Online Poster Printing - 16"x20" Rolled Canvas Prints - Giveaway!

Personal gifts make the best gifts in my opinion. So, when you're putting your holiday list together remember Online Poster Printing can take care of all your Canvas Photo Prints or Poster Print needs!


Giveaway Prize: (1) 16x20” Rolled Canvas for One Lucky Winner and contest ends December 6th, 2009 just go to J. Leight Designz and enter.

WIN a $100 Gift Card from Borders Toys and Games Section

Borders Toys and Games Section Review Give away - TWO $100 Gift Cards!  All you have to do is enter at Two of a Kind Working on a Full House before 11:59pm EST on December 6th.

"Up" more than just a cartoon.

This evening I saw the cartoon "UP".  Up was more like a movie that tugged at your heart strings.  About a man's life that whizzes by until almost the end when he decides to finally fullfill a life long dream, but comes against humorous, dangerous obstacles making these cartoon characters with feelings of undying love, despair, and yet accomplishment in life. 

The main main characters are human.  One is a resentful senior male citizen as the world around him has changed since his youth, and his beloved wife died.he has no real desire to change anything in his life. With the changing of his neighborhood with the times going on around him, he decides to leave and do what he and wife had planned to do, but never did.  He was a former balloon salesman, and so he got this idea to tie thousands of them, filled with helium at the top of his house and up it goes, and steers for Paradise Falls in South America only thing is he didn't know there was a boyscout named Russell who needs to assist an elderly person to get his final merit badge.
The two needless to say do not hit it off and they go through one perity after the other.  Then we find them in the middle of a thunderstorm as Carl’s (our leading character) sturdy home is tossed by the storm, threatened by lightening, and dropped at an Amazon forest, and then this bright colored mythical bird appears.  Don’t even get me started on the spectacular sight of an airship from the 1930s they find that’s still being piloted by disgraced explorer Charles Muntz.  The entire film seems to come to life.

There are countless adventures in this film and the emotions between Carl and his wife Ellie is lovingly summed up showing us their hopes and dreams and their unfailing love they have for each other.  There are other moments too with the book of memories after his adventure is on the rocks. In the end, Up reminds us that as long as we are breathing, life holds the opportunity for countless adventures, some of the most exciting ones we don’t realize are occurring right before our eyes, and hiding right around the corner.  When you go to see this film do not expect a cartoon, but a story film to possibly teach you a thing or too, and put a smile on your face in the end.

(Only one person's opinion).

HP Touchsmart Give Away at 5 Minutes for Mom

Enter to win a HP TouchSmart 600 for yourself and help them win another one for a deserving family!  This contest ends Tuesday, December 1!!! So HURRY to 5 Minutes for Mom!

Adorable Baby Clothing Gift Certificate Give-Away

At Energizer bunnys mommy reports is having a give-away of Adorable Baby Clothing gift certificate One reader will have the opportunity to win a 20$ gift certificate to be used on anything on the Adorable Baby Clothing.com site.   Give away ends December 12, 2009 at 10 pm Central time, so enter before that.

What I am still Thankful for.

Just look at those kids.  My daughters and my youngest son (the oldest boy couldn't make it).  First of all let me tell you that the first child, she's 40, my son is 30, and my youngest is 29.  Do you think they'll ever grow up???  Sneaking out the back there is my granddaughter (my boy's oldest child) she's 11.  So, it was a wonderful meal.  My turkey the meat was falling off the bone, and my gravy finally was excellent.  I haven't had this nice of a Thanksgiving in a long time.  It was great, and we even celebrated my grandson's birthday.

Our Lil "G". He turned four.  He loves Nascar so his Auntie MiMi from Iowa made him a racecar/track birthday cake at the request of his Mommy.  It was mm mm good.  So, my poor hubby had to work on Friday, but he came home to our little crew, and had fun too.  So three out four children, and seven out of nine grandchildren came for Gobble Day.  Hope you had a fun time too.  I know this was the best one I had in a very long time.

Give Away of the DVD Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws.

