Thoughtful Tuesdays: It's My Blogoversary!

Or journey to the center of my blog (sorta).

When I first started blogging I just used this site as a brain dump, sharing all of the random thoughts that popped through my head. Since everyone else was doing it and really, setting a blog up was as simple as a few clicks and key strokes I thought I had it made. In an attempt to make sure I posted daily or with somewhat regularity I was all over the place with ideas, content and schedule.  There were days when I struggled to think of the next thing that I was going to write about so I called upon some things that probably me and three other people cared about: Dr. McCoy was not on Star Trek, bizarre holidays, or my attempts at exercising...again. Now there are days when I still struggle to write, to step outside of Rachee and see what the world is about and blogging is something so different. It's more than the random thoughts that run through my head, it's a connection to an outside world, to people I would have never known or met or thought I could know or meet before and to things that I would have never allowed myself to know.

I will not lie; I had ideas that blogging was going to make me, if not rich, then some side dough so that I would not have to work two jobs. Ha! What I don't get in financial gain I feel that I have gotten in exposure: I would have never gone to New York, Longwood Garden (yes, it's only an hour away...don't judge me!), listened to new music or read different books without gentle nudging from the great group of women in the blogging communities that I have joined. Of course my mom would rather I be doing more but isn't that how moms are?

Anyhoozie, blogging is a part of me. I love the thrill of writing and realizing that I may make someone laugh, make someone think or (hopefully) inspire. I enjoy that I get to experience ideas and thoughts that I would have never been exposed to. I love pushing myself to get out of my own head. I like being in my own head and knowing that I have a say too even if that say is to myself.

Sometimes I think I should be a different blogger and write about things that are not so comfortable or familiar. Sometimes I see blogs that I wish to be like and little by little I feel that I am growing as a writer and stronger as a blogger. It won't happen overnight, it won't happen all at once but when it does, it will be a sweet journey that I get to savor and enjoy.

So happy blogoversary to me and hopefully, many more.

Celebrating with a slice,
-r

Between the Covers: Summer I Lost It

One of my reading guilty pleasures are transformation books. I am a total sucker for books in which the main character transforms from ugly duckling, whether real or imagined, to beautiful swan. The transformation doesn't always have to be physical; it can be the awareness that the character develops to evolve into a better person but if there is some physical component to it then I voraciously tear through the book.

I've just finished "The Summer I Lost It" by Natalie Kath and it was quick, feel good read. Fourteen year old Kat is overweight and thinks that summer at a fat camp will be what she needs to do lose weight. Instead her parents gift her with a gym membership and as Kat gradually gets in shape she begins to understand that exercise and a better diet are key to weight loss and the transformation she seeks. Also, during her physical transformation she begins to develop more positive thoughts about herself and makes choices that she would have never made before.

The book is part fiction, part self help guide. As a person who's teen years were spent struggling to be someone else, this book doesn't send the message that you have to be a certain size to be happy. Although Kat initially thinks that she would have a boyfriend or that her life would be better if she were thinner, she comes to learn that her personality and who she is mentally trumps what she looks like.

The book doesn't shame readers into feeling bad about the way they look or preach to readers that Kat's method is the best method. This book offers Kat's solution, in the form of a diary, and takes readers along for the ride. Now, I will totally contradict myself by also saying that Kat's method to lose weight DOES seem to happen quite easily but this could totally be my own prejudices coming through.

Although the protagonist has to lose weight, I think this book will appeal to anyone who wants to be healthy. The advice is simple but not unsafe or preachy. As a mom of a tween I would be comfortable letting her read this book and following some of the advice that is shared. One thing I really liked was the cheat sheet that is recommended: write 5 things that make you feel good to keep you on track. I like that. Another way to reinforce that change is something that comes from within and not from a number on a scale.

What say you? Adults and tweens?
I'm getting ready to write my five,
-r

Vlog it Rah-shay

In which I try my hand at video blogging...the vlog!

What is twisting your hair?

I answer here!

-r

In My Ears: Falling Still

Continuing my quest to listen to something other than NPR (number 72 on my 101 in 1001) I volunteered to listen to Falling Still's new album Don't Kick the Whiskey. I can't lie; this was not a group I was familiar with and quite honestly if I had not been sent this album if I had come across them on the radio I probably would have turned the dial. However after taking a listen I realized that this was a good album to add to my tunes.


Don't stop the music!
Read more at Review it Rah-shay!





I wrote this review while participating in a Blog Friendly PR campaign on behalf of  Falling Still. A digital copy of their album was provided so I could provide my honest review

SOCS: Losing My Religion

Right before the moment of the earthquake that happened earlier this week, a friend and I had been talking about religion. I could insert some type of joke about that being the reason for the earthquake but can't find anything funny enough to do it. The Bee is starting a Catholic school in a few weeks and I am conflicted. I have nothing against anyone's religion but it worries me that she will be influenced by such an influential religion. Buffy and I went to Catholic school for ONE year and I can still vividly recall a time when we dropped to our knees to pray to statues of Jesus and Mary at the Bazaar of all Nations on Baltimore Pike. The Bee is older so I don't think its an issue but I do worry about how our non-denominational approach to religion will fare. We are going from quielty consider the lord to biweekly religion classes, saints and staues of saints.

The Bee loved the vacation bible school she attended this summer and has expressed interest in learning more about the Bible. I have no opposition to this; I wish I had that same enthusiasm. Instead I am afraid that if I were to attend church I would become that woman, bible thumping, holy rolling, Jesusing and God Blessing and Fathering all of my speak. Most of my religious friends do not speak this way so that's not too much of a concern but I also worry about 'They'. Quite frankly I don't care to hear what 'They' will say about me attending church, GETTING RIGHT, reading the inky book that matters. An I told you so is reason enough to keep me out of church.

I am not entirely sure that the rapture is coming but I am starting to feel that if it is indeed coming that I don't want to find myself "Left behind" in an attempt to figure out what's what. I'm a good person, I care about people, I follow the ten commandments and think that I am a relatively decent spirit but the idea that I have to attend church, a church that will not allow me to read Harry Potter or that I have to change totally from Rachee to something else makes me want to say bunk it and skip it all together,. And yes, I made my daughter going to a new school all about me.

