September 2011 | Miki's Hope

Book Review/ Giveaway-"Find the Upside of the Down Times" Ends 10/31

Monday, September 26, 2011

Thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway!! Out of 67 entries # 47 was picked when I headed over to Random.org. And the winner is.........
Cathy W said... 47

https://twitter.com/#!/cjwallace43/status/128329729437732865

Cathy, I will be sending you an email in a little while--please reply back within 48 hours and I will forward your info to the publisher who will send you this marvelous book directly.

For the next two months I will be joining in with several of the big money giveaways as well as a couple of book related giveaways--so keep watching Miki's Hope!

I received “Find the Upside of the Down Times” written by Dr. Rob Pennington in the mail today. I decided to start reading it this evening. Dr. Pennington recommended, in his introduction, that each chapter be read—then the exercise, which is included at the end of each chapter, be practiced for a week or two before starting the next chapter. However—once I started reading this short, extremely informative, entertaining, thought provoking and concisely written book (125 pages) I just kept going until I finished it!
I will however be re reading this book slowly again and maybe even a third or fourth time! This is a keeper!

Part of the title of this book is “How to Turn Your Worst Experiences Into Your Best Opportunities!” Dr. Pennington uses several of his real life experiences to prove this can be done. Now admittedly I was a bit skeptical on how being shot in the chest could be turned around! Actually, Dr. Pennington was very lucky he did not die outright after being shot in the chest and even luckier that he happened to go to a door of a person who was a heart surgeon—but this is not what turned his life around. It has something to do with being uninsured and the hospital bill—no I am NOT going to tell you what happened because I honestly think you should read this for yourself!

One of the chapters deals with an episode where Dr. Pennington was fired—and yes—the fact that he was fired did turn his life around for the better! Actually I do believe in the old saying when one door closes another is opening! And this is readily proved by what went on during and after he got fired!!

The power of positive, forward thinking as opposed to negativity or backward thinking as a way of life, I believe is one of the main objectives that Dr Pennington is trying to prove in his book—he succeeded admirably!

Dr Pennington has agreed to do an interview. I did not think I would be able to-however there are a few questions I would like to ask him after reading his book.

1. Your comments on Stress are extremely interesting—but in light of this economy and the shortage of jobs—how would you tell someone to handle shortened hours with more work which is obviously stressful when that work can not be completed correctly in that time frame.

Answer: Thank you for your appreciation of my comments on stress. I went through a lot of stress in order to have the insights that helped me recognize my automatic stress reaction quicker and move through it faster to what I call the stress management response. At the end of my first chapter I have a link to the following audio of a live presentation: http://www.resource-i.com/stress1.html

Concerning stress in the workplace, management does not usually say, "A decision is being made to not get as much done with the same level of quality," when staff is reduced. But if workload expectations are not clarified, employees are unfairly left with the expectation that they are now supposed to get more work done with a high level of quality. Everyone knows this is not possible. But for any employee who is used to producing high quality results this expectation is both disheartening and stressful.

Here are a few suggestions:
1) Accept that the game has changed and that your old criteria for quality success no longer is possible for every task, although it may still be appropriate for some tasks. This is not a reflection of your competence but of a profound change in your circumstance.
2) When confronted with competing deadlines it is your boss’s responsibility to determine your priorities. Involve your supervisor more often in reviewing the process, progress and timetable of your milestones so that no surprises or misunderstandings occur as to priorities and deadlines. In the book, Death by Meeting, Patrick Lencioni encourages teams to start the day with a “Lightning Round” meeting in which each person has 60 seconds to outline their major tasks of the day. This is a quick way to communicate challenges and accomplishments.
3) Do your best to propose a solution to your supervisor whenever your supervisor does not clarify your priorities by asking if he or she wants to propose an alternative to your list of priorities. If not, clarify by saying, “So, you want me to go ahead with …” This allows the supervisor to confirm the decision.
4) Accept there is always more work to do. We will die with things not done. In the meantime, enjoy your self while you are getting things done. You can learn more about how to Turn Worry Into Its Positive Opposite Possibility – A Goal! and then generate action steps towards achieving that goal by checking this post on my blog:
http://ow.ly/6vWFQ



2. Not everyone who appears to be negative truly is—they may say negative things but strive towards positive outcomes—do you agree with this. I happen to be one of these people—and even as I am saying negative things I am forging ahead and almost always achieve my goals.

Answer: I do agree. There is certainly a range of people, from those so clinically depressed that no positive thought can occur because of chemical imbalances or neurological damage. There are others like you and me who forge ahead and get things done, in spite of the worries our concerns!

