Things Like This Make Me Smile

If the stomach is the meal of Thanksgiving, this story is the heart.

Feeling lonely, a women and her long-time partner decided to post a 2 sentence ad on Craigslist inviting strangers to share their Thanksgiving meal.

She thought she would get 4 or 5 people but ended up with 32 folks who all had a story. "I thought there was no way I could judge who is worthy of sitting at my table. I have to invite them all,"

Her boss heard what she was doing and offered to buy the food, a hotel is loaning tables and chairs and a magician is coming over to entertain the children.

This sounds like the making of a Hallmark movie.

I love it!

There should be more Monique Whites in the world.

[source]

Christmas Gifts for the Twilight Fan

For Twilight inspired jewelry, go here

Hot Topic has some awesome gift ideas like the two above. Head over there and make one of the girls on your list very happy.

Head over to Scarebaby to order the clothing above or many others

Head over to Cafe Press' new Epic Love Section for tons of Twilight stuff, T-shirts, sweatshirts, notebooks, pillows, teddy bears or here to see all their ornaments.

Twilight the Movie with Bek and Ree

Bek and Ree went to see Twilight last night check out our discussion. If you don't know what Twilight is, lift the rock you are living under and walk to a movie theatre right now!! That's an order.
FULL OF SPOILERS

Ree says: Whenever you are ready...I have my chat open
Bekkah says: Let's DO THIS!!!
Ree says: So...I believe that you.....Hated it
Bekkah says: LMAO! No way!
Ree says: Loved it??? Really? I am shocked
Bekkah says: Well, let's not get carried away here....love is a STRONG word.
Ree says: Ok...Did I like it or hate it?
Bekkah says: It's REALLY hard to guess whether or not you liked it. I half wonder if you're middle of the road like me...meaning that you may have found it to be an entertaining flick, not meant to be deep or powerful, but just...fun. I also was feeling...
Ree says: Yes! Exactly.
Bekkah says: a bit disappointed that it had the potential to be FANTASTIC, but unfortunately it kinda fell short. I also wonder if...I would have enjoyed it a bit more if we weren't surrounded by REALLY young kids. They were giggling at EVERYTHING, even when it wasn’t really appropriate...that nervous/pre-pubescent giggle kept reminding me that we were watching a teen-flick!!! Which of course totally prevented me from losing myself in it.
Ree says: Yes..I felt that especially the love of Edward and Bella seemed juvenile. If you hadn’t read the book you would never understand why they love each other so deeply seemingly overnight.
Bekkah says: Yup, not nearly as emotionally intense as the books.
Ree says: Yes exactly. She was saying that she knew she loved him and I was thinking why? I also don't think the movie showed why he loved her.
Bekkah says: Yeah, it seemed as though it was all moving too fast...as if one day he hated her and the next day they were madly in love?!
Ree says: Yes...and...Where was the charming, charismatic Edward? Although I found him extremely sexy at times his reactions were laughable. To quote my niece...his face made him look like he was constipated
Bekkah says: I completely agree...every time he tried to look 'troubled' he ended up looking like he was about to vomit?! LMAO! Or that...
Ree says: It did movie too fast. I kept telling my niece that it had to move quickly or it would have been an 8 hour movie. Exactly...vomit. I had to stop myself from laughing because honestly I wanted to love it and him.
Bekkah says: I know, I did too, but it just wasn't happening for me.
Ree says: Really??? So this Edward wasn't sexy to you? Oh...crap and his standing in her room in the book was romantic but in the movie it was a bit stalkerish. Another disappointment was Jacob.
Bekkah says: OMG, TOTALLY! That completely weirded me out!
Ree says: Jacob was a pivotal character. He was the reason Bella put together what Edward is. So where was he?
Bekkah says: I half wonder if I never really got into it because of all the 'kids' sighing and giggling throughout the entire movie...those were times when I kinda wished I was home watching it in The Batcave!
Ree says: If you didn't read the book you wouldn't understand why there is a Team Jacob.
Bekkah says: But in the books, did Jacob get that much time developing his character in the first one?? Or wasn't it more so in the 2nd book that he really got some 'face time'??
Ree says: The ahhhhs, especially when Edward first appeared on screen were so funny. I loved it.
Bekkah says: HA! And sometimes they would have that nervous giggle going even when it was inappropriate?! Edward was about to suck venom out of a bite mark and there were chickies sighing EVERYWHERE!?!?!
Ree says: Or when Carlisle came on and someone said, "Now that is what I'm talking about
Bekkah says: BWAHAHA! I didn't hear that! Did you hear the girl next to me singing along to E.V.E.R.Y. song off the soundtrack!?!?!? Holy Prep-Work!!!
Ree says: Sighing over the most uncomfortable scene for me. His face was weird
Bekkah says: Dude, EVERYBODY'S face was weird!!
