Merry Christmas 2015

God Bless You and Yours on Christmas and throughout the New Year. 

Must be Dressed to Be Our Guest #BATBsurprise

Immediately following our #BATBsurprise reveal, Rebekah started plotting to go see Belle. It goes without saying that her wardrobe for this evening will be the yellow ball gown. In discussing this vs. her Belle's Christmas dress, she came to the conclusion that the yellow gown was the only real choice. 

"Oh, no!" Rebekah suddenly exclaimed. "Mom, you have to go online and find a pair of long yellow gloves to go with my Belle dress." At this, I'll tell you the dad and the teenaged brother both rolled their eyes. But, the princess in my home knows the right buttons to push and while I told her the classic cop out 'we'll see,' I started hunting online. 

And check out what I found. 

I surprised Rebekah with them at dinner, so all evening she wandered around dancing in her dress up dresses with gloves. 

And here is a preview of our big night (tonight) where we will be guests of Belle. 

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE
Beauty and the Beast Broadway Production will be at the Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16 St.
Performances: Friday, December 19 - 8:00 p.m.
          Saturday, December 20 - 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
          Sunday, December 21 - 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased through Ticket Omaha

Target and Cartwheel give you Purex Savings

Purex and Target had teamed up during back to school season with an offer for a discount. Well, good news for fans of savings everywhere. They are back, with a new savings offer, just in time for the holidays. 

About the Savings Deal

It's the season of giving, and your Purex knows that my family and friends will love this fantastic coupon offer! Now through the December 27th, get 25% off any Purex detergent at Target stores with a #Cartwheel coupon!

Use this link to download a coupon and be one step closer to awesome savings

The Big Reveal #BATBsurprise - Broadway Omaha

Disclosure: I was provided tickets to the show in exchange for posting my reveal. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Before I tell you what the #BATBsurprise is all about, I have to back up and give you a little history lesson to lead up to this event.

When my parents had their 50th Anniversary, we went as a big extended family to DisneyWorld. My parents, my whole family and my sister's family. We spent an amazing fun-filled week at all the parks. While we were there, each child got to do something really special. It wasn't really planned out like this, but sometimes life sends good things your way and where better to have special events than at the Happiest Place on Earth?!?


Andrew got to go with his uncle to DisneyQuest where they ate way too much junk food and spent the night making more and more complex roller-coasters where you then ride a simulator to experience your coaster. I think the goal became to see who could get who sick first...but any way you slice it, they had a blast. Then Nathan got accepted into Jedi Training school and fought Darth Vader on stage--totally awesome to watch. And little Miss Rebekah hadn't had anything yet. Costume note - her suitcase was filled with more princess dresses than clothes - she had a princess dress for every day of our visit. At Disney Studios, she was wearing her Belle yellow ball gown because we were going to go see Beauty and the Beast live on stage. A delightful operator at one of the rides made a call and found out that Belle had invited Rebekah to be her guest at the show. We had reserved seating in the front for the family. Belle even waved at Rebekah. Wow - what an honor. The highlight of Disney for Rebekah.

Fast forward to the present day. I got a message from Omaha Performing Arts letting me know that there was a chance our family would be invited to blog about and see Beauty and the Beast (the Broadway touring production). I sort of giggled to myself that Belle remembered us. Then it looked like it wouldn't happen and I let it go. Then, I got the magical email. It's true, Belle wants US to see her again. This time, we get to see the whole show, not just the shortened version from the parks. I was asked to video tape Rebekah's reaction when we told her.

Here's the video of the big reveal:





TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE
Beauty and the Beast Broadway Production will be at the Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16 St.
Performances: Friday, December 19 - 8:00 p.m.
          Saturday, December 20 - 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
          Sunday, December 21 - 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased through Ticket Omaha

Lumo Project #JohnOnNetflix Review

Disclosure: I was given the opportunity to preview this movie in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

I had the opportunity to preview an incredible movie of the Gospel of John. I would call this a ground-breaking movie. I've seen other Biblical films, but none have grabbed me quite as much as this one. It was what I consider to be the best portrayal of the Bible and the time period. 

With my theatrical background, I have to say that the sets and scenes were so realistic I couldn't figure how they cut modern roads out of Jerusalem. And the use of light to highlight Jesus in different points was really inspiring. But my favorite part was the children. It's the way I truly picture Jesus with the children--almost a Pied Piper. He interacts with the adults, but keeps patting the children and then turns to embrace and laugh with them. 