It’s normal to worry. It’s a habit to project a negative into the unknown. The question is, do you stop there? Or do you take the next step of flipping that negative possibility around to it’s positive opposite possibility, a goal, and then begin taking action steps toward that goal? That is called planning.

Of course, this is easier said than done. But it is most certainly easier done than not done! To help move quicker from one's habitually negative reaction to a more proactive, positive response I have blog-posts, handouts, audios and video resources available for free on my blog at: www.UpsideDownTimes.com



3. You are an accomplished public speaker and trainer as well as a psychologist-how much of that PhD do you actually use when dealing with individuals in the groups.

Answer: I often make the joke that my Ph.D. means I know how to use a library. But the truth is that 10 years of college taught me how to learn. I learned how to think, how to do research and how to express myself. I learned how to evaluate the evidence that supports whatever idea or opinion someone expresses.
This ability to learn has helped me work with individuals and groups, to speak in ways that educate and inspire without challenging anyone's dogma. I did not learn that skill in college, but I got a foundation of understanding that provided a most powerful springboard into a lifestyle of continuing research and self-education.

There are many topics that continue to fascinate me about this amazing experience of being a human being who can hear or read a new thought that instantly changes the course of one's life forever. I love to have and share that experience. The simple truth is that the more I have learned about myself, the more I discover I know about everyone else. The more accepting I am of my own limitations, the more compassionate I have become of the limitations of others. Getting the Ph.D. was just the launching pad in my life-long journey of exploration to understand how to increase the ability to consciously grow and evolve.

I was most fortunate in college, particularly in graduate school, to have the opportunity to work with some amazing teachers. In my book, Find The Upside Of The Down Times, I acknowledge the preeminent social psychologist and Professor Emeritus at the University of California at Santa Cruz, Dr. Elliot Aronson. I spent about 6,000 hours outside of my regular academic curriculum working with Elliot in "encounter groups" or "sensitivity trainings"; half of that time as a participant and half as a co-trainer. This prepared me for the past 29 years of training employees of ExxonMobil and other major corporations, keynote addresses to associations such as National Safety Council or Meeting Professionals International. Working with Elliot while completing my Ph.D. was the foundation of much of what I do today.


4. Is there anything else you would like to say?

Answer: As a writer I was admittedly anxious about how others would review my book. So I have been pleasantly surprised by the glowing reviews it has received so far.

In a review on her blog Your Journey of Encouragement http://ht.ly/6vCkV, Meredith Bell agreed with my intention that this book could be used by readers like a roadmap for themselves, rather than just a dramatic story about someone else’s life. She points out that readers can use the book to create a series of transformational experiences in how they see and respond to the challenges they face. Meredith found value with the design in which each chapter follows the same format: 1) a true story from my own challenging life, 2) the lesson I learned in that challenge, and 3) an activity I designed to save the reader the time and pain it took me to learn that life lesson. The most powerful benefits come from reading each chapter, taking a break to do the activity and let the lesson and insight of that chapter bubble around in your life a few days. Then go on to the next chapter.

In another review, (Strategy to Deal with Stress in Bad Times and Find Opportunities | Suite101.com http://ow.ly/6ErCW ) Jerry Lopper states that Find The Upside Of The Down Times is “a perfect complement to” Rabbi Harold Kushner’s When Bad Things Happen To Good People. Lopper says, “Kushner answers the question, ‘Why?’ and Pennington answer the question, ‘What now?’… “Pennington is not suggesting we ignore a tragedy by calling it an opportunity. Instead he suggests that we accept negative events without dwelling on them, then as quickly as possible shift to positive actions in finding and exploiting possible opportunities.”

Thank you so very much Dr. Pennington for answering my questions!

Now--on to the giveaway

One very lucky reader is going to win a copy of this book--the winner will be chosen by Random.org. Please make sure to put your email address in each comment so that I can contact you if you win! If you win you will receive an email from me and you will have 48 hours to respond.

You can also buy this book at Amazon!

Mandatory: Visit Dr Penningtons Blog and tell me something you learned

Extra: Follow me on GFC (to your right)
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Facebook
Subscribe to my emails (up top)
Tweet Once Daily




I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

A Couple of words about Soc Sec and Entitlement

Sunday, September 25, 2011

I received this in an email from a friend--and decided that I would share it with all of you--Social Security is NOT an Entitlement--

It occurred to me that this piece should be committed to memory and recited to the next "BLEEP" who preaches about the "entitlements" some of us receive. Then, and only then, should you smack them in the mouth.....all the while smiling.

Remember,

Not only did you contribute to Social Security but your employer did too. It totaled 15% of your income before taxes. If you averaged only $30K over your working life, that's close to $220,500.

