Great Recipe!

I got this from someone's blog, sorry, I can't remember whose. Tried it and the WHOLE family ate it! Miracle! Give it a try!

Cheesy Mostaccioli
This recipe is from an old Pampered Chef cookbook. Simple and something my kids will eat. Freezes well.

10 servings
1¼ hours 30 min prep
1 (16 ounce) package mostaccioli pasta, uncooked
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1 (11 ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1-1 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Prepare the pasta according to the package directions; rinse and drain.
In a non-stick skillet, cook and stir the beef over medium-high heat until meat is browned; drain.
Add in spaghetti sauce, soup, pepper, and Italian seasoning; stir to combine.
In a large bowl, mix together the pasta, sauce, and 2 cups cheese.
Transfer mixture to a greased 4-quart baking dish.
Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese over the top.
Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until heated through.

I'm Burpy, or Gassy, or Daffy, or . . . . .

I cam upon this last week . . . .

The names of the Seven Dwarfs in the Disney movie "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" ("Bashful," "Doc," "Dopey," "Grumpy," "Happy," "Sleepy" and "Sneezy") were chosen from a pool of about fifty potentials. Blabby, Jumpy, Shifty, and Snoopy were among those that were rejected (along with Scrappy, Cranky, Dirty, Awful, Silly, Daffy, Flabby, Jaunty, Biggo Ego, Chesty, Baldy, Gabby, Nifty, Sniffy, Burpy, Scaredy, Lazy, Puffy, Dizzy, Stuffy, Gassy, Tubby, Mr. Shy, Loser, Flaunty, Hairy and Grabby) (Reference is Wikipedia.)

I think I'd qualify for Burpy, Gassy, maybe Tubby or Flabby, and sometimes Daffy and Silly or Cranky!

So, which one would you be?

And The Winners Are . . . .

The Winners of The Fabulous Fall Freebies Giveaway are . . . .

Andrea at The Laughs Will Go On
Drawing #1 - Women's Devotional Bible, book "Dreaming in Black & White" by Laura Jensen Walker, all in a cloth fall bag.

Amanda at Controlled Chaos
Drawing #2 - Lost in NashVegas and Diva NashVegas by Rachel Hauck. Plus a cute pumkin votive holder!

The entries did not reach 50 this time, so, sorry - no bonus drawing! Will hold the items for another special time.

Thanks to you all for entering! One thing I enjoy the most when giving away books is visiting the blogs of the people who enter the contest. I have found the neatest sites that way!

Check back next Monday for the next book drawing! It is a good one - it is on many people's lists for their Fall Reading List. If you haven't yet made up your Fall List - I encourage you to do so soon! Visit the Fall Reading List Host Callapidder Days for details!

Monday Movie Review

Movie Review #8

3:10 to Yuma

Starring: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale (need I say more?)

Rated: Rated R for violence and some language.

Type of Movie: Western

Description: The legendary outlaw, Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) and his gang have just robbed an armed stage coach carrying the Southern Pacific Railroads payroll. They kill everyone onboard except Pinkerton guard, Byron McElroy (Peter Fonda) whom Wade shoots in the belly. A poor rancher Dan Evans (Christian Bale) and his two sons find McElroy and take him to Bisbee, Arizona to find a doctor. Ben Wade is in town without his gang and the sheriff immediately surrounds the hotel. Dan distracts Ben Wade, who is captured without a shot being fired. Railroad representative Grayson Butterfield (Dallas Roberts) asks for paid volunteers to join McElroy's posse to take Wade to the train station in the town of Contention three days away. The train is due at 3:10, and they must put Wade on the train's prison car bound for Yuma. Once Wade arrives in Yuma, he will receive a quick trial in Federal Court and be hanged. Dan Evans, desperately needing money to save his farm, agrees to help transport Wade to Contention but he must be paid $200. The other paid volunteers who join the posse are Tucker (Kevin Durand) and Doc Potter (Alan Tudyk), the town's veterinarian. Unfortunately for the posse, Charlie Prince (Ben Foster), Wade's right hand man, sees what has happened to Wade, and he goes after the rest of the gang to help liberate Wade.Despite a deception to fool the gang, the odds move in their favour, and in the end it's Dan's desire to impress his sons that means getting him on the train becomes a personal battle of wills.

OK for Kids? No, not at all.

