Wedding Day

Wedding Day
Enjoy EVERY moment in your wedding gown. You can't stay in it forever...SO UNFAIR!!!!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Some Video from the Newsboys Concert

My very sweet husband took a few quick video shots during the Newsboys concert. Thought I'd share. :)




As you can tell from the stage, this is Me In Motion. They were awesome. So much so that I bought a CD. I RARELY buy CDs at concerts.




The Newsboys








This was the first Contemporary Christian concert at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. I really hope it wont be last. :)

I Love Sundy Coupon Preview


I just love the opportunity to get a preview on what coupons are going to be in the Sunday Paper. Don't you? Many thanks to Sunday Coupon Preview! Another way to make savings THAT MUCH EASIER!!!!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Sharing Some Pics from the Newsboys Concert






Last night we worked and then enjoyed the Newsboys concert. The opening acts were Bread of Stone, Me In Motion and Seventh Day Slumber. There was also a young lady that was not on the bill, but from what I heard, she was excellent (I was breaking down our station's tent during that part of the show). I have a few pictures I thought I'd share with ya. :)

This was part of The Way We Roll tour. If they head in your area...you should totally check it out. Every band was awesome, the crowd totally got into each and every song, and we all left fully entertained. :) I'll post more later. :)

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Sharing a Post From My Day Job

As I have a Newsboys concert tonight, I thought I would post what I worked on today for my day job at Radio Shine. Plus this keeps it in my hands too, because our production director use to toss the blogs after a month. :)


Photobucket

There are so many things I want to share with you today that I touched on during this morning's show. I found some more cool ways to stretch your food dollar, a cool offer from Special K, some awesome music downloads, free food, and more tips for saving energy. In addition, I have my top 10 deals for groceries. I am going to get right on it, because we have the Newsboys "The Way We Roll Tour" this evening, and I want to get this in before then. I really hope we get to see a bunch of you there. :)



Stretch Your Food Dollar:
I think most of us know that storage is important for keeping your food fresh so you can eliminate waste and save money. I use freezer bags for my meats, containers for leftovers so I can reheat and eat or even freeze up things like soups for later, but I never thought much about fruit and vegetable storage other than throwing them in the crisper and taking them out. Well, I learned a few things this week, and of course I want to share them with you.


First, I found some awesome tips in All You magazine. I have shared with you in the past how much I love this magazine. In addition to fabulous money saving tips, it is just loaded full of coupons! But...I digress. I found this amazing article by Mary Ostyn who is VERY adept at saving money. Here are some tips from her for keeping produce fresh:


Fruit: Fruit keeps best when it is removed from the plastic bag (from the store) and put in the crisper drawer (I have NEVER done this! I think I have been using the bags kind of as a organizational device...THAT stops now).
In addition to fruit being better off removed from the bag and in the crisper, you can also do this will green and red peppers.

Tomatoes also should be removed from the bag and stored on the counter (I bet they look kind of pretty that way). Apparently the cold has a negative effect on their taste and texture (it also is really bad for the plant - mine is all crumbly looking after this week's cold).


Avocados should also be stored out of the bag and loose in the vegetable bin in the fridge.

I found a little something called the paper-towel method thanks to Mary. This is backed up by many other sources I found online. Basically you can keep zucchini, cucumbers, green beans and grapes fresher longer by placing a paper towel in the bag they came in and leave the bag open. Mary also suggests this method with lettuce except in that case you close the bag. She also recommended using a salad spinner after washing greens because too mach water will also shorten the stability of the lettuce. I also found during my reading that if you buy packaged salad mixes that a paper towel can help them stay more stable as well.


Vegetable separation: Keep garlic, onions and potatoes away from the other veggies and store them in baskets in your pantry. I should know this. Well, I did know about potatoes, but I did not realize this about my onions or garlic. I keep both in the fridge! Also keep the onions away from the other veggies as they can cause spoilage because of their fumes.


Other tips I found:

Cheese - Once opened put in a zipper baggy with a paper towel. Put in zipper baggy with paper towel that has been soaked in white vinegar (smelly in the bag but not supposed to effect the taste of the cheese).


Ice Cream - Keep the frost out of ice cream by placing a paper towel ball in the ice cream container. Deli Meats and Bacon - Keep deli meats and bacon fresher by removing them from their packaging and putting them in cleaned out cereal bags (from the box cereals). I am not sure how well this works, but I am going to give it a shot. :)

Bread - Freeze bread that you are not going to use in a week. If it is a bread like raisin bread, freeze it in baggies by the slice or in whatever serving size you are likely to use.

Okay...that is a good start I think. I found a lot more great ways to save by keeping track of freshness and eating on time, but I have a lot more of today's tips to go over.





Free Food: Don't forget that this Saturday, October 31st, Taco Bell will be giving giving one Black Jack Taco per customer while supplies last from 6:00 pm to midnight. Remember, one per customer. :) These look pretty yummy! Follow this link to find the store near you click this linky!!!! Taco Bell

Betty Crocker Potatoes are available for free right now (again while supplies last) for people who sign up for their Dinner Made Easy newsletter. Click on the link and see if you can get in on this:
Betty Crocker

Money off Jeans!:
A lot of people know about the Special K challenge where you incorporate their cereals and products into your life and lose weight. Well they are upping the ante by also offering a $10 voucher to use towards the purchase of a new slimmer set of jeans. All you do is mail a form and five Special K tokens that are located on their packaging. Here is your link: Special K

Free Music!: I have said it many times, Free CCM is one of my favorite places for free Christian music downloads. Well they have an awesome new site and you really ought to check it out. The free music right now is Fee's "Arms That Hold the Universe" and The Afters "One Moment Away." You do have to re-register even if you have registered before, but you also have another opportunity to sign up for their newsletter and get a special code for 10 more free downloads that you can use on iTunes!

