Russian Spies and Conspiracy~ What Should We Believe?

It's so hard to wrap my head around all the covert operations that go on in this country. I imagine it's pretty hard for those in other Countries to figure out our (United States) intent on their society once we show up and refuse to leave.

The recent arrests of the Russian Spy Ring is mind blowing to me. I guess it shouldn't be. With one of the couples right here in Virginia, I have to wonder how I would feel if they were people I had contact with. How betrayed would you feel if these were your friends? What impact would it have on you if one of these spies regularly frequented your place of business? Do you think you would get that gut instinct about them? Would you only get it after they were arrested? Would you go back each encounter with them in your mind to see if there was something that should have tipped you off?

Rubicon is a new show airing this Sunday and it follows intelligence analyst Will Travers who cracks codes for a living. Will's life is turned upside down by recent events and sets him off on a mission of his own to get some answers. This series taps into our collective paranoia and I believe will not disappoint.



AMC’s newest original drama series “Rubicon” debuts on Sunday, August 1 with a special two-hour premiere from 8–10pm ET.

Check out the preview and then get the popcorn ready Sunday night for this edge-of-your-seat thriller.

SP

Who Wants Free Ice Cream?

I'm having a daily contest on Facebook this week. Each day, Monday - Friday I will post a random ice cream question on my wall between 7 - 8am (est). All you have to do is comment on that post (on Facebook) and at noon each day we will choose a random number and that commenter will win a coupon for a FREE box of Breyers Smooth and Dreamy Ice cream bars or sandwiches. Make sure your my friend on Facebook so you can play along. Winning free ice cream has never been this easy. The bars are my favorite and at 130 calories I don't feel guilty eating them. I can burn that off in 30 minutes with EA active.

Today's link is already up. It's like a lottery. No need to wait a month to find out if you win. You'll find out in a couple hours. Then you can come back tomorrow and try again.

What are you waiting for. Click here to play.

On Demand Saves the Day

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Charter. All opinions are 100% mine.

I'm not sure what I'd do without cable TV. There's always a TV on in our house. Whether the kids are actually watching something, forgot to turn it off, or it's just on in the background. I like my TV at night after everyone has gone to sleep. It helps me unwind and clear my head. I watch everything from Reality TV to Sci Fi thrillers. Different moods yield different shows. I rely on our DVR and On Demand to get the most out of my time (commercial free).

We use On Demand most Friday nights for our Family Movie nights. From New Releases to Classics, we can always find something the entire family will enjoy. Lately we've been watching all the Classics. The movies from way back that we get to share with our kids. It's like watching them for the first time all over again.

If you are a Charter member you can find out more about On Demand and add the service by going to the On Demand home page. It's definitely worth looking into. Movies and shows on your schedule for a lot less (or free) than the theater and most rental places.



If you are a Facebook user, You will ‘Like’ their Facebook page as well . Connecting with companies through social networking lets you get real time results. You can see if others are having the same concerns as well as learn what's making consumers Rave about their service.

I had an issue with a TV show that I had DVR'd a couple weeks back. When I went to watch the recorded episode the following day, I found that the audio was missing from more than half the show. You know when you get in that mode to relax and you know exactly what your in the mood to watch? Imagine realizing you could watch just fine...as long as you didn't want to HEAR the episode. Luckily, before I panicked and started throwing things, I checked On Demand. The episode was there, volume in tact. The night was saved.

What the Hell Wednesday

Another Wednesday. What the Hell? As a SAHM Wednesdays are pretty much like Mondays and Fridays, except I get to play along with the Blue Monkey Butt Sisters and talk about my weekly What the Hell moments. They even gave me a What the Hell? Gotta love 'em for making this so easy. Go check them out and play along.



For some reason the dog has chosen to sleep outside the last couple of nights. She's not really an outside dog. It used to be she would go out to "do her business" and come right back inside. I've noticed lately that when the kids start fighting, Ashley (the dog) goes right to the back door and begs to get outside where it's quiet. Sometimes I think it would be a good idea to join her but at night they are sleeping. Last night I even made a point to call for her, in case she felt like we were just forgetting about her. I'll admit I couldn't remember if she was in or out, but when she didn't come I assumed she was inside somewhere. This morning when I got up she was scratching to get in. What the Hell, dog? Is it really better outside?


Stacy (one of the infamous Blue Monkey Butt sisters) posted these shoes on Facebook.

I commented with "You crack me up with your shoes. Again, I would kill myself in these. You enjoy them:)" What I really meant to say was "What the Hell?" While I agree they are totally cute, who chooses to walk around in 4 1/2 inch heels? She's a total girly girl.

Speaking of Facebook. You know the status updates that your supposed to copy and paste, for at least one hour? What the Hell is that? What's the point of "at least one hour"? I found one yesterday that stayed up all day and it didn't even have the hour requirement...


