Merry Christmas

First let me start by saying, thank you for being such great listeners. Every time I had to say something, someone on the other side was listening. And just when all hope was gone yall gave me strength over and over. I have learned so much and hope I have passed along great information, or whatever.

Next, I will go on to say that the holidays are about family. And in our family it is like a movie or a show. Christmas can't happen without a little chaos but that is what makes us who we are. Got to love them.

So to good times, and great food with all your family and friends. Be safe and enjoy yourselves wherever you may be this Christmas. Merry Christmas from my family to yours. I hope Santa brings you want you asked for. I know I have all I need already. Thanks to my family for being there for me and thanks to you for being there for me too.

Mom Central Holiday Giveaways

This week's giveaways include:

•Things Remembered pearl bracelet
•Conair Ultimate Fabric Steamer
•Carson-Dellosa game pack
•Nerf N-Strike Raider Rapid Fire toy
•Busted Tees for kids
•Louise Wine Decanter
•Off Road Radio Control Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
•Hershey's Holiday Candy
•LEGO Builders of Tomorrow
•The Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks from Nintendo
•Robeez shoes
•The Child King DVD
•Spy Gear kit for kids
•PoshTots Red and White Tutu
•Little Pim foreign language immersion program
•Wild Planet games
•Crayola Art Bundle
•Cooks 3-in-1 Grill
•Company Kids pajamas
•Ancestry.com membership
•Cavichi Napmink Nap Mat
•Astro Boy
•Bialetti Hot Chocolate Maker and Milk Frother
•Oceana Adopt-a-Creature Kit

Win $5,000 with DOLE's "Share the Goodness" Contest!

Who wants to win some money? I know I do!! Do you like to help the needed or less fortunate? I do. I volunteer almost every month in different organizations and programs in and around my community. Here is a contest were you are a winner and you can also help your local food bank.

About the contest:

You could win $5,000 for yourself, plus $5,000 for your local food bank.

It is as easy as 1,2,3!

1. Click Upload Photo to submit your favorite photos of holiday memories and you’ll be entered to win the $5,000 Grand Prize for yourself and $5,000 for your local food bank*.



2. Share the news about this promotion by sending up to 3 eCards a day to your family and friends to receive additional sweepstakes entries. If the $5,000 Grand Prize winner is a friend that you referred, YOU'LL WIN $2,000!

3. Share the great taste of DOLE by visiting our Recipe Gallery where you’ll find exciting new ways to incorporate DOLE Canned Fruit and Juice into your holiday meals.



Click Upload Photo now to submit your favorite holiday photos and receive a sweepstakes entry toward the $5,000 Grand Prize!

For the official rules and regulations, head on over to Dole Shares. Have fun posting about your holiday memories. I know I will.

Buzzed Driving is DrUnK DriVinG

Did you know.....

In 2008, nearly 12,000 people in the U.S. were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes - and during the periods around Christmas and New Year's, this number was particularly high, with 316 people killed in alchol-impaired driving crashes. In 2007, 162,493 women were arrested for a DUI, an increase of almost 29% since 1998. You can't help but wonder if lives could have been saved if people thought twice before getting behind the wheel. With the holidays approaching, it's important that drivers be reminded about the dangers of buzzed driving. Who knows...it could save a life.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) and the Ad Council are asking everyone to drive smart this holiday season and to pledge not to drive buzzed.

Want to learn more...

Follow Buzzed Driving on Twitter (@buzzeddriving) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/buzzeddrivingisdrunkdriving) to get the latest updates and news. You can also visit the Buzzed Driving website (http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/) where you can sign a pledge to not drive buzzed, play an interactive game which demonstrates the difference between buzzed and drunk, and hear personal stories from people who have driven buzzed.

Be safe this holiday season. Have fun, eat alot, and be safe!!

America's Cutest Last Minute Tax Deduction Contest

Here is a contest for all the new mommas.... having a December baby??



TurboTax® the nation's No. 1 rated, best-selling tax preparation software from Intuit Inc. is conducting its third annual nationwide search for America's Cutest Last-Minute Tax Deduction. The parents of one lucky baby, born in December 2009, will win $5,000.

To enter, parents or legal guardians should submit a photo of their baby born between Dec. 1-31, to www.cutesttaxdeduction.com . The deadline for submissions is January 7, 2010. Judges will select 10 finalists, and America will determine America's Cutest Last-Minute Tax Deduction and the $5,000 grand prize winner.

