If I need to have this......
And I must have this too......
But am on a diet? How?
Chocolate & Caffe Latte mixed with ice and milk.
Perfect way to start the day!
It's Time to do the Monkey
Do you have favorite cartoons you watch with the kids? I know they tend to run all day long in most homes. Mostly background noise but often we find ourselves humming theme songs too. Or better yet sitting and watching them side by side with our kiddos. My favorite is Curious George and he is back with a new season of (mis)adventures beginning Labor Day, September 5, 2011 on PBS KIDS (check local listings). If you wish you can follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.
Don't you love it when the new fall TV season starts? Princess Emma loves to follow George as he encourages her to find her creativity. The fun starts with three brand-new episodes - "Auctioneer George/Sock Monkey Opera", "Hamster Cam/The Great Monkey Detective", and "George and the Giant Thumb/Shutter Monkey". And continues all season long as George explores arts themed activities including helping Betsy enter a photography contest, creating a wind symphony, sand painting the desert, and even dancing the box step.
We were lucky enough to preview this new season. And Princess Emma already has some favorites.
“Sock Monkey Opera,” when Betsy gets the chicken pox and can’t see her favorite opera, Hansel and Gretel, she sends George in her place. George loves the opera so much, he decides to cheer up Betsy by performing for his itchy friend. Can one little monkey sing, dance, and act for an entire cast of characters?” Princess Emma was thrilled to mime the show along with George. She is a natural actress or is that a natural 'ham'? Actually I love to see the great dances she gives to us. What beauty and grace shine through her love of music.
Princess Emma also loved “Shutter Monkey”. Betsy’s “Out of Sight Shapes” entry for the photo contest is sure to win first prize—that is until George and Steve accidentally ruin her pictures. George runs around town trying to re-shoot the photographs. But finding the hidden shapes in things is hard for a little monkey! Since Princess Emma loves to take photos this was a good one for her. She has a whole collection of foot photos. Yeah, she looks up from time to time but is fascinated with feet. Or is it that like any girl she loves shoes?
As with all reviews I do, they are unpaid unless directly stated. Today we was able to view the DVD that was provided to us. Hey, that is nice enough. If you don't believe me then just ask Princess Emma!
Don't you love it when the new fall TV season starts? Princess Emma loves to follow George as he encourages her to find her creativity. The fun starts with three brand-new episodes - "Auctioneer George/Sock Monkey Opera", "Hamster Cam/The Great Monkey Detective", and "George and the Giant Thumb/Shutter Monkey". And continues all season long as George explores arts themed activities including helping Betsy enter a photography contest, creating a wind symphony, sand painting the desert, and even dancing the box step.
We were lucky enough to preview this new season. And Princess Emma already has some favorites.
“Sock Monkey Opera,” when Betsy gets the chicken pox and can’t see her favorite opera, Hansel and Gretel, she sends George in her place. George loves the opera so much, he decides to cheer up Betsy by performing for his itchy friend. Can one little monkey sing, dance, and act for an entire cast of characters?” Princess Emma was thrilled to mime the show along with George. She is a natural actress or is that a natural 'ham'? Actually I love to see the great dances she gives to us. What beauty and grace shine through her love of music.
Princess Emma also loved “Shutter Monkey”. Betsy’s “Out of Sight Shapes” entry for the photo contest is sure to win first prize—that is until George and Steve accidentally ruin her pictures. George runs around town trying to re-shoot the photographs. But finding the hidden shapes in things is hard for a little monkey! Since Princess Emma loves to take photos this was a good one for her. She has a whole collection of foot photos. Yeah, she looks up from time to time but is fascinated with feet. Or is it that like any girl she loves shoes?
Escape from the Reality
It is amazing how books can transport you away from your surroundings. And with this Texas heat it is nice to find any escape you can find. If your lucky you can read while drinking a super size margarita and lounge in a bubble bath. Hey that is the way I want to do it.
So what books have captured my attention? Gosh a variety. One was a Young Adult book that really did have me enthralled. I am finding that YA is becoming a favorite genre for me. This last one was 'Winter in Wartime' by Jan Terlouw. It takes place in Nazi occupied Holland, where Michiel unwittingly becomes part of the underground resistance movement. When one is placed in unstable conditions, you find that strength from within to carry you through. Then there are others who dig even deeper and find the way to carry those around them through the tough times too. Michiel discovers he can do just that. And finds that things are not what they always seem. I love this lesson for it reminds us not to ever jump to conclusions. And to remember that all people have needs that can not always be seen. A really good story line that pulls together in ways I would have never guessed.
I am also currently reading 'Ben Behind his Voices' about dealing with mental illness. Oh this is a hard one for me. I know that I battled so many problems growing up and not understanding why. My own illness was not declared til I was 35 years of age. How much easier my life would have been if it had been figured out earlier. What bravery to share with others the struggle to find what is going on with one who has mental illness. No matter which form it comes in or the numerous ways it can effect a person, there is always a low point and amazingly a high point. Thank goodness medications help with so much now. I do not know many who do not battle the desire to not be on medication. Myself even wanting to just be okay all on my own. It makes you feel like your weak when you not at all. Ben and his mother have had this very issue too. This account is honest and shows how to do one's best dealing with mental illness with love and honesty.
The next book I had to share with a young woman who is entering college for her first year to study medicine. Her goal is to become either an Cardiologist or an Oncologist. Either way she will have to learn how to deal with death in the health care environment. Not an easy thing to do in any form. As my mother in law and mother get older I am reminded no matter how I feel, they will one day have to leave. And when my own father passed it was a long night that we sat at his bedside trying to help him make sense out of death. I am not really sure any of us ever understood. 'Last Acts of Kindness' is a wonderful book written with love for people. And in that sense of love teaching how we can honor our family and friends when it is time to let them go. A hard subject for many but one that we will all face in our time. I know that it would be nicer to be able to tell my family how much they mean to me in a loving atmosphere than in one where we are all struggling to beat the inevitable.
I am thankful to have these books to read. They have brought me through a very hot month. In finding the stories within the covers I have managed to forget the atmosphere around me. That has been wonderful. As always, reviews are unpaid for. But gosh, we get to keep the books and that is pretty amazing in itself.
So what books have captured my attention? Gosh a variety. One was a Young Adult book that really did have me enthralled. I am finding that YA is becoming a favorite genre for me. This last one was 'Winter in Wartime' by Jan Terlouw. It takes place in Nazi occupied Holland, where Michiel unwittingly becomes part of the underground resistance movement. When one is placed in unstable conditions, you find that strength from within to carry you through. Then there are others who dig even deeper and find the way to carry those around them through the tough times too. Michiel discovers he can do just that. And finds that things are not what they always seem. I love this lesson for it reminds us not to ever jump to conclusions. And to remember that all people have needs that can not always be seen. A really good story line that pulls together in ways I would have never guessed.
I am also currently reading 'Ben Behind his Voices' about dealing with mental illness. Oh this is a hard one for me. I know that I battled so many problems growing up and not understanding why. My own illness was not declared til I was 35 years of age. How much easier my life would have been if it had been figured out earlier. What bravery to share with others the struggle to find what is going on with one who has mental illness. No matter which form it comes in or the numerous ways it can effect a person, there is always a low point and amazingly a high point. Thank goodness medications help with so much now. I do not know many who do not battle the desire to not be on medication. Myself even wanting to just be okay all on my own. It makes you feel like your weak when you not at all. Ben and his mother have had this very issue too. This account is honest and shows how to do one's best dealing with mental illness with love and honesty.
