Try The New Spicy Chicken Biscuit Free at Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A is offering you a change to taste their New Spicy Chicken Biscuit for free before it debuts on the menu.

Reserve your free spicy chicken biscuit between 1/3 -1/8/2011 by clicking the Like button on their Facebook page.

Special thanks to RedPlum for the freebie.

Christmas Blessings!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. As we embark on another Holiday Season, I pray that all of you will have a happy and safe celebration with your loved ones.

This is the time of year where so many are not as blessed or fortunate as others. Let us not forget about the people who have lost their homes or jobs, the homeless, the Veterans, the sick and shut in. One act of kindness can dramatically change someone's life. I challenge you, if you are able and find it in your hearts to bless a person or family in need this year- even if it means donating a little of your time.

I thank all of you for listening, commenting and following. This has been a blogging journey for me, but I know that next year will be much brighter.

Let us pray,

Father God, we thank you for blessing us to see another year. We thank you Lord, for sending your Son Jesus a precious gift (The Savior of the World). Thank you for this blessed time of year, to spend with our loved ones and friends. Thank you for all of the things that you have blessed us with. Help us to remember the real reason for the season -  The birth of your Son Jesus. Please keep everyone safe this holiday season, In Jesus' name - Amen.

momAgenda Seasonal Savings - Ending Soon!

LAST CHANCE FOR SEASONAL SAVINGS: Up to 30% Off at momAgenda!



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25% Off all momAgenda Desktops at momAgenda.com!

Free Shipping Site-wide at momAgenda!



Receive additional savings using the affiliate exclusive coupon offers below:


Take 10% off all orders of $65+ at momAgenda! Code: MOM10OFF65 Offer Expires 12.31

Take $10 off all orders of $75+ at momAgenda! Code: MOM10OFF75 Offer Expires 12.31




Let momAgenda help you get organized for the New Year. With all of the Holiday happenings, you need an organizer to keep track of it all  in a stylish and functional way. MomAgenda has planners to help keep track of all your family, work and play activities in one easy to find location. No more checking this calender and that list, everything will be easy to find all in one place. Happy Shopping, Sale ends soon!

Book Review - The Topkapi Secret Blog Tour

Book: The Topkapi Secret
Author: Terry Kelhawk

Book Synopsis:

On display within the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul lies the Topkapi Codex – an ancient Koranic manuscript, and part of a murder that split Shiite from Sunni. What’s the truth about the Topkapi Codex? No one knows because the Topkapi Codex is off limits.




Mohammed Atareek is obsessed with getting to the codex. His research has convinced him the Koran has been changed many times, and this famous manuscript could help prove it. But the risks of getting a hold of it increase as other scholars start turning up dead.


After traumatic life circumstances Angela, a UC Berkeley English professor, makes a career move which puts her in the Middle East and across Mohammed’s path. His unique personality – overconfident, witty, and impulsive – is both puzzling and refreshing to Angela. But when Mohammed tries to engage her in his quest, he finds she has an agenda of her own. Between their cat and mouse games, heated discussions, and sparks of romance, the historical origin of the Koran unfolds.


My Review:

The Topkapi Secret is full of mystique, intrigue and suspense. The context of the book is well researched and impressive. Kelhawk describes extravagant places and intriguing people with such vivid flair, you can picture with your imagination and are totally captivated with storyline detail.

I was really excited to review this book. I must say upon reading the first several chapters I found it a little hard to follow, but once the storyline was established the chapters were flowing and full of suspense. I understand that the story had to be told in this manner in order to build the story setting and to introduce the characters. Chapters upon chapters are intertwined and you will find yourself turning pages to see how the story will end.
   
For more information or to purchase the book visit TheTopkapiSecret.com
 
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book courtesy of glassroadspr  for the purposes of reviewing in exchange for my honest opinion. I did not receive any compensation, any thoughts and opinions expressed are solely my own.

NBC's "Community" Christmas Episode Review

ABOUT THE EPISODE: ABED'S UNCONTROLLABLE CHRISTMAS


IN THIS SPECIAL STOP MOTION ANIMATION EPISODE, THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS IS LOST AND ABED’S INTENSE FIXATION ON CHRISTMAS CONCERNS THE GROUP

 
When Abed (Danny Pudi) wakes up in stop-motion animation, he takes it as a sign that he and the group must re-discover the meaning of Christmas. Meanwhile, Jeff (Joel McHale) and Britta (Gillian Jacobs) become growingly concerned about Abed's mental health and enlist the help of Professor Duncan (John Oliver). The group undergoes hypnosis to explore Abed's winter wonderland and soon unravel the truth behind Abed’s madness. Chevy Chase, Yvette Nicole Brown, Donald Glover, and Ken Jeong also star.


Watch a Sneak Peak of the show!


 
Tune in to NBC Thursday Dec. 9 at 8 pm EST/7 pm CST to watch the full episode.
 
I had a chance to review the show and I have to say I thought the stop-motion animation was well done. I laughed a few times at their quirky sense of humor. However, this show is for more mature audiences. Tune in tomorrow to find out what happens.  All in fun for the holidays, hope you can tune in. Let me know what you think!
 
 
Disclaimer:  As a member of One2One Network, I participated in this advanced preview to be eligible for a  chance to win a Season 1 DVD of Community or a  $50 Gift Card. I was not compensated in any way for this review. Any thoughts and opinions expressed were solely my own.
 

