Wednesday, February 23, 2011


 Untold News was founded by Marcella Rosen in January 2010. In 2002 she established the Campus Tolerance Foundation to research and create awareness about bias present on college campuses.
The mission of Untold News is to educate Americans about the Middle East and the  non-political aspects of Israel. Helping to present “the other half of the story” could greatly enhance perceptions of Israel in the US.
The video above shows an eight-month-old Palestinian child with a hole in her heart. She receives medical treatment from the charity  Save A Child's Heart Program based in Holon, Israel. This program has helped over 2500 children in over 40 countries where adequate medical care is unavailable.
You can also find other videos of help being given during times of need HERE
Untold News is offering one of  my readers a chance to win this tote bag:
Now you can show your support and share the other "half of the story"
This giveaway is open to USA residents ages 18+
Giveaway expires on Friday, March 4, 2011 at 11:59pm EST
Winner chosen by randomizer.
Please be sure to include your email in comment if it is not visible in your profile.
*Mandatory entry*: Share some good news with me- your untold story:)
Additional entries -please leave a separate comment for each)
*Follow my blog*(if you want leave a link to your blog & I'll follow back)
*Follow me on Twitter (LissaL) include your twitter name in comment & I'll follow back*
*Tweet  this up to 2x daily*:
 Blog #giveaway @LissaL #win a tote bag & learn the "other 1/2 of the story" with #UntoldNews  http://tinyurl.com/4vla8yp

Disclosure:
in accordance with FTC policy
I was contacted directly by Untold News and provided with information for this giveaway.
No compensation in any form was received. Untold news is responsible for prize delivery.



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I Will Buy You A New Life-Everclear

It's that time of the week. Jamie wants to know: What Do You Wish For Your Home?
I remember when I first moved here. I said to myself, to my hubby and to God that if I am to live here forever "Let my home be my oasis."  Maybe I should have re-phrased it to say "as long as I live here"
There is much work to be done on this house, inside and out. Plus, I never have quite felt like I belong here in this city. My kids are happy. They have made friends and are doing well in school.
However there is not much else.
Maybe if the economy wasn't so bad, things would be different. 
I certainly would like ( & need ) to get some repairs done to my home
.A garden of beautiful flowers would be nice.
Also, I would love to see the neighborhood filled with some friendly folks.
 And if for some reason it is not meant for me to stay here
I wish for a sign to lead me to my oasis.
By the way I hope you enjoyed the video above.The song is one of my favorites.
Have a wonderful week friends!
May your home always be filled with Love:)



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Wednesday, February 16, 2011




On February 4th , in celebration of Free Flavor Friday 
I was thrilled to host a "Classic Game Night"  sponsored by Coffee_mate . 
I received the following items to help make my party a success:
  •  2 board games : A poker set and  Cranium
  • Napkins and cups
  • Coupons for free Coffee-Mate to serve at my event ( as well as share with my guests)
  • NESCAFE  Taster's Choice samples to share with my guests
  • Coffee-Mate samples to share with my guests
The gals and I had a great time. The coffee and conversation flowed freely and easily! We had so much fun that we are going to try to get together and do this every month!  Thanks so much Coffee-Mate :)




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Monday, February 14, 2011

Three years ago today I went to the flower shop and ordered a bunch of the most beautiful flower arrangements. Unfortunately they were not your typical Valentines bouquets. They were in honor and in memory of my Dad. Then I was off to the funeral home to make arrangements for the  memorial service.
I can honestly say it was not a great day for me. When you are slammed with grief, the last place you want to be is stuck in a flower shop surrounded by people "giddy" in love or sitting across the table from a solemn face man filling out tons of paperwork and writing an obituary. Unfortunately time travel was not an option for me. If so I would have gone straight to 4th grade when Mark S wrote on my Valentine that I was: the prettiest girl in the class and he liked me best. Life was good then. Sorrow hadn't truly touched me. Cardboard boxes filled with Valentines easily brought joy to my day. Now I get love notes that say "please wash my....etc." I am not a small child nor a young woman newly in love, so Valentine's day is one of the biggest, overrated holidays out there in my book.Most people run out at the last minute to get (and sometimes spend a fortune) on the perfect gift. I can't stand that. I mean Valentine's Day is always on February 14th. I prefer a gift with some thought put into it. Which brings me to my Dad.  Prior to the 14th, he knew he didn't have much time left. So he made sure that he got my mom a card and a gift for Valentine's day. He also made me promise him, that if he wasn't around on Valentine's day that I would buy roses for mom from him one last time should he not make it.  SO, on my way on home I stopped by another florist. I picked up a gorgeous bouquet of yellow roses tinged with red. Red for love, yellow for new beginnings. Just like daddy requested.  As you can imagine it was a very emotional moment when I gave her those last gifts from Dad. Bittersweet. Joy and Sorrow intertwined.






