5 Minutes for Mom - Summer Fun Photo Contest

I used this picture a few weeks back for a Wordless Wednesday post, but now I am going to use it for a summer fun photo contest over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

And since this isn't Wordless Wednesday I can explain this photo. While on vacation this summer we celebrated our neighbor's son's birthday with a silly string fight. For Sami, it was all fun and games until she got hit. And if you know my daughter Sam, that should not surprise you.

Wordless Wednesday: Like Father Like Daughter

What's on my nightstand?

As everyone knows, I am a bookworm. I love to read. I love bookstores. I love the library. I. Love. Books. So how excited was I when 5 Minutes for Mom started a sister site called 5 Minutes for Books?

This site has started a cool monthly carnival called "What's on my nightstand". Basically we share what we have sitting to read next, have started reading or just finished. Now for me this could be quite difficult, since I have over 300 (no joke) books sitting on my office shelves alone that I have not read yet. (I do have a plan for reading those. Maybe soon I will tell about that plan) So instead I will blog mostly about what I have checked out from the library, since right now those books are taking reading priority. And from time to time during the month I will post an update as to what I have read, my thoughts on the book and any new books that have been added.

So what books am I cuddling up with my table lamp at night to read? Such an interesting mix. I am in the chick lit mode, with a few suspense novels thrown into the mix.

1. A friend of the family by Lisa Jewell.
2. Hens dancing by Raffaella Barker.
3. Hold tight by Harlan Coben.
4. A Sister's Hope by Wanda Brunstetter
5. Blessings by Kim Vogel Sawyer
   
6. Just friends by Robyn Sisman.
7. One-hit wonder by Lisa Jewell.
8. Promise me by Harlan Coben.
9. A promising man (and about time, too) by Elizabeth Young.
10. Ralph's party by Lisa Jewell.
11. Roommates wanted by Lisa Jewell.
12. The summer of us by Holly Chamberlin.
13. Summertime by Raffaella Barker.
14. Turning 30 by Mike Gayle.
15. Twenty questions by Alison Clement.
16. Weekend in Paris by Robyn Sisman.
17. The woods by Harlan Coben.
18. Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest To Discover if Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, Or Why Pie is Not The Answer by Jen Lancaster
19. Comfort food by Kate Jacobs
    
20. Deep dish by Mary Kay Andrews.
    
    

Make sure you visit 5 minutes for books and check out what others are reading. Maybe you can get some good reading ideas. I know I am always looking for new books to read.

It's Party Time

I have bumped this up for the duration of the party. See all new posts below. Party on!!

It's blogging party time!! Come check out 5 Minutes For Mom and join in the party!

I am excited to find new blogs to read and have others read mine. After all, I know there are hundreds of blogging addicts like myself out there. I met some pretty cool people last year and I can't wait to meet more "bloggy friends".

Add your blog and join the party and along the way you may just win a prize. My top three prize picks I'd love to win are:

• Bead Tangle Photo Tile Necklace
• $50 GC to Paperlicious
• $25 GC to Amazon.com
  

There are also so many cool photos, GC to online stores, books, stationary and such that I would love to win. The prizes are so cool any of them would be awesome to win!

Make sure you check out some fun facts about me here! And spend some time looking around. I promise you will love what you see.

See you at the party!

50 Fun Facts About Alexis

Since I am hoping to have many people attend the "party" here I thought it would be fun to post some fun facts about your awesome host –– me!

So here we go. All about Alexis in 50 short blurbs...

1. I am a Christian.
2. I was born at 6:23 am on 6/23. (Funky huh?) I will be 33 years old this June.
   
3. I grew up in the same house all my life in good 'ole Canal Fulton, Ohio, until I went to college. My parents still live there.
   
4. I am a die-hard Ohio State Buckeye fan.
   
5. I graduated from Ohio State with a degree in Agricultural communications and a minor in agricultural business. And no that does not mean I am the "cow whisperer".
   
6. I have three amazing children here on earth –– Emily, 12, Christopher, 8, and Samantha, 4. I have one daughter, Allison, in heaven.
7. I met my husband in English class my freshman year of college yet he grew up his whole life in the same house 12 miles from mine.
   
8. I only can swim enough to save my life, and that is if there is a shore or edge nearby. Yet I love being in the water.
   
9. I loathe snow and any type of cold weather.
10. My favorite colors are blue, red and pink. I do not like orange or yellow.
    
11. I have moved three times and lived in three different states in the past 10 years –– Ohio, Illinois and now North Carolina.
    
12. My dream is to one day write a book.
13. I ran on the track team in junior high and high school. In fact I was athlete of the week in our local paper my Senior year.
    
14. I cannot drive a stick shift car even though we have owned one since October 2001.
15. I rode on an airplane for the first time when I was 17. I went to visit my Aunt, Uncle and cousins who lived in Venezuela.
    
16. My goal is to visit all 7 continents, except for Antarctica (that whole cold factor you know) before I die. So far I have been to North America, South America and Europe. I will visit Asia next month.
17. I have been to 31 of the 50 states. I would also like to visit all 50 states before I die. On my list yet is: Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Utah, N. Dakota, S. Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Wyoming, Mississippi, Conn., Rhode Island, Mass., Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire.
    