The next book I had to share with a young woman who is entering college for her first year to study medicine. Her goal is to become either an Cardiologist or an Oncologist. Either way she will have to learn how to deal with death in the health care environment. Not an easy thing to do in any form. As my mother in law and mother get older I am reminded no matter how I feel, they will one day have to leave. And when my own father passed it was a long night that we sat at his bedside trying to help him make sense out of death. I am not really sure any of us ever understood. 'Last Acts of Kindness' is a wonderful book written with love for people. And in that sense of love teaching how we can honor our family and friends when it is time to let them go. A hard subject for many but one that we will all face in our time. I know that it would be nicer to be able to tell my family how much they mean to me in a loving atmosphere than in one where we are all struggling to beat the inevitable.
I am thankful to have these books to read. They have brought me through a very hot month. In finding the stories within the covers I have managed to forget the atmosphere around me. That has been wonderful. As always, reviews are unpaid for. But gosh, we get to keep the books and that is pretty amazing in itself.
Pain Free Weekend After All
It has been a very busy weekend. First we moved College Girl into her new apartment. Her first apartment. Which took us only 15 hours to get her there, unloaded and fully unpacked But oh so worth the time as she loves her new place. I feel so honored that she wanted my help it getting it all set up. What a gift to share with me.
We had to make sure we had everything and yes we did forget a few things. Dear Hubby picked up some of it that we thought of. But other items I did not think of til a day or two later. We did make sure we stayed hydrated and ready with Activate drinks. I love these now! Have you had any? It is a water that has a drink mix in the cap. You twist, shake and then open to drink. And not only are flavors light but healthy. You can have a bottle to help with energy or multivitamin or antioxidant or immunity. I loved how they both shared their water while raising money to help nutrition for pregnant women. Passersby pedaled an exercise bike attached to the vending machine for thirty seconds to release a free bottle of ACTIVATE. 1,250 bottles were distributed, the retail value of which will donated to Nourish America in support of nutrition for pregnant women. The final donation amount totaled $2,240.
We also agree that we need gum to unpack. Really! It seemed that it was impossible to pull stuff out of a box if we were not chewing away on a wad of gum. I know that sounds silly but it helped us stay focused. The thing is that College Girl and I have different favorite flavors. She loves spearmint and has since she was really little. I want something with a lil citrus and a punch. Guess what we both can get what we want in one pack of gum. Mentos gum has UP2U packs. We have a pack of mandarin strawberry for me and spearmint for her. How cool is that. Also we were sent it for being facebook fans of Mentos gum. That was a double cool!
Now you know I just had my birthday too. And I promise I am feeling every dang step of it. Being disabled is beginning to really get to me too. One of the worst right now is the non-stop pain in my knees. Now just add that in with trucking up and down stairs to get boxes to her second floor apartment. I hid several times in the bathroom to deal with the extreme pain I was having. Thankfully Dear Hubby had to return home to get items we forgot. Well he also checked the mail and brought me back the Curamin that had arrived. It is a natural pain relief. I quickly took the suggested 3 capsules all at once instead of just one three times that day. Why? Well I was fighting tears. In time my knee pain subsided to a point I could handle. I was so so so thankful. I am really taking this supplement heart for the pain I am feeling. It is a combination of Curcumin, boswellia, DLPA and nattokinase that combines anti-inflammatory and pain relieving combinations. I do not understand how different supplements work....I just understand when they do work. And luck has it now that I can also share a bottle with one of my readers. I am going to set up a rafflecopter giveaway at the end of this post so you can have a chance to win. Please do enter if you or someone you know has chronic pain. I am loving the relief!
Now of all the new school supplies that we gathered up for College Girl she does have a favorite. It is her new May Book notebooks. These are great lil 5X8 notebooks made from green e-certified canvas covers and sewn spines for eco-friendly binding. As you use these notebooks the covers wear to become like a durable yet soft cover. At the same time they are able to be wiped off from smears or smudges. Now College Girl has two purple covered books that are one a planner for class work and the other a notebook for her to use in the theater. Since they are 5X8 and durable, she can slip it into her pocket while she is acting. Then take it out for notes during critics. But they also have notebooks for weddings, track diet/milestones, pregnancy or to log newborn nursing and sleep schedules. Basically if you need to log it they have a good solution for you.
Today, College Girl thought she would write about a different book that didn't fall in with her preferred genre of fantasy. Here is what she had to say about it.
"Of course, after the first few chapters, I hardly noticed. The night I finished book one of G.M. Dyrek's The Seer and the Scribe series, I stayed up late to do it. I couldn't stop turning the pages and had to know what happened next. Nothing turned out the way I expected, but I was smiling by the end.
Spear of Destiny is the first book in a series that "begins where recorded history is silent" introducing characters such as Hildegard of Bingen and Volmar, a monk and scribe at the monastery at Disibodenberg. The story is set in 12th century Germany, which is a period I know I've never studied. Despite that, I had no trouble at all keeping track of what was happening in the book. Everything starts fairly suddenly, with news of Hildegard's talents as a seer that allowed her to see a murder that had taken place generations ago at the monastery. Volmar listens to her story and helps her find proof that it was true, but before they can find a way to bring the old murderer to justice, Volmar is told of a holy relic with a powerful curse. When another body turns up at the monastery, it is up to Volmar's scientific mind to find out what really happened.
The book isn't very slow to start; it seems to be just the right amount between the opening scenes and the first subplot. Foot notes are provided at the bottom to explain details of monastic life that modern readers may not understand otherwise. I don't normally read historical fiction or murder mysteries, but I already want to get a copy of the next book in the series, Methuselah's Secret. Another cool detail: the author's son and niece are the models for Volmar and Hildegard, respectively. They appear on the cover and in the pencil illustrations inside. The illustrations added another cool angle when they appeared; the black and white style seemed very complementary of the setting and time period of the story. Thank you so much to my mom over at Crazed Mind for letting me review the book. I loved it!"
No money was made off of theses reviews. They are just our opinions.
We also agree that we need gum to unpack. Really! It seemed that it was impossible to pull stuff out of a box if we were not chewing away on a wad of gum. I know that sounds silly but it helped us stay focused. The thing is that College Girl and I have different favorite flavors. She loves spearmint and has since she was really little. I want something with a lil citrus and a punch. Guess what we both can get what we want in one pack of gum. Mentos gum has UP2U packs. We have a pack of mandarin strawberry for me and spearmint for her. How cool is that. Also we were sent it for being facebook fans of Mentos gum. That was a double cool!
Now of all the new school supplies that we gathered up for College Girl she does have a favorite. It is her new May Book notebooks. These are great lil 5X8 notebooks made from green e-certified canvas covers and sewn spines for eco-friendly binding. As you use these notebooks the covers wear to become like a durable yet soft cover. At the same time they are able to be wiped off from smears or smudges. Now College Girl has two purple covered books that are one a planner for class work and the other a notebook for her to use in the theater. Since they are 5X8 and durable, she can slip it into her pocket while she is acting. Then take it out for notes during critics. But they also have notebooks for weddings, track diet/milestones, pregnancy or to log newborn nursing and sleep schedules. Basically if you need to log it they have a good solution for you.
