New Year's Eve - DVD Giveaway!

Ever since Love Actually I have been a HUGE fan of massive movie star collaborations. Since then both Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve have both become major movies. Today I am offering a give away for your very own DVD copy of New Year's Eve! They just came out in stores this week, but here is a chance for you to win your own copy!



Warner Bros. Pictures is proud to announce the release of the hit romantic comedy New Year’s Eve on DVD and Blu Ray May 1st! Some of the amazing stars include Ashton Kutcher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Katherine Heigl, Sofia Vergara, Hilary Swank, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zac Efron, Jon Bon Jovi, and Josh Duhamel!


Feel free to use the widget above to take the Quiz or even download tips to help make your resolutions reality. I know mine are usually done by January 4th, on a good year, so maybe this year I can plan ahead for something amazing for 2013!

Rafflecopter will walk you through the steps below. Giveaway closes on May 9th at midnight! Winners must reply via email withing forty-eight hours or a new winner will be chosen.

Promotion!

As of December 1, 2011 my husband is officially a Sergeant!! I am so, so proud of Ryan it is ridiculous. He picked up Corporal in February 2010 after being a LCpL for nearly four years, so to get to Sgt in less than two is pretty cool in my book. Of course... he has cleaned up a bit since those early days ;)

Back in June I was there for my husband's re-enlistment ceremony, but I have never seen him get promoted. When he picked up last time we were engaged, he was in DC and I was in NJ working and planning our wedding. Poor guy, he would drive four hours every single weeked up until our wedding to see me. Gosh I love him. Now of course the hubby is in 29 Palms, so a six hour plane trip to watch the ceremony was not exactly an option, but luckilly the MCCES Facebook page came through for me! Behold... pictures!!!

















Hopefully in a few years when he picks up again I will be able to be there to see it!


Oh, also on the 1st my baby brother turned 15. He now has a NC Learner's Permit. As in he is driving. Terrifying. You ladies who drive down in NC better watch out, stay east away from the mountains! ;)

Gosh I feel old.

BUNCO tonight! I cannot believe I have fallen for the craziness that is this game, but I do enjoy it and the girls are wonderful.

Have a great night all!

Care, Music, Busy!

Sorry all, with the hubby being home blogging has taken a back seat! Plus billing at work coincided perfectly so I am finally getting a chance to do a quick update.


I was recently contacted by Sheila over at Caregiver Village and I thought some of you might find it useful... I know there are a lot of milspouses out there who act as primary caregivers to wounded warriors so amybe this is something you can utilize.

The founders of Caregiver Village, which is an online community designed exclusively for those who provide care for anyone with special needs, have put aside a portion of the launch funding to support caregiving organizations. For every person that joins Caregiver Village, they will donate $1 to that persons organization of choice. Caregiver Village members connect with friends, participate in book clubs with celebrity authors, journal, play mystery games, solve puzzles, and learn valuable information about caregiving. So feel free to check it out!

Now for my link up this week with Goodnight Moon I am picking a song I heard on the radio yesterday that has been stuck in my head ever since...



Enjoy!

Giveaway Time!

UPrinting is an online printing company that offers different printing services that are pretty awesome. You want just regular poster printing? Calendars? Bookmarks? Got it. They can even go a step further and offer custom posters for you! Their site offers amazing services besides posters and their design templates are great. You can upload your own images and text with their design studio, it is pretty easy!

Prize Details
One (1) Winner of an 18”x24” Poster Print
Semi gloss OR high gloss
1 business day print turnaround time *Free Shipping
Restriction: Limited to *US residents 18 years old and above only.


How can you win?

Mandatory:
- Follow my blog with GFC (one entry)
- Leave a comment saying what ideas you have for your poster! A series of pictures? A design for a business? A welcome home from deployment sign? (one entry)

I kind of want to take all the pictures of all the houses I have taken in Old Town Alexandria and put them together... I think it will look neat!

Optional:
- Blog about it! (two entries, leave two comments saying so)
- Facebook about the giveaway with a link to my blog (one entry)
- Like UPrinting on Facebook (one entry)
- Tweet the giveaway once a day, linking to my blog (one entry per day)
- Follow UPrinting on Twitter (one entry)
- Refer someone to follow! If they comment that you recommended them you each receive two entries! Just post both your names each comment.

So for two entries:
Post one comment/email 1
Post another comment/email 2

That is at least ten (or more!) chances to win!

Please include your email address with at least one entry to win! No email = No prize!


This give away will close on October 14th, 2011

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive a poster for hosting. (:

Art for Wounded Warriors

I was contacted via email this morning about this and thought it sounded amazing! All my readers with children, I encourage you to participate!! It is for a great cause. Happy Friday!