If you calculate the future value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer's contribution) at a simple 5% (less than what the govt. Pays on the money that it borrows), after 49 years of working you'd have $892,919.98.

If you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $26,787.60 per year and it would last better than 30 years (until you're 95 if you retire at age 65) and that's with no interest paid on that final amount on deposit!

If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month?

The folks in Washington have pulled off a bigger Ponzi scheme than Bernie Madoff ever had?

Entitlement my "BLEEP", I paid cash for my social security insurance!!!! Just because they borrowed the money, doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout!!

Congressional benefits, aka. Free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, three weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days, now that's welfare,and they have the nerve to call my social security retirement entitlements?

We're "broke" and can't help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless etc.! In the last months we have provided aid to Haiti , Chile , and Turkey.? And now Pakistan ......home of bin Laden. Literally, BILLIONS of DOLLARS!!!

Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed income' receive no aid nor do they get any breaks while our government and religious organizations pour Hundreds of Billions of $$$$$$'s and Tons of Food to Foreign Countries!

They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives and now when its time for us to collect, the government is running out of money. Why did the government borrow from it in the first place?

Imagine if the *GOVERNMENT* gave 'US' the same support they give to other countries. Sad isn't it? 99% of people won't have the guts to forward this.

I'm one of the 1% -- I Just Did

And I encourage you all to please share this where ever you please!!!


I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

$50 Giveaway to the Perfume Spot - Ends 10/21

This giveaway is now officially closed--There were 398 entries--and the winner picked by Random.org was #305---Congratulations Latanya!! As long as you reply to my email (which will be sent shortly) and you reply to that email within 48 hours giving me your complete name, address, phone number AND what you really want from The Perfume Spot (up to $50.00)---I will go and order and have it sent to you!

latanya said... 105

I like you on facebook


October 13, 2011 2:38 PM

And be sure to keep checking back!! Lots more great giveaways to come!!

Are you planning on getting someone a fragrance gift for the holidays or are you just tired of paying full price for your favorite fragrance? Well look no further!




This is where I buy ALL my perfume--for one very good reason---the prices are phenomenal! And these are not knockoff scents--these are the real deal!!
I want you to prove this to yourself---you know how much you spend on that fragrance you love-right? Well click on it and check out the price here!!
And while you are there check out their clearance section!!


They even have fragrance gifts for the kids at very affordable prices!!


ThePerfumeSpot.com

Now how do you win a gift or two? Well--make sure every comment has your email address!!

Mandatory: Go to the Perfume Spot and let me know which fragrance you really like and what you think of the price!

Extra: Follow me on GFC (to the right)
Follow me on facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Networked Blogs (to the right)
Sign up for my emails or RSS (up top)
Tweet once Daily


I will pick the winner on 10/21 using Random.org. The winner has 48 hours to respond to my email!! Good Luck everyone!!




I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the winner of "Sizzling Sixteen" is....

Congratulations Lynda and get ready to laugh!! You are the lucky winner of "Sizzling Sixteen" There were 116 entries--the number that popped up at Random.or was #34

Lynda said... 34

Tweeted this giveaway @lyndacooks
http://twitter.com/#!/lyndacooks/status/109278739392774144

I will be emailing you in a few minutes--please reply within 48 hours to my email with your complete name and address!!


I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

OUCH--another funny one!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Saw this on Absolute Newsletter today--had to share!

One sunny day, Todd greeted his parents with excitement, asking them to sit down in the living room for his announcement.

"I have great news! I'm getting married to the most beautiful woman in town. She only lives a block away from you. Her name is Susan."

His parents congratulated him, but after dinner, his father pulled him aside. "Son, I'm sorry, but I have to tell you something. I love your mother dearly after 30 years of marriage, but we've never had much excitement in our intimate life. I used to fool around a lot, and Susan is actually your half-sister, so I'm afraid you can't marry her."

Todd was devastated and angry with his father, and he broke off the engagement. A year later, he was finally dating again, and one day he came home to tell them, "Lori said yes! We want to get married this July."

His father pulled him aside once more. "I'm sorry son, but she's your half-sister, too."

Todd was furious with his father. Once would have been bad enough, but twice was more than he could take. He decided to tell his mother what had been going on.

Bracing for her reaction, he said, "I guess I'll never get married. Every time I'm ready to marry, he tells me the girl is my half-sister."

His mother patted his cheek. "Don't pay a bit of attention to what he says," she told him. "He's not really your father."


