Book Review and Giveaway - Chicken Soup For The Soul True Love

I'm sure most of you are probably familiar with the Chicken Soup for the Soul books - they are the popular books that contain inspiring and heart-warming stories on a variety of themes. I recently had the opportunity to review one of their latest editions, Chicken Soup for the Soul True Love.

With February here and Valentine's Day coming up, this is the perfect time to read some great stories about dating, romance, love, and marriage. One of my favorites was a story called Breakfast and a Movie. It's about a couple who found a way to make "date night" into something all their own. Every once in awhile, on a weekday morning after their daughter went to school, they would head out to a nice relaxing breakfast and then to an early matinee movie. Something so simple, yet, a wonderful way to share some special time together. Another story, called Challenged, really had me laughing. A twenty-something single girl meets a young man. Because he is so tongue-tied and shy around her at first, she presumes he is mentally challenged. Once she gets to know him, he admits that it was her beauty that had him so tongue-tied. The two eventually end up getting married!

I love to read the Chicken Soup for the Soul books because they are always full of stories that can make you smile, laugh, and even cry. The stories are all short and easy to read - it's the perfect book to carry with you when you may have a few extra minutes here and there to spend reading.

Giveaway:
Thanks to the folks at Chicken Soup for the Soul, I have a copy of this book to give away to one Alas 3 Lads reader. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this post saying you want to win. Please be sure I have a valid email address to contact you. Open to U.S. readers only.

Extra Entries:
You may do any of the following to earn extra entries (leave a separate comment for each):

-Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect
-Subscribe to my blog via email
-Follow Chicken Soup for the Soul on twitter

I will choose a random winner on Friday Feb. 12.

Chicken Soup for the Soul provided me with two copies of this book - one for my review and one for the giveaway. No other compensation was provided.

Aloha Friday

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and then head over to An Island Life to leave your link. Don’t forget to visit the other participants. It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends.

Do you take any vitamins or other supplements?

I try to take a multi-vitamin daily. I also take 1-2 fish oil capsules daily and occasionally a calcium supplement.

Enter to Win a Flip Ultra HD

I just entered a contest to win a free Flip Ultra HD from NateHines.net (worth $199!) and I wanted you to have a chance to win one too!

All you need to do to enter is to click the link below or copy and paste it into your favorite Internet browser:
http://natehines.net/win-a-flip?ref=30732939

Be sure to read the email you get from Nate after you register. You'll get your own unique link that you can use to earn even more entries in the drawing!

Piano Player

My daughter will be so furious if she finds out I posted this, but...I'm posting it anyway;o) She has been taking piano lessons since kindergarten and last year was the first time she started to complain about it and ask to quit. Every week it became a battle to get her to practice and so I finally gave in and let her quit at the end of the year. It was against my better judgement, but, I hated to think that I was the only reason she was continuing the lessons. Normally, they did a recital every year at Christmas. But, the teacher and her husband had both had some health issues this past year and weren't up to it. Instead, they did a "mini-recital" during one of their last lessons of the year. Here is Shelby's performance -

Movie Trailer Tuesday - 500 Days of Summer

This is a recenly released DVD that I watched last week. It's cute and quirky, definitely not the same ol' run-of-the mill romantic comedy. I liked it a lot. Tom (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is such a cutie as the hopeless romantic who falls in love with Summer (played by Zooey Deschanel). He's just the kind of guy you would like to see your daughter date. I liked the way it skipped around through different times in their relationship - it made the movie a little more unpredictable.

Aloha Friday - Nervous Habits

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays I will take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

Do you have any nervous habits?...(such as biting your nails, etc.)

When I am stressed, I have an awful habit of chewing and picking at my lips. It drives my husband crazy.

If you would like to participate in Aloha Friday, visit Kailani at An Island Life. Have a great weekend!