Please copy and paste this to your status if you know someone, or have been affected by someone, who needs a smack upside the head. People who need a smack upside the head affect the lives of many. There is still no known cure for someone who deserves a smack upside the head, except a smack ......upside... the head, but we can raise awareness. Many won't copy and paste this. I did. Will you? :)

Isn't that great?

Actual conversation between Hubster and I Monday morning.

Me: Who's picking the kids up for VBS, you or your parents?

Him: What does it matter. It will be the same time regardless of who picks them up.

Me: Oh. Okay. What time will that be?

Him: I don't know. I'll have to ask my mom.

What the Hell? Am I the only one who thinks this is utterly ridiculous?

That's all for me. Head on over to Elle and Stacy's place and play along.

Buying Generic~ It's Cooler than it Used to Be

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

I remember years ago when my brother was trying to sell Amway. He gave me his pitch. I bought the "starter kit" to help him out and actually found that the items worked really well. I wasn't necessarily surprised, I didn't care. There was something about having all my household products carrying the same label that just didn't appeal to me. They've changed a lot...so have I.

I've never been the person who has to have all the name brand "stuff". I've had named-brand stuff, I just never had to have it. I buy store brand products all the time when grocery shopping. Occasionally I'll find something that just doesn't work or taste as well as other brands but it's very rare. I have no issue with all my pantry goods having the same "store" label. It actually makes me feel pretty smart and frugal.

Walletpop.com came up with a list of 10 Products to Always Buy Generic . It lists stuff like cereal, pantry staples, and baby formula. It's main reason for purchasing the store brand formula is that the Infant Formula Act insures that all formulas are certified by the FDA and are healthy and good for your baby. I'll admit I bought the most expensive for my first child. I wised up by the time the second came along. Talking with other parents and researching what I heard helped me disqualify the belief that spending more was getting a better product for my child.

How do you cut costs when shopping? Do you have to have specific name brands? How do you choose which brand to buy?

Eat So They Can ~ Fundraiser

I came across a new fundraiser from Global Volunteer Network Foundation. It's an easy and fun way to give back. The Eat So They Can campaign is slated for October 16th and 17th. Nationwide people will be hosting dinner parties for family and friends in the hopes of raising money for women and children in Africa, Asia and South America.

The funds will be split to help four different causes. You can decide where your funds go when you sign up to host a party.

Orphaned and Vulnerable Children

Funds raised for this cause will be used towards projects working with orphaned and vulnerable children around the world. By supporting this cause you will be giving children an opportunity to have a brighter future. Your funds will be used to support both immediate needs and sustainability projects at schools and orphanages.

Women's Empowerment

Funds raised for this cause will be used to assist projects around the world that are working to empower and enable women. By supporting this cause you will be giving women an opportunity to have a brighter future for themselves and their families.

Anti-Trafficking

Funds raised for this cause will be used towards our work to end child and women trafficking. By supporting this cause you will be helping to create a social movement as well as supporting specific projects around the world that are working in this area.

Emergency Relief

Funds raised for this cause will be used towards our emergency relief work around the world. By supporting this cause you will be providing emergency assistance to the victims of emergencies, such as food, supplies and tents. Your will also be providing long-tem support through rebuilding and micro-finance projects.


I've registered to support this fundraiser and think I will make it an hors d'oeuvres and wine tasting. Guests will be asked to bring a donation of any amount to be forwarded to the GVN Foundation. Fun and thoughtful. Won't you join me in this cause?

Are You Superstitious?

I'm not very superstitious.



As a kid I remember hours spent not stepping on cracks to avoid "breaking mama's back." I also carried around a rabbit's foot, but I think it was more because it was cool (dyed purple) than because I thought it was lucky. I had a boyfriend many years ago that had family in Croatia and he and his dad went to take money and other supplies during a full blown war. He had put a Cross on my rear-view mirror before he left. I'm not a religious person, but he was. I left it there until he returned home safely a month later. I wasn't messing with someone else's beliefs. That would just be WRONG.

As an adult I can't think of any superstitions that play a role in my life. No habits I do for luck or to prevent bad from happening. I imagine if I had always been unlucky that I may try to bring myself a little luck in anyway I could, or at least try and prevent the bad. As it is, I feel pretty lucky with all I have, and we all know it's a bad idea to mess with a good thing.


I had the opportunity to watch the preview episode for the new show Rubicon that starts on August 1. It's a thriller for anyone who loves action mystery films or shows. Based in New York, it follows an analyst who soon finds out that nothing is what is seems and his attempt to figure out what to do next. He is surrounded by quirky, superstitious co-workers of the highest intelligence who work to solve "codes" found in places you (at least I) would never expect to find them. They also have superstitions I've never even heard of. I didn't know to be afraid of a broom touching my foot (got you interested now, don't I). Are these shared only amongst the most intelligent of us?

