I was able to lay my hands on a publisher’s preview copy of Jessica Farm by Josh Simmons.  Simmons drew 1 page every month for 8 years and will continue to do so as he creates other volumes. The problem with this is that he seems to have lost all concepts of what the story should be. This graphic novel makes absolutely NO sense! It has numerous characters who are there for one or two pages and never properly introduced. It is full of violence, sex and nudity that has NOTHING to do with the story. I have yet to figure out who the heck Jessica is and whether these things are happening in her imagination or in her real life. Maybe in 42 years when the whole series is finished it will make sense, but I seriously doubt it. All I know is that in 2016 I will NOT be reading volume 2.

All that being said, I do have a copy of this book sitting here for anyone who may want it.  I want it out of my house - definitely not a book that you should have around kids, so consider yourself warned.  If anyone feels brave enough to want it, leave a comment by July 31st and make sure you use a valid email.  I will pick a recipient on August 1st, 2008 using random.org.  Good Luck!

Melanie at Livin’With Me! is hosting a giveaway for products from the Stubby Pencil Studio.  Stubby Pencil Studio was started by Kate Rosenthal in 2006 when she realized the need for eco-friendly and do-it-yourself art products for children.

Here is what the $70 prize package will include:

Green to the Letter Stationery set including:
4 packs of Color ‘n Kids cards (winner’s choice of styles)
Set of 10 Smencil pencils
Set of 12 eco colored pencils
Set of 12 Watercolor crayons
Box of 24 Soy crayons
Trio Pencil Sharpener

This giveaway will end on July 4th at 11:59pm EST.   Be sure to visit Livin’With Me! to enter.

If you can’t wait to see if you win, you can use this coupon code: BDAY08 for a free pack of Color ‘n Kids cards: Six Birthday Wishes ($7.95 value) good thru 12/31/08. The coupon code goes in at checkout - on the review your payment page - on the left hand side there is a spot to click that says Questions, comments or BONUS CODE.

Have fun and good luck!

Summer’s Nook is having a birthday bash!  On June 27, 2008 she will have a day chock full of games, door prizes and giveaways featuring fantastic sponsors.

Details:
Finer details are still working themselves out so these are subject to modification:

• Giveaway and comment game posts will be put up every hour on the dot from 9am to 7pm.
• All giveaways and games end at midnight pacific time. Most winners will be chosen at random (unless post specifies otherwise) and announced Saturday morning.
• Games require comment participation and will include prizes.
• Eligibility details for giveaways will be provided in each post.

Be sure to visit Summer’s Birthday Bash on the 27th and good luck!!!!

The Friendly Book Nook is having a Summer Reading Extravaganza!  Each day from June 23rd-27th they will have a topic about summer reading that they encourage you to post about on your blog or comment on! It should be a great chance to get a lot of ideas for books to read over the summer as well as ways to encourage your children to spend some of their time reading.There are also prizes! Through regular participation you will have the chance to win one of the following:

1. Inspirational Fiction Lot: Includes Skizzer by A.J. Kiesling, A Mending at the Edge by Jane Kirkpatrick, In the Dead of Winter by Nancy Mehl, To Trust a Friend by Lynn Bullock, and a special cross bookmark made by Rabuna Fi.
2. A brand new signed copy of Stealing Athena by Karen Essex.
3. A ten dollar Amazon gift card!

Be sure to visit The Friendly Book Nook for more details!

Wal-Mart Recalls Additional Charm Key Chains Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

Lands’ End is one of those companies that really value moms’ opinions.  Here’s a way to have your voice heard and really make a difference when it comes to preparing your children for the upcoming school year.

Please take a few minutes to complete the Lands’ End Back-To-School 2008 Survey. The survey consists of 18 multiple-choice questions. Upon completing the survey, your name will be entered to win one of five $100 Lands’ End Gift Cards. To be eligible to win, you must complete the survey by midnight (CST) on Wednesday, June 25. 

Take the Survey Now!

Good Luck!

Here’s How It Works:

1. Kids read any 8 books.

2. Kids use the Summer Reading Journal to tell us their favorite part of each book. A parent/guardian signs it when it’s complete.

3. Children bring their completed journal to a Barnes & Noble store between May 29th & September 2nd, 2008.

4. They receive a coupon for a FREE book! They choose from a list of exceptional paperback titles.

Visit Barnes & Noble for more information.

Ginny at Daily Thoughts is giving away a gift card to Swimsuitsforall.com. 

Swimsuits For All started as a small E-Bay business in 2004 and has since become one of the leading retailers of swimwear sizes 8 and up online. We specialize in hard-to-find swimwear such as chlorine-proof, cup-sized, and plus-sized swimsuits. We are dedicated to offering our customers the best selection in fashionable, high-quality swimwear for every age, body type, and price range. Our goal is to be your full-service swimwear source!

Please click here to learn more and enter the contest.  Good Luck!

The Simple Mom at SimpleMom.net is sponsoring a giveaway of a handcrafted “tiny squares” necklace from Lisa Leonard Designs.  You really need to go to her store and check out her stuff.   It is just beautiful.  So be sure to head over to SimpleMom.net and enter by midnight tonight.  Oh and Good Luck!

Want free money?  Of course you do, who doesn’t love free money? 

Guess what, Revolution Money Exchange is ready to give YOU $25.

Revolution Money Exchange  is a new service similar to PayPal.  To help them spread the word and convert people from PayPal to their service, they are paying everyone who signs up an easy $25.  It takes about a three minute to sign up and you get the money quickly!

I did it and so did my hubby.  I think it was the quickest $50 we have ever made!  If you would like to sign up with Revolution Money Exchange, then please click the button below.

If you want to learn more about Revolution Money Exchange and how it comares to PayPal, please visit The Get Smart Blog.

PaidTwice from I’ve Paid For This Twice Already… is giving away a $50 gift card from SmartyPig. 

What is SmartyPig? SmartyPig is basically a savings account (that earns 3.90% APY) through an actual bank (WestBank) and is FDIC insured. The difference between SmartyPig and a regular savings account is that you set a savings goal and a funding source, and you need to fund your savings goal (minimum of $250) through that funding source by automatic monthly withdrawals. It is the online version of a piggy bank. Making deposits is free, and withdrawing your money is also free, which you can do in the form of a gift card (which you get a bonus for depending on what retailer), a SmartyPig debit card, or a check. Direct transfer back to your funding source is not yet available but is supposed to be in the future. If you are saving for an item which you can buy with a gift card, this would be a nice way to get a bonus for your money. Friends can also make deposits to your account if you make your savings goal public - and they can do so for free if they have a SmartyPig account to do so with. (read more at I’ve already paid for this twice...)

Thanks PaidTwice for this great giveaway.  Click here for details on how to enter and good luck to everyone!!!