My 2019 Holiday Gift Guide, and A Little About Me!

I wanted this year's Holiday Gift Guide to be special, and different. As I haven't done one in the past two years and I feel that I've learned a lot since then. This time last year, my family and I were on vacation in southern California with my parents and other family. Now, this year, my children and I, find ourselves living with my parents. We moved to California this year in June, and we are hoping to move out in July next year. Being here is tough. As my parents don't like it when my girls scream or raise their voices or get upset. I hide in the bedroom most of the time because the house isn't mine.

My goal is to move to another state and rent a house for a short time, maybe 6 months, so we will unpack some things, but not everything. Then, I'd like to BUY a house of my own, of our own. I want to live some place where my children and I can put down roots and be comfortable in our own home, their school, with our neighbors and with their classmates. But most of all, I want a house that is OURS where we can leave our shoes where ever we want to for the most part, within reason, and no one can say anything about it! So if I walk in the door and leave my shoes by the door, so be it! It's MY front door and I will leave my shoes where I want them! Well, let's pray that our do Lucy doesn't decide to start chewing them up, then, maybe we might have to rethink this option. But Lucy normally isn't out in the house at night where she can tear into things! So this should work, and we are hoping to find some place where we can feel comfortable and spread our wings. So maybe Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Idaho, Montana, Virginia, maybe Pennsylvania? I have no idea, but some place out that way! As I can't afford to live in California at all. Even with a full time job and child support, we'd never pay anything off and I'd always be living paycheck to paycheck. Plus, child support runs out in 11 years, then what? I'd have to find a room to rent, and pray they'll let me bring my cat! Yes, a CAT!!! I haven't had a cat since I was 24, maybe 25 years old! I want a cat darn it!

My Holiday Gift Guide will feature gifts for the family, family games, books to ready as a family, some other items too, but I'm trying to stay away from toys if I can. I want more items that bring families closer together!

So if you'd like your product(s) to be featured in my Holiday Gift Guide, please check the "2019 Holiday Gift Guide Information" Page above! Or if you know someone, please send them this page link! Thank you!

"How Winston Delivered Christmas" Book Review & #Giveaway! (U.S./CAN) Ends 11/10 #HolidayGiftGuide #ChristmasGiftGuide

How Winston Delivered Christmas is an adorable interactive children's book for young readers throughout the holiday season: How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T. Smith (Silver Dolphin Books; ISBN: 978-1684129836; Hardcover $17.99; Ages 6-8; 176 pages).

About the book:
When a mouse named Winston finds a lost letter addressed to Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, he sets off an unforgettable journey to personally deliver the letter to Santa! How Winston Delivered Christmas is a heart-warming story, organized in twenty-four and a half chapters, to share during the countdown to Christmas. Starting on December 1st, children can read a chapter a day, and each chapter is followed with a fun and festive holiday activity to complete. This illustrated advent story tells of the adventures of an adorable mouse and how a good deed can lead to a very happy ending, in a beautiful hardcover that can be treasured year after year.

Each chapter includes it's very own festive activity for all the family to enjoy together – including writing a letter to Father Christmas, making mince pies, designing your very own Christmas cards, making presents, creating decorations, and so much more!

The flapped paperback version of the book, features a festively foiled cover and artwork on beautiful paper, making it the perfect Christmas gift.

Order your copy today on Amazon for $13.19, or check if it's available for purchase at your local book retailer!

My Review:
"How Winston Delivered Christmas" is a cute story book with 25 days worth of stories. This book is meant to be read starting December 1st, and finishing the last chapter on Christmas Day, December 25th. I didn't read past the first chapter because I want to share this book with my children starting December 1st! It would be a great tradition to add to the few we already have created around the holidays. Everyday after you read the chapter, there is something suggested like making ornaments, baking cookies, making a paper chain, paper snowflakes, and more! There's even lyrics to some famous Christmas Carols on the back pages! You and your children or grandchildren will love sharing this book together this December, and every December for years to come! The book also includes a ribbon/bookmark!

GIVEAWAY!

