eBay on Opposite Day

There's a new website where the lowest UNIQUE bidder wins the goods. Hmmmm, very interesting. Check it out:
www.41414.com

Make Money not Excuses

Can't figure out why you never have enough money? Then, you need this book from "Today Show" and "Oprah" money guru Jean Chatzky. For more info, go to www.jeanchatzky.com .

...But Nobody Wants to Die

OK...no one wants to talk about this kind of stuff, because when you make plans for the end of your life it confirms your mortality. But, for your own and your family's sake it is necessary to plan now for the inevitable. Today we talked to Dee Leahman of Hospice. October is "Healthcare Decision Month" and Dee answered questions about things like living wills and healthcare powers of attorney.

Hospice is hosting several educational sessions this month. They will also help folks prepare their own living wills and powers of attorney at no charge. For more information, call 768-6157, ext. 622 or visit one of the following websites:

www.hospicecarecenter.org

http://fsdcms.org/mednews_dt.asp?article-id=523962746

http://www.blogger.com/www.seniorservicesinc.org

Everybody Wants to go to Heaven...

I've just finished reading a book by David Crowder and John Hogan (David Crowder Band) called "Everybody Wants to go to Heaven, but Nobody Wants to Die". I don't exactly know what to say about it. It was perhaps the unusual book I have ever read. But it was also gripping, funny, tragic and thought-provoking.

David & Hogan wrote the book while in the midst of profound grief following the death of their close friend Kyle Lake. Kyle was the pastor of the church (University Baptist) in Waco, Texas where David is the worship leader. You probably heard about his death, he was the pastor that was electrocuted while doing a baptism.

This book opened many wounds of my own that I thought had closed long ago. Namely those coming from the death of my father 11 years ago. About halfway through reading it I became angry at David and Hogan for forcing me to feel the deep ache of loss and grief again. But, by the end of the book they helped me to realize that I must fully feel and embrace the sorrow brought about by the people I have lost in my life in order to be able to fully feel and embrace the hope and joy that we are promised as Christians.


Intrigued?
www.everybodywantstogotoheaven.com

Skin Stuff

Don't forget about the open house tonight from 5-7 at Piedmont Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery. There will be free food, prizes, gifts, facials and information about the latest and greatest in skin care treatments and products. Visit www.clrskin.com for more info.

Piedmont Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
765 Highland Oaks Dr., Suite 100
Winston Salem, NC 27103
Phone 336-760-4004
Fax 336-760-6632
Toll Free: 888-473-0218
Map

Save Money on Groceries

I don't know about you, but I am always looking for ways to save money. Since food is one of my family of 5's biggest monthly expenses, I especially like to save $$ on groceries. Here are a few ideas...

After hearing many rave reviews from subscribers of thegrocerygame.com, I decided to give it a try. Every week I get a list of the best deals on groceries along with information about coupons that I can use to maximize my savings. You save money by stocking up on groceries when they're at their lowest price. The list I subscribe to is for Harris Teeter, but there are lots of other options to chose from. So far, I'm very pleased with this service. There's a 4 week trial period that costs$1.00. After that a subscription costs $10.00 for 8 weeks. Give it a try: www.thegrocerygame.com

September is National Coupon Month. I looooove me some coupons :) Here's that website:
www.couponmonth.com

Finally, people keep telling me about Angel Food Ministries which "provides discounted food not only for those that need it, but for any others who appreciate deep discounts on quality groceries." For $25 you can buy a food package worth $50 or more. This is open to everyone, regardless of income. Here is the website for more information and where you can find a local host site: www.angelfoodministries.com

And, of course, there's also your friendly neighborhood Aldi store. When you don't have coupons and don't want to spend the time researching the best deals, Aldi always offers low prices. The stores are definitely bare bones, you have to bring or buy your own grocery bags, a cart requires a 25-cent deposit and you can count on a lengthy wait in line. But, the groceries are always cheap and you can get pretty much everything you need there. For weekly specials visit www.Aldi.com.

If you have any tips...I'd love to hear from you! You can post your comment here. Thanks!

Erin's Victory Dance

You may remember our conversation on the Morning Show a few weeks ago with Laurie Edwards from Thomasville, NC. It was her daughter Erin Browning whose battle with cancer inspired the Casting Crowns song "Praise You in This Storm". Erin went to be with the Lord on November 11, 2004.