More free music is up for grabs at Amazon.com. If you click on the following link you will see 12 more downloads from artists like Rachel Lampa, Big Daddy Weave, and Jaci Velasquez! Link:
Amazon Free Chrisitian Music. One of the things I like is that you can listen first before you download so you know what you are getting. :)

Shopping:
How about a Sam's one day pass? Click on the link and print up the coupon and you will have the opportunity to shop at Sam's and see what it is all about. Sam's Club offers a free 1-day Sam's Club guest pass via this printable coupon. A 10% service fee does apply, excluding CA, SC, and Elmsford, NY locations. The pass expires on November7th. Link: Sam's Club

Crafts for Gifts:
When I was a single mom, I would make fudge as my Christmas gift. I picked up tins at second hand stores and passed them out to family, friends and my professors in college. Making a gift can be a great alternative to buying. With that in mind, I thought I would add a jar recipe today. These are those recipes you make with a mason jar that you can give to friends or family. It contains all the dry ingredients and the recipe for how to do it. You get the ingredients, jar, print out the recipe, make a label and your are good to go. Don't forget, I also included links to instructions on how to make a cool draft blocker and crafts to make with magazines. This week's jar recipe is for Butterscotch Chip Cookies in a Jar. This looks very cute and makes a nice gift. I picked this one up from allrecipes.com. A fabulous site for recipes! Link: Butterscotch Chip Cookies



Now onto the top ten:


Safeway:
Coupons are all worth at least $1.00 this week!!!
-- Boneless pork sirloing chops $1.49 lb

-- 80% Lean ground beef $1.49 lb

-- Gala, Granny Smith or Red Delicious apples 47 cents a pound

-- Hass Avocados 2 for $1.00




Albertons:
Up to 50 cent coupons are doubled, up to 33 cent coupons are tripled, and up to 25 cent coupons are quadrupled!

-- Sanderson Farms whole fryers 48 cents a pound (limit 4)

-- Dole Bananas 39 cents a pound
-- Coupon in the flyer for a 3 pound of Red or Granny Smith apples for just 99 cents!





Fry's:
All coupons will be valued at $1.00!

-- Fresh boneless skinless chicken breast or tenders for $1.77 lb
-- Northwest Bartlett Pears 49 cents a pound

-- Many items are buy 20 save $5 go to their online flier for these deals -
Fry's


Happy shopping and happy saving!!!




Mom NEEDS Chocolate: Hugs, Humor and Hope for Surviving Motherhood by Debora M. Coty

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:


Mom NEEDS Chocolate: Hugs, Humor and Hope for Surviving Motherhood

Regal (April 1, 2009)

***Special thanks to Rebeca Seitz of Glass Road Public Relations, LLC for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Debora M. Coty is the author or contributor to several books, including Mom NEEDS Chocolate: Hugs, Humor and Hope for Surviving Motherhood. A resident of Florida where she lives with her husband, Coty raised two children and enjoyed a dedicated career as an Occupational Therapist before beginning to chase her God-given dream of writing. She is known for communicating sound biblical concepts with a refreshing, light-hearted style. Her writings can be read in her monthly newspaper column, Grace Notes: God’s Grace for Everyday Living.

Visit the author's website.



Product Details:

List Price: $14.99
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Regal (April 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0830745920
ISBN-13: 978-0830745920

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


My Cups Runneth Over

Pregnancy

A baby is an inestimable blessing and a bother.

Mark Twain

As for you, be fruitful and multiply; populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.

Genesis 9:7, NASB

There are a few things I’ve learned while fulfilling the “be fruitful and multiply” mandate.

Pregnancy draws you closer to your spouse. During an emergency stop in our driveway while I tossed my cookies in the grass, my husband, Chuck, tried to comfort me. Soon we were throwing up side by side. It was the most romantic thing he’s ever done. Those two brown spots on our lawn were the envy of all my friends.

Childbirth classes are invaluable informational sources. At the country hospital we’d chosen, one young farmer raised his hand the week after we learned about Braxton Hicks false labor contractions. He earnestly addressed the nurse instructor, “Ma’am, my wife’s been miserable all week. Could you tell us again about them Briggs and Stratton things?” He was the same strapping fellow who confided the first week, “We ain’t ever had any babies, but we’ve birthed a lot of cows.”

The budding momma’s swelling belly and the ledge over her innie-turned-outie navel aren’t the only evolutions in the body’s profile. Average-sized breasts become huge globes that bump into everything. It’s like having volleyballs attached to your chest. These alien chest globes take on their own personalities. I called mine the Bobbing Twins, Freddie and Flopsie. I addressed them directly: “Freddie, stop bouncing around or I’m going to fall off this bike,” or “Flopsie, you’re gonna have to squeeze into this DDD cup—there is no E.”

Finally, you’re in your ninth month. Ah, but the surprises are not over. After hours of sweating, teeth grinding and PUSHing, you are rewarded with a tiny screaming miracle. The little bugger has a surprisingly strong sucking reflex, and when he latches on, it feels like a vice grip to this incredibly sensitive part of your anatomy. You’re awfully glad you did that desensitization with the washcloth beforehand. I once commented to Chuck after performing this unpleasant ritual that rubbing myself with terrycloth made me empathize with that old table he was sanding.

“Hmmm. Yes, dear,” he answered, only half listening. I later overheard him inform his sister on the phone, “Debbie uses sandpaper on her chest to get ready for the baby.” No wonder his family thinks I’m weird.

Shortly after giving birth, my friend Julia (also a nursing mother) and I decided to take a well-deserved tennis break. Leaving the babies with their daddies, we headed for the courts. The blissful quiet was shattered by a wailing infant in a passing stroller, triggering that mysterious internal milk breaker switch. Julia and I simultaneously clutched our chests like gunshot victims at the incoming flood.

“Stop it, Freddie! Not now, Flopsie!” I pleaded with the Twins as two dark, wet spots appeared in strategic locations on the front of my white tennis shirt. Julia and I mopped ourselves between points with a soggy sweatband, bringing strange new meaning to the term, “bosom buddies.”1

Son of Man, thank You for the blessing of family and the miracle of babies. Make me more like You because they may end up being like me.



Note

1. Adapted from “My Cups Runneth Over” by Debora M. Coty, first appearing in Today’s Christian Woman, November/December 2004 issue. Used by permission.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The Signal - My Review

Because it is October, I am very inspired to watch as many scary movies as I can get my hands on. My sweet husband actually gives in to this impulse of mine which is one of the many reasons I love him. I made a list a while back of some of the movies I wanted to watch. A few I planned to grab through Netflix by watching directly online. Let me tell you...this is one of THE many things I love about Netflix. One of the others is that I can totally watch the television series I like in one fell swoop!

One of my direct to computer watch wishes was The Signal.



The Signal is an independent psychological horror film written and directed by David Bruckner, Dan Bush, Jacob Gentry and produced by Alexander A. Motlagh.

The movie was completed for the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. The movie was completed for the 2007 Sundance Film Festival with a budget of $50,000.



Summary (from Netflix):

When the phones, radios and televisions in the city of Terminus begin to broadcast the same strange signal, the transmission breeds jealousy and hate, turning once-sane people into murderous lunatics. A faithless wife seeks the safety of her lover, while her affected husband hunts for her. David Bruckner, Jacob Gentry and Dan Bush each write and direct an act of this horror tale that was nominated for a John Cassavetes Independent Spirit Award.

