I came across a great deal this morning through the rewards site I use, Sunshine Rewards. They have a merchant named Tanga who is having a deal each day this week on select magazines. The deal is as follows:

This week Tanga is offering great magazine subscription deals. Each magazine deal listed will run on one specific day of this week. The deals will run from PM PST(PM EST) the day of to to 6:59 PST (9:59 EST) the following day. Below you will find the list of magazines, the day they are on special as well as our link to Tanga!

Monday, September 26th at PM PST (PM EST)
Weight Watchers Magazine Subscription, $3.99 with Coupon Code: WEIGHT

Tuesday, September 27th at PM PST (PM EST)
Garden & Gun Magazine Subscription, $3.50 with Coupon Code: GARDEN

Wednesday, September 28Th at PM PST (PM EST)
Disney Family Fun Magazine Subscription, $3.50 with Coupon Code: DISNEY

Thursday, September 29th at PM PST (PM EST)
Bridal Guide Magazine Subscription, $3.99 with Coupon Code: BRIDAL

Friday, September 30th at PM PST (PM EST)
Rolling Stone Magazine Subscription, $3.99 with Coupon Code: STONE

Saturday, October 1st at PM PST (PM EST)
Men’s Fitness Magazine Subscription, $3.99 with Coupon Code: FITNESS

Sunday, October 2nd at PM PST (PM EST)
Tennis Magazine Subscription, $2.99 with Coupon Code: TENNIS

These are amazing prices on these magazine subscriptions. I am personally interested in the Weight Watchers and Family Fun. I have had a subscription to Family Fun before and it is such a great magazine. They have fun articles and great ideas for recipes, crafts and "Family Fun". At 3.99 it is worth checking it. You would pay that much for one magazine on the newsstand. Let me know which ones you order!!

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Every so often a book comes along that really hits at the heart of the matter. This book did that for me. Most people know that story of Jaycee Dugard and her abduction. Most people also know the story of how she was found 18 years later. What most people don’t know is what happened to her in the 18 years that came in between those two major events.

This book is a tough read at times. The things that Jaycee Dugard endured where abhorrent and would’ve killed most people. However, her story needs to be told. Most of the true crime stories I read are written by a third party. This happens because most of the victims don’t survive to tell their story. Jaycee Dugard is different…she made it out. She can tell her story in her own words. Jaycee was abducted as a child but was anything but when she was found. She came home a woman who never knew what it was like to be cared for and loved. She came home a mother of two daughters who were fathered by her abductor. She came home a survivor and no longer a victim. Her story is one of triumph. Her story is one of heartbreak.

Read this book. Read it because it will change who you are and how you interact with others around you. I find myself being more observant of the children I come in contact with everyday. I keep an eye and ear open for their needs and for possible chances to help them change their lives. I’m not looking to save an abducted child…just make a difference in the life of a child who needs it.

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This is a book that I purchased over a year ago and I started to read it but found it hard to get past the first chapter. I recently picked it back up because I found myself with nothing to read while relaxing in the bathtub. I am really glad that I did. The subject matter of this book is tough to read but I think everyone needs to hear the details of the lives these women lead.

Not Without My Sister is the story of three sisters who were raised in the Children of God cult. These girls were abused from the very start by "family" members who viewed sex between adults as acceptable and normal. This cult used sex as a means of controlling its members. The accounts of these girls about the abuse they sustained at the hands of the adults in their lives is chilling. There was no one to protect them. They were forced to recite songs and writings of the all knowing "Mo" who was their "prophet." They had to witness beatings, sexual abuse, mental abuse, families being torn apart and people committing suicide all in the name of God.

There could be no more worse abuse than for people to take advantage of a child’s blind faith in their parents to fulfill their own needs. Their father "wed" many women and then fathered more children and then would leave to fulfill his "mission" and leave his children behind. Others would foster these children and treat them horribly. They would be sent to teen camps where they were forced to "date" older men.

