WINNER - Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive

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Menu Plan Monday #6

Laura at Org Junkie runs Menu Plan Monday each week. 2 weeks in a row...yay!  First a recap of last week, then this week's plan.

Last week

Monday - Leftover Tilapia with mashed potatoes and corn.  Yum!
Tuesday - Turkey Burgers with sweet potato fries and broccoli.  We had no buns and had to eat on bagel thins LOL
Wednesday - Pizza night at work.  I actually skipped the pizza (I had a slice for a snack there) and forgot to eat dinner until I came home LOL
Thursday - Ground Turkey Tacos.  Delicious!  I used my rice cheese (good for lactose intolerant people and contains no soy).  We had Mexican Rice as a side dish.
Friday - Oven baked fried chicken.  This didn't happen so it is being moved to Monday of next week.
Saturday - Greek takeout at Grandparents' house.  Switched to Chinese due to a huge traffic issue.  Our food was so delicious though!  My main dishes that I ate were chicken with broccoli and lemon chicken and they were both out of this world.  The rest of the family also ate chicken chow mein, shrimp with pecans and shrimp egg foo young.  I highly recommend Fu Yuan Low in Palos Verdes (technically Rolling Hills Estates) if anyone is looking for amazing Chinese food.
Sunday - Chinese takeout at Grandparents' house turned into Mexican food from Red Onion.  I didn't love it.  I ordered halibut and it was baked...absolutely not special.  The rice tasted funny.  And I ordered my salad with lettuce only but it came with an array of colorful vegetables.  I hadn't eaten at Red Onion in 15-20 years and if I go another 15 or 20 years it will be fine!

This week


Monday - Oven Baked Fried Chicken
Tuesday - Pretzel Covered Fish
Wednesday - Breakfast for Dinner
Thursday - Dinner at Chili's to prep for my blog giveaway
Friday - Parmesan Chicken Bake
Saturday - Tilapia with Spinach
Sunday - Cheesy Penne with Broccoli

WINNER - Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Book of Miracles

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Camera Critters #4

Week Four of this awesome meme!  This one asks a question...and also lets us share our animals!  The question this week is "What's Your Favorite Hobby?"  I love reading books!  I own more than I could ever get through!

I walked around my neighborhood this week taking pictures of random animals.

Some ducks in the gutter / creek near my house

Horses on the route that I walk my dog

I think that's a different horse LOL

That's definitely a different horse.  There are horses that aren't white but their owners were around.

This is the weird bug that my sister found under her bed and picked up with her lint remover.  It looks like a cricket in this picture but it didn't look like a cricket up close.

Six Word Saturday - #22

Show my Face blog hosts Six Word Saturday each week. I love this meme, because it is so simple yet can tell so much.  I'm glad I've gotten back into participating.

Here's what you do: Describe your life (or something) in just six words.

Three Day Weekend...Time to Relax.

It's Memorial Day weekend here in the United States.  The time when everyone gets on the freeway at once and it takes forever to get where you're going LOL.  We are going to visit my grandparents, and my grandma already has a huge list of things for me to do.  But since she paid the down payment on my Invisalign treatment, it's the least I can do!  What are your plans this weekend???

Aloha Friday #34 - Amazon

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday. Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. 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 . Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the Mr. Linky there if you are participating.

This week's question is purely selfish.  Do you use Amazon?  If so, what would you suggest I buy there with a gift certificate I received? Any specific product you highly recommend?

I received an end of the year thank you gift at the school I work for and have no idea what to get!

Silly Haiku Wednesday - #15

100 weeks of Haikus!  Yay Jenn!

The basics:

Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Anniversary

Jenn's meme is awsome
We are also facebook friends
Thank you for hosting!

Wahoo!

As I posted at the beginning of the month, this is the month that I decided to start blogging again.  It is going so well!

This week I have already been invited to participate in a Chili's giveaway (look for that coming soon) and a book related giveaway blog hop!

I also am getting a blog redesign for an amazing deal!

