Friday, May 25, 2012

Book Review: I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Physiotherapist Poppy Wyatt is walking on air! She has a comfortable job and is all abuzz over her upcoming nuptials to the brilliant and dashing college professor, Magnus Tavish. To Poppy life can get no better... that is until a dastardly fire drill during an elegant champagne tea changes everything. 


Her stunning family heirloom engagement ring which Magnus had given her is lost during the dizzying mayhem of the fire drill. Frantic Poppy grabs her cell and starts contacting all of her friends who had been trying on the ring during the tea. After searching the hotel premises with no luck and questioning cleaning crews and staff she feels absolutely hopeless. When she doesn't think things could get any worse, trouble comes a knocking! Her cell phone is burgled by a passer-by. 


As a catastrophic feeling of dread begins to settle in Poppy's heart, she spots a cell phone in a trash can at the hotel. The only problem is that the cell belongs to Sam Roxton of White Globe Consulting's  PA (personal assistant), Violet, who hurriedly quit her job and dashed off to a modeling gig. Poppy then proceeds to use her "borrowed" phone's number as a main contact number for the hotel and police in case they find her engagement ring. 


Long story short: Poppy somehow manages to convince hard-as-nails and blunt businessman Sam Roxton to let her use his former PA's phone and send him all of the texts and messages that she receives that are addressed to him. 


This happy-go-lucky story continues in an upbeat manner which is the cornerstone of all Sophie Kinsella novels. While the novel is improbable and ditsy at times (ex. What businessman would let a total stranger use a company phone? and why is a well-rounded, efficient, reliable and intelligent woman so terrified of her over-educated future in-laws?)


Even though Ms. Kinsella's formulaic writing style has become slightly stale the nuances and fast paced dialogue boost its readability. Suave additions such as a bribery scheme at White Globe Consulting and juicy confessions of Mangus's past dalliances make up for any lackluster qualities. All and all an enjoyable and light story that is a perfect beach read! 



Thursday, May 24, 2012

May 25th Is National Missing Children's Day

The thought of not being able to locate your child strikes fear into every parent. A million thoughts swirl through your head as you frantically search for your child and speak to every passerby who meets your eye about your child's whereabouts and physical description. 


Sadly, across America, thousands of parents understand and cope with this chilling predicament on a daily basis. 


On May 25th a somber event occurs called National Missing Children's Day. This yearly event was put into effect in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan. 


This day also happens to be the day that Etan Patz disappeared in 1979. This New York born six-year old's story gripped a nation and left an indelible mark which catapulted childhood abduction into the spotlight. 


In recent years the AMBER Alert system has also revolutionized the rescue of missing kids. Through the use of the media such as t.v. crawls and radio announcements many children have been safely located by the public. Learn about the AMBER Alert system by clicking on the following link:  http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=2813


 Thankfully organizations have committed themselves to locating and comforting families of those who are assumed as missing. 


Below you will find links to some of these tremendous and worthy organizations fighting to keep our kids safe and improve the lives of those searching for their lost children. 


Take 25 (Developed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
http://www.take25.org/page.asp?page=47 
Please also see "Activity Ideas" from Take 25 to help children understand the importance and seriousness of safety precautions: http://www.take25.org/page.asp?page=68


Please also see the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Homepage where you can search for missing children, find information about how to report a missing child, and learn about ways to protect your children. 
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PublicHomeServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&


Child Find of America's Facts and Statistics about Missing Children 
http://www.childfindofamerica.org/information.htm


Book and DVD About Child Abduction 
Missing and Exploited Children: How to Protect Your Child by Margaret C. Jasper 
Kidz n' Power: Abduction Prevention Pack (DVD) 





Saturday, May 5, 2012

Ain't Comic Books Super? Today is Free Comic Book Day!

Grab your cape and nifty superhero gadgets and race down to your local comic book store to receive a free comic book! 

Today, March 5, 2012 is Free Comic Book Day. This "super" holiday glorifies the awesomeness of comic books and the imaginative genius of their creators by giving away free comic books. 

Check out http://www.freecomicbookday.com/Home/1/1/27/992 for more details and to find a local comic book store near you offering these brilliantly illustrated stories!

Friday, May 4, 2012

Mega Magazine of the Month (May) : All You Magazine

I love reading magazines because they provide up-to-date information and stay current on trends surrounding their particular subject matter. 

Magazines offer condensed articles which perfectly summarize only the pertinent and important information which should be discussed and are easily portable. 

Helpful indexes are provided so that one can easily peruse or quickly access the item that has piqued their interest.

I have decided to honor this periodical marvel by showcasing a favorite magazine each month.

