Kohl's is offering $10 off $30 until January 1st

Kohl's is offering $10 off your purchase of $30 until January 1st. This includes the Gold Star Clearance. Click here to print your pass to use in store or use code HAPPY2015 online. 

Digital release of The Interview starts today!

The censorship of the movie "The Interview" in the United States didn't last long. Sony has recently decided to allow anyone who wants to see the film to watch it digitally from the comfort of your home starting today at 1pm. 

To get more information and watch the film now go to See "The Interview" now.

Get over it, there is no such thing as privacy.

After reading the "Sony hacking" story I scrolled through the comments to see how people felt about it. The majority said it wasn't fair that your employer could read your emails. They didn't think you should be held accountable for things you write in a "work" email. The key word here is "WORK" people. You are not entitled to privacy when you are at work. You are being employed by someone else. If you want privacy, use your personal email address from a personal device when sending personal emails. It's not rocket science. It's 2014 and everything is electronic now. If you don't want someone to see something you wrote, don't write it. Tell them face to face. There is no such thing as privacy anymore. 

Win FREE Pei Wei for a year.

Want to win FREE Pei Wei for a year?

Share how you get through the holidays.

Do you have a #Crunchtime tip? 

Share yours now.

Submit it through the link below 

& enter to win Pei Wei for a year.

Free Pei Wei for a year!

Hey Mom's ever thought about writing for Sprout?

LIFESTYLE EMPOWERMENT FOR WOMEN

Hey Mom's have you ever thought about sharing your stories with other Mom's? Here's your chance. Sprout is looking for real people to share their stories. Click here to learn more. This is a great opportunity to share your wisdom with other Mom's. Please share if you know someone who would be interested. 

Foo Fighters North American tour info released.

The Foo Fighters have finally announced their North American tour schedule. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, November 22nd at the local venues box offices. Click here to find your box office or Foo Fighters presale. If you can't make it to your local box office, you can check out the online pre-sale which begins on Monday, December 1st or the public sales on December 4th and 5th. 

In order to get a pre-sale password, you will need to sign up for Foo Fighters email. You can sign up here. Click on the "Email" tab, enter your email address and you are signed up. 

Christine Brecht is my favorite BB16 house guest.

     I attended the meet and greet with Christine Brecht last night. It was held at Epicenter Church of Tucson. It's tucked into the art buildings downtown. We parked and walked towards the metal staircase that leads to the church. The outside of the building is covered with beautiful paintings that give the look of graffiti. You should check this church out sometime.

     Upon entering the church we noticed it wasn't just a church. It's a gorgeous vintage industrial building. The walls are decorated with local art, the floors are the original wood, the pipes and electrical are exposed and the pews are pushed aside to allow room for the Big Brother fans to hang out with Christine. As we walked up we saw Tim Stine her husband sitting at a table accepting donations and selling t-shirts and photographs. He was greeting everyone with a smile. We purchased a photo and he thanked us for coming in. We then headed over to the crowd of people standing in front of Christine. We stood towards the back to give others room. Christine was answering questions and sharing stories from her time in the Big Brother house. She was very attentive with everyone. A few minutes into us standing in line a man approached us. He told us that we could just get her attention and ask her to sign our picture. He explained that there wasn't really a line. We continued talking to him as we inched forward. Turns out he was Christine's Dad. He proudly shared a few stories with us. He talked about how good of a kid Christine is. He is very proud of her. You can see why she's so nice. So before we headed over to meet Christine we asked to get a picture with him. He was flattered and said yes. We each took a picture with him. 


 

     We told him that we had been fans for a very long time and he said that this was actually his first year watching it. Of course he watched it, his daughter was on it. After a few minutes he walked away to play with his two adorable grandsons. They were there to support Christine too. Very cute kids who have excellent names. Christine's family was proudly watching her from the back, smiling and waving when she glanced up. She took time with each and every person who came to see her. She answered every question, signed each t-shirt and photograph with a personal note and posed for pictures. I don't think she realized how happy people were to finally meet her after watching her this summer. The dynamic between Tim and her was fun to watch. They really love each other. Each of them are equally proud of each other. Tim had a smile on his face the whole time and he was proudly looking on while Christine met with admiring fans. He eagerly jumped in when someone wanted a pic with the two of them. They have a great bond and you can see that when you meet them. 

     I felt that it was important to blog about meeting them after all the negative things I've seen people write about them. After watching the promos for BB16 we were instantly excited to see someone from Tucson, Arizona get onto Big Brother. Usually only Phoenix gets on the map. Tucson is considered large by most but if you have lived here your whole life you know it's actually pretty small. It's hard to go anywhere without running into someone you know. We all thought it was pretty cool that a girl from Tucson, AZ would be on TV. I couldn't wait for the show to start. She was our favorite from the start. Now that we met her we know that we made the right choice. She's the best. 