What good news do you have to share this month?

Menu Plan Monday #5

Laura at Org Junkie runs Menu Plan Monday each week. I haven't done this for about 18 months and need to start again!

Monday - Leftover Tilapia (I am going to a friend's house to watch Harry Potter so I need a quick dinner)
Tuesday - Turkey Burgers
Wednesday - Pizza night at work
Thursday - Ground Turkey Tacos
Friday - Oven baked fried chicken
Saturday - Greek takeout at Grandparents' house
Sunday - Chinese takeout at Grandparents' house

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive Giveaway

I have to constantly remind myself to be more positive, so this is a great book for me and anyone else who needs that reminder!

Every cloud has a silver lining. With its 101 stories of optimism, faith, and strength, this book will encourage readers to stay positive during challenging times and in their everyday lives. Readers will be inspired by these real-life stories from people just like them, taking a positive attitude to the ups and downs of life, and remembering to be grateful and count their blessings. This book continues Chicken Soup for the Soul's focus on inspiration and hope and its stories remind us that each day holds something to be thankful for. A great start to the New Year.

The book is divided into 10 sections, including Health Challenges, Role Models, Moving Forward, and more.  Every Day a Friday intrigued me with its title!  From it you learn to celebrate every day, not just Fridays!  Breakfast with a Friend is a sweet story about the most unlikely of friendships.  No Complaints drew me in because sometimes I want to remember not to complain.  If the lady in this story could not complain, so can I!

I am pleased to offer a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive - 101 Inspirational Stories about Counting Your Blessings and Having a Positive Attitude to 3 winners.

For your first (and mandatory) entry into this contest, comment with another Chicken Soup book you are interested in. Please make sure to leave your email address in your comments.

To earn extra entries you can (please leave a comment for each additional entry):

1) Become a follower of my blog or let me know if you already follow (you must follow publicly, I have to be able to see you) (2 entries)

2) Become an email subscriber of my blog or let me know if you already subscribe (2 entries)

3) Blog about this contest (and comment with the url)

4) Mention this giveaway on facebook with a link to this post (comment with your facebook name) 

5) Add my button to your sidebar (and comment with the url) (2 entries)

6) Follow my Becca's Contest List blog (2 entries)

7) Follow me on twitter and tweet about the contest using "RT @sbshortie Win Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive! http://is.gd/NuWZdz" (comment with your twitter name and the url of your tweet)

8) Become my friend on Facebook (click here and comment with your facebook name)

This contest is open to anyone with a US or Canadian mailing address that is 18+. Contest ends Sunday, May 29th at 11:59 pm pacific time. Winners will be picked and notified by email shortly after.

I was sent a copy of the book to review and the company is sending out the books to the winners.  All opinions are honest and my own.

Camera Critters #3

Week Three of this awesome new meme!  This one asks a question...and also lets us share our animals!  The question this week is "What's Your Favorite Vegetable?"  It's probably a tie between artichoke and broccoli.  Yum!

Since I am sure everyone is bored with my pets, I decided to post pictures of my previous lizards, Bam Bam and Pebbles.  They were collared lizards from a breeder back east.  They were beyond adorable!

Collared lizards are much trickier to take care of than leopard geckos, so I would not recommend these for beginners.  They need super hot cages, UVA lights, and are a lot wilder than geckos are.

Bam Bam is on the left, Pebbles is on the right.

This picture really shows Bam Bam's amazing colors!

Pebbles was adorable and chubby.  Female collared lizards are generally more plain-colored than the males.

Another great shot, showing off Bam Bam's colors and chubbiness.

Pebbles on a huge piece of rock a local company just gave to me :)

Six Word Saturday - #21

Show my Face blog hosts Six Word Saturday each week. I love this meme, because it is so simple yet can tell so much.  I'm glad I've gotten back into participating.

Here's what you do: Describe your life (or something) in just six words.

Home alone...what should I do?

