Competing with the Big Guys

When it comes to blogging, there are days I still feel like a baby. While I don't suffer from blog envy, I still wish there was an easier way to attract sponsors. I remember my friend, Ellen, over at Confessions of an Overworked Mom getting frustrated over being a little fish in a big pond. Now, she's the whale in a vast ocean. She knew what she wanted her blog to focus on, made some tweaks here and there, and is now a social media expert whose opinions are sought after and respected. She also proves the term "Mommy blogger" isn't just for those with kids in diapers. Both her children are teenagers.

I've struggled to define this blog. Originally, I was thinking it was going to be another book blog, but I found myself wanting more and more to talk about other things. Then I started reviewing more products, so the original name didn't fit. I changed the title to Books, Products and More! I was so sure I would stick with that, I created social media accounts at Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. I've joined different sites like BlogFrog. Then the doubts came in again and I wondered if having "mom" in the title would make more sense. Most of my life centers around being a wife and mother.

I seem to be stuck at a certain number of followers everywhere I go. Even when I spend time retweeting other posts and commenting at other blogs, the uptick is miniscule. Offering giveaways hasn't helped much because I can't afford to offer the types of giveaways the bigger bloggers do. I've reached out to potential sponsors, but they aren't great about responding.

I would appreciate some advice. What have you done to make your blog more attractive to readers and sponsors? What do you look for in a blog? Do too many ads make you unsubscribe? If you're a regular reader here, what do you like most?

Thanks for your help. It is greatly appreciated.

WSJ Wednesdays - Newly Built Homes Climb to Highest Level in Two Years

More good news for the housing market. In Alan Ziebel and Dawn Wotapka's article on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, it is stated that newly built homes climbed to the highest level in two years. The reason: limited supply of previously owned homes and record-low mortgage rates.

I can't say I haven't considered building again. As a first time home buyer, I wasn't quite sure of what I liked or wanted in a home. Now, I can look back and see the mistakes we made. I would do a few things differently, but overall I'm happy with our home. A larger kitchen, an entrance to the deck from the kitchen instead of from the family room, a smaller half bathroom in order to create a larger laundry area, and a slightly larger master bedroom and bath would make a huge difference.

Last week we talked about how bigger homes are making a comeback. This new Wall Street Journal article states the housing sector seems to have hit rock bottom this spring. With a weak monthly growth rate in May and worries over Europe's fiscal health, the authors feel the road to recovery will be bumpy. Still, it looks like things are improving. I sure hope so. While low interest rates allowed us to refinance, selling a home has become tougher. One of our neighbors was hoping to move this year, but the bids aren't coming in. Maybe buyers aren't eager to settle for a home that doesn't have everything they are looking for. That's one of the reasons we ended up building in 1999. Our house only cost us a few thousand more built to our specifications than the houses we were looking at that didn't have what we wanted. We came close a couple of times with previously owned home, but renovations would have costs thousands more. I'm glad we decided to build.

Did you build your home or did you buy a previously owned home? Would you do the same again?

Katrina & Winter by Nancy Stewart Winner

Congratulations goes out to Elisha G. She won a copy of Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage by award-winning author Nancy Stewart. The winner has been emailed. She has 72 hours to respond with her mailing address before we select a new winner.

Thanks to all who participated. Hope you'll visit again soon.

Amazon Gift Card Winner

Congratulations goes out to Evie. She won the $10 Amazon Gift Card giveaway. She has been emailed and has 72 hours to respond. After that, a new winner will be chosen.

Thanks to all who participated. Look for more giveaways coming soon. Also, don't forget that once we reach 500 followers, we'll release a bunch of great prizes.

Quincy Moves to the Desert by Camille Matthews Giveaway at Linda Weaver Clarke's Blog

Blog: Linda Weaver Clarke’s A Family Friendly Blog

Title of book: Quincy Moves to the Desert

Author: Camille Matthews

Genre: Children’s

Open to: International

Giveaway Dates: June 26 – July 2

Giveaway Link: http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com/2012/06/interview-with-childrens-author-camille.html 

Book Review: John Locke: Philosopher of American Liberty by Mary-Elaine Swanson

In this compelling narrative, the late Mary-Elaine Swanson shares the story of John Locke, an English philosopher, physician, and theologian whose writings influenced three revolutions and garnered him admiration from Voltaire, Rousseau, and many American revolutionaries, especially Samuel Adams.

