Morning Snuggles

Beth had something to do one evening last week, so we got to hang out with Jason.  Yeah, it's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it!

Usually when Jason spends the evening here, he also spends the night  — cute little precious boy in a twin bed.  When did he get so big?  Of course, he is two now.  Just ask him, and he'll tell you.

He's not only big enough to sleep in a big boy bed, he's big enough to open doors now.  He especially likes opening the door to the pantry and getting the pretzels or the animal crackers out so he can have a snack. 

When he spends the night, his mommy comes and picks him up in the morning before she goes to work.  She watches another little guy at his house, and Jason gets to go to work every day, too.  Beth has the garage door code, so she just comes in the house, grabs Jason and his stuff, and leaves again.  I don't even have to get up — because it's early.

So, the other morning, early, I heard a door open, figured it was Beth coming to pick up Jason, and dozed back off since it wasn't time for me to get up yet.  A few minutes later — I don't know how much later because I wasn't fully awake — I sensed someone beside my bed and opened my eyes.  There stood a little guy with his blanket and his sippy cup, arms outstretched.  So I pulled him into bed next to me, and we snuggled until his mommy actually did come and pick him up.

It was nice.  Very nice. 

The Barbershop

I saw this on facebook this morning. Love the logic!

A man went to a barber shop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.  As the barber began to work, they started a good conversation.  They talked about so many things and various subjects. 

When they eventually touched the subject of God, the barber said, “I don’t believe that God exists.”
“Why do you say that?” asked the customer.
The barber said, “Well you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn’t exist.  Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can’t imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.”

The customer thought for a moment, but didn’t respond because he didn’t want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.

Just after he left the barber shop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard.  He looked dirty and unkempt.

The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and said to the barber, “You know what? Barbers do not exist.”
"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. “I am here, and I am a barber, and I just worked on you!”
“No!” the customer exclaimed. “Barbers don't exist because if they do, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.”
The barber said, “Ah, but barbers DO exist; what happens is, people don't come to me.”
“Exactly”- affirmed the customer, “That’s the point.”

God too, DOES exist; But what happens is, people don’t go to Him and do not look for him.

Related articles

• The Barber Shop
• Weekly Wisdom - Does God Exists

Help Your Child Make Good Life Choices

Do you have high school-age children young people in your house who are struggling to find a purpose and a path in life?  Who are trying to decide what to study in college - or even to go to college - and what career path they should follow?

It's hard as a parent to watch this without really knowing how to direct these young people.  Sometimes career counseling and guidance at school works, but if your school is anything like the school my kids went to, the guidance they receive leaves a lot to be desired.

There's a new program from www.brilliantu.com called "The Right Me" that promises to help young people find out the answers for themselves.  The program is designed to aid school aged children and young adults (and their parents) in achieving the student's full potential.  The Right Me leads students on a journey to discover their own inner strengths, develop confidence, and attain the self-knowledge that will enable them to make the right choices.  The right choices for them

What’s been missing is a real understanding of who you are. It’s quite possible that nobody has ever helped you understand just who you are and how this affects the decisions you make.

The Right Me is not a computer printout – a piece of paper that tells them who they are, based on a series of multiple choice questions. The Right Me Journey will help young people FIND OUT FOR THEMSELVES, through a series of thoughtful and carefully crafted exercises, what really inspires and motivates them and what choices in life and career are right for them.

Please check it out and give it a try.  They offer a 30-day 100% money back guarantee, so there's really nothing to lose - and a bright future to be gained.

This post sponsored by The Right Me from www.brilliantu.com.

Two FREE Audiobooks Each Week All Summer

Two FREE audiobook downloads each week.

Teens and other readers of Young Adult Literature will again have the opportunity to listen to bestselling titles and required reading classics this summer. Each week from May 30 - August 15, 2013, SYNC will offer two free audiobook downloads. The audiobook pairings will include a popular young adult (YA) title and a classic that connects with the YA title's theme and is likely to show up on a student's summer reading list. 

For example, Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Boys (Scholastic Audiobooks), the first book in a bestselling series about a group of teenagers searching for the supernatural ley lines, will be paired with the Latino classic of magical realism, Rudolfo Anaya's Bless Me, Ultima (Recorded Books).

Here is the complete list of 2013 titles and when they will be available.

The first two books are available NOW.  Just visit Sync to begin the download process.  You will need to enter your name and email address for each book, and you will need the Overdrive Media Console to download them.  Overdrive is free, and should also enable you to download audiobooks and ebooks from your local library.  Unlike those library books, these audiobooks have no expiration date - they are yours to keep and listen to whenever you like!  (which is good because I still haven't listened to all the books from last summer)  They are, however, only available for a limited time.  You will have one week to download each pair. 

TEXT syncya to 25827 for alerts each week when the SYNC titles are released or visit Sync to sign up for email alerts so you won't miss any of these great books.