Stride Rite's New TV Spot Airs Tonight on ABC

To nationally support and drive the mission of “enriching childhood one step at a time,” Stride Rite is bringing the print ad to life with a new 30 second TV spot, the first national mom-focused commercial to be released in 20 years! This commercial aims to re-enforce the stride rite brand promise and positioning to its core audience—moms.


The spot will air nationally tonight, Dec. 7, 2010, on ABC during the annual Charlie Brown Christmas Special.



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Disclaimer: All information contained in this post was provided courtesy of http://www.rfbinder.com/ and Stride Rite. I was not compensated in any way. Any additional thoughts and opinions expressed are solely my own.

Book Review: Max Lucado - Out Live Your Life

Book Review:

Title: Out Live Your Life
Author: Max Lucado
Genre: Spiritual Growth & Christian Thought

Book Synopsis:

These are difficult days in our world's history. 1.75 billion people are desperately poor, natural disasters are gouging entire nations, and economic uncertainty still reigns across the globe. But you and I have been given an opportunity to make a big difference. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God's love and life? We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven, but here on earth. Let's live our lives in such a way that the world will be glad we did.

My Review:

The main question throughout the book is "Does God still use ordinary people just like you and me to impact our world and spread the good news?". The answer is "Yes", God still does.

In the book, Out Live Your Life, Max Lucado shows us a  charismatic description of people, places and events comparing the biblical times to modern day. 

He speaks of boldness, stepping out of your comfort zone, opening your heart and filling a need.

You will be moved with compassion and are compelled or called into action. What will you be remembered for? Are you impacting or making an impact on the people around you?

There will always be a need somewhere. Someone will always need our help, not just financially - but also spiritually, emotionally and mentally.  Do we stop and take time from our busy lives or do we let someone else take care of the need?

Many biblical examples show how God used ordinary people and enabled them to do extraordinary things. If everyone just gave a moment of their time to fill a need, imagine how the world would be impacted by the smallest act of kindness.

This book is very relevant to right now and our current state of the world we live in. I have seen changes within myself as a result of reading this book. There is no way you can read Out Live Your Life and not be impacted by it. I enjoyed reading this book.
To purchase your copy or for more information about the book - visit MaxLucado.com

Disclaimer: Booksneeze has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any way, all thoughts and opinions expressed are solely my own.

Review: About One

AboutOne is an online family information management system; ONE place, accessible anytime, anywhere, from any device, (you don't have to be at home, and you don't have to be on your own computer) where in just seconds busy moms can store, secure, and manage household information, including health records, possession details, education records, contacts, and family memories - both text and pictures.



AboutOne stores the information with bank-level security. Then, the system automatically uses the information you've entered to save you time on family administrative chores like completing school forms, college apps, caregiver instructions, and tax returns, creating family newsletters and scrapbooks, and automatically creating and mailing holiday cards (coming Dec 1). The information is also available, at your fingertips, to make informed decisions and respond quickly to an emergency. (Also coming soon is the ability to automatically create hardcover photo memory books from the memories and stories you've entered in AboutOne.)




My thoughts:

When I first heard about the opportunity to review AboutOne.com I was excited to participate. I thought wow, what a great idea for organizing everything all in one place. I like the fact that you can access your information from anywhere with bank-level security. This is a great way to organize, prioritize and store anything ranging from pictures to important health documents digitally.


I love the new inbox feature - where you can snap a picture with your phone and it will automatically upload to your aboutone account. From there you can use it as a family memory, member photo, place it in a newsletter or digital scrapbook.
I am still navigating through all of the features on the site and having fun at the same time. Who doesn't need a little more organization in their life! Love it.

Here are a few Links to get you started:

WebSite: http://www.aboutone.com

AboutOne Blog: http://www.aboutone.com/category/blog/

YouTube Video Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/AboutOneVideos

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/aboutone @AboutOne


Disclaimer: I received a one year subscription to AboutOne.com courtesy of  Maven house network in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for this review. Any thoughts and opinions expressed are solely my own.

The Power of Freedom & Forgiveness

How can you walk in forgiveness when the person who caused you tremendous pain and hurt are the people who are supposed to love and care for you?

How can you move forward in life when your whole life is wrapped around your pain? The pain of your yesterday is shaping your today and your tomorrow.

We all want to be free and release those years of bitterness, mental anguish, torment, unresolved anger and unforgiveness. Maybe, we just haven't been shown how to move past all these issues of life that are weighing us down and preventing us from moving forward.

In this powerful and moving testimony Danny Wallace gives us a glimpse of his personal story and how he overcame unsurmountable obstacles and faith challenging lessons.


Danny Wallace was molested by his father from ages 5 to 17, sold to other men, carried on homosexual affairs throughout his marriage, contracted HIV/AIDS - and has been delivered. How? He got real with God, and God honored his authenticity.




You can learn more about his powerful testimony at http://www.dannywallace.org/




For more information, videos, books, ministry or music, visit  dannywallace.org


Video was provided courtesy of glassroadpr.com. Any thoughts and written expression were solely my own.

Follow Me Back Tuesday - I'm Back on the Hop Wagon

I took a little hiatus from the Blog Hops and I sure have missed meeting and networking with all of you. As you can see I have been a little busy posting lately. If you are already following Hello again, I missed you and if you are just joining in on the fun, Welcome - Nice to Meet you. It is good to be back and I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.

