tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81764337097638514282024-03-05T06:40:31.799-06:00Mom of 3 = CHAOSKimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-42240578068410507562015-09-15T21:25:00.000-05:002015-09-15T21:27:14.767-05:00Shock and Outrage...My Recent Experience with the Davenport Police DepartmentSeveral days ago my husband and I were sitting out on our back deck. He had just gotten off of work and we were just talking about our day. We live in an apartment and behind our building is our parking lot and a very steep road that leads up to more apartment buildings. There are many children, including my own three, that play and ride bikes in this area. As we are sitting there a car comes flying down the hill so fast that the car bottoms out and tears through the parking lot. As the car passes by I yelled out "Slow down!". That's it, two words. Apparently the man driving the car didn't take kindly to being told what to do because he put his car in reverse and slammed on his brakes and proceeded to yell and swear at me, telling me to "Mind my own f***ing business". My husband calmly said that it was our business because we live here and our kids play here. This guy proceeds to yell and cuss me out and then drives off. We then both go inside to mind our own business and relax. Approximately 15 minutes later we here yelling coming from the parking lot. My husband goes to our back door and see the guy plus two of his friends are now outside. My husband goes outside and tries to talk to the guy and diffuse the situation. This guy didn't want to talk and starts coming up our deck stairs all while taking his shirt off. At this point my husband starts backing up towards our patio door which was still open. My husband comes inside the apartment and shuts the door. He goes to grab his phone to call the police when he hears the patio door open and sees this guys to start to cross our threshold.<br />
<br />
At this point I should state that we are gun owners. We own three hand guns a .22, a .380 Beretta, a Taurus Judge which fires a .45 caliber bullet as well as a .410 shot gun shell. The Judge is no joke, and my husbands favorite and the closest to him at the time. My husband cocked the hammer and pointed the gun at the ground in front of the man who was entering our home. He informed him that if he took one more step he would defend our home and family with whatever means necessary. The guy stops and my husband proceeds to call 911 and during this call informs the 911 operator that he has a gun pointed at this man and that he will fire if the man comes farther into the home. The man threatens to kill my husband for calling the cops and then turns and runs down our steps gets in his car and takes off, we were only able to get a partial plate number but knew the guy lived up the street. This is where my shock and outrage comes into play. My husband tells someone that he is about to shoot an intruder and it takes the police 45 minutes to get there. And by police I mean ONE cop, ONE! Not the cavalry blazing in all lights and sirens and bullet proof vests like you see on TV or movies, one guy who looked like he was on the verge of retirement. My whole family could've been murdered and this guy would've been heading to another state by the time he showed up. Oh and he was thrilled to be there too. He took down our information and the details of what happened, got back in his car and drove up the street to see if he could find him, he couldn't. He then tells us that there is nothing more he can do, gives us a report number, says a detective will be in touch, and then he leaves. We were dumbfounded.<br />
<br />
A couple days later we are outside again and here comes the same guy driving through our parking lot again! This time we got his license plate number in full. My husband quickly calls the police and tells them that the guy is at his house and that we were able to get a plate number. They send a regular uniformed officer, a different one, who comes in and asks what's going on. We explain what happened previously and that we got his license plate number and that he is up at his house now. The cop says that there is really nothing he can do because he didn't originally respond to the first call. He said he would note the report. He then proceeds to chastise me for yelling at him in the first place saying that all this happened because of that. He said that in this day you can't do that because this is what happens.<br />
<br />
A few days later they finally send a CSI tech to dust our door for his fingerprints, after it happened almost a week ago. This guy is still driving around my neighborhood and the police have still done nothing. I have a huge respect for the police and what they do, but this has definitely tarnished that. I no longer feel safe in my home or in the fact that the police are there to protect us.Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-48884527189619973512015-07-08T23:26:00.002-05:002015-09-15T21:26:10.040-05:00Review: 180 Cosmetics Pure Swiss Hyaluronic Acid Serum + Vitamin C<a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=TOP347aba28e35dfea522ed1442f25cac5d" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png" style="display: none;" /></a><script charset="utf-8" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?rt=ss_ssw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fmc0998-20%2F8003%2F5d93453f-5b4f-4950-a03a-90a2ca8e65e4&Operation=GetScriptTemplate" type="text/javascript"> </script> <noscript><a HREF="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?rt=ss_ssw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fmc0998-20%2F8003%2F5d93453f-5b4f-4950-a03a-90a2ca8e65e4&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</A></noscript><br />
<br />
With my 37th birthday right around the corner, I have been looking for ways to keep wrinkles from creeping their way onto my face. There are an overwhelming amount of product available and all claim to be the next Fountain of Youth. I, up until recently, only use a light weight moisturizer with sunscreen as my beauty regime. As I will soon be 40-3, as my husband loves to point out, I decided I need to step up my game so that I don't start looking 40+3. This why I was excited to try <a href="http://180cosmetics.com/products/180-cosmetics-hyaluronic-acid-serum-vitamin-c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">180 Cosmetics Pure Swiss Hyaluronic Acid Serum + Vitamin C</a>.<br />
<br />
Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in almost every cell in our bodies but it's largest concentrations are found in our skin tissue. It provides continuous moisture to our skin. When we are young, our skin is smooth and elastic due to the large concentration of hyaluronic acid. As we get older, we start to produce less which means our skin loses moisture.<br />
<br />
I get dry skin on my face frequently so I was excited to try the serum to see if it helped. Following the products directions, I place 5 drops of the serum in the palm of my hand. I then applied small amounts of the serum to each area of my face, avoiding the eyes, and massaged it in circular motions. I then let it fully absorb and dry and then apply my moisturizer.<br />
<br />
At first I really didn't notice a change in my skin. A little after a week though I noticed that I hadn't seen any dry patches on my face like I used to get. I was ecstatic! Having dry skin and wearing foundation isn't a pretty combo, the dryness is extremely noticeable and often looks scaly. Another change I noticed was that my face felt softer to the touch, I assume this can be attributed to the extra moisture in my skin. One thing I was worried about was the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/180-Cosmetics-Swiss-Hyaluronic-Vitamin/dp/B008CEDY5O/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1436262202&sr=8-15&keywords=hyaluronic+acid" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">serum</a> causing my skin to break out. I have always had problems with acne and in the past some skin care products, for whatever reason, have caused my skin to freak out. This, thankfully,was not an issue. If anything I feel like my acne has gotten better. I will definitely continue using 180 Cosmetics Pure Swiss Hyaluronic Serum + Vitamin C. I loved the results I saw!