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The National Museum of the Marine Corps is conducting its “Art for Wounded Warriors” program for the second year, after receiving overwhelming support from children and youth from across the country in its inaugural year. The “Art for Wounded Warriors” program, managed by the Museum’s Teacher-in-Residence, is again calling on young artists to submit art to decorate recovery facilities and brighten the days of our wounded Marines. The Teacher-in-Residence program is supported by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

“The wonderful support this program received in its first year was so heartening,” said Museum Director Lin Ezell. “We can’t wait to see what the young artists send us this year. It will surely help make the holidays much brighter for the wounded warriors recuperating in hospitals around the nation.”

This year, the Museum is working with the Wounded Warrior Regiment to distribute the artwork submitted by children to brighten the walls of hospitals from coast to coast. All children who enjoy drawing, painting or coloring are encouraged to show their support for America’s Marines by submitting their original works.

“The Museum’s call for artwork is a wonderful way to teach children about service to the nation as well as for children to express their gratitude and support for our Marines,” said James Hunniford, Teacher-in-Residence, National Museum of the Marine Corps. “Art is a fun, stimulating activity for both parents and teachers to do with children; especially for such a great cause. We hope this program helps our nation’s children understand that there is something they can do to help.”

Children who wish to participate should create a picture and write a supportive message on an 8 ½” x 11” piece of paper. Artists should also write their name, hometown and grade level on the back of their pictures. The Museum will accept drawings, paintings or colorings from children of all ages and abilities. All works of art must be submitted in a flat, rigid envelope postmarked by December 10, 2011. Artwork becomes the property of the Museum and cannot be returned.

“It’s always inspiring to see young artists’ creativity and commitment to support our wounded heroes,” said Lt. Gen. Robert R. Blackman, Jr., president & CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. “I can imagine how much it will mean to our recovering Marines to know that we are thinking about them and especially that young Americans hold them in their thoughts and want to brighten their day.”


Children’s Artwork for Wounded Marines
Create your picture on an 8 ½” x 11” piece of paper.
Package your work in a flat, rigid envelope.

Submit your art by December 10, 2011.
Mail all submissions to:

The National Museum of the Marine Corps
Attn: Teacher- in- Residence
18900 Jefferson Davis Highway
Triangle, VA 22172-1938

Boudoir Shoot with KE Photography

So last weekend, the day before the Zombie Commercial I did something I had really wanted to do for some time... a boudoir shoot! With Ryan being away and constantly badgering me for pictures (Hey, minds out of the gutters... not those kind necessarily. I believe today he asked to see some sweater pictures because they look cute... anyway) I thought this would be perfect for him. When we are 3000 miles apart, whether like now in school or in the future during dreaded deployments, he can have something kinda sexy to look at.

I nearly fell out of my chair when I googled some prices. I was basically looking at upwards of $1,000 for a shoot alone, forget prints! By the time you pay for make up, the place, the photographer, the editing.... oh it was bad. But lucky for me one of my bests Kyndra found an AMAZING photographer Kari.

Kyndra had Kari take her engagement photos, maternity photos, newborn shots and yes, even a boudoir shoot! So I knew Kyndra would not steer me wrong. And when I heard the price quote I was ecstatic. Totally in my budget!! I started talking to Kari and we set a date for my shoot.

MAN was I nervous! I had never done anything like this before. Ever! Kyndra volunteered her apartment for the shoot (as mine is kind of boring and a studio would have severely limited us) and at my request promised to hang around until I hit my stride.

It was a hectic morning to say the least! I got to Kyndra's house early but sadly the make up artist had the flu. With Kyndra having my boyfriend baby Bentlee we could not risk it... so off to the Mac counter we went, her friend Katie in tow! I did get some funny stares walking through the mall in jeans, a tshirt, and a way vamped face, but it was funny.

Once we got back to the house I definitely needed a drink, I was nervous. But a few sips of champagne later I was fine :P Kari arrived and she was incredibly sweet and I was actually excited to get to work. We taked a few ideas and outfits and went to town.

I started pretty modestly and eventually stopped giving a damn and really had fun. Yes the champagne may have helped but it wore off eventually. Kari is extremely professional and made sure I was comfortable and had anything I needed (from breaks to a cigarette to an outfit change!). She is definitely a perfectionist and I mean that in the best way. She made sure my shots were clear and something I could definitely use. Along the way she showed me in the camera some of the awesome shots she already had, and over a period of nearly six hours we had close to 1,000 pictures!!! Before posting any online she cleared them with me. Only headshots from boudoir shoots would be on facebook or her website, and I approved them before they went up. The rest will be in a locked album on her site for me to peruse, so bonus points for privacy when needed!