Be sure to check out the Lumo Project and take time to watch The Gospel of John.  

About the film:

FOUR GOSPELS. FOUR FILMS. ONE JESUS STORY. FOR EVERYONE.

A ground breaking, multi-language biblical film resource transforming the way we discover, study and engage with the life of Jesus through the four New Testament Gospels.

The Lumo Project is a ground breaking, multi-language biblical film resource transforming the way we discover, study and engage with the life of Jesus through the four New Testament Gospels: redefining the standard of visual Biblical media. The Lumo Project presents four films – one for each Gospel account – that will revolutionise the way we all experience the story of Jesus and the world of First Century Palestine in which he lived.

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

The Gospel of John takes the story of Jesus from John’s gospel with its own unique characteristics. For John, Jesus is the Word of God made human. John is clear that that when encounter Jesus, we encounter God.  The gospel writer points to the miracles (the ‘Signs’) and teachings as evidence of Jesus’ special relationship as the divine Son of God.This full-length feature film about the life of Jesus takes the actual Gospel text as its script, word for word, unedited. Five years in the making, this epic production has been critically acclaimed by leading religious scholars as a unique and highly authentic telling of the Jesus story. Narrated by leading British actor David Harewood (‘Homeland’, ‘Blood Diamond’, ‘Merchant of Venice’) it is based on the latest theological, historical and archaeological research. With specially constructed sets and the extraordinarily authentic villages and countryside of rural Morocco, it immerses the viewer in the world of first century Palestine. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Please be sure to check out the social media links and give a follow:

Official Website: http://www.lumoproject.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheLumoProject

Instagram:  http://instagram.com/thelumoproject

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelumoproject

Small Talk by Amy Julia Becker - Book #Giveaway

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

What a sweet book. That's the best word I can come up with...well, maybe I should say it's a precious and sweet book. It's refreshing to read a book that is not a how to manual or that is designed to point out my shortcomings. Amy Julia Becker shares questions and answers that come up in 'small talk' conversations. And she has a child with Down Syndrome and I have a child with autism. While our struggles are different, they are also very much the same. I felt very connected to her and some of her struggles.  It's a beautiful read of the ups and downs of parenting and the little questions kids ask that have so much deeper meaning. I found the book to be refreshing and poignant...and very precious and sweet. 

From the Publisher: Every day, one of Amy Julie Becker’s children says something that prompts her to think about life in a new way. “Mom, does Santa love me?” William asks, after his mother explains the meaning of Christmas…In a chat with her dad about the children who died in the Sandy Hook shootings, Penny asks, “Did they go to heaven?” …”You was a jerk, Mommy?” asks Marilee one morning in the car.These conversations deepen Amy Julia’s relationships with her children, but they also refine her understanding of what she believes and what God is doing in her own life.In Small Talk, Amy Julia draws from the wisdom and curiosity of those young voices to reflect on beauty and kindness, tragedy and disability, prayer and miracles. As she moves through the basic questions her kids posed when they were very young to the more intellectual questions of later childhood, she invites us to learn from our own day-to-day conversations with the children in our lives.This eloquent parenting memoir is about the big questions little hearts ask, the thoughts their words provoke, and the laughter and soul-searching their honesty brings—to adult and child alike.

Be sure to check out the official Small Talk Website for more information.

About the author:

Amy Julia Becker writes about faith, family, and disability for Parents.com, the New York Times Motherlode blog, TheAtlantic.com, The Huffington Post parents page, Christianity Today, The Christian century, and numerous other publications. Her first book, A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny, was named one of the Top Ten Religion Books of 2011 by Publishers Weekly. Amy Julia lives in western Connecticut with her husband and three children.



Be sure to check out the book trailer:

Would you like to win a copy of the book Small Talk? 

Please enter below using the Giveaway Tools form. Good luck!

Entry-Form

Contest rules:
Limit one winner per person or household
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway
**If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win again.
Winner must live in the US or Canada
Entries will be verified
Giveaway ends on 12/9 at 11:59 pm

SportsChocolate.com 1 lb Chocolate Stadium #Giveaway

   

Hosted By Tammie's Reviews, Giveaways and More, Queen of Savings and Joan's 5 Star Reviews.
and
Sponsored By SportsChocolate.com

Do you love chocolate? I know I do. I would eat some with every meal if I could get away with it. And I love decorative chocolates. I've had some different varieties and shapes--but never a sporting themed chocolate. I'm excited to be a part of this giveaway and hope you find some fun chocolates to try, too. Keep reading to find out how you can enter to win one for yourself...or to share with a friend.