Opinion: Two excellent actors. Very violent. Some bad language. I'm going to be honest here, If you want the review of a Christian who wouldn't see this movie please click here - it is a great review. I agree with a lot of what it said. I just didn't view it all that way. Maybe I am too wordly. I just don't know. I just know I enjoyed the movie. Following is a comment on the movie from the website of the review - this person said pretty much exactly how I felt, so no need for me to write it up myself and claim it as my own: I don't believe Evans took money to kill. I believe Evans took money to escort a prisoner through hostile territory, which is a very brave and noble thing. I also believe that Evans was a Christian, but he lost his way or his faith was wavering because he lost his leg by one of his own men and didn't get much to compensate for it. I believe Evans also saw an opportunity to provide a positive role model to his son by not taking money from the outlaw and by being brave enough to escort the prisoner when others were cowards. This was important because Evans’ son thought he was a coward, and in the beginning it seemed as if Evans’ son was at risk to following in the footsteps of the outlaw.I believe Evans saw an opportunity to earn the money he needed for his family and cattle by escorting a prisoner to a prison train. Any killing he did was in self-defense and not gratuitous. Evans did not waver in his morals. Prior to seeing the movie, the previews did not provide much plot summary, so I was surprised that most of the characters were bad, though some seemed worse than others. I was going to walk out when I realized it was mostly about outlaws or oppressors (the man who wanted to keep the water from flowing to Evans' land). However, I stayed to see if Evans would fall victim to the lusts of the world like all the other characters in the movie. I was pleasantly surprised to discover he kept to his morals and accomplished his goal in spite of the price he had to pay.I disagree with the reviewer about Evans' killing so he can get the water rights for his cattle. I believe in that day and age gun slinging was the norm and shooting was either in self defense or so one could do something evil, like Ben Wade and his crew killing to steal. I believe bounty hunters in that day and age had to kill or be killed to catch their bounty and for lawmen to maintain order. They didn't have all the laws and technology to catch outlaws back then the way they do now. Also, from the westerns I've seen and not having lived during that time, outlaws didn't have a problem with shooting people to avoid capture, so it seems a necessity for lawmen or bounty hunters to follow suit. Please don't misunderstand me. I am not saying killing is right, but when you're in a war and completely outnumbered and outgunned it's a matter of survival. I think we need to remember the context. They didn't have bulletproof vests, rubber bullets, or gas canisters to use against the outlaws. If the bounty hunters, lawmen, etcetera didn't use guns, they would've been killed themselves and there would've been no order.Not that I agree with Mangold's message, but his message may be that just because someone can quote the Bible, doesn't mean he's good or has a close personal relationship with God. Paul stated the same thing in Romans 3, among other books and chapters.Overall, the language wasn't that bad. (The movie “Bad Boys 2” was much, much worse). There were no sex scenes, though it's alluded to with one character doing a sketch of another, kind of like in “Titanic.” Also, I appreciated the authenticity of the sets and wardrobe.

So, after looking over all this - you can decide if seeing this is right for you. If you go - enjoy. If not, I totally understand.

Let me know if you've seen it what you thought and if you're not going to see it - why?!

Rating (out of 5)

Fall Reading List

To Enter to Win the Current Book Giveaway, click here!
I love reading! And thus, I love books! And because books are too precious to only be read once - I give away all the books I buy and read. Now, I do try to get most of my books at the library, because unfortunately, I am not made of money (like my parents were!). But, I do try to always have a book giveaway you can enter on this blog. So, look around, leave a comment, enter for a free book . . . .

I am feeling a little guilty - I didn't finish my Summer Reading List. I had good intentions. But, I'm not giving up on those books - they are first on my Fall Reading List. Thanks go to Callipidder Days for hosting the challenge!

Leave me a comment if you are participating, I'd love to stop by and check out your list! If you've read one of these let me know your thoughts - good or bad!

My List:

Secret Life of Becky Miller by Sharon Hinck - read review here 10/07

Skin by Ted Dekker

Snow Angel by Jamie Carie - read review here 10/07
Hope Rising by Kim Meeder (reading this right now)

Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Rolling by Neta Jackson (reading right now)

The Other Mother: A Novel by Gwendolen Gross

Sushi For One by Camy Tang (I won this book!)

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

The Girls by Lorie Lansens - read for book club 10/07

You've Been Warned by James Patterson

Double Cross by James Patterson

UPDATE - FABULOUS FALL FREEBIES

UPDATE -

30 Entries so far!

Need 20 more for the bonus drawings.