So head on over and get your cute bundles of joy entered.

Talkin' Sid the Science Kid Giveaway

SID THE SCIENCE KID TALKIN’ SID THE SCIENCE KID
(Ages 3 years & up/Approx retail price: $24.99/Available Now)

Now kids can bring their friend SID home with the lively TALKIN' SID THE SCIENCE KID plush character. This soft and loveable plush SID is 12 inches tall and comes ready to play and learn with his iconic "microphone." Squeeze his belly to hear seven different popular phrases from the series. Requires two "AA" batteries, included

An exclusive offer for Independentmami readers: a $3.00 off coupon for purchase of the TALKIN’ SID THE SCIENCE KID plush at Toys ‘R Us. Simply go to www.coupons.com. Once you are there you need to click on the "Toy and Game" link on the left of the page.

Are you done with your Christmas shopping? This will make a perfect gift. My boys love Sid. They love the show and now they have Sid at home. Make your kids wishes come true this toy they will fall in love with.

Would you like to win a Talkin' Sid the Science Kid plush character? Here is how to enter:

1) Tell me who you would like to win this for. Name and age. (1 entry)
2) Follow me on blogger. (1 entry)
3) Follow me on twitter. (1 entry)
4) Tweet. (1 entry for every tweet, tweet as many times as you like)

This giveaway will end on December 28 at midnight. Please leave an email address in your comment. The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize. Thank you for entering and good luck.

California Raisins Basket Giveaway

So who is ready for Christmas dinner? I am, I am. I was not able to eat for more than a week. My stomach is just now getting better with food and drinks. So I am excited about Christmas dinner.

Do you eat raisins? Do you cook with raisins? Growing up my parents always incorporated fruits and vegetables in all our dishes. I am not a great cook but I love to try new recipes. California Raisins has now put together a blog with videos and recipes for us. Check out this new blog love your raisins.

Quien esta listo para la gran cena de Navidad? Yo si, yo si. Despues de estar enferma del estomago por mas de una semana ahora si me estoy sintiendo mejor. Y estoy antisipando la cena de Navidad.

Comes pasas? Cocinas con pasas? Mis papas siempre cocinaban con fruitas y vegetales. Yo no soy una cocinera manifica pero me gusta tratar nuevas recetas. Las pasas de California hay hecho un blog con videos y recetas para nosotros. Chequa este nuevo blog quiere a tus pasas.

Here is the recipe of the month: (esta es la receta del mes)


Orange Blossom Raisin Tarts
from: Christine Dohlmar, FL
Honorable Mention - Desserts and Baked Goods
Wise Choices Recipe Contest « Go Back
Print Recipe

A tasty, quick dessert with California Golden Raisins and tart shells from the freezer.

INGREDIENTS
•2/3 cup California golden raisins, coarsely chopped
•2 tablespoons lightly salted dry roasted sunflower kernels
•1 teaspoon very finely grated orange peel
•1/16 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•3 tablespoons orange blossom honey
•1 package (2.1 ounces) fully baked mini-filo shells, 15 count
•1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
•Orange peel curls; for garnish
PROCEDURE
Prehet oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, combine raisins, sunflower kernels, orange peel and cinnamon; drizzle with honey and mix thoroughly. Divide and spoon 1 tablespoon of mixture into each of 15 prebaked filo shells. Bake at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds while still hot. Cool; garnish with orange peel curls and serve.

Yields: 15 mini tarts
Serves: Show Imperial Measures Show Metric Measures

Recipe Times
Preparation: 10 min.
Cooking: 3 min.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Calories 190 (29% from fat); Total Fat 7g (sat 1g, mono 1g, poly 4g);
Cholesterol 0mg; Protein 2g; Carbohydrates 33g; Fiber 2g; Iron 1mg; Sodium 60mg; Calcium 13mg;

View Similar Recipes In These Categories
•Pies and Tarts
•Low Cholesterol
•Low Sodium


Thanks to California Raisins for sending me a wonderful baskets full of California Raisins and more goodies.
Not only did they send me a gift basket but they want you to have one too. Independentmami readers can have a chance to win 1 of 2 baskets. Here is how to enter:

1) Visit the Words of Wisdom Blog. Tell me your favorite recipe or one you would like to try. (1 entry)
2) Follow my blog. (1 entry)
3) Follow me on twitter. (1 entry)
4) Tweet. (1 entry per tweet, tweet as many times as you like)

This giveaway ends on December 28 at midnight. 2 winners will be picked. Winners will have 24 hours to claim their prize. Please leave an email address in your comment. Thank you and good luck.

