Simply A Mom

The Super Power

2011-05-18T23:08:00.000-05:00

So, this is my third week post for Smallville, and we'll be discussing about Super Power. Very interesting...:D

Clark Kent has a few super powers, however only 2 that stand out, heat vision and super speed. I think these 2 super powers are really REALLY cool. Then I asked myself, if I had a chance to obtain that...which one would I choose. It didn't take me long to answer that.

I'm a mom and a woman...I'd like to have the Super Speed power. It's just perfect.
A mom can never have enough time..so I'd LOVE to have this super power.

Ok, let's go back to Clark Kent...

On the very first episode of Smallville...he revealed the super speed power when he missed the bus and he outran it through the cornfield. Very cool!!

Now, ask yourself...if you had a chance to have a super power? What would you choose?

Find out more about Clark Kent's super powers by watching the complete season DVD.

The 'Smallville: The Complete Series' DVD lets you experience the exciting journey Clark Kent embarks upon to realize his destiny! With over 24 hours of special features and 2 hours of never before seen footage, the complete series on DVD is the ultimate resource for the Smallville fan! http://amzn.to/kztZkg

Summer is upon us, and spending time watching this favorite show with loved ones...is priceless. So, own the Smallville complete season DVD NOW!!!

Have a great rest of the week.
Take Care.
Hugs,

*I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for SmallVille Complete Seasons DVD

The Romance

2011-05-11T22:16:00.000-05:00

TV show without the romance isn't a good TV show.

Now lets' talk about Clark Kent from the Smallville. He's one Hot and Gorgeous person. And as fas as his romance on Smallville, he actually had a number of romantic flings. His most notable being with Lois Lane, Lana Lang and Chloe Sullivan.

I really like him being with Lana Lang. To me, they're actually look good together.

Lana is a superheroine who fights to preserve life. She grew up a mile away from Clark, who admired her from afar for years. Clark finally asks her out in High School and she becomes an important part in his life.

Lana is Clark Kent's first love, and she's also Lex Luthor's ex-wife. The relationship between Lana and Clark Kent is very interesting and dramatic.

In season 3, episode 1 ~ Under the influence of red kryptonite, Clark is following a life of crime in Metropolis while his friends and parents desperately try to find him.
When Lana found out about this, she confronts him and stays with him long enough to get hold of the Kents. This incident brings a significant romantic relationship between them.

With the 'Smallville: The Complete Series' DVD, fans will be able to relive all of Clark Kent's romantic encounters, from start to finish! With an Exclusive Daily Planet newspaper written by DC Comics that highlights the important storylines developed during the 10-year run of the show, the Smallville Complete Series is a must-have for all Smallville fans! http://amzn.to/kztZkg

I'm pretty sure you don't want miss any special episode of Clark Kent's life. Even if you're done watching the whole episode from the TV. I bet you still want to go back and watch it again and again. So...why not own the 'Smallvile Complete Series' DVD today.

Well readers, I will see you again soon.
Thank you so much for stopping by today.
Have a great rest of the week.
Hugs,

The Rivalry

2011-05-04T22:49:00.003-05:00

Hi bloggers,

Today I'd like to share with you one of my favorite TV shows. It's the Smallville. I love everything about the show, from the stories to the casts. The players are lovable {even though some of them are so evil} and they're also gorgeous looking people.

These three people are my favorite...Clark Kent, Lana Lang and Lax Luthor. There's always love and hate relationship between them three.

We all know very well about Clark Kent and Lax Luthor rivaly. As the second billionaire CEO of LuthorCorp, he struggles with a dark history of alienation and self-destruction and a sinister destiny of power and evil.

I remember watching an episode from DVD season 6 titled "Zod", Lex's body is taken over by General Zod, a Kryptonian military leader, and he kidnaps Lana Lang. Clark Kent and Lex/Zod battle it out and Lex gains the upper hand. Clark is commanded to his knees and is told that if they join forces, he will spare the human lives which Clark really cares about.

I can go on and on and tell you the whole eposide, but I don't think I want to that. You need to find it out yourself whether Lex will be succeed in purse Clark Kent to join force.

So, don't wait to long to watch this awesome battle. Relive the epic battles and the iconic rivalries with the 'Smallville: The Complete Series' DVD! Find It HERE Includes 62 discs, never before seen production art and behind the scenes photos from the set! AWESOME, right???

Here's a little sneak peak. Enjoy it!!

Thank you so much for stopping by, and again ENJOY your Smallville DVDs.
See you all soon. Hugs,

Tenny

*I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for SmallVille Complete Seasons DVD

A Mom's World

2010-09-27T22:14:00.005-05:00

Many strangers have approached me and said that I'm must be one busy mom with two young children to look after every day. And I have to agree with them. Having two very active and curious toddlers is a lot of work. However....I'm so thankful for a partner, my dear husband, who always helps me around with the children. I don't know what I would be and do without him.

Now...there are times when I think about the future, when my two kids get older and they both are in school. I bet I'll get busier and busier everyday. School stuff and all other stuff. Yikes....to me a mom's world is totally crazy and scary. Will I be ready? I only can hope.

Have you watched The New Adventure of Old Christine on TV lately? It airs 5 days a week...(More info HERE). This comedy show is so hilarious and will take away your daily stress.

Meet Julia Louis-Dreyfus, aka Christine. Christine's world is crazy! Not only does she have to deal with her ex-husband Richard (who's still very much in her life, inspite of the fact he has new girlfriend also named Christine), but she also lives with her brother Matthew while raising her son Richie as a single mom.

Christine has a pretty hectic life and does a lot for Richie to make sure he has everything he needs! Whether it was dating the Lizard Guy to insure that Richie had a place in the Reptile Club, or just driving him from practice to practice.

The one thing I can relate with Christine is the craziness. Being a mom is a blessing...however the journey in a motherhood land is very challenging...and sometimes knowing that we're not alone helps.

So moms...when your day is hectic and uncontrollable, sit down and watch The New Adventure of Old Christine. It will help you unwind and laugh.

Tune in to "The New Adventures of Old Christine" 5 days a week! Check out http://www.oldchristineweekdays.com/listings to find your local show times.

Have a great week.
Hugs,

*I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for 'The New Adventures of Old Christine.

The New Adventure of Old Christine

2010-09-19T22:59:00.006-05:00

I've realized that being a mom, a wife and a woman....I do a lot of things for a lot of people. It's crazy....!!!

As you all know, I stay at home with my children during the day, and when my husband gets home from work in the evening, I go to my patients' houses and take care of them. Later on the day, I get home and still taking care of my family. It's never end.

My favorite time of the day is when everyone in the house are asleep. I can catch up with stuff quickly and also watch my fave TV shows. One of my favorites is The New Adventure of Old Christine. The main character is played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She's hilarious and so it's her show. Highly Recommended and a must watch show!! Another great thing about this show -- It airs FIVE days a week (oh yeah, you've heard me right).

Here's a bit about the show.

Old Christine's world is crazy! Not only does she have to deal with her ex-husband Richard (who's still very much in her life, inspite of the fact he has new girlfriend also named Christine), but she also lives with her brother Matthew while raising her son Richie as a single mom. On top of that, she owns a gym with her best friend Barb, frequently goes on dates, and has to deal with the "meanie-moms" at her son's private school? Some how, though, Christine manages to juggle it all!

My world isn't really as crazy as Christine's. By watching this show, I've come to realize how lucky I am to have a wonderful family. Also, I'm so thankful for a helpful and understanding husband who always helps me. This show is another stress-relief therapy for moms like me, wives and everyone.

Check out The New Adventure of Old Christine video clips and local showtimes HERE. I bet you'll LOVE this.

Have a great week dear friends.

Hugs,

*I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for 'The New Adventures of Old Christine.

Household Tips

2010-09-17T16:31:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday!! It's another cleaning day in my household. And earlier today, I threw away a few boxes of cereals. One of the boxes caught my attention. It's mainly because in the back of the box has some household tips. Pretty interesting tips...so, I thought I might share it with all of you. Enjoy :D

1. Fresh Lemon will remove Onion scent from your hand.

2. To keep ants out of the house, find where the ants are entering and sprinkle a barrier of cinnamon or ground pepper to block their way. The spices are too hot for the ants to cross.

3. Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.

4. To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.

5. The freshness of eggs can be tested by placing them in a large bowl of cold water. If they float, don't use them.

6. For a clogged shower head, try boiling it in 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 qt. water for 15 minutes.

7. Don't throw away leftover wine. Freeze it into ice cubes for future use in casseroles or sauces.

8. If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dish gloves. The non-silp grip makes opening jars easy.

9. Use egg whites to remove gum from clothing. Brush egg white onto gum with a toothbrush, Let sit for 15 minutes and then launder as usual.

10. Baby wipes are miracle-workers on stains. From motor oil to blood. They remove almost anything.

Hope this helps. Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,

Stuck

2010-09-14T14:28:00.000-05:00

Every stay-at-home moms always hope that everyday will be as normal as it can be. However, it doesn't always work that way.

Yesterday, something 'Scary' had happened in my household and it involved daughter. My 22 old months girl is very curious and she likes to do dangerous things, like climb up on table/chair, etc. I have to watch her more carefully...however stuff still happen.

So, yesterday afternoon....we all were playing in the play/scrap room. Dustin was playing with his Thomas trains and I was typing an email for a friend. My daughter was playing under the table, and suddenly she cried and SCREAMED. I checked her out right away...and found her head stucked.

See the picture...

Her head was stuck in between those bars. OMG!!

Lots of things went through my mind....'Oh no...I have to call 911'...'I gotta call my neighbor and get help'
She kept crying and crying and SCREAMING too..
I tried and tried to get her head out but nothing worked. I was scared.
Another idea came across my mind....'I need to use water and soap'. And before I knew it...she's out. She did it herself. She kept crying till she fell asleep. Poor baby.
She had a little bruises on her head, other than that..she's fine.

I thought a girl would play with Barbie dolls and play dress up, but not my daughter. She plays what ever her brother plays. I bought her a Barbie doll...she just looked at it at gave it to her brother. I guess I just need to pay more attention to her.

Anway, just wanted to share this. Thanks for stoping by, and have a great week.
Hugs,

Crystal Body Deodorant

2010-09-10T17:30:00.002-05:00

A few years ago (seven to be exact), I had a small surgery done on my right armpit. My sweat gland was infected, and caused some lumps. This experience was scary for some reasons...First, I was away from home and no family members to comfort me. And second, my armpit (the infected area) hurt so bad and occasionally bled. I went to the college nurse and she suggested me to go see a doctor. So, I went to urgent care (type thing) doctor...and again he suggested me to see a surgeon right away.

When you're thousand and thousand miles away from home....the only thing you could do is just cry. That's what I did. For days, I didn't know what's going on...and I was physically hurt. Finally, my appointment with the surgeon came...he then explained to me what's really happened. My pores on my armpit opened up and the bacteria attacked the sweat gland and caused the infection. However, the surgeon wasn't sure about the lump and recommended a surgery and biopsy (for the lumps). I was scared to death...

On the day of my surgery...good friends drove me to the hospital and accompanied me there all the time. The surgery went pretty fast and well. That night, a faculty from the college (happen to be a good friend) took me in and looked after me. I recovered soon enough and was so thankful for everything. Days later, I went in to see my surgeon for post-op check up. He told me that everything (especially my armpit) looked just fine, and the biopsy result should come back soon from the lab. Final message (from the surgeon), 'Be careful with what you put on under your armpit'. Lesson's learned very well :D About a week later...a got a phone call from the lab...a lady told me that the biopsy result was negative. Nothing was found. What a relieve.

Well...you might be wondering why in the world I'd share this story with you. I just want to remind you...the same thing my surgeon told me. Be careful with what you put on under your armpit. Or, in another word...choose your deodorant wisely. We hate body odor, but we don't my experience happen to you (It was no fun). So, when I got a chance to review 'Crystal' Body Deodorant, I was super excited. And of course...I've read everything about it and I recommend you to give a try it too.

Here's some Information about the product,

•Crystal® is the original mineral salt deodorant brand (established in 1984)
•Crystal® is a natural deodorant that actually works
•Simple ingredients, simple promise: All day natural odor prevention
•Mineral salts create an invisible barrier that make it impossible for odor causing bacteria to grow
•Their deodorants are available in 28,000 stores worldwide (including Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid)

Product Line:

•Both unscented (Crystal Body Deodorant®) and lightly scented (Crystal® essence)
•Crystal® Body Deodorant is available in 4.5 ounce Stick, 2.25 Oz. Roll-On and 4 Oz Body Spray
•Crystal® essence (Pomegranate, Lavender & White Tea and Chamomile & Green Tea) is available in 2.25 Oz Roll-On and 4 Oz Body Spray

A Few Other Points of Interest about Crystal®:

•Mineral salts work as a buffer between your skin and odor causing bacteria.
•Goes on lightly, won’t leave a white residue.
•Won’t stain clothes.
•Crystal Body Deodorant Stick lasts up to a full year of daily use! NO JOKE!
•Crystal deodorants do NOT need to be reapplied during the day. A single application under each arm lasts the entire day. ( Can endure even the toughest, longest workouts.)
•Endorsed by Cancer Treatment Centers.
•Rated safest in the Skin Deep database / Environmental Working (www.ewg.org)
•Compact Signer of the Campaign for Safer Cosmetics
•Never tested on animals (member of Leaping Bunny)

Last Wednesday, the man in a brown suit (a.k.a UPS guy) brought me this cute stuff. Three different scented Crytal Roll On deodorant. I gave it a try after my evening shower :D LOVE the pomegranate scent. It's so fresh and fruty smell. It's my favorite of all three. The roll on liquid dries up pretty fast and honestly the smell lasts the whole day. I'm very satisfied with everything, and again HIGHLY recommended.

Well...your body deserves such great products, and Crystal Body Deodorant is one of them.
Have a great weekend.

Hugs,

*I've received this product for free to review. I'm also a member of one2one network

Mommy Moment

2010-09-08T16:45:00.001-05:00

The other night, my husband and I watched "Sex and The City 2", the movie. It was very long...:D but I gotta admit...it's pretty hilarious. I like the second movie better than the first. This one is seriously funny.

Ok...another confession to make, while I was watching this...I found myself crying. I know..I know...I told you it was funny, however there are some mommy moments played by Charlotte that just so..touching and TRUE!

Charlotte has 2 children. She stays at home with them...but she's not alone. She has a nanny who helps her everyday. And still...she admits 'It's ssooo hard being a mom'. So TRUE!!!

On her trip to Middle East...Charlotte finally opened up and shared her feeling to her best friend, Miranda. Watch this clip.

And here's the quotes from the movie

Charlotte: "How do the moms who have no help do it?"

Miranda: "I have no f***ing idea."

I can relate myself to Charlotte. Sometimes, it's very hard to share my "mommy" feelings and emotions to my friends or even my own husband. It's simply because I don't want to be labeled as a bad mom.
So, mommies out there...give yourselves a pat in the back.. you deserve it! You and I know it that we all have tried out very best...and we've done wonderful jobs. If there's a moment when you just want to cry...call a friend and do some major therapies.

Hugs,

Gossip Girl Fashion Police

2010-09-05T23:17:00.000-05:00

One thing that I really LOVE and enjoy from watching TV show series is the fashion. Specially the ones that take place in New York, like Gossip Girl. It seems that the casts dress up all the the time. Their wardrobes are beautiful and most of them are made by great designers.

So, after watching season 3 Gossip Girl DVDs...I gotta admit that the most stylist cast is Blair Waldrof (played by Leighton Meester). Her character in this show is pretty interesting. She appears to be snobby, materialistic, and fake. She is bossy and nosy, and acts as if the world revolves around her. However, her choices of fashion were amazing.

Simply look at these pictures.

Blair dressed better than Serena!!

and of course, Chuck Bass (Blair's Ex-boyfriend) is the second most stylist person in this TV show.

Now....the season 3 Gossip Girl episodes were really great (WATCH it!!!). Lots of twists and turns and (yeah) scandals and also beautiful clothes. However, the most gorgeous gown shown (and happened to be my favorite) was this....

Blair wore this pretty gown to a night that she'll never forget. It was the night when she went to see Chuck's uncle, Jack Bass, to traded herself for Hotel Empire. Yeah...that was a horrible night.

Anyway, if you haven't watched Gossip Girl season 3....you should check the show clips HERE, and hurry get the DVD now!! and if you a big fan of Gossip Girl....See you soon on Gossip Girl season 4. It will be air in a few weeks. Can't wait.

Hugs,

*I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for Gossip Girl Season: The Complete Third Season – which arrives on Blu-ray/DVD on August 24. Watch highlights from Season 3 here: http://bit.ly/cx8nDx !

The Best Gossip EVER ~ The Threesome

2010-08-28T22:55:00.000-05:00

Ok...I don't gossip...but I love gossips, specially the good ones. And the Gossip Girl in New York is a great resource.

==> Here's the most astonishing gossip ever ~ Dan Humphrey's threesome. <==

The story:

Dan Humphrey was happily dating a famous actress, Olivia Burke (Hillary Duff). They loved each other so much. Dan and Olivia, both went to NYU. Olivia's roomate is Vanessa Abrams, who happened to be Dan's best friend.

One day, Olivia decided to take an offer to shoot a movie away from New York. She's going to leave Dan behind for a year. The night before Olivia took off, these three people were hanging out together.

And to make the story short...the three of them ended up making out. Oh yeah...The Threesome.
For some reason Dan Humphrey forgot the rule of Threesome -- The third person is always the stranger.

The next day, Olivia found out that the movie was canceled. Oh NO....oh yeah AWKWARD!!!!!!

The Next Gossip ~ Olivia dumped Dan...because Olivia found out the real feeling -- Dan loves Vanessa.

The Gossips are getting better and better. And you can find out more on Season 3 Gossip Girl DVD. Or you watch the clips HERE.

Aside from this gossip...please don't forget...we still need to figure out who the real Gossip Girl is. I'm so clueless. I'd better watch some more episodes. Till next time...with some more gossips.

Hugs,

*I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for Gossip Girl Season: The Complete Third Season – which arrives on Blu-ray/DVD on August 24. Watch highlights from Season 3 here: http://bit.ly/cx8nDx !

And God Said NO

2010-08-28T10:05:00.000-05:00

Another week has gone, and soon Summer will be over too. Time sure does fly really fast.

The other night, I woke up in the middle of the night (or I think it was dawn :D)...and couldn't go back to sleep. Then lots of stuff came to my mind and I started to worry and started to doubt my faith. I wanted to cry...but I couldn't. I forced myself back to sleep, it didn't work.

In the morning, I went and grabbed my collection of Inspirational stories/poems and found this words of encouragement.

I bet we all have these "doubtful" life moments. So, today...I'd like to share this Food for Thoughts to brighten up your weekend. Enjoy!!

And God said "NO"

I asked God to take away my pride,

And God said, "NO"

He said it was not for Him to take away,

But for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole,

And God said,"NO"

He said her spirit is whole.

Her body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience,

And God said, "NO"

He said patience is a by-product of tribulation.

It's not granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness,

And God said, "NO"

He said He gives blessings,

Happiness is up to me.

I asked God to pare me pain,

And God said, "NO"

He said, "Suffering draws you apart from

Worldly cares and brings you closer to Me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow,

And God said, "NO"

He said I must grow on my own,

But He will prune me to make it fruitful.

I asked God if He loved me,

And God said, "YES"

He gave me His only Son, who died for me,

And I will be in Heaven someday.

Because.... I believe.

I asked God to help me love others

As much as He loves me,

And God said,

"Aahh...finally, you have the idea."

Have A Wonderful Weekend, My Friends. God Bless You and Your Family.

Hugs,

Who's The Gossip Girl?

2010-08-23T13:50:00.000-05:00

I don't watch a whole lot of TV shows, however I do watch shows with lots of twists and turns and keep me guessing all the time. One of them is Gossip Girl. This show is staggering, and I LOVE it.

When I started watching Gossip Girl a few years back....I tried to guess who actually the "Gossip Girl" is. I still don't have a solid answer. Every episode I watched, I kept changing my mind about the real Gossip Girl. Do you have any clues?

Well, I was beyond excited when I was chosen to spread the news about the release of Season 3 of Gossip Girl. You GOTTA get it!! Don't think twice...all I can say it's worth it to watch. However, I need to warn you...it's addicting!!

My husband had never watch this show before. When I received my Season 3 copy, OMG my husband couldn't wait to put it on the player and watch. After we finished watch the first DVD, I asked him whether he like it or not. He answer. "hell yeah....." LOL!! So, if my husband likes it so much...I'll bet you will too.

Even if you haven't watched the first two seasons...it'd be just fine. You'll catch the whole story pretty quick...and before you know it, you'll be guess who's the real gossip girl.