Related articles

• SYNC returns May 30th!
• Free YA Audiobooks from SYNC - 2013 Summer listening schedule

Space Warriors Giveaway

This coming Friday night (May 31) Hallmark Channel will air the movie Space Warriors.  In this movie, six highly skilled teenagers are handpicked to be part of a summer space camp competition but they don’t realize that they will be forced to solve a life or death crisis aboard the International Space Station as the world anxiously watches. Thomas Horn, Danny Glover, Josh Lucas, Dermot Mulroney, Mira Sorvino and Booboo Stewart star.

Space Warriors is the second film in the Walden Family Theater original lineup featuring great family entertainment, airing Friday nights exclusively on Hallmark Channel. Walden Family Theater is creating films for the whole family to enjoy together, so make sure to mark your calendars and gather around the television to watch all the great upcoming films!

Past films include: "The Chronicles of Narnia" series, "Holes", "Nim's Island", "Charlotte's Web", and "Return to Nim's Island."

This one makes me think of an old movie I always liked - Space Camp.  Anyone remember that one?  Even if you don't, be sure to watch Space Warriors on Hallmark Channel May 31st at 8/7C for your chance to win a trip for the whole family to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Space Camp! Keep an eye out for the secret keyword and then come back here and enter for a chance to go on location where Space Warriors was filmed and train like a real astronaut!  Doesn't that sound like fun? 

You can also enter right here to receive a Space Warriors Blu-ray Combo Pack(Blu-ray + DVD + VUDU Digital Copy) (Walmart Exclusive) To enter, take the How Spacey Are You? QUIZ and leave a comment with your results.




For an additional entry tweet with a link to this giveaway and the #SpaceWarriors hashtag.

All entries must be received by 11:59 Central on Friday June 7, 2013.  Open to U.S. residents only.  Good Luck!

Choosing a Summer Purse

When it comes to finding the right purse for summer, there are many different things to take into consideration. Size, color and strap length are often the most important aspects of a purse, followed closely by material and price.

Size is truly a matter of preference when it comes to a good summer purse. You should take into account what items you need to carry with you and go from there. If you can't live without your iPad, then you'll want a purse that is big enough to fit it comfortably, as well as your keys and other personal items. If you want to carry as few things as possible, a clutch purse might be a better choice.

Materials are items often fiercely debated in the purse world. Many choose to carry only cloth purses, while others swear by leather. The length of the strap is another preferential item, though some swear by having at least a shoulder length strap, to help you keep hold of your purse in case of an emergency. Many believe that clutches should be reserved for parties and environments that you feel the most comfortable in.

Color is something that will speak to each and every person, but there are a few colors that stand out as summer favorites. Teals, corals and yellows are all popular summer colors, along with minty greens and soft purples. Coral purses for summer at LuxuryLane.com are some of the best around, offered at a great low price for their high quality.

I'm Part of the U.S. Cellular Better Moments Blogger Brigade!

I'm pretty excited about this.  Last month I was contacted about participating in a new blogger ambassador program for U.S. Cellular.  Being a current and long-time U.S. Cellular customer, I jumped at the chance.  I'll be happy to tell you about my experiences with U.S. Cellular! 

We have, ever since we got cell phones, been U.S. Cellular customers.  We've just never seen a reason to switch to anyone else.  We've always had great coverage everywhere we go - except maybe when we visit my mom & dad - even when people with other providers had little to no signal.  When they say that U.S. Cellular has the highest call quality of any national carrier, I believe it.  They also have a a strong line-up of cutting-edge devices, so when it's time to upgrade phones there's no need to switch providers just to get the latest and greatest phones.

Of course, I just started texting a couple years ago and never understood the importance of having the latest phone.  But now that I've started using a smart phone and realizing all the things I can do with it, I am hooked!  I am in a great position to tell you about the ways my U.S Cellular phone (and service) makes my life easier, because I'm just learning some of the cool things I can do.

Being part of this U.S. Cellular Blogger Brigade means that I will be getting a new phone, and it will be one of the latest.  I'm really looking forward to that because my husband took my last upgrade and passed his old phone to me. (HTC Merge, which is a nice phone; it's just old! - It is available for a penny right now if you want a brand new one.)  I'm already realizing that there are things I could do faster and better with a new phone.  Yes, this is going to be fun!

I recently read that U.S. Cellular was named a J.D. Power and Associates Customer Service Champion in 2012 for the second year in a row, and in 2013 the company also received their 15th consecutive J.D. Power and Associates' award for "Highest Network Quality Performance Among Wireless Cell Phone Users In The North Central Region."

I've never paid attention to awards and stuff like that, but we' have always been very happy with U.S. Cellular's customer service. We usually go to the same location, and they're always extremely friendly and helpful, whether we're looking at new phones, asking questions about the phones we already have, or looking for accessories like phone cases and chargers.  They really do treat us like neighbors, not numbers.  They take the time to talk to us and answer any questions we have and help us get the phones we want for the best prices.  I remember one time we went in to get the kids new phones because the ones they wanted were on sale.  When we got to the store we found out that because we were existing customers, the phones were even cheaper than advertised.  That was the price new customers had to pay; current customers got a better price.  I like a company that treats their current customers as well as or better than the new customers they are trying to get.