A Giveaway at Spanglish Baby Finds.com!!  TWO lucky winners will receive a Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) of Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws.   This giveaway ends Sunday, November 29th at midnight EST.

Win a HP TouchSmart 600 at Jolly Mom's

One lucky Jolly Mom reader will win an HP TouchSmart 600!  This giveaway will end December 7th, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST.   Hurry to this fantastic give-away!

Wordless Wednesday -

What do I have to be thankful for you say?  This lady right here.  The sweetest love of my life.  My Aunt Mitzi.  So, let's see what can I say about two of my most favorite people in the world.  First of all to the left of course is my Aunt Mitzi, and if you look real close you will see a halo around her head because she's such an angel (hehe - only kidding).  She has always been like a second mom to me.  It'll be her birthday on Friday, and she will be 86 yrs. old.  She lives with her son Tommy now, and he takes care of her.  Her other son Jimmy (who is a journalist in Washington D.C.) is coming in for the holidays, and she'll be staying with him for a week.  Then she has an older daughter in Matteson, and they're going there for turkey tomorrow.  My daughter Tricia, to the right is my oldest child (also known as NightOwlMama), and I went to see her yesterday for Thanksgiving and her birthday along with my sweet step-brother Paulie (he's a peach).  We all had a great time, and I took movies and we took pictures.  I just love her soooo much.  Isn't she sweet and she is sweet inside too.  She was always there for me, and man she use to be able to cook anything, and it was so good.  She doesn't cook these days, but I remember.   So, for this Wordless Wednesday I'm sharing with you.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT MITZI, I LOVE YOU.

Wow, a Trampoline for family. Win it at Barefoot Mommies!

This great giveaway is coming at Barefoot Mommies! Wouldn't you like to help ol' Santa out and win this for your family?  Springfree Trampoline is the sponsor of this giveaway.  Pretty special company I'd say.  To learn more about this fantastic give away and get "10" early entries click HERE.

A Rolled Canvas Give-Away 16×20”

UPrinting Giveaway prize: Canvas rolled print for One Lucky Winner http://www.sixflowermom.com/ ENDS November 28, 2009 so hurry!

Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom DVD Give Away

I just entered the Dora the Explorer DVD giveaway on Hip Mama's Place..  Hurry, ends December 2, 2009.   http://www.hipmamasplace.com/2009/11/dora-saves-crystal-kingdom-dvd-review.html

And then they were ONE!

Banana Moon lives! My husband's band is finally complete, and here they are.

What a great bunch they are together too.  The latest member to the band, Billy is the drummer (top right)and also an excellent harmonica player and brings his talents of the Blues with him, and has that raspy voice to go with it. Bottom right we have Mike, he's been with Dave now for a few months.  They found each other through an ad Dave had put in a Musicians magazine.  He does lead guitar and also vocal/harmony.  Steve (bottom left) Bass player and a real nice guy.  Top left is my hubby Dave, lead guitar, vocals/harmony.  There ya have it people.
 
Now the latest is they're in need of a name.  Banana Moon was the name of his last band that folded (long story), so if anyone has any ideas leave me a comment.  They play Rock & Roll and Blues, 70 - 90's music.  So far, they've been playing Sultan's of Swing, Good Golly Miss Molly, Beatles, Eric Clapton, and much more.  So, if you have any ideas I'd love to hear them. 

Give-A-Way at 4Baby And Mom

 4BabyAndMom  I entered to win some Great Cleaners.com- Kaboom, OxyClean, Arm&Hammer Review + Giveaway!  win one of the three cleaning kits Ends 11/27th

ALOHA FRIDAY!

Thanksgiving is almost here, so what are you thankful for this year?  I am thankful for my beautiful and healthy family.

Nutrition Friday & Health Insurance

Nutrition Clinic today to weigh in.  Earlier I mentioned that I've started a diet to lose weight, and get back my health.  Right now I'm on 11 pills a day.  One of course is my multi-vitamin (I get at Aldi's), and another is Calcium pills  (also Aldis), twice a day for my Osteoporosis.  I'm  supposed to be taking a pill for that on Saturdays, but it looks like I won't be because I have two doctors fighting over who should refill it.  My Ortho says my GP can fill it now that I don't come to him anymore, and my GP says the Ortho should refill it because he prescribed it.  Tsk Tsk Children.  

