Sunday, July 29, 2012

How To Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular

Friday night we headed to the United Center for fire breathing action on the Isle of Berk in DREAMWORKS HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR.  And it was A. MA. ZING.  Life like dragons, huge dragons...that growl and attack vikings.  Fireballs exploding so close to us that we could feel the heat.  But it's not just flying dragons and talented actors on stage.  The huge projection screen makes you feel like part of the action, as if you're soaring with them!  The boys absolutely loved it as did Augie Dawgs and I. 



You can see it today at the United Center and then the tour heads to Uniondale, NY.  Tickets start at $26.50 (plus applicable facility fees and service charges) and are available through Ticketmaster or at www.unitedcenter.com.  A limited number of special premium Dragon Hot Seats, VIP and family packages are available.

Use the code "MOM" for 25% off your weekday tickets (includes Friday) for all shows nationwide, when you purchase them through Ticketmaster.


  Disclaimer:  My family received free tickets to attend Dreamworks How to Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular for sharing this information.
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Saturday, July 21, 2012

Why I'm Wearing My Robe and Jammies at #BBSUMMIT12

I'm sure you're all wondering, why on earth would this blogger come to a major conference dressed in pajamas, robe and slippers?  Well settle in, because I'm about to tell you.

A little over a year ago, I met Brandie at a get together for local bloggers.  As I chatted with someone to my right, I thought overheard Brandie mention that she had just been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I shook my head a bit and perked up my ears, because surely I had heard wrong.  She couldn't have possibly said she was just diagnosed with breast cancer, she was only 31 years old.  So I listened in disbelief and realized I hadn't misheard, Brandie indeed had stage IV breast cancer.  I was absolutely dumbfounded.  How is it possible that this young wife and mother of three could have breast cancer?  But that's just the thing, breast cancer doesn't skip over you because you've painted blood on your doorway.

Brandie's diagnosis really touched my heart. I've had a mammogram scare of my own a few years back and thankfully it was just lumpy boobs.  But this, it could have just as easily been one of my daughters.  Augie Dawg's maternal grandmother died from complications of breast cancer before she was born and her aunt is battling it right now.  Although I don't keep in touch with my ex's family, I have heard through the grapevine that his sister recently battled breast cancer and a maternal aunt of mine was diagnosed late in life as well.  This puts GlitterGurl at an increased risk too.  And frankly, that scares the living crap out of me. 

I prayed for Brandie.

And Brandie kicked cancer's ass!

She kicked cancer's ass so hard and so far, that one year later she signed up to walk with me on Team One More Mile in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer!

And that walk was amazing!

I won't lie, it was hard as hell!  Especially since I did something crazy to my foot while training.  Just the week before, I didn't think I'd be even able to walk 39 feet. Thanks to a wrap and some padding devised by my podiatrist I was able to walk 13 miles the first day and another 7 on day two.  And that walk was so inspiring, and so uplifting.  The energy created by the other walkers and all the supporters and volunteers, it was just an incredible experience.

But my hero, Brandie...she walked the entire 39.3 miles!

As Team One More Mile neared the finish line, we linked arms and started chanting "Brandie!  Brandie!  Brandie!"

We did it together!

We did it to end it!

And that memory will be etched in my heart forever!

But you're still wondering, what does that have to do with the robe and jammies?

Well, one of the requirements of walking was raising a minimum of $1800 in donations and despite my best efforts at fundraising, I was still coming up short.  So at the end of April I proposed this here crazy idea, and although I didn't actually get 100 individual donations as a result, I eventually did reach my $1800 goal and surpassed it by another $849!  Being the good sport that I am, I decided to keep my promise and here I am!  In my robe and jammies.  Do you like my matching slippers?

P.S.  I've already signed up for the Avon Walk for 2013 (315 days away!) and I've got another fundraising idea brewing!  I may even let the cat out of the bag at #BBSUMMIT12

P.P.S.  If' you're so inclined, please make a donation.  I would greatly appreciate your support.