Dinner Appreciation

I have mentioned before that my husband works as a firefighter. The firehouse where he is stationed is in one of the worst parts of the city. He enjoys working there because "that's where all the action is" and it's a pride thing - you know you are a kicka$$ firefighter if you are put in charge of a station in that area.

Often, he will tell me things that happen while he is on duty. He told me one story in particular last night and it broke my heart - I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. They work 24 hour shifts, so, each day that they are on duty, they make a trip to the grocery store to buy food that they cook for lunch and dinner. When he was working the other night, they were just about to sit down to dinner when the doorbell rang (they generally keep the firehouse doors closed and locked so that people cannot just walk in from the street). At the door was a little boy, around 11 or 12 years old. Kids sometimes hang around the firehouse, so it wasn't unusual for him to be there, although this particular boy was not familiar to them. They let him in the firehouse and he simply asked one question: "Can I have something to eat?" He sat down with the firefighters and enjoyed a dinner that included pork chops, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. Not once did the boy turn down anything that was offered to him. I think of my kids and how just about every night at least one of them will complain about not liking something I am serving for dinner - "Mom, that's gross! I'm not eating that" - They truly do not realize how lucky they are to be able to have a place to sit down with their family and eat a meal. I don't know this boy's story or anything about him. But, if he is having to go to a neighborhood firehouse and ask for something to eat, you can bet that maybe his situation is not that great. There's definitely a message here for me to share with my children.

Movie Trailer Tuesday - Persuasion

Persuasion is one of my favorite Jane Austen stories and I love this film adaptation.

Share-A-Smile Saturday! #3

Just a few links to share with you...hopefully they will make you smile!

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Here's a spoof on the Twilight movie about "How It Should Have Ended." Hilarious!

What kid (and grownup) doesn't like to jump on the bed every once in awhile. Check out these funny photos of bed jumpers, and see if it doesn't make you want to go jump on your own bed. Go ahead...it'll be fun!

I'm a sucker for cute and funny photos, especially if they involve animals. Take a look at these sights you may not see in a lifetime. I love the second one, with the little bear whispering in his mommy's ear.

Happy Saturday!

January Is National Hot Tea Month

I happen to be a big fan of hot tea, often drinking 3 or 4 cups per day. Whether it's while I'm curled up reading a book, or sitting down for a chat with my mom, there's just something so comforting about a nice hot cup of tea. My favorite is Earl Grey, and I like my tea plain - no sugar, honey or lemon for me. I also enjoy Lipton Orange, Passionfruit & Jasmine Green Tea. Drinking hot tea is something that has always been a part of my life. My parents are both hot tea drinkers. We've even tried to pass the tradition along to my kids. My youngest son, in particular, loves to enjoy a cup of tea with us. He likes a tea made by Bigelow called Sweet Dreams Herb Tea. It's a chamomile and mint tea that is all natural and caffeine free. There are black teas, green teas, white teas, and herbal teas; so many flavors available that you are sure to be able to find one you like.

Tea contains antioxidants, which can reduce oxidative damage in the body and help to maintain healthy cells and tissues. More and more we are hearing of the benefits of drinking tea. Here are just a few ways that adding tea to our daily diets may help us:

*increase our body's immunity to colds and flu
*aid in helping to lose weight
*reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
*green tea, in particular, is thought to have anti-cancer properties

There are many other benefits, as well. Check out 25 Reasons Why We Should Start Drinking Green Tea, and The Top 10 Benefits of Tea, both found on the Bigelow Tea website (actually, their entire website is awesome - a wealth of information as well as an extensive selection of tea varieties). I think you will be amazed at what you read. You will probably want to run right now and make yourself a cup of hot tea. That's what I'm going to do.

Are you a hot tea drinker? What's your favorite tea? Did you know that there were so many health benefits from drinking tea?

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way for this post. Products mentioned are items that I have chosen to purchase and use on my own.