Ree says: Half the time his mouth was lopsided and his face did strange things but...
Bekkah says: Seriously...most UNattractive cast EVER! What was up with the perpetually SURPRISED look on Jasper’s face?!?!?! Total deer in headlights...
Ha! Get it...Deer...vegetarians...nevermind :\
Ree says: all in all...Edward was HOOOOOTTT!!! Do you think they were unattractive????
Bekkah says: Alright...he was...OK...that's all you'll get from me.
Ree says: Ha I get it. That is one of my favorite lines Sexy baby!
Bekkah says: Uhm...yeah...although Alice was kinda cute and he fit the 'pixie' description from the books.
Ree says: That was another thing
Bekkah says: jes?
Ree says: Alice and Bella’s friendship was totally missing from the movie. Alice tells Bella, we are going to be such friends or something but that was the extent of it. Everything that leads up to the prom was completely gone.
Bekkah says: Yup, I'm assuming that will become a bigger story in the next movie.
Ree says: What happened to Angela? She is supposedly Bella’s closest friend. Ahhhh...there was so much missing but I absolutely loved it and would have gone into the next theatre and watched it all over again
Bekkah says: I think they were probably trying to cram a lot of stuff into two hours and just had to let some things spill over into the sequel.
Ree says: True...and I didn't hear the singing girl. Was she the one who said, "he has nice teeth" when Jacob was on?
Bekkah says: eheheeee! Probably...
Ree says: Also, the cheesy, campy style was interesting considering that I didn't feel the book was cheesy or campy.
Bekkah says: He DID have nice teeth though...
Ree says: He does. He's a cutie
Bekkah says: There was one thing that I totally hated.... I hated it in the book and I hated it in the movie...the scene when Bella is leaving home and is SO nasty to Charlie. Even when reading it, it seemed so over the top and cold-hearted. She could have easily come up with an excuse to leave without being so horrible to him!
Ree says: The part where Bella always looked pissed off and she smelled something bad?
Bekkah says: HA! that too.
Ree says: Speaking of Charlie...he was a cutie. I didn't picture him somewhat hot
Bekkah says: He was okay, in a lumberjack, maple syrup, backwoods kinda way... Me neither, for some reason I pictured a beer belly and receding hair line?!
Ree says: The part where Carlisle is talking to Edward because he is trying to get him to stop drinking her blood cracked me up. It was the worst! Me too!
Ree says: Exactly. Police Chief...too many donuts. Hahahah
Bekkah says: Exaaaaaactly!
Ree says: I always liked those lumberjack types
Bekkah says: I'd take the lumberjack over bug-eyes-Jasper.
Ree says:I also liked Emmett. He looked like a big teddy bear. The newbie? He looked ready to shit himself
Bekkah says: YES! Emmett...and poor dude had like two lines throughout the entire movie!!
Ree says: Lie he had the runs and was afraid to move for fear he would shit in his pants
Bekkah says: HA! Of course, how did I not make that connection?!
Ree says: See. That's why I'm here.
Bekkah says: Thank goodness! What did you think of the Meyer cameo?? Like you mentioned, Stephen King, M. Night Shyamalan have cameos in their films...and I think Stan Lee always works himself into the films he produces. It usually doesn't bother me, but...
Ree says: I loved that! I loved it because everyone said, "that's Stephanie"
Bekkah says: I dunno...for some reason it kinda annoyed me that she was in it...it totally distracted me and she looked...out of place and uncomfortable.
Ree says: The chick hasn't been around forever and that just shows me how much the internet played into the movies success. What I did love about the movie is
Bekkah says: Definitely...her face is everywhere these days. Good for her!
Ree says: I think that Robert and Kristen did manage to get the essence of Bella and Edward. I liked them together on screen and thought that they did a good job of depicting the characters. Bella was at times annoying because she just seemed like a silly teenager who had fallen in love with the unattainable guy with the 90210 hair.
Bekkah says: I like them too. They weren't what I had envisioned after reading the books, but I think they did pretty good. Besides... Being a fan of the books, it's almost impossible to not enjoy at least some aspects of the movie. It's always pretty cool when you finally get to see locations and characters, living and breathing, when previously all you were working off of was a mental picture.
Ree says: I have spoke to 2 others one loved it but she did not read the books. The other read the books and was disappointed mostly because she felt that Edward was supposed to be the hottest guy but she didn't feel that Robert was hot enough to play Edward.
Bekkah says: I'm with the last friend...I enjoyed the books, but I was a smidge bit disappointed in the movie. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. I thought Edward could have used some gym time prior to filming... Wasn't he chiseled in the books?!!?
Ree says: I think that we can't possibly picture the hottest guy. What is hot to you may not be hot to me. He is what is hot to Bella.
