Maria's Space

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Patiently Waiting

I took this photo for Monochrome Weekly, while waiting on a bench at the park for Goddess. It was a beautiful, November day and those will be few and far between as we head into the colder months of NY.

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner

Well, it's not necessarily a chicken dinner but it is some really fun prizes!

Today when I headed over to Random to draw the numbers, it was done for maintenance. So, what's a girl to do? Well, she shouts out to her 3 family members sitting on the couch and asks them to pick two numbers from 2-123. The following winners were chosen by my husband and kids.

The winners of the Eden Fantasy Whoopee Giveaway (thanks Drew G) are:

Damla
Hollow Sins

The winner of the NFL Keychain, Bottle opener from the Wholesale Keychain giveaway is:

Karen, who selected the Green Bay Packers!

Congratulations Ladies! I will be emailing you this morning. If you do not receive an email, please email me at ree026@ optonline.(net). You have 48 hours to claim your prize or another winner will be selected.

To everyone else, thanks for entering and your continued support

Saturday, November 21, 2009

The Last Song on Audiobook - 3 Winners

On September 13th, I posted my review of The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. You can read it here

Description
Seventeen year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father… until her mother decides it would be in everyone’s best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church. The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story about love in its myriad forms – first love, the love between parents and children – that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that deeply felt relationships can break our hearts… and heal them.

The movie scheduled to come out in April stars Miley Cyrus, Kelly Preston and Greg Kinnear. I am really excited to see the movie after reading the book and I am sure Miley's fans are just as excited.

I didn't cry while reading the book but hearing it is totally different. It is an extremely emotional story and I am sure the movie will have me sobbing.

.
Hachette Book Group, would like to offer my readers a chance to read to win 1 of 3 audiobooks of The Last Song.

To Enter, Fill Out The Form Below before Dec 5 at Midnight:

*Subscribe to my newsletter

*Follow my blog

* Blog about this contest and link back to me (provide the link in the comment) for three extra entries (Enter 3 separate comments)

*Add me to your blogroll and provide the link

*Follow me on Twitter , Tweet this and leave the link.

*Become a fan of Maria's Space on Facebook

*Subscribe to Chotskies, my other blog

*Email 2 friends and CC me

* Post my button on your sidebar

*Post my holiday button on your sidebar.

Disclaimer: I received no payment to write this review. The words are all mine and I was not forced or asked to write anything you read here. In my opinion, a blogger review is the equivalent of me talking to my friends and family in my daily life, about a product I either love or don’t. All the opinions throughout my posts are strictly my own.

Self Portrait Sunday - Outside

I played with Picnik adding cross processing and changed my hair color in the second one. So fun.

Christmas Gift Idea for Preschools - K'Nex Sesame Street Neighborhood Collection

Recently I was able to review K'Nex The Sesame Street Neighborhood Collection with my children. They loved it!

The K'nex Sesame Street Neighboorhood Collection lets kid's build and then play with their favorite Sesame Street pal, including Elmo, Cookie Monster and Ernie. There are 4 individual sets to choose from and kids can build and rebuild over and over again.

They are retailed at $9.99 - $19.99 and at those prices you can get them the whole neighborhood.

We received this one.

My daughter happened to be home sick this day with a stomach virus and this made her day.

When I asked her to pose with the box she had no problem at all.Obviously!

Feeling much better, she proceed to build. She tried to copy what was on the box and got something like it but not quite. Then she asked me to do it for her. She was happy with that and played until her brother got home from school. Then they took it apart and made Elmo and Ernie robots. They received it over 8 days ago and have played with it everyday alone and together. They are even asking for the other sets.

The box says it is good for 2-5 year olds but my son is 6.5 and is still in love with Sesame Street.

K'nex Neighborhood Collection head over here

For a safe, fun, colorful way for children to play with characters they love and are comfortable with I highly suggest K'Nex.

K'nex isn't only for the littlest kids on your list. Check out the kits they have for the older builders on your holiday list.

Thanks to Team Mom for this really fun opportunity!

P.S. How does a $1,000 worth of K'NEX Building Sets sound? Good to me! K'NEX is holding a video contest where there winner would win big time!

How: Make a video that showcases your child's K'NEX building skills and features your child building with K'NEX. Be creative, use your imagination, construct your own story-as long as the video features building with K'NEX the possibilities are endless!