I have to say that this book even made me question why I believe some of the things I believe. I had to wonder at times if I would have been capable of the blind faith these people had in another person. I even began to question whether or not I wasn’t being blindly led by my church. Finally, I realized that the teachings of cults are so off base from reality that it would be hard for someone not born and raised in their society to believe. That is why they prey on people who are lost and seeking others to bond with. They need people that have that hole they are seeking to fill. Only then can they draw people in to their lies and deception.

It is amazing to see that these three girls survived and escaped the cult they were born and raised in. It took many years and a lot of courage but they finally one by one left and reconnected with each other. I warn that this book has many disturbing parts. The girls recount their abuses in detail and not everyone wants to be faced with those kinds of horrors. In the end I am glad I read this book. Not the best writing but the story itself is an important one to tell.

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Here is another book I have added to the stack. I am from New Orleans so the Saints are my "Home Team" and Payton is my coach. I have been hearing some really amazing things about this book. I do realize though that they are coming from people who love Sean Payton and the Saints like no other coach and team. There have been raffles and lotteries for people to stand in line to get a chance to get a signature on this book from Payton. The bookstores in the greater New Orleans area are making a windfall on this book. With these things in mind I had to add this one to my list. I have heard him speak and I am always amazed at his ability to inspire people. I have had several people tell me that the book was really great so I can’t wait to read it and let you guys know what I think. Go get it today so we can talk about it soon!!!

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I have another Disney themed book for you guys to read! This one is not your typical Disney book though. This book isn’t going to reveal any great information about how to "do" Disney or what to see and what not to see. It will however change the way you look at those brightly dressed Cast Members who always seems to want to cheerfully help you with all your Disney needs.

Mitchell spent a year as a Cast Member at Disney and gives a recount of what he encountered in that year when it came to the other people he worked with daily. I have to warn that I there is drinking and sex in this book so buyer beware. This is kinda like the "animal house" of the mouse world. The escapades of the mostly college aged CMs and what goes on around Disney when we aren’t looking.

If you are looking for a deeper understanding of Disney this isn’t the book for you. This is a fun and light read and really more of an add on for those who love Disney information and it will make you laugh. Who could ask for more from a summer read? Enjoy!

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Hello Saints fans!!! I am from New Orleans so I always love to promote anything that has to do with my hometown. I really love to promote anything that has to do with the Superbowl Champion New Orleans Saints! Throw Drew Brees in to that mix and this book is a definite must read for me.

Coming Back Stronger is Brees’ story about how a shoulder injury nearly ended his career and how his determination and that of the city of New Orleans brought them to top of the world from the depths of depression. It is a story of resilience and survival and the underdog overcoming adversity.

I have heard Drew Brees speak before and he has an amazing ability to draw you in to his life and make you see where he is coming from. I have no doubt this book will be a great story to read.

The book is set  for release on July 6th and can be pre-ordered now for a July 6th delivery. I have no doubt it is going to be a bestseller and like its author go all the way to the top. Enjoy!

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I have just started to reread the book The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World by Susan Veness. I have read this book before but I like to read it again when I am getting close to a new trip. This book has so many terrific tips, secrets and insight in to the parks at WDW. I love all of the little hidden things that Disney puts in to the parks and this book helps me remember to stop and "smell the roses" and look for these things. The book claims to have "over 600 secrets" and I have to say that it has at least that many. It is a fun read and gives the reader a new perspective on things they see every trip. I have been making a list of things I know I want to look for on the next trip. I recommend that anyone going to Disney take the time to read this book. There are a few out of date items but that is to be expected with Disney making so many changes so quickly. I imagine the new Fantasyland expansion will make it even more out of date but it is still a very useful and enjoyable book to read. Enjoy!