I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

"NEVER lie to Moma!" (really cute)

Friday, September 23, 2011

I saw this on facebook--I have seen this one before--and I still chuckle each time I read it--

Mrs. Ravioli comes to visit her son, Anthony, for dinner. He lives with a female roommate, Tina. During the course of the meal, his mother couldn't help but notice how pretty Anthony's roommate is. Over the course of the evening, while watching the two interact, she started to wonder if there was more between Anthony and his roommate than met the eye. Reading his mom's thoughts, Anthony volunteered, "I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you, Tina and I are just roommates.'' About a week later, Tina came to Anthony saying, "Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the silver sugar bowl. You don't suppose she took it, do you?" "Well, I doubt it, but I'll email her, just to be sure. " So he sat down and wrote an email: Dear Mama, I'm not saying that you "did" take the sugar bowl from my house; I'm not saying that you "did not" take it. But the fact remains that it has been missing ever since you were here for dinner. Love, Anthony Several days later, Anthony received a response email from his Mama which read: Dear son, I'm not saying that you "do" sleep with Tina, and I'm not saying that you "do not" sleep with her. But the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her OWN bed, she would have found the sugar bowl by now. Love, Mama. ------ Moral: Never lie to your Mama!!!!


I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

In Honor Of Breast Cancer Awareness We Are Having A Breast Chek Kit Giveaway Ends 10/17

Thursday, September 22, 2011

This giveaway is now closed! And the winner out of 70 entries picked by Random.org is

Zabrina said... 58

Tweet!

https://twitter.com/#!/ZsSpace/status/123112404736413696

Congratulations Zabrina on winning the Breast Chek Kit!! I will be sending you an email in a few minutes--you have 48 hours to respond to the email with your full name & address!!



Hello and welcome to Plexus Pink. I am Sheri, a Breast Health Ambassador with a company that is dedicated to breast health for everyone on the planet.
Does the world really need someone like me to educate people about breast health?


Absolutely! Despite all of the billions of dollars poured into breast cancer research, families are daily being devastated by the loss of loved ones due to the disease. As a matter of fact, breast cancer is now becoming a serious issue in countries where previously it was unheard of. But breast cancer is only half the story. There is so much more to breast health today because of the chemicals, toxins, hormones and stress our bodies, including our breasts, are being subjected to.

At Plexus Pink, our Ambassadors are passionate about helping others through education, resources, products and an amazing business opportunity so that we can spread hope, knowledge and practical support to people around the globe.

What is a Breast Chek Kit?
A breast chek kit consists of two micro-thin layers of polyurethane with a non-toxic lubricant sealed in between. When the breast chek is placed on the breast, the bottom layer gently adheres to the skin and remains stable allowing the upper layer to slide freely underneath your fingertips. As the upper layer slides freely over the bottom layer, friction is greatly reduced. This results in what is called, “sensory touch magnification”, or in other words your sense of touch is greatly improved thereby improving the effectiveness of all breast self exams you do as part of your breast health program.

The Breast Chek Kit can be purchased at Sheri's Plexus Pink website for just $34.95 as a Retail Customer or as a combo pack with our Breast Cream for just $39.95 as a preferred customer. Or you can join Sheri's team as an ambassador and purchase any of the wonderful products at wholesale price and earn some extra cash by helping your friends and family get healthy too!

The Giveaway:
One lucky Miki's Hope Reader is going to win one of these amazing Breast Chek Kits of their own.
This giveaway will end at midnight on 10/17. Open to US residents, winner will be announced here and notified via email and will have 48 hours to claim their prize.

Mandatory entry must be completed first or bonus entries don't count. Please leave one comment per task you complete and leave your email address so you can be notified if you win

Mandatory Entry:
Visit Sheri's Plexus Pink Site and tell me what other product you would like to try

Bonus Entries:
Follow us publicly via GFC
Follow Sheri's Facebook Page at Why Drink Pink
Watch the video by clicking here and tell me what you think
Follow us on Twitter (right side of page)
Follow us on Facebook ( right side of page)
Tweet Daily for daily entry - Please use this tweet
I entered to #win a #breastchekkit! Honoring #BreastCancerAwareness and spreading the word about #breasthealth. http://bit.ly/pErYPQSubscribe to us via RSS ( top of page - 2 entries)
Subscribe to us via Email (top of page - 4 entries - must be confirmed)
Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post ( 5 entries - leave link to post)
GOOD LUCK!!!


I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

A Beautiful Voice and Spirit to Match--Introducing the Voice & the Person

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine-I have invited her to write a guest blog on Miki’s Hope after having listened to her soothing and beautiful music. A little about her:

Dee is a contemporary psalmist whose lyrics and melodies convey what she has learned about God over almost 40 years. An Indie artist, she began writing songs in the early 70s, but was singing long before that, often as a soloist in church and school choirs. She produced two albums of Christian-themed music in the 90s and sang at conferences and meetings in the New England area.