When I saw the first few previews I was shocked, I could not believe that was me! Her editing has been flawless and I just cannot wait to get the rest! My husband will definitely have his socks knocked off come Christmas time, I hope I can wait that long to give them to him! I am pretty psyched for him to see!!!

Check it out! These first shots are from Kyndra's boudoir shoot:






Don't her eyes look insanely awesome!?

And these are from mine!







I am sure you are DYING to know where you can find Kari and KE Photography... have no fear! Kari works in the DC/MD/VA area and I have to mention does stunning pictures in natural light. Boudoir shoots are more indoors, but her maternity, engagement, wedding, and newborn shots will astound you. You all should regardless of location LIKE her Facebook Page (and tell her I sent you so I can win another (mini) shoot!) and definitely check out her Website to see more of her terrific work!

Kari even has a Blog as well as a Twitter account (not that I have any idea how Twitter works) but go follow her!

I am going to end this shamelessly glorious review with saying I cannot wait to see the rest of my shots Kari! You were so fun to work with and I will recommend you to anyone, including my trusted blog followers!

Helpin Out

So I met this cool zombie on Sunday named Shane. Shane was another fellow actor actually at the commercial (lots of people were just there for fun or because they were doing the 5k, only a few of us were actually wannabe actors) and he is auditioning for Season 2 of the Glee Project. Please Click HERE and like Shane's video! Help a fellow zombie out so when he gets to be on TV and uber famous you can say "I knew him when..."

And Skinnie Piggie is hosting an awesome series of give aways for her birthday! YAY! I love birthdays, and I totally love today's prize... so go enter! Staci is the sponsor and she makes these amazing "Home is where the "Insert Branch Here" Sends Us" Signs. Ours would be the Marines obviously, but I think it would be a fun thing to have and add to for the next fifteen years....





Not much else going on around here. I have just been working and lazying about. Time has slowed down recently, especially knowing Ryan will have leave in two weeks. Some days I am so absolutely fine, it feels like I have been doing this forever. Other days I miss him so much I almost can't breathe. I am a regular ping pong of emotion which I am sure is enjoyable to those around me! Just two more weeks. I have to get through 2 more weeks and Ryan is home.

Is it October yet??

Soldier Comin' Home Contest

I was recently sent an email about this great website and contest and I had to share it with you all! I know some of you have men deployed so maybe this is something that will interest you!

If you visit the website Soldier Coming Home Contest all you have to do is upload a video of your loved one coming home! Ten favorites will be featured in a music video for the song "Soldier Coming Home" by Jamie O'Neal, the video will be played on music channels like GAC and CMT!!

Here's the even more awesome part, the person who has the best video will win a trip to Nashville, TN and they'll introduce the video with Jamie O'Neal on TV on GAC!

For all those of you who don't wish to enter or cannot, the single "Soldier Coming Home" is featured on My Country Smash Hits 2, which is available in select markets now and will be available nationwide towards the end of Fall. The CD also features songs by Kenny Chesney, Blak Shelton, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, and more.

On youtube I found this video from Jamie O'Neal herself explaining the contest, feel free to watch and enjoy.




Thank you!!!

Promotion and Other Things

So Ryan picked up CPL today! I am so proud of him!

And then I find out he has duty on Valentine's Day so we will not be spending it together. We were going to have the whole house to ourselves as my family is going to the new house in NC for the weekend and I am home with the dog... so now I am just going to be by myself for the big VDay. It kind of sucks. I hate how used to the fact I am seeing him ever weekend almost now. He drives up to NJ and I get to spending the weekend with him, but he isn't coming this weekend as I am going down on Tuesday to do a marriage prep thing for the Corps and now he isn't coming for the long weekend. I just cannot wait until we can always be together. I can come home from work and he'll be there or when I wake up in the morning he will be.

Three months cannot come soon enough!!!

I started work at the pharmacy, from 8:30am-5pm Mon-Wed. So Kohls called me back today adn I am interviewing on Thursday and probably going to work there nights and some weekends when Ryan can't come up. I will definitely be keeping busy (and earning money) to say the least.

We have a DJ, picked out our menus, accumulated addresses, are waiting for our Save the Date cards, going to mail the invites, and set our songs. We are making a lot of progress, we still just really need transportation (yikes $$$!) and flowers. First dress fitting on Saturday!!! Wish me luck!

Promotion

Ryan told me last night he qualified to be promoted to Corporal!!!!! I am so excited for him. He has been a LCpL for a long time because he got himself in trouble (*cough*twice*cough*) awhile ago. Once was before I met him and the other was shortly thereafter, but he finally made it back up to where he should be! As of February 1st he is my Cpl (: Congratulations Sweetie!