The Spy Next Door Giveaway

Film: THE SPY NEXT DOOR

Studio: Lionsgate

Release Date: Friday, January 15, 2010

Rating: PG

Trailer: www.thespynextdoorfilm.com/

Synopsis: Lionsgate’s family action comedy THE SPY NEXT DOOR stars Jackie Chan as Bob Ho, an undercover CIA superspy who decides to give up his career in espionage to settle down with his next-

door neighbor and girlfriend, Gillian (Amber Valletta). But Bob has one more mission to complete before Gillian agrees to marry him: winning over her three opinionated kids.

When Gillian suddenly has to leave town, Bob volunteers to babysit the children so he can earn their approval. But when one of the kids mistakenly downloads a top-secret formula from his computer, Bob’s archenemy, a Russian terrorist, moves in for the attack, forcing Bob to juggle the roles of spy and prospective stepfather in the most challenging mission of his career!

Martial arts superstar Jackie Chan is joined by an talented supporting cast featuring Amber Valletta (PREMONITION, TRANSPORTER 2, HITCH), George Lopez (BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA, SWING VOTE, "George Lopez"), Billy Ray Cyrus ("Hannah Montana"), Magnus Scheving (LAZYTOWN), Madeline Carroll (SWING VOTE), Will Shadley ("Dirty Sexy Money"), and Alina Foley. THE SPY NEXT DOOR is directed by Brian Levent (ARE WE THERE YET?, SNOW DOGS, THE FLINTSTONES) from a screenplay by Greg Poirier (NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS). The film is produced by Robert Simonds and Ryan Kavanaugh.



SINOPSIS
En THE SPY NEXT DOOR Jackie Chan es Bob Ho, un agente secreto de la CIA y superespía que decide dar por finalizada su carrera en el espionaje para asentarse en la casa de al lado de su novia y ahora vecina Gillian (Amber Valletta); pero Bob tiene una misión que realizar antes de que Gillian acceda a casarse con él: ganarse a sus tres obstinados hijos.

Cuando de pronto Gillian tiene que marcharse de la ciudad, Bob accede a cuidar a los niños, y así poder ganar su aprobación, pero cuando uno de los niños se descarga por error un código secreto en el ordenador, el archienemigo de Bob, un terrorista ruso, aparece para atacar, y obliga a que Bob vuelva a meterse en el papel de espía y futuro padrastro en la misión más difícil de su carrera!

El superestrella del las artes marciales, Jackie Chan, colabora con un elenco talentoso empezando por Amber Valletta (PREMONITION, TRANSPORTER 2, HITCH), George Lopez (BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA, SWING VOTE, "George Lopez"), Billy Ray Cyrus ("Hannah Montana"), Magnus Scheving (LAZYTOWN), Madeline Carroll (SWING VOTE), Will Shadley ("Dirty Sexy Money"), y Alina Foley. THE SPY NEXT DOOR fue dirigida por Brian Levent (ARE WE THERE YET?, SNOW DOGS, THE FLINTSTONES) del guion de Greg Poirier (NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS). LA pelicula fue producida por Robert Simonds y Ryan Kavanaugh.

There will be screenings in Los Angeles, New York , Miami , Houston and Chicago , on January 9th at 10:00AM. Theatre locations TBD, as the client is booking the theater.

Giveaway- 5 winners from each location will win an admit 4 pass

TO enter:

1) Watch the trailer and tell me what catch your attention, and why you want to win these passes. ( 1 entry)
2) Follow me on blogger (1 entry)
3) Follow me on twitter (1 entry)
4) Follow me on facebook (1 entry)
5) Tweet. (tweet as many times as you want)

MANDATORY-Please leave an email in your comment and which location you are wanting the passes for.
The giveaway ends on December 28 at midnight. The winner will be posted and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. Good luck.

I do apologize

First let me apologize for not posting regularly. I have been sick for almost a month now. And my life has been upside down since before September. I lost my assistant at work and I know for many of you, you may be thinking so. Well I have been doing so much at work. I have been bringing work home, and the stress of having so much on me. I have gone thru 3 temporaries that have made my life worse than better. Also we are installing a new system and have been in training and installation since October. And on top of that I got sick. I suffer from asthma so when I get sick of course that hits me too. So it took me a while to get better. I didn't even have time to go to the doctor. Yeah who gets sick and doesn't have time to go see a doctor. Me. One week I couldn't even eat. It was so bad I have actually lost weight. And just when I got better last week, I got my fiancee sick. But now we are getting better and I'm back. So to make up for me being missing I feel like giving things away. Check out the giveaways coming today. Thanks for understanding. Even though I still haven't hired an assistant, and my life is still upside down I am getting things back on track.