Anywho, in about a week when The Bee starts her new school I am going to be supportive and keep all of my snarky cause I;m really uncomfortable but don;t want you to know it feelings aside and help her transition from the school with the quietly reflective religion to the school with the pray as I say religion.





This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

• Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
• Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
• Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
• Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
• Link up your post on the site.
• Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Favorite Five for Fridays

May also be known as Five for Friday or Favorite Fridays (depending on the week. Yes. I'm fickle)
or in which I try something new (for me).

Plus, well, I kinda like LOVE alliteration

OK, I'm not going to lie; I am totally stealing the idea of Favorite Friday from fellow blogger Jessica who writes Found the Marbles. I came across her post today on Twitter and thought it was a great idea. There are so many fantastic blogs out there that I have been adding as favorites on Twitter and well, why not share. I also like Five for Friday which my partner in utero used to write. Each week Buffy would highlight five things that happened during the week. She got the idea from The Beautiful Struggler who would wax poetically about five things each week. As I was searching for some type of linky I found the blog abby try again who does a five senses Friday.

Ooooh!

Here goes my Favorite Five for this Friday.

This week I have been thinking about all things social media. The Bee and I went to a blogging event Saturday and during the ride up with Cecily and Dresden I got an earful of ideas and things that I want to try, consider and such for this blog. Cecily has been writing for Mom Crunch on the Babble site and has been writing a series of great articles that pertain to social media. All of them were great but I really felt that Five Things You Must Have on Your Blog was a good place to start. Luckily I had my five (phew!) but it was a nice reminder.

Keeping on with all things social media, here is the article Transparent Ways to See Through People on Social Media.    I can't lie. My blogging life is so schizophrenic that I am guilty of a few of these transparencies. Forreals yo! Seriously, this week I have been trying to tighten up on how I want to be seen on the web. Which was why I was happy to read Katja Presnal guest post on the Be Better blog and shared 5 Ways to Get Your Blogging Career to the Next Level.

Gratuitous Lil Shot
How I like to be on my back

Vera Sweeney writes the blog Lady and the Blog and she tweeted this post about How To Lose 5 Pounds: The Sit Up Routine You Need To Memorize. I have been looking for something to work my abs and here is a five minute routine. Five minutes. On my back!

Last but certainly not least Aby Garvey  must be reading my mind because I plan to get organized this vacation (tee hee!) and Aby's Get Organized! January is Get Organized Month is good for me in late August.  She had me with this stat:

American women spend 55.2 minutes, per day, looking for lost or misplaced items

    
Oh Snap!
That is so me.
Have a Fab Friday!


Looking for my keys,
-r

The Lazy Post

Or in which I get all Seinfeldesque on ya. 'Cause that's how I roll.


r's note: This post was started on Thursday but my time management issues took over big time. Please to enjoy!


It's Thursday, the day before I head off for Couchville, the layover between Porchville and Deckville and I am so ready to be on vacation that I cannot type. I feel so unfocused, uninspired and drained. It happens every summer; I run around like a loon, berating myself for not doing it like (fill in the blank of another library or person) worrying that someone is going to complain, expecting the complaint, feeling resentful about the complaint, worried and anxious and then its all over and time to start again on a smaller scale for the fall.

I am done.

My vacation will be a staycation, being broke (not poor) plus the need to literally get my house in order makes staying close to home a must. I don't even think I am going to do day trips. The return of my part time gig plus me not being able to produce a pile of give a crap (Thanks EG) means I am just ready to relax with a pile of yarn, go through the stacks of books and get very well acquainted with the folks on the Star Ship Enterprise. Throw in some time with The Bee plus some friends (y'all know how to work a broom right?) and some family and I'm good.

My last day of work went a little something like this:
I was running late this morning. Despite being up at 6:30 I fell back asleep only to startle myself up at 7:23. Made breakfast, ate and then farted around until Holy cow! The BBC America is on. Rush to get dressed in something only slightly tight and rush to work.

Arrive at work to be confronted with, "Well, there's something you need to know." Since I live in fear (not really) that I am to be fired daily I braced myself for the news that Miss Rachee was now on the dole. Instead some kid decided to bring in some paints to work on projects and it was decided I should address the issue. Since Said kid and his sisters (and other random family members) have been visiting the library all day, every day for the last week or three I decided we should probably not entertain the idea of wet paint. Despite this intervention people unstructured anywhere all day everyday for the last week or three means that shenanigans did indeed ensue.

Random putterings which included FINALLY getting the fall calendar completed in the original format that I had been working on for a week or so. Answering e-mails,  one in which was someone yelling at me for something that, yes was my fault, but sheesh! Take a chill pill (I hope you read this). Emails about the said calendar that I have read and proofed eleventy billion times but still managed to exclude a time and I think I had a typo. Also had a great e-mail exchange with another librarian and we made some progress for some plans for the school year (Score!).

Then my productivity came to a screeching halt as I considered a the IDEAS. These are the emails, the stack of flyers and notes that I hoard, er save in hopes  of one day to implement them.  Eyeing this pile caused a bout of self loathing and feelings of being overwhelmed (y'all know I've got issues right?) so this caused me to feel sorry for myself for a good ten minutes as I contemplated how bad I would feel (or good I would feel) if I threw them all away.

Lunch, which was the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich ever but it rained as I dragged some garden tools out of my car. Boo! Plus my cat hasn't been acting right since Tuesday. She ran back and forth through the house at top speed, stooped a few times to wrestle my foot and finally collapsed in a pile next to a rake.

Back to work and GAH! Once of the groups that I have been having issues with came in. They were remarkably well behaved and there were no problems. I actually made some decisions about crap on my desk (recycle) and found my missing pencil case (don't ask)

After work I headed off to see a screening of Liongates Film called Warrior with Effin Guy. What a movie! I will post about that later but let me tell you, if you get a chance to see it, check it out.

Since it's Friday and I've slept and lounged most of the morning, here is something to share with you; Ms. Rebecca Black herself!

Have a great day!
I will
-r
It's Friday

Back to school in Style!

Photo from Classy Mommy's site

This past  Saturday The Bee and I headed to New York to attend the first Style School hosted by Colleen  from the blog Classy Mommy and Whitney from Mommies With Style.

The sponsors of this event were 77kids, Motts, Advil, Cameron Hughes Wine, Remington, Lands End, Zulily, Play Doh and Mabel's Labels.