P.P.P.S.  No donation amount is too small!
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Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Dreamworks How to Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular

Some time ago, TOF and I had a date and we went to see How to Train Your Dragon at the movie theater.  Dragon slaying and Vikings and scary flying creatures! He loved it!  I loved that he loved it! Well next week he is going to be blown away when we head to the United Center to see DreamWorks How to Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular!

Astrid (Gemma Nguyen), Hiccup (Riley Miner) and Toothless. photo: Todd Kaplan
 Produced by DreamWorks Animation, RZO Dragon Productions and Global Creatures, the masterminds behind Walking with Dinosaurs, the Live Spectacular features 23 dragons (some with wingspans of up to 46 feet), Viking warriors and world-class circus artists and acrobats, captivating the audience against a state-of-the-art, immersive projection measuring more than 20,000 square feet.

Check out this sneak peak!


And some fun facts about DreamWorks How to Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular:

 Produced over a two-year period in Melbourne, Australia
• Each large dragon weighs over 2.6 tons (the size of a family car) 
• Over 2 miles of “Dragon Skin” was created
• The production has the largest number of animatronics ever to tour the globe. 
• Travels in over 30 18-Wheeler Trucks (52’ each) with a touring cast & crew of 85. 
• Together the show weighs over 200,000 pounds. 
• If all the cables in the production were laid out end to end, they would stretch from Los Angeles to New York City. 
• There are more automation cues in the opening sequence alone than a Broadway musical has in a night. 


See it for yourself at the United Center:

Thursday, July 26 at 7:00 PM**
Friday, July 27 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, July 28 at 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 7:00 PM
Sunday, July 29 at 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM
Free parking in all official United Center parking lots for all performances!

Tickets start at $26.50 (plus applicable facility fees and service charges) and are available through Ticketmaster or at www.unitedcenter.com.  A limited number of special premium Dragon Hot Seats, VIP and family packages are available.
Use the code "MOM" for 25% off your weekday tickets (includes Friday) for all shows nationwide, when you purchase them through Ticketmaster. 

Red Dragon attack, photo credit Todd Kaplan
 
** The Chicago premiere of DREAMWORKS HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR will now be on Thursday, July 26 at the United Center, instead of July 25.
The critically acclaimed show’s enormous size and groundbreaking technology require an additional day to load-in and build.  The date change will provide additional time to complete this extraordinary build.  Ticketholders are encouraged to re-book their seats for any of the other scheduled performances and as added incentive, will receive a merchandise voucher valued at up to $25 which can be exchanged for the official tour T-shirt or program book. If unable to attend another performance, a full refund will be given. Current ticket holders can find out about exchanges or refunds by visiting the point of purchase.

Disclaimer:  My family received free tickets to attend Dreamworks How to Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular for sharing this information.

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Repeating Some Sage Advice

I wrote this little gem back in April of 2010, about a comment that Jillian Michaels had made.  Unbeknownst to me, I would have the pleasure of actually meeting Jillian Michaels at the Housewares Show this past March.


Opinions, Everyone Has One

In case you missed it, in an interview with Women's Health magazine, famed "Biggest Loser" trainer Jillian Michaels says, "I'm going to adopt. I can't handle doing that to my body. Also, when you rescue something, it's like rescuing a part of yourself."

Michaels is angry, however, that she's been misquoted in several media outlets as saying she "won't ruin" her body by getting pregnant. “I’m disappointed about the way that my words have been twisted by the media. ‘Heartbroken’ is actually more the word I’m looking for,” she said. “I support all women in any and every endeavor they choose and I wish that they would do the same for me.”

Oh boy. She said what she felt, expressed an opinion and the internet was all a buzz. Comments regarding her statement could be read on Twitter, Facebook and hundreds of blogs. Comments that were both negative and positive spread like wildfire. Everyone had something to say about Jillian's desire to not become pregnant.

Now you're going to hear my opinion on this matter and a few other things too.

Opinions are like, well, I think you know how that saying goes. Everyone has one. We're all entitled to one. But seriously? To start bashing someone because of their opinion is just wrong and down right mean.

I've seen this same type of behavior on a few blogs lately and it makes me sad.