Gossip Girl show loads with lots of scandals (from family, sex to politics). The casts are wonderful and loveable. I really enjoy watching this and OMG (and again I have to admit...) I'm addicted. :D (Start watching the previous seasons again).

To watch some clips from season 3, please visit THIS SITE.

Ok...now, if you're a fan of this show, who do you think is the real Gossip Girl?
There were times when I thought about Serena...but I changed my mind to Georgina. Seriously, I'm not sure who the girl is. CLUELESS :D I read somewhere....It said...it might be Jenny. Hhmm Jenny? Good candidate. I can't wait to find out. Until then...lets just enjoy the shows.

Gossip Girl Season 3 is available on DVD and Blu-Ray. Pre-order yours today HERE.

Have fun watching. XOXO Gossip Girl :D

Hugs,

*"I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for Gossip Girl Season: The Complete Third Season – which arrives on Blu-ray/DVD on August 24. Watch highlights from Season 3 here: http://bit.ly/cx8nDx !"

Wallables the Teaching Toys

2010-08-15T23:35:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone,

This week I'm back with another excitment from the toy my son and I recieved to review.
It's the wallables. Wallables aren't only eco-friendly toys but also great learning tools for children.
Dustin loves his Buzz Lightyear Wallable toy. He really likes its bright color, and it helps him learn the color.

Wallables are great learning tools for every toddler.

To find out more about this toy and where to purchase them...please visit Toys R Us site HERE.

Have a great week. SP

* I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for Wallables

Hugs,

Buzz Lightyear Wallables

2010-08-08T17:41:00.000-05:00

Last week, the FedEx guy brought me something really cool and cute for me to review and my son to play with. It's a WALLABLE.

Wallables are 3-dimensional sculpted wall décor products made out of soft and "eco-friendly" polyurethane foam made from US grown soybeans. They attach to any flat surface with our easy on, easy off Velcro patch, allowing Wallables to be removed and repositioned.

Wallables are safe and have passed both the ASTM and CE toy safety standards. Wallables are interactive, they can even help teach young children the alphabet! Their soft surface make them very inviting for small hands to touch, feel and experience.

Ok, let's go back to the fun part. Dustin received a Buzz Lightyear wallable..and he's beyond excited. He really loves the Toy Story movie series and this wallable toy goes every where he goes.

I installed this wallable in Dustin's play room. However, Buzz Lightyear doesn't stay on the wall too much. Dustin plays with it a lot. He likes to push the buttons and pretends that Buzz Lightyear comes to live. He really enjoys his new toy. As a matter of fact...while I'm writing this post, my daughter is chasing her brother to get the wallable. This product is amazing.

Recently, Toys R Us starts selling these Wallables. To find the stores near you and find out more info on these, please click HERE.

So, if you're thinking about getting a new toy for your children....WALLABLES probably the answer.

SP.
Thanks for stopping by today. Have a great week.
Hugs,

The Lumby Lines

2010-07-22T20:50:00.006-05:00

The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade (May 1, 2007)
ISBN-13: 978-0451221391
About The Book
Nestled in the Northwest is a quaint little town that its quirky residents are proud to call home. With charming shops lining its one main thoroughfare, Lumby is home to the oldest apple tree in the county and the smallest bank in the state. And though it's hours from the nearest big city, readers will always find Lumby close to their hearts.

When Mark and Pam Walker, a vacationing couple from the East Coast, decide to restore Lumby's ramshackle Montis Abbey and turn it into an inn, it takes a while for the locals to warm up to them. Especially the irascible William Beezer, owner of The Lumby Lines-the newspaper "worth the paper it's printed on." At every turn, he tries to hinder the Walkers' efforts. But the couple soon learns that for every citizen like William, there are many more willing to lend a hand-and that Lumby isn't just a place, it's a way of life.

About The Author

Gail Fraser was born and raised in Rye, New York, and attended the Rye High School and then majored in English and received an AA from Colby Sawyer College. After graduating, Gail studied at the University of London and returned to Skidmore College where she earned her BA in English Education. She completed her MBA at the University of Connecticut, with graduate work done at Harvard University.
Prior to changing her life and becoming a novelist, Gail had a long and successful career in 'corporate America' holding senior executive and upper management positions in several Fortune 500 and start-up corporations. During her career, in addition to living throughout the east coast (from northern Vermont down to central Florida), Gail also lived in Colorado, Montana and Oregon for several years and had extended stays in Australia, Japan, Brazil and Europe.

Gail and her husband, nationally renowned folk artist Art Poulin (www.artpoulinstudios.com), are building their own Lumby on Lazy Goose Farm in rural upstate New York. Featured in several magazines, newspapers and on television, Lazy Goose is a 40-acre gentleman's farm that is demarcated by a 200-year old stone wall, and has views of the Catskills, Adirondack and Vermont mountains. They share their lives with Emma and Yoda (a kind and gentle German Shepherd from New Skete Monastery), and several other four-legged friends. Art spends his days in the studio while Gail writes in her library, overlooking their trout pond. Gail is also an avid stoneware potter, an heirloom gardener and a cook and enjoys tending to their orchard and bee hives most every morning. Please visit her at www.lumbybooks.com.

My Thought

This is the first book in a series, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of them. The Lumby Lines is a fun story, with quirky characters. I really liked the story. Te touching friendships, and of course a bit of drama and mystery. You will also find a few recipes on this book. A GREAT book.

* I recieved this book for free in exchange for my review. Thanks!!

Happy Reading.
Hugs

The Power of Half

2010-07-22T18:02:00.000-05:00

The Power of Half: One Family’s Decision to Stop Taking and Start Giving Back by Kevin & Hannah Salwen
Hardcover: 256 pages

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (February 10, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0547248066

About The Book

It all started when 14-year old Hannah Salwen, idealistic but troubled by a growing sense of injustice in the world, had a eureka moment when a homeless man in her neighborhood was juxtaposed against a glistening Mercedes coupe. “You know, Dad,” she said, pointing, “If that man had a less nice car, that man there could have a meal.”

This glaring disparity led the Salwen family of four, caught up like so many other Americans in this age of consumption and waste, to follow Hannah’s urge to do something, to finally just do something. And so they embarked on an incredible journey together from which there would be no turning back. They decided to sell their Atlanta mansion, downsize to a house half its size, and give half of their profits to a worthy charity.

At first it was an outlandish scheme. “What, are you crazy? No way!” Then it was a challenge. “We are TOTALLY doing this.” Each week they met over dinner to discuss their plan. It would transport them across the globe and well out of their comfort zone. Along the way they would inspire so many others wrestling with the same questions: Do I give enough? How much is enough? How can I make an impact in the world? In the end the Salwens’ journey would bring them closer as a family, as they discovered, together, that half could be so much more.

About The Authors

Hannah Salwen is a junior at an Atlanta high school, where she is a member of the varsity volleyball team, coeditor of the school yearbook, and a representative on the student council. She has been volunteering since the fifth grade at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Café, and other nonprofits.

Kevin Salwen was reporter and editor at The Wall Street Journal for over 18 years. After his tenure at The Wall Street Journal, he started a magazine, Motto. He serves on the board for Habitat for Humanity in Atlanta, and works with the U.S. Olympic Committee.

My Thought

This is a good book for you and your children to read together. The story is inspiring, and help your family to think of something to help the less fortunate. I love reading memoir book, and this one is terrific. The motivation of this family is contiguous. I did shed a few tears when reading the Salwens’ story.

* I recieved this book for free in exchange for my review.

Enjoy!!
Hugs,

3 Tips to Boost Up Your Children's Reading Habit

2010-07-22T15:11:00.000-05:00

It's never too early to start the habit of reading in Children. It's a VERY good habit!!!

So, today I'm going to share 3 Tips that I've found through articles and work best in my family.

Find A Time to Read to your children. Pick the right time (after breakfast, or before bed) and spend the right amount (5 minutes probably too short. Half an hour probably too long).
Expose Your Children to Books. Library is probably the best place. Children can find the books they like to read.
Be A Role Model. If you want your children to love reading, you need to be a good example too. Read the paper in front of them or read a novel while the kids play. Kids do better by examples.

Hope these help. Happy Reading Everyone!!!

Hugs,

The Cradle

2010-07-21T10:12:00.000-05:00

The Cradle, by Patrick Somerville
Back Bay Books / Hachette

$13.99 Trade Paperback
ISBN: 9780316036115
Released: April 12, 2010

About The Book

Early one summer morning, Matthew Bishop kisses his still-sleeping wife Marissa, gets dressed and eases his truck through Milwaukee, bound for the highway. His wife, pregnant with their first child, has asked him to find the antique cradle taken years before by her mother Caroline when she abandoned Marissa, never to contact her daughter again. Soon to be a mother herself, Marissa now dreams of nothing else but bringing her baby home to the cradle she herself slept in. His wife does not know-does not want to know-where her mother lives, but Matt has an address for Caroline’s sister near by and with any luck, he will be home in time for dinner.
However, as Matt tries to track down his wife’s mother, he discovers that Caroline, upon leaving Marissa, has led a life increasingly plagued by impulse and irrationality. This mysterious life only grows more inexplicable with each new lead Matt gains and door he enters. As hours turn into days and Caroline’s trail takes Matt from Wisconsin to Minnesota, Illinois, and beyond in search of the cradle, Matt makes a discovery that will change Marissa’s life forever, and he faces a decision that will challenge everything he has ever known.
About The Author

Patrick Somerville grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, went to college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and later earned his MFA from Cornell University. He has taught creative writing and English at Cornell, Northwestern University, Auburn State Correctional Facility, and The Graham School in Chicago.

His first book of stories, TROUBLE, was published in September of 2006 (Vintage) and named 2006’s Best Book by a Chicago Author by Time Out Chicago, and his first novel, THE CRADLE, was published by Little, Brown in March of 2009. His writing has appeared in One Story, Epoch, GQ, Esquire, and Best American Nonrequired Reading. Patrick was selected as the winner of the 2009 21st Century Award, given annually by the Chicago Public Library.

He lives with his wife in Chicago, and is currently the Blattner Visiting Professor of Creative Writing at Northwestern University.

My Thought

This book will take you along for a great quest of a stolen cradle and also a family mystery. In the journey, you will meet a lot of people. You might get lost, but the twists and turns will make you want to read more. A heartwarming novel.

Giveaway, thanks to Hachette Book Group. I have 3 copies to 3 lucky readers.

Mandatory Entry:

Simply leave me a comment and tell me that you'd like to win this. Please don't forget to leave your email address.

Bonus Entry:
Please leave separate comment for each extra entries, and don't forget to include your email address.

* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
RT @santoso10ny Win a great book, THE CRADLE. Another book to add to your summer reading list.
http://bit.ly/bMGrVX (Just copy and paste)
* Grab Simply A Mom blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Blog blog
* Grab My Crafty Life blog button and put it on your blog sidebar

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US and Canada residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until Saturday, July 31st at Midnight CST

FYI:

I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* Thanks to HBG for providing this great book (for free) to me to review.

Good Luck.
Hugs,

Shiva's Arms

2010-07-20T14:41:00.000-05:00

Shiva's Arms by Cheryl Snell
Hardcover: 209 pages

Publisher: The Writer's Lair Books (March 27, 2010)

About The Book

Is there a happy medium between Hindu tradition and American style, or does the battle of wills between a mother and daughter-in law for the love of the man caught in the middle trump all else? When Alice marries Ramesh, she is plunged into a battle of wills with her mother-in-law. Amma wreaks havoc over Alice's household until a family secret is revealed that costs the old woman everything. Now it is up to Alice to heal the rift. Shiva's Arms evolves into an exploration of cultural identity, the power of reconciliation, and the meaning of home.

About The Author

Cheryl Snell's books include fiction and poetry. Published widely online and in print, she won the Lopside Press competition for Prisoner's Dilemma, and has had work included in the Best of the Net Anthology. A multiple Pushcart Prize nominee, Cheryl runs a micro press called Scattered Light Publications with her sister, the artist Janet Snell.

My Thought

When I first read the description of this book, I knew it right away that I need to read the book. Here's why..
My husband and I are both Indonesian, however we came here to The United States when we were pretty young. Our parents still live in Indonesia. After our first child was born...we could feel the tense of raising our own child. Both (side of) parents still tell us what to do (according to Indonesian culture) and try to compare the way they raised my husband and I to us raising our own child. It's stressfull.

The story is about a love and hate relationship between an American daughter in-law and her Indian Mother in-law. The tension is all about 2 different cultures and how they need to respect each other and come to an understanding. This book is very engaging. A very well written novel. Enjoyed it so much!!

* I recieved this copy for free in exchange for my review

Thanks for Stopping by. Happy Reading.
Hugs,

Shades of Morning

2010-07-15T12:02:00.002-05:00

Shades of Morning by Marlo Schalesky

June 2010 by Multnomah Books
Paperback, 352 pages

About The Book

Marnie didn’t know much about miracles.Mistakes maybe. Accidents. And monstrous mess-ups. She knew a lot about those.But miracles? Those were for other people.Marnie Wittier has life just where she wants it. Quiet. Peaceful. No drama. A long way away from her past. In the privacy of her home, she fills a box with slips of paper, scribbled with her regrets, sins, and sorrows. But that’s nobody else’s business. Her bookstore/coffee shop patrons, her employees, her friends from church—they all think she’s the very model of compassion and kindness.Then Marnie’s past creeps into her present when her estranged sister dies and makes Marnie guardian of her fifteen-year-old son—a boy Marnie never knew existed. And when Emmit arrives, she discovers he has Down syndrome—and that she’s woefully unprepared to care for him. What’s worse, she has to deal with Taylor Cole, her sister’s attorney, a man Marnie once loved—and abandoned. As Emmit (and Taylor) work their way into her heart, Marnie begins to heal. But when pieces of her dismal past surface again, she must at last face the scripts of paper in her box, all the regrets and sorrows. Can she do it? Or will she run again?....................(

About The Author

Marlo Schalesky.
Besides writing books that I hope you'll buy (!), I also run an engineering firm and have recently earned my Masters degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Originally, I was a research chemist (I got my bachelor's degree in chemistry at Stanford University in 1988), but I always knew I wanted to write. So, I'm grateful to be weaving stories that whisper of grace, of mystery, and of surprise.

My Thought

Another well written Christian Fiction! This book is all about family drama. Believe me...we all do have those dramas. And to me, Family Drama sometimes is very hard to understand. There are twists and turns...and sometimes mystery too. At the end...confusing yet still good. That's what you will get from this book. There are things about Family that you don't understand and better yet...just leave it that way. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I hope you do too.

Happy Reading!!
Hugs,

* I recieved this book for free in exchange for my review.

The Overnight Socialite

2010-07-15T10:25:00.001-05:00

The Overnight Socialite
Written by Bridie Clark
Hardcover: 288 pages

Publisher: Weinstein Books; 1 edition (December 16, 2009)

About The Book

In this beguiling retelling of the classic Pygmalion, we meet Lucy Ellis, a Manhattan transplant who dreams of making it as a fashion designer but instead toils away on a Garment District assembly line.
Road-blocked each time she tries to score a break, Lucy is beginning to think the unthinkable: maybe it's time to pack it in and move home to Minnesota. Then, during a torrential downpour, at her most bedraggled and disheartened, Lucy meets Wyatt Hayes IV.

Wyatt--man-about-town and bored Ph.D. anthropologist--has just been publicly dissed by New York's reigning socialite, Cornelia Rockman, whom he'd been dating. When he meets Lucy, he boasts to his best friend Trip that he can transform any woman, even a trailer-born nobody like Lucy into this year's "It" girl. "Give me a few months," he tells Trip, and I could turn her into a social luminary.

She'll make the rest of the pack look like dim little tea lights. If Wyatt can fool the East Coast aristocracy into thinking Lucy's the real deal, he can reveal the farce behind of Cornelia's social superiority complex and score a career-boosting book deal.

Headstrong Lucy challenges her teacher at every turn, but armed with a made-up pedigree and a wardrobe costlier than most studio apartments, she's soon navigating a world in which the most photographed socialite takes all. Can Lucy survive in a wilderness where no girl wears the same gown twice, the Astors are considered Johnny-come-latelies, and weddings are more lavish than the coronation of Louis XIV? Will she forge the connections needed to make a name for herself in fashion? And can she surmount the schemes and suspicions of her newfound rival, Cornelia?

Three months of rigorous prep and test runs culminate in Lucy's showdown at the Fashion Forum Gala, where she and Wyatt confront the ne plus ultra of society and their unexpected feelings for each other. But the gaps between them as well as Wyatt's secret agenda may make this improbable couple an impossibility.

About The Author

In 1999, Bridie graduated from Harvard College, where she was an editor of The Harvard Crimson. She has since worked as a book and magazine editor, and written for The New York Times, Vanity Fair, New York, Quest, and Elegant Bride.

Bridie’s debut novel, Because She Can, was published in nineteen countries around the world and was reviewed and featured in dozens of magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Vanity Fair, Glamour UK, and USA TODAY. Her second novel, The Overnight Socialite, will be published by Weinstein Books in December 2009.

In 2006, she co-wrote The Gawker Guide to Conquering All Media (Atria, July 2007) and co-founded Blue State Coffee.

Bridie lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.

My Thought

I love all chik lit fiction, and this one is pretty good. It's a must read summer book. It's fun and really entertaining. If you follow the current fashion news and industry, then you will love this book. The main character, Lucy, is so lovable. LOVE it!!

Hugs,

Summer Readings Share

2010-07-15T06:53:00.001-05:00

I've updated everything on my blog...except one thing. And friends, that's my bookshelf. You might wonder...When is Tenny gonna finish reading those books? Well, I basically finished them all! Just haven't changed my shelf.

Anyway, I've read many great books..and starting today for a week I will share the must "READING" Summer books. I hope you will enjoy these books ...

Happy Reading!!
Hugs,

Wordless Wednesday: Nature Beauty

2010-07-14T19:19:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile since I last participated on Wordless Wednesday....
So today, I have something special to share with all of you. (FYI: this pictures are taken at our house)

Happy Wordless Wednesday!!!
Hugs,

Babushka's Beauty Secrets Review & Giveaway

2010-07-14T16:08:00.001-05:00

Babushka's Beauty Secrets by Raisa Ruder and Susan Campos is a great recipe book for your beauty.

Raisa shared her beauty secrets using all natural ingredients that you may already have or can easily purchase. Her recipes are simple and quick (most with only 5 minutes to make), and the results are amazing.

About The Book:

DON'T SPEND A FORTUNE TO LOOK FLAWLESS!!!

Esthetician to the stars Raisa Ruder learned her time-tested beauty techniques from her Ukrainian grandmother (or babushka, as they say in the old country). Now everyone can discover the all-natural, better-than-botox secrets the Hollywood stars use to shine on the red carpet! Ruder reveals her sought-after beauty recipes that can fight wrinkles, plump lips, and eliminate crow's feet and acne, using inexpensive, everyday grocery items like eggs, honey, vegetable oil and strawberries (and a splash of vodka for freshness!). At last, by popular demand, Raisa Ruder opens up her babushka's secret pantry and shares her most amazing and effective beauty advice:

Skin-saving Soufflés - whipped up wonders that shrink pores, brighten skin, and diminish lines
Chocolate weight-loss wrap- a moment on the hips, tightens, tucks, and nips!
Hot hair- a cayenne pepper blend that leaves locks silky, soft, and full
PediPure- a soothing, smoothing foot scrub made with milk and mint
Lustrous Lashes - a simple castor oil serum that thickens and lengthens
Perfect Pucker- a mix of salt, green tea, and fruit that plumps up lips naturally
And much more...

My Thought:

There are so many beauty products out there in the stores. Sometimes, I don't know which one is the right one for me. Some are just too expensive. Babushka's Beauty Secrets are just perfect for me and for those who have sensitive skins.

This book is educated and very much entertaining. I love the way Raisa wrote about her life and experiences. Once you own this book, you don't need to spend to much money on beauty products anymore. You get all the great beauty recipes from this book. I highly recommended this book for every women. :D

GIVEAWAY:
Thanks to Anna and Hachette Book Group!! 3 lucky readers will win a copy of Babushka's Beauty Secrets.

Mandatory Entry:

Simply leave me a comment and share with me your all-natural beauty secrets. If you don't have...that's fine. Just tell me that you'd like to win this book. Please don't forget to leave your email address.

Bonus Entry:
Please leave separate comment for each extra entries, and don't forget to include your email address.

* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
RT @santoso10ny Win a Babushka's Beauty Secrets Book. All natural recipes book for your beauty. http://bit.ly/bMGrVX (Just copy and paste)
* Grab Simply A Mom blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog
* Grab My Crafty Life blog button and put it on your blog sidebar

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US and Canada residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until Wednesday, July 28th at Midnight CST

FYI:

I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* Thanks to HBG for providing this great book (for free) to me to review.