What a fun day!

The Bee got to attend a blogging event and we were able to spend the day together. The sponsors created such a welcome space and there were some great areas to explore.






Since kids were welcome I let The Bee lead the way...after I made a stop at the Cameron Hughes Wine table. The representatives were so nice and patient as I explained that I wasn't a wine drinker and they shared with me a white wine, a Moscoto Lot 228. (Yes please!)

Thoughtful Tuesdays: I felt the earth, move under my desk

Holy hockey mom!
The Philadelphia area experienced aftershocks from an earthquake!
My desk shook, the book shelves shook.
I am shaken.
I realize that it could be worse. That there could be buildings crumbling, people lost in rubble, more than an annoying few minutes cell phone outage, giant waves washing away the books from the shelves. I am thankful that it wasn't but holy cow!

In the height of my post earthquake mania I called the peeps, Mom, Buffy, The Bee, Charleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeene, Effin Guy who all reported they were
Mom: OK But what kind of truck was that?
Buffy: Are you STILL upset? Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
The Bee: I didn't feel anything, I was getting lunch
Charleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeene: She's asleep probably
Effin Guy: What quake?
And then my uncle Marvo Marvo who asked, as only he can, why does the damn earth have to move before you call me?

Why indeed?

I'm still shaken; I'm not ashamed to admit but I think this is a reminder that I need to pick up the phone and keep in touch.

What say you?
-r

Eyes on Me

Number seven on my 101 in 1001 list is to have my makeup professionally done. Monday I took a step towards this list item when I FINALLY had my eyebrows done by professional make-up artist Tracey Evelyn Reed.

Let me back up, a few weeks months ago Tracey was making arrangements to host a beauty program, Beautifully Yours by Tracey, at the library. As she filled out the conference room request form I asked her what her program was about and then about brow shaping. Because I am me, and suffer from foot in mouth disease, I let out a yelp when she quoted me the price for brow shaping. After I balked she made a deal with me. She would do my brows and I would make her a hat.

Fast forward months and UFOs later. Tracey would stop by to use the library and would ask me when I would be ready to get my brows done. Despite the forest growing on my face I would defer brow work. I was too busy, I hadn't finished (started) her hat, and eyebrows were just not a priority.

Monday, as I had a fifth circlish afternoon at the circ desk, Tracey walked in and asked again when I was going to get my brows done and asked if today was the day and I said it was.  In lieu of lunch I headed to her studio for much needed brow attention.

In My Ears: Selena Gomez and the Scene

"Drama! Passion! Excitement! You're gonna LOVE the arts in Philadelphia."

That was the phrase I tweeted to win a pair of tickets to the Selena Gomez and the Scene concert at The Mann Music Center for Friday, August 20th. The Bee is a fan of Selena via Disney's "Wizards of Waverly Place" and when we heard that she was going to be performing The Bee asked if we could go. Selena's tickets were up to 89 bucks a pop which is a bit out of my budget. I had planned to buy lawn tickets but a was the lucky winner of a twitter contest held by The Arts in Philly.


Leading up to the day of the concert The Bee would call from The Dad's house excitedly asking if I were sure that I had the tickets, what time we were to leave for the concert and we had powwows about what she should wear. The day of the concert when The Dad dropped her off, The Bee stated she was so excited that she was about to EXPLODE! She then rushed me home from work so that we could change into a concert worthy outfits and get to the concert on time. Now, it has been torrential rains in the Philadelphia area the last few weeks but the day of the concert started out picture book perfect. As we drove to the concert clouds rolled in, the skies grew dark and fat rain drops pelted us as we ran across Parkside Avenue. Just as The Bee and I made our way to hand over our tickets and enter, the rain poured over us, thunder clapped and there were screams as the wind whipped water everywhere.

Once inside I treated The Bee to a Selena Gomez sweatshirt. Yes, I'm still walking funny as I think of the price. Effin' concert swag. Anywho after making our way through the sea of people trying to stay dry, we made our way to our seats and we settled in. Orchestra box seats. Like the next level from the stage. Yes!

Since we had arrived so early (6:55; the concert started at 7:30) we were entertained by picks from Selena and her band, The Scene, via a huge screen. (The words were provided on a jumbo screen for old farts like me.) Each time Selena's face would show the audience went wild, screaming and shouting. The Bee bounced up and down in her seat asking me for the time every two minutes and guessing at what sings Selena would sing for the concert.

Finally, the lights were dimmed and the people who had seats on the lawn were asked to go out and find their seats. Let me say that I am so grateful to have won those tickets and to have had such great seats. I had planned to buy lawn tickets for us to enjoy the show but luckily my tweet was seen at the right time. (Thanks again The Arts in Philly!) For those not in the area, The Mann is a semi outdoor venue. Most of the seating is under cover but there are no walls, and a huge lawn area that allows, on nicer nights, music under  the stars, We were under the covered area but there were a sea of people that had purchased tickets on the lawn and had to sit and get drenched. These were the seats that The Bee and I WERE going to get! Gulp!

First up was Christina Grimmie who is a start and You Tube sensation.  The Bee and I had never heard of her but there were several fans of hers in attendance.  Christina sang a few of the songs she covers as well as some original songs from her new album. She was pretty good.

Christina exited the stage was cleared and there were more picks by Selena and her band. More screaming. More excitement. Suddenly the lights dimmed and a lone drummer clicked his sticks together. The Bee gripped my arm and screamed, "It's ALL STAR WEEKEND!" And the winners of Radio Disney's Next Big Thing burst onto stage. The Bee knew their songs and sang and danced. The audience went wild again and almost lost it when the lead singer went into the audience. AllStar Weekend sang, danced, shimmied and they have a new album too.

ASW exited the stage and the there was a tangible level of excitement. The jumbo screen flashed more songs and the audience sang, screamed the words as we waited for the main attraction. The lights dimmed, pictures of Selena Gomez flashed on the screen. As the pictures changed from her as a child to more recent pictures the audience roared. The Bee grabbed my arm and gripped it. A video of Selena walking towards a stage came on and The Bee screamed. When Selena rose to the stage singing the song, "A Year Without Rain" The Bee gasped, jumped out of her seat, gripped my arm tighter and started singing and dancing. Everyone in the audience started to sing and dance. It was wild!