The 10 best videos will be featured on KNEX.COM and the winning video will receive $1,000 worth of K'NEX toys.

Contest: November 4, 2009 - December 7, 2009

How to Enter: Post your video on your own blog or website and submit the link along with a completed entry form, including name, age, email, phone number to knexvideocontest@knex.com.

No blog or website? No worries, simply send your DVD/VHS, completed form to Make A K'NEXion Video Contest, K'NEX Brand, LP, P.O. Box 700, Hatfield, PA 19440.

Videos must be at least 30 seconds but no more than 3 minutes long with one or more of the following products:

K'NEX 400 PC Tub
K'NEX Sesame Street Building Sets

Sounds like a good time to me.

Computer Woes!

My laptop is 6 years old and has been working hard ever since I received it. Unfortunately, I believe things are coming to an end. This is being written up on my husband's computer.

Wahhhhh....this isn't efficient blogging at all and when it takes over 2 hours to write a 3 minute post you tend not to want to get on the computer.

Hopefully, Santa or some wonderful computer company will take pity on me and put my worries to rest with a shiny new laptop.

One can dream can't one?

Celebrate This Thanksgiving With Sandra Lee and Music By Joshua Bell - CD Giveaway

Thanksgiving is in just a few short days. Can you believe it?

Thanks to Sony Music I was given the opportunity to tell you about the perfect combination of delicious food with a dash of the perfect dinner music.

Food Network's Sandra Lee has created the perfect Thanksgiving meal and a drink inspired by the music of Violinist Joshua Bell's music.

There is nothing like the perfect meal, great friends, and amazing music to listen to.

Sandra Lee has created the perfect Thanksgiving meal and a drink inspired by the music from Joshua Bell’s new album At Home With Friends which features duets with Josh Groban, Sting, Regina Spektor, Kristin Chenoweth and many others. For the ambiance Joshua Bell is making available to you his full album for to stream throughout your Thanksgiving dinner party.

“Thanksgiving is the perfect time to bring everyone together to celebrate a year of blessings. Simple, time-saving shortcuts to create a meaningful feast can be found in my new book Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Cocktail Time. Give your gracious gathering a heartwarming start with my personal favorite, Joshua Bell’s new album, At Home With Friends and greet guests at your door with a vibrant cocktail, such as a Cinema Paradisio. The main attraction is food, so try turning your main dish into a colorful centerpiece. For a quick and easy dessert try Semi-Homemade Brownie Bottom Cheesecake, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time celebrating with your family and friends.” – Sandra Lee

Sandra Lee has some amazing tips.

Cocktails:
Rename your cocktails for a signature touch and serve them in an array of glasses in different shapes and sizes for a glamorous effect. If you have a special album playing review your song list and allow the song titles to inspire your cocktails, ie. Peach Cider can be turned into "Cinema Paradiso" to match the beautiful deut of the same name Joshua Bell's new album At Home With Friends.

To listen to Joshua's Album click the link below.

Pop Up Audio

Thanks to Sony Music Commercial Music Group I have a copy of Joshua Belll's CD.

To Enter, Fill Out The Form Below before Dec 5 at Midnight:

*Subscribe to my newsletter

*Follow my blog

* Blog about this contest and link back to me (provide the link in the comment) for three extra entries (Enter 3 separate comments)

*Add me to your blogroll and provide the link

*Follow me on Twitter , Tweet this and leave the link.

*Become a fan of Maria's Space on Facebook

*Subscribe to Chotskies, my other blog

*Email 2 friends and CC me

* Post my button on your sidebar

*Post my holiday button on your sidebar.

Friday, November 20, 2009

When Teacher's Talk - A Book Review

Product Description

Principal abuse of power and principal abuse of teachers, which has been clearly documented by teachers in this book, may very well be the most significant underlying cause contributing to the decline of public education in America today. Abusive and incompetent public school administrators who treat teachers with anything less than the dignity and respect they deserve do so at the direct expense of teachers, their student populations, and the communities in which they reside. Throughout the interviews in this book, teachers give detailed accounts of how principals do not provide them with the administrative support needed to effectively teach and maintain discipline in their classrooms. They explain how they have been prevented from functioning optimally and how their best efforts to help their students have been frustrated. The inevitable results are dysfunctional, permissive, non-disciplinary school environments which produce a steady stream of students who leave school and enter mainstream society totally unequipped to take on the responsibilities of functioning adults.