Enter below using the Giveaway Tools form for a chance to Win your own copy of "How Winston Delivered Christmas" Children's Book! Giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents, 18 year or older. Giveaway ends 11/10/2019.

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Disclosure: I received a copy of ""How Winston Delivered Christmas" Children's Book from Silver Dolphin books in exchange for my review and giveaway post. No other compensation was exchange or received.

The End

SMILE! SOX (Buy 1 Get 1 Free and FREE Shipping SALE!) Review!

I received a three pack of Smile! Sox, Halloween socks that I'm sharing with my two girls to wear to school on Halloween! They actually get to wear their Halloween costumes to school on Halloween, which when we lived in Tennessee, they were never allowed to do!

Smile! Sox are super cute and super soft! The Halloween Sox aren't available for purchase anymore. But you can Buy One Get One FREE plus FREE Shipping, then save the link to the Smile! Sox website, maybe they'll soon have some Thanksgiving and Christmas Socks available to purchase!

Helping Kids Wear A Smile Every Day
Taking the phrase “Nothing You Wear Is More Important Than Your SMILE!” to boldly expressive new heights, SMILE! SOX™ was introduced last month to help everyone from little kids to young tweens and women share their innermost feelings in the most creative, colorful, and eye-catching manner possible.

SMILE! SOX™ collection consists of six different sets of six socks featuring expressions running the emotional gamut from joy to grumpy to playful. Six-pair sets of Kids Small and Medium-sized SMILE! SOX™ are only $18.99 and six-pair sets of Tweens & Women’s sizes are $21.99. In addition, consumers who purchase five sets or more get 15% OFF plus free shipping, and free shipping is also offered on purchases of $25 or more. SMILE! SOX™ are sold on the www.smilesox.com site.

Meet The SMILE! SOX™ Family
Born to help young people express whatever mood they might be in at any given time, the SMILE! SOX™ family is comprised of six adorably colorful characters:

CHARACTERS LISTED BELOW ARE SHOWN HERE L-R:

SMILEY!        Feelin’ happy! Let’s get the day started and have some fun!

JOLLY!           Full of happiness and delight! Come on, let’s go play!

WINKY!         Feelin’ mischievous? Or playful? Let’s stir the pot a little!

GRUMPY!      Grrr! Not feeling it today – goin’ back to bed!

GOOFY!         Seriously? Let’s do something silly today! Who’s with me?

 HAPPY!         Content as can be. Feelin’ good and full of positive energy.

About SMILE! SOX™
Based in Southern California, SMILE! SOX™ is independently owned and part of the Keepers International family. Founded in 1954, Keepers is a pioneering wholesale distributor of premium-quality, high-fashion socks that began by serving independent apparel and shoe stores along with larger regional department and sporting goods stores located on the West Coast. Today Keepers’ socks are sold in Dress, Casual, and Sport styles for men, women and kids at stores all around the world.

Purchase your SMILE! Sox today for Buy 1 Get 1 Free and FREE Shipping! Use Promo Code: BOGO (at checkout)! I am not sure when this deal ends, but Buy 1 get 1 Free deals and FREE Shipping, are always awesome deals! These make GREAT Christmas Presents and Stocking Stuffers! Cut the socks apart and have 6-12 Stocking Stuffers or for a White Elephant gift!

Connect with SMILE! SOX on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!


Disclosure: I received a 3-pack of smile sox, scary sox in exchange for my post. No other compensation was exchanged or received.

Christmas Jars - Movie, In Theaters On November 4th, Only! (Movie Review & #Giveaway!) #ChristmasJarsL3

About the Movie:
Based on the beloved novel by Jason F. Wright, CHRISTMAS JARS shares the story of Hope Jensen, a reporter who uncovers the remarkable secret behind a holiday phenomenon: money-filled glass jars anonymously given to people in need. The New York Times bestseller has created a new holiday tradition that has changed the lives of people in their time of need, all over the country. CHRISTMAS JARS is a one-night movie event that provides hope to all as we enter this special season. In theaters Monday, November 4 only, CHRISTMAS JARS is a heartfelt reminder that kindness truly is contagious.