My mom and my sister have both left to separate places so it's just me and the dog this weekend.  Ideas???  So far I have come up with cleaning house LOL

Aloha Friday #33 - Cereal

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday. Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. 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 . Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the Mr. Linky there if you are participating.

This week's question is inspired by a friend's facebook status.  What is your favorite cereal?

I have a few that I love and rotate through.  Cap'n Crunch, Honey Nut Cheerios, Lucky Charms and Honey Bunches of Oats.  I will eat some other cereals, but those are my all-time favorites!

Blog Topics

How do you all come up with things to blog about day after day?  Maybe my life just isn't that exciting or something!

Today I went back to the orthodontist where they took dental impressions for Invisalign.  I bought some new non-dairy cheese made from rice in Swiss flavor...it tastes like American (better than plastic I guess LOL).  And I went to work for close to 8 hours...where I did a lot of work but also designed an end of the year yearbook page to support my cousin.

So....blog ideas?  Am I just too boring to have a blog?  Help!!

Invisalign

Exciting news everyone...I am getting Invisalign!  I had a final "consult" with the orthodontist today, I am going tomorrow to get impressions taken, and before I know it I will be on my way to a prettier smile.  I have never cared overly much about my crooked teeth, but I think it will be awesome to get them straightened and close to perfect.  And the orthodontist keeps complimenting my nice teeth and nice face shape.  Have any of you ever had braces of Invisalign?  Wish me luck!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Book of Miracles Giveaway

I am always nervous about books that are faith-based because I am not Christian, so most things don't apply to me.  I was very happy to find that so many of the stories in this book didn't disagree with my beliefs.

Everyone loves a good miracle story, and this book provides 101 true stories of healing, divine intervention, and answered prayers. These amazing stories prove that God is alive and very active in the world today, working miracles on our behalf. Regular people share their personal stories of God's Divine intervention and healing power as He makes the impossible possible! The incredible accounts shared by people from all walks of life show His awesome love and involvement in our lives. This book of miracles will encourage, uplift, and recharge the faith of Christian readers.

The book is divided into 9 sections, including The Healing Power of Prayer, Angels Among Us, Everyday Miracles, and more.  Balloons of Hope sounded fun!  It was an uplifting story about some purple balloons.  Love Never Dies is a sweet story about a woman who helps to ease her family's grief after she passes.  Four-Legged Angel caught my eye because I was hoping it would be about a dog...and it was!

I am pleased to offer a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Book of Miracles - 101 True Stories of Healing, Faith, Divine Intervention, and Answered Prayers  to 3 winners.

For your first (and mandatory) entry into this contest, follow me on twitter. Comment with your twitter name.  Please make sure to leave your email address in your comments.

To earn extra entries you can (please leave a comment for each additional entry):

1) Comment with another Chicken Soup book you are interested in.

2) Become an email subscriber of my blog or let me know if you already subscribe (2 entries)

3) Blog about this contest (and comment with the url)

4) Mention this giveaway on facebook with a link to this post (comment with your facebook name) 

5) Add my button to your sidebar (and comment with the url) (2 entries)

6) Follow my Becca's Contest List blog (2 entries)

7) Follow this blog, or let me know if you already follow.  You must follow publicly.  Leave your gfc name.

8) Tweet about the contest using "RT @sbshortie Win Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Book of Miracles! http://is.gd/0LYEWN" (comment with the url of your tweet)

9) Become my friend on Facebook (click here and comment with your facebook name)

10) Join the online dominoes league that I host (for free) on Eliters.  Play in at least one tournament.  Comment with your username.  (10 entries)

This contest is open to anyone with a US or Canadian mailing address that is 18+. Contest ends Sunday, May 22nd at 11:59 pm pacific time. Winners will be picked and notified by email shortly after.

I was sent a copy of the book to review and the company is sending out the books to the winners.  All opinions are honest and my own.

TV Show Updates

I think I am a bit behind finding out about shows....

Chuck was renewed...yay!  They are saying they renewed it for one final season but hopefully they will extend it!!!



