Monday, January 30, 2017

Unashamed Book Review (BookLook Bloggers)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links



I read Unashamed by Christine Caine, in exchange for honest review from BookLook Bloggers. I wanted to read the book because I need to learn to let go of some things to move forward in life. Shame keeps us enslaved and with God, we can be set free.

One of the first things, which stood out was the author said shame causes us to throw out good gifts we are given. Shame also causes us to hide and build walls to separate us from others. Shame also keeps you from reaching your full potential. Shame also tells lies to your soul (powerful). Shame tells you that you are not worthy of God's love and grace.

Caine discussed her background growing up and how she was picked on and ridiculed for being Greek, for being a leader, and for being a female. I was picked on for being fat, for being book smart, for not hanging out with the blacks, and for being in AFJROTC in high school. Even as an adult, I got picked on in a college math class because I knew the answers--not because I am good in math--but because I studied to keep from failing, but yet by the end of week 5, I was one of three people, who was passing the class. Professor Tony told me he didnt' care what the other adult students said, if I knew the answer, speak up. He also told the class, if they needed help, contact the three passing students, but that was doing the days of free nights and weekends. No one called me until it was the day of the final and the calls was not free. Could not answer. oh well . lol.

The book came at the right moment. I have many issues to work on and work thru with God.

You can purchase the book in multiple formats: paperback, hardback, kindle, audio cd, and audible. Caine also has a study guide available too. The book is prime-eligible.

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Instanatural 100% Pure Moroccan Rose Water Review (Tomoson)









































I received Instanatural 100% Moroccan Rose Water in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. The water came with a squirt top. I wanted the water to help hydrate my face. The wearther in Houston has been hectic lately--between rain, cold, wind, and the normal heat, my skin took a hit. I wanted to try the rose water to help moisturize my face. I also used the rose water on my hands.

Rose Water has a lovely smell. The water helps tone and hydrate your face, hair, and body. You also can add a few drops of rose water to your diffuser for aroma therapy or pour some into the tub for a nice soak. (learned this from the website.).


You can purchase the rose water, using the link above.





Monday, January 23, 2017

Lightning Fast Spanish Book Review (Tomoson)

Disclaimer: This Post Contains Amazon Affiliate Links.








































I read Lightning Fast Spanish, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. I wanted the book to refresh my Spanish skills. I took Spanish in high school. My grades was wonderful--A in Spanish 1, B in Spanish 2, and C in Spanish III. I know some basics but need to refresh and relearn Spanish.

The book was easy to understand, even the exercises. For example, in the chapter on clothes, the author provides a list of clothing with English translations. The author said to practice teaching your kids clothing items by asking questions. Do you want los pantalones or la falda ? (pants or skirt)?

I like how the book wants to immerse Spanish into every day life versus trying to memorize flash cards or using a translator, like I did in high school. I got confused, in high school, on the different tenses; past, present, future and how to conjugate verbs into the different tenses.

You can purchase the book, using the link above in Kindle or Paperback format. . The book also has an audible companion, you can purchase. The book is prime-eligible.


Saturday, January 21, 2017

Eden: The Animals Parables Book Review (Litfuse)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.



Return to the story of Jesus and read it from a new perspective in Keith Korman's Eden: The Animals' Parable. In this beautifully inspired retelling of the Gospels, we see Jesus and his disciples in the Holy Land through the eyes of the animals-especially his intrepid and loyal dog, Eden. Simple, clear, and spiritually profound, Eden is for readers of all ages, this artful retelling is captivating, moving, and alive with the joy you felt the first time you opened the Bible.

Settle in for some winter reading and enter to win a copy of Keith's book and a Kindle Fire!





One grand prize winner will receive:


  • A copy of Eden
  • A Kindle Fire
Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on January 24. The winner will be announced January 25 on Keith's blog.





My Review


I read Eden: The Animals Parable, in exchange for honest review from Litfuse. The book was written by Keith Korman. The book was illustrated by Lisa Paris. The book is meant for more school age to older kids, not mine since the book has more words than pictures. The stories was easy to follow and very entertaining, especially the first story about Old Gray and the Roman legion soldiers.