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">** I was provided the product for free for the purpose of my review. No compensation was offered. This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions ate my own and are completely unbiased.**</span><a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOM347aba28e35dfea522ed1442f25cac5d" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png" style="display: none;" /></a>Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-7563885167926874422015-06-14T21:31:00.000-05:002015-06-17T19:07:25.421-05:00Book Review: Cold Fear by Rick Mofina<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mc0998-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00ALI9TSK&asins=B00ALI9TSK&linkId=OTNJA7ZQHU4K6EVZ&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I love books that are full of twists and turns. Just when I think I have it all figured out, another bombshell gets dropped. <a href="http://amzn.to/1SdQcg1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cold Fear by Rick Mofina</a> is an edge of your seat page turner that will keep you guessing all the way to the end. In the recent months we have all seen how the media has fueled certain stories, which in turn has driven suspicion and created assumptions. In this case, fear and suspicion could have deadly consequences.<br />
<br />
Emily Baker has struggled desperately to hide her past, even from her husband Doug and her daughter Paige. As she begins to crack under the pressure, and it starts to tear apart her family, her therapist suggests she return to her childhood home to finally face her past and bury it. Emily and Doug decide to turn the trip into some much needed family bonding and heads to Glacier National Park with their daughter Paige and their puppy Kobee. They plan on camping in one of the most remote parts of the park, a region called The Devil's Grasp. <br />
<br />
Doug's patience begins to wear thin when Emily won't confide in him. This eventually leads to a screaming argument. Needing time to think and cool off Emily goes off into the park alone, leaving Doug and Paige behind at their campsite. Doug, trying to work off his anger, begins chopping wood. Paige having witnessed her parents blow out, is worried that her parents are getting a divorce and desperately tries to talk to her dad. Doug screams at her to go find her mother, not paying attention when the ax slips and he badly cuts his hand. In a fit of rage, Doug screams at Paige, with the ax in his hand and gushing blood, to leave him alone and begins to chase her off. Terrified Paige grabs Kobee, her puppy, and takes off into the forest. While walking through the forest, Paige loses Kobee. Frantically searching for him she suddenly realizes she has no idea where she is at, and it's getting dark.<br />
<br />
Doug, thinking Paige has finally gotten the point and went to find Emily, heads back to the campsite to take care of his hand. A couple of hours goes by when Doug sees Emily walking up to the campsite, alone. He asks where Paige is and then realizes Emily has no idea and that Paige never went to her. Panic sets in as the parents desperately start searching the quickly darkening woods for their missing daughter. With no sight of Paige or Kobee, Doug decides to hike out in the dark to find help.<br />
<br />
With Paige having been missing for almost 24 hours by the time Doug reaches help, the seriousness of the situation draws immediate media interest. There is immediate suspicion that Doug and Emily are somehow responsible, especially when the FBI agents assigned to the case see the wound on Doug's hand. As the investigation mounts it becomes worldwide news. Reporters are trying to come up with anything on Doug and Emily's lives that may answer what happened to Paige. As certain things are uncovered by the reporters, the FBI begins building their case. But are they right? Did Paige's parents have something to do with her disappearance? What are they hiding?<br />
<br />
Cold Fear will keep you guessing all the way to the end, I couldn't put it down. I would give it a 4 out of 5 stars.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">**This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own and completely unbiased.**</span><br />
<br />Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-15686011381745927312015-05-02T14:28:00.000-05:002015-06-14T21:32:36.663-05:00Product Review: Shielo Antioxidant Leave In Protectant<a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=TOP5b621c39aefa137df0ade4ce05616f50" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png" style="display: none;" /></a>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASpeZTOn0wZ40RqP5onifUTyql3mzjTCvALnWh-E0Q6MwNi33eeqq6VDjSGvDE_2ROZDgjLAyg9rYhEuzOgOWLv8jsSYPlNIG2Z7GEq1saPoM0RCRSGrxiVfnPkvBxGIWc6kb3XTvSTE/s640/blogger-image--1298933704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASpeZTOn0wZ40RqP5onifUTyql3mzjTCvALnWh-E0Q6MwNi33eeqq6VDjSGvDE_2ROZDgjLAyg9rYhEuzOgOWLv8jsSYPlNIG2Z7GEq1saPoM0RCRSGrxiVfnPkvBxGIWc6kb3XTvSTE/s320/blogger-image--1298933704.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I've been dying my hair since I was 14. In the last 22 years I have gone through the color spectrum and back again. That's a lot of chemicals on these locks! I've also spent a lot of money so it's important to me to pamper my hair, but I also want to pamper my pocket too!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I had the opportunity to review a product that helps do both! Anyone who colors their hair knows that UV light causes your color to fade. <a href="http://www.shielo.com/products/leave-in-hair-protector.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Shielo Antioxidant Leave In Protectant</a> not only provides UV protection, it helps fortify each strand of hair, protects hair from the damage of heat styling all while giving your hair some texture. Shielo's protective complex is a blend of pro-vitamins, proteins, and amino acids. Shielo uses all natural organic extracts and is paraben and formaldehyde free.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now that the weather is nice, I plan on being outside as much as possible. I will definitely be using Shielo Leave In Protectant to help keep my color looking fresh. check out the full line of the <a href="http://www.shielo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Shielo</a> hair are products, all of which are designed for color protection! While you're there be sure to check out their skincare line as well!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">**I was given this product for free for the purpose of my review. No compensation was offered. All opinions are my own and unbiased.**</span></div>
<a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOM5b621c39aefa137df0ade4ce05616f50" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png" style="display: none;" /></a>Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-73319889358544420462015-03-30T19:46:00.000-05:002015-06-14T21:33:21.988-05:00Movie Review: It FollowsFriday night Chris and I found ourselves childless. The kiddos were at Grandpa's house for a sleepover and our oldest was spending the night with her BFF. Whoop-whoop, date night!! Having just watched a trailer for It Follows the night before, we decided to go to the 10:25 showing. Chris and I both really liked it. It had a throw back to the 80's horror movie vibe which was enhanced by the music that was playing. The story line was unique as well and was left open to the possibility of a sequel. Check out the trailer below!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HkZYbOH0ujw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HkZYbOH0ujw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
It Follows stars Maika Monroe as Jay Height. After going on a couple of dates with a guy named Hugh, she decides to sleep with him, and he passes on something to her, and I'm not talking about an STD. What follows her after this encounter doesn't think, it doesn't feel, and it doesn't give up until you're dead.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="buzzoole code" src="https://buzzoole.com/track-img.php?code=ca6477b5af556001a06d78efc19cdb2e" />Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-44098460759449747982014-09-13T04:57:00.000-05:002015-06-14T21:46:15.255-05:00The LeftoversWhen I first saw the previews for HBO's new show The Leftovers, I was excited and intrigued. However after just watching the final episode of the season all I feel is stupid and pissed off. I don't get it, what the hell is it about? I'm a relatively smart person and so is my husband. We are huge movie and TV watchers and we really get into our shows. Neither one of can figure out what this show is about! That being said, I will still watch the next season just to see if it ever gets to the point.Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-7691061141631618672014-01-07T00:39:00.000-06:002015-06-14T21:34:10.607-05:00Book Review & Giveaway: Final Dawn: Season 1 by Mike Kraus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykvoYxm5n9oxY42ztA5a4v6ivNxVajCn-HSqQBbHgedOo78r5RaPXKnx2vB1XStRRjvyA4xOLvqQ3k-QsZ7rU0sQdXJ-skviGBh0ag5cTIhFMmLBlbRdW6KpJapPwm7wOKO85fTG2AH4/s1600/Final+Dawn+Season+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykvoYxm5n9oxY42ztA5a4v6ivNxVajCn-HSqQBbHgedOo78r5RaPXKnx2vB1XStRRjvyA4xOLvqQ3k-QsZ7rU0sQdXJ-skviGBh0ag5cTIhFMmLBlbRdW6KpJapPwm7wOKO85fTG2AH4/s320/Final+Dawn+Season+1.jpg" /></a></div>
I'm a huge fan of the post apocalyptic genre of books and movies. I actually stumbled across this series of books by accident while searching for something new to read on Amazon. For those that aren't familiar with this genre, there are a few different types: nuclear event, zombie, and global illness. <a href="http://finaldawnbook.com/final-dawn-series/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Final Dawn: Season 1 by Mike Kraus</a> deals with a world wide nuclear event... with a twist.<br />
<br />
Final Dawn is told from the point of view of four characters: Rachel, Leonard, Marcus, and Nancy. It follows them from the moment of the nuclear event through their struggle for survival and their fight to save humanity. I loved the development of the characters and how I felt like I knew them by the end of the series. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that certain parts of it, I felt, needed more explanation while others needed less. Overall it was a good read and action packed! It received 4 out 5 stars on Amazon and a 3.80 on Goodreads. Final Dawn was originally released as short episodes with 1-2 issues a month but you can now purchase it on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Final-Dawn-Season-Thrilling-Post-Apocalyptic-ebook/dp/B009WH8JBO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389072978&sr=8-1&keywords=final+dawn+season+1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> in seasons which contain all the episodes together which is how I recommend you get it as the episodic form just isn't enough!<br />
<br />
