This Full House Reviews

Have You Heard of Kajeet? Okay, Have You Talked About Safe-Text(s) with Your Teens?

My sincere thanks to the folks over at kajeet for sponsoring my writing about about a recent discussion I had with my kids about proper cell phone usage.

As the primary care-giver for our family for the last 19 years and having grown accustomed to running around, in 4 different directions, sometimes ALL at once, I feel it safe to say that cell phones can come in REAL handy.

Then, one day, I got a text message from my 16 year-old:

Heather: Mommy i got this text...is it legit??? Your entry last month has WON! Goto [link withheld for blog posting purposes] and enter your Winning Code: [see previous set of brackets] to claim your Free $1,000 Giftcard!

Me: No!!!

Me: Especially, since we did not buy anything at that store...bastards![yes, I really texted that]

Heather: I didn't click it, but are you sure.....

Heather: But, what if I entered something on their site and forgot?

Raising 3 teens and with our youngest kid in double-digits (my baaaaaybeeeee started middle school, today!) you could say we are a family of avid consumers and frequently apply for savings cards.

Name your favorite store and we probably have a savings card for it.  We also register online with some of our favorite stores for the chance to win free stuff.

Not for nothing, but parents of teens spend a butt-load of money already.

Me: Sounds like a scam. Texting codes allows them to hack into your stuff. You can always call Best Buy.

Heather: Okay, because that's a loooooot of money.

Me: I know, which is why you should call them to verify.

Aaaaaand, she did.

Heather: I will....ugh, if it's a scam that really sucks.

Me: Agreed

The customer service representative confirmed the scam: they get tons of calls ALL THE TIME about it.

Aaaaaand, Heather's right, THAT TOTALLY SUCKS!

Heather: Wahwahwaaaaaah. If it's real, I'll cry tears of joy.

Me: Me too, for you!

Because sending bogus texts or trick advertisements...promising our teens and tweens shiny new things, for free...is just all sorts of wrong...DAMMIT!!!

Thinking about getting a cell phone for your child? EXCELLENT!!!  I recently learned about a cell phone service called kajeet:

 

SPECIAL OFFER:  kajeet is also offering a BACK2SCHOOL promo for 15% off android smartphones.

Personally, I think this is a great option for parents who are thinking about getting their kid(s) a cell phone and looking for ways to help stay connected with busy family members.

Either way, please remember to talk to your kids about safe-text(s) and I promise you, you will be REAL glad you did -- like me!

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of kajeet. The opinions and text are all mine.

Welcome to Our 90th OPEN HOUSE BLOG TOUR! The Best Tablet Reviews Edition

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I love attending open houses -- especially, if it's a home that we've admired from the sidewalk, or wondered...you know...what the heck is going on over there?

Same thing with blogs, right?

Mi feedburner es su feedburner!  So please, clean off a chair, sit down and feel free to share your links (PG-13, please) about any blogging events, giveaways, book tours and contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need to a little shout out (HEY!) go for it!

Okay, I'll start:

My husband and I have been researching the market/interwebs for new tablets (4 kids, sharing 1 desktop, enough said) however, we are not as committed to Apple products (4 kids, enough said) as some people (okay, most everyone) also, once we do come to a decision (sort of) there's something new on the market.

My friend JayMonster has a great review of the new Android based Google Nexus 7 tablet.  Then again, I can't wait to hear his thoughts when Amazon refreshes Kindle Fire later this year (sort of).

Also, be sure to check out Engadget's 2012 back-to-school guide on tablets.  They are also featuring a giveaway every week until September 7th with 15 Grand Prize Winners of an awesome package including:  HP Envy Ultrabook 4, Sony Cyber-shot RX100, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0), Samsung Galaxy S III (AT&T), Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, AiAiAi Capital headphones and...WOW!!!...much, much more.  Go now!

Right,  NOW it's YOUR turn:

URL TOO LONG? NO SWEAT:  You can shorten, share and track your link with bitly.com (takes only about 3 seconds!)

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by and feel free to come back anytime to see what my blogging friends are up to -- or, stop by my personal blog at ThisFullHouse.com -- we'll leave the porch light on for ya'.

In the meantime, have an AWESOME weekend everyone!

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

Holiday AT&T Phone Fairy Week 3: Samsung Focus Flash Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  I am SO EXCITED to be able to share this awesome phone with you, Cathy McCaughan (comment #16) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

Thanks to my friends at AT&T, I am raiding the Halloween bucket, donning a pair of wings and got to play the AT&T Phone Fairy for the Holidays.

