Thursday Thirteen

I went to the Rachel's Challenge presentation at school today (third time I had seen/heard the story).  It never ceases to amaze and inspire me.  Like Rachel Scott, I do believe that kindness goes a long way and that kind acts can produce a chain reaction.  Not just random acts of kindness, which are good, but TARGETED acts of kindness which are even better.   (Rachel was the first student who was shot at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999.)  Through the way she lived her life, her diaries, her essays, she embodied the Golden Rule and so much more!

What are some EASY ways to show kindness toward others?

1.  In traffic, allow someone to pull in front of you.
2.  Hold the elevator for someone.
3.  Smile and say hello to a stranger.
4.  Open the door for someone.
5.  Pick up something someone has dropped.
6.  Give a sincere, meaninful compliment.
7.  Keep bottled water in your car and give one to the guy on the street corner.
8.  Pay the toll for the car following you at the toll booth.
9.  Say, "I'm sorry," and mean it.
10. Send a random text or Facebook message just to say hi to someone.
11. Say, "Thank you," and mean it.
12. Write a note and put it in your child's/spouse's lunch.
13. Offer to load the groceries into the car if you see someone struggling.

Easy, right?  It really is easy to let someone know that they matter.
Kindness is a chain reaction.  Pay it forward!  And THANK YOU for stopping by today!
I'm linking up with Thursday 13 today.

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Pay it Forward November Giveaway

Winner! Tamy-3 Sides of Crazy - Congratulations! Pay It Forward Book Exchange was designed to encourage people to read, to share good books, to possibly get you out of your reading comfort zone, and to get fun stuff in the mail instead of just bills! It is usually run by Overwhelmed with Joy, but Tamy at 3 Sides of Crazy also has a Mr. Linky up if you'd like to participate, or if you'd like to go over and check out other book giveaways.

If you win my book, you don't have to "Pay it Forward." You can keep your book! But anyone is welcome to play. They can be new books, as mine is this month, but more often, they are "new to you" books that others have already enjoyed and read.

This month I'm giving away a brand-new copy of The Original Country Bob's Cookbook. Here are the editorial reviews from Amazon.com where the book sells for $14.54.

Editorial Reviews
Review - If you can find a better Cookbook anywhere buy it. But if you want the very best buy this one. -- Jerry Curry , Barnes and Noble

The recipes are easy to follow, easy to make and result in excellent quality dishes -- Deborah Thomas, Barnes and Noble Product Description

The Original Country Bob's Cookbook is a classic-looking title which will be a great addition to the cookbook collector s library. This cookbook of easy-to-prepare food features Country Bob's products in most of the recipes. Sprinkled throughout its pages are Bible verses to inspire the cook.

To sign up to win this book, simply leave a comment on this post by 11:59 PM CST November 24, 2008. Winner will need to provide a way to be contacted via email, and later, a snail mail shipping address. That's it! This giveaway is open to US Residents only.

Junie B. Jones Pay-it-Forward Giveaway

Winner!
Here are your random numbers:
4
Timestamp: 2008-10-27 04:54:01 UTC

This month, I am giving away a set of three Junie B. Jones, First Grader books in new condition. They would make a great gift, or you could add them to your own collection. You do not have to "pay-it-forward" to someone else. You can keep the books!

Included in the set of three is (at last), One Man Band, and Toothless Wonder.

Get your name into the drawing by leaving a comment on this post before October 24th, 11:59 CST. One US winner will receive all three books.

Earn an extra entry by stumbling this post or subscribing to my blog. (up to three total entries). Please leave a separate comment for each of your entries. Good luck!

This giveaway is now closed, and a winner has been selected.

Pay it Forward - September Giveaway

I have a book to give away this month. It is a gently read copy of The History of Love by Nicole Krauss. This was one of our books-of-the-month at Reader's Anonymous, in May, I think.
A long-lost book reappears, mysteriously connecting an old man searching for his son and a girl seeking a cure for her widowed mother's loneliness. This extraordinary book was inspired by the author's four grandparents and by a pantheon of authors whose work is haunted by loss—Bruno Schulz, Franz Kafka, Isaac Babel, and more. It is truly a history of love: a tale brimming with laughter, irony, passion, and soaring imaginative power.

All you have to do to win this book is leave a comment on this post by midnight CST September 28. US entries only, please. I just can't afford shipping internationally. The winner does not have to Pay it Forward unless he/she chooses to do so.

The Pay it Forward Book Giveaway is a concept organized by Overwhelmed with Joy. She has three books to give away: Hitched by Carol Higgins Clark, I Choose This Day by Sharon Fieker, and The Divide by Nicholas Evans. She also links Pay it Forward posts from other bloggers.

I hope you'll enter my giveaway, if you think this book will interest you or someone you know, then head over to Overwhelmed for her main Pay It Forward post! Thanks!

The winner is Veronda!

Pay it Forward - July Giveaway

This month I have four gently read Scholastic children's books to give away to one lucky winner. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post before July 20th, and one lucky winner will receive all four books. It is my hope that once your little one(s) have enjoyed them, that you will pass them on to someone else who would also enjoy them. Hosting a giveawy on your blog is not required, and mentioning this post on your blog is not required. Just leave a comment if you'd like to win them. That's all!

1. 99 1/2 School Jokes, Riddles, and Nonsense by Holly Kowitt.