Send your friends over to here to enter to win.

Reminder -
I am giving away:
1. Women's Devotional Bible and "Dreaming in Black and White" by Laura Walker Jensen (a great fiction read!) - in a fall cloth bag.
2. Lost in NashVegas and Diva NashVegas by Rachel Hauck with a Pumpkin votive candle (the books are very fun Christian Chick-Lit reads!)
Bonus: Faith at Home 5 section server and tray with snack bowls (very cute, bright colors!)

Babbling . . . . .

I have always struggled with guilt. Guilt over being a working mother. Guilt over watching a particular TV show or movie. Guilt over not letting my HWH have the remote everytime he wants to take it from me. Guilt for yelling at my children (even though they ignored me the first 3 times I asked them nicely).
My feelings of guilt are not as oppressing as they used to be. But I still get them. And when I think about it and be truly honest about it perhaps it's more an attack of conscience then guilt. Because all the above that I said I feel guilty for doing/watching, probably aren't "right".

I don't think I'm the only one who struggles with this. And perhaps if I yielded myself completely to Christ and not the things of this world. If I did what is "right" - stopped working, stopped watching a particular TV show, gave my HWH the remote every time, was more patient with my kids - then I would have more peace. I'm 35 years old and I just haven't found the guts, self control, and discipline needed for all that. I know "I" will never have it and at some point I will have to depend on Christ for all strength.

I know I'm rambling - but these are my inner demons and this is where I choose to write about them.

GUILT
Pronunciation: \gilt\
Function: noun
Date: before 12th century (Yeah, people have been feeling guilty a LONG time!)
1: the fact of having committed a breach of conduct especially violating law and involving a penalty; broadly : guilty conduct2 a: the state of one who has committed an offense especially consciously b: feelings of culpability especially for imagined offenses or from a sense of inadequacy : self-reproach3: a feeling of culpability for offenses

CONSCIENCE
Pronunciation: \kän(t)-shn(t)s\
Function: noun
Date: 13th century
1 a: the sense or consciousness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one's own conduct, intentions, or character together with a feeling of obligation to do right or be good b: a faculty, power, or principle enjoining good acts c: the part of the superego in psychoanalysis that transmits commands and admonitions to the ego2archaic : consciousness3: conformity to the dictates of conscience : conscientiousness4: sensitive regard for fairness or justice : scruple

I'm Back!

I was out of town for business. I stayed at the Marriott Waterside in Norfolk, VA. (Click here to read my Marriott vs. Hilton article!) Another great stay at a Marriott!

Here are a couple great posts at some other blogs that I missed and caught up on today. Be sure to check them out if you missed them too!

Rocks In My Dryer - Never Underestimate the Ability of A Boy (my youngest two are so into doing this right now! Get them together with their cousins and it's a symphony!)
An Island Life - Giving Flight Attendants a Bad Name (that they are even allowed to have a .40 to fly is awful! What if there is an accident - I want them sober enough to do their job/help out! I am not allowed to drink during work hours and I sit at a desk all day! Beautiful blog by the way!)
Callipidder Days - Fall into Reading 2007 - Get your Fall Reading list together and post here on Sunday 9/23! I'm so excited!
Holy Mama - Club 17, September - great story and great reminder!
Brock Gill - jkjdkjff. part 2 - He, his wife, his team are all making a huge impact on youth, telling them about Christ in new and creative ways! I hope to see his show one day!

Well, have a great week!

Gift of the Lord

"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD" Psalm 127:3

Sometimes it is hard for me to remember this.
I have 3 gifts - eldest boy - age 12, only girl - age 10, and youngest boy - age 5.
When they are constantly at each other for days at a time - arguing, complaining, whining, crying, showing me boo-boo after boo-boo, telling me constantly about aches and pains - I just wanna yell "CALGON, TAKE ME AWAY"!
But, I am so very blessed.
Many are unable to have children - I can simply think about getting pregnant and it seems to happen.
I have known several children who have passed away the past few years - one I knew fairly well, the others just through friends and such. Still, it is very difficult when that happens. I put myself in the parent's place and imagine their pain, terror, sadness. Though I know what I can imagine is only an ounce of what it is really like.
Friday a 6 year old boy at my sister's church went to bed, fine and healthy as far as the parents knew. He never woke up. He was a sweet little boy, full of love and fun, he loved Christ and had already asked Jesus to be his Savior.
I am praying for his family. And I am reminded to honor and cherish my children as the gift from God that they are. I looked at my youngest two as I dropped them off at school today. Told them I loved them, gave them an extra hug, and prayed for their safety.
I am so grateful for them. They really are the joy in my life. Yes, they drive me crazy. But they are soooo sweet, soooo cute, and the most wonderful gift I could have ever asked for.