Bekkah says: True that...
Ree says: He said that he was working out like crazy but dropped too much weight and they asked him to stop. In the book did he shimmer in the sun? I don't remember
Bekkah says: I heard he dropped a lot of weight, but not that he was working out...I read somewhere he looked emaciated. Yup...totally shimmered....
Ree says: My niece said his stripped name is Sparkle
Bekkah says: ehheee....niiiiiice! Did you notice he has two songs on the soundtrack?
Ree says: I personally love the movie, can't wait to see it again. No, I didn't. Ummm...interesting
Bekkah says: They're...interesting :\
Ree says: What did you think of the three vampires?
Bekkah says: The villians?
Ree says: Yes. Did they do the characters justice?
Bekkah says: Well, what little interaction we had with them, I thought they did great.
Ree says: Wasn't her mom hotter in your mind
Bekkah says: YES! She looked a bit...weathered...
Ree says: I read that the budget was small, there was no green screen on this movie. Everything was done my stunts and pulleys, no big effects.
Bekkah says: I kinda liked that though....
Ree says: I kind of like that
Bekkah says: HA!
Ree says: Yeah. I wonder if they the next one with a bigger budget will overdo the effects
Bekkah says: I wish you had finished Breaking Dawn already..DAMMIT! Would love to discuss right now what I DISLIKED about the books, but also how some of those issues were resolved by the end...it gave me a better understanding of where Meyer was trying to go with the plot and character developments.
Ree says: Someone who didn't read the book will have no disappointments with this movie.
Bekkah says: I'm sure it'll they'll have more impressive action scenes, but hopefully they'll know their target audience enough to realize it would be wasted on us!
Ree says: Meyer writes so descriptively that you can't possibly transpose that to the screen which is where I think we are all disappointed.
Bekkah says: You're probably right. As usual, I'm having a hard time feeling the same enthusiasm for the movie when the books kicked so much ASS!
Ree says: She is so detailed in her books that it would be impossible to act that out. I know. Like Stephen King, she writes a vision on our heads with the amount of detail that we don't need a movie to see it play out. His movies don't do well either
Bekkah says:Plus, I think that because she so vividly describes the characters and events we all have our own mental picture of what would be perfect. As you said before, the film couldn't possibly satisfy everyone's idea of how this story should look visually.
Ree says: Even the Cullens home wasn't as grand as I thought it would be.
Bekkah says: OMG! Yes...I was totally expecting some modern looking mansion...The cooking scene was cute...
Ree says: We won't be able to discuss Breaking Dawn until next month since I am refusing to pick it up. I loved that!
Bekkah says: BAAAH! You suck.
Ree says: I am not ready to let them go
Bekkah says: Me too! They were so excited...
Ree says: Stephanie is putting the next series on-hold indefintely
Bekkah says: Aaahh...probably not a bad idea. Spacing it out might work better anyway
Ree says: I loved the line where they ask "Are we even sure she is Italian?" Then "her name is Bella"
Bekkah says: HA!
Ree says: I am going to need my Edward fix. I want Edward to stand in my room and watch me sleep. Me and 500,000 other teenagers.
Bekkah says: I loved all of the graduation caps on the wall.
Ree says: Yeah that's right
Bekkah says: HA! Get in line!!
Ree says: Me too. Cute! "Inside joke"
Bekkah says: And that Edward is '17'...for 'a while'
Ree says: Haaa.. How long are you watching me sleep? "Only a couple of months"
Bekkah says: C-R-E-E-P-Y!!!!!
Ree says: That's me babe. Creepy
Bekkah says: Ahahaha
Ree says: I enjoyed the ending
Bekkah says: So, I think it’s pretty obvious what the appeal is for teens…but why do you think it’s also able to connect so strongly with so many adults??? Is it just Edward's 'hotness'?!
Ree says: People who didn't read will know that Victoria is ready to avenge.
Bekkah says: Definitely. That ending had sequel written aaaalll over it.
Ree says: I think Vampires are sexy but...I also think this is like Titanic without the ocean liner, iceberg, and him dying at the end.
Bekkah says: Aaah, yes...excellent analogy!
Ree says: We are all romantics at heart
Bekkah says: "I'll never let go" and she pulls his frozen hand off her and lets him sink.
Obviously it’s the fantasy element…as well as the danger/excitement , but I think it’s also the newness and innocence of Bella and Edward’s relationship. It’s a peek back to a time when everything seemed so intense and full of promise/possibilities.
Ree says: Who wouldn't want a guy to be so drawn to you that they couldn't possibly be without you. "My personal heroin"
Bekkah says: Uhm...ME! I need space, yo!
Ree says: Not me...."You don't know how long I've been waiting for you Bella!"
Bekkah says: Okay...THAT was kinda sweet! You could definitely feel how lonely he had been before she arrived.
Ree says: Exactly. He was alone in a home full of pairs just waiting for his imprint