Meet me at GFC, Networked Blogs, Blog Frog, Twitter, Facebook or subscribe to my Feed. Happy Hopping!

Mom Agenda - Black Friday Sale Extended Thru 11.29

Need more organization in your life?

Black Friday Sale Extended! 20% Off the whole site at momAgenda, Now thru 11.29!

MomAgenda (www.momagenda.com) creates stylish and functional day planners and other organizing products for moms. Our unique day planners feature space for mom and up to four children, allowing moms to manage multiple schedules with ease!

 

What a great time to get organized just in time for the New Year. With all of the parties, holiday shopping, and upcoming events MomAgenda is the perfect gift for those loved ones who love to organize. MomAgenda has planners, organizers, to-do lists, gift sets, stationary, home accessories and so much more.

Click here to receive an additional discount on your holiday shopping  Black Friday Sale: 20% off site-wide at momAgenda! Offer Extended Thru 11.29.


Extra shopping = extra savings.  Receive additional savings using the Affiliate exclusive coupon offers below allowing you to increase your total shopping experience.

Take 10% off all orders of $65+ at momAgenda! Code: MOM10OFF65 Offer Expires 11.30


Take $10 off all orders of $75+ at momAgenda! Code: MOM10OFF75 Offer Expires 11.30


Visit MomAgenda on Twitter or Facebook for more information, updates and upcoming sales.

CYBERMONDAY DEALS - Stride Rite

Want to get a jump on your Holiday Shopping this year. Stride Rite is having an online sale!

On Monday, November 29th Stride Rite is having an online sale. The promotional code: CYBERMONDAY allows online shoppers to receive 25% off their total purchase on striderite.com. PLUS get FREE shipping when you purchase at least 2 pairs of shoes.




It’s “Fan Celebration Day” on Stride Rite’s Facebook page, enter to win great prizes every hour: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/striderite


Happy Shopping!

Black Friday - DAYSPRING IS HAVING A SALE!

Day Spring is your one stop source for Holiday gift giving . Everything is on sale ranging from Christian stationary, home decor, jewelry, Christmas cards,  books, music, art and so much more. Enjoy the convenience of shopping in the comfort of your own home. Beat the Holiday rush with no lines to wait in.





Biggest Sale of the Year!



Start Date: 11/26/2010


End Date: 11/30/2010


Deal: 30% OFF Entire Order


Description: Get 30% off your entire order, including items already on sale! This is a great time to promote Christmas Cards, the Jesus is the Gift Collection, best-selling Christmas décor, or anything else from DaySpring!


For more details visit Day Spring at  SUPER SALE! Enter Coupon Code: SUPER30 to receive discount.






Happy Shopping!

Black Friday - Stride Rite Thanksgiving Sale

STRIDE RITE STORES


November 26, 2010: Friday Only!



· 50% off ALL Boots and Slippers (excluding UGGS)


· EMU Boots at $29 (original $58)


· Slippers at $11 (original $22)




November 27 & 28, 2010: Two Days Only!


· stride rite Buy One Get One on ALL FOOTWEAR!*


· Featuring:


o Saucony starting at $24.99


o EMU at $49.99.


*Excluding UGGS, socks, hosiery, hair pieces, jewelry and toys where available.



 

STRIDE RITE OUTLETS

Starting November 25: Holiday Sale!


· Kids Boots starting at $19.99

· Kids Slippers starting at $12.99

· Kids Athletics starting at $14.99

· Kids Shoes starting at $14.99

November 25 (where open) to Sunday, November 28

· Buy One Get One 50% Off ALL FOOTWEAR

November 26: Friday Only!

· Emu Boots at $39.99



o Combine with Buy One Get One & get a 2nd pair for $19.99!



· 25% off All Accessories where available


 Visit Striderite.com or Stride Rite on  Facebook for more updates and sales.
 

 Disclaimer: All sales information provided courtesy of Stride Rite Stores and Stride Rite Outlets.

****HAPPY THANKSGIVING****

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours. As we all sit at the dinner table with our loved ones, let us remember to give thanks for all that we have. We are living in a time of economic turmoil, where people are losing their jobs and homes. As long as we live, have breath of life, full activity of our limbs and clothed in our right mind continue to give God thanks for allowing us to see another day on this earth!


Don't forget to enter our 'Family 4 Pack Movie Giveaway' ending on Nov. 28 at 11:59 p.m.

Big G Movie Cash Giveaway and Contest

I love surprises, so this package was totally unexpected. I received two boxes of Big G Cereals: Lucky Charms and Cinnamon Toast Crunch along with 4 movie tickets. How cool is that. I don't normally buy these cereals so I had to give them a try. I have to say they were pretty tasty. I think my children enjoyed them more.  I am still deciding on what movie to use my free movie cash tickets for. Want to win movie tickets?

Here are the details:

Starting in November, you can receive a free movie ticket when you purchase two specially marked packages of Big G cereals including Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (17 oz.), Lucky Charms® (16 oz.), Trix® (14.8 oz) and Reese´s Puffs® cereal (18 oz.).

After purchasing two participating cereals, visit generalmills.com/moviecash to enter the unique code found inside each box of cereal and print your free Movie Cash certificate (good for one admission of up to a $12 value at participating theatres). To find a participating theater in your area, log onto http://emoviecash.com/dis_locator/.


Family Pack Details:  "Family Flick Night" gift pack which will include two boxes of the participating Big G cereals and four Movie Cash Cash certificates.