Both Christine and Tim gladly signed my lunch box!

She posed for a picture with Alyssa.

I got a picture too. 

Oh and meeting Tim was just as cool. He spent a half an hour talking to us. I of course asked him his opinion about the "Sonic Highways" album since he's  a musician. He has to get back to me on that after he hears the whole album. We can't wait to catch one of his shows. He posed for pictures with both of us. Check out that smile, what a great guy!

Thank you Christine and Tim for taking time to hang out with us fans and making Tucson proud. You guys are awesome!

Disney pumpkin carving ideas

Here is the link to the Disney pumpkin carving templates. They have lots of designs for your boy or girl. Check them out here.

Zooboks for kids

I just ordered  for my son. I don't know if you remember these as a child but I loved them. They have a series for 0-3 years old, 3-6 years old and 6-12 years old. This is a great way to encourage reading while learning about animals. Your child will be thrilled when the mail comes and something is addressed to them. 

They have several great deals throughout the year. Right now, they are offering a savings of 67% plus a FREE wildlife poster and animal stickers. 

Check out Gwen Stefani's new song

Current coach on The Voice, Gwen Stefani has released her first new single in a very long time. 

Check it out here and tell me what you think. 

Gwen Stefani's Baby don't lie

COUPON to Save 30% off at Old Navy today and tomorrow.

Save 30% off the entire store today and tomorrow with any form of payment or save 40% off the entire store when you use your Old Navy card. Simply print this out or show the cashier on your phone. Enter the codes below to use online.

STUFF30 STUFF40

30% off: Offer valid on Old Navy merchandise only through October 4, 2014 at 11:59 pm ET in the US (including Puerto Rico) at Old Navy Stores and online at oldnavy.com. Excludes GiftCards, Clearance and Fruit of the Loom ® merchandise in store and GiftCards, Today Only Deals, Hot Deals, and Everyday Steals merchandise online. No adjustments on previous purchases. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Offer is good for multiple uses in-store and online, but cannot be combined with other discounts, including Gap Inc. employee discount. Not responsible for lost or stolen coupons. To redeem this offer, enter promo code at checkout. *40% off: Subject to credit approval. A Gap Inc. credit card must be used as pay type. Offer valid on Old Navy merchandise from Oct. 3, 2014 at 12:01 am ET through Oct. 4, 2014 at 11:59 pm ET in the US only (including Puerto Rico) at Old Navy stores and online at oldnavy.com. Discount applies to merchandise only; not valid on international shipments, packaging, applicable taxes or shipping & handling charges. Excludes Clearance, GiftCards, and Fruit of the Loom® merchandise in store and GiftCards, Today Only Deals, Hot Deals, and Everyday Steals merchandise online. No adjustments on previous purchases. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Offer is good for multiple uses in-store and online and can be combined with up to 3 Reward Cards, but cannot be combined with other discounts, including Gap Inc. employee discount. Not responsible for lost or stolen coupons. To redeem this offer, enter promo code at checkout. All Adult Fleece on Sale: Select styles only. Excludes Maternity styles. While supplies last. For a limited time. Online & in-store prices may vary. *SUPER CASH: Valid on eligible purchases of $25 or more (with a maximum earn of $30 in SUPER CASH per transaction in stores and $50 in SUPER CASH per transaction online) at Old Navy stores and online in the United States between 9/25/2014 and 10/20/2014. You can redeem $10 in SUPER CASH on every $25 eligible merchandise purchase in stores and online between 10/28/2014 at 12:01am ET and 11/5/2014 at 11:59pm ET. Limit one SUPER CASH coupon per transaction. Void where prohibited by law. Canceled or returned eligible purchases may void SUPER CASH. Visit oldnavy.com/supercash or visit stores for complete Terms and Conditions. Everyday Free Shipping is valid in the U.S. only (including Puerto Rico) on purchases of $50 or more in the same order. Gift cards, packaging, taxes and prior purchases do not qualify toward the minimum purchase requirement and offer cannot be applied to such items. Eligible customers must select this option during checkout in order to receive free shipping. Offer is good for the order's first "ship-to" address anywhere in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). If you choose another shipping option, additional charges will apply. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. No adjustments on previous purchases. Offer is non-transferable and subject to change without notice. Not valid on international shipments. © 2014 Gap Inc.

Have your children build a FREE haunted house at Lowe's

Lowe's Build & Grow clinics are now accepting 

registrations to build a haunted house on October 

11th @10am Please click the link below to learn 

more about this free activity and sign up now.