SportsChocolates.com™, a division of Better World Brands has created the #1 Fan Chocolate Collection™ and Gaming Chocolates Collection™. Both include our custom chocolate stadiums and arenas and replica chocolate gaming pieces. Made from 100% Premium milk chocolate, many include complimentary chocolate accessories like foil wrapped sports balls and casino chips. Packaging choices include beautiful imprinted tins, glass jars and wood canisters, finished with hand tied ribbon and bows. All products are manufactured in the USA [except the wood canisters] under the strict guidance of our Chocolatier – Monsieur Petit. Each is shipped from our New Jersey production facility directly to the recipient with your personal message card.


On To The Sweepstakes~

• One reader will win a SportsChocolate.com 1 lb Chocolate Stadium $45.00
• This is open to the U.S. Only
• This will end 12/16
• All entries will be verified
• Winner will be notified by email and have 24 hours to respond or another will be chosen. pankuch1605@hotmail.com is the email it will come from.
• Must be 18+ yrs of age to enter
• Void where prohibited by law.
• Full terms and conditions are on the entry tool below

Enter Below and Good Luck to You~

Entry-Form

Disclosure- Coolestmommy's Coolest Thoughts was not compensated either by free product or payment. I have not been compensated for this post. All opinions and experiences are my own. Open to the US, must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 24 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of the giveaway. Sponsor will be responsible for prize fulfillment. This event is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions about this giveaway or to have me promote your product, Please email Tammie at info@tpankuch.com.

Shaggy Chic T-shirt of the Month Club #Giveaway

Hosted By Tammie's Reviews, Giveaways and More and Queen of Savings.
and
Sponsored By Shaggy Chic

While I don't have pets here in my house, I'm the proud aunt of two rescue dogs. Gretchen (a Scottie) and Lovey (an Irish Greyhound/Dachshund mix). And before the girls, there was my dog-nephew, Zeus (a miniature Dachshund). He was a dog rescued from a family who abused him. I love those dogs like my own children and I find my animal inspired wardrobe keeps growing. 

If you are a pet lover and wear t-shirts, My guess is that you have a t-shirt or 2 with an animal on it. Shaggy Chic Apparel would like to introduce you to a purr-fectly fun and fashionable gift for animal lovers including the entire family … our woofalicious and kittytastic tees for pet lovers. A portion of all sales during this holiday season will benefit Don’t Forget to Feed Me, a Texas-based non-profit Pet Food Pantry.

We even have designs designed by a 10-year-old child from Texas, which we call our ‘Kid POV Collection’. Lauren Arnold has really shown and taught us the pure innocence and fun of animals through her eyes. We’re adding new shirts from her monthly. Take a peek at Lauren’s paw-some designs… http://tinyurl.com/luto9op.

Only available online at www.ShaggyChicApparel.com, you won’t find these in big, box department stores, which means gift recipients will receive a howling unique gift. Now, that’s something to bark about! In addition to individual tees, we also offer a T-Shirt-of the-Month Club in both six-month and 12-month subscriptions. Each month, subscribers will receive a new tee that has not been sold to the public as of yet. Plus, customers can opt for free gift wrapping in a fun animal motif.

Onto The Sweepstakes Rules~

• One reader will win a 6 Month Subscription to Shaggy Chic T-Shirt of the Month Club (Retail Value $125)
• This is open to the U.S. only
• This Sweepstakes will end on 12/7/2014 at 7 p.m.
• All entries will be verified
• Winner will be notified by email and have 24 hours to respond or another will be chosen. pankuch1605@hotmail.com is the email it will come from.
• Must be 18+ to enter
• Void where prohibited by law
• Full terms and conditions are the entry form below

Enter Below and Good Luck to you~

Entry-Form

Disclosure-Coolestmommy.com was not compensated either by free product or payment. I have not been compensated for this post. All opinions and experiences are my own. Open to the US, must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 24 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of the giveaway. Sponsor will be responsible for prize fulfillment. This event is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions about this giveaway or to have me promote your product, Please email Tammie at info@tpankuch.com.

Want to get in a Christmas Mood? Two shows for you!