My Reading Goals for 2010 (January-March)

Do you see this pile of books? These are my "to be read" books that have been piling up for quite awhile now. Actually, this is not even all of my to be read books - there are about 10 more sitting on the bookshelf in my living room. The books in this photo were stacked haphazardly in my closet and since I have been thinking about my reading goals for the next several months, I decided to get them out and have a look.

I love to read, I always have. Lately, I just haven't had as much time as I would like to devote to reading. And, it seems like everyday I keep adding more books to my stacks. It stresses me out, knowing that I have all these books just waiting for me and that the stacks keep growing. I think I have some kind of disorder that compels me to get more and more books. For the next several months, I'm going to concentrate on completing some of these books. (*Note to self: Must not buy or borrow any additional books - read only what I already have*) A few of the books I already have will work for The Take Another Chance Challenge that I'm participating in, so that is an added bonus to help me with my goal.

I have to think short-term here, because I'm not very good at sticking to long-term lists. So, this is what I plan to read now through March (in no particular order):



Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier - This is one of my very favorite authors and it will count for The Take Another Chance Challenge.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I bought this for my middle-school-age kids. My daughter loved it and told me I should read it. I think there are plans to make this into a movie as well. This will also count for The Take Another Chance Challenge.




Be My Valentine by Debbie Macomber - Should be a fun and easy read and perfect timing with Valentine's Day around the corner.




The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman - I got this one from Paperbackswap.com. I have heard good reviews about it, but, I've never read any of Alice Hoffman's other works.


Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll - I received this book back in 1977, when I was 8 yrs. old. I don't know why I have never read this classic tale. Maybe now I'm finally inspired to read it since the movie version is about to come out (starring Johnny Depp;o)

It's not much, but it's a start. What about you? What are you reading right now?

Movie Trailer Tuesday - In Her Shoes

If you are in the mood for a good chick flick, check out In Her Shoes. Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette star as sisters - complete opposites that love to hate each other and hate to love each other. Shirley MacLaine plays the grandmother that they didn't even know they had. Sad and sweet at the same time.

Movie Trailer Tuesday - Avatar

Some of you may be tired of hearing about Avatar by now. But, I couldn't not mention it. I've heard mixed reviews - most either love it or hate it. We went to see it last week and were all in the "loved it" category. Yes, maybe there was a little bit of liberal propaganda. Yes, the ending was somewhat predictable. Yes, at some 2 hours and 45 minutes it was a very long film. But, I still loved it! We saw the 3-D version and it was spectacular. The effects and imagery were absolutely stunning and I really liked the story line. In my opinion, it was a great movie. Have you seen it or do you plan on seeing it?

My First Blog Post of 2010

Happy New Year to everyone! During the holidays, I decided to take a break from posting on my blog. Actually, with my four kids off from school during Christmas break, it was just about impossible to find any computer time for myself. It was nice to get away from the computer for awhile, but, it amazed me how quickly I started to miss blogging and feel out of the loop. Now, I'm back and I thought I would start by listing some of my goals for this year. I really hate to say "resolutions" because you know how that turns out - I never follow through with "resolutions." So, here are a few general goals I hope to work on for 2010:

1. Get on my treadmill at least 5 days per week
2. Stop eating junk!
3. Lose weight (see #1 and #2)
4. Read more (I'll be doing a separate post with more specific reading goals)
5. Be a better housekeeper
6. Find more one-on-one time to spend with each of my kids
7. Work on paying off some debts
8. Take more photos of my family

Okay, those sound a lot like resolutions, don't they? Whatever I choose to call them, they are the things that I really want to work on this year. What about you? What are your goals/hopes/resolutions for 2010?

Take Another Chance Challenge

Jenners, over at Find Your Next Book Here, has come up with another fun and creative reading challenge for 2010. The Take Another Chance Challenge is all about taking chances with your reading by finding books to read in unusual or random ways. It involves 12 challenges in all - you choose your level of participation - commit to completing 3, 6, or all 12. It's up to you. It runs the entire year and each challenge you complete and link up in the correct Mr. Linky spots will earn you entries into a prize drawing at the end of the challenge. The prize is a book of the winner's choice from Amazon (worth $25 or less).

