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.

The Emperor’s Tomb Review

Now, I’m new to the works of Steve Berry. I have heard the titles of his other books slip from the mouths of others but had never had an inkling to pick up a copy of one of his books.

And then, I was asked to review his newest book, The Emperor’s Tomb which was released on November 23rd.

My thoughts:

A page turner. I couldn’t set it down. I read it from cover to cover in less then 24 hours.
Yes.
All 446 pages of it.

It was a great read and I am looking forward to backtracking through his works and am hopeful they all read just as well.

Here is a brief summary of the book:

“The tomb of China’s First Emperor, guarded by an underground army of terra-cotta warriors, has remained sealed for more than 2,000 years. Though it’s regarded as one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world, the Chinese government won’t allow anyone to open it. Why?”

That question is at the heart of a dilemma faced by former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone, whose life is shattered when he receives an anonymous note carrying an unfamiliar Web address. Logging on, he sees Cassiopeia Vitt, a woman who’s saved his life more than once, being tortured at the hands of a mysterious man who has a single demand: “Bring me the artifact she’s asked you to keep safe.” The only problem is, Malone doesn’t have a clue what the man is talking about, since Cassiopeia has left nothing with him. So begins Malone’s most harrowing adventure to date–one that offers up astounding historical revelations, pits him against a ruthless ancient brotherhood, and sends him from Denmark to Belgium to Vietnam then on to China, a vast and mysterious land where danger lurks at every turn.

If you’ve read any of Berry’s books or are just being introduced to him, I strongly recommend checking him out. He is a New York Times bestselling author and has sold 11 million books worldwide. Other works by Berry include, The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemange Pursuit, The Venetian Betrayal, The Alexandra Link, The Templar Legacy, The Thrid Secret, The Romanov Prophecy and The Amber Room.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book at no cost to me in exchange for my honest review.

My 2010 Holiday Wish List

For those of you who are looking to get me a little something something for Christmas (you know who you are!), here are the things that my little heart desires this holiday season!

1. Case Logic SLR Sling for my beautiful Canon EOS Rebel XSi from eBags.com

2. A pair of UGG Classic Short boots in Sand, Size 12 from Zappos.com

3. Vivitar Dedicated E-TTL Swivel Flash from Amazon.com

4. Shrek Forever After / Donkey’s Christmas Shrektakular- Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack (Widescreen)

5. The Canon Coffee Mug from PhotoJoJo.com

6. App Magnets from ThinkGeek.com

7. Flip UltraHD U260 Black Video Camera

8. Crayola Crayon Maker

9. The Biggest Loser® Digital Kitchen Scale from Bed Bath and Beyond

10. All Edges Lasagna Pan from ThinkGeek.com

So, these are the items that I am currently wishing for. This list is subject to change at any time to add new items that I see and feel I must have. Oh, and no I was not paid or asked to write about any of these items so suck it FCC.

Lego Universe Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Beth S.
At the end of October, the Alex had the chance to review the new Lego Universe MMO Game. You can check out his review HERE.

Since we enjoyed the game SOOO much and are getting ready to renew and up our subscription, I have been given the opportunity to offer a giveaway to my readers for the game which includes a FREE 1 month subscription!

Yes!
You too can enjoy the fun that Lego Universe has to offer!
Both my husband and my 11 year old son are addicted to the game!

Here’s how to enter:

 

MANDATORY 1st ENTRY:
Tell me what your favorite thing to build with Lego’s is.

For additional entries:
1. Follow me on Twitter for 1 entry. Leave a comment with your Twitter ID.

2. Tweet: << @Anne54304 is giving away a copy of Lego Universe to 1 lucky reader! Enter now! http://themegalomaniacmommy.com/lego-universe-giveaway/ >> then leave me a comment with the link to your tweet. (CAN BE DONE DAILY!!!)

3. Subscribe to my newsletter and leave a comment with your email address for 2 entries.

4. Subscribe to The Megalomaniac Mommy via a reader for 2 entries.

5. Follow me on Google Friend Connect (at the bottom of this page) for 2 entries.

6. Like The Megalomaniac Mommy on Facebook for 2 entries.

7. Follow The Megalomaniac Mommy on Networked Blogs (at the bottom of this page) for 2 entries.

8. Grab my button and add it to your page and leave me the URL for your page for 3 entries.

9. For 5 additional entries, blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with a link to your post.

10. Submit this post to the social networking site of your choice and receive 1 entry for each submission just leave a comment with a link for each.

11. Comment on the Alex’s Lego Universe Review for 1 extra entry.

This giveaway will begin on November 29th 2010 and end on December 12th 2010 at 12 Noon CST.

Crayola Pop Art Pixies GIVEAWAY!!!!

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Alison!
Since we had SO MUCH fun working on all of the AWESOME Crayola Pop Art Pixies crafts and because Crayola ROCKS! I am pleased to announce that Crayola has GRACIOUSLY given me the opportunity to share some of these WICKED FUN craft projects with you!

That’s right!
I’m giving away some Crayola Pop Art Pixies goodies!
One lucky reader of The Megalomaniac Mommy will win one of each of the following:

Yes, all of that!

What is it you ask?