For the rest of the show The Bee danced, sang and her face was lit up with such a deliriously happy expression that I almost teary eyed. I knew she was having a good time when she grabbed me and publicly gave me a full hug.

Selena Gomez and the Scene put on such a great show. The back up dancers were full of energy, the musicians were wonderful and Selena is gorgeous in public. Selena thanked the audience for seeing her perform, buying her records and for supporting her in her television and movies.

Effin Guy and I went to a classical music concert a while back and heard Beethoven. That plus Selena = we are so back).

Aside: The staff at The Mann deserve some kudos. They had to deal with dripping wet, cold chilled people trying to steal seats, trying to move closer to the stage and just trying to wheel and deal their way to better seats. Before the concert start I wondered about becoming a volunteer, thinking that would be a cool way to see the shows. After an usher, whom I nicknamed Otis, told a group to move for the fifth time I changed my mind. I'll just keep winning contests (kidding! I'll but my ticket).

The Bee has been singing Selena Gomez for the rest of the weekend and yes, I am a fan too. Her first concert was a success and I got to enjoy and experience it with her! I am excited for the next thing we can do together. Hopefully its another cool concert by someone we can both enjoy and boogie too.

Going Round and Round,
-r

SOCS: I Love Me Some Her

I get so caught up in the woe is me that life brings that I often forget to stop and count my blessings. Today I am so thankful for my beautiful daughter, whom you all know as The Bee. As I type this The Bee is happily playing with Play Doh, a gift from a blogging event that she went to with me. Something as simple as her molding colored clay has warmed my heart. The Bee is a tween so there are times when she is either delirously happy with me or doing what I call her Linda Blair, frowning and ready to slam a door. But the last few days have been a joy. She is smart, she is happy, she ius loving and even though she refuses to call me "mommy" anymore and insists on the grating "Mo-om" I look at her and fall in love all over again. Love at being a mother, love at the joy she brings me, love at the person she is becoming.
I am so proud to be her mother and excited for the next stages, no matter what they bring. I love my daughter.

Here's to The Bee.

Happily sculpting

This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

• Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
• Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
• Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
• Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
• Link up your post below.
• Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

It's 9PM...Do you know where your kid is?

When I still watched The "Today Show" like it was my job, Ann Curry did a segment about a flash mob she took part in. Some people were singing about loving lunch. It was fun and when I searched You Tube there were examples of anything from Michael Jackson to showtunes.





However the term flash mob now seems to be associated the merry youth of my hometown Philadelphia. Instead of visiting the city and I don't know acting like they have some good sense, there seems to be quite a few who have decided that they should come to the city and act like pure asses, causing trouble, harassing folks and just doing what I like to call dumb sh*t.

People are running scared. Who wants to visit a city and risk getting mugged or robbed and not just by the PPA (hiyo!)? There has been many a discussion. Michael Nutter, the mayor of our fair city, went all Bill Cosby and let the youth know how he really felt about their actions. There has been national attention for these mobs. What do we do? A curfew has been initiated but is this really the answer? The areas that are at risk, University City and Center City, are being strictly enforced. Playing devil's advocate I have to wonder if these youth are acting out because they feel disenfranchised. University City and Center City have a bit of a inclusive vibe. The Bee and I have been visiting some of the restaurants in the neighborhood and while we have not been made to feel unwelcome there have been some, "You're here?" types of vibes. This could be because people always seem to think we are just a bunch of teenagers bumming around but whatever.

Center City has out priced many a resident including yours truly. A night out on the town is met with overpriced parking, tax on alcohol, tax on everything. We have been seeking suburban entertainment because it's just too darned expensive. It's no wonder these youth have to find some other entertainment. Kidding. There is no excuse for their behavior.

Listening to NPR I have had heard two very good interviews. On Radio Times guest host Tracey Matisak had a conversation with the chief of police, Charles Ramsey and Drexel University professor Dr. Chuck Williams. There were several good points made during this hour but one thing Dr. Williams said that struck me was the lack of social kids our children are not getting. Dr. Williams laments the loss of basic skills such as waiting one's turn, learning how to deal with disappointment, learning how to say please and thank you. You know. Stuff to make you a decent person.

On Tell Me More I listened to a conversation Tony Cox had with Mike Males, the senior researcher for the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice and Ike Leggett, the county executive for Montgomery County, Maryland, a jurisdictions that's debating youth curfews. The thing that stuck out most from this conversation was that while curfews were being imposed on ALL teens most of the one that were enforced were on Black teens.

Sheesh!

Why aren't these flash mobs more like:




or this:





Instead of this:




Turning in,
-r

In My Ears: Mat Kearney

I hate to admit it but my musical tastes have me stuck between the mid eighties to the late nineties. My normal thing is to set the dial to my local NPR affiliate and listen to whatever show is on. If I do change the dial I seek out familiar tunes from the my comfort zone and I listen until the DJs play something that I have no idea what it is. I promised myself that I would branch out of my comfort zone and when One 2 One Network offered me a chance to listen and review Young Love, the new album by Mat Kearney I was excited to try out a new artist.


Don't stop the music!
Read more at Review it Rah-shay!



This CD was given to me for review purposes by One2One Network. I have not received any compensation for this post. All words and opinions are my own.

'Cause that was the real you running through the fields of gold wide open
Standing in places no picture contains
That was the real you, windows down, we could smell the mint fields crying
Sing with the radio to song we can't name

Backpack! Backpack!

It's that time of year again...school is starting! My library has been so busy that despite the return of the school year also meaning that my daughter is returning to school I am anxious for slower days at work, for more relaxed programs and back to a routine.

But my favorite thing for back to school is an excuse to buy school supplies! There is nothing like walking into a school supply store, a Target, a Kmart, wherever and seeing rows upon rows of new supplies just waiting to selected, new backpacks just waiting to be filled with the supplies. The smell of a fresh box of crayons, the allure of a new box of pens just waiting to be opened, notebooks ready for ideas, notes, doodles on the side.