Today, College Girl thought she would write about a different book that didn't fall in with her preferred genre of fantasy. Here is what she had to say about it.
"Of course, after the first few chapters, I hardly noticed. The night I finished book one of G.M. Dyrek's The Seer and the Scribe series, I stayed up late to do it. I couldn't stop turning the pages and had to know what happened next. Nothing turned out the way I expected, but I was smiling by the end.
The book isn't very slow to start; it seems to be just the right amount between the opening scenes and the first subplot. Foot notes are provided at the bottom to explain details of monastic life that modern readers may not understand otherwise. I don't normally read historical fiction or murder mysteries, but I already want to get a copy of the next book in the series, Methuselah's Secret. Another cool detail: the author's son and niece are the models for Volmar and Hildegard, respectively. They appear on the cover and in the pencil illustrations inside. The illustrations added another cool angle when they appeared; the black and white style seemed very complementary of the setting and time period of the story. Thank you so much to my mom over at Crazed Mind for letting me review the book. I loved it!"
No money was made off of theses reviews. They are just our opinions.
Please Stand By
We are sorry to announce that this blog has been interrupted by the Emergency Broadcast System.
Please stand by.
Yes, right over there --------------> Stand there.........can you follow directions?
What are you doing looking at this screen if you suppose to be standing by? Over there --------------->
Image via Wikipedia
Okay, thanks for following the directions of the Emergency Broadcast System. If this had been an actual emergency then directions would have followed. Like the ones that followed this one but not those directions.
In the meantime please excuse our absence. Our brain has melted in a core fusion meltdown. This week has been invaded by College Girl and all the packing she is having to do. Why? To move into her very FIRST apartment. And as you well know that takes total concentration of what all is needed to set up a home. And to get it all, in order, packed, tagged and logged so we can double and triple check it all. Why? Because we will....guaranteed I know this for a fact....will forget something important and have to travel back home to get it for her......at least 3 times.
I will return after the move is completed and I have had a good cry. My one and only lil lady is moving off on her own. That leaves the empty nest here for sure. And I got older this week too! Dang why is this always happening all at one time? Well I will return you to your previous recorded programing.
Enjoy your day!
Please stand by.
Yes, right over there --------------> Stand there.........can you follow directions?
What are you doing looking at this screen if you suppose to be standing by? Over there --------------->
Image via WikipediaOkay, thanks for following the directions of the Emergency Broadcast System. If this had been an actual emergency then directions would have followed. Like the ones that followed this one but not those directions.
In the meantime please excuse our absence. Our brain has melted in a core fusion meltdown. This week has been invaded by College Girl and all the packing she is having to do. Why? To move into her very FIRST apartment. And as you well know that takes total concentration of what all is needed to set up a home. And to get it all, in order, packed, tagged and logged so we can double and triple check it all. Why? Because we will....guaranteed I know this for a fact....will forget something important and have to travel back home to get it for her......at least 3 times.
I will return after the move is completed and I have had a good cry. My one and only lil lady is moving off on her own. That leaves the empty nest here for sure. And I got older this week too! Dang why is this always happening all at one time? Well I will return you to your previous recorded programing.
Enjoy your day!
Weekly Wrap-Up
I wanted to share a lil of my past week. Having to house sit for a friend has it perks. We have enjoyed the wonderful a/c that we lack at home. Big flat screen TV with all the movie channels too. Air Hockey and our Wii hooked up in the game room. But I have to say the best has been the very low low low heated hot tub. This morning we had breakfast of coffee and donuts in the hot tub. PERFECT way to start the day. Doesn't College Girl look happy?
Today we also meet up with a lovely lady who adopted one of our kittens. Callie is becoming Willow. She is such a loving people person cat. This is perfect for her. A home of a special needs girl who is home schooled. So she will have her own human to love and dote on all the time. And being in a inside kitty to a great a/c home will be the topping on the cake for her.
Last weekend we traveled to see Dear Hubby's mom who was in the hospital. She is home and doing much better now. Thanks so for all the prayers for her. This is a feisty 80 year old lady who is not giving up without giving it her all. Well on the way home we saw some amazing cattle. They put the Texas Longhorn to shame. I do not know what breed they are but look at those amazing horns. WOW!
Well tonight is our last evening our our staycation. Monday will be my birthday so I am going to make a celebration of it tonight. Grilling up some steaks. Making home made mac n cheese....the ultimate in comfort food. Dessert of bacon butterscotch cookies....yes you heard me right. And a late evening watching the stars, drinking gin n tonic and soaking in the hot tub. Now that is the way to end a day.
a very so quiet whistle
You all know I love to read. And I am blessed to have the ability to review books. But have you ever wondered what I do with all the books I do review?
Think about it. I would have to have a pretty good library to house all the books I read. And I promise my house is not that big. So of course I have to find homes for many books. As a matter of fact most of them. You see it is very rare I ever reread a book, re watch a movie or the such. I see the first page or the opening of a show and it all comes flooding back. So no need to do it. As a matter of fact I would not keep 95% of all the movies we own if it was not for College Girl and Dear Hubby. 95% of all the books we have here are theirs too. College Girl has boxes of them in storage even.
Me? No. As a matter of fact I have one shelf on my bookcase that are keepers to me. Ones I will always have. Weather it be my all time favorite copy of Cinderella that I knew from childhood. It took me years to find the same copy after losing it in our house fire. I have two copies of Daddy's Girl since it was a book that was pivotal in my life for healing. After losing that in the same house fire I have kept all the copies I have found of it. Why? Well I have shared it often with other sexual abuse survivors as it helped me heal so well. Then I have a few autographed copies of books that are really there due to that fact alone. My few copies of books by Samuel R. Delaney are also there. Again, replacing my favorite author from fire ravaged time. And a copy of The Prophet by Kihalil Gibran for my all time favorite poem on love and marriage.
So with maybe a dozen books residing on my keeper shelf, you must understand that a book has to speak to my soul deep inside to be there. Up until today only one book has made it to that shelf from my reviews (other than some autographed copies). It is The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson by Jerome Charyn that made Emily come to life for me. Today I am adding another book to that shelf, 'To Be Sung Underwater' by Tom McNeal. I finished it this morning with great sadness. Yes, for I had to close the last pages and say goodbye to the characters I had found inside. That was like losing a part of my soul that sings a song as clear as the warbling of a meadowlark. The dictionary says that warbling is to sing or whistle with trills, quavers and melodic embellishments. 'To Be Sung Underwater' did just that with the story of a woman looking from the middle of her life at how she had ended up there. My heart heard the thrill of the love that had been sung in her early life. Hearing the lonesome call later in life trying to see if her soul mate was still out there. And ending in that very so quiet whistle of memories, desire and hope being just beyond reach, like where the dream fades and one wakes up to the reality of the day.
Think about it. I would have to have a pretty good library to house all the books I read. And I promise my house is not that big. So of course I have to find homes for many books. As a matter of fact most of them. You see it is very rare I ever reread a book, re watch a movie or the such. I see the first page or the opening of a show and it all comes flooding back. So no need to do it. As a matter of fact I would not keep 95% of all the movies we own if it was not for College Girl and Dear Hubby. 95% of all the books we have here are theirs too. College Girl has boxes of them in storage even.