To enter the giveaway:  How do you like to make movie nights special for your family?


Mandatory Entry - Leave a comment with the answer. Please leave a separate comment per entry. If you are already a follower, leave a new comment to enter.

Additional Entries:

Like General Mills on Facebook - 1 comment per entry
Follow me on Twitter or "Like Me" on Facebook  - 1 comment per entry
Subscribe to this blog - 1 comment per entry

Tweet about this giveaway: 1 Entry (1 comment with status link) - Tweet once only.
Tweet: Win Movie Cash, Big G Cereal Giveaway courtesy of #myblogspark and General Mills. Giveaway ends on November 28, 2010. Giveaway Details at TicklesandTots

Contest ends on November 28, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. PST. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents. Winner will be notified by email, be sure to include email in your comments. The winner will have 48 hours to reply or another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received the information and giveaway from General Mills through MyBlogSpark. I received 4 movie passes and 2 boxes of Big G Cereals as part of my participation in this giveaway. Any additional thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are solely my own.

Susan G. Komen ---- NFL Cheerleaders Alumnae

Please take a few minutes to watch this video and help fight Breast Cancer. Feel free to pass it on to friends and family as UnitedHealthCare will make a contribution to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure every time someone views this YouTube video until January. It's a video of the NFL Alumnae Philadelphia Cheerleaders.








I love, love, love this video. To see the beautiful women all in unison with the pink pom pom's, is just beautiful. Great work ladies, keep fighting for the great cause!

Disclaimer: This video was provided to me courtesy of the TwitterMoms Network.

General Mills Hamburger Helper Coupon

As the holidays approach and schedules get hectic, Hamburger Helper skillet meals provide a quick and easy weeknight meal that your whole family, from picky eaters to hungry adults, will enjoy! Coupons are only good through November 30th and supply is limited!


Click here for a coupon from Hamburger Helper.

Interested in hosting a MyGetTogether? Visit Pssst.GeneralMills.com for information on how you can host a MyGetTogether, receive the inside scoop from your favorite brands, and enjoy valuable savings.


Disclaimer: I received this Spark courtesy of Pssst.GeneralMills.com and MyGetTogether team. I did not receive any compensation for this post. Information and coupon were provided to me from MyBlogSpark.

Norah Jones' new album FEATURING

Norah Jones New Album Out November 16


Norah Jones' new album, …Featuring, is a star-studded collection of the multi-platinum selling, multi-Grammy Award winning singer’s musical collaborations from the past decade.

The 18 songs on the album include cool cameos, collaborations and duets with such legends as Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton, and with 21st Century icons from OutKast to the Foo Fighters.


The tracks on …Featuring span Norah’s entire career and reveal her astonishing musical versatility, from jazz to country, hip-hop to rock.


…Featuring will be released November 16. Preorder your copy now!


Below is a link with video clips featuring the new album.




My Thoughts:

I am a big fan of easy listening jazz. I have been a long time fan of Nora's smooth, easy delivery of musical and vocal talent. I am elated that she has released a new project sure to please your listening ears. You can learn more about this project on Nora's website NoraJones.com. You will find several sample songs that are just a taste of what is on the album. So go pick up your copy today, you will be glad you did. Happy Listening!


Disclaimer: I participated in the Nora Jones Project courtesy of One2One Network. This is a reprint of the album release article I received courtesy of One2One Network. I did not receive any compensation for this review. Any additional thoughts and opinions expressed were solely my own.

Uncertain Heart Book Review: Glass Road Pr Book Tour

Book Review: Uncertain Heart: Seasons of Redemption Book 2

"It's just as easy to love a rich man as a poor man," the adage goes. But is the dream of fancy clothes, mansions, and fine dining worth compromising your morals and faith? Sarah McCabe must find her answer in Andrea Boeshaar's Uncertain Heart, book two in the Seasons of Redemption series.
The Civil War is over. Sarah longs to escape the country and experience the finer things in life, so she leaves her home in Jericho Junction, Missouri, to become a governess in Milwaukee. Her rich and dashing employer, Brian Sinclair, shows an attraction to Sarah but doesn't share her beliefs.

Richard, however, does. Richard Navis is Mr. Sinclair's steward. He is kind, thoughtful, handsome...and harbors an unfortunate desire to leave his city job to be a farmer. Sarah has no interest in a rural farm life, even while her interest in Richard grows. Does she sacrifice love to get the lifestyle she wants? Or will love be enough?

My Review

When a young, aspiring music teacher takes on a position as a governess - she soon finds that there is more to discovering her independence than once thought. But it comes at a price. Young Sara McCabe must choose between the life and love God is clearly showing her or will she fall prey to the deceitful, misgivings of a shrewd and worldly employer. 

Will she stay true to her faith, or is she willing to compromise her morals to live the life she always dreamed of?

About the Author


Andrea carefully and skillfully weaves each character into her heartwarming story. She spares no detail and you are immersed into this story with her vivid depiction of each person. A wonderful story that leaves you wanting more. Once I started reading it was hard for me to put it down. I really enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait for Book 3 to be released. You can find more information about this book Uncertain Heart and many more on her website below:

Andrea Boeshaar








Andrea Boeshaar is a published author of both fiction and nonfiction, a public speaker, and a certified Christian life coach. She served on the Advisory Board of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and is one of the organization's cofounders. She has been married to her husband, Daniel, for over 30 years, and together they have three sons and four grandchildren.