On October 14, Erin's sister Mary Beth is hosting a formal dance in Erin's honor. All of the proceeds will benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, where Erin spent a week shortly before she passed away. You can find out more about the dance and Erin's legacy by going to the website below.

http://www.erinsvictorydance.com/

Zip-Loc Omelet

OK...so this morning I told you about a recipe to make an omelet in a zip-loc bag. But, after checking it out on the internet, I have since learned that the makers of Zip-Loc bags do not recommend boiling their bags because it could break down the plastic. Sooooo, so much for the foolproof omelet. My quest continues.

The Frizzamyer Principle

Adelaide Zindler is a Preschool Life Coach and the author of "The Frizzamyer Principle", a book about the dangers of labeling children. She believes that labels like ADD, ADHD, autistic, etc. can prevent us from seeing the potential a child has. For more information, visit her website: www.pedsplay.com

J.W. & Jacob White Fund

I can't imagine and don't ever want to know what it would feel like to lose two of my children. But that's exactly what happened to the parents of J.W. and Jacob white, the 3 and 4 year old brothers who drowned in the Dan River last week. While there's little anyone can do to ease this family's pain, we can help to ease the financial strain caused by this tregedy. Donations to help cover the cost of the funeral are currently being accepted. You can send your contribution to the J.W. and Jacob White Trust Fund, care of LSB Bank, 1101 Main St., Danbury, N.C. 27016.

Barbara Whaley--Back to Basics Natural Health Care

Barbara Whaley is a regular guest on Your Family Friendly Morning Show who specializes in natural health care. She can be reached at Back to Basics Natural Health Center, (336) 766-6565.

Angie's List

Looking for a plumber, house cleaner, hair stylist, contractor or other business/service provider but don't know where to turn? It's always hard to choose when you don't know anything about a company. Well, look no further than Angie's List. On this website you can read reviews of area professionals and businesses to see what their other customers think about them. You can also leave reviews of companies. There is a small fee to join Angie's List, but since it is new to this area you can sign up for a limited time and get a free one year membership. I did and it's quick and painless. Here's where you go to sign up or for more info:
http://www.angieslist.com/AngiesList/about.asp

Back to School Jitters

Today we spoke with the folks at Associates in Christian Counseling (ACC) about easing kid's (and parent's) back-to-school anxieties. For more information on this topic, you can contact ACC at 896-0065 or visit www.christiancounseling.org

Angels Race

This morning we spoke to Mick Gunter, founder of the Angels Race Sprint Triathalon. During this race, participants write the name of the angel they are honoring on their body. This is a beautiful way to remember and honor a loved one who has inspired you. For more infomation, visit www.angelsrace.com.

Superman and Jesus?

Last week we talked to Steven Skelton, the author of "The Gospel According to the World's Greatest Superhero". The book draws some very compelling comparisons between Jesus and Superman and is an interesting read for anyone, but particularly for you comic-book junkies and "Man of Steel" aficionados. Here is Steven's website for more info:
http://www.entmin.com/index.htm

Another Dental Clinic Day at Phillips and Cuthrell, DDS.

Phillips and Cuthrell, D.D.S. have announced the date for their next dental clinic day. On Saturday, October 28 they will offer low-cost dental services by appointment all day long. All of the proceeds go to a charitable cause...this time the money will be donated to the family of a little boy in need of a Liver Transplant. For more info visit www.winstonsalemdentistry.com

Welcome to my blog!

Chick-fil-a Kyle Petty Charity Ride

The event at the Mall on Sunday, 7/30 was fantastic. Although it was quite hot, everyone had a great time. I got to meet lots of people including Brian Littrell, Kyle Petty, Richard Petty and Dan Cathy-the President of Chick-Fil-A. But, I think I was most excited to meet Patty Petty. I so admire her determination to create beauty from the pain in her life. That drive has led to the creation of the Victory Junction Gang Camp... a truly amazing place.

Congratulations to Kyle and Patty for the completion of another successful ride across America. Welcome Home!

90 Minutes in Heaven

Today we talked to Don Piper about his book, "90 Minutes in Heaven." It's a fascinating look at his experience after he was in a horrible car accident, pronounced dead on the scene and then 90 minutes later came back to life. He talks about the experience of being in heaven, the long and painful road to recovery following the accident and how all of it has changed his life. For more information, you can visit his website at http://www.donpiperministries.com/ .

Erin's Song

This week we heard the touching story of Erin Browning, the little girl whose battle with cancer inspired Mark Hall of Casting Crowns to write the song, "Praise You in This Storm". Her mother, Laurie Edwards is an amazing woman and an example of true faith that persists even through the darkest of valleys. For more information about Erin, you can visit www.prayforerin.com .