This year The Bee starts a new school. We are both on edge for various reasons, she is nervous about having to leave her old school where she attended from the time she was four. I am nervous because she is attending a Catholic school. She is going from Do as you feel to do as I say. We are both anxious about the change. Buffy and I went to Catholic school for all of one year and I can still remember the impact that it made. I don;t think her experience is going to be negative; it's just going to be a change. I have also toyed with the idea of returning to school. For reasons that would require another blog post, I think school and me will be one really soon.

Anywho, this year we are ready for school supply shopping. Along with her mandated uniforms we are ready to stock up on new backpacks, purple ink pens and wide and college ruled back packs. I can't wait to hit the sales!

I am also excited to share that some of the strain of shopping can be eased thanks to the “Win an overstuffed backpack of goodies from Fill the Backpack from Splash Creative & The Centsible Life valued at over $750. giveaway. That's right! The Centsible Life is working with seven other bloggers for Communities in Schools.

From The Centsible Life's site:

"Fill the Backpack benefits Communities in Schools

This isn’t just an ordinary giveaway though, it’s also a way for Splash Creative Media to give back. 10% of our net profits are going to our nonprofit beneficiary, Communities in Schools, a wonderful organization that surrounds students with a “community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.”

A donation to Communities In Schools is an investment in the future of our country. For approximately $200 per child per year, we are able to keep 97 percent of the young people we serve in school and on track to graduation.

You can find out more about Communities in Schools, donate, or learn how you can volunteer via their website, twitter and Facebook pages.

Fill the Backpack Giveaway includes:

• Eventbrite: $50 credit for Eventbrite events-great for school events and fundraisers.

• Leapfrog: LeapFrog’s Leapster Explorer ($69.99) provides handheld learning experiences in a portable device designed for ages 4-9. It serves as a mobile hub for downloadable Learning Apps that include eBooks, video, games, and flash cards that auto adjust during game play according to a child’s needs and skills and works with LeapFrog cartridges (prices vary).

• Sleep Innovations: Help your kids get proper rest, so they can study better Sleep Innovations REMedy Study Bundle set, twin XL, contains a 1 1/2 inch twin XL-size gel memory foam topper and gel memory foam pillow in a reusable zippered canvas bag.($80)

• Etymotic: an exciting new family product from Etymotic that will be released next month! You’ll be among the first to own it! ($49 or $79)

• Snapfish: A $50 gift card to Snapfish with tons of great ideas for back-to-school including photo skins for gear, personalized notebooks, and more!

• AVG: AVG 2012 ($54.99), the latest Internet security solution from the leader in online security.

• Mabels Labels: The Ultimate Back to School Combo ($39) with everything you need for labeling everything for back to school, and Bag Tags ($21)

• Marble Jar: Looking for a way to help reinforce positive behavior for your family? The Marble Jar app for iPhone ($2.99) can help.

• ChicaLogic: ChicaLogic is a company that creates software for women, by women to keep your PC running smoothly. ChicaPC Shield ($29.95) and ChicaPC Fix ($29.95) work to scan your PC to find and remove threats caused by malware invasions and errors caused by regular use.

• Lands’ End: You can’t beat Lands’ End backpacks for durability and quality for kids of all ages. (prices vary)

• Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac ($150) or Microsoft Office 2010 for PC ($149.95) are packed with features that help you tackle every assignment, and work together on group projects-from almost anywhere.

• California Innovations: California Innovations eco-friendly lunchboxes are offered in a variety of colors, sizes, and even with your children’s favorite Disney characters. Made from recycled material (and PVC free), this is a great alternative to paper bags.

• Stonyfield: From everyone’s favorite organic yogurt company, we have a gift pack with coupons for YoKids, an activity book, and more!

• Carolina Pad: Carolina Pad offers a fun back to school package featuring exceptional quality and design. You can find everything from binders to notebooks, planners to folders for back to school in their online store or at retailers nationwide.

• Scholastic: Literacy is the cornerstone of a child’s growth, and for nearly 90 years Scholastic has created quality products and services that educate, entertain and motivate children and are designed to help enlarge their understanding of the world around them.

• P&G: P&G offers an Back to School box filled with tons of great products to help you and your family get back to school. Even better you can help kids stay in school by purchasing products using P&G’s brandSAVER.

• Johnson’s & Johnson’s: A back to school gift pack including Johnson’s products including detangler (no more tears over hair brushing), hand and face wipes (perfect for on the go cleanup), and baby powder (for everything from the locker room to your shoes. For all those playground scrapes, and bumps they’ve also included Neosporin, and Mickey Mouse Band Aids.They work better together.

• Playful Planet: Keep your kids healthy, and get some fun exercise in on rainy or cold day with the Splash Creative Media as part of the Fill the Backpack Campaign.

This is a lot of swag!

Enter on all the Splash sites!

Visit the sites of the Splash Creative Media team to learn about the other companies who have generously donated items for our Fill the Backpack giveaway! The Fill the Backpack team consists of:

TechSavvyMama by Leticia Barr @TechSavvyMama

Clueless Mama by Laurie Cooper, @Clueless_Mama

Formerly Gracie by Grace Duffy, @GraceDuffy

Savvy Sassy Moms by Andrea Fellman, @SavvySassyMoms

Just Precious by Julie Meyers Pron, @JustPrecious

Sassy Moms in the City by Alison Ray @SassyMomChicago

It’s My Life by Jessica Rosenberg, @Kikarose

The Centsible Life by Kelly Whalen, @CentsibleLife"

Visit all of the sites and enter for a total of 8 chances to win!


Getting ready for school,
-r

On the hooks: Getting Hooked Again

Or of course its a hat.

I've been attempting to get my crochet groove on again. I get into little funks where I just don't feel like it. I love the power my hook yields but when I get stumped on a difficult pattern or when I get in my own way I tend to stop anything and nothing gets done.

The Bee and I recently visited The Tangled Wed and I purchased the most beautiful cotton yarn so that I could make The Market Bag. This bag is something I have been wanting to try for a while but never completed. I would start the pattern, make a huge bottom for the bag and then....

This thing is heavily featured these days...

Anyhoodle, the weather has broken, its not stifling hot anymore and I'm ready to start hooking again. Way back in May I joined a square a day challenge and vowed to make a granny square each day so that I could have a completed blanket. When I posted on my Facebook group that I was going to start again and it seems that I was not the only one who didn't finish and a group of us hookers are all excited to complete a square a day with an October finish date. I decided to give myself a few more days because realistically a square a day is much more ambitious than I can handle and I saw this hat and scarf I want to try (have you seen the cover of the September/October Crochet Today? I am digging that cowl!)

