Book Review- "From Peanuts to the Pressbox" by Eli Gold

From Peanuts to the Pressbox, by Eli Gold (with M.B. Roberts.)
is a well written, easy to follow memoir of a young boy living out the American dream in the sports industry. The book follows his journey from a young sports fanatic to becoming one of America's top sports broadcaster.

Eli Gold is man's man. He is someone that inspires you to put your faith back into the men of sports. In this memoir he shares a glimpse of his friends, experiences and sports history, revealing that there are other admirable men in this industry worth believing in and routing for. He covers his experience and history of a variety of sports: From minor league hockey to Nascar, from SEC football to the AFL and many others in between

I shared this book with my thirteen year old son who loved it. He enjoyed it's fast paced narrative and history and enjoyed getting acquainted with other sports announcers and athletes. I felt good about sharing this book with my son--we dont share the same obsession and desire for all things manly and sports inspired. I was however searching for a common ground to show him what determination and good character can bring to your life experience.

*I was given From Peanuts to the Pressbox, a memoir by Eli Gold (with M.B. Roberts. from Thomas Nelson publishing from the publisher to review here on my blog. I was not compensated in any other way nor was my opinion swayed.

You can find more reviews or purchase your own copy here:
From Peaunts to Pressbox-Eli Gold

Help for my living room?

I have showed you my living room before. In all its glory:
I got an amazing deal on couches and worked on this room a bit....I was hesitant to show you the room because it isn't *done*. I'm not sure what ever is really *done*




A lot has changed in here that I am excited about but it is no way near designer show room AND the room is really small and needs to serve a lot of purposes:)

**I found some Waverly drapes at Good Will, for $10.00 a panel, they are washable and lined.

**There is NO light in this room despite the great lamps I got at a hotel storage closeout...I bought this at the thrift store AND bought some metallic paint in a color that I like...it isn't perfect, but it was $7.00 and we now have light :)

**The brown and black pillows came with the couches. I'm trying to figure out how to cover them without sewing:) The smaller pillows are covered with Dollar Tree Slip covers.

**The oil painting next to the door is also part of my recent "inheritance"

**I got a cream colored knitted throw from Target for $10.00. I lOOOVE it and it feels like Autumn when I curl up in it on "my" new couches:)

If you have any suggestions of things that *I* can actually DO or work towards....please share!!

My Living Room

You may remember that I got a small inheritance recently. Our living room furniture was borrowed and really not cutting it.


I was searching and searching for dining room furniture...

THAT didn't fall into place: but these did:


Originally from Ashley Furniture, I scored big time at Big Lots....for $329.00 Each.

It was really really hard to hand the checker 7 $100 bills. REALLY HARD. he assured me that it was a really good deal and to check the prices at the Ashely furniture store.
WOW. Apparently, I really scored.
I also have an amazing amazing friend with what she calls her "little red wagon" This amazing trailer that folds up into almost nothing in her garage but held both couches. She had this magic elastic netting to hold the couches in and could maneuver her husband's truck and this trailer with both couches well enough to whip us into the parking lot of a Starbucks with what seemed like no effort. Wow again.

**Photos to follow:)

I shared this adventure with the ladies at:
www.lifeasmom.com


head over there to see all their frugal ideas:)

Reformation Day

I really really don't like Halloween. I don't want to celebrate it and I don't want to celebrate in reaction to it. I don't have nay traditions to pass down and havent decided exactly what my ideal is...My husband was able to pick up an "extra" shift which is good but made for an extra long day for me:)

I have NEVER carved a pumpkin. My dear friend, Jane, decided to show us how. She got pumpkins for everyone, tons of supplies and made a HUGE pot of chili (and cornbread and honey/butter)



I was all excited for Gabriel, being his first pumpkin carving and all. Then I relaized, with a little help, that it would be a first for me and ALL five of my children.


Nate wasn't too sure about it all. But had a GREAT time once he let himself:)





Erin blew me out of the park with her carving of something profound..IN JAPANESE!!




Luke discovered that if you stuck your head way down in the "pumpkin guts bucket and screamed that IT ECHOED!!


Here is the conspiring that led to an Awesome "G" pumpkin.







Here are the works of the day...they look good...



AND SOOOO good all lit up. Apparently, pumpkin carving is very forgiving.

Got Diapers? Great Deal

Yes. I use cloth but not ALL the time. I was sick last week and in bed. I didnt wash diapers like I meant to and then it rained. BUT I had disposables on hand for just such an occasion:)

I came across this deal today on a great blog and hoped it could bless someone...