My Review:
When I read the description of signal, it immediately appealed to me. It must be the pull of post apocalyptic types of film. I also like an original idea, and I believe that The Signal tells a story in a new and fresh way. Three directors collaborate to tell three different sides of a story. It is frightening, funny and moving all at different times.

The film begins on New Year's Eve when a signal is heading over the television, phone lines, and radios, and this signal brings on crazy results! And by crazy I mean literally crazy. People who hear the signal act in irrational ways and easily excuse violence as reasonable.

The film follows a wife, her lover, and her husband as they each deal with the impact of this nightmarish event. Each segment focuses on each person.

The Signal is surprisingly great for a film with such a small budget. The movie is horror and it is also somewhat a spoof on horror. It is many things in one and it works in each and every moment. The actors all do a great job. The absurdities are handled with absolute grace.

Gore Factor: Pretty significant as people are going crazy, chaos is ensuing and there is plenty of violent death. I have seen worse and usually do not care to see it. I think that it worked for the movie. It is not a slash and gore type of horror film but the blood is present.

To rate or not to rate?

I'd give it 3.5 stars. Maybe 4.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Messages To Myself: Overcoming a Distorted Self-Image by Dr. Helen McIntosh

My Review: Through a lifetime, we can bombard ourselves with such negative messages that it is quite frightening. This book is a helpful guide to stop listening to the negatives that we so easily not only give ourselves but fully believe and start replacing those negatives with the truth as God has given us. This book shed a light on my own thoughts and I am excited about how much I have learned and how I will be able to pass these "truths" onto my son.

***I received a copy of Messages to Myself for review. This in no way had any bearing on my opinion. That is my own.

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:


Messages To Myself: Overcoming a Distorted Self-Image

Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City (May 15, 2009)

***Special thanks to Blythe Daniel of The Blythe Daniel Agency, Inc.for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Dr. Helen McIntosh has a doctorate in Counseling Psychology, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified in Reality Therapy, speaker, author, and inventor of The Peace Rug®. She spent 18 years in public education. As school counselor, she wrote the book, Eric, Jose & The Peace Rug® to help students resolve conflicts with peers. Fox News has shown interest in her work in school violence. She has written for Guideposts and ParentLife, and has been reviewed in BookPleasures.com, Good News Tucson, Chattanooga Times-Free Press, Daily Citizen newspapers, and will be reviewed on CBN.org, Miami Motherhood, Esperanza and hopetocope.com, The Christian Post, and others.

Messages To Myself: Overcoming a Distorted Self-Image is published by Beacon Hill Press (June 2009) and is endorsed by Stasi Eldredge, Kay Arthur, Steve Arterburn, Sheila Walsh, June Hunt, and Jan Silvious.

Visit the author's website and The Peace Rug®.

Product Details:

List Price: $13.99
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City (May 15, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0834124564
ISBN-13: 978-0834124561

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


1

What Are You Thinking?

I thought I handled the blows in my life and to my sense of well-being with a learned Southern charm and grace: “Well, okay—if that’s what you think” or “If that’s what you say, then it must be true.” After all, why would anyone intentionally wound me or cause me to question his or her words or actions?

I slowly came to realize, though, that not everyone—including my loved ones—understood the power their words had over me or understood that I allowed their words to dominate my thinking and what I believed about myself. Over time, I came to understand that there were feelings and emotions deep inside that I couldn’t account for. I didn’t remember how or why they resided in my heart, but I wanted to banish them and the damage they had caused.

I didn’t know that my thoughts and my behavior were linked in any way. So when I had a specific thought about a person’s actions or a word that was spoken to me, I didn’t realize how much it affected the way I lived.

The effects of these words and actions also affected the way I viewed relationships—my relationship with myself and my relationships with others. I knew I needed to reframe (“reframe” is a term I use to mean picturing something in a different light) years of pain and frustration, but I had no role model to follow.

The Truth Chart

The Truth Chart process that I developed was initially developed for my own mental health. I began using it in 1970, but it was many years before I began sharing it with others. Now I have almost daily opportunities to share this method, and I have been surprised and humbled by the results. The participants in the classes I teach and those I counsel in my private practice continue to share that they have had dramatic changes in their thinking patterns and behaviors. These individuals have encouraged me to put these ideas into this book so others can experience what they have discovered regarding depression, emotional anxiety, and personal thought life. They have shared that these ideas are novel, concrete, and practical.

For most of my childhood and into my adulthood, I thought of myself as vanilla—you know, just plain vanilla. No sparkle, no color, nothing memorable. Certainly not jamocha almond fudge or white chocolate strawberry—just vanilla.

Many damaging messages were delivered to me by people who were important to me during the course of my life: “Can’t you do anything right?” “You’re so weak, so stupid, so clumsy . . .” I had internalized those messages, and they had become a major component in my self-talk and poor self-image. Samples of my internal scripts were “I am a zero.” “I never do anything right.”

In addition to these damaging conversations with myself, I had never really internalized God’s view of me either. These became more than just internal thoughts—they became wounds that affected me deeply. The wounds were far deeper than a skinned knee here and there, although there were many of those. The wounds I’m referring to were name-calling, displays of anger and rage, and actions against me.

Since I invited Christ to come into my life as my Savior and Lord many years ago, I’ve been totally convinced that God loves me and has a plan for my life. I knew He had forgiven my sins and answered many prayers. I’ve taught Sunday School and Bible studies since my salvation experience, and I have taught biblical life principles to others and believed them as truth. But when I had feelings of not being special or had feelings of not being of value to God, I didn’t really label those thoughts as lies. I taught others about guarding their thoughts, but I never really internalized the application of these principles into my own thought life. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe I was special to God. But there were wounds—deep internal messages from others—that superseded God’s messages to me. Fortunately, that has all changed.

Not too long ago I asked God for the name He had for me. I first heard of this concept at a conference by author John Eldredge a few years ago, but I didn’t ask God right then. This idea originated in the passage of Scripture from John 10:3 about how “the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (nkjv, emphasis added). I knew it was important for me to hear God’s name for me; I just wasn’t sure I really wanted to know. I was confident it would be something vanilla.

Recently, though, I decided I needed to know. I didn’t hear God’s audible voice, but clearly and distinctly, after a time of prayer, came the phrase “Warrior Princess.” Wow! Nothing vanilla about “Warrior Princess!” God had reframed my thoughts even about who I am.

We make choices like that every day—every moment of every day. What are we to believe when we have certain ongoing thoughts and feelings? Thoughts and feelings may feel very real. But are they true?