Outsource was cancelled...boo!  I enjoyed the humor on that show a lot!



The Event was cancelled...oh well.  It kinda hit a dead end.



I have been reading about some of the new shows coming out as well but nothing has sounded too interesting.

What are all of your thoughts about the cancellations, renewals and new shows?

Camera Critters #2

Week Two of this awesome new meme!  This one asks a question...and also lets us share our animals!  The question this week is "Are you taking a vacation this summer?"  So far I have a trip to Denver planned in June and a trip to Boise planned in August.  I might go on a road trip and I might go to Paris but who knows for sure.

My dad and I found a unique looking bird in the yard the other day.  I have no idea what it is, and unfortunately wasn't able to get the best pics of it.  But I will share what I got and hope maybe someone has an idea!

Any guesses?

Six Word Saturday - #20

Show my Face blog hosts Six Word Saturday each week. I love this meme, because it is so simple yet can tell so much.  I've missed playing lately!

Here's what you do: Describe your life (or something) in just six words.

My dog split my lip open.

We were roughhousing and I got hurt....sigh!  Oh well, glad it's not worse!!!!!

Aloha Friday #32 - Me & My Girl

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday. Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. 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 . Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the Mr. Linky there if you are participating.

This week's question is inspired by what I did last night.  What is your favorite play or musical?

As you all may or may not know, I work with kids (K-12).  Whenever one of them invites me to the play or musical at their school, I try to go.  Last night, I saw "Me and My Girl".  I had heard great things about it from people who had seen it, and it had also been compared to "My Fair Lady" which I really like as well.  Let me tell you...the musical did not disappoint!!!  The acting, singing, dancing, music, jokes and more were all fantastic!  If you have not seen this, I highly recommend it!

American Idol - Top 4

We are down to only 4 contestants....wow!

James Durbin - I thought he did an excellent job tonight!  Both of his songs were a little more on the popular side and his voice just sounded amazing.  I loved seeing Gaga dance with him lol

Scotty McCreery - I always love him.  He did as amazing of a job tonight as always.  Country is really his niche and that is what he should always stick to!

As I was writing this I just saw Justin Wong (from So You Think You Can Dance) in the audience...I love him!!!!!!  He is probably the best dancer to ever be on that stage.  It also warmed my heart to see Casey in the audience.

Haley Reinhart - Her first performance was not very good at all.  Her second performance was better, but I think it is her turn to go home this week.

Lauren Alaina - She is adorable and I really enjoyed both of her songs tonight.  The boys were my favorite...but she should stay for at least one more week!

Who do you think did the best and the worst?  Who do you think is going home?

Twitter Tuesday Hop - #1

I have been sitting here trying to think of ways to get new twitter followers.  I am maxed out on the number of people I can follow so I need more people to follow me to increase my ratio (I read somewhere that twitter uses a ratio to determine how many people you can follow).  So....I was reading email subscriptions and saw posts Twitter blog hops....woohoo!!!!

Perfect!  I promise to follow back every person who follows me!  Thanks in advance!

Borders Day #2

As I hoped to, I went back to Borders the day after my last trip there...and picked up 13 more books!  This time I went to the literature section and looked at a ton of generic fiction books.  I don't know when I'm going to find the time to read them all...but I will manage!  I even read one in one night!  I was babysitting for people whose internet wasn't working and I managed to finish a whole book!  Without further ado, here is my title list:

*Cherish and Morning Light by Catherine Anderson
*Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer
Born Bad by Josephine Cox
Unexpectedly, Milo by Matthew Dicks
The Silent Order by Melanie Dobson
The Goodbye Summer by Patricia Gaffney
*Magnificent Folly by Iris Johansen
Between Here and April by Deborah Copaken Kogan
Admission by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts
Pack up the Moon by Anna McPartlin (this is the wonderful book I read in one night)
Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger

I starred the authors I have heard of.  Have any of you heard of these authors/books?