Then, Dee went through a series of life-changing and defining experiences, when she wrote no songs at all. But, last year, she returned to her calling with a professionally recorded song and video called, “Go On,” on Youtube

“Go On” expresses my decision to take up the “mantle” and get on with doing what I believe God wanted me to do in this world. So many people out there are thinking, “It’s too late for me.” That’s not the case. I am more certain now of what I believe and why, and I’m also very certain that many well-meaning followers of the Judeo-Christian faiths have misconceptions about God that keep them and others from experiencing life the way it was meant to be.

I don’t play any instruments; I leave that for the experts. This spring, I sent nine more original songs to my producer, Creative Soul, in Nashville to arrange. The vocals were done there this summer, but a technical glitch means I am currently re-recording them. That means they will only be better. The new album, “well SEASONED” includes “Go On” and music for every season of life and of the calendar year. There are two new Christmas songs, a contemporary version of the old hymn, “Fairest Lord Jesus,” and six other songs.

I also created a website this summer with links to my facebook page, the video on Youtube, my blog, and music pages at Indieheaven and Reverbnation. You can find some of my photography and artwork there, as well.

Dee will be sponsoring a giveaway on my blog in the near future! So keep your eyes open—









I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

I have some catching up to do!

Monday, September 19, 2011

This is the first time I actually went away for an entire weekend in many many years!! I had a great time! Of course now I am slightly behind on my internet"things"--and I have to work!! So have a little patience and I will get caught up!!
I am waiting for the author of the book I reviewed to get back to me with answers to my questions--when I do--it will get posted right away! And they have agreed to give a copy of the book to the winner!
I will also be posting about my friend Dee. She has the most amazing voice (and she never took singing lessons!!!)--there will be a link to Indyheaven where you can hear one of the songs she wrote, sings and will be on her upcoming album! Mot on this one, but--there will be a giveaway for a free download a couple of months down the road.
Still trying to figure out which of my books I should do a giveaway for next--Patterson, Jane Feather? I'll figure it out--
Meanwhile keep entering my newest $25 PayPal giveaway--I really do like to hear good news--so if you have some---



I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the winner of the 4 Stephanie Laurens books is.....

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Congratulations!! I truly hope you enjoy reading these novels as much as I did!!
Out of 90 comments #76 was picked using Random.org

Anonymous said... 76

I want to find out what I have been missing. Plesse enter me in the giveaway.

Well-if you respond to my email within 48 hours--you will!!

Michele aka MikiHope



I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the winner of the 3 Day Plexus sample is.....

Congratulations!! Jenn was the 19th comment and that is the number that Random.org picked!!

Jenn Spencer said... 19

I followed @SheriCarpenter on twitter!

I have lost one pants size using Plexus!! And I really do love the taste!
I will send you an email in a few minutes--please respond with your name and address so your prize can be mailed to you!

Michele aka MikiHope



I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

In celebration of Whatever! $25.00 PayPal - Ends 10/7

Friday, September 16, 2011

This giveaway is now completed! I went to Random.org--and the Lucky winner is

msjamesteagall said... 161

I'm currently celebrating an engagement! My boyfriend (father of my two children 3yrs old, and 6 months old) finally proposed to me :) We're planning our wedding for next November...so this is a really exciting time in our lives...mine
especially ;)

Congratulations on both winning the $25.00 and your engagement!!

And thank you everyone for entering-keep your eyes open-you never know what MikiHope will come up with next!





Well let's see--I just celebrated a birthday--I am actually going away for the weekend-the weather conditions have gotten better (keeping my fingers and toes crossed on this one)--I received the 3 Historical Romance novels I won in a giveaway--I am about 40 away from 2000 on GFC (Thank you EVERYONE)--and just because I am in a good mood--

I will be giving away $25.00 PayPal!




Here's how to get a chance at winning (remember to put your email in every comment!)

Mandatory: Tell me what you are celebrating lately!

Extra Entries: Follow me on GFC (to your right)
Follow me on Twitter
Like me on my Fan Page
Go to my site Lilla Rose and tell me which of the Flexis you like
best! ( I do so love my Flexis! Wear them every day now-so
comfortable!)
Tweet daily for daily entry.

As usual I will pick the winner using Random.org and that person will have 48 hours to reply back to my email!

OH--and watch for the book review giveaway I will be putting up soon--"Find the Upside of the Downtimes" The author will be answering some of the questions I put to him!



I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

A Cup of Tea (absolutely adorable!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

One of my friends emailed me this--just had to share it!

Subject: A CUP OF TEA,

ONLY A MOTHER WOULD KNOW...

~A Cup of Tea ~

One day my mother was out, and my dad was in charge of me.