You can buy the book using the link above. The book is prime-eligible. The book comes in Kindle and paperback form.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

My interesting day yesterday

Yesterday, what I thought would be a simple day, took a few interesting turns, so I decided to blog about it lol.

Brad had a pediatrician appointment yesterday. I wanted to check his height, weight, and check on labs from the last appointment. Since medical transportation is not always reliable, I always give the wrong time to make sure I am at the doctors on time. Brad's appointment was at 9, but we got there around 8 when the clinic was first opening.

Brad has a history with the clinic of disruptive behavior. Brad screams. Brad doesn't always cooperate right away when it comes to the weight scale, height thingamabob, and blood pressure. Usually when he has lab work, the clinic sends a request to Texas Childrens. The last visit in November, his old psych decided to attempt to do blood work on site. Needless to say eight people had to hold him down and he punched a hole in their wall.

When we walked in yesterday, Aaron (receptionist) and the security guard informed the medical staff of Brad's presence so Brad was able to see the nurse practitioner early and then the doctor. Brad is 5'8 and 158 lbs now. Everything is on track.

We left the clinic around 9. I called medical transportation for a ride home, but the driver did not answer. I walked to Wal-Greens to get Brad some snacks. Sometimes drivers take over an hour to pick clients back up. We left Wal-Greens around 930  and I called the driver again. No answer. Called medical transportation to see if I can get a back up driver, but the phone went dead. None of my power banks or cords was charging my phone fast enough.

When I got a decent charge, where I could make a phone call, the driver finally answered and said he was stuck in traffic and it would be another 30 or so minutes before he got to the clinic. I also checked my voicemail and found out Kalen had a few bouts of diarrhea at school. The nurse tried to reach me multiple times while I was attempting to charge the phone. Nothing I can do until I got back to my home side of town. I also had to get Brad back to school because he can not go anywhere near the autism trap, an intersection on Antoine and West Little York, which has a McDonalds, Lil Caesars, Burger King, and Subway. Taco Bell, Dominos, and Shipleys is within the vicinity too. Brad has had major meltdowns at this intersection and has bolted across both West Little York and Victory to get to the food.

I finally got home around 12 p.m. I handled some potty issues first, then hopped on public transportation with Brad to take him to school. I also had to drag along the stroller. I had a nice discussion with the bus driver. He said I needed a school card for Brad to get the discount. I been riding Metro for a few months and every other bus driver has taken my .60 cents for both Brad and Kalen every time we rode the bus lol.

The bus driver took my .60 cents for Brad and I tapped my card. Brad got dropped off at school, which is always an interesting experience. I got to go through metal detectors, go to attendance, and the special needs hallway to hunt down whatever teacher Brad is supposed to go to. Usually, it works to let Brad scream a little to alert a teacher to take him to the right class . Got out of the school, walked back to the bus stop, where the same driver, who dropped me off, picked me back up, and let me ride free since no one else was on the bus.

It takes a few minutes to get down the street back to the trap, where Kalen's school is also located. If Kalen was feeling better, I would walk home, and if not, collect him, and we will walk home. Kalen was still sick so I put him in the stroller and on we rolled. I stopped at the .99 cent store to get some batteries for my wireless and bluetooth mice, laundry detergent, and fabric softener. The store is in the trap as well. While walking from the school to the store, my mama called twice, but didn't answer when I called back. Another friend/acquaintance called and wanted to come over. I needed some adult convo so I gave him the address, gate code, and apt number. I did my shopping and started heading back home.

The walk home was tiring for a 10 minute walk. My shopping bag broke. My phone kept falling off the charger. Kalen drunk up my bottle of water. Road workers just poured wet cement and one of them helped lift the stroller to move around the wet cement.