My Mega Magazine of the Month for May is the women's general interest magazine All You Magazine.  

The reasons I love this publication are numerous including easy-as-pie household, fashion, and beauty tips which won't break your budget and are doable for the everyday woman and information and stories developed and told by female readers across America.

A major reason I go bonkers for this periodical is that it is chock full of money-saving coupons for brands which I actually use! 

By buying a single issue, I am able to save myself several dollars each shopping trip to the grocery store. 

This magazine is a virtual lifesaver to both my common sense and my wallet!

All You Magazine: www.allyou.com









Thursday, May 3, 2012

Continuing the Fight Against ALS: May is ALS Awareness Month

Lou Gehrig's Disease also known as ALS is a debilitating, fatal neurological disease which robs those that it affects from living a normal life. It may start casually enough as a simple limp or numbness in the arm.

It generally progresses quite quickly and can completely ravage and kill its victims within 2-5 years after a confirmed diagnosis. 

It tends to effect more men then women and strikes in middle age. There is no cure and medications can only lengthen life expectancy to a few more months. 

This disease effects every body system including the respiratory (trouble breathing) and digestive system (loss of swallowing reflex and bowels).

The cruelest symptom of the disease is that most* of those suffering from it retain their full mental faculties, which means they completely understand what is happening to their bodies and they are powerless to change the outcome.

*Researchers have recently discovered a form of ALS which affects brain function causing dementia. 

The disease received national press and a widely accepted name, when the famous New York Yankees baseball player, Lou Gehrig, announced his retirement from the game due to this affliction.


According to the ALS Association Approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year.

Thankfully through the work of dedicated scientists, volunteers, advocates, and donations, we are one step closer to finding a cure to this sadistic disease.

Patients, families and caregivers remain hopeful that one day ALS will be a memory instead of a reality.

 Until then, the fight to eradicate Lou Gehrig's Disease marches on!

A cure begins with you! To learn more about ways you can bring public attention and learn more about this disease see the following sites:

Mayo Clinic Fact About ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/DS00359

ALS Association website link which includes a calendar stating 31 ways you can help those suffering with ALS in May, ways to become an advocate and more!

ALS Association

Les Turner ALS Foundation This foundation was named after a Chicago businessman, named Les Turner, who received his diagnosis in 1976. This site offers information on local events, patient services they provide, counseling and support, and research information.

http://www.lesturnerals.org/

Official Lou Gehrig Website

http://www.lougehrig.com/about/als.htm


Books About ALS (Fiction and Non-Fiction) 

Children's Picture Book 

Your Ema Loves You by Eloise Lovelace

Juvenile Non-Fictional Informational 

Lou Gehrig's Disease by Melissa Ambramovitz

ALS- Lou Gehrig's Disease by Mary Dodson Wade

Teen Fiction 

God is in Pancakes by Robin Epstein

Juvenile Fiction 

The Happiness of Kati by Jane Vejjajiva

Adult Fiction 

The First Time by Joy Fielding

Returning to Earth by Jim Harrison

You're Not You by Michelle Wildgen

Adult Non-Fiction (Religious Aspects) Featuring ALS Patients

I Choose Everything: Embracing God in the Face of Terminal Illness by Jozanne Moss

Learning to Fall: The Blessing of an Imperfect Life by Philip E. Simmons

Biography/Autobiography 

Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom

Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig by Jonathan Eig

What a Time to Live: The Autobiography of James B. Hamilton by James B. Hamilton

How Will They Know If I'm Dead?: Transcending Disability and Terminal Illness by Robert C. Horn

Rowing Without Oars by Ulla-Carin Lindquist

This Far and No More: A True Story by Andrew H. Malcolm

Augie's Quest: One Man's Journey From Success to Significance by Augie Nieto

Letting Go: Morrie's Reflections on Living While Dying by Morris S. Schwartz

I Remember Running: The Year I Got Everything and ALS by Darcy Wakefield

Charlie's Victory: An Autobiography by Charlie Wedemeyer

His Brother's Keeper: A Story From the Edge of Medicine by Jonathan Weiner


DVDs

Adult Motion Picture DVD about Lou Gehrig 

The Pride of the Yankees starring Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig 

Adult Informative DVD

ALS Lou Gehrig's Disease (Host Jamie Guth) 

Adult DVD Documentary 

So Much So Fast 

Adult Television Movie 

Tuesdays With Morrie starring Jack Lemmon and Hank Azaria

Ted Koppel Interview with Morrie Schwartz DVD

Lessons on Living 


Medical Sourcebooks 

The Official Patients Sourcebook of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis by Icon Health Publications

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis by Robert G. Miller