The purpose of this book is to help you be attentive to your thoughts and feelings, but you must not get stuck in reflections and past hurts. Instead, look at your thoughts and feelings from the truth of God’s perspective. You are not wiping out the real and honest wounds or reflections or even the in-depth processing of these things that come to your heart and mind. They are to be validated; but don’t get stuck there.

Wounds in Action

Once you are able to see your wounds and reflections from God’s point of view, you can be freed from ongoing despondency, depression, anger, and anxiety. Remember the word I used earlier, “reframing”? Here’s a recent personal story to illustrate what reframing is.

It was the week before I was scheduled to speak at a women’s retreat. It was a cold, drizzly afternoon. I had just dropped off my granddaughter at her home and was only a few blocks away. I went through a fast-food drive-through and picked up some large containers of soup, which I put on the floor of my car to take to my mother-in-law.

Traffic was thick, as it always is on this busiest street at the busiest time in the afternoon—bumper to bumper. I have no idea how it happened, really, and I offer no excuses. But before I knew it, I was looking down at the soup that was wobbling on the floor—and I reached for it, consequently bumping the car in front of me suddenly. My car had moved forward—apparently my foot slipped—and I was thrust into one of the most embarrassing moments of my life! It was followed by such personal agony—a genuine shame attack. I am such a disaster. How could I have done that? I will never be trusted ever again to drive my granddaughters. A lot of people saw it. I felt totally exposed! I had stopped traffic, and I felt as if hundreds of pairs of eyes were watching and calling me stupid.

XXX

Hear the wound? Do you hear the stories under the wound? You can hear the ownership of responsibility, but mostly you hear the pain. We’ll reframe this in just a minute. Back to the scene.

The man in front of me was not happy. In what seemed only a second he walked back to my car and stood beside me. Oh, he was angry! And I even knew him—and his wife, who was with him. But he didn’t let that stand in the way! He quickly called the police, which, of course, you are supposed to do. Within five agonizing minutes we were summoned to drive a short distance to a service station on a corner where twice as many people could see us. There wasn’t just one police car—there were two. I was overwhelmed with an all-too-familiar sense of inadequacy and failure, by the feeling of being a bad grandmother. How scary to realize that my granddaughter was in the car only moments before! I’m too bad a driver to be trusted to drive my grandchildren ever again. These messages then multiplied and began to connect with my mother’s damaging accusations from decades before—her avalanche of accusations over the smallest of infractions. That tender place in my heart was hurting so badly.

Picture me: I stood with the police in the cold, wet rain. It was freezing outside, and I had on several jackets; but because I was fresh from a pedicure, I was wearing high-heeled jeweled sandals—and holding my teacup poodle. How silly I must have looked!

For hours and hours Satan whispered additional messages to the ones I was already having, such as “How can you possibly teach the women this weekend?” My agony was profound. It was time to reframe.

Reframing

I went to God and first said, Lord, I hurt so badly. I feel like such a failure. I feel like such a zero, so “legally blonde.” I’m very okay with the traffic ticket and the fine, and I’m fine with replacing the man’s bumper. Those things aren’t what bother me. I just hate feeling so inadequate.

Then I started looking at that accident through God’s perspective—period. I began to say to Him, The truth is—it was serious, but everyone is okay. I was careless, but I am not a failure as a person. God, I am so sorry. I hate what it feels like to be distracted. Lord, could you give me grace to bear this hurt—the grace that I enjoy giving to others but have trouble receiving myself? You are enough for this ouch. Thank you that I am adequate in you; thank you that I don’t have to be adequate in my own strength anyway. I would love to learn from this, Lord. I ask you to help me be a better driver. When I think of this accident, I choose to think of the ways I have already grown and choose now not to assume false shame. Thank you, Lord. You are enough.

This book is about the process of reframing thinking, feelings, and past or present wounds, and it’s based primarily on the following two Scripture passages. It’s also about restoring relationships—through both your self-talk and your other-talk.

Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31-32).

A stronghold is like a worn path—but a path that is created by the enemy of our lives. Have you ever taken a shortcut across the lawn again and again? Pretty soon you have created a marked path. When you know you should go a different way but you keep returning to that same path, that is a stronghold. When someone has a difficult conversation with you, and the damage of the conversation is not repaired, you will continue to feel that hurt, that wound, for a long time. Then you develop sensitivity to similar wounds by others, and that, too, is a stronghold.

Maybe you tend to often take on false guilt or false responsibility from someone else’s words or actions. False guilt and false responsibility are strongholds. If you have a sad thought, then another and another—and they don’t receive attention—it becomes a stronghold. Maybe you’re plagued by recurring anxious or fearful thoughts that don’t get resolved as the wounds deepen. Those, too, become strongholds. You get the idea of how this pattern can deepen and spread to more than just one area of your life. You have not only developed a stronghold but have also established an agreement with your enemy.

It is the truth—biblical truth—that does set one free from these strongholds or bondages. Truth is the only thing that can provide freedom from these “strongholds,” “arguments,” and “every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.”

Before we explore this, let me clarify that I’m not speaking of truth that some might interpret as positive messages that sound good and cheerful for the moment. Examples of these well-meaning but often damaging messages include “Oh, you can do it!” “You can always get another dog,” “Time will take care of that,” or “Be happy—you have so much.” The reality is that when someone is mad, sad, anxious, or fearful, there’s more important information to be gained from the expressions of emotions.

We need to look long and hard at what our thoughts and feelings are telling us about our heart. Just being positive and cheerful could serve only to minimize pain, implying that there is a fast “cure” that is not realistic. Positive messages we give ourselves or receive from others will not have a lasting effect. Only Christ can permanently relieve the hurt of deep emotional pain. Though you can be available for friends and loved ones, and others can be available for you, cheerful counsel and unsolicited advice are not the answer. The mind of Christ is required.

Careful study of the Scriptures, learning scriptural principles, and looking to the Holy Spirit for guidance give us the wisdom to see truth from His perspective.

Truth: Where Does It Come From?

I believe that God is the author of truth, wherever it is found. As a counselor in the public school system for 12 years, I could not initiate conversations about God or use biblical scriptures, but I could talk with students about more general principles of “truth.”

It’s fascinating to see how truth and reasoning are handled by the secular professionals in our society. In the field of psychology, there is renowned research to show the truth and profound importance of disputing irrational thinking as the main antidote to depression and anxiety. I had been reframing my thoughts and feelings for decades before I found this research, but it confirmed the importance of what I had been practicing to deal with my thoughts. The research states that “cognitive behavioral therapy,” or the “disputing of irrational beliefs,” is superior to pharmacology, which is using medication to aide in someone’s pain management, or even a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacology. God’s perspective is the ultimate reframing, and it stretches beyond just knowing that irrational thinking should be disputed. The study of secular research and how it underscores the truth of what I’m sharing with you is discussed in more depth in a future chapter.