Good Luck.
Hugs,

10 Tips on How to Dress like a Socialite.

2010-07-12T19:11:00.002-05:00

When I received this guest article, I knew it right away that I have to share it with all of you. This is a wonderful piece of writing by a great author.

For us women, we always look for ways to dress like these socialites, and in this tough economy..being like these women seems so impossible. Well, not anymore....

Bridie Clark shares 10 Tips on How to Dress like a Socilalite.

I HOPE this post will help you to be a socialite you've been dreaming of.

ENJOY it!!!

The Socialite Look: How to Dress Like You Have a Trust Fund Even If You Don't
By Bridie Clark,

Author of The Overnight Socialite

You know the type: It's raining, or 3 am, or the middle of yoga class and this woman looks crisp, pulled together, ready for her close-up. Her hair is freshly blown-out, her jewelry is tasteful Cartier. Linen wouldn't dream of wrinkling when she wears it. Seeing her, you envision a walk-in closet full of neatly folded Italian cashmere. She must be rich, you think. Her look would be impossible to achieve -- or maintain -- without a trust fund and a lot of free time.

Actually, the "socialite look" -- we're talking Aerin Lauder, not Paris Hilton -- is just a matter of mastering a few basic rules.

1. Figure out what works and stick with it. Anchor your wardrobe with clean lines, good fabrics, classic tailoring. Develop a signature look . . . even a uniform. Avoid trends. The look you're striving for is fresh but timeless, and most trends have an expiration date.

2. Before you make a purchase, try to calculate Cost-Per-Wear. A Burberry trench that you'll wear every spring for the rest of your life could be worth a splurge. Likewise you'll always want to wear a great watch, "everyday" jewelry with just the right amount of bling, a simple clutch for evening, a T. Anthony tote that's comfortable but chic. A little black dress is part of every socialite's arsenal -- make sure yours fits perfectly, and you'll wear it all the time.

3. Buy at the right time. Stores need to turn over their inventory to make room for new arrivals, so keep your eye out for sales. There's definitely a right time (usually January) and a wrong time (November) to buy that shearling coat.

4. Buy more than one. Say you find the perfect pair of jeans. The right length, the right wash, the right silhouette from every angle. This is a good moment to splurge by doubling down on an extra pair (and if they're really that fabulous, two). Same goes for all your basics -- white tailored shirts, black ballet flats, socks. This way you'll have a fresh set to rotate in when the original starts to show wear and tear.

5. Never compromise on fit. Who cares if it's cashmere -- if the sweater doesn't fit properly, donate it. Keep your wardrobe as streamlined as possible.
6. Take care of what you have. Even if you're short on "staff," it's worth it to pay close attention to the laundry. Skip bleach -- it will hurt the fibers of your clothing after many washes. Instead, soak whites in hot water using detergent and a bleach alternative, like white vinegar. Be vigilant about separating colors. Your jeans and delicates should never see the inside of a dryer. Lastly, spot-clean items instead of always dry-cleaning -- it'll save you money, and save your clothes the chemical treatment.

7. Never pay retail. Why blow your budget at the mall when there are so many places to buy designer clothing at deep discounts? http://www.gilt.com/ (become a member by signing up at gilt.com/theovernightsocialite), eBay, and consignment shops are just a few of the spots you'll find marked-down treasures that look like you bought them on Fifth Avenue. Somebody did.

8. Master a speedy daytime beauty routine. We all need to get out the door quickly sometimes. After your shower, massage a small amount of mousse into the roots of your hair, flip your head and use a flat brush to blow-dry hair into straight, shiny panels. Smear on some tinted moisturizer with SPF, some mascara, and some lipgloss, and you're good to go.
9. To paraphrase Coco Chanel, remove one accessory before you walk out the door. Less is more. If you want to look effortlessly elegant, put quality ahead of quantity and keep your look simple.

10. Exercise clothing should be worn solely to exercise. Ok, and back and forth to the gym. Socialites don't allow themselves to lapse into that comfy, sloppy look that can be so tempting on a Sunday morning.

Splurge vs. Save List

Splurge on:

Classic pieces -- the little black dress, the Chanel ballet flats, the perfect clutch -- that you'll wear for years to come.
If you plan on making it as a socialite -- in the Jackie O, not Casey J mode -- you'll be dashing off countless thank you notes. Invest in personalized stationery. Sites like tinyprints.com offer an affordable alternative to monogrammed letterpress.
Charitable giving. Nothing's worse than a socialite who struts the red carpet but can't write a check for an important cause. No matter what your budget, find some way to give -- or give your time -- to the organizations that resonate with you.

Save on:

Staying Bergdorf blonde can be an expensive habit. Fortunately, most of the top salons hold "training nights" for stylists' and colorists' assistants to hone their skills under the watchful eye of the experts. Sign up, and you'll get top-end color for significantly less than the salon's usual rates.
Furniture. Estate sales, auctions, and online sites like 1stdibs.com and eBay have heirloom-quality pieces to lend sophisticated polish to your home. If a piece isn't quite heirloom-quality -- but the price is right and the bones are solid -- give it a coat of high-gloss paint, in a quirky turquoise or a punchy coral.
Hostess gifts. Hand-wrapping small items -- soaps, candles, a few chocolate truffles -- adds a personal touch which will impress the recipient.
High-end exercise classes and personal trainers. You can check out what's keeping Gwyneth so fit at tracyandersonmethod.com, or purchase a DVD. Core Fusion, a class that's popular with the Posh Upper East Side set, is also available on DVD. Or you can downward dog along to a Jivamukti yoga CD, the choice of fit and fabulous yogis in downtown Manhattan.
Retail. Paying full-boat is for the masses. Instead, explore sites like Gilt.com (you can become a member by visiting gilt.com/theovernightsocialite), designer outlets, or your local thrift and consignment shops. Make enough of a name for yourself, and it won't be long before designers are sending you their wares.

© 2010 Bridie Clark, author of The Overnight Socialite

Author Bio
Bridie Clark graduated from Harvard University, and has written for The New York Times, Vanity Fair, New York, and Quest. Her debut novel, Because She Can, was published in nineteen countries. She lives in New York City.
For more information, please visit http://www.bridieclark.com/

Hugs,

Face It

2010-07-12T15:01:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone!!! Awhile ago...I posted a guest article about 10 Tips for Modern Woman by Dr. Vivian Diller and Dr. Jill Muir-Sukenick, and today I will share with you a book review written by Dr. Vivian Diller, called

Face It: What Women Really Feel as Their Looks Change.

Hardcover: 224 pages

Publisher: Hay House (February 15, 2010)

Well, before we go further...let's get to know Dr. Vivian Diller a little bit:

Vivian Diller, Ph.D. is a psychologist in private practice in New York City. Dr. Diller was a professional ballet dancer before she became a professional model, appearing in Glamour, Seventeen, national print ads, and TV commercials. She left modeling in the late 1970s to get her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Yeshiva University. After completing her Ph.D., she went on to do postdoctoral training in psychoanalysis at NYU. As a psychologist, she has specialized in working with dancers, models, actors, and athletes, helping them make transitions to new careers as they age out of their professions.

Let’s face it: everyone’s getting older. But millions of women, raised to believe that success and happiness are based on their intelligence and accomplishments, face an unexpected challenge: the physical realities of aging. If looks are not supposed to matter, why do so many women panic as their appearance changes?
Their dilemma stems from two opposing societal views of beauty which lead to two different approaches to aging. Should women simply grow old naturally since their looks don’t define them, or should they fight the signs of aging since beauty and youth are their currency and power? This Beauty Paradox leaves many women feeling stuck.

This book is a psychological guide to help women deal with the emotions brought on by their changing appearances. As a model turned psychotherapist, Diller has had the opportunity to examine the world of beauty from two very different vantage points. This unique perspective helped her develop a six-step program that begins with recognizing “uh-oh” moments that reveal the reality of changing looks, and goes on to identify the masks used to cover deeper issues and define the role beauty plays in a woman’s life, and ends with bidding adieu to old definitions of beauty, so women can enjoy their appearance—at any age!

I'm not at that age where I should be worry so much about how my face will look like a month or a year from today, however this book has helped me prepare my emotional when my physical (specially my face/look) change. I really enjoy reading this self help book and I think every women should read it too. This book has only 10 chapters that contain beauty tips, stories, and life advises. Another great book!!!

* I've received this book for free in exchange for my review, and this is an honest review from me.

Thanks for stopping by and Have a great week.
Hugs,

got2b smooth operator

2010-07-08T16:55:00.000-05:00

Recently, I had a chance to try and review got2b smooth operator lustre lotion for hair. I was a bit skeptical about this product at first. I was afraid that it'd make your hair feel greasy and look oily. So, a few days ago when I was off work, I gave this product a try.

I washed my hair and put this lotion on. Then, I blew-dry my hair, and later style it. Oh wow....(that's my first impresion)...it didn't feel greasy and look oily. Actually, it made my hair pretty smooth and smelled really good. I definitely will use this on a regular basis, and I highly recommended this to you.

Here's a bit more about got2b smooth operator lustre lotion,

That's why we like got2b smooth operator smoothing lustre lotion. It's got the attitude we need to reveal our attitude. It's got the good looks we need to show off our good looks. And yeah, we'll admit we like that it's girly and fun, too.

Plus, it works. Really ~ got2b smooth operator smoothing lustre lotion shapes, smoothes, controls fly-away and gives your hair an amazing weightless lustre that's touchably soft. Plus it protects against damage from heat styling and contains a UV protectant, too. We're pretty convinced there's nothing this luscious lotion can't handle.

* Recently reformulated with an indulgent cashmere infusion
* Protects against heat damage from heat styling tools and contains a UV protectant
* Comes in a sleek and modern 6.8 oz dispenser with newly improved pump and unique charm
* Perfected for use on all hair types, wet or dry
* Features a luxrious fragrance fit for goddess
* Available at grocery and dryg stores
* Suggested retail price of $5.99
* To apply, pump the lotion into your hand and distribute it evenly through towel-dried or dry hair and style away

- Thank you to BzzAgent for this amazing product to try and review.

Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,

6 Principles to Take Our Bodies Back

2010-07-01T18:00:00.016-05:00

Taking Our Bodies Back: How to Break Free from the Comparison Trap

By Kristen Moeller,

Author of Waiting for Jack:

Confessions of a Self-Help Junkie: How to Stop Waiting and Start Living Your Life

Summer is officially here. For many women, that means bathing suit anxiety. That means more focus on those "troubling" body parts. That means a last minute purchase of a gym membership that you won't use.

This summer, disrupt the ordinary, draw a line in the sand and set your own standards for body image and perfection. What if you looked back on this summer as the year you accepted yourself and your body the way it is right now?

Practice these 6 Principles this summer and take the pledge to free yourself once and for all from the Comparison Trap.

Be nice to you. You have heard it before and I am going to say it again now -- be nice to you! If you talked to your friends in the negative way you talk to yourself, you wouldn't have any friends! Many of us begin the day by looking in the mirror and noting what is "wrong" with us -- we think, "I look tired", "my hair needs to be cut", "I look bloated, I shouldn't have eaten that last night…" Most of the time, we are not celebrating our beauty and wonder. We could all learn something from the video of a little girl named Jessica who stands on her bathroom counter and loudly and proudly proclaims what she likes into the mirror. For almost a minute, she enthusiastically lists the things she likes: "I like my hair! I like my pajamas! I like my house!" And she ends with "I can do anything good, yeah, yeah!" If you haven't seen it, it is well worth the watch:www.youtube.com
Comparison is more dangerous than a dead end street in a bad neighborhood. Anything you don't like about yourself is, by definition, in comparison to something else. We only "know" what the perfect lips, breasts, nose or thighs are because we have a false standard to compare to. According to the National Eating Disorder Association, 80% of American women are dissatisfied with their appearance yet most fashion models are thinner than those women (meaning us). We may never stop comparing, but we can practice awareness of it. Keep track of all the ways, times and places you compare yourself and come up short. The more you bring it to the surface, the less power it has over you.
Don't wait: Now is the time to make peace with that troubling body part (or parts). As we age, gravity will affect us -- all of us that is. Skin will sag and wrinkle and if we are blessed to live a long life, it will continue to do so. Five or ten years from now, you will look back on pictures of yourself and wonder what you complained about. Why not accept yourself right now? And yes, this takes practice. Be willing to do whatever it takes -- whether it is simply observing your thoughts; actively changing the negative thought to a positive one; or practicing affirmations. Take it up a notch and pick a body part that you can accept and sing your praises to it. Like the arch of your foot? Write an ode to it. How about appreciating the strength of your legs? Compose a poem. Be silly, have fun, play. Just do what it takes to shift your focus to appreciation. Even the most hyper-critical of us can find something to be proud of.
Remember -- diet is still "die" with a "t". Instead of going on yet another diet, take the time to educate yourself about healthy eating. Invest in a good nutritionist -- do a thorough inventory of your eating and exercise habits. If you find you need professional intervention, take action now! Don't wait! Help is out there. Visit the National Eating Disorder Association's website: www.nationaleatingdisorders.org for more information.
Practice conscious consumption. Want to know why these unrealistic standards of perfection continue? The answer lies with us. Societal pressures do exist, but who makes up the society? We do. Who keeps buying the fashion magazines, watching the TV shows? We do. Who keeps falling for the myth that there is something wrong with us? We do. Peer pressure and negative influences exist, but who needs to be responsible for this? We do. If we still choose to view, buy or read the media yet continually feel less than, we need to be responsible for that. We are the ones who keep comparing ourselves. The media can only impact us if we let it. We need to develop a critical eye and practice conscious consumption. Then one day, if we all truly love and accept ourselves the way we are, the media will change too.
Take a stand! Get involved, start a movement, make a difference! Don't tolerate criticism in yourself or others. Say something about it when your friends complain about their bodies. Definitely say something when you hear others make derogatory comments about others' bodies! We dislike the standards that exist, yet we fall into another trap of keeping those standards in place when we negatively remark on a Hollywood star having (gasp!) cellulite. The next time you see cellulite on a star, celebrate! Write a powerful letter to the media outlet that criticized them. Be an advocate for change.

Let's draw the line in the sand this summer and make the pledge to break free from the Comparison Trap. We can set our own standards for body image and perfection. We can embrace all of us -- our scars, wrinkles, droops, muscle, beauty and wonder.

Now, I ask you, what are you waiting for?

© 2010 Kristen Moeller, author of Waiting for Jack: Confessions of a Self-Help Junkie: How to Stop Waiting and Start Living Your LifeAuthor Bio

Kristen Moeller, MS, is the bestselling author of Waiting for Jack: Confessions of a Self-Help Junkie: How to Stop Waiting and Start Living Your Life. As a coach, speaker, and radio show host, Kristen delights in "disrupting the ordinary" and inspiring others to do the same. She first discovered her passion for personal development in 1989 after recovering from an eating disorder and addiction

Beautiful article and I hope you all enjoy it!
Have a happy and beautiful summer.
Hugs,

Mugshots

2010-06-30T15:02:00.000-05:00

Today's post might be the most embarrassing story that I'm going to share with you on this blog.

So, be prepare to laugh.

A few weeks ago, my husband took a half day off from work so that I could go and pamper myself. I decided to do something different. Something that I had never done before in my life. So, I told him to drop me off at a hair salon.

I told the gal who helped me that I wanted to do this and this and this. I wasn't sure if I really want to do this, but I wanted to try something new. The gal was so kind and offered me her suggestions, and I accepted.

Oh my, how wonderful it was to spend some time for myself and being pampered. An hour and half later... I was about to find out the result. The first time I saw myself on the mirror..I WAS SHOCKED!! and I HATED IT!! The gal asked me whether I liked it or not? I didn't want to cause any drama..so I said "yeah, I'm just not used to it yet." and she replied, "absolutely."

My husband then came and picked me up. But before that I warned him through a phone call that I looked different. He said, "that's ok."

When I entered the car, he looked at me with his weird looking face.

"I told you." I said.

"You looked different, but I like it." He said.

I replied, "You hate it...I know it, cause I HATE it too."

We both laugh...

I got home, and went straight to the bathroom....looked at the mirror. Why...why did I choose to do this..?

My husband felt so bad about it and told me that we're gonna fix it.

Ok, do you think you can guess what did I do to myself? ...

Well, I decide to highlighted my hair. And, seriously...I had never done this before, and I will ever never do this again. It's really bad. I HATE it....!! The next day, I went to a store and got a hair color kit. I probably shouldn't had done it (since it was less than 24 hours after the highlite)...but I couldn't stand it anymore.

Anyway...lesson learned here. I'll find another way to pamper myself and I will stay away from HIGHLITE world. LOL.

Now...are you ready to see my mugshots?

Thanks for stopping by..and let me share this laugh with you.
Hugs,

High Drama 2 ~ High School Memories

2010-06-29T10:20:00.001-05:00

Today, I'm going to share with you my high school memories.

A lot of people say that high school life is probably the most beautiful and unforgettable moments they would experience in a lifetime. And I have to agree with that. My high school life helped open my eyes and realized my passions and talents.

When I was Junior in High School, I was picked to be the team leader of weekly Chapel program. I got to work with many fellow students and we all had to decide how we want the program to be different and exciting every single weeks for the whole school year. It took a lot of work, but it was fun and challenging.

A year passed by and everyone at the school really enjoyed the Chapel program. So, my last year in high school, I was picked again to lead and organize the weekly Chapel. This time, it was really a hard work for me because I was trying to focus on finishing high school and applying for college.

I was frustrated, tired and went through the biggest drama in my high school life. I just wanted to give up, but my dearest friends stood beside me and encouraged me to finish things I have started and promised that they would support me in any ways. And that's all I did ~ Finish what I had started with the greatest support from the greatest friends.

These memories came back to me after I watched the last 5 episodes of WB High Drama 2. Never heard or watched this show before? Well, that ok!! You still can watch it HERE. It's really a great short show. I LOVE it, and totally RECOMMENDED!

"High Drama 2" is an original web series, view it now on http://www.thewb.com/ .

There's one particular student named Cameron. He's very talented in acting and dancing. It was his Senior year in High School when he joined his school theather production. Almost everyone in the group looked up to him as a role model. However in the last few days before the production took place, Cameron really got distracted. The news that he had been waiting for (College Applications) didn't come until the last minute. When he finally got the news, it's really bad (he didn't get accepted to all the colleges he had been applied). His friends comforted him and supported him. They gave him the greatest encouragements.
Later on that day, Cameron and his friends delivered a great theather production to the entire school.

High School was one place where I got to make great memories. It's not all good, but at that place I met a bunch of great friends for life.

* I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for High Drama 2

Hugs,

10 Things My Family Loves about Summer

2010-06-28T09:22:00.000-05:00

Summer has started a week ago and my family is enjoying every things about it.

So, I made a list of 10 things that we love about summer.

Longer Daylight.
Outdoor Activities ~ My kids really love being out, run around and just play.
Gardening ~ My husband and I love mowing the lawn and planting flowers.

Cookout and Picnic.
Reading ~ Summer is just the perfect time to catching up with the books :D
Hometown Tour ~ A good way to find. out what's new and treasure our hometown
Traveling ~ This is might be hard to do specially with 2 small kids, so we try to do small trips - like a family gateaway.
Garage Sales ~ I don't shop at every garage sale, but the excitement of findings things I need at a low price is what I love from garage sale.
Farmer Market & Street Food ~ Gotta love the local. They're simply the best!
Pools ~ My children love playing with water and stay cool. We don't have a pool at home, so public swimming pools and lakes are our summer destinations.

Well, there's one last thing that I love about summer ~ Sandals.

I hope you and your family have a great and wonderful summer. Enjoy it and stay cool.

Hugs,

Journals Unlimited

2010-06-24T16:21:00.002-05:00

I remember the first time I wrote my journal. I was pretty excited, because I got to express my feelings and thoughts on papers. And this good old habit continues on till now. I have journals for every little things. For example, My Life Journal, Mommyhood Journal, Crafty Journal and Dreams/Goals Journal. It's so much fun to write on each of these books.

Not too long ago, I discovered a company called Journals Unlimited. This company produces and sells a wide variety of theme journals. They offer over 55 titles under $ 20 that feature trademark easy to fill-in format. It's so easy and fun to record all of life’s precious memories.

You should check their selection of journals.