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Saturday, February 12, 2011


My Daddy: Allen
1941-2008

It's been three years since  I last laid my head on your shoulder. I miss your hugs, smiles and words of wisdom. You set a high standard to live by, Dad.  Just in how you carried yourself, how YOU lived YOUR life. How blessed I was to have a Dad like you.  It is my hope that I can lead by example. If I can do half as good a job as you DID, I will consider myself a success. Please continue to send me some signs and visit me in my dreams.  Remember, Daddy's girls stay Daddy's girls forever. I LOVE YOU.
XOXO, 
BIG SISSY 

In honor of the greatest man I have ever known. Who lived his life in :

The House by the Side of the Road


There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the peace of their self-content;
There are souls, like stars, that swell apart,
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths
Where highways never ran;
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

Let me live in a house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by;
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban;
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

I see from my house by the side of the road,
By the side of the highway of life,
The men who press with the ardor of hope,
The men who are faint with the strife.
But I turn not away from their smiles nor their tears 
Both parts of an infinite plan;
Let me live in my house by the side of the road 
And be a friend to man.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road
Where the race of men go by;
They are good, they are bad, they are weak,
They are strong,
Wise, foolish - so am I.
Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat
Or hurl the cynic's ban? -
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

BY: Sam Walter Foss







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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Press the play button if you dare:)


It's Wishcasting Wednesday and Jamie wants to know: What Do You Wish To Dare ?

On Sunday I  removed my sister's Green Bay Packer's Cheesehead  from it's special place. I dusted it off, placed it on my head and dared to dream that maybe her team would win the Superbowl. The last time I wore the darn thing Brett Favre was still on the team. The Packers lost and I felt like I had lost my sister all over again. I vowed to never wear the hat again. But one must never give up hope. Even though a football game will not determine my fate or my future, I dared to believe it was a sign of new beginnings, of good things to come. Life is a journey and I just want to DARE to be ME. 
The video was shown during halftime, compliments of Doritos. Some people found it disturbing.
My family and I laughed our arses off .
Thanks for the hugs and wishes last week, I needed them.
Now go be yourself. 
Dare to dream. 
Dare to dance. 
Dare to laugh.
But beware of coworkers that are too fond of Doritos :)






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Wednesday, February 2, 2011


It's Wishcasting Wednesday and Jamie's prompt question for this week  is:
What Burden Do You Wish To Put Down?
My answer:  (Survivor's) Guilt
I don't care how old you are. Losing your only sister and then your dad eighteen months later does something to you. It messes with your mind. At least it has for me. I wonder sometimes what I have done that is so wrong in this life to deserve to be without them. I don't think they should have died so young. They were such rays of light and had much to offer this world. In my head I know I couldn't have saved them, yet I still beat myself up for not noticing the signs sooner. As if (in my Dad's case) I even had a chance of winning the battle against Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma.  Then of course I start beating myself up for things I should have said or what I should have done  in all aspects of my life. I know how much my "sissy" and Daddy loved and appreciated me. They told me so. With their words, actions, in cards and letters. Grief has just done a number on me. Better yet, It is the potter and I am the clay. Constantly manipulating me.
I feel ashamed even as I write this.


My friend's beautiful five year old little boy has been diagnosed with cancer. It is going to be a long journey for this beautiful child and his family.  If I truly have one wish this week it is for Kaiden.  Please pray for him. Send healing vibes his way. Also if you would like to send  postcards to him and his 8 year old brother (Ashton) to brighten their day, please let me know or check out Cards for Kaiden to Kick Cancer - Technorati Family. We are hoping to "fill up the map" on a bulletin board of encouragement.








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