Me? No. As a matter of fact I have one shelf on my bookcase that are keepers to me. Ones I will always have. Weather it be my all time favorite copy of Cinderella that I knew from childhood. It took me years to find the same copy after losing it in our house fire. I have two copies of Daddy's Girl since it was a book that was pivotal in my life for healing. After losing that in the same house fire I have kept all the copies I have found of it. Why? Well I have shared it often with other sexual abuse survivors as it helped me heal so well. Then I have a few autographed copies of books that are really there due to that fact alone. My few copies of books by Samuel R. Delaney are also there. Again, replacing my favorite author from fire ravaged time. And a copy of The Prophet by Kihalil Gibran for my all time favorite poem on love and marriage.
"Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow."
So with maybe a dozen books residing on my keeper shelf, you must understand that a book has to speak to my soul deep inside to be there. Up until today only one book has made it to that shelf from my reviews (other than some autographed copies). It is The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson by Jerome Charyn that made Emily come to life for me. Today I am adding another book to that shelf, 'To Be Sung Underwater' by Tom McNeal. I finished it this morning with great sadness. Yes, for I had to close the last pages and say goodbye to the characters I had found inside. That was like losing a part of my soul that sings a song as clear as the warbling of a meadowlark. The dictionary says that warbling is to sing or whistle with trills, quavers and melodic embellishments. 'To Be Sung Underwater' did just that with the story of a woman looking from the middle of her life at how she had ended up there. My heart heard the thrill of the love that had been sung in her early life. Hearing the lonesome call later in life trying to see if her soul mate was still out there. And ending in that very so quiet whistle of memories, desire and hope being just beyond reach, like where the dream fades and one wakes up to the reality of the day.
Thus today I will have a new book there. But one that already feels like it has gathered the dust from time. Where the pages are dog eared and yellow from use. That book that has been loved and owned just like the notes on the edges and the underlines to punctuate the best parts. Tom McNeal wrote 'Goodnight Nebraska' and 'What Happened to Tully' which was made into the movie 'Tully'. I hope I have a chance to read these along with many more of the 15 books he has written. I want to thank Blue Dot Literary for sending me this one for review. It has been like having air returned to my soul......it has been as if I could sing underwater.
Ice! Ice! Baby
How? Well they are offering a $100 gift certificate to one of my readers. Isn't that amazing? Yes, one of you can go on a shopping spree looking for a hot way to look cool as Ice. What do you think you will choose?
Pearls? Diamond? Gold? It can all be there. I have found several items I would choose. From the chocolate pearls to pink gold (oh that is so me!) to an opal. That would be to honor my grandmother whose name was Opal. I am really into pearls too. Did you know that pearls were originally worn only by royalty? Yes, divers had to find pearls without any breathing equipment so they were quite rare. My engagement ring is a pearl due to Dear Hubby telling me I would always be his queen.
We’ll provide you with an award of $100 to spend at Ice (some exclusions apply, see below). Simply answer the question: Which actress is on the Ice homepage? Hint? Look for your One Day thought.
The winner can redeem the $100 prize by simply shopping using a link that Ice will provide. Note that Ice.com is in the USA and Canada. SO, open to both countries! Perfect.
Prize Exclusions: Not applicable on sale or clearance items, watches, engagement rings or The Persona Charms Collection. Not applicable on taxes or shipping costs, and cannot be combined with any other offer.
TV, DVD or Book?
I tell you, I think I am losing it. I understand that television is not a good way to spend the day. But surely there is something to watch. But, I am beginning to wonder. Today I had choices....like.....
Hey Arnold was one of College Girls favorites growing up. She loved being able to watch cartoons and not have the irritable commercial breaks. I can so agree there. She said the images seemed clearer watching it now than when she was growing up. But that could be from the HD TV here were we are house sitting at. I do not remember watching this when she was younger...I was aware it was on, but had not sat down with her. I loved learning the family dynamics for Arnold living with his grandparents in their rooming house. It made for some interesting story lines. His best friend, Gerald and Helga, the doting girl next door, help Arnold in his daily adventures. Hey Arnold! debuted as an animated short for the Nickelodeon film Harriet the Spy in 1996. This sure made a good afternoon of bonding time.
Next we put in Garfield. Now here is Dear Hubby's favorite cat in the world. He is off on a Halloween trip with Odie, the world's most loyal dog ever. I had to giggle thinking of how would he find enough lasagna to make it on any road trip. I laughed at Catzilla and so want a mind-reading helmet. But most of all please do not let our one and only pizza joint close or I will have to go crazy like Garfield did. This DVD will be released on the 23rd of this month....just a week away.
I know more and more why I am such an avid reader. Books can be judged by their covers too. I know I could not read a book with a cheesy title. Or wait could I? Teen favorites were Pardon Me, Your Stepping on my Eyeball and My Darling, My Hamburger. But they were wonderful stories for an angst teen.
Thanks so to Shout Factory and Vivendi for providing the days entertainment. We loved reviewing the shows. Of course, (everyone chime in with me) these were unpaid and the thoughts are my own. Family bonding was great. Now I need to go and sweep up the remnants of the popcorn fight. BTW, I won!
- 10 minute workout. But it was a 30 minute show. Why? Was there 20 minutes of commercials?
- How the States got their Shapes. Honestly. And one 30 minute show is not enough. You can watch this over and over again on different states. Oh how fun that could be?
- Offbeat Cinema. Where else could you watch Teenagers from Outer Space or Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. B movies or would these be more D ratings?
Hey Arnold was one of College Girls favorites growing up. She loved being able to watch cartoons and not have the irritable commercial breaks. I can so agree there. She said the images seemed clearer watching it now than when she was growing up. But that could be from the HD TV here were we are house sitting at. I do not remember watching this when she was younger...I was aware it was on, but had not sat down with her. I loved learning the family dynamics for Arnold living with his grandparents in their rooming house. It made for some interesting story lines. His best friend, Gerald and Helga, the doting girl next door, help Arnold in his daily adventures. Hey Arnold! debuted as an animated short for the Nickelodeon film Harriet the Spy in 1996. This sure made a good afternoon of bonding time.
I know more and more why I am such an avid reader. Books can be judged by their covers too. I know I could not read a book with a cheesy title. Or wait could I? Teen favorites were Pardon Me, Your Stepping on my Eyeball and My Darling, My Hamburger. But they were wonderful stories for an angst teen.
Thanks so to Shout Factory and Vivendi for providing the days entertainment. We loved reviewing the shows. Of course, (everyone chime in with me) these were unpaid and the thoughts are my own. Family bonding was great. Now I need to go and sweep up the remnants of the popcorn fight. BTW, I won!
Lifting the Veil
Today I need to talk to fellow Texan and author Cory Putman Oakes. And find out how she is managing to control what is happening around me. I understand that reading a good story can come to life in your mind. But for the story to actually start effecting the environment around me is too weird.
Okay I will explain. I finished reading the uncorrected proof of 'The Veil' last night. It will be released November 1st of this year. I so fell into the story right at the start. Now I have read other books where our world and another world seem to overlap. It is not something that I find very believable. But I did love that this story focused heavy on the 'earth' side of what was going on. I loved learning some of the special characteristics of the Annorasi race. But I never really did understand why they had to stay so secret. Maybe I will get more of that in the next book. This will be a great young adult read. I can see where they will accept this new world very quickly.