John Locke: Philosopher of American Liberty  provides an in-depth look into Locke's life and his influence. Well-researched and cited, Swanson's motivation for writing this book is to refute the claim that Locke's political philosophy was rooted in "a godless rationalism." In order to do this, the author went back to the writings of people who knew Locke and also reviewed his own words.


Broken down into five sections, this book discusses the life of John Locke and the times in which he lived. It then goes on to discuss Locke's influence on the Glorious Revolution, the American Revolution, and the French Revolution. Finally, Swanson discusses how American law schools began to reject the Law of Nature as fundamental to understanding the intentions of the drafters of the Constitution of the United States, and how the adopting of an evolving view of law that constantly changes according to the people's wants, has resulted in a change in constitutional law and the decisions handed down from the Supreme Court. The final chapter offers proposed solutions for how to return the judiciary to its purpose as intended by the framers of the Constitution: "to adjudicate specific cases, but not to set public policy."

John Locke: Philosopher of American Liberty is a timely book that is so important today because it shows clearly that Locke believed life, liberty, and property were inalienable rights from God and legitimate government has no authority to take them away. Government is actually bonded to protect and preserve liberty. Though Locke's views have been manipulated over time, Swanson proves through multiple cited examples that American liberty's roots are Biblically based. Swanson believed it is important for every American to know the ideas behind the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The late author has done a great service in correcting the modern notion that our Founding Fathers were deists. The proof is in the writings of the man who greatly influenced how these men framed our form of government, as much as it is in their own writings. But more than that, Swanson's book shows how far away the branches of our government have come from what was originally intended, and offers possible solutions on how to return to our roots.

•Paperback: 432 pages
•Publisher: Nordskog Publishing (May 1, 2012)
•Language: English
•ISBN-10: 0983195730
•ISBN-13: 978-0983195733
•SRP: $19.95

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions. I was paid a fee to promote this book with a virtual book tour through Pump Up Your Book. That fee did not include a review of any kind. I have received no monetary compensation of any kind for this review.

Movie Review: Disney - Pixar Brave (2012)

In a world of legends and magic, Princess Merida  works to change her fate, not knowing that an ill-fated wish will toss the kingdom into chaos.

The Lil Diva (10), the Lil Princess (8) and I went to go see Disney - Pixar's Brave this weekend. I rarely go to the opening weekend of a movie, but the warm weather seems to have kept the crowds away.

This is a funny, often tender, sometimes crude story of Princess Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald), who is confronted with a lackluster life filled with marriage and duty. Her overbearing mother (voiced by Emma Thompson) has spent years showing Merida how to act properly, so that she will be prepared, but Merida would much rather let loose, riding her beloved horse, Angus, and perfecting her archery skills.

Merida's three little brothers (or devils as she calls them) get to create mischief around the castle; no doubt encouraged by their father, King Fergus (voiced by Billy Connolly). But Merida's mother expects her to be the dutiful daughter. Very unfair.

The story behind Brave isn't a new one: mother and daughter don't see eye to eye on the future; an independent mind is eager to defy the conventions she was born into; what seems to be a good idea at the time ends up being a disaster (think of all those wishes Timmy Turner made in Fairly Oddparents). With Pixar's amazing animation and classic Disney appeal, Brave is an exciting, fun time for the family. Like Mulan before her, Merida makes a choice. It's when Merida realizes what that choice might have cost her and her future kingdom, that she becomes the brave soul who will make a difference.

If your family only sees one movie this summer, it should be Brave.

Rated: PG
Run time: 100 minutes
Released: June 22, 2012

My girls and I saw this movie in the theater. I was not compensated for my review in any way.