Sand in My Sandwich by Sarah Parshall Perry

I was drawn to this book the minute I downloaded it onto my Kindle.  I found the title quite interesting in itself, but also because of other reviews that I had read.  I was not disappointed, I finished the book in 2 days and probably would have finished quicker, but I had to go to work!  :-)

Sarah Perry shared bits and pieces of her journey in life.  As a single woman she was definitely a perfectionist.  When she married and had children her life however took a drastic change and there was no room for perfectionism. She realized that she could not completely control her children and perfection was no longer an important part of her life. 

Sarah Perry is an incredibly strong woman.   Just like the rest of us, Sarah is not perfect but she strives to please God and seeks Him in all areas of her life which includes seeking God for guidance of her children.  Knowing that God is in control is so difficult to understand...especially when your children are so different from other children.  Sarah shares honestly the struggles, fears, anxieties, stress, etc. that she has being a mom of an autistic child.  Mothers will relate to these stories, because they mostly likely have some of the same fears and anxieties.  

I enjoyed reading this book a lot!  Although I have no children of my own, I have had the privilege of being around children that showed so many characteristics that Sarah refers to in the book when she is talking about her children.  It is an encouraging book. We never know what is going to happen next in our life, but the Almighty God does and He always uses it ...even though we usually don't understand it! 

Disclaimer:   I received this book free of charge from Revell Publishing in exchange for writing an honest review of  Sand in my Sandwich and Other Motherhood Messes I'm Learning to Love.  The opinions expressed are my own.  

Bic Pen...Magic Markers... & Stylus... REVIEW

I know... I love pens!  I do...I do...I do.  Thank goodness it doesn’t take a lot of money to make me happy! Shoplet.com sent me a few items to review and I always feels so privileged to try products that I have never tried before.  Especially the huge variety of PENS in this world!!

Let me start off by tell you about this box of Bic Atlantis Retractable Exact Ball Point Pens.

I have a tendency to write large, so I love that is a fine point pen. The ink ran very smooth as my hand was able to glide without the tugging of ink and it didn't leave a smear when I rubbed my hand over the just written ink.  I did find it sorta awkward to get a good grip on this pen...but only because tend to write with the fingers gripped very close to the base of the pen, so I almost miss the rubbery part of the pen which would give me a good grip (that it just a me thing I'm sure).  There is also one more thing that I didn't like and that is the blue ink.   Never use it...so hopefully it also comes in different shades like purple, green, orange or pink!!

This is a box of the Bic Atlantis Retractable Comfort Ball Point Pen.  

Now this particular box of pens is just a tiny bit different.  The one thing that already had me on its side was that they have black ink.  Yeah!!!!  It is a medium point pen and it continues to write very very smooth without any jerking and there was absolutely no smearing of ink!  I do not like smudges one little bit.  I had the same problem with the grip as before, but I promise that is a me thing!

My students loved these vibrant Bic Magic Window Markers. 

The bright fluorescent PINK and fluorescent YELLOW were almost too much for my first graders to take in!  I used them to write their name on our classroom window when they reached their reading goal.  It was like the world revolved around them when their name was finally written "for the world to see!!!"  These particular markers have bullet tips.  The water-based ink adhered very nicely to our classroom windows...nice & smooth!!!!   Then came the clean up...I do not like to clean up messes! However I used a wet cloth to clean the windows and it came off very easily.  I was impressed.  I will definitely be using these and other different colors to add a little more "POP" to my classroom.  



The last item I want to share with you today is the Bic Cristal Styles 2-in-1 Pen. I really liked the idea of this 2-in-1 Pen!!!!  I always have a pen in one of my hands and usually have my phone, iPad or Kindle nearby...so this makes perfect sense to me to have a pen and styles together!!!   I of course tried in on three of my things and the pen worked just fine.  It is very lightweight, glides easily across each of the screens (which would eliminate a few fingerprints...ha.ha.ha!!).  I love the look of this pen too.  Very modern.  It looks like a pens...thats all decked out for the evening.  Pretty!  I did have one slight problem when using it with my Kindle...apparently your hand as to be within "metallic section" to be able to use it with your technology.  It was a bit frustrating at first, but one I read the directions.. I was able to move only without any further issues.


Shoplet has a huge selection of products that I hope you will check out.  Please consider them next time you are ordering online, You will be amazed at the wide selection of office stationary, office supplies, medical supplies and their great promotional products.   


Please be aware that even though I received these produce at no charge, I have given my honest opinion of each of them. 

Touched by Heaven

This book arrived on my porch Friday afternoon.  Which just so happened to be the beginning of my Spring Break!!  Yippee!!!!  I decided what better way to start my break than to read a book a good book.  It took me a couple of days to finish it...but I did just that.