I'm excited to be participating again. Last year's challenge was a lot of fun and I discovered some really great reads. For now, I'm committing to the "Small Gamble" level of participation (to complete any 3 of the 12 challenges). If you would like to sign up or learn more about the challenge, head over to Find Your Next Book Here and check out all the details.

General Mills Cereals

General Mills announced a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. The company has already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain.

Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters? Cereals also deliver important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making cereal a top source of key nutrients in children´s diets.

Other cereal benefits:

*Ready-to-eat cereals, including presweetened cereals, account for only 5% of sugar in children´s diets.

*Ready-to-eat cereal is the No. 1 source of whole grains in a child´s diet today.

*More frequent cereal eaters tend to have healthier body weights and lower Body Mass Index measures.

Studies also demonstrate the benefits of eating breakfast. A 1998 study showed that children who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school. Compared to children who skip breakfast, children who eat breakfast score higher on tests, are less likely to miss class or be tardy, have fewer reported discipline problems, and make fewer trips to the office.

For more information about kids and cereals, please visit Cereal Health and Wellness.


~General Mills, through MyBlogSpark, provided me with information used in this post as well as VIP coupons for 4 boxes of General Mills cereal.

Movie Trailer Tuesday - Miracle on 34th Street

This 1994 version of the classic 'Miracle on 34th Street' is one that we love to watch around the holidays.

The Harlem Globetrotters Giftbag Winner

The randomly selected winner of the Harlem Globetrotters Gift Bag is: A Bookish Mom

I will email you regarding your prize. Thank you for entering!

Movie Trailer Tuesday - Serendipity

Here's another favorite movie that I especially enjoy watching at Christmas-time...

I love both John Cusack and Jeremy Piven. They are great together as best friends in this film. Such a sweet, romantic, fun movie! Have you seen it?

Kmart Bluelight Specials for December 12th and 13th

Image via Wikipedia

Are you heading out this weekend to do some Christmas shopping? If so, be sure and visit Kmart and check out their Bluelight Specials.

Below are the teasers for this weekend December 12th and 13th:

-Essential Home Snug Sack 50% off (reg. $19.99)

-Jaclyn Smith Today Cashmere Blend Throw $12.99 (reg. $29.99)

-Kodak 7” digital frame $49.99 (reg. $79.99)


All day offers:

Saturday:

-Mens Boxed Gifts $5 (reg. 16.99-19.99)

-Die Hard Battery Bank BOGO Free (reg. $9.99)

Sunday:

-Fisher Price Fashion Separates $4.99 (Infant/Toddler) reg. $10.99-$18.99

-Hershey Snack size jumbo bags $3.50 (reg. $5.99)



Don’t forget to follow @KmartDealsnNews and use the #KmartBLS hashtag for a chance to win every day! For more info & rules: http://www.pitchengine.com/free-release.php?id=32110. Good luck!

Movie Trailer Tuesday - Noelle

Over the next several weeks, I will be sharing some movies that I love to watch around the holidays.

Merry SITSmas!

Today is the 2nd annual Merry SITSmas celebration going on over at SITS. So, grab a cup of coffee, turn on some Christmas music and check it out. There will be lots of comment love, prizes and fun.



Last night, we did the dreaded photo-taking for our Christmas cards. My kids detest having their pictures made. Let me just say, it was 20 minutes of torture. They fussed and fought and complained the entire time. I managed to take about 10 photos - these were my two favorites.









Merry SITSmas!

~Enter my Harlem Globetrotters gift bag giveaway~

Relish!

Need a quick and easy gift idea? Give a subscription to Relish! - the cool website that offers weekly meal-planning services. Subscriptions cost just $7 per month, with discounts if you buy 6 or 12-month plans.