Amazon has a great deal right now for Seventh generation diapers using subscribe and save (you can get 4 packs for $23.00)

Go here:

and click on the link to to “Your Coupon Book” (just under the product description). That will take you to some coupons, including one for $4 off. Once you click on that coupon, you’ll be back to choose your size. Pick your size, then select purchase via Subscribe & Save, which will give you free shipping and another 15% off. Then at checkout, apply coupon code 7GENIOO9 for another 15% off.

The end result is diapers to your door for about 40% off (15% coupon + 15% Subscribe & Save + about 10% from your coupon book). Good time to stock up for your little one and rainy days:)

Activism and my Current Calling

I did a lot of activism and volunteer work before children. In college I volunteered as a counselor at a Crisis Pregnancy Center. I then became a "sidewalk counselor" in front of Planned Parenthood. We were pretty organized and each took one day to stand and pray and be available. I saved money and took summer school classes and was there 5 days a week. (I think many people thought I was their assigned person that day..I never thoguth much of it. I didn't need the recognition. I was doing what I was supposed to) I then became the Director of the Crisis Pregnancy Center. I also did some small stuff with Operation Rescue. I later brought the ACLJ to Santa Barbara to fight an un-constitutional city ordinance. We did win.

Why did I just tell you all that? Do I think I'm cool because of it? NO. I AM feeling pretty "uncool" now. My heart is still there, praying, helping reaching out. But most days I am: home, in my pajamas, teaching children to read, discussing theology, doing dishes, laundry, changing diapers....I no longer reach out of my four walls.

>
(don't think that is really me? maybe not..but mess up the hair, add pajama pants, tone down the dinner a bit, its getting closer:)
I have done some work with the Crisis Pregnancy Center here but not as Id like to. My children have raised money and walked in the yearly Walk For Life. I helped with a parenting class. We aren't really involved. There is no time in this season and I'm feeling shallow and silly for it. I didn't look for recognition a few years ago. Why all of a sudden? I guess we were promised that our children would "rise" and call us blessed not that we'd look "cool" in the formative years :)I'm not very outwardly motivated. I just want ME to know that I am doing what I should be.

One of my favorite blogs is Resolved 2 Worship


Alyssa is an amazing Christian, wife, and mom--I am so inspired by her days. She pours all she is into raising and training her children and is such an inspiration to me.

She has been getting flack for not being more politically involved and not doing "more" ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I think by raising these boys:

In the fear and admonition of the Lord, teaching then right from wrong, teaching them of a mothers love and respect for those smaller and weaker that she is doing far more for our country and its future than anything I could come up with.

She has been entrusted with the care, training and discipleship of four boys and three girls. Wow huh? Most recently their beautiful family was blessed with this newcomer:




Alyssa's calling seems so clear to me...SOOO..does that mean that I too should focus on my current calling and not beat myself up over all that I am "not" doing? Hmm.. I am so not cool like she is, I don't do half of what she does...then again maybe I do. That isn't really the point is it?

Sooo...Im pondering this and realize that we need to pick up my sons' eyeglasses a half hour away and that we need gas. We race out the door and to the gas station. Im balancing our checkbook in my head and figuring out how much gas I need and can get. I apologize to the older gentleman in line behind us because I am taking far too long. He steps out of the vehicle and comes up to me. He reads the bumper stickers "It is a poverty to decide that someone should die so that you can live as you wish-Mother and "Some Choices Are Wrong" on our 10 year old mini-van.

He asks, "are you pro-life?" We talked for awhile. He raised 4 sons and now has many many grandchildren. We talked about how blessed he is. He is Catholic. I am a reformed Presbyterian. We found common ground and were a blessing to each other. I realized in talking to him that this is where my "activism" and convictions match up with my walk. Where the rubber meets the road so to speak. I am not going beyond my four walls. But what I am doing in those four walls will impact the world. I am raising 5 children to know Christ. We are feeding, clothing and sheltering them on less that $1,800 a month (and much much Godly generosity and Grace) that isn't convenient or selling out. That is the Current Calling of my heart and life. Glamorous or not:)

Good Deals on Good Reading:)

Fall has finally arrived. I am daydreaming about curling up under a handmade afghan with a cup of tea and a good book. But, there are dirty diapers and screaming toddlers and deadlines and children wanting my computer. Today's blessing is not alone time but a houseful of activity and love. No, there will be no alone reading on this rainy day:) BUT I found some great deals in case those days do come:)


Vision Forum has some offers that end tomorrow. There is a book and DVD, free for shipping (between $2 and $4 depending on where you are)

Passionate Housewives Desperate for God

enter coupon: PHDGFREE


The League of Grateful Sons (DVD)

enter coupon: LOGSFREE

You can enter both but will need to place two seperate orders.





also for the young men in your lives..
BOYS LIFE, for $4.50 today only


Today only you, you can get it here:

enter REFCENTS15 as a coupon and get another 15% off...comes to $4.50