2. The Bailey School Kids: Reindeer DO Wear Striped Underwear by M. Jones & D. Dadey

3. GI Joe vs. Cobra: Ice Force by Holly Kowitt. (sorry, no tattoos inside.)

4. The Emperor Lays an Egg by Brenda Guiberson.

All four books are pictured here.

Over at Overwhelmed with Joy, she hosts a Pay it Forward book giveaway every month. This month, she has two books to give away: Hitched by Carol Higgins Clark and I Choose this Day by Sharon Fieker. Please visit her blog to enter to win these books.

The winner is Blueberries and Peanut Butter!

Winner!

The winner of my June book giveaway is Tamy from 3 Sides of Crazy. She was chosen by random.org as commenter number...
Congratulations! I will be mailing her a brand new copy of Live Your Best Life from the editors of "O," the Oprah magazine. Stay tuned for a book giveaway in July!

Book Giveaway

REPOST! Last chance to sign up for my book giveaway!

During the month of June, everyone who comments on this post will be entered into a drawing to win a brand new book! Live Your Best Life from the editors of "O," the Oprah magazine. That's right! All you have to do to win this book is leave a comment here no later than June 30th. On July 1, I'll use random.org to choose the winner. Good luck!

And visit Overwhelmed with Joy for additional book giveaways.

The Winner of Life Strategies

May's Pay it Forward book winner is Paige! I just love that name. It's my daughter's middle name, but I wish it were her first name. I will mail her a copy of Dr. Phil's Life Strategies. Several of you asked me if you really have to pay it forward if you win, and the answer is no. You can hold your own book giveaway IF YOU CHOOSE TO, but it's definitely not required. Visit Overwhelmed With Joy for more book giveaways, and stay tuned for the book I will be sending out for June.

4 Days Until Book Giveaway!

Don't forget to enter my Pay-it-Forward giveaway for Dr. Phil's Life Strategies. Click this link to be taken to the post where you comment to win. Good luck!

Pay it Forward - May Giveaway

Would you like a copy of Dr. Phil's #1 New York Times Bestseller Life Strategies? All you have to do is leave a comment here. On the last day of May, I will use random.org to generate a number from the commenters, and I'll be sending you this book! It's in paperback format, new condition, and is worthy of gift-giving. Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing!

Summary: Life Strategies: Doing What Works - Doing What Matters by Phillip C. McGraw, Ph. D. Mark Twain said, "If everyone was satisfied with himself, there would be no heroes." Dr. Phil says, "Your life really can be different - you just haven't had the focus, and the 'inside scoop.' Keep moving along with me... there is something here for you, something you deserve." Dr. Phil discusses "The Ten Laws of Life."

I hope you'll enter my Pay It Forward Giveaway, and head over to Overwhelmed with Joy where she organizes book giveaways from lots of bloggers. Find her May 1st post. Thanks!

Pay it Forward Book Giveaway-

I used the integer generator at random.org. The lucky gal is Grateful Gramma. Please email your snail mail address, and I will send your book to you! Congratulations! She won:

Garden of Beasts by Jeffery Deaver. (A novel of Berlin, 1936)

The Times (London) calls this author "the best psychologoical thriller writer around."

The premise: "A conscience-plagued mobster turned government hitman struggles to find his moral compass amid rampant treachery and betrayal in 1936 Berlin."

Overwhelmed with Joy hosts a monthly Pay it Forward Book Exchange at her blog. She also posts other blogger's information who are participating in the Pay it Forward Book Exchange.

Pay It Forward Book Exchange

Each month, Overwhelmed with Joy hosts a Pay it Forward Book Giveaway/Exchange. She has a list of 8 books up for grabs this month. For the last two months, I have had a book giveaway, but with spring break coming up, vacation, testing at work, I haven't had time to get a post up for this month. However, you can still visit Overwhelmed with Joy and sign up for any of the books she has up for grabs! That's what I plan to do! And I'll be back with another book giveaway in April. Till then...

Pay it Forward Winner

The winner of the February book giveaway is MondaythroughSunday. Congratulations! I'll be sending her Why Animals Don't Get Heart Attacks - but People Do by Dr. Matthias Rath. I'll come up with another book to give away during March, so please check back with me! Have a great weekend.

Pay it Forward Book Giveaway

I have a book to give away during February, and time is running out! This is a nonfiction book about health and the world's leading cardiovascular health program. The cover touts, "Natural prevention of heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and many other cardiovascular risks. The book also claims to be, "the definitive cardiovascular health guide for you and your family" as well as, "the first patented therapy for the natural reversal of heart disease."

The title is Why Animals Don't Get Heart Attacks - but People Do by Dr. Matthias Rath. This is the 1999 edition, and it's in like new condition. You can check it out in more detail at Amazon.

If you'd like to win this book, please leave a comment no later than February 29, and I will use random number generator to select the person who receives the book. Thanks!

And the Winners Are...

My Pay-it-Forward book giveaway has come to an end and we have our winners.

Jenn wins the Tom Clancy book!

Angie wins the James Patterson book!

More books starting Monday, so stay tuned! Congratulations.

Pay it Forward Exchange

One of my favorite movies is "Pay it Forward." I first read this post on "Imagine Alyzabeth An... It's Easy If You Try" and I was so excited about the concept. Then, I couldn't find the original post. I have since found it, and I hope some of you will pass it on.

I will send - to the first three commenter's - a Christmas or Hanukkah gift. Not sure at this time what it will be, just hope you will like it. Please leave a way for me to contact you in your comment.

The Pay It Forward Exchange is based on the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on. What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.