Bekkah says: Night and day without having someone...while Rosalie had Emmett and Alice had Jasper. Yup.
Ree says: Exactly.
Bekkah says: I have to say though...I'm nervous about... the next movie...I wasn't crazy about that book, so I'm hoping that maybe I'll have the reverse opinion.
Ree says: So....to sum it all up Siskell...you liked it but...
Bekkah says: I like it, but it could have had more substance too it. I also had to remind myself that technically I'M NOT the target audience, so some of the things that I would have LIKED to have happened...couldn't because of that.
Ree says: For me...it was romantic. The movie will never be what the book is...it is not possible. One of the best things about the written word is that we all see our own movie. Now when I read Breaking Dawn I will picture Kristen and Robert as Bella and Edward. Yeah like...yo...Bella and Edward Get down to some business. The kiss was hot, "I want to try something"
Bekkah says: On my star rating (1=horrible, 2=entertaining, 3=excellent, 4=earth shatteringly fabulous) I give it a two...
Ree says: but...this chick would like to see the adult version. If I use your scoring I give it a 3 because I would see it again and probably again after that.
Bekkah says: Oh, yeah!
Ree says: I also loved the innocence of them just laying in the grass together. Cute. So...would you see it again??????
Bekkah says: Yup, and all the 'silent' cut scenes of them sitting and talking...just getting to know each other... Yes, most definitely. In fact, I'm looking forward to watching it again.
Ree says: Yes...loved that...that was how the writer wanted us to see them developing their relationship in a short period of time. Oh...cool..let's go
Bekkah says: Exactly. We were to assume that their bond strengthen over time... AHAAHAA!!
Naw, man...we wait for it to come on PPV, then we spark up the batcave! Vampire wine is on me. Not literally, of course.
Ree says: How hot was it when he stopped that van??? Dude hot! His intensity of trying to save her and then him being pissed off at her clumsyness at the class trip.
Bekkah says: But did you think Edward was HOT!?!?!
Ree says: Oh...speaking of on you. I owe you. I thought that he was hot
Bekkah says: Another chat session to discuss Breaking Dawn?!
Ree says: Oh hell yeah.
Bekkah says: w00t! Bekkah just sent you a nudge.
Ree says: K...so you didn't think he was hot?
Bekkah says: Sorry, got a bit excited there.
Ree says: That scared the shit out of me. Holy hotness batman
Bekkah says: Honestly, he was...in a very different and original kinda way...
Ree says: To borrow a Bek phrase. Yes. Not conventionally hot, but hot.
Bekkah says: Exaaactly!
Ree says: We agree??? That is crazy
Bekkah says: I would NOT throw him outta' my bed
Ree says: Oh hell yeah and that grey peacoat hot!
Bekkah says: Giiirl, us agreeing happens more and more every daay!!
Ree says: The car driving, hot.
Bekkah says: Okay...now you're just out of control! The coat was FUGLY...
Ree says: I loved it
Bekkah says: I mean COME ON!? Ahahahaa!!
Ree says: Do you think anyone else will read our gibberish
Bekkah says: Probably not...but they SHOULD!
Ree says: I am sitting her laughing
Bekkah says: We crack OURSELVES up! Me too
Ree says: J, wants to know what I am laughing at
Bekkah says: Did you tell him me??? He laughs at me all the time too...i can take it!
Ree says: I think I am laughing because I am 42 years old drooling over a 23 year old actor with my girl.
Bekkah says: Eheheee!! yeah, that IS kinda humorous!
Ree says: He thinks we are crazy for chatting alone, just the two of us
Bekkah says: OMG...so does OHIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Men...humpf.
Ree says: It's the best. They suck and they are not Edward, so there..plllltttttt
Bekkah says: Oh, certainly NOT. Funny...I read an interview with Robert Pattison...He said... "Who knew every girl's dream guy would be driving a Volvo." I'm not sure why I found that so damn funny, but I did...
Ree says: Everyone loves vampires. Not sure if it is because of the Volvo...
Bekkah says: Or his hot pea coat?
Ree says: Crap...Also, loved when he asked her "say it out loud." He can't read her so he needs her to say it.
Bekkah says: Yeah, but for some reason I was thinking of Sam Kineson yelling out...
Ree says: Also, why was the guy in the restaurant thinking about a cat?
Bekkah says: say it, say it, SAAAAY IIIIT!!
Ree says: Hahaha....miss Sam
Bekkah says: LMAO! I dunno, the cat guy freaked me out! Me too
Ree says: OK...so....let's wrap this up....I loved it
Bekkah says: Yes, please...the 2nd harry potter awaits us in the batcave!! I enjoyed it. And I will definitely go to see every sequel they decide to make with you, then chat about it.
Ree says:I give it 3 out of 4 bite marks
Bekkah says: after 24 hours of pent-up frustration from not being able to talk about it.
Ree says: Hell yeah...enjoy Harry. Tell Ohio thank you.
Bekkah says: 2 out of four bite marks.
Ree says: I know it. Ok...
Bekkah says: Hi to Teach and the kiddies!
Ree says: Thanks for your time, the books and going to the movie
Bekkah says: My pleasure!
Ree says: peace out
Bekkah says: word
Ree says: yo. buh bye