Disclosure: I was provided tickets to Christmas With The King's Singers in exchange for my promotional post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The King's Singers

What puts you in a happy holiday spirit? For me, it's the music of the season. Truly, I could sing Christmas Carols and songs all year long. And I'm pleased that my kids (even though they pretend they aren't) really are the same way. Music has been such an important part of our celebration each year, so when I was invited to attend the Christmas With The King's Singers concert on Dec. 3, I jumped at the chance.

Salem Baptist Church

But what is better than one Christmas show? TWO Christmas shows! So I'm thrilled to purchase a ticket and attend Joyful Noise: A Gospel Celebration Featuring Salem Baptist Church. Omaha Performing Arts has the best season this year--and these two shows will be a hit.

Important details for both shows:

Christmas With The King's Singers will perform on Wed., Dec. 3 at 7:30 pm at the Holland Performing Arts Center - Kiewit Hall.

Purchase tickets at Ticket Omaha

Joyful Noise will perform two shows, both on Sun., Dec. 4 at 4:00 and 7:00 pm. They will also be in Kiewit Hall at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

Purchase tickets from Ticket Omaha

I'll leave you with my favorite Christmas song by The King's Singers. I hope you enjoy The Little Drummer Boy. 

Growing up Social #Review & #Giveaway #growingupsocial

Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

I have to start by asking: Have you ever read the book 5 Love Languages? I did and it saved my marriage before we were even married. Sean & I both read that book. We've loaned out (and lost because they aren't returned) over a dozen copies of that book. We consider it one of the best written books regarding marriage. We were speaking different languages while dating and didn't realize that it would eventually drive a wedge between us. By both reading the book, we knew how the other person thinks and what they need to 'hear' love. Truly, it saved our marriage before we ever said, "I do."

And now, from the same author, comes a new book called "growing up social - raising relational kids in a screen-driven world". I'll tell you the title alone was enough to grab my attention and make me have a moment of clarity. The photo on the cover about knocked me over. How often do I see this same moment playing out all over the place? And...how many times have my husband and I looked like this? The most scary moment of all...how often do my kids look like this?

So while I didn't really have time to read a book and I didn't really have an opening in my schedule for this review, I knew I needed to say yes. Sometimes, you have to make time from the urgent things of life to take care of the vital. I believe this message is vital. And I'm happy to announce that you too can win a copy of this book...keep reading to find out how. 

I want to quote the authors up front. Chapman and Pellicane write, “This is not an anti-technology book. Technology is here to stay, and we believe you can find positive ways to utilize it for your relationships.” 

I think the biggest lie of technology and social media is the illusion of real community and friendship when that person can't read your expression or tone of voice. It feels like community--and might be for periods of time off and on--but the reality is that it's not as authentic as we'd like to think it is. And we spend so much time 'connecting' through YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, Vine, etc, etc, etc. that somewhere along the way, we no longer take time to talk and interact and fellowship with humans...with each other.

Below is the video trailer for the book.


Book description:

Is technology bringing your family closer together or driving you farther apart?

Children today are no longer playing hide-and-seek outside or curling up with a good book—instead they’ve been introduced to a world of constant digital entertainment through television, video games, and mobile devices. And while technology has the potential to add value to our lives and families, it can also erode a sense of togetherness and hinder a child’s emotional and social development.

In Growing Up Social, Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane will empower you with the necessary tools to make positive changes…starting today. Through stories, wit, and wisdom, you’ll discover how to take back your home from an over dependence on screens. Plus, you’ll learn to teach the five A+ skills that every healthy child needs to master: affection, appreciation, anger management, apology, and attention.

•Equip your child to be relationally rich in a digital world•Replace mindless screen time with meaningful family time•Establish simple boundaries that make a huge difference•Discover what’s working for families that have become screen savvy•Learn healthy ways to occupy your child while you get things done

Now is the time to equip your child to live with screen time, not for screen time. No phone, tablet, or gaming device can teach your child how to have healthy relationships—only you can.

I will tell you I'm loving the book. I'm not all the way finished but it's making a true impact in my own life. As the authors state so eloquently, "No phone, tablet or gaming device can teach your child how to have healthy relationships--only you can." How's that for a healthy dose of truth? 

I hope you will take time to read and apply the lessons in the book. It's a message that is so critical in today's world. 

Would you like to win a copy of Growing Up Social? 

Enter here for your chance to win.

Entry-Form

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

AWA Services Can Help with Donations, Junk Removal and More #Giveaway Omaha Area

Disclosure: I was provided a discount or gift card in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Do you ever feel like you are drowning in a 'sea of stuff'? Think you would like to donate some furniture but don't know how to get it out of your house and to the donation site? Ever wish someone would take all of the stuff you want gone and take it to the donation center or the dump....or both....for you? 