I've got my patterns downloaded and printed, my yarns and hooks all picked out and ready to get started again. I guess this counts as completing 'yarnthings'. Well it will now.

Playing with yarn,
-r

New Post: Satisfied Sunday

Lately I've been in a funk. Blah, sad, feeling without purpose. Everything has been seemingly covered with a layer of despair, hopelessness emptiness. I thought this was something that I would have to ride out until some undetermined time but today I woke up with a sense of feeling better. Everything may still be funky but it is going to be ok. I woke feeling that I was going to be happy, contented and satisfied. I love this feeling, I feel that despite this rain, despite the gloomy sky I am feeling good and I'm feeling fine.

I am actually scared by this feeling; I keep waiting for the other shoe to fall and that all of the bad feelings will come crashing back and that I'll be back where I was was, grumpy, miserable, blah. For now I should just ride it out, enjoy the feeling and be happyish.

The rain is making me feel sleepy, so a nap, some trash TV and I am still going to take this happy feeling and embrace it and enjoy it.

-r







This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

• Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
• Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
• Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
• Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
• Link up your post below.
• Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Between the Covers: Immortal Beloved

r's note: Finally working through that to read pile! There are so many books, so little time! Also, there are some spoilers.

In a market saturated with vampires, werewolves and witches, Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan is a refreshing change of pace. Although Nasty is an immortal and posesses some magic, this book was fresh, new and kept me wanting to read and find out more.

Consummate party girl Nastasya, Nasty is immortal and has done it all and seen it all. When one of her friends goes too far and injures a mortal, Nasty realizes that this is not the life she desires and sets out to escape. Her journey takes her to America where she seeks refuge with a group of immortals. Here she meets Reyn, a Nordic immortal who seems very familiar to Nasty. What is he hiding and is Nasty safer at the farm or should she seek her escape elsewhere?

The history of Nasty's life was interesting. Nasty has lived many lives, in many roles and in each she would loss people she loved (including her entire family). After she reaches a safe haven, she learns to grow from careless to caring. On the Little Brown website there is a fun timeline of all of Nasty's lives and what she did. I often think of who I would be if I had time and time again to figure it out. Perhaps I would be a party myself or maybe I would dedicate my life to sometype of purpose.

This book is a part of a trilogy with the sequel coming out this fall. I am anxious to see if nasty can maintain this new life or if she will revert back to her bad girl ways.

Hakuna Matata...Lion King 3D Giveaway!

The Lion King was originally released in 1994 and I am not ashamed to admit that I saw it twice in the theaters and no, there was not a child with me. I went with friends and we loved every minute of the movie. I have owned this movie on VHS, DVD and am now excited to share that on October 4th there will be a Diamond Edition release of the movie in high definition Blu-ray™ and Blu-ray 3D™.Blu-ray.

If you've never experienced "The Lion King" on the big screen, here is your chance! On Saturday, August 27th, there is a special 3D screening of  the movie 3D at the Rave University City. The screening begins at 10AM. I am giving 10 passes (which will admit up to a family of four)!





If you cannot make this screening, hakuna matata. There will be a limited special two-week theatrical extravaganza which kicks off Sept. 16, 2011, followed by the Diamond Edition release of the movie for your home entertainment on October 4, celebrating the release of the epic movie “The Lion King” in high-definition Blu-ray™ and Blu-ray 3D™.

(Please to note, October 4th DOES fall during the month of Rach-tober and this will be a perfect gift. Just saying.)

To enter for a chance to win four tickets to see an advanced screening of "The Lion King" on Saturday, August 27th at the Rave University City at 10AM please leave a comment telling me your favorite Disney song ("The Lion King" or other).

Feel free to tweet about this contest for an extra entry (please leave a second comment letting me know)
Enter to win a pre-screening of The Lion King 3D (Philadelphia) from @DisneyPixar via @sayitrahshay: http://bit.ly/rfgBJr

Good luck!

Giveaway will end at noon (EST) on Wednesday, Aug. 24. Randomly selected winners will be announced here and on the Say it Rah-shay Facebook page. Winners will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. Open to residents of U.S.

Workout Boogie: Just Dance Summer Party

My sister introduced me to the Just Dance games for the Wii last year with the purchase of the original Just Dance. We would all crowd into her living room and boogie down to the Spice Girls's Wannabe, Baha Men's Who Let the Dogs Out?, and Reel to Reel's I Like to Move it. So when I was given an opportunity to test and review the newest edition, Just Dance Summer Party, I was excited to have a copy of my own.


Don't stop the boogie!
Read the rest at Review it Rah-shay!




Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this UbiChamps blog post. Please click here to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own.

See You in September!

During the month of August at my library it is the return of the teens. After being absent most of the summer they return with a mission: to request and borrow the books they need for their assigned school readings. It never fails, the march of the teen patron and this year my library has taken on the task of offering "Project Done Week" a week in which local students can stop by the library to get help on school projects, use the computers for research or to type their paper and get assistance with finalizing their ideas. Even in only one student takes advantage of Project Done Week I'd like to think that our library has done its part to help with keeping that child in school.

Originally just another program for work, Project Done Week is now my part to curb the mind blowing statistic that I learned today: every nine seconds a young person drops out of high school everyday in the US. My efforts are not alone. I also learned today that Proctor & Gamble (P&G) want to do something about it.


From their website:

Proctor & Gamble has a new campaign, GIVE Education. This campaign will increase awareness of the student dropout crisis in the U.S. and raise funds to help keep millions of students in school. By partnering with Communities In Schools (CIS), one of the nation’s leading dropout prevention organizations, and one that is proven to increase graduation rates and decrease dropout rates, GIVE Education will enable CIS to continue channeling much-needed resources to students who are at greatest risk of dropping out.
Campaign spokesperson John Legend joins the initiative to generate additional awareness of America’s dropout crisis and the GIVE Education campaign. With a long track record of philanthropic work and deep commitment to education, Legend will be featured in the campaign’s national television spot, as well as in the dedicated GIVE Education brandSAVER coupon booklet and Facebook page.
Consumers can take simple steps to help “School the Nation” – and help keep kids in school. Here are a few easy ways to get started:

1. Save and Do Good: Look for special P&G brandSAVER coupons in your local newspaper on Sunday, July 31. For each coupon redeemed, P&G will donate two cents to CIS. Find out where to get your P&G brandSAVER on Facebook. The uncapped donation will be based on the number of coupons redeemed beginning July 31 – the more you save, the more you give. Most coupons expire after four weeks.
2. Watch to Donate: Watch an exclusive video from John Legend on Facebook where for each view, P&G will donate $.25 to CIS, up to $10,000.
3. Spread the Word: Use the embeddable photos and video on this site to alert your readers to how they can help School the Nation!