For now, let’s explore more fully what reframing of self-talk is and how to develop a mental outline to help when you are continuing the well-worn path of anger, depression, fear, or anxiety. Conquering these results of self-lies is possible.


Making It Personal

1. A suggested prayer: Lord, would you open wide my understanding of the issues of my own heart? Would you help me put a name on my hurts? Would you help me to see the damage? Would you give me the grace to cover this tender time of reflection and exploration of my thoughts and feelings? In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.

2. Don’t rush this next step. Take your time. Think about what might be past and present wounds. You can list people, events, circumstances, conversations, anything in your life that has brought hurt.

Past wounds








Present wounds








3. Are there some common themes? What might they be called? Some examples: abandonment, rejection, feelings of inadequacy. These are possible strongholds.







Monday, October 26, 2009

Contest Time!!!! Tick Tock!

I am just so excited about the various contests that have been flying around the blogosphere! Here is a mere smattering of some of the goodies out there! I'll call this my CRAZY EIGHT FAVES. These giveaways are soooo good you would be crazy to pass them up!


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And again...please take the time to thank these awesome bloggers for their hard work! Without them, we might not know just how awesome some of these items are! I learn something new every day! :)

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THANKS!!!!!!



I found out that SciFiGuy.ca is having one big Halloween awesome book giveaway! Courtesy of Hachette Books, you have an opportunity to win five books! Five awesomely suspensefully perfectly Halloweenish books! These are the kind of books to get you looking over your shoulder! Up for grabbers: The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent, Sins of the Flesh by Caridad Piñeiro, When Ghosts Speak by Mary Ann Winkowski, BoneMan's Daughters by Ted Dekker, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. This great giveaway ends on November 1st!!!!


I found an absolutely delightful blog with a fabulous giveaway! Canadian Natural Mama has a review for the snuggliest looking baby wear around! Check out the review for Beba Bean. They have lovely knit clothing and some of the softest bamboo snuggly up clothing for your tot! So cute! I fell in love with the poncho when I looked through all the nice items Beba Bean has. So about the giveaway. Right now you can enter to win a $25 gift card! Don't pass this up. It is World Wide giveaway! Ends November 3rd!

Ahhhhh what is a girl's best friend? Diamonds? Pearls? So hard to decide. I love them all, but I have to say that there is something entirely pure and beautiful about a pearl. 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires is hosting a review and giveaway for a 7.0-8.0 mm Freshwater Pearl Bracelet from PearlParadise.com! The winner has their choice in white, black, multicolor, lavender, or pink pearl color! What would you choose? I am really stumped myself I love white, black and lavender! This giveaway ends on November 12th!

I love to save money. It has been a way of life from since I was a single mom. I bargain hunted as a teen and as a college student, but nothing drives thriftiness home more than a cute little bundle of joy. In my attempt to save money, I have used many ways to organize coupons. One problem I often had was forgetting to bring them to the store. Then I had the problem of forgetting to use them. Eventually I got to the point where I would go through the fliers, make a shopping list, put it on an envelop and put the coupons in that envelop. That worked well, but sometimes I would find an unadvertised special, and I would not have the coupons with me. I use a small accordian folder that works rather well, but recently I saw a few blogs showing off The Couponizer. This has a great method you must check out. Want more details? Go to Texas Couponers Anonymous and see their review and giveaway for The Couponizer. Ends October 30th. If you are trying to save, this is a great start!

Can you think of a better gift than a Visa gift card? It sure makes things easier when I am up to my ears in Christmas wish lists. Accepted all over. Really it is the gift giver's no-brainer. It is also an amazing prize! And guess what? Oh you are going to plotz when you read this. This Mama Rocks is giving ONE The Bragging Mommy reader the opportunity to win a $40 Visa gift card. Oh...I think you will want to click away now! This giveaway ends on 11/12!


Every now and then I see something so cute I just get a little "awwww" moment. That is how I felt when I read the review at Over Thirty Mommy for Bath Luve. Bath Luve is an awesome product that will take the stress out of bath time. I am so glad someone thought of this! It is a perfectly adorable way to keep baby warm while their parent is bathing them. The Bath Luve keeps the body warm, but does not weigh the baby down and lets the baby still move nice and free. Check it out! This giveaway ends on 11/14 and I know a brand new baby in our family who would love it! ****My cousin's****

When you make the messes I do when cooking, you want to cover up. Sadly, I usually have to wear old stainy t-shirts when I cook in order to save my clothing. This means I look a wee bit frumpy when I cook. Flirty Aprons have the answer to that little dilemma with some of THE cutest and definitely flirtiest aprons about! What's more is Leslie Loves Veggies is hosting a review and a giveaway for Flirty Aprons. That means one of us out there is going to look a lot cuter when cooking, gardening, crafting or just about anything! This great giveaway ends on 11/4!

What is one of your favorite snacks? Mine is popcorn. A movie is not complete for me if I am not munching on some of that delightfully fluffy, crunchy snack! I love when a company takes that favorite snack of mine and makes it better. Who does that? The Big Popper! I caught the review and giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies and did a little "squeak" while quickly looking up the company. My hope was that they had an awesome variety of flavors. THEY DO! They also have my favorite...jalapeno! When we go into town, I always pick up a large bag of jalapeno popcorn. It is the best just-right spicy snack. The Big Popper has this flavor and more AND they pop it fresh, season it just right, seal it fresh in some very cool tins and ship it right out to you! This is a giveaway you can't miss it is for a 2 gallon tin of your choice. THAT is a lot of popcorn! Head on over! Giveaway ends on 11/8!!!!

Let's Walk The Talk by Danae Dobson

I did not receive Let's Walk The Talk, but I did want to share this book as part of the tour. I think that young women and teens could certainly gain a lot from this thoughtful book. Read the first chapter. :)

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:


Let’s Walk the Talk!

Tyndale House Publishers (September 3, 2009)



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Danae Dobson is the author of Let’s Talk!, a popular inspirational book for teen girls. She has an active speaking ministry addressing women at church-related events such as banquets, teas, and conferences. She is also involved in seminars for teens as well as speaking to children at Christian schools. Danae was born in Southern California and published her first children’s manuscript at the age of twelve. The book was entitled, Woof! A Bedtime Story About a Dog. She received her BA in communications from Azusa Pacific University. She has authored 22 books to date, which have sold a combined total of over 400,000 copies. Danae resides in Southern California. She is the daughter of Dr. James and Shirley Dobson.