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, I've found the place for you. AWA Services provides donation and junk removal. 

Here is their mission from their website:

Our MissionWe are dedicated to helping our community reduce waste. We are accomplishing this by teaming with local non-profit organizations.To reduce waste and to make a positive impact on the environment, we donate and recycle as much as possible.Most people understand recycling is good for the earth, but many don’t realize the various ways recycling can positively impact their own community. Check out our partners and learn how your donations make a difference in their organization.

They work with Goodwill, Cross Training Center and Heartland Hope Mission. I personally support all three of these ministries and places in my own life. I found it to be absolutely refreshing to find a company who follows the same principals that I try to follow in my own life. 

Here is a little more information about Junk Removal:

Junk RemovalAWA Services, Inc. is your full-service junk removal company. Need to clean out an attic, basement or garage? We offer junk removal services for your home or business. We donate, recycle or dispose of all items that we remove. We will haul away everything, including donations.Whether you have a garage/basement full of items or just one heavy item, we are here to help. Some of the most common items we remove are: couch, loveseat, table, recliner, tube television, hide-a-bed, mattress, box spring and miscellaneous stuff.Our fees are based on how many items you have and how much room they will take on the truck or trailer. Certain items may have dump or recycle fees.

Before Junk Removal

After Junk Removal

Be sure to visit and like them on their social media accounts
AWA Facebook Page
AWA Google+ Page
AWA Pinterest Page
AWA Main Website


If you live in the Omaha area, you can enter to win a free donation/junk removal of 80-120 cubic feet of items. (Excluding tube TVs.) To give an example of size, a couch is 50-60 cubic feet. 

Want to get started on a cleaning spree? Enter below. 

Entry-Form

Thank You Veterans - Veterans Day 2014

Thank you to all of our veterans. 

God bless you for your service.

What can a sensory child achieve? #SensoryBlogHop

Last month, I mentioned not knowing what Nathan could or could not achieve. I've learned a lot over the years and the two phrases that have resonated and stuck with me the most are:

1. Presume competence. - Set the bar higher than you believe your child (or any child) can achieve. Children rise to our lowest level of expectation so lift the bar and see how high they can go. You might be amazed--I was.
2. Don't you wish you had a crystal ball instead of hindsight glasses? Yes, I wish it a lot. Even now that things are going so much better...I worry. There, I admit it. I try to rely on instinct, trust in God as I believe people should do and cast your cares...but, in moments of true honesty, I worry.

I could say so much more and give you so many examples of all that Nathan has and is achieving. And I had planned to...but I am afraid you would miss the message in the 'stuff.' Maybe next month I'll give you some examples. 

For now, remember:

1. Presume Competence.
2. My crystal ball was never as clear as my hindsight glasses. 

New #Purex Aromatherapy Crystals - #Giveaway

Disclosure: I received a bottle of Purex Crystals Aromatherapy in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Have you tried Purex Crystals yet? They are a wonderful way to add fresh and long lasting scent to your laundry. And the newest Purex Crystals are the Aromatherapy. I received a bottle of Purex Crystals Aromatherapy (Energy) to try. Love the scent. I have been doing more research into aromatherapy and am learning that it really can and does work. I'm not truly sure I get more energy from wearing my clothes that have the scent in them, but I like the scent and it doesn't overpower me. 

The Purex Crystals Aromatherapy has a long lasting scent that stays with your clothes even when they hang for a long time in your closet. And keep reading for your chance to win your own bottle of Purex Crystals Aromatherapy. 

Win a Free Bottle of Purex Crystals Aromatherapy

Enter below using the Giveaway Tools Form. Winner will receive a coupon for a free bottle of Purex Crystals Aromatherapy. Good luck.

Entry-Form

Crate and Barrel Gift Card #Giveaway from #AgentAce

Sponsored by: Agent Ace

Hosted by: Mom Powered Media

Have you ever had to go house hunting? When we last searched for a new home (seven years ago), it was a long and tedious process. We didn't know how to find a good agent and we actually went through several before finding a good fit for our family. I personally wish I had known about Agent Ace back then. I think it would have been a big help to our family as we searched for a new home. 