The most well-known journals selection is called "The Write-It Down" ~ Each Journal is unique to its title with a custom "fill in the blank" format and hard cover design. Here's a few titles from "The Write-It-Down" selection: Birthday, Christmas, Camping, Teaching, Recipe, Goals and Dreams, to Wellness. The choices are endless. Another cool thing about this selection ~ 3 different sizes to choose, full size, mid size, and mini size. And again these journals are affordable!! You don't have to wait till Christmas or special occasion to get your special friends a special journal.

Recently, I have the opportunity to review a full size Write-It-Down journal with the theme: Me, Myself & I.

I love everything about this journal. From the thick and sturdy cover to the fill in the blank format on each page.

This journal also has a full blank page to let you write everything you want to jot down. This is just so cool!!

If you're not a journal person, but you want to start writing ~ Journals Unlimited is the answer.

To find out more about Journals Unlimited or check out their wide variety of selections, please visit:
http://www.journalsunlimited.com/ And while you're there, you might want to sign up for their newsletter (You should, cause I already did). They will send you coupons and special offers.

Can't get enough ~ Become a fan of Journals Unlimited on Facebook.

If you plan to travel this summer....Don't forget to grab your Travel Journal!!!!

Hugs,

Bathroom Cleaning Made Simple

2010-06-23T22:17:00.001-05:00

My husband calls me a "clean freak". And I have to admit that I'm a bit over the limit about cleaning the house. I constantly clean the house...and I rather do that than cooking.

Now, cleaning the bathroom isn't something that I could do every day. I have to do it at least once a week. So, when I was offered to try Scrubbing Bubble Extend-A-Clean Power Spyer...I was very excited.

Scrubbing Bubbles Extend-A-Clean provides a clean that lasts up to 4 days.
It also:

• Makes shower cleaning quick, simple and easy — just spray and walk away!
• Is for fast, easy daily use, keeping showers clean of soap scum and mold & mildew stains
• Has a Power Sprayer, providing better coverage for easier cleaning

Another great thing about this new product that I really like is the citrusy smell. It's so fresh!

I hate other bathroom cleaning products that have strong bleach smell. I always cough and cough while scrub the shower.

I definitely recommend this Scrubbing Bubbles Extend-A-Clean product to you and other fellow clean freaks.

Ok, COUPONS time...thanks to BzzAgent, I have 6 coupons worth $6 off to share with you. The first 6 people who leave comments (simply tell me you want the coupons and include your email addy) will get the coupons in the mail.

Happy Cleaning everyone!!
Hugs,

* Thanks to BzzAgent for providing me this product to review.

High Drama

2010-06-22T08:28:00.000-05:00

Who doesn't love a Reality TV Show? It's my favorite. Reality Show is so interesting and (believe me) full of high dose drama.

Recently, Warner Bros just released a new series of reality show called High Drama 2. "High Drama 2" follows the theater company of Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, as they put on their best show yet: The Wizard of Oz.

"High Drama 2" is an original web series only available on http://www.thewb.com/

I had a chance to watch a few episodes of the High Drama 2, and let me tell you...I enjoyed it so much and can't stopped to find out more.

I've never joined high school drama production before. It's simply because I hate drama. I rather watch drama than be in a drama myself. However, it's easy to say. I believe that we all have experienced a high drama once in our lives.

On episode 3, after the students found out the list of casts, there were joy and jealousy in the mix. There was this girl named Leann. She wanted to be one of the main casts, but the position was given to her best friend, Jackie. She was very upset. To make the sitution even worse, she was chosen to be a part in the drama, to be a 'Tree'.

Leann was avoiding her best Jackie, and also skipped the first meeting of the drama production. She thought that her role as a tree is not important. She was wondering why it has to be her best friend who got the position she wanted. Then, Leann was called by the Theatre Director, Ms. Wescoe, a.k.a The High School English Teacher, and they both had a talk. I guess the "Talk" was good, because Leann changed her attitude and everything was back to normal. This included her friendship with Jackie.

Like I told you in the beginning of this post that I hate drama. I really do. I try to avoid all kind of drama in my life, but drama is like a natural thing that comes to our lives. I can recall several ocassion when I wasn't chosen for something that I really wanted. I was upset just like Leann. But at the end, I changed my attitude and believed that everything works for a good reason.

So what do you think? I think High Drama 2 is a MUST watch show.

Watch the newest episode of "High Drama 2" on TheWB.com or simply just click this http://www.thewb.com/shows/high-drama

Here's a sneak peak of the first episode.

Well, I hope you enjoy new series of High Drama 2. After all, one of the best experiences in life is High School life. Have fun watching!!!

* I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for High Drama 2

Hugs,

My Scariest Moment EVER!

2010-06-21T09:30:00.004-05:00

Have you ever experienced the scariest moment in you life? I just had one last Thursday afternoon.

My day started pretty good. I planned to finish a few product reviews and catching up with household works. However, my daughter woke at 6.30 in the morning with a fever. I gave her ibuprofen, and at 9 O'clock her fever was gone. She was still weak. So, I continued on with chores.

At noon, when my husband came home for lunch...her fever came back. Not so hot. Then she came to me and wanted to nurse. She fell asleep while nursing. I let her take a nap, and again I tried to do laundry and cleaned up the kitchen.

At 2.30 in the afternoon, she woke up and was pretty fuzzy. She came to me and wanted to nurse again (it's her way to get comfortable). So, I sat down and nursed her...
A few minutes later....she unlatched and was shaking. Ok, I knew right away...something was wrong.

I tried to call her name...but she didn't response and kept shaking. I was pretty sure she's having a seizure. I stood up (and still holding her on my arms) and grabbed my phone and call 911.

I had never seen someone with a seizure. I was SCARED and PANIC. It's really really scary.

I told the 911 dispatcher...to send someone right away because I was alone with 2 kids and didn't know what to do.

My son kept asking me what was wrong with lil sis? I couldn't answer him. I was still on the phone with the dispatcher who tried to calm me down while holding my daughter.

When the seizure stopped (it lasted about a minute). She was awake but she didn't response to me at all. It made me even scarier.

Finally, the whole Emergency Teams came. Before I hung up the phone, I asked the dispatcher to call my husband at work and tell him what's going on. She was happy to do that for me.

One of the EMT personels came and took my daughter away from me. He took her and brought her to the ambulance. Another one came and asked me a bunch of questions. Then my husband called and cried on the phone. My son ran away and hid in the room. He was scared with the fire truck, ambulance and also police.

I tried very hard to keep myself together. No one told me how my daughter was doing. And finally, they let me got in the ambulance and see her. She's ok...but very weak and tired.

I wanted to ride with her to the hospital, but my husband was almost home. (When something happens to our children, my husband can go "crazy".) So, I decided to stay home and wait for him and would try to calm him down.

We got to hospital not long after...Phoebe and the 911 crews got there. She cried and cried....
My heart just broke and felt so bad.....I felt like I'm a bad mom.

The ER room was packed with nurses and lots of people. The nurse in charge told us that she had a high fever of 105.9 and that was caused the febrile seizure. Ooohhh....I felt even more terrible. I should have taken her temp before she napped. I was mad but at the same time.....worried.

They did a lot of test on her. After 1 1/2 hours later, the test results came back all negative. Nothing was really wrong with her. The Physician Assistant told us that she might caught a virus or something, but nothing so serious. And we got discharged.

At home, while everyone took nap...I took a shower and had a broke down moment (in the bathroom). I couldn't believe what happened to me and my daughter. Poor little thing...

Phoebe was getting ready to go to Church...on Saturday.

Two days after she had a seizure.

On Fathers' Day

She gave her daddy his Fathers' Day gift.

Today, she's doing much better. After lots of naps, medicine and prayers, I'd say she's back to her normal life and she's healthy.

Everytime...I remember that Thursday afternoon accident...I was scared and promised myself and the children that I will not let things like that happen again. It's hard being a mom.

Hugs,

I {heart} Bacteria GIVEAWAY!!

2010-06-16T20:11:00.000-05:00

I hope this post isn't scared you. Well, not all bacteria is bad...there are some "good" bacteria too. I'll tell you in a bit here...

How about a GIVEAWAY first?? Isn't this T-shirt looks cute.
Anway, I have 2 of these to give away to 2 lucky followers/subcribers of SIMPLY A MOM blog.
The rule is pretty simple...Leave me a comment and let me know that you're a follower/subcriber of this blog. And I always LOVE NEW FOLLOWERS too.

This giveaway ends on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010, Midnight CST.

Ok, now let's get back to the good bacteria business. Have you ever heard of Culturelle?
Here's some more information.

Culturelle® is the only probiotic dietary supplement containing

Lactobacillus GG, the ³good² bacteria strain used to restore and maintain a
healthy balance in the digestive system.
Culturelle® is all-natural, and does not contain any wheat or gluten. There
are trace amounts of dairy proteins (less than 15 ppm in each capsule), but
it is also available in a dairy-free formula.

Culturelle works to help promote overall digestive and immune health. Diet, stress, travel and even some medications encourage bad bacteria to flourish in your intestinal tract. When bad bacteria outnumber good bacteria, your digestive and overall health is open to a host of potential concerns. Culturelle, with Lactobacillus GG, safely and naturally replaces the bad bacteria in your digestive tract with good bacteria leading to healthier digestion and a stronger immune system.

Unlike most-probiotic-fortified foods, Culturelle gets to where health benefits are needed the most! The Lactobacillus GG found in Culturelle is one of the few probiotics that survives the strong acids of the stomach and intestines and then has the ability to colonize the intestinal tract (where 70% of the immune system resides).

Not all probiotic supplements are created equal. The amount of live bacteria listed on many probiotic labels is often the number of bacteria at the time of manufacture, not use. Culturelle, however is manufactured with
at least 30 billion live cells with at least 10 billion guaranteed at time of usage. This is about 10 times the amount of probiotic bacteria found in many yogurts (and without the additional sugar or calories).

More about Culturelle, visit http://bacteriaisbeautiful.com/
Follow Culturelle on Twitter www.twitter.com/culturelle, and
on Facebook www.facebook.com/culturelle.probiotic

Just For Fun....Watch This Video!

Coupon Links:

http://culturelle.com/coupon
http://culturelle.com/bacteriaisbeautiful
http://culturelle.com/tell_a_friend

Have a great day.
Hugs,

Catching Up

2010-06-14T15:56:00.002-05:00

I'm one of those people who dislike Mondays. It's simply because I work almost the whole day every Sunday, and hope that I could take a break on Monday. Well, that's not gonna happen for awhile.

Today and perhaps tomorrow too...I really need to finish piles of laundry. I hate it!! (Sorry, I whine a lot today :D) So, I need to find a solution to overcome this challange.

I'm catching up with my fave TV shows while folding and ironing clothes. But wait, I don't watch them from my TV/DVR...I use my computer. Just in case you forget, I canceled my cable subscription awhile ago, and a good friend share this free site to watch all kind of things (TV Shows, Movies).

Are you wondering what's my favorite TV Shows are?
1. I'm a big fan of Drop Dead Diva, and season 2 just started. The show is sssooo good, funny, cute and romantic. If you have never watched it, check the clip below from youtube.com

Have you ever wished that your guardian angel always be with you all the time? On this show, Jenn 's guardian angel is watching her closely, literally. That's just cool!!

2. My next fave TV show was just ended last Wednesday. It's Top Chef Masters on BravoTV. I hope one of these days, I get to visit these Top Chefs Masters and actually taste their food.
I was happy when the Top 3 chefs were annouced, and I think they all were great, and funny (like Susur Lee).

Well, I guess I better go back to my laundry and my "ADD" children :D.
Happy Monday and Have a Great Week.
Hugs,

Secrets to Make Great Tutus

2010-06-09T10:39:00.002-05:00

Do you have little girls or nieces who like to play dress up? or do you dream to have a business from home?
Well today, I'd like to share some info about Secrets to Make Great Tutus.

I've heard about Tutu, but I didn't recall my childhood playing dress up with it. So, when Jenni a.k.a Miss Tutu contacted me and asked if I could review her Secrets to Tutu Making DVD and Manual, I didn't think to long and emailed her back and agreed. I have a 18-month old daughter and I want her to play dress up with my handmade tutu.

On the 'Secrets to Tutu Making Success' DVD, Miss Tutu teaches you to many different styles of tutu. Her instructions are simple, short, not confusing and right to the point. I really like the way she divides the instructions into short chapters. She also shares awesome tips that will help you make a beautiful tutu in no time.

The Manual is colorful and contains more info. On this book, Miss Tutu also explains how to care of tutu and even embellish it. {LOVE IT!!!!}

So now, here's the moment of truth. As some of you may know, I'm a papercrafter. I love to play with papers and make lots of things. After watching and reading Miss Tutu's Secrets to Tutu Making, I decided to give it a try. Oh yeah.....I made a tutu...I DID it!

If I can make this....I believe YOU CAN too.
The best part => No Sewing!!

Miss Tutu is so kindly to offer one of readers a copy of Secret to Tutu Making DVD and the Manual (value $67).

You also can purchase these (DVD and Manual) on MissTutu.com, and use this code, SIMPLY, to get $47 OFF. Once you purchase it, you'll get a lot (I really mean A LOT) of bonuses, and access to more Miss Tutu's Videos. I've seen many Tutu Making tutorials and Instructions for sale and most of them are pretty pricey and you only get pdf. copy (no video). Miss Tutu provides you with everything you need plus more for A GREAT PRICE ~ only $20 with the code.

Back to the giveaway:
Mandatory Entry:
Visit MissTutu.com and sign up to receive the first lesson for FREE. When you get the access, find how many chapters are available on the DVD (you have to answer this question to eligable for the giveaway).
Don't forget to leave your email address.

You really want to sign up for the 1st lesson, and here's why:
Miss Tutu is holding a contest and giving away $100 cash.
1. Grab the FREE Video Instruction
2. Make a tutu
3. Enter your tutu
More Info here. You have till June 18th to enter Miss Tutu contest.

Extra Entries:
Please leave separate comment for each extra entries, and don't forget to include your email address.

* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
RT @santoso10ny Want to learn to make tutu? Enter this giveaway for a chance to win Secret to Tutu Making DVD and Manual. http://bit.ly/bGl4bp
(Just copy and paste)
* Grab Simply A Mom blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog
* Grab My Crafty Life blog button and put it on your blog sidebar

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until Wednesday, June 30th at Midnight CST

Good Luck.
Hugs,

Shopping Nightmare

2010-06-05T10:47:00.001-05:00

Last night, my husband wanted to go to Best Buy. To be honest, Best Buy isn't really one of my favorite stores, and I'd rather go somewhere else than hang out there. Thank goodness, TJ Maxx is next door. So, I decided to go to TJ Maxx with Dustin.

I was excited!! It's been awhile since I went clothes shopping. And beside, I need some new summer clothes. However, some people changed their minds and chose to crash my fun. Yeah...Leo and Phoebe, both, followed me to TJ Maxx.

I tried to ignore my kids while I was looking for new wardrobes, but I couldn't. My 18-month old daughter was running around under the clothes racks and played peek-a-boo with her brother and daddy. And the worst part was....SHE SCREAMED and GIGGLED !!!! and it's VERY LOUD!

"Ok, I made it quick. Just watched the kids." I told my husband. "But, I gotta try these on."
He replied, "Take Dustin with you."

So, I went to the dressing room with Dustin. While I put on some clothes, he ran away and looked for his sister. Then, they both came to me. Now, guess what did they do? They crawled from one dressing room to another. And when Phoebe bumped into her brother, SHE SCREAMED again.

At this point, I lost my shopping mood. I ended up leaving the store not buying anything. Oh how I miss the old days, when I got to shop by myself and spent hours without worry about kids.

Hugs,

Memorial Day Hangover

2010-06-03T09:40:00.000-05:00

Ok, this post isn't about the hangover like you all know. Today, I'd like to share with you the effects following too much fun, too much food, too much play, and too much work during Memorial Day weekend.

Prior to the long weekend, I already started feeling not so good. It's mainly tiredness and lack of sleep. And when the weekend came, I was overexcited that I didn't rest more than I should.

Every year around Memorial Day weekend, O'Reilly Auto Parts in Lincoln, Nebarska, hosts antiques cars show. It's usually a 3-day event. And every night after the show finished, those old and good looking cars marched around the city and showed off their beauty. It's also followed by expensive cars, muscle cars, and race cars.

So, Friday night, after I got off work, my family went to the main street and found a good spot to park our car and watch this free entertainment. Seriously, it was so much fun. There were tons of people too. We left at 11 O'Clock at night. And after we got home, my husband and I watched a movie.

During the day on Saturday, my family went shopping. Then, I went to work..and work. I got off at nine. My husband and kiddos picked me up. They brought pizza, snack, and drink. Guess where we're going? No other than main street again to watch cars marched around the city. This night was much more fun than the night before, of course, it's Saturday night. Got home at midnight.

Sunday, I had to work almost all day. My husband took care of everything around the house.

On Memorial Day, I got up early and off to work for an hour shift. I came home and found out that my husband already started grilling and cooking. We had tons of ribs, steaks, and patties for the day. OMG!!!
Food everywhere for only the four of us.

Leo's holding some ribs...more food in the process.

We decided to grill at home and bring the food to park later.

After grilling, look what my husband and kids were doing...WATER FIGHT!!

Running from daddy and the water :)

Then, later that afternoon, we're off to Pioneers Park. We had lunch, and played on the playground.

Went home, put away the picnic stuff. Off to another park, and played on the playground AGAIN.

My kids really enjoyed having their dad for the whole two days for themselves. It's priceless!!!

Tuesday morning, I came down with a bad cold, itchy throat, running nose, and slight fever. Thank goodness the kids and husband were fine. I had a Memorial Day Hangover, one of a kind.

I feel so much better today. Still have the running nose..but better.

The long weekend and the hangover had effected my blog posting. I apologize!! I'm back.

I'll pick the winners for May giveaways today...and will post it HERE.
Thanks.

Hugs,

A Trip to ER

2010-05-26T22:34:00.000-05:00

This morning, at 6 o'clock, two things woke me up. The first one was the alarm clock, and the second one was my son's scream and cry. Dustin shouted, "Mama, paper towel." At that time, I knew right away what happened. He had another nose bleed.

My husband went and got Dustin. He took him to the bathroom and cleaned him up. Not long after that I heard my husband yelled my name and wanted me to come and see Dustin.

"The nose bleed wouldn't stop," my husband told me. Dustin kept crying (very loud). The more he cried, the more blood came out, and the more panic my hubby was. I tried to tell Dustin to stop crying, but he was too scared.

Finally after 20 minutes of bleeding, my husband concluded...."Let's go to ER."

Dustin has a history of nose bleeds, and it always happens in the morning. We have taken him to see the doctor several times and the answers are always the same. The diagnosis is his nose gets too dry and it triggers the nose bleeds. One time, I took him to see a Ear/Nose/Throat Specialist and found the same analysis. This morning disaster was the worst one he has ever had.

When we got to the hospital, his nose was still bleeding. I tried to comfort him by holding him on my arms, and he finally calmed down. Then, unexpectedly, the nurse wanted to get his weight, and he needed to stand up on the scale. Well, Dustin and I weren't happy about the idea. I know about the procedure, but is it really neccesary when my child had blood all over his nose. Oh well.....

I told Dustin to stand up for a second, and amazingly he did. However, the nurse forgot to turn on the scale. Dustin started to cry again and this time he coughed too. Moments later, I picked him up. Then I let him sat on my lap when suddenly he coughed up a good amount of blood. My husband and I totally freaked out. We've never seen anything like that before. The nurse confirmed us that it was ok. And suprisingly, after that cough, his nose stopped bleeding.

The doctor came in and asked what happened. I tried to explain EVERYTHING. His respond was.."oh yeah it's just a nose bleed. His nose probably was too dry. I'll check and you're good to go..."

OK... I was in shock. I've never seen a doctor like that before. He checked the nose and listened to his lungs. He was there for about 10 minutes then left. I still can't get over the doctor's "attitude". He didn't comfort us. He didn't give us any advise. He just left.

After half an hour in ER, we went home. The kiddos and I took a long morning nap. Despite the morning craziness, Dustin was doing much better. He needs to adjust to the (keep changing midwest) weather.

Oh what a day!! I hope I don't have to take Dustin to ER anymore for the nose bleeding business again.

Hugs,

Still The One Book Review and Giveaway

2010-05-18T09:23:00.001-05:00

Category: FICTION, ROMANCE
Format:MASS MARKET

Publish Date:5/1/2010

Price:$6.99/$8.99

ISBN:9780446555982

Pages:432

About the Book:

After Katie Charmaine's husband is killed in Iraq, all she has left is a closet full of his clothes, a few pictures, and fond memories. She not only lost her love, but her last chance to have the children she's always wanted. Until Zack Ferguson shows up in town . . . with the daughter Katie gave up for adoption nearly seventeen years ago.