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It has been a tough week around here this week. I have been dealing a family member with health issues and it hasn’t been easy. I never imagined all of the issues that people with cancer deal with once they come home from the hospital. Not only do they need to try to recuperate from the surgery but the also have to change so much of what is familiar to them. We have been trying to figure out how to raise the mattress on her bed so that it will be easier for her to get in and out of bed without having to bend over too far. We also have to change out all of her sheets with allergy bedding because the chemotherapy is going to cause her to have a lower immune system. We had to figure out how she was going to get in and out of her vehicle which now has to be driven by someone else. Not to mention getting her from the car to the doctor’s office for her checkups. Who designs these places with ramps that slope up??? How do you walk or push a wheelchair up these ramps? It has been such a life changing experience that I realized I need to make some plans for if the time ever comes that I need this kind of care. It isn’t something anyone wants to have to face but I am a firm believer that planning ahead of time will make things easier to deal with. Do any of you know of any good books or reference materials for helping care for cancer patients at home? I haven’t found what I am looking for and since I am a reader and researcher by nature I would love your input. Thanks!

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I love a strong woman! I find it respect worthy for a woman to rise to the top of any career whether or not I agree with their actions or beliefs. I have to admire Hillary Clinton, Condoleesa Rice, and Sarah Palin. I admire them all for the same reasons though they are all so vastly different in their lives and careers. I can only imagine the struggles a woman has to deal with when raising a family and having a highly visible career. I doubt I would fair too well if media were there every time I went to the grocery store or had dinner with my spouse. It takes a special kind of woman to run a house and a high profile career at the same time.

These and many other are the reasons I think I will give Sarah Palin’s new book a read. I have issues with her on some level but I also have a great deal of respect. I am interested to see what she has to say about raising a family when you are in the bullseye of the spotlight. She has had the added stresses of teenage pregnancy, a disabled child and political scandals in her year in the spotlight.

Her book will be releasing on November 17th and is available for pre-order at many of the major retailers. I will give you a better idea of the content once I have actually read it but I wanted to let you know it was on its way to hitting stores. Enjoy!

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Hello Readers! I haven’t done a book review in quite some time but I have been so busy with back to school and PTA that I haven’t had much time to read. I have had a book I was reading when I got a chance and I just finished it. I have to say that this book really touched me. I can’t say I ever really considered foster children very much. I wasn’t directly touched in my life by fostering and so it just didn’t cross my mind. This book has changed that in ways I can’t explain. It has spurred me to look for ways to help. I can’t say that I am the type of person to foster a child, I have three small children and not a lot of patience. I do think that there are a million other ways for people to help children that have been placed in "the system." My new goal this month is to find out what options there are and find a way to make even a small difference. Perhaps as a CASA advocate. Maybe just financial help to a local program. I could even see doing something wonderful for the amazing people who give of themselves, their families and their lives to give children a better life.

Back to the book. This book details the horrendous things that Dave Pelzer lived through as a young child and pre-teen. The things his mother did to him were worse than anything I have ever read described. It truly is a testament to his will to live that he didn’t just die in that environment. He was forced to live in a basement on a cot with no covers. He was forced to drink cleaning fluids when he didn’t complete his chores in a timely manner. He was beaten and abused and humiliated in ways no human should ever have to survive. Just when he thought he was going to have to die to get out of the pain he was ‘rescued’ by an observant teacher and school system and taken away from his abusive mother. The book doesn’t end there though. Mr. Pelzer didn’t write the book as a means to let the world know about the horrors of his childhood. He wrote it so that he could tell the story of the people who saved him every step of the way once he left his mother’s "care." He wrote this book to show that foster children are not throw aways who are to be looked down upon. They are children who are victims and people often times victimize them even more by assuming that they must have done something to deserve being put in foster care. He also wanted to show that foster parents are not people out to make a buck at the expense of the children they accept. He attributes his survival and the amazing person he is today to the people who fostered him along the way.

I highly recommend this book to everyone! I think we all could learn a lesson about the importance of fostering children either as foster parents, mentors, facilitators or even just Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

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