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from GlassRoadPR for the purposes of providing an honest review. I did not receive any compensation for this review, all thoughts and opinions expressed are solely my own.

Birthday Blessings!

Today is my thirty something birthday, my phone has been ringing off the hook today. I am feeling all of the birthday love from everyone. I have been busy behind the scenes these last weeks working very hard on a number of reviews, giveaways and posts. Don't worry they are coming your way shortly.  Well back to celebrating my birthday. Hope everyone has a great evening!

Protecting Our Children Online

We are working on Digital Citizenship for the subject of Technology and how to use the Internet responsibly. Our childrens' safety should be a priority and with all of the recent news of Cyberbullying and all of the information our children have access to, we as parents have to monitor their activities even more whether it is online, mobile, texting, etc. As parents we want to protect them as much as we can- here are a few sites to help teach your children, tweens and teens about Internet safety:

NetSmartzKids
http://www.netsmartzkids.org/indexFL.htm Super cute site for kids and parents, with cute games, printables, videos used to teach about online safety

http://www.netsmartzkids.org/games/index.htm  Game zone i.e.: capturing outlaw online bandits, teaching online safety rules, game quests, matching, coloring pages and so much more...

http://www.netsmartz.org/index.aspx Teaching online safety for parents, kids, teens, teachers, law enforcement


NetSmartz Teens

 http://www.nsteens.org/  Click on games to access the following:  Interactive site with games, videos, online safety, teaching social networking responsibly, sharing too much information online, Cyberbullying, predators, chat rooms and more...

Here are a few more sites:

Web Wise Kids - http://www.webwisekids.org/

Wired Kids - http://wiredkids.org/

Go McGruff - http://gomcgruff.com/m3/index.asp

FBI.GOV http://www.fbi.gov/fun-games/kids/kids-safety

This is a short list of sites if you have any more you would like to share feel free to leave a comment with additional links. Here's to using the Internet responsibly. I would love to hear your feedback!

Speaking out against Domestic Violence

Domestic violence touches millions – more than seven out of 10 Americans know someone who is or has been a victim – but somehow it still remains a taboo subject.


The Allstate Foundation is asking everyone to Tell a Gal Pal about domestic violence so we can face the issue together during October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month – and beyond.

Far too often women and young girls do not speak up for fear of embarrassment from their peers. We have no idea the torment and mental anguish that they have to experience on a daily basis. Please do not feel that you have to stay in the situation because you are afraid to step out on your own especially if you have children.

I know a close friend who will not leave because she is afraid. She has 2 little girls and she is pregnant with a third. She feels that her situation will get better, but every time she speaks up or fights back her spouse takes it out on her. She believes that he will change and its not as bad as it seems. She calls me crying saying that she can't take it anymore. I have offered her help, offered my space, provided a number of hot lines and shelter information for battered women, even though she has the information she has not followed through. I am not one to interfere with any one's marriage or relationship, but when you are being physically, mentally and emotionally abused, as her friend all I can do is provide support, a listening ear and call the authorities.

Ladies please tell someone and get help today. The best way to fight Domestic Violence is to speak out about it. Have the courage no matter how hard it is to confide in someone you trust - your best friend, sister, mother, daughter, neighbor, family and anyone who will listen and provide you help and support.  Friends and family if you know someone who is going through this right now please listen and provide help if you can.

For each person who “likes” the Click To Empower! Facebook page, The Allstate Foundation will donate $1 to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (up to $20,000). Click here to go to the Facebook page.


The Allstate Foundation will donate another $1 if you take the pledge to Tell a Gal Pal about domestic violence. As part of the pledge, your photo will be added to the “Faces of Support” gallery to show survivors that they aren’t facing domestic violence alone.
 
For more information and to find out how to help, visit www.ClickToEmpower.org.

 “I wrote this blog post while participating in The Allstate Foundation’s Tell a Gal Pal blogging program with TwitterMoms, making me eligible to get an interview with Cheryl Burke. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Making a Difference

I often wonder if I am getting through to my children. Do they hear me when I speak to them. When you call them, they seem to not hear you, unless they are getting something in return. Well the other day I had to leave for an appointment and my sister had to watch my children. I knew they were in good hands, but I hoped they would cooperate for their aunt. To my surprise they were the perfect little children.

My sister told me that my little princess knew where everything was, where things went, the apples should be cut this way, or mommy does it like this and we have to do it correctly, how much time for each assignment and we have to clean up. Ha, imagine that she didn't forget a thing. Amazing how children emulate their moms and dads to the letter when they are not around. I was so proud of them, they were so good.


Another time, my daughter was playing outside with her friend and a few of the neighborhood kids and out of nowhere she starts asking them "Are you a Christian?". I waited for the other kids to respond - some answered yes, others just simply evaded the question and talked about something else. She then says, "Well, I am a Christian and we go to church, do you go to church? Are you going to church on Sunday?". I had the biggest smile on my face. We are Jesus loving people and we teach our children about God and being grounded in His Word. That simple act of boldness on her part made us proud. She is impacting her world with childlike faith whether she knows it or not. All those Bible Stories and lessons and Children's Church and Sunday Sermons are making an impression on her heart.

Parents keep teaching and training your children. You are getting through whether you realize it or not, the question is - What are you teaching your children?

Proverbs 22: 6  "Train up a child in the way he should go,
                        And when he is old he will not depart from it."

Happy Labor Day Weekend!!!