Biggest Blog Giveaway I've Ever Seen!

GASP! CHOKE! HELP! 911!

NO. WAY!

$4,000 WORTH?

yes . . . . .

David Airey, an Irish designer who aims to create the best logos, is holding an anniversary prize giveaway. There’s more than $4,000 worth in free prizes! Find out how to enter by reading the details on David’s graphic design blog.

The hallmark of a great blog contest isn’t just the prize, but is also the entry requirements. The simpler, the better. And David has definitely kept it simple for this one: just blog about the contest and link back to his home page using the anchor text logo design by September 26.
Just blogging about his contest and linking back to him will get you one entry in the contest. But here’s the cool thing: you’ll get one extra entry for every five prize sponsors you link back to in your post

custom WordPress theme
blog advertising
I Love Typography
Lorelle on WordPress
Graphic Design Blog
improve your website design
search engine optimisation
professional blogger
Smart Wealthy Rich
Daily Blog Tips
WordPress designer
critique your blog
Fraser’s Affiliate Marketing Blog
Mom Gadget
Terinea Weblog
blog review
WordPress themes
WordPress skills
Marketing Tools Review
design for the Blogger platform
guide to social media
Wishful Thinking
business growth consultant
contract negotiations
product launch expertise
Business Blogwire
david the designer
winning brands
Ed Roach Watercolours
The Blog Experiment
Smart Wealthy Rich
Blog-Op
Contests
Freelance Folder

OOOPS! I forgot Movie Review Monday!

I was just looking over my blog and realized I forgot this week's Movie Review Monday! So, since you are all sitting on the edge of your seats awaiting my opinion - here goes!

Movie Review #7

Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Starring: Michael Chiklis, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Ioan Gruffudd

Rated: Rated PG for sequences of action violence, some mild language and innuendo.

Type of Movie: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Superhero

Description: With Von Doom back in his homeland of Latveria the fantastic four have new troubles when Galactus has decided that Earth is his next target. When his henchman, The Silver Surfer (Norrin Radd), is sent to Earth he discovers that he's getting more than he bargained for when he encounters the Fantastic Four. But that's not all when Dr. Doom decides that after two years in the homeland he is ready to return.

OK for Kids? Depends - on how much bad language you are comfortable with them hearing. There are a few uses of the "A" word and "C*AP", and maybe a few others. A few suggestive lines as well.

See it in theater or rent? Rent, if you see it. Don't think it's at the theater anymore. If you rent, definitely use RED BOX, to rent for $1 a night. I wouldn't want to pay Blockbuster's $4.5 to see it.

Opinion: I took my 12 year old son and his friend to see this movie. It wasn't as good as the first Fantastic Four. I wish the language had not been so bad, but, and this doesn't excuse him hearing it - he does hear worse at school everyday (even at Christian summer camps he hears worse - but don't get me started!). Luckily (as far as I know) my son does not use this language and knows better . . . .

The story line kept me entertained, but it was nothing special and if you don't see it you aren't missing anything!

Rating: (out of 5)

More Organized, well kinda

OK, not to be proud or boastful or anything. Really, it is just that I'm crawling out of the pathetic hole I have sunk into. But I am thankful to the Lord, that He has helped me stick with this -

For about a month now we have been eating dinner at the table as a family 5 out of 7 nights per week. That is new for us - we always have eaten in front of the TV at different times of the evening.

Also, I have gotten back into the habit of doing family devotions 5 out of 7 nights per week. The kids do personal devotions 5 out of 7 nights as well.

Now, I wish I could say I have been as diligent in my own personal devotions, but . . . .


Anyways, with eating dinner together, I have been cooking a lot more. I think this is helping the kids to be healthier, and to eat in a more timely manner (they would eat so slow in front of the TV!)


I have been reading blogs where they plan out their menu for the week. I am going to try to do this too. To keep me organized and less stressed about dinners.

Monday - I had Girl Scouts - special dinner at the meeting. The boys fielded for themselves.