It's been very exciting giving away a new and different AT&T 4G smartphone, every week, this month!

Why?  Well, who am I to deny an online friend the chance to get their hands on an awesome new cell phone?

Congratulations to Katherine for snagging the awesome Impulse 4G by Huawei, during week 1  and to Leslie S for snagging the awesome Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G, last week!

TODAY IS MY LAST DAY AS THE AT&T PHONE FAIRY (SOB!)  I'm giving away a Samsung Focus Flash to gift forward OR keep for yourself this holiday season. 

Want one?  Excellent! 

Key features are:

Holiday AT&T Phone Fairy - Week 2: Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  I am so happy to be sharing this awesome phone with you, Leslie S (comment #78) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

Thanks to my friends at AT&T, I am raiding the Halloween bucket, donning a pair of wings and get to play the AT&T Phone Fairy for the Holidays.

I will be giving away a new and different AT&T 4G smartphone, every week, for 3 weeks, in December.

Why?  Well, who am I to deny an online friend the chance to get their hands on an awesome new cell phone?

Congratulations to Katherine for snagging the awesome Impulse 4G by Huawei, last week!

TODAY:  I'm giving away a Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G  (perfect for gaming teens) to gift forward OR keep for yourself this holiday season. 

Want one?  Excellent! 

Key features are:

Holiday AT&T Phone Fairy - Week 1: Impulse 4G by Huawei Giveaway

Comments are closed: so glad to be sharing this awesome phone with you, Katherine (comment #6) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

I ran into the AT&T Phone Fairy at BlogHer in San Diego, this summer -- literally, she's just a tiny little thing -- and she was passing out phones to people who needed them, including friends of mine with broken, lost and/or stolen cell phones.

How awesome is that, right?!?

Last month, I received one of AT&T's budget-friendly alternative for smartphone shoppers (like me!)

Feel free to read my review of the Impulse 4G by Huawei, here.

Thanks to my friends at AT&T, I am raiding the Halloween bucket, donning a pair of wings and get to play the AT&T Phone Fairy for the Holidays.

Each week, for the next 3 weeks, I will be giving away a new and different AT&T 4G smartphone.

Why?  Well, who am I to deny an online friend the chance to get their hands on an awesome new cell phone?

TODAY:  I'm giving away an Impulse 4G by Huawei (just like the one I got) to keep for yourself or gift it forward this holiday season.  Want one?  Excellent!

Deal Alert: AT&T's Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals Announced!

Feel free to read my review and how the Impulse 4G by Huawei helped me overcome my smartphone envy - when you have time, of course.

Guess what?  I haven't broken my new cell phone from AT&T [knocks on wood until knuckles bleed] not yet, anyway.

However, I'm still having a hard time convincing my kids that, in this case, it's okay NOT to share.

I don't blame them.  It's really a smart-looking phone.

Most especially, since I've gifted myself with prettiful phone bling (it's my first smartphone, don't judge) although, I can't help but feel a little sad that my phone dresses up nicer than I do.

Hrmph.

Aaaaanyway, have any techy-type stuff on your shopping list?!?  EXCELLENT!!!

AT&T just announced their Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals on ATT.com.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday, November 25th, the following promotions will be available for online shoppers while supplies last. FREE SHIPPING and WAIVED ACTIVATION is included:

Friday, November 25, 12:01 a.m. ET

• Touchscreen devices, including tablets.

Saturday, November 26, 12:01 a.m. ET

• All Windows 7 and select Android devices, for just $.01

Sunday, November 27, 12:01 a.m. ET

• BlackBerry 9860 for  only $.01, HTC Red Inspire for $29.99

Monday, November 28, 12:01 a.m. ET

• A lineup of some of AT&T’s most popular smartphones—Motorola ATRIX 4G, Samsung Infuse 4G, BlackBerry 9810, HTC Inspire 4G and LG Thrill 4G—all for only one cent!

Aaaaand, you don't even have to leave home, or change out of your pajamas, to take advantage of these really great deals. 

How awesome is that, right?  Don't tell my kids, okay?

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  No payment, product or any other consideration, besides perhaps helping families (like mine) save a little extra milk money, was received for this blog post. 

Impulse 4G by Huawei Review: Overcoming My Smartphone Envy

Recently, I had a bit of a disagreement with my 10 year-old over her being the ONLY kid, in her 5th grade class, who does NOT own a cell phone.

The fact that a few of them own iPads was more than just a little disconcerting.

Because, the cost alone would feed my family for 1 month (conservatively speaking and if I don't buy meat) not to mention, yet ANOTHER $$ per month for data plan AND I don't even have a smartphone, DAGNABIT!!!