18. I am allergic to coconut.
    
19. My favorite non-alcoholic beverages are sweet tea and diet Dr. Pepper. My favorite alcoholic beverage is a cosmo, with flavored margaritas a close second.
    
20. I am a huge reader. My own personal library consists of over 800 fiction books alone.
    
21. I "collect" magazines and catalogs.
    
22. I like brussel sprouts.
    
23. I am terrified of heights, yet I tried parasailing last October.
24. I had a contraband hamster while living in the dorms in college named Mr. Boones.
    
25. I got my belly button pierced on the way to a Clay Aiken concert.
26. I love the beach. The feel of the sand between my toes. The smell of the salt in the air. The sound of the waves crashing into the shore. I could sit on the beach everyday and never get bored.
27. I type with two fingers and surprisingly am a pretty fast typer.
28. I do freelance writing and public relations consulting when I am not playing SAHM to my kids.
29. I secretly love my minivan. And it isn't just because of all the cool stow-and-go for my shopping bags.
    
30. I am a big red meat fan. And give it to me mooing please.
31. I own over $1,500 in scrapbooking supplies and materials, yet only have ever completed 8 pages.
    
32. I am a mac addict.
    
33. I presently own over 50 pairs of shoes, yet you will almost always find me in a pair of flop flops.
    
34. I am addicted to reality tv shows.
    
35. I am a type A personality and a control freak. I like to plan, plan plan.
    
36. I used to know every country in the world and its capital.
    
37. I just bought my first SLR camera (Nikon 40x) and have become addicted to taking pictures.
38. I prefer white chocolate over any other chocolate.
    
39. I do not eat non-land bearing animals. And yes this includes shrimp, crab and any other creature that lives in the sea.
40. I love burning candles. My current favorite is Yankee Candle's Vanilla Lime.
    
41. I pass out with needles. Shots, giving blood, IVs. I hate hate hate needles.
    
42. I loathe any type of reptile or rodent.
    
43. We have a dog named Kylee that we got when I was pregnant with Emily. She will be 13 in July.
44. I am big on textures and foods. There are so many foods I won't eat because of the way it feels in my mouth. Sadly my son inherited this trait.
    
45. One day I will own a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes.
    
46. I don't like milk. I do not drink it and I do not use it for cereal. I never have. Don't worry I eat lots of other dairy and take calcium vitamins.
47. I love listening to music. Country, Christian, pop, rock... I think music can say so much if you just stop and listen to the words.
48. For the first time in my life I have a hairstyle that I love.
    
49. I got my tonsils out when I was 15. The hospital was so full they gave me a 16 year old male roommate. He was an even bigger baby than I was.
    
50. I love blogs and have over 100 on my Google reader. I cannot wait to add more during this "party".

Get Ready To Party

Looking for a really cool place to party? Then you don't want to miss 5 Minutes for Mom's Ultimate Blog Party, March 7th through March 14 th. This will be a great way to increase your blog traffic, find new blogs to read, win some great prizes and "meet" fellow bloggers. Last year's party had almost 1000 participants!

And who knows, maybe I will throw a prize in the mix too.

So get out your party clothes and make sure you plan on attending the Ultimate Blog Party on March 7th through March 14th. Hope to "see" you there!

Mother's Day Giveaway

5 Minutes For Mom is doing it again. More contests!!! This time they are giving away some awesome gifts for Mother's Day –– including an ipod nano!!

Just click the button in this post and it will take you to the site. Leave a comment on the posts you would like to win and then sit back and cross your fingers that your name is pulled.

And while there have a look around. I am betting you will love it just as much as I do.

Thank You 5 Minutes For Mom

I discovered the most amazing blog site back in February –– 5 Minutes For Mom. This is one of the best sites for women about parenting, blogging, shopping , entertainment and life in general. You may remember my introduction of 5 Minutes For Mom back in March when I participated in Blog Party week. If you have not visited this site, please take the time to do so. You will be just as hooked as I am.

I am honored that this awesome site chose my entry on Allison's birthday to feature today. Thank you so much Janice and Susan. Thank you so much to those have read and to those who have left such kind words. For those who are walking in the same shoes as me, first let me say how sorry I am for your loss. Second, drop me a line. I would love to hear about your beautiful child.

Allison may have only lived on this earth for 101 days, but she will forever touch lives of those who live on this earth.

I Would Love To Win This One

Jamie bought the grandparents some really cool digital photo frames for Christmas. I had never heard of them before, but after looking at some myself I really would like one. (or two or three) The problem is that I can't justify spending the money on one.

So now here is my chance!! 5 Minutes For Mom is giving away a free digital photo frame –– that's a $250 value!!! Pick me, pick me! Please pick me!!

It's Party Time

I have bumped this up for the duration of the party. See all new posts below. Party on!!

It's blogging party time!! Come check out 5 minutes for mom and join in the party! Add your blog and join the party and along the way you may just win a prize. I am excited to find new blogs to read and have others read mine. After all, I know there are hundreds of blogging addicts like myself out there.

See you at the party!

You Are Invited!

5 Minutes for Mom is will be hosting an Ultimate Blog Party, March 2nd through March 9th. This will be a great way to increase your blog traffic, win some great prizes and "meet" fellow bloggers.

And who knows, maybe I will throw a prize in the mix too.

So get out your party clothes and make sure you plan on attending the Ultimate Blog Party on March 2nd through March 9th.