I just stopped by briefly to say, I hope everyone has a safe and sober Labor Day Weekend!. Take this time to enjoy your family and friends. We will see you back again next week. Until then take care.

What's For Dinner?

I love to cook, this is my spin on chicken and rice, similar to jambalaya without the sausage. I used what I had in my refrigerator and cabinets to make this dish. We eat a lot of organic foods ranging from eggs, fruit, juice, snacks, chicken, turkey (I don't eat red meat or pork by choice)  - however, I will have some bar-b-cue and an In N Out burger on occasion. I'm not totally opposed to that. I substituted the turkey bacon in this dish. I decided to take a few pics of the dinner I was cooking. (May be photo heavy). Enjoy!

In the pan: green onions, yellow onions, green bell peppers, celery, turkey bacon in olive oil.

Chopped chicken cooked in extra virgin organic olive oil.

Chopped chicken mixed with sauteed veggies.

Italian stewed tomatoes added to the pan.

Organic brown rice.

My hard working rice cooker with veggie steamer. Love it!

To complete the meal just place dish over your rice and enjoy.  Let me know if you tried it out or put your own spin on it.

What did you have for dinner tonight?

Educational Materials at Discount Prices

In the ever changing economy we have to stretch our dollars in every way we can. I am not ashamed to say we frequent "The Dollar Store", every time we visit there is always a large supply of educational materials. These materials range anywhere from art, math, science, reading, activity books, inspirational books, school supplies, coloring pages, flash cards, folders, notepads and the list is too great to name them all. For all of the homeschooling parents, grandparents, day care providers, teachers and parents this is a great resource for educational materials and it won't break the bank unless you buy everything in sight. I am always amazed at the amount of items that they have for sale. I usually want to get it all, but I have to refrain sometimes.

I love learning materials and teaching my children. This is just one example of a great resource with really nice books and materials but at discount prices. If you have a Dollar Tree in your area stop by for a visit and see the awesome school supply section (may not be available in all stores). You can also check out some of their materials online here:  Dollar Tree

Fracture's Digital Pictures

Fracture's introductory product lets you print your digital pictures right onto glass! There's no paper, film or anything involved. Simply ink and glass. We have effectively combined printing, framing, and mounting into one simple process. You upload your photo to FractureMe.com, we print it on glass, and send it on it's way with everything you need to mount and display. It's a one-stop, complete photo decor solution.

Fractures are very safe: all sharp edges are removed, and they are completely okay to touch and handle. Fractures are durable: the prints are shatter proof (unlike traditional glass frames), and the images will not fade for years beyond average prints.


If I am among the first 100 participants, I will be writing a follow-up post about Fracture with my feedback after testing it out. I am excited to try this new product if selected.


Disclaimer: “I wrote this blog post in response to a TwitterMoms RAMBO alert, making me eligible to get a Fracture picture frame for review. You can learn more about Fracture at http://www.fractureme.com.”

Book Review: What We Have

About the book: What We Have by Amy Boesky A beautifully written memoir that describes her family's history with incredibly vivid, colorful and descriptive detail.

What We Have is a memoir of one family's story of struggle and survival with a history of cancer, life and death. At times you will feel saddened, you will laugh, you will cry. Amy's skillful recollection of events will draw you in as if you were actually there.

In so many ways you could relate to the strong bonds formed between mother and daughters, sisterhood, friendships and relationships among family and friends throughout the book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and you will too.


What We Have is available in stores now. Visit AmyBoeksy.com to purchase your copy today.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for reviewing purposes only courtesy of  the Penguin Group. I was not paid any compensation for this review. All thoughts and opinions were solely my own.

Taking a Break!

Well I have taken a small and short break from blogging. Where have I been? I'm glad you asked.... I have been around, but not posting as much. Home school is starting soon, so I have been enjoying the last little bit of summer I have left with the family.

I am glad to say that I will be posting again. I have quite a few posts that I am working on. I will be posting a book review next week. Thank you for tuning in.

Book Review: Geek Dad

About the Book: Geek Dad: Awesomely Geeky Projects for Dads and Kids to Share is a book by Ken Denmead, and this is the blog/website built to support the book. Here, you’ll find updates about the publication of the book, Ken’s appearances in support of the book, and forums for fans of the book to write about and share their experiences with the projects in the book.

About the Author: Ken is a husband and father from the San Francisco Bay Area, where he works as a civil engineer. He’s also the editor of GeekDad, the parenting blog for Wired magazine’s online presence, where along with a group of other dedicated, geeky parents he posts projects, book and movie reviews, weekly podcasts, and more about being a parent and being a geek.
 
 
I thought this was a fun and unique book. Not only does it inspire you to try new and interesting projects it allows you to experiment and experience fun ideas with your kids. I am a mom and this book is not just for dads, it is for anyone interested in geeky, cool, unique and fun projects. This book will get you off the couch and searching for new materials to transform into extraordinary gadgets.
 
Geek Dad is a great resource book to get those brain juices flowing. You can use the ideas, projects from the book or you can use it as a baseline for starting your own. Just get out and have fun. "Ken breaks down each activity into categories like cost, difficulty, and duration so that kids of all ages-from pre-school to high school age-can join in the fun."

Go online to purchase the book it is in stores now. Visit http://www.geekdadbook.com/.

Disclaimer: I received this book for review purposes only. I was not financially compensated for this review. All thoughts, opinions and reviews were solely my own.