Zack Ferguson has never forgotten Katie, or the one magical night they spent together. Seeing her again brings up a tidal wave of emotions: regret over the way he left her, anger at the secret she kept, and desire he hasn't felt in years. But he's in town for Gracie. Their daughter is sixteen, angry at the world, and-worst of all-pregnant. She needs the love of her two parents now more than ever. Can these three forgive the hurts of the past and open their hearts to each other?

Robin Wells takes us back to Chartreuse, Louisiana, for a deeply moving story of forgiveness and second chances.

About the Author:

Before becoming a full-time writer, Robin Wells was an advertising and public relations executive, but she always dreamed of writing novels--a dream inspired by a grandmother who told "hot tales" and parents who were both librarians.

When she sold her first novel, her family celebrated at a Chinese restaurant. Robin's fortune cookie read "Romance moves you in a new direction"--and it has. Robin has won the RWA Golden Heart Award, two National Readers' Choice Awards, the Holt Medallion, and CRW's Award of Excellence.

Robin lives just outside New Orleans with her husband, two daughters and an exceedingly spoiled dog named Winnie The Pooh-dle.

My Review:

This is a heartwarming story of first love and the consequences of that love. It is about forgiveness, romance, betrayal, family drama, reuniting with first love, second chances at love and happiness. A very touching novel. I really enjoy reading this.

Giveaway!! Thanks to HBG, 3 lucky readers will a copy of Robin Wells' book, Still The One.

Mandatory Entry:
Simply leave me a comment and tell either your favorite romance novel or favorite romance author. Please don't forget to leave your email address.

Bonus Entry:
Please leave separate comment for each extra entries, and don't forget to include your email address.

* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
RT @santoso10ny Win a great Romance Novel on Simply A Mom blog http://bit.ly/dzP6f2
(Just copy and paste)
* Grab Simply A Mom blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog
* Grab My Crafty Life blog button and put it on your blog sidebar

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US and Canada residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until Monday, June 1st at Midnight CST

FYI:

I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* Thanks to HBG for providing this great book (for free) to me to review.

Good Luck.
Hugs,

Simply A Mom

2010-05-18T01:44:00.000-05:00

In November 2009, a year after my second child was born, I started a personal blog and I named it "Simply A Mom."

Being a mom of two children is a challenge (for me) and a journey. However, it actually defines the real me, and I want to share it with all of you through this site.

In this blog, you will find a lot of things. Things like,

My daily life as a mom, a wife and a woman
My funny and adorable children
Silly things that happen in my household
Delicious and favorite meals on our dining table
Our life in Midwest
Friends and Families
Real Worlds
My favorite things
My "dirty little" secrets
Tips
Guest Posts
Products that my family and I love and enjoy very much
Also, BOOKS....(I love books)

I don't deny that being a mom is a hard work. Sometimes, it's fun and another times, it's frustrating. Over all, motherhood is the most rewarding experience. I'm Simply A Mom.

I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I enjoy the motherhood and the world surround me. Also, I'd like to THANK wonderful people that I've met through this blog for being good friends and supporters, and some of them have honored me with memorable blog rewards. I really appreciate it.

Received from LoveLeng

Received from Cara

Received from Nomie

Again, THANKS!!
Hugs,

What To Wear Book Review and Giveaway

2010-05-17T00:01:00.001-05:00

Hardcover: 288 pages

Publisher: Springboard Press; 1 edition (May 3, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-13: 978-0446534949

About The Book:

Every woman's closet-no matter the size-is a room of her own. In that space hang side by side the special occasions and the everyday, the triumphs and the disasters, the memories we want to keep and those we should jettison. Gross helps us to reconsider our closet identity and discover who we want to be. She shares her personal journey and the intimate, poignant and often humorous stories of the dozens of women she interviewed across the country. Along with calming fashion advice about how to choose flattering clothes that will fit any woman's shape and style, Gross's engaging stories will help every woman evolve gracefully from wife to mother, from empty-nester to globe-trotting adventurer--whatever role she chooses--while letting her style express her inner beauty.

About The Author:

Kim Johnson Gross has worked in the fashion industry for over 30 years, as a Ford model, an editor at Town & Country, Style Director at Avenue, and Fashion Director at Esquire. She is author of The Chic Simple books, which were international bestsellers and inspired the popular Chic Simple Solutions column that appeared for five years in InStyle. Gross wrote the "What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life" column in More for two years. She's been interviewed as a style expert on the Today show, CNN, the CBS Morning Show, Good Housekeeping, AARP, Business Week, Dove.

My Review:

When I received this book, my first opinion was...'Oh it's a Fashion Reference Book. It's gonna be boring stuff'. Well, I judged the book too fast. This book is actually really good, and I'm glad I own it :)

Kim shares her life stories and relates those to her fashion/beauty world. She gives tips and tricks for your wardrobe closets to help you define who you really are. She talks about clothes, purses, shoes, hair and its accessories. It's a fun reading, and I guess every woman should read it.

Giveaway!!! Thanks to Anna at HBG, 3 lucky winners will win a copy of What To Wear for The Rest of Your Life Book.

Mandatory Entry:
Simply leave me a comment and tell me your most favorite item in your wardrobe. Please don't forget to leave your email address.

Bonus Entry:
Please leave separate comment for each extra entries, and don't forget to include your email address.

* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
RT @santoso10ny Win a Fashion and Beauty book on Simply A Mom blog http://bit.ly/dl3fZl
(Just copy and paste)
* Grab Simply A Mom blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog
* Grab My Crafty Life blog button and put it on your blog sidebar

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US and Canada residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until Sunday, May 30th at Midnight CST

FYI:

I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* Thanks to HBG for providing this great book (for free) to me to review.

Good Luck.
Hugs,

$35 Jiffy Lube Gift Card Giveaway

2010-05-16T23:29:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone, I'm so excited for this giveaway. And, I hope you all can participate...
Also, don't forget to SPREAD THE WORDS....thanks!!

April is both National Car Care and National Informed Women Month and a perfect opportunity to get empowered to care for your car! Did you know that in the United States the average age of cars and light trucks on the roads today has reached a record high of 9.4 years? That means it´s more important than ever to take proper care of your vehicle.

With the informative Web site http://www.motoroilmatters.org/ (created by the maker of industry-leading brands Pennzoil and Quaker State) you can easily locate key information about how quality motor oils can help prolong your engine´s life and improve overall efficiency, as well as help answer other questions you may have about motor oil. In addition, the site offers a fun, educational game for you to play called "M.O.M. Knows Best" where you can put your motor mind to the test with an interactive quiz.

Did you know?

According to a recent survey from the Automotive Service Association, more than 54 percent of customers who take their vehicles for service and repair are women.
Using a high-quality motor oil in the right grade can help maximize fuel economy.
Low-quality oils that do not meet industry standards or the vehicle manufacturer´s requirements could
cost consumers in the long run by potentially damaging the vehicle´s engine or possibly voiding the manufacturer´s warranty.
Another reason to look to a high-quality motor oil - like Pennzoil and Quaker State - is that it is designed to meet the demands of today´s engines

To find the Jiffy Lube near you, please visit this site.

Giveaway, one very lucky winner will win a $35 Jiffy Lube Gift Card.

Mandatory Entry:
Please visit MotorOilMatters Website and find the most interesting thing on their site. Come back to my blog and leave me a comment. Please don't forget to leave me your email address.

Bonus Entry:
Please leave separate comment for each extra entries, and don't forget to include your email address.

* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
RT @santoso10ny Win a $35 Jiffy Lube Gift Card on Simply A Mom blog http://bit.ly/9DqZSL
(Just copy and paste)
* Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post
* Grab my Simply A Mom blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog
* Grab My Crafty Life blog button and put it on your blog sidebar

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until Monday, May 31st at midnight CST

FYI:

I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* The information and Jiffy Lube gift cards were all given to me from Shell Lubricants and www.MotorOilMatters.org through MyBlogSpark.

Good Luck.
Hugs,

Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann, Review and Giveaway

2010-05-14T15:02:00.002-05:00

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: WaterBrook Press (May 4, 2010)

ISBN-13: 978-1400073092

About the Book:

Battling his own personal demons, Police Chief Jonah Westfall knows the dark side of life and has committed himself to eradicating it. When a pair of raccoons are found mutilated in Redford, Colorado, Jonah investigates the gruesome act, knowing the strange event could escalate and destroy the tranquility of his small mountain town. With a rising drug threat and never-ending conflict with Tia Manning, a formidable childhood friend with whom he has more than a passing history, Jonah fights for answers—and his fragile sobriety.

But he can’t penetrate every wound or secret—especially one fueled by a love and guilt teetering on madness.

About the Author:

While home schooling her four kids, Kristen Heitzmann wrote her first novel. It became one of a five book historical series. Since then, she has written three more historical novels and eight contemporary romantic and psychological suspense novels including The Still of Night, nominated for the Colorado Book Award, The Tender Vine, a Christy Award finalist and Christy Award winning Secrets. She lives in Colorado with her husband Jim, sundry family members, and pets.

My Review:

I don't usually read thriller books, so I gave this book a try.

I found this novel has a very interesting story with complex characters. It keeps me guessing what's gonna happen next. I also enjoy the unexpected twists and turns. Another great Christian fiction book.

Listen to an interview with Kristen here.

Giveaway, one lucky reader will win a copy of this book.

Mandatory Entry:
Leave a comment and tell me your favorite Christian Fiction. Please don't forget to leave your email.

Bonus Entry:
Please leave separate comment for each extra entries, and don't forget to include your email address.

* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
RT @santoso10ny Win a Christian Fiction book. Indivisibe, by #Kristen #Hetzman. http://bit.ly/dcl343
(Just copy and paste)
* Grab my blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US and Canada residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until Friday, May 28th at midnight CST

FYI:

I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah Publisher for providing this great book (for free) to me to review.

Hugs,

5 Questions Friday

2010-05-14T13:44:00.004-05:00

Happy Friday friends and readers.
I can't believe the week is almost over again, but I'm looking forward to a nice and sunny weekend and times to spend with kiddos and hubby.

Today, I've decided to join wonderful women answering 5 questions Friday. I believe this is my first time joining this blog meme hosted by Mama M. And this week questions are pretty fun. It's another good way to get to know me better and other wonderful bloggers. Hope you join too.

1. Take your pick...date night, girls night out, or night out alone?

Ok...this may sound hard, but if I could get all these three nights out in a week, here would be the order. First, would be a date night out with hubby. Go to a nice dinner and watch a movie or a walk in the park. Second, girls night out. Shopping, dinner, mani/pedi, movies and popcorns. Last but not least, night out alone. It's when I get to do my craft shopping done.

2. Can you touch your nose with your tongue?

I tried this before, and the answer is NO.

3. What is your favorite flower and why?

Daisy. Specially the white daisy with the yellow center. Like this one.

When I was in college, a secret admirer sent me a bouquet of white daisies. Since then, I LOVE daisies. (If you're wondering, I didn't find out who the secret admirer was.)

4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself?

Hhhmm, being raised in a strict Asian family my parents expected so much out of me. They didn't give me any credits for good things I did. So, if I could go back in time, the advice would be "Speak Out for Yourself". My parents needed to hear my opinion too.

5. If you won the lottery, what is the very first thing you would do?

My family will go on a long vacation..probably across the states.

Well, thanks for reading. Have a great weekend!!

Hugs,

4 Tips to Start Saving More

2010-05-13T16:09:00.001-05:00

Another great guest post that I'm happy to share with all of you. Hope this article helps you save more. Happy reading!!

Four Tips to Start Saving More Money Now

By Pamela Yellen,

Author of Bank on Yourself: The Life-Changing Secret to Protecting Your Financial Future

Building your savings -- not an easy task in the best of times -- has become even more of a challenge. While women typically earn less than men in most occupations, the good news is that women's jobs have mainly held up during the recession. Women have a 20% lower unemployment rate than men, according to a just-released report from the U.S. Department of Labor.

And there's the fact that women live longer and rely on Social Security more than men do, and the already-troubled trust fund will pay out more than it receives this year.

So how do you build a bigger nest egg when times are tough? Following these four tips will help you take back control of your finances and "bank on yourself."

Be forewarned, however: this isn't the same old advice you've heard many times before. If the conventional ways of saving and investing were really working, wouldn't we already have financial security, in good times and bad?

Saving Tip #1: Know the Difference between "Saving" and "Investing"

Wall Street and the financial planning industry have led us to believe that "saving" and "investing" are the same thing. However, they are not. The money you have in savings is money you don't want (or can't afford) to lose. Money you invest is subject to loss.

Most people today "invest to save," and as a result, have no idea what their nest egg will be worth when they plan to tap into it.

This is not a financial "plan," which the Merriam Webster dictionary defines as "a means of accomplishing something." It's gambling. And it has led to a nation of Americans wondering if they'll ever be able to retire, and what they'll have to give up in order to do that.

The typical equity mutual fund investor has actually been losing one percent per year for the past 20 years, after adjusting for inflation, according to the research firm, DALBAR.

Don't put money you can't afford to lose into stocks, real estate or other traditional investments. Before investing, ask yourself if your money didn't grow for 20 or more years, or even went backwards, could you live with that?

Saving Tip #2: You Don't have to Pay Down Debt before Increasing Your Savings

Often people think they must pay down their credit card balances and other debt, before they can increase the amount they save. But that's not necessarily true.

Case in point: A woman in her fifties who was paying $600 to $800 a month more than the minimum payment due on her credit cards. She discovered that by cutting back to the minimum payment and putting the difference into a guaranteed savings vehicle, she could have a nest egg worth around $50,000 more when she retires at sixty-five. I call this the "better than debt-free" way of managing your money.

Saving Tip #3: Look Beyond the Traditional Saving and Investing Methods

Consider proven and time-tested ways to grow a substantial nest egg -- without the risk or volatility of stocks, mutual funds, real estate, and other investments.

For example, there is an asset class that has increased in value during every stock market decline and every period of economic boom and bust for more than a century.

That asset is dividend-paying whole life insurance.

A dividend-paying whole life policy grows by a guaranteed and pre-set amount every year. In addition, the growth is exponential, meaning it gets better (more efficient) every single year you have the policy, simply because you stick with it.

This gives you some protection against inflation and provides peak growth at the time you need it most (retirement). And no luck, skill, or guesswork is required to make that happen.

Furthermore, there are options that can be added to the policy which turbo-charge the growth of your equity ("cash value") in the policy. When your policy is structured properly, you can use it as a powerful financial management tool from day one.

Once credited to your policy, both your guaranteed annual increase, plus any dividends you may receive, are locked in. They don't vanish due to a market correction.

These policies also give you peace of mind for retirement planning, because you'll know the minimum guaranteed income you could take in retirement, and for how long you could take it.

Saving Tip #4: Saving Doesn't Have to Mean Sacrificing

When you save up money in the kind of specially designed dividend-paying whole life policy I just described, you can borrow your equity in the policy and use it to make needed major purchases, and your policy could continue to grow as though you never touched a dime of it! (Not all companies offer this feature or type of policy.)

One couple profiled in my book hadn't taken a vacation since their honeymoon eight years earlier. They couldn't justify taking a vacation because they "felt those funds should be saved." And they hated the idea of putting it on a credit card and then having to pay all that interest.

Instead, they borrowed the money from their policy for a one-week vacation at a resort on the Mexican Riviera. They set up a schedule to pay back the loan to their policy over one year, and were thrilled, because "now we'll be able to take a nice vacation every year from now on with those same dollars. The key words are no guilt, because this is a responsible way to do good things for yourself that you wouldn't normally do."

There are many myths and misinformation about this powerful financial tool, and no shortage of experts who will tell you to avoid whole life insurance.

That's why I created the $100,000 Challenge. It lets you test your knowledge of the facts about dividend-paying whole life. And a $100,000 cash reward awaits the first person who has a different product or strategy that can match or beat a properly structured dividend-paying whole life policy.

Bank On Yourself

View more presentations from FSB Associates.

© 2010 Pamela Yellen, author of Bank on Yourself: The Life-Changing Secret to Protecting Your Financial

Author Bio

Financial security expert, Pamela Yellen, is author of the best-selling book, Bank On Yourself: The Life-Changing Secret to Growing and Protecting Your Financial Future. For more information, visit: http://www.bankonyourself.com/ and to take the $100,000 Challenge, visit: www.BankOnYourself.com/challenge.

Hugs,

Silk Pure Almond Milk Review and Giveaway.

2010-05-12T15:21:00.001-05:00

It doesn’t take much to get from whole, natural almonds to Silk Pure Almond™ milk. Each glass provides an excellent source of natural antioxidants, and as much calcium and vitamin D as dairy milk, with absolutely no cholesterol, saturated fat, dairy or soy. Best of all, a serving of Silk Pure Almond Original almondmilk is only 60 calories, and a delicious glass of Vanilla is just 90.

What makes almondmilk Silk Pure Almond so healthy? For starters, it’s the almonds. Every little nut is a perfectly packaged powerhouse of natural antioxidants and more. In fact, we like to think of almonds as Nature’s Perfect Nutrition – and that’s where our almondmilk begins.

Almonds are recognized by health professionals as a nutritious addition to a healthy diet. A serving of almonds provides an excellent source of vitamin E (a natural antioxidant), and a good source of protein and fiber. In fact, almonds are higher in protein and fiber than any other tree nut. Plus, they're naturally low in saturated fat and cholesterol-free.

We've all heard a lot about the benefits of antioxidants – and Silk Pure Almond™ milk is a great way to get more of these healthy must-haves into your everyday routine. Antioxidants are beneficial components that occur naturally in many whole foods including nuts, fruits, vegetables and soy. Health and nutrition pros agree that a diet rich in antioxidants can help you look, feel and live your best.

New to nuts? Not to worry. Almondmilk really can go everywhere:

· Splash almondmilk on your favorite cereal. Good morning, antioxidants!

· Have you tried an almondmilk latte? Prepare to get hooked.

· Whirl up a smoothie with Silk Pure Almond and your favorite fruit. (Throw in a handful of crushed almonds if you’re feeling extra nutty.)

· Almondmilk cooks and bakes to perfection, and can be substituted for milk in many recipes. Discover soups, cakes, muffins and more – with fewer calories than you’d think.

Here's My Review:

To be honest with you, I was a bit nervous to try this milk. I'm not a big fan of nuts. However, I'm always up for the challenge.

The Almond Milk is delicious. I can taste the almond nut, but the taste isn't strong at all. It's like a splash of Almond extract. And I can see myself drink this milk again and again.

Well, actualy I'm planing to make this Crispy Almond Chicken using the Silk Pure Almond Milk. I found the recipe over at Silk Pure Almond Milk Recipe Site. It sounds yummy.

For more info about this product or find Silk Pure Almond Milk near you, please visit the Silk Pure Almond Milk website here.
Love Silk Pure Milk ? Well, then become a Fan on Facebook.
Want to get coupons? Sign Up here.

Now, how about a GIVEAWAY!!! One lucky winner will win a coupon for a free half gallon Silk Pure Almond Milk and also this cute chico bag.

Mandatory Entry:

Visit the Silk Pure Almond Milk Recipes site, then come back here and let me know one recipe you'd like to try. Please remember to leave your email address in your comment.

Bonus Entry:

Please leave separate comments for each extra entry.
* Follow this (Simply A Mom) blog
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
You can use this ~ RT @santoso10ny Win a chico bag and a coupon to get your free Silk Pure Almond Milk http://bit.ly/aeZ8uz (Just Copy and Paste)
* Grab my blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 at Midnight CST

FYI:

I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

*I was contacted by Silk Pure Milk representative to conduct a product review. Silk Pure Milk supplied me with a unit for review, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Good Luck.
Hugs,

5 Ways to Wipe Out Your Credit Card Balances

2010-05-12T08:42:00.001-05:00

Nowadays, most people deal with Credit Cards debts.

You and I might be one of them. And in this tough economy situation, it's hard to keep up

with credit card payments let alone get out of debt.

So, today guest post will give you some tips on how to wipe out your credit cards.

5 Ways to Wipe Out Your Credit Card Balances

by Jordan E. Goodman with Bill Westrom,

Authors of Master Your Debt: Slash Your Monthly Payments and Become Debt-Free

Now, you really want to pay off your balances once and for all, don't you? Here's all you need to know about that. In truth, paying off your balances is simple; there's nothing complicated about it. But it's not easy, because it does require sacrifice and scraping together the cash that will get it done. Here are five techniques you can easily put into practice to pay off your credit card debt.

1. Set your goal. Make paying off your credit cards your top financial priority. Use the Federal Trade Commission's calculator (www.ftc.gov/creditcardcalculator) to see just how credit card interest drains your household budget. The average balance-carrying customer now owes $5,729 on his or her cards, according to the findings of a TransUnion survey. Even at the comparatively low (for credit cards) interest rate of 14 percent, that's taking $67 a month in interest payments alone out of your budget.