Skye’s Wind Chime Kit, Skye’s Water Bottle Kit, Tatum’s Decoupage Glass Plate Kit, and Naomi’s Color Glow Lamp Kit!

We had soooooo much fun with these projects and hope you will too!

Here’s how to enter:

MANDATORY 1st ENTRY:
Tell me who you will share the Pop Art Pixie craft kits with.

For additional entries:
1. Follow me on Twitter for 1 entry. Leave a comment with your Twitter ID.
2. Tweet: << @Anne54304 is giving away a #crayola Pop Art Pixies prize pack to 1 lucky reader! Enter now! http://themegalomaniacmommy.com/crayola-pop-art-pixies-giveaway/ >> then leave me a comment with the link to your tweet. (CAN BE DONE DAILY!!!)
3. Subscribe to my newsletter and leave a comment with your email address for 2 entries.
4. Subscribe to The Megalomaniac Mommy via a reader for 2 entries.
5. Follow me on Google Friend Connect (at the bottom of this page) for 2 entries.
6. Like The Megalomaniac Mommy on Facebook for 2 entries.
7. Follow The Megalomaniac Mommy on Networked Blogs (at the bottom of this page) for 2 entries.
8. Grab my button and add it to your page and leave me the URL for your page for 3 entries.
9. For 5 additional entries, blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with a link to your post.
10. Submit this post to the social networking site of your choice and receive 1 entry for each submission just leave a comment with a link for each.
11. Like Crayola on Facebook for 1 entry.
12. Follow Crayola on Twitter for 1 entry.
13. Comment on any of my other Crayola Pop Art Pixie related posts for 1 extra entry for each comment.

This giveaway will begin on November 28th 2010 and end on December 8th 2010 at 12 Noon CST.

**The Libby and I were invited to the VIP* Pop Art Pixie NYC event by Crayola. All of our travel accommodations, meals, incidentals and samples of Pop Art Pixies craft projects in addition to the items in this giveaway were provided by Crayola. **

Crayola Pop Art Pixie VIP* All Day NYC Adventure – Part Three

Again, if you’ve been following along these last few days, then you are aware that the Libby and I recently attended the Crayola Pop Art Pixie VIP* Weekend in NYC.  If you’re new to all of this craziness, feel free to catch up HEREHERE and HERE!

Oh, stupid me….there’s another one too!

Once we were done checking out Rockefeller Plaza, we were back on the bus and anxiously awaiting the news of our next stop.

We had already gone to Central Park as an activity of Skye’s and to Magnolia Bakery in tribute to Tatum.  The next Pop Art Pixie on our list was Maya, the artist.

So, if you were in New York City and needed some place to go that was artsy, where would you go?

The answer…..

MoMA.

That’s right.

We went to the Museum of Modern Art!!!!

(Scroll over pictures to read description and click to enlarge.)

There was one painting in particular that I was beyond words happy to see in person.

The real thing.

There is was, right before my eyes…..

Yes. That really is The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh.

It was beautiful.

Our next favorite part was when the works of Andy Warhol were surrounding us.

(**This Elvis photo was taken specifically for my mom!**)

I could have spent days, if not weeks at MoMa looking at all of the beautiful works of art.

There truly is not enough time in one day to take it all in.

Once we were done at MoMa, the girls posed for a group picture with their shadow boxes we had all crafted at home prior to the trip and brought with us to NYC.

As soon as I get my hands on a copy of that picture, I will be sure to share it!

After MoMa, our feet were aching and our bodies hurt all over but we still had one more stop to go.

The last Pop Art Pixie on our list was the one the Libby had REALLY been waiting for, her favorite, Naomi.

Naomi is all about the music and so is Libby.

Needless to say that when she learned she was going to a DJ studio to learn how to ‘scratch’ like a real DJ, she was THRILLED!

Before learning the ropes of being a DJ, the girls worked on a quick craft, Naomi’s Glow Lamp.

The finished product was super cool!

Finally, it was time to get some grub in our tummies and then learn to scratch.

Crayola put out quite the spread of New York pizza, sushi, snacks and sweets for us to enjoy.

After getting her first lesson in scratching once dinner was complete, I knew I had a problem.

 

Yep. I officially have a Future Spin Doctor on my hands!

After our day of experiencing some of the great things that NYC had to offer, we boarded the bus one last time and ventured back to the hotel.

On the ride back, the girls all busted out singing New York, New York along with the radio which I think was a great way to end such an amazing day!

**To the folks at Crayola and Coyne PR, (you know who you are), you are truly an amazing group of people and you helped us create some wonderful memories.  Thank you sooooo much for allowing the Libby and I to experience this together.  We will forever be in debt to you for this opportunity.  Thank you for everything that you did, the time, money and effort into organizing this event.  Thank you for being truly AWESOME, each and EVERY one of you!  Thank you for treating us like VIP*s, because you really did! Thank you, thank you, thank you….a million times over! We LOVE you!!!!**

**The Libby and I were invited to the VIP* Pop Art Pixie NYC event by Crayola. All of our travel accommodations, meals, incidentals and samples of Pop Art Pixies craft projects were provided by Crayola. **

*****STILL TO COME*****

An AMAZING giveaway from Crayola and the Pop Art Pixies and the final part of our NYC tale!