I liked the series so much that I'm giving away the first season to one of my readers! The winner will have a choice of either a Kindle or paperback version. Giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email announcing their win, if winner doesn't respond then Rafflecopter will then choose a new winner. All entries will be verified and any entry that does not comply with the entry task will be disqualified. Good luck and thanks for reading my review. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">**I was not compensated for this post.**</span> <br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/80295a4/" id="rc-80295a4" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-78057213891187462602013-06-19T00:39:00.000-05:002015-06-14T21:34:30.552-05:00Wordless Wednesday: Best Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwE1RYsvMjmc23ZwmH0ZzMVajrBDZ3kMoD24-lpZptcOcypJLU7y0bXMkAmU90_80oA9KnXmICFyAtuMZs18bBEGW1pICtIma0uO4coYvHYMEF15BTledSqGDT8hNQSjyMLg_7wrR0Ugs/s1600/2013-06-18+23.53.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwE1RYsvMjmc23ZwmH0ZzMVajrBDZ3kMoD24-lpZptcOcypJLU7y0bXMkAmU90_80oA9KnXmICFyAtuMZs18bBEGW1pICtIma0uO4coYvHYMEF15BTledSqGDT8hNQSjyMLg_7wrR0Ugs/s640/2013-06-18+23.53.08.jpg" /></a></div>
Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-71518926523858295342013-05-30T21:41:00.001-05:002015-06-14T21:35:08.942-05:00ADHD X 2I recently posted a guest post on ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) & ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). Upon posting the article I decided to share my own struggles with ADHD in my household. I have two children with moderate and severe ADHD. My oldest was diagnosed in Kindergarten and my youngest will be going through the evaluation in August but I already know what is going to be determined because I've already been through it.<br />
<br />
I knew when my daughter was 3 that there was something very off with her behavior. I know, every child goes through the "terrible twos" but this was different. From birth she was a very hyper stimulated child and had severe colic when she was an infant. The tantrums continued into toddler years and progressively got worse, horrific and constant. They often ended with both of us in tears and me feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. When she was 3 I reached out to the local Area Education Agency to have her evaluated and they deemed her "spirited" and handed me a book about time outs. Really?! You don't think I tried that? It wasn't until she was 5 and in Kindergarten causing major problems in the classroom that they were finally saying what I knew all along- she had ADHD and needed medication.<br />
<br />
A lot of people knock the ADHD diagnosis and parents who medicate. They're usually the people whose children don't have ADHD. They don't realize that it doesn't just affect the child who has it, but it affects the entire family, and it affects other people's children in the classroom. When a child with ADHD is present everything tends to be very chaotic and disruptive and usually the teacher has to spend a great deal of time trying to wrangle that one child under control every day, all day.<br />
<br />
Medicating my daughter was a tough decision but one I don't regret at all. She's now 13 and flourishing in school, she was on A/B honor roll the last two years! The medication works so well that I can tell within 5 minutes of being around her whether she has taken her pill or not. It's like night and day difference.<br />
<br />
My youngest's story is very similar but his is more severe than my daughter's was. We knew about the age of 18 months that there was a problem. We actually had him evaluated for Autism and other spectrum disorders because of his behavior. While we don't have a definite diagnosis yet, I know that it will be ADHD.<br />
<br />
Being a mom to two children with ADHD isn't easy and there are a lot of stigmas that you have to fight between the schools, other parents, and usually anyone with an opinion. The key to keeping your sanity and helping your child is finding a really good doctor and being open and honest with teachers and other parents. People seem to be less cruel and more understanding when you tell them what the issues are and that you want to be informed of any concerns immediately.Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-35287623415054405122013-05-24T22:56:00.000-05:002015-06-14T21:35:30.285-05:00Guest Post: The Difference between ADD and ADHD by Valerie JohnstonThe Difference between ADD and ADHD<br />
<br />
Years ago, attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were lumped together into one condition. More recently, society has begun to recognize clear distinctions between the conditions, and, in fact, there are scientific bases for the differences between ADD and ADHD in individuals’ minds. Both can be extremely challenging for both the individual struggling with it and caretakers, teachers, coworkers, and friends, but the conditions come with distinct implications that separate<br />
them from each other.<br />
<br />
What Is ADD?<br />
<br />
ADD used to be the term that was used to describe all individuals with inattentive behavior. Today, the term is more limited in its implications. Individuals with ADD struggle to pay attention to one thing for a long period of time. ADD can manifest itself in a number of forms, including fear, anxiety, procrastination, mental confusion, and the appearance of daydreaming. ADD occurs because of excessive levels of activity in certain parts of the brain. Individuals with this condition tend to focus on everything around them, making it very difficult for them to focus on one thing, specifically.<br />
<br />
What Is ADHD?<br />
<br />
ADHD involves a similar level of distraction, but the manifestation of this condition is slightly different in that the individual tends to be constantly on the move. Individuals with ADHD are more impulsive, tending to speak and act before they think. ADHD (like ADD) varies in the extent of its effects, but in general, people with ADHD tend to fidget and move constantly, in addition to talking excessively. In addition, because there is little self-talk, those with <a href="http://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/difference-between-add-and-adhd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ADHD</a> have difficulty regulating themselves and wind up acting inappropriately or out of turn.<br />
<br />
<br />
Scientific Basis for ADD and ADHD<br />
<br />
Rather than being a scientific way to describe a certain brand of “kids being kids,” ADD and ADHD actually develop from very real neurological conditions. To understand the science behind these conditions, it is first important to understand the role that each part of the brain plays. The parietal part of the brain is in charge of<br />
processing information collected by the senses. The frontal lobe of the brain, meanwhile helps to organize information that comes in. These are the areas that are affected in cases of ADD and ADHD. (Two other sections—the occipital and temporal parts—are unaffected by these conditions.)In cases of ADD, the parietal part of the brain is the only section of the brain that contains abnormal amounts of activity. That means that while the frontal lobe functions normally (thereby integrating information effectively), the individual struggles in processing information that comes into the brain. In other words, they are able to put information to use, but they have difficulty sorting and processing it. Those with ADHD tend to have abnormal activity in both the parietal and frontal areas of the brain. This results in issues with both information collection and integration of material into everyday activity. The deficiency of activity that exists in the frontal lobe is directly related to low levels of two important neurotransmitters—dopamine and norepinephrine. The deficiencies, combined with low levels of serotonin, result in problems with arousal, alertness, and impulsive behavior.<br />
<br />
<br />
Differences in Behavior<br />
<br />
Because the conditions are chemically different, they manifest in a variety of different ways. Still, there also appear to be some similarities in the ultimate appearance of these conditions. On a basic level, easy distraction is the main problem for those with ADD. For those with ADHD, hyperactivity and difficulty in processing information are both major issues. The two conditions appear to intersect when it comes to the appearance of restlessness, but this comes about as the result of very different reasons: For those with ADD,<br />
restlessness comes from anxiety, whereas those with ADHD are restless because of excessive motor activity.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Valerie Johnston is a health and fitness writer located in </span><span style="font-size: large;">East Texas. With ambitions of one day running a marathon, </span><span style="font-size: large;">writing for <a href="http://www.healthline.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Healthline.com</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> ensures she keeps up-to-date on </span><span style="font-size: large;">ll of the latest health and fitness news.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-43852992946123811362013-04-06T02:58:00.001-05:002015-06-14T21:35:52.887-05:00Book Review & Giveaway: Ghost Road Blues by Jonathan Maberry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AcwqsvJFDk8TAJzH4dlinQmTt4icEhzgV_owE0SuOuusazO7ZM1YLZkh8j9Mk0lDnGcwgVvWa1GZWzNhb_2LSwpoj0TpLWdS5awprwt4WBAg_Ql0M17OaKJFUXAp30iW1QWejdiuRhs/s1600/ghost+road+blues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AcwqsvJFDk8TAJzH4dlinQmTt4icEhzgV_owE0SuOuusazO7ZM1YLZkh8j9Mk0lDnGcwgVvWa1GZWzNhb_2LSwpoj0TpLWdS5awprwt4WBAg_Ql0M17OaKJFUXAp30iW1QWejdiuRhs/s320/ghost+road+blues.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I recently came across an author I really like, Jonathan Maberry. The first book I read was Patient Zero (review & giveaway coming soon) and I was hooked. I decided to read his Pine Deep trilogy. The first book, Ghost Road Blues, introduces you to Pine Deep, Pennsylvania, which is known as "The Spookiest Town in America." Pine Deep seems like a quaint , tourist town which thrives on the Halloween season, but it has a dark, evil history.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Jonathan Maberry uses a vibrant cast of characters and amazing description to draw you into the secrets of Pine Deep and it's residents. Action packed and just enough gore makes Ghost Road Blues a page turner that will be impossible to put down. Here's the excerpt from the back cover of the book:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Evil Doesn't Die</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pine Deep buried the horrors of its past a long time ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thirty years have passed since a serial killer sheared a bloody</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