2. Squeeze your budget. Turn a cold eye toward your expenses and find some extra money to send to your credit cards every month. Do whatever it takes: cancel cable, eliminate dinners out, stop buying shoes, skip a summer vacation. Seriously. Once you burn this debt for good, you'll have even more extra cash for the niceties of life. But until you do, make this your priority.

3. Throw extra lump sums at the problem. Tax refund? Check. Christmas present from Mom? Check. You can really jump-start your debt-paydown plan if you take drastic action. Hold a yard sale, moonlight as a babysitter or lawn mower, or do something at a higher earnings rate, if you have that option. Send all of your earnings to your credit cards.

4. Pay off the highest-rate card first. That is, pay minimums on all of your cards, but send all of your extra payments to the card with the highest interest rate. Some credit card experts disagree with this advice, but they are wrong. They suggest that if you instead send extra money to the lowest-balance card, you'll burn that balance faster and it will make you feel better about the whole enterprise.

You'll see why this advice is wrong once you look at the numbers. Here's an example from the excellent DebtSmart web site (http://www.debtsmart.com/). Your Costly Card has an $8,000 balance at 19.8 percent interest and a minimum monthly payment of $160 a month. Your Bitsy Card has an interest rate of 5.9 percent, a balance of $6,000, and a $120 a month minimum. The two minimum payments equal $280, but you've figured you can pay an extra $120 beyond that every month.

If you pay the extra $120 to Bitsy Card, you'll get it paid off in 27 months. At that point, you'll still have a balance of $7,068 on Costly Card. By the time you pay that off, at $400 a month, it will take you another 21 months, and you'll have paid a total of $5,120 in interest.

Now go the other way. Pay only the monthly minimum of $120 on Bitsy Card, and pay $280 a month to Costly Card, the high-priced card. That balance will be burned in 39 months. You'll be left with a $2,124 balance on the cheaper card, and it will take you less than six months to pay that off. Your interest total will be $3,740. At the end of the day, you'll have paid both cards off five months earlier, and you'll have paid $1,380 less in interest.

5.Use your HELOC. If you're struggling under the weight of a high-priced credit card debt and you have a home equity line of credit on your house, you can consider using that line to pay off your credit card. The danger, of course, is that you'll run into trouble, lose your job, and not be able to make your payments. Then you could lose your house, instead of just your credit rating!

So, don't take this step lightly. But HELOC rates are really low now; some are hovering just over 2 to 3 percent, and that interest is usually tax deductible. If you can easily afford the payments and have a secure source of income (and a backup source for a rainy day), you can take the credit card issuers off of your creditor list altogether by simply paying off your card with your home equity line. Then follow the same drastic action techniques to kill that debt as soon as possible.

With the new legislation going into full effect on February 22, there will be rate protections, billing and payment protections, easier payments, account management, and protection for young borrowers. In the meantime, work on implementing these practices and develop good credit card behavior.

Copyright © 2010 Jordan E. Goodman with Bill Westrom, authors of Master Your Debt: Slash Your Monthly Payments and Become Debt-Free.

Author Bios

Jordan E. Goodman co-author of Master Your Debt: Slash Your Monthly Payments and Become Debt-Free, is a nationally recognized expert on personal finance. He is the author of the bestselling Everyone's Money Book and twelve other books. For eighteen years, he was the Wall Street correspondent for Money magazine and also served as a regular commentator for NBC News at Sunrise and Mutual Broadcasting System's America in the Morning. Today, Goodman appears regularly on many radio shows, including public radio's Marketplace as well as on TV programs on Fox, CNN, CBS, CNBC, and MSNBC. He also speaks regularly to large groups such as the Harv Eker wealth seminars.

Visit Goodman's Web sites: http://www.moneyanswers.com/ and http://www.master-yourdebt.com/

Bill Westrom co-author of Master Your Debt: Slash Your Monthly Payments and Become Debt-Free, is a consumer advocate and veteran mortgage professional who has become a critic of the traditional banking system. His own business, IFS Development Group and TruthInEquity.com, focuses on educating and empowering homeowners so they can make smarter choices about mortgages and employ an innovative mortgage reduction strategy; equity acceleration. Westrom's mission is to "change the financial landscape of this country by helping homeowners get more out of what they own and what they earn."

Hope this helps.
Hugs,

Happy {Belated} Mothers' Day

2010-05-10T23:54:00.000-05:00

It's better late than never. So, I'd like to wish Happy {Belated} Mothers' Day...to all Mothers. May the good Lord bless you and your family ALWAYS! and I hope you all had a great and relaxing day.

My Mothers' Day this year started early and went pretty good. I took a day off from work on Saturday and went to see a friend and celebrated her twins' 3rd birthday. It's so good to see her again. She lives about an hour away from me, and we don't get to see each other very often. After the birthday party, my family gave a real Mothers' Day treat. My husband and the children dropped me off at Archiver's (a scrapbooking store) and let me do some retail therapy alone. That's like the best Mothers' Day gift...

For dinner, we went to a nice Vietnamese restaurant. And another best thing was I didn't have to share food with the kids. I ordered something special (and spicy), and I got to enjoy it all by myself.

On the way home, I told hubby and kiddos that they owe me some massages. Well, guess what? Only got one out of three...and it's good.

On Sunday, the actual Mothers' Day, I got to back to my semi-regular work schedule. I took a few hours off in the afternoon, and hoped to get some nap. But, I ended up cleaning the house. It's all good though.

Before the day was end, I laid on my bed and tried to think...What motherhood is all about?

When I was a young girl, I dreamt of becoming a mom. I planned how many children I want to have, what kind of mother I wanna be, and when I want to be a mom. However, I have never thought that those dreams came true.

To me, my son, Dustin, was the answer to my prayer. Growing up with 2 younger sisters was fun, but I kept telling God that I always wanted a big brother. I knew that God would not give a big brother because I'm the oldest in the family. So, when I found out that my first born is a boy, I was shocked and at the same time I was overjoyed.

Life is full of surprises and gifts. I spent my 27th birthday in the hospital in labor with my second child. My baby decided not to share birthday. So, she was born the day after my birthday, and her name is Phoebe.

Being a mom is a hard work, and lots to learn everyday. I enjoy it, even better I LOVE IT!!!

Here's my own description of Motherhood ~ A world filled with laughters, tears, frustrations, prouds, angers, and encouragements that only me can share them with my children.

There were times when I looked back and wondered, what would I be and do if I didn't have any children. The answer is simple ~ you, my readers, wouldn't be reading this blog post.

Being a mom opens my eyes and help me see who I really am and what I really want to be. I'm so happy being callled "A MOM".

Hugs,

The Best for You Book Review and Giveaway

2010-05-09T16:31:00.003-05:00

Paperback: 24 pages

Publisher: AuthorHouse (August 18, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-13: 978-1449008321

Reading level: Ages 4-8

About the Book:

Adoption is about love for the child, not that the child was not wanted. This heart warming book is aimed to help children and parents understand what one birth mother was thinking when she decided to adopt. Written in her perspective, she tells her child the reasons why she chose adoption for her baby. A great conversation starter for parents, or companion book for adopted children to discuss with other children, this is a unique journey for any child of any age.

About the Author:

Kelsey Stewart is a first-time author/illustrator who has a unique perspective on adoption. She has been through two adoptions as a birth mother and hopes that this book will help children and adults everywhere understand why a mother might choose to place her child for adoption.

Kelsey has lived a full, productive, and happy life since her journey as a mother began and considers herself incredibly blessed. She currently resides in Southern California with her husband and their two sons.

My Review:

Kelsey's courage to write this beautiful book impressed me a lot. The message to her adopted children is clearly and simple. She wants all of them to know that they are very loved, and she always thinks what's best for them. This book is a well-written legacy from a brave mother to her wonderful children. It also brings me tears and smiles.

Kelsey's point of view about adoption is very precious.

Interview with Kelsey:

1.What's inspired you to write this book?

I have always looked for a children's book about adoption that was not fantasy like, not a fairytale. I wanted to see a book that expressed the true feelings of a birth mother and what she might be thinking, feeling and struggling with when making such a difficult decision. I think adopted children have questions about their adoptions, where they come from, why it happened, do my parents ever think of me? I never found one from a birth mother's point of view, so I wrote one for my children in the hopes they would understand a little better why I chose adoption for them. I received so many wonderful reactions to the book, so much appreciation and encouragement, I made the decision to publish.

2. You've been through 2 adoptions...are they both Open Adoption?

Yes they were. I have known my daughter all her life. I kept in touch with her family and several times throughout her life we have spent time with each other. My second adoption, I place my twins with parents that wanted to keep it a little more closed than what I had with my daughter. (I have not physically seen the twins since they left the hospital.) We have been diligent about correspondence all of their lives and I have been fortunate to watch them grow. They are all in their late teens and twenties now, and I do have relationships with all of them. I am an advocate for open adoption because I am proof that communication and honesty can help build a healthy relationship for all involved, the whole triad of adoption.

3. What encouraged you to do 2 adoptions?

Well, I came from a single parent home and I knew just how hard being a single parent was. I watched my mother struggle with everything from finances to dealing with a teenager and it was not easy at all. I was not in the right place in my life to care for a child so adoption, for me, was a choice that I made. I took responsibility for my actions and did the best that I could in a delicate situation. Then, when we learned that we were pregnant with the twins, well there were some of the same and new circumstances that lead me to place them with their parents. I believe that there are reasons for everything and I was blessed with those babies to help two families begin their lives.

4. You now have two boys that you are raising, can you share with us your children's names, and how old they are?

Bodde, pronounced Bo-DEE, is 10 and Chase is 6. They have always known about their siblings because I never wanted to hide anything from them. Children have an amazing ability to see things very honestly, thank goodness! I think they are my biggest fans, when I read to them my first newspaper article they both cried....because I was crying. My son Bodde is the most impressed, be even drew the cover of the book for a school project at the beginning of this past school year. It is still hanging in the front of the class.

5. Do you and all your children ever get together?

No, we have not all been in the same place at once. Geographically it has not been possible at all, two different states. But we all talk about getting together in the future. All of my adopted children are at a very busy and important part of their lives right now. I have no doubt that we will all meet someday, we do talk about it.

6. How did your adopted children react when they found out about the book?

My daughter loved it! She was one of the first ones to tell me to publish it and share it with the world. My twins have heard of it, but not read it yet. We are still getting to know each other but they have told me that they are very proud that I was strong enough to write a book. They have all told me that they are proud of the book, and to have their approval is like winning a Pulitzer Prize!

7. Last words to share with the readers?

I am a mother & wife first, and fun gal second! I dressed up as Veronica Valentine for all the kids at school this year to pass out the Valentine's that they bought for each other (great way to raise money for school!) They loved it! I am pretty sure that Bodde will need some therapy down the line due to my ever giddy attitude and childlike wonder, he turns beet red when I get school spirit crazy ;) I am also a mother who has had immense pain, heartbreak, insight, and healing. I have a very positive view of adoption as a birth mother and I write to help others think about the life changing, forever altering life as a mother who chose to let her heart walk without her.

I am a firm believer that it is what you do with what is put in front of you that makes your character, and I am using my voice to try and help make changes to a system that is so misunderstood, so torn. Adoption needs reform and sometimes it only takes one voice, one perspective to make a difference in what others will join to change. I am also a HUGE Johnny Cash fan, love to bowl...and I am pretty good at it, make a MEAN chocolate chip cookie and I take great joy in sitting above the Little League field, keeping score and calling the games for my sons' teams. I know many of the kids, not to mention the parents, so I really play it up for them. Calling their names as they come to the plate, shouting out "Holy Cow! Did you see that? Great Catch by John I Can Catch Anything Smith!" I make CD's to play between innings, tell stories about how I come from the Midwest and grew up listening to Harry Carey in Chicago. I also proudly sing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" in the middle of the 3rd.

Giveaway, thanks to Kelsey...one of my reader will win a signed copy of The Best for You book.

Mandatory Entry:
Simply leave me a comment and tell me how would you leave a legacy to your children? Please don't forget to include your email on your entry!!

Bonus Entry:
Please leave separate comments for each extra entries.

* Follow Kelsey's Blog
* Become The Best For You book Fan on Facebook
* Follow Kelsey on twitter @bestforyoubook
* Follow this (Simply A Mom) blog
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
You can use this ~ RT @santoso10ny Win The Best for You book #giveaway. A great book about
#adoption. http://bit.ly/afz6VC (Just Copy and Paste)
* Grab my blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 at Midnight CST

FYI:

I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* I received this book free from Kelsey to review, and this is my honest review.

Hugs,

Book Review: Radical by David Platt

2010-05-07T15:36:00.003-05:00

Radical
by David Platt

Publisher: Multnomah Books; 1 edition (May 4, 2010)

Language: English
Paperback: 240 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1601422217

About the Book:

IS JESUS WORTH THIS TO YOU?

It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily...

BUT WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO LIVES LIKE THAT? DO YOU?

In Radical, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple--then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus.

Finally, he urges you to join in The Radical Experiment --a one-year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring

About the Review:

DAVID PLATT is the lead pastor of The Church at Brook Hills, a 4,000-member Southern Baptist church in Birmingham, Alabama. Widely regarded as an exceptional expositor and motivator, David has taught around the world. He holds three advanced degrees, including a Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. David and his wife, Heather, are the parents of Caleb and Joshua, and are adopting a third child from Nepal.

My Review:

This book is like a wake up call to me. I'm trying to live an American Dream, and without I notice I made Jesus to be someone I want Him to be. I've made my Christian live as flexible as I can.
In this book, David has helped me open my eyes and realize what's it like to follow Jesus like the Bible says. I tell you ...it's not easy and it's radical. If you want to live the Eternal Life dream, you should follow David's challanges in this book.

Read the first chapter of Radical here.

Request a free copy of The Radical Question here.

* Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah Publisher for providing this great book (for free) to me to review.

Hugs,

Winners' Page

2010-05-06T16:36:00.013-05:00

CONGRATS!!! Winners on Simply A Mom Blog.
Giveaway Edition: May 1-31, 2010

Thank You so Much for those who participating on my giveaways. Please check my current giveaways..for another chance to win great prizes.

For all the winners, please check your emails and respond within 48 hours. Congrats and Thanks!!!

Still The One

What to Wear for The Rest of Your Life

1. Ashley
2. Suzie
3. Kritter

$35 Jiffy Lube Gift Card

INDIVISIBLE

Silk Pure Almond Milk

The Best Sex Of Your Life

Yoplait Greek Yogurt Gift Pack

Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting

The Adventure of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill

The Sound Snatcher

What's It Like Living Green?

U.N.I.Q.U.E KIDS

Max and Morgan's ABC

Thanks Everyone,
Hugs,

Yoplait Greek Yogurt Review & Giveaway

2010-05-06T15:51:00.007-05:00

A very exciting giveaway for all you!!  And this will help you nourish your inner goddess.

MyBlogSpark and Yoplait are generously offering a gift pack for one of my readers. It includes:

•Spa Robe
•Slippers
•Nail Brush
•Loofah Sponge
•Loofah Towel
•Massager
•2 VIP Coupons for FREE Yoplait Greek Yogurt!!!

Recently, I had a chance to try the new Yoplait Greek Yogurt. I picked the blueberry flavored and gosh...it's just delicious and yummy. It's also very creamy.

Yoplait Greek Yogurt has 12 grams of protein -- twice that found in leading yogurts -- new Yoplait Greek nourishes from the inside out. Available in four delicious flavors, Strawberry, Blueberry, Honey Vanilla and Plain, the brand's newest offering has a unique thick and creamy texture with the unmatched taste expected of Yoplait.

I really enjoy taking a hot shower, followed by watching a good movie or reading a book, last but not least I gotta have a good snack -- these are ways I nourish my inner goddess, and I look forward to it everyday.

So, how would you nourish your inner goddess? Share it with me in a comment and you might win this great gift pack.

Bonus Entry:

Please leave separate comments for each extra entries, and don't forget to include your email address.

* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
   RT @santoso10ny Win a great gift pack from Yoplait Greek Yogurt and help yourselves nourish your
   inner goddess http://bit.ly/c9HC43. (Just copy and paste)
* Grab my blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until Monday, May 10, 2010 at midnight CST

FYI:

I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

Good Luck.
Hugs,

No More Cable TV

2010-05-05T08:08:00.001-05:00

I took the decision a few ago, that our family doesn't need to have cable TV anymore. It's almost summer time, a great time for our family to enjoy outdoor activities and not just sitting in front of 52 inch colorful box.

My husband was very delighted to hear that news. I, on the other hand, had a second thought. I kept asking myself, "are you sure? no more cable? what would you gonna do with the children when you cook?"

I took cable TV for granted. I let my children watch TV more than 2 hours a day. I feel that I'm a bad mother. However, that's the only thing that keeps my two very active children occupied while I cook or cleaning or doing laundry. I need them to be away from me, so I can finish my house work fast.

I've heard how TV is bad for young kids, but I know what my children watch on TV. The channel is always on PBS, and they're favorite shows are only Curious George, Callilou, Barney's, Sesame Street and Super Why. These shows are actually educating.

Well, being a curious mom, I looked and learned about the danger of watching TV in early year. The main reason we, as parents, should limit TV consumption to our children is....obesity. Children should have lots of physical activites rather than just sitting for hours and watch TV.

So, I made another decision again....my children don't need TV, at least for the whole summer. We're gonna get summer toys and let them play in the backyard while I do my usual chores. Beside, not having cable helps us save $1200 a year (oh yeah..cable TV costs a lot), that's like 2 family vacations. I think I made the right decision.

Last night, my husband and I enjoyed some great TV shows for the last time. I'm going to return the cable box later today. Just in case my children miss Curiouse George, there's always YouTube and Public Library, where they can rent and watch movie for free.

I hope you and your children have a wondeful summer time.

Hugs,

Tips on Relationship and The Best Sex Book Giveaway

2010-05-03T11:55:00.006-05:00

As a married couple, some good friends and relatives sometimes ask my husband and I for relationship/dating advice.

We really don't have good advice to share, except this....'Treat your spouse/partner with love like you treat your bestfriend. And last but not least, enjoy each other company'. Seriously, I think our advice is pretty lame. My husband and I knew each other a long time ago, we became a good friend and ended up together.

So today, my guests would like to give you some relationship tips for you all to know or to share.....just in case someone ask for your advice, or you...yourselves might need it.

What You Should Know Before Getting Married

By Jennifer Hunt & Dan Baritschi,

Authors of SheKnows.com Presents -- The Best Sex of Your Life: 10 Secrets Every Woman Should Know

Getting married is a big step. Even starting a new relationship with someone is kind of like jumping into the pool feet first. Is there anything you can do to keep a relationship or marriage from ending badly? Is there anything you should know before getting married or starting a new relationship, so you can have the best chance at success?

Love Yourself First

The most important thing you need to do before embarking on a long term relationship or marriage is learning to love yourself first, flaws included. Many of us look for acceptance from others, when we haven't accepted ourselves yet. Unfortunately, we won't ever get the kind of acceptance we crave as human beings from another person unless we've done it ourselves first. Accept who you are, love yourself for who you are and other people will begin to do the same. Seeking outside approval is going to get you nowhere.

Don't Try To Fix Them

The biggest problem in relationships and marriages is that a person doesn't fall in love with someone for who they are right now, they fall in love with who they think this person will be after they are "fixed." Many women try to change their boyfriends, partners and husbands after they've already gotten knee deep in the relationship. Men do it too, but it usually only ends in frustration and the dissolution of the relationship. Don't think of how you can fix or change your partner, or that you'd love them if they just didn't do this one little thing . . . learn to love your partner for who they are right now, not who you think they will be. Long term relationships are difficult, but they always help us grow. Allow your partner to help you grow and vice versa, but recognize the difficulty involved before you jump in. A good, loving, satisfying relationship or marriage is never going to be easy. But nothing that is easy is worth having. Try going to couples counseling before making a huge commitment. Just because you're in counseling doesn't mean anything is wrong in the relationship -- it's also a great way to learn about your partner as well as learn about yourself, and learn about healthy ways to handle problems and disagreements that will inevitably come up in the future.

Don't Stay In A Bad Relationship

If you're in a bad relationship or marriage, don't stay in it "for the kids" or because you believe in sticking it out. Even if there are children involved, chances are, they're just as unhappy as you are in the relationship from having to hear all the fighting and bickering. There is absolutely nothing wrong with moving on from an unhealthy relationship, because often, that is the path that is better for everyone involved and frankly, moving on from an unhealthy or even abusive relationship is the grown up thing to do.

