All posts by Anne Younger

Anne is a 30-something full-time SAHM mom of 5 ranging from 3 to 17 and grandma of 1 who resides in Ashwaubenon (Green Bay) Wisconsin. She started blogging in 2008 as a way to regain her sanity. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, cheeseburgers and vodka along with spending time with her husband and kids.

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Geek Gift Set Review & #Giveaway – Ends 12/05/11

Anne Younger

I’m pretty sure that I have mentioned once or twice that the Alex is a bit of a geek. For me, that is awesome because I consider myself a geek as well and through our love of geeky things, we managed to find each other!

When shopping for gifts for him, I always like to find quirky, humorous gifts that I know will definitely make him laugh. Yes, we are that couple.

One year I got him an entire bundle of gifts that were completely Superman themed. Another year, I fulfilled his childhood dream of being a Ghostbuster for Halloween!

Yes, we are geeky.

Now I rely on awesome online sites to give me new ideas.

One of my new favorite sites is UncommonGoods.com because they have a little something for everyone. I’ve even found quite a few things I am planning on ordering for Baby Ellie.

Uncommon Goods offers a large line of Gifts for Geeks. Of these, I have had the pleasure of checking out the Evolution Erasers, Eye Glasses Holder and the Clear Staple-Less Staplers.

Seriously, I don’t know which of these Geek Gifts I like more! The Eye-Glasses Holder is a very, VERY useful tool in our home since the Alex is notorious for setting his glasses on the back of the couch or bedside table only to knock them down and have to try to find them. This addition has given his glasses a new home and the little Alexander thinks it’s pretty cool too!

And really, who doesn’t need an eraser? I know I always like to have them on hand, especially when I have kids who are always erasing mistakes. This way they can erase and error and get a lesson in evolution at the same time.

Also, I can’t say anything negative about the Clear-Staple-less Stapler because I am all for a product that is eco-friendly and uses the paper to staple itself together eliminating the need for those pesky metal staples that get caught in everything!

So, if you’re looking for some cool gifts for guys on your shopping list, I recommend Uncommon Goods as a great place to check out!

Or better yet, you can enter our giveaway for a Geek Gift Set that includes all of the items pictured here, a retail value of $50!

Here’s how to enter:

MANDATORY 1st ENTRY:

Sign Up for the Email list at Uncommon Goods.

For additional entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter for 1 entry. Leave a comment with your Twitter ID.
2.Tweet about this giveaway then leave me a comment with the link to your tweet. This is SUPER easy is your use the Twitter icon located at the top of this post for 1 entry.
3. Tweet a link to the Geek Gifts page at Uncommon Goods for 1 entry.
4. Subscribe to my newsletter and leave a comment with your email address for 2 entries.
5. Subscribe to The Megalomaniac Mommy via a reader for 2 entries.
6. Follow me on Google Friend Connect (at the bottom of this page) for 2 entries.
7. Like The Megalomaniac Mommy on Facebook for 2 entries.
8. Follow The Megalomaniac Mommy on Networked Blogs (at the bottom of this page) for 2 entries.
9. Grab my button and add it to your page and leave me the URL for your page for 3 entries.
10. Vote for The Megalomaniac Mommy on Picket Fence Blogs for 1 additional entry by clicking on the logo below.

This giveaway will begin on November 21st, 2011 and end on December 5th 2011 at 12 NOON CST and is open to US Residents Only. Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond and claim prize. For more information on giveaways hosted by The Megalomaniac Mommy, please read the Policies page.

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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West Side Story: 50th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray

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I love the movie West Side Story. I fell in love with this tale when I saw the play at a local theater in middle school. I have now seen it enough times to be able to quote it word for word and sing every song!

West Side Story won 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Directing and Best Original Score, the film took home more awards than any other movie-musical in the history of cinema. This monumental production not only featured the timeless lyrics from master American composer Stephen Sondheim, but a brilliant score from Leonard Bernstein, and beautiful direction from Robert Wise.

This anniversary edition of the film boasts hundreds of hours of restoration, new 7.1 digital audio, and a collection of bonus features spotlighting the harmonious songs and elaborate dances of the original film and I enjoyed every last minute of it!!

For those not familiar with the film, it’s an ageless story of Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950’s New York. A love affair is fated for tragedy amidst the vicious rivalry between two street gangs – the Jets and the Sharks. When Jets member Tony (Richard Beymer, The Longest Day) falls for Maria (Natalie Wood, Splendor in the Grass), the sister of the Sharks leader, it’s more than these two warring gangs can handle. As mounting tensions rise, a battle to the death ensues and innocent blood is shed in a heartbreaking finale.

And don’t even get me started on the music!
Oh my, I love it all.
If you watch Glee, I’m sure you know what I am talking about.
The music sucks you in!
Here is one of my favorite songs from the film!

WEST SIDE STORY 50^th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Special Features

ALL-NEW: Pow! The Dances of West Side Story – cast members, contemporary filmmakers, dancers and choreographers analyze and illuminate the film’s famous dance sequences.