I'm on disability, and Medicare pays for a large portion of my medical bills, but since the back surgery etc. I have Aetna Medicare, which is a supplement, and costs $200 a month (I'm too young for AARP).  I received a letter from Aetna stating they are no longer going to insure people in Kane County & I would need to switch carriers, and sent me a list to choose from.  I called Humana and come January I will have Humana and I get to stay with my same doctors.  Woo Hoo That's very cool, and better yet it is for FREE!  Oh, Happy Day!

Right now though I'm in a donut hole with my prescription refills and I had to switch many prescriptions over to Walmart to try and get their $4 plan.  So, far it's working and only had to change a few.  Medicine is extremely costly.  My heart pill alone cost $102 per month, but it's all straightened out now.  I don't want to tell you that long boring story, but I will say I really had to work for it.

Back to my weight.  I lost another 4.2 lbs.  Woo Hoo (applause goes here)... okay, it's not much, but at least I didn't gain 4.2lbs.  So, I broke that ice I'm under 260 now & I weigh 256.2 lbs.  Okay, next time I'd like to be under 250.  WISH ME LUCK!  Next appointment 3 wks.

Kodak $110 Visa Card Giveaway

Kodak $110 Visa Card Giveaway {Ends 11/25} at A Keeper at Home

Wordless Wednesday -

Below is my grandfather, Thomas my mother's father.  Oh, how I looked up to this man.  He was the head of the family, and my grandmother met his every need.  The next picture is my grandmother, Nellie.  She is in the second roll on the left first one (below).  I don't know when this was taken, but I'm going to guess she was in her 30's maybe 40's.  The lady next to her is my great-grandmother, and the gentleman is my great-grandfather.  The other ladies were her sisters.  I wanted to show you this because this is what held our family together back when I was little.  They were from Palermo, Sicily, and raised the old fashion way needless to say, and so was my mom.  Every Sunday we went to my gramma's house for dinner, but on the holidays without a shadow of a doubt Grandma's and Grampa's.  Oh how I looked forward to going there.  I loved them so much.  Although gramma picked me out from her many grandchildren 16 to be exact to help out in the kitchen.  Not only cook, but also dishes.  Oh boy!  No matter what meal we had we always had spaghetti.  There was food galore, and there was love and happiness in the air.  Oh how I remember those days so vividly as if they were yesterday.  I'd say it was the happiest time of my life when I was a child.  We were a very close family back then, and we had respect. 

I miss them so much, but I also know that if I have guardian angels they have to be Gramma on my left and Grandpa on my right.  Have a great day!

My experience with Wordful Wednesday.

Well, for a first time blog hopper it took me a long time, but I did have fun.  I'm following a few more people after all that too & a couple new followers.  I'm so excited.  This cyberspace stuff is amazing.  I'd like to thank everyone I met/new followers for making me feel at home.  I'd like to share with you places I've been, so I grabbed their buttons to make it easy for you & me because I know I'm going back.

The first one I visited was Nightowlmama.  Now, if you've been following her and/or me you'll already know that this is my little girl (the oldest of five/to the right).  She's my first baby who has given four beautiful grandchildren.  She gave me my very first grandbaby at the ripe old age of 39.  YEAH, DID YA HEAR ME???? HELLO??? ARE YA PAYING ATTENTION?  I SAID 39!!  Well, ain't no way some screaming little brat was going to call me GRAMMA for heavens sakes.  I DON'T THINK SO!  BUT -- then I saw this beautiful brown eyed baby boy, and my heart melted, but Gramma?  Okay, how about NaNa (which is Gramma in Italian), and as he got older, and he started talk he called me NaNee, which stuck & I'm fine with it.  My first grandson, Ryan is to the right hugging his Auntie MiMi which is my youngest baby who lives in Iowa with her husband, and son Edward (my number seven grandchild).