swath through the quiet Pennsylvania village. Now residents</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and tourists enjoy the country's largest Halloween celebration</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in what is cheerfully called "The Spookiest Town in America".</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It Grows Stronger</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But a month before Halloween it begins again. Unspeakably desecrated</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bodies. Inexplicable insanity. And an ancient evil walking the streets,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
seeking to shred the very soul of this vulnerable community. Yes, the </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
people of Pine Deep have faced a killer before. But this time, evil has</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
many faces- and the lust and will to rule. This struggle will be epic.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And epic it was! This series kept me guessing all the way to the end. Ghost Road Blues definitely deserved to win the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel! See for yourself, enter below to win a copy of the book for yourself! Also watch for reviews and giveaways for the other two books in the Pine Deep series in the near future! Good luck to all and thanks for reading!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">**I was not compensated for this review and giveaway. All opinions are my own and completely unbiased.**</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="pgtContainpgt" id="pgt208504909pgt">
<a href="http://giveawaytools.com/giveaway.php?sk=208504909" rel="nofollow" target="_BLANK2">Entry</a><script src="http://giveawaytools.com/wid/embed.php?sk=208504909" type="text/javascript"></script><a href="http://giveawaytools.com/giveaway.php?sk=208504909" rel="nofollow" target="_BLANK2">-Form</a></div>
</div>
Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-81974976245868696572013-04-05T02:33:00.000-05:002015-06-14T21:36:22.254-05:00Left Behind...I was recently called in for a conference by my daughter's 1st grade teacher. Not having any problems brought to my attention prior to the conference, I went in expecting to hear good things. I was shocked and upset by what I was told.<br />
<br />
After saying hello to the teacher I sat down. Normally when I've met for conferences it was always one on one, parent and teacher only. I got a bad feeling when two other women walked into the room each carrying a pretty thick folder. The feeling got worse when the teacher began with "She's a joy to have in class, so sweet and friendly, but...". My heart sank, here it comes my first bad parent/teacher conference.<br />
<br />
The teacher started telling me that my daughter is really struggling with reading. She began showing me test scores and they were horrible, I couldn't believe it. The school year is almost over and this is the first I've heard about the fact that my child can hardly read, and has been working with three other teachers, 4 days out of the week for over two months! I was pissed and sad for my daughter at the same time because I had no idea. Needless to say with all the extra help at school she is still struggling.<br />
<br />
We've been doing a lot of extra reading at home since the conference and I just found out she can get free tutoring through the district so we are starting that next week. Also she is set to attend a 6 week intensive reading camp.
Until this we really had no reading routine at our house. I read to my kids a lot but not every day until now. Now my oldest reads for 30 minutes by herself and then my youngest daughter reads aloud to me for 30 minutes. If you are having reading troubles with your kids or just want to avoid problems here are some tips on how to get a routine going.
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Pick a Theme</u></b><br />
Getting the whole family involved is important. Having different age groups means different reading levels. Picking a theme makes it easier to be able to talk about what you are reading about.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Set a Time</u></b><br />
Set a time aside for the whole family to read together. This has been one of my favorite parts because it's great quality family time.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Create a Space For Reading</u></b><br />
There's nothing better than curling up with a good book, a blanket, and some cocoa. We've designated our bed as our reading area. This way there's room for everyone cuddle up and enjoy a story! The kids are comfy and so are hubby and I!<br />
<br />
<b><u>Have Fun</u></b><br />
Hubby and I often read out loud together. He does all the boy parts and I do all the girl parts. We get into it and create voices for the characters and this gets the kids attention too, they really get into the story.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Talk About the Story</u></b><br />
When you're finished reading, talk about it with your kids. This helps you gauge their comprehension of what was read.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Reward</u></b><br />
Reward your kids for reading! If they read a certain number of books in a month maybe give them a gift card to the bookstore or credit for their Nook/Kindle to get more books.<br />
<br />
Reading is so important! Encourage it, feed it, don't let your kid get left behind.<br />
<br />
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6695283.4402;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463973;pid=124837;usg=AFHzDLvaQQ9UzN65UP42EPZJhi9DemCxgQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.samsclub.com%252Fsams%252Ffairy-haven-and-the-quest-for-the-wand%252F172682.ip%253Fpid%253D_DoubleClick_Affiliates%2526ci_src%253D15781033%2526ci_sku%253D124837;pubid=631063;price=%2411.23;title=Fairy+Haven+and+the+Qu...;merc=Sam%27s+Club;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fs7d2.scene7.com%2Fis%2Fimage%2Fsamsclub%2Fs7product%2F0978142310100_A.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-80470076825943263532013-01-25T04:21:00.002-06:002015-06-14T21:37:10.833-05:00Got Acne?I have acne now at 34 worse than when I was a teen. When it's not broken out it's dry and flaky. I hate my skin!! I have tried numerous cleansers, toners, scrubs, and creams to combat my skin. I have also spent quite a bit of money on acne fighting weapons in a bottle, and sadly a lot of it was money wasted. I decided to do some research and found a lot of great tips on what to look for in products for acne prone skin!<br />
<br />
The key is to prevent a bacteria breeding ground without changing your skin's chemistry. Find a gentle cleanser and toner formulated for sensitive skin. Avoid alcohol-based astringent which is way to harsh for the skin and will only suck the natural moisture right out of your skin.<br />
<br />
Scrubbing away your acne is pointless! All scrubbing will do is irritate it, make the acne worse, and further dry out and damage your skin.<br />
<br />
Look for products that have salicylic acid and glycolic acid. In the evening use products with a gel form of benzoyl peroxide or retinol. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can help remove dead skin cells and kill bacteria. Sometimes these can be too harsh for some skin in which case products with tea tree oil may be better for you. Products containing vitamin A or glycolic acid are great for reducing pore size and bacteria and oil on the skin. After washing and toning use a lightweight or water-based moisturizer. There are many affordable products on the market that contain all of the above ingredients so you don't have to fork out a ton of money on stuff that probably won't work anymore!<br />
<br />
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6675098.12317;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463762;pid=FNTR652;usg=AFHzDLuCeDcSo-jLwkgxNkkgqT-VGaC_Ng;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.boncui.com%252Ffntr652.html;pubid=631063;price=%2418.75;title=Burts+Bees+Natural+Acne;merc=Boncui.com;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fsite.unbeatablesale.com%2Fimg303%2Ffntr652.gif;width=71;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-59884195898930783722012-08-03T15:50:00.000-05:002015-06-14T21:37:34.990-05:00My Buddy is Cancer Free!!So yesterday I found out that my BFF is cancer free! She's only 29, married, and has 3 kids and was facing the possibility that she had lymphoma. Her biopsy results came in yesterday and showed no signs of cancer thank God!!Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-66010336153033423742012-08-03T01:04:00.000-05:002015-06-14T21:37:54.165-05:00B2B Book Review & Giveaway: Head Trip by Jack Eadon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwgmejqr9cfp0leXL4S5Uzq99KCino9lCXfqFqCeyGtf7I3YgOHp7Vivr675NNpkZBUzjwVbna5cmrsBy5enr3wyhMx_RALnN1wfi1TZBjktTVaEIn0Y6W1pWydNYh7om1OBq3KFa80M/s1600/head+trip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwgmejqr9cfp0leXL4S5Uzq99KCino9lCXfqFqCeyGtf7I3YgOHp7Vivr675NNpkZBUzjwVbna5cmrsBy5enr3wyhMx_RALnN1wfi1TZBjktTVaEIn0Y6W1pWydNYh7om1OBq3KFa80M/s1600/head+trip.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Superfetation:</u> A second embryo becomes implanted in the uterus after one has already been implanted. Though common in animals, this is extremely rare in humans, about once in 40,000,000 births. Conceived at different times the babies are born on the same day just like twins, which is why they are also called Super Twins. There have only been 10 documented cases of superfetation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Conceived separately a month apart they were born as twins, one full term, the other premature. Most twins have a unique, special bond but this was not the case between Marcus and Roger Ramsay. Roger Ramsay's jealousy and hatred for his brother, Marcus, began in-utero and continued into adulthood. The boys spend their entire lives in constant competition with each other in every aspect of their lives. When one succeeded the other failed which only added fuel to the fire and eventually drives one of the boys to drastic measures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Head Trip by <a href="http://www.eadonbooks.com/headtrip.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jack Eadon</a> is the first book in a series covering the seven deadly sins and their effects on the lives of these "Super Twins". The series follows the main character, Marcus Ramsay, and his experiences with the deadly sins while on a journey to find the love of his life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I liked <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcPZEIxP2jo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Head Trip</a> even though I found it a little bizarre, but that's okay because I'm a little bizarre myself. I guess what I found a little off-putting was the author's focus on the main character's male genitalia. I definitely want to read the other books in the series because I'm curious to see where the story goes from here. If your curiosity was piqued here, then enter below for your chance to win your very own copy of Head Trip by Jack Eadon!
