Kranich's Jewelers ~ Giveaway at Audrey's Giveaways Ends 4/27, 10 PM CT 

LESLIE LOVES VEGGIES GIVEAWAYS
Hershey's S'mores Prize Package
Win a Hershey's S'mores Prize Package that includes: Rascal Flatts Unstoppable CD, branded skewer set, Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows, Nabisco Honey Maid Graham Crackers and of course Hershey®’s Milk Chocolate bars! {ARV ~ $40} ~ 2 Winners Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 5/13   

SIMPLY STACIE GIVEAWAYS
Earth Mama Angel Baby Giveaway
Win a Bottle of Happy Mama Spray from Earth Mama Angel Baby ~ 2 Winners Giveaway at Simply Stacie  Ends 4/29


Sweetsation Therapy Giveaway
Win Aquatica Night Cream from Sweetsation Therapy Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 5/2

Tidy Tightwads Soap Giveaway
Win a Bar of Oatmeal, Milk & Honey Soap from Tidy Tightwads Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 5/2  

MyPleasure {Adult Giveaway}
Win a $25 Gift Certificate to MyPleasure Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 5/4  

SWEEPS4BLOGGERS GIVEAWAYS
Pocket Disc Giveaway
Win a Classic Pocket Disc from Pocket Disc {ARV $9.99} ~ 3 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/9


Shankara Skincare Set Giveaway
Win 4 Products from Shankara: Hydrating Cleansing Gele, Microcrystal Exfoliation Treatment, Regenesis Energen ATP Cell Serum and Ayurveda-Energen Facial Oil II {ARV $166} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/9   

Animal Factory by David Kirby Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Animal Factory by David Kirby {ARV $26.99} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/10

Black Hills by Dan Simmons Audio Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the audio book Black Hills by Dan Simmons {ARV $39.98} ~ 3 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 5/10

Yoga Sandals Giveaway
Win Your Choice of Sandals from Yoga Sandals {ARV ~ $30} ~ 5 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 5/10