What really wowed me out was that the Annorasi coexisted with the human world with lil upset. There are a few ways to know if an Annorasi is around you. It seems they interact with electricity. Lights flicker, go out even, TV reception messes up and the such. Now here is the part where Cory and I have to have a talk. First off let me say that what I am fixing to say DID happen and no I was not drinking. Last night I was finishing reading 'The Veil' while soaking in the spa tub where I am staying. There are 3 lights in the ceiling there. Well one went out. Odd but I thought that it must need to be changed. Just my luck with with over 12 foot ceiling. But you know, lights go out. THEN it came back ON! Weird! Now I was all alone on the far end of the house. I was a bit shaken up but kept reading and relaxing. Then another light went out.....then a second.....and finally the third went out. I screamed then....really loud. Dear Hubby came a running of course. I explained all that had happened. He turned the switch off and on but nothing happened. Well I started to dry off and get dressed with him with me. You now what.....one light came back on. Yes, just one of them. They are all on the same switch.
Cory would you be kind enough not to send an Annorasi with the books to the reviewers. Or at least make the visible. As it has really freaked me out. HA HA Thanks for letting me review your book. Let me know when the next book comes out. I want to learn more. As all know, these are unpaid. I have the books and that is all I receive. Oh and folks, pop over and check out Cory's Writers Block Brownie recipe,
Okay I will explain. I finished reading the uncorrected proof of 'The Veil' last night. It will be released November 1st of this year. I so fell into the story right at the start. Now I have read other books where our world and another world seem to overlap. It is not something that I find very believable. But I did love that this story focused heavy on the 'earth' side of what was going on. I loved learning some of the special characteristics of the Annorasi race. But I never really did understand why they had to stay so secret. Maybe I will get more of that in the next book. This will be a great young adult read. I can see where they will accept this new world very quickly.
What really wowed me out was that the Annorasi coexisted with the human world with lil upset. There are a few ways to know if an Annorasi is around you. It seems they interact with electricity. Lights flicker, go out even, TV reception messes up and the such. Now here is the part where Cory and I have to have a talk. First off let me say that what I am fixing to say DID happen and no I was not drinking. Last night I was finishing reading 'The Veil' while soaking in the spa tub where I am staying. There are 3 lights in the ceiling there. Well one went out. Odd but I thought that it must need to be changed. Just my luck with with over 12 foot ceiling. But you know, lights go out. THEN it came back ON! Weird! Now I was all alone on the far end of the house. I was a bit shaken up but kept reading and relaxing. Then another light went out.....then a second.....and finally the third went out. I screamed then....really loud. Dear Hubby came a running of course. I explained all that had happened. He turned the switch off and on but nothing happened. Well I started to dry off and get dressed with him with me. You now what.....one light came back on. Yes, just one of them. They are all on the same switch.
Cory would you be kind enough not to send an Annorasi with the books to the reviewers. Or at least make the visible. As it has really freaked me out. HA HA Thanks for letting me review your book. Let me know when the next book comes out. I want to learn more. As all know, these are unpaid. I have the books and that is all I receive. Oh and folks, pop over and check out Cory's Writers Block Brownie recipe,
Filling the Boots
You have heard to be careful of what you ask for. Funny that I asked for a unplugged weekend. And low and behold the Internet where we are house sitting went bonkers. Then we also had a out of town trip to see my Mom-in-law who is in the hospital for heart problems. As happens many different parts of the family all showed up around the same time. So there we sat and talked and laughed with each other. Sharing family time around her hospital bed. I think it did her a world of good to have family gathered around. I know that she had a much better last night than before.
Family is a wonderful thing to have for support. Weather it be to help one get through the day, a home to return to or just the pat on the back for each other in a rough patch. It seems that often families follow in each other footsteps. Weather it be mother to daughter learning how cook the family recipes or father to son tweaking the carburetor on the truck. We learn from our family. And that is were the strongest bonds come from. So it is not at all a surprise when we continue on in the same business as our family. That is how it was for Gary R. Ryman who followed in the footsteps of being a fire fighter. I just finished reading 'Firemen: Stories from Three Generations of a Firefighting Family'. I have to say it was as intense as I expected. Stories of unbelievable blazes, rescues just in the nick of time and just how a father leads a son and the pride of seeing who he becomes.
I already had a great respect for the firefighters in our volunteer fire departments around here. Every lil community pulls together any time there is a fire or emergency call. Weather if be from the EMS, to the brush trucks or the 911 operators coordinating. These people train hard to learn how to be the arms of safety while doing this all of their free will and community service. This summer I have seen how efficient they work when the volunteers put out a fire in my father's backyard, making sure to protect the house first and foremost. And just last weekend the EMS responded to our help call when we were trying to help a woman who had fallen from her bed and could not get up. She could not assist us since she could not use her legs and was too large for us to lift on our own. They knew just how to help and preserve her dignity too. And 911 sent out officers to help fill the reports when my brothers storage was broken into just last week. These emergency workers are all around us everyday. Helping in the foreground during an emergency and in the background when all seems calm. My hats off to them.
My thanks once again to Tribute Books for sharing with me. You can follow this blog tour too if you wish. Also there is the facebook pages and twitter that you may join. Along with a place to read an excerpt of this book.
Family is a wonderful thing to have for support. Weather it be to help one get through the day, a home to return to or just the pat on the back for each other in a rough patch. It seems that often families follow in each other footsteps. Weather it be mother to daughter learning how cook the family recipes or father to son tweaking the carburetor on the truck. We learn from our family. And that is were the strongest bonds come from. So it is not at all a surprise when we continue on in the same business as our family. That is how it was for Gary R. Ryman who followed in the footsteps of being a fire fighter. I just finished reading 'Firemen: Stories from Three Generations of a Firefighting Family'. I have to say it was as intense as I expected. Stories of unbelievable blazes, rescues just in the nick of time and just how a father leads a son and the pride of seeing who he becomes.
I already had a great respect for the firefighters in our volunteer fire departments around here. Every lil community pulls together any time there is a fire or emergency call. Weather if be from the EMS, to the brush trucks or the 911 operators coordinating. These people train hard to learn how to be the arms of safety while doing this all of their free will and community service. This summer I have seen how efficient they work when the volunteers put out a fire in my father's backyard, making sure to protect the house first and foremost. And just last weekend the EMS responded to our help call when we were trying to help a woman who had fallen from her bed and could not get up. She could not assist us since she could not use her legs and was too large for us to lift on our own. They knew just how to help and preserve her dignity too. And 911 sent out officers to help fill the reports when my brothers storage was broken into just last week. These emergency workers are all around us everyday. Helping in the foreground during an emergency and in the background when all seems calm. My hats off to them.
My thanks once again to Tribute Books for sharing with me. You can follow this blog tour too if you wish. Also there is the facebook pages and twitter that you may join. Along with a place to read an excerpt of this book.
Unplugging or Texting
Well I have not been focusing on the work I need to do today. Why? Well I have been sucked into RuPaul's Drag-U. Yeah, totally sucked into the fantasy life of being a runway star. You know with all the bedazzled rhinestones, mile high hair and make-up from a fantasy life. Yeah, sure!