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/80295a3/" id="rc-80295a3" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">** I was provided a copy of the book for review as well as financial compensation however all opinions are my own and completely unbiased.**</span>Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-76551683329921653502012-07-27T17:52:00.000-05:002015-06-14T21:38:18.207-05:00B2B Book Review: Death's Crooked Shadow by Gordon N. McIntosh<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Murder, greed, and corruption. Those are just a few things you'll find in Death's Crooked Shadow by <a href="http://gordonmcintosh.com/GORDONMCINTOSH.com/TWO_THRILLERS.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gordon N. McIntosh</a>. An elaborate web of lies and deceit that will keep you guessing right up until the very end. This is an action packed thriller that is a must read! Here's the excerpt from the back cover:</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Real estate developer Doug Sutherland thinks it is just going to be </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>another sweltering summer day in Chicago. But when the foreman</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>restoring his late father's rundown office building discovers a skull and</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>human bones encased in a crumbling Greek column, Sutherland is suddenly</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>propelled into a cauldron of greed, sadism, and murder.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>The last thing Sutherland needs is bad publicity. When he learns the victim</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>is notorious alderman Danny Delaney, however, he realizes a fifteen-year-old</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>mystery is about to be solved- and that now, his deceased father is one of the </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>prime suspects. Then the murdered man's notebook and videotapes suddenly</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>surface, and Sutherland discovers that his father had more secrets than he ever</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>realized. As he is relentlessly harassed for what he might know- endangering both</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>his life and his business- Sutherland must convince everyone he knows nothing.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Unfortunately, no one believes him.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>As a desperate Sutherland collaborates with an ambitious reporter and his</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>calculating sister in a pursuit strewn with murder victims, he soon finds out</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>that trusting the wrong person can lead to dire consequences.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had a really hard time putting this down. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The thing I liked best about <a href="http://deathscrookedshadow.com/DEATHSCROOKEDSHADOW.com/Welcome.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Death's Crooked Shadow</a><i>, </i>is that it's believable. Anytime you combine power and greed bad things happen and rich people try to cover it up. Also, I liked that it kept me guessing, and just when I thought I had it figured out there was a new twist. I really liked the main character, Doug Sutherland, for some reason when I picture him I see George Clooney. That being said, I think this has the makings for a good movie too! I look forward to reading more from Gordon N. McIntosh in the future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vytDVmSMiw-q236jVl3dedXN9BwGGKEgcRgQOf800K-QOBL5AHB7WzuNwZUxusp9hvtv_BjpWSiK1eAyHOvSrNg4tDcrSrsHpodQ3TzgR9M2b3acvajgs0TUpAZFtZZ8sllkbm-_vnk/s1600/Death's+Crooked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vytDVmSMiw-q236jVl3dedXN9BwGGKEgcRgQOf800K-QOBL5AHB7WzuNwZUxusp9hvtv_BjpWSiK1eAyHOvSrNg4tDcrSrsHpodQ3TzgR9M2b3acvajgs0TUpAZFtZZ8sllkbm-_vnk/s1600/Death's+Crooked.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">** I was provided a copy of the book for review purposes as well as monetary compensation. All opinions are my own and completely unbiased.**</span></div>
Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-55109598365489132052012-07-18T10:26:00.002-05:002015-06-14T21:38:34.175-05:00Wordless Wednesday: My Dog Buster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwwhsGK3piCNkGDgqZnxxHoy4cUmqtK2zJW66C7Foq6kUhUgFM2fd-ixcUS51p65AgUgGWQ3i2SPMRTqrKNaY2Rw2sA2saUUeCRRNoA0RS5-IokN9EnanY8MpQxZA4cx6m3bCovK0c5k/s1600/S5030565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwwhsGK3piCNkGDgqZnxxHoy4cUmqtK2zJW66C7Foq6kUhUgFM2fd-ixcUS51p65AgUgGWQ3i2SPMRTqrKNaY2Rw2sA2saUUeCRRNoA0RS5-IokN9EnanY8MpQxZA4cx6m3bCovK0c5k/s400/S5030565.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-34184944823509290302012-07-12T00:51:00.000-05:002015-06-14T21:38:50.785-05:00B2B Book Review & Giveaway: The True Nature of Tarot: Your Path to Personal Empowerment by Diane Wing, M.A.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8I9pxnapYKAYF3mL4pMrgdNm8vyK5aYVsK-UXdDOTVLejye1lizJbXmeWTWfwboatmyM_XuXdzuNlAJvH_1Di88V1O7Rh6DLAyToPAayEd5bnIOQW8gx9xRqAomvH2L6SwTkbX_bkfU/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8I9pxnapYKAYF3mL4pMrgdNm8vyK5aYVsK-UXdDOTVLejye1lizJbXmeWTWfwboatmyM_XuXdzuNlAJvH_1Di88V1O7Rh6DLAyToPAayEd5bnIOQW8gx9xRqAomvH2L6SwTkbX_bkfU/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have always been fascinated with all things paranormal and occult. So when I was selected to review <i>The True Nature of Tarot: Your Path to Personal Empowerment </i>by Diane Wing, M.A., I was really excited. I've had readings done a few times and found it to be a very interesting experience, and I definitely wanted to learn more, especially how to do readings myself. I found this book to be perfect for a beginner such as myself. Here's the excerpt from the back cover:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The True Nature of Tarot dispels the myths and negative</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>connotations that surround the tarot by sharing the personal</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>experiences of the author, Diane Wing, a tarot reader with</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>25 years of experience. Tarot is discussed as a tool of </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>enlightenment and understanding. Diane Wing shares intuitive</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>techniques for reading that take you beyond the conventional</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>card meanings and deep into tarot as a tool to channel energy</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>and increase psychic sensitivity:</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Develop your own style of reading tarot, from choosing your</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">deck to pulling information from the cards.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Learn how a reading is experienced from the perspectives</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of both the reader and the inquirer.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Understand the variables that impact the accuracy of your </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">reading.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Discover ways to increase the amount of information pulled</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from the tarot.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Become expert at grounding and centering to maximize your</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">energetic stability on a daily basis.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Learn powerful spreads that give you ways to see interactions</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">between the cards.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Increase your awareness of the ethics of imparting information.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After reading the book I had the pleasure of doing a little Q&A with the author <a href="http://www.dianewing.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Diane Wing</a><i>.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><u>Q1:</u> How long have you been giving readings?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><u>Diane:</u> From a very early age, I was interested</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>in tarot, astrology, meditation, levitation, and all </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>things magical. My mom had reading parties with</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>tarot readers and astrologers since I was little. She </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>gave me my first tarot deck when I was 9 years old.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It always fascinated me that it was possible to derive </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>information from pictures on cards. The more I used</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>the cards, the more I wanted to learn about them. The</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>more I learn, the more I understand the depth of</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>meaning held within the cards and structure of the tarot,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>making it a lifelong study and practice. I've been reading</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>professionally since 1986.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><u>Q2:</u> What is your favorite spread?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><u>Diane:</u> I prefer the free-form spreads I discuss in the book.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>They allow me to follow the flow of energy for the inquirer and</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>see the best way around obstacles and internal blockages.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The number of cards I use depends on the complexity of</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>the question. For a specific problem the inquirer is facing, I</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>may use a 5-card spread with two on top, one in the middle, and </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>two on the bottom to give me the central issue and the variables</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>impacting it. Then we can pull more cards as needed for </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>clarification and deeper insight into the problem.