Review: Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton

by Carol7 Comments
We were talking last night in Bible study about holding on and letting go. I had just finished reading Soul Surfer a day or two before, but it really fit with the topic. You may remember Bethany's story. She's a surfer and had her left arm bit off by a shark. She held on to faith in Jesus and to the support offered by her family and church. She let go of any "woe is me" attitude and is really an amazing girl. She also held on to surfing, something she loved, learning how to manage the board with only one arm. Soul Surfer was written by Bethany, a fourteen year-old girl, and it reads like that. It sounds like a young teenager, but I mean that in a good way. I think it would be easy for middle schoolers to read and relate to Bethany. It's a refreshingly honest story. Bethany talks about her life and the attack clearly and...
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Giveaway!

by Carol28 Comments
My husband is more of a numbers person than I am, and when he noticed that the little stats counter at the bottom there was approaching 100,000 views, he suggested I have a giveaway to celebrate. So that's what I'm doing! This giveaway is international, as long as the Book Depository ships to you you can enter. The prize is a book of your choice, up to $20, from the Book Depository. To enter, just fill out the form below by July 15. I'll announce the winner on the 16th. All personal information will be deleted following the end of the contest. This contest is closed. Sharing and comments will not get you extra entries, but I still appreciate both....
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100 Mile Fitness Challenge

by Carol7 Comments
Alright, I'm in! I can do 100 miles between July 1 and September 31, especially when I need to report in weekly. Amanda and Jill are running the 100 Mile Fitness Challenge. Here are the details. The nitty-gritty: In order to complete this Challenge, you will need to “travel” 100 miles from July 1st through September 31st. You can certainly pledge to walk/exercise more, but 100 miles is the "entry-level" amount. Here's how you calculate your mileage: *Running or walking 1 mile outside or on a treadmill equals 1 mile. *15 minutes of other workouts equals 1 mile (elliptical, swimming, weight lifting, workout video, workout classes, etc.). A few "workout" stipulations: “Workouts” only include activities specifically done for the purpose of exercise. Shopping, house cleaning, walking to and from the parking lot, and other day to day activities should not be included. Partial miles travelled on different days cannot be combined. For example, if you run 1.25 miles on one day, and .75 mile on another day, that does...
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Cooling Down with AC: 4:50 from Paddington

by Carol9 Comments
Mrs. McGillicuddy saw someone murdered on a train that passed the one she was on. She is positive that she saw a man strangling a woman, but after reporting it to the authorities, no body is found. No one seems to believe her, so she turns to her dear friend Miss Marple. Miss Marple listens to the whole story, goes to the local police who find nothing, and then assures her friend that she has done her duty. Mrs. McGillicuddy then goes on her way, but Miss Marple hasn't done all she can. As an older woman, Miss Marple cannot do al the necessary running around herself, so she calls on some old friends to help her. She sends Lucy Eyelsbarrow, a professional housekeeper to Rutherford Hall, the place Miss Marple is sure the body is. Of course, Lucy does find the body hidden in a sarcophagus in a barn, putting the Crackenthorpe family who live in the hall under the...
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Teaser from Soul Surfer

by Carol8 Comments
I found that I was competing against the same kids as before, which was great, because we all got to know each other, and I made some great new friends. These contest, while competitive in the water, are actually fun, happy events where winning is secondary to enjoying the surf, the beach, and all the companionship. (Tuesday Teaser from pg. 43 of Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton)...
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