Friday Follow Me Time!!!

Happy Friday everyone.  We have had a busy week with classes, soccer and a birthday party. Needless to say I am a bit worn out. I can now truly say that I am a 'Soccer Mom'. I have been picking up, (not dropping off yet, because they are too young), but I have been transporting kids all week. It has been really hot here in California. Well thanks for visiting my blog, hope you will stay a while. We follow back.

Happy Thursday

The sun has been blazing hot lately and we are trying to beat the heat. How do you stay cool in the summer? Hope you all stay cool. Welcome to another 'THT', thanks for visiting and we follow back.

Snikiddy Snacks Sample Winners

The Snikiddy Snacks Sample Giveaway ended July 14, 2010. Congratulations to all of our winners. Thank you to everyone who participated. Stay tuned for more fun reviews and giveaways in the future.

Winner #1 Cheryl F.
Winner #2 Ruthhill74
Winner #3 Charity

Winners you will receive an email notification shortly.

Glue Dots Summer Bonding Project

TwitterMoms and Glue Dots® Adhesives have teamed up to bring you a fun and creative Summer Bonding Project! If you use and love Glue Dots or are trying them for the first time, we ask that you share your favorite uses or projects by blogging about your experiences. School is out, and now's the time to get creative and work on some fun DIY projects, entertaining, decorating, crafting and arts...on your own or with the kids!

I was super excited when I received the package in the mail. My daughter's birthday is this weekend so we decided to make a birthday cake with  flowers, candles, bouquet of balloons, a birthday card and little presents. We used lots of glue dots, tissue paper, recycled Styrofoam blocks, ribbons, construction paper, scrap booking pieces, twist ties and paper towel rolls. I think I had more fun than the kids did. The Glue Dots were very easy to use and I will be using them for all sorts of projects around the house. Here is our entry for the Summer Bonding Project.

Glue Dots Adhesives are a safer, easier, mess-free alternative to typical tapes and glue guns. Glue Dots provide the strength you need in an adhesive without the mess and dry time required of liquid glues. Glue Dots bond instantly to a wide variety of surfaces including: Paper/photos, Metal, Wood, Plastic, Textiles/Fibers, Plastic, Foam, and more! Find Glue Dots at a retailer near you or online today!


**Note: Glue Dots are Acid Free and Non-Toxic.

Join Glue Dots on Facebook and Twitter @gluedots for more project ideas and inspiration!


“I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Glue Dots blogging contest to be eligible to receive a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Happy hoppin Friday

Happy following and thanks for visiting. Enter our giveaway below - 3 winners will be chosen.

 

Thursday Hop

Hello fellow bloggers, hope you are all having a great day.

Welcome to Twitter Hop Thursday, hosted by Simply Stacie, The King’s Court IV, Little Yaya’s, and Review Retreat!

1. Add your Twitter to the MckLinky (you only have to add it to one and it will appear on all).



2. Click on the Twitter for the four hostesses and follow each of them on Twitter. We will follow you back.


3. Follow as many people on Twitter as you like, but make sure to leave comments with links so they’ll know where to follow you!


Spread the word and add this MckLinky to your blog! Write your own post or copy and paste this one. Below the MckLinky box, you’ll see “Want to be a part of this Blog Hop? Click here for instructions and code….” Have fun Twitter-Hopping along!

 
Would you like more Twitter followers and be introduced to more neat blogs and businesses out there? Come and join us!!

Book Review: The Girls from Ames

Book: The Girls From Ames: A Story of Women & a Forty-Year Friendship
Author: Jeffrey Zaslow co-author of The Last Lecture. Jeffrey Zaslow is The Wall Street Journal's "Moving On" columnist.

About the book:
Karla, Kelly, Marilyn, Jane, Jenny. Karen, Cathy, Angela, Sally, Diana. Shiela.



Meet the Ames Girls: eleven childhood friends who formed a special bond growing up in Ames, Iowa. As young women, they moved to eight different states, yet managed to maintain an enduring friendship that would carry them through college and careers, marriage and motherhood, dating and divorce, a child’s illness and the mysterious death of one member of their group. Capturing their remarkable story, The Girls from Ames is a testament to the deep bonds of women as they experience life’s joys and challenges — and the power of friendship to triumph over heartbreak and unexpected tragedy.



The girls, now in their forties, have a lifetime of memories in common, some evocative of their generation and some that will resonate with any woman who has ever had a friend. Photograph by photograph, recollection by recollection, occasionally with tears and often with great laughter, their sweeping and moving story is shared by Jeffrey Zaslow, Wall Street Journal columnist, as he attempts to define the matchless bonds of female friendship. It demonstrates how close female relationships can shape every aspect of women’s lives – their sense of themselves, their choice of men, their need for validation, their relationships with their mothers, their dreams for their daughters – and reveals how such friendships thrive, rewarding those who have committed to them.


The Girls from Ames is the story of a group of ordinary women who built an extraordinary friendship. With both universal insights and deeply personal moments, it is a book that every woman will relate to and be inspired by.


My thoughts:


I often wondered what it would take to maintain a longstanding relationship with my friends. After reading this book many of my questions were answered. Having experienced longevity in my own friendships, I have come to realize the bonding effect it has on women. In my own personal relationships with my friends they date back to kindergarten, junior high and high school. Mind you I am in my mid30's so hopefully that counts as long term. We don't always see each other but when we do connect with one another it is as if we never skipped a beat and we pick up right were we left off. Many of my friends are not yet married or are not mothers yet and we they do or become one, I will be right there ready to lend a helping hand.