I finally reached the gates of my complex about 1 pm. As soon as I was about to turn in, I saw Brad's aide get off the bus. I silently cussed to myself because this man was here too early. I have asked him before to please arrive as close to Brad's bus time as possible, but he does not listen. Brad's bus arrives at 220. JMM showed up at 1. Great, the introvert in me, was bummed. I have not been at home for most of the morning. I have not cleaned. I needed to start cooking dinner. I also have the friend coming over, who now has to run into the aide lol.

I walk in the complex and the friend calls. He is at the gate. Do you see the woman with baby in stroller and African-male aide?  (The aide is from Africa and grew up in France. For the purposes of this blog, the aide will be refered to as the African and friend as the American lol). yep. Great. I finish walking to my apartment, get inside, meet the friend, and the aide talks talking. Damn extroverts. The African started talking to the American for the whole two hours, the American was here. The African stayed almost three hours day (I been approved for two hours per day for both morning and afternoon. The afternoon aide wants the whole two hours for his self plus some. I have not requested any more hours because I do not see the point). I barely got a word in to my own friend. Those two discussed politics, race relations, and other stuff, which I automatically tuned out because my house was messy and I needed to clean the living room and kitchen. The introvert in me was happy I can clean in peace and can avoid a convo with the African. Did I mention he does not know how to stop talking lol? Damn extroverts

The American even pulled me to the side, after Brad got home,  and asked about how to get rid of the African so we could have a convo. I did not have an answer on how to send Brad's aide home early. I tried telling him Brad had therapy, but he still would not leave. Brad does start in-home therapy today, after he gets home from school. The high school is testing and the kids have half days for Wednesday and Thursday, off on Friday and Monday. The therapist will be here tomorrow about 10:40 a.m.

Today has been an interesting day. Take Brad to the doctor and Kalen gets sick. Invite a friend over and both he and the aide shows up at the same time. The aide talks up the friend,

The American did a good job with the kids because they turned up the active, especially Kalen, which made a few thoughts start to wonder. Bald head, chocolate male. Former Marine with a job, but he has a dog and my kids are scared of dogs. I am not a pet person either. but that's another story.

Has anyone else had one of these days?

Stacie


Saturday, January 7, 2017

Bedtime for Buzzy Book Review (Tomoson)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links




I read Bedtime for Buzzy, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. The book was written by T.J. Hackworth and illustrated by Sean Baptist. I received a hardback copy of the book.

The book is about a little boy, who does not want to go to bed. He wants to play with each of his toys such as the dinosaur and the explorer. Each of his toys comes to life to encourage Buzzy to go to bed. The book was a quick read with beautiful graphics, perfect for Kalen.

I also liked how the toys had their own adventures and still told Buzzy the importance of sleep and rest.

On another note, the only issue I had with the book was the binding, which came apart easily. Kalen loved the book and pointing out the pictures.

You can pre-order the book using the link above. The book comes in Kindle and Hardback format.

Thursday, January 5, 2017

#BlackDiamond Carpet Cleaner Review




















































I received Black Diamond Carpet Cleaner, in exchange for honest review. I wanted the cleaner to help clean my carpets. My kids are always spilling one thing or another on the floor and I want to keep the carpets as clean as possible, since I live in an apartment. I am glad I only have carpet in the bedroom and closet.

The cleaner was easy to use. You spray the cleaner on the stain, agitate gently, and blot up to remove. Some stains took a few tries, as seen in the photos of the stain above. I was able to remove a red juice stain and a few other stains with the cleaner.

You can purchase the cleaner, using the link above. The product is prime-eligible.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

#OfirBabies Hooded Baby Towel Review (Tomoson)

Disclaimer:This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.






































A photo posted by Stacie D Wyatt (@sdwyatt1980) on





I received Ofir Babies Hooded Baby Towel (Monkey) in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. The towel set also came with a burp cloth and a pacifier clip. I got the set for Kalen, who is becoming more independent. He is wanting to bath more and he loves hooded towels. Sometimes, he uses the towel to bath and sometimes, he walks around with it on, for no particular reason.



The towel is very soft and has not caused Kalen any irritations. I also love the monkey on top of the hood. The towel is made from 100% cotton

You can purchase the product using the link above. The hooded towel is prime-eligible.