I was maybe 2 1/2 years old. Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a gift, and it was one of my favorite toys.

Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I brought him a little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my mom came home.

My dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!' Mom waited, and sure enough, here I came down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy; and she watched him drink it up.


Then she said, (as only a mother would know), "'Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get water, is the toilet?"



SEND IT ON AND MAKE A GRANDPARENT SMILE .... LIKE I JUST DID.



I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

This was just shared with me and I wanted to share with you !

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

This was just shared with me and I wanted to share with you !


Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned

seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will

get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats,
totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.

'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Petawawa.
We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan.

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for
five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch

would help pass the time...

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch.
‘No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks.

I'll wait till we get to base.
His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch.
I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all
those soldiers.'
She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a
soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my
seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she
asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first
class.

'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man
stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five
dollars. Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at
the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the
numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand
and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the
Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once,
someone bought me a lunch.
It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the
passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six
rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in
my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane.

Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something
in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another
twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base.
I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars.
It will take you some time to reach the base.

It will be about time for a sandwich.
God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.

As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These
soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of

meals. It seemed so little...


A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made
payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and

including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'



I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the Winner of the Food Frenzy Giveaway is...

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Terri C.!!! Congratulations Terri!! I will be sending you the DoYouBake Mixes as my part of this enormous Food Basket Giveaway! I truly hope you will enjoy then!!

This giveaway was held by Welcometomykitchen and she used Random.com to pick the lucky number!!


I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Before I lay me down to sleep-----

Monday, September 12, 2011

Good evening everyone!

I really want to tell everyone what will be going on around here for the next week--it is going to be a hectic one for me---Even though I really wanted to take my BD off I have no choice so I will be working long and hard tomorrow--and until the 14th I may be in a depressed mood (have no fear it passes as soon as my BD is over and gone lol)

Two of my giveaways will be ending on the 17th--but since I am actually going away for the weekend you will all have until I get home sometime on Sunday to enter!! I will pick the winners then--

Win a Galaxy will be at MikisHope from Oct 14th - 17th!! One winner will receive a Samsung Galaxy Tablet,and one blogger will win $50. This Giveaway is open Worldwide!! So keep an eye open for it!!

There will be more large ones coming in Nov!!

I am still trying to figure out which book I will be having a giveaway for next--maybe I'll do two--we will see--

AND--this absolutely amazes me--I was asked to do a review of a book by the publisher!! "Find the Upside of the Down Times: How to Turn Your Worst Experiences into Your Best Opportunities" by Dr. Rob Pennington. Not the type of book I normally read but it sounds like it just might have some really good ideas. I believe it may be semi autobiographical---and if I can think up questions the author will be glad to do an interview!! So, all my book fans--once I get the book and read it--and write about it--Please come in and comment-and if I am allowed to I may just give the book I receive as a giveaway! (Did I just write a bunch of run on sentences there?)

Well-I better head off for the night--

Have a great one all!!


I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

When I think back to 911--

Saturday, September 10, 2011

I wrote this last year-and all the same is still true--I will NEVER Forget

I live in NY, not far from NYC. As a matter of fact if you stood on the roof of my building 10 years ago on 9/10--you could see the Twin Towers--almost a straight line. And the wind brought that smell right to my block--a smell I will never forget.


On 9/11 all that changed. Luckily it did not happen on a Thursday--cause I used to work right behind those towers in a much smaller building (only 6 floors)--I would have been ringing the bell to get in when the first Tower was hit. As it happened I was working in Connecticut that day. My bosses son, daughter-in-law and new born lived down there but on the West Side--The Towers were on the East side. The phones were not working---finally he got through using my cell phone and I got through to my friends who have a store right outside Grand Central station and my Mom. Everyone was trying to get me as well-cause no one was absolutely positive I was not down there. Needless to say I could not reach the person I worked for down there. He only lived a couple of blocks away with his wife, 2 dogs and 3 birds!! It took a month but I finally contacted him via email--they were all okay. I did go back to work down there for about a month after the supposed all clear was given to return to the area. It was not okay--the stench in the air was indescribable--and there no birds at all in that immediate area. I also worked for a Lawyer down there in one of the tall buildings on the other side of the Towers--he said he had just walked into his building and felt the ground rumble--he walked straight back out and proceeded to go home!! That building was affected--he was one of the lucky ones--I really think what saved a lot of people that day was that there was an election going on in NYC and many people went to vote first so were going to work late!