I loved how Zaslow depicted each and every character with intricate detail. In reading their story you are able to take a peek into this secret society and discover their individual stories. You will laugh, you will cry, you will be overcome with emotions you didn't think you had. After reading The Girls From Ames, it made me take a look at my relationships with my friends and ask myself the question: Am I being the best friend that I can be?  or Am I doing enough? Sometimes just being the listening ear and a shoulder to cry on is all that a person needs and to know that they can always count on you in the time of need. This is a must read and a great book for a Book Club.


Visit www.girlsfromames.com for pictures, video, discussion questions and other women's stories of friendship as well as updates on their stories.

I received a copy of this book for the purpose of a review. The thoughts and views expressed are purely my own. I was not compensated for this review.

100 and Counting

We've reached 100 followers. Thank you so much for following. I started this blog officially in March and I have watched our readers increase. I am very grateful to all of our loyal readers and followers, we would not have made it this far without you.

I have met a lot of wonderful bloggers, moms, friends and daddy bloggers too. I am truly inspired by your words of encouragement, your thoughts, funny stories and friendship. This has been a great journey so far. Thank you again and Happy Blogging.

Be Blessed,

The Tickled Diva

Don't forget to enter the giveaway this week and be sure to check back for the new reviews coming your way.

Snikiddy Snacks Review & Giveaway

Snikiddy® is a brand of great tasting snacks made from simple, wholesome and real ingredients. They are a healthy snacking alternative for toddlers, kids, and adults. Snikiddy's new Baked Fries are a healthful, tasty alternative to typical fried snacks like potato chips, veggie sticks and veggie chips. The crunchy, savory baked fries are all-natural, gluten- and wheat-free, and have no preservatives, no corn syrup, no trans-fats, no hydrogenated oils, and 50 percent less fat than regular potato chips - making them favorite of families seeking out healthy snack options. Snikiddy's Snacks put a smile on everyone’s faces.

You can find Snikiddy Snacks at local retailers including Whole Foods, Kroger, Toys R US and Babies R US and online at Snikiddy.Alice.com. (Visit their Alice store for $1.00 off plus free shipping). Snikiddy is also running a few promotions on their Facebook  page.

I received a sample of the Baked Fries, cheddar cheese. I remember eating baked fries and hot fries growing up, so I was excited to try something similar but with a new spin on it. I like that Snikiddy Snacks are all natural and healthy for you. The sample I received was enough to share with my little ones and they loved it. The baked fries were crunchy, packed with flavor and cheesy goodness.

Giveaway - Three readers will win a sample bag of Snikiddy Snacks

How to enter: Leave a comment below and please include your email address.

Mandatory: Visit Snikiddy Snacks and select a flavor you would like to try. Leave a comment with your selection.

Extra Entries:

Fan Snikiddy on Facebook: (1 entry)
Follow my blog via GFC: (2 entries)
Follow via Twitter: (2 entries) Tweet once daily (one entry per tweet) leave a comment with your status link. 
Fan us on Facebook: (3 entries)


I received a free sample of Snikiddy Baked Fries for review courtesy of Snikiddy.com and Smile.ly . The thoughts and views expressed are solely my own and I was not compensated for this review.

Contest ends July 14, 2010. Winners will be selected by Random.org and will be notified by email. Winners will  have 48 hours to respond.

FMBT- Welcome to Tickles & Tots

Happy Tuesday everyone. Coming this week we have a Book Review - The Girls From Ames. Giveaway Snikiddy Snacks and Summer Bonding Project by Glue Dots and TwitterMoms. We are glad you dropped by for a visit, check back often and see what's new. A lot of new posts are coming your way.





Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, just click the buttons on the left of the blog. Happy Following, We follow back via Twitter, Facebook and Google Friend Connect.

Lunch on Us-Kraft First Taste Review

My kids and I went on a little field trip to gather these products to try for a review. We went to Walmart, Raley's and Safeway in search for all of the items. The only item not shown is the Kraft Homestyle Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (was not avail. in these stores at the time).  All products shown here are courtesy of Kraft First Taste.


We were able to sample Ritz Crackerfuls, Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh meat, DiGiorno Deep Dish Pizza, Kraft 100 Calorie Cheese Packs, Kool-Aid Brand Fun Fizz Drink.

Lunch was delish. If you are ever in need of  a quick snack try the Kraft 100 Calorie Cheese Bites Packs. They make great toppings for salads, sandwiches or a quick snack on the go. Ritz Crackerfuls are individually wrapped cheese filled crackers with four different varieties to choose from. I thought they were very tasty. We made sandwiches with the Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Meat and shared the DiGiorno (personal size) Deep Dish Pizza. We popped a few Kool-Aid Fun Fizz tablets into water and watched it fizz to make a pitcher of Kool-Aid with a kick. Lunch was fun. I would purchase a few of these items in the future. We must do it again. Please visit the links above and print a coupon to try these products for yourself. All of the website links are very colorful, user-friendly and interactive sites.




https://www.chatthreads.com/limesurvey/token.php?rand=1&c=12&ptoken=229240783&sid=88686&slink=1


Disclaimer: As a member of Kraft First Taste, I received coupons to sample these items for Free. All opinions and thoughts expressed were purely my own. I was not paid any compensation for this review.