Real Women Scrap with Tasra Dawson

For Night Owls: Book Light in a Bookcover Giveaway

That's me. A confirmed night owl and an avid reader. If that's you too, I have the perfect solution so that you don't interrupt your loved ones trying to sleep while you read the latest novel late into the night. It's the Book Light in a Book Cover.

I've got a FREE Book Light in a Bookcover in cherry red to give away to one lucky reader. It's super cute and fits paperback books. It has two ultra-bright LED lights and a bookmark. The deluxe cover protects your book too, which makes it great for traveling! And it's the perfect gift for the reader in your family!

Wanna win? Just leave a comment below telling me your favorite book and then enter the Blog-Abration for more great giveaways and gifts!

Want extra entries? Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following message or add it to your Facebook profile as many times as you like before Dec. 13. Make sure to come back and leave a comment here for each entry.

Night owls and avid readers unite! Win a Book Light in a Bookcover from @tasradawson. Details here: http://bit.ly/BKlite1

Do It Afraid - A Lesson in Courage

Have you been living fearless? Are you venturing down new roads? Do you live life without reservation?

One of my favorite movie quotes is "A life lived in fear is a life half-lived." It's from Strictly Ballroom, a movie my husband introduced me to years ago. We even mentioned it in our latest book because of the strong implication for how to live a courageous, full life.

So if we've got metaphors and quotes and movies for us to live courageously, what do our kids have? As of just a few weeks ago, they've got a new movie by Joyce Meyer titled Do It Afraid.

It's the second in a series of kids movies, the first was What About Me!? 

This second movie, Pahappahooey Island: Do It Afraid!, follows a group of furry friends as they navigate a mysterious island full of strange people and things that each one fears. The great thing is that their fears are silly, so there isn't anything that will spark a new fear in your own kids.

As with the last DVD, the characters are funny and there are some pretty hilarious songs they sing along the way, all while learning a powerful message about the importance of overcoming your fears and just doing it afraid.

We could all learn a thing or two from these furry friends!

Wanna win a FREE copy for the favorite kiddo in your life?

Join the Holiday Blog-Abration (full details here). Then leave a comment on this post. That's it!

WANT EXTRA ENTRIES? Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following message or add it to your Facebook profile as many times as you like before Dec. 7. Make sure to come back and leave a comment here for each tweet.

New Joyce Meyer movie for kids, "Do It Afraid." Win a FREE copy from @tasradawson. Details here: http://bit.ly/DIA-1

Create a Quick and Easy Photo Book

Earlier this year I had a lifelong dream come true...twice! I've always wanted to visit New York and in 2009 so far I've been to the City that Never Sleeps on two separate visits. The first visit was super short so I didn't get to see much. But the second visit was thanks to my new partnership with OpenSky and I got to stay in the heart of Manhattan.

I felt like a little kid giddy with excitement. After my meetings were over, I was free to roam the city streets, camera in hand. I've been wanting to create something special with the images but couldn't figure out what to do.

Then, fellow scrapbooker Savannah Brentnall contacted me about reviewing the new digital photobooks from Shutterfly. Perfect! With all the photo books I've been reading for my tasra365 photography project, I knew this was the answer for my New York pictures. 

I'd love for you to take a look at my complete NY book below. Such a cool share feature that lets not just you but your friends and family enjoy your book as well. 

Make sure to check back later this week. I'll have a step by step tutorial on how I completed the entire project in just a little over 2 hours AND a giveaway of a FREE Shutterfly book for you to create your own!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Bookswim: For Avid Readers Everywhere

Okay, maybe not only avid readers. You can be a casual reader too. But, you are going to love this. Bookswim is to books what Netflix is to movies. So now instead of ordering new movies to watch all the time, I can order my favorite new books, read them, return and repeat!

Bookswim is offering one lucky winner a FREE 3-month subscription to their service. No strings attached. Just go here for the official entry form. It only takes 30 seconds to enter!

Bookswim is the first online book rental service that delivers hardcovers, paperbacks and college textbooks directly to your home. They stock all the latest bestsellers, new releases and classics! Read the books as long as you want with no late fees. Even choose to purchase and keep the books you love.