Tuesday - Kilbasa, mac & cheese (whole wheat SuperMac - so good!), oranges

Wednesday - Sarge's EZ Pulled Pork (we have church Wed. night - so after I get home from work, only have about 1 hr. home before we have to leave for church. Crock Pot meal is a must for Wednesday's), plus fruit and can of veggies

Thursday - Another awesome Crock Pot meal plus fruit and can of veggies

Friday - HWH and I are going to a retirement dinner for his parent's. Kids will have leftovers.

Saturday - FOOTBALL! Tailgating - probably Fried Chicken!

Sunday - not sure yet. Would like to try an italian dish I wrote down the recipe for, with some garlic bread and a salad.

Monday the 17th - Mini Cheddar Meatloaves



See, you blogging SAHM and Home School mom's are a good influence on me! Plus, props to Christ who is convicting me on this one. My kid's have to suffer enough as it is with my decision to work - I need to work harder to be the best Mom I can be. Well, that's a whole nother post!

New Casting Crowns CD - Part 1.

I broke down and finally downloaded the new Casting Crowns CD "The Altar and the Door" today at itunes. It was only $10, but I have a HUGE final payment due to Home Depot at the end of the month for carpet bought a year ago. But, I just could. not. resist. any longer! And it was so worth it! It was actually worth much more than $10. This group has such a talent for putting into words my views of faith, life, etc. Their lyrics are sooooo awesome!

1. What the World Believes - "What this world needs is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance, blending in so well people can't see the difference." Could not be better spoken.

2. Every Man - Every word in this song touches someone. "I'm every broken man, nervous child, lonely wife." "Jesus is hope for every man" Amen.

3. Slow Fade - Oh, how true! "It's a slow fade when you give yourself away - Thought's invade, choices are made, a price will be paid - When you give yourself away - people never crumble in a day - Daddies never crumble in a day - Families never crumble in a day." God please guide us!

4. East to West - "I can't live by what I feel But by the truth your word reveals." Oh, keep me faithful to your Word!

5. The Word Is Alive - "The world and it's glories will fade - But His truth, it will not pass away." Thank you Jesus!

OK that is half the album! All I have time for today! I'll try to do the rest tomorrow. But trust me - just go download the CD tonight - you won't regret it! Tomorrow I'll try to have a favorite song picked out from this CD. If you already have the CD - do you have a favorite?

Fabulous Fall Freebies!

I am in mourning . . . . . . .

Summer 2007 is gone. It was one filled with with fun times and scary ones too. I am always sad when summer ends, it is my very favorite season. I love the beach, I love the chances to go to the sandy shore and read, relax, play with the kids soak in the sun. Now, what will keep me going is knowing that on Valentine's Day 2008 I am going on a 10 day cruise!

In honor of the passing of summer '07 I have a few items to giveaway. This summer has been one where I have learned about blogging and tried my hand at it. I am grateful to my few, faithful readers. Sometimes I wonder why I am spending the time or energy on this. But, I think it is bringing me closer to what it is I am supposed to do, but have not yet had the courage to attempt. We'll see what 2008 holds in that arena.

This giveaway is a bit different than the others. I will be having two drawings, but - if more than 50 different people enter then I will have one fabulous bonus drawing. So, tell your friends about the drawing and send them over! I hope you have a fabulous fall!

Because books are too precious to only be read once - PASS IT ON! This month's PASS IT ON giveaways - are just fabulous! It's like 4 PASS IT ON giveaways in one!

Giveaway #1

Women's Devotional Bible (leather) and Dreaming in Black & White by Laura Walker Jensen with Fall Cloth Bag

Giveaway #2

Lost in NashVegas and Diva NashVegas by Rachel Hauck with pumpkin voitive holder.

Bonus Giveaway - Drawing will be held if 50 or more entries are received.
Faith at Home 5 Section Server and a Tray with Snack Bowls - great for putting snacks on to munch during football games! They are soooo cute - I really wanted to buy a set for myself, but I'm being nice and offering them for the drawing. The photos of these items are not on the Lifeway website - but next week I will take pictures and add them to this post.

So, leave me a comment, and if you want, tell me what you're looking forward to this fall. If you'd like to link to this giveaway - even better!

Have a great weekend! Drawing will be Monday September 24th around noon eastern time!

Bush Gardens Trip!