Agent Ace is the new way to find the best real estate agent. When you've thought about buying a home, how did you figure out who would help you with that? Did you find someone who you felt you could trust to get you what you wanted from it, whether that was a good price on a new home or the best sale of your old one? A lot of homeowners and potential buyers will just pick a random agent from a list online without a lot of background on what they're best at. It's like throwing a dart at the Yellowpages. With just a little information from you, Agent Ace can match you with the best agent to sell your home or buy a new one.

They're not a service who bases their list on whoever pays the most in your area either, so there's no worry about what goes on behind the scenes. For those of us in the market, Agent Ace a completely free service. Their innovative, patented technology — the Agent Connection Engine (ACE) — makes an unbiased evaluation of every agent who has bought or sold a home just like the one you’re trying to close on based on the information you've provided. They gather and analyze years of past home sales data from ALL the real estate agents in your state, not just a small network. Then they promise to recommend the single best agent for your needs — based on facts.

Agent Ace is free, easy to use, and there’s no obligation to use any of the agents they recommend. You're not locked into anything if you don't find someone you think fits or if maybe you decide you're not ready yet. They make up to 3 agent recommendations for buying and 3 for selling so you can choose the best fit for your needs and your style. Once they identify your best agent, the experienced Agent Specialists will screen them and confirm that they can fully commit to you. They do the initial contact and the sometimes awkward "Hey, can you take a new client right now?" questions for you. Once they’re sure it's a great fit, your recommended agent will give you a call within 24 hours (but usually sooner). It’s as easy as ordering take-out.

If you're even considering getting into the housing market for your dream home, whether to buy or sell, you can check out Agent Ace's amazing system from the comfort of your home (in your pajamas) at AgentAce.com.

Speaking of Dream Homes, Agent Ace wants to help you decorate yours. Two lucky winners are going to receive Crate and Barrel gift cards! The grand prize winner will receive a $250 gift card and a runner up will receive a $100 gift card. The sweepstakes is open to residents of the US through November 24, 2014. Enter using the form below and Good Luck!

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. Void where prohibited by law. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this sweepstakes. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Crate and Barrel, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. Contact brookedoesitall@gmail.com if you have any additional questions or comments.

Aroma 4 Quart Ice Cream Maker #Giveaway

 

 Hosted By Tammie's Reviews, Giveaways and More, Queen of Savings and Vegetarian Mamma.

And

Sponsored By Aroma

I don't know about you, but at our house it's I scream, You scream, we ALL scream for ice cream. I've always been a little concerned about trying to make homemade ice cream. I've been worried that it would fail or not taste good or be soup instead of ice cream. When I learned a little about the Ice Cream Maker from Aroma, I became intrigued. I haven't gotten to try it, but I like the reviews I'm reading and I look forward to using it someday.

Aroma makes a wide array of products to make your life simpler and easier. You can read Tammie's review of the Ice Cream Maker by going here to read it. Making homemade ice cream I always thought was a difficult process when in fact it could not be easier. It comes with step by step instructions on making ice cream in a variety of flavors. The ice cream can be made by using the hand crank or electricity which will make this process very easy.

On To The Sweepstakes~

• One reader will win an Aroma Ice Cream Maker rv $70.00
• This is open to the U.S. only
• This Sweepstakes will end on Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.
• All entries will be verified
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Disclosure- Coolestmommy's Coolest Thoughts was not compensated either by free product or payment. I have not been compensated for this post. All opinions and experiences are my own. Open to the US, must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 24 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of the giveaway. Sponsor will be responsible for prize fulfillment. This event is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions about this giveaway or to have me promote your product, Please email Tammie at info@tpankuch.com.

Awards and Plaques the Kids Have Won

Have you ever won any awards or plaques? When I was in high school, I was involved on the Speech Team. During my high school years, I won various plaques and awards. My favorite events were Poetry and Persuasive Speech. The bulk of my awards were in those areas. My favorite award plaques were at a local Catholic school that gave away silver platters to each winner. 

My kids have all taken piano lessons since they were young. Their teacher has them participate in local competitions. I like these competitions because they are competing against themselves. Nathan and Rebekah recently competed at the State Music Festival. I'm so proud of both of them. Nathan got a 2+ (Excellent Plus) and Rebekah got a 1- (Superior Rating). So she got a trophy. It's a custom award that is created especially for the State Music Festival each year. 

Here is her award from this year:

I don't know about your house, but if you have kids involved in sports or music, you might have lots of trophies, plaques, or awards.  We've got so many now that they won't all fit on the top of the piano...or on the bookcase shelf. It's a happy problem to have - and I'm so proud of all three of my musicians.