Relish! allows you to log on and choose weekly dinner menus that are customized to your needs. Streamline things by choosing from the Express Menu (picks of the week are already listed) or use the Custom Menu to make your own choices. Once the 5 meals are chosen, a grocery shopping list will be generated. Head to the store and pick up everything you need in one stop for the entire week's meals. Relish! offers kid-friendly, vegetarian, and low-calorie choices, just to name a few.

This would make a great gift for so many people on your list - even for yourself! Visit Relish! for more details.

Disclaimer
Relish! provided me with a free 2-month trial subscription. No other compensation was given.

The Harlem Globetrotters and their U.S. Magical Memories Tour (Coupon and Giveaway)

The Harlem Globetrotters have been entertaining audiences with their world famous, family-friendly basketball antics for years. On December 26, they will begin their 84th season with the start of their "Magical Memories" tour. On this tour, they will visit 216 U.S. cities. At each show, they will take on their arch-rivals, the Washington Generals. I can't think of a more fun way to spend an evening with your family. And, if you are like me and have children of different ages, this will appeal to everyone. Check out the Harlem Globetrotters tour schedule and find out if they will be coming to a city near you. While visiting their website, you can also see Globetrotter history, photos, and news. Kids can even send email fan letters (which Globetrotters players personally respond to).





Coupon Offer
The Harlem Globetrotters, through Coyne Public Relations, is generously offering a coupon to readers of Alas 3 Lads. Readers can get a $7 discount for each ticket purchased*. Ticket prices do vary slightly at the various arenas, but they typically average $25 each, thus allowing a family of four to save $28 in total. Readers can simply visit www.harlemglobetrotters.com to locate a game in their area and purchase tickets using the promotional code: HGMOM to redeem the coupon.

*Please Note:

-Not valid on VIP or courtside seats
-Available online only
-Valid until the day before the show


Giveaway
Would you like to win a fun gift bag from The Harlem Globetrotters? The gift bag includes a Harlem Globetrotter mini-basketball, authentic Globetrotter wristbands, an autographed Harlem Globetrotter team photo and a 2010 game program.

To enter the giveaway:

Follow @alas3lads and @Globies on twitter and tweet the following -

Harlem Globetrotters US Magical Memories tour kicks off 12-26. Check out ticket coupon & giveaway offer at Alas 3 Lads http://bit.ly/6BDKsl

To be entered in the giveaway, you must leave a comment here with a link to your tweet.


I will choose a random winner on Monday December 14, 2009.



Disclaimer
The Harlem Globetrotters, through Coyne Public Relations, provided information used in this post as well as the coupon code and gift bag giveaway prize. They also provided me with a free gift bag and tickets for my family to a Harlem Globetrotters game.

Aloha Friday - National Cookie Day

It's Friday - time to take it easy and get ready for the weekend. I'll post something quick and simple for you to respond to...

Did you know that today is National Cookie Day?

Here's a little information about the history of cookies. According to http://www.ezinearticles.com/, "the English word "cookie" is derived from the Dutch word "koekje," which means little cake. Bakers used to place a small amount of cake batter in the oven to test the temperature. They soon discovered that these little bits of cooked batter were quite tasty on their own, and the cookie was born!"

We've come a long way since then. Today, cookies are a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States. With every kind of flavor, variety, shape and color to imagine - the choices are endless. So, take a moment today and enjoy a cookie to celebrate!

What is your favorite cookie? - My favorites are oatmeal cookies.



For more Aloha Friday visit An Island Life

Christmas Meme

I came across this fun little Christmas meme over at Theta Mom and I thought I would play along...


1. Have you started your Christmas shopping? Yes, I usually try to start in late October

2. Tell me about one of your special traditions. We celebrate Christmas with my side of the family on Christmas Eve. Every year, right before opening gifts, we all gather around as someone reads the story of Jesus' birth from the bible.