For decades, the widespread condition of principal abuse of power has been hidden from public view. Throughout the book, teachers describe in detail, numerous examples of principal abuses they have personally witnessed and experienced, and how and why the situation remains unrecognized by the general public. Many teachers legitimately fear suffering repercussions for publicly speaking out about the problem. Consequently, parents have been almost completely unaware of its existence and the degree to which it affects their children's education. It is important to again emphasize, that the studies in this book are by no means a condemnation of all principals, and the positive contributions of good administrators have been fully recognized. The teachers who were interviewed for the educational studies in this text freely expressed their feelings regarding both “good” and “bad” principals for whom they had worked. However, the overall negative results of the studies unequivocally indicate that a crisis of major proportions may be present in many public school districts across America.

Since my son started Kindergarten I have had the opportunity to read so many books on education and the school system. This book was yet another one that made me reconsider the idea of homeschooling. If you are a teacher this book will not come as a surprise to you. However, it does uncover what a lot of us parents already know. The principal of the school isn't perfect and can and will make mistakes. The mistakes are not the problem, it is the abuse of teachers and students that is the heart of this book.

Every job has a boss. In the school the principal is the boss and then we move up to the Superintendent. I am not ready to say that principals are the sole problem in the school. I believe the problem is much bigger than that. We all know that the BS trickles down from the top. I would never say the principal is the brains of the school. Maybe in some locations this is so but honestly, I believe the person who sees and knows everything is the School Secretary. In my experience they are quite knowledgeable, pleasant, do everything, know everything and see everything. The principal is nothing without their secretary.

The problems is much more global than a bunch of power wielding principals. The school system as a whole has to be reevaluated. The people we put our children in the hands of need to be looked at. They need to be happy. They need to be compensated. They need to be educated and that education should never stop.

While the government is busy increasing the age of mammogram recipients they would be better of looking into our schools. The place where our children are being molded needs to be looked at under a microscope.

This book should be read by all parents, teachers, PTA members, and school board members.

Parents: If your child attends a school, buy this book and educate yourself. Get Involved! See what is really going on and if you don't like it, don't be afraid to do something about it. The school is where your child spends most of their time. Shouldn't it be a healthy environment?

You will not be able to put this book down.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

New Moon Giveaway, Candy & Jewelry Ahhhh Perfect Together

The countdown for New Moon has pretty much taken over my Chotskies Blog for the past 9 months. I love the whole Twilight Sage and can't wait to see New Moon.

I am not so fanatical that you will see me anywhere near the theatre for the next few weeks because I really want to SEE and HEAR the movie. I can do without the gasps and screaming of the crazies but I am as excited as the next person.

Hopefully I can get some of my girls together and go see the movie one day in a couple of weeks.

Until then, I have a New Moon Giveaway for my readers.

Last month I found New Moon. Chocolate by Skybar to be exact. Carmel for Edward, Cream filling for Bella and Peanut Butter for Jacob.

I wish I bought more than two bags because they were yummy. We (the husband, my nieces and I ate one bag) and the other I hid away for this exact moment.

Beside the Skybar Chocolate I have a New Moon Keychain and a Jacob (minus the shirt) pendent from Street Angel

Since this giveaway is for New Moon fans, I thought we could have some fun with this.

To Enter answer 1 or all of these questions, for each question answered correctly, you will get another entry in the giveaway.

If you are a New Moon fan, these questions will be easy for you.

What is the name of the vampire family that lives in Volterra, Italy?
How does Edward plan to provoke the vampire royalty into killing him?
Who finds Bella in the woods after the Cullen family leaves Forks?
Who did Sam Uley imprint on?

To Enter, Fill Out The Form Below before Dec 3rd at Midnight:

For Extra Entries:

*Subscribe to my newsletter

*Follow my blog

*Make Street Angel a favorite on Etsy

* Blog about this contest and link back to me (provide the link in the comment) for three extra entries (Enter 3 separate comments)

*Add me to your blogroll and provide the link

*Follow me on Twitter , Tweet this and leave the link.

*Become a fan of Maria's Space on Facebook

*Subscribe to Chotskies, my other blog

*Email 2 friends and CC me

* Post my button on your sidebar

*Post my holiday button on your sidebar.