So, where were we?  Oh yes, blogging!  My oldest daughter when I went on disability due to a back operation,  I  began working at home as a transcriptionist & she said in my down time I should surf the web, and possibly create a website/blog.  It took me months to make up my mind to venture into web, and the first place I went was naturally my baby's blog,  Nightowlmama (button to the right).   I was amazed to see how wonderful it was.  I told her when I grow up I want to be just like her.  I also went to see Laughing through the Chaos that was such a neat site too.  I grabbed everyone's button I could find, so I'm just going to say click on them, and go see for yourself.  There's really a lot of interesting things out there.  Another website was http://www.brendasblogfromparaguay.com was beautiful and so interesting; www.petulaw.com - what a multi-talented lady.   Look on my rolling buttons here that my daughter did for me - thank you baby - and pick a few out for yourself.  You won't regret it.  Everybody has something to offer.  I think I found a few new friends too!  Have fun.

WW - Veteran's Day!

To all those who have served in this FREE country of ours, in any war, in any land to keep our country the way it is today I salute you.  To all those who have died to keep our freedom safe, who were injured or maimed.  To all our VETERAN'S may God bless you and yours.  May there be a place for you in heaven with peace and harmony.  I personally would like to thank two veterans the most my dad, who served in World War II Russell Sr. 1923 - 1980, and my brother, who served in the Viet Nam war Russell Jr. 1944 - 1989.  I love you and I am so proud to be the daughter/sister of two very brave men.

WOO HOO --- I WON AT 24/7 MOMS

I was a part of 24/7 MOMS last night at their Christmas give-away blow out, and I became a WINNER.  It was so much fun.  It was the first time I was there.  It was fast and exciting.  They had soooo many things to give away and they were all so cool.  I won a DVD Christmas Thomas the Train something or other.  I was so excited I forgot to find out what it was.  LOL  You really have to try it.  It's every Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.  It is so cool, and at times it was a bit funny.  People are funny.

WW: Mom & brother 1945

My Mom and brother Russ - 1945

PLEASE VOTE FOR ME!

I have entered the Classy Mommy Holiday In a Box Toy Giveaway. I have 32 votes (Thanks to all who have already voted), so far and the highest one to beat is 188. I'm asking one more time because the contest ends on Nov. 15th to be sure and vote for me because a vote for me is a vote for SANTA, cuz I'm helpin him give all my grandchildren more presents. ~~hehehe~~ Just look for my name (Marie Moody) & click.

Here is my link: VOTE HERE  Just look for the Name Marie Moody
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU LOTS! HAVE A GREAT DAY!

MISS YOU EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE HERE!

THEN & NOW! I guess around the holidays we all get a little melancholy, and to all you mothers out there who's babies are grown too, and you're missing them I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND NOW! My children could be standing right in front of me & I miss them! They have grown, & have children of their own. I miss my little girl who use to change her clothes all the time because they got a little wet; who use to cling to my leg in the store because somebody looked at her, the baby that I had to lie to because she wouldn't leave her ditty (pacifier) alone. I finally had to tell her the warehouse burned down & they don't make those any more! HA HA - BUT IT WORKED! What a beautiful baby girl she was too with a precious smile!

I miss my oldest son's fish lips when he use to come up to me, and pick up his little blond head & those gorgeous hazel eyes he'd look at me & say fish mommy, fish and then run and go & play with his "open-doors" (matchbox cars that the doors opened), and he'd talk to all the neighbors when he couldn't even talk, but he thought he was. He just babbled on. I miss my Chubley who demanded attention all the time and couldn't keep a diaper on & got into everything. Then there is the baby; our Missy Anne. She was a preemie, and we use to buy her doll clothes because she was so little. Baby doll clothes fit her perfect. She was only 3lbs 2oz when she was born, and she use to love going by her gramma's. Now my oldest daughter is married and has four children of her own. My oldest son owns his own business and has two children. My youngest son has two daughters and lives 2 hrs away from me, and my baby girl lives out of State and has one child. I miss my babies. I miss holding and rocking them. I miss taking care of them, going to the store together and singing in the car. Watching TV, having supper together, kissing goodnight and their dependence on me, yes & even hollering at them GO TO BED. Now, they don't need me anymore and I don't get to rock them anymore or let them sit or rock on my hip. Here's my babies before and after. I love you my babies. Miss you! What I wouldn't give for one group hug with my babies!