© 2010 Jennifer Hunt & Dan Baritchi, authors of SheKnows.com Presents -- The Best Sex of Your Life: 10 Secrets Every Woman Should KnowAuthor Bios

Jennifer Hunt and Dan Baritchi, authors of SheKnows.com Presents -- The Best Sex of Your Life: 10 Secrets Every Woman Should Know, are the founders and senior editors of http://www.askdanandjennifer.com/, which has become the premier website about relationships and sexuality on the Internet. The site has more than 400,000 readers per month. In addition, Hunt and Baritchi are featured content providers for YouTube, Revver, and Veoh. Their more than 300 videos receive between 2-4 million views every month. They have consulted for shows ranging from Dr. Phil to EXTRA and have been quoted in publications from the Chicago Sun-Times to the Miami Herald. They live in Frisco, TX.

For more information, please visit http://www.adamsmediastore.com/

Watch Jennifer and Dan discussing this topic on a video. Or, scroll down for a great book giveaway.

SheKnows.com Presents: The Best Sex of Your Life, noted sex experts Jennifer and Dan reveal 101 salacious secrets for delightful encounters between the sheets. You have sex; and sure, it's okay, maybe occasionally even good. But with this new guide they help you kick it up a notch to have the best sex every time.

Featuring plenty of tips guaranteed to make you blush, you'll learn to get in touch with your inner seductress for orgasmic results. Among the secrets revealed -- why you should . . .

•Have sex in front of a mirror
•Learn to use all four phases of the female orgasm
•Watch porn with your man
•Try some new positions -- like the bridge or lotus
•Use household items (hello spatula and rolling pin!) during foreplay

If you're tired of bland, predictable sex, this insider's roadmap to a more satisfying ride will have you screaming with pleasure and spending the day (or week . . . or month!) in bed.

My Review:
In my opinion, every woman should has this book. It shares a lot of great tips and information that you may never know about sex. Also, two things that I really enjoy from this books are: it uncovers the myths and also reveals men's perspective about sexual intercourse. Fun,..fun reading.

GIVEAWAY:

Thanks to Anna from FSB, one lucky reader will a copy of The Best Sex of Your Life Book.

Mandatory Entry :
Simply leave me a comment and tell me that you would like to win this. Please don't forget to include your email on your entry!!

Bonus Entry:
Please leave separate comments for each extra entries

* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
RT @santoso10ny Win a copy of The Best Sex of Your Life Book
(Just copy and paste)
* Grab my blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until Monday, May 17, 2010 at midnight CST

FYI:
I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* I received this book free from FSB associate to review, and this is my honest review.

Good Luck.
Hugs,

BlogTalkRadio with Therese

2010-04-27T17:18:00.000-05:00

Join us as we interview

Therese Borchard, author of THE POCKET THERAPIST

BlogTalkRadio on April 28, 2PM ET

Publisher: Center Street

BlogTalkRadio/HBG Program:

Join us as we interview Therese Borchard again. We'll catch up on her life since she published BEYOND BLUE and find out how she compiled the great lessons she shares in THE POCKET THERAPIST. Therese Borchard is the author of hit daily blog "Beyond Blue" on Beliefnet.com, one of the most popular columns on the site. Her blog appears weekly on The Huffington Post, and she is becoming a top go-to expert in pop psychology. Her work has recently been cited in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. Her work has been featured in salon.com, Psychology Today, Real Simple, Redbook, Parenting, More and Ladies Home Journal. Borchard writes a syndicated column for the Catholic News Service and is a regular guest on Sirius Satellite Radio. She is the author of I Love Being a Mom (a Target selection) and co-author of I Like Being Catholic. She resides in Annapolis, Maryland with her husband and two young children.

Call-in with your questions during show time to participate in the live interview @ (646) 378-0045.

Listen-in or chat on the Center Street channel on BlogTalkRadio.

If you would like your questions to be read on air by the host or if you would like to give advanced notice of your participation during the live call, email anna.balasi@hbgusa.com.

Other links:
Book Details
Author Bio
Article, “Mental Health to Go”
Beliefnet.com Blog, Beyond Blue
Follow @ThereseBorchard on Twitter
Visit http://www.thereseborchard.com/

I hope you will listen or even call-in and join the fun with Therese in BlogTalkRadio. I happened to submit my question...and can't wait for Therese to answer it.

Hugs,

Chicken Soup with Twists

2010-04-22T10:59:00.000-05:00

I'm a soup person. I LOVE soups!! I can eat all kind of soups and don't mind eating them all the time.
So, when I found an Easy Chicken Soup recipe from Woman's Day Magazine, I knew right away that I had to give it a try, and of course I did.

The recipe was real easy and the soup was really delicious....and it also comes with some twists! You should try it.

Easy Chicken Soup

Makes 5 cups, Serve 4

1 carton (32 oz) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup diced carrot
1 tsp minced garlic
1 1/2 cup rotisserie or other cooked chicken, torn into shreds or chopped

Put broth, onion, carrot and garlic in a 4-qt saucepan and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Stir in chicken and heat through.

3 easy flavor twists to your chicken soup

* To make it Southwestern

Stir in a 14.5-oz can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
Drained a 15-oz can hominy
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp lime juice
1 Tsp ground cumin
Heat through.
Top with packaged roasted pumpkin seeds and/or crumbled corn tortilla chips.
Make about 8 cups

* To make it Italian

Stir in a 19-oz can rinsed and drained cannellini beans
2 diced plum tomatoes
2 Tbsp pesto
Heat through.
Float some crostini on the soup (To make this, brush sliced French bread with olive oil and bake in a 425 degree Farenheit oven for 8 minutes or until crisp).
Make about 8 cups.

* To make it Asian

Stir in an 8-oz can sliced water chestnuts
1/3 cup sliced scallions
1 Tbsp lite soy sauce
1 tsp grated ginger
a few splashes of sesame oil if desired
Heat through
Sprinkle some sesame-flavored rice crackers/chopped peanuts over the soup.
Make about 6 cups.

If you're wondering...which soup I made. The answer is Southwestern Easy Chicken Soup. It's so good..and everyone liked it so much. I already made it several times.

I haven't tried the other two twists yet. I'm sorry, no review on those. I don't have leftover chicken to make them. If you try them, please let me know.

Happy Cooking! Hugs,

Max and Morgan's ABC's

2010-04-19T10:39:00.002-05:00

First of all, I have to apologize for not posting this on time as I planned. A couple of my family members aren't feeling well.

So, welcome back to JR.READERS PARADE # 6

Max and Morgan's ABC's

by Debra Cavanaugh R.D.H

In this book, Debra shared a special story about her two best friends', Max and Morgan, lives. Their stories inspired Debra to introduce a great way for young children to learn ABC. Max and Morgan's story are simple, adventerous and exciting. A fast learning tool for children to remember and understand ABC. It's also beautifully illustrated.

My son really enjoys reading this book and I've found an easy way to teach him ABC.

About The Author:

Debra grew up in Lyndhurst, Ohio. She has been passionate about cooking since she was a little girl. Debra graduated from Charles F. Brush High School and from Cuyahoga Community College. She holds a Degree in Associate of Applied Science and in Commercial Art.

Debra has dedicated her 1st book: AbracaDebra's....Enchanted gifts & recipes from the heart to her special mother Rosemary Wilburn. Debra's love for dogs was the incentive to write her second book.

Today, Debra is a Dental Hygienist & owner of Cavanaugh Books & Creations. She lives with her husband Dennis in Willoughby, Ohio. Debra appears at book stores, craft stores, malls schools, fundraisers, workshops and libraries.

Interview with the Author:

1. You’re one busy lady. How did you manage to write a children book?

Just one day in November, 2008 I thought my dog Max was such a gorgeous and loveable dog/pet and he made everyone look and smile. That I would put him into a book for everyone to remember and make them smile too!

2. Beside Max & Morgan, what inspired you to write this book?

The love for dogs/pets and children was my incentive.

3. How did Max come to your life? Did you adopt him?

Max arrived here in Willoughby, Ohio as a puppy ~ he came from Geneva, OHIO and I wanted only a boy dog with blue eyes!

4. I’m just curious. Who’s Morgan? A Niece? A Friend?

Morgan is a real girl who is 8 years old and I was her sitter/second mom when my best friend Kim worked.

Her birthday is June 16th. Morgan lives in Madison, OHIO with her brother Aidan 7 and her parents. She is blonde, not a red head.

5. Your other passion is cooking. What’s your fave food? And do you plan to write a book about Children & Cooking?

I loved to cook with my grandmother Marie...her recipe is in my book ~ first one 2002 AbracaDEBRA's....enchanted gifts and recipes from the heart. Grandma Maries Biscotti is a family recipe over 100 years old from Italy. I love pasta any kind! Best of all sweets.

At the moment, I do not have another book started.....but Morgan's brother Aidan is asking if I am going to write about "Mia" and Aidan? Very cute?
More about Debra, visit her at http://www.cavanaughbooks.com/

Giveaway!! Thanks to Debra, 1 lucky winner will win a copy of the Max and Morgan's ABC's

Entries:
Please leave separate comments for each entries. Don't forget to include your email on your entry!!

* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
* Grab my blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until Tuesday, May 4th, at midnight CST

FYI:

I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* I received this book free from Debra to review, and this is my honest review.

Hugs,

U.N.I.Q.U.E KIDS

2010-04-19T10:38:00.001-05:00

First of all, I have to apologize for not posting this on time as I planned. A couple of my family members aren't feeling well.

So, welcome back to JR.READERS PARADE # 5

U.N.I.Q.U.E KIDS

by Debra Slover

Paperback: 134 pages

Publisher: Leader Garden Press (September 13, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-13: 978-0978679859

About The Book:

Using the classic model of the Ken Blanchard/Spencer Johnson-style business fable and adapting it to younger audiences, Debra Slover has created a sweetly illustrated book that empowers children, steers them toward positive patterning, and shows each child how to plant and nurture the seeds of good leadership while ridding their metaphorical gardens of the "weeds" (negative qualities that can harm children's self-esteem). Debra Slover teaches children to sprout, grow, and nurture their leader within by developing positive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. For educators, kids, parents, and grandparents, U.N.I.Q.U.E. Kids facilitates positive change in homes, schools, and beyond. --Don Young, retired elementary school principal The main character, a sheep named Hugh, suffers from low self-esteem, stemming from an environment where he was often criticized and never appreciated. When he stumbles into Leadership Farm, where a more open and loving way of being is the norm, he learns from human farm staffers Leda and Aristotle, as well as other animals like Annabelle the dog, Blossom the cow, and Robert the rooster, how to develop his own leadership qualities, and how to tend his own Leadership Garden. A central mnemonic is the acronym, U.N.I.Q.U.E.: Understanding, Nurturing, Inventive, Quality, Unstoppable, Expression. Taking one letter at a time, Slover walks the reader through creating and encouraging the life-affirming, esteem-building, leadership skills characteristic, and harnessing the six qualities together to form a "Leadership Garden Legacy" based on mutual respect, cooperation, teamwork, and other values. Kids who've been bullied may respond especially well. U.N.I.Q.U.E. Kids is designed as a learning aid with the active participation of grownups who can read the book with a child (8-12) and provide mentoring and reinforcement in its concepts. Grandparents particularly enjoy using the book as a way to take an active role in developing their grandchildren's leadership potential.

About The Author:

Debra Slover has coordinated two national and 18 statewide conferences, trained 2000+ teens as trainers, presented programs to 40,000 people, raised more than $3,200,000, and directed 38 youth leadership camps.
She's been Board President/VP, the National Association of Teen Institutes, chaired two statewide programs, and was a reviewer for the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Juvenile Justice.

Following a teaching career, she became director of a statewide organization promoting student responsibility, then founded Leadership Garden Enterprises LLC. She's written several books and numerous articles. A mother of five/ grandmother of six, she lives with her husband in Albany, Oregon.

My Review:

Debra's childhood memories inspired her to write this book to children. She wants children to find the leader within themselves.

The story about Hugh, a scared and confused lost sheep, and Leda, a compassionate gardener in this book encourage children to learn to thrive in this life. It's easy to survive in hard times, but properly succeed in life is Debra's message and belief to every children.

At the end of each chapter, Debra gives questions for children to answers and think about life.

Before writing U.N.I.Q.U.E KIDS, Debra wrote a similiar book intended for adult.

She has the same message, and also short story about Hugh and Leda.

I really enjoyed reading both books. They both give me great messaga to be the best I can be in life. Highly recommended books to read for parents and children.

Interview with The Author:

1. What made you so passionate about leadership, specifically cultivating it in children?

I grew up in a troubled family filled with love. That sounds like an oxymoron, but I learned that love and dysfunction are not exclusive. However, the two together are confusing. I always had a desire to do the right thing, express myself, and make a difference. Yet, the troubles my parents faced often thwarted all our abilities to speak the truth and do those things in order to protect our family secrets.

When my mother died by suicide, when I was 23, I vowed to never lose sight of myself as she had. And like most children, I wanted to do better than my parents. However, I made some of the same parental mistakes. In spite of my human failings, my children turned out fine. I realized early on that to err is human. To fail is human. To learn from and correct my mistakes is responsible leadership. To be authentic is responsible leadership. These would be the best lessons I could pass onto my children.

Simply put, to lead means to guide and direct, and leadership is the action a leader takes. Leadership also has to do with your own sense of worth internally. What my mother did not understand was her true worth, and she did not have the tools to express her leadership appropriately.

As a teacher, I wanted to instill the value of self-worth in my students and help them tap their unique talents. In turn, that desire gave me purpose and value. With self-worth comes the responsibility to pursue your passion and express your uniqueness.

Early in my career development, I found an opportunity for a job in prevention programs. I took a one-year highway safety grant and turned it into a twenty-year career empowering leadership in youth and adults in prevention programming.

It gave me an avenue to advocate for the unique leadership ability in each of our students, regardless of their stature in school. Each had the opportunity to access their inner leader and gain skills with a common focus on prevention. We made sure there was room in the program for any young person who wanted to make a difference and express their leadership; even those who made mistakes and wanted to turn their life around. The program was named OSSOM, Oregon Student Safety On the Move. I used to joke privately that you blossom with OSSOM.

In 2001 our program ended, due to a constitutional ruling regarding use of highway funds by our attorney general. When that happened, I vowed to myself, if I could ever fund programs like OSSOM I would. That led me to eventually create the Leadership Garden metaphor.

When I took the time to reflect upon what I learned about leadership from my OSSOM students, I realized that the true value of the program was not the work we did, it was the opportunity for the students to have a voice and practice leadership skills. Support for that kind of effort, unless attached to fixing some problem was virtually non-existent and when it did exist is was not easily measured by the qualitative research required by most funding sources.

So that became the intrinsic goal of my new adventure as the pollinator of Leadership Gardens. The development of the Leadership Garden® Legacy became a virtual demonstration of my unique purpose and aim.

I had no funding, no desire to become an author, and chose a nontraditional publishing route. What I did have was a passion deep inside to empower extraordinary unstoppable leadership in life. I knew if I was going to succeed, I had to begin with myself. With that in mind and the support of my husband, we were able to create what I needed bit by bit as I embarked on this new journey. What I thought would take months, took years to create. The day I found a way to establish the Leadership Garden Fund, I knew my vision was now a reality. There was and is still much work to do but that was the milestone I needed to keep me moving forward.

2. Which of the books came first? The one for adults or the one aimed at children and why?

I began with the adult book because we are the ones who create the fertile ground or rocky soil in which our children grow. From my experience, to focus on kid’s first would have been counterproductive, even if it might have made things easier for me.
It is natural to want to empower kids but we can fail to see how important we are in their developmental process. Adults are certainly a more difficult audience to shift their thinking or see new things. However, I knew the most successful OSSOM Chapters we had where the ones with the most progressive and empowered adult.

One of my favorite researchers in the field of Resiliency Theory is Bonnie Benard. In her book, Resiliency: What Have we Learned, she talks about “the need to recognize in young people the capacity to lead healthy, successful lives . . . The key . . . is the role that families, schools, and communities play in supporting, and not undermining, this biological drive for normal human development.”

Even I find it much easier to empower another, than to weed my own internal garden. Yet when I fail to do the work myself, I undermine my own desires. And even the most grounded and intelligent adults I know can get lost at time when facing change or tough times. If ever there were a time for empowering the leader within all of us, we are certainly in those times now.

3. Do you think American youth are in a state of crisis right now?

Youth behavior is a direct reflection of the environment in which they live and grow. The personal leadership we provide in homes, schools, and communities plays the most critical role in their development.

Therefore, the state of crisis I would say it among adults who fail to be responsible for creating a nurturing environment for children to thrive. The first step is to distinguish between your own survival and thriving behavior.

When times are tough, as we are experiencing today, our automatic survival instincts kick in and we operate out of fear. The skills it takes to thrive must be learned to override our primal instincts: fight, flee, or freeze. It takes effort; just like it takes to effort to grow a flourishing garden. While human growth is much more complex, there is a lot we can learn from Mother Nature. I believe it’s time we tend to and rid our human garden of the toxic weeds such as gossip, blame, and victimization. It is also time to practice empathy, compassion, and kindness for our fellow human beings and turn our attention to nurturing our children early to be responsible for their behavior.

4. Do these leadership skills go beyond basic survival skills?

Yes. As I said earlier, survival is innate in all animal species; flight, flee, or freeze is an automatic response to physical danger, perceived or real. Unlike other species, humans have the ability to perceive danger when none exists when their identity and ego is threatened. To choose to thrive requires responsible and conscious effort. The Leadership Garden® Legacy is a framework to examine how you choose to lead and be responsible for the life you desire, regardless of the circumstances around you. Whether you consider yourself a leader is not the question, since you are the one constant cultivator of your Leadership Garden from early childhood on.

5. Why is it so important that parents and teachers take the time to discuss leadership qualities and self-confidence with children?

While it may sound trite, leadership development at a young age is the most important investment we make. It impacts everything we do as well as the future of our planet. It is not only an investment of time and money, but an investment in a belief in each child’s ability to lead a successful life when given the proper skills and opportunity.

I view each child as a leader waiting to blossom. They just need someone to pay attention and help them tap with unique abilities. For many that may be a grandparent, parent, teacher or other caring adult.

As a grandmother of a newborn, I realized babies are the most authentic leaders on the planet. They don’t yet have language or the skills they need to reach their full potential. But my granddaughter is whole and complete, she has integrity.

She does not lie, cheat, or make fun of how grandma sings her lullabies. I know some day she will observe and learn those behaviors and will have to choose for herself whether she will be responsible or not for her behavior. She is now two, and has a new little brother, and she is now learning those things.

When I first introduced the Leadership Garden to my six-year-old granddaughter and her eight-year-old brother, she did not totally understand the metaphor. However, with a little more discussion she could relate to how her behavioral choices were either weeds or positive seeds that made her strong leader and helped achieve what she wanted.

That afternoon, on the way to swimming she was picking at and hitting her older brother in the car. I looked in the rearview mirror and reminded her she wasn’t being a positive leader and gave her a choice. She could stop that behavior and go swimming with us, or could I drop her off at home and take her brother swimming without her. She crossed her arms and thought for a moment, then said, “Okay, I’m killing my weeds.”

I chuckled and asked what weeds are those. Her brother spoke up and said her “cranky weeds.”

We all laughed and had a wonderful discussion on the ride to the pool. When how we think, feel, or behave pop up as “weeds” in our garden, we could stop and pause, and then choose to pull the weed or let it grow since we are in charge of tending our Leadership Garden.

During the swimming session a mother of another child approached me and commented on how nice it was of my grandchildren were to include her son in their play. The mother’s comment was a great opportunity for me to reinforce the message of the positive leadership they demonstrated on the way home by including the other boy.

The gardening metaphor is a valuable tool to instill that value of self-control and empathy in children. While a toddler may not be aware of the damage they cause by stomping on plants in a garden or pulling flowers out by the roots, elementary students can, especially when they have the opportunity to grow, nurture, and care for a plant, pet, or another human being. That is why growing leadership is a natural metaphor for growing gardens.

It is also a good reminder for adults to consider how they think, how they feel, and how they behave demonstrates their survival or thriving leadership. Leadership in this context transcends self-confidence to personal responsibility for how our life turns out. Something we could all use given the challenging economic times we have faced.

For more information about Leadership Garden Legacy, please visit http://www.leadershipgardenlegacy.com/
or read Debra's blog here.

Giveaway!! Thanks to Debra, 1 lucky winner will win a copy of the U.N.I.Q.U.E (adult version) and U.N.I.Q.U.E Kids. A total of 2 books.

Entries:
Please leave separate comments for each entries. Please don't forget to include your email on your entry!!

