I Should Be Folding Laundry

Febreze Candle Giveaway!

I was recently given the opportunity to try out the new Febreze candles.  Here's the scoop on these candles:

"Febreze Candles have an advanced core that can eliminate odors while freshening the air with a clean scent. Five of your favorite Febreze fragrances are available, including Apple Spice & Delight™."

I like to relate this product to one particular time, ages ago, when I wanted to cover up the smell of cigarette smoke, so I sprayed my favorite body spray, at the time, Freesia, all over the room to try to mask the ciggy smell.  That left me with freesia flavored cigarettes, and every time I sprayed Freesia, it reminded me of cigarettes and I still, to this day, can not stand that smell.  All thanks to that experience.

Febreze says these candles will get rid of that not so lovely smell and provide you with a pleasant scent and I have to tell you, it's true.  Very true. (without going into details, I can tell you...it's true.)   I'm also impressed with the burn time, last week I burned this candle for eleven hours and there's still plenty of candle left.  And I look forward to burning it, to be honest with you.

GOOD NEWS FOR YOU!  I'm giving away an Apple Spice and Delight Candle to four lucky winners!  All you have to do is leave a comment at this post by Thursday evening, August 2nd at 11:59 pm EST, AND link back to this giveaway on your blog.  Share this contest with your readers!  Don't have a blog?  That's okay, just leave a comment!

Winners will be announced on Friday, August 3rd.

GOOD LUCK!!

Book Review: Babyproofing Your Marriage

I just finished Babyproofing Your Marriage, by Stacie Cockrell, Cathy O'Neill and Julia Stone. 

And if you don't mind, the next time you visit the bookstore...pick it up.  Especially if you have young children.

This book is wonderfully written, very funny and does a great job of making the reader, presumably a young, tired parent, feel incredibly normal.  My only wish is that I had read this book when Ariel was 3 months old.  seriously.

Babyproofing Your Marriage touches on just about every topic from sex, to handling your in-laws, to understanding your spouse.  And they do it in a delightful, easy to read way.   And would you believe that since reading this book, I think I haven't been so anal about things, and I feel REALLY good about it.  (it's refreshing and feels so good!)

From the inside cover of the book: "The authors explore the transition to parenthood in light of their own experiences, with input from their husbands and commentary from men and women across the country.  Their evenhanded approach to both sides of the marital equation allows spouses to understand each other in a whole new way."   Let me tell you, Brian picked up the book the day I got it and he laughed out loud within minutes.  Since I finished the book, Brian has already begun reading it.  (he also enjoyed some of the tips they gave to increase the sexual activity in a relationship...I'm just saying' this book has the topics covered.)

I stayed away from any reviews about this book until after I finished the book and did find that some people did not agree with all of their ideas, some people found some portions of the book were just not targeted towards them, but I found the book to be full of great ideas for every scenario that make up our lives.  Will I follow every single suggestion?  No.  Do I feel like I just finished a book that could potentially make my marriage a better functioning, even happier one, for both Brian and I?  Absolutely.

Good stuff, friends.  Good stuff.

Spring Reading Challenge

Katrina, at Callapidder Days has started her "Spring Reading Thing" that is intended to kick start you into getting back into reading!

I read...usually...I just haven't finished a book since January.  I've started two and I'm in the middle of both of them, but I have yet finished them.  So, here, in front of God, Country and Fellow Bloggers, I give you...THE LIST.

1.  Finish:  The Glass Castle
2.  Finish:  Babyproofing your Marriage
3.  Read:  My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
4.  Read:  The Happiest Toddler on the Block 
5.  Read:  Good Kids, Bad Habits

I own all of these books, except one,  (#4) so I have no excuse.  I must read.  I must read.  I must read.  And I must read all of these by June 21st!  Wish me luck!

The Time Traveler's Wife: A BOOK REVIEW

About 2 weeks ago, my friend, Amy F., gave me a list of book recommendations, on the list was "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger.  The list had a variety of books, I went to the library with the intention of getting a book by Jodi Pocoult, but LUCKILY, it was checked out and LUCKILY, "The Time Traveler's Wife" was not.  Because, OH MY GOD, I can declare it as the Best Book I Have Ever Read.  That's right.  It's awesome. 

The last book I read was okay, it took me over 3 months to read it, I only read it at airports and doctor's appointments and it was approximately 400 pages.  "The Time Traveler's Wife" is 518 pages and I finished it in 9 days.  9 blissful days.  Not only is the story line, like no other book out there, the characters are beautiful and passionate and incredibly likable and it takes place in Chicago.  I felt like I was there, with descriptions of "driving down Lake Shore Drive and turning onto Irving" (which is exactly where Brian and I used to live.)

I finished the book yesterday and I miss Henry and Clare, I miss the book they created, I almost feel like I am mourning a loss.  This book is that good.  Do yourself a favor...read it.

Thank you, Amy, for the great recommendation!  I should come clean your house or fold your laundry for you.

I gotta go, I have to read it again.  (it's that good.)