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><u>Q3:</u> When it comes to giving a Tarot reading, are certain</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>people more sensitive or perceptive at reading the cards than</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>others?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><u>Diane:</u> To find out if this is the best method for you, come to the</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>cards knowing that you have intuitive ability and view them as a </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>tool to assist you in consistently opening to your gifts. Make sure </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>you select a deck that speaks to you. My first deck (the1JJ Swiss</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Tarot Deck) never really felt right to me, and for a long time I thought</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>it was my lack of ability. Once I found a deck that I connected with</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(Morgan Greer), the information poured forth. Tarot may not be the</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>right tool for certain people. Some prefer a pendulum, others prefer</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>to hold an object and get information that way (psychometry). There</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>are many tools of divination to choose from. Each person is unique in</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>their gifts. I teach an intuitive development course that helps students </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>understand the way information comes through for them and we strengthen</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>that ability during the class. Those interested can check out my events </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>page at: <a href="http://www.forestwitch.com/new/events.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.forestwitch.com/new/events.php</a> for dates and times of upcoming</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>teleclasses you can take from the convenience of your own home.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><u>Q4:</u> Are there things that one can do to increase their perceptiveness</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>and hone their skills?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><u>Diane:</u> The healthier you are physically, the more energy can come through</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>you so that you can be an open channel to information. Your environment </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>may also enhance or limit your perceptiveness. For some natural environments </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>are best; for others, they may be more open in urban settings. Test it for yourself</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>to see where you feel most open. In addition to choosing the right deck, studying</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>the cards, and practicing to see which spreads and methods work best for you,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>learn to trust yourself and the accuracy of what is coming through. Validate</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>the information whenever you can, so that you build confidence. There is a section</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>in The True Nature of Tarot that talks extensively about ways to increase your</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>ability and overcome blocks.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had purchased a deck of tarot cards a long time prior to this review, but I really didn't like the cards. I decided once I received <i>The True Nature of Tarot</i>, to go on Ebay and pick a new deck. Once I found a deck I liked, Deviant Moon Tarot by Patrick Valenza, I was really excited to start trying out the spreads discussed in the book. I definitely felt more connected to this deck than the other one, It was very strange and Kind of hard to explain. I did several readings for myself and for friends and family. My favorite spread from the book is a free form spread using one card for each letter in the person's first and middle names. I was able to pull some amazing information from the cards that not only blew me away but also my friends and family too! I learned a lot from this book and look forward to increasing the strength of my readings. You can <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_15?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+true+nature+of+tarot&sprefix=the+true+nature%2Cstripbooks%2C186" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">purchase</a> a copy from Amazon, however, I'm excited to announce that I have a copy of <i>The True Nature of Tarot</i> to give away to one of my wonderful readers! Just follow the instructions listed in the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Good luck to all and thanks for reading!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/80295a2/" id="rc-80295a2" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js">
</script><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">**I was provided a copy of the book for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and completely unbiased.**</span>Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-54221026097702227242012-06-09T22:24:00.000-05:002015-06-14T21:39:06.956-05:00B2B Book Review: Murder Under the Microscope by Jane Bennett MunroBlackmail, deception, stalking, and murder. This is what can be found amongst the page of this riveting debut murder mystery, Murder Under the Microscope by Jane Bennett Munro. Using her 33 years of expertise as a pathologist, Jane Bennett Munro spins a web of mystery in this fast paced medical murder mystery. Discovering the who and the why of this book will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat, I couldn't put it down! Here's the excerpt from the back cover:<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<em>Dr. Antoinette Day- a young, successful pathologist known to her</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>friends and colleagues as Toni- has no idea what awaits her when</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>Dr. Sally Shore arrives at Perrine Memorial Hospital in Twin Falls,</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>Idaho, to fill in for a colleague recovering from a heart attack. Toni's</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>life is about to become a living hell.</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<em>Dr. Shore is supposed to see patients, perform surgeries, and take turns</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>covering the emergency room until the regular surgeon recovers from his</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>quadruple bypass. But unfortunately, she uses her temporary opportunity to</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>discredit Toni and tarnish her reputation with her medical colleagues. When</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>the visiting surgeon is conveniently murdered- her lifeless body found in Toni's</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>office- Toni is the obvious suspect. But Toni is not going down without a fight.</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>Forced to solve the murder in order to save her future, Toni's life becomes</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>even more complicated when her ex-boyfriend starts stalking her and threatening</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>her husband.</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<em>In this riveting murder mystery, a stubborn pathologist must rely on more than</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>just her microscope as she delves into a complicated web of deception, soon</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>discovering that it is not just her freedom at stake- but her life.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Not only is the story line really good, but I also loved the characters too. Dr. Toni Day is spunky as my grandma used to say! I'd actually like to see her character again, maybe in a series. This book should definitely make it on your summer reading list! Murder Under the Microscope by Jane Bennett Munro can be purchased at both <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Murder-under-Microscope-Bennett-Munro/dp/1450298621/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339298465&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/murder-under-the-microscope?keyword=murder+under+the+microscope&store=allproducts&iehack=%E2%98%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> so head on over and grab your copy today!</div>
Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-71172866644454311862012-05-24T00:01:00.000-05:002015-06-14T21:39:22.823-05:00B2B Book Review & Giveaway: The Dawn of Saudi: In Search For Freedom by Homa PourasgariWhen I think of the word freedom, I think of things like the right to vote, the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, basically the right to say and do as I please within reason. <a href="http://thedawnofsaudi.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Dawn of Saudi</a> by Homa Pourasgari opened my eyes to a number of freedoms that as an American woman I sadly take for granted on a daily basis. I'm talking about such things as what clothes I wear, whom I choose to date or marry, where I go, or who I talk to along the way. The Dawn of Saudi is a contemporary romantic mystery, though fictitious this book gives a startling look into arranged marriages and life as a woman in the Arab culture. Here's the summary from the back cover:<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<em>'In a country where women have no rights, two women</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>fight for freedom. Sahar Al- Hijazi refuses to allow men</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>to decide her destiny. Her bet friend, Dawn Parnell, made</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>the mistake of changing her religion and marrying a Saudi.</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>He misled her into thinking he was a progressive thinker.</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>Trapped in Riyadh, these women desperately seek a way to</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>escape.</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<em>Based in Pasadena, California, Crawford Enterprises with</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>strong business ties to the Al- Hijazi family couldn't care less</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>about the plight of these women or any Saudi woman for that</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>matter. Their main goal is to accumulate wealth and increase</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>their earnings per share. Headed by Andrew and his son Jason</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>Crawford, the conglomerate is well recognized in the business</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>world but as Jason</em> <em>begins evaluating his life and pondering</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>the Saudi way of life, he starts questioning the betrayal of his</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>ethics for the sake of making a profit.</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<em>With mystery and romance lingering in the air, the lives of</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>Jason, Sahar, And Dawn intertwine, giving readers a glimpse</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>of life in the kingdom, from the crushing of the female spirit to</em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>the torture of foreigners from third world countries. Yet, world </em></div>