* Follow Debra on Facebook
* Follow Debra on twitter @debraslover
* Sign Up to recieve email updates, announcements, and special offers from Debra
* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
* Grab my blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Blog blog

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until Tuesday, May 4th at midnight CST

FYI:
I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* I received these books free from Debra to review, and this is my honest review.

Hugs,

What's It Like Living Green?

2010-04-15T15:37:00.002-05:00

JR. Readers Parade # 4

What's It Like Living Green?

Kids Teaching Kids, by The Way They Live

by Jill Vanderwood

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Paperback: 148 pages

Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (March 10, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-13: 978-1439224779

Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches

About The Book:

These days,there’s a lot of talk about living green, but does anyone actually do it? In What’s It Like, Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live, you’ll learn how other kids live green, along with tips as simple as putting on a sweater rather than turning up the heat. You’ll see how kids like you can make a difference. Read about a teenage girl who learned to drive with a car fueled by used cooking grease. Learn about a boy who raised funds to build his first well to provide clean water for a whole village when he was only seven years old. You will learn simple ways to help the environment, help others, and even earn some money.

About The Author:

Jill Ammon Vanderwood is the winner of the Writer of the Year Award for 2008, presented by the League of Utah Writers. She was noted for her published works, as well as mentoring other writers, and community service to the Literacy Action Center, the Northwest Kiwanis Camp and the Wheelchair Foundation. Jill participated in the first Earth Day celebration in Portland, Oregon.

Jill was born the 3rd child of 11 in Portland, Oregon. She now lives in West Valley City, Utah with her husband Bill and has 4 children and 6 grandchildren with whom she likes to go on adventures. Volunteering is important to Jill. She also wants to help the next generation work toward creating a healthier future for our planet.

Other books by Jill Ammon Vnderwood: Through the Rug; Through the Rug 2: Follow that Dog; and The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat.

For information visit: http://www.jillvanderwood.com/

My Review:

First of all, I have to confess that my family doesn't live green, and it's a shame.

When I started reading this book, I was surprised that actually children (in this book) taught me and my family how to live green. They all shared their stories about their green lives. Seriously, it's pretty amazing. I really enjoyed reading this book. It encourages me to start living green soon.

This book is very informative, and Jill did a well-done job gathering stories from children who make huge difference for our planet.

Giveaway!! Thanks to Jill, 1 lucky winner will win a copy of the What's It Like Living Green?.

Mandatory Entry:
Simply leave me a comment and tell me whether your family is living green?. Please don't forget to include your email on your entry!!

Bonus Entry:
Please leave separate comments for each extra entries.

* Follow Jill on twitter @JillPickle11
* Become Jill's Friend on Facebook
* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
* Grab my blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until ~~Saturday~~, ~~May~~ ~~1st~~, at midnight CST ~ Extended till Tuesday, May 4th

FYI:

I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* I received this book free from Jill to review, and this is my honest review.

Hugs,

The Sound Snatcher

2010-04-15T14:28:00.002-05:00

JR. Reader Parade # 3

The Sound Snatcher

by Linda Bryan Sabin

Hardcover: 40 pages

Publisher: L&M Partners, Peeking Kitty Books; First edition (September 30, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-13: 978-0984163304

Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.8 x 0.4 inches

About The Book:

The Sound Snatcher is a noisy and hungry vacuum cleaner looking for sounds to snatch. This book is for anyone who ever feared a noisy vacuum cleaner. Especially good for the sensitive child who may become unsettled and anxious when confronted with noisy distractions.

About The Author:

Linda Bryan Sabin is a born teacher and writer. She does not dumb down books for children and brings to readers a rich tapestry of expression and discovery. Rhythm, vibrant and multi-syllable words are intended to instill a love of language and restore it to its higher purpose, the true art of communication.

Linda strives to acquaint young readers and reinvigorate parents with the beauty and lyrical magic of the written and spoken word. She believes real learning happens when children experience stories read out loud and when they have the tactile experience of the feel and the smell of a real book in their hands.
Linda invites everyone to awaken their creative spirit, to look at the world in an unconventional ways and to discover the joy of reading and learning.

Linda lives in Bay Area California with her wonderful husband, big dog and small cat.

My Review:

My 3 years old son is scared of vacuum cleaner. Everytime I start the vacuum, he runs to his room, closes the door and stays there until I'm done cleaning. He isn't scared of the vacuum, he's terrify of the noice that the vacuum makes.

When I recieved this book to review, I was very excited and couldn't wait to read it to him. He knew right away and ask me.."Mama, is that vacuum?" "Yup." I replied. Then I begun to tell the story. I made noises just like the vacuum in the story and to my surprise my son really enjoyed it. He chuckled several times.

This book is very entertaining. For my son, he really likes the colorful and beautiful illustrations. To me, Linda did a well-done job introducing words to young children. She even came up with her own words, like fluffle and squwurgles. How cute it's that. I also appreciate how she used rhythm in the story.

Highly recommended for every children...especially those who are scared of loud noices. They will overcome their fear and adding more words to their vocabulary.

To learn more about Linda Sabin, please visit her website http://www.peekingkitty.com/

Giveaway!! Thanks to Linda, 1 lucky winner will win a copy of the Sound Snatcher.

Mandatory Entry:
Simply leave me a comment and tell me about your child phobia. Please don't forget to include your email on your entry!!

Bonus Entry:
Please leave separate comments for each extra entries.

* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
* Grab my blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog

Rules:
- This giveaway opens to US residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until ~~Saturday~~, ~~May~~ ~~1st~~, at midnight CST ~ Extended till Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

FYI:

I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* I received this book free from Linda to review, and this is my honest review.

Hugs,

Spring Flowers

2010-04-14T10:03:00.001-05:00

Happy Wordless Wednesday!!!

I love these Spring Flowers...so pretty!

Hugs,

The Adventure of Joe-Joe Nut & Biscuit Bill

2010-04-13T16:23:00.002-05:00

JR. Readers Day # 2

The Adventure of Joe-Joe Nut & Biscuit Bill

Case # 1: The Great Pie Catastrophe

Review and Giveaway

by Renee Hand

Published: March 1st 2010 by North Star Press

Details: Paperback, 48 pages, Ages 7 - 12

ISBN 13# 9780878393510

Price: $9.95

About The Book:

Down in Acorn Valley, just before the 42nd Annual Pie Festival could begin, a crime was committed. Someone stole Miss Cluck’s Blueberry Pie that she was going to enter into the Pie Contest. Who did she call to come to her aid? She called the best detectives in the valley of course, Joe-Joe Nut and Biscut Bill Animal Detectives. As the discover clues and gather facts, the hunt begins and Joe-Joe and Biscuit follow animal tracks that lead them to four different suspects. Bears, ducks, frogs, racoons…oh my! But who committed the crime? Use your deduction and reasoning skills to solve the case along with Joe-Joe and Biscuit. Learn about animal tracks and some of the animals who make them.

About The Author:

My love for reading and writing started when I was a child. I always had a passion for it. I remember frequently wearing out the stone steps to the local library. When in a bookstore I would sit in the middle of an aisle perusing a novel that I was eagerly going to purchase but couldn’t wait to read. Often, when I had extra time, I would write stories that would pop into my head locking myself in my room for hours. Now that I am older my love for reading and writing has not diminished. In fact, it has only become a bigger part of me. It is because of this that I chose to share my interests with other readers who love books as much as I do.

My goal in writing is to entertain, but more importantly it is to build a connection with my readers. If I make another person feel some kind of emotion while they read my books, whether it be love, anger, compassion, or curiosity, then I did my job as a writer and that makes me feel good about what I write about.

I am an award-winning author, educator, tennis coach and various other things. I have been writing for over twenty years and have been a published author for five years with five works published.

My Review:

This book entertains me a lot. The way Renee describes each character is very unique and charming. I like how the detactives Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill tried to solve the problem by questioning the suspects and paid good attentions to all clues. I really enjoy this book. Also, I heard myself chuckled reading it.

The story teaches children about friendship, attention to details, and teamwork. Another well-written children book. However, I think this book needs better illustrations. In the back of the book, it has the animal facts about the four animals in the story Bear, Duck, Frog and the Raccoon.

Interview with the Author:

1. What inspired you to write this book?

The story is quite funny actually. Biscuit came about because of my uncle's. They always call each other Biscuit. I am not sure why but they have called each other that for as long as I can remember. I thought that would be a perfect name for Biscuit Bill. My cousin gave me the idea at my uncle's birthday party last year for Joe-Joe Nut. His name is Joe. He had been drinking a little too much that afternoon and kept telling me about his wonderful idea about a character named Joe-Joe---during the entire party. My relatives and I kept laughing at him because Joe has a wonderful and humorous personality. He can make you laugh, and he cracks me up. Days after the party, the idea kept floating around in my head. I had been thinking about writitng a series for lower elementary for a while before that point, especially after receiving many requests from readers of my Crypto-Capers Series who loved my books but also had children who were younger and who were not able to read the older series yet. I wanted to satisfy my readers and fill that space with something cute, fun and educational. I am all about education and I also love reading mysteries so I thought what a great opportunity to write another mystery series for younger children, teaching them about deduction and reasoning, skills they need to know, and yet incorporating subjects that children want to know more about and have touched upon in school. That is where Joe-Joe began.

2. Your children books are both mystery/problem solving. Why did you choose this particular genre?

I love reading mysteries, have ever since I was younger. The reason why is because they make you think outside of the box. You have to look beyond what you see and what you think you know, to solve the problem. Nowadays, children are so into wanting the answers of life given to them, that I felt that writing the way I do, incorporating tons of educational value into a story, was the best way to get them to look beyond what they see and to think about why things happen the way that they do. I want my readers to dig a little deeper and be rewarded for their efforts.

3. You also write adults book. Which one do you like better?

I enjoy writing children's books much better than my romance novels. They are more fun for me to write.

4. Just wondering, when will the Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill book # 2 will be released?

Book 2 will be released in the fall and that book will be about rocks and minerals. So I am really looking forward to my readers enjoying that one too.

5. How long have you been writing children books?

I have been writing for over twenty years but have only been writing children's books for the past two and a half years.

Thank you for this interview, Renee. Do you have any final words you’d like to share with my readers?

Yes, please check out my website for more information about all of my children's books. I have videos for readers to watch as well as coloring pages for the Joe-Joe Nut Series on there as well. http://www.reneeahand.com/ Thank you so much for this opportunity. I greatly appreciate it.

To find more about Renee and her books, visit her website. To download/print Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill Coloring pages...visit here.

Giveaway!! Thanks to Renee, 1 lucky winner will win a copy of the Adventure of Joe-Joe Nut & Biscuit Bill case # 1.

Mandatory Entry:
Simply leave me a comment. Please don't forget to include your email on your entry!!

Bonus Entry:
Please leave separate comments for each extra entries

* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
* Grab my blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog

Rules:

- This giveaway opens to US residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until ~~Saturday~~, ~~May~~ ~~1st~~, at midnight CST ~ Extended till Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

FYI:

I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* I received this book free from Renee to review, and this is my honest review.

Hugs,

Spring Swap Goodies

2010-04-13T13:23:00.001-05:00

About a month ago, I signed up for my very first blog swap hosted by Short Mama. I was very excited and a bit nervous. I like picking things for someone that I've never met before, but I'm scared whether that person will like it or not.

Anyway, Shortmama picked me a great partner and her name is Cara. We've been emailing and commenting on each other blog. It's been fun getting to know her.

Yesterday, when I was in the shower...my son told me that I got a package from mailman. I rushed my shower and when I came out....I found my son tried to open my package. "No....wait for mama please."
But he ignored me!!

My swap goodies have arrived...and look what I got...

Great and FUN Goodies!!

Thanks Much Cara!

The first item I saw when I opened the box was the DVD, 50 First Date. I was like...OMG...I think Cara is a Psychic (sorry Cara :)). It's one of my favorite movies. Yippee!

Then right away, my son claimed the colorful marker..."It's mine ma." And he tried to rip the packaging. He's funny. The hand sanitizer and the lip balm go right away into my purse. It's so handy.

I also got a sugar cookie mix with a very cute butterfly cutter. I can't wait to make this..it's been awhile since I made cookies. Cara also sent me 3 different (and I totally love) flower seeds. Lastly, the ultimate goodies are these....

BODYluxuries "Cucumber Aloe" Gift Pack

It contains body wash, foot scrub, foot cream, and nail polish. This is just perfect!!!

Cara, thank you so much for the goodies. I LOVE it!!

Thanks to Shortmama for hosting this swap, and can't wait for next "Summer" swap..?!

Hugs,

Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting

2010-04-12T15:06:00.002-05:00

Welcome to JR. Readers Parade day # 1

Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting

by Jennifer Swanson

Written by: Jennifer Swanson

Illustrated by: Rosita Schandy & Neal Wooten

Ages: 6-12

Publisher: Mirror Publishing

ISBN: 978-0-9822560-1-5

About the Book:

Penny and Rio are two dogs who are complete opposites. Penny is curious and always on the go, while Rio prefers a good nap. At their new house, Penny discovers that their backyard is the meeting place for several different animals. Penny doesn’t know why a cat, a groundhog, a squirrel, and an owl could possibly be meeting, but she knows she has to find out. She comes up with an ingenious plan for spying on them and discovers their plot. She has to stop them – but can she get her sister dog, Rio, to help her or will Rio decide that sleep is more important?

About the Author:

Jennifer was born with the love of reading. At the age of 5, she was already writing and illustrating her own stories. When she was in second grade, she wrote a play and coerced her friends to help her produce it. She has been writing ever since.

Her life changed forever when they adopted Penny, their first dog. Penny was a wonderful addition to their family and less than a year later, they adopted Rio, her best pal. Little did Jennifer know that those dogs would become so important to her later in life. Jennifer kept writing during the next several years as she raised three children, supported her naval officer husband and taught both part and full time.

My Review:

My son and I love this book. The story is simple and well-written, and beautifully illustrated. Just like Penny, we both were curious about what was going on the backyard, and we really liked how the mystery turned out. This book also teaches great life lessons about friendship, teamwork and trust. I highly recommended this book to all children.

The Interview with Jennifer Swanson:

1. How old were Penny and Rio when you adopted them?

We got Penny when she was 11 months old from the Norfolk SPCA. We adopted her the day before Thanksgiving 1992. Rio was 7 months old when we got her. We adopted her also from the Norfolk SPCA in August 1993.

2. What inspired you to write about them? and When did you start writing about these two pals?

I was taking a writing course through the Institute of Children's Literature and we were encouraged to write about something near and dear to us. Well, I am a HUGE dog lover. The real Penny and Rio were such crazy and interesting dogs, you never knew what they would do next. That made them perfect characters for a children's book. The real Penny and Rio actually did alot of the things in real life that they did in the books. I believe I wrote the first Penny and Rio story back in 2003.

3. I just found out from Penny & Rio Website that they both had passed away. I'm so sorry. When did they die?

Thank you. It was a tough time since these were the first pets my husband and I had (we even had them before the kids!) But they both lived long and happy lives. Penny was 13 when she died in September 1995. Rio passed away in Jan 1996. (she was also about 13 years)

4. Tell us more about your NEW dogs..

In keeping with our tradition of adopting dogs, we adopted Hannah, our beautiful blonde golden retriever, from GREAT Rescue, a local golden retriever rescue organization here in Jacksonville in April 2006. She was 7 months. Then, since we had to give her a friend, we adopted Lily from a rescue organization outside Tampa. We got her the day before Thanksgiving Nov 2007. She was only 10 weeks old.

5. Penny and Rio books are now available in France. Are you planning on distributing these books in any other languages?

Actually, the books will be available in France in English. The French government has decreed that all French schoolchildren must learn to read English, so they are in need of English books over there. Currently both Penny and Rio books are being translated into Thai for distribution in Thailand as well. I would love to see Penny and Rio in many other languages. I always enjoy the opportunity to work with foreign publishers.

6. What makes The Mysterious Backyard Meeting different from The Locked Doghouse Mystery (2nd book in the series)?

Well, in the first book, you are introduced to the dynamic canine detectives, Penny and Rio, as they set out to solve a mystery from their own backyard. In the second book, word has gotten out that Penny and Rio are the ones to come to with a problem to solve. Squeaky the mouse has some valuables hiddedn in a locked doghouse and he goes to Penny for help. Through various antics, trials and misadventures, the dogs strive to help Squeaky get back his stuff. In both books, the endings are not what you'd expect, however, so in that respect they are alike.

To learn more about Penny and Rio, please visit their website. You'll find lots of useful info and also you can download coloring pages and puzzles.

Giveaway ~ Thanks to Jennifer, 1 reader will win a Signed copy of Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting.

Mandatory Entry :
Leave me a comment and tell me if you and your children have pets at home, and what kind of pets? Please don't forget to include your email on your entry!!

Bonus Entry:
Please leave separate comments for each extra entries

* Become a fan of Penny & Rio on Facebook
* Follow Jennifer on Twitter @JenSwanBooks
* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter @santoso10ny, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
* Grab my blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog

Rules:
- This giveaway opens to US residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until ~~Saturday~~, ~~May~~ ~~1st~~, at midnight CST ~ Extended till Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

FYI:

I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* I received this book free from Jennifer to review, and this is my honest review.

Good Luck and I'll see you tomorrow.
Hugs,

JR. Readers Parade

2010-04-12T10:15:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday everyone,

I'm so excited to share with all of you my blog event called JR. Readers Parade. It's basically a 6-day event, from April 12-17, featuring Children Books reviews, Interviews with the Authors, and Giveaways.

I have always loved reading book, and I'd like both of my children to do the same. I spend few mintues everyday to read to them and they enjoy it so much.

Here are some of the reasons why reading is so important for children;
1. Books help children develop vital language skills.
2. Reading can open up new worlds and enrich children's lives.
3. Reading can enhance children's social skills.
4. Reading can improve hand-eye coordination.
5. Reading can provide children with plenty of good, clean fun !
Reading really Does Matter!!

So, I hope you all enjoy this blog event and don't forget to enter the giveaways.

Lastly, I'd like to thank all the authors for the support.

Hugs,

Sexaholic ~ Review & Giveaway

2010-04-11T17:19:00.001-05:00

Sexaholics

by Pynk

Published ~ March 23rd 2010 by Grand Central Publishing (first published 2010)
Details ~ Paperback, 336 pages
isbn ~ 0446179582 (isbn13: 9780446179584)

About The Book:

Miki, Valencia, Teela Raye, and Brandi share one thing...they are all addicted to sex. United through Sexaholics Anonymous, these women try to recover from their dependence on wild, spontaneous, and even sometimes, dangerous sex. From whips and chains, to sex in public, they have done it all! Led by Dr. Rachel Cummings, each woman takes the first step to recovery by sharing her biggest sexual act with the group. SEXAHOLICS takes readers through the outrageous experiences of four women on their long path to success.

About The Author:

Marissa writes erotica under the pseudonym, PYNK . PNYK was the winner of the 2008 YOUnity award for Fastest Rising Literary Star. Warner Books released the first PYNK title, Erotic City, in November 2008. Erotic City was also a finalist for a 2009 African American Literary Award in the category of erotica and was voted one of the Best Reads for 2008 by Black Expressions. The second title, Sexaholics, about four women addicted to sex, comes out on March 23, 2010. The third PYNK title, Sixty Nine, about three women born in 1969 who are about to turn the big 4-0, comes out in 2011, and a PYNK title on the subject of escorts follows in 2012.

My Review:

If you're looking for another book to add to your collection, this book is definitely a good book to read in a hot summer day. The story is very well-written by the author. However, be aware, this book contains very explicit and graphic stories. I couldn't read the story in a long period of time, because of the language and sexual scene. But, I enjoyed reading about how each characters is trying to overcome their addictions. This for sure is a very interesting novel.

GIVEAWAY:
Thanks to Anna and Hachette Book Group, 3 lucky readers will a copy of their own.

Mandatory Entry :
Leave me a comment and tell me your favorite novel. Please don't forget to include your email on your entry!!

Bonus Entry:
Please leave separate comments for each extra entries
* Follow me on Google Friend Connect
* Subscribe by email
* Follow me on twitter, and leave your twitter id in your comment
* Retweet this giveaway (can be done daily)
* Grab my blog button and put it on your blog sidebar
* Follow My Crafty Life blog

Rules:
- This giveaway opens to US and Canada residents only
- NO PO Boxes
- An active email address should be left in the comments
- The winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen
- This giveaway will run until Sunday, April 25th, 2010 at midnight CST

FYI:
I'll pick the winners using random number generator (Random.org), and the numbers I'll use are your comments #. So, if you already followed my blog using GFC/subscribed my RSS and want extra entries please leave a comment. THANKS!

* I received this book free from HBG to review, and this is my honest review.

Good Luck.
Hugs,