Yes, she really DOES exist.  I ran into the AT&T phone fairy at BlogHer in San Diego, this summer (literally, she's just a tiny little thing!)  she was passing out phones to people who needed them, including friends of mine with broken, lost and/or stolen cell phones.

How awesome is that, right?!?

Last week, I received an Impulse 4G by Huawei, launched in September 2011, as AT&T's budget-friendly alternative for smartphone shoppers (like me!)

Seeing as this is my first (smartphone, I mean) the prospect of actually being able to use my phone for home, work AND play, was very exciting, indeed.

So, the BIG question(s):  is it functional, what does it cost and how smart is it?

Skype Group Video Calling & Summer Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So, so happy to be sharing this with you, tomato (#40) Karen M (#2) and Tina Page (#38) please check your email for further instructions, thanks !!!

I was first introduced to Skype in February of 2008 and now use it regularly to keep in touch with clients and online friends.

Skype is a little piece of software that allows you to talk over the Internet to anyone in the world, for FREE!

Today, I'm excited to tell you about the launch of Skype Group Video Calling, which allows up to 10 people to join in on 1 video call, meaning family and friends can now connect over the lazy, hazy and sometimes crazy days of summer...virtually!

Absolutely the Last Possible Minute Mother's Day Gift Idea, I Promise!

I know, I know, it seems like everyone and their brother is bent on reminding us that, you know, Mother's Day is just around the corner.

Good thing, too, seeing as I may be the only mom, on the planet, who still does NOT have a gift, for my mom.

No worries, we are a lot alike and enjoy simple things, so, I'm framing this picture of us, taken by my 15 yo, during spring break.

Shhhhh...don't tell her...okay?

It's one of the few photos my mom and I have, taken of each other, with each other, in the same photo and, well, we are both usually the ones, on the opposite side of the camera, taking pictures of everyone else.

Hers is pretty beat up and I may, or may not have dropped it at some point, so I suggested to dad that the woman could use a new camera and, since then, I've been sort of elected to, you know, hunt around for one.

Not an easy task (took me nearly two years to save up and find mine) however, this pretty little thing recently peaked my interest.

The cool thing about this camera?  The Samsung SH100 is...wait for it...WiFi-enabled...so, you can instantly share that pic of your husband, sleeping on the couch, with the dog, across your social networks to your friends and families anywhere.

Here's the really fun part, the Samsung SH100 is going on a month-long road trip across America in the month of May:

The mobile team is going to record all the amazing people they meet and the fascinating places they visit with the SH100, and the best photos and videos will be shared on the Samsung USA Facebook page!

(www.facebook.com/SamsungCameraUSA)

Honestly, I think this is a fantastic idea and believe that Samsung is in for a REAL interesting time; here's a quick video explaining this fun campaign:

 

Personally, I'm looking forward to watching Samsung's campaign unfold, in real time and, as a potential customer, I'm very, very interested to see the final outcome, in pictures, as well.

Hopefully, we'll see a funny face, or twenty and maybe even recognize some of the places, this pretty little camera takes us, so, yeah, this should be a REAL interesting road trip, right?

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  I was compensated for this opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity.  All opinions are my own.

House Favorite Finds: Franklin Speaking Spelling Bee

Let's face it.  Difficult spelling words are the bane of every students existence (adults, too!)

My youngest daughter (she's 9) is discovering the complexities of silent letters and the seemingly endless exceptions to grammatical rules.

Thank goodness for spell check, right?

I was recently approached by representatives of Franklin Publishers (known for their educational language products) regarding a new product geared towards making spelling fun.

Great, another game, just what she needs </sarcasm> I thought.

So, my daughter (her name is Hope) put it to the test -- want to see?

Give Me a Little Kindle Skin!

In 2009, I wrote Love Means Never Having to Pay Full Price for the Parent Bloggers Network and was lucky enough to win an Amazon Kindle. 

BONUS!

Although, the PBN Network is no longer publishing (gosh, but I enjoyed writing for them) and there are many more electronic readers on the market, today (some, even prettier) my love for the Kindle is as strong as ever.

So, I've decided to gift myself for Valentine's Day and give my Kindle a makeover!    

Valentine’s Day-themed accessories include cool Kindle skins (pictured above) such as My Heart and The Kiss.

Don't have a Kindle?  No problem.

All you need is your email address and you can gift yourself your favorite novel to be read via one of the free Kindle apps for PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Android or Windows 7 Phone.