Product Details:

List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (September 3, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414308108
ISBN-13: 978-1414308104

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


How to Be a Winner

Check it out: Proverbs 3:5-6


Would you like to know the secret of success? I’m not talking about how to acquire cash, cool cars, and designer clothes. If success were defined by the things we own, then Paris, Nicole, Lindsay, and Britney would all be respectable role models. No. When I mention success, I’m referring to a genuine sense of fulfillment that comes not from the outside but from the depths of the soul.


Every girl desires to feel good about herself, but what happens when she bases her contentment on something temporary like physical attractiveness, popularity, money, or fame? Well, it’s no secret that money can’t buy happiness, and as far as good looks are concerned, the Bible teaches that “beauty is fleeting” (Proverbs 31:30). Fame and social status are shaky too. I could give you a list of celebs, beginning with Marilyn Monroe right up to Anna Nicole Smith, who discovered that fame didn’t bring the satisfaction they craved. In fact, the success of those two beautiful women was short-lived, ending in tragic drug overdoses.


A friend and I were shopping in a clothing store recently and couldn’t help but feel disturbed about some of the products that were on display. The store featured drinking games, sexually inspired books, and T-shirts with disturbing messages on the front. One read “I Live for Kicks” and another, “Pleasure Victim.” Think about it. Those messages encourage you to believe that life is all about getting satisfaction from the world through fun and pleasure, but that’s a straight-up lie! Living for “kicks” won’t amount to anything substantial. It’s just short-term gratification—a way to feel good for a little while.


The world will tell you to rush after your passion to find happiness, but after you’ve obtained it and the fairy dust settles, you will still have emptiness of soul and spirit. Having money in the bank, credit cards, and a hot body won’t give you a real sense of purpose. The only way you can obtain lasting fulfillment is through someone who is not of this world—the Lord Jesus Christ! Only He can help you achieve the kind of success that endures.


You may have heard of the ’90s rock group Nirvana. The lead singer was Kurt Cobain, and if anyone appeared to have it all, it was this former teen idol. Cobain had screaming fans around the globe, and his albums sold millions. He’d won awards and Grammys, and had earned more money than he could spend. In addition to all this fame, he had an adorable baby daughter. There wasn’t one thing the world had to offer that Kurt Cobain hadn’t obtained. Yet in 1994, he ended his life with a gunshot. Why? From a worldly perspective it didn’t make sense, but from a spiritual viewpoint, it came into sharp focus. Without a relationship with Jesus Christ, Kurt Cobain didn’t have peace and contentment. He might have felt the temporary rush of newfound success, but once the excitement wore off, he was still surrounded by everything he despised, including himself. He was so discontented, in fact, that he chose to abandon it all and take his own life.


Obviously, not every person who’s not a follower of Christ will become suicidal, but there’s something to be learned from Kurt Cobain’s horrific death: a person can have everything and nothing at the same time.


Jesus said in John 10:10 (NKJV) that He came so you could have life and have it abundantly. That doesn’t mean you’re not going to suffer trials and times of sorrow. You may have already been there—I know I have had my share of tough times. But what sets you apart from people like Marilyn Monroe, Anna Nicole Smith, and Kurt Cobain is that even in the midst of heartache, you can experience the peace that passes all understanding (see Philippians 4:7, RSV). Your life can have meaning and purpose, regardless of whether or not you have everything you desire. That’s the promise Jesus has given you!


In my own life, things haven’t always turned out the way I planned or hoped. I know what it’s like to suffer anguish and broken dreams, as I’ll describe in a later chapter. But through my tears, I’ve clung to the knowledge that my sense of value isn’t dependent on people or circumstances. During those difficult moments, I remembered that I belong to the Lord and my identity is rooted in Him. That assurance gave me strength to move forward and trust God’s plan for my future, even when things weren’t going my way.


Let’s return to the question I asked at the beginning of this chapter: “Would you like to know the secret of success?” The answer is revealed in one of my favorite verses, Jeremiah 29:11: “‘I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” If you’re completely surrendered to God and if you follow His will, as revealed in the Bible, you cannot fail because He has already established the master plan for your life. Your obligation is to live it out. “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).


To adhere to God’s calling is to discover His purpose for your life. I can’t suggest what His plans might be, but I can promise you they’re more significant than anything you could envision on your own. And the best part is that whatever accomplishments you enjoy in life will bring glory and honor to Him.


Do you want to be a winner? Then “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). That’s your formula for success!


LET’S TALK ABOUT SUCCESS


DUSTY SANDERSON (student, age 17): I think success is living your life according to God’s plan and feeling like you’ve given all you can to Him. If you make God happy and please Him, then you please yourself. As far as my future is concerned, I’m considering becoming a pastor. I enjoy sharing the love of God with people who are lost—telling them what He’s done for me and how He’s changed my life.


MATT GODSHALL (student, age 14): I heard a pastor say that we sometimes think of our lives as our own story, with God just kind of thrown in. In reality, we are part of God’s story.


ERIN DIEFENBACH (student, age 17): I’m trying to focus on what God wants me to do rather than on what I think I’m good at. If I parallel my life with His purposes, I believe I’ll be successful. Right now I think God’s will for my future might be to become a marriage counselor because I enjoy encouraging my friends who come to me for advice. But I’m trying to stay open in case He has other plans. I think the best way to discover God’s will is to talk to Him about everything and to read the Bible to find answers. God wants to be incorporated into our daily lives, so if we’re paying attention to our circumstances and really trying to listen to Him, we’ll eventually get a sense of direction.


CHRISTIAN TURNER (student, age 16): I want to be part of something bigger than myself, so I’m excited to discover the plans God has for me. One of these days I’m going to be standing in eternity, and I’m going to have to answer for what I did with my life. I want to hear God tell me that I was a faithful servant. I wouldn’t want Him to reveal the wonderful things I missed because I was too busy following my own ambitions. I want to have peace in knowing that I was faithful to my calling.


PAUL HONTZ (student, age 19): Success is the direct result of our obedience to God. Through Him we are made complete.


ALYSON THOMAS (student, age 16): As far as my future is concerned, I’m still in confusion mode. Right now I’m devoting a lot of prayer to this issue. I wish God would send me an e-mail with the words, “Thou shalt do this for thy future,” but it’s not that easy. I’m trusting that He will reveal His plan for my life at the right time.


MARY SPAGNOLA (student, age 16): So far, a lot of things I’ve wanted haven’t turned out the way I’d hoped, but in hindsight they turned out better than I could have planned. I have faith that God knows what He’s doing and that His ways are so much better than my own.