But it happens to all of us. We get lost in the TV, computer, online, texting....all of the electronics that surround us. Just sitting here now I have the following all within arms reach.
Now that is just too much going on for one person. The electronic age has hit and hit hard. I can see I really need to find some time to unplug. Think I can find some time this weekend to do just that and enjoy my family. Of course I will have to get them unplugged too. It will help that we are once again house/dog sitting for the next 10 days. This is where the cell phones do not work. (Yeah and silly me still has mine charging and sitting beside me.) So I can get away from some of the texting. Of course that does not help if I have my messenger boards up that can get to cell phones too. What a way to cheat.
College Girl is pretty happy that I have managed to get texting down. We use this as the number one way to keep in touch when she is out of the area. It is a way to get a message to her on her time period. I hope I have not embarrassed her too much with any miss-type. I have read of some funny things at Crazy Things Parents Text. So much so that there is even a book of these crazy tales. Thankfully I have not mixed up texts to my Dear Hubby and those to my College Girl. You know we all have said (or typed) some risque things to our men. How horrid if those had been sent to the wrong person. You know it has happened though. But I have to say that my favorite is for College Girl and her Friends addictions.
Now as you can see I have been hanging out online a lil too long too. I really think that we need to do a unplugged weekend. But not sure we would live through it. How do you turn it all off? Could you? I am not sure we could close up the lap tops, turn off the cell phones, disconnect the DTV and not even Wii, Wii, Wii. Hamlet's Blackberry: Building a Good Life in the Digital Age brings up that question. Are we too plugged in? I mean even as I type my own College Girl is wrapped up in her net book, the TV is running and neither of us are now watching it. (Yes, Drag-U is over.) And we have been answering numerous phone calls for the last hour. I think we are too plugged in. How much happens in your day to day life that you post on facebook, tweet and blog about? I love how William Powers finds that through out time forward thinkers have had to find a way to pull back from the busyness of life and look for ways to create a peaceful zone.
I know the weekend I was in California for a spa vacation I had no desire to go online. As a matter of fact it seemed like a great imposition on my time. Becoming unplugged was like being coated in peace and calm. How nice it would be to recreate that spa weekend feeling. Maybe that would be something we could do on our 'staycation. With a hot tub here, beautiful home away from home and all the amenities one could look for. This may just be the time to unplug.
I have to thank the authors, publishers and pr firms for working with me. I love reading all the books sent to me. What a joy it is to be able to indulge in my all time favorite past time and to share it with you too. These are unpaid reviews but I am provided with the book first. So bully for me and hope you enjoy them just as much as I do. I will say that I do try very hard to find books that are of interest and timely for me to share with you. Have a great evening and hey, if you don't see me all weekend then you know I successfully unplugged.
But it happens to all of us. We get lost in the TV, computer, online, texting....all of the electronics that surround us. Just sitting here now I have the following all within arms reach.
- Netbook while online, facebook, twitter, yahoo e-mail, blogger, swagbuck's search engine
- Cell phone for texting
- Cordless house line
- Remotes to the TV, DVD player and DirecTV (Remember I am watching Drag-U)
- Wii with a dozen games, controllers and balance board
- Air Hockey table
Now that is just too much going on for one person. The electronic age has hit and hit hard. I can see I really need to find some time to unplug. Think I can find some time this weekend to do just that and enjoy my family. Of course I will have to get them unplugged too. It will help that we are once again house/dog sitting for the next 10 days. This is where the cell phones do not work. (Yeah and silly me still has mine charging and sitting beside me.) So I can get away from some of the texting. Of course that does not help if I have my messenger boards up that can get to cell phones too. What a way to cheat.
I know the weekend I was in California for a spa vacation I had no desire to go online. As a matter of fact it seemed like a great imposition on my time. Becoming unplugged was like being coated in peace and calm. How nice it would be to recreate that spa weekend feeling. Maybe that would be something we could do on our 'staycation. With a hot tub here, beautiful home away from home and all the amenities one could look for. This may just be the time to unplug.
I have to thank the authors, publishers and pr firms for working with me. I love reading all the books sent to me. What a joy it is to be able to indulge in my all time favorite past time and to share it with you too. These are unpaid reviews but I am provided with the book first. So bully for me and hope you enjoy them just as much as I do. I will say that I do try very hard to find books that are of interest and timely for me to share with you. Have a great evening and hey, if you don't see me all weekend then you know I successfully unplugged.
The Answer to my Problems
I am awake at 2:30 in the morning...no not just awake....never have gone to sleep. And dang if all I really want is a cup of coffee. But, since I moved the coffee maker into the bedroom which happens to have Dear Hubby and College Girl crashed out in it....I am scared to move around.
Since there is only window a/c units in our bedrooms we are living in them. College Girl came home for the month but it is too hot for her to couch dwell. So she is crashing in our room with us on a big ol pallet. Sorry for her but much cooler this way too. But now the issue is, when I can not sleep, I have to be quiet and wait...wait....wait. No TV to watch, no reading either as the light can be bothersome. Instead sitting at this dang computer and dreaming of a cup of coffee.
Now isn't that just pissy?
Hot Tub & a Massage
Well I have finally gotten caught up on the majority of the house work around here. And sure enough a bit tied up in knots too. My knees ache as does my neck. So want a nap but almost time for Dear Hubby to come home. Also the heat of the day has made my room just at nearly tolerable. I so know I am at home and not doing my 'staycation.
Image by cthoyes via Flickr
You see I was in heaven. A nice air conditioned house at a steady 75 degrees. A kitchen a chef would feel right at home in. And oh the hot tub! No I did not need the heat one with our Texas sun. In the evening it would be about 85 degrees in the tub. Turn on the bubble jets and massage jets and soak the pain of the day away. Ohhhhhh! Thank goodness our tub was not this crowded!
And better yet, I had some massage oil with me from EdenFantasys. This weekend after a great time with 6 of us in the hot tub, Dear Hubby treated me to a back and foot rub. It was total indulgence to say the least. I am not sure what was better, kneading my tense neck or massaging my lil tootsies. Now that is what I want in a 'staycation. When was the last time you had a massage from your better half? Do you use scented oils? I love those deep earthy scents the most. I have always wanted to try the massage oil candles but still a lil nervous. I like the idea of the Dark Vanilla scent with a massager included like this Knead Me Massage Set. It is a Jimmyjane's product with a built in pour spout. Of course I could add in The Book of Massage and make this a great gift to give Dear Hubby on our anniversary that is next month. Great idea, glad I thought of it. Seems it would be a win-win situation for both of us.
I do want to thank EdenFantasys for helping me out. They have sponsored many of my post. I think I might use my credits that are built up so I can order this for our anniversary gift.
Image by cthoyes via FlickrYou see I was in heaven. A nice air conditioned house at a steady 75 degrees. A kitchen a chef would feel right at home in. And oh the hot tub! No I did not need the heat one with our Texas sun. In the evening it would be about 85 degrees in the tub. Turn on the bubble jets and massage jets and soak the pain of the day away. Ohhhhhh! Thank goodness our tub was not this crowded!