What?  There's no shame in gifting yourself.  Besides, my husband Garth (not his real name) is tired of taking stuff back and likes it better this way, too.

You can find this and other Valentine's Day themed Kindle Accesories on Amazon.com.

[P.S.:  Seems the skins available on Amazon.com fit 2nd generation Kindles, only, DAMMIT!  Still, they are pretty aren't they?]

[P.P.S.:  Just found a whole bunch of Kindle 1 Skins @DecalGirl and they now accept PayPal -- also, each skin includes a special code to download the file from GetMyWallpaper.com -- YAY!!!]

© 2003 - 2011 ThisFullHouse.com

Disclosure:  Affiliated links used.  No payment was received for this blog post. Just sharing stuff that I think other families (like mine) might like, too.

Friday Family Game & Movie Night: Power Gig: Rise of the SixString for Xbox

Glen playing the Power Gig: Rise of the SixString for Xbox -- I'm so psyched to be able to edit my pics in Picnik.com, right from my Picasa 3 software, doesn't this look cool?!?

We signed my 11 year-old son up for guitar lessons, through an enrichment program offered in our school system, which means, you know, no sleeping in on Saturdays, either!

Still, it's close to home, the program ran for 10 weeks through December, which worked out to be about $10.00 per lesson.

Not a bad deal, right?

Unfortunately, he missed a couple of lessons (due to his, or the teacher, being sick) and, well, I didn't sign him up for the winter session.

Judging by all the snow Jersey has been getting (a.k.a. Snowmaggedon 2010) good thing, too.
We received a copy of Power Gig: Rise of the SixString, a music videogame that uses a real guitar as a controller and teaches the fundamental skills of guitar playing in the process and Glen got a chance to practice with it, over winter break.

Fun Ways to Stay in Touch: Skype BuddyCam Starter Pack Holiday Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH NICOLE MAY (COMMENT #38) JAQUE (COMMENT #44) AND ASHLEY R (COMMENT #66) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!

TFH Holiday Picks 2010

I was first introduced to Skype in February of 2008 when hosting our first ever giveaway and now use it regularly to keep in touch with clients and online friends.

As a self-professed lover of multi-functional gadgets (see sidebar on right) I'm very excited to be able to tell you that the 2010 Skype Holiday Lookbook is here!

Inside, you'll find cool gadgets that will perhaps help keep you connected with friends and family this holiday season (if you want to, of course!) while providing a cost savings throughout the year, like:  Free video calls; free Skype to Skype calls and messaging.

For example, check out this cute little guy.

Flexible and durable (but, most importantly fun) Buddy retails for $19.99 and, IMO, would make a GREAT gift suggestion for kids, students and families who want to keep in touch with a simple Skype video call.

Or, chat with online friends, like Melisa (not a typo, she only has one "s" in her name, poor thing) because, some of us continually leave our cell phones in the car....ahem.

Want one?

Parrot Minikit Slim: Portable Bluetooth Hands Free Car Kit Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  SO HAPPY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH DOREEN RIOPEL (COMMENT #7) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!

TFH Holiday Picks 2010

It's no secret, I love multi-functional gadgets (says so right over there ----> a little lower, RIGHT THERE, see it?)

So, when this really nice woman I met while attending the BlogHer '10 conference this passed summer handed me a box, encouraging me to "give this handy little gadget a try," I thanked her and then went on my merry way, thinking it was a motorized wine bottle opener, a spinning spaghetti fork, or something.

What?  Okay, perhaps your definition of handy little gadget is slightly, you know, different from mine.

It was this new portable bluetooth hands free car system from Parrot.com for iPhones, smart phones and mobile phones and I could NOT have been more delighted, because NOT everyone has an iPhone (or, an iPad) dangit!

So, I gave it to Garth (not his real name) since, you know, I'm giving like that...want to see?

Klutz Book of Animation Blog Tour (Stop #10) Review and Giveaway!

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So, glad to be able to share this with Janette (comment #58) please check your email for further instructions!!!

My middle girl (she's 14) is a freshman and studying digital animation in a school specializing in communications, graphic design and media.

Much to the chagrin of her 16 year-old sister, who also applied to the same high school and well, let's just say that I have 4 kids, attending 4 different schools...AGAIN...this year! 

So, as Stop #10 in the Klutz Book of Animation Blog Tour, I am very excited to tell you that anybody with a computer, camera, internet connection and a little bit of creativity can create animated films. 

The Klutz Book of Animation is a how-to-guide with step-by-step instructions that show you how to create a variety of different classic stop motion special effects and make a movie of your own. 

We did -- want to see?