P&G has improved life for more than 300 million children around the world and focused its efforts on helping children in need get off to a healthy start, receive access to education and build skills for life. GIVE Education will enable P&G to touch even more lives by bringing together the power of P&G's education commitment and reach, CIS's innovative programs, and Grammy Award-winning recording artist and philanthropist John Legend's passion for education.

Every bit helps. Visit the P&G Give Education site and learn more about how you can help encourage teens to stay in school. Below is spokesperson John Legend encouraging everyone to participate in this campaign.






Remember, every little bit helps.



Helping teens get a chance to sport a mortar board,
-r

PYHO: Boys Will Be Boys

"Missy. Can I come over?"                 "Missy. Can I sleep over?"                  "Missy. Can I go with you?"

Most often when my nephew, Dill, makes one of the above requests I squirm and find excuses to say no. There are times when my kid will be at her dad's and I exercise my self made rule that if my kid isn't present, then no kids with me. There are days when a long day at work makes me not want any children, my child included, near me. Then there are times that I just can't, won't deal. My nephew is busy, very busy, and there are times when that business of being busy just does not mix with the quiet that I have planned for me. With my kid we have a comfortable rhythm, we walk, sit, relax. With my nephew it's like the Tasmanian Devil has entered the room and nothing is left unscathed in his wake.

Dill charges and flings himself through the house. My cat runs and hides when he comes, exhausted by the attention that he lavishes on her. He doesn't sit as as he flops, flings, crashes his way on the couch. Walking is also a hazard; he trots, skips, races through the house and I am drained by the time he leaves. The Bee loves her cousin so I try not to let my inner Oscar* pollute their visits but more often than I care to share Dill is 'in trouble' and I'm left feeling like bad aunt of the year.



picture courtesy of mrsrkfj

The Bee loves her cousin, fiercely defends and protects him and often gives me grief for being so negative when he visits. I can't help that his history has resulted in broken dishes, spilled soda, me cleaning up after him and a cat so wound up that she ran through the house for an hour after he left. But I have been considering my behavior. Dill is not yet double digits (although close enough) but he's still a child and I would be up in arms if someone were to view The Bee with anything other than loving eyes. As I pondered how to get out of my own head a family with four boys ranging in age from 5 to 12 came to visit me today. As I chatted with Mom of Four she casually answered questions about what her family's rest of summer plans were as her boys explored the library. She was calm as she turned to two who's slap game escalated to an almost fight and asked two of them to stop hitting each other (they listened). Mom of four was downright serene when a third started complaining about the visit, she was patient as one boy took a car and drove it along the table, his arm, his brother's arm. All the while making a zoom noise. At that moment it hit me...boys, will be boys. Dill is a boy. He will do boy things. So him tripping through the house. Him running, his business for being busy...that's all what boys do.

Sigh!

I'm not giving him a pass for all behavior. This is just for the things that Rachee issues like him running everywhere, touching everything and just all over...Gah! Tomorrow when the question is asked, "Missy. Can I come over?" Instead of a quick, "NO!" I'll consider and possibly answer with a (somewhat) enthusiastic Yup!

Acknowledging the Y chromosome,
-r

This post is a part of Shell Things Pour Your Heart Out Wednesdays
The rules:
Here are the Rules:


Write a post from the heart.

Something that has been weighing on you.

Something you feel passionately about.

Something you've been wanting to talk about.

A cause, a memory, a belief, a world view.

Anything.

*My inner Oscar the Grouch

Testing...

Hi Blog Friends!
I'm attempting some changes on my blog.
Please be patient with the updates.
Thanks!
-r

Monday Musings: The $46,000 child

My newest guilty pleasure is a podcast called The Hollywood Hangover hosted by CNN's Michelle Wright and Katie Caperton. It airs three times each week and through the beauty of Stitcher I get a chance to soak up all of the celebrity gossip that I can with a mere tap of a button via an app on my phone. The latest podcast featured a piece on former supermodel Linda Evangilista. Ms. Evangelista has a kid, Augustine who is four,  with French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault. Francois is married to Salma Hayek and THEY have a three year old daughter. Linda is now demanding forty-six grand a month from Francois. She says its to hire a 24-hour nanny and security for the four year old.

FORTY-SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS EACH MONTH.

That's a whole lotta Happy Meals.

Francois, from what I hear, is richer than rich. He's a French billionaire with a net worth estimated at 11.5 billion dollars so it's not like he cannot afford it but dang! Forty-six thousand dollars? That;s what some people make a year. Reading through the gossip rags there are no kind words for Linda. She seems to be jealous of his wife and the care that Salma gets for her little one ( a daughter that is a mere year younger than Linda's kid). It's reported that Linda is worth 8 million dollars and last year made 1.8 million. Whatever, I am still bemused at the 46,000 per month cost.

The reason for the request seem to range from necessary (security) to just (IMHO) crazy (three nannies)
It seems very selfish to demand so much money per month especially if this cost is for two full time nannies and a part time on call nanny. Can't Linda spend time with her kid like us regular folk? I can get her asking for this much money so that she can pay for an exclusive school. Hell, I would love a tenth of her request so that that I can send The Bee to an exclusive school. Security for the kid I get. I saw Rush Hour, Ransom and The Big Hit to name a few. People get desparate, follish and suddenly abducting Mr. Rich Man's kid seems like a good idea. I read another report that said Augustin was accostomed to a certain lifestyle. Uh...he's four. LINDA may be accostomed to a certain lifestyle. I'm sure Sugustin just wants some time with his mom.