Celebrating the Holidays at SeaWorld Orlando

With the holidays around the corner, the year ending and so much going on I can't even think of the vacation we never took this year. But I am already thinking and planning for next year. This is a place I have always wanted to visit with my family. I never thought about visiting in the winter time but look at all the wonderl, fun things that can be done.

Guests can take an exciting trip to the North Pole aboard The Polar Express Experience. Plus, enjoy three all-new shows:

·Winter Wonderland on Ice – The ice-skating spectacular debuts November 27 at SeaWorld’s Bayside Stadium and continues select nights through January 3. Christmas comes to life with towering water fountains, magnificent fireworks and some of the most talented skaters in the world as they dazzle and delight families this holiday season.

·Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas, a holiday-themed comedy featuring loveable sea lions Clyde and Seamore, along with a few mischievous otters and a jolly walrus or two. Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas runs on select nights November 27 through January 3.

·A Sesame Street Christmas, even the little ones can celebrate the spirit of the season with Elmo, Big Bird and other Sesame Street friends during the all-new festive and fun musical celebration. Following the show, families can create wonderful memories with their friends from Sesame Street during character meet-and-greets. Families can also enjoy a unique dining experience for the whole family: Elmo and Friends Christmas Breakfast.

Que Rica Vida Concurso

Bisquick te invita a disfrutar de un desayuno de ensueño junto a Karla Martínez en un famoso parque de atracciones en Orlando. Una persona ganara un viaje magico a Orlando, FL. Y tendras la opportunida de salir en la television y ser entrevistado.

¡Participa del concurso y tendrás chances de ganar! Consulta las Reglas del Concurso .
Llena la forma en esta pagina www.karlabisquick.com.

One lucky winner will win an all-expense paid trip for four to a famous and magical theme park in Orlando, FL. To enter log on to www.KarlaBisquick.com where you'll find complete instructions and rules or you can text the word PANCAKE to 47201 and a receive a text message response that will ask you in for your family's favorite breakfast moment. To enter by regular mail, send your family's favorite breakfast moment on a 3"x5" card, with your name, address and phone number to: "Win A Breakfast With Karla Martinez and a Magical Trip to Orlando," P.O. Box 72982, Rockford, MN 55572. So why the opportunity for Spanish-speakers? The winner will be featured in Spanish-language television broadcasts and interviewed by other Spanish-language media.

Le Receta de mi cocina Cooking Contest

Es el tiempo para cocinar y comer mucha comida deliciosa. Tienes una receta fabulosa?

It is that time for cooking and eating great food. Do you have a delicious recipe?
Then why not enter it in a contest. Go to www.larecetademicocina.com for more details

•Deadline is Dec. 31, so get cooking! LOL

•Recipes can range from main courses and side dishes to desserts, with each entry using at least one of Que Rica Vida's 14 priority brands, plus additional ingredients and serving ideas.

•No worries, the products are things we use everyday and list of them can be found in quericavida .com or www.larecetademicocina.com

•Grand prize winner will receive a complete dining room makeover including a new dining room table, dining chairs and area rug, plus an elegant set of china and silverware for eight plus a trip to General Mills headquarters in Minneapolis, where they will receive a personal tour of the famous Betty Crocker Kitchens, and its Cocina Hispana.

•Second and third place finalists will also be awarded $500

Good luck!

THE SPY NEXT DOOR

So I just got a heads up on a new movie coming soon. It is a Jackie Chan movie. I love Jackie Chan. It will be at the theaters on January 15, 2010. George Lopez who I think is hilarious is in this movie too. This is a movie the whole family will be able to enjoy. Check it out and watch the trailer
>...>...>...>...>...>...>...>...>
Lionsgate’s family action comedy THE SPY NEXT DOOR stars Jackie Chan as Bob Ho, an undercover CIA superspy who decides to give up his career in espionage to settle down with his next-

door neighbor and girlfriend, Gillian (Amber Valletta). But Bob has one more mission to complete before Gillian agrees to marry him: winning over her three opinionated kids.