Lowe's Build & Grow Haunted House

Arizona braces for Odile

After the flooding we saw last Monday we need to be prepared for more water. Most fire departments are handing out sandbags to local residents. The news is suggesting we stay inside and be prepared. Since the ground is already saturated from last weeks storm the water won't seep into the ground. The water will just create a huge flood across the area. 

Make sure you don't become a victim of Odile. 

Here's how to protect your property with sandbags.

Step one: Contact your local fire department and see if they are offering FREE sandbags. If they are not you will have to purchase some at a local hardware store. Places like Home Depot, Lowes or Ace Hardware will have them. 

Step two: Figure out how many bags and how much sand you would need to complete the wall. The staff at your local store should be able to help you with this. Just tell them how large of an area you need to protect.

Step three: You will need to purchase bags, sand and plastic sheeting or a tarp from your local hardware store.

Step four: Have a friend help you fill the bags. One person will hold the bag open while the other person uses a shovel to add sand to the bag. Fill the sandbags half way so you have excess to material to create a flap at the open end. Some bags will come with something to secure the bag closed. If yours does not, you can simply fold the flap over to seal it.

Step five: Place the plastic sheeting or tarp on the ground where you want to keep the water out. Place the plastic sheeting or tarp halfway up the wall, window or door where you want to keep the water out. This will help create a barrier to divert the water.

Step six: Start placing the first row of sandbags on the plastic sheeting or tarp. Make sure that each bag is tight against the next bag by tapping it down. Start the next row on top of the first in a brick pattern as seen below. 

Stagger the placement of sandbags to create a strong barrier. Continue packing the bags down as you go. Build the wall up until you reach the desired height to safely divert the water.

Step seven: Relax; you are now protected from flooding waters. Stay inside and be safe.

Monsoon storms kicked Arizona's butt today.

Living in Arizona you have to get use to the Monsoon season. It's a couple of months of crazy random thunderstorms. It usually starts in the mid to late June and ends around the end of September. Here is a glimpse of what we encounter during a Monsoon. 

Today was the wettest day I've seen a a very long time. It rained so hard that my daughters school had to close the parking lots. The water was past the tires on some cars. Here are some pictures of the chain link fence located along the parking lot that was knocked over by a wall of water. 

On the way home we decided to stop and check out the Canada del Oro wash near our home. Take a look at the videos I shot below.





Here is another video of the Canada del Oro wash.




We have tons of "rivers" in Arizona but very few actually ever hold water.  Here is a picture of the Canada del Oro river today. It's bank to bank with water. This very rarely happens.

Sign up before the holidays and start earning your cash back.

Ebates is one of my favorite sites because I get cash back on every purchase. Coming up on the holidays I want to save as much money as I can.  They have lots of coupons to use on your online purchase and you will of course get your cash back. It's a win-win situation and it's FREE!

Click here Ebates to start saving money now!

I sometimes stare in envy of those Moms.

I'm always amazed when I see those Moms who really seem to have it together. You know the ones with the clean unwrinkled clothes. The ones that look like they were able to look in the mirror before they left in the morning. The ones who look fresh out of yoga with coffee in hand. I wonder if they really have it all together, or if they are just really good at playing it off. It's hard not to stare at them. All in there glory, looking ready for their day. 

I can't wait to be one of those Moms. For now, I will enjoy being the mismatched wrinkled Mom. I think it suits me best. 

Just remember to always be the best version of yourself. That's always good enough. 

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month!

September is National Ovarian Cancer awareness month. Please feel free to share one of the below informational images to help spread awareness.

For more information on how you can help, please click the link below.

http://www.ovarian.org/

A new kind of New Year's resolution

As we close the chapter on 2013 and say goodbye to another year; I wanted to share my advice for an awesome 2014. This is a once in a year chance to start over. Forget about the resolutions to lose weight and make more money. How about this year we do something for everyone? Let's make next year the year of doing better, by being a better person. The old saying "It doesn't cost anything to smile at a stranger" is so true. Did you know this can actually make a person’s day? Think about it, if they were having a terrible day and you were the first person to smile at them, how would that affect them? It would make their day better. Just being kind to one another can cause a great happiness effect. Another great idea is to compliment a stranger. Yes a simple "I like your sweater” or “Nice hat” can change a negative mindset. It's true; YOU have the power to change someone’s day.  

While you are in a kind mood, think about donating to a local charity. This helps the people in need right in your neighborhood. It’s great to see your money at work with a new park, landscaping or murals. You can even donate gently used shoes and clothing to homeless shelters. Plus, you can take the tax break at the end of the year. It’s a win-win situation. So as you get ready to close out this year and bring in the New Year, remember to think of others. Make a resolution that will help everyone. I promise you will feel great about it.  

 

Have a fantastic New Year, 2014 is going to be amazing for all of us!