Then yesterday-I think I heard on the radio that there was another threat--for NYC and Washington DC. And as I was driving home from NJ I got to the George Washington Bridge and noticed a LOT of Police who were getting ready to stop suspicious looking vehicles. I managed to get through just before it created a massive traffic jam-(my Mom called me to find out if I had gotten stuck in it).
At any rate, I am sitting here and remembering all the people who lost their lives that day and all who managed to survive--and to this day if there is a low flying plane I get kinda nervous--
New Yorker's are resilient, and even though NYC has never been off high alert-life has continued until a loud noise is heard-you will still see people looking up-wondering---------and then hear the sigh of relief when it was just a building coming down under controlled conditions---or some other construction noise. And they all look at each other and smile--then go on to whatever it was they were going to do. And Life Goes On.







I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

There is a new blogger--lets show her some blogger love!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Hi all--a friend of mine-Kim-just started a brand new blog--and she is really new at all this so could you all please go and like her on Mommieagainblog

She doesn't have a whole lot up yet but she will!!

and she has the absolute cutest little grandson who she is raising!!!


I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Help Desparately Needed!! Need Advice!!

A friend posted this as a responce to my winners email this morning--she really needs help and I am hoping one of you has an answer--I sure don't. Here is what she wrote--PLEASE if you know how to resolve the below real problem--please email her at mmbear_us@Yahoo.com or write your reply here and I will make sure to get it to her!!


On Thu, Sep 8, 2011 at 8:21 AM, mmbear wrote:

mmbear has left a new comment on your post "Winner of the $25 B&N Gift Card is.......":

Michelle sorry to put this here but I could not find an email address or a contact form and I need help badly! This is what I got back on 8/20 when I was doing a FB only blog hop and after about 10 "likes" this popped up telling me I was spamming. I tried to appeal but no one will answer my emails. I send one just about every 2-3 days. Which does not matter anymore because now it is 22 days and they said it would only be suspended for 15 days. I can't get into my FB for anything. I can't read, comment, like a post, etc so I have been dead in the water with alot of my contests since 8/20. I am also probably going to be in trouble with B2B because of the Heely's Review. I kept waiting for them to release it and when I saw that they weren't I went ahead and posted the review on my blog. But they had wanted me to post it on my Facebook and on Heely's but I can't. Denise tried to copy the link and put it on my Facebook for me and something is there it just isn't what I am sure B2B or Heely's wants. But it does lead you back to my blog and the review.

If I can't get them to release my FB, can I make another one and use a different email address? I have one that I used to use when I was entering contests thru magazines and like Sweepstakes Advantage and places like that. So, I do have a working email. I just hate to do that because I will lose those 475 followers which won't look good to any of the people who I have contacted asking to do a review. I am stunned that a company like Facebook does not check the status of Facebook accounts that they put on suspension and get them released when they promised it would be released. I have sent emails to several different places but nobody seems to care. And I really did not do anything but "like" people! I mean all bloggers do it all the time so I don't get where or why I got picked on that day. I did hear from one blogger who says Twitter has disabled her saying she has too many followers but she says she only has 101!!! I don't know but it is almost like they are trying to make bloggers go away or something.

The really bad thing is that my personal FB is attached to that and I can't get to it either. God knows what's been put on there and I can't answer anybody. Is there anyway to log into the present FB account and change the email address? I am probably asking a stupid question but thought I needed to ask it anyway! Because that is what they are going by I assume. As soon as it asks me to log in with that email address this box below shows up and that is as far as I get. Please tell me there is an answer somewhere?

I have some errands to run and will not be back until after lunch so don't feel like you have to drop everything this minute. Just give me some suggestions or who you think might be able to help the most. Thanks Michelle! Maybe one of your readers will read this and have some ideas? This is what it says when I try to log in:

Posting to Pages Temporarily Disabled
We've noticed that your account has been posting spam and irrelevant content on Facebook Pages. Because of this, your ability to post on Page walls has been suspended for 15 days. If you continue to post spam after this block has been lifted, your account could be permanently disabled. You can learn more about Facebook Community Standards here:



Posted by mmbear to Miki's Hope at September 8, 2011 8:21 AM


I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Winner of the $25 B&N Gift Card is.......

WOW--763 entries!!! Thank you everyone for entering my giveaway and thank you I am a reader Not a Writer and Buried in Books for hosting this amazing giveaway!!

I just got back from Random.org-----plugged in 1 - 763 and the winning number is:

throuthehaze said... 114

#1 RSS subscriber

September 1, 2011 4:05 PM

Congratulations!! I will be emailing you in a moment or two and all you have to do is respond to my email within 48 hours with your name and address and I will mail you the $25 Barnes & Noble Gift card!! If by chance you don't respond--I will have to pick a different winner.