Jesse Talks About DeAnna Breaking Up With Him

ABC Spoiler

I am so ridiculously psyched about the new season of The Bachelor. For the first time, the Bachelor will be a single dad.

Set your TIVO for Monday, January 5, 2009 Jason is back! This handsome single dad will star in his own bid for true love for the new searson of The Bachelor.

When DeAnna Pappas, last season's Bachelorette, rejected Jason Mesnick’s marriage proposal a lot of women let out a tribal cry. Was it because they thought she had made a mistake or because they were hoping for their chance at him. Ummmm...

Now Jason gets another shot at romance when he returns to star in the show's 13th season.

Jason is definitely getting his just desserts since DeAnna and Jesse have called off their engagement.

But, don't cry for her Argentina, DeAnna Pappas may not have gotten her happily ever after on reality TV, but she’ll be helping other brides-to-be plan their dream weddings in a Lifetime Network show entitled "Get Married."

I guess of Jason does find love on the show it would be a nice tie in if DeAnna was to help plan his wedding.

ABC, this guy is a sweetie, I hope you have found some nice ladies to woo him.

Hot

Twilight Movie Release Party - At Borders November 15th

Are you ready for Twilight? November 15 from 7:00-8:30 PM Come to Borders to meet and hang out with fellow Twilight fans. Get sneak-peeks of the movie, show off your deep knowledge of the series, enter to win free movie passes, sample treats from Seattle's Best Cafe, and lots more. Costumes welcome!

7:30-8:00 PM Twilight Quote Contest How well do you know Stephenie Meyer's characters? Take part in our Quote Contest. 7:30-8:00 PM Twilight Soundtrack Listening Party & Discussion Listen to cuts from the Twilight soundtrack, including the Borders-exclusive track from Paramore. How do you think the soundtrack stacks up? 8:00-8:30 PM Twilight Charades All the characters are in play—let's see how well you and your friends can act out the parts.
Plus more Twilight activities throughout the night!

Fandango movie pass drawing Borders will give away two FREE movie tickets for Twilight, courtesy of Fandango, the nation's largest movie ticketing service. Don’t forget to enter the raffle!

After the movie come back for dessert November 21-23, buy any beverage 20oz. or larger and receive a complimentary bakery or dessert item get the coupon

Twilight Fever

Summit Entertainment has secured screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg to pen New Moon and Eclipse, the second and third installments. I am so excited.

Lead bloodsucker Robert Pattinson is also on board for the first three films no word on the other characters.

I am excited for Stephanie Meyer, the next J.K. Rowlings.

This cash cow has not yet left the building.

Scanning the web for more Twilight information, come back soon.

Joe Jonas Finally Speaks Out

In an open letter from their MySpace page:

To Our Fans from Joe, Kevin and Nick:

It is our normal rule to avoid talking about our private lives. It seems that it has come to the point where we must address a few things. We would prefer to address these things and then leave it alone from that point forward.

We felt like it was important to respond because recent events have affected our fans. It is important to us as artists and brothers to enlighten regarding this situation. Our fans are the most important thing to us.

There are rumors and suggestions that are being publicized in the press right now about us. Like all people our age we are trying to find someone special that we can share time with in our busy lives. We all have busy schedules and high demands. We love our life and are thankful for all that we have. We are simply stating that it is difficult to maintain relationships with the kind of life we live.

We love our fans and it is important to us to protect that relationship.

To Our Fans from Joe:

This blog is not an attack of anyone. Anytime you are in a relationship for any length of time there are going to be issues. Sometimes they resolve. Other times they lead to a change of heart. This was the case recently.

Several things I will state with all my heart…

I never cheated on a girlfriend. It might make someone feel better to assume or imply I have been unfaithful but it is simply not true. Maybe there were reasons for a breakup. Maybe the heart moved on. Perhaps feelings changed. I am truly saddened that anything would potentially cause you to think less of me.

For those who have expressed concern over the "27 second" phone call. I called to discuss feelings with the other person. Those feelings were obviously not well received. I did not end the conversation. Someone else did. Phone calls can only last as long as the person on the other end of the line is willing to talk. A phone call can be pretty short when someone else ends the call. The only difference in this conversation was that I shared something the other person did not want to hear.

There were later attempts at communication that had no response.

I wish the best for the other person but could not sit back any longer and leave our fans with a wrong impression of the truth.

Hope this helps enlighten a little.

We love you and miss you

Joe, Kevin and Nick

GIVEAWAY - $25.00 Gift Certificate from Handbag Heaven Towards A Designer Bag

On the 4th Day Of Christmas......
12 Days of Christmas continues at my other blog Maria's Space with my 4th Giveaway of the month.

Lucky readers,

Perhaps you remember a few months ago when I told you about Handbag Planet. If not, perhaps this will refresh your mind.

Handbag Planet recently merged operations with another handbag retailer. The new name of this venture, Handbag Heaven. What does this mean to you? Well, pull up a chair and let me tell ya.


Handbag Heaven has the best in designer bags for less money.

With twice as many bags in inventory. You will surely find something you like. Good luck finding only one though.

These are the bags you see the likes of your favorite celebrities sporting in any of the rag magazines. Indulge yourself and get the hottest styles for yourself and someone else. There are tons on clearance and Handbag Heaven has graciously offered one of my readers a $25.00 gift certificate toward a new bag.

