Ginny Owens - Get In, I'm Driving! ... Review & Giveaway

Recently I was given the opportunity to try out the new CD by Ginny Owens.  Keep reading to find out how you can win a copy!

About Ginny Owens:

A three-time Dove Award winner, including the Gospel Music Association’s 2000 New Artist of the Year recipient, and multiple ASCAP Award winner, Ginny Owens has sold nearly one million albums. A top performer on the Christian radio charts with hits like “If You Want Me To,” “Free” and “I Wanna Be Moved,” among others, Owens’ music has impacted mainstream audiences at Lilith Fair, the Sundance Film Festival and the White House. Her music has received widespread film and television placement, including songs on the popular WB series’ “Roswell” and “Felicity.” Owens was featured on national television, including NBC’s “Today” and CNN, for her contribution to help rebuild New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

Born and raised in Jackson, Miss., Owens was discovering melodies on the piano almost before she could complete a sentence. Songs began to emerge from her fingers as the vision began to leave her eyes and by the age of three.  A degenerative eye condition left Owens completely blind.  Despite her physical challenge, Owens pursued a music career.  Songs provide a window into a world Owens can’t see and an outlet for her to express her thoughts and dreams. Owens’ unique musical style and inspirational lyrics continue to appeal to Christian and mainstream audiences alike.

In 2005 Owens launched The Fingerprint Initiative, a hands-on, non-profit organization designed to “bring hope to the world, one project and one touch at a time.” The organization has partnered with  and raised money for groups such as Compassion International, International Justice Mission and Habitat for Humanity.

While I wouldn't qualify this music CD as one of my favorites (I'm more of a hard rock kind of girl), I did like several of the songs:

Get In, I'm Driving

Before You Fly

Joined at the Heart

Better Off

Lay It Down

This CD is a mix of Pop, R&B, and Jazz, which makes it interesting to listen to.  The songs don't all sound the same.  Ginny's voice is beautiful and her lyrics are uplifting.  This is a very good Christian music CD.  Watch for it to be released on September 13.

To hear a sample of her new CD, check out her website: http://ginnyowensmusic.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GinnyOwensMusic

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/GinnyOwens

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/before-you-fly-single/id442050145

To win your own copy, just leave me a comment telling me your favorite song and/or artist.  One entry per person please.  Giveaway ends on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at midnight.  Winner will be chosen by random and announced on Monday, September 19.

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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Field of Vision

You may or may not know about the movie Field of Vision that premiers on NBC Saturday, June 11 at 8:00 pm EST.  I didn't know anything about it ... probably because I really don't watch much television.  :)  But I was approached to watch it and do a review ... not the easiest thing to do now that school is out and the kids are home 24/7.  But while it was raining this afternoon, I managed to squeeze in a little movie time.

Anyway, enough about me ... what about the movie?!

Walmart and P&G present Field of Vision as part of their Family Movie Night line up.  I love the idea of Family Movie Night.  Knowing that the kids and I can watch a wholesome movie without worrying about inappropriate language or questionable scenes is a wonderful thing.  Plus throw in a good lesson or two and you've got the makings of a great movie.  

This movie has all that!  Plus it has some great music! 

Here's some info about the movie from the website ...


Through mysterious footage captured on an old malfunctioning video camera, Sinclair High School's star quarterback, Tyler McFarland, learns that some of his teammates have been bullying Cory Walker, a troubled new transfer student. Aware that sharing this information with the coach might get his friends kicked off the team and ultimately cost the school the state championship, Tyler must choose what's more important: winning or doing what's right.


As these events unfold, the camera also reveals more surprising footage to Tyler's kid sister Lucy. She learns that Cory has a secret past, unknown even to him. Now Lucy must convince her mom (Faith Ford, Murphy Brown) and family that the camera's revealing insight is not a product of her imagination as she enlists their help to find the answers Cory so desperately needs. It's a compelling and intriguing story that shows both the challenges and rewards of doing the right thing even when it's tough to do.


I look forward to watching this movie tomorrow night with the kids.  It will provide a great opportunity for discussion about bullying and doing the right thing.  Two great lessons for kids of all ages.  And although the outcome is somewhat predictable, you may still need to keep the tissues close at hand.  Or perhaps I'm just emotional today.  Whatever.  :)


Want to find out more about the movie?   You can head over to the movie's website or Moms 4 Family TV.  Or you can check out the review by The Dove Foundation, where you will see that Dove has awarded this movie with their "Family Approved" Seal for all ages.  You could even "Like" Family Movie Night on Facebook if you want.  That way you can find out about more FMN movies coming up.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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CSN Review

Today is going to be a day of reviews.  :)

I was given the opportunity recently to review an item for CSN Stores.  For my review, I chose this Stamina InStride Cycle XL.

Doug had been looking at similar ones at local stores.  He wants something he can take to work and use while on midnight shift, when he has to stay in the control room instead of being out fixing something.  He doesn't like to be sedentary for too long if he can help it.  So we decided to give this one a try.

Ordering was simple.  Shipping was quick.  Two pluses for my first experience with CSN Stores.  Assembly was also pretty easy.

The item itself seemed pretty durable.  However my kids have managed to break off the timer and crack one of the non-slip rubber feet.  Perhaps I shouldn't have let them use it.  :)  

The timer can slide back on, but a piece of the plastic on the back has broken off.  It doesn't seem to affect the functionality though.

Also the feet tend to flip, so the flat part isn't on the floor like it is supposed to be.  Nothing a little super glue can't remedy.

As far as workouts with it goes, prior to today I used it a few short times.  But this morning I put it to a "real" test.  I wasn't able to get to the gym as planned because my son isn't feeling well today.  After yesterday's killer aerobics workout, I was planning to ride a stationery bike and read a book anyway, so I just did that at home with the Stride Cycle.

While I burned more calories than if I were just sitting there reading my book, I wasn't able to get my heart rate up very high.  (I wore my heart rate monitor as I always do when exercising so I know for sure how high my heart rate was.)  When I tried to increase the tension on it, all it did was make it squeak.  And the pedals would stick.

I spoke with Doug about it and his feelings are very similar to mine.  He used it a few times and didn't really feel like he got much of a workout.

Perhaps for someone who is new to exercise and needs a good low impact way to get moving, or for someone recovering from an injury/surgery, this might be a good start.  I also think this would be a good option for an elderly person who is homebound.  But for myself, it didn't do much for me.  

I am thankful for the opportunity from CSN Stores to review this item.

(I was provided this item for an honest review from CSN Stores.  All opinions expressed are my own.)

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