SARAH UTTERBACK (student, age 16): I really want to become a chef. I’d like to go to a four-year college for hotel and restaurant management and then to culinary school. Eventually I’d like to open my own restaurant and catering service. As much as I want this dream for my life, I’m willing to submit to God’s plan if it’s different from my own. I’m trying to keep my heart and mind open to His will.


MR. AUSTIN SEFTON (youth leader): As far as my career is concerned, I don’t know where God is going to use me. Right now I’m attending a community college, but I’m not sure what I’ll major in. I’m spending a lot of time reading my Bible, praying, and asking God to reveal His plan for my life. Every Christian has a specific calling, and it’s different for everybody. Once we discover where God wants to place us, then it’s up to us to live it out in total surrender. The definition of success is to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Success is striving after His will and discovering our place in His Kingdom.


PASTOR AUSTIN DUNCAN (youth minister): Life may seem out of control for you at this stage of your life—your hormones are raging, you’re making friends, you’re losing friends, you’re having issues with guys. But God is on His throne [Psalm 115:3], and if you love Him, then He is using every single circumstance—both good and bad—for your good and for His glory. Every one of us has issues with discontentment, but discontentment is really the temptation to complain against the sovereignty of God. He is in control of the universe and of your life, so you can draw comfort from the fact that where He has you today is exactly where you’re supposed to be.


MR. MATT NORTHRUP (high school dean): I think the definition of success is to look more like Christ today than you did yesterday. It’s learning to sacrifice as Christ sacrificed, to serve as He served, and to love as He loved. *


What Say You?

1) What is your definition of success?

2) How do you think God defines success for your life?

3) What is the promise that Jesus has given you in John 10:10?

4) How can you discover God’s plan and purpose for your life?

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Who Is Looking For A Win?

Me!

I am always looking at the great giveaways out there. First of all, like books, you get to learn about companies and items you may not have known about. I know my husband loves them, because I am able to give him a better Christmas list. So again...a great big thank you to all the bloggers out there who take the time to review these cool items and keep track of all us salivating readers!

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I have found some delicious contests, and I would love to share them with you!

When I got my email update from Debbie's World of Books, I scrambled over to read the post. She has an interview with Paula Morris and a giveaway for Ruined! The ins and outs of how a book came into being is always fascinating. I am sure you will enjoy the interview and definitely want in on a chance to win one of the FIVE copies up for the give! Giveaway ends on October 30th!

The Review Broads review all kinds of great products and books. I have been blessed to win a few books from them. Now here is a book I really want to win. I love Simon's Cat by Simon Tofield. Simon's Cat is one of my you tube obsessions. Well...the Review Broads has a review AND a giveaway for the book! Five copies will be given away! Giveaway ends on October 27th!

I use to have this cute little toy bear. He had a lion costume, and it was the cutest thing. When I moved, I gave it to our neighbor. I miss that little bear, but I will never forget how delighted she was with it! Mudpies and Mary Janes has a giveaway and review for Calico Critters Costume Critters. In a word...ADORABLE! I know a little girl who is going to be a big sister soon who would just be thrilled with this little set! Maybe a win will secure it! Giveaway ends on October 22nd.

We drink a lot of water in our home. We use the filter from our refrigerator, and that works fairly well, but I do think it needs to be changed. Also you run out of cold. I read a great review of the PUR Flavor Options water picture at A Hen's Nest, and I pointed it out to the hubby. I also took the PUR flavor test and found that CRYSTAL CLEAR is really my way to go. Not too shocking as I mainly like just a little lemon in my water if anything. A Hen's Nest is also hosting a giveaway soooooo head on over, because if there is anything better than a nice filter pitcher it is a FREE PUR Filter pitcher from PUR water! Giveaway ends on November 3rd!

Do you like pearls? I love pearls. There is something about the way they shine against the skin. I bought my first pearl necklace ages ago after it being THE savings goal of my teen life. I was thrilled to read the review for Museum Way pearls at Champagne Living. The pearls are of a very high quality and they sell them for 75 to 80% less than traditional jewelers! Go check out the review, check out Museum Way and enter the awesome giveaway! Giveaway ends on October 27th.

The Review Broads
have an amazing review and giveaway for Locked In by Marcia Muller. This looks like a book of total suspense, and honestly, after just a glimpse I knew this was one I wanted to read! Check it out! Giveaway ends on November 2.

The following giveaway is NOT for kids. As a married woman, I have no problem with seeing something that will bring a little extra fun into the bedroom and making note! That is one of the reasons I really like Eden Fantasys. They have so many items that suit anyone's taste. Ladybugs and Tonka Trucks! is hosting a review and a giveaway! I am soooo in on this! You can be too. Giveaway ends on October 30th.

I can still hear the tune in my head "Scooby Dooby Doo Where Are You?" A cartoon I just loved as a child, teen and heck, adult. Now there is a Scooby-Doo game for the Wii, PS2 or DS. It is called Scooby-Doo First Frights! This is something my son and I both would love to play! Head on over to Go Graham Go for a review and giveaway for five winners!

I have mentioned before that I love Flirty Aprons. My husband knows this is high up on my Christmas wish list, but I still would like to win one. They have the cutest. I am so messy when I cook this is an absolute must, and I would much rather wear their adorable designs rather than a ratty tshirt that I don't care about. Who doesn't want to look adorable? Well...Go Graham Go is also hosting a review and giveaway for Flirty Aprons. Someone's got to win right? Get going. This giveaway ends on October 28!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Sharing My New Favorite Song - There Is A Way by NewWorldSon

Okay...I would love to wax poetic on this song. I am crazy about it. The group is NewWorldSon. The song...There Is A Way. In a word or two...LOVE IT! I don't have any way to share it other than you click on this youtube thingamajigger. I guarantee you will love it. Well...I do anyway.




You say love is just a word, just four letters in a row.
Just a thing that people say, or they never tell you so.
And you use every excuse, to let nobody in.
Now this cloud you bring around, has become your only friend.

And everybody saying that it's going to go away, but it don't go.
And everybody's telling you one day it's going to change,
but you don't know, if it's really going to end.
But there is a way, there is a spark,
there is a hope that you can hold on to.
There is a lifeline come to the rescue,
just like a hand that's waiting for you.
And if you believe in this I promise that you won't be alone.
There is a way, the truth and the life, and the way.

But if love became a man, if the word had flesh and bone.
Would you recognize His face, if He came to bring you home.
You think you're all alone, gotta do it on your own riding solo.
Is there someone you can call, when you stumble and fall?
Cause you don't know, if you'll be getting up again.