This is where it separates itself from all other sources:

• Library books have limited checkout, late fees, and long waits for new releases
• Paperbackswap books have a low fee, but very seldom have new releases and they aren't new
• Bookstores well, the cost can really add up if you go through books like I do

If you just can't wait and want to get signed up now, you can get $10 off by using the code: REALWOMENSCRAP10.

Happy Reading!

Photo © Austin Evans via Flickr

The Cove: Powerful Real World Thriller

I've always been a dolphin lover. From as early as elementary school when I did a complete report on the bottlenose dolphin to the gifts of dolphins my students would give me at Christmas. 

So you can understand why the film trailer below is so shocking and strikes a deep cord with me. Have you seen this?

Are You Keeping Up?

I'm sad to admit that I've fallen behind in this month's challenge. What about you? Are you keeping up? 

I know that at least a few of you have emailed me to say you're working on it, but a bit behind. With each new email, I send a sincere reply saying that's it's okay and to give yourself permission to get it done as you can. I've decided to give myself the same grace since I've been traveling on business.

For the last week, we've been in Vegas for Skip's Summer School, a photography conference with 15 of the most amazing speakers. We were honored to be included on the list. My new friend, Scott Bourne, described the conference this way: "Essentially, if you make money at photography or ever HOPE to make money at photography, you would have loved being at this conference."

It was a time of encouragement, rejuvenation, and inspiration for me. We showed the promo for Teen Identity and it was received with such enthusiasm and support. I'm excited to explore the next step in my journey as a photographer.

One specific area I'm committed to growing in is developing my skills as a photographer. Scott Bourne challenged me in this area with some specific strategies for improving my ability and I took him up on the challenge. I'll post about it in detail next week so you can join me if you're interested. 

In the meantime, I'll give you a preview...one of the challenges is to take a photo every day. Below is one of my favorite photos from today. I love the fun expression and pose we captured! What do you think?

Starting next week, I'll get back on track with the daily posts on the one month to live challenge. Until then, give yourself grace to get through each day.

"Google for Moms" Now @ Mamapedia

What do you need to know? Sleep problems? Teen issues? Kid-friendly restaurants?

These questions and more have answers and they can be found at Mamapedia...dubbed "Google for Moms."

My first time around as a single mom with my daughter, I frequently felt alone. I didn't have a clue what I was doing but I was sure I was doing it all wrong. Experience and a second try with child number two helped calm some of those fears. And now, the digital age we live in is bringing us answers and community even closer. 

Mamapedia enables you to search answers for your most pressing questions, such as childhood crushes, renting a house, and summer camps, to get answers from moms around the country. A virtual encyclopedia of Mothers' wisdom, Mamapedia allows you to quickly navigate through thousands of diverse categories to find answers to all of your questions. Mamapedia brings millions of women together online, both nationwide and in our own communities, so we can help each other tackle those difficult parenting questions.  

Here are two questions I found at Mamapedia that I've dealt with...

Help....My son is sneaking food and stealing. (It was actually our daughter sneaking spoonfuls of sugar when she was about 8 years old.)

Any suggestions for food to try for 18 month old who is a picky eater? (only wants carbs)

They even have tips on finances, house and home, career, and health. Being a mom just got easier thanks to Mamapedia!

Join the Clean Air Club

When we moved to Atlanta, we knew we'd get hit by heat and humidity. We didn't know we would get hit by allergies from all of the pollen in the air. I have never seen so much pollen. At times it literally looks like it is raining! 

My kids who have never had allergy problems are starting to complain about itchy eyes and sneezing. 

What's a busy mom to do? Keep them indoors all summer? Not likely. 

Years ago I read that there are actually higher levels of pollutants indoors than outdoors. That's why it's good to open up your windows and let the fresh air in at least once a week. That's why I air out our house even in the winter months when it's cold and the family has to bundle up.

Another strategy for keeping indoor air fresh is to change your air filter frequently. I must admit that we are not great at maintaining things like that, but with the recent issues with pollen and allergies, we're getting more diligent about making sure we stay on top of it...which means at the start of every season or every three months.