Why not pick out one for yourself or as a Christmas gift for someone else.



Whatever your needs are handbag, shoulder bag, wallet, I-Pod case, or clutch, cell phone holder you will find more than 1 you love at Handbag Heaven.

Giveaway Details:

1. Head over to Handbag Heaven, check out the beautiful bags and leave a comment on Maria's Space telling me your favorite.
   
2. The Contest ends on November 20, 2008 at midnight.
3. A Winner will be selected by Random.org and notified within 2 days.
4. You have 3 days to claim your prize or another winner will be selected.
   

Need more entries? 1 extra entry for each bullet

• Subscribe to me by email or to my feed.
  
• Post about this contest on your blog
• Put my 12 Days Of Christmas Button in your sidebar. I will be hosting a giveaway at least once a week for the next 3 weeks.

Sponsored by: Handbag Heaven
------------------------------
Speaking of handbags...I would really like to get my hands on some quick cash. Yesterday I saw 4 items that my kids are dying for this Christmas. Waiting for my freelance check to come in takes forever and I just know these toys are going to be on everyone's list. A payday loan until the check came in would do the trick. I could pick up the toys this weekend and feel like I was totally ahead of the game. Hey, with some extra money I could even pick up 2 and put one on Ebay in December. I know that I would make at least 30% more than I paid.

Product Review --Crunchless Abs 1, 2, 3, & 4 - GIVEAWAY

Hit the above button to be taken to all of my Giveaways

On the 3rd Day Of Christmas.....nananananana.....a nanannan. 12 Days of Christmas continues at my main blog, Maria's Space with my 3rd Giveaway of the month. Check out my review of the DVD Series.


Last week I wrote about Flirty Girl Fitness. Check out the review here and woot the giveaway for your own copy of the program here.

This week I was able to check out the Crunchless Series. I should have no reason to be in the shape of my life by next summer.

Haven't we all heard that crunches is what we need for our stomach. Want to get rid of that gut, baby stretch, muffin top, or whatever other fun words you want to use, than you need to do sit-ups and crunches. Now they make machines to take the pressure off our neck and back so that we can do those crunches that are supposed to help our stomach. I'm here to say NO MORE! No more will you have to lie on the floor doing endless crunches to get that stomach we all want.

Do you have
?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

You do? Well Crunchless Abs is for you!

I opened the DVD which has Crunchless Abs 1-3.

Starting up Crunchless Abs, I got ready. Does anyone else get all giddy and excited when they throw in an exercise tape that they have never seen?

All you need for this is a towel and a chair. The work out was nice and slow with great, sculpting, easy exercises. I was comfortable, they were easy, mixing yoga and Pilate poses. They used all of my favorites and then some. There were even some I had never seen but I can tell you that the work. "Pushing the door" gives that nice burn that we all want. The 10 minutes was over before I even realized I had worked out.

Crunchless Abs 2 - On this one you will need a towel. This was another nice, slow, easy, no impact workout. I must say, this DVD was my favorite. I really felt the burn exactly where I want to. Right in my lower stomach!! There were tons of great lower stomach exercise which is something this mom of 2 truly needs. I can't wait to do this DVD every day.

Crunchless Abs 3 - This program only uses a mat or towel to stand on. These exercises are great for all over sculpting. I felt this in my back, arms, thighs, chest and more importantly, stomach.

"Think strong and you will be strong."

There is enough variety to keep even the workout maven challenged and motivated.

Crunchless Abs 4 - On this one you will use an included "exercise tube" or resistance band and a door. Attach the band to a nearby door and get snappy. Hahahaha...

It took a minute to stop laughing when I started this program because Tracy who leads us through this workout reminded my of Amy Poehler from SNL with her warm up.

Finally realizing that I needed to get to work, I attached the "exercise tube" and began.

The exercises were different and felt good. I like the variety of the 4 DVDs.

All of the DVDs are only 10 minutes. Who doesn't have 10 minutes to spare in their day?

Head over to Crunchless and get the abs you want by Spring!!!

Giveaway Details:

1. Leave a comment at Maria's Space letting me know who your favorite exercise guru is.
   
2. The Contest ends on November 18, 2008 at midnight.
3. A Winner will be selected by Random.org and notified within 2 days.
4. You have 3 days to claim your prize or another winner will be selected.
   

Need more entries? 1 extra entry for each bullet

• Subscribe to me by email or to my feed.
  
• Post about this contest on your blog
• Put my 12 Days Of Christmas Button in your sidebar. I will be hosting a giveaway at least once a week for the next 5 weeks.

I wish I could afford a personal gym or a trainer to whip my butt into the best shape it could be before next summer. I really should get a cash advance. I found a gym in my area, they have 7 heated pools, sauna, aerobic classes, training, for around $2,500 for a family of 4.

The cash advance could also be used for a really nice Christmas for my family. This is the first year I will not be using the food pantry for presents and I really want to give my husband an amazing gift.