In theaters on Monday, Nov. 4, ONE NIGHT ONLY.

GET TICKETS

A few years ago in December, a friend of mine posted online about how she missed having a Christmas Tree and money to purchase presents for herself and her children one year. My children and I happened to have a small, about 2-3 foot artificial tree in the upstairs closet in our house. I don't remember how it got there. I just knew that we didn't need it. I almost always have extra items and gift laying around the house that we hardly use because of being a blogger/reviewer. So we usually give them to friends and family close to us.

So I went around the house gathering items for my friend, her daughter, and for her son. I put them into Christmas gift bags with tissue paper, but with no names on the bags. As I figured once they peaked inside, they would know who they were for! Then my girls and I put those items into my truck and went to a local store where we purchase blue Christmas tree ornaments, and some others, to put on the tree along with a star and a few boxes of lights. I waited until that afternoon when I knew that she wouldn't be home, and my children and I went and left all of these items on their front porch, along with the tree!

Later that afternoon, she posted on her facebook page about coming home to the tree, ornaments and presents and how grateful her and her family were to have people around them that did this for them! I told my children and we all felt like Santa's Elves that afternoon when we left those gifts on their doorstep that year. The Christmas Jars movie reminded me of all of the things that I have done to help others around the holidays. It really is a GOOD movie!

My Review:
"Christmas Jars" is a beautiful, heart-warming story about a girl, her mother, and the people who began the first Christmas Jar! I don't want to give the story away, other than to say that this is a great movie to share with the whole family, young and old. Yes, there's a little romance in it, but only one kiss, at the end! If you love stories about giving, generosity, miracles, and kindness, then go see the "Christmas Jars" on November 4th in a theater near you! You'll thank me! It's really worth going to the theater to watch! It's way better than any Hallmark or Lifetime movie I've seen!

You can also download a Discussion Guide if you plan to see this movie with friends, family, or your church group!

Enter below for a chance to Win your own copy of the "Christmas Jars" movie on DVD below using the Giveaways Tools form! Giveaway ends on 11/3/2019!

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Thursday 10/24, Low Entry #Giveaways!

Beauty Products (some samples some full sized) - Worldwide - Glamor & Gloss


Over 250 Entries:
$150 credit to spend at EvgieNev Wall Decals (@8:59pm PST) - Worldwide - My Unentitled Life *GT

Wednesday 10/23, Low Entry #Giveaways!

"Almost Home: Poems," by Madisen Kuhn - book - All 50 U.S. States - Books I Think You Should Read *GL

"Big Sky" by Kate Atkinson - book - All 50 U.S. States - One Thrifty Reader


Over 250 Entries:
Princess Emmy on DVD - U.S./CAN - Just Us Girls *RC

“Let’s Celebrate 5 Days of Diwali” Picture Book - U.S. - Bicultural Mama *RC

Tuesday 10/22, Low Entry #Giveaways!

“Let’s Celebrate 5 Days of Diwali” Multicultural Picture Book - All 50 U.S. States - Bicultural Mama *RC

"Law and Addiction," by Mike Papantonio - book - All 50 U.S. States - Books I Think You Should Read *GL

"Blood Creek" by Kimberly Collins - book - U.S. - The World of My Imagination *RC


Over 250 Entries:
Princess Emmy on DVD - U.S. - Coupon Savvy Sarah *RC

Sunday 10/20, Low Entry #Giveaways!

"Mistaken Reality" by Traci Hunter Abramson - book - U.S. - Life is What it's Called *RC

Crawl - movie on Blu-ray Prize Kit - U.S. - The Social Gurl *RC

Four tickets to either of the following Sesame Street Live! performance, Either Tuesday, November 5 at 2pm  – Toyota Arena, OR Friday, November 8 at 6pm – Long Beach Terrace Theater - Southern California - Lim by Lim *GT


Over 250 Entries:
Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting DVD (3 Winners) (@8:59 pm) - U.S. - Susan Heim on Parenting *GT