I'm excited for this Rubicon to begin and will set my DVR to record it once it shows up on the guide. This is one you'll want to catch every episode of so as not to miss a single second of this fiction-thriller.




AMC’s newest original drama series “Rubicon” debuts on Sunday, August 1 with a special two-hour premiere from 8–10pm ET.

SP

Twitter Hop Thursday

Need more TWITTER Followers? Here's a quick and easy way to get some and find some new peeps to follow. Join in!



Welcome to Twitter Hop Thursday, hosted by Simply Stacie, The King’s Court IV, Little Yaya’s, and Review Retreat!

Would you like more Twitter followers and be introduced to more neat blogs and businesses out there? Come and join us!!

1. Add your Twitter to the MckLinky (you only have to add it to one and it will appear on all).

2. Click on the Twitter for the four hostesses and follow each of them on Twitter. We will follow you back.

3. Follow as many people on Twitter as you like, but make sure to leave comments with links so they’ll know where to follow you!

Spread the word and add this MckLinky to your blog! Write your own post or copy and paste this one. Below the MckLinky box, you’ll see “Want to be a part of this Blog Hop? Click here for instructions and code….” Have fun Twitter-Hopping along!

We have selected a Twitterer of the Week from last week’s entries and the lucky winner is Mommy Moment!! They will be in the #5 spot! We will choose next week’s winner from everyone who participated today.

Please only add your Twitter url. All other entries will be deleted. Thank you!!!

WTHW~ Coffee, EA Active and Promises...FAIL

Another Wednesday and What the Hell moments to share. If you have one (or a few) of your own, make sure to visit Elle and Stacy and link up. They love when people play along.

I have to have coffee n the morning. HAVE. TO. I wake up, make the coffee, let the dog out, fold a load of laundry, let the dog in, feed her and then pour a cup. It is most beneficial (to all) when all this happens and the first cup in consumed before anyone else gets up. Today I had to open a new canister of Folgers and when I pulled off the seal coffee went all over the counter and all over the clean dishes drying in the sink. What the Hell? Not a good start. When I finished my other tasks and finally got around to pouring a cup there were grounds all in it. Sometimes the filter gets knocked over by the water. Strike two. Is this really how today is going to go?

I'm tired of people making promises that they have no intention of keeping. It's old. Why am I the only one who realizes these promises will not be kept? What the Hell? Just stop making them.

I'm doing the 30 day challenge on EA Active Personal Trainer. Monday should have been day 5 (20 workouts in 30 days). I was really dreading the workout. Okay, maybe not dreading but I just didn't have any motivation to do more than the bare minimum that day...but I made myself. That's the kind of person I am. After 22 grueling minutes and a lot of sweat it was showing 4/20 workouts done...What the Hell...I had accidentally repeated the day 4 workout. Crap. I got my unmotivated butt up and did day 5. I will complete the challenge in 30 days.

Now go visit the Blue Monkey Butt Sistas and tell them I sent you.

Random Tuesday ~ Jellyfish, Personal Trainer and an Anniversary

Damn.

I can't get my days straight. I was just getting ready to do a What the Hell Wednesday post and then I remembered it was Tuesday. So in celebration of Tuesday, get you random on. Post bits and pieces and then go to The Un Mom, link up and make some friends.



Last week was a good week. My copy of EA Active Personal Trainer arrived. I'm hoping to open that box today. 9:30. that's when the kids have been told to be off the Wii. I also received a box of wine from Lost Vineyards of the World which you can read about here. We took a trip to the beach which proved to be more of a jellyfish expedition, but had fun nonetheless.

Does anyone know anyone who uses an electric cigarette? I'm curious to see one of these. I'm amazed with what technology experts spend their time on.

I'm not working all week. Maybe I'm fired. I've been told I'm not low man on the totem pole anymore so didn't have to work the Holiday but who knows. We'll see if I get scheduled next week.

I really want to find a pre-school for Puddin Pop for the Fall. Something a couple days a week to get her in the mind set of following directions and not distracting others. I have a couple places to check out this week. I'm wishy-washy on this one. Some days I think it's essential that she go. Some days I figure I could just work with her at home on numbers, letters and writing and she'll be fine. Handsome went to a religious preschool and while I would like her to have the same advantages I don't think I'm in a place where I can lie about my faith in an interview to get her in. Last time I just let Hubster do all the talking. They also didn't do much to impress me based on what they charged compared to what I witnessed. We'll see.

Tomorrow is our Anniversary. 11 years. Thursday will be 16 years since our first date. Just the numbers makes me feel old.

I'm outta random. Head on out and read some more.