And better yet, I had some massage oil with me from EdenFantasys. This weekend after a great time with 6 of us in the hot tub, Dear Hubby treated me to a back and foot rub. It was total indulgence to say the least. I am not sure what was better, kneading my tense neck or massaging my lil tootsies. Now that is what I want in a 'staycation. When was the last time you had a massage from your better half? Do you use scented oils? I love those deep earthy scents the most. I have always wanted to try the massage oil candles but still a lil nervous. I like the idea of the Dark Vanilla scent with a massager included like this Knead Me Massage Set. It is a Jimmyjane's product with a built in pour spout. Of course I could add in The Book of Massage and make this a great gift to give Dear Hubby on our anniversary that is next month. Great idea, glad I thought of it. Seems it would be a win-win situation for both of us. I do want to thank EdenFantasys for helping me out. They have sponsored many of my post. I think I might use my credits that are built up so I can order this for our anniversary gift.
Preteen & Teen Giveaway
I want to catch up on so much both here at home and online today. Not sure if I can do it all. But am going to try my best. There is laundry to do. And the house desperately needs to be swept and mopped. Thank goodness for Libman there...makes the job much easier for me. I also need to clean up the dog yard and check out our dirt patch of a yard for any other clean up. The porch needs to be looked after and all the plants watered. Whew!
And on here I have to catch up with y'all, my review work, facebook and twitter, and get some snail mail printed out. Oh and that reminds me of my email new look. You can get it too by the way. Okay, I checked out MeebleMail Stationery online. It is so cool. You can pick a design and personalize it to your specifications. And then use it in your email to make it more eye catching. See mine?
Here is the top half.
And this is the bottom half with my real name and address omitted.
I think this would be fun for just about anyone. But especially for the preteen and teen. You know to make them different from the rest of the crowd. Oh and you know what. I also have two of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. One Just for Preteens and the other Just for Teenagers. These are great to share with the kiddos. With 101 stories in each they can be quite inspiring and right on the nose as to what the teens are going through. With all the texting these days, it is really nice to hold a real book in your hands, not an app or an ebook. So many of my favorite books have writing in the columns of how they effected me at the time. It is interesting to see that years later. And the one Just for Teenagers also has the M Magazine Contest Winners stories in there. Pretty neat to see. You know what is next don't you?
Yes, I have the chance to give away 3 copies of each book. Just leave me a comment below on who you would share your Chicken Soup book with. And would it be preteen or teen? Make sure I have your email so I can contact you if your one of the 6 (yes 6 total) winners.
Fun & Games
We are having so much fun during our lil staycation house/dog sitting weekend. Playing games on the Wii as a family challenge. And watch out for our wild games on the air hockey table. Boy does that disc fly! Last night College Girl and I relaxed in the hot tub looking at the big Texas sky. How beautiful.
We even had Princess Emma here yesterday. And her and her folks will be back tonight. We all want to pile in the hot tub. But College Girl said she would play with Princess Emma so the adults can relax. Isn't that sweet! I have a DVD of Pocoyo for them to dance too. Yes, dance. Dance, Pocoyo, Dance! is the newest DVD out in this series that will be release on the 16th of August. Beginning August 1 through August 31, you can receive an all-new Pocoyo DVD – Dance Pocoyo Dance!–with the purchase of 10 Langers Juices (plus $1.99 shipping and handling), while supplies last. Maybe Princess Emma can help her sissy, College Girl learn some moves. My poor C.G. is very WHITE. But they will have fun with Ellys Ballet Class and Drummer Boy. Some things that P.E. loves to do. I am wanting to see the Dance Off with the Sissys. 12 musical stories that teach how to dance to your own beat. Perfect since I always say "there is always time to DANCE."
I also have a DVD for the grandson of the house that we are 'sitting'. I meet him last weekend and had an enjoyable talk. Also loved seeing 'knockers' again. Have not seen them since I was in jr. high. Well I brought him Ben 10: Ultimate Alien Volume 3: The Return of Heatblast on a 2 disc set. He will have 10 episodes and the special features to watch. Most often there is a gaggle of girls here so being the oldest boy can get to be a bore at times. That was why I thought he might need a lil guy time. Ben 10 continues to be one of the network's most beloved series, as Ben 10: Ultimate Alien has ranked as the #1 show among Boys 6-14 on Friday nights so far during its second season, according to Nielsen Media Research. If your interested there is a giveaway til August 10th for this DVD at Seat42F.
But for now it is game time. I love getting these DVD's to review. Of course no cash payment. But fun all the way around. Hey.....wait for me.....time to go beat Dear Hubby on the Air Hockey table1
We even had Princess Emma here yesterday. And her and her folks will be back tonight. We all want to pile in the hot tub. But College Girl said she would play with Princess Emma so the adults can relax. Isn't that sweet! I have a DVD of Pocoyo for them to dance too. Yes, dance. Dance, Pocoyo, Dance! is the newest DVD out in this series that will be release on the 16th of August. Beginning August 1 through August 31, you can receive an all-new Pocoyo DVD – Dance Pocoyo Dance!–with the purchase of 10 Langers Juices (plus $1.99 shipping and handling), while supplies last. Maybe Princess Emma can help her sissy, College Girl learn some moves. My poor C.G. is very WHITE. But they will have fun with Ellys Ballet Class and Drummer Boy. Some things that P.E. loves to do. I am wanting to see the Dance Off with the Sissys. 12 musical stories that teach how to dance to your own beat. Perfect since I always say "there is always time to DANCE."
I also have a DVD for the grandson of the house that we are 'sitting'. I meet him last weekend and had an enjoyable talk. Also loved seeing 'knockers' again. Have not seen them since I was in jr. high. Well I brought him Ben 10: Ultimate Alien Volume 3: The Return of Heatblast on a 2 disc set. He will have 10 episodes and the special features to watch. Most often there is a gaggle of girls here so being the oldest boy can get to be a bore at times. That was why I thought he might need a lil guy time. Ben 10 continues to be one of the network's most beloved series, as Ben 10: Ultimate Alien has ranked as the #1 show among Boys 6-14 on Friday nights so far during its second season, according to Nielsen Media Research. If your interested there is a giveaway til August 10th for this DVD at Seat42F.
But for now it is game time. I love getting these DVD's to review. Of course no cash payment. But fun all the way around. Hey.....wait for me.....time to go beat Dear Hubby on the Air Hockey table1
Back To School Giveaway
I wanted to share some good news with you.
For years, “do-gooder” moms and book lovers have shopped Better World Books for its big discounts and even bigger impact on the environment and literacy. And now the company has some seriously good news to share. But first – for those who don’t already know – here’s how it works. Better World Books collects discarded books from libraries and campuses around the country, and sells them on BetterWorldBooks.com. For every book they sell, a cut of the money goes back to the library or campus it came from, and another goes to non-profit literacy organizations like Books for Africa. Consider the fact that they sell millions of books every year – and those dollars start to add up. Which leads me to the point of this post.
Since its launch in 2003, Better World Books has raised millions for libraries and literacy – and in a few days, it will hit the TEN MILLION dollar mark! They’ve even got a cute ticker on the homepage “counting up” to $10 million…looks like it’s just a few days away. That huge pile of cash is in addition to Better World Books’ contribution to the environment – the company’s business model has helped divert over 40 million books from landfills! To celebrate its big milestone, the company is planning an exciting announcement on August 15. Check back in with them then to find out what it is!