There are so many things I would put additional money toward, paying off some credit cards, a gym membership, Christmas gifts and more. What would you use a some extra cash for?

New Moon Girl Media Launches Groundbreaking Online Community for Girls 8-12

www.NewMoonGirls.com Pioneers Girl-Created Content on the Web

Mountain View, CA – November 12, 2008 – The wait for a safe, advertising-free online community for girls 8-12 is finally over. New Moon Girl Media, champion of girl-centered media and publisher since 1993 of the award-winning girls’ magazine New Moon Girls, today announced the launch of the new online community NewMoonGirls.com. For the first time, girls around the world have a safe place on the Web where they can create and share content and develop their full potential through self-discovery and community.

“Girls and their families have been yearning for a safe online community, and we’re thrilled to now provide girls with a place where they can safely create their own content, pursue their individual dreams and connect with girls their age,” said New Moon Girl Media Founder and CEO Nancy Gruver. “After fifteen years of featuring girls’ writings, drawings and poetry in our magazine, we are delighted to give girls a new forum online where they can express themselves.”

NewMoonGirls.com invites girls to explore their creativity beginning in each member’s own safe, private room, where she can express herself through a variety of media. In the broader community, girls can share their creations with one another and contribute to weekly themes and articles. The Web site also offers the unique “Ask a Girl” advice area, where girls can help one another with supportive answers to questions and concerns. Other community features include message boards across a wide range of topics, Web chats with inspiring women and girls and access to fifteen years of the girl-created content of New Moon Girls magazine.

NewMoonGirls.com is fully COPPA-compliant and a leader in exceeding online safety standards for children, providing adult moderation at all levels of communication. All New Moon Girl products are guided by three oversight groups: an Advisory Board of experts on girls’ development, Girls Editorial Boards and specially-trained adult staff.

“New Moon Girls is the first place online where girls can safely share their voices while being encouraged to help shape the New Moon Girls community,” said JoAnn Deak, Ph.D. and member of the New Moon Girl Media Advisory Board. “After fifteen years of providing life-enhancing New Moon Girls content to hundreds of thousands of girls and their families, New Moon Girl Media has moved online and created a much-needed social network for girls 8-12.” To introduce this new initiative, a membership package including full access to NewMoonGirls.com and six issues of New Moon Girls magazine is available for $29.95 per year, reduced from $44.95. New Moon Girl Media is headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota and partnered with Silicon Valley business and technology accelerator MonVia, LLC to launch NewMoonGirls.com. MonVia is built by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs to help people with smart ideas introduce their products to market and reach profitability as quickly as possible. About NewMoonGirls.com

NewMoonGirls.com is the groundbreaking online social network for girls ages 8-12. Developed by New Moon Girl Media, NewMoonGirls.com is a fully-monitored, advertising-free online community where girls can develop full potential through self-discovery, creativity and community. To become a member or learn more about this unique community, please visit www.newmoongirls.com.

Woot! General Hospital Is Looking Good

Check out the Promo for General Hospital. Too funny, "the Russian's have taken Jake"!!!



Ahhh, Elizabeth shouting, "Jason, go get my baby!" gave me chills. They had better not hurt that baby! I've had about enough of kids being hurt on this show.

Another thing, why can't women on GH just have babies without knocking on Heaven's door?

I would never step foot in GH if I was a patient.

Some Hot Twilight Photos

[SOURCE]

Eclipse Is Pissing Me Off

Why doesn't Bella get it? This is why I am too old to read this damn series. Edward is constantly pledging undying love for this twit and she constantly is doubting his love.

This is one of the great things about being out of my teens and twenties. Damn was I ever this stupid?

Not saying I am not loving the book! I do and can't wait to get back to it. Just saying that this book's main character is exactly why some guys think women are dumb.

I'm an Esme

I already knew that!


Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Who are you?

Spread Eagle Has Reunited

Check out this awesome band from my past. I met them 2 times when my boyfriend at the time and I drove them to two of their gigs in my little Camero.


Reunited New York City rockers Spread Eagle will embark on a short East Coast tour in December. The dates are as follows:

Here are their upcoming shows. Check them out if you have a chance.
Dec. 5 Cherrywood Rock Club – Clementon, NJ
Dec. 10 The Haunt – Yonkers, NY
Dec. 11 The Trash Bar – Brooklyn, NY (only NYC appearance) Dec. 13 The Crazy Donkey w/ KIX – Farmingdale, Long Island, NY

Hilary Humps

Got to love the time it took to make this

Nomination Dance Off

Funny!

Is Ghost Whisper Jumping the Shark????

I am so pissed right now. This chick is a big Ghost Whisper fan. I know, it's a sappy show and all but I adore it and have watched it since the first show.

This is what I want to know.......

Why, why, why, would they kill off her husband Jim? Has there ever been a more supported man?

Damn! What the hell man????

Ok...update:

After some research, we can all take a collective breath...because Jim is not gone.