HI EVERYBODY: WELCOME TO MY BLOG! You must've seen my note on my Facebook homepage or have gotten my e-mail to be visiting here! Thanks for coming. You know you really should come back too for all the give-a-ways I blog about & just the funny things that my family does. So, if you're ever bored or nothing to do just come back & visit you won't regret it. Love to all. Leave your blog too I WILL come to visit you too! I promise!

Okay people, FRIENDS & FAMILY, I know I've asked you to vote in the past for different things, but this time it means CHRISTMAS. Ooooooooooooooooo My favorite time of the year! I think I should've been born an elf. Anyway, the first thing I'm asking is a vote from you (just one - they check IP address) for the following contest.

Here is my link: http://www.classymommy.com/giveaway_new/contest3/vote.php?contest=holiday_in_a_box&name=Marie Moody That's my link for your vote. As you all know I have 9 grandchildren to buy for and this would help out considerably. Thanks for your vote - PLEASE! Win a Holiday in a Box! ($300 value). They're giving away some of my most favorite toys for the 2009 holiday season in one grand prize package worth an estimated $300. This prize package has it all! Toys that work beautifully as gifts for little boys, little girls, or both. ... The person with the most votes wins! So I'm asking all of you to vote for me. Here's my personalized contest link shown above. I voted for me, you can vote for me too. Note: You can only vote once per entrant.

Also, I need followers - LOTS & LOTS OF FOLLOWERS So please pass the word to check out my blog at: http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/

THANKS TO ALL!

Blogging

I haven't been at it that long is true, but there's so many do's and don't it's unbelievable. Some people have been doing it a long time & really swing around the computer & blog like they have been doing it for years. It may be easy for some, so when us non-bloggers do something wrong I guess the bloggers think we're really not very smart & may even get offended. Well, heads up bloggers we will be where you are some day, and I don't think you should look down on us trainees. Half the time things that go wrong are computers are different. Some faster, some slower, some have higher security, some don't. Others things could be the browsers fault. SOooooooo ladies I just wanted to tell you hang in there. It's really a whole lot of fun, and any time you want to give a shout out or have question just let me know. If I don't have the answer I'll find it for you. We'll beat this thing yet! Good Luck all!

Mickey's Magical Christmas on DVD *Give Away*

Mommy Mandy is having a great giveaway. She's hosting a giveaway for Mickey's Magical Christmas on DVD Give Away that ends November 9, 2009. How fun that would be to win! ooo I love Christmas time!

Step2 LifeStyle Deluxe Kitchen "Giveaway"

Step2 Lifestyle Delux Kitchen Giveaway!

Mommy Mandy is having a great giveaway. She's hosting a giveaway for a Step 2 Lifestyle Delux Kitchen worth $219.99.
How fun that would be to win!

Happy Birthday Little "G"!

Happy Birthday Lil "G"! Love you all the way around your heart! Who would not just love that million dollar smile! He wants to be a race car driver I think when he grows up. He loves cars, racing cars especially Nascar "24" I'm told. He knows all about it. He's been riding a two-wheeler too for about a year now I believe. Yep, he's a smart little guy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG GUY! Hope NaNee got it right this time.

Banana Moon Up date!

Banana Moon rising - Make sure to check out "What's New?" for good stuff! They have been getting together with good friends and musicians in Batavia, and turning out (and turning UP) some really fine rock & roll for a while now. Led Zeppelin, Joe Walsh, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Doobie Brothers, Grand Funk and many more artists' tunes are included in their list of favorites.

Guess they like playing classic Rock n' Roll that makes you feel good...every time! That's the only way to play it! Good solid quality classic Rock N' Roll! Check it out!