Recognizing that this may be the last thing on the mind of a busy Mom, 3M, the makers of Filtrete filters, offers the Clean Air Club. Moms can receive seasonal e-newsletters featuring special offers, filter change reminders, better home living tips and more. Plus, the first 50 people to sign up each week will receive a free bamboo plant - a natural air purifier.

Dr. Neil Schachter, M.D., past president of the American Lung Association of the City of New York, suggests a "home health check-up" to help make your home a healthier place to live. He recommends avoiding cleaning products that contain ammonia or chlorine, and limiting your pet's access to certain areas of the home, including the bedroom. A high performance air filter, such as a Filtrete filter, may also help improve indoor air quality. Listen to these tips and more on Dr. Schachter's podcast. 

While you're there, play the Filtrete Clean Air Fact or Fiction to test your knowledge of indoor air quality. You could win a home inspection from Steve Ramos, featured home inspector on HGTV's House Detective. Thanks to Mom Central for bringing this new site to my attention!

Take Action for Freedom

I was recently sent the following press release regarding healthcare workers. While I don't know the whole story, I think it's wise for all of us to do our research and check in on things like this. It's so easy to have freedoms removed before we even realize what we're missing.

On April 9, 2009, the government will close the debate on an issue that could be important to many of your friends, family and local physician’s careers. This past month, the new administration officially began the process to overturn a Health and Human Service regulation that provides protection for healthcare workers from pressure or intimidation to perform medical procedures that go against one’s conscience. This regulation is also known as the conscience clause and protects all healthcare workers, not just doctors

After reports of discrimination and a shrinking number of healthcare workers, the regulation was first enacted in December 2008 to raise awareness and enforce three existing civil laws that have protected doctors’ rights for 35 years. Three months later, the new administration opened the regulation for public comment until April 9. Public comment allows any American to submit their opinions to the White House and legislators before a final decision is made on a regulation.

“If the administration overturns the regulation, future tax dollars and the government could discriminate against doctors, nurses and other health specialists who choose not to perform medical procedures that conflict with their ethical convictions such as abortion,” says Dr. Donna Harrison, president of AAPLOG. 

AAPLOG is asking for everyone to get involved in the public comment period and help protect a doctor and nurses’ rights to practice according to their conscience. Visit www.Freedom2Care.org for simple, step-by-step instructions on how to submit your support for the regulation.

“Revoking the regulation is the first step in removing doctors of their rights to make a decision based on conscience and what they believe is in the best interest for the patient. This issue will not only effect faith-based medical institutions, but could cause a dire situation for the entire medical profession,” says Dr. Joe DeCook, vice president of AAPLOG.

About AAPLOG: 

AAPLOG is a group of 2,500 members in OB/GYN field across the nation taking a pro-life stance and advocating for the physician’s right of conscience in medical decision making. Through research and communication, the organization is committed to educating the public on the medical and psychological complications associated with induced abortion. www.aaplog.org

I'm Living Au Naturale

Not the urban dictionary definition, but the living green, Whole Foods, organic definition. I'm participating in 30 Days to Natural sponsored by GreenWorks.

I started slow by sampling their products, testing how they worked and then moved up to replacing the chemically laden cleansers in my cupboard with fresh smelling natural cleaners. Now it's 30 Days to Natural and I'm getting daily tips for how to shape up my house and my life to help the environment.

The first few tips were super easy. Like the one I read today about keeping a few extra bags in your car so that you always have them handy when you visit the grocery store. You know we all have way too many grocery bags and don't need anymore. So why not take a bag full and put them in your car. Every time you go buy groceries take a few in and reuse them. It may seem like a small thing and it's super easy, but if we all do the small things they'll make a big difference.

Wanna join the fun? 

Here are 5 simple ways you can get started today...

1. Add the blog badge above to your blog in a post or on the sidebar to encourage others to go green and live natural. 
2. If you're on Facebook, become a fan of 30 Days to Natural.
3. Plant a daisy on the Green Works site. 
4. Sign up for 30 days of tips on email or mobile. I've got them both activated so I can get them anywhere. 
5. Watch the video diaries of real women going au naturale for 30 days. 

Check them out today. 

GreenWorks is in partnership with the following environmentally conscious organizations...