In September, word spread that fans will be seeing the last of David Conrad is leaving Ghost Whisperer as his character, Jim will be killed off. TV Guide was quick to talk to series star Jennifer Love Hewitt, who said told them, "The important thing to always remember is that things are not as they seem on our show. We never do anything cut-and-dry. There are lots of opportunities for people to think that one thing is going to happen, and it actually turns out to be something else."

The producers of the show, Kim Moses and Ian Sander, wrote on their TV Guide blog, “David Conrad is not, not, not leaving Ghost Whisperer. We love him - he is amazingly talented - we all have lots of fun together and he is an important part of the Ghost Whisperer family. But most of all, we here at Ghost Whisperer are very much aware of how all of you feel about him.”

Hot Photo of Derek of DWTS

Have The Most Amazing Holiday Ever - MomDot.com

On November 28th, MomDot will be pulling ONE winner to win prizes from all of these amazing sponsors (details coming soon, still working on huge, mega post about the prizes themselves) to help you celebrate a Christmas of Dreams at your house this year. You must have your entries in no later then the evening of Nov 26th. This is NOT the blog party, this is completely different (we have a big month!)

There are a few requirements:

1) You MUST be a blogger. I have made this requirement because this year we are celebrating the blogger. Our site is about the blogging community and this is our way of rewarding one lucky blogger with a huge win. If you are not a blogger, your entry will not be considered.

2) You must post about the Christmas of Dreams on your blog and include all the sponsor links (to give back and toss linky love to all the wonderful prizes that are being generously donated), while also linking back to momdot. Additionally, we want you to pick out your top 5 favorite sponsors and let us know your favorite things on their site. This ensures that you check out all the great stuff they have to offer, we always have to give back to the sponsors! And you may find something you really like for your christmas shopping!

3) You must have a MomDot Banner or a MomDot Link in your blogroll

Sponsors are (and subject to be adding more as the month goes on):

• Dyson
  
• BabyPop
• The Shrunks
• Soda Club
• Kadi Prescott
• Uncommonly Cute
• Lollipop Book Club
• Kuster
• Silly Monkeez
• LA Plates
• Natitys Design
• Little Black Box
• Koshas
• Kidz Sunglasses
• JAS Creations
• Appledonia
• LeapFrog
• Mutsy
• Kushies
• Huddy Buddy
• Mimsi-Bags
• BottleWise
• Lets Go Strolling
• DaBib
• Sassy Baby
• Baby Legs
• Scentsy
• FeeFiFoto
• Randi100
• Organic Blankees
• Shi Shu Style
• Georgie Tees

After that, we simply want you to answer this one question in OUR comments:

Why does your family deserve a Christmas of Dreams?

Head over to Mom.Com and let them know why you need this gift. Someone has to win, it could just be you. Imagine the pressure that would be taken off you and your family this Christmas.

The New President Of The United States of America - Barack Obama

Barack Obama has been elected the President of The United States.

While I did not support Obama; as a good American I respect my President. I hope everyone does the same.

Now that we are getting our first black president, lets here a woot woot, for Palin vs. Clinton 2012. Now that would be sweet.

I must admit, I was moved to see Jesse Jackson crying and can only imagine what this feels like to him.

Get Out and Vote! Support Your Right!

Good-Bye Joaquin

Joaquin Phoenix had made his last movie. He is saying good-bye to Hollywood for "greener pastures."

He learned to play guitar and did his own singing for the movie Walk the Line and intends on focusing on music. He wants to "emotionally impact" us with that as well.

I love Joaquin and wish him luck. I hope he succeeds.

Maybe he should have just looked in a mirror first.

Product Review - BabySnazz, Babylegs Kept My Baby Warm & Adorable

I received a pair of BabySNAZZ babylegs on Wednesday and Goddess hasn't taken them off yet. She has worn them to school, to gymnastics, to ballet, and under her Halloween costume. There are so many wonderful uses for BabySnazz babylegs. I doubt she will stop wearing these until I get a few more pairs for variety. We are running out of pink, white and black options.

These can be worn over the arms or legs. They were created for crawling babies but they are wonderful legwarmers for kids on up to teens.

With the winter months coming up on us quicker than usual these are great for over the pants if you are heading going out or under if you are playing in the cold.

They have tons of colors and themes to choose from. Check these out. I have no idea which we are ordering next because we love all of them.



Goddess is wearing Big Top Pink Cotton Skidpants - Baby Leg Warmers, see them here.


Head over to BabySNAZZ and see for yourself why your little one needs their own pair.

Do you have boys? No problem head over and check out these cute Camo leg warmers, how about the black, skull and cross bones or the Rock N Roll pair with the cool guitars.

Check out these Collegiate leg warmers. CUTE!

BabySNAZZ has been gracious enough to give you, my reader a 5% discount on orders over $40.00. Just enter coupon code _blogreview5_.

Visit BabySNAZZ today and pick up some adorable, cool, hip, stocking stuffers today.

BabySNAZZ has jumped on the giveaway wagon so be sure to check them out often. You never know what they are giving away.