I called The Dad and asked him his opinion. After I assured him that I would not be demanding 46 anything from him each month he shared that he thought she was asking for too much. Per The Dad:

 Its an extravagance that is just not needed. As a man in the same sort of situation what you do for one, you have to do for the other. It depends on what she's getting. If she's getting a reasonable amount then she should not be asking for more. Men should take financial responsibility for their children; it's a shared responsibility. She should be getting something from him but why that amount for ONE kid. Its a baby.

As for me, I think if Francois should treat the kids equally. Children don't ask to be born; they don't get to pick their families but the family they get should be prepared to do what's needed to make the kid is taken care of. I won't judge further; I'm sure there are websites for that. All I can say is that for that amount of money I guess Linda WILL not jut get out of bed, she will will leap.


Looking for 46 bucks,
-r

SOCS: For I am the worrier

There's something about me that you may not know. I'm a worrier. I worry about everything. I worry that I am not a good enough mother, worry that I am not a good enough daughter, girlfriend, person. I worry about the repercussions of things that happened years before when I was younger and foolish. I worry that I am a terrible library chick, that I am not as smart as I think I am and that people will find out and then not like me.

I worry.
So yesterday I had an event at work and of course, I worried. I worried that no one would show, I worried that the people who were putting on the show would think they had wasted their time and in turn be upset with me. I worried because the friend who had them perform at her library had such a good time with the group and was such a success that I had to better.

My fears were sorta left unmet but I had gotten myself in such a fir  that I fell into the depression that only I can have: one where I isolated myself, overate and indulged in the saddest pity party ever. Today I feel better of course but I honestly feel that my worries are not something that I want to keep.
And time.
Dang. I was worried that time would come before I was done.

This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

• Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
• Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
• Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
• Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
• Link up your post on the site.
• Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

On the hooks: UFO's

Number 17 on my 101 in 1001 list is to finish the crochet projects that have gone from enthusiastic WIP (Work in Progress) to abandoned UFO (Unfinished Object). There are at least six projects that I can think of that I need my attention and a few more that I have marked as a to do. I really can't say WHY these projects have gone from excitement to*

Anywho, last week The Bee and I went to The Tangled Web and I used a gift card to buy some yarn and FINALLY made a market bag. Completing the bag as well as finishing up the Droid hat made me realize that I really like the final project and the satisfaction that comes from completing a yarn thing.

Here are my yarn things that I need to complete.

1. Harry Potter scarf for Dewey Decimal Dude. I need this completed by the time I see him in October.
2. Beret for Tracey. We were supposed to be doing an exchange; she would do my eyebrows in exchange for a hat. I still look like a werewolf.
3. Amazon for Arli. She also wants a ninja.
4. Fingerless gloves for Bookwoman.
5. Hat for Dill. One day he asked me, if you're not going to make it, just say so please.
6. Bags for Pop and her bestie.

Stay tuned,
Hopefully Hooking,
-r






*Also to a kitty toy. Liliana seems to think that someone will really want a completed yarn thing that is covered in fur...GAH!

Write a Review Wednesday: Rock-a-Baby Band

Photo from Amazon

There's no stopping these four babies from rockin'! Charlotte, Denny, Bip and Ling lead their friends through a rock and roll day in Kate McMullan's Rock-a-Baby Band. This rhyming adventure will have readers shaking and stomping as the pages turn.

General Considerations:

This book is a great addition to any musical program. The rhyming text is full of rich description that describes the rumpus and fun had by these toddlers. Janie Bynum's beautiful illustrations keep the story going and feature a diverse cast of babies. The illustrations truly enhance the story; each page offers the quartet doing a variety of activities and babies to enjoy.

During storytime the audience loved to 'shake it' and sang (or screamed) along with the chorus. The copy of the book that I used came with a musical CD to sing along with. We didn't use the CD, instead we made up our own rhythm and used bells to play along with.

Borrow a copy of this book from your library and enjoy your own rock and roll time.

Shakin' it baby,
-r

Blog Tour: The Kid

Hello Blog Friends!
My first review for BlogHer has been posted. I read and reviewed "The Kid" by Sapphire.
Head on over for my review and take a gander at all of the others.
Let me know what you think over there!
Thanks,
-r

I know what I'm going to do today! Write about Phineas and Ferb!

A friend recently posted on Facebook: Why do Phineas and Ferb get 104 days of summer vacation? After I giggled and discussed this with The Bee (really, we did) the only answer we could come up with is because they are so stinking funny! Phineas and Ferb are two kids who greet each day of their summer with gusto and enthusiasm answering the question of what to do today with brilliantly creative machine, gizmos and contraptions. Along the way their big sister Candace is always trying to 'bust' them and their pet platypus, Perry, is actually a secret agent battling the not quite evil Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz.

Last Saturday The Bee, Buffy, Dill and I were invited to a sneak preview of Phineas and Ferb the Movie, Across the Second Dimension and I am excited to see the movie again during its premiere this weekend on the Disney Channel. This movie was fun, funny and I laughed out loud several times.The audience seemed to have fun and I look forward to seeing the movie again this weekend. My favorite characters are the bumbling Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz and his nemesis, Agent P, Phineas and Ferb's pet platypus. All of the characters are fun and this cartoon is something that I enjoy watching with The Bee.

DJ Kenny kept the party going!

I have to take a moment to wax poetically and give kudos to Radio Disney. Unlike other movie premieres I have been to, this was was an event! Other premieres I have attended have been overbooked and IF we are lucky enough to be granted entrance to the theater, this is only because we've stood online for upwards of an hour (sometimes longer) and are separated in the theater due to the overbooking. There are times when I've been to the theater and despite being made to wait for the movie, the theater is half empty due to the VIPs not showing. Not for this seating. The Radio Disney crew made every movie watcher feel welcome. There was a fun dance contest, Phineas and Ferb trivia and Name that tune games (featuring Radio Disney Artists of course!) to participate in while waiting for other families to arrive. The prizes were a portable Phineas and Ferb player (we didn't win but this day was so fun that it didn't feel like a loss). Once we got into the theater there was an evil doctor laugh contest starring the dads while we waited for everyone to find their seats. As we left the theater staffers gave out cool Perry the Platypus bags for everyone.

The Radio Disney Crew giving out Perry Bags

The Bee in 2D

Me in 2D

r's note: We were given free tickets for the preview of the movie. All thoughts are my own.