One blogger wrote about the features she considered before purchasing her new home. It was a delightful post describing the different lavish upgrades included and how the selling point was actually something quite simple that probably made her heart smile a little, knowing the joy it would bring to her as a mother. A troll left a comment and I'm paraphrasing now, that basically said to the blogger that she was a shallow, insecure individual who liked to brag about her good fortune.

Another blogger made a political reference in their post and again the nasty comments were flying.

Why?

Really, why?

Why do people have to be so mean? Was what Jillian Michaels said so terrible? Did she hurt anyone by saying what she did? It's not like she said, "knowing what I know now, about my vajay jay being stretched as wide as the Grand Canyon, the miles of stretch marks, the aching, leaky bing bings that will more than likely never be perky again, the sleepless nights, the gas, and the backache, I wish I had never put my body through that." Do we even know the whole story?

Yes, everyone is entitled to an opinion, but if you don't have something nice to say shut your pie hole and use your energy in a more positive way.
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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Shutterfly’s Long Live Summer Photo Contest

Summer is here and that means you’ll be taking more photos of your family.  Between beach trips and BBQs, photographs are a great way to capture these summer memories. 

Win a trip for four to The Bahamas and a professional photo shoot so you’ll remember your vacation forever.  All you need to do is upload your favorite photo and caption based on the theme of the week.  Get a gift from Shutterfly just for entering! You can enter at any point during the 5-week sweepstakes period.  


 

PHOTO THEMES 

•       Week 1(7/9): Americana
•       Week 2 (7/16): Great Outdoors
•       Week 3 (7/23): Water Fun
•       Week 4 (7/30): Sports & Activities
•       Week 5 (8/6): Parties & Celebrations

PRIZES

              •       Instant win prizes just for submitting a photo!
       Weekly prizes (contestants can enter one time/week)
       Weekly featured photos: up to 5 weekly entries will be selected from the gallery and featured on the Facebook fan page and awarded a $500 gift card on Shutterfly and a copy of the new Lonely Planet travel photography book.
       Grand prize: trip for 4 to Bahamas, 4 nights, family photo shoot

  Shutterfly Sweepstakes - Official Rules

Disclaimer:  I received a free 8x8-20 page hardcover Photo book (plus free shipping) for sharing this information with you.
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Monday, July 16, 2012

Fiber One Nutty Clusters and Almonds






Ready to go nuts over fiber? Introducing the newest flavor in the Fiber One® cereal line-up, Fiber One® Nutty Clusters & Almonds! With the perfect combination of crunch and sweetness, this new cereal is a great (and tasty!) way to help get fiber you need.


  • Contains 11 grams of fiber (43% of the Daily Value), 23 grams of whole grain (at least 48 recommended daily), and 180 calories per serving
  • Chock full of delicious crunchy nut clusters, real sliced almonds and whole grain flakes
In a nutshell, Fiber One Nutty Clusters & Almonds is a great-tasting and wholesome breakfast cereal that you can feel good about.

Visit http://bit.ly/Fiber1NCAcoupon to download a printable coupon for $1.25 off one box of Fiber One Nutty Clusters & Almonds cereal today! You’re just a click away from starting your day off the right way with a bowl of Fiber One Nutty Clusters & Almonds!  Find more info about Fiber One online at:
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Monday, July 2, 2012

“Care Bears: Welcome to Care-a-Lot” on The Hub

The lovable Care Bears are back on television in an all-new animated series Care Bears: Welcome to Care-a-Lot Saturdays at 8 a.m. on The Hub.

“It’s been 30 years since the Care Bears first hit the scene, and they are more popular than ever!” says executive producer Sarah Finn, who also teases the newest Care Bear, Wonderheart Bear. “The newest resident of Care-a-Lot, Wonderheart Bear, is silly, sweet and full of joy and is by far the youngest Care Bear. Always wanting to be part of the big bears’ adventures, she is a playfully curious bear who is never short on questions — about everything!  Her belly badge is clearly a little heart, but she won’t know what its full power is until she’s a little older.

Here's a peak!

 
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