<div align="center">
<em>governments remain quiet in the name of oil, greed, and politics.</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This book was a definite page turner with the perfect combination of mystery and romance. There's even a shocking twist! Throughout the book you get a very real look into Arabic culture. Though beautiful in many ways, it is definitely pretty scary to me too. I loved how <a href="http://www.homapourasgari.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Homa Pourasgari</a> intertwined the need to bring awareness within the novel. I loved the book and think this would definitely be a great vacation read! While relaxing on the beach reading this, try to taike a moment to reflect on your freedom and be thankful for it. I'm pleased to announce that I have another copy of The Dawn of Saudi: In Search For Freedom to give away to one of my lucky readers! Follow the instructions below for your chance to win!</div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/" id="rc-80295a1">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">**All views expressed are 100% my own and unbiased. I was provided a book to read and keep for this review as well as financial compensation.**</span><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js">
</script>Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-59284164546866732622012-04-10T01:56:00.000-05:002015-06-14T21:39:40.708-05:00B2B Book Review & Giveaway: Remnant by Roland AllnachWhen I think of the word remnant I see a small piece of fabric left on a bolt. The word remnant has other meanings:<br />
<ol>
<li>A small remaining quantity of something.</li>
<li>A surviving trace or vestige.</li>
<li>A small surviving group of people.</li>
</ol>
Remnant by Roland Allnach is a collection of three novellas where each of the above meanings surfaces. Here's the excerpt from the back cover:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>When all that's left is broken which piece do you pick up</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>first?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>So the question stands, and seeks fulfillment-- a path reaching</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>from the shores of a doomed paradise, through an illusory reality,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and ending in a devastated future. REMNANT, a collection of three</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>novellas, is both the sum of theses tales and the element that binds </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>them together.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In the first story, "All the Fallen Angels", a man named Stohko is in desperate need of money so he agrees to a job that will take him back to the planet where he committed unspeakable war crimes. The planet Hermium may look like a beautiful paradise but nothing is what it seems. Going back means he will have to face the demons of his past and fight to hold on to the remnants of his sanity.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The second story, "Enemy, I Know You Not", is about a military training exercise that goes horribly wrong. Losing touch with reality the men are unable to tell what is real and what is part of the program. As the exercise seems to be unraveling, fear causes them to turn on one another and to come to the conclusion that one of them has been compromised by the enemy. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The last story, "Remnants", is about the aftermath of a plague that virtually wipes out humanity, only 1 in 50,000 survives. Alone, Peter is trying to come to grips with his new fate when he meets another survivor. While heading to an abandoned store to get supplies they encounter other survivors. In survival mode Peter is somewhat unable to adjust to the new group setting. It soon becomes apparent that this wasn't just a chance encounter. Soon he is forced to make a choice: Go south with the others or stay alone and fend for himself. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My favorite was "Remnants". I have always loved the end of the world/mankind type of stories. I really liked this book. I don't normally read short stories because they always leave me wanting more, I guess I just get attached to the characters or the story. having read this I will definitely broaden my horizons!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://rolandallnach.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roland Allnach</a> worked the night shift in a hospital for 20 years. He gets inspiration for his writing from literary classics, history, and mythology. One of his short stories was nominated for the Pushcart Prize and his stories have appeared in several publications.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One of you lucky readers is going to win your own copy of Remnant! Just follow the instructions below to be entered. Here are the rules:</div>
<ol>
<li>Open to US & Canada residents only.</li>
<li>Mandatory entry must be completed before extra entries will count.</li>
<li>Leave all user names pertaining to each task so that I can verify your entry.</li>
<li>Leave the correct number of comments for each task. If it says (+3 entries), leave three separate comments.</li>
<li>All comments must contain your email address so that you can be notified if you win.</li>
<li>Winner will be notified by email. Winner must respond within 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner will be selected.</li>
<li>Giveaway starts 4/10/12 and ends 4/22/12 at 11:59 PM CST</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Good luck to everyone!!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mandatory Entry: Follow me publicly on GFC (+3 entries)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Extra Entries:</div>
<ol>
<li>Follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/MRSMEIER5627" target="_blank">Twitter</a> (+2 entries)</li>
<li>Like my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mom-of-3-CHAOS/196459407100468" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> (+2 entries)</li>
<li>Give me +K on <a href="http://klout.com/#/MRSMEIER5627" target="_blank">Klout</a> (+2 entries per topic) Let me know in each comment which topic</li>
<li>Sign up for a FREE account at <a href="http://www.beesavy.com/CHAOS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beesavy.com</a> (+5 entries)</li>
<li>Friend me at <a href="http://www.nomorerack.com/?cr=3530501" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">nomorerack.com</a> (+5 entries) </li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">I
was provided a copy of the book to read as well as financial
compensation however the review is my opinion and completely unbiased.*</span>Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-76435974677277502802012-03-28T21:58:00.001-05:002015-06-14T21:39:58.561-05:00B2B Book Review & Giveaway: Battered Earth by D. Hilleren<a href="http://dhillerenauthor.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Battered Earth by D. Hilleren</a> is a political / environmental thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. It's full of intrigue, suspense, action, and even a little romance. Battered Earth will definitely get the wheels of conspiracy turning. It made me wonder how far will Big Oil and the powers that be in government go to keep making a profit. Would they play God in order to stay rich? From what I've seen, I think the answer is yes. Here's the excerpt from the back cover of this page turning novel:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>'In the new decade, the world gathers in Stockholm for a controversial</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>climate forum. The stakes are high, as violent and unpredictable storms</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>increasingly plague the earth and sea levels encroach on coastal shorelines.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Nicole Hunter, head of the richly endowed Everson Foundation, leads the</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>charge to invest in promising research that will hopefully impede environmental</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>devastation. But her contentious stance has been questioned by others, and now</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>her career and her life are both in jeopardy.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Meanwhile, unseen forces assemble to sabotage any breakthrough that</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>could challenge existing global energy markets. Oliver Odin, a mysterious</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>international agent, is sent by the Security Alliance to investigate ominous</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>threats intercepted by intelligence sources. The evidence leads him to the</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>beautiful, strong-willed Nicole and the brainy scientists attending the forum.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>But when scientists on the verge of a promising discovery are gunned down</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>at a reception held by a United States senator, it becomes apparent that</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>powerful forces will stop at nothing to prevent the world from being saved</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>As a few brave souls attempt to rescue the planet from environmental</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>calamity, they soon realize that their mission comes with a price- and some</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>will pay with their lives.'</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's scary to think that if things don't change soon, this could possibly be a reality. Oil has already started wars, heightened power and greed, and killed many. These companies claim that they give back to the environment but what they are giving is less than what they are taking, which in the long run will certainly doom our planet. This was a very thought provoking book- I loved it!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/batteredearth" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">D. Hilleren</a><i> </i>is a retired corporate executive from Nike who resides in Oregon. She now enjoys writing, painting, and taking care of her horses. I look forward to reading more from her! If what you read here sounds interesting to you, then be sure to enter the giveaway below to win a copy of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNtnDJKa4G8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Battered Earth</a><i> </i>for yourself!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Giveaway Rules:</div>