This book is a true story written by Nancy Ravenhill.  At the age of 5, her father began to use a belt to whip her.  Nancy's father used her as an outlet for the rage he felt towards her mother.  Her mother watched and did absolutely nothing.  

Nancy retreated to her bedroom and she knew at that point that there is really no one that she could turn to except for Jesus.  And she did just that... It was there in the quiet of her bedroom that she experienced seeing Jesus for the first time.  
This heartbreaking event unfolds in the the very first chapter called The Storm Breaks.   I was immediately drawn into her story and couldn't put it down for hours.

As the story continues to unfold, she unfortunately continues to be abused by her father. Amazingly, her mother does nothing to intervene.   It was after this abuse that Nancy realized that the way that she responded to this pain would make a huge difference in what was in store for her in the future.  She chose to cry out to the Lord with her heart and soul!! 

I was intrigued by Nancy Ravenhill.  She is so faithful in seeking God throughout her life and waiting for God's timing. 
Throughout the book she tells about the many meaning events and happenings as well as the many encounters she has with Jesus.  It was fascinating to read about.


The entire time I was reading this book I felt a little uncomfortable.  I'm not sure why exactly. That is something I probably need to deal with on my own.  

This book was sent to me from Chosen Book Publishers at no charge. The opinions expressed here are my own.

SMEAD is a Need if You want to stay Organanized!!!!!!

These are three wonderful products to help keep you organized.  For me, organization is something I cannot survive without and I love it when I discover office supplies that can make my organization even better.

The SuperTab File Folders come in a package of 6 and are made by SMEAD.  

They are letter-size, have 1/3-cut tabs, and the area for the label is 90% larger than a normal file folder!   This extra space is something I always look for when I purchase file folders.  The pink folders are such a blessing for those of us who want to help support breast cancer awareness.  I have never been disappointed when I have purchased products made by SMEAD.  These folders are sturdy and I know they will last for many years to come.

 

I quickly fell in love with this dark navy 12-Pocket Stadium File when I realized that it was a tiered file.  

This allows the files to be seen with such ease.  What made the product even sweeter was that it expands!  The file holds folders, 8 ½” x 11” paper and has 1/3-cut tabs.  Labels are included if you are interested in using their preprinted sheets.  To be quite honest I haven’t quite figured out the perfect use for this file. 

As a school teacher, the possibilities are endless…student files…assessments….data… When I figure it out I’ll take a picture and post it. J

The 3-in-1 SuperTab SectionFolders come in a package of twelve with an assortment of colors.I don’t know who first decided to make colored file folders but I love it!   The folders have the larger label area, have 1/3-cut tabs, and are green compliant for those that prefer to purchase eco-friendly products.  These folders have something extra that caught my attention immediately.  You have the option of whether to use the folder in a vertical or lateral position!    

Instead of have just two pockets there are 3 and there is a “lockit’ flap that keeps papers in place.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve carried a file and ended up losing items out of them.  This is definitely a feature I am going to like!

When you have a few minutes and are ready to do some serious shopping, check out all these products at Shoplet.com.   You will find a nice selection of  promotional products, medical supplies and office stationary.

I received the above mentioned items for free and in exchange, I agreed to give my honest opinion of each of these products.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Shoplet Review: GeckoTech Reusable Hooks and Duck Tape

          

          Admit it...you are just a tiny bit jealous that these Office Supplies weren't delivered to your front door!!!   I know I would be if they had been delivered to you instead of me!!!!

         There were two packages of GeckTech Reusable Hooks.  One holds up to 3 pounds and the other up to 5 pounds.   To be quiet honest, I haven’t figured out the perfect place for these babies yet.   I’m  A-L-W-A-Y-S  loosing my keys, so I thought the front door would be that place.  It easily attached itself to the door and the keys fit on the hook perfectly…the problem was that they keys rubbed against the door…Nope not a good place.    

Next I hung a rather large bag that I take to work on the hook.  I must admit the contents in the bag were not very heavy, however the hook itself was too small to hold the strap of the bag very well. 

I decided to leave the hook on the door for several days until I could think of a permanent place to put it.  It was very easy to remove!  All it took was a little heat from my blow dryer and it peeled right off.  I ran into problems around my house because everywhere I wanted to put the hook it would not stick because of the surface.  Unfortunately all my walls are either wallpapered, or textured and they will not work on those types of surfaces.    These Reusable Hooks work on painted surfaces (just not textured & flat or matte), glass, laminate, stainless steel, and tile.  I just need to figure out what to use them for and where!!!  Any suggestions???   