Princess Emma turned 5 just about a week ago and had her party at the local bowling alley. It was her first time to bowl and she just had the best time. She got a a lot of wonderful gifts but one of her favorites (and her moms, the Other Mother) is an early reading program called Start to Read. It is put out by School Zone publishing and is just a great little set. It came with five books to read, 1 comprehension book, a read along/song cd and a parent guide. Level 1 books are designed for emergent readers, ages 4-6, and have limited vocabulary – each book introduces between 9 and 50 words. Utilizing short, one-line sentences, the titles in level 1 provide simple picture clues that significantly support the text.
Fun Features & Big Benefits
· Memorable stories and characters
· 3-step approach to reading
· Comprehension workbook activities
· Story narration on audio CD
· Whimsical, age-appropriate songs
I can't really say if it is helping her learn to read since we have only had it a short while but I can say she has really been enjoying it a lot. She loves the books that are in it! We should see how it is working soon since Princess Emma will be entering school this month.
And while thinking of back to school, I have a lil surprise for Princess Emma and College Girl. They are both going to have Back To School greeting cards sent to them. P.E. for her first day of school. And C.G. for returning back to college and living on campus. I know they both will love getting the mail letting them know how much we love them. And sharing our pride in them too! What do you think?
Here is Princess Emmas,
And College Girls,
This was fun. I went online to Greeting Card Universe to find the right cards. I then was able to personalize them. Text, messages and even color and type face. Next I put in the info to have them shipped directly to Princess Emma. College Girls will come to my home with it's own envelope. I have to wait til I have her mailing address at school to send hers to her.
By the way, FREE SHIPPING when you order 10+ cards - use code 2011AUGSHIP10 - Ends Friday (U.S. only). I am also going to share with you. You see you can win 2 greeting cards for your own special occasion. Easy peasy! Just leave me a comment below on what you would use your cards for. And make sure you leave an email so I can reach you too! Extra entry? Well like Greeting Card Universe on Facebook, leave them a comment and send me the link that you did. Simple as that!
I do have to thank all that have helped me here. For the giveaway hosting from Greeting Card Universe. And thanks to School Zone for letting me help out Princess Emma. Of course I did not get paid. But was happy to have the products to review. You check out these folks. They treated me well and I am sure they will do the same for you.
Needing a lil Jolt in Life
Whoot! We are off to house/dog sit again for the next 4 days. And then 10 days starting next week. It means we have to pack up and move out (sorta) but also we have our own staycation too!. This time no grandbabes but we will have College Girl out with us. I am excited about that. Time for me and her to rest, unwind and do a lil girl time. But I promise the coffee pot will be with us there too. My goal of going without any coffee or soda for a week did not make it. The 'no-caffeine' headache was too much for me to bear.
There will be some back n forth of caring for our own animals too. I am sure that between Dear Hubby coming into town for work, college girl stretching her wings daily and Granny M all can be accomplished. Mr C will be visiting family this weekend too. I am hoping to do some cooking that I miss doing here at home in this heat. Also a few books I want to finish up too. Do you have multiple books that you read or are you a one at a time type? I go back n forth. Currently I am finishing up on two.
Jolt! is quite relevant for today's world. It seems to have a non-stop go switch on. Not much in pause these days. And it becomes very overwhelming for most of us. This year there was the “Disconnect to Reconnect,” the 24-hour challenge that asked dads to unplug on Father’s Day this last year. To turn off all cell phones, computers, video games and the such. Instead to connect with their families for the whole day. And to realize the difference in life when we are not 'plugged' in. I feel that some when I am doing this house/dog sitting. Why? Well our cell phones do not reach out there. And even with my lil pink net book I feel like not being on as much. It is small and takes more time. Instead I find that I sit back, read, unwind and take pleasure in the day. The way it should be at home!
This should 'Jolt' you. Did you know that:
**65% of North Americans spend more time with their computer than with their spouse.
**45% of workers say they can’t go more than 15 minutes without an interruption.
**50% of people leave their mobile phones on when they go to bed.
**Workers report that they leave their mobile phones on during movies, church & even sex.
Seems we are needing to really work harder on our people skills and rely less on staying 'connected'. Will you pick up that challenge? If so how? What are you willing to pull in order to stay connected to your family? What seems to be the one thing you just can not do without? Would you put it up for 24 hours?
The other book I am working on is 'Ben Behind His Voices' which is the story of a family working through the challenges of schizophrenia. Now with the fact that I deal with mental illness already, you can see why I would be drawn to this book. Thankfully this is not one of the issues I have to deal with. But oh how I can see the way it would pull a family apart. It is so hard to explain to others what is going on in my head. And why my emotions do not match others. But to have to explain that what I hear, sense and feel are not even real. Well, ok real to me but not to others. How hard that is to do. I am finding that I do have much in common with the way 15 year old Ben feels though. I have had my own life spin out of control. And have hated the effect it had on College Girl when she was much younger. I can not imagine how hard it would be as a parent to have to experience this in your child. What a helpless feeling it would be. I love how this book shows hope and humanizes the problem of finding the right help for your child. I do know it helps show the true courage of all those who fight mental illness.
Thanks also to you for listening to me. I have to say having this blog helps me more than you would ever guess. It gives me a voice. A chance to get out of myself at times. And a connection to others. You have been my life line many times...more than you would realize. I also wish to thank those who send me these great books. I love the reviews and more so I love getting to read. What a wonderful way to have my own lil bit of therapy.
There will be some back n forth of caring for our own animals too. I am sure that between Dear Hubby coming into town for work, college girl stretching her wings daily and Granny M all can be accomplished. Mr C will be visiting family this weekend too. I am hoping to do some cooking that I miss doing here at home in this heat. Also a few books I want to finish up too. Do you have multiple books that you read or are you a one at a time type? I go back n forth. Currently I am finishing up on two.
This should 'Jolt' you. Did you know that:
**65% of North Americans spend more time with their computer than with their spouse.
**45% of workers say they can’t go more than 15 minutes without an interruption.
**50% of people leave their mobile phones on when they go to bed.
**Workers report that they leave their mobile phones on during movies, church & even sex.
Seems we are needing to really work harder on our people skills and rely less on staying 'connected'. Will you pick up that challenge? If so how? What are you willing to pull in order to stay connected to your family? What seems to be the one thing you just can not do without? Would you put it up for 24 hours?
The other book I am working on is 'Ben Behind His Voices' which is the story of a family working through the challenges of schizophrenia. Now with the fact that I deal with mental illness already, you can see why I would be drawn to this book. Thankfully this is not one of the issues I have to deal with. But oh how I can see the way it would pull a family apart. It is so hard to explain to others what is going on in my head. And why my emotions do not match others. But to have to explain that what I hear, sense and feel are not even real. Well, ok real to me but not to others. How hard that is to do. I am finding that I do have much in common with the way 15 year old Ben feels though. I have had my own life spin out of control. And have hated the effect it had on College Girl when she was much younger. I can not imagine how hard it would be as a parent to have to experience this in your child. What a helpless feeling it would be. I love how this book shows hope and humanizes the problem of finding the right help for your child. I do know it helps show the true courage of all those who fight mental illness.
Thanks also to you for listening to me. I have to say having this blog helps me more than you would ever guess. It gives me a voice. A chance to get out of myself at times. And a connection to others. You have been my life line many times...more than you would realize. I also wish to thank those who send me these great books. I love the reviews and more so I love getting to read. What a wonderful way to have my own lil bit of therapy.
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