When we do get new phones our friends at U.S. Cellular always make sure the phones are ready to use when we walk out the door.  I didn't realize how special that was until my brother-in-law got a new smart phone recently - from another provider.  Then he started calling Jeffrey asking all kinds of questions.  It wasn't long before we realized that his provider had let him walk out of the store without helping him get the phone set up at all.  He didn't even realize he needed a Google account to use his Android-powered phone.  Seriously, this is his first smart phone.  He could have used a little help!

Anyway, this post is getting a bit long, and I'll have plenty more opportunities through this program to let you know about what I like about U.S. Cellular, how I'm using my new phone (when I get it), etc.  Until then, if you're looking for some more reading, just for fun, check out all my cell phone posts.  It's extremely interesting seeing how my ideas about what I want and need in a phone have changed over the years, at least it is to me.  I can't believe there was a time I didn't see a need for texting.  Or being able to check facebook from my phone...

Disclosure: I will be compensated for my participation in this program as well as receiving a new phone.  My experiences with and opinions of U.S. Cellular are 100% mine.

Remember

As we celebrate Memorial Day with our friends and our family, let us remember...

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Watch Finding Kind on IndieFlix through May 31 (Giveaway)

In February 2009, two young women, Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson joined forces.  Having both been affected by female bullying throughout their youth, they decided to create change by giving females a platform to speak out about this universal experience. What began as an idea for a documentary about girl-against-girl bullying, ultimately became Kind Campaign, an internationally recognized movement, documentary, and school assembly program based on the powerful belief in KINDness that brings awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of girl-against-girl “crime.”

photo from findingkind.com

If you've got daughters in middle school or high school, you will want to sit down and watch this with them.  I apologize for the short notice.  I've been procrastinating again.  You, however, will need to get right on this.  You have until May 31st to watch Finding Kind, a peer to peer documentary about girl bullying on Indieflix. 

Don't have a subscription to Indieflix?  That's OK.  They gave me a trial subscription to check it out, and they will give 10 readers a two-month trial subscription too!  (no credit card info required)

About IndieFlix

• IndieFlix is a community of independent filmmakers and fans. Through its membership-based streaming service, IndieFlix helps filmmakers translate artistic vision into commercial success, and gives film lovers access to high quality independent films not otherwise available. IndieFlix’s mission is to champion filmmakers, rethink traditional approaches to distribution, and celebrate the artistry and impact of independent film.
• Co-founded by filmmaker Scilla Andreen, CEO of IndieFlix

Entering is easy - tell me why you want to watch this movie and/or visit Indieflix, browse through the movies and let me know which movie you're most interested in watching.  Be sure I have your email so I can send your code.  Giveaway ends May 31, so be sure to enter soon - and that is the last day to watch Finding Kind.  First 10 comments win!

Then, once you've watched the movie, be sure to come back and let me know what you thought of it.

Related articles

• IndieFlix Subscription Giveaway - 10 Winners!
• IndieFlix Featuring "Finding Kind"

Garden Inspiration brought to you by Miracle-Gro

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's springtime, and I'm starting to think about planting the garden again.  I'm also hoping that we'll get more rain this year so that things will actually grow.  Last year was a bit disappointing, though I did get enough jalapenos to make quite a few amazing Poppers!
 
I tend to plant a very basic vegetable garden - tomatoes, peppers, green beans, zucchini, chard -  good stuff to eat.  Nothing too creative, but it's so much fun to watch how little seeds or little plants grow and become food!  This year I got a little creative and planted some cheery marigolds in a pot out front.  I'm also planning to either plant some more of those or some other flowers, or perhaps a combination, in a couple pots out back on the deck.  It's really easy, and it dresses things up so much having that bit of color.

For this project:

• You will need - a pot or container with a drain hole, annuals from your garden store, potting mix.
• Fill pot about 1/2 full with Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix. 
• Arrange plants in pot.  Add or take away Potting Mix to bring plants up to the level you want them.
• Once you've got all the plants where you want them, fill in with Potting Mix between and around the plants, covering the roots completely.  Press down lightly.
• Water thoroughly, and enjoy your new flowers.

Since they're in a container, they will need watered occasionally, but the Potting Mix absorbs 33% more water than ordinary soil, so it won't dry out as fast, and therefore won't need watered as often.  I love that, because I do tend to forget.

If you're interested in some creative and fun gardening projects, please check out The Gro Project from Miracle-Gro.  You will find many more great gardening ideas, all of them a lot more creative than mine, like the Toyarium, Ukulele Garden, Origami Garden, G.Y.O.B. or Thrown Down.  Even the names are creative! The Miracle-Gro website is also a great resource for gardeners and growers.  They have an expansive library of articles and videos full of expert gardening tips for beginners and professionals alike as well as online tools to help growers solve common garden problems.

Since I've branched out a bit from just planting vegetables - which I would highly recommend, by the way - I'm thinking of looking through the Gro Project ideas and seeing what else I can do.  See what happens when you start playing in the dirt?  You want to keep doing it!

Also be sure to share your projects on the Miracle-Gro Facebook page or on your social networks with the hashtag #MiracleGroProject and follow the Miracle-Gro Pinterest page for ideas on all kinds of fun garden projects and to share stories and projects with other gardeners.