          The other product was a package of Duck Packaging Tape (which is pretty exciting…because I go through oodles of Duck Tape in my classroom!)   The packaging claimed that this particular tape dispenser would not make any noise while being used.  I found that kind of amusing because I know how annoying the sounds can be while dispensing tape!!   But do you know what!!!! It was amazingly quiet.  While my students were completing their morning work, I made some little books for them and I always reinforce the stapled binding with Duck Tape.  Nothing!!!  Not a peep out of that dispenser!  You’ll have to try it yourself if you don’t believe me.

If you are shopping for office supplies or office stationary, I encourage you to check out Shoplet.com.  They also have a nice selection of  Promotional Products if you are looking for new ideas to promote anything!!  

Disclosure:  I received samples of these products from Shoplet.com in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed are my very own and I did not receive any other compensation,  

HP EcoEFFICIENT Paper Review

Have you seen this HP EcoFFICIENT paper?  I received it a few weeks ago and I was eager to see if all the things that were written about it were true.   

I must admit that I was a bit skeptical because I was concerned that since the paper was lighter, it might bleed through when I printed my documents.  I usually use 20lb copy paper…so yes indeed...this lighter paper had me worried!  I printed on the front side of both sheets of paper (the 16lb paper and also on my normal copy paper).  I turned them over and put a piece of paper up again the front side (the printed side).  Here is a picture of the backside of both papers.  There is just a tiny bit of difference...so no big deal for me.  

         

 A definite plus for me is the space that this paper takes up compared to my regular copy paper.   I don’t know about you…but my storage space is pretty limited…so to be able to fit more sheets into the usual area I keep my paper, is a good thing.  And...I can fit more paper into my printer!  Yippee!!!

Here is a picture of the same number of pages of the HP EcoFFICIENT Paper right beside the same number of pages of my regular copy paper.  This is only 50 sheets of paper in each stack...but it would definitely make a difference the more paper you have.

I used several sheets of this thinner paper through my printer and I never had any problems at all.  They fed through with NO problems at all.   And that definitely makes me smile!

I go through several boxes of paper every year, so I’m looking forward to carrying less weight every single time I purchase a box of paper and carry it from my car to my office.  The older you get…the more you will appreciate it too!  J

Did you know all HP Everyday Papers made in North America are certified to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).  This assures the forests that provide the renewable resources from which HP makes their papers are responsibly managed and harvested, helping to ensure the protection of wildlife, plants, soil, and water quality for future generations.

If you are like me and do a great deal of shopping online for your many office supplies, please make sure that you check out Shoplet.com.  They have some great prices on Promotional Products, Medical Supplies, and Office Stationary as well!

Please note that in exchange for my honest review of this paper, HP provided me with two trials packs of HP EcoFFICIENT Paper.  They also sent me a HP coffee mug, and a flash drive!!

Neenah Astrobrights Colored Paper & Cardstock Review

Wow!  Would you take a look at those bright colors!!  These  Neenah Astrobrights  paper & cardstock are definitely BRIGHT!  

As a teacher, I go through a tremendous amount of paper throughout the year.  I always print my weekly newsletter on colored paper…in hopes of catching the attention of parents.  I must say though that I’m really excited to use these amazingly bright sheets of paper!!!!   Surely they won't miss these!  

The quality of this colored paper is an added  bonus!  My little first graders get so excited when I give them colored paper to work on one of their projects.  As a matter of fact, yesterday we celebrated “Orange You Glad You Can Read” Day…and everything was printed on this orange paper!  You could feel the excited when I handed out my papers!  J 

This Neenah colored paper comes in a package of 500 sheets, and measures 8 ½ x 11, with a weight of 24 lbs.  It can be used in inkjet printers, laser printers or copiers!  Now... are you ready for what they are called?

LIFT-OFF LEMON

PULSAR PINK

MARTIAN GREEN

COSMIC ORANGE

VULCAN GREEN

The colored cardstock is available in a package of 250, paper size of 8 ½ x 11, and a nice heavy weight of 65 lbs.  They guarantee that it work in laser and inkjet printers...  and it worked perfectly for me!.  As you can see from the picture above, this cardstock has a bright selection of colors.  I just have to share with you the names of these colors too:

COSMIC ORANGE
SOLAR YELLOW

TERRA GREEN

VENUS VIOLET

FIREBALL FUCHSIA

Last week, I used this heavy cardstock to make a few centers for my classroom.   It printed beautifully and they (the centers & the bright colors) were a huge hit with my students!!!  

If you find yourself in the market  for office supplies, please at a look at Shoplet.com.  While you are checking out their websites, make you also look at their nice selection of promotional products, medical supplies and office stationary.  


***Disclosure*** I received the items referred to above for free in exchange for my honest review. of these products.  The opinions expressed here are my own.