There is a way, there is a spark,
there is a hope that you can hold on to.
There is a lifeline come to the rescue,
just like a hand that's waiting for you.
And if you believe in this I promise that you won't be alone.
There is a way, the truth and the life, and the way.

Don't you think your life's worth saving?
Don't you know that love's amazing?
Don't you want to lay your troubles down?
Lay them down.

If I thought love was just a word, I might feel the same way too.
But there's so much more than that, and it's waiting here for you.

There is a way, there is a spark,
there is a hope that you can hold on to.
There is a lifeline come to the rescue,
just like a hand that's waiting for you.
And if you believe in this I promise that you won't be alone.
There is a way,
there is a way,
there is a way.
(Background) Truth and the life and the way.
Come on, there is a way.
(Background) Truth and the life and the way.
There is a way,
there is a way.
(Background) Truth and the life and the way.
There is a way.
(Background) Truth and the life and the way.
Ooooh, there is a way back home.
(Background) Truth and the life and the way.

Trick 'r Treat - My Review

Last week...at least I think it was last week...I wrote about some of the horror movies I wanted to see. Well, one of the films on my list was Trick 'r Treat. I was really looking forward to this Halloween film, and I honestly didn't think I would even get to see it before Halloween because my Netflix list said it had a really long wait.





Anyway, I was happy to discover this week, that Trick 'r Treat had come in the mail via Netflix! Here is my review:

Trick 'r Treat is a series of interconnected stories focusing around a town on Halloween. It kind of reminded me of a Creepshow kind of horror film, but I enjoyed Creepshow more. That is to say it was not scary but seemed like it was trying to be amusing. Well...mildly amusing. I don't want to say that I hated it, because really it wasn't what I was looking for. I wanted heart pumping, scary horror. Trick 'r Treat was simply not what I was expecting. This is partly my fault as I try not to learn too much about a film before I see it, because I do not want to have anything spoiled for me. I am glad I saw it, but I just wish it was a little scarier. It is hard to get my husband to watch horror movies with me as it is. I don't want to waste those times. :)

In the meantime, I am still hoping to see Paranormal Activity, but it isn't showing in my area...yet.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Simply Irresistable Giveaways

Before we begin, I want to once again say a sincere thank you to all the bloggers out there who take the time to review an item, post a thoughtful review, and host a giveaway. They really deserve some serious applause here because it is not easy keeping track of all of the things they do. Be sure to take a minute to thank them too. :)

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Leslie Loves Veggies is always hosting a unique giveaway. This one literally takes the cake. Oh my word! I said that. I actually said that. I am groaning on the inside really. What is up for grabs? A yummy Red Velvet Cake from We Take the Cake! My taste buds are really screaming for this beauty! Get in on this fine giveaway now by heading on over! Giveaway ends on October 25th!

What else does Leslie Loves Veggies have for her readers? How about a review and giveaway for Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms? Two winners are going to find themselves absolutely blessed by winning this fabulous book that any of us moms can appreciate! Can you imagine it, 140 meals that we don't have to stress over? Sign me up! Oh wait...I did. Giveaway ends on October 22.

Don't you just love items that make your skin feel soft and creamy or perhaps something that just lifts your spirits from the aroma alone? I do and I am again pleased as punch to find that Leslie Loves Veggies has another fabulous company with great products to introduce to her readers! My mind escapes when I just picture using The Homestead Company's yummy body scrub! Check them out and think about what you might get with Leslie's fabulous $40 Gift Certificate giveaway to The Homestead Company! I could pick out several things for sure. Giveaway ends on October 23rd!

I am not shy about admitting my organizational flaws. I am working on things, I really am, but I am a long way from through. Luckily for me Leslie Loves Veggies also highlighted JoeyJunior.com and in particular their purse organizer. So far the only key I have to an organized purse is to not carry one. How sad is that? I try so hard, but I just cannot do it. I lose everything in the void that is my purse. Money, keys, notes, coupons...you get the picture, but maybe with the help of JoeyJunior.com I too can have the pleasure of organizational bliss! Dare I dream? This giveaway ends on October 24th!

Nicolle at Babee Love is hosting a review and giveaway for something that can really help you reinforce good habits. The giveaway is for Habitwise. Habitwise has a way to get you watching your food intake, improving your water intake and more! I really like this idea. You definitely should check it out. One reader is going to win. Giveaway ends on October 27th.

The nights are getting more chilly here (yep in Arizona!), and I am dressing more warmly each evening. Right now that consists of yoga pants and t shirts. I only have one official pajama. When I saw that Babee Love had a review and giveaway for Karen Neuburger PJs! One winner is going to win a very special PJ set with toasty chenille socks and two winners will win KN Pjs! Very cool. Think Pink and don't forget this is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Giveaway ends on October 27th!


First I HAVE to mention the wonderful Stormi, who is hosting a giveaway for Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. I was eying this book just the other day when my husband wanted to peruse Harrisons for some music. The story looks pretty awesome. Head on over to Stormi's blog Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! for a chance on this awesome giveaway from an equally awesome blogger! I didn't see an end date so hurry!!!!!

Do you use reusable shopping bags when you shop. I do. Did you know that many of those bags really do not stand up to time very well? I definitely do. I have stuffed my way through four. I read up on this when I entered an awesome giveaway at Delightful Chaos. Delightful Chaos has a review and giveaway for FIVE Envirosax! Envirosax are made to last and therefore will be much better on the environment. Don't take my word for it. Get the details right from the source. Giveaway ends on October 27th!

I am a new fan of Shabby Apple clothing. They have such adorable styles that appeal to anyone. I can tell you that I could easily have a shopping spree on their website with their clothes for women, teens, and girls. You can dress up or into workout wear. And here is something awesome...Just Me and You is hosting a giveaway and has a code for 10% off! So even if we don't win, we win! This gets me very happy! Giveaway ends on Midnight October 19th! Hurry!

Smart Cents Mom
has a giveaway that can please anyone! It is for a $10 iTunes card. Who wouldn't be able to get good use out of that. It can even make a nice stocking stuffer! Get in on this awesome giveaway today, because it ends on October 24th!

When I lived in Rhode Island, one of my favorite things was to head off to New Hampshire. I use to go to this little shop that had the coolest hand made soaps! I loved the colors, textures and the one-0f-a-kind scents. Leslie Loves Veggies has a review and giveaway for The Soap Corner, and I think you will definitely want to check it out. From what I read, I am definitely ready to try. I wish I had the talent to make home made soaps! Maybe some day. Giveaway ends on October 26th!

Okay...that is it for today. I wish you lots of luck!