<ol>
<li>Open residents of the US & Canada.</li>
<li>Mandatory entry must be completed before extra entries will count.</li>
<li>Leave all user names pertaining to the task so that I can verify your entry.</li>
<li>Leave the correct number of comments for each task- if it says +3 entries then leave 3 separate comments.</li>
<li>All comments must contain your email address so that I can contact you if you win.</li>
<li>Winner must respond by email within 48 hours to claim prize.</li>
<li>Giveaway starts 3/29/12 at 12:00 A.M. CST. and ends 4/5/12 at 11:59 P.M. CST.</li>
</ol>
Good luck to all!<br />
Mandatory Entry: Follow me publicly on GFC. (+3 entries)<br />
Extra Entries:<br />
<ol>
<li>Follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/MRSMEIER5627" target="_blank">Twitter</a> (+2 entries)</li>
<li>Like my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mom-of-3-CHAOS/196459407100468" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> (+2 entries)</li>
<li>Give me +K on <a href="http://klout.com/#/MRSMEIER5627" target="_blank">Klout</a> in any topic (+2 for each topic)</li>
<li>Sign up for a FREE account at <a href="http://www.beesavy.com/CHAOS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BeeSavy.com</a> (+5 entries)</li>
<li>Friend me at <a href="http://www.nomorerack.com/?cr=3530501" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">nomorerack.com</a> (+5 entries)</li>
<li>Like the Battered Earth <a href="http://www.facebook.com/batteredearth?sk=wall" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> (+2 entries)</li>
</ol>
Thanks for reading!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">I was provided a copy of the book to read as well as financial compensation however the review is my opinion and completely unbiased.*</span>Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-5917210178069648192012-02-26T01:14:00.000-06:002015-06-14T21:40:47.402-05:00B2B Book Review & Giveaway: Super Born: Seduction of Being by Keith KornellSo I just finished <a href="http://thebib.org/trailer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Super Born</a> last night and let me tell you this is one sexy, awesome book! I absolutely LOVED it! I loved how the book was written too, it's written in the point of view of the two main characters kind of like a journal entry. This is from the back cover of the book:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<i>Batman wouldn't last a day in my world, thought the B.I.B, bitterly feeling</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the strain that newly manifested super powers had brought to the life of the </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>33 year old "normal" single mother. Gone was her known controllable </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>existence; quietly raising her daughter and making ends meet. Gone were the</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>simple days of drinking , dancing, and partying with her friends. Being "real"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and being a super hero made for a unique combination. Sometimes it was a real bitch.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Yet through the dangers and the challenges more doors opened than closed. Perhaps</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>there was a route to a new level of being, perhaps even a new level of romance. The</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>ponderous weight of questions and possibilities she bore in isolation.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Alone and feeling sorry for herself on her birthday, she walked into O'Malleys Bar</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>for a drink and started it all...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now this book was classified as young adult but in my opinion it shouldn't be read by anyone under 18 due to the graphic sexual content. I only say this because my 12 year old daughter often reads from this section of the bookstore (pending my approval of course) and without opening the book and scanning through it you wouldn't know. I also want to say that the content didn't bother me (I found it pretty darn sexy!) but if that isn't your cup of tea, consider this fair warning.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I really liked this book. I wish that it had gone into more detail on the Super Born's powers and how they began and how they felt about it. I think this would make a great series, I know it left me wanting more. This is <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4816965.Keith_Kornell" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Keith Kornell's</a> third novel and I hope it's not his last!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you like what you read here then be sure to enter the giveaway below to snag your own copy! Here are the rules:</div>
<ul>
<li>Open to US & Canada residents only.</li>
<li>Mandatory entry must be completed first before extra entries will count.</li>
<li>Leave all user names pertaining to the task so that I can verify your entry.</li>
<li>Leave the correct number of comments for each task. If it says +3 entries then leave 3 separate comments.</li>
<li>All comments must contain your email address so that I can let you know if you win.</li>
<li>Winner must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize or I will draw another winner. Winner will be selected by a random number generator and notified by email.Giveaway starts 2/26/12 and ends 3/4/12 at 11:59 CST.</li>
</ul>
Good luck to everyone!<br />
<br />
Mandatory Entry: Follow my blog publicly on GFC (+3 entries)<br />
<br />
Extra Entries:<br />
<ol>
<li>Follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/MRSMEIER5627" target="_blank">Twitter</a> (+2 entries)</li>
<li>Like my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mom-of-3-CHAOS/196459407100468" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> (+2 entries)</li>
<li>Tell me your favorite author and your favorite book by them (+2 entries)</li>
<li>Give me +K on <a href="http://klout.com/#/MRSMEIER5627" target="_blank">Klout</a> (1 entry per topic)- Let me know in your comment which topic.</li>
<li>Sign up for a FREE account at <a href="http://www.beesavy.com/CHAOS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beesavy.com</a> (+5 entries)</li>
<li>Friend me a <a href="http://www.nomorerack.com/?cr=3530501" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">nomorerack.com</a> (+5 entries) </li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">** I was provided a copy</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">the book as well as financial compensation for my review, however, all opinions are my own and completely unbiased.**</span>Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-44935000455448962152012-02-23T23:10:00.000-06:002015-06-14T21:41:48.805-05:00Easy to Apply... My Booty!I have always loved the look of the beautiful, long, full lashes of all the famous beauties like Kim Kardashian. I know that they're not real, but they just look so sexy. I was recently at a store called Ulta, which if you don't know is a huge makeup/beauty store and if you don't have one you are sadly missing out, anyhoo I came across Katy Perry's new false lash line. I examined the box and they looked simple enough and then I remembered watching the Jersey Shore (LOVE that show- it's so stupidly hilarious) and Snooki was able to get them on drunker than than a skunk so I decided my uncoordinated self could do it. When I got to the register to pay I noticed my cashier had some on so I asked her if it was easy to do and she was like "Oh yeah!". So tonight I decided to try them out. My booty it's easy!!! I followed the directions to the T and still managed to glue my eyeball, rip out some of my real lashes and irritate my eyelid skin trying over and over again to get them right. I finally gave up until tomorrow, they are so NOT easy! It would be nice if they came with an instructional video or a beauty expert to apply them for me.Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176433709763851428.post-47551367897260689032012-02-19T23:52:00.000-06:002015-06-14T21:42:54.236-05:00Confused & FrustratedFor as long as I can remember I've wanted to be a nurse. I started going to school to pursue a degree in Nursing. After completing all of the pre-requisetes for the Nursing program, I was placed on the waiting list which is as far as I got. I got bumped from the list not once, not twice, but three times because there were people waiting longer than me or that had better GPA's than me. Now I was an A/B student so my grades weren't bad. Each time I got bumped I had to take filler classes so that my student loans wouldn't go into repayment, by the third time I had run out of classes that related to my field of study or that interested me. I made the decision to drop out of the program because at the rate things were going I'd be 40 before I graduated with an RN degree.
I've thought a lot about what I wanted to do instead and finally decided to go into criminal forensics. Now I'm struggling with the fear of not being able to find a job once I graduate. I live in Iowa and I just don't see a future in it around here and at the moment I can't even consider relocating. So, now I'm back to square one and don't know what to do with myself. I'm scared of going to school and being stuck doing something I hate and I'm scared of picking a field that will get me nowhere because of the lack of jobs. It's so stinkin' frustrating I want to scream. I want to set a good example for my kids and graduate from college and I want to make my mom proud because I would be the first to graduate college in my family. The career counselors at the college are essentially worthless and couldn't help me and actually made me more confused and frustrated than before I talked to them. I'm a science minded person so I know I want to do something in that category but I just don't know what. If anyone has any suggestions I would LOVE to hear them!Kimberley Meierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07571324747163534369noreply@blogger.com1