Prologue
Dance At the Gym
Tony and Maria’s Cha Cha
America
The Rumble
Maria’s Roof Dance
Cool

ALL-NEW: A Place for Us: West Side Story’s Legacy – a look back at the iconic film and the impact it has had all over the world

Creation and Innovation
A Timeless Vision

Song Specific Commentary by Lyricist Stephen Sondheim

Prologue
The Jet Song
Something’s Coming
Dance At the Gym
Maria
America
Tonight
Gee, Officer Krupke
I Feel Pretty
One Hand, One Heart
Quintet
Somewhere
Cool
A Boy Like That / I Have A Love

Music Machine –allows viewers to go straight to their favorite musical numbers
West Side Memories
Storyboard to Film Comparison Montage
Trailers

Original Theatrical Trailer
Original Issue Trailer
Reissue Trailer
Animated Trailer

Also available is the West Side Story: 50th Anniversary Edition Box Set [Blu-ray] featuring Two-Disc Blu-ray, Newly Restored DVD and Tribute CD Along With Photo Book and Other Collectibles

Disclaimer: This promotion was based on using information provided by Twentieth Century Home Entertainment. Twentieth Century Home Entertainment does not represent or warrant the accuracy of any statements or product claims made here, nor does it endorse any opinions expressed within this blogsite. The opinions stated from me are 100% mine and they are my true thoughts.

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The crazy busy emotional week from hell

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It’s hard to believe that week ago today our family spent the day up north with the Alex’s parents, grandma and 2 uncles to enjoy an early Thanksgiving together before my in-laws departs for their 3 week Trans Atlantic cruise. We had a great time, shared some wonderful conversation, there was laughing and playing, kids running to and fro and even nap time for those who had indulged in too much turkey.

24 hours after that wonderful family celebration, we found ourselves in mourning.
One of the uncles that we had enjoyed the holiday with had passed away very unexpectedly.
There we were, in shock, tears flowing and our hearts breaking.

24 hours after learning of the news of Uncle Chet’s passing, we learned that Zack would need to have surgery and have screwed placed in his right hip to stabilize a growth plate that had slipped causing him pain.

24 hours later, I was sitting in a hospital room with Zack helping to comfort him and get through the pain from his surgery.

Less than 24 hours later we were leaving the hospital and bringing Zack hope to start his 8 week recovery.

Yesterday we attended the funeral for Uncle Chet. We shared stories that made us laugh and cry and we remembered a great man. We talked with other family members about what needs to be done, who needs to do what, right down to shipping furniture here and there to ensure that everyone in the family has something to remember Uncle Chet.

In the past week, I have shed more tears than I have in the last 6 months. It has been crazy, busy and emotional but it is a week to give thanks and I will be forever grateful that we spent last Sunday celebrating Thanksgiving early allowing us that last chance to spend time with Uncle Chet before he made his way to heaven.

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Discharged

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As I mentioned, Zack was discharged from the hospital on Thursday, less than 24 hours post-op.

Prior to being discharged on Thursday Zack had to complete a course in using his crutches without putting any weight what-so-ever on his right leg. He will need to do this for the next 8 weeks.

Yep, absolutely no weight on his right leg for 8 weeks.

That’s rough.

Zack also got his wheelchair on Thursday which will be his main mode of transportation around the house and anywhere else he needs to go.
He likes it!

After he was discharged, we made a quick stop and grabbed a shower chair for him from a local business that was kind enough to lend us one until he is all better.

From there, we got him all settled in over at my parent’s house for the next week. We decided to move him there for the first week because their home has more space for him to move about on the lower level, it’s quiet and well….it keeps him away from Alexander so he can rest. the Alex got him all setup with the XBOX360 over there, a stack of games, and Netflix.

My sister and her kids brought him a cute basket of cookies.

My mom also hooked him up with a nice supply of magazines, soda, cookies and more.
So far, he’s been doing very well.
He hasn’t needed the pain meds much and is getting around pretty good.
For the most part, he’s doing well taking care of himself and doesn’t require assistance for much.
One struggle he is having is that he is bored.
Even with everything he has setup for him, it’s not enough for a kid who is usually very active.

He will be making the return to school on the 28th and we are hoping by then he is well rested and healing because he will need to be in his wheelchair the entire school day and push himself around the building get to and from each class.

Zack will need to see Dr. S. next week for a follow up but other than that, we have a long road ahead of us and look forward to having him back home soon and back to himself down the road.

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Mommy Page.com – Adventures in Parenting and Great Savings

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Sorry folks, I’m not here today. I am busy being interviewed over at MommyPage. In my absence, I am delighted to welcome Shreya from MommyPage.com as guest blogger.

We’ve just launched a new site, MommyPage, to bring expecting moms, new moms and veteran moms a single source to all of the deals, coupons and savings opportunities offered online!

Our goal at MommyPage is to scour the internet to find and consolidate the latest free samples, coupons and special offers from some of the best name brands that moms like us love! When the brands we love most aren’t offering something special – we have a team of moms that reach out to those companies to encourage them to offer something great to our MommyPage Turners! MommyPage currently has found and posted offers such as VTech Kids, Kellogg’s, ThredUp, Baby Talk and American Baby!

Beyond our offers and deals, MommyPage helps all moms navigate their way through parenting. Our community of moms share stories on buying maternity clothing, healthy eating for two, baby behavior, first day at preschool and more! Being a mom is about managing a home and lifestyle. With our tips on parenting and access to savings – we hope to help moms make parenthood a successful adventure!

We hope that you allow us to join you in your adventure in parenting! Visit our Mommy Page today.