When Gillian suddenly has to leave town, Bob volunteers to babysit the children so he can earn their approval. But when one of the kids mistakenly downloads a top-secret formula from his computer, Bob’s archenemy, a Russian terrorist, moves in for the attack, forcing Bob to juggle the roles of spy and prospective stepfather in the most challenging mission of his career!

Martial arts superstar Jackie Chan is joined by an talented supporting cast featuring Amber Valletta (PREMONITION, TRANSPORTER 2, HITCH), George Lopez (BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA, SWING VOTE, "George Lopez"), Billy Ray Cyrus ("Hannah Montana"), Magnus Scheving (LAZYTOWN), Madeline Carroll (SWING VOTE), Will Shadley ("Dirty Sexy Money"), and Alina Foley. THE SPY NEXT DOOR is directed by Brian Levent (ARE WE THERE YET?, SNOW DOGS, THE FLINTSTONES) from a screenplay by Greg Poirier (NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS). The film is produced by Robert Simonds and Ryan Kavanaugh.
The Spy Next Door trailer

Stay tuned Independentmami might just be giving away movie screening passes and prize packs.

Hellmann’s “Real Holiday Helpings” Program and Giveaway

The holidays are here. Just this past Friday it snowed in Houston. Yes, crazy weather we have here. But it was an eye opener that it is that time again. I had a holiday get-2-gether with my close friends. But before the party could begin I went into crazy mode. What is the one thing that I worried about the most, food? Yes, food. With this economy, you have to think of ways to save money and get creative.
One of my favorite people to watch and learn from is Bobby Flay. I love watching his show.

Bobby Flay has joined the Hellmann’s “Real Holiday Helpings” Program. Check out the great tips, videos and recipes that can be made from simple ingredients. I love that they have a left over recipe section. I never know what to do with all the left overs. I hate throwing them out. Now I can get creative. You can print out a coupon. You can register to win groceries for a year. Play the real food matchup games where there are winners daily. And if that is not enough chances for you, win a $25 American Express gift card here.

Here is how to enter:

1) Mandatory: Go to Hellmann’s “Real Holiday Helpings” Program and tell me your favorite recipe. (1 entry)
2) Follow me on blogger. (1 entry)
3) Follow me on twitter. (1 entry)
4) Tweet this giveaway. (daily tweet)
5) Follow me on facebook. (1 entry)
6) Post it on facebook. (1 entry)

This giveaway ends on December 18, 2009 at midnight. Please leave a contact email and name in your comment. I have the right to disqualify any entries. Winners will have 24 hours to claim prize.
Good luck.

Disclosure: I will receive a $25 American Express gift card as part of my participation in this program. Thanks to BSM Media for this great opportunity.

Winner of 16 X 20 Poster

Cookie said...
I want to print a photo calendar for the grandparents. I also need photo cards to mail out... great giveaway!

December 2, 2009 11:45 PM

She will be getting this...
Enter now to win this great prize, Online Poster Printing Rolled Canvas Giveaway:

Giveaway Prize: (1) 16x20” Rolled Canvas for One Lucky Winner

Size: 16x20 rolled canvas

Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping in the US

Eligibility: Limited to US Residents due to shipping costs. We will negotiate better shipping rates soon.

Recetas Y Consejos para Navidad

Para todos los que le gustan recetas, fiestas, y mas este webinario es para ti. En Deciembre 16, va haber un webinario con mucha informacion para nosotros. Todo sera gratis. Sigue las instruciones que siguen para poder ingresar en el webinario.

Para participar sigue estos dos pasos sencillos: Marca gratis al 1-800-747-7409 y pulsa el código 7642591. Mientras esperas a ingresar al webinario por vía telefónica, haz click aquí: https://www.callinfo.com/prt?host=gcc&ac=7642591&an=8007477409 y sigue las instrucciones.
SIN ESTOS DOS PASOS, NO ES POSIBLE PARTICIPAR PLENAMENTE.

Mom Central Holiday Gift Guide

Week 1 reviews and prizes: (You must enter to win by Tuesday, December 8)

'Irving Berlin's White Christmas' DVD

A copy of ''Twas the Night Before Christmas'

Hallmark DVD Greetings

Mouse-ke-TAG game

The Popcorn Factory

Press Dough Deluxe Cookie Factory

SkinGlow Pillow Cover

ZipperBack Gloves

Eco Touch Car Care Kit

Lil' Ol' Me Onesie and Autism Awareness Bracelet

Pandora Bracelets

What are you waiting for? Head on over to MOm Central and enter.