I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Jelly Belly--Spend $35 get a free gift!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Offer: Spend $35 at JellyBelly.com and get a FREE Autumn Gift Box! Use Code: AUTUMN
Dates: Now through 10/3
Code: AUTUMN




In addition to this offer be on the lookout for these great products hitting the Jelly Belly online store...

Halloween Candy: Gummi Rats, Brains and Spiders
Snapple Mix
Harry Potter Chocolate Frog

Go to www.betterthenthebest.com and scroll down to the very bottom until you see Jelly Belly!! Then click!!



I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Now this sounds like where I work!!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Thank you again to Absolute Newsletter for this---of course the only reason I am putting this up with impunity is because MY BOSS DOES NOT READ MY BLOG (I Hope!)



An employee comes into her manager’s office to take a day off from work.
The manager replies, So you want a day off. Let's take a look at what you are asking for.
There are 365 days per year available for work.
There are 52 weeks per year in which you already have 2 days off per week, leaving 261 days available for work.
Since you spend 16 hours each day away from work, you have used up 170 days, leaving only 91 days available.
You spend 30 minutes each day on coffee break, which counts for 23 days each year, leaving only 68 days available.
With a 1-hour lunch each day, you used up another 46 days, leaving only 22 days available for work.
You normally spend 2 days per year on sick leave. This leaves you only 20 days per year available for work.
We are off 5 holidays per year, so your available working time is down to 15 days.
We generously give 14 days vacation per year which leaves only 1 day available for work and I'll be darned if you are going to take that day off!




I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Food Frenzy Giveaway Ends 09/11

Monday, September 5, 2011

Hello and welcome to the Food Frenzy Mega
Blog Giveaway Event. This is a GFC, Facebook,
Twitter, RSS and Email Hop. Bonus entries will be given for following each blog by email if this option is available.To enter our giveaway you must complete each mandatory task listed below.One very lucky winner will be randomly chosen using rafflecopter and random.org for all the prizes listed below!Check out our great prizes!



Blogs Participating

Welcome To My Kitchen
Planet Weidknecht
Stacy Uncorked
Miki's Hope
Home Style Tips
Jewelry 4 Change
Frugal Experiments
Mom Of 3 Boys
Kortney's Krazy Life
Giveaway Blogdom
Free Social 2011
Broken Teepee
Barbara's Beat
Yankee Texan Mom

Special thanks to all participating blogs and
their sponsors for making this great
giveaway possible.

~ SHEILA~
WELCOME TO MY KITCHEN


;




I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

In Memory of ALL my Pets

Saturday, September 3, 2011

I found this on Life, Love, Lust's blog this morning--she does not know who wrote it either-but I am going to share this in memory of
Fuzzy (canary)
Wags (dog)
Scarlett O'Hara (dog)
Princess (dog)
Gremlin (cat)

Pawprints Left by You

You no longer greet me,
As I walk through the door.
You're not there to make me smile,
To make me laugh any more.
Life seems quiet without you,
You were far more than a pet.
You were a family member, a friend,
A loving soul I'll never forget.
It will take time to hear-
For the silence to go away.
I still listen for you,
And miss you every day.
You were such a great companion,
Constant, loyal and true.
My heart will always wear,
The pawprints left by you.




I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Money Mania Giveaway - $140 Cash Prize!!! Ends 09/15

Thursday, September 1, 2011

 
We have teamed up with a few great bloggers to bring you all a great cash prize !!
This giveaway will end at midnight on Sept 15th. Winner will be announced here and notified via email.
Entries are super easy and only one form to fill out at the end. No need to post a bunch of comments. Just follow the instructions below and fill out the form and you are done. That simple!

One lucky entrant is going to win $140 CASH!!!
 
Entries Must Be completed over here at One Busy Moma by CLICKING HERE.

I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Brand new Flexi-for September ONLY

The newest limited edition Flexi is out for September--I will definitely be getting this one!!


Fabulous Fall Flower
Product # [2-1998]
Fabulous Fall Flower of soft brown leather with warm accents of brilliant gold and black nickel
$ 17.00

and remember shipping is usually only $4.00 and FAST

Get yours while they still have them--these should go fast!!





I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the Winner of the Eden Fantasy 450 Gift Certificate is...

This giveaway is officially closed!! Thank you everyone for entering-there were 207 entries!! And the lucky number picked by Random.org is # 96

dailymom said... 96

I would like to try the liberator Heart wedge
Heididaily at gmail dot com
August 20, 2011 4:50 PM

Congratulations!!!! I will be sending you an email very shortly--as long as you reply within 48 hours I will send you via return email the Gift Certificate code which you can use to get $50.00 worth of Eden Fantasys product!




I was not paid cash for this post. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.
 
Miki's Hope . Design by Pocket