3. When do you put up your Tree? Usually a day or so after Thanksgiving

4. Are you a Black Friday shopper? Yes, although I usually just hit one or two stores. I like to get home while it's still early enough to go back to bed.

5. Do you travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home

6. What is your funniest Christmas memory? I have had the same best friend since I was five years old. When we were little, we would always end up telling each other what gifts we bought for one another - then act surprised when we opened them.

7. What is your favorite Christmas movie of all time? Joyeux Noel

8. Do you do your own Christmas baking, what’s your favorite treat? I do a little baking, but I tend to stick to the quick and easy recipes. My favorite is peanut butter fudge.

9. Fake or Real Tree? Fake tree for us. I love real trees, they are beautiful. But, they really irritate our allergies and I don't think I could deal with the mess of the needles falling everywhere.

10. What day (as a mom) does the actual panic set in to get it all done? I don't think I ever panic. But, this year may be different - we are hosting my family on Christmas Eve at our house (normally it's at my parents' but they downsized to a much smaller home a few months ago). I will be having about 25 here for Christmas Eve, yikes!

11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve? No

12. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas? Just spending time together, watching Christmas movies, driving around looking at Christmas lights

13. What Christmas craft do you like the best? Hmmm...I guess we don't really do any Christmas crafts.

14. Christmas music? (Yes or No) If yes, what is your favorite song? Yes, for sure! One of my very favorite Christmas songs is by Harry Connick Jr - I Pray On Christmas

15. When do you plan to finish all of your shopping? Hopefully by mid December

The meme rules say to tag 5 bloggers, but, I will follow Theta Mom's lead and invite anyone to participate. If you do, be sure and comment here so I can come over and check out your answers. Ho Ho Ho!

Check Out April Showers Blog Designs and Giveaway

April Showers Blog Design is having a HUGE giveaway and celebrating her OPEN waiting list that starts January 1st! April not only does blogs - but also invitations, announcements, calendars, cards, business cards, custom illustrations, and so much more! Just by pasting this paragraph on my blog I'm a winner! www.aprilshowersblogdesign.com

Head over and check out her site. You will love her tutorials, freebies, and blog design services.

Christmas Giveaway 2009 at 5 Minutes For Mom

Visit 5 Minutes for Mom for all the details on their Christmas Giveaway 2009. They have over 30 giveaways going on this month and plenty of chances to win. You can also find some great gift ideas to help with your holiday shopping.

Here's what makes their Christmas Giveaway unique -- besides providing all the great giveaway prizes to the readers of 5 Minutes for Mom, the participating companies are also providing presents to selected families who are in need this season.



5 Minutes for Mom will choose several families to sponsor. Find out how to nominate a family in need by clicking over to Under the Tree 2009.

Movie Trailer Tuesday - Joyeux Noel

Over the next several weeks, I will be sharing some movies that I love to watch around the holidays.

This movie ranks high on my list of all-time favorite movies ever! I love movies based on true stories, I love period pieces, and I love films with subtitles - this is all that and more. It's an extraordinary story that is deeply moving.

Set in 1914 during World War I, we find opposing groups of soldiers hunkered down in trenches that are just yards apart. As Christmas Eve arrives, the troops from each side agree to a temporary cease-fire. They gather together to celebrate Christmas as well as bury their dead comrades who have died earlier during their battle. Despite their language differences, the men interact with one another and discover that they are alike in many ways. All of this is done without the permission of their superiors. And, once Christmas is over, they know that the war must go on.

Before and After

I caved and finally let my daughter color her hair. Last week, I took her to my hairdresser who used a temporary color stain to change her hair from blonde to brownish-red. It will gradually fade away over the next 6-8 weeks and there's no maintenance to worry about. I think it's gorgeous and she loves it. Her dad...not so much. I think it's just hard for him to see his little girl growing up.