My sister and I, along with our Mom, are taking our kids (my 3, her 2 older) to Bush Gardens on Saturday. We are driving up to Williamsburg tonight, staying (for free with Dad's points) in an Embassy Suites, then hitting the park tomorrow when it open at 10am. Surprising as it is, it looks like the 7 and 10 yr old can ride some of the bigger roller coasters, they are going to be so excited about that! They won't be able to ride the largest ones, so that will be just 12 yr old, sister and me. I am soooo excited, I love roller coasters! I'm just praying the kids are all good and get along! (Also praying I find the DVD cord that goes to the lighter so they can watch movies on the way there!)

Computer Problems!

My computer at home is awaiting a new motherboard. (That sounds so scary! I feel like I could be abducted at any moment!) The 2nd one in 3 months - on a computer less than a year old. Joy!
I am working on getting the new contest posted, and will try to get it done today, at the latest - tomorrow. But, I do have some work to do here at work, so I guess that must take priority!

Movie Review Monday - Penguins Anyone?

Movie Review # 5

This week I am reviewing 2 older movies - both animated movies, with penguins as the main characters. Both are available on DVD.

Surf's Up
Starring: Voices of: Shia LeBeouf, Jeff Bridges, Zooey Deschanel, Jon Heder, James Woods

Rated: PG for some mild launguage and rude humor

Type of Movie: Animated "mockumentary"

Description: "Surf's Up" is based on the groundbreaking revelation that surfing was actually invented by penguins. In the film, a documentary crew will take audiences behind the scenes and onto the waves during the most competitive, heartbreaking and dangerous display of surfing known to man, the Penguin World Surfing Championship.

OK for Kids? Yes. I let my kids see this movie and they enjoyed it. There was quite a bit of potty humor which some parents will object to. So far, my kids do not seem to have a problem repeating what they hear (at least in front of me), so I do allow them to see some movies where this is included. There were a couple of mild innuendo's that I wish weren't there. They went over the head of my younger 2, but I'm sure my 12 yr. old boy "got" them. It was milder than Shrek or Happy Feet.

See it in theater or rent? Available on DVD, so rent! Check out your local RED BOX to rent for $1 a night!

Opinion: The themes in this movie - of being loyal to your friends, persevering - even when others don't believe in you - and the importance of being a mentor/helping others - were all good themes. The movie is a "mockumentary" - done as an interview with one of the characters, and kids may find that slows down the movie. Overall, not the greatest movie, but my kids enjoyed it. I would pick it over Happy Feet anyday!

Rating: (out of 5)

Happy Feet

Starring: voices of: Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman

Rated: PG for some rude humor

Type of Movie: Animated Musical

Description: “Happy Feet” is basically a musical with a rather strong environmental message. It is also the story of a quest to find a place in this world, of love and forgiveness, of friends who hold you up and try not to let you down, of sacrifice, courage and fun.

OK for kids? OK, here, I know I will run into some controversy. My answer is "NO". I took some hits from friends when this was out in the theater for not taking my kids to see this. But, I am sticking by it, even after I have watched it.

See it in theater or rent? Old movie, out on DVD

Opinion: After having just rented and watched this movie, I am glad that I did not allow my kids to see it in the theater. We may have walked out at the beginning when they were singing the Prince song that says "You don't have to be beautiful to turn me on, I just need your body baby, from dusk to dawn", or at the song from Salt-n-Pepa "Let's talk about sex, baby." I mean, COME ON! WHY do you need to put those songs in a movie you are promoting to KIDS? Then, you have the spiritual guru guy who announces he is waiting to be "serviced" - who's gonna do it first? He is portrayed as some money seeking televangelist. The adults/grandparents are portrayed as holding them back, and fuddy-duddy's. I liked Mumble, and how he stayed true to himself, even though that was not the norm for his society. I teach my children that we all have different talents, given to us by God, and we should not compare ourselves to others. BUT, kids grow up fast enough, I try to limit the stuff I show them that pushes the envelope on what I think is appropriate. And don't even get me started on the environmentalism preached in this movie . . . . . . .

Rating: (out of 5)

Winner of End Of Summer Giveaway!

Melody at Slurping Life is the winner of my PASS IT ON/End Of Summer Giveaway. She has won Chocolate Beach, a debut fiction novel from author Julie Carobini. Chocolate Beach was a fun beach read. It reminded me of the importance to be myself